BAKER STEEL RESOURCES TRUST
LIMITED
(Incorporated in Guernsey with
registered number 51576 under the provisions of The Companies
(Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended)
29 April
2024
BAKER STEEL RESOURCES TRUST LIMITED
(the "Company")
LEI:
213800JUXEVF1QLKCC27
Annual Report and Audited Financial
Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
The Company has today, in
accordance with DTR 6.3.5, released its Annual Report and Audited
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The
Report is available via www.bakersteelcap.com/baker-steel-resources-trust/
and the National Storage
Mechanism.
Further details of the Company and
its investments are available on the Company's website
www.bakersteelcap.com/baker-steel-resources-trust/
Enquiries:
Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited
+44 20 7389 8237
Francis Johnstone
Trevor Steel
Deutsche Numis
+44 20 7260 1000
David Benda (corporate)
James Glass (sales)
Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey)
Limited
Company
Secretary
+44 1481 749771
BAKER STEEL RESOURCES TRUST
LIMITED
Annual Report and Audited Financial
Statements
For the year ended 31
December 2023
CONTENTS
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PAGE
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Chairman's Statement
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1-2
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Investment Manager's
Report
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3-7
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Portfolio Statement
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8-9
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Strategic Report
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10-16
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Board of Directors
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17
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Directors' Report
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18-25
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Report of the Audit
Committee
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26-28
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Independent Auditor's
Report
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29-34
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Statement of Financial
Position
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35
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Statement of Comprehensive
Income
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36-37
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Statement of Changes in
Equity
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38
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Statement of Cash Flows
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39
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Notes to the Financial
Statements
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40-59
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Appendix - Additional Information
(Unaudited)
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60
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Management and
Administration
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61-63
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Glossary of Terms
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64-65
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CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
After a difficult 2022, this year
continued to be challenging for your Company: NAV per share
decreased by 2.8% to 77.2 pence and the share price fell by 15.1%,
albeit after some recovery in the second half of the year. The
environment generally remained difficult for junior development
companies needing finance to put their projects into production
whilst sentiment in the capital markets remained 'risk off'.
Producers fared somewhat better with the MSCI World Metals and
Mining Index, comprising mostly mid-cap to large mining companies,
rising 13.8% in Sterling terms. Interest rates have remained higher
for longer due to persistent inflation which has increased the
risks of a hard landing, and investors remain cautious about the
global economy and prospects for industrial production levels which
are the key driver of demand for commodities.
Notwithstanding the tough
environment we were particularly pleased that your Company's
largest investment, Futura Resources, secured the A$30m needed to
commence production at the first of its two Queensland based steel
making coal mines in September 2023. Since then, Futura has been
able to fast track the Wilton open pit mine into production and
first mined coal was trucked to nearby Gregory Crinum Coal Handling
and Preparation Plant at the beginning of March 2024. As a result
of this, Futura is now in advanced negotiations to secure a A$30m
pre-payment debt offtake and marketing facility with a major coal
trading company to fund its second open pit mine, Fairhill, which
is located immediately to the north of Wilton. This would allow
mining to commence at Fairhill in September 2024.
At full capacity the Wilton and
Fairhill mines together are projected to produce some 1.5 to 2
million tonnes of saleable product for at least the next 15 years,
at a current operating cost of around US$85 per tonne. The price of
hard coking coal remained relatively strong during 2023 reaching as
much as US$300 per tonne in the latter half. The outlook for demand
continues to look robust: as coking coal is essential to steel
production in conventional blast furnaces which are likely to be
the mainstay for primary steel production for many years to come,
especially in the context of the developing world. Moreover, coking
coal supply is expected to remain constrained due to increasingly
constrained financing and licencing conditions for new coal mines.
This is due to activists and investors failing to draw a
distinction between metallurgical coal for steel making (as is the
case for Futura's mines) or thermal coal used for electricity
generation which can have much more negative environmental
implications.
Our second largest investment,
CEMOS Group Plc, which produces cement in Morocco, had a successful
2023 achieving its fourth year of profitable production since
inception. Subdued economic activity in the area served by CEMOS
resulted in sales being 10% down on 2022 at 185,000 tonnes.
Importantly, however, CEMOS has initiated construction of a
calcination plant which will facilitate production of cement with a
lower carbon footprint and which is scheduled to commence
operations towards the end of 2024. The facility plans to produce
clinker, which is the main ingredient in producing cement, as well
as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) which reduce the
amount of clinker used in the final cement product thereby lowering
associated carbon emissions. By generating its own clinker
and SCMs, CEMOS expects to significantly reduce costs and enhance
the operating margin to around €50 per tonne of cement produced as
well as strengthening its green credentials. Once the clinker plant
is operating satisfactorily, CEMOS plans to construct the second
grinding line which it acquired in 2022 and which should allow it
to double production at the new enhanced margins with ramp up
expected in 2025.
Your Company's two largest
investments now comprise some 65% of its net assets which is not
ideal from a portfolio concentration standpoint. However, this
situation is largely a measure of their success and has been a
price worth paying. We expect that BSRT can look forward to
receiving significant dividends and royalty payments in the coming
years which will support distributions to our shareholders as well
as providing the necessary cash to diversify the portfolio when
attractive opportunities arise. Assuming conversion of the
convertible loans in both companies, we will hold approximately
31.3% of CEMOS and 24.3% of Futura as well as the 1.5% gross
revenue royalty on coal production from Futura which will start to
be received later this year.
In another development, the sale
of Bilboes to Caledonia Mining Plc was closed at the beginning of
2023. A key component of the transaction for us was the grant of a
1% net smelter royalty on gold produced from the mine in future in
addition to our shares in Caledonia. In March 2024, Caledonia
announced that it is still considering ways to reduce the initial
capital cost of the mine which the Bilboes Feasibility Study had
concluded could produce some 170,000 ounces of gold per annum. It
is likely to take at least three years before the mine can achieve
full production at which point the Company expects to receive some
US$3 million per annum from the royalty.
Progress on the smaller
investments in the portfolio can be found in the Investment
Managers Report.
Outlook
The outlook for raising mining
development finance is expected to remain challenging in 2024
albeit with some improvement beginning to emerge. Whilst investors
have been firmly in "risk off" mode in recent years, now that
interest rates appear to have
peaked and as monetary policy
starts to ease we are hopeful that the picture will improve in the
second half of this year. High real interest rates in the fight
against inflation have been a significant headwind for most if not
all financial assets and the prospect of lower rates ahead is
encouraging for our sector, which as we know tends to be
particularly cyclical.
Outlook (continued)
However some risk remains that
central bankers may be overly hawkish and that a soft landing for
the world's leading economies is not achieved.
Higher energy costs in Europe
following the Ukraine war do seem to be taking their toll on the
German economy in particular, traditionally the powerhouse of the
Eurozone. Nevertheless, the structural case for those metals
and commodities essential for the electrification and
decarbonisation transition continues to strengthen. Heightened
geopolitical tensions will likely increase trends towards
de-globalisation and the security of supply of critical minerals as
well as potentially significant re-armament programmes, should
underpin commodity prices in the longer term. The Company will
continue to support its existing investments to unlock value as it
did with the Futura Resources financing in September 2023. It is
not intending to make any significant new investment until it has
been able to make a realisation which would also trigger a
distribution to shareholders.
Towards the end of 2023, we
welcomed Aztec Financial Services as Administrator and Company
Secretary and Liberum Wealth as Custodian following a thorough
process to replace HSBC who had held these roles since the
Company's listing in 2010. I am pleased to say the transition has
gone extremely smoothly.
At the next AGM which is scheduled
for 12 September 2024, we will propose a resolution to discontinue
the Company as required by our Articles of Incorporation every 3
years. Given that our key investments are close to a point where
they should generate significant income for the Company as outlined
above, the Board and Investment Manager very much hope that
shareholders will vote against the discontinuation
resolution.
Finally, I will be stepping down
from the Board at the end of the year after 14 years as Chairman
since the Company's listing. I am pleased that the Board has
decided that Fiona Perrott-Humphrey will take the Chair on my
retirement. With her considerable knowledge of the sector and the
participants within it, she will be well placed to lead the Company
into the future. I would like to thank shareholders and my
fellow directors for their support and I wish the Company all the
best for the future.
Howard Myles
Chairman
26 April 2024
INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Financial Performance
The audited Net Asset Value per
Ordinary Share ("NAV") as at 31 December 2023 was 77.2 pence, a
decrease of 2.8% in the year compared
with the increase
in the MSCI World
Metals and Mining Index of 13.8% in
Sterling terms.
For the purpose of calculating the
NAV per share, unquoted investments were carried at fair value as
at 31 December 2023 as determined by the Directors and quoted
investments were carried at their quoted prices as at that
date.
Net assets at 31 December 2023
comprised the following:
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£m
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% net
assets
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Unquoted Investments
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69.5
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84.5
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Quoted Investments
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12.4
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15.1
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Cash and other net assets
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0.3
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0.4
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82.2
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100.0
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Investment Update
Largest 10 Holdings - 31 December 2023
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% of NAV
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Futura Resources Ltd
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36.3
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CEMOS Group Plc
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29.3
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Bilboes Gold Royalty
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7.2
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Caledonia Mining Corporation
Plc
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5.4
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Kanga Investments Ltd
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3.6
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Silver X Mining
Corporation
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3.5
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Nussir ASA
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4.1
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Metals Exploration Plc
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3.0
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First Tin plc
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2.1
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Tungsten West Plc
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1.7
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96.2
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Other Investments
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3.4
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Cash and other net assets
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0.4
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|
100.0
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Largest 10 Holdings - 31 December 2022
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% of NAV
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Futura Resources Limited
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27.7
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CEMOS Group Plc
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22.8
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Bilboes Gold Limited
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16.2
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Kanga Investments Limited
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5.7
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Tungsten West Plc
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5.4
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Silver X Mining
Corporation
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5.4
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First Tin Plc
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4.8
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Nussir ASA
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4.1
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Metals Exploration plc
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1.7
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PRISM Diversified Limited
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1.5
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95.3
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Other Investments
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4.5
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Cash and other net assets
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0.2
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|
100.0
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Review
At the year end, the Company was
fully invested, holding 16 investments of which the top 10 holdings
comprised 96.2% of the portfolio by value. In terms of commodity
the portfolio has exposure to cement, copper, gold, iron, lead,
lithium, potash, silver, steel making coal, tin, tungsten,
vanadium, and zinc. Its projects are located in Australia, Canada,
Germany, Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, Norway, Peru, the
Philippines, Republic of Congo, Russia, the UK and
Zimbabwe.
During the year, mining market
performance showed diversity by commodity and particularly with
stage of development. Junior companies continued to struggle to
raise funds to continue exploration and those looking to develop
new projects found risk capital difficult to source. Producers
fared better particularly those with exposure to iron ore. The MSCI
World Metals and Mining Index composed of large and mid-cap
companies rose 13.8% in Sterling terms. The Company's NAV which is
more exposed to developing companies fell 2.8% during the
year.
All expressed in US dollar terms,
gold rose 13.1% and silver was down 0.7% during 2023. Base
metals prices ended the year largely unchanged with copper up 1.2%,
tin up 1.7% and tungsten down 3.1%. The exceptions were the steel
making minerals: iron ore up 25.7% and metallurgical coal up 7.6%.
Potash continued its return towards long term prices, falling 42.0%
after peaking in 2022.
The Company's NAV fell 2.8% in
Sterling terms during the year with rises in the carrying values of
Futura and CEMOS being outweighed by falls in the quoted prices of
Tungsten West, First Tin and Azarga Metals Corporation and a
reduction in the valuation of Kanga Investments.
The Company's main investments at
the year-end:
Futura Resources Ltd
("Futura")
Futura owns the Wilton and
Fairhill steel making coal projects in the Bowen Basin in
Queensland, Australia which hold Measured and Indicated resources
of 843 million tonnes of coal.
Investment:
11,309,005
ordinary shares (26.9%) valued at £11.1 million
1.5% Gross Revenue Royalty valued at £15.9 million
A$4.7 million convertible loan valued at £2.8 million
In September 2023, Futura
completed a A$30 million financing package to fund the
commencement of production of steel making coals at its Wilton
Mine in Queensland, Australia. The funding package
comprised a A$30 million 3-year term unsecured redeemable
convertible note issue, accompanied by in-kind commitments
from a number of contractors and suppliers to the value of
c. A$5 million.
Development of Wilton commenced
immediately following the financing and first coal was delivered to
the Gregory Crinum wash plant at the beginning of March 2024.
Futura is in the final stages of raising prepayment finance to fund
the Fairhill mine, which is expected to be in production during the
third quarter of 2024. Once in full production, Futura anticipates
that the two mines will produce approximately 1.5 to 2 million
tonnes in saleable primary and secondary coking coal products from
its two mines at a cost of around US$85 per tonne.
Industry consultants have been
increasing longer term price assumptions for coking coal due to
expectations of medium-term supply constraints coupled with strong
demand increases anticipated for seaborne imports, most notably to
India. Once both mines are in full production in 2025, Futura
forecasts generating an EBITDA of A$92m, based on forward coal
price expectations.
CEMOS Group Plc
(''CEMOS'')
CEMOS is a private cement producer
with production operations at Tarfaya in Morocco.
Investment:
24,004,167
ordinary shares (24.3%) valued at £11.4 million
1,045 Convertible Loan Units valued at £12.6 million
Percentage of Company owned at full conversion 31.3%
The cement market in CEMOS's
southern area of Morocco was subdued in the first half of 2023 but
recovered in the second half so that sales for the year totalled
185,000 tonnes, approximately 10% down on the 203,000 tonnes
achieved in 2022. As a result the unaudited EBITDA for the
year was estimated at €6 million (2022 €8 million). Major Moroccan
Government and
foreign investment initiatives are
expected to provide a boost to the southern Moroccan cement market
over the coming years and CEMOS expects performance in 2024 to
recover to around 2022 levels.
CEMOS Group plc (''CEMOS'')
(continued)
During the second half of 2023,
CEMOS commenced the development of a Compact Calcination Unit (CCU)
at the Tarfaya cement plant site to produce its own clinker and
supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), the principal raw
materials in cement production. This will not only provide security
of supply of clinker but should materially reduce costs as well as
lowering the carbon footprint associated with cement production.
Commissioning of the calcination plant is expected to take place in
the second half of 2024 with the full benefit realised from 2025
onwards.
During 2022 CEMOS acquired a
second grinding plant essentially identical to the existing
operation which will allow it to double its production. The
commissioning of this second plant is anticipated to take place
after the CCU plant has been established in order to manage the
impacts on both financial and human resources. CEMOS is also
testing potential for manufacture of 'green cement' products by
replacing some clinker in the production process with more
environmentally friendly SCM's such as natural and industrial
pozzolans which would not only reduce the CO2 footprint of the
operation but may also have a positive impact on costs.
Bilboes Gold
Royalty
The Company holds a 1% Net Smelter
Royalty ("NSR") over future production from the Bilboes' gold
project in Zimbabwe owned by Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
("Caledonia").
Investment:
1% NSR valued at
£5.9 million
The Bilboes properties host a JORC
compliant Proved and Probable Reserve containing 1.8 million ounces
of gold out of a total Mineral Resource of 3.8 million ounces of
gold.
On 28 March 2024, Caledonia
announced that it is evaluating the initial results of the ongoing
work on revised feasibility studies for Bilboes with a specific
focus on reducing the initial capital expenditure profile, thereby
enhancing the project economics. They are looking at scenarios
including the development of a mine producing on average 170,000
ounces gold pe annum as outlined in the 2022 Bilboes Gold
feasibility study as well as a phased approached. A further
announcement is expected in the second quarter.
At the year end the Company based
its valuation on the expected phased approach to production and
will update this to the revised production rate when it reviews the
valuation at 30 June 2024.
Caledonia Mining Corporation
Plc ("Caledonia")
Caledonia is a NYSE, AIM and
Victoria Falls Exchange listed gold producer whose primary assets
are the producing Blanket Mine and the Bilboes gold project
(outlined above) both in Zimbabwe
Investment:
455,000 ordinary
shares (2.4%) valued at £4.4 million
Caledonia reported annual gold
production at its Blanket gold mine in Zimbabwe
of 75,416 oz in 2023, in line with guidance. However
increased operating costs during the year and several significant
one-off, non-operating costs in the final quarter of the year
resulted in reduced operating profit for the full year of US$41.5
million.
A significant proportion of the
cost increases in 2023 are not expected to be carried through into
2024 and Caledonia has provided 2024 gold production guidance at
Blanket of 74,000 to 78,000oz with AISC guidance of
between US$1,370 and US$1,470/oz.
Following positive drilling
results at Blanket, Caledonia expect to publish a revised resource
statement in the second quarter of 2024 which should incorporate an
increase in Blanket's life of mine.
Caledonia currently pays a
dividend of US$0.14 per quarter. It is expected that at least this
level of dividend will continue until the Bilboes project can be
brought into production.
Nussir ASA
("Nussir")
Nussir is a Norwegian private
company whose key asset is the Nussir copper project in northern
Norway.
Investment:
12,785,361
ordinary shares (12.1%) valued at £3.2 million
NOK 2,000,000 Loan Note valued at £0.16 million
In 2023, Nussir completed the
update of the DFS on its Nussir copper project in northern Norway
changing the operations from diesel based to one based on a fully
electrified mine producing around 14,000 tonnes of copper per year
over a 14 year mine life. The updated DFS economics gave a NPV8% of
US$191 million with an IRR of 22% based on a copper price of
US$8,000 per tonne. Nussir is currently in a formal process of
seeking an industry partner to assist with financing the
development of the mine.
Kanga Investments Ltd
("Kanga")
Kanga is a private company which
holds the Kanga potash project, in the Republic of the
Congo.
Investment:
56,042 ordinary
shares (6.6%) valued at £3.0 million
Kanga Potash completed a positive Feasibility Study in 2020 on its Kanga
Potash project in the Republic of Congo for a mine
producing 600,000 tonnes per annum of Muriate of
Phosphate ("MOP"). The DFS economic model gave a
Net Present Value at a 10% discount rate
(NPV10) of US$511 million with an IRR of 22%
based on an MOP price of US$282 per tonne compared to the current
price of around US$300 per tonne. In addition there is potential
for the mine to be expanded on a modular basis up to 2.4M tonnes
per annum over 30 years as set out in the Feasibility Study.
In the second half of 2022 the government published a decree
awarding the Kanga Exploitation/Mining Licence to Kanga Potash, a
key condition for potential acquirors of the company, and in August
2023 Kanga signed the Mining Convention with the Government which
sets out the fiscal environment for the project for the next 25
years. During 2024 Kanga plans to update the Feasibility Study
prior to sourcing a partner to develop the project.
Silver X Mining Corporation
("Silver X")
Silver X is a TSX-V listed company
whose Recuperada silver/lead/zinc project in Peru comprises 11,261
Ha of mining concessions centred around a 600 tonne per day
processing plant.
Investment:
19,502,695
ordinary shares (11.7%) valued at £2.9 million
During 2023 Silver X continued to
ramp up production at its Nueva Recuperada Silver mine in Peru,
producing 918,852 ounces of silver equivalent ("AgEq") (2022
893,458 AgEq ozs). The mine performed below the level anticipated
during the first half of the year and therefore Silver X decided to
pause operations in July 2023 whilst a new operational plan was
implemented. Operations restarted in September and since that date
there appears to be an improvement in production with 292,390
ounces AqEq produced in the fourth quarter.
In February 2023 Silver X released
the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") under
Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards for the expansion of
the Tangana Mining Unit at Nueva Recuperada. The PEA outlined the
potential to increase annual production to 4.2 million ounces
silver equivalent by constructing an additional recovery plant at a
capital cost of US$61 million to give a post-tax NPV10% of US$175
million.
Metals Exploration plc
("Metals Ex")
Metals Ex is an AIM listed company
which owns the Runruno gold mine in the Philippines.
Investment:
96,610,000
ordinary shares (4.6%) valued at £2.5 million
During 2023 Metals Ex produced
record annual gold sales of 85,744 ounces from its Runruno gold
mine in the Philippines generating record annual positive free cash
flow of US$72.3 million, more than double the previous year.
This strong performance allowed it to pay down the majority of its
debt such that net debt at 31 December 2023 stood at US$19.9
million.
Metals Ex also forecast production
for 2024 of 74,000 - 80,000 ounces of gold at an AISC of between
US$1,175 and US$1,275 per ounce of gold. This should allow Metals
Ex to retire the remainder of its outstanding debt during the first
half of 2024.
During January 2024 Metals Ex also
announced the first step of its strategy to continue life of the
company within the Philippines, once the Runruno Mine is exhausted
in two to three years' time, through the conditional acquisition of
the Abra Tenement. The Abra Tenement is an extensive exploration
tenement covering some 16,200 hectares with multiple prospective
targets in both gold and copper.
