Company Announcements

Interim Results and feasibility study update

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 2972B
Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited
30 September 2025
 

 

30 September 2025

Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited

("Ferro-Alloy" or "the Company" or "the Group")

 

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 and feasibility study update

 

 

Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited (LSE:FAR), the vanadium producer and developer of the large Balasausqandiq vanadium deposit in Southern Kazakhstan, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 and a revised publication date for the feasibility study.

Overview

The Company's main focus during the year to date has been the completion of the feasibility study (the "Study") into the development of the Balasausqandiq vanadium deposit (the "Project").  The Study was targeted to be published by 30 September 2025 and is substantially complete but requires some final adjustments and confirmations from contributing consultants. The Company is confident that it will be published by the middle of October 2025.

Research and development

As previously announced, the main purpose of the existing process plant was changed to a research and development facility, with concentrates only being treated when profitable to do so. The research and development has been targeted at areas that will assist in the development of the Project and marketing its products.

·    Carbon black substitute ("CBS"): the Group commissioned a pilot plant, capable of producing 400 kg per hour of the new CBS product announced earlier in the year. Production of commercial samples of this new type of CBS, to be made from the high carbon / low vanadium waste rock scheduled to be stripped during the mining of Ore-Body 1, has commenced. This pilot plant uses a dry milling process and has operated without problems, allowing the Group to test this method of milling for use in the Project, where it will be applicable to milling the original CBS, made from concentrated tailings, as well as the new form of CBS.

 

·    Vanadium oxides: the Group has commissioned the dissociation oven required for the production of vanadium oxides suitable for the production of battery electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries. Process optimisation and product testing are underway. Although the making of such oxides does not form part of the base case of the Study, it is anticipated that this part of the vanadium market will grow dramatically in the coming years.  Understanding this technology and proving its feasibility will allow the Group to make the minor adjustments necessary to supply this market at a later date when the market has developed.

 

·    High purity vanadium pentoxide: the Group has commissioned the recrystallisation circuit and centrifuge drying required for the production of high purity vanadium pentoxide or other vanadium oxides. High purity products are required for the manufacture of battery electrolyte and other chemical purposes and commands a price premium over standard vanadium pentoxide.

Processing

·    Despite the focus of the existing plant being on research and development, the Group procured and treated vanadium-bearing concentrates that were considered sufficiently profitable to process.

·    As a result, the existing plant produced 151 tonnes of vanadium pentoxide (mainly as ammonium metavanadate) in the first six months of the year (H1 2024: 169.2 tonnes) and 27.8 tonnes of molybdenum (in ferro-molybdenum) (H1 2024: 14 tonnes).

Financial

·    Total revenues of US$2.5 million for the period (H1 2024: US$2.1 million) reflected the processing of concentrates with a higher molybdenum content than in the prior year, benefiting from the currently high molybdenum prices.

·    Overall loss for the period was US$3.5 million (H1 2024: loss of US$3.99 million).

·    Cash balance of US$0.4 million at the period end and US$0.5 million as at 23 September 2025.

·    The Group has appointed Northcott Capital Limited Northcott, in partnership with Oval Advisory Limited, as lead financial adviser with respect to the financing of the Project.

Corporate

·    During the period, the Company issued 10,422,098 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company in lieu of cash for the payment of non-executive director fees, payment of certain Group suppliers and fulfilment of a share subscription received from its Astana International Exchange market maker.

Nick Bridgen, CEO of Ferro-Alloy Resources said:

"The results of the research and development projects at the existing plant have been impressive. The Company is positioned to benefit both from the anticipated growth in vanadium demand for energy storage and we now have a superior milling process to develop the fast-moving advent of our carbon black substitute product.

We are eagerly awaiting the imminent publication of the feasibility study to demonstrate the preeminent financial and operating characteristics of the Balasausqandiq project."

ENDS

 

For further information, visit www.ferro-alloy.com or contact:

 

Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited

Nick Bridgen (CEO) / William Callewaert (CFO)

info@ferro-alloy.com

 

Shore Capital 

(Joint Corporate Broker)

 

Panmure Liberum Limited

(Joint Corporate Broker)

 

BlytheRay (Financial PR)

Toby Gibbs / Lucy Bowden

 

 

Scott Mathieson / John More

 

 

Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Will Jones

 

+44 207 408 4090

 

 

+44 20 3100 2000

 

 

+44 20 7138 3204

 

Notes to Editors

 

About Ferro-Alloy Resources Limited:

 

The Company's operations are all located at the Balasausqandiq deposit in Kyzylordinskoye Oblast in the South of Kazakhstan.

Balasausqandiq is a very large deposit, with vanadium as the principal product together with the carbon black substitute ("CBS") and several by-products. Owing to the nature of the ore, the capital and operating costs are very much lower than for other vanadium projects.    

The most recent mineral resource estimate for ore-body one (of seven) provided an Indicated Mineral Resource of 32.9 million tonnes at a mean grade of 0.62% vanadium pentoxide ("V2O5") equating to 203,364 contained tonnes of V2O5. In the system of reserve estimation used in Kazakhstan the reserves are estimated to be over 70 million tonnes in ore-bodies 1 to 5, but this does not include the full depth of ore-bodies 2 to 5, or the remaining ore-bodies which remain substantially unexplored. 

