10-K 1 k-2013llen.htm 10K k-2013llen.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

Title of Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common stock, Par Value $0.001 per share

 

NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

——————————

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from  _____ to _______

 

Commission file number: 000-32505

L & L ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

91-2103949

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

130 Andover Park East, Suite 200, Seattle, WA

 

98188

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 264-8065

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

                                    Title of Class                                                         Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share                                      NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

N/A

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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 [ ]

 

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 (and was required to file) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information

statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K. [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [ ] 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 [ ] No [X]

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter was: $66,540,673

 

As of July 29, 2013 there were  38,549,283  shares of common stock outstanding.

1


 
 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2013 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. The 2013 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

 

 

 

 

 

L & L ENERGY, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2013

 

 

Table of Contents

 
   

Page  

 

PART I

 

Item 1.

Business.

4

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

26

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments.

37

Item 2.

Properties.

37

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings.

37

Item 4.

Mining Safety Disclosure

38

     
 

PART II

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities.

38

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data.

40

Item 7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

41

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

63

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

64

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

106

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures.

106

Item 9B.

Other Information.

106

     
 

PART III

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

107

Item 11.

Executive Compensation.

107

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

107

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

107

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

107

     
 

PART IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

108

     

Signatures

109

   

2


 
 

 

When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “L & L” and “the Company,” we mean L & L ENERGY, INC., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries.

 

               This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” below for important information to consider when evaluating such statements.

 

Statement regarding forward-looking statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those included in “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis”. These factors include, among other things:

 

Continued strong economy in China (economic slowdown in China will reduce the country’s demand for coal consumption.)

 

Successful growth through mergers and acquisitions in China (successful mergers and acquisitions activities in China require continuous availability of appropriate targets and sufficient funding to finance such mergers and acquisitions activities, lack of suitable targets and funding will deter our growth rate.)

 

Continued supply of high-quality coal (quality of coal, as other natural resources, can vary and it is possible that we will not be able to meet quality specifications required by our customers.)

 

Ability to increase coal selling prices with increase in raw material costs (we may not always be able to pass on cost increase to customers, especially if there is price regulation by the Chinese government.)

 

A strong management/personnel team with true understanding of the U.S. and China (the loss of Mr. Dickson Lee  could adversely affect our operation.)

 

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.

 

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should read this report and the documents we reference in this report with the understanding that our actual future results, financial performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. Except as otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this report and you should not expect us to.

3


 
 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business  

 

Overview

 

L & L Energy, Inc. (the “Company”, “L&L”, and generally referred to as “we”) was incorporated in the US in 1999 and is engaged in coal operations in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in the southern part of the People’s Republic of China (“China” or “PRC”). Currently we have five coal mines, two coal washing plants, and three coal wholesale and distribution networks. Our China headquarters is in Beijing, the capital of China. We have China operations centers in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, Kunming City, Yunnan Province and Taipei, Taiwan. Our corporate headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington, USA.

 

History and Background

 

The Company was incorporated in the State of Nevada under the name of “Royal Coronado Co., Ltd.” (“Royal Coronado”) on November 17, 1999 and became a public reporting company in 2001. In August 2001, Royal Coronado acquired all of the shares of L & L Investment Holdings, Inc., a British Virgin Island Corporation (“LLIH”) through a share exchange, and as a result of the share exchange, all former stockholders of LLIH became the majority shareholders of Royal Coronado.

 

       LLIH was incorporated on July 23, 1997 in the British Virgin Islands with business originally started in Hong Kong.  On April 10, 2001, LLIH acquired 100% ownership of Lee & Lam Financial Consultants Company, Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation incorporated July 22, 1995 (“Lee and Lam”). LLIH is a holding company and its business is conducted through its two 100% wholly owned subsidiaries: Lee and Lam, which subsequently changes its name to L&L Financial Investments Co. Ltd. and L&L Financial Holdings Co. Ltd., a Nevada corporation (“LLFH”). LLIH, through its Hong Kong subsidiary performed due diligence and financial consulting services. LLFH manages its own 19.5% investment interests in the companies located in China.

 

In September 2001, the Company changed its name to L & L Financial Holdings, Inc.

 

In December 2004 we purchased a 51% equity interest in Liu Liuzhou Liuerkong Machinery Co., Ltd (“LEK”), a company in China which manufactured and marketed air compressors for industrial usage, and plastic injection molding machineries. In June 2005, we increased our ownership in LEK to 60.4%. In February 2008, we were assigned another 20% of LEK’s equity ownership from the minority shareholders  of LEK. Our ownership interest in LEK was later partially disposed of pursuant to an agreement dated January 23, 2009 whereby we returned 1,517,057 shares of LEK we owned to the minority shareholders of LEK in exchange for  the return of all the L& L shares held by the minority shareholders of LEK.. As a result, we currently hold 191,226 shares or 9% of the shares as a minority interest in LEK which was subsequently transferred as part of consideration to acquire the Ping Yi mine.

4


 
 

In 2006, we ceased operations of our two subsidiaries on investment and consulting services , moving away from consulting to focus on LEK and other coal related opportunities. In October 2006, we purchased 60% of the equity interest in Kunming Biaoyu Industrial Boiler Co., Ltd (“KMC”), a coal consolidator and wholesaler in business since 1996. In 2007, the remaining 40% of the equity of KMC was assigned to us by the minority shareholder.

 

In March 2008, we changed our name to “L & L International Holdings, Inc.”

 

Effective May 1, 2008, we acquired a 60% equity interest in the DaPuAn mine and the SuTsong mine both in Yunnan Province. Equity interest in the two  was later increased to 80% in August 2009.

 

In July 2009, we acquired a 65% equity interest in Hon Shen Coal Co LTD (“HSC”) coal washing facilities in China. On October 23, 2009, we increased our ownership interest from 65% of HSC’s coal washing facilities to 93% of HSC’s overall business operations: coal washing and coking.

 

Effective November 1, 2009, our subsidiary L & L Yunnan Tiannen Industry, Ltd (“TNI”), in  which we owned a 98% equity interest, acquired 100% of the equity interest in Zone Lin Coal Coking Factory in China (“ZoneLin”).

 

Also effective November 1, 2009, KMC through its subsidiary Baoxing Co., entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Ping Yi mine operations. 9% of the Company’s interest in LEK was transferred as a part of the paid consideration.

 

In December 2009, L & L Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, merged into the Company and the Company, the surviving entity after the merger, changed its name to “L & L Energy, Inc.”

 

On November 30, 2009, TNI acquired 100% of the equity interest in SeZone County Hong Xing Coal Washing Factory (“Hong Xing”), which was subsequently transferred to Tai Fung (as defined below), another subsidiary of the Company. Because the Company also has other trading companies such as TaiFung, DaXing, and in order to streamline the organization and improve efficiency, TNI was cancelled with its registration in November 2012. During the quarter ended January 31, 2013, the Company completed the process of TNI’s cancellation and related matters.

 

On February 18, 2010, our shares of common stock started to trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LLEN”.

 

On April 18, 2010, we executed an Equity Sale and Purchase Agreement with Guangxi Liuzhou Lifu Machinery Co, Ltd, selling our 93% equity ownership in HSC for a total of RMB 41,000,000 or approximately US $6 million. Our original purchase price for the  93% equity interest in HSC was approximately US $3.86 million.

 

In June 2010, we opened the Ping Yi coal washing plant near the Ping Yi mine. The coal washing plant washes coal from the Ping Yi mine as well as from third-party mines.

 

Between November 2010 and February 2011, the Company loaned $7,042,013 to Bowie Resources LLC (“Bowie”).  The note is a senior secured debt with an annual interest rate of 9% with principal and interest payments due in January and July of each year. The note matures in January 2014.  This note agreement was executed along with an Option Agreement dated November 23, 2010 between the Company and Bowie and an agreement dated February 4, 2011 whereby the Company had the option to convert the note into equity of Bowie as well as the exclusive right to sell Bowie’s coal in China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.  Subsequent to the entry of the Bowie agreement, the global coal market has taken a negative turn.  As a result, the market price for coal in Asia has decreased substantially to a point that it does not make economic sense to export Bowie’s coal to Asia. Therefore, as of the date of this report, we have not exported any coal from Bowie to Asia. On February 28, 2013, the Company received payment of US$5,545,056 from Bowie as the full and final payment for the settlement of the outstanding loan.

5


 
 

In March of 2011, we acquired a majority controlling interest in  the DaPing coal mine in Guizhou Province, China. We agreed to pay approximately US $18 million to the original owner of the mine over a period of time in exchange for management control and a 60% equity interests.

 

In March 2011, we established a coal wholesale and distributor corporation in China under the name of “Yunnan L&L Tai Fung Coal Co., Ltd” (“Tai Fung”) and own a 98% equity interest in Tai Fung.

 

In August 2011, we established another subsidiary in Guizhou, Guizhou LiWei Coal Co. Ltd., (“Guizhou LiWei”) to further enhance communication between L&L and the local mines in Guizhou Province. Under  permitted conditions, Guizhou LiWei is to expand the local operation and improve the competence of production and management.

 

In November 2011, we established wholly owned coal wholesale and distribution corporation in China under the name of DaXing L & L Coal Co., Ltd. (“Daxing”)..

In February 2012, we acquired a 51% controlling interest in Weishe coal mine in Guizhou Province, China. Weishe was developed by Guizhou Union Energy, Inc., a Chinese corporation(“Union Energy”).

In April 2012, we reached an agreement to sell Ping Yi mine including the Ping Yi coal washing facility to its original owner, Mr. Bao Guo Zhang, for US$ 31,200,000 , treated in part as a prepayment by the Company for future Ping Yi coal purchased by the Company and in part as a prepayment by the Company for future use of the Ping Yi’s coal washing facility.

 

On November 18, 2012, we acquired 95%  equity  interest in both LuoZhou and LaShu Coal Mine from  Union Energy, Inc., and Guizhou Union Capital Investment Holding Co., Ltd., a Chinese corporation (“Union Capital”) with a cash outlay of approximately $1.7 million and the transfer of the Company's interests in Zonelin Coking Plant (98%) and the DaPing Coal Mine (60%).

 

On December 10, 2012, the Company issued a Senior Secured Convertible Note (the “Convertible Note”) to Phoenician Limited (“Phoenician”), a Hong Kong company for $3,000,000 and warrants (“Investor Warrants”) for a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to 15% of the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Convertible Note, which was calculated at 290,323. The Convertible Note carries an interest rate of 12% and matures in 24 months from December 10, 2012.

 

Both the Convertible Note and the Investor Warrants contain the same anti-dilution protection. If the Company, at any time or from time to time while the Convertible Note is outstanding, issues any common stock or common stock equivalent at a price per share that is less than the conversion price that entitle the holder thereof to acquire shares of common stock at a price per share that is less than the conversion price, then the applicable conversion price shall be adjusted to equal to the lower issuance price.

The Convertible Note can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price $1.55. The Investor Warrants have an exercise price of $1.94 and expire three years from the date of issuance.

Pursuant to the Convertible Note, the Company agreed to establish an account with an agent designated by Phoenician and fund the account with payments from the note receivable from Bowie Resources LLC as collateral. In addition, the Company agreed to file a registration statement to cover 100% of common stock underlying the Investor Warrants within six months after the issuance date of the Investor Warrants.

 

6


 
 

 

Corporate Structure

 

The Company utilizes a holding structure commonly used by public companies with operations in China. Our parent company is a Nevada corporation, and we conduct operations in China through several wholly-owned and majority-owned entities. Our current organizational structure is as follows (the percentages depict the current equity interests in such entities):

 

 

 

 

(1)   In accordance with applicable PRC regulations on ownership of mining-related companies, the equity ownership of L&L Coal Partners is held in trust for the benefit of the Company by a Chinese citizen nominee.

 

Our Coal Operations

 

Coal Mine Operations

We currently have the exclusive right to extract coal from five mines located in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces of China: the DaPuAn mine and the SuTsong mine in Yunnan Province, and, the WeiShe mine, LaShu mine and the LuoZhou  mine in Guizhou Province.

The table below sets forth certain information regarding the five mines we currently operate:

 

DaPuAn

SuTsong

WeiShe

LaShu

LuoZhou

Total

 

Coal Mine

Coal Mine

Coal Mine

Coal Mine

Coal Mine

Total In-Place Reserve (in thousand tons) (1)

7,810

2,136

20,000

7,200

29,330

64,476

Mining Recovery Rate (%)

83%

80%

85%

80%

80%

N/A

Coal Preparation Plant Recovery Rate (%) (2)

77

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Type of Coal: Metallurgical (“Met”) or Thermal (“Therm”)

Met/Therm

Met/Therm

Therm

Therm

Therm

N/A

Owned/leased (3)

Leased

Leased

Leased

Leased

Leased

N/A

Assigned/unassigned

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

N/A

 

(1)     The reserves reported are in-place reserves as reported in the engineering reports provided when the mines were acquired by the Company, which refer to coal reserves in-situ prior to the deduction of pillars of support, barriers or constraints for mining. Please note that “In-Place Reserve” as used here is a term used in China to mean coal-reserve quantity computed by (Chinese) government-authorized mining engineer(s) or engineering firms. In China, the Chinese government limits the annual production volume of coal from each coal mine by imposing production benchmarks in governmentally-issued coal production permits. Therefore, the Company is not in the position to produce coal at rates or volumes significantly above those set forth in the corresponding coal-production permits.

 

(2)     Coal Preparation Plant Recovery Rate  refers to the percentage of clean coal extracted/ recovered from raw coal after the washing process at the coal washing facilities owned/controlled by the Company. Currently only the DaPuAn Mine has washing facilities on-site.

        (3)    In China, all mines are owned by the Chinese government. See expanded disclosure below for all of our mines.

7


 
 

 

DaPuAn Coal Mine

 

DaPuAn Coal Mine is located in Bai Zi Chong, DaPuAn Village, Xiongbi Town, Shizong County, Yunnan Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of DaPuAn Coal Mine.

http:::www.sec.gov:Archives:edgar:data:1137083:000113708312000034:x12073102045202.jpg 

 

Prior to our acquisition of the majority controlling interest in the DaPuAn mine, the mine was operated by SeZone County DaPuAn Coal Mine pursuant to resource mining permits effective from 2009 through 2015. On May 1, 2008, we acquired a majority controlling ownership interest in the resource mining permits and the mining rights to the DaPuAn mine and assumed mining operations.

 

The DaPuAn mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government as it is a general national policy in China that the government owns  resources such as coal and other minerals. However,  we can extract coal from the mine based on  mining rights issued by the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are  issued pursuant to a reserves appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers which was approved,  by the Qujing Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource in Yunnan, China. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represents the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

8


 
 

We are permitted to extract coal from DaPuAn Mine under the current mining rights.  These rights, originally for a 50 year term, have approximately 38 years remaining. Under our current production rate at DaPuAn, useful life of the mine is approximately 27 years. Coal sales prices in Yunnan province are determined on a per ton basis, and are subject to change based on the prevailing market price as influenced by the State Bureau of Coal Industry of Yunnan. The original owner paid the one-time extraction license fee when it acquired the original mining rights to the mine prior to our acquisition of the DaPuAn Mine. We pay the required government taxes for the coal we extract from the DaPuAn Mine.

A resource mining permit issued by the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the acreage of production of DaPuAn Mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for DaPuAn mine estimates that the production area is 0.7072 square kilometers and the scale of production is 150,000 tons per year based on current mine operating conditions. Currently we are in the process of expanding the mine’s capacity to 300,000 tons per year. The Qujing Municipal Land and Mining Right Appraisal Firm report dated June 30, 2008 estimates the total In-Place Reserve for the DaPuAn Mine to be 7.81 million tons, based on Chinese mining reserve standard.

Coal extracted from DaPuAn coal mine is for industrial use and is extracted from DaPuAn Mine using manual/conventional shortwall  mining methods.

All raw coal extracted from DaPuAn Mine is loaded and transported by a chain conveyor into crates which are carried out to the surface by an electrical winch. Each crate carries approximately 0.75 metric tons. Air compressors are provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power is supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions.

Normal water inflow into the mine is controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes exhaust fans on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans are used as needed. The present fans are capable of satisfying the ventilation requirements of the mining operation.

The extracted coal is transported by truck to a warehouse located approximately 300 meters from the mine site, processed at our coal-washing facility and sorted. Out of the coal produced at the DaPuAn Mine, typically a portion is sold to customers as raw coal, a portion is sold after the washing process as washed fine coal, and a portion that meets certain specific chemical requirements is sold as coking coal. Coking coal is sent to a coking plant to further process it into high valued coke. Coke is a critical material for making of steel.

 

The DaPuAn Mine’s annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2009 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2009

121,159

2010

255,994

2011

245,545

2012

129,505

2013

228,298

 

9


 
 

 

SuTsong Coal Mine

 

SuTsong Coal Mine is located in A’ang Town, Luoping County, Yunnan Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of SuTsong Coal Mine.

http:::www.sec.gov:Archives:edgar:data:1137083:000113708312000034:x12073102045203.jpg 

Prior to our acquisition of the majority controlling interest of the SuTsong mine, the mine was operated by LuoPing County SuTsong Coal Mine pursuant to resource mining permits effective from 2009 through 2015. In May 2008, we acquired the majority controlling ownership interest in the resource mining permits and the mining rights to the SuTsong mine and assumed mining operations.

The SuTsong Mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government as previously discussed. However, we can extract coal from the mine based on mining rights issued by the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are issued pursuant to a reserve appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers, which was approved by the Qujing XiaGuang Geological Engineering Co. Ltd. in Yunnan, China. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represents the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

We are permitted to extract coal from SuTsong mine under the current mining rights. These rights, originally for a 50-year term, have approximately 38 years remaining. Under our current production rate at SuTsong, useful life of the mine is approximately 15 years. The coal selling price in Yunnan province is determined on a per ton basis, and is subject to change based on the prevailing market price which is influenced by the State Bureau of Coal Industry of Yunnan. The original owner paid the one-time extraction license fee when it acquired the original mining rights to the mine prior to our acquisition of the SuTsong Mine. We pay the required government taxes for the coal we extract from the SuTsong Mine.

A resource mining permit issued by the Yunnan Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the acreage of production of the SuTsong Mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the SuTsong Mine estimates that the mine’s production area is 0.3918 square kilometers and the scale of production is 90,000 tons per year based on the current mining operations. Currently, we are in the process of expanding the mine’s capacity to 300,000 tons per year. The Qujing XiaGuang Geological Engineering Co. Ltd. report dated July 2007 estimated the total In-Place Reserve for the SuTsong Mine to be  2.136 million tons, based on Chinese mining  reserve standard.

