Arq (ARQ) S-1IPO registration

The end-product, Arq powder, is a substitute for existing carbon or hydrocarbon products, typically produced from petroleum or coal. Given ongoing environmental pressures on these industries, Arq powder is expected to deliver environmental benefit to customers while minimising the impact on operational performance. Potential end-markets for Group’s products include two key areas:

The Group consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and applicable requirements of Jersey law.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except where otherwise noted. The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand ($’000), except when otherwise indicated.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements are prepared on a basis other than going concern. Management has assessed that the accounting policies to be adopted are the same as those of the previous financial year. Property, plant and equipment has been impaired to its recoverable amount, which is the lower of amortised cost and net realizable value. The Company believes this is the best estimate of fair value in accordance with IFRS. See further discussion under b) as to the Group's operations subsequent to 31 December 2022.

The Group has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Group is not currently revenue generating and hence from its inception through 31 December 2022, has incurred significant operating losses and has reported negative cash flows from operations. At 31 December 2022, the Group has unrestricted cash of $2.5 million and current liabilities in excess of current assets of $104.3 million.

In August 2022, the Group entered into an agreement with Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (“ADES”), a US listed activated carbon producer, whereby ADES would acquire 100% of the outstanding share capital of the Company in exchange for ADES shares (“merger transaction”). The combination of ADES and the Group (together, “combined group”) was to secure an integrated supply chain to produce granular activated carbon ("GAC") using Arq powder that creates significant competitive advantages. The merger transaction was put on hold in December 2022 whilst terms were renegotiated.

Subsequent to the year-end, in January 2023, revised terms were agreed between the Group and ADES. On February 1, 2023,  ADES acquired 100% of the outstanding share capital of all of the Company’s direct subsidiaries ("Direct Subsidiaries") and substantially all of the Company's assets and liabilities ("ADES Acquisition") in exchange for consideration ("Purchase Consideration") comprised of 3,814,864 shares of ADES’s common stock ("ADES Common Shares") and 5,294,462 of ADES's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“ADES Preferred Shares”).

Immediately prior to the ADES Acquisition, the Company’s convertible loan note was converted into 238,218,926 ordinary shares of the Company. All related security and any guarantee provided by the Group were released.

Immediately after the ADES Acquisition, the Company's net assets were comprised of $500,000 of cash and its investment in ADES, comprised of the ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares, which were valued at the estimated fair value of $31.2 million, based on the estimated fair value of the ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares. The estimated fair value of the ADES Common Shares was determined by the publicly-traded price of ADES' Common Stock. The estimated fair value of the ADES Preferred Shares was determined by a third party valuation, performed on behalf of the Company and used as the determinate of the Purchase Consideration. Immediately after the ADES Acquisition, the Company had no outstanding liabilities, as all of the Company's and the Direct Subsidiaries' liabilities were assumed by ADES.

Since the ADES Acquisition, ADES has incorporated the Direct Subsidiaries' operations into its own operations and intends to begin producing and selling new products in 2024 utilizing Arq powder as its primary feedstock. As such, the Company believes that the Direct Subsidiaries represent a going concern business and a strategic part of ADES's ongoing operations in the near term and in the future.

On February 17, 2023, the Company bought back 87.9% of its outstanding ordinary shares in exchange for 3,370,865 ADES Common Shares and 4,364,131 ADES Preferred Shares. The Company’s plan is to distribute the remaining ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares and then liquidate within 12 months of approving these financial statements. Based on the intention and plan by Management to liquidate the Company, these financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern. Management has assessed that it is appropriate to continue to apply the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS.

Of the total ADES Preferred Shares received by the Company in the ADES Acquisition, 833,914 are being held in escrow ("Escrow Shares") pending the determination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that no tax withholding ("Tax Liability") is required on the Purchase Consideration issued to the Company. The value of the Tax liability was estimated at $3.3 million. In the event that the IRS determines that no withholding is required in connection with the Purchase Consideration received by the Company, all of the Escrow Shares will be released and delivered to the Company. In the event that the IRS determines that any amount of withholding is required, ADES has agreed to redeem a sufficient number of Escrow Shares to fund the required payment to the IRS, and that number of Escrow Shares will be returned to ADES. The number of Escrow Shares to be returned to ADES is equal to the required Tax Liability divided by the Original Issue Amount of $4.00 per ADES Preferred Share, not to exceed a maximum of 833,914 Escrow Shares.