First Tin PLC ("First
Tin")
First Tin is a company listed on
the London Stock Exchange which owns the Taronga tin project in
Australia and the Tellerhäuser and Gottesburg tin projects in
Germany.
Investment:
37,128,014
ordinary shares (14.0%) valued at £1.7 million
During the first half of 2023
First Tin completed the infill and extension drilling required for
the feasibility study for Taronga open pit tin project in
Australia. This successfully outlined a 400 metre extension
to the resource area which, together with the use of a lower grade
cut-off based on the results of a breakthrough in its mineral
process test work, resulted in a 240% increase to 138,000 tonnes of
contained tin in resource. The breakthrough allowed First Tin
to simplify the mineral processing flowsheet by rejecting waste
material at an earlier stage so that the proposed plant can handle
a greater throughput which should significantly reduce the capital
and operating costs of the mine. The lower operating and capital
costs per tonne of ore mined, together with the increase in the
resource at Taronga, have allowed First Tin to double the proposed
throughput of the operation to 5 million tonnes of ore per annum
producing around 3,500 tonnes of tin per annum. This will form part
of a definitive feasibility study ("DFS") expected to be completed
in the first half of 2024.
During the year First Tin
submitted the complete documentation for its mine permit
application to the Saxonian Mining Authority for the
Tellerhäuser underground tin project. In the meantime, First Tin
plans to publish an updated JORC compliant Resource on
Tellerhäuser, expected in the first half of 2024.
Tungsten West Plc
(''Tungsten West'')
Tungsten West owns the Hemerdon
Tungsten Mine in Devon, United Kingdom and is quoted on the AIM
market of the London Stock Exchange.
Investment:
28,846,515
ordinary shares (15.4%) valued at £0.36 million
£1,200,000 convertible loan valued at £1.05 million
1,657,195 second options valued at £0.001 million
1,657,195 third options valued at £0.001 million
On 16 January 2023 Tungsten West
announced the results of its updated feasibility study on the
Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon. The feasibility study
detailed a mine with average annual production of 2,900 tonnes of
tungsten (WO3) and 310 tonnes of tin in concentrate over 27
years. The economics showed a post-tax NPV5 of £297 million
with an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25%. It also
highlighted an upside case post-tax NPV5 of £416
million with an IRR of 32%. Total pre-production capex,
corporate commitments and working capital was estimated at £54.9
million. Key to the economics of the project is the production of
secondary aggregates, a by-product from mining which, once sold,
will provide an early revenue stream and reduce the storage of
barren rock and associated operating expenditure at site. To enable
the delivery of the aggregates business, and to optimise the core
tungsten and tin business, in December 2023 Tungsten West's Section
73 application, to vary the tonnage cap associated with the
existing permission for 50 truck movements per day from the site,
was approved by Devon County Council. In February 2024 Tungsten
West received a draft permit from the Environment Agency for the
operation of the Mineral Processing Facility ("MPF") at Hemerdon.
With the permitting process almost finalised, Tungsten West will
update the feasibility study with a view to raising the capital for
redevelopment in the second half of 2024.
Polar Acquisition Limited
("PAL")
PAL is a private company which
holds a 1.8% to 0.9% (reducing over 10 years) net smelter royalty
over the Prognoz silver project ("Prognoz"), 444km north of Yakutsk
in Russia, from Polymetal International. Prognoz has a
267-million-ounce silver equivalent Indicated and Inferred Mineral
Resource at a grade of 755 g/t silver equivalent.
Investment:
16,352 ordinary
shares (49.99%) valued at £0.8 million
In February 2024 Polymetal
International, announced the sale of its Russia business which
included the Prognoz silver project. However, the liability to pay
the net smelter royalty to PAL remains with Polymetal (which is now
domiciled in Kazakstan) and the royalty contract has no Russian
entities as parties to the Agreement. Ore is being transported to
the Nezhda mine concentrator (part of the business being sold) with
first production expected in the second quarter 2024.
Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP
Investment Manager
26
April 2024
PORTFOLIO STATEMENT
AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
Shares
|
Investments
|
Fair value
|
% of Net
|
/Warrants/
|
|
£
equivalent
|
assets
|
Nominal
|
|
|
|
|
Listed equity
shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australian Dollars
|
|
|
4,091,910
|
Akora Resources Limited
|
306,520
|
0.37
|
|
Australian Dollars Total
|
306,520
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Dollars
|
|
|
19,502,695
|
Silver X Mining
Corporation
|
2,891,516
|
3.52
|
6,519,395
|
Azarga Metals Corp
|
188,483
|
0.23
|
|
Canadian Dollars Total
|
3,079,999
|
3.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Britain Pounds
|
|
|
37,128,014
|
First Tin Plc
|
1,704,176
|
2.07
|
96,610,000
|
Metals Exploration plc
|
2,492,538
|
3.03
|
340,000
|
Caledonia Mining Corp Plc
|
3,315,000
|
4.04
|
28,846,515
|
Tungsten West Plc
|
359,139
|
0.44
|
|
Great Britain Pounds Total
|
7,870,853
|
9.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States Dollars
|
|
|
115,000
|
Caledonia Mining Corp Plc
|
1,102,042
|
1.34
|
|
United States Dollars Total
|
1,102,042
|
1.34
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment in listed equity shares
|
12,359,414
|
15.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt
instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australian Dollars
|
|
|
94
|
Futura Resources Limited Convertible
Loan
|
2,812,916
|
3.42
|
|
Australian Dollars Total
|
2,812,916
|
3.42
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Dollars
|
|
|
305,000
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
1
|
89,409
|
0.11
|
250,500
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
2
|
284,877
|
0.35
|
|
Canadian Dollars Total
|
374,286
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euro
|
|
|
1,045
|
CEMOS Group Plc
|
12,616,713
|
15.36
|
|
Euros Total
|
12,616,713
|
15.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Britain Pounds
|
|
|
1,200,000
|
Tungsten West Convertible
Loan
|
1,048,680
|
1.28
|
|
|
1,048,680
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States Dollars
|
|
|
7,028,352
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
343,388
|
0.42
|
|
United States Dollars Total
|
343,388
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norwegian Krone
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
Nussir ASA Loan Note
|
163,712
|
0.20
|
|
Norwegian Krone Total
|
163,712
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments in debt instruments
|
17,359,695
|
21.14
|
Shares
|
Investments
|
Fair value
|
% of Net
|
/Warrants/
|
|
£
equivalent
|
assets
|
Nominal
|
|
|
|
|
Unlisted equity shares,
warrants and royalties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australian Dollars
|
|
|
10,100,000
|
Futura Gross Revenue
Royalty
|
15,907,605
|
19.36
|
11,309,005
|
Futura Resources Limited
|
11,073,378
|
13.48
|
|
Australian Dollars Total
|
26,980,983
|
32.84
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Dollars
|
|
|
666,667
|
Azarga Metals Warrants
09/15/2025
|
79
|
0.00
|
13,083,936
|
PRISM Diversified Limited
|
775,942
|
0.94
|
40,000
|
PRISM Diversified Limited -
Royalty
|
23,723
|
0.03
|
324,000
|
Unkur Contingent Interest
|
48,037
|
0.06
|
|
Canadian Dollars Total
|
847,781
|
1.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Britain Pounds
|
|
|
24,004,167
|
CEMOS Group Plc
|
11,425,983
|
13.91
|
1,657,195
|
Tungsten West Plc Second Option
Share Warrants 18/10/2026
|
663
|
0.00
|
1,657,195
|
Tungsten West Plc Third Option Share
Warrants 18/10/2026
|
994
|
0.00
|
|
Great Britain Pounds Total
|
11,427,640
|
13.91
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norwegian Krone
|
|
|
12,785,361
|
Nussir ASA
|
3,206,973
|
3.90
|
|
Norwegian Krone Total
|
3,206,973
|
3.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States Dollars
|
|
|
100
|
Bilboes Holdings (Private) Limited -
Royalty
|
5,901,805
|
7.18
|
56,042
|
Kanga Investments Limited
|
2,997,791
|
3.65
|
16,352
|
Polar Acquisition Limited
|
787,934
|
0.95
|
|
United States Dollars Total
|
9,687,530
|
11.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Unlisted equity shares, warrants and
royalties
|
52,150,907
|
63.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets held at fair value through profit or
loss
|
81,870,016
|
99.64
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets & Liabilities
|
289,563
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Equity
|
82,159,579
|
100.00
|
|
|
|
|
STRATEGIC REPORT
AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
Company Structure
The Company is a registered
closed-ended investment scheme registered pursuant to the
Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 ("POI
Law") and the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules and
Guidance, 2021 issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission
("GFSC"). The Company is not authorised or regulated as a
collective investment scheme by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Company is subject to the Listing Rules and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the UK Listing Authority.
The Articles of the Company
contain provisions as to the life of the Company. At the Annual
General Meeting ("AGM") falling in 2018 and at each third AGM
convened by the Board thereafter, the Board will propose a special
resolution to discontinue (the Company) which if passed will
require the Directors, within 6 months of the passing of the
special resolution, to submit proposals to shareholders that will
provide shareholders with an opportunity to realise the value of
their Ordinary Shares. Shareholders voted against discontinuing the
Company at the 2021 AGM and the next discontinuation vote will be
held at the AGM in 2024 which is scheduled for 12 September
2024.
Company Purpose and Values
The purpose of the Company is to
carry out business as an investment company and to provide returns
to shareholders through achieving its investment objective as
described on page 11.
The values of the Company are
discussed and agreed upon by the Board. The Board seeks to run the
Company with a culture of openness, high integrity and
accountability. It aims to demonstrate these values through its
behaviour both within itself and its dealings with its
stakeholders. It seeks to act in the spirit of mutual respect,
trust and fairness. The Board is robust in its challenge of the
Investment Manager and other service providers but tries always to
be constructive and collegiate. The Board expects its members to
exhibit an independence of mind and not to be wary of asking
difficult questions. Moreover, it expects and encourages its key
service providers to exhibit similar values.
Role and Composition of the Board
The Board is the Company's
governing body; it sets the Company's strategy and is collectively
responsible for its long-term performance. The Board, which is
comprised entirely of independent Non-Executive Directors, is
responsible for appointing and subsequently monitoring the
activities of the Manager and other service providers to ensure
that the investment objectives of the Company continue to be met.
The Board also ensures that the Manager adheres to the investment
restrictions described in the Company's Prospectus and acts within
the parameters set by it in any other respect. It also identifies
and monitors the key risks facing the Company.
Investment activities are
predominantly monitored through quarterly Board meetings at which
the Board receives detailed reports and updates from the Investment
Manager, who attends each Board meeting. Services from other key
service providers are reviewed as appropriate.
Subject to meeting solvency
requirements, if the Ordinary Shares trade at a discount in excess
of 15 per cent to their NAV, the Board will consider whether the
Company should buy back its own Ordinary Shares, taking into
account the Company's liquidity, conditions in the stock market and
mining markets. At the year-end the Company's Ordinary shares
traded at a discount to NAV of 49%, however the Directors consider
that the Company does not currently have sufficient surplus funds
to buy back shares, irrespective of other considerations such as
long term market liquidity and the effect on its Ongoing Charges
Ratio.
The Board continues to review the
Company's expenditure to ensure that the total costs incurred in
the running of the Company remain competitive. An analysis of the
Company's costs, including management fees (which are based on the
market capitalisation of the Company), Directors' fees and general
expenses, is submitted to each Board meeting.
As at 31 December 2023, the Board
comprised four Directors (2022: four).
Investment Management
The Manager was appointed pursuant
to a management agreement with the Company dated 31 March 2010 (the
Management Agreement). Under the Management Agreement, the Manager
acts as manager of the Company, subject to the overall control and
supervision of the Directors and was authorised to appoint the
Investment Manager to manage and invest the assets of the Company.
The Manager is responsible for the payment of the fees of the
Investment Manager. The Manager is a company incorporated in the
Cayman Islands on 10 April 2002 with registration number 117030 and
is an affiliate of the Investment Manager.
Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP
acts as Investment Manager of the Company and was constituted in
England and Wales on 19 December 2001. It is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
The Investment Manager is a limited liability partnership with
registration number OC301191 and is an affiliate of the Manager.
The Investment Manager has been appointed by the Company to act as
its Alternative Investment Fund Manager ("AIFM") and is responsible
for the portfolio management and investment risk management of the
Company.
Investment Management (continued)
The Investment Manager manages the
Company in accordance with the Alternative Investment Fund Managers
Directives ("AIFMD"). The Investment Manager is a specialist
natural resources asset management and advisory firm operating from
its head office in London and its branch office in
Sydney.
It has an experienced team of fund
managers covering the precious metals, base metals and minerals
sectors worldwide, both in relation to commodity equities and the
commodities themselves.
The Directors formally review the
performance of the Investment Manager on an annual basis and remain
satisfied that the Investment Manager has the appropriate resources
and expertise to manage the portfolio of the Company in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Investment Objective
The Company's investment objective
is to seek capital growth over the long-term through a focused,
global portfolio consisting principally of the equities, loans or
related instruments of natural resources companies. The Company
invests predominantly in unlisted companies (i.e. those companies
that have not yet made an initial public offering ("IPO") but also
in listed securities (including special situations opportunities
and less liquid securities) with a view to making attractive
investment returns through the uplift in value resulting from the
development progression of the investee companies' projects and
through exploiting value inherent in market inefficiencies and
pricing anomalies.
Investment Policy
The core of the Company's strategy
is to invest in natural resources companies, predominantly
unlisted, that the Investment Manager considers to be undervalued
and that have strong fundamentals and attractive growth prospects.
Natural resources companies, for the purposes of the investment
policy, are those involved in the exploration for and production of
base metals, precious metals, bulk commodities, thermal and
metallurgical coals, industrial minerals and energy, and include
single-asset as well as diversified natural resources
companies.
It is intended that unlisted
investments be realised through an IPO, trade sale, management
repurchase or other methods.
The Company focusses primarily on
making investments in companies with producing and/or tangible
assets such as resources and reserves that have been verified under
internationally recognised standards for reporting, such as those
of the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee ("JORC"). The
Company may also invest from time to time in exploration companies
whose activities are speculative by nature.
The Company has flexibility to
invest in a wide range of investments in addition to unlisted and
listed equities and equity-related securities, including but not
limited to commodities, convertible bonds, debt securities,
royalties, options, warrants and futures. Derivatives may be used
for efficient portfolio management, hedging and for the purposes of
obtaining investment exposure. The Company may also have exposure
from time to time to other companies within the wider resources and
materials sector, including services companies, transport and
infrastructure companies, utilities and downstream processing
companies.
The Company may take legal or
management control of a company from time to time. The Company may
invest in other investment funds or vehicles, including any managed
by the Manager or Investment Manager, where such investment would
be complementary to the Company's investment objective and
policy.
Borrowing and Leverage
The Company may, at the discretion
of the Investment Manager and within limits set by the Board, incur
leverage for liquidity purposes by borrowing funds from banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or entities. The
costs and impact of leverage, positive and negative, will affect
the operating results of the Company.
During the current and prior year,
no leverage was used by the Company.
Investment Restrictions
There are no fixed limits on the
allocation between unlisted and listed equities or equity-related
securities and cash although, as a guideline, typically the
Investment Manager will aim for the Company to be invested over the
long-term as follows:
• between 40
and 100 per cent of the value of its gross assets in unlisted
equities or equity-related securities;
• up to 50 per
cent of the value of its gross assets in listed equities or
equity-related securities;
• up to 10 per
cent of the value of its gross assets in cash or cash-like
holdings; and
• in 10 to 20
core positions to provide adequate diversification whilst retaining
a focused core approach. Core positions will be between 5 per cent
and 15 per cent of NAV as at the date of acquisition.
Investment Restrictions (continued)
The actual percentage of the
Company's gross assets invested in listed and unlisted equities and
equity-related securities and cash and cash-like holdings and the
number of positions held may fall outside these ranges from time to
time. The portfolio may become focussed on fewer holdings as
certain investments mature and increase in value. Once such
investments are realised it is intended that the consideration will
be reinvested in several new investments thereby diversifying the
portfolio.
Listed securities might exceed the
above guideline following a significant number of IPOs or in
certain market conditions and likewise cash balances may exceed the
above guideline following the realisation of one or more
investments or following the issue of new equity in the Company,
pending investment or distribution of the proceeds.
The investment policy has the
following limits:
• Save in
respect of cash and cash-like holdings awaiting investment, and
except as set out below, the Company will invest or lend no more
than 20 per cent in aggregate of the value of its gross assets in
or to any one particular company or group of companies, as at the
date of the relevant transaction.
•
The Company's investment in Futura Resources
Limited ("Futura") may exceed the limit set out above provided that
the Company will not invest or lend more than 35 per cent in
aggregate of the value of its gross assets in Futura as at the date
of the relevant transaction.
• No more than
10 per cent in aggregate of the value of the gross assets of the
Company may be invested in other listed closed-ended investment
funds, except for those which themselves have stated investment
strategies to invest no more than 15 per cent of their gross assets
in other listed closed-ended investment funds.
Where derivatives are used for
investment exposure, these limits will be applied in respect of the
investment exposures so obtained.
The Company will avoid (a)
cross-financing between the businesses forming part of its
investment portfolio and (b) the operation of common treasury
functions between it and the investee companies. When deemed
appropriate, the Company may borrow up to 10 per cent of NAV for
temporary purposes such as settlement of mis-matches. Borrowings
will not however be incurred for the purposes of any Share
repurchases. Any material change in the investment objective,
investment policy or borrowing policy will only be made with the
prior approval of holders of Ordinary Shares by Ordinary
Resolution. In the event of any breach of the investment
restrictions the Investment Manager would report the breach to the
Board and shareholders would be informed of any corrective action
required.
No breaches of investment
restrictions occurred during the year ended 31 December
2023.
Hedging
The Investment Manager will not
normally hedge the exposure of the Company to currency
fluctuations.
Performance
The Company monitors NAV against
the MSCI World Metals and Mining Index as a key performance
indicator. An outline of performance,
market background, investment activity and portfolio strategy
during the year under review, as well as outlook, is provided in
the Chairman's Statement on pages 1 to 2 and the Investment
Manager's Report on pages 3 to 7.
Principal risk and uncertainties
The Board is responsible for the
Company's system of risk management and internal control and for
reviewing its effectiveness.
The Board has adopted a detailed
matrix of principal risks affecting the Company's business as an
investment company and has established associated policies and
processes designed to manage and, where possible, mitigate those
risks, which are monitored by the Audit Committee on an ongoing
basis. This system assists the Board in determining the nature and
extent of the risks it is willing to take in achieving the
Company's strategic objectives.
Although the Board believes that
it has a robust framework of internal controls in place this can
provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against
material financial misstatement or loss and is designed to manage,
not eliminate, risk. Actions taken by the Board and, where
appropriate, its committees, to manage and mitigate the Company's
principal risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail
below.
Emerging Risks and Uncertainties
During the year, the Board also
discussed and monitored a number of risks that could potentially
impact the Company's ability
to meet its strategic objectives.
The principal emerging risk continues to be climate change. Climate
change risk includes how climate change could affect the Company's
investments, and potentially shareholder returns.
Principal risk and uncertainties
(continued)
Emerging Risks and Uncertainties (continued)
The Board has implemented an
environmental, social and governance ("ESG") policy which has been
developed from the Investment Manager's own ESG policy. The
Company's ESG policy is available on its website. Despite the need
for many metals to enable the global move away from fossil fuels,
mining is perceived to be harmful to the environment which can
result in delays to licences being awarded by government
bodies.
The Board will continue to monitor
the growing risks identified by ESG and the resulting pressures on
its investments.
Fund Concentration Risk
As at reporting date, two largest
investments now comprise some 65% of the Company's net assets are
CEMOS and Futura. The Investment Manager reviews top holdings on an
ongoing basis and the Board reviews concentration risk at each
Board meeting. The Board has reasonable expectation of some
significant dividends and royalty payments in the coming years
which will support both distributions to our shareholders as well
as enabling the Company to diversify its portfolio when attractive
opportunities arise.
Russia Risk
The invasion of Ukraine and
resulting sanctions on Russia, increased the risk of investing in
companies with interests in Russia. It has also increased the
uncertainty around previous projections made by those companies, in
the face of growing financial and operational constraints. As a
result in 2022, the Company reduced its carrying values of PAL to
reflect the risk that Polymetal may not be able to pay the royalty
when due and the question of whether PAL is able to receive
payments either due to the risk of potential sanctions, or the lack
of willingness of participants in the banking system to deal with
relevant counterparties. As at year end, because of higher discount
rate and higher deductions assumed brought by this risk, the
valuation of PAL is reduced by 18.2% when compared to last year.
