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Published: 2022-06-30 17:16:45 ET
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EX-99.1 6 mux-20211231xex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Directors of Minera Santa Cruz S.A.:

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (the Company) which comprise statements of financial position as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related statements of profit (loss) and other comprehensive profit (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). 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 are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.

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 absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users made on the basis of these financial statements.

In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, we:

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.

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Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters identified during the audit.

/S/ PISTRELLI, HENRY MARTIN Y ASOCIADOS S.R.L

Member of Ernst & Young Global

City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

June 29, 2022

2


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statements of profit (loss) and other comprehensive profit (loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

    

Notes

2021
US$000

  

2020
US$000

  

2019
US$000

Revenue

3

258,971

206,098

250,715

Cost of sales

4

(192,163)

(147,103)

(169,799)

Gross profit

66,808

58,995

80,916

Administrative expenses

5

(6,400)

(5,963)

(6,603)

Exploration expenses

6

(10,602)

(10,445)

(10,632)

Selling expenses

7

(14,195)

(11,704)

(19,444)

Other income

9

438

9,779

478

Other expenses

9

(14,281)

(4,757)

(5,721)

Profit before net finance income (costs), foreign exchange loss and income tax

21,768

35,905

38,994

Finance income

10

1,997

1,272

1,186

Finance costs

10

(19,581)

(16,746)

(5,042)

Foreign exchange

(2,506)

(2,964)

178

Profit (Loss) before income tax

1,678

17,467

35,316

Current and deferred income tax (expense) recovery

21

(10,323)

(6,542)

(9,297)

(Loss) Profit for the year

(8,645)

10,925

26,019

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

(Loss) Profit and Comprehensive (Loss) Profit for the year

(8,645)

10,925

26,019

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statements of financial position

As at  December 31, 2021 and 2020

  

Notes 

  

As at
December 31,

2021
US$000

  

As at
December 31,

 2020
 US$000

ASSETS

Non-current assets

157,512

166,671

Property, plant and equipment

11

147,886

154,408

Evaluation and exploration assets

12

4,703

6,090

Intangible assets

13

4,470

5,296

Trade and other receivables

14

453

877

Current assets

89,927

94,923

Inventories

15

23,822

21,184

Trade and other receivables

14

40,163

35,843

Short-term investments

-

2,382

Cash and cash equivalents

16

25,942

35,514

Total assets

247,439

261,594

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Capital and reserves

130,649

159,359

Equity share capital

20

110,132

110,132

Other reserves

158,603

170,506

Retained earnings

(138,086)

(121,279)

Non-current liabilities

68,260

62,721

Trade and other payables

17

944

747

Provisions

19

28,942

28,665

Deferred income tax liabilities

21

38,374

33,309

Current liabilities

48,530

39,514

Trade and other payables

17

48,530

28,886

Borrowings

18

-

10,628

Total liabilities

116,790

102,235

Total equity and liabilities

247,439

261,594

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statements of cash flows

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Year ended December 31

Notes

  

2021
US$000

  

2020
US$000

  

2019
US$000

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

1,678

17,467

35,316

Non-cash adjustment to reconcile profit for the year to net cash flows

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

11

50,841

31,262

51,598

Amortization and depreciation of intangible assets

13

826

562

1,313

Impairment reversal

11,12,13

-

(8,304)

-

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

11

354

552

496

Other non cash

9, 10

185

(882)

885

Impact of change of estimated discount rate for Value Added Tax (VAT) and other receivables

10

632

(214)

1,119

Other interest

10

-

-

(965)

Working capital adjustments

(Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables

(4,528)

2,145

(74)

(Increase)/Decrease in inventories

(2,638)

5,921

(7,252)

Increase/Decrease in trade payables

16,551

(13,576)

(484)

Increase/(Decrease) in other payables

658

2,427

(853)

Income tax paid

(2,153)

(1,817)

(6,223)

Net cash flows generated from operating activities

62,406

35,543

74,876

Investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, evaluation and exploration and intangible assets

11,12,13

(43,667)

(24,973)

(43,591)

Short term investments

2,382

(2,382)

-

Net cash flows used in investing activities

(41,285)

(27,355)

(43,591)

Financing activities

(Decrease)/Increase of borrowings, net

18

(8,154)

12,732

(5,814)

Cash interest paid

18

(2,474)

(2,139)

(233)

Dividends paid

22

(20,065)

(701)

(18,117)

Net cash flows (used in) generated from financing activities

(30,693)

9,892

(24,164)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year

(9,572)

18,080

7,121

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

35,514

17,434

10,313

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

16

25,942

35,514

17,434

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statement of changes in equity

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

  

Notes

  

Equity share capital US$000

  

Legal reserve US$000

  

Other reserves US$000

  

Currency translation adjustment US$000

  

Total
other reserves US$000

  

Retained earnings US$000

  

Total
equity
US$000

Balance at January 1, 2019

110,132

12,513

148,498

2,685

163,696

(132,631)

141,197

Dividends

22

-

-

(18,080)

(18,080)

(18,080)

Legal reserve

-

-

-

Other reserves (*)

-

-

(9,381)

(9,381)

9,381

Profit for the year

-

-

-

26,019

26,019

Balance at December 31, 2019

110,132

12,513

121,037

2,685

136,235

(97,231)

149,136

Dividends

22

-

-

(702)

(702)

(702)

Legal reserve

-

1,749

-

1,749

(1,749)

Other reserves (*)

-

-

33,224

33,224

(33,224)

Profit for the year

-

-

-

10,925

10,925

Balance at December 31, 2020

110,132

14,262

153,559

2,685

170,506

(121,279)

159,359

Dividends

22

-

-

(20,065)

-

(20,065)

-

(20,065)

Legal reserve

-

408

-

-

408

(408)

-

Other reserves (*)

-

-

7,754

-

7,754

(7,754)

-

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

-

(8,645)

(8,645)

Balance at December 31, 2021

110,132

14,670

141,248

2,685

158,603

(138,086)

130,649

(*)

In accordance with Shareholders meeting as of June 5, 2019, May 21, 2020 and May 21, 2021 based on statutory purposes financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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1. Company information

Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (the “Company” or “MSC”) was incorporated in 2001. The Company is a limited company incorporated and domiciled in Sargento Cabral 124, Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina.

The Company’s principal business is the mining, processing and sale of silver and gold.  Information on the parent is presented in Note 23.

For management purposes, the Company is organized into one business unit; therefore, there is only one reporting segment according to IFRS 8, ‘Operating Segments’.

The financial statements of Minera Santa Cruz S.A. for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on June 29, 2022.

2. Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

2.A Basis of preparation

2.A.1 Overview

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The basis of preparation and accounting policies used in preparing the financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are set out below. The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments which have been measured at fair value.

The financial statements are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (US$ thousand), except where otherwise indicated.

2.A.2 Foreign currencies

The Company’s financial information is presented in US dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. The functional currency for the Company is determined by the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity are recorded in the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured at the exchange rate prevailing at the statement of financial position date. Exchange gains and losses on settlement of foreign currency transactions which are translated at the rate prevailing at the date of the transactions, or on the translation of monetary assets and liabilities which are translated at period-end exchange rates, are recorded in the income statement.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at historical cost are translated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined.

2.B Significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions

The preparation of the Company´s financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on management’s experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in future periods.  The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation 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 described below. The Company based its assumptions and estimates on information available at the time of financial statements preparations. These assumptions may change in the future due to market changes or circumstances arising beyond the control of the Company and the impact on the financial statements could be material.

Significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgments made by management in preparing the financial statements include:

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Significant estimates:

Useful lives of assets for depreciation and amortization purposes – Note 2.E (e), (f) and (h)

Estimates are required to be made by management as to the useful lives of assets. For depreciation calculated under the units-of-production (“UOP”) method, estimated recoverable reserves and resources are used in determining the depreciation and/or amortization of mine-specific assets. This results in a depreciation/amortization charge proportional to the depletion of the anticipated remaining life of-mine production. Each item’s life, which is assessed annually, has regard to both its physical life limitations and to present assessments of economically recoverable reserves and resources of the mine property at which the asset is located. These calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions, including the amount of recoverable reserves and resources. Changes are accounted for prospectively.