10


 
 

Coal extracted from SuTsong coal mine is for industrial use and is extracted from SuTsong mine using manual/conventional longwall mining methods. All raw coal extracted from SuTsong mine is loaded and transported by a chain conveyor into crates which are carried out to the surface by an electrical winch. Each crate carries approximately 0.75 metric tons. Air compressors are provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power is supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power/utility lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions.

 

Normal water inflow into the mine is controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes an exhaust fan on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans are used as needed. The present mine fan is capable of satisfying ventilation demands of the mining operation.

The extracted coal is shipped via trucks to warehouses located approximately 200 meters from the mine. Out of the coal produced at the SuTsong Mine, typically is sold as coking coal and thermal coal.  

The SuTsong Mine’s annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2009 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2009

83,852

2010

115,623

2011

122,081

2012

95,456

2013

131,707

 

11


 
 

Ping Yi Coal Mine

The Ping Yi Coal Mine is located in Yiche Village, Ping Guan Town, Liu Panshui City, Pan County, Guizhou Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of Ping Yi Coal Mine.

 

http:::www.sec.gov:Archives:edgar:data:1137083:000113708312000034:x12073102045204.jpg

Prior to our acquisition of the Ping Yi mine, the mine was operated primarily by Mr. Bao Guo Zhang pursuant to resource mining permits effective from 2009 through 2015. In January 2010, we acquired a majority controlling ownership interest in the resource mining permits and the mining rights to the Ping Yi mine and assumed mining operations. In April 2012, we sold our interest back to Mr. Bao Guo Zhang and the other original owners. Because Ping Yi’s results were included in the Company’s operating results for almost the entire FY 2012, the following description of Ping Yi mine is relevant to understanding the Company’s historical results of operation.

The Ping Yi mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government as previously discussed.  However, we can extract coal from the mine based on mining rights issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are issued pursuant to a reserve appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers, which were  approved by the Guizhou Province National Land Resources Survey and Planning Institute in Guizhou Province. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represents the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

We were permitted to extract coal from PingYi mine under these mining rights. Coal sales prices in Guizhou province are determined on a per ton basis, and are  subject to change based on the prevailing market price as influenced by the State Bureau of Coal Industry of Guizhou. The original owner paid the one-time extraction license fee when they acquired the original mining rights to the mine prior to our acquisition of the Ping Yi mine. We  paid the required government taxes for the coal we extracted from the Ping Yi mine.

A resource mining permit issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the production area of the Ping Yi mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the Ping Yi mine estimates that the mine’s acreage of production is 2.2694 square kilometers and the scale of production is 150,000 tons per year. The Guizhou Land Survey and Planning Institute report dated January 2008 estimated the total In-Place Reserve for the Ping Yi mine to be 13.506 million tons, based on Chinese mining reserve standard.

Coal extracted from Ping Yi coal mine was for industrial use and was extracted from Ping Yi mine using manual/conventional longwall mining methods. All raw coal extracted from the Ping Yi mine was loaded and transported by a chain conveyor into crates which are carried out to the surface by an electrical winch. Each crate carried approximately 0.75 metric tons. Air compressors were provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power was supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions.

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Normal water inflow into the mine was controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system included exhaust fans on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans were used as needed. The fans were capable of satisfying ventilation requirements of the mining operation.

The extracted coal was transported by truck to a warehouse located near the mine site, processed at our coal-washing plant and sorted. Out of the coal produced at the Ping Yi mine, typically a portion was sold to customers as raw coal, a portion was sold after the washing process as washed fine coal, and a majority of the coal was sold as coking coal. Coking coal was sent to a coking plant to further process it into high valued coke. Coke is a critical material for making of steel.

In April 2012, we reached an agreement to sell Ping Yi mine to its original owner, Mr. Bao Guo Zhang, for US $31,200,000, which was treated in part as a prepayment by the Company for future Ping Yi coal purchased by the Company and in part as a prepayment by the Company for future use of the Ping Yi’s coal washing facility.

The Ping Yi mine’s approximate annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2009 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2009

N/A**

2010

127,419

2011

245,547

2012

32,473

2013

N/A*

 

* The mine was sold in FY 2012

 

** The Company did not acquire interests in Ping Yi mine until November 1, 2009. Because the original owner(s) of the mine did not retain annual production information for the mine in respect of 2008 and 2009, we are unable to accurately provide the corresponding annul production numbers.

 

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Da Ping Coal Mine

The Da Ping Coal Mine is located in Shinao Village, Ping Guan Town, Pan County, Liu Panshui City, Guizhou Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of the DaPing Coal Mine.

 

http:::www.sec.gov:Archives:edgar:data:1137083:000113708312000034:x12073102045205.jpg

Prior to our acquisition of a majority controlling interest in  the Da Ping mine, the mine was wholly owned and operated by Mr. Hobin.

On  March 15, 2011, we acquired 60% of the ownership interest in the Da Ping mine, including interest in the corresponding resource mining permits and the mining rights to the Da Ping mine, and assumed mining operations. Under the transfer agreement between the Company and Mr. Hobin dated March 15, 2011, the Da Ping mine and all related assets would  be transferred to a newly formed Chinese corporate entity (“DaPing Co., Ltd.”), and 60% of the entity is owned by the Company and the remaining 40% owned by Mr. Hobin.

The Da Ping mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government . However, the Company can extract coal  from the mine is based on a mining rights issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights were issued pursuant to  a reserve appraisal report is submitted by government authorized mining engineers, which were approved by the Guizhou Province National Land Resources Survey and Planning Institute in Guizhou Province. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights  represents the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

 

We were permitted to extract coal from Da Ping mine under the mining rights. Generally, these rights are issued for a period of approximately 50 years, and there were  about 38 years remaining unfrt Da Ping mine rights. Under our production rate prior to the transfer of Da Ping to Union Energy, the useful life of the mine  was  approximately 27 years. Coal sales prices in Guizhou province are determined on a per ton basis, and are subject to change based on the prevailing market price as influenced by the State Bureau of Coal Industry of Guizhou. The original owner paid the one-time extraction license fee when it acquired the original mining rights to the mine prior to our acquisition of the Da Ping mine. We paid  the required government taxes for the coal we extracted from the Da Ping mine.

A resource mining permit issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the production area of the Da Ping mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the Da Ping mine estimates that the mine’s acreage of production is 0.7768 square kilometers and the scale of production is 150,000 tons per year based on current mine operating conditions. The Guizhou Land Survey & Plan Institute report estimates the total In-Place Reserve for the Da Ping mine to be 14.75 million tons, based on Chinese mining reserve standard.

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Coal extracted from Da Ping mine was for industrial use and was extracted using traditional mining methods. All raw coal extracted from Da Ping mine was loaded and transported by a conveyer belt delivery system and carried up to the surface. Air compressors were provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power was  supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power/utility lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions. Normal water inflow into the mine was controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes an exhaust fan on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans were  used as needed. The  mine fan was  capable of satisfying ventilation demands of the mining operation.

The extracted coal was  shipped via trucks to a warehouses located near the mine site. The coal produced at the Da Ping Mine, typically was  sold to customers as coking coal. Coking coal was sent to a coking plant to further process it into high valued coke. Coke is a critical material for making steel.  

Based upon a a report on the DaPing mine   by an engineer engaged by us,  the mine has a complicated geological structure which makes the extraction of coal more difficult. And initially, the mine experienced a shortage of workers due to seasonal availability, which hampered the full production at the mine.

 

Subsequent to the acquisition of the Da Ping Mine by the Company, there was a temporary government-mandated idling because of nearby fatal accidents in non-LLEN mines. As a result, the production of coal from Da Ping Mine was below the 150,000 tons/year target as specified in the transfer agreement dated March 15, 2011 between the Company and Mr. Hobin. At the same time, the government temporarily stopped issuing new licenses and approving transfer of ownership for mines. As a result, some of the milestones specified in the agreement were not met. In order to protect the shareholders’ interest in the Company, the Company management took initiative to renegotiate part of the agreement while letting the remaining parts continue to be effective.

 

Due to the below expected performance of the Da Ping Mine and our consolidation strategy for acquiring better and bigger mines, on November 18, 2012, the Company sold the entire 60% ownership of Da Ping to Union Energy with all the existing liabilities and payments transferred to Union Energy as equity payment for our acquisition of both LaShu and LuoZhou mines.

 

The Da Ping mine’s approximate annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2008 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2009

N/A**

2010

N/A**

2011

N/A**

2012

66,259

2013

93,625*

 

* We owned DaPing mine for part of FY 2013.

  

** The Company did not acquire interests in Da Ping mine until March 15, 2011. Because the original owner(s) of the mine did not retain annual production information, we are unable to accurately provide the corresponding annul production numbers.

 

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WeiShe Coal Mine

The WeiShe Coal Mine is located in WeiShe FangYuTang Village, HeZhang County, Bijie Area, Guizhou Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of the Weishe Coal Mine.

http:::www.sec.gov:Archives:edgar:data:1137083:000113708312000034:x12073102045206.jpg 

Prior to our acquisition of the majority controlling interest of the Weishe mine, the mine was wholly owned and operated by Union Energy. Effective February 3, 2012, we acquired a 51% controlling interest in the Weishe mine (including 51% interest in the corresponding resource mining permits and the mining rights to the WeiShe mine) and assumed mining operations.

The WeiShe mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government. However, the Company can extract coal  from the mine  based on mining rights  issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are issued pursuant to a reserve appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers which were approved by the Guizhou Province National Land Resources Survey and Planning Institute in Guizhou Province. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represent the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

We are permitted to extract coal from WeiShe mine under the current mining rights. There are approximately 5 years remaining on the WeiShe Mine mining rights, though we have the option to  extend the term. Under our current production rate at WeiShe, the, useful life of the mine is approximately 16 years. Coal sales prices in Guizhou province are  determined on a per ton basis, and are subject to change based on the prevailing market price as influenced by the State Bureau of Coal Industry of Guizhou. The original owner paid the one-time extraction license fee when it acquired the original mining rights to the mine prior to our acquisition of the WeiShe mine. We pay the required government taxes for the coal we extract from the WeiShe mine.

A resource mining permit issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the coordinates of the Weishe mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the Weishe mine estimates that the mine’s production area is 1.8772 square kilometers and the scale of production is 150,000 tons per year based on current mine operating conditions. Currently we are in the process of expanding the mine’s capacity to 300,000 tons per year. The Guizhou Land Survey & Planning Institute report October 2007 estimates the total In-Place Reserve for the Weishe mine was 20 million tons, based on Chinese mining reserve standard.

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Coal extracted from Weishe mine is extracted using manual longwall mining methods. All raw coal extracted from Weishe mine is loaded and transported by a conveyer belt delivery system and carried up to the surface. Air compressors are provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power is supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power/utility lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions. Normal water inflow into the mine is controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes an exhaust fan on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans are used as needed. The present mine fan is capable of satisfying ventilation demands of the mining operation.

The extracted coal is shipped via trucks to a warehouses located near the mine site. The coal produced at the Weishe mine is sold to customers as high grade thermal coal.  

The WeiShe mine’s approximate annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2012 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2012

12,240

2013

142,915


 

The Company did not acquire interests in WeiShe mine until February 3, 2012. Because Union Energy purchased the WeiShe mine from the original owner(s) and subsequently redeveloped the mine, there is was no production during the redevelopment. Also, the original mine owners did not retain annual production information and therefore we are unable to accurately provide the corresponding annual production numbers prior to our acquisition.

 

 

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LaShu Coal Mine

The LaShu Coal Mine is located in L LiuQuHe Town, HeZhang County, Bijie Area, Guizhou Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of the LaShu Coal Mine.

Prior to our acquisition of the majority controlling interest of the LaShu mine, the mine was wholly owned and operated by Union Energy. Effective November 18, 2012, we acquired a 95% controlling interest in the LaShu mine (including 95% interest in the corresponding resource mining permits and the mining rights to the LaShu mine) and assumed mining operations.

The LaShu mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government but the Company can extract coal from the mine based on mining rights issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are issued pursuant to a reserve appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers, and the mining rights are issued upon approval of such appraisal report by the Guizhou Province National Land Resources Survey and Planning Institute in Guizhou Province. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represents the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

A resource mining permit issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the coordinates of the LaShu mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the LaShu mine estimates that the mine’s production area is 1.571 square kilometers and the scale of production is 300,000 tons per year based on current mine operating conditions. The estimate useful life of this mine is 20 years.

Coal extracted from LaShu coal mine is for industrial use and is extracted using manual longwall mining methods. All raw coal extracted from LaShu mine is loaded and transported by a conveyer belt delivery system and carried up to the surface. Air compressors are provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power is supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power/utility lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions. Normal water inflow into the mine is controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes an exhaust fan on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans are used as needed. The present mine fan is capable of satisfying ventilation demands of the mining operation.

The extracted coal is shipped via trucks to a warehouses located near the mine site. The coal extracted is sold to customers as high grade thermal coal.  

The LaShu mine’s approximate annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2012 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2012

N/A

2013

73,201


       The Company did not acquire interests in LaShu mine until November 18, 2012. Because Union Energy purchased the LaShu mine from the original owner(s) and subsequently redeveloped the mine, there is was no production during the redevelopment. Also, the original mine owners did not retain annual production information and therefore we are unable to accurately provide the corresponding annual production numbers prior to our acquisition.

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LuoZhou Coal Mine

The LuoZhou Coal Mine is located in Hezhang County, Bijie Area, Guizhou Province, China. It is an underground coal mine and is accessible by public roads. The map below shows the location of the LuoZhou Coal Mine.

 

Prior to our acquisition of the majority controlling interest of the LuoZhou mine, the mine was wholly owned and operated by Union Energy. Effective November 18, 2012, we acquired 95% controlling interest in the LuoZhou mine (including 95% interest in the corresponding resource mining permits and the mining rights to the LuoZhou mine) and assumed mining operations.

The LuoZhou mine, including the mine site and the underlying coal and other minerals, is owned by the Chinese government but  the Company can extract coal from the mine based on a mining rights issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource. The mining rights are issued pursuant to a reserve appraisal report submitted by government authorized mining engineers which was approved by the Guizhou Province National Land Resources Survey and Planning Institute in Guizhou Province. The amount of coal that can be extracted under the mining rights represent the coal tonnage that the Chinese government (the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource) has authorized the Company to extract in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in China.

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We are permitted to extract coal from LuoZhou mine under the current mining rights. These rights for the LuoZhou mine have approximately 5 years remaining, but it can be extended later on. Under our current production rate at LuoZhou, useful life of the mine is approximately 84 years.

A resource mining permit issued by the Guizhou Province Municipal Bureau of Land and Resource specifies the coordinates of the LuoZhou mine’s mining area and the mine’s designated annual production capacity. The resource mining permit for the LuoZhou mine estimates that the mine’s production area is 2.278 square kilometers and the scale of production is 150,000 tons per year based on current mine operating conditions. We are in the process of expanding the mine’s capacity to 450,000 tons per year.

Coal extracted from LuoZhou mine is for industrial use and is extracted using manual longwall mining methods. All raw coal extracted from LuoZhou mine is loaded and transported by a conveyer belt delivery system and carried up to the surface. Air compressors are provided for underground air tool use. Electrical power is supplied internally from the Company’s own power stations through state-owned power/utility lines, and supplied to the underground work site through a double-circuit cable designed to mitigate and circumvent potential power supply disruptions. Normal water inflow into the mine is controlled by a system of ditches, sumps, pumps and drainpipes installed throughout the mine tunnels. The mine’s ventilation system includes an exhaust fan on the surface of the main incline. Auxiliary fans are used as needed. The present mine fan is capable of satisfying ventilation demands of the mining operation.

The extracted coal is shipped via trucks to a warehouses located near the mine site and sold to customers as high grade thermal coal.  

The LuoZhou mine’s approximate annual production volumes for the years ended April 30, 2012 through April 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended April 30,

Annual Production (Tons)

2012

N/A

2013

93,379

 

The Company did not acquire interests in LuoZhou mine until November 18, 2012. Because Union Energy purchased the LuoZhou mine from the original owner(s) and subsequently redeveloped the mine, there was no production during the redevelopment. Also, the original mine owners did not retain annual production information and therefore we are unable to accurately provide the corresponding annual production numbers prior to our acquisition.

Coal Production Capacity

Set forth below is the production capacity for each mine we are operating or operated, as set forth in the coal production permits. Production capacity is the amount of coal that our mining right allows us to extract at each mine.

 

Mines

Production Capacity (tons)

DaPuAn

150,000

SuTsong

90,000

Ping Yi

150,000

Weishe

150,000

LaShu

300,000

LuoZhou

150,000

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According to Chinese government regulation, a coal mine can produce up to the production capacity set forth in the mining production permit. However, depending on the market demand for coal, especially during the high demand season in the winter, the local government does allow coal mines to produce more than the production capacity that year or use the unused capacity from previous years without giving specific written approval.  It has become a common practice that the actual production can vary from the production limit authorized. For example, we had production exceeding production capacity at our SuTsong Mine for FY 2012 which was allowed by the local government. For FY 2013, two of our mines produced more than the production capacity which was also allowed by the local government as we are in the process of increasing  our production capacity.

Mining permits’ estimates of production capacity and the amounts that we are authorized to extract both refer to the production capacity set forth in the mining production permit.


Additional Coal Mining Opportunities

 

As a part of its growth strategy, the Company from time to time acquires additional coal mines to increase its mining capacity. Recently, the Company has begun to explore potential opportunities to acquire additional coal mines in Northern China.

  

Coal Wholesale Operations

 

In addition to coal mining, we also engage in coal wholesale and distribution through three subsidiaries: KMC and Tai Fung in Yunnan Province and DaXing in Guizhou Province. Depending on market conditions, our coal wholesale operations may broker coal from small independent mine operators in its surrounding areas. KMC has two large coal storage facilities for its consolidation and wholesale operations with railroad loading access. Tai Fung was formed in March 2011 and began operations in May 2011. DaXing was formed in November 2011 and in April 2012 secured coal storage and rail loading space in ShinPingBa in Guizhou Province. For the years ended April 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we sold approximately 331,000 tons, 95,000 tons, and 202,533 tons of coal through our wholesale operation.

