1        Principal Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards in the United Kingdom. A summary of the more important accounting policies, which have been applied consistently, is set out below.
Going concern
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. As explained in the directors' report the validity of the going concern basis is uncertain. However based on the assumptions that finance will become available for the group's working capital requirements and for the development of the group's intangible fixed assets, the directors believe that the going concern basis is appropriate for these accounts. Should the going concern basis not be appropriate, adjustments would have to be made to reduce the value of the group's assets, in particular the intangible fixed assets, to their realisable values.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the parent company and its subsidiaries made up to the end of the financial year. Where a subsidiary is acquired or disposed of during the financial year, the consolidated financial statements include the attributable profit from or to the date of acquisition or disposal.
Tangible fixed assets
The group's freehold property is stated in the balance sheet at cost. The directors consider that the useful life of the premises is so long and their estimated residual value, based on prices prevailing at the date of acquisition, is such that any depreciation would not be material. The carrying value is reviewed annually and any impairment in value would be charged immediately to the profit and loss account.
Plant, equipment, fixtures, fittings and motor vehicles are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less depreciation.
Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis at the following annual rates: - plant and equipment - 25%; fixtures and fittings - 20%; motor vehicles - 25%.
Intangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less amounts written off and provisions for impairment.
The group follows the method of accounting for its mineral properties whereby all costs related to acquisition, exploration and development, including associated technical and specific administrative expenses, are capitalised by property.
No gains or losses are recognised on the sale of mineral properties except when there is a material disposition of reserves. All other proceeds are credited against the cost of the related property. On the commencement of commercial production, net costs are charged to operations on the unit-of-production method by property, based upon estimated recoverable reserves.
Mineral properties are written down when an impairment in their value has occurred and are written off when abandoned. At each balance sheet date, the net value of development costs in intangible fixed assets is reviewed and compared to its estimated recoverable value. If the recoverable amount is less than the carrying value of the asset then the deficiency arising is provided for to the extent that, in the opinion of the directors, it represents a permanent diminution in the value of the asset. Where a provision is made it is dealt with in the profit and loss account in the period in which it arises.
Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation arises when items are recognised for tax purposes in periods that differ from the periods in which the items are recognised for accounting purposes. The group provides for deferred taxation using the liability method on timing differences only where it can be reasonably demonstrated that a corporation tax liability will arise in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets are not recognised in the financial statements.
Foreign currencies
Profit and loss account transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction, or where forward currency contracts have been arranged, at the contracted rates.
All foreign exchange differences arising on transactions in the year are taken to the profit and loss account in the year in which they arise.
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the end of the financial year or at a contracted rate if applicable. Differences on exchange are taken to the profit and loss account.


2        Exceptional item – impairment provision
The impairment provision of £3,000,000 arises following a review by the directors of the net value at which the accumulated development costs of Parys Mountain should be carried in the financial statements. The provision was determined following calculations of discounted estimated future real cash flows on the basis of current estimates of proven and probable reserves and capital and operating costs, together with directors' estimates of future metal prices and foreign currency exchange rates and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 11.

3        Interest receivable and payable

  2001   2000
Interest payable £   £
Interest to Juno on loans 61,405   50,937
Interest on bank overdraft 141   11
  61,546   50,948
Interest receivable      
On bank and other deposits 3,132   2,693

 

4         Loss on ordinary activities before taxation

  2001   2000
This is stated after charging/(crediting): £   £
Remuneration of the auditors (including expenses) :  
Audit 7,500   6,238
Non audit -   -
Project evaluation expenses – outside consultants 817   39,560
Depreciation 300   300
Included in the amount capitalised is:    
Depreciation of owned fixed assets 333   333

All activities are in the United Kingdom and relate to the group's principal activity which is the exploration and development of mining properties. Further analysis is not therefore considered necessary.


5        Directors and employees
The average monthly number of persons employed by the group
during the year was:

  2001   2000
Technical -   -
Administrative 1   1
  1   1

The remuneration and associated costs of employees and directors were:

  £   £
Wages and salaries 17,679   29,954
Social security costs 1,630   2,857
Other pension costs 975   930
  20,284   33,741

Most of the group's technical activities are carried out using consultants. Details of directors' remuneration and share options are given on page 9. No options were exercised in the year.


