**Exhibit 99.1**

 

**Report of Independent Auditors**

 

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

 

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Minera Santa Cruz S.A. which comprise the statements of financial position as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related notes to the financial statements.

 

**Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements**

 

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

 

**Auditor’s Responsibility**

 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.

 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements 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 entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

 

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

 

**Opinion**

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Minera Santa Cruz S.A. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

 

City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

June 17, 2015

 
|   | PISTRELLI, HENRY MARTIN Y   ASOCIADOS S.R.L. |   |
|--------|----------------------------------------------|--------|
|   | Member of Ernst & Young Global      |   |
|   | /S/   ENRIQUE GROTZ                          |   |
|   | Partner                                      |   |

 

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statement of loss and other comprehensive loss

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| ** **                                                                                  | ** ** | **Notes** | ** ** | **2014   US$000** | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------|------------|-------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|
|                                                                                        |       |      |       |              |       |              |       |
| **Revenue**                                                                                 |       | 3         |       | **213,013**       |       | 240,722           |       |
| Cost of sales                                                                               |       | 4         |       | **(159,936**      | **)**      | (169,911          | )          |
| **Gross   profit**                                                                          |       |      |       | **53,077**        |       | 70,811            |       |
| Administrative   expenses                                                                   |       | 5         |       | **(8,855**        | **)**      | (9,130            | )          |
| Exploration   expenses                                                                      |       | 6         |       | **(1,638**        | **)**      | (2,695            | )          |
| Selling expenses                                                                            |       | 7         |       | **(24,648**       | **)**      | (25,900           | )          |
| Other income                                                                                |       | 9         |       | **1,593**         |       | 1,680             |       |
| Other expenses                                                                              |       | 9         |       | **(6,147**        | **)**      | (8,553            | )          |
| Impairment and   write-off of assets, net                                                   |       | 11-12-13  |       | **—**        |       | (42,658           | )          |
| **Profit/(loss)   before net finance income/(costs), foreign exchange loss and income tax** |       |      |       | **13,382**        |       | (16,445           | )          |
| Finance income                                                                              |       | 10        |       | **470**           |       | 1,266             |       |
| Finance costs                                                                               |       | 10        |       | **(5,965**        | **)**      | (5,454            | )          |
| Foreign exchange   loss                                                                     |       |      |       | **(1,121**        | **)**      | (3,267            | )          |
| **Profit/(loss)   before income tax**                                                       |       |      |       | **6,766**         |       | (23,900           | )          |
| Income tax   expense                                                                        |       | 22        |       | **(10,763**       | **)**      | (1,088            | )          |
| **Loss   for the year**                                                                     |       |      |       | **(3,997**        | **)**      | (24,988           | )          |
| **Total comprehensive   loss for the year**                                                 |       |      |       | **(3,997**        | **)**      | (24,988           | )          |

 

1

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statement of financial position

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| ** **                          | ** ** | **Notes** | ** ** | **As at   31   December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **As at   31   December   2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------|------------|-----------|------------|------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **ASSETS**                          |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Non-current   assets**            |       |      |       | **226,894**                                    |       | 225,956                                        |       |
| Property, plant   and equipment     |       | 11        |       | **199,179**                                    |       | 193,304                                        |       |
| Evaluation and   exploration assets |       | 12        |       | **11,595**                                     |       | 11,241                                         |       |
| Intangible   assets                 |       | 13        |       | **11,389**                                     |       | 12,073                                         |       |
| Trade and other   receivables       |       | 14        |       | **4,731**                                      |       | 9,338                                          |       |
|                                |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Current   assets**                |       |      |       | **109,700**                                    |       | 123,332                                        |       |
| Inventories                         |       | 15        |       | **27,620**                                     |       | 31,075                                         |       |
| Trade and other   receivables       |       | 14        |       | **68,168**                                     |       | 64,154                                         |       |
| Cash and cash   equivalents         |       | 17        |       | **13,912**                                     |       | 28,103                                         |       |
|                                |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Total   assets**                  |       |      |       | **336,594**                                    |       | 349,288                                        |       |
| **EQUITY   AND LIABILITIES**        |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Capital   and reserves**          |       |      |       | **191,347**                                    |       | 210,163                                        |       |
| Equity share   capital              |       | 21        |       | **110,132**                                    |       | 110,132                                        |       |
| Other reserves                      |       |      |       | **132,777**                                    |       | 127,023                                        |       |
| Retained   earnings                 |       |      |       | **(51,562**                                    | **)**      | (26,992                                        | )          |
|                                |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Non-current   liabilities**       |       |      |       | **78,301**                                     |       | 72,445                                         |       |
| Trade and other   payables          |       | 18        |       | **92**                                         |       | 127                                            |       |
| Provisions                          |       | 20        |       | **26,892**                                     |       | 22,065                                         |       |
| Deferred income   tax liabilities   |       | 22        |       | **51,317**                                     |       | 50,253                                         |       |
|                                |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Current   liabilities**           |       |      |       | **66,946**                                     |       | 66,680                                         |       |
| Trade and other   payables          |       | 18        |       | **52,118**                                     |       | 41,224                                         |       |
| Other financial   liabilities       |       | 16        |       | **985**                                        |       | 1,334                                          |       |
| Borrowings                          |       | 19        |       | **13,843**                                     |       | 24,122                                         |       |
|                                |       |      |       |                                           |       |                                           |       |
| **Total   liabilities**             |       |      |       | **145,247**                                    |       | 139,125                                        |       |
| **Total   equity and liabilities**  |       |      |       | **336,594**                                    |       | 349,288                                        |       |

 

2

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statement of cash flows

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| ** **                                                                                      | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                      | ** ** | **Notes**  | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Cash   flows from operating activities**                                                      |       |       |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Loss for the   year                                                                             |       |       |       | **(3,997**                                | **)**      | (24,988 | ) |
| Deferred income   tax                                                                           |       |       |       | **1,064**                                 |       | (6,921 | ) |
| Current income   tax                                                                            |       |       |       | **9,699**                                 |       | 8,009 |   |
| **Non-cash   adjustment to reconcile loss for the year to net cash flows**                      |       |       |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Depreciation and   impairment of property, plant and equipment                                  |       | 11         |       | **46,817**                                |       | 91,685 |   |
| Amortization and   impairment of evaluation and exploration and intangible assets               |       | 12-13      |       | **1,185**                                 |       | 5,043 |   |
| Disposal of   property, plant and equipment                                                     |       | 11         |       | **718**                                   |       | 524 |   |
| Provision of   contingencies                                                                    |       |       |       | **1,144**                                 |       | 642 |   |
| Supplies   obsolescence                                                                         |       | 9          |       | **273**                                   |       | 1,488 |   |
| Interest                                                                                        |       |       |       | **—**                                |       | 353 |   |
| Export refunds                                                                                  |       | 9          |       | **(1,386**                                | **)**      | (1,575 | ) |
| Valued Added Tax   (VAT) write-off                                                              |       | 9          |       | **71**                                    |       | 2,203 |   |
| Discount of   assets                                                                            |       |       |       | **1,623**                                 |       | 1,044 |   |
| **Working   capital adjustments**                                                               |       |       |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Decrease in   trade and other receivables                                                       |       |       |       | **285**                                   |       | 4,191 |   |
| Decrease/(Increase)   in inventories                                                            |       |       |       | **3,182**                                 |       | (2,089 | ) |
| Increase/(Decrease)   in trade and other payables                                               |       |       |       | **6,856**                                 |       | (17,374 | ) |
| (Decrease) in   financial liabilities                                                           |       |       |       | **(349**                                  | **)**      | (2,093 | ) |
| Increase in   other payables                                                                    |       |       |       | **358**                                   |       | 2,722 |   |
| Income tax   payments                                                                           |       |       |       | **—**                                |       | (16,192 | ) |
| **Net   cash flows generated from operating activities**                                        |       |       |       | **67,543**                                |       | 46,672 |   |
| **Investing   activities**                                                                      |       |       |       |                                      |       | — |   |
| Purchase of   property, plant and equipment, evaluation and exploration and intangible   assets |       | 11-12-13   |       | **(50,942**                               | **)**      | (61,001 | ) |
| **Net   cash flows used in investing activities**                                               |       |       |       | **(50,942**                               | **)**      | (61,001 | ) |
| **Financing   activities**                                                                      |       |       |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| (Decrease)/Increase   of borrowings                                                             |       |       |       | **(10,279**                               | **)**      | 23,769 |   |
| Dividends paid                                                                                  |       | 23         |       | **(20,513**                               | **)**      | (4,847 | ) |
| **Net   cash flows (used)/generated in financing activities**                                   |       |       |       | **(30,792**                               | **)**      | 18,922 |   |
| Net   (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year                          |       |       |       | **(14,191**                               | **)**      | 4,593 |   |
| Cash and cash   equivalents at beginning of year                                                |       |       |       | **28,103**                                |       | 23,510 |   |
| **Cash   and cash equivalents at end of year**                                                  |       | 17         |       | **13,912**                                |       | 28,103 |   |

 

3

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Statement of changes in equity

