Company Announcements

Half Year Report

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 3262E
Neometals Ltd
10 March 2022
 

10 March 2022

Neometals Ltd

("Neometals" or "the Company")

 

Half Year Report

for the 6 months ended 31 December 2021

 

Neometals, a sustainable minerals and advanced materials project developer,  is pleased to advise of the release of the financial report of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group" or the "Consolidated Entity") for the half-year ended 31 December 2021 (the "Half Year Report").

 

A copy of the Company's Half Year Report, extracts from which are set out below, is also available on the Company's website at www.neometals.com.au.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Neometals Ltd


Chris Reed, Chief Executive Officer

 +61 8 9322 1182

Jeremy McManus

 +61 8 9322 1182

 

Cenkos Securities plc - NOMAD & Broker


Neil McDonald

+44 (0)131 220 9771

Peter Lynch

+44 (0)131 220 9772

Adam Rae

+44 (0)131 220 9778



Camarco PR

+ 44(0) 20 3 757 4980

Gordon Poole


James Crothers


Charlotte Hollinshead


 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

 

Neometals innovatively develops opportunities in minerals and advanced materials essential for a sustainable future. We leverage our proprietary, green process technologies to build battery materials projects with unparalleled exposure to commodities most impacted by the energy storage megatrend.

 

We build value, de-risk and develop these long-life projects with strong partners having a strategic focus on increasing margins through integration down the value chain. We have a growing suite of sustainable downstream, recovery and recycling projects, supporting the global transition to more circular supply chains and cleaner energy. Our core projects are:

 

Downstream Recycling and Materials Processing:

 

·             Lithium-ion Battery Recycling - commercialising a proprietary process for recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt and other valuable materials from spent and scrap lithium-ion batteries through a 50:50 incorporated JV with SMS group called Primobius GmbH.  Primobius is targeting commencement of 10tpd commercial operation as principal in Germany during the MarQ 2022. Development decision on larger 50tpd plants in SepQ 22;

 

·             Vanadium Recovery - sole funding evaluation studies for a 50:50 incorporated joint venture with Critical Metals Ltd to produce high-purity vanadium pentoxide from processing steelmaking by-products ("Slag") from leading Scandinavian steelmaker SSAB. Underpinned by a 10-year Slag supply agreement, Neometals is targeting an investment decision to develop a 200,000tpa processing plant in DecQ 2022; and

 

·             ELi® Lithium Process - commercialising a proprietary process to produce lithium hydroxide from lithium chloride solutions (salar or rock) using electrolysis to avoid costly and carbon-intensive reagents used in the traditional chemical conversion. Technology 70:30% owned by NMT and Mineral Resources Limited. Bondalti Chemicals S.A is co-funding and piloting the process in Portugal. Development decision in SepQ 2023.

 

Upstream Mineral Extraction:

 

·             Barrambie Titanium and Vanadium Project - one of the world's highest-grade hard-rock titanium-vanadium deposits. Working towards a development decision in DecQ 2022 with potential operating JV partner IMUMR and potential cornerstone concentrate off-taker, Jiuxing Titanium Materials Co.

 

DOWNSTREAM - MATERIALS PROCESSING

 

Lithium Battery Recycling Project                                                   

(Neometals 100%, SMS earning into 50% through Primobius GmbH incorporated JV)

 

Neometals has developed a sustainable process flowsheet targeting the recovery of battery materials contained in production scrap and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that might otherwise be disposed of in land fill or processed in high-emission pyrometallurgical recovery circuits. Neometals' process flowsheet ("LIB Recycling Technology") targets the recovery of valuable materials from consumer electronic batteries (devices with lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes), and nickel‐rich EV and stationary storage battery chemistries (lithium‐nickel-manganese‐cobalt (NMC) cathodes). The LIB Recycling Technology is designed to recover cobalt, nickel, lithium, copper, iron, aluminium, carbon and manganese into saleable products that can be reused in the battery supply chain.

 

A pilot trial ("Pilot") at SGS Lakefield, Canada in 2019/20 successfully produced cathode-grade nickel and cobalt sulphate products which collectively represent approximately 80% of the value of the basket of products recovered. Demonstration scale trials commenced during the period which will generate data for the Company's Feasibility Study.

 

The LIB Recycling Technology, comprises two stages:

1.     Shredding and beneficiation to physically separate components and remove metal casings, electrode foils and plastics from the active materials ("Shredding Circuit"); and

2.     Leaching, purification and precipitation to produce predominantly refined chemical products via the hydrometallurgical processing facility ("Refining Circuit").

 

JV with SMS

 

Neometals entered into an incorporated 50:50 joint venture ("JV") with SMS group GmbH ("SMS group"), called Primobius GmbH ("Primobius"). Primobius was incorporated to co-fund and complete final stage evaluation activities and to consider commercialisation of the LIB Recycling Technology.

 

Any positive financial investment decisions to construct commercial plants, will involve Neometals contributing its share of funding, technical and commercial know-how to the JV. SMS will perform the engineering design and cost studies in addition to its share of funding. SMS has the right of first offer to provide engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of each recycling plant Primobius undertakes. SMS will also, on a best endeavours basis, procure debt financing for no less than 50% of the capital expenditure (for full details refer to Neometals ASX announcement entitled "Neometals and SMS create Lithium Battery Recycling JV" released on 3rd August 2020).

 

Project Activities

 

During the period, Primobius made strong progress towards technical and commercial validation of its sustainable LIB Recycling Technology.

The DP serves as a showcase for validating earlier pilot plant results and will generate evaluation products for potential customers, partners and off-takers. The fully-integrated continuous DP trials constitute the main evaluation activity required for the JV shareholders to consider an investment decision relating to commercial recycling plants with throughput capacity at 50tpd (~20ktpa). Significant progress was made during the period with:

·      DP Shredding and Refining Circuits commissioned;

·      DP Shredding Circuit trials successfully completed;

·      Upgrades and commissioning of Shredding circuit equipment to facilitate 10tpd commercial shredding operations during 2022; and

 

The DP is located in a dedicated building leased from SMS group within its engineering competence centre at Hilchenbach. LIB feedstocks for the DP trials have been secured from electric vehicle and energy storage system manufacturers. The DP will continue to provide potential partners with the ability to verify Primobius' capability to safely, sustainably and ethically dispose of their hazardous LIBs. 


