• Audited Results for the year ended 31 December 2024

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 30 Apr 2025 02:00:00   America/New_York

    Audited Results for the year ended 31 December 2024

    Serabi Gold plc (“Serabi” or the “Company”) (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI, OTCQX:SRBIF), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, is pleased to announce the Company’s audited results for the year ended 31 December 2024 (all financial amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated).

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Revenue of $94.5 million (2023: $63.7 million) reflecting higher production year on year as well as positive movement in the average gold price achieved of $2,407 (2023: $1,945).
    • Cash held at 31 December 2024 of $22.2 million (31 December 2023: $11.6 million).
    • Net cash at 31 December 2024 (after interest bearing loans and lease liabilities) of $16.2 million (31 December 2023: $5.0 million.
    • Gold production for the 2024 full year of 37,520 ounces (2023: 33,153 ounces).
    • EBITDA for the year of $35.9 million (2023: $13.8 million), a 160% improvement year on year.
    • Post-tax profit for the year of $27.8 million (2023: Post-tax profit of $6.6 million), a 321% improvement year on year.
    • Profit per share of 36.73 cents compared with a profit per share of 8.68 cents for the 2023 calendar year.
    • Net cash inflow from operations for the year was $24.5 million after mine development expenditure of $6.3 million, compared to $7.7 million in 2023 after accounting for mine development of $4.4 million.
    • Cash costs for the full year of $1,326 per ounce (2023: $1,300) and AISC for the full year of $1,700 per ounce (2023: $1,635).
    • The Board announces a new shareholder return policy, where Serabi will target a return of up to 20% - 30% of the Group’s free cash flow to shareholders through dividends or buy-backs.
    • Robust first quarter of 2025 with 10,013 ounces of gold production. Production guidance of between 44,000 and 47,000 ounces of gold for the 2025 calendar year.
    • Serabi is targeting production of 60,000 ounces by 2026 and aiming to be a +100,000 ounces producer thereafter through its 2025 and 2026 brownfield exploration programmes.

    Key Financial Information

    SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024
     12 months to
    31 Dec 2024
    US$
    3 months to
    31 Dec 2024
    US$
    12 months to
    31 Dec 2023
    US$
    3 months to
    31 Dec 2023
    US$
    Revenue94,536,39224,245,75163,707,46815,810,204
    Cost of Sales(50,710,007)(10,869,204)(43,414,739)(10,581,049)
    Gross Operating Profit43,826,38513,376,54720,292,7295,229,155
    Administration and share based payments(7,966,166)(2,237,807)(6,508,543)(1,806,076)
    EBITDA35,860,21911,138,74013,784,1863,423,079
    Depreciation and amortisation charges(4,273,324)(976,001)(6,239,556)(1,257,370)
    Operating profit before finance and tax31,586,89510,162,7397,544,6302,165,709
         
    Profit/(loss) after tax27,819,7189,982,4976,575,6121,954,833
    Earnings per ordinary share (basic)36.73 cents13.18 cents8.68 cents2.58 cents
         
    Average gold price receivedUS$2,407US$2,670US$1,945US$1,972
         
       As at
    31 December
    2024
    As at
    31 December
    2023
    Cash and cash equivalents  22,183,04911,552,031
    Net funds  16,231,2934,998,723
    Net assets  104,181,65492,792,049
         


    Cash Cost and All-In Sustaining Cost (“AISC”)    
     12 months to
    31 December 2024
    3 months to
    31 December 2024
    12 months to
    31 December 2023
    3 months to
    31 December 2023
    Gold production for cash cost and AISC purposes37,520 ozs10,022 ozs33,152 ozs7,891 ozs
         
    Total Cash Cost of production (per ounce)US$1,326US$1,169US$1,300US$1,343
    Total AISC of production (per ounce)US$1,700US$1,512US$1,635US$1,721

    Colm Howlin, CFO of Serabi commented,

    “2024 was another significant year of progress for the Group with gold production of 37,520 ounces, permitting progress at Coringa with the renewal for three years of the trial mining permit, the successful build and commissioning of the Coringa classification plant and the issuing of a new Technical Report for the Coringa mine with 180,000 ounces of Measured and Indicated Resources. More importantly, despite continued development of the Coringa mine with increased activity at the Serra vein, as well as the portal and ramp development commencing at the Meio vein, cash has also improved, with cash almost doubling, increasing by $10.6 million from $11.6 million at 31st December 2023 to $22.2 million at 31st December 2024. The Group has started 2025 positively with an excellent first quarter being recorded with cash balances further increasing to $26.5 million as at 31st March 2025.

