Akakpo Ltd obtained a license free of charge from the government to dig and operate a gold mine. Akakpo Ltd spent GH¢6 million digging and preparing the mine for operation and erecting buildings on site. The mine commenced operations on 1 September 2014. The license requires that at the end of the mine’s useful life of 20 years, the site must be reclaimed, all buildings and equipment must be removed and the site landscaped. At 31 August 2015, Akakpo Ltd estimated that the cost in 19 years’ time of the removal and landscaping will be GH¢5 million and its present value is GH¢3 million.
On 31 October 2015, there was a massive earthquake in the area and Akakpo Ltd’s mine shaft was badly damaged. It is estimated that the mine will be closed for at least six months and will cost GH¢1 million to repair.
Required:
Demonstrate how Akakpo Ltd should record the cost of the site reclamation as at 31 August 2015 in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. (3 marks)
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IAS 37 Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets requires that future costs of reinstatement be provided for as soon as they become an unavoidable commitment. The mine’s license requires the work to be done, so there is a commitment as soon as the mine starts operations. The present value of the full cost must be provided for. GH¢ 3 million will be credited to provisions and added to the cost of the non-current asset.