UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2010
¨ Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ____ to______.
Commission file number: 000-52409
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant in its charter)
Nevada | | 98-0522950 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
No. 57 Xinhua East Street Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China | | 010010 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
| | |
+86-0471-466-8870 | | |
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ | Non-accelerated | Smaller reporting |
| | filer ¨ | company x |
| | (Do not check if a smaller | |
| | reporting company) | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. ¨ Yes x No
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date:
Class | October 14, 2010 |
Common Stock, $ 0.001 par value | 45,000,000 shares |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
ITEM 1. | Financial Statements |
ITEM 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
ITEM 3. | Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk |
ITEM 4T | Controls and Procedures |
| |
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
ITEM 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
ITEM 1A | Risk Factors |
ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
ITEM 4. | (Removed and Reserved) |
ITEM 5. | Other Information. |
ITEM 6. | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
| Signatures |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:
| · | general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in our markets, |
| · | our expectations and estimates concerning future financial performance, financing plans and the impact of competition, |
| · | our ability to implement our growth strategy, anticipated trends in our business, |
| · | advances in technologies, and |
| · | other risk factors set forth herein. |
In addition, in this report, we use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.
China Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2010 AND 2009
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | August 31, | | | November 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | (Audited) | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 4,165,914 | | | $ | 5,073,645 | |
Term deposit-restricted | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $121,201 and $120,853, respectively | | | 8,404,009 | | | | 4,600,667 | |
Other receivables | | | 2,841,906 | | | | 4,447,272 | |
Advance to suppliers | | | 4,511,336 | | | | 5,511,630 | |
Inventories | | | 4,836,078 | | | | 5,574,465 | |
Total current assets | | | 32,104,731 | | | | 25,207,679 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fixed assets: | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 61,854,649 | | | | 50,546,862 | |
Construction in progress | | | 6,069,246 | | | | 4,236,281 | |
| | | 67,923,895 | | | | 54,783,143 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion | | | (10,180,956 | ) | | | (7,456,849 | ) |
Fixed assets, net | | | 57,742,939 | | | | 47,326,294 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other assets: | | | | | | | | |
Investment property, net of accumulated depreciation of $200,738 and $166,172, respectively | | | 1,907,766 | | | | 1,936,278 | |
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $1,008,986 and $787,417, respectively | | | 3,418,786 | | | | 3,627,642 | |
Restricted cash | | | 535,501 | | | | 149,898 | |
Other long term assets | | | 510,379 | | | | 450,021 | |
Notes receivable | | | 27,968,634 | | | | 7,913,100 | |
Total other assets | | | 34,341,066 | | | | 14,076,939 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 124,188,736 | | | $ | 86,610,912 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Short term bank loans | | $ | 29,969,590 | | | $ | 12,012,012 | |
Accounts payable | | | 16,345,032 | | | | 11,489,568 | |
Notes payable | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Advance from customers | | | 7,415,849 | | | | 12,125,187 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 472,857 | | | | 325,539 | |
Other payables | | | 738,915 | | | | 387,729 | |
Shareholder loans | | | 8,749,104 | | | | 9,972,279 | |
Current portion of deferred income | | | 881,957 | | | | 822,930 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 71,918,792 | | | | 47,135,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred income, net of current portion | | | 6,114,243 | | | | 6,224,033 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 78,033,035 | | | | 53,359,277 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock (authorized 200,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value; 45,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively) | | | 45,000 | | | | 45,000 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 9,036,039 | | | | 8,970,805 | |
Retained earnings | | | 24,956,344 | | | | 12,542,081 | |
Statutory reserves | | | 8,390,155 | | | | 8,078,765 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | 3,728,163 | | | | 3,614,984 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 46,155,701 | | | | 33,251,635 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 124,188,736 | | | $ | 86,610,912 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| | For the nine months ended August 31, | | | For the three months ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 62,404,876 | | | $ | 19,425,386 | | | $ | 21,152,260 | | | $ | 9,962,620 | |
Cost of revenues | | | (38,351,847 | ) | | | (16,690,400 | ) | | | (12,499,542 | ) | | | (7,766,209 | ) |
Gross profit | | | 24,053,029 | | | | 2,734,986 | | | | 8,652,718 | | | | 2,196,411 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and marketing | | | (3,490,979 | ) | | | (1,076,552 | ) | | | (1,268,698 | ) | | | (838,399 | ) |
General and administrative | | | (2,748,519 | ) | | | (2,232,749 | ) | | | (1,016,673 | ) | | | (1,002,605 | ) |
Total operating expenses | | | (6,239,498 | ) | | | (3,309,301 | ) | | | (2,285,371 | ) | | | (1,841,004 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations | | | 17,813,531 | | | | (574,315 | ) | | | 6,367,347 | | | | 355,407 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income (loss) | | | - | | | | 36,841 | | | | - | | | | (6 | ) |
Non-operating income | | | 1,107,448 | | | | 493,367 | | | | 424,770 | | | | 168,194 | |
Finance expenses, net | | | (1,377,543 | ) | | | (580,212 | ) | | | (606,542 | ) | | | (381,490 | ) |
Non-operating expenses | | | (291,837 | ) | | | (882,189 | ) | | | (116,326 | ) | | | (125,106 | ) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 17,251,599 | | | | (1,506,508 | ) | | | 6,069,249 | | | | 16,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Provision for) income taxes | | | (4,525,946 | ) | | | (448,778 | ) | | | (1,770,354 | ) | | | (473,368 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 12,725,653 | | | $ | (1,955,286 | ) | | $ | 4,298,895 | | | $ | (456,369 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | 113,179 | | | | 2,918,007 | | | | 136,970 | | | | 2,839,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | $ | 12,838,832 | | | $ | 962,721 | | | $ | 4,435,865 | | | $ | 2,382,633 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share, basic and diluted | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | 0.10 | | | $ | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | | | 45,000,000 | | | | 45,000,000 | | | | 45,000,000 | | | | 45,000,000 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2010
| | Common Stock | | | Additional Paid in | | | Retained | | | Statutory | | | Other Comprehensive | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Amounts | | | capital | | | Earnings | | | Reserves | | | income | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 1, 2009 | | | 45,000,000 | | | $ | 45,000 | | | $ | 8,970,805 | | | $ | 12,542,081 | | | $ | 8,078,765 | | | $ | 3,614,984 | | | $ | 33,251,635 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income for the period | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12,725,653 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12,725,653 | |
Other comprehensive income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 113,179 | | | | 113,179 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | - | | | | - | | | | 65,234 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 65,234 | |
Allocation of statutory reserve | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (311,390 | ) | | | 311,390 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of August 31, 2010 | | | 45,000,000 | | | $ | 45,000 | | | $ | 9,036,039 | | | $ | 24,956,344 | | | $ | 8,390,155 | | | $ | 3,728,163 | | | $ | 46,155,701 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| | For the nine months ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | |
| | | | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 12,725,653 | | | $ | (1,955,286 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 3,019,559 | | | | 2,168,615 | |
Stock based compensation | | | 65,234 | | | | - | |
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | | | - | | | | 740,058 | |
Gain from short term investments | | | - | | | | (36,841 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
(Increase) in term deposit-restricted | | | (7,345,488 | ) | | | - | |
(Increase) in restricted cash | | | (385,603 | ) | | | - | |
(Increase) in accounts receivable | | | (3,803,690 | ) | | | (2,986,260 | ) |
Decrease in other receivables | | | 1,605,366 | | | | 1,252,468 | |
(Increase) in advance to suppliers | | | (637,916 | ) | | | (787,908 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in inventories | | | 738,387 | | | | (4,388,091 | ) |
(Increase) in other long term assets | | | (25,000 | ) | | | (29,283 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in deferred income | | | (50,763 | ) | | | 306,525 | |
Increase in accounts payable | | | 660,882 | | | | 2,090,381 | |
(Decrease) increase in advance from customers | | | (4,709,338 | ) | | | 7,907,009 | |
Increase in notes payable | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities and other payables | | | 607,852 | | | | (3,981,658 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 9,810,623 | | | | 299,729 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | | | (5,041,280 | ) | | | (5,314,241 | ) |
Proceeds received on sales of fixed assets | | | - | | | | 75,485 | |
Increase in construction in progress | | | (2,186,114 | ) | | | (1,247,575 | ) |
(Increase) in notes receivable | | | (20,617,494 | ) | | | (5,215,264 | ) |
Payments received on notes receivable | | | 561,960 | | | | 893,419 | |
Net cash (used in) investing activities | | | (27,282,928 | ) | | | (10,808,176 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from short term bank loans | | | 29,929,138 | | | | 16,403,767 | |
Principal payments made on short term bank loans | | | (12,030,340 | ) | | | (2,929,244 | ) |
Advance from shareholders | | | - | | | | 4,439,269 | |
Repayments of shareholder loans | | | (1,450,852 | ) | | | (2,081,017 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 16,447,946 | | | | 15,832,775 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 116,628 | | | | 2,581,150 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | (907,731 | ) | | | 7,905,478 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 5,073,645 | | | | 456,802 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 4,165,914 | | | $ | 8,362,280 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 1,070,341 | | | $ | 514,526 | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | $ | 349,114 | | | $ | 263,336 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2010 AND 2009
(UNAUDITED)
1. | Organization and Business |
Organization of the Company
China Energy Corporation (the “Company”) is a Nevada corporation, formed on October 11, 2002 under the name Omega Project Consultations, Inc. The name was changed to China Energy Corporation on November 3, 2004. On November 30, 2004, the Company entered into a share exchange agreement with Inner Mongolia Tehong Coal Group Co., Ltd. (“Coal Group”), and Inner Mongolia Zhunger Heat Power Co. Ltd. (“Heat Power”) and their respective shareholders. The transaction was accounted for as a reverse merger, a procedure that treats the transaction as though Coal Group had acquired the Company. Under the accounting for a reverse merger, the assets and liabilities of the Company, which were nil at the time, were recorded on the books of Coal Group, the continuing company, and the stockholders’ equity accounts of Coal Group were reorganized to reflect the shares issued in this transaction.