Ore reserves and resources – Note 2.E (g)

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore reserves and resources. Assumptions that are valid at the time of estimation may change significantly when new information becomes available. Changes in the forecast prices of commodities, exchange rates, production costs or recovery rates may change the economic status of reserves and resources and may, ultimately, result in changes to reserves and resources.

Recoverable values of mining assets – Notes 2.E (e), (f), (h) and Notes 11, 12 and 13

The company assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that an asset or cash-generating unit (‘CGU’) may be impaired. If any indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Company estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal (‘FVLCD’) and its value in use.

The assessment of asset carrying values requires the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices, discount rates, future capital requirements, exploration potential and operating performance. Changes in these assumptions will affect the recoverable amount of the property, plant and equipment and evaluation and exploration assets and intangibles assets. See Note 30.

Mine closure costs – Note 2.E (m)

The Company assesses its mine closure costs provision annually. Significant estimates and assumptions are made in determining the provision for mine closure cost as there are numerous factors that will affect the ultimate liability payable. These factors include estimates of the extent and costs of rehabilitation activities, technological changes, regulatory changes, cost increases, mine life and changes in discount rates. Those uncertainties may result in future actual expenditures differing from the amounts currently provided. The provision at the balance sheet date represents management’s best estimate of the present value of the future closure costs required. Changes to estimated future costs are recognized in the balance sheet by adjusting the mine closure cost liability and the related asset originally recognized.

Critical Judgements:

Determination of functional currency.

The determination of functional currency requires management judgement, particularly where there may be several currencies in which transactions are undertaken and which impact the economic environment in which the entity operates.

Income tax – Notes 2.E (b), 21 and 25.


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Judgement is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognized on the balance sheet. Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet method on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets, including those arising from unutilized tax losses require management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilize recognized deferred tax assets. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecasted cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the Company to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded at the balance sheet date could be impacted.

Recognition of evaluation and exploration assets and transfer to development costs – Note 2.E (f)

The application of the Company´s accounting policy for Exploration and Evaluation (“E&E”) expenditure requires judgement to determine whether future economic benefits are likely from either future exploitation or sale, or whether activities have not reached a stage that permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of reserves and resources.

In addition to applying judgement to determine whether future economic benefits are likely to arise from the Company E&E assets (reserves and resources), the Company has to apply numerous other estimates and assumptions. The determination of a resource is itself an estimation process that involves varying degrees of uncertainty depending on how the resources are classified (i.e., measured, indicated or inferred). These estimates directly impact the deferral (capitalization or not) of E&E expenditures.

2.C Changes in accounting policies and disclosures

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2020. Amendments to standards and interpretations which came into force during the year did not have a significant impact on the financial statements and are as follows:

Amendments to IFRS 4, IFRS 7, IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and IAS 39 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

On August 27, 2020, the IASB published Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2, Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16.

The amendments provide temporary reliefs which address the financial reporting effects when an interbank offered rate ("IBOR") is replaced with an alternative nearly risk-free interest rate ("RFR").

Introduce a practical expedient for the amendments required by the reform, clarify that hedge accounting is not discontinued solely because of the IBOR reform and introduces disclosures to enable a user to understand the nature and extent of risks arising from IBOR reform.

While application is retrospective, an entity is not required to restate prior periods.  

This amendment had no impact on the financial statements of the Company.

Other amendments and interpretations apply for the first time in 2021, but do not have an impact on the financial statements. The Company has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

2.D Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective

Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022 or later periods but which the Company has not previously adopted. These have not been listed as they are not expected to impact the Company.

2.E Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) Revenue recognition

The Company is involved in the production and sale of gold and silver from doré and concentrate containing both gold and silver. Concentrate and doré bars are sold directly to customers.

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the goods or services are transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

Revenue value is determined net of refining and treatment charges but exclude selling expenses and any applicable sales taxes.

The revenue is subject to adjustments based on inspection of the product by the customer. Revenue is initially recognised on a provisional basis using the Company’s best estimate of contained gold and silver. Any subsequent adjustments to the initial estimate of metal content are recorded in revenue once they have been determined.

In addition, certain sales are ‘provisionally priced’ where the selling price is subject to final adjustment at the end of a period, normally ranging from 15 to 120 days after the start of the delivery process to the customer, based on the market price at the relevant quotation point stipulated in the contract. Revenue is initially recognised when the conditions set out above have been met, using market prices at that date. The provisionally priced metal is revalued based on the forward selling price for the quotational period stipulated in the contract until the quotational period ends. The selling price of gold and silver can be measured reliably as these metals are actively traded on international exchanges. The revaluation of provisionally priced contracts is recorded as revenue.

Doré Sale

The terms that apply for doré sales is Carriage and Insurance Paid To (‘CIP’), which indicate the moment in which the property and the risk of the MSC good is transferred to the client.

Concentrate Sale

For gold and silver concentrate, there are sales under Cost, Insurance and Freight (‘CIF’) or CIP terms. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the control passes to the customer.

The Sales under CIP or CIF terms requires the Company to be responsible for providing freight/shipping services (as principal) after the date that the Company transfers control of the metal in concentrate to its customers. The Company, therefore, has separate performance obligations for freight/shipping services which are provided solely to facilitate sale of the commodities it produces.

For CIF arrangements, the transaction price (as determined above) is allocated to the metal in concentrate and freight/shipping services using the relative stand-alone selling price method. Under these arrangements, a portion of consideration may be received from the customer in cash at, or around, the date of shipment under a provisional invoice. Therefore, some of the upfront consideration that relates to the freight/shipping services yet to be provided, is deferred.

(b) Income tax

Income tax for the year comprises of current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case it is recognized in equity.

Current income tax expense includes the expected tax payable for the year, using tax rates enacted at the statement of financial position date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

 

Deferred income tax is estimated using the balance sheet method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date.

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

(c) Tax contingencies

An estimate tax liability is recognized when the Company has a present obligation because of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The liability is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Separate liabilities for interest and penalties are also recorded if appropriate.

Tax liabilities are based on management´s interpretation of tax law and the likelihood of settlement. This involves a significant amount of judgment as tax legislation can be complex and open to different interpretation. Management uses in-house tax experts, external professional service firms and previous experience when assessing tax risks.

(d) Leases

Right-of-use assets

The Company recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment.

Lease liabilities

At the commencement date of the lease, the Company recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Company and payments of penalties for terminating a lease, if the lease term reflects the Company exercising the option to terminate. The variable lease payments are recognised as expense in the period on which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets

The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of twelve months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value (i.e., below US$5,000). Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Cost comprises its purchase price and directly attributable costs of acquisition or construction required to bring the asset to the condition necessary for the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Economical and physical conditions of assets have not changed substantially over this period.

11


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

The cost less residual value of each item of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its useful life. Each item’s
estimated useful life has been assessed with regard to both its own physical life limitations and the present assessment of economically recoverable reserves and resources of the mine property at which the item is located. Estimates of remaining useful lives are made on a regular basis for all mine buildings, machinery and equipment, with annual reassessments for major items. Depreciation is charged to cost of production on a units of production basis for mine buildings and installations and plant and equipment used in the mining production process or charged directly to the income statement over the estimated useful life of the individual asset on a straight-line basis when not related to the mining production process. Changes in estimates, which mainly affect units of production calculations, are accounted for prospectively. Depreciation commences when assets are available for use. Land is not depreciated.

An asset’s carrying amount is written-down to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognized within other income/expenses, in the income statement.