Inflation Risk
Notwithstanding the improved
inflationary position, there remains a risk that geopolitical
tensions may again cause rising energy prices and disrupt supply
chains causing further inflationary pressures. This, plus monetary
tightening undertaken by central banks to curb inflation, raises
the risk of a global recession which would be negative for
commodity prices.
There is a growing risk that
measures imposed by Governments in response to cost-of-living
challenges will impact on the Company's investments, specifically
increased taxes or royalties imposed by Governments may have
implications on net sales prices received by investee
companies.
Market and financial risks
Market risk arises from volatility
in the prices of the Company's underlying investments which, in
view of the Company's investment policy, are in turn particularly
sensitive to commodity prices. Market risk represents the potential
loss the Company might suffer through holding investments in the
face of negative market movements. The Board has set investment
restrictions and guidelines to help mitigate this risk. These are
monitored and reported on by the Investment Manager on a regular
basis. Further details are disclosed in note 4 on pages 50 to
54.
The Company's investment
activities also expose it to a variety of financial risks including
in particular foreign currency risk. An analysis of sensitivity to
foreign exchange is presented on pages 50 to 51.
Portfolio management and Performance risks
The Board is responsible for
determining the investment strategy to allow the Company to fulfil
its objectives and also for monitoring the performance of the
Investment Manager to which has been delegated day to day
discretionary management of the Company's portfolio. An
inappropriate strategy may lead to poor performance. The investment
policy of the Company allows for a highly focused portfolio which
can lead to a concentration of risk. To manage this risk, the
Investment Manager provides to the Board, on an ongoing basis, an
explanation of the significant stock selection recommendations and
the rationale for the composition of the investment portfolio. The
Board mandates and monitors an adequate diversification of
investments, both geographically and by commodity, in order to
reduce the risks associated with particular sectors, based on the
diversification requirements inherent in the Company's investment
policy. The nature of the investment strategy means that portfolio
diversification cannot be rebalanced on a short-term
basis.
The Company invests in certain
companies whose projects are located in emerging markets. In such
countries governments can exercise substantial influence over the
private sector and political risk can be a significant factor. In
adverse social and political circumstances, governments have been
involved in policies of expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
nationalisation, intervention in the securities markets and
imposition of foreign exchange controls and investment
restrictions. The Investment Manager and the Board take into
account specific political and other such risks through its
approach to pricing when entering into an investment, and seek to
mitigate them by diversifying geographically.
Principal risk and uncertainties
(continued)
Portfolio management and Performance risks
(continued)
The Company's ability to implement
its investment policy depends on the Investment Manager's ability
to identify, analyse and invest in investments that meet the
Company's investment criteria. Failure by the Investment Manager to
find additional investment opportunities meeting the Company's
investment objectives and to manage investments effectively could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition, and results of operations.
The Company has no employees and,
subject to oversight by the Board, is reliant on the Investment
Manager, which has significant discretion as to the implementation
of the Company's operating policies and strategies. The Company is
subject to the risk that the Investment Manager or its key
investment professionals will cease to be involved in the
management of any part of the Company's assets and that no suitable
replacement will be found. The Board regularly monitors the
performance and capabilities of the Investment Manager and its key
man risk plans.
There is the risk that the market
capitalisation of the Company (on which the Investment Manager's
fee is calculated) falls to such an extent that it will no longer
be viable for the Investment Manager to provide the services that
it currently provides. The Board monitors this possibility and,
should it start to become an issue, would review it with the
Investment Manager.
Risk of a vote to wind-up the Company
The Articles contain provisions
for a special resolution of shareholders at the AGM in 2018 and
every three years thereafter on whether to discontinue the Company.
The next vote is scheduled for 12 September 2024. Should there be a
catastrophic loss of value in the Company's assets, possibly as a
result of the risks above, or merely a change in sentiment towards
the mining sector generally by a sufficient proportion of
investors, there is the risk of shareholders voting to wind-up the
Company at that time. Because the Company's investments are largely
unlisted it could then take a protracted amount of time to realise
them or they may need to be sold at a discount to Fair Value if an
accelerated timetable is required.
To be passed, the discontinuation
vote would require a majority of 75% of those shareholders voting.
To understand the requirements of the Company's major shareholders,
the Investment Manager regularly liaises with the Company's broker
and meets major shareholders. The Chairman is also available to
meet with shareholders as required.
In the event of a winding up of
the Company, Shareholders will rank behind any creditors of the
Company.
Following consultation with major
shareholders by the Investment Manager, the Directors consider it
likely that the discontinuation vote will not be passed. The Board
tabled such resolutions in previous AGM in 2018 and 2021 and each
occasion the resolution was not passed.
Viability Statement
In accordance with provision 31 of
the UK Corporate Governance Code, published by the Financial
Reporting Council ("FRC") in July 2018 (the "UK Code"), the
Directors, as advised by the Audit Committee, have assessed the
prospects of the Company over 3 years. The Board considers that
this is an appropriate timeframe to assess the viability of the
Company as, in relation to the types of investments the Company
makes, three years generally provides sufficient time for major
milestones to be reached on mining projects together with some
realisations and new investments to be made by the Company. Beyond
three years, the Board considers the mining and minerals markets to
be too difficult to predict to be sufficiently
helpful.
The Company has previously seen
pressures from falls in commodity prices and a move by its share
price to an increased discount to its NAV. The mining market is
inherently cyclical and dependent on world economic output.
Notwithstanding this, it is a feature of closed-ended investment
companies such as BSRT that the greatest risk to viability is that
the investments lose value to an extent where the expense ratio
becomes excessive such that the Company becomes an unattractive
investment proposition. In such conditions, it may also be a risk
that liquidity (i.e. the ability to sell or realise cash from the
portfolio, or raise borrowings should that be necessary) is
insufficiently available to meet liabilities.
In the case of the Company, which
has no gearing, the Investment Manager has conducted stress and
sensitivity tests of future income and expenditure and the ability
to realise assets, and it and the Board have concluded that, even
in circumstances representing a deterioration in value of 50% of
net assets and a complete inability to sell any of the unlisted
assets in the portfolio, the Company should remain viable over a
three-year period. The key factor in this assessment is that
currently the Company's greatest expense is the management fee
which is calculated on the market capitalisation of the Company.
Should net assets fall, market capitalisation would be expected to
fall in line or at a higher rate, such that the costs of the
Company would also fall. It is also assumed that expected income
from interest, royalties and dividends is projected to cover
budgeted expenses over the three-year period. In addition over the
three-year period and under the highly stressed conditions
modelled, regular realisations of the Company's listed equities
could replace expected income if required. The Directors believe
this to be reasonable given that the majority of these equities are
traded at sufficient volumes in the context of the positions the
Company's holdings represent.
As a result, the Board has a
reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period
of their assessment.
Environmental, Social and Governance
The Company believes that
monitoring environmental, social and governance ("ESG") factors is
important not only to support sustainable and ethical investment
but because ESG considerations are key for creating and maintaining
shareholder value. The Company has developed an ESG Investment
Policy which draws from international best practice and builds upon
the principles
and processes outlined in the
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, of which the
Investment Manager is a signatory. A copy of the Company's ESG
policy is available on the Company's website.
ESG considerations are considered
as an enhanced risk management tool and, as such, are incorporated
into the Investment Manager's investment decision process at
multiple levels during stock screening and company analysis, as
well as being directly addressed with company management during
meetings and on-site visits.
The Company is an active investor
and will use its voting rights to influence company direction in a
sustainable way where deemed appropriate. The Company considers
that social and environmental responsibility, along with good
governance, are an integral element of running a successful mining
company.
For example, the Nussir copper project in Norway aims to become
the first zero carbon mine globally through being fully electric
with the electricity generated from entirely renewable
sources. The Company has used its
representation on the Board of Nussir to actively promote this
evolution to electrification. CEMOS, with the support of the
Company as its largest shareholder, is constructing a calcination
unit at its Morocco operations which it is aimed will allow
production of cement with an associated lower carbon footprint and
the offer of 'greener' cement products to customers.
Non-Mainstream Pooled Investment
The Directors intend to operate
the Company in such a manner that its shares are not categorised as
non-mainstream pooled investments.
Stakeholder Engagement
During the year-ending 31 December
2023, the Board sought to voluntarily comply with the requirements
of Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to promote the success of
the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole, having
regard to the interests of all stakeholders.
Identification of key stakeholders
As an externally managed
investment company, the Company has no employees, operations or
premises. The Board has identified its key stakeholders as the
Company's shareholders, the Investment Manager, other service
providers and the Investee Companies,
Engagement with stakeholders
The table below explains how the
Board have engaged with all stakeholders.
Stakeholder
|
Engagement
|
Shareholders
|
The Board seeks an open and
constructive engagement with shareholders who have the opportunity
to vote at and to attend the Company's AGM.
The annual and half year results
are available on the Company's website with the results and monthly
updates also announced via a regulatory news service.
The Board receives regular updates
on the shareholder register and any trading activity and feedback
received from investor meetings and briefings conducted by the
Investment Manager, the Broker and research analysts.
|
Investment Manager
|
Open and collaborative dialogue is
maintained between the Board and the Investment Manager.
The Investment Manager is invited
to all Board and Audit Committee meetings and provides regular
reports on the performance of the investments and any potential
issues the Board needs to be aware of.
|
Other Service Providers
|
The Board receive reports from all
service providers at each meeting.
The Administrator attends all
Board and Committee meetings.
During 2023, the Company changed
Administrator, Custodian and Depository.
|
Investee Companies
|
The Board receives detailed
updates on operating performance of material investee companies
provided at each meeting. Additionally, the Board receives details
of projects being undertaken by the investee companies, including
where these may require the Company to consider providing financial
support. Though its investments and board positions on investee
companies, the Company seeks to promote good ESG practice, with
particular attention to Health and Safety of employees at investee
companies.
|
Stakeholder Engagement (continued)
Key Decisions
Key decisions are those that are
material or of strategic importance to any of the Company's key
stakeholders as described above. An example of a key decisions made
during the year was the subscription into the Futura convertible
loan to enable that company to move into production. The Company's
subscription on Futura alongside the other investors, has enabled
its operation to further advance to its production stage.
Once in full production, the Company can look
forward to receiving royalty payments in the coming years which
will support distributions to shareholders as well as providing the
necessary cash to diversify the Company's portfolio.
Future Developments
The future performance of the
Company depends upon the success of the Company's investment
strategy and, as to its share price and market rating, partly on
investors' view of mining related investments as an asset class.
Further comments on the outlook for the Company can be found in the
Chairman's Statement on pages 1 and 2 and the Investment Manager's
Report on pages 3 to 7.
Signed on behalf of the Board of
Directors by:
John Falla
26 April 2024
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is listed
below. In 2018 the Board put in place a succession plan to refresh
its membership while maintaining a degree of continuity. No limit
on the overall length of service of any of the Company's Directors,
including the Chairman, has been imposed, as the Board believes
that any decisions regarding tenure should consider the balance
between the need for continuity of knowledge and experience, and
the need periodically to refresh the Board's composition in terms
of skills, diversity and length of service.
Howard Myles: Howard Myles
currently acts as a non-executive director of a number of
investment companies. Howard was a partner in Ernst & Young
from 2001 until 2007 and was responsible for the Investment Funds
Corporate Advisory team. He was previously with UBS Warburg from
1987 to 2001. Howard began his career in stockbroking in 1971 as an
equity salesman and joined Touche Ross in 1975 where he qualified
as a chartered accountant. In 1978 he joined W. Greenwell & Co.
in the corporate broking team and in 1987 moved to SG Warburg
Securities where he was involved in a wide range of commercial and
industrial transactions in addition to leading UBS Warburg's
corporate finance function for investment funds. He is a Fellow of
the Institute of Chartered Accountants and of The Chartered
Institute for Securities and Investments. Howard is a director of
Chelverton UK Dividend Trust plc which is listed on the London
Stock Exchange.
Howard is a member of the
Company's Audit Committee.
Howard will be stepping down from
the Board at the end of the year after 14
years as Chairman as part of the Company's policy of refreshing the
Board.
Charles Hansard: Charles
Hansard has over 40 years' experience in the investment industry as a
professional and in a non-executive capacity. He currently serves
as a non-executive director on a number of boards which
include JJJ Moore part of
the Moore Capital group of funds
of which he was a director for 25 years. He is a
director of NYSE listed Los Gatos Silver Inc and Electrum Ltd., a privately owned US gold exploration company. He
formerly served as a director of Apex Silver Mines Ltd., where he
chaired the finance committee during its capital raising phase and
as chairman of the board of African Platinum Plc, which he led
through reorganisation and feasibility prior to its sale to Impala
Platinum. He commenced his career in South Africa with Anglo
American Corporation and Fleming Martin as a mining analyst. He
subsequently worked in New York as an investment banker for Hambros
before returning to the UK to co-found IFM Ltd., one of the
earliest European hedge fund managers. Charles holds a B.B.S. from
Trinity College Dublin.
Notwithstanding that Charles's
tenure extends beyond 14 years, the Board is satisfied that he
continues to demonstrate independence of the Investment
Manager.
Fiona Perrott-Humphrey: Fiona
Perrott-Humphrey has over 30 years' experience in the mining
finance industry in London. She moved to the UK in 1987 after a
period in academia in South Africa, and over the next 15 years, was
a rated mining analyst for a number of stockbroking firms including
James Capel, Cazenove and Citigroup (the latter as head of European
Mining Research). After leaving full time broking, Fiona has
had a portfolio of roles drawing on her experience of covering the
global mining sector. She is a founder of a mining strategic
consulting business, and director of AIM Mining Research and in
2007 published a book entitled Understanding Junior Miners. In
2004, she was appointed Adviser to the Mining team at Rothschild
and Co. Fiona was a non-executive director of Dominion Diamonds,
located in northern Canada, for two years from 2014. She is invited
to present regularly at global mining conferences.
Fiona was appointed in 2020 as a
non-executive director and is a member of the Company's audit
committee.
John Falla:
John qualified as a chartered accountant with
Ernst and Young in London, before transferring to its Corporate
Finance Department, specialising in the valuation of unquoted
shares and securities. On his return to Guernsey in 1996 he worked
for an international bank before joining The International Stock
Exchange (formerly the Channel Islands Stock Exchange) on its
launch in 1998 as a member of the Market
Authority. In 2000
Mr Falla joined the Edmond de Rothschild Group, where he provided
corporate finance advice to international clients including open
and closed-ended funds, and institutions with significant property
interests. He was a director of a number of Edmond de Rothschild
operating and investment entities, retiring in 2015.
Mr Falla has been a non-executive
director of London listed companies for over 10 years and is an
experienced audit committee chair. He is currently a director and
audit committee chair of NB Private Equity Partners
Limited and of Marble Point Loan Financing Limited.
John was appointed as a
non-executive director in 2022 and has been the Chairman of the
Audit Committee since 31 December 2022.
DIRECTORS' REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
The Directors of the Company
present their fourteenth annual report and the audited financial
statements (the "Annual Report") for the year ended 31 December
2023.
The Directors' Report contains
information that covers this period and the period up to the date
of publication of this Report. Please note that more up to date
information is available on the Company's website
www.bakersteelcap.com/baker-steel-resources-trust/.
Status
Baker Steel Resources Trust
Limited (the "Company") is a closed-ended investment company with
limited liability incorporated on 9 March 2010 in Guernsey under
the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 with registration number 51576.
The Company is a registered closed-ended investment scheme
registered pursuant to the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of
Guernsey) Law, 2020, ("POI Law") and the Registered Collective
Investment Scheme Rules and Guidance, 2021 issued by the Guernsey
Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). On 28 April 2010 the
Ordinary Shares and Subscription Shares of the Company were
admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to
trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, Premium
Segment.
Investment Objective
Details of the Company's
investment objectives and policies are described in the Strategic
Report on page 11.
Performance
In the year to 31 December 2023,
the Company's NAV per Ordinary Share decreased by 2.8% (2022:
19.3%). This compares with a rise in the MSCI World Metals and
Mining Index (capital return in Sterling terms) of 13.8% (2022:
10.2%). A more detailed explanation of the performance of the
Company is provided within the Investment Manager's Report on pages
3 to 7.
The results for the year are shown
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income on pages 36 and 37 and the
Company's financial position at the end of the year is shown in the
Statement of Financial Position on page 35.
Dividends and distribution policy
During the year ended 31 December
2015 the Board introduced a capital returns policy whereby, subject
to applicable laws and regulations, it will allocate cash for
distributions to shareholders. The amount to be distributed will be
calculated and paid following publication of the Company's audited
financial statements for each year and will be no less than 15% of
the aggregate net realised cash gains (after deducting losses) in
that financial year. The Board will retain discretion for
determining the most appropriate manner to make such distribution
which may include share buybacks, tender offers and dividend
payments. The Board also intends to formulate a more regular
dividend policy once it starts to receive significant income from
its by way of dividends and royalty interests. As there was no net
realised cash gain during the year, the Board has determined that
there will not be any distribution in respect of the year ended 31
December 2023.
Directors and their interests
The Directors of the Company who
served during the year and up until the date of signing of the
financial statements are:
Howard Myles (Chairman)
|
Charles Hansard
|
Fiona Perrott-Humphrey
|
John Falla
|
Biographical details of each of
the Directors who were on the Board of the Company at the time of
signing The Annual Report are presented on page 17 of the Annual
Report.
Directors and their interests (continued)
Each of the Directors is
considered to be independent in character and judgement.
Each Director is asked to declare
his or her interests at each Board Meeting. No Director has any
material interest in any other contract which is significant to the
Company's business.
As of 31 December 2023, John Falla
held 100,000 (2022: 60,000) shares in the Company. No other
Director has a beneficial interest in the Company
or any of its investee companies.
Authorised Share Capital
The share capital of the Company
on incorporation was represented by an unlimited number of Ordinary
Shares of no par value. The Company may issue an unlimited number
of shares of a nominal or par value and/or of no par value or a
combination of both.
Shares in issue
The share capital of the Company
on incorporation was represented by an unlimited number of Ordinary
Shares of no par value. The Company may issue an unlimited number
of shares of a nominal or par value and/or of no par value or a
combination of both.
The Company has a total of
106,453,335 (2022: 106,453,335) Ordinary Shares outstanding with an
additional 700,000 (2022: 700,000) held in treasury. The Company
has 9,167 (2022: 9,167) Management Ordinary Shares in issue, which
are held by the Investment Manager.
The Ordinary Shares are admitted
to the Premium Listing segment of the Official List of the London
Stock Exchange.
Significant Shareholdings
As at 31 December 2023, the
Company had received notifications in accordance with the FCA's
Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5.1.2 R of the following interests
in 3% or more of the voting rights attaching to the Company's
issued share capital.
Ordinary
Shareholder
|
Number of
Ordinary Shares
|
% of Total
Shares in issue
|
The Sonya
Trust
|
12,637,350
|
11.87
|
Northcliffe Holdings
Pty Limited
|
12,460,677
|
11.71
|
Overseas Asset
Management
|
12,265,915
|
11.52
|
Asset Value
Investors
|
9,050,000
|
8.50
|
First
Equity
|
9,000,000
|
8.45
|
RIT Capital
Partners
|
7,766,803
|
7.30
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
Asset Management
|
4,273,650
|
4.01
|
Jarvis Investment
Management
|
3,426,512
|
3.22
|
The Investment Manager, Baker
Steel Capital Managers LLP had an interest in 9,167 Management
Ordinary Shares at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022:
9,167).
Baker Steel Global Funds SICAV -
Precious Metals Fund ("Precious Metals Fund") no longer had an
interest in Ordinary Shares in the Company at 31 December 2023
(2022: 4,922,877). Precious Metals Fund has the same Investment
Manager as the Company.
David Baker and Trevor Steel,
Directors of the Manager, are interested in the shares held by
Northcliffe Holdings Pty Limited and The Sonya Trust
respectively.
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for
preparing the annual report and financial statements in accordance
with applicable Guernsey law, Listing Rules, Disclosures and
Transparency Rules, UK Corporate Governance Code and generally
accepted accounting principles.
Guernsey company law requires the Directors to
prepare financial statements for each financial year
which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that year. In
preparing these financial statements the Directors
should:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them
consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed,
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the
financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless
it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in
business.
The Directors are responsible for
keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and
which enable the Directors to ensure that the financial statements
comply with the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. The Directors are
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and
hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection
of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors confirm that to the
best of their knowledge:
-
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by
the European Union ("EU") and give a true and fair view of the
assets, liabilities and financial position and profit or loss of
the Company;
-
the Annual Report includes a fair review of the position and
performance of the business of the Company together with the
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the
Company faces, as required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules
of the UK Listing Authority;
-
the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information
necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's position and
performance, business and strategy; and
-
they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and
principal risks facing the Company, including those that would
threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or
liquidity.
