0001171843-19-007482.txt : 20191113 0001171843-19-007482.hdr.sgml : 20191113 20191113070018 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001171843-19-007482 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20191113 FILED AS OF DATE: 20191113 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20191113 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Caledonia Mining Corp Plc CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000766011 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GOLD & SILVER ORES [1040] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-38164 FILM NUMBER: 191211654 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3RD FLOOR, WEIGHBRIDGE HOUSE STREET 2: WEIGHBRIDGE CITY: ST HELIER STATE: Y9 ZIP: JE2 3NF BUSINESS PHONE: 441534679800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3RD FLOOR, WEIGHBRIDGE HOUSE STREET 2: WEIGHBRIDGE CITY: ST HELIER STATE: Y9 ZIP: JE2 3NF FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CALEDONIA MINING CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950606 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GOLDEN NORTH RESOURCE CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920302 6-K 1 f6k_111319.htm FORM 6-K

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

Of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of November 2019

 

Commission File Number: 001-38164

 

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

3rd Floor, Weighbridge House
Weighbridge
St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NF

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

 

Form 20-F      X       Form 40-F ______

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ______

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______

 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Exhibits 99.1 to 99.4 included with this report on Form 6-K are expressly incorporated by reference into this report and are hereby incorporated by reference as exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (File No. 333-224784), as amended or supplemented.

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

  (Registrant)  
       
  By: /s/ Steve Curtis  
Dated: November 13, 2019

Name:

Steve Curtis  
  Title: CEO and Director  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Description
   
99.1 Interim Financial Statements/Report
99.2 Interim MD&A
99.3 52-109F2 - Certification of Interim Filings - CEO
99.4 52-109F2 - Certification of Interim Filings - CFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 exh_991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

To the Shareholders of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Management has prepared the information and representations in this interim report. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and, where appropriate, these statements include some amounts that are based on best estimates and judgment. Management has determined such amounts on a reasonable basis in order to ensure that the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.

 

The accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) also includes information regarding the impact of current transactions, sources of liquidity, capital resources, operating trends, risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future may differ materially from our present assessment of this information because future events and circumstances may not occur as expected.

 

The Group maintains adequate systems of internal accounting and administrative controls, within reasonable cost. Such systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance that relevant and reliable financial information are produced.

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”). Any system of ICFR, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

At September 30, 2019 management evaluated the effectiveness of the Group’s ICFR and concluded that such ICFR was effective.

 

The Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee, is responsible for ensuring that management fulfils its responsibilities for financial reporting and internal control. The Audit Committee is composed of three independent directors. This Committee meets periodically with management and the external auditor to review accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting matters.

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have not been audited by the Group’s auditor.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2019 were approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf on November 13, 2019.

 

 

 

(Signed) S. R. Curtis  (Signed) J.M. Learmonth
    
Chief Executive Officer  Chief Financial Officer

 

 1 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Condensed consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)  

 

Unaudited      For the 3 months
ended September 30
   For the 9 months
ended September 30
 
   Notes   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Revenue        19,953    16,647    52,393    50,904 
Less: Royalties        (999)   (834)   (2,682)   (2,549)
  Production costs   6    (9,410)   (9,948)   (26,750)   (29,255)
  Depreciation        (1,059)   (1,019)   (3,159)   (2,887)
Gross profit        8,485    4,846    19,802    16,213 
Other income   7    5    1,683    2,043    4,784 
Other expenses        (173)   (20)   (482)   (20)
Administrative expenses   8    (1,246)   (1,423)   (3,951)   (4,625)
Profit on sale of subsidiary   9    -    -    5,409    - 
Equity-settled share-based expense        -    -    -    (14)
Cash-settled share-based expense   10    (36)   (113)   (406)   (450)
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)   11    3,345    (275)   28,270    (115)
Gold hedge expense   12    -    (360)   (324)   (360)
Operating profit        10,380    4,338    50,361    15,413 
Finance income        30    10    80    28 
Finance cost        (46)   (107)   (116)   (170)
Profit before tax        10,364    4,241    50,325    15,271 
Tax expense        (1,858)   (1,204)   (3,154)   (5,101)
Profit for the period        8,506    3,037    47,171    10,170 
Other comprehensive income                         
Items that are or may be classified to profit or loss                         
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations        (353)   (69)   (353)   (509)
Reclassification of accumulated exchange differences on the sale of subsidiary   9    -    -    (2,109)   - 
Total comprehensive income for the period        8,153    2,968    44,709    9,661 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes on page 7 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

On behalf of the Board: “S.R. Curtis”- Chief Executive Officer and “J.M. Learmonth”- Chief Financial Officer.

 2 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Condensed consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (continued)

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)  

 

Unaudited     For the 3 months
ended September 30
   For the 9 months
ended September 30
 
   Notes  2019   2018   2019   2018 
Profit attributable to:                       
Owners of the Company      7,007    2,224    39,628    7,982 
Non-controlling interests      1,499    813    7,543    2,188 
Profit for the period      8,506    3,037    47,171    10,170 
Total comprehensive income attributable to:                       
Owners of the Company      6,654    2,155    37,166    7,473 
Non-controlling interests      1,499    813    7,543    2,188 
Total comprehensive income for the period      8,153    2,968    44,709    9,661 
                        
Earnings per share                       
Basic earnings per share ($)      0.61    0.20    3.60    0.74 
Diluted earnings per share ($)      0.61    0.20    3.60    0.74 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes on page 7 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

On behalf of the Board: “S.R. Curtis”- Chief Executive Officer and “J.M. Learmonth”- Chief Financial Officer.

 3 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Condensed consolidated statements of financial position

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)    

 

Unaudited     September 30,   December 31, 
As at  Notes  2019   2018 
Assets           
Property, plant and equipment  13   109,179    97,427 
Deferred tax asset      76    98 
Total non-current assets      109,255    97,525 
              
Inventories  14   10,238    9,427 
Prepayments      1,773    866 
Trade and other receivables  15   7,936    6,392 
Cash and cash equivalents      8,026    11,187 
       27,973    27,872 
Assets held for sale      -    296 
Total current assets      27,973    28,168 
Total assets      137,228    125,693 
              
Equity and liabilities             
Share capital      56,065    55,102 
Reserves      140,328    142,790 
Retained loss      (90,020)   (127,429)
Equity attributable to shareholders      106,373    70,463 
Non-controlling interests      15,604    8,345 
Total equity      121,977    78,808 
              
Liabilities             
Provisions      3,324    3,309 
Deferred tax liability      822    23,328 
Long-term portion of term loan facility      424    5,960 
Cash-settled share-based payments  10   322    2,090 
Total non-current liabilities      4,892    34,687 
              
Trade and other payables      8,013    10,051 
Income tax payable      2,346    1,538 
       10,359    11,589 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale      -    609 
Total current liabilities      10,359    12,198 
Total liabilities      15,251    46,885 
Total equity and liabilities      137,228    125,693 

 

The accompanying notes on pages 7 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 4 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

Unaudited  Share
Capital
  

Foreign
currency

translation
reserve

   Contributed
surplus
  

Equity-settled
share-based
payment
reserve

   Retained
loss
   Total   Non-
controlling
interests
(NCI)
   Total
equity
 
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2017   55,102    (5,885)   132,591    16,746    (135,287)   63,267    5,944    69,211 
Transactions with owners:                                        
Dividend paid   -    -    -    -    (1,456)   (1,456)   (305)   (1,761)
Equity-settled share-based expense   -    -    -    14    -    14    -    14 
Total comprehensive income:                                        
Profit for the period   -    -    -    -    5,758    5,758    1,375    7,133 
Other comprehensive income for the period   -    (440)   -    -    -    (440)   -    (440)
Balance at September 30, 2018   55,102    (6,325)   132,591    16,760    (130,985)   67,143    7,014    74,157 
Balance at December 31, 2018   55,102    (6,561)   132,591    16,760    (127,429)   70,463    8,345    78,808 
Transactions with owners:                                        
Dividend paid   -    -    -    -    (2,219)   (2,219)   (284)   (2,503)
Shares issued   963    -    -    -    -    963    -    963 
Total comprehensive income:                                        
Profit for the period   -    -    -    -    39,628    39,628    7,543    47,171 
Other comprehensive income for the period   -    (2,462)   -    -    -    (2,462)   -    (2,462)
Balance at September 30, 2019   56,065    (9,023)   132,591    16,760    (90,020)   106,373    15,604    121,977 

 

 

The accompanying notes on pages 7 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 5 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

 (in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

           

 

Unaudited     For the 3 months
ended September 30
   For the 9 months
ended September 30
 
   Note  2019   2018   2019   2018 
                    
Cash generated from operating activities  16   4,886    7,013    14,003    15,446 
Net interest      (33)   (105)   (129)   (187)
Tax paid      -    (149)   (608)   (2,671)
Net cash from operating activities      4,853    6,759    13,266    12,588 
                        
Cash flows from investing activities                       
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment      (5,583)   (5,234)   (14,909)   (16,010)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary      -    -    1,000    - 
Net cash used in investing activities      (5,583)   (5,234)   (13,909)   (16,010)
                        
Cash flows from financing activities                       
Dividend paid      (883)   (584)   (2,503)   (2,345)
Repayments of term-loan facility      -    (375)   -    (1,125)
Net cash used in financing activities      (883)   (959)   (2,503)   (3,470)
                        
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents      (1,613)   566    (3,146)   (6,892)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held      1,764    22    (15)   32 
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      7,875    5,308    11,187    12,756 
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of period      8,026    5,896    8,026    5,896 

 

The accompanying notes on pages 7 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 6 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

1Reporting entity

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “Company”) is a company domiciled in Jersey, Channel Islands. The address of the Company’s registered office is 3rd Floor, Weighbridge House, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at and for the 9 months ended September 30, 2019 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”). The Group is primarily involved in the operation of a gold mine and the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals.

 

Caledonia’s shares are listed on the NYSE American stock exchange (symbol - “CMCL”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol - “CAL”). Depository interests in Caledonia’s shares are admitted to trading on AIM of the London Stock Exchange plc (symbol - “CMCL”).

 

2Basis for preparation

 

i)Statement of compliance

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and do not include all the information required for full annual financial statements. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB have been omitted or condensed. Selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the financial position and performance of the Group since the last annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

ii)Basis of measurement

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for:

 

·cash-settled share-based payment arrangements measured at fair value on grant and re-measurement dates;
·derivative financial instruments measured at fair value; and
·equity-settled share-based payment arrangements measured at fair value on grant date.

 

iii)Functional currency

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“$”), which is also the functional currency of the Company. All financial information presented in United States dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand, unless indicated otherwise. Refer to note 11 for changes to the RTGS$ currency and the effect thereof on the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

 

3Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements

 

In preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, management has made accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements that affect the application of the Group’s accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recognised prospectively.

 7 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

4Significant accounting policies

 

The same accounting policies and methods of computation have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as compared to the Group’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, the accounting policies have been applied consistently by the Group entities.

 

5Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction

 

On February 20, 2012 the Group announced it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with the Minister of Youth, Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment of the Government of Zimbabwe pursuant to which the Group agreed that indigenous Zimbabweans would acquire an effective 51% ownership interest in the Zimbabwean company owning the Blanket Mine (also referred to herein as “Blanket” or “Blanket Mine” as the context requires) for a paid transactional value of $30.09 million. Pursuant to the above, members of the Group entered into agreements with each indigenous shareholder to transfer 51% of the Group’s ownership interest in Blanket Mine whereby it:

 

·sold a 16% interest to the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Fund (“NIEEF”) for $11.74 million;
·sold a 15% interest to Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited (“Fremiro”), which is owned by indigenous Zimbabweans, for $11.01 million;
·sold a 10% interest to Blanket Employee Trust Services (Private) Limited (“BETS”) for the benefit of present and future managers and employees for $7.34 million. The shares in BETS are held by the Blanket Mine Employee Trust (“Employee Trust”) with Blanket Mine’s employees holding participation units in the Employee Trust; and
·donated a 10% ownership interest to the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust (“Community Trust”). In addition, Blanket Mine paid a non-refundable donation of $1 million to the Community Trust.

 

The Group facilitated the vendor funding of these transactions which is repaid by way of dividends from Blanket Mine. 80% of dividends declared by Blanket Mine are used to repay such loans and the remaining 20% unconditionally accrues to the respective indigenous shareholders. Following a modification to the interest rate on June 23, 2017, outstanding balances on these facilitation loans attract interest at a rate of the lower of a fixed 7.25% per annum payable quarterly or 80% of the Blanket Mine dividend in the quarter. The timing of the repayment of the loans depends on the future financial performance of Blanket Mine and the extent of future dividends declared by Blanket Mine. The facilitation loans relating to the Group were transferred as dividends in specie intra-Group and now the loans and most of the interest thereon is payable to the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 8 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

5Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

On November 5, 2018 the Company and Fremiro entered into a sale agreement for Caledonia to purchase Femiro’s 15% shareholding in Blanket Mine. As at the date of approval of these financial statements the transaction remained subject to, amongst other things, approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities to be effective. In terms of the sale agreement, the Company plans to issue 727,266 shares at $7.15 per share to Fremiro for the cancellation of their facilitation loan which stood at $11,466 as at June 30, 2018 and the purchase of their 15% shareholding in Blanket Mine, increasing the Company’s total shareholding in Blanket Mine to 64%. The Company will continue to consolidate Blanket Mine in the consolidated financial statements after the transaction becomes effective.

 

Accounting treatment

 

The directors of Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (“CHZ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, performed a re-assessment, using the requirements of IFRS 10: Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS 10), and concluded that CHZ should continue to consolidate Blanket Mine after the indigenisation and accordingly the subscription agreements with the indigenous shareholders have been accounted for as a transaction with non-controlling interests and as a share based payment transaction.

 

The subscription agreements, concluded on February 20, 2012, were accounted for as follows:

 

·Non-controlling interests (“NCI”) were recognised on the portion of shareholding upon which dividends declared by Blanket Mine will accrue unconditionally to equity holders as follows:
(a)20% of the 16% shareholding of NIEEF;
(b)20% of the 15% shareholding of Fremiro; and
(c)100% of the 10% shareholding of the Community Trust.
·This effectively means that NCI is recognised at 16.2% of the net assets of Blanket Mine.
·The remaining 80% of the shareholding of NIEEF and Fremiro is recognised as non-controlling interests to the extent that their attributable share of the net asset value of Blanket Mine exceeds the balance on the facilitation loans including interest. At September 30, 2019 the attributable net asset value did not exceed the balance on the respective loan accounts and thus no additional NCI was recognised.
·The transaction with BETS is accounted for in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits (profit sharing arrangement) as the ownership of the shares does not ultimately pass to the employees. The employees are entitled to participate in 20% of the dividends accruing to the 10% shareholding in Blanket Mine if they are employed at the date of such distribution. To the extent that 80% of the attributable dividends exceed the balance on the BETS facilitation loan they will accrue to the employees at the date of such declaration.
·The Employee Trust and BETS are entities effectively controlled and consolidated by Blanket Mine. Accordingly, the shares held by BETS are effectively treated as treasury shares in Blanket Mine and no NCI is recognised.

 

 

 9 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

5Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

Blanket Mine’s indigenisation shareholding percentages and facilitation loan balances

Balance of facilitation loan #  

 

USD  Shareholding   NCI
Recognised
   NCI subject to
facilitation loan
   September 30,
2019
   Dec 31,
2018
 
NIEEF   16%   3.2%   12.8%   11,877    11,876 
Fremiro   15%   3.0%   12.0%   11,461    11,466 
Community Trust   10%   10.0%   -    -    - 
BETS ~   10%   -*   -*   7,640    7,644 
    51%   16.2%   24.8%   30,978    30,986 

 

The balance on the facilitation loans is reconciled as follows:

 

   2019   2018 
         
Balance at January 1,   30,986    31,052 
Dividends used to repay loans   (1,081)   (1,698)
Interest accrued   1,073    1,636 
Balance at September 30,   30,978    30,990 

 

* The shares held by BETS are effectively treated as treasury shares (see above).

~ Accounted for under IAS19 Employee Benefits.

# Facilitation loans are accounted for as equity instruments and are accordingly not recognised as loans receivable.

 

Advance dividends

 

In anticipation of completion of the underlying subscription agreements, Blanket Mine agreed to advance dividend arrangements with NIEEF and the Community Trust as follows:

 

Advances made to the Community Trust against their right to receive dividends declared by Blanket Mine on their shareholding as follows:

·a $2 million payment on or before September 30, 2012;
·a $1 million payment on or before February 28, 2013; and
·a $1 million payment on or before April 30, 2013.

