SEC Company Response from NATIONAL COAL CORP (CIK 0001089575) — Nov 10, 2005
NATIONAL COAL CORP (CIK 0001089575)
Date: Nov. 10, 2005 · CIK: 0001089575 · Accession: 0001170918-05-000800
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[STUBB ALDERTON & MARKILES, LLP LETTERHEAD]
JOHN MCILVERY
Partner
Direct 818.444.4502
Voice
Direct Fax 818.474.8602
Mobile 626.705.0758
E-Mail jmcilvery@biztechlaw.com
November 10, 2005
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE: NATIONAL COAL CORP.
RESPONSES TO STAFF COMMENTS OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 WITH RESPECT
TO:
FORM 10-KSB FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
FILED MARCH 31, 2005
FILE NO. 0-26509
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of National Coal Corp. (the "COMPANY"), we hereby provide
supplementally the following responses in reply to the Staff's comment letter,
dated September 15, 2005 (the "COMMENT LETTER"). The factual information
provided herein relating to the Company has been made available to us by the
Company. Paragraph numbering used for each supplemental response set forth below
corresponds to the numbering used in the Comment Letter.
In addition, we have enclosed for your review one copy with exhibits of
the Company's draft Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the "10-KSB AMENDMENT"). Please be advised
that the Company intends to file, at a later date, the 10-KSB Amendment in
response to the Comment Letter and any further direction from the Securities and
Exchange Commission Staff (the "STAFF") in connection with the following
responses.
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
ENGINEERING COMMENTS
GENERAL
1. INSERT A SMALL-SCALE MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION AND ACCESS TO YOUR
PROPERTY. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ROAD, BARGE AND/OR RAILROAD ACCESS TO
EACH OF YOUR PROPERTIES IN THE TEXT. NOTE THAT SEC'S EDGAR PROGRAM NOW
ACCEPTS DIGITAL MAPS. SO PLEASE INCLUDE THESE IN ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS
THAT ARE UPLOADED TO EDGAR. IT IS RELATIVELY EASY TO INCLUDE AUTOMATIC
LINKS AT THE APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE DOCUMENT TO GIF OF JPEG
FILES, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE
15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 525, Encino, California 91436
office > 818.444.4500 fax > 818.444.4520 www.biztechlaw.com
Securities and Exchange Commission
November 10, 2005
Page 2
FIGURES AND/OR DIAGRAMS TO APPEAR IN THE RIGHT LOCATION WHEN THE
DOCUMENT IS VIEWED ON THE INTERNET. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONSULT THE EDGAR MANUAL, AND IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, PLEASE
CALL FILER SUPPORT AT 202-942-8900. OTHERWISE PROVIDE THE MAP TO THE
ENGINEERING STAFF FOR OUR REVIEW.
The Company has included in "Item 2. Properties" in the 10-KSB
Amendment a small-scale map showing the location and access to the Company's
mining properties in Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as additional disclosure of
the road and railroad access to such properties. The Company submitted this same
map as part of its written submission to Mr. Ken Schuler, Mining Engineer on
October 18, 2005.
LONG-TERM CONTRACTS, PAGE 4
2. THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF PAGE 5 YOU MAKE THE COMMENT THAT NATIONAL COAL
CORPORATION IS NOT AN EXPLORATION COMPANY AND YOU COMMENCED MINE
OPERATIONS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2003. WITHOUT A "RESERVE," AS
DEFINED BY THE GUIDE 7(A)(1), THE COMPANY MUST BE IN THE "EXPLORATION
STAGE," AS DEFINED BY GUIDE 7(A)(4)(I). FOR REFERENCE, INDUSTRY GUIDE 7
MAY BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
WWW.SEC.GOVE/DIVISIONS/CORPFIN/FORMS/INDUSTRY.HTM@SECGUIDE7.
The Company respectfully submits that it has "reserves," as defined in
Industry Guide 7(a)(1) and therefore it is not in the "exploration stage" as
defined by Guide 7(a)(4). Please refer to the Company's written submission of
October 18, 2005 to Mr. Ken Schuler, Mining Engineer, for a detailed discussion
of the Company's "reserves" and the documentation supporting the Company's
determinations.
