UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.20549

 

FORM 20-F

ANNUAL REPORT

 

[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

[x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

OR

 

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

[ ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report ……………………………………………

 

For the transition period from ……………………………… to ………………………………

 

Commission file number 001-38164

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Jersey, Channel Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

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

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Mark Learmonth, +44 1534 679 800, marklearmonth@caledoniamining.com, 3 rd Floor, Weighbridge House, St Helier, Jersey Channel Islands, JE2 3NF.

 

(Name, telephone, email and/or facsimile number and address of Company Contact Person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act

 

1

 

 

Common Shares, without par value - 10,749,904

(Title of Class)

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or stock as of the closing of the period covered by the annual report:

 

10,603,153 (“ Common shares ” or “ shares ”)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registration is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

[ ] Yes [X] No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

[ ] Yes [X] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days

 

[X] Yes [ ] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

[ ] Yes [ ] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, and/or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X]
     
    Emerging growth company [X]

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

 

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

2

 

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP [ ]

 

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board [X]

 

Other [ ]

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow

 

Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [ ]

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

[ ] Yes [X] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court: N/A

 

3

 

 

tABLE OF cONTENTS

 

PART I 9
ITEM 1 - Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 9
ITEM 2 - OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 9
ITEM 3 - KEY INFORMATION 9
A.   Selected Financial Data 9
B.   Capitalization and Indebtedness 10
C.   Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds 10
D.   Risk Factors 10
ITEM 4 - INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 22
A.   History and Development of the Company 22
B.   Business Overview 25
C.   Organizational Structure 27
D.   Property, Plant and Equipment 28
ITEM 4A - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 34
ITEM 5- OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 34
A.   Operating Results 34
B.   Liquidity and Capital Resources 40
C.   Research and development, patents and licences, etc 40
D.   Trend Information 41
E.   Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 41
F.   Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations 41
ITEM 6 - DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 42
A.   Directors and Senior Management 42
B.   Compensation 46
C.   Board Practices 47
D.   Employees 48
E.   Share Ownership 48
ITEM 7 - MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 49
A.   Major Shareholders 49
B.   Related Party Transactions 50
C.   Interests of Experts and Counsel 50
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 50
A.   Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information 50
B.   Significant Changes 50
ITEM 9 - THE OFFERING AND LISTING 51
A.   Offering and Listing Details 51
B.   Plan of Distribution 51
C.   Markets 51
D.   Selling Shareholders 51
E.   Dilution 51
F.   Expenses of the Issue 51
ITEM 10 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 51
A.   Share Capital 51
B.   Articles of Association 51
C.   Material Contracts 53
D.   Exchange Controls 54
E.   Taxation 54
F.   Dividends and Paying Agents 58
G.   Statement by Experts 58
H.   Documents on Display 58
I.   Subsidiary Information 59

 

4

 

 

ITEM 11 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 59
A.   Currency Risk 59
B.   Sensitivity analysis 59
C.   Interest Rate Risk 60
D.   Concentration of Credit Risk 60
E.   Liquidity Risk 61
F.   Market Risk 61
ITEM 12 - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 61
PART II 62
ITEM 13 - DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARS AND DELINQUENCIES 62
ITEM 14 - MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 62
ITEM 15 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 62
ITEM 16A - AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 63
ITEM 16B - CODE OF ETHICS 63
ITEM 16C - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 63
ITEM 16D - EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 64
ITEM 16E - PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 64
ITEM 16F - CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT 64
ITEM 16G - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 65
ITEM 16H - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 65
PART III 66
ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 66
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 66
ITEM 19 – EXHIBITS 66

 

5

 

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 20-F (" Annual Report ") and the exhibits attached hereto contain "forward-looking information" and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited to, the Company’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 Annual Report include: our reserve calculations with underlying assumptions, 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, Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc’s (“Caledonia” or “Company”) plans and timing regarding further exploration, drilling and development, the prospective nature of exploration and development targets, the ability to upgrade and convert mineral reserves, capital 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 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 and the availability of foreign exchange, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors.

 

Shareholders, potential shareholders and other 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 proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, 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, 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 labor; 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. Shareholders, potential shareholders and other 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 annual report, 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. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements .

 

6

 

 

Status as an Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the " JOBS Act "), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. We will continue to qualify as an "emerging growth company" until the earliest to occur of: (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we had total annual gross revenues of US$1,070,000,000 (as such amount is indexed for inflation every 5 years by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”)) or more; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (c) the date on which we have, during the previous 3-year period, issued more than US$1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer", as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. We expect to continue to be an emerging growth company for the foreseeable future.

 

Generally, a registrant that registers any class of its securities under section 12 of the Exchange Act is required to include in the second and all subsequent annual reports filed by it under the Exchange Act a management report on internal control over financial reporting and, subject to an exemption available to registrants that are neither an "accelerated filer" or a "larger accelerated filer" (as those terms are defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2), an auditor attestation report on management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting. However, for so long as we continue to qualify as an emerging growth company, we will be exempt from the requirement to include an auditor attestation report on management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting in its annual reports filed under the Exchange Act, even if we were to qualify as an "accelerated filer" or a "larger accelerated filer". In addition, Section 103(a)(3) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) has been amended by the JOBS Act to provide that, among other things, auditors of an emerging growth company are exempt from any rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the company.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES

 

Links to external, or third-party websites, are provided solely for convenience. We take no responsibility whatsoever for any third-party information contained in such third-party websites, and we specifically disclaim adoption or incorporation by reference of such information into this report.

 

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

This Annual Report contains financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“ IFRS ”).  In addition, this Annual Report also contains non-IFRS financial measures (“ Non-IFRS Measures ”) including “on-mine cost per ounce”, “all-in sustaining cost per ounce”, “all-in cost per ounce”, “average realized gold price” and “adjusted earnings per share” as we believe these are useful metrics for measuring our performance. However, these Non-IFRS Measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other publicly traded entities. These measures should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS.

 

7

 

 

Foreign Private Issuer Filings

 

We are considered a “foreign private issuer” pursuant to Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our shares. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.

 

For as long as we are a “foreign private issuer” we intend to file our annual financial statements on Form 20-F and furnish our quarterly financial statements on Form 6-K to the SEC for so long as we are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(g) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. However, the information we file or furnish may not be the same as the information that is required in annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q for U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, there may be less information publicly available concerning us than there is for a company that files as a domestic issuer.

 

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We are required to determine our status as a foreign private issuer on an annual basis at the end of our second fiscal quarter. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by United States residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (1) the majority of our executive officers or directors are United States citizens or residents; (2) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (3) our business is administered principally in the United States. If we lose our “foreign private issuer status” we would be required to comply with Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirement for “foreign private issuers”.

 

 

 

8

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1 - Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 2 - OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 3 - KEY INFORMATION

 

A. Selected Financial Data

 

The following tables present our selected consolidated financial data. You should read these tables in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Item 18 of this Annual Report and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included in Item 5 of this Annual Report.

 

The selected consolidated financial information set forth below has been derived from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements that are prepared in accordance with IFRS, which differ in certain respects from the principles we would have followed had our Consolidated Financial Statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The selected consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto. The selected consolidated financial information is presented in United States Dollars ( “USD” or “$” ), which is also the functional currency of the Company.

 

Financial – All in USD’000’s unless indicated otherwise 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 (2)
Revenue 68,399 69,762 61,992 48,977 53,313
Gross Profit 21,624 26,321 23,492 13,181 18,543
Net Income /(Loss) – after tax from operations 13,756 11,896 11,085 5,590 5,946
Net Income /(Loss) – after tax from continuing operations 13,756 11,896 11,085 5,590 5,946
Profit attributable to owners of the Company 10,766 9,384 8,526 4,779 4,435
Net cash and cash equivalent 11,187 12,756 14,335 10,880 23,082
Current Assets 28,168 27,913 25,792 23,562 31,743
Total Assets 125,693 110,056 90,709 72,838 66,479
Current Liabilities 12,198 15,602 9,832 8,397 4,972
Non-current Liabilities 34,687 25,243 21,560 14,080 11,164
Net Assets/Total equity 78,808 69,211 59,317 50,361 50,343
Total Capital Expenditures – Cash 20,192 21,639 19,885 16,567 6,150
Dividend per share – cents (1) 27.4 27.4 24.5 24 27
Earnings per share – cents (1) 99 86.5 79.5 44.5 42
Diluted earnings per share – cents (1) 99 86.4 79 44.5 42

 

9

 

 

Share Information

 

  2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Market Capitalization at December 31 (3) 57,852 77,932 60,178 32,209 31,791
Shares Outstanding (Thousands) (1) 10,603 10,603 10,557 10,416 10,423
Options Outstanding (Thousands) (1) 38 28 92 448 513

 

(1) All dividends per share, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share and option numbers are stated on the bases of the 1:5 Share Consolidation on June 26, 2017.
(2) All amounts before January 1, 2015 have been restated to USD.
(3) Based on the NYSE American share price quoted in USD from July 27, 2017. Amounts before July 27, 2017 were based on the OTCQX share price quoted in USD.

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not Applicable.

 

D. Risk Factors

 

An investment in our shares involves a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative. You should carefully consider the following risks set out below and other information before investing in our shares. If any event arising from these risks occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected, the trading price of our shares could decline and all or part of any investment may be lost.

 

Our operations are highly speculative due to the high-risk nature of our business, which include the acquisition, financing, exploration, development of mineral infrastructure and operation of mines. The risks and uncertainties set out below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our operations. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our shares could decline and investors could lose part or all of their investment. Our business is subject to significant risks and past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

 

Our shares may not continue to be listed on the NYSE American

 

Failure to meet the applicable maintenance requirements of the NYSE American could result in our shares being delisted from the NYSE American. If we are delisted from the NYSE American, our shares may be eligible for trading on an over-the-counter market in the United States.  In the event that we are not able to obtain a listing on another U.S. stock exchange or quotation service for our shares, it may be extremely difficult or impossible for shareholders to sell their shares in the United States.  Moreover, if we are delisted from the NYSE American, but obtain a substitute listing for our shares in the United States, it will likely be on a market with less liquidity, and therefore potentially more price volatility, than the NYSE American. Shareholders may not be able to sell their shares on any such substitute U.S. market in the quantities, at the times, or at the prices that could potentially be available on a more liquid trading market.  As a result of these factors, if our shares are delisted from the NYSE American, the price of our shares is likely to decline. In addition, a decline in the price of our shares will impair our ability to obtain financing in the future.

 

Future sales of our shares into the public market by holders of our options may lower the market price, which may result in losses to our shareholders.

 

As of March 28, 2019, we had 10,749,904 shares issued and outstanding.  In addition, as of March 28, 2019, 38,000 shares were issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, all of which may be exercised in the future resulting in dilution to our shareholders.  As of March 28, 2019 we may issue stock options to purchase an additional 1,036,990 shares under our existing stock option plan.  As of March 28, 2019, our senior officers and directors beneficially owned, as a group, 418,650 Shares (3.89% of our issued share capital), including stock options to acquire an additional 18,000 shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our shares into the public market, by our officers or directors or pursuant to the exercise of options, or even the perception by the market that such sales may occur, may lower the market price of our shares.

 

10

 

 

The price of gold is subject to volatility and may have a significant effect on our future activities and profitability.

 

The economic viability of our revenues, operations and exploration and development projects is, and is expected to be, heavily dependent on the price of gold, which is particularly subject to fluctuation and has fluctuated significantly in recent years. The price of gold is affected by numerous factors beyond our control including, but not limited to: international economic and political conditions; expectations of inflation; international currency exchange rates; interest rates; global or regional consumption patterns; speculative activities; levels of supply and demand; increased production due to new mine developments and improved mining and production methods; availability and costs of metal substitutes; and inventory carrying costs. The effect of these factors on the price of gold, and therefore the economic viability of our operations, cannot be accurately predicted. Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited, the company which owns the Blanket Mine (all hereinafter referred to as “ Blanket ” or “ Blanket Mine ” as the context requires) continues to sell all of its gold production from the Blanket Mine, to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited (“ Fidelity ”), as required by Zimbabwean legislation, and received the spot price of gold less an early settlement discount of 1.25% (2.5% from October 1, 2018 to January 11, 2019).

 

We cannot guarantee that there will not be an increase in input costs affecting our results of operations and financial performance.

 

Mining companies generally have experienced higher costs of steel, reagents, labor and electricity and from local and national government for levies, fees, royalties and other direct and indirect taxes. Our planned growth at Blanket Mine should allow the fixed cost component to be absorbed over increased production, thereby helping to alleviate somewhat the net cash effect of any further cost increases due to increased revenue cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to control such input costs and any increase in input costs above our expectations may have a negative result on our results of operations and financial performance.

 

Our operations may be subject to increased costs or even suspended or terminated as a result of any loss of required infrastructure in our operations.

 

Infrastructure, including water and electricity supplies, that is currently available and used by us may, as result of adverse climatic conditions, natural disaster, incorrect or inadequate maintenance, sabotage or for other reasons, be destroyed or made unavailable or available in a reduced capacity. Were this to occur, operations at our properties may become more costly or have to be curtailed or even terminated, potentially having serious adverse consequences to our financial condition and viability that could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial performance.

 

We do business in countries and jurisdictions outside of the United States where different economic, cultural, regulatory and political environments could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The jurisdictions in which we operate are unpredictable. Assets and investments in these foreign jurisdictions are subject to risks that are usually associated with operating in a foreign country and any of these could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial performance. These risks include, but are not limited to, access to assets, labor disputes and unrest; arbitrary revocation of government orders, approvals, licences and permits; corruption; uncertain political and economic environments; bribery; war; civil disturbances and terrorist actions; sudden and arbitrary changes to laws and regulations; delays in obtaining government permits; limitations on foreign ownership; more onerous foreign exchange controls; currency devaluations; import and export regulations; inadequate, damaged or poorly maintained infrastructure; and endemic illnesses. There can be no guarantee that governments in these jurisdictions will not unilaterally expropriate the property of companies that are involved in mining.

 

11

 

 

Caledonia’s mining operations are conducted in Zimbabwe and, as such, these operations are exposed to various levels of political, economic and other risks and uncertainties in addition to those set out above. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, expropriation and nationalization, or mandatory levels of Zimbabwean ownership beyond currently mandated levels; renegotiation, nullification or partisan terms of existing concessions, licences, permits and contracts; illegal mining; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and changing political conditions, currency controls and governmental regulations that favor or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction.

 

The shortage of foreign currency has been a long-standing difficulty in Zimbabwe; however, the situation has worsened following a policy announcement by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (“ RBZ ”) on October 1, 2018. Although several gold mining operators in Zimbabwe have suspended operations due to the shortage of foreign exchange which has impeded their ability to purchase consumables, production at Blanket has continued without significant interruption.

 

On October 1, 2018 the RBZ published a monetary policy statement which, inter alia, introduced several measures the most significant of which were that:

 

· bank accounts in Zimbabwe were bifurcated between FCA, which could be used to make international payments, and local Dollar accounts, known as RTGS accounts which could be used only for domestic transactions. Previously all bank accounts in Zimbabwe were in the RTGS system;

· gold producers, which include Caledonia’s subsidiary, Blanket Mine, would receive 30% of their sales proceeds into an FCA and the balance would be paid into their RTGS account. Before the monetary policy statement of October 1, 2018 Blanket and other gold producers received 100% of their sale proceeds into their RTGS accounts. If a gold producer required access to foreign exchange to make a payment outside Zimbabwe (e.g. to purchase consumables or capital equipment from a supplier outside Zimbabwe), the producer made an application to the RBZ for the necessary foreign exchange to be made available. Blanket and Caledonia operated satisfactorily under this system, although it required constant management attention to ensure that sufficient foreign exchange was made available; and
· the RBZ stipulated that a Dollar in the RTGS system was worth a Dollar in an FCA. Although informal (and illegal) trading after October 1, 2018 demonstrated that the commercial value of an RTGS Dollar was substantially lower than the value of an FCA Dollar, the Government adhered to this policy - RTGS payments made by Blanket to Government agencies and government-owned entities (e.g. tax payments and payments to the state-owned electricity company) continued to be effected on a 1:1 basis. The RBZ also continued to make allocations of foreign currency from RTGS accounts on a 1:1 basis.

The new policy had several implications for Blanket and Caledonia, which included:

 

· products and services procured in Zimbabwe became more expensive in RTGS Dollars. Despite the stipulation that a Dollar in an FCA had the same value as a Dollar in a RTGS account, after the implementation of this policy vendors who previously accepted RTGS Dollars at par required prices which are 5 to 6 times higher than their previous RTGS prices; alternatively, they required payment from an FCA. Where possible, Blanket switched procurement to suppliers outside Zimbabwe but in some instances this still resulted in a higher cost due to transport charges; and

 

· Blanket’s employees’ purchasing power was eroded because RTGS-denominated consumer prices increased. However, Blanket had insufficient FCA funds to make significant FCA payments to employees. Due to the stipulated 1:1 exchange rate, any increase in RTGS-denominated salaries to compensate fully for the deterioration in spending power would have rendered commercial operations uneconomic.

 

Following the announcement of the new policy, Caledonia and other Zimbabwean gold miners had intensive engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe and the RBZ to explain that a 30% FCA allocation was insufficient for gold miners to fund the import of consumables and services that are required to maintain their operations. As a result of this engagement, from November 12, 2018 gold miners have received 55% of their sales proceeds into their FCA.

 

A 55% allocation is insufficient to allow Blanket to continue normal mining operations and also to fully implement the investment plan as scheduled. The RBZ considers requests for additional foreign exchange in specific circumstances from individual gold miners and Caledonia has continued its engagement with the RBZ and the government to secure the additional foreign exchange it requires. This requirement to make specific application for foreign exchange is no different from the situation which existed before the implementation of the new policy.

 

12

 

 

On February 20, 2019 the RBZ issued a further monetary policy statement, which allows inter-bank trading between currency held in the RTGS system and the FCA system. In terms of this new policy, Gold producers will continue to receive 55% of their sales proceeds in FCA and the balance will be received in RTGS Dollars at the prevailing inter-bank rate. Blanket will use the RTGS component of its revenues to settle its local liabilities (wages, taxation, electricity and local procurement); the FCA component of its revenues will be used to fund offshore purchases.

 

It is hoped that this mechanism will address 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.

 

Provided the RTGS to FCA exchange rate is efficient and Blanket continues to receive 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 externalise cash from Zimbabwe.

 

The policy statement also resulted in the termination of the Export Credit Incentive (“ ECI ”) programme.

 

Our operations are subject to various government approvals, permits, licenses and legal regulation for which no assurance can be provided that such approvals, permits or licenses will be obtained or if obtained will not be revoked or suspended.

 

Government approvals, permits and licenses are required in connection with a number of our activities and additional approvals, permits and licenses may be required in the future. The duration and success of our efforts to obtain approvals, permits and licenses are contingent upon many variables outside of our control. Obtaining governmental approvals, permits and licenses can increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity and the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the relevant authority. While we and our affiliates currently hold the necessary licenses to conduct operations there can be no assurance that all necessary approvals, permits and licenses will be maintained or obtained or that the costs involved will not exceed our estimates or that we will be able to maintain such permits or licenses. To the extent such approvals, permits and licenses are not obtained or maintained, we may be prohibited from proceeding with planned drilling, exploration, development or operation of properties which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and requirements in the countries in which we operate may result in enforcement action, including orders calling for the curtailment or termination of operations on our property, or calling for corrective or remedial measures requiring considerable capital investment. Although we believe that our activities are currently carried out in all material respects in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, no assurance can be given that new rules and regulations will not be enacted or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied in a manner that could limit or curtail production or development of our properties or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

We face risks related to mining, exploration and mine construction,, on potential properties.

 

Our level of profitability, if any, in future years will depend on whether the Blanket Mine produces at forecasted rates and whether any exploration stage properties can be brought into production. The mining, exploration and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks. It is impossible to ensure that any current and future exploration programs will establish reserves. Whether a mineral ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, and the exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted. The exploration, development and production activities are subject to political, economic and other risks, including:

 

- cancellation or renegotiation of contracts;

- changes in local and foreign laws and regulations;

- changes in tax laws;

- delays or refusal in granting prospecting permissions, mining authorizations and work permits for foreign management staff;

- environmental controls and permitting;

- expropriation or nationalization of property or assets;

- foreign exchange controls and the availability of foreign exchange;

- government mandated social expenditures;

- import and export regulation, including restrictions on the sale of production in foreign currencies;

- industrial relations and the associated stability thereof;

- inflation of costs that is not compensated for by a currency devaluation;

 

13

 

 

- requirement that a foreign subsidiary or operating unit have a domestic joint venture partner, which, possibly, the foreign company must subsidize;

- restrictions on the ability of local operating companies to hold foreign currencies in offshore and/or local bank accounts;

- restrictions on the ability of a foreign company to have management control of exploration and/or development and/or mining operations;

- restrictions on the remittance of dividend and interest payments offshore;

- retroactive tax or royalty claims;

- risks of loss due to civil strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities, insurrection and terrorism;

- royalties and tax increases or claims by governmental entities;

- unreliable local infrastructure and services such as power, water, communications and transport links;

- demands or actions by native or indigenous groups;

- other risks arising out of foreign sovereignty over the areas in which operations are conducted; and

- lack of investment funding.

 

Such risks could potentially arise in any country in which we operate.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our exploration, development and production activities in Zimbabwe may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, any of which could materially adversely affect our financial position or results from operations. Furthermore, in the event of a dispute arising from such activities, we may be subject to exclusive jurisdiction of courts outside North America or may not be successful in subjecting persons to the jurisdiction of the courts in North America, which could adversely affect the outcome of a dispute.

 

We will need to identify new reserves to replace mineral reserves that has been depleted by mining activities and to commence new projects. No assurance can be given that exploration activities by us will be successful in identifying sufficient mineral reserves of an adequate grade and suitable metallurgical characteristics suitable for further development or production.

 

Blanket Mine is our principal mining asset. In addition, Blanket Mine has title to numerous but smaller satellite properties in the surrounding Gwanda greenstone terrain. These satellite properties are in the exploration stage and are without any known bodies of commercial ore. Further development of the properties will only proceed upon obtaining satisfactory exploration results. There is no assurance that our mineral exploration activities will result in any discoveries of commercial bodies of mineral reserves. The long-term profitability of our operations will, in part, be directly related to the costs and success of our exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors.

 

There can be no assurance, even when an economic deposit of minerals is located, that any of our property interests can be commercially mined. The exploration and development of mineral deposits involve a high degree of financial risk over a significant period of time which a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge of management may not eliminate. While discovery of additional ore-bearing structures may result in substantial rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenses may be required to establish reserves by drilling and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. It is impossible to ensure that our current exploration programs will result in profitable commercial mining operations. The profitability of our operations will be, in part, directly related to the cost and success of its exploration and development programs which may be affected by a number of factors. Additional expenditures are required to establish reserves which are sufficient to commercially mine and to construct, complete and install mining and processing facilities in those properties that are actually mined and developed.

 

Further development and commercial production at Blanket Mine and the other surrounding properties cannot be assured.

 

We are engaged in further development activities at Blanket Mine and its surrounding properties. Estimates for future production, at Blanket Mine, 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. Construction and development of projects are subject to numerous risks including, but not limited to: obtaining equipment, permits and services; changes in regulations; currency rate changes; labor shortages; fluctuations in metal prices; and the loss of community support.

 

14

 

 

Substantial expenditures are required to establish reserves through drilling, to develop metallurgical processes to extract gold from ore and to develop the mining, processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralized deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be capable of economic extraction by metallurgical process, or discovered in sufficient quantities or grades, or the estimated operating costs of the mining venture are sufficient, to justify development of the deposit, or that the funds required for development can be obtained on a timely and economically acceptable basis.

 

The marketability of any minerals acquired or discovered may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond our control and which cannot be predicted, such as metal price and market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. Depending on the price of minerals produced, the Company may determine that it is not commercially feasible to commence or continue commercial production.

 

We face credit risk exposure from counterparties to certain contractual obligations and there is no assurance that any such counterparty may not default in such obligation causing us to incur a financial loss.

 

Credit risk is the risk that a party with a contractual obligation with us will default causing a loss. New regulations introduced by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Finance in January 2014 require that all gold produced in Zimbabwe must be sold to Fidelity, a company which is controlled by the Zimbabwean authorities. Accordingly, all of our production from Blanket Mine is sold to Fidelity. At the date of approval of this document, Blanket has received all payments due from Fidelity in full and on time. This arrangement introduces a credit risk, beyond our control, that receivables and contractual performance due from Fidelity will not be paid or performed in a timely manner, or at all. If Fidelity or the Zimbabwean government were unable or unwilling to conduct business with us, or satisfy obligations to us, we could experience a material adverse effect upon our operations and financial performance.

 

The mining industry is highly competitive and there is no guarantee we will always be able to compete effectively.

 

The mining industry is a highly diverse and competitive international business. The selection of geographic areas of interest are only limited by the degree of risk a company is willing to accept by the acquisition of properties in emerging or developed markets and/or prospecting in explored or virgin territory. Mining, by its nature, is a competitive business with the search for fresh ground with good exploration potential and the raising of the requisite capital to move projects forward to production. There is aggressive competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties considered to have commercial potential. We will compete with other interests, many of which have greater financial resources than we will have, for the opportunity to participate in promising projects. Such competition may have better access to potential resources, more developed infrastructure, more available capital, have better access to necessary financing, and more knowledgeable and available employees than us. We may encounter competition in acquiring mineral properties, hiring mining professionals, obtaining mining resources, such as manpower, drill rigs, and other mining equipment. Such competitors could outbid us for potential projects or produce gold at lower costs. Increased competition could also affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable properties or prospects for gold exploration or production in the future. Significant capital investment is required to achieve commercial production from successful exploration and development efforts. Globally, the mining industry is prone to cyclical variations in the price of the commodities produced by it, as dictated by supply and demand factors, speculative factors and industry-controlled marketing cartels. Nature provides the ultimate uncertainty with geological and occasionally climatic surprises. Commensurate with the acceptance of this risk profile is the potential for high rewards. If we are unable to successfully compete for properties, capital, customers or employees it could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

We were required to facilitate the economic participation of certain indigenous groups in our business and there can be no assurance that such required participation was at fair market value or that the terms of the agreements can be amended.

 

The government of Zimbabwe introduced legislation in 2012 requiring companies to facilitate participation in their shareholdings and business enterprises by the indigenous population (typically referred to as indigenisation). It is not assured that such interests were paid for at full fair value. As reported, Blanket Mine has complied with the requirements of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act in Zimbabwe whereby indigenous shareholders legally own 51% ownership of Blanket Mine since September 2012.

 

15

 

 

Pronouncements from the Zimbabwe Government following the appointment of the new President in late 2017 announced a relaxation in the indigenisation policy which, amongst other things, includes the removal of an indigenisation requirement for gold mining companies. These pronouncements were passed into law in March 2018. In light of the changed legislation, the Company intends to evaluate the potential to buy back shareholdings in Blanket that are currently held by certain indigenous partners other than the employee and community shareholders. At this stage there is no certainty that agreement will be reached on transactions in respect of any shareholding. On November 6, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a sale agreement with Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited (“ Fremiro ”) to purchase Femiro’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 remains subject to, amongst other things, approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities including the RBZ and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. 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.

 

We currently do not depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and financial markets. However, should our financial position change any inability to access the capital or financial markets may limit our ability to execute our business plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future growth.

 

Depending on our ability to generate income from our operations, we may require further financing for current and future exploration and development. Should our projections for fiscal years 2019 through to 2021 prove incorrect, in order to finance our working capital needs, we may have to raise funds through the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. Depending on the type and the terms of any financing we pursue, shareholders’ rights and the value of their investment in our shares could be reduced. Any additional equity financing will dilute shareholdings, and new or additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictions on financing and operating activities. In addition, if we issue secured debt securities, the holders of the debt would have a claim to our assets that would be prior to the rights of shareholders until the debt is paid. Interest on these debt securities would increase costs and negatively impact operating results.

 

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, as needed, at competitive rates, our ability to implement our business plan and strategy may be affected, and we may be required to reduce the scope of our operations and scale back our exploration and development programs as the case may be. There is, however, no guarantee that we will be able to secure any additional funding or be able to secure funding which will provide us with sufficient funds to meet our objectives, which may adversely affect our business and financial position.

 

Our share price has been and is likely to continue to be volatile and an investment in our shares could suffer a decline in value .

 

Market prices for mining company securities, by their nature, are volatile. Factors, such as rapidly changing commodity prices, political unrest globally and in countries where we operate, speculative interest in mining stocks etc. are but a few factors affecting the volatility of the share price. Our shares are listed in the U.S. on the NYSE American, in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“ TSX ”) and depositary interests representing our shares are admitted to trading on AIM of the London Stock Exchange (“ AIM ”) (the use of the term “share” in this Annual Report also, where the context requires, extends to a depositary interest representing a share).

 

16

 

 

You should consider an investment in our shares as risky and invest only if you can withstand a significant loss and wide fluctuations in the market value of your investment. The market price of our shares may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume of our shares may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our shares declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the purchase price, if at all. We cannot assure you that the market price of our shares will not fluctuate or significantly decline in the future. Factors affecting our share price include but are not limited to:

 

  • actual or expected fluctuations in our operating results;
  • actual or expected changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates;
  • changes in the market price of gold;
  • changes in the demand for gold;
  • high extraction costs;
  • accidents;
  • changes in market valuations of similar companies;
  • additions to or departures of our key personnel;
  • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results or those of our competitors;
  • publication of research reports by securities analysts about us or our competitors in the industry;
  • our failure or the failure of our competitors to meet analysts’ projections or guidance that we or our competitors may give to the market;
  • fluctuations of exchange rates between the USD, GBP, CAD and ZAR;
  • changes or proposed changes in laws and regulations affecting the gold mining industry;
  • changes in trading volume of our shares on the NYSE American, TSX or AIM;
  • sales or perceived potential sales of our shares by us, our directors, senior management or our shareholders in the future;
  • short selling or other market manipulation activities;
  • announcement or expectation of additional financing efforts;
  • terrorist acts, acts of war or periods of widespread civil unrest;
  • natural disasters and other calamities;
  • litigation involving us, including: shareholder litigation, investigations or audits by regulators into our operations; or proceedings initiated by our competitors or clients;
  • strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy;
  • the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments affecting us or our industry;
  • fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us; and
  • conditions in the U.S., Canadian and United Kingdom financial markets or changes in general economic conditions.

We are dependent on key management employees.

 

Our success depends (i) on the continued contributions of our directors, executive officers, management and consultants, and (ii) on our ability to attract new personnel whenever we seek to implement our business strategy. The loss of the services of any of these persons could have a materially adverse effect on our business, prospects results of operations and financial performance. 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. There is no assurance that we will always be able to locate and hire all of the personnel that we may require. Where appropriate, we engage with consulting and service companies to undertake some of the work functions.

 

Our mineral rights may be subject to defects in title .

 

We are not currently aware of any significant competing ownership claims or encumbrances respecting title to our properties. However, the ownership and validity or title of unpatented mining claims and concessions are often uncertain and may be contested. We also may not have, or may not be able to obtain, all necessary surface rights to develop a property. Although we have taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to our properties, there is no guarantee of title to our properties or that competing ownership claims or encumbrances respecting our properties will not be made in the future. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and our ability to ensure that we have obtained secure claims to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be severely constrained. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. We may incur significant costs related to defending the title to our properties. A successful claim contesting our title to a property may cause us to compensate other persons or perhaps reduce our interest in the affected property or lose our rights to explore and, if warranted, develop that property. This could result in us not being compensated for our prior expenditures relating to the property. Also, in any such case, the investigation and resolution of title issues would divert our management’s time from ongoing exploration and, if warranted, development programs. Any impairment or defect in title could have a negative impact on us.

 

17

 

 

We are subject to operational hazards and risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

We are subject to risks typical in the mining business. These include, but are not limited to, operational issues such as unexpected geological conditions or earthquakes causing unanticipated increases in the costs of extraction or leading to falls of ground and rock bursts, particularly as mining moves into deeper levels. Major cave-ins, flooding or fires could also occur under extreme conditions. Although equipment is monitored and maintained and all staff receive safety training, accidents caused by equipment failure or human error could occur. Such occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability. As a result, we may incur significant liabilities and costs that could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

Lawsuits may be filed against us and an adverse ruling in any such lawsuit could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

We may become party to legal claims arising in the ordinary course of business. There can be no assurance that unforeseen circumstances resulting in legal claims will not result in significant costs or losses. The outcome of outstanding, pending or future proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and may be determined adversely to us and as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our assets, liabilities, business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if we prevail in any such legal proceedings, the proceedings could be costly and time-consuming and may divert the attention of management and key personnel from our business operations, which could adversely affect our financial condition. In the event of a dispute arising in respect of our foreign operations, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Jersey Channel Islands or international arbitration. The legal and political environments in which we operate may make it more likely that laws will not be enforced and that judgments will not be upheld. If we are unsuccessful in enforcing our rights under the agreements to which we are party to or judgments that have been granted, or if laws are not appropriately enforced, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

We face risks related to illegal mining at Blanket Mine and no assurance can be provided that such illegal mining will not have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

Illegal mining activities on properties controlled by Blanket have been identified. 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 but there can be no guarantee that the support from the Zimbabwean police will continue and whether their support will stop illegal mining activities.

 

Most of our employees are members of the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe and any work stoppage or industrial action implemented by the union may affect our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

Most of the employees are members of the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe. Pay rates for all wage-earning staff are negotiated on a Zimbabwe industry-wide basis between the union and representatives of the mine owners. Any industrial action called by the union may affect our operations even though our operations may not be at the root cause of the action. Strikes, lockouts or other work stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance. In addition, any work stoppage or labor disruption at key customers or service providers could impede our ability to supply products, to receive critical equipment and supplies for our operations or to collect payment from customers encountering labor disruptions. Work stoppages or other labor disruptions could increase our costs or impede our ability to operate.

 

There can be no assurance that changes to any environmental, health and safety laws to which we are currently subject would not adversely affect our exploration and development programs.

 

Our exploration, development and operations are subject to environment, health and safety (“ EH&S ”) laws and regulations in the countries in which the relevant activity is being conducted. There is no assurance that future changes in EH&S, if any, will not adversely affect our exploration and development programs or our operations. There is no assurance that regulatory and environmental approvals required under EH&S will be obtained on a timely basis or if at all. A breach of EH&S may result in the temporary suspension of operations, the imposition of fines, other penalties (including administrative penalties and regulatory prosecution), and government orders, which could potentially have a material adverse effect on operations.

 

18

 

 

Due to the nature of our business, our operations face extensive EH&S risks.

 

Gold mining is exposed to numerous risks and events, the occurrence of which may result in the death of, or personal injury, to employees. EH&S legislation applicable to us could suspend part or all of our operations. EH&S incidents could therefore lead to increased unit production costs or lower production which could negatively affect our business, operating and/or financial results.

 

We may enter into acquisitions or other material transactions at any time.

 

We continually seek to replace and expand our reserves through the exploration of our existing properties and may expand through acquisitions of interests in new properties or of interests in companies which own such properties. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including: the possibility that we, as a successor owner, may be legally and financially responsible for liabilities of prior owners; the possibility that we may pay more than the acquired company or assets are worth; the additional expenses associated with completing an acquisition and amortizing any acquired intangible assets; the difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of an acquired business; the challenge of implementing uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies throughout an acquired business; the inability to integrate, train, retain and motivate key personnel of an acquired business; and the potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from its day-to-day operations. These risks and difficulties, if they materialize, could disrupt our ongoing business, distract management, result in the loss of key personnel, increase expenses and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial performance.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company that is not a foreign private issuer or that files as a domestic issuer.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as a company that files as a domestic issuer whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we generally required to comply with the SEC’s Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material non-public information. For as long as we are a “foreign private issuer” we intend to file our annual financial statements on Form 20-F and furnish our quarterly financial statements on Form 6-K to the SEC for so long as we are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(g) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. However, the information we file or furnish is not the same as the information that is required in annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q for U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, there may be less information publicly available concerning us than there is for a company that files as a domestic issuer.

 

We may lose our foreign private issuer status, which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses.

 

We are required to determine our status as a foreign private issuer on an annual basis at the end of our second fiscal quarter. In order to maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, either (1) a majority of our shares must be either directly or indirectly owned of record by non-residents of the United States or (2) (a) a majority of our executive officers or directors must not be U.S. citizens or residents, (b) more than 50 percent of our assets cannot be located in the United States and (c) our business must be administered principally outside the United States. If we lost this status, we would be required to comply with the Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We would also be subject to additional restrictions on offers and sales of securities outside the United States and would have to comply with the generally more restrictive Regulation S requirements under the Securities Act that apply to U.S. domestic companies, which could limit our ability to access capital markets in the future. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws if we are required to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer may be higher than the cost we would incur as a foreign private issuer. As a result, we expect that a loss of foreign private issuer status would increase our legal and financial compliance costs.

 

19

 

 

We are an emerging growth company and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our shares less attractive to investors and, as a result, adversely affect the price of our shares and result in a less active trading market for our shares.

 

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example, we have qualified for an exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to internal control over financial reporting, and we will not provide such an attestation from our auditors.

 

We may avail ourselves of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find our shares less attractive because of our reliance on some or all of these exemptions. If investors find our shares less attractive, it may adversely impact the price of our shares and there may be a less active trading market for our shares.

 

We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of:

 

· the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1,070,000,000 (as such amount is indexed for inflation every five years by the SEC or more);

 

· the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our first sale of equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

 

· the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non- convertible debt; or

 

· the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer”, as defined in Rule 12b–2 of the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of the last day of our most recently-completed second fiscal quarter.

 

If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

 

Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that our management assess and report annually on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and identify any material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting. Although Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires our independent registered public accounting firm to issue an annual report that addresses the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, we have opted to rely on the exemptions provided to us by virtue of being a foreign private issuer and an emerging growth company, and consequently will not be required to comply with SEC rules that implement Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until we lose our emerging growth company status.

 

If either we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting or, at the appropriate time, our independent auditors are unwilling or unable to provide us with an unqualified report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of our shares could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions.

 

There is uncertainty with our Mineral Reserve estimates.

 

Our ore reserve figures described in this document are management’s best estimates and are reported in accordance with the requirements of Industry Guide 7 (“ IG 7 ”) of the SEC. These estimates may not reflect actual reserves or future production. Should we encounter mineralization or formations different from those predicted by past drilling, sampling and similar examinations, reserve estimates may have to be adjusted and mining plans may have to be altered in a way that might ultimately cause our reserve estimates to decline. Moreover, if the gold price declines, or if our labor, consumable, electricity and other production costs increase or recovery rates decrease, it may become uneconomical to recover our reserves. Under these circumstances, we would be required to re-evaluate our reserves. The reserve estimates are based on drilling results and because unforeseen conditions may occur, the actual results may vary from the initial estimates. These factors could result in reductions in our reserve estimates, which could in turn adversely impact the total value of our business.

 

20

 

 

There are differences in IG 7 and Canadian reporting of mineral reserves and mineral resources.

 

From time to time, we also report mineral resources in accordance with the Canadian requirements set forth in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 which are not directly comparable to IG 7 mineral reporting and disclosure requirements. The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in and sometimes used by the Company pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under IG 7 and historically have not been permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed in accordance with IG 7. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

 

Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, IG 7 has historically only permitted issuers to report “resources” as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources contained in some of our reports may not be comparable to information made public in accordance with IG 7.

 

Further, the terms “Mineral Reserve”, “Proven Mineral Reserve” and “Probable Mineral Reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards. These definitions differ from the definitions in IG 7. Under IG 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits or governmental authorizations must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

 

Accordingly, information contained in some of the reports containing descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public in accordance with IG 7.

 

U.S. investors may not be able to enforce their civil liabilities against us or our directors and officers.

 

It may be difficult to bring and enforce suits against us, because we were amalgamated and exist under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands and are situated in Jersey, Channel Islands and do not have assets located in the United States.

 

All of our assets are located outside the United States and most of our directors and all of our officers are residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on us or these non-United States resident persons within the United States or to rely in the United States upon judgments obtained in the United States based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or our officers and non-United States resident directors.  In addition, our U.S. shareholders should not assume that the courts of Jersey, Channel Islands (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us, our officers or directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States, or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us, our officers or directors predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws or other laws of the United States.

 

We are incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands and our principal offices are located outside of the United States which could have negative tax consequences for U.S. investors.

 

We are incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands and are located outside of the United States. Accordingly, U.S. investors could be subject to negative tax consequences.  If we choose to make an offering of securities in the United States, the applicable prospectus is expected to include a discussion of the material United States tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any securities offered thereby, to the extent not set out in this Annual Report; however, investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the consequences of investing in Caledonia.

 

21

 

 

ITEM 4 - INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A. History and Development of the Company

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (previously Caledonia Mining Corporation) was incorporated, effective February 5, 1992, by the amalgamation of three predecessor companies and was registered at the time under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

 

Following the creation of Caledonia its shares were listed on the TSX and quoted on the NASDAQ small caps market. On October 16, 1998, Caledonia announced that NASDAQ would no longer quote its securities for trading. Caledonia’s stock commenced trading on the OTCQX in June 2005.

 

Effective April 1, 2006 the Company purchased 100% of the issued shares of the Zimbabwean company, Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd (“ CHZ ”) that held 100% of the shares of Blanket Mine. The purchase consideration was $1,000,000 and 20,000,000 shares of Caledonia. The Company acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of CHZ.

 

The Company re-domiciled from Canada to Jersey using a legal process called “Continuance” on March 19, 2016. The Company operates under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended, (the “Companies Law”). The Continuance had no effect on the Company’s listing on the TSX or on the trading facilities on AIM in London or on the OTCQX in the United States of America.

 

On July 24, 2017 the Company announced that its shares would be listed on the NYSE American and trading began on July 27, 2017. The trading of the Company’s shares on the OTCQX ceased upon the commencement of trading on the NYSE American.

 

As at the date of this report Caledonia’s shares trade on AIM under the ticker symbol “CMCL”, are listed on the TSX under the symbol “CAL” and on the NYSE American as “CMCL”.

 

The addresses and telephone numbers of Caledonia’s principal offices are:

 

Registered and Head Office African Office - South African Subsidiaries
   
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited
3 rd Floor, Weighbridge House, St Helier 4 th Floor, 1 Quadrum office park
Jersey, Channel Islands Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2198
JE2 3NF South Africa
(44) 1534 679 800 (27) 11 447 2499

 

Indigenisation of Blanket Mine

On February 20, 2012 certain companies within Caledonia’s group of companies (the “ Group ”) announced that they 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 Blanket Mine for a transactional value of $30.09 million. Pursuant to the above, 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.