 

These advance payments were debited to a loan account bearing interest at a rate at the lower of a fixed 7.25% per annum payable quarterly or the Blanket Mine dividend in the quarter to the advanced dividend loan holder. The loan is repayable by way of set off of future dividends on the Blanket Mine shares owned by the Community Trust. Advances made to NIEEF as an advanced dividend loan before 2013 have been settled through Blanket Mine dividend repayments in 2014.

 

The advance dividend payments were recognised as distributions to shareholders and they are classified as equity instruments. The loans arising are not recognised as loans receivable, because repayment is by way of uncertain future dividends.

 10 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

5Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

The movement in the advance dividend loan to the Community Trust is reconciled as follows:

 

   2019   2018 
Balance at January 1,   2,053    2,606 
Dividends used to repay advance dividends   (350)   (550)
Interest accrued   72    133 
Balance at September 30,   1,775    2,189 

 

6Production costs

 

   2019   2018 
Salaries and wages   10,639    10,504 
Consumable materials   9,499    8,760 
Electricity costs   4,600    6,892 
Site restoration   -    35 
Safety and evaluation   592    748 
Cash-settled share-based expense (note 10 (a))   73    59 
On mine administration   1,347    2,257 
    26,750    29,255 

 

7Other income

 

   2019   2018 
Government grant – Gold sale export incentive   866    4,651 
Government grant – Enhanced gold price   1,064    - 
Other   113    133 
    2,043    4,784 

 

Government grant – Gold sale export incentive

From May 2016 the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (“RBZ”) announced an export credit incentive (“ECI”) on the gold proceeds received for all large-scale gold mine producers. On January 1, 2018 the ECI decreased from 3,5% to 2,5% and on February 1, 2018, increased to 10%. Cash receipts of the ECI were received in Blanket’s RTGS$ account. In the monetary policy statement issued on February 20, 2019 the RBZ announced the cancellation of the ECI.

 

Government grants – Gold support price

Blanket is contractually entitled to receive the London bullion market association gold price which is fixed in the afternoon of the day after the bullion delivered by Blanket to Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd (“Fidelity”) has been assayed (“LBMA price”). In terms of the contract with Fidelity, 55% of Blanket’s proceeds are received as US dollars and the remainder is received as RTGS$. The amount of RTGS$ to be received is calculated at the mid-price of the RTGS$/US dollar interbank exchange rate. From March 6, 2019 it became apparent that Blanket’s sales proceeds received from Fidelity were calculated at a gross price of $44,000 per kilogram ($1,368.58 per ounce), which exceeded the prevailing LBMA price. On May 12, 2019 the Company received confirmation from Fidelity of this arrangement, called the “gold support price”, which was implemented to incentivize gold producers to increase gold production. The gold support price has not been increased as the LMBA price has subsequently increased above $1,368.58 per ounce and accordingly there was no income in respect of the gold support price in the quarter ended September 30, 2019. All government grants were fully received at the date of issue of these financial statements and are included in the calculation of taxable income.

 

 11 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

8Administrative expenses

 

   2019   2018 
Investor relations and corporate development   324    576 
Audit fee   185    170 
Advisory services fees   253    421 
Listing fees   214    357 
Directors fees Company   170    169 
Directors fees Blanket   17    39 
Employee costs   2,064    2,083 
Other office administration costs   506    423 
Travel costs   201    265 
Eersteling administration costs   17    122 
    3,951    4,625 

 

9Sale of subsidiary

 

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into an amended share sale agreement with SH Mineral Investments Proprietary Limited (“SH Minerals”) to sell the shares and claims of Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited (“Eersteling”), a South African subsidiary previously consolidated as part of the Group, that has been on care and maintenance since 1997. The amended share sale agreement allowed for a purchase price of $3 million which will be settled by three payments of $1 million payable on the completion date, 12 and 18 months after the completion date. On January 31, 2019 all suspensive conditions for the sale were met, ZAR13.9 million ($1 million) was received as payment towards the purchase price and the Group transferred the registered and beneficial ownership of Eersteling to SH Minerals.

 

Details of the disposal are as follows:

 

Carrying amounts of net assets over which control was lost:  2019 
Non-current assets     
Property, plant and equipment   227 
      
Current assets     
Trade and other receivables   84 
Total assets   311 
      
Non-current liabilities     
Rehabilitation provision   650 
      
Current liabilities     
Trade and other payables   8 
Total liabilities   658 
      
Consideration receivable:     
Cash received   1,000 
Deferred consideration (at January 31, 2019)   1,953 
Total consideration   2,953 
 12 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

9Sale of subsidiary (continued)

 

   2019 
Profit on sale of subsidiary:     
Net liabilities derecognised   347 
Cumulative exchange differences in respect of the net liabilities of the subsidiary reclassified from equity on loss of control of subsidiary   2,109 
Fair value of consideration receivable (at January 31, 2019)   2,953 
Profit on sale of subsidiary   5,409 

 

10Cash-settled share-based payment expense

 

The Group has expensed the following cash-settled share-based payment arrangements for the period ended September 30:

 

   Note  2019   2018 
            
Restricted Share Units and Performance Units  10 (a)   376    328 
Caledonia Mining South Africa employee incentive scheme  10 (b)   30    122 
       406    450 

 

(a)Restricted Share Units and Performance Units

 

Certain key management members were granted Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) and Performance Units (”PUs”) pursuant to provisions of the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. All RSUs and PUs were granted and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

RSUs vest three years after grant date given that the service condition of the relevant employees have been fulfilled. The value of the vested RSUs is the number of RSUs vested multiplied by the fair market value of the Company’s shares, as specified by the Plan, on date of settlement.

 

PUs have a service condition and a performance period of three years. The performance condition is based on key business metrics and includes production cost, gold production and, in most cases, central shaft depth targets. The number of PUs that vest will be the PUs granted multiplied by a performance multiplier, which will reflect the actual performance in terms of the performance conditions compared to expectations on the date of the award.

 

RSU holders are entitled to receive dividends over the vesting period. Such dividends will be reinvested in additional RSUs at the then applicable share price calculated at the average Bank of Canada rate immediately preceding the dividend payment. PUs have rights to dividends only after the PUs have vested.

 

On January 11, 2019, March 23, 2019 and June 8, 2019 an aggregate of 87,364 RSUs and 306,920 PUs vested. These RSUs and PUs were settled by a cash payment of $1,280 and by the issue of 159,888 shares to the value of $963.

 

The fair value of the RSU liability, at the reporting date, was based on the Black Scholes option valuation model. The fair value of the PU liability, at the reporting date, was based on the Black Scholes option valuation model less the fair value of the expected dividends during the vesting period multiplied by the performance multiplier expectation. At the reporting date the PU performance multiplier was estimated at between 93-100% when calculating the liability. The liability as at September 30, 2019 amounted to $249 (December 31, 2018: $2,043). Included in the liability as at September 30, 2019 is an amount of $73 (September 30, 2018: $59) that was expensed and classified as production costs; refer to note 6.

 

 

 

 13 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

10Cash-settled share-based payments (continued)

 

(a)Restricted Share units and Performance Units (continued)

 

The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the cash-settled share-based payment liability on September 30:

 

   2019   2018 
   RSUs   PUs   RSUs   PUs 
Fair value (USD)   5.31    5.08   $6.79   $6.59 
Share price (USD)   5.31    5.31   $6.79   $6.79 
Performance multiplier percentage   -    100%   -    86%

 

  Share units granted:    

 

   RSUs   PUs   RSUs   PUs 
Grant - January 11, 2016   60,645    242,579    60,645    242,579 
Grant - March 23, 2016   10,965    43,871    10,965    43,871 
Grant - June 8, 2016   5,117    20,470    5,117    20,470 
Grant - January 19, 2018   4,443    17,774    4,443    17,774 
Grant January 11, 2019   -    95,741    -    - 
Grant March 23, 2019   -    28,286    -    - 
Grant June 8, 2019   -    14,672    -    - 
RSU dividend reinvestments   11,144    -    9,853    - 
Settlements   (87,308)   (306,920)   -    - 
Total awards at September 30   5,006    156,473    91,023    324,694 

 

(b)Caledonia Mining South Africa employee incentive scheme

 

During July 2017 and August 2018, Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited granted 37,330 and 5,918 awards respectively to certain of its employees that entitle them to a cash pay-out at the Company’s share price on November 30, each year over a 3 year period from the grant date. The cash-settled share-based payment liability was calculated based on the number of awards expected to vest multiplied by the Company’s Black Scholes option valuation fair value of £5.65 at the reporting date and apportioned for the quantity vested over the total vesting period. The liability relating to these cash-settled share-based payment awards amounted to $73 (December 31, 2018: $47) and the expense amounted to $30 (September 30, 2018: $122) for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the cash-settled share-based payment liability for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

 

   2019   2018 
   Awards 
Grant - July 2017 (3 year term)   37,330    37,330 
Grant - August 2018 (3 year term)   5,918    5,918 
Grant – August 2019 (3 year term)   9,034    - 
Awards paid out or cancelled   (32,633)   (12,447)
Total awards outstanding September 30   19,649    30,801 
           
Estimated awards expected to vest at September 30   100%   100%

 

 

 14 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

11Net foreign exchange gain

 

On October 1, 2018 the RBZ issued a directive to Zimbabwean banks to separate foreign currency from RTGS$ on the accounts held by their clients and pegged the RTGS$ at 1:1 to the US dollar. On February 20, 2019 the RBZ issued a further monetary policy statement, which allowed inter-bank trading between RTGS$ and foreign currency. The interbank rate was introduced at 2.5 RTGS$ to 1 US dollar and traded at 15.09 RTGS$ to 1 US dollar as at September 30, 2019. On June 24, 2019 the Government issued S.I. 142 which stated “ Zimbabwe dollar (RTGS$) to be the sole currency for legal tender purposes for any transactions in Zimbabwe ”. Throughout these announcements and to the date of issue of these financial statements the US dollar has remained the primary currency in which the Group’s Zimbabwean entities operate and the functional currency of these entities.

 

Previously there was uncertainty as to what currency would be used to settle amounts owed to the Zimbabwe Government. The announcement of S.I. 142 clarified the Zimbabwean Government’s intentions that these liabilities were always denominated in RTGS$ and that RTGS$ would be the currency in which they would be settled. The devaluation of the deferred tax and electricity liabilities contributed the largest portion of the foreign exchange gain set out below.

 

The table below illustrates the effect the weakening of the RTGS$ and other non-RTGS$ currencies had, against the US dollar, on the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Post quarter end the RTGS$ continued to weaken against the US dollar. Since preparing the second quarter’s financial statements, it was assumed that liabilities due to the government are denominated in RTGS$, whilst in preparing the first quarter’s financial statements these obligations were assumed to be denominated in US dollars.

 

   2019   2018 
         
Unrealised Foreign exchange gain   31,318    (121)
Realised foreign exchange gain/(loss)   (3,048)   6 
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)   28,270    (115)

 

12Gold hedge

 

On January 10, 2019, the Company entered into a hedge in respect of 4,500 ounces of gold per month from February to June 2019. The hedge protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,250 per ounce and was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes to ensure sufficient cash availability for Blanket’s capital investment plan, rather than as a speculative investment. The total cost of the derivative contract amounted to $324 (2018: $360).

 15 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

13Property, plant and equipment

 

   Land and
buildings
   Mine
development,
infrastructure
and other
   Exploration
and
Evaluation
assets
   Plant and
equipment
   Fixtures
and
fittings
   Motor
vehicles
   Total 
                             
Cost                                   
                                    
Balance at January 1, 2018   9,434    61,498    6,967    27,881    943    2,329    109,052 
Additions*   -    18,719    -    899    202    95    19,915 
Impairments   -    (60)   -    (529)   (216)   (17)   (822)
Assets held for sale   (140)   (74)   -    -    -    -    (214)
Reallocations between asset classes   1,068    (5,525)   -    4,457    -    -    - 
Foreign exchange movement   (23)   (49)   -    (33)   (6)   (5)   (116)
Balance at December 31, 2018   10,339    74,509    6,967    32,675    923    2,402    127,815 
Additions*   19    14,074    135    565    193    64    15,050 
Impairments   -    -    -    (144)   -    -    (144)
Reallocations between asset classes   -    (1,006)   -    1,006    -    -    - 
Foreign exchange movement   -    -    -    -    19    -    19 
Balance at September 30, 2019   10,358    87,577    7,102    34,102    1,135    2,466    142,740 

 

* Included in additions is an amount of $14,188 (December 31, 2018: $19,323) relating to capital work in progress (“CWIP”) and contains $140 (December 31, 2018: $61) of borrowing costs capitalised from the term loan. As at quarter end $76,631 of CWIP was included in the closing balance (December 31, 2018: $62,624).

 16 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

13Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

   Land and
buildings
   Mine
development,
infrastructure
and other
   Exploration and
Evaluation assets
   Plant and
equipment
   Fixtures
and
fittings
   Motor
vehicles
   Total 
Accumulated depreciation and Impairment losses                            
                             
Balance at January 1, 2018   3,636    5,172    -    15,382    761    2,023    26,974 
Depreciation for the year   775    649    -    2,404    99    144    4,071 
Impairments   -    -    -    (429)   (170)   (15)   (614)
Foreign exchange movement   -    -    -    -    (41)   (2)   (43)
Balance at December 31, 2018   4,411    5,821    -    17,357    649    2,150    30,388 
Depreciation   667    330    -    1,922    135    105    3,159 
Foreign exchange movement   -    -    -    -    14    -    14 
Balance at September 30, 2019   5,078    6,151    -    19,279    798    2,255    33,561 

 

Carrying amounts

                                   
 At December 31, 2018   5,928    68,688    6,967    15,318    274    252    97,427 
At September 30, 2019   5,280    81,426    7,102    14,823    337    211    109,179 


 17 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

14Inventories

 

       December 31, 
   2019   2018 
         
Consumable stores   10,238    9,210 
Gold in progress   -    217 
    10,238    9,427 

 

 

15Trade and other receivables

 

       December 31, 
   2019   2018 
         
Bullion sales receivable   3,988    2,695 
VAT receivables   1,831    2,743 
Deferred consideration for the sale of subsidiary   1,953    - 
Deposits for stores and equipment and other receivables   164    954 
Trade and other receivables – short-term portion   7,936    6,392 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 18 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

16Cash flow information

 

Non-cash items and information presented separately on the cash flow statement:

 

   2019   2018 
         
Operating profit   50,361    15,413 
Adjustments for:          
Unrealised foreign exchange (gain)/loss   (31,318)   121 
Cash-settled share-based expense (note 10)   406    450 
Cash-settled share-based expense included in production costs (note 6)   73    59 
Unrealised margin call   -    90 
Settlement of cash-settled share-based payments   (1,280)   - 
Equity-settled share-based expense   -    14 
Depreciation   3,159    2,887 
Disposals and scrappings   -    9 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment   144    - 
Profit on sale of subsidiary (note 9)   (5,409)   - 
Site restoration   -    15 
Cash generated by operations before working capital changes   16,136    19,058 
Inventories   (854)   (511)
Prepayments   (1,271)   (422)
Trade and other receivables   (1,583)   (1,560)
Trade and other payables   1,575    (1,119)
Cash generated from operating activities   14,003    15,446 

 

 

 

 19 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

17Operating Segments

 

The Group's operating segments have been identified based on geographic areas. The strategic business units are managed separately because they require different technology and marketing strategies. For each of the strategic business units, the CEO reviews internal management reports on at least a quarterly basis. Zimbabwe and South Africa describe the operations of the Group's reportable segments. The Zimbabwe operating segment comprises CHZ and its subsidiaries. The South Africa geographical segment comprises the sales made and services rendered by Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited to Blanket. The Company and Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited (a subsidiary in the UK) responsible for administrative functions within the Group are taken into consideration in the strategic decision-making process of the CEO and are therefore included in the disclosure below. Reconciling amounts do not represent a separate segment. Information regarding the results of each reportable segment is included below. Performance is measured based on segment profit before income tax, as included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the CEO. Segment profit is used to measure performance as management believes that such information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of certain segments relative to other entities that operate within these industries.