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the reporting date each year.

Control is achieved when an investor is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:

Profit or loss and comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Group. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

If the Group ceases to retain control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the related assets, liabilities, and other components of equity, while any resultant gain or loss is recognised in the income statement.

Property, plant and equipment held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, or for administrative purposes, are stated in the consolidated balance sheet at recoverable value determined to be the lower of amortised cost and net realizable value.

Depreciation is charged to write off the cost to their residual values based on the following methods by asset class:

The gains and losses arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the differences between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the consolidated income statement and other comprehensive income.

Work in progress is an asset under construction that has not yet been put into use. The asset is not subject to depreciation while in the construction phase status. Once the asset is fully developed and available for use, depreciation will start accordingly.

The cost of mineral assets includes the present value of the expected cost for the decommissioning of an asset after its use if the recognition criteria for a provision are met (see accounting policy l) plus the excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities when acquiring mining assets.

If ownership of the leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term or the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is calculated using the estimated useful life of the asset.

As noted in note 2b, these financial statements are prepared on a basis other than going concern. Management has assessed that the recoverable amount of property, plant & equipment be recognized as the lower of amortised cost and net realizable value.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) (“CGU”) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalised as part of the cost of the respective asset. Once the asset is commissioned, interest is no longer capitalised. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they occur. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds.

Research costs are expensed as incurred.

Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except when the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the Group’s functional currency. For each subsidiary, the Group determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. The Group uses the direct method of consolidation and on disposal of a foreign operation, the gain or loss that is reclassified to profit or loss reflects the amount that arises from using this method.

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded by the Group’s entities at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date. Differences arising on settlement or translation of monetary items are recognised in the income statement.

The group employees and certain suppliers of research and development and marketing services receive compensation in the form of share-based payment transactions, whereby employees and suppliers render services as consideration for equity instruments (equity-settled transactions). The equity-settled transactions issued to employees are measured at fair value at the date of grant and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in other capital reserves. For employees, the expense is recognised in salaries and wages. For suppliers, the equity-settled transactions are measured at fair value and expensed at the date the services were provided, and the expense is recognised in the applicable expense category.

The fair value of share options issued with non-market vesting conditions has been calculated using the Black Scholes model. For all other share awards, the fair value is determined by reference to the value of the services at the grant date. For all share schemes with non-market vesting conditions, the likelihood of vesting has been taken into account when determining the relevant charge. Vesting assumptions are reviewed during each reporting period to ensure they reflect current expectations.

When the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the grant date fair value of the unmodified award, provided the original vesting terms of the award are met. An additional expense, measured at the date of modification, is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee.

Service and non-market performance conditions are not taken into account when determining the grant date fair value of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions being met is assessed as part of the Group’s best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest.

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured at the Group’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date, and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

The Group records a provision for asset rehabilitation costs for reclaiming surface land, and support facilities at the underground and surface mines in accordance with federal and state reclamation laws as required by each mining permit. Rehabilitation costs are recorded at the present value of expected costs to settle the obligation using estimated cash flows and are recognised as part of the cost of the relevant asset. The cash flows are discounted at the current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to the rehabilitation liability. The unwinding of the discount is expensed in the income statement as a finance cost. The estimated future costs of rehabilitation are reviewed annually and adjusted from the cost of the asset as appropriate.

The Group’s financial assets comprise vendor receivables, deposits, and cash and cash equivalents. At initial recognition, these financial assets are measured at amortised cost. Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest rate method (“EIR”) and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired, or the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset.

The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all receivables and deposits. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit losses for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit losses for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).

The Group considers a financial asset in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.