    During 2024 cash generated from operations and after capitalised mine development expenditure was $22.6 million, a significant improvement on the net cash inflow of $7.7 million in 2023.

    While gold production improved by 13 percent year on year, sales revenue was up by almost 48 percent as a result of the strengthening of the gold price during 2024 with the average gold price achieved during 2024 being up 24 percent in comparison to the previous year. At the same time, total operating expenses only increased by 10 percent resulting in Post-Tax Profit being up by $21.2 million, a 321 percent increase, and EBITDA of $35.9 million being up by $22.1 million, a 160 percent improvement year on year.

    Twelve months ago, we communicated that 2024 would be another year of investment for the Group as we sought to continue development of the Coringa mine as well as installing and commissioning the classification plant at the Coringa mine. We completed both of these long-term project plans within the planned timelines and under budget which is a great reflection on our entire Operations team. This will allow us to increase production in 2025 to our target of 44,000 - 47,000 ounces with the increase in production primarily attributable to Coringa, a direct result of the development work performed over the last 24 months.

    The Group currently has a strong balance sheet with no long-term debt and only a short-term working capital facility with a local bank in Brazil of $5.0 million. With $22.2 million cash in bank at the end of 2024 which increased to $26.5 million at the end of first quarter of 2025, the aim of the Group is to use this money as effectively as possible during 2025 to bring value to all of our shareholders and we are actively researching and planning the best way to deploy this cash.

    Production for the first quarter of 2025 was positive with over 10,000 ounces produced and $4.3 million added to our bank balance. This strong operational performance together with the commencement of an exciting exploration programme involving two diamond drill rigs at both the Palito Complex and the Coringa mine means the future for the Group is looking very exciting.

    2024 was a year for investment and development and we will continue to look at both organic and inorganic growth opportunities which should help the Group fulfil its potential of moving from the junior mining space into becoming a mid-tier producer in the medium term.”

    Statement from the Chair of Serabi, Michael Lynch-Bell:

    Dear Shareholders,

    “Whilst 2024 was a remarkable year for Serabi, I am pleased to report that the momentum in our growth has continued into 2025, as the Company remains on track to execute its growth strategy, ramping up annual production to a potential run rate of 60,000 oz per annum by 2026 year-end and ultimately growing into a +100,000 oz per annum producer thereafter through our 2025 and 2026 brownfield exploration programmes at the Palito Complex and Coringa.

    Serabi kicked off the year with the announcement of the renewal of the 3-year GU trial mining license, a testament to the support from the Brazilian National Mining Agency - Agência Nacional de Mineração (“ANM”) and the state environmental agency - Secretaria de Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade (“SEMAS”), which from a permitting perspective, underpins our ability in achieving the 60,000 oz per annum run rate target for 2026. Alongside this, we remain in pursuit of the Installation License (“LI”) at Coringa, which awaits final acceptance of the indigenous impact study (“ECI”) by Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (“FUNAI”), the government agency for the indigenous population.

    I am pleased to report that the progress in the ramp up of Coringa did not end there. Our operations team were able to install and commission the crusher and ore sorter (“Classification Plant”) within a span of 10 months. Additionally, the Company published an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Coringa Mine outlining the economics of utilising the Classification Plant at Coringa with preconcentrated ore being processed at the Palito Complex. This demonstrated improved economics in comparison to building a stand-alone processing plant as contemplated in our 2019 Preliminary Economic Assessment. Dependent on the success of Phase 2 of our growth strategy, which has the goal of delineating a consolidated resource of 1.5 - 2.0 million ounces of gold with our upcoming brownfield drill programme, we will maintain the optionality of constructing a stand-alone processing plant in the future.

    I commend the management team for increasing production 13% year-over-year. The production growth continues well into 2025 as guidance was issued by management at 44,000 to 47,000 oz, demonstrating the focus of the management team to execute our growth strategy.

    The macroeconomic backdrop during 2024 resulted in a rise in the price of gold, reaching record highs, a trend that has continued into 2025. Interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, geopolitical uncertainty in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the US Presidential Election, increased global central bank demand for gold, and market volatility all contributed to a higher-than-expected realised gold price at Serabi.

