<PAGE> 1
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Nos. 333-92067, 333-92067-01
333-92067-02, 333-92067-03, 333-92067-04,
333-92067-05, 333-92067-06, 333-92067-07,
333-92067-08, 333-92067-09, 333-92067-10,
333-92067-11, 333-92067-12, 333-92067-13,
333-92067-14, 333-92067-15, 333-92067-16,
333-92067-17, 333-92067-18.
PROSPECTUS
[ANKER COAL GROUP LOGO]
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
------------------------
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR
14.25% SECOND PRIORITY SENIOR SECURED NOTES
DUE 2007 (PIK THROUGH APRIL 1, 2000)
This is an offer to exchange up to $106,003,000 in principal amount of our
outstanding, unregistered 14.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2007
(PIK through April 1, 2000) for a like amount of new, substantially identical
14.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes that will be free of the transfer
restrictions that apply to the outstanding notes. Interest on the notes will be
PIK, or paid-in-kind, through April 1, 2000. This means that we will make the
April 1, 2000 interest payment on the notes by issuing, when due, up to
$7,553,000 in principal amount of additional new notes instead of paying cash.
This offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 16, 2000,
unless we extend it. The new notes will not trade on any established exchange.
------------------------
PLEASE SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 12 FOR A DISCUSSION OF FACTORS
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE NEW NOTES TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN
THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, NOR HAVE ANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS DETERMINED THAT THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 11, 2000.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
Summary..................................................... 3
Risk Factors................................................ 12
Use of Proceeds............................................. 23
Capitalization.............................................. 24
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements....... 26
Selected Financial Data..................................... 31
Historical and Pro Forma Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges................................................... 33
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation.................................. 34
The Coal Industry........................................... 53
Business.................................................... 58
Management.................................................. 75
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ 81
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 82
The Exchange Offer.......................................... 86
Description of the New Notes................................ 93
Description of the Old Notes................................ 126
Description of Other Indebtedness........................... 128
Description of the Capital Stock............................ 133
Description of the Warrants................................. 137
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences...... 141
Plan of Distribution........................................ 148
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 148
Legal Matters............................................... 149
Experts..................................................... 149
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-1
Report of Marshall Miller & Associates...................... Annex A
</TABLE>
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
It may not contain all the information that is important to you. We encourage
you to read this entire prospectus carefully.
ABOUT ANKER COAL GROUP
We are a producer of coal that is used principally to generate electricity
and to produce coke for use in making steel. We currently own or control
substantial coal reserves in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. We
currently operate a portfolio of seven deep mines and one surface mine that are
located in West Virginia and Maryland. We recently changed from operating our
deep mines with our own employees to using contract miners to operate these deep
mines for us. Our coal mines and reserves are located in close proximity to rail
and water transportation services or are within short trucking distances to
power plants.
We primarily market and sell our coal to electric utilities located in the
Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. The utilities that we currently sell our
coal to use modern generating processes that will allow them to continue using
our coal after implementation of Phase II of the Clean Air Act.
In addition to selling coal that we produce from our own mines, we also
sell coal that we purchase from other producers, which is referred to as
brokered coal. In addition, we arrange for coal that others produce to be sold
to third parties, which is referred to as commission coal.
Based on recent data published by the National Mining Association, we are
one of the 30 largest coal producers and one of the 30 largest holders of coal
reserves in the United States.
We believe that we have the following competitive strengths:
- Portfolio of Long-Term Contracts. Our long-term contracts accounted for
an average of approximately 75% of our coal sales revenues from 1994 to
1998. Our portfolio of long-term contracts provides us with stable
sources of revenues to support the large expenditures needed to open,
expand and maintain the mines that service those contracts. As of January
1, 2000, our long-term contracts had a weighted average term of
approximately 5.4 years.
- Diverse Portfolio of Reserves. We have increased our reserve base
approximately 244% since 1992. We had approximately 505 million
recoverable tons of coal as of October 1, 1999. The majority of our coal
reserves are medium sulfur, and we also have coal reserves that comply
with the requirements of the Clean Air Act, known as compliance coal. All
of our coal is of a quality suitable for use in electricity generating
facilities.
- Experienced Senior Management Team. Our senior management team has many
years of experience in the coal industry. Bruce Sparks, our president,
has 21 years of experience in the coal industry and has worked with us
for the past 14 years. William Kilgore, our chief executive officer and
chairman of our board of directors, has 42 years of experience in the
coal industry.
Notwithstanding these competitive strengths, we have had poor financial
performance during recent periods. Specifically, we recorded net losses of
$106.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, and $16.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999. In addition, our independent accountants
issued an opinion on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1998, which included an explanatory paragraph as to our ability to
continue as a going concern. Although our financial performance has improved in
1999 as compared to 1998, we are still highly leveraged and have significant
debt service requirements.
In addition, we are a relatively small coal producer, and we compete with
some of the largest producers in the United States. Some of these larger
producers are able to produce coal more cheaply than we do, giving them a
competitive advantage over us.
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We were organized as a Delaware corporation in August 1996 in order to
effect a recapitalization of Anker Group, Inc., our predecessor. Anker Group,
Inc. had been engaged in coal production since 1975. See
"Business--Organization."
------------------------
Our common stock is not publicly traded. Our principal executive offices
are located at 2708 Cranberry Square, Morgantown, West Virginia 26508, and our
telephone number is (304) 594-1616.
------------------------
4
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We summarize below the terms of the exchange offer. You should read the
detailed description of the offer under "The Exchange Offer."
GENERAL.................... We are offering up to $106,003,000 aggregate
principal amount of new 14.25% second priority
senior secured notes, the interest on which will be
paid-in-kind with additional new notes instead of
cash through April 1, 2000, in exchange for a like
principal amount of outstanding, unregistered
notes. We will also issue up to $7,553,000
aggregate principal amount of additional new notes
as payment for the April 1, 2000 interest payment
on the new notes. We issued the old notes on
October 28, 1999 in a private exchange, private
placement and private stockholder exchange. We are
making the exchange offer in order to satisfy our
obligations under a registration rights agreement
with the holders of the old notes.
EXPIRATION DATE............ 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 16, 2000 or
any subsequent date to which the exchange offer is
extended.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER.................... The exchange offer is not subject to any conditions
other than that the offer does not violate
applicable law or any applicable interpretation of
the staff of the SEC. The offer is not conditioned
upon any minimum principal amount of notes' being
tendered. We reserve the right
- to delay the acceptance of the notes for
exchange,
- to terminate the exchange offer,
- to extend the expiration date of the exchange
offer and retain all tendered notes, subject to
the right of tendering holders to withdraw their
tendered notes or
- to waive any condition or otherwise amend the
terms of the exchange offer in any respect.
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS.......... You may withdraw a tender of notes at any time on
or prior to the expiration date by delivering a
written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
OLD NOTES.................. In order to tender your notes, you must complete
and sign a letter of transmittal in accordance with
the letter's instructions. You must forward the
letter of transmittal and any other required
documents to the exchange agent, together with the
notes to be tendered.
Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies
and other nominees may also tender notes by
book-entry transfer. If your notes are registered
in the name of one of these entities, you are urged
to contact that person promptly if you wish them to
tender notes.
Please do not send letters of transmittal and
certificates representing notes to us. Send them
only to the exchange agent. The exchange agent can
answer your questions regarding how to tender your
notes.
RESALES OF NEW NOTES....... We believe that the new notes issued in the
exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by you without
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compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if
- you are acquiring the new notes in the ordinary
course of your business,
- you are not participating, and have no
arrangement or understanding to participate, in
the distribution of the new notes and
- you are not an affiliate of us. An "affiliate" of
us is a person that "controls or is controlled by
or is under common control with" us.
Our belief is based on SEC staff interpretations in
noaction letters issued to third parties unrelated
to us. The staff has not considered our exchange
offer in the context of a noaction letter, and we
cannot assure you that the staff would make a
similar determination with respect to this exchange
offer.
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its
own account in exchange for old notes that it
acquired as a result of market-making or other
trading activities must agree to deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of the
new notes. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resale of New
Notes" and "Plan of Distribution."
INTEREST................... We will pay accrued interest on old notes you
exchange to, but not including, the issuance date
of the new notes. We will pay this interest to you
with the first interest payments on the new notes.
As noted above, we will make this interest payment
by issuing notes.
EXCHANGE AGENT............. The exchange agent is The Bank of New York. The
exchange agent's address and telephone and
facsimile numbers are set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Exchange Agent" and in the letter of
transmittal.
USE OF PROCEEDS............ We will not receive any cash proceeds from the
issuance of the new notes. The proceeds from the
initial sale of notes in the private placement were
approximately $11.2 million, which was used to
repay outstanding amounts under our senior credit
facility. We issued the remaining old notes in a
private exchange for $108.5 million in principal
amount of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007
and cancellation of our obligations to a former
stockholder. See "Use of Proceeds."
MATERIAL UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES............. We have received a tax opinion from our tax
counsel, Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, on the
material United States federal income tax
consequences of the exchange offer. You should
review the information set forth in "Material
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences"
prior to tendering old notes in the exchange offer.
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THE NEW NOTES
We summarize below the key terms of the new notes. You should read the
detailed description of the notes under "Description of the New Notes."
ISSUER..................... Anker Coal Group, Inc.
TERMS OF NOTES OFFERED..... The terms of the new notes will be identical in all
material respects to the old notes, except that the
new notes will not contain transfer restrictions.
MATURITY................... September 1, 2007.
INTEREST................... Payable semi-annually in cash on April 1 and
October 1 of each year. We will pay the interest
payment on the new notes due April 1, 2000 in kind
by issuing $71.25 principal amount of additional
new notes in lieu of cash interest due on each
$1,000 principal amount of new notes on that date.
After that, interest payments will be made in cash.
SECURITY................... The new notes will have a security interest in
substantially all of our assets other than
- mobile equipment;
- cash and cash equivalents, except that there will
be a security interest in proceeds of collateral
and cash held by the trustee for the new notes;
and
- real property located in Maryland and those real
property interests located in West Virginia that
currently cannot be used in our mining
operations, as specified in the indenture that
governs the new notes, and related coal reserves,
fixtures, equipment, improvements, structures,
buildings and water processing equipment and
systems.
If and when we grant a lien on our Maryland real
property to secure our senior credit facility, we
will also grant a junior lien on the same property
to secure the new notes. The lien securing payment
of the new notes will rank junior to the lien
securing our senior credit facility. While our
senior credit facility or any amended or replacement
credit facility is outstanding, holders of new notes
will be prohibited from exercising remedies against
the collateral that secures both the new notes and
indebtedness under the senior credit facility. See
"Description of the New Notes -- Security,"
"Description of Other Indebtedness -- Credit
Facility" and "Description of Other
Indebtedness -- Intercreditor Agreement."
RANKING.................... The new notes will rank equally in right of payment
with any of our existing and future senior
indebtedness and will rank senior to all of our
subordinated indebtedness. The lien securing
payment of the new notes will rank junior to the
lien securing our senior credit facility. As of
September 30, 1999, the aggregate amount of all of
our indebtedness and liabilities was approximately
$219.9 million. As of February 1, 2000, the
aggregate amount of our secured indebtedness was
$120.2 million. As of that date
- $14.5 million in aggregate amount of indebtedness
would effectively rank senior to the notes and
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- $16.5 million in aggregate amount of
indebtedness, plus any outstanding trade debt,
would effectively rank junior in right of payment
to the notes.
As of February 1, 2000, we had no other indebtedness
that would effectively rank equally in right of
payment with the notes.
While our senior credit facility or any amended or
replacement credit facility is outstanding, holders
of new notes will be prohibited from exercising
remedies against the collateral that secures both
the new notes and indebtedness under the senior
credit facility. See "Description of the New
Notes -- Security," "Description of Other
Indebtedness -- Credit Facility" and "Description
of Intercreditor Agreement."
GUARANTEES................. Our obligations under the new notes will be jointly
and severally guaranteed, fully and
unconditionally, by each of our existing and future
wholly-owned subsidiaries, other than those
subsidiaries that, both individually and in the
aggregate, are inconsequential to our business and
financial condition.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION........ We may redeem any of the notes at any time. If we
voluntarily redeem any notes on or before September
30, 2000, the redemption price will be 104% of the
principal amount, plus accrued interest. The
redemption price will decline each year after 2000
and will be 100% of the principal amount, plus
accrued interest, beginning on October 1, 2003.
CHANGE OF CONTROL.......... Upon a change of control, as defined later in this
prospectus, we are required to make an offer to
purchase the notes. The purchase price will equal
101% of the principal amount of the notes on the
date of purchase, plus accrued interest. We may not
have sufficient funds available at the time of any
change of control to make any required debt
repayment, including repurchases of the notes.