The grade of carbon in the deposit is over 8%. The carbon flows through to the tailings from where it is concentrated, in a simple low-cost operation, into a 40% carbon product, the CBS, that can be used in place of carbon black as a reinforcing filler in the making of rubber.

The Project will be developed in two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2, with Phase 1 treating 1.65 million tonnes per year.

There is an existing concentrate processing operation at the site of the Balasausqandiq deposit. The production facilities were originally created from a 15,000 tonnes per year pilot plant, which was then expanded and adapted to recover vanadium, molybdenum and nickel from purchased concentrates.  Alongside this operation, there is a well-equipped laboratory and highly skilled technical team, who have already developed the technology that is being built into the feasibility study and is further developing and optimising processes needed for future vanadium and carbon operations. The plant will operate only when profitable concentrates are available and, when not operating as a production facility, will operate on an expanded basis as an R&D centre.

 

Interim Management Report

 

Introduction

The Group has been engaged primarily in carrying out a feasibility study into the giant Balasausqandiq vanadium project. The study will be announced shortly after this Interim Financial Report and will be the subject of a separate announcement.

Concurrently, the Group operates a small-scale process plant which treats vanadium-bearing concentrates when it is profitable to do so, but with a strategic focus on research and development.

 

Research and development

The Group continues to progress several research and development initiatives at the existing plant, aimed at building capability for use in the planned major development of the Balasausqandiq project.

Carbon black substitute ("CBS"): The company commissioned a pilot plant, capable of producing 400 kg per hour of the new CBS product announced earlier in the year. Production of commercial samples of this new type of CBS, to be made from the high carbon / low vanadium waste rock scheduled to be stripped during the mining of Ore-Body 1, has commenced.

 

Vanadium oxides: the Group has commissioned the dissociation oven required for the production of  vanadium oxides suitable for the production of battery electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries. Process optimisation and product testing are underway.

 

High purity vanadium pentoxide: the Group has commissioned the recrystallisation circuit and centrifuge drying required for the production of high purity vanadium pentoxide or other vanadium oxides. High purity products are required for the manufacture of battery electrolyte and other chemical purposes and commands a price premium over standard vanadium pentoxide.

 

Processing

Despite the focus of the existing plant being on research and development, the Group procured and treated vanadium-bearing concentrates that were considered sufficiently profitable to process.

As a result, the existing plant produced in the first six months of the year 151 tonnes (2023: 169.2 tonnes) of vanadium pentoxide (mainly as ammonium metavanadate) and 27.8 tonnes (2023: 14 tonnes) of molybdenum (in ferro-molybdenum).

 

Corporate

During the period, the Company issued 10,422,098 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company in lieu of cash for the payment of non-executive director fees, payment of certain Group suppliers and fulfillment of a share subscription received from its Astana International Exchange market maker. See note 16 for further details.

 

 

Earnings and cash flow

The Group generated total revenues of US$2.5m for the period compared to US$2.1m for the first six months of 2024, representing an increase in overall revenues of 16.7%. The increase in revenue reflects the processing of concentrates with a higher molybdenum content for which prices are more favourable than vanadium pentoxide.

The cost of sales for the period under review was US$3.4m in line, given the volumes and nature of concentrates processed during the period, with the first six months of 2024 (2024: US$3.6m).

Administrative expenses for the period were US$1.5m (2024: US$1.9m) representing an overall decrease of US$0.4m mainly attributable to reductions in employment costs and the costs associated with the Company's listing and the raising of debt finance.

The Group made a loss before and after tax of US$3.5m (2024: loss of US$3.99m).

Net cash outflows used in operating activities were US$0.5m (2024: cash outflow of US$2.6m). Net cash used in investing activities during the period was US$2.2m (2024: cash outflow of US$1.1m) an increased outflow of US$1.1m attributable to the capitalisation of feasibility study costs. Net cash outflow from financing activities was US$1.1m (2024: net cash inflow of US$4.5m) representing the payment of interest on the bonds previously issued by the Company under the Kazakhstan Bond Programme.

 

Balance sheet review

At the period end, non-current assets totalled US$13.2m (2024: US$14.1m) reflecting, in the main, the impairment of the Group's plant and equipment during the prior financial year.

Current assets, excluding cash balances, totalled US$5m at the period end compared to US$5.1m for the prior period.

The Group held an aggregate cash balance of US$0.4m at the period end (2024: US$2.5m) and US$0.5m as at 23 September 2025.

The Group held non-current liabilities of US$17.2m at the period end (2024: US$12.4m) representing the value of the Company's bonds sold since the inception of the Kazakhstan Bond Programme.

Current liabilities at the period end were US$4.6m (2024: US$3.9m) comprising of trade payables and accrued bond interest.  

 

 

Environmental, social and governance

Both the existing operation and the planned process plant for Balasausqandiq will have a strongly positive environmental impact. The vanadium from production will benefit energy storage in both vanadium redox flow batteries, the front-running technology for fixed ground long-term energy storage, but also potentially in certain technologies for mobile batteries used in electric vehicles. In its use for alloying steel, the greater strength and performance imparted reduces the amount of steel required.

The CO2 emissions created by our production at Balasausqandiq are expected to be a fraction of most other producers which generally require concentration and high-temperature roasting to liberate the vanadium. The carbon black substitute product which we plan to market as a replacement for carbon black is produced without burning hydrocarbons, as is the usual production process.