    Significant free cash flow generation contributed to a strengthening balance sheet, as cash grew during the year, after the capital investment for the installation and commissioning of the Classification Plant and underground development at Coringa. At the date of this report, the price of gold has maintained its elevated levels with multiple market analysts calling for additional increases to the price of gold in 2025. Whilst I do not possess a crystal ball, our operations remain robust at current gold price levels and given we don’t have any significant capital investment required for the year, one can reasonably expect the cash flow generation of our operations to remain strong.

    Our stand-alone strategy envisions growing the Palito Complex and Coringa into a consolidated +100,000 oz per annum producer, however, we remain amenable to inorganic growth opportunities, continuing to utilise a disciplined approach to M&A. While we do not intend to pay a dividend in respect of our 2024 results, the Board announce Serabi’s policy going forward will be to target returns to shareholders through dividends or share buyback programmes of up to 20% to 30% of the Group’s free cash flow, defined as net cash generated from operating activities less sustaining capital expenditure and necessary brownfield exploration. This reflects our confidence in the business, our commitment to delivering long-term value and our balanced capital allocation strategy.

    Whilst we believe that the best use of surplus cash in the short-term would be to further drive organic growth, we will continue to evaluate investment opportunities and risk against shareholder return strategies.

    On 31 December 2024, we bid farewell to Clive Line, who served Serabi for over 20 years. I would like to extend my thanks for his significant contributions to the Company and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. Colm Howlin, who was appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer on 31 December 2024, to replace Clive Line, joined the Board on 25 April 2025. In April 2025, we have had personnel changes at the Board of Directors. I would like to express sincere gratitude to Mark Sawyer and Carolina Margozzini for their significant contributions to Serabi during their tenure and wish them well on all of their future endeavours.

    My tenure as the Chair of Serabi continues to be exciting. Having joined the Board in August 2022, I remain pleased to be part of the transformation the Board and management have envisioned. Whilst I have no doubt there may be challenges which lie ahead, I do believe there are many reasons to remain confident and optimistic for the future of Serabi. The remainder of the year will be significant for Serabi, as we embark on Phase 2 of our growth strategy and plan for positive drilling success through our brownfield drill programme. I hope that I will be able to report further positive progress at the Annual General Meeting to be held in June and over the rest of the year.

    My continuing thanks to the efforts from the management team and our employees and for the support of my fellow Board members.

    Michael D Lynch-Bell
    Chair
    30 April 2025

    The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

    The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Colm Howlin, Director.

    Enquiries

    SERABI GOLD plc
    Michael Hodgson        t +44 (0)20 7246 6830
    Chief Executive        m +44 (0)7799 473621

    Colm Howlin        
    Chief Financial Officer        m +353 89 6078171

    Andrew Khov         m +1 647 885 4874
    Vice President, Investor Relations &
    Business Development
            e contact@serabigold.com

            www.serabigold.com

    BEAUMONT CORNISH Limited
    Nominated Adviser & Financial Adviser
    Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish        t +44 (0)20 7628 3396

    PEEL HUNT LLP
    Joint UK Broker
    Ross Allister / Georgia Langoulant        t +44 (0)20 7418 9000

    TAMESIS PARTNERS LLP
    Joint UK Broker
    Charlie Bendon/ Richard Greenfield        t +44 (0)20 3882 2868

    CAMARCO
    Financial PR - Europe
    Gordon Poole / Emily Hall                t +44 (0)20 3757 4980

    HARBOR ACCESS
    Financial PR – North America
    Jonathan Patterson / Lisa Micali                t +1 475 477 9404

    Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.

    Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this announcement.

    See www.serabigold.com for more information and follow us on X @Serabi_Gold

    Annual Report

    The Annual Report has been published by the Company on its website at www.serabigold.com and printed copies are expected to be available before 31 May 2025. Additional copies will be available to the public, free of charge, from the Company's offices at The Long Barn, Cobham Park Road, Downside, Surrey, KT11 3NE and will be available to download from the Company’s website at www.serabigold.com.

    The data included in the selected annual information tables below is taken from the Company’s annual audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, which were prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The Parent Company financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

    The audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 will be presented to shareholders for adoption at the Annual General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders and filed with the Registrar of Companies.

    The following information, comprising, the Income Statement, the Group Balance Sheet, Group Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, and Group Cash Flow, is extracted from these financial statements.

