Final Results - Year Ended 31 December 1999
RJB Mining PLC
5 April 2000
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999 (AUDITED)
RJB Mining PLC, the UK's leading coal mining company, today announces its
preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 1999.
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Turnover 699,249 822,543
Profit before exceptional items and 11,041 50,031
taxation
Net cash inflow before financing and dividends of £25.2 million
(1998: £38.0 million)
Final dividend 4.5p per share (1998: 4.0p per share) making 7.5p per
share for the full year (1998: 7.0p per share)
Exceptional items of £141.1 million comprise:
- £131.0 million in respect of impairment in the value of assets
(as identified at the interim stage)
- £15.8 million of redundancy and closure costs
- An exceptional interest credit of £5.7 million
Earnings per share before exceptional items 7.4p (1998: 22.8p).
Commenting on the results, John Robinson, Chairman of RJB Mining, said:
'The trading climate remains demanding, and as predicted in the half year
statement, it proved very difficult to secure new sales orders against a
background of low international spot prices, (which are currently improving),
and the continuing strength of sterling.
'The publication of the 1999 results was delayed in the anticipation that the
Government would be in a position to make a decision on transitional state
coal aid support for the UK industry. We believe that we have presented a
strong case for such support and that this is currently receiving serious
consideration. We are disappointed that this decision has not been made by
now.
'The Board's strategy remains to match production to sales, maintaining
investment in sustainable operations and to focus on returning cash to
shareholders.
'We have in place contracts for coal sales in 2000 with volumes and prices at
much the same levels as for 1999, which should enable the Company to continue
to generate substantial operating cashflows.'
For further information, please contact:
RJB Mining PLC Today 0207 457 2345
Richard Budge, Chief Executive
Gordon McPhie, Finance Director Thereafter 01302 751751
Gavin Anderson & Company
Gerald Gradwell 0207 457 2345
Fiona Grant Duff
PRELIMINARY RESULTS STATEMENT
RESULTS
Profit before tax and exceptional items for 1999 was £11 million on turnover
of £699 million (1998: £50 million, on turnover of £823 million). Earnings
per share before exceptional items were 7.4 pence per share (1998: 22.8 pence
per share, before exceptional items).
Current generator contracts are for volumes and prices significantly below
those of the previous year. These reductions have impacted on the sales
volumes and profitability of our business for 1999. The market remains highly
competitive with international coal prices starting to show signs of recovery
from the 25 year low experienced in 1999.
EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
Following completion in the first half of the year of electricity contract
negotiations, the Board reappraised the carrying value of colliery assets,
recognising an impairment in value of £131 million. In the second half of the
year the closures of Ellington and Clipstone collieries were announced leading
to a write down of £5 million in the value of fixed assets at those
collieries. Exceptional net redundancy costs of £6 million in the first half
of the year and £5 million in the second half were incurred.
STRATEGY
The level of cash generation by the business remains robust, with net cash
inflow before financing and dividends of £25.2 million (1998: £38.0 million).
The Board policy is to match production to sales, maintain investment in
sustainable operations, and focus on returning cash to shareholders.
DIVIDEND
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 4.5 pence per share, giving a
total dividend of 7.5 pence per share for the year (1998: 7.0 pence per
share).
TRADING
The trading climate remains demanding, and, as predicted in the half year
statement, it proved very difficult to secure new sales orders against a
background of record low international spot prices, (which are now improving)
and the continuing strength of sterling. Principally as a result of the long
term generator contracts, coal sales in the year totalled 22.5 million tonnes
(1998: 25.9 million tonnes) and we would expect a similar level to be
maintained for 2000.
With the lower level of sales compared to prior years, coal production was
reduced from both deep and surface mines. The lowered production levels have
led to sub-optimal working and increased costs for our surface mine
activities. In the deep mines operating difficulties have affected Daw Mill
colliery at the end of the year, and the Selby complex throughout the year,
leading to reduced productivity and increased unit costs.
During the year progress has been made in the development and utilisation of
property assets, with income from property rentals of £2.3 million (1998: £2.2
million). The value of electricity generated from CHP plants at Harworth and
Monckton was £5.0 million (1998: £3.9 million).