 

22

 

 

In anticipation of completion of the underlying subscription agreements, advances were made to NIEEF and the Community Trust against their rights 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.

 

Advances made to NIEEF as an advanced dividend loan was settled through dividend repayments in fiscal 2014. Refer to note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for the outstanding balance of the advanced dividend loan with the Community Trust.

 

The Group facilitated the vendor funding of these transactions and the advanced dividend loans which are 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 shareholder. 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. Subsequent to the indigenisation transactions the facilitation loans relating to the Group were transferred as a dividend in specie to the Company.

 

On June 23, 2017, the Group, Blanket Mine and the indigenous shareholders of Blanket Mine reached agreement to change the interest terms of the facilitation and advanced dividend loan agreements. The agreements changed the interest rate from the previously agreed 12 month LIBOR + 10% to the lower of a fixed 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly or 80% of the Blanket Mine dividend in the quarter. The modification was considered beneficial to the indigenous shareholders and gave rise to an equity-settled share based expense of $806,000 on June 23, 2017 when all parties reached agreement to modify the interest charged. It was agreed that the interest change was to be applied to the facilitation and advanced dividend loan balances from January 1, 2017.

 

Pronouncements from the Zimbabwe Government following the appointment of the new President in late 2017 announced a relaxation in the indigenisation policy which, amongst other things, includes the removal of an indigenisation requirement for gold mining companies. These pronouncements were passed into law in March 2018. In light of the changed legislation, the Company intends to evaluate the potential to buy back shareholdings in Blanket that are currently held by certain indigenous partners other than the employee and community shareholders. At this stage there is no certainty that agreement will be reached on transactions in respect of any shareholding. On November 6, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a sale agreement with Fremiro to purchase Femiro’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 remains subject to, amongst other things, approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities. The transaction remains subject to, amongst other things, approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities including the RBZ and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. 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 NIEEF. There is no certainty that agreement will be reached on a transaction in respect of NIEEF’s shareholding.

 

Capital Investment

 

Caledonia’s activities are focused on Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe. The Company’s business during the past three completed fiscal years has been focused primarily on increasing production to 80,000 oz. of gold through its investment plan. 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 intends to continue to sink the Central Shaft by two further production levels to a depth of 1,330 meters. Progress on sinking the shaft since late 2017 has been adversely affected by the increased frequency of power trips due to the unstable incoming supply from the grid. Due to these delays the vertical shaft sinking will be reduced by one level and the shaft will be sunk to a depth of 1,204 metres. The fourth level is intended to be added via a decline construction which will start in due course. The decline should give earlier access to the ore bodies at this level than the originally planned vertical shaft extension. 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. The Central Shaft is currently at a depth of 1,148 metres. The sinking of the Central Shaft is expected to be completed in the middle of 2019 and expected to be commissioned by mid 2020. Power outages resulted in less development being achieved than initially planned, which will result is a slower production ramp-up to the projetyed 80,000 oz.. Production is now expected to be approximately 75,000 oz. in 2021 increasing to approximately 80,000 ounces in 2022. Progress on the Central Shaft further depends on the continued availability of sufficient foreign exchange.

 

23

 

 

Total cash capital expenditure decreased to $20,192,000 (2017: $21,639,000; 2016: $19,885,000). Significant projects on which capital expenditures were incurred in 2018 included:

 

  • Central Shaft;
  • Decline AR South (795-870 metres);
  • AR Main ramp;
  • Deep drilling; and
  • Sustaining capital expenditure.

 

Capital projects and expenditures are further analysed under Item 4. B Mining Operations and note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Share Consolidation and listing on the NYSE American

 

At the annual general meeting of shareholders of Caledonia held on June 19, 2017 resolutions were passed which, amongst other things, authorised the overall consolidation (by way of a consolidation and then a sub-division) of the Company’s shares on an effective basis of 1 share for every 5 shares held (the “ Share Consolidation ”).

 

The Share Consolidation was approved:

to achieve a share price of at least $2 so that the Company qualified for a listing on the NYSE American;
to achieve a share price of at least $5 to enable the Company’s shares to qualify for investment by certain US investors; and
to repurchase the shares of shareholders who held fewer than 100 shares and who therefore found it difficult to trade their “odd-lots” on an exchange.

 

The Share Consolidation was effected on June 26, 2017 following which the issued shares of the Company consisted of 10,533,873 shares of which 3,406,082 were represented by depositary interests traded on AIM. On July 27, 2017 the Company’s shares were listed and commenced trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “CMCL”. After the listing on the NYSE American, the Company’s shares remained listed on the TSX under the symbol “CAL” and the Company’s depositary interests in the shares remained admitted to trading on AIM under the symbol “CMCL”. The trading of the Company’s shares on the OTCQX ceased upon listing on the NYSE American.

 

Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited

 

Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited (“ Eersteling ”) is owned by the Company through its ownership of 100% of the equity shares. It has been under care and maintenance since 1997.

 

On July 12, 2016 the Group entered into a share sale agreement with SH Mineral Investments Proprietary Limited (“ SH Minerals ”) to sell the shares of Eersteling. It was agreed that the purchase price be settled through a non-refundable deposit of ZAR5 million and a once off payment of $3 million. By December 31, 2017 ZAR2 million of the non-refundable deposit was received but the agreement had expired as no further payment had been received. The non-refundable deposit was accounted for as Other income in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into an agreement with SH Minerals to sell two Eersteling rock dumps. The two rock dumps were sold for cash consideration of ZAR1 million ($79,000) and ZAR2 million ($138,000) each, which was received in full as at December 31, 2018 and accounted for as Other income, refer note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Also on May 31, 2018 the Group entered into a new agreement to amend the initial share sale agreement. The amended share sale agreement allowed for a purchase price of $3 million settled through three payments of $1 million payable on the completion date, 12 and 18 months after the completion date. The share sale agreement was suspended, subject to the conclusion of the rock dump sale and for SH Minerals to obtain funding for the purchase price for the sale. In February 2019 an amount of ZAR13 million ($1 million) was received as payment towards the purchase price. The payment received in February 2019 effectively transferred the registered and beneficial ownership of Eersteling to SH Minerals and the Group relinquished control.

 

24

 

 

Available Information

 

The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains report, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Such information can also be found on the Company’s website (http://www.caledoniamining.com).

 

B. Business Overview

 

Description of Our Business

 

Caledonia’s primary focus is the operation of a gold mine and the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. Caledonia’s activities are focused on Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe. The Company’s business during the past three completed fiscal years has been focused primarily on increasing production to 80,000 oz. of gold by 2022 through its investment Plan.

 

Total gold production at Blanket Mine for 2018 was 54,511 oz. (2017: 56,133 oz.; 2016: 50,351 oz.). 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. Gold producers compete globally on the basis of their operating and capital costs. Certain gold producers benefit from their ability to produce other minerals in commercial quantities as by-products. Caledonia derives approximately 0.1% of its revenues from silver, which is insignificant. 100% of Blanket’s revenues over the last three years was derived from its operations in Zimbabwe.

 

Blanket Mine’s available reserves are disclosed under Item 4.D Mineral Reserve Calculations.

 

Mining Operations

 

On November 3, 2014 Caledonia announced the investment plan and production projections for the Blanket Mine. The objectives of the investment plan are to improve the underground infrastructure and logistics to allow an efficient and sustainable production build-up.

 

Continued exploration over the last three years has improved the understanding of the ore bodies below 22 level and has resulted in a further increase in resources below 750 meters. Progress on implementing the Central Shaft has been adversely affected by an increase in the incidence of power interruptions due to the instability of the incoming grid power. Due to these delays and to ensure that the completion of the shaft does not delay the planned production build-up, the vertical shaft sinking will terminate at 1,204 metres and will add three new production levels below 750 metres. A fourth production level is intended to be added via a decline construction in due course. The decline is expected to allow production from below 34 Level to commence in mid-2024, which is the same as if the shaft had been extended to 38 Level. Further progress on the Central Shaft depends on the continued availability of sufficient foreign exchange. The investment plan provides for a proposed investment of approximately US$ 21.6 million in 2019 and US$ 21 million in the period 2020 to 2021.

 

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 main exploration efforts on the satellite properties were focused on the GG and the Mascot exploration prospects which, based on past production records, were believed to have the greatest potential.

 

25

 

 

Pilot plant – Satellite properties

 

A pilot plant was constructed and commissioned during 2017 to establish the potential recovery of refractory ore from the GG satellite property using conventional Gravity and CIL processes. A total of 6,706 tons of GG ore has been processed at an average feed grade of 3.3g/t resulting in a recovery of 53.3%. Results show that at the current recovery rate and at the prevailing gold price, gold can be extracted profitably.

 

Management is considering the further methods to ascertain whether recoveries can be improved.

 

Metallurgical Process

 

Metallurgical plant – Blanket Mine

 

Recoveries continue to be adversely affected by the low feed grade and the failure of the oxygen plant which is now beyond repair. As a temporary measure liquid oxygen is used but this comes at an increased cost. Lower oxygen concentrations also resulted in increased cyanide consumption, which in addition to increased lime consumption (due to a temporary deterioration in the quality of product supplied), contributed to increased consumable costs at the metallurgical plant. A purchase agreement has been signed for an oxygen plant which is expected to be commissioned in mid-2019, subject to the availability of the necessary foreign exchange to fund the final purchase installment.

 

Average plant recovery was 92.3% for fiscal year 2018, compared to 93.4% in 2017 (2016: 93%).

 

Safety, Health and Environment

 

The following safety statistics have been recorded for fiscal year 2018 and the preceding two years.

 

 

 

Classification

2016 2017 2018
Fatal - 2 2
Lost time injury 6 6 5
Restricted work activity 20 21 16
First aid 8 11 9
Medical aid 9 30 13
Occupational illness - 1 -
Total 43 71 45
Incidents 42 41 33
Near misses 22 21 11
Disability Injury Frequency Rate 0.300 0.320 0.270
Total Injury Frequency Rate 2.198 2.94 1.71
Man-hours worked (thousands) 3,975 4,874 5,254

 

Regrettably, there were fatal mining-related accidents at Blanket Mine on February 23, and July 12, 2018. The directors and management of Caledonia and Blanket express their sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased. Management has provided the necessary assistance to the Ministry of Mines Inspectorate Department (the “Inspectorate”) in its enquiries into these incidents.

 

Caledonia takes the safety of its employees very seriously and, accordingly, measures have been taken to re-inforce adherence to prescribed safety procedures.

 

26

 

 

Social Investment and Contribution to the Zimbabwean Economy

 

Blanket Mine’s investment in community and social projects which are not directly related to the operation of the mine or the welfare of Blanket Mine’s employees, the payments made to the Community Trust in terms of Blanket Mine’s indigenisation, and payments of royalties, taxation and other non-taxation charges to the Zimbabwe government and its agencies are set out in the table below.

 

Payments to the Community and the Zimbabwe Government

($’000’s)

 

    Community and Social Investment Payments to Zimbabwe Government Total
Year 2016   12 10,637 10,649
Year 2017   5 11,988 11,993
Year 2018   4 10,140 10,144

 

General Comments

 

Caledonia’s activities are centered on Zimbabwe. Caledonia is not dependent, to any material extent, on patents, licenses, contracts, specialized equipment or new manufacturing processes at this time. However, there may be occasions that Caledonia may wish to adopt such patents, licenses, specialized equipment, etc. if these are economically beneficial to its operations. All mining and exploration activities are conducted under the various economic, mining and environmental regulations of the country where the operations are being carried out. It is always Caledonia’s standard that these regulations are complied with by Blanket Mine. Caledonia has not experienced a shortage of availability of raw materials or significant price volatility.

 

Investors should recognize that Blanket’s ability to implement its investment programme and Caledonia’s ability to sustain its operations outside Zimbabwe and pay future dividends depends, inter alia, on the ability to externalise cash from Zimbabwe.

 

C. Organizational Structure

 

The Company has the following organizational structure as at March 28, 2019:

 

 

27

 

 

D. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

(a) Zimbabwe:

 

The Company indirectly owns 49% of the shares of Blanket Mine. It is a fully equipped mine with all of the necessary plant and equipment to conduct mining operations and the production of gold from the ore mined from the mine.

 

For a detailed breakdown of the property, plant and equipment and encumbrances thereon refer to note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The property, plant and equipment of the Group is predominantly held in Zimbabwe and the continued implementation of the investment plan is expected to increase the property, plant and equipment of the Group. The investment plan is expected to be funded with existing cash, a term loan, an overdraft facility and cash generated from operating activities. The investment plan is expected to be completed in 2021.

 

(b) South Africa:

 

Refer to item 4 A History and Development of the company concerning the sale of Eersteling.

 

Mining Geology and Exploration Activities

Geology and Mineral Deposit

 

Zimbabwe’s known gold mineralisation occurs in host rocks of the Zimbabwe Craton, which is made up of Archaean rocks. The geology of the Craton is characterised by deformed and metamorphosed rocks which include high-grade metamorphic rocks, gneisses, older granitoids, greenstone belts, intrusive complexes, younger granites and the Great Dyke. The Chingezi gneiss, Mashaba tonalite and Shabani gneiss form part of a variety of tonalities and gneisses of varying ages. Three major sequences of slightly younger gold-bearing greenstone belt supracrustal rocks exist:

· Older greenstones called the Sebakwian Group, which are mostly metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. They comprise komatiitic and basaltic volcanic rocks, some banded iron formation (“BIF”), as well as clastic sediments.
· The Lower Bulawayan Group, which comprises basalts, high-Mg basalts, felsic volcanic rocks and mixed chemical and clastic sediments. The Lower Bulawayan Group forms the Belingwe (Mberengwa) greenstones.
· The Upper Bulawayan (upper greenstones) and Shamvaian groups, which comprise a succession of sedimentary and komatiitic to tholeiitic to calc-alkaline rocks.

 

Three metamorphic belts surround the Zimbabwe Craton:

 

· Archaean Limpopo Mobile Belt to the south;
· Magondi Mobile Belt on the north-western margin of the Craton; and
· Zambezi Mobile Belt to the north and northeast of the Zimbabwe Craton.

 

 

28

 

 

 
  Zimbabwe Craton Relative to Other Cratons

 

Overview of the Project Geology

 

The Blanket Mine is situated on the north-western limb of the Archaean Gwanda Greenstone Belt. Several other gold deposits are situated along the same general strike as the mine. Approximately 268 mines operated in this greenstone belt at one stage; however, the Blanket Mine is one of the few remaining operational mines. At Blanket Mine, the rock units strike north−south, and dip to the west (in some areas, southwest).

 

Local Property Geology

 

The local geology consists of the Felsic Unit made up of, largely, quartz and quartz-sericite schists overlain by the Mafic Unit. The lower zone of the Mafic Unit comprises ultramafics and banded iron formations which host the orebodies of the Vubachikwe mine, that is located nearby Blanket. The upper zone of the Mafic Unit is made up of massive to pillowed basaltic lavas with intercalations of interflow sediments now showing as cherty argillites (locally commonly referred to as Black Markers) and this hosts the Blanket complex orebodies. The Blanket orebodies are in an orogenic setting with hydrothermal mineralization hosted in selected shears of country basaltic metavolcanics. This package is intruded by a younger and seemingly barren olivine-gabbro sheet. The sequence is capped by an Intermediate Unit comprising andesitic lavas with amphibole feldspar schists.

 

29

 

 

The Blanket complex orebodies together with those of the Vubachikwe complex comprise the north-western Mining Camp, also called the Sabiwa group of mines. Blanket Mine complex is a cluster of deposits that extend from Jethro in the south, through Blanket, Feudal, AR South, AR Main, Sheet, Eroica and Lima to the north.

 

Longitudinal Section of Blanket Mine

 

 
  Blanket Mine Longitudinal Section Showing Production Areas

 

Dormant old workings include Sabiwa, Jean, Provost, Redwick, Old Lima, and Smiler. The latter group of mines form the northern continuation of the Vubachikwe zone and are hosted by BIFs. The mafic unit which hosts the gold mineralisation is, for the most part, a metabasalt with occasional remnants of pillow basalts. Regionally, the rock is a fine-grained massive amphibolite with localised shear planes. A low angle transgressive anastomosing shear zone (up to 500 m wide cutting through the mafic zone) is the locus of the gold ore shoots. The shear zone is characterised by a well-developed fabric and the presence of biotite. A regional dolerite sill cuts the entire sequence from Vubachikwe through Blanket to Smiler. The sill does not cause a significant displacement and although it truncates all the ore shoots, there is continuity of mineralisation below the sill. The upper zone comprises massive to pillowed lavas with intercalations of interflow sediments. The rock is a fine-grained massive amphibolite with localised shear planes.

 

30

 

 

 
  Geology of the Project Area

 

The gold deposits are found around a low-angle transgressive shear zone. A simplified stratigraphic column for the Blanket Mine is shown in the following figure.

 

31

 

 

Stratigraphic Column

 

 
  Stratigraphic Column

 

Status of Exploration

 

The Blanket Mine is a producing operation. Exploration activities are carried out both on and off the mine. Mine exploration takes place mostly underground on the producing claims and is aimed at expanding the knowledge of the ore shoot trends which are being mined, as well as searching for potential additional orebodies. Near-mine exploration takes place on satellite properties that are currently non-producing assets, which have the potential to yield new sources of ore and possibly give rise to new mines.

 

The mine’s exploration title holdings are in the form of registered mining claims (237 in total) in the Gwanda Greenstone Belt. These claims include a small number under option and cover an area of approximately 2,500 ha.

 

The blocks of claims were pegged as follows:

· 227 are registered as precious metal (gold) blocks covering 1810 ha.; and
· 10 claims were pegged and are registered as base metal (Cu, Ni, As) blocks, covering an area of 721 ha.

 

Exploration and evaluation activities on Blanket Mine are targeting the depth extensions of all the known Blanket Mine ore bodies, viz. Blanket 1 Ore Body, Blanket 2 Ore Body, Blanket 4 Ore Body, Blanket Quartz Reef, AR Main, AR South, Eroica and Lima sections.

 

18,651 metres were drilled in the year compared to 24,930 in 2017 and 22,172 metres in 2016. Drilling during 2018 was targeted at Blanket section, AR South (North-South and East-West Limbs) and Eroica between 22 (750 metres) and 34 (1,110 metres) levels.

 

Mineral Reserve Calculations

 

Mineral reserve estimates in this Annual Report are reported in accordance with the requirements of IG 7. Accordingly, as of the date of the Annual Report, all minerals reserves are planned to be mined out under the life of mine plan within the period of our existing rights to mine, or within the time period of assured renewal periods of our rights to mine. In addition, as of the date of this Annual Report, all mineral reserves are covered by required permits and governmental approvals.

 

32

 

 

Blanket Mine’s mineral reserve estimates are set out in the table below.

 

Mineral Reserve Classification Stope Grade Stope Tonnes Gold Content
g/t kt kg ounces
Proven 3.33 1,213 4,043 130,001
Probable 3.40 3,591 12,215 392,722
Total 3.38 4,804 16,259 522,723

 

Notes:

1.       Tonnages refer to tonnes delivered to the metallurgical plant.

2.       All figures are in metric tonnes.

3.       Pay limit Blanket Mine 2.10 g/t.

4.       Pay Limit calculated: USD/oz. = 1,240; Direct Cash Cost (C1) = USD71 /t milled.

5.       Tonnage and grade have been rounded and this may result in minor adding discrepancies.

 

The mineral reserves information is from Blanket’s current life-of-mine plan, using an internal reserve update as at July 31, 2018. Refer to our technical report dated February 13, 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 all other key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate the mineral reserves and risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral reserves.

 

Our mineral reserve figures are estimates, which may not reflect actual reserves or future production. These figures are prepared in accordance with industry practice, converting mineral deposits to reserves through the preparation of a mining plan. The mineral reserve estimates contained herein inherently include a degree of uncertainty and depend to some extent on statistical inferences. Reserve estimates require revisions based on actual production experience or new information. Should we encounter mineralization or formations different from those predicted by past drilling, sampling and similar examinations, mineral reserve estimates may have to be adjusted and mining plans may have to be altered in a way that might adversely affect our operations. Moreover, if the price of gold declines, stabilizes at a price that is lower than break-even level, if our production costs increase or recovery rates decrease, it may become uneconomical to recover mineral reserves with lower grades of mineralization.

 

Access to the Property, Power and Water Supply

 

Access to the Blanket Mine is by an all-weather single lane tarred road from Gwanda. Gwanda is linked by national highways to Bulawayo, Harare and the Beitbridge Border post. Earlier, Zimbabwe had good road infrastructure. However, lack of investment over the past ten to fifteen years resulted in its deterioration; substantial investment is required country-wide. The railway line connecting the Zimbabwean national network to South Africa passes through Gwanda. An airstrip for light aircraft is located 5 km to the northwest of the town. Blanket power is supplier primarily from ZESA. Blanket also has a combined 16MW of installed stand-by diesel generating capacity which is sufficient to allow all mining and processing activities and shaft-sinking work at the central shaft to continue if there are any interruptions to the ZESA supply. During 2017 Blanket installed a fixed overhead line and a ring feed connection to allow for an additional electricity feed from ZESA. The dual lines are expected to reduce possibility of power outages from both electricity supply lines at the same time and therefore reduce power disruptions at Blanket. Water to the mine and its township is supplied through the Mtshabezi river, on-mine boreholes and the Gwanda municipality.

 

Blanket Claims

 

The Blanket Mine's exploration interests in Zimbabwe include operating claims ( i.e. on-mine), non-operating claims and a portfolio of brownfields exploration projects (" Satellite Prospects "). The Blanket Mine operates under a Special Licence (No. 5030) which was issued under the Mines and Minerals Act of 1961 (Chapter 21:05). The mine’s claims are protected under this Act.

 

33

 

 

Blanket Mine covers a contiguous block of operating claims of Jethro, Blanket, Feudal, Harvard, Mbudzane Rock, Oqueil, Sabiwa, Sheet, Eroica and Lima, comprising a total area of approximately 2,800 ha. This contiguous block represents the area of a current Mining Lease application. Prior Ownership and Ownership Changes – Blanket Mine.

 

The Blanket Mine is part of the Sabiwa group of mines within the Gwanda Greenstone Belt from which gold was first extracted in the 19 th century. The Blanket Mine is a cluster of mines extending some 3 km from Jethro in the south through Blanket itself, Feudal, AR South, AR Main, Sheet, and Eroica, to Lima in the north. Blanket Mine has produced over a million ounces of gold during its lifetime.

 

Following sporadic artisanal working, the Blanket Mine was acquired in 1904 by the Matabele Reefs and Estate Company. Mining and metallurgical operations commenced in 1906 and between then and 1911, 128,000 t were mined. From 1912 to 1916 mining was conducted by the Forbes Rhodesia Syndicate who achieved 23,000 t. There are no reliable records of mining for the period between 1917 and 1941 and it is possible that operations were adversely affected by political instability during World Wars I and II. In 1941 F.D.A. Payne produced some 214,000 t before selling the property to Falconbridge in 1964 (Blanket Mine, 2009). Under Falconbridge, production increased to 45 kg per month and the property yielded some 4 Mt of ore up until September 1993. Kinross Gold Corporation (“ Kinross ”) then took over the property and constructed a larger Carbon-in-Leach (“ CIL ”) plant with a capacity of 3,800 tpd. This was designed to treat both run of mine (“ RoM ”) ore and an old tailings dump.

 

The Blanket Mine is currently 49% owned and operated by Caledonia who completed purchase of the mine from Kinross on 1 April 2006. The Blanket Mine re-started production in April 2009 after a temporary shut-down due to the economic difficulties in Zimbabwe.

 

ITEM 4A - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5- OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

The following Operating and Financial Review and Prospects section is intended to help the reader understand the factors that have affected the Company's financial condition and results of operations for the historical period covered by the financial statements and management's assessment of factors and trends which are anticipated to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition and results in future periods. This section is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the other financial information contained elsewhere in this document. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. Our discussion contains forward looking information based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives and intentions. Our actual results may differ from those indicated in such forward looking statements.

 

A. Operating Results

 

The key drivers of our operating results and principal activities are:

  • revenue, which is influenced by:
    • the price of gold, which fluctuates in terms of the realised USD gold price obtained; and
    • our production tonnages and gold content thereof, impacting on the amount of gold we produce at our operation;
  • our cost of producing gold; and
  • other significant matters affecting profitability.

Revenue

 

Revenue decreased to $68,399,000 in fiscal year 2018 from $69,762,000 in fiscal year 2017 (2016: $61,992,000) due to a decrease in the sale of the gold produced to 54,511 oz. (2017: 56,133 oz.; 2016: 50,351 oz.). The decrease was slightly offset by an increase in the average realised gold price received of $1,245 per oz. (2017: $1,243 per oz.; 2016; $1,232 per oz.).

 

34

 

 

Gold price

Average realized gold price per ounce is a non-IFRS measures which managements believes assist the stakeholders in understanding the average price obtained for an ounce of gold.

 

Our revenues are derived from the sale of gold produced by the Blanket Mine. As a result our revenues are directly influenced by the average realized gold price obtained from the sale of gold. The gold prices obtained may fluctuate widely and are influenced by factors beyond the control of the Company. The table below indicates the average realized gold price per ounce obtained for the 2018, 2017 and 2016 fiscal years.

 

$’000   2016     2017     2018  
Revenue (IFRS)     61,992       69,762       68,399  
Revenue from silver sales     (62 )     (74 )     (61 )
Revenue from gold sales     61,930       69,688       68,338  
Gold ounces sold     50,269       56,059       54,899  
Average realized gold price per ounce     1,232       1,243       1,245  

 

Gold produced

Tonnes milled, average grades, recoveries and gold produced 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.)

Quarter 1 2016 114,527 3.16 93.0 10,822
Quarter 2 2016 120,590 3.47 93.1 12,510
Quarter 3 2016 133,375 3.36 93.2 13,428
Quarter 4 2016 142,169 3.21 92.8 13,591
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

 

Tonnes milled in the year were 2.5% higher than the previous year. The improvement in tonnes milled reflects the measures taken to address problems that had occurred in previous quarters and includes the introduction of long-hole stoping on safety grounds which tends to increase the tonnes mined per metre drilled, although with a potential adverse effect on the realised grade due to mining dilution. Grade in the year was 4.7% lower than in 2017. Grade was adversely affected by excessive dilution at Blanket due to the introduction of long-hole stoping in the narrower reef width areas due to safety considerations. The use of long-hole stoping, in addition to being safer than sublevel benching, has the potential to be more efficient if drilling is accurate enough to avoid overbreak and consequent grade dilution. Management continue to take corrective measures to improve the accuracy of drilling which include the improved training of drill operators, intensified geological control, reviewing blasting techniques and technology and reducing the sublevel vertical spacing from 15 meters to 10 meters. These measures appear to have had some effect: by February 2019 the achieved grade has improved towards target and this improvement has continued into March.

 

35

 

 


Production cost

 

Production costs include salaries and wages, on mine administration, consumable materials and electricity and other related costs incurred in the production of gold. Production costs for 2018, 2017 and 2016 are summarised below.

 

$ ‘000   2016     2017     2018  
Salaries and wages     12,206       13,440       13,160  
Cash-settled share-based payments (note 26.2)     —         311       43  
Consumable materials     8,853       9,916       12,143  
Electricity costs     7,438       8,701       9,313  
Site restoration     32       58       84  
Pre-feasibility exploration cost     408       410       411  
Safety     221       323       592  
On mine administration     2,898       3,004       3,616  
Other production cost     30       17       —    
      32,086       36,180       39,315  

 

On-mine cost, all-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) and all-in cost per ounce

 

On-mine cost, AISC and all-in cost per ounce are non-IFRS cost measures which managements believes assist the stakeholders in understanding the cost structures of the Company. The table below reconciles production cost as stated in terms of IFRS to these cost measures.

 

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 fiscal year and previous fiscal years has 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 ounce , 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 (“AISC”) per ounce , 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 reserve base that are required to maintain production at the current levels (sustaining capital investment), the share-based expense arising from unit awards under the Company’s Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ LTIPs”) less silver by-product revenue and the export incentive credit; and
     
  iii. All-in cost per ounce , which shows AISC per ounce plus the additional costs associated with activities that are undertaken with a view to increasing production (expansion capital investment).  

 

36

 

 

($’000’s unless otherwise indicated)                  
    2016     2017     2018  
Production cost (IFRS)     32,086       36,180       39,315  
Less exploration and site restoration costs     (661 )     (933 )     (1,003 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense - allocated to production cost     —         (311 )     (43 )
Other cost     535       563       (395 )
On-mine production cost     31,960       35,499       37,874  
                         
Gold sales (oz.)     50,269       56,059       54,899  
On-mine cost per ounce ($/oz.)     636       633       690  
                         
Royalty     2,923       3,498       3,426  
ECI     (1,104 )     (2,446 )     (6,482 )
Exploration, remediation and permitting cost     311       316       305  
Sustaining capital development     3,792       3,509       2,154  
Administrative expenses     7,263       5,911       6,465  
Less Zambian expenses     (17 )     —         —    
Silver by-product credit     (62 )     (74 )     (61 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense     788       976       315  
Cash-settled share-based payments expense - allocated to production cost     —         311       43  
All in sustaining cost     45,854       47,500       44,039  
                         
Gold sales (oz.)     50,269       56,059       54,899  
AISC per ounce ($/oz.)     912       847       802  
                         
Permitting and exploration expenses     182       183       132  
Non-sustaining capital expenses     15,367       17,441       17,760  
Total all in cost     61,402       65,124       61,719  
                         
Gold sales (oz.)     50,269       56,059       54,899  
All in cost per ounce ($/oz.)     1,221       1,162       1,124  
                         

 

Per-ounce costs are calculated on the basis of sales adjusted for sales work-in-progress, so that an accurate value can be ascribed to the royalty. On-mine cost comprises labour, electricity, consumables and other costs such as security and insurance. A lower grade has an adverse effect on on-mine cost per ounce because on-mine costs are generally related to tonnes of production – if each tonne mined and processed contains less gold, a lower grade will result in a higher cost per ounce even if costs remain unchanged. Variable consumable costs for 2018 were higher than 2017 due to increased costs for cyanide, explosives and grinding media; the consumption rate for cyanide was also higher due to the lack of oxygen in the CIL process pending the installation of the new oxygen plant in 2019.

 

AISC per ounce comprises on-mine costs and also includes royalty payments, the export incentive, group administrative costs, sustaining capital investment, share based payment expenses and by-product expenses.

 

The AISC reduced by 5.5% from $847 per ounce to $802 per ounce mostly due to an increased in the ECI from 2.5% to 10% with effect from February 1, 2018.

 

Investment in expansion projects in the year was $17,8 million compared to $17,4 million in 2017 and $15,4 million in 2016, due to the continued high levels of investment in terms of the investment plan, as discussed under “Capital Investment”.

 

Other significant matters affecting profitability

 

Administrative expenses

Administrative expenses increased by 8% from the previous year, due to the increased cost relating to Caledonia’s general corporate affairs including regulatory and tax compliance in all relevant jurisdictions. Administrative expenses are further analysed in note 13 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Export Incentive Credit

In May, 2016 the RBZ announced the 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%. All incentives granted by the Zimbabwean government were included in other income when determined receivable. All receipts were received in Blanket Mine’s RTGS account. The ECI is included as part of “Other income and expenses” in the Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income (refer to note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements). On February 20, 2019 the RBZ announced the cancellation of the ECI.

 

Eersteling rock dump sale

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into an agreement with SH Minerals to sell two Eersteling rock dumps. The two rock dumps were sold for ZAR1 million ($79,000) and ZAR2 million ($138,000) each and were fully received as at December 31, 2018.

 

Provident fund pay-out

The Greenstone provident fund was established with the aim to provide pension benefits to employees of mines previously owned by Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited. A surplus remained in the fund after all members were retrenched or terminated in 1997 when the mines were closed. The Financial Services Board in South Africa appointed a tribunal that liquidated the fund and concluded that the surplus of ZAR 4,8 million ($363,000) that remained in the fund should be paid out to the former employer. On October 15, 2018 the surplus was paid out to Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited.

 

37

 

 

Margin call on gold hedge

On August 17, 2018 the Company entered into a hedge in respect of 8,000 ounces of gold that expired before December 31, 2018. The hedge protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,150 per ounce and gave Caledonia full participation if the gold price exceeded $1,195 per ounce. The derivative financial instrument was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment. The derivative contract resulted in a loss of $360,000 that was included in profit or loss. The Company settled the contract with the margin call deposited at the inception of the hedge transaction. Blanket continued to sell all of its gold production to Fidelity, as required by Zimbabwean legislation, and received the spot price of gold less an early settlement discount of 1.25%.

 

Share based payment awards

Caledonia established its Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“ OEICP ”) for grants after May 2015. Share options issued before May 2015 were issued in terms of a rolling stock option plan, which was superseded by the OEICP. In accordance with the previous plan, options were granted at an exercise price not less than the closing price of the shares on the TSX on the trading day prior to the grant date. Under the OEICP, options are granted on the same basis or, if greater, at not less than the volume weighted average trading price of the shares on the TSX for the five trading days immediately prior to the grant date. Options vest according to dates set at the discretion of the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors at the date of grant. All outstanding option awards that have been granted pursuant to the plan vest immediately. All remaining options granted under the previous plan were exercised during fiscal year 2017.

 

The maximum term of the options under the OEICP is 10 years and under the rolling stock option plan was 5 years. The terms and conditions relating to the grant of options under the rolling stock option plan were that all options would be settled by physical delivery of shares.

 

During 2016 and 2017, certain key management members were granted Restricted Share Units (“ RSUs ”) and Performance Share Units (“ PSUs ”) pursuant to the provisions of the OEICP. All RSUs and PSUs were granted and approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors.

 

RSUs vest three years after grant date provided that the service condition of the relevant employees are 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.

 

PSUs have a service condition and a performance period of three years. The performance condition is a function of production cost, gold production and central shaft depth targets on certain specified dates. The number of PSUs that vest is the PSUs granted multiplied by a performance multiplier, which reflects 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 are reinvested in additional RSUs at the then applicable share price calculated at the average Bank of Canada noon rate immediately preceding the dividend payment. PSUs have rights to dividends only after they have vested.

 

RSUs and PSUs were originally granted to be settled in cash. On May 8, 2018 the Board approved amendments to the awards to allow for settlement of the vesting date value in cash or shares issuable at fair market value or a combination of both at the discretion of the holder.

 

The fair value of the RSUs, at the reporting date, was based on the Black Scholes option valuation model. The fair value of the PSUs, 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 it was assumed that there was an 85% probability that the performance conditions would be met and therefore an 85% (2017: 94%; 2016: 100%) average performance multiplier was used in calculating the estimated liability. The liability as at December 31, 2018 amounted to $2,043,000 (December 31, 2017: $1,782,000). Included in the liability as at December 31, 2018 is an amount of $43,000 (December 31, 2017: $311.000; December 31, 2016: Nil) that was expensed and classified as production costs.

 

38

 

 

On January 11, 2019, 224,667 PSUs and 69,307 RSUs fully vested. The vested amounts were settled by the issue of 93,664 shares in the Company and $885,000 in cash.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the 2015 OEICP a further 95,740 PSUs were granted on January 11, 2019 to certain key management personnel. The PSUs were granted with a service condition and a performance period of three years. The performance condition will be a function of gold production for the quarter ending December 31, 2021. The number of PSUs that will vest will be the PSUs granted multiplied by a performance multiplier, which will reflect the actual performance in terms of the performance conditions compared to expectations agreed as soon as possible following the date of grant.

 

An example contract of the PSUs granted on January 11, 2019 is disclosed in Exhibit 4.6

 

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 cash settled share awards respectively to certain of its employees that entitle them to a cash pay-out based on the Company’s AIM depositary interest price on November 30 of 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 £4.39 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 $47,000 (December 31, 2017: $44,000) and the expense amounted to $97,000 (December 31, 2017: $123,000; December 31, 2016: Nil) for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Adjusted earnings per share

“Adjusted earnings per share” is a Non-IFRS Measure which management believes assists investors in understanding the Company’s cash-based performance of core business activities. The table below reconciles “adjusted earnings per share” to the Profit/Loss attributable to Owners of the Company shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements which have been prepared under IFRS, and adjusts for deferred tax and non-core business activities.

 

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

of the Company

     
($’000’s unless otherwise indicated)                  
    2016     2017     2018  
Profit attributable to owners of the Company (IFRS)     8,526       9,384       10,766  
                         
Add back/(deduct):                        
IAS 19 adjustment     80       100       90  
Deferred tax     4,611       3,696       3,662  
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury bills     (3,202 )     —         —    
Other income     (226 )     —         —    
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss     505       380       (223 )
Zambian expenses     17       —         —    
Equity-settled share-based expense     —         806       14  
Provident fund surplus     —         —         (363 )
Adjusted profit     10,311       14,366       13,946  
                         
                         
Weighted average shares in issue (m)     10.457       10.608       10,604  
Adjusted EPS (cents)     98.6       135.4       131.5  

 

39

 

 

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$ ’000   2016     2017     2018  
Bank balances     14,335       13,067       11,187  
Cash and cash equivalents in the statements of financial position     14,335       13,067       11,187  
Bank overdraft used for cash management purposes     —         (311 )     —    
Cash and cash equivalents in the statements of cash flows     14,335       12,756       11,187  

 

Blanket Mine arranged an unsecured bank overdraft facility of $4,000,000 (2017: $311,000; 2016; Nil). The facility remained unutilised at December 31, 2018. The overdraft facility bears interest at 6.5% per annum, 4.65% above the base rate. The facility is repayable on demand. As at year end, Caledonia’s cash was held in the following jurisdictions:

 

$’000   2016     2017     2018  
Jersey, Channel Islands     2,844       4,470       1,954  
United Kingdom     2,038       369       1,311  
South Africa     690       1,619       2,931  
Canada     150       —         —    
Zimbabwe (net of overdraft)     8,613       6,298       4,991  
Total     14,335       12,756       11,187  

 

An analysis of the sources and uses of Caledonia’s cash is set out in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2018, Caledonia had a working capital surplus of $15,970,000 (2017: $12,311,000; 2016: $15,960,000). As of December 31, 2018, Caledonia had potential liabilities for rehabilitation work on Blanket and Eersteling – if and when those mines permanently close – at an estimated present value cost of $3,309,000 (2017: $3,797,000; 2016: $3,456,000). The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue its mining operations and exploration activities.

 

The Company’s primary objective with respect to its capital management is to ensure that it has sufficient cash resources to maintain its ongoing operations, to provide returns for shareholders, complete the investment plan and accommodate any asset retirement obligation. Refer to note 30 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the type of financial instruments used and the maturity profiles thereof. Management believes that the current working capital and future production cash proceeds will be sufficient to meet its capital requirements.

 

It is intended that all of the capital investment which will be required to fund the planned growth and development at Blanket Mine over the next 3 years will be funded by Blanket Mine’s internal cash flows and debt facilities.

 

Blanket foreign exchange approval requirements

 

Approval from the RBZ is required for the remittance of dividends declared from Zimbabwe, for the repayment of loans and advances from Blanket Mine to Caledonia and for the repayment of capital and consumables purchased from Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited. During 2018 Caledonia obtained the necessary approvals from the RBZ to obtain foreign currency to conduct normal business operations.

 

C. Research and development, patents and licences, etc

 

The Company is an exploration, development and mining company and does not carry on any research and development activities.

 

40

 

 

D. Trend Information

 

Production Guidance

 

On October 11, 2018 the Company reduced and narrowed the range of 2018 production guidance from 55,000 to 59,000 oz. to a range of between 54,000 and 56,000 oz. Production for the year was 54,511oz., which is within the guidance range. Production guidance for 2019 is between 53,000 and 56,000oz.

 

Cost Guidance

 

The estimated on-mine cost for 2018 was in the range of $650 to $685 per ounce and the estimated AISC for 2018 was reduced from the range of $845 to $890 per ounce to a range of $750 to $795 per ounce following the increased value of the ECI which increased from 2.5% of revenues to 10% of revenues from February 1, 2018. The actual on-mine cost per ounce for the year was $690 and actual AISC per ounce for the year was $802 – both marginally higher than guidance. The main reason for the cost overrun against guidance was the lower grade. As discussed in “Production Cost” on a cost per tonne basis, costs remain well controlled.

 

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. The guidance for on-mine cost per ounce is 13 to 20% higher than on-mine cost per ounce in 2018 because in 2019 it is anticipated that Blanket’s employees will qualify for a production bonus (on the assumption that they achieve target), whereas in 2018 no production bonus was payable. On mine costs are also expected to be higher in 2019 due to the increased cost of cyanide, grinding media and drill steels and the increased cost of the expanded fleet of trackless equipment which is used in the declines.

 

The guidance for AISC per ounce in 2019 is higher than AISC per ounce in 2018 – the increase is largely due to the projected increase in on-mine costs and the removal of the ECI.

 

Earnings Guidance

 

Guidance for adjusted earnings per share for 2018 was in the range of 140c to 150c per share. Actual adjusted earnings per share for 2018 was 131.5 cents – 6% below guidance. The shortfall against guidance was due to higher than expected operating costs which was largely due to the lower than anticipated grade and a smaller deferred tax charge (which is the main adjusting factor between earnings per share calculated on an IFRS basis and adjusted earnings per share).

 

Guidance for adjusted earnings per share for 2019 is 86 to 117 cents assuming a gold price of $1,300 per ounce and assuming the production and cost targets set out above are achieved.

 

The foregoing expected results for 2019 are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results may be lower. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

There are no off-balance sheet arrangements apart from the facilitation loans of $30.99 million which are not reflected as loans receivable for IFRS purposes (refer to note 6 of the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations  

 

As at December 31, 2018, the Company had the following contractual obligations:

 

$’000 Payments due by period
Falling due

Less than 1

year

1-3 years 4-5 years

More than

5 years

Trade and other payables 10,051 - - -
Term loan facility - 5,960 - -
Provisions 239 137 670 2,263
Capital expenditure commitments 3,981 - - -
Total 14,271 6,097 670 2,263

 

 

41

 

 

Capital expenditure commitments included payments for the following items:

 

  • Oxygen plant - $1,6 million
  • Steel infrastructure for the central shaft – $1,2 million
  • Underground equipment - $465,020
  • Underground loading station - $250,607

 

Except for capital expenditure commitments, the contractual obligations in the table above is based on the classification requirements under IFRS.

 

ITEM 6 - DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

A. Directors and Senior Management

 

The following is a list of our current directors and the Group’s officers as of March 28, 2019.

 

Name, Office Held and Municipality of Residence Principal Occupations During Past Five Years Company position(s) held Since Number of Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed as of March 28, 2019
Steven Curtis Chief Executive Officer & Director
Johannesburg, South Africa
Previous VP Finance, and Director of the Company and Director of certain of its subsidiary companies.

