UK Coal Production Limited

RNS Number : 4006J

Coalfield Resources PLC

12 June 2014

 



Coalfield Resources plc

UK Coal Production Limited

Coalfield Resources plc ("CfR" or the "Company"), which holds a 24.9% stake in brownfield property company Harworth Estates Property Group Ltd ("HEL"), notes the announcement by Hargreaves Services plc that it has not been possible to secure an extended closedown programme for UK Coal Production Limited ("UKCP"). HEL, as the freeholder of most UKCP sites, was a participant in the consortium supporting a wind down and closure plan which is now unlikely to proceed. HEL was a supportive participant in the consortium but has reminded its shareholders that it provided for the anticipated higher cost of an immediate closure of UKCP mines in its 2013 accounts. HEL therefore does not expect a further negative impact on its property valuations, and as such, the Company does not expect a reduction in the carrying value of its investment in HEL.

-ENDS-

Enquiries

Cardew Group

Anthony Cardew / Tom Horsman                                                                             T: [phone]

Notes to Editors

Coalfield Resources plc 

Coalfield Resources was, until December 2012, the parent company of the UK's largest coal miner, UK Coal.  In one of the most complex restructurings in UK corporate history, Coalfield Resources, which was previously known as UK Coal plc, split its operating business into two separate units - property and mining - and gifted 75% of the property business to the trustees of the mining business pension fund.  At the same time, in December 2012, it relinquished control of the coal mining operations to an Employee Benefit Trust, retaining only a minority equity stake which ranked behind the debt owed to the pension funds.

Consequent upon this restructuring, Coalfield Resources effectively became a property company through its 24.9% shareholding in Harworth Estates Property Group Limited, the property business it owns jointly with the former mining companies pension fund. 

In 2013, the former mining business suffered a major fire at one of its mines which caused a failure and restructuring of that business.    Coalfield Resources no longer has any equity interest in the mining business.

Harworth Estates

Harworth Estates is a leading property and development company owning and managing around 31,370 acres across some 200 projects, with consent for 8,000 new homes. It specialises in regenerating coalfields and brownfield land for industrial and commercial opportunities, low carbon energy projects, residential developments and leisure uses.

 

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