THE COAL MARKET IN 1999
Total thermal coal use in the UK fell by 17% compared to 1998, to 45 million
tonnes. The majority of the reduction in usage was a result of new gas-fired
generation facilities coming on stream during the year. Gas fired electricity
generation increased market share to 33% at the expense of coal fired
generation, whilst nuclear stayed largely unchanged at 30%. Coal fired
electricity generation produced 33% of electricity generated in the UK,
consuming 40 million tonnes of coal.
SALES
Total coal sales in 1999 were 22.5 million tonnes (1998: 25.9 million) of
which 86% was sold to ESI customers and the electricity supply industry.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INDUSTRY SALES (ESI)
In the second half of 1999 we continued to supply coal under the medium term
contracts with our generator customers. No new contracts for spot sales were
agreed in the period. Our competitive position for marginal sales continued
to be difficult as the international coal price sank to new lows before
showing some welcome signs of recovery late in the year.
INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC
The industrial market for coal showed levels of decline similar to those in
the electricity generation market. Pricing levels in the industrial sector
were reduced, forced down by low international prices and strong sterling.
Against this background RJB conceded market share, mainly to imports, with an
overall decline of 21% in sales volumes.
The UK domestic coal market was unchanged at 2 million tonnes, but competitive
pressures from subsidised Polish producers and low world prices combined,
resulting in an 8% reduction to 0.7 million tonnes in our domestic sales.
UNDERGROUND MINING
In what proved to be a difficult year for our underground mining operations, a
total of 17.5 million tonnes was produced (1998: 19.8 million tonnes).
The geological problems at the Selby Complex which affected the first half of
the year persisted through the second half whilst action to rationalise the
operations continued. At Stillingfleet the number of working areas has been
reduced to lessen geological risk and improve efficiency. At Wistow and Daw
Mill Collieries, difficult geology hampered operations in the last quarter of
the year and will affect production into the first quarter of 2000.
The benefits of maintaining a portfolio of underground operations were
demonstrated by good performances from other collieries, mitigating in part
the effects of these lower production levels.
Major investment to improve underground transport systems continued at Daw
Mill and Kellingley Collieries. At Daw Mill the circular tunnel drivage was
completed, providing a more efficient manriding and materials transport route
into the new area of reserves south of the M6 motorway. Capital investment of
£32 million was approved to access and develop new areas of coal at the Prince
of Wales and Riccall mines.
During the year Calverton Colliery was closed and returned to the Coal
Authority. The intention to close two further collieries, Clipstone and
Ellington was announced during the second half of the year, and will take
effect during 2000.
The closure of these collieries is in response to current market forces, and
the company's commitment to continue to match production to sales.
SURFACE MINING
Surface mining production was 5.0 million tonnes, (1998: 5.8 million tonnes)
from a total of 14 surface mines and 2 coal recovery schemes. Production of
surface coal continues to maintain the blending quality requirements with deep
mined coal, and reduces average costs of the blended product.
Surface mine production costs, which have remained at a consistent low level
up to 1998, increased by 10% in the year. The increase in costs arises from
the substantial increases in fuel oil costs, surface contractor inflation
index increases well above general inflation and a change in the mix of
operational sites. Reclamation spend increased during the year associated
with growth in brown field developments and alternative after uses.
Planning approvals were resolved to be granted by Mineral Planning Authorities
for 3.1 million tonnes from one new mine and extensions to two existing mines.
Planning Approvals were refused by the Secretary of State following Public
Inquiries for three new mines totalling 4.6 million tonnes. Planning
applications for a further eight mines totalling 6.3 million tonnes await
determination by the Mineral Planning Authorities and the Secretary of State.
At December 1999 the future tonnage with full planning approvals totalled 11.8
million tonnes.
The Company continues to be a leader in the reclamation of derelict and
contaminated sites to sustainable and bio diverse end uses, with significant
progress being maintained at Herrington Colliery, Orgreave, Arkwright and
Houghton Main where bio remediation has been successfully used to treat
contaminated soils.
The quality of our restoration work was further demonstrated with the
reclamation of Rainton Meadows at the Rye Hill site in County Durham which won
Environmental awards for 'an impressive transformation of a largely derelict
site into one that managed to strike the right balance between the needs of
wildlife and recreational use.'
