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FY2012 Annual Report · Oracle Power PLC
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Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

ENERGY
FOR
PAKISTAN

Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Contents

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive’s Report 

Report of the Directors 

Report of the Independent Auditors 

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Company Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

01

02

03

11

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows  20

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Company Information 

21

44

Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

01

Chairman’s statement
for the year ended 31 December 2012

I am pleased to present Oracle Coalfields’ (or the “Company”) results for the period ending 31 December 2012. During 
the year your company continued to make good progress, including the issuance of the Mining Lease, the signing of the 
Joint-Development Agreement with Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and the preparation of an Implementation 
Plan to proceed with mine development and production. As might be expected for a mining company at this stage of 
development, the consolidated financial results for the year to 31 December 2012 show an operational loss after taxa-
tion for Oracle and its subsidiaries (“Group”) of £741,799 (2011: £948,092). The basic loss per share was 0.35p (2011: loss 
0.46p).

At the end of 2012 the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £99,592 (2011: £1,604,602) and total assets less current 
liabilities of £3.52 million (2011: £4.23 million).

Early in 2013, £934,000 of further capital was raised including contributions from shareholders and management. The 
Group is now expected to have sufficient working capital to cover its working capital requirements over 2013. However, 
additional funds will be required to develop the Block VI coal mine.  The Group is therefore considering options to raise 
the necessary debt and equity, and has started discussions with potential strategic investors/technical partners from the 
Middle East and Far East.

Whilst Oracle has made continued progress in developing the project, 2012 was a mixed year in Pakistan on the political 
and security fronts. Consequently, international investors have been hesitant, and foreign direct investment in the coun-
try was low in 2012 on a year on year basis. That said, due to the urgent need to resolve the energy crisis in Pakistan, 
the Government remains keen to assist your Company in the development of the coal project and provides significant 
support.

The Board extends its thanks to the Coal & Energy Development Department, the Thar Coal Energy Board, the Sindh 
Coal Authority, and the Government of Sindh for their continued assistance.  The Board also continues to be very grate-
ful for the patience and support of our shareholders.

Your Company is moving from project development to project implementation. Completion of the implementation 
phase will largely depend on financing and on entering a suitable partnership, both of which require thorough assess-
ment. The Board aims to pursue both objectives this year as expeditiously as possible with the goal of making the project 
a significant contributor to Pakistan’s energy mix.

Adrian Loader
Chairman
25 March 2013

02

Chief executive’s statement
for the year ended 31 December 2012

The Government’s continued support for the earliest development of the Thar Coalfield is a key part of its strategy to meet 
the growing domestic demand for energy at the lowest possible cost whilst alleviating the national balance of payments 
by reducing dependency on imported fuel.

After completion in 4th Quarter 2011 by SRK Consulting of the Technical Feasibility Study on the Block VI coal deposit 
in the Thar Coalfield, Sindh Province the Study was submitted to the Mines & Mineral Development Department, 
Government of Sindh, which issued the Mining Lease to the Company’s local subsidiary, Sindh Carbon Energy Limited 
(“SCEL) in April 2012.  The Mining Lease is a 30 year lease with an option to extend for another 30 years.

During 2012, SCEL entered a Joint-Development Agreement (JDA) with Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC). The JDA 
sets out KESC’s intent to develop a 300 MW mine-mouth power plant at Block VI with an option to increase to 1,100 MW 
over time.  The JDA is a significant step in the Company’s relationship with KESC which is making considerable efforts to 
develop coal-fired power plants in Sindh Province, and so reduce dependence on oil and gas-fired power plants in view of 
cost and secure long term supply of fuel.  The emphasis on Thar coal, and particularly the Block VI project, is important for 
KESC to provide the necessary security of supply.

Following the JDA with KESC, the Company appointed Dargo Associates Ltd, a leading independent coal consultant 
who have been involved with the project since 2007, to review the SRK Technical Feasibility Study and advise on a 
smaller mine to support a minimum 300 MW power plant at site.  In 4th Quarter of 2012, Dargo Associates published the 
Implementation Plan for a 2.4 million tonnes per annum open-pit mine that could feed a 300 MW power plant as well as 
supply local industries such as the cement sector. Capital and operating expenditure estimates were reduced substantially 
from previous figures. This is further detailed in the following section under Block VI: from Feasibility to Implementation.

During this period, the Company also entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thatta Cement Company, a 
leading cement company in Pakistan. This agreement is in addition to the MOU previously entered with Lucky Cement Ltd.

Pre-development work in preparation for mining is currently under way at the site including a Corporate Social 
Responsibility Programme (CSR). The CSR activities include basic healthcare, clean water and livestock veterinary care for 
the local communities. The work programme also covers activities such as drilling water wells to determine the number 
required for both the coal mine and the power plant.  An access road within the Block VI is under consideration.