 

Geographic segment profit as at September 30, 2019

 

  Zimbabwe   South
Africa
   Inter-group
elimination
adjustments
   Corporate
and other
reconciling
amounts
   Total 
                     
Revenue   52,393    10,367    (10,045)   (322)   52,393 
Royalty   (2,682)   -         -    (2,682)
Production costs   (26,696)   (9,204)   9,150    -    (26,750)
Management fee   (1,744)   1,744    -    -    - 
Depreciation   (3,345)   (77)   263    -    (3,159)
Other income   2,040    3    -    -    2,043 
Other expenses   (397)   (85)   -    -    (482)
Administrative expenses   (87)   (1,433)   -    (2,431)   (3,951)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)   28,399    (147)   -    18    28,270 
Cash-settled share-based expense   (165)   (95)   -    (146)   (406)
Net finance costs   (77)   32    -    9    (36)
Profit with the sale of Eersteling   -    -    -    5,409    5,409 
Margin call on gold hedge   -    -    -    (324)   (324)
Profit before tax   47,639    1,105    (632)   2,213    50,325 
Tax expense   (2,823)   (334)   43    (40)   (3,154)
Profit for the period   44,816    771    (589)   2,173    47,171 

 

 20 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

17Operating Segments (continued)

 

As at September 30, 2019  Zimbabwe   South
Africa
   Inter-group
elimination
adjustments
   Corporate
and other
reconciling
amounts
   Total 
Geographic segment assets and liabilities                    
                     
Current (excluding intercompany)   20,858    4,126    (83)   3,072    27,973 
Non-current (excluding intercompany)   111,096    362    (2,203)   -    109,255 
Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (note 13)   15,885    10    (845)   -    15,050 
Intercompany balances   -    7,370    (49,796)   42,426    - 
                          
Geographic segment liabilities                         
Current (excluding intercompany)   (8,168)   (1,858)   -    (333)   (10,359)
Non-current (excluding intercompany)   (4,660)   (74)   90    (248)   (4,892)
Intercompany balances   (1,580)   (32,793)   49,796    (15,423)   - 

 

Geographic segment profit as at September 30, 2018

 

  Zimbabwe   South
Africa
   Inter-group
elimination
adjustments
   Corporate
and other
reconciling
amounts
   Total 
                     
Revenue   50,904    10,296    (10,296)   -    50,904 
Royalty   (2,549)   -    -    -    (2,549)
Production costs   (29,208)   (9,503)   9,456    -    (29,255)
Management fee   (990)   990    -    -    - 
Depreciation   (3,107)   (26)   246    -    (2,887)
Other income   4,682    3    -    79    4,764 
Administrative expenses   (39)   (2,033)   -    (2,553)   (4,625)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain   (56)   (322)   -    263    (115)
Margin call on hedge   -    -    -    (360)   (360)
Cash-settled share-based expense   (122)   (178)   -    (150)   (450)
Equity-settled share-based expense   -    -    -    (14)   (14)
Net finance costs   (170)   14    -    14    (142)
Profit before tax   19,345    (759)   (594)   (2,721)   15,271 
Tax expense   (5,625)   439    85    -    (5,101)
Profit for the period   13,720    (320)   (509)   (2,721)   10,170 

 

 21 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(in thousands of United States dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

17Operating Segments (continued)

 

As at December 31, 2018  Zimbabwe   South
Africa
   Inter-group
elimination
adjustments
eliminations
   Corporate
and other
reconciling
amounts
   Total 

Geographic segment assets and liabilities

    
                     
Current (excluding intercompany)    21,552    2,134    (60)   2,562    26,188 
Non-current (excluding intercompany)   96,476    390    (1,611)   40    95,295 
Intercompany balances   -    7,697    (60,157)   52,460    - 
Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (note 13)   16,794    55    (781)   -    16,068 
                          

Geographic segment liabilities

                         
Current (excluding intercompany)   (14,799)   (987)   -    (251)   (16,037)
Non-current (excluding intercompany)   (26,635)   (739)   354    (2,169)   (29,189)
Intercompany balances   (2,432)   (32,861)   60,157    (24,864)   - 

 

Major customer

 

Revenues from Fidelity amounted to $52,393 (2018: $50,904) for the period ended September 30, 2019.

 22 

Additional Information

 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS at November 13, 2019

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

L.A. Wilson (2) (3) (4) (5) (7)

Chairman of the Board

 
Non-executive Director  
Florida, United States of America  
   
S. R. Curtis (5) (6) (7)  

Chief Executive Officer

Johannesburg, South Africa

 
   
J. L. Kelly (1) (2) (3) (5) (7)  

Non-executive Director

Connecticut, United States of America

 
   
J. Holtzhausen (1) (2) (4) (5) (6) (7)  

Chairman Audit Committee

Non-executive Director,

Cape Town, South Africa

 
   
M. Learmonth (5) (7)  

Chief Financial Officer

Jersey, Channel Islands

 

 

 
 
John McGloin (1) (3) (4) (6) (7)  
Non-executive Director  
Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom  
   
Nick Clarke (4) (6) (7)  
Non-executive Director  
East Molesey, United Kingdom  

 

OFFICERS

S. R. Curtis (5) (6) (7)

Chief Executive Officer

Johannesburg, South Africa
 
 
D. Roets (5) (6) (7)

Chief Operating Officer

Johannesburg, South Africa

 
M. Learmonth (5) (7)

Chief Financial Officer

Jersey, Channel Islands

 
M. Mason (5) (7)

VP Corporate Development and Investor Relations

London, England

 
A. Chester (5)

General Counsel, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance

Jersey, Channel Islands

 
Board Committees
(1)  Audit Committee
(2)  Compensation Committee
(3)  Corporate Governance Committee
(4)  Nomination Committee
(5)  Disclosure Committee

(6)  Technical Committee

(7)  Strategic Planning Committee


 

 23 

Additional Information

 

CORPORATE DIRECTORY as at November 13, 2019

 

CORPORATE OFFICES
Jersey – Head and Registered Office
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

3rd Floor

Weighbridge House
St Helier
Jersey JE2 3NF
 
South Africa
Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited
P.O. Box 4628

Weltevreden park

South Africa
 
 
Zimbabwe
Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited
P.O. Box CY1277
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
 
Capitalisation (November 13, 2019)
Issued: 10,763,041     
Authorised:  Unlimited  
Shares, Warrants and Options Issued:  
Shares:     10,763,041  
Options:    38,000  

 

SHARE TRADING SYMBOLS
NYSE American - Symbol "CMCL"
AIM - Symbol “CMCL”
Toronto Stock Exchange - Symbol “CAL”
 
BANKERS
Barclays
13 Library Place
St Helier, Jersey
SOLICITORS
Mourant Ozannes (Jersey)
22 Grenville Street
St Helier
Jersey
Channel Islands
 
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Canada)
Suite 4100, Scotia Plaza
40 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 3Y4 Canada
 
Memery Crystal LLP (United Kingdom)
44 Southampton Buildings
London WC2A 1AP
United Kingdom
 
Dorsey & Whitney LLP (US)
TD Canada Trust Tower
Brookfield Place
161 Bay Street
Suite 4310
Toronto, Ontario
 M5J 2S1 Canada
 
 
AUDITORS

BDO South Africa Incorporated

Wanderers Office Park

52 Corlett Drive

Illovo 2196

South Africa

Tel: +27(0)105907200

 
REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT
Computershare
100 University Ave, 8th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1

Tel: +1 416 263 9483 


 

 

24

 

 

EX-99.2 3 exh_992.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC  November 13, 2019

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

This management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of the consolidated operating results and financial position of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (“Caledonia” or the “Company”) is for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 (“Q3 2019” or the “Quarter”). It should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of Caledonia for the Quarter (“the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements”) which are available from the System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com or from Caledonia’s website at www.caledoniamining.com. The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. In this MD&A, the terms “Caledonia”, the “Company”, the “Group”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the consolidated operations of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc and its subsidiaries unless otherwise specifically noted or the context requires otherwise.

 

Note that all currency references in this document are to US Dollars, unless otherwise stated. Amounts are expressed in thousands of US Dollars, unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Overview
2.Highlights
3.Summary Financial Results
4.Operations at the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe
4.1.Safety, Health and Environment
4.2.Social Investment and Contribution to the Zimbabwean Economy
4.3.Gold Production
4.4.Underground
4.5.Metallurgical Plant
4.6.Production Costs
4.7.Capital Projects
4.8.Indigenisation
4.9.Zimbabwe Commercial Environment
4.10.Opportunities and Outlook
5.Exploration and Project Development
5.1.Blanket Exploration
5.2.Blanket Satellite Prospects
6.Investing
7.Financing
8.Liquidity and Capital Resources
9.Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Commitments and Contingencies
10.Non-IFRS Measures
11.Related Party Transactions
12.Critical Accounting Estimates
13.Financial Instruments
14.Dividend Policy
15.Management and Board
16.Securities Outstanding
17.Risk Analysis
18.Forward-Looking Statements
19.Controls
20.Qualified Person

 

 2 

 

1.OVERVIEW

 

Caledonia is an exploration, development and mining corporation focused on Zimbabwe. Following the implementation of indigenisation at the Blanket Mine (“Blanket” or the “Blanket Mine”) in September 2012, Caledonia’s primary asset is a 49% legal ownership in Blanket, an operating gold mine in Zimbabwe. Pursuant to the signing of an agreement announced on November 6, 2018, Caledonia intends to purchase a further 15% of Blanket from one of Blanket’s indigenous shareholders. The transaction remains subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Caledonia continues to consolidate Blanket, as explained in note 5 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements; accordingly, operational and financial information set out in this MD&A is on a 100% basis, unless otherwise specified. Caledonia’s shares are listed on the NYSE American stock exchange (symbol - “CMCL”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol - “CAL”). Depositary interests in Caledonia’s shares are admitted to trading on AIM of the London Stock Exchange plc (symbol - “CMCL”).

 

2.HIGHLIGHTS

 

  3 months ended September 30 9 months ended September 30 Comment
2018 2019 2018 2019
Gold produced (oz) 13,978 13,646 39,558 38,306 Production was lower than in comparable periods due to lower mine production and lower grade  
On-mine cost per ounce ($/oz)1 670 686 691 671 On-mine costs remain broadly stable
All-in sustaining cost ($/oz)1 (“AISC”) 754 872 812 824 AISC was higher due to the cessation in the Quarter of receipts in respect of the gold support price and higher royalty payments due to the increased gold price.  
Average realised gold price ($/oz)1 1,190 1,461 1,259 1,351 The Average gold price received reflects the higher gold price
Gross profit 2 4,846 8,485 16,213 19,802 Higher gross profit was mainly due to higher revenues arising from the higher gold price
Net profit attributable to shareholders 2,224 7,007 7,982 39,628 Net profit includes significant foreign exchange gains arising from the devaluation of the Zimbabwe currency
Adjusted basic earnings per share (“EPS”)3 (cents) 34.6 16.2 103.0 69.4 Adjusted EPS for the 9 months to September 30, 2019 excludes inter alia unrealised foreign exchange gains of $31.1 million but includes realised foreign exchange losses of $3.0 million - equivalent to 28 cents per share  
Net cash and cash equivalents 5,896 8,026 5,896 8,026 Cash position remain strong
Net cash from operating activities 6,759 4,853 12,588 13,266

Robust cash generation in the Quarter despite an adverse working capital movement.

 

 

____________________________

1 Non-IFRS measures such as “On-mine cost per ounce”, “AISC” and “average realised gold price” are used throughout this document. Refer to section 10 of this MD&A for a discussion of non-IFRS measures.

2 Gross profit is after deducting royalties, production costs and depreciation but before administrative expenses, other income, interest and finance charges and taxation.

3 Adjusted EPS is a non-IFRS measure which aims to reflect Caledonia’s ordinary trading performance. Refer to section 10 of this MD&A for a discussion of non-IFRS measures.

 3 

 

Completion of shaft sinking at Central Shaft

 

As announced on July 24, 2019 the Central Shaft has reached its target depth of 1,204 metres, which means that the shaft sinking phase of the project has been completed. Work has commenced on equipping the shaft but was severely affected by the sustained power outages experienced in July and early August and in October. It is expected that equipping will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, after which production from Central Shaft can commence. Production in 2021 is expected to be approximately 75,000 ounces, increasing to the target rate of 80,000 ounces in 2022.

Completion of the shaft-sinking phase at Central Shaft is a significant milestone and substantially de-risks the remainder of the project.

 

Production challenges appear to have been resolved

 

Mine production in the first part of the Quarter was adversely affected by Zimbabwe’s economic difficulties and technical problems: grade was lower than planned due to mining dilution and mine production was lower than expected due to low employee morale because of Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic climate and delays in procuring equipment and consumables because of the shortage of foreign exchange. Production in July and early August was also hampered by sustained interruptions to the electricity supply and sporadic shortages of diesel.

 

The second half of the Quarter saw a substantial improvement in production as the following measures began to bear fruit:

 

·a new electricity tariff resulted in a more reliable supply of imported electricity;
·revising workers remuneration so that they are protected from inflation;
·introducing a revised bonus structure to incentivize individual teams;
·introducing new controls to minimize mining dilution and increase transparency in the daily targets for production teams;
·strengthening on-mine supervision;
·re-introducing underhand stoping in narrow reef areas with improved support so that safety is not compromised; and
·continuing the Nyanzvi team-mobilising initiative: the production teams have been completed and the focus has shifted to mobilising the supervisors and management.

 

Blanket’s strong operating performance in September, October and the first part of November gives good grounds for confidence for future performance

 

Zimbabwe commercial environment – difficult but stabilising

 

Zimbabwe has a severe shortage of foreign exchange which has hampered Blanket’s procurement of the consumables and services it needs to sustain its operations, to implement the investment programme and to remit funds from Zimbabwe that are needed to sustain Caledonia’s international operations and fund Caledonia’s dividend. In recent months, the situation has stabilised and Blanket has not experienced the same degree of difficulty in accessing foreign exchange that it encountered earlier in 2019. Investors should recognize that Blanket’s ability to implement the investment programme and Caledonia’s ability to sustain its operations outside Zimbabwe and pay future dividends depends, inter alia, on the ability to continue to externalise cash from Zimbabwe.

 

Zimbabwe’s rate of inflation has increased, which had a major effect on Blanket’s operations in the early part of the year due to the adverse effect on worker morale. After the introduction of the interbank exchange mechanism in February 2019, Blanket re-structured worker’s remuneration to protect them from the adverse effects of inflation.

 

In July and early August, Blanket (in common with other industrial users) suffered extensive interruptions to its electricity supply due to a worsening in the supply and demand balance for electricity in Zimbabwe. After intensive discussions with all relevant parties, this matter was rapidly resolved and a new power supply agreement was put in place whereby participating gold producers pay for and receive dedicated imports of power. The electricity supply was again disrupted in October due to a supply deficit in South Africa which resulted in reduced electricity exports to Zimbabwe. Additional generators have been installed at Blanket which is now completely insulated from further disruptions to power supply. However, the use of diesel generators is not a long-term solution due to the cost and difficulty in obtaining diesel to run the generators for extended periods. Management is well-advanced in evaluating a possible solar project which should reduce Blanket’s dependence on grid power and improve the quality and security of Blanket’s electricity supply.

 4 

 

Caledonia welcomes the recent changes which will reduce the burden of the royalty regime from January 1, 2020 (as discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A).

 

Devaluation of the Zimbabwe Dollar results in substantial unrealised foreign exchange gains

 

The financial results for the Quarter and the preceding two quarters include substantial net foreign exchange profits due to the re-introduction of a Zimbabwe local currency and its devaluation against the US Dollar (which is the functional currency for Blanket Mine and Caledonia) and the prohibition on the use of currencies other than the local currency for domestic transactions. The net foreign exchange gain in the Quarter was $3.3 million which is in addition to the net gain of $21.6 million in the preceding quarter. The largest components of the gain relate to the reduced US Dollar values of the deferred tax liability and the term loan. If the Zimbabwe currency remains at the current level against the US Dollar these gains will be realised when the underlying liability falls due for settlement. Caledonia presents “adjusted earnings”, a non-IFRS measure which aims to present the underlying commercial performance of the business. Adjusted earnings exclude, inter alia, unrealised foreign exchange losses and gains but includes realised foreign exchange movements, which so far have amounted to net cumulative loss in the 9 months to September 30, 2019 of $3.0 million, which equates to a loss of 28 cents per share. A reconciliation of adjusted earnings to IFRS earnings is included in section 10 of this MD&A.

 

Appointment of a new non-executive director

 

On September 23, 2019 the Company announced that Nick Clarke had joined the board of directors of the Company as an independent non-executive director with immediate effect. Mr Clarke, who is Chairman of Central Asia Metals PLC, is a highly experienced Chartered Engineer with 45 years’ experience in the mining industry. He has held senior positions in several resource companies and is well known as a successful executive in the sector having been involved in the construction of major mining projects and conducted several fund raisings on AIM and TSX.

 

Dividend Policy

 

Caledonia’s dividend policy is to pay a dividend of 6.875 US cents per share at the end of January, April, July and October. The profitability and cash generation of Blanket Mine remains strong.