The Group’s financial liabilities include trade payables, accrued trade and payroll expenses, lease liabilities, York preferred units and bank loans. All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs. For more information on the York preferred units, bank loan, and the lease liabilities see note 2o, note 2s, and note 16.

After initial recognition, trade payables and interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. The EIR method is used to calculate the amortization of interest-bearing loans and borrowings. Amortised cost is calculated based on any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the income statement.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

On issuance of a borrowing, the fair value of the liability component is determined using a market rate for an equivalent non-convertible instrument. This amount is classified as a financial liability measured at amortised cost (net of transaction costs) until it is extinguished on conversion or redemption.

Shares and warrants issued in conjunction with a borrowing are recognised in equity. Transaction costs are allocated between financial liabilities and equity based on the relative fair value of the shares, warrants, and preferred units.

A change in the terms of a borrowing is accounted for as an extinguishment when it results in a significant change in fair value. Any gain or loss from this extinguishment is recognised in the income statement as other income or expense.

Conversion features in a borrowing that result in a fixed number of shares issued are treated as equity instruments and are valued as the residual of the proceeds after deducting the fair value of the liability component.

The modifications of the terms of a convertible feature from a variable conversion price to a fixed conversion price results in the extinguishment of the borrowing if there is a change greater than 10% in the fair value of the borrowing based on the change in the conversion price. Any gain or loss from this extinguishment is recognized in the income statement as other income or expense.

Cash and short-term deposits in the balance sheet comprise cash at banks and on hand and short-term deposits, net of overdraft, with an original maturity of three months or less, which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Inventory is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Inventory relates to the cost of purchasing raw material used in the production of Arq powder.

Prepayments comprise services that have been paid for in advance. The balance is expensed when the service has been delivered.

Lease liabilities recognised on the balance sheet are recognised within borrowings. Upon inception, the lease liability is recognised as the present value of the expected future lease payments, calculated using the Group’s incremental borrowing rate, adjusted to reflect the length of the lease and country of location. The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the Company's incremental borrowing rate. and is remeasured when there is a change to the forecasted lease payments. When the lease liability is remeasured, an adjustment is made to the corresponding right-of-use asset.

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered to be low-value. Lease payments on short term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The preparation of the Group’s consolidated 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 outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of asset or liability affected in future periods.

The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised. For the leasing of land at Corbin, Kentucky, the Group has the option to extend the lease beyond 2025 and therefore management applies judgement in evaluating whether the lease will be renewed and has assumed it will be extended for a further 15 years based on the Group’s business plan.

The Group has recognised a provision for rehabilitation obligations associated with assets at two sites relating to coal-based feedstock. In determining the fair value of the provision, estimates are made in relation to discount rates, the expected cost to dismantle and remove the plant from the site and the expected timing of those costs. The Group estimates that the costs would be realised in the next 4 years at one site, and 22 years at another site. The provision is calculated using a discounted cashflow method. The carrying amount of the provision as at 31 December 2022 and 2021 was $3.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

As noted in note 2b, financial statements are prepared on a basis other than going concern, and management has assessed that the recoverable amount of property, plant & equipment be recognized as the lower of amortised cost and net realizable value, which the Company believes represents the best estimate of fair value. The recoverable amount as at 31 December 2022 was determined based on the recoverable amount of $44.5 million as estimated at the date of the ADES Acquisition, and adjusted for capital expenditure and depreciation recorded for the month of January 2023. The Group determined the recoverable amount primarily based on a third party valuation performed on behalf of ADES and used in the recording of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the ADES Acquisition.. As a result, for the year ended 31 December 2022, the Group recognised an impairment of certain property, plant and equipment totaling $44.6 million.

The Group estimates the number of options that are likely to vest in regard to the performance criteria included in the Group’s management incentive plan.

The Group uses the Black-Scholes model in determining the fair value of options granted to employees under the Group’s share schemes and warrants issued to investors. The determination of the fair value of options and warrants requires a number of assumptions. The alteration of these assumptions may impact charges to the income statement over the vesting period of the award and the total amount allocated to equity. Details of the assumptions for share-based payments and performance criteria are disclosed in note 14.