The share exchange agreement, which resulted in the Company’s acquisition of the Coal Group and Heat Power, was governed by and valid under Nevada law and was not perfected under the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) law. It was not until certain changes in PRC law, which became definitive in 2006, that the Company was made clear that a series of procedures of governmental approvals and certain additional corporate actions would be condition precedents to that perfection.
The Company does not believe the lack of perfection impairs its ability to exercise control over the Coal Group and Heat Power as it continues to exercise control over them, consistent with the intent of the original shareholders.
The Company is in the process of completing the necessary actions to meet the current PRC legal requirements related to the acquisition of Coal Group and Heat Power. On July 13, 2009, the Company entered into a framework agreement which detailed the actions contemplated for the restructuring of the Company, Coal Group and Heat Power under a "variable interest entity" (“VIE”) structure to meet the current requirements of applicable PRC law.
The framework agreement provides that (i) the Company will establish a newly-formed, indirect subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“CEC China”), (ii) CEC China will enter an exclusive service agreement and option agreement with each of Coal Group and Heat Power (collectively, the “Operating Companies”) and a share pledge agreement with each of the Operating Companies and certain of their respective PRC Shareholders (“PRC Shareholders”). The framework agreement also requires the PRC Shareholders to fully authorize CEC China to exercise all shareholders’ rights that the PRC Shareholders can exercise in the Operating Companies. By entering into the framework agreement and subsequently setting up the structure involving the use of VIEs, the Company will have the control and the economic benefits and costs of ownership of the Operating Companies consistent with PRC regulatory requirements. The Company contemplates that the restructuring process will be completed during 2010.
Business:
The Company’s business is made up of two segments: Coal Group and Heat Power.
Coal Group: Coal Group was organized in China on August 8, 2000 as Inner Mongolia Zhunger Tehong Coal Co., Ltd. The name was changed in December 2003 to Inner Mongolia Tehong Coal Group Co. Ltd. Coal Group owns a coal mine in the Inner Mongolia District from which it produces coal. It also buys, sells, and transports coal, serving the Inner Mongolia District. Coal Group has the capacity to produce approximately up to 800,000 metric tons per year based on enhancement of production lines, which was completed in August of 2009.
Heat Power: During 2003, Heat Power was granted a license, to supply heating to the entire XueJiaWan area. To provide for this requirement, construction began in 2004 on a thermoelectric plant, which was completed in September 2006. Heat Power supplies heating directly to users and supplies electricity within the XueJiaWan area through a government controlled intermediary, Inner Mongolia Electric Power Group Co., Ltd. (“Electric Power Group”).
Heat Power obtains its supply of powdered coal required to generate heat production from Zhunger County Guanbanwusu Coalmine (“Guanbanwusu”). It also obtains its supply through various other coal mines in the area. The Coal Group does not sell any coal to Heat Power.
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Accounting and Presentation
The unaudited interim financial statements of the Company as of August 31, 2010 and for the three and nine month periods ended August 31, 2010 and 2009, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which apply to interim financial statements, including the accounts of China Energy Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Coal Group. In the opinion of management, such information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future quarters or for the year ending November 30, 2010.
Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although the Company believes the disclosure is adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended November 30, 2009.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and Coal Group and Heat Power. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
A subsidiary is an entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors; to cast majority of votes at the meeting of the board of directors or to govern the financial and operating policies of the investee under a statute or agreement among the shareholders or equity holders.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-6, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU No. 2010-06”). ASU No. 2010-06 amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, to require additional information to be disclosed principally regarding Level 3 measurements and transfers to and from Level 1 and 2. In additional, enhanced disclosure is required concerning inputs and valuation techniques used to determine Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. This guidance is generally effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009; however, requirements to disclose separately purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the Level 3 reconciliation are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 (and for interim periods within such years). The update will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.
In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09, “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” (“ASU No. 2010-09”). ASU No. 2010-09 amends FASB ASC Topic 855-10, “Subsequent Events”, to remove the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. This change alleviates potential conflicts between ASC 855-10 and the SEC’s requirements. The update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.
Foreign Currency Translations
Substantially all Company assets are located in China. The functional currency for the majority of the Company’s operations is the Renminbi (“RMB”). The Company uses the United States dollar (“US dollar” or “US$” or “$”) for financial reporting purposes. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been translated into US dollars in accordance with FASB ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” All asset and liability accounts have been translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Equity accounts have been translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. Statements of operations amounts have been translated using the average exchange rate for the periods presented. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the Company’s financial statements are recorded as other comprehensive income.
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into US dollars for the purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
| | August 31, 2010 | | August 31, 2009 | | November 30, 2009 |
Balance sheet items, except for the registered capital, additional paid-in capital, statutory reserves, retained earnings and other comprehensive income, as of period end | | US$1=RMB 6.8069 | | US$1=RMB 6.8299 | | US$1=RMB 6.8265 |
| | | | | | |
Amounts included in the statements of operations, statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for the period | | US$1=RMB 6.8161 | | US$1=RMB 6.8277 | | US$1=RMB 6.8330 |
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, a foreign currency translation adjustment of $113,179 has been reported as other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.
Although government regulations now allow convertibility of RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain. Hence, such translations should not be construed as representations that RMB could be converted into US dollars at that rate or any other rate.
The value of RMB against the US dollars and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. Any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial condition in terms of US dollar reporting.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all demand and time deposits and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Term Deposit-Restricted
Term deposit-restricted represents deposits held by a bank which are not available for the Company’s general use. These deposits are held as collateral for issuance of notes to vendors for purchase of coal which generally mature between three to six months.
Accounts receivable is stated at cost, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes allowances where there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, the customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. As of August 31, 2010 and November 30, 2009, the balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts were $121,201 and $120,853, respectively. For the periods presented, the Company did not write off any accounts receivable as bad debts.
Inventories
Inventories consisted of coal and operating supplies. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on the first in, first out basis. Provisions are made for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory as well as inventory whose carrying value is in excess of market. The Company did not make any inventory adjustments for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2010 and 2009.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the price paid to acquire or construct the asset, including capitalized interest during the construction period, and any expenditures that substantially increase the assets value or extend the useful life of an existing asset. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment, which are approximately five years for electrical and office equipment, ten years for transportation equipment and pipelines, and 20 to 45 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. Capitalized costs related to assets under construction are not depreciated until construction is complete and the asset is ready for its intended use. Major repairs and betterments that significantly extend original useful lives or improve productivity are capitalized and depreciated over the period benefited. Maintenance and repairs are generally expensed as incurred. When property, plant and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations.
Costs of mine development, expansion of the capacity of or extending the life of the mine (“Mining Structures”) are capitalized and amortized using the units-of-production (“UOP”) method over the productive life of the mine based on proven and probable reserves. Mining Structure includes the main and auxiliary mine shafts, underground tunnels, ramps, and other integrant mining infrastructure.
Investment Property
Investment property represents rental property purchased by the Company for investment purposes. Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful life of 45 years. The related rental income is included in non-operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Mining Right
All land in China belongs to the government. To extract resources from land, the Company is required to obtain a mining right. The Company’s Coal Group acquired its mining right from the Provincial Bureau of National Land and Resource in November of 2005. The price of the mining right, which represents the acquisition cost of the mine, was assessed by the Bureau to be $3,656,731. The mine acquisition cost is payable in instalments over a six year period from the date the mining right was granted. The mine acquisition cost is amortized using the UOP method over the productive life of the mine based on proven and probable reserves.
Restricted Cash
Long-term restricted cash represents the bank deposits placed as a guarantee for the future payments of rehabilitation costs as required by the PRC government. The long-term deposits earn interest at 0.6% per annum.
Advance from Customers
Advance from customers primarily consists of payments received from customers by the Coal Group and Heat Power prior to the delivery of goods and services.
Notes Payable
Notes payable represents two bank acceptance bills issued by a bank with no interest, maturing in November 2010. The notes are collateralized by a restricted term deposit.