Director since 2008

 

Chief Executive Officer since 2014

 

161,382

Leigh Wilson
Non-Executive Director & Chairman

Stuart, Florida, USA

 

Chairman of the Victory Portfolios

Winston Maritime LLC

Stella and Hack Wilson Family Foundation

Martin Health Foundation

 

 

2012 52,000

John Kelly
Non-Executive Director

New Canaan, Connecticut

Independent Trustee, The Victory Funds (From February 2015).

Non-Executive Member of CrossRoad LLC (From May 2009).

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016 to September 2017).

Managing Partner, Endgate Commodities LLC (August 2014 to January 2016).
Adviser, Endgate Commodities LLC (January to April 2016).

Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings Inc. (2011-2014)

2012 29,493
Johan Holtzhausen
Non-Executive Director
Cape Town, South Africa

Business consultant and Independent Director of DRDGOLD Limited.

 

 

 

2013 19,000

 

42

 

 

Name, Office Held and Municipality of Residence Principal Occupations During Past Five Years Company position(s) held Since Number of Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed as of March 28, 2019
Dana Roets
Chief Operating Officer
Johannesburg, South Africa
COO at Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc. 2013 Nil

Mark Learmonth
Chief Financial Officer & Director

 

Jersey, Channel Islands

 

Vice-President of the Company focused on financial reporting, investor and shareholder relations and corporate development. Former Vice-President Business Development of the Company Chief Financial Officer since 2014 and Director since 2015 Vice-President, Business Development since 2008 149,775

John McGloin

Non-Executive Director

Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom

 

Previous Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amara Mining Plc. Current non-executive director of Perseus Mining Limited 2016 Nil

Maurice Mason

VP Corporate Development and Investor Relations

London, England

Previous Director at Equity Research for Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd

 

Research analyst, Peel Hunt LLP (2012-2015)

 

2016 7,000

Adam Chester

General Counsel, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance

Jersey, Channel Islands

Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Partner at Walkers and advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey. 2017 Nil

 

No family relationships exist between any of the Directors or senior management.

 

A brief profile of each of the Directors and the officers is given below:

 

Steven Curtis, CA (SA) – Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

Mr. Curtis is a Chartered Accountant with over 34 years of experience and has held a number of senior financial positions in the manufacturing industry. Before joining Caledonia in April 2006, he was Director Finance and Supply Chain for Avery Dennison SA and, prior to this, Financial Director and then Managing Director of Jackstadt GmbH South African operation. Mr. Curtis is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and graduated from the University of Cape Town.

 

Mr. Curtis was appointed Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer in April, 2006 and served in the position until Dec 2014 when he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

43

 

 

Leigh Wilson - Non-Executive Director and Chairman

 

Mr. Leigh Alan Wilson has been a senior executive in international business and financial services and held positions with Union Bank of Switzerland (Securities) Ltd. in London and with the Paribas Group in Paris and New York where he served as CEO of Paribas North America between 1984 and 1990.

 

Mr. Wilson has served on the Board of Trustees of a mutual fund complex managed by Victory Capital Management since 1993.  He currently serves as Independent Chairman of the Board.

 

The mutual fund complex is the largest client of Victory Capital Management high of Trustees of the mutual fund complex managed by Victory Capital Management, an independent investment management firm with total assets and advisement as of December 31, 2018 of $61.8 billion.

 

In March 2006, Mr. Wilson received the Mutual Fund Trustee of the Year Award from Institutional Investor Magazine.

 

Between March 2008 and October 2008, Mr. Wilson was an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company.

 

John Kelly - Non-Executive Director

 

Mr. John Lawson Kelly has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry in the U.S.A and international markets including emerging markets in Asia. Mr. Kelly is currently an Independent Trustee of the Victory Funds and a non-executive Member of CrossRoad LLC.  Within the last five years Mr. Kelly has been a partner of McCarvill Capital Partners and EndGate Commodities LLC, an officer of Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. and a director of Liquidnet Europe Ltd.  Mr. Kelly is a graduate of Yale University and the Yale School of Management.  

 

Johan Holtzhausen - Non-Executive Director

 

Mr. Johan Andries Holtzhausen is a retired partner of KPMG South Africa with 42 years of audit experience, of which 36 years were as a partner focused on the mining sector. Mr. Holtzhausen chaired the Mining Interest Group at KPMG South Africa and his clients included major listed mining companies operating in Africa and elsewhere, which operated across a broad range of commodities. In addition to his professional qualifications, Mr. Holtzhausen holds a B.Sc. from the University of Stellenbosch, majoring in chemistry and geology.

 

Mr. Holtzhausen is chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committees of Strategic Partners in Tourism and its related party the Tourism Micro Enterprises Support Fund, both of which are not-for-profit organizations. Until February 28, 2011, Mr. Holtzhausen served as a director of KPMG Inc. and KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd, both of which are private companies registered in South Africa and which provided audit, taxation and advisory services.

 

Dana Roets – Chief Operating Officer

 

Dana Roets is a qualified Mining Engineer and holds a B.Sc. Mining Engineering degree from Pretoria University (1986) and an MBA from the University of Cape Town (1995). Mr. Roets is a South African national with over 25 years of operational and managerial experience in the South African gold and platinum industries. He started his career with Gold Fields at the St Helena Gold Mine as a graduate trainee and progressed via various operational roles from being an underground shift boss to become Vice President and Head of Operations at Kloof Gold Mine in January 1999 at which time Kloof produced over 1,000,000 ounces of gold per annum. More recently, Mr. Roets was the COO at Great Basin Gold which had gold mining operations in the United States of America and South Africa.

 

44

 

 

Mark Learmonth Director and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Learmonth joined Caledonia in July 2008. Prior to this, he was a Division Director of Investment Banking at Macquarie First South in South Africa, and has over 17 years of experience in corporate finance and investment banking, predominantly in the resources sector. Mr. Learmonth graduated from Oxford University and is a chartered accountant. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Mines, Zimbabwe and is also a member of the Gold Producers Sub-Committee.

 

Mr. Learmonth was appointed Vice-President Finance, Chief Financial Officer of the Company in November 2014. Mr. Learmonth was responsible for Investor Relations and Corporate Development of the Company until the appointment of Mr. Maurice Mason.

 

John McGloin - Non-Executive Director

 

John McGloin is the former Chairman and Chief Executive of Amara Mining and is currently a Non-executive director of Perseus Mining. Mr. McGloin joined Caledonia in August 2016. He is a geologist and graduate of Camborne School of Mines.

 

Mr. McGloin worked for many years in Africa within the mining industry before moving into consultancy. He joined Arbuthnot Banking Group following four years at Evolution Securities as their mining analyst. He is also the former Head of Mining at Collins Stewart.

 

Maurice Mason - VP Corporate Development and Investor Relations

 

Mr. Maurice Mason is a dual South African and UK national, resident in London, who holds a BSc in Engineering from the University of Natal, South Africa and an MBA from Henley Management College. Mr. Mason’s career includes positions at Unilever, SABMiller and Anglo American. Most recently, Mr. Mason was director, Equity Research, for Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd covering mining companies listed in the UK. Mr. Mason has taken over the day-to-day responsibility for Investor Relations and Corporate Development from Mr. Learmonth, who, since November 2014 had combined this role with that of Chief Financial Officer.

 

Adam Chester – General Counsel, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance

 

In January 2017 Mr. Adam Chester joined the management team as General Counsel, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance. Mr. Chester is a dual qualified lawyer (England and Jersey, Channel Islands) and previously worked as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales at international law firms in the City of London and, more recently, as an advocate of the Royal Court of Jersey at an international offshore law firm in which he was a partner. He has approximately 15 years’ experience advising businesses and individuals on a variety of commercial and corporate legal issues. 

 

Arrangements, Understandings, etc.

 

Caledonia has no arrangements or understanding with any major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.

 

45

 

 

B. Compensation

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and principal position Year Salary Long term incentive plan (2) Annual incentive plans

All other

compensation

Total compensation
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (h) (i)

Steven Curtis

Chief Executive Officer

2018

2017

2016

450,000

428,637

428,637

80,562

363,948

214,282

-

-

-

45,000

48,000

42,867

575,562

840,585

685,786

Dana Roets

Chief Operating Officer

2018

2017

2016

418,182

418,182

418,182

52,678

237,966

140,107

-

-

-

41,818

47,000

41,818

512,678

703,148

600,107

Mark Learmonth

Chief Financial Officer

2018

2017

2016

410,000

410,000

410,000

43,267

229,218

122,410

-

-

-

41,000

44,000

41,000

494,267

683,218

573,410

Caxton Mangezi

General Manager and Director and General Manager of Blanket Mine

2018

2017

2016

358,503

348,400

348,400

43,379

195,967

115,383

-

-

-

124,518

117,322

173,638

526,400

661,689

637,421

Maurice Mason

VP Corporate Development and Investor Relations

2018

2017

2016

179,010

151,734

96,735

6,381

66,631

25,610

-

-

-

15,654

15,735

-

201,045

234,100

122,345

Adam Chester

General Counsel, Company Secretary and Head of Risk and Compliance

2018

2017

2016

359,178

257,489

-

14,936

70,019

-

-

-

-

32,768

26,686

-

406,882

354,194

-

 

(1) Bonuses paid to directors and key management (Refer to note 33 of the Consolidated Financial Statements)
(2) OEICP awards (also referred to herein as Long term incentive plan or LTIPs) represents the non-cash expense amount as determined by the method described in note 26.2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. None of the amounts presented have been paid to date and will vest on the dates mentioned in note 26.2 (a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Non-Executive Director fees were paid in equal quarterly payments in arrears during 2018. From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 the approved Non-executive Director fees amounted to $60,000 p.a. for Mr. J McGloin and $55,000 p.a. payable to all other Non-Executive Directors.

 

Long term incentive plan

The following key management members were granted RSUs and PSUs, pursuant to provisions of the OEICP. The outstanding RSUs and PSUs as at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Key management member   Vesting date   RSUs     PSUs  
Steve Curtis   January 11, 2019     28,755       100,645  
Dana Roets   January 11, 2019     18,802       65,806  
Mark Learmonth   January 11, 2019     6,267       21,935  
    March 23, 2019     12,309       43,871  
Caxton Mangezi   January 11,2019     15,483       54,193  
Maurice Mason   August 6, 2019     5,680       20,470  
Adam Chester   January 19, 2020     4,834       17,774  
Total         92,130       324,694  

 

For further detail on the RSUs and PSUs refer to note 26.2 (a) of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Refer to Item 6E for a breakdown of director equity options outstanding, these equity options and their grant dates.

 

46

 

 

Caledonia does not have a pension, retirement or similar benefits scheme for Directors.

 

C. Board Practices

 

The directors all hold their positions for an indefinite term, subject to re-election at each annual general meeting of the shareholders. The officers hold their positions subject to being removed by resolution of the board of directors. The term of office of each director expires as of the date that an annual general meeting of the shareholders is held, subject to the re-election of a particular director at such annual general meeting. The following persons comprise the following committees:

 

Audit Compensation Governance Nomination Disclosure
J Holtzhausen L Wilson L Wilson L Wilson M Learmonth
J McGloin J Kelly J Kelly J Holtzhausen S Curtis
J Kelly J Holtzhausen J McGloin J McGloin J Holtzhausen
        L Wilson
        J Kelly
        D Roets
Technical Strategic Planning     M Mason
J Holtzhausen L Wilson     A Chester
D Roets J Kelly      
J McGloin S Curtis      
S Curtis M Learmonth      
  D Roets      
  J McGloin      
 

J Holtzhausen

M Mason

     

 

Terms of reference of the Audit Committee are given in the charter of the Audit Committee. All charters of committees are available on the Company’s website or, on request, from the Company’s offices listed in this report.

 

The Audit Committee is comprised of the following directors: (i) Johan Holtzhausen (Chairperson), (ii) John McGloin, and (iii) John Kelly. Each member of the Audit Committee is considered independent as defined under Canadian National Instrument 52-110 and as defined pursuant to Section 803 of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide (as such definition may be modified or supplemented) and considered to be financially literate as such terms are defined under Canadian National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees.

 

Benefits upon termination is disclosed in note 33 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and an example contract is disclosed in Exhibit 4.2.

 

47

 

 

D. Employees

 

The average, approximate number of employees, their categories and geographic locations for each of the last 3 years are summarized in the table below:

 

Geographic Location and Number of Employees:

Employee Location   2016     2017     2018  
Total Employees                        
London, United Kingdom - Management and administration     1       1       1  
Jersey, Channel Islands - Management and administration     2       3       3  
South Africa - Management, administration and technical services     13       14       15  
Zimbabwe - Mine operations. (i)     1,282       1,410       1,445  
South Africa (Eersteling)     1       1       1  
Total Employees at all Locations     1,299       1,429       1,465  

 

(i) the number of employees in Zimbabwe varies slightly from month-to-month.

 

Management and Administration:            

Employee Locations:

  2016     2017     2018  
London, United Kingdom - Management and administration     1       1       1  
Jersey, Channel Islands - Management and administration     2       2       3  
Zimbabwe - Mine operations. (i)     42       44       44  
South Africa - Management, administration and technical services     13       12       14  
South Africa (Eersteling)     1       —         —    
Total Management and Administration     59       59       62  

 

E. Share Ownership

 

(a) The direct and indirect shareholdings of the Company’s directors, officers and senior management as at March 28, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Number of shares     Percentage share holding
L Wilson     52,000       0.48 %
S Curtis     161,382       1.50 %
M Learmonth     149,775       1.39 %
J. Kelly     29,493       0.27 %
D Roets     Nil       —    
J Holtzhausen     19,000       0.18 %
J McGloin     Nil       —    

M Mason

    7,000       0.07 %
A Chester     Nil       —    
Total     418,650       3.89 %

 

48

 

 

All of the shares held above are voting shares and do not have any different voting or other rights than the other outstanding shares of the Company.

 

The information as to shares beneficially owned or controlled or directed, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the respective directors, officers and senior management members individually.

 

(b) Share purchase options outstanding as of March 28, 2019:

 

Name       Exercise Price CAD     Expiry Date   Number of Options  
DSA Corporate Services   Advisor     4.00     October 7, 2020     5,000  
J McGloin   Non-Executive Director     11.50     October 13, 2021     18,000  
J Staiger   Advisor     8.10     May 30, 2022     5,000  
P Chidley   Advisor     *9.30     August 25, 2024     5,000  
P Durham   Advisor     *9.30     August 25, 2024     5,000  
TOTAL                     38,000  

 

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

 

In terms of the OEICP, the expiry of the options that expire in a closed period will be extended by 10 days from the cessation of the closed period.

 

ITEM 7 - MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

A. Major Shareholders

 

To the best of Caledonia's knowledge, as at March 28, 2019, we are aware of the following beneficial owners that directly or indirectly exercise control or direction over more than 5% of the voting rights to our shares.

 

Beneficial owner name  

Number of

Shares Held

   

Percentage of

Issued Shares

Allan Gray (through two of its funds)     2,070,348       19.26 %
Sales promotion Services S.A./ Heinrich Auwärter     918,773       8.55 %
TD Ameritrade     884,647       8.23 %
UBS, New York     572,280       5.32 %

 

All shareholders have the same voting rights as all other shareholders of Caledonia.

 

According to our share register on March 1, 2019 the shares of Caledonia (including those represented by depositary interests) were held in the following geographic locations:

 

Geographic Location

 

Number of

Shares Held  

   

Percentage of

Issued Shares

United Kingdom     4,870,561       45.53 %
USA     3,612,761       33.77 %
Canada     2,181,155       20.40 %
Other     32,340       0.30 %
      10,696,817       100 %

 

Caledonia is not aware of any arrangement which may at some subsequent date result in a change of control of Caledonia.

 

49

 

 

B. Related Party Transactions

 

No related party transactions other than in the normal course of employment and share based compensation. Refer to note 33 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for transactions with Key management personnel.

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

This Annual Report contains the audited Consolidated Financial Statements which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

 

Reference is made to page 66 where the Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on pages F1 – F65.

 

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Actions

 

To our knowledge, there are no legal proceedings material to us to which we are or were a party to or of which any of our properties are or were the subject of during the financial year ended December 31, 2018 nor are there any such proceedings known to us to be contemplated which would materially impact our financial position or ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, there were no (i) penalties or sanctions imposed against us by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority; (ii) penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body against us that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision, or (iii) settlement agreements we entered into before a court relating to securities legislation or with a securities regulatory authority.

 

Dividend policy

 

Following the Share Consolidation on June 26, 2017, the Company announced an increased quarterly dividend of 6.875 US cents (from the previous 1.375 US cents per share). The quarterly dividend of 6.875 US cents per quarter (payable at the end of January, April, July and October) represents Caledonia’s current dividend policy which is expected to be maintained.

 

B. Significant Changes

 

We have not experienced any significant changes since the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Annual Report except as disclosed in this Annual Report.

 

50

 

 

ITEM 9 - THE OFFERING AND LISTING

 

A. Offering and Listing Details

 

Not applicable.

 

B. Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

 

The Company’s shares trade on the TSX under the trading symbol “CAL” and on the NYSE American under the trading symbol “CMCL”. The Company’s depositary interests in the shares are admitted to trading on AIM under the trading symbol “CMCL”.

 

D. Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution

 

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A. Share Capital

 

Not Applicable.

 

B. Articles of Association

 

Securities Registrar

 

Computershare Investor Services Inc. is the transfer agent and registrar for the shares at its principal office in the City of Toronto, with branch registrars of transfers at Computershare Trust Company, N.A office in the City of Golden, Colorado. Computershare Investor Services PLC at its principal office in Bristol, United Kingdom is the transfer agent for the depositary interests.

 

Director’s power to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which the director is materially interested.

 

An interested director must disclose to the Company the nature and extent of any interest in a transaction with the Company, or one of its subsidiaries, which to a material extent conflicts or may conflict with its interests and of which the director is aware. Failure to disclose an interest entitles the Company or a shareholder to apply to the court for an order setting aside the transaction concerned and directing that the director account to the Company for any profit.

 

A transaction is not voidable and a director is not accountable notwithstanding a failure to disclose an interest if the transaction is confirmed by special resolution and the nature and extent of the director’s interest in the transaction are disclosed in reasonable detail in the notice calling the meeting at which the resolution is passed.

 

51

 

 

Although it may still order that a director account for any profit, a court will not set aside a transaction unless it is satisfied that the interests of third parties who have acted in good faith would not thereby be unfairly prejudiced and the transaction was not reasonable and fair in the Company’s interests at the time it was entered into.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Articles (as defined below) and save in respect of a limited number of instances as set out in the Articles, a director shall not vote on, or be counted in the quorum in relation to, any resolution of the board or of a committee of the board concerning any matter in which he has to his knowledge, directly or indirectly, an interest (other than his interest in shares or debentures or other securities of, or otherwise in or through, the Company) or duty which (together with any interest of a person connected with him) is material and, if he shall do so, his vote shall not be counted. 

 

Directors’ power, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body .

 

The compensation of the directors is decided by the directors unless the board of directors specifically requests approval of the compensation from the shareholders.  If the issuance of compensation to the directors is decided by the directors, a quorum is the majority of the directors in office.  The Articles do not require that the compensation of any director be approved by disinterested directors.

 

The Company has a compensation committee which is currently composed of three independent directors.  The compensation committee makes recommendations to the board with respect to compensation, including bonuses, incentive stock options and securities of directors and executive officers.

 

Borrowing powers exercisable by the directors and how such borrowing powers may be varied.

 

The board may exercise all the Company’s powers to borrow money, to guarantee, to indemnify and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the Company’s undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital and, subject to the Companies Law to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security, for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

The board shall restrict the Company’s borrowings and exercise all voting and other rights or powers of control exercisable by the Company in relation to its subsidiary undertakings (if any) so as to secure (but as regards subsidiary undertakings only in so far as by the exercise of such rights or powers of control the board can secure) that the aggregate principal amount from time to time outstanding of all borrowings by the Company’s group (exclusive of borrowings owing by one member of the Company’s group to another member of the Company’s group) shall not at any time without the previous sanction of an ordinary resolution of the Company exceed an amount equal to three times the Adjusted Capital and Reserves (as defined in the Articles).  The borrowing powers may be varied by amendment to the Articles which requires approval of the Company’s shareholders by special resolution, being a resolution passed by at least 2/3 majority of the votes cast on the resolution.

 

Retirement and non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement .

 

There are no such provisions applicable to the Company under the Articles or the Companies Law.

 

Number of shares required for a director’s qualification.

 

Under the Articles, the directors are not required to hold any shares as qualification for service on the board.

 

Place of Incorporation and Purpose

 

The Company was incorporated, effective February 5, 1992, by the amalgamation of three predecessor companies. It was registered in terms of the Canada Business Corporations Act. The company re-domiciled to Jersey, Channel Islands, effective March 19, 2016 through the Continuance process. The Continuance had no appreciable effect on the Company’s listing in Toronto, the admission of its depositary interests to trading on AIM in London or the trading facility on the OTCQX (from July 27, 2017 the OTCQX trading ceased and shares commenced trading on NYSE American) and the Company’s securities continued to be traded on these listing and trading platforms after the Continuance process was completed.

 

52

 

 

Neither the Company’s memorandum of association nor the Articles stipulate any particular objects or purposes of the Company and no objects or purposes are required to be stated by the Companies Law.

 

Articles of Association

 

At a special meeting of shareholders held on February 18, 2016, Caledonia’s shareholders voted in favor of a resolution to approve the Continuance. This resolution, inter alia, included provisions to replace Caledonia’s by-laws with new articles of association (the “ Articles ”). The Articles do not place any restrictions on the Company’s business.

 

The holders of the shares are entitled to one vote per share at all meetings of the shareholders of the Company. The holders of shares are also entitled to dividends, if and when declared, and the distribution of the residual assets of the Company in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. The Company's shares do not have pre-emptive rights to purchase additional shares.

 

No preference shares are currently issued and outstanding. Preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series composed of such number of shares with such preference, deferred or other special rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as specified in the Articles or as fixed before such issuance by a resolution passed by the directors and confirmed and declared by shareholders by a special resolution. The preference shares shall be entitled to preference over shares in respect of the payment of dividends and shall have priority over other shares in the event of a distribution of residual assets of the Company in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. The rights attaching to the shares or the preference shares can only be modified by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the relevant shareholders called for that purpose.

 

Meetings of Shareholders

 

The Articles require the Company to call an annual general meeting of shareholders within 13 months after holding the last preceding annual general meeting and permits the Company to call any other meeting of shareholders at any time. The Company is required to mail a notice of meeting and management information circular to registered shareholders not less than 21 clear days and not more than 60 days prior to the date of any annual or other general meeting of shareholders. These materials must also be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Articles provide that a quorum of two shareholders in person or represented by proxy holding or representing by proxy not less than 5% of the Company’s issued shares carrying the right to vote at the meeting is required to transact business at a general meeting. Shareholders, and their duly appointed proxies and corporate representatives, as well as the Company's auditors, are entitled to be admitted to the Company's annual and other general meetings of shareholders.

 

Limitations on the Right to Own Securities

 

There are no limitations on the rights to own securities in the Company.

 

Limitations on Restructuring

 

There is no provision in the Articles that would have the effect of placing any limitations on any corporate restructuring in addition to what would otherwise be required by applicable law.

 

Disclosure of Share Ownership

 

The Articles permit the Company to give a disclosure notice to any person that the Company has reasonable cause to believe is/was interested in the Company’s shares within the preceding three years; such notice may require the person to inform the Company whether that person holds/has held an interest in the Company’s shares. The Articles also incorporate by reference certain of the disclosure guidance and transparency rules (“ DTR ”) published by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. The DTR include, inter alia, a requirement that a shareholder must notify the Company of the percentage of its voting rights (held directly and indirectly) if the percentage of those voting rights reaches, exceeds or falls below 3% of the Company’s issued voting securities and each 1% threshold above 3%.

 

C. Material Contracts

 

We enter into various contracts in the normal course of business. On November 6, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a sale agreement with Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited (“ Fremiro ”) to purchase Femiro’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 remains subject to, amongst other things, approvals from various Zimbabwean regulatory authorities including the RBZ and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. 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.

 

53

 

 

As stated under Item 4 A Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited, the Group entered into a share sale agreement with SH Minerals to sell the shares of Eersteling on July 12, 2016. The initial share sale agreement was amended on May 31, 2018 to allow for a purchase price of $3 million settled through three payments of $1 million payable on the completion date, 12 and 18 months after the completion date. The share sale agreement was suspended, subject to the conclusion of the rock dump sale (refer note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements) and for SH Minerals to obtain funding for the purchase price for the sale. In February 2019 an amount of ZAR13 million ($1 million) was received as payment towards the purchase price. The payment received in February 2019 effectively transferred the registered and beneficial ownership of Eersteling to SH Minerals and the Group relinquished control.

 

The material contracts above are disclosed as Exhibit 4.5 and 4.7 under Item 19.

 

D. Exchange Controls

 

There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations existing in Jersey, Channel Islands, which restrict the export or import of capital, or the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of Caledonia's securities, nor does Jersey, Channel Islands have foreign exchange currency controls. Exchange control approvals from the RBZ and the Reserve Bank of South Africa are required on the flow of funds in and out of Zimbabwe and South Africa; Caledonia has obtained the necessary approvals from the RBZ and the Reserve Bank of South Africa to transfer foreign currency during 2018.

 

E. Taxation

 

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares. This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including without limitation specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares. In addition, except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares. No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary are based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.

 

Scope of this Summary

 

Authorities

 

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation.

 

54

 

 

U.S. Holders

 

For purposes of this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

·    a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

·    an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

·     a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed

 

This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, the following U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the USD; (e) own shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) acquired shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); or (h) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power or value of the outstanding shares of the Company. U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S are required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares.

 

If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will depend on the activities of the entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such owner. Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of shares.

 

Ownership and Disposition of shares

 

The following discussion is subject to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”.

 

Taxation of Distributions

 

A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any foreign income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares (see “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of shares” below). However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder may have to assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on shares by corporate U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction”. Subject to applicable limitations and provided the shares are readily tradable on a United States securities market dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC (as defined below) in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.

 

55

 

 

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares

 

A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, such shares are held for more than one year.

 

Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) Rules

 

If the Company were to constitute a PFIC for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain potentially adverse rules would affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares. The Company believes that it was not a PFIC for the tax year ended December 31, 2018. No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. However, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of the tax year in question, and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Company has never been and will not become a PFIC for any tax year during which U.S. Holders hold shares.

 

In addition, in any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. A failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621.

 

The Company generally will be a PFIC under Section 1297 of the Code if, after the application of certain “look-through” rules with respect to subsidiaries in which the Company holds at least 25% of the value of such subsidiary, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company for such tax year is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Company’s assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”), based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets. “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income” generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions. Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded from passive income if substantially all of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade or inventory, depreciable property used in a trade or business or supplies regularly used or consumed in the ordinary course of its trade or business, and certain other requirements are satisfied.

 

If the Company were a PFIC in any tax year during which a U.S. Holder held shares, such holder generally would be subject to special rules with respect to “excess distributions” made by the Company on the shares and with respect to gain from the disposition of shares. An “excess distribution” generally is defined as the excess of distributions with respect to the shares received by a U.S Holder in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder has received from the Company during the shorter of the three preceding tax years, or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of the shares ratably over its holding period for the shares. Such amounts allocated to the year of the disposition or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would apply.

 

56

 

 

While there are U.S. federal income tax elections that sometimes can be made to mitigate these adverse tax consequences (including the “QEF Election” under Section 1295 of the Code and the “Mark-to-Market Election” under Section 1296 of the Code), such elections are available in limited circumstances and must be made in a timely manner.

 

U.S. Holders should be aware that, for each tax year, if any, that the Company is a PFIC, the Company can provide no assurances that it will satisfy the record keeping requirements of a PFIC, or that it will make available to U.S. Holders the information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election with respect to the Company or any subsidiary that also is classified as a PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership and disposition of shares, and the availability of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.

 

Additional Considerations

 

Additional Tax on Passive Income

 

Certain individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% surtax on “net investment income” including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). Special rules apply to PFICs. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of shares.

 

Receipt of Foreign Currency

 

The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or payment received on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares, generally will be equal to the USD value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into USD at that time). A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its USD value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method with respect to foreign currency received upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.

 

Foreign Tax Credit

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) foreign income tax with respect to dividends paid on the shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such foreign income tax. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.

 

Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.

 

57

 

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Under U.S. federal income tax law and Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.

 

Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 24%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

The discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax, and under certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not applicable.

 

G. Statement by Experts

 

Not applicable.

 

H. Documents on Display

 

Any statement in this Annual Report about any of our contracts or other documents is not necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report, the contract or document is deemed to modify the description contained in this Annual Report. Readers must review the exhibits themselves for a complete description of the contract or document.

 

Readers may review a copy of our filings with the SEC, including exhibits and schedules filed with it, at the SEC's public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Readers may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, submissions and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.

 

Readers may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file with the SEC at the address indicated above and may also access them electronically at the website set forth above. These SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services.

 

58

 

 

We are required to file reports and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Reports and other information filed by us with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s public reference facilities described above.

 

We also file certain reports with the Canadian Securities Administrators that you may obtain through access of the SEDAR website, www.sedar.com.

 

Copies of our material contracts are kept at our registered office.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

See Item 4.C for information regarding the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

ITEM 11 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks by virtue of its activities. The overall financial risk management program focuses on preservation of capital, and protecting current and future Company assets and cash flows by reducing exposure to risks posed by the uncertainties and volatilities of financial markets.

 

The board of directors of the Company has responsibility to ensure that an adequate financial risk management policy is established and to approve the policy. The Company’s Audit Committee oversees management’s compliance with the Company’s financial risk management policy.

 

The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value unless otherwise noted. The types of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are as follows:

 

A. Currency Risk

 

The Group is exposed to currency risk to the extent that there is a mismatch between the currency that it transacts in and the functional currency. The results of the Group’s operations are subject to currency transaction risk and currency translation risk. The operating results and financial position of the Group are reported in USD in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The fluctuation of the USD in relation to other currencies that entities, within the Group, may transact in will consequently have an impact upon the profitability of the Group and may also affect the value of the Group’s assets and liabilities. As noted below, the Group has certain financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company. To reduce exposure to currency transaction risk, the Group regularly reviews the currency in which it spends its cash to identify and avoid specific expenditures in currencies that experience inflationary pressures. Further the Group aims to maintain cash and cash equivalents in USD to avoid foreign exchange exposure and to meet short-term liquidity requirements.

 

B. Sensitivity Analysis

 

As a result of the Group’s monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies which is different to the functional currency of the underlying entities, the profit or loss and equity in the underlying entities could be affected by movements between the functional currency and the foreign currency. The table below indicates consolidated monetary assets/ (liabilities) in the Group that have a different functional currency and foreign currency.

 

59

 

 

    2018
USD’000
    2017
USD’000
    2016
USD‘000
 
    Functional currency     Functional currency     Functional currency  
    ZAR     USD     ZAR     USD     ZAR     USD  
Cash and cash equivalents     57       *8,147       57       601       457       265  
Trade and other receivables     —         126       —         —         —         —    
Trade and other payables     —         (345 )     —         —         —         (43 )
Term loan     —         *(5,960 )     —         —         —         (2,987 )
      57       1,968       57       601       457       (2,765 )

 

A reasonably possible strengthening or weakening of 5% of the various functional currencies against the foreign currencies would have the following equal or opposite effect on profit or loss before tax for the Group:

 

    2018
USD’000
    2017
USD‘000
    2016
USD’000
 
    Functional currency     Functional currency     Functional currency  
    ZAR     USD     ZAR     USD     ZAR     USD  
Cash and cash equivalents     3       388       3       30       23       13  
Trade and other receivables     —         6       —         —         —         —    
Trade and other payables     —         (16 )     —         —         —         2  
Term loan     —         (283 )     —         —         —         —    

 

* Of the cash and cash equivalents and term loan facility $6,560 (2017:Nil) and $5,960 (2017:Nil) are denominated in RTGS$ respectively.

 

C. Interest Rate Risk

 

The Group's interest rate risk arises from loans and borrowings, overdraft facility and cash held. The loans and borrowings, overdraft facility and cash held have variable interest rate borrowings. Variable rate borrowings expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. The Group has not entered into interest rate swap agreements.

 

The Group’s assets and (liabilities) exposed to interest rate fluctuations as at year end is summarized as follows:

 

    2018     2017     2016  
Term loan     5,960       (1,486 )     (2,987 )
Cash and cash equivalents     11,187       12,756       14,335  

 

Interest rate risk arising is offset by available cash and cash equivalents. The table below summarises the effect of a change in finance cost on the Group’s profit or loss and equity for the year, had the rates charged differed.

 

Sensitivity analysis – cash and cash equivalents

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Increase in 100 basis points     111       128       143  
Decrease in 100 basis points     (111 )     (128 )     (143 )

 

Sensitivity analysis – term loan

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Increase in 100 basis points     (60 )     (15 )     (30 )
Decrease in 100 basis points     60       15       30  

 

60

 

 

D. Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk of a financial loss to the Company if a debtor fails to meet its contractual obligation. From 2014, gold sales were made to Fidelity in Zimbabwe and the payment terms stipulated in the service delivery contract have been adhered to in all instances. Trade and other receivables are analysed in note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and include $2,7 million (2017: $1,4 million; 2016: $1,0 million) due from Fidelity in respect of gold deliveries immediately prior to the close of business at the end of 2018 and $2,7 million (2017: $2,9 million; 2016: $1,9 million) due from the Zimbabwe government in respect of VAT refunds. The amount due from Fidelity was paid in full after year end; the outstanding balance at December 31, 2018 reflects a normal balance in the context of the timing of bullion shipments to Fidelity and payments from Fidelity for bullion received. The amount due in respect of the longer-outstanding VAT refunds were within the agreed terms.

 

E. Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group manages its liquidity risk by ensuring that there is sufficient cash to meet its likely cash requirements, after taking into account cash flows from operations and the Group’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents. The Group believes that these sources will be sufficient to cover the anticipated cash requirements. Senior management is also actively involved in the review and approval of planned expenditures by regularly monitoring cash flows from operations and anticipated investing and financing activities.

 

F. Market Risk – Gold Price

 

The value of the Company’s mineral properties is related to the price of gold and the outlook for these minerals. In addition, adverse changes in the price of certain key or high cost operating consumables can significantly impair the Company’s cash flows.

 

Gold prices historically have fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company's control, including, but not limited to, industrial and retail demand, central bank lending, forward sales by producers and speculators, levels of worldwide production, short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative hedging activities, and macro-economic variables, and certain other factors related specifically to gold.

 

On August 17, 2018 the Company entered into a hedge in respect of 8,000 ounces of gold over a period of 4 months. The hedge protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,150 per ounce and gave Caledonia full participation if the price of gold exceeded $1,195 per ounce. The derivative contract resulted in a loss of $360,000 and was included in profit or loss.

 

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 protects the Company if the gold price falls 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, not as a speculative investment.

 

ITEM 12 - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

61

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 13 - DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARS AND DELINQUENCIES

 

There has not been a material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking or purchase fund installment, or any other material default not cured within thirty days, relating to indebtedness of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries. There are no payments of dividends by the Company in arrears, nor has there been any other material delinquency relating to any class of preference shares of the Company.

 

ITEM 14 - MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

A. to D.

 

None.

 

E.                  Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 15 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

A.                   Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) and Chief Financial Officer (“ CFO ”) have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and assessed the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. As required by Rule 13(a)-15 under the Exchange Act, in connection with this Annual Report on Form 20-F, under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018, and we have concluded our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as at December 31, 2018.

 

B.                   Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance with respect to the reliability of financial reporting and the presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.

 

As of the date of this filing, we have in place controls and procedures to maintain appropriate segregation of duties in our manual and computer based business processes that we believe are appropriate for a company of our size and extent of business transactions. Under the supervision and with the participation of the CEO and CFO, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making their assessment, management used the control objectives established in the 2013 Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“ COSO ”) framework. Based upon that assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

 

62

 

 

C.                   Attestation report of registered public accounting firm

 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which permits us to provide only management's report in this Annual Report; the Dodd-Frank Act permits a "non-accelerated filer" to provide only management's report on internal control over financial reporting in an Annual Report and omit an attestation report of the issuer's registered public accounting firm regarding management's report on internal control over financial reporting and (ii) as we qualify as an "emerging growth company" under section 3(a) of the Exchange Act (as amended by the JOBS Act, enacted on April 5, 2012), and are therefore exempt from the attestation requirement.

 

D.                   Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of 17 CFR 240.13a-15 or 240.15d-15 that occurred during the period covered by this Annual Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A - AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Caledonia’s board of directors has determined, as at March 28, 2019 that the three members of its Audit Committee are considered independent as defined under Canadian National Instrument 52-110 and as defined pursuant to Section 803 of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide (as such definition may be modified or supplemented) and considered to be financially literate as such terms are defined under Canadian National Instrument 52-110 and one of the members can be considered to be an expert. The financial expert serving on the Audit Committee is Mr. J. Holtzhausen. Messrs. J. Holtzhausen, J. Kelly and J McGloin are all independent directors under the applicable rules.

 

The SEC has indicated that the designation of an audit committee financial expert does not make that person an "expert" for any purpose, impose any duties, obligations, or liability on that person that are greater than those imposed on members of the Audit Committee and board of directors who do not carry this designation, or affect the duties, obligations, or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee.

 

ITEM 16B - CODE OF ETHICS

 

On November 8, 2016 the registrant’s board of directors approved in principle, and the Company formally adopted on March 7, 2017, a revised code of business conduct, ethics and anti-bribery policy that applies to the registrant’s directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and all other employees and contractors. The code was further revised and the updated version was adopted on July 27, 2017.

 

The text of this code is available on the Company’s website (www.caledoniamining.com/index.php/aboutus/corporate-governance).

 

63

 

 

ITEM 16C - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by our external auditors, unless stated otherwise, for the years indicated:

 

    (1)(2) 2018     (1)(3) 2017  
 Audit fees     157,849       179,588  
Audit – related fees     —         —    
Tax fees     —         —    
All other fees     19,598       10,508  
TOTAL     177,447       190,096  

 

Notes:

(1) Prior to the start of the audit process, Caledonia’s Audit Committee receives an estimate of the costs from its auditors and reviews such costs for their reasonableness. After their review and pre-approval of the fees, the Audit Committee recommends to the board of directors whether to accept the estimated audit fees given by the auditors.
(2) Represents fees billed by KPMG Inc.
(3) Represents fees billed by KPMG Inc.

 

 

ITEM 16D - EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E - PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16F - CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

In 2018, the Audit Committee of the board of directors of the Company conducted a review of the Company’s audit requirements and, as a result of the review, the Audit Committee determined not to propose the reappointment of KPMG Inc. (“ KPMG ”) as the Company’s auditor at the 2018 annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (“ 2018 AGM ”) and to propose Grant Thornton Johannesburg Partnership (“ Grant Thornton ”) as the Company’s auditor until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.

 

On May 8, 2018, the board of directors of the Company approved the recommendation of the Audit Committee and resolved a resolution to appoint Grant Thornton as the Company’s auditor at the 2018 AGM be put to the shareholders.

 

On June 27, 2018, at the 2018 AGM, the appointment of Grant Thornton as the auditors of the Company until the next annual general meeting of shareholder was approved unanimously by way of a show of hands.

 

On 1 December 2018 Grant Thornton merged with BDO South Africa Inc. and BDO South Africa Inc. became the auditor of the Company.

 

 

The report issued by KPMG for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 did not contain an adverse opinion nor a disclaimer opinion nor was qualified nor modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

During the two most recent reporting years of December 31, 2017 and 2016 there were no disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

64

 

 

The disclosure required pursuant to this Item 16F was included in the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on May 18, 2018, including Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3, which are hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 16G - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Because our securities are listed on NYSE American, being a national securities exchange in the United States, we are subject to the corporate governance requirements set out in the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. We are also subject to a variety of corporate governance guidelines and requirements enacted by the jurisdictions and exchanges in which we operate our business and on which our securities are traded. We incorporate a mix of corporate governance best practices to ensure that our corporate governance complies in all material respects with the requirements of the jurisdictions in which we operate and the exchanges on which our securities are traded. 

 

Section 110 of the NYSE American Company Guide permits NYSE American to consider the laws, customs and practices of foreign issuers, and to grant exemptions from NYSE American listing criteria based on these considerations. A company seeking relief under these provisions is required to provide written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by home country law. A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to NYSE American standards is as follows:

 

Shareholder Meeting Quorum Requirement : the NYSE American Company Guide specifies a quorum requirement of at least 33-1/3% of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote for meetings of a listed company's shareholders. The Company's quorum requirements for shareholder meetings, as set forth in the Articles, is two members entitled to vote at the meeting present in person or by proxy together holding or representing by proxy not less than five per cent of the issued shares of the Company. The Company's quorum requirement as set forth in the Articles is not prohibited by, and does not contravene, the Companies Law.

 

Proxy Delivery Requirement : the NYSE American requires the solicitation of proxies and delivery of proxy statements for all shareholder meetings, and requires that these proxies be solicited pursuant to a proxy statement that conforms to SEC proxy rules. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, and the equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from the proxy rules set forth in Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c) and 14(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company complies with the applicable rules and regulations in Jersey.

 

In addition, the Company may from time-to-time seek relief from NYSE American corporate governance requirements on specific transactions under Section 110 of the NYSE American Company Guide by providing written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by our home country law, in which case, the Company shall make the disclosure of such transactions available on its website at http://www.caledoniamining.com. Information contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Form 20-F.  

 

ITEM 16H - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

65

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

See Item 18.

 

ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements and schedules appear on pages F-1 through F-66 of this Annual Report and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audited financial statements as prepared by our management and approved by the board of directors include:

 

Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

All the above statements are available on the Company’s website at www.caledoniamining.com or under the Company’s profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“ SEDAR ”) at www.sedar.com

 

ITEM 19 - EXHIBITS

 

Financial Statements

 

Description   Page
     
Financial Statements and Notes   F1- F66

 

Exhibit List

 

Exhibit No. Name
1.1 Articles of Association (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2016)
4.1 OEICP (revised 2015) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015)
4.2 Employment contracts/executive employment agreements (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017)
4.3 Share Subscription Agreements – Blanket Mine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 15.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015)
4.4 Addendum to share subscription agreements – FREMIRO, GCSOT, NIEEF, BETS [(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018)]
4.5 Share Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Fremiro, dated November 6, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference Exhibit 4.5 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2019)
4.6 January 11, 2019 PSU contract example (incorporated herein by reference Exhibit 4.6 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2019)
4.7 Eersteling sale agreements (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2019)
8.1 List of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc group entities (incorporated herein by reference Exhibit 8.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2019)

 

66

 

 

Exhibit No. Name
12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
15.1 Property and Claims Information of Blanket Mine (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 15.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015)
15.2 Notice of Change of Auditor (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 18, 2018)
15.3 Letter from BDO South Africa Incorporated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 18, 2018)
15.4 Letter from KPMG (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2018)
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

67

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

St Helier, Jersey Channel Islands

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc and subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2018, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group at December 31, 2018, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018 , in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Group is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

BDO South Africa Inc.

