Corporate Governance

The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. The Directors recognise the importance of sound corporate governance and observe the requirements of the Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Sized Quoted Companies 2018, as published by the Quoted Companies Alliance, to the extent that is considered appropriate in light of the Company’s size, stage of development and resources. Details of how the QCA code is applied and how the Company complies is in the Chairman's Corporate Governance Statement.

Board of Directors

The Group supports the concept of an effective Board leading and controlling the Group. The Board is responsible for approving Group policies and strategies. It meets at least every three months and is supplied with appropriate and timely information and the Directors are free to seek any further information they consider necessary. All Directors have access to advice from the Group Secretary and independent professionals at the Group's expense. Training is available for new Directors and other Directors as necessary. The Executive Chairman, in conjunction with the executive team, ensures that the Directors’ knowledge is kept up to date on key issues and developments pertaining to financial and governance matters, its operational environment and to the Directors’ responsibilities as members of the Board. During the year, the Executive Chairman received updates and advice from the Company Secretary and the NOMAD to ensure the Company’s compliance to the Rule 26 disclosures which became effective from the 28 September 2018. The Group's key strategic and operational decisions are reserved exclusively for the decision of the Board. For further information, see the Terms of Reference and Charter for the Board of Directors.

The Board consists of two full time Executive Directors who hold key operational positions in the Company (the Executive Chairman and Finance Director), and three Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors, Richard Robinson, Addis Alemayehou and Alistair Clark bring a breadth of experience and knowledge to the Company. They are independent of management and any other business relationships do not interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment. The Board regularly reviews key business risks, including the financial risks facing the Group in the operations of its business. The Directors are of the opinion that the Board composition contains a suitable balance. The Board maintains regular contact with its advisers and public relations consultants in order to ensure that the Board develops an understanding of the views of shareholders about the Company.

Board meetings

The Board meets regularly throughout the year. The Board is responsible for formulating, reviewing, and approving the Company's strategy, financial activities, and operating performance. Day to day management is devolved to the Executive Directors who are charged with consulting the Board on all significant financial and operational matters. All Directors have access to the advice of the Company’s solicitors. Necessary information is supplied to the Directors on a timely basis to enable them to discharge their duties effectively, and all Directors have access to independent professional advice, at the Company’s expense, as and when required.

Board committees

The Board has established the following committees, each of which has its own terms of reference:

Audit and Financial Risk Committee

The Audit and Financial Risk Committee considers the Group’s financial reporting (including accounting policies) and internal financial controls.  The Audit and Financial Risk Committee comprised Two Non-Executive Directors: Addis Alemayehou (Chairman), and Richard Robinson, and is responsible for ensuring that the financial performance of the Company is properly monitored and reported in this capacity and interacts as needed with the Company’s External Auditors. The Finance Director is invited and attends the committee meetings to provide his skills and knowledge in committee matters. For further information, see the Terms of Reference and Charter for the Audit and Financial Risk Committee.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the remuneration of the Directors and senior executives. It comprised two Non-Executive Directors: Alistair Clark (Chairman), and Richard Robinson. Directors’ remuneration and conditions are considered and agreed by the Board.

Financial packages for Executive Directors are established by reference to those prevailing in the employment market for executives of equivalent status both in terms of level of responsibility of the position and their achievement of recognized job qualifications and skills. The Committee also takes into consideration the terms that may be required to attract equivalent experienced executives to join the Board from other companies. For further information, see the Terms of Reference and Charter for the Remuneration Committee.

Board Evaluation and Succession Planning

The QCA Code states that the Board should regularly review the effectiveness of its performance as a unit, as well as that of its committees and individual director. In 2022 the process was facilitated internally by the Board. To prepare for the mine build and operational phases of the Company’s development, the Board has implemented several management and Board changes in the previous year including the appointment Mr. Theron Brand as Managing Director of TKGM and Mr. Eddy Solbrandt as Group Operations Director. The company has three independent Directors.

Internal controls

The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal controls and for reviewing their effectiveness. These internal controls are designed to safeguard the assets of the Company and to ensure the reliability of financial information for both internal use and external publication. Whilst the Directors are aware that no system can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, regular reviews of internal controls are undertaken to ensure that they are adequate and effective.

Risk management

The Board considers risk assessment important in achieving its strategic objectives. There is a process of evaluation of performance targets through regular reviews by senior management who compare actual progress to forecasts. Project milestones and timelines are regularly reviewed.