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| ** **                             | ** ** | **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 1   January 2013       |       |      |       | 110,132                               |       | 6,506                        |       | 58,889                        |       | 2,685                                            |       | 68,080                                |       | 66,541                           |       | 244,753                     |       |
| Dividends                              |       | 23        |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | (9,602                        | )          | —                                           |       | (9,602                                | )          | —                           |       | (9,602                      | )          |
| Legal reserve                          |       |      |       | —                                |       | 3,427                        |       | —                        |       | —                                           |       | 3,427                                 |       | (3,427                           | )          | —                      |       |
| Other reserves                         |       |      |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | 65,118                        |       | —                                           |       | 65,118                                |       | (65,118                          | )          | —                      |       |
| Loss for the   year                    |       |      |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | —                        |       | —                                           |       | —                                |       | (24,988                          | )          | (24,988                     | )          |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2013** |       |      |       | 110,132                               |       | 9,933                        |       | 114,405                       |       | 2,685                                            |       | 127,023                               |       | (26,992                          | )          | 210,163                     |       |
| Dividends                              |       | 23        |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | (3,571                        | )          | —                                           |       | (3,571                                | )          | (11,248                          | )          | (14,819                     | )          |
| Legal reserve                          |       |      |       | —                                |       | 1,029                        |       | —                        |       | —                                           |       | 1,029                                 |       | (1,029                           | )          | —                      |       |
| Other reserves                         |       |      |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | 8,296                         |       | —                                           |       | 8,296                                 |       | (8,296                           | )          | —                      |       |
| Loss for the   year                    |       |      |       | —                                |       | —                       |       | —                        |       | —                                           |       | —                                |       | (3,997                           | )          | (3,997                      | )          |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014** |       |      |       | 110,132                               |       | 10,962                       |       | 119,130                       |       | 2,685                                            |       | 132,777                               |       | (51,562                          | )          | 191,347                     |       |

 

4

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**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 24.

 

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 31 December 2014 and 2013 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 17 June 2015.

 

**2.**              **Significant accounting policies**

 

2.1 Basis of preparation

 

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 as of 31 December 2014 and 2013 and for the years then ended are set out below. The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivate financial instruments which have been measured at fair value.

 

The functional currency for the Company is determined by the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. The Company’s financial information is presented in US dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. All monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand ($000) except when otherwise indicated.

 

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity are initially 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.

 

a)             Revenue recognition

 

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

 

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured.

 

Revenue associated with the sale of gold and silver dore and concentrate is recognised in the income statement when all significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer, generally at the point when title has passed to the customer. Revenue excludes any applicable sales taxes.

 

Revenue is subject to adjustment based on customer inspection. 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 90 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 price exposure is considered to be an embedded derivative and hence separated from the sales contract at each reporting date. The provisionally priced metal is revalued based on the forward selling price for the quotation period stipulated in the contract until the quotation 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 an adjustment to ‘revenue’.

 

5

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

b)             Income tax

 

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

 

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income 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 tax is provided 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 at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled based on the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date.

 

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

 

Judgement is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognised on the statement of financial position. Deferred tax assets, including those arising from unutilised tax losses require management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecast cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the Company to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the statement of financial position date could be impacted.

 

c)              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.

 

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 (UOP) 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 immediately 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 recognised within other income/expenses, in the income statement.

 

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

 
| ** **            | ** ** | **Years** | ** ** |
|-----------------------|------------|-----------|------------|
| Buildings             |       | 3 to 33   |       |
| Plant and   equipment |       | 5 to 10   |       |
| Vehicles              |       | 5         |       |

 

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to be ready for its intended use are capitalised as part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing costs are expensed where incurred. The Company capitalises borrowing costs for those assets where construction commenced on or after 1 January 2009 and continues

 

6

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

to expense borrowing costs related to construction projects that commenced prior to 1 January 2009. For borrowings associated with a specific asset, the actual rate on that borrowing is used. Otherwise, a weighted average cost of borrowing is used. The Company capitalises the borrowing costs related to qualifying assets considering that the substantial period of time to be ready is six or more months.

 

***Mining properties and development costs***

 

Purchased mining properties are recognised as assets at their cost of acquisition. Costs associated with developments of mining properties are capitalised.

 

Mine development costs are, upon commencement of commercial production, depreciated using the units of production method based on the estimated economically recoverable reserves and resources to which they relate.

 

When a mine construction project moves into the production stage, the capitalisation of certain mine construction costs ceases and costs are either regarded as part of the cost of inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for capitalisation relating to mining asset additions or improvements, underground mine development or mineable reserve development.

 

***Construction in progress and capital advances***

 

Assets in the course of construction are capitalised 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 expenditure***

 

Expenditure incurred to replace a component of an item of property, plant and equipment is capitalised separately with the carrying amount of the component being written-off. Other subsequent expenditure is capitalised if future economic benefits will arise from the expenditure. All other expenditure including repairs and maintenance expenditures are recognised in the income statement as incurred.

 

d)             Evaluation and exploration assets

 

Evaluation and exploration expenses are capitalised when the future economic benefit of the project can reasonably be regarded as assured.

 

Exploration and evaluation costs are capitalised as assets from the date that the Board authorises management to conduct a feasibility study.

 

Expenditure is transferred to mine development costs once the work completed to date supports the future development of the property and such development receives appropriate approval.

 

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

 

e)              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.

 

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

 

f)               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 to which it relates and that is amortised applying the units of production method for the mine.

 

***Other intangible assets***

 

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

 

g)              Impairment of non-financial assets

 

The carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment 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

 

7

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

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 flows 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 the property, plant and equipment.

 

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 recognised in the income statement.

 

***Calculation of recoverable amount***

 

The recoverable amount of assets is the greater of their value in use and fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based on an estimate of the amount that the Company may obtain in a sale transaction on an arm’s length basis. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax 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 cash-generating unit are 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 generating unit.

 

***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 amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

 

h)             Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable 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 costs of production include:

 

·     costs, materials and contractor expenses which are directly attributable to the extraction and processing of ore;

 

·     depreciation of property, plant and equipment used in the extraction and processing of ore; and

 

·     related production overheads (based on normal operating capacity).

 

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

 

i)                 Financial instruments

 

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised when the Company becomes party to the contracts that give rise to them and are classified as loans or borrowings, receivables, payables, held to maturity investments, financial instruments fair valued through profit and loss, available-for-sale financial assets or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition and, where allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates this designation at each financial year-end. When financial assets and liabilities are recognised initially, they are measured at fair value, being the transaction price plus, in the case of financial assets not at fair value through profit or loss and borrowings, directly attributable transaction costs. The Company considers whether a contract contains an embedded derivative when the entity first becomes a party to it. The embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract if it is not measured at fair value through profit or loss and when the economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host contract. 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. All regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date, being the date that the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Regular way transactions require delivery and receipt of assets within the timeframe generally established by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

 

The subsequent measurement of financial assets depends on their classification, as follows:

 

8

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

***Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss***

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss includes financial assets held for trading and financial assets designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit and loss.

 

Financial assets are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. Derivatives, including separated embedded derivatives, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments or a financial guarantee contract. Gains or losses on financial assets held for trading are recognised in the income statement.

 

The Company has not designated any financial assets upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

 

***Loans and receivables***

 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market, do not qualify as trading assets and have not been designated as either fair value through profit and loss or available-for-sale. Such assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method if the time value of money is significant. Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognised or impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

 

***Held-to-maturity investments***

 

Non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities are classified as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) when the Company has the positive intention and ability to hold them to maturity. After initial measurement, HTM investments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less impairment. 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 (Effective Interest Rate”). The EIR amortization is included in finance income in the income statement. The losses arising from impairment are recognized in the income statement in finance costs. The Company did not have any held-to-maturity investments during the year ended 31 December 2014.

 

***Available-for-sale financial assets***

 

Available-for-sale (“AFS”) financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as such or are not classified as loans and receivables, HTM investments or financial assets at fair value through profit and loss. After initial recognition, AFS financial assets are measured at fair value with unrealised gains or losses being recognised as a separate component of equity until the investment is derecognised or until the investment is determined to be impaired at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously reported in equity is included in the income statement.

 

***Impairment of financial assets***

 

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

 

***Assets carried at amortised cost***

 

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on assets carried at amortised cost has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition). The carrying amount of the asset is reduced, through the use of an allowance account.

 

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed. Any subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in the income statement, to the extent that the carrying value of the asset does not exceed its amortised cost at the reversal date. In relation to trade receivables, a provision for impairment is made when there is objective evidence (such as the probability of insolvency or significant financial difficulties of the debtor) that the Company will not be able to collect all of the amounts due under the original terms of the invoice. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through use of an allowance account. Impaired debts are derecognised when they are assessed as irrecoverable.

 

***Available-for-sale financial assets***

 

For AFS financial investments, the Company assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that an investment or a group of investments is impaired.