COVENANTS.................. The indenture governing the notes contains
covenants with which we must comply, including:
- We may not sell assets unless we receive fair
market value and at least 75% of the
consideration is in cash or assets to be used in
our coal mining business. We must use proceeds of
permitted assets sales for permitted purposes or
to redeem notes.
- We may not make restricted payments -- such as
cash dividends on capital stock, repurchases or
redemptions of stock or investments in or loans
to unrestricted entities in which we have an
interest -- unless we meet a series of
requirements or an exemption applies. These
requirements include that there be no default
under the indenture either before or after the
payment, that we meet a financial test and that
all payments in question not exceed a cap
calculated based on our income and cash receipts.
- We may not incur additional indebtedness or issue
stock that we can be required to redeem sooner
than 91 days after the notes mature if, treating
the transaction as if it had occurred at the
beginning of the previous four fiscal quarters,
our consolidated cash flow for that four-quarter
period would be less than 2.25 times the
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sum of our consolidated interest expense and the
pretax amount necessary to pay cash dividends on
our preferred stock.
- We may not incur indebtedness that ranks below
our senior debt but ahead of the notes.
- We may not pledge our assets as collateral for
any debt for borrowed money that ranks equally
with or below the notes, unless the notes also
get the benefit of the pledge. If we grant a lien
on real property located in Maryland to secure
our senior credit facility, we must also grant a
junior lien on the same property to secure the
notes.
- We generally may not allow our subsidiaries to be
subject to restrictions on their ability to pay
money or transfer assets to us.
- We and our subsidiaries may not enter into
transactions with major stockholders or persons
they control, are controlled by or are under
common control with, unless the transaction is
fair and we comply with specified procedures.
- Neither we nor our subsidiaries may engage in any
business that is not a permitted business, as
defined in the indenture, unless that other
business would not be material to our
subsidiaries and us, taken as a whole.
- We may not pay noteholders to waive their rights
under, or modify terms of, the indenture unless
we make the same offer to all noteholders.
Each of these covenants is subject to other
qualifications and exceptions, which are set forth
in detail in "Description of the New Notes --
Covenants." In addition, our senior credit facility
contains covenants that are more restrictive than
these.
BOOK-ENTRY: DELIVERY AND
FORM..................... New notes exchanged for old notes will be held in
book-entry form by The Depository Trust Company.
DTC and its participants will maintain the records
of beneficial ownership of the notes and of
transfers of notes.
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the matters relating to us, our business and
an investment in the notes described in "Risk Factors."
SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table is a summary of our historical and unaudited pro forma
consolidated financial data for the three years ended December 31, 1998 and for
the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. We derived the historical
consolidated financial data for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998 from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing
elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the historical consolidated financial
data as of September 30, 1999 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
and 1998 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited
adjusted combined statements of operations data and other data for the year
ended December 31, 1996 combine the audited results of operations of our
predecessor, Anker Group, Inc., for
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the period January 1, 1996 to July 31, 1996, and of us for the period from
August 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
The pro forma statement of operations data and other data for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 give effect
to the following transactions as if each transaction had occurred on January 1,
1998:
- the private placement of the old notes and the application of the
proceeds from the private placement,
- the private stockholder exchange of old notes in exchange for
cancellation of the shares of our common stock owned by a stockholder and
that stockholder's relinquishment of its right to require us to buy that
stock over time,
- the private exchange of old notes for our previously issued 9 3/4% notes
and
- the public exchange offer we plan to conduct for the remaining 9 3/4%
notes, assuming all outstanding 9 3/4% notes are exchanged.
We have based the unaudited pro forma adjustments upon available
information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The pro forma
consolidated data do not purport to represent what our consolidated results of
operations would have been had the transactions described above actually
occurred at the beginning of the relevant period. In addition, the unaudited pro
forma financial data do not purport to project our consolidated results of
operations for the current year or any future date or period.
The adjustments set forth in the following table do not reflect a one-time
increase in general and administrative expenses related to the write-off of
approximately $2.6 million of fees and other financing costs incurred in
connection with the private exchange and private placement. The adjustments also
do not include a one-time projected income tax liability of $7.0 million
associated with the private exchange.
Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA represent our earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, non-cash stock
compensation and non-recurring related expenses, loss on impairment of
investment and restructuring charges, life insurance proceeds, financial
restructuring charges and extraordinary items. Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to operating earnings
(loss) or net income (loss), as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, as a measure of our operating performance. Nor should
they be considered as alternatives to net cash provided by operating, investing
and financial activities, as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, as a measure of our ability to meet cash needs. We have
included Adjusted EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA because we use Adjusted
EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance and
some of the covenants in our loan agreement and indentures are tied to similar
measures. Since all companies and analysts do not necessarily calculate Adjusted
EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA in the same fashion, Adjusted EBITDA and
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this prospectus may not be comparable
to similarly titled measures other companies report.
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You should read the following information together with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" and our
consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
------------------------------------------ PRO FORMA
NINE MONTHS ADJUSTED COMBINED ----------------------------
ENDED YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR NINE MONTHS
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED
-------------------- ------------------- DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 1998 1999
--------- -------- -------- -------- ----------------- ------------ -------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Coal sales and related revenue.... $ 174,293 $226,111 $291,426 $322,979 $290,155 $ 291,426 $174,293
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations and selling
expenses........................ 157,419 214,443 276,469 295,387 259,579 276,469 157,419
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization.................... 13,430 13,009 18,150 17,470 14,319 18,150 13,430
General and administrative........ 6,781 7,767 9,076 9,462 7,534 9,076 6,025
Loss on impairment of investment
and restructuring
charges......................... 4,526 7,346 90,717 8,267 -- 90,717 4,526
Stock compensation and related
expenses........................ -- -- -- -- 2,969 -- --
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Operating (loss) income......... (7,863) (16,454) (102,986) (7,607) 5,754 (102,986) (7,107)
Interest expense.................. (10,911) (9,421) (13,066) (10,042) (4,886) (16,015) (13,398)
Other income, net................. 2,579 821 2,805 2,083 1,480 2,805 2,579
Life insurance proceeds........... -- -- -- 15,00 -- -- --
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------
(Loss) income before income taxes
and extraordinary item.......... (16,195) (25,054) (113,247) (566) 2,348 (116,196) (17,926)
Income tax (benefit).............. (200) (7,015) (7,643) (1,242) 351 (7,643) (200)
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------
(Loss) income before extraordinary
item............................ (15,995) (18,039) (105,604) 676 1,997 (108,553) (17,726)
Extraordinary item(1)............. -- -- 965 3,849 -- 965 --
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net (loss) income............... (15,995) (18,039) (106,569) (3,173) 1,997 (109,518) (17,726)
Preferred stock dividends and
accretion(2).................... (1,505) (1,454) (1,937) (1,876) (891) (1,937) (1,505)
Common stock available for
repurchase accretion............ (421) -- -- -- -- -- --
--------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net (loss) income available to
common stockholders........... $ (17,921) $(19,493) $108,506) (5,049) $ 1,106 $(111,455) $(19,231)
========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ========
OTHER DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA................... $13,428(3) $ 4,722 $ 8,686 $ 20,213 $ 24,522 $ 8,686 $ 13,428
CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities............ $ (1,543) $ (1,446) $ (5,465) $ (5,047) $ (564)
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities............ (2,194) (7,442) (8,134) (47,025) (84,968)
Net cash (used in) provided by
financing activities............ 3,743 9,819 13,614 51,516 86,088
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD
END):
Working (deficit) capital......... $ (8,283) $ (4,262) $ 21,499 $ 7,410
Total assets...................... 187,042 201,720 304,650 259,683
Total long-term debt(4)........... 149,591 142,711 133,599 88,029
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock........................... 26,093 24,588 22,651 20,775
Common stock available for
repurchase(4)................... 10,586 10,000 -- --
Total stockholder's (deficit)
equity.......................... (65,797) (47,876) 75,730 80,779
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Represents the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to our
credit facility in 1997 and our amended and restated credit facility in
1998.
(2) Represents accrued and unpaid dividends and accretion on Class A mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock.
(3) Adjusted for $0.8 million of financial restructuring charges included in
general and administrative expenses.
(4) Includes current portion. See our consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and
1998. See "Historical and Pro Forma Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges."
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RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the risks below, as well as other information
included in this prospectus, before making a decision to participate in the
exchange offer.
RISKS RELATED TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
THERE IS CURRENTLY NO PUBLIC TRADING MARKET FOR THE NOTES. IF AN ACTIVE TRADING
MARKET DOES NOT DEVELOP FOR THESE NOTES, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESELL THEM.
No active trading market currently exists for the notes and none may
develop. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. The trading
price may depend upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar
securities, and other factors, including general economic conditions and our
financial condition, performance and prospects. If an active trading market does
not develop, you may not be able to resell your notes at their fair market value
or at all.
Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to
disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities
similar to the notes. We cannot assure you that the market for the notes, if
any, will not be subject to similar disruptions. This type of disruption could
adversely affect you as a holder of notes.
NOTES THAT YOU DO NOT EXCHANGE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER
RESTRICTIONS AND MIGHT BECOME LESS LIQUID.
We did not register the old notes under the Securities Act or any state
securities laws. As a result, you may not offer, sell or otherwise transfer the
old notes except in compliance with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws, or in compliance with
an exemption from those registration requirements. Old notes that you do not
tender will, after the exchange offer, continue to bear a legend reflecting
these restrictions on transfer. If you still hold notes that you have not
tendered after the exchange offer, you will not be entitled to any rights to
have those notes registered under the Securities Act. See "Description of the
Old Notes." We do not intend to register any notes that you have not tendered
after the exchange offer. Accordingly, it may be difficult for you to resell
your old notes. The old notes are currently, and will remain, eligible for sale
pursuant to Rule 144A through the Private Offerings, Resale and Trading through
Automated Linkages market of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
Your ability to sell unregistered notes that you have not tendered in the
exchange offer could be adversely affected by other holders' tendering and
receiving registered notes. We anticipate that most holders of old notes will
exchange them for new notes. As more holders of old notes participate in the
exchange, the liquidity of the market for any old notes that remain after the
completion of the exchange offer may be substantially limited. Any old notes
tendered and exchanged in the exchange offer will reduce the aggregate principal
amount of the old notes outstanding.
RISKS RELATED TO ANKER
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT LOSSES AND CASH FLOW PROBLEMS, AND THE OPINION
OF OUR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS CONTAINS A GOING CONCERN EXPLANATORY PARAGRAPH
WITH RESPECT TO OUR 1998 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
We recorded net losses of approximately $106.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and approximately $16.0 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. The net losses include a loss on impairment of investment
and restructuring charges of approximately $90.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998, and approximately $4.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. Our independent public accountants have issued an
accountant's report on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1998 that includes an explanatory paragraph as to our ability to
continue as a going concern.
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As a result of the going concern explanatory paragraph, we will be required
to provide security in order to obtain the reclamation bonds required before
regulators will issue us new mining permits. This could include posting cash or
cash equivalents for all or a part of the amount of the bonds. We have been and
will continue to meet with our principal customers and suppliers to explain our
financial condition. However, we may not be able to avoid adverse impacts caused
by changes in the terms on which we do business with customers and suppliers.
WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE CARRYING AMOUNT OF OUR LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INCLUDING
GOODWILL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENTS OF THE VALUE OF THOSE
ASSETS ON OUR BALANCE SHEET.
As part of our normal procedures, we continue to review the carrying value
of our long-lived assets including goodwill by analyzing future cash flows
compared to our carrying amounts. We believe that the carrying value of our
long-lived assets does not require downward adjustment. Although we cannot
predict the outcome of these reviews, we may make downward adjustments to the
amounts recorded for those assets on our balance sheet in the future.
WE ARE HIGHLY LEVERAGED AND HAVE SIGNIFICANT DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.
We have substantial indebtedness and significant debt service obligations.
As of February 1, 2000, we had total long-term indebtedness in the amount of
$136.7 million including current portion. For the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the
amount of approximately $16.2 million. The indentures governing our debt
securities permit us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness,
including secured indebtedness, subject to limitations.
Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences to the
holders of our notes, including that
- beginning October 1, 2000, a substantial portion of our cash from
operations will be committed to the payment of debt service,
- our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working
capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions is substantially limited,
- our levels of indebtedness and interest expense limit our flexibility in
reacting to changes in the business environment and
- on September 1, 2007, the entire unpaid principal of our 14.25% Second
Priority Senior Secured Notes will be due and payable.