 

Description of principal risks, uncertainties and how they are managed

(a)  Current processing operations

Current processing operations make up a small part of the Group's expected future value and allow the Group to gain valuable experience of the vanadium and carbon black industries. The principal risks of this operation are the prices of its products (vanadium, molybdenum and nickel), availability of profitable vanadium-bearing concentrates and the efficiency of recovery of products from those concentrates.

The Group is constantly reviewing the market opportunities for supplies of profitable vanadium-bearing concentrates from reliable suppliers that can deliver concentrates on a timely basis. The Group aims to extract all the useful components of the raw materials so that ultimately no residues remain on site and so that the maximum value is obtained from each tonne treated. 

 

(b)  Balasausqandiq project

The Balasausqandiq project is primarily dependent on long-term vanadium prices.

The project is also dependent on raising finance to meet projected capital costs (see below) and the successful construction and commissioning of the project's proposed mine processing facilities. It is not unusual for new mining projects to experience unforeseen problems, incur unexpected costs and be exposed to delays during construction, commissioning, and initial production, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Group's operations and financial position. The Group has taken steps to mitigate such potential adverse effects by engaging globally recognised engineers and consultants to assist with the development and design of the key elements of the project in addition to the Group's own highly qualified workforce.

 

(c)   Geopolitical situation

While the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia is not directly impacting the Group, the Directors remain vigilant of the situation. The continued main risk of the conflict is to the Group's transport routes, many of which involve transit through Russia. Whilst these are currently operating without issue, sanctions have been made against Russian and Belarusian vehicles transiting through Europe (but not against vehicles registered in other jurisdictions in the region such as Kazakhstan). There is a risk that further sanctions might prevent transit through Russia into Latvia, through which the majority of the Group's exports flow. The Group continues to review alternative transit routes for raw material imports and product exports through the West of Kazakhstan, either via the Caspian Sea or overland south of the Caspian Sea.  Routes to China are working normally.

With respect to the global sanctions imposed on certain Russian entities and individuals, the Group monitors the implications of those sanctions on the Group's trading activities on an ongoing basis.

 

(d)  Financing risk

The Balasausqandiq project will require substantial funds to be raised in debt and equity which will be dependent upon market conditions at the time of fundraising.

In March of 2021 the Company signed an investment agreement with Vision Blue Resources Ltd ("Vision Blue"). Under the terms of this agreement and in addition to Vision Blue's participation in the 2022 and 2025 equity fundraises, investments totalling US$14.5m have already been made and Vision Blue has the right to subscribe a further US$2.5m at the original deal price of 9 pence per share at any time up to two months after the announcement of the Phase 1 feasibility study. Vision Blue also has further options to subscribe up to US$30m at higher prices to partially finance the construction of the project.

 

(e)  Climate change risk

The Group has not identified any particular climate change related scenarios that would likely have a significant impact on the Balasausqandiq project or the existing operation. The existing operation already functions in an environment that is subject to extreme weather conditions and is, therefore, considered to have a strong resilience to existing and future climate-related scenarios.

 

(f)  Risks associated with the developing nature of the Kazakh economy

According to the World Bank, Kazakhstan has transitioned from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status in less than two decades. Kazakhstan's regulatory environment has similarly developed and the Company believes that the period of rapid change and high risk is coming to an end.  Nevertheless, the economic and social regulatory environment continues to develop and there remain some areas where regulatory risk is greater than in developed economies.

 

(g)  Commodity price risk

As already noted above, the success of the Group is dependent upon the long-term prices of the products to be produced by the planned mine processing facilities. As a result of there being no formally established trading markets for the Company's principal products from the project, there is a risk that price fluctuations and volatility for these products may have an adverse impact on the Group's future financial performance.

Directors' Responsibility Statement

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

a.   the condensed set of unaudited financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and its undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole, as required by DTR 4.2.4R;

b.   the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R; and

c.   the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R.

 

This interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2025 has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

 

 

 

William Callewaert

Director

29 September 2025

 

 

 

 

                                                           

Condensed unaudited Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 June 2025

       

Note

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited   six-month period ended 30 June 2024 $000

 

Audited year
ended
31 December 2024
$000

 

Revenue from customers (pricing at shipment)

2

2,533


2,170


4,722

 

     Final pricing adjustments after delivery

2

(4)


(21)


16

 

Total revenue

2

2,529


2,149


4,738

 

Cost of sales

3

(3,354)


(3,622)


(7,550)

 

Gross loss


(825)

 

(1,473)

 

(2,812)

 

Other income

4

42


7


50

 

Administrative expenses

5

(1,547)


(1,850)


(3,022)

 

Impairment loss


-


-


(954)

 

Distribution expenses


(59)


(58)


(149)

 

Other expenses

6

(36)


(24)


(563)

 

Loss from operating activities


(2,425)

 

(3,398)

 

(7,450)

 

Net finance cost

8

(1,072)


(593)


(1,979)

 

Loss before income tax


(3,497)

 

(3,991)

 

(9,429)

 

Income tax


-

 

-

 

-

 

Loss for the period


(3,497)

 

(3,991)

 

(9,429)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations


(523)

 

(761)

 

(1,080)