The expected useful lives under the straight-line method are as follows:

    

Years

Buildings

3 to end of mine life

Plant and equipment

4 to end of mine life

Vehicles

5

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of an asset that takes a substantial time to be ready for its intended use are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing costs are expensed when incurred.

Mining properties and development costs

Purchased mining properties are recognized as assets at their cost of acquisition. Costs associated with developing of mining properties are capitalized and are depreciated upon commencement of commercial production, using the UOP method based.

When a mine construction project moves into the production stage, the capitalization of mine construction costs ceases and costs are either included in the cost of inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for capitalization.

Construction in progress

Assets in the course of construction are capitalized as a separate component of property, plant and equipment. On completion, the cost of construction is transferred to the appropriate category. Construction in progress is not depreciated.

Subsequent expenditures

Expenditures incurred to replace a component of an item of property, plant and equipment are capitalized to replace the carrying amount of the component being written-off. Other subsequent expenditures are capitalized if future economic benefits will arise from the expenditure, otherwise are expensed in the income statement as incurred.

(f) Evaluation and exploration assets

Evaluation and exploration expenses are capitalized when the future economic benefit of the project can reasonably be regarded as assured, and / or from the date that the Board of Directors authorizes management to conduct a feasibility study.

Expenditures are transferred to mining properties and development costs once the work is completed.

Costs incurred in converting inferred resources to indicated and measured resources (of which reserves are a component) are capitalized as incurred. Costs incurred in identifying inferred resources are expensed as incurred.

12


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(g) Determination of ore reserves and resources

The Company estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on information compiled by internal competent persons. Reports to support these estimates are prepared each year. It is the Company’s policy to have the report audited by a Qualified Person on an annually basis.

Reserves and resources are used in the UOP calculation for depreciation as well as the determination of the timing of mine closure cost and impairment analysis.

(h) Intangible assets

Right to use energy of transmission line

Transmission line costs represent the investment made by the Company during the period of its use. This is an asset with a finite useful life equal to that of the mine life and amortized applying the UOP method for the mine.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets are primarily computer software, which are capitalized at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life of three years.

(i) Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and evaluation and exploration assets are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If there are indicators of impairment, an exercise is undertaken to determine whether the carrying values are in excess of their recoverable amount. Such review is undertaken on an asset by asset basis, except where such assets do not generate cash flow independent of other assets, and then the review is undertaken at the cash-generating unit level.

The assessment requires the use of estimates and assumptions such as long-term commodity prices, discount rates, future capital requirements, exploration potential and operating performance. Changes in these assumptions will affect the recoverable amount of this group of assets.

If the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds the recoverable amount, a provision is recorded to reflect the asset at the lower amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.

Calculation of recoverable amount

The recoverable amount of assets is the greater of their value in use (‘VIU’) and fair value less costs of disposal (‘FVLCD’) to sell. FVLCD is based on an estimate of the amount that the Company may obtain in a sale transaction on an arm’s length basis. VIU is based on estimated future cash flows discounted to present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The Company’s CGU is the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The Company considers the mine site as a CGU.

Reversal of impairment

An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

(j) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. The cost of work in progress and finished goods (ore inventories) is based on the cost of production.

For this purpose, the cost of production includes:

costs, materials and contractor expenses which are directly attributable to the extraction and processing of doré;
depreciation of property, plant and equipment used in the extraction and processing of ore;

13


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less applicable selling expenses.

(k) Financial instruments

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.

- Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets are classified initially as assets at amortized cost and /or fair value through other comprehensive income or loss (OCI), and fair value through profit or loss. The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset´s contractual cash flow characteristics and the Company´s business model for managing them.

Financial assets are measured on initial recognition at fair value, plus, in the case of financial instruments other than those classified as fair value through profit or loss ("FVPL"), the inclusion of directly attributable transaction costs. Trade receivable that do not contain a significant financing component are measured at the transaction price.

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate. All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.

Financial assets

- Subsequent measurement

- Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, all the Company’s financial assets are classified as assets at FVPL. The Company considers whether a contract contains an embedded derivative when the entity first becomes a party to it. The embedded derivatives are no longer separated from the host and therefore the revaluation of provisionally priced contracts is disclosed within the receivable of the host contract in “trade and other receivables. Reassessment only occurs if there is a change in the terms of the contract that significantly modifies the cash flows that would otherwise be required.

- Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Company’s statement of financial position) when:

• The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or

• The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (a) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

When the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Company continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Company also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Company has retained.

- Impairment of financial assets

14


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

The Company assesses at each statement of financial position date whether a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.

Financial liabilities

- Subsequent measurement – Loans and borrowings

Loans and borrowings are recognized initially at fair value. After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate (EIR) method.

Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.

-Derecognition

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.

(l) Trade and other receivables

Current trade receivables are carried at the original invoice amount less provision made for impairment of these receivables. Non current receivables are stated at amortised cost. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established using the expected credit loss impairment model according to IFRS 9. The amount of the provision is the difference between the carrying amount and the recoverable amount and this difference is recognised in the income statement.

(m) Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as a finance cost.

Mine closure costs

Provisions for mine closure costs are made in respect of the estimated future costs of closure and restoration and for environmental rehabilitation costs (which include the dismantling and demolition of infrastructure, removal of residual materials and remediation of disturbed areas) in the accounting period when the related environmental disturbance occurs.

The rehabilitation provision represents the present value of rehabilitation costs relating to the mine site, and expected to be incurred at the expected end of the mine life. Rehabilitation costs are based on the management estimates using assumptions based on the current economic environment.

The provision is reviewed on an annual basis for changes in cost estimates, discount rates and the expected life of mine.

15


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Changes to estimated future costs are recognized in the statement of financial position by adjusting the mine closure cost liability and the related asset originally recognised. If, for mature mines, the related mine assets net of mine closure cost provisions exceeds the recoverable value, the portion of the increase is charged directly to the income statement. Similarly, for reductions to the estimated costs exceeding the carrying value of the mine asset, such portion of the decrease is credited directly to the income statement. For closed sites, changes to estimated costs are recognized immediately in the income statement.

Actual rehabilitation costs will ultimately depend upon future market prices for the necessary rehabilitation works required that will reflect market conditions at the relevant time. Furthermore, the timing of rehabilitation is likely to depend on when the mine ceases to produce at economically viable rates. This, in turn, will depend upon future gold and silver prices, which are inherently uncertain.

The discount rate used in the calculation of the provision as at December 31, 2021 equaled -0.88% (2020: -1.45%).

Other

Other provisions are accounted for when the Company has a legal or constructive obligation for which it is probable there will be an outflow of resources for which the amount can be reliably estimated.

(n) Cash-settled share-based payments

The fair value of cash-settled share plans is recognized as a liability over the vesting period of the awards. Movements in that liability between accounting dates are recognized as an expense. The fair value of the awards is taken to be the market value of the shares at the date of award adjusted by a factor for anticipated relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance. Fair values are subsequently remeasured at each accounting date to reflect the number of awards expected to vest based on the current and anticipated TSR performance.

Uncertainties in estimating the award include potential changes in the TSR, the number of participants in the plan, and levels of interest rates.

(o) Finance income and costs

Finance income and costs mainly include, among others, interest expense on borrowings, the accumulation of interest on provisions, interest income on funds invested and financial charges for the acquisition of dollars through the sales of bonds.

Interest income is recognized as it is incurred, taking into account the effective yield on the asset.

(p) Dividend distributions

Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are recognized as a liability in the Company’s financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

(q) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the statement of financial position at cost. For the purposes of the statement of financial position, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits held with banks for varying periods of between one day and three months and which are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Liquid investments are classified as cash equivalents if the amount of cash that will be received is known at the time of the initial investment and the risk of changes in value is considered insignificant.

(r) Short-term investments

Include deposits held with banks for periods higher than three months.