Evaluation Studies

 

During the period, Neometals advanced its AACE Class 3 Engineering Cost ("ECS") and Feasibility Study ("FS") that will incorporate the data and learnings from the DP trials. Outcomes from the FS will inform the Primobius evaluation processes for 50tpd (~20,000tpa) LIB shredding and or hydrometallurgical refining plants ("50tpd Plant/s").

 

Primobius initially planned to evaluate the construction and operation of its first plant as principal, in Germany, as a single integrated shredding and refining operation.  It has become apparent from commercial discussions that the market requires a network of shredding "spokes" in the short term. This coupled with the improved economics from refining at larger scale in a centralised "hub" has led Primobius to separate the engineering cost studies for the separate plants. This will enable the Class 3 ECS and detailed design phase for the shredding plants to be expedited and for SMS group to reach "product readiness", i.e. to offer plant supply contracts to Primobius, its potential JV partners and licencees. Concurrent Refinery Circuit test work will optimise and finalise the process flowsheet for the Class 3 ECS which remains on schedule for completion in June 2022.

 

Commercial Activities

 

During the period, Primobius completed and commissioned modifications to the DP in order to accelerate commercialisation activities and establish market share. The Shredding Circuit capacity has been increased to enable the provision of small-scale commercial battery disposal services to European cell and EV makers in Hilchenbach. Primobius is awaiting the imminent receipt of a federal emission permit (BImSchG) which will enable the Shredding Plant to be operated at a rate of 10 tonnes per day of batteries.  The disposal service will generate near-term revenue as well as prove the efficacy and operability of the Shredding Circuit at a scale that will be 1/5th of the commercial plants which are being evaluated at present.

 

The Primobius commercial strategy is designed to foster multiple partnerships. The relationship with Stelco Holdings Inc ("Stelco") is the first example. During the period, Primobius progressed its MoU with Stelco into formal agreements for commercialising the LIB Recycling Technology in North America. Stelco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stelco Holdings Inc., a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed steelmaking company headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario.

 

Stelco and Primobius entered into a MoU earlier in the year to evaluate future joint LIB recycling operations (for full details refer to Neometals ASX announcement entitled "Primobius Enters MOU for North America with Stelco to Construct a Plant for Extraction and Recycling of Battery Metals" released on 27th May 2021).

 

The parties worked together towards outlining a significant North American LIB recycling business plan and have entered into binding formal arrangements that allow Stelco to accelerate its sourcing of feedstock ahead of battery processing operations. Primobius has an option to secure equity ownership of the Stelco battery recycling special purpose vehicle ("Stelco SPV").

 

Specifically, Primobius has exclusively licenced its LIB recycling technology to Stelco SPV ("Licence") in the field of end-of-life vehicle battery processing in North America to enable Stelco to advance commercial LIB feedstock sourcing agreements and advance its construction and operating permit approvals processes. Under the option agreement ("Option"), Primobius can elect to acquire between 25% and 50% equity in the Stelco SPV by contributing its pro-rata share of Stelco SPV's sunk evaluation and development costs as a condition of exercise. If the Option is not exercised by Primobius, the Licence conditions award Stelco the exclusive rights to utilise the Recycling Technology in North America to recycle LIBs removed from end-of-life electric vehicles and Primobius will be entitled to a gross revenue royalty. 

 

The formal agreements contemplate Stelco SPV evaluating a 50tpd (18,250 tpa) integrated Shredding ("Spoke") and Hydrometallurgical Refinery ("Hub") located at its Lake Erie Works in Ontario, Canada. Primobius is capable of supplying Stelco SPV a network of 50tpd Shredding plants across the licenced territory (Canada, USA, Mexico) to feed a larger scale, centralised hydrometallurgical refining Hub as and when required. The formal Licence and Option Agreements with Stelco represent a significant milestone for Primobius and its strategy to become the leading LIB recycler through the establishment of a second operating base, in North America. The Stelco SPV will help meet the need for multiple large recycling facilities to manage significant anticipated volumes from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries originating from the World's fastest growing cell making jurisdiction.

 

Stelco is now in a position to mature its feedstock targeting activities with direct access to a sustainable industrial scale recycling solution supplied by Primobius with support from globally recognized engineers and plant builders, SMS.

 

Vanadium Recovery Project ("VRP")
(Earning into 50:50 Joint Venture)

 

Neometals is exploring opportunities to commercially apply its sustainable proprietary vanadium recovery processing flowsheet on stockpiles of vanadium bearing steel manufacturing by-product. The project team is currently pursuing two distinct partnership opportunities in Scandinavia and has ambitions to build a pipeline of suitable feedstock sources to increase future production:

1.     VRP 1 (SSAB feedstocks, Pori - Finland location); and

2.     VRP 2 (H2GS feedstock, Boden - Sweden location).

 

The VRP offers a compelling business case for Neometals which is underpinned by:

·      Access to very high-grade vanadium feedstocks without upstream mining costs/risk;

·      Potentially robust economics (VRP1 AACE Class 4 (pre-feasibility) study ("PFS") outcomes highlighted a first quartile position on the cost curve (for full details refer to ASX announcement entitled "Vanadium Recovery Project - Outstanding PFS Results" released on 4th May 2021);

·      Processing flowsheet utilises conventional equipment at atmospheric pressure mild temperatures and non-exotic materials of construction; and

·      Likely very low or net zero greenhouse gas footprint given:

a.     the absence of mining and a processing route requiring the use and potential capture CO2; and

b.     potentially saleable carbonate by-product which sequesters CO2;

 

The two current opportunities are outlined in further below:

 

Neometals and unlisted Scandinavian-focused explorer, Critical Metals Ltd ("Critical"), are jointly evaluating the feasibility of recovering high-purity vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) from high-grade vanadium-bearing steel by-product ("Slag") in Scandinavia. Under the formal collaboration agreement between the parties. Neometals is to fund and manage the evaluation activities, up to consideration of an investment decision. A positive investment decision will lead to a 50:50 incorporated JV with Critical.

