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Unaudited interim results for the three-month period ended 31 March 2024

Serabi Gold plc
Serabi Gold plc

Unaudited interim results for the three-month period ended 31 March 2024

Serabi (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI, OTCQX:SRBIF), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, is pleased to release its unaudited results for the three-month period ended 31 March 2024.

A copy of the full interim statements together with commentary can be accessed on the Company’s website using the following link: https://bit.ly/3KlLKOH

“This has been a rewarding quarter of financial performancesaid Clive Line, Serabi’s CFO. “EBITDA of $4.7 million is a 103% improvement compared with the first quarter of 2023, but also a 37 per cent improvement on the last quarter of 2023. The cash position remained steady, reflecting the continued investment in development and ramp up of Coringa and on-going mine development at Palito.

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“Following the renewal in January 2024 of the trial mining licence at Coringa for a further 3 year period, we have been growing the workforce, started the underground drill programme targeted to grow the Serra mineral resource through drilling the down plunge extensions of the current ore body, and accelerated the mine development programme. Mine development costs of $1.6 million represent an additional $1.2 million cost compared to the first quarter of 2023, adding approximately $130 per ounce to the AISC for the quarter but this up-front investment is necessary to deliver the longer term production growth and in turn, reduce the long-term AISC. We need to incur the costs associated with the build of the Coringa crushing and ore sorting plant for the first 9 months of 2024, without seeing the benefit of materially improved grades from ore-sorting and significantly reduced trucking and process costs until Q4 2024 and throughout 2025. Mining rates continue to increase, the 56,296 tonnes of ore mined in the first quarter was a 35% increase compared with the same period of 2023, and a 14% increase compared with the last quarter of 2023.”

Financial Highlights (all currency amounts are expressed in US Dollars unless otherwise stated)

  • Gold production for the first quarter of 2024 of 9,007 ounces, (Q1-2023: 8,055 ounces).

  • Cash held at 31 March 2024 of $11.1 million (31 December 2023: $11.6 million including US$0.6 million relating to the exploration alliance with Vale).

  • EBITDA for the three-month period of $4.7 million (Q1-2023: $2.3 million).

  • Post-tax profit for the three-month period of $3.6 million (Q1-2023: $1.5 million),

  • Profit per share of 4.80 cents (Q1-2023: 1.94 cents).

  • Net cash inflow from operations for the three-month period (after mine development expenditure of $1.6 million) of $0.3 million (Q1-2023: $2.7 million outflow after mine development expenditure of $0.4 million).

  • Average gold price of $2,081 per ounce received on gold sales during the three-month period (Q1-2023: $1,892).

  • Cash Cost for the quarter of $1,461 per ounce (Q1-2023: $1,281 per ounce).

  • All-In Sustaining Cost for the three- month period to March 2024 of $1,859 per ounce (Q1-2023: $1,516 per ounce).

Overview of the financial results

Reported revenues and costs reflect the ounces sold in each period and as a result total costs for the three-month period are significantly higher than for the corresponding period of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, the Group has reported revenue and operating costs related to the sale of 9,290 ounces in the period (9,007 ounces produced). This compares to sales reported of only 6,616 ounces in the first quarter of 2023.

Whilst the Company has continued to benefit from the improvement in the gold price, the movement to current levels only started during March and will be reflected in the second quarter. The Brazilian Real has in recent weeks followed the trend of other currencies and weakened against the US Dollar but until April its relative strength had offset some of the upside of the US Dollar gold price. Having traded generally between 4.90 and 5.00 to the US Dollar in the first quarter, since mid-April it has generally been above 5.10, which would be beneficial for our US Dollar reported costs should this trend continue. The average rate for the first three months of 2024 was 4.95, being five per cent stronger that the same period in 2023. This has impacted on the US Dollar reported costs for the first quarter of 2024. It has also meant that the gold price in Brazilian Reais, which drives the margin that can be generated, is only 2% higher than the average price achieved in the same period of 2023.