16


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

3. Revenue

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Doré bars

Gold

57,334

25,110

59,044

Silver

50,454

16,826

45,113

Freight/shipping services (note 2.E(a))

1,363

662

1,346

Concentrate

Gold

81,882

91,668

83,472

Silver

64,704

69,051

58,937

Freight/shipping services (note 2.E(a))

3,234

2,781

2,803

Total

258,971

206,098

250,715

All revenue from the sale of doré and concentrate is recognized at a point in time when control transfers and revenue from freight is recognized over time as services are provided. Included within revenue is a loss of US$115 relating to provisional pricing adjustments (2020: gain of US$1,947, 2019: gain of US$1,955) arising on sales of concentrates and doré.

4. Cost of sales

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Depreciation and amortization

48,654

30,976

50,892

Personnel expenses

48,521

30,771

46,547

Mining royalty (note 26)

7,171

5,208

6,412

Supplies

35,414

23,539

35,413

Third-party services

28,735

18,387

29,676

Others

2,606

1,902

2,831

Change in products in process and finished goods

728

2,309

(1,972)

Covid-19 expenses

20,334

34,011

-

Total

192,163

147,103

169,799

5. Administrative expenses

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Personnel expenses

3,125

2,794

2,731

Professional fees

520

609

619

Travel expenses

70

73

231

Communications

81

84

81

Indirect taxes

1,273

1,089

1,144

Depreciation and amortization

57

72

88

Supplies

47

27

150

Other

1,227

1,215

1,559

Total

6,400

5,963

6,603

17


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

6. Exploration expenses

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Mine site exploration(1)

Third-party services

9,425

9,024

9,077

Personnel expenses

914

681

794

Others

263

740

761

Total

10,602

10,445

10,632

(1)Mine-site exploration is performed with the purpose of identifying potential minerals within the existing mine-site as well as properties surrounding the mine site,  to maintain and extend the mine’s life..

7. Selling expenses

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Sales commissions

210

304

246

Warehouse services

1,136

1,082

1,219

Taxes

11,765

9,202

16,259

Other

1,084

1,116

1,720

Total

14,195

11,704

19,444

8. Personnel expenses

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Salaries and wages

53,006

46,467

43,428

Other legal contributions

14,199

12,559

12,077

Statutory holiday payments

3,740

2,976

3,109

Long Term Incentive Plan

149

139

148

Termination benefits

4,540

1,312

586

Other

295

164

528

Total

75,929

63,617

59,876

Personnel expenses are included in costs of sales, administrative, exploration and other expenses (notes 4, 5, 6 and 9) or capitalised to plant and equipment, E&E assets and inventory as follows: year ended December 31, 2021 – US$7,468 (2020: US$5,004, 2019: US$9,804). For year ended December 2021 US$7,606 were classified as COVID-19 expenses in costs of sales (2020: US$ 23,218).

Average number of employees for 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Year ended December 31

2021

2020

 

2019

Average number of employees (*)

1,466

1,434

1,384

Total

1,466

1,434

1,384

(*)

Unaudited

18


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

9. Other income and expenses

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Other income

Export refunds

-

-

262

Reversal of impairment

-

8,304

-

Reversal of supplies obsolescence

-

1,271

-

Other

438

204

216

Total

438

9,779

478

Other expenses

VAT write-off

185

98

139

Customers write-off

-

-

66

Supplies obsolescence

17

-

316

Corporate Social Responsibility

3,911

2,689

3,636

Voluntary retirement program and related salaries

8,295

1,149

1,564

Other

1,873

821

-

Total

14,281

4,757

5,721

Other income and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, include mainly non-cash expense of US$354 (2020 and 2019 non cash income and charges of US$9,055 and US$817 respectively) which mainly relate to reversal of impairment of PPE, Intangible assets and E&E assets and reversal of supplies obsolescence.

10. Finance income and costs

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Finance income

Interest on deposits and liquidity funds

1,330

389

35

Non- cash gain on discount of VAT and other receivables

-

214

-

Unwinding mine closure

367

160

-

Other finance income

300

509

1,151

Total

1,997

1,272

1,186

Finance costs

Interest on bank loans (note 18)

1,982

2,705

186

Interest expense

245

189

212

Unwinding mine closure

-

-

68

Financial costs

15,345

12,770

3,235

Non- cash loss on discount of VAT assets and other receivables

632

-

1,119

Other

1,377

1,082

222

Total

19,581

16,746

5,042

Other finance income for 2019 includes a non-cash gain of $965 as a result of implementing IFRIC 23 effective January 1, 2019.

Financial costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 mainly represent charges for the acquisition of dollars through the sales of bonds.

19


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

11. Property, plant and equipment

Mining properties and development
costs
US$000

Land and buildings US$000

Plant and equipment
US$000

Vehicles US$000

Mine
closure
asset
US$000

Construction in progress and capital advances US$000

Total
US$000

Year ended December 31, 2021

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2021

412,208

165,848

122,729

4,107

26,105

2,821

733,818

Additions

27,917

-

11,080

1,111

640

3,559

44,307

Change in closure provision discount rate

-

-

-

-

(1,021)

-

(1,021)

Disposals

-

-

(2,554)

(257)

-

-

(2,811)

Transfers and other movements

-

3,696

(250)

-

-

(3,446)

-

Transfers from evaluation and exploration assets

1,485

-

-

-

-

-

1,485

Balance at December 31, 2021

441,610

169,544

131,005

4,961

25,724

2,934

775,778

Accumulated depreciation and impairment(2)

Balance at January 1, 2021

375,907

109,850

76,985

3,308

13,360

-

579,410

Depreciation for the year(1)

31,193

9,032

8,147

481

1,988

-

50,841

Disposals

-

-

(2,200)

(257)

-

-

(2,457)

Transfers from evaluation and exploration assets

98

-

-

-

-

-

98

Balance at December 31, 2021

407,198

118,882

82,932

3,532

15,348

-

627,892

Net book amount at December 31, 2021

34,412

50,662

48,073

1,429

10,376

2,934

147,886

(1)The depreciation for the year is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement, the remaining amount is capitalized.
(2)Includes an impairment change accrued in previous years, as determined using the FVLCD methodology of which a net amount of $6,002 is recorded as of December 31, 2021.

Mining properties and development
costs
US$000

Land and buildings US$000

Plant and equipment
US$000

Vehicles US$000

Mine
closure
asset
US$000

Construction in progress and capital advances US$000

Total
US$000

Year ended December 31, 2020

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2020

394,361

164,036

123,000

5,050

21,954

2,789

711,190

Additions

16,947

-

2,828

-

1,908

3,289

24,972

Change in closure provision discount rate

-

-

-

-

2,243

-

2,243

Disposals

-

(228)

(4,218)

(1,033)

-

-

(5,479)

Transfers and other movements

-

2,040

1,119

90

-

(3,257)

(8)

Transfers from evaluation and exploration assets

900

-

-

-

-

-

900

Balance at December 31, 2020

412,208

165,848

122,729

4,107

26,105

2,821

733,818

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Balance at January 1, 2020

360,722

106,292

76,015

3,940

13,937

-

560,906

Depreciation for the year (3)

18,957

5,447

5,669

397

792

-

31,262

Disposals

-

(186)

(3,712)

(1,029)

-

-

(4,927)

Transfers from evaluation and exploration assets

59

-

-

-

-

-

59

Impairment reversal (4)

(3,831)

(1,703)

(987)

-

(1,369)

-

(7,890)

Balance at December 31, 2020

375,907

109,850

76,985

3,308

13,360

-

579,410

Net book amount at December 31, 2020

36,301

55,998

45,744

799

12,745

2,821

154,408

(3)The depreciation for the year is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement, the remaining amount is capitalized.
(4)Includes an impairment charge accrued in previous years, as determined using the fair value less cost to dispose (“FVLCD”) methodology of which a net impairment amount of $9,158 is recorded as of December 31, 2020. In this sense, an impairment reversal amounting to $7,890 was recorded in 2020 with a contra in the account other income and expenses.