The Company is making every effort to ensure that the development of the coal mine at Block VI, Thar Coalfield, complies 
with the requirements of international standards and practice and due corporate governance.

The Baseline Studies of the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) undertaken by Hagler Bailly of Pakistan and 
Wardell Armstrong International are complete with Social Impact studies due to be completed in the 2nd Quarter of 2013.  
The Company will then submit the ESIA to the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Government of Sindh (SEPA) for 
a public hearing in Thar which is planned for 3rd Quarter 2013.  As with the Baseline Studies, your Company believes that 
there should be no major impediments for the project.

With the grant of the Mining Lease, signing of the JDA with KESC, implementation plan to proceed with open pit mining 
operation and commencement of pre-development work, Oracle is definitely moving from the development to the 
implementation phase.

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer
25 March 2013

Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

03

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012

The Directors present their report with the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 31 
December 2012.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The principal activity of the Group in the year under review was that of the exploration for and development of coal in 
Pakistan. The exploration and development is primarily carried out in Pakistan, but 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 outlook and future developments in the business is given in the Chairman’s 
Statement and the Chief Executive’s Report, 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 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 resettlements, 
population inflow and 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 operational phase.

The mine must be de-watered prior to mine construction and during production.  The water produced must be 
disposed of safely.  

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.

04

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS
During the year the Group continued to utilise its funds to develop it’s Pakistan Thar mine project. The 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 
£741,799 (2011: £948,092). No dividends will be distributed for the year ended 31 December 2012 (2011: nil).

GOING CONCERN
The Directors have considered the cashflow 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% or more of the Group’s 
ordinary shares on 31 December 2012:

Mr S Khan 

Regency Mines plc 

Starvest plc 

Sunvest Corporation Limited 

Mr A Neubauer 

Mr R Rowan 

Shareholding 

29,530,791 

23,600,000 

21,867,333 

20,000,000 

19,335,330 

10,000,000 

% holding

13.74%

10.93%

10.12%

9.26%

8.95%

4.63%

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 29th May 2012, shareholders gave authority for the Directors to allot equity securities for cash 
up to an aggregate nominal value of £200,000.

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.

EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. 

DIRECTORS
The Directors during the year under review were:

Mr W A Loader 

Chairman 

Mr S Khan 

Chief Executive 

Mr A C R Scutt 

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director 

Mr M R Stead 

Non-Executive Director 

Mr G A Philip 

Finance Director  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

05

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

The beneficial interests of the Directors holding office on 31 December 2012 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 

31 December 2012 

1 January 2012 
or date of appointment if later

29,530,791 

113,000 

100,000 

20,000 

29,530,791

113,000

100,000

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 M R Stead 

Number 

6,000,000 

2,000,000 

1,000,000 

200,000 

250,000 

Exercise price 

5p 

5p  

10p  

5p 

10p  

Expiry date

31.03.2017

31.03.2017

01.08.2016

31.03.2017

31.03.2017

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 a Director of Holcim and a member 
of the International Advisory Board of Garda World. He previously served on the boards of Shell Canada, Alliance-Boots, 
Candax Energy and Compton Petroleum, the last two as Chairman.  Mr Loader is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of 
Personnel and Development and holds a Masters degree in History from Cambridge University.

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer

Mr Khan was educated in USA and 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. 

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 unlisted Agricola 
Resources plc.

 
 
06

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

Roderick Stead
Non-Executive Director

Mr Stead was awarded a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and is 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 and Company Secretary

Tony holds a Bachelors 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

Brian is a Mining Engineer with over 30 years international experience and 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 UK member of Eurocoal Executive Committee

GROUPS’ POLICY ON PAYMENT OF CREDITORS
The Group has a 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 40 days.

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, and 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.

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.

 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

07

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

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. 

REMUNERATION REPORT
This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Schedules 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.

Remuneration policy
Executive remuneration packages are 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.

Aggregate Directors’ remuneration
The remuneration paid to the Directors, in accordance with the service contracts, during the year ended 31 December 
2012 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 
£ 

112,767 

73,938 

38,797 

27,416 

61,557 

Pensions 

£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Termination 
benefits 
£ 

Share based 
payments 
£ 

2012 
Total 
£ 

2011
Total
£

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

112,767          91,761

73,938          47,352

  38,797          64,727

27,416         23,643

61,557         36,066

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

13.2.2007 

1.10.2011 

1.11.2007 

22.12.2006 

1.8.2011 

1 month

1 month

6 months

6 months

3 months

 
 
 
 
 
08

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
Throughout 2012 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 2012 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 two other 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 9.

All Directors had access throughout the year to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, Mr G A Philip, 
who was responsible for ensuring that Board procedures and applicable regulations under the Company’s Articles of 
Association or otherwise were 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 every two months 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 Nomination Committee, issue of shares and warrants, appointment of a financial advisor, 
approval of announcements to the market, and a final investment decision to proceed with project implementation.  
The Board met 11 times during the year.