Coal Washing Operations

 

Coal washing involves crushing coal and washing out ash and soluble sulfur compounds with water or other solvents. This procedure eliminates impurities in the coal and improves its quality and increases its value. Each ton of washed coal requires the input of approximately 1.4 tons of raw coal. In some case, a percentage of washed coal qualifies as coking coal because it meets certain chemical requirements and can be processed into highly-valued coke, which is a critical material for making steel. The coal washing process reduces impurities in the coal, and thus improves the quality of the coal and increases the value of the coal products. Test samples are taken prior to and after the coal-washing process, to analyze and determine efficiency of the washing process, and to determine if coal is suitable as coking coal, based primarily on moisture, ash content, and sulfur percentage.

 

We own two washing facilities with an aggregate annual coal-washing capacity of approximately 480,000 tons. The facility at Hong Xing washes coal mainly for third parties (i.e., non-affiliates to the Company.) The facility at the DaPuAn Coal mine only washes coal from the DaPuAn mine.

In addition to the washed coal, coal washing produces two byproducts. One byproduct in China is commonly known as “medium coal”, which is coal that does not have sufficient thermal value for coking. Such coal is typically mixed with raw coal or coal slurries, and the mix is sold for home and industrial heating purposes. The other byproduct is coal slurries (or coal slime), which are the castoffs and debris from the washing process. Coal slurries can be used as a fuel with low thermal value, and are sold “as is” or mixed with medium coal.

 

 

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Coke Manufacturing Operations

 

Coke is a hardened, solid carbonaceous residue derived from baking low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal in an oven without oxygen at high temperatures so that the fixed carbon and residual ash are fused together while volatile constituents of the coal such as water, coal-gas, and coal-tar are driven off. We produce metallurgical coke.

 

Metallurgical coke is primarily used for steel manufacturing. China has exacting national standards for coke, based upon a variety of metrics, including most importantly, ash content, volatility, caking qualities, sulfur content, mechanical strength and abrasive resistance. Typically, metallurgical coke must have more than 80% fixed carbon, less than 15% ash content, less than 0.8% sulfur content and less than 1.9% volatile matter. According to national standards, metallurgical coke is classified into three grades – Grade I, Grade II and Grade III, with Grade I being the highest quality, and chemical coke is its separate grade. Generally, customers do not provide specifications for coke. However, we occasionally make requested adjustments, for instance to moisture content, as requested by customers from time to time. The amount of each type of coke that our coking facility produces is based on market demands, although historically its customers have only required Grade II and III metallurgical coke.

 

Effective November 1, 2009, we acquired the ZoneLin coking operation, which has the capacity to produce 150,000 tons of coke annually. Coal is sent to a coal blending room where it is crushed and blended to achieve an optimal coking blend. Samples are taken from the coal blend and tested for moisture, chemical composition and other properties. The crushed and blended coal is transported by conveyor to a coal bin to be fed into the waiting oven below. After processing through the three temperature-controlled ovens at temperature of 1200°C (2,192 °F), hot coke is pushed out of the oven chamber onto a waiting coke cart, transported to an adjacent quench tower where it is cooled with water spray, and hauled to a platform area to be air-dried. Coke samples are taken at several stages during the process and analyzed in the Company’s testing facility, and data is recorded daily and kept by technicians. After drying, the coke is sorted according to size to meet customer requirements. In the traditional coking process, small amounts of coking gas are emitted into air. On November 18, 2012, we sold the 98% ownership interest at ZoneLin Coking Plant as part of the payment for the acquisition of both LuoZhou and LaShu Coal Mine. As a result, the Company no longer owns any coking facility.

 

Customers

 

All our customers are located in the Guangxi,  Yunnan and Guizhou provinces of China and are primarily in the steel industry (for metallurgical coke, which is one of the two critical materials for steel making) and the electrical/utility industry (where heating coal is used to produce steams for electricity generation). In addition, there are cement factories that purchase our coal for cement making. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had two significant customers that represented approximately 31%, 33% and 13% of our total coal sales, respectively. They also represented approximately 28%, 34% and 25% of accounts receivable, respectively. We sold $47.6 million and $19.9 million to these two major customers in fiscal year of 2013, respectively.

 

Distribution

 

During the year ended April 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we sold approximately 90%, 92% and 87% of our coal through direct sales and approximately 10%, 8% and 13% through third-party wholesalers. The amount sold through third-party wholesalers increased by 2% which was not much change compared with the year before.. All such sales were made in the ordinary course of business.

 

Our direct sales force consists of approximately 100 full time and part time employees who market directly to our customers, who are mostly end users of coal with long-term sales agreements. While individual spot sales might be made to a customer if we have adequate capacity at the time, most of our sales are pursuant to agreements which are signed for two- to four-year terms, with monthly adjustments on pricing. Our customers are primarily located in the Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, and are accessible by rail lines, which is the most cost effective method for coal transport and which represents the primary means of transporting coal products to our customers.

 

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Competitors

 

The development of the coal industry in China is influenced by the larger number of small scale enterprises and the wide geographical distribution of coal reserves and as a result there are currently relatively few large-scale coal production enterprises in China. We compete with coal and coke producers in the southern regions of China. In the Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces where we principally operate, there are other coal mines and wholesaling and washing operations which directly compete with us. Competitive factors include geographic location, coal quality and reliability of deliveries. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing, distribution or/and technological resources than we have, and they may have more well-known brand names in the market.

 

Suppliers

 

The primary materials used in our coal mining and processing operations are: (i) steel and logs to support underground tunnels for the mining operations; (ii) cement for the construction of underground tunnels; and (iii) water used in our coal washing and coking production process. We procure logs, steel and cement principally from local suppliers often on annual contracts. Water is procured primarily from our own water drilling. The ultimate price of materials is set at market rates or determined through negotiation. We believe that we have well-established, cooperative relationships with our suppliers, enabling us to secure reliable supplies of the materials required in our production process. We believe that a number of alternative suppliers exist for the key materials required for our coal operations, and there is no shortage of supplier to choose from. For the year ended April 30, 2013 and 2012, we had two major suppliers provided $15.4 and $9.3 million, respectively, of our total purchases. There was no significant supplier during the fiscal year of 2011 The corresponding accounts payable for both major suppliers have been paid in full for the year ended April 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

We use electricity in our operations from both local power companies and our own power facilities. Electricity prices in China are regulated by the government. Total electricity costs are not materially significant to our operations.

 

Government Regulation

 

General.

 

Currently, all of our coal mining operations are conducted in the PRC and are subject to various PRC government regulations. The following is a summary of the principal governmental laws and regulations that are or may be applicable to our operations in China. The scope and enforcement of many of the laws and regulations in PRC described below are uncertain. We cannot predict the effect of further developments in the Chinese legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement of laws.

 

The mining industry, including coal exploration, mining, coal washing and coal coking activities, is highly regulated in China. Any company that wishes to enter into the coal business in PRC is required to obtain a coal license. Regulations issued or implemented by the State Council of PRC, the Ministry of Land and Resources, local environmental agencies and other government authorities cover many aspects of coal exploration, and coal mining. Chinese government regulations also monitor the scope of permissible business, shipment of coal, tariff policy and foreign investment allowed in PRC.

 

The principal regulations governing the mining business in China include, without limitation:

 

  • China Coal Law, which regulates coal mining enterprises and their activities including addressing mining safety issues.  

 

  • China Mineral Resources Law, which requires a mining business to have exploration and mining licenses from provincial or local land and resources agencies.  

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  • China Mine Safety Law, which requires a mining business to have a safe production license and provides for random safety inspections of mining facilities.  

 

  • China Environmental Law, which requires a mining project to obtain an environmental feasibility study of the project.

 

  • Foreign Exchange Controls. The principal regulations governing foreign exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Control Regulations (1996) and the Administration of Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange Regulations (1996), (“the Foreign Exchange Regulations”). Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, Renminbi (“RMB”) is freely convertible into foreign currency for current account items, including the distribution of dividends. Conversion of RMB for capital account items, such as direct investment, loans and security investment, however, is still subject to the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, foreign-invested enterprises are required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies at those banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing valid commercial documents and, in the case of capital account item transactions, obtaining approval from SAFE.

 

Our operating subsidiaries in China have been approved by land and resources departments of local governments. Chinese regulations require that mining enterprises procure an exploration or mining license from the land and resource department of local governments before they can carry out exploration or mining activities. This license requires that an enterprise follow proper procedures in its own exploring or mining activities and in selling its products to customers. We have secured or are in the process of securing the necessary exploration or mining licenses from local governments.

 

Chinese regulations also require that a mining company must have a safety certification from China’s Administration of Work Safety before it can engage in mining and extracting activities. We have secured or are in the process of securing the necessary safety certifications from the Administration of Work Safety of local governments. Our mining operations have been granted an environmental certification from China Bureau of Environmental Protection.

 

China’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan; Guizhou Province’s Coal-Mine Consolidation Policy.

 

In March 2011, China’s National People’s Congress approved the nation’s twelfth “Five-Year Plan” (the “Plan”) which provides macro-level guidance in China with respect to national social and economic growth/development direction in the coming five years. In the Plan, the importance of consolidating smaller coal mines into bigger coal related business enterprises via merger and acquisition tools was specifically mentioned.

In line with the implementation/spirit of the Plan, the Guizhou province of China (in which the Company operates three of its five coal mines) on April 15, 2011 issued a provincial-level notice/order (the “Guizhou Consolidation Policy”) that set forth the following key points, among others—by the end of year 2013: (i) the total number of coal-mine related business enterprises in the Guizhou province (“Guizhou Coal Enterprise”) shall be limited to no more than 200; (ii) each Guizhou Coal Enterprise in Gui Yang City of Guizhou province shall reach at least the capacity to produce One Million (1,000,000) tons of coal per year; (iii) each Guizhou Coal Enterprise in Liu Pan Shu City of Guizhou province shall reach at least the capacity to produce Two Million (2,000,000) tons of coal per year; (iv) for certain coal mines, the mechanization level for coal-mine development and coal-mine winning shall reach respectively to 80% and 85% by the end of 2015. 

While the Guizhou Consolidation Policy has left open questions and uncertainties, it’s quite clear that owners of smaller coal mines in the Guizhou province will face significant pressure in the next few years to sell their mines to bigger coal-related business enterprises in the province. Therefore, we believe that the Guizhou Consolidation Policy has presented to the Company certain business opportunities that did not exist before.

 

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Soon after the distribution of Guizhou Province’s policy, Liupanshui City Government, which is the local government of HeZhang County where our WeiShe, LaShu and LuoZhou  mines locatede, issued their implementation policy which requires 800,000 tons per year. Therefore, under the current consolidation policy of Guizhou Province we must acquire or consolidate mines by 2013, but have until 2015 to reach the minimum production capacity requirement of 800,000 tons per year in  HeZhang County.

 

 As of April 30, 2013, we had an aggregate existing production capacity of 600,000 tons per year for our three mines in HeZhang County, Guizhou Province. We are in the process of organically expanding the three mines capacity to a total of 1,200,000 tons per year prior to the 2015 deadline using internally generated cash.  Therefore, we  do not need to acquire additional mines to meet this threshold of 800,000 tons in Guizhou.  At the same time, we are now targeting to acquire larger mines with production capacity of 300,000 tons or more and considerable coal reserves, better geology, and strong management team.

 

We also anticipate and are prepared for the consolidation policy to eventually be implemented and accelerated in Yunnan Province. As a result of increasing individual mine production standards and the accelerating consolidation policy, our coal operations have grown significantly in the last five years, primarily through acquisitions, and more recently from expanding production capacity at existing mines.

 

Employees

 

We currently have an estimate of 1364 employees, of which 917 are mine workers, 138 are washing plant workers and 309 are employed in administration or executive capacity. Our mining operations run two or three shifts per day with each shift equivalent to eight hours. We have written contracts with all of our employees in China as required by the employment law of China. We believe we have good relationships with our employees.


Intellectual Property and Licenses

We currently have no material patents, trademarks, in-bound licenses, franchises or concessions other than the various required coal operating licenses issued by the Chinese government to operate coal mines, coal wholesaling, coal washing and coal coking operations as described above.

 

Research and Development

 

In the fiscal years ended April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not incur any material expenditure on research and development activities.

 

Available Information

 

We make publicly available free of charge, either on our Company website (www.llenergyinc.com) or via a web link to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website, our periodic reports (e.g., Form 10-K and Form 10-Q), our current reports (e.g., Form 8-K), our proxy statements, and any amendments thereof, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically or otherwise file such material with the SEC. Please note that those information contained on our website is not a part of this annual report on Form 10-K and information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) or the Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended).

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The reader should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this report. The statements contained in or incorporated into this report that are not historic facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and an investor in our securities may lose all or part of their investment. Furthermore, the risks described below are not the only risks facing our company.  Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

Our business and results of operations depend on the volatile People’s Republic of China domestic and international coal markets.

 

Substantially all of our coal business is conducted in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or “China”), and as a result, our business and operating results depend on the domestic supply and demand for coal and coal products in China. The domestic coal markets are cyclical and have historically experienced pricing volatility, which reflects, among other factors, the conditions of the PRC and global economies and demand fluctuations in key industries that have high coal consumption, such as the power generation and steel industries. Difficult economic conditions in recent periods have resulted in lower coal prices, which in turn negatively affect our operational and financial performance. The domestic and international coal markets are affected by supply and demand. The demand for coal is primarily affected by the global economy and the performance of power generation, chemical, metallurgy and construction materials industries. The availability and prices of alternative sources of energy, such as natural gas, oil, hydropower, solar and nuclear power also affect the demand for coal. The supply of coal, on the other hand, is primarily affected by the geographical location of coal reserves, the transportation capacity of coal transportation railways, the volume of domestic and international coal supplies and the type, quality and price of competitors’ coal. A significant rise in global coal supply or a reduction in coal demand may have an adverse effect on coal prices, which in turn, may reduce our profitability and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Our mining operations are inherently subject to changing conditions that could adversely affect our profitability.

 

Our coal operations are inherently subject to changing conditions that can adversely affect our levels of production and production costs for varying lengths of time and can result in decreases in profitability. We are exposed to commodity price risk related to the purchase of diesel fuel, wood, explosives and steel. In addition, weather and natural disasters (such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and other similar occurrences), unexpected maintenance problems, key equipment failures, fires, variations in thickness of the layer, or seam, of coal, amounts of overburden, rock and other natural materials, variations in rock and other natural materials and variations in geological conditions can be expected in the future to have, a significant impact on our operating results. Prolonged disruption of production at the mine would result in a decrease in our revenues and profitability, which could be material. Other factors affecting the production and sale of our coal and coke that could result in decreases in our profitability include:

  • sustained high pricing environment for raw materials, including, among other things, diesel fuel, explosives and steel;
  • changes in the laws and/or regulations that we are subject to, including permitting, safety, labor and environmental requirements; 
  • labor shortages; and  
  • changes in the coal markets and general economic conditions.  

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  Our results of operations depend on our ability to acquire new coal mines and other coal-related businesses.

 

The recoverable coal reserves in mines decline as coal is extracted from them. In addition, the coal related business in China is heavily regulated by the PRC government, which, among other things, imposes limits on the amount of coal that may be extracted. As a result, our ability to significantly increase our production capacity at existing mines is limited, and our ability to increase our coal production will depend on acquiring new mines. Our existing mines are the DaPuAn, SuTsong, WeiShe, LaShu and LuoZhou coal mines as of the time of this report.

 

Our ability to acquire new coal mines and to expand production capacity in China and to procure related licenses and permits is subject to approval of the PRC government (including local governments.) Delays in securing or failure to secure relevant PRC government approvals, licenses or permits, as well as any adverse change in government policies, may hinder our expansion plans, which may materially and adversely affect our profitability and growth prospects. We cannot assure you that our future acquisitions, expansions, or investments will be successful.

 

Furthermore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition targets or acquire these targets on competitive terms and in a timely manner. We may not be able to successfully develop new coal mines or expand our existing ones in accordance with our development plans or at all. We may also fail to acquire or develop additional coal washing facilities in the future. Failure to successfully acquire suitable targets on competitive terms, develop new coal mines or expand our existing coal mines and other coal related operations could have an adverse effect on our competitiveness and growth prospects. Further, the benefits of an acquisition may take considerable time and other resources to develop and we cannot assure investors that any particular acquisition or joint venture will produce the intended benefits. Moreover, the identification and completion of these transactions may require us to expend significant management time and effort and other resources.

 

Coal reserve estimates may not be indicative of reserves that we actually recover.

 

The coal reserves disclosed for the mines from which we have the right to extract coal are the estimated quantities (based on applicable reporting regulations) that under present and anticipated conditions have the potential to be economically mined and processed. The total in place reserve numbers are calculated based on Chinese mining reserve standard. However, the amount of coal that we may extract from a given mine is limited by the mining rights granted to us by local governmental authorities. In addition, there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of coal reserves and in projecting potential future rates of coal production including many factors beyond our control. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground deposits of reserves that cannot be measured in an exact manner and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of different engineers may vary (e.g., in coal grade and reserve quantity) and results of our mining/drilling and production subsequent to the date of an estimate may justify revision of estimates. Reserve estimates may require revision based on actual production experience and other factors. In addition, several factors including the market price of coal, reduced recovery rates or increased production costs due to inflation or other factors may render certain estimated coal reserves uneconomical to exploit and may ultimately result in a restatement of reserves. This may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition.

 

U.S.-listed companies with substantial business operations in China have recently become subject to increased scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity.

 

Since late 2010, a number of U.S. publicly-listed companies with substantial operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) resulting in loss of share value. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered around accounting weaknesses, inadequate corporate governance and, in some cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of such scrutiny and negative publicity, the stock prices of most U.S. publicly-listed reverse merger companies and other public companies with operations in China have sharply decreased in recent years.

 

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Our industry is heavily regulated and we may not be able to remain in compliance with all such regulations and we may be required to incur substantial costs in complying with such regulation.

 

We are subject to extensive regulation by China’s Mining Ministry and by other provincial, county and local authorities in jurisdictions in which our products are processed or sold, regarding the processing, storage, and distribution of our product. Our processing facilities are subject to periodic inspection by national, province, county and local authorities. We may not be able to comply with current laws and regulations, or any future laws and regulations. To the extent that new regulations are adopted, we will be required to adjust our activities in order to comply with such regulations. We may be required to incur substantial costs in order to comply. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, operations and finances. Changes in applicable laws and regulations may also have a negative impact on our sales.