Our ability to pay principal and interest on the notes and to satisfy our
other debt service obligations, including the payments under the loan agreement
with Foothill, will depend upon the future operating performance of our
subsidiaries. The operating performance of our subsidiaries could be affected by
many factors, including the availability of borrowings under the loan agreement
with Foothill or successor facilities. To satisfy our debt service obligations,
we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing indebtedness,
including the notes, at or prior to maturity. We may also satisfy our debt
servicing obligations by selling assets or raising equity capital. Additional
financing to satisfy our debt service obligations may not be available to us on
acceptable terms, if at all.
THE SECURITY INTEREST IN OUR ASSETS UNDER THE NOTES IS JUNIOR TO FOOTHILL'S
SECURITY INTEREST AND OTHER PERMITTED LIENS; AS A RESULT, THERE MAY NOT BE
SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PAY HOLDERS OF THE NOTES AFTER HOLDERS OF THESE PRIOR LIENS
HAVE THEIR DEBTS PAID IN FULL FROM PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL.
The notes rank equally in right of payment with any of our existing and
future senior indebtedness and senior to all of our subordinated indebtedness.
The lien securing payment of the notes, however, ranks junior to the liens
securing up to $55 million of secured credit facilities, including our loan
agreement with Foothill, and other specified permitted liens. The indentures
governing our notes, for example, would permit us to incur up to $10.0 million
of secured purchase money indebtedness with priority over the
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notes. As of February 1, 2000, the total amount of our secured indebtedness and
that of our subsidiaries that have guaranteed our indebtedness which would have
effectively ranked senior to the notes was approximately $14.5 million. As of
February 1, 2000, the amount outstanding under the loan agreement with Foothill
was $14.3 million. As of that date, there was $12.9 million of undrawn
availability under the revolving credit portion of the loan agreement.
The obligations under the loan agreement with Foothill are secured by a
first priority lien on substantially all of our assets and those of the
subsidiary guarantors, other than real property located in Maryland. This means
that holders of these prior liens are entitled to have their debts paid in full
from proceeds of collateral before any proceeds are paid to holders of the
notes. Neither the trustee under the indenture governing the notes nor the
holders of notes will be entitled to foreclose on the collateral while the
secured credit facilities are outstanding. We cannot assure you that our assets
would be sufficient upon liquidation to repay the senior secured lenders and the
holders of notes. See "Description of the New Notes -- Security."
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO REPURCHASE NOTES AS REQUIRED UNDER THE INDENTURE GOVERNING
THE NOTES IN THE EVENT OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL DUE TO RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE LOAN
AGREEMENT GOVERNING OUR SENIOR SECURED DEBT OR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.
Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the indenture
governing the old notes and the new notes, each holder of notes will have the
right to require us to repurchase all or any part of that holder's notes at an
offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, on the notes to
the date of purchase. Our loan agreement with Foothill, however, prohibits us
from purchasing notes unless specified conditions are satisfied. Among other
things, we are not permitted to purchase notes unless there is no existing event
of default and, after taking account of the use of funds for the purchase, the
subsidiaries would have the ability to borrow at least $10.0 million under the
revolving credit facility of the loan agreement. Any future credit agreements or
other agreements to which we become a party may contain similar restrictions and
provisions.
In the event a change of control occurs at a time when we are prohibited
from purchasing notes, we could seek the consent of our lenders to the purchase
of notes, or we could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain the
prohibition. If we do not obtain a consent or are unable to refinance the
borrowings, we will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In addition, we may
not have the funds necessary to purchase the notes even if the purchase were not
prohibited at that time. Our inability to purchase notes could adversely affect
you as a holder of notes. Moreover, our failure to purchase tendered notes would
constitute an event of default under the indenture, which would, in turn,
constitute a default under the loan agreement with Foothill. See "Description of
the New Notes -- Mandatory Redemption Upon a Change of Control."
OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION HAS HAMPERED OUR DIVESTITURE STRATEGY. IN
ADDITION, OUR EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY AND NOTES INDENTURES LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO
USE ASSET SALE PROCEEDS IN OUR BUSINESS.
Our business plan involves the sale of some of our non-operating assets and
selected non-strategic operating properties. The non-operating assets that we
are seeking to sell are those that we believe require substantial development
costs or have significant holding costs. In our opinion, the operating
properties that we plan to sell either complement non-operating assets being
held for sale or are not integral to our long-term operating strategy. We have
been discussing the sale of these properties with third parties. We believe that
our financial condition has hampered our efforts to market these properties to
date. Although we believe that we will be successful in selling all or a part of
these assets during the next 12 to 24 months, we may not be able to complete
these asset sales on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
In addition, the loan agreement with Foothill requires us to use the first
$5.0 million of asset sale proceeds to reduce our term loan from Foothill.
Payments against the term loan cannot be reborrowed and therefore cannot be used
to fund our operating costs or other expenses. As a result of this provision, we
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will not be able to use the first $5.0 million of asset sale proceeds to
reinvest in our business, fund operations or service the indebtedness on our
outstanding notes.
Furthermore, the indenture that governs the old notes and new notes
requires that, twice per year, we offer to redeem the notes using 60% of excess
proceeds, if any, after the first $1.0 million that we receive from asset sales,
unless we use the proceeds within 120 days of our receiving them for specified
purposes under the indenture. See "Description of the New Notes -- Mandatory
Redemption From Excess Asset Sale Proceeds." As a result of this provision, we
may not be able to use these excess asset sale proceeds to fund operations or in
our business, other than for capital expenditures made within 120 days of our
receipt of the proceeds.
THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENTS GOVERNING OUR INDEBTEDNESS CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT
RESTRICTIONS ON OUR OPERATIONS.
The indentures governing our outstanding notes contain covenants that,
among other things:
- limit our ability and our subsidiaries' ability to incur additional
indebtedness and issue preferred stock;
- restrict our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends
and make other restricted payments, including investments;
- limit the ability of our subsidiaries to incur dividend and other payment
restrictions that other parties impose;
- limit our ability and that of our subsidiaries to conduct transactions
with affiliates;
- limit our ability and that of our subsidiaries to make asset sales;
- limit our ability and that of our subsidiaries to incur liens;
- limit our ability and that of our subsidiaries to use proceeds from
permitted asset sales;
- limit our ability to consolidate or merge with or into, or to transfer
all or substantially all of our assets to, another person; and
- limit our ability to engage in other lines of business. See "Description
of the New Notes -- Covenants."
In addition, the loan agreement with Foothill contains additional and more
restrictive covenants than the indentures and requires us to maintain specified
financial ratios and satisfy various tests relating to our financial condition.
Our ability to comply with the covenants in the indentures and the loan
agreement may be affected by events beyond our control. The breach of any
covenants or restrictions, if not cured within any applicable cure period, could
result in a default under an indenture or the loan agreement, which would permit
the holders of the notes, or the lenders under the loan agreement, to declare
all amounts borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid
interest. In the case of the lenders under the loan agreement, a default may
allow the lenders to terminate their commitments to make further extensions of
credit under the loan agreement.
If we were unable to repay our indebtedness to the lenders under the loan
agreement with Foothill, the lenders could proceed against any or all of the
collateral securing the indebtedness under the loan agreement. The collateral
consists of substantially all of our assets and those of the subsidiaries
guaranteeing amounts borrowed under the loan agreement, other than real property
located in Maryland, and includes all of the collateral securing the notes. In
addition, if we fail to comply with the financial and operating covenants
contained in the loan agreement, we may trigger an event of default under the
loan agreement. An event of default could permit the acceleration of the debt
incurred under the loan agreement and, in some cases, cross-acceleration and
cross-default of indebtedness outstanding under other of our debt instruments,
including the notes. See "Description of the New Notes -- Covenants."
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WE ARE ORGANIZED AS A HOLDING COMPANY, AND WE DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR
OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES IN ORDER TO MEET OUR DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS. OUR
OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT INDEBTEDNESS.
We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations exclusively
through our subsidiaries. Our only significant assets are the capital stock of
our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a holding company, we are dependent on
dividends or other distributions of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our debt
service and other obligations, including our obligations under the notes. All of
our subsidiaries have guaranteed payment of our outstanding notes. Some of our
subsidiaries are also borrowers under our loan agreement with Foothill, and they
could be prohibited by the terms of that loan agreement from providing funds to
enable us to make payments under the notes. Our loan agreement with Foothill
prohibits our subsidiaries from paying dividends or other distributions or
making loans to us at times when they have less than $5 million of unused
borrowing ability under the Foothill loan or when the Foothill loan is in
default. If our subsidiaries were unable to pay dividends or make distributions
or loans to us at a time when interest or principal payments were due under the
notes, we would be unable to make those payments.
WE DEPEND ON KEY CUSTOMERS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR REVENUES, AND THE
LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF THEM COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT US.
A substantial portion of our coal is sold under long-term coal supply
contracts with a few key customers that are important to the stability and
profitability of our operations. Our shipments to Potomac Electric Power Company
accounted for 10% of our revenues in 1998, and we expect shipments to that
customer to account for approximately 27% of our revenues in 1999. Our long-term
contracts with companies related to AES Corporation accounted for more than 18%
of our revenues in 1998, and we expect them to account for approximately 18% of
revenues in 1999. Our long-term contract with Virginia Electric Power Company
accounted for approximately 11% of our revenues in 1998, and we expect them to
account for approximately 10% of revenues in 1999. The loss of these or other
long-term contracts could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations. See "Business -- Coal Marketing and Sales."
In August 1999, to resolve disputes under one of our agreements with
Virginia Electric Power Company, referred to as VEPCO, we entered into an
amendment to that agreement. The amendment, among other things, gives VEPCO the
right, but not the obligation, to terminate its contract to purchase coal from
us since the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection did not issue a
permit for the resumption of operations at our Grant County surface mine by
October 15, 1999. We obtained the permit on December 17, 1999, and, by letter
dated February 1, 2000, VEPCO agreed not to terminate the contract if mining
operations at the Grant County mine resume shortly. We expect to resume mining
at the Grant County surface mine in April 2000. See "-- Our inability to obtain
a new mining permit for one of our important properties has caused reduced
levels of coal production" below.
TRANSPORTATION COSTS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE DELIVERED COST OF
COAL, AND INCREASES IN TRANSPORTATION COSTS COULD MAKE OTHER ENERGY SOURCES MORE
COMPETITIVE WITH COAL. TRANSPORTATION DISRUPTIONS COULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO
SELL COAL.
We depend on rail, trucking and barge transportation to deliver shipments
of coal to customers. In 1998, we shipped approximately 60% of our coal tonnage
by rail and 40% by truck and barge. Disruption of these transportation services,
particularly rail, could temporarily impair our ability to supply coal to our
customers and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Transportation costs are a significant component of the total cost of supplying
coal to customers and can affect significantly our competitive position and
profitability. Increases in our transportation costs, or changes in our
transportation costs relative to transportation costs that providers of
competing coal or of other fuels incur, could have an adverse effect on our
operations and business.
CSX Transportation, Inc. currently ships all of our coal delivered by rail.
CSX Transportation, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation recently acquired
Conrail, which had been one of our rail transportation providers. The
integration of Conrail into CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern began on
June 1,
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1999. Although we have not yet experienced any service disruptions because of
the merger, disruptions in service may occur during the transition period. We do
not know how long the transition period will last. Disruption of transportation
services because of problems arising from the integration process or from
weather-related problems, strikes, lock-outs or other events could impair our
ability to supply coal to customers and could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations. See
"Business -- Coal Transportation."
OUR USE OF CONTRACT MINERS POSES BUSINESS RISKS, INCLUDING THE RISK OF A DECLINE
IN COAL PRODUCTION.
Our business plan includes improving cash flow by using contract mining
services for all of our underground mining operations. We have converted all of
our deep mines to contract mining. There is a risk that the contract miners will
not be able to perform their obligations, including the requirements to produce
specified amounts of coal, over the life of the contract mining agreements.
While we have taken care in selecting the contract miners for our underground
mines, each of our contract miners is owned by a single individual. In addition,
as a general matter, contract mining companies are usually not well capitalized.
If the owner of one of our contract mining companies were to die or if a
contract miner began experiencing financial difficulties for any reason, there
is a risk that the contract mining company would not be able to perform its
obligations to us. In that event, we could experience a material decline in coal
production, which could adversely affect our financial position.
OUR INABILITY TO OBTAIN A NEW MINING PERMIT FOR ONE OF OUR IMPORTANT PROPERTIES
HAS CAUSED REDUCED LEVELS OF COAL PRODUCTION.