Board Committees
The Board Committees, which are comprised of 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, and (b) advising the Board on the appointment of external auditors and on their 
remuneration for both audit and non-audit work, and discusses 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.

The Audit Committee comprises Mr M R Stead (Chairman) and Mr A C R Scutt.  During the year there were three 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), Mr A C R Scutt and Mr M R Stead. 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 

Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

09

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

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. 
No meetings were needed during the year as matters were covered by Board 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 2012 with a series of changes 
being made particularly in respect of commitments, payments, cashflow 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 brokers, presented to 
shareholders regularly during the year.

 
10

Report of the Directors
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

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;	
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 AND 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
Chairman
25 March 2013

 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

11

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 
2012 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 financial statements 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 Chairman’s Statement, the Chief Executive’s 
Report and the Report of the Directors 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	2012	and	of 	
the group’s loss for the year then ended; 
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.

Emphasis of matter - Exploration costs
In forming our opinion on the financial statements, which is not qualified, we have considered the adequacy of the 
disclosures made in note 10 to the financial statements concerning the valuation of the exploration costs. The ability of 
the Group to continue its exploration activities and justify sufficient value to justify the carrying value of the intangible 
assets is dependent on them being able to generate sufficient funds. Based upon the current economic climate 
there exists a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt as to whether the Group will be able to generate 
sufficient funds and therefore the Group’s ability to continue all of its exploration activities. The financial statements do 
not include the adjustments that would be necessary if the Group was unable to raise these funds.

 
 
 
12

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

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

28 March 2013

 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2012

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 

13

2011
£

-

Notes 

2012 
£ 

 2 

- 

4 

5 

6 

7 

9

(743,663) 

(660,156)

(743,663) 

(660,156)

- 

(293,429)

(743,663) 

(953,585)

1,864 

5,493

(741,799) 

(948,092)

- 

-

(741,799) 

(948,092)

(741,799) 

(948,092)

-0.35 

-0.33 

-0.46

-0.42

 
 
 
 
 
 
14

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2012

LOSS FOR THE YEAR 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Exchange difference on consolidation 

Income tax relating to other comprehensive income  

2012   
£ 

2011
£

(741,799) 

(948,092)

(10,742) 

(3,884)

- 

-

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR, NET OF INCOME TAX 

(10,742) 

(3,884)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR  

(752,541) 

(951,976)

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the parent 

(752,541) 

(951,976)

 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

15

Consolidated statement of financial position
for the year ended 31 December 2012

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 

2012   
£ 

2011
£

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

17 

18 

18 

18 

3,672,424 

3,204,424

1,816 

- 

2,127

-

60,149 

62,705

3,734,389 

3,269,256

52,016 

99,592 

91,271

1,604,602

151,608 

1,695,873

3,885,997 

4,965,129

216,011 

214,211

6,070,418 

6,029,702

(19,189) 

63,070 

(8,447)

63,070

18 

(2,824,688) 

       (2,082,889) 

3,505,622 

4,215,647

16 

16,029 

   16,029

3,521,651 

4,231,676

19 

364,346 

364,346 

 733,453

 733,453

3,885,997 

4,965,129

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 March 2013 and were 
signed on its behalf by: 

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
16

Company statement of financial position
for the year ended 31 December 2012

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 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

17 

18 

18 

18 

2,639,040 

2,258,391

331 

64,115 

1,033,339 

-

64,115

901,173

3,736,825 

3,223,679

89,364 

97,686 

114,247

1,594,780

187,050 

1,709,027

3,923,875 

4,932,706

216,011 

214,211

6,070,418 

6,029,702

63,070 

63,070

(2,786,785) 

(2,059,304)

3,562,714 

4,247,679

19 

361,161 

361,161 

685,027

685,027

3,923,875 

4,932,706

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 March 2013 and were 

signed on its behalf by: 

Shahrukh Khan
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

17

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Called up
share 
capital 
£ 

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Translation
reserve
£

Balance at 1 January 2011 

184,211 

(1,134,797) 

3,284,291 

(4,563)

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2011 

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2012 

30,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(948,092) 

- 

2,745,411 

- 

- 

- 

214,211 

(2,082,889) 

6,029,702 

1,800 

- 

40,716 

- 

- 

(741,799) 

- 

- 

- 

216,011 

(2,824,688) 

6,070,418 

-

-

-

(3,884)

(8,447)

-

-

(10,742)

(19,189)

Balance at 1 January 2011 

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Share
scheme 
reserve 

£ 

- 

- 

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 

63,070 

63,070 

Non-controlling 
interests 

Total 

£ 

£ 

Total
equity

£

2,329,142 

16,029 

2,345,171

2,775,411 

- 

- 

(948,092) 