 

Strategy and Outlook

 

Caledonia’s strategic focus is the implementation of the investment programme at Blanket, the main component of which is the Central Shaft project, which is outlined in section 4.7. Caledonia’s board and management believe the successful completion of the Central Shaft is in the best interests of all stakeholders because it is expected to result in increased production, reduced operating costs and increased flexibility to undertake further exploration and development, thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket’s long-term future. Caledonia continues to evaluate further investment opportunities in Zimbabwe that would not fall underneath Blanket’s ownership.

 

 5 

 

3.SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

The table below sets out the consolidated profit and loss for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 prepared under IFRS.

 

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income  
($’000’s)  3 months ended
September 30
   9 months ended
September 30
 
   2018   2019   2018   2019 
Revenue   16,647    19,953    50,904    52,393 
Royalty   (834)   (999)   (2,549)   (2,682)
Production costs   (9,948)   (9,410)   (29,255)   (26,750))
Depreciation   (1,019)   (1,059)   (2,887)   (3,159)
Gross profit   4,846    8,485    16,213    19,802 
Other income   1,683    5    4,784    2,043 
Other expenses   (20)   (173)   (20)   (482)
Administrative expenses   (1,423)   (1,246)   (4,625)   (3,951)
Profit on sale of subsidiary   -    -    -    5,409 
Net foreign exchange (loss)/gain   (275)   3,345    (115)   28,270 
Cash-settled share-based payment   (113)   (36)   (450)   (406)
Equity-settled share-based payment   -    -    (14)   - 
Gold hedge expense   (360)   -    (360)   (324)
Operating profit   4,338    10,380    15,413    50,361 
Net finance cost   (97)   (16)   (142)   (36)
Profit before tax   4,241    10,364    15,271    50,325 
Tax expense   (1,204)   (1,858)   (5,101)   (3,154)
Profit for the period   3,037    8,506    10,170    47,171 
                     
Other comprehensive income                    
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss                    
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations   (69)   (353)   (509)   (353)
Reclassification of accumulated exchange differences on the sale of subsidiary   -    -    -    (2,109)
Total comprehensive income for the period   2,968    8,153    9,661    44,709 
                     
Profit attributable to:                    
Shareholders of the Company   2,224    7,007    7,982    39,628 
Non-controlling interests   813    1,499    2,188    7,543 
Profit for the period   3,037    8,506    10,170    47,171 
                     
Total comprehensive income attributable to:                    
Shareholders of the Company   2,155    6,654    7,473    37,166 
Non-controlling interests   831    1,499    2,188    7,543 
Total comprehensive income for the period   2,968    8,153    9,661    44,709 
                     
Earnings per share (cents)                    
Basic   20.4    61.1    73.8    360.5 
Diluted   20.4    60.9    73.7    360.2 
Adjusted earnings per share (cents) (i)                     
Basic   24.6    16.2    103.0    69.4 

 

(i)Adjusted EPS is a non-IFRS measure which aims to reflect Caledonia’s ordinary trading performance. Refer to section 10 for a discussion of non-IFRS measures.

 6 

 

Revenue in the Quarter was 20% higher than in the third quarter of 2018 (the “comparable quarter”) due to a 23% increase in the average realised price of gold and a 2% reduction in the quantity of gold sold. The royalty rate payable to the Zimbabwe Government was unchanged at 5% in the Quarter. Production for the Quarter is discussed in section 4.3 of this MD&A.

 

Production costs in the Quarter decreased by 5% compared to the comparable quarter mainly due to a lower electricity charge for the Quarter following the agreement of a new power supply agreement and the devaluation of certain costs in Zimbabwe that are denominated in local currency. Costs are discussed further in section 4.6 of this MD&A.

 

Depreciation was higher in the Quarter than the comparable quarter due to more items of property, plant and equipment being brought into use and depreciated.

 

Other income in the Quarter was lower than the comparable quarter due to the cessation of the gold support price because the gold price exceeded the gold support price of $1,368 per ounce. Revenues arising from the gold support price (and its predecessor arrangement, the Export Credit Incentive (“ECI”)) were recognised in previous quarters as “Other Income – Government Grant” on a receivable basis. The gold support price and the ECI are discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A.

 

Other expenses in the Quarter include the costs of evaluating a potential solar power project.

 

Administrative expenses comprise the costs of Caledonia’s offices in Johannesburg, St Helier and Harare, and the costs of Caledonia’s board and executives, the finance and procurement teams based in Johannesburg, investor relations, corporate development, legal and secretarial costs. Administrative expenses in the Quarter were 12% lower than the comparable quarter due to continued efforts to reduce costs. Administrative expenses are analysed in note 8 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

Net foreign exchange movements relate to gains and losses arising on monetary assets and liabilities that are held in currencies other than the US Dollar. At the introduction of interbank trading between RTGS$ and foreign currencies in February 2019 (as discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A), the interbank rate was 2.5 RTGS$ to US Dollar 1. This rate weakened to RTGS$3.003:US Dollar 1 as at March 31, 2019 to RTGS$6.5432: US Dollar 1 at June 30, 2019 and RTGS15.09: US Dollar 1 at September 30, 2019. Note 11 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements analyses the net foreign exchange gain between realised and unrealised components. The largest components of the net gain in the Quarter were gains on borrowings denominated in RTGS$ and the deferred tax liability, offset by a loss on RTGS$-denominated receivables, the most significant of which is the VAT recoverable.

 

The cash-settled share-based payment expense reflects an accrual for a payment which is expected to arise from the long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) awards under the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) to certain executives in the form of Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) and Performance Units (“PUs”). LTIP awards may be settled in cash, shares or a combination of both at the discretion of the award holder. The LTIP expense in the Quarter was $36 (2018: $113) and reflects a combination of factors which include the change in the Company’s share price and the erosion of the time period until vesting. Further information on the calculation of the charge is set out in note 10 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

The tax expense comprises the following:

 

Analysis of Consolidated Tax expense/(credit) for the Quarter

 

($’000’s)        
   Zimbabwe   South Africa   Total 
Income tax   2,138    60    2,198 
Withholding tax               
Management Fee   -    27    27 
Deemed Dividend   21    -    21 
Deferred tax   (382)   (6)   (388)
    1,777    81    1,858 

 7 

 

The overall effective taxation rate in the Quarter was 18% compared to 28% in the comparable quarter.

 

Zimbabwean deferred tax, which reflects inter alia the difference between the accounting and tax treatments of capital investment, has historically been a large component of the overall tax charge. 100% of capital expenditure is deductible in the year in which it is incurred for the purposes of calculating Zimbabwean income tax, whereas for accounting purposes depreciation commences when the project enters production. In the Quarter and the preceding quarter there have been deferred tax credits due to the calculation of Blanket’s tax liability using RTGS$-denominated accounts, which results in foreign exchange losses which outweigh the deferred tax charges arising from high capital investment.

 

Withholding tax is Zimbabwean withholding tax on dividends remitted to the UK and the deemed dividend arising on management fees paid to Caledonia’s wholly owned subsidiary in South Africa.

 

The non-controlling interests are 16.2% of Blanket’s net profit which is attributable to Blanket’s indigenous Zimbabwean shareholders and reflects their participation in the economic benefits generated by Blanket from the effective date of the indigenisation. This is explained in note 5 of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

Adjusted EPS is a non-IFRS measure which reflects Caledonia’s ordinary trading performance. Refer to section 10 of this MD&A for a reconciliation of adjusted EPS to basic EPS on an IFRS basis.

 

Risks that may affect Caledonia’s future financial condition are discussed in sections 4.9 and 17.

 

The table below sets out the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months and quarters ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 prepared under IFRS.

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

($’000’s)

        
   3 months ended
September 30
   9 months ended
September 30
 
   2018   2019   2018   2019 
Cash flows from operating activities                    
Cash generated from operations   7,013    4,886    15,446    14,003 
Net interest paid   (105)   (33)   (187)   (129)
Tax paid   (149)   -    (2,671)   (608)
Net cash from operating activities   6,759    4,853    12,588    13,266 
                     
Cash flows used in investing activities                    
Acquisition of Property, plant and equipment   (5,234)   (5,583)   (16,010)   (14,909)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary   -    -    -    1,000 
Net cash used in investing activities   (5,234)   (5,583)   (16,010)   (13,909)
                     
Cash flows from financing activities                    
Dividends paid   (584)   (883)   (2,345)   (2,503)
Repayment of term loan facility   (375)   -    (1,125)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   (959)   (883)   (3,470)   (2,503)
                     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   566    (1,613)   (6,892)   (3,146)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held   22    1,764    32    (15)
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period   5,308    7,875    12,756    11,187 
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   5,896    8,026    5,896    8,026 

 

Cash generated from operating activities is analysed in note 16 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 8 

 

Cash flows in the Quarter from operations before working capital was $5,597 - little changed from the $5,729 in the comparable quarter. Cash generated from operations after working capital was $4,886, lower than the $7,013 in the comparable quarter largely due to increased in working capital in the Quarter of $711 (2018: decrease of $1,284). Working capital increased due to:

 

·the usual build-up in inventories towards the end of the year and to provide a buffer because more consumables are sourced from South Africa as Zimbabwean suppliers become less competitive;
·reduced trade payables as suppliers in Zimbabwe have withdrawn credit facilities due to the high level of inflation; and
·increased receivables – particularly the VAT receivable from the Zimbabwe government due to the lack of funds to pay refunds.

 

Net investment in property, plant and equipment remains high in terms of the Central Shaft project, which is discussed further in section 4.7 of this MD&A and in sustaining capital investment. Net investment in the Quarter also included an unbudgeted amount of approximately $1.5 million to buy additional generators in response to the power outages experienced in July and early August.

 

The dividends paid relate to the dividend paid by Caledonia in the Quarter and the portion of dividends paid by Blanket that accrued to the indigenous shareholders after retentions to repay the facilitation loans.

 

The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held reflects the devaluation of RTGS$-denominated cash balances following the introduction of the inter-bank trading mechanism by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the “RBZ”) which is discussed in section 4.9. The adverse effect on cash balances forms part of an overall foreign exchange gain arising on the devaluation of all affected financial assets and liabilities.

 

The table below sets out the consolidated statements of Caledonia’s financial position at the end of the Quarter and December 31, 2018 prepared under IFRS.

 

 Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)
($’000’s)  As at Sept 30   Dec 31 
     2019   2018 
Total non-current assets     109,255    97,525 
Inventories     10,238    9,427 
Prepayments     1,773    866 
Trade and other receivables     7,936    6,392 
Cash and cash equivalents     8,026    11,187 
Assets held for sale     -    296 
Total assets     137,228    125,693 
Total non-current liabilities     4,892    34,687 
Trade and other payables     8,013    10,051 
Income tax payable     2,346    1,538 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale     -    609 
Total liabilities     15,251    46,885 
Total equity     121,977    78,808 
Total equity and liabilities     137,228    125,693 

 

Non-current assets increased due to the continued investment at the Central Shaft, investment to sustain existing operations and the purchase of additional generators to safeguard Blanket’s electricity supply.

 

Prepayments represent deposits and advance payments for goods and services, including capital items that are being fabricated and which will be delivered to Blanket in due course. The increased amount at September 30, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 reflects prepayments for equipment and materials to equip the Central Shaft in coming months.

 

Trade and other receivables are analysed in note 15 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and include $3,988 (December 31, 2018: $2,695) due from Fidelity in respect of gold deliveries prior to the close of business on September 30, 2019 and $1,831 (December 31, 2018: $2,743) due from the Government of Zimbabwe in respect of VAT refunds. The increased amount due from Fidelity reflects the extension of the payment cycle following the implementation of the monetary policy announced by the RBZ on February 20, 2019 as discussed in section 4.9 and the higher gold price, which increases the value of each delivery made to Fidelity. The amounts due from Fidelity were received in full after the end of the Quarter. The amount due in respect of VAT refunds has increased and reflects increased delays in the processing of refunds by the Government of Zimbabwe. Management is exploring alternative ways to recover the amounts due. Trade receivables include $1,953 (2018: nil) in respect of deferred consideration due on the disposal of Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited (“Eersteling”), the sale of which was concluded in the previous quarter and is discussed in the previous MD&A.

 9 

 

Non-current liabilities reduced from $34,687 at December 31, 2018 to $4,892 at the end of the Quarter mainly due to the conversion of the RTGS$ 6 million term facility and the deferred tax liability into US Dollars as these balances are denominated in RTGS$.

 

The following information is provided for each of the eight most recent quarterly periods ending on the dates specified. The figures are extracted from underlying unaudited interim financial statements that have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with IFRS.

 

($’000’s except per share amounts)  Dec 31,
2017
   Mar 31,
2018
   June 30,
2018
   Sept 30,
2018
   Dec 31,
2018
   Mar 31,
2019
   June 30,
2019
   Sept 30,
2019
 
Revenue from operations   19,599    18,059    16,198    16,647    17,495    15,920    16,520    19,953 
Profit attributable to owners of the Company   3,232    3,154    2,604    2,224    2,784    9,318    23,303    7,007 
Earnings per share – basic (cents)   29.5    29.3    24.1    20.4    25.1    88.6    210.8    61.1 
Earnings per share – diluted (cents)   29.4    29.2    24.1    20.4    25.2    88.5    210.9    60.9 
Net cash and cash equivalents   12,765    13,380    5,308    5,896    11,187    9,742    7,875    8,026 

 

The quarterly results fluctuate materially from quarter to quarter primarily due to changes in production levels and gold prices but also due to the recording of impairments and other unusual costs and incomes. Significant changes relating to prior quarters are discussed in the relevant MD&As and financial statements.

 

4.OPERATIONS AT THE BLANKET GOLD MINE, ZIMBABWE

 

4.1Safety, Health and Environment

 

The following safety statistics have been recorded for the Quarter and the preceding seven quarters.

 

Blanket Mine Safety Statistics                

Classification

Q4

2017

Q1

2018

Q3

2018

Q3

2018

Q4

2018

Q1

2019

Q2

2019

Q3

2019

Fatal 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Lost time injury 0 1 3 1 0 2 0 0
Restricted work activity 4 6 5 4 1 3 7 4
First aid 2 1 2 6 0 0 0 0
Medical aid 4 4 2 1 6 1 1 4
Occupational illness 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10 13 12 13 7 6 8 8
Incidents 11 7 10 8 7 12 15 12
Near misses 2 4 1 2 4 5 2 8
Disability Injury Frequency Rate 0.00 0.31 0.44 0.29 0.00 0.32 0.00 0.00
Total Injury Frequency Rate 1.57 2.03 1.77 1.78 1.12 0.97 1.23 1.23
Man-hours worked (thousands) 1,271 1,278 1,352 1,371 1,252 1,240 1,296 1,297

 

Following the high level of accidents in 2018 a safety training facility (called the Nyanzvi initiative) was established at the mine using dedicated facilities and specially trained facilitators. 215 employees participated in the Nyanzvi scheme during the Quarter, increasing the total number of employees who have passed through the scheme in 2019 to 1,245. As a result of this increased focus on safety training, there has been a reduction in the number of accidents in the 9 months to September 30, 2019 compared to the first 9 months of 2018. Safety training is an ongoing exercise and it will remain an area of focus for management.

 10 

 

4.2Corporate and Social Investment (“CSI”) and Contribution to the Zimbabwean Economy

 

All of Caledonia’s CSI initiatives are implemented by Blanket. Blanket’s investment in community and social projects which are not directly related to the operation of the mine or the welfare of Blanket’s employees, the payments made to the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust (“GCSOT”) in terms of Blanket’s indigenisation, and payments of royalties, taxation and other non-taxation charges to the Government of Zimbabwe and its agencies are set out in the table below.

 

Payments to the Community and the Zimbabwe Government

($’000’s)

Period Year CSI Payments to
GCSOT
Payments to
Zimbabwe
Government
Total
Year 2013 2,147 2,000 15,354 19,501
Year 2014 35 - 12,319 12,354
Year 2015 50 - 7,376 7,426
Year 2016 12 - 10,637 10,649
Year 2017 5 - 11,988 11,993
Year 2018 4   10,140 10,144
Q1 2019 14 - 2,567 2,581
Q2 2019 27 - 2,360 2,387
Q3 2019 11 - 3,344 3,355

 

There is currently no legal requirement in Zimbabwe for mining companies to implement CSI, but there is an increasing expectation from stakeholders in Zimbabwe that mining companies should engage in CSI. The Zimbabwe government is planning legislation to replace the repealed indigenization legislation that will require business to implement CSI. There is also an expectation from international investors that mining companies should do more to address social and environmental issues. For many years Blanket has engaged in ad hoc CSI activities; Blanket’s board of directors has approved the development of a CSI programme.