6        Taxation
Development of the Parys Mountain property during the year has generated trading losses for taxation purposes which may be offset against investment income and other revenues. Accordingly no provision has been made for Corporation Tax. The group had losses available to be carried forward for tax purposes of c.£2.7 million at 31 March 2001, subject to agreement with the Inland Revenue.

7        Loss per ordinary share
The calculation and reporting of basic and diluted earnings per share are in accordance with FRS 14. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the profit or loss after taxation for the year available to ordinary shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the profit or loss after taxation for the year by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, each adjusted for the effect of all dilutive potential ordinary shares that were outstanding during the year.

  2001   2000
Numerator £   £
Numerator for basic EPS retained (loss) (3,118,051)   (164,184)
       
Denominator No. of shares   No. of shares
Denominator for basic and diluted EPS 116,174,803   115,448,390
       
Loss per share – basic (2.7) pence   (0.1) pence
Loss per share – diluted (2.7) pence   (0.1) pence

Basic and diluted loss per share is the same since the effect of the outstanding
share options is anti-dilutive and is therefore excluded.

8        Intangible fixed assets

Development costs

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Parys Mountain development expenditure incurred by the company is carried in the financial statements at cost less an impairment provision. The directors continue to give careful consideration to the net book value at which this development expenditure should be shown. The balance sheet value may exceed that which could be obtained were the Parys Mountain property to be offered for sale. However the impairment provision was determined following calculations of discounted estimated future real cash flows on the basis of current estimates of proven and probable reserves and capital and operating costs, together with directors' estimates of future metal prices and foreign currency exchange rates, in accordance with the requirements of FRS 11. Operation of the mine and the receipt of cashflows from it are dependent on finance being available to fund the development of the project.

Development expenditures at Dolaucothi are shown at cost to the group on acquisition in 1997, plus expenditures since then at cost. This aggregate value is less than the original cost to Anglo Canadian Exploration (Ace) Limited which was in excess of £280,000.

9        Tangible fixed assets

  Freehold Plant & Office    
  land and Equipment Equipment Vehicles Total
Group & Company property        
Cost £ £ £ £ £
At 1 April 2000 185,102 53,219 13,146 7,300 258,767
Disposals - (35,785) (7,659) (6,100) (49,544)
Disposals - - - - -
At 31 March 2001 185,102 17,434 5,487 1,200 209,223
Depreciation          
At 1 April 2000 - 52,970 12,592 6,999 72,561
Charge for the year - 125 208 300 633
Disposals - (35,785) (7,659) (6,100) (49,544)
At 31 March 2001 - 17,310 5,141 1,199 23,650
Net book value 2001 185,102 124 346 1 185,573
Net book value 2000 185,102 249 554 301 186,206

The directors estimate that freehold land and property should be
analysed as to £140,000 for land and £45,102 for property.

10        Investments

    2001 2000
Company      
At cost:   £ £
  Shares in subsidiaries    
  Opening 100,001 100,001
       
  Closing 100,001 100,001

The subsidiaries of the group at 31 March 2001 are as follows :

Name of company Country of incorporation Percentage owned Principal activity at 31 March 2000
Anglo Canadian Exploration (Ace) Limited England & Wales 100% Exploration of the Dolaucothi gold property
Parys Mountain Mines Limited Ontario, Canada 100% Dormant
Parys Mountain Mines (UK) Limited England & Wales 100% Dormant

11        Debtors

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12        Creditors

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The loans from Juno are denominated in sterling, unsecured, carry interest at 10% and are repayable from any future financing undertaken by the company.
In accordance with the company's Controlling Shareholder Agreement with Juno the terms of the facility were approved by an independent committee of the board.