 

Critical has executed a conditional agreement ("Slag Supply Agreement") with SSAB EMEA AB and SSAB Europe Oy, subsidiaries of SSAB ("SSAB"), a steel producer that operates steel mills in Scandinavia (for full details refer to Neometals ASX announcement entitled "High-Grade Vanadium Recycling Agreement" released on 6th April 2020). Slag is a by-product of SSAB's steel making operations. The Slag Supply Agreement is for 2 million tonnes of Slag and provides a secure basis for the evaluation of an operation capable of processing 200,000 tonnes of Slag per annum without the need to build a mine and concentrator like existing primary producers.

 

Critical is responsible for advancing government and environmental approvals for the VRP and managing the SSAB and H2GS relationships.

 

During the period, Neometals announced its collaboration partner in the VRP, Critical (via its wholly owned subsidiary, Recycling Industries Scandinavia AB ("RISAB")), entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with H2 Green Steel AB ("H2GS")("H2GS MoU"). The H2GS MoU outlines an evaluation framework on a potential new source of vanadium bearing Slag that could underpin a second, larger vanadium production operation ("VRP2") capable of processing 400,000tpa of Slag. The H2GS MoU also outlines key commercial terms for a potential Slag supply agreement.

 

H2GS is a limited liability Swedish company planning a fully integrated and automated green steel manufacturing plant to be located at Boden in Northern Sweden (located 35km from Luleå). This opportunity compliments the existing agreement between Neometals and Critical for planned vanadium production in Finland to recycle Slag generated by SSAB ("VRP1"). The H2GS MoU is a significant opportunity as it represents another potential source of valuable feed and highlights the growth profile for application of the sustainable Neometals Vanadium Recovery Process.

 

Project Development Progress

 

Being the most advanced opportunity, evaluation studies are currently focussed on VRP1. Positive Pre-feasibility study outcomes from 2021 supported the initiation of an AACE Class 3 Feasibility Study with expected accuracy of +/- 15% ("FS").

 

Following a formal tendering process, the FS contract was awarded to Sweco Industry Oy ("Sweco"). Being a Nordic based engineering group, Sweco has significant domestic insights with project management activities to be run out of Pori and the study team split between Pori and Helsinki.

 

During the period, the VRP team developed an engineering process data package supporting the FS. The package was based on the results of an integrated continuous large scale Pilot Plant campaigns operating on the Slag in the 3rd quarter of 2021 ("VRP1 Pilot"). The Process Package and results from the VRP1 Pilot have been supplied to Sweco to support the process plant design

 

The VRP1 Pilot significantly de-risked the project and generated samples for product evaluation which will enable the acceleration of commercial offtake discussions. Feedback on evaluation sample gives the Company confidence regarding process performance. Similar to the opportunity uncovered with H2GS, Neometals continues to pursue other growth opportunities where the VRP process could be applied.

 

Multiple dialogues are maturing with potential offtake counterparties and a formal process will commence in 2022 including sample delivery of chemicals generated in the VRP1 Pilot for evaluation by potential end users.

In addition to vanadium, several workstreams are targeting potential users of the by-products which will be generated via the VRP process. Of note, encouraging progress is being made on the stabilised slag material ("SSM") which is generated as part of the carbonate leach. This SSM is presently being investigated as a potentially useable material in various construction industry applications, as a paper filler and as a neutralizing agent for damaged soils.

 

Neometals technology relies upon carbon dioxide ("CO2")  as a reagent in the process. Neometals is currently evaluating a number of options for CO2 supply and is also developing opportunities to qualify its SSM as a carbon removal media. Neometals technology seeks to utilise CO2 captured from emission generators proximal to the VRP sites. As such, CO2 is essentially neutralised via sequestration in the SSM and re-used in industrial applications. As a potential market participant in the voluntary carbon trading market, Neometals will investigate the steps required to register a methodology to generate valuable approved carbon offsets.

 

Permitting activities are being managed by Critical and its local team of consultants. The initial 'Environmental Impact Assessment' program is with the Finnish regulators with feedback expected Q1 2022. The separate 'Environmental Permit' was submitted to the authorities in late November 2021. Neometals provides ongoing support to Critical as it relates to environmental permitting activities.

 

ELi® Lithium Process Project
(Neometals 70% / Mineral Resources 30%)

 

Neometals, through a 70% owned subsidiary, has developed a proprietary process to produce lithium hydroxide from lithium chloride solutions using electrolysis to avoid costly and carbon intensive reagents used by incumbents (ELi® Processing Technology ("ELi®")). The subsidiary, called Reed Advanced Materials Pty Ltd ("RAM"), is 30% owned by leading mining services provider Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) ("MIN" - via its wholly owned subsidiary Process Minerals International).

 

RAM developed the ELi® process from concept through to semi-pilot scale testing during the past 8 years with a view to having a competitive and reliable low carbon footprint method of large-scale lithium hydroxide and carbonate production to decarbonise lithium supply to the LIB supply chain. Sourcing lithium chemical units with a reduced CO2 footprint is a high priority for the electric vehicle industry. ELi® has the potential to provide a sustainable long-term cost advantage for lithium chemical production with a reduced carbon footprint. The process has been tested on synthetic and actual lithium sources, both hard rock and brine. A number of sources from South American continental brines have generated promising technical results with strong potential economics highlighted in cost studies.

 

ELi® development aims include:

·      Building sustainable long-term cost advantage for lithium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide production;

·      Adapting conventional chlor-alkali process to produce high-purity lithium hydroxide as primary product with flexibility to produce high purity lithium carbonate at low additional cost;

·      Reducing carbon footprint from processing at source with renewable electricity;

·      Minimising use (and transport) of high manufacturing carbon footprint reagents; and

·      Commercialise in Portugal in cooperation with Bondalti, and elsewhere as principal or with other partners, and generate revenue from either toll processing of lithium raw materials, sale of lithium chemicals and securing royalties from technology licensing arrangements

 

Technical Work to Date

 

ELi® is a process for purifying an aqueous lithium chloride solution to produce lithium hydroxide in conventional chlor-alkali (electrolysis) cells. ELi® uses commercially available chlor-alkali and purification process equipment and has been tested for reliability in 100 and 200hr duration continuous mini-pilot scale trials. The process has been tested on synthetic and actual lithium sources, both hard rock and brine. A pre-feasibility study was completed in 2012 and a feasibility study for the application of the ELi® technology in a Malaysian plant was completed in 2016 (for further details see Neometals announcement titled "Positive Lithium Downstream Processing Feasibility Results" dated 11th July 2016). Under the assumptions for both studies, the ELi® project was shown to be technically feasible and economically viable. The project and intellectual property surrounding it have been maintained and for a period ELi® has required an industrial partner to build pilot facilities and test the process under real world conditions.

