FINANCIAL REPORT NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 30 June 2025 82 WESTGOLD RESOURCES LIMITED 2. S UMMARY OF MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) (l) Mine properties and development (continued) Stripping (waste removal) costs As part of its mining operations, the Group incurs stripping (waste removal) costs both during the development phase and production phase of its operations. Stripping costs incurred in the development phase of a mine, before the production phase commences (development stripping), are capitalised as part of the cost of constructing the mine and subsequently amortised over its useful life using a unit of production (UOP) method. The capitalisation of development stripping costs ceases when the mine/ component is commissioned and ready for use as intended by management. Stripping activities undertaken during the production phase of a surface mine (production stripping) are accounted for as set out below. After the commencement of production, further development of the mine may require a phase of unusually high stripping that is similar in nature to development phase stripping. The cost of such stripping is accounted for in the same way as development stripping (as outlined above). Production stripping is generally considered to create two benefits, being either the production of inventory or improved access to the ore to be mined in the future. Where the benefits are realised in the form of inventory produced in the period, the production stripping costs are accounted for as part of the cost of producing those inventories. Where the benefits are realised in the form of improved access to ore to be mined in the future, the costs are recognised as a non-current asset, referred to as a ‘stripping activity asset’, if the following criteria are met: – Future economic benefits (being improved access to the ore body) are probable – The component of the ore body for which access will be improved can be accurately identified – The costs associated with the improved access can be reliably measured If any of the criteria are not met, the production stripping costs are charged to profit or loss as operating costs as they are incurred. In identifying components of the ore body, the Group works closely with the mining operations personnel for each mining operation to analyse each of the mine plans. Generally, a component will be a subset of the total ore body, and a mine may have several components. The mine plans, and therefore the identification of components, can vary between mines for a number of reasons. These include, but are not limited to the type of commodity, the geological characteristics of the ore body, the geographical location, and/or financial considerations. Given the nature of the Group’s operations, components are generally either major pushbacks or phases and they generally form part of a larger investment decision which requires board approval. The stripping activity asset is initially measured at cost, which is the accumulation of costs directly incurred to perform the stripping activity that improves access to the identified component of ore, plus an allocation of directly attributable overhead costs. If incidental operations are occurring at the same time as the production stripping activity, but are not necessary for the production stripping activity to continue as planned, these costs are not included in the cost of the stripping activity asset. If the costs of the inventory produced and the stripping activity asset are not separately identifiable, a relevant production measure is used to allocate the production stripping costs between the inventory produced and the stripping activity asset. This production measure is calculated for the identified component of the ore body and is used as a benchmark to identify the extent to which the additional activity of creating a future benefit has taken place. The Group uses the expected volume of waste extracted compared with the actual volume for a given volume of ore production of each component. The stripping activity asset is accounted for as an addition to, or an enhancement of, an existing asset, being the mine asset, and is presented as part of ’Mine properties’ in the statement of financial position. This forms part of the total investment in the relevant cash generating unit(s), which is reviewed for impairment if events or changes of circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The stripping activity asset is subsequently depreciated using the UOP method over the life of the identified component of the ore body that became more accessible as a result of the stripping activity. Economically recoverable reserves, which comprise proven and probable reserves, are used to determine the expected useful life of the identified component of the ore body. The stripping activity asset is then carried at cost less depreciation and any impairment losses. (m) Impairment of non-financial assets The Group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group estimates the asset’s recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s (CGU) fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) and its value in use (VIU). Recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.
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