(3,884) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,775,411

63,070

(948,092)

(3,884)

63,070 

4,215,647 

16,029 

4,231,676

- 

- 

- 

42,516 

(741,799) 

(10,742) 

- 

- 

- 

42,516

(741,799)

(10,742)

63,070 

3,505,622 

16,029 

3,521,651

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2011 

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Balance at 31 December 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18

Company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Called up 
share 
capital 
£ 

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Share
scheme 
reserve 
£ 

Total
equity
£

Balance at 1 January 2011 

184,211 

(1,121,437) 

3,284,291  -        2,347,065

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Equity-settled share-based
payment transactions 

Loss for the year 

30,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(937,867) 

2,745,411 

- 

2,775,411

- 

- 

63,070 

63,070

- 

(937,867)

Balance at 31 December 2011 

214,211 

(2,059,304) 

6,029,702 

63,070 

4,247,679

Changes in equity

Issue of share capital 

Loss for the year 

1,800 

- 

40,716 

- 

(727,481) 

- 

- 

- 

42,516

(727,481)

Balance at 31 December 2012 

216,011 

(2,786,785) 

6,070,418 

63,070 

3,562,714

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

19

Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations 

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 

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year as restated 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  

Notes 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

1 

(446,246) 

(642,572)

(446,246) 

(642,572)

(1,100,872) 

(2,067,152)

(497) 

1,247 

-

4,878

(1,100,122) 

(2,062,274)

42,667 

3,000,000

(151) 

(195,000)

42,516 

2,805,000

(1,503,852) 

100,154

1,603,444 

1,504,448

99,592 

1,604,602

2 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20

Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1.   RECONCILIATION OF LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS 

Loss before income tax 

Depreciation charges 

Equity-settled share-based transactions 

Finance income 

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables 

Increase in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations  

2.   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

2012 
£ 

2011
£

(741,799) 

(948,092)

166 

- 

(1,864) 

-

33,482

(5,493)

(743,497) 

(920,103)

39,872 

257,379 

(54,563)

332,094

(446,246) 

(642,572)

The amount 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 2012 

Cash and cash equivalents as previously reported 

Effect of exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents as restated 

Year ended 31 December 2011 

Cash and cash equivalents as previously reported 

Effect of exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents as restated 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in and hand and balances with banks.

31 December 2012  31 December 2011
£   
£     

99,592 

1,604,602

- 

(1,158)

99,592 

1,603,444

31 December 2011   31 December 2010
£   
£      

1,604,602 

1,506,475

- 

(2,027)

1,604,602 

1,504,448

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

21

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Going concern
The Directors have considered the cashflow requirements of the Group over the next 18 months. If the Group is to 
continue its explorations 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:

a) such costs are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploration of the area of interest or 
    alternatively by its sale;

b) 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. 

 
22

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

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.

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

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.

 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

23

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 continued

1.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued 

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 income statement 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.

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.

 
24

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 continued

1.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued  

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 2012 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	12	Income	Taxes	(amended	2010)	-	limited	scope	amendment	
•				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 2012 and have not been applied in preparing these financial statements:
•				IAS	1	Presentation	of	Financial	Statements	(amended	2011	and	2012)	
•				IAS	16	Property,	Plant	and	Equipment	(amended	2012)	
•				IAS	19	Employee	Benefits	(amended	2011)	
•				IAS	27	Separate	Financial	Statements	(amended	2011	and	2012)	
•				IAS	28	Investments	in	Associates	(amended	2011)	
•				IAS	32	Financial	Instruments	(amended	2011	and	2012)	
•				IAS	34	Interim	Financial	Reporting	(amended	2012)	
•				IFRS	1	First-time	adoption	of	International	Financial	Reporting	Standards	(amended	2012)	
•				IFRS	7	Financial	Instruments	(amended	2011)	
•				IFRS	9	Financial	Instruments	(issued	2009,	2010	and	2011)	
•				IFRS	10	Consolidated	Financial	Statements	(issued	2011	and	2012)	
•				IFRS	11	Joint	Arrangements	(issued	2011	and	2012)	
•				IFRS	12	Disclosure	of	Interests	in	Other	Entities	(issued	2011	and	2012)	
•				IFRS	13	Fair	Value	Measurement	(issued	2011)	
•				IFRIC	20	Stripping	Costs	in	the	Production	Phase	of	a	Surface	Mine	(not	yet	EU	endorsed)	

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 for and development of coal in Pakistan. All expenses are in 
respect of this one activity and there are no business segments requiring separate disclosure.

 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

25

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

3.   EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

Wages and salaries 

Social security costs 

2012    
£      

410,354 

50,280 

460,634 

  2011  
£     

244,081

27,857

271,938

The above costs include salaries of £101,400 (2011 - nil) and social security costs of £14,780 (2011 - nil) which have 
been capitalised within intangible assets exploration costs on the basis that they were incurred solely in respect of the 
development of the exploration project.