Coal production tonnage levels were lower in 1999 due in part to the idling
of our Grant County surface mine in December 1998. We idled this surface mine
because we had mined all of our then permitted coal reserves and were not able
to obtain a new mining permit for our adjacent properties. A new mining permit
for our adjacent properties would have allowed us to continue the surface mining
operation. With the idling of the surface mine, we have been unable to sell the
portion of production from our Grant County deep mine that we previously had
blended with coal from the surface mine. As a result of this and other factors,
we idled the deep mine in February 1999, which further reduced tonnage levels.
On December 17, 1999, the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection
issued the permit covering a portion of our Grant County surface mine. Because
we did not have the permit by October 15, 1999, VEPCO had the right to terminate
one of its long-term coal contracts with us. By letter dated February 1, 2000,
VEPCO agreed not to terminate the contract if mining operations at the Grant
County mine resume shortly. We expect to resume mining at the Grant County
surface mine in April 2000.
WE COULD HAVE INCOME TAX LIABILITY AS A RESULT OF THE RESTRUCTURING OF OUR
9 3/4% SERIES B SENIOR NOTES.
As a result of the private restructuring of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior
Notes, as well as the public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining
9 3/4% notes, we may recognize significant cancellation of debt income. As a
result of that income, we may incur income tax liabilities. We will be required
to recognize cancellation of debt income in an amount equal to the difference
between the face amount of the 9 3/4% notes and the issue price of the notes
issued in exchange for the 9 3/4% notes.
We have accumulated net operating losses that should offset a portion of
the cancellation of debt income that could result from the private restructuring
and public exchange offer of our 9 3/4% notes. Nevertheless, we have estimated
that the tax liability attributable to the cancellation of debt income could be
as much as $7.0 million. That estimate is subject to uncertainty, and the actual
tax liability may be less than that amount. We are currently finalizing our
determination of the tax liability that will result from the private
restructuring transactions and the public exchange offer. If we are required to
pay tax, it will be due and payable on March 15, 2000. We intend to borrow the
funds to pay any tax due from the revolving credit facility under our loan
agreement with Foothill, which will materially reduce our borrowing availability
that would have been available for our business operations.
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THE COAL MARKETS ARE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND AFFECTED BY FACTORS BEYOND OUR
CONTROL.
The coal industry is highly competitive, with numerous producers in all
coal producing regions. Historically, we have competed with many other large
producers as well as smaller producers in our region. However, because of
significant consolidation in the coal industry over the past few years and other
factors, we now compete against producers in other regions. In addition, some of
our larger competitors have both the size of reserves and capital resources to
utilize mining technologies we cannot which provide low cost production.
In addition, the coal markets we serve are affected by many variables
beyond our control. The coal markets are presently being affected by:
- environmental and other governmental regulations,
- deregulation of electric utilities,
- consolidation within the rail transportation industry,
- the increased role of electricity-based futures trading and
- reduced term lengths of long-term sales contracts and a greater
proportion of coal being purchased on a spot basis.
In addition to these recent developments, other long-term factors will
affect the continued demand for our coal and the prices that we will be able to
obtain. These long-term factors include
- the demand for electricity,
- coal transportation costs,
- technological developments and
- the availability and price of alternative fuel supply sources, such as
oil, natural gas, nuclear energy and hydroelectric energy.
WE ARE CONTROLLED BY ONE GROUP OF SHAREHOLDERS THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON
OUR DECISIONS.
Approximately 53.24% of our fully-diluted outstanding common stock is owned
by American Gas and Oil Investors, L.P., AmGo II, L.P., First Reserve Fund V-2,
L.P., First Reserve Fund V, L.P., First Reserve Fund VI, L.P. and First Reserve
Fund VII, L.P., all of which are under the common management of First Reserve
Corporation. Accordingly, these funds are able to
- elect a majority of our directors,
- determine our corporate and management policies and
- subject to the terms of agreements among our existing shareholders and
other investors and with the concurrence of one additional director, make
decisions relating to fundamental corporate actions, including any
mergers or acquisitions and sales of all or substantially all of our
assets.
Although the funds managed by First Reserve Corporation have, and will
continue to have, substantial control, until the earlier to occur of an initial
public offering of our common stock and October 30, 2002, the investor agreement
will require a vote of at least 85% of the total outstanding shares of common
stock to sell all or a majority of our assets, enter into a merger with or into
another entity or sell a majority of our common stock. See "Description of the
Warrants."
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COAL MINING IS DEPENDENT UPON MANY FACTORS AND CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
Coal mining is subject to conditions beyond our control which can affect
our cost of mining at particular mines for varying lengths of time. These
conditions include
- weather conditions,
- unexpected maintenance problems,
- variations in coal seam thickness,
- variations in the amount of rock and soil overlying the coal deposit,
- disruption, or increase in the cost of, of transportation services,
- variations in geological conditions,
- the ability to secure new mining permits,
- regulatory uncertainties,
- price fluctuations, and
- labor disruptions.
Over the past 18 months, we have been adversely affected by many of the
conditions. For example, severe rain forced us to close temporarily one of our
surface mining operations, we were significantly delayed in obtaining a mining
permit for our Grant County surface mine until December 17, 1999, and we have
experienced variations in geological conditions at most of our deep mines and
variations in coal seam thickness and in the amount of rock and soil overlying
our coal deposits.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS COULD INCREASE OUR COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS AND MAY
DISCOURAGE OUR CUSTOMERS FROM BUYING OUR COAL.
We are subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities on
matters including
- employee health and safety,
- permit and licensing requirements,
- air quality standards,
- water pollution,
- plant and wildlife protection,
- reclamation and restoration of mining properties after mining is
completed,
- the discharge of materials into the environment,
- surface subsidence, which is the sinking or settling of the earth's
surface from underground mining,
- the effects that mining has on groundwater quality and availability and
- benefits for current and retired coal miners.
Numerous governmental permits and approvals are required for mining
operations. We may be required to prepare and present to federal, state and
local authorities data pertaining to the effect or impact that any proposed
exploration for, or production of, coal may have on the environment.
Requirements that any governmental authority imposes may be costly and
time-consuming and may delay commencement or continuation of exploration or
production operations. See, for example, "-- Our inability to obtain a new
mining permit for one of our important properties has caused reduced levels of
coal production."
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Furthermore, new legislation or regulations and orders may be adopted that
may materially adversely affect our mining operations, our cost structure or our
customers' ability to use coal. New legislation and new regulations under
existing laws related to the protection of the environment, which would further
regulate or tax the coal industry, may also require us or our customers to
change operations significantly or incur increased costs. New environmental
legislation or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. In particular, we may be required
to modify our operations to comply with permit and emission requirements under
the federal Clean Air Act and corresponding state laws that regulate emissions
into the air affecting coal mining operations. See "Business -- Regulation and
Laws."
WE DEPEND ON THE SELECTION, ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION OF COAL
RESERVES CONTAINING ECONOMICALLY RECOVERABLE COAL OF QUALITIES THAT WE CAN SELL
TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WE MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPING OR OBTAINING ACCEPTABLE
COAL RESERVES.
Our future success depends primarily upon our ability to develop our
existing coal reserves that are economically recoverable and, to a lesser
extent, on our ability to find and develop new coal reserves. Our recoverable
reserves will generally decline as reserves are depleted, unless we are able to
- prove up existing reserves,
- conduct successful exploration or development activities, or
- acquire properties containing recoverable reserves.
In order to increase reserves and production, we must continue our
development and exploration programs or undertake other replacement activities.
Our current strategy is to exploit our existing reserve base and to acquire
additional reserves where needed to expand or supplement existing operations.
Our limited capital resources hamper our ability to acquire new coal reserves.
Our planned development, our existing reserves or our exploration projects and
acquisition activities may not result in significant additional reserves. In
addition, we may not have success developing additional mines. For a discussion
of our reserves, see "Business -- Coal Reserves."
A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE PRICE WE RECEIVE FOR OUR COAL OR THE EXPIRATION OF
LONG-TERM CONTRACTS WITH FAVORABLE PRICING COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING
RESULTS AND CASH FLOWS.
Our results of operations are highly dependent upon the prices we receive
for our coal and our ability to improve productivity and reduce costs. The
expiration of long-term contracts with prices above current market prices
requires that we continue to improve productivity and reduce costs in order to
sustain operating margins. Prices for export coal have declined. In addition,
demand for coal has decreased because of, among other things, the warm winters
in the northeastern United States in 1998 and 1999. This has resulted in
increased inventories that have caused pricing pressures in 1999. All of these
factors adversely affected our operating results in the first three quarters of
1999 and may adversely affect operating results for future periods. The
declining prices have also adversely affected our ability to generate cash flows
necessary to improve productivity and expand operations.
The price of coal sold under many of our long-term contracts is above
current spot market prices. Our customers may not extend existing long-term
contracts or enter into new long-term contracts. If that happens, we would be
affected adversely to the extent that we are unable to find other customers to
purchase coal at the same level of profitability. In addition, virtually all of
our long-term contracts include price adjustment provisions that permit an
increase or decrease at specified times in the contract price to reflect changes
in price or other economic indices, taxes and other charges. These provisions
may increase our exposure to short-term coal price volatility, which could
adversely affect the stability and profitability of our operations. Furthermore,
changes in regulations governing the electric utility industry may make it more
difficult for us to enter into long-term contracts with our electric utility
customers, as these customers may become more sensitive to long-term price or
quantity commitments in a more competitive environment. A substantial decrease
in the amount of coal we sell under long-term contracts could subject
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our revenue stream to increased volatility and adversely affect our financial
position. See "Business -- Long-Term Coal Supply Contracts."
The balance of sales not made under long-term contracts are made in the
spot market, or under contracts based on spot market prices and not under
long-term, fixed-price contracts. Accordingly, the prices we receive for a
portion of our coal production are dependent upon numerous factors beyond our
control. These factors include, but are not limited to,
- the level of consumer demand for electricity,
- governmental regulations and taxes,
- the price and availability of alternative energy sources and
- the overall economic environment.
The availability of a ready market for our coal production also depends on
a number of factors beyond our control, including the demand and supply of low
sulfur coal and the availability of pollution credits.
WE RELY ON ESTIMATES OF ECONOMICALLY RECOVERABLE COAL RESERVES, AND WE CANNOT BE
CERTAIN OF THE TRUE EXTENT OF COAL ASSETS WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO FULFILL
OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR CONTRACTS AND SECURE PAYMENT OF OUR SECURED INDEBTEDNESS.
There are uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of recoverable
reserves, including many factors beyond our control. Estimates of economically
recoverable coal reserves and future net cash flows depend upon a number of
variables and assumptions, including
- geological and mining conditions, which available exploration data may
not fully identify or which may differ from experience;
- historical production from the area compared with production from other
producing areas;
- the assumed effects of governmental agency regulations; and
- assumptions concerning future coal prices, future operating costs,
severance and excise taxes, development costs and reclamation costs, all
of which may in fact vary considerably from actual results.
For these reasons, (1) estimates of the economically recoverable quantities
of coal attributable to any particular group of properties, (2) classifications
of reserves based on risk of recovery and (3) estimates of future net cash flows
expected from reserves prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers
at different times may vary substantially. Actual coal tonnage recovered from
identified reserve areas or properties, revenues and expenditures with respect
to our reserves may vary materially from estimates. See "Business -- Coal
Reserves."
WE DEPEND ON THE LEADERSHIP OF KEY EXECUTIVES, AND IF THEY LEFT US IT COULD HAVE
AN ADVERSE EFFECT UPON US.
On October 12, 1997, John J. Faltis, who was then our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, was killed in a
helicopter accident in West Virginia. With Mr. Faltis' death, our success has
become increasingly dependent on Bruce Sparks, who succeeded Mr. Faltis as
President, and other key personnel. If Mr. Sparks becomes unwilling or unable to
serve in his new role, our business, operations and prospects would likely be
further adversely affected. Mr. Sparks entered into an employment agreement with
us and several of our subsidiaries. See "Management."
To address our need for increased depth in management and operations, we
hired William D. Kilgore, Jr. to be Chairman of our board of directors and Chief
Executive Officer, effective May 1, 1999. Mr. Kilgore has 42 years experience in
the coal business, including as a coal mining consultant for several central
Appalachian companies, as President/Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Agipcoal and as Vice President/General Manager of Enoxy Coal, Inc. Mr. Kilgore
entered into an employment agreement with
21
<PAGE> 22
us and several of our subsidiaries. See "Management." If we lost Mr. Kilgore's
services, our business, operations and prospects would likely be adversely
affected.