20


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

12. Evaluation and exploration assets

Total
US$000

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2020

7,417

Additions

1

Transfers to property, plant and equipment

(900)

Balance at December 31, 2020

6,518

Additions

-

Transfers to property plant and equipment

(1,485)

Balance at December 31, 2021

5,033

Accumulated impairment

Balance at January 1, 2020

587

Transfers to property, plant and equipment

(59)

Impairment

(100)

Balance at December 31, 2020

428

Transfers to property, plant and equipment

(98)

Impairment reversal

-

Balance at December 31, 2021

330

Net book value as at December 31, 2020

6,090

Net book value as at December 31, 2021

4,703

13. Intangible assets

Transmission
line(1)
US$000 

Software
licenses
US$000

Total
US$000

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2020

22,157

1,316

23,473

Additions

-

-

-

Transfer

-

5

5

Balance at December 31, 2020

22,157

1,321

23,478

Additions

-

-

-

Transfer

-

-

-

Balance at December 31, 2021

22,157

1,321

23,478

Accumulated amortization

Balance at January 1, 2020

16,653

1,281

17,934

Amortization for the year(2)

535

27

562

Impairment reversal

(314)

-

(314)

Balance at December 31, 2020

16,874

1,308

18,182

Amortization for the year(2)

819

7

826

Impairment reversal

-

-

-

Balance at December 31, 2021

17,693

1,315

19,008

Net book value as at December 31, 2020

5,283

13

5,296

Net book value as at December 31, 2021

4,464

6

4,470

(1)The transmission line is amortized using the units of production method.
(2)Amortization for the period is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement.

21


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

14. Trade and other receivables

As at December 31

2021

2020

Non-current
US$000

Current
US$000

Non-current
US$000

Current
US$000

Trade receivables (note 29.c)

-

19,652

-

22,553

Advances to suppliers

-

2,080

-

473

Credit due from exports

184

-

562

-

Receivables from related parties (note 23a)

-

32

-

32

Loans to employees

-

51

-

20

Export duties paid in excess

47

-

42

-

Tax asset – IFRIC 23

172

-

212

-

Other

10

646

12

1,482

Prepaid expenses

-

690

-

1,585

VAT(1)

40

17,012

49

9,698

Total

453

40,163

877

35,843

(1)VAT is valued at its recoverable amount.

The fair values of trade and other receivables approximate their book value.

15. Inventories


US$000

As at December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

Finished goods

219

-

Products in process

3,790

1,798

Supplies and spare parts

21,808

23,718

Provision for obsolescence of supplies

(1,995)

(4,332)

Total

23,822

21,184

Finished goods include doré and concentrate. Doré is an alloy containing a variable mixture of silver, gold and minor impurities delivered in bar form to refiners. Concentrate is a product containing sulphides with a variable content of base and precious metals and is sold to smelters.

The amount of expense recognized in profit and loss related to the consumption of inventory of supplies, spare parts and raw materials is US$35,461 (2020: US$23,566, 2019: US$35,563).

Movements in the provision for obsolescence comprise an increase in the provision of US$38 (decrease 2020: US$1,271, increase 2019: US$316) a compsumtion of US$2,357 and a decrease of US$21.

16. Cash and cash equivalents

As at December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

Cash at bank

23,984

27,431

Current demand deposit accounts(1)

1,958

8,083

Cash and cash equivalents considered for the statement of cash flows

25,942

35,514

(1)Relates to bank deposits for varying periods of between one day and three months.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their book value.

22


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

17. Trade and other payables

As at December 31

2021

2020

Non-current
US$000

Current
US$000

 

Non-current
US$000

 

Current
US$000

Trade payables(1)

-

20,417

-

8,716

Salaries and wages payable

-

17,705

-

11,566

Taxes and contributions

2

6,668

4

6,888

Guarantee deposits

-

27

-

27

Mining royalty (note 26)

-

648

-

315

Accounts payable to related parties (note 23.a)

942

480

743

489

Other

-

2,585

-

885

Total

944

48,530

747

28,886

(1)     Trade payables relate mainly to the acquisition of materials, supplies and contractors’ services. These payables do not accrue interest and no guarantees have been granted.

Salaries and wages payable include the following:

As at December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

Remuneration payable

17,705

11,566

Total

17,705

11,566

The fair value of trade and other payables approximate their book values.

18. Borrowings

As at December 31

2021

 

2020

Effective
interest rate

Current
US$000

Effective
interest rate

Current
US$000

Pre-shipment loans

-

-

32,33%

10,628

For short-financing purposes, the Company enters into pre-shipment loans which are guaranteed by the respective sales contracts; movements in pre-shipment loans for the year ended December 31, 2021 are as follows:


US$000

January 1,

2021


In flows

Accrued

Exchange difference

Out flows

December 31, 2021

Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings

526

-

1,982

(34)

(2,474)

-

Current obligations under pre-shipment loans

10,102

2,804

-

(1,263)

(11,643)

-

Total liabilities from financial activities

10,628

2,804

1,982

(1,297)

(14,117)

-

23


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

19. Provisions

(2)

Provision for mine closure(1)

US$000

Long Term

Incentive Plan(2)

US$000

Other

US$000

Total

US$000

Balance at January 1, 2020

23,654

69

1,191

24,914

Additions/Decreases

1,908

50

(290)

1,668

Accretion

(160)

-

-

(160)

Change in discount rate

2,243

-

-

2,243

Balance at December 31, 2020 (Non-Current)

27,645

119

901

28,665

Additions/decreases

640

(76)

1,102

1,666

Accretion

(368)

-

-

(368)

Change in discount rate

(1,021)

-

-

(1,021)

Balance at December 31, 2021 (Non-Current)

26,896

43

2,003

28,942

(1)The provision represents the present value of the estimated cost to decommission and rehabilitate the mine at the expected date of closure for the mine, of December 31, 2026. The present value of the provision has been calculated using a real pre-tax annual discount rate, based on a US Treasury bond of an appropriate tenure as at December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, and the cash flows have been adjusted to reflect the risk attached to these cash flows. Uncertainties on the timing for use of this provision include changes in the future that could impact the time of closing the mine, as new resources and reserves are discovered. The discount rate used is -0.88% and -1.45% respectively.
(2)Corresponds to the provision related to awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to designated personnel of the Company.

20. Equity

Share capital issued

Share capital of the Company as at December 31, 2021 is as follows

Issued

Class of shares

Number

US$000

Ordinary shares

344,756,530

110,132

Cumulative translation adjustment:

The cumulative translation adjustment includes exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements for the period in which the Company had a functional currency different than the reporting currency.

21. Income tax

The major components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are:

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Current income tax:

Current income tax charge

(5,258)

(5,442)

(11,070)

Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous year

-

(15)

-

Deferred income tax:

Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences

(5,065)

(1,085)

1,773

Income tax expense

(10,323)

(6,542)

(9,297)

24


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

A reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting profit multiplied by Company’s domestic tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

2019
US$000

Profit (loss) before income tax

1,678

17,467

35,316

At Company´s statutory income tax rate of 35% (2020: 30% and 2019: 30%)

(587)

(5,240)

(10,595)

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

-

17

(44)

Exploration expenses (double deduction)

3,561

2,726

2,590

Foreign exchange differences

(4,077)

(5,807)

(3,268)

Comprehensive fiscal inflation adjustment

7,595

2,891

1,858

Change in tax rate

(12,501)

1,529

(1,229)

Impairment reversal effect

-

2,491

-

Nondeductible financial cost

(5,009)

(3,831)

(971)

Other

695

(1,318)

2,362

Income tax expense

(10,323)

(6,542)

(9,297)

Deferred tax expense

Deferred income tax relates to the following:

Statement of financial position

Income statement

As at
December 31, 2021
US$000

As at
December 31, 2020
US$000

2021
US$000

2020 US$000

2019 US$000

PP&E, explorations and evaluation assets, and intangible assets

(44,171)

(36,212)

(7,959)

(2,219)

4,105

Inventories

(2,597)

(2,548)

(49)

(107)

(835)

Fiscal inflation adjustment

(447)

(584)

137

1,188

(1,772)

Abandonment and mine rehabilitation provision

6,747

5,464

1,283

1,119

100

Other liabilities

1,367

43

1,324

(49)

(605)

Other assets

727

528

199

(1,107)

780

Deferred income tax expense

(5,065)

(1,085)

1,773

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

(38,374)

(33,309)

Reflected in the statement of financial position

Deferred income tax assets

8,841

6,035

Deferred income tax liabilities

(47,215)

(39,344)

Deferred income tax liabilities net

(38,374)

(33,309)

25


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Tax Reform:

In 2017 the law No. 27,430 had established that the corporate income tax rate would be reduced from 35% to 30% for fiscal years beginning as of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 and to 25% for fiscal years beginning as of January 1, 2020.