The Group uses risk adjusted discount rates to calculate the fair value of loans and borrowing. The discount rates are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgement is required to establish the discount rate such as liquidity and credit risk. During the year ended 31 December 2022, a discount rate of 21.5% (2021: 21.5%) was used to calculate the fair value of the York preferred units and 86.0% for the convertible loan note (see note 17).

In circumstances where the Group cannot readily determine the interest rate implicit in the lease, the incremental borrowing rate (IBR) is used to measure lease liabilities. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment.). The Group estimates the IBR using observable inputs (such as market interest rates) when available.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back depreciation of property, plant and equipment, impairment loss and share-based compensation from operating loss included in the consolidated income statement and other comprehensive income.

Directors prepare adjusted EBITDA in order to assist with comparability between peers and to give what they consider to be a better indication of the underlying business.

In the year ended 31 December 2022, the Group recognised an impairment loss of $44.6 million (2021: $90.1 million).

In the year ended 31 December 2022, share-based compensation includes $374,000 relating to shares issued to external suppliers (2021: $179,000).

A breakdown of salaries and benefits for the Group during the year is as follows:

A breakdown of plant operating expenses for the Group during the year is as follows:

A breakdown of administration expenses for the Group during the year is as follows:

In year ended 31 December 2022, business development and marketing fee includes an accrued product marketing fees of $1.0 million (2021: $2.0 million) charged by Vitol S.A. (“Vitol”).

In the year ended 31 December 2022, the Group interest on debt and borrowings of $20.0 million (2021: $15.4 million), of which $nil million (2021 : $14.9 million) was capitalised in property, plant and equipment as part of the construction of the Corbin and St Rose facilities.

Profits arising in the Company are subject to Jersey income tax at the standard corporate income tax rate of 0%. Subsidiaries of the Group are subject to standard corporation rates ranging from 19% to 26.5%. No components of income tax affect other comprehensive income.

The Group started the construction of its new processing facility in Corbin, Kentucky in March 2016, which was commissioned as at 31 December 2021. The construction of the Corbin processing facility and St Rose drying and blending facility were financed using a combination of third party borrowing and equity. The amount of borrowing costs capitalised during the year ended 31 December 2022 was $nil million (2021: $14.9 million). The rate used to determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation in the year ended 31 December 2022 was nil% (2021: 19.7%). The carrying amount of the Corbin processing facility at 31 December 2022 was $41.6 million (2021: $92.3 million), and the primary change year over year was impairment recorded as at 31 December 2022. The Group recorded impairment as at 31 December 2022 primarily based on a valuation performed by a third party on behalf of ADES and used in the recording of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the ADES Acquisition as of February 1, 2023

Depreciation charge for the year ended 31 December 2022 of $3.9 million (2021: $1.0 million) includes depreciation expensed in the income statement of $3.9 million (2021: $0.7 million) and depreciation of $nil million (2021: $0.3 million) relating to the Corbin right of use lease was capitalised in work in progress.

Deposits due after 1 year includes vendor deposits and surety bonds in regard to regulatory reclamation requirements on certain mining assets held by the Group.

At 31 December 2022, the Group held cash of $0.5 million (2021: $1.0 million) which is restricted to payment of interest on its loan facility. Interest on the loan facility is deducted from this bank account. (See note 17).

Preferred shares rank ahead of ordinary shares in event of liquidation and payment of dividends.

The capital reserve includes the fair value of vested equity-settled share options and the fair value of equity settled warrants that have not been exercised. The reserve will be adjusted for the Group’s best estimate of whether the warrants and options will ultimately vest based on non-market performance conditions.

Each equity-settled warrant converts into one ordinary share of the Company on exercise. All unexpired warrants were cancelled during 31 December 2022.