 

We have served as the Group's auditor since 2018

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

 

Wanderers Office Park

52 Corlett Drive

Illovo, 2196

March 28, 2019

 

 

F- 1

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the changes in accounting described in notes 4 (a) and (b), the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the Company) as of December 31, 2017, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). The 2017 and 2016 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments described in notes 4 (a) and (b) are not presented herein. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the changes in accounting described in notes 4 (a) and (b), present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and its financial performance and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the changes in accounting described in notes 4 (a) and (b) and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor from 2013 to 2017.

 

 

KPMG Inc

 

85 Empire Road

Parktown

Johannesburg

South Africa

March 28, 2019

 

 

F- 2

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

 

(In thousands of United States Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

For the years ended December 31   Notes     2018     *2017     *2016  
Revenue           68,399       69,762       61,992  
Less: Royalties           (3,426 )     (3,498 )     (2,923 )
Production costs   9       (39,315 )     (36,180 )     (32,086 )
Depreciation   17       (4,071 )     (3,763 )     (3,491 )
Gross profit           21,587       26,321       23,492  
Other income   10       7,101       2,594       1,330  
Other expenses           (336 )     (14 )     (55 )
Impairment loss on trade receivables   11       —         (181 )     —    
Administrative expenses   13       (6,465 )     (5,911 )     (7,263 )
Equity-settled share-based expense   26.1       (14 )     (835 )     (170 )
Cash-settled share-based expense   26.2       (315 )     (976 )     (618 )
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury bills   12       —         —         3,202  
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)           223       (380 )     (505 )
Loss on settlement of hedge   15       (360 )     —         (435 )
Operating profit           21,421       20,618       18,978  
Finance income   14       53       38       16  
Finance cost   14       (273 )     (69 )     (192 )
Profit before tax           21,201       20,587       18,802  
Tax expense   16       (7,445 )     (8,691 )     (7,717 )
Profit for the year           13,756       11,896       11,085  
Other comprehensive income                              
Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss                              
Foreign currency translation differences of foreign operations           (676 )     373       262  
Total comprehensive income for the year           13,080       12,269       11,347  
                               
Profit attributable to:                              
Owners of the Company           10,766       9,384       8,526  
Non-controlling interests           2,990       2,512       2,559  
Profit for the year           13,756       11,896       11,085  
Total comprehensive income attributable to:                              
Owners of the Company           10,090       9,757       8,788  
Non-controlling interests           2,990       2,512       2,559  
Total comprehensive income for the year           13,080       12,269       11,347  
                               
Earnings per share                              
Basic earnings - per share ($)   24       0.99       0.86       0.79  
Diluted earnings per share ($)   24       0.99       0.86       0.79  

 

The accompanying notes on page F-7 to F-66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

* Re-classified, refer note 4(a).

 

 

F- 3

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Consolidated statements of financial position

 

(In thousands of United States Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

As at 31December   Notes     2018     2017  
Assets                      
Property, plant and equipment   17       97,427       82,078  
Deferred tax asset   16       98       65  
Total non-current assets           97,525       82,143  
                       
Inventories   18       9,427       9,175  
Prepayments           866       709  
Trade and other receivables   19       6,392       4,962  
Cash and cash equivalents   20       11,187       13,067  
            27,872       27,913  
Assets held for sale   21       296       —    
Total current assets           28,168       27,913  
Total assets           125,693       110,056  
                       
Equity and liabilities                      
Share capital   22       55,102       55,102  
Reserves   23       142,790       143,452  
Retained loss           (127,429 )     (135,287 )
Equity attributable to shareholders           70,463       63,267  
Non-controlling interests   36       8,345       5,944  
Total equity           78,808       69,211  
                       
Liabilities                      
Provisions   25       3,309       3,797  
Deferred tax liability   16       23,328       19,620  
Long-term portion of term loan facility   27       5,960       —    
Cash-settled share-based payments   26.2       2,090       1,826  
Total non-current liabilities           34,687       25,243  
                       
Short-term portion of term loan facility   27       —         1,486  
Trade and other payables   28       10,051       12,660  
Income tax payable   16       1,538       1,145  
Overdraft   20       —         311  
            11,589       15,602  
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale   21       609       —    
Total current liabilities           12,198       15,602  
Total liabilities           46,885       40,845  
Total equity and liabilities           125,693       110,056  

 

The accompanying notes on page F-7 to F-66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 4

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

 

(In thousands of United States Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

    Notes    

Share

capital

    Foreign Currency Translation Reserve     Contributed Surplus     Equity- settled Share- based payment reserve     Retained Loss     Equity attributable to shareholders     Non- controlling interests (“NCI”)     Total Equity  
Balance at January 1, 2016           54,569       (6,520 )     132,591       15,871       (147,654 )     48,857       1,504       50,361  
Transactions with owners:                                                                      
Equity-settled share-based expense transactions   26.1       —         —         —         170       —         170       —         170  
Shares issued – Option exercises   22       433       —         —         —         —         433       —         433  
Dividends paid           —         —         —         —         (2,639 )     (2,639 )     (355 )     (2,994 )
Total comprehensive income:                                                                      
Profit for the year           —         —         —         —         8,526       8,526       2,559       11,085  
Other comprehensive income for the year           —         262       —         —         —         262       —         262  
Balance at December 31, 2016           55,002       (6,258 )     132,591       16,041       (141,767 )     55,609       3,708       59,317  
Transactions with owners:                                                                      
Equity-settled share-based expense transactions   26.1       —         —         —         705       —         705       130       835  
Shares issued – Option exercises   22       246       —         —         —         —         246       —         246  
Shares repurchased   22       (146 )     —         —         —         —         (146 )     —         (146 )
Dividends paid           —         —         —         —         (2,904 )     (2,904 )     (406 )     (3,310 )
Total comprehensive income:                                                                      
Profit for the year           —         —         —         —         9,384       9,384       2,512       11,896  
Other comprehensive income for the year           —         373       —         —         —         373       —         373  
Balance at December 31, 2017           55,102       (5,885 )     132,591       16,746       (135,287 )     63,267       5,944       69,211  
Transactions with owners:                                                                      
Equity-settled share-based expense transactions   26.1       —         —         —         14       —         14       —         14  
Dividends paid           —         —         —         —         (2,908 )     (2,908 )     (589 )     (3,497 )
Total comprehensive income:                                                                      
Profit for the year           —         —         —         —         10,766       10,766       2,990       13,756  
Other comprehensive income for the year           —         (676 )     —         —         —         (676 )     —         (676 )
Balance at December 31, 2018           55,102       (6,561 )     132,591       16,760       (127,429 )     70,463       8,345       78,808  
Notes           22       23       23       23                       36          

 

The accompanying notes on page F-7 to F-66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F- 5

 

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Consolidated Statements of cash flows

 

For the years ended December 31                        
(In thousands of United States Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)      
    Note     2018     2017     2016  
                         
Cash flows from operating activities   29       21,119       28,885       25,671  
Interest received           53       38       16  
Interest paid           (161 )     (199 )     (210 )
Tax paid   16       (3,344 )     (4,212 )     (2,466 )
Net cash from operating activities           17,667       24,512       23,011  
                               
Cash flows from investing activities                              
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment           (20,192 )     (21,639 )     (19,885 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment           —         —         3  
Net cash used in investing activities           (20,192 )     (21,639 )     (19,882 )
                               
Cash flows from financing activities                              
Dividends paid           (3,497 )     (3,310 )     (2,994 )
Term loan repayments   27       (1,500 )     (1,500 )     —    
Term loan proceeds   27       6,000       —         3,000  
Term loan transaction costs   27       (60 )     —         (73 )
Proceeds from issue of share capital           —         246       433  
Share repurchase cost           —         (146 )     —    
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities           943       (4,710 )     366  
                               
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents           (1,582 )     (1,837 )     3,495  
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held           13       258       (40 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year           12,756       14,335       10,880  
Net cash and cash equivalents at year end   20       11,187       12,756       14,335  

 

The accompanying notes on page F-7 to F-66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F- 6

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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

 

 

1       Reporting 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 consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, notes, significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. 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”).

 

2       Basis for preparation

 

i)                  Statement of compliance

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on March 20, 2019.

 

ii)                   Basis of measurement

 

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

 

· equity-settled share-based payment arrangements measured at fair value on grant date;

 

· cash-settled share-based payment arrangements measured at fair value on grant and re-measurement dates; and

 

· derivative financial instruments measured at fair value.

 

iii)                 Functional currency

 

These consolidated 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 have been rounded to the nearest thousand, unless indicated otherwise.

 

F- 7

 

 

3       Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements

 

In preparing these consolidated 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.

 

(a) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

 

i) Depreciation of Property, plant and equipment

 

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 is able to demonstrate the economic recovery of resources with a high level of confidence, such additional resources, are included in the calculation of depreciation.

 

Other items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated as described in note 5(f)(iv) Useful lives .

 

ii) 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 during 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,

 

F- 8

 

 

3       Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements (continued)

 

(a)       Assumptions and estimation uncertainties (continued)

 

ii)       Mineral reserves and resources (continued)

 

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 a number of 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 and resources which may affect expectations about the timing or cost of these activities.

 

iii)       Blanket mine’s indigenisation transaction

 

The initial indigenisation transaction and modifications to the indigenisation transaction of Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited (“Blanket Mine”) required management to make significant assumptions and estimates which are explained in note 6.

 

F- 9

 

 

3       Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements (continued)

 

(a)          Assumptions and estimation uncertainties (continued)

 

iv) 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 2018. The restoration provision for Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited was estimated based on an internal management assessment in 2017. Assumptions and estimates 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 where the time value of money effect is significant. Assumptions, based on the current economic environment, have been made that 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. The final cost of the currently recognised site rehabilitation provisions may be higher or lower than currently provided for (Refer to note 25).

 

v) Exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) assets

 

The Group also makes assumptions and estimates regarding the possible impairment of E&E assets 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. Assumptions and estimates made may change if new information becomes available. If information becomes available suggesting that the recovery of expenditures is unlikely, the amount capitalised is written off in profit or loss in the period the new information becomes available. The recoverability of the carrying amount of exploration and evaluation assets depends on 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.

 

vi) Income taxes

 

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; however, the final outcome may result in a materially different outcome than the amount included in the tax liabilities. In addition, the Group makes assumptions and estimates in recognising 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 may be utilised or sufficient estimated taxable income against which the losses can be utilised.

 

F- 10

 

 

3      Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements (continued)

 

(a) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties (continued)

 

vii) Share-based payment transactions

 

Equity-settled share-based payment arrangements

 

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled share-based payment transactions with employees, directors and Blanket’s indigenous shareholders (refer notes 6 and 26.1) by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments on the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determining the appropriate valuation model and considering the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option, volatility and dividend yield. Additional information about significant assumptions and estimates for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 26.1.

 

Option pricing models require the input of assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore the existing models may not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Group’s share options.

 

Cash-settled share-based payment arrangements

 

The fair value of the amount payable to employees in respect of share-based awards which will 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 change in the fair value of the liability is recognised in profit or loss.

 

Additional information about significant assumptions and estimates used to determine the fair value of cash settled share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 26.2.

 

viii) Impairment

 

Non-financial assets

 

At each reporting date, the Group determines if impairment indicators exist, and if present, performs an impairment review of the non-financial assets held in the Group. The exercise is subject to various assumptions and estimates.

 

F- 11

 

 

3       Use of accounting assumptions, estimates and judgements (continued)

 

(a) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties (continued)

 

viii) Impairment (continued)

 

Non-derivative financial assets

 

The Group makes use of a simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables and records the loss allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. The Company uses its historical experience, external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses using a provision matrix.

 

(b)       Judgements

 

Judgement is required when assessing whether an entity is controlled by the group or not. Controlled entities are consolidated. Further information is given in notes 5(a) and 6.

 

Refer to note 5(b)(ii) for judgement applied to determine functional currency of entities in the Group and the rate of exchange to translate the Zimbabwean real time gross settlement, bond notes or bond coins (“RTGS$”).

 

4       Change in significant accounting policies

 

The Group has applied IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 from January 1, 2018. The adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

 

(a)       IFRS 9 – Financial instruments

 

IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

 

As a result of the adoption of IFRS 9, the Group has adopted consequential amendments to IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements, which require impairment of financial assets to be presented in a separate line item in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Previously, the Group’s approach was to include the impairment of the royalty rebate in other expenses. Consequently, the Group reclassified impairment losses amounting to $181, recognised under IAS 39, from other expenses to impairment loss on trade receivables in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

F- 12

 

 

4       Change in significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(a)       IFRS 9 – Financial instruments (continued)

 

IFRS 9 contains three principal classification categories for financial assets: measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income and fair value through profit or loss. The classification of financial assets under IFRS 9 is generally based on the business model in which a financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics. IFRS 9 eliminates the previous IAS 39 categories of held to maturity, loans and receivables and available for sale.

 

IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements in IAS 39 for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities.

 

IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the ‘expected credit loss (“ECL”) model’. This replaces IAS 39’s ‘incurred loss model’. Instruments within the scope of the new requirements included loans and other debt-type financial assets measured at amortised cost and fair value through other comprehensive income, trade receivables, contract assets recognised and measured under IFRS 15 and loan commitments and some financial guarantee contracts (for the issuer) that are not measured at fair value through profit or loss.

 

Recognition of credit losses is no longer dependent on the Group first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the Group considers a broader range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future cash flows of the instrument.

 

The limited retrospective approach followed in the adoption of IFRS 9 did not have a significant effect on the Group’s financial assets and liabilities.

 

For an explanation of how the Group classifies and measures financial instruments and accounts for related gains and losses under IFRS 9, refer to note 5(c).

 

(b)       IFRS 15 - Revenue

 

IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaced IAS 18 - Revenue, IAS 11 - Construction Contracts and related interpretations. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of the goods or services. Determining the timing of the transfer of control, at a point in time or over time, requires judgement.

 

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 from January 1, 2018. The Group’s revenue arrangements consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods. As a result, the Group did not identify any material differences in the amount and timing of revenue recognition for its revenue. Accordingly, the Group did not record any transition adjustment upon adoption of the new guidance. Under the new standard, substantially all of the Group’s revenue is recognised when the goods are delivered to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited.

 

F- 13

 

 

5       Significant accounting policies

 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements except as disclosed in note 4(a).

 

(a) Basis of consolidation

 

i)               Subsidiaries and structured entities

 

Subsidiaries and certain structured entities are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variability in returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

 

ii)               Loss of control

 

When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related Non-controlling interests (“NCI”) and other components of equity. Any gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

 

iii)               Non-controlling interests

 

NCI are measured at their proportionate share of the carrying amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets at fair value at the acquisition date. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

 

iv)               Transactions eliminated on consolidation

 

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

 

F- 14

 

 

5       Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(b) Foreign currency

 

i) Foreign operations

 

As stated in note 2(iii) the presentation currency of the Group is the United States Dollar. The functional currency of the Company and all its subsidiaries is the United States Dollar except for the South African subsidiaries that use the South African Rand (“ZAR”) as functional currency. Subsidiary financial statements have been translated to the presentation currency as follows:

 

· assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate at period end; and

 

· income, expenses and cash flow items are translated using the rate that approximates the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

 

When the settlement of a monetary item receivable from or payable to a foreign operation is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable future, foreign exchange gains and losses arising from the item are considered to form part of the net investment in a foreign operation and are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”). If settlement is planned or likely in the foreseeable future, foreign exchange gains and losses are included in profit or loss. When settlement occurs, settlement will not be regarded as a partial disposal and accordingly the foreign exchange gain or loss previously recognised in OCI is not reclassified to profit or loss/reallocated to NCI.

 

When the Group disposes of its entire interest in a foreign operation, or loses control over a foreign operation, the foreign currency gains or losses accumulated in OCI related to the foreign operation are reclassified to profit or loss. If the Group disposes of part of an interest in a foreign operation which remains a subsidiary, a proportionate amount of foreign currency gains or losses accumulated in OCI related to the subsidiary are reattributed between controlling and non-controlling interests.

 

All resulting translation differences are reported in OCI and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve.

 

ii)                   Foreign currency translation

 

In preparing the financial statements of the Group entities, transactions in currencies other than the functional currency (foreign currencies) of these Group entities are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the current foreign exchange rate. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the historical rate on the date of the transaction. All gains and losses on translation of these foreign currency transactions are included in profit or loss for the year.

 

On October 1, 2018 the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (“RBZ”) issued a directive to Zimbabwean banks to separate foreign currency (“Foreign currency”) and RTGS$ on the accounts held by clients. Subsequent to the directive the RBZ announced that 30% of Blanket Mine’s gold proceeds will be received in Foreign currency (i.e. United States dollars) and the remainder received as RTGS$. From November 12, 2018 the RBZ increased the Foreign currency allocation from 30% to 55% and the remainder received as RTGS$.  The United States dollar has remained the primary currency in which the Group’s Zimbabwean entities operate and the functional currency before and after the RBZ directive. After October 15, 2018 the Government of Zimbabwe pegged the RTGS$ at 1:1 to the United States Dollar and Blanket Mine has received discretionary allocations of United Stated dollars from its RTGS$ account on the basis of the 1:1 rate. Blanket Mine also paid all its taxes, electricity, salaries and wages and suppliers denominated in RTGS$ at a rate of 1:1. Therefore a 1:1 translation rate was used to translate RTGS$ to the functional currency when consolidating Blanket Mine in these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 15

 

 

5 Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b) Foreign currency (continued)

ii)         Foreign currency translation (continued)

 

On February 20, 2019 the RBZ issued a further monetary policy statement, which allows inter-bank trading between RTGS$ and Foreign currency. In terms of this new policy, Gold producers will continue to receive 55% of their sales proceeds in FCA and the balance will be received in RTGS Dollars at the prevailing inter-bank rate.

 

(c)        Financial instruments

 

i)          Non-derivative financial assets

 

Policy applicable from January 1, 2018

 

Recognition and initial measurement

 

The Group holds only financial assets measured at amortised cost and at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets are initially recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. A financial asset (unless it is a trade receivable without a significant financing component) or financial liability is initially measured at fair value plus, for an item not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

 

Classification and subsequent measurement

 

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as and measured at amortised cost or at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Group changes its business model for managing financial assets, in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first day of the first reporting period following the change in the business model.

 

A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at fair value through profit or loss:

 

· it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

 

· its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

 

All financial assets of the Group not classified as and measured at amortised cost are measured at fair value through profit or loss. This includes all derivative financial assets. On initial recognition, the Group may irrevocably designate a financial asset, that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortised cost, to fair value through profit or loss if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss. Financial assets classified as and measured at amortised cost are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The amortised cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognised in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognised in profit or loss.

 

F- 16

 

 

5            Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(c)          Financial instruments (continued)

 

i) Non-derivative financial assets (continued)

 

Policy applicable before January 1, 2018

 

Trade receivables were initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less a provision for estimated credit losses. All other financial assets were recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group became a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows from the financial asset in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or it neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and does not retain control over the transferred asset.

 

The Group had the following non-derivative financial assets:

 

Loans and receivables

 

Loans and receivables included trade and other receivables. Loans and receivables were financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that were not quoted in an active market. Such assets were recognised initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables were measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. The impairment loss on receivables was based on a review of all outstanding amounts at year end. Bad debts were written off during the year in which they were identified. Interest income was recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

 

ii) Non-derivative financial instruments

 

Non-derivative financial liabilities are recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled or expire.

 

Non-derivative financial liabilities consist of bank overdrafts, loans and borrowings and trade and other payables.

 

Such financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition these financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

 

F- 17

 

 

5           Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(c)        Financial instruments (continued)

 

iii)       Derivative financial instruments

 

During 2018 and 2016 the Group held derivative financial instruments to hedge its gold price exposure. Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value, attributable transaction costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value. The Group does not hold derivatives that are classified as cash flow hedges, embedded derivatives or hedges that qualify as highly effective. Therefore, all changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are accounted for in profit or loss.

 

The adoption of IFRS 9 on January 1, 2018 had no impact on this accounting policy.

 

iv)       Offsetting

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the Group has a legal right to offset the amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

 

(d)        Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits with original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management process. The bank overdraft is included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

 

(e)       Share capital

 

Share capital is classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue, consolidation and repurchase of fractional items of shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

 

(f)        Property, plant and equipment

 

i)            Recognition and measurement

 

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials and direct labour, any other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to a working condition for their intended use, the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are located, and borrowing costs on qualifying assets. Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, and are recognised in profit or loss.

 

F- 18

 

 

5       Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(f)        Property, plant and equipment

 

ii)            Exploration and evaluation assets

 

Exploration costs are capitalised as incurred, unless the exploration costs are related to speculative drilling on unestablished orebodies, general administrative or overhead costs associated with exploration drilling. The costs related to speculative drilling on unestablished orebodies, general administrative or overhead costs are expensed as incurred. Exploration and evaluation costs capitalised are disclosed under property, plant and equipment. Direct expenditures include such costs as materials used, surveying costs, drilling costs, payments made to contractors, direct administrative costs and depreciation on plant and equipment during the exploration phase.

 

Costs not directly attributable to exploration and evaluation activities, including general administrative overhead costs, are expensed in the year in which they occur.

 

Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting the mineral resource has been determined, the property is considered to be a mine under development and moved to the mine development, infrastructure and other asset category within Property, plant and equipment. Capitalised direct costs related to the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties remain capitalised until the properties to which they relate are ready for their intended use, sold, abandoned or management has determined there to be impairment. Exploration and evaluation assets are tested for impairment before the assets are transferred to mine development, infrastructure and other assets.

 

iii)           Subsequent costs

 

The cost of replacing a part of an item of Property, plant and equipment is recognised in the carrying amount of the item if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the Group, and its cost can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and equipment are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

 

iv)          Depreciation

 

Depreciation is calculated to write off the depreciable amount, which is the cost of an asset, or other amount substituted for cost, less its residual value. On commencement of commercial production, depreciation of mine development, infrastructure and other assets is calculated on the unit-of-production method using the estimated measured, indicated and inferred resources which are planned to be extracted in terms of Blanket’s life-of-mine plan (“LoMP”). Resources that are not included in the LoMP are not included in the calculation of depreciation.

 

For other categories, depreciation is recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment, since this most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset.

 

F- 19

 

 

5       Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(f)        Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

iv)        Depreciation (continued)

 

Inferred resources are included in the LoMP to the extent that there is a successful history of upgrading inferred resources. Blanket reports its resources inclusive of reserves. As a result, resources included in the LoMP and hence in the calculation of depreciation include material from measured, indicated and inferred resource classes as detailed below under the following types of resources:

 

· Measured resources – all proven reserve blocks plus 50% of the remnant pillar blocks.

 

· Indicated resources – all probable reserves plus indicated resources which occur within the mine extent as defined by the LoMP infrastructure.

 

· Inferred resources – inferred resources (discounted by approximately 30%) that are well defined in terms of geometry (position, width, extent) falling within the planned infrastructure as per the LoMP.

 

In addition, inferred resources are included in the LoMP if it is expected that the inferred resources can be economically recovered in the future. Economic recovery is expected if a history can be proven that the recovered grade of the inferred resources exceeded the pay limit grade and when this trend can be expected in the future and if it is economical to recover inclusive of the cost of the capital requirements to access and extract the gold from the inferred resources. Refer to note 17 for the evaluation of the pay limit.

 

Land is not depreciated.

 

The calculation of the units of production rate could be affected to the extent that actual production in the future is different from the current forecast production based on reserves and resources. This would generally result from the extent to which there are significant changes in any of the factors or assumptions used in estimating mineral reserves and resources.

 

These factors include:

 

· changes in mineral reserves and resources;

 

· differences between actual commodity prices and commodity price assumptions;

 

· unforeseen operational issues at mine sites; and

 

· changes in capital, operating, mining, processing and reclamation costs, discount rates and foreign exchange rates.

 

Useful lives

 

The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

· buildings 10 to 15 years (2017: 10 to 15 years; 2016: 10 to 15 years);

 

· plant and equipment 10 years (2017: 10 years; 2016: 10 years);

 

· fixtures and fittings including computers 4 to 10 years (2017: 4 to 10 years; 2016: 4 to 10 years);

 

· motor vehicles 4 years (2017: 4 years; 2016: 4 years); and

 

· mine development, infrastructure and other assets in production, units-of-production method.

 

 

F- 20

 

 

5       Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(f)        Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

iv)        Depreciation (continued)

 

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed each financial year and adjusted if appropriate. When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment.

 

(g)        Inventories

 

Consumable stores are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of consumable stores is based on the weighted average cost principle, and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories, production or conversion costs and other costs incurred in bringing them to their existing location and condition. Gold in process is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of gold in process includes an appropriate share of production overheads based on normal operating capacity and is valued on the weighted average cost principle. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

 

(h)         Impairment

 

i)         Non-derivative financial assets (including receivables)

 

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as these items do not have a significant financing component. In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on an individual basis as they possess different credit risk characteristics. Trade receivables have been assessed based on the days past due. The expected loss rates are based on the payment profile for gold sales over the past 48 months prior to December 31, of each year reported. The historical rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward looking macroeconomic factors affecting the customer’s ability to settle the amount outstanding. However given the short period exposed to credit risk the impact of these factors has not been considered significant. Trade receivables are written off (i.e. derecognised) when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Failure to make payments within 90 days from lodgement date with Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited and failure to engage with the Group on alternative payment arrangement, amongst others, are considered indicators of no reasonable expectation of recovery.

 

ii)        Non-financial assets

 

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs of disposal. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit” or “CGU”). The Group’s corporate assets do not generate separate cash inflows. If there is an indication that a CGU to which a corporate asset is allocated may be impaired, then the recoverable amount is determined for the CGU to which the corporate asset belongs.

 

F- 21

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(h)        Impairment (continued)

 

ii)        Non-financial assets (continued)

 

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of a CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated to reduce the carrying amount of assets in the unit (group of units) on a pro rata basis. Impairment losses recognised in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been an indication of reversal and a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

 

iii)        Impairment of exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) assets

 

The test for impairment of E&E assets, included in Mineral properties not depreciated, can combine several CGUs as long as the combination is not larger than a segment. The definition of a CGU does, however, change once development activities have begun. There are specific impairment triggers for E&E assets. Despite certain relief in respect of impairment triggers and the level of aggregation, the impairment standard is applied in measuring the impairment of E&E assets. Reversals of impairment losses are required in the event that the circumstances that resulted in impairment have changed.

 

E&E assets are assessed for impairment only when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an E&E asset may exceed its recoverable amount. Indicators of impairment include the following:

 

· The entity's right to explore in the specific area has expired or will expire in the near future and is not expected to be renewed.

 

· Substantive expenditure on further E&E activities in the specific area is neither budgeted nor planned.

 

· The entity has not discovered commercially viable quantities of mineral resources as a result of E&E activities in the area to date and has decided to discontinue such activities in the specific area.

 

· Even if development is likely to proceed, the entity has sufficient data indicating that the carrying amount of the asset is unlikely to be recovered in full from successful development or by sale.

 

(i)        Employee benefits

 

i)        Short-term employee benefits

 

Short-term employee benefits are expensed when the related services are provided. A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid if the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

 

F- 22

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(i)        Employee benefits (continued)

 

ii)        Defined contribution plans

 

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an employee benefit expense in profit or loss in the periods during which services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available. Contributions to a defined contribution plan that are due more than 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the service are discounted to their present value.

 

(j) Share-based payment transactions

 

i) Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and directors

 

The grant date fair value of equity-settled share-based payment awards granted to employees and directors is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the vesting period of the award. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market vesting conditions at the vesting date.

 

Where the terms and conditions of equity-settled share-based payments are modified, the increase in the fair value, measured immediately before and after the modification date, is charged to profit or loss over the remaining vesting period or immediately for vested awards. Similarly where equity instruments are granted to non-employees, they are recorded at the fair value of the goods or services received in profit or loss. Additional information about significant judgements, estimates and the assumptions used in the quantifying of the equity-settled share-based payment transactions and modification are disclosed in note 26.1.

 

ii) Cash-settled share-based payments to employees and directors

 

The grant date fair value of cash-settled awards granted to employees and directors is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in the liability, over the vesting period of the awards. At each reporting date the fair value of the awards are re-measured with a corresponding adjustment to profit or loss. The method of calculating the fair value of the cash-settled share-based payments changed during quarter 1 of 2018 from the intrinsic valuation method to the Black-Scholes method. The Black-Scholes method includes the effect of share volatility in calculating the fair value of the share-based payment awards. The change was applied prospectively and did not have a significant effect on the liability value. Additional information about significant judgements, estimates and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of cash-settled share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 26.2.

 

F- 23

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(k)        Provisions

 

A provision is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability if the time value of money is considered significant. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as finance cost.

 

(l) Site restoration

 

The Group recognises liabilities for statutory, contractual, constructive or legal obligations associated with the retirement of property, plant and equipment, when those obligations result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of these assets. The net present value of future rehabilitation cost estimates arising from the decommissioning of plant and other site preparation work is capitalised to mineral properties along with a corresponding increase in the rehabilitation provision in the period incurred. Future rehabilitation costs are discounted using a pre-tax risk free rate that reflects the time-value of money. The Group’s estimates of rehabilitation costs, which are reviewed annually, could change as a result of changes in regulatory requirements, discount rates, effects of inflation and assumptions regarding the amount and timing of the future expenditures. These changes are recorded directly to mineral properties with a corresponding entry to the rehabilitation provision. Changes resulting from an increased footprint due to gold production are charged to profit or loss for the year. The cost of on-going current programs to prevent and control pollution is charged against profit or loss as incurred.

 

(m)        Revenue

 

Revenue from the sale of precious metals is recognised when the metal is accepted at the refinery, control is transferred and when the receipt of proceeds are substantially assured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the receivable at the date of the transaction.

 

(n)       Government grants

 

The Company recognises an unconditional government grant related to gold proceeds in profit or loss as other income when the grant becomes receivable. Government grants are initially recognised as deferred income at fair value if there is reasonable assurance that they will be received.

 

(o)       Finance income and finance costs

 

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method. Finance costs comprise interest expense on the rehabilitation provisions, interest on bank overdraft balances, effective interest on loans and borrowings and also include commitment costs on overdraft facilities. Finance costs is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method and excludes borrowing costs capitalised.

 

F- 24

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(p)        Income tax

 

Tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. These expenses are recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognised directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

 

(q)       Current tax

 

Current tax is the tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Current tax includes withholding tax on management fees and dividends paid between companies within the Group .

 

(r)       Deferred tax

 

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. A deferred tax asset is recognised for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

(s)       Earnings per share

 

The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) data for its shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the adjusted profit or loss attributable to shareholders of the Group (see note 24) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for own shares held. Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to shareholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for own shares held, for the effects of all dilutive potential shares, which comprise share options granted to employees and directors as well as any dilution in Group earnings originating from dilutive partially recognised non-controlling interests at a subsidiary level.

 

F- 25

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(t)        Borrowing cost

 

General and specific borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Qualifying assets are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale.

 

Other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred and recognised as finance costs.

 

(u)       Leases

 

At inception of an arrangement, the Group determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease. At inception or on reassessment of an arrangement that contains a lease, the Group separates payments and other consideration required by the arrangement into those for the lease and those for other elements on the basis of their relative fair values. If the Group concludes for a finance lease that it is impracticable to separate the payments reliably, then an asset and a liability are recognised at an amount equal to the fair value of the underlying asset; subsequently, the liability is reduced as payments are made and an imputed finance cost on the liability is recognised using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate.

 

Leases of property, plant and equipment that transfer to the Group substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. The leased assets are measured initially at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent to initial recognition, the assets are accounted for in accordance with the accounting policy applicable to that asset. Assets held under other leases are classified as operating leases and are not recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position.

 

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease. Minimum lease payments made under finance leases are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

 

(v)        Assets held for sale

 

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, are classified as held for sale if it is highly probable that they will be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use

 

Such assets, or disposal groups, are generally measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale or held for distribution and subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in profit or loss.

 

Once classified as held for sale and property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised or depreciated.

 

F- 26

 

 

5          Significant accounting policies (continued)

 

(w)       The following standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing standards may possibly have an impact on the Group:

 

Standard/Interpretation

 

 

 

Effective date and expected adoption date*
IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 16 eliminates the dual accounting model for lessees, requiring a single, on-balance sheet accounting model that is similar to current finance lease accounting.

 

Lessor accounting remains generally similar to current practice – i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases.

 

IFRS 16 replaces IAS 17, Leases, and related interpretations. The Group has completed its assessment of the impact of IFRS 16 and concluded that the new standard will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

January 1, 2019
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over income tax treatments

Under IFRIC 23, the key test is whether it is probable that the taxing authority would accept the Group’s tax treatment. If not the Group reflects the effect of the tax uncertainty following:

 

·     the most likely amount method, the method it expects will better predict the resolution uncertainty by applying the single most likely amount; or

 

·     the expected value method, sum of the probability weighted amounts in a range of probable outcomes.

 

The Group has completed its assessment of the impact of IFRIC 23 and concluded that the new standard will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

January 1, 2019

 

* Annual periods ending on or after

 

 

 

 

 

 

F- 27

 

 

6 Blanket 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 owing the Blanket Mine 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.

 

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 $11,467 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.

 

F- 28

 

 

6       Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

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 December 31, 2018 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.

 

Amendments to the facilitation and advanced dividend loan agreements

 

Interest modification

 

On June 23, 2017, the Group, Blanket Mine and the Indigenous Shareholders of Blanket Mine reached agreement to change the interest terms of the facilitation and advanced dividend loan agreements. The agreements changed the interest rate from the previously agreed 12 month LIBOR + 10% to the lower of a fixed 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly or 80% of the Blanket Mine dividend in the quarter. The modification was considered beneficial to the Indigenous Shareholders and gave rise to an equity-settled share-based expense of $806 on June 23, 2017 when all parties reached agreement to modify the interest charged. It was agreed that the interest change was to be applied to the facilitation and advanced dividend loan balances from January 1, 2017. The assumptions and methodologies used to quantify the equity-settled share-based payment expense relating to the beneficial interest modification are detailed in note 26.1.

 

F- 29

 

 

6       Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

Amendments to the facilitation and advanced dividend loan agreements (continued)

 

Dividend and interest moratorium

 

Blanket Mine suspended dividend payments from January 1, 2015 until August 1, 2016 to facilitate capital expenditure on the Blanket Mine investment programme. As a result the repayments of facilitation loans by the Indigenous Shareholders were also suspended. A moratorium was placed on the interest of the facilitation and advanced dividend loans until such time as dividends resumed. Due to the suspension of dividends and the moratorium on interest, no repayments were made or interest accumulated from December 31, 2014 until July 31, 2016. The dividends and interest resumed on August 1, 2016, when Blanket Mine declared a dividend. The amendment was not considered beneficial to the Indigenous shareholders.

 

Blanket Mine’s indigenisation shareholding percentages and facilitation loan balances
                      Balance of facilitation loan #  
$ 000's   Shareholding     NCI Recognised     NCI subject to facilitation loan     Dec, 31, 2018     Dec, 31 2017  
NIEEF     16 %     3.2 %     12.8 %     11,876       11,879  
Fremiro     15 %     3.0 %     12.0 %     11,466       11,504  
Community Trust     10 %     10.0 %     —         —         —    
BETS     10 %     —   *     —   *     7,644       7,669  
      51 %     16.2 %     24.8 %     30,986       31,052  

 

F- 30

 

 

6       Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

Amendments to the facilitation and advanced dividend loan agreements (continued)

 

The balance on the facilitation loans is reconciled as follows:

 

Balance at January 1, 2017     31,460  
Interest accrued     1,136  
Dividends used to repay loans     (1,544 )
Balance at December 31, 2017     31,052  
Interest accrued     2,173  
Dividends used to repay loans     (2,239 )
Balance at December 31, 2018     30,986  

 

* The shares held by BETS are effectively treated as treasury shares (see above). The BETS facilitation loan earnings are accounted for under IAS19 Employee Benefits as an employee charge under Production cost .

 

# 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 an 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 owed by the Community Trust. Advances made to NIEEF as an advanced dividend loan before 2013 has been settled through Blanket Mine dividend repayments in fiscal 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.

 

F- 31

 

 

6       Blanket Zimbabwe Indigenisation Transaction (continued)

 

Advance dividends (continued)

 

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

 

    Total  
       
Balance at January 1, 2017     3,000  
Interest accrued     104  
Dividends used to repay advance dividends     (500 )
Balance at December 31, 2017     2,604  
Interest accrued     174  
Dividends used to repay advance dividends     (725 )
Balance at December 31, 2018     2,053  

 

7       Financial risk management

 

Overview

 

The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 

· Currency risk (refer note 30)

 

· Interest rate risk (refer note 30)

 

· Credit risk (refer note 30)

 

· Liquidity risk (refer note 30)

 

· Market risk (refer note 30)

 

This note and note 30 presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks and the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these consolidated financial statements. The Group is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks by virtue of its activities. The overall financial risk management program focuses on preservation of capital, and protecting current and future Group assets and cash flows by reducing exposure to risks posed by the uncertainties and volatilities of financial markets. The Board of Directors has responsibility to ensure that an adequate financial risk management policy is established and to approve the policy. The Group’s Audit Committee oversees management’s compliance with the Group’s financial risk management policy. On August 17, 2018 and February 10, 2016, a gold price hedge was entered into to manage the possible effect of gold price fluctuations. The derivative financial instrument was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment. The fair value of the Group’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value due to the short period to maturity. The types of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are described below:

 

F- 32

 

 

7       Financial risk management (continued)

 

(a) Currency risk

 

The Group is exposed to currency risk on inter-company sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than the respective functional currencies of Group entities. The Group does not use financial instruments to hedge its exposure to currency risk. To reduce exposure to currency transaction risk, the Group regularly reviews the currency (i.e. RTGS$ or Foreign currency) in which it expends its cash to identify and avoid specific expenditures in currencies that experience inflationary pressures. Further the Group aims to maintain cash and cash equivalents in US Dollar to manage foreign exchange exposure and communicates its Foreign currency requirements with the Zimbabwean authorities for dividend and foreign procurement payments.

 

(b) Interest rate risk

 

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk arising from its cash and cash equivalents invested with financial institutions as well as its overdraft facility and term loan. The Group has not entered into interest rate swap agreements and mitigates the interest rate risk by remaining in a positive consolidated net cash position.

 

(c) Credit risk

 

Credit risk includes the risk of a financial loss to the Group if a gold sales customer fails to meet its contractual obligation. Gold sales were made to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited in Zimbabwe during the year.

 

(d) Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group manages its liquidity risk by ensuring that there is sufficient cash to meet its likely cash requirements, after taking into account cash flows from operations and the Group’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents. The Group believes that these sources will be sufficient to cover the anticipated cash requirements. Senior management is also actively involved in the review and approval of planned expenditures by regularly monitoring cash flows from operations and anticipated investing and financing activities.

 

(e) Market risk

 

Market risk is the risk that changes in the gold price will affect the group’s profitability. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising returns.

 

F- 33

 

 

8       Capital Management

 

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the mining operations and exploration potential of the mineral properties. The Group’s capital includes shareholders’ equity, comprising issued share capital, reserves, accumulated other comprehensive income, accumulated deficit, bank loans and non-controlling interests.

 

    2018     2017  
                 
Total equity     78,808       69,211  

 

The Group’s primary objective with respect to its capital management is to ensure that it has sufficient cash resources to maintain its on-going operations, to provide returns for shareholders and accommodate any rehabilitation provisions and to pursue growth opportunities. As at December 31, 2018, the Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements other than the term loan which is secured by a notarial bond over moveable assets (refer notes 17 and 27) and there has been no change with respect to the overall capital risk management strategy.

 

9       Production costs

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Salaries and wages     13,160       13,440       12,206  
Cash-settled share-based payments (note 26.2)     43       311       —    
Consumable materials     12,143       9,916       8,853  
Electricity costs     9,313       8,701       7,438  
Site restoration     84       58       32  
Pre-feasibility exploration cost     411       410       408  
Safety     592       323       221  
On mine administration     3,569       3,004       2,898  
Other production cost     —         17       30  
      39,315       36,180       32,086  

 

10       Other income

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Government grant – Gold sale export incentive     6,482       2,446       1,104  
Eersteling rock dump sale     217       —         —    
Greenstone Provident Fund pay-out     363       —         —    
Other     39       148       226  
      7,101       2,594       1,330  

 

Government grant – Gold sale export incentive

 

From May, 2016 the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced an export credit incentive on the gold proceeds received for all large scale gold mine producers. On January 1, 2018 the export credit incentive decreased from 3,5% to 2,5% and on February 1, 2018, increased to 10%. All incentives granted by the Zimbabwean government were included in other income when determined receivable. All receipts were received in Blanket

 

F- 34

 

 

10       Other income (continued)

 

Government grant – Gold sale export incentive (continued)

 

Mine’s RTGS$ account. In the monetary policy statement issued on February 20, 2019 the RBZ announced the cancellation of the ECI.

 

Eersteling rock dump sale

 

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into an agreement with SH Minerals to sell two Eersteling rock dumps. The two rock dumps were sold for ZAR 1 million ($79) and ZAR 2 million ($138) each and were fully received as at December 31, 2018.

 

Greenstone Provident Fund pay-out

 

The Greenstone Provident Fund (the “Fund”) was established with the aim to provide pension benefits to employees of mines previously owned by Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited. A surplus remained in the Fund after all members were retrenched or terminated in 1997 when the mines were closed. The Financial Services Board in South Africa appointed a tribunal that liquidated the Fund and concluded that the surplus of ZAR 4,8 million ($363) that remained in the Fund to be paid out to the former employer. On October 15, 2018 the surplus was paid out to Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited.

 

11       Impairment loss on trade receivables

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                         
Impairment - 2017 royalty rebate     —         181       —    

 

During 2016 Blanket Mine obtained a rebate on royalty payments made in 2015 of $181 for incremental gold production in 2016 compared to production in 2015. A receivable was recognised for the royalty amount overpaid to the revenue authorities in 2016 based on the pre-award rate. An impairment provision of $181 (2017: $181) was raised against the receivable outstanding in 2017. The Zimbabwean government has been unable to put in place the modalities of implementing the royalty on incremental gold sales across the gold industry as a whole.