 

In the case of equity investments classified as available-for-sale, objective evidence would include a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the investment below its cost, where ‘significant’ is estimated to be around 30% of the original cost of the investment and ‘prolonged’ is more than 12 months. In addition, the Company analyses any case taking into account the portfolio of

 

9

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

projects of the investee, the key technical personnel and the viability of the investee to finance its projects. If an available-for-sale asset is impaired, an amount comprising the difference between its cost (net of any principal payment and amortisation) and its fair value is transferred from equity to the income statement. Reversals of impairment losses on debt instruments are reversed through the income statement, if the increase in fair value of the instrument can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised in profit or loss. Reversals in respect of equity instruments classified as available-for-sale are not recognised in the income statement.

 

The subsequent measurement of financial liability depends on their classification, as follows:

 

***Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss***

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held-for-trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held-for-trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. This category includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IAS 39. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held-for-trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.

 

Gains or losses on liabilities held-for-trading are recognized in the income statement.

 

The Company has not designated any financial liabilities upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

 

***Loans and borrowings***

 

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value. After initial recognition, interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

 

Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the amortisation process.

 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the statement of financial position date.

 

***Derecognition of financial instruments***

 

A financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised 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, and has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset nor transferred control of the asset, a new asset is recognised to the extent of the Company’s continuing involvement in the asset.

 

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset, is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Company could be required to repay.

 

A financial liability is generally derecognised when the contract that gives rise to it is discharged or cancelled or expires. Where 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 a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, such that the difference in the respective carrying amounts together with any costs or fees incurred are recognised in profit or loss.

 

j)                Offsetting of financial instruments

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset with the net amount reported in the statement of financial position only if there is a current enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and an intent to settle on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

 

10

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

k)             Fair value measurement

 

The Company measures financial instruments, such as, derivatives at fair value at each balance sheet date. Also, fair values of financial instruments measured at amortised cost.

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

 

·     In the principal market for the asset or liability, or

 

·     In the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability

 

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible to by the Company.

 

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

 

A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

 

The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

 

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

 

·     Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

·     Level 2 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable

 

·     Level 3 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable

 

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial statements on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers have occurred between Levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorization (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

 

The Company determines the policies and procedures for both recurring fair value measurement and unquoted AFS financial assets, and for non-recurring measurement.

 

At each reporting date, the Company analyses the movements in the values of assets and liabilities which are required to be re-measured or re-assessed as per the Company’s accounting policies. For this analysis, the Company verifies the major inputs applied in the latest valuation by agreeing the information in the valuation computation to contracts and other relevant documents.

 

For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Company has determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy as explained above.

 

l)                 Leases

 

The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement at the inception date. The arrangement is assessed for whether fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets or the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset or assets, even if that right is not explicitly specified in an arrangement.

 

Finance leases, which transfer to the Company substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased item, are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and the reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are reflected in the income statement. The depreciation policy for leased assets is consistent with that for similar assets owned.

 

11

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership. Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

m)         Provisions

 

Provisions are recognised 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 recognised as a finance cost.

 

***Mine closure cost***

 

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 provision is discounted and the unwinding of the discount is included in finance costs. At the time of establishing the provision, a corresponding asset is capitalised and is depreciated over future production from the mine to which it relates. The provision is reviewed on an annual basis for changes in cost estimates, discount rates and operating lives.

 

***Workers’ profit sharing and other employee benefits***

 

The Company has no pension or retirement benefit schemes.

 

***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)             Share-based payments

 

***Cash-settled transactions***

 

The fair value of cash-settled share plans is recognised as a liability over the vesting period of the awards. Movements in that liability between accounting dates are recognised 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 comprise interest expense on borrowings, the accumulation of interest on provisions, interest income on funds invested, gains and losses from the change in fair value of derivative instruments.

 

Interest income is recognised as it accrues, taking into account the effective yield on the asset.

 

p)             Dividend distribution

 

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised 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 comprise cash on hand and deposits held with banks that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value. Liquidity funds 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.

 

2.2 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

 

The preparation of the Company ́s financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in

 

12

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

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 parameters available when the financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising beyond the control of the Company. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.  Significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgements made by management in preparing the financial statements include:

 

Significant estimates:

 

·     Determination of useful lives of assets for depreciation and amortisation purposes — note 2.1(c), (d) and (f).

 

Estimates are required to be made by management as to the useful lives of assets. For depreciation calculated under the unit-of-production method, estimated recoverable reserves and resources are used in determining the depreciation and/or amortisation of mine-specific assets. This results in a depreciation/amortisation 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 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. Changes are accounted for prospectively.

 

·     Determination of ore reserves and resources — note 2.1(e).

 

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore reserves. 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 may, ultimately, result in the reserves being restated.

 

·     Review of asset carrying values and impairment charges — notes 2.1(c), (d), (f) and notes 11, 12 and 13.

 

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 equipment and evaluation and exploration assets and intangibles assets.

 

·     Estimation of the amount and timing of mine closure costs.

 

The Company assesses its mine closure cost 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 expenditure 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 recognised in the balance sheet by adjusting the mine closure cost liability and the related asset originally recognised

 

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 2.1(b), 22 and 26.

 

Judgement is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognised on the balance sheet. Deferred tax assets, including those arising from un-utilised tax losses require management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate taxable earnings in future periods, in order to utilise recognised deferred tax assets. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecast 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 realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the balance sheet date could be impacted.

 

13

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

·     Recognition of evaluation and exploration assets and transfer to development costs — note 2.1(d).

 

Judgement is required in determining when the future economic benefit of a project can reasonably be regarded as assured, at which point evaluation and exploration expenses are capitalised. This includes the assessment of whether there is sufficient evidence of the probability of the existence of economically recoverable minerals to justify the commencement of capitalisation of costs; the timing of the end of the exploration phase and the start of the development phase and the commencement of the production phase. For this purpose, the future economic benefit of the project can reasonably be regarded as assured when the Board authorises management to conduct a feasibility study, mine-site exploration is being conducted to convert resources to reserves or mine-site exploration is being conducted to confirm resources, all of which are based on supporting geological information.

 

2.3 Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective

 

Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations that are issued but not yet effective up to the date of issuance of the Company ́s financial statements are disclosed below. The Company intends to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.

 

**IFRS 9 Financial Instruments**

 

IFRS 9, as issued, reflects the first phase of the IASB’s work on the replacement of IAS 39 and applies to classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, as defined in IAS 39. The standard was initially effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014, but Amendments to IFRS 9 Mandatory Effective Date of IFRS 9 and Transition Disclosures, issued in December 2011, moved the mandatory effective date to 1 January 2018.

 

In subsequent phases, the IASB is addressing hedge accounting and impairment of financial assets. The adoption of the first phase of IFRS 9 may have an effect on the classification and measurement of the Company’s financial assets but it will not have an impact on classification and measurement of the Company’s financial liabilities. The Company will quantify the effect in conjunction with the other phases, when the final standard including all phases is issued.

 

**IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers**

 

IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014 and establishes a new five-step model that will apply to revenue arising from contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15 revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The principles in IFRS 15 provide a more structured approach to measuring and recognising revenue.

 

The new revenue standard is applicable to all entities and will supersede all current revenue recognition requirements under IFRS. Either a full or modified retrospective application is required for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 15 and plans to adopt the new standard on the required effective date.

 

**IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative**

 

The IAS 1 Disclosure initiative was issued in December 2014 and seeks to clarify the concept of materiality in filtering out entity-specific information which is not relevant to financial statement users. Specifically, this initiative will clarify that materiality applies to the whole financial statements and that information which is not material need not be presented in the primary financial statements or disclosed in the notes. It will further clarify that some disclosures specified in standards are simply not important enough to justify separate disclosure for a particular entity, whilst making it clear that preparers should exercise judgement in presenting their financial reports. This initiative is not expected to impact the financial performance of the Company, but may impact its disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the disclosure initiative and will apply it from the required effective date.

 

14

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**3 Revenue**

 
| ** **                  | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                  | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Gold (from dore   bars)     |       | **44,947**                                |       | 46,725 |   |
| Silver (from   dore bars)   |       | **44,823**                                |       | 50,869 |   |
| Gold (from   concentrate)   |       | **66,085**                                |       | 72,211 |   |
| Silver (from   concentrate) |       | **57,158**                                |       | 70,917 |   |
| **Total**                   |       | **213,013**                               |       | 240,722 |   |

 

Included within revenue is a gain of US$349 relating to provisional pricing adjustments representing the change in the fair value of embedded derivatives (2013: gain of US$2,093) arising on sales of concentrates and dore (refer to note 2.1(a) and footnote 1 of note 16).