During the quarter the Group also completed and drew down a new US$5 million loan with Itau Bank in Brazil. This new arrangement has an interest coupon of 8.47 per cent and is repayable as a bullet payment on 6 January 2025. This replaced a similar loan arranged with Santander Bank in Brazil that was repaid in the quarter

The ore sorter for Coringa, having cleared Brazilian customs on 10 April 2024, has now been delivered to site. The ground works required for installing the crushing plant and the related infrastructure for the ore sorter are progressing well with the intention that the plant can be operational for the fourth quarter of this year, processing some of the lower grade material that has been stockpiled at Coringa and boosting gold production in that last three-month period.

Key Financial Information

SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE THREE-MONTHS ENDING 31 MARCH 2024

 

 

 

3 months to
31 March 2024
$
(unaudited)

3 months to
31 March 2023
$
(unaudited)

 

 

Revenue

 

 

20,246,400

13,437,369

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

(13,556,599)

(9,767,003)

 

 

Gross operating profit

 

 

6,689,801

3,670,366

 

 

Administration and share based payments

 

 

(1,984,990)

(1,354,575)

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

4,704,811

2,315,791

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation charges

 

 

(1,046,561)

(834,514)

 

 

Operating profit before finance and tax

 

 

3,658,250

1,481,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit after tax

 

 

3,637,563

1,467,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per ordinary share (basic)

 

 

4.80c

1.94c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average gold price received ($/oz)

 

 

$2,081

$1,892

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at
31 March
2024
$
(unaudited)

As at
31 December 2023
$
(audited)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

11,056,317

11,552,031

Net funds (after finance debt obligations)

 

 

5,366,512

5,148,947

Net assets

 

 

94,702,567

92,792,049

 

 

 

 

 


Cash Cost and All-In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 months to
31 March
2024

3 months to
31 March
2023

12 months to 31 December 2023

Gold production for cash cost and AISC purposes (ounces)

 

9,007

8,005

33,152

 

 

 

 

 

Total Cash Cost of production (per ounce)

 

$1,461

$1,281

$1,300

Total AISC of production (per ounce)

 

$1,859

$1,516

$1,635

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Clive Line, Director.

Enquiries

SERABI GOLD plc
Michael Hodgson        t +44 (0)20 7246 6830
Chief Executive        m +44 (0)7799 473621

Clive Line        t +44 (0)20 7246 6830
Finance Director        m +44 (0)7710 151692

Andrew Khov         m +1 647 885 4874
Vice President, Investor Relations &
Business Development
        e contact@serabigold.com

www.serabigold.com

BEAUMONT CORNISH Limited
Nominated Adviser & Financial Adviser
Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish        t +44 (0)20 7628 3396

PEEL HUNT LLP
Joint UK Broker
Ross Allister        t +44 (0)20 7418 9000

TAMESIS PARTNERS LLP
Joint UK Broker
Charlie Bendon/ Richard Greenfield        t +44 (0)20 3882 2868

CAMARCO
Financial PR - Europe
Gordon Poole / Emily Hall                t +44 (0)20 3757 4980

HARBOR ACCESS
Financial PR – North America
Jonathan Patterson / Lisa Micali                t +1 475 477 9404

Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘could’’, “should” ‘‘envisage’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.

Qualified Persons Statement
The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 35 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.

Notice
Beaumont Cornish Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in relation to the matters referred herein. Beaumont Cornish Limited is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in relation to the matters described in this announcement and is not advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Beaumont Cornish Limited, or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

See www.serabigold.com for more information and follow us on twitter @Serabi_Gold

The following information, comprising, the Income Statement, the Group Balance Sheet, Group Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, and Group Cash Flow, is extracted from the unaudited interim financial statements for the three months to 31 March 2024.

Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the three-month period ended 31 March 2024.

 

 

 

For the three months ended
31 March

 

 

 

 

2024

2023

(expressed in US$)

Notes

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue (from continuing operations)

 

 

 

20,246,400

13,437,369

Cost of sales

 

 

 

(13,556,599)

(9,397,003)

Stock impairment provision

 

 

 

(370,000)

Depreciation and amortisation charges

 

 

 

(1,046,561)

(834,514)

Total cost of sales

 

 

 

(14,603,160)

(10,601,517)

Gross profit

 

 

 

5,643,240

2,835,852

Administration expenses

 

 

 

(1,942,740)

(1,450,168)

Share-based payments

 

 

 

(53,883)

(48,067)