 

12       Sale of Blanket Mine treasury bills

 

On May 16, 2016 Blanket Mine sold treasury bills (“Bills”) issued by the Government of Zimbabwe for a gross value of approximately $3,202. The Bills were issued to Blanket Mine in 2015 which replaced the Special Tradeable Gold Bonds (“Bonds”) which were issued to Blanket Mine in 2009 as part consideration for gold sales that were made by Blanket Mine in 2008 under the terms of the sales mechanism that existed at that time for Zimbabwean gold producers. The Bonds were carried at a fair value of nil in previous years.

 

F- 35

 

 

13       Administrative expense

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Investor relations     751       541       543  
Audit fee     266       231       267  
Advisory services fee     553       684       2,266  
Listing fees     495       402       328  
Directors fees company     225       247       211  
Directors fees Blanket Mine     52       40       48  
Employee costs     2,917       2,781       2,803  
Eersteling Gold Mine administration cost     212       142       111  
Office costs - Zambia     —         —         17  
Other office administration costs     697       444       185  
Travel costs     297       399       484  
      6,465       5,911       7,263  

 

14       Finance income and finance costs

 

Finance income   2018     2017     2016  
                   
Interest received – Bank     53       38       16  
                         
Finance cost                        
                         
Interest – Term loan     92       155       103  
Interest – Capitalised to Property, plant and equipment (note 17)     (92 )     (155 )     (103 )
Unwinding of rehabilitation provision     20       25       25  
Finance charges – Overdraft     253       44       167  
      273       69       192  

 

F- 36

 

 

15       Margin call on gold hedge

 

On August 17, 2018 the Company entered into a hedge in respect of 8,000 ounces of gold that expired before December 31, 2018. The hedge protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,150 per ounce and gave Caledonia full participation if the gold price exceeded $1,195 per ounce. The derivative financial instrument was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment. The derivative contract resulted in a loss of $360 that was included in profit or loss.

 

In February 2016, the Company entered into a derivative contract in respect of 15,000 ounces of gold over a period of 6 months. The contract protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,050 per ounce but gave Caledonia full participation if the price of gold exceeded $1,079 per ounce. The derivative contract was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment. The derivative contract resulted in a loss of $435 that was included in profit or loss.

 

The Company settled both contracts with the margin call deposited at the inception of the hedge transaction. Blanket Mine continued to sell all of its gold production to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Limited, as required by Zimbabwean legislation, and received the spot price of gold less an early settlement discount of 1.25%.

 

16       Tax expense

 

    2018     2017     2016  
Tax recognised in profit or loss                        
                         
Current tax     3,783       4,995       3,106  
Income tax– current year     2,523       3,702       2,414  
Income tax – Prior year under provision     1,075       71       49  
Withholding tax expense – current year     580       1,222       643  
Withholding tax expense – Prior year over provision     (395 )     —         —    
Deferred tax expense     3,662       3,696       4,611  
Origination and reversal of temporary differences     3,662       3,696       4,611  
                         
Tax expense – recognised in profit or loss     7,445       8,691       7,717  

 

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income

 

Income tax - current year     —         —         —    
Tax expense     7,445       8,691       7,717  

 

F- 37

 

 

16       Tax expense (continued)

 

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited     4,989       4,989       4,989  
Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited     191       116       —    
Tax losses carried forward     5,180       5,105       4,989  

 

Taxable losses do not expire for the entities incurring taxable losses within the Group. Tax losses carried forward relate to Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited (UK) and Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in these entities as future taxable income is not deemed probable to utilise these losses against.

 

Tax paid   2018     2017     2016  
                   
Net income tax (payable)/receivable at January 1     (1,145 )     (345 )     344  
Current tax expense     (3,783 )     (4,995 )     (3,106 )
Foreign currency movement     46       (17 )     (49 )
Tax paid     3,344       4,212       2,466  
Net income tax payable at December 31     (1,538 )     (1,145 )     (345 )

 

F- 38

 

 

16       Tax expense (continued)

 

Reconciliation of tax rate

 

    2018     2017     2016  
Profit for the year     13,756       11,896       11,085  
Total tax expense     7,445       8,691       7,717  
Profit before tax     21,201       20,587       18,802  
                         
Income tax at Company's domestic tax rate (1)     —         —         —    
Tax rate differences in foreign jurisdictions (2)     6,465       6,546       6,293  
Management fee – Withholding tax on deemed dividend portion (3)     337       538       —    
Management fee – non-deductible deemed dividend (3)     579       925       —    
Management fee – non-deductible withholding tax current year (4)     96       427       427  
Management fee – non-deductible withholding tax prior year (5)     (664 )     —         —    
Withholding tax on intercompany dividend     110       90       49  
Non-deductible royalty expenses     882       901       753  
Other non-deductible expenditure     137       107       64  
Export incentive income credit 2016     —         (284 )     —    
Export incentive income exemption (6)     (1,649 )     (630 )     —    
Change in tax estimates                        
- Zimbabwean income tax (7)     795       —         —    
- South African income tax (8)     220       —         —    
- Other     61       (45 )     49  
Change in unrecognised deferred tax assets     76       116       82  
Tax expense - recognised in profit or loss     7,445       8,691       7,717  

 

(1) Enacted tax rate in Jersey, Channel Islands is 0% (2017: 0%; 2016: 0%)

 

(2) Subsidiaries registered in Zimbabwe and South Africa are subject to a corporate tax rate of 25,75% and 28% respectively.

 

(3) Zimbabwean tax legislation changed during 2017 that gave rise to an additional withholding tax of 15% (2017:15%) on a portion of the intercompany management fee considered to be a deemed dividend. The new legislation resulted in this portion of the management fee being not deductible for income tax purposes in Zimbabwe from January 1, 2018.

 

(4) 5% (2017: 15%; 2016: 15%) withholding tax is charged on the management fee by the Zimbabwean revenue authority (“ZIMRA”). The management fee withholding tax is deducted from the taxable income not the income tax liability in the South African subsidiary, resulting in a portion not deducted from the South African income tax liability.

 

(5) Withholding tax on the management fee was provided for and paid at 15% in 2017. However, in the second quarter of 2018 management obtained confirmation from the ZIMRA that the withholding tax rate was reduced to 5% from February 1, 2017. The ZIMRA allowed an amount of $395 to be offset against outstanding income tax liabilities in Zimbabwe. The overpayment of withholding taxes on the management fee also resulted in a change of estimate reducing the 2017 non-deductible withholding tax in the South African subsidiary amounting to $269, estimated at 15%, to 5%. The change in estimate was accounted for prospectively in the 2018 year.

 

(6) On March 23, 2018, the ZIMRA enacted a new finance act that provided for the export credit incentive to be tax exempt. The 2018 finance bill indicated that the export incentive income will be tax exempt from June 1, 2017. The new finance bill resulted in an income tax credit being applied in the 2018 income tax calculation giving rise to a credit for the export incentive income of 2017.

 

(7) During the second quarter of 2018 management revised its estimated management fee fair value previously deducted against taxable income in the prior years. Management approached ZIMRA, and reached a settlement on the amount allowed as a deduction. No penalties or interests were incurred.

 

(8) Late 2015, the South African subsidiary, Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited, concluded a Voluntary Disclosure Permission (“VDP”) agreement with the South African Revenue Services (“SARS”) for tax years before 2014. Subsequent income tax assessments from SARS, received during quarter 4 of 2018, indicated that a payment previously reported as a reduction of the income tax liability for tax years after concluding the VDP agreement pertained to the 2013 tax year. This resulted in an increase to the income tax liability estimate of $220, as at December 31, 2018.

 

F- 39

 

 

16       Tax expense (continued)

 

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

 

    Assets     Liabilities     Net  
    2018     2017     2018     2017     * 2018     *2017  
                                     
Property, plant and equipment     —         —         (24,930 )     (20,985 )     (24,930 )     (20,985 )
Allowance for obsolete stock     258       35       —         —         258       35  
Prepayments     —         —         (3 )     (4 )     (3 )     (4 )
Unrealised foreign exchange     34       97       —         —         34       97  
Share based payments     13       12       —         —         13       12  
Provisions     1,386       1,290       —         —         1,386       1,290  
Other     12       —         —         —         12       —    
Tax assets/ (liabilities)     1,703       1,434       (24,933 )     (20,989 )     (23,230 )     (19,555 )

 

* The deferred tax liability consists of a deferred tax asset of $98 (2017: $65) from the South African operation and a net deferred tax liability of $23,328 (2017: $19,620) due to the Zimbabwean operation. The amounts are in different tax jurisdictions and cannot be offset. The amounts are presented as part of Non-current assets and a Non-current liabilities in the Statements of financial position. The deferred tax asset recognised is supported by evidence of probable future taxable income.

 

Movement in recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

   

Balance

January 1,

2018

    Recognised in profit or loss     Foreign exchange movement    

Balance

December 31,

2018

 
Property, plant and equipment     (20,985 )     (3,945 )     —         (24,930 )
Allowance for obsolete stock     35       223       —         258  
Prepayments     (4 )     —         1       (3 )
Unrealised foreign exchange     97       (63 )     —         34  
Share based payments     12       3       (2 )     13  
Provisions     1,290       104       (8 )     1,386  
Other     —         16       (4 )     12  
Total     (19,555 )     (3,662 )     (13 )     (23,230 )

 

   

Balance

January 1,

2017

    Recognised in profit or loss     Foreign exchange movement    

Balance

December 31,

2017

 
Property, plant and equipment     (17,092 )     (3,893 )     —         (20,985 )
Allowance for obsolete stock     12       23       —         35  
Prepayments     (3 )     (1 )     —         (4 )
Unrealised foreign exchange     —         97       —         97  
Share based payments     —         12       —         12  
Provisions     1,218       66       6       1,290  
Total     (15,865 )     (3,696 )     6       (19,555 )

 

F- 40

 

 

17       Property, 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, 2017     8,367       45,078       6,967       24,536       876       2,255       88,079  
Additions **     —         *17,464       —         3,377       36       72       20,949  
Impairments     —         —         —         (12 )     —         —         (12 )
Disposals and scrappings     —         —         —         —         —         (2 )     (2 )
Reallocations between asset classes     1,051       (1,051 )     —         (20 )     20       —         —    
Foreign exchange movement     16       7       —         —         11       4       38  
Balance at December 31, 2017     9,434       61,498       6,967       27,881       943       2,329       109,052  
                                                         
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  

 

There are commitments to purchase plant and equipment totalling $3,981 (2017: $2,125) at year end.

 

* Included in additions to mine development, infrastructure and other assets is an amount of $161 (2017: $218) relating to rehabilitation asset capitalised, refer note 25.

** Included in additions is an amount of $19,323 (2017: $19,556) relating to capital work in progress (“CWIP”) and contains $61 (2017:$ 155) of borrowing costs capitalised from the term loan. As at year end $ $62,624 of CWIP was included in the closing balance (2017: $48,943).

*** Items of Property, plant and equipment were impaired during 2018 certain CWIP projects being cancelled and underground equipment that could not be verified.

 

 

F- 41

 

 

17       Property, 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, 2017     2,950       4,541       —         13,229       642       1,844       23,206  
Depreciation for the year     686       631       —         2,153       115       178       3,763  
Foreign exchange movement     —         —         —         —         4       1       5  
Balance at December 31, 2017     3,636       5,172       —         15,382       761       2,023       26,974  
                                                         
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  
                                                         
Carrying amounts                                                        
At December 31, 2017     5,798       56,326       6,967       12,499       182       306       82,078  
At December 31, 2018     5,928       68,688       6,967       15,318       274       252       97,427  

 

 

 

F- 42

 

 

17       Property, plant and equipment (continued)

 

Economic recovery

 

Items of Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over the LoMP, which includes planned production from inferred resources. These inferred resources are included in the calculation when the economic recovery thereof is demonstrated by the achieved recovered grade relative to the mine’s pay limit for the period 2006 to 2016. The pay limit has ranged from 2.3 g/t in 2008 to 1.9 g/t in 2018 while the recovered grade has ranged from 4.0 g/t to 3.26 g/t over the period. All-in-sustaining-cost * has remained consistently below the gold price received over this period resulting in economic recovery of the inferred resources.

 

* All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) per ounce, is calculated as the on-mine cost per ounce to produce gold (which includes production costs before intercompany eliminations and exploration costs) 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 arising from the LTIP less silver by-product revenue and the export incentive credit

 

18       Inventories

 

    2018     2017  
             
Consumable stores     9,210       8,776  
Gold in process     217       399  
      9,427       9,175  

 

Consumables stores are disclosed net of any write downs or provisions for obsolete items, which amounted to $911 (2017: $894).

 

19       Trade and other receivables

 

    2018     2017  
             
Bullion revenue receivable     2,695       1,386  
VAT receivables     2,743       2,947  
Deposits for stores and equipment and other receivables     954       629  
      6,392       4,962  

 

The Group's exposure to credit and currency risks, and impairment losses related to trade and other receivables is disclosed in notes 7 and 30. The net carrying value of trade receivables is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value and are short-term in nature.

 

F- 43

 

 

20       Cash and cash equivalents

 

    2018     2017  
             
Bank balances     11,187       13,067  
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position     11,187       13,067  
Bank overdrafts used for cash management purposes     —         (311 )
Net cash and cash equivalents at year end     11,187       12,756  

 

The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities is disclosed in note 30.

 

Blanket Mine arranged an unsecured bank overdraft facility of $4,000 of which none (2017; $311) was utilised at December 31, 2018. The overdraft facility bears interest at 6.5% per annum, 4.65% above the base rate. The facility is repayable on demand.

 

21       Disposal group held for sale

 

On July 12, 2016 the Group entered into a Share sale agreement with SH Mineral Investments Proprietary Limited (“SH Minerals”) to sell the shares of Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited (“Eersteling”), a South African subsidiary consolidated as part of the Group, that has been on care and maintenance since 1997. It was agreed that the purchase price be settled through a non-refundable deposit of ZAR5 million and a once off payment of $3 million. By December 31, 2017 ZAR2 million of the non-refundable deposit was received and the agreement had expired.

 

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into a new agreement to amend the initial share sale agreement. The amended share sale agreement allowed for a purchase price of $ 3 million settled through three payments of $1 million payable on the completion date, 12 and 18 months after the completion date. The share sale agreement was suspensive, subject to the conclusion of the rock dump sale (refer note 10) and for SH Minerals to obtain funding for the purchase price for the sale. In February 2019 an amount of ZAR13 million ($1 million) was received as payment towards the purchase price. The payment received in February 2019 effectively transferred the registered and beneficial ownership of Eersteling to SH Minerals and the Group relinquished control.

 

As at December 31, 2018, management concluded that the Eersteling disposal group will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and that the sale of Eersteling had become highly probable as one of the two suspensive conditions in the new share sale agreement had been met.

 

F- 44

 

 

21       Disposal group held for sale (continued)

 

As at December 31, 2018 the disposal group held for sale was stated at its carrying amount.

 

    2018     2017  
Non-current assets                
Property, plant, and equipment     214       —    
                 
Current assets                
Trade and other receivables     80       —    
Cash and cash equivalents     2       —    
Assets held for sale     296       —    
                 
Non-current liabilities                
Rehabilitation provision     602       —    
                 
Current liabilities                
Trade and other payables     7       —    
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale     609       —    

 

Cumulative income accounted for through other comprehensive income as part of the Foreign Currency Translation Reserve amounted to $2,197 as at December 31, 2018.

 

22       Share capital

 

Authorised

Unlimited number of ordinary shares of no par value.

Unlimited number of preference shares of no par value.

 

Issued ordinary shares            
    Number of fully paid shares *     Amount  
             
January 1,2016     10,510,232       54,569  
Issued during the year     141,704       433  
December 31, 2016     10,651,936       55,002  
Share repurchased     (118,063 )     (146 )
Issued during the year     69,280       246  
December 31, 2017     10,603,153       55,102  
Issued during the year     —         —    
December 31, 2018     10,603,153       55,102  

 

* Amounts stated after the 1:5 share consolidation effected June 26, 2017.

 

F- 45

 

 

23       Reserves

 

Foreign currency translation reserve

 

The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations with functional currencies that differ from the presentation currency.

 

Share-based payment reserve

 

The share-based payment reserve comprises the fair value of equity instruments granted to employees, directors and service providers under share option plans and equity instruments issued to Blanket’s indigenisation shareholders under Blanket’s Indigenisation Transaction (refer note 6).

 

Contributed surplus

 

The contributed surplus reserve comprises the reduction in stated capital as approved by shareholders at the special general meeting on January 24, 2013 so as to be able to commence dividend payments.

 

Reserves                  
    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Foreign currency translation reserve     (6,561 )     (5,885 )     (6,258 )
Equity-settled share-based payment reserve (note 26.1)     16,760       16,746       16,041  
Contributed surplus     132,591       132,591       132,591  
Total     142,790       143,452       142,374  

 

F- 46

 

 

24       Earnings per share

 

Weighted average number of shares – Basic earnings per share

 

(In number of shares)   Note     2018     2017     2016  
                         
Issued shares at beginning of year   23       10,603,153       52,787,428       52,078,908  
Share consolidation           —         (42,135,492 )     (41,663,126 )
Issued shares post consolidation           10,603,153       10,651,936       10,415,782  
Weighted average shares repurchased           —         (60,978 )     —    
Weighted average shares issued           —         16,924       41,460  
Weighted average number of shares at December 31           10,603,153       10,607,882       10,457,242  

 

Weighted average number of shares – Diluted earnings per share

 

(In number of shares)

  2018     2017     2016  
                   
Weighted average shares at December 31     10,603,153       10,607,882       10,457,242  
Effect of dilutive options     698       9,622       23,449  
Weighted average number of shares (diluted) at December 31     10,603,851       10,617,504       10,480,691  

 

The average market value of the Company’s shares for purposes of calculating the dilutive effect of share options was based on quoted market prices for the year during which the options were outstanding. Options of 37,302 (2017: 18,378; 2016: 68,795), were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation as these options were anti-dilutive. The quantity of options outstanding as at year end that were out of the money and that had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 20,000 (2017: 5,000) options.

 

F- 47

 

 

24       Earnings per share (continued)

 

The calculation of total basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2018 was based on the adjusted profit attributable to shareholders as follows:

 

    2018     2017     2016  
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to owners of the Company (basic and diluted)     10,766       9,384       8,526  
Blanket Mine Employee Trust Adjustment     (280 )     (210 )     (238 )
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (basic and diluted)     10,486       9,174       8,288  
Basic earnings per share - $     0.99       0.86       0.79  
Diluted earnings per share - $     0.99       0.86       0.79  

 

Basic earnings are adjusted for the amounts that accrue to other equity holders of subsidiaries upon the full distribution of post-acquisition earnings to shareholders.

 

Diluted earnings is calculated on the basis that the unpaid ownership interests of Blanket Mine’s Indigenisation shareholders are effectively treated as options whereby the weighted average fair value for the period of the Blanket Mine shares issued to Indigenous Zimbabweans and which are subject to settlement of the loan accounts is compared to the balance of the loan accounts and any excess portion is regarded as dilutive. The difference between the number of Blanket Mine shares subject to the settlement of the loan accounts and the number of Blanket Mine shares that would have been issued at the average fair value is treated as the issue of shares for no consideration and regarded as dilutive shares. The calculated dilution is taken into account with additional earnings attributable to the dilutive shares in Blanket Mine, if any. The interest of NIEEF and Fremiro shareholding were anti-dilutive in the current and prior year (i.e. the value of the options was less than the outstanding loan balance) and accordingly there was no adjustment to fully diluted earnings attributable to shareholders.

 

F- 48

 

 

25       Provisions

 

Site restoration

 

Site restoration relates to the estimated cost of closing down the mines and represents the site and environmental restoration costs, estimated to be paid throughout the period up until closure due to areas of environmental disturbance present at the reporting date as a result of mining activities. In the case of Blanket Mine the costs of site restoration are discounted based on the estimated life of mine. Site restoration costs at Blanket Mine are capitalised to mineral properties depreciated at initial recognition and amortised systematically over the estimated life of the mine for costs relating to the decommissioning of property, plant and equipment.

 

Reconciliation of site restoration provision   2018     2017  
Balance at January 1     3,797       3,456  
Reclassified to Liabilities associated with assets held for sale     (602 )     —    
Foreign exchange movement     (97 )     62  
Unwinding of discount     20       25  
Rehabilitation performed     (54 )     (22 )
Change in estimate during the year                
- adjusted through profit or loss     84       58  
- adjustment capitalised in Property, plant and equipment     161       218  
Balance at December 31     3,309       3,797  

 

The discount rates currently applied in the calculation of the net present value of the Blanket Mine provision is 2,95% (2017: 0.64%), based on a risk free rate and cash flows estimated at an average 2,13% inflation (2017: 0%). The gross rehabilitation costs before discounting amounted to $3,604 (2017: $3,354) for Blanket Mine and $602 (2017: $669) for Eersteling mine. The Eersteling Mine rehabilitation provision was classified as Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (refer note 21) as at December 31, 2018.

 

26        Share-based expenses

 

26.1       Equity-settled share-based expense

 

The Group has expensed the following Equity-settled share-based payment arrangements for the year ended December 31:

 

    Note     2018     2017     2016  
Share option programmes   26.1 (a)       14       29       170  
Facilitation and advanced dividend loan modification   26.1 (b)       —         806       —    
            14       835       170  

 

(a)        Share option programmes

 

The Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“OEICP”) was established for grants after May 2015. Share options issued before May 2015 were issued in terms of the Rolling Stock Option Plan (“RSOP”), which was superseded by the OEICP. In accordance with the OEICP, options are granted at an exercise price equal to the greater of volume weighted average trading price for the five days prior to grant or the closing price on the day immediately prior to the date of grant. The options vest according to dates set at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at the date of grant. All outstanding option awards that have been granted, pursuant to the plan, vest immediately.

 

F- 49

 

 

26.1       Equity-settled share-based expense (continued)

 

(a)        Share option programmes (continued)

 

Terms and conditions of share option programmes

 

The maximum term of the options under the OEICP is 10 years and under the RSOP 5 years. The terms and conditions relating to the grant of options under the RSOP are that all options are to be settled by physical delivery of shares. Equity-settled share-based payments under the OEICP will also be settled by physical delivery of shares. Under both plans the aggregate number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the grant of options, or under any other share compensation arrangements of the Company, will not exceed 10% of the aggregate issued and outstanding shares issued of the Company.

 

At December 31, 2018, the Company has the following options outstanding:

 

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       9.30     Aug 25, 2024
  38,000              

 

The continuity of the options granted, exercised, cancelled and expired under the Plan were as follows:

 

    Number of Options *     Weighted Avg. Exercise Price  
          Canadian $*  
             
Options outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2016     448,184       5.40  
Expired or forfeited     (232,200 )     6.50  
Granted     18,000       11.50  
Exercised     (141,704 )     4.15  
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016     92,280       5.85  
Granted     5,000       8.10  
Exercised     (69,280 )     4.50  
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017     28,000       9.55  
Granted     10,000       9.30  
Exercised     —          
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018     38,000       9.48  

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the outstanding options is 3.14 years (2017: 3.72 years).

 

F- 50

 

 

26.1       Equity-settled share-based expense (continued)

 

(a)       Share option programmes (continued)

 

Inputs for measurement of grant date fair values

 

The fair value of share-based payments noted above was estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model as the fair value of the services could not be estimated reliably. Service and non-market performance conditions attached to the arrangements were not taken into account in measuring fair value. The following assumptions were used in determining the fair value of the options:

 

Options granted     10,000       * 5,000       * 18,000  
Grant date     February 27, 2018       May 30, 2018       October 13, 2017  
Risk-free interest rate     2,86 %     2.40 %     0.53 %
Expected stock price volatility (based on historical volatility)     32 %     118 %     119 %
Expected option life in years     3       3       5  
Exercise price     CAD 9.30       * CAD 8.10       * CAD 11.50  
Share price at grant date     CAD 9.30       * CAD 8.10       * CAD 11.50  
Fair value at grant date   $1.40     * $5.81     * $9.45  

 

The exercise price was determined as the prevailing Toronto Stock Exchange share price on the day of the grant. Expected volatility has been based on an evaluation of the historical volatility of the Company’s share price. The expected term has been based on historical experience. The share-based payment expense relating to the grants amounted to $14 (2017: $29; 2016: $170).

 

* Amounts stated after the 1:5 share consolidation effected on June 26, 2017.

 

(b)       Facilitation and advance dividend loan modification

 

On June 23, 2017, the Group, Blanket Mine and the Indigenous Shareholders reached agreement to change the interest rate on the facilitation and advanced dividend loans from the previously agreed 12 month LIBOR + 10% to the lower of a fixed rate of 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly or 80% of the dividends paid in the financial quarter. The modification was beneficial to the Indigenisation Shareholders and resulted in an equity-settled share-based payment expense of $806. The Monte Carlo simulation approach was followed to value the fair value of the Indigenisation Shareholders’ equity before and after the modification date. The fair value of the Indigenisation Shareholders’ equity was based on simulating the future Blanket Mine dividend yields.

 

The following assumptions were used in determining modification of the expense:

 

Modification date     June 23, 2017  
Blanket Mine dividend yield     23.70% - 89.88%  
Risk free interest rate     $ swap curve  
Group market capitalisation at grant date ($’000)   $ 68,436  

 

F- 51

 

 

26.2       Cash-settled share-based expense

 

The Group has separately disclosed the following cash-settled share-based payment arrangements in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31:

 

    Note     2018     2017     2016  
                         
Restricted Share Units and Performance Share Units   26.2.(a)       218       853       618  
Caledonia Mining South Africa employee incentive scheme   26.2.(b)       97       123       —    
            315       976       618  

 

(a) Restricted Share Units and Performance Share Units

 

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

 

The RSUs will vest three years after grant date given that the service condition of the relevant employees are fulfilled. The value of the vested RSUs will be the number of RSUs vested multiplied by the fair market value of the Company’s shares, as specified by the Plan and in the award agreements, on date of settlement.

 

The PSUs have a service condition and a performance period of three years. The performance condition is a function of production cost, gold production and central shaft depth targets on certain specified dates. The number of PSUs that will vest will be the PSUs 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 noon rate immediately preceding the dividend payment. PSUs have rights to dividends only after they have vested.

 

RSUs and PSUs were originally granted to be settled in cash. On May 8, 2018 the Board approved amendments to the awards to allow for settlement of the vesting date value in cash or shares issuable at fair market value or a combination of both at the discretion of the option holder.

 

The fair value of the RSUs, at the reporting date, was based on the Black Scholes option valuation model. The fair value of the PSUs, 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 it was assumed that there is an 85% probability that the performance conditions will be met and therefore an 85% (2017: 94%; 2016: 100%) average performance multiplier was used in calculating the estimated liability. The liability as at December 31, 2018 amounted to $2,043 (December 31, 2017: $1,782). Included in the liability as at December 31, 2018 is an amount of $43 (December 31, 2017: $311; December 31, 2016: Nil) that was expensed and classified as production costs; refer note 9.

 

F- 52

 

 

26.2       Cash-settled share-based expense

 

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

 

The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the cash-settled share-based payment liability on December 31, 2018:

 

    *2018     *2017  
    RSUs     PSUs     RSUs     PSUs  
Fair value ($)   $ 5.46     $ 5.46     $ 7.37     $ 7.17  
Share price ($)   $ 5.46     $ 5.46     $ 7.37     $ 7.37  
Performance multiplier percentage     —         85 %     —         94 %
Share units granted:                                
      RSUs       PSUs       RSUs       PSUs  
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, 2017     4,443       17,774       4,443       17,774  
RSU dividend reinvestments     10,960       —         7,324       —    
Total awards at December 31     92,130       324,694       88,494       324,694  

 

* Amounts are presented after the 1:5 share consolidation that took place on June 26, 2017. All fractional entitlements due to the share consolidation were rounded down.

 

(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 £4.39 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 $47 (December 31, 2017: $44) and the expense amounted to $97 (December 31, 2017: $123; December 31, 2016: Nil) for the year ended December 31, 2018. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the cash-settled share-based payment liability on December, 31:

 

    2018     2017  
    Awards  
Grant - July 2017 (3 year term)     37,330       37,330  
Grant - August 2018 (3 year term)     5,918       —    
Awards paid out     (26,864 )     —    
Total awards outstanding December 31     16,384       37,330  
                 
Estimated awards expected to vest at December 31     100 %     100 %

 

F- 53

 

 

27       Loans and borrowings

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Balance at January 1     1,486       2,987       —    
Cash flows                        
Repayment                        
- Capital     (1,500 )     (1,500 )     —    
- Interest     (58 )     (156 )     —    
Proceeds     6,000       —         3,000  
Transaction cost     (60 )     —         (73 )
                         
Non-cash flows                        
Interest     92       155       60  
Balance at December 31     5,960       1,486       2,987  
                         
Long-term portion of term loan facility     5,960       —         1,577  
Short-term portion of term loan facility     —         1,486       1,410  

 

On December 20, 2018 Blanket Mine received $6 million in terms of a new term facility with Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited bearing interest at an interest rate of 6% per annum and an upfront arrangement fee of $60. The term facility is unsecured and will be paid back by a final bullet payment at the end of the 3 year term. The imputed finance costs on the liability was determined at an incremental borrowing rate of 6% for the new loan. Finance costs are accounted for in note 14 on the effective interest rate method. The fair value of the term facility approximates the carrying amount as the market rate approximated the actual rate at year end.

 

F- 54

 

 

28        Trade and other payables

 

    2018     2017  
             
Trade payables and accruals     2,510       2,939  
Electricity accrual     4,054       5,827  
Audit fee     239       231  
Other payables     690       584  
Financial liabilities     7,493       9,581  
Production and management bonus accrual - Blanket Mine     —         789  
Other employee benefits     669       552  
Leave pay     1,889       1,738  
Non-financial liabilities     2,558       3,079  
Total     10,051       12,660  

 

The Group’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in note 7 and note 30.

 

29        Cash flow information

 

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

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                   
Operating profit     21,421       20,618       18,978  
Adjustments for:                        
Loss on sale of Property, plant and equipment     —         2       44  
Impairment of Property, plant and equipment     208       12       20  
Foreign exchange (gains)/losses     (243 )     121       (105 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense     228       897       788  
Cash-settled share-based payment expense included in operating cost     43       311       —    
Equity-settled share-based payment expense     14       835       —    
Site restoration     30       36       32  
Depreciation     4,071       3,763       3,491  
Allowance for obsolete stock     15       32       862  
Provision for impairment – royalty rebate (note 11)     —         181       —    
Net cash used for assets and liabilities held for sale     (2 )     —         —    
Cash generated by operations before working capital changes     25,785       26,808       24,110  
Inventories     (277 )     (1,975 )     (1,990 )
Prepayments     (62 )     82       (99 )
Trade and other receivables     (1,916 )     (1,437 )     555  
Trade and other payables     (2,411 )     5,407       3,095  
Cash flows from operating activities     21,119       28,885       25,671  

 

F- 55

 

 

30       Financial instruments

 

i)       Credit risk

 

Exposure to 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 maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:

 

Carrying amount  

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Zimbabwe     3,639       2,015  
Other regions     10       —    
      3,649       2,015  

 

Impairment losses

 

None of the trade and other receivables are past due at year-end other than the royalty rebate of 2016 (refer note 11). Trade and other receivables have a past history of payment shortly after year end and management identified immaterial factors at year end that could cause doubt about the credit quality or recoverability of the trade and other receivables.

 

ii)       Liquidity risk

 

The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities, including contractual interest payments and excluding the impact of netting agreements.

 

Non-derivative financial liabilities                  
December 31, 2018   Carrying amount     12 months or less     1-3 Years  
Trade and other payables     10,051       10,051       —    
Term loan facility     5,960       —         5,960  
      16,011       10,051       5,960  
                         
December 31, 2017     Carrying amount       12 months or less       1-3 Years  
Trade and other payables     9,581       9,581       —    
Term loan facility     1,486       1,486       —    
Overdraft     311       311       —    
      11,378       11,378       —    

 

F- 56

 

 

30       Financial instruments (continued)

 

iii) Currency risk

 

The Group is exposed to currency risk to the extent that there is a mismatch between the currency that it transacts in and the functional currency. The results of the Group’s operations are subject to currency transaction risk and currency translation risk. The operating results and financial position of the Group are reported in US dollar in the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to other currencies that entities within the Group may transact in will consequently have an effect upon the profitability of the Group and may also effect the value of the Group’s assets and liabilities. As noted below, the Group has certain financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company. To reduce exposure to currency transaction risk, the Group regularly reviews the currency in which it spends its cash to identify and avoid specific expenditures in currencies that experiences inflationary pressures. Further the Group aims to maintain cash and cash equivalents in US Dollar to avoid foreign exchange exposure and to meet short-term liquidity requirements.

 

Sensitivity analysis

 

As a result of the Group’s monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies which is different to the functional currency of the underlying entities, the profit or loss and equity in the underlying entities could be affected by movements between the functional currency and the foreign currency. The table below indicates consolidated monetary assets/(liabilities) in the group that have a different functional currency and foreign currency.

 

    2018
$‘000
    2017
$‘000
 
    Functional currency     Functional currency  
    ZAR     $     ZAR     $  
Cash and cash equivalents     57       *8,147       57       601  
Trade and other receivables     —         126       —         —    
Trade and other payables     —         (345 )     —         —    
Term loan     —         *(5,960 )     —         —    
      57       1,968       57       601  

 

A reasonably possible strengthening or weakening of 5% of the various functional currencies against the foreign currencies, would have the following equal or opposite effect on profit or loss and equity for the group:

 

    2018
$‘000
    2017
$’000
 
    Functional currency     Functional currency  
    ZAR     $     ZAR     $  
Cash and cash equivalents     3       388       3       30  
Trade and other receivables     —         6       —         —    
Trade and other payables     —         (16 )     —         —    
Term loan     —         (283 )     —         —    

 

* Of the cash and cash equivalents and term loan facility $6,560 (2017:Nil) and $5,960 (2017:Nil) are denominated in RTGS$ respectively.

 

F- 57

 

 

30       Financial instruments (continued)

 

iv)       Interest rate risk (continued)

 

The group's interest rate risk arises from Loans and borrowings, overdraft facility and cash held. The Loans and borrowings, overdraft facility and cash held have variable interest rate borrowings. Variable rate borrowings expose the group to cash flow interest rate risk. The group has not entered into interest rate swap agreements.

 

The Group’s assets and liabilities exposed to interest rate fluctuations as at year end is summarised as follows:

 

    2018     2017  
Cash and cash equivalents     11,187       12,756  
Term loan     5,960       1,486  

 

Interest rate risk arising is offset by available cash and cash equivalents. The table below summarises the effect of a change in finance cost on the Group’s profit or loss and equity, had the rates charged differed.

 

Sensitivity analysis – Cash and cash equivalents   2018     2017  
Increase by 100 basis points     111       128  
Decrease by 100 basis points     (111 )     (128 )
                 
Sensitivity analysis – Term loan     2018       2017  
                 
Increase by 100 basis points     (60 )     (15 )
Decrease by 100 basis points     60       15  

 

v) Market risk - Gold price

 

On August 17, 2018 the Company entered into a hedge in respect of 8,000 ounces of gold over a period of 4 months. The hedge protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,150 per ounce and gave Caledonia full participation if the price of gold exceeded $1,195 per ounce. The derivative financial instrument was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment. The derivative contract resulted in a loss of $360 and was included in profit or loss.

 

31       Dividends

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                         
Dividends paid to owners of the Company (Excluding NCI)     2,908       2,904       2,639  

 

The quarterly dividend of 6.875 cents per share represents Caledonia’s current dividend policy.

 

32       Contingencies

 

The Group may be subject to various claims that arise in the normal course of business. Management believes there are no contingent liabilities of the Group arising from claims.


F- 58

 

 

33       Related parties

 

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity. Directors of the company, as well as certain executives are considered key management.

 

Employee contracts between Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited, the Company and key management, include an option for respective key management to terminate such employee contract in the event of a change in control of the Company and to receive a severance payment equal to two years’ compensation. If this was triggered as at December 31, 2018 the severance payment would have amounted to $5,221 (2017: $5,015). A change in control would constitute:

 

·     the acquisition of more than 50% of the shares; or

 

·     the acquisition of right to exercise the majority of the voting rights of shares; or

 

·     the acquisition of the right to appoint the majority of the board of directors; or

 

·     the acquisition of more than 50% of the assets of the Group.

 

Key management personnel and director transactions:

 

A number of related parties transacted with the Group in the reporting period. The aggregate value of transactions and outstanding balances relating to key management personnel and entities over which they have control or significant influence were as follows:

 

    2018     2017     2016  
Key management salaries and bonuses     2,476       2,041       2,033  
Cash-settled share-based expense *     261       1,164       788  
      2,737       3,205       2,821  

 

Employees, officers, directors, consultants and other service providers also participate in the Group's share option program (see note 26.2(a)). Group entities are set out in note 34.

 

Refer to note 6 and note 36 for transactions with Non-controlling interests. Refer to note 34 for management fees between Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited and Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited.

 

*Amount inclusive of $43(2017: $311) classified as production costs.

 

F- 59

 

 

34       Group entities

 

    Functional currency   Country of incorporation   Legal
shareholding
    Intercompany balances with Holding company  
            2018     2017     2018     2017  
Subsidiaries of the Company           %     %              
Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited   $   Zimbabwe     100       100       —         —    
Caledonia Mining Services Limited   $   Zimbabwe     100       100       —         —    
Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited   ZAR   South Africa     100       100       (13,179 )     (12,956 )
Fintona Investments Proprietary Limited   ZAR   South Africa     100       100       (14,859 )     (14,859 )
Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited   ZAR   South Africa     100       100       (565 )     (941 )
Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited   $   United Kingdom     100       100       9,813       20,879  
Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited (3)   $   Zimbabwe     (2) 49       (2) 49       —         —    
Blanket Employee Trust Services (Private) Limited (BETS) (1)   $   Zimbabwe     —         —         —         —    

 

 

(1) BETS and the Employee Trust are consolidated as structured entities.

 

(2) Refer to Note 6, for the effective shareholding. NCI has a 16.2% interest in cash flows of Blanket only.

 

(3) Blanket has no subsidiary companies

 

 

 

F- 60

 

 

35        Operating 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 Group’s 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 comprise Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe Limited and subsidiaries. The South Africa geographical segment comprise a gold mine, that is on care and maintenance, as well as sales made by Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited to the Blanket Mine. The holding company and Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited (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. Corporate and other 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 report that are reviewed by the Group's 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.

 

Information about reportable segments 2018   Zimbabwe     South Africa     Inter-group elimination adjustments     Corporate and other reconciling amounts     Total  
                               
Revenue     68,399       12,554       (12,166 )     (388 )     68,399  
Royalties     (3,426 )     —         —         —         (3,426 )
Production costs     (39,186 )     (11,328 )     11,199       —         (39,315 )
Depreciation     (4,366 )     (32 )     327       —         (4,071 )
Management fee *     (2,650 )     2,650       —         —         —    
Other income     6,482       366       —         253       7,101  
Other expenses     (296 )     —         —         (40 )     (336 )
Administrative expenses     (159 )     (2,433 )     —         (3,873 )     (6,465 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense     (84 )     (137 )     —         (94 )     (315 )
Equity-settled share-based payment expense     —         —         —         (14 )     (14 )
Net Foreign exchange gain/(loss)     133       (327 )     —         417       223  
Net finance cost     (262 )     17       —         25       (220 )
Margin call on hedge     —         —         —         (360 )     (360 )
Profit before tax     24,585       1,330       (640 )     (4,074 )     21,201  
Tax expense     (7,085 )     (387 )     153       (126 )     (7,445 )
Profit for the year     17,500       943       (487 )     (4,200 )     13,756  

 

Of the management fee $1,871 was receivable and payable at year end (2017: $561).

 

F- 61

 

 

35         Operating Segments (continued)

 

Information about reportable segments 2018   Zimbabwe     South Africa     Inter-group elimination adjustments     Corporate and other reconciling amounts     Total  
                               
Geographic segment assets:                                        
Current (excluding intercompany)     21,505       3,489       (91 )     3,265       28,168  
Non-current (excluding intercompany)     98,700       466       (1,641 )     —         97,525  
Expenditure on property, plant and equipment     20,436       370       (891 )     —         19,915  
Intercompany balances     —         6,926       (46,240 )     39,314       —    
Assets held for sale     —         296       —         —         296  
                                         
Geographic segment liabilities                                        
Current (excluding intercompany)     (10,445 )     (1,403 )     —         (350 )     (12,198 )
Non-current (excluding intercompany)     (33,043 )     (47 )     446       (2,043 )     (34,687 )
Intercompany balances     (1,345 )     (33,032 )     46,240       (11,863 )     —    
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale             (609 )     —         —         (609 )

 

Information about reportable segments 2017   Zimbabwe     South Africa     Inter-group eliminations adjustments     Corporate and other reconciling amounts     Total  
                                       
Revenue     69,762       —         —         —         69,762  
Inter-segmental revenue     —         15,247       (15,061 )     (186 )     —    
Royalties     (3,498 )     —         —         —         (3,498 )
Production costs     (36,753 )     (14,751 )     15,324       —         (36,180 )
Depreciation     (4,019 )     (53 )     309       —         (3,763 )
Management fee     (3,960 )     3,960       —         —         —    
Other income     2,358       205       —         31       2,594  
Other expenses     —         (14 )     —         —         (14 )
Impairment loss on trade receivables     (181 )     —         —         —         (181 )
Administrative expenses     (40 )     (2,258 )     —         (3,613 )     (5,911 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense     (581 )     —         —         (395 )     (976 )
Equity-settled share-based payment expense     (806 )     —         —         (29 )     (835 )
Net Foreign exchange gain     (375 )     207       —         (212 )     (380 )
Net finance cost     (69 )     10       —         28       (31 )
Profit before tax    

21,838

     

2,553

    572       (4,376 )     20,587  
Tax expense     (7,587 )     (1,104 )     —         —         (8,691 )
Profit for the year    

14,251

      1,449       572       (4,376 )     11,896  

 

F- 62

 

 

35       Operating Segments (continued)

 

2017   Zimbabwe     South Africa     Intergroup elimination adjustment     Corporate and other reconciling amounts     Total  
Geographic segment assets:                                        
Current     20,368       2,766       (60 )     4,839       27,913  
Non-current (excluding intercompany)     82,798       381       (1,076 )     40       82,143  
Additions to property, plant and equipment     21,007       (7 )     (51 )     —         20,949  
Intercompany balances     —         8,021       (58,087 )     50,066       —    
                                         
Geographic segment liabilities                                        
Current     (13,969 )     (1,276 )     —         (357 )     (15,602 )
Non-current (excluding intercompany)     (23,041 )     (714 )     293       (1,781 )     (25,243 )
Intercompany balances     (2,720 )     (32,724 )     58,087       (22,643 )     —    

 

Information about reportable segments 2016   Zimbabwe     South Africa     Inter-group eliminations adjustments     Corporate and other reconciling amounts     Total  
                                       
Revenue     61,992       —         —         —         61,992  
Inter-segmental revenue     —         11,873       (11,348 )     (525 )     —    
Royalties     (2,923 )     —         —         —         (2,923 )
Production costs     (33,081 )     (10,185 )     11,180       —         (32,086 )
Depreciation     (3,733 )     (47 )     289       —         (3,491 )
Management fee     (3,960 )     3,960       —         —         —    
Other income     1,194       16       —         120       1,330  
Other expenses     (55 )     —         —         —         (55 )
Administrative expenses     (128 )     (3,119 )     674       (4,690 )     (7,263 )
Cash-settled share-based payment expense     (342 )     (106 )     —         (340 )     (788 )
Net Foreign exchange gain     2       (529 )     —         22       (505 )
Margin call on hedge     —         —         —         (435 )     (435 )
Net finance cost     (191 )     15       —         —         (176 )
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury     3,202       —         —         —         3,202  
Profit before tax     21,977       1,878       795       (5,848 )     18,802  
Tax expense     (6,795 )     (922 )     —         —         (7,717 )
Profit for the year     15,182       431       795       (5,323 )     11,085  

 

Major customer

 

Revenues from Fidelity Printers in Zimbabwe amounted to approximately $68,399 (2017: $69,762; 2016: $61,992).