 

Total comprehensive loss for the period


(4,020)

 

(4,752)

 

(10,509)

 

Loss per share (basic and diluted)

16

(0.007)

 

(0.008)

 

(0.020)

 

 

These condensed unaudited financial statements were approved by the directors on 29 September 2025 and signed by:

_____________________________                                 

William Callewaert

Director          



                                                                                  

Condensed unaudited Statement of Financial Position
for the six months ended 30 June 2025

 

Note

 

Unaudited
3
0 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
3
0 June 2024
$000

 

 

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

ASSETS


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current assets










Property, plant and equipment

9


3,237


5,404




3,535

Exploration and evaluation assets

10


8,975


7,836




7,999

Intangible assets

11


17


20




18

Prepayments

14


944


853




971

Total non-current assets


 

13,173

 

14,113

 

 

 

12,523

 










Current assets










Inventories

12


2,198


1,800




874

Trade and other receivables

13


2,083


2,152




1,237

Prepayments

14


732


1,166




853

Cash and cash equivalents

15


391


2,528




3,777

Total current assets


 

5,404

 

7,646

 

 

 

6,741

Total assets


 

18,577

 

21,759

 

 

 

19,264

 










EQUITY AND LIABILITIES










Equity










Share capital



56,118


55,027




55,027

Additional paid-in capital



397


397




397

Share-based payment reserve



42


20




42

Foreign currency translation reserve



(5,725)


(4,883)




(5,202)

Accumulated losses



(54,032)


(45,097)




(50,535)

Total equity


 

(3,200)

 

5,464

 

 

 

(271)

 










Non-current liabilities










Loans and borrowings

17


17,134


12,396




17,134

Provisions



24


30




24

Total non-current liabilities


 

17,158

 

12,426

 

 

 

17,158







Current liabilities










Trade and other payables

18


4,316


3,636




1,843

Deferred income

19


-


-




102

Interest payable

17


303


233




432

Total current liabilities


 

4,619

 

3,869

 

 

 

2,377

Total liabilities


 

21,777

 

16,295

 

 

 

19,535

Total equity and liabilities


 

18,577

 

21,759

 

 

 

19,264



Condensed unaudited Statement of Changes in Equity
for the six months ended 30 June 2025

 

Share
capital
$000

 

 

Additional paid in capital
$000

 

Share-based
payment
reserve
$000

 

Foreign currency translation reserve
$000

 

Accumulated
losses
$000

 

Total
$000

Balance at 1 January 2024

55,027

 

 

397

 

20

 

(4,122)

 

(41,106)

 

10,216

Loss for the year

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,991)

 

(3,991)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

(761)

 

-

 

(761)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

(761)

 

(3,991)

 

(4,752)

Balance at 30 June 2024

55,027

 

 

397

 

20

 

(4,883)

 

(45,097)

 

5,464

Balance at 31 December 2024

55,027

 

 

397

 

42

 

(5,202)

 

(50,535)

 

(271)

Balance at 1 January 2025

55,027

 

 

397

 

42

 

(5,202)

 

(50,535)

 

(271)

Loss for the period

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,497)

 

(3,497)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

(523)

 

-

 

(523)

Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

(523)

 

(3,497)

 

(4,020)

Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued, net of issue costs

1,091

 

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,091

Balance at 30 June 2025

56,118

 

 

397

 

42

 

(5,725)

 

(54,032)

 

(3,200)

 


Condensed unaudited Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended 30 June 2025

 

 


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000


 

Cash flows from operating activities

Note







Loss for the period

 

 

(3,497)

 

(3,991)

 

(9,429)

Adjustments for:







 

Depreciation and amortisation

3, 5


404


391


962

Impairment of plant and equipment



-


-


954

Profit on sale of plant and equipment



-


-


(42)

Write-off of property, plant and equipment



-


3


2

Write-down of inventory to net realisable value



-


-


71

Write-off of prepayments



-


-


273

Share-based payment expense



-


-


22

Net finance costs

8


1,072


593


1,979

Cash used in operating activities before changes in working capital



(2,021)

 

(3,004)


(5,208)

Change in inventories



(1,324)


183


1,109

Change in trade and other receivables



(846)


(836)


79

Change in prepayments



148


(369)


47

Change in trade and other payables



3,451


1,495


(298)

Change in deferred income

19


102


(102)


-

Net cash used in operating activities



(490)

 

(2,633)

 

(4,271)

 








Cash flows from investing activities








Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

9


(104)


(135)


(204)

Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets

10


(2,101)


(1,002)


(2,113)

Acquisition of intangible assets

11


-


(1)


(3)

Proceeds on fixed asset disposal



-




45

Net cash used in investing activities



(2,205)

 

(1,138)

 

(2,275)

 








Cash flows from financing activities








Proceeds from issue of share capital

16


10


-


-

Proceeds from borrowings

17


-


5,003


10,003

Issue cost on borrowing



-


-


(565)

Interest paid

17


(1,123)


(523)


(1,041)

Net cash used in financing activities

 



(1,113)

 

4,480

 

8,397

 








Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents



(3,808)

 

709

 

1,851

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period / year

15


3,777


1,952

1,952

Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 



422


(133)


(26)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period / year



391

 

2,528

 

3,777


Notes to the Condensed unaudited Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 June 2025

1        (a) Basis of preparation

These Condensed unaudited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("IFRS") on a going concern basis.

