29 September 2016

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2016

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited ('ZIOC' or the 'Company')(AIM: ZIOC) is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

Highlights

· Mining Convention ratified by the Parliament of the Republic of Congo ('RoC'), promulgated by the President of the Republic as a law, and published in the Official Gazette of the RoC

· Work programme and budget for 2016 together with the 2016 Funding Agreement agreed with Glencore

· Additional cost reductions implemented at the Zanaga Project, as well as across ZIOC's corporate costs, to align the cost base with current market conditions

· Cash balance of US$6.0m as at 30 June 2016 and US$5.7m at 31 August 2016

Clifford Elphick, Non-Executive Chairman of ZIOC, commented:

'During the first half of 2016the Zanaga Project achieved a major milestone in the receipt of its Mining Convention. The Mining Convention was ratified by the Parliament of the Republic of Congo, promulgated as a law, and published in the Official Gazette of the RoC on 28 June 2016; this establishes the fiscal and legal framework for the Project.

We feel encouraged by signs of improvement in the Chinese economy and greater levels of profitability in the Chinese steel industry during 2016. This has led to high levels of iron ore consumption being maintained from the industry's cornerstone customer. On the supply side, we are pleased to see a degree of restraint from the major iron ore producers in their production forecasts. This should ultimately assist in creating an improved, and more sustainable, long term iron ore price environment.

As part of the Zanaga Project team'sprudent approach to its operations, further steps have been taken to reduce costs. We have been impressed with the management team's ability to deliver substantial savings while maintaining the ability to pursue the key workstreams that are required to advance the project through the next phase of development.

Finally, the Zanaga Project's significant iron ore Reserve and Resource base has been signed off, and entirely maintained, in accordance with a lower long term iron ore price forecast. This continues to demonstrate that the Project is capable of attracting development finance in the long term.'

Copies of the unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2016 are available on the Company's website atwww.zanagairon.com.

For further information, please contact:

Zanaga Iron Ore

Corporate Development and Andrew Trahar

Investor Relations Manager +44 20 7399 1105

Liberum Capital Limited

Nominated Adviser, Financial Richard Crawley

Adviser and Corporate Broker and Neil Elliot

+44 20 3100 2000

Bell Pottinger

Financial PR Marianna Bowes

and Daniel Thole

+44 20 7861 3232

About us:

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (AIM ticker: ZIOC) is the owner of 50% less one share in the Zanaga Iron Ore Project based in the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville) through its joint venture partnership with Glencore. The Zanaga Iron Ore Project is one of the largest iron ore deposits in Africa and has the potential to become a world-class iron ore producer.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

Business Review - Operations

Cost Reduction Programme, Cash Reserves and Project Funding

As part of the Zanaga Project management team's prudent approach to its operations, further steps have been taken to reduce costs within the Jumelles group, including MPD Congo. We have been impressed with the management team's ability to deliver substantial savings while maintaining the ability to pursue the key workstreams that are required to advance the project through the next phase of work.

ZIOC has also taken further steps to reduce corporate overheads. We expect to deliver these additional cost reductions in the second half of this year, and are pleased with our reduced budget expectations for 2017.

Following the reduction of the cost base at the Zanaga Project, as well as the additional cost reductions associated with the management of ZIOC, we are well positioned to support our operations going forward. As at 30 June 2016, we had cash reserves of US$6.0m and continue to take a very prudent approach to the management of the business.

Mining Convention for the Zanaga Project

With effect from 20 May 2016, the Zanaga Mining Convention has been promulgated as a law of the RoC (Law No 15-2016 of 29 April 2016), following ratification by the Parliament of the RoC and publication in the Official Gazette on 28 June 2016. The confirmation of the Mining Convention as a law further secures the stability the Project's fiscal and legal regime for the life of the mine. (For further details, and key terms of the Mining Convention please refer to ZIOC's announcement on 29 June 2016 and also to page 14 of the 2015 Annual Report which refers to the ratification of the Mining Convention)

The ratification of the Mining Convention demonstrates the Government of the RoC's firm commitment to developing the country's mining sector, is testament to the Project's strong stakeholder relations, and is a major step forward for the Project.

Permitting

The application for the Environmental Permit for the Project's first phase of development has been lodged with the RoC Ministry of Environment and the Project team believes that this is likely to be received during the second half of the 2016 fiscal year.