THE COAL INDUSTRY IS LABOR-INTENSIVE, AND WORK STOPPAGES OR UNIONIZATION WOULD
HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT UPON US.
We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and consider our
relations with employees to be good. However, some or all of our workforce may
unionize in the future. If some or all of our currently non-union operations
were to become unionized, we could incur higher labor costs and an increased
risk of work stoppages. We recently changed from operating our deep mines
ourselves to utilizing contract miners to operate these mines. The labor force
for our contract miners is currently not unionized. If some or all of our
contract miners' employees were to become unionized, the contract miners could
incur higher labor costs and have an increased risk of work stoppages, which
could adversely affect our business and costs of operations.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDES FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. IF OUR EXPECTATIONS
REFLECTED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS PROVE TO BE INCORRECT, OUR ACTUAL
RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THESE EXPECTATIONS.
This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have based these
forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about
future events. The words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects,"
"plans," "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify these
forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including, among other things:
- the success or failure of our efforts to implement our business plan;
- the availability of liquidity and capital resources;
- our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings;
- whether we are able to obtain new mining permits;
- adverse geologic conditions;
- changes in the industry;
- the weather;
- unexpected maintenance problems;
- reliance on major customers and long-term contracts;
- actions our competitors take and our ability to respond to those actions;
- risks inherent to mining; and
- the effects of government regulation.
Other matters set forth in this prospectus may also cause actual results in
the future to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking
events discussed in this prospectus might not occur.
22
<PAGE> 23
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes.
On October 28, 1999, we received proceeds of $11.2 million from the sale of
$13.2 million principal amount of old notes in a private placement, all of which
we used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the revolving credit portion of
our senior credit facility. We issued the remaining old notes in a private
exchange for $108.5 million in principal amount of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior
Notes due 2007 and cancellation of our obligations to a former stockholder. We
incurred expenses of approximately $2.6 million in connection with the private
placement and the private exchange.
23
<PAGE> 24
CAPITALIZATION
This table sets forth our consolidated capitalization (1) as of September
30, 1999, (2) as adjusted to reflect the private exchange, private placement and
private stockholder exchange we consummated on October 28, 1999 and (3) as
adjusted to reflect the planned public exchange offer of our remaining 9 3/4%
notes, assuming all outstanding 9 3/4% notes are exchanged, as well as the
private exchange, private placement and private stockholder exchange. In the
private exchange, 86.8% of the holders of our 9 3/4% notes exchanged $108.5
million in aggregate principal amount of their 9 3/4% notes for old notes, and
we issued to the exchanging noteholders warrants to purchase 20% of our fully
diluted common stock at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per share. In the
private placement, we sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P., for $11.2 million
in cash, $13.2 million in principal amount of old notes and warrants to purchase
10% of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per share. We have
estimated that the fair value of the warrants issued in the private exchange and
private placement approximates par value of $0.01 per share. In the private
stockholder exchange, we issued $6.0 million in principal amount of old notes to
JJF Group Limited Liability Company in cancellation of shares of our common
stock JJF Group owned and JJF Group's relinquishment of its right to require us
to buy that stock over time for approximately $10.5 million.
The "as adjusted" columns of the following table do not include (1) the
additional notes we will issue to pay interest in kind on the notes due April 1,
2000 or (2) notes that Rothschild Recovery Fund may purchase, at our option and
subject to various conditions, on or before October 1, 2000 to fund up to $6.3
million of the October 1, 2000 interest payment on the notes. Since this
exchange offer will involve an exchange of outstanding securities for a like
amount of new, substantially identical securities, it will have no effect on
capitalization. You should read the information set forth below together with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation," "The Exchange Offer -- Accounting Treatment" and our interim
condensed consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial
statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
-----------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
AS ADJUSTED AS ADJUSTED
FOR PRIVATE FOR PLANNED
RESTRUCTURING PUBLIC EXCHANGE
ACTUAL TRANSACTIONS OFFER
------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents................................ $ -- $ -- $ --
------- -------- -------
Accrued Interest......................................... 6.3 1.0(2) 0.2(2)
Long-term debt (including current portion):
Borrowings under Credit Facility....................... 24.2 13.0(1) 13.0
9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007.................. 125.0 16.5 --
14.25% Series A Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
due 2007 issued in Private Exchange................. -- 113.8(2) 113.8(2)
14.25% Series A Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
due 2007 issued for cash............................ -- 13.2 13.2
Original Issue Discount................................ -- (2.0) (2.0)
14.25% Series A Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
due 2007 issued to JJF Group........................ -- 6.0(3) 6.0
14.25% Series B Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
due 2007 to be issued in the Planned Public Exchange
Offer............................................... -- -- 17.3(2)
Other debt............................................. 0.4 0.4 0.4
------- -------- -------
Total debt.......................................... 149.6 160.9 161.7
Common stock available for repurchase (including current
portion)............................................... 10.6 -- --
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE> 25
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
-----------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
AS ADJUSTED AS ADJUSTED
FOR PRIVATE FOR PLANNED
RESTRUCTURING PUBLIC EXCHANGE
ACTUAL TRANSACTIONS OFFER
------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock(4)................ 26.1 26.1 26.1
Total stockholders' equity Preferred stock............... 23.0 23.0 23.0
Common stock........................................ -- -- --
Paid-in-capital..................................... 47.9 52.5(3) 52.5
Paid-in-capital -- stock warrants................... -- -- --
Treasury stock...................................... (5.1) (5.1) (5.1)
Accumulated deficit................................. (131.6) (140.4)(5) (140.4)
------- -------- -------
Total stockholder's equity............................... (65.8) (70.0) (70.0)
------- -------- -------
Total capitalization..................................... $ 126.8 $ 118.0 $ 118.0
======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) We used the proceeds of the private placement to reduce outstanding amounts
under the revolving credit facility under our loan agreement with Foothill.
See "Use of Proceeds."
(2) In connection with the accounting treatment for the private exchange and the
public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining 9 3/4% notes, we
are required to keep the current carrying amounts recorded on our balance
sheet and include those amounts for accrued interest not paid as part of the
private exchange and the proposed public exchange offer. Our calculation of
interest expense in future periods will be altered for the difference
between the carrying amount and the principal amount of the 14.25% notes
issued in the private exchange and the proposed public exchange offer. Our
as adjusted principal obligations on the new notes are less than the amounts
presented.
(3) In connection with the accounting treatment for the private stockholder
exchange, we recorded the new notes issued at fair value. The difference
between the notes issued and the common stock available for repurchase,
including current portion, increased paid-in-capital.
(4) Redemption of our Class A preferred stock, which is a class of our preferred
stock that is mandatorily redeemable, is limited by the restricted payments
covenant in the indenture governing the notes. See "Description of the New
Notes -- Covenants."
(5) The as adjusted accumulated deficit includes projected income tax expense of
$7 million associated with the private exchange, as well as the public
exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining 9 3/4% notes, and
expected additional costs of $1.8 million relating to the private exchange.
See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We could have income tax
liability as a result of the restructuring of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior
Notes" and "Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences."
25
<PAGE> 26
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are
based on the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 give effect
to the following transactions as if each transaction had occurred on January 1,
1998:
- the private placement of the old notes and the application of the
proceeds from the private placement,
- the private stockholder exchange of old notes in exchange for
cancellation of the shares of our common stock owned by a stockholder and
that stockholder's relinquishment of its right to require us to buy that
stock over time and
- the private exchange of old notes for our previously issued 9 3/4% notes
and
- the public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining 9 3/4%
notes, assuming all outstanding 9 3/4% notes are exchanged.
We have based the unaudited pro forma adjustments upon available
information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The pro forma
consolidated data do not purport to represent what our consolidated results of
operations would have been had the transactions described above actually
occurred at the beginning of the relevant period. In addition, the unaudited pro
forma financial data do not purport to project our consolidated results of
operations for the current year or any future date or period.
The adjustments set forth in the following tables do not reflect a one-time
increase in general and administrative expenses related to the write-off of
approximately $2.6 million of fees and other financing costs incurred in
connection with the private exchange and private placement. The adjustments also
do not include a one-time projected income tax liability of $7.0 million
associated with the private exchange.
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA represents our earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion, amortization, non-cash stock compensation and
non-recurring related expenses, loss on impairment of investment and
restructuring charges, life insurance proceeds, financial restructuring charges
and extraordinary items. Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as
an alternative to operating earnings (loss) or net income (loss), as determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as a measure of our
operating performance. Nor should it be considered as an alternative to net cash
provided by operating, investing and financial activities, as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as a measure of our
ability to meet cash needs. We have included Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA because
we use Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance and some of
the covenants in our loan agreement and indentures are tied to similar measures.
Since all companies and analysts do not necessarily calculate Pro Forma Adjusted
EBITDA in the same fashion, Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this
prospectus may not be comparable to similarly titled measures other companies
report.
You should read the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements
together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operation," "The Exchange Offer -- Accounting Treatment" and the
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
A pro forma balance sheet has not been prepared because all relevant
information has been provided under "Capitalization."
26
<PAGE> 27
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADJUSTMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANNED PUBLIC
PRIVATE PRIVATE STOCKHOLDER PRIVATE EXCHANGE AS
ACTUAL PLACEMENT (1) EXCHANGE (2) EXCHANGE (3) OFFER(4) ADJUSTED
--------- ------------- ------------------- ------------ -------------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue...... $ 291,426 -- -- -- -- $ 291,426
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations and selling
expenses........................ 276,469 -- -- -- -- 276,469
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization.................... 18,150 -- -- -- -- 18,150
General and administrative........ 9,076 -- -- -- -- 9,076
Loss on impairment of investment
and restructuring charges....... 90,717 -- -- -- -- 90,717
--------- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---------
Operating loss.................. (102,986) -- -- -- -- (102,986)
Interest expense.................... (13,066) $(2,201)(a) $(885)(a) $220(a) $(83)(a) (16,015)
Other income, net................... 2,805 -- -- -- -- 2,805
--------- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---------
Loss before income taxes and
extraordinary item............ (113,247) (2,201) (885) 220 (83) (116,196)
Income tax expense (benefit)........ (7,643) --(b) --(b) --(b) --(b) (7,643)
--------- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---------
Net loss before extraordinary
item.......................... (105,604) (2,201) (885) 220 83) (108,553)
Extraordinary item.................. 965 -- -- -- -- 965
--------- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---------
Net loss........................ (106,569) (2,201) (885) 220 (83) (109,518)
Preferred stock dividends and
accretion......................... (1,937) -- -- -- -- (1,937)
Common stock available for
repurchase accretion.............. -- -- -- -- -- --
--------- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---------
Net loss available to common
stockholders.................. $(108,506) $(2,201) $(885) $220 $(83) $(111,455)
========= ======= ===== ==== ==== =========
OTHER DATA:
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA........... -- -- -- -- -- 8,686
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE> 28
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
(1) Reflects the private placement of old notes and the application of the
proceeds from the private placement as if the transaction occurred on
January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects an increase in interest expense resulting from borrowings
under the notes at an assumed rate of 14.25% with an increase in
principal after six months for the interest that will be paid in
kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of cash at that time.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming that the interest that is paid in kind is non-deductible,
a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation allowance
on all net operating losses.
(2) Reflects the private stockholder exchange of old notes to a stockholder
in exchange for the relinquishment of that stockholder's right as if
the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects an increase in interest expense resulting from borrowings
under the notes at an assumed rate of 14.25% with an increase in
principal after six months for the interest that will be paid in
kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of cash at that time.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming that the interest that is paid in kind is non-deductible,
a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation allowance
on all net operating losses.
(3) Reflects the private exchange of old notes for our previously issued
9 3/4% notes as if the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects the reduction of interest expense resulting from the
exchange of 9 3/4% notes for old notes at an assumed effective
interest rate of 8.76% offset by an increase in interest expense
from an increase in principal after six months for the interest
that will be paid in kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of
cash at that time.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming that the interest that is paid in kind is non-deductible,
a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation allowance
on all net operating losses.
(4) Reflects the public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining
9 3/4% notes, assuming all outstanding 9 3/4% notes are exchanged, as
if the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects the reduction of interest expense resulting from the
exchange of 9 3/4% notes for old notes at an assumed effective
interest rate of 9.67% offset by an increase in interest expense
from an increase in principal after six months for the interest
that will be paid in kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of
cash at that time.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming that the interest that is paid in kind is non-deductible,
a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation allowance
on all net operating losses.