The Company has included in "Item 2. Properties" in the 10-KSB
Amendment, disclosure of the Company's "reserves" at December 31, 2004.
3. THE WORDS "DEVELOPMENT" AND "PRODUCTION" ALSO HAVE VERY SPECIFIC
MEANINGS UNDER INDUSTRY GUIDE 7. THE TERMS REFERENCE THE "DEVELOPMENT
STAGE" WHEN COMPANIES ARE ENGAGED IN PREPARING RESERVES FOR PRODUCTION,
AND "PRODUCTION STAGE" WHEN COMPANIES ARE ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL-SCALE,
PROFIT-ORIENTED EXTRACTION OF MINERALS FROM RESERVES. IF THE COMPANY
DOES NOT DISCLOSE ANY "RESERVES," AS DEFINED BY GUIDE 7, PLEASE REMOVE
THE TERMS "DEVELOP," "DEVELOPMENT," "OPERATIONS," OR "PRODUCTION"
THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT, AND REPLACE THIS TERMINOLOGY, AS NEEDED, WITH
THE TERMS "EXPLORE" OR "EXPLORATION." THIS INCLUDES THE USING OF THE
TERMS IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT HEAD NOTES AND FOOTNOTES SEE
INSTRUCTION 1 TO PARAGRAPH (A), INDUSTRY GUIDE 7.
Securities and Exchange Commission
November 10, 2005
Page 3
As indicated in response to Comment 2 above, the Company has included
in "Item 2. Properties" in the 10-KSB Amendment, disclosure of the Company's
"reserves" at December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2004, the Company was engaged
in commercial-scale, profit-oriented extraction of minerals from reserves. The
Company respectfully asserts that it was in the production stage at December 31,
2004.
OUR OPERATIONS, PAGE 10
4. DISCLOSE IF A QUALIFIED TITLE COMPANY CONFIRMS YOUR PROPERTY RIGHT
ASSERTIONS. DISCUSS WHAT TYPE OF TITLE REVIEW YOU HAVE FOR THE MAJORITY
OF YOUR PROPERTIES.
The Company has included in "Item 2. Properties" in the 10-KSB
Amendment, disclosure of the Company's title review and title insurance
practices, including that the Company has obtained a title review from a
licensed attorney with respect to its New River Tract in Anderson, Campbell and
Scott Counties, Tennessee, the Company did not obtain a title review with
respect to its Straight Creek Tract in Bell, Harlan and Leslie Counties,
Kentucky, and that the Company has not obtained title insurance with respect to
any of its property rights.
5. FOR EACH OF YOUR MINES, PROVIDE THE DISCLOSURES REQUIRED BY INDUSTRY
GUIDE 7(B). IN PARTICULAR, PROVIDE A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF:
1. THE COAL BEDS OF INTEREST, INCLUDING MINABLE COAL THICKNESS.
2. THE DESCRIPTION AND CAPACITIES OF THE MINE, MINING EQUIPMENT
USED, AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES PRESENT.
3. A LIST OF YOUR COAL PROCESSING AND/OR HANDLING FACILITIES.
4. THE ROAD, BARGE AND/OR RAILROAD ACCESS TO EACH OF YOUR
PROPERTIES.
5. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE MINE.
6. MATERIAL EVENTS OF INTEREST CONCERNING THE MINE, ADVERSE OR
OTHERWISE WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
7. ANY MINE EXPANSIONS, CONTRACTIONS OR DECOMMISSIONING WITHIN
THE LAST THREE YEARS.
8. ANY PLANNED EXPANSIONS OR REDUCTIONS IN MINING.
9. ANY JOINT OWNERSHIP OR LEASE OPERATIONS.
10. ANY USE OF MINING CONTRACTORS.
The Company has included additional disclosure in "Item 1. Business"
and "Item 2. Properties" in the 10-KSB Amendment in response to the Staff's
comments.