Reserves and Resources

During the publication of ZIOC's 2015 annual report, on 30 June 2016, the Zanaga Project's significant iron ore Reserve and Resource estimates were each signed off, and entirely maintained, in accordance with a substantially lower long term iron ore price forecast that previously used. We were pleased with this outcome as it continues to demonstrate the Project is capable of attracting development finance in the long term.

Iron Ore Market

We feel encouraged by signs of improvement in the Chinese economy and greater levels of profitability in the Chinese steel industry during 2016. This has led to high levels of iron ore consumption being maintained from the industry's cornerstone customer. On the supply side, we are pleased to see a degree of restraint from the major iron ore producers in their production forecasts. This should ultimately assist in creating an improved, and more sustainable, long term iron ore price environment.

The movements in supply and demand, and the level at which price equilibrium is ultimately reached, are difficult to predict; however there are some signs which indicate that a point of increased stability in the industry might be reached in the medium term.

In addition, the product demand spectrum is increasingly showing an appreciation in pricing of higher quality lump and pellet feed iron ore products. This is encouraging as the Zanaga Project's premium quality products would be well placed to benefit from this pricing dynamic.

Outlook and next steps

At the Zanaga Project we are determined to support steps which maintain progress and advance the Project, but at a prudent level of project expenditure. The Project's ongoing costs have been further reduced, while ensuring that the Project team is motivated to pursue a number of key value adding activities. We have also reduced ZIOC's corporate costs.

The value adding activities to be progressed will include the establishment of port and power agreements, and receipt of the Environmental Permit. ZIOC and Glencore continue to work closely with the RoC's government on the conclusion of these workstreams and are pleased to say that the Project continues to enjoy strong support.

The Project is underpinned by a globally significant, well-defined resource and an extensive Feasibility Study. The Project has also been substantially de-risked through the ratification of the Project's Mining Convention by the Parliament of the RoC.

The Zanaga Project's forecast competitive operating costs and premium quality product are important, particularly in a low iron ore price environment. The Zanaga Project is expected to be able to compete, on a benchmark 62% iron ore price equivalent basis, with some of the lowest cost mining operations in Australia and Brazil. This means that the Project is capable of attracting development finance in the long term, making it attractive when compared to many competitor projects globally.

Financial review

Results from operations

The financial statements contain the results for ZIOC for the first half of 2016. ZIOC made a loss in the half-year of US$1.6m compared to a loss of US$16.9m in the year to 31 December 2015. The loss for the 2016 half-year period comprised:

1 January to
30 June
2016

Unaudited

US$000

1 January to
30 June
2015

Unaudited

US$000

1 January to
31 December
2015

Audited
US$000

General expenses

(776)

(1,191)

(2,143)

Net foreign exchange profit/(loss)

(655)

49

(534)

Share-based payments

(2)

(159)

(325)

Share of (loss)/profit of associate

(883)

(2,665)

(14,608)

Interest income

11

15

27

(Loss)/Gain before tax

(2,305)

(3,951)

(17,583)

Tax

(6)

(11)

(25)

Currency translation

(23)

(16)

15

Share of other comprehensive (loss)/income of associate - foreign exchange

731

(358)

685

Total Comprehensive (Loss)/Gain

(1,603)

(4,336)

(16,908)

General expenses of US$0.8m (2015: US$1.2m) consists of staff costs of US$0.4m (2015: US$0.5m), Directors' fees of US$0.1m (2015: US$0.3m), professional fees of US$0.1m (2015: US$0.1m) and US$0.2m (2015: US$0.3m) of other general operating expenses.

The share-based payment charges reflect the expense associated with share options granted in previous years.

The share of loss of associate of US$0.9m (2015: US$2.7m) relates to ZIOC's investment in Jumelles Limited ('Jumelles'), the joint venture company in respect of the Zanaga Project. From May 2014, as a result of the completion of the Feasibility Study and thus consideration to complete the Glencore share option, only 50% (less one share) of the Jumelles results are now included above.

During the half year period, Jumelles' project expenditure was US$0.3 including the effects of currency translation of $1.5m gain. Capitalised exploration assets however, remain at US$80.0m.

Financial position

ZIOC's net asset value ('NAV') of US$44.1m is comprised of a US$38.1m investment in Jumelles and US$6.0m of cash balances.

