TIDMATH

RNS Number : 3652I

ATH Resources plc

14 June 2011

 
 Press Release   14 June 2011 
 

ATH Resources plc

("ATH" or the "Group")

Interim Results

ATH Resources plc (AIM:ATH), one of the UK's largest coal producers, reports its Interim Results for the six months ended 3 April 2011.

Highlights

 
      --   New site at Netherton opened and fully operational 
      --   Revenue of GBP33.9 million (2010: GBP34.4 million), on 
            sales of 706,000 tonnes (2010: 776,000 tonnes) 
      --   Operating profit before exceptional items up GBP2 million 
            on the same period last year at GBP1.7 million (2010: 
            loss GBP0.3 million) 
      --   Average selling price increased to GBP48 per tonne (2010: 
            GBP44 per tonne) helped offset the impact of rising gas 
            oil prices and lower volumes 
      --   Proved and probable reserves of 7.9 million tonnes (2010: 
            year end 8.6 million tonnes), with planning applications 
            for a further 300,000 tonnes submitted 
      --   Net borrowings, including hire purchase of GBP15.9 million, 
            remained steady from last year end at GBP34.5 million 
            after investing GBP8 million in the Netherton site 
      --   Development of the new site at Duncanziemere commences 
            in August 2011 as planned 
      --   Continued progress towards fulfilling legacy contracts 
 

Commenting on the Interim Results, Alistair Black, Chief Executive of ATH, said: "Despite the challenges faced by the Group from rising gas oil prices and unexpected geological conditions at Glenmuckloch, underlying profit for the first six months was some GBP2 million better than the previous year at GBP1.7 million (2010: loss GBP0.3 million). With the Netherton site now fully developed the Board had expected a typically strong second half performance, however, current mining conditions at Muir Dean and the presence of heat affected coal at Netherton suggest volumes will now be lower than expected for the full year. In view of the above, the Board has decided to concentrate its mining effort on accessing higher quality, lower ratio coal. This has necessitated the write-off of a significant part of its work in progress balance and a reduced expectation for the year. The Group expects that the impact on sales volumes will be increasingly offset by improved selling prices as we move forward and, consequently, the Board remains confident in the medium and long term prospects for the business."

"We are still on track to fulfill the first of the Group's fixed price legacy contracts, which continue to restrict earnings, and look forward to further significant improvements to average selling prices once they have been completed."

- Ends -

For further information:

 
 ATH Resources plc 
 David Port, Executive Chairman       Tel: +44 (0) 7836 693798 
  Alistair Black, Chief Executive    Tel: +44 (0) 1302 760 462 
                                                 www.ath.co.uk 
 
 
 Seymour Pierce Ltd 
 Sarah Jacobs / John Cowie (Nominated   Tel: +44 (0) 207 107 8000 
  Adviser) 
 Richard Redmayne / Katie Ratner 
  (Broker) 
                                            www.seymourpierce.com 
 

Media enquiries:

 
 Abchurch 
 Sarah Hollins / Joanne Shears /   Tel: +44 (0) 207 398 7729 
  Mark Dixon 
 mark.dixon@abchurch-group.com        www.abchurch-group.com 
 

Chairman's Statement

The first six months of the year have been difficult with the Group facing a number of significant challenges. Although successfully opening its new site at Netherton in East Ayrshire, and achieving an improved operating profit, the impact of a significant rise in the price of gas oil, combined with the difficult geological conditions, particularly at Glenmuckloch, have had a detrimental impact on the Group's performance.

Revenue in the six months to 3 April 2011 was GBP33.9 million (2010: GBP34.4 million) on sales of 706,000 tonnes (2010: 776,000 tonnes).

Operating profit before exceptional items up GBP2 million on 2010 at GBP1.7 million (2010: loss GBP0.3 million).

Net borrowings were GBP34.5 million, similar to the end of the last financial year, after investing GBP8 million in opening the Netherton site.

Sales

Despite a fall in sales volumes, average selling prices improved to GBP48 per tonne (2010: GBP44 per tonne) reflecting both the strong sales of domestic coal and the rising international price of coal, which has risen by around 28 per cent since the beginning of October 2010. Forward market indices indicate that there will be a further strengthening of prices year-on-year.

