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FY2011 Annual Report · Oracle Power PLC
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EnErgy
FOr
Pakistan

Annual Report and Accounts 2011

Contents

01  Chairman’s statement
02  Chief executive’s statement
04  Report of the directors
12 

 Report of the independent 
auditors
 Consolidated income statement
 Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

14 
15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

 Consolidated statement of 
financial position
 Company statement of financial 
position
 Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity
 Company statement of changes 
in equity

20 

21 

22 

 Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 
 Notes to the consolidated 
statement of cash flows
 Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

40  Company information

01

Chairman’s statement
for the year ended 31 December 2011

I am delighted to present my first Chairman’s statement, having joined the Board and taken over from Shahrukh Khan as 
Chairman on 1 August 2011. My appointment has allowed Shahrukh to focus on his expanding role as Chief Executive 
Officer. I am sure you will join me in thanking Shahrukh for his excellent performance as Chairman. I am delighted to be 
working with him, the Board and senior management.

The Company’s results for the 12 months to 31 December 2011 reflect a year in which Oracle Coalfields PLC has made 
significant progress, including admission of the Company’s shares to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange on 
20 April 2011, the strengthening of management and the Board and the submission of the application for a Mining Lease. 

A total of £3 million (pre-expenses) was successfully raised via a placing of 30 million new ordinary shares. These funds 
are being used as working capital for our coal project in Block VI of the Thar Coalfield of Southern Pakistan. The Board 
was pleased at the participation of new as well as existing shareholders in the oversubscribed placing.

During the last year, the Company strengthened its Board and management with the appointment of a Finance 
Director, a Mine & Contracts Manager and a Project Coordinator.

After the end of the financial year, the Company has delivered the Feasibility Study described by Shahrukh Khan overleaf. 
This document will be used to target project finance, and ultimately progress Oracle Coalfields PLC towards its ambition 
of being the developer of Pakistan’s first large-scale mining operation. 

As might be expected for a mining company at this stage of development, our consolidated financial results for the year 
to 31 December 2011 show an operational loss after taxation for Oracle Coalfields PLC and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) 
of £948,092 (2010: £221,589), which incorporates the costs of £293,429 incurred by the Company in respect of its 
admission to AIM, as set out in the financial statement. At the period end, and following the successful fundraising  
of £3 million at the time of the AIM admission, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £1.60 million (2010:  
£1.51 million) and total assets less current liabilities of £4.23 million (2010: £2.35 million). The basic loss per share  
was 0.46p (2010: loss 0.15p). 

The Group has sufficient funds to cover its immediate working capital requirements. However, additional funds will be 
needed for working capital later this year to develop the Block VI coal mine. The Group is therefore considering options 
and strategies to raise the necessary debt and equity. 

Shareholders will understand that the past 12 months have been notable for our Company; this would not have been 
possible without the hard work and expertise of our teams in both Pakistan and the United Kingdom. They have set the 
foundations for building the future of our Company. 

The Board also extends its thanks to the Coal and Energy Development Department, the Government of Sindh, and the 
Sindh Coal Authority for their valuable assistance.

I look forward to updating the market on the progress of our Company in due course.

Adrian Loader
Chairman
23 March 2012

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201102

Chief executive’s statement
for the year ended 31 December 2011

In the last decade global demand for coal has risen by 61 per cent, most of which is attributable to developing countries 
like China and India and the use of coal for power generation. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2010 
global coal consumption rose by 10.8 per cent, compared to global demand for oil and gas, which rose by 3.1 per cent 
and 7.4 per cent respectively. Coal’s share in global energy consumption was 29.6 per cent, the highest it has been 
since 1970. The reality is that demand for coal will continue to grow as the world needs more energy.

Major global coal-producing countries such as South Africa, Australia and Indonesia have been exporting thermal coal 
for some time to major consumers with prices in excess of US$100 per tonne.

As Pakistan’s population grows and the country’s infrastructure is upgraded there is a greater need for power. The 
country is facing major energy shortfalls with daily blackouts. Nationally and locally, authorities are supportive of Oracle 
Coalfields PLC, as shown by infrastructure investments made in the Sindh region. These include a new airport under 
construction 30 kilometres from the mine site, planned upgrade of roads between Karachi and Thar, planned new 
drainage canals for the entire Thar coalfield area and planned upgrade of the transmission network which will support 
distribution of thousands of megawatts of electricity. Oracle Coalfields PLC is well positioned to benefit from these 
developments and to help provide a sustainable source of fuel to power the country’s growth and development.

Until now Pakistan’s businesses and consumers have been largely dependent on imported coal and therefore exposed 
to increasing price levels. The Government’s support for early development of the Thar Coalfield has become a key 
element in its strategy of meeting the growing domestic demand for energy at the lowest possible cost while alleviating 
the balance of payments. 

We continue to make good progress towards meeting our objective of delivering an open pit coal mine on the Block VI 
coal deposit in the Thar Coalfield of Southern Pakistan. The Feasibility Study, which was carried out by SRK Consulting, 
is complete. Certain aspects of the environmental studies remain to be completed, which we expect to be done by 
mid-2012. To support the Feasibility Study, more than 6,000 metres of additional drilling was carried out at Block VI 
between August 2010 and February 2011. A total of 35 holes were drilled in a 5 square kilometre area considered the 
most favourable for open cast mining and referred to as Phase 1. Of these holes, 14 cored and nine open holes were 
drilled for geological purposes, four cored holes were drilled for geotechnical assessment and eight percussion holes 
were drilled to determine hydrogeological parameters and to identify dewatering requirements for an open pit mine. 
Samples from four of the cored holes were subjected to geotechnical testing on site and a batch of 316 samples was 
dispatched to a laboratory in the UK for further tests. All drilled core has been logged and sampled with selected 
samples sent to Karachi and the UK for coal quality testing. Four test wells and four observation holes make up the  
eight holes drilled for hydrogeological purposes.

As part of the Environmental Social Impact Assessment, measurements are being conducted on wells and water samples 
are being analysed in Pakistan by Wardell Armstrong International. Water is vital to the local communities surrounding  
the mine as well as to the future power plant operations but it is only one aspect of the corporate social responsibility 
programme we are completing. In 2012 we are especially addressing the requests of the local community regarding 
clean water, healthcare and job creation. The mine remains based on an open pit design. It is expected that a truck and 
shovel operation will be the most cost-effective way to operate the mine initially. Full mine development is expected to 
begin in 2013 with initial coal production targeted for 2014.

The Company has engaged high quality, internationally recognised consultants throughout the process. We are proud 
of the fact that the Company is ahead of any other coal project in the region, and that the work we have carried out has 
effectively laid a framework and set the standards to deliver successfully this type of project in the Thar region, and to 
unlock the value of the country’s abundant coal resources. 

03

We are in the fortuitous position that the local and national authorities in Pakistan, with whom we have worked extensively, 
are supportive of our Block VI Thar project. Pakistan’s growing deficit in power generation is assuming serious dimensions, 
particularly in Karachi, the industrial hub of the country with a population of more than 15 million people.

Our project will be potentially Pakistan’s first large-scale open pit coal mining operation and it is already receiving wide local 
and international interest for its significance for Pakistan’s future economic wellbeing. With this responsibility in mind, the 
Company is making every effort to ensure that the development of our coal mine complies with the requirements of 
international standards and practice, while seeking to bring it into production in the earliest possible timeframe.

Oracle Coalfields PLC has all the building blocks in place to achieve its target of delivering Pakistan’s first large-scale 
mine, while also producing long-term sustainable returns for our shareholders. Our key challenge now is to finance the 
project and to bring it to fruition in a timely manner. To this end, the Company has commenced discussions with major 
financing institutions and will seek to raise additional funds to be progressively drawn down in line with development 
requirements from the capital markets at the appropriate time.

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer
23 March 2012

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201104

Report of the directors
for the year ended 31 December 2011

The Directors present their report with the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 
31 December 2011.

Principal activity
The principal activity of the Group in the year under review was that of exploration for coal in Pakistan. The Group is 
controlled, financed and administered within the United Kingdom which remains the principal place of business.