28
<PAGE> 29
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADJUSTMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANNED PUBLIC
PRIVATE PRIVATE STOCKHOLDER PRIVATE EXCHANGE AS
ACTUAL PLACEMENT (1) EXCHANGE (2) EXCHANGE (3) OFFER(4) ADJUSTED
-------- ------------- ------------------- ------------ -------------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue........ $174,293 -- -- -- -- $174,293
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations and selling
expenses.......................... 157,419 -- -- -- -- 157,419
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization...................... 13,430 -- -- -- -- 13,430
General and administrative.......... 6,781 -- -- $(756)(a) -- 6,025
Loss on impairment of investment and
restructuring charges............. 4,526 -- -- -- -- 4,526
-------- ------- ----- ----- ---- --------
Operating loss.................... (7,863) -- -- (756) -- (7,107)
Interest expense.................. (10,911) $(1,701)(a) $(687)(a) (14)(b) $(85)(a) (13,398)
Other income, net..................... 2,579 -- -- -- -- 2,579
-------- ------- ----- ----- ---- --------
Loss before income taxes and
extraordinary item.............. (16,195) (1,701) (687) (770) (85) (17,926)
Income tax expense (benefit).......... (200) --(b) --(b) --(c) --(b) (200)
-------- ------- ----- ----- ---- --------
Net loss.......................... (15,995) (1,701) (687) (770) (85) (17,726)
Preferred stock dividends and
accretion........................... (1,505) -- -- -- -- (1,505)
Common stock available for repurchase
accretion........................... (421) -- (421)(c) -- -- --
-------- ------- ----- ----- ---- --------
Net loss available to common
stockholders.................... $(17,921) $(1,701) $(266) $(770) $(85) $(19,231)
======== ======= ===== ===== ==== ========
OTHER DATA:
Pro Forma adjusted EBITDA............. -- -- -- -- -- 13,428
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE> 30
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
(1) Reflects the private placement of old notes and the application of the
proceeds from the private placement as if the transaction occurred on
January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects an increase in interest expense resulting from borrowings
under the notes at an assumed rate of 14.25%.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation
allowance on all net operating losses.
(2) Reflects the private stockholder exchange of old notes to a stockholder
in exchange for the relinquishment of that stockholder's right as if
the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects an increase in interest expense resulting from borrowings
under the notes at an assumed rate of 14.25%.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation
allowance on all net operating losses.
(c) Reflects a decrease in the common stock available for repurchase
accretion resulting from a stockholder's relinquishment of it
rights before we would have been further obligated to that
stockholder.
(3) Reflects the private exchange of old notes for our previously issued
9 3/4% notes as if the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects a decrease in general and administrative expenses
resulting from the $0.8 million of financial restructuring
charges.
(b) Reflects the reduction of interest expense resulting from the
exchange of 9 3/4% notes for old notes at an assumed effective
interest rate of 8.76% offset by an increase in interest expense
from an increase in principal after six months for the interest
that will be paid in kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of
cash at that time.
(c) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation
allowance on all net operating losses.
(4) Reflects the public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining
9 3/4% notes, assuming all outstanding 9 3/4% notes are exchanged, as
if the transaction occurred on January 1, 1998.
(a) Reflects the reduction of interest expense resulting from the
exchange of 9 3/4% notes for old notes at an assumed effective
interest rate of 9.67% offset by an increase in interest expense
from an increase in principal after six months for the interest
that will be paid in kind by issuing additional notes in lieu of
cash at that time.
(b) Reflects the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments
assuming that the interest that is paid in kind is non-deductible,
a 39% tax rate and the establishment of a 100% valuation allowance
on all net operating losses.
30
<PAGE> 31
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table is a summary of our historical consolidated financial
data for the five years ended December 31, 1998 and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998. We derived the historical consolidated financial
data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1998 from our
audited consolidated financial statements, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent accountants, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived
the historical consolidated financial data as of September 30, 1999 and for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 from our unaudited consolidated
financial statements. The unaudited adjusted combined statements of operations
data and other data for the year ended December 31, 1996 combine the audited
results of operations of our predecessor, Anker Group, Inc., for the period
January 1, 1996 to July 31, 1996, and of us for the period August 1, 1996 to
December 31, 1996. You should read the following information together with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation" and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANKER GROUP,
GROUP, INC.
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. ADJUSTED --------------
------------------------------------------ COMBINED
NINE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED FOR THE AUGUST 1, 1996
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED TO
------------------- -------------------- DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 1996
-------- -------- --------- -------- ------------ --------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Coal sales and
related revenue..... $174,293 $226,111 $ 291,426 $322,979 $290,155 $123,246
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations
and selling
expenses............ 157,419 214,443 276,469 295,387 259,579 110,215
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization........ 13,430 13,009 18,150 17,470 14,319 6,437
General and
administrative...... 6,781 7,767 9,076 9,462 7,534 3,738
Loss on impairment of
investment and
restructuring
charges............. 4,526 7,346 90,717 8,267 -- --
Stock compensation
and related
expenses............ -- -- -- -- 2,969 --
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Operating (loss)
income............ (7,863) (16,454) (102,986) (7,607) 5,754 2,856
Interest expense,
net................. (10,911) (9,421) (13,066) (10,042) (4,886) (2,090)
Other income, net.... 2,579 821 2,805 2,083 1,480 373
Life insurance
proceeds............ -- -- -- 15,000 -- --
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before
income taxes and
extraordinary
item................ (16,195) (25,054) (113,247) (566) 2,348 1,139
Income tax
(benefit)........... (200) (7,015) (7,643) (1,242) 351 485
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before
extraordinary
item................ (15,995) (18,039) (105,604) 676 1,997 654
Extraordinary
item(1)............. -- -- 965 3,849 -- --
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income... (15,995) (18,039) (106,569) (3,173) 1,997 654
Preferred stock
dividends and
accretion(2)........ (1,505) (1,454) (1,937) (1,876) (891) (775)
Common stock
available for
repurchase
accretion........... (421) -- -- -- -- --
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income
available to
common
stockholders...... $(17,921) $(19,493) $(108,506) $ (5,049) $ 1,106 $ (121)
<CAPTION>
ANKER GROUP, INC.
(OUR PREDECESSOR)
-------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 1, 1996 DECEMBER 31,
TO JULY 31, -------------------
1996 1995 1994
--------------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Coal sales and
related revenue..... $166,909 $248,897 $227,499
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations
and selling
expenses............ 149,364 221,315 203,174
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization........ 7,882 11,732 12,083
General and
administrative...... 3,796 6,843 5,938
Loss on impairment of
investment and
restructuring
charges............. -- -- --
Stock compensation
and related
expenses............ 2,969 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Operating (loss)
income............ 2,898 9,007 6,304
Interest expense,
net................. (2,796) (6,612) (3,523)
Other income, net.... 1,107 3,108 1,621
Life insurance
proceeds............ -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before
income taxes and
extraordinary
item................ 1,209 5,503 4,402
Income tax
(benefit)........... (134) 2,270 1,940
-------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before
extraordinary
item................ 1,343 3,233 2,462
Extraordinary
item(1)............. -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income... 1,343 3,233 2,462
Preferred stock
dividends and
accretion(2)........ (116) (215) (215)
Common stock
available for
repurchase
accretion........... -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income
available to
common
stockholders...... $ 1,227 $ 3,018 $ 2,247
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE> 32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANKER GROUP,
GROUP, INC.
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. ADJUSTED --------------
------------------------------------------ COMBINED
NINE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED FOR THE AUGUST 1, 1996
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED TO
------------------- -------------------- DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 1996
-------- -------- --------- -------- ------------ --------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTHER DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA...... $3,428(3) $ 4,722 $ 8,686 $ 20,213 $ 24,522 $ 9,666
CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided by
(used in) operating
activities.......... $ (1,543) $ (1,446) $ (5,465) $ (5,047) $ (564)
Net cash (used in)
provided by
investing
activities.......... (2,194) (7,442) (8,134) (47,025) (84,968)
Net cash (used in)
provided by
financing
activities.......... 3,743 9,819 13,614 51,516 86,088
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(AT PERIOD END):
Working (deficit)
capital............. $ (8,283) $ (4,262) $ 21,499 $ 7,410
Total assets......... 187,042 201,720 304,650 259,683
Total long-term
debt(4)............. 149,591 142,711 133,599 88,029
Mandatorily
redeemable preferred
stock............... 26,093 24,588 22,651 20,775
Common stock
available for
repurchase(4)....... 10,586 10,000 -- --
Total stockholder's
(deficit) equity.... (65,797) (47,876) 75,730 80,779
<CAPTION>
ANKER GROUP, INC.
(OUR PREDECESSOR)
-------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 1, 1996 DECEMBER 31,
TO JULY 31, -------------------
1996 1995 1994
--------------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OTHER DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA...... $ 14,856 $ 23,847 $ 20,008
CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided by
(used in) operating
activities.......... $ 19,022 $ 2,168 $ 13,421
Net cash (used in)
provided by
investing
activities.......... (1,764) 5,021 (32,434)
Net cash (used in)
provided by
financing
activities.......... (29,795) 4,992 17,808
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(AT PERIOD END):
Working (deficit)
capital............. $ 27,599 $ 12,576
Total assets......... 187,026 161,372
Total long-term
debt(4)............. 74,902 69,910
Mandatorily
redeemable preferred
stock............... 8,600 1,600
Common stock
available for
repurchase(4)....... -- --
Total stockholder's
(deficit) equity.... 57,203 41,185
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Represents the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to our
credit facility in 1997 and our am ended and restated credit facility in
1998.
(2) Represents accrued and unpaid dividends and accretion on Class A mandatorily
redeemable preferred stock.
(3) Adjusted for $0.8 million of financial restructuring charges included in
general and administrative expenses.
(4) Includes current portion. See our consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
32
<PAGE> 33
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the
periods indicated are set forth below. For purposes of calculating the ratio of
earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" represents income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes and cumulative effects of accounting changes and
extraordinary items plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" consists of interest
expense, amortization of deferred financing costs and the component of rental
expense that we believe is representative of the interest component of rental
expense.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANKER COAL
GROUP, INC.
ANKER GROUP, INC. ANKER COAL -------------
------------------------------- GROUP, INC.
YEARS ENDED ----------------- YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JANUARY 1, 1996 AUGUST 1, 1996 ADJUSTED COMBINED FOR DECEMBER 31,
------------- TO TO THE YEAR ENDED -------------
1994 1995 JULY 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1996(C) 1997 1998
----- ----- --------------- ----------------- --------------------- ----- -----
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Historical
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(a)................. 1.8x 1.6x 1.3x 1.4x 1.3x -- --
Pro Forma
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(b)................. -- --
<CAPTION>
ANKER COAL
GROUP, INC.
-------------
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------
1998 1999
----- -----
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
Historical
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(a)................. -- --
Pro Forma
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(b)................. -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
and 1999. Additional earnings of approximately $0.6 million, $113.2 million
(which includes loss on impairment of investment and restructuring of $90.7
million), $25.1 million and $16.2 million would have been required to cover
fixed charges in the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998 and the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
(b) Pro forma earnings were inadequate to cover pro forma fixed charges for the
year ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999
after giving pro forma effect to the private exchange, private placement and
private stockholder exchange of old notes on October 28, 1999 and the
application of the net proceeds from the private placement as set forth in
"Use of Proceeds" as if they had occurred on January 1, 1998 and 1999,
respectively; additional pro forma earnings of $116.2 million, which
includes loss on impairment of investment and restructuring of $90.7
million, and $17.9 million would have been required to cover pro forma fixed
charges for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended
September 30, 1999, respectively.
(c) The adjusted combined statements of operations data and other data for the
year ended December 31, 1996 combine the results of operations of our
predecessor, Anker Group, Inc., for the period January 1, 1996 to July 31,
1996, and of us for the period August 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
33
<PAGE> 34
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have continued to experience liquidity problems during the calendar year
1999. To address these liquidity problems, on October 28, 1999, we completed a
private restructuring of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007 and a private
placement to raise additional capital. As discussed in more detail below, in the
transactions, a limited number of qualified noteholders exchanged $108.5 million
of their 9 3/4% notes for $86.8 million of the old notes being exchanged in this
exchange offer, as well as warrants to purchase our common stock. Exchanging
noteholders waived their right to receive the October 1, 1999 interest payment
on their notes and also consented to various amendments to the indenture
governing the 9 3/4% notes. In addition, we raised $11.2 million in cash through
the sale to Rothschild Recover Fund L.P. in a private placement of $13.2 million
principal amount of the old notes being exchanged in this exchange offer. The
funds raised in the private placement were applied against the revolving credit
facility under our loan agreement with Foothill. As a result, as of February 1,
2000, we had $12.9 million of availability under our revolving credit facility.