 

Government regulation of our operations imposes additional costs on us, and future regulations could increase those costs or limit our ability to mine, crush, clean, process and sell coal. China’s central, provincial and local authorities regulate the coal mining industry with respect to matters such as employee health and safety, permitting and licensing requirements, air quality standards, water pollution, plant and wildlife protection, reclamation and restoration of mining properties after mining is completed, the discharge of materials into the environment, surface subsidence from underground mining and the effects that mining has on groundwater quality and availability. We are required to prepare and present to China’s central, provincial and local authorities data pertaining to the effect or impact that any proposed processing of coal may have upon the environment. The costs, liabilities and requirements associated with these regulations may be costly and time-consuming and may delay commencement, expansion or continuation of our coal processing operations. The possibility exists that new legislation and/or regulations and orders may be adopted that may materially and adversely affect our operations, our cost structure and/or our customers’ ability to use coal. New legislation or administrative regulations (or judicial interpretations of existing laws and regulations), including proposals related to the protection of the environment that would further regulate and tax the coal industry, may also require us and our customers to change operations significantly or incur increased costs. Certain sales agreements contain provisions that allow a purchaser to terminate its contract if legislation is passed that either restricts the use or type of coal permissible at the purchaser’s plant or results in specified increases in the cost of coal or its use. These factors and legislation, if enacted, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business operations and financial results may be adversely affected by present or future environmental regulations, coal industry standards and safety requirements, including mine idling, slowdowns, and shut down in 2011.

 

As a producer of coal products in China, we are subject to significant, extensive and increasingly stringent environmental protection laws, governmental regulations on coal standards and safety requirements. These laws and regulations, among other things:

 

impose fees for the discharge of waste substances and pollutants;

 

require the establishment of reserves for reclamation and rehabilitation;

 

impose fines for serious environmental offenses; and

 

authorize the PRC government, at its discretion, to close any facility that it determines has failed to comply with environmental regulations, operating standards, and suspend any coal operations that cause excessive environmental damage.

 

Some of our operations are based on traditional, old coal extraction and processing techniques, which are popular in China, and which produce waste water, gas emissions and solid waste materials. The PRC government has tightened enforcement of applicable laws and regulations and adopted more stringent environmental and operational standards. We believe that our coal mining and washing operations comply in all material respects with existing Chinese environmental and safety standards. However, some of our mines were subject to shut downs, slowdown and safety inspection of coal mines by the local governments in 2011. The temporary government mandated -shut-downs diminished during 2012 allowing our production to get back to normal levels.

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In addition, our budgeted amount for environmental and safety regulatory compliance may not be sufficient, and we may need to allocate additional funds for this purpose. If we fail to comply with current or future environmental and safety laws and regulations, we may be required to pay penalties or fines or take corrective actions, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial condition. China is a signatory to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which are intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions. On March 14, 2011, the PRC government approved the Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which sets goals to decrease the amount of energy consumed per unit of GDP by 16% from 2010 levels, cap energy use at 4 billion tons of coal equivalents by 2015 and reduce the carbon emissions by 17% percent of GDP from 2010 to 2015. Efforts to reduce energy consumption use lower emission coal, and control greenhouse gas emissions could materially reduce coal consumption, which would adversely affect our revenue and our business.  

 

For example, in early 2013, China’s Capital City Beijing had experienced very serious air pollution problem which, was partly contributed by burning of coal for heating during the winter months. This had caused international attention and seriously damaged the reputation of China. As a result, it is possible that Chinese government may consider regulation and administrative actions that may negatively impact the entire coal business in China which may increase our cost of operation and profitability. 

We depend on Dickson V. Lee, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the loss of whom could adversely affect our operations.

 

The future success of our investments in China is dependent on Mr. Dickson V. Lee, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. If Mr. Lee is unable or unwilling to continue in his present position, we may not be able to easily replace him, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and train new personnel. The loss of Mr. Lee could severely disrupt our business and its financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, since the industries we invest in are characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we may need to offer higher compensation and other benefits in order to attract and retain key personnel in the future. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to attract or retain the key personnel needed to achieve our business objectives. While Mr. Dickson V. Lee is covered by a one-year term accident insurance policy in China, which is paid for by the Company, we currently do not maintain “key person” life insurance coverage for any of our officers.

 

Our dependence on managerial, technical personal and mining workers could adversely affect our operations.

We are currently operating five mines in Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces. Although WeiShe, LuoZhou and LaShu are all located in Guizhou Province within 5-10 hours drive from each other and thus provide the Company some shared resources on key management personnel. We still need to have a dedicated management team in each mine to oversee the daily operations. Due to the remoteness of these mines (7-10 hours drive from major cities), it is difficult to attract qualified managers and technical staff to work at these mines for the long term. In addition, China is now experiencing labor shortage due to the aging population and one child policy, the younger generation workers would like to work in cities and away from factories, farms and mines. As a result, it may be difficult for the Company to recruit new workers for our mines located in Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces. The lack of qualified managers, technical personal and mining workers could adversely affect our operations.

 

Our business is highly competitive and increased competition could reduce our sales, earnings and profitability.

 

The coal business is highly competitive in China and we face substantial competition in connection with the marketing and sale of our products. Some of our competitors are well established, have greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources, have been in business for longer periods of time than we have, and have products that have gained wide customer acceptance in the marketplace. The greater financial resources of our competitors will permit them to implement extensive marketing and promotional programs. We could fail to expand our market share, and could fail to maintain our current share. Increased competition could also result in overcapacity in the Chinese coal industry in general. The coal industry in China has experienced overcapacity in the past. During the mid-1970s and early 1980s, a growing coal market and increased demand for coal in China attracted new investors to the coal industry, spurred the development of new mines and resulted in added production capacity throughout the industry, all of which led to increased competition and lower coal prices. Similarly, an increase in future coal prices could encourage the development of expanded capacity by new or existing coal processors. Any overcapacity could reduce coal prices in the future and our profitability would be impaired.

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We may suffer losses resulting from industry-related accidents and lack of insurance.

We operate coal mines and related facilities that may be affected by water, gas, fire or structural problems and earthquakes. As a result, we, like other companies operating coal mines, have experienced accidents that have caused property damage and personal injuries. Although we continuously reviews our existing operational standards, including insurance coverage and have implemented safety measures, fire training at our mining operations and provided on-the-job training for our employees and workers, there can be no assurance that industry-related accidents, earthquakes or other disasters will not occur in the future. The insurance industry in China is still in its development stage, and Chinese insurance companies offer only limited business insurance products. We currently only have work-related injury insurance for our employees at the DaPuAn, SuTsong, WeiShe, LaShu  and LuoZhou mines and limited accident insurance for staff and miners working in China. Any uninsured losses and liabilities incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Disruptions to the Chinese railway transportation system and the other limited modes of transportation by which we deliver our products may adversely affect our ability to sell our coal products.

 

A substantial portion of the coal products we sell is transported to our customers by the Chinese national railway system. As the railway system has limited transportation capacity and cannot fully satisfy coal transportation requirements, discrepancies between capacity and demand for transportation exist in certain areas of the PRC. No assurance can be given that we will continue to be allocated adequate railway transport capacity or acquire adequate rail cars, or that we will not experience any material delay in transporting our coal as a result of insufficient railway transport capacity or rail cars.

 

Some of our business operations depend on a single transportation carrier or a single mode of transportation to deliver our coal products. Disruption of any of these transportation services due to weather-related problems, flooding, drought, accidents, mechanical difficulties, strikes, lockouts, bottlenecks, and other events could temporarily impair our ability to supply coal to our customers. Our transportation providers may face difficulties in the future that may impair our ability to supply coal to our customers, resulting in decreased revenues.

 

Our continued operations of coal mines are dependent on our ability to obtain and maintain mining licenses and other PRC government approvals for our mining operations.

 

Unlike land in the United States, much of which is owned by private individuals, the land and underlying minerals in China belongs to the PRC government and is only leased to lessees such as us on a long-term basis, ranging from 40 to 70 years. Further, coal reserves are owned by the PRC government, which issues mining licenses and exclusive mining rights for a particular mine to a mining operator on a long term basis (normally 50 years). This license allows the mining operators to operate and extract coal from the mine. Thus, coal mining licenses are the exclusive evidence of approval of a coal mine’s mining rights by the PRC government. The government charges all mining operators an upfront fee plus a surcharge ranging from 2%-3% of the value of the coal excavated from the ground. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain additional mining licenses (including licenses to expand our production capacity at our existing mines) and rights for additional mines or to maintain such licenses for our existing operations. The loss or failure to obtain or maintain these licenses in full force and effect will have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct our business and on our financial condition.

 

Furthermore, the coal industry in China is heavily regulated by the government for safety and operational reasons. Several licenses and permits are required in order to operate a coal mine. These licenses and permits, once issued, are reviewed typically once a year. Failure to comply with such regulations could result in fines or temporary or permanent shutdowns of our mining operations, which would adversely impact our business and results of operations.

 

Risks inherent to mining could increase the cost of operating our business.

 

Our coal mining operations are subject to conditions beyond our control that can delay coal deliveries or increase the cost of mining at particular mines for varying lengths of time. These conditions include weather and natural disasters, unexpected maintenance problems, key equipment failures, variations in coal seam thickness, variations in the amount of rock and soil overlying the coal deposit, variations in rock and other natural materials and variations in geologic conditions.

 

As with all underground coal mining companies, our operations are affected by mining conditions such as a deterioration in the quality or thickness of faults and/or coal seams, pressure in mine openings, presence of gas and/or water inflow and propensity for spontaneous combustion, as well as operational risks associated with industrial or engineering activity, such as mechanical breakdowns. Although we have conducted geological investigations to evaluate such mining conditions and adapt our mining plans to address them, there can be no assurance that the occurrence of any adverse mining conditions would not result in an increase in our costs of production, a reduction of our coal output or the temporary suspension of our operations.

 

Underground mining is also subject to certain risks such as methane outbursts and accidents caused by roof weakness and ground-falls. There can be no assurance that the occurrence of such events or conditions would not have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

 

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We did not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting for the years ended April 30, 2010 and 2011, and have identified material weaknesses in our system of internal controls relating to the same.

 

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its Annual Report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting. Our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2010 and 2011 and concluded that we did not maintain effective controls over the process of ensuring timely preparation of our financial reporting as of and for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2010 and 2011.  In addition, our auditor, Kabani & Co. Inc., identified material weaknesses in our system of internal controls relating to the same. During the last two fiscal years, we have taken several steps to improve our internal control procedures, including adding additional internal and external resources. Until we are able to ensure the effectiveness of our internal controls, any material weaknesses may materially adversely affect our ability to report accurately our financial condition and results of operations in a timely and reliable manner. Our reporting obligations as a public company will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. Effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our stock. Furthermore, we anticipate that we will incur considerable costs and use significant management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We also expect these developments will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to attract and retain additional members to the board of directors (both independent and non-independent), and additional executives.

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Risks Related to Doing Business in China

 

Our Chinese operations pose certain risks because of the evolving state of the Chinese economy and Chinese political, legislative and regulatory systems. Changes in the interpretations of existing laws and the enactment of new laws may negatively impact our business and results of operation.

 

Although our principal executive office is located in Seattle, Washington, all of our current coal business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject to economic, political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including its levels of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Doing business in China involves various risks including internal and international political risks, evolving national economic policies, governmental policy on coal industry, as well as financial accounting standards, expropriation and the potential for a reversal in economic conditions. Since the late 1970s, the Chinese government has been reforming its economic system. These policies and measures may from time to time be modified or revised. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past 20 years, growth has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of China. Furthermore, while the Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic development and guide the allocation of resources, some of these measures may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. Also, since early 2004, the Chinese government has implemented certain measures to control the pace of economic growth including certain levels of price controls on raw coking coal. Such controls could cause our margins to be decreased. In addition, such measures may cause a decrease in the level of economic activity in China, which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Adverse changes in economic policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations, if any, could have a material and adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, and could adversely affect our business operations.

 

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the application of Chinese laws, especially with respect to existing and future foreign investments in China. Despite China having its own securities laws and regulators, the Chinese legal system is in a developmental stage and has historically not enforced its Chinese securities law as rigidly as their U.S. counterparts. The interpretation and application of existing Chinese laws, regulations and policies, and the stated positions of the Chinese authorities may change and possible new laws, regulations or policies will impact our business and operations. Because of the evolving nature of the law, it will be difficult for us to manage and plan for changes that may arise. China’s judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, resulting in significant uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation in China. Consequently, there is a risk that should a dispute arise between us and any party with whom we have entered into a material agreement in China, we may be unable to enforce such agreements under the Chinese legal system. Chinese law will govern almost all of our acquisition agreements, many of which may also require the approval of Chinese government agencies. Thus, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to enforce any of our material agreements or that remedies will be available outside China.

 

Our business is and will continue to be subject to central, provincial, local and municipal regulation and licensing in China. Compliance with such regulations and licensing can be expected to be a time-consuming, expensive process. Compliance with foreign country laws and regulations affecting foreign investment, business operations, currency exchange, repatriation of profits and taxation will increase the risk of investing in our securities.

 

On April 15, 2011, the Guizhou province of China, in which the Company operates three of its five coal mines, issued a provincial-level notice/order (the “Guizhou Consolidation Policy”) that set forth the following key requirements, among others—by the end of 2013: (i) the total number of coal-mine related business enterprises in the Guizhou province (“Guizhou Coal Enterprise”) shall be limited to no more than 200; (ii) each Guizhou Coal Enterprise in Gui Yang City of Guizhou province shall reach at least the capacity to produce One Million (1,000,000) tons of coal per year; (iii) each Guizhou Coal Enterprise in Liu Pan Shui City of Guizhou province shall reach at least the capacity to produce Two Million (2,000,000) tons of coal per year; (iv) for certain coal mines, the mechanization level for coal-mine development and coal mining shall reach, respectively, 70% and 45% (by the end of 2015, 80% and 55% respectively.) While the Guizhou Consolidation Policy has opened the door for the Company to acquire/consolidate additional smaller coal mines in the Guizhou province at faster speed and at attractive prices, the Company is also aware that the Company’s current coal-production capacity and mechanization level have not met the requirements set forth in the Guizhou Consolidation Policy as of now as we have an aggregate of  annual capacity of 600,000 tons, but we intend to work diligently to meet the requirements in the policy by the deadline of 2015.  

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Restrictions on Chinese currency may limit our ability to obtain operating capital and could restrict our ability to move funds out of China.

 

The Chinese currency, the Renminbi (RMB), is not a freely convertible currency, which could limit our ability to obtain sufficient foreign currency to support our business operations and could impair the ability of our Chinese subsidiaries to pay dividends or other distributions to us. We rely on the Chinese government’s foreign currency conversion policies, which may change at any time, in regard to our currency exchange needs. We currently receive all of our revenues in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other foreign currencies. In China, the government has control over Renminbi reserves through, among other things, direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into other foreign currencies and restrictions on foreign imports. Although foreign currencies which are required for “current account” transactions can be bought freely at authorized Chinese banks, the proper procedural requirements prescribed by Chinese law must be met. Current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. At the same time, Chinese companies are also required to sell their foreign exchange earnings to authorized Chinese banks and the purchase of foreign currencies for capital account transactions still requires prior approval of the Chinese government. This type of heavy regulation by the Chinese government of foreign currency exchange restricts certain of our business operations and a change in any of these government policies, or any other, could further negatively impact our operations.

 

Our ownership structure is subject to regulatory controls by the PRC government, including approvals and timely payments in connection with our acquisitions. Failure to obtain such approvals or to timely remit required payments may cause the unwinding of our acquisitions.

 

On October 21, 2005, the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) issued a circular (“Circular 75”), effective November 1, 2005, which repealed Circular 11 and Circular 29, which previously required Chinese residents to seek approval from SAFE before establishing any control of a foreign company or transfer of China-based assets or equity for the shares of the foreign company. SAFE also issued a news release about the issuance of Circular 75 to make it clear that China’s national policies encourage the efforts by Chinese private companies and high technology companies to obtain offshore financing. Circular 75 confirmed that the uses of offshore special purpose vehicles (“SPV”) as holding companies for PRC investments are permitted as long as proper foreign exchange registrations are made with SAFE. As China continues to develop its legal system, additional legal, administrative, and regulatory rules and regulations may be enacted, and we may become subject to the additional rules and regulation applicable to the our Chinese subsidiaries.

 

Our Chinese subsidiaries, Kunming Biaoyu Industrial Boiler Co., Ltd. (“KMC”) has been registered as American subsidiaries, and all required capital contributions have been made into them. We own our equity ownership interest in the DaPuAn and SuTsong Mines through a nominee who is a Chinese citizen that holds our equity ownership in trust for our benefit under an agency agreement executed in April 2008, and we refer to the operations as “L & L Coal Partners” Because this equity will be held by a nominee, no SAFE approval is necessary for it. We believe that Circular 75 and other related Circulars or regulations may likely be further clarified by SAFE, in writing or through oral comments by officials from SAFE, or through implementation by SAFE in connection with actual transactions. However, if we fail to obtain the required PRC government approvals for our acquisitions or fail to remit all of the required payments for acquisitions, such acquisitions may be deemed void or unwound. Should this occur, we may seek to acquire the equity interest of our subsidiaries through other means, although no assurance can be given that we will be able to do so, nor can we assure that we will be successful if we do.

  

33


 
 
We may have to incur unanticipated costs because of the unpredictability of the Chinese legal system.

 

The Chinese legal system has many uncertainties. The Chinese legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, Chinese legislation and regulations have enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently-enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the Chinese legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

It will be difficult for any shareholder to commence a legal action against our executives. Most of our assets are located in China.

 

Because our directors and officer(s) reside both within and outside of the United States, it may be difficult for an investor to enforce his or her rights against them or to enforce United States court judgments against them if they live outside the United States. Most of our assets are located outside of the United States in China. Additionally, we plan to continue acquiring other energy-related entities in China in the future. It may therefore be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon us or our directors or officers, or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on us or our directors and officers under federal securities laws. Moreover, China currently does not have treaties with the United States or many other countries providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts.

 

We are subject to currency fluctuations from our Chinese operations and fluctuations in the exchange rate may negatively affect our expenses and results of operations, as well as the value of our assets and liabilities.

 

Effective July 21, 2005, The People’s Bank of China announced that the Renminbi (RMB) exchange rate regime changed from a fixed rate of exchange based upon the U.S. dollar to a managed floating exchange rate regime based upon market supply and demand of a basket of currencies. On July 26, 2005, the exchange rate against the Renminbi was adjusted to 8.11 Renminbi per U.S. dollar from 8.28 Renminbi per U.S. dollar, which represents an adjustment of approximately two percent. As of July 29, 2013, the Renminbi appreciated to approximately RMB 6.14  per U.S. Dollar. It is expected that the revaluation of the Renminbi and the exchange rate of the Renminbi may continue to change in the future. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the RMB and the United States dollar could adversely affect our operating results. Results of our business operations are translated at average exchange rates into United States Dollars for purposes of reporting results. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect our expenses and results of operations as well as the value of our assets and liabilities. Fluctuations may adversely affect the comparability of period-to-period results. We do not use hedging techniques to eliminate the effects of currency fluctuations. Thus, exchange rate fluctuations could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock prices.