 

Cooperation Agreement with Bondalti

 

In December 2021, RAM entered into a binding Co-operation Agreement ("Co-operation") with Portugal's largest chemical producer Bondalti Chemicals, S.A. ("Bondalti").

 

The Co-operation contemplates the co-funding of certain evaluation activities required for a decision to form a 50:50 incorporated joint venture ("JVCo") to construct and operate a lithium refinery ("Refinery") at Bondalti's extensive chlor-alkali operations in Estarreja, Portugal. The evaluation activities will include the construction and operation of a pilot plant in Portugal and completion of an AACE Class 2 Front End Engineering and Design Study ("FEED Study"). Completion is targeted for 30 June 2023 at a shared cost of approximately US$4 million. Under the Co-operation RAM and Bondalti have established a Steering Committee with equal representation from both parties to oversee the conduct of the evaluation activities and establishes a framework of terms for JVCo formation.

 

The proposed Refinery will be the first commercial operation to use RAM's ELi® Process, which has successfully produced battery-quality lithium hydroxide from operating spodumene and brine operations. This Co-operation is a significant step towards ELi® commercialisation with an industry-leading partner that operates similar equipment for producing sodium hydroxide at industrial scale. The technology, which radically reduces the requirement for (and transport of) reagents represents the opportunity for a step change in environmental sustainability, operating and capital costs for both spodumene and brine lithium projects. ELi® feedstock flexibility enables domestic production of lithium chemicals from the conversion of both European hard rock and imported brine concentrates ensuring an ethical and resilient local lithium supply chain for the EV battery industry.

 

Activities Undertaken During the Period

 

During the period, Neometals engaged Primero to complete a full independent process review and upgrade of the process mass balance model. Additionally, Neometals has recommend to Bondalti the areas of focus for the future test work during the pilot program.

 

Next Steps / Timeline 

 

In the coming period, Neometals aims to complete the following activities:

·      SysCAD model to be updated for specific Brine feed for the Bondalti project

·      Primero to develop PDC with focus on Bondalti project.

·      Engage contractors for pilot tests

 

UPSTREAM - MINERAL EXTRACTION

 

Barrambie Titanium/Vanadium Project
(Neometals 100%)

 

The Barrambie Vanadium and Titanium Project in Western Australia ("Barrambie") is one of the largest vanadiferous-titanomagnetite ("VTM") Mineral Resources globally (280.1Mt at 9.18% TiO2 and 0.44% V2O5)*, containing the world's second highest-grade hard rock titanium Mineral Resource (53.6Mt at 21.17% TiO2 and 0.63% V2O5)* and high-grade vanadium resource (64.9Mt at 0.82% V2O5 and 16.9% TiO2) subsets (referred to as the Eastern and Central Bands respectively) based on the latest Neometals 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate (*for full details refer to ASX announcement entitled "Updated Barrambie Mineral Resource Estimate" released on 17 April 2018 and Table 1 below).

          

Barrambie is located approximately 80km north-west of Sandstone in Western Australia and the Mineral Resource is secured under a granted mining lease. Neometals has a granted mining proposal to extract approximately 1.2Mtpa of ore and has Ministerial Approval to construct a 3.2Mtpa processing plant.

 

In October 2019, Neometals entered a memorandum of understanding with Chinese research organisation, IMUMR, to jointly evaluate the development of Barrambie ("IMUMR MoU"). Notwithstanding that the IMUMR MoU outlines a potential pathway towards a 50:50 operating joint venture to bring Barrambie into production (for full details refer to ASX announcement entitled "MoU for JV to develop Barrambie" released on 4th October 2019), it should be noted that IMUMR has a Chinese national mandate that includes development of upstream supply chains for industries of strategic relevance to China. Specifically, IMUMR will have the right, subject to Neometals approval, to assign its interests under the MoU to a commercial Chinese chemical processing partner.

 

In addition to the relationship with IMUMR, Neometals also has a memorandum of understanding with Jiuxing Titanium Materials (Liaonging) Co. Ltd ("Jiuxing MoU") ("Jiuxing") (for full details refer to ASX announcement entitled "Barrambie - MOU for Cornerstone Concentrate Offtake" released on 16th April 2021). Jiuxing is one of the leading chloride-grade titanium slag producers and is the largest in north-eastern China. Importantly, the Jiuxing MoU builds on, and complements, the existing IMUMR MoU.

 

The Jiuxing MoU* contemplates a path to a formal offtake agreement where Neometals supplies a mixed gravity concentrate or separate ilmenite and iron vanadium concentrate from Barrambie to Jiuxing. Specifically, the MoU outlines a product evaluation regime and contains the key commercial terms for a formal offtake agreement (i.e. pricing, volumes, price floor etc.), subject to product evaluation. Following satisfactory completion of testing and technical due diligence, the Jiuxing MoU contemplates the parties negotiating and entering into a binding formal offtake agreement for the supply of 800,000 dtpa of mixed gravity concentrate or 500,000 dtpa of ilmenite and 275,000 dtpa of iron-vanadium concentrate, on a take-or-pay basis for a period of 5 years from first production. If executed, it will potentially be the industry's largest individual offtake agreement.

 

The current business plan contemplates conventional open-cut mining, comminution and gravity concentration on site at Barrambie with a mixed titanium/vanadium/iron concentrate product being shipped to China for further processing.

 

Project Development Activities

 

Historical pilot trials outcomes established that a simple Barrambie gravity concentrate can likely be roasted and separated into two 'upgraded' high-quality saleable products (ilmenite and iron/vanadium concentrates). This processing path supports Neometals' goal to develop Barrambie as a capital-light concentrate operation.

 

During the period, Neometals completed the construction of, and commissioned a pilot beneficiation plant at the former Menzies State Battery to prepare and despatch approximately 150t of gravity concentrates to China pursuant to the Jiuxing MoU. Jiuxing will run validation trials on 100 tonnes of material using its commercial titanium smelters as a final stage of offtake due diligence. The remaining concentrate will be used to advance evaluation by other potential third-party off-takers.