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

 

11,633

143,660

Operating profit

 

 

 

3,658,250

1,481,277

Other income – exploration receipts

2

 

 

339,854

Other expenses – exploration expenses

2

 

 

(312,518)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain

 

 

 

(34,566)

82,611

Finance expense

3

 

 

(174,605)

(161,170)

Finance income

3

 

 

141,555

42,819

Profit before taxation

 

 

 

3,617,970

1,445,537

Income and other taxes

4

 

 

19,593

21,942

Profit after taxation(1)

 

 

 

3,637,563

1,467,479

   

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (net of tax)

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

 

 

 

(1,780,928)

994,247

Total comprehensive profit for the period(1)

 

 

 

1,856,635

2,461,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit per ordinary share (basic)

5

 

 

4.80c

1.94c

Profit per ordinary share (diluted)

5

 

 

4.80c

1.80c

(1)         The Group has no non-controlling interest and all profits are attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

(expressed in US$)

 

 



As at
31 March 2024 (unaudited)



As at
31 March 2023 (unaudited)

As at
31 December 2023
(audited)

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred exploration costs

 

 

20,075,458

19,280,937

20,499,257

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

52,662,606

49,522,379

53,340,903

Right of use assets

 

 

5,006,117

5,386,091

5,316,330

Taxes receivable

 

 

3,734,309

3,719,376

4,653,063

Deferred taxation

 

 

1,736,077

1,638,907

1,791,983

Total non-current assets

 

 

83,214,567

79,547,690

85,601,536

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

13,999,674

8,973,919

12,797,951

Trade and other receivables

 

 

4,024,896

3,109,923

2,858,072

Prepayments and accrued income

 

 

3,181,024

1,704,596

2,320,256

Derivative financial assets

 

 

115,840

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

11,056,317

13,920,999

11,552,031

Total current assets

 

 

32,261,911

27,709,437

29,644,150

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

 

7,808,639

5,017,471

8,626,292

Interest bearing liabilities

 

 

5,689,805

11,442,130

6,403,084

Accruals

 

 

401,939

533,573

649,225

Total current liabilities

 

 

13,900,383

16,993,174

15,678,601

Net current assets

 

 

18,361,528

10,716,263

13,965,549

Total assets less current liabilities

 

 

101,576,095

90,263,953

99,567,085

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

 

4,249,115

4,188,728

3,960,920

Provisions

 

 

2,568,287

1,230,667

2,663,892

Deferred tax liability

 

 

250,274

Interest bearing liabilities

 

 

56,126

561,428

150,224

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

6,873,528

6,231,097

6,775,036

Net assets

 

 

94,702,567

84,032,856

92,792,049

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

11,213,618

11,213,618

11,213,618

Share premium reserve

 

 

36,158,068

36,158,068

36,158,068

Option reserve

 

 

229,456

1,372,625

175,573

Other reserves

 

 

16,708,285

14,812,078

15,960,006

Translation reserve

 

 

(63,561,669)

(65,282,524)

(61,780,741)

Retained surplus

 

 

92,954,809

85,758,991

91,065,525

Equity shareholders’ funds

 

 

94,702,567

84,032,856

92,792,049

The interim financial information has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. The Group statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies before 30 June 2024. The auditor’s report on these accounts was unqualified. The auditor’s report did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the three-month period ended 31 March 2024

(expressed in US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

Share
capital

Share
premium

Share option reserve

Other reserves (1)

Translation reserve

Retained Earnings

Total equity

Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December 2022

11,213,618

36,158,068

1,324,558

14,459,255

(66,276,771)

84,644,335

81,523,063

Foreign currency adjustments

994,247

994,247

Profit for the period

1,467,479

1,467,479

Total comprehensive income for the period

994,247

1,467,479

2,461,726

Transfer to taxation reserve

352,823

(352,823)

Share option expense

48,067

48,067

Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 March
2023

11,213,618

36,158,068

1,372,625

14,812,078

(65,282,524)

85,758,991

84,032,856

Foreign currency adjustments

3,501,783

3,501,783

Profit for the period

5,108,133

5,108,133

Total comprehensive income for the period

3,501,783

5,108,133

8,609,916

Transfer to taxation reserve

1,147,928

(1,147,928)