Review of business
A review of the results for the year and of the outlook for future developments in the business is given in the Chairman’s 
Statement and the Chief Executive’s Statement, which form part of this Annual Report.

Principal risks and uncertainties facing the group
The Group is principally engaged in the development of lignite coal resources in Block VI in the Thar desert in the Sindh 
province in Pakistan through a commercial open cast mine supplying projected mine-mouth power stations. The 
principal strategic and operational risks and uncertainties facing the Group are described below. Information on financial 
risk management is set out in the Financial instruments section in this report.

Environmental and social risk
The Thar project is subject to environmental regulations both in Pakistan and through international standards and 
conventions. Non-compliance could significantly impact the development of the mine and raising of debt financing. 
The development of the Thar mine could negatively impact communities near its operation due to resettlement, 
population inflow and the construction of necessary infrastructure.

Technical risk
Co-completion risk exists where the success of one project depends on the completion of another. Both the mine and 
any associated power station cannot operate without the other. If the power station does not complete on time then 
the mine cannot start deliveries, and vice versa. There is a similar co-dependency in the operational phase.

The mine must be de-watered prior to mine construction and during production. The water produced must be 
disposed of safely. There is a risk that re-injection does not work as planned and that alternative disposal methods 
would be needed.

Economic risk
There are inherent uncertainties in estimation of the capital and operating costs to reach first production, and the fiscal 
regime applicable to the project, which will only be resolved when the project contracts are negotiated and the fiscal 
regime legally confirmed.

Offtake agreements need to be reached at sustainable commercial rates with mine-mouth power stations to justify the 
project investment, with sufficient creditworthiness to meet lenders’ risk criteria.

Financing risk
Delivery of the Group’s strategy will require significant financing to fund the cash-sink required for development of its 
Thar project. Delays in reaching a Final Investment Decision (“FID”), or failure to obtain the necessary funding to reach 
FID and for the construction phase, and on terms which are acceptable, could mean the Group is not able to fulfil its 
strategy or remain as a going concern.

Political, legal and regulatory risk
Although the Government has demonstrated a strong support for the Thar mining development, there is potential for 
the Group’s operations and financial results to be affected by instability and changes to the legal, regulatory or fiscal 
frameworks in Pakistan. This includes political unrest, variation to the lease terms, and changes to the royalty and tax 
rates. The relevant federal and provincial authorities need to fund and complete local infrastructure, including the 
power transmission line from the power station(s).

The risk of terrorist attack on the Company and its staff in Pakistan, or on suppliers and customers, remains very real 
and could restrict the Company’s ability to manage at the site and the Karachi Office.

05

Results and dividends
During the year to 31 December 2011 the Group raised £2,775,411 (after costs) from the proceeds of a share issue 
following the listing on AIM, and these, and brought forward funds, were applied towards developing the Group’s 
Pakistan Thar mine project. These expenditures are either capitalised in accordance with IFRS, or expensed. The 
capitalised expenditures are shown as intangible fixed assets in the Statement of Financial Position and the expensed 
expenditures are shown as administrative expenses in the Income Statement and hence determine the loss for Oracle 
Coalfields PLC Group of Companies after taxation of £948,092 (2010: £221,589). No dividends will be distributed for the 
year ended 31 December 2011 (2010: nil).

Going concern
The Directors have considered the cash flow requirements of the Group over the next 18 months. If the Group is to 
continue exploration and development of the Thar mine project it will be necessary to raise additional funds. Whilst it 
is difficult in the current economic downturn to generate the extra funds required, the Directors expect to meet the 
funding requirements and therefore believe that the going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the 
financial statements.

Substantial shareholdings
The Directors are aware of the following who were interested, directly or indirectly, in 3 per cent or more of the Group’s 
ordinary shares on 31 December 2011:

Mr S Khan

Regency Mines plc

Starvest plc

Sunvest Corporation Limited

Mr A Neubauer

Mr R Rowan

Shareholding

% holding

29,530,791

23,600,000

21,867,333

20,000,000

19,435,330

10,000,000

13.79%

11.02%

10.21%

9.34%

9.07%

4.67%

Authority to issue shares
Each year at the AGM the Directors seek authority to allot shares. The authority, when granted, lasts until the next AGM. 
At the last AGM held on 21 June 2011, shareholders gave authority for the Directors to allot equity securities for cash up 
to an aggregate nominal value of £100,000.

Health and safety
There were no reported personal injuries or fatalities among the Company’s staff or contractors during the year.

Significant agreements
The Companies Act 2006 requires the Company to disclose any significant agreements which take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change in control of the Company. The Company is not aware of, or party to, any such agreement.

Directors
The Directors during the year under review were:

Mr S Khan

Mr A C R Scutt

Mr M R Stead

Mr W A Loader

Mr G A Philip

Chief Executive

Senior Independent non-executive Director

Non-executive Director, and Interim Finance Director (until 30 September 2011)

Chairman (appointed 1 August 2011)

Finance Director (appointed 1 October 2011)

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201106

Report of the directors
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

The beneficial interests of the Directors holding office on 31 December 2011 in the issued share capital of the company 
were as follows:

Ordinary 0.1p shares

Mr S Khan

Mr A C R Scutt

Mr W A Loader

Mr M R Stead

1 January 2011 
or date of 
appointment 
if later 

31 December 
2011

29,530,791

29,530,791

113,000

113,000

100,000

100,000

20,000

20,000

In addition to the above, in his capacity as a joint honorary trustee, Mr A C R Scutt also holds 225,000 shares for The 
Acumen Brigade Investment Club and 165,000 shares for The Ridgeway Investors Group. Mr A C R Scutt is not a 
beneficial member of these investment clubs and has no beneficial interest in the shareholdings.

Ordinary 0.1p shares under option

Mr S Khan

Mr A C R Scutt

Mr W A Loader

Mr M R Stead

Mr E Taylor1

Number

Exercise price

Expiry date

6,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

450,000

80,000

5p 

5p 

31.03.2017

31.03.2017

10p  01.08.2016

5p 

5p 

31.03.2017

31.03.2017

1  Mr E Taylor is the Company Secretary of Oracle Coalfields PLC and a Director of the Pakistan subsidiary company Sindh Carbon Energy Limited.

Information on Directors and senior management

Adrian Loader
Chairman
Mr Loader has extensive international experience with Royal Dutch Shell in strategy, business development, energy 
projects and new markets. He held regional responsibility for Shell Pakistan and, as President of Shell Canada, was 
responsible for Shell’s oil sands open pit mining operations. Mr Loader is currently Chairman of Compton Petroleum, a 
Director of Holcim, and a member of the advisory boards of Garda World and Lane, Clark & Peacock. He previously served 
on the boards of Shell Canada, Alliance-Boots and Candax Energy where he was Chairman. Mr Loader is a Fellow of the 
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a Master’s degree in History from Cambridge University.

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer
Mr Khan was educated in the USA and the UK. He was awarded a BA in Business Administration and Economics at 
Richmond, the American International University in London. Mr Khan has project finance experience in the natural 
resource and infrastructure related sector, predominantly in the Middle East, South Asia and China. He has specialist 
expertise in large and complex projects, including project valuation and investment appraisal, feasibility studies and other 
project finance related services. Mr Khan is the non-executive Director of All Star Minerals plc, a PLUS-listed company.

Anthony Scutt
Senior Independent non-executive Director
Mr Scutt is a qualified Chartered Secretary and a Certified Internal Auditor with the US Institute of Internal Auditors. He 
had over 30 years of financial management expertise with Shell International Petroleum and worked in many parts of 
the world, including the Malagasy Republic, East and Central Africa, South Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Gabon 
and latterly as the Chief Internal Auditor of Shell UK. Mr Scutt then went on to become an investment analyst, writer and 
investor. Mr Scutt is a non-executive Director of AIM-listed Starvest plc and Beowulf Mining plc, and of PLUS-quoted 
Agricola Resources plc.

