Depreciation capital as a source of financing of mining companies activities

The issue discussed in the paper is highly relevant and topical in economic practice because of changes in the recognition of certain assets and their depreciation. The author’s research established that depreciation write-off in financial terms constitute capital comprising two components: depreciation and the tax shield effect. The non-tax shield is more important relative to other tax shields because the vast majority of entities in the raw materials industry own assets which are depreciated for the purposes of balance sheet accounting and tax accounting. As a cost depreciation, on the one hand, reduces the financial result and on the other, generates additional operating cash flows. Depreciable assets account for a large portion of coal companies’ assets. In addition, due to the implementation of IFRS 16 on leasing their share increased as did the amount of depreciation. Hence, its share in operating cash flows in Polish coal companies is slightly higher than in global companies. An overwhelming part of the additional depreciation arising from the inclusion in the assets reported in the balance sheet of assets used based on contracts of lease, lending or rental does not reduce the tax basis and does not constitute a tax shield. Consequently, it creates a disparity between the gross profit/loss and taxable income, thereby increasing the effective tax rate. An increase in the depreciation level in coal companies facilitates maintenance of liquidity and provides financing for investment projects and improves debt servicing, especially in times of declining financial result when coal prices are low.