34


 
 

 

New governmental regulation relating to greenhouse gas emissions may subject us to significant new costs and restrictions on our operations.

 

Climate change is receiving increasing attention worldwide. Many scientists, legislators and others attribute climate change to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which has led to significant legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. There are bills pending in Congress that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions. While US regulations are not applicable in China, China has agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP which may reduce the rate of growth in coal consumption in China. Additionally as China begins to implement more stringent environmental and safety regulations our mining and operational costs may increase.

 

In the middle of November 2012 and Spring 2013, China completed its 18th National Congress for its once a decade leadership transition. The new leaders have shown willingness to take necessary steps to boost the economic growth in the orderly manner in China for the coming years. However, it is very difficult to predict the government policies and direction under the new leadership for the next decade. Certain new government policies may negatively impact our business in China in the future and thus our shareholders values.

Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

 

We are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in the PRC. We can make no assurance, however, that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

The market price of our stock may be volatile.

 

The market price of our stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

 

  • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;

 

  • changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;

  

  • conditions in coal energy markets;

 

  • changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other coal energy companies;

 

  • announcements by us or our competitors of new products, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

  • addition or departure of key personnel;

 

  • fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar; and  

 

  • general economic or political conditions in China and USA.  

 

In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our stock.

35


 
 

Our corporate actions are substantially influenced by our principal stockholders and affiliated entities.

 

Members of our management and their affiliated entities own or have the beneficial ownership right to approximately 17.80 % of our outstanding common shares, representing approximately 17.80% of our voting power. These stockholders, acting individually or as a group, could exert substantial influence over matters such as approving mergers or other business combination transactions. In addition, because of the percentage of ownership and voting concentration in these principal stockholders and their affiliated entities, elections of our board of directors will generally be within the control of these stockholders and their affiliated entities. While all of our stockholders are entitled to vote on matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, the concentration of shares and voting control presently lies with these principal stockholders and their affiliated entities. As such, it would be difficult for stockholders to propose and have approved proposals not supported by management. There can be no assurances that matters voted upon by our officers and directors in their capacity as stockholders will be viewed favorably by all stockholders of the company.

 

We have the right to issue additional common stock and preferred stock without the consent of our stockholders. If we issue additional shares in the future, this may result in dilution to our existing stockholders and could decrease the value of your shares.

 

Our articles of incorporation, as amended, authorize the issuance of 120,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors has the authority to issue additional shares up to the authorized capital stated in the articles of incorporation. Our board of directors may choose to issue some or all of such shares to acquire one or more businesses or to provide additional financing in the future. The issuance of any such shares may result in a reduction of the book value or market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If we do issue any such additional shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other stockholders. Further, any such issuance may result in a change of control of our company.

 

Our business strategy calls for strategic acquisitions of additional coal mines and other coal-related businesses. It is anticipated that future acquisitions will require cash and issuances of our capital stock, including our common stock, warrants, preferred shares or convertible bonds in the future. To the extent we are required to pay cash for any acquisition, we anticipate that we would be required to obtain additional equity and/or debt financing from either the public sector, or private financing. Equity financing would result in dilution for our stockholders. Stock issuances and equity financing, if obtained, may not be on terms favorable to us, and could result in dilution to our stockholders at the time(s) of these stock issuances and equity financings.

 

Our authorized preferred stock constitutes what is commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred stock. This type of preferred stock allows our board of directors to divide the preferred stock into series, to designate each series, to fix and determine separately for each series any one or more relative rights and preferences and to issue shares of any series without further stockholder approval. This authorized preferred stock allows our board of directors to hinder or discourage an attempt to gain control of us by a merger, tender offer at a control premium price, proxy contest or otherwise. Consequently, the preferred stock could entrench our management. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected by the existence of the preferred stock.

 

Stockholders should have no expectation of any dividends.

 

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefore. To date, we have not declared nor paid any cash dividends. Our

board of directors does not intend to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future, but instead intends to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations.

36


 
 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

            None

 

Item 2. Properties.

 

Our U.S. headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington, consisting of approximately 4,615 square feet under a lease that expires in July 2013 and is expected to be renewed.  Our China headquarters are located in a leased facility at 11F, the Coal Tower in Beijing. In addition, we also have an office property that we own in Kunming City, China, consisting of approximately 8,600 square feet. We also lease or own additional office spaces throughout China, including Guiyang City, which mainly accommodate our sales and marketing personnel.

 

For a description of the properties used in our coal mining operations, please see Item 1. Business – Our Operations – Coal Mining Operations.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings in material nature and we are not aware of any material pending legal proceeding to which any of our officers, directors, or any beneficial holders of 5% or more of our voting securities are adverse to us or have a material interest adverse to us, other than the legal proceeding described below:

 

On August 26, 2011, a federal securities law class action complaint was filed against the Company, certain officers and directors (i.e., Dickson V. Lee and Ian G. Robinson) and a former officer (i.e., Jung Mei (Rosemary) Wang) in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle on behalf of a proposed class  of all persons who purchased the common stock of the Company during the period August 13, 2009 through August 2, 2011, inclusive, and who were damaged thereby (the “Securities Class Action”),  alleging  that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934  by filing materially false and misleading reports and financial statements with the SEC from August 2009 to July  2011. On December 15, 2011, the court appointed Gregg Irvin as lead plaintiff, and plaintiff filed an amended complaint and a second amended complaint on February 8 and March 2, 2012, respectively, naming four other current and former directors as defendants (i.e., Shirley Kiang, Robert Lee, Dennis Bracy and Robert Okun).

 

On November 4, 2011, a complaint was filed by Larew P. Stouffer, in a shareholder derivative suit on behalf of  the Company,  which is a  nominal defendant, against certain its  officers  and/or directors (i.e., Dickson V. Lee, Norman Mineta, Ian G. Robinson, Robert W. Lee, Shirley Kiang, Dennis Bracy, Syd S. Peng) and certain former officers and/or directors (i.e., Edward L. Dowd, Andrew M. Leitch, Robert Okun, Joseph J. Borich, Jung Mei Wang and David Lin) in the First Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada for Carson City (the “Stouffer Derivative Suit”),  alleging that the defendants breached fiduciary duties to the Company and its shareholders, wasted corporate assets were unjustly enriched and committed other wrongful acts.

 

On November 15, 2011, a complaint was filed by Russell L. Bush, in a shareholder derivative suit on behalf of  the Company,  which is a  nominal defendant,  against its  existing directors (i.e., Dickson V. Lee, Norman Mineta, Ian G. Robinson, Robert W. Lee, Shirley Kiang, Dennis Bracy, Syd S. Peng) in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle (the “Bush Derivative Suit”, with the Stouffer Derivative Suit, the “Derivative Suits”) alleging that the defendants breached fiduciary duties and were unjustly enriched .

 

 The Company has notified our insurance carrier of the Potential Class Action and the Derivative Suits. The Company has retained outside legal counsels.

 

37


 
 

The Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss in the event of an unfavorable outcome. As such, as of April 30, 2013, the Company has not accrued any liability in connection with potential losses from legal proceedings.

 

On April 23, 2012, the Company and Dickson V. Lee and Ian G. Robinson filed a motion to dismiss the Securities Class Action.  Proceedings in the Derivative Suits were stayed pending the court’s ruling on the motion to dismiss.

 

On December 3, 2012, the United States District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle granted the Company’s motion to dismiss the Securities Class Action lawsuit, and gave plaintiff thirty days in which to seek the court’s permission to file another  amended complaint.

 

On January 2, 2013, plaintiff filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint.  Pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the court granted such leave, and on February 4, 2013, plaintiff filed a third amended complaint on behalf of a proposed class of all persons who purchased the common stock of the Company during the period August 13, 2009 through August 2, 2011, inclusive, and who were damaged thereby, against the Company, certain officers and/or directors (i.e., Dickson V. Lee and Ian G. Robinson) and a former officer (i.e., Jung Mei (Rosemary) Wang), alleging that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 by filing materially false and misleading reports and financial statements with the SEC from August 2009 to July 2011.

 

Pursuant to a stipulation of the parties and an order entered by the court, the Company’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s third amended complaint was submitted on April 12, 2013. The plaintiff filed response on June 19, 2013 and the Company filed its response on  July 19, 2013 to  the plaintiff’s response.  Proceedings in the Derivative Suits continue to be stayed.

 

The Company believes that these suits are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

            Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities.

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “LLEN”. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low last sale price on The NASDAQ Stock Market,

 

 

Quarter Ended

High

Low

April 30, 2013

$3.87

$1.64

January 31, 2013

$2.13

$1.55

October 31, 2012

$2.28

$1.75

July 30, 2012

$2.26

$1.38

April 30, 2012

$3.22

$2.24

January 31, 2012

$3.20

$2.35

October 31, 2011

$4.84

$2.21

July 31, 2011

$7.29

$4.44

 

As of July 29, 2013, there were approximately 10,000 shareholders of record.

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Dividends

 

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion of our business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Payment of dividends, if any, will depend on our future earnings, capital requirements and financial position, plans for expansion, general economic conditions and other pertinent factors.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information  

 

The following table provides information as of April 30, 2013 with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under existing equity compensation plans:

 

Plan Name and Type

Number of Securities to be issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

   

Weigthed-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities Available for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected In the First Column)

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

         

2010 Stock Incentive Plan

4,200,000

 

$

2.81

32,617

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

2,389,274

(1)

$

3.03

-

Total

6,589,274

 

$

2.81/3.03

32,617

 

(1) These shares were issued prior to the approval of the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan on February 17, 2011 which Includes warrants issued pursuant to individual employment agreements with directors and executive officers.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

                None.


Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

                 

                None.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The information set forth below for the five years ended April 30, 2013, is not necessarily indicative of results of future operations, and should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K to fully understand factors that may affect the comparability of the information presented below.

 

 

Years Ended April 30,

 

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Statements of Operations Data:

         

Revenues

$198,982,667

$112,940,483

$137,324,576

$88,462,984

$40,938,128

Cost of Revenues

137,419,910

82,140,286

95,158,971

48,452,314

17,946,206

Gross Profit

61,562,757

30,800,197

42,165,605

40,010,670

22,991,922

Total Operating Expenses

17,239,391

15,342,149

17,407,505

9,245,211

3,996,795

Income from Operations

44,323,366

15,458,048

24,758,100

30,765,459

18,995,127

Total Other Income (Expense)

(1,272,331)

2,266,487

1,195,752

304,828

(265,356)

Income Before Income Taxes, Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, and Non-Controlling Interests

43,051,035

17,724,535

25,953,852

31,070,287

18,729,771

Income Tax Provision

5,545,883

2,395,663

2,121,630

1,587,775

1,219,457

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

11,647,497

3,912,240

18,568,266

10,465,735

528,181

Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests

10,800,403

4,994,669

5,620,679

7,040,555

7,315,330

Net Income Attributable to L&L

$38,352,246

$14,246,443

$36,779,809

$32,907,692

$9,957,243

           

Earnings per share:

         

Basic

$1.03

$0.43

$1.24

$1.35

$0.46

Diluted

$0.98

$0.42

$1.21

$1.28

$0.46

Weighted average shares outstanding:

         

Basic

37,243,459

33,108,863

29,764,705

24,375,508

21,492,215

Diluted

39,175,569

33,544,354

30,422,393

25,748,036

21,822,215

 

For the Company’s acquisition and disposition of business operations  during the fiscal years from 2009 to 2013, refer to our disclosure in the history and background section under Item 1, “Business.”.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data, the Company’s financial statements, and the notes to those financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under the Risk Factors, Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Business sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.

 

Company Overview

 

We produce, process, and sell coal in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or “PRC ”). As of April 30, 2013 our vertically integrated coal operations include five coal mines, two coal washing plants, and three coal wholesale and distribution network in the southwest region of China . For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013, we produced approximately 763,000 tons in the coal mining operation, washed approximately 470,000 tons of coal in

our coal washing facilities, sold approximately 331,000 tons of coal through our wholesale operation and produced approximately 30,000 tons of coke coal

  

Currently, substantially all of our coal mining operations are located in the Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. Our operations are located in inland and rural areas of China, which are being developed at a faster rate than the coastal areas that have historically received most of the PRC’s government focus. We have funded our business to date primarily through investments from our founder and Chairman, from private placements, from cash flows from operations and from certain debt financings and arrangements.

                                          

We conduct our China operations through both wholly- owned subsidiaries and majority interests in other entities.

 

 We derive our revenues from selling coal to customers, State Owned Enterprises (SOE) and private companies in Guangxin, Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces. Our thermal or steam coal is sold to customers that are utilities that generate power, mainly electricity. Our metallurgical and coking coal is sold to customers that make steel, though some steel customers also purchase thermal coal to generate power for their steel factories.

 

We are a United States company incorporated in Nevada and headquartered in Seattle, WA, Our China headquarters is located in Beijing and we also have China operational centers in Kunming City in Yunnan Province and in Guiyang in Guizhou Province. The majority of our management team and Board of Directors are American citizens, including three of four officers, and many are bilingual. After being a public reporting company since 2001, we commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market in February 2010.

 

Macroeconomic Factors

 

There were several relevant macro-economic factors directly impacting our operating environment in China during FY 2013, including GDP growth and inflation. In 2012, China’s economy expanded 7.8%, down from 9.2% for the previous year. This was largely attributable to a turbulent world economic climate and China’s efforts to tame inflation. China’s GDP growth fell to 7.7% in the first quarter of 2013 after a 7.9% gain in the fourth quarter of 2012. China’s Premier Li Keqiang has lowered expectations to 7.5% for 2013.

 

At the start of the Company’s fiscal year in May 2012, inflation in China was 3.0%, and moved down to a low of 1.8 % in July 2012. After the PRC tightened their fiscal policies, which included letting interest rates rise and capping prices of certain domestically-produced commodities like coal not to exceed last year’s prices, inflation fell to 2.4% at the end of the Company’s fiscal year in April 2013. As a result, China began our fiscal year with slightly higher demand for coal to fuel GDP growth.  At the same time, oversupply of coal from increased cheaper imported coal decreased the unit price of coal during the year.

 

Coal prices in the United States in 2012 declined due to lower demand caused by heavy competition from an increased supply of shale natural gas, , a large surplus inventory of coal, and the current government’s anti-coal policies. Combined with a sluggish market for coal in Europe due to slow economic growth, coal exporters have taken advantage of the arbitrage opportunities between Chinese domestic coal prices and international coal prices. This created a temporary oversupply of coal. As a result, the coal price has decreased for Chinese market in FY 2013. However, we have seen the price of coal stabilize over the winter in 2012. Since June 2013 we have begun to see usual seasonal reduction in coal process during the summer.

 

While the coastal metropolises have great demand for coal, growth is slow in these large cities. However, growth, and therefore demand, is still high in the secondary cities in non-coastal China (like Kunming in Yunnan Province and Guiyang in Guizhou Province, both where we operate). Due to China’s relatively underdeveloped rail system and the government’s emphasis on developing passenger rail vs. freight rail, coal-fired electrical power plants in coastal cities have seen an excess of coal supply.  This creates an environment where pricing in coastal cities see larger price swings than their non-costal counterparts.

         Looking forward, coal will continue to be a key component of the PRC’s energy policy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal makes up 70% of China’s total primary energy consumption and China is both the largest consumer and producer of coal in the world. In 2012, China accounted for over 49.4% of the world’s coal consumption. It is estimated that demand for coal in China will continue to increase for several decades, thus producing a favorable business environment for coal producers and wholesalers. Although China has substantial natural coal resources, the coal mining industry in China is fragmented and inefficient, and includes many small companies who lack the economies of scale and resources needed to maximize production capacity. Historically, mining companies in China have been unable to produce enough coal to meet China’s growing coal demands. As a result the PRC has allowed China to become a net importer of coal and has implemented a national policy of consolidation to increase production capacity, improve efficiency and safety in coal mines in China. Beginning with the 11th 5 year plan, the policy of government-mandated consolidation has continued with the current 12th 5 year plan, which expands and accelerates the consolidation to new provinces including Guizhou.

 

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General Discussion and Analysis of FY 2013 Results

We began our first quarter in FY 2013 with increased production compared with the  results from FY 2012. In FY 2012, we experienced a challenging operating environment due to temporary government-mandated idling of some of our mines as a result of nearby fatal accidents in non-L&L mines. For FY 2013, we continued our momentum from the fourth quarter of FY 2012 by continuing to ramp up production in all of our mines, especially in DaPuAn and WeiShe Mines where production increased substantially. At the same time, our acquisitions of LaShu and LuoZhou Mines helped to accelerate our coal production output as they were able to ramp up their production ahead of schedule.  As a result, our mine production went from approximately 336,000 tons in FY 2012 to approximately 763,000 tons in FY 2013.

 

DaPuAn and SuTsong Mines produced coal at an increasing pace form a combined production of 225,000 tons in FY 2012 to 360,000 tons in FY 2013. DaPing produced 94,000 tons in FY 2013 as compared with 66,000 tons in FY 2012.  Ping Yi was spun off in FY 2012 and did not contributed to L&L’s mining production in FY 2013 . WeiShe produced in FY 2012 at an annual rate of 12,000 tons and was organically expanded to 143,000 tons in FY 2013. Although we only acquired LaShu and LuoZhou mines on November 18, 2013, both mines were able to ramp up production ahead of schedule and produced a total of 167,000 tons during the  months we owned them in FY 2013. 

 

Our coal washing segment revenues increased slightly as we increased production from 434,000 tons in FY 2012 to 474,000 tons in FY 2013. The smaller increase in total tons washed was primarily due to the disposal of the Ping Yi washing facility at the end of FY 2012.  Additionally we disposed of our coking segment on November 18, 2012 as part of our acquisition of the Lashu and Louzhou Mines, as a result, our coking segment also had experienced a decrease in production from 93,000 tons in FY 2012 to 35,000 tons in FY 2013.  Our wholesale and distribution segment continued to increase substantially from 93,000 tons in FY 2012 to 238,000 tons in FY 2013 due to our increased production, increase in number of contracts with large end users, and availability of coal in the region.  

 

On September 5, 2012, we acquired the existing operations of GuangYeh Coal Sales Company based in Yunan to expand our sales and distribution networks and have access to more customers. On October 2012, we signed an contract to sell 360,000 tons of coal to Datang International Power Co. On May 15, 2013, the amount of coal to be sold under this contract was increased  to one million tons per year.