30 June 2016

Unaudited
US$
m

30 June 2015

Unaudited
US$
m

31 December 2015

Audited
US$m

Investment in associate

38.1

48.4

37.8

Fixed assets

-

-

-

Cash

6.0

9.7

7.6

Other net current assets/(liabilities)

-

-

0.3

Net assets

44.1

58.1

45.7

Cost of investment

The investment in associate relates to the carrying value of the investment in Jumelles, which as at 30 June 2016 owned 50% less one share of the Project. The carrying value of this investment is unchanged in 2016 due to:

· Company funding per the Supplemental Agreements of US$0.5m

· The Company's US$0.1m share of the comprehensive loss US$ 0.3m made by Jumelles during the half-year.

As at 30 June 2016, Jumelles had aggregated assets of US$82.9m (June 2015: US$106.1m) and aggregated liabilities of US$1.3m (June 2015: US$3.4m). Non-current assets consisted of US$80.0m (June 2015: US$100.0m) of capitalised exploration assets and US$2.0m (June 2015: US$3.2m) of other fixed assets including property, plant and equipment. Cash balances totalled US$0.7m (June 2015: US$2.7m) and other current assets were US$0.1m (June 2015: US$0.2m).

Cash flow

Cash balances have decreased by US$1.6m since 31 December 2015. Additional investment in Jumelles required under Funding Agreements (details set out in note 1 to the financial statements) utilised US$0.2m, operating activities US$0.7m, and foreign exchange losses were US$0.7m as the value of UK Sterling weakened against the US Dollar, thus decreasing the US Dollar value of the UK Sterling denominated cash balances.

30 June 2016

Unaudited
US$000

30 June 2015

Unaudited
US$000

31 December 2015

Audited
US$000

GBP Balances

4.5

6.2

5.1

USD value of GBP balances

6.0

9.7

7.3

USD value of other currencies

-

-

-

USD balances

-

-

0.3

Cash Total

6.0

9.7

7.6

Notes to the financial statements

1. Business information and going concern basis of preparation

In common with many exploration and development companies in the mining sector, the Company raises funding in phases as its projects develop.

Following completion of the Feasibility Study in April 2014, modified to a staged development basis under the terms of the Supplemental Agreement announced on 13 September 2013, the consideration for the Call Option whereby Glencore owns 50% plus one share shareholding in the project, is now satisfied. The Mining Licence was granted in August 2014 and a Mining Convention was signed with the Government of the Republic of Congo. This has now been ratified by the Republic of Congo and adopted as law. Under the 2016 funding agreement entered into by the Company and Glencore, the Company's funding obligations for the 2016 work programme and budget are for a sum of US$0.7m, plus a percentage shareof discretionary costs. Such share for the Company would be US$0.4m if all the discretionary costs were approved jointly by the Company and Glencore. On current projections, it is estimated that the cash amounts payable by the Company to Jumelles during 2016 will be between approximately US$0.4m and US$0.6m. As regards ZIOC's corporate costs for the 2016 financial year, it is estimated that such costs will be of the order of US$1.1mand US$1.3m. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, the financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern basis.

2. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

3. Basis of preparation

The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in applying the accounting policies and presentation that were applied in the preparation of the Company's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2015 are not the Company's statutory accounts for that financial year. The 2015 accounts have been reported on by the Company's auditors. The report of the auditors was (i) unqualified and (ii) did not include a reference to any matter to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report.

Up until 30 April 2014, the company accounted for 100% of the Jumelles group Comprehensive Income. From May 2014, as a result of completion of the Feasibility Study(note 1 above) and thus consideration to complete the Call Option, the Company has accounted for 50% less one share shareholding portion of that Comprehensive Income.

4. Segmental reporting

The Company has one operating segment, being its investment in the Zanaga Project, held through Jumelles. Financial information regarding this segment is provided in note 6.

5. Taxation

The Company is exempt from most forms of taxation in the British Virgin Islands ('BVI'), provided the Company does not trade in the BVI and does not have any employees working in the BVI. All dividends, interest, rents, royalties and other expense amounts paid by the Company, and capital gains realised with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the Company, are exempt from taxation in the BVI.

The tax charge in the period relates to the Company's subsidiary Zanaga UK Services Limited.