The same accounting policies and basis of preparation have been followed as adopted in the annual financial statements of the Group which were published on 29 April 2025.

(b) Going concern

The consolidated unaudited financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2025 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS on a going concern basis.

The operations of the Group are financed from a combination of cash flows generated by the existing operation, bond issues and funds raised from shareholders and strategic investors. In common with many pre-production entities, the Group will need to raise further funds in order to progress from the feasibility study phase into construction and ultimately into production.

Following the publication of the Balasausqandiq Phase 1 feasibility study, the Directors are confident based on their previous experience and success in raising capital and the results of the feasibility study to date, that the Company will be able to secure further funding and will, therefore, continue as a going concern for at least the next 12 months.

Accordingly, the Directors believe that it is appropriate that the Company adopts the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of these financial statements but note that the requirement to raise further funding is considered to be a material uncertainty. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would be required if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

 

(c) Use of estimates and judgements

Preparing the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Inventories (Note 12)

The Group holds material inventories which are assessed for impairment at each reporting date. The assessment of net realisable value requires consideration of future cost to process and sell and spot market prices at the period end less applicable discounts. The estimates are based on market data and historical trends.

Exploration and evaluation assets (Note 10)

The Group holds material exploration and evaluation assets and judgement is applied in determining whether impairment indicators exist under the Group's accounting policy. In determining that no impairment indicator exists management have considered the Competent Person's Report on the asset, the strategic plans for exploration and future development and the status of the Subsoil Use Agreement ("SUA").  Judgement was required in determining that a current application for deferral of obligations under the SUA will be granted and management anticipate such approvals being provided given their understanding of the Kazakh market and plans for the asset.

 

(d) Unaudited status

These Condensed unaudited Financial Statements have not been audited or reviewed by the Group's auditor.

 

2        Revenue

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 202
4
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

Sales of vanadium products

1,457


1,264


3,076

Sales of ferro-molybdenum

1,055


720


1,517

Tolling revenue

-


179


-

Service revenue

21


7


129

Total revenue from customers under IFRS 15

2,533

 

2,170

 

4,722

Other revenue (adjustments to price after delivery and fair value changes)

(4)


(21)


16

Total revenue

2,529

 

2,149

 

4,738

 

          Vanadium products

Under certain sales contracts the single performance obligation is the delivery of ammonium metavanadate ("AMV") to the designated delivery point at which point possession, title and risk on the product transfers to the buyer. The buyer makes an initial provisional payment based on volumes and quantities assessed by the Company and market spot prices of vanadium pentoxide for AMV at the date of shipment. The final payment is received once the product has reached its final destination with adjustments for quality / quantity and pricing. The final pricing is based on the historical average market prices during a quotation period based on the date the product reaches the port of destination and an adjusting payment or receipt will be made to the revenue initially received. Where the final payment for a shipment made prior to the end of an accounting period has not been determined before the end of that period, the revenue is recognised based on the spot price that prevails at the end of the accounting period.

Other revenue related to the change in the fair value of amounts receivable and payable under the sales contracts between the date of initial recognition and the period end resulting from market prices is recorded as other revenue.

 

 

3        Cost of sales


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

 

Materials

2,162


2,438


4,729


Wages, salaries and related taxes

600


659


1,401


Depreciation

366


355


783


Electricity

67


60


139


Other

159


110


498



3,354

 

3,622

 

7,550

 

 

 

 

4        Other income

 


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

 

Currency conversion gain

9


3


5


Other

33


4


45



42

 

7

 

50

 

5        Administrative expenses


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

Wages, salaries and related taxes

867


955


1,688

Professional services

63


120


332

Taxes other than income tax

18


-


71

Listing and financing expenses

234


356


163

Audit

136


107


124

Materials

16


22


48

Rent

21


37


37

Depreciation and amortisation

38


36


70

Insurance

14


43


45

Bank fees

10


5


18

Travel expenses

12


23


44

Communication and information services

7


9


16

Other

111


137


366


1,547

 

1,850

 

3,022

 

6        Other expenses


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

 

Currency conversion loss

35


20


49


Write-down of inventory to net realisable value

-


-


71


Write-down of obsolete assets

-


-


2


Impairment loss

-


-


273


Share-based payment expense

-


-


22


Other

1


4


146



36

 

24

 

563

 

 

7        Personnel costs


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

 

Wages, salaries and related taxes

1,532


1,702


3,640



1,532

 

1,702

 

3,640

 

 

Personnel costs of US$502,000 (2024: US$537,000) have been charged to cost of sales, US$867,000 (2024: US$955,000) to administrative expenses and US$163,000 (2024: US$210,000) were charged to cost of inventories which were not yet sold as at the end of the period.