*The Jiuxing MoU is a memorandum of understanding to allow Jiuxing to conduct large scale test work and negotiate a binding offtake agreement. There is no guarantee that any binding formal agreement will result from the cooperation under the Jiuxing MoU or that any binding formal agreement will reflect the key commercial terms set out in the MOU given that these arrangements are subject to the testing and evaluation work to be completed under the Jiuxing MOU. This Jiuxing MoU is effective for 24 months

 

Jiuxing and Neometals extended the term of the Jiuxing MoU and key milestone dates to reflect a more conservative and achievable timeline and are targeting execution of binding formal offtake agreements in October 2022. In parallel, evaluation activities are focussed on the completion of the PFS which is on schedule for completion in Q1 2022. These studies will provide a basis for the evaluation and negotiation of proposals for a complete mine-to-port solution under a 'build-own-operate' style arrangement for a mining and gravity concentration operation at Barrambie for export out of Geraldton. This is the same approach that was successfully adopted by Neometals and its partners to develop the Mt Marion Lithium Project in 2015.

 

Irrespective of whether Neometals supplies its offtake partners with a mixed gravity concentrate or separate ilmenite and iron vanadium concentrates from Barrambie, the purchasers will likely target contained ilmenite in a smelting process to produce a chloride-grade titanium slag as well as an iron vanadium product. Titanium slag is an intermediate product used to feed the fast-growing demands of the Chinese chloride pigment market as it switches towards this more environmentally sustainable product which requires high quality titanium feedstocks. The vanadium-rich iron (magnetite) concentrate is targeted for blending by steelmakers to obtain vanadium and iron units.

 

The Neometals Barrambie contractor engagement process continued during the period with leading service providers conducting due diligence to deliver proposals for the provision of a complete mine-to-port solution under a 'build-own-operate' style arrangement. Contractors have been engaged and are delivering a AACE Class 4 Engineering Cost Study ("ECS") that will precede the Barrambie Pre-feasibility Study ("PFS").

 

The Barrambie PFS will consider a capital light Australian mining and beneficiation operation with Chinese refining activities. The Barrambie PFS exercise will form a large component of the due diligence required by the successful 'build-own-operate' partner. This development model was used successfully by Neometals and its partners to advance the Mt Marion Lithium Project in 2015, which is now the world's second largest producer of spodumene (hard-rock lithium) concentrates (Neometals sold its final equity position in the project in 2019 and its offtake right in 2021).

 

CORPORATE

 

Neometals continued activity during the period preparing for admission of its shares to trading on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE"). Neometals was admitted to AIM on 28 February 2022.

 

Hannans Limited (ASX:HNR) (Hannans) (Yilgarn Nickel/Lithium/Gold/Battery Recycling)

 

As at 31 December 2021 Neometals held 845,086,264 ordinary fully paid shares (32.4% of the issued capital) in Hannans on an undiluted basis.

 

Critical Metals Limited (Unlisted) (Scandinavian Lithium/Cobalt/Base Metals)

 

As at 31 December 2021 Neometals holds 19% of unlisted public company Critical Metals Ltd, a company which now houses the Scandinavian mineral assets previously held by Hannans and is collaborating with Neometals on Scandinavian LIB recycling and vanadium recovery opportunities.

 

Other Investments

 

The market value of the Company's other investments as at 31 December 2021 totalled $10.2 million.

 

Finances

 

Cash and term deposits on hand as of 31 December 2021 totalled A$72.8 million, including $4.2 million in restricted use term deposits supporting performance bonds and other contractual obligations.

 

Divestment of Mt Edwards nickel assets

 

During the period, Neometals Ltd shareholders approved the demerger of Widgie Nickel Limited ("Widgie Nickel"), a dedicated nickel exploration and development company holding Neometals' Mt Edwards nickel assets, via a capital reduction and in-specie distribution of 100% of Widgie Nickel's shares. Neometals distributed $26 million in Widgie Nickel shares to eligible Neometals shareholders, pro rata to their shareholding in Neometals on the record date of 24 August 2021.

 

Issued Capital

 

During the period 3,025,130 ordinary shares were issued to eligible employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors following the vesting of performance rights pursuant to the Neometals Ltd performance rights plan (2020: 834,353).

 

During the period 2,900,521 performance rights were issued to Neometals employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors (2020: 8,243,263) for nil cash consideration.

 

The total number of shares on issue at 31 December 2021 was 548,376,396. 

 

Dividends

 

Dividends issued during the half year period: nil (2020: nil).

 

Events Subsequent to Balance Date

 

On 28 February 2022, Neometals confirmed the admission of its entire issued share capital to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc.

 

No other matters have arisen since 31 December 2021 that would be likely to materially affect the operations of the Group, or its state of affairs which has not otherwise been disclosed in this financial report.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

for the half-year ended 31 December 2021



31 Dec 2021

$

31 Dec 2020

$

Continuing operations




Foreign exchange loss


           (14,105)

           (55,800)

Other income

4

           687,006

        2,695,580

Administration expenses

4

(3,979,034)

      (1,535,657)

Employee expenses


      (3,568,432)

      (2,648,788)

Depreciation expenses


         (203,405)

         (322,999)

Finance costs


           (31,430)

           (51,267)

Occupancy expenses


         (104,032)

         (211,645)

Marketing expenses


         (229,426)

         (214,188)

Other expense


(9,214)

         (32,162)

Research and development


      (2,368,224)

      (1,472,197)

Impairment reversal in associate

7

6,663,304

         29,773

Write-off expense


-

         (193,156)

Share of loss in associates

7

(48,100)

-

Share of loss in Joint Venture

8

(277,043)

-

Loss before income tax


(3,482,135)

(4,012,506)

Income tax benefit


613,287

-

Loss for the period from continuing operations


(2,868,848)

(4,012,506)

Discontinued operation




Profit / (loss) for the period from discontinued operation

3

12,812,409

(24,739)

Profit / (loss) for the period


9,943,561

(4,037,245)

Profit / (loss) attributable to:




Owners of the Company


9,943,561

(4,037,245)

Total comprehensive income attributable to:




Owners of the Company

9,943,561

(4,037,245)

Profit / (loss) per share




From continuing operations:




Basic (cents per share)

10

(0.52)

(0.74)

Diluted (cents per share)

10

(0.52)

(0.74)

