Difference between revisions of "GCM Resources"

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'''GCM Resources''' is a London-based resource exploration and development company. GCM is behind the the Phulbari Coal Project,a huge open cast coal mine in Bangladesh, which its website states is 'poised for development once the [[Government of Bangladesh]] provides approval'. The deposit is situated close to the Indian border in north-west Bangladesh, is estimated to contain over 400m tonnes of high grade coal. <ref>
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'''GCM Resources''' is a London-based mining company listed on the junior Aim market. GCM wants to develop a huge open cast coal mine in Bangladesh, which its website states is 'poised for development' pending the Bangladeshi government's approval.  
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The deposit is situated close to the Phulbari township on the Indian border in the country's north-west. In 2007 it was estimated to contain up to 572 million tonnes of high grade coal <ref> *Nick Matthiason, [http://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/apr/06/mining.bangladesh Asian bank scuppers UK mine project in Bangladesh],  ''The Observer'', Sunday 6 April 2008, acc 10 Feb 2014 </ref> however to 130,000 people could be displaced by the 1,000ft-deep mine stretching across 14,500 acres.
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The controversial mine has been on hold since 2006 because of local opposition. During protests at the mine about the possible evictions three people were killed and 800 injured.
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==UK government support==
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According to ''The Guardian'',  documents released under the Freedom of Information Act showed that GCM bosses approached Britain's [[Department of Trade and Industry]] to soothe relations between the company and the Bangladeshi government.
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In early 2008 UK Foreign Secretary [[David Miliband]] backed the project on a trip to Bangladesh, but more than 60 international campaign groups wrote to the [[Asian Development Bank]] demanding it turn down a £100m loan to the scheme, which it did in April 2008.
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[[Gareth Thomas]], UK Minister for International Development and Minister for Business stated in April 2008:
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:We have provided support to Global Coal Management Resources PLC, through the British high commission in Dhaka. They have lobbied to ensure that the Government of Bangladesh take the company’s interests into consideration and do not prohibit opencast mining. The British high commission will continue to remain in touch with the company and will represent their interests as appropriate. The Bangladeshi Caretaker Government’s new draft coal policy leaves the way open for opencast mining in Bangladesh in the future. <ref> Thomas, G. (2008). Parliamentary answer to question from [[Lynne Jones MP]]. 28/04/08 </ref>
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An official complaint to the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] was also by campaign groups the World Development Movement and the International Accountability Project.
  
 
==Activities==
 
==Activities==
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Highlights of 2013 for GCM:
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Highlights of 2013 for GCM outlined in its annual report:
  
 
:*The Bangladesh Government has continued to restructure the country's energy sector towards coal-fired power plants significantly increasing the anticipated demand for high quality thermal coal within the country. Utilisation of domestic coal resources is essential to Bangladesh's future energy security.   
 
:*The Bangladesh Government has continued to restructure the country's energy sector towards coal-fired power plants significantly increasing the anticipated demand for high quality thermal coal within the country. Utilisation of domestic coal resources is essential to Bangladesh's future energy security.   
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:*The Company raised £2.3 million on 29 August 2013 via a share placement.<ref> [http://www.gcmplc.com/news-item?item=1680867663544320 GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013], acc 10 February 2014 </ref>
 
:*The Company raised £2.3 million on 29 August 2013 via a share placement.<ref> [http://www.gcmplc.com/news-item?item=1680867663544320 GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013], acc 10 February 2014 </ref>
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[[Asia Energy]]
 
  
 
==People==
 
==People==
 
*[[James Hobson]] - Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
 
*[[James Hobson]] - Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
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*[[Gerard Howell]] - Chairman
  
 
==Shareholders==
 
==Shareholders==
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===Former shareholders===
 