We recorded the private placement, the private exchange and the private
stockholder exchange in accordance with FAS-15 "Accounting By Debtors and
Creditors For Troubled Debt Restructurings." In the private exchange, the
carrying amount of $125.0 million principal amount of 9 3/4% notes and the
accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $6.1 million will be compared to
the principal and interest payments on the old notes over time. To the extent
the carrying amount is less than the interest and principal on the old notes, we
will adjust the carrying amount. We do not expect to change our carrying amount
in connection with the private exchange. The private exchange had tax
ramifications that we expect to result in the recording of income tax expense on
our financial statements. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We
could have income tax liability as a result of the restructuring of our 9 3/4%
Series B Senior Notes."
Our loan agreement with Foothill provides us with up to a $55.0 million
credit facility. The credit facility consists of a commitment for a $40.0
million working capital revolver and a term loan with an original principal
amount of $15.0 million. Commitments under the credit facility will expire in
2002. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of our present and
future assets.
Borrowings under the revolver are limited to 85% of eligible accounts
receivable and 65% of eligible inventory and bear interest, at our option, at
either 1% above the prime interest rate or at 3 3/4% above the adjusted
Eurodollar rate. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the average interest rate
under the revolver was approximately 8.75%. The term loan bears interest at
2 1/2% above the prime interest rate and is payable in monthly installments
through 2002. The average interest rate for the term loan for the year ended
December 31, 1998 was approximately 10.25%.
The following table sets forth the amounts outstanding and borrowing
availability under our loan agreement with Foothill as of the dates shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVOLVING REVOLVING ADDITIONAL
CREDIT CREDIT INTERIM
DATE TERM LOAN BORROWINGS AVAILABILITY AVAILABILITY
- -------- --------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/98.. $15.0 $ 1.9 $15.5 --
03/31/99.. 14.4 1.4 16.5 --
06/30/99.. 13.9 12.9 6.9 --
09/30/99.. 13.3 10.9 6.7 2.0
10/31/99.. 13.2 3.0 14.9 2.0
02/01/00.. 12.5 1.8 12.9 --
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 35
The term loan changes are based on the normal amortization of the loan,
except that
- in July 1999, the term loan was paid down through the application of
approximately $1.25 million of asset sale proceeds, and
- in September 1999, under the terms of an amendment to the loan agreement,
Foothill reversed this payment, which caused the term loan to increase by
the same amount, and reapplied the proceeds to reduce revolving credit
borrowings in order to provide us with additional liquidity
The increase in the revolving credit borrowings since March 31, 1999 is
primarily related to
- our borrowing to make the interest payment on our 9 3/4% notes on April
29, 1999,
- performing reclamation in Webster County, West Virginia and
- capital expenditures.
Revolving credit availability also had been reduced as a result of lower
coal production and coal shipments. Changes in coal production and the resulting
changes in coal inventory and accounts receivable will impact future revolving
credit availability.
The loan agreement with Foothill contains covenants that, among other
matters, restrict or limit our ability
- to pay interest and dividends,
- incur indebtedness,
- acquire or sell assets and
- make capital expenditures.
In particular, the loan agreement with Foothill (1) requires that we
maintain specified minimum levels of cash flow, as defined in the loan
agreement, during the term of the loan and (2) prohibits us from making capital
expenditures in any fiscal year in excess of $12.0 million. As of September 30,
1999, we were required to have a minimum cash flow of $8.0 million. As of
September 30, 1999, we had a cash flow of $12.1 million for the nine-month
period then ended. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, we had
made capital expenditures of $5.2 million, and we believe that our capital
expenditures for fiscal year 1999 were below the $9.3 million we budgeted for
that year. The loan agreement also provides that, in order to advance funds to
the guarantors and us under the loan agreement, the borrowers under the loan
agreement must have borrowing availability of at least $5.0 million after giving
effect to the advances and for the 30 days immediately preceding the advances.
That borrowing availability must be at least $10 million if the advanced funds
are to be used to prepay or purchase notes. As of February 1, 2000, borrowing
availability under the loan agreement was $12.9 million. With respect to the
term loan, in addition to regularly scheduled amortizing principal and interest
payments, the loan agreement requires that we apply the first $5.0 million of
proceeds from designated asset sales to the repayment of the term loan. As of
February 1, 2000, no amounts had been applied to the $5.0 million requirement.
Proceeds used to repay the term loan cannot be reborrowed.
The indenture governing the old notes and the new notes also contains
covenants that restrict or limit our ability to, among other things, sell
assets, pay dividends, redeem stock and incur additional indebtedness. See
"Description of the New Notes" for a full discussion of the covenants under the
indenture.
We are currently in compliance with the covenants and restrictions in the
loan agreement with Foothill, as discussed above, as well as the indenture
governing the old notes and the new notes. In the event we were to fail to be in
compliance with any one or more of the covenants under our loan agreement with
Foothill, Foothill would have various rights and remedies which it could
exercise, including the right to (1) prohibit us from borrowing under the
revolving credit facility, (2) accelerate all outstanding borrowings and (3)
foreclose on the collateral securing the loan. Similarly, if we were not in
compliance
35
<PAGE> 36
with the covenants in the indenture, if we defaulted on a payment of our other
senior secured indebtedness or if our other senior secured indebtedness were
accelerated as a result of a default under that indebtedness, including the loan
agreement with Foothill, the trustee and the noteholders would have various
rights and remedies, including the right to call the notes and, except as
limited by the intercreditor agreement, to foreclose on the collateral that
secures the notes. See "Description of Other Indebtedness -- Intercreditor
Agreement."
Our independent public accountants included a going concern explanatory
paragraph in their accountants' report on our consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 1998. Specifically, the independent public
accountants stated that because we have, among other things, experienced
recurring losses and negative cash flow from operations and have a retained
deficit, they had substantial doubt about or ability to continue as a going
concern. See the consolidated financial statements for the period ended December
31, 1998 included elsewhere in this prospectus for the report of our independent
public accountants. The issuance of the explanatory paragraph by our independent
public accountants in their report on our consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 1998 caused a default under our agreement with
Foothill. Foothill, however, waived this default.
CURRENT PERIOD CASH FLOWS
During the first nine months of 1999, we used $1.5 million in our operating
activities and $2.2 million in our investing activities, and $3.7 million was
provided from our financing activities. Consistent with 1998, we have used
financing proceeds to fund our operating and investing deficits. Throughout the
first nine months of 1999, we continued to have negative cash flows from
operations. During the first and second quarters, we continued operating our own
deep mines and incurred significantly higher operating and general and
administrative costs. During the third quarter, we completed our transition to
contract miners and began to achieve improved operating cash. We believe that
this transition will favorably impact future cash flows from operations.
Our investing activities during 1999 were focused on reducing capital
expenditures and disposing of assets no longer useful in our business plan. The
purchase of properties includes amounts paid to develop an additional deep mine
in Upshur County. Future capital for this mine and our other deep mines is, and
will be in the future, the responsibility of the applicable contract miner.
Compared to prior years, we have been successful in disposing of land and other
assets for cash that are either from completed operations or, based on our
business plan, will not be utilized in the future. In the third quarter of 1999,
we sold substantially all of our undeveloped coal reserves located in Preston
County, West Virginia and received $1.25 million in cash plus royalties on
future production.
Our financing activities, as discussed throughout this prospectus, were
first to fund our operating and investing needs, including the payment of
interest. Most of the remaining activities were the efforts made to complete the
financial restructuring, including the payment of debt issuance costs.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We budgeted approximately $9.3 million for capital expenditures for 1999.
As of September 30, 1999, we had incurred approximately $5.2 million of capital
expenditures. With the transition from operating our own deep mines to
contracting with others to run our deep mines, some of the capital expenditures
previously budgeted will no longer be necessary. As a result of this and other
factors, we expect that capital expenditures for 1999 will be less than the $9.3
million budgeted amount. Only $214,000 of capital expenditures were committed as
of September 30, 1999, and all of these commitments were fulfilled during the
fourth quarter of 1999.
Capital expenditures have historically exceeded 1999 levels. However, with
the use of contract miners at our deep mines, future capital expenditures will
be significantly lower because the contract miners are generally responsible for
mine maintenance and development capital expenditures. Our future capital
expenditures will be incurred for new mine acquisitions or development, surface
mining equipment, surface facilities and maintenance or improvement of existing
processing and loading facilities. $750,000 of
36
<PAGE> 37
expected capital expenditures are currently committed. We expect to make capital
expenditures of approximately $5.3 million in 2000, $1.3 million in 2001, $5.6
million in 2002 and $1.1 million in 2003.
As more fully described in the notes to the financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus, we were required to pay in January 2000
approximately $1.6 million to the Trustees of the United Mine Workers of America
Combined Benefit Fund for disputed fund premiums, including interest and
penalties. The payment was funded with borrowings under our revolving credit
facility. See "Business -- Legal Proceedings."
We are required to pay advance minimum royalties under our coal leases.
Advance minimum royalties represent payments that we make as the coal lessee to
landowners for the right to mine coal from the landowners' property. We made
royalty payments of approximately $12.3 million during 1998, $13.2 million
during 1997, $5.3 million for the period August 1, 1996 through December 31,
1996, and $4.7 million for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996.
Required advance minimum royalty payments under our current leases are: $5.3
million in 1999; $4.9 million in 2000; $4.1 million in 2001; $3.1 million in
2002; and $3.1 million in 2003.
We have office and mining equipment operating lease agreements. Total rent
expense approximated $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, $9.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1997, $3.3 million for the period August
1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $5.0 million for the period January 1,
1996 through July 31, 1996. Minimum annual rentals for office and mining
equipment are approximately $9.7 million in 1999; $7.0 million in 2000; $3.2
million in 2001; $1.5 million in 2002; and $259,000 in 2003.
As set forth under "Historical and Pro Forma Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges," our earnings have been insufficient to cover our fixed charges since
1997. These deficits forced us to borrow funds to satisfy the deficits and to
fund capital expenditures and other financing and investing needs. As a result
of these borrowings, our fixed charges continued to increase. With the
additional fixed charges and our poor financial performance in 1998, we began
experiencing liquidity problems and increased lending rates. To address this
situation, we developed a new business plan, as discussed in detail below under
"-- Business Plan."
As a result of the private exchange transaction discussed below and the
public exchange offer we plan to conduct for our remaining 9 3/4% notes, we may
incur income tax liabilities. As of October 28, 1999, we estimated that our tax
liability could be as much as $7.0 million. That estimate is subject to
uncertainty, and the actual tax liability may be less than that amount. We are
currently finalizing our determination of the tax liability that will result
from the private exchange transaction. If we are required to pay tax, it will be
due and payable on March 15, 2000. We intend to borrow the funds to pay any tax
due from the revolving credit facility under our loan agreement with Foothill.
The amount of this tax we are required to pay will directly reduce our revolving
credit facility borrowing availability, which would otherwise be available to
fund operations, make capital expenditures and service debt obligations.
BUSINESS PLAN
In late 1998, in response to poor operating and financial performance
during 1998, we developed a plan to improve our operating performance and
improve short and long-term liquidity. The plan has four objectives:
- obtain more flexible senior financing;
- improve cash flow from operations;
- raise cash by selling selected assets; and
- reduce our debt and secure additional liquidity.
We achieved the first objective of the plan in November 1998, when we and
our subsidiaries entered into a loan and security agreement with Foothill
Capital Corporation, as agent, and other lenders. The
37
<PAGE> 38
credit facilities issued under the loan agreement refinanced and replaced the
amended and restated credit facility with The Chase Manhattan Bank and others
that had provided for a $71 million line of credit. Our ability to borrow funds
under the prior credit facility with Chase was limited by financial ratios we
were required to meet. Due to our poor financial performance during 1998, we
thus had insufficient borrowing availability under that credit facility. The new
credit facility with Foothill, on the other hand, provides us with additional
flexibility because availability under the facility is based on the value of our
assets. As a result, we have additional borrowing availability. For a
description of the credit facility, see "Description of Other
Indebtedness -- Credit Facility."