From continuing and discontinued operations:




Basic (cents per share)

10

1.81

(0.74)

Diluted (cents per share)

10

1.80

(0.74)





 

The condensed consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

as at 31 December 2021


Note

31 Dec 2021

$

30 Jun 2021

$

Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents


68,570,640

93,897,137

Trade and other receivables


679,483

542,201

Other financial assets


6,747,366

1,938,368

Total current ordinary assets


75,997,489

96,377,706

Assets classified as held for sale


-

11,494,537

Total current assets


75,837,489

 

107,872,243

Non-current assets




Loan to joint venture


140,000

70,000

Property, plant and equipment


600,627

590,715

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

6

38,731,244

36,318,834

Intangible assets


926,131

755,079

Investment in joint ventures

8

6,054,133

2,811,339

Investment in associates

7

13,522,827

4,869,566

Other financial assets


4,270,577

7,811,000

Right of use assets

12

411,131

563,574

Total non-current assets


     64,656,670

53,790,107

Total assets


   140,654,159

161,662,350

Current liabilities




Trade and other payables


       1,059,508

5,245,188

Provisions


       1,613,818

1,272,684

Lease liability

12

          350,074

363,512

Liabilities associated with the assets classified as held for sale


-

452,489

Total current liabilities


       3,023,400

       7,333,873

Non-current liabilities




Deferred Tax Liability


       6,155,047

6,768,334

Provisions


          -

455,476

Lease liability

12

          169,668

          336,398

Total non-current liabilities


       6,324,715

7,560,208

Total liabilities


       9,348,115

14,894,081

Net assets


  131,306,044

146,768,269

Equity




Issued capital


  155,367,513

154,634,997

Reserves


   (17,096,902)

9,041,400

Accumulated losses


         (6,964,567)

(16,908,128)

Total equity


    131,306,044

146,768,269

 

This condensed consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the half-year ended 31 December 2021

 

 


Issued

Capital

$

Investment revaluation

reserve

$

Other

equity

reserve

$

Share

based

payments

reserve

$

Accumulated

losses

$

Total

$

Balance as at 01/07/20

154,437,267

1,019,637

300,349

7,048,145

(33,251,301)

129,554,097

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(4,037,245)

(4,037,245)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

(4,037,245)

(4,037,245)

Recognition of share-based payments

-

-

-

319,954

-

319,954

Recognition of issue of shares under the employee rights plan

200,250

-

-

(200,250)

-

-

Share issue costs, net of tax

(2,520)

-

-

-

-

(2,520)

Balance at 31/12/20

154,634,997

1,019,637

300,349

7,167,849

(37,288,546)

125,834,286

Balance as at 01/07/21

154,634,997

1,019,637

300,349

7,721,414

(16,908,128)

146,768,269

Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

9,943,561

9,943,561

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

9,943,561

9,943,561

Recognition of share-based payments

-

-

-

601,236

-

601,236

Issued/(bought) during the year

-

-

-

-

-

-

Recognition of issue of shares under the employee rights plan

739,537

-

-

(739,537)

-

-

In-specie distribution

-

-

(26,000,000)

-

-

(26,000,000)

Share issue costs, net of tax

(7,022)

-

-

-

-

(7,022)

Balance at 31/12/21

155,367,512

1,019,637

(25,699,651)

7,583,113

(6,964,567)

131,306,044

 

This condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

 

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

for the half-year ended 31 December 2021



31 Dec 2021

$

31 Dec 2020

$

Cash flows from operating activities




Payments to suppliers and employees


(12,765,317)

(7,585,730)

Net cash used in operating activities


(12,765,317)

(7,585,730)

Cash flows from investing activities




Payments for exploration and evaluation


(2,498,195)

 (2,456,896)

Payments for exploration and evaluation - discontinued operations


(505,680)

-

Payment of GST from disposal of Mt Marion offtake rights


(3,000,000)

-

Payments for intangible assets


(171,052)

 (74,461)

Payment for property, plant & equipment


(60,876)

 (76,455)

Payments for equity investments


(2,583,418)

(1,419,871)

Proceeds from equity investments


1,777,788

2,965,572

Interest received


140,961

369,580

Capital contributions to joint venture


(3,659,838)

-

Shares purchased in associate


(2,038,056)

-

Net cash used in investing activities


(12,598,366)

(692,531)

Cash flows from financing activities




Interest and other finance costs paid


(30,000)

(299,939)

Share issue costs


(7,021)

-

Net cash used in financing activities


(37,021)

(299,939)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(25,400,703)

(8,578,200)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period inclusive of discontinued operations


93,984,074

77,043,016

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance of cash held in foreign currencies


(12,730)

(55,800)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


68,570,640

68,409,016

 

This condensed consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

 

Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

1.  Significant accounting policies

 

Statement of compliance

The half-year financial report is a general purpose financial report prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and AASB 134 'Interim Financial Reporting'. Compliance with AASB 134 ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standard IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The half-year financial report does not include notes of the type normally included in an annual financial report and shall be read in conjunction with the most recent annual financial report.

 

Basis of preparation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for the revaluation of certain non-current assets and financial instruments. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

The accounting policies and methods of computation adopted in the preparation of the half-year financial report are consistent with those adopted and disclosed in the company's 2020 annual financial report for the financial year ended 30 June 2020. These accounting policies are consistent with Australian Accounting Standards and with International Financial Reporting Standards.

 

New accounting standards 

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board that are relevant to their operations and are effective for the current financial reporting period. These standards did not have any significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

2.  Segment information

 

Basis for segmentation:

AASB 8 Operating Segments requires the presentation of information based on the components of the entity that management regularly reviews for its operational decision making. This review process is carried out by the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") for the purpose of allocating resources and assessing the performance of each segment. The amounts reported for each operating segment is the same measure reviewed by the CODM in allocating resources and assessing performance of that segment.

 

For management purposes the Company operates under three reportable operating segments comprised of the Company's lithium, titanium and vanadium and 'other segments'. The lithium, titanium and vanadium and other operating segments are separately identified given they possess different competitive and operating risks, and meet the quantitative criteria as set out in AASB 8. The 'other segments' category is the aggregation of all remaining operating segments given sufficient reportable operating segments have been identified.

