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Whitehaven Coal

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FY2007 Annual Report · Whitehaven Coal
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ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Whitehaven Coal Limited  ABN 68 124 425 396

www.whitehaven.net.au

CONTENTS 

Chairman’s Letter 

Highlights 

Achievements 

Managing Director's Report 

Directors’ Report  

Income Statements 

Statements of Changes in Equity 

Balance Sheets 

Statements of Cash Flows 

Notes to the financial statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor's Report 

ASX Additional Information 

Corporate Directory

1

2

4

6

14

38

39

40

41

42

80

81

83

85

CORPORATE DIRECTORY

Directors
John Conde, Chairman

Keith Ross, Managing Director

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

Company Secretaries
Leigh Whitton

Paul Marshall

Registered and Principal  
Administrative Office
Ground Floor, 895 Ann Street 
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Ph: +61 7 3000 5690 
Fax: +61 7 3000 5699

Australian Business Number 
ABN 68 124 425 396

Stock Exchange Listing
Australian Securities Exchange Ltd 
ASX Code: WHC

Auditor
KPMG 
Level 16, Riparian Plaza 
71 Eagle Street 
Brisbane Qld 4000

Ph: +61 7 3233 3111 
Fax: +61 7 3233 3100

Share Registry
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 
GPO Box 523 
Brisbane QLD 4001

Ph: 1300 850505 
Fax: +61 7 3237 2100

Legal Advisers
McCullough Robertson 
Level 12, Central Plaza Two 
66 Eagle Street 
Brisbane Qld 4000

Country of Incorporation
Australia

Web Address
www.whitehaven.net.au

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CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Dear Whitehaven Shareholder

This has been an important year for Whitehaven Coal Limited 

(“Whitehaven”). In June the company was listed on the Australian 

Securities Exchange and raised $26 million. Substantial progress has 

been made developing the company’s coal projects and mines and 

our team of highly skilled professionals has been expanded to lead 

the company’s continuing development.

Profit

Profit for the year was $24. million. Although coal prices were high, infrastructure constraints limited the tonnages shipped 
and long vessel queues at the port limited coal sales and caused substantial demurrage costs.

Achievements for 2007

Managed saleable coal production for the year increased from .397 million tonnes in FY 2006 to 2.288 million tonnes, a 
rise of 65 percent. Much of the production increase came from the Tarrawonga mine which started production in September 
2006 and from the first full year of production at Werris Creek.

Development applications have been submitted to the Department of Planning for our new projects at Narrabri North, 
Belmont and Sunnyside. 

Exploration continued on the Narrabri South and Bonshaw prospects.

Public Listing

Whitehaven is now a listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange with the issue of 323 million shares. The public 
listing will assist the company to reach its full potential and develop the attractive projects within its portfolio.

Safety

Whitehaven commenced mining in the Gunnedah region in 2000. To the end of June 2007 there had only been one 
recorded lost time injury over this seven year period.

Future Outlook

The market for coal continues to remain strong and most indicators suggest that this demand will continue. With our new 
projects, the company plans to increase production significantly over the next few years and we are involved actively in new 
rail and port infrastructure projects to support our increased production.

On behalf of the Board, I compliment the Managing Director and all Whitehaven staff on a successful year and thank 
shareholders for their support

John C. Conde, AO



Annual Report 2007

HigHLigHtS

•  Net profit after tax of $24.1m on 1.46 Mt of coal sales

•  EbITdA of 39.4m

•  Ipo and listing on the ASx in June 2007

•  Tarrawonga open cut mine commissioned

•   owner operation introduced at canyon and 

Tarrawonga mines with significant cost savings

•   Environmental assessments lodged for the three  

coal projects:

  – Narrabri North

  – belmont

  – Sunnyside 

•   Additional 110 Mt Jorc resources identified at  

Narrabri South

•   Increasing demand for Whitehaven’s low ash, low 

sulphur products.

Key Summary
Lost Time Injuries

Sales (Mt) – Equity 

Revenue (A$m)

EbITdA (A$m)*

Net profit (A$m)

* Adjusted for one off listing & restructure costs

Whitehaven Coal Limited

2

FY 2007
0

1.46

106.2

39.4

24.1

QUEENSLAND

N

ASHFORD
BASIN

Bonshaw

0

50

100

Ashford

Bonshaw Project

KILOMETRES

NEW SOUTH WALES

Moree

R
a
i
l

w
a
y

GUNNEDAH
COALFIELD

Narrabri Project

Narrabri

Tarrawonga Mine

Canyon Mine

Belmont Project

Whitehaven CHPP

Gunnedah

Sunnyside Project

GUNNEDAH
BASIN

Werris Creek Mine

Dunedoo

GLOUCESTER
BASIN

Gloucester

Gulgong

Mudgee

Ulan

Muswellbrook

Bylong

WESTERN
COALFIELD

HUNTER
COALFIELD
Singleton

Rylstone
Kandos

SYDNEY
BASIN

Cessnock

NEWCASTLE
COALFIELD

Lithgow

PACIFIC
OCEAN

Newcastle

Whitehaven Assets

Railway

AUSTRALIA

Sydney

NSW

Campbelltown

Picton

SOUTHERN
COALFIELD

Mossvale

Bomaderry

Wollongong
Port Kembla

NSW

NEW SOUTH WALES COALFIELDS

Goulburn

ACT

AcHievementS

    Saleable production up 65% 

Saleable production (Mt)
Whitehaven Mining precinct

Werris Creek

Total 

00% Basis 

    Coal sales up 48% 

Coal Sales (Mt)
Whitehaven Mining precinct

Werris Creek

Total

00% Basis

FY 2007
997

1,291

2,288

FY 2006
563

824

1,397

Change
+77%

+57%

+65%

FY 2007
1,021

1,361

2,382

FY 2006
731

880

1,611

Change
+40%

+55%

+48%

Whitehaven Coal Limited

4

 
 
Historical Milestones
Established

Mining commenced at Canyon open cut mine  
(Formerly Whitehaven open cut mine)

February 1999

September 2000

Mining commenced at Werris Creek open cut mine

September 2005

Mining commenced at Tarrawonga open cut mine

Whitehaven Coal Limited listed on the ASx

June 2006

June 2007

Future development Targets
Commence construction at Narrabri North

Stage 1 of coal mining to commence at  
Narrabri North

Mining to commence at belmont open cut mine

Mining to commence at Sunnyside open cut mine

Stage 2 of mining to commence at Narrabri North

december 2007

January 2009

July 2008

August 2008

July 2010

5

Annual Report 2007

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

It has been an exciting year for Whitehaven Coal with the increased 

production at both the Tarrawonga and Werris Creek mines, the 

lodgement of development applications for the Narrabri North, 

Sunnyside and Belmont projects and the listing of Whitehaven  

on the ASX.

Whitehaven enjoyed another year without a lost time injury and 

credit must be given to all of our employees.

Profit for the year was $24. million and EBITDA (after adjusting for one-off listing and restructure costs) was $39.4 million. 
Revenue was $06.2 million on equity sales of .46 million tonnes.

Whitehaven has a strong balance sheet and is well positioned with the financial capacity to deliver our program of new 
project development.

OveRvieW

Whitehaven is a leading coal producer in the Gunnedah Basin of New South Wales. The region c ontains much of the 
remaining undeveloped, high quality export coals in NSW and is expected to contribute a large proportion of future growth 
in NSW coal production. 

Whitehaven’s extensive tenements and established infrastructure provide it with a valuable, strategic platform in this 
emerging coal province.

Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited (WCML) was formed in 999 to develop the Canyon (formerly Whitehaven) open cut coal 
mine approximately 30km north of Gunnedah and it has since established a further two open cut operations at Tarrawonga 
and Werris Creek. Whitehaven has been profitable every year since FY200, when it commenced signifi-cant production 
from the Canyon mine.

The company plans to start two more opencut mines (Belmont and Sunnyside) and one large underground project (Narrabri 
North) in FY2008 and FY2009. 

Production Summary

(Thousand tonnes) *

ROM Coal Production

Saleable Coal Production

Coal Sold **

Coal stocks at end of period

*   All figures are on an 00% basis, 
**   Includes purchased coal

FY 2007

FY 2006

% Variance

2677

2288

2382

342

6

387

6

87

66%

65%

48%

293%

Whitehaven Coal Limited

6

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

Whitehaven Mining precinct (WMp) 
•  Canyon open cut (00% owned) 

•  Tarrawonga open cut (70% owned)

•  Belmont project (00% owned)

•  Sunnyside project (00% owned)

•   Tarrawonga underground project  

(00% owned)

•   West Blue Vale and Canyon West prospects 

(00% owned)

Whitehaven CHpp (100% owned)

Narrabri 
•   Narrabri North Project (00% owned)

•   Narrabri South Project (00% owned)

Werris Creek open Cut (40% owned)

bonshaw prospect (66.7% owned)

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Annual Report 2007

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

OPeRAting PeRFORmAnce

Whitehaven mining Precinct

(Thousand tonnes) *

ROM Coal Production 

Saleable Coal Production 

Coal Sold ** 

Coal stocks at end of period 

*   All figures are on an 00% basis,  
**   Includes purchased coal

FY 2007

1,388

997

1,021

286

FY 2006

% Variance

708

563

73

35

96%

77%

40%

77%

The Whitehaven Mining Precinct includes the Canyon and Tarrawonga open cut mines and the Whitehaven Coal Handling 
and Preparation Plant and train load-out facility located north of the town of Gunnedah.

There were no Lost Time Injuries recorded in the Whitehaven Mining Precinct in FY 2007.

Saleable coal production of .0 Mt was 77% above the previous corresponding period.

There has been a large increase in coal stocks and overburden in advance.

canyon mine (100%)

Opencut operation commenced in September 2000, producing approximately 0.6 Mtpa of semi-soft, PCI and export thermal 
coals. Unless further low ratio reserves are identified, production from Canyon will be replaced by coal produced from the 
new Belmont mine.

tarrawonga mine (70% owned)

Opencut operation commenced in June 2006, producing approximately .4 Mtpa of PCI and export thermal coals. Existing 
reserves are sufficient to support a mine life of 8 years.

The mine produces a high percentage of coal which requires no washing and hence is a high margin operation. Also the low 
ash washed product is in increasing demand from steel mills. 

The company is purchasing its own coal mining fleet for the mine which will reduce operating costs.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

8

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

Werris creek mine (40% owned)

(Thousand tonnes) 

ROM Coal Production

Saleable Coal Production

Coal Sold **

Coal stocks at end of period

*   All figures are on an 00% basis, 
**   Includes purchased coal

FY 2007

1,289

1,291

1,361

56

FY 2006

% Variance

903

824

880

52

43%

57%

55%

8%

First coal production from Werris Creek took place in late 2005. It is an opencut mine located 60km south east of Gunnedah. 
Werris Creek can produce at an annualised rate of .5 Mtpa, comprising approximately 0.5 Mtpa of PCI coal and .0 Mtpa 
of thermal coal. The mine produces raw crushed coal products which are loaded onto rail on site using a dedicated rail siding 
and loading facility. The coal is sold primarily to major coal trading groups for blending with other export Hunter Valley 
thermal coals.

There were no Lost Time Injuries recorded at Werris Creek in FY 2007.

Saleable coal production of .29 Mt was 57% above the previous corresponding period.

During the year a new mining contractor, Marshall Mining and Earthmoving, a subsidiary of John Holland, was appointed. 

DeveLOPment PROJectS

narrabri (100% owned)

The Narrabri project is located on an Exploration Licence over an area of 3km2 situated adjacent to the Kamilaroi Highway 
and the main northern railway line between Boggabri and Narrabri.

The Narrabri project comprises two separate developments – Narrabri North and Narrabri South. The coal resources are 
contained within the Hoskissons Seam, which has a thickness of up to 9 metres and a potential working section of up to 4.5 
metres.

narrabri north will produce a low-ash, high-energy and low-sulphur thermal coal. This will be a superior quality product 
destined for export markets. It is intended that mining at Narrabri North will take place in two stages. Stage  will be a 
continuous miner operation producing up to 2.5 Mtpa. Stage 2 will be a longwall operation which is expected to increase 
production to more than 6 Mtpa. The proposed Narrabri North longwall mine has the potential to be one of the most 
productive in Australia due to the thickness and continuity of the coal seam which will allow for panels up to 4km long. 
Because of the exceptional quality of the coal (low ash and high energy) as well as what is expected to be very favourable 

9

Annual Report 2007

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

mining conditions, it is expected that production from Narrabri North will require little or no beneficiation. Hence the capital 
cost of the project should be relatively low and product yield should be relatively high.

The application for a mining lease for Narrabri North was lodged in October 2006 and the Environmental Assessment (EA) 
was lodged in March 2007. Whitehaven expects the mining lease application to be approved in late 2007 with construction 
of surface facilities and underground access commencing shortly thereafter. 

Narrabri North development Timetable

Development Approval expected

Construction to commence 

First coal production

Longwall production

Sunnyside (100% owned)

October 2007

Late 2007

End 2008

200

Sunnyside is an opencut project with production planned to commence in FY2008. Production will be up to .0 Mtpa of 
medium and high ash thermal coal. The coal will be blended with lower ash coal from other mines for sale into export 
markets. Reserves are sufficient to support a mine life of 5 years. A draft EA has undergone an Adequacy Review by the  
NSW Department of Planning and other government agencies with final EA scheduled to be submitted by the end of 
October 2007. It is expected that the EA will be put on Public Display during November 2007.

Belmont (100% owned)

Belmont is an opencut project with production planned to commence in FY2008. Production will be approximately  
. Mtpa of semi-soft, PCI and export thermal coals. Reserves are sufficient to support a mine life of 8 years. An EA has  
been submitted and is expected to be put on Public Display during October 2007.

eXPLORAtiOn PROJectS

narrabri South (100% owned)

The Hoskisson Seam, as at Narrabri North, extends into the Narrabri South project area. Exploration to date has identified 
208 Mt of resources of which 33 Mt is either measured or indicated. A potential working section of around 4 metres 
extends over most of the area.

With further exploration, this deposit may prove to be comparable to Narrabri North. In any case, future development of 
Narrabri South should benefit from the infrastructure that will already be in place at Narrabri North.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

0

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

Bonshaw (66.7% owned)

A hard coking/semi-hard metallurgical coal deposit has been identified of up to 2.0 Mt north of the town of Ashford. 
Exploration drilling and coal quality evaluation is ongoing.

West Blue vale and canyon West prospects (100% owned)

Exploration has identified deposits with 5.4 Mt of similar quality coal and strip ratio to the nearby Canyon mine. These 
deposits have the potential to extend the life of the Canyon operation by a further 5 to 0 years. 

tarrawonga underground project (100% owned)

Exploration over the past two years has identified significant resources of very low ash coal with coking properties in seams 
outside the footprint of the existing Tarrawonga opencut mine. A feasibility study is being carried out.

inFRAStRUctURe

Whitehaven cHPP (100% owned)

The Whitehaven Mining Precinct includes a modern CHPP and train loader at Gunnedah which are 00% owned by 
Whitehaven. ROM Coal from WMP mines is transported over relatively short distances by road-trains via a network of private 
and public roads to the CHPP for processing and loading onto rail for export via Newcastle port. The existing train loading 
loop is being extended to allow the use of 72 wagon trains from early 2008.

Rail

Under an agreement completed with the NSW Government, Whitehaven has by way of a take-or-pay arrangement, 
committed to underwrite 60% of the funding of a major upgrade of the Werris Creek to Narrabri rail infrastructure which 
will increase the capacity of that line to more than 0 million tonnes per annum over the next two years. The first stage is to 
be commissioned in the first quarter of calendar year 2008 and will provide a 70% increase to the current capacity.

Total cost of the upgrade is $50 million and the project will be completed within 2 years. The use of longer trains will greatly 
assist in assembling cargoes at Newcastle in shorter time frames than at present. Additionally, rail freight rates per tonne will 
be reduced by using the longer trains.

Port

Currently Whitehaven Coal is shipped through Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) at Newcastle. As it has with all of the 
coal exporters from the Hunter Valley region, capacity constraints at PWCS have constrained the rate of production from the 
company’s mines.

Whitehaven has an .% interest in the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) which is planning to build a new coal 
terminal at Newcastle. Stage  (30 Mt capacity) is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.



Annual Report 2007

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

SAFetY

In FY 2007 the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate at all Whitehaven operations was zero. From the commencement of the 
Canyon mine in 2000 to the end of June 2007, there have been no lost time injuries in the Whitehaven Mining Precinct 
while Werris Creek has incurred only one lost time injury. 

tHe enviROnment

Responsible management of the environment within which the company operates remains a high priority for Whitehaven 
Coal directors, management, and employees. There is a strong focus on maintaining all of our operations within the very 
strict conditions imposed by the relevant authorities under our Development Consents.

Whitehaven employs two full time environmental officers as part of its commitment to managing the environment.

mAnAgement

Whitehaven has appointed Mr. Rob Stewart as Chief Executive Officer commencing 
October 22, 2007.

Mr. Stewart most recently held the position of Executive Manager Mining at Thiess Pty 
Limited, where he had held a number of senior positions since 997. He has a Bachelor 
of Engineering (hons) – civil engineering from Monash University (972) and a Masters of 
Engineering Science – mining engineering from the University of Melbourne (975).

We are very pleased to have a mining executive the calibre of Rob join the Whitehaven 
management team. This is an important period of growth for the company, requiring 
additional management resources and expertise. In particular, Rob brings to Whitehaven a 
long history of experience in coal mining and project management.

cOAL PRiceS & FOReign eXcHAnge

The current medium term outlook for thermal coal and semi-soft demand and price outcomes remains strong and it is 
expected that this will be reflected in higher US$ prices for Whitehaven’s products in the Japanese Financial Year (“JFY”) 08 
(commencing  April 2008).