07

Roderick Stead
Non-executive Director
Mr Stead was awarded a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and is a qualified accountant, FCCA. 
He brings experience in a variety of management roles in the oil, gas, coal, mining and forestry industries in different 
environments. This includes Board experience in over 16 companies with particular expertise in corporate governance 
issues, strategic business analysis and the management of major joint venture relationships. Mr Stead has extensive 
experience in project finance negotiations with investment banks, multilateral agencies, export credit agencies, 
commercial banks, law firms and accountants.

Tony Philip
Finance Director
Mr Philip holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bristol University and is a Chartered Accountant. He has over 
30 years of financial management experience, much of this with the Shell Group, operating in a wide variety of finance 
roles, managing company finances and governance, including several major project financings within African and 
Middle Eastern countries with US, EU and local investors. He has worked with many project companies, notably Nigeria 
LNG, Oman LNG, and West African Gas Pipeline, through from feasibility stage to successful operations.

Brian Rostron
Mining and Contracts Manager
Mr Rostron is a Mining Engineer with over 30 years’ international experience and is an expert on coal. He is a Chartered 
Engineer who has been responsible for the operational management of various coal mining companies with overall 
responsibility for production, financial performance, acquisitions and restructuring. Mr Rostron has previously worked 
with Miller Argent South Wales Ltd, H.J. Banks Mining, Scottish Coal Company, Coal Contractors Ltd, as well as the 
Confederation of UK Coal Producers and is a UK member of Eurocoal Executive Committee.

Edward Taylor
Company Secretary
Mr Taylor has worked in various accounting, human resources, administration and Company Secretarial positions in the 
natural resources sector. He has worked for Hardy Oil & Gas (now British Borneo Oil and Gas plc), Enterprise Oil plc and 
LASMO (now AGIP (UK) plc). Presently, he has assignments with Yukos Services (UK) Ltd, All Star Minerals plc, and U3O8 
Energy Limited, as well as serving as a non-executive Director of AIM-listed Beowulf Mining plc.

Group’s policy on payment of creditors
The Group abides by its policy to pay suppliers within their credit terms whenever it is satisfied that the supplier has 
provided goods and services in accordance with agreed terms and conditions. At the statement of financial position 
date, the trade payables outstanding represented 59 days, being principally two invoices received in the fourth quarter 
and settled in January 2012.

Financial instruments
The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, loan investments and financial assets and 
various items such as trade receivables, trade payables, accruals and prepayments that arise directly from its operations.

The main purpose of these financial instruments is to finance the Group’s operations. The Board regularly reviews  
and agrees policies for managing the level of risk arising from the Group’s financial instruments which are summarised 
as follows:

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s 
policy throughout the year has been to ensure that it has adequate liquidity to meet its liabilities when due by careful 
management of its working capital.

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are the cash and cash equivalents and taxation receivable as recognised in  
the statement of financial position, which represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to  
financial assets.

Capital management
The Company’s capital consists wholly of ordinary shares. The Board’s policy is to preserve a strong capital base in 
order to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to safeguard the future development of the business, 
whilst balancing these objectives with the efficient use of capital.

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201108

Report of the directors
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, interest rates 
and equity prices will affect the Group’s and Company’s income or value of its holdings in financial instruments.

Commodity price risk
The principal activity of the Group is the development of a coal mining property in Pakistan and the principal market risk 
facing the Group is an adverse movement in the commodity price of coal. Any long-term adverse movement in this 
price would affect the commercial viability of the project.

Remuneration report
This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 2 Part 1 to the Companies Act 2006 
(the “Schedule”) and also meets the requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and describes 
how the Board has applied the Principles of Good Governance relating to Directors’ Remuneration. In accordance with 
Section 439 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”), a resolution to approve the report will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting of the Company at which the Financial Statements are to be approved.

Section 495 of the Act requires the auditors to report to the Company’s members on the “auditable part” of the Directors’ 
Report and to state whether, in their opinion, that part of the report has been properly prepared in accordance with Part 
3 of the Schedule. This report has therefore been divided into separate sections for unaudited and audited information.

Unaudited information
Remuneration policy
Executive remuneration packages are prudently designed to attract, motivate and retain Directors of the necessary 
calibre and to reward them for enhancing value to shareholders. The performance measurement of the Executive 
Director and key members of senior management and the determination of their annual remuneration package is 
undertaken by the Remuneration Committee. The remuneration of non-executive Directors is determined by the  
Board within limits set in the Articles of Association.

Executive Directors are entitled to accept appointments outside the Company providing the Board’s permission is sought.

Non-executive Directors’ terms of engagement
The non-executive Directors have specific terms of engagement. Their remuneration is determined by the Board. In the 
event that a non-executive undertakes additional assignments for the Company, the non-executive’s fee will be agreed 
by the Company in respect of each assignment.

Audited information
Aggregate Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration paid to the Directors, in accordance with the service contracts, during the year ended 31 December 
2011 was as follows:

Executive

Mr S Khan

Mr G A Philip

Non-executive

Mr M R Stead

Mr A C R Scutt

Mr W A Loader

Salary  
& fees
£

Pensions
£

Termination 
benefits
£

Share-based 
payments
£

2011
Total
£

91,761

47,352

41,851

23,643

25,460

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

22,876

–

10,606

91,761

47,352

64,727

23,643

36,066

2010
Total
£

53,287

–

16,508

16,508

–

09

Directors’ service contracts
The Directors have contracts with an indefinite term and a stated termination notice period.

Executive

Mr S Khan

Mr G A Philip

Non-executive

Mr M R Stead

Mr A C R Scutt

Mr W A Loader

Date of appointment

Notice 
period

13 February 2007

1 month

1 October 2011

1 month

1 November 2007

6 months

22 December 2006

6 months

1 August 2011

3 months

Corporate governance report
Throughout 2011 the Board has continued to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining high standards of corporate 
governance. The Board supports the ideals of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”), issued by the Financial 
Services Authority in June 2010. This statement describes how the Company applies the principles of the Code and the 
Company’s compliance with the specific provisions of the Code. The principles set out in the Code cover four areas: 
the Board, Directors’ remuneration, accountability and audit, and relations with shareholders. With the exception of the 
Directors’ Remuneration (which is dealt with separately in the Remuneration Report) the following report sets out how 
the Board has applied such principles.

Board and Board committees
The Board of Directors
The Board of the Company is responsible for the Group’s system of corporate governance. At 31 December 2011  
the Board consisted of five Directors being a Chief Executive Officer, Mr S Khan; a Finance Director, Mr G A Philip;  
and three non-executive Directors including the Chairman, Mr W A Loader. The other two non-executive Directors 
were Mr A C R Scutt, Senior Independent Director and Mr M R Stead.

Details of Directors’ service contracts are given in the Remuneration Report on page 8.

All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, Mr Taylor, who is responsible for 
ensuring that Board procedures and applicable regulations under the Company’s Articles of Association or otherwise 
are complied with. Each Director is entitled, if necessary, to seek independent professional advice at the Company’s 
expense.

Board meetings
The Board of Directors meets bi-monthly and has a defined schedule of matters reserved for its decision. The matters 
so reserved include responsibility for the overall Group strategy, approval of contracts, commitments to capital 
expenditure budgets over £10,000, appointment of Directors and staff, approval of remuneration of Directors on the 
recommendation of the Remuneration Committee, issue of shares and warrants, appointment of a financial adviser, 
approval of announcements to the market, and a final investment decision to proceed with project implementation. 
The Board met six times during the year.

Board committees
The Board committees, which comprise non-executive Directors (except for the Nomination Committee which is 
chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr S Khan), operate within defined terms of reference and report regularly to the Board.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for (a) reviewing a wide range of matters including half-year and annual results before 
their submission to the Board, and for monitoring the controls that are in force to ensure the integrity of information 
reported to shareholders; (b) advising the Board on the appointment of external auditors and on their remuneration for 
both audit and non-audit work, and discussing the nature, scope and results of the audit with the external auditors; and (c) 
reviewing the cost effectiveness and the independence and objectivity of the external auditors.

