| (j) |
Impairment |
Impairment of financial assets
At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. If such evidence exists, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, as follows:
Financial assets are carried at amortized cost. The loss is the difference between the amortized cost of the loan or receivable and the present value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted using the instrument’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced by this amount either directly or indirectly through the use of an allowance account.
Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost are reversed in subsequent periods if the amount of the loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized.
Non-financial assets
For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together in CGUs, which are the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets. The carrying value of long-term assets is reviewed at each period for indicators that the carrying value of an asset or a CGU may not be recoverable. The Company uses geographical proximity, geological similarities, analysis of shared infrastructure, commodity type, assessment of exposure to market risks and materiality to define its CGUs. If indicators of impairment exist, the recoverable amount of the asset or CGU is estimated. If the carrying value of the asset or CGU exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset or CGU is written down with an impairment recognized in profit or loss.
The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is determined to be the amount for which the asset could be sold in an arm’s length transaction. For resource properties, fair value less costs to sell may be determined by using discounted future net cash flows of proved and probable reserves using forecast prices and costs. Value in use is determined by estimating the net present value of future net cash flows expected from the continued use of the asset or CGU.
Impairment losses recognized in prior years are assessed at each reporting date for any indication that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimate used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depletion and depreciation, if no impairment loss had been recognized.