Auditor Information
The Directors at the date of
approval of this Report confirm that, so far as each of the
Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which
the Company's auditor is unaware and each Director has taken all
the reasonable steps he or she ought to have taken as a director to
make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and
to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of that
information.
Going Concern
The Directors, as advised by the Audit
Committee, have made an assessment to satisfy themselves that it is
reasonable to assume that the Company is a going concern and
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of
accounting. The Directors have considered carefully the liquidity
of the Company's investments and the level of cash. As at 31
December 2023, approximately 12% of the Company's assets were
represented by cash and unrestricted listed and quoted investments
which are readily realisable. The Board are satisfied that the
Company has the resources to continue in business for at least 12
months following the signing of these financial
statements.
An additional factor which the Directors have
considered is the discontinuation vote which will be put to
shareholders at the upcoming AGM which is scheduled for 12
September 2024. To be passed, the discontinuation vote requires a
majority of 75% of those shareholders voting. If the resolution
were to be passed, the Directors will be required to formulate
proposals to be put to shareholders to reorganise, unitise or
reconstruct the Company or for the Company to be wound up.
Following consolation with major shareholders, the Directors
consider it likely that the discontinuation vote will not be
passed. The Board tabled such resolutions in previous AGM in 2018
and 2021 and each occasion the resolution was not
passed.
The Directors are not aware of any
material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt upon the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties
are based on terms equivalent to those that prevail in an arm's
length transaction and are disclosed in Note 10.
Corporate Governance Compliance
The Company is a member of the
Association of Investment Companies.
The Board has therefore considered
the Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code of Corporate
Governance (AIC Code). The AIC Code addresses the Principles and
Provisions set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code (the UK
Code), as well as setting out additional Provisions on issues that
are of specific relevance to the Company.
The Board considers that reporting
against the Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code, which has
been endorsed by the Financial Reporting Council and the Guernsey
Financial Services Commission, provides more relevant information
to shareholders.
The Company has complied with the
Principles and Provisions of the AIC Code and therefore the UK Code
except as where explained in the Annual Report on pages 21 to 24
relating to:
· The
requirement for a Senior Independent Director
· Nomination and Remuneration Committees
· The
requirement for an internal audit function
The AIC Code is available on the
AIC website (www.theaic.co.uk). It includes an explanation of how the AIC Code adapts the
Principles and Provisions set out in the UK Code to make them
relevant for investment companies.
The Code includes provisions
relating to:
· The
role of the Chief Executive
· Executive Directors' remuneration
The Board considers these
provisions are not relevant for the Company as it is an externally
managed investment entity. The Company has therefore not reported
further in respect of these provisions. The Directors are all
independent and non-executive and the Company does not have
employees, hence no Chief Executive is required for the
Company.
The Board is satisfied that any
relevant issues can be properly considered by the Board as
explained further on the following pages.
There have been no other instances
of non-compliance, other than those noted above.
Operation and composition of the Board
·
Composition and Independence
The Board has no executive
directors and has contractually delegated responsibility to service
providers for the management of the Company's investment portfolio,
the arrangement of custodial and cash flow monitoring and oversight
services and the provision of accounting and company secretarial
services. The Company has no employees.
The Board consists entirely of
independent non-executive Directors, of whom Howard Myles is the
Chairman. Each of the Directors confirms that they have no other
significant commitments that adversely impact on their ability to
act for the Company and its shareholders, and that they have
sufficient time to fulfil their obligations to the
Company.
There is no formal policy in
respect of the tenure of the Chairman. The Board have initiated a
process of refreshing its membership and in recent years three
directors have retired with new appointments made.
The Chairman will be stepping down from the Board
at the end of the year after 14 years as part of this succession
programme.
· Senior Independent Director
In view of its non-executive
nature and small size, the Board considers that it is not necessary
for a Senior Independent Director to be appointed.
·
Appointment and re-election
The Company has a transparent
procedure for the appointment and re-election of the Directors and
independent recruitment consultants may be used where appropriate
as was the case in 2022 when OSA assisted in the recruitment of Mr
Falla. There are no service contracts in place for the
Directors. The Directors are not required to retire by
rotation. Instead each director puts himself or herself forward for
re-election on an annual basis at the AGM. The AGM also includes a
resolution whereby shareholders are able to approve the maximum
cumulative remuneration for the Board.
All the Directors are responsible
for reviewing the size, structure and skills of the Board and
considering whether any changes are required or new appointments
are necessary to meet the requirements of the Company's business or
to maintain a balanced Board. The Board will seek the assistance of
recruitment specialists to identify suitable candidates for the
Board to consider.
Corporate Governance Compliance (continued)
Operation and composition of the Board
(continued)
·
Appointment and re-election
(continued)
Howard Myles and Charles Hansard
have served as Directors for 14 years. The Board believes that both
these directors continue to demonstrate independence of the Manager
and to make a valuable contribution to the Company. Mr Myles has
already indicated his intention to step down at the end of the year
and therefore the Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour
of the reappointment of all directors. The Board has a
succession plan under which its membership will be refreshed over
time. Specialists will be engaged as the Board consider necessary
to assist with future appointments.
·
Information
The Board receives full details of
the Company's performance, assets, liabilities and other relevant
information in advance of Board meetings, including information on
regulatory and accounting developments.
·
Performance appraisal
The performance of the Board and
the Audit Committee is evaluated through a formal and annual
rigorous assessment process led by the Chairman and facilitated by
the Company Secretary. The performance of the Chairman is evaluated
by the other Directors.
·
Investment Manager assessment
The Investment Manager was
appointed pursuant to an investment management agreement with the
Manager dated 31 March 2010 and which was amended and restated,
with the Company joining as a party, on 14 November 2014 (the
Investment Management Agreement). The Investment Manager is paid by
the Manager and is not separately remunerated by the Company. The
Investment Management Agreement pursuant to which the Company and
the Manager have appointed the Investment Manager is terminable by
any party giving the other parties not less than 12 months' written
notice.
The Investment Manager prepares
regular reports to the Board to allow it to review and assess the
Company's activities and performance on an ongoing basis. The Board
and the Investment Manager have agreed clearly defined investment
criteria, exposure limits and specified levels of authority. The
Board completes a formal assessment of the Investment Manager on an
annual basis. The assessment covers such matters as the performance
of the Company relative to its peers and sector, the management of
investor relations and the reasonableness of fee arrangements.
Based on its assessment it is the opinion of the Board that the
continuation of the appointment of the Investment Manager is in the
best interests of shareholders of the Company.
·
Board meetings
The Board generally meets at least
four times a year, at which time the Directors review the
management and performance of the Company's assets and all other
significant matters so as to ensure that the Directors maintain
overall control and supervision of the Company's affairs. The Board
is responsible for the appointment and monitoring of all service
providers to the Company. Between these quarterly meetings there is
regular contact with the Investment Manager and Company Secretary.
The Directors are kept fully informed of investment and financial
controls and other matters which are relevant to the business of
the Company and which should be brought to the attention of the
Directors. The Directors also have direct access to the Company
Secretary (through its appointed representatives who are
responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and
that applicable rules and regulations are complied with) and, where
necessary in the furtherance of their duties, to independent
professional advice at the expense of the Company.
Attendance at the quarterly Board
and Audit Committee meetings during the year was as
follows:
|
Board
Meetings
|
Audit
Committee
Meetings
|
|
Held
|
Attended
|
Held
|
Attended
|
Howard Myles
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
Charles Hansard
|
4
|
4
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Fiona Perrott-Humphrey
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
John Falla
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
In addition to the quarterly
meetings, adhoc Board and committee meetings are convened as
required. All Directors contribute to a significant exchange of
views with the Investment Manager on specific matters, in
particular in relation to developments in the portfolio.
Corporate Governance Compliance (continued)
Operation and composition of the Board
(continued)
·
Relations with Shareholders
The Board believes that the
maintenance of good relations with shareholders is vital for the
long-term prospects of the Company. The Company's stockbrokers,
Deutsche Numis, and the Investment Manager are responsible for
managing relationships with shareholders and each provides the
Board with feedback on a regular basis that includes a shareholder
contact report and any concerns the shareholder has raised. The
Chairman and the Board are also available to meet with shareholders
at the Company's Annual General Meeting or otherwise.
·
Engagement with key Stakeholders
The Board considers its key
stakeholders, along with its shareholders, to be the Company's
Investment Manager, Administrator, Company Secretary, Stockbroker
and Investee Companies. Engagement with each Stakeholder is
formalised by quarterly reporting at the Board meetings but outside
of the formal meetings, is continuous as required by the operations
of the Company. The Board is very aware of
the importance to the success of the Company of these key
stakeholders and encourages open and frequent dialogue to
facilitate improvements to the way that the Company functions. The
engagement with stakeholders is covered in more detail in the
Strategic Report on pages 15 to 16.
·
Principal and Emerging Risks
The Board has delegated
responsibility for the assessment of its key risks to the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee has documented the key risks and
controls in a detailed risk matrix and meets on a quarterly basis
to update it and to assesses the adequacy and completeness of the
controls. As the Audit Committee identifies changes that affect the
risk profile of the Company it will recommend to the Board any
actions required to effectively manage risk. More details on the
Principal and Emerging Risks are presented in the Strategic
Report.
· Diversity
The Board has no formal policy on
diversity but is cognizant of the importance of diversity and the
need to maintain a Board with a spectrum of backgrounds and skills
appropriate for the specifics of the Company which helps create an
environment for successful and effective decision-making. Due to
the small size of the Board, specific targets on diversity are
currently not met and the plans to address these targets for
diversity metrics are currently under regular review and will be
taken into account when appointing further board members in the
future. Recruitment agencies who assist with identifying candidates
for Board appointments are also instructed to do so with diversity
in mind.
Committees
The
Audit Committee is the sole committee of the Board. Terms of
Reference for the Audit Committee are available on the Company's
webpage www.bakersteelcap.com/baker-steel-resources-trust/.
·
Audit Committee
The Board has established an Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee meets at least three times a year
and is responsible for ensuring that the financial performance of
the Company is properly reported on and monitored and provides a
forum through which the Company's external auditor may report to
the Board. The Audit Committee operates within established
terms of reference. The Directors consider there
is no need for an internal audit function because the Company
operates through service providers and the Directors receive
control reports on its key service providers.
John Falla is the Chairman of the
Audit Committee with Fiona Perrott-Humphrey and, Howard Myles as
the other members. As Chairman of the Board, Howard Myles will not
Chair the Audit Committee but is considered independent and
therefore sits as a committee member.
·
Nomination, Remuneration and Management
Engagement Committees
Given the size and nature of the
Company and the fact that all the Directors are independent and
non-executive it is not deemed necessary to form separate
Nomination, Remuneration, and Management Engagement Committees. The
Board itself considers new Board appointments, remuneration and the
engagement of service providers.
Internal Controls
The Board has delegated to service
providers the day to day responsibilities for the management of the
Company's investment portfolio, the provision of depositary
services and administration, registrar and corporate secretarial
functions including the independent calculation of the Company's
NAV and the production of the Annual Report and Financial
Statements which are independently audited.
Formal contractual agreements have
been put in place between the Company and providers of these
services.
Corporate Governance Compliance (continued)
Operation and composition of the Board
(continued)
Internal Controls (continued)
Even though the Board has
delegated responsibility for these functions, it retains
accountability for them and is responsible for the systems of
internal control. However, it has delegated the regular review and
oversight of the systems of internal control to the Audit Committee
which reports back to the Board following each Audit Committee
meeting. At each quarterly Board meeting, compliance reports are
provided by the Administrator and Investment Manager.
The Company's risk matrix
continues to be the core element of the Company's risk management
process in establishing the Company's system of internal financial
and reporting control. The risk matrix is prepared and maintained
by the Investment Manager and reviewed regularly by the Audit
Committee which initially identifies the risks facing the Company
and then collectively assesses the likelihood of each risk, the
impact of those risks and the strength of the controls mitigating
each risk. The system of internal financial and operating control
is designed to manage rather than to eliminate the risk of failure
to achieve business objectives and by its nature can only provide
reasonable and not absolute assurance against misstatement and
loss. These controls aim to ensure that assets of the Company are
safeguarded, proper accounting records are maintained and the
financial information for publication is reliable. The Audit
Committee confirms to the Board that there is an ongoing process
for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks
faced by the Company.
This process has been in place for
the year under review and up to the date of approval of this Annual
Report and Audited Financial Statements and is reviewed by the
Board by way of reporting from the Audit Committee.
The Board therefore believes that
the Company has adequate and effective systems in place to
identify, mitigate and manage the risks to which it is
exposed.
Director's Remuneration Policy
All Directors are non-executive and
in view of the relatively small size of the Board a Remuneration
Committee has not been established. The Board as a whole considers
matters relating to the Directors' remuneration. No advice or
services were provided by any external person in respect of its
consideration of the Directors' remuneration.
The Company's policy is that the
fees payable to the Directors should reflect the time spent by the
Directors on the Company's affairs and the responsibilities borne
by the Directors and be sufficient to attract, retain and motivate
directors who have the experience and qualities required to run the
Company successfully. The Chairs of the Board and the Audit
Committee are paid a higher fee in recognition of their additional
responsibilities. The fee levels are reviewed annually.
Effective 1 October 2022 the Board,
recognising the Board remuneration was below market rates having
not changed since the Company's flotation in 2010, resolved to
increase their remuneration to £32,500 per annum for each Director.
The Chairman receives a supplement of £10,000 per annum and the
Chairman of the Audit Committee a supplement of £5,000 per
annum.
There are no long-term incentive
schemes provided by the Company and no performance fees are paid to
Directors. No Director has a service contract with the Company but
each of the Directors is appointed by a letter of appointment which
sets out the main terms of their appointment. Directors hold office
until they retire or cease to be a director in accordance with the
Articles of Incorporation or by operation of law.
The Directors recognise the
benefits of diversity in terms of gender and ethnicity and will
take these into account when considering future appointments to the
Board. However, their principal criteria will remain the skills and
experience of new directors and the Board will select the
candidates whom it believes will add most value.
The Directors are remunerated for
their services at such rate as the Directors determine provided
that the aggregate amount of such fees may not exceed £200,000 per
annum (or such sum as the Company in general meeting shall from
time to time determine).
For the year ended 31 December
2023, the total remuneration of the Directors was £145,000 (2022:
£129,489). There were £36,250 of
director fees payable at the year-end (2022:
£Nil).
Corporate Governance Compliance (continued)
Operation and composition of the Board
(continued)
Director's Remuneration Policy (continued)
Directors are remunerated in the
form of fees, payable quarterly in arrears, to the Director
personally. The fees paid to each Director in respect of the years
ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022 are shown
below.
|
|
2023
£
|
2022
£
|
Howard Myles
|
|
42,500
|
36,875
|
David Staples (retired 31 December
2022)
|
-
|
31,875
|
Charles Hansard
|
|
32,500
|
26,875
|
Fiona Perrott-Humphrey
|
32,500
|
26,875
|
John Falla
|
37,500
|
6,989
|
Independent Auditors
The
auditors, BDO Limited, have indicated their willingness to continue
in office and a resolution for their re-appointment will be
proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Subsequent Events
Please refer to Note 13 of the
financial statements on page 59.
Signed on behalf of the Board of
Directors by:
John
Falla
26 April
2024
Report of the Audit CommitteE
For the year ended 31 December 2023
The function of the Audit
Committee as described in its Terms of Reference is to ensure that
the Company maintains high standards of integrity in its financial
reporting and internal controls. John Falla is the Chairman of the
Audit Committee. Fiona Perrott-Humphrey and Howard Myles are the
other members of the Audit Committee. As Chairman of the Board,
Howard Myles will not Chair the Audit Committee but is considered
independent and therefore sits as a committee member.
The Audit Committee is appointed
by the Board and all members are considered to be independent both
of the Investment Manager and the external auditor. The Audit
Committee typically meets four times a year, aligned to Board
Meeting dates, to discuss the Interim and Annual Report and Audited
Financial Statements, the audit plan and engagement letter, and the
Company's risks and controls, via discussion of its risk matrix.
The Board is satisfied that the Audit Committee is properly
constituted with members having recent and relevant financial
experience, including two members who are chartered
accountants.
The Board, advised by the Audit
Committee considers the nature and extent of the Company's risk
management framework and the risk profile that is acceptable in
order to achieve the Company's strategic objectives. As a result,
it is considered that the Board has fulfilled its obligations under
the AIC Code and the UK Code.
The Audit Committee continues to
be responsible for reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the
Company's on-going risk management systems and processes. The
Company's system of internal controls, along with its design and
operating effectiveness, is subject to review by the Audit
Committee through reports received from all key service
providers.
In the event of any deficiencies
or breaches being reported, the Board would consider the actions
required to remedy and prevent significant failings or weaknesses.
During the year ended 31 December 2023, no significant weaknesses
or failings were identified.
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption
The Audit Committee continues to
monitor the fraud, bribery and corruption policies of the Company.
The Board receives a confirmation from all service providers that
they are not aware of any instances of fraud or bribery.
The Audit Committee considers the
adequacy and security of the arrangements for the employees of its
service providers to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible
wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. The Audit
Committee is satisfied it has the ability and resources to
investigate any matters that are brought to its attention and to
follow up on any conclusion reached by such
investigation.
Primary Areas of Judgement
As part of its review of the
Company's financial statements, the Audit Committee takes account
of the most significant issues and risks, both operational and
financial, likely to impact on the financial statements and the
mitigating controls to address these risks. The Audit Committee has
determined that the key risk of misstatement is the valuation of
investments for which there is no readily observable market price.
Such investments are recorded at fair value which is the price that
would be expected to be received to sell an asset in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Significant judgements are required in respect of the valuation of
the Company's investments for which there is no observable market
price. Further information on the Company's methodologies is
provided in Note 3 to the financial statements.
The risk is mitigated through the
review by the Audit Committee and Board of detailed reports
prepared by the Investment Manager on portfolio valuation including
valuation methodology, the underlying assumptions and the valuation
process.
The Investment Manager also
provides information to the Audit Committee and Board on relevant
market indices, recent transactions in similar assets and other
relevant information to allow an assessment of appropriate carrying
value having regard to the relevant factors.
The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that investments are carried at
fair value lies with the Board.
Through its meetings during the
year ended 31 December 2023 and its review of the Company's Annual
Report and Audited Financial Statements, the Audit Committee
considered the following significant risks as well as the principal
risks and uncertainties described on pages 12-14 which were its
primary area of focus.
Risk Considered
|
How addressed
|
The accuracy of the Company's
Annual Report and Financial Statements
|
Review of the Annual Report and
Audited Financial Statements, discussions with the external auditor
and meetings with the auditor to understand the audit approach and
findings having regard to the level of materiality agreed with
it.
|
Adequacy of the Company's
accounting and internal controls systems
|
Consideration of the Company's
risk matrix, taking account of the relevant risks, the potential
impact to the Company and the mitigating controls in place. The
Committee also reviews control and compliance reports in this
respect and receives explanations of any breaches and how any
control weaknesses have been addressed.
|
Valuation of the Company's
investments, in particular the valuation of unquoted
investments
|
Reports received from and
discussed in depth with the Investment Manager providing support
for the investment valuations. The Investment Manager reporting is
then challenged and reconciled to the independent auditor's review
of the investment valuations.
|
The effectiveness and independence
of the external audit process
|
The Audit Committee has regular
dialogue with the external auditor both before and during the audit
process. The auditor presents to the Audit Committee at both the
planning and audit review stage, and confirms its independence at
each stage. The Audit Committee receives feedback from the
Investment Manager on the audit process and any concerns or
challenges faced.
|
Emerging risks
|
The Audit Committee discusses the
Company's risk matrix each time it meets. Through these discussions
emerging risks such as the discontinuation vote in the upcoming AGM
scheduled for 12 September 2024 are considered. The matrix also
documents long term implications for the sector from secular trends
such as climate change.
|
The Audit Committee also provides
a forum through which the Company's external auditor reports to the
Board. The Board, advised by the Audit Committee, approves all
non-audit work carried out by the auditor in advance and the fees
paid to the auditor in this respect.
Particular area of focus in the
current year
The Audit Committee was closely
involved in assisting the Board in the selection of the new
Administrator, seeking assurance as to its credentials to maintain
the books and records of the Company and its ability to prepare the
Company's financial statements. The Audit Committee liaised with
the Auditors to ensure that the handover process would provide the
Auditors with sufficient information to conduct their work, and
assurance was obtained that the transfer of the assets and records
of the Company was successful.
External Audit
The Company's external auditor is
BDO Limited ("BDO").