Securities and Exchange Commission
November 10, 2005
Page 4
RESERVES, PAGE 13
6. YOU STATE ON PAGE 13 THAT NATIONAL COAL CORPORATION DOES NOT REPORT
RESERVES IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PLEASE REMOVE THIS ASSERTION. THIS
ISSUE IS NOT GERMANE IN THAT ONLY THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
OF MINERAL PROPERTIES ARE REPORTED IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MINING
COMPANIES, NOT THE RESERVES. SINCE YOU ARE IN THE EXPLORATION STAGE AS
DEFINED IN INDUSTRY GUIDE 7, CAPITALIZATION OF CERTAIN COSTS THAT YOU
HAVE CAPITALIZED IS NOT APPROPRIATE AND RESULTING AMORTIZATION OF THE
MINING ASSETS DOES NOT HAVE A BASIS FOR DEPRECIATION OR DEPLETION
WITHOUT A RESERVE DECLARATION. BASED ON THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE
ASSERTION IN THE AUDITOR'S REPORT THAT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COMPLY
WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES IS INAPPROPRIATE AND YOUR
ACCOUNTING SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT APPLICABLE TO AN EXPLORATION
COMPANY. PLEASE CALL US TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER BEFORE
RESPONDING TO THIS COMMENT. WE WILL RESUME OUR REVIEW OF YOUR FILING
AFTER THIS MATTER HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
As discussed in response to Comments 2 and 3 above, the Company does
have "reserves" as defined in Industry Guide 7, and is in the production stage.
The Company has removed all disclosure in the 10-KSB Amendment that indicates
that the Company does not have reserves. As the Company has reserves, it
respectfully asserts that the capitalization of costs is appropriate.
7. IN THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS TO THIS SECTION, DISCLOSE THAT UNDER
CURRENT MINING PLANS ALL REPORTED RESERVES WILL BE MINED OUT WITHIN THE
PERIOD OF EXISTING LEASES (CONCESSION) OR WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD OF
ASSURED LEASE RENEWAL PERIODS. AS NEEDED, REVISE YOUR RESERVE ESTIMATES
TO ALLOW YOU TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT. ALSO, DISCLOSE THAT ALL MINING
RESERVES HAVE THEIR REQUIRED PERMITS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS, OR
THERE IS A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY THAT THESE APPROVALS WILL BE SECURED.
The Company has included additional disclosure in "Item 2. Properties"
in the 10-KSB Amendment in response to the Staff's comments
* * * * *
The Company acknowledges that:
o the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of
the disclosure in the filing;
o staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff
comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any
action with respect to the filing; and
Securities and Exchange Commission
November 10, 2005
Page 5
o the Company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any
proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the
federal securities laws of the United States.
We hope the above has been responsive to the Staff's comments. If you
have any questions or require any additional information or documents, please
telephone me at (818) 444-4502.
Sincerely,
/s/ John McIlvery
---------------------------
John J. McIlvery
cc: Jon Nix
Mark Oldham
Charles Kite
Gaylen Hansen
James Junewicz
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM 10-KSB/A
[X] Annual Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
[_] 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 0-26509
NATIONAL COAL CORP.
(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in its Charter)
FLORIDA 65-0601272
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
8915 GEORGE WILLIAMS ROAD
KNOXVILLE, TN 37923
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(865) 690-6900
(Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
NONE
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.0001 PER SHARE
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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 |_|
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to
Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will
be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
of any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. |_|
Issuer's Revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 were
$16,998,912.
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity
held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the average bid and asked price
of such common equity, as of March 29, 2005, was $26,758,271.
As of March 29, 2005, the issuer had 13,676,820 shares of common stock,
par value $.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NONE
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
Yes |_| No |X|
================================================================================
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We are filing this Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A
for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the "Amended Annual Report"), to amend our
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the "Original
Annual Report"), which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") on March 31, 2005. The Company is filing this Amended
Annual Report in response to comments received from the SEC. The following Items
amend the Original Annual Report, as permitted by the rules and regulations of
the SEC. Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this Amended
Annual Report is as of March 31, 2005. All capitalized terms used herein but not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Original
Annual Report.
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
CORPORATE OVERVIEW
National Coal Corp. engages principally in the business of mining coal
in Eastern Ten