 

4.3Gold Production

 

Tonnes milled, average grades, recoveries and gold produced during the Quarter, the preceding 10 quarters, the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 and October 2019 are shown in the table below.

 

Blanket Mine Production Statistics
  Year

Tonnes Milled

(t)

Gold Head
(Feed) Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold Recovery

(%)

Gold Produced

(oz)

Year 2016 510,661 3.30 93.0 50,351
Quarter 1 2017 124,225 3.42 93.7 12,794
Quarter 2 2017 136,163 3.08 92.8 12,518
Quarter 3 2017 136,064 3.52 93.6 14,396
Quarter 4 2017 150,755 3.62 93.6 16,425
Year 2017 547,207 3.41 93.4 56,133
Quarter 1 2018 123,628 3.48 93.4 12,924
Quarter 2 2018 132,585 3.19 92.8 12,657
Quarter 3 2018 151,160 3.12 92.6 13,978
Quarter 4 2018 153,540 3.27 92.8 14,952
Year 2018 560,913 3.26 92.9 54,511
Quarter 1 2019 122,389 3.26 93.4 11,948
Quarter 2 2019 135,847 3.11 93.2 12,712
Quarter 3 2019 142,706 3.19 93.2 13,646
October 2019 52,465 3.55 93.5 5,597

 

 11 

 

Gold production for the Quarter was 2.4% lower than the comparable quarter and 7.3% higher than the previous quarter. Gold production was lower than planned primarily because of lower than planned tonnes milled and to a lesser extent by lower than expected grade and recovery. Tonnes milled and grade are discussed in section 4.4 of this MD&A; gold recoveries are discussed in section 4.5 of this MD&A. Production in September and October 2019 showed a significant improvement due to higher tonnes mined, an improved grade and higher recoveries. The significant improvement in performance in since the start of September reflects the success of the management interventions in recent quarters.

 

4.4Underground

 

Tonnes milled in the Quarter were 7.6% lower than the comparable quarter and 2.8% higher than the preceding quarter. Ore production in the first half of the Quarter was hampered by extended power outages which were experienced in the first part of the Quarter.

 

Blanket continues to experience an unstable electricity supply from the grid (i.e. surges and dips in the voltage) due to lack of maintenance by the government-owned utility (ZESA). In the first quarter of 2019, the high frequency of power surges damaged Blanket’s auto tap changer which enables the transformer to accommodate voltage surges. Without the auto tap changer the transformer has only a finite capacity to regulate surges and many more power trips are experienced. The auto tap changer was repaired and re-installed in May and has effectively protected Blanket’s equipment from most of the power surges in the Quarter.

 

As discussed in section 4.9, from early July 2019 until the middle of August, Blanket suffered extended power outages due to the severe shortage of electricity in Zimbabwe and disruptions to the supply of imported electricity. Blanket has back-up diesel generators to maintain production: generator usage in the Quarter totalled 1,451 hours, compared to 686 hours in the preceding quarter and 1,486 hours in the whole of 2018. The electricity supply situation improved from the middle of the Quarter although there were further power interruptions in October because of power supply shortages in South Africa, which resulted in the suspension of electricity exports from South Africa to Zimbabwe. Management is evaluating a range of solutions to this problem as discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A.

 

The high incidence of lost shifts due to unauthorised employee absences (“AWOLs”) and employee desertions which adversely affected production in previous quarters has reduced after management adjusted Zimbabwe-dollar denominated wages and salaries to reflect the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar against the US Dollar. The Zimbabwe dollar weakened from parity with the US Dollar in February 2019 to a rate of RTGS$15.09: US$1 at the end of the Quarter and has contributed to high inflation in Zimbabwe dollar terms. By adjusting wages and salaries to reflect the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar, Blanket has shielded its workforce from most of the effects of inflation and reduced the loss of key personnel whilst maintaining the cost of labour stable in US Dollar terms.

 

Employee morale has also improved following the introduction of a new bonus structure at Blanket: production teams now receive a monthly or quarterly bonus (depending on the worker’s grade) which reflects the specific performance of their team and keeps the productive teams motivated during difficult periods. Previously production bonuses were awarded annually based on the performance of the entire mine. The improved morale has contributed to improved daily production tonnage in the later part of the Quarter; this improvement has continued into October and November.

 

Production volumes also improved towards the end of the Quarter and into October following the introduction of new controls which help to ensure that each production crew achieves its daily target of ore and gold contained therein.

 

The grade in the Quarter although higher than the preceding quarter was lower than planned in the first two months of the Quarter due to continued incidence of mining dilution. Measures taken in previous quarters to improve the accuracy of drilling have had some effect. However, in certain areas, after accurate blasting took place, sloughing of the hanging wall and footwall introduced waste material into the draw points. To address this problem, under-hand stoping was re-introduced into all narrow stope areas with additional measures to enhance safety. In addition, measures have been introduced to improve the quality of supervision and increase mining discipline.

 

Primary development advanced in the Quarter by 2,662 metres compared to 2,482 metres in the previous quarter and a plan of 2,996 metres. The shortfall against plan was largely due to machines being temporarily allocated to production. It is expected that development will improve in the remainder of 2019.

 

 12 

 

Production in October showed a significant improvement in the average tonnes mined per day and grade. This reflects the success of the measures introduced to reduce mining dilution due to better grade controls and to improve employee morale.

 

4.5Metallurgical Plant

 

Plant throughput in the Quarter was 72.3 tonnes per hour (“tph”) compared to 69.4 tph in the previous quarter due to higher ore production as discussed in section 4.4. Recoveries in the Quarter were 93.2%, unchanged from the previous quarter, but lower than planned due to the lower plant feed grade.

 

Recoveries in the Quarter continued to be adversely affected by the failure of the old oxygen plant which was beyond repair. Lower oxygen concentrations also resulted in increased cyanide consumption, which contributed to increased consumable costs at the metallurgical plant. A new oxygen plant was commissioned in October. The full benefit of the new oxygen plant in terms of higher recoveries and reduced cyanide consumption is expected to be realised towards the end of the year after completion of a project to improve the sparging of oxygen into the CIL tanks.

 

4.6Production Costs

 

A narrow focus on the direct costs of production (mainly labour, electricity and consumables) does not fully reflect the total cost of gold production. Accordingly, cost per ounce data for the Quarter and the comparable quarter have been prepared in accordance with the Guidance Note issued by the World Gold Council on June 23, 2013 and is set out in the table below on the following bases:

 

i.On-mine cost per ounce4, which shows the on-mine costs of producing an ounce of gold and includes direct labour, electricity, consumables and other costs that are incurred at the mine including insurance, security and on-mine administration;

 

ii.All-in sustaining cost per ounce4, which shows the on-mine cost per ounce plus royalty paid, additional costs incurred outside the mine (i.e. at offices in Harare, Johannesburg, London and Jersey), costs associated with maintaining the operating infrastructure and resource base that are required to maintain production at the current levels (sustaining capital investment), the share-based expense (or credit) arising from the LTIP awards less silver by-product revenue. In previous quarters the all-in sustaining cost also included as a credit (i.e. as a deduction from costs) the ECI and the gold support price; in the Quarter the gold price exceeded the gold support price (approximately $1,368 per ounce) and accordingly no incentives were payable in the Quarter; and

 

iii.All-in cost per ounce4, which shows the all-in sustaining cost per ounce plus the costs associated with activities that are undertaken with a view to increasing production (expansion capital investment).

 

Cost per Ounce of Gold Sold

(US$/ounce)

        
   3 Months to September 30   9 Months to September 30 
   2018   2019   2018   2019 
On-mine cost4   670    686    691    671 
All-in sustaining cost per ounce4   754    872    812    824 
All-in cost per ounce4   1,110    1,275    1,172    1,202 

 

Per-ounce costs are calculated based on gold ounces sold and not produced, so that an accurate value can be ascribed to the royalty and the ECI. A reconciliation of costs per ounce to IFRS production costs is set out in section 10.

 

 

____________________________

4 On-mine cost per ounce, all-in sustaining cost per ounce and all-in cost per ounce are non-IFRS measures. Refer to section 10 for a reconciliation of these amounts to IFRS

 13 

 

On-Mine costs

 

On-mine costs comprises labour, electricity, consumables and other costs such as safety and on-mine administration costs which include security and insurance. On-mine costs are analysed in note 6 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

On-mine costs per ounce increased by 2.6% from $670 in the comparable quarter to $686 in the Quarter due to higher labour and consumable costs the effect of which was offset by lower electricity costs and lower “other costs”.

 

·Labour costs were higher in the Quarter compared to the comparable quarter which benefitted from the reversal of a production bonus accrual. Underlying labour costs have remained stable: there has been little change in employee headcount; following the introduction of the interbank rate, wages which are paid in Zimbabwe currency, have been adjusted on a monthly basis to remain stable in US Dollar terms.
·Consumable costs increased in the Quarter compared to the comparable quarter due to the higher cost of maintaining the underground fleet of trackless equipment.
·As discussed in section 4.9, from August 2019 Blanket began to pay for electricity in FCA at a tariff that was lower than in previous quarters (other than the tariff in the previous quarter, which was denominated in local currency and hence was abnormally low in US Dollar terms due to the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar). Due to the high level of power outages in July and early August, Blanket used substantially more diesel in the Quarter than in previous quarters and this would normally have resulted in a higher overall cost of electricity. However, for much of the Quarter, Blanket purchased diesel at a regulated price which was denominated in RTGS$ at a price which lagged behind the devaluation of the devaluation of the local currency, thereby resulting in foreign exchange gains which mitigated the adverse effect of higher generator usage.
·“Other costs” comprise on-mine costs other than power, labour and consumables; the main components of “other costs” are security (which is outsourced), insurance and telecommunications. These costs are denominated in local currency and were not adjusted by the service providers to reflect the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar.

 

All-in sustaining costs

 

All-in sustaining costs per ounce were 16% higher in the Quarter compared to the comparable quarter. The increase was entirely due to the cessation of the gold support price because the gold price exceeded the support price for the entire Quarter of $1,368 per ounce. The operation of the gold support price is discussed in section 4.9. Excluding the effect of the gold support price, the all-in sustaining cost per ounce was slightly lower in the Quarter than in the comparable quarter: lower sustaining capital expenditure and lower general and administrative expenses were balanced by a higher royalty payment to the Zimbabwe Government which was due to the higher gold price.

 

All-in costs

 

All-in costs include investment in expansion projects which remained at a high level in the Quarter due to the continued investment at Blanket, as discussed in section 4.7 of this MD&A. All-in costs in the Quarter included approximately $110 per ounce in respect of additional diesel generators that were purchased in response to the increased incidence of power outages.

 

4.7Capital Projects

 

The main capital development project is the Central Shaft, which was originally intended to be sunk in one single phase from surface to 1,080 metres. Continued exploration has improved the understanding of the ore bodies and has resulted in progressive increases in resources below 750 metres. Accordingly, in November 2017, the Company announced that it intended to continue to sink the Central Shaft by two further production levels to a depth of 1,330 metres. Progress on sinking the shaft since late 2017 was adversely affected by the increased frequency of power trips due to the unstable incoming supply from the grid. Due to these delays in 2018 we announced that the vertical shaft sinking would be reduced by one level and the shaft would be sunk to a depth of 1,204 metres. The fourth level is intended to be added via a decline which will start in approximately 3-4 years. The decline will put the mine in a good position to go deeper in future if needed without affecting the hoisting at the then operational Central Shaft.

 14 

 

As announced on July 24, 2019 the Central Shaft reached its target depth of 1,204 metres, which means that the shaft sinking phase of the project has been completed. Work has commenced on equipping the shaft, although this work was affected by the power outages in July and early August and in October. Blanket had installed back-up generator capacity of approximately 12.5 megawatts (MW), sufficient to run the mine at full capacity but not enough to sustain the mine and the Central Shaft project. In the interests of maintaining production, work at Central Shaft was curtailed if there was insufficient power. In response to the increased incidence of electricity outages, Blanket purchased an additional 6 MW of diesel generators which have been commissioned. Blanket's operations are now fully insulated from the risk of unstable and insecure electricity supply. Due to the delays caused by electricity, the shaft equipping will take approximately 12 months and the shaft is expected to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2020, after which production from Central Shaft can commence. Production in 2021 is expected to be approximately 75,000 ounces, increasing to the target rate of 80,000 ounces in 2022.

 

4.8Indigenisation

 

Transactions that implemented the indigenisation of Blanket (which expression in this section and in certain other sections throughout this MD&A refers to the Zimbabwe company that owns Blanket Mine) were completed on September 5, 2012 following which Caledonia owns 49% of Blanket and has received a Certificate of Compliance from the Government of Zimbabwe which confirms that Blanket is fully compliant with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.

 

As a 49% shareholder, Caledonia receives 49% of Blanket’s dividends plus the repayment of vendor facilitation loans which were extended by Blanket to certain of the indigenous shareholders. The outstanding balance of the facilitation loans as at September 30, 2019 was $30.98 million (December 31, 2018: $30.99 million). The facilitation loans (including interest thereon) are repaid by way of dividends from Blanket; 80% of the dividends declared by Blanket which are attributable to the beneficiaries of the facilitation loans are used to repay such loans and the remaining 20% unconditionally accrues to the respective indigenous shareholders. The dividends attributable to GCSOT, which holds 10% of Blanket, will be withheld by Blanket to repay the advance dividends which were paid to GCSOT in 2012 and 2013 and which had an outstanding balance of $1.78 million at September 30, 2019 (December 31, 2018: $2.19 million).

 

On June 23, 2017 a modification to the facilitation loans was agreed which reduced the rate of interest on the facilitation loans from LIBOR plus 10% to the lower of 7.25% payable quarterly, or 80% of the dividend paid in the quarter by Blanket which is attributable to indigenous shareholders. The reduction in the interest rate is retrospectively applied from January 1, 2017 and reflected the general lowering of interest rates in Zimbabwe.

 

The facilitation loans are not shown as receivables in Caledonia’s financial statements in terms of IFRS. These loans are effectively equity instruments as their only means of repayment is via dividend distributions from Blanket. Caledonia continues to consolidate Blanket for accounting purposes. Further information on the accounting effects of indigenisation at Blanket is set out in note 5 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and in a Frequently Asked Questions page which is available on Caledonia’s website.

 

Pronouncements from the Zimbabwe Government following the appointment of the new President in late 2017 indicated that the indigenisation policy would be relaxed, including the removal of an indigenisation requirement for gold mining companies. These pronouncements were passed into law in March 2018. On November 6, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a sale agreement with Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited (“Fremiro”) to purchase Fremiro’s 15% shareholding in Blanket for a gross consideration of $16.667 million to be settled through a combination of the cancellation of the loan between the two entities which stood at $11.467 million as at June 30, 2018 and the issue of 727,266 new shares in Caledonia at an issue price of $7.15 per share. On completion of the transaction, Caledonia will have a 64% shareholding in Blanket and Fremiro will hold approximately 6.4% of Caledonia’s diluted equity. The transaction is subject to approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities. Caledonia has received approval from the RBZ to the transaction and, in early October, clearance was granted by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to the transfer of Fremiro’s shares to Caledonia; the only remaining approval that is required is approval from the RBZ for Fremiro to be permitted to hold the Caledonia shares they will receive outside Zimbabwe. Caledonia has indicated to the Government of Zimbabwe a desire to engage in discussions to purchase the shareholding in Blanket that is currently held by the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Fund (“NIEEF”). There is no certainty that agreement will be reached on a transaction in respect of NIEEF’s shareholding.

 

 15 

 

4.9Zimbabwe Commercial Environment

 

Monetary Conditions

 

The current situation in Zimbabwe can be summarized as follows:

 

·There continues to be a shortage of foreign currency in Zimbabwe, although in recent months Blanket has had satisfactory access to foreign exchange due to the higher gold price and increased production.

 

·The rate of annual inflation increased from 5% in September 2018 to 175% by June 2019. The Zimbabwe government no longer releases annualised inflation data, but it is widely accepted that the rate of inflation has increased and Zimbabwe is experiencing “hyperinflation”. A high rate of inflation has little effect on Blanket’s operations now that Blanket has adjusted employee remuneration to reflect the increased cost of living – this is discussed further below.

 

·Since October 2018, bank accounts in Zimbabwe have been bifurcated between Foreign Currency Accounts (“FCA”), which can be used to make international payments, and local currency (known as “RTGS Dollars” or “RTGS$”) accounts which can only be used for domestic transactions. Previously all bank accounts in Zimbabwe were in the RTGS$ system;

 

·On February 20, 2019 the RBZ allowed inter-bank trading between currency held in the RTGS$ system and the FCA system. Prior to this, the RBZ had stipulated that a Dollar in the RTGS system was worth 1 US Dollar in the FCA system. Initially the interbank rate was 2.5 RTGS Dollars to 1 US Dollar; this rate weakened to RTGS$3.003:US Dollar 1 as at March 31, 2019 and weakened further to RTGS$6.5432: US Dollar 1 as at June 30, 2019 and to RTGS15.09: US Dollar 1 as at September 30, 2019. The RTGS Dollar has continued to weaken after the end of the Quarter.