The fees due to the auditor during
the year were as follows:
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
£
|
£
|
Audit fees
|
Audit Fees
|
75,000
|
70,000
|
|
|
|
|
Non-audit fees
|
Agreed Upon Procedures relating to
the review of the Company's half year report
|
10,359
|
9,625
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
85,359
|
79,625
|
External Audit (Continued)
The external auditor provides an
audit planning report in advance of the annual audit. The Audit
Committee has the opportunity to question and challenge the auditor
in respect of their work. Based on levels of interaction with the
auditor, and the assessment of auditor reporting, the audit
planning, adherence to audit standards, competence of the audit
team and feedback from the Investment Manager, the Audit Committee
and the Board are satisfied that the reappointment of the external
auditor should be proposed at the Annual General Meeting of the
Company.
The Audit Committee has reviewed
the effectiveness of the auditor including:
·
Independence: The auditor
discusses with the Audit Committee, at least annually, the steps it
takes to ensure independence and confirms the same to the Audit
Committee. The audit fees paid to BDO are presented on Page 27 of
the Annual Report. The only non-audit fees paid to BDO are in
relation to the Agreed Upon Procedures work completed on the
Interim Report and Accounts. The audit director will rotate after 5
years; this is the fourth year of the current audit
director.
·
Quality of Audit
Work: The Audit Committee assess
the completion of the audit versus the plan and will seek feedback
from the Investment Manager and the Administrator on any issues
experienced through the Audit. The Chairman of the Audit Committee
will separately engage with the audit director to discuss progress
and issues with the audit.
Internal Audit
The Audit Committee believes that
the Company does not require an internal audit function because it
delegates its day-to-day functions to market leading third party
service providers, although the Audit Committee oversees these
operations and receives regular control reports in this
respect.
Risk Management and Internal Controls
The Board is responsible for the
Company's system of internal controls and risk management. The
Audit Committee has been delegated the responsibility for reviewing
the ongoing effectiveness of the Company's internal controls and it
discharges its duties in this area by assessing the nature and
extent of the significant risks the Company is willing to accept in
achieving the Company's objectives, and ensuring that effective
systems of risk identification, assessment and mitigation have been
implemented. The Strategic Report on pages 10 to 16 outlines the
principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Company and the
section on Internal Controls in the Directors Report on pages 18 to
25 gives details of the work performed by the Audit Committee in
this area.
By their nature, the control
mechanisms can only provide reasonable rather than absolute
assurance against misstatement or loss. The Audit Committee seeks
continual improvement in the Company's internal control mechanisms.
The Audit Committee is not aware of any significant failings or
weaknesses in the Company's internal controls in the year under
review nor up to the date of this report.
Financial Reporting
The primary role of the Audit
Committee in relation to financial reporting is to review the
Annual Report and Financial Statements and the Half Year Report
with the Administrator and the Investment Manager and assess their
appropriateness. It focuses in this respect, amongst other matters,
on:
·
the clarity of the disclosures in the financial
reporting and compliance with statutory, regulatory and other
financial reporting requirements;
·
the quality and acceptability of accounting
policies and practices;
·
material areas where significant judgements and
estimates have been applied or where there has been discussion with
the auditor; and
·
taken as a whole, whether the financial
statements are fair, balanced and understandable and provide
shareholders with the necessary information to assess the Company's
position and performance, business and strategy, reporting to the
Board in this respect.
Going Concern and Viability
The Audit Committee has made an
assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern
and of its viability, see pages 14 and 20, and has advised the
Board accordingly.
John Falla
Audit Committee
Chairman
26 April 2024
Independent Auditor's Report to the MEMBERS of Baker Steel
resources TRUST LIMITED
Opinion on the financial
statements
In our opinion, the financial
statements of Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited ("the
Company"):
· give
a true and fair view of the state of the Company's affairs as at 31
December 2023 and of its loss for the year then ended;
· have
been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union;
and
· have
been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the
Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.
We have audited the financial
statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2023 which
comprise the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of
Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Changes in Equity, the
Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements,
including a summary of material accounting policy
information.
The financial reporting framework
that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the
European Union ("IFRSs").
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) ("ISAs
(UK)") and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion
is consistent with the additional report to the audit
committee.
Independence
We remain independent of the
Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are
relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK,
including the FRC's Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities,
and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in
accordance with these requirements.
Conclusions relating to going
concern
In auditing the financial
statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going
concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial
statements is appropriate.
Our evaluation of the Directors'
assessment of the Company's ability to continue to adopt the going
concern basis of accounting included:
· Obtaining the paper prepared by those charged with governance
and management in respect of going concern and discussing this with
both the Directors and management;
· Challenging the Directors' cash flow forecasts for the twelve
months from the authorisation of these financial statements by
stress testing future income and expenditure, the ability to
realise the Company's assets and the impact on the going concern
assessment;
· Challenging the key inputs into the cash flow forecasts by
comparing these with historic results of the Company and whether
they were consistent with our understanding of the
Company;
· Challenging the Directors around the 2024 discontinuation
vote and its possible impact on the going concern status of the
Company; and
· Reviewing the minutes of the Directors, the RNS announcements
and the compliance reports for any indicators of concerns in
respect of going concern.
Based on the work we have
performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties
relating to events or conditions that, individually or
collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability
to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve
months from when the financial statements are authorised for
issue.
In relation to the Company's
reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code,
we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to
the Directors' statement in the financial statements about whether
the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting.
Conclusions relating to going concern
(continued)
Our responsibilities and the
responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report.
Overview
Key audit matters
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
Valuation of unlisted
investments
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
Materiality
|
Financial statements as a whole
£1.44m (2022: £1.48m) based on
1.75% (2022: 1.75%) of total assets
|
An overview of the scope of our audit
Our audit was scoped by obtaining
an understanding of the Company and its environment, including the
Company's system of internal control, and assessing the risks of
material misstatement in the financial statements. We also
addressed the risk of management override of internal controls,
including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the
Directors that may have represented a risk of material
misstatement.
We tailored the scope of our audit
taking into account the nature of the Company's investment
portfolio, involvement of the Investment Manager and the Company's
Administrators, the accounting and reporting environment and the
industry in which the Company operates.
This assessment took into account
the likelihood, nature and potential magnitude of any misstatement.
As part of this risk assessment, we considered the Company's
interaction with the Investment Manager and the Company's
Administrators. We considered the control environment in place at
the Investment Manager and the Company Administrators to the extent
that it was relevant to our audit. Following this assessment, we
applied professional judgement to determine the extent of testing
required over each balance in the financial statements.
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those
matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most
significance in our audit of the financial statements of the
current period and include the most significant assessed risks of
material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we
identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the
overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit,
and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters
were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Key audit matter
|
How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit
matter
|
Valuation of unlisted investments
|
Refer to the accounting policy
information set out in Note 2 and also Note 3 to the Financial
Statements.
The valuations are subjective, with
a high level of judgment and estimation linked to the determination
of fair value, with limited third-party pricing information
available.
|
Our procedures included the
following:
For all unlisted
investments:
· We
considered the processes, policies and methodologies used by
management for determining the fair value of unlisted investments
held by the Company;
· Agreed the Investment Manager's application of valuation
techniques as appropriate to the circumstances of the investment
and the accounting policies applied; and
· Agreed the valuation per the models to the financial
statements.
|
Key audit matter (continued)
|
How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter
(continued)
|
|
As a result of the subjectivity,
there is a risk of an inappropriate valuation model being applied,
together with the risk of inappropriate inputs to the model being
used, which could significantly impact the valuation
output.
The valuation of these investments
is a key driver of the Company's net asset value and total return.
Accordingly, incorrect valuations of these investments could have a
significant impact on the net asset value of the Company and
therefore the return generated for shareholders.
We therefore consider this to be a
key audit matter.
|
In respect of the investments using
a valuation model, we: -
· Obtained and challenged, through discussion and corroboration
to external sources, the inputs and assumptions used in
management's model based on our understanding of the
investment;
· Agreed the inputs, for example volatility, resource prices,
and tax rates, into the models to independent sources;
· Evaluated whether all key terms of the underlying agreements
had been considered within the models;
· Performed an independent sensitivity analysis of certain
inputs to identify and challenge, through discussion and
corroboration to third party sources, in more detail, those which
have the largest impact on the valuation; and
· Tested the mathematical accuracy of the models.
For investments valued on an index
valuation, we recalculated, using independently obtained
information,
management's applied basket of
indices for each investment.
For those investments which used
recent Investment as a basis, we considered if there were any
material changes in
the market or changes in the
performance of the investee company affecting the fair value of the
investment at year end.
Key
observation:
Based on the procedures performed,
we are satisfied that judgements applied in valuing the unlisted
investments are appropriate.
|
Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of
materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in
evaluating the effect of misstatements. We consider
materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including
omissions, could influence the economic decisions of reasonable
users that are taken on the basis of the financial
statements.
In order to reduce to an
appropriately low level the probability that any misstatements
exceed materiality, we use a lower materiality level, performance
materiality, to determine the extent of testing needed.
Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not necessarily
be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of
identified misstatements, and the particular circumstances of their
occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial
statements as a whole.
Based on our professional
judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements
as a whole and performance materiality as follows:
|
Company Financial
statements
|
|
2023
£m
|
2022
£m
|
Materiality
|
1.44m
|
1.48m
|
Basis for determining materiality
|
1.75%
of total assets
|
Rationale for the benchmark applied
|
Due to the Company being an
investment fund with the objective of long-term capital growth,
with investment values being a key focus of users of the financial
statements.
|
Performance materiality
|
1.08m
|
0.97m
|
Basis for determining performance
materiality
|
75% of materiality
This was determined using our
professional judgement and
considered the complexity and our
knowledge of the
engagement, together with history
of minimal historical errors
and adjustments. There is also a
willingness to rectify through adjustments when needed.
|
65% of materiality
This was determined using our
professional judgement and
considered the complexity and our
knowledge of the
engagement, together with history
of minimal historical errors
and adjustments.
|
Reporting threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee
that we would report to them all individual audit differences in
excess of £43,000 (2022: £44,000). We also agreed to report
differences below this threshold that, in our view, warranted
reporting on qualitative grounds.
Other information
The Directors are responsible for
the other information. The other information comprises the
information included in the Annual Report and Audited Financial
Statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor's
report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not
cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise
explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the
other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other
information is materially inconsistent with the financial
statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such
material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are
required to determine whether this gives rise to a material
misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on
the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material
misstatement of this other information, we are required to report
that fact.
We have nothing to report in this
regard.
Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to
review the Directors' statement in relation to going concern,
longer-term viability and that part of the Corporate Governance
Statement relating to the Company's compliance with the provisions
of the UK Corporate Governance Statement specified for our
review.
Based on the work undertaken as
part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following
elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially
consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained
during the audit.
Going concern and longer-term viability
|
· The
Directors' statement with regards the appropriateness of adopting
the going concern basis of accounting and any material
uncertainties identified set out on page 20; and
· The
Directors' explanation as to its assessment of the Company's
prospects, the period this assessment covers and why this period is
appropriate set out on page 14.
|
Other Code provisions
|
· Directors' statement on fair, balanced and understandable set
out on page 20;
· Board's confirmation that it has carried out a robust
assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out on page 12 -
14 and 23;
· The
section of the annual report that describes the review of
effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems set
out on page 28; and
· The
section describing the work of the Audit Committee set out on page
23 and pages 26 to 28.
|
Other Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008
reporting
We have nothing to report in
respect of the following matters where the Companies (Guernsey)
Law, 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our
opinion:
· proper accounting records have not been kept by the Company;
or
· the
financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting
records; or
· we
have failed to obtain all the information and explanations which,
to the best of our knowledge and belief, are necessary for the
purposes of our audit.
Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities within the Directors'
Report, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true
and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to
fraud or error.
In preparing the financial
statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as
applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going
concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to
liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic
alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of
the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a
whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements
can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if,
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected
to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of
these financial statements.
Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud,
are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We
design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined
above, to detect material misstatements in respect of
irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures
are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is
detailed below:
We obtained an understanding of
the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the
Company and have a direct impact on the preparation of the
financial statements. We determined that the most significant
frameworks which are directly relevant to specific assertions in
the financial statements are those that relate to the reporting
framework such as IFRSs and the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. We
evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent
manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of
management override of controls) and determined that the principal
risks were related to management bias and judgement involved in
accounting estimates, specifically in relation to the valuation of
unlisted investments (the response to which is detailed in our key
audit matter above).
We communicated relevant
identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all
engagement team members who were all deemed to have appropriate
competence and capabilities and remained alert to any indications
of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the
audit.
Audit procedures performed by the
engagement team to respond to the risks identified
included:
· Discussion with and enquiry of management and those charged
with governance concerning known or suspected instances of
non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud;
· Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance,
correspondence with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission,
internal compliance reports, complaint registers and breach
registers to identify and consider any known or suspected instances
of non-compliance with laws and regulations or
fraud;
· Performing analytical procedures of the mid-year net asset
valuations, with a focus on reviewing and corroborating movements
over a set threshold.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of
the financial statements (continued)
Our audit procedures were designed
to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial
statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate
concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through
collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures
performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the
financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of
it.
A further description of our
responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's
website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
This description forms part of our auditor's report.
The engagement director on the
audit resulting in this independent auditor's opinion is Justin
Hallett.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the
Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Section 262 of the
Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken
so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we
are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company
and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this
report, or for the opinions we have formed.
For and on behalf of BDO
Limited
Chartered Accountants and
Recognised Auditor
Place du Pré
Rue du Pré
St Peter Port
Guernsey
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS
AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
277,694
|
254,140
|
Interest receivable
|
|
190,249
|
57,917
|
Other receivables
|
|
30,355
|
17,899
|
Financial assets held at fair value
through profit or loss
|
3
|
81,870,016
|
84,311,955
|
Total assets
|
|
82,368,314
|
84,641,911
|
|
|
|
|
Equity and Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Directors' fees payable
|
10
|
36,250
|
-
|
Management fees payable
|
7,10
|
57,735
|
69,854
|
Administration fees
payable
|
6
|
37,083
|
9,659
|
Audit fees payable
|
|
75,000
|
70,000
|
Custodian fees payable
|
|
-
|
7,158
|
Other payables
|
|
2,667
|
2,392
|
Total liabilities
|
|
208,735
|
159,063
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Management Ordinary
Shares
|
9
|
9,167
|
9,167
|
Ordinary Shares
|
9
|
75,972,688
|
75,972,688
|
Revenue Reserves
|
|
8,235,802
|
8,771,186
|
Capital Reserves
|
|
(2,058,078)
|
(270,193)
|
Total equity
|
|
82,159,579
|
84,482,848
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
|
82,368,314
|
84,641,911
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share
(in Pence)
|
11
|
77.2
|
79.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The financial statements on pages 35
to 59 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of
Directors on 26 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Falla
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
|
Year ended
2023
|
Year ended
2023
|
Year ended
2023
|
|
|
Revenue
|
Capital
|
Total
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
2(e)
|
599,973
|
-
|
599,973
|
Dividend income
|
2(f)
|
315,211
|
-
|
315,211
|
Net loss on financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
|
3
|
-
|
(1,786,066)
|
(1,786,066)
|
Net foreign exchange loss
|
|
-
|
(1,819)
|
(1,819)
|
Net
income / (loss)
|
|
915,184
|
(1,787,885)
|
(872,701)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees
|
7,10
|
795,890
|
-
|
795,890
|
Directors' fees
|
10
|
145,000
|
-
|
145,000
|
Administration fees
|
6
|
108,190
|
-
|
108,190
|
Other expenses
|
8
|
205,377
|
-
|
205,377
|
Depositary fees
|
|
31,679
|
-
|
31,679
|
Custody fees
|
|
52,765
|
-
|
52,765
|
Broker fees
|
|
36,667
|
-
|
36,667
|
Audit fees
|
|
75,000
|
-
|
75,000
|
Total expenses
|
|
1,450,568
|
-
|
1,450,568
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year
|
|
(535,384)
|
(1,787,885)
|
(2,323,269)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year per Ordinary Share:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted (in
pence)
|
11
|
(0.50)
|
(1.68)
|
(2.18)
|
In the year ended 31 December 2023
there were no gains or losses other than those recognised
above.
|
|
The Directors consider all results
to derive from continuing activities.
|
|
The format of the Statement of
Comprehensive Income follows the recommendations of the AIC
Statement of Recommended Practice and is provided for information
purposes.
|
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
|
|
Year ended
2022
|
Year ended
2022
|
Year ended
2022
|
|
|
Revenue
|
Capital
|
Total
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
2(e)
|
549,607
|
-
|
549,607
|
Dividend income
|
2(f)
|
9,356
|
-
|
9,356
|
Net loss on financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
|
3
|
-
|
(19,038,918)
|
(19,038,918)
|
Net foreign exchange loss
|
|
-
|
(1,216)
|
(1,216)
|
Net
income / (loss)
|
|
558,963
|
(19,040,134)
|
(18,481,171)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees
|
7,10
|
1,160,507
|
-
|
1,160,507
|
Directors' fees
|
10
|
129,489
|
-
|
129,489
|
Administration fees
|
6
|
118,002
|
-
|
118,002
|
Other expenses
|
8
|
216,454
|
-
|
216,454
|
Depositary fees
|
|
36,942
|
-
|
36,942
|
Custody fees
|
|
58,918
|
-
|
58,918
|
Broker fees
|
|
35,000
|
-
|
35,000
|
Audit fees
|
|
79,625
|
-
|
79,625
|
Total expenses
|
|
1,834,937
|
-
|
1,834,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year
|
|
(1,275,974)
|
(19,040,134)
|
(20,316,108)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year per Ordinary Share:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted (in
pence)
|
11
|
(1.20)
|
(17.88)
|
(19.08)
|
In the year ended 31 December 2022
there were no gains or losses other than those recognised
above.
|
|
The Directors consider all results
to derive from continuing activities.
|
|
The format of the Statement of
Comprehensive Income follows the recommendations of the AIC
Statement of Recommended Practice and is provided for information
purposes.
|
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
Management
Ordinary
Shares
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
Treasury
Shares
|
Revenue
reserves
|
Capital
reserves
|
Total
equity
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 1 January
2022
|
9,167
|
76,113,180
|
(140,492)
|
10,047,160
|
18,769,941
|
104,798,956
|
Net loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,275,974)
|
(19,040,134)
|
(20,316,108)
|
Balance as at 31 December 2022
|
9,167
|
76,113,180
|
(140,492)
|
8,771,186
|
(270,193)
|
84,482,848
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(535,384)
|
(1,787,885)
|
(2,323,269)
|
Balance as at 31 December 2023
|
9,167
|
76,113,180
|
(140,492)
|
8,235,802
|
(2,058,078)
|
82,159,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
|
|
Year ended
2023
|
Year ended
2022
|
|
Notes
|
£
|
£
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year
|
|
(2,323,269)
|
(20,316,108)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) /gain for the year to net
cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
(599,973)
|
(549,607)
|
Dividend income
|
|
(315,211)
|
(9,356)
|
Net loss on financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
|
3
|
1,786,066
|
19,038,918
|
Net (increase)/decrease in
receivables
|
|
(12,456)
|
4,233
|
Net increase/(decrease) in
payables
|
|
49,672
|
(76,633)
|
|
|
(1,415,171)
|
(1,908,553)
|
Interest received
|
|
467,641
|
741,135
|
Dividend received
|
|
315,211
|
9,356
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
(632,319)
|
(1,158,062)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities*
|
|
|
|
Purchase of financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
|
|
(7,871,359)
|
(1,882,060)
|
Sale of financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss
|
|
8,527,232
|
2,216,780
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
|
655,873
|
334,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
23,554
|
(823,342)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the year
|
|
254,140
|
1,077,482
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
year
|
|
277,694
|
254,140
|
|
|
|
|
* As
permitted under IFRS, purchases and sales of financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss are classified as investing
activities due the nature and intention to generate future income
and cash flows from these
investments.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. GENERAL
INFORMATION
Baker Steel Resources Trust
Limited (the "Company") is a closed-ended investment company with
limited liability incorporated and domiciled on 9 March 2010 in
Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 with registration
number 51576. The Company is a registered closed-ended investment
scheme registered pursuant to the Protection of Investors
(Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020 and the Registered Collective
Investment Scheme Rules and Guidance, 2021 issued by the Guernsey
Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). On 28 April 2010 the
Ordinary Shares and Subscription Shares of the Company were
admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to
trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. The
Company's Ordinary and Subscription Shares were admitted to the
Premium Listing Segment of the Official List on 28 April
2010.