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201110

Report of the directors
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

The Audit Committee comprises Mr S Khan and Mr A C R Scutt (Chairman). In October 2011 Mr M R Stead succeeded  
as Chairman, Mr S Khan resigned from the Committee and Mr A C R Scutt remained as a member. During the year there 
were two fully attended meetings.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee was established post-admission to review the structure, size and composition of the 
Board, including the skills, knowledge and experience required and to make recommendations to the Board with regard 
to any changes.

The Nomination Committee comprises Mr S Khan (Chairman) and Mr A C R Scutt. During the year there were two fully 
attended meetings.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for reviewing the remuneration of Board members and senior executives 
of the Company. This responsibility will extend to the review of the remuneration of Board members and senior 
executives of the Pakistani subsidiary – at present the Directors of Sindh Carbon Energy Limited are unpaid. It is policy 
that no individual participates in discussions or decisions concerning his own remuneration. None of the Committee 
has any conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships or day-to-day involvement in running the business.

The Remuneration Committee is entirely non-executive Directors, being Mr A C R Scutt (Chairman) and  
Mr M R Stead. During the year there were two fully attended meetings.

Re-election
All Directors are submitted for re-election at regular intervals, subject to continued satisfactory performance.  
All Directors are subject to election by shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting after their appointment.

Accountability and audit
Financial reporting
The Board is responsible for presenting a balanced and understandable assessment of the Company’s position and 
prospects, extending to interim financial reports and other announcements. All major announcements are approved  
by the Chairman, the Executive Directors and the NOMAD.

Internal control
The Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Group maintains a system of internal control to provide 
them with reasonable assurance that the assets of the Group are safeguarded and that the shareholders’ investments 
are safeguarded. The system includes internal controls covering financial, operational and compliance areas, and risk 
management. There are limitations in any system of internal control, which can provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance with respect to the preparation of financial information, the safeguarding of assets and the possibility of 
material misstatement or loss.

At the time of the AIM listing, the Board reviewed the system of financial internal controls in place and adopted a series 
of accounting and control procedures. These were further strengthened later during 2011 with a series of changes 
being made particularly in respect of commitments, payments, cash flow forecasting and monthly financial reporting.

The Board considers that an internal audit function would not be appropriate at this stage of the Group’s development 
but keeps the matter under review.

Relations with shareholders
The Directors place great importance on maintaining good communications with both institutional and private investors. 
The Group reports formally to shareholders twice a year and more regular communication is provided through press 
releases and through the website. The Chief Executive supported by the Group’s joint brokers – Libertas and Novus – 
presented to shareholders regularly during the year.

11

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors 
have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group and of the 
profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: 
•	 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
•	 make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 
•	 state that the financial statements comply with IFRS; and
•	 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company 

will continue in business. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Company’s and the Group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of  
the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 
2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included  
on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors
So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 
2006) of which the Group’s auditors are unaware, and each Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken 
as a Director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Group’s auditors 
are aware of that information. 

Auditors
The auditors, Price Bailey LLP, have expressed their willingness to continue in office and a resolution to re-appoint them 
will be proposed at the Group’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board:

Adrian Loader 
Director 
23 March 2012 

Shahrukh Khan
Director
23 March 2012 

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
12

Report of the independent auditors 
to the members of Oracle Coalfields PLC group of companies

We have audited the financial statements of Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies for the year ended 31 December 
2011 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Company Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the 
related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union, and as regards the parent 
company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. 

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in a Report of the Auditors and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the annual report and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express 
an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 
and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. 
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the parent company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting 
estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the 
financial and non-financial information in the annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications 
for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 
•	

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent company’s affairs as  
at 31 December 2011 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended; 
the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the  
European Union; 
the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by  
the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

•	

•	

•	

Emphasis of matter – going concern
In forming our opinion on the financial statements, which is not qualified, we have considered the adequacy of the 
disclosures made in note 1 to the financial statements concerning the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
The ability of the company to continue to trade is dependent on the company being able to raise sufficient funds. 
Based upon the current economic climate there exists a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt as to 
whether the company will be able to generate sufficient funds and therefore the company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would be necessary if the company was 
unable to continue as a going concern.

13

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion the information given in the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report  
to you if, in our opinion: 
•	 adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have  

not been received from branches not visited by us; or 
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

•	
•	 certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•	 we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Martin Clapson FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Price Bailey LLP 
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Richmond House
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4AH

Date: 12 April 2012

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201114

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2011 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Revenue

Administrative expenses

OPERATING LOSS BEFORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS 

Exceptional items

OPERATING LOSS

Finance income

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX 

Income tax

LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Earnings per share expressed in pence per share:

Basic

Diluted

Notes

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

4

5

6

7

9

(660,156)

(222,674)

(660,156)

(222,674)

(293,429)

–

(953,585)

(222,674)

5,493

1,085

(948,092)

(221,589)

–

–

(948,092)

(221,589)

(948,092)

(221,589)

(0.46)

(0.42)

(0.15)

(0.13)

15

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2011

LOSS FOR THE YEAR

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Exchange difference on consolidation

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR, NET OF INCOME TAX

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the parent

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

(948,092)

(221,589)

(3,884)

–

(3,884)

1,724

–

1,724

(951,976)

(219,865)

(951,976)

(219,865)

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201116

Consolidated statement of financial position
31 December 2011 

ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investments

Loans and other financial assets 

CURRENT ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Called up share capital

Share premium

Translation reserve

Share scheme reserve

Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

TOTAL EQUITY

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Notes

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

10

11

12

13

14

15

17

18

18

18

18

16

19

3,204,424

855,830

2,127

–

2,814

–

62,705

63,645

3,269,256

922,289

91,271

36,093

1,604,602

1,506,475

1,695,873

1,542,568

4,965,129

2,464,857

214,211

184,211

6,029,702

3,284,291

(8,447)

63,070

(4,563)

–

(2,082,889)

(1,134,797)

4,215,647

2,329,142

16,029

16,029

4,231,676

2,345,171

733,453

733,453

119,686

119,686

4,965,129

2,464,857

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 23 March 2012 and were 
signed on its behalf by: 

Shahrukh Khan
Director
23 March 2012

Company statement of financial position
31 December 2011

17

ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investments

Loans and other financial assets 

CURRENT ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Called up share capital

Share premium

Share scheme reserve

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Notes

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

10

11

12

13

14

15

17

18

18

18

19

2,258,391

370,184

–

64,115

901,173

3,223,679

–

64,115

479,365

913,664

114,247

48,826

1,594,780

1,457,680

1,709,027

1,506,506

4,932,706

2,420,170

214,211

184,211

6,029,702

3,284,291

63,070

–

(2,059,304)

(1,121,437)

4,247,679

2,347,065

685,027

685,027

73,105

73,105

4,932,706

2,420,170

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 23 March 2012 and were 
signed on its behalf by: 

Shahrukh Khan
Director
23 March 2012

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201118

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2011

Balance at 1 January 2010

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2010

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2011

Balance at 1 January 2010

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2010

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2011

Called up
share
capital
£

Profit
and loss
account
£

Share 
premium
£

Translation
reserve

122,360

(913,208)

1,309,043

(6,287)

61,851

–

1,975,248

–

(221,589)

–

184,211

(1,134,797)

3,284,291

30,000

–

–

–

–

(948,092)

2,745,411

–

–

214,211

(2,082,889)

6,029,702

–

1,724

(4,563)

–

–

(3,884)

(8,447)

Non-controlling 
interests
£

Total
£

Total
equity

511,908

16,029

527,937

2,037,099

(219,865)

–

–

2,037,099

(219,865)

2,329,142

16,029

2,345,171

Share
scheme
reserve
£

–

–

–

–

–

2,775,411

63,070

63,070

–

(951,976)

–

–

–

2,775,411

63,070

(951,976)

63,070

4,215,647

16,029

4,231,676

Company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2011

Called up
share
capital
£

Profit
and loss
account
£

Share 
premium
£

Share
scheme
reserve
£

Balance at 1 January 2010

122,360

(903,823)

1,309,043

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2010

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Total comprehensive income

Balance at 31 December 2011

61,851

–

1,975,248

–

(217,614)

–

184,211

(1,121,437)