 

F- 63

 

 

36        Non-controlling interests

 

Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited NCI % - 16.2%

 

    2018     2017     2016  
                         
Current assets     19,107       15,559       13,151  
Non-current assets     98,700       82,798       65,823  
Current liabilities     (13,200 )     (16,232 )     (8,698 )
Non-current liabilities     (33,043 )     (23,041 )     (20,185 )
Net assets     71,564       59,084       50,091  
                         
Carrying amount of NCI     8,345       5,944       3,708  
                         
                         
Revenue     68,399       69,762       61,992  
Profit after tax     18,456       15,506       15,800  
Total comprehensive income     18,456       15,506       15,800  
                         
Profit allocated to NCI     2,990       2,512       2,559  
Dividend to NCI     (589 )     (406 )     (355 )

 

 

 

F- 64

 

 

37       Defined Contribution Plan

 

Under the terms of the Mining Industry Pension Fund (“Fund”) in Zimbabwe, eligible employees contribute a fixed percentage of their eligible earnings to the Fund. Blanket Mine makes a matching contribution plus an inflation levy as a fixed percentage of eligible earnings of these employees. The total contribution by Blanket Mine for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $619 (2017: $583).

 

38       Subsequent events

 

RSU and PSU settlement and new grants

 

On January 11, 2019, 224,667 PSUs and 69,307 RSUs fully vested. The vested amounts were settled by the issue of 93,664 shares in the Company and $885 in cash.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan a further 95,740 PSUs were granted on January 11, 2019 to certain key management personnel. The PSUs were granted with a service condition and a performance period of three years. The performance condition will be a function of gold production for the quarter ending December 31, 2021. The number of PSUs that will vest will be the PSUs granted multiplied by a performance multiplier, which will reflect the actual performance in terms of the performance conditions compared to expectations agreed on at the date of grant.

 

RTGS$

 

On February 20, 2019 the RBZ issued a monetary policy statement, which allows inter-bank trading between RTGS$ and foreign currencies. This changes the exchange rate, previously pegged 1 RTGS$ to the United States Dollar to a fluctuations exchange rate determined by supply and demand. In terms of this new policy, gold producers will continue to receive 55% of its gold proceeds in United States Dollar and the balance will be received in RTGS$ at the prevailing inter-bank rate. Blanket will use the RTGS$ proceeds to settle its local liabilities (wages, taxation, electricity and local procurement) and the United States Dollar component to fund offshore purchases. To the extent that Blanket has surplus RTGS$, these could be exchanged for foreign currency. The changes resulting from the monetary policy statement will not change the primary economic environment in which Blanket Mine operate, however the rate at which monetary items, denominated in RTGS$, are converted to Blanket Mine’s functional currency will fluctuate based on prevailing inter-bank exchange rates.

 

Export credit incentive

 

In the monetary policy statement issued on February 20, 2019 the RBZ announced the cancellation of the ECI.

 

Gold 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 protects the Company if the gold price falls 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, not as a speculative investment.

 

F- 65

 

 

38       Subsequent events (continued)

 

Indigenisation transaction – Fremiro buy out

 

On November 5, 2018 the Company and Fremiro entered into a sale agreement for Caledonia to purchase Femiro’s 15% shareholding in Blanket. 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 $11,467 as at June 30, 2018 ($11,468 at September 30, 2018) and the purchase of their 15% shareholding in Blanket, increasing the Company’s total shareholding in Blanket to 64%. The Company will continue to consolidate Blanket in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited

 

On May 31, 2018 the Group entered into a new agreement to amend the initial share sale agreement. The amended share sale agreement allowed for a purchase price of $ 3 million settled through three payments of $1 million payable on the completion date, 12 and 18 months after the completion date. The share sale agreement was suspensive, subject to the conclusion of the rock dump sale (refer note 10) and for SH Minerals to obtain funding for the purchase price for the sale. In February 2019 an amount of ZAR13 million ($1 million) was received as payment towards the purchase price. The payment received in February 2019 effectively transferred the registered and beneficial ownership of Eersteling to SH Minerals and the Group relinquished control.

 

 

F- 66

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.

 

Date March 28, 2019

 

  CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC
       
  By: /s/ Mark Learmonth  
   

Mark Learmonth

 
   

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.5

 

 

Dated

 

5 November 2018

Share Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

FREMIRO INVESTMENTS (PRIVATE) LIMITED (1)

 

 

and

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

Clause

1.   Interpretation 1
2.   conditions precedent 4
3.   Sale and purchase 5
4.   Purchase Price 5
5.   Completion 5
6.   Lock-In and Orderly Market Undertakings 6
7.   Warranties 7
8.   Indemnities 10
9.   Confidentiality and announcements 11
10.   Further assurance 13
11.   Assignment 13
12.   No agency 14
13.   Entire agreement 14
14.   Variation and waiver 14
15.   Costs 15
16.   Notices 15
17.   Severance 16
18.   Agreement survives Completion 16
19.   Third party rights 17
20.   Counterparts 17
21.   Rights and remedies 17
22.   Inadequacy of damages 17
23.   Governing law and jurisdiction 18

 

 

 

 

Schedule

Schedule 1   Conditions 19
1.   Shareholder consent 19
2.   Other consents and clearances 19
3.   Other conditions 19
Schedule 2   Seller's obligations at Completion 20
1.   Documents to be delivered at Completion 20
2.   Completion board meeting 20
Schedule 3   Warranties 21
Part 1 – Seller Warranties 21
1.   Power to sell the Sale Shares 21
2.   Shares in the Company 21
3.   Information 21
4.   Transactions with the Seller and Seller's interests 22
Part 2 – Buyer Warranties 22
1.   Power to Issue the Consideration Shares 22
2.   Consideration Shares 22
3.   Information 23

 

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated 2018

Parties

 

(1) Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited, a private company incorporated and registered in Zimbabwe with company number 5/45 whose registered office is at 6 th Floor Redbridge, Eastgate, Harare, Zimbabwe ( Seller ); and

 

(2) Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc, a public company incorporated and registered in Jersey with company number 120924 whose registered office is at 3rd Floor, Weighbridge House, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3NF, Channel Islands ( Buyer ).

 

Background

 

(A) The Company is a private company limited by shares incorporated in Zimbabwe.

 

(B) The Company has an issued share capital comprising: 20,972,000 Founders shares of $0.12c each, 17,548,000 A Class shares of $0.005c each, of which the Sale Shares form a part, 4,280,000 B Class shares of $0.005c each and 1 D Class share of $0.005c.

 

(C) The Seller is the owner of the legal and beneficial title to the Sale Shares, which represent 15% of the issued share capital of the Company.

 

(D) The Seller has agreed to sell and the Buyer has agreed to buy the Sale Shares subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement.

 

(E) The Seller owes the Buyer’s Group $11,467,545 as at 30 June 2018 pursuant to a loan and interest accrued thereon arising from arrangements pursuant to which the Seller became a shareholder in the Company.

 

Agreed terms

 

1. Interpretation

 

1.1

The definitions and rules of interpretation in this clause apply in this agreement.

 

$: United States dollar(s), being the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

Broker: the Buyer’s appointed broker from time to time who acts as broker in respect of the Buyer’s securities on a particular stock exchange upon which the Buyer’s securities are listed or admitted to trading.

 

Business Day: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England when banks in London are open for business.

 

Buyer’s Solicitors: Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans of 7th Floor, Beverley Court, 100 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe.

 

Buyer Warranties: the warranties and representations given by the Buyer pursuant to clauses 7.11 to 7.20 inclusive and set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3.

 

Claim: a claim for breach of any of the Warranties.

 

Company: Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated and registered in Zimbabwe with company number 172/69.

 

1

 

 

Completion: completion of the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares in accordance with this agreement.

 

Completion Date: has the meaning given in clause 5.2.

 

Conditions: the conditions to Completion, being the matters set out in Schedule 1.

 

Consideration Shares: 727,266 common shares of no par value in the Buyer at an issue price of $7.15 per share.

 

Disposal: directly or indirectly, unconditionally or conditionally, transfer, sell, assign, swap, charge, mortgage, pledge, grant options or other rights over, encumber or otherwise dispose of (or agree to transfer, sell, assign, swap, charge, mortgage, pledge, grant options or other rights over, encumber or otherwise dispose of) and the expression "dispose of" shall be construed accordingly.

 

Encumbrance: any interest or equity of any person (including any right to acquire, option or right of pre-emption) or any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, hypothecation, security interest, title retention or any other security agreement or arrangement.

 

Facilitation Loan: the loan and accrued interest thereon as referred to at (E) of the Background above, which the parties acknowledge and agree represents the amount outstanding owed by the Seller to the Buyer’s Group as at 30 June 2018 in accordance with arrangements pursuant to which the Seller became a shareholder in the Company.

 

Group: in relation to a company, that company, any subsidiary or any holding company from time to time of that company, and any subsidiary from time to time of a holding company of that company. Each company in a Group is a member of the Group.

 

Indemnity Claim: a claim for breach of any of the indemnities in clause 8.

 

Interim Period: the period from (and including) the date of this agreement up to (and including) the Completion Date or, if earlier, the termination of this agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

Lock-in Period: the period of 6 months commencing on the Completion Date.

 

Longstop Date: on 31 December 2018 or such other date as may be agreed by the Buyer and the Seller in writing.

 

Orderly Market Date: the date falling 12 months after the Completion Date.

 

Purchase Price: has the meaning given in clause 4.1.

 

Sale Shares: 6,420,000 A Class shares of $0.005c each in the Company.

 

Seller’s Solicitors: Scanlen & Holderness of 13 th Floor CABS Centre, 74 Jason Moyo Ave, Harare, P.O. Box 188 & 631 Harare, Zimbabwe.

 

Seller Warranties: the warranties and representations given by the Seller pursuant to clauses 7.1 to 7.10 inclusive and set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3.

 

Transaction: the transaction contemplated by this agreement or any part of that transaction.

 

Transaction Documents: this agreement and any other document (if any) to be entered into pursuant to this agreement in connection with the Transaction.

 

Warranties: the warranties and representations given by the parties pursuant to clause 7 and set out in Schedule 3.

 

2

 

 

1.2 Clause, Schedule and paragraph headings shall not affect the interpretation of this agreement.

 

1.3 References to clauses and Schedules are to the clauses of and Schedules to this agreement and references to paragraphs are to paragraphs of the relevant Schedule.

 

1.4 The Schedules form part of this agreement and shall have effect as if set out in full in the body of this agreement. Any reference to this agreement includes the Schedules.

 

1.5 A reference to this agreement, or any other agreement or document referred to in this agreement, is a reference to this agreement or such other agreement or document as varied or novated (in each case, other than in breach of the provisions of this agreement) from time to time.

 

1.6 Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.

 

1.7 Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to one gender shall include a reference to the other genders.

 

1.8 A person includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality).

 

1.9 This agreement shall be binding on and enure to the benefit of the parties to this agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and references to a party shall include that party’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

1.10 A reference to a company shall include any company, corporation or other body corporate, wherever and however incorporated or established.

 

1.11 Unless expressly provided otherwise in this agreement, a reference to writing or written includes fax and email.

 

1.12 Any words following the terms including , include , in particular , for example or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms.

 

1.13 References to a document in agreed form are to that document in the form agreed by the parties and initialled by them or on their behalf for identification.

 

1.14 Unless otherwise provided, a reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time.

 

3

 

 

1.15 A reference to a statute or statutory provision shall include all subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or statutory provision.

 

1.16 Any obligation on a party not to do something includes an obligation not to allow that thing to be done.

 

1.17 A reference to a particular time is to the local time in Zimbabwe.

 

2. Conditions Precedent

 

2.1 Completion is subject to and conditional upon the Conditions being satisfied (or waived by the Buyer in accordance with clause 2.6) before 6.00pm on the Longstop Date.

 

2.2 If any Condition is not fully satisfied (or waived by the Buyer in accordance with clause 2.6) then, except as provided in clause 2.3, this agreement shall automatically terminate with immediate effect at 6:00pm on the Longstop Date.

 

2.3 If this agreement terminates in accordance with clause 2.2 or is terminated pursuant to clause 5.4(c) or clause 7.6(a) or clause 7.16(a), it will immediately cease to have any further force and effect except for:

 

(a) any provision of this agreement that expressly or by implication is intended to come into or continue in force on or after termination (including clause 1 (Interpretation), clause 2.2 and this clause 2.3 (Conditions precedent), clause 9 (Confidentiality and announcements) and clause 13 (Entire agreement) to clause 23 (Governing law and jurisdiction) (inclusive)), each of which shall remain in full force and effect; and

 

(b) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities of the parties that have accrued before termination.

 

2.4 The Seller and the Buyer shall use their best endeavours to procure (so far as it lies within their respective powers so to do) that the Conditions are satisfied as soon as practicable.

 

2.5 The Buyer and the Seller shall co-operate fully in all actions necessary to procure the satisfaction of the Conditions including (but not limited to) the provision by the parties of all information reasonably necessary to make any notification or filing that the Buyer deems to be necessary or as required by any relevant authority, keeping the other party informed of the progress of any notification or filing and providing such other assistance as may reasonably be required and the parties shall furnish copies of regulatory applications and approvals to each other as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

2.6 The Buyer may, to the extent that it is legally entitled to do so and to such extent as it thinks fit (with the Seller’s written consent), waive any of the Conditions.

 

4

 

 

3. Sale and purchase

 

3.1 On the terms of this agreement and subject to the Conditions, at Completion the Seller shall sell and the Buyer shall buy the Sale Shares with full title guarantee and free from all Encumbrances, together with all rights that attach (or may in the future attach) to the Sale Shares including, in particular, the right to receive all dividends and distributions declared, made or paid on or after the date of this agreement.

 

3.2 The Buyer is not obliged to complete the purchase of any of the Sale Shares unless the purchase of all the Sale Shares is completed simultaneously.

 

4. Purchase Price

 

4.1 The total consideration for the sale of the Sale Shares is the sum of $16,667,000 (Purchase Price) , which shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller on Completion by:

 

(a) the cancellation of the Facilitation Loan; and

 

(b) the issue of the Consideration Shares to the Seller.

 

5. Completion

 

5.1 Completion shall take place on the Completion Date at the offices of the Buyer's Solicitors or at such other place as is agreed by the parties in writing.

 

5.2 The Completion Date shall be 30 November 2018, unless:

 

(a) the Conditions have not been fully satisfied (or waived by the Buyer in accordance with clause 2.6) on or before that date, in which event the Completion Date shall be:

 

(i) the second Business Day after all of the Conditions have been fully satisfied (or waived); or

 

(ii) any other date agreed by the Seller and the Buyer in writing; or

 

(b) Completion is deferred in accordance with clause 5.4, in which event the Completion Date shall be the date to which Completion is so deferred.

 

5.3 At Completion:

 

(a) the Seller shall:

 

(i) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer the items listed in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2;

 

(ii) deliver a certified copy of the resolutions in agreed form of the Seller’s board of directors approving Completion and the execution and delivery of any Transaction Documents to be delivered by the Seller at Completion.

 

5

 

 

(iii) deliver any other documents referred to in this agreement as being required to be delivered by the Seller at Completion; and

 

(b) the Buyer shall (subject to the Seller complying with clause 5.3(a)):

 

(i) deliver a copy of a consent by Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited to the Transaction;

 

(ii) issue the Consideration Shares in accordance with clause 4.1(b) and provide a copy of the updated share register showing the Seller as the holder of the Consideration Shares and a copy of the share certificate relating thereto, the original of which shall be delivered to the Seller as soon as reasonably practicable; and

 

(iii) deliver a certified copy of the resolutions in agreed form of the Buyer’s board of directors approving Completion and the execution and delivery of any Transaction Documents to be delivered by the Buyer at Completion.

 

(c) subject to the Seller complying with clause 5.3(a), the Facilitation Loan shall be considered repaid in its entirety as partial consideration for the purchase of the Sale Shares by the Buyer and the Facilitation Loan shall thereafter be cancelled.

 

5.4 If the Seller does not comply with its obligations in clause 5.3 in any material respect, the Buyer may (at its sole discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it has, including the right to claim damages for breach of this agreement):

 

(a) proceed to Completion;

 

(b) defer Completion to a date no more than 30 days after the date on which Completion would otherwise have taken place; or

 

(c) terminate this agreement by notice in writing to the Seller (in which case clause 2.3 shall apply).

 

5.5 The Buyer may defer Completion under clause 5.4(b) as many times as it wishes, but otherwise this clause 5 applies to a Completion so deferred as it applies where Completion has not been deferred.

 

6. Lock-In and Orderly Market Undertakings

 

6.1 The Seller undertakes to the Buyer that:

 

(a) it will not, during the Lock-in Period, Dispose of any interest in the Consideration Shares; and

 

(b) following expiry of the Lock-in Period, it will not up to and including the Orderly Market Date without the prior written consent of the Buyer Dispose of any interest in the Consideration Shares other than through the Broker subject to the terms relating to price and execution offered by the Broker being generally no less favourable than other brokers at that time.

 

6

 

 

6.2 The undertakings set out in clause 6.1 shall not apply:

 

(a) in the event of an intervening court order;

 

(b) to the acceptance of a general offer (in accordance with any applicable rules governing takeovers) made to shareholders of the Buyer (or to all such shareholders other than the offeror and/or any persons acting in concert with the offeror) to acquire all the issued shares of the Buyer (other than any shares already owned by the offeror and any person acting in concert with the offeror) or to the execution of an irrevocable undertaking to accept such offer;

 

(c) to any Disposal pursuant to a compromise or arrangement between the Buyer and its creditors (or any class of them) or between the Buyer and its members (or any class of them) and which is agreed to by the requisite majority of the members (or class of members) or creditors (or class of creditors), as the case may be, and sanctioned by the court;

 

(d) to a Disposal pursuant to an offer by the Buyer to purchase its own shares which is made on identical terms to the holders of shares of the same class;

 

(e) to any Disposal by the Seller to a person who, in the reasonable opinion of the Buyer (having been provided by the Seller with whatever evidence the Buyer deems necessary), is associated with the Seller provided that in the event that any transferee under this clause 6.2(e) ceases, prior to the Orderly Market Date, to be so associated with the Seller, such transferee shall transfer the Consideration Shares back to the Seller,

 

PROVIDED THAT in the case of clause 6.2(b) and clause 6.2(e) the transferee shall enter into an agreement to be bound by restrictions similar to those set out in this clause 6.

 

7. Warranties

 

Seller Warranties

 

7.1 The Seller acknowledges that the Buyer is entering into this agreement on the basis of, and in reliance on, the Seller Warranties.

 

7.2 The Seller warrants and represents to the Buyer that each Seller Warranty is true, accurate and not misleading as at the date of this agreement.

 

7.3 The Seller Warranties are deemed to be repeated on each day of the Interim Period by reference to the facts then existing. Any reference made to the date of this agreement (whether express or implied) in relation to any Seller Warranty shall be construed, in connection with the repetition of the Seller Warranties, as a reference to the date of such repetition.

 

7.4 The Seller shall not do anything during the Interim Period that would be materially inconsistent with any term of this agreement including any of the Seller Warranties, or cause any Seller Warranty to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.

 

7

 

 

7.5 If at any time during the Interim Period the Seller becomes aware of a fact or circumstance which constitutes (or which is reasonably expected to constitute) a breach of a Seller Warranty, or which would cause (or is reasonably expected to cause) a Seller Warranty to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading, it shall promptly:

 

(a) notify the Buyer in writing of the relevant fact or circumstance; and

 

(b) if requested by the Buyer, use its best endeavours to remedy or prevent (as the case may be) the notified breach or anticipated breach.

 

7.6 If at any time during the Interim Period it becomes apparent that a Seller Warranty has been breached, is untrue, inaccurate or misleading, or that the Seller has breached any other term of this agreement that is material to the Transaction the Buyer may (at its sole discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it has, including the right to claim damages for breach of this agreement):

 

(a) terminate this agreement by notice in writing to the Seller (in which case clause 2.3 shall apply); or

 

(b) proceed to Completion.

 

7.7 Without prejudice to the Buyer’s right to claim on any other basis, or to take advantage of any other remedies available to it, if any Seller Warranty is breached or proves to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading, the Seller covenants to pay to the Buyer on demand:

 

(a) all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, damages, legal and other professional fees and costs, penalties, expenses and consequential losses whether arising directly or indirectly) incurred by the Buyer, as a result of the Seller Warranty being untrue, inaccurate or misleading (including a reasonable amount in respect of management time); and

 

(b) if any sum payable under clause 7.7(a) is subject to tax in the hands of the Buyer, the additional amount required to ensure that the net amount received by the Buyer is the amount that the Buyer would have received if the payment was not subject to tax.

 

7.8 Each of the Seller Warranties is separate and, unless otherwise specifically provided, is not limited by reference to any other Seller Warranty or any other provision in this agreement.

 

7.9 No information of which the Buyer (or any of its agents or advisers) has knowledge (in each case whether actual, constructive or imputed), or which could have been discovered (whether by investigation made by the Buyer or on its behalf or otherwise), shall prejudice or prevent any Claim by the Buyer or reduce the amount recoverable under any such Claim.

 

8

 

 

7.10 For the avoidance of doubt, the rights and remedies of the Buyer in respect of any Claim shall not be affected by Completion or any termination of (or the Buyer’s failure to terminate) this agreement.

 

Buyer Warranties

 

7.11 The Buyer acknowledges that the Seller is entering into this agreement on the basis of, and in reliance on, the Buyer Warranties.

 

7.12 The Buyer warrants and represents to the Seller that each Buyer Warranty is true, accurate and not misleading as at the date of this agreement.

 

7.13 The Buyer Warranties are deemed to be repeated on each day of the Interim Period by reference to the facts then existing. Any reference made to the date of this agreement (whether express or implied) in relation to any Buyer Warranty shall be construed, in connection with the repetition of the Buyer Warranties, as a reference to the date of such repetition.

 

7.14 The Buyer shall not do anything during the Interim Period that would be materially inconsistent with any term of this agreement including any of the Buyer Warranties, or cause any Buyer Warranty to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.

 

7.15 If at any time during the Interim Period the Buyer becomes aware of a fact or circumstance which constitutes (or which is reasonably expected to constitute) a breach of a Buyer Warranty, or which would cause (or is reasonably expected to cause) a Buyer Warranty to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading, it shall promptly:

 

(a) notify the Seller in writing of the relevant fact or circumstance; and

 

(b) if requested by the Seller, use its best endeavours to remedy or prevent (as the case may be) the notified breach or anticipated breach.

 

7.16 If at any time during the Interim Period it becomes apparent that a Buyer Warranty has been breached, is untrue, inaccurate or misleading, or that the Buyer has breached any other term of this agreement that is material to the Transaction the Seller may (at its sole discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it has, including the right to claim damages for breach of this agreement):

 

(a) terminate this agreement by notice in writing to the Buyer (in which case clause 2.3 shall apply); or

 

(b) proceed to Completion.

 

9

 

 

7.17 Without prejudice to the Seller’s right to claim on any other basis, or to take advantage of any other remedies available to it, if any Buyer Warranty is breached or proves to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading, the Buyer covenants to pay to the Seller on demand:

 

(a) all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, damages, legal and other professional fees and costs, penalties, expenses and consequential losses whether arising directly or indirectly) incurred by the Seller, as a result of the Buyer Warranty being untrue, inaccurate or misleading (including a reasonable amount in respect of management time); and

 

(b) if any sum payable under clause 7.17(a) is subject to tax in the hands of the Seller, the additional amount required to ensure that the net amount received by the Seller is the amount that the Seller would have received if the payment was not subject to tax.

 

7.18 Each of the Buyer Warranties is separate and, unless otherwise specifically provided, is not limited by reference to any other Buyer Warranty or any other provision in this agreement.

 

7.19 No information of which the Seller (or any of its agents or advisers) has knowledge (in each case whether actual, constructive or imputed), or which could have been discovered (whether by investigation made by the Seller or on its behalf or otherwise), shall prejudice or prevent any Claim by the Seller or reduce the amount recoverable under any such Claim.

 

7.20 For the avoidance of doubt, the rights and remedies of the Seller in respect of any Claim shall not be affected by Completion or any termination of (or the Buyer’s failure to terminate) this agreement.

 

8. Indemnities

 

8.1 Without limiting any other rights or remedies the Buyer may have, the Seller shall indemnify the Buyer against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs (calculated on a full indemnity basis) and all other professional costs and expenses) suffered or incurred by the Buyer arising out of or in connection with any breach of a Seller Warranty or breach of this agreement by the Seller.

 

8.2 Any payment made by the Seller in respect of an Indemnity Claim shall include:

 

(a) an amount in respect of all costs and expenses incurred by the Buyer in bringing the relevant Indemnity Claim (including a reasonable amount in respect of management time); and

 

(b) any amount necessary to ensure that, after the deduction of any tax due on the payment, the Buyer is left with the same amount it would have had if the payment was not subject to tax.

 

8.3 Without limiting any other rights or remedies the Seller may have, the Buyer shall indemnify the Seller against all liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and losses (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs (calculated on a full indemnity basis) and all other professional costs and expenses) suffered or incurred by the Seller arising out of or in connection with any breach of a Buyer Warranty or breach of this agreement by the Seller.

 

10

 

 

8.4 Any payment made by the Seller in respect of an Indemnity Claim shall include:

 

(a) an amount in respect of all costs and expenses incurred by the Seller in bringing the relevant Indemnity Claim (including a reasonable amount in respect of management time); and

 

(b) any amount necessary to ensure that, after the deduction of any tax due on the payment, the Seller is left with the same amount it would have had if the payment was not subject to tax.

 

9. Confidentiality and announcements

 

9.1

The Seller undertakes to the Buyer that it shall:

 

(a) keep confidential the terms of this agreement and all confidential information or trade secrets in its knowledge or possession concerning the business, affairs, customers, clients or suppliers of the Company;

 

(b) not disclose any of the information referred to in clause 9.1(a) (whether in whole or in part) to any third party, except as expressly permitted by this clause 9; and

 

(c) not make any use of any of the information referred to in clause 9.1(a), other than to the extent necessary for the purpose of exercising or performing its rights and obligations under this agreement.

 

9.2 The Buyer undertakes to the Seller that it shall keep confidential the terms of this agreement, except as expressly permitted by this clause 9.

 

9.3 Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, neither party shall be obliged to keep confidential or to restrict its use of any information that:

 

(a) is or becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of its disclosure by the receiving party or any person to whom it has disclosed the information in accordance with clause 9.4(a) in breach of this agreement); or

 

(b) was, is or becomes available to the receiving party on a non-confidential basis from a person who, to the receiving party’s knowledge, is not bound by a confidentiality agreement and is not otherwise prohibited from disclosing the information to the receiving party.

 

11

 

 

9.4 Either party may disclose any information that it is otherwise required to keep confidential under this clause 9:

 

(a) to any employees, officers, consultants, representatives or advisers of any member of its Group who need to know such information for the purposes of advising on this agreement, or to facilitating the Transaction, provided that the party making the disclosure informs the recipients of the confidential nature of the information before disclosure and procures that the recipients shall, in relation to any such information disclosed to them, comply with the obligations set out in this clause 9 as if they were that party. The party making a disclosure under this clause 9.4(a) shall, at all times, be liable for the failure of its recipients to comply with the obligations set out in this clause;

 

(b) in the case of the Buyer only, to a proposed transferee of the Sale Shares for the purpose of enabling the proposed transferee to evaluate the proposed transfer;

 

(c) with the prior consent in writing of the other party;

 

(d) to confirm that the Transaction has taken place, or the date of the Transaction (but without otherwise revealing any other terms of the Transaction or making any other announcement);

 

(e) to the extent that the disclosure is required:

 

(i) by the laws of any jurisdiction to which the disclosing party is subject;

 

(ii) by an order of any court of competent jurisdiction, or any regulatory, judicial, governmental or similar body, or any tax authority or securities exchange of competent jurisdiction;

 

(iii) to make any filing with, or obtain any authorisation from, a regulatory, governmental or similar body, or any tax authority or securities exchange of competent jurisdiction; or

 

(iv) to protect the disclosing party’s interest in any legal proceedings,

 

PROVIDED that in each case (and to the extent it is legally permitted to do so) the disclosing party gives the other party as much notice of the disclosure as possible and, where notice of disclosure is not prohibited and is given in accordance with this clause, it takes into account the reasonable requests of the other party in relation to the content of the disclosure.

 

9.5 Each party shall supply the other party with such information about itself, its Group or this agreement as the other party may reasonably require for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of any law or any judicial, governmental, regulatory or similar body or any tax authority or securities exchange of competent jurisdiction.

 

9.6 Subject to clause 9.7 to clause 9.8 (inclusive), neither party shall make, or permit any person to make, any public announcement or communication concerning this agreement or the Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

9.7 Nothing in clause 9.6 shall prevent either party from making an announcement required by law or any governmental or regulatory authority, any securities exchange or any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction provided that the party required to make the announcement consults with the other party and takes into account the reasonable requests of the other party in relation to the content of such announcement before it is made.

 

12

 

 

9.8 The Buyer may at any time after Completion announce its acquisition of the Sale Shares to any employees, clients, customers or suppliers of the Company or any other member of the Buyer’s Group.

 

10. Further assurance

 

10.1 At its own expense, the Seller shall (and shall use reasonable endeavours to procure that any relevant third party shall) promptly execute and deliver such documents and perform such acts as the Buyer may reasonably require from time to time for the purpose of giving full effect to this agreement.

 

10.2 At its own expense, the Buyer shall (and shall use reasonable endeavours to procure that any relevant third party shall) promptly execute and deliver such documents and perform such acts as the Seller may reasonably require from time to time for the purpose of giving full effect to this agreement.

 

10.3 The Seller undertakes to the Buyer that, if and for so long as it remains the registered holder of any of the Sale Shares after Completion, it shall:

 

(a) hold such Sale Shares together with all dividends and any other distributions of profits or other assets in respect of such Sale Shares, and all rights arising out of or in connection with them, in trust for the Buyer;

 

(b) deal with and dispose of such Sale Shares, dividends, distributions, assets and rights as the Buyer shall direct;

 

(c) exercise all voting rights attached to such Sale Shares in such manner as the Buyer shall direct; and

 

(d) if required by the Buyer, execute all instruments of proxy or other documents as may be necessary to enable the Buyer to attend and vote at any meeting of the Company.

 

11. Assignment

 

11.1 Subject to the further provisions of this clause 11, no party shall assign, mortgage, charge, declare a trust of or deal in any other manner with any or all of its rights and obligations under this agreement.

 

11.2 The Buyer may assign or transfer its rights (but not its obligations) under this agreement (or any document referred to in this agreement) to:

 

(a) another member of its Group for so long as that company remains a member of the Buyer’s Group. The Buyer shall procure that any company assigns any rights assigned to it in accordance with this clause 11 back to the Buyer or to such other member of the Buyer’s Group as it may nominate immediately before that company ceases to be a member of the Buyer’s Group; or

 

(b) any person to whom the Sale Shares are sold or transferred by the Buyer following Completion.

 

13

 

 

11.3 If there is an assignment or transfer of the Buyer’s rights under this agreement in accordance with clause 11.2:

 

(a) the Seller may discharge its obligations under this agreement to the Buyer until it receives notice of the assignment or transfer; and

 

(b) the assignee or transferee may enforce this agreement as if it were named in this agreement as the Buyer, but the Buyer shall remain liable for any obligations under this agreement.

 

12. No agency

 

Each party confirms it is acting on its own behalf in relation to the Transaction and not for the benefit of any other person.

 

13. Entire agreement

 

This agreement (together with the other Transaction Documents) constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguishes all previous discussions, correspondence, negotiations, drafts, agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to their subject matter.

 

14. Variation and waiver

 

14.1 No variation of this agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the parties (or their authorised representatives).

 

14.2 A waiver of any right or remedy under this agreement or by law is only effective if given in writing and signed by the person waiving such right or remedy. Any such waiver shall apply only to the circumstances for which it is given and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default.

 

14.3 A failure or delay by any person to exercise any right or remedy provided under this agreement or by law shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict any further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided under this agreement or by law shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

 

14.4 A party that waives a right or remedy provided under this agreement or by law in relation to one party, or takes or fails to take any action against that party, does not affect its rights in relation to any other party.

 

14

 

 

15. Costs

 

15.1 Except as expressly provided in this agreement, each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this agreement (and the other Transaction Documents).

 

15.2 Without prejudice to any other right or remedy the Buyer may have, the Seller shall indemnify the Buyer against all costs and expenses incurred by the Buyer in negotiating, preparing, executing, rescinding or terminating this agreement (and the other Transaction Documents) in the event that:

 

(a) the Buyer terminates this agreement in accordance with clause 5.4 or clause 7.6; or

 

(b) this agreement terminates and ceases to have effect in accordance with clause 2.2 because any of the Conditions in paragraphs 2.1 or 1.1(a)(i)(A) of Schedule 1 have not been fully satisfied or waived.

 

16. Notices

 

16.1 For the purposes of this clause 16, but subject to clause 16.6, notice includes any other communication.

 

16.2 A notice given to a party under or in connection with this agreement:

 

(a) shall be in writing and in English;

 

(b) shall be signed by or on behalf of the party giving it;

 

(c) shall be sent to the party for the attention of the contact and to the address specified in clause 16.3, or such other contact or address as that party may notify accordance with clause 16.4; and

 

(d) shall be:

 

(i) delivered by hand;

 

(ii) sent by pre-paid first class post or another next working day delivery service providing proof of delivery; or

 

(iii) sent by pre-paid airmail providing proof of delivery.

 

16.3 The addresses and contacts for service of notices are:

 

(a) Seller

 

(i) address: 6 th Floor Redbridge, Eastgate, Harare, Zimbabwe

 

(ii) for the attention of: July Ndlovu, Director

 

15

 

 

(b) Buyer

 

(i) address: 3 rd Floor, Weighbridge House, Weighbridge, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NF, Channel Islands

 

(ii) for the attention of: Mark Learmonth, Chief Financial Officer

 

16.4 A party may change its details for service of notices as specified in clause 16.3 by giving notice, the change taking effect for the party notified of the change at 6.00 pm on the later of:

 

(a) the date, if any, specified in the notice as the effective date for the change; and

 

(b) the date five Business Days after deemed receipt of the notice.

 

16.5 A notice is deemed to have been received (provided that all other requirements in this clause have been satisfied):

 

(a) if delivered by hand, on signature of a delivery receipt or at the time the notice is left at the address;

 

(b) if sent by pre-paid first class post or another next working day delivery service providing proof of delivery, at 9.00 am on the second Business Day after posting or at the time recorded by the delivery service;

 

(c) if sent by pre-paid airmail providing proof of delivery, at 9.00 am on the fifth Business Day after posting; or

 

(d) PROVIDED that if deemed receipt under the previous paragraphs of this clause 16.5 would occur outside Usual Business Hours, the notice shall be deemed to have been received when Usual Business Hours next recommence. For the purposes of this clause, Usual Business Hours means 9.00 am to 5.30 pm local time on any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in the place of receipt of the notice.

 

16.6 This clause 16 does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action or, where applicable, any arbitration or other method of dispute resolution.

 

16.7 A notice given under or in connection with this agreement is not valid if sent by email.

 

17. Severance

 

If any provision or part-provision of this agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this agreement.

 

18. Agreement survives Completion

 

This agreement (other than obligations that have already been fully performed) remains in full force after Completion.

 

16

 

 

19. Third party rights

 

19.1 Except as expressly provided in clause 19.2, this agreement does not give rise to any rights of third parties to enforce any term of this agreement.

 

19.2 The following provisions are intended to benefit future buyers of the Sale Shares and (to the extent that it is identified in the relevant clauses as a recipient of rights or benefits under that clause) the Company and shall be enforceable by each of them to the fullest extent permitted by law:

 

(a) Clauses 7.1 to 7.10 (inclusive) and Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Seller Warranties);

 

(b) Clause 8 (Indemnities); and

 

(c) Clause 9 (Confidentiality and announcements).

 

19.3 The rights of the parties to rescind or vary this agreement are not subject to the consent of any other person.

 

20. Counterparts

 

20.1 This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute a duplicate original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the one agreement.

 

20.2 Transmission of an executed counterpart of this agreement (but for the avoidance of doubt not just a signature page) by email (in PDF, JPEG or other agreed format) shall take effect as delivery of an executed counterpart of this agreement. If this method of delivery is adopted, without prejudice to the validity of the agreement thus made, each party shall provide the other with the “wet-ink” counterpart as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.

 

20.3 No counterpart shall be effective until each party has executed and delivered at least one counterpart.

 

21. Rights and remedies

 

Except as expressly provided in this agreement, the rights and remedies provided under this agreement are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

22. Inadequacy of damages

 

Without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that the Buyer may have, the Seller acknowledges and agrees that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the terms of clause 9 by the Seller. Accordingly, the Buyer shall be entitled to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the terms of clause 9 of this agreement.

 

17

 

 

23. Governing law and jurisdiction

 

23.1 This agreement and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of Zimbabwe.

 

23.2 Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of Zimbabwe shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this agreement or its subject matter or formation.

 

 

This agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of it.

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

Schedule 1    Conditions

 

1. Shareholder consent

 

If required by the rules or the determination of a regulator of a stock exchange upon which the securities of the Buyer are traded, the despatch by the Buyer to its shareholders of a circular and the passing, at a duly convened general meeting of the Buyer, of resolutions to approve the purchase of the Sale Shares by the Buyer.

 

2. Other consents and clearances

 

2.1 The issue to the Seller of a capital gains tax clearance certificate by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in respect of the Sale Shares.

 

2.2 The grant, in terms satisfactory to the Buyer, of all those consents, authorisations or similar clearances which are:

 

(a) required by any government, regulatory body or authority for Completion including, but not limited to:

 

(i) by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe:

 

(A) for exchange control purposes to enable the Seller to hold shares in the Buyer; and

 

(B) for the Buyer’s Group to be allowed to hold further shares in the Company; or

 

(ii) by any stock exchange on which the Buyer’s securities are traded to enable the Consideration Shares to be listed or admitted to trading on such exchange; or

 

(iii) in the reasonable opinion of the Buyer, necessary or desirable for Completion.

 

3. Other conditions

 

No person:

 

(a) having commenced, or threatened to commence, any proceedings or investigation for the purpose of prohibiting or otherwise challenging or interfering with the Transaction;

 

(b) having taken or threatened to take any action as a result of, or in anticipation of, the Transaction that would be materially inconsistent with any of the Warranties; or

 

(c) having enacted or proposed any legislation (including any subordinate legislation) which would prohibit, materially restrict or materially delay the implementation of the Transaction or the operations of the Company.

 

19

 

 

Schedule 2   Seller's obligations at Completion

 

1. Documents to be delivered at Completion

 

At Completion the Seller shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Buyer:

 

(a) a transfer notice in accordance with article 29 of the Company’s articles of association;

 

(b) the definitive share certificates for the Sale Shares or an indemnity, in agreed form, for any lost certificates;

 

(c) any waivers, consents or other documents required to enable the Buyer or any member of its Group to be registered as the holder of the Sale Shares, in each case in agreed form;

 

(d) if requested by the Buyer, an irrevocable power of attorney, in agreed form, duly executed by the Seller in favour of the Buyer to secure its interest in the Sale Shares pending registration of the transfer in the Company’s register of members;

 

(e) the original of any power of attorney under which this agreement or any of the documents to be delivered to the Buyer under this paragraph 1 have been executed.

 

2. Completion board meeting

 

The Buyer and the Seller shall cause a board meeting of the Company to be held or a resolution in writing to be passed at or prior to Completion at which the registration of the transfer of the Sale Shares is approved (which approval shall, to the extent necessary, satisfy article 29 of the articles of association of the Company), subject only to the transfer(s) being duly stamped (if required) at the Buyer’s cost.

 

20

 

 

Schedule 3   Warranties

 

Part 1 – Seller Warranties

 

1. Power to sell the Sale Shares

 

1.1 The Seller has taken all necessary actions and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.

 

1.2 This agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitute (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on the Seller in accordance with their respective terms.

 

1.3 The execution and delivery by the Seller of this agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and compliance with their respective terms, shall not breach or constitute a default:

 

(a) under the Seller’s articles of association, or any other agreement or instrument to which the Seller is a party or by which the Seller is bound; or

 

(b) of any order, judgment, decree or other restriction applicable to the Seller.

 

2. Shares in the Company

 

2.1 The Sale Shares constitute 15% of the allotted and issued share capital of the Company and are fully paid or credited as fully paid, except in so far as the Facilitation Loan is outstanding.

 

2.2 The Seller is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Sale Shares and is entitled to transfer the legal and beneficial title to the Sale Shares to the Buyer free from all Encumbrances without the consent of any person apart from Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited.

 

2.3 No Encumbrance has been granted to any person or otherwise exists affecting the Sale Shares.

 

2.4 No commitment to create any such Encumbrance has been given, nor has any person claimed any right to such an Encumbrance.

 

3. Information

 

3.1 All information given by or on behalf of the Seller (or its agents or advisers) to the Buyer (or its agents or advisers) in the course of the negotiations leading up to this agreement was, when given, and is now, true, accurate, complete and not misleading.

 

21

 

 

3.2 There is no information that has not been disclosed which, if disclosed, might reasonably be expected to affect the willingness of the Buyer to enter into the Transaction on the terms of this agreement.