 

·The interbank trading mechanism has addressed the most pressing difficulty that emerged after the October 2018 policy implementation, being the erosion of the purchasing power of Blanket’s employees due to rapidly increasing retail prices, which had an adverse effect on employee morale. Management has increased RTGS$-denominated remuneration so that it remains more closely aligned to the US Dollar value using the interbank rate. This has alleviated some of the financial distress experienced by Blanket employees. The interbank market is relevant in terms of creating an exchange rate; however, there is little liquidity in this market so it is not a meaningful mechanism to trade between RTGS$ and US Dollars.

 

·Zimbabwean gold producers, including Blanket, are required to sell their gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited (“Fidelity”), a subsidiary of the RBZ. 55% of the sale proceeds are received in FCA and the balance is received in RTGS$. Blanket uses the FCA component to pay for imported goods, services and electricity; the RTGS$ component is used to pay for goods and services procured in Zimbabwe and to pay employees and taxes. At prevailing gold prices and the current rate of production the 55% FCA allocation is sufficient for Blanket to continue normal mining operations, to fully implement the investment plan as scheduled and allow Caledonia to remit dividends from Zimbabwe.

 

·If Blanket or Caledonia require additional FCA, they must make an application to the RBZ for an additional allocation of foreign exchange as there is insufficient liquidity on the interbank market to make any significant purchases of FCA. The RBZ considers requests for additional foreign currency in specific circumstances from individual gold miners and Caledonia has continued its engagement with the RBZ and the government to secure the additional foreign currency it requires. This requirement to make specific application for foreign currency is no different from the situation which existed before the implementation of the new policy. Hitherto, Blanket and Caledonia have operated satisfactorily under this system, although it requires constant management attention.

 

·On June 24, 2019 the Government issued S.I. 142 which stated: “Zimbabwe dollar (RTGS$) to be the sole currency for legal tender purposes for any transactions in Zimbabwe”. Throughout these announcements and to the date of issue of these the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements the US Dollar has remained the primary currency in which the Group’s Zimbabwean entities operate and the functional currency of these entities. Previously there was uncertainty as to what currency would be used to settle amounts owed to the Zimbabwe Government. The announcement of S.I.142 clarified the Zimbabwean Government’s intentions that these liabilities were always denominated in RTGS$ and that RTGS$ would be the currency in which they would be settled. The devaluation of the deferred tax and electricity liabilities contributed the largest portion of the foreign exchange gain which was recognised in the preceding quarter.
 16 

 

·Blanket’s borrowings are denominated in RTGS$, which means their value in US Dollars has reduced due to the devaluation of the RTGS$. Blanket requires an overdraft facility of approximately US$4 million for working capital purposes. In the ordinary course of events, Blanket would increase its RTGS-denominated debt so that the US Dollar value remains unchanged. However, policy interventions by the RBZ have reduced the lending capacity of Blanket’s domestic bankers and they were unable to restore Blanket’s overdraft limit to the historic US-Dollar value. After the end of the Quarter, Blanket increased its debt facilities to the target level however, these facilities have already diminished in value and there is no guarantee that further increases will be readily available from the local banking market. In the context of Blanket’s restricted access to foreign exchange (because it receives only 55% of its revenues in FCA), management does not think it prudent to seek debt funding outside Zimbabwe. Management is therefore considering other forms of RTGS$-denominated debt finance in Zimbabwe. The interest rate on RTGS$-denominated borrowings has increased: during the Quarter the interest rate on Blanket’s unsecured overdraft facility increased from 6.875% to 35.78%; since the end of the Quarter the rate has reduced to approximately 25%.

 

·Provided the interbank exchange rate is efficient and Blanket receives the amounts due promptly, in full and at an exchange rate which reflects economic fundamentals, management is optimistic the revised policy may create a more stable environment. Investors should recognize that Blanket’s ability to implement its investment plan and Caledonia’s ability to sustain its operations outside Zimbabwe and pay future dividends depends, inter alia, on the ability to continue to externalise cash from Zimbabwe.

 

Export credit incentive (“ECI”) and gold support price

 

Blanket sells gold to Fidelity and is contractually entitled to receive a price which is derived from the afternoon price fixed by the London Bullion Market Association (the “LBMA price”) the day after the bullion delivered by Blanket has been assayed. 55% of Blanket’s proceeds are received in US Dollars and the remainder is received in RTGS$ using the interbank exchange rate for RTGS$ and US Dollars.

 

Prior to February 20, 2019, Blanket in common with the other gold producers, received the ECI which was a 10% premium to the LMBA price. On February 27, 2019 Caledonia announced the termination of the ECI programme and the financial effect thereof.

 

From March 6, 2019 it became apparent that Blanket’s sales proceeds received from Fidelity were calculated at a gross price of $44,000 per kilogram ($1,368.58 per ounce), which exceeded the prevailing LBMA price. On May 12, 2019 the Company received confirmation from Fidelity of this arrangement, called the “gold support price”, which has been implemented to incentivize gold producers to increase gold production. The gold support price has not been increased as the LMBA gold price has subsequently increased above $1,368.58 per ounce; Caledonia has no information whether the gold support price would be re-introduced if the LMBA price fell below $1,368.58 per ounce.

 

As the LBMA gold price exceeded the gold support price on each delivery date in the Quarter, there was no income in the Quarter in respect of the gold support price. The income arising from the ECI and the gold support price in previous quarters was included as “Other Income”.

 

Electricity supply

 

Zimbabwe’s electricity generation is mainly from the Kariba hydro station on the Zambezi and the Hwange coal-fired station with several other much smaller coal-fired power stations. Even if Zimbabwe’s installed generating capacity is fully operational, it cannot generate enough electricity to meet its requirements and therefore Zimbabwe imports electricity from Mozambique and South Africa. Until recently, Zimbabwe managed its electricity supply and demand such that there were no significant power outages arising from supply shortages. In any event, since 2010 Blanket Mine, along with most other gold producers, had a supply agreement with ZESA in terms of which the consumers paid a premium rate in return for un-interrupted power. This agreement expired on December 31, 2018 and was not renewed as ZESA demanded that payment should be in US Dollars, which was neither practical (due to insufficient access to US Dollars) nor permissible in terms of Zimbabwean foreign exchange controls.

 17 

 

In recent months, the generating capacity at the Kariba hydro generating station has been significantly reduced due to low water levels caused by insufficient rain in the catchment area. In addition, in July and early August 2019, South Africa has reduced its deliveries of electricity to Zimbabwe due to non-payment for historic deliveries. In October 2019 the export of electricity from South Africa was further interrupted due to a lack of generating capacity in South Africa. The combined effect of these factors is that Zimbabwe experiences a severe electricity shortage and has resorted to “load-shedding” whereby electricity consumers experience prolonged power outages. Initially the load-shedding targeted domestic consumers; however, from early July 2019, Blanket and other industrial users have experienced substantial interruptions to their electricity supply. In the case of Blanket which has a maximum demand of 18MW, in July and early August 2019 it was regularly required to reduce its consumption by up to 8 MW for periods of up to 16 hours each day. As a result of load-shedding, Blanket’s use of diesel for generating electricity increased from approximately 30,000 litres per month in 2018 to 265,000 litres in July 2019. The recurrence of load-shedding in October was less severe and Blanket was required to reduce consumption by up to 4MW for periods of up to 10 hours per day.

 

Blanket and Caledonia management had constructive engagement with the relevant authorities both directly and via the Chamber of Mines to find an urgent resolution to this matter. All parties understand that without sufficient power, Zimbabwe’s gold production and hence its ability to earn foreign exchange, will be very severely affected if the gold industry does not receive sufficient power to maintain production.

 

Although it is hoped that power production from Kariba will increase when water levels return to normal, it is likely that Zimbabwe will continue to experience severe electricity shortages. The situation may be exacerbated by the increasing difficulties experienced by the South African state-owned electricity generator, which has been a substantial supplier to Zimbabwe.

 

An additional difficulty, which Blanket has experienced for many months, is that the electricity supply from the grid is highly unstable and is subject to frequent surges and dips in voltage. Power surges, if not controlled, cause severe damage to Blanket’s electrical equipment. Blanket has therefore installed its own equipment to regulate the incoming power; however, this equipment was itself damaged by the incoming supply although it was repaired and re-installed in the Quarter.

 

Caledonia’s approach to the electricity situation is threefold:

 

i.continue to engage constructively with ZESA with the objective of securing cheap, reliable and stable power from the grid. This includes agreeing a realistic electricity pricing formula in the context of the current monetary conditions; assisting ZESA to repair and maintain its own equipment and participating in an industry-wide scheme to import power. On August 9, 2019 Blanket signed a new power supply agreement in terms of which Blanket will receive un-interrupted power in return for an FCA-denominated tariff which, although cheaper than the tariff which prevailed until December 31, 2018, is still sufficient to allow ZESA to import power so that (subject to the availability of power in neighbouring countries) it can keep its supply commitment to the participants in the scheme.

 

ii.increase Blanket’s stand-by diesel generating capacity. Blanket has recently commissioned a further 6MW of diesel generators which means that it now has 18MW of installed diesel generators which is sufficient to maintain production and allow work to continue on the Central Shaft. However, diesel generators are not, by themselves, a long-term solution to the electricity problem: diesel power is expensive and requires large quantities of diesel which is not always easily available and may require payment in FCA;

 

iii.explore the installation of a solar power plant to supply some or all of Blanket’s requirements. Management is currently completing financial and technical evaluations of a solar project and has applied for a generating licence so that it can move quickly if the evaluations indicate that a solar project will be cost effective. A tender process has commenced to identify a party to build and operate the solar plant and, if competitive, to provide funding for the plant.

 

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Water supply

 

Blanket uses water in the metallurgical process, some of which is pumped from the deeper levels of the mine but most of which is obtained from the “Blanket dam” (which, despite its name, is neither owned nor managed by Blanket Mine) which also supplies water to the nearby town of Gwanda. Blanket is situated in a semi-arid region and rainfall typically only occurs in the period November to February. The last rainy season was very poor and water levels in the dam are significantly lower than usual. The water authority has released water from an upstream dam to replenish the Blanket dam and management believes that, with careful management, there is enough water in the Blanket dam to maintain normal operations until the start of the next rainy season. However, it is important that the forthcoming rainy season is successful. Blanket has some boreholes which it could use to augment other water supplies; however, the boreholes would not produce enough to meet all of Blanket’s water requirements.

 

Taxation

 

The main elements of the Zimbabwe tax regime insofar as it affects Blanket Mine and Caledonia are as follows:

 

·A royalty is levied on gold revenues at a rate of 5%. Historically, the royalty has not been an allowable expense for the purposes of calculating taxable profits. In the Mid-Year Budget Review, published on August 1, 2019 it was announced that with effect from January 1, 2020 the royalty would be allowable as a deductible expense. It was also announced that from September 1, 2019 the royalty rate would be calculated on a sliding scale based on gold prices: a royalty rate at 3% will apply if the gold price is below $1,200 and a royalty of 5% will apply if the gold price is over $1,200 per ounce. This proposal will reduce the royalty and tax burden on Blanket: illustratively, the effect of these changes for each 10,000 ounces per annum of gold production at an assumed gold price of $1,450 per ounce would be a post-tax benefit of approximately $360.

 

·Income tax is levied at 25.75% on profits as adjusted for tax purposes. The main adjustments to profit for the purposes of calculating tax are the add-back of depreciation, most of the management fees paid by Blanket to Caledonia’s subsidiary in South Africa and the royalty on gold sales. 100% of all capital expenditure incurred in the year of assessment is allowed as a deductible expense. As noted above, the Zimbabwe government proposed that the royalty would be deductible for income tax purposes with effect from January 1, 2020.

 

·Withholding tax is levied on certain remittances from Zimbabwe i.e. dividend payments from Zimbabwe to the UK and payments of management fees from Blanket to Caledonia in South Africa.

 

·Although the US Dollar is Blanket’s functional currency, the Zimbabwe tax authorities require Blanket to calculate its tax liability using accounts prepared in local currency. Whereas using the US Dollar as the functional currency Blanket realizes foreign exchange gains, if the calculation is performed using local currency accounts Blanket incurs foreign exchange losses. Unrealised foreign exchange losses are excluded in the calculation of income tax but they give rise to deferred tax credits which may outweigh the deferred tax charges which results from capital expenditure.

 

4.10Opportunities and Outlook

 

Central Shaft Project to Increase Production and Extend Mine Life

 

As discussed in section 4.7 the Company has sunk a new shaft to a depth of 1,204 metres and has now commenced the equipping phase. Once commissioned, the shaft should allow production to increase to the targeted rate of approximately 80,000 ounces per annum from 2022. Subject to the continued availability of foreign currency (as discussed in section 4.9), Caledonia intends to continue to implement the Central Shaft project.

 

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Production Guidance

 

Production guidance for 2019 is a range of 50,000 to 53,000 ounces of gold. This is forward looking information as defined by National Instrument 51-102. Refer to section 18 of this MD&A for further information on forward looking statements.

 

Cost Guidance

 

On-mine cost guidance for 2019 is in the range of $735 to $817 per ounce; guidance for AISC is $933 to $1,022 per ounce. On-mine cost and AISC per ounce for the 9 months to September 30, 2019 are below guidance due to stringent cost controls, the devaluation of the RTGS$, sterling and the South African rand against the US Dollar, the reversal of a production bonus accrual for the first six months of 2019 because production was below target, the lower cost of electricity and the effect of the gold support price in the preceding quarter. This is forward looking information as defined by National Instrument 51-102. Refer to section 18 of this MD&A for further information on forward looking statements.

 

Earnings Guidance

 

Guidance for adjusted EPS for 2019 is 86 to 117 cents assuming the production and cost guidance set out above and that the gold price remains at current levels for the remainder of the year. Adjusted EPS for the first 9 months of 2019 were 69.4 cents, which on an annualised basis, is within earnings guidance for 2019. Adjusted earnings include $3.0 million of realised foreign exchange losses (equivalent to approximately 28 cents per share); the earnings guidance takes no account of realised foreign exchange movements. This is forward looking information as defined by National Instrument 51-102. Refer to section 18 of this MD&A for further information on forward looking statements. The Company’s ability to achieve the production, cost and earnings guidance set out above will be influenced by many factors which are discussed in section 17 of this MD&A.

 

Changes in Indigenisation Legislation

 

As discussed in section 4.8 of this MD&A, following changes in legislation, Caledonia has entered into a sale agreement to acquire a further 15% of Blanket and it will evaluate the potential to buy back the shareholding of NIEEF and restructure the shareholding of Blanket’s employees. Any transactions would reflect the value of the indigenous shareholder’s shareholdings in Blanket after deducting the value of the outstanding facilitation loans. There is no certainty that agreement will be reached on any transaction with NIEEF or Blanket’s employees nor that the conditions to the sale agreement with Fremiro will be fulfilled.

 

Strategy

 

Caledonia’s strategic focus is on implementing the Central Shaft project at Blanket on schedule and within budget. Subject to the continued availability of foreign currency, Caledonia’s board and management believe the successful implementation of the Central Shaft project remains in the best interests of all stakeholders because it is expected to result in increased production, reduced operating costs and greater flexibility to undertake further exploration and development, thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket’s long-term future. Caledonia continues to evaluate further investment opportunities in Zimbabwe that would not fall underneath Blanket’s ownership.

 

5EXPLORATION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

 

Caledonia’s exploration activities are focussed on the growth and development of Blanket Mine and its satellite properties.

 

5.1Blanket Exploration

 

2,278 metres were drilled in the Quarter compared to 3,596 metres in the previous quarter.

 

5.2Blanket Satellite Prospects

 

Blanket Mine has exploration title holdings in the form of registered mining claims in the Gwanda Greenstone Belt totalling 237 claims covering properties with a total area of about 2,500 hectares. Included within these claim areas are 18 previously operated small gold workings which warrant further exploration.

 

Blanket’s exploration on the satellite properties has been focused on the GG and the Mascot exploration prospects which, based on past production records, are believed to have the greatest potential. Due to the continued high level of capital investment on the Central Shaft and Blanket’s limited funding capacity, exploration work at GG and Mascot was suspended in 2016 and resources were re-deployed at Blanket.