3,284,291

30,000

–

–

–

–

(937,867)

2,745,411

–

–

63,070

63,070

–

(937,867)

214,211

(2,059,304)

6,029,702

63,070

4,247,679

19

Total
equity
£

527,580

2,037,099

(217,614)

2,347,065

2,775,411

–

–

–

–

–

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201120

Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2011

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

Exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of intangible fixed assets

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

Interest received

Net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds of share issue

Cost of share issue

Net cash from financing activities

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

1

(642,572)

(174,777)

(2,027)

37

(644,599)

(174,740)

(2,067,152)

(361,776)

–

4,878

(437)

470

(2,062,274)

(361,743)

3,000,000

2,318,040

(195,000)

(280,941)

2,805,000

2,037,099

98,127

1,500,616

2

2

1,506,475

5,859

1,604,602

1,506,475

21

Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2011

1. Reconciliation of loss before income tax to cash generated from operations

Loss before income tax

Equity-settled share-based transactions

Finance income

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

2011 
£

2010 
£ 

(948,092)

(221,589)

33,482

(5,493)

–

(1,085)

(920,103)

(222,674)

(54,563)

(23,156)

332,094

71,053

(642,572)

(174,777)

2. Cash and cash equivalents
The amounts disclosed on the statement of cash flow in respect of cash and cash equivalents are in respect of these 
statement of financial position amounts:

Year ended 31 December 2011

Cash and cash equivalents

Year ended 31 December 2010

Cash and cash equivalents

31 December 
£

1 January 
£

1,604,602

1,506,475

31 December 
£

1,506,475

1 January 
£

5,859

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201122

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011

1. Accounting policies
Reporting entity
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group is a group domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of the Group’s registered office 
is Richmond House, Broad Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4AH. The Group is primarily involved in the exploration for 
and development of coal.

Going concern
The Directors have considered the cash flow requirements of the Group over the next 18 months from the date of 
signing this report. If the Group is to continue its exploration for and development of coal, and meet its operational 
costs, it may be necessary to raise additional funds. Whilst it is difficult in the current economic downturn to generate 
the extra funds required, the Directors expect to meet the funding requirements and therefore believe that the going 
concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements.

Compliance with accounting standards
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and 
IFRIC interpretations and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to reporting groups under IFRS.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year and the amounts reported for assets and 
liabilities at the statement of financial position date. However, the nature of estimation means that the actual outcomes 
could differ from those estimates.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are the measurement of any impairment on intangible 
assets and the estimation of share-based payment costs. The Group determines whether there is any impairment of 
intangible assets on an annual basis. The estimation of share-based payment costs requires the selection of an 
appropriate model, consideration as to the inputs necessary for the valuation model chosen and the estimation of the 
number of awards that will ultimately vest.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled  
by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has  
the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Business acquisitions have been accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, ‘Business Combinations’. Fair values are 
attributed to the Group’s share of net assets. Where the cost of acquisition exceeds the fair values attributed to such 
assets, the difference is treated as purchased goodwill and is capitalised. In the case of subsequent acquisitions of 
minority interests, the difference between the consideration payable for the additional interest in the subsidiary and the 
minority interest’s share of the assets and liabilities reflected in the consolidated statement of financial position at the 
date of acquisition of the minority interest has been treated as goodwill.

Intangible fixed assets – exploration costs
Expenditure on the acquisition costs, exploration and evaluation of interests in licences, including related finance and 
administration costs, are capitalised. Such costs are carried forward in the statement of financial position under 
intangible assets and amortised over the minimum period of the expected commercial production of coal in respect  
of each area of interest where:
•	 such costs are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploration of the area of interest or 

alternatively by its sale;

•	 exploration activities have not yet reached a stage that permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or 
otherwise of economically recoverable reserves and active operations in relation to the areas are continuing.

An annual impairment review is carried out by the Directors to consider whether any exploration or development costs 
have suffered impairment in value where a site has been abandoned or confirmed as no longer technically feasible. 
Accumulated costs in respect of areas of interest that have been abandoned are written off to the profit and loss 
account in the year in which the area is abandoned.

Exploration costs are carried at cost less any provision for impairment.

23

1. Accounting policies continued 
Property, plant and equipment
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. 

Motor vehicles 
– 20% on reducing balance 
Computer equipment  – 30% on reducing balance 

Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at cost. The investments are reviewed annually and any impairment is taken directly 
to the income statement.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party  
to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
•	 Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held at bank and short-term deposits.
•	 Trade payables are not interest-bearing and are stated at their nominal value.
•	 Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received except where those proceeds 
appear to be less than the fair value of the equity instruments issued, in which case the equity instruments are 
recorded at fair value. The difference between the proceeds received and the fair value is reflected in the share-
based payments reserve. 

Taxation
Current taxes are based on the results shown in the financial statements and are calculated according to local tax rules, 
using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted by the statement of financial position date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the statement of 
financial position date. 

Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of 
financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the 
date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

Profit and losses of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated into sterling at average rates for the year. The 
statements of financial position of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated at the rate ruling at the statement  
of financial position date. Differences arising from the translation of Group investments in overseas subsidiary 
undertakings are recognised as a separate component of equity.

Net exchange differences classified as equity are separately tracked and the cumulative amount disclosed as a 
translation reserve.

The principal place of business of the Group is the United Kingdom with sterling being the functional currency. Funds 
are advanced to Pakistan as required to finance the exploration costs which are payable in rupees.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the period  
of the lease. 

Share-based payment transactions
Where equity-settled share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is 
charged to the income statement over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account  
by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each statement of financial position date so that, 
ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually 
vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of all options granted. As long as all other vesting 
conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether market vesting conditions are satisfied. The 
cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition.

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201124

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

1. Accounting policies continued 
Where terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in the fair value of the options, 
measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the income statement over the remaining 
vesting period.

Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees, the income statement is charged with the fair 
value of goods and services received.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash flow statement comprise cash and bank balances.

New standards and interpretations applied
In preparing these financial statements the Company has reviewed all new standards and interpretations, but there are 
no standards effective for the year commencing 1 January 2011 requiring new interpretations to be applied.

New standards and interpretations adopted with no effect on the financial statements
The following new and revised standards and interpretations have also been adopted in these financial statements. 
Their adoption has not had any significant impact on the amounts reported in these financial statements but may affect 
the accounting for future transactions or arrangements:
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (revised 2010) – annual review of IFRSs 
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures (amended 2009) – revised definition of related parties 
IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (amended 2010) – annual review of IFRSs 
IAS 32 Financial Instruments (amended 2009) – amendment relating to classification of rights issues 
IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting (amended 2010) – annual review of IFRSs 
IFRS 3 Business Combinations (amended 2010) – annual review of IFRSs 
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments (amended 2010) – annual review of IFRSs 

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted
A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are not yet effective for the year 
commencing 1 January 2011 and have not been applied in preparing these financial statements:
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	
•	

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (amended 2011) 
IAS 12 Income Taxes (amended 2010) 
IAS 19 Employee Benefits (amended 2011) 
IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (amended 2011) 
IAS 28 Investments in Associates (amended 2011) 
IAS 32 Financial Instruments (amended 2011) 
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments (amended 2010 and 2011) 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (issued 2009 and 2010) 
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements (issued 2011) 
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements (issued 2011) 
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities (issued 2011) 
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement (issued 2011) 

The Directors do not consider that the implementation of any of these new standards will have a material impact upon 
reported income or reported net assets.

2. Segmental reporting
The principal activity of the Group is the exploration and development for coal in Pakistan. All expenses are in respect of 
this one activity and there are no business segments requiring separate disclosure.

3. Employees and Directors

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

2011
£

244,081

27,857

271,938

2010
£ 

77,000

5,781

82,781

3. Employees and Directors continued
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Directors

Administration

25

2011

2010

4

1

5

2011
£

3

–

3

2010
£

Directors' remuneration

205,923

77,000

Information regarding the highest paid Director for the year ended 31 December 2011 is as follows:

Emoluments etc.