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Directors 

Administration and production 

2012 

2011

5   

2   

7   

2012 
£ 

5

1

6

2011
£

Directors’ remuneration 

280,880 

205,923

Information regarding the highest paid director is as follows:

Emoluments etc 

4.   EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

2012   
£ 

2011
£

100,000 

81,667

During the 2011 the Group incurred costs of £225,929 in respect of delisting from the PLUS market and achieving 
a listing on AIM. Included in the costs is £170,929 for legal and professional fees, together with £55,000 paid to the 
auditors in their capacity as reporting accountants.

5.   NET FINANCE INCOME

Finance income: 

Deposit account interest 

Other loan interest 

2012 
£ 

1,247 

617 

1,864 

2011
£

4,878

615

5,493

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

6.   LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX

The loss before income tax is stated after charging:

Other operating leases 

Depreciation - owned assets 

Auditors’ remuneration 

Foreign exchange differences 

Auditors’ other services - reporting accountant for AIM application   

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions   

2012 
£ 

41,369 

559 

14,850 

341 

- 

- 

2011
£

21,981

569

11,574

-

55,000

33,482

The depreciation charges shown above include £393 (2011 - £569) which has been capitalised as exploration costs by 

the subsidiary company in accordance with the accounting policy.

7.   INCOME TAX

Analysis of tax expense
No liability to UK corporation tax arose on ordinary activities for the year ended 31 December 2012 nor for the year 

ended 31 December 2011. 

Factors affecting the tax expense
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 income tax  

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

2012 
£ 

2011
£

(741,799) 

(948,092)

in the UK of 24.500% (2011 - 26.500%) 

(181,741) 

(251,244)

Effects of:

Interest capitalised in subsidiary   

Potential deferred taxation on losses for year   

Effect of change of rate of tax   

Expenses disallowed for tax purposes   

Capital allowances in advance of depreciation   

Tax expense 

Tax effects relating to effects of other comprehensive income 

Exchange difference on consolidation 

3,508 

155,372 

22,942 

- 

(81) 

- 

2012

Tax 
£ 

- 

- 

2,710

170,775

-

77,759

-

-

Net
£

(10,742)

(10,742)

Gross 
£ 

(10,742) 

(10,742) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

27

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

7.   INCOME TAX - continued  

Exchange difference on consolidation 

Gross 
£ 

(3,884) 

(3,884) 

2011
Tax   
£ 

- 

- 

Net
£

(3,884)

(3,884)

The Group and Company has estimated excess management charges of £2,257,310 (2011 - £1,529,498) 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 (2011 - nil).

8.   LOSS OF PARENT COMPANY

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the parent company is not presented 

as part of these financial statements.  The parent company’s loss for the financial year was £(727,481) (2011 - £(937,867)). 

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.

Reconciliations are set out below.

2012 
Weighted
average
number 
of 
shares 

Per-share
amount
pence

Earnings 
£ 

Basic EPS

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders  

(741,799) 

214,504,260 

-0.35

Effect of dilutive securities

Options granted 

Diluted EPS

Adjusted earnings 

- 

13,531,184 

-

(741,799) 

228,035,444 

-0.33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

9.   EARNINGS PER SHARE - continued  

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 

10.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Group  

COST

At 1 January 2012 

Additions 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2012 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2012 

Group  

COST

At 1 January 2011 

Additions 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2011 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011 

- 

21,801,507 

-

(948,092) 

227,464,562 

-0.42

Exploration
costs
£

3,204,424

581,838

(113,838)

3,672,424

3,672,424

Exploration
costs
£

855,830

2,369,512

(20,918)

3,204,424

3,204,424

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

10.   INTANGIBLE ASSETS - continued  

29

Exploration
costs
£

2,258,391

380,649

2,639,040

2,639,040

Exploration
costs
£

370,184

1,888,207

2,258,391

2,258,391

Totals
£

6,287

497

(740)

6,044

4,160

559

(491)

4,228

Motor 
vehicles 
£ 

Computer
equipment 
£ 

5,868 

- 

(691) 

5,177 

3,946 

339 

(466) 

3,819 

419 

497 

(49) 

867 

214 

220 

(25) 

409 

1,358 

458 

1,816

Company  

COST

At 1 January 2012 

Additions 

At 31 December 2012 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2012 

Company  

COST

At 1 January 2011 

Additions 

At 31 December 2011 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011 

11.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group  

COST

At 1 January 2012 

Additions 

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2012 

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2012 

Charge for year  

Exchange differences 

At 31 December 2012 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2012 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

