Elks Sets Date To Quit As CEO

Moreton Resources executive chairman Jason Elks

July 2, 2018

Moreton Resources informed the ASX on Monday that Jason Elks will be resigning as CEO of the company, a move he first flagged as early as August 2016.

However, he will remain Chairman of the Board of the mining company, which has plans to develop an open-cut coal mine on the outskirts of Kingaroy.

In a statement to the ASX, Mr Elks said he would not seek to renew his contract as CEO when it expired on November 23.

“As shareholders are aware, Mr Elks requested resignation of the entire board at the time he took on the role of CEO back in 2013 during the turbulent times for the company,” the statement said.

“Since that time, the company, under Mr Elks’ guidance, has significantly advanced its strategic activities to become a producer and Mr Elks has determined that the objectives he had set out have been achieved.

“Going forward, Mr Elks is keen to ensure he hands the role over to someone equally as capable to take the company forward to its next phase of growth and development.”

The statement to the ASX included a message from Mr Elks:

“It has been a significant journey and I am comfortable that my key objectives will be finalised and fulfilled by the close of this calendar year, and hence it is time to let the company evolve and prosper under new leadership. Whilst I will remain as Chairman post my final day as CEO, I will certainly enjoy some personal time and bring things back into perspective and balance.

“I have certainly thoroughly enjoyed the journey and believe the strategic objectives outlined below have been delivered in full or will in fact be closed out by the time I relinquish this role.”

Mr Elks listed the Kingaroy mine project as one of his strategic objectives:

“The advancement of the South Burnett Coal Feasibility Study, which in my view, will significantly improve the company’s prospects for realisation of this project. This study will incorporate a significant level of engineering, environmental, technical and social impact studies that should demonstrate the practical ways in realisation of significant reserve of coal (sic) that has potential for a long-term international off take agreements and therefore prosperity for the South Burnett region.”

The Moreton Resources’ statement to the ASX stated there was “no bigger priority” than “rapidly advancing the South Burnett Coal Project”.

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In August 2016, Mr Elks announced his intention to resign as CEO “at an appropriate time and post resolution of the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) matters”.

At the same time, Mr Elks assumed the role of Executive Chairman “for an interim period”, replacing then-Chairman Wayne Penning. Moreton also announced it would begin the search for a new CEO.

The Australian Taxation Office has been seeking repayment of $1,003,455.22 for a 2012 research and development tax offset, and $7,182,269.41 for a 2013 R&D offset linked to the failed Cougar Energy underground coal gasification project at Coolabunia.

Moreton Resources – the renamed Cougar Energy – is still awaiting a decision from the AAT.

In a statement to the ASX on June 30, Moreton said a decision in its favour could lead to a payment of $6-$8 million to the company; however an adverse decision could see it paying about $9 million to the ATO, although R&D expenses that had previously been treated as non-deductible for taxation purposes would become deductible.

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Meanwhile, Moreton Resources’ “coordinated project” declaration for the Kingaroy coal mine and associated transport corridor – a process begun in May 2016 – has lapsed.

The company’s South Burnett Coal Project and Kingaroy to Theebine Rail Corridor are now listed on the “Projects Discontinued Or On Hold” page of the Coordinator-General’s website

The declaration lapsed on June 19 – the cut-off date for the lodgement by Moreton of the Environmental Impact Statement / Terms of Reference for the project.

On June 20, Moreton told the ASX the company had “reviewed several times whether the (Office of the Coordinator General process) was the appropriate mechanism given the uncertainty and additional conditioning parameters available through the OCG process”.

“This led to a meeting in late December 2017 whereby the company highlighted its concerns with the process and what it viewed as fundamental failings of the OCG process.

“The lapse date of the current application therefore allows the company to determine its options.

“The most likely and practical option is to enter the Voluntary EIS approvals process under the Department of Environment and Science which, through statutory timing processes, would still allow for the company to have its EIS lodged for assessment within the next three to four months.”

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