 

4. Transactions with the Seller and Seller's interests

 

4.1 There is no outstanding indebtedness or other liability (actual or contingent) and no outstanding contract, commitment or arrangement between the Company and any of the following:

 

(a) the Seller or any other member of the Seller’s Group; or

 

(b) a director of the Company nominated for appointment by the Seller or a director of any other member of the Seller’s Group (or a person connected with any of them).

 

4.2 Neither the Seller, nor any member of the Seller’s Group, is entitled to a claim of any nature against the Company, or has assigned to any person the benefit of any such claim.

 

Part 2 – Buyer Warranties

 

1. Power to Issue the Consideration Shares

 

1.1 The Buyer has taken all necessary actions and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms.

 

1.2 This agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitute (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on the Buyer in accordance with their respective terms.

 

1.3 The execution and delivery by the Buyer of this agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and compliance with their respective terms, shall not breach or constitute a default:

 

(a) under the Buyer’s articles of association, or any other agreement or instrument to which the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is bound; or

 

(b) of any order, judgment, decree or other restriction applicable to the Buyer.

 

2. Consideration Shares

 

2.1 On issue the Consideration Shares will:

 

(a) constitute approximately 6.42% of the allotted and issued share capital of the Buyer and will be fully paid or credited as fully paid; and

 

(b) rank pari passu a ll respects with the existing common shares of no par value each in the capital of the Buyer, including the right to receive all dividends declared, made or paid after the Completion Date (save that they shall not rank for any dividend or other distribution of the Buyer declared made, or paid by reference to a record date before the Completion Date) .

 

22

 

 

3. Information

 

3.1 All information given by or on behalf of the Buyer (or its agents or advisers) to the Seller (or its agents or advisers) in the course of the negotiations leading up to this agreement was, when given, and is now, true, accurate, complete and not misleading.

 

3.2 There is no information that has not been disclosed which, if disclosed, might reasonably be expected to affect the willingness of the Seller to enter into the Transaction on the terms of this agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

Signed by July Ndlovu

for and on behalf of

Fremiro Investments (Private) Limited

.......................................

Director

 

 

Signed by Mark Learmonth

for and on behalf of

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

.......................................

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

Exhibit 4.6

 

2015 omnibus equity incentive COMPENSATION plan

 

Award Agreement

 

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “ Company ”) hereby grants the following Performance Units (“ PUs ”) (being the Tranche 4 PUs and Tranche 5 PUs (as such terms are defined in the Recipient’s Award Agreement dated January 11, 2016)) to the Participant named below (the “ Recipient ”), in accordance with and subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Agreement, together with the provisions of the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Plan ”) of the Company for services rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries:

 

Name of Recipient:

[ ]

 

Grant of PUs:

 

Date of Grant:

January 11, 2019 (“ PUs Grant Date ”).

 

Value of PUs at Date of Grant:

US$[ ]

 

Price Per Share at Date of Grant [1] :

US$[ ]

 

Target Number of PUs:

[ ] (“ Target PUs ”)

 

Vesting Date of PUs:

Subject to any reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or acceleration in vesting as provided in the Plan or this Award Agreement, 100% of the PUs granted pursuant to this Award Agreement will vest on January 11, 2022 (“ PUs Vesting Date ”).

 

Performance Measures:

The number of PUs which will vest on the PUs Vesting Date (including an increase or decrease in the Target PUs) will be equal to the Target PUs multiplied by the score determined in accordance with Appendix A (the “ Performance Multiplier ”) to this Award Agreement.

 

Performance Period:

January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

 

Dividend Reinvestment:

The Recipient will be entitled to receive, from and after the PUs Vesting Date until settlement of the PUs, for each vested PU held at the time of payment of a dividend by the Company, the cash equivalent of such dividend declared by the Company on one Share. Such cash equivalents paid by the Company shall, with respect to each vested PU, be automatically reinvested in additional PUs at a price per PU equal to the then applicable PU Share Price, such PU Share Price to be converted to the USD equivalent based on the average CAD/USD exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada for the 3 months immediately preceding the payment of the dividend equivalent. For the avoidance of doubt, all additional PUs accrued to the Recipient through dividend reinvestment shall be subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Agreement and the Plan. No PUs accrued to the Recipient through dividend reinvestment shall be subject to adjustment, either upwards or downwards, by the Performance Multiplier.

___________________________

 

1 The Fair Market Value of a Share underlying a PU shall be equal to the greater of (i) the volume weighted average trading price of the Shares on the TSX for the five trading days preceding the relevant date in which such valuation occurs or (ii) the closing price of the Shares on the TSX on the trading day immediately prior to such valuation date (i.e., grant date, dividend payment date, settlement date) (the “P U Share Price ”), such PU Share price to be converted to the USD equivalent based on the average CAD/USD exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada for the 3 months immediately preceding the relevant date in which such valuation occurs.

 

 

 

 

Settlement:

The settlement value of the PUs shall be an amount equal to the Target Number of PUs (after application of the Performance Multiplier) multiplied by the PU Share Price, such PU Share Price to be converted to the USD equivalent based on the average CAD/USD exchange rate posted by the Bank of Canada for the 3 months immediately preceding the settlement. Such settlement value may be paid to the Recipient in the same currency and in the same manner that the Recipient receives his or her regular compensation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Recipient may, except in the event of a Change of Control, request that settlement be made in whole or in part in the form of Shares at a value equal to the then applicable PU Share Price at the date of settlement and, in the event that such request is made, the Company shall endeavour to satisfy such request to issue Shares subject to applicable law and regulations (including, but not limited to, any restrictions on the issue of securities pursuant to the Plan and the Company’s share dealing code in force from time to time and the requirements of any securities exchange upon which the Shares are then listed) and otherwise on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.

   
Death of the Recipient:

If the Recipient dies while an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate, any PUs held by the Recipient that have not vested will immediately vest and will be settled with the estate of the Recipient as soon as practicable. The Performance Multiplier will be applied to determine the number of PUs that vest as if the applicable Performance Period has been completed. If a Performance Period is in progress at the time of the Recipient’s death or for future Performance Periods, the Performance Multiplier will be calculated on the basis of the Performance Measures achieved at the end of the immediately preceding interim period. The determination of the foregoing will be in the sole and unfettered discretion of the Committee.

 

 

1.                  The terms and conditions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference as terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and all capitalized terms used in this Award Agreement, unless expressly defined in a different manner, have the meanings given to them in the Plan. Except where the terms and provisions of this Award Agreement specifically state that they supersede the terms or provisions of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained in this Award Agreement and a term or provision of the Plan, all terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

2.                  The Awards granted pursuant to this Award Agreement are recorded in a notional account held by the Company in your name, to which you may refer at any time.

 

3.                  Nothing contained in this Award Agreement or the Plan will give the Recipient or any other Person any interest or title in or to any Share or any rights as a shareholder of the Company (including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends or other distributions from the Company, voting rights, warrants or rights under any rights offering) or any other legal or equitable right against the Company whatsoever, other than as set forth in this Award Agreement and in the Plan.

 

2

 

 

4.                  If the Recipient voluntarily Retires, the Committee may, in its sole discretion but will have no obligation to, accelerate the vesting of any unvested Awards granted pursuant to this Award Agreement. In exercising its discretion, the Committee will consider the nature of the Recipient’s withdrawal from employment or office with the Company or Affiliate, including without limitation the notice period given by the Recipient, the transition responsibilities carried out by the Recipient and the Recipient’s adherence to any applicable restrictive covenants.

 

5.                  It is hereby agreed between the Company and the Recipient that the Awards granted pursuant to this Award Agreement constitute the Tranche 4 PUs and Tranche 5 PUs (as such terms are defined in the Recipient’s Award Agreement dated 11 January, 2016 (the “ Previous Award Agreement ”)), as increased commensurate with any increases in the Recipient’s current salary since the Previous Award Agreement, and it is acknowledged that the Tranche 5 PUs are hereby granted as of the date of this Award Agreement rather than on the fourth anniversary of the PUs Grant Date (as defined in the Previous Award Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, no further PUs, other than those the subject of this Award Agreement, shall be awarded pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Previous Award Agreement and the terms of such paragraph shall hereby be agreed to have been satisfied in full.

 

6.                  The Recipient will not be obligated to settle any Awards granted pursuant to this Award Agreement on the vesting date of such Awards but may elect to settle at any time after such vesting date.

 

7.                  Nothing in the Plan or in this Award Agreement will affect the Company’s right, or that of an Affiliate, to terminate the employment or term of office or engagement of a Recipient at any time for any reason whatsoever. Upon such termination, the Recipient’s rights in respect of the Awards granted under this Award Agreement will be subject to restrictions and time limits, the complete details of which are set out in the Plan.

 

8.                  Without restriction, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Recipient agrees that the Recipient will not be entitled to any rights to accrue, vest or exercise any Awards during or in respect of any termination notice or severance period under the Recipient’s employment agreement or employment arrangements.

 

9.                  Each notice relating to the Awards must be in writing. All notices to the Company must be delivered personally or by prepaid registered mail and must be addressed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company with a copy to the Company Secretary of the Company. All notices to the Recipient will be addressed to the principal address of the Recipient on file with the Company. Either the Company or the Recipient may designate a different address by written notice to the other. Such notices are deemed to be received, if delivered personally, on the date of delivery, and if sent by prepaid, registered mail, on the fifth business day following the date of mailing. Any notice given by either the Recipient or the Company is not binding on the recipient of such notice until received.

 

3

 

 

10.              Subject to 8.3 or 10.7 of the Plan, as applicable, any Award granted pursuant to this Award Agreement may only be held during the lifetime of the Recipient by the Recipient personally and no assignment or transfer of an Award, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, vests any interest or right in such Award whatsoever in any assignee or transferee, and immediately upon any assignment or transfer or any attempt to make such assignment or transfer, the Award granted under this Award Agreement terminates and is of no further force or effect. Complete details of this restriction are set out in the Plan.

 

11.              In the event of a Change of Control, all PUs granted pursuant to this Award Agreement shall immediately vest and the value of such PUs shall be paid out in cash within 30 days subsequent to the Change of Control in an amount based on the Change of Control Price. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee shall have no discretion regarding the form of payment and there shall be no Alternative Awards as described in Article 14 of the Plan.

 

12.              The Recipient hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a) any rule, regulation or determination, including the interpretation by the Committee, with respect to the Awards granted under this Award Agreement and, if applicable, its exercise, is final and conclusive for all purposes and binding on all Persons, including the Company and the Recipient;

 

(b) the participation of the Recipient in the Plan is entirely voluntary; and

 

(c) the Recipient has been advised to obtain independent legal and tax advice prior to entering into this Award Agreement and by entering this Agreement the Recipient represents that he or she did obtain whatever independent legal and tax advice he or she considered appropriate and sufficient.

 

13.              This Award Agreement has been made in and is to be construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable in the Province of Ontario.

 

 

  CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC  
       
  By:    
    Authorized Signatory  
       

 

 

 

4

 

 

I have read the foregoing Award Agreement and hereby accept the Awards in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan. I understand that I may review the complete text of the Plan by contacting the Company Secretary. I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan governing the Award.

 

     
Date Accepted   Recipient’s Signature
     
    Recipient’s Name
(Please Print)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

APPENDIX A
PERFORMANCE MULTIPLIER

 

The Performance Multiplier will be calculated based on an agreed gold production performance measure for the quarter ending December 31, 2021. The number of PUs to vest on the PUs Vesting Date will be determined based on the Performance Multiplier, calculated as follows:

 

Performance Measure (1) Guideline Weight (2) Below 70% of Target Met 70% of Target Met Target Met Maximum – 200% of Target
Gold Production 100% No PUs vest 70% PUs vest 100% PUs vest 200% PUs vest

 

Notes :

 

(1) The Performance Measure will be determined based on the applicable Life of Mine Plan target summarized in an addendum to this agreement in due course. For the purposes of determining whether a target has been met mid-year, the results for the immediately prior interim quarterly period will be annualized and applied. The addendum will set forth the applicable targets for interim periods.

 

(2) If the applicable target is met, then a score equal to the Guideline Weight is achieved. For example, if the target Gold Production is met, a score of 100% would be received. If the target is exceeded by 10%, a score of 110% would be received. If a score of less than 70% is achieved, no PUs will vest. If a score above 200% is achieved, the maximum number of PUs will continue to be 200% of the Target PUs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

SHARE SALE AGREEMENT

 



 

 

between

 

 

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

 

 

and

 

 

CALEDONIA MINING SOUTH AFRICA PROPRIETARY LIMITED

(previously known as Greenstone Management Services Proprietary Limited)

 

 

and

 

 

FINTONA INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

and

 

 

SH MINERAL INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

1.    DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
2.    SALE AND PURCHASE 9
3.    PURCHASE PRICE 9
4.    PAYMENT 10
5.    COMPLETION 10
6.    CALEDONIA’S EXCHANGE CONTROL OBLIGATIONS 13
7.    VOETSTOOTS 13
8.    WARRANTIES 13
9.    ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION UNDERTAKINGS 14
10.    ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY 15
11.    INDIVISIBILITY 15
12.    BREACH 15
13.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION 16
14.    ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY 17
15.    GENERAL 17
16.    ADDRESSES FOR LEGAL PROCESSES AND NOTICES 20
17.    COSTS 21
ANNEXURE 1 Form of Cession of shares 23
ANNEXURE 2 Form of Cession of Claim(s) 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTIES :

 

This Agreement is made between:

 

(1) Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC , a company registered in accordance with the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, under registration number 120924 ( Caledonia );

 

(2) Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited , a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa, under registration number 1993/000530/07, and which was previously known as Greenstone Management Services Proprietary Limited ( CMSA );

 

(3) Fintona Investments Proprietary Limited , a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa, under registration number 1994/007536/07 ( Fintona ); and

 

(4) SH Mineral Investments Proprietary Limited, a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa under registration number 2013/070478/07 ( Purchaser ).

 

WHEREAS

 

A. Caledonia and CMSA, together, own 100% (one hundred per cent) of the Company’s issued share capital.

 

B. Each Seller wishes to sell its entire Equity Interest in the Company to the Purchaser and the Purchaser desires to purchase each Seller’s Equity Interest in the Company.

 

 

 

 

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions

 

For the purposes of this Agreement and the preamble above, unless the context requires otherwise:

 

1.1.1 Agreement means this share sale agreement and includes its annexures which shall form part of it;

 

1.1.2 Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday in the Republic of South Africa or Jersey (Channel Islands);

 

1.1.3 Caledonia Claims means all of Caledonia’s Shareholder Claims which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.4 Caledonia’s Equity Interest means the Caledonia Shares and the Caledonia Claims;

 

1.1.5 Caledonia Shares means Caledonia’s 14,847,473 (fourteen million eight hundred and forty seven thousand four hundred and seventy three) Shares, which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.6 Claims, in relation to, respectively, each of Caledonia and Fintona, means all its claims against the Company, at the Completion Date;

 

1.1.7 CMSA Shares means CMSA’s 36,365 (thirty six thousand three hundred and sixty five) Shares which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

 

 

 

1.1.8 Companies Act means the Companies Act, No 71 of 2008;

 

1.1.9 Company means Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited, a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa under registration number 1987/001814/06;

 

1.1.10 Completion Date means the 5th (fifth) Business Day after the Signature Date, on which date all the matters to be completed at the completion meeting to be held in terms of clause 5 below are duly completed in accordance with the requirements of that clause;

 

1.1.11 Conversion Application means the application submitted by the Company to the DMR in terms of the MPRDA in or during April 2009 under form DME 314, receipted by the DMR on 30 April 2009 (SAMREC No 711, DRM Ref No. 30/5/2/2/9154MR), for conversion of the Company’s old order mining rights, Mining Licence MR 04/2003 and Mining Licence MR 07/2003, each for gold and silver, which Conversion Application remains pending as at the Signature Date;

 

1.1.12 DMR means the Department of Mineral Resources;

 

1.1.13 Eersteling Mine means the gold mine owned by the Company situated on the Farms Vrischgewaard 33 KS, Eersteling 17 KS; Remaining Extent of Potion 2, Portion 20 of the Farm Zandrivier 742 LS, Portion of Portion 3 and the Remaining Extent of the Farm Roodepoort 744 LSJ, situated in Polokwane Magisterial District, Limpopo Province, all as more fully described and set out in the Conversion Application;

 

 

 

 

1.1.14 Environmental Claims means any claims, direct or indirect, by any party including but not limited to any Governmental Authority, arising from or relating to:

 

1.1.14.1 the Company being the holder of the unconverted mining right which is the subject of a pending conversion application and/or the EMP in relation to Eersteling Mine;

 

1.1.14.2 the Company’s conduct of operations (at any time on or prior to the Completion Date) at Eersteling Mine (including for the avoidance of doubt, all processing, rehabilitation and non-processing activities);

 

1.1.14.3 any acts or omissions of the Company as the holder of or arising out of any mining rights previously held by the Company in relation to Eersteling Mine; and

 

1.1.14.4 any environmental damage, pollution or ecological degradation resulting directly or indirectly from the Company's mining, prospecting, processing or non-mining activities in relation to Eersteling Mine (at any time on or prior to the Completion Date), and all activities incidental thereto,

 

where the cause of action for any such claim arises (whether the claim itself is brought before, on or after the Completion Date) under any applicable law (including the MPRDA, Environmental Laws and/or the common law generally or any statute) or contract and where so ever the damage or loss giving rise to such cause of action has occurred;

 

1.1.15 EMP means the environmental management programme (reference number 6/2/2/68) of the Company that forms part of Eersteling Mine prior to any amendment thereto pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, insofar as it is applicable to Eersteling Mine;

 

1.1.16 Environmental Laws means any and all legislation (whether civil, criminal or administrative), treaties, statutory instruments, directives, by-laws, judgments, regulations, notices, orders, government circulars, codes of practice and guidance notes or decisions of any competent regulatory body or common law relating to degradation, pollution or protection of the environment which is capable of enforcement by legal process in South Africa;

 

 

 

 

1.1.17 Equity Interest in relation to each Seller, means the Shares and Shareholder Claims which it holds in the Company;

 

1.1.18 Exchange Control means the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank responsible for the administration of exchange control on behalf of the Minister of Finance or an officer of the National Treasury who, by virtue of the division of work in the National Treasury, deals with the matter on the authority of the Minister of Finance;

 

1.1.19 Exchange Control Regulations means the Exchange Control Regulations, 1961, as amended (including any applicable directive and rulings of Exchange Control and the National Treasury);

 

1.1.20 Fintona Claims means all of Fintona’s Claims which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.21 Greenstone Rehabilitation Trust means the trust established to provide for the Company’s Rehabilitation Liabilities and registered in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of South Africa under Master Reference number IT994/96;

 

1.1.22 Health and Safety Claims means any claims arising from or relating to the conduct of operations in relation to the Mine Operations, where the cause of action for such claims arises from any Health and Safety Laws (including the common law or statute);

 

 

 

 

1.1.23 Health and Safety Laws all applicable health and safety legislation, statutes, ordinances, by-laws and regulations, including the Mine Health and Safety Act, No. 29 of 1996 (as amended) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993 (as amended);

 

1.1.24 Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

1.1.24.1 moneys borrowed by the Company from third parties plus any interest, fees or costs in respect of such indebtedness; and/or

 

1.1.24.2 any income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, duty, levy or other tax of whatever nature and however arising owing or payable (whether provisionally, contingently or otherwise and whether or not due) to any national, provincial, district or local municipal authority in South Africa;

 

1.1.25 MPRDA means the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, No. 28 of 2002 (as amended);

 

1.1.26 National Treasury means, in relation to any matter contemplated in the Exchange Control Regulations, the National Treasury of South Africa;

 

1.1.27 Parties means Caledonia, CMSA, Fintona and the Purchaser, as the parties to this Agreement, and Party means any one of them as the context may require;

 

1.1.28 Reference Exchange Rate shall mean the ZAR to US$ exchange rate, or the US$ to ZAR exchange rate, as the case may be, as published by ABSA Bank Limited on the Signature Date;

 

1.1.29 Rehabilitation Liabilities means the existing environmental liabilities of the Company pertaining to its mining operations in terms of its old order mining right and over the area covered by Eersteling Mine’s EMP;

 

 

 

 

1.1.30 Sellers means Caledonia, CMSA and Fintona;

 

1.1.31 Shareholder Claims in relation to each Seller, means all the Seller’s claims against the Company, at the Completion Date;

 

1.1.32 Shares means the Company’s issued 14,883,838 (fourteen million eight hundred and eighty three thousand eight hundred and thirty eight) ordinary par value shares of ZAR 0.01 each no par value shares;

 

1.1.33 Signature Date means the last date on which this Agreement is signed by the Parties;

 

1.1.34 Taxes include all present and future taxes, charges, imposts, duties, levies, deductions, withholdings or fees of any kind whatsoever, or any amount payable on account of or as security for any of the forgoing, by whomsoever and whenever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed, together with any penalties, additions, fines, surcharges or interest relating thereto, and Taxation shall be construed accordingly;

 

1.1.35 US$ means United States Dollars, being the legal currency of the United States of America; and

 

1.1.36 ZAR means South African Rands, being the legal currency of the Republic of South Africa.

 

 

 

 

1.2 Interpretation

 

1.2.1 Unless expressly provided to the contrary or inconsistent with the context, a reference in this Agreement to:

 

1.2.1.1 this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument shall be construed as a reference to this Agreement or that other agreement, document or instrument as amended, varied, novated or substituted from time to time;

 

1.2.1.2 a clause , sub-clause or Annexure is to a clause, sub-clause or annexure to this Agreement;

 

1.2.1.3 a person includes any natural person, firm, company, corporation, body corporate, juristic person, unincorporated association, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, partnership, syndicate, consortium, joint venture, charity or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

1.2.1.4 any one gender, whether masculine, feminine or neuter, includes the other two;

 

1.2.1.5 the singular includes the plural and vice versa ;

 

1.2.1.6 a word or expression given a particular meaning includes cognate words or expressions;

 

1.2.1.7 any number of days prescribed shall be determined by excluding the first and including the last day or, where the last day is a day that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day;

 

 

 

 

1.2.1.8 a statutory provision includes any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that provision and a reference to a statutory provision includes that provision as from time to time modified or re-enacted as far as such modification or re-enactment applies, or is capable of applying, to this Agreement or any transaction entered into in accordance with this Agreement;

 

1.2.1.9 the words including , include or in particular followed by specific examples shall be construed by way of example or emphasis only and shall not be construed, nor shall it take effect, as limiting the generality of any preceding words, and the eiusdem generis rule is not to be applied in the interpretation of such specific examples or general words;

 

1.2.1.10 the words other or otherwise shall not be construed eiusdem generis with any foregoing words where a wider construction is possible.

 

1.2.2 All the headings and sub-headings in this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and shall be ignored for the purposes of interpreting it.

 

1.2.3 A term defined in a particular clause or Annexure in this Agreement, unless it is clear from the clause or Annexure in question that application of the term is to be limited to the relevant clause or Annexure bears the meaning ascribed to it for all purposes of in this Agreement, notwithstanding that that term has not been defined in clause 1.1 and, where there is any inconsistency between any term defined in clause 1.1 and any term defined in any clause or Annexure in this Agreement, then, for the purposes of construing such clause or Annexure the term as defined in such clause or Annexure prevails.

 

1.2.4 No rule of construction may be applied to the disadvantage of a Party because that Party was responsible for or participated in the preparation of this Agreement or any part of it.

 

 

 

 

1.2.5 If a definition confers substantive rights or imposes substantive obligations on a Party, such rights and obligations shall be given effect to and are enforceable as substantive provisions of this Agreement, notwithstanding that they are contained in that definition.

 

1.2.6 Words and expressions defined in the Companies Act which are not defined in this Agreement, shall bear the same meanings in this Agreement as those ascribed to them in the Companies Act.

 

2. SALE AND PURCHASE

 

2.1 Caledonia agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from Caledonia, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and as one indivisible transaction, on and with effect from the Completion Date:

 

2.1.1 the Caledonia Shares, which represent 99.76% ( ninety nine comma nine seven six per cent) of the Company’s issued Shares and constitute Caledonia’s entire shareholding in the Company; and

 

2.1.2 the Caledonia Claims.

 

2.2 CMSA agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from CMSA, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and as one indivisible transaction, on and with effect from the Completion Date, the CMSA Shares, which represent 0.24% (zero comma two four per cent) of the Company’s issued Shares and constitute CMSA’s entire shareholding in the Company.

 

2.3 Fintona agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from Fintona, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as one indivisible transaction the Fintona Claims, on and with effect from the Completion Date.

 

 

 

 

2.4 Risk in and the benefit of Caledonia’s Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims will pass to the Purchaser with effect from the Completion Date upon completion of all the matters to be completed under clause 5 below.

 

2.5 Ownership of Caledonia’s Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims will pass to the Purchaser with effect from the Completion Date upon completion of all the matters to be completed under clause 5 below.

 

3. PURCHASE PRICE

 

3.1 The purchase price payable by the Purchaser for Caledonia’s Equity Interest to Caledonia as a whole is US$ 2,999,976.54 (two million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and seventy six United States Dollars and fifty four cents) in aggregate, of which –

 

3.1.1 an amount equal to US$ 2,990,397.52 (two million nine hundred and ninety thousand three hundred and ninety seven United States Dollars and fifty two cents) shall be allocated as the purchase price of the Caledonia Claims; and

 

3.1.2 the remaining balance of US$ 9,579.02 (nine thousand five hundred and seventy nine United States Dollars and two cents) shall be allocated as the purchase price of the Caledonia Shares.

 

3.2 The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to CMSA for the CMSA Shares is the ZAR equivalent of the amount of US$ 23.46 (twenty three United States Dollars and forty six cents) (calculated in accordance with the Reference Exchange Rate).

 

3.3 The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to Fintona for the Fintona Claims is ZAR 1.00 (one Rand).

 

4. PAYMENT

 

The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to Caledonia for the Caledonia Equity Interest, to CMSA for the CMSA Shares, and to Fintona for the Fintona Claims shall be payable to Caledonia, CMSA and Fintona respectively, on the Signature Date, in accordance with the following provisions:-

 

 

 

 

4.1 the Purchaser shall pay to Caledonia the sum of US$ 2,999,976.54 (two million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and seventy six United States Dollars and fifty four cents) by telegraphic transfer in same day funds to a bank account in Jersey, Channel Islands, which shall be designated by Caledonia by written notice given to the Purchaser on the Signature Date;

 

4.2 the Purchaser shall pay to CMSA the ZAR equivalent of the amount of US$ 23.46 (twenty three United States Dollars and forty six cents) (calculated in accordance with the Reference Exchange Rate) by telegraphic transfer in same day funds to a bank account in ABSA Bank, South Africa, which shall be designated by CMSA by written notice given to the Purchaser on the Signature Date; and

 

4.3 the Purchaser shall pay to Fintona the sum of ZAR 1.00 in cash.

 

5. COMPLETION

 

The following matters shall be completed by the Parties at a completion meeting to be held at 11h00 on the Completion Date at the Sandton offices of Bowman Gilfillan Inc. or at such other place as the Parties may agree in writing, pursuant to the receipt by the Sellers of the purchase prices in respect of the Caledonia Equity Interest and the CMSA Shares respectively, following payment thereof by the Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of clause 4.

 

5.1 Caledonia shall deliver to the Purchaser:

 

5.1.1 a written cession for the transfer of ownership of the Caledonia Shares to the Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Annexure 1;

 

5.1.2 the certificate(s) for the Caledonia Shares;

 

5.1.3 a written cession of the Caledonia Claims in the form attached hereto as Annexure 2; and

 

 

 

 

5.1.4 a copy of the written resignation with effect from the Completion Date of each of Trevor Pearton, Steven Curtis and John Mark Learmonth as directors of the Company including an unconditional acknowledgement by the director concerned, and to the Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, that he has no claim against the Company for any remuneration or compensation arising out of his resignation, together with a current-dated colour copy of each such persons’ current identity document and/or passport, certified as a true copy; and

 

5.1.5 all of the books, documents, records and other assets (including in particular but not limited to all statutory books, documents and files and any and all information, documents, records, samples, plans, borehole logs and other geological, geophysical and/or geostatistical information, including the original Conversion Application and related documents), in its possession or under its control; alternatively place the Purchaser in possession and control thereof wherever situated.

 

5.2 CMSA shall deliver to the Purchaser:

 

5.2.1 a written cession for the transfer of ownership of the CMSA Shares to the Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Annexure 1;

 

5.2.2 the certificate(s) for the CMSA Shares.

 

5.3 Fintona shall deliver to the Purchaser a written cession of the Fintona Claims in the form attached hereto as Annexure 2.

 

 

 

 

5.4 The Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser copies of the following resolutions passed by the Company’s board of directors, which may be expressed as being subject to the receipt by the Sellers of the purchase prices in respect of the Equity Interests of the Sellers, and which shall be certified by a duly authorised officer of the Company as having been duly passed and as being true copies of the resolutions so passed:

 

5.4.1 a resolution approving the registration of the transfer from Caledonia to the Purchaser or its nominee for registration of the Caledonia Shares, in accordance with the written cession delivered to the Purchaser in terms of clause 5.1.1 above;

 

5.4.2 a resolution approving the registration of the transfer from CMSA to the Purchaser or its nominee for registration of the CMSA Shares, in accordance with the written cession delivered to the Purchaser in terms of clause 5.2.1 above;

 

5.4.3 a resolution approving the registration in the Company’s securities register of the Purchaser or its nominee as the holder of the Caledonia Shares in accordance with the approval given in terms of clause 5.4.1 above;

 

5.4.4 a resolution approving the registration in the Company’s securities register of the Purchaser or its nominee as the holder of the CMSA Shares in accordance with the approval given in terms of clause 5.4.2 above;

 

5.4.5 a resolution approving the issue of appropriate new share certificates to the Purchaser or its nominee for the shares registered in its name or its nominee’s name (as the case may be) in accordance with the provisions of clauses 5.4.3 and 5.4.4 above;

 

5.4.6 a resolution approving the appointment with effect from the Completion Date to the Company’s board of directors of all the persons nominated by the Purchaser as its nominees for the board, as notified to the Sellers on the Signature Date, and accepting the resignations of the directors referred to in clause 5.1.4;

 

5.4.7 a resolution approving the cession of the Caledonia Claims to the Purchaser or its nominee; and

 

 

 

 

5.4.8 a resolution approving the cession of the Fintona Claims to the Purchaser or its nominee.

 

5.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement the Parties agree that all the matters to be completed pursuant to this clause 5 shall be deemed to have been completed simultaneously, and that none of them shall be deemed to have been completed unless all of them have been completed.

 

6. CALEDONIA’S EXCHANGE CONTROL OBLIGATIONS

 

Following the conclusion of the matters referred to in clause 5, the Purchaser shall authorise Caledonia to procure that the Company applies, or that Caledonia applies on behalf of the Company to the South African Reserve Bank (or one of its authorised dealers) for any Exchange Control approval required in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations for the cession by Caledonia of the Caledonia Claims (in an amount not less than the portion of the purchase price attributable to the Caledonia Claims) to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement.

 

7. VOETSTOOTS

 

Subject to the provisions of clause 8, the Caledonia Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims are sold and purchased “voetstoots” without any warranties, undertakings or representations of any nature whatsoever.

 

8. WARRANTIES

 

8.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 6, each Seller warrants to the Purchaser as at the Signature Date and the Completion Date that:

 

8.1.1 it has requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

8.1.2 this Agreement constitutes (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on it in terms of this Agreement;

 

8.1.3 it is the registered and beneficial owner of the Shares and the Claims sold and/or ceded by it in terms of this Agreement, and is entitled and able to give to the Purchaser title to such Shares and Claims;

 

 

 

 

8.1.4 save for the Caledonia Claims and the Fintona Claims, the Company has no other Indebtedness; and

 

8.1.5 at the time of its submission, the Conversion Application was valid, complete, accurate and comprehensive in all material respects and, save for the approval of the EMP and the outstanding requirement to comply with applicable black economic empowerment obligations in terms of the MPRDA, none of the Sellers is aware of any reason for it being refused and/or of any fact, matter or circumstance which will or may otherwise prevent or preclude the Conversion Application from being granted to the Company.

 

8.2 The Purchaser warrants to each of the Sellers that:

 

8.2.1 it has requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and

 

8.2.2 this Agreement constitutes (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on it in terms of this Agreement.

 

9. ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

9.1 The Purchaser hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to take all the steps required to progress the pending Conversion Application and not commence with any mining operations until the Company has adequately provided for the Rehabilitation Liabilities to the satisfaction of the DMR.

 

9.2 The Purchaser shall, as soon as possible, ensure that the Company adequately provides for the Rehabilitation Liabilities to the satisfaction of the DMR.

 

9.3 The Sellers reserve the right to ask the Purchaser to procure that a back-to-back guarantee for the Rehabilitation Liabilities is issued in favour of Caledonia. The guarantee will be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Sellers and will be cancelled upon providing proof that the DMR is satisfied with the adequacy of the financial provision the Company has made for the Rehabilitation Liabilities

 

 

 

 

9.4 If the EMP is required to be amended for any reason, the Purchaser undertakes to ensure that the EMP is amended in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 so that it incorporates the Rehabilitation Liabilities and makes the necessary changes to the environmental management commitments.

 

9.5 The Sellers will provide such reasonable assistance that the Purchaser may require in order to transfer the funds in the Greenstone Rehabilitation Trust to the Company’s newly established vehicle (if any) for the financial provision.

 

10. ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY

 

The Purchaser indemnifies each Seller, any of its holding companies and any subsidiary of any such holding companies, any of their subsidiaries and any of such companies' respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents (the Indemnified Parties ) against all and any established costs, claims, damages, awards, directives, obligations, liabilities or expenses of whatsoever nature and howsoever and wheresoever arising demonstrably suffered or incurred by any of the Indemnified Parties by virtue of:

 

10.1.1 any action which the Company is required to take to bring any operation into compliance with the Environmental Laws;

 

10.1.2 any claim from any third party for the performance or non-performance or improper performance by the Purchaser of any obligation to perform in relation to each Rehabilitation Liability as and when such Rehabilitation Liability becomes due;

 

 

 

 

10.1.3 any Environmental Claim; and

 

10.1.4 any Health and Safety Claim.

 

11. INDIVISIBILITY

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, it shall be one indivisible agreement and accordingly if any sale and purchase transaction referred to in clause 2 above fails to take effect or is avoided, cancelled or terminated by any Party to it for any reason, or otherwise falls away for any reason, then the other sale and purchase transactions referred to in that clause shall fall away and cease to be of any further force or effect.

 

12. BREACH

 

12.1 Each Seller shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement summarily by written notice to that effect given to the Purchaser if the Purchaser fails to pay on the Completion Date the amount of the purchase price payable by it to the Seller in question in terms of clause 4 and remains in default for 7 (seven) days after receiving written notice from that Seller to remedy the default.

 

12.2 Should the Purchaser commit any other breach of this Agreement, the Sellers shall not be entitled to cancel it before the Completion Date unless the breach is material and cannot be remedied adequately by the payment of damages and, being such a breach, it is not remedied or is not capable of being remedied by specific performance within a reasonable time after the Purchaser receives written notice to remedy the breach.

 

12.3 The Purchaser shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement summarily by giving written notice to that effect to the Sellers if any of the Sellers fail to comply with any of their obligations under clause 5 and remain in default for 7 (seven) Business Days after receiving written notice to remedy the default.

 

12.4 Should any of the Sellers commit any other breach of this Agreement, the Purchaser shall not be entitled to cancel it before the Completion Date unless the breach is material and cannot be remedied adequately by the payment of damages and, being such a breach, it is not remedied or is not capable of being remedied by specific performance within a reasonable time after the Seller in question receives written notice from the Purchaser to remedy the breach.

 

12.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, none of the Parties shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement after the Completion Date, for any breach by any other Party, but shall always be entitled to recover any damages which it would otherwise be entitled to recover.

 

 

 

 

13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

13.1 In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof then any Party may give written notice to the other Party/ies to initiate the procedure set out below.

 

13.2 The Parties may agree on the arbitration procedure and on the arbitrator and, the arbitration shall take place in accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the dispute.

 

13.3 The appointing authority in terms of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules shall be the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa).

 

13.4 Unless agreed otherwise the arbitration shall be administered by the Parties.

 

13.5 The number of arbitrators shall be 1 (one).

 

13.6 The place of arbitration shall be Sandton, South Africa.

 

13.7 Nothing in this clause 13 shall preclude any Party from seeking interim and/or urgent relief from a Court of competent jurisdiction and to this end the Parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.

 

14. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

 

14.1 Subject to clause 14.2, no Party shall make any announcement or statement about this Agreement or its contents without first having obtained the other Parties’ prior written consent to the announcement or statement and to its contents, provided that such consent may not be unreasonably withheld.

 

 

 

 

14.2 The provisions of clause 14.1 do not apply to any announcement or statement which any of the Parties is obliged to make in terms of the Companies Act or any other law or enactment, or the Listings Requirements of the JSE Ltd or the rules and regulation of any other stock exchange or any other regulator having jurisdiction, provided that the Party in question shall consult with the other Parties before making any such announcement or statement.

 

14.3 Each Party shall at all times keep in confidence any confidential information of the other Parties that it may acquire for the purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and shall not use or permit the use of such information for any other purpose and shall not disclose such information to any third party.

 

14.4 The Parties also agree, subject to the provisions of clause 14.2 above, to keep the existence and contents of this Agreement confidential between themselves, and each Party accordingly undertakes to the other Parties not to disclose the existence or any of the contents of this Agreement to any third party, without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

 

14.5 Each of the Parties shall use reasonable endeavours to procure that its officers, employees and agents observe a corresponding obligation of confidence to that set out in clauses 14.3 and 14.4 above.

 

 

 

 

15. GENERAL

 

15.1 Communications between the Parties

 

All notices, demands and other oral or written communications given or made by or on behalf of any of the Parties to any other Party shall be in English or accompanied by a certified translation into English.

 

15.2 Remedies

 

Subject to the provisions of clause 12 above, no remedy conferred by this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy which is otherwise available at law, by statute or otherwise. Each remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law, by statute or otherwise. The election of any one or more remedies by any of the Parties does not constitute a waiver by such Party of the right to pursue any other remedy.

 

 

 

 

15.3 Entire Agreement

 

15.3.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in regard to its subject matter.

 

15.3.2 No Party shall have any claim or right of action arising from any undertaking, representation or warranty not included in this Agreement.

 

15.4 Variations

 

No agreement to vary, add to or cancel this Agreement shall be of any force or effect unless recorded in writing and signed by or on behalf of all of the Parties.

 

15.5 No Waiver

 

15.5.1 A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law is only effective if given in writing and is not deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default.

 

15.5.2 A failure to exercise or a delay by a Party in exercising any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law does not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor does it prevent or restrict any further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law prevents or restricts the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

 

15.6 Survival of Rights, Duties and Obligations

 

Termination or expiry of this Agreement for any cause does not release any Party from any liability which at the time of termination or expiry has already accrued to such Party or which thereafter may accrue in respect of any act or omission prior to such termination or expiry.

 

 

 

 

15.7 Severance

 

If any provision of this Agreement that is not material to its efficacy as a whole is rendered void, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions are not in any way affected or impaired thereby and the legality, validity and unenforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction are not in any way affected or impaired.

 

15.8 Assignment

 

Save as permitted by the provisions of this Agreement, no Party may cede any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

15.9 Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart is an original and all counterparts taken together constitute one and the same instrument. Any Party may enter into this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

 

15.10 Applicable law

 

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of South Africa.

 

15.11 Rights of Third Parties

 

This is an agreement between the Parties only and no rights are stipulated for the benefit of any third party.

 

15.12 Set-off

 

Each Party waives and relinquishes any right of set-off or counterclaim, deduction or retention which it might otherwise have in respect of any payment which it may be obliged to make or procure to be made to another Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

16. ADDRESSES FOR LEGAL PROCESSES AND NOTICES

 

16.1 The Parties choose for the purposes of this Agreement the following addresses, and email addresses:

 

16.1.1 Caledonia 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Floracliffe
    Email address: scurtis@caledoniamining.com
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

16.1.2 CMSA 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Email address: scurtis@greenstone.co.za
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

16.1.3 Fintona 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Email address: scurtis@greenstone.co.za
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

16.1.4 Purchaser 9 th Floor Sinosteel Plaza
    159 Rivonia Road
    Sandton
    2196
    Email address: adriansinovich@gmail.com
    Marked for the attention of Adrian Sinovich

 

 

 

 

16.2 Any legal process to be served on any of the Parties may be served on it at the address specified for it in clause 16.1 and it chooses that address as its domicilium citandi et executandi for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

16.3 Any notice or other communication to be given to any of the Parties in terms of this Agreement is valid and effective only if it is given in writing, provided that any notice given by email is regarded for this purpose as having been given in writing.

 

16.4 A notice to any Party which is sent by registered post in a correctly addressed envelope to the address specified for it in clause 16.1 is deemed to have been received within 7 days from the date it was posted, or which is delivered to the Party by hand at that address is deemed to have been received on the day of delivery, provided it was delivered to a responsible person during ordinary business hours.

 

16.5 Each notice by email to a Party at the email address specified for it in clause 16.1 is deemed to have been received within 4 hours of transmission if it is transmitted during normal business hours of the receiving Party or within 2 hours of the beginning of the next business day at the destination after it is transmitted, if it is transmitted outside those business hours.

 

16.6 A notice to any Party which is sent by overnight courier in a correctly addressed envelope to the address specified for it in clause 16.1 is deemed to have been received on the business day following the date it is sent.

 

16.7 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause 16, a written notice or other communication actually received by any Party is adequate written notice or communication to it notwithstanding that the notice was not sent to or delivered at its chosen address.

 

 

 

 

16.8 Any Party may by written notice to the other Party change its address or email address for the purposes of clause 16.1 to any other address (other than a post office box number) provided that the change will become effective on the day following receipt of the notice.

 

16.9 COSTS

 

16.10 Each Party shall pay its own costs incurred by it to its attorneys and other professional advisers for the preparation and signing of this Agreement and its Annexures.

 

16.11 The Purchaser -

 

16.11.1 shall be liable for the securities transfer tax levied in respect of the transfer of the Caledonia Shares and the CMSA Shares under this Agreement; and

 

16.11.2 undertakes, within 30 (thirty) days of the Completion Date, to inform the Company of the transfer to it of the Caledonia Shares and the CMSA Shares and, if applicable, to reimburse to the Company any securities transfer tax referred to in clause 17.2.1 paid on its behalf by the Company.

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________2016.

 

 

For and on behalf of

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________2016.

 

 

For and on behalf of

CALEDONIA MINING SOUTH AFRICA PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________2016.

 

 

For and on behalf of

FINTONA INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________2016.