The final exercise date for the
Subscription Shares was 2 April 2013. No Subscription Shares were
exercised at this time and all residual/unexercised Subscription
Shares were subsequently cancelled.
The Company's portfolio is managed
by Baker Steel Capital Managers (Cayman) Limited (the "Manager").
The Manager has appointed Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP (the
"Investment Manager") as the Investment Manager to carry out
certain duties. The Company's investment objective is to seek
capital growth over the long-term through a focused, global
portfolio consisting principally of the equities, or related
instruments, of natural resources companies. The Company invests
predominantly in unlisted companies (i.e. those companies which
have not yet made an Initial Public Offering ("IPO")) and also in
listed securities (including special situations opportunities and
less liquid securities) with a view to exploiting value inherent in
market inefficiencies and pricing anomalies.
Baker Steel Capital Managers LLP
was authorised to act as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager
("AIFM") of Alternative Investment Funds ("AIFs") on 22 July 2014.
On 14 November 2014, the Investment Manager signed an amended
Investment Management Agreement with the Company, to take into
account AIFM regulations. AIFMD focuses on regulating the AIFM
rather than the AIFs themselves, so the impact on the Company is
limited.
2. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING
POLICY INFORMATION
a) Basis of
preparation
The financial statements have been
prepared on a historical cost basis, except for Financial
Instruments at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss ("FVTPL"), in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. The financial statements
have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The Company's functional currency
is the Great Britain pound Sterling ("£"), being the currency in
which its Ordinary Shares are issued and in which returns are made
to shareholders. The presentation currency is the same as the
functional currency. The financial statements have been rounded to
the nearest £. The Company invests in companies around the world
whose shares are denominated in various currencies.
Income encompasses both revenue
and capital gains/losses. For a listed investment company, it is
best practice to distinguish revenue from capital. Revenue includes
items such as dividends, interest, fees and other equivalent items.
Capital is the return, positive or negative, from holding
investments other than that part of the return that is revenue. The
format of the Statement of Comprehensive Income follows the
recommendations of the AIC Statement of Recommended
Practice.
Assets and liabilities are
presented in order of liquidity. Their maturities are disclosed in
Note 4(b).
2. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING
POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
a) Basis of preparation
(continued)
New standards, amendments and interpretations to existing
standards which are not yet effective for the current
year
A number of new standards are
effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2024 and
earlier application is permitted, however the Company has not early
adopted the new or amended standards in preparing these financial
statements.
The following amended standards
and interpretations are not expected to have a material impact on
the Company's financial statements:
- Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial
Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or
Non-current and Non-current Liabilities with
Covenants (applicable for annual periods beginning on or after
1 January 2024).
- Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases: Lease Liability in a Sale
and Leaseback (applicable for annual periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2024).
- Amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7
Financial Instruments: Disclosures: Supplier Finance
Arrangements (applicable for annual periods beginning on or
after 1 January 2024, but not yet endorsed in the EU).
- Amendments to IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign
Exchange Rates: Lack of Exchangeability (applicable for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025, but not yet endorsed
in the EU).
New standards, amendments and interpretations to existing
standards which are effective for the current
year
There are a number of new
standards, amendments to standards and interpretations that are
effective for the annual period beginning on or after 1 January
2023 and were adopted from their effective date.
The below new standards,
amendments to standards and interpretations were effective for the
current period, and with the exception of the Disclosure of
Accounting Policies (Amendment to IAS 1) has not had a significant
impact on the financial statements. The Disclosure of Accounting
Policies amendment generated a review of and reduction in the
accounting policy disclosures so that only the material accounting
policy information is now provided. Accounting policy information
is material if, when considered together with other information
included in an entity's financial statements, it can reasonably be
expected to influence decisions that the primary users of the
financial statements make on the basis of those financial
statements.
- IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts.
- Amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance contracts: Initial
Application of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 - Comparative
Information.
- Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements
and IFRS Practice Statement 2: Disclosure of Accounting
Policies.
- Amendments to IAS 8 Accounting policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition of Accounting
Estimates.
- Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes: Deferred Tax related
to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single
Transaction.
- Amendments to IAS 12 Income taxes: International Tax
Reform - Pillar Two Model Rules (effective immediately -
disclosures are required for annual periods beginning on or after 1
January 2023).
b) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the Company's
financial statements requires the Directors to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
recognised in the financial statements and disclosure of contingent
liabilities. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and
estimates could result in outcomes that could require a material
adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability in
future periods.
2. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING
POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
b) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES (CONTINUED)
(i) Judgements
In the process of applying the
Company's accounting policies, the Directors have made the
following judgements, which have had the most significant effect on
the amounts recognised in the financial statements:
Going Concern
The Directors, as advised by the
Audit Committee, have made an assessment to satisfy themselves that
it is reasonable to assume that the Company is a going concern and
considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of
accounting. The Directors have considered carefully the liquidity
of the Company's investments and the level of cash. As at 31
December 2023, approximately 12% of the Company's assets were
represented by cash and unrestricted listed and quoted investments
which are readily realisable. The Board are satisfied that the
Company has the resources to continue in business for at least 12
months following the signing of these financial
statements.
An additional factor which the
Directors have considered is the discontinuation vote which will be
put to shareholders at the upcoming AGM which is scheduled for 12
September 2024. To be passed, the discontinuation vote requires a
majority of 75% of those shareholders voting. If the resolution
were to be passed, the Directors will be required to formulate
proposals to be put to shareholders to reorganise, unitise or
reconstruct the Company or for the Company to be wound up.
Following consolation with major shareholders, the Directors
consider it likely that the discontinuation vote will not be
passed. The Board tabled such resolutions in previous AGM in 2018
and 2021 and each occasion the resolution was not
passed.
The Directors are not aware of any
material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt upon the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
(ii) Estimates and assumptions
The key assumptions concerning the
future and other key sources of uncertainty at the reporting date,
that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next
financial year, are discussed below. The Company based its
assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the
financial statements were prepared. However, existing circumstances
and assumptions about future developments may change due to market
changes or circumstances arising beyond the control of the Company.
Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.
Please refer to Note 3 for further information.
Fair value of
financial instruments
When the fair values of financial
assets and financial liabilities recorded in the Statement of
Financial Position cannot be derived from active markets, their
fair value is determined using a variety of valuation techniques
that include the use of valuation models. The inputs to these
models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where
this is not feasible, estimation is required in establishing fair
values. The estimates include considerations of liquidity and model
inputs related to items such as credit risk, correlation and
volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect
the reported fair value of financial instruments in the Statement
of Financial Position and the level where the instruments are
disclosed in the fair value hierarchy. To assess the significance
of a particular input to the entire measurement, the Company
performs sensitivity analysis or stress testing techniques. Please
refer to Note 3 for further information. Investments in associates
are carried at fair value as they are held as part of the
investment portfolio which is valued on a fair value
basis.
c) Translation of foreign
currencies
Foreign currency transactions during the year
are translated into Sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the
date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are translated into Sterling at the rate of
exchange ruling at the Statement of Financial Position date.
Exchange differences including those arising from adjustment to
fair value of financial instruments during the year, are included
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The foreign exchange
movements relating to financial assets form part of the fair value
movement in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
d) Segment
information
The chief operating decision maker, who is
responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of
the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of
Directors as a whole. The key measure of performance used by the
Directors to assess the Company's performance and to allocate
resources is the Company's NAV, as calculated under IFRS, and
therefore no reconciliation is required between the measure of
profit or loss used by the Board and that contained in the Annual
Report.
The Directors are of the opinion that the
Company is engaged in a single segment of business: investing in
natural resources companies and therefore no aggregation of
segments.
2. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING
POLICY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
e) Interest on
investments
These comprise of interest accrued
and interest received from convertible loans where interest is
payable throughout the life of the instrument which are accounted
for on an accruals basis and recognised in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
f) Dividend
income
Dividend income is accrued on an
ex-dividend basis and recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive
Income and is presented net of
withholding tax. No withholding taxes were suffered during the year
(2022: £Nil).
3. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE
THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
Investment Summary:
|
Year ended
2023
|
Year ended
2022
|
|
£
|
£
|
Opening book cost
|
75,709,282
|
82,910,887
|
Purchases at cost
|
7,871,359
|
1,882,060
|
Proceeds on sale of
investments
|
(8,527,232)
|
(2,216,780)
|
Net realised
gains/(losses)
|
5,785,970
|
(6,866,885)
|
Closing cost
|
80,839,379
|
75,709,282
|
Net unrealised
(loss)/gains
|
1,030,637
|
8,602,673
|
Financial assets held at fair value through profit or
loss
|
81,870,016
|
84,311,955
|
The following table analyses net
losses on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss for
the years ended
31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022.
|
Year ended
2023
|
Year ended
2022
|
|
£
|
£
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss
|
|
|
Realised gains/ (losses) on:
|
|
|
- Listed equity shares
|
(1,338,513)
|
(1,438,318)
|
- Unlisted equity shares
|
7,123,472
|
(5,118,472)
|
- Debt instruments
|
1,011
|
(296,970)
|
- Warrants
|
-
|
(13,125)
|
|
5,785,970
|
(6,866,885)
|
Movement in unrealised losses on:
|
|
|
- Listed equity
shares
|
(5,927,825)
|
(13,716,492)
|
- Unlisted equity
shares
|
(5,665,664)
|
7,893,046
|
- Royalties
|
2,028,559
|
(2,763,850)
|
- Debt instruments
|
2,384,592
|
(2,675,240)
|
- Warrants
|
(391,698)
|
(909,497)
|
|
(7,572,036)
|
(12,172,033)
|
Net
losses on financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss
|
(1,786,066)
|
(19,038,918)
|
The following table analyses
investments by type and by level within the fair valuation
hierarchy at 31 December 2023.
|
Quoted prices in active
markets
|
Quoted market based
observables
|
Unobservable
inputs
|
|
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss
|
|
|
|
|
Listed equity shares
|
12,170,931
|
188,483
|
-
|
12,359,414
|
Unlisted equity shares
|
-
|
-
|
29,480,067
|
29,480,067
|
Royalties
|
-
|
-
|
22,621,067
|
22,621,067
|
Warrants
|
-
|
-
|
49,773
|
49,773
|
Debt instruments
|
-
|
-
|
17,359,695
|
17,359,695
|
|
12,170,931
|
188,483
|
69,510,602
|
81,870,016
|
3. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE
THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS (CONTINUED)
The following table analyses
investments by type and by level within the fair valuation
hierarchy at 31 December 2022.
|
Quoted prices in active
markets
|
Quoted market based
observables
|
Unobservable
inputs
|
|
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss
|
|
|
|
|
Listed equity shares
|
11,378,285
|
4,804,434
|
-
|
16,182,719
|
Unlisted equity shares
|
-
|
-
|
41,514,956
|
41,514,956
|
Royalties
|
-
|
-
|
14,808.689
|
14,808,689
|
Warrants
|
-
|
-
|
441,471
|
441,471
|
Debt instruments
|
-
|
-
|
11,364,120
|
11,364,120
|
|
11,378,285
|
4,804,434
|
68,129,236
|
84,311,955
|
The table below shows a
reconciliation of beginning to ending fair value balances for Level
3 investments and the amount of total gains or losses for the year
included in net gain on financial assets and liabilities at fair
value through profit or loss held at 31 December 2023.
|
Unlisted
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
31
December 2023
|
Equities
|
Royalties
|
instruments
|
Warrants
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening balance 1 January
2023
|
41,514,956
|
14,808,689
|
11,364,120
|
441,471
|
68,129,236
|
Purchases of investments
|
-
|
5,783,819
|
3,973,519
|
-
|
9,757,338
|
Sales of investments
|
(13,492,696)
|
-
|
(363,548)
|
-
|
(13,856,244)
|
Movement in net unrealised
(losses)/gains
|
(5,665,664)
|
2,028,559
|
2,384,592
|
(391,698)
|
(1,644,211)
|
Realised gains
|
7,123,472
|
-
|
1,011
|
-
|
7,124,483
|
Closing balance 31 December
2023
|
29,480,068
|
22,621,067
|
17,723,242
|
49,773
|
69,510,602
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised gains on investments
still held at 31 December 2023
|
4,883,945
|
3,953,779
|
4,060,311
|
49,773
|
12,947,808
|
The table below shows a
reconciliation of beginning to ending fair value balances for Level
3 investments and the amount of total gains or losses for the year
included in net gain on financial assets and liabilities at fair
value through profit or loss held at 31 December 2022.
|
Unlisted
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
31
December 2022
|
Equities
|
Royalties
|
instruments
|
Warrants
|
Total
|
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
Opening balance 1 January
2022
|
46,971,239
|
16,479,048
|
19,927,503
|
1,364,093
|
84,741,883
|
Purchases of investments
|
-
|
-
|
189,649
|
-
|
189,649
|
Sales of investments
|
-
|
1,093,491
|
(1,093,491)
|
-
|
-
|
Conversion*
|
(178,554)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(178,554)
|
Transfer out of Level 3
|
(8,052,304)
|
-
|
(4,687,331)
|
-
|
(12,739,635)
|
Movement in net unrealised
gains/losses
|
7,893,046
|
(2,763,850)
|
(2,675,240)
|
(909,497)
|
1,544,459
|
Realised losses
|
(5,118,471)
|
-
|
(296,970)
|
(13,125)
|
(5,428,566)
|
Closing balance 31 December
2022
|
41,514,956
|
14,808,689
|
11,364,120
|
441,471
|
68,129,236
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised gains on investments
still held at 31 December 2022
|
10,549,611
|
1,905,220
|
1,675,718
|
441,471
|
14,572,020
|
*Conversion of Futura and Anglo Saxony debt into Level 3
equity positions and Mines & Metal Trading into Silver X and
therefore a Level 1 investment
It is the Company's policy to
recognise a change in hierarchy level when there is a change in the
status of the investment, for example when a listed company delists
or vice versa, or when shares previously subject to a restriction
have that restriction released. The transfers between levels are
recorded either on the value of the investment immediately after
the event or the carrying value of the investment at the beginning
of the financial year.
3.
FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
(CONTINUED)
The following activities have
taken place during the year ended 31 December 2023:
On 9 January 2023 the Company sold
its investment in Bilboes Gold Limited to Caledonia Mining
Corporation plc ("Caledonia"), the sale was settled by receipt of
shares in Caledonia and the Bilboes Gold Royalty. The Bilboes Gold
Royalty was presented as a Level 3 investment at the year end.
Caledonia is NYSE, AIM and Victoria Exchange listed, and therefore
considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The transaction
resulted in the realisation of US$9.7million previously unrealised
gains in Bilboes.
Prior year end, the Company's
investment in First Tin Plc was presented as Level 2 on the
hierarchy, this was because although the shares were listed on the
LSE, they were locked up. The lock-up expired on 8 April 2023 and
the shares are now included within Level 1.
In determining an investment's
position within the fair value hierarchy, the Directors take into
consideration the following factors:
Investments whose values are based
on quoted market prices in active markets are classified within
Level 1. These include listed equities with observable market
prices. The Directors do not adjust the quoted price for such
instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large
position, and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price. The
Company does not currently hold a sufficiently large position in
any listed company that it could impact the quoted price via a sale
of its investment.
As at 31 December 2023, the
Investment Manager prepared the valuations and considered whether
there were any changes to performance or the circumstances of the
underlying investments which would affect the fair values. Methods,
assumptions, and data were consistently applied year on year except
for certain private equity investments where a change in assumption
is deemed appropriate to reflect the change in the market
conditions or investment-specific factors. The Investment Manager
then made recommendations to the Board of the fair values as at 31
December 2023.
Investments that trade in markets
that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted
market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources
supported by observable inputs, are classified within Level 2.
These include certain less-liquid listed equities. Level 2
investments are valued with reference to the listed price of the
shares should they be freely tradable after applying a discount for
illiquidity if relevant. As Level 2 investments include positions
that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to
transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect
illiquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally based
on available market information. The Company held one Level 2
investment at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: two).
Investments classified within
Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs. They include unlisted
debt instruments, royalty rights, unlisted equity shares and
warrants. Level 3 investments are valued using valuation techniques
explained below. The inputs used by the Directors in estimating the
value of Level 3 investments include the original transaction
price, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments if
representative in volume and nature, completed or pending
third-party transactions in the underlying investment of comparable
issuers, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalisations and
other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the
equity or debt capital markets, and changes in financial ratios or
cash flows. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted with a
discount to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability in the
absence of market information.
Valuation methodology of Level 3
investments
The primary valuation technique is
of "Latest Recent Transaction" being either recent external fund
raises or transactions. In all cases the valuation considers
whether there has been any change since the transaction that would
indicate the price is no longer fair value. Where an unquoted
investment has been acquired or where there has been a material
arm's length transaction during the past six months it will be
carried at transaction value, having taken into account any change
in market conditions and the performance of the investee company
between the transaction date and the valuation date. If it is
assessed that a recent transaction is not at an arm's length or
there are other indicators that it has not been executed at a price
that is representative of fair value then the transaction value
will not be used as the carrying value of the investment. Where
there has been no Latest Recent Transaction the primary valuation
driver is IndexVal. For each core unlisted investment, the Company
maintains a weighted average basket of listed companies which are
comparable to the investment in terms of commodity, stage of
development and location ("IndexVal"). IndexVal is used as an
indication of how an investment's share price might have moved had
it been listed. Movements in commodity prices are deemed to have
been taken into account by the movement of IndexVal.
3.
FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
(CONTINUED)
Valuation methodology of Level 3 investments
(continued)
A secondary tool used by
Management to evaluate potential investments as well as to provide
underlying valuation references for the Fair Value already
established is Development Risk Adjusted Value ("DRAV"). DRAVs are
not a primary determinant of Fair Value. The Investment Manager prepares discounted cash flow models
for the Company's core investments annually taking into account
significant new information, and for decision making purposes when
required. From these, DRAVs are derived. The computations are based
on consensus forecasts for long term commodity prices and investee
company management estimates of operating and capital costs. The
Investment Manager takes account of market, country and development
risks in its discount factors. Some market analysts incorporate
development risk into the discount rate in arriving at a net
present value ("NPV") rather than establishing an NPV discounted
purely for cost of capital and country risk and then applying a
further overall discount to the project economics dependent on
where such project sits on the development curve per the DRAV
calculations.
The valuation techniques for Level
3 investments can be divided into seven groups:
i. Transactions & Offers
Where there have been transactions
within the past 6 months either through a capital raising by the
investee company or known secondary market transactions,
representative in volume and nature and conducted on an arm's
length basis, this is taken as the primary driver for valuing Level
3 investments, having taken into account of any change in market
conditions and the performance of the investee company between the
transaction date and the valuation date. This includes offers,
binding or otherwise from third parties around the year end which
may not have completed prior to the year-end but have a high chance
of success and are considered to represent the situation at year
end.
ii. IndexVal
Where there have been no known
transactions for 6 months, at the Company's half year and year end,
movements in IndexVal will generally be taken into account in
assessing Fair Value where there has been at least a 10% movement
in IndexVal over at least a six-month period. The IndexVal results
are used as an indication of trend and are viewed in the context of
investee company progress and any requirement for finance in the
short term for further progression.
iii. Royalty Valuation Model
The rights to receive royalties
are valued on projected cashflows taking into account expected time
to production and development risk and adjusted for movement in
commodity prices.
iv. EBITDA Multiple
In the case of CEMOS Group plc,
which moved to full production during 2020 and so could reflect
maintainable earnings, its main asset is a cement plant with no
defined life like a mining project and therefore has been valued on
the basis of a multiple of a blend of historical and forecast
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
("EBITDA") when compared to listed comparable cement
producers.
v. Market Comparison
In the case of Futura Resources
Ltd which moved into production in early 2024, it was valued with
reference to comparable listed coal producers both in terms of
EBITDA multiple and Net Present Value duly discounted for its stage
of development.
vi. Warrants
Warrants are valued using a
simplified Black Scholes model taking into account time to expiry,
exercise price and volatility. Where there is no established market
for the underlying shares the average volatility of the companies
in that investment's basket of IndexVal comparables is utilised in
the Black Scholes model.
vii.
Convertible loans
Convertible loans are valued
taking into account the value of the conversion option based on a
binomial model along with the associated credit risk of the
instrument.
3.
FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
(CONTINUED)
Quantitative information of significant unobservable inputs -
Level 3
Description
|
2023
£
|
Valuation
technique
|
Unobservable
input
|
Range of unobservable
input
(weighted
average)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlisted Equity
|
3,773,733
|
Transactions
|
Private transactions
|
n/a
|
Unlisted Equity
|
3,206,973
|
IndexVal
|
Change in index
|
+38%/-53%
|
Unlisted Equity
|
22,499,362
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
4x -
14x
|
Royalties
|
22,621,067
|
Royalty Valuation model
|
Commodity price and discount rate
risk
|
10% -
70%
|
Unlisted Equity
|
-
|
Other
|
Exploration results, study results,
financing
|
n/a
|
Debt Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
343,388
|
Valued at mean estimated
recovery
|
Estimated recovery
range
|
+/-50%
|
Other Convertible
Debentures/Loans
|
17,016,306
|
Valued at fair value with
reference to credit risk
|
Rate of Credit Risk
|
20%-40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
1,736
|
Simplified Black Scholes
Model
|
Volatilities
|
50%
|
Contingent Interest
|
48,037
|
Discounted External
valuation
|
Discount
|
+/-40%
|
Description
|
2022
£
|
Valuation
technique
|
Unobservable
input
|
Range of unobservable
input
(weighted
average)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unlisted Equity
|
28,797,176
|
Transactions
|
Private transactions
|
n/a
|
Unlisted Equity
|
3,499,979
|
IndexVal
|
Change in index
|
n/a
|
Unlisted Equity
|
9,201,855
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
n/a
|
Royalties
|
14,808,689
|
Royalty Valuation model
|
Commodity price and discount rate
risk
|
n/a
|
Unlisted Equity
|
15,946
|
Other
|
Exploration results, study results,
financing
|
n/a
|
Debt Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
726,171
|
Valued at mean estimated
recovery
|
Estimated recovery
range
|
+/-50%
|
Other Convertible
Debentures/Loans
|
10,637,949
|
Valued at fair value with
reference to credit risk
|
Rate of Credit Risk
|
20%-40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
242,771
|
Simplified Black Scholes
Model
|
Volatilities
|
50%
|
Warrants
|
198,700
|
External valuation
|
|
|
Information on third party
transactions in unlisted equities is derived from the Investment
Manager's market contacts. The change in IndexVal for each
particular unlisted equity is derived from the weighted average
movements of the individual baskets for that equity so it is not
possible to quantify the range of such inputs.
3. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE
THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS (CONTINUED)
Sensitivity analysis to significant
changes in unobservable inputs within Level 3
investments
The significant unobservable
inputs used in the fair value measurement categorised within Level
3 of the fair value hierarchy together with a quantitative
sensitivity analysis as at 31 December 2023 are as shown
below:
Description
|
Input
|
Sensitivity used
|
Effect on Fair Value (£)
|
Unlisted Equity
|
Transactions & Expected
Transactions
|
+/-
20%
|
+/-754,747
|
Unlisted Equity
|
Change in IndexVal
|
+38%/-53%*
|
+
1,218,650 /-1,699,695
|
Unlisted Equity
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
+/-
20%
|
+/-
4,499,872
|
Royalties
|
Commodity Price
|
+/-20%
|
+/-
4,524,213
|
Royalties
|
Discount Rate
|
+/-20%
|
-2,708,225/+3,299,807
|
Debt Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
Probability weighting
|
+/-50%
|
+/-
171,825
|
Others/Loans
|
Risk discount rate
|
+/-20%
|
-1,890,967 /+ 700,781
|
Convertibles /Loans
|
Volatility of Index
Basket
|
+/-40%
|
+
549,500 /-492,756
|
Warrants
|
Volatility of Index
Basket
|
+/-40%
|
+ 1,326
/-79
|
|
Risk of milestones being
achieved
|
+/-20%
|
+795/-662
|
Contingent Interest
|
Risk discount rate
|
+/-20%
|
+/-19,215
|
* The sensitivity analysis refers to a percentage amount
added or deducted from the input and the effect this has on the
fair value. The +38%/-53% sensitivity was used as this was the
range of movements of the constituents in the IndexVal baskets for
Nussir
3. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE
THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS (CONTINUED)
Sensitivity analysis to significant
changes in unobservable inputs within Level 3
investments
The significant unobservable
inputs used in the fair value measurement categorised within Level
3 of the fair value hierarchy together with a quantitative
sensitivity analysis as at 31 December 2022 are as shown
below:
Description
|
Input
|
Sensitivity used
|
Effect on Fair Value (£)
|
|
Unlisted Equity
|
Transactions & Expected
Transactions
|
+/-
20%
|
+/-5,759,434
|
Unlisted Equity
|
Change in IndexVal
|
+44%/-79%*
|
+1,539,991/-2,764,984
|
Unlisted Equity
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
+/-
20%
|
+/-1,840,371
|
Royalties
|
Commodity Price
|
+/-20%
|
+/-2,956,853
|
Royalties
|
Discount Rate
|
+/-20%
|
-1,597,086/+1,939,463
|
Debt Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
Probability weighting
|
+/-33%
|
+/-
239,627
|
Others/Loans
|
Risk discount rate
|
+/-20%
|
-1,160,677/+227,963
|
Convertibles /Loans
|
Volatility of Index
Basket
|
+/-40%
|
+206,177/-1,656
|
Warrants
|
Volatility of Index
Basket
|
+/-40%
|
+21,662/-18,733
|
* The sensitivity analysis refers to a
percentage amount added or deducted from the input and the effect
this has on the fair value. The +44%/-79% sensitivity was used as
this was the range of movements of the constituents in the IndexVal
baskets for Nussir
The Company has not disclosed the
fair value for financial assets such as cash and cash equivalents
and short-term receivables and payables, because their carrying
amounts are a reasonable approximation of fair values.
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES
The Company's principal financial
instruments comprise financial assets, primarily unlisted equity
investments and loans in natural resources companies. The portfolio
is concentrated on projects on the large liquid commodity markets
and diversified in terms of geography. These investments reflect
the core of the Company's investment strategy.
The Company manages its exposure
to key financial risks primarily through diversification of
geography and commodity, and through technical and legal due
diligence. The objective of the policy is to support the delivery
of the Company's core investment objective whilst maintaining
future financial security. The main risks that could adversely
affect the Company's financial assets or future cash flows are
market risk (comprising market price risk, currency risk and
interest rate risk), commodity price risk, liquidity risk,
concentration risk and credit risk.
The Company's financial
liabilities principally comprise fees payable to various parties
and arise directly from its operations.
Risk exposures and responses
The Company's Board of Directors
oversees the management of financial risks, each of which is
summarised below.
a) Market
risk
Market risk is the risk that the
fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will
fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk
comprises three types of risk: market price risk, currency risk and
interest rate risk.
i. Market price
risk
Market price risk is the risk that
the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate because of
changes in the market prices of the Company's investment
portfolio.
The sensitivity analysis on the
previous pages illustrates the sensitivity of the key inputs into
the market valuation and the resulting impact of the fair values.
The level of change is considered to be reasonably possible. The
sensitivity analysis assumes all other variables are held
constant.
ii. Currency risk
At 31 December 2023, the largest
non-Sterling portion of the Company's financial assets and
liabilities was denominated in Australian Dollars. The functional
currency of the Company is Sterling. Currency risk is the risk that
the value of non-Sterling denominated financial instruments will
fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The tables
below show the currencies and amounts the Company was exposed to at
31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022.
31 December 2023
Currency
|
Amount in
|
Conversion
rate
|
Value
|
% of net
assets
|
|
local
currency
|
(based on
£)
|
£
|
|
AUD
|
56,505,616
|
0.5351
|
30,234,045
|
36.80%
|
CAD
|
7,254,141
|
0.5930
|
4,302,065
|
5.24%
|
EUR
|
14,618,301
|
0.8670
|
12,673,336
|
15.42%
|
GBP
|
20,451,487
|
1.0000
|
20,446,487
|
24.89%
|
NOK
|
43,673,623
|
0.0772
|
3,370,685
|
4.10%
|
USD
|
14,173,268
|
0.7855
|
11,132,961
|
13.55%
|
|
|
|
82,159,579
|
100%
|
31 December 2022
Currency
|
Amount in
|
Conversion
rate
|
Value
|
% of net
assets
|
|
local
currency
|
(based on
£)
|
£
|
|
AUD
|
43,324,009
|
0.5640
|
24,436,834
|
28.93%
|
CAD
|
10,995,550
|
0.6133
|
6,743,260
|
7.98%
|
EUR
|
11,430,526
|
0.8868
|
10,136,120
|
12.00%
|
GBP
|
19,408,238
|
1.0000
|
19,408,238
|
22.97%
|
NOK
|
41,552,423
|
0.0842
|
3,499,979
|
4.14%
|
USD
|
24,410,380
|
0.8299
|
20,258,417
|
23.98%
|
|
|
|
84,482,848
|
100.00%
|
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
a) Market risk (continued)
ii. Currency risk
(continued)
Analysis has been completed to assess what
movements in currency rates are reasonably possible. This analysis
has considered the variance between the highest and lowest
conversion rates in 2023 and 2022 for each of the currencies in the
table below. The table shows the potential movements in the
Company's net assets as a result of such foreign exchange
movements.
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Reasonably
|
Reasonably
|
|
|
Currency
|
possible
|
possible
|
Value
|
Value
|
|
move
|
move
|
£
|
£
|
AUD
|
13%
|
10%
|
3,930,426
|
2,443,683
|
CAD
|
7%
|
11%
|
301,145
|
741,759
|
EUR
|
4%
|
13%
|
506,933
|
1,317,696
|
NOK
|
12%
|
20%
|
404,482
|
699,996
|
USD
|
10%
|
16%
|
1,113,296
|
3,241,347
|
|
|
|
6,256,282
|
8,444,481
|
The estimated movement is based on
management's determination of a reasonably possible change in
foreign exchange rates. In practice, the actual results may differ
from the sensitivity analysis above and the difference could be
material.
iii. Interest rate risk
Although the Company's financial assets and
liabilities expose it indirectly to risks associated with the
effects of fluctuations in the prevailing levels of market interest
rates on its financial position and fair value, it is subject to
little direct exposure to interest rate fluctuations as the
majority of the financial assets are equity investments or similar
investments which do not pay interest. For valuation purposes
convertible loans all have fixed interest rates and are treated
more like quasi equity albeit with higher ranking than equity. As
such they are not directly exposed to interest rates from a cash
flow perspective. Any excess cash and cash equivalents are invested
at short-term market interest rates which expose the Company, to a
limited extent, to interest rate risk and corresponding
gains/losses from a change in the fair value of these financial
instruments.
The table below summarises the Company's
exposure to interest rate risk. It includes the Company's assets
and liabilities at fair values, categorised by the earlier of
contractual re-pricing or maturity dates.
At 31 December 2023
|
Less than
|
More than
|
Non-interest
|
|
|
6 months
|
6 months
|
bearing
|
Total
|
Assets
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
277,694
|
-
|
-
|
277,694
|
|
Financial assets held at fair
value through profit or loss*
|
3,187,203
|
14,172,493
|
64,510,320
|
81,870,016
|
|
Other receivables
|
-
|
-
|
30,355
|
30,355
|
|
Interest receivable*
|
190,249
|
-
|
-
|
190,249
|
|
Total Assets
|
3,655,146
|
14,172,493
|
64,540,675
|
82,368,314
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
208,735
|
208,735
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
208,735
|
208,735
|
|
Interest rate sensitivity gap
|
3,655,146
|
14,172,493
|
|
|
*The interest rate risks on
these items are considered as part of overall price risk in valuing
the convertibles.
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
a) Market Risk
(continued)
iii. Interest rate risk
(continued)
At 31 December 2022
|
Less than
|
More than
|
Non-interest
|
|
|
6 months
|
6 months
|
bearing
|
Total
|
Assets
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
254,140
|
-
|
-
|
254,140
|
|
Financial assets held at fair
value through profit or loss*
|
524,813
|
10,839,306
|
72,947,836
|
84,311,955
|
|
Other receivables
|
-
|
-
|
17,899
|
17,899
|
|
Interest receivable*
|
57,917
|
-
|
-
|
57,917
|
|
Total Assets
|
836,870
|
10,839,306
|
72,965,735
|
84,641,911
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
159,063
|
159,063
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
159,063
|
159,063
|
|
Interest rate sensitivity gap
|
836,870
|
10,839,306
|
|
|
*The interest rate risks on these items are considered as
part of overall price risk in valuing the
convertibles.
Interest
rate sensitivity
It is the opinion of the Directors that the
Company is not materially exposed to interest rate risk and
accordingly no interest rate sensitivity calculation has been
provided in these financial statements.
b) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the
Company may not be able to settle or meet its obligations as they
fall due. The Company invests in unlisted equities for which there
may not be an immediate market. The Company seeks to mitigate this
risk by maintaining cash and readily realisable listed equity
positions which will cover its ongoing operational
expenses.
The Company has the ability to incur
borrowings of up to 10% of its NAV but the Company's policy is to
restrict any such borrowings to temporary purposes only, such as
settlement mis-matches.
The table below analyses the Company's
financial assets and liabilities into relevant maturity groupings
based on the remaining period at the Statement of Financial
Position date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts in the
table are the contractual cash flows.
|
At
31 December 2023
|
Less than
|
|
|
More than
|
No
contractual
|
|
|
|
1 month
|
1-3 months
|
3-12
months
|
12 months
|
maturity
|
Total
|
|
Assets
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
277,694
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
277,694
|
|
Financial assets held at fair value
through profit
or loss
|
-
|
3,235,240
|
12,616,713
|
7,483,043
|
58,535,020
|
81,870,016
|
|
Receivables
|
2,700
|
16,540
|
201,364
|
-
|
-
|
220,604
|
|
Total Assets
|
280,394
|
3,251,780
|
12,818,077
|
7,483,043
|
58,535,020
|
82,368,314
|
|
|
Less than
|
|
|
More than
|
No
contractual
|
|
|
|
1 month
|
1-3 months
|
3-12
months
|
12 months
|
maturity
|
Total
|
|
Liabilities
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Other payables
and accrued expenses
|
36,250
|
127,485
|
45,000
|
-
|
-
|
208,735
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
36,250
|
127,485
|
45,000
|
-
|
-
|
208,735
|
|
Net
assets attributable to shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
82,159,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. RISK MANAGEMENT
POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
b) Liquidity risk (continued)
The table below analyses the Company's
financial assets and liabilities into relevant maturity groupings
based on the remaining period at the Statement of Financial
Position date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts in the
table are the contractual cash flows.
|
At
31 December 2022
|
Less than
|
|
|
More than
|
No
contractual
|
|
|
|
1 month
|
1-3 months
|
3-12
months
|
12 months
|
maturity
|
Total
|
|
Assets
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
254,140
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
254,140
|
|
Financial assets held at fair value
through profit
or loss
|
-
|
524,813
|
10,088,045
|
491,092
|
73,208,005
|
84,311,955
|
|
Receivables
|
64,364
|
11,452
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
75,816
|
|
Total Assets
|
318,504
|
536,265
|
10,088,045
|
491,092
|
73,208,005
|
84,641,911
|
|
|
Less than
|
|
|
More than
|
No
contractual
|
|
|
|
1 month
|
1-3 months
|
3-12
months
|
12 months
|
maturity
|
Total
|
|
Liabilities
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
£
|
|
Other payables
and accrued expenses
|
84,896
|
-
|
74,167
|
-
|
-
|
159,063
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
84,896
|
-
|
74,167
|
-
|
-
|
159,063
|
|
Net
assets attributable to shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
84,482,848
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The value of the cash and level 1 listed
equity positions held by the Company at the year-end was
£12,448,625 (2022: £11,632,425 ) with the total liabilities at the
year-end at £203,735 (2022: £159,063 ).
c) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty
will be unable to pay amounts in full as they fall due. The Company
has exposure to credit risk in relation to its cash balances, debt
instruments, loan and loan notes as stated in the Statement of
Financial Position.
The Company seeks to mitigate this risk by
lending to companies with projects which have significant value
over and above the value of the debt in such company so that there
is a significant equity "buffer". The maximum credit risk on debt
instruments for the Company is £40,030,535 (2022:
£26,614,280).
The Company's financial assets are exposed to
credit risk, which amounted to the following at the Statement of
Financial Position date:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
£
|
£
|
Assets
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
277,694
|
254,140
|
Interest receivable
|
190,249
|
57,917
|
Other receivables
|
30,355
|
17,899
|
Financial assets held at fair value
through profit or loss
|
40,030,535
|
26,614,280
|
Total assets
|
40,528,833
|
6,944,236
|
4. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND
DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)
c) Credit risk (continued)
As at 31 December 2023, the Company's
non-equity financial assets exposed to credit risk were held with
the following ratings:
|
Financial Assets
|
Counterparty
|
**Credit
|
2023
|
|
|
|
Rating
|
% of net
assets
|
|
-Loan Note
|
Tungsten West
|
NR*
|
1.28
|
|
-Convertible Loan Note
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
NR*
|
0.42
|
|
-Convertible Loan Note
|
Futura Resources Limited
|
NR*
|
3.42
|
|
-Loan Note
|
CEMOS Group Plc
|
NR*
|
15.36
|
|
-Loan Note
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
1
|
NR*
|
0.11
|
|
-Loan Note
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
2
|
NR*
|
0.35
|
|
-Loan Note
|
Nussir ASA
|
NR*
|
0.20
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
HSBC Bank plc
|
A+
|
0.34
|
|
Total
|
21.48
|
As at 31 December 2022, the Company's
non-equity financial assets exposed to credit risk were held with
the following ratings:
|
Financial Assets
|
Counterparty
|
**Credit
|
2022
|
|
|
|
Rating
|
% of net
assets
|
|
-Convertible Loan Note
|
Bilboes Gold Limited
|
NR*
|
0.03
|
|
-Convertible Loan Note
|
Black Pearl Limited
Partnership
|
NR*
|
0.86
|
|
-Convertible Loan Note
|
Futura Resources Limited
|
NR*
|
0.16
|
|
-Loan Note
|
CEMOS Group Plc
|
NR*
|
11.94
|
|
-Loan Note
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
1
|
NR*
|
0.11
|
|
-Loan Note
|
PRISM Diversified Limited Loan Note
2
|
NR*
|
0.35
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
HSBC Bank plc
|
A+
|
0.30
|
|
Total
|
13.75
|
* No rating available
**As per S&P
d) Concentration risk
The Company's investment policy is
to invest in natural resources companies, both listed and unlisted,
that the Investment Manager considers to be undervalued and that
have strong fundamentals and attractive growth prospects which
means that the Company has significant concentration risk relating
to natural resources companies.
Concentration risks include, but
are not limited to natural resources asset category (such as gold)
and geography. The Company may at certain times hold relatively few
investments. The Company could be subject to significant losses if
it holds a large position in a particular investment that declines
in value or is otherwise adversely affected, including by the
default of the issuer. Such risks potentially could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations, business prospects and returns to investors. The
Company's investments are geographically diverse reducing this
aspect of concentration risk. In terms of commodity, the portfolio
is likewise diversified in the large liquid markets of silver,
gold, iron ore, coal and copper to mitigate this aspect of
concentration risk.
As at reporting date, two largest
investments now comprise some 65% of the Company's net assets are
CEMOS and Futura. The Board has reasonable expectation of some
significant dividends and royalty payments in the coming years
which will support both distributions to our shareholders as well
as enabling the Company to diversify its portfolio when attractive
opportunities arise.
5. TAXATION
The Company is a Guernsey Exempt Company and
is therefore not subject to taxation in Guernsey on its income
under the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1989. An
annual exemption fee of £1,200 (2022: £1,200) has been paid. The
Company may, however, be exposed to taxes in certain other
territories in which it invests such as withholding taxes on
interest payments and dividends and on realisations of
investments.
6. ADMINISTRATION
FEES
The previous Administrator, HSBC
Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited ("HSBC"), was paid for
acting as administrator of the Company at
the rate of 7 basis points of gross asset value up to
US$250 million; the rate
reduced to 5 basis points of gross asset value above
US$250 million.
HSBC was also reimbursed
by the Company for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. These fees
were calculated and accrued as at the last business day of each
month and paid monthly in arrears.
HSBC was
also entitled to a fee for its provision of corporate secretarial
services provided to the Company on a time spent basis and subject
to a minimum annual fee of £40,000. The Company was also
responsible for any sub-administration fees as agreed in writing
from time to time, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
HSBC was also entitled to fees of €5,000 for
preparation of the financial statements of the Company.
The Board appointed Aztec
Financial Services (Guernsey) Limited ("Aztec Group") as the new
Administrator of the Company on 1 December 2023 and Liberum Wealth
Limited ("Liberum Wealth") to provide custody and depositary
services on 1 November 2023.
Aztec Group is entitled to a fixed
fee of £205,000 for the provision of accounting, administration and
company secretarial services and Liberum Wealth is entitled to
custody fees which are calculated on a daily basis on the last
published or available price of assets held in custody and are
charged quarterly in arears. A minimum charge of £2,500 per quarter
for each account applies. An introductory discounted custody fee of
0.065% applies during the first year of the account. Liberum Wealth
is also entitled to depositary fees which are payable quarterly in
advance and are subject to a time cap of 35 hours per quarter.