 

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6.INVESTING

 

An analysis of investment in the Quarter, the preceding quarters and the years 2017 and 2018 is set out below.

 

($’000’s)   

2017

Year

    

2018

Year

    

2019

Q1

    

2019

Q2

    

2019

Q3

 
Total Investment   20,949    19,915    5,209    4,208    5,636 
Blanket   20,939    19,900    5,045    4,203    5,636 
Other   10    15    164    5    0 

 

Investment at Blanket is in terms of the investment plan that was announced in October 2014 and which is discussed in section 4.7 of this MD&A. Investment that takes place other than at Blanket largely comprises capital items that are purchased by Caledonia in South Africa which will be sold on to Blanket in due course. All further investment at Blanket is expected to be funded from Blanket’s internal cash flows and its Zimbabwean borrowing facilities.

 

7.FINANCING

 

Caledonia financed all its operations using funds on hand and those generated by its operations. No equity financing took place in the Quarter. The Company currently has no plans to raise equity. As at September 30, 2019 Blanket has an unsecured RTGS$4 million overdraft facility in Zimbabwe which is repayable on demand and was undrawn. In December 2018, Blanket drew down a RTGS$ 6 million 3-year facility which is re-payable by a single bullet payment in December 2021. After the end of the Quarter, Blanket secured an additional RTGS$21 million of overdraft facilities which are repayable on demand and a term loan facility of RTGS$35 million which is repayable in four equal quarterly instalments commencing in December 2020.

 

8.LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

An analysis of Caledonia’s capital resources as at September 30, 2019 and at the end of each of the preceding 5 quarters is set out below.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

($’000’s)

    
As at  June 30
2018
   Sept 30
2018
   Dec 31
2018
   Mar 31
2019
   June 30
2019
  

Sept 30

2019

 
Overdraft   2,749    3,931    -    -    -    - 
Term facility   746    374    5,960    1,987    912    424 
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cashflows (net of overdraft)   5,308    5,896    11,187    9,742    7,875    8,026 
Working capital   11,119    10,151    15,970    14,498    16,447    17,614 

 

Movements in Caledonia’s net cash, the overdraft and working capital and an analysis of the sources and uses of Caledonia’s cash are discussed in section 3 of this MD&A. The overdraft facility is held by Blanket with a Zimbabwean bank and is unsecured and repayable on demand. The RTGS$6 million term facility is held by Blanket with a Zimbabwean bank, is unsecured and had a three-year term at draw-down in December 2018 with a single bullet repayment in December 2021. The term facility is repayable in RTGS$ and accordingly has been revalued from approximately $6 million to approximately $424 following the introduction of inter-bank trading between RTGS$ and foreign currencies and the subsequent devaluation of the RTGS$ as discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A. The Company’s liquid assets as at September 30, 2019 exceed its planned and foreseeable commitments as set out in section 9 of this MD&A.

 

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9.OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS, CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

There are no off-balance sheet arrangements apart from the facilitation loans of $30.98 million which are not reflected as loans receivable for IFRS purposes (refer to note 5 of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements). The Company had the following contractual obligations at September 30, 2019:

 

Payments due by Period

($’000’s)

    
Falling due  Within 1 year   1-3 Years   4-5 Years   After 5 Years   Total 
Trade and other payables   8,013    -    -    -    8,013 
Term loan   -    424    -    -    424 
Provisions   249    137    670    2,268    3,324 
Capital expenditure commitments   2,493    -    -    -    2,493 

 

The capital expenditure commitments relate primarily to materials and equipment which have been ordered by Caledonia in South Africa to equip the Central Shaft. In addition to the committed purchase obligations set out above, Blanket currently intends to invest approximately $4 million between September 2019 and December 2019 which is not yet committed and a further $26 million in the years 2020 and 2021, which is also uncommitted. The committed and uncommitted investment will be used to maintain Blanket’s existing operations and implement the Central Shaft which is discussed in section 4.7 of this MD&A. Committed and uncommitted purchase obligations are expected to be met from the cash generated from Blanket’s existing operations and Blanket’s borrowing facilities. Caledonia has no obligations in respect of capital or operating leases. As of September 30, 2019, Caledonia had potential liabilities for rehabilitation work on Blanket – if and when it is permanently closed – at an estimated discounted cost of $3.9 million.

 

10.NON-IFRS MEASURES

 

Throughout this document, we have provided measures prepared in accordance with IFRS in addition to some non-IFRS performance measures for investors who use them to evaluate our performance. Since there is no standard method for calculating non-IFRS measures, they are not a reliable way to compare Caledonia against other companies. Non-IFRS measures should be used along with other performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. We have defined below the non-IFRS measures we have used in this document and provide a reconciliation of such non-IFRS measures to the IFRS measures we report.

 

10.1Cost per ounce

 

Non-IFRS performance measures such as “on-mine cost per ounce”, “all-in sustaining cost per ounce” and “all-in cost per ounce” are used in this document. Management believes these measures assist investors and other stakeholders in understanding the economics of gold mining over the lifecycle of a mine. These measures are calculated on the basis set out by the World Gold Council in a Guidance Note published on June 23, 2013 and accordingly differ from the previous basis of calculation. The table below reconciles “on-mine cost per ounce”, “all-in sustaining cost per ounce” and “all-in cost per ounce” to the production costs shown in the financial statements which have been prepared under IFRS.

 

 

 

 

 

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Reconciliation of IFRS Production Cost to Non-IFRS Costs per ounce        

($’000’s unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

3 Months to September 30

  

 

9 Months to September 30

 
   2018   2019   2018   2019 
Production cost (IFRS)   9,948    9,410    29,255    26,750 
Cash-settled share-based expense   -    (3)   -    (73)
Less exploration and site restoration costs   (189)   (193)   (748)   (592)
Other cost and intercompany adjustments   (399)   153    (617)   -92 
On-mine production cost   9,360    9,367    27,890    25,993 
Gold sales (oz)   13,977    13,646    40,389    38,748 
On-mine costs per ounce ($/oz)   670    686    691    671 
                     
Royalty   834    999    2,549    2,682 
Export incentive   (1,667)        (4,652)   (1,930)
Exploration, remediation and permitting cost   91    97    242    308 
Sustaining capital expenditure   342    164    1,695    472 
Administrative expenses   1,423    1,246    4,625    3,951 
Silver by-product credit   (15)   (17)   (47)   (44)
Share-based payment expense   173    39    509    479 
All in sustaining cost   10,541    11,895    32,811    31,911 
Gold sales (oz)   13,977    13,646    40,389    38,748 
All-in sustaining costs per ounce ($/oz)   754    872    812    824 
                     
Permitting and exploration expenses   72    32    132    101 
Non-sustaining capital expenditure   4,904    5,469    14,373    14,578 
Total all in cost   15,517    17,396    47,316    46590 
Gold sales (oz)   13,977    13,646    40,389    38,748 
All-in costs per ounce ($/oz)   1,110    1,275    1,172    1,202 
                     

 

10.2Average realised gold price per ounce

 

“Average realised gold price per ounce” is a non-IFRS measure which, in conjunction with the cost per ounce measures described above, allows stakeholders to assess our performance. The table below reconciles “Average realised gold price per ounce” to the Revenue shown in the financial statements which have been prepared under IFRS. The average realised gold price is after deduction of an “early settlement discount” by Fidelity of 1.25% of the gross sale proceeds.

 

Reconciliation of Average Realised Gold Price per Ounce

($’000’s unless otherwise indicated)

   3 Months to
September 30
   9 Months to
September 30
 
   2018   2019   2018   2019 
Revenue (IFRS)   16,647    19,953    50,905    52,393 
Revenues from sales of silver   (15)   (17)   (47)   (44)
Revenues from sales of gold   16,632    19,936    50,857    52,349 
Gold ounces sold (oz)   13,977    13,646    40,389    38,748 
Average realised gold price per ounce (US$/oz)   1,190    1,461    1,259    1,351 

 

 

 

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10.3Adjusted earnings per share

 

“Adjusted earnings per share” is a non-IFRS measure which management believes assists investors in understanding the Company’s underlying performance. The table below reconciles “adjusted earnings per share” to the Profit/Loss attributable to owners of the Company shown in the financial statements which have been prepared under IFRS.

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings per Share (“Adjusted EPS”) to IFRS Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company

($’000’s unless otherwise indicated)

   3 Months to
September 30
   9 Months to
September 30
 
   *2018   2019   *2018   2019 
Profit for the period (IFRS)   3,037    8,506    10,170    47,171 
Non-controlling interest share of profit for the period   (813)   (1,499)   (2,188)   (7,543)
Profit attributable to owners of the Company   2,604    7,007    7,982    39,628 
Add back/(deduct) amounts in respect of:                    
Blanket Mine Employee Trust adjustment   (35)   (35)   (110)   (70)
Equity-settled share-based payments   -    -    14    - 
Unrealised foreign exchange profit   239    (5,871)   114    (31,318)
Deferred tax   1,046    (388)   3,485    (1,746)
Profit on sale of subsidiary   -    -         (4,409)
    1,250    (6,294)   3,503    (37,543)
Non-controlling interest share of add backs and deductions in respect of:                    
Blanket Mine Employee Trust adjustment   6*   5    18*   11 
Unrealised foreign exchange   (30)*   961    (18)*   5,074 
Deferred tax   (159)*   63    (565)*   283 
Net add back and deductions   (183)   1,029    (565)   5,368 
Adjusted profit   3,671*   1,742    10,920*   7,453 
Weighted average shares in issue (m)*   10,603    10,735    10,603    10,735 
Adjusted EPS (cents)   34.6*   16.2    103.0*   69.4 
                     
*Restated period and numbers                    

 

In the previous quarter management restated the comparative Adjusted EPS to present the Add back/deduct amounts in the table above with the deduction of the non-controlling interest share to present adjusted earnings per share for the Company excluding any effects of non-controlling interest.

 

The company initiated the calculation of adjusted earnings primarily to adjust for the effects of the high level of deferred taxation which arose from the high levels of capital investment and resulted in an abnormally high effective overall rate of taxation. In the Quarter and the preceding two quarters, due to the rapid devaluation of the Zimbabwe currency, the Company has experienced very large unrealised foreign exchange gains. If exchange rates do not change, the unrealised gains will be realised in due course when the amounts falling due are settled. However, the quantum of the gain (or whether the benefit could become a loss) depends on future exchange rates which are unpredictable. Unrealised foreign exchange gains (and losses, if they were to materialise) are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings. Adjusted earnings include realised net foreign exchange movements, which amounted to an aggregate loss for the 9 months to September 30, 2019 of $3.0 million, equivalent to a loss of 28 cents per share.

 

11.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

There were no related party transactions in the Quarter.

 

 

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12.CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Caledonia's accounting policies are set out in the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements which have been publicly filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. In preparing the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and the application of judgement are inherent in the formation of estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements is set out in note 4 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Information about critical judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements is included in the following notes:

 

i)Indigenisation transaction

 

The directors of Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (“CHZ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, performed an assessment, using the requirements of IFRS 10: Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (IFRS 10), and concluded that CHZ should continue to consolidate Blanket and accounted for the transaction as follows:

 

·Non-controlling interests (“NCI”) are recognised on the portion of shareholding upon which dividends declared by Blanket accrue unconditionally to equity holders as follows:
(a)20% of the 16% shareholding of NIEEF;
(b)20% of the 15% shareholding of Fremiro; and
(c)100% of the 10% shareholding of GCSOT.
·This effectively means that NCI is recognised at Blanket at 16.2% of its net assets.
·The remaining 80% of the shareholding of NIEEF and Fremiro is recognised as non-controlling interests to the extent that their attributable share of the net asset value of Blanket exceeds the balance on the facilitation loans including interest. At September 30, 2019 the attributable net asset value did not exceed the balance on the respective loan accounts and thus no additional NCI was recognised.

 

The transaction with Blanket Employee Trust Services (Private) Limited (“BETS”) is accounted for in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits (profit sharing arrangement) as the ownership of the shares does not ultimately pass to the employees. The employees are entitled to participate in 20% of the dividends accruing to the 10% shareholding in Blanket if they are employed at the date of such distribution. To the extent that 80% of the attributable dividends exceed the balance on BETS’ facilitation loan they will accrue to the employees at the date of such declaration.

 

The Employee Trust and BETS are structured entities which are effectively controlled and consolidated by Blanket. Accordingly, the shares held by BETS are effectively treated as treasury shares in Blanket and no NCI is recognised.

 

ii)Site restoration provisions

 

The site restoration provision has been calculated for the Blanket Mine based on an independent analysis of the rehabilitation costs as performed in 2015. Estimates and assumptions are made when determining the inflationary effect on current restoration costs and the discount rate to be applied in arriving at the present value of the provision. Assumptions, based on the current economic environment, have been made which management believes are a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the future liability. These estimates take into account any material changes to the assumptions that occur when reviewed by management. Estimates are reviewed annually and are based on current regulatory requirements. Significant changes in estimates of contamination, restoration standards and techniques will result in changes to provisions from period to period. Actual rehabilitation costs will ultimately depend on future market prices for the rehabilitation costs which will reflect the market condition at the time the rehabilitation costs are incurred.  The final cost of the currently recognized site rehabilitation provisions may be higher or lower than currently provided for.

 

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iii)Exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) expenditure

 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions regarding the possible impairment of E&E properties by evaluating whether it is likely that future economic benefits will flow to the Group, which may be based on assumptions about future events or circumstances. Estimates and assumptions made may change if new information becomes available. If information becomes available suggesting that the recovery of expenditures is unlikely, the amount capitalized is written off in profit or loss in the period the new information becomes available. The recoverability of the carrying amounts of exploration and evaluation assets depends upon the availability of sufficient funding to bring the properties into commercial production, the price of the products to be recovered and the undertaking of profitable mining operations. As a result of these uncertainties, the actual amount recovered may vary significantly from the carrying amount.

 

iv)Income taxes

 

Significant estimates and assumptions are required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations undertaken during the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. A major assumption is that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (“ZIMRA”) will require a tax computation to be performed using accounts denominated in RTGS$. This results in a substantially different tax liability than if the computation is performed using accounts denominated in US Dollars, which is Blanket’s functional currency for the purposes of IFRS. Caledonia records its best estimate of the tax liability including any related interest and penalties in the current tax provision. In addition, Caledonia applies judgement in recognizing deferred tax assets relating to tax losses carried forward to the extent that there are sufficient taxable temporary differences (deferred tax liabilities) relating to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity against which the unused tax losses can be utilized or sufficient estimated taxable income against which the losses can be utilized.

 

v)Share-based payment transactions

 

The fair value of the amount payable to employees (including any taxation thereon) in respect of share-based awards, which may be settled in cash, is recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the period over which the employee becomes unconditionally entitled to payment. The liability is re-measured at each reporting date. Any changes in the fair value of the liability are recognised as a personnel expense in profit or loss. Additional information about significant judgements and estimates and the assumptions used to estimate fair value for cash-settled share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 10 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

vi)Impairment

 

At each reporting date, Caledonia determines if impairment indicators exist and, if present, performs an impairment review of the non-financial assets held in Caledonia. The exercise is subject to various judgemental decisions and estimates. Financial assets are also reviewed regularly for impairment.

 

vii)Depreciation

 

Depreciation on mine development, infrastructure and other assets in the production phase is computed on the units-of-production method over the life-of-mine based on the estimated quantities of reserves (proven and probable) and resources (measured, indicated and inferred), which are planned to be extracted in the future from known mineral deposits. Where items have a shorter useful life than the life-of-mine, the mine development, infrastructure and other assets are depreciated over their useful life. Confidence in the existence, commercial viability and economical recovery of reserves and resources included in the life-of-mine may be based on historical experience and available geological information. This is in addition to the drilling results obtained by the Group and management’s knowledge of the geological setting of the surrounding areas, which would enable simulations and extrapolations to be done with a sufficient degree of accuracy. In instances where management can demonstrate the economic recovery of resources with a high level of confidence, such additional resources are included in the calculation of depreciation.

 

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viii)Mineral reserves and resources

 

Mineral reserves and resources are estimates of the amount of product that can be economically and legally extracted. In order to calculate the reserves and resources, estimates and assumptions are required about a range of geological, technical and economic factors, including but not limited to quantities, grades, production techniques, recovery rates, production costs, transport costs, commodity prices and exchange rates. Estimating the quantity and grade of mineral reserves and resources requires the size, shape and depth of orebodies to be determined by analysing geological data such as the logging and assaying of drill samples. This process may require complex and difficult geological assumptions and calculations to interpret the data. Estimates of mineral reserves and resources may change due to the change in economic assumptions used to estimate mineral reserves and resources and due to additional geological data becoming available in the course of operations.

