DSW is a midsized coal mining company with 20 mines located in Hessen region in central Germany. The company operates deep mines as well as strip mines. Most of the coal mined is sold under contract, with excess production sold on the spot market.

The coal mining industry, especially high-sulfur coal operations such as DSW, has been hard-hit by environmental regulations and warmer than expected winter 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. Recently, however, a combination of increased demand for coal and new pollution reduction technologies has led to an improved market demand for high-sulfur coal. DSW has just been approached by SudenKraftwerk Company with a request to supply coal for its electric generators for the next four years. DSW does not have enough excess capacity at its existing mines to guarantee the contract. The company is considering opening a strip mine in Broken on 5,000 acres of land purchased 10 years ago for 5 million. Based on a recent appraisal, the company feels it could receive 6.2 million on an after-tax basis if it sold the land today.

Strip mining is a process where the layers of topsoil above a coal vein are removed and the exposed coal is removed. Changes in mining regulations now force a company to reclaim the land; that is, when the mining is completed, the land must be restored to near its original condition. The land can then be used for other purposes. Because it is currently operating at full capacity, DWS will need to purchase additional necessary equipment, which will cost 78 million. The equipment will be depreciated on a seven-year linear basis. The contract runs for only four years. At that time the coal from the site will be entirely mined. The company feels that the equipment can be sold for 60 percent of its initial purchase price in four years. However, DSW plans to open another strip mine at that time and will use the equipment at the new mine.

The contract calls for the delivery of 500,000 tons of coal per year at a price of 85 per ton. DWS feels that coal production will be 620,000 tons, 680,000 tons, 730,000 tons, and 590,000 tons, respectively, over the next four years. The excess production will be sold in the spot market at an average of 80 per ton but the spot prices are highly volatile. The fact should be taken into consideration in the analysis. Variable costs amount to 27 per ton, and fixed costs are 3,700,000 per year. The mine will require net working capital of 5 percent of sales. The NWC will be built up in the year prior to the sales.

DSW will be responsible for reclaiming the land at termination of the mining. This will occur in year 5. The company uses an outside company for reclamation of all the companys strip mines. It is estimated the cost of reclamation will be 2.4 million. After the land is reclaimed, the company plans to donate the land to the state for use as a public park and recreation area. This will occur in year 6 and result in a charitable expense deduction of 6.5 million. DSW faces a 25% percent tax rate. Assume that a loss in any year will result in a tax credit.

Calculate the payback period, profitability index, net present value, internal rate of return for the new strip mine. Please prepare also sensitivity analysis for the project.

MY QUESTION IS THAT CAN YOU EXPLAIN ONLY CFO of the company with a request to analyz the PROJECT.(

• A 1-page report with conclusions and descriptions of risk factors with the recommendation for the CFO of the company)

I only need this answer ...

You have been approached by the CFO of the company with a request to analyze the project.

SUBJECT (FINANCE)