13        Share capital

  Equity Interests Non Equity Interests Total
  Ordinary shares Deferred shares  
  Nominal value £ Number Nominal value £ Number Nominal value £
Authorised capital          
At 1 April 2000 6,550,000 131,000,000 1,080,000 27,000,000 7,630,000
Created 1 September 2000 1,250,000 25,000,000 - - 1,250,000
At 31 March 2001 7,800,000 156,000,000 1,080,000 27,000,000 8,880,000
           
Issued and fully paid          
At 1 April 2000 5,789,567 115,791,346 861,178 21,529,451 6,650,745
Issue to discharge a liability (a) 22,502 450,038 - - 22,502
At 31 March 2001 5,812,069 116,241,384 861,178 21,529,451 6,673,247

(a) Issued to Intermine Limited in satisfaction of advance rental due in respect of the Parys Mountain property on 20 May 2000.
The deferred shares are non-voting, have no entitlement to dividends and have no preferential right to return of capital on a winding up.
A summary of options granted, all of which are over ordinary 5 pence shares, is as follows :

Scheme Number Nominal Value £ Exercise price Exercisable from Exercisable until
Executive approved 600,000 30,000 5p 30 November 95 14 June 2002
Executive approved 400,000 20,000 5p 30 November 95 30 November 2002
Executive approved 200,000 10,000 5p 23 October 96 22 October 2006
Unapproved 2,260,000 113,000 5p 23 October 96 22 October 2003
Unapproved 216,000 10,800 5p 23 October 96 1 September 2001
Unapproved 500,000 25,000 8.5p 22 December 97 22 October 2003
Unapproved 384,000 19,200 5p 5 December 00 1 September 2001
Special 1,000,000 50,000 5p 25 April 97 22 October 2003
Total 5,560,000 278,000      


14        Reserves

  Share premium P & L account P & L account   Share premium P & L account P & L account
  Group and Company Group Company   Group and Company Group Company
  2001 2001 2001   2000 2000 2000
  £ £ £   £ £ £
At beginning of year 5,737,546 (688,756) (688,726)   5,737,946 (524,572) (524,557)
Loss for the year - (3,118,051) (3,118,021)   - (164,184) (164,169)
Share issue expenses (200) - -   (400) - -
               
At end of year 5,737,346 (3,806,807) (3,806,747)   5,737,546 (688,756) (688,726)


15        Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds

  2001   2000
  £   £
Opening shareholders' funds 11,699,535   11,821,067
Loss for the year (3,118,051)   (164,184)
Share issues in year 22,502   43,052
Share issue expenses in year (200)   (400)
       
Closing shareholders' funds 8,603,786   11,699,535


16        Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash outflow
from operating activities

  2001   2000
  £   £
Operating loss (59,637)   (115,929)
Increase in creditors 29,508   16,833
Decrease in debtors 3,076   1,848
Depreciation charge 300   300
Net cash (outflow) from      
operating activities (26,753)   (96,948)


17        Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

    2001     2000
  £ £   £ £
Decrease in cash in the period (2,886)     (8,306)  
Cash inflow from increase in debt (30,699)     (113,000)  
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows   (33,585)     (121,306)
Other non cash items   (61,405)     (50,937)
Movement in net debt in the period   (94,990)     (172,243)
Net debt at beginning of year   (627,292)     (455,049)
Net debt at end of year   (722,282)     (627,292)
 

18    Analysis of net debt

  At 1 April 2000 £ Cash flow £ Other non-cash changes £ At 31 March 2001 £
Cash at bank 3,630 (2,886) - 744
Debt due to Juno (630,922) (30,699) (61,405) (723,026)
Net debt (627,292) (33,585) (61,405) (722,282)

 

19        Loss attributable to Anglesey Mining plc
The loss after taxation and an exceptional item in the parent company amounted
to £3,118,021 (2000 - £164,169).
A separate profit and loss account for Anglesey Mining plc (the company) has not been
prepared, as permitted by section 230 of the Companies Act 1985.

20        Material non cash transactions
All material non cash transactions are described in note 13 on share capital.

21        Commitments
There is no capital expenditure authorised or contracted which is not provided for in
these accounts (2000 - nil).