2011
£

81,667

4. Exceptional items
During the year the Group incurred costs of £293,429 in respect of delisting from the PLUS market and achieving a 
listing on AIM. Included in the costs is £238,429 for legal and professional fees, together with £55,000 paid to the 
auditors in their capacity as reporting accountants.

5. Finance income

Finance income:

Deposit account interest

Other loan interest

6. Loss before income tax
The loss before income tax is stated after charging:

Other operating leases

Depreciation – owned assets

Auditors’ remuneration

Auditors’ other services – reporting accountant for AIM application 

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 

2011
£

4,878

615

5,493

2011
£

21,981

569

11,574

55,000

33,482

2010
£

470

615

1,085

2010
£

–

758

9,800

–

–

The depreciation charges shown above have been capitalised as exploration costs by the subsidiary company in 
accordance with the accounting policy.

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201126

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

7. Income tax
Analysis of the tax charge
No liability to UK corporation tax arose on ordinary activities for the year ended 31 December 2011 nor for the year 
ended 31 December 2010. 

Factors affecting the tax charge
The tax assessed for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below: 

Loss on ordinary activities before tax

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK  

of 26.50% (2010: 28%)

Effects of:

Interest capitalised in subsidiary 

Potential deferred taxation on losses for year

Expenses disallowed for tax purposes

Total income tax

Tax effects relating to effects of other comprehensive income

Exchange difference on consolidation

Exchange difference on consolidation

Gross

(3,884)

(3,884)

Gross

1,724

1,724

2011
£

2010
£

(948,092)

(221,589)

(251,244)

(62,045)

2,710

170,775

77,759

–

2011

2010

Tax

–

–

Tax

–

–

1,113

60,932

–

–

Net

(3,884)

(3,884)

Net

1,724

1,724

The Group and Company have estimated excess management charges of £1,529,498 (2010: £1,120,729) to carry 
forward against future income. The overseas subsidiary has not yet generated profits or losses and there is no charge 
for foreign taxation for the year (2010: nil).

8. Loss of parent company
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss account of the parent company is not 
presented as part of these financial statements. The parent company’s loss for the financial year was £937,867  
(2010: £217,614). 

9. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares adjusted to assume the 
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

27

9. Earnings per share continued
Reconciliations are set out below.

Basic EPS

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders

(948,092) 205,663,055

(0.46)

2011

Weighted
average
number
of shares

Per-share
amount
pence

Earnings
£

Effect of dilutive securities

Options granted

Diluted EPS

Adjusted earnings

– 21,801,507

–

(948,092) 227,464,562

(0.42)

2010

Weighted
average
number
of shares

Per-share
amount
pence

Earnings
£

Basic EPS

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders

(221,589) 145,644,977

(0.15)

Effect of dilutive securities

Options granted

Diluted EPS

Adjusted earnings

10. Intangible assets

Group

COST

At 1 January 2011

Additions

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2011

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011

Group

COST

At 1 January 2010

Additions

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2010

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2010

–

23,122,384

–

(221,589)

168,767,361

(0.13)

Exploration
costs
£

855,830

2,369,512

(20,918)

3,204,424

3,204,424

Exploration
costs
£

492,131

358,307

5,392

855,830

855,830

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201128

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

10. Intangible assets continued 

Company

COST

At 1 January 2011

Additions

At 31 December 2011

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011

Company

COST

At 1 January 2010

Additions

At 31 December 2010

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2010

11. Property, plant and equipment

Group

COST

At 1 January 2011

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2011

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2011

Charge for year

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2011

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011

Exploration
costs
£

370,184

1,888,207

2,258,391

2,258,391

Exploration
costs
£

241,399

128,785

370,184

370,184

Totals
£

6,560

(273)

6,287

3,746

569

(155)

4,160

Motor
vehicles
£

Computer
equipment
£

6,123

(255)

5,868

3,615

481

(150)

3,946

437

(18)

419

131

88

(5)

214

1,922

205

2,127

29

Totals
£

5,999

437

124

6,560

2,927

758

61

3,746

Motor
vehicles
£

Computer
equipment
£

5,999

–

124

6,123

2,927

627

61

3,615

–

437

–

437

–

131

–

131

2,508

306

2,814

Shares in
group
undertakings
£

64,115

64,115

Shares in
group
undertakings
£

64,115

64,115

11. Property, plant and equipment continued

Group

COST

At 1 January 2010

Additions

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2010

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2010

Charge for year

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2010

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2010

12. Investments

Company

COST

At 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011

Company

COST

At 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2010

The Group or the Company’s investments at the statement of financial position date in the share capital of companies 
include the following: 

Subsidiary
Sindh Carbon Energy Limited 
Country of incorporation: Pakistan 
Nature of business: Coal exploration and mining 

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201130

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

12. Investments continued

Class of shares:

Ordinary

%
holding

80.00

2010
£

2011
£

Aggregate capital and reserves

80,144

80,144

The subsidiary company was incorporated in Pakistan on 23 January 2007 for the exploration and future extraction of 
coal in Pakistan. This company was formed under a joint venture arrangement whereby Oracle Coalfields PLC agreed 
to acquire 80 per cent of the ordinary share capital at par, fully paid by cash.

The investment in share capital for the 80 per cent holding amounted to £64,115.

13. Loans and other financial assets 

Group

At 1 January 2011

Exchange movement

At 31 December 2011

Group

At 1 January 2010

Exchange movement

At 31 December 2010

Other
loans
£

63,645

(940)

62,705

Other
loans
£

63,186

459

63,645

Group
Oracle Coalfields PLC has a joint venture agreement with Sindh Koela Limited for the exploration of coal through a 
project company, Sindh Carbon Energy Limited incorporated in Pakistan, dated 6 September 2006 and amended on 
17 June 2008. Under the terms of the agreement Sindh Koela Limited is entitled to receive 20 per cent of the issued 
shares in Sindh Carbon Energy Limited and these shares are funded by a loan from Oracle Coalfields PLC. The 
obligation to fund the 20 per cent shareholding is capped at 5,000,000 shares of PKR 10 per share. The loan accrues 
interest on a daily basis at a rate of 9 per cent per annum. The loan is unsecured and repayable from 50 per cent of 
dividends due to Sindh Koela Limited from Sindh Carbon Energy Limited, when the joint venture starts to generate 
revenues, or repayable in full on any early transfer of shares by Sindh Koela Limited in Sindh Carbon Energy Limited.

There is a loan of PKR 2,000,000, amounting to £16,029 (2010: £16,029) made by Oracle Coalfields PLC to Sindh Koela 
Limited, representing Sindh Koela Limited’s initial 20 per cent shareholding of 200,000 shares of PKR 10 per share.

Further loans were made to Sindh Koela Limited to fund initial expenditure in Pakistan on behalf of the Group as follows:

At the statement of financial position date there is a loan of £25,000 (2010: £25,000) from Oracle Coalfields PLC to 
Sindh Koela Limited. The loan is interest free, unsecured and is not due for repayment until the joint venture starts to 
generate revenues.

At the statement of financial position date there is a loan of PKR 3,000,000, amounting to £21,676 (2010: £22,616) from 
Sindh Carbon Energy Limited to Sindh Koela Limited. The loan is interest free, unsecured and is not due for repayment 
until the joint venture starts to generate revenues.

31

Loans to
group
undertakings
£

438,336

421,808

860,144

Loans to
group
undertakings
£

203,336

235,000

438,336

Other
loans
£

41,029

–

41,029

Other
loans
£

Totals
£

479,365

421,808

901,173

Totals
£

41,029

244,365

–

235,000

41,029

479,365

13. Loans and other financial assets continued

Company

At 1 January 2011

New in year

At 31 December 2011

Company

At 1 January 2010

New in year

At 31 December 2010

Company
Oracle Coalfields PLC has a joint venture agreement with Sindh Koela Limited for the exploration of coal through a 
project company, Sindh Carbon Energy Limited incorporated in Pakistan, dated 6 September 2006 and amended on 
17 June 2008. Under the terms of the agreement Sindh Koela Limited is entitled to receive 20 per cent of the issued 
shares in Sindh Carbon Energy Limited and these shares are funded by a loan from Oracle Coalfields PLC. The 
obligation to fund the 20 per cent shareholding is capped at 5,000,000 shares of PKR 10 per share. The loan accrues 
interest on a daily basis at a rate of 9 per cent per annum. The loan is unsecured and repayable from 50 per cent of 
dividends due to Sindh Koela Limited from Sindh Carbon Energy Limited, when the joint venture starts to generate 
revenues, or repayable in full on any early transfer of shares by Sindh Koela Limited in Sindh Carbon Energy Limited.