At the end of July 2007, Whitehaven implemented a new foreign exchange risk management policy. For FY 2008, the 
company has hedged US$84.3M of US$ denominated sales receipts at an effective exchange rate of A$:00 = US$0.86 
using forward exchange contracts.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

2

MANAgINg dIRECToR'S REpoRT

Strong demand is expected to continue:

• JFY 2008 prices should reflect current high spot prices

• Increased demand for Whitehaven’s low ash, low sulphur products

• Strong end-user interest in the Narrabri project thermal coal

OUtLOOK

•  Productivity will continue at current high levels

•  Coal prices for JFY08 expected to increase in line with current spot prices

• 

• 

• 

 Narrabri North Stage  approval is expected by the end of 2007 with commencement of construction following shortly 
thereafter

 Production from Belmont and Sunnyside projects may not commence until FY 2009 due to approval processing delays

 Rail capacity to Gunnedah to increase by 70% with longer trains commencing in Q CY 2008.

•  Port constraints will limit sales growth

•  Coal stocks to be maintained at high levels

•  Accounting profit for hedge book taken in June 2007

•  Cash effect of current hedge book is favourable vs accounting impact

Outlook Beyond FY2008

•  High productivity of Whitehaven’s operations to be maintained

•  New projects are well advanced in planning process

•  Belmont and Sunnyside are low capital, straight-forward projects

•  Rail capacity expansion is committed and underway

•  Port capacity expansion addressed by NCIG project

•  Narrabri North longwall on-track for commencement in 200

• 

Increased demand expected for Whitehaven’s high quality coals 

I would like to thank the board for their support and all employees of Whitehaven for their efforts.

K.Ross

Managing Director

3

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS' REpoRT

Left (l–r):

John Conde

Keith Ross

Hans Mende

Right (l–r):

Tony Haggarty

Andy plummer

Alex Krueger

Neil Chatfield

1 Directors

The directors present their report together with the financial report of Whitehaven Coal Limited (‘the Company’) and of the 
consolidated entity, being the Company, its subsidiaries, and the consolidated entity’s interest in joint ventures for the year 
ended 30 June 2007 and the auditor’s report thereon.

The directors of the Company at any time during or since the end of the financial year are:

John conde, BSc, Be (electrical) (Hons), mBA (Dist)

Chairman, Independent Non-Executive director, Age 59
Appointed: 3 May 2007

John has over 30 years of broad based commercial experience across a number of industries, including the energy sector. He 
was chairman and managing director of Broadcast Investment Holdings, the owner of a number of media assets including 
Channel 9 South Australia and radio stations 2UE and 4BC, as well as being a former non-executive director of Excel Coal 
Limited. John is currently the chairman of Energy Australia, MBF Australia Limited and Sydney Symphony Limited, President 
of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal and a board member of the Scouts Australia Foundation.

Keith Ross, Be mining (Hons)

Managing director, Age 73
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Keith has over 50 years experience in the coal industry, both operational and managerial, in a number of board and senior 
executive positions. His previous experience has included Managing Director of AMCI (Australia), Executive Director and then 
Managing Director of Oakbridge Limited, General Manager of the minerals division of McIlwraith McEacharn Operations, 
Managing Director/General Manager of the Cook Colliery for Coal Resources of Queensland Limited and a General Manager 
for Bellambi Coal Company Limited. Keith has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) Honours st Class from the Sydney 
University and is a certificated Colliery Manager.

neil chatfield, FcPA, AicD

Independent Non-Executive director, Age 53
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Neil has over 25 years experience in the transport and resources sectors and is currently a director and Chief Financial Officer 
for Toll Holdings Limited, a director of Seek Limited, and Chairman of Virgin Blue Holdings Limited, all ASX-listed companies. 
Neil’s previous roles involved senior finance positions in the coal industry including Chief Financial Officer of Cyprus Australia 
Coal and Oakbridge Limited.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

4

dIRECToRS' REpoRT

tony Haggarty, mcomm

Independent Non-Executive director, Age 49
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Tony has over 30 years experience in the development, management and financing of mining projects. He was a co-founder 
and the Managing Director of Excel Coal Limited from 993 to late-2006. Prior to this he worked for BP Coal and BP Finance 
in Sydney and London, and for Agipcoal as the Managing Director of its Australian subsidiary. He is the non-executive 
Chairman of King Island Scheelite Limited and a non-executive Director of Illawarra Coke Company Pty Ltd.

Alex Krueger, BS (Finance) BS (chemical engineering)

Independent Non-Executive director, Age 33
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Alex is a Managing Director of First Reserve Corporation (“FRC”). He is also a director of Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. Alex 
is a senior member of the FRC investment team and his responsibilities range from deal origination and structuring to due 
diligence, execution and monitoring. He is involved in investment activities in all areas of the worldwide energy industry, with 
particular expertise in the coal sector. Prior to joining FRC, Alex worked in the Energy Group of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette 
in Houston.

Hans mende

Independent Non-Executive director, Age 63
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Hans has been President and Chief Operating Officer of AMCI (USA), since he co-founded the company in 986, and 
remains one of its largest shareholders. Hans is also a director of MMX Mineracao and a director of Quintana Maritime. 
Prior to starting AMCI (USA), Hans was employed by Thyssen consolidated entity of Companies, in various senior executive 
positions within the organisation. He was responsible for the worldwide raw material trading activities of the consolidated 
entity (coal, iron-ore, steel, scrap, fertilisers and turn-key projects) where he developed strong international marketing skills 
and overall management expertise. When he left Thyssen in 986, he was President of their international trading company, 
which had revenues in excess of US$b.

Andy Plummer, BSc mining eng

Independent Non-Executive director, Age 57
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Andy has 35 years experience in the investment banking and mining industries. He was most recently an executive director of 
Excel Coal Limited, responsible for the company’s business development activities. He has worked in the Australian banking 
and finance industry since 985 with Eureka Capital Partners, Resource Finance Corporation and Westpac. Prior to that, he 
was employed in a variety of management and technical positions with ARCO Coal, Utah International and Consolidation 
Coal. He is also a director of King Island Scheelite Ltd, XLX Pty Ltd and Chairman of Ranamok Glass Prize Ltd.

5

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

Former directors

Stephen Bizzell, B.com, cA

Executive director, Age 39
Appointed: 5 March 2007, Resigned: 3 May 2007

Stephen Bizzell is a Chartered Accountant and has worked independently since 994. Work undertaken by Stephen has 
included acting as lead adviser and principal on numerous transactions, providing advice on corporate structuring issues, 
private and public capital raisings, ASX listings, valuations, mergers, acquisitions and divestments and strategic and general 
corporate advice to a large range of clients in a variety of industries. 

Dominic Kazlauskas, Bcom LLB(Hons) mappFin

Executive director, Age 34
Appointed: 5 March 2007, Resigned: 3 May 2007

Dominic Kazlauskas spent seven years as a corporate lawyer involved in capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, venture 
capital and private equity transactions across a broad range of industries. Work performed by Dominic has included acting as 
lead adviser on ASX listings and capital raisings and general corporate advice across a variety of industries.

Paul marshall, LLB, grad Dip Acc & Fin, cA

Executive director, Age 45
Appointed: 5 March 2007, Resigned: 3 May 2007

Paul Marshall is a Chartered Accountant. He has extensive experience in all aspects of company financial reporting, corporate 
regulatory and governance areas, business acquisition and disposal due diligence, capital raisings and company listings and 
company secretarial responsibilities.

2 company secretaries

Leigh Whitton, B.com, mBA, cPA

(Company Secretary)
Appointed: 3 May 2007

Leigh has been with the Whitehaven Group since 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He has over 
20 years experience in the resources industry including senior roles with Jellinbah Resources, Cyprus Australia Coal and 
Oakbridge. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Business Administration and is a Certified Practising 
Accountant.

Paul marshall, LLB, grad Dip Acc & Fin, cA

(Company Secretary)
Appointed: 5 March 2007

Paul Marshall is a Chartered Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a post Graduate Diploma in Accounting 
and Finance. He has more than 20 years in the accountancy profession having worked for the accountancy firm Ernst and 
Young for ten years, and subsequently over ten years spent in commercial roles as Company Secretary and CFO for a number 
of listed and unlisted companies mainly in the resources sector. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

6

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

3 Directors’ interests

The relevant interest of each director in the shares and options issued by the Company, as notified by the directors to the 
Australian Securities Exchange in accordance with S205G() of the Corporations Act 200, at the date of this report is as 
follows:

director

John Conde

Keith Ross

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

ordinary shares

options over 
ordinary shares

250,000

4,235,227

250,000

5,50,000

3,650,000

75,379,833

5,000,000

-

-

-

6 exercisable over a maximum of 22,020,657 ordinary shares (refer to 
details on the Equity Participation and Option Deed in Sections 6., 
6.2, 6.3., 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 of this report)

-

-

6 exercisable over a maximum of 22,020,657 ordinary shares (refer to 
details on the Equity Participation and Option Deed in Sections 6., 
6.2, 6.3., 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 of this report)

4 Directors’ meeting

The number of directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of directors) and number of meetings attended by 
each of the directors of the Company during the financial year are:

director

board Meetings

Audit and Risk Committee 
Meetings*

Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee 
Meetings*

John Conde

Keith Ross

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

Stephen Bizzell

Dominic Kazlauskas

Paul Marshall

A

5

5

5

5

5

3

5

3



3

b

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

3

3

3

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

b

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

A

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

b

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

A – Number of meetings attended 
B – Number of meetings held during the time the director held office during the year

*  

 The Company listed on the ASX in June 2007. Committees were established in relation to the listing on the ASX in particular in relation to the ASX 
Corporate Governance Guidelines. Neither Committee met in the month of June 2007.

7

Annual Report 2007

 
 
 
 
dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

5 corporate governance statement

This statement outlines the main corporate governance practices in place since the ASX listing of the Company, which 
comply with the ASX Corporate Governance Council recommendations, unless otherwise stated.

Scope of responsibility of Board

Responsibility for the Company’s proper corporate governance rests with the Board. The Board’s guiding principle in meeting 
this responsibility is to act honestly, conscientiously and fairly, in accordance with the law, in the interests of the Company’s 
shareholders (with a view to building sustainable value for them) and those of employees and other stakeholders. 

The Board’s broad function is to:

(a)  determine strategy and set financial targets for the Whitehaven Group;

(b)  monitor the implementation and execution of strategy and performance against financial targets; and

(c)  appoint and oversee the performance of executive management and generally to take and fulfil an effective leadership 

role in relation to the consolidated entity.

Power and authority in certain areas is specifically reserved to the Board – consistent with its function as outlined above. 
These areas include:

(a)  composition of the Board itself including the appointment and removal of Directors;

(b)  oversight of the consolidated entity including its control and accountability system;

(c)  appointment and removal of senior management and the Company secretary;

(d)  reviewing and overseeing systems of risk management and internal compliance and control, codes of ethics and conduct, 

and legal and statutory compliance;

(e)  monitoring senior management’s performance and implementation of strategy; and

(f)   approving and monitoring financial and other reporting and the operation of committees.

composition of Board

The Board performs its roles and function, consistent with the above statement of its overall corporate governance 
responsibility, in accordance with the following principles:

(a)  the Board should comprise at least five directors; 

(b)  at least half of the Board should be non-executive directors; and

(c)  the chairman of the Board should be one of the independent non-executive directors.

Board charter and policy

The Board has adopted a charter (which will be kept under review and amended from time to time as the Board may 
consider appropriate) to give formal recognition to the matters outlined above. This charter sets out various other matters 
that are important for effective corporate governance.

These initiatives, together with the other matters provided for in the Board’s charter, are designed to ‘institutionalise’ good 
corporate governance and generally, to build a culture of best practice in the Company’s own internal practices and in its 
dealings with others. 

Audit and risk management committee

The purpose of this committee is to advise on the establishment and maintenance of a framework of internal control and 
appropriate ethical standards for the management of the consolidated entity. Its current members are:

(a)  Neil Chatfield (Chairman);

(b)  John Conde; and

(c)  Tony Haggarty.

The committee performs a variety of functions relevant to risk management and internal and external reporting and reports 
to the Board following each meeting. Meetings are held at least four times each year. A broad agenda is laid down for each 
regular meeting according to an annual cycle. The committee invites the external auditors to attend each of its meetings. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

8

 
dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

Remuneration and nominations committee

The purpose of this committee is to assist the Board and report to it on remuneration and issues relevant to remuneration 
policies and practices including those for senior management and non-executive Directors and make recommendations to 
the Board in relation to the appointment of new Directors (both executive and non-executive) and senior management.

Its current members are:

(a)  John Conde (Chairman);

(b)  Neil Chatfield; and

(c)  Andy Plummer.

Among the functions performed by the committee are the following:

(a)  review and evaluation of market practices and trends on remuneration matters;

(b)  recommendations to the Board in relation to the consolidated entity’s remuneration policies and procedures;

(c)  oversight of the performance of senior management and non-executive Directors;

(d)  recommendations to the Board in relation to the remuneration of senior management and non-executive Directors; 

(e)  development of suitable criteria (as regards skills, qualifications and experience) for Board candidates;

(f)  identification and consideration of possible candidates, and recommendation to the Board accordingly; and

(g)  establishment of procedures, and recommendations to the Chairman, for the proper oversight of the Board and 

management.

Meetings are held at least three times each year.

Best practice commitment 

The Company is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of conduct and has undertaken various 
initiatives, as outlined in this section, that are designed to achieve this objective. The Company’s corporate governance 
charter is intended to ‘institutionalise’ good corporate governance and, generally, to build a culture of best practice both in 
the Company’s own internal practices and in its dealings with others. 

The following are a tangible demonstration of the Company’s corporate governance commitment.

independent professional advice

With the prior approval of the Chairman, which may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, each Director has the right to 
seek independent legal and other professional advice concerning any aspect of the Company’s operations or undertakings in 
order to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as directors. Any costs incurred are borne by the Company.

code of ethics and values 

The Company has developed and adopted a detailed code of ethics and values to guide Directors in the performance of their 
duties.

code of conduct for transactions in securities 

The Company has developed and adopted a formal code to regulate dealings in securities by Directors and senior 
management and their associates. This is designed to ensure fair and transparent trading in accordance with both the law 
and best practice. 

charter

The code of ethics and values and the code of conduct for transactions in securities (referred to above) both form part of  
the Company’s corporate governance charter which has been formally adopted and can be inspected on its website at  
www.whitehaven.net.au.

9

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

5 corporate governance statement (continued)

compliance with ASX corporate governance guidelines and best practice recommendations

The ASX document, ‘Principles of Good Corporate Governance and Best Practice Recommendations’ (Guidelines) applying 
to listed entities was published in March 2003 by the ASX Corporate Governance Council with the aim of enhancing the 
credibility and transparency of Australia’s capital markets.

The Board has assessed the Company’s current practice against the Guidelines and outlines its assessment below:

principle 1 – Lay solid foundations for management and oversight
The role of the Board and delegation to management have been formalised as described above in this section and will 
continue to be refined, in accordance with the Guidelines, in light of practical experience gained in operating as a listed 
company. The Company complies with the Guidelines in this area.

principle 2 – Structure the board to add value
Six of the Board (which comprises 7 Directors in total) are non-executives.

Together the Directors have a broad range of experience, expertise, skills, qualifications and contacts relevant to the business 
of the Company. 

principle 3 – promote ethical and responsible decision making
The Board has adopted a detailed code of ethics and values and a detailed code of conduct for transactions in securities. 
The purpose of these codes is to guide Directors in the performance of their duties and to define the circumstances in which 
both they and management, and their respective associates, are permitted to deal in securities.

The Board will ensure that restrictions on dealings in securities are strictly enforced. Both codes have been designed with a 
view to ensuring the highest ethical and professional standards, as well as compliance with legal obligations, and therefore 
compliance with the Guidelines. 

principle 4 – Safeguard integrity in financial reporting
The audit and risk committee (with its own charter) complies with the Guidelines. All the members of the audit committee 
are financially literate. 

principle 5 – Make timely and balanced disclosure
The Company’s current practice on disclosure is consistent with the Guidelines. Policies and procedures for compliance with 
ASX Listing Rule disclosure requirements are included in the Company’s corporate governance charter.

principle 6 – Respect the rights of shareholders
The Board recognises the importance of this principle and strives to communicate with shareholders both regularly and 
clearly – both by electronic means and using more traditional communication methods. Shareholders are encouraged to 
attend and participate at general meetings. The Company’s auditors always attend the annual general meeting and are 
available to answer shareholders’ questions. The Company’s policies comply with the Guidelines in relation to the rights  
of shareholders. 

principle 7 – Recognise and manage risks
The Board, together with management, has constantly sought to identify, monitor and mitigate risk. Internal controls are 
monitored on a continuous basis and, wherever possible improved. The whole issue of risk management is formalised in 
the Company’s corporate governance charter (which complies with the Guidelines in relation to risk management) and 
will continue to be kept under regular review. Review takes place at both committee level (audit and risk management 
committee), with meetings are least four times each year, and Board level. 

principle 8 – Encourage enhanced performance
The corporate governance charter adopted by the Board requires individual performance review and evaluation to be 
conducted formally on an annual basis. In addition, an external review of the performance of Directors and key executives 
is planned to take place after the completion of previous financial year audit and prior to the convening of the next annual 
general meeting, and this external review process will be repeated on a regular basis (at intervals not exceeding three 
years) to ensure independent professional scrutiny and benchmarking against developing best market practice. The Board 
acknowledges that performance can always be enhanced and will continue to seek and consider ways of further enhancing 
performance both individually and collectively. The Company’s practice complies with the Guidelines in this area. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

20

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

principle 9 – Remunerate fairly and responsibly
The Company’s current practices in this area are reviewed regularly and comply with the Guidelines. Remuneration of 
Directors and executives is fully disclosed in the annual report. The remuneration committee, which advises and reports to 
the Board, is appropriately constituted in that it is comprised of 3 non-executive Directors. 

principle 10 – Recognise the legitimate interests of stakeholders
The Board recognises the importance of this principle (which it believes represents not only sound ethics but also good 
business sense and commercial practice) and continues to develop and implement procedures to ensure compliance 
with legal and other obligations to legitimate stakeholders. The Company and its policies and practices comply with the 
Guidelines in this area.