The Group's legacy fixed price contracts, which accounted for 30 per cent of sales in the period, continue to constrain performance. However, in spite of lower levels of production than planned, the Group still remains on track to fulfil the first of these contracts by the end of March 2012, with the second being completed 12 months later. Thereafter, the remaining legacy contract will be supplied at around 300,000 tonnes per annum.

As previously reported, the Group has successfully negotiated new contracts or contract extensions to the electricity supply industry during the period at market related prices totalling 500,000 tonnes.

Production

The Group is approaching the end of operations at Glenmuckloch and Skares Road and whilst production at Skares Road is proceeding as expected, Glenmuckloch has, as previously reported, experienced difficult geological conditions. This has resulted in lower than expected remaining coal reserves and a much higher mining ratio during the final phase of production. The impact to both revenue and margins will continue for the remainder of this financial year as well as necessitating a write-off of associated work in progress of GBP2.1 million.

Muir Dean had been performing satisfactorily until production encountered a higher concentration of old workings which has reduced sales in recent weeks.

Development of the initial phase at Netherton is now complete and the site is expected to enter full production in the coming weeks. Plans to increase production in the second half to compensate for lost production at Glenmuckloch were hit by a higher than anticipated volume of heat affected coal encountered in the eastern wall. Production is now progressing westwards away from the heavily affected area but sales in the second half will be impacted and, as a result, expectations for the full year will not be achieved.

In view of the above, the Group has decided to concentrate on those areas of recoverable reserves which give rise to higher quality coals at lower mining ratios. As a result, the Group will be taking a more cautious view of its remaining reserves at its sites currently in production which will necessitate a write down of its work in progress balance by an additional GBP2 million.

In total this has created an exceptional write-off of GBP4.1 million in the six months to 3 April 2011 and a loss before tax from continuing operations of GBP3.6 million (2010: GBP1.9 million). At the end of the period the work in progress asset on the balance sheet stands at GBP4.4 million; this is GBP2.5 million lower than at the same time in 2010.

Gas oil prices

The price of gas oil rose by 35 per cent during the first half of the year; however the Group's hedging strategy limited the increase to 9 per cent compared to the average paid in the previous year.

Whilst prices in recent weeks have weakened slightly from their recent peak, the impact of the price rises will be more significant in the second half as all lower priced hedging contracts have now been fully utilised. Given the Group's high percentage of fixed price legacy contracts, which provide no adjustment for fuel prices, the Group has hedged over 50 per cent of its requirements for the second half in order to reduce the impact of any further rises in gas oil.

Site development

The Group has invested GBP8 million to date in opening up Netherton to plan and is in the process of making preparations for the opening of the Duncanziemere site. Excavations at Duncanziemere are expected to commence in the final quarter of the financial year with coal production commencing in autumn 2011 as planned.

In total the Group expects to invest in the region of GBP12 million this year in the development of these sites, with a further GBP3 million planned for the first quarter of next year. These sites will form the cornerstone of the Group's production for the next few years.

Development and reserves*

Planning applications for 300,000 tonnes have been submitted in respect of extensions to existing sites in the first six months.

Proved and probable reserves at 3 April 2011 amounted to 7,900,000 tonnes (at 3 October 2010: 8,600,000 tonnes). This is equivalent to in excess of four years' production.

Dividends

As announced in May 2011, the Group took the decision not to declare an interim dividend for the period (2010: 1 pence per share). However, the Board remains committed to delivering a progressive dividend to shareholders in the future.

Carbon Reduction Commitment

The Board of ATH believes that the Group does not qualify to be part of the Government's new Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme ("CRCS") and decided not to register for the Scheme. However, the Department of Energy and Climate Change ("DECC") has subsequently issued ATH with an enforcement notice, asserting a failure to register as a participant in the first phase of the CRCS which the Group is appealing. Central to the issue is whether or not the electricity consumed by ATH's conveyor, which transports coal from its Glenmuckloch site to its railhead at New Cumnock some 12 Kilometres away, is exempt from CRCS. The outcome of this administrative appeal is likely to be known by late summer 2011.

Outlook

Full year sales volumes are now expected to be in the region of 1.7 million tonnes, some 90,000 tonnes lower than the same period last year. The improvement in selling prices will, in part, help offset this shortfall. The Group will continue with its strategy to supply existing legacy contracts to their earliest conclusion and to open the Duncanziemere site to support production in the next financial year.