Deferred Income
Deferred income represents reimbursements received by Heat Power from various real estate development companies for the cost of constructing pipelines to connect to rural areas being developed. The income is recognized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the pipelines of ten years.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company utilizes FASB ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”), which addresses the financial accounting and reporting for the recognition and measurement of impairment losses for long-lived assets. In accordance with ASC 360, long-lived assets are reviewed, at least annually, for impairment or, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company may recognize impairment of long-lived assets in the event the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to these assets. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2010 and 2009.
Recognition of Revenue
Revenues from sales of products are recognized when the products are delivered and the title is transferred, the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer, the price is fixed and determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured.
Revenue associated with sales of coal is recognized when the title to the goods has been passed to customers, which is the date when the goods are delivered to designated locations and accepted by the customers and the previously discussed requirements are met.
Heat Power supplies heat to users directly and supplies electricity through a government controlled intermediary. Revenue from sales of heat and electricity represents the amount of tariffs billed for heat and electricity generated and transmitted to the users and government controlled intermediary, respectively.
Resource Compensation Fees
In accordance with the relevant regulations, a company that is engaged in coal production business is required to pay a fee to the Inner Mongolia National Land and Resources Administration Bureau as the compensation for the depletion of coal resources. Coal Group was required to pay a resource compensation fee of $210,889 and $70,578 for the nine months ended August, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $87,049 and $54,693, respectively, for the three months then ended, which is included in cost of revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.
Environmental Costs
The PRC has adopted extensive environmental laws and regulations that affect the operations of the coal mining industry. The potential environmental liabilities under proposed or future environmental legislation cannot be reasonably estimated at present, and could be material. Under existing legislation, however, Company management believes that there are no probable liabilities that will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments include accounts receivable, advance to suppliers, other receivables, short term bank loans, accounts payable, advance from customers, accrued liabilities, other payables and shareholders’ loans. As of August 31, 2010 and November 30, 2009, the carrying values of these financial instruments approximated their fair values.
Income Taxes
Coal Group and Heat Power generate their income in China where Value Added Tax, Income Tax, City Construction and Development Tax and Education Surcharge taxes are applicable. The Company, Coal Group and Heat Power do not conduct any operations in the U.S. and therefore, are not subject to U.S. taxes (see Note 13).
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires the recognition of deferred income taxes for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax consequence for those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimated.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company computes net income (loss) per common share in accordance with FASB ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC 260”) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 (“SAB 98”). Under the provisions of ASC 260 and SAB 98, basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the amount available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the amount available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the effect of any dilutive shares outstanding during the period. Accordingly, the number of weighted average shares outstanding as well as the amount of net income (loss) per share are presented for basic and diluted per share calculations for all periods reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Statutory Reserves
Pursuant to corporate law of the PRC, the Company is required to maintain statutory reserves by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserves, representing restricted retained earnings, consist of the following funds:
Surplus Reserve Fund: The Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital. The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issuance is not less than 25% of the registered capital.
Common Welfare Fund: The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund that the Company can elect to transfer 5% to 10% of its net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to this fund. This fund can only be utilized on capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation.
Non-Surplus Reserve Fund (Safety and Maintenance): According to ruling No. 119 (2004) issued on May 21, 2004, and amended ruling No. 168 (2005) on April 8, 2005 by the PRC Ministry of Finance regarding “Accrual and Utilization of Coal Production Safety Expense” and “Criterion on Coal Mine Maintenance and Improvement,” the Company is required to set aside to a safety fund of RMB 6 per ton and RMB 10 per ton of raw coal mined for 2010 and 2009, respectively, and RMB 10.5 per ton for a maintenance fund. As defined under US GAAP, a liability for safety and maintenance expenses does not exist at the balance sheet date because there is no present obligation to transfer assets or to provide services as a result of any past transactions. Therefore, for financial reporting purposes, this statutory reserve has been recorded as an appropriation of retained earnings.
The statutory reserves consist of the following:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | |
Surplus Reserve and Common Welfare fund | | $ | 2,447,598 | | | $ | 2,447,598 | |
Safety and Maintenance fund | | | 5,942,557 | | | | 5,631,167 | |
Total statutory reserves | | $ | 8,390,155 | | | $ | 8,078,765 | |
Stock Based Compensation
The Company records stock based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Based Compensation”, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimated fair values for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options.
FASB ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as its method of determining fair value. This model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These subjective variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected stock option exercise behaviours. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the requisite service period.
Asset Retirement Cost and Obligation
The Company has adopted FASB ASC 410, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” (“ASC 410”). ASC 410 generally requires that the Company’s legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets are recognized at fair value at the time the obligations are incurred. Obligations are incurred at the time development of a mine commences for underground mines or construction begins for support facilities, refuse areas and slurry ponds. The obligation’s fair value is determined using discounted cash flow techniques and is accreted over time to its expected settlement value. Upon initial recognition of a liability, a corresponding amount is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The related asset is amortized using the UOP method over the productive life of the mine based on proven and probable reserves. The Company did not incur and does not anticipate incurring any material dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs given the nature of its producing activities and the current PRC regulations surrounding such activities.
Vulnerability Due to Operations in PRC
The Company’s operations may be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties in the PRC. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than twenty years, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRCs political, economic and social conditions. There is also no guarantee that the PRC government’s pursuit of economic reforms will be consistent or effective.
All of the Company’s businesses are transacted in RMB, which is not freely convertible. The People’s Bank of China or other banks are authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Approval of foreign currency payments by the People’s Bank of China or other institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices, shipping documents and signed contracts.
Since the Company has its primary operations in the PRC, the majority of its revenues will be settled in RMB, not US dollars. Due to certain restrictions on currency exchanges that exist in the PRC, the Company’s ability to use revenue generated in RMB to pay any dividend payments to its shareholders outside of China will be limited.
All of the Company’s bank accounts are in banks located in PRC and are not covered by protection similar to that provided by the FDIC on funds held in United States banks.
The Company's mining operations are subject to extensive national and local governmental regulations in China, which regulations may be revised or expanded at any time. Generally, compliance with these regulations requires the Company to obtain permits issued by government regulatory agencies. Certain permits require periodic renewal or review of their conditions. The Company cannot predict whether it will be able to obtain or renew such permits or whether material changes in permit conditions will be imposed. The inability to obtain or renew permits or the imposition of additional conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to develop and operate its mines.
Reclassifications
Certain prior periods’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current periods’ presentation.
3. Segment Reporting
The Company is made up of two segments of business, Coal Group which derives its revenue from the mining and purchase and sale of coal, and Heat Power which derives its revenue by providing heating and electricity to residents and businesses of a local community. Each of these segments is conducted in a separate corporation and each functions independently of the other.
Except for the loans made to Heat Power by Coal Group in the principal amount of RMB 94 million (equivalent to US$13.8 million) as of August 31, 2010, during the periods reported herein, there were no other transactions between the two segments. There also were no differences between the measurements used to report operations of the segments and those used to report the consolidated operations of the Company. In addition, there were no differences between the measurements of the assets of the reported segments and the assets reported on the consolidated balance sheets.
| | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | Heat | | | Coal | | | | | | Heat | | | Coal | | | | |
| | Power | | | Group | | | Total | | | Power | | | Group | | | Total | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | |
Sales to external customers | | | 8,094,206 | | | | 50,977,131 | | | | 59,071,337 | | | | 6,863,482 | | | | 12,392,183 | | | | 19,255,665 | |
Sales – government subsidies | | | 3,333,539 | | | | - | | | | 3,333,539 | | | | 169,721 | | | | - | | | | 169,721 | |
Finance expense, net | | | 374,892 | | | | 1,002,651 | | | | 1,377,543 | | | | 157,725 | | | | 422,487 | | | | 580,212 | |
Depreciation and depletion | | | 1,914,246 | | | | 1,105,313 | | | | 3,019,559 | | | | 1,837,328 | | | | 331,287 | | | | 2,168,615 | |
Segment profit (loss) | | | 859,765 | | | | 11,865,888 | | | | 12,725,653 | | | | (2,492,790 | ) | | | 537,504 | | | | (1,955,286 | ) |
| | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | Heat | | | Coal | | | | | | Heat | | | Coal | | | | |
| | Power | | | Group | | | Total | | | Power | | | Group | | | Total | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | |
Sales to external customers | | | 618,589 | | | | 17,200,132 | | | | 17,818,721 | | | | 739,149 | | | | 9,217,895 | | | | 9,957,044 | |
Sales – government subsidies | | | 3,333,539 | | | | - | | | | 3,333,539 | | | | 5,576 | | | | - | | | | 5,576 | |
Finance expense, net | | | 197,737 | | | | 408,805 | | | | 606,542 | | | | 48,502 | | | | 332,988 | | | | 381,490 | |
Depreciation and depletion | | | 555,351 | | | | 355,975 | | | | 911,326 | | | | 609,494 | | | | 117,556 | | | | 727,050 | |
Segment profit (loss) | | | 261,150 | | | | 4,037,745 | | | | 4,298,895 | | | | (846,609 | ) | | | 390,240 | | | | (456,369 | ) |
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
| | Heat | | | Coal | | | | | | Heat | | | Coal | | | | |
| | Power | | | Group | | | Total | | | Power | | | Group | | | Total | |
| | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | | | US$ | |
Segment assets | | | 56,235,428 | | | | 67,953,308 | | | | 124,188,736 | | | | 49,346,842 | | | | 37,264,070 | | | | 86,610,912 | |
Construction in progress | | | 5,542,092 | | | | 527,154 | | | | 6,069,246 | | | | 3,514,152 | | | | 722,129 | | | | 4,236,281 | |
Investment property, net | | | - | | | | 1,907,766 | | | | 1,907,766 | | | | - | | | | 1,936,278 | | | | 1,936,278 | |
Substantial portions of the cost of construction of the thermoelectric plant and of the costs of expansion projects at Heat Power and the coal mine were provided by shareholder loans. Balances are detailed below:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Ordos City YiYuan Investment Co., Ltd. | | $ | 1,689,810 | | | $ | 1,634,404 | |
Hangzhou Dayuan Group, Ltd. | | | 5,047,679 | | | | 5,428,963 | |
Xinghe County Haifu Coal Transportation & Sales Co., Ltd. | | | 1,867,274 | | | | 1,807,686 | |
Wenxiang Ding | | | 96,960 | | | | 28,565 | |
Yanhua Li | | | - | | | | 1,025,416 | |
Yi Ding | | | 47,381 | | | | 47,245 | |
Total | | $ | 8,749,104 | | | $ | 9,972,279 | |
The shareholder loans are due on demand with interest as follows:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
| | Balance | | | Interest rate | | | Balance | | | Interest rate | |
Shareholder loans – interest free | | $ | 144,341 | | | | 0 | % | | $ | 1,101,226 | | | | 0 | % |
Shareholder loans – interest bearing | | | 6,493,411 | | | | 5.310 | % | | | 6,964,156 | | | | 3.155 | % |
Interest payable | | | 2,111,352 | | | | | | | | 1,906,897 | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 8,749,104 | | | | | | | $ | 9,972,279 | | | | | |
The Company leases an office under an operating lease expiring December 31, 2011. The minimum future annual rent payments under the lease as of August 31, 2010 are approximated as follows:
Year Ending | | Annual | |
November 30, | | Amount | |
2010 | | $ | 22,036 | |
2011 | | | 88,146 | |
2012 | | | 7,345 | |
Total | | $ | 117,527 | |
Rent expense charged to operations for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and 2009 was $66,020 and $65,908, respectively, and was $22,007 and $21,969 for the three months then ended.
As is customary in China, the Company has made advances to various suppliers. At August 31, 2010 and November 30, 2009, advances amounted to $4,511,336 and $5,511,630, respectively. There is no interest due on these advances; the advances are offset against billings as they are made by the suppliers.
7. Other Receivables
Other receivables consist of the following:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Loans to suppliers and other associated firms | | $ | 1,052,493 | | | $ | 1,332,038 | |
Deposit funds to secure agreements | | | 70,130 | | | | 509,392 | |
Employee expense advances | | | 177,149 | | | | 217,643 | |
Government subsidies receivable | | | 616,157 | | | | 1,464,880 | |
Heat network access fee receivable | | | 925,977 | | | | 923,319 | |
Total | | $ | 2,841,906 | | | $ | 4,447,272 | |
On a periodic basis, management reviews these balances and establishes allowances where there is doubt as to the collectability of the individual balance. In evaluating collectability of the individual balances, the Company considers factors such as the age of the balance, payment history, and credit-worthiness of the creditor. The Company considers all other receivables at August 31, 2010 and November 30, 2009 to be fully collectible and, therefore, did not provide for an allowance for doubtful accounts.
8. Fixed Assets
Fixed assets, consisting principally of buildings, machinery and equipment and construction in progress, are summarized as follows:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Buildings | | $ | 9,961,293 | | | $ | 9,682,139 | |
Machinery & equipment | | | 49,848,534 | | | | 39,322,399 | |
Automotive equipment | | | 1,077,949 | | | | 919,922 | |
Office Equipment | | | 966,873 | | | | 622,402 | |
Construction in progress | | | 6,069,246 | | | | 4,236,281 | |
| | | 67,923,895 | | | | 54,783,143 | |
Accumulated depreciation and depletion | | | (10,180,956 | ) | | | (7,456,849 | ) |
Fixed assets, net | | $ | 57,742,939 | | | $ | 47,326,294 | |
Depreciation expense charged to operations for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and 2009 was $2,698,988 and $1,955,370, respectively and was $806,226 and 651,898 for the three months then ended, respectively.
9. Notes Receivable
Certain loans were made for strategic purposes. Notes receivable, which are non-interest bearing except as noted below and payable on demand, consist of the following:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Inner Mongolia XiangRong Investment Management Co., Ltd. (a) | | $ | 1,382,870 | | | $ | 1,378,900 | |
Inner Mongolia Tehong Investment Co., Ltd. (a) | | | 20,922,440 | | | | 3,244,785 | |
Inner Mongolia Tehong Coal Chemical Co., Ltd. (a) | | | 3,208,509 | | | | 761,737 | |
QuanYing Coal Mine | | | 354,351 | | | | 916,311 | |
Inner Mongolia XinKe Kaolin Fabrication Plant | | | 1,645,389 | | | | 1,611,367 | |
Inner Mongolia Tehong Glass Co.,Ltd. with interest at 11.16% (a) | | | 455,075 | | | | - | |
Total notes receivable | | $ | 27,968,634 | | | $ | 7,913,100 | |
| (a) | Related parties affiliated to the Company by common control. The Company lent RMB 94 million (US$13,809,517) to certain affiliates controlled by the family of the Company’s Chairman to make an investment intended to increase significantly the Company’s mining rights and reserves in Inner Mongolia. The Company plans to unwind this loan in order to evaluate alternative structures for making these types of investments directly through its operating companies. |
10. Short Term Bank Loans
The Company has bank loans collateralized by the investment property and guaranteed by two related parties, Inner Mongolia Tehong Glass Co., Ltd. and Inner Mongolia XiangRong Investment Management Co., Ltd, and a third party company. Relevant terms of these bank loans are as follows:
| | August 31,2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Bank loan due 3/9/11, with interest at 6.372% | | $ | 5,876,390 | | | $ | - | |
Bank loan due 4/15/11, with interest at 6.372% | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Bank loan due 4/22/11, with interest at 6.903% | | | 2,938,195 | | | | - | |
Bank loan due 7/27/11, with interest at 5.841% | | | 6,464,029 | | | | - | |
Bank loan due 6/29/11, with interest at 5.310% | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Bank loan due 12/5/09, with interest at 6.696% | | | - | | | | 1,757,855 | |
Bank loan due 3/15/10, with interest at 6.372% | | | - | | | | 8,789,277 | |
Bank loan due 4/21/10, with interest at 6.372% | | | - | | | | 1,464,880 | |
Total | | $ | 29,969,590 | | | $ | 12,012,012 | |
11. Fair Value Measurement
FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs). In accordance with ASC 820, the following summarizes the fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 Inputs – Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 Inputs – Inputs based on prices or valuation techniques that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurements.
ASC 820 requires the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at August 31, 2010.
Notes receivable: Valued at the net realizable value which approximates the fair value.
The method described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following table presents the Company’s assets and related valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2010:
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Notes receivable | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 27,968,634 | | | $ | 27,968,634 | |
Total | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 27,968,634 | | | $ | 27,968,634 | |
The following table presents the Company’s assets and related valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2009:
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Notes receivable | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 7,913,100 | | | $ | 7,913,100 | |
Total | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 7,913,100 | | | $ | 7,913,100 | |
The following table presents a Level 3 reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs:
| | Notes Receivable | | | Total | |
Balance, December 1, 2009 | | $ | 7,913,100 | | | $ | 7,913,100 | |
Purchases, sales, issuance and settlements (net) | | | 20,055,534 | | | | 20,055,534 | |
Balance, August 31, 2010 | | $ | 27,968,634 | | | $ | 27,968,634 | |
12. Government Subsidies
Government subsidies are primarily comprised of financial support provided by the local government to Heat Power to ensure supply of heat to the XueJiaWan area as the price for heat charged is regulated and approved by the government. The financial support includes revenue subsidies to compensate for lower government regulated prices charged for heat and cost subsidies for purchase of coal used in providing heat. Government subsidies are intended to be an incentive for Heat Power to supply heat at the government regulated prices. Government subsidies amounted to $3,333,539 and $169,721 for the nine month periods ended August 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3,333,539 and $5,576 for the three months then ended. All the government subsidies are included in revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
13. Income Taxes
The Company is required to file income tax returns in both the United States and China. Its operations in the United States have been insignificant and income taxes have not been accrued. In China, the Company files tax returns for Heat Power and Coal Group and, although it is part of Coal Group, a separate tax return is required for the operations of the coal mine. The laws of China permit the carryforward of net operating losses for a period of five years. At August 31, 2010, the Chinese entities had no net operating losses available for future use as confirmed by the local tax authority.