Share based incentives lapsed in period

(1,346,329)

1,346,329

Share based incentive expense

149,277

149,277

Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December
2023

11,213,618

36,158,068

175,573

15,960,006

(61,780,741)

91,065,525

92,792,049

Foreign currency adjustments

(1,780,928)

(1,780,928)

Profit for the period

3,637,563

3,637,563

Total comprehensive income for the period

(1,780,928)

3,637,563

1,856,635

Transfer to taxation reserve

748,279

(748,279)

Share option expense

53,883

53,883

Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 March
2024

11,213,618

36,158,068

229,456

16,708,285

(63,561,669)

93,954,809

94,702,567

(1)    Other reserves comprise a merger reserve of US$361,461 and a taxation reserve of US$16,346,824 (31 December 2023: merger reserve of US$361,461 and a taxation reserve of US$15,598,545).

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the three-month period ended 31 March 2024

 

 

For the three months
ended
31 March

 

 

 

2024

2023

(expressed in US$)

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

Post tax profit for period

 

 

3,637,563

1,467,479

Depreciation – plant, equipment and mining properties

 

 

1,046,561

834,514

Stock provision

 

 

370,000

Net financial income/(expense)

 

 

67,616

35,740

(Gain)/loss on asset disposals

 

 

(11,633)

(143,660)

Provision for taxation

 

 

(19,593)

(21,942)

Share-based payments

 

 

53,883

48,067

Taxation Paid

 

 

(15,354)

(286,737)

Interest Paid

 

 

(392,268)

(26,410)

Foreign exchange loss

 

 

67,747

(90,421)

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in inventories

 

 

(1,255,285)

(349,744)

 

(Increase)/decrease in receivables, prepayments and accrued income

 

 

(757,942)

1,881,445

 

Decrease in payables, accruals and provisions

 

 

(520,854)

(686,484)

Net cash inflow from operations

 

 

1,900,441

3,031,847

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment and assets in construction

 

 

(438,985)

(741,907)

Mine development expenditure

 

 

(1,589,627)

(372,400)

Geological exploration expenditure

 

 

(149,584)

(206,546)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

11,908

158,471

Interest received

 

 

134,723

42,819

Net cash outflow on investing activities

 

 

(2,031,565)

(1,119,563)

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

Receipt of short-term loan

 

 

5,000,000

5,000,000

Repayment of short-term loan

 

 

(5,000,000)

Payment of finance lease liabilities

 

 

(255,245)

(303,141)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

 

 

(255,245)

4,696,859

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(386,369)

6,609,143

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

11,552,031

7,196,313

Exchange difference on cash

 

 

(109,345)

115,543

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

 

11,056,317

13,920,999


Notes

  1. Basis of preparation

1. Basis of preparation
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are for the three-month period ended 31 March 2024. Comparative information has been provided for the unaudited three-month period ended 31 March 2023 and, where applicable, the audited twelve-month period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 2023 annual report.
The condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” and the accounting policies are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 and those envisaged for the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024.

Accounting standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2024

The Group has not adopted any standards or interpretations in advance of the required implementation dates.

The following Accounting Standards have not yet been ratified in UK law but are expected to be ratified during 2024. The Group expects to make appropriate compliant disclosures in its Annual Report for the year needed 31 December 2024.

IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information

 

IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures

 

Amendments IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Non Current Liabilities with Covenants
The IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”). The amendments clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current is based on rights that are in existence at the end of the reporting period. Classification is unaffected by the entity’s expectation or events after the reporting date. Covenants of loan arrangements will affect the classification of a liability as current or non-current if the entity must comply with a covenant either before or at the reporting date, even if the covenant is only tested for compliance after the reporting date. There was no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements as a result of the adoption of these amendments.

Management do not consider that the following other amendments to existing standards are applicable to the current operations of the Group or will have any material impact o the financial statements

Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (amendments to IFRS 16)

 

Supplier Finance Arrangements (amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 17))

 

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current period and have not been early adopted. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s current or future reporting periods.

These financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

(i)      Going concern


At 31 March 2024 the Group held cash of US$11.1 million which represents a decrease of US$0.5 million compared to 31 December 2023. A further US$1.1 million was received after the quarter end relating to a delayed shipment of copper/gold concentrate.