6 Remuneration report

6.1 Principles of compensation - audited

Remuneration is referred to as compensation throughout this report. 

Key management personnel have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the 
Company and the consolidated entity, including directors of the Company and other executives. Key management personnel 
comprise the directors of the Company and executives for the Company and the consolidated entity including the five most 
highly remunerated S300A executives.

Compensation levels for key management personnel and secretaries of the Company and key management personnel 
of the consolidated entity are competitively set to attract and retain appropriately qualified and experienced directors 
and executives. The remuneration and nominations committee obtains independent advice on the appropriateness of 
compensation packages of both the Company and the consolidated entity given trends in comparative companies both 
locally and internationally and the objectives of the Company’s compensation strategy.

The compensation structures explained below are designed to attract suitably qualified candidates, reward the achievement 
of strategic objectives, and achieve the broader outcome of creation of value for shareholders. The compensation structures 
take into account:

• 

• 

• 

the capability and experience of the key management personnel

the key management personnel’s ability to control performance

the consolidated entity’s performance including: 

-  the consolidated entity’s earnings

-  the growth in share price and delivering constant returns on shareholder wealth

-  the amount of incentives within each key management person's compensation.

Compensation packages include a mix of fixed and variable compensation and short- and long-term performance-based 
incentives. In addition to their salaries, the consolidated entity also provides non-cash benefits to its key management 
personnel.

Fixed compensation
Fixed compensation consists of base compensation (which is calculated on a total cost basis and includes any FBT charges 
related to employee benefits including motor vehicles), as well as employer contributions to superannuation funds.

Compensation levels are reviewed annually by the remuneration and nomination committee through a process that 
considers individual and overall performance of the consolidated entity. In addition, external consultants provide analysis and 
advice to ensure the directors’ and senior executives’ compensation is competitive in the market place. A senior executive’s 
compensation is also reviewed on promotion.

performance linked compensation
Performance linked compensation includes both short-term and long-term incentives and is designed to reward key 
management personnel for meeting or exceeding their financial and personal objectives. The short-term incentive (STI) is an 
‘at risk’ bonus provided in the form of cash, while the long-term incentive (LTI) is provided as options over ordinary shares of 
the Company.

2

Annual Report 2007

 
 
 
dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

6 Remuneration report (continued)

Short-term incentive bonus
Each year, the Managing Director assesses the performance of senior staff and may recommend the payment of a short term 
incentive bonus to the board for approval.

Long-term incentive
Options were issued to two senior managers at the time that the Company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The 
options will vest over a three year period. In addition at the time that the Company listed all permanent employees were 
gifted ,000 shares on the condition that they are not permitted to dispose of the shares until the earlier of 3 years after the 
gift or the time when they cease to be employed by the consolidated entity.

Service contracts
It is the consolidated entity’s policy that service contracts are entered into for with key management personnel. These 
contracts vary in term but are capable of termination by the consolidated entity at short notice should the specified executive 
commit any serious breach of any of the provisions of their agreement or is guilty of any grave misconduct or wilful neglect 
in the discharge of their duties

Keith Ross, Managing Director, has a contract of employment dated 28 February 2005 with the Company. The contract 
specifies the duties and obligations to be fulfilled by the chief executive officer. The contract is for a three year term and 
can be terminated before the expiry by payment of a termination payment equal to the balance of the contract term and a 
further twelve month termination payment.

Leigh Whitton, Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, has a contract of employment dated 6 May 2005 with the 
Company. The contract specifies the duties and obligations to be fulfilled by the Chief Financial Officer. The contract is for 
a three year term and can be terminated before expiry by payment of a termination payment equal to the balance of the 
contract term or one year, whichever is the greater. The contract can also be terminated without notice for gross misconduct.

Non-executive directors 
The constitution of the Company provides that the Directors may be paid, as remuneration for their services as Directors, a 
sum determined from time to time by the Company’s shareholders in general meeting, with that sum to be divided amongst 
the Directors in such manner and proportion as they agree.

The maximum aggregate amount which has been approved by Shareholders for payment to the Directors is $500,000 per 
annum. An amount of approximately $447,000 per annum is to be paid to the Directors for the current year.

Remuneration provided to Executive Directors may be in addition to the sum approved by Shareholders.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

22

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

6.2 Directors’ and executive officers’ remuneration (company and consolidated) - audited

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each director of the Company and each of the 
five named Company executives and relevant consolidated entity executives who receive the highest remuneration and other 
key management personnel are:

Short-term

post-
employment

Share-based 
payments

Salary & 
fees
$

STI cash 
bonus 
(A)
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits
$

Total

Super-
annuation 
benefits
$

options
$

Shares
$

Total
$

proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related
%

Value of 
options as 
proportion of 
remuneration
%

2007
In AUd

directors 
Non-executive directors *

John Conde 

(Chairman) 

(appointed 3/5/07)

2007

30,000

Neil Chatfield 

2007

8,749

(appointed 3/5/07)

Tony Haggarty 

2007

6,350

(appointed 3/5/07)

Alex Krueger 

2007

2,500

(appointed 3/5/07)

Hans Mende 

2007

2,500

(appointed 3/5/07)

Andy Plummer 

2007

4,988

(appointed 3/5/07)

Executive directors

Keith Ross 

2007

338,000

(Managing Director)

Stephen Bizzell 

2007

(appointed  

5 March 2007, 

resigned  

3 May 2007)

Dominic Kazlauskas 

2007

(appointed  

5 March 2007, 

resigned  

3 May 2007)

Paul Marshall 

(appointed  

5 March 2007, 

resigned  

3 May 2007)

2007

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

30,000

2,700

8,749

,689

6,350

-

2,500

,25

2,500

,25

4,988

-

-

-

-

-

27,394

365,394

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

32,700

20,438

6,350

3,625

3,625

4,988

365,394

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

*   Although non-executive directors were appointed 3/5/07, they were paid from /4/07 for services associated with the IPO

23

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

6 Remuneration report (continued)

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each director of the Company and each of the 
five named Company executives and relevant consolidated entity executives who receive the highest remuneration and other 
key management personnel are:

Short-term

post-
employment

Share-based 
payments

Salary & 
fees
$

STI cash 
bonus 
(A)
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits
$

Total

Super-
annuation 
benefits
$

options 
(b)
$

Shares
$

Total
$

proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related
%

Value of 
options as 
proportion of 
remuneration
%

2007
In AUd

Executives 

Leigh Whitton 

2007

2,000

0,000

6,792

237,792

3,650

500

,000

270,942

3.7

0.2

2007

76,658

0,000

4,38

200,796

45,439

2007

-

-

4,388

4,388

47,744

-

-

-

246,235

4.

,000

53,32

-

-

-

2007

60,000

0,000

8,987

88,987

00,000

500

,000

290,487

3.4

0.2

2007

990,745

30,000

81,899

1,102,644

231,472

1,000

3,000

1,338,116

2007

-

-

-

-

-

1,000

3,000

4,000

-

-

-

-

(CFO/Company 

Secretary)

Chris Burgess 
(General 
Manager New 
Projects)

Casper Deiben 
(General 
Manager 
Operations) 
(appointed  
 May 2007)

Tony Galligan 
(Managing 
Director, 
Whitehaven 
Coal 
Infrastructure)

Total 
compensation: 
key 
management 
personnel 
(consolidated)

Total 
compensation: 
key 
management 
personnel 
(company)

Whitehaven Coal Limited

24

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

Equity participation and option deed
The consolidated entity has entered into an Equity Participation and Option Deed (the Deed) with entities related to Directors 
Andy Plummer and Tony Haggarty. In accordance with the Deed, the following shares and options in the Company have 
been issued to these related entities.

Shares
The related entities of Andy Plummer and Tony Haggarty hold 30 million shares in the Company (5 million shares each). 
The 30 million shares were issued at $0.50 per share. These shares comprise Tranche  (5 million shares) and Tranche 2 (5 
million shares). Tranche 2 shares have been escrowed and are subject to the holding requirements set out below. They will 
be released from escrow over a five year period but will be released earlier if the Company’s share price reaches $2.50 or 
the options referred to below lapse. Dividends (net of an allowance for tax) attaching to the escrowed shares will be held in 
escrow accounts and released at the time the shares are released.

In order for Tranche 2 shares to be released from escrow, the related entities of Andy Plummer and Tony Haggarty must each 
hold the following proportions of Tranche  shares:

(a)  Years  and 2 – 00% of Tranche  shares;

(b)  Year 3 – 80% of Tranche  shares; and

(c)  Year 4 and 5 – 50% of Tranche  shares.

If these prescribed numbers of Tranche  Shares are not held on the relevant release date, then some of the Tranche 2 shares 
to be released from escrow on that date will be forfeited on a pro rata basis. For example if for the year 3 release from 
escrow only 50% of the Tranche  shares are held, then the amount of shares released would be equal to 50%/80% with 
the remaining shares that would otherwise have been released on that date (i.e. 30%/80%) to be forfeited.

For accounting purposes, the difference between the consideration received by the Company and the fair value of the issued 
shares of $5,000,000 has been recognised in the profit and loss for the period ended 30 June 2007.

options
The related entities of Andy Plummer and Tony Haggarty have also been granted 6 options each to acquire additional shares 
in the Company. The number of option shares is the percentage (set out in the table below) of a deemed amount of issued 
shares. For the purposes of the Deed, the deemed number of shares is 300 million shares plus any shares issued under 
previous exercised options. 

Each option is exercisable when the share price reaches a certain level (as set out in the table below). All share prices will be 
considered attained when the volume weighted average price of ordinary shares on the ASX measured over 0 consecutive 
trading days reaches the required amount. All options have an exercise price of $. 

The number of option shares will be reduced if the relevant percentage shown in the table below of the Tranche 2 shares 
released from escrow are not held at the time of exercising the option on a pro rata basis. For example if for option 3, only 
50% of the Tranche 2 shares are held, then the number of option shares will be reduced to 50%/80% of the relevant grant 
percentage in the table below.

option no.

grant percentage
(aggregate)

Maximum number of 
potential shares

Share price

percentage of the  
Tranche 2 shares released 
from escrow to be held



2

3

4

5

6

.67%

3.0%

2.4%

2.39%

2.2%

2.2%

2,505,000

4,575,50

3,769,924

3,844,37

3,623,277

3,702,989

22,020,657

$2.50

$3.00

$3.50

$4.00

$4.50

$5.00

00%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

25

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

6 Remuneration report (continued)

The options were granted for nil consideration. The fair value of the options at grant date was 7.2 cents per option share. 
The fair value of these options attributable to the period ended 30 June 2007 of $55,000 has been recognised in the profit 
and loss of the Company.

The fair value of these options have been determined using Black Scholes barrier option techniques, incorporating the 
probability of the performance hurdles being met.

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each director of the Company and each of 
the four named Company executives and relevant consolidated entity executives who receive the highest remuneration and 
other key management personnel are:

Short-term

post-
employment

Share-based 
payments

Salary & 
fees
$

STI cash 
bonus 
(A)
$

Non-
monetary 
benefits
$

Total

Super-
annuation 
benefits
$

options
$

Shares
$

Total
$

proportion of 
remuneration 
performance 
related
%

Value of 
options as 
proportion of 
remuneration
%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

298,260

-

-

-

-

-

-

25,455

4.6

93,859

5.2

3,695

739,269

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

20061
In AUd

directors  
Non-executive directors

Hans Mende

Fritz Kundrun

Michael Quillen

William Macauley

Alex Krueger

Executive directors

Keith Ross (Managing 
Director)

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

-

-

-

-

-

2006

257,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,300

277,000

2,260

Leigh Whitton (CFO)

2006

72,439

0,000

5,83

97,622

7,833

Executives

Chris Burgess (Area 
Manager)

Tony Galligan 
(Managing Director, 
Whitehaven Coal 
Infrastructure)  
(appointed 22 May 
2006)

Total compensation: 
key management 
personnel 
(consolidated)

Total compensation: 
key management 
personnel (company)

2006

56,22

0,000

4,854

80,976

2,883

2006

8,256

-

2,029

20,285

,40

2006

604,317

20,000

51,366

675,883

63,386

2006

-

-

-

-

-

  

In 2006, those listed were directors and senior executives of Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited

Whitehaven Coal Limited

26

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

A.  The short-term incentive bonus is for performance during the 30 June 2006 and 30 June 2005 financial year.

B.  The fair value of services received in return for share options granted to the senior employees is based on the fair value of 

share options granted, measured using a Black Scholes model.

The following factors and assumptions were used in determining the fair value of options on grant date:

grant date

director  
Related Entities

3/5/07

Executives

3/5/07

3/5/07

3/5/07

option life/ 
Expiry date

Fair value per 
option

Exercise  
price

price of 
shares on 
grant date

Expected 
volatility

Risk free 
interest rate

dividend 
yield

0 years

7.2 cents

$.00

$.00

30%

5.88%

0%

30/6/08

0.7 cents

30/6/09

0.7 cents

30/6/0

0.7 cents

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

30%

30%

30%

5.88%

5.88%

5.88%

0%

0%

0%

6.3 equity instruments 

All options refer to options over ordinary shares of Whitehaven Coal Limited.

6.3.1 options over equity instruments granted as compensation – audited 
Details on options over ordinary shares in the Company that were granted to each key management person during the 
reporting period and details on options that were vested during the reporting period are as follows:

Number of 
options granted 
during 2007

Fair value per 
option at grant 
date ($)

grant date

Exercise price 
per option ($)

Expiry date

Number of 
options vested 
during 2007

director related 
entities

Tony Haggarty

Andy Plummer

6

6

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

7.2 cents

7.2 cents

$.00

$.00

none

none

-

-

Investment entities associated with Andy Plummer and Tony Haggarty have been granted options to acquire additional shares 
in the Company, details are set out in section 6.2 for a maximum number of potential shares of 22,020,657 each. 

Executives

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

33,333

33,333

33,334

33,333

33,333

33,334

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

3 May 2007

0.7 cents

0.7 cents

0.7 cents

0.7 cents

0.7 cents

0.7 cents

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 200

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 200

-

-

-

-

-

-

27

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

6 Remuneration report (continued)

No options have been granted since the end of the financial year. The options were provided at no cost to the recipients.

All executive options expire on the earlier of their expiry date or termination of the individual’s employment. The options are 
exercisable over a period of three years from grant date. For options granted in the current year, the earliest exercise date is 2 
June 2008.

Further details, including grant dates and exercise dates regarding options granted to director related entities and executives 
are in note 34 to the financial statements.

6.3.2 Modification of terms of equity-settled share-based payment transactions - audited
No terms of equity-settled share-based payment have been altered or modified by the issuing entity during the  
reporting period. 

6.3.3 Exercise of options granted as compensation - audited
During the reporting period no shares were issued on the exercise of options previously granted as compensation.

6.3.4 Analysis of options and rights over equity instruments granted as compensation – unaudited
Details of vesting profile of the options granted as remuneration to each of the five named Company executives and relevant 
consolidated entity executives and other key management personnel are detailed below. 

Executives

Leigh Whitton

Leigh Whitton

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

Tony Galligan

Tony Galligan

options granted

Number

33,333

33,333

33,334

33,333

33,333

33,334

date

2 June 2007

2 June 2007

2 June 2007

2 June 2007

2 June 2007

2 June 2007

% vested in 
 year

% Forfeited in  
year

Financial years 
in which grant 
vests

Value yet to 
vest $

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2008

2009

200

2008

2009

200

3,060

3,560

3,580

3,060

3,560

3,580

For details of options granted to entities associated with directors refer to section 6.2.

6.3.5 Analysis of movements in options – unaudited
The movement during the reporting period, by value, of options over ordinary shares in the Company held by entities 
associated with each Company director and each of the five named Company executives and relevant consolidated entity 
executives and other key management personnel is detailed below.

granted in year
$

Exercised in year
$

Forfeited in year
$

Total option value in year
$

Value of options

director related entities (a)

Tony Haggarty

Andy Plummer

Executives (b)

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

,590,000

,590,000

3,180,000

0,700

0,700

21,400

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

,590,000

,590,000

3,180,000

0,700

0,700

21,400

(a)   The value of options granted in the year to entities related to directors is based on the fair value of share options 

granted, measured using Black Scholes barrier options techniques, incorporating the probability of the performance 
hurdles being met. The total value of the options granted is included in the table above This amount is allocated to 
remuneration over an estimated 0 year vesting period.

(b)   The value of options granted in the year to executives is the fair value of the options calculated at grant date using 

Black Scholes model. The total value of the options granted is included in the table above. This amount is allocated to 
remuneration over the vesting period (i.e. in years 3 May 2007 to 30 June 200).

Whitehaven Coal Limited

28

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

7 Principal activities

The principal activity of the consolidated entity during the year was the development and operation of open cut coal mines 
in New South Wales. During the year the consolidated entity completed the acquisition of a portfolio of coal assets and 
successfully listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in June 2007. There were no other significant changes in the nature 
of the activities of the consolidated entity during the year.