The Group remains confident that, although expectations for the current year will not be achieved, the prospects remain encouraging for ATH, particularly as the Group will benefit significantly from improved revenues as the legacy contracts are fulfilled.

David Port

Executive Chairman

14 June 2011

Condensed consolidated income statement (unaudited)

for the six months ended 3 April 2011

 
                                                          Restated 
                                           six months   six months        year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                   Notes       GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
 
 Continuing operations 
 Revenue                               2       33,934       34,404      78,307 
 Cost of sales                               (27,777)     (30,039)    (62,520) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                                   6,157        4,365      15,787 
 Other operating income                3        2,054           16          73 
 Impairment of goodwill                       (1,650)            -           - 
 Administrative expenses                      (4,860)      (4,690)     (8,906) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Operating profit/(loss) before 
  exceptional items                             1,701        (309)       6,954 
 Exceptional operating items       4          (4,131)            -           - 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Operating (loss)/profit                      (2,430)        (309)       6,954 
 Finance costs                                (1,195)      (1,559)     (2,966) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/profit before taxation                (3,625)      (1,868)       3,988 
 Taxation                              5          473          513     (1,461) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/profit for the period 
  from continuing operations                  (3,152)      (1,355)       2,527 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Discontinued operations 
 Loss for the period from 
  discontinued operations              6            -        (518)     (4,294) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Loss attributable to ordinary 
  shareholders                                (3,152)      (1,873)     (1,767) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 (Loss)/earnings per share From 
  continuing and discontinued 
  operations: Basic                    7       (7.9)p       (4.7)p      (4.4)p 
 Diluted                                       (7.9)p       (4.7)p      (4.4)p 
 
 From continuing operations: 
 Basic                                         (7.9)p       (3.4)p        6.3p 
 Diluted                                       (7.9)p       (3.4)p        6.2p 
 Loss per share before 
  exceptional items Basic                      (0.4)p       (3.4)p        6.3p 
 Diluted                                       (0.4)p       (3.4)p        6.2p 
 
 

There are no recognised gains and losses other than as stated in the income statement.

Condensed consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)

As at 3 April 2011

Company number: 4928463

 
                                                         Restated 
                                   3 April   3 October    4 April 
                                      2011        2010       2010 
                                    GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
 Goodwill                            3,763       5,413      7,657 
 Property, plant and equipment      73,133      67,097     72,737 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                    76,896      72,510     80,394 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                        10,256      11,925     14,511 
 Trade and other receivables        10,648      11,257      8,247 
 Cash and cash equivalents           3,436       2,353      3,838 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                    24,340      25,535     26,596 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total assets                      101,236      98,045    106,990 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables         (14,323)    (11,227)   (12,886) 
 Tax liabilities                         -       (407)          - 
 Financial liabilities             (9,057)     (6,335)    (6,786) 
 Final void provision              (1,731)     (2,315)    (3,437) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                  (25,111)    (20,284)   (23,109) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Financial liabilities            (28,669)    (30,309)   (37,765) 
 Final void provision             (20,859)    (16,498)   (14,011) 
 Deferred tax liabilities          (2,752)     (3,254)    (3,644) 
 Other provisions                        -           -      (338) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                  (52,280)    (50,061)   (55,758) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total liabilities                (77,391)    (70,345)   (78,867) 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Net assets                         23,845      27,700     28,123 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 EQUITY 
 Share capital                         200         200        200 
 Share premium                      27,855      27,855     27,855 
 Retained earnings                 (4,210)       (355)         68 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total equity                       23,845      27,700     28,123 
-------------------------------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the six months ended 3 April 2011