The Group introduced a share option programme in 2015 to grant share options as an incentive for directors, employees and suppliers of the Group. Each share option converts into one ordinary share of the Company on exercise. No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option and the Group has no legal obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash. The options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights prior to the date on which the options are exercised. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of expiry. During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group introduced a management incentive scheme whereby vesting of options is in accordance with the achievement of certain performance conditions with 5% of options vesting based on the commissioning of Corbin and St Rose, 5% vesting based on the Company entering into a fixed priced contract for St Rose construction and commissioning, a further 40% vesting based on meeting certain sales and production targets, and the remaining 50% vesting based on financing and designing of a second plant meeting certain production criteria. In the year ended 31 December 2021, as a result of terminating the construction of the St Rose drying and blending facility, the Group adjusted its estimate of the number of options issued in the management incentive scheme that will ultimately vest.

In July 2018, as part of entering into a marketing agreement with Vitol, the Company issued an option to acquire 18,656,716 ordinary shares with an exercise price of $0.80 per share (amended to options over 1,865,672 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $4.63 per share following the 10:1 share consolidation and rights issue in 2019). The option will vest if Vitol sells more than 75% of production from the Corbin Plant during the first 180 days of commercial production. The Company issued a second option to acquire 18,656,716 ordinary shares with an exercise price of $2.00 per share (amended to options over 1,865,672 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $11.57 per share following the 10:1 share consolidation and rights issue in 2019). The option will vest if Vitol sells more than 2 million tonnes of Arq Fuel. Both sets of options have a one year term from the vesting date. Both options were cancelled in August 2022.

See note 24 for changes in the terms of the share option scheme subsequent to 31 December 2022.

The following tables list the inputs using the Black Scholes model for the share option for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

York entered into an agreement with the Group to become a preferred unit holder of Arq Project in 2015.  The preferred units do not have voting rights and rank ahead of the common and ordinary shares of Arq Project.  

The preferred units accrue interest of 15% per annum on the aggregate amount outstanding and have a maturity date of September 2022.  The outstanding amount of principal and interest can be converted at any time into Series B preferred shares of the Company at a conversion price of $3.10 per share.

In August 2022, the Group and York agreed with York that, subject to the completion of the merger transaction,  the York preferred units plus any accrued interest would convert into 32,020,535 ordinary shares. The modification of the terms resulted in the adjustment of the carrying value of the outstanding debt with a gain on modification of $5.8 million (see note 9).

See note 24 for changes in the terms of the preferred units subsequent to 31 December 2022.

In January 2021, the Group entered into a loan facility agreement with Community Bank Trust Inc., partly guaranteed by the US Department of Agriculture, whereby the Group can borrow up to $10.0 million up to January 2023 to invest in its demonstration plant and mini drying and blending facility at Corbin, Kentucky. The loan facility is secured on the property, plant and equipment at Corbin. The loan facility interest rate is the higher of 6% and US Prime Rate + 2.75%. Loan repayments will start at the beginning of the third year, with the loan facility being fully repaid by January 2036. At 31 December 2022, the Group has drawn down $9.8 million (2021: $6.2 million) of the loan facility. The Group’s cash and cash equivalent includes $0.5 million (2021: $1.0 million) which is restricted to paying interest on the loan facility up to January 2023.

In August 2022, the Group received $6.9 million in exchange for secured convertible loan notes, which were convertible into the Company's ordinary shares, from certain initial subscribers, with the option to increase to up to $8.2 million, which occurred in October 2022 when the convertible loan notes were offered to all of the Company’s shareholders on a pro-rata basis. The convertible loan notes were convertible into a fixed number of ordinary shares of the Company irrespective of how much the Group raised. If the convertible loan note holder subscribed for their pro-rata share of a $20 million private investment into the new combined group of ADES and the Group, the convertible loan note conversion price was c. 2.9 – 3.4 US cents per ordinary share (depending on the total funds raised under the convertible loan notes). If the convertible loan note holder did not subscribe to this further investment, the convertible loan note conversion price was c. 20.8 US cents per ordinary share. The convertible loan notes were secured by a debenture granting security to the convertible loan notes via fixed and floating charges over the assets of the Company and Arq IP Limited.