Under ASC 740, recognition of deferred tax assets is permitted unless it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. The Company has recorded deferred tax assets as follows:
| | August 31, 2010 | | | November 30, 2009 | |
Deferred tax assets | | $ | - | | | $ | 256,010 | |
Valuation allowance | | | - | | | | (256,010 | ) |
Balance recognized | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Deferred tax assets consist primarily of future tax benefits of net operating losses recognized for Heat Power. A full valuation allowance has been established for the year ended November 30, 2009 since the Company is unable to determine if and when those benefits will be realized.
The following tables reconcile the effective income tax rate with the statutory rate for the periods presented:
Nine months ended August 31, 2010 | | Income Before Income Taxes | | | Tax Provision | | | Rate of Tax | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As calculated with statutory rate | | $ | 18,103,784 | | | $ | 4,525,946 | | | | 25 | % |
Expenses not deductible for calculation of taxable income on the tax returns | | | (852,185 | ) | | | - | | | | 1.2 | % |
As reported on the consolidated statements of operations | | $ | 17,251,599 | | | $ | 4,525,946 | | | | 26.2 | % |
Nine months ended August 31, 2009 | | Income Before Income Taxes | | | Tax Provision | | | Rate of Tax | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As calculated with statutory rate | | $ | 1,795,112 | | | $ | 448,778 | | | | 25 | % |
Expenses not deductible for calculation of taxable income on the tax returns | | | (3,301,620 | ) | | | - | | | | (55 | )% |
As reported on the consolidated statements of operations | | $ | (1,506,508 | ) | | $ | 448,778 | | | | (30 | )% |
Three months ended August 31, 2010 | | Income Before Income Taxes | | | Tax Provision | | | Rate of Tax | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As calculated with statutory rate | | $ | 7,081,416 | | | $ | 1,770,354 | | | | 25 | % |
Expenses not deductible for calculation of taxable income on the tax returns | | | (1,012,167 | ) | | | - | | | | 4.2 | % |
As reported on the consolidated statements of operations | | $ | 6,069,249 | | | $ | 1,770,354 | | | | 29.2 | % |
Three months ended August 31, 2009 | | Income Before Income Taxes | | | Tax Provision | | | Rate of Tax | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As calculated with statutory rate | | $ | 1,893,472 | | | $ | 473,368 | | | | 25 | % |
Expenses not deductible for calculation of taxable income on the tax returns | | | (1,876,473 | ) | | | - | | | | 2,760 | % |
As reported on the consolidated statements of operations | | $ | 16,999 | | | $ | 473,368 | | | | 2,785 | % |
The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of SFAS 109.” (“FIN 48”), as codified in ASC 740. ASC 740 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC 740, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position would be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions.
The Company did not file its U.S. federal income tax returns, including, without limitation, information returns on Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 5471, “Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations” for the years ended November 30, 2002 through 2005, and 2008. The Company was also late in filing for the years ended November 30, 2006 and 2007. Failure to furnish any information with respect to any foreign business entity required, within the time prescribed by the IRS, subjects the Company to certain civil penalties. The Company is unable to determine the amount of any penalties that may be assessed at this time. Management is of the opinion that penalties, if any, that may be assessed would not be material to the consolidated financial statements.
In addition, because the Company did not generate any income in the United States or otherwise have any U.S. taxable income, the Company does not believe that it owes U.S. federal income taxes in respect to any transactions that the Company or any of its subsidiaries may have engaged in through August 31, 2010. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the position, and therefore the Company ultimately could be held liable for U.S. federal income taxes, interest and penalties.
14. Stock-Based Compensation
In 2008, the Company granted to its officers, directors and independent consultants options to purchase 4,500,000 shares of common stock with exercise price at $0.5. In 2010, the options were had either expired or were cancelled.
On May 31, 2010, the Company granted options to each of its three independent directors an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.09 per share. The options vest over one year in equal, quarterly installments on the last day of the Company’s fiscal quarter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending August 31, 2010, subject to their continued service as a director. The Board, or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors will determine if the performance conditions have been met.
The fair value of the options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility data of the Company’s stock. The expected term of stock options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that stock options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on a zero-coupon United States Treasury bond whose maturity period equals the expected term of the options. The weighted average estimated grant date fair value for options granted to the independent directors was $2.09 per share.
Weighted average assumptions used to estimate fair values of stock options on the date of grants are as follows:
| | May 31, 2010 | |
Expected dividend yield | | | - | |
Expected stock price volatility | | | 210.57 | % |
Risk free interest rate | | | 3.29 | % |
Expected life (years) | | 10 years | |
The stock-based compensation included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations was $65,234 for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2010.
The Company will issue new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options. The following is a summary of option activity for the Company’s stock options:
| | Shares | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life | | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at November 30, 2009 | | | 4,500,000 | | | $ | 0.5 | | | One year | | | | - | |
Granted | | | 60,000 | | | | 2.09 | | | 10 years | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Cancelled and expired | | | (4,500,000 | ) | | | 0.5 | | | | | | | | | |
Forfeited | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at August 31, 2010 | | | 60,000 | | | $ | 2.09 | | | 10 years | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vested and expected to vest at August 31, 2010 | | | 15,000 | | | $ | 2.09 | | | 10 years | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at August 31, 2010 | | | 15,000 | | | $ | 2.09 | | | 10 years | | | | - | |
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock. There were no options that were exercised during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2010.
As of August 31, 2010, $60,075 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non vested options were scheduled to be recognized through May 31, 2011.
15. Contingency
As is customary in China, except for auto coverage, Coal Group and Heat Power do not carry sufficient insurance. As a result the Company is effectively self-insuring risk of potential accidents that may occur in the workplace. Given the nature of the industry, the Company may be exposed to risks that could have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.
China has enacted legislation which appears to restrict the ability of entities considered foreign to China, like the Company, to have ownership interest in operating companies located in China. The Company has taken steps to avoid any potential adverse impact of this legislation. (See Note 1)
The Company did not file the information reports for the years ended November 30,2004 through 2008 concerning its interest in foreign bank accounts on TDF 90-22.1, “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts” (“FBARs”). For not complying with the FBAR reporting and recordkeeping requirements, the Company is subject to civil penalties up to $10,000 for each of its foreign bank. The Company does not believe that the failure to file the FBAR was “willful” and intends to seek a waiver of any penalties. The Company is unable to determine the amount of any penalties that may be assessed at this time and believes that penalties, if any, that may be assessed would not be material to the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Through Coal Group, we produce coal using the longwall method of mining at the LaiYeGou coal mine located in the Dongsheng coal field near the Dongsheng district of Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. In addition to selling coal we produce at our mine, Coal Group also buys, sells and transports coal as part of its expanding proprietary coal trading business. Each year the PRC government regulates the amount of coal we and other coal producers are able to sell by allocating space to coal mines in Inner Mongolia to ship their coal on rail cars to the port in Qinhuangdao, where regional users come to buy the coal on the open market. In order to capitalize on excess quota for rail space that we may have from time to time, commencing in 2008, we began to buy excess coal from other coal producers in Inner Mongolia and then pay to have that coal delivered by rail from the other companies’ mines to the Qinhuangdao port. Our business of buying and re-selling coal on a proprietary basis expanded in 2009 as a result of our receipt of additional quota for space on trains from the local railway bureau. Due to the increased quota, we were able to trade more coal. Parties are awarded additional quotas based on their successful use of the quota in the previous year. Our quota increased from 500,000 tons in 2009 to 840,000 tons in 2010 (the increase to 660,000 tons was acknowledged in writing by the local railway bureau and the rest was orally acknowledged). We believe that, given the demand for coal and our past track record of successfully filling our extra quota, we will be able to grow our coal trading business through increased quotas granted to us by the local railway bureau; however, our ability to use any or all of our quota in 2010 will vary with market conditions and is dependent on our ability to source commercially acceptable coal purchases and subsequent trades. Coal that we produce and sell directly to our customers is customarily transported at the buyer’s expense and therefore does not count against our quota.
Through Heat Power, we use our thermoelectric plant to generate and provide heating and electricity to residential and commercial customers throughout XueJiaWan, the administrative center of Zhunger, one of the seven counties of Ordos.
Coal Group is the major revenue and profit driver of the Company. While the sales prices of heat and electricity units generated by Heat Power are regulated by government, sales prices of coal are market driven. Therefore, Coal Group enjoys a higher gross margin compared to Heat Power.
Coal Group experiences lower sales volume in Q1 each year due to the Chinese New Year holidays. Heat Power provides heating from October 15th each year to April 15th of the next calendar year, resulting in higher sales and profit in Q1, lower sales in Q2 and Q4, and no sales from heating in Q3 each year.
History
On November 30, 2004, we entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with Coal Group and Heat Power, both Chinese corporations, whereby we agreed to acquire all the issued and outstanding stock of Coal Group and 49% of the issued and outstanding stock of Heat Power in consideration of 45,000,000 shares of our common stock. The offers and sales of the shares were exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act as they were made to off-shore, non US residents. The remaining 51% of the stock of Heat Power is owned by Coal Group.