Tax on dividends or profit distributed by, among others, Argentine companies or permanent establishments to individuals, undivided properties or beneficiaries residing abroad would be distributed based on the following considerations: (i) dividends resulting from the profit accrued during the fiscal years beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, would be subject to a 7% withholding tax; and (ii) dividends resulting from profit accrued during the fiscal years beginning on January 1, 2020 would be subject to a withholding tax of 13%.

The reform introduced by the Law No. 27,541, suspended these tax reductions and maintained the originals 30% for income tax and 7% for tax on dividends until fiscal years beginning as of January 1, 2021, inclusive.

Law No. 27,468 had established that for the first three fiscal years beginning as of January 1, 2019, the positive or negative effect of the inflation adjustment provided by the Income Tax Law should be distributed in one third of the in the tax return of the fiscal year in which the adjustment was assessed, and the remaining two thirds, in equal parts, in the two immediately subsequent fiscal years. The abovementioned reform amended such distribution and established that one sixth of the positive or negative adjustment for the first and second fiscal years beginning as from January 1, 2019, should be allocated to the tax return of the year in which the adjustments are assessed, and the remaining balance, to the immediately following five fiscal years.  However, for fiscal years beginning as of January 1, 2021, 100% of the adjustment may be deducted/taxed in the fiscal year in which the effect is determined.

On June 16, 2021, Law No. 27,630 amended the income tax rates for years beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Companies shall pay the tax using the scale set out below: (Expressed in Argentinian pesos).

Accumulated Net Income Tax

More than ARG$

To ARG$

Must pay ARG$

More than %

Above superavit ARG$

$ 0

$5.000.000

$ 0

25%

$ 0

$ 5.000.000

$50.000.000

$ 1.250.000

30%

$ 5.000.000

$ 50.000.000

Onwards

$ 14.750.000

35%

$ 50.000.000

22. Dividends paid and proposed

Year ended December 31

 

2021
US$000

 

2020
US$000

 

2019
US$000

Declared

Equity dividends:

Dividends for 2019

-

-

18,080

Dividends for 2020

-

702

-

Dividends for 2021

20,065

-

-

Dividends declared

20,065

702

18,080

Dividends paid

20,065

701

18,117

23. Related-party balances and transactions

MSC is a private company, owned by Hochschild Mining Argentina Corporation S.A. (“HMAC S.A.”) with a 51% interest and Minera Andes S.A. (“MASA”) with a 49% interest. HMAC S.A. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hochschild Mining Plc. and MASA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc.

26


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(a) Related-party accounts receivable and payable

The Company had the following related-party balances and transactions during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The related parties are companies owned or controlled by the main shareholder of the parent company or shareholders.


US$000


US$000

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other payables

As at December 31,
2021
US$000

As at December 31,
2020
US$000

As at December 31,
2021
US$000

As at December 31,
2020
US$000

Current related party balances

Compañía Minera Ares

32

32

404

413

Hochschild Mining Plc.

-

-

1,018

819

Total

32

32

1,422

1,232

As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, all related parties accounts are, or were, non-interest bearing.

No security has been granted or guarantees given by the Company in respect of these related party balances.

2021
US$000

2020

US$000

2019

US$000

Related party transactions

Intercompany services

Compañía Minera Ares

914

849

1,150

Other intercompany transactions

Hochschild Mining Plc

198

-

44

Dividends Declared – See note 22

Hochschild Mining Argentina Corp.

10,233

358

9,221

Minera Andes S.A.

9,832

344

8,859

(b) Compensation of key management personnel of the Company

Compensation of key management personnel (including Directors)

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

Salaries and benefits

519

519

Long Term Incentive Plan

87

83

Total compensation paid to key management personnel

606

602

24. Commitments

Capital commitments

As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, the future capital commitments are as follows:

Year ended December 31

2021
US$000

2020
US$000

Capital commitments

13,812

2,111

Total

13,812

2,111

As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, capital commitments are related to projects, infrastructure and sustaining and exploration activities started during the year which will be completed during subsequent months.

27


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

25. Contingencies

As at December 31, 2021, the Company had the following contingencies:

(a) Taxation

Fiscal periods remain open to review by the tax authorities for five years in Argentina, preceding the year of review. During this time the authorities have the right to raise additional tax assessments including penalties and interest. Under certain circumstances, reviews may cover longer periods.

Because a number of fiscal periods remain open to review by the tax authorities, coupled with the complexity of the Company and the transactions undertaken by it, there remains a risk that additional tax liabilities may arise.

(b) Other

The Company has conducted its operations in the ordinary course of business in accordance with its understanding and interpretation, and based on advice of legal counsel, of applicable legislation in the country in which the Company has operations. In certain specific transactions, however, the relevant authorities could have a different interpretation of those laws and regulations that could lead to contingencies or additional liabilities for the Company. Having consulted legal counsel, management believes that it has reasonable grounds to support its position.

The assessment of contingencies inherently involves exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events. Uncertainties in estimating the liability includes changes in the legal interpretation that the authorities could make in respect of the Company’s transactions.

26. Mining royalties and taxes

Royalties

In accordance with Argentinian legislation, Provinces (being the legal owners of the mineral resources) are entitled to request royalties from mine operators. For San Jose, the mining royalty was originally fixed at 1.85% of the pit-head value of the production where the final product is doré and 2.55% where the final product is mineral concentrate or precipitates. In October 2012, a new provincial law was passed, which increased the mining royalty applicable to doré and concentrate to 3% of the pit-head value. Since November 2012 the Company has been paying and expensing the increased 3%. As at December 31, 2021, the amount payable as mining royalties amounted to US$648 (2020: US$315). The amount recorded in the income statement was US$7,171 (2020: US$5,208, 2019: US$6,412).

27. Export

Export Duties

The Executive branch is empowered to increase export duties: (i) up to 33% of the tax base or of the official soybean price, (ii) 15% in the case of goods exports not subject to export duties or which were subject to a 0% rate as of September 2, 2018, (iii) 5% in the case of agricultural and industrial products from regional economies, and (iv) 5% of the tax base or of the official FOB price for industrial products and services. In case of MSC, export duties were settled in ARS 4 per dollar for Doré bars and for Concentrate and silver bars ARS 3 per dollar.

Before approving Law No. 27,541, the federal government published Presidential Decree No. 37/2019 (Official Bulletin dated December 14, 2019), which amended the withholdings system, rendered ineffective the ARS 4 per 1 USD dollar cap established by the previous administration in 2018, and increased export duties for doré bars up to 12%.

Finally, accordingly to Law No. 27,541 the export duties rates for mining activity could not be higher than 8% over Freight on Board (FOB) price.

Presidential Decrees 785/2020, 789/2020 and 790/2020 basically refer to:

A reduction from 12% to 8% in the rate of exports duties for a series of tariff positions related to the mining sector (gold, doré bar, granite and marble, among others), effective through December 31, 2021.