8 Operating and financial review

8.1 Overview of the consolidated entity

Whitehaven Coal Limited was incorporated on 5 March 2007 and legally acquired Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited and 
its controlled entities on 29 May 2007. In accordance with AASB 3 Business Combinations, this acquisition was determined 
to be a “reverse acquisition”. In a reverse acquisition, the legal acquirer becomes the accounting subsidiary and the legal 
acquiree becomes the accounting parent. As a result of the reverse acquisition, the income statement for the consolidated 
entity for the period ended 30 June 2007 comprises the following material trading results:

•  Whitehaven Coal Limited for the period 29 May 2007 to 30 June 2007;

•  Whitehaven Coal Holdings Pty Ltd for the period 6 April 2007 to 30 June 2007;

•  Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited for the period  July 2006 to 30 June 2007;

•  Betalpha Pty Ltd for the period  July 2006 to 30 June 2007; and

•  Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd for the period 6 April 2007 to 30 June 2007.

8.2 Shareholder returns

Highlights from the year include the following:

•  Net Profit After Tax of $24,095,000 on sales of ,460,000 tonnes of coal

•  EBITDA (adjusted for one off listing and restructure costs) of $39,400,000

•  Successful IPO and listing on the ASX in June 2007

•  Tarrawonga open cut mine successfully commissioned

•  Owner operation implemented at Canyon and Tarrawonga with significant cost savings

•  Environmental Assessments lodged for the Narrabri, Belmont and Sunnyside development projects

•  Additional resources identified at Narrabri South

The operating results are summarised below:

Whitehaven Coal Limited - Consolidated

Revenue

Net profit for the period attributable to members

Earnings per share (cents)

2007
$000

106,201

24,095

8.0

2006
$000

88,957

,697

3.9

Movement
%

9.38%

05.99%

05.3%

The consolidated entity’s operations during the year focused on operating and developing coal mines. There were two 
operating projects during the year with total coal production (on an equity basis) of ,73,000 tonnes compared to 
,069,000 tonnes in the 2006 year. The Company completed a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange with an initial 
public offering of .9 million shares at $ per share. The share price at 30 June 2007 was $2.09.

29

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

8 Operating and financial review (continued)

8.3 investments for future performance

The consolidated entity has interests in three operating mines (Canyon, Tarrawonga opencut and Werris Creek) that produce 
thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and PCI coal. Most of this coal is exported out of Newcastle to major steel mills and 
international power utilities. 

During FY2008 and FY2009, the consolidated entity plans to commence mining at two additional open cut mines (Belmont 
and Sunnyside) within the Whitehaven Mining Precinct and a large underground project at Narrabri North. 

The consolidated entity’s key assets include:

(a)  Whitehaven Mining Precinct (Canyon: 00%, Tarrawonga: 70%, Belmont: 00% and Sunnyside: 00%);

(b)  Werris Creek (40% ); and

(c)  Narrabri (North and South: 00%).

These projects are expected to result in aggregated managed production of approximately ,000,000 tonnes per annum  
by FY20. 

These production forecasts do not include possible additional production from the Narrabri South, Tarrawonga underground, 
Canyon West, West Blue Vale or Bonshaw exploration projects.

Under an agreement completed with the NSW Government, the consolidated entity has committed to underwrite 60% of 
the funding of a major upgrade of the Werris Creek to Narrabri rail infrastructure which will increase the capacity of that line 
to more than 0 million tonnes per annum over the next two years. The first stage is to be commissioned in the first quarter 
of calendar year 2008 and will provide a 70% increase of the current capacity.

8.4 Review of financial condition

Capital structure and treasury policy
Whitehaven Coal Limited completed its Initial Public Offer and listed on the ASX on  June 2007 following strong demand 
from both retail and institutional investors. Under the offer, a total of .9 million shares were offered at $.00 per share.  
At the time of listing the Company had 978 shareholders, with approximately 87% of shares held by directors, management, 
and employees.

At 30 June 2007, the Company had 323,000,000 shares on issue with a total of ,235 shareholders.

Liquidity and funding
The consolidated balance sheet shows the consolidated entity is well positioned for growth and with a portfolio of projects 
that can be used to raise the finance required for their development.

In thousands of AUd

Cash on hand

Interest cover ratio 

Interest bearing liabilities

Net debt

Net assets

Gearing ratio 2

   EBIT to Interest Expense
2   Net Debt to Net Debt plus Equity

FY 2007

21,185

6.5

76,695

55,510

252,455

18%

FY 2006

,756

5.8

25,593

23,837

5,34

32%

Whitehaven Coal Limited

30

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

8.5 Operations

Details of the mine operations of the consolidated entity that operated during the 2006/07 financial year are as follows:

Whitehaven mining Precinct

Thousand Tonnes *

ROM Coal Production

Saleable Coal Production

Coal Sold **

Coal stocks at end of period

*   All figures are on a 00% basis 
**   Includes purchased coal

FY 2007

FY 2006

% Variance

1,388

997

1,021

286

708

563

73

35

96%

77%

40%

77%

The Whitehaven Mining Precinct currently includes the Canyon and Tarrawonga open cut mines and the Whitehaven Coal 
Handling and Preparation Plant and train load-out facility.

There were no Lost Time Injuries recorded in the Whitehaven Mining Precinct in FY2007.

Saleable coal production of 0.997 million tonnes was 77% above the previous corresponding period.

The Tarrawonga mine commenced production in September 2006 and overburden removal has increased to budgeted rates 
by the end of FY 2007. There has been a large increase in coal stocks and overburden in advance.

Werris creek

Thousand Tonnes *

ROM Coal Production

Saleable Coal Production

Coal Sold **

Coal stocks at end of period

*   All figures are on a 00% basis 
**   Includes purchased coal

FY 2007

FY 2006

% Variance

1,289

1,291

1,361

56

903

824

880

52

43%

57%

55%

8%

There were no Lost Time Injuries recorded at Werris Creek in FY2007.

Saleable coal production of .29 million tonnes was 57% above the previous corresponding period.

Strategy and future performance
Coal prices and marketing

The current medium term outlook for thermal coal and semi-soft demand and price outcomes remains strong and it is 
expected that this may be reflected in higher US$ prices for the consolidated entity’s products in Japanese Financial Year 
(“JFY”) 08 (commencing  April 2007).

Outlook

•  Productivity will continue at current high levels.

•  Coal prices for JFY08 expected to increase in line with current spot prices.

•  Production and sales will be limited by port constraints.

•  Production from Belmont and Sunnyside projects may not commence until FY09 due to processing delays in the approval 

process.

•  Rail capacity to Gunnedah to increase by 70% with longer trains commencing in Q CY08.

•  Planning approval for the Narrabri North Coal project expected to allow commencement of construction by the end of 

CY07.

3

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

9 Significant changes in the state of affairs

In the opinion of the directors, there were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the consolidated entity that have 
not been noted in the review of operations that occurred during the financial year.

10 Dividends

There were no dividends paid or declared by the Company to members during, or since the end of, the financial year.

11 events subsequent to reporting date

There has not arisen in the interval between the end of the financial year and the date of this report any item, transaction 
or event of a material and unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the directors of the Company, to affect significantly the 
operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the consolidated entity, in 
future financial years.

12 Likely developments

The consolidated entity will continue with the operation and development of its coal projects. Further information about 
likely developments in the operations of the consolidated entity and the expected results of those operations in future 
financial years has not been included in this report because disclosure of this information would be likely to result in 
unreasonable prejudice to the consolidated entity.

13 Share options

13.1 Options granted to directors and officers of the company

During or since the end of the financial year, the Company granted options for no consideration over unissued ordinary 
shares in the Company to the following of the five most highly remunerated officers of the Company as part of their 
remuneration:

officers

Leigh Whitton

Leigh Whitton

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

Tony Galligan

Tony Galligan

Number of options 
granted

Exercise price

Expiry date

33,333

33,333

33,334

33,333

33,333

33,334

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

$.00

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 200

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 200

In addition there are a total of 2 options exercisable over a maximum of 44,04,34 ordinary shares. Full details of these 
options are set out in section 6.2 of the Director’s report.

These options do not entitle the holder to participate in any share issue of the Company or any other body corporate. 

13.2 Shares issued on exercise of options

During or since the end of the financial year, the Company has not issued any ordinary shares as a result of the exercise of 
options. 

All options were granted during the financial year. No options have been granted since the end of the financial year.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

32

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

13.3 Unissued shares under options

At the date of this report unissued ordinary shares of the Company under option are:

Expiry date

30 June 2008

30 June 2009

30 June 200

Exercise price

Number of shares

$.00

$.00

$.00

66,666

66,666

66,668

All options expire on the earlier of their expiry date or termination of the employee’s employment. For details of options 
issued to entities related to directors refer to section 6 of the Director’s report.

14 indemnification and insurance of officers 

14.1 indemnification

The Company has agreed to indemnify all current and former directors of the Company against all liabilities to another 
person (other than the Company or a related body corporate) that may arise from their position as directors of the Company 
and its controlled entities, except where the liability arises out of conduct involving a lack of good faith. The agreement 
stipulates that the Company will meet the full amount of any such liabilities, including costs and expenses.

14.2 insurance premiums

During the financial year the Company has paid premiums in respect of directors’ and officers’ liability and legal expenses 
insurance contracts. Such insurance contracts insure against certain liability (subject to certain exclusions) persons who are or 
have been directors or officers of the Company or its controlled entities.

The directors have not included details of the nature of the liabilities covered or the amount of the premium paid in respect 
of the directors’ and officers’ liability and legal expenses’ insurance contracts, as such disclosure is prohibited under the terms 
of the contract.

15 environmental regulation

The consolidated entity’s operations are subject to various environmental regulations under both Commonwealth and State 
legislation. The directors are not aware of any significant breaches of environmental regulations.

33

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

16 non-audit services

During the year KPMG, the Company’s auditor, has performed certain other services in addition to their statutory duties.

The board has considered the non-audit services provided during the year by the auditor and in accordance with written 
advice provided by resolution of the audit and risk management committee, is satisfied that the provision of those non-audit 
services during the year by the auditor is compatible with, and did not compromise, the auditor independence requirements 
of the Corporations Act 200 for the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services were subject to the corporate governance procedures adopted by the Company and have been 

reviewed by the audit committee to ensure they do not impact the integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

• 

the non-audit services provided do not undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in 
APES 0 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, as they did not involve reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own 
work, acting in a management or decision making capacity for the Company, acting as an advocate for the Company or 
jointly sharing risks and rewards. 

Details of the amounts paid to the auditor of the Company, KPMG, and its related practices for audit and non-audit services 
provided during the year are set out below. In addition, amounts paid to other auditors for the statutory audit have been 
disclosed:

In AUd

Audit services:

Auditors of the Company (KPMG Australia)

Audits of statutory financial statements 

other auditors

Audit of financial statements

Services other than statutory audit:

Other regulatory audit services – KPMG Australia

Coalsuper Retirement Income Fund contributions audit

LSL Levy contributions audit

other assurance services

Reviews of financial statements to support listing

Accounting advice – KPMG Australia

Due diligence services – KPMG related practice

other services

Taxation services

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

27,333

3,800

22,33

2,00

,550

42,373

29,726

20,58

232,555

518,462

39,600

4,274

43,874

2,675

,975

-

-

-

3,828

36,478

Whitehaven Coal Limited

34

 
 
 
 
dIRECToRS’ REpoRT

17  Lead auditor’s independence declaration

The Lead auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 27 and forms part of the directors’ report for financial year 
ended 30 June 2007.

18  Rounding

The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Class Order 98/00 and dated 0 July 998 and in accordance with that Class 
Order, all financial information presented in Australian dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise 
stated.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

Neil Chatfield 
Director

Dated at Melbourne this 27th day of September 2007

35

Annual Report 2007

AUdIToR'S INdEpENdENCE dECLARATIoN

(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)

Lead auditor’s independence declaration under Section 307C of the Corporations Act 
2001

To: the directors of Whitehaven Coal Limited 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit for the financial year ended 30 
June 2007 there have been: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in 
relation to the audit; and 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

KPMG

Simon Crane 
Partner

Brisbane 

27 September 2007 

27

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International, a Swiss cooperative. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

36

 
Financial Report

Income Statements  
Statements of Changes in Equity 
Balance Sheets 
Statements of Cash Flows 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Directors' Declaration 
Independent Auditor's Report                  
ASX Additional Information 

38
39
40
4
42
80
8
83

37

Annual Report 2007

 
        
      
 
 
    
 
      
   
                 
                
INCoME STATEMENTS
FoR THE YEAR ENdEd 30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

Revenue 

Cost of sales

gross profit

Other income

Selling and distribution expenses

Administrative expenses

Other expenses

(Loss)/profit before financing income

Financial income

Financial expenses

Net financing income

profit/(loss) before tax

Income tax benefit/(expense)

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders  
of the parent

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

Note

Consolidated 
2007

Consolidated
2006
Restated*

Company
2007

7

8

9





12

37

37

06,20

(67,206)

38,995

,40

(28,23)

(6,824)

(5,72)

(10,092)

20,62

(5,26)

5,486

5,394

18,701

24,095

8.0

8.0

88,957

(56,953)

32,004

395

(9,074)

(2,057)

-

11,268

5,07

(907)

4,64

15,432

(3,735)

11,697

3.9

3.9

-

-

-

-

-

(6)

(5,63)

(15,224)

4,073

(6)

4,067

(11,157)

42

(11,115)

* see correction of error – note 40
The income statements are to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 42 to 79

Whitehaven Coal Limited

38

STATEMENTS oF CHANgES IN EqUITY
FoR THE YEAR ENdEd 30 JUNE 2007

Consolidated
In thousands of AUd

Note

Issued capital

Retained earnings

Hedge reserve

Opening balance at  July 2005

3,000

Net gain on derivative instruments 
transferred to profit and loss

Net profit for the period – restated*

40

Total recognised income and 
expense for the period

Dividends paid

27

-

-

-

-

closing balance at 30 June 2006

31,000

20,67

-

,697

11,697

(2,000)

20,314

3,393

(3,393)

-

-

-

-

In thousands of AUd

Note

Issued capital

Retained earnings

Hedge reserve

Opening balance at  July 2006

3,000

Net profit for the period

Total recognised income and 
expense for the period

Share based payments

Shares issued

Share issue costs

closing balance at 30 June 2007

Company 
In thousands of AUd

Opening balance at  July 2006

Net profit for the period

Total recognised income and 
expense for the period

Share based payments

Shares issued

Share issue costs

closing balance at 30 June 2007

-

-

-

62,046

(63)

192,883

34

27

27

20,34

24,095

24,095

5,63

-

-

59,572

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Note

Issued capital

Retained earnings

Hedge reserve

-

-

-

-

322,046

(63)

321,883

-

(,5)

(11,115)

5,63

-

-

4,048

34

27

27

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

55,00

(3,393)

,697

11,697

(2,000)

51,314

Total

5,34

24,095

 24,095

5,63

62,046

(63)

252,455

Total

-

(,5)

(11,115)

5,63

322,046

(63)

325,931

Amounts are net of tax.
* See correction of error – note 40
The statements of changes in equity are to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out  
on pages 42 to 79.

39

Annual Report 2007

bALANCE SHEETS
AS AT 30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Deferred stripping

Current tax receivable

Derivative financial instruments

total current assets

Trade and other receivables

Biological assets

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation

Other intangible assets

Deferred tax assets

Derivative financial instruments

total non-current assets

total assets

Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Employee benefits

Current tax payable

Deferred income

Provisions

total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred income

Provisions

total non-current liabilities

total liabilities

net assets

Equity

Share capital

Retained earnings

total equity

Note

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006
Restated*

3

4

5

22

6

4

7

8

9

20

2

22

6

23

24

25

22

26

24

22

26

27

2,85

4,336

0,768

,425

25

5,202

62,941

2,24

80

37

267,62

,672

920

7,876

8,870

289,281

352,222

6,35

22,294

,380

-

62

708

40,579

54,40

-

262

4,525

59,188

99,767

252,455

92,883

59,572

252,455

,756

8,467

,52

4,707

-

6

26,567

256

80

37

78,0

,880

-

-

86

80,450

107,017

3,020

6,760

,9

988

-

,384

23,271

8,833

,624

-

,975

32,432

55,703

51,314

3,000

20,34

51,314

Company
2007

2,85

,38

-

-

-

-

4,133

-

-

464,750

-

-

-

2,52

-

466,902

471,035

45,04

-

-

-

-

-

145,104

-

-

-

-

-

145,104

325,931

32,883

4,048

325,931

* See correction of error – note 40
The balance sheets are to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 42 to 79.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

40

STATEMENTS oF CASH FLoWS
FoR THE YEAR ENdEd 30 JUNE 2007

Note

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

In thousands of AUd

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash receipts from customers

Cash paid to suppliers and employees

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Interest received

Income taxes (paid)/received

net cash from operating activities

32

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Cash acquired in business combination

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of intangible

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Issuance of loans to related entities

net cash from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of share capital

Transaction costs paid on issue of share capital

Proceeds from the issuance of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Payment of finance lease liabilities

Dividends paid

net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at  July

cash and cash equivalents at 30 June

13

08,668

(0,905)

6,763

(2,489)

2,428

(,739)

4,963

-

7,79

(54,287)

(92)

(604)

(2,54)

(40,318)

4,296

(63)

67,855

(,226)

(3,478)

(2,500)

54,784

9,429

,756

21,185

95,05

(69,00)

26,041

(472)

34

30

-

(,379)

(1,379)

(6)

67

-

26,193

(1,318)

05

-

(3,60)

-

(0)

(5,66)

(36,781)

-

-

20,832

-

(,382)

(9,500)

9,950

(638)

2,394

1,756

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4,296

(63)

-

-

-

-

4,133

2,85

-

2,815

The statements of cashflows are to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements as set out on  
pages 42 to 79.

