Prophecy Coal Debuts Its Power Division
Vancouver, British Columbia, August 7, 2012: Prophecy Coal
Corp. ("Prophecy" or the "Company") (TSX: PCY, OTCQX:
PRPCF, Frankfurt: 1P2) is pleased to debut Prophecy Power
Corp. ("Prophecy Power"), the Company's wholly-owned
Mongolian subsidiary focused on the power sector in
Mongolia. Prophecy Power, formerly known as East Energy
Corp, was incorporated in 2010 with the specific business
objective of supplying power to Mongolia through the
construction of the Chandgana Thermal Power Plant. Prophecy
Coal's Chandgana LLC in parallel will develop the Chandgana
coal project to ensure fuel supply to Prophecy Power.
Location
Prophecy Power's proposed 600 MW (150 MW x 4) mine mouth
power plant complex is to be built next to Prophecy Coal's
Chandgana coal deposit located in Central Mongolia, next to
a paved highway, just 60 km from Undurkhann (east
electricity grid connection leading to Cholbbalsan, and 120
km from Baganuur (west electricity grid connection leading
to Ulaan Baatar).
Power Plant Licenses
Prophecy Power obtained approval of its Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Ministry of Nature and
Tourism in November of 2010. In November 2011, the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Energy granted a construction
license for the 600 MW power plant. This license was the
first of its kind ever granted in Mongolian history.
Directors and Management
Prophecy Power's Board of Directors consists of Chris Kwan,
John Lee, and Bailikhuu Dambachultem.
Mr. Kwan is a lawyer with extensive experience with Power
Purchase Agreements. Mr. Bailikhuu Dambachultem is an
established Mongolian person whose previous posts included
State Secretary and Advisor to numerous government agencies
that manage power plants and other significant facilities
in Mongolia. John Lee is the Chairman and CEO of Prophecy
Coal and an entrepreneur with a home base in Ulaanbaatar.
Mr. VP Sharma is appointed as Prophecy Power's advisor.
Recently retired from a Director of Operations and
Construction position with China Light and Power (CLP), Mr.
Sharma is a Chartered Engineer with over 40 years in the
Energy Industry.
Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA")
Since Prophecy Power obtained the construction license in
November 2011, the Company has been in ongoing discussions
with the Mongolian government to finalize a PPA in order to
secure Mongolia's long-term energy supply, and enable
project financing and construction to move forward. The
Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy appointed a
working group of over a dozen experts on the legal,
technical and commercial aspects of granting a PPA to
Prophecy Power. In the last six months, Prophecy Power has
held numerous sessions with working group members to
establish Prophecy's Chandgana project status as the first
independent power plant in Mongolia. Technical discussions
included understanding and overcoming concerns over grid
connection and plant implementation. Commercial discussions
revolved around establishing tariff structure (cost plus
principle, and take-or-pay) as well as the setting of
prices (with proper indexation of fuel, operation &
maintenance, and equity) that are both affordable and lower
than current Russian power imports, yet generate a fair
equity return to Prophecy Power's investors and
shareholders. Equity risk assessment included Mongolian
sovereign ratings and early stage development in the
independent power sector. Prophecy expects to make a formal
tariff submission in August and expects a reply in 2012. In
parallel, Prophecy Power has been in discussions with
several private Mongolia companies regarding bi-lateral
power purchase agreements. The current proposed mining
projects (copper, molybdenum, and iron ore) and industrial
development complex (cement and smelter) in Mongolia will,
collectively, require up to 200 MW of power by 2016. This
excludes the massive Oyu Tolgoi project. The remaining
power supply from Prophecy Power's Chandgana Power Plant is
expected to help meet the increasing energy demand created
by ongoing expansion of Eastern and Northern Mongolia, and
the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, as well as to replace
Russian power imports.
Coal Supply Agreement
A coal supply agreement is in place whereby Chandgana LLC,
another Prophecy wholly-owned Mongolian subsidiary, will
supply 3 million tonnes of coal per year to Prophecy Power
for 25 years. The initial coal price will be set with
annual price adjustment based on diesel price,
Mongolia's CPI and US' CPI. Chandgana LLC controls
over 1.4 billion tonnes of thermal coal in measured and
indicated categories, including a starter pit with 140
million tonnes of measured resource and a strip ratio of
0.5 to 1 which is ready to be mined. Upon the acquisition
of the Tethys claims (refer to press release dated June 18,
2012) with a historic (non 43-101 compliant) resource
estimate* of 2.3 billion tonnes, Chandgana LLC will control
one of largest thermal coal basins in the world, with an
ample supply of coal for a power plant of 4,200 MW or
bigger.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction ("EPC") of
Thermal Power Plant
In December 2011, Prophecy Power prepared a data room and
distributed a request for proposal (RFP) to six
carefully-selected EPC contractors. Site visits and
technical sessions were conducted in Mongolia between
January and May 2012. Prophecy received proposals from all
six EPC contractors and in July, after extensive review and
face-to-face meetings, Prophecy shortlisted three EPC
contractors based on construction capability, equipment
quality, time to deployment and price. Prophecy Power is
currently in close discussions with the remaining
candidates with respect to detailed design specifications,
labor and parts requirements, Mongolian customs and import,
and project timeline in order to formulate final quotes.