 

**4 Cost of sales**

 
| ** **                                         | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                         | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Depreciation and   amortisation                    |       | **45,152**                                |       | 51,173 |   |
| Personnel   expenses                               |       | **52,499**                                |       | 46,221 |   |
| Mining royalty   (note 27)                         |       | **5,303**                                 |       | 6,509 |   |
| Supplies                                           |       | **23,535**                                |       | 26,932 |   |
| Third-party services                               |       | **27,762**                                |       | 31,175 |   |
| Others                                             |       | **2,718**                                 |       | 9,516 |   |
| Change in   products in process and finished goods |       | **2,967**                                 |       | (1,615 | ) |
| Total                                              |       | **159,936**                               |       | 169,911 |   |

 

**5 Administrative expenses**

 
| ** **                                 | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                 | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Personnel   expenses                       |       | **3,322**                                 |       | 3,159 |   |
| Professional   fees                        |       | **742**                                   |       | 889 |   |
| Social and   community welfare expenses(1) |       | **516**                                   |       | 486 |   |
| Travel expenses                            |       | **249**                                   |       | 450 |   |
| Communications                             |       | **113**                                   |       | 131 |   |
| Indirect taxes                             |       | **1,873**                                 |       | 1,682 |   |
| Depreciation and   amortisation            |       | **81**                                    |       | 108 |   |
| Supplies                                   |       | **34**                                    |       | 41 |   |
| Other                                      |       | **1,925**                                 |       | 2,184 |   |
| **Total**                                  |       | **8,855**                                 |       | 9,130 |   |

 

----

(1)                                 Represents amounts expended by the Company on social and community welfare activities surrounding its mining units.

 

15

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**6 Exploration expenses**

 
| ** **                     | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                     | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Mine   site exploration(1)** |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Third-party   services         |       | **918**                                   |       | 1,647 |   |
| Personnel                      |       | **573**                                   |       | 901 |   |
| Others                         |       | **147**                                   |       | 147 |   |
| **Total**                      |       | **1,638**                                 |       | 2,695 |   |

 

----

(1)                                 Mine-site exploration is performed with the purpose of identifying potential minerals within an existing mine-site, with the goal of maintaining or extending the mine’s life.

 

**7 Selling expenses**

 
| ** **                                                 | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                 | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Transportation   of dore, concentrate and maritime freight |       | **4,587**                                 |       | 4,054 |   |
| Sales   commissions                                        |       | **151**                                   |       | 499 |   |
| Warehouse   services                                       |       | **2,752**                                 |       | 3,000 |   |
| Taxes                                                      |       | **15,608**                                |       | 16,596 |   |
| Other                                                      |       | **1,550**                                 |       | 1,751 |   |
| **Total**                                                  |       | **24,648**                                |       | 25,900 |   |

 

**8 Personnel expenses**

 
| ** **                   | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                   | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Salaries and   wages         |       | **48,345**                                |       | 54,539 |   |
| Other legal   contributions  |       | **10,675**                                |       | 11,057 |   |
| Statutory   holiday payments |       | **2,651**                                 |       | 2,899 |   |
| Long Term   Incentive Plan   |       | **(14**                                   | **)**      | (664 | ) |
| Termination   benefits       |       | **1,281**                                 |       | 2,734 |   |
| Other                        |       | **33**                                    |       | 375 |   |
| **Total**                    |       | **62,971**                                |       | 70,940 |   |

 

Average number of employees for 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 
| ** **                    | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                    | ** ** | **2014**                                  | ** ** | **2013** | ** ** |
| Average number   of employees |       | **1,169**                                 |       | 1,214 |   |
| **Total**                     |       | **1,169**                                 |       | 1,214 |   |

 

16

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**9 Other income and other expenses**

 
| ** **            | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-----------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **            | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Other   income**    |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Export refunds        |       | **1,386**                                 |       | 1,575 |   |
| Other                 |       | **207**                                   |       | 105 |   |
| **Total**             |       | **1,593**                                 |       | 1,680 |   |
| **Other   expenses**  |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| VAT write-off         |       | **71**                                    |       | 2,203 |   |
| Taxes                 |       | **3,453**                                 |       | 2,453 |   |
| Supplies obsolescence |       | **273**                                   |       | 1,488 |   |
| Other                 |       | **2,350**                                 |       | 2,409 |   |
| **Total**             |       | **6,147**                                 |       | 8,553 |   |

 

**10 Finance income and finance costs**

 
| ** **                                                | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Finance   income**                                      |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Interest on   deposits and liquidity funds                |       | **440**                                   |       | 1,208 |   |
| Other                                                     |       | **30**                                    |       | 58 |   |
| **Total**                                                 |       | **470**                                   |       | 1,266 |   |
| **Finance   costs**                                       |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Interest on bank   loans (note 19)                        |       | **3,241**                                 |       | 2,868 |   |
| **Interest   expense**                                    |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Unwind of   discount rate                                 |       | **1,773**                                 |       | 1,138 |   |
| Loss from   changes in the fair value of financial assets |       | **16**                                    |       | 219 |   |
| Other                                                     |       | **935**                                   |       | 1,229 |   |
| **Total**                                                 |       | **5,965**                                 |       | 5,454 |   |

 

17

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**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 31 December 2014**             |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| **Cost**                                           |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| At 1   January 2014                           |       | 230,475                                                      |       | 112,363                                |       | 83,125                                  |       | 3,636                 |       | 18,295                              |       | 14,189                                                                     |       | 462,083            |       |
| Additions                                          |       | 29,919                                                       |       | 141                                    |       | 5,665                                   |       | 46                    |       | —                              |       | 14,642                                                                     |       | 50,413             |       |
| Change in   discount rate                          |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | 2,787                               |       | —                                                                     |       | 2,787              |       |
| Disposals                                          |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | (2,530                                  | )          | (52                   | )          | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | (2,582             | )          |
| Change in mine   closure estimate                  |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | 538                                 |       | —                                                                     |       | 538                |       |
| Transfers and   other movements                    |       | —                                                       |       | 4,858                                  |       | 1,710                                   |       | 266                   |       |                                |       | (7,332                                                                     | )          | (498               | )          |
| Transfers from   evaluation and exploration assets |       | 194                                                          |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | 194                |       |
| **At 31   December 2014**                     |       | **260,588**                                                  |       | **117,362**                            |       | **87,970**                              |       | **3,896**             |       | **21,620**                          |       | **21,499**                                                                 |       | **512,935**        |       |
| **Accumulated   depreciation and impairment**      |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| At 1   January 2014                           |       | 172,164                                                      |       | 49,631                                 |       | 39,618                                  |       | 1,838                 |       | 4,805                               |       | 723                                                                        |       | 268,779            |       |
| Depreciation for   the year (1)                    |       | 30,424                                                       |       | 7,428                                  |       | 7,284                                   |       | 369                   |       | 1,349                               |       | (37                                                                        | )          | 46,817             |       |
| Disposals                                          |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | (1,832                                  | )          | (32                   | )          | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | (1,864             | )          |
| Transfers from   evaluation and exploration assets |       | 23                                                           |       | 61                                     |       | 46                                      |       | —                |       | —                              |       | (106                                                                       | )          | 24                 |       |
| **At 31   December 2014**                     |       | **202,611**                                                  |       | **57,120**                             |       | **45,116**                              |       | **2,175**             |       | **6,154**                           |       | **580**                                                                    |       | **313,756**        |       |
| **Net   book amount at 31 December 2014**     |       | **57,977**                                                   |       | **60,242**                             |       | **42,854**                              |       | **1,721**             |       | **15,466**                          |       | **20,919**                                                                 |       | **199,179**        |       |

 

----

(1)         The depreciation for the year is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

18

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| ** **                                         | ** ** | **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 31 December 2013**             |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| **Cost**                                           |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| At 1   January 2013                           |       | 195,307                                                      |       | 105,159                                |       | 73,573                                  |       | 3,038                 |       | 13,811                              |       | 12,256                                                                     |       | 403,144            |       |
| Additions                                          |       | 33,020                                                       |       | 297                                    |       | 13,866                                  |       | 118                   |       | —                              |       | 8,534                                                                      |       | 55,835             |       |
| Change in   discount rate                          |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | (1,182                              | )          | —                                                                     |       | (1,182             | )          |
| Disposals                                          |       | —                                                       |       | (172                                   | )          | (3,286                                  | )          | (70                   | )          | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | (3,528             | )          |
| Change in mine   closure estimate                  |       | —                                                       |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | 5,666                               |       | —                                                                     |       | 5,666              |       |
| Transfers and   other movements                    |       | —                                                       |       | 7,079                                  |       | (1,028                                  | )          | 550                   |       | —                              |       | (6,601                                                                     | )          | —             |       |
| Transfers from   evaluation and exploration assets |       | 2,148                                                        |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | 2,148              |       |
| **At 31   December 2013**                     |       | **230,475**                                                  |       | **112,363**                            |       | **83,125**                              |       | **3,636**             |       | **18,295**                          |       | **14,189**                                                                 |       | **462,083**        |       |
| **Accumulated   depreciation and impairment**      |       |                                                         |       |                                   |       |                                    |       |                  |       |                                |       |                                                                       |       |               |       |
| At 1   January 2013                           |       | 114,028                                                      |       | 33,318                                 |       | 28,670                                  |       | 1,295                 |       | 2,518                               |       | —                                                                     |       | 179,829            |       |
| Depreciation for   the year (1)                    |       | 36,694                                                       |       | 6,799                                  |       | 8,010                                   |       | 350                   |       | 918                                 |       | —                                                                     |       | 52,771             |       |
| Disposals                                          |       | —                                                       |       | (38                                    | )          | (2,935                                  | )          | (31                   | )          | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | (3,004             | )          |
| Impairment(2)                                      |       | 21,173                                                       |       | 9,552                                  |       | 5,873                                   |       | 224                   |       | 1,369                               |       | 723                                                                        |       | 38,914             |       |
| Transfers from   evaluation and exploration assets |       | 269                                                          |       | —                                 |       | —                                  |       | —                |       | —                              |       | —                                                                     |       | 269                |       |
| **At 31   December 2013**                     |       | **172,164**                                                  |       | **49,631**                             |       | **39,618**                              |       | **1,838**             |       | **4,805**                           |       | **723**                                                                    |       | **268,779**        |       |
| **Net   book amount at 31 December 2013**     |       | **58,311**                                                   |       | **62,732**                             |       | **43,507**                              |       | **1,798**             |       | **13,490**                          |       | **13,466**                                                                 |       | **193,304**        |       |

 

----

(1)         The depreciation for the year is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

(2)         The impairment charge arose primarily as a result of decreases in the prices of silver and gold and were determined using the fair value less cost to dispose (FVLCD) methodology. FVLCD was determined using a discounted cash flow model to estimate the amount that would be paid by a willing third party in an arm’s length transaction. Any variation in the key assumptions would either result in further impairment or a reduction of the impairment. See note 30.