There is a loan of PKR 2,000,000, amounting to £16,029 (2010: £16,029) made by Oracle Coalfields PLC to Sindh Koela 
Limited, representing Sindh Koela Limited’s initial 20 per cent shareholding of 200,000 shares of PKR 10 per share.

At the statement of financial position date there is a loan of £25,000 (2010: £25,000) from Oracle Coalfields PLC to 
Sindh Koela Limited. The loan is interest free, unsecured and is not due for repayment until the joint venture starts to 
generate revenues.

14. Trade and other receivables

Current: 

Other receivables

VAT

Prepayments and accrued income

Group

2011
£

4,804

52,845

33,622

91,271

2010
£

5,186

25,602

5,305

Company

2011
£

2010
£

28,257

52,845

33,145

18,417

25,602

4,807

48,826

36,093

114,247

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201132

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

15. Cash and cash equivalents

Bank deposit account

Bank accounts

Group

2011
£

2010
£

Company

2011
£

2010
£

1,584,780

1,447,680

1,584,780

1,447,680

19,822

58,795

10,000

10,000

1,604,602

1,506,475

1,594,780

1,457,680

16. Non-controlling interests
The minority interest of £16,029 represents 20% of the issued share capital of the subsidiary which is held by Sindh 
Koela Limited, a company in which the Group is involved in a joint venture arrangement. Since the subsidiary was 
incorporated for the joint venture, there are no pre-acquisition reserves or goodwill.

17. Called up share capital

Allotted, issued and fully paid 214,211,000 (2010: 184,211,000)  

ordinary shares of 0.1p each

2011
£

2010
£

214,211

184,211

30,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.1p each were allotted as fully paid for cash at a premium of 9.9p per share during  
the year.

The number of shares in issue are as follows:

At 1 January

Issued during the year

At 31 December

18. Reserves

Group

At 1 January 2011

Deficit for the year

Cash share issue

Cost of share issue

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions

Exchange translation difference

2011
No.

2010
No.

184,211,000 122,359,668

30,000,000

61,851,332

214,211,000 184,211,000

Share 
scheme
reserve
£

–

–

–

–

63,070

–

Totals
£

2,144,931

(948,092)

2,969,999

(195,000)

33,482

(3,884)

63,070

4,001,436

Retained
earnings
£

Share
premium
£

Translation
reserve
£

(1,134,797)

3,284,291

(4,563)

(948,092)

–

–

–

–

–

2,969,999

(195,000)

(29,588)

–

–

–

–

–

(3,884)

(8,447)

At 31 December 2011 

(2,082,889)

6,029,702

At 1 January 2010

Deficit for the year

Cash share issue

Cost of share issue

Exchange translation difference 

At 31 December 2010 

Retained
earnings
£

Share
premium
£

Translation
reserve
£

Totals
£

(913,208)

1,309,043

(6,287)

389,548

(221,589)

–

2,256,189

(280,941)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(221,589)

2,256,189

(280,941)

–

1,724

1,724

(1,134,797)

3,284,291

(4,563)

2,144,931

33

Share
scheme
reserve
£

–

–

–

–

Totals
£

2,162,854

(937,867)

2,969,999

(195,000)

18. Reserves continued

Company

At 1 January 2011

Deficit for the year

Cash share issue

Cost of share issue

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 

Retained
earnings
£

Share
premium
£

(1,121,437)

3,284,291

(937,867)

–

2,969,999

(195,000)

–

–

–

(29,588)

63,070

33,482

At 31 December 2011

(2,059,304)

6,029,702

63,070

4,033,468

Company

At 1 January 2010

Deficit for the year

Cash share issue

Cost of share issue

At 31 December 2010

19. Trade and other payables

Current: 

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

20. Leasing agreements

Group

Within one year

Between one and five years

Company

Within one year

Between one and five years

Retained
earnings
£

Share
premium
£

Totals
£

(903,823)

1,309,043

405,220

(217,614)

–

(217,614)

–

–

2,256,189

2,256,189

(280,941)

(280,941)

(1,121,437)

3,284,291

2,162,854

Group

2011
£

2010
£

Company

2011
£

2010
£

472,817

60,367

472,817

60,367

17,121

18,824

224,691

733,453

1,434

904

17,121

18,824

56,981

176,265

119,686

685,027

1,434

904

10,400

73,105

Non-cancellable 
operating leases 

2011
£

38,400

19,200

57,600

Non-cancellable 
operating leases 

2011
£

38,400

19,200

57,600

2010
£

–

–

–

2010
£

–

–

–

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201134

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21. Financial instruments
The Group and Company financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents, loan investments and financial assets 
and various items such as trade receivables, trade payables, accruals and prepayments that arise directly from its operations.

The main purpose of these financial instruments is to finance the Group’s operations. The Board regularly reviews and agrees 
policies for managing the level of risk arising from the Group’s financial instruments which are summarised as follows.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s 
policy throughout the year has been to ensure that it has adequate liquidity to meet its liabilities when due by careful 
management of its working capital.

The following tables illustrate the contractual maturity profiles of its financial liabilities, all of which are repayable within 
one year, as at 31 December:

Group

Current liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Tax liabilities

Company

Current liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Tax liabilities

2011
£

2010
£

716,332

118,252

17,121

1,434

733,453

119,686

2011
£

2010
£

667,906

17,121

685,027

71,671

1,434

73,105

All of the Group and Company liabilities are due for payment within one year.  

Credit risk
The Group’s principal financial assets are the cash and cash equivalents and taxation receivable as recognised in the 
statement of financial position, which represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial 
assets.

The Company has made an unsecured loan of £860,144 (2010: £438,336) to its subsidiary Sindh Carbon Energy 
Limited. Although it is repayable on demand, it is unlikely to be repaid until the project becomes successful and the 
subsidiary starts to generate revenue.

Capital management
The Company’s capital consists wholly of ordinary shares. The Board’s policy is to preserve a strong capital base in 
order to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to safeguard the future development of the business, 
whilst balancing these objectives with the efficient use of capital.

Analysis of total financial liabilities and financial assets
The table below sets out the Group’s IAS 39 classification of each of its financial assets and liabilities at 31 December 
2011. All amounts are stated at their carrying value:

 
 
21. Financial instruments continued

Group 
At 31 December 2011

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Group 
At 31 December 2010

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

35

Fair value 
through profit 
and loss
£

–

37,705

–

–

–

37,705

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Fair value 
through profit 
and loss
£

–

38,645

–

–

–

38,645

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Available 
for sale
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Amortised 
cost
£

–

–

–

–

Loans and 
receivables
£

1,604,602

–

–

116,271

–

1,720,873

Loans 
Total
£

1,604,602

37,705

–

91,271

(733,453)

(733,453)

(733,453)

1,025,125

Available 
for sale
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Amortised 
cost
£

–

–

–

–

Loans and 
receivables
£

1,506,475

–

–

61,093

–

1,567,568

Loans 
Total
£

1,506,475

38,645

–

61,093

(119,686)

(119,686)

(119,686)

1,486,527

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
36

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

21. Financial instruments continued

Company
At 31 December 2011

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Company 
At 31 December 2010

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial assets

Derivative financial liabilities

Other financial assets

Other financial liabilities

Fair value 
through profit 
and loss
£

–

16,029

–

–

–

16,029

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Fair value 
through profit 
and loss
£

–

16,029

–

–

–

16,029

Derivatives 
used for 
hedging
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Available 
for sale
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Loans and 
receivables
£

1,594,780

–

–

999,391

–

2,594,171

Amortised 
cost
£

Loans 
Total
£

–

–

–

–

1,594,780

16,029

–

999,391

(682,027)

(682,027)

(682,027)

1,925,173

Available 
for sale
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

Amortised 
cost
£

–

–

–

–

Loans and 
receivables
£

1,457,680

–

–

512,162

–

1,969,842

Loans 
Total
£

1,457,680

16,029

–

512,162

(73,105)

(73,105)

(73,105)

1,912,766

Other financial assets comprise trade and other receivables due within and after more than one year. Other financial 
liabilities comprise trade and other payables and accruals due within and after more than one year.