28


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Presidential Decree No. 1060/2020 (published in the Official Bulletin on December 31, 2020) establishes new rates as of January 1, 2021, for raw and concentrate silver bars. The rate will stand at 4.5%. The rate on bullion remains at 8% under Presidential Decree No. 785/20, effective through December 31, 2021.

On December 31, 2021, Decree No. 908/2021 was published in the Official Gazette, by means of which the 8% Export Duty rate is extended until December 31, 2023 for certain goods whose tariff positions were duly reached by Presidential Decrees No. 785/2020.

28. Investment regime for mining activity

Law No. 24,196, as amended by Law No. 25,429 establishes a regime for mining investments applicable in all provinces in Argentina. In this regard, on October 21, 1993, the Province of Santa Cruz emulated this mining investment regime through Provincial Law No. 2,332.

Those interested in benefiting from this regime must register with the National Mining Secretary.

The main benefits for the mining companies that carry out activities within the framework of this regime are detailed below:

oFiscal stability for a period of thirty years from the date of submission of the Feasibility Study. Fiscal stability for all taxes, to be understood as such all direct taxes and tax contributions that have as taxpayers the companies registered in the register mentioned previously, as well as rights, duties or other import or export charges.
oFiscal stability shall also apply to foreign exchange regimes and tariffs, excluding exchange rate and repayments, refunds and/or repayment of charges in connection with exports.
oTax deduction from income tax balance, from the time of submission of the application for registration authorized by Law No. 24,196, of one hundred percent of the amounts invested in exploration expenditures, mineralogical and metallurgical testing, pilot plant and other work to determine the technical and economic feasibility of the projects, subject to treatment as expenses or amortizable investment, appropriate to these in accordance with income tax law.
oOptional accelerated depreciation regime for income tax on capital investments made ​​towards the execution of new mining projects and expansion of existing ones.

oIn this regard, annual tax depreciation shall not exceed, in each fiscal year, the amount of taxable income generated by mining activities, prior to the transfer of the relevant amortization and, if applicable, once tax losses from prior years are computed. The non-computable surplus in a given fiscal year can be attributed to the following years, considering for each the maximum limit mentioned above. The period during which tax depreciation of assets is computed may not exceed the term of their respective useful lives. The existing residual value at the end of the year, in which the expiration of the useful life of assets occurs, may be attributed entirely to the tax balance of that fiscal year, and the above limitation is not applicable in these cases.

oExemption from payment of import duties and any other duty, correlative levy or statistics duty, except other remuneration duties on services, corresponding to the introduction of capital goods, special equipment or component parts of such property and inputs determined by the enforcement authority that are necessary for the execution of the activities covered by this scheme.

oRecovery of tax credits arising from acquisitions and imports of goods and services for the purposes of carrying out mining activities such as prospection, exploration, mineralogical studies and applied research that after twelve (12) fiscal periods counted from the year in which they were computed, make up the balance of the value added tax.

oDeduction of the provision for mine closure and abandonment in the determination of income tax, up to an amount equal to five percent of the operating costs of extraction and processing.

29


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Companies registered in the regime will not see an increase in their total tax burden, considered separately in each relevant jurisdiction upon the filing of said Feasibility Study at the national, provincial and municipal levels, which adhere to Law 24,196.

For increases in the total tax burden, the following actions, among others, are mentioned in Law No. 25,429: the creation of new taxes, an increase in the rates, fees or amounts of existing taxes, the modification of the mechanisms or procedures determining the fiscal base for taxes, the repeal of exemptions granted, and the elimination of deductions allowed.

Additionally, with regards to interest payments to foreign financial institutions and entities, included in Title V of the Income Tax Law, fiscal stability also applies to the increase in the rates, fees or amounts in effect on the date of the Feasibility Study to the alteration of rates or mechanisms for determining the estimated net gain of Argentine origin, when companies operating under the regime have agreed by contract to take charge of the respective tax.

Fiscal stability does not include: changes in the value of property, when such valuation is the basis for the determination of a tax, the extension of the validity of rules passed for a certain time, which are in effect at the time fiscal stability is obtained; expiration of exemptions, exceptions or other measures adopted for a certain time, and due to the expiry of that period; contributions towards the

Single Social Security System and indirect taxes, including Value Added Tax.

These benefits (except fiscal stability), apply to mining projects of the Company as from April 18, 2002, the date on which the Secretariat of Energy and Mining of the Nation, decided to register the Company in the Register of Mining Investments (Law No. 24,196). Said registration was requested by the Company in October 2001.

On November 21, 2005 the Company submitted the Feasibility Study to the Mining Ministry, from which date it is enjoying the benefits of fiscal stability.

29. Financial risk management

The Company is exposed to a variety of risks and uncertainties which may have a financial impact on the Company and which also impact the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives. These risks include strategic, commercial, operational, legal and financial risks and are further categorized into risk areas to facilitate risk reporting across the Company.

The Company has made significant developments in the management of the Company’s risk environment which seeks to identify and, where appropriate, implement the controls to mitigate the impact of the Company’s significant risks.

(a) Commodity price risk

Silver and gold prices have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. Prices are significantly affected by changes in global economic conditions and related industry cycles. Generally, producers of silver and gold are unable to influence prices directly; therefore, the Company’s profitability is ensured through the control of its cost base and the efficiency of its operations.

The Company has provisional pricing features (included in trade receivables) arising from the sale of concentrate and doré which were provisionally priced at the time the sale was recorded (refer to note 3). For these features, the sensitivity of the fair value to an immediate 10% favorable or adverse change in the price of gold and silver (assuming all other variables remain constant), is as follows:

Year

Increase/
decrease price of ounces of:

Effect on
profit before tax
US$000

2021

Gold +/-10%
Silver +/-10%

+/-2,885

+/-2,294

2020

Gold +/-10%
Silver +/-10%

+/-3,855

+/-3,402

30


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(b) Foreign currency risk

The Company produces silver and gold which are typically priced in US dollars. A portion of the Company’s costs are incurred in Argentinian pesos. Accordingly, the Company’s financial results are affected by exchange rate fluctuations between the US dollar and the local currency. The long-term relationship between commodity prices and currencies in the country provides a certain degree of natural protection. The Company does not use derivative instruments to manage its foreign currency risks.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of financial assets and liabilities, at the reporting date, denominated in their respective currencies, to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar exchange rate, with all other variables held constant, of the Company’s profit before tax:

Year

Increase/decrease in US$/other currencies’ rate

Effect on profit before tax
US$000

2021

Argentinian pesos

+/-10%

+/-705

2020

Argentinian pesos

+/-10%

+/-203

(c) Credit risk

Credit risk arises from debtors’ inability to make payment of their obligations to the Company as they become due (without taking into account the fair value of any guarantee or pledged assets). The Company is primarily exposed to credit risk as a result of commercial activities and non-compliance, by counterparties, in transactions in cash which are primarily limited to cash balances deposited in banks and accounts receivable at the statement of financial position date.

Counterparty credit exposure based on commercial activities, including trade receivables and cash balances in banks as at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is shown as follows:

Summary commercial partners – Trade receivables

As at
December 31, 2021
US$000

Credit
rating or % collected as at

June 29, 2022

As at
December 31, 2020
US$000

Credit
rating or % collected as at

June 29, 2021

LS Nikko

14,008

100%

8,559

100%

Sumitomo

27

100%

-

100%

Aurubis AG (formerly Nordeutsche Affinerie AG)    

4,287

100%

8,957

100%

Argor Heraus S.A.

845

100%

202

100%

Aurubis Bulgaria

-

100%

4,245

100%

Complejo Metalurgico Altonorte S.A

485

100%

590

100%

Total

19,652

22,553

Financial counterparties

As at

Credit 

As at

December 31, 2021

rating(1)

December 31, 2020

US$000

 

US$000

Citibank US

15,301

A-3

10,799

BBVA

 

3

 

A1+

 

7,388

BBVA NY

5

C

5,712

BBVA España

 

2

 

C

 

-

JP Morgan

4,449

A3-

5,026

Citibank N.A.