 

19

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**12 Evaluation and exploration assets**

 
| ** **                                       | ** ** | **Total   US$000** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|
| **Cost**                                         |       |               |       |
| Balance at 1   January 2013                 |       | 14,316             |       |
| Additions                                        |       | 682                |       |
| Transfers to   property, plant and equipment     |       | (2,148             | )          |
| Balance at 31   December 2013               |       | 12,850             |       |
| Additions                                        |       | 525                |       |
| Transfers to   property plant and equipment      |       | (194               | )          |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014**           |       | **13,181**         |       |
| **Accumulated   impairment**                     |       |               |       |
| Balance at 1   January 2013                 |       | —             |       |
| Impairment                                       |       | 1,878              |       |
| Transfers to   property, plant and equipment     |       | (269               | )          |
| Balance at 31 December 2013                 |       | 1,609              |       |
| Transfers to   property, plant and equipment     |       | (23                | )          |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014**           |       | **1,586**          |       |
| Net book value   as at 31 December 2013     |       | 11,241             |       |
| **Net   book value as at 31 December 2014** |       | **11,595**         |       |

 

20

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**13 Intangible assets**

 
| ** **                                       | ** ** | **Transmission   line(1)   US$000** | ** ** | **Software   licences   US$000** | ** ** | **Total   US$000** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|
| **Cost**                                         |       |                                |       |                             |       |               |       |
| Balance at 1   January 2013                 |       | 22,157                              |       | 679                              |       | 22,836             |       |
| Transfer                                         |       | —                              |       | 12                               |       | 12                 |       |
| Balance at 31   December 2013               |       | 22,157                              |       | 691                              |       | 22,848             |       |
| Additions                                        |       | —                              |       | 4                                |       | 4                  |       |
| Transfer                                         |       | —                              |       | 497                              |       | 497                |       |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014**           |       | **22,157**                          |       | **1,192**                        |       | **23,349**         |       |
| **Accumulated   amortisation**                   |       |                                |       |                             |       |               |       |
| Balance at 1   January 2013                 |       | 7,140                               |       | 470                              |       | 7,610              |       |
| Amortisation for   the year(2)                   |       | 1,213                               |       | 86                               |       | 1,299              |       |
| Impairment of   the period(3)                    |       | 1,838                               |       | 28                               |       | 1,866              |       |
| Balance at 31   December 2013               |       | 10,191                              |       | 584                              |       | 10,775             |       |
| Amortisation for   the year(2)                   |       | 1,102                               |       | 83                               |       | 1,185              |       |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014**           |       | **11,293**                          |       | **667**                          |       | **11,960**         |       |
| Net book value   as at 31 December 2013     |       | 11,966                              |       | 107                              |       | 12,073             |       |
| **Net   book value as at 31 December 2014** |       | **10,864**                          |       | **525**                          |       | **11,389**         |       |

 

----

(1)         **T**he transmission line is amortised using the units of production method. At 31 December 2014 the remaining amortisation period is 10 years.

 

(2)         The amortisation for the period is included in cost of sales and administrative expenses in the income statement.

 

(3)         The impairment charge arose primarily as a result of decreases in the prices of silver and gold and were determined using the fair value less cost to dispose (FVLCD) methodology. FVLCD was determined using a discounted cash flow model to estimate the amount that would be paid by a willing third party in an arm’s length transaction. Any variation in the key assumptions would either result in further impairment or a reduction of the impairment. See note 30.

 

**14 Trade and other receivables**

 
| ** **                                     | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                     | ** ** | **2014**                             | ** ** | **2013** | ** ** |
| ** **                                     | ** ** | **Non-   current   US$000**          | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** | **Non-current   US$000** | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** |
| Trade   receivables (note 29.c)                |       | **—**                           |       | **39,375** |   | — |   | 42,770 |   |
| Advances to   suppliers                        |       | **—**                           |       | **786** |   | — |   | 1,182 |   |
| Credit due from   exports                      |       | **2,016**                            |       | **6,000** |   | 5,776 |   | — |   |
| Receivables from   related parties (note 24.a) |       | **—**                           |       | **93** |   | — |   | 110 |   |
| Loans to   employees                           |       | **26**                               |       | **48** |   | 13 |   | 162 |   |
| Export duties   paid in excess                 |       | **1,401**                            |       | **—** |   | 2,000 |   | — |   |
| Other                                          |       | **583**                              |       | **1,257** |   | 620 |   | 1,764 |   |
| Prepaid expenses                               |       | **—**                           |       | **1,731** |   | — |   | 1,288 |   |
| Value Added Tax   (VAT)(1)                     |       | **705**                              |       | **18,878** |   | 929 |   | 16,878 |   |
| **Total**                                      |       | **4,731**                            |       | **68,168** |   | 9,338 |   | 64,154 |   |

 

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

 

----

(1)    The VAT is valued at its recoverable amount.

 

21

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**15 Inventories**

 
| ** **                               | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                               | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                    | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Finished goods                           |       | **5,383**                            |       | 5,141 |   |
| Products in   process                    |       | **7,528**                            |       | 10,738 |   |
| Supplies and spare   parts               |       | **18,757**                           |       | 19,572 |   |
|                                     |       |                                 |       |   |   |
| Provision for   obsolescence of supplies |       | **(4,048**                           | **)**      | (4,376 | ) |
| **Total**                                |       | **27,620**                           |       | 31,075 |   |

 

Finished goods include dore and concentrate. Dore 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.

 

As part of the Company’s short-term financing policies, it acquires pre-shipment loans which are guaranteed by the sales contracts.

 

The amount of expense recognised in profit and  loss related  to the consumption of inventory of supplies, spare parts and  raw materials  is US$30,095 (2013: US$31,505).

 

Movements in the provision for obsolescence comprise an increase in the provision of US$273 (2013: US$1,487) and the reversal of US$ 601 (2013: US$727) relating to the sale of supplies and spare parts.

 

**16 Other financial assets and liabilities**

 
| ** **                                                             | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                             | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                    | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Other financial   liabilities**                                      |       |                                 |       |   |   |
| Embedded   derivatives(1)                                              |       | **985**                              |       | 1,334 |   |
| **Total   financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss** |       | **985**                              |       | 1,334 |   |

 

----

(1)    Sales of concentrate and certain gold and silver volumes are provisionally priced at the time the sale is recorded. The price is then adjusted after an agreed period of time (usually linked to the length of time it takes for the smelter to refine and sell the concentrate or for the refiner to process the dore into gold and silver), with the Company either paying or receiving the difference between the provisional price and the final price. This price exposure is considered to be an embedded derivative in accordance with IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. The gain or loss that arises on the fair value of the embedded derivative is recorded in ‘Revenue’ (refer to note 3).

 

22

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**17 Cash and cash equivalents**

 
| ** **                                                                    | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                    | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                    | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Cash at bank                                                                  |       | **13,377**                           |       | 13,453 |   |
| Current demand   deposit accounts(1)                                          |       | **535**                              |       | 3,201 |   |
| Time deposits(2)                                                              |       | **—**                           |       | 11,449 |   |
| **Cash   and cash equivalents considered for the statement of cash flows(3)** |       | **13,912**                           |       | 28,103 |   |

 

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

 

----

(1)    Relates to bank accounts which are freely available and bear interest.

(2)    These deposits have an average maturity of 30 days (refer to note 29).

(3)    Funds deposited in Argentinean institutions are effectively restricted for transfer to other countries and are invested locally. Included within cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2014 is US$ 13,378 (2013: US$ 27,379).