 

The Group estimates its reserves (proven and probable) and resources (measured, indicated and inferred) based on information compiled by a qualified person in terms of the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) relating to geological and technical data of the size, depth, shape and grade of the ore body and suitable production techniques and recovery rates. Such an analysis requires geological and engineering assumptions to interpret the data. These assumptions include:

 

·correlation between drill-holes intersections where multiple reefs are intersected;
·continuity of mineralisation between drill-hole intersections within recognised reefs; and
·appropriateness of the planned mining methods.

 

The Group estimates and reports reserves and resources in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Complying with the CIM code, NI 43-101 requires the use of reasonable assumptions to calculate the recoverable resources. These assumptions include:

 

·the gold price based on current market price and the Group’s assessment of future prices;
·estimated future on-mine costs, sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures;
·cut-off grade;
·dimensions and extent, determined both from drilling and mine development, of ore bodies; and
·planned future production from measured, indicated and inferred resources.

 

Changes in reported reserves and resources may affect the Group’s financial results and position in several ways, including the following:

 

·asset carrying values may be affected due to changes in the estimated cash flows;
·depreciation and amortisation charges to profit or loss may change as these are calculated on the unit-of-production method or where useful lives of an asset change; and
·decommissioning, site restoration and environmental provisions may change in ore reserves and resources which may affect expectations about the timing or cost of these activities.

 

ix)Income and Deferred tax liabilities

 

Significant assumptions and estimates are required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations undertaken during the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Group records its best estimate of the tax liability including the related interest and penalties in the current tax provision. Management believes they have adequately provided for the probable outcome of these matters. In addition, the Group makes assumptions and estimates in recognising deferred tax assets as a monetary item and that the deferred tax liability will realise and that it will realise in RTGS$. The outcome of the income and deferred tax liabilities may result in a materially different outcome than the amount included in the tax liabilities in the statements of financial position

 

 

 

 27 

 

13.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

i)Commodity risk

 

Caledonia is exposed to fluctuations in the price of gold. After the end of the Quarter, Caledonia entered into hedging arrangements over 4,600 ounces of gold per month for the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 which guarantees that Caledonia will receive a minimum price of $1,400 in respect of the ounces hedged. Caledonia retains full exposure if the gold price exceeds $1,400 per ounce. Caledonia will continue to assess the requirement for further hedging in the context of, inter alia, the prevailing gold price and Blanket’s production and capital expenditure programme.

 

ii)Credit risk

 

The carrying amount of financial assets as disclosed in the statements of financial position and related notes represents the maximum credit exposure. The trade receivable relates to gold bullion sold before the end of the Quarter and VAT receivables. The amount due in respect of bullion sales was settled in October 2019; the VAT receivable is outside the agreed terms and management is exploring alternative mechanisms to recover such amounts. The deferred consideration is in respect of the sale of Eersteling and is secured against the shares sold.

 

iii)Impairment losses

 

None of the trade and other receivables other than the VAT receivable is past due at the period-end date. Management is exploring alternative mechanisms to recover the VAT.

 

iv)Liquidity risk

 

All trade payables and the bank overdraft have maturity dates that are expected to mature in under 6 months. A three-year facility was drawn down in December 2018 and is repayable in a single payment in December 2021. A two-year facility was drawn down after the end of the Quarter and is repayable in four equal quarterly instalments commencing in December 2020.

 

v)Currency risk

 

A proportion of Caledonia’s assets, financial instruments and transactions are denominated in currencies other than the US Dollar. The financial results and financial position of Caledonia are reported in US Dollars in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

 

The fluctuation of the US Dollar in relation to other currencies will consequently have an impact upon the profitability of Caledonia and may also affect the value of Caledonia’s assets and liabilities and the amount of shareholders’ equity.

 

Caledonia does not use any derivative instruments to reduce its foreign currency risks. To reduce exposure to currency transaction risk, where possible Caledonia maintains cash and cash equivalents in the currencies used by Caledonia to meet short-term liquidity requirements.

 

As discussed in section 4.9 of this MD&A, the RTGS$ is subject to variations in the exchange rate against the US Dollar. This may result in Blanket’s assets, liabilities and transactions that are denominated in RTGS$ being subject to further fluctuations in the exchange rate between RTGS$ and FCA Dollars.

 

vi)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk borne by an interest-bearing asset or liability as a result of fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rates on borrowings in Zimbabwe currency increased in the Quarter from less than 7% to over 35%. However, the significant devaluation of the local currency means the value of the local borrowings and the interest thereon is not significant. After the end of the Quarter the interest rate on Blanket’s facilities reduced to approximately 25%. Caledonia’s cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that earn interest at market rates. Caledonia manages its interest rate risk by endeavouring to maximize the interest income earned on excess funds while maintaining the liquidity necessary to conduct operations on a day-to-day basis. Caledonia’s policy focuses on preservation of capital and limits the investing of excess funds to liquid term deposits in high credit quality financial institutions.

 

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14.DIVIDEND POLICY

 

Caledonia’s current dividend policy is a dividend of 6.875 cents payable at the end of January, April, July and October. As discussed in section 4.9, monetary conditions in Zimbabwe have worsened and there is an increased risk that Caledonia will not be able to effect payments from Zimbabwe which are sufficient to fund further dividend payments.

 

15.MANAGEMENT AND BOARD

 

On September 23, 2019 the Company announced that Nick Clarke had joined the board of directors of the Company as an independent non-executive director with immediate effect. Mr Clarke, who is Chairman of Central Asia Metals PLC, is a highly experienced Chartered Engineer with 45 years’ experience in the mining industry. He has held senior positions in several resource companies and is well known as a successful executive in the sector having been involved in the construction of major mining projects and conducted several fund raisings on AIM and TSX. He has an extensive background in managing AIM and TSX listed minerals companies including his current position as Chairman of Central Asia Metals PLC, where he was CEO from 2009 until 2016.

 

16.SECURITIES OUTSTANDING

 

As at November 14, 2019 Caledonia had 10,763,041 common shares issued. As at November 14, 2019 outstanding options to purchase Common Shares (“Options”) are as follows:

 

  Number of Options   Exercise Price   Expiry Date  
      Canadian $      
   5,000    4.00   Oct 8, 2020  
   18,000    11.50   Oct 13, 2021  
   5,000    8.10   May 30, 2022  
   10,000    9.305   Aug 25, 2024  
   38,000           

 

The Plan allows that the number of shares reserved for issuance to participants under the Plan, together with shares reserved for issue under any other share compensation arrangements of the Company, shall not exceed the number which represents 10% of the issued and outstanding shares from time to time. Accordingly, Caledonia could grant Options on a further 1,038,304 shares as at November 14, 2019 on the assumption that all the LTIPs are settled in cash, at the option of the LTIP holder.

 

17.RISK ANALYSIS

 

The business of Caledonia contains significant risk due to the nature of mining, exploration and development activities. Caledonia’s business contains significant additional risks due to the jurisdictions in which it operates and the nature of mining, exploration and development. Included in the risk factors below are details of how management seeks to mitigate the risks where this is possible.

 

·Liquidity risk: The Company needs to generate cash to be able to continue to invest in properties and projects without raising further third-party financing in addition to the existing debt facilities at Blanket. Caledonia currently has sufficient cash resources and debt facilities and continues to generate sufficient cash to cover all of its anticipated investment needs.

 

____________________________

5 The exercise price of CAD$9.30 per share for these options was converted into a USD amount of $7.35 at the prevailing USD/CAD exchange rate.

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·Availability of foreign currency: The Company needs access to foreign currency in Zimbabwe so that it can pay for imported goods and equipment and remit funds to Group companies outside Zimbabwe so that the Group can sustain its activities outside Zimbabwe and continue to fund Caledonia’s dividend. A discussed in section 4.9, although there remains a severe shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, in recent months Blanket’s has had satisfactory access to foreign exchange. No assurance can be given that sufficient foreign currency will continue to be available.

 

·Exploration risk: The Company needs to identify new resources to replace ore which has been depleted by mining activities and to commence new projects. Blanket has embarked on development and exploration programmes as set out in sections 4.7 and 5. No assurance can be given that exploration will be successful in identifying sufficient mineral resources of an adequate grade and suitable metallurgical characteristics that are suitable for further development or production.

 

·Development risk: The Company is engaged in the implementation of the Central Shaft project as set out in section 4.7 of this MD&A. Construction and development of projects are subject to numerous risks which include: obtaining equipment, permits and services; changes in regulations; currency rate changes; labour shortages; fluctuations in metal prices and the loss of community support. There can be no assurance that construction will commence or continue in accordance with the current expectations or at all.

 

·Production estimates: Estimates for future production are based on mining plans and are subject to change. Production estimates are subject to risk and no assurance can be given that future production estimates will be achieved. Actual production may vary from estimated production for a variety of reasons including un-anticipated variations in grades, mined tonnages and geological conditions, accident and equipment breakdown, changes in metal prices and the cost and supply of inputs and changes to government regulations.

 

·Mineral rights: The Company’s existing mining claims, licences and permits are in good standing. The Company has to pay fees etc. to maintain its claims and licences.

 

·Metal prices: The Company’s operations and exploration and development projects are heavily influenced by the price of gold, which is particularly subject to fluctuation. Management regularly reviews future cash flow forecasts in the context of downside scenarios for future gold prices.

 

·Increasing input costs: Mining companies generally have experienced higher costs of steel, reagents, labour and electricity and from local and national government for levies, fees, royalties and other direct and indirect taxes. Blanket’s planned growth should allow the fixed cost component to be absorbed over increased production, thereby helping to alleviate somewhat the effect of any further price increases.

 

·Illegal mining: There has been an increase in illegal mining activities on satellite properties controlled by Blanket. This gives rise to increased security costs and an increased risk of theft and damage to equipment. Blanket has received adequate support and assistance from the Zimbabwean police in investigating such cases.

 

·Electricity supply: Zimbabwe produces and imports less electricity than it requires and has insufficient funds to adequately maintain or upgrade its distribution infrastructure. This has historically resulted in frequent interruptions to the power supply at Blanket Mine. Blanket addressed the issue of interrupted power supply by installing stand-by generators and by entering into an un-interrupted power supply arrangement with the state-owned electricity company in return for paying a premium tariff. The previous un-interrupted power supply agreement expired on December 31, 2018 and was not renewed. In July and early August 2019, Blanket experienced interruptions to its power supply. A new power supply agreement was agreed in August 2019, although this did not prevent further interruptions in October 2019 due to a regional shortage of electricity. Blanket has purchased additional standby generators to increase its capacity and is evaluating other sources of electricity. The un-interrupted power supply arrangement and the stand-by generators do not cover the GG and Mascot exploration properties.

 

·Water supply: Blanket uses water in the metallurgical process, most of which is obtained from a nearby dam. Blanket is situated in a semi-arid area and rainfall typically occurs only in the period November to February. The last rainy season was very poor and water levels in the dam are significantly lower than usual. The water authority has released water from an upstream dam to replenish the Blanket dam and management believes that with careful management, there is enough water in the Blanket dam to maintain normal operations until the next rainy season. However, it is important that the forthcoming rainy season is successful. Blanket has some boreholes which it could use to augment other water supplies, but they would not produce enough to meet all of Blanket’s water requirements.
 30 

 

·Succession planning: The limited availability of mining and other technical skills and experience in Zimbabwe and the difficulty of attracting appropriately skilled employees to Zimbabwe creates a risk that appropriate skills may not be available if, for whatever reason, the current skills base at the Blanket Mine is depleted. The Caledonia management team has been augmented so that, if required, appropriate support could be provided to Blanket if this was required.

 

·Country risk: The commercial environment in which the Company operates is unpredictable.  Potential risks may arise from: unforeseen changes in the legal and regulatory framework which means that laws may change, may not be enforced, or judgements may not be upheld; restrictions on the movement of currency and the availability of foreign currency to make payments from Zimbabwe; risks relating to inflationary pressures as mentioned in section 4.9; risks relating to possible corruption, bribery, civil disorder, expropriation or nationalisation; risks relating to restrictions on access to assets and the risk that the Government of Zimbabwe is unable to pay its liabilities to Blanket. Management believes that it has minimised such risks by complying fully with all relevant legislation, by obtaining all relevant regulatory permissions and approvals and by regular and proactive engagement with the relevant authorities.

 

·Gold marketing arrangements: In terms of regulations introduced by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Finance in January 2014, all gold produced in Zimbabwe must be sold to Fidelity, a company which is controlled by the Zimbabwean authorities. Accordingly, all of Blanket’s production has been sold to Fidelity. Blanket has received all payments due from Fidelity in full and on time. However, the requirement to sell to Fidelity increases Blanket’s credit risk because Fidelity failed to pay Blanket in the period of hyper-inflation which existed prior to the adoption of the multi-currency system by Zimbabwe in early 2009.

 

18.FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Information and statements contained in this MD&A that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited to, Caledonia’s current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “goal”, “plan”, “target”, “intend”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “may” and “will” or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Examples of forward-looking information in this MD&A include: implementation schedules for, and other uncertainties inherent in, the Central Shaft project; production guidance; estimates of future/targeted production rates; planned mill capacity increases; estimates of future metallurgical recovery rates and the ability to maintain high metallurgical recovery rates; timing of commencement of operations; plans and timing regarding further exploration, drilling and development; the prospective nature of exploration and development targets; the ability to upgrade and convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; capital and operating costs; our intentions with respect to financial position and third party financing; and future dividend payments. This forward-looking information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: failure to establish estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, assumptions regarding the representativeness of mineralization being inaccurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, changes in government regulations, legislation and rates of taxation, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors.

 31 

 

Security holders, potential security holders and prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price and payment terms for gold sold to Fidelity, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, pressures, power outages, fire, explosions, landslides, cave-ins and flooding), risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business, inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations, relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations, political risk, availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs, global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with un-anticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Company’s title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Security holders, potential security holders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia reviews forward-looking information for the purposes of preparing each MD&A; however, Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

 

19.CONTROLS

 

The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (“DC&P”) designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer by others, particularly during the period in which annual filings are being prepared, and that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by such securities legislation.

 

The Company’s management, along with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s DC&P as of September 30, 2019. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as at September 30, 2019, the Company’s DC&P were effective.

 

The Company also maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”) designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS; however, due to inherent limitations, ICFR may not prevent or detect all misstatements and fraud. The board of directors approves the financial statements and ensures that management discharges its financial responsibilities. The Audit Committee, which is composed of independent directors, meets periodically with management and auditors to review financial reporting and control matters and reviews the financial statements and recommends them for approval to the board of directors.

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate ICFR and evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s ICFR as at each fiscal year end. Management has used the 2013 Internal Control–Integrated Framework from the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO”) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s ICFR as at September 30, 2019. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as at September 30, 2019, the Company’s ICFR was effective.

 32 

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s ICFR during the period ended September 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.

 

20.QUALIFIED PERSON

 

Paul Matthews (BSc (Hons) Geology), Group Mineral Resource Manager, is the Company’s qualified person as defined by Canada’s National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matthews is responsible for the technical information provided in this MD&A except where otherwise stated. Mr. Matthews has reviewed the scientific and technical information included in this document and has approved the disclosure of this information for the purposes of this MD&A. The projected gold production figures in this MD&A are explained in the MD&A dated March 20, 2019 and the MD&A dated August 13, 2019. Refer to the technical report dated 13 February 2018 entitled “National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Mine, Gwanda Area, Zimbabwe (Updated February 2018)”, a copy of which was filed by the Company on SEDAR on March 2, 2018, for further technical information on Blanket Mine, the preparation of which Mr Matthews supervised, and for the key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate the mineral resources and mineral reserves from which projected gold production, as set out in this MD&A, is to be derived and risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources or mineral reserves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

EX-99.3 4 exh_993.htm EXHIBIT 99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

 

I, Steven Roy Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia Mining Corporation, certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Caledonia Mining Corporation (the “issuer”) for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control – Integrated Framework – published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

 

  1

 

5.2N/A

 

5.3N/A

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2019 and ended on September 30, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

 

Date: November 13, 2019

 

“Steven Roy Curtis”  

Steven Roy Curtis

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

EX-99.4 5 exh_994.htm EXHIBIT 99.4

Exhibit 99.4

 

 

Form 52-109F2

Certification of Interim Filings

Full Certificate

 

 

I, John Mark Learmonth, Chief Financial Officer of Caledonia Mining Corporation, certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Caledonia Mining Corporation (the “issuer”) for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control – Integrated Framework – published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

 

  1

 

5.2N/A

 

5.3N/A

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2019 and ended on September 30, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

 

Date: 13 November 2019

 

“John Mark Learmonth”  

John Mark Learmonth

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

2