22        Contingent liabilities
There are no contingent liabilities (2000 - nil).

23        Risk management
The group's financial instruments comprise cash balances, a loan from the parent company and various items such as trade debtors and trade creditors which arise directly from trading operations. The group does not enter into derivative transactions and it is the group's policy that no trading in financial instruments be undertaken.
The main risks arising from the group's financial instruments are currency risk and interest rate risk. The board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and these are summarised below.
Interest Rate Risk
The group finances its operations through a mixture of equity and loans from its parent, Juno Limited. The group borrows from the parent at a fixed rate of interest of 10% per annum and as a result is not exposed to interest rate fluctuations
Liquidity Risk
As regards liquidity risk, the group's policy has been to ensure continuity of funding through a mixture of fresh issues of shares and the working capital agreements with its parent. Further details regarding the working capital agreements are set out in the director's report.
Currency Risk
The functional currency of the group is pounds sterling and the loan from the parent is denominated in pounds sterling. As a result, the group has no currency exposure in respect of this loan. All the remaining financial assets and liabilities of the group are short term debtors and creditors as defined by FRS 13, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments. The group has, as permitted by FRS 13, excluded all short-term debtors and creditors from the disclosures and hence no numerical disclosures are required.

24        Related party transactions and ultimate parent company
Juno Limited (“Juno”) which is registered in Bermuda is the ultimate parent company. The group has the following agreements with Juno: (a) a controlling shareholder agreement dated September 1996, (b) a working capital agreement of the same date and (c) further working capital agreements of June 1998, December 1998, December 1999 and July 2001. Interest payable to Juno is shown in note 3 and the balance due to Juno is shown in note 12. Apart from the working capital advances there were no transactions between the group and Juno or its group during the year. Danesh Varma is a director and, through his family interests, a significant shareholder of Juno. John Kearney is a director and shareholder of Minco plc, in which Juno holds an interest of approximately 22%.
There are no other contracts of significance in which any director has or had during the year a material interest.

25        Mineral leases
Parys
(a) Under lease and royalty agreements dated September 1997 the company is required to make an annual index linked lease payment which is currently c.£19,500. A royalty of 6% of net profits from mining production at Parys Mountain is also payable. The lease may be terminated at 12 months notice from its annual anniversary date and otherwise expires in 2070.
Since early 2000 the company has been negotiating with the landlord in respect of a reduction in the payments due under the lease. At 31 March 2001 rentals amounting to £31,595 were unpaid and accrued in respect of this lease and a further c.£9,800 was due in respect of the following six months. In March 2001 the landlord filed a statutory demand in respect of the unpaid rentals and the company filed notice of intention to surrender the lease. At 20 August 2001 no further action had been taken by the landlord or the company and negotiations were continuing. The lease in question is over the eastern portion of Parys Mountain. All the mineral reserves delineated to date are under the western portion of Parys Mountain, the freehold of which is owned by the company and which is unaffected by this matter.
(b) Under a mining lease from the Crown dated December 1991 the group makes an annual lease payment of £1,000. A royalty of 4% of gross sales of gold and silver from the lease area is also payable. The lease may be terminated at 12 months notice and otherwise terminates in 2020.
(c) Under a royalty agreement with Intermine Limited the company makes payments of Can$50,000 (c.£21,000) per annum until production commences at the Parys Mountain mine. At the company's option this payment may be made in shares. A royalty of 4% of the company's net profits (as defined after various deductions) generated from production at the mine is also payable. The company has an option to buy out the royalty and advance payments. The agreement may be terminated at 12 months notice on abandonment of the property. At 31 March 2001 a payment amounting to £22,624 was unpaid and accrued in respect of this lease. The company is in negotiation with Intermine in respect of this amount and further amounts due in respect of the period following the year end.
Dolaucothi
(d) Under a mining lease from the Crown dated August 1997, a subsidiary makes lease payments of £2,500 per annum. A royalty of 4% of gross sales of gold and silver from production at the Dolaucothi mine is also payable. The lease may be terminated at 12 months notice after May 2002 and otherwise terminates in 2011. Certain financial obligations relating to this lease have been guaranteed by the company. Under an arrangement with the lessor, the rentals due in 2001 have been waived.

26        Post balance sheet events
There are no significant post balance sheets events to report.