11.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - continued  

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 

Company  

COST

Additions 

At 31 December 2012 

DEPRECIATION

Charge for year  

At 31 December 2012 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2012 

12.   INVESTMENTS

Company 

COST

At 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2012 

Motor 
vehicles 
£ 

Computer
equipment 
£ 

6,123 

(255) 

5,868 

3,615 

481 

(150) 

3,946 

437 

(18) 

419 

131 

88 

(5) 

214 

Totals
£

6,560

(273)

6,287

3,746

569

(155)

4,160

1,922 

205 

2,127

Computer
Equipment
£

497

497

166

166

331

Shares in
group
undertakings
£

64,115

64,115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

12.   INVESTMENTS - continued 

Company 

COST

At 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2011 

31

Shares in
group
undertakings
£

64,115

64,115

The group or the company’s investments at the balance sheet 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 

Class of shares: 

Ordinary 

Aggregate capital and reserves 

%
holding

80.00

2012 
£ 

2011
£

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% of the ordinary share capital at par, fully paid by cash.

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

13.   LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS 

Group 

At 1 January 2012 

Exchange movement 

At 31 December 2012 

Group 

At 1 January 2011 

Exchange movement 

At 31 December 2011 

Other loans
£

62,705

(2,556)

60,149

Other loans
£

63,645

(940)

62,705

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

13.   LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS - continued 

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% 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% 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% 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 (2011 - £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 (2011 - £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 £19,120 (2011 - £21,676) 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.

Company 

At 1 January 2012 

New in year 

At 31 December 2012 

Company 

At 1 January 2011 

New in year 

At 31 December 2011 

Loans to
group 
undertakings 
£ 

860,144 

132,166 

992,310 

Loans to
group 
undertakings 
£ 

438,336 

421,808 

860,144 

Other
loans 
£ 

41,029 

- 

Totals
£

901,173

132,166

41,029 

1,033,339

Other
loans 
£ 

41,029 

- 

41,029 

Totals
£

479,365

421,808

901,173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

33

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

13.   LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS - continued

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 (2011 - £16,029) made by Oracle Coalfields PLC to Sindh Koela 
Limited, representing Sindh Koela Limited’s initial 20% shareholding of 200,000 shares of PKR 10 per share.

At the statement of financial position date there is a loan of £25,000 (2011 - £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.

Oracle Coalfields PLC made loans of £132,166 (2011 - £421,808) to Sindh Carbon Energy Limited, its subsidiary 
company during the period and the amount outstanding at the statement of financial position date was £992,310 
(2011 - £860,144). Interest accrues on a daily basis at a rate of 1% over the Bank of England base rate.  The loan is 
unsecured and although it is repayable on demand, it is unlikely to be repaid until the project becomes successful and 
the subsidiary starts to generate revenue.

14.   TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current: 

Other receivables 

VAT 

Prepayments and accrued income 

15.   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash in hand 

Bank deposit account 

Bank accounts 

2012 
£ 

34,339 

5,363 

12,314 

52,016 

2012 
£ 

25 

87,661 

11,906 

99,592 

Group 

2011 
£ 

4,804 

52,845 

33,622 

91,271 

Company

2012 
£ 

2011
£

72,108 

5,363 

11,893 

89,364 

28,257

52,845

33,145

114,247

Group 

Company

2011 
£ 

- 

2012 
£ 

25 

2011
£

-

1,584,780 

87,661 

1,584,780

19,822 

10,000 

10,000

1,604,602 

97,686 

1,594,780

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

16.   NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The minority interest of £16,029 represents 20 per cent 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 216,011,000 (2011 - 214,211,000) 
         Ordinary shares of 0.1p each 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

216,011 

214,211

666,666 Ordinary shares of 0.1p each were allotted as fully paid for cash at a premium of 2.9p per share during the year.
1,133,334 Ordinary shares of 0.1p each were allotted as fully paid for cash at a premium of 1.9p per share during the year.

The number of shares in issue are as follows:

At 1 January 2012 

Issued during the year 

At 31 December 2012 

18.   RESERVES

Group 

2012 
No. 

2011
No.

214,211,000 

184,211,000

1,800,000 

30,000,000

216,011,000 

214,211,000

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Translation 
reserve 
£ 

Share
scheme
reserve 
£ 

Totals
£

At 1 January 2012  

(2,082,889) 

6,029,702 

(8,447) 

63,070 

4,001,436

Deficit for the year  

(741,799) 

Cash share issue 

Cost of share issue 

Exchange translation difference  

- 

- 

- 

- 

40,867 

(151) 

- 

At 31 December 2012  

(2,824,688) 

6,070,418 

- 

- 

- 

(10,742) 

(19,189) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(741,799)

40,867

(151)

(10,742)

63,070 

3,289,611

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

35

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

18.   RESERVES - continued 

Group 

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Translation 
reserve 
£ 

At 1 January 2011  

(1,134,797) 