 

8        Finance costs


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 202
4
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 202
4
$000

Net foreign exchange gain

79


(28)


337

Unwinding of discount on bonds

-


-


302

Interest expense on financial liabilities (bonds)

993


621


1,340

Net finance costs

1,072

 

593

 

1,979

 


9          Property, plant and equipment

 

Land and buildings
$000

 

Plant and equipment
$000

 

Vehicles
$000

 

Computers
$000

 

Other
$000

 

Construction in progress
$000

 

Total
$000

Cost














Balance at 1 January 2024

5,015


3,822


522


49


256


242


9,906

Additions

-


81


-


2


-


52


135

Transfers

-


194


-


-


-


(194)


-

Disposals

-


(3)


-


-


(1)


-


(4)

Foreign currency translation difference

(179)


(150)


(19)


(1)


(9)


(2)


(360)

Balance at 30 June 2024

4,836

 

3,944

 

503

 

50

 

246

 

98

 

9,677

Balance at 31 December 2024

4,410

 

3,448

 

452

 

42

 

267

 

66

 

8,685

Balance at 1 January 2025

4,410


3,448


452


42


267


66


8,685

Additions

-


101


-


-


3


-


104

Disposals

-


(12)


-


(4)


(2)


-


(18)

Foreign currency translation difference

27


20


3


-


1


-


51

Balance at 30 June 2025

4,437

 

3,557

 

455

 

38

 

269

 

66

 

8,822

 

Depreciation














 














Balance at 1 January 2024

851


2,621


361


33


89


-


3,955

Depreciation for the period

226


227


17


3


10


-


483

Disposals

-


(1)


-


-


-


-


(1)

Foreign currency translation difference

(41)


(104)


(14)


(1)


(4)


-


(164)

Balance at 30 June 2024

1,036

 

2,743

 

364

 

35

 

95

 

-

 

4,273

Balance at 31 December 2024

1,208

 

3,448

 

341

 

31

 

122

 

-

 

5,150

Balance at 1 January 2025

1,208


3,448


341


31


122


-


5,150

Depreciation for the period

200


201


15


3


10


-


429

Disposals

-


(12)


-


(4)


(2)


-


(18)

Foreign currency translation difference

97


(80)


1


-


6


-


24

Balance at 30 June 2024

1,505

 

3,557

 

357

 

30

 

136

 

-

 

5,585

Carrying amounts














At 1 January 2024

4,164

 

1,201

 

161

 

16

 

167

 

242

 

5,951

At 30 June 2024

3,800

 

1,201

 

139

 

15

 

151

 

98

 

5,404

At 31 December 2024

3,202

 

-

 

111

 

11

 

145

 

66

 

3,535

At 30 June 2025

2,932

 

-

 

98

 

8

 

133

 

66

 

3,237

 

Depreciation expense of US$366,000 (2024: US$355,000) has been charged to cost of sales, excluding cost of finished goods that were not sold at year-end, US$38,000 (2024: US$36,000) to administrative expenses, and US$9,000 has been charged to the cost of finished goods that were not sold at the end of the period (2024: US$96,000).

Construction in progress relates to upgrades to the processing plant.


10    Exploration and evaluation assets

The Group's exploration and evaluation assets relate to the Balasausqandiq deposit. During the six month period ended 30 June 2025, the Group capitalised the costs of technical design, sample test-work and project management costs, all relating to the Group's Phase 1 feasibility study. As at 30 June 2025, the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets was US$9.0m (2024: US$7.8m).


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited
year ended
31 December 2024
$000

Balance at 1 January

7,999


7,145


7,145

Additions (Phase 1 feasibility study)

2,101


1,002


1,619

Foreign currency translation difference

(1,125)


(311)


(765)

Balance at 30 June / 31 December

8,975

 

7,836

 

7,999

 

 

11        Intangible assets


Mineral rights
$000

 

Patents
$000

 

Computer software
$000

 

Total
$000

Cost

 

 

 

 

 



Balance at 1 January 2024

84


34


3


121

Additions

-


1


-


1

Foreign currency translation difference

(3)


(1)


-


(4)

Balance at 30 June 2024

81


34


3


118

Balance at 31 December 2024

73


31


3


107

 



 

 

 



Balance at 1 January 2025

73


31


3


107

Additions

-


-


-


-

Foreign currency translation difference

-


1


-


1

Balance at 30 June 2025

73


32


3


108

 

 

 



 

 

 



Amortisation



 

 

 



Balance at 1 January 2024

84


14


3


101

Amortisation for the year

-


1


-


1

Foreign currency translation difference

(3)


(1)


-


(4)

Balance at 30 June 2024

81


14


3


98

Balance at 31 December 2024

73


13


3


89

 



 





Balance at 1 January 2025

73


13


3


89

Amortisation for the year

-


1


-


1

Foreign currency translation difference

-


1


-


1

Balance at 30 June 2025

73


15


3


91

 








Carrying amounts



 





At 1 January 2024

-

 

20

 

-

 

20

At 30 June 2024

-

 

20

 

-

 

20

At 31 December 2024

-

 

18

 

-

 

18

At 30 June 2025

-

 

17

 

-

 

17

 

During the six months ended 30 June 2025 and 2024, amortisation of intangible assets was charged to administrative expenses.

 

12      Inventories

 

 

 


Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

 

 

Unaudited    30 June 2024 $000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

 

Raw materials and consumables


1,548


815


516

 

Finished goods


528


975


287

 

Work in progress


122


10


71

 


 

2,198


1,800

 

874

 





 

 

 

 

 

During the six months ended 30 June 2025, inventories expensed to profit and loss amounted to US$2.2m (2024:US$2.4m).