===Former shareholders===
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*[[RAB Capital]]
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*[[RAB Capital]]'s Situations Company Ltd - its 2006 annual report stated:
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::'Profits for the Master Fund over the year totalled $670m, while losses cost us $238m, which is a ratio of 2.8 to 1Sadly our two largest holdings, [[Oxus Gold]] and [[Global Coal Management]] (formerly [[Asia Energy]] plc, now [[GCM Resources]]) lost US$85 million (or 12% of the Master Fund's starting NAV} between them, due to extreme local political difficulties which can be judged by the fact that people were shot in both locations'. We have bought more of both stocks and believe we will make good returns in the future''. . . ” (emphasis added). <ref> [http://www.rabspecialsituations.com/pdf/Annual_Report_2006.pdf RAB Special Situations Company Limited, Managed by [[RAB Capital]] plc Report and Financial Statements 2006 Published, 8 May 2007 </ref>
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:According to the report 'From Money to Metal':
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::In May 2008 RAB Capital plc held a 25.96% stake in [[GCM Resources]] which it sold the majority of (20.5%) to [[Polo Resources]] Ltd (qv), listed on AIM. By 9 June 2008, RAB’s stake in GCM Resources had fallen below the notifiable 3% level.<ref name="Metal"> [http://moneytometal.org/index.php/RAB_Capital http://moneytometal.org/index.php/RAB_Capital], From Money to Metal: Tracking Global Mining Deals, webpage last updated 12 March 2012, acc 10 Feb 2014, citing Capital Situations Company Ltd annual report and accounts for 2007: </ref>
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::As of 20 February 2008, Polo held 8.8% of GCM, while Polo’s chair, Stephen R Dattels (qv) owned a personal stake of 5.77%. <ref name="Metal"/> <ref> Hemscott 20 February 2008 </ref>
  
 
==Lobbyists and PR firms==
 
==Lobbyists and PR firms==
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===2014===
 
*[[Bell Pottinger]] - [[Lorna Cobbett]] / [[Joanna Bloom]] <ref> Cited January 2014 on this press release: http://www.gcmplc.com/news-item?item=1680867663544320 GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013], acc 10 February 2014 </ref>
 
*[[Bell Pottinger]] - [[Lorna Cobbett]] / [[Joanna Bloom]] <ref> Cited January 2014 on this press release: http://www.gcmplc.com/news-item?item=1680867663544320 GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013], acc 10 February 2014 </ref>
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===Year===
 
*[[Tulchan Communications]]
 
*[[Tulchan Communications]]
  
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==External resources==
 
==External resources==
 
*GCM Resources, [PDF] [http://www.reports-and-materials.org/GCM-response-re-Phulbari-27-Jan-2009.pdf Response to reports on environmental & resettlement impacts of Phulbari Coal], 27 January 2009  
 
*GCM Resources, [PDF] [http://www.reports-and-materials.org/GCM-response-re-Phulbari-27-Jan-2009.pdf Response to reports on environmental & resettlement impacts of Phulbari Coal], 27 January 2009  
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*Nick Matthiason, [http://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/apr/06/mining.bangladesh Fury at Bangladesh mine scheme],  ''The Observer'', 9 March 2008
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*Nick Matthiason, [http://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/apr/06/mining.bangladesh Asian bank scuppers UK mine project in Bangladesh],  ''The Observer'', Sunday 6 April 2008
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*Simon Neville, [http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/20/bangladesh-mine-activists-coal-gcm
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Bangladesh mine activists dump coal outside GCM meeting in London], ''The Guardian'', 20 December 2012 18.58 GMT
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*Miriam Ross, [http://www.wdm.org.uk/news/uk-government-accepts-complaint-over-gcm-resources%E2%80%99-bangladesh-coal-mine UK government accepts complaint over GCM Resources’ Bangladesh coal mine], WDM website, 14 June 2013
 
*Miriam Ross, [http://www.wdm.org.uk/news/uk-government-accepts-complaint-over-gcm-resources%E2%80%99-bangladesh-coal-mine UK government accepts complaint over GCM Resources’ Bangladesh coal mine], WDM website, 14 June 2013
  

Latest revision as of 11:16, 10 February 2014

GCM Resources is a London-based mining company listed on the junior Aim market. GCM wants to develop a huge open cast coal mine in Bangladesh, which its website states is 'poised for development' pending the Bangladeshi government's approval.

The deposit is situated close to the Phulbari township on the Indian border in the country's north-west. In 2007 it was estimated to contain up to 572 million tonnes of high grade coal [1] however to 130,000 people could be displaced by the 1,000ft-deep mine stretching across 14,500 acres.

The controversial mine has been on hold since 2006 because of local opposition. During protests at the mine about the possible evictions three people were killed and 800 injured.

UK government support

According to The Guardian, documents released under the Freedom of Information Act showed that GCM bosses approached Britain's Department of Trade and Industry to soothe relations between the company and the Bangladeshi government.

In early 2008 UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband backed the project on a trip to Bangladesh, but more than 60 international campaign groups wrote to the Asian Development Bank demanding it turn down a £100m loan to the scheme, which it did in April 2008.

Gareth Thomas, UK Minister for International Development and Minister for Business stated in April 2008:

We have provided support to Global Coal Management Resources PLC, through the British high commission in Dhaka. They have lobbied to ensure that the Government of Bangladesh take the company’s interests into consideration and do not prohibit opencast mining. The British high commission will continue to remain in touch with the company and will represent their interests as appropriate. The Bangladeshi Caretaker Government’s new draft coal policy leaves the way open for opencast mining in Bangladesh in the future. [2]

An official complaint to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development was also by campaign groups the World Development Movement and the International Accountability Project.