 

 

For and on behalf of

SH MINERAL INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEXURE 1
Form of Cession of shares

 

We, ______________________________________________________________, a company duly registered and incorporated in accordance with the laws of _______________with registration number ____________ (the TRANSFEROR )

 

do hereby transfer all our rights of ownership in:

 

[insert number] ( [insert number in words] ) ordinary no par value shares (Share Certificate No: [●])

 

in _____________________________________________, a company duly registered and incorporated under the laws of South Africa with registration number ____________________

 

to: _____________________________________________________________, a company duly registered and incorporated under the laws of South Africa with registration number _______________________ (the  TRANSFEREE )

 

 

SUBJECT to the conditions upon which we hold the shares at the date hereto.

 

The consideration for the said transfer and cession is $_______ (________________United States Dollars)

 

 

SIGNED at __________________________ on __________________________

 

_____________________________________

 

For:
Name:
Capacity:

 

 

The TRANSFEREE accepts transfer of the said shares on the abovementioned conditions.

 

SIGNED at __________________________ on __________________________

 

_____________________________________

 

For:
Name:
Capacity:

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEXURE 2
Form of Cession of Claim(s)

 

 

 

We, ______________________________________________(the CEDENT )

 

do hereby transfer and cede, with effect from Completion, the __________ Claims,

 

to: _________________________________________________ (the CESSIONARY ).

 

Words and expressions defined in the sale of shares and claims agreement entered into between the Cedent and the Cessionary dated _________ 2016 (“the Agreement”), and not defined in this cession, shall have the same meanings in this cession as those ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

SIGNED at                                       on                                      

 

_____________________________________

For:

Name:

Capacity:

 

 

The CESSIONAR Y hereby accepts the cession of the ____________ Claims as described above on the abovementioned conditions.

 

SIGNED at                                       on                                      

 

_____________________________________

For:

Name:

Capacity:

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE SALE AGREEMENT

 

 

 

between

 

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

 

and

 

CALEDONIA MINING SOUTH AFRICA PROPRIETARY LIMITED

(previously known as Greenstone Management Services Proprietary Limited)

 

and

 

FINTONA INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

and

 

SH MINERAL INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

1.   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
2.   Amendment and Restatement 6
3.   Suspensive Conditions 6
4.   SALE AND PURCHASE 7
5.   PURCHASE PRICE 8
6.   PAYMENT 8
7.   COMPLETION 9
8.   CALEDONIA’S EXCHANGE CONTROL OBLIGATIONS 10
9.   VOETSTOOTS 11
10.   WARRANTIES 11
11.   ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION UNDERTAKINGS 11
12.   ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY 12
13.   INDIVISIBILITY 12
14.   BREACH 12
15.   DISPUTE RESOLUTION 13
16.   ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY 14
17.   GENERAL 14
18.   ADDRESSES FOR LEGAL PROCESSES AND NOTICES 16
19.   COSTS 17
20.   Conversion Application 17
21.   Pledge 18
ANNEXURE A FORM OF CESSION OF SHARES 20
ANNEXURE B FORM OF CESSION OF CLAIM(S) 21

 

 

 

 

 

- i -

 

 

PARTIES :

 

This Agreement is made between:

 

(1)         Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC , a company registered in accordance with the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, under registration number 120924 ( Caledonia );

 

(2)         Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited , a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa, under registration number 1993/000530/07, and which was previously known as Greenstone Management Services Proprietary Limited ( CMSA );

 

(3)         Fintona Investments Proprietary Limited , a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa, under registration number 1994/007536/07 ( Fintona ); and

 

(4)         SH Mineral Investments Proprietary Limited, a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa under registration number 2013/070478/07 ( Purchaser ).

 

WHEREAS

 

A. Caledonia and CMSA, together, own 100% (one hundred per cent) of the Company’s issued share capital.

 

B. Each Seller wishes to sell its entire Equity Interest in the Company to the Purchaser and the Purchaser desires to purchase each Seller’s Equity Interest in the Company.

 

C. The Parties entered into the Sale Agreement and have now agreed to amend and restate the Sale Agreement as set out herein, with effect from the Fulfilment Date.

 

 

 

- 1 -

 

 

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.           DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1               Definitions

 

For the purposes of this Agreement and the preamble above, unless the context requires otherwise:

 

1.1.1                  Agreement means this restated and amended share sale agreement and includes its annexures which shall form part of it;

 

1.1.2                  Asset Sale Agreement means the asset sale agreement entered or to be entered into between the Company and the Purchaser, in terms of which the Purchaser will purchase rock dumps from the Company;

 

1.1.3                  Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday in the Republic of South Africa or Jersey (Channel Islands);

 

1.1.4                  Caledonia Claims means all of Caledonia’s Shareholder Claims which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.5                  Caledonia’s Equity Interest means the Caledonia Shares and the Caledonia Claims;

 

1.1.6                  Caledonia ZAR Component means an amount equal to ZAR 1,995,200 (one million, nine hundred and ninety five thousand and two hundred Rand), which has been paid by the Purchaser to Caledonia;

 

1.1.7                  Caledonia Shares means Caledonia’s 14,847,473 (fourteen million eight hundred and forty seven thousand four hundred and seventy three) Shares, which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.8                  Claims, in relation to, respectively, each of Caledonia and Fintona, means all its claims against the Company, at the Completion Date;

 

1.1.9                  CMSA Shares means CMSA’s 36,365 (thirty six thousand three hundred and sixty five) Shares which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.10                CMSA ZAR Component means an amount equal to ZAR 4,800 (four thousand eight hundred Rand), which has been paid by the Purchaser to CMSA;

 

1.1.11                Companies Act means the Companies Act, No 71 of 2008;

 

1.1.12                Company means Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited, a company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa under registration number 1987/001814/06;

 

1.1.13                Completion Date means 5 (five) Business Days after the Fulfilment Date or such earlier date the Parties may agree to in writing;

 

 

Page No. 2

 

1.1.14                Conversion Application means the application submitted by the Company to the DMR in terms of the MPRDA in or during April 2009 under form DME 314, receipted by the DMR on 30 April 2009 (SAMREC No 711, DRM Ref No. 30/5/2/2/9154MR), for conversion of the Company’s old order mining rights, Mining Licence MR 04/2003 and Mining Licence MR 07/2003, each for gold and silver, which Conversion Application remains pending as at the Signature Date;

 

1.1.15                DMR means the Department of Mineral Resources;

 

1.1.16                Eersteling Mine means the gold mine owned by the Company situated on the Farms Vrischgewaard 33 KS, Eersteling 17 KS; Remaining Extent of Potion 2, Portion 20 of the Farm Zandrivier 742 LS, Portion of Portion 3 and the Remaining Extent of the Farm Roodepoort 744 LSJ, situated in Polokwane Magisterial District, Limpopo Province, all as more fully described and set out in the Conversion Application;

 

1.1.17                Environmental Claims means any claims, direct or indirect, by any party including but not limited to any Governmental Authority, arising from or relating to:

 

1.1.17.1 the Company being the holder of the unconverted mining right which is the subject of a pending conversion application and/or the EMP in relation to Eersteling Mine;

 

1.1.17.2 the Company’s conduct of operations (at any time on or prior to the Completion Date) at Eersteling Mine (including for the avoidance of doubt, all processing, rehabilitation and non-processing activities);

 

1.1.17.3 any acts or omissions of the Company as the holder of or arising out of any mining rights previously held by the Company in relation to Eersteling Mine; and

 

1.1.17.4 any environmental damage, pollution or ecological degradation resulting directly or indirectly from the Company's mining, prospecting, processing or non-mining activities in relation to Eersteling Mine (at any time on or prior to the Completion Date), and all activities incidental thereto,

 

where the cause of action for any such claim arises (whether the claim itself is brought before, on or after the Completion Date) under any applicable law (including the MPRDA, Environmental Laws and/or the common law generally or any statute) or contract and where so ever the damage or loss giving rise to such cause of action has occurred;

 

1.1.18                EMP means the environmental management programme (reference number 6/2/2/68) of the Company that forms part of Eersteling Mine prior to any amendment thereto pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, insofar as it is applicable to Eersteling Mine;

 

1.1.19                Environmental Laws means any and all legislation (whether civil, criminal or administrative), treaties, statutory instruments, directives, by-laws, judgments, regulations, notices, orders, government circulars, codes of practice and guidance notes or decisions of any competent regulatory body or common law relating to degradation, pollution or protection of the environment which is capable of enforcement by legal process in South Africa;

 

 

Page No. 3

 

1.1.20                Equity Interest in relation to each Seller, means the Shares and Shareholder Claims which it holds in the Company;

 

1.1.21                Exchange Control means the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank responsible for the administration of exchange control on behalf of the Minister of Finance or an officer of the National Treasury who, by virtue of the division of work in the National Treasury, deals with the matter on the authority of the Minister of Finance;

 

1.1.22                Exchange Control Regulations means the Exchange Control Regulations, 1961, as amended (including any applicable directive and rulings of Exchange Control and the National Treasury);

 

1.1.23                Fintona Claims means all of Fintona’s Claims which it is selling to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement;

 

1.1.24                Fulfilment Date means the date of fulfilment or waiver (as the case may be) of the Suspensive Conditions;

 

1.1.25                Greenstone Rehabilitation Trust means the trust established to provide for the Company’s Rehabilitation Liabilities and registered in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of South Africa under Master Reference number IT994/96;

 

1.1.26                Health and Safety Claims means any claims arising from or relating to the conduct of operations in relation to the Mine Operations, where the cause of action for such claims arises from any Health and Safety Laws (including the common law or statute);

 

1.1.27                Health and Safety Laws all applicable health and safety legislation, statutes, ordinances, by-laws and regulations, including the Mine Health and Safety Act, No. 29 of 1996 (as amended) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993 (as amended);

 

1.1.28                Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

1.1.28.1 moneys borrowed by the Company from third parties plus any interest, fees or costs in respect of such indebtedness; and/or

 

1.1.28.2 any income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, duty, levy or other tax of whatever nature and however arising owing or payable (whether provisionally, contingently or otherwise and whether or not due) to any national, provincial, district or local municipal authority in South Africa;

 

1.1.29                Long Stop Date means 31 December 2018 or such other date as the Parties may agree;

 

1.1.30                MPRDA means the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, No. 28 of 2002 (as amended);

 

 

Page No. 4

 

1.1.31                National Treasury means, in relation to any matter contemplated in the Exchange Control Regulations, the National Treasury of South Africa;

 

1.1.32                Parties means Caledonia, CMSA, Fintona and the Purchaser, as the parties to this Agreement, and Party means any one of them as the context may require;

 

1.1.33                Phase II Collection Period has the meaning given to it in the Asset Sale Agreement;

 

1.1.34                Phase II Rock Dumps has the meaning given to it in the Asset Sale Agreement;

 

1.1.35                Reference Exchange Rate shall mean the ZAR to US$ exchange rate, or the US$ to ZAR exchange rate, as the case may be, as published by ABSA Bank Limited on the Fulfilment Date;

 

1.1.36                Rehabilitation Liabilities means the existing environmental liabilities of the Company pertaining to its mining operations in terms of its old order mining right and over the area covered by Eersteling Mine’s EMP;

 

1.1.37                Sale Agreement means the share sale agreement entered into between the Parties on 12 July 2016 and as amended on 18 August 2016, 19 September 2016 and 15 August 2017;

 

1.1.38                Sellers means Caledonia, CMSA and Fintona;

 

1.1.39                Shareholder Claims in relation to each Seller, means all the Seller’s claims against the Company, at the Completion Date;

 

1.1.40                Shares means the Company’s issued 14,883,838 (fourteen million eight hundred and eighty three thousand eight hundred and thirty eight) ordinary par value shares of ZAR 0.01 each no par value shares;

 

1.1.41                Signature Date means the last date on which this Agreement is signed by the Parties;

 

1.1.42                Suspensive Conditions has the meaning set out in clause 3.2;

 

1.1.43                US$ means United States Dollars, being the legal currency of the United States of America; and

 

1.1.44                ZAR means South African Rand, being the legal currency of the Republic of South Africa.

 

1.2               Interpretation

 

1.2.1                  Unless expressly provided to the contrary or inconsistent with the context, a reference in this Agreement to:

 

1.2.1.1 this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument shall be construed as a reference to this Agreement or that other agreement, document or instrument as amended, varied, novated or substituted from time to time;

 

 

Page No. 5

 

1.2.1.2 a clause , sub-clause or Annexure is to a clause, sub-clause or annexure to this Agreement;

 

1.2.1.3 a person includes any natural person, firm, company, corporation, body corporate, juristic person, unincorporated association, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, partnership, syndicate, consortium, joint venture, charity or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

1.2.1.4 any one gender, whether masculine, feminine or neuter, includes the other two;

 

1.2.1.5 the singular includes the plural and vice versa ;

 

1.2.1.6 a word or expression given a particular meaning includes cognate words or expressions;

 

1.2.1.7 any number of days prescribed shall be determined by excluding the first and including the last day or, where the last day is a day that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day;

 

1.2.1.8 a statutory provision includes any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that provision and a reference to a statutory provision includes that provision as from time to time modified or re-enacted as far as such modification or re-enactment applies, or is capable of applying, to this Agreement or any transaction entered into in accordance with this Agreement;

 

1.2.1.9 the words including , include or in particular followed by specific examples shall be construed by way of example or emphasis only and shall not be construed, nor shall it take effect, as limiting the generality of any preceding words, and the eiusdem generis rule is not to be applied in the interpretation of such specific examples or general words;

 

1.2.1.10 the words other or otherwise shall not be construed eiusdem generis with any foregoing words where a wider construction is possible.

 

1.2.2                  All the headings and sub-headings in this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and shall be ignored for the purposes of interpreting it.

 

1.2.3                  A term defined in a particular clause or Annexure in this Agreement, unless it is clear from the clause or Annexure in question that application of the term is to be limited to the relevant clause or Annexure bears the meaning ascribed to it for all purposes of in this Agreement, notwithstanding that that term has not been defined in clause 1.1 and, where there is any inconsistency between any term defined in clause 1.1 and any term defined in any clause or Annexure in this Agreement, then, for the purposes of construing such clause or Annexure the term as defined in such clause or Annexure prevails.

 

1.2.4                  No rule of construction may be applied to the disadvantage of a Party because that Party was responsible for or participated in the preparation of this Agreement or any part of it.

 

 

Page No. 6

 

1.2.5                  If a definition confers substantive rights or imposes substantive obligations on a Party, such rights and obligations shall be given effect to and are enforceable as substantive provisions of this Agreement, notwithstanding that they are contained in that definition.

 

1.2.6                  Words and expressions defined in the Companies Act which are not defined in this Agreement, shall bear the same meanings in this Agreement as those ascribed to them in the Companies Act.

 

2. Amendment and Restatement

 

2.1               The Parties agree that with effect from the Fulfilment Date, this Agreement amends and restates the Sale Agreement.

 

2.2               The rights and obligations of the Parties under the Sale Agreement will, on and from the Fulfilment Date, be governed by and construed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

3. Suspensive Conditions

 

3.1               The provisions of this clause 3 and clauses 1, 2 and 14 to 19 (both inclusive) shall take effect and become operative immediately upon the Signature Date.

 

3.2               All of the provisions of this Agreement, except for those which take effect and become operative immediately in terms of clause 3.1 above, shall be subject to the fulfilment or waiver of the following suspensive conditions ( Suspensive Conditions ) on or before the Long Stop Date (unless otherwise specified):

 

3.2.1                  that the sale of the Phase II Rock Dump (as contemplated in the Asset Sale Agreement) is concluded to the satisfaction of the Purchaser, as confirmed in writing by the Purchaser within 10 (ten) Business Days of the expiry of the Phase II Collection Period; and

 

3.2.2                  that the Purchaser procures funding for the payments required in terms of clauses 6.1.1 and 6.2.

 

3.3               The Seller may waive the Suspensive Conditions by written notice to the Purchaser.

 

3.4               If any of the Suspensive Conditions is not fulfilled or waived (as the case may be) on or before the Long Stop Date, then the provisions of this Agreement that are suspended shall not take effect and the provisions that have taken effect shall fall away with the exception of the provisions of this this clause 3 and clauses 1, and 14 to 19 (both inclusive) which shall survive and shall be enforceable under this Agreement, and the Sale Agreement shall continue to apply.

 

3.5 If the Suspensive Conditions are fulfilled or waived (as the case may be) on or before the Long Stop Date, then all the provisions of this Agreement which were suspended in terms of clause 3.2 above shall also take effect and become operative, and the whole of this Agreement shall accordingly become unconditional.

 

 

Page No. 7

 

3.6 The Parties shall, where it is within their respective power and control to do so, use their respective reasonable commercial endeavours to procure the fulfilment of the Suspensive Conditions as soon as possible after the Signature Date, but in any event before the Long Stop Date.

 

4.           SALE AND PURCHASE

 

4.1               Caledonia agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from Caledonia, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and as one indivisible transaction, on and with effect from the Completion Date:

 

4.1.1                  the Caledonia Shares, which represent 99.76% ( ninety nine comma nine seven six per cent) of the Company’s issued Shares and constitute Caledonia’s entire shareholding in the Company; and

 

4.1.2                  the Caledonia Claims.

 

4.2               CMSA agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from CMSA, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and as one indivisible transaction, on and with effect from the Completion Date, the CMSA Shares, which represent 0.24% (zero comma two four per cent) of the Company’s issued Shares and constitute CMSA’s entire shareholding in the Company.

 

4.3               Fintona agrees to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from Fintona, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as one indivisible transaction the Fintona Claims, on and with effect from the Completion Date.

 

4.4               Risk in and the benefit of Caledonia’s Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims will pass to the Purchaser with effect from the Completion Date upon completion of all the matters to be completed under clause 7 below.

 

4.5               Ownership of Caledonia’s Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims will pass to the Purchaser with effect from the Completion Date upon completion of all the matters to be completed under clause 7 below.

 

5.           PURCHASE PRICE

 

5.1 The purchase price payable by the Purchaser for Caledonia’s Equity Interest to Caledonia is the aggregate of US$ 2,999,976.54 (two million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and seventy six United States Dollars and fifty four cents) plus an amount equal to the Caledonia ZAR Component, of which –

 

5.1.1                  an amount equal to the aggregate of US$ 2,990,397.52 (two million nine hundred and ninety thousand three hundred and ninety seven United States Dollars and fifty two cents) plus an amount equal to the Caledonia ZAR Component shall be allocated as the purchase price of the Caledonia Claims; and

 

 

Page No. 8

 

5.1.2                  the remaining balance of US$ 9,579.02 (nine thousand five hundred and seventy nine United States Dollars and two cents) shall be allocated as the purchase price of the Caledonia Shares.

 

5.2 The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to CMSA for the CMSA Shares is the aggregate of the ZAR equivalent of the amount of US$ 23.46 (twenty three United States Dollars and forty six cents) (calculated in accordance with the Reference Exchange Rate) plus an amount equal to the CMSA ZAR Component.

 

5.3               The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to Fintona for the Fintona Claims is ZAR 1.00 (one Rand).

 

6.           PAYMENT

 

The purchase price payable by the Purchaser to Caledonia for the Caledonia’s Equity Interest, to CMSA for the CMSA Shares, and to Fintona for the Fintona Claims shall be payable to Caledonia, CMSA and Fintona, respectively, in accordance with the following provisions:

 

6.1 the Purchaser shall pay to Caledonia:

 

6.1.1 on the Completion Date, US$ 999,976.54 (nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and seventy six United States Dollars and fifty four cents). Upon payment of the aforesaid amount, the Purchaser shall be given unfettered access to the premises for the purpose of commencing with its operations;

 

6.1.2 12 (twelve) months following the Completion Date US$ 1,000,000 (one million United States Dollars); and

 

6.1.3 18 (eighteen) months following the Completion Date, US$ 1,000,000 (one million United States Dollars),

 

by telegraphic transfer in same day funds into such bank account or accounts designated by Caledonia by written notice given to the Purchaser, it being recorded that the Caledonia ZAR Component has already been paid;

 

6.2 the Purchaser shall pay to CMSA, on the Completion Date, the ZAR equivalent of the amount of US$23.46 (twenty three United States Dollars and forty six cents) (calculated in accordance with the Reference Exchange Rate) by telegraphic transfer in same day funds to a bank account in ABSA Bank, South Africa, which shall be designated by CMSA by written notice given to the Purchaser, it being recorded that the CMSA ZAR Component has already been paid; and

 

6.3 on the Completion Date, the Purchaser shall pay to Fintona the sum of ZAR 1.00 in cash.

 

 

Page No. 9

 

7. COMPLETION

 

The following matters shall be completed by the Parties at a completion meeting to be held at 11h00 on the Completion Date at the Sandton offices of Bowman Gilfillan Inc. or at such other place as the Parties may agree in writing, pursuant to the receipt by the Sellers of the purchase prices in respect of the Caledonia’s Equity Interest and the CMSA Shares respectively, following payment thereof by the Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of clause 6.

 

7.1               Caledonia shall deliver to the Purchaser:

 

7.1.1                  a written cession for the transfer of ownership of the Caledonia Shares to the Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Annexure A;

 

7.1.2                  the certificate(s) for the Caledonia Shares;

 

7.1.3                  a written cession of the Caledonia Claims in the form attached hereto as Annexure B; and

 

7.1.4                  a copy of the written resignation with effect from the Completion Date of each of Trevor Pearton, Steven Curtis and John Mark Learmonth as directors of the Company including an unconditional acknowledgement by the director concerned, and to the Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, that he has no claim against the Company for any remuneration or compensation arising out of his resignation, together with a current-dated colour copy of each such persons’ current identity document and/or passport, certified as a true copy; and

 

7.1.5                  all of the books, documents, records and other assets (including in particular but not limited to all statutory books, documents and files and any and all information, documents, records, samples, plans, borehole logs and other geological, geophysical and/or geostatistical information, including the original Conversion Application and related documents), in its possession or under its control; alternatively place the Purchaser in possession and control thereof wherever situated.

 

7.2               CMSA shall deliver to the Purchaser:

 

7.2.1                  a written cession for the transfer of ownership of the CMSA Shares to the Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Annexure A;

 

7.2.2                  the certificate(s) for the CMSA Shares.

 

7.3               Fintona shall deliver to the Purchaser a written cession of the Fintona Claims in the form attached hereto as Annexure B.

 

7.4               The Sellers shall deliver to the Purchaser copies of the following resolutions passed by the Company’s board of directors, which may be expressed as being subject to the receipt by the Sellers of the purchase prices in respect of the Equity Interests of the Sellers, and which shall be certified by a duly authorised officer of the Company as having been duly passed and as being true copies of the resolutions so passed:

 

 

Page No. 10

 

7.4.1                  a resolution approving the registration of the transfer from Caledonia to the Purchaser or its nominee for registration of the Caledonia Shares, in accordance with the written cession delivered to the Purchaser in terms of clause 7.1.1 above;

 

7.4.2                  a resolution approving the registration of the transfer from CMSA to the Purchaser or its nominee for registration of the CMSA Shares, in accordance with the written cession delivered to the Purchaser in terms of clause 7.2.1 above;

 

7.4.3                  a resolution approving the registration in the Company’s securities register of the Purchaser or its nominee as the holder of the Caledonia Shares in accordance with the approval given in terms of clause 7.4.1 above;

 

7.4.4                  a resolution approving the registration in the Company’s securities register of the Purchaser or its nominee as the holder of the CMSA Shares in accordance with the approval given in terms of clause 7.4.2 above;

 

7.4.5                  a resolution approving the issue of appropriate new share certificates to the Purchaser or its nominee for the shares registered in its name or its nominee’s name (as the case may be) in accordance with the provisions of clauses 7.4.3 and 7.4.4 above;

 

7.4.6                  a resolution approving the appointment with effect from the Completion Date to the Company’s board of directors of all the persons nominated by the Purchaser as its nominees for the board, as notified to the Sellers on the Signature Date, and accepting the resignations of the directors referred to in clause 7.1.4;

 

7.4.7                  a resolution approving the cession of the Caledonia Claims to the Purchaser or its nominee; and

 

7.4.8                  a resolution approving the cession of the Fintona Claims to the Purchaser or its nominee.

 

7.5               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement the Parties agree that all the matters to be completed pursuant to this clause 7 shall be deemed to have been completed simultaneously, and that none of them shall be deemed to have been completed unless all of them have been completed.

 

8. CALEDONIA’S EXCHANGE CONTROL OBLIGATIONS

 

Following the conclusion of the matters referred to in clause 7, the Purchaser shall authorise Caledonia to procure that the Company applies, or that Caledonia applies on behalf of the Company to the South African Reserve Bank (or one of its authorised dealers) for any Exchange Control approval required in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations for the cession by Caledonia of the Caledonia Claims (in an amount not less than the portion of the purchase price attributable to the Caledonia Claims) to the Purchaser in terms of this Agreement.

 

 

Page No. 11

 

9. VOETSTOOTS

 

Subject to the provisions of clause 10, the Caledonia’s Equity Interest, the CMSA Shares and the Fintona Claims are sold and purchased “voetstoots” without any warranties, undertakings or representations of any nature whatsoever.

 

10.        WARRANTIES

 

10.1             Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 8 , each Seller warrants to the Purchaser as at the Signature Date and the Completion Date that:

 

10.1.1                it has requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

10.1.2                this Agreement constitutes (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on it in terms of this Agreement;

 

10.1.3                it is the registered and beneficial owner of the Shares and the Claims sold and/or ceded by it in terms of this Agreement, and is entitled and able to give to the Purchaser title to such Shares and Claims;

 

10.1.4                save for the Caledonia Claims and the Fintona Claims, the Company has no other Indebtedness; and

 

10.1.5                at the time of its submission, the Conversion Application was valid, complete, accurate and comprehensive in all material respects and, save for the approval of the EMP and the outstanding requirement to comply with applicable black economic empowerment obligations in terms of the MPRDA, none of the Sellers is aware of any reason for it being refused and/or of any fact, matter or circumstance which will or may otherwise prevent or preclude the Conversion Application from being granted to the Company.

 

10.2             The Purchaser warrants to each of the Sellers that:

 

10.2.1                it has requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and

 

10.2.2                this Agreement constitutes (or shall constitute when executed) valid, legal and binding obligations on it in terms of this Agreement.

 

11.        ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

11.1             The Purchaser hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to take all the steps required to progress the pending Conversion Application and not commence with any mining operations until the Company has adequately provided for the Rehabilitation Liabilities to the satisfaction of the DMR.

 

11.2             The Purchaser shall, as soon as possible, ensure that the Company adequately provides for the Rehabilitation Liabilities to the satisfaction of the DMR.

 

 

Page No. 12

 

11.3             The Sellers reserve the right to ask the Purchaser to procure that a back-to-back guarantee for the Rehabilitation Liabilities is issued in favour of Caledonia. The guarantee will be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Sellers and will be cancelled upon providing proof that the DMR is satisfied with the adequacy of the financial provision the Company has made for the Rehabilitation Liabilities

 

11.4             If the EMP is required to be amended for any reason, the Purchaser undertakes to ensure that the EMP is amended in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 so that it incorporates the Rehabilitation Liabilities and makes the necessary changes to the environmental management commitments.

 

11.5             The Sellers will provide such reasonable assistance that the Purchaser may require in order to transfer the funds in the Greenstone Rehabilitation Trust to the Company’s newly established vehicle (if any) for the financial provision.

 

12.        ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY

 

12.1             The Purchaser indemnifies each Seller, any of its holding companies and any subsidiary of any such holding companies, any of their subsidiaries and any of such companies' respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents (the Indemnified Parties ) against all and any established costs, claims, damages, awards, directives, obligations, liabilities or expenses of whatsoever nature and howsoever and wheresoever arising demonstrably suffered or incurred by any of the Indemnified Parties by virtue of:

 

12.1.1                any action which the Company is required to take to bring any operation into compliance with the Environmental Laws;

 

12.1.2                any claim from any third party for the performance or non-performance or improper performance by the Purchaser of any obligation to perform in relation to each Rehabilitation Liability as and when such Rehabilitation Liability becomes due;

 

12.1.3                any Environmental Claim; and

 

12.1.4                any Health and Safety Claim.

 

13.        INDIVISIBILITY

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, it shall be one indivisible agreement and accordingly if any sale and purchase transaction referred to in clause 4 above fails to take effect or is avoided, cancelled or terminated by any Party to it for any reason, or otherwise falls away for any reason, then the other sale and purchase transactions referred to in that clause shall fall away and cease to be of any further force or effect.

 

14. BREACH

 

14.1             Each Seller shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement summarily by written notice to that effect given to the Purchaser if the Purchaser fails to pay the amounts of the purchase price payable by it to the Seller in question in terms of clause 6 and remains in default for 7 (seven) days after receiving written notice from that Seller to remedy the default.

 

 

Page No. 13

 

14.2             Should the Purchaser commit any other breach of this Agreement, the Sellers shall not be entitled to cancel it before the Completion Date unless the breach is material and cannot be remedied adequately by the payment of damages and, being such a breach, it is not remedied or is not capable of being remedied by specific performance within a reasonable time after the Purchaser receives written notice to remedy the breach.

 

14.3             The Purchaser shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement summarily by giving written notice to that effect to the Sellers if any of the Sellers fail to comply with any of their obligations under clause 7 and remain in default for 7 (seven) Business Days after receiving written notice to remedy the default.

 

14.4             Should any of the Sellers commit any other breach of this Agreement, the Purchaser shall not be entitled to cancel it before the Completion Date unless the breach is material and cannot be remedied adequately by the payment of damages and, being such a breach, it is not remedied or is not capable of being remedied by specific performance within a reasonable time after the Seller in question receives written notice from the Purchaser to remedy the breach.

 

14.5             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary anywhere else in this Agreement, none of the Parties shall be entitled to cancel this Agreement after the Completion Date, for any breach by any other Party, but shall always be entitled to recover any damages which it would otherwise be entitled to recover.

 

14.6             Notwithstanding that the Purchaser has paid the Caledonia ZAR Component and the CMSA ZAR Component to Caledonia and CMSA respectively, in the event that the Purchaser fails to pay any portion of the outstanding purchase prices in respect of the Caledonia’s Equity Interest or the CMSA Shares in terms of clause 6, then each Seller shall, in addition to the remedies available to it in terms of this clause 14, be entitled to unconditionally retain the amounts already received by it as either the Caledonia ZAR Component or CMSA ZAR Component (as the case may be), in terms of the Agreement, as a non-refundable break fee.

 

15.        DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

15.1             In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof then any Party may give written notice to the other Party/ies to initiate the procedure set out below.

 

15.2             The Parties may agree on the arbitration procedure and on the arbitrator and, the arbitration shall take place in accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in force at the time of the dispute.

 

15.3             The appointing authority in terms of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules shall be the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa).

 

 

Page No. 14

 

15.4             Unless agreed otherwise the arbitration shall be administered by the Parties.

 

15.5             The number of arbitrators shall be 1 (one).

 

15.6             The place of arbitration shall be Sandton, South Africa.

 

15.7             Nothing in this clause 15 shall preclude any Party from seeking interim and/or urgent relief from a Court of competent jurisdiction and to this end the Parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.

 

16.        ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

 

16.1             Subject to clause 16.2, no Party shall make any announcement or statement about this Agreement or its contents without first having obtained the other Parties’ prior written consent to the announcement or statement and to its contents, provided that such consent may not be unreasonably withheld.

 

16.2             The provisions of clause 16.1 do not apply to any announcement or statement which any of the Parties is obliged to make in terms of the Companies Act or any other law or enactment, or the Listings Requirements of the JSE Ltd or the rules and regulation of any other stock exchange or any other regulator having jurisdiction, provided that the Party in question shall consult with the other Parties before making any such announcement or statement.

 

16.3             Each Party shall at all times keep in confidence any confidential information of the other Parties that it may acquire for the purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and shall not use or permit the use of such information for any other purpose and shall not disclose such information to any third party.

 

16.4             The Parties also agree, subject to the provisions of clause 16.2 above, to keep the existence and contents of this Agreement confidential between themselves, and each Party accordingly undertakes to the other Parties not to disclose the existence or any of the contents of this Agreement to any third party, without the prior written consent of the other Parties.

 

16.5             Each of the Parties shall use reasonable endeavours to procure that its officers, employees and agents observe a corresponding obligation of confidence to that set out in clauses 16.3 and 16.4 above.

 

17.        GENERAL

 

17.1             Communications between the Parties

 

All notices, demands and other oral or written communications given or made by or on behalf of any of the Parties to any other Party shall be in English or accompanied by a certified translation into English.

 

 

Page No. 15

 

17.2             Remedies

 

Subject to the provisions of clause 15 above, no remedy conferred by this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy which is otherwise available at law, by statute or otherwise. Each remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law, by statute or otherwise. The election of any one or more remedies by any of the Parties does not constitute a waiver by such Party of the right to pursue any other remedy.

 

17.3             Entire Agreement

 

17.3.1                This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in regard to its subject matter.

 

17.3.2                No Party shall have any claim or right of action arising from any undertaking, representation or warranty not included in this Agreement.

 

17.4             Variations

 

No agreement to vary, add to or cancel this Agreement shall be of any force or effect unless recorded in writing and signed by or on behalf of all of the Parties.

 

17.5             No Waiver

 

17.5.1                A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law is only effective if given in writing and is not deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default.

 

17.5.2                A failure to exercise or a delay by a Party in exercising any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law does not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor does it prevent or restrict any further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law prevents or restricts the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

 

17.6             Survival of Rights, Duties and Obligations

 

Termination or expiry of this Agreement for any cause does not release any Party from any liability which at the time of termination or expiry has already accrued to such Party or which thereafter may accrue in respect of any act or omission prior to such termination or expiry.

 

17.7             Severance

 

If any provision of this Agreement that is not material to its efficacy as a whole is rendered void, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions are not in any way affected or impaired thereby and the legality, validity and unenforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction are not in any way affected or impaired.

 

 

Page No. 16

 

17.8             Assignment

 

Save as permitted by the provisions of this Agreement, no Party may cede any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

17.9             Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart is an original and all counterparts taken together constitute one and the same instrument. Any Party may enter into this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

 

17.10          Applicable law

 

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of South Africa.

 

17.11          Rights of Third Parties

 

This is an agreement between the Parties only and no rights are stipulated for the benefit of any third party.

 

17.12          Set-off

 

Each Party waives and relinquishes any right of set-off or counterclaim, deduction or retention which it might otherwise have in respect of any payment which it may be obliged to make or procure to be made to another Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

18. ADDRESSES FOR LEGAL PROCESSES AND NOTICES

 

18.1 The Parties choose for the purposes of this Agreement the following addresses, and email addresses:

 

18.1.1.1 Caledonia 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Floracliffe
    Email address: scurtis@caledoniamining.com
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

18.1.1.2 CMSA 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Email address: scurtis@greenstone.co.za
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

 

Page No. 17

 

18.1.1.3 Fintona 4 th Floor
    No. 1 Quadrum Office Park
    Constantia Boulevard
    Email address: scurtis@greenstone.co.za
    Marked for the attention of Steve Curtis

 

18.1.1.4 Purchaser 9 th Floor Sinosteel Plaza
    159 Rivonia Road
    Sandton
    2196
    Email address: adriansinovich@gmail.com
    Marked for the attention of Adrian Sinovich

 

18.2           Any legal process to be served on any of the Parties may be served on it at the address specified for it in clause 18.1 and it chooses that address as its domicilium citandi et executandi for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

18.3           Any notice or other communication to be given to any of the Parties in terms of this Agreement is valid and effective only if it is given in writing, provided that any notice given by email is regarded for this purpose as having been given in writing.

 

18.4          A notice to any Party which is sent by registered post in a correctly addressed envelope to the address specified for it in clause 18.1 is deemed to have been received within 7 days from the date it was posted, or which is delivered to the Party by hand at that address is deemed to have been received on the day of delivery, provided it was delivered to a responsible person during ordinary business hours.

 

18.5          Each notice by email to a Party at the email address specified for it in clause 18 is deemed to have been received within 4 hours of transmission if it is transmitted during normal business hours of the receiving Party or within 2 hours of the beginning of the next business day at the destination after it is transmitted, if it is transmitted outside those business hours.

 

18.6 A notice to any Party which is sent by overnight courier in a correctly addressed envelope to the address specified for it in clause 18 is deemed to have been received on the business day following the date it is sent.

 

18.7 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause 18, a written notice or other communication actually received by any Party is adequate written notice or communication to it notwithstanding that the notice was not sent to or delivered at its chosen address.

 

 

Page No. 18

 

18.8             Any Party may by written notice to the other Party change its address or email address for the purposes of clause 18 to any other address (other than a post office box number) provided that the change will become effective on the day following receipt of the notice.

 

19. COSTS

 

19.1             Each Party shall pay its own costs incurred by it to its attorneys and other professional advisers for the preparation and signing of this Agreement and its Annexures.

 

19.2             The Purchaser -

 

19.2.1                shall be liable for the securities transfer tax levied in respect of the transfer of the Caledonia Shares and the CMSA Shares under this Agreement; and

 

19.2.2                undertakes, within 30 (thirty) days of the Completion Date, to inform the Company of the transfer to it of the Caledonia Shares and the CMSA Shares and, if applicable, to reimburse to the Company any securities transfer tax referred to in clause 19.2.1 paid on its behalf by the Company.

 

20.        Conversion Application

 

Caledonia and CMSA agree for a period of 6 (six) months following the Completion Date to provide reasonable assistance to the Purchaser and the Company in relation to the Conversion Application, provided that the aforegoing obligations shall not require (i) any monetary or other financial contribution from either Caledonia or CMSA including, without limitation, with respect to any studies, assessments or rehabilitation funding required for the purposes of the Conversion Application, (ii) the incurring by Caledonia or CMSA of any costs or expenses (other than the cost of the time of its own employees and/or executives), or (iii) any input or obligation in respect of the broad-based black economic empowerment requirements for the Conversion Application.

 

21.        Pledge

 

The Parties hereby record that Caledonia, CMSA and the Purchaser entered into a cession and pledge agreement on 16 August 2017 as security for the transfer of the Caledonia’s Equity Interest and the CMSA Shares to the Purchaser pending the payment of the full amount of the purchase price.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

 

 

Page No. 19

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________20__.

 

For and on behalf of

CALEDONIA MINING CORPORATION PLC

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________20__.

 

For and on behalf of

CALEDONIA MINING SOUTH AFRICA

PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________20__.

 

For and on behalf of

FINTONA INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

SIGNED at _________________ on this the _________ day of _____________20__.

 

For and on behalf of

SH MINERAL INVESTMENTS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

 

 

____________________________

Signatory:

Capacity:

Who warrants his authority hereto

 

 

 

Page No. 20

 

ANNEXURE A
FORM OF CESSION OF SHARES

 

We, [●], a company duly registered and incorporated in accordance with the laws of [●] with registration number [●] (the TRANSFEROR )

 

do hereby transfer all our rights of ownership in:

 

[●] ([●]) ordinary shares (Share Certificates No: [●] )

 

in EERSTELING GOLD MINING COMPANY LIMITED , a company duly registered and incorporated under the laws of South Africa with registration number 1987/001814/06

 

to: [●] , a company duly registered and incorporated under the laws of [●] with registration number  [●] (the  TRANSFEREE )

 

SUBJECT to the conditions upon which we hold the shares at the date hereof.

 

The consideration for the said transfer and cession is [●] ( [●] )

 

 

SIGNED at ________________________________ on ________________________________ 2018.

 

___________________________________________

 

For: [●]

 

Name: [●]

 

Capacity: [●]

 

 

The TRANSFEREE accepts transfer of the said shares on the abovementioned conditions.

 

 

SIGNED at ________________________________ on ________________________________ 2018.

 

__________________________________________

 

For: [●]

 

Name: [●]

 

Capacity: [●]

 

 

 

 

Page No. 21

 

ANNEXURE B
FORM OF CESSION OF CLAIM(S)

 

We, [●] (the CEDENT )

do hereby transfer and cede, with effect from Completion, the [●] Claims,

to: [●] (the CESSIONARY ).

 

Words and expressions defined in the share sale agreement dated 12 July 2016, as amended from time to time, entered into between, inter alios , the Cedent and the Cessionary, in terms of which the Cedent sells all of its shares in and claims against Eersteling Gold Mining Company Limited (registration number 1987/001814/06) to the Cessionary, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein (the Agreement ), and not defined in this cession, shall have the same meanings in this cession as those ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

SIGNED at ________________________________ on ________________________________ 2018.

 

___________________________________________

For: [●]

Name: [●]

Capacity: [●]

 

The CESSIONAR Y hereby accepts the cession of the [●] Claims as described above on the conditions set out in the Agreement.

 

SIGNED at ________________________________ on ________________________________ 2018.

 

__________________________________________

For: [●]

Name: [●]

Capacity: [●]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

 

List of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc group entities

 

 

    Country of incorporation         Legal    shareholding  
        2018     2017     2016  
Subsidiaries within the Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Group       %     %     %  
Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (1)   Zimbabwe   100     100     100  
Caledonia Mining Services Limited (2)   Zimbabwe   100     100     100  
Eersteling Gold Mining Corporation Limited   South Africa   100     100     100  
Fintona Investments Proprietary Limited   South Africa   100     100     100  
Caledonia Mining South Africa Proprietary Limited (1)   South Africa   100     100     100  
Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited (3)   United Kingdom   100     100     100  
Caledonia Holdings (Africa) Limited   Barbados   100     100     100  
Blanket (Barbados) Holdings Limited (4)   Barbados   100     100     100  
Blanket Mine (1983) (Private) Limited (2)   Zimbabwe   49     49     49  

 

(1) Direct subsidiary of Greenstone Management Services Holdings Limited (United Kingdom)
(2) Direct subsidiary of Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe (Private) Limited
(3) Direct subsidiary of Blanket (Barbados) Holdings Limited
(4) Direct subsidiary of Caledonia Holdings (Africa) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 12.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Steven Curtis , certify that:

 

1.       I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “Company”).

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Company’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Company, and have:

 

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 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 generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

5. The Company’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);

 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b. Any, fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: March 28, 2019   (signed) Steven Curtis
    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 12.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I Mark Learmonth, certify that:

 

1.       I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “Company”).

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Company’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Company, and have:

 

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 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 generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

5. The Company’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);

 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b. Any, fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: March 28, 2019   (signed) Mark Learmonth
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 13.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), that I, Steven Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company , certify, pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code 18 U.S.C.1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Rule 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

 

 

By: (signed) Steven Curtis

Steven Curtis, Chief Executive Officer

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Date: March 28, 2019

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided by Steven Curtis and will be retained by Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), that I, Mark Learmonth, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code 18 U.S.C.1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

 

1 The Report fully complies with the requirements of Rule 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

 

 

By : (signed) Mark Learmonth

Mark Learmonth, Chief Financial Officer

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

 

Date: March 28, 2019

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided by Mark Learmonth and will be retained by Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.