Risks and uncertainties

Risk assessment and evaluation is an essential part of the Group’s planning and an important aspect of the Group’s internal control system. The principal risks facing the Company are set out in the Group Strategic Report.

Risk management and treasury policy

The Board considers risk assessment as an integral activity in achieving its strategic objectives, with the Board regularly reviewing its projects and activities in this regard. The Group finances its operations through equity and holds its cash as a liquid resource to fund its obligations of the Group. Decisions regarding the management of these assets are approved by the Board.

Securities trading

The Directors comply with Rules 21 and 31 of the AIM Rules relating to Directors’ dealings and will take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance by the Group’s applicable employees as well. The Board has adopted a Share Dealing Code that is appropriate for an AIM quoted company and this applies to Directors, senior management and any employees who are in possession of “unpublished price sensitive information”. All such persons are prohibited from trading in the Company’s securities if they are in possession of “unpublished price sensitive information”. Subject to this condition and trading prohibitions applying to certain periods, trading can occur provided the relevant individual has received the appropriate prescribed clearance.

Ethical values and behaviours

The Board has the means to determine that ethical values and behaviours are recognised and respected via the senior management team (“Exco”) to whom local country management reports. The Board of KEFI also adheres to KEFI’s Corporate Governance policies that cover, for example, ethical behaviour, anticorruption, and anti-bribery as well as a whistle-blowing policy. The Board is also aware that the tone and culture set by the Board will greatly impact all aspects of the Company as a whole and the way that employees behave. A large part of the Company’s activities is centred upon what needs to be an open and respectful dialogue with employees, clients, and other stakeholders. Therefore, the importance of sound ethical values and behaviours is crucial to the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its corporate objectives.

Wider stakeholder needs and social responsibilities 

The Group’s long-term success relies upon good relations with all its stakeholders, both internal and external. The Board affords highest priority to ensuring that it maintains a strong understanding of the needs and expectations of all stakeholders. Feedback is sought regularly across several platforms. The Group’s stakeholders include shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, regulators, industry bodies and creditors. The principal ways in which their feedback on the Group is gathered are via meetings and conversations.

Understanding and meeting shareholder needs and expectations

The Board is aware of the needs and expectations of shareholders. The Company engages with its shareholders through quarterly conference calls and at its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). The Board supports the use of the AGM to communicate with both institutional and private investors. All shareholders are given the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues; this can be done formally during the meeting or informally with the directors afterwards.

Experience, skills, and capabilities of the Board Directors

Experience, skills, and capabilities of the Board of Directors who have been appointed to the Company have been chosen because of the skills and experience they offer. The Board of Directors has strong, relevant experience across the areas of mining, accounting, and banking. The Board is satisfied that, between the Directors, it has an effective and appropriate balance of skills and experience, including in the areas of gold mining and exploration. All Directors receive regular and timely information on the Group’s operational and financial performance. Relevant information is circulated to the Directors in advance of meetings. Skills and knowledge have been gained through aggregated experience in gold mining and the wider sector and these are maintained through ongoing involvement and participation within the industry. All Directors retire by rotation at regular intervals in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association.

Website publication

The Directors are responsible for ensuring that the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with applicable legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

Relations with shareholders

The Board attaches great importance to providing shareholders with clear and transparent information on the Company's activities, strategy, and financial position. The Board typically meets with large shareholders following the release of financial results and regards the AGM as a good opportunity to communicate directly with shareholders via an open question and answer session. The Company regularly holds public question and answer calls in support of announcements, providing smaller and private investors with direct access to management. The Board receives regular updates on the views of shareholders through briefings and reports from the Managing Director, Financial Director, and the Company’s brokers. In addition, analysts’ notes and brokers’ briefings are reviewed to achieve a wide understanding of investors’ views. 

The Company discloses contact details on its website and on all announcements released via RNS, should shareholders wish to communicate with the Board. Details of all shareholder communications are provided on the Group's website. Historical Annual Reports, notices of all general meetings from the last five years and the resolutions put to a vote at AGMs can be found on the Company’s website. Over the last five years all resolutions put to a vote at AGMs have been duly passed. Whilst this has not occurred, should a significant proportion of votes be cast against a resolution at any general meeting the Board would naturally seek to understand the rationale for this through its engagement with shareholders.

(Note: The above Corporate Governance Statement was last reviewed in September 2024.