Activities

Highlights of 2013 for GCM outlined in its annual report:

  • The Bangladesh Government has continued to restructure the country's energy sector towards coal-fired power plants significantly increasing the anticipated demand for high quality thermal coal within the country. Utilisation of domestic coal resources is essential to Bangladesh's future energy security.
  • Over the last six months, the Company has continued its engagement with the local community both within and surrounding the Phulbari Coal Project area. Support for the Phulbari Coal Project is increasing within the local communities.
  • GCM recorded a loss after tax of £518,000 for the period ended 31 December 2013 (31 December 2012: loss of £2,172,000).
  • The Company raised £2.3 million on 29 August 2013 via a share placement.[3]

People

Shareholders

As at 2013:

Former shareholders

  • RAB Capital's Situations Company Ltd - its 2006 annual report stated:
'Profits for the Master Fund over the year totalled $670m, while losses cost us $238m, which is a ratio of 2.8 to 1Sadly our two largest holdings, Oxus Gold and Global Coal Management (formerly Asia Energy plc, now GCM Resources) lost US$85 million (or 12% of the Master Fund's starting NAV} between them, due to extreme local political difficulties which can be judged by the fact that people were shot in both locations'. We have bought more of both stocks and believe we will make good returns in the future. . . ” (emphasis added). [5]
According to the report 'From Money to Metal':
In May 2008 RAB Capital plc held a 25.96% stake in GCM Resources which it sold the majority of (20.5%) to Polo Resources Ltd (qv), listed on AIM. By 9 June 2008, RAB’s stake in GCM Resources had fallen below the notifiable 3% level.[6]
As of 20 February 2008, Polo held 8.8% of GCM, while Polo’s chair, Stephen R Dattels (qv) owned a personal stake of 5.77%. [6] [7]

Lobbyists and PR firms

2014

Year

Company details

Date of Incorporation: 26/09/2003
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Public Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC): 05102 - Open cast coal working
Accounting Reference Date: 30/06
Last Accounts Made Up To: 30/06/2013 (GROUP)
Next Accounts Due: 31/12/2014
Last Return Made Up To: 26/09/2013
Next Return Due: 24/10/2014
Mortgage: Number of charges: 2 ( 2 outstanding /
0 satisfied / 0 part satisfied )
Last Members List: 26/09/2011
Last Bulk Shareholders List: 26/09/2011

Address

GCM RESOURCES PLC
3 Bunhill Road
LONDON EC1Y 8YZ
Company No. 04913119

Previous names

  • GLOBAL COAL MANAGEMENT PLC - Date of change 12/12/2007
  • ASIA ENERGY PLC - Date of change 10/01/2007

External resources

Bangladesh mine activists dump coal outside GCM meeting in London], The Guardian, 20 December 2012 18.58 GMT

  • International Accountability Project & Bank Information Center (BIC)Phulbari Coal Project: An Assessment of the Draft Resettlement Plan Prepared by Global Coal Management/Asia Energy Corporation’, August 2008
  • Roger Moody, (commissioned by BIC) ‘Phulbari Coal: A Parlous Project November 2008

Contact

Websites: http://www.gcmplc.com/‎
http://www.phulbaricoal.com

Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ *Nick Matthiason, Asian bank scuppers UK mine project in Bangladesh, The Observer, Sunday 6 April 2008, acc 10 Feb 2014
  2. ↑ Thomas, G. (2008). Parliamentary answer to question from Lynne Jones MP. 28/04/08
  3. ↑ GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013, acc 10 February 2014
  4. ↑ TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARESi, GCM Resources PLC - Holding(s) in Company, 26 November 2013, acc 10 February 2014
  5. ↑ [http://www.rabspecialsituations.com/pdf/Annual_Report_2006.pdf RAB Special Situations Company Limited, Managed by RAB Capital plc Report and Financial Statements 2006 Published, 8 May 2007
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://moneytometal.org/index.php/RAB_Capital, From Money to Metal: Tracking Global Mining Deals, webpage last updated 12 March 2012, acc 10 Feb 2014, citing Capital Situations Company Ltd annual report and accounts for 2007:
  7. ↑ Hemscott 20 February 2008
  8. ↑ Cited January 2014 on this press release: http://www.gcmplc.com/news-item?item=1680867663544320 GCM Resources plc Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013], acc 10 February 2014
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