Additional time spent is chargeable at their usual hourly rates. An
introductory discount of 10% applies to their depository fee during
the first year.
The administration fees charged for the year
ended 31 December 2023 were £108,190 (2022: £118,002)
of which £37,083 (2022: £9,659) was payable at 31
December 2023. HSBC Securities Services (Ireland) DAC, the previous
sub-Administrator, was paid a portion of these fees by
HSBC.
7. MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
FEES
The Manager was appointed pursuant to a
management agreement with the Company dated 31 March 2010 (the
"Management Agreement"). The Company pays to the Manager a
management fee which is equal to 1/12th of 1.75 per cent of the
total average market capitalisation of the Company during each
month. The management fee is calculated and accrued
as at the last business day of each month and
is paid monthly in arrears. The Investment Manager's fees are paid
by the Manager.
The management fee for the year
ended 31 December 2023 was £795,890 (2022: £1,160,507) of which
£57,735 (2022: £69,854) was outstanding at the year end.
The Manager is also entitled to a performance
fee. The Performance Period is each 12-month period ending on
31 December (the "Performance Period"). The amount of the
performance fee is 15 per cent of the total increase in the NAV, if
the Hurdle has been met, at the end of the relevant Performance
Period, over the highest previously recorded NAV as at the end of a
Performance Period in respect of which a performance fee was last
accrued, having made adjustments for numbers of Ordinary Shares
issued and/or repurchased ("Highwater Mark"). The Hurdle is the
Issue Price multiplied by the shares in issue, increased at a rate
of 8% per annum compounded to the end of the relevant Performance
Period. In addition, the performance fee will only become payable
if there has been sufficient net realised gains. As at 31 December
2023, the Highwater Mark was the equivalent of approximately 94
pence per share with the relevant Hurdle being the equivalent of
approximately 177 pence per share.
There were no earned performance fees payable
for the current or prior year.
7. MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
FEES (CONTINUED)
If the Company wishes to terminate the
Management Agreement without cause it is required to give the
Manager 12 months prior notice or pay to the Manager an amount
equal to: (a) the aggregate investment management fee which would
otherwise have been payable during the 12 months following the date
of such notice (such amount to be calculated for the whole of such
period by reference to the Market Capitalisation prevailing on the
Valuation Day on or immediately prior to the date of such notice);
and (b) any performance fee accrued at the end of any Performance
Period which ended on or prior to termination and which remains
unpaid at the date of termination which shall be payable as soon
as, and to the extent that, sufficient cash or other liquid assets
are available to the Company (as determined in good faith by the
Directors), provided that such accrued performance fee shall be
paid prior to the Company making any new investment or settling any
other liabilities; and (c) where termination does not occur at 31
December in any year, any performance fee accrued at the date of
termination shall be payable as soon as and to the extent that
sufficient cash or other liquid assets are available to the Company
(as determined in good faith by the Directors), provided that such
accrued performance fee shall be paid prior to the Company making
any new investment or settling any other liabilities.
8. OTHER EXPENSES
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
£
|
£
|
Research fees
|
41,844
|
35,356
|
Regulatory fees
|
20,405
|
31,286
|
Investor services fees
|
46,224
|
30,781
|
Public relation fees
|
26,190
|
11,520
|
Directors' insurance
|
27,314
|
6,000
|
Directors' expenses
|
1,813
|
3,344
|
Legal fees
|
13,639
|
76,789
|
Miscellaneous expenses
|
27,948
|
21,378
|
|
205,377
|
216,454
|
9. SHARE CAPITAL
The share capital of the Company on
incorporation was represented by an unlimited number of Ordinary
Shares of no par value. The Company may issue an unlimited number
of shares of a nominal or par value and/or of no par value or a
combination of both.
The Company has a total of 106,453,335 (2022:
106,453,335) Ordinary Shares outstanding with an additional 700,000
(2022: 700,000) held in treasury. The Company has 9,167 (2022:
9,167) Management Ordinary Shares in issue, which are held by the
Investment Manager.
The Ordinary Shares are admitted
to the Premium Listing segment of the Official List of the London
Stock Exchange. Holders of Ordinary Shares have the right to
receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the
Company.
Each holder of Ordinary Shares
being present in person or by proxy at a meeting will, upon a show
of hands, have one vote and upon a poll each such holder of
Ordinary Shares present in person or by proxy will have one vote
for each Ordinary Share held.
Holders of Management Ordinary
Shares have the right to receive notice of and to attend and vote
at general meetings of the Company, except that the holders of
Management Ordinary Shares are not entitled to vote on any
resolution relating to certain specific matters, including a
material change to the Company's investment objective, investment
policy or borrowing policy. Each holder of Management Ordinary
Shares being present in person or by proxy at a meeting will, upon
a show of hands, have one vote and upon a poll each such holder of
Management Ordinary Shares present in person or by proxy will have
one vote for each Management Ordinary Share held. Holders of
Ordinary Shares and Management Ordinary Shares are entitled to
receive, and participate in, any dividends or other distributions
out of the profits of the Company available for dividend and
resolved to be distributed in respect of any accounting period or
other income or right to participate therein.
9. SHARE CAPITAL
(CONTINUED)
The details of issued share
capital of the Company are as follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Amount*
|
No. of
shares*
|
Amount*
|
No. of
shares*
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
|
Issued and fully paid share capital
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares of no par
value**
|
76,122,347
|
107,162,502
|
76,122,347
|
107,162,502
|
(including Management Ordinary
Shares)
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Shares
|
(140,492)
|
(700,000)
|
(140,492)
|
(700,000)
|
Total Share Capital
|
75,981,855
|
106,462,502
|
75,981,855
|
106,462,502
|
The outstanding Ordinary Shares as at the year
ended 31 December 2023 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
Treasury
Shares
|
|
Amount*
|
No. of
shares*
|
Amount
|
No. of
shares
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
|
Balance at 31 December
2023
|
76,122,347
|
106,462,502
|
140,492
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
The outstanding Ordinary Shares as at the year
ended 31 December 2022 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
Treasury
Shares
|
|
Amount*
|
No. of
shares*
|
Amount
|
No. of
shares
|
|
£
|
|
£
|
|
Balance at 31 December
2022
|
76,122,347
|
106,462,502
|
140,492
|
700,000
|
* Includes 9,167 (2022: 9,167) Management Ordinary
Shares.
** The value reported for
the ordinary shares represents the net of subscriptions and
redemptions (including any associated expenses)
Capital Management
The Company regards capital as
comprising its issued Ordinary Shares. The Company does not have
any debt that might be regarded as capital. The Company's
objectives in managing capital are:
· To safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern and
provide returns to shareholders in the form of capital
growth over the long-term through a
focused, global portfolio consisting principally of the equities or
related instruments of natural resources companies;
· To allocate capital to those assets that the Directors
consider are most likely to provide the above returns;
· To manage, so far as is reasonably possible and when
desirable, any discount or premium between the Company's share
price and its NAV per Ordinary Share; and
· To make distributions to shareholders when circumstances
permit in accordance with the Company's distribution
policy.
The Company has continued to hold
sufficient cash and liquid listed assets to enable it to meet its
obligations as they arise and the Investment Manager provides the
Directors with reporting on the activities of the investments of
the Company such that they can be satisfied with the allocation of
capital.
As discussed in the Strategic
Report, in August 2015, the Company introduced a share buyback
programme with the objective of managing the discount the Company's
shares trade at compared with its NAV. The Company has repurchased
700,000 shares at an average price of 20 pence per share through
this programme and the repurchased shares are held in
Treasury.
The Company has authority to make
market purchases of up to 14.99 Per Cent of its own Ordinary Shares
in issue. A renewal of such authority is sought from Shareholders
at each Annual General Meeting of the Company or at a General
Meeting of the Company, if required. Any purchases of Ordinary
Shares will be made within internal guidelines established from
time to time by the Board and within applicable
regulations.
9. SHARE CAPITAL
(CONTINUED)
Capital Management (continued)
As described in the Directors'
Report on page 18, the Company has a policy to distribute at least
15 per cent of net realised cash gains after deducting losses
during the financial year through dividends, tender offers or
otherwise.
The Company is not subject to any
externally imposed capital requirements.
Reserves
As at the year-end the Company had
Revenue Reserves of £8,235,802 (2022: £8,771,186) and Capital
Reserves of
£(2,058,078) (2022: £(270,193) ).
Under the Companies (Guernsey) Law
2008, the Company may buy back its own shares, or pay dividends,
out of any reserves, subject to passing a solvency test. This test
considers whether, immediately after the payment, the Company's
assets exceed its liabilities and whether it will be able to pay
its debts when they fall due.
10. RELATED PARTY AND INVESTMENT MANAGER
TRANSACTIONS
The Investment Manager, Baker
Steel Capital Managers LLP, had an interest in 9,167 Management
Ordinary Shares at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022:
9,167).
During 2023 Baker Steel Global
Funds SICAV - Precious Metals Fund ("Precious Metals Fund")
disposed of its entire interest in the Company at 31 December 2023
(2022: 4,922,877 Ordinary Shares). Precious Metals Fund shares a
common Investment Manager with the Company.
David Baker and Trevor Steel,
Directors of the Manager, are interested in the shares held by
Northcliffe Holdings Limited and The Sonya Trust respectively,
which are therefore considered to be Related Parties. As at 31
December 2023, Northcliffe Holdings Pty Limited holds 12,460,677
shares (2022: 12,452,177) and The Sonya Trust holds 12,637,350
shares (2022: 12,637,350).
John Falla holds 100,000 shares in the Company
at 31 December 2023 (2022: 60,000).
The Company's associates are
described in Note 12 to these financial statements.
The Management fees and Directors'
fees paid and accrued for the year were:
|
2023
£
|
2022
£
|
Management fees
|
795,890
|
1,160,507
|
Directors' fees
|
145,000
|
129,489
|
The Management fees and Directors'
fees outstanding at the year-end were:
|
2023
£
|
2022
£
|
Management fees
|
57,735
|
69,854
|
Directors' fees
|
36,250
|
-
|
11. NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE AND LOSS PER
SHARE
Net asset value per share is based
on the net assets of £82,159,579 (31 December 2022: £84,482,848)
and 106,462,502 (31 December 2022: 106,462,502) Ordinary Shares,
being the number of shares in issue at the year-end excluding
700,000 shares which are held in treasury. The calculation for
basic and diluted NAV per share is as below:
|
31 December
2023
|
31 December
2022
|
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
Ordinary
Shares
|
Net assets at the year-end
(£)
|
82,159,579
|
84,482,848
|
Number of shares
|
106,462,502
|
106,462,502
|
Net asset value per share (in pence)
basic and diluted
|
77.2
|
79.4
|
Weighted average
number of shares
|
106,462,502
|
106,462,502
|
The basic and diluted loss per
share for 2023 is based on the net loss for the year of the Company
of £2,323,269 and on 106,462,502 Ordinary Shares, being the
weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the
year.
The basic and diluted loss per
share for 2022 is based on the net loss for the year of the Company
of £20,316,108 and on 106,462,502 Ordinary Shares, being the
weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the
year.
There are no outstanding
instruments which could result in the issue of new shares or dilute
the issued share capital.
12. INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATES
The interests in the below
companies are for investment purposes and they are deemed
associates by virtue of the Company having appointed a
non-executive director ("NED") and/or holding in excess of 20% of
the voting rights of the relevant company but less than 50%.
Investments in associates are carried at fair value as they are
held as part of the investment portfolio which is valued on a fair
value basis.
Investment
|
Country of
Incorporation
|
Voting Rights
held
|
NED
Appointed
|
CEMOS Group Limited
|
Jersey
|
24.59%
|
Yes
|
Nussir ASA
|
Norway
|
12.12%
|
Yes
|
Futura Resources
|
Australia
|
26.94%
|
Yes
|
Silver X Mining
Corporation
|
Canada
|
11.73%
|
Yes
|
Polar Acquisition Limited
|
British
Virgin Islands
|
49.99%
|
Yes
|
Various Baker Steel
representatives and their associates received fees and incentives
for their role as directors to these companies. These fees are
received in addition to the management fees charged.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
There were no events subsequent to
the period end, not already disclosed in the Annual Report and
Accounts, that materially impacted on the Company that require
disclosure or adjustment to these financial statements.
14. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL REPORT AND
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Annual Report and Audited
Financial Statements for the year-ended 31 December 2023 were
approved by the Board of Directors on 26 April 2024.
Appendix - additional information
(UnAUDITED)
REMUNERATION DETAILS FOR INVESTMENT MANAGER'S
STAFF
As noted earlier, under AIFMD, the
Investment Manager received approval to act as a full scope UK AIFM
to the Company as of 22 July 2014. Pursuant to Article 22(2)9e) and
(f) of AIFMD, an AIFM must, where appropriate for each AIF it
manages, make an annual report available to the AIF investors. The
annual report must contain, amongst other items, the total amount
of remuneration paid by the AIFM to its staff for the financial
year, split into fixed and variable remuneration including, where
relevant, any carried interest paid by the AIF, along with the
aggregate remuneration awarded to senior management and members of
staff whose actions have a material impact on the risk profile of
the AIF.
For the year ended 31 December
2023 the LLP as Investment Manager paid fixed remuneration to
members and those identified as AIF code staff of £466,708.
Variable remuneration amounted to £1,163,311. No carried interest
was paid by the Company. These figures represent the aggregate
remuneration paid to members and those identified as AIF code staff
of the LLP as Investment Manager for the year ended 31 December
2023. The total remuneration of the individuals whose actions have
a material impact upon the risk profile of the AIF managed by the
AIFM amounted to £1,630,020.
The total AIFM remuneration
attributable to senior management was £1,630,020. No other staff
were identified as material risk takers in the year. The
remuneration figures reflect an approximation of the portion of
AIFM remuneration reasonably attributable to the AIF.
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIRECTORS:
|
|
Howard Myles (Chairman)
|
|
|
Charles Hansard
|
|
|
Fiona Perrott-Humphrey
|
|
|
John Falla
|
|
|
(all of whom are non-executive and
independent)
|
|
|
|
REGISTERED OFFICE:
|
|
East Wing, Trafalgar
Court
|
|
|
Les Banques
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3PP
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arnold House
|
|
|
St. Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3NF
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
(Retired 30 November 2023)
|
|
|
MANAGER:
|
Baker Steel Capital Managers
(Cayman) Limited
|
|
|
PO Box 309
|
|
|
George Town
|
|
|
Grand Cayman, KY1-1104
|
|
|
Cayman Islands
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT MANAGER:
|
|
Baker Steel Capital Managers
LLP
|
|
|
34 Dover Street
|
|
|
London, W1S 4NG
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
STOCKBROKERS:
|
Deutsche Numis
|
|
|
45 Gresham Street
|
|
|
London, EC2V 7BF
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
SOLICITORS TO THE COMPANY:
|
Norton Rose Fulbright
LLP
|
(as to English law)
|
|
3 More London Riverside
|
|
|
London, SE1 2AQ
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
ADVOCATES TO THE COMPANY:
|
|
Mourant Ozanne
|
(as to Guernsey law)
|
|
Royal Chambers
|
|
|
St Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 4HP
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
ADMINISTRATOR & COMPANY SECRETARY:
|
Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey)
Limited
|
|
East Wing, Trafalgar
Court
|
|
Les Banques
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3PP
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
|
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADMINISTRATOR & COMPANY SECRETARY
(continued):
|
|
HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey)
Limited
|
|
|
Arnold House
|
|
|
St. Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3NF
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
(Retired 30 November 2023)
|
|
|
|
SUB-ADMINISTRATOR TO THE COMPANY:
|
HSBC Securities Services (Ireland)
DAC
|
|
|
1 Grand Canal Square
|
|
|
Grand Canal Harbour
|
|
|
Dublin 2
|
|
|
Ireland
|
|
|
(Retired 30 November 2023)
|
|
|
|
CUSTODIAN TO THE COMPANY:
|
Liberum Wealth Limited
|
|
|
1st Floor, Royal
Chambers
|
|
|
St Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 2HH
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
(Appointed 1 November 2023)
|
|
|
|
|
|
HSBC Continental Europe
|
|
|
1 Grand Canal Square
|
|
|
Grand Canal Harbour
|
|
|
Dublin 2
|
|
|
Ireland
|
|
|
(Retired 31 October 2023)
|
|
|
|
SAFEKEEPING AND MONITORING AGENT:
|
|
Liberum Wealth Limited
|
|
|
1st Floor, Royal Chambers
|
|
|
St Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 2HH
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
(Appointed 1 November 2023)
|
|
|
|
|
|
HSBC Continental Europe
|
|
|
1 Grand Canal Square
|
|
|
Grand Canal Harbour
|
|
|
Dublin 2
|
|
|
Ireland
|
|
|
(Retired 31 October 2023)
|
|
|
|
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR:
|
|
BDO Limited
|
|
|
P O Box 180
|
|
|
Place du Pre
|
|
|
Rue du Pre
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3LL
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
|
|
|
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
REGISTRAR:
|
|
Computershare Investor Services
(Jersey) Limited
|
|
|
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
|
|
|
St Helier
|
|
|
JE11ES
|
|
|
Jersey
|
|
|
|
UK
PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT:
|
|
Computershare Investor Services
(Jersey) Limited
|
|
|
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
|
|
|
St Helier
|
|
|
JE11ES
|
|
|
Jersey
|
|
|
|
RECEIVING AGENT:
|
|
Computershare Investor Services
(Jersey) Limited
|
|
|
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
|
|
|
St Helier
|
|
|
JE11ES
|
|
|
Jersey
|
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL BANKER:
|
|
HSBC Bank plc
|
|
|
Arnold House
|
|
|
St Julian's Avenue
|
|
|
St. Peter Port
|
|
|
Guernsey, GY1 3NF
|
|
|
Channel Islands
|
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AIF - Alternative Investment
Fund
AIFM - Alternative Investment
Fund Manager
AIFMD - Alternative
Investment Fund Managers Directive
Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey) Limited -
(the "Aztec Group")
BSRT - Baker Steel Resources
Trust Limited
Commission - Guernsey
Financial Services Commission
DRAVs - Development Risk
Adjusted Values
DFS - A Definitive
Feasibility Study is an evaluation of a proposed mining project to
determine whether the mineral resource can be mined economically. A
DFS is the basis for detailed design and construction of a project
and determines definitively whether to proceed with the project.
Detailed feasibility studies require a significant amount of formal
engineering work, with costings accurate to within 10-15%. The
definitive feasibility study will be based on indicated and
measured mineral resources.
EU - European
Union
EGM - Extraordinary General
Meeting
FCA - Financial Conduct
Authority
FRC - Financial Reporting
Council
FVO - Fair value
option
FVTPL - Fair value through
profit or loss
GFSC - Guernsey Financial
Services Commission
GFSC Code - Guernsey
Financial Services Commission Code of Corporate
Governance
g/t - Grams per
tonne
HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited
- HSBC
IAS - International
Accounting Standards
ITG - IFRS Transition
Resource Group of Impairment of Financial Instruments
IFRS - International
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European
Union
IndexVal - Where there have
been no known transactions for 6 months, at the Company's half year
and year-end, movements in IndexVal will generally be taken into
account in assessing Fair Value where there has been at least a 10%
movement in IndexVal over at least a six month period. The IndexVal
results are used as an indication of trend and are viewed in the
context of investee company progress.
IPO - Initial Public Offering
(stock market launch)
Liberum Wealth Limited - Liberum Wealth
JORC - AUSTRALASIAN JOINT ORE RESERVES
COMMITTEE
The Code for Reporting of Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code) of the Australasian
Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) is widely accepted as a
standard for professional reporting of mineral resources and ore
reserves. Mineral resources are classified as 'Inferred',
'Indicated' or 'Measured', while ore reserves are either 'Probable'
or 'Proven'.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS (CONTINUED)
Mt - million
tonnes
NAV - Net Asset
Value
NI 43-101 - CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT
43-101
Canadian National Instrument 43-101 is a
mineral resource classification instrument which dictates reporting
and public disclosure of information in Canada relating to mineral
properties.
NAV Discount - NAV to market
price discount The Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share is the value
of all the investment company's assets, less any liabilities it
has, divided by the number of shares. However, because the
Company's Ordinary Shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange's
Main Market, the share price may be higher or lower than the NAV.
The difference is known as a discount or premium.
OCI
- Other comprehensive income
PEA
- Preliminary Economic Assessment
SORP - Statement of
Recommended Practice issued by The Association of Investment
Companies dated July 2022
UK Code - UK Corporate
Governance Code published by the Financial Reporting Council in
July 2018.