The shareholders of both companies unanimously agreed to enter into the Share Exchange Agreement for the purposes of restructuring in anticipation of becoming listed on the OTC Bulletin Board. We were formed by the shareholders of Coal Group and Heat Power for this purpose and prior to entering into the Share Exchange Agreement we had no assets, liabilities or equity and had not issued any of our shares. As a result of entering into the Share Exchange Agreement; the shareholders of Coal Group and Heat Power became our shareholders. The 45,000,000 shares issued to the shareholders of Coal Group and Heat Power were allocated based on the capital contributions or ownership of such shareholders. The Agreement therefore was a non-arms length transaction.
As a result of PRC merger and acquisition regulations, the Company was required to undergo an application process to convert each of Coal Group and Heat Power from a domestic PRC company to a Foreign Invested Enterprise (“FIE”) pursuant to which a FIE business license would be obtained. The regulations required the Company, as a foreign investor, to invest cash equity interest into both operating companies. Accordingly, the Company formulated a plan pursuant to which it would be able to raise the funds to become an FIE. As part of this plan, on December 30, 2007, the Company acquired PPI, a Nevada company with no assets, liabilities or equity. The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of PPI, or 5,000 common shares with a par value of $ 0.001.On December 31, 2007, PPI entered into a Trust Agreement with all the registered shareholders of Coal Group and Heat Power, pursuant to which all the shareholders are obligated to hold their interests in Coal Group and Heat Power (represented by their registered paid up capital contributions to date) in trust for PPI, for an eight year term, extendable for another five years. In addition, prior to the execution of the PPI Trust Agreement, controlling shareholders of the Company, including Wenxiang Ding, Yanhua Li and members of their immediate family, transferred their shares of the Company to Georgia Pacific Investments Inc. (“GPI”) and Axim Holdings Ltd. (“Axim”) to be held in trust with the view that GPI and Axim would sell the shares in the open market in order to fund a plan to convert Coal Group and Heat Power into FIEs to raise the mandated cash equity investment under PRC rules for FIEs. The sole shareholder and director of each of GPI and Axim is Yi Ding, son of WenXiang Ding, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company has decided to forgo the FIE plan in favor of an alternative structure involving the use of “variable interest entities” or VIEs to reduce any regulatory risks relating to the foreign ownership structure of the Company.
Pursuant to a VIE restructuring as contemplated by a framework contract entered in June 2009, a newly-formed subsidiary of the Company (“CEC China”), will enter into a series of contractual arrangements with the registered shareholders of the operating companies so that the control and the economic benefits and costs of ownership of the operating companies would flow directly to CEC China through a series of management and business cooperation agreements. CEC China would also have the option to purchase the equity interests in Coal Group and Heat Power held by the registered shareholders. The registered shareholders will pledge their equity interests in Coal Group and Heat Power as security for their agreement to comply with provisions of the management and cooperation agreements and would provide CEC China with a power of attorney to exercise all their shareholder rights in Coal Group and Heat Power. The contractual arrangements under the VIE structure are intended to comply with, and be enforceable under, applicable PRC law, and would adequately reduce any PRC regulatory risk without the capital contributions necessary under the FIE plan initially proposed by the Company. In connection with the planned VIE restructuring, the Company and the registered shareholders have entered into a framework contract in July 2009 pursuant to which the Company and the registered shareholders have agreed to enter into the aforementioned agreements.
Operating Companies
Coal Group
Coal Group, organized in China on August 8, 2000, produces coal from the LaiYeGou coal mine located in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, PRC. Since the acquisition of LaiYeGou in 1999, Coal Group’s principal activities consist of the production of “powdered” coal and “lump” coal from raw coal and the sale of products to heating and power industries, distributors and coking factories for steel production. Coal Group also buys, sells, and transports coal, as part of its proprietary coal trading activities.
Heat Power
Heat Power has two distinct operations servicing customers in the XueJiaWan district in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. Heat Power supplies (i) steam heating and (ii) electricity to end users. In 2003, Heat Power was granted a license to supply heating to the entire XueJiaWan district. In order to have sufficient heating supply, in 2004 Heat Power began construction on a thermoelectric plant which was completed in September 2006. In conjunction with the thermoelectric plant, Heat Power also owns and operates 32 heat transfer stations.
Heat Power obtains its supply of powdered coal required to generate heat production principally from Zhunger County Guanbanwusu Coal Mine (“Guanbanwusu”), an unrelated third party vendor. It also obtains coal from various other coal mines in the area. We do not supply Heat Power with coal for fuel.
In the XueJiaWan area, hardly anyone owns a domestic heating boiler. Water is first heated in the Company’s thermoelectric plant by the high-temperature steam used for generating electricity, and then piped directly to homes and public buildings, including private dwellings, factories as well as municipal facilities, and lastly the water is piped back to the thermoelectric plant to repeat the process.
Results of Operations
Results of operations – Three Months Ended August 31, 2010
Revenues
The following is an analysis of our revenues and gross profit, details and analysis of components of expenses, and variance; for the three months ended August 31, 2010 compared to August 31, 2009:
Coal Group | | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 17,200,132 | | | | 81 | % | | $ | 9,217,895 | | | | 93 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 9,349,004 | | | | 44 | % | | | 6,594,918 | | | | 66 | % |
Gross Profit | | $ | 7,851,128 | | | | 37 | % | | $ | 2,622,977 | | | | 27 | % |
Heat Power | | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 3,952,128 | | | | 19 | % | | $ | 744,725 | | | | 7 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 3,150,538 | | | | 15 | % | | | 1,171,291 | | | | 12 | % |
Gross Profit | | $ | 801,590 | | | | 4 | % | | $ | (426,566 | ) | | | (5 | )% |
Coal Group
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, revenues for Coal Group were $17,200,132 compared to $9,217,895 in the comparable three months in 2009. The $7,982,237 increase was due to the fact that the production at LaiYeGou coal mine was partially shut down for the installation of the long wall automatic mining equipments and normal production resumed in mid July 2009 with the completion of the installation and adjustment of the equipment and increases in the selling price of coal in the 2010 period.. In addition, the increase of the volume of proprietary trading of coal also contributed to the increase of revenue from Coal Group as compared to the prior comparable quarter in 2009.
Coal Trading | | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of tal | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 7,551,347 | | | | 36 | % | | $ | 4,657,537 | | | | 47 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 5,894,313 | | | | 28 | % | | | 5,029,074 | | | | 50 | % |
Gross Profit | | $ | 1,657,034 | | | | 8 | % | | $ | (371,537 | ) | | | (3 | )% |
Coal Production | | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 9,648,785 | | | | 45 | % | | $ | 4,560,358 | | | | 46 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 3,454,691 | | | | 16 | % | | | 1,565,844 | | | | 16 | % |
Gross Profit | | $ | 6,194,094 | | | | 29 | % | | $ | 2,994,514 | | | | 30 | % |
Coal Group produced approximately 215,000 metric tons of coal during the three months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 136,000 metric tons in the comparable three months in 2009. Volume of coal sold by our proprietary trading business was approximately 144,000 metric tons during the three months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 114,000 metric tons in the comparable three months in 2009. We expect our 2010 annual production volume to be 800,000 metric tons.
Heat Power
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, revenues for Heat Power were $3,952,128 compared to $744,725 in the comparable three months in 2009.
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, revenues generated by Heat Power from its electricity operations were $752,747 compared to $739,149 in the comparable three month period in 2009. Our revenue during the third quarter from our electricity operations was as follows:
Electricity Revenue for Quarter Ended August 31,
| | | | | | | | Units of | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | power | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Unit Price* | | | supplied | | | Revenue | |
| | ($/KW.h) | | | (1000KW.h) | | | ($) | |
Period | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
June | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 10,954 | | | | 9,557 | | | | 340,102 | | | | 278,975 | | | | 61,127 | |
July | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 7,556 | | | | 6,453 | | | | 226,625 | | | | 188,376 | | | | 38,249 | |
August | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 6,961 | | | | 9,311 | | | | 186,020 | | | | 271,798 | | | | (85,778 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | 25,471 | | | | 25,321 | | | | 752,747 | | | | 739,149 | | | | 13,598 | |
* Unit price of electricity in the non-heating season is slightly lower than that in heating season, which is not reflected in this table due to rounding.
In the third quarter, we also received one-off government subsidies of $3,333,539 in connection with providing heating at the reduced rates set by the government to ensure that the local residents can afford to make the payments.
Cost of Sales
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, cost of sales increased by approximately $4,733,333 from the comparable three months in 2009, as a result of changes in the following expenses:
| | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Coal & freight | | $ | 10,048,091 | | | $ | 6,751,261 | | | $ | 3,296,830 | |
Heat resource rental | | | 507,012 | | | | - | | | | 507,012 | |
Depreciation & depletion | | | 820,813 | | | | 656,148 | | | | 164,665 | |
Salaries and welfares | | | 259,262 | | | | 138,562 | | | | 120,700 | |
Utilities | | | 269,348 | | | | - | | | | 269,348 | |
Operating supplies | | | 399,265 | | | | 108,233 | | | | 291,032 | |
Repairs | | | 167,141 | | | | 109,135 | | | | 58,006 | |
Other | | | 28,610 | | | | 2,870 | | | | 25,740 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 12,499,542 | | | $ | 7,766,209 | | | $ | 4,733,333 | |
For the three months ended August 31, 2010 our gross margin was 41% compared with 22% in the 2009 comparable three month period. The increase in gross margin was due to a increase in the selling price of coal to our customers. Gross margin for Heat Power also increased because of the expanded heating supply area and the receipt of government subsidies for the provision of heat at reduced rates to the local residents.