3,284,291 

(4,563) 

Deficit for the year  

(948,092) 

Cash share issue 

Cost of share issue 

Equity-settled share-
based payment transactions  

Exchange translation difference  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,969,999 

(195,000) 

(29,588) 

- 

At 31 December 2011  

(2,082,889) 

6,029,702 

Share
scheme
reserve 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Totals
£

2,144,931

(948,092)

2,969,999

(195,000)

63,070 

- 

33,482

(3,884)

63,070 

4,001,436

Share
scheme
reserve 
£ 

Totals
£

- 

- 

- 

- 

(3,884) 

(8,447) 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

(2,059,304) 

6,029,702 

63,070 

4,033,468

(727,481) 

- 

- 

- 

40,867 

(151) 

- 

- 

- 

(727,481)

40,867

(151)

Company 

At 1 January 2012 

Deficit for the year 

Cash share issue 

Cost of share issue 

At 31 December 2012 

(2,786,785) 

6,070,418 

63,070 

3,346,703

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) 

Share
scheme
reserve 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Totals
£

2,162,854

(937,867)

2,969,999

(195,000)

63,070 

33,482

At 31 December 2011 

(2,059,304) 

6,029,702 

63,070 

4,033,468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

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 

Group 

2012 
£ 

99,677 

3,817 

218,350 

42,502 

364,346 

2011 
£ 

472,817 

17,121 

18,824 

224,691 

733,453 

Company

2012 
£ 

2011
£

99,677 

3,817 

218,350 

472,817

17,121

18,824

39,317 

            176,265

361,161 

685,027

Non-cancellable 
operating leases 

2012 
£ 

19,200 

- 

19,200 

2012 
£ 

19,200 

- 

19,200 

2011
£

38,400

19,200

57,600

2011
£

38,400

19,200

57,600

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

37

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - 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 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

360,529 

3,817 

364,346 

716,332

17,121

733,453

357,343 

667,906

3,817 

17,121

361,160 

685,027

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, and which represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to 
financial assets.

The Company has made an unsecured loan of £992,310 (2011 - £860,144) 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.

The Company entered in July 2012 into a £2 million Equity Line Facility with Dutchess Opportunity Cayman Fund Ltd 
and made a drawdown of a net amount of £22,542 at year-end through the issue of 1,133,334 new ordinary shares of 
0.1p each at a gross price of 2p per share (Note 17 refers).

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 
2012. All amounts are stated at their carrying value:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

21.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - continued 

Group 
At 31 December 2012 

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 

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 

(364,345) 

(364,345)

(364,345) 

(152,588)

Fair value through 
profit and loss 
£ 

Available 
for sale 
£ 

- 

35,149 

- 

- 

- 

35,149 

Derivatives used 
for hedging 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Amortised 
cost 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Fair value through 
profit and loss 
£ 

Available 
for sale 
£ 

- 

37,705 

- 

- 

- 

37,705 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Derivatives used 
for hedging 
£ 

Amortised 
cost 
£ 

Loans and
receivables
£

99,592

-

-

77,016

-

176,608

Total
£

99.592

35,149

-

77,016

Loans and
receivables
£

1,604,602

-

-

116,271

-

1,720,873

Total
£

1,604,602

37,705

-

116,271

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(733,453) 

(733,453)

(733,453) 

1,025,125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

21.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - continued

39

Loans and
receivables
£

97,686

-

-

1,106,674

-

1,204,360

Total
£

97,686

16,029

-

1,106,674

Loans and
receivables
£

1,594,780

-

-

999,391

-

2,594,171

Total
£

1,594,780

16,029

-

999,391

Fair value through 
profit and loss 
£ 

Available 
for sale 
£ 

- 

16,029 

- 

- 

- 

16,029 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Derivatives used 
for hedging 
£ 

Amortised 
cost 
£ 

Fair value through 
profit and loss 
£ 

Available 
for sale 
£ 

- 

16,029 

- 

- 

- 

16,029 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Derivatives used 
for hedging 
£ 

Amortised 
cost 
£ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(361,160) 

(361,160)

(361,160) 

859,229

(685,027) 

(685,027)

(685,027) 

1,925,173

Company 
At 31 December 2012 

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 

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 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

21.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - continued

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.

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.

Sensitivity Analysis
The Group has carried out a sensitivity analysis that measures the estimated charge to the income statement and equity 
of a 1% difference in market interest rates applicable at 31 December 2012 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% difference in the market rate of the Pakistan Rupee.