 

For the six months ended 31 December 2021

 

Reportable operating segments

Lithium

 

$

Titanium &

Vanadium

$

Other

 

$

Corporate

 

$

Total

 

$

Other income

                  -  

        75,000

      472,945

      139,061

        687,006

Gain on demerger

                  -  

                  -  

                -  

 14,061,039

  14,061,039

Impairment reversal on associate

                  -  

                  -  

   6,663,304

                  -  

    6,663,304

Total Expenses

  (1,480,302)

(2,394,109)

      (81,586)

 (8,125,078)

(12,081,075)

Profit/(loss) before tax

(1,480,302)

(2,319,109)

7,054,663

   6,075,022

    9,330,274

Income tax benefit

-

-

-

613,287

613,287

Consolidated loss after tax

(1,480,302)

(2,319,109)

7,054,663

   6,688,309

    9,943,561

 

As at 31 December 2021

 

Reportable operating segments           

Lithium

 

$

Titanium &

Vanadium

$

Other

 

$

Corporate

Total

 

$

Total segment assets

      6,734,207

39,512,995

 20,576,167

   73,830,790

 140,654,159

Total segment liabilities

      (674,959)

    (51,748)

          1,250

  (8,622,658)

  (9,348,115)

Consolidated net assets

     6,059,248

39,461,247

 20,577,417

   65,208,132

 131,306,044

 

For the six months ended 31 December 2020

 

Reportable operating segments

Lithium

 

$

Titanium &

Vanadium

$

Other

 

$

Corporate

 

$

Total

 

$

Other income

 78,874

 5,780

 2,244,744

 366,182

2,695,580

Total Expenses

 (1,384,388)

(1,570,549)

 (26,474)

 (3,751,414)

(6,732,825)

Profit/(loss) before tax

 (1,305,514)

(1,564,769)

 2,218,270

 (3,385,232)

 (4,037,245)

Income tax benefit

-

-

-

-

-

Consolidated loss after tax

 (1,305,514)

(1,564,769)

 2,218,270

(3,385,232)

 (4,037,245)

 

As at 31 December 2020

 

Reportable operating segments          

Lithium

 

$

Titanium &

Vanadium

$

Other

 

$

Corporate

Total

 

$

Total segment assets

 535,764

36,794,997

 17,136,782

 75,037,577

 129,505,120

Total segment liabilities

 (1,111,935)

 (115,240)

 (415,201)

 (2,028,458)

 (3,670,834)

Consolidated net assets

 (576,171)

36,679,757

 16,721,581

 73,009,119

 125,834,286

 

3.  Gain on demerger

 




31 December 2021

$

Shares issued on demerger - in specie distribution1

26,000,000

Less: net assets disposed2

(11,938,961)

Less: demerger costs

(1,248,630)

Gain on demerger3

12,812,409

 

1.     On 18 August 2021, Neometals Ltd shareholders approved the demerger of Widgie Nickel Limited ("Widgie Nickel"), a dedicated nickel exploration and development company holding Neometals' Mt Edwards nickel assets, via a $26 million capital reduction and in-specie distribution of 100% of Widgie Nickel's shares.  Neometals distributed the Widgie Nickel shares to eligible Neometals shareholders, pro rata to their shareholding in Neometals on the record date of 24 August 2021. The $26 million was the fair value of the shares distributed to shareholders and has been accounted for in accordance with interpretation 17. It is currently being classed as an equity reserve pending the finalisation of the associated tax treatment for the return of capital component.

 

2.     Expenditure incurred by the demerged entities for the period up to the time of the demerger amounted to $197,750. This amount is included within the consolidated statement of profit or loss.

 

3.     Per Class Ruling 2021/72, demerger rollover relief applied such that any capital gain from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) event A1 on the disposal of shares in Widgie Nickel Limited is disregarded for the Neometals Tax Consolidated Group. Furthermore, an exit allocable cost amount ("ACA") calculation was prepared, with the exit ACA being a positive balance such that CGT event L5 did not arise. Accordingly, there were no CGT implications for Neometals Ltd.

 

4.  Other income and administration expenditure

 

a)     other income




31 December 2021

$

31 December 2020

$

Net fair value gain on financial assets

462,945

2,244,744

Interest income

140,961

361,581

Gas commodity charges recovered

-

78,874

Other income

83,100

10,381

Total other income

687,006

2,695,580

 

b)    administration expenditure




31 December 2021

$

31 December 2020

$

AIM listing fees

(1,808,836)

-

Other administration expenditure

(2,170,198)

(1,535,657)

Total administration expenditure

      (3,979,034)

      (1,535,657)

 

5.  Dividends

 

No dividends were paid to the holders of fully paid ordinary shares during the half-year period (31 December 2020: nil).

 

6.  Exploration and evaluation expenditure

 




31 December 2021

$

30 June      2021

$

Opening carrying value

36,318,834

44,058,921

Balance transferred to asset held for sale

-

(11,399,352)

Additions

2,412,410

3,659,265

Closing carrying value

38,731,244

36,318,834

 

The recovery of exploration expenditure carried forward is dependent upon the discovery of commercially viable mineral and other natural resource deposits, their development and exploration, or alternatively their sale.

 

7.  Investment in associates

 

Name of operation

Principal activity

Interest


31 December 2021

%

30 June      2021

%

Hannans Limited (i)

Exploration of nickel and lithium

32.43

31.74

 

The Consolidated Entity's interest in assets employed in the above associates is detailed below.

(i)            Hannans Limited

The associate is accounted for using the equity method in this consolidated financial report.

Summarised financial information for the associate:




31 December 2021

$

30 June      2021

$

Opening carrying value of investment in associate

4,869,566

3,531,048

Shares sold

-

Shares purchased

2,038,056

-

Share of profit/(loss) of associate recognised in profit or loss(i)

(48,100)

(99,967)

Impairment reversal(ii)

6,663,305

1,678,210

Closing carrying value of investment in associate

13,522,826

4,869,566

(i)            The equity accounted share of the associate's loss is credited against the carrying value of the investment in the associate.

(ii)           The market value of the underlying shares has increased over the last six months as compared to the carrying value on a per share basis. Accordingly, the investment in associate has been adjusted with the resulting impairment reversal of $6.7M capped to previous impairments net of share of loss in accordance with the accounting standards.

 

Shares held in associate are set out in the table below.

 




31-Dec-21

30-Jun-21




No.