4

Annual Report 2007

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

1 Reporting entity

Whitehaven Coal Limited (the ‘Company’) is a company domiciled in Australia. The address of the Company’s registered 
office is Ground Floor 895 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006. The consolidated financial report of the Company for the 
financial year ended 30 June 2007 comprises the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the ‘consolidated 
entity’) and the consolidated entity’s interest in jointly controlled operations. Whitehaven Coal Limited was incorporated 
on 5 March 2007 and legally acquired Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited and its controlled entities on 29 May 2007. In 
accordance with AASB 3 Business Combinations, this acquisition was determined to be a “reverse acquisition”. In a reverse 
acquisition, the legal acquirer becomes the accounting subsidiary and the legal acquiree becomes the accounting parent. 
As a result of the reverse acquisition, the income statement for the consolidated entity for the period ended 30 June 2007 
comprises the following material trading results:

•  Whitehaven Coal Limited for the period 29 May 2007 to 30 June 2007;

•  Whitehaven Coal Holdings Pty Ltd for the period 6 April 2007 to 30 June 2007;

•  Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited for the period  July 2006 to 30 June 2007;

•  Betalpha Pty Ltd for the period  July 2006 to 30 June 2007; and

•  Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd for the period 6 April 2007 to 30 June 2007.

The consolidated entity primarily develops and operates coal mines in New South Wales.

As the Company was incorporated on 5 March 2007, the results and cash flows for the Company are for the period from 
incorporation to 30 June 2007. Accordingly, there is no comparative information for the Company.

2 Basis of preparation

a) Statement of compliance

The financial report is a general purpose financial report which has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards (AASBs) (including Australian Accounting Interpretations) adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards Board 
(AASB) and the Corporations Act 200. The consolidated financial report of the consolidated entity also complies with the 
IFRSs and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board. The Company’s financial report does 
not comply with IFRSs as the Company has elected to apply the relief provided to parent entities by AASB 32 Financial 
Instruments: Presentation and Disclosure in respect of certain disclosure requirements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 26 September 2007.

b) Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for derivative financial 
instruments which are measured at fair value. 

c) Functional and presentation currency

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency and 
the functional currency of the majority of the consolidated entity.

The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Class Order 98/00 dated 0 July 998 and in accordance with that Class 
Order, all financial information presented in Australian dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise 
stated.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

42

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

d) Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect 
the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results 
may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected. In 
particular, information about significant areas of estimation uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting 
policies that have the most significant effect on the amount recognised in the financial statements are described in the 
following notes:

•  Note 6 – business combinations

•  Note 6 – valuation of financial instruments

•  Note 22 – utilisation of tax loss

•  Notes 26 and 3 – provisions and contingencies

•  Note 34 – measurement of share-based payments

3 Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial 
statements and have been applied consistently by all subsidiaries in the consolidated entity.

The entity has elected to early adopt the following accounting standards and amendments:

•  AASB 0 Presentation of Financial Statements (October 2006)

•  ED 5 Australian Additions to, and Deletion from, IFRSs

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation. 

a) Basis of consolidation

(i) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the consolidated entity. Control exists when the consolidated entity has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, 
potential voting rights that presently are exercisable are taken into account. The financial statements of subsidiaries are 
included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Investments in subsidiaries are carried at their cost of acquisition in the Company’s financial statements.

(ii) Jointly controlled operations
The interest of the consolidated entity in unincorporated joint ventures are brought to account by recognising in its financial 
statements the assets it controls, the liabilities that it incurs, the expenses it incurs and its share of income that it earns from 
the sale of goods or services by the joint venture.

(iii) Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intragroup balances and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions, are 
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

b) Foreign currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated to Australian dollars at 
the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the 
income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are 
translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. 

43

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

3 Significant accounting policies (continued)

c) Financial instruments

(i) Non derivative financial instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, 
and trade and other payables.

Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value plus, for instruments not at fair value through profit 
or loss, any directly attributable transaction costs, except as described below. Subsequent to initial recognition non-derivative 
financial instruments are measured as described below. 

A financial instrument is recognised if the consolidated entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument. Financial assets are derecognised if the consolidated entity’s contractual rights to the cash flows from the 
financial assets expire or if the consolidated entity transfers the financial asset to another party without retaining control 
or substantially all risks and rewards of the asset. Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted for 
at trade date, i.e., the date that the consolidated entity commits itself to purchase or sell the asset. Financial liabilities are 
derecognised if the consolidated entity’s obligations specified in the contract expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form 
an integral part of the consolidated entity’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for 
the purpose of the statement of cash flows. 

Other non-derivative financial instruments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any 
impairment loss.

(ii)  derivative financial instruments
The consolidated entity uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange risks arising from 
operating activities. In accordance with its treasury policy, the consolidated entity does not hold or issue derivative financial 
instruments for trading purposes. However, derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading 
instruments.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value with attributable transaction costs recognised in the 
income statement when incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivative financial instruments are measured at fair 
value. The gain or loss on re-measurement to fair value is recognised immediately in profit or loss as part of foreign currency 
gains and losses. 

(iii) Share capital
Ordinary shares

Incremental costs directly attributable to issue of ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from 
equity, net of any related income tax benefit.

Dividends

Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which are declared.

d) Property, plant and equipment

(i) Recognition and measurement
Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 

Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. The cost of self-constructed assets 
includes the cost of materials and direct labour, any other costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to a working 
condition for its intended use, and the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are 
located. 

When parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items 
(major components) of property, plant and equipment.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

44

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

(ii) Subsequent costs
The cost of replacing part of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised in the carrying amount of the item if it is 
probable that the future economic benefits embodied within the part will flow to the consolidated entity and its cost can be 
measured reliably. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of property, plant and equipment are recognised in profit or loss as 
incurred.

(iii) depreciation
Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis or units of production over the estimated useful lives 
of each part of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. Mining property and development assets 
are depreciated on a units of production basis over the life of the economically recoverable reserves.

The depreciation rates used in the current and comparative periods are as follows:

•  plant and equipment 

• 

leased plant and equipment 

2 – 20%

 – 4% 

•  mining property and development assets 

units of production 

The residual value, the useful life and the depreciation method applied to an asset are reassessed at least annually.

e) intangible assets

(i) Exploration and evaluation assets
Exploration and evaluation costs, including the costs of acquiring licences, are capitalised as exploration and evaluation assets 
on an area of interest basis. Costs incurred before the consolidated entity has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are 
recognised in the income statement.

Exploration and evaluation assets are only recognised if the rights of the area of interest are current and either:

i. 

the expenditures are expected to be recouped through successful development and exploitation of the area of interest; 
or

ii.  activities in the area of interest have not at the reporting date, reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of 
the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves and active and significant operations in, or in relation to, 
the area of interest are continuing.

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if (i) sufficient data exists to determine technical feasibility and 
commercial viability, and (ii) facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. For 
the purposes of impairment testing, exploration and evaluation assets are allocated to cash-generating units to which the 
exploration activity related. The cash generating unit shall not be larger than the area of interest.

Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are 
demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then 
reclassified from intangible assets to mining property and development assets within property, plant and development.

(ii) Water access rights
The consolidated entity holds water access rights having a perpetual life, which have been determined to have an indefinite 
life. The water access rights have been recognised at cost and will be assessed annually for impairment. 

f) Deferred stripping costs

Expenditure incurred to remove overburden or waste material during the production phase of a mining operation is deferred 
to the extent it gives rise to future economic benefits and charged to operating costs on a units of production basis using the 
estimated average stripping ratio for the area being mined. Changes in estimates of average stripping ratios are accounted 
for prospectively.

For the purposes of assessing impairment, deferred stripping costs are grouped with other assets of the relevant cash 
generating unit.

45

Annual Report 2007

 
 
 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

3 Significant accounting policies (continued)

g) Leased assets

Leases in terms of which the consolidated entity assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified 
as finance leases. Upon initial recognition the leased asset is measured at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value and 
the present value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent to initial recognition, the asset is accounted for in accordance 
with the accounting policy applicable to that asset. 

Other leases are operating leases and the leased assets are not recognised on the consolidated entity’s balance sheet. 

h) inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. 

The cost of mining inventories is determined using a weighted average basis. Cost includes direct material, overburden 
removal, mining, processing, labour, mine rehabilitation costs incurred in the extraction process and other fixed and variable 
overhead costs directly related to mining activities.

i) impairment 

(i) Financial assets
A financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one or more events have had a negative 
effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortised cost is calculated as the difference between its 
carrying amount, and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate. 

Individually significant financial assets are tested for impairment on an individual basis. The remaining financial assets are 
assessed collectively in groups that share similar credit risk characteristics. All impairment losses are recognised in profit or 
loss. 

An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was 
recognised. For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the reversal is recognised in profit or loss. 

(ii) Non-financial assets
The carrying amounts of the consolidated entity’s non-financial assets, other than biological assets, inventories and deferred 
tax assets, are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such 
indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For intangible assets that have indefinite lives or that are not 
yet available for use, recoverable amount is estimated at each reporting date.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its 
recoverable amount. A cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable asset group that generates cash flows that are largely 
independent from other assets and groups. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement, unless an asset 
has previously been revalued, in which case the impairment loss is recognised as a reversal to the extent of that previous 
revaluation with any excess recognised through profit or loss.

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any 
goodwill allocated to cash-generating units (consolidated entity of units) and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the 
other assets in the unit (consolidated entity of units) on a pro rata basis.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

46

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

j) employee benefits

(i) defined contribution superannuation funds
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution superannuation funds are recognised as an expense in the income 
statement as incurred.

(ii) Long-term service benefits
The consolidated entity’s net obligation in respect of long-term service benefits is the amount of future benefit that 
employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. The obligation is calculated using expected 
future increases in wage and salary rates including related on-costs and expected settlement dates, and is discounted 
using the rates attached to the Commonwealth Government bonds at the balance sheet date which have maturity dates 
approximating to the terms of the consolidated entity’s obligations.

(iii) Short-term benefits

Liabilities for employee benefits for wages, salaries, annual leave and sick leave represent present obligations resulting from 
employees’ services provided to reporting date and are calculated at undiscounted amounts based on remuneration wage 
and salary rates that the consolidated entity expects to pay as at reporting date including related on-costs, such as workers 
compensation insurance and payroll tax. Non-accumulating non-monetary benefits, such as medical care, housing, cars and 
free or subsidised goods and services, are expensed based on the net marginal cost to the consolidated entity as the benefits 
are taken by the employees.

A provision is recognised for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or profit-sharing plans if the 
consolidated entity has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by 
the employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

(iv) Share-based payment transactions
The grant date fair value of options granted to employees is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in 
equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The amount recognised is 
adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest, except for those that fail to vest due to market conditions 
not being met.

k) Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the consolidated entity has a present legal or constructive obligation 
as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. 
Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

47

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

3 Significant accounting policies (continued)

(i) Mine closure, rehabilitation, site restoration and dismantling
Provisions are made for the estimated cost of rehabilitation relating to areas disturbed during the mine’s operation up to 
reporting date but not yet rehabilitated. Provision has been made in full for all disturbed areas at the reporting date based on 
current estimates of costs to rehabilitate such areas, discounted to their present value based on expected future cashflows. 
The estimated cost of rehabilitation includes the current cost of re-contouring, topsoiling and revegetation employing 
legislative requirements. Changes in estimates are dealt with on a prospective basis as they arise.

Significant uncertainty exists as to the amount of rehabilitation obligations which will be incurred due to the impact of 
changes in environmental legislation. The amount of the provision relating to rehabilitation of mine infrastructure and 
dismantling obligations is recognised at the commencement of the mining project and/or construction of the assets where a 
legal or constructive obligation exists at that time. The provision is recognised as a non-current liability with a corresponding 
asset included in mining property and development assets.

At each reporting date the rehabilitation liability is re-measured in line with changes in discount rates, and timing or 
amount of the costs to be incurred. Changes in the liability relating to rehabilitation of mine infrastructure and dismantling 
obligations are added to or deducted from the related asset, other than the unwinding of the discount which is recognised 
as a finance cost in the income statement as it occurs.

If the change in the liability results in a decrease in the liability that exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the asset is 
written-down to nil and the excess is recognised immediately in the income statement. If the change in the liability results in 
an addition to the cost of the asset, the recoverability of the new carrying amount is considered. Where there is an indication 
that the new carrying amount is not fully recoverable, an impairment test is performed with the write-down recognised in 
the income statement in the period in which it occurs.

The amount of the provision relating to rehabilitation of environmental disturbance caused by on-going production and 
extraction activities is recognised in the income statement as incurred.

l) Revenue

(i) Coal sold
Revenue from the sale of coal is recognised in the income statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership 
have been transferred to the buyer.

(ii) Rental income
Revenue received before it is earned is recorded as unearned lease income in the balance sheet at its net present value 
determined by discounting the expected notional future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments 
of the time value of money. Rental income is recognised in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the 
lease.

(iii) Hire of plant
The consolidated entity hires plant under operating leases to its subsidiaries and joint ventures. Revenue from the plant hire is 
recognised in the income statement as earned.

m) Lease payments

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 
Lease incentives received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease. 

Minimum lease payments made under finance leases are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction of 
the outstanding liability. The finance expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant 
periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Contingent lease payments are accounted for by revising 
the minimum lease payments over the remaining term of the lease when the lease adjustment is confirmed.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

48

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

n) Finance income and expense

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested, dividend income, changes in the fair value of financial assets 
at fair value through profit or loss and foreign currency gains. Interest income is recognised as it accrues, using the effective 
interest method. Dividend income is recognised on the date that the consolidated entity’s right to receive payment is 
established. 

Finance expenses comprise interest expense on borrowings, unwinding of the discount on provisions, foreign currency losses, 
changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, impairment losses recognised on financial 
assets, and losses on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss. All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or 
loss using the effective interest method. 

o) income tax

Income tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised in the 
income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in 
equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted 
at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised using the balance sheet method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying 
amounts of recognised assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. 
Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of goodwill, the initial 
recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit and differences relating to investments in 
subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided 
is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates 
enacted or substantively enacted by law at the balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to 
the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Additional income taxes that arise from the distribution of dividends are recognised at the same time as the liability to pay 
the related dividend.

(i) Tax consolidation
The Company and its wholly-owned Australian resident entities have formed a tax-consolidated group with effect from 29 
May 2007 and are therefore taxed as a single entity from that date. The head entity within the tax-consolidated group is 
Whitehaven Coal Limited. 

Current tax expense/income, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences of the 
members of the tax-consolidated group are recognised in the separate financial statements of the members of the tax-
consolidated group using the ‘separate taxpayer within a consolidated group’ approach by reference to the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities in the separate financial statements of each entity and the tax values applying under tax consolidation.

Any current tax liabilities (or assets) and deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses of the subsidiaries is assumed by 
the head entity in the tax-consolidated group and are recognised as amounts payable (receivable) to/(from) other entities in 
the tax-consolidated group in conjunction with any tax funding arrangement amounts (refer below). Any difference between 
these amounts is recognised by the Company as an equity contribution or distribution.

The Company recognises deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses of the tax-consolidated group to the extent 
that it is probable that future taxable profits of the tax-consolidated group will be available against which the asset can be 
utilised.

Any subsequent period adjustments to deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses as a result of revised assessments of 
the probability of recoverability is recognised by the head entity only.

49

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

3 Significant accounting policies (continued)

(ii) Nature of tax funding arrangements and tax sharing arrangements
The head entity, in conjunction with other members of the tax-consolidated group, has entered into a tax funding 
arrangement which sets out the funding obligations of members of the tax-consolidated group in respect of tax amounts. 
The tax funding arrangements require payments to/from the head entity equal to the current tax liability/(asset) assumed by 
the head entity and any tax-loss deferred tax asset assumed by the head entity, resulting in the head entity recognising an 
inter-entity receivable/(payable) equal in amount to the tax liability/(asset) assumed. The inter-entity receivables/(payables) are 
at call.

Contributions to fund the current tax liabilities are payable as per the tax funding arrangement and reflect the timing of the 
head entity’s obligation to make payments for tax liabilities to the relevant tax authorities.

The head entity, in conjunction with other members of the tax-consolidated group, has also entered into a tax sharing 
agreement. The tax sharing agreement provides for the determination of the allocation of income tax liabilities between the 
entities should the head entity default on its tax payment obligations. No amounts have been recognised in the financial 
statements in respect of this agreement as payment of any amounts under the tax sharing agreement is considered remote.

p) goods and services tax

Revenue, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except where the amount 
of GST incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. In these circumstances, the GST is recognised as part of the 
cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.

Receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable 
to, the ATO is included as a current asset or liability in the balance sheet.

Cash flows are included in the statement of cash flows on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from 
investing and financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO are classified as operating cash flows.

q) earnings per share

The consolidated entity presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated 
by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to 
ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive 
potential ordinary shares, which comprise convertible notes and share options granted to employees.

r) new standards and interpretations not yet adopted

The following standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been identified as those which may impact the 
entity in the period of initial application. They are available for early adoption at 30 June 2007, but have not been applied in 
preparing this financial report:

•  AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures (August 2005) replaces the presentation requirements of financial instruments 
in AASB 32. AASB 7 is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after  January 2007, and will require 
extensive additional disclosures with respect to the consolidated entity’s financial instruments and share capital.