 

3,728

 

A3-

 

5,004

ICBC

2,228

A1-

1,325

Santander

 

2

 

A1

 

2,443

Total

 

25,718

 

 

 

37,697

(1)The long-term credit rating as of December 2021.

31


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

To manage the credit risk associated with commercial activities, the Company took the following steps:

Active use of prepayment/advance clauses in sales contracts;
Delaying delivery of title and/or requiring advance payments to reduce exposure timeframe (potential delay in sales recognition);
Obtaining parent guarantees or contracting directly with parent company to shore up the credit profile of the customer (where possible); and
Maintaining as diversified a portfolio of clients as possible.

To manage credit risk associated with cash balances deposited in banks, the Company took the following steps:

Increasing banking relationships with large, established and well-capitalized institutions in order to secure access to credit and to diversify credit risk;
Limiting exposure to financial counterparties according to Board approved limits; and
Investing cash in short-term, highly liquid and low risk instruments (money market accounts, term deposits, US Treasuries).

Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis. See Note 9 for bad debts.

(d) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Company’s inability to obtain the funds it requires to comply with its commitments, including the inability to sell a financial asset quickly enough and at a price close to its fair value. Management constantly monitors the Company’s level of short- and medium-term liquidity, and its access to credit lines, in order to ensure appropriate financing is available for its operations. In 2021 the Company maintained uncommitted short-term bank lines for approximately US$51,634.

The table below categorizes the undiscounted cash flows of Company’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period as at the statement of financial position to the contractual maturity date.

Less than
1 year
US$000

Between

1 and 2 years
US$000

Between
2 and 5 years
US$000

Over
5 years
US$000

Total
US$000

At December 31, 2021

Trade and other payables

48,530

944

-

-

49,474

Borrowings

-

-

-

-

-

Provisions

-

-

2,046

26,896

28,942

Total

48,530

944

2,046

26,896

78,416

At December 31, 2020

Trade and other payables

28,886

747

-

-

29,633

Borrowings

10,628

-

-

-

10,628

Provisions

-

-

1,020

27,645

28,665

Total

39,514

747

1,020

27,645

68,926

(e) Fair value hierarchy

The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

Level 1 — quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 — techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

32


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company held the following financial instruments measured at fair value:

Assets measured at fair value(1)

December 31, 2021
US$000

Level 1
US$000

Level 2
US$000

Level 3
US$000

Provisional pricing features

(115)

-

-

(115)

Assets measured at fair value(1)

December 31, 2020
US$000

Level 1
US$000

Level 2
US$000

Level 3
US$000

Provisional pricing features

1,947

-

-

1,947

(1)Within trade receivables.

During the period ending December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers between these levels.

(f) Capital risk management

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders, benefits for other stakeholders, and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. Management considers as part of its capital, the financial sources of funding from shareholders and third parties. During 2021 management decided to cancel all its short-term debt.

During 2020 management decided to increase its short-term debt. In addition, management reserves the right to use short-term pre-shipment financing (financing of commercial accounts receivables and finished goods inventory.

30. Impairment of Non-financial assets

The Company evaluates annually each asset or CGU at December 31, or impairment reversal to determine whether there are any indicators of impairment or impairment reversal. As at December 31, 2021 indicators of impairment reversal were not identified. As at December 31, 2020 indicators of impairment reversal were identified therefore al December 31, 2020 the company performed an impairment test and concluded that impairment reversals were applicable. See Note 11.

31. Economic context and main foreign exchange regulations

Due to the uninterrupted currency flow faced by the Argentine government from the COVID-19 pandemic and the domestic and international economic and financial situation, the BCRA (Central Bank of Argentina) issued Communication “A” 7030 of May 28, 2020, as supplemented, the BCRA set forth that for a financial institution to grant access to a customer to the free and foreign exchange market to pay the imports of goods or services, the payments of principal and interest from financial payables to foreign parties, and the payment of profits and dividends, among other concepts, the BCRA’s previous approval is required.  

On September 15, 2020, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 7106 to tighten effective exchange controls for accessing the free and foreign exchange market for the creation of external assets or to settle principal related to financial payables abroad.

This does not apply to (i) loans granted by international bodies or related agencies or secured by them; (ii) loans granted to the debtor by official credit agencies or secured by them; (iii) if the amount for which the foreign exchange market is accessed to settle principal does not exceed USD 1 million per calendar month.

The refinancing plan for payables falling due through December 31, 2020, had to be filed with the BCRA before September 30, 2020. For those falling due between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2021, they should be filed at least 30 calendar days before the expiry of principal to be refinanced.

Moreover, on February 25, 2021, the BCRA issued Communication “A” 7230, to extend the terms set in Communication “A” 7106 for principal falling due between April 1 and December 31, 2021. The refinancing plan should be filed with the BCRA before Match 15, 2021, for principal falling due between April 1 and April 15, 2021. In the remainder cases, they should be filed at least 30 calendar days before expiry of principal to be refinanced.

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Moreover, as of April 1, 2021, the amount for which the debtor accesses the foreign exchange market to settle principal in relation to the loans contained in Communication “A” 7106, point 7, is raised from USD 1 million to USD 2 million.

On July 10, 2021, new measures issued by BCRA were released. These measures established additional restrictions to the operations in the foreign exchange market.

On October 28, 2021, through Communiqué “A” 7385 (as subsequently amended by Communiqué 7422, as revised, and Communiqué “A” 7433 of January 6, 2022), the BCRA introduced new amendments (effective as from November 1, 2021) in the supplementary provisions related to the payments of imports of goods established in foreign trade and foreign exchange regulations.

The Argentine government established, through Presidential Decree No. 329/2020 of April 1, 2020, the prohibition: (i) to dismiss employees with no fair reason and based on the lack of or reduced work and force majeure, and (ii) to suspend employees on the grounds of force majeure or the lack of or reduced work. It also established that dismissals and suspensions in violation of such provision will produce no effects and the employment relationships and current conditions will remain effective. This prohibition was initially effective for 60 days, but was extended successively.

Double severance pay for the termination of the employment relationship during the employment crisis remains effective through December 31, 2021.

On December 23, 2021, Decree No. 886/2021 was issued, by which the Public Emergency in Occupational Matters was extended until June 30, 2022.

In this sense, it is established that the affected workers will have the right to receive, in addition to the compensation corresponding to the applicable legislation, an increase equivalent to the following percentages:

            75% from January 1, 2022 to February 28, 2022.

            50% from March 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022.

            25% from May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022.

Likewise, the rule provides that the amount corresponding to the increase may not exceed, in any case, the sum of pesos ARG $ 500,000.

32. COVID-19

During 2020, the spread of COVID-19 has impacted many countries with a significant level of severity. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. During this period, countries, organizations and company have taken considerable steps to mitigate the risk to communities, employees and business operations.

The Argentine Government implemented a series of measures aimed at reducing the circulation of the population, providing for preventive and mandatory social isolation from March 20, 2020, allowing the movement only of those people linked to the provision / production of services and essential products; this isolation was extendable for the time that was considered necessary in view of the epidemiological situation, the National Executive through Decree No. 867/21 extended the health emergency until December 31, 2022.

The Company continues to take a cautious approach and prioritizes employee welfare by facilitating social distancing at the operations, implementing testing, and taking other relevant measures. The Company’s COVID-19 Crisis Plan, which provides for numerous mitigating measures to be adopted in response to an outbreak of infections, can be implemented as required.

The Company monitors effects of these issues on an ongoing basis and estimates that, based on the information and the effects known to the date of issuance of these financial statements, this situation will not generate a material effect on the Company’s financial position or continuity of its operations

34


Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

33. Subsequent Events

Except as mentioned above, at the date of issuance of these financial statements, there have been no significant subsequent events that could have an effect on the company's assets and results of operations as of December 31, 2021.

35