 

**18 Trade and other payables**

 
| ** **                                        | ** ** | **As at 31 December ** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                        | ** ** | **2014**                                   | ** ** | **2013** | ** ** |
| ** **                                        | ** ** | **Non-   current   US$000**                | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** | **Non-   current   US$000** | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** |
| Trade   payables(1)                               |       | **—**                                 |       | **18,445** |   | — |   | 13,717 |   |
| Salaries and   wages payable(2)                   |       | **—**                                 |       | **13,017** |   | — |   | 10,888 |   |
| Dividends   payable (note 24 a)                   |       | **—**                                 |       | **3,505** |   | — |   | 9,201 |   |
| Taxes and contributions                           |       | **92**                                     |       | **13,753** |   | 127 |   | 4,565 |   |
| Guarantee   deposits                              |       | **—**                                 |       | **29** |   | — |   | 30 |   |
| Mining royalty   (note 27)                        |       | **—**                                 |       | **556** |   | — |   | 451 |   |
| Accounts payable   to related parties (note 24 a) |       | **—**                                 |       | **1,866** |   | — |   | 742 |   |
| Other                                             |       | **—**                                 |       | **947** |   | — |   | 1,630 |   |
| **Total**                                         |       | **92**                                     |       | **52,118** |   | 127 |   | 41,224 |   |

 

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

 

----

(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.

(2)         Salaries and wages payable were as follows:

 
| ** **                           | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                           | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                    | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Remuneration   payable               |       | **13,017**                           |       | 10,472 |   |
| Executive Long   Term Incentive Plan |       | **—**                           |       | 416 |   |
| **Total**                            |       | **13,017**                           |       | 10,888 |   |

 

23

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**19 Borrowings**

 
| ** **                     | ** ** | **As at 31 December** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                     | ** ** | **2014**                             | ** ** | **2013** | ** ** |
| ** **                     | ** ** | **Effective   interest   rate**      | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** | **Effective   interest   rate** | ** ** | **Current   US$000** | ** ** |
|                           |       |                                 |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Pre-shipment   loans (note 15) |       | **27**                               | **%**      | **13,843** |   | 23 | % | 24,122 |   |
| **Total**                      |       |                                 |       | **13,843** |   |   |   | 24,122 |   |

 

**20 Provisions**

 
| ** **                     | ** ** | **Provision   for mine   closure(1)   US$000** | ** ** | **Long Term   Incentive   Plan(2)   US$000** | ** ** | **Other   US$000** | ** ** | **Total   US$000** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|
| At 1   January 2013       |       | 15,430                                              |       | 1,636                                             |       | 1,625              |       | 18,691             |       |
| Additions                      |       | —                                              |       | —                                            |       | 307                |       | 307                |       |
| Accretion                      |       | 93                                                  |       | —                                            |       | —             |       | 93                 |       |
| Change in   discount rate      |       | (1,182                                              | )          | —                                            |       | —             |       | (1,182             | )          |
| Change in   estimates(3)       |       | 5,665                                               |       | (1,509                                            | )          | —             |       | 4,156              |       |
| At 31   December 2013     |       | 20,006                                              |       | 127                                               |       | 1,932              |       | 22,065             |       |
| Non-current   portion          |       | 20,006                                              |       | 127                                               |       | 1,932              |       | 22,065             |       |
| **At 1   January 2014**   |       | **20,006**                                          |       | **127**                                           |       | **1,932**          |       | **22,065**         |       |
| **Additions**                  |       | **—**                                          |       | **—**                                        |       | **1,437**          |       | **1,437**          |       |
| **Accretion**                  |       | **37**                                              |       | **—**                                        |       | **—**         |       | **37**             |       |
| **Change   in discount rate**  |       | **793**                                             |       | **—**                                        |       | **—**         |       | **793**            |       |
| **Change   in estimates**      |       | **2,646**                                           |       | **(86**                                           | **)**      | **—**         |       | **2,560**          |       |
| **At 31   December 2014** |       | **23,482**                                          |       | **41**                                            |       | **3,369**          |       | **26,892**         |       |
| **Non-current   portion**      |       | 23,482                                              |       | 41                                                |       | 3,369              |       | 26,892             |       |

 

----

(1)    The provision represents the discounted values of the estimated cost to decommission and rehabilitate the mine at the expected date of closure for the mine. 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 adjusted for the impact of quantitative easing as at 31 December 2014 and 2013 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 0.18%.

(2)    Corresponds to the provision related to awards granted under the Long Term Incentive Plan to designated personnel of the Company.

(3)    Based on the 2014 and 2013 internal review of mine rehabilitation budgets.

 

24

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**21 Equity**

 

Share capital

*** ***

***Issued share capital***

 

The issued share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 
| ** **                    | ** ** | **Issued**  | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|
| **Class of shares** | ** ** | **Number**  | ** ** | **US$000** | ** ** |
| Ordinary shares               |       | 344,756,530 |       | 110,132 |   |

 

***Cumulative translation adjustment:***

 

The cumulative translation adjustment account is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements for the period in which the Company had a functional currency different to the reporting currency.

 

**22 Income tax**

 

The major components of income tax expense for the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013 are:

 
| ** **                                                      | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                      | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| *Current   income tax:*                                         |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Current income   tax charge                                     |       | **(9,639**                                | **)**      | (7,143 | ) |
| Adjustments in   respect of current income tax of previous year |       | **(60**                                   | **)**      | (866 | ) |
| *Deferred   income tax*:                                        |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Relating to   origination and reversal of temporary differences |       | **(1,064**                                | **)**      | 6,921 |   |
| Income tax   expense                                            |       | **(10,763**                               | **)**      | (1,088 | ) |

 

A reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting profit/(loss) multiplied by Company’s domestic tax rate for the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 
| ** **                                           | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                           | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|                                                 |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Accounting   profit/(loss) before income tax         |       | **6,766**                                 |       | (23,900 | ) |
| At Company’s statutory   income tax rate of 35% |       | **(2,368**                                | **)**      | 8,365 |   |
| Expenses not   deductible for tax purposes           |       | **(104**                                  | **)**      | (923 | ) |
| Exploration   expenses (double deduction)            |       | **780**                                   |       | 4,246 |   |
| Foreign exchange   differences                       |       | **(7,961**                                | **)**      | (12,511 | ) |
| Other                                                |       | **(1,110**                                | **)**      | (265 | ) |
| Income tax   expense                                 |       | **(10,763**                               | **)**      | (1,088 | ) |

 

25

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

Deferred tax expense

 

Deferred income tax relates to the following:

 
| ** **                                                             | ** ** | **Statement of financial position** | ** ** | **Income statement**                         | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                             | ** ** | **As at 31   December   2014   US$000**       | ** ** | **As at 31   December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **2014   US$000** | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|                                                                   |       |                                               |       |                                              |       |   |   |   |   |
| PP& E,   explorations and evaluation assets, and intangible assets |       | **(59,280**                                        | **)**      | (55,557                                           | )          | **3,723** |   | (7,671 | ) |
| Inventories                                                            |       | **(2,016**                                         | **)**      | (2,534                                            | )          | **(518** | **)** | 1,849 |   |
| Other assets                                                           |       | **1,346**                                          |       | 1,013                                             |       | **(333** | **)** | (83 | ) |
| Other accounts   payable                                               |       | **695**                                            |       | 72                                                |       | **(623** | **)** | 505 |   |
| Abandonment and   mine rehabilitation provision                        |       | **6,760**                                          |       | 5,905                                             |       | **(855** | **)** | (1,533 | ) |
| Other   liabilities                                                    |       | **1,178**                                          |       | 848                                               |       | **(330** | **)** | 12 |   |
| Deferred income   tax expense (income)                                 |       |                                               |       |                                              |       | **1,064** |   | (6,921 | ) |
| Deferred income   tax assets / (liabilities) net                       |       | **(51,317**                                        | **)**      | (50,253                                           | )          |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                   |       |                                               |       |                                              |       |   |   |   |   |
| Reflected in the   statement of financial position                     |       |                                               |       |                                              |       |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                   |       |                                               |       |                                              |       |   |   |   |   |
| Deferred income   tax assets                                           |       | **9,979**                                          |       | 7,838                                             |       |   |   |   |   |
| Deferred income   tax liabilities                                      |       | **(61,296**                                        | **)**      | (58,091                                           | )          |   |   |   |   |
| Deferred income   tax liabilities net                                  |       | **(51,317**                                        | **)**      | (50,253                                           | )          |   |   |   |   |

 

**23 Dividends paid and proposed**

 
| ** **               | ** ** | **Year ended 31 December** | ** ** |
|--------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **               | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                         | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| **Declared**             |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Equity   dividends:      |       |                                      |       |   |   |
| Dividends for   2013     |       | **—**                                |       | 9,602 |   |
| Dividends for   2014     |       | **14,819**                                |       | — |   |
| **Dividends   declared** |       | **14,819**                                |       | 9,602 |   |
| **Dividends   paid**     |       | **20,513**                                |       | 4,847 |   |

 

**24 Related-party balances and transactions**

 

MSC is a private company, owned by Hochschild Mining Argentina Corporation S.A. (HMAC SA) 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 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**24 Related-party balances and transactions** (continued)

 

(a) Related-party accounts receivable and payable

 

The Company had the following related-party balances and transactions during the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013. The related parties are companies owned or controlled by the main shareholder of the parent company or shareholders.