Prophecy Power expects to finalize the EPC selection by
October 1, 2012.
Project Financing and Financial Advisors
Prophecy Power is in active Project Financing discussions
with a number of interested parties.
Financing structure is expected to be 30% equity and 70%
debt. The 600 MW project will be implemented in two phases,
with Phase 1 construction of 150 MW x 2 and the
transmission lines planned to start in Q2, 2013 and be
complete by early 2016. Phase 2 construction of 150 MW x 2
is planned to commence in 2014 and be completed in
2017.
Debt Financing
Prophecy Power has held preliminary discussions with China
Export-Import Bank and Sinosure. There is a likelihood of
Chinese financing predicated on a Chinese EPC and Chinese
equity. Separately, Prophecy has approached EBRD and a
number of major commercial banks active in Mongolia that
have expressed interest in the Chandgana project. The
risk-sharing provisions and investment returns detailed in
the PPA will be an important factor in determining the
financing arrangement.
Equity and Developer JV Financing
Prophecy has been introduced to a number of international
power project developers ("Developers") since late 2011.
Over ten Developers have executed Confidentiality
Agreements and reviewed Prophecy Power's data room in
looking to establish equity stakes in Prophecy Power and
jointly construct, manage and operate the Chandgana Power
Plant. Several Developers are at term sheet stage with
Prophecy Power that will structure the sharing of Prophecy
Power's expenses through various milestones such as PPA,
financing close, and construction. The Developers have
demonstrated genuine interests in partnering with Prophecy
after learning more about Mongolia's acute power shortage
after years of rapid growth, the Government's efforts
toward liberalizing the energy sector, and the secured fuel
supply from the Chandgana coal project. Prophecy's goal is
to secure Developer sponsorship in 2012. Prophecy Power is
also in discussions with EPC contractors to obtain funds
through an equity stake and/or advanced credit line to
ensure construction starts in 2013 as planned.
Financial Advisors
Prophecy has met with several first-tier investment banks
with interests in mining and utilities operations. While
the Chandgana project is currently considered
"greenfield", it has advanced to a mature stage
for financial advisory engagement in 2012.
Prophecy's Chairman and CEO John Lee states: "The Company
is entering into an exciting phase with several important
near-term catalysts. Our international team, consisting of
members of eight different nationalities, has been working
tirelessly to conclude/finalize EPC selection, PPA,
Developer JV, and Financing. Just last week, India suffered
the most extensive power blackout in history, during which
600 million people faced rail shutdown, traffic gridlock
and dangerous daytime heat without air conditioning. In
Mongolia, the citizens would face a serious threat without
power in -40 degree winter conditions. We have been
mandated by the Mongolian Energy Authority to supply power
by 2016 and we intend to fulfil this important mission.
"
Prophecy Power's Chandgana power project is the most mature
thermal power project in Mongolia. Ground leveling work is
to start in September in preparation for the pouring of
foundation to commence in the spring of 2013.
* According to records reviewed by Prophecy, Tethys applied
on March 15, 2011 to register a resource estimate of 2.33
billion tonnes of thermal coal for the Tugalgatai licenses
with the Minerals Resource Council of Mongolia. The
resources registered by Tethys are not NI 43-101 compliant.
About Prophecy Coal
Prophecy Coal Corp. is a Canadian listed company engaged in
developing energy projects in Mongolia. The Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary Prophecy Power is developing a
proposed 600 MW mine-mouth power plant, which has been
permitted by the Mongolian government, adjacent to its
Chandgana coal deposit. Negotiations on financing,
power purchase agreement and construction management are
underway.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Prophecy Coal Corp.
"JOHN LEE"
John Lee
CEO/Chairman
Chris Ackerman
Manager, Investor Relations
1-800-459-5583
cackerman@prophecycoal.com
*Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not
have demonstrated economic viability.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. Neither the Toronto Stock
Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term
is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes
certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking
statements". All statements in this release, other
than statements of historical facts, including, without
limitation, statements potential mineralization, the
estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral
resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and
potential exploration results, the timing and success of
exploration activities generally, the timing and results of
future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal
prices and currency exchange rates, availability of
capital, government regulation of exploration operations,
environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans
and objectives of the company are forward-looking
statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. .
Although Prophecy believes the expectations expressed in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of
material factors and assumptions. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include failure to obtain
necessary approvals in respect of the Transaction,
unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of
future resource estimates, future metal prices,
availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms,
general economic, market or business conditions, risks
associated with operating in foreign jurisdictions,
uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title,
availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a
timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in
receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental
impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other
exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to
time in the filings made by the companies with securities
regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources
that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of
mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly the
actual events may differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements. For more information on
Prophecy and the risks and challenges of their businesses,
investors should review their annual filings that are
available at www.sedar.com.
"Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies
of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release."
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or
a solicitation to buy any of the securities in the United
States. The securities have not been and will not be
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended ("the U.S. Securities Act") or any state
securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United
States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S.
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an
exemption from such registration is available.