Production and Mining Operations - In 2023, Ruashi Mine produced 31,787 tonnes of copper and 2,207 tonnes of cobalt[3]. - Kinsenda Mine produced 30,219 tonnes of copper content in concentrates in 2023, with an average reserves grade above 5%[3]. - The Musonoi Project, currently under construction, is expected to have a total mine life of 16 years[4]. - The Lubembe Project's mineral resources were upgraded from inferred to indicated category in December 2021[5]. - Chibuluma South Mine is leased out under a finance lease agreement, with a fixed rental fee plus a variable royalty fee based on copper extracted and sold[6]. - The company produced 62,006 tons of copper and 2,207 tons of cobalt in 2023, generating an annual revenue of US638.9million,withalossattributabletoshareholdersofUS11.6 million[13]. - Annual copper output increased by 4.3% compared to 2022, while cobalt output decreased sharply by 44%, resulting in a historical low of 172 tonnes sold in the first half of 2023[22]. - The company expects the Musonoi Project, with total reserves of 606,000 tonnes of copper and 174,000 tonnes of cobalt, to commence operations in late 2024 or early 2025[24]. - Cobalt production decreased by 44% from 3,961 tonnes in 2022 to 2,207 tonnes in 2023, attributed to lower ore grades and no high cobalt content foreign ore purchases[37][38]. - Copper production increased by 5% from 30,353 tonnes in 2022 to 31,787 tonnes in 2023, with 26,836 tonnes being copper cathode[36][37]. Financial Performance - The financial performance of the Group in 2023 declined compared to 2022, primarily due to a continuous drop in commodity prices for copper and cobalt[97]. - Revenue for the Group's operations in 2023 was US638.9million,a28881.6 million in 2022[106]. - Cobalt revenue for 2023 was US39.1million,asignificantdecreaseof76160.9 million in 2022[113]. - The Group recorded a consolidated loss after income tax of US10.7millionfor2023,comparedtoaprofitofUS6.9 million in 2022[134]. - Loss attributable to shareholders amounted to US11.6millionfor2023,comparedtoaprofitofUS1.0 million in 2022, primarily due to a US29.0millionimpairmentlossofVATrecoverable[134].−TheGroup′sEBITDAisusedtoevaluatefinancialperformanceandidentifyunderlyingbusinesstrends,althoughitdoesnothaveastandardizedmeaningprescribedbyIFRS[139].−TheGroup′scashandbankbalancesdecreasedtoUS85.0 million as of 31 December 2023, down from US89.7millionasof31December2022,indicatingareductioninliquidity[145].−TheGrouprecognizedanimpairmentlossoncobaltfinishedgoodsinventoryamountingtoUS4.3 million in 2023 due to low market prices[118]. Market Conditions and Commodity Prices - Copper prices recovered to US8,476pertonnebytheendof2023,whilecobaltpricesfelltoUS13.0 per pound (equivalent to US28,660pertonne),markingasignificantdeclinefromtheir2022highs[18].−TheaveragebenchmarkLMEcopperpricefor2023wasUS8,483 per tonne, a 4% decrease from US8,815pertonnein2022[98].−TheaverageMBcobaltpricefor2023wasUS15.10 per pound, representing a 50% decrease from US30.36perpoundin2022[98].−Theoutlookforcopperispromisingduetotightinventoryandstrongdemandfromenergytransition,despiteunforeseenimpactsonminesupplyinlate2023[26].−Cobaltpricesremainedlowduetooversupply,withIndonesiancobaltproductionincreasingsignificantly,butstilllaggingbehindtheDRC′sproduction[28].−Thegeopoliticaltensionsandlogisticsissueshaveimpactedtheexpectedglobaleconomicrecovery,particularlyaffectingdemandfromtraditionalend−usersectorsforcopper[21].StrategicInitiativesandFutureOutlook−Thecompanyaimstoenhanceresourcedevelopmentandacquisitioncapabilitiesthroughstrategicresourceinvestmentmergersandacquisitions[14].−Theboardplanstooptimizetheequitystructuretostimulatemarketvitalityandstrengthencostcontroltoimproveeconomicbenefits[14].−Geopoliticalconflicts,deglobalization,andtechnologicalinnovationareexpectedtobemajorchallengesin2024[15].−Thenewenergyindustry′sdevelopmentisexpectedtodrivegrowthinthecopperindustry[15].−Thecompanyiscommittedtoimprovinginvestorrelationsandmarketcapitalizationmanagement[14].−TheGroupaimstobeaworld−classmineralcorporation,focusingonstrategicplanningandstakeholdervaluecreation[158].ResourceandReserveEstimates−AsofDecember31,2023,theGroup′sMineralResourcesareestimatedtocontainapproximately4,474,000tonnesofcontainedcopperand432,000tonnesofcontainedcobalt,representinga1.80.2 per share, totaling approximately HK$25,004,000, consistent with the previous year[197]. - The Group's major business activities are outlined in note 39 of the consolidated financial statements[193]. - There were no significant changes in the nature of the Group's principal activities during the year[189]. - The Group's performance analysis using key financial performance indicators is included in the Management Discussion and Analysis section on pages 40 to 60[194].