•  AASB 2005-0 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards (September 2005) makes consequential amendments 
to AASB 32 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation, AASB 0 Presentation of Financial Statements, AASB 
4 Segment Reporting, AASB 7 Leases, AASB 33 Earnings Per Share, AASB 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition 
and Measurement, AASB  First time Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards, 
AASB 4 Insurance Contracts, AASB 023 General Insurance Contracts and AASB 038 Life Insurance Contracts arising 
from the release of AASB 7. AASB 2005-0 is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after  January 
2007 and is expected to only impact disclosures contained within the consolidated financial report.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

50

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

4 Determination of fair values

A number of the consolidated entity’s accounting policies and disclosures require the determination of fair value, for both 
financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values have been determined for measurement and/or disclosure 
purposes based on the following methods. Where applicable, further information about the assumptions made in 
determining fair values is disclosed in the notes specific to that asset or liability

a) Property, plant and equipment

The fair value of property, plant and equipment recognised as a result of a business combination is based on market values. 
The market value of property is the estimated amount for which a property could be exchanged on the date of valuation 
between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had 
each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. The market value of items of plant and equipment is based 
on the quoted market prices for similar items.

b) intangible assets

The fair value of water access rights with indefinite useful lives is based on the outcome of recent transactions for similar 
assets within the same industry, less estimated costs of disposal.

c) trade and other receivables

The fair value of trade and other receivables, excluding construction work in progress, is estimated as the present value of 
future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date.

d) Derivatives

The fair value of foreign currency options is the estimated amount the consolidated entity would pay or receive to terminate 
the derivative at the balance sheet date, taking into account quoted market rates and the current creditworthiness of the 
counterparties.

e) non-derivative financial liabilities

Fair value, which is determined for disclosure purposes, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and 
interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. For finance leases the market rate of 
interest is determined by reference to similar lease agreements.

f) Share-based payment transactions

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted to the directors is based on the fair value of share 
options granted, measured using Black Scholes barrier options techniques, incorporating the probability of the performance 
hurdles being met.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted to the senior employees is based on the fair value of 
share options granted, measured using a Black Scholes model.

Measurement inputs include share price on measurement date, exercise price of the instrument, expected volatility (based 
on weighted average historic volatility adjusted for changes expected due to publicly available information of publicly 
listed companies operating in the same industry with similar operating characteristics), weighted average expected life of 
the instruments (based on historical experience of similar instruments and similar option holder characteristics), expected 
dividends, and the risk-free interest rate (based on government bonds). Service and non-market performance conditions 
attached to the transactions are not taken into account in determining fair value.

5

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

5 Segment reporting

Business and geographical segments

The consolidated entity operates within the coal industry in Australia.

6 Acquisition of subsidiaries

Acquisition of Whitehaven coal Limited and Whitehaven coal Holdings Pty Ltd

Whitehaven Coal Limited was incorporated on 5 March 2007 and legally acquired Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited and 
its controlled entities on 29 May 2007. In accordance with AASB 3 Business Combinations, this acquisition was determined 
to be a “reverse acquisition”. In a reverse acquisition, the legal acquirer becomes the accounting subsidiary and the legal 
acquiree becomes the accounting parent. 

The reverse acquisition had the following effect on the consolidated entity’s assets and liabilities on acquisition date:

In thousands of AUd

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

Goodwill on acquisition

consideration paid, satisfied in issuance of shares*

pre –acquisition 
carrying amounts

Fair value 
adjustments

Recognised values 
on acquisition

9

7,79

17,198

-

-

-

9

7,79

17,198

-

17,198

* Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited issued 5,50,000 notional shares to acquire Whitehaven Coal Limited and Whitehaven Coal Holdings Pty Ltd. 

Pre-acquisition carrying amounts were determined based on applicable AASBs immediately before the acquisition. The values 
of assets and liabilities recognised on acquisition are their estimated fair values. 

Since their acquisition on 29 May 2007, Whitehaven Coal Limited contributed a loss of $4,65,000, net of tax benefit of 
$42,000, to the consolidated entity’s net profit for the year ended 30 June 2007.

Acquisition of narrabri coal Pty Limited

Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited legally acquired Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd on 6 April 2007. The acquisition had the following 
effect on the consolidated entity’s assets and liabilities on acquisition date:

In thousands of AUd

Property, plant and equipment

Trade and other receivables

Deferred tax asset

Trade and other payables

Net identifiable assets and liabilities

Goodwill on acquisition

consideration paid, satisfied in issuance of shares*

Note

9

pre –acquisition 
carrying amounts

Fair value 
adjustments

Recognised values 
on acquisition

0,963

39,90

50,864

03

8

(,400)

(253)

-

352

-

140,253

03

433

(,400)

140,000

-

140,000

* Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited issued 40,000,000 shares to acquire Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd. 

Pre-acquisition carrying amounts were determined based on applicable AASBs immediately before the acquisition. The values 
of assets and liabilities recognised on acquisition are their estimated fair values. 

Since its acquisition on 6 April 2007, Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd contributed a profit of $2,000, net of tax benefit of $250,000, 
to the consolidated entity’s net profit for the year ended 30 June 2007.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

52

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

03,46

2,622

 8

106,201

88,92

  -

  45 

88,957

86

7

-

846

9

1,140

9

5,63

15,172

9,762

,255

75

23

48

5,63

26,426

897

-

4

5,88

3,830

20,612

(,822)

(,768)

(957)

(374)

(205)

(5,126)

15,486

235

6

30

-

4

395

-

-

-

,35

44

87

294

4

-

2,114

34

533

4

,207

3,03

5,071

(238)

(24)

-

(98)

(230)

(907)

4,164

-

-

    -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,63

15,163

-

-

-

-

-

5,63

15,163

67

-

-

4,006

-

4,073

-

-

-

-

(6)

(6)

4,067

In thousands of AUd

7 Revenue

Sale of coal

Hire of plant

Rental income

8 Other income

Gain on sale of scrap materials

Gain on sale of cattle

Gain on sale of non-current assets

Management income from joint venture participant

Sundry income

9 Other expenses

Loss on sale of non-current assets

Share based compensation payments

10 Personnel expenses

Wages and salaries

Superannuation

Other associated personnel expenses

Increase in liability for annual leave

Increase in liability for long-service leave

Share-based compensation payments

11 Finance income and expense

Interest income on bank facilities

Interest income on loans to related entities

Dividend income

Net foreign exchange gain

Gains from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting

Financial income

Interest expense on secured bank loans

Interest expense on finance lease liabilities

Interest expense on unsecured loan from related entity

Unwinding of discounts on provisions

Other interest charges

Financial expenses

net financing income

53

Annual Report 2007

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

12 income tax benefit/(expense)

Current tax expense

Current period

Adjustment for prior periods

deferred tax benefit/(expense)

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Change in unrecognised temporary differences

income tax benefit/(expense)

Numerical reconciliation between tax benefit/(expense) and 
profit before tax

Profit for the period

Total income tax benefit/(expense)

Profit excluding income tax

Income tax using the Company’s domestic tax rate of 30%  
(2006: 30%)

Non-deductible expenses

Recognition of previously unrecognised temporary differences

Tax benefit from joining tax consolidated group

Change in unrecognised temporary differences

Under/(over) provided in prior periods

* See correction of error – note 40

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006
restated*

Company
2007

(799)

-

(799)

9,500

-

19,500

18,701

24,095

8,70

5,394

(,68)

(5,705)

-

25,955

(0)

79

(2,297)

906

(1,391)

(2,344)

-

(2,344)

(3,735)

,697

(3,735)

15,432

(4,630)

346

(348)

-

(9)

906

18,701

(3,735)

-

-

-

42

-

42

42

(,5)

42

(11,157)

3,347

(3,305)

-

-

-

-

42

Whitehaven Coal Limited

54

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

13 cash and cash equivalents

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows 

2,85

,756

2,85

The weighted average interest rate for cash balances at 30 June 2007 is 5.69% (2006: 4.75%)

14 trade and other receivables

Current

Trade receivables

Other trade receivables and prepayments

Receivables due from related parties

Non-current

Other trade receivables and prepayments

6,446

2,640

5,250

14,336

2,24

2,214

7,406

,976

9,085

18,467

256

256

Receivables denominated in currencies other than the functional currency comprise $3,64,000 of trade receivables 
denominated in US dollars (2006: $4,629,000)

15 inventories

Work in progress

Finished goods

inventories at cost 

16 Derivative financial instruments

Current assets

Foreign currency options – receivable 

Non-current assets

Foreign currency options – receivable 

instruments used by the consolidated entity 

0,238

530

10,768

5,202

8,870

377

,44

1,521

6

86

-

20

,98

1,318

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The consolidated entity enters into foreign currency options to sell specified amounts of foreign currencies in the future at 
stipulated exchange rates. The objective of entering into the foreign currency options is to reduce the foreign exchange 
rate related volatility of the consolidated entity’s revenue stream and thereby assist in risk management for the consolidated 
entity. Foreign currency options contracts are entered for future sales undertaken in US dollars.

55

Annual Report 2007

 
 
 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

16 Derivative financial instruments (continued)

The contracts are timed to mature when funds for coal sales are forecast to be received. The details of outstanding foreign 
currency options at balance date are set out below.

In thousands of AUd (except exchange rates)

Sell US dollars

Average Exchange 
Rates

Sell US dollars

Average Exchange 
Rates

Settlement

Less than 6 months

6 months to  year

 year to less than 2 years

2 years to less than 3 years

3 years to less than 4 years

In thousands of AUd

17 Biological assets

Cattle

18 investments

Non-current investments

Investment in unlisted shares – at cost

Investments in subsidiaries

2007

2,8

3,02

4,60

2,930

,330

14,072

2007

0.7677

0.7647

0.7684

0.752

0.752

0.7626

2006

66

50

23

63

-

302

2006

0.754

0.7526

0.7589

0.7562

-

0.7562

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

80

37

-

37

80

37

-

37

-

-

464,750

464,750

Whitehaven Coal Limited

56

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

19 Property, plant and equipment

In thousands of AUd

Note

Freehold land

Consolidated

plant and 
equipment
Restated*

Leased 
plant and 
equipment

Mining 
property and 
development

Capital works 
in progress

Cost

Balance at  July 2005

Acquisitions

Transfer from exploration and 
evaluation assets

20

Transfer from mining property 
and development

Transfers from capital works 
in progress

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2006

Balance at  July 2006

Acquisitions

Acquisition through business 
combinations

Transfer from exploration and 
evaluation assets

Transfer from mining property 
and development

Disposals

6

20

7,22

,8

-

-

-

-

9,023

9,023

6,95

3,246

-

-

-

Balance at 30 June 2007

19,184

depreciation 

Balance at  July 2005

Depreciation charge for the 
year

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2006

Balance at  July 2006

Depreciation charge for the 
year

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2007

Carrying amounts

At  July 2005

At 30 June 2006

At  July 2006

At 30 June 2007

0,048

2,769

-

82

,865

(69)

34,325

34,325

5,949

-

-

3,389

(7)

43,546

(2,904)

(,565)

95

(4,374)

(4,374)

(4,386)

4,596

885

-

-

-

-

5,481

5,48

3,584

-

-

-

-

32,807

6,869

,60

(82)

-

-

40,024

40,024

5,420

47,970

82

(3,389)

-

37,065

190,837

(78)

(7)

-

(1,492)

(,492)

(3,032)

(,806)

(3,70)

-

(4,976)

(4,976)

(4,877)

7

-

-

(8,643)

(4,524)

(9,853)

,865

-

-

-

(,865)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,22

9,023

9,023

19,184

7,43

29,950

29,950

34,903

3,85

3,989

3,989

3,00

35,048

35,048

32,541

180,984

,865

-

-

-

Total

56,528

3,334

,60

-

-

(69)

88,853

88,853

49,868

5,26

82

-

(7)

290,632

(5,49)

(5,446)

95

(10,842)

(0,842)

(2,295)

7

(23,020)

5,037

78,011

78,0

267,612

The Company did not hold property, plant and equipment at 30 June 2007.

*See correction of error – note 40.

57

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

19 Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Leased plant and machinery

The consolidated entity leases mining equipment under a number of finance lease agreements. At 30 June 2007, the 
consolidated entity’s net carrying amount of leased plant and machinery was $32,54,000 (2006: $3,989,000). The 
Company does not hold leased plant and machinery. The leased equipment secures lease obligations.

Security

The assets of the consolidated entity are subject to a fixed and floating charge to secure bank loans.

20 exploration and evaluation 

In thousands of AUd

Balance at  July 2005

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Transfer to mining property and development

Balance at 30 June 2006

Balance at  July 2006

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Transfer to mining property and development

Balance at 30 June 2007

exploration and evaluation assets

Consolidated

The Company

Cost

Impairment losses

Cost

Impairment losses

,770

,270

(,60)

1,880

,880

604

(82)

1,672

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The recoverability of the carrying amounts of exploration and evaluation assets is dependent on the successful development 
and commercial exploitation or sale of the respective area of interest.

21 Other intangible assets 

In thousands of AUd

Water access rights

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

920

-

920

-

-

-

-

-

-

Whitehaven Coal Limited

58

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

22 income tax assets and liabilities

current tax assets and liabilities

The current tax asset for the consolidated entity of $25,000 (2006: $nil) represents the amount of income taxes recoverable 
in respect of current periods and that arise from the payment of tax in excess of the amounts due to the relevant tax 
authority. The current tax liability for the consolidated entity of $nil (2006: $988,000) and for the Company of $nil represent 
the amount of income taxes payable in respect of prior financial periods. 

The Company liability includes the income tax payable by all members for the tax consolidated entity.

Unrecognised deferred tax assets  

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items:  

In thousands of AUd

Deductible temporary differences

Tax losses - revenue

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

20,985

-

20,985

06

-

106

-

-

-

The deductible temporary differences and tax losses do not expire under current tax legislation. Deferred tax assets have not 
been recognised in respect of these items because it is not probable that future taxable profit will be available against which 
the consolidated entity can utilise the benefits there from.

59

Annual Report 2007

 
 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

22 income tax assets and liabilities (continued)

Recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following: 

In thousands of AUd

Consolidated

Property, plant and equipment

Derivatives

Inventories

Deferred stripping

Deferred revenue

Deferred foreign exchange gain 

Mining tenement 

Provisions

Unearned income

Restructure costs

Other items

Tax loss carry-forwards

Tax (assets)/liabilities

Set off of tax

net tax (assets)/liabilities

Company

Investments

Tax (assets)/liabilities

Set off tax

net tax (assets)/liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Net

2007

(6)

 -

-

-

-

-

(8,775)

2006

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(,980)

(,385)

(97)

(66)

(0)

(2,52)

-

(43)

(28)

-

2007

9,232

848

52

3,427

4

,93

892

-

-

-

57

-

2006

3,593

224

7

,243

-

-

2007

9,6

848

52

3,427

4

,93

2006

3,593

224

7

,243

-

-

7,829

(7,883)

7,829

(,980)

(,385)

-

-

-

74

(97)

(66)

47

-

(2,52)

-

(43)

46

-

(23,791)

(1,456)

15,915

13,080

(7,876)

11,624

5,95

(7,876)

(2,52)

-

(2,152)

,456

(5,95)

(,456)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11,624

(7,876)

11,624

-

-

-

(2,52)

-

(2,152)

-

-

-

Whitehaven Coal Limited

60

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

23 trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables

Other payables and accrued expenses

Dividends payable

Payable to controlled entities

Amounts payable to joint venture partner

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

2,383

3,022

-

-

730

16,135

8,207

492

2,500

-

,82

13,020

-

-

-

42,994

-

142,994

24 interest-bearing loans and borrowings

This note provides information about the contractual terms of the consolidated entity’s interest-bearing loans and 
borrowings.

Current liabilities

Current portion of secured bank loans

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

Current portion of unsecured loan from related entity

35

Non-current liabilities

Secured bank loans

Finance lease liabilities

Unsecured loan from related entity

35

Financing facilities

Secured bank loans

Facilities utilised at reporting date

Secured bank loans

Facilities not utilised at reporting date

Secured bank loans

Financing arrangements

bank loans

3,360

6,904

2,030

22,294

3,280

22,007

9,4

54,401

76,695

6,640

16,640

6,640

16,640

-

-

5,575

,85

-

6,760

6,880

,953

-

18,833

25,593

22,455

22,455

22,455

22,455

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The non-current bank loans of the Company are payable on or before 30 June 20. Instalments are payable quarterly, refer 
to note 39 for timing of payments. The loan bears interest at the quarterly “BBSY” rate plus .5% (2006: .0% to .5%).

The bank loans are secured by registered first mortgages over a number of the consolidated entity’s freehold properties, 
certain items of property, plant and equipment, cash deposits, trade receivables and guarantees from related parties. The 
carrying values of the pledged non-current assets are as follows:

6

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

24 interest-bearing loans and borrowings (continued)

In thousands of AUd

Freehold land

Property, plant and equipment

* See correction of error – note 40.

Consolidated
2007

9,84

25,887

235,071

Consolidated
2006
Restated*

9,023

64,999

74,022

Company
2007

-

-

-

Unsecured loan from related entity 

AMCI Investments Pty Ltd, a related entity, made loans totalling $35,82,000 (2006: $nil) to the consolidated entity during 
the year. The consolidated entity pays interest of 5% on the outstanding balance of the loan.

In accordance with the contract, the consolidated entity repays the loan and interest through delivery of coal. Refer to the 
maturity analysis table in note 39 for forecasted deliveries of coal. 

Finance lease facility

At 30 June 2007, the consolidated entity’s lease liabilities are secured by the leased assets of $32,54,000 (2006: 
$3,989,000), as in the event of default, the leased assets revert to the lessor. The Company did not have any lease liabilities 
at 30 June 2007.

