The following information is being provided for the purposes of AIM Rule 26 last updated 29 July 2024

Panthera Resources PLC (“Panthera” or the “Company”) is a UK registered company. The Company was established to act as a holding company for Indo Gold Limited, an unlisted Australian registered company. The Company aims to explore and develop gold assets in India and West Africa.

In India, emphasis will continue to be placed on attaining a prospecting licence for the Bhukia Gold Project, an established gold resource and the Company’s primary asset. Once acquired, the extensive amount of exploration already completed will be leveraged and further drilling is expected to define a substantial JORC-compliant resource base and allow the completion of a bankable feasibility study.

In West Africa, the Group now has the opportunity to re-prioritise its activities following the successful addition of the Labola property in southern Burkina Faso to its already exciting portfolio of properties. Expanding Labola’s previously defined resource will become one of the Company’s priority activities, which compliments recent drill success achieved at Naton and the definition of multiple exciting targets elsewhere in West Africa. The first RC drilling program at Naton achieved excellent results with ore grade intersections encountered at 4 of the 5 structures tested, and further drilling is clearly required. Whilst in southern Mali high-quality drill-ready targets have also been defined at Bassala and Kalaka, the Company intends to continue exploring these areas and define a JORC compliant resource.

Please click here for a Corporate Overview

Please click here for a list of the Company’s directors and their biographies.

Please click here for a description of the responsibilities of the members of the board of directors.

Panthera was incorporated in England and Wales on 8 September 2017.

Please click here for the Financial Reports

Please click here for the General Meeting details.

The Company’s shares were admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange on 21 December 2017 (trading symbol “PAT”). Please click here for the number of AIM securities in issue and the percentage of AIM securities not held in public hands.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of share

Chairman’s Corporate Governance Statement

Panthera Resources plc (“Panthera” or the “Company”) is required to apply a recognised corporate governance code, demonstrating how the Company complies with such corporate governance code and where it departs from it. The Directors of the Company have formally taken the decision to apply the QCA Corporate Governance Code (the “QCA Code”). The Company will provide annual updates on its compliance with the QCA Code in its Annual Report.

The Company is committed to industry best practice standards of corporate governance to enhance and protect shareholder value. As the Company is listed on AIM it is not required to adopt the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2016 (“the Code”) although the Company strives where possible to work towards the Code’s best practice to ensure that a meaningful corporate governance policy can be maintained.

Good governance provides a framework that allows the right decisions to be taken by the right people at the right time.

The Board meets regularly throughout the year and all necessary information is supplied to the Directors on a timely basis to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. Additionally, special meetings take place or other arrangements are made when Board decisions are required in advance of regular meetings.

The Board is responsible for formulating, reviewing and approving the Company’s strategy, financial activities and operating performance. Day-to-day management is devolved to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and members of the management team, who are charged with consulting the Board on all significant financial and operational matters. The Group has a small, focused management team, comprising individuals with significant expertise and experience in the mining sector as well as the financial and legal sectors. The Directors intend to progressively build the Group’s management team to meet the project and operational development timelines and milestone requirements. Consulting and contracting expertise will be contracted to support the Company’s management team in the fields of engineering, design, construction and geological assessment as required.

The Chairman has the responsibility of ensuring that the Board discharges its responsibilities.

Michael Higgins
Non-Executive Chairman
Updated on 26 July 2024

The Company’s Corporate Governance Statement is contained in the latest 2023 Annual Report.

QCA Principles

DELIVER GROWTH

• Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders

The Company’s vision is to utilise management’s proven ability to identify and develop projects at all stages of the value chain to create a successful exploration and development Group. The leadership aims to create a mid-tier mining Company by building a portfolio of high quality, low-cost gold assets in India and West Africa.
Its strategic business objectives are to obtain the necessary rights to explore and develop the highly prospective Bhukia Gold Project in India, to explore and grow the value of its prospective West African gold portfolio and to nurture and eventually harvest other non-core exploration and development assets in its wider property portfolio.

• Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations

The Board is committed to understanding shareholder needs and expectations by engaging with them on a regular basis through a variety of interfaces. Its endeavours to provide effective, clear and transparent communication with the shareholders of the Group is designed to ensure two-way communication and enhance the Board and managements’ understanding of shareholders needs and expectations. Significant developments are disseminated through RNS announcements, regular updates on the Group’s website and via its news subscription service, which is open to anyone and these details are contained on each RNS announcement should shareholders wish to communicate with the Board or management.

The Board regards the Annual Report and the Annual General Meeting as important methods of communicating with shareholders, with the Annual General Meeting being a forum for shareholders to engage in dialogue with the Board. The results of the Annual General Meeting will be published via RNS and on the Company’s website. The Group readily responds to enquiries from institutional and private shareholders with ad hoc telephone calls and meetings as appropriate. Additionally, a program of social media outreach has been initiated and will include services such as email updates and Twitter.

• Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long-term success

Panthera is committed to conducting its business in an efficient and responsible manner, in line with current best practice guidelines for the mining and mineral exploration sectors and the international investment community. The Directors recognise the importance of building good relations with stakeholders at all levels, from the government to municipalities and to local communities and landowners. The Group maintains a proactive dialogue with these stakeholders and is committed to ensuring it makes a positive contribution to the communities it operates in.

Panthera operates in a manner that is environmentally responsible and, as a minimum standard, to comply with any relevant environmental and mining legislation. Both the engagement with local communities and the performance of all activities in an environmentally and socially responsible way are closely monitored by the Board and ensure that an ethical and socially responsible approach is adopted at all times.

• Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation

Panthera operates in multiple jurisdictions with operating risks, financial risks, geopolitical risks and an array of other risks. Nevertheless, the board is experienced in overseeing the multitude of threats and risks that the Company faces in pursuing its strategy. It has the requisite skills to understand these risks and constantly evaluates risk as part of its normal course of oversight activities. The Company risk framework is monitored by experienced operational staff and threats and risks are reported at Board meetings.

The Directors have established financial controls and reporting procedures that are considered appropriate given the size and structure of the Group. It is the intention of the Directors that these controls will be reviewed regularly considering the future growth and development of the Group and adjusted accordingly. The Board acknowledge its responsibility for the Company’s systems of internal controls and for reviewing their effectiveness. These internal controls are designed to safeguard the assets of the Company and to ensure the reliability of financial information for both internal use and external publication. While directors are aware that no system can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, in light of increased activity and further development of the Company, continuing reviews of internal controls will be undertaken to ensure that they are adequate and effective.

MAINTAIN A DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

• Maintain the board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair

The Board of Directors

The Board ensures accountability for governance and is responsible for monitoring the activities of the executive team. The Chairman has the responsibility of ensuring that the Board discharges its responsibilities. No one individual has unfettered powers of decision. The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are split in accordance with best practice. The Board currently consists of four Non-Executive Directors, including the Chairman, and one Executive Director (the CEO), reflecting a blend of different experience and backgrounds. The Board meets on a regular basis (at least bi-monthly) throughout the year and all major decisions are taken by the full Board. The Board is responsible for providing strategic direction for the Group, setting objectives and management policies and agreement on performance criteria. The composition of the board and is constantly under review by the Nominations Committee and the Board as a whole.

Audit Committee: Catherine Apthorpe and David Stein

The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Group’s financial performance is properly monitored, controlled and reported. The Audit Committee is responsible for the scope and effectiveness of the external audit and compliance by the Group with statutory and other regulatory requirements. It comprises two Non-Executive Directors, Catherine Apthorpe and David Stein.

Remuneration Committee: Catherine Apthorpe and David Stein

The Remuneration Committee provides a formal and transparent review of the remuneration of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors and makes recommendations to the Board on individual remuneration packages. This includes the award of non-contractual performance-related bonuses and share options. Remuneration packages are designed to reward, motivate, retain and recruit individuals.

It comprises of Mike Higgins and David Stein (Non-Executive Directors). No Director took part in discussions concerning the determination of their own remuneration.