Utilities, operating supplies and repair expenses are expected to increase in line with the additional heating supply area.
Heat resource rental: we purchased steam from other suppliers to ensure a stable and reliable heat supply as we increased our service coverage area since 2009. When recording the heat resource rental fee, we normally accrue such cost in the heat season, and adjust the number after we settle the amount with the heat resource suppliers. Numbers recorded in this quarter were adjustments to the previously recorded amount.
Depreciation and depletion: increase in depreciation and depletion was mainly due to: (i).an increase in the heating supply area and the corresponding construction of additional pipelines and, (ii). the use of the UOP method to amortize the mining right and the mining equipment which causes the depreciation and depletion to increase with the output of coal.
Salaries and welfares: salaries increased as a result of a pay increase to approximately 25 upper management at LaiYeGou coal mine since May 2010.and the hiring of new personnel at Heat Power.
Selling Expenses
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, selling expenses increased by approximately $430,299 compared to the same period in 2009 because our proprietary coal trading business is continuing to expand in 2010. Volume of coal sold by our proprietary trading business was approximately 144,000 metric tons during the three months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 114,000 metric tons in the comparable three months in 2009. Selling expenses are expected to increase in line with coal trading volume.
| | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Transportation & Storage | | $ | 882,101 | | | $ | 598,600 | | | $ | 283,501 | |
Sales tax and other expenses | | | 283,025 | | | | 157,276 | | | | 125,749 | |
Office | | | 51,550 | | | | 41,048 | | | | 10,502 | |
Salaries and welfares | | | 47,154 | | | | 41,475 | | | | 5,679 | |
Depreciation | | | 4,868 | | | | - | | | | 4,868 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 1,268,698 | | | $ | 838,399 | | | $ | 430,299 | |
General and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended August 31, 2010, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $14,068 as a result of changes in the following expenses:
| | Three Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Office | | $ | 239,221 | | | $ | 372,209 | | | $ | (132,988 | ) |
Professional and other fees | | | 288,371 | | | | 250,076 | | | | 38,295 | |
Salaries and welfares | | | 218,576 | | | | 145,771 | | | | 72,805 | |
Travel | | | 97,591 | | | | 95,856 | | | | 1,735 | |
Depreciation | | | 74,261 | | | | 62,569 | | | | 11,692 | |
Repairs | | | 7,738 | | | | 10,061 | | | | (2,323 | ) |
Stock options | | | 65,234 | | | | - | | | | 65,234 | |
Other | | | 25,681 | | | | 66,063 | | | | (40,382 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 1,016,673 | | | $ | 1,002,605 | | | $ | 14,068 | |
Office. We purchased renovation related articles for the office building of LaiYeGou coal mine in the third quarter of last year. Such expenses were one-off expenses.
Professional and other fees. Professional fees were paid principally to various professionals including financial advisors, attorneys and accountants. Fees paid to professionals increased slightly for the three months ended August 31 2010 as compared to the comparable period in 2009 due to the renewal of several licenses relating to coal mining in the 2010 quarter.
Salaries and welfares. Salaries increased as a result of a pay increase to approximately 25 upper management employees at LaiYeGou coal mine since May 2010 and the hiring of new personnel at Heat Power.
Stock options. On May 31, 2010, we granted options to each of our three independent directors an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of US$2.09 per share. The stock-based compensation was $65,234 for the three months ended August 31, 2010.
Finance Expenses
For the three months ended August 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009, finance expenses amounted to $606,542, and $381,490, respectively. The interest expense increased because increases in borrowings.
Results of operations – Nine Months Ended August 31, 2010
Revenues
The following is an analysis of our revenues and gross profit, details and analysis of components of expenses, and variance; for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 compared to August 31, 2009.
Coal Group | | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 50,977,131 | | | | 82 | % | | $ | 12,392,183 | | | | 64 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 28,763,617 | | | | 46 | % | | | 9,187,923 | | | | 47 | % |
Gross Margin | | $ | 22,213,514 | | | | 36 | % | | $ | 3,204,260 | | | | 17 | % |
Heat Power | | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 11,427,745 | | | | 18 | % | | $ | 7,033,203 | | | | 36 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 9,588,230 | | | | 15 | % | | | 7,502,477 | | | | 39 | % |
Gross Margin | | $ | 1,839,515 | | | | 3 | % | | $ | (469,274 | ) | | | (3 | )% |
Coal Group
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, revenues for Coal Group were $50,977,131 compared to $12,392,183 in the comparable nine months in 2009. The $38,584,948 increase was due to the fact that the production at LaiYeGou coal mine was partially shut down for the installation of the long wall automatic mining equipment and normal production resumed in mid July 2009 with the completion of the installation and adjustment of the equipment and increases in the selling price of coal in the 2010 period. In addition, the increase of the volume of proprietary trading of coal also contributed to the increase of revenue from Coal Group as compared to the prior comparable nine month period in 2009.
Coal Trading | | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 25,652,538 | | | | 41 | % | | $ | 6,908,747 | | | | 36 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 19,669,641 | | | | 31 | % | | | 7,197,560 | | | | 37 | % |
Gross Margin | | $ | 5,982,898 | | | | 10 | % | | $ | (288,813 | ) | | | (1 | )% |
Coal Production | | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | | | | % of total | | | | | | % of total | |
| | 2010 | | | revenue | | | 2009 | | | revenue | |
Revenues | | $ | 25,324,593 | | | | 41 | % | | $ | 5,483,436 | | | | 28 | % |
Cost of revenues | | | 9,093,976 | | | | 15 | % | | | 1,990,363 | | | | 10 | % |
Gross Margin | | $ | 16,230,617 | | | | 26 | % | | $ | 3,493,073 | | | | 18 | % |
Coal Group produced approximately 598,000 metric tons of coal during the nine months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 158,000 metric tons in the comparable nine months in 2009. Volume of coal sold by our proprietary trading business is approximately 497,000 metric tons during the nine months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 147,000 metric tons in the comparable nine months in 2009.
Heat Power
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, revenues for Heat Power were $11,427,745 compared to $7,033,203 in the comparable nine months in 2009.
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, revenues generated by Heat Power from its electricity operations were $2,765,414 compared to $2,684,577 in the comparable nine month period in 2009. At the same time, revenues generated by Heat Power from its heating supply operations were $5,328,792 compared to $4,178,905 in the comparable nine month period in 2009. This increase is due to the expansion of our heating supply area to 2.7 million square meters in the second quarter of this year from 2.1 million square meters in the same period last year. The heating supply area increased due to the continued development of the XueJiaWan area.
We also received one-off government subsidies of $3,333,539 in the third quarter of 2010 in connection with the provision of heating at the reduced rates set by the government to ensure that the local residents can afford to make the payments.
Cost of Sales
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, cost of sales increased by approximately $21,661,447 from the comparable nine months in 2009, as a result of changes in the following expenses:
| | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Coal & freight | | $ | 30,702,966 | | | $ | 12,032,790 | | | $ | 18,670,176 | |
Heat resource rental | | | 1,932,181 | | | | 744,028 | | | | 1,188,153 | |
Depreciation & depletion | | | 2,755,965 | | | | 1,997,126 | | | | 758,839 | |
Salaries and welfares | | | 925,906 | | | | 532,730 | | | | 393,176 | |
Utilities | | | 872,655 | | | | 463,957 | | | | 408,698 | |
Operating supplies | | | 690,508 | | | | 370,060 | | | | 320,448 | |
Repairs | | | 252,906 | | | | 137,295 | | | | 115,611 | |
Other | | | 218,760 | | | | 412,414 | | | | (193,654 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 38,351,847 | | | $ | 16,690,400 | | | $ | 21,661,447 | |
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010 our gross margin was 39% compared with 14% in the 2009 comparable nine month period. The increase in gross margin is due to the increase in the selling price of coal to our customers. Under normal production conditions, Coal Group’s gross margin is higher than other business segment. As the production at LaiYeGou coal mine was partially shut down due to the installation of the new mining equipments, and normal production resumed in the third quarter of last year, Coal Group contributed less to the total gross profit of the Company in 2009, which made the lower gross margin in last year. Gross margin from Heat Power also increased because of the expanded heating supply area and the receipt of government subsidies for the provision of heat at reduced rates to the local residents.
Heat resource rental, utilities, operating supplies and repair expenses are expected to increase in line with the additional heating supply area. .
Salaries and welfares: salaries increased as a result of a high level increase in pay to employees and the hiring of new personnel at Heat Power.