On 7 January 2024, the Group completed a US$5.0 million unsecured loan arrangement with Itau Bank in Brazil. The loan is repayable as a bullet payment on 6 January 2025 and carries an interest coupon of 8.47 per cent. The proceeds raised from the loan are being used for working capital and secure adequate liquidity to repay a similar arrangement which was repaid on 22 February 2023.

Management prepares, for Board review, regular updates of its operational plans and cash flow forecasts based on their best judgement of the expected operational performance of the Group and using economic assumptions that the Directors consider are reasonable in the current global economic climate. The current plans assume that during 2024 the Group will continue gold production from its Palito Complex operation as well as increase production from the Coringa mine and will be able to increase gold production to exceed the levels of 2024.

The Directors will limit the Group’s discretionary expenditures, when necessary, to manage the Group’s liquidity.

The Directors acknowledge that the Group remains subject to operational and economic risks and any unplanned interruption or reduction in gold production or unforeseen changes in economic assumptions may adversely affect the level of free cash flow that the Group can generate on a monthly basis. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that, after taking into account reasonably possible changes in trading performance, and the current macroeconomic situation, the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Financial Statements.

2.         Other Income and Expenses

Under the copper exploration alliance with Vale announced on 10 May 2023, the related exploration activities undertaken by the Group under the management of a working committee (comprising representatives from Vale and Serabi), were funded in their entirety by Vale during Phase 1 of the programme. Following the completion of Phase 1, Vale advised the Group, in April 2024, that it did not wish to continue the exploration alliance.

Exploration and development of copper deposits is not the core activity of the Group and further funding beyond the Phase 1 commitment would be required before a judgment could be made as to a project being commercially viable. There is a significant cost involved in developing new copper deposits and it is unlikely that, without the financial support of a partner, the Group would independently seek to develop a copper project in preference to any of its existing gold projects and discoveries. As a result, both the funding received from Vale and the related exploration expenditures has been recognised through the income statement. As this is not a principal business activity of the Group these receipts and expenditures are classified as other income and other expenses.

3.         Finance expense and income

 

3 months ended
31 March 2024
(unaudited)

3 months ended
31 March 2023 (unaudited)

 

US$

US$

Interest expense on secured loan

(141,647)

(111,710)

Interest expense on finance leases

(14,036)

(32,625)

Interest expense on short term trade loan

(18,922)

(16,835)

Total finance expense

(174,605)

(161,170)

Interest income

134,723

42,819

Gain on revaluation of hedging derivatives

6,832

Total finance income

141,555

42,819

Net finance (expense)

(33,050)

(118,351)

4.         Taxation

The Group has recognised a deferred tax asset to the extent that the Group has reasonable certainty as to the level and timing of future profits that might be generated and against which the asset may be recovered. The deferred tax liability arising on unrealised exchange gains has been eliminated in the three-month period to 31 March 2023 reflecting the stronger Brazilian Real exchange rate at the end of the period and resulting in deferred tax income of US$674,185 (three months to 31 March 2023 – charge of US$287,667).

The Group has also incurred a tax charge in Brazil for the three-month period of US$654,592 (three months to 31 March 2023 tax charge - US$265,725).

5.        Earnings per Share

        

3 months ended 31 March 2024
(unaudited)

3 months ended 31 March 2023
(unaudited)

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (US$)

3,637,563

1,467,479

Weighted average ordinary shares in issue

75,734,551

75,734,551

Basic profit per share (US cents)

4.80c

1.94

Diluted ordinary shares in issue (1)

75,734,551

81,488,078

Diluted profit per share (US cents)

4.80c

1.80

(1) At 31 March 2024 there were 2,814,541 conditional share awards in issue (31 March 2023 - 864,500). These are subject to performance conditions which may or not be fulfilled in full or in part. These CSAs have not been included in the calculation of the diluted earnings per share. At 31 March 2023 there were also 1,750,000 options and 4,003,527 unexercised warrants in issue.

6.        Post balance sheet events

There has been no item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the Directors of the Company to affect significantly the continuing operation of the entity, the results of these operations, or the state of affairs of the entity in future financial periods.