The second objective of our plan is to improve cash flow from operations
through the use of contract mining services for our underground mining
operations. We believe that our use of contract miners will reduce operating
expenses, general and administrative expenses and month-to-month cost
fluctuations. In addition, because the contract miners are responsible for mine
development and maintenance, we will have reduced capital costs. We have
completed this objective of the plan. In early April 1999, we entered into a
contract mining agreement for the operations in Garrett County, Maryland, and
the contract miner began operations on April 12, 1999. In addition, we have
entered into contract mining agreements for our mining operations in Upshur,
Barbour and Raleigh counties in West Virginia. The contract miners for the
Upshur and Barbour county mines began operations on June 1, 1999, and the
contractor for the Raleigh County mine began operations on July 5, 1999. We have
also signed a contract mining agreement for our new deep mine in Upshur County,
which began operations on September 20, 1999.
The third objective of our plan involves the sale of selected non-operating
assets and non-strategic operating properties. The non-operating assets that we
are seeking to sell are those that require substantial development costs and/or
have significant holding costs. The operating properties that we plan to sell
either complement non-operating assets being held for sale or are not integral
to our long-term operating strategy. We have been discussing the sale of these
properties with third parties. In July 1999, we sold selected coal reserves in
Preston and Taylor counties, West Virginia for net proceeds of $1.25 million
plus royalties on future production. The cash proceeds from this asset sale were
applied to reduce the amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility
under our loan agreement with Foothill.
We believe that our financial condition and the condition of the coal
industry have hampered our efforts to market other properties, but we believe
that we will be successful in selling all or a part of these assets during the
next 12 to 24 months. However, we cannot assure you that asset sales will be
completed on terms acceptable, if at all. We expect to raise approximately $20.0
million from the sale of these selected assets. Because these assets are either
non-operating or non-strategic properties, we do not expect these sales to
reduce future results of operations. As required by the agreements governing our
indebtedness, we will use the proceeds we receive either to permanently reduce
debt or to fund capital expenditures. In particular, our loan agreement with
Foothill requires that we apply the first $5.0 million of designated asset sale
proceeds to the repayment of the term loan. While this will reduce our debt, the
payments we make against the term loan cannot be reborrowed. As a result, we
will not be able to use the first $5.0 million of proceed from these asset sales
to reinvest in our business, fund operations or service the indebtedness on our
outstanding notes.
The indenture governing the old notes and the new notes also restricts our
use of asset sale proceeds. Under the indenture, we are permitted to use the
first $1.0 million of asset sale proceeds for general corporate purposes. We may
use proceeds in excess of $1.0 million for permitted purposes, including paying
senior secured debt and making specified capital expenditures. To the extent
that we do not use those asset sale proceeds in excess of $1.0 million for
permitted purposes, we must use 60% of those proceeds to redeem the notes. We
may use the remaining 40% for general corporate purposes. See "Description of
the New Notes -- Mandatory Redemption From Excess Asset Sale Proceeds."
The fourth and final objective of the plan involves reducing our overall
debt level and securing additional liquidity. We believe that this objective of
the plan will be achieved in part through the success of the other objectives of
the plan. This objective has also been furthered, in part, through our
consummation, on October 28, 1999, of a private restructuring of our 9 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2007, a
38
<PAGE> 39
private placement to raise additional capital and a private stockholder
exchange. In the private restructuring, a limited number of qualified
noteholders exchanged $108.5 million in principal amount of our 9 3/4% Series B
Senior Notes due 2007 they held for $86.8 million in principal amount of 14.25%
Series A Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2007 (PIK through April 1,
2000). Exchanging noteholders waived their right to receive the October 1, 1999
interest payment on the exchanged notes, and they also received warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 20% of our common stock at an initial exercise price of
$0.01 per share. See "Description of the Warrants." We believe the exercise
price represents the fair value of the warrants at the issue date. In connection
with the private exchange, the exchanging holders consented to amendments to the
indenture governing the remaining $16.5 million outstanding 9 3/4% notes, which,
among other things, modify or eliminate various covenants of that indenture. In
the private placement, we raised $11.2 million in cash through the sale to
Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P., also one of the exchanging noteholders, of $13.2
million principal amount of old notes and warrants to purchase 10% of our common
stock at an initial exercise price of $0.01. We plan to conduct a public
exchange offer of new notes for the remaining outstanding 9 3/4% notes, either
as an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act or under an exemption
from Securities Act registration for exchanges with existing security holders.
In the public exchange offer, we plan to offer holders of 9 3/4% notes $743 in
principal amount of new notes for each $1,000 in principal amount of 9 3/4%
notes exchanged.
The private stockholder exchange consisted of our issuing $6.0 million
aggregate principal amount of old notes to JJF Group Limited Liability Company
in exchange for cancellation of the shares of our common stock that JJF Group
owned and JJF Group's relinquishment of its right to require us to buy that
stock over time for approximately $10.5 million, including accrued interest. JJF
Group is an entity controlled by the estate of John J. Faltis, our former
President and Chief Executive Officer who was killed in a helicopter accident on
October 12, 1997 in Upshur County, West Virginia.
As a part of the closing of the restructuring of the 9 3/4% notes, Foothill
consented to the restructuring transactions and waived existing defaults under
the loan agreement.
The private exchange transaction reduced the stated principal amount of our
long-term debt by $21.7 million, and we eliminated approximately $4.0 million of
additional obligations through the transaction with JJF Group. However, the
additional principal amount of notes issued in the private placement to
Rothschild Recovery Fund and the notes to be issued in lieu of the April 1, 2000
interest payment will partially offset the principal reduction accomplished in
the private exchange. That principal reduction will also be offset if we issue
notes to Rothschild in connection with the October 1, 2000 interest payment as
discussed below.
The need to make interest payments on the 9 3/4% notes had significantly
limited our operating flexibility and substantially reduced our ability to grow
or replenish our production base. The purpose of the private restructuring was
to provide additional working capital and give us a limited period of time in
which to use our cash to try to implement our business plan and improve our cash
flow, instead of for making interest payments.
By completing the restructuring, we have provided adequate capital
resources to meet our short-term liquidity needs. The private restructuring
allowed us to satisfy our obligation to pay approximately $5.3 million of the
total $6.1 million of accrued interest on the 9 3/4% notes due October 1, 1999
by issuing new notes rather than by paying cash. In addition, we raised a total
of $11.2 million in cash by selling old notes to Rothschild Recovery Fund as
part of the private restructuring, all of which is available to finance our
operations and growth. Although the old notes we issued in the private
restructuring carry a higher interest rate than our 9 3/4% notes do, we will not
have to use any of our cash to make the interest payment that is due April 1,
2000 on the old notes and the new notes because we will pay that interest by
issuing additional notes.
Beginning on October 1, 2000, we must pay interest on the notes in cash.
However, we have the option to raise up to $6.3 million of the funds needed for
that purpose by selling additional new notes to Rothschild. Rothschild's
agreement to purchase the additional new notes from us is subject to various
conditions, including the absence of a material adverse change or material liens
on the collateral securing
39
<PAGE> 40
the new notes arising after the closing of the private placement. We will need
to pay the portion of the October 1, 2000 interest payment that is not covered
by the sale of additional new notes to Rothschild, and all interest payments
after October 1, 2000, from
- operating cash flow,
- borrowings under credit facilities,
- asset sale proceeds or
- other sources.
Our long-term interest expense will be greater than it was before the
private restructuring because the notes we issued carry an interest rate of
14.25% per year. As we continue to implement our business plan, however, we
intend to increase cash flow and improve profitability to the point that we will
be able to service the new notes and any remaining old notes and 9 3/4% notes
without impairing operations. Our strategy may not be successful, however. Our
ability to service our long-term debt on October 1, 2000 and beyond will depend
upon a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 COMPARED TO THE THREE AND NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
COAL SALES AND RELATED REVENUES. Coal sales and related revenues decreased
23.3% from $78.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $60.0
million for the three months ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month
periods ended September 30, the decrease was 22.9% from $226.1 million for 1998
to $174.3 million for 1999. Approximately 87% of the 1999 decrease in coal sales
and related revenues was due to lower production levels , and 13% was due to
pricing changes, as discussed below.
Coal sales volume decreased 12.5% from 3.2 million tons for the three
months ended September 30, 1998 to 2.8 million tons for the three months ended
September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, the decrease
was 16.0% from 9.4 million tons for 1998 to 7.9 million tons for 1999. These
decreases in coal sales volume were due to reduced coal production. The
following table presents the coal production, including coal purchased from
third parties for blending, from each of the counties in which we produced coal.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 1998 1998 1999
------------ ------------ ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS OF TONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Webster County, West Virginia............... 2,012 1,271 1,016 443
Barbour County, West Virginia............... 1,555 1,222 974 752
Monongalia County, West Virginia............ 1,299 1,134 870 599
Raleigh County, West Virginia............... 1,016 941 745 439
Preston County, West Virginia............... 694 512 407 142
Garrett County, Maryland.................... 305 286 202 334
Harrison County, West Virginia.............. 725 316 245 254
Grant County, West Virginia................. 623 703 555 256
Upshur County, West Virginia................ 204 960 685 963
Shelby County, Alabama...................... 182 -- -- --
----- ----- ----- -----
Total..................................... 8,615 7,345 5,699 4,181
===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE> 41
The decrease in coal production for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1999 as compared to the same period for 1998 was primarily due to the
following:
- We idled our Webster County surface mine in December 1998. In addition,
we completed operations at the contract deep mine in Webster County in
the third quarter of 1999, because the deep mine's reserve base had been
depleted. We do not expect to resume operations in Webster County in the
foreseeable future. We fulfilled our sales commitments with coal we
produced from other mines and coal we purchased from third parties. We
expect to replace a portion of the production lost from the closing of
this operation from new coal mines that we have opened in Upshur County,
West Virginia.
- We idled the Grant County surface mine in December 1998. This surface
mine was idled because we had mined all of its then permitted reserves,
and we were not able to obtain a new mining permit for the adjacent
properties until December 1999. With the idling of the surface mine at
Grant County, we were unable to sell the portion of production from the
Grant County deep mine that had previously been blended with coal from
the idled surface mine. As a result of this and other factors, we idled
the deep mine in February 1999, which caused an additional decline in
coal production. Now that we have the permit for the surface mine, we
expect to resume coal production in April 2000. We are also evaluating
the possibility of resuming operations in the deep mine with the use of a
contract miner.
- We completed one contract mining operation in Preston County during the
fourth quarter of 1998. We expect production to cease at the remaining
contract deep mine in Preston County in the first quarter of 2000 because
the mine's reserve base will be depleted. We will replace coal produced
in this county with coal from our new deep mine in Upshur County.
- We implemented a reduced production schedule at our Raleigh County deep
mine during 1999. We reduced production in response to changing geologic
and market conditions and to more effectively mine the remaining
reserves. The Raleigh County deep mine will continue to produce at a
reduced tonnage level for its remaining life.
While we experienced lower production at the mines described above, tonnage
levels during 1999 as compared to the same period for 1998 increased at our
Upshur County, West Virginia deep mine and our Garrett County, Maryland deep
mine. These increases partially offset the decreases described above. Further
production increases are expected in Upshur County, which will partially restore
overall coal sales volumes.
Coal sales and related revenues consists of sales of company-produced coal,
brokered coal and commission coal, as well as other revenue. The revenues
attributable to each are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS NINE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
----- ----- ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Company Produced Sales..................... $35.2 $55.1 $111.1 $160.6
Brokered Coal Sales........................ 24.1 22.1 60.4 62.3
Commission Coal Sales...................... 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.8
Other Revenue.............................. 0.6 0.8 2.2 2.4
----- ----- ------ ------
$60.0 $78.2 $174.3 $226.1
===== ===== ====== ======
</TABLE>
The average selling price per ton sold on company-produced sales decreased
4.9% from $27.60 for the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $26.25 for the
three months ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods ended
September 30, the decrease was 5.3% from $27.71 for 1998 to $26.22 for 1999.
These decreases were primarily related to a reduction in the proportionate share
of sales of our
41
<PAGE> 42
higher priced metallurgical coal to total sales. Our metallurgical coal is
produced entirely in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
The average selling price per ton sold on brokered coal sales increased
0.9% from $28.78 for the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $29.04 for the
three months ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods ended
September 30, the increase was 1.7% from $28.85 for 1998 to $29.34 for 1999.
This increase was primarily related to contractual price increases on some of
our long-term contracts supplied with brokered coal.
As discussed under "Business -- Long-Term Coal Supply Contracts," a
substantial majority of our coal is sold under long-term contracts. Over the
past several years, we have been successful in renewing in excess of 95% of all
of our long-term sales contracts. Most recently, we have renewed contracts with
Allegheny Energy's Harrison Plant, PEPCO's Chalk Point and Morgantown Plants,
A.K. Steel's Ashland and Middletown Plants and BG&E's Wagner and Crane Plants.
Each of these contracts was scheduled to expire at the end of 1999, and, with
the exception of the PEPCO