    Statement of Comprehensive Income
    For the year ended 31 December 2024

       Group
       For the year ended
    31 December 2024
    For the year ended
    31 December 2023
     Notes US$US$
         
    Revenue from continuing operations  94,536,39263,707,468
    Cost of sales  (50,940,007)(43,184,739)
    Stock impairment provision  230,000(230,000)
    Depreciation and amortisation charges  (4,273,324)(6,239,556)
    Total cost of sales  (54,983,331)(49,654,295)
    Gross operating profit  39,553,06114,053,173
    Administration expenses  (7,442,698)(6,492,165)
    Share-based payments  (248,911)(197,344)
    Gain on disposal of fixed assets  (274,557)180,966
    Operating profit  31,586,8957,544,630
    Foreign exchange gain  (1,515,370)174,105
    Other income – exploration receipts5 331,1444,680,414
    Other expenses – exploration expenses5 (299,612)(4,339,554)
    Finance expense6 (674,399)(739,245)
    Finance income6 2,848,358847,523
    Profit before taxation  32,277,0168,167,873
    Income tax expense7 (4,457,298)(1,592,261)
    Profit for the period(1)   27,819,7186,575,612
         
    Other comprehensive income (net of tax)
    Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

      
      
    Exchange differences on translating foreign operations  (16,679,024)4,496,030
    Total comprehensive profit for the period(1)  11,140,69411,071,642
    Earnings per ordinary share (basic) (1) 8 36.738.68c
    Earnings per ordinary share (diluted) (1) 8 36.738.68c

    (1)     The Group has no non-controlling interests, and all losses are attributable to the equity holders of the parent company


    Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

        Group
               At 31 December
    2024
    At 31 December
    2023
        US$US$
    Non-current assets     
    Deferred exploration costs   18,839,83620,499,257
    Property, plant and equipment   53,593,72353,340,903
    Right of use assets   4,287,0205,316,330
    Taxes receivable   6,246,3524,653,063
    Deferred taxation   1,878,0811,791,983
    Total non-current assets   84,845,01285,601,536
    Current assets     
    Inventories   13,115,64812,797,951
    Trade and other receivables   2,533,4502,858,072
    Prepayments   2,220,4632,320,256
    Derivative financial assets   115,840
    Cash and cash equivalents   22,183,04911,552,031
    Total current assets   40,052,61029,644,150
    Current liabilities     
    Trade and other payables   9,695,5608,626,292
    Interest-bearing liabilities   5,841,8046,403,084
    Accruals   419,493649,225
    Total current liabilities   15,956,85715,678,601
    Net current assets   24,095,75313,965,549
    Total assets less current liabilities   108,940,76599,567,085
    Non-current liabilities     
    Trade and other payables   2,809,2433,960,920
    Provisions   1,839,9162,663,892
    Interest-bearing liabilities   109,952150,224
    Total non-current liabilities   4,759,1116,775,036
    Net assets   104,181,65492,792,049
          
          
    Equity     
    Share capital   11,213,61811,213,618
    Share premium reserve   36,158,06836,158,068
    Share incentive reserve   221,613175,573
    Other reserves   19,486,68415,960,006
    Translation reserve   (78,459,765)(61,780,741)
    Retained surplus   115,561,43691,065,525
    Equity shareholders’ funds attributable to owners of the parent   104,181,65492,792,049


    Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
    For the twelve month period ended 31 December 2024

    GroupShare
    capital
    Share
    premium
    Share
    incentive
    reserve
    Other
    reserves
    Translation
    reserve
    Retained surplusTotal equity
     US$US$US$US$US$US$US$
    Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December 202211,213,61836,158,0681,324,55814,459,255(66,276,771)84,644,33581,523,063
    Foreign currency adjustments4,496,0304,496,030
    Profit for year6,575,6126,575,612
    Total comprehensive income for the year4,496,0306,575,61211,071,642
    Transfer to taxation reserve1,500,751(1,500,751)
    Share based incentives lapsed in period(1,346,329)1,346,329
    Share based incentive expense197,344197,344
    Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December 202311,213,61836,158,068175,57315,960,006(61,780,741)91,065,52592,792,049
    Foreign currency adjustments(16,679,024) (16,679,024)
    Profit for year 27,819,71827,819,718
    Total comprehensive income for the year(16,679,024)27,819,71811,140,694
    Transfer to taxation reserve3,526,678(3,526,678)
    Share based incentives lapsed in period(202,871)202,871
    Share based incentive expense248,911248,911
    Equity shareholders’ funds at 31 December 202411,213,61836,158,068221,61319,486,684(78,459,765)115,561,436104,181,654

    Other reserves comprise a merger reserve of US$361,461 and a taxation reserve of US$19,125,223 (2023: merger reserve of US$361,461 and taxation reserve of US$15,598,545).