 
                                   Called                                Total 
                                       up     Share                     equity 
                                    share   premium   Retained   shareholders' 
                                  capital   account   earnings           funds 
                                   GBP000    GBP000     GBP000          GBP000 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 4 October 2009                    200    27,855      4,205          32,260 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Loss for the year                      -         -    (1,767)         (1,767) 
 Other comprehensive income for 
  the year                              -         -          -               - 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the year                              -         -    (1,767)         (1,767) 
 Transactions with equity 
 shareholders 
 Adjustment in share-based 
  payment reserve                       -         -         72              72 
 Dividends paid                         -         -    (2,865)         (2,865) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total transactions with equity 
  shareholders                          -         -    (2,793)         (2,793) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 3 October 2010                    200    27,855      (355)          27,700 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 4 October 2009                    200    27,855      4,205          32,260 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Loss for the period                    -         -    (1,873)         (1,873) 
 Other comprehensive income for 
  the period                            -         -          -               - 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                            -         -    (1,873)         (1,873) 
 Transactions with equity 
 shareholders 
 Dividends paid                         -         -    (2,465)         (2,465) 
 Adjustment in share-based 
  payment reserve                       -         -        201             201 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total transactions with equity 
  shareholders                          -         -    (2,264)         (2,264) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 4 April 2010                      200    27,855         68          28,123 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 3 October 2010                    200    27,855      (355)          27,700 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Loss for the period                    -         -    (3,152)         (3,152) 
 Other comprehensive income for 
  the period                            -         -          -               - 
 Total comprehensive income for 
  the period                            -         -    (3,152)         (3,152) 
 Transactions with equity 
 shareholders 
 Dividends paid                         -         -      (802)           (802) 
 Adjustment in share-based 
  payment reserve                       -         -         99              99 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total transactions with equity 
  shareholders                          -         -      (703)           (703) 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 At 3 April 2011                      200    27,855    (4,210)          23,845 
-------------------------------  --------  --------  ---------  -------------- 
 

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited)

for the six months ended 3 April 2011

 
 
                                           six months   six months        year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                   Notes       GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Cash flows from operating 
 activities 
 Cash generated from operations        9       10,077        3,253      12,736 
 Interest paid                                  (980)      (1,066)     (2,058) 
 Tax paid                                       (436)        (300)     (1,806) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net cash from operating 
  activities                                    8,661        1,887       8,872 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Cash flows from investing 
 activities 
 Proceeds from sale of property, 
  plant and equipment                             560          350         438 
 Net proceeds from sale of ATH 
  Regeneration assets                               -            -       6,258 
 Interest received                                  1            -           - 
 Site development costs                       (7,455)      (1,271)     (5,930) 
 Purchases of property, plant 
  and equipment                                 (954)        (329)     (1,358) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net cash used in investing 
  activities                                  (7,848)      (1,250)       (592) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Cash flows from financing 
 activities 
 Dividends paid                                 (802)      (2,465)     (2,865) 
 Repayment of borrowings                            -     (14,533)    (14,335) 
 Payment of hire purchase 
  liabilities                                 (5,194)      (5,447)    (11,247) 
 New asset-backed finance raised                4,266        5,865       8,501 
 New revolving credit facility 
  drawdown                                      2,000       25,000      19,238 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net cash from/(used in) 
  financing activities                            270        8,420       (708) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net increase in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                   1,083        9,057       7,572 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  beginning of period                           2,353      (5,219)     (5,219) 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 
  end of period                                 3,436        3,838       2,353 
--------------------------------  ------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

Notes to the interim Report

for the six months ended 3 April 2011

1. Basis of preparation

The Group has drawn up its interim report for the 26 week period ended 3 April 2011 (2010: 26 weeks ended 4 April 2010). The interim report is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim report has been prepared using policies that are consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. As permitted, this report has not been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.

The financial information relating to the year ended 3 October 2010 is an extract from the latest published financial statements on which the auditors gave an unqualified report that did not contain statements under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

The Group has bank facilities which are due to expire in November 2012 and the Group is currently in discussions with a view to amend and extend these facilities. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the condensed set of financial statements as applied in the latest published annual financial statements. New accounting standards issued in the period do not materially impact on the results of the Group and these will be fully detailed in the year end report.

The interim report was approved by the Board of Directors on 13 June 2011.

2. Segmental reporting

Until 29 July 2010, the Group was organised into two reportable segments; surface mining and regeneration. Following the sale of the business assets of ATH Regeneration, surface mining became the Group's sole business segment.