Finance lease liabilities

Finance lease liabilities of the consolidated entity are payable as follows:

In thousands of AUd

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

Minimum 
lease 
payments
2007

8,747

25,053

-

Consolidated

Interest
2007

,843

3,046

-

principal
2007

6,904

22,007

-

Minimum 
lease 
payments
2006

,358

2,027

-

33,800

4,889

28,911

3,385

Interest
2006

principal
2006

73

73

-

246

,85

,954

-

3,139

Whitehaven Coal Limited

62

 
 
 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

460

89

83

1,380

,86

2,09

876

477

5,233

708

4,525

5,233

370

4

708

1,119

,670

782

8

96

3,359

,384

,975

3,359

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mine 
rehabilitation

Mine closure

Site restoration

dismantling

Total

,670

236

(7)

26

1,861

782

,5

-

22

2,019

8

46

(44)

63

876

96

38

-

63

477

3,359

,75

(25)

374

5,233

In thousands of AUd

25 employee benefits

Current

Salaries and wages accrued

Liability for long service leave

Liability for annual leave

26 Provisions

Mine rehabilitation

Mine closure

Site restoration

Dismantling

Current

Non-current

In thousands of AUd

Consolidated

Balance at  July 2006

Provisions made during the period

Provisions used during the period

Unwind of discount

Balance at 30 June 2007

Provision for the rehabilitation of mine sites is made in accordance with note 3(k). Provision is made for separate categories 
of rehabilitation and reported separately. Additional provisions for rehabilitation were recorded during the year in line with a 
new mine being developed and commencing production.

63

Annual Report 2007

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd (except for shares)

27 Share capital

a) Share capital

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

Authorised, issued and fully paid up ordinary shares  
323,000,000 (2006: 31,000,000)

192,883

31,000

321,883

b) movements in shares on issue

Ordinary shares

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

Beginning of the financial year

Issued for cash

Acquisition of Narrabri Coal 
Pty Ltd

Acquisition of Whitehaven 
Coal Mining Ltd

Acquisition of Whitehaven 
Coal Holdings Pty Ltd

Share split

Issued to settle contract

Issued to employees

Costs of shares issued

Nos of shares
000’s

3,000

5,43

$000’s

3,000

4,296

40,000

40,000

-

-

30,000

5,000

4,000

2,750

07

-

-

2,750

-

(63)

Nos of shares
000’s

3,000

$000’s

3,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Nos of shares
000’s

-

5,43

-

$000’s

-

4,296

-

47,000

47,000

68,000

68,000

-

2,750

07

-

-

2,750

-

(63)

323,000

192,883

31,000

31,000

323,000

321,883

c) terms and conditions of issued capital

Effective  July 998, the Company Law Review Act abolished the concept of par value shares and the concept of authorised 
capital. Accordingly the Company does not have authorised capital or par value in respect of its issued shares. Ordinary 
shareholders have the right to receive dividends as declared and, in the event of winding up of the Company, to participate 
in the proceeds from the sale of all surplus assets in proportion to the number of and amounts paid up on share held. 
Ordinary shares entitle their holder to one vote, either in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the Company.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

64

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

d) Dividends

Dividends recognised in the prior year are:

2006

Final 2005 ordinary – tranche 

Final 2005 ordinary – tranche 2

total amount

dollars per share

Total amount

Franked/ 
unfranked

date of payment

7.2

.88

9.00

9,500,000

2,500,000

12,000,000

Unfranked

 October 2005

Unfranked

9 January 2007

No dividends were declared during the 2007 year. 

After the balance sheet date no dividends were proposed by the directors.

In thousands of AUd
dividend franking account 

30 per cent franking credits available to shareholders of Whitehaven Coal Limited for 
subsequent financial years

The Company

2007

2,993

2006

,254

The above available amounts are based on the balance of the dividend franking account at year-end adjusted for:

(a)  franking credits that will arise from the payment of the current tax liabilities;

(b)  franking debits that will arise from the payment of dividends recognised as a liability at the year end;

(c)   franking credits that will arise from the receipt of dividends recognised as receivables by the tax consolidated entity at the 

year-end; and

(d)  franking credits that the entity may be prevented from distributing in subsequent years.

The ability to utilise the franking credits is dependent upon there being sufficient available profits to declare dividends. In 
accordance with the tax consolidation legislation, the Company as the head entity in the tax-consolidated consolidated entity 
has also assumed the benefit of $nil (2006: $nil) franking credits.

65

Annual Report 2007

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

28 Operating leases

Leases as lessee

Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as follows:

In thousands of AUd

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

65

276

-

441

8

2

-

93

-

-

-

-

The consolidated entity leases office equipment and office space under operating leases. The leases typically run for three to 
five years with an option to renew on the office space. None of the leases includes contingent rentals. During the year rental 
expense of $99,000 (2006: $36,000) was recorded under these contracts in the income statement.

Leases as lessor

The consolidated entity leases out land it will use for future mining operations under operating leases. All lease payments 
have been received upfront under these contracts and have been recorded as deferred income on the balance sheet. 

At 30 June 2007 $3,247,000 (2006: $nil) of land was leased under these operating leases.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

66

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

29 capital expenditure commitments

plant and equipment

Contracted but not provided for and payable:

Within one year

One year or later and no later than five years

Later than five years

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

96

-

-

196

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

30 exploration expenditure commitments

In order to maintain current rights of tenure to exploration tenements, the consolidated entity is required to perform 
minimum exploration work to meet the minimum expenditure requirements specified by various State governments. These 
obligations are subject to renegotiation when application for a mining lease is made and at other times. These obligations 
are not provided for in the financial report and are payable:

In thousands of AUd

Within one year

One year or later and no later than five years

Later than five years

31 contingencies

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

809

,882

-

2,691

,00

2,487

204

3,692

-

-

-

-

The directors are of the opinion that provisions are not required in respect of these matters, as it is not probable that a future 
sacrifice of economic benefits will be required or the amount is not capable of reliable measurement.

In thousands of AUd

Contingent liabilities considered remote

Guarantees

(i)  The consolidated entity provided bank guarantees to the 
Department of Mineral Resources NSW as a condition of 
continuation of mining and exploration licenses.

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

0,736

9,52

-

67

Annual Report 2007

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

In thousands of AUd

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

32 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities

9

0

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the period

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation

Foreign exchange gains unrealised

Unwinding of discounts on provisions

Interest on finance leases

Share based compensation payments

Loss/(gain) on sale of non-current assets

operating profit before changes in working capital 
and provisions

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other payables

Change in unearned revenue

Change in provisions and employee benefits

Change in tax payable

Change in deferred taxes

cash flows from operating activities

33 Subsequent events

24,095

,697

(,5)

2,295

(8,205)

374

,768

5,63

9

35,499

,466

(5,963)

3,278

86

,038

(,03)

(9,428)

4,963

5,446

(634)

98

24

-

(30)

16,918

5,208

(2,25)

942

-

5,86

30

(83)

26,193

-

(4,006)

-

-

5,63

-

42

(,38)

-

-

-

-

-

(42)

(1,318)

There has not arisen in the interval between the end of the financial year and date of this report any item, transaction or 
event of a material and unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the directors, to affect significantly the operations of the 
consolidated entity, the result of those operations, or the state of the consolidated entity in future financial years.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

68

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

34 Share-based payments

Option issuances

The Company issued share options to two senior employees and entities related to two directors at the time of listing the 
Company on the ASX. The terms and conditions of the grants are as follows. 

Option grant to director related entities on 3 May 2007

option

Option 

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Option 6

grant percentage  Vesting conditions

percentage of 
Tranche 2 shares 
released from 
escrow to be held

.67

3.00

2.40

2.39

2.20

2.20

$2.50/share

$3.00/share

$3.50/share

$4.00/share

$4.50/share

$5.00/share

00

90

80

70

60

50

Maximum 
potential shares 
each

2,505,000

4,575,50

3,769,924

3,844,37

3,623,277

3,702,989

22,020,657

The related entities of two directors have been granted six options each to acquire additional shares in the Company. The 
number of potential shares under the options is the percentage (set out in the table above) of a deemed amount of issued 
shares. For the purposes of the agreement, the deemed number of shares is 300 million shares plus any shares issued under 
previous exercised options. 

Each option is exercisable when the share price reaches a certain level (as set out in the table above). All share prices will 
be considered attained when volume weighted average price of ordinary shares on the ASX measured over ten consecutive 
trading days reaches the required amount. All options have an exercise price of $. 

The maximum number of potential shares will be reduced if the relevant percentage shown in the table above of the Tranche 
2 shares released from escrow are not held at the time of exercising the option on a pro rata basis. Refer below for further 
discussion the Tranche 2 shares.

The options have no expiry date.

Option grant to senior employees on 3 May 2007

option

- Tranche 

- Tranche 2

- Tranche 3

Outstanding at beginning of period

Granted during the period

outstanding at 30 June

exercisable at 30 June

Number of 
instruments

66,666

66,666

66,668

200,000

Vesting conditions

Expiration date

st anniversary after listing

30 June 2008

2nd anniversary after listing

30 June 2009

3rd anniversary after listing

30 June 200

Weighted average 
exercise price
2007

Number of options
2007

-

.00

1.00

-

-

22,220,657

22,220,657

-

The senior employee options outstanding at 30 June 2007 have an exercise price of $ and a weighted average contractual 
life of 2 years.

69

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

34 Share-based payments (continued)

The fair value of options granted to entities associated with the directors is measured using Black Scholes barrier options 
techniques, incorporating the probability of the performance hurdles being met, with the following inputs.

The fair value of options granted to the senior employees is measured using a Black Scholes model, with the following 
inputs.

director related 
entities
2007

director related 
entities
2006

Senior employees
2007

Senior employees
2006

7.2 cents

$1

$

30%

0 years

0%

5.88%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.7 cents

$1

$

30%

3 years

0%

5.88%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Fair value of share options and 
assumptions

Fair value at grant date

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility (weighted average volatility)

Option life (expected weighted average life)

Expected dividends

Risk-free interest rate (based on government 
bonds)

Share issuances

Shares issued to directors
The Company issued 30,000,000 shares to entities related to two directors for $0.50 per share in conjunction with listing 
on the ASX. The fair value of shares issued is measured using a Black Scholes model. This amounted to 30,000,000 shares 
issued at the $ per share listing price.

Investment entities associated with two directors hold 30 million shares. These shares comprise Tranche  (5 million shares) 
and Tranche 2 (5 million shares). Tranche  shares were issued on receipt of the initial subscription amount.. Tranche 2 will 
be escrowed and subject to satisfying the holding requirements set out below, will be released from escrow over a five year 
period but will be released earlier if the share price reaches $2.50 or the director related entities’ options referred to above 
lapse. Dividends (net of an allowance for tax) attaching to the escrowed shares will be held in escrow accounts and released 
at the time the shares are released.

In order for Tranche 2 shares to be released from escrow, the investment entities must each hold the following proportions of 
Tranche  shares:

(a)  Years  and 2 – 00% of Tranche  shares;

(b)  Year 3 – 80% of Tranche  shares; and

(c)  Year 4 and 5 – 50% of Tranche  shares.

If these prescribed numbers of Tranche  shares are not held on the relevant release date, then the Tranche 2 shares to be 
released from escrow on that date will be forfeited on a pro rata basis. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

70

 
 
 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

Shares issued to employees

The Company issued ,000 shares to each employee in the consolidated entity for no consideration upon listing on the ASX. 
The fair value of services received in return for shares issued is based on the fair value of the shares issued measured using a 
Black Scholes model. This amounted to 07,000 shares issued at the $ per share listing price.

The following inputs were used to value these shares:

director related 
entities
2007

director related 
entities
2006

Employees
2007

Employees
2006

Fair value of share options and assumptions

Fair value at grant date

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility (weighted average volatility)

Option life (expected weighted average life)

Expected dividends

Risk-free interest rate (based on government 
bonds)

$

$1

$

30%

-

-

5.88%

Employee Expenses
In AUd

Share options granted in 2007 – director related entities

Share options granted in 2007 – senior employees

Shares granted in 2007 – director related entities

Shares granted in 2007 – employees

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$1

$

30%

-

-

5.88%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Consolidated
2007

55,000

,000

Company
2007

55,000

,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

07,000

07,000

15,163,000

15,163,000

7

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

35 Related parties

The following were key management personnel of the consolidated entity at any time during the reporting period and unless 
otherwise indicated were key management personnel for the entire period:

Non-executive directors
Name

position

John Conde 

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

Executive director

Keith Ross

Executives

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

Chris Burgess

Casper Dieben

Chairman (appointed 3 May 2007)

Director (appointed 3 May 2007)

Director (appointed 3 May 2007)

Director (appointed 3 May 2007)

Director (appointed 3 May 2007)

Director (appointed 3 May 2007)

Managing Director 

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Managing Director Whitehaven Coal Infrastructure Pty Ltd

General Manager New Projects

General Manager Operations (appointed  May 2007)

Key management personnel compensation 

The key management personnel compensation included in ‘personnel expenses’ (see note 0) is as follows:

In thousands of AUd

Wages and salaries

Other associated personnel expenses

Increase in liability for annual leave

Increase in liability for long service leave

Share-based compensation payments

Consolidated
2007

,252,27

8,325

84,228

30,262

5,059,000

16,607,032

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

729,77

64,7

24,469

-

-

818,357

-

-

-

-

5,059,000

15,059,000

individual directors and executives compensation disclosures

Information regarding individual directors and executives compensation and some equity instruments disclosures as 
permitted by Corporations Regulations 2M.3.03 and 2M.6.04 are provided in the Remuneration Report in the Directors’ 
report in sections 6., 6.2, 6.3., 6.3.2 and 6.3.3.

Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no director has entered into a material contract with the Company or the 
consolidated entity since the end of the previous financial year and there were no material contracts involving directors’ 
interests existing at year-end.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

72

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

Loans from key management personnel and their related parties

Details regarding loans outstanding at the reporting date to key management personnel and their related parties, at any time 
in the reporting period, are as follows:

AMCI Investments Pty Ltd, an entity jointly controlled by Hans Mende, made loans totalling $35,82,000 (2006: $nil) to 
the consolidated entity during the year. The balance outstanding at 30 June 2007 is $2,030,000 in current liabilities and 
$9,4,000 in non-current liabilities on the balance sheet.

The consolidated entity pays interest of 5% on the outstanding balance of the loan, recognising interest expense of 
$957,000 during the year ended 30 June 2007.

In accordance with the contract, the consolidated entity repays the loan and interest through delivery of coal.

Other key management personnel transactions

A number of key management persons, or their related parties, hold positions in other entities that result in them having 
control or significant influence over the financial or operating policies of those entities.

These entities transacted with the Company or its subsidiaries in the reporting period. The terms and conditions of the 
transactions with management persons and their related parties were no more favourable than those available, or which 
might reasonably be expected to be available, on similar transactions to non-director related entities on an arm’s length basis.

The aggregate amounts recognised during the year relating to key management personnel and their related parties were as 
follows: 

In AUd
Key management person and 
their related parties

other related parties

Hans Mende – AMCI 
International AG

Hans Mende – AMCI 
Investments Pty Ltd

Keith Ross – LD Operations 
Pty Ltd

Namoi Agricultural and 
Mining Pty Ltd

Transaction

Note

2007

2006

2007

2006

Transactions value  
year ended 30 June

balance outstanding  
as at 30 June

Marketing fees

(i)

373,000

393,000

,567,500

9,000

Foreign exchange derivatives

(ii)

8,70,000

-

8,70,000

Mining consultant services

Royalty payments

(iii)

(iv)

375,000

32,000

8,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

(i) 

 The consolidated entity uses the marketing services of AMCI International AG, a company jointly controlled by Hans 
Mende, under a contract renewable annually. In conjunction with the Company’s listing on the ASX, the Company issued 
AMCI International AG $,567,500 in shares to prepay the marketing contract, which was determined to be the fair 
value of the remaining services to be provided under the contract. Contract terms are based on market rates for these 
types of services.

(ii)   The consolidated entity entered into foreign currency options with AMCI Investments Pty Ltd, a company jointly 

controlled by Hans Mende. The foreign currency options were entered to economically hedge certain sales and mature 
over a four-year period. The consolidated entity recorded current derivative receivables of $,874,000 and non-current 
derivative receivables of $6,836,000 on the balance sheet at 30 June 2007, and foreign currency gains of $8,70,000 
were recognised under the options during the year ended 30 June 2007. 

(iii)   LD Operations Pty Ltd is a mine development company providing consulting, management and operating services to 
a number of coal companies in NSW and Queensland. Keith Ross and Hans Mende (directors of the Company) are 
shareholders of LDO. LDO is providing consulting and management services to Whitehaven at its Narrabri project and has 
provided statutory management services at Tarrawonga opencut mine.

(iv)   Keith Ross, Michael Quillen and Chris Burgess are shareholders of Namoi Agriculture and Mining Pty Ltd ACN 09 750 

370 (NAM). This company has entered into an arrangement with Whitehaven for the sale of gravel by NAM from the 
Canyon mine site. NAM pays a royalty to Whitehaven of 20 cents per cubic metre of gravel sold.

73

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

35 Related parties (continued)

Assets and liabilities arising from the above transactions 

Amounts receivable from and payable to key management 
personnel and other related parties at reporting date arising from 
these transactions were as follows:

Derivative financial instruments

Prepayment

Current receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Prepayments

Non-current receivables

total assets

Current interest bearing liability/current liabilities 

Non-current interest bearing liability/non-current liabilities

total interest bearing liabilities/total liabilities

Options and rights over equity instruments

Consolidated
2007

Company
2007

Consolidated
2006

,874,000

309,500

2,183,500

6,836,000

,258,000

8,094,000

10,277,500

2,030,000

9,4,000

31,144,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The movement during the reporting period in the number of options over ordinary shares in the Company held, directly, 
indirectly or beneficially, by each key management person, including their related parties, is as follows:

directors

Tony Haggarty

Andy Plummer

Executives

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

Held at
1 July 2006

granted as 
compensation

Exercised

Held at 30 June 
2007

Vested during 
the year

Vested and 
exercisable at 30 
June 2007

-

-

-

-

22,020,657

22,020,657

00,000

00,000

-

-

-

-

22,020,657

22,020,657

00,000

00,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No options existed during the 2006 financial year. No options held by key management personnel are vested but not 
exercisable at 30 June 2007.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

74

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

movements in shares

The movement during the reporting period in the number of ordinary shares in Whitehaven Coal Limited held, directly, 
indirectly or beneficially, by each key management person, including their related parties is as follows:

Held  
at 1 July  
2006

Issued on 
acquisition of 
subsidiaries

Issued as 
share based 
compensation

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,650,000

75,379,833

-

4,25,227

-

-

5,26,480

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

,000

,000

-

,000

directors

John Conde

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

Executive director

Keith Ross

Executives

Leigh Whitton

Tony Galligan

Chris Burgess

Casper Dieben

purchased 
under the 
Equity 
participation 
and option 
deed

-

-

5,000,000

-

-

5,000,000

-

-

-

-

-

other 
purchases

Transfers

Held at  
30 June 2007

250,000

250,000

60,000

-

-

250,000

250,000

(0,000)

5,50,000

-

-

-

20,000

200,000

25,000

-

49,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,650,000

75,379,833

5,000,000

4,235,227

20,000

26,000

5,26,480

50,000

Changes in key management personnel in the period after the reporting date and prior to the date when the 
financial report is authorised for issue
Robert Stewart will commence as Chief Executive Officer of Whitehaven Coal Limited on 22 October 2007.

parent
The Company has loans payable totalling $42,994,000 to two subsidiaries at 30 June 2007 in current liabilities on the 
balance sheet. The loans are interest free and repayable on demand but are not intended to be called by the subsidiaries 
during the next twelve months.

Subsidiaries
Loans are made by the Company to wholly owned subsidiaries for operating activities. Loans outstanding between the 
Company and its subsidiaries have no fixed date of repayment and are non-interest bearing. During the financial year ended 
30 June 2007, such loans to subsidiaries totalled $,38,000. 

75

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

36 consolidated entity’s subsidiaries and interests in joint ventures

Country of 
Incorporation

ownership interest

2007

2006

parent entity

Whitehaven Coal Limited

Subsidiaries

Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited

Namoi Mining Pty Ltd

Betalpha Pty Ltd

Betalpha Unit Trust

Tarrawonga Coal Pty Ltd

Tarrawonga Coal Sales Pty Ltd

Whitehaven Coal Holdings Limited

Whitehaven Coal Infrastructure Pty Ltd

Narrabri Coal Pty Ltd

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

00

00

00

00

00

70

00

00

00

The consolidated entity has interests in the following jointly controlled operations, whose principal activities involve the 
development and mining of coal:

Tarrawonga Coal Project Joint Venture

Werris Creek Coal Joint Venture

37 earnings per share

Basic earnings per share 

2007

70%

40%

-

00

00

00

00

70

-

00

00

2006

-

40%

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the consolidated entity at 30 June 2007 was based on the profit attributable 
to ordinary shareholders of $24,095,000 (2006: $,697,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares 
outstanding during the year of 30,933,000 (2006: 300,000,000) calculated as follows:

In thousands of AUd

profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Issued ordinary shares at  July

Effect of shares issued at 29 May 2007

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at 30 June

Consolidated 
2007

Consolidated
2006

24,095

11,697

300,000

,933

301,933

300,000

-

300,000

Whitehaven Coal Limited

76

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

diluted earnings per share 
The calculation of diluted earnings per share at 30 June 2007 was based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 
of $24,095,000 (2006: $,697,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year of 
30,95,000 (2006: 300,000,000) calculated as follows:

In thousands of AUd

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (diluted)

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (diluted)

24,095

11,697

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic)

Effect of share options on issue

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted)

30,933

8

301,951

300,000

-

300,000

The options issued to director related entities were not included in the calculation of 2007 diluted earnings per share as they 
were anti-dilutive. No such options existed in the year ended 2006. Refer to note 34 for further information regarding the 
options issued to director related entities.

38 Auditors’ remuneration

In AUd

Audit services:

Auditors of the Company - KpMg Australia

Audits of statutory financial statements 

Reviews of financial statements to support listing

Other regulatory audit services

other auditors

Audit of financial statements

other Services:

Auditors of the Company - KpMg Australia

Accounting advice

Taxation services

Auditors of the Company - KpMg related practices

Due diligence services

Consolidated
2007

Consolidated
2006

Company
2007

27,333

42,373

3,650

263,356

3,800

267,156

29,726

232,555

20,58

472,439

39,600

-

4,650

44,250

4,274

48,254

-

3,828

-

31,828

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

30,000

30,000

77

Annual Report 2007

NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

39 Financial instruments

Exposure to credit, interest rate and currency risks arises in the normal course of the consolidated entity’s business. 
Derivatives are used to economically mitigate exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

credit risk 

Management has a credit policy in place and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis. Credit evaluations 
are performed on all customers requiring credit over a certain amount. The consolidated entity does not require collateral in 
respect of financial assets. 

At the reporting date there were significant concentrations of credit risk in relation to the derivative financial instruments. 
Transactions involving derivatives are with counterparties who have sound credit ratings. Management does not expect any 
counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

There were no other significant concentrations of credit risk at reporting date. The maximum exposure to credit risk is 
represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivatives in the balance sheet. 

interest rate risk

The consolidated entity’s variable-rate borrowings are exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest 
rates. 

maturity analysis

The carrying amounts of financial instruments exposed to interest rate risk are contracted to mature in the following periods 
after the reporting date. Cash and cash equivalents have not been included. 

30 June 2007
Consolidated
In thousands of AUd

Finance lease liabilities

Unsecured loan from related entity

Secured bank loans

30 June 2006
Consolidated
In thousands of AUd

Finance lease liabilities

Secured bank loans

Foreign currency risk

Note

24

24

24

Note

24

24

Weighted 
Average 
Interest 
Rate

1 year or 
less

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

Total

7.38%

(6,904)

(5,457)

(5,904)

(6,344)

(4,302)

(28,9)

5.00% (2,030)

(7,866)

(7,740)

(3,508)

8.37%

(3,360)

(3,360)

(3,360)

(6,560)

-

-

(3,44)

(6,640)

(22,294)

(16,683)

(17,004)

(16,412)

(4,302)

(76,696)

1 year or 
less

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

Total

7.00%

7.2%

(,85)

(,90)

(44)

-

-

(3,39)

(5,575)

(3,600)

(3,360)

(3,360)

(6,560)

(22,455)

(6,760)

(5,510)

(3,404)

(3,360)

(6,560)

(25,594)

The consolidated entity is exposed to foreign currency risk on sales, purchases and borrowings that are denominated in a 
currency other than Australian dollars. The currency giving rise to this risk is US Dollars. 

The consolidated entity holds foreign currency options to cover a maximum of 80% of forecasted US Dollar sales within 2 
months of balance date, 60% between 2 and 24 months and 40% between 24 and 30 months. Beyond 30 months foreign 
currency option coverage was restricted to contracted sales where the US Dollar price and the quantity is known.

Subsequent to reporting date the consolidated entity settled all foreign currency options and entered into forward exchange 
contracts to cover the same forecasted sales detailed above. Management expect the forward exchange contracts to qualify 
for hedge accounting.

Whitehaven Coal Limited

78

 
NoTES To THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30 JUNE 2007

Recognised assets and liabilities 

The consolidated entity determined its foreign currency options did not qualify for hedge accounting. The net fair value of 
foreign currency options at 30 June 2007 was $4,072,000 (2006: $302,000), comprising current assets of $5,202,000 
(2006: $6,000), non-current assets of $8,870,000 (2006: $86,000) and liabilities of $nil (2006: $nil).

Fair values 

The fair values of the consolidated entity’s financial assets and financial liabilities at 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2006 
approximate their carrying amounts.

estimation of fair values 

The methods used in determining the fair values of financial instruments are discussed in note 4.

40 correction of an error

Subsequent to issuing its financial report dated 3 November 2006 for the year ended 30 June 2006, the directors 
determined certain assets in mining property and development were not depreciated when one of the consolidated entities 
mines commenced production at the beginning of the 2006 financial year. As a result, additional depreciation expense 
should have been recognised in the income statement.

Accordingly, the income statement for the year ended 30 June 2006 has been restated to recognise the additional 
depreciation expense for these assets. The impact of this restatement on the prior year financial position and performance is 
as follows:

•  At 30 June 2006 retained earnings and mining property and development (accumulated depreciation) decreased by 

$,940,000;

• 

For the year ended 30 June 2006 cost of sales (depreciation expense) increased by $2,77,000, tax expense decreased by 
$83,000 and net profit for the year decreased by $,940,000; and

•  Basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share decreased by 0.6 cents.

79

Annual Report 2007

dIRECToRS' dECLARATIoN

 In the opinion of the directors of Whitehaven Coal Limited (‘the Company’):

(a)  the financial statements and notes and the remuneration disclosures that are contained in sections 6., 6.2, 6.3., 6.3.2 
and 6.3.3 of the Remuneration report in the Directors' report, set out on pages 38 to 79, are in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 200, including:

(i) 

 giving a true and fair view of the Company’s and the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2007 and 
of their performance, for the financial year ended on that date; and

(ii)   complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the 

Corporations Regulations 200; 

(b)  the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in note 2(a); 

(c)   the remuneration disclosures that are contained in sections 6., 6.2, 6.3., 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 of the Remuneration report in 

the Directors’ report comply with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 24 Related Party Disclosures; and

(d)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due 

and payable.

2  The directors have been given the declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 200 from the chief 

executive officer and chief financial officer for the financial year ended 30 June 2007.

Dated at Melbourne 27th day of September 2007. 
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

Neil Chatfield 
Director

Whitehaven Coal Limited

80

 
 
INdEpENdENT AUdIToR’S REpoRT

(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Whitehaven Coal Limited 

Report on the financial report and AASB 124 remuneration disclosures contained in the directors’ report 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  financial  report  of  Whitehaven  Coal  Limited  (the  Company),  which 
comprises the balance sheets as at 30 June 2007 and the income statements, statements of changes in equity 
and  cash  flow  statements  for  the  year  ended  on  that  date,  a  summary  of  significant  accounting  policies  and 
other explanatory notes 1 to 40 and the directors’ declaration of the Group comprising the Company and the 
entities it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year. 

As  permitted  by  the  Corporations  Regulations  2001,  the  Company  has  disclosed  information  about  the 
remuneration  of  directors  and  executives  (remuneration  disclosures),  required  by  Australian  Accounting 
Standard AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures, under the heading “remuneration  report” in sections 6.1, 6.2, 
6.3.1,  6.3.2  and  6.3.4  of  the  directors’  report  and  not  in  the  financial  report.  We  have  audited  these 
remuneration disclosures. 

Directors’  responsibility  for  the  financial  report  and  the  AASB  124  remuneration  disclosures  contained  in  the 
directors’ report 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the 
Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the 
preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are 
reasonable in the circumstances. In note 2(a), the directors also state, in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standard AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, that the financial report of the Group, comprising the 
financial statements and notes, complies with International Financial Reporting Standards but that the financial 
report of the Company does not comply. 

The directors of the Company are also responsible for the remuneration disclosures contained in the directors’ 
report. 

Auditor’s responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in 
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant 
ethical  requirements  relating  to  audit  engagements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable 
assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement. Our responsibility is also to express 
an opinion on the remuneration disclosures contained in the directors’ report based on our audit. 

70

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International, a Swiss cooperative. 

8

Annual Report 2007

 
INdEpENdENT AUdIToR’S REpoRT

(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)

An  audit  involves  performing  procedures  to  obtain  audit  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the 
financial  report  and  the  remuneration  disclosures  contained  in  the  directors’  report.  The  procedures  selected 
depend  on  the  auditor’s  judgement,  including  the  assessment  of  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the 
financial  report  and  the  remuneration  disclosures  contained  in  the  directors’  report,  whether  due  to  fraud  or 
error.  In  making  those  risk  assessments,  the  auditor  considers  internal  control  relevant  to  the  entity’s 
preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  the  financial  report  and  the  remuneration  disclosures  contained  in  the 
directors’ report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the 
purpose  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the  effectiveness  of  the  entity’s  internal  control.  An  audit  also  includes 
evaluating  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates 
made  by  the  directors,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial  report  and  the 
remuneration disclosures contained in the directors’ report.  

We performed the procedures to assess whether in all material respects the financial report presents fairly, in 
accordance  with  the  Corporations  Act  2001  and  Australian  Accounting  Standards  (including  the  Australian 
Accounting  Interpretations),  a  view  which  is  consistent  with  our  understanding  of  the  Company’s  and  the 
Group’s  financial  position  and  of  their  performance  and  whether  the  remuneration  disclosures  are  in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 124. 

We  believe  that  the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  sufficient  and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis  for  our 
audit opinion. 

Auditor’s opinion on the financial report 

In our opinion: 

(a) 

the  financial  report  of  Whitehaven  Coal  Limited  is  in  accordance  with  the  Corporations  Act  2001, 
including:

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the Company’s and the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2007 

and of their performance for the year ended on that date; and  

(ii)  complying  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards 

(including 

the  Australian  Accounting 

Interpretations) and the Corporations Regulations 2001;  and  

(b) 

the  financial  report  of  the  Group  also  complies  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as 
disclosed in note 2(a). 

Auditor’s opinion on AASB 124 remuneration disclosures contained in the directors’ report

In our opinion the remuneration disclosures that are contained in sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3.1, 6.3.2 and 6.3.4 of the 
directors’ report comply with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures. 

KPMG

Simon Crane 
Partner

Brisbane 

27 September 2007 

71

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International, a Swiss cooperative. 

Whitehaven Coal Limited

82

 
ASx AddITIoNAL INFoRMATIoN

Additional information as at 27 September, 2007 required by the Australian Securities Exchange Limited Listing Rules and not 
disclosed elsewhere in this report is set out below.

Shareholdings

Substantial shareholders
The number of shares held by substantial shareholders and their associates are set out below:

Shareholder

FRC Whitehaven Holdings BV

AMCI International AG

Mr Hans Mende & Ingrid Mende as trustees of the Mende Family Trust

Fritz Kundrun as trustee of the Kundrun Family Trust

Voting rights
Ordinary shares 
Refer to note 27 in the financial statements.

Options 
There are no voting rights attached to the options. 

Distribution of equity security holders 

Category

 - ,000

,00 - 5,000

5,00 - 0,000

0,00 - 00,000

00,00 and over

percentage of 
capital held

40.76

6.70

6.63

6.63

Number of 
ordinary shares 
held

3,650,000

53,95,500

2,428,333

2,428,333

Number of equity security holders

72

503

305

388

35

1,403

The number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares is nil.

Securities exchange

The Company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Other information

Whitehaven Coal Limited, incorporated and domiciled in Australia, is a publicly listed company limited by shares.

83

Annual Report 2007

ASx AddITIoNAL INFoRMATIoN

twenty largest shareholders

Name

FRC Whitehaven Holdings BV

AMCI International AG

Mr Hans Mende & Ingrid Mende as trustees of the Mende Family Trust

Fritz Kundrun as trustee of the Kundrun Family Trust

HFTT Pty Ltd as trustee of the Haggarty Family Trust

Ranamok Pty Ltd as trustee of the Ranamok Family Trust

Mr Michael Quillen

Mr Keith Ross

Keith Ross and Alison Ross as trustees of the Ross Family Trust

National Nominees Limited

Mr Christopher John Burgess & Ms Julie Ann Mammen

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

Mr Christopher John Burgess

Julie Ann Mammen

ANZ Nominees Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Ltd

Corrobare Coal Pty Ltd

Argo Investments Limited

Whittingham Securities Pty Ltd

Cogent Nominees Pty Limited

Number of 
ordinary shares 
held

3,650,000

53,95,500

2,428,333

2,428,333

5,000,000

5,000,000

4,329,500

7,292,227

6,923,000

4,640,609

,938,440

,90,503

,66,520

,66,520

,227,25

,86,395

,82,500

992,844

500,000

436,59

percentage of 
capital held

40.76

6.70

6.63

6.63

4.64

4.64

4.44

2.26

2.4

.50

0.60

0.98

0.5

0.5

0.34

0.37

0.37

0.3

0.5

0.4

304,340,598

94.21

Whitehaven Coal Limited

84

CONTENTS 

Chairman’s Letter 

Highlights 

Achievements 

Managing Director's Report 

Directors’ Report  

Income Statements 

Statements of Changes in Equity 

Balance Sheets 

Statements of Cash Flows 

Notes to the financial statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor's Report 

ASX Additional Information 

Corporate Directory

1

2

4

6

14

38

39

40

41

42

80

81

83

85

CORPORATE DIRECTORY

Directors
John Conde, Chairman

Keith Ross, Managing Director

Neil Chatfield

Tony Haggarty

Alex Krueger

Hans Mende

Andy Plummer

Company Secretaries
Leigh Whitton

Paul Marshall

Registered and Principal  
Administrative Office
Ground Floor, 895 Ann Street 
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Ph: +61 7 3000 5690 
Fax: +61 7 3000 5699

Australian Business Number 
ABN 68 124 425 396

Stock Exchange Listing
Australian Securities Exchange Ltd 
ASX Code: WHC

Auditor
KPMG 
Level 16, Riparian Plaza 
71 Eagle Street 
Brisbane Qld 4000

Ph: +61 7 3233 3111 
Fax: +61 7 3233 3100

Share Registry
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 
GPO Box 523 
Brisbane QLD 4001

Ph: 1300 850505 
Fax: +61 7 3237 2100

Legal Advisers
McCullough Robertson 
Level 12, Central Plaza Two 
66 Eagle Street 
Brisbane Qld 4000

Country of Incorporation
Australia

Web Address
www.whitehaven.net.au

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ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Whitehaven Coal Limited  ABN 68 124 425 396

www.whitehaven.net.au