    Cash Flow Statement
    For the twelve month period ended 31 December 2024

      Group
      For the
    year ended
    31 December
    2024
    For the
    year ended
    31 December
    2023
      US$US$
    Cash outflows from operating activities   
    Profit/(loss) for the period 27,819,7186,575,612
    Net financial income (690,121)(623,243)
    Depreciation – plant, equipment and mining properties 4,273,3246,239,556
    Provision for inventory impairment (230,000)230,000
    Taxation expense 4,457,2981,592,261
    Share-based payments 248,911197,344
    Gain on fixed asset sales and other items 274,557(180,966)
    Taxation paid (1,967,258)(1,400,365)
    Interest paid (547,397)(426,366)
    Foreign exchange (loss)/gain 34,072(82,829)
        
    Changes in working capital   
    Increase in inventories (2,730,297)(2,830,651)
    Increase in receivables, prepayments and accrued income (2,507,371)1,614,497
    Increase in payables, accruals and provisions 2,444,4831,188,337
    Increase in short-term intercompany payables 
    Net cash inflow from operations 30,879,91912,093,187
        
    Investing activities   
    Purchase of property, plant, equipment, and projects in construction (7,902,368)(2,378,317)
    Mine development expenditure (6,332,004)(4,425,839)
    Geological exploration expenditure (2,717,201)(571,411)
    Pre-operational project costs (2,001,086)
    Proceeds from sale of assets 64,956326,727
    Investment in subsidiaries 
    Interest received and other finance income 499,138313,106
    Net cash outflow on investing activities (18,388,565)(6,735,734)
        
    Financing activities   
    Receipt of short-term loan 5,000,0005,000,000
    Repayment of short-term loan (5,000,000)(5,096,397)
    Payment of lease liabilities (885,344)(1,171,602)
    Net cash outflow from financing activities (885,344)(1,267,999)
        
    Net increase) in cash and cash equivalents 11,606,0104,089,454
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 11,552,0317,196,313
    Exchange difference on cash (974,992)266,264
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 22,183,04911,552,031


    Notes
    1.        General Information

    The financial information set out above for the years ended 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but is derived from those accounts. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards (UK IAS), this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with UK IAS. A copy of the statutory accounts for 2023 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2024 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. The full audited financial statements for the years end 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2023 comply with IFRS.

    2.        Auditor’s Opinion

    The auditor has issued an unqualified opinion in respect of the financial statements for both 2024 and 2023 which do not contain any statements under the Companies Act 2006, Section 498(2) or Section 498(3).

    3.        Basis of Preparation

    The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The parent and consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards (UK IAS) and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards.

    On 31 December 2020, IFRS as adopted by the European Union at that date was brought into the UK law and became UK-adopted international accounting standards, with future changes being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Group prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with UK IAS.

    Accounting standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2024
    The Group has not adopted any standards or interpretations in advance of the required implementation dates.

    The following Accounting standards came into effect as of 1 January 2024

    IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information1 January 2024
    IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures1 January 2024
    Amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Supplier Finance Arrangements1 January 2024

    Amendments to IFRS 16 Leases: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback1 January 2024

    Amendments IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non Current and Non Current Liabilities with Covenants
    The IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”). The amendments clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or non-current is based on rights that are in existence at the end of the reporting period. Classification is unaffected by the entity’s expectation or events after the reporting date. Covenants of loan arrangements will affect the classification of a liability as current or non-current if the entity must comply with a covenant either before or at the reporting date, even if the covenant is only tested for compliance after the reporting date. There was no significant impact on the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements as a result of the adoption of these amendments.

    There is no material impact on the financial statements from the adoption of these new accounting standards or amendments to accounting standards,

    Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the current period and have not been early adopted. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s current or future reporting periods.

    4.        Going concern and availability of finance

    The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, are set out in the Group Strategic Report. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, and liquidity position are described in the Chief Financial Officer’s Review and set out in the Group Financial Statements. Further details of the Group’s commitments and maturity analysis of financial liabilities are set out in note 24 and 26 respectively of the Group Financial Statements. In addition, note 23 to the Group Financial Statements includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

    The Directors have a reasonable expectation that, after taking into account reasonably possible changes in trading performance, and the current macroeconomic situation, the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Financial Statements. Further details are provided in Going Concern section of the Group Strategic Report.

    5.        Other income and expense

    Under the copper exploration alliance with Vale announced on 10 May 2023, the related exploration activities undertaken by the Group under the management of a working committee (comprising representatives from Vale and Serabi), were funded in their entirety by Vale during Phase 1 of the programme. Following the completion of Phase 1, Vale advised the Group, in April 2024, that it did not wish to continue the exploration alliance.