 
| ** **                          | ** ** | **As at   December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **As at   December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **As at   December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **As at   December   2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|
| Current related   party balances    |       |                                      |       |                                      |       |                                      |       |                                      |       |
| Compañía Minera   Ares    |       | **93**                                    |       | 82                                        |       | **1,522**                                 |       | 456                                       |       |
| MH Argentina   S.A.                 |       | **—**                                |       | —                                    |       | **277**                                   |       | 286                                       |       |
| Hochschild   Mining Argentina Corp. |       | **—**                                |       | —                                    |       | **1,789**                                 |       | 4,693                                     |       |
| Minera Andes   S.A.                 |       | **—**                                |       | —                                    |       | **1,719**                                 |       | 4,508                                     |       |
| Hochschild   Mining Plc.            |       | **—**                                |       | 28                                        |       | **64**                                    |       | —                                    |       |
| **Total**                           |       | **93**                                    |       | 110                                       |       | **5,371**                                 |       | 9,943                                     |       |

 

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, all other 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.

 
| ** **                          | ** ** | **2014   US$000** | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|
| Related party   transactions        |       |              |       |              |       |
| Intercompany   services             |       |              |       |              |       |
| Compañía Minera Ares      |       | **1,066**         |       | 1,197             |       |
| MH Argentina   S.A.                 |       | **—**        |       | 20                |       |
| Other   intercompany transactions   |       |              |       |              |       |
| Compañía Minera   Ares    |       | **—**        |       | 207               |       |
| MH Argentina   S.A.                 |       | **—**        |       | 167               |       |
| Hochschild   Mining Plc             |       | **64**            |       | —            |       |
| Dividends — See   note 23      |       |              |       |              |       |
| Hochschild   Mining Argentina Corp. |       | **7,558**         |       | 4,897             |       |
| Minera Andes   S.A.                 |       | **7,261**         |       | 4,705             |       |

 

Transactions between the Company and these companies are on an arm’s length basis.

 

(b) Compensation of key management personnel of the Company

 
| **Compensation of key management personnel (including Directors)** | ** ** | **2014   US$000** | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|
| Short-term   employee benefits                                                                   |       | **422**           |       | 467               |       |
| Long Term   Incentive Plan                                                                       |       | **(62**           | **)**      | (80               | )          |
| **Total   compensation paid to key management personnel**                                        |       | **360**           |       | 387               |       |

 

27

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

**25 Commitments**

 

Capital commitments

 

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, the future capital commitments are as follows:

 
| ** **            | ** ** | **Year ended   31 December** | ** ** |
|-----------------------|------------|----------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **            | ** ** | **2014   US$000**                      | ** ** | **2013   US$000** | ** ** |
| Capital   commitments |       | **6,092**                              |       | 6,767 |   |
| Total                 |       | **6,092**                              |       | 6,767 |   |

 

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, capital commitments are related to projects, infrastructure and sustaining and exploration activities started during the year which will be completed during subsequent months.

 

**26 Contingencies**

 

As at 31 December 2014, 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 significant additional tax liabilities may arise. As at 31 December 2014, the Company had exposures totalling US$34,118 (2013: US$38,173) which are assessed as ‘possible’, rather than ‘probable’. No amounts have been provided in respect of these items.

 

Notwithstanding this risk, the Directors believe that management’s interpretation of the relevant legislation and assessment of taxation is appropriate and that it is probable that the Company’s tax and customs positions will be sustained in the event of a challenge by the tax authorities. Consequently, the Directors consider that they have made adequate provision for any future outflow of resources and no additional provision is required in respect of these claims or risks.

 

(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 countries 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 judgement 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.

 

On June 2005, the National Executive issued Decree No. 616/05 (“Decree 616”), which imposed modifications to the foreign currency exchange rate regime in Argentina in relation to foreign exchange inflows and outflows, among which, is a provision for the establishment of a nominative deposit in U.S. dollars, non-transferable and unpaid in an amount equal to 30% of the amount involved in the foreign exchange operation, which must be kept for 365 days in a local financial institution (“Deposit”). It is important to highlight that the deposit cannot be used as security or collateral for credit operations of any kind.

 

Although Decree 616 established exceptions to the constitution of the deposit, having delegated in the Central Bank of Argentina (the “Central Bank”) the regulation of the decree, the Central Bank established some additional exceptions to the constitution of the deposit and regulated requirements to be met for specific exceptions to the constitution of the deposit regulated in Decree 616.

 

Without prejudice to the fact that the principles set out in Decree 616 are a clear restriction on the free availability of foreign exchange, precisely with the exception of companies that enjoy fiscal stability and exchange rate stability in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 753/2004, as in the case of Minera Santa Cruz S.A..

 

28

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

Moreover, on 26 October 2011, Decree 1722/2011 issued by the National Executive was published, under which the Company (amongst other mining companies) was within the scope of the obligation to settle in Argentina its total foreign exchange earnings from export operations. Since the issuance of said decree the Company began to comply with the foreign exchange settlement regime with regards to their export sales, the aforesaid does not imply the Company abandons the possibility of challenging Decree 1722/2011 in the future.

 

**27 Mining 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 dore and 2.55% where the final product is mineral concentrate or precipitates. In October 2013 a new provincial law was passed, which increased the mining royalty applicable to dore and concentrate to 3% of the pit-head value. Since November 2013 Minera Santa Cruz S.A. has been paying and expensing the increased 3% royalty although it has filed an administrative claim against the new law. As at 31 December 2014, the amount payable as mining royalties amounted to US$556 (2013: US$451). The amount recorded in the income statement was US$5,303 (2013: US$6,509).

 

On 13 June 2014, the congress of the Province of Santa Cruz passed Law No. 3318, which created a tax on mining reserves. Accordingly, the owners of mining concessions located in the Province of Santa Cruz must pay a tax on mining reserves at a rate of 1%, calculated at the end of each year and determined according to the international price of metals at that date. This law was later regulated by the Provincial Government Decree No. 1252/2014 and by the Provincial Tax Authority Disposition No. 084/2014. According to these regulations, the tax applies only on “measured reserves” and certain deductions (related to the production cost) apply. Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (an affiliate of Hochschild Mining plc) is affected by this tax. On 20 December 2013, Minera Santa Cruz S.A. filed before the Argentine Supreme Court a legal claim against the tax on mining reserves. Such legal claim challenges the legality of the tax on mining reserves arguing its unconstitutionality on the grounds that it violates the Federal Mining Policy created by national law No. 24.196. As at 31 December 2014, the amount payable as tax on mining reserves was US$4,088 (2013: US$1,381) recorded as ‘Trade and other payables’. The amount recorded in the income statement was US$3,453 (2013: US$2,453) as other expenses.

 

**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 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 benefitting 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:

 

Fiscal 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.

 

Fiscal 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.

 

Tax deduction from income tax balance, from the time of submission of the application for registration authorized by Law No. 24,196, 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.

 

Optional accelerated depreciation regime for income tax on capital investments made towards the execution of new mining projects and expansion of existing ones.

 

In 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.

 

29

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

Exemption 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.

 

Recovery 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 years counted from the year in which they were computed, make up the balance of the value added tax.

 

Deduction 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.

 

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.

 

Due to 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 18 April 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 21 November 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 and financial risks and are further categorised into risk areas to facilitate consolidated 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 embedded derivatives arising from the sale of concentrate and dore which were provisionally priced at the time the sale was recorded (refer to notes 3 and 16). For these derivatives, the sensitivity of the fair value to an immediate 10% favourable or adverse change in the price of gold and silver (assuming all other variables remain constant), is as follows:

 

30

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 
| **Year** | ** ** | **Increase/   decrease price of   ounces of:** | ** ** | **Effect on   profit before tax   US$000** | ** ** |
|----------|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **2014** |       | **Gold +/-10%   Silver +/-10%**                               |       | **-/+160****-/+395**                                      |       |
| 2013     |       | Gold +/—10%   Silver+/—10%                          |       | -/+927   -/+659                                           |       |

 

(b) Foreign currency risk

 

The Company produces silver and gold which are typically priced in US dollars. A proportion of the Company’s costs are incurred in Argentinian pesos. Accordingly, the Company’s financial results may be 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 and the Company’s equity.

 
| **Year**            | ** ** | **Increase/   decrease in   US$/other   currencies’   rate** | ** ** | **Effect   on profit   before tax   US$000** | ** ** |
|---------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **2014**            |       |                                                                   |       |                                                   |       |
| Argentinian   pesos |       | **+/—10%**                                                        |       | **—/+2,695**                                      |       |
| 2013                |       |                                                                   |       |                                                   |       |
| Argentinian   pesos |       | +/—10%                                                            |       | —/+ 790                                           |       |

 

 (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.