MANUFACTURED FUEL
Prices in the manufactured fuel market have continued to come under pressure,
principally due to the availability of cheap, often subsidised imported coals
and the continued strength of sterling. Monckton Coke & Chemicals' sales for
the year were £16.8 million
(1998: £17.7 million) and the company operated at near break even in the year
(1998: profit before tax of £0.7 million). Contracts are now in place for
2000 which will cover production and allow for a modest reduction in stocks.
A 5 year contract has been agreed to supply around one third of Monckton's
annual output to Brunner Mond. The coke-oven gas fired CHP unit is now
performing well providing steam and power for the site as well as external
sales.
CIM RESOURCES
In 1999, CIM produced 1.7 million tonnes of coal (1998: 1.7 million) from its
Stratford opencast site in New South Wales. The RJB Group's share of post
acquisition operating profits was £0.1 million. Towards the end of 1999 CIM
was successful in obtaining sales contracts with domestic Australian power
producers for 1.0 million tonnes per annum for a period of 3 years. The
contracts will absorb CIM's thermal coal production over the 3 year period
from July 2000, reducing its dependence on the international market.
DIRECTORS
At the interim stage it was announced that Brian Staples had replaced Sir Ross
Buckland as a non-Executive Director of the Company and that George Jarrett
had retired as a Director of the Group. In addition to these Board changes,
Alan Binder has advised the Company of his intention to retire from the Board
at the AGM. Mr Binder, aged 68, has decided to reduce his business
commitments and will not be replaced on the RJB Board.
OUTLOOK
The publication of the 1999 results was delayed in the anticipation that the
Government would be in a position to make a decision on transitional state
coal aid support for the UK industry. We believe that we have presented a
strong case for such support and that this is currently receiving serious
consideration. We are disappointed that this decision has not been made by
now.
The year ahead is likely to see the introduction of the new electricity
trading arrangements in the Autumn and a continuation of the reduction in UK
generator coal burn as new gas-fired power stations are commissioned. For
2000 we have in place contracts for coal sales with volumes and prices at much
the same levels as for 1999, which should enable the Group to continue to
generate substantial operating cashflows. Sales levels in future years will
be affected by the take up of optional contract tonnages, international coal
prices and the relative strength of sterling. The new electricity trading
arrangements, environmental compliance of coal fired generation, and the UK
transport infrastructure, will also have an impact on future sales. As the
results of these issues become clear we will act to maintain the balance of
production and demand over the medium term, and manage the business with a
focus on cash.
John Robinson
Chairman
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 31 December
Before Group
Exceptional Exceptional 1999 Group
Total 1998
Notes Items Items £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
Turnover 2
Continuing operations
- existing 687,698 - 687,698 822,543
- acquisitions 11,551 11,551 -
---- ---- ---- ----
699,249 - 699,249 822,543
Cost of sales (655,427) - (655,427) (744,134)
Exceptional items
Redundancy costs - (11,221) (11,221) -
Impairment in value of
colliery assets - (135,554) (135,554) -
---- ---- ---- ----
Total cost of sales (655,427) (146,775) (802,202) (744,134)
---- ---- ---- ----
Gross profit/(loss) 43,822 (146,775) (102,953) 78,409
Other operating income
& expenses 3 (20,022) - (20,022) (19,714)
---- ---- ---- ----
Operating profit/(loss)
Continuing operations
- existing 23,688 (146,775) (123,087) 58,695
- acquisitions 112 - 112 -
---- ---- ----- ----
23,800 146,775 (122,975) 58,695
Share of loss of
Associate (21) - (21) (4,163)
Interest receivable and
similar income 4 3,893 - 3,893 5,772
---- ---- ---- ----
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before interest
Payable 27,672 (146,775) (119,103) 60,304
Interest payable and
similar charges 5 (16,631) - (16,631) (10,273)
---- ---- ---- ----
11,041 (146,775) (135,734) 50,031
Exceptional interest
payable and similar 5 - 5,705 5,705 (9,972)
charges ---- ---- ---- ----
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation 11,041 (141,070) (130,029) 40,059
Tax on ordinary activities (343) 35,916 35,573 17,733
---- ----- ---- ----
Profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities after taxation 10,698 (105,154) (94,456) 57,792
Equity minority interest 152 - 152 -
---- ---- ---- ----
Profit/(loss) for the
financial year 10,850 (105,154) (94,304) 57,792
Dividend 7 (10,938) - (10,938) (10,209)
---- ---- ---- ----
Loss/(1998 retained
profit) (88) (105,154) (105,242) 47,583
for the period ====== ====== ====== ======
Earnings per ordinary 8 7.4p (72.1p) (64.7p) 39.6p
share
All amounts above relate to continuing operations.