No.

Shares held in Hannans Limited



845,086,264

764,164,028

 

8.  Investment in joint venture

 

Primobius GmbH

Name of operation

Principal activity

Interest


December 2021

%

June 2021

%

Primobius GmbH (i)

Lithium Battery Recycling

50

50

The above joint venture is accounted for using the equity method in this consolidated financial report.

(i)            Primobius GmbH

On 31 July 2020, the execution of a formal agreement governing the formation and operation of an incorporated 50:50 joint venture ("JV") with SMS group GmbH ("SMS group"), called Primobius GmbH ("Primobius"). Primobius will commercialise Neometals' proprietary lithium-ion battery ("LiB") recycling technology, which offers a unique and sustainable method for recovering valuable lithium, nickel, cobalt and other materials from spent and scrap electric vehicle and consumer electronic LiB's. Recovered and refined product materials will be in a form that can be reused in the battery supply chain.

 

Summarised information for the joint venture:




31 December 2021

$

30 June       2021

$

Carrying value of investment in the joint venture

6,331,176

2,811,339

Share of Loss of joint venture recognised in profit or loss

(277,043)

(85,525)

Closing carrying value of investment in joint venture

6,054,133

2,725,814

 





31 December 2021

No.

30 June        2021

No.

Shares held in Primobius GmbH


1

1

 

9.  Share capital

 

During the half-year reporting period, Neometals Ltd issued the following share capital:

 

6 months to 31 December 2021:

During the 6 months to 31 December 2021 the Company issued 3,025,130 ordinary shares to eligible employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors following the vesting and exercise of performance rights pursuant to the Neometals Ltd performance rights plan (2020: 834,353).

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2021 no share options over the company's ordinary shares were issued during the reporting period (2020: Nil).

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2021 the Company issued 2,900,521 performance rights to Neometals employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors (2020: 8,243,263) for nil cash consideration. These performance rights may result in the issue of a total of 2,900,521 shares if the applicable vesting and performance criteria are satisfied over the vesting period.

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2021 no performance rights were cancelled relating to Neometals employees (2020: nil). 598,142 performance rights lapsed relating to Neometals employees (2020: 2,490,828).

 

6 months to 31 December 2020:

During the 6 months to 31 December 2020 the Company issued 834,353 ordinary shares to eligible employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors following the vesting and exercise of performance rights pursuant to the Neometals Ltd performance rights plan (2019: 542,644).

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2020 no share options over the company's ordinary shares were issued during the reporting period (2019: Nil).

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2020 the Company issued 8,243,263 performance rights to Neometals employees, consultants and Non-executive Directors (2019: 5,366,515) for nil cash consideration. These performance rights may result in the issue of a total of 8,243,263 shares if the applicable vesting and performance criteria are satisfied over the vesting period.

 

During the 6 months to 31 December 2020 no performance rights were cancelled relating to Neometals employees (2019: nil). 2,490,828 performance rights lapsed relating to Neometals employees (2019: nil).

 

10.   Earnings per share




2021

Cents per share

2020

Cents per share

Basic earnings per share:



Continuing operations

(0.52)

(0.74)

Continuing and discontinued operations

1.81

 (0.74)

Diluted earnings per share:



Continuing operations

(0.52)

(0.74)

Continuing and discontinued operations

1.80

 (0.74)

 

Basic and diluted profit / (loss) per share

 

The profit / (loss) and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted profit / (loss) per share are as follows:

Profit / (loss) (a)



2021

$

2020

$

Continuing operations

(2,868,848)

(4,012,506)

Continuing and discontinued operations

9,943,561

 (4,037,245)


No.

No.

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic profit / (loss) per share

 548,285,227

 545,351,266

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted profit / (loss) per share

 550,375,191

 545,351,266

(a)  Profit / (loss) used in the calculation of profit / (loss) per share reconciles to profit / (loss) for the period.

 

11.          Commitments

 

(a)     Exploration and evaluation and associate commitments  

 

Tenement commitments for the group total $583,581 (2020: $2,120,947).

 

(b)    Other

 

As referred to in Note 16 (i) to the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2021, Neometals Energy Pty Ltd (formerly Barrambie Gas Pty Ltd), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, previously entered into a gas transmission agreement with DBNGP (WA) Transmission Pty Ltd for the Barrambie Project. As part of the agreement the Group was required to procure a "blocked" term deposit for $4.0 million (30 June 2020: $4.0 million) as security a bank guarantee, which represented the present value of the Group's commitment under the agreement. The obligations under the gas transmission agreement commenced on 1 July 2010.

 

12.  Leases

Leasing arrangements

 

Leases relate to the lease of commercial premises in West Perth, Welshpool and a photocopier. The lease agreement for the Company's West Perth premises was entered into on 1 July 2019 for a 48 month period expiring on 30 June 2023. The lease of a photocopier is for a period of 48 months expiring in June 2022. Lease payments are fixed monthly amounts.



31 December 2021

Right-of-use assets


Buildings

Equipment

Total



$

$

$






Cost


554,836

8,737

563,572

Accumulated Depreciation


(148,073)

(4,368)

(152,442)

Carrying Amount


406,762

4,368

411,131






Lease liability


Buildings

Equipment

Total



$

$

$






Current


345,512

4,561

350,074

Non-current


169,668

-

169,668

Total


515,181

4,561

519,742








30 June 2021

Right-of-use assets


Buildings

Equipment

Total



$

$

$






Cost


850,982

17,473

868,456

Accumulated Depreciation


(296,146)

(8,737)

(304,883)

Carrying Amount


554,836

8,736

563,572






Lease liability


Buildings

Equipment

Total



$

$

$






Current


354,468

9,044

363,512

Non-current


336,398

                    -  

336,398

Total


690,867

9,044

699,910









31 Dec  2021

$

30 Jun  2021

$

Amounts recognised in profit and loss



Depreciation expense on right-of-use asset

152,442

440,566

Interest expense on lease liabilities

10,937

33,259


163,378

473,825

 

13.   Events subsequent to balance date

 

On 28 February 2022, Neometals confirmed the admission of its entire issued share capital to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc.

 

No other matters have arisen since 31 December 2021 that would be likely to materially affect the operations of the Group, or its state of affairs which has not otherwise been disclosed in this financial report.

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