     

The third quarter of FY 2013, we made two strategic acquisitions of two new coal mines, LaShu and Luozhou in Guizhou Province. As part of the payment for the acquisition, we sold DaPing Mine and ZoneLin Coking Plant. The production ramp up of both LaShu and LuoZhou were ahead of the schedule and thus contributed to our increased coal production. As a result, our overall production for this quarter was increased by 100% as compared with the same period last year. 

 

In the fourth quarter of FY 2013, our Beijing headquarters became fully operational and the company’s subsidiary was accepted as member of the China National Coal Association. In April 2013, the Company also engaged KPMG (Taiwan) to review and audit the Company’s financial statements for the past  two  years  in order to assist the Company to explore the potential of Taiwan Depositary Receipt ("TDR"). Except during  the Chinese New Year holiday which fell in this quarter, all of the five mines were operating at or near full capacity for a total of 197,000 tons, a substantial increase from 108,000 tons in the same period last year. The unit price for our coal was also stabilized for three consecutive quarters. During this quarter, our wholesale business increased to 70,000 tons from 22,000 tons during during the same period last year as we started to ship to Datang International Power Group, although our unit price decreased significantly from previous quarters due to competition  and excessive supply of coal.

42


 
 

Plan of Operations

 

The Company is a vertically integrated coal operator participating in the business of consolidation of a fragmented coal industry in Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces of southwest China. As of April 22, 2013, the Company opened an office in China’s capital city of Beijing, and subsequently relocated its headquarters to Beijing.  We are in the process of looking into further expansion into North China. We plan to expand our coal business two ways: first, through expansion of existing operations in accordance with the growth policy, and second, through continued acquisitions of operations that lack the capital and management skills to expand to meet the minimum capacity required by the government. The growth policy includes portfolio improvements to reduce mining risks and to improve (coal) energy to reduce emissions.  Additional plans for expanding our coal business includes expanding our coal wholesale operations, pursuing strategic partnerships, exploring viable options for raising capital with an emphasis on debt and other non-dilutive instruments, and strengthening our management and technical team.  L&L will also look to develop strategic partnerships with energy (coal) busyers and develop possible new energy projects, where L&L can leverage US technology and resources.

 

Organic Growth.

 

        All five of our mines are producing coal at or close to full capacity. We expect to further expand our production as the five mines are continuing to expand each of their production capacities.

      The WeiShe mine was acquired in February of 2012 and was able to ramp up near its approved capacity of 150,000 tons per year, producing 142,915 tons during FY 2013.  The Company has begun Weishe’s expansion to 400,000 tons of annual capacity. LaShu and Luozhou were acquired in November 2012 and have ramped up at a faster pace. LuoZhou produced 93,379 tons of coal during last six months of FY 2013 against its approved capacity of 150,000 tons per year. LaShu produced 73,201 tons of coal during the last six months of FY 2013 against its approved capacity of 300,000 tons annually. We expect to expand all three of these Guizhou mines (WeiShe, LaShu and LuoZhou) to produce over 1.2 million tons in the next few years (Luozhou 450,000, Lashu 300,000 and Weishe 450,000), well ahead of the 2015 deadline for consolidation in the province. We plan to expand the production capacity for each of the two mines DaPuAn and SuTsong in Yunan to 300,000 tons. This would bring our total targeted production to 1.8 million tons.  

 

We acquired producing mines that lack capital and/or management expertise to expand to meet the minimum government-mandated production requirement, and we are able to provide the resources to expand production capacity and improve safety. Most coal mines in Southwest China, including our mines before upgrading, use the conventional/traditional mining method. Since the acquisition of our mines, the Company has invested substantially in mine infrastructure, which allows us to increase the productivity and safety of our mines. The Company had invested in tunnel construction, shafts, transportation system and roads, pumps, ventilation system, walls, storage facilities, dorms and other types of infrastructure.  The investment in tunnel construction and shaft allow the Company to dig coal from new areas in a safer environment to increase the production capacity. The investment in transportation systems allows the Company to get coal from ground with shorter turnaround time and at a larger capacity. We have also installed additional shafts in some of our mines to increase safety, operational efficiency, and improve the working environment. Two of our mines continue to use timber to reinforce mine shafts. We have improved safety by using steel and hydraulic braces to reinforce the support the roof of the mine. Our newest mines use roof bolts which are safer and will allow greater mechanization in the future. We have also invested in monitoring equipment for hazardous gases like methane, better electrical equipment, communication systems, GPS locators for each underground miner, and blowers and better ventilation systems to ensure safe air quality. The Company also seeks to acquire larger mines, as mines designed with larger production capacities have become available on the market recently due to consolidation policy requirement that all mines join under a holding company that controls 800,000 to 2,000,000 tons of annual production.

43


 
 

In addition to infrastructure improvement, we also improve our production and safety through introducing basic management practices such as expanding from single shift to multiple shift operating teams, and including production incentives and bonuses in our team’s compensation package. Our mine operations have instituted regular safety training for both mine management and workers, regular sharing of safety information, and individual shift safety briefings and debriefings at the start and end of each shift. Because slogans are effective in impacting Chinese behavior, safety banners are posted for easy viewing. We comply with and try to exceed all the safety standards and cooperate fully with local, provincial, and national government safety regulators and safety supervision teams. There have been no fatal accidents in any of our mines.

 

This has resulted in the successful integration and safe expansion of the five mines we have acquired and continued expansion of production capacity to meet the current government-mandated minimum annual production requirement.

 

The Company continues to expand the capacity and improve the safety of our mines. According to Chinese government regulation, a coal mine can produce up to the production capacity set forth in the mining production permit. However, depending on the market demand for coal, especially during the high demand season in the winter, the local government does allow coal mines to produce more than the production capacity that year or use the unused capacity from previous years without giving specific written approval.  It has become a common practice that the actual production can vary from the authorized production limit.  A new permit must be obtained if the total mine production exceed the total approved tonnage for the life of the mine.

 

The Company constructed the DaPuAn coal washing plant to enhance the value of the coal mined at DaPuAn mine. In addition, the Company expanded the capacity of our coal washing facilities, in particular Hong Xing, which washes other mines’ coal. L&L is exploring partnerships to jointly develop coal washing facilities including prepaid coal washing services for the Company, which will ensure additional washing capacity for the Company’s coal preparation facilities in South China.

 

Acquisitive  Growth.

 

In addition to a rapid organic growth in the next several years, we expect continued opportunities to acquire mines and other operations. We believe that the current government-mandated consolidation policy in China will continue and thus create more acquisition opportunities for us. Strategically, the Company aims to accelerate the rate of acquisition and increase the size of acquiring mines in North China.

 

Our acquisition and inspection team consists of business, operational, financial, and renowned coal experts. Two of the members are Dr. Syd Peng and Mr. Jingcai Yang, independent directors of the Company. Dr. Peng is a distinguished professor of mining engineering at the West Virginia University (WVU), specializing in underground mining technologies. After earning his PhD in Mining Engineering from Stanford University in 1970, Dr. Peng spent his entire career in mining including work for the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the faculty of WVU where he served as Chairman of the Department of Mining Engineering. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is the recipient of numerous professional awards.  Mr. Yang is a well-known leader in the coal industry of China. He has over 30 years of experience, 16 of those spent with Shenhua, the largest coal company in the world. Mr. Yang was formerly the Chief Engineer of Shenhua before being promoted to Chairman  & CEO of Shandong Coal Corporation, the largest and most profitable Shenhua subsidiary, where he held full P&L responsibility.

Originally, our standard criteria include existing mines in production with good infrastructure and sufficient reserves but lacking the capital and management to expand to or beyond the current minimum of 300,000 tons per year. Because the consolidation policy requires that all mines must be consolidated  into  a holding company that have a total  coal production capacity of between 800,000 tons and 2,000,000 tons, depending on the county in Guizhou province where the mines are located, we have begun targeting larger mines with production near 300,000 tons or more, better geology, and strong management teams  for acquisition. Mines with these characteristics are on the market more frequently than in the past due to the government consolidation policy.  

 

We acquired three mines from Union Energy that met those criteria, Weishe, LaShu and  Luozhou mines. Their production capacity is currently approximately 150,000, 300,000 and 150,000 tons per year, respectively and will be expanding to over 1.2 million tons collectively. We expect other opportunities will arise in Guizhou as the deadline approaches. We will also look at opportunities to buy mines in North China which have already undergone consolidation and are running at the capacity of approximately one million tons or more per year

44


 
 

Other

 

In addition to acquiring mines, the Company established a new coal wholesale operation DaXing L&L Coal Company. With approval from the government, DaXing has begun developing additional coal storage space and growing its distribution network. Our DaXing subsidiary had handled over 90,000 tons of raw coal sales during FY 2013. Through its sourcing of coal, it introduces potential mine acquisitions to the Company in a similar manner as KMC did for the Company in Yunnan.  DaXing is actively looking for and entering into a joint sales agreement with strategic partners.

 

 The Company will continue to recruit talented professionals to strengthen our team at the board, officer, and management level. Our board is composed mostly of independent directors who are predominately U.S. citizens. We successfully recruited a world renowned expert in coal mining who had chaired the Department of Mine Engineering at West Virginia University and a former senior executive with the largest coal company in the world. Officers include the founder of the Company, a Chief Financial Officer who was a partner with Ernst &Young, two former senior White House staffers.  One of whom is also the former Director of the United States Mint. We have recruited key managers to augment our legal, accounting, and operations departments in both the United States and China, of whom many were trained in the United States and have advanced degrees in business.

 

The Company’s immediate mission is to become a leading coal energy company in coal-rich Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces. To meet the government-mandated production targets for each holding company in Guizhou, we believe that the Company’s production capacity will be increased to between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 tons per year by the end of 2013. Production could be much higher with additional acquisitions.

 

Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from the estimates used. Our actual results have generally not differed materially from our estimates. However, we monitor such differences and, in the event that actual results are significantly different from those estimated, we disclose any related impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Note [2] to our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K provides a description of our significant accounting policies. We believe that of these significant accounting policies, the following involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity:

 

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 the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base these estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

45


 
 

Estimate of recoverable coal reserves. The Company capitalizes its mineral rights at fair value when acquired, including amounts associated with any value beyond reserves, and amortized to operations as depletion expense using the units-of-production method over the estimated recoverable coal.  The recoverable reserves are based on estimates prepared using Chinese government standards and reflect the amount the Company is permitted to recover as per production permits and not necessarily the amount that is recoverable from the mine in general.

 

Estimate of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. ASC 360 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived assets. Loss on long-lived assets to be disposed of is determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost of disposal. Based on its review, the Company believes that as of April 30, 2013 and 2012, there was no impairment of its long-lived assets.

 

Estimate of Impairment of Intangibles - The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to record goodwill and intangible assets. In accordance with ASC 350, certain intangible assets are to be assessed periodically for impairment using fair value measurement techniques. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of the end of the Company's fiscal year, or more frequently when impairment indicators arise. The Company evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets periodically and takes into account events and circumstances which indicate that impairment exists. The Company believes that as of April 30, 2013 and 2012, there was no impairment of its goodwill.

 

Estimate of Fair Value Measurements - For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivable, accounts payable and other payables, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. In addition, the Company has long-term debt with financial institutions. The carrying amounts of the line of credit and other long-term liabilities approximate their fair values based on current rates of interest for instruments with similar characteristics.

 

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables, certain other current assets and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

 

  • Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.  

 

  • Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.  

 

  • Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.  

 

Derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value using the Lattice model. The changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in earnings.

46


 
 

Revenue Recognition - In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 13, “Revenue Recognition,” the Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. The Company must meet all of the following four criteria under SAB 104 to recognize revenue:

 

  • Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists  

 

  • Delivery has occurred  

 

  • The sales price is fixed or determinable  

 

  • Collection is reasonably assured  

 

In general, according to SAB 104, the Company recognizes the revenue when shipping occurs, which customarily occurs when our customers come with their own trucks to pick up coal.  Four criteria must be met prior to the Company recognizing the revenue, persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, sales prices is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.  There was no difference among segments in term of revenue recognition.   

 

Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied are recorded as advances from customers.

 

Accounts receivable - The Company’s policy is to maintain reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of April 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company determined that no reserve for accounts receivable was necessary. No allowance for doubtful accounts or sales returns deemed necessary.

 

We assess the credit risk of the account payment and performance history of our customers.  We perform monthly accounts receivable analysis and follow up with collection activity.  We also take consideration of customer relations, market conditions and level of credit risk tolerance.  For our business practice, generally, any balances over 180 days past due are considered as a bad debt reserve. 

Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, as determined on moving average basis.

 

Foreign Currency Translation - The accounts of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are maintained in the RMB and the accounts of the U.S. parent company are maintained in the USD. The accounts of the Chinese subsidiaries were translated into USD in accordance with ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters, with the RMB as the functional currency for the Chinese subsidiaries. According to ASC 830, all assets and liabilities were translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, stockholders’ equity is translated at historical rates and statement of income items are translated at the weighted average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under other comprehensive income in accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. Gains and losses resulting from the translations of foreign currency transactions and balances are reflected in the statements of income.

 

Asset Retirement Cost and Obligation - Asset retirement costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 410-20, Asset Retirement Obligations. Pursuant to ASC 410-20, the Company recognizes the fair value of the liability for an asset retirement obligation, which is recorded in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In subsequent periods, the retirement obligation is accreted to its future value, which is the estimate of the obligation at the asset retirement date. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated or depleted over the useful lives of the respective assets. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss would be recognized at such time.

47


 
 

Income Taxes - The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. GAAP also requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. As of April 30, 2013, income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

 

Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. No material deferred tax amounts were recorded at April 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. GAAP also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.

 

The charge for taxation is based on the results for the reporting period as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

 

The Company’s operating subsidiaries located in PRC are subject to PRC income tax. The new Chinese Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) law was effective on January 1, 2008. Under the new Income Tax Laws of PRC, a company is generally subject to income tax at an effective rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriated tax adjustments. However, some of the subsidiaries are in the form of a proprietorship and therefore are subject to a special tax rate of 5% of total revenue proceeds, subject to provisional adjustments.

 

Stock-Based Compensation -The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASC 718 requires companies to measure compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation at fair value at the grant date and recognize the expense over the employee’s requisite service period by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model,. Under ASC 718, the Company’s volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock or the expected volatility of similar companies. The expected life assumption is primarily based on historical exercise patterns and employee post-vesting termination behavior. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 

Comparison of the fiscal years ended April 30, 2013 and 2012

 

Our operating results during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012 reflect a substantial  increase resulting from all of our five mines producing at or near full capacity and an addition of two new mines that were able to ramp up their coal production over the course of the fiscal year.

 

For the years ended April 30, 2013 and 2012, the total Total Operating Expenses were $17,239,391and $15,342,149 respectively, accounting for 8.66% and 13.58% of the net revenue for these years, respectively. The decrease was due to due to the substantial revenue increase and economy of scale for operation to offset the fixed cost The other income (expense) for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 were ($1,272,331) and $2,266,487, respectively. The primary drivers for the changes from 2012 to 2013 were (a) reimbursement of D&O Insurance associated with class action lawsuit, (b) amortization of Ping Yi Mine disposal (c) the decrease of revenue from coal by-products of our ZoneLin Coking Plant which was sold on November 2012 and (d) loss on derivative financial instruments.  The weighted average tax rates for 2013 and 2012 were 12.24% and 13.52%, respectively. This variation in the weighted average tax rates was primary due to portion of revenue and income generated by different subsidiaries. Under the new Income Tax Laws of PRC, a company is generally subject to income tax at an effective rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriated tax adjustments. However, some of the subsidiaries are in the form of a proprietorship and therefore are subject to a special tax rate of 5% of total revenue proceeds, subject to provisional adjustments. The provisions for taxes for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 were $5,545,883 and $2,395,664, respectively.

 

The results of operations attributable to each of our four segments -- coal mining, wholesale coal, coking, and coal washing is discussed in detail below.

48


 
 

Coal Mining Segment

 

In November 2012, we sold our interest on Da Ping Mine to Union Energy. The coal mining segment analysis is separated into a table for continued operations (which exclude Da Ping). Also excluded in the table are the results of Ping Yi Mine, which was sold on November 18, 2012.

Since DaPuAn only washes its own coal from its own mine, we only listed the raw coal under the Mining Segment.  We have considered this is part of the total service provided within DaPuAn before the coal was sold to customer. There was no washing reported separately

The following tables summarize the year-to-year operating data for our coal mining segment:

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (Excludes Da Ping Coal Mine for 2013 and 2012 and Ping Yi Mine for 2012):  

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 $

%

Coal mining revenue

$

75,689,661

$

29,378,677

$

46,610,984

158%

Tons sold

 

669,500

 

237,201

 

432,299

182%  

Average price per ton sold

$

11

$

124

$

(11)

(9%)

Coal mining cost of goods sold

$

27,457,780

$

10,712,992

$

16,744,788

156%

Average coal mining cost of goods sold per ton

$

41

$

45

$

(4)

(9%)

Coal mining selling, general and administrative expense

$

5,909,414

$

2,897,296

$

3,012,118

104%

Average coal mining selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

9

$

12

$

(3)

(28%)

Coal mining operating income (expense)

$

42,322,467

$

15,768,389

$

26,554,078

168%

Average coal mining operating income per ton

$

63

$

66

$

(3)

(5%)

 

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (Da Ping Coal Mine for 2013 and 2012 and Ping Yi Mine for 2012):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 $

%

Coal mining revenue

$

10,184,967

$

9,263,899

$

921,068

10%

Tons sold

 

93,625

 

98,732

 

(5,107)

(5%)

Average price per ton sold

$

109

$

94

$

15

16%

Coal mining cost of goods sold

$

3,201,725

$

6,193,489

$

(2,991,764)

(48%)

Average coal mining cost of goods sold per ton

$

34

$

63

$

(29)

(45%)

Coal mining selling, general and administrative expense

$

661,985

$

2,504,383

$

(1,842,398)

(74%)

Average coal mining selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

7

$

25

$

(18)

(72%)

Coal mining operating income (expense)

$

6,321,257

$

566,027

$

5,755,230

1,017%

Average coal mining operating income per ton

$

68

$

6

$

62

1,078%

49


 
 

Coal Mining Revenue  

Total coal mining revenue increased  158% for our continued operations during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012, primarily as a result of full capacity production in all of our five mines, of which two were new acquisitions during our third quarter.

 

The average price per ton during the year ended April 30, 2013 decreased 9% due to the weakening domestic demand of coal and an oversupply of imported coal. However, the number of tons of coal sold in FY 2013 increased by 182% due to increased production at all of our mines and the expansion of our sales contracts to large end users, such as Datang Power.

 

Coal Mining Cost of Sales

 

For the continued operations, the number of tons of coal sold in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 increased 182% compared to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012, and the total cost of goods sold increased 156%, The increase in  cost of goods sold was not in proportion with the increased in sales  volume due to the economy of scale. The average coal mining cost of goods sold per ton has decreased by 9% from $45.16 to $41.01 per ton. This reflects the economies of scale and improved efficiency from operating larger and more efficient mines. In addition, our investment to upgrade our mines with better equipment, technologies and management are able to benefit our bottom line.  These strategic steps taken are in line with the government’s consolidation policy and better positions us as we move forward.

 

Meanwhile, the increase in coal mining cost of sales was also impacted by the increase in the cost of both direct labor (wages) and direct materials (inflation in price of raw materials). Lastly, the depreciation related to our investments in infrastructure, allocated as a direct expense, increased during the period.

Coal Mining SG&A  

 For the continued operations, total coal mining selling, general, and administrative expense (“SG&A”)  increased by approximately 104% during the year ended April 30, 2013 due to the volume increase. However, the average SG&A  per ton decreased from $12.21 to $8.83, a saving of 28%, which is attributable to the economies of scale and efficiency of operating larger and more efficient mines.   

Wholesale Segment

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions:

The following table is a summary of important year-to-year operating data for our Wholesale segment:

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

$

%

Wholesale coal revenue

$

45,662,814

$

20,645,391

$

25,017,423

121%

Tons sold

 

331,592

 

94,801

 

236,791

250%

Average price per ton sold

$

138

$

218

$

(80)

(37%)

Wholesale coal cost of goods sold

$

41,694,748

$

18,384,476

$

23,310,272

127%

Average wholesale coal cost of goods sold per ton

$

126

$

194

$

(68)

(35%)

Wholesale coal selling, general and administrative expense

$

1,440,028

$

430,626

$

1,009,402

234%

Average wholesale coal selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

4

$

5

$

0

(4%)

Wholesale coal operating income (expense)

$

2,528,038

$

1,830,289

$

697,749

38%

Average wholesale coal operating income per ton

$

8

$

19

$

(12)

(61%)

50


 
 

 

Wholesale Revenue  

Wholesale revenues increased by 121% during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012. Although the average price per ton sold decreased 37%, the number of tons sold increased 250% during the same period. The substantial increase in revenue was fueled by introduction of large customers such as Datang.

 

Wholesale Cost of Sales  

Wholesale cost of goods sold increased 127% while the average whole sale cost of goods sold per ton decreased 35% during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012. This result was primarily due to  the increased startup cost (such as hiring additional sales and marketing, support, logistic and operation staff) associated with securing large customers such as Datang. However, our average wholesale coal cost of goods sold per ton decreased due to significant increase in sales  volume.  

Wholesale SG&A  

Total wholesale SG&A increased 234% while the average SG&A per ton decreased by 4% during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012. The result was primarily based on the increased startup cost (such as hiring additional sales and marketing, support, logistic and operation staff) associated with securing large customers such as Datang. This start-up cost is offset by the volume increase and also future price increase for coal after the oversupply of imported coal has resolved itself. 

Coke Segment

The following table is a summary of the year-to-year operating data for our Coke segment. As of November 18, 2012, we sold ZoneLin Coking Plant and no longer operate a coking segment. The result below reflects the numbers for the entire FY 2013.

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions:

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

$

%

Coke revenue

$

6,746,558

$

22,093,798

$

(15,347,240)

(69%)

Tons sold

 

30,383

 

95,778

 

(65,395)

(68%)

Average price per ton sold

$

222

$

231

$

(9)

(4%)

Coke cost of goods sold

$

5,889,006

$

19,309,481

$

(13,420,475)

(70%)

Average coke cost of goods sold per ton

$

194

$

202

$

(8)

(4%)

Coke selling, general and administrative expense

$

148,219

$

486,216

$

(337,997)

(70%)

Average coke selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

5

$

5

$

(0)

(4%)

Coke operating income (expense)

$

709,333

$

2,298,101

$

(1,588,768)

(69%)

Average coke operating income per ton

$

23

$

24

$

(1)

(3%)

51


 
 

 

Coking Revenue  

Coking revenue for the year ended April 30, 2013 decreased 69% as compared with FY 2012. The average price per ton sold decreased by 4% and the number of tons sold decreased 68% compared to the year ended April 30, 2012. The decrease in both revenue and volume was a result of the sale of ZoneLin Coking Plant on November 18, 2012. The average price was relatively stable.

 

Coking Cost of Sales  

Coking cost of goods sold decreased 70% during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012, which was in line with the decrease in both revenue and volume.

Coking SG&A  

Coking SG&A decreased 70% during the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012, generally in line with the decrease in both revenue and volume. The average Coking SG&A was lowered by 4% in FY 2013.

 

Coal Washing Segment

In April 2012, we sold our interest in  Ping Yi mine and coal washing plant back to the original owners.  DaPuAn only washes coal from its own mine. We have considered this as part of the total service provided within DaPuAn before the coal was sold to customer. Therefore, there was no washing for DaPuAn reported separately

The following tables summarize the year-to-year operating data for our coal washing segment:

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (excludes Ping Yi Mine for 2012):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

$

%

Coal washing revenue

$

77,630,192

$

62,916,415

$

14,713,777

23%

Tons sold

 

470,335

 

399,463

 

70,872

18%

Average price per ton sold

$

165

$

158

$

8

5%

Coal washing cost of goods sold

$

68,267,382

$

53,042,818

$

15,224,564

29%

Average coal washing cost of goods sold per ton

$

145

$

133

$

12

9%

Coal washing selling, general and administrative expense

$

1,168,558

$

797,551

$

371,007

47%

Average coal washing selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

2

$

2

$

0

24%

Coal washing operating income (expense)

$

8,194,252

$

9,076,046

$

(881,794)

(10%)

Average coal washing operating income per ton

$

17

$

23

$

(5)

(23%)

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (Ping Yi Mine):  

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

$

%

Coal washing revenue

$

-

$

4,279,333

$

(4,279,333)

(100%)

Tons sold

 

-

 

399,463

 

(399,463)

(100%)

Average price per ton sold

$

-

$

11

$

(11)

(100%)

Coal washing cost of goods sold

$

-

$

2,141,768

$

(2,141,768)

(100%)

Average coal washing cost of goods sold per ton

$

-

$

5

$

(5)

(100%)

Coal washing selling, general and administrative expense

$

-

$

721,912

$

(721,912)

(100%)

Average coal washing selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

-

$

2

$

(2)

(100%)

Coal washing operating income (expense)

$

-

$

1,415,653

$

(1,415,653)

(100%)

Average coal washing operating income per ton

$

-

$

4

$

(4)

(100%)

52


 
 

 

Coal Washing Revenue

 

         Coal washing revenue increased 23% in the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012. This was result of increased overall raw coal demand  despite our disposal of the Ping Yi Mine and washing facility. The average price per ton sold increased by 8%, while number of the tons sold increased by 18% because we secured additional  key customers in the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012.

 

Coal Washing Cost of Sales

The coal washing cost of sales increased 29% in the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012, mainly due to the 29% increase in volume

 

Coal Washing SG&A

 

The coal washing SG&A increased 47% and average SG&A per ton increased 24% in the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to the year ended April 30, 2012.The increase was due to the increase in revenue and also some of the fixed cost would not be allocated to Ping Yi after the spin-off.

 

Comparison of the fiscal years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011

 

Our operating results during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011 reflect a decline mostly due to the temporary government-mandated idling and slowdowns from nearby fatal accidents in non-L&L Energy mines. Because all area mines were impacted, there were also less raw coal supplies for our coal washing, coking, and wholesale and distribution segments However, in the last two months of Q4 FY 2012, our mines were on their way to producing to their approved levels, leading the turnaround of our coal mining segment, which is our main business.

 

For the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, the total Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”) were $15,342,149 and $17,407,505 respectively, accounting for 13.58% and 12.68% of the net revenue for these years, respectively. The percentage increase was due to lower revenue in FY 2012 to offset the fixed cost of SG&A. The other income (expense) for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 were $2,266,487 and $1,195,752, respectively. The primary drivers for the changes from 2011 to 2012 were Accumulative Exchange Gain on Investment in Ping Yi Mine and the increase sale revenue from the sales of coal by-products from ZoneLin Coking Plant. The weighted average tax rates for 2012 and 2011 were 13.51 % and 8.17 %, respectively. This variation in the weighted average tax rates was primary due to portion of revenue and income generated by different subsidiaries. Under the new Income Tax Laws of PRC, a company is generally subject to income tax at an effective rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriated tax adjustments. However, some of the subsidiaries are in the form of a proprietorship and therefore are subject to a special tax rate of 5% of total revenue proceeds, subject to provisional adjustments. The provisions for taxes for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 were $2,395,663 and $2,121,630, respectively.

 

The results of operations attributable to each of our 4 segments -- coal mining, wholesale coal, coking, and coal washing is discussed in detail below.

53


 
 

 

Coal Mining Segment

 

In November 2012, we sold our interest on Da Ping Mine to Union Energy.

In April 2012, we sold our interest on Ping Yi mine and coal washing plant back to the original owner. Ping Yi’s operational performance was under our target due mostly to production disruptions from l two sequential major fatal mine accidents nearby. There were also larger than expected capital expenditures to upgrade safety in mine  and expand the production capacity. Because the Company owned Ping Yi for almost the whole fiscal year, to provide a thorough comparison, the coal mining segment analysis is separated into a table for continued operations (which exclude Ping Yi mine) and pmr gpt discontinued operations (which include only Ping Yi and Da Ping mines). The following tables summarize the year-to-year operating data for our coal mining segment:

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (excludes Ping Yi Mine and Da Ping Coal Mine):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 $

%

Coal mining revenue

$

29,378,677

$

42,827,306

$

(13,448,629)

(31%)

Tons sold

 

237,201

 

367,626

 

(130,425)

(35%)

Average price per ton sold

$

124

$

117

$

7

6%

Coal mining cost of goods sold

$

10,712,992

$

10,826,473

$

(113,481)

(1%)

Average coal mining cost of goods sold per ton

$

45

$

29

$

16

53%

Coal mining selling, general and administrative expense

$

2,897,296

$

3,580,348

$

(683,052)

(19%)

Average coal mining selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

12

$

10

$

2

25%

Coal mining operating income (expense)

$

15,768,389

$

28,420,485

$

(12,625,096)

(45%)

Average coal mining operating income per ton

$

66

$

77

$

(11)

(14%)

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (Ping Yi Mine and Da Ping Coal Mine):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 $

%

Coal mining revenue

$

9,263,899

$

25,951,566

$

(16,687,667)

(64%)

Tons sold

 

98,732

 

245,547

 

(146,815)

(60%)

Average price per ton sold

$

94

$

106

$

(12)

(11%)

Coal mining cost of goods sold

$

6,193,489

$

8,685,898

$

(2,492,409)

(29%)

Average coal mining cost of goods sold per ton

$

63

$

35

$

27

77%

Coal mining selling, general and administrative expense

$

2,504,383

$

1,345,983

$

1,158,400

86%

Average coal mining selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

25

$

5

$

20

363%

Coal mining operating income (expense)

$

566,027

$

15,919,686

$

(15,353,659)

(96%)

Average coal mining operating income per ton

$

6

$

65

$

(59)

(91%)

 

54


 
 
         Coal Mining Revenue  

Total coal mining revenue decreased 31% for our continued operations during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the temporary government-mandated idling because of the nearby fatal accidents in non-LLEN mines. In addition, in some cases, the Company elected to slowdown production in some mines for construction related to increasing the production capacity.

The average price per ton during the year ended April 30, 2012 increased 6% because the domestic demand of coal is still relatively strong but the supply of coal did not meet the demand because of the government-mandated idling and slowdowns of many mines in the area. This also led to an impact on the number of tons we sold in this year. Tons sold in FY 2012 fell 35% as the government mandated that area mines complete a series of safety inspections, even if the mine does not have an accident record. Also, because most of our mines are undergoing an expansion of production capacity, there was a small amount of coal is a byproduct of the construction process. However, Q4 production exceeded each of the prior four quarters, driven by our mines ramping up to their approved production levels during the last two months of the quarter.

For the discontinued operation (Ping Yi Mine and Da Ping Mine), the number of tons sold in FY 2012 dropped 60%, coal mining revenue decreased 64%, which in turn led to a high cost of goods sold per ton and high average SG&A per ton.


            Coal Mining Cost of Sales

For the continued operations (excluding Ping Yi Mine and Da Ping Mine ), the number of  tons of sold in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012 decreased 35% compared to the fiscal year ended April 30,2011, and the total cost of goods sold decreased 1%. During the government-mandated idling and slowdown of our mines, we   still incurred considerable fixed cost  maintenance still needed  to be performed even when thecoal was not extracted from our mines. In addition,  the Company took advantage of  the idling and slowdowns to continue the expansion of production capacity, which together led to extra labor costs. The Average Cost of Goods Sold per ton increased by 53% due to the lower number of tons sold in FY 2012 as compared to FY  2011, while the cost of goods sold decreased by 1%.

 

Meanwhile, the increase in coal mining cost of sales was also impacted by the increase in the cost of both direct labor (wages) and direct materials (inflation in price of raw materials).

Coal Mining SG&A

For the continued operations (excluding Ping Yi Mine and Da Ping Mine), total coal mining selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by approximately 19% during the year ended April 30, 2012 due to our improved efficiency and better cost control.

Wholesale Segment

The following table is a summary of important year-to-year operating data for our Wholesale segment:

 

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions:

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

$

%

Wholesale coal revenue

$

20,645,391

$

32,207,744

$

(11,562,353)

(36%)

Tons sold

 

94,801

 

202,533

 

107,732

(53%)

Average price per ton sold

$

218

$

159

$

59

37%

Wholesale coal cost of goods sold

$

18,384,476

$

28,311,948

$

(9,927,472)

(35%)

Average wholesale coal cost of goods sold per ton

$

194

$

140

$

54

39%

Wholesale coal selling, general and administrative expense

$

430,626

$

777,986

$

(347,360)

(45%)

Average wholesale coal selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

5

$

4

$

1

18%

Wholesale coal operating income (expense)

$

1,830,289

$

3,117,810

$

(1,287,521)

(41%)

Average wholesale coal operating income per ton

$

19

$

15

$

4

25%

55


 
 

Wholesale Revenue  

Wholesale revenues decreased by 36% during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. Even though the average price per ton sold increased 37%, the number of tons sold decreased 53% during the same period. The decrease in revenue was caused both by a shortage of coal supplies because of the government-mandated temporary slowdowns and idling of area mines and decrease in domestic demand for coal in China caused by the import of cheaper coal from other countries even though coal consumption has generally increased in China.

 

Wholesale Cost of Sales  

Wholesale cost of goods sold decreased 35% while the average whole sale cost of goods sold per ton increased 39% during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. This result was primarily based on the wage structure of our wholesale team, which is base salary plus a bonus according to the sales target achievement.


          Wholesale SG&A

          
Total wholesale SG&A decreased 45% while the average SG&A per ton rose 18% during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. The result was primarily based on the wage structure of our wholesale team with base salary plus a bonus according to the sales target achievement. Also, the average SG&A per ton increased because the startup costs of the recently established DaXing L&L Coal Co., Ltd.

Coke Segment

The following table is a summary of the year-to-year operating data for our Coke segment:

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions:

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

$

%

Coke revenue

$

22,093,798

$

28,535,708

$

(6,441,910)

(23%)

Tons sold

 

95,778

 

137,188

 

(41,410)

(30%)

Average price per ton sold

$

231

$

208

$

23

11%

Coke cost of goods sold

$

19,309,481

$

24,793,698

$

(5,484,217)

(22%)

Average coke cost of goods sold per ton

$

202

$

181

$

21

12%

Coke selling, general and administrative expense

$

486,216

$

535,805

$

(49,589)

(9%)

Average coke selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

5

$

4

$

1

30%

Coke operating income (expense)

$

2,298,101

$

3,206,205

$

(908,104)

(28%)

Average coke operating income per ton

$

24

$

23

$

1

3%

 

Coking Revenue  

Coking revenue for the year ended April 30, 2012 decreased 23%, while the average price per ton sold increased 11%, and the number of tons sold decreased 30%, compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. Initially, the decrease was attributed to the shortage of raw coal supply because of the government mandated temporary slowdowns and idling of our mines. However, new changes in government regulations and new environmental standards that were recently implemented, have led to the acceleration of our expansion plans and increased capital expenditures, in addition to some increased expenditures. Additionally, our coking segment experienced a sharp downturn in the fourth quarter of FY 2012 due to slow steel demand and resulting high stock of coking coal. Therefore, production at our ZoneLin coking plant at the end of the quarter was minimal.

56


 
 

Coke Cost of Sales  

Coking cost of goods sold decreased 22% during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011, generally in line with decrease in coking revenue..

Coke SG&A  

Coke SG&A decreased by 9% during the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. Because of the fixed cost, the decrease is not proportional to the sales revenue decrease.  

 

Coal Washing Segment

In April 2012, we sold our interest on Ping Yi mine and coal washing plant back to the original owners. Ping Yi’s operational performance was under our target due mostly to production disruptions from two sequential  major fatal mine accidents nearby coupled with larger than expected capital expenditures to upgrade the safety of mine and expand the production capacity. Because the Company owned Ping Yi for almost the whole fiscal year, to provide a thorough comparison, the coal washing segment analysis is separated into a table for continued operations (which exclude Ping Yi mine) and one for discontinued operations (which include only Ping Yi).

The following tables summarize the year-to-year operating data for our coal washing segment:

Continued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (excludes Ping Yi Washing Plant):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

$

%

Coal washing revenue

$

62,916,415

$

62,289,526

$

626,889

1%

Tons sold

 

399,463

 

418,269

 

(18,806)

(4%)

Average price per ton sold

$

158

$

149

$

9

6%

Coal washing cost of goods sold

$

53,042,818

$

56,020,550

$

(2,977,732)

(5%)

Average coal washing cost of goods sold per ton

$

133

$

134

$

(1)

(1%)

Coal washing selling, general and administrative expense

$

797,551

$

431,816

$

365,735

85%

Average coal washing selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

2

$

1

$

1

94%

Coal washing operating income (expense)

$

9,076,046

$

5,837,160

$

3,238,886

55%

Average coal washing operating income per ton

$

23

$

14

$

9

63%

 

Discontinued Operations, excluding intersegment transactions (Ping Yi Washing Plant):

 

   

Years Ended April 30,

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

$

%

Coal washing revenue

$

4,279,333

$

32,039,254

$

(27,759,921)

(87%)

Tons sold

 

399,463

 

349,574

 

49,889

14%

Average price per ton sold

$

11

$

92

$

(81)

(88%)

Coal washing cost of goods sold

$

2,141,768

$

25,426,202

$

(23,284,434)

(92%)

Average coal washing cost of goods sold per ton

$

5

$

73

$

(67)

(93%)

Coal washing selling, general and administrative expense

$

721,912

$

1,504,258

$

(782,346)

(52%)

Average coal washing selling, general and administrative expense per ton

$

2

$

4

$

(2)

(58%)

Coal washing operating income (expense)

$

1,415,653

$

5,108,794

$

(3,696,141)

(72%)

Average coal washing operating income per ton

$

4

$

15

$

(11)

(76%)

57


 
 

Coal Washing Revenue

For continued operations (excluding Ping Yi washing plant), coal washing revenue increased 1% in the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. The average price per ton sold increased 6% while the number of tons sold decreased by 4% in the year ended April 30, 2012, compared to the year ended April 30, 2011.


          Coal Washing Cost of Sales

For continued operations (excluding Ping Yi washing plant), coal washing cost of sales decreased by 5% in the year ended April 30, 2012, compared to the year ended April 30, 2011. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily the result of the decrease in fixed cost and slight decrease in cost for purchasing coal from other coal mines or coal suppliers. The average cost of goods sold per ton decreased insignificantly, by 1%, during the year FY 2012.


          Coal Washing SG&A

For continued operations (excluding Ping Yi washing plant), coal washing SG&A increased 85% and average SG&A per ton increased by 93% in the year ended April 30, 2012 compared to the year ended April 30, 2011.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   

The Company is in the very capital intensive coal business which requires both cash and company stock for acquisition of mine assets, investment for production equipment and technologies to boost production volume, as well as investment to improve the safety and upgrading the existing facility. The rate of expansion is highly dependent on the Company’s ability to raise or access capital. At the same time, the Company management is very conscious in balancing the return on investment vs. cost of capital to create positive shareholders value.  The Company is exploring possibility in raising capital via debt, equity or other type of financing instrument to fund the expansion opportunities.

 

Our primary sources of cash include cash on hand, cash from sales of coal production to our customers, borrowings under credit facilities, proceeds from financing transactions, and occasional sales of non-core assets. We believe the principal indicator of our liquidity is our cash position. As of April 30, 2013, our cash and cash equivalents was $9,565,084.

 

Our primary uses of cash include our cash costs of coal production, capital expenditures (and related construction in progress), installment payments related to acquisitions, debt service costs (interest and principal), and lease obligations in regards to office space and related equipment. Our principal liquidity requirement is working capital to finance our coal production. We generally fund both our operations and our capital expenditure requirements with cash generated from operations.

 

In the past few years, we managed to do new acquisitions without substantial external funding. We were able to make these three acquisitions by issuing L&L shares as payment, swapping of existing coal related assets and using cash generated internally. Therefore, under our current business plan, we don’t anticipate a critical need for additional funds until a major new opportunity arises. At that point, we will be able to quantify the exact funding requirement and evaluate best course of action to secure those funds.

 

 

58


 
 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $64,593,047 for the year ended April 30, 2013, compared to $25,766,254 from the same period in 2012. Our net income from continuing operations increased from approximately $14 million to approximately $38 million due to the increase in sales from the business acquisition of LaShu and LuoZhou mines.  In addition, there were the following differences between 2013 and 2012 (i) Increase in cash inflow of other receivable of approximately $2.9 million due to disposal of DaPing Coal Mine ; (ii) increase in cash outflow of $5 million in inventory; (iii) increase in cash outflow of taxes payable of $2.7 million. (iv) increase of non-cash loss on derivatives of $1.9 million.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $25,766,254 for the year ended April 30, 2012, compared to $19,796,887 from the same period in 2011. This increase is attributable to increase revenue and earnings..

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $56,525,742 for the year ended April 30, 2013 compared to $28,388,363 for the year ended April 30, 2012. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was mainly due to the net effect of (i) increase in cash outflow of approximately $35 million from Construction-in-progress; (ii) increase in cash inflow of $6.5 million from proceeds of repayment of long term receivable and iii) increase in cash inflow of approximately $10 million  related to discontinued operations.

 

For the year ended April 30, 2012, net cash used in investing activities was $28,388,363 compared to $28,071,963 for the year ended April 30, 2011. This decrease was mainly attributable to fewer acquisitions of new assets in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $5,101,989 for the year ended April 30, 2013, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $2,706,638 from the same period in 2012 primarily due to the increase in cash outflow to previous Da Ping mine owner of $15 million and increase in cash inflow from proceeds from a bank loan of $5 million and convertible note payable of $3 million.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $2,706,638 for the year ended April 30, 2012, compared to $2,780,634 from the same period in 2011. Principal changes between these periods included a decrease in cash inflows from the proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants of approximately $8 million, and a decrease in cash outflows from net repayment of advances to shareholders and payment on bank loans of approximately $8 million.

 

As compared to FY 2012, our accounts receivable (“AR”) increased approximately $2.3  million in FY 2013, which was  mainly caused by the increase in AR in the aging of 1-30 days and 91-180 days as shown in the table below:

In USD

 

Total

1-30 Days

31-60 Days

61-90 Days

91-180 Days

FY 2013

$

35,431,260

11,916,627

13,733,603

7,161,720

2,619,309

FY 2012

$

33,099,101

11,852,449

7,845,533

7,396,596

6,004,523

Variance

$

2,332,159

64,179

5,888,070

(234,876)

(3,385,213)

  
            We provided our customers with a 180 day credit term. Any over-term AR will be treated as bad debt. In the last month of FY 2012, our revenue was about $15.4 million as compared to $11.9 million in the same period of FY 2011, representing an increase of $3.5 million As disclosed in our Form 10-K for FY 2012, we encountered a temporary government-mandated idling due to fatal accidents in nearby non-LLEN mines. The temporary government-mandated idling impacted all mines in the area and led to decrease in the area’s production and sales. As a result, many coal washing, coking and wholesale operators were affected. Many had a shortage of cash because during the idling, the mines still incurred fixed costs such as salaries and benefits for workers and maintaining the facilities ready for production. Many mines also incurred additional costs due to complying with new regulations and upgrades that resulted from the idling. It was more difficult to collect our AR during that period. That was why we had a considerable increase on AR especially in the aging of 91-180 days.

59


 
 

Capital Expenditures

 

Our business is capital intensive and requires substantial capital expenditures for, among other things, developing our mines and purchasing and upgrading equipment. We also make investments to improve the productivity of our operations and comply with local license and safety regulations. We have historically funded, and expect to continue to fund, capital expenditures predominantly with cash from operations.

  

  • Capital expenditures were approximately $68 million for the year ended April 30, 2013.

 

  • We expect our total capital expenditures will be approximately $72 million for equipment and infrastructure, based on our existing coal operations, for the year ending April 30, 2014.

 

Working Capital

 

  • During the year ended April 30, 2013 our accounts receivable (“AR”) increased $2.3 million. The increase in AR balance is primarily attributable to increase in AR  of  WeiShe, LuoZhou and LaShu mines.

 

·         During the year ended April 30, 2013, our accounts payable increased by $3.0 million. Accounts payable increased in this fiscal year due to the increase in purchase of material, supplies and services used in production primary in Weishe, LaShu, and LuoZhou Mines as well as Tai Fung. Our production level went up in this fiscal year mainly due to the ramp up of production by WeiShe and acquisition of LaShu and LuoZhou as well as near full production in other mines.

 

  • Our inventories increased by approximately  $2.2 million in this fiscal year to accommodate our increase sales volume  in FY 2013.

 

·         During the year ended April 30, 2013, our due to related parties decreased by approximately  $11 million. The decrease in other payable balance is primarily payment due to DaPing’s former owner.

  

Construction in Progress

 

  • Construction in Progress represents the Company’s in progress, not-yet-capitalized, investment in infrastructure. Construction in Progress for the year ended April 30, 2013 includes mine development, ventilation and electrical system improvements, building of staff quarters, beginning construction of a sewage treatment system, and road expansion. Construction in Progress totaled $34,679,059 as of April 30, 2013.

 

  • As part of our acquisition strategy to consolidate the mines, we have invested heavily to upgrade the mines in term of equipment, plants, safety and other infrastructure in order to comply with the Chinese regulation and consolidation policies as well as increase our production and revenue. All these investments are initially classified under “Construction in Progress”, as these projects or items are completed, we shifted the items to “Property, plant, equipment,  and mine development” which could show significant changes from mine to mine and from quarter to quarter.  Also, each mine is unique and our investment varies in a great degree from mine to mine.

 

  •  Construction in Progress totaled approximately $34.679 million as of April 30, 2013 with the following break-down by mines:

       

         

      (in millions)

      %

      LLC (DaPuAn and SuTsong Mines)

      $

      34.061

      98.22%

      Weishe Mine

       

      0.067

      0.19%

      LaShu Mine

       

      0.495

      1.43%

      LuoZhou

       

      0.056

      0.16%

      Total

      $

      34.679

      100%

      60


    •  

       

      Management presently believes that cash flow from operations and increasing access to credit will provide the company sufficient capital resources for the infrastructure, mechanization, and safety elements of its business strategy.

       

      To implement its acquisition strategy, in conjunction with the government mandated consolidation of mines, the Company may consider the issuance of additional debt or equity securities. In addition to potential externally raised funds, the Company intends to utilize a combination of existing cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and seller paper to finance the acquisition of mines.

       

      Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

       

      The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

       

      Contractual Obligations  

       

      As of April 30, 2013, our significant contractual obligations were as follows:

       

      Contractual obligations

       

      Payment due by period

         

      Total

      Less than 1 year

      1-2 years

      2-5 years

      More than 5 years

      Long-term Debt Obligations

      $

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Capital Lease Obligations

       

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Operation Lease Obligations

       

      365,753

      96,475

      269,278

      -

      -

      Purchase Obligations

       

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Other Long-Term Liabilities Reflected on the Registrant's Balance Sheet under GAAP

       

      9,640,506

      4,612,760

      5,027,746

      -

      Total

      $

      10,006,259

      96,475

      4,882,038

      5,027,746

      -

       

                  All of these Contractual Obligations represent our investment into these subsidiaries (DaPuAn, SuTsong, Tai Fung) and thus all these items were eliminated when we consolidated our financial statements as of April 30, 2013.

       

      The table below shows a detailed breakdown of our contractual obligations by office/subsidiary/mine.

       

       

       

      Total

      Less than 1 year

      1-2 years

      3-5 years

      More than 5 years

      DaPuAn & SuTsong Mines

      $

      5,027,746

      -

      -

      5,027,746

      -

      Seattle Office

       

      20,418

      20,418

      -

      -

      -

      Taiwan Office

       

      22,000

      22,000

      -

      -

      -

      Beijing Office

       

      306,607

      37,329

      269,278

      -

      -

      Guiyang Office

       

      16,728

      16,728

      -

      -

      -

      Tai Fung

       

      4,612,760

      -

      4,612,760

      -

      -

      Total

      $

      10,006,259

      96,475

      4,882,038

      5,027,746

      -

      61


       
       
      Insurance

       

      We operate coal mines and related facilities that are inherently dangerous. We, like other similar companies, have experienced accidents that have caused property damage and personal injuries. Although we have implemented safety measures such as fire training and job-specific safety training, and we continuously review our existing operational standards, there can be no assurance that natural disasters and industry-related accidents will not occur in the future. The insurance industry in China is in a developmental stage, and Chinese insurance companies offer only limited business insurance products. We currently purchase work-related injury insurance for our employees at the DaPuAn, SuTsong, Weishe, LaShu, and  Luozhou mines, and limited accident insurance for staff working in China. Insurance-related liabilities and losses above our coverage could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

       

      Environmental Compliance

       

      We are subject to significant, extensive and increasingly stringent environmental protection laws. These laws and regulations impose fees for the discharge of waste substances and pollutants; require the establishment of reserves for reclamation and rehabilitation; impose fines for serious environmental offenses; and authorize the PRC government, at its discretion, to close or suspend any facility that it determines has failed to comply with environmental regulations.

       

      The PRC government has tightened enforcement of applicable laws and regulations and adopted more stringent environmental and operational standards. While we believe that our coal mining, washing, and coking operations currently comply in all material respects with existing Chinese environmental standards, future environmental-related issues could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the results of our operations.

       

      Recent Financings

       

      January 2013 Financings

       

      In January 2013, 505,780 shares of common stock were issued to investor for cash proceeds in the amount of $875,000 during a private placement transaction.

       

       

      62


       
       
      Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

       

      Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

       

      While our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, 100% of our consolidated revenues and 100% of consolidated costs and expenses are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). Substantially all of our assets are denominated in RMB. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our RMB revenues, earnings, assets and liabilities as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline. We have not entered into any hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.

       

      Disclosures about Market Risk

       

      We manage our commodity price risk for our non-trading, long-term coal contract portfolio through the use of long-term coal supply agreements. We are exposed to commodity price risk in our coal trading activities, which represents the potential future loss that could be caused by an adverse change in the market value of coal. With respect to our coal trading contracts at April 30, 2013, the potential for loss of future earnings resulting from changing coal prices was insignificant. We monitor and manage market price risk for our trading activities with a variety of tools, management alerts for mark to market monitoring and loss limits and review of daily changes in market dynamics.

       

       

      63


       
       

      Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

       

      L &L Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

      Consolidated Financial Statements

      For the Years Ended April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011

       

      Contents

       
       

      Page

      Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

      65

         

      Consolidated Financial Statements:

       
         

      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2013 and 2012

      67

         

      Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Comprehensive Income

      68

      for the years ended April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011

       
         

      Consolidated Statement of Equity for the years ended

      69

      April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011

       
         

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended

      70

      April 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011

       
         

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

      71

       

       

      64


       
       

      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

       

      To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
      L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries

      Seattle, Washington

       

      We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2013.  The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

       

      We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

       

      In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of April 30, 2013 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

       

      We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated July 29, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

       

       

      /s/ KABANI & COMPANY, INC.

      CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      Los Angeles, California

      July 29, 2013

      65


       
       

      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

       

      To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
      L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries

      Seattle, Washington

       

      We have audited L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

       

      We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

       

      A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

       

      Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

       

      In our opinion, L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material aspects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

       

      We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows of L&L Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and our report dated July 29, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

       

       

      /S/ KABANI & COMPANY, INC.

      CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      Los Angeles, California

      July 29, 2012

      66


       
       

       

      L & L ENERGY, INC.

      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

      AS OF APRIL 30, 2013 AND 2012

         
           

      2013

       

      2012

      ASSETS

             
       

      CURRENT ASSETS:

             
       

      Cash and cash equivalents

      $

      9,565,084

      $

      4,040,020

       

      Accounts receivables

       

      35,431,260

       

      33,099,101

       

      Prepaid and other current assets

       

      23,139,756

       

      22,824,020

       

      Other receivables, net

       

      12,895,304

       

      8,738,868

       

      Due from related parties

       

      3,434,502

       

      -

       

      Related party notes receivable - current

       

      4,237,715

       

      -

       

      Inventories

       

      7,154,544

       

      4,946,231

       

      Total current assets

       

      95,858,165

       

      73,648,240

                 
       

      Property, plant, equipment, and mine development, net

       

      173,409,488

       

      132,630,829

       

      Construction-in-progress

       

      34,679,059

       

      31,259,260

       

      Intangible assets, net

       

      214,883

       

      428,036

       

      Goodwill

       

      2,753,439

       

      3,768,443

       

      Other assets

       

      3,094,830

       

      885,680

       

      Deferred finance fee

       

      146,072

       

      -

       

      Long term receivable, net

       

      12,441,007

       

      27,840,433

       

      Related party notes receivable - noncurrent

       

      -

       

      6,096,617

       

      Total non-current assets

       

      226,738,778

       

      202,909,298

           

       

       

       

      TOTAL ASSETS

      $

      322,596,943

      $

      276,557,538

                 

      LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

      CURRENT LIABILITIES:

             
       

      Accounts payable

      $

      3,794,840

      $

      803,975

       

      Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

       

      1,011,100

       

      1,090,310

       

      Other payables

       

      21,373,835

       

      20,969,802

       

      Related party payables - current

       

      6,808,798

       

      17,251,921

       

      Due to officers

       

      1,304,431

       

      414,667

       

      Tax payable

       

      17,792,612

       

      13,636,288

       

      Customer deposits

       

      745,200

       

      1,542,064

       

      Bank loans

       

      4,999,985

       

      2,229,761

      Total current liabilities

       

      57,830,801

       

      57,938,788

                 

      LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

             
       

      Convertible note payable, net

       

      543,367

       

      -

       

      Derivative liabilities

       

      4,594,912

       

      -

       

      Related party payable - noncurrent

       

      -

       

      304,951

       

      Asset retirement obligations

       

      3,616,643

       

      2,459,352

       

      Total long-term liabilities

       

      8,754,922

       

      2,764,303

                 
       

      Total Liabilities

       

      66,585,723

       

      60,703,091

                 
       

      Commitments and contingencies

             
                 

      EQUITY:

             

      L&L ENERGY STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

             
       

      Preferred stock, no par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

       

      -

       

      -

       

      Common stock ($0.001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized: 38,385,050 and 36,991,397 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively)

       

      38,385

       

      36,991

       

      Additional paid-in capital

       

      69,588,550

       

      65,752,560

       

      Accumulated other comprehensive income

       

      9,814,087

       

      10,622,683

       

      Retained Earnings

       

      134,487,028

       

      96,134,782

       

      Treasury stock (286,595 shares and 343,093 shares at April 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively, including shared held by subsidiary)

       

      (68,035)

       

      (123,968)

      Total L & L Energy stockholders' equity

       

      213,860,015

       

      172,423,048

       

      Non-controlling interest

       

      42,151,205

       

      43,431,399

       

      Total equity

       

      256,011,220

       

      215,854,447

      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

      $

      322,596,943

      $

      276,557,538

                 

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

      67


       
       

       

      L & L ENERGY, INC.

      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

      FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2013, 2012 AND 2011

                   
               
         

      2013

       

      2012

       

      2011

      NET REVENUES

      $

      198,982,667

      $

      112,940,483

      $