Derivative assets designated at fair value are loans made in Pakistan rupees and their values are subject to foreign 
exchange fluctuations.

 
37

21. Financial instruments continued
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, interest rates 
and equity prices will affect the Group’s and Company’s income or value of their holdings in financial instruments.

Sensitivity analysis
The Group has carried out a sensitivity analysis that measures the estimated charge to the income statement and equity 
of a 1 per cent difference in market interest rates applicable at 31 December 2011 with all other measures remaining 
constant. Similarly, the sensitivity analysis in respect of currency risk measures the estimated charge to the income 
statement and equity of a 10 per cent difference in the market rate of the Pakistan rupee, the major currency to which 
the Group is exposed.

The sensitivity analysis includes the following assumptions:
a)  Changes in market interest rates only affect interest income or expense of variable financial instruments.
b)  Changes in foreign currency rates only affect those items of income and expense and assets and liabilities 

denominated in the said currencies.

Interest rate risk

Variable rate instruments

Currency risk

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Income Statement

Equity (before tax)

100 bps 
Increase
£

410

100 bps 
Decrease
£

(410)

100 bps 
Increase
£

410

100 bps 
Decrease
£

(410)

Income Statement

Equity (before tax)

10% 
Increase
£

10% 
Decrease
£

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10% 
Increase
£

(982)

(3,771)

(61)

4,880

66

10% 
Decrease
£

982

3,771

61

(4,880)

(66)

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities
The carrying values of the financial instruments of the Group and Company are the same as their fair values.

Commodity price risk
The principal activity of the Group is the development of a coal mining property in Pakistan and the principal market risk 
facing the Group is an adverse movement in the commodity price of coal. Any long-term adverse movement in this 
price would affect the commercial viability of the project.

22. Related party disclosures
During the year, Oracle Coalfields PLC has accrued interest receivable of £10,225 (2010: £3,975) and £615 (2010: £615) 
in respect of loans made to Sindh Carbon Energy Limited and Sindh Koela Limited respectively. The interest was 
outstanding at the year end and is included within other receivables.

Key management personnel compensation
The Directors and key management personnel of the Group during the year were are follows:
Mr S Khan (Chief Executive Officer)
Mr A C R Scutt (non-executive Director)
Mr M R Stead (non-executive Director)
Mr W A Loader (Chairman)
Mr G A Philip (Finance Director)

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201138

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2011 continued

22. Related party disclosures continued
The aggregate compensation made to key management personnel of the Group is set out below:

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Termination benefits

Share-based benefits

2011
£

2010
£

230,067

86,303

–

–

33,482

–

–

–

263,549

86,303

Details of key management personnel compensation are disclosed in the Remuneration Report included in the 
Directors’ Report.

Key management personnel equity holdings
Details of key management personnel beneficial interests in the fully paid ordinary shares of the Company and share 
options held are unchanged during the year and are disclosed in the Directors’ Report.

23. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds

Group

Loss for the financial year

Proceeds of share issue

Cost of share issue

Exchange translation difference

Equity-settled share-based transactions

Net addition to shareholders’ funds

Opening shareholders’ funds

Closing shareholders’ funds

Company

Loss for the financial year

Proceeds of share issue

Cost of share issue

Equity-settled share-based transactions

Net addition to shareholders’ funds

Opening shareholders’ funds

Closing shareholders’ funds

2011
£

2010
£

(948,092)

(221,589)

3,000,000

2,318,040

(224,589)

(280,941)

(3,884)

63,070

1,724

–

1,886,505

1,817,234

2,329,142

511,908

4,215,647

2,329,142

2011
£

2010
£

(937,867)

(217,614)

3,000,000

2,318,040

(224,589)

(280,941)

63,070

–

1,900,614

1,819,485

2,347,065

527,580

4,247,679

2,347,065

39

24. Share-based payment transactions
The Group has a share option programme that entitles the holders to purchase shares in the Group with the options 
exercisable at the price determined at the date of granting the option. The terms and conditions of the grants are as 
follows: there are no vesting conditions to be met and all options are to be settled by the issue of shares.

Grant date

13 February 2007

13 February 2007 (expiry date extended on admission to AIM)

15 November 2007 (expiry date extended on admission to AIM)

14 April 2011

18 April 2011

1 August 2011

The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

Number of 
instruments

Contractual life 
of options

12,500,000

5 years

8,080,000

10 years

200,000

600,000

250,000

1,000,000

6 years

5 years

6 years

5 years

Outstanding at 1 January

Expired during the period

Granted during period

Outstanding at 31 December

Exercisable at 31 December

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
2011 

Number of 
options
2011 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
2010 

Number of 
options
2010 

5.00p 20,780,000

6.89p

26,442,054

– 

–

14.00p

(5,662,054)

9.32p

1,850,000

– 

–

5.60p 22,630,000

5.00p 20,780,000

5.23p 13,100,000

5.00p 20,780,000

No share options were exercised during the year (2010: nil). During the year no options expired unexercised (2010: 
5,662,054 share options expired unexercised with a weighted average exercise price of 14p). The options outstanding 
at 31 December 2011 have an exercise price of 5.6p (2010: 5p), and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 
3.93 years (2010: 1.27 years).

The fair value of services received and commission payable in return for share options granted is based on the fair 
value of share options granted, measured using the Black-Scholes model, with the following inputs:

Fair value at grant date

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Option life

Risk-free interest rate

Services
2011

8.75p

1p

10p

56%

Services
2011

14.11p

1p

5p

67%

Commission
 2011

Services
2007 

14.67p

0.0003p

1p

10p

67%

1p

5p

20%

5 years

6 years

5 years

5 years

4%

4%

4%

5%

The expected volatility was determined by reviewing the actual volatility of the Group’s share price since its listing on 
AIM to the date of granting the option. In calculating the fair value, consideration was given to the market trends at 
the grant date of the option.

There is an expense of £33,482 (2010: £nil) for the year in respect of goods and services received, and share 
placement commission of £29,588 (2010: £nil) in respect of equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

Oracle Coalfields PLCAnnual Report and Accounts 201140

Company information

Oracle Coalfields PLC is registered as a public limited company under English law. Its shares are listed on the  
AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM:ORCP).

Oracle Coalfields PLC is incorporated and domiciled in England and its registered number is 05867160.

Directors: 

Mr W A Loader
Mr S Khan
Mr A C R Scutt
Mr M R Stead
Mr G A Philip

Secretary: 

Mr E Taylor 

London Office: 

15 Hanover Square
Mayfair
London
W1S 1HS

Registered Office:  Richmond House

Broad Street
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4AH

Auditors: 

NOMAD: 

Registrar: 

Price Bailey LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Richmond House
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4AH

Libertas Capital Corporate Finance Limited
17c Curzon Street
London
W1J 5HU

Neville Registrars Limited
Neville House
18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen
West Midlands
B63 3DA

Joint Brokers: 

Novus Capital Markets Limited 
29/30 Cornhill 
London 
EC3V 3NF 

Libertas Capital Corporate Finance Limited
17c Curzon Street
London
W1J 5HU

Solicitors: 

Bankers: 

Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Sceptre Court
40 Tower Hill
London
EC3N 4DX

Royal Bank of Scotland plc
1st Floor
Conqueror House
Vision Park, Histon
Cambridge
CB24 9NL

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC
15 Hanover Square
Mayfair
London
W1S 1HS

Tel:  +44 (0) 207 317 4050
Fax: +44 (0) 207 317 4055

www.oraclecoalfields.com