 
                     Six months ended         Six months ended            Year ended 
                       3 April 2011             4 April 2010            3 October 2010 
                 -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
                  Surface   Discontinued   Surface   Discontinued   Surface   Discontinued 
 Income            Mining     Operations    Mining     Operations    Mining     Operations 
 statement         GBP000         GBP000    GBP000         GBP000    GBP000         GBP000 
---------------  --------  -------------  --------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 Revenue 
 Total revenue     33,934              -    34,404              -    78,307              - 
---------------  --------  -------------  --------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 Result 
 Operating 
  profit/(loss) 
  before 
  exceptional 
  items             1,701              -     (309)          (699)     6,954        (4,942) 
 Exceptional 
  items           (4,131)              -         -              -         -              - 
---------------  --------  -------------  --------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 Operating 
  (loss)/profit   (2,430)              -     (309)          (699)     6,954        (4,942) 
---------------  --------  -------------  --------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 The discontinued operations loss for the year ended 3 October 2010, includes 
  a loss on sale of the ATH Regeneration assets of GBP3,380,000. 
 
 
                          Six months ended                     Six months ended                        Year ended 
                            3 April 2011                         4 April 2010                        3 October 2010 
==============  -----------------------------------  -----------------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
                 Surface    Discontinued              Surface    Discontinued              Surface    Discontinued 
                  Mining     Operations     Group      Mining      Operations    Group      Mining     Operations     Group 
 Balance sheet    GBP000       GBP000       GBP000     GBP000          GBP000    GBP000     GBP000       GBP000       GBP000 
--------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 Assets 
==============  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  ========= 
 Segment 
  assets          101,236              -    101,236     94,171         12,819    106,990     92,370          5,675     98,045 
--------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 Liabilities 
==============  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  ========= 
 Segment 
  liabilities    (77,391)              -   (77,391)   (76,318)        (2,549)   (78,867)   (59,189)       (11,156)   (70,345) 
--------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 Other 
 information 
==============  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  ========= 
 Capital 
  additions         8,409              -      8,409      1,473            127      1,600      4,045          3,243      7,288 
==============  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  =========  =========  =============  ========= 
 Depreciation       5,852              -      5,852      7,052            122      7,174     13,564            194     13,758 
--------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  --------- 
 

3. Other Operating Income

In January 2011, the Group, as permitted under the terms of the technology licence agreement with RecyCoal Limited, elected to receive a royalty payment of GBP2 million in exchange for reduced royalties in the future.

Following this the Group undertook a review of the expected future royalty receipts and reassessed the carrying value of the goodwill associated with the royalty stream. As a consequence the Group made an impairment write down of GBP1.65 million.

4. Exceptional items

During the period the Group has incurred the following exceptional items:

 
                                           Six months   Six months        Year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Write off of work in progress                  2,131            -           - 
  in respect of the Glenmuckloch 
  site 
 Provisions against work in progress            2,000            -           - 
  balances due to re-assessment 
  of coal reserves at current production 
  sites 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
                                                4,131            -           - 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

5. Taxation

Taxation for the six months ended 3 April 2011 has been provided at the effective rate estimated to be applicable for the period.

6. Discontinued Operations

On 29 July 2010 the Group disposed of the business assets of ATH Regeneration Limited which specialised in the recovery of coal through washing of redundant coal tips and its subsequent sale to UK electricity generators. The consideration received for the assets was GBP6.5 million. The Group also entered into a licence agreement with the new owners of RecyCoal Limited to exclusively licence the intellectual property of the coal processing technology, ownership of which is retained by the Group.

The results of the discontinued operations which have been included in the consolidated income statement are as follows:

 
                                           Six months   Six months        Year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                               GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Revenue                                            -            -           - 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Other operating income                             -            9          11 
 Operating expenses                                 -        (708)     (1,573) 
 Loss on sale of business assets                    -            -     (1,136) 
 Goodwill impairment                                -            -     (2,244) 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Operating loss                                     -        (699)     (4,942) 
 Finance costs                                      -         (16)           - 
 Loss before tax                                    -        (715)     (4,942) 
 Taxation                                           -          197         648 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Loss attributable to discontinued 
  operations                                        -        (518)     (4,294) 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

7. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by reference to the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 40,075,158 (4 April 2010: 40,075,158; 3 October 2010: 40,075,158) and the profit for the period. The diluted earnings per share takes account of share options outstanding to employees as set out below:

