7.5.2.4 Credit risk related to loans granted to the joint venture Sierra Gorda S.C.M. (POCI)

in PLN millions, unless otherwise stated

Credit risk related to loans granted depends on risk related to the realisation of the joint mining venture in Chile (Sierra Gorda S.C.M.). These loans, as a result of the impairment recognised at the moment of initial recognition due to credit risk, were classified as POCI, and are measured at the end of the subsequent reporting periods at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method and the effective discount rate adjusted by credit risk.

The basis for accruing interest on POCI loans is their gross value less any allowance for impairment at the moment of initial recognition.

The loan granted does not have collateral limiting the exposure to credit risk, therefore the maximum amount exposed to potential loss due to credit risk is the gross amount of the loan, less expected credit losses recognised pursuant to IFRS 9.

Changes in the value of POCI loans in the reporting and comparable periods are presented in Note 6.2.

Neither in the reporting period nor in the comparable period was there any expected impairment of POCI loans.

As at 31 December 2022, the Group classified the measurement to fair value of loans granted to level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because of the utilisation in the measurement of a significant unmeasurable parameter, being the forecasted cash flows of Sierra Gorda S.C.M. These cash flows are the most sensitive to changes in copper prices, which implies other assumptions such as forecasted production and operating margin. Therefore, the Group performed a sensitivity analysis of the fair value of loans to changes in copper prices.

Because of the significant sensitivity of the forecasted cash flows of Sierra Gorda S.C.M. to changes in copper price, pursuant to IFRS 13 p.93.f the Group performed a sensitivity analysis of the fair value (level 3) of loans to changes in copper prices.

The maximum potential carrying amount as at 31 December 2022, assuming that contractual obligations are met, amounts to USD 2 576 million (PLN 11 339 million).

On 22 February 2022 the sale of the 45% share in the company Sierra Gorda S.C.M. by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation to South32 Limited, the Australian mining group with its registered head office in Perth was concluded. The transaction was completed on the basis of sales agreements concluded on 14 October 2021.

Taking into account the above transaction, and the lack of knowledge about the details of the negotiation process, conditions of the transaction, and the valuation assumptions made by the parties to the transaction, and the fact that the shares of Sierra Gorda S.C.M. are not listed, it is not justifiable to assess the value of loans by directly referring to the transaction price from the sale of the 45% interest in Sierra Gorda S.C.M. (i.e. participation in equity and loan receivables).

Nevertheless, the Group made a comparison of the carrying amount of the involvement in the joint venture Sierra Gorda S.C.M. (i.e. receivable due to a loan and investments in equity instruments) to the transaction price in order to verify that the total carrying amount of the involvement does not differ substantially from the value that would result from the transaction price, taking into account: (i) limitations as to the Group’s ability to obtain full knowledge of the process of reaching the transaction price, and (ii) differences in the applied discount rates for future expected cash flows obtainable from the JV (i.e. the effective interest rate for loan measurement according to IFRS 9, versus the rate of return expected by the investor in the valuation of the transaction price).

In the opinion of the Management Board, the value of loans estimated by the Group does not differ significantly from the value that would be determined by reference to the transaction price.