There is no material difference between the profit/(loss) on ordinary
activities before taxation and the retained profit/(loss) for the year stated
above, and their historical cost equivalents.
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
For the year ended 31 December
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Profit/(loss) for the financial year
after taxation (94,304) 57,792
Release of provision for potential additional
consideration 18,919 -
Exchange adjustments 467 253
---- ----
Total recognised gains and losses for the
financial year (74,918) 58,045
Prior year adjustment - (44,831)
---- ----
Total gains and losses recognised since
last annual report (74,918) 13,214
===== =====
BALANCE SHEETS
As at 31 December
Group Group Company Company
1999 1998 1999 1998
Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 484,567 647,663 - -
Investments
- in associates - 1,041 - -
- in subsidiaries - - 20,125 23,643
- other 79 - - -
---- ---- ---- ----
484,646 648,704 20,125 23,643
Current assets
Stocks 144,446 142,388 - -
Debtors: amounts falling
due 59,047 61,465 594,835 681,380
after one year
Debtors: amounts falling
due 109,921 170,157 371,535 301,660
within one year
Cash at bank and in hand 10 35,906 51,197 16,918 37,696
---- ---- ---- ----
349,320 425,207 983,288 1,020,736
---- ---- ---- ----
Total assets 833,966 1,073,911 1,003,413 1,044,379
====== ====== ====== ======
Liabilities
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 1,458 1,458 1,458 1,458
Share premium account 290,872 436,731 290,872 436,731
Special reserve account 18,919 - 191,847 45,988
Capital redemption reserve 257 257 257 257
Profit and loss account 42,845 1,761 81,503 150,360
---- ---- ---- ----
Shareholders' funds,
attributable to equity
interests 9 354,351 440,207 565,937 634,794
Equity minority interest 920 - - -
---- ---- ---- ----
Capital employed 355,271 440,207 565,937 634,794
Provisions for liabilities
and charges 10 279,765 345,544 - 23,602
Creditors: amounts falling
due after More than one 23,139 45,191 - -
year
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year 175,791 242,969 437,476 385,983
---- ---- ---- ----
478,695 633,704 437,476 409,585
---- ---- ---- ----
Total funds employed 833,966 1,073,911 1,003,413 1,044,379
====== ====== ====== ======
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Operating activities
Net cash inflow from continuing operating
activities 84,751 96,087
Returns from investments and servicing
of finance
Interest paid (1,779) (691)
Interest paid on hire purchase and
finance leases (4,360) (6,516)
Interest paid on discounted receivables (1,289) -
Financing costs (2,025) -
Interest received 3,959 5,821
---- ----
Net cash outflow from returns on investments
and servicing of finance (5,494) (1,386)
Taxation (20,118) (17,549)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Development expenditure capitalised (9,289) (6,638)
Purchase of fixed assets (23,262) (33,249)
Receipts from sale of fixed assets 1,723 1,802
---- ----
(30,828) (38,085)
Acquisitions and disposals
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (5,469) -
Net cash acquired with subsidiary undertakings 2,361 -
Purchase of shares in associate - (368)
Overdraft disposed with sale of Blenkinsopp - 183
Collieries
Sale of Blenkinsopp Collieries - (925)
---- ----
(3,108) (1,110)
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid (10,176) (18,932)
---- ----
Cash inflow before use of liquid resources and 15,027 19,025
financing
Management of liquid resources
Decrease in short term deposits - -
Net cash inflow before financing 15,027 19,025
Financing
Net repayment on revolving credit facility (4,080) 35,000
Hire purchase and finance lease capital repaid (26,238) (26,517)
---- ----
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing (30,318) 8,483
---- ----
Increase/(decrease) in cash (15,291) 27,508
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
For the year ended 31 December
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Continuing Activities
Operating profit/(loss) (122,975) 58,695
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets 63,519 83,349
Loss/(gain) on disposal of tangible
fixed assets 6,904 (607)
Loss on sale of Blenkinsopp
collieries - 1,109
(Increase) in stocks (917) (9,202)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 88,354 (2,902)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (85,688) (34,355)
Impairment in colliery values 135,554 -
---- ----
Net cash inflow from continuing
operating 84,751 96,087
activities ===== =====
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
At 31
At 1 Other non December
January Cash flow cash changes 1999
1999 £'000 £'000 £'000
£'000
Cash at bank 51,197 (15,291) - 35,906
Revolving credit
facility (34,824) 4,080 1,670* (29,074)
Hire purchase and
finance leases (65,829) 26,238 - (39,591)
---- ---- ---- ----
(49,456) 15,027 1,670 (32,759)
===== ===== ===== =====
* FRS4 issue costs
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December 1999
1. Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable
Accounting Standards in the United Kingdom.
Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost
convention. Tangible fixed assets are stated at recoverable amounts. Long-
term debtors and long-term provisions have been discounted to reflect their
net present value.
2. Segmental and geographical analysis
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Turnover
Continuing operations:
Coal sales - Deep Mines 521,429 650,297
Coal sales - Surface Mines 138,529 145,310
Opencast contract mining and
associated activities 10,922 9,234
Manufactured fuel and combined heat
and power 16,818 17,702
Acquisitions:
Coal sales - Australia 11,551 -
---- ----
699,249 822,543
====== ======
Geographical Analysis by destination
United Kingdom 683,010 814,712
European Community Countries 285 841
Rest of Europe 4,403 6,990
South East Asia 11,551 -
---- ----
699,249 822,543
====== ======
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
Continuing operations:
Coal sales - Deep Mines 12,489 25,690
Coal sales - Surface Mines 9,300 30,210
Surface Mines contract mining and
associated activities 1,932 2,129
Manufactured fuel and combined heat
and power (33) 666
Acquisitions:
Coal sales - Australia 112 -
---- ----
Operating profit before exceptional
items 23,800 58,695
Loss on dilution of interest on deemed
disposal of investment - (644)
Share of loss of associate (21) (115)
Impairment in value of investment - (3,404)
Net Interest payable (12,738) (4,501)
Exceptional items (141,070) (9,972)
---- ----
(Loss)/profit before taxation (130,029) 40,059
====== ======
Net assets
Continuing operations:
Deep Mines 313,794 408,160
Surface Mines 64,753 75,609
Surface Mines contract mining
and associated activities 25,452 48,974
Manfuactued fuel and Combined
Heat and Power 6,935 12,552
Australia 19,598 1,399
---- ----
430,532 546,694
Unallocated net liabilities:
Dividend payable (6,596) (5,834)
Debt and finance leases (68,665) (100,653)
---- ----
355,271 440,207
===== =====
Continuing Acquisitions 1999 1998
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Turnover 687,698 11,551 699,249 822,543
Cost of sales (644,121) (11,306) (655,427) (744,134)
---- ---- ---- ----
43,577 245 43,822 78,409
Other operating income
and expenses (19,889) (133) (20,022) (19,714)
---- ---- ---- ----
23,688 112 23,800 58,695
All net assets, other than £16.242 million invested in Australia (1998: £1.399
million) were located in the UK.
3. Other operating income and expenses
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Administrative expenses 20,729 22,653
Other operating income (707) (2,939)
---- ----
Other operating income and expenses 20,022 19,714
===== =====
Due to the nature of the Group's business, distribution expenses are treated
as a part of cost of sales.
4. Interest receivable and similar income
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Interest receivable from short-term
deposits 3,893 5,686
Other - discounting of long-term
receivables - 86
---- ----
3,893 5,772
===== =====
5. Interest payable and similar charges
1999 1998
Before exceptional items £'000 £'000
On bank loans, overdrafts and
other loans:
Repayable within 5 years 1,775 689
Amortisation of loan issue
costs (FRS4) 355 88
On finance leases and hire purchase,
repayable within 5 years 3,118 5,335
On finance leases and hire purchase,
repayable after 5 years 903 988
Other - discounting of long term 45 -
receivables
- discounting of other 1,289 -
receivables
- unwinding of discount on 9,146 3,173
provisions ---- ----
16,631 10,273
====== ======
Exceptional items
Interest payable to Inland Revenue 985 3,282
Interest provision for potential (6,690) 6,690
additional consideration ---- ----
(5,705) 9,972
====== ======
Interest payable to Inland Revenue has been estimated on the basis of progress
towards agreement of tax liabilities for earlier years.
6. Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation
1999 1998
£'000 £'000
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
before taxation is stated after
crediting:
Rent receivable 2,300 2,200
(Loss)/profit on disposal of tangible
fixed assets
- plant and equipment (6,891) 462
- land, building and mineral rights (13) 145
And after charging:
Depreciation 48,594 63,098
Depreciation for assets held under hire
purchase and finance leases 14,925 20,251
Auditors' remuneration (Company £50,000, 301 345
1998: £50,000)
7. Dividends
1999 1999 1998 1998
per share £'000 per share £'000
Interim 3.0p 4,375 3.0p 4,375
Final 4.5p 6,563 4.0p 5,834
---- ---- ---- ----
7.5p 10,938 7.0p 10,209
====== ====== ====== ======
The number of shares in issue at 31 December 1999 was 145,847,273 Subject to
approval at the AGM, the final dividend of 4.5p pre share will be paid on 23rd
May 2000 to shareholders on the register at 25th April 2000. The total
dividend for the year is 7.5p per share. The total cost of dividends is £10.9
million (1998: £10.2 million).
8. Earnings per share
Earnings per share have been based on the weighted average number of shares in
issue and ranking for dividend, being 145,847,273 (1998: 145,847,273) and on
the profit/(loss) after taxation.
There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.
9. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds
Group Group Company Company
1999 1998 1999 1998
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
(Loss)/profit for the
financial year (94,304) 57,792 (57,919) (137,428)
Dividends (10,938) (10,209) (10,938) (10,209)
Goodwill written off - (18,453) - -
Exchange differences 467 253 - -
Release of provision
for potential additional
consideration 18,919 - - -
---- ---- ---- ----
Movement in shareholders' (85,856) 29,383 (68,857) (147,637)
funds
Opening shareholders' funds 440,207 410,824 634,794 782,431
---- ---- ---- ----
Closing shareholders' funds 354,351 440,207 565,937 634,794
====== ====== ====== ======
10. Provisions for liabilities and charges
As at 1 At 31
January Created Released Utilised Unwinding December
1999 in year In year in year of 1999
Group £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 discount £'000
£'000
Employer and
public
liabilities 23,720 8,458 - (6,415) 1,214 26,977
Surface damage 53,654 5,285 (6,900) (8,838) 1,609 44,810
Concessionary
fuel 29,057 62 (833) (985) 1,873 29,174
Claims 12,808 3,446 - (8,191) - 8,063
Restoration &
closure costs -
surface mines 96,767 1,931 (818) (11,265) 2,910 89,525
Restoration &
closure costs
deep mines - 37,723 2,019 (2,954) (1,232) 892 36,448
Shaft treatment
and pit top
Spoil heaps 11,497 - - - 345 11,842
Pumping costs 12,464 2,391 - - - 14,855
Redundancy - 3,882 - - - 3,882
Ground/
groundwater
contamination 10,100 - - - 303 10,403
Gas plant
decommissioning 269 - - (40) - 229
Provision for
potential
additional
consideration 25,609 - (25,609) - - -
----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
313,668 27,474 (37,114) (36,966) 9,146 276,208
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Deferred 31,876 3,152 (31,471) 0 - 3,557
taxation ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
345,544 30,626 (68,585) (36,966) 9,146 279,765
===== ===== ===== ====== ===== =====
11. Cash at bank and in hand
Of the Group's cash holdings at 31st December 1999, £32.8 million (1998: £27.9
million) was deposited in bank accounts designated to be used specifically in
relation to the Group's insurance arrangements.
12. Report under S240 Companies Act 1985
The figures and financial information for the years ended 31 December 1998 and
1999 do not constitute the statutory financial statements for those years.
The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1998 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the auditor's report
which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either Section
237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985. The financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 1999 have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies, although the auditors have reported on them. Their report was
unqualified. Their report did not contain a statement under either Section
237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.