 

13        Trade and other receivables

 

Current

Unaudited
30 June 2025

$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024

 

Audited 31 December 2024


 

$000

 

$000

Trade receivables from third parties

914

 

1,215


319

Due from employees

37

 

20


-

VAT receivable

1,190


918


781

Other receivables

-


63


195


2,141

 

2,216

 

1,295

Expected credit loss provision for receivables

(58)


(64)


(58)

 

2,083

 

2,152

 

1,237

 

The expected credit loss provision for receivables relates to credit impaired receivables which are in default and the Group considers the probability of collection to be remote given the age of the receivable and default status.

 

14        Prepayments

 

Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

Non-current

Prepayments

 

944


 

853


 

971

 

944


853

 

971

Current






Prepayments for goods and services

732


1,166


853


732


1,166

 

853

 

 

 

 

 

 

15        Cash and cash equivalents


Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

Cash at current bank accounts

324

 

551


209

Cash at bank deposits

67

 

1,976


3,567

Petty cash

-

 

1


1

Cash and cash equivalents

391

 

2,528

 

3,777

 

 

16      Equity

(a)        Share capital

 

Number of shares unless otherwise stated                                                   Ordinary shares

 

Unaudited
30 June 2025

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024

 

Audited 31 December 2024

Par value

-


-


-

Outstanding at beginning of year

483,222,238


483,222,238


483,222,238

Shares issued

10,422,098


-


-

Outstanding at end of period / year

493,644,336

 

483,222,238

 

483,222,238

 

Ordinary shares

All shares rank equally. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company.

On 6 January 2025, the Company issued 1,684,160 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company in lieu of cash for the payment of non-executive director fees (1,151,724 ordinary shares issued in lieu of US$142,500) and certain Group suppliers (532,436 ordinary shares issued in lieu of US$65,877). Additionally, the Company received a share subscription of US$10,000 for 80,823 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company from its Astana International Exchange market maker.

On 13 March 2025, the Company issued a total of 8,657,115 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company in lieu of cash (US$872,552.76) for the payment of a Group supplier.

 

Reserves

Share capital: Value of shares issued less costs of issuance.  

Additional paid in capital: Amounts due to shareholders which were waived.

Share-based payment: Share options issued during the period.

Foreign currency translation reserve: Foreign currency differences on retranslation of results from functional to presentational currency and foreign exchange movements on intercompany balances considered to represent net investments which are considered as permanent equity.

Accumulated losses: Cumulative net losses.

(b)        Dividends

No dividends were declared for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (2024: US$ nil).

(c)        Loss per share (basic and diluted)

The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share has been based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding. There are no convertible bonds and convertible preferred stock, so basic and diluted losses are equal.

(i)         Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (basic and diluted)


Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited year ended
31 December 2024
$000

Loss for the period, attributable to owners of the Company

(3,497)


(3,991)


(9,429)

Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders

(3,497)

 

(3,991)

 

(9,429)

(ii)       Weighted-average number of ordinary shares (basic and diluted)

Shares

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024

 

Audited year ended
31 December 2024

Issued ordinary shares at 1 January (after subdivision)

483,222,238

483,222,238


483,222,238

Effect of shares issued (weighted)

7,313,189

-


-

Weighted-average number of ordinary shares at period / year end

490,535,427

 

483,222,238

 

483,222,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share of common stock attributable to the Company:

(Basic and diluted / US$)

(0.0071)


(0.0083)


(0.020)

 

17      Loans and borrowings

In 2023 the Company launched a US$20m bond programme in Kazakhstan ("the Programme") and has issued four tranches of unsecured corporate bonds under the Programme with effective interest rates of 9.2%, 10.4%, 11% and 13.5% respectively.

With respect to the first tranche of bonds (2023), investors have subscribed for a total of 1,500 bonds with a nominal value of US$2,000 each. These bonds are unsecured, have a three-year term and bear a coupon rate of 9%, paid twice-yearly. The bonds have been listed on AIX with ISIN number KZX000001474.

With respect to the second tranche of bonds (2023), investors have subscribed for a total of 50,000 bonds with a nominal value of US$100 each. These bonds are unsecured, have a three-year term and bear a coupon rate of 10%, paid quarterly. The bonds have been listed on AIX with ISIN number KZX000001623.

With respect to the third tranche of bonds (2024), investors have subscribed for a total of 50,000 bonds with a nominal value of US$100 each. These bonds are unsecured, have a three-year term and bear a coupon rate of 11%, paid quarterly. The bonds have been listed on AIX with ISIN number KZX000001946.

With respect to the fourth tranche of bonds (2024), investors have subscribed for a total of 50,000 bonds with a nominal value of US$100 each. These bonds are unsecured, have a three-year term with an option to redeem 12 months early and bear a coupon rate of 13.5%, paid quarterly. The bonds have been listed on AIX with ISIN number KZX000003348.