30 June 2016

Unaudited

30 June 2015

Unaudited

31 December 2015

Audited

US$000

US$000

US$000

Recognised in other comprehensive income:

Current year

(6)

(11)

(25)

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

(Loss)/Gain before tax

(2,305)

(3,951)

(17,583)

Income tax using the BVI corporation tax rate of 0% (2015: 0%)

-

-

-

Effect of tax rate in foreign jurisdictions

(6)

(11)

(25)

(6)

(11)

(25)

The effective tax rate for the Group is 0.26% (December 2015: 0.17%).

6. Investment in associate

US$000

Balance at 1 January 2015

50,000

Additions

1,450

Share of comprehensive loss

(3,023)

Balance at 30 June 2015

48,427

Additions

282

Share of comprehensive loss

(10,900)

Balance at 31 December 2015

37,809

Additions

488

Share of comprehensive loss

(152)

Balance at 30 June 2016

38,145

From 30 April 2014, the investment represents a 50% less one share shareholding (previously 100%) in Jumelles for 2,000,000 shares of 4,000,001 total shares in issue.

On 11 February 2011, Xstrata Projects (now renamed Glencore Projects) exercised the Xstrata Call Option and from that date owns 50% plus one share of Jumelles and Jumelles is controlled at both a shareholder and director level by Glencore Projects. However, as the shares issued on exercise of the option were not considered to vest until provision of the services relating to the Preliminary Feasibility Study and the Feasibility Study had been completed, the Group continued to account for a 100% interest in Jumelles until the Feasibility Study was completed in April 2014. From May 2014 the Group has accounted for the reduction of its interest in Jumelles. The Group's interest remains accounted for as an associate using the equity method of accounting.

The Group financial statements account for the Glencore Projects transaction as an in-substance equity-settled share-based payment for the provision of services by Glencore Projects to Jumelles in relation to the Preliminary Feasibility Study and the Feasibility Study. These services largely were provided through third party contractors and were measured at the cost of the services provided.

As at 30 June 2016, Jumelles had aggregated assets of US$82.9m (June 2015: US$106.1m) and aggregated liabilities of US$1.3m (June 2015: US$3.4m). For the 6 months ended 30 June 2016, Jumelles incurred no taxation charge (June 2015: US$nil). A summarised consolidated balance sheet of Jumelles for the 6 months ended 30 June 2016, including adjustments made for equity accounting, is included below:

30 June

2016

Unaudited
US$000

30 June

2015

Unaudited
US$000

31 December

2015

Audited

US$000

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

2,053

3,238

2,968

Exploration and other evaluation assets

80,000

100,000

100,000

Impairment of exploration asset

-

-

(20,000)

Total non-current assets

82,053

103,238

82,968

Current assets

859

2,849

1,126

Current liabilities

(1,326)

(3,418)

(2,954)

Net current liabilities

(467)

(569)

(1,828)

Net assets

81,586

102,669

81,140

Share capital

336,011

334,992

335,261

Share option reserve

-

-

-

Translation reserve

(3,280)

(6,827)

(4,741)

Retained earnings

(251,145)

(225,496)

(249,380)

81,586

102,669

81,140

7. Earnings per share

30 June

2016

Unaudited

US$000

30 June

2015

Unaudited

US$000

31 December 2015

Audited

US$000

(Loss)/Gain (Basic and diluted) (US$000)

(1,603)

(3,962)

(17,608)

Weighted average number of shares (thousands)

Basic and diluted

Issued shares at beginning of period

278,777

278,777

278,777

Effect of shares issued

-

-

-

Effect of share repurchase

-

-

-

Effect of own shares

(3,842)

(3,842)

(3,842)

Effect of share split

-

-

-

Weighted average number of shares at end of period - basic

274,935

274,935

274,935

(Loss)/Earnings per share (Cents)

Basic

(0.5)

(1.4)

(6.4)

Diluted

(0.5)

(1.4)

(6.4)

8. Related parties

The following transactions occurred with related parties during the period:

Transactions for the period

Closing balance

30 June

2016

Unaudited

30 June

2015

Unaudited

31 December

2015

Audited

30 June

2016

Unaudited

30 June

2015

Unaudited

31 December

2015

Audited

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

US$000

Intercompany Jumelles Limited

(343)

3

5

10

41

353

Funding:

To Jumelles Limited

488

1,450

1,732

-

-

-

----------------------------------

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited published this content on 29 September 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
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