 
                                            Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                           six months   six months        year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                               Number       Number      Number 
                                                  000          000         000 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Weighted average number of shares 
  in issue                                     40,075       40,075      40,075 
 Weighted average number of dilutive 
  share options                                 2,483        1,570         875 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total number of shares for calculating 
  diluted earnings per share                   42,558       41,645      40,950 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

8. Dividends

 
                                            Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                           six months   six months        year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                               GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Declared and paid during the financial 
  period 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  4 October 2009: 6.15 pence per 
  share                                             -        2,465       2,465 
 Interim dividend for the year ended 
  3 October 2010: 1.00 pence per 
  share                                             -            -         400 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  3 October 2010: 2.00 pence per 
  share                                           802            -           - 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
                                                  802        2,465       2,865 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Proposed after the balance sheet 
  date and not recognised as a liability 
 Final dividend for the year ended 
  3 October 2010: 2.00 pence per 
  share                                             -            -         802 
 Interim dividend for the year ended 
  3 October 2010: 1.00 pence per 
  share                                             -          401           - 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
                                                    -          401         802 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

9. Reconciliation of result before tax to net cash generated from operations

 
                                           Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                          six months   six months        year 
                                               ended        ended       ended 
                                             3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                2011         2010        2010 
                                              GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
---------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Loss before tax                             (3,625)      (2,583)       (954) 
 Finance costs                                 1,195        1,575       2,966 
 Depreciation of property, plant 
  and equipment                                5,852        7,174      13,758 
 Loss on disposal of fixed assets                 49            -       3,380 
 Impairment of goodwill                        1,650            -           - 
 Share-based payment expense                      99          201          72 
 Operating cash flows before movements 
  in working capital                           5,220        6,367      19,222 
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories          (2,463)      (1,720)         203 
 Exceptional items - work in progress 
  write down                                   4,131            -           - 
 Decrease/(increase) in receivables              741          678     (1,636) 
 Increase/(decrease) in payables 
  and provisions                               2,448      (2,072)     (5,053) 
---------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net cash generated from operations           10,077        3,253      12,736 
---------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

10. Analysis of net financial liabilities

 
                                    Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                   six months   six months        year 
                                        ended        ended       ended 
                                      3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                         2011         2010        2010 
                                       GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Debt due within one year             (3,500)            -           - 
 Debt due beyond one year            (18,500)     (25,000)    (20,000) 
 Hire purchase contracts             (15,923)     (20,014)    (16,851) 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total borrowings                    (37,923)     (45,014)    (36,851) 
 Cash and cash equivalents              3,436        3,838       2,353 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net borrowings                      (34,487)     (41,176)    (34,498) 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Financial instrument liability         (235)        (233)       (357) 
 Unamortised borrowing costs              432          696         564 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Other financial liabilities              197          463         207 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 Total financial liabilities         (34,290)     (40,713)    (34,291) 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

11. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net borrowings

 
                                            Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited 
                                           six months   six months        year 
                                                ended        ended       ended 
                                              3 April      4 April   3 October 
                                                 2011         2010        2010 
                                               GBP000       GBP000      GBP000 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Increase in cash in the period                 1,083        9,057       7,572 
 Cash outflow from reduction in debt and 
  hire purchase financing                       5,194       19,982      25,781 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Change in net debt resulting from cash 
  flow                                          6,277       29,039      33,353 
 New asset backed loans                       (4,266)      (5,865)     (8,501) 
 New revolving credit facility drawdown       (2,000)     (25,000)    (20,000) 
 Movement in net debt in the period                11      (1,826)       4,852 
 Net debt brought forward                    (34,498)     (39,350)    (39,350) 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Net debt carried forward                    (34,487)     (41,176)    (34,498) 
----------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

12. Copies of the interim report

Copies of the interim report will be posted to shareholders in due course and are available from the Group's Head Office at Aardvark House, Sidings Court, Doncaster DN4 5NU or by visiting the Group's website www.ath.co.uk.

* The information in this report relating to exploration results, mineral resources or mineral reserves is based on information compiled by Mr. Peter Morgan, a full-time employee of the Group, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Mr. Morgan has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration. He has reviewed and consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. A glossary of terms is available on our website - www.ath.co.uk.

- Ends -

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR GGUBCQUPGGMW

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