 

 

Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

Non-current liabilities

Bonds payable

 

17,134


 

12,396


17,134

 

17,134

 

12,396

 

17,134

 

Current liabilities

Interest payable

 

303


 

233


432

 

303

 

233

 

432

 

 

 

Non-cash transactions from financing activities are shown in the reconciliation of liabilities from financing transactions below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

 

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

 

 

 

Audited year ended 31 December 2024
$000

At 1 January

17,566

 

7,527

 

7,527

Cash flows:






-Interest paid

(1,123)


(523)


(1,041)







-Proceeds from loans and borrowings

-


5,003


10,003

Total

16,443

 

12,007

 

16,489

 

Non-cash flows






-     Interest accruing in the period

993


622


1,340

-     Bond discount / premium

-


-


(263)

At 30 June / 31 December

17,436

 

12,629

 

17,566

 

 

18        Trade and other payables


Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

Trade payables

2,861


2,565


1,273

Debt to employees

269


242


188

Other taxes

381


52


310

Advances received

805


777


72

 

4,316

 

3,636

 

1,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19        Deferred income


Unaudited
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited 31 December 2024
$000

Government grants

-


-


102

 

-

 

-

 

102

 

During 2023, the Group was awarded grant funding by the Kazakhstan Science Fund for the development of technology for the production of mixed vanadium oxides for use in vanadium redox flow batteries.       

 

20        Contingencies

(a)        Insurance

The insurance industry in the Kazakhstan is in a developing state and many forms of insurance protection common in other parts of the world are not yet generally or economically available. The Group does not have full coverage for its plant facilities, business interruption or third party liability in respect of property or environmental damage arising from accidents on Group property or relating to Group operations. There is a risk that the loss or destruction of certain assets could have a material adverse effect on the Group's operations and financial position.

(b)        Taxation contingencies

The taxation system in Kazakhstan is relatively new and is characterised by frequent changes in legislation, official pronouncements and court decisions which are often unclear, contradictory and subject to varying interpretations by different tax authorities. Taxes are subject to review and investigation by various levels of authorities which have the authority to impose severe fines, penalties and interest charges. A tax year generally remains open for review by the tax authorities for five subsequent calendar years but under certain circumstances a tax year may remain open for longer.

These circumstances may create tax risks in Kazakhstan that are more significant than in other countries. Management believes that it has provided adequately for tax liabilities based on its interpretations of applicable tax legislation, official pronouncements and court decisions. However, the interpretations of the relevant authorities could differ and the effect on these consolidated financial statements, if the authorities were successful in enforcing their interpretations, could be significant.

There are no tax claims or disputes at present.

 

21      Segment reporting

The Group's operations are split into three segments based on the nature of operations: processing, subsoil operations (being operations related to exploration and mining) and corporate segment for the purposes of IFRS 8 Operating Segments. The Group's assets are primarily concentrated in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Group's revenues are derived from operations in, and connected with, the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Unaudited six-month period ended 30 June 2025


 

 

 



Processing
$000

 

Subsoil
$000


Corporate
$000

 

Total
$000

Revenue


2,529


-


-


2,529

Cost of sales


(3,354)


-


-


(3,354)

Other income


42


-


-


42

Administrative expenses


(390)


(28)


(1,129)


(1,547)

Distribution & other expenses


(95)


-


-


(95)

Finance costs


(283)


-


(789)


(1,072)

Loss before tax


(1,551)

 

(28)

 

(1,918)

 

(3,497)

 

Unaudited six-month period ended 30 June 2024

 

 



Processing
$000

 

Subsoil
$000


Corporate
$000

 

Total
$000

Revenue


2,149


-


-


2,149

Cost of sales


(3,622)


-


-


(3,622)

Other income


6


-


1


7

Administrative expenses


(475)


(42)


(1,333)


(1,850)

Distribution & other expenses


(82)


-


-


(82)

Finance costs


217


-


(810)


(593)

Loss before tax


(1,807)

 

(42)

 

(2,142)

 

(3,991)

 

Audited year ended 31 December 2024

 

 


 

 

 



Processing
$000

 

Subsoil
$000


Corporate
$000

 

Total
$000

Revenue


4,738


-


-


4,738

Cost of sales


(7,550)


-


-


(7,550)

Other income


49


-


1


50

Administrative expenses


(1,132)


(40)


(1,850)


(3,022)

Impairment charge


(954)


-


-


(954)

Distribution & other expenses


(690)


-


(22)


(712)

Finance costs


394


-


(2,373)


(1,979)

Loss before tax


(5,145)

 

(40)

 

(4,244)

 

(9,429)

 

 

Included in revenue arising from processing  are revenues of US$2.2m (2024: US$1.3m) which arose from sales to two of the Group' largest customers. No other single customer contributes 10 per cent or more to the Group's revenue.

All of the Group's assets are attributable to the Group's processing operations.

Sales to the Group's largest customers during the six months ended 30 June 2025 were as follows:

 

Customer A                                                                                        US$ 1.9m (81%) (2024:US$ 0.4m)

Customer B                                                                                         US$ 0.3m (14%) (2024: US$1.0m)

 

 

22      Related party transactions

Transactions with management and close family members

Management remuneration

Key management personnel received the following remuneration during the year, which is included in personnel costs (see Note 7):



Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2025
$000

 

Unaudited
six-month
period ended
30 June 2024
$000

 

Audited year ended 31 December 2024 $000

Wages, salaries and related taxes


538


538


1,053

 

The amount of wages and salaries outstanding at 30 June 2025 is equal to US$ nil (2024: US$ nil).

 

23      Subsequent events

On 7 July 2025, the Company issued 16,666,667 ordinary shares of nil par value in the capital of the Company, raising gross proceeds of £1,000,000, having received share subscriptions from investors including certain directors of the Company and VBR.

 

 

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