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 

410 

(410) 

410   

(410)

Income Statement 

100 bps Increase 
£ 

100 bps Decrease 
£ 

Equity (before tax) 
100 bps Increase  100 bps Decrease
£

£ 

Currency risk

Cash and cash equivalents 

Loans 

Trade receivables 

Trade payables 

Income Statement 

Equity (before tax) 

10% Increase 
£ 

10% Decrease 
£ 

10% Increase 
£ 

10% Decrease
£

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(191)   

(3,515)   

(56)   

319   

(3,443)   

191

3,515

56

(319)

3,443

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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

41

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

22.   RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

During the year, Oracle Coalfields PLC has accrued interest receivable of £14,318 (2011 - £10,225) and £617 (2011 - 
£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)

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 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

314,475 

230,067

- 

- 

- 

314,475 

-

-

33,482

263,549

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.   EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

Following a share placement on 18 January 2013, the Company raised £934,240 (before expenses) from the placement 
of 62,282,707 new ordinary shares at a placing price of 1.5p per share. Share capital of £622,827 (62,282,707 shares 
of 0.1p nominal value each) was subsequently admitted to trading on AIM on 23 January 2013 and the total share 
premium of £311,413 was recorded. 

Other than the above, there has not arisen in the interval between the year end and the date of this report any other 
item, transaction or event of a material nature, likely, in the opinion of the Directors of the Group to effect:
i)     The Group’s operations in future financial periods; or 
ii)    The results of those operations in future periods; or 
iii   The Group’s state of affairs in future financial periods. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

24.   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 (reduction)/addition to shareholders’ funds 

Opening shareholders’ funds 

Closing shareholders’ funds 

Company 

Loss for the financial year 

Proceeds from issue of shares 

Cost of share issue 

Equity-settled share-based transactions 

Net (reduction)/addition to shareholders’ funds 

Opening shareholders’ funds 

Closing shareholders’ funds 

2012 
£ 

2011
£

(741,799) 

(948,092)

42,667 

3,000,000

(151) 

(224,589)

(10,742) 

- 

(3,884)

63,070

(710,025) 

1,886,505

4,215,647 

2,329,142

3,505,622 

4,215,647

2012 
£ 

2011
£

(727,481) 

(937,867)

42,667 

3,000,000

(151) 

(224,589)

- 

63,070

(684,965) 

1,900,614

4,247,679 

2,347,065

3,562,714 

4,247,679

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oracle Coalfields PLC Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

43

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012 - continued

25.   SHARE-BASED PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS

The Company has a share option programme that entitles the holders to purchase shares in the Company 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 (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 

23 July 2012 

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

Number of 
instruments 

Contractual life
of options

8,080,000 

10 years

200,000 

600,000 

250,000 

1,000,000 

666,666 

6 years

5 years

6 years

5 years

3 years

Company 

Outstanding at 1 January 

Expired during the period 

Granted during period 

Outstanding at 31 December 

Exercisable at 31 December 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2012 

5.60p 

5.00p 

4.80p 

5.73p 

5.73p 

Number 
of options 
2012 

22,630,000 

(12,500,000) 

666,666 

10,796,666 

10,796,666 

Weighted
average 

Number
exercise price                of options
2011

2011 

5.00p 

20,780,000

-    

-

9.32p 

1,850,000

5.60p 

   22,630,000 

5.23p 

13,100,000

No share options were exercised during the year (2011 - nil). During the year 12,500,000 options expired unexercised 
(2011 - nil) with a weighted average exercise price of 5p. The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 have an 
exercise price of 5.73p (2011 - 5.6p), and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.70 years (2011 - 3.93 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 a binomial lattice model, with the following inputs:

Fair value at grant date 

Share price 

Exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Option life 

Risk-free interest rate 

Services 
23.07.12 

2.75p 

1p 

4.8p 

43% 

3 years 

3.75% 

Services 
1.08.11 

8.75p 

1p 

10p 

56% 

5 years 

4% 

Services 
18.04.11 

14.11p 

1p 

5p 

67% 

5 years 

4% 

Commission 
14.04.11 

Services
13.02.07 

14.67p 

0.0003p

1p 

10p 

67% 

1p

5p

20%

5 years 

5 years

4% 

5%

The expected volatility was determined by reviewing the actual volatility of the company’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 £nil (2011 - £33,482) for the year in respect of goods and services received, and share placement 
commission of £nil (2011 - £29,588) in respect of equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44

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. 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

Secretary: 

Mr T Everitt

London Office: 

22 Hanover Square
Mayfair
London W1S 1JP

Registered Office:  Richmond House

Broad Street
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4AH

Auditors: 

Price Bailey LLP

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

NOMAD:  

Registrar: 

Brokers:  

Solicitors: 

Bankers:  

Grant Thornton UK LLP
30 Finsbury Square
London 
EC2P 2YU

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

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

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 Group of Companies
Annual Report and Accounts 2012

22 Hanover Square
Mayfair
London W1S 1JP

Tel: +44 (0) 203 102 4805
Fax: +44 (0) 203 102 4601.

www.oraclecoalfields.com