Nomination Committee: Tim Hargreaves and Mike Higgins  

The Nominations Committee is responsible for identifying and nominating candidates to fill Board vacancies, considering future succession plans as well as whether the Board has the skills required to effectively manage the Group. It comprises of Tim Hargreaves and Mike Higgins (Non-Executive Directors).

• Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities

The Group has a focussed Board and management team, comprising individuals with significant expertise and experience in the mining sector as well as the financial, corporate and legal sectors. The Directors intend to progressively build the Group’s management team to meet the project and operational development timelines and milestone requirements. Consulting and contracting expertise will be contracted to support the Company’s management team in the fields of engineering, design, construction and geological assessment as required.

The Nomination Committee is responsible for determining and reviewing the size, structure and composition (including the skills, knowledge and experience) of the Board, including making recommendations to the Board with regard to any changes, giving full consideration to succession planning for directors and other senior executives of the Company and identifying and nominating for Board approval, candidates to fill vacancies as and when they arise.

• Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement

Given the size and nature of the Company, the Board does not consider it appropriate to have a formal performance evaluation procedure in place, as described and recommended in Principle 7 of the QCA Code. Rather, this is undertaken on an ongoing basis as part of the role of the remuneration committee and the Board as a whole. The Board is cognisant of the need to maintain the ability to properly oversee and guide the Company.

The Board currently has three independent non-executive directors being, Tim Hargreaves, Catherine Apthorpe and David Stein.

The Board is satisfied that it has an appropriate balance of sector, financial and public markets skills and experience, as well as knowledge of the Company and its assets, to enable it to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively, and that all Directors have adequate time to fulfil their roles.

Details of the current Directors, their roles and their background are set out on the Company’s website at pantheraresources.com

The Group maintains insurance in respect of its Directors and Officers against liabilities in relation to the Company.

• Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours

All Directors, management and staff of Panthera are expected to consistently apply the highest standards of ethical conduct to ensure that the Group’s affairs and reputation are at all times maintained. The Board and Management do not tolerate any corrupt practices.

The Board has established a Code of Conduct incorporating the guidelines of the Bribery Act 2010 and compliance officers have been appointed with clearly defined roles of responsibility. Personnel are encouraged to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicions they may have. Implementation of the Code is monitored, and contraventions are reported to the Board. The Company has adopted a comprehensive anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy to ensure compliance with the UK Bribery Act.

• Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-making by the board

The Board is responsible for formulating, reviewing and approving the Company’s strategy, financial activities and operating performance. Day-to-day management is devolved to the CEO and members of the management team, who are charged with consulting the Board on all significant financial and operational matters.

The CEO has the overall responsibility for creating, planning, implementing, and integrating the strategic direction of the Company. This includes responsibility for all components and departments of a business. The CEO ensures that the organisation’s leadership maintains a constant awareness of both the external and internal competitive landscape, opportunities for expansion, customer base, markets, new industry developments and standards.

The Chief Financial Officer takes overall responsibility for the Company’s accounting function and ensures that the Company’s financial systems are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth. The Chief Financial Officer will coordinate corporate finance and manage company policies regarding capital requirements, taxation and equity as appropriate.

Reporting processes have been adopted that provide comprehensive and timely information to the Board. This ensures that the Board can make timely and informed decisions.

BUILD TRUST

• Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders

.The Board is committed to providing effective, clear and transparent communication with the shareholders of the Group. Significant developments are disseminated through RNS announcements, regular updates on the Group’s website and via its news subscription service, which is open to anyone and these details are contained in each RNS announcement should shareholders wish to communicate with the Board.
The Board regards the Annual Report and the Annual General Meeting as important methods of communicating with shareholders, with the Annual General Meeting being a forum for shareholders to engage in dialogue with the Board. The results of the Annual General Meeting will be published via RNS and on the Company’s website. The Group readily responds to enquiries from institutional and private shareholders with ad hoc telephone calls and meetings as appropriate. Additionally, a program of social media outreach has been initiated and will include services such as regular email updates and Twitter.

The Company is subject to the provisions of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Please click here for a list of the Company’s RNS announcements.

Please click here for the Company’s AIM admission document.

Please click here for the Articles of Association.