 

31

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

Counterparty credit exposure based on commercial activities, including trade receivables, embedded derivatives and cash balances in banks as at 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013:

 
| **Summary commercial partners — Trade receivables** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating or %   collected as   at 31 May   2015** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating or %   collected as   at 17 June   2014** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| LS Nikko                                                                          |       | **24,292**                                        |       | 92                                                                                  | %          | 19,953                                            |       | A1                                                                                   |       |
| Trafigura Peru   S.A.C (formerly Consorcio Minero S.A.)                           |       | **1,913**                                         |       | 83                                                                                  | %          | 5,091                                             |       | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Aurubis AG   (formerly Nordeutsche Affinerie AG)                                  |       | **3,785**                                         |       | 100                                                                                 | %          | 5,185                                             |       | 99.9                                                                                 | %          |
| Republic Metals   Corporation                                                     |       | **8,319**                                         |       | 100                                                                                 | %          | 4,826                                             |       | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Sumitomo   Corporation                                                            |       | **1,066**                                         |       | 80                                                                                  | %          | —                                            |       | —                                                                               |       |
| Argor Heraus   S.A.                                                               |       | **—**                                        |       | —                                                                              |       | 3,918                                             |       | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Glencore   International AG                                                       |       | **—**                                        |       | —                                                                              |       | 3,797                                             |       | 99.9                                                                                 | %          |
|                                                                              |       | **39,375**                                        |       |                                                                                |       | 42,770                                            |       |                                                                                 |       |

 
| **Summary commercial partners — Embedded derivatives** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating or %   collected as   at 31 May   2015** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating or %   collected as   at 17 June   2014** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| LS Nikko                                                                             |       | **(135**                                          | **)**      | 100                                                                                 | %          | (203                                              | )          | A1                                                                                   |       |
| Trafigura Peru   S.A.C (formerly Consorcio Minero S.A.)                              |       | **(346**                                          | **)**      | 100                                                                                 | %          | (634                                              | )          | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Aurubis AG   (formerly Nordeutsche Affinerie AG)                                     |       | **(461**                                          | **)**      | 100                                                                                 | %          | (282                                              | )          | 99.9                                                                                 | %          |
| Republic Metals   Corporation                                                        |       | **(40**                                           | **)**      | 100                                                                                 | %          | (228                                              | )          | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Sumitomo   Corporation                                                               |       | **(3**                                            | **)**      | 100                                                                                 | %          | **—**                                        |       | —                                                                               |       |
| Argor Heraus   S.A.                                                                  |       | **—**                                        |       | —                                                                              |       | 30                                                |       | 100                                                                                  | %          |
| Glencore   International AG                                                          |       | **—**                                        |       | —                                                                              |       | (17                                               | )          | 99.9                                                                                 | %          |
|                                                                                 |       | **(985**                                          | **)**      |                                                                                |       | (1,334                                            | )          |                                                                                 |       |

 
| **Financial counterparties** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2014   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating(1)** | ** ** | **As at   31 December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **Credit   rating(1)** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------|------------|
| Citibank                          |       | **9,512**                                         |       | A-                     |       | 3,580                                             |       | A-                |       |
| Banco Bilbao   Vizcaya Argentina  |       | **4,331**                                         |       | BBB                    |       | 20,542                                            |       | BBB               |       |
| **Total**                         |       | **13,843**                                        |       |                   |       | 24,122                                            |       |                   |       |

 

----

(1) The long-term credit rating.

 

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).

 

32

----

 

Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

·     Obtaining parent guarantees or contracting directly with parent company to shore up the credit profile of the customer (where possible).

 

·     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-capitalised institutions in order to secure access to credit and to diversify credit risk.

 

·     Limiting exposure to financial counterparties according to Board approved limits.

 

·     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 with the result that the Company’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in note 14.

 

(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 their access to credit lines, in order to ensure appropriate financing is available for its operations. In 2014 the Company maintained uncommitted short-term bank lines for approximately US$54,000.

 

The table below categorises 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. Interest cash flows have been calculated using the spot rate at year end.

 
| ** **                      | ** ** | **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 31   December 2014**  |       |                                      |       |                                             |       |                                             |       |                             |       |               |       |
| Trade and other   payables      |       | 52,118                                    |       | 92                                               |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | **52,210**         |       |
| Embedded   derivative liability |       | 985                                       |       | —                                           |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | **985**            |       |
| Borrowings                      |       | 13,843                                    |       | —                                           |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | **13,843**         |       |
| Provisions                      |       | —                                    |       | 41                                               |       | 3,369                                            |       | 23,482                           |       | **26,892**         |       |
| **Total**                       |       | **66,946**                                |       | **133**                                          |       | **3,369**                                        |       | **23,482**                       |       | **93,930**         |       |
| At 31   December 2013      |       |                                      |       |                                             |       |                                             |       |                             |       |               |       |
| Trade and other   payables      |       | 41,224                                    |       | —                                           |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | 41,224             |       |
| Embedded   derivative liability |       | 1,334                                     |       | —                                           |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | 1,334              |       |
| Borrowings                      |       | 24,122                                    |       | —                                           |       | —                                           |       | —                           |       | 24,122             |       |
| Provisions                      |       | —                                    |       | 127                                              |       | 1,932                                            |       | 20,006                           |       | 22,065             |       |
| Total                           |       | 66,680                                    |       | 127                                              |       | 1,932                                            |       | 20,006                           |       | 88,745             |       |

 

33

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

(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.

 

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, the Company held the following financial instruments measured at fair value:

 
| **Liabilities measured at fair value** | ** ** | **31 December**

**2014   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 1   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 2   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 3   US$000** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|
| Embedded   derivatives (note 16)                           |       | **(985**                                | **)**      | —                    |       | —                    |       | (985                      | )          |

 
| **Liabilities measured at fair value** | ** ** | **31 December   2013   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 1   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 2   US$000** | ** ** | **Level 3   US$000** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|
| Embedded   derivatives (note 16)                           |       | (1,334                               | )          | —                    |       | —                    |       | (1,334                    | )          |

 

During the period ending 31 December 2014 and 2013, there were no transfers between these levels.

 

The reconciliation of the financial instruments categorised as level 3 is as follows:

 
| ** **                                   | ** ** | **Embedded   derivatives   liabilities   US$000** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------|
| Balance at 1   January 2013             |       | (3,427                                            | )          |
| Gain from the   period recognised in revenue |       | 2,093                                             |       |
| Balance at 31   December 2013           |       | (1,334                                            | )          |
| Gain from the   period recognised in revenue |       | 349                                               |       |
| **Balance   at 31 December 2014**       |       | **(985**                                          | **)**      |

 

(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 2014 the management decided to decrease its short term debt. In addition, management reserves the right to use of short-term pre-shipment financing (financing of commercial accounts receivables and finished goods inventory).

 

**30 Impairment of Non-financial assets**

 

The calculation of fair value less cost of disposal is most sensitive to the following assumptions:

 

·     Commodity prices — Commodity prices of gold and silver are based on prices considered in the Company’s 2015 forecast (2013: 2014 forecast) and external market consensus forecasts. The prices considered in the 2014 (2013) impairment tests were:

 
| **Year**                                | ** ** | **2014**    | ** ** | **2015**    | ** ** | **2016**    | ** ** | **2017**    | ** ** | **2018**    | ** ** | **2019**    | ** ** | **2020**    | ** ** | **2021-2024** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|------------|---------------|------------|
| **2014 –   Gold – US$/oz.**   |       | **1,300.0** |       | **1,266.0** |       | **1,287.5** |       | **1,287.5** |       | **1,325.0** |       | **1,300.0** |       | **1,300.0** |       | **1,300.0**   |       |
| **2014 –   Silver – US$/oz.** |       | **22.0**    |       | **19.4**    |       | **20.1**    |       | **21.3**    |       | **21.8**    |       | **20.0**    |       | **20.0**    |       | **20.0**      |       |
| 2013 – Gold –   US$/oz.       |       | 1,405.9     |       | 1,379.3     |       | 1,319.3     |       | 1,272.1     |       | 1,272.1     |       | 1,272.1     |       | 1,272.1     |       | 1,272.1       |       |
| 2013 – Silver –   US$/oz.     |       | 25.0        |       | 23.5        |       | 20.7        |       | 22.3        |       | 22.3        |       | 22.3        |       | 22.3        |       | 22.3          |       |

 

34

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Minera Santa Cruz S.A.

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013

 

·     Estimation of reserves and resources — Reserves and resources are based on management’s estimates using appropriate exploration and evaluation techniques;

 

·     Production volumes and grades — Tonnage produced was estimated at plant capacity with 12 days of maintenance per year (2013: 12 days);

 

·     Capital expenditure — The cash flows for each mining unit include capital expenditures to maintain the mine and to convert resources to reserves;

 

·     Operating costs — Costs are based on historical information from previous years and current mining conditions;

 

·     Discount rates — The cash flows are discounted at real pre-tax rates that reflect the current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the cash-generating unit. These rates are based on the weighted average cost of capital. The pre-tax discount rate used in the 2014 impairment test was 29.07% (2013: 23.77%).

 

Cash flows used for impairment tests were based on the annual 2015 forecast. The starting point was January 2015. Individual cash flows are based on the annual 2015 forecast and an estimated set of reserves and resources as of December 2014 provided by the Exploration and Operations teams. In addition, in respect of subsequent years, the Company makes the necessary conservative adjustments to accurately reflect the nature of each operation. In the case of revenue, production figures were estimated assuming reserve grade (after extracted tonnage) and full capacity. In the case of operating expenses, all figures are based on the 2015 forecast. Future capital expenditure is based on the 2015 forecast, excluding one-off expenses and considering the Operations team’s view of developments and infrastructure, according to the estimated set of reserves and resources.

 

The period approved by management to project the cash flows was 10 years (2013:10 years).

 

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