If the ADES Acquisition was not consummated, the convertible loan notes were redeemable by the Group plus a redemption premium of 15% at the earliest of the first anniversary of the convertible notes, the termination date of the ADES Acquisition agreement or a breach of the ADES Acquisition agreement. As noted in note 2b above, on February 1, 2023, the Company and ADES completed the ADES Acquisition and immediately prior to the ADES Acquisition all of the convertible loan notes were converted into the Company's ordinary shares.

See note 24 for changes in the terms of the preferred units subsequent to 31 December 2022.

The Group has an obligation to undertake rehabilitation work when disturbance is caused by the development or ongoing production of a mining property.

The discount rate used in the calculation of the asset rehabilitation provision as at 31 December 2022 equaled 4.15% (2021: 1.3%).

During the year ended 31 December 2022, the Group was charged rent and other office expenses at cost totaling $4,000 (2021: $98,000), by companies controlled by key management. At 31 December 2022, $1,000 (2021: $1,000) was owed to companies controlled by key management.

The remuneration of the directors and the executive leadership team during the year is as follows:

As a principal with York is a member of the Group's Board, York is deemed to be a related party. Details of all related party transactions with York, a significant shareholder of the Company, are set out in Note 17 and 24.

At 31 December 2022, the Group had capital commitments relating to the construction of Corbin facility of $0.7 million (2021: $1.3 million).

The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash balances, receivables and payables that arise directly from its operations and borrowings. The table below sets out the carrying value of all financial instruments by category. The fair value of all financial assets and financial liabilities is not materially different to the book value.

The main risks the Group faces are foreign exchange risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. The board regularly reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. The Group’s policies for managing these risks are summarised below and have been applied throughout the period.

As a Group with an office based in the UK and the US, the Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk as a result of operating expenses incurred in GBP. A strengthening of the US dollar against the GBP has a positive effect on the Group’s earnings. The Group’s policy is not to hedge such exposure.

Liquidity risk arises from the management of working capital, finance charges and principal repayments on its debt instruments.

Management’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. Management also prepares 12 month cash flow projections as well as information regarding cash balances on a weekly basis.

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments:

The group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits to other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions and the requirements of the business to deliver its business plan. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may issue new shares or draw on other project finance.

As described in note 2b above, on February 1, 2023, the Company and ADES completed the ADES Acquisition, in which ADES acquired 100% of the outstanding share capital of all of the Company's direct subsidiaries and substantially all of the Company's assets and liabilities in exchange for 3,814,864 shares of ADES’s common stock ("ADES Common Shares") and 5,294,462 of ADES's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“ADES Preferred Shares”). The value of the ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares was approximately $31.2 million ("Purchase Consideration")

Immediately prior to the ADES Acquisition, the Company executed the following transactions:

In addition to the ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares, immediately after the ADES Acquisition, the Company held $500,000 of cash and had no trade or other liabilities. Further, 833,914 ADES Preferred Shares are being held in escrow ("Escrow Shares") pending the determination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that no tax withholding ("Tax Liability") is required on the Purchase Consideration issued to the Company. The value of the Tax liability was estimated at $3.3 million. In the event that the IRS determines that no withholding is required in connection with the Purchase Consideration received by the Company, all of the Escrow Shares will be released and delivered to the Company. In the event that the IRS determines that any amount of withholding is required, ADES has agreed to redeem a sufficient number of Escrow Shares to fund the required payment to the IRS, and that number of Escrow Shares will

be returned to ADES. The number of Escrow Shares to be returned to ADES is equal to the required Tax Liability divided by the Original Issue Amount of $4.00 per ADES Preferred Share, not to exceed a maximum of 833,914 Escrow Shares.

On February 17, 2023, the company repurchased 87.9% of its outstanding ordinary shares in exchange for 3,370,865 ADES Common Shares and 4,364,131 ADES Preferred Shares.

The Company’s plan is to distribute the remaining ADES Common Shares and ADES Preferred Shares and then liquidate within 12 months of approving these financial statements. Based on the intention and plan by Management to liquidate the Company, these financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern. Management has assessed that it is appropriate to continue to apply the recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS.