RE: Funds3 Mar 2015 16:01
More than the current mkt cap and all investments for free.A bargain
TIDMMMO
RNS Number : 2457A
Mercom Oil Sands Plc
18 December 2014
Mercom Oil Sands plc
("Mercom" or "the Company")
Interim results
Mercom Oil Sands plc announces its interim results for the six month period ended 30 September 2014.
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to present my Chairman's statement for Mercom Oil Sands plc ("the Company") for the six month period ended 30 September 2014.
In the year ended 31 March 2014, the Board secured shareholder support for a new strategy to create shareholder value through the investment of the Company's cash assets in the natural resources and energy sectors, with a focus on oil and gas.
On 29 May 2014, the Company announced a range of new investments totaling GBP768,000, of which GBP400,000 was invested for a 30% interest in Lion Natural Resources Limited, an unquoted company which holds investments in two companies with projects in Sierra Leone and Kenya; GBP300,000 was invested for a 35% interest in NWT Coal Limited, an unquoted company with two coal concessions in Vietnam; and a small investment of GBP68,000 was made in 7% convertible debentures of Maverick Petroleum Ltd, an oil company with a focus in the Republic of Chad. These investments will be managed with a view to generating returns for shareholders and, as such, investments may be realised from time to time. As a result of these investments, the Company was deemed to have implemented its investing policy for the purposes of Rule 15 of the AIM Rules for Companies.
On 16 July 2014 the Company announced that the Board had decided to proceed with the share capital reorganisation approved at the General Meeting of the Company held on 24 May 2013. This reorganisation, which wascompleted on 31 July, effectively consolidated every 50 old Ordinary shares of 0.1p each into one new Ordinary share of 0.1p each. The Board considers this will facilitate future investment decisions, and has placed the Company in a position to implement its investment strategy with increasing confidence.
No further investments have yet been made, but the Company is continuing the process of identifying investment opportunities which match the new approved strategy, and of evaluating the potential profitability and risks associated with them. The unaudited interim accounts accordingly show that the Group had cash reserves of GBP627,816 at 30 September, after corporate expenses of GBP108,010 had been incurred in the first half year (2013: GBP133,819). Net cash used in operations amounted to GBP89,752 (2013: GBP157,789).
On 21 October 2014, the Board accepted the resignation of Albert Taubi as non-executive director, while expressing its gratitude to Mr Taubi for his efforts to promote the interests of Mercom Oil Sands Plc since its incorporation. As a result of his departure, the Board is now considering the best structure for its future