    Exploration and development of copper deposits is not the core activity of the Group and further funding beyond the Phase 1 commitment would be required before a judgment could be made as to a project being commercially viable. There is a significant cost involved in developing new copper deposits and it is unlikely that, without the financial support of a partner, the Group would independently seek to develop a copper project in preference to any of its existing gold projects and discoveries. As a result, both the funding received from Vale and the related exploration expenditures was recognised through the income statement. As this is not a principal business activity of the Group these receipts and expenditures were classified as other income and other expenses.

    6.        Finance expense and income

     Group
     12 months ended
    31 December
    2024
    12 months ended
    31 December
    2023
     US$US$
    Interest on short term unsecured bank loan(424,639)

    (453,675)
    Interest in finance leases(60,404)

    (103,568)
    Interest on short term trade loan(62,354)

    (90,586)
    Variation on discount on rehabilitation provision(127,002)

    (91,416)
    Total finance expense(674,399)

    (739,245)
    PIS/COFINS recovered2,342,388
    Gain on revaluation of derivatives431,348
    Realised gain on hedging activities6,832103,069
    Interest income499,138313,106
    Total finance income2,848,358847,523
    Net finance income2,173,959108,278

    7.         Taxation
    The Group has incurred a tax charge on profits in Brazil for the year to 31 December 2024 of US$4,999,173 (31 December 2023 - US$2,199,658)

    The Group has also recognised a deferred tax asset to the extent that the Group has reasonable certainty as to the level and timing of future profits that might be generated and against which the asset may be recovered. The Group has registered a net deferred tax credit of US$541,875 during the year to 31 December 2023 (31 December 2023 – credit of US$607,397).

    8.        Earnings per share

             For the year ended
    31 December
    2024
    For the year ended
    31 December
    2023
    Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (US$)27,819,7186,575,612
    Weighted average ordinary shares in issue75,734,55175,734,551
    Basic profit per share (US cents)36.738.68
    Diluted ordinary shares in issue (1)75,734,55175,734,551
    Diluted profit per share (US cents)36.738.68

          (1)   At 31 December 2024 there were 2,814,632 conditional share awards in issue (31 December 2023 - 2,075,400). These are subject to performance conditions which may or not be fulfilled in full or in part. These CSAs have not been included in the calculation of the diluted earnings per share.


    9.        Post balance sheet events

    On 7 January 2024, the Group completed a US$5.0 million unsecured loan arrangement with Brazilian bank Itau which carried a fixed interest coupon of 8.47 per cent. The loan was repaid as a bullet payment on 6 January 2025. On 22 January 2025, the Group completed a further US$5.0 million unsecured loan arrangement with a different Brazilian bank (Santander) which carries a fixed interest coupon of 6.16 per cent. This loan is repayable on 16 January 2026.

    Except as set out above, there has been no item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the Directors of the Company, to affect significantly the continuing operation of the entity, the results of these operations, or the state of affairs of the entity in future financial periods.

    Assay Results
    Assay results reported within this release include those provided by the Company's own on-site laboratory facilities at Palito and have not yet been independently verified. Serabi closely monitors the performance of its own facility against results from independent laboratory analysis for quality control purpose. As a matter of normal practice, the Company sends duplicate samples derived from a variety of the Company's activities to accredited laboratory facilities for independent verification. Since mid-2019, over 10,000 exploration drill core samples have been assayed at both the Palito laboratory and certified external laboratory, in most cases the ALS laboratory in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. When comparing significant assays with grades exceeding 1 g/t gold, comparison between Palito versus external results record an average over-estimation by the Palito laboratory of 6.7% over this period. Based on the results of this work, the Company's management are satisfied that the Company's own facility shows sufficiently good correlation with independent laboratory facilities for exploration drill samples. The Company would expect that in the preparation of any future independent Reserve/Resource statement undertaken in compliance with a recognised standard, the independent authors of such a statement would not use Palito assay results without sufficient duplicates from an appropriately certificated laboratory.

    Forward-looking statements
    Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘could’’, “should” ‘‘envisage’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.

    Qualified Persons Statement
    The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 30 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.

    Notice
    Beaumont Cornish Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in relation to the matters referred herein. Beaumont Cornish Limited is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in relation to the matters described in this announcement and is not advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Beaumont Cornish Limited, or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

    Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release


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