Selling Expenses
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, selling expenses increased by approximately $2,414,427 compared to the same period in 2009 partially due to the expansion of our proprietary coal trading business in 2010. Our railway transportation quota increased from 500,000 tons in 2009 to 840,000 tons in 2010. Volume of coal sold by our proprietary trading business was approximately 497,000 metric tons during the nine months ended August 31, 2010, compared to 147,000 metric tons in the comparable nine months in 2009. Selling expenses are expected to increase in line with increases in our coal trading volume.
| | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Transportation & Storage | | $ | 2,270,279 | | | $ | 758,345 | | | $ | 1,511,934 | |
Sales tax and other expenses | | | 902,716 | | | | 210,114 | | | | 692,602 | |
Office | | | 196,043 | | | | 47,399 | | | | 148,644 | |
Salaries and welfares | | | 109,065 | | | | 60,694 | | | | 48,371 | |
Depreciation | | | 12,876 | | | | - | | | | 12,876 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 3,490,979 | | | $ | 1,076,552 | | | $ | 2,414,427 | |
General and Administrative Expenses
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $515,770 as a result of changes in the following expenses:
| | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | Variance | |
Office | | $ | 707,943 | | | $ | 582,839 | | | $ | 125,104 | |
Professional and other fees | | | 761,669 | | | | 736,163 | | | | 25,506 | |
Salaries and wages | | | 603,345 | | | | 397,615 | | | | 205,730 | |
Travel | | | 294,732 | | | | 181,007 | | | | 113,725 | |
Depreciation | | | 216,676 | | | | 178,726 | | | | 37,950 | |
Repairs | | | 43,284 | | | | 50,327 | | | | (7,043 | ) |
Stock options | | | 65,234 | | | | - | | | | 65,234 | |
Other | | | 55,636 | | | | 106,072 | | | | (50,436 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 2,748,519 | | | $ | 2,232,749 | | | $ | 515,770 | |
Office. The increase is a result of the purchase of miscellaneous office equipment at our Laiyegou coal mine in Q1 2010.
Salaries and wages. Salaries and wages increased due to (i) a pay increase to approximately 25 upper management employees at LaiYeGou coal mine since May 2010 and the hiring of new personnel at Heat Power; and (ii) purchases of safety and other articles for coal mine workers and management.
Travel. Travel expenses increased due to the work of government inspectors conducting coal mine inspections and our external service providers such as financial advisors and investor relations consultants.
Stock options. On May 31, 2010, we granted an option to each of our three independent directors to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of US$2.09 per share. The stock-based compensation was $65,234 for the nine months ended August 31, 2010.
Finance Expenses
For the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009, finance expenses amounted to $1,377,543, and $580,212, respectively. The interest expense increased because we borrowed more money from lenders.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of August 31, 2010 we had a working capital deficit of approximately $39,814,061. Please note that although shareholder loans are payable on demand and therefore classified as short-term loans, we may not need to pay back the loan within one year. We do not expect the shareholders to demand payment on such loans this fiscal year. We anticipate that the combination of our sales and collection of accounts receivable, customer deposits and proceeds from bank and shareholder loans will generate sufficient cash flow to sustain our working capital needs. However we may require other sources of capital.
We do not know of any trends, events or uncertainties that are likely to have a material impact on our short-term or long-term liquidity other than those factors discussed below.
Sources of Capital
If additional capital is needed, we will explore financing options such as shareholder loans. Shareholders loans are granted from time–to-time as required to meet current working capital needs. We have no formal agreement that ensures that we will receive such loans. We may exhaust this source of funding at any time. Shareholder loans are payable on demand and interest is calculated at the range from zero to 5.310% per annum.
The outstanding balances and interest rate of short-term bank loans obtained by the Company at August 31, 2010, were as follows:
| | Balance | | | Interest Rate | |
Bank of Communications, due 3/9/11 | | $ | 5,876,390 | | | | 6.372 | % |
HuaXia Bank, due 4/15/11 | | | 7,345,488 | | | | 6.372 | % |
China Construction Bank, due 4/22/11 | | | 2,938,195 | | | | 6.903 | % |
China Merchant Bank, due 6/29/11 | | | 7,345,488 | | | | 5.310 | % |
Agricultural Bank of China, due 7/27/11 | | | 6,464,029 | | | | 5.841 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 29,969,590 | | | | | |
Cash Flows
Operating Activities:
Our cash flows provided by operating activities was $9,810,623 for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 as compared to $299,729 for the nine months ended August 31, 2009. The following summarizes the inflow and outflow of cash for these periods:
| | Nine Months Ended August 31, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 12,725,653 | | | $ | (1,955,286 | ) |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 3,019,559 | | | | 2,168,615 | |
(Increase) in term deposit | | | (7,345,488 | ) | | | - | |
(Increase) in restricted cash | | | (385,603 | ) | | | - | |
(Increase) in accounts receivable | | | (3,803,690 | ) | | | (2,986,260 | ) |
Decrease in other receivables | | | 1,605,366 | | | | 1,252,468 | |
(Increase) in advance to suppliers | | | (637,916 | ) | | | (787,908 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in inventory | | | 738,387 | | | | (4,388,091 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in deferred income | | | (50,763 | ) | | | 306,525 | |
Increase in accounts payable | | | 660,882 | | | | 2,090,381 | |
(Decrease) increase in advance from customers | | | (4,709,338 | ) | | | 7,907,009 | |
Increase in notes payable | | | 7,345,488 | | | | - | |
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities and other payables | | | 607,852 | | | | (3,981,658 | ) |
Others | | | 40,234 | | | | 673,934 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 9,810,623 | | | $ | 299,729 | |
Term deposit: “Term deposit” represents amounts legally held by a bank which are not available for the Company’s general use. These deposits are held as collateral for issuance of notes to vendors for purchase of coal which generally mature between three to six months. The increase in term deposit is in line with the increase in notes payable.
Accounts receivable. The increase in accounts receivable is mainly attributable to an increase in Coal Group’s sales. Coal Group’s sales on account were outstanding less than one month. We have already collected these amounts to date.
Other receivables. Other receivables decreased as we received government subsidies of supplying heat to residential units, which was recorded under other receivables.
Advance to suppliers. Advances increased as a result of more advances made for the purchase of coal and freight from third party suppliers, along with the increase of sales volume.
Inventory. Inventory mainly consists of coal for trading purposes. The balance of coal inventory decreased during the third quarter of 2010 mainly due to the fact that the coal was not picked up from the suppliers by the quarter end cut-off time.
Advance from customers. Decrease in advances from customers was mainly due to the recognition of the one off subsidies previously received from the local government in connection with the construction of the additional heating supply pipelines . We temporarily recorded such subsidies as advances from customers when we initially received the subsidies.
Accrued liabilities and other payables. These amounts consist of accruals made for loan interest, repairs and maintenance of heating plants, labour union fees, social insurance, technical training for our employees and etc. Increase in accrual liabilities and other payables was mainly due to increase in interest accrued for bank loans and rental fees.
Investing Activities:
Our cash flows used in investing activities were $27,282,928 for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and cash flows used in investing activities were $10,808,176 for the nine months ended August 31, 2009. We lent RMB 94 million (US$13,809,517) to certain of our affiliates controlled by the family of our Chairman to make an investment intended to increase significantly our mining rights and reserves in Inner Mongolia. We plan to unwind this loan in the fourth quarter in order to evaluate alternative structures for making these types of investments directly through our operating companies.
Financing Activities:
Our cash flows provided by financing activities were $16,447,946 for the nine months ended August 31, 2010 and cash flows provided by financing activities were $15,832,775 for the nine months ended August 31, 2009.
The outstanding balances and interest rate of shareholder loans at August 31, 2010, were as follows:
| | Balance | | | Interest Rate | |
Hangzhou Dayuan Group, Ltd. | | $ | 5,047,679 | | | | 5.310 | % |
Xinghe County Haifu Coal Transportation & | | | | | | | | |
Sales Co., Ltd. | | | 1,867,274 | | | | 5.310 | % |
Ordos City YiYuan Investment Co. Ltd. | | | 1,689,810 | | | | 5.310 | % |
Wenxiang Ding | | | 96,960 | | | | - | |
Yi Ding | | | 47,381 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 8,749,104 | | | | - | |
Material Commitments
We are committed to payment of bank loans, shareholder loans and payment of mining rights as mentioned above. We have title to all our capital assets consisting of production equipment, automobiles, and office equipment.
Heat Power is obligated to make interest payments on a loan obtained through Coal Group as mentioned above.
Seasonal Aspects
Coal Group’s business is seasonal in that sales are particularly low in the first quarter of a year, due to the Chinese New Year holiday. During this time our business is closed for about two weeks.
Heat Power heating sales decrease from April through October as the climate in the region is warm, reducing heating requirements.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
A. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. As a result of outstanding significant weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Office have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective.
B. Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
In connection with the evaluation of the Company’s internal controls during the quarter ended August 31, 2010, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have determined that there are no changes to the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED).
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
ITEM 6 EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit No. | | Document Description |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13A-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). |
32.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | CHINA ENERGY CORPORATION |
Date: October 15, 2010 | | |
| | |
By: | /s/ WenXiang Ding |
| | WenXiang Ding |
| | President, Chief Executive Officer, Director & |
| | Secretary |
| | |
By: | /s/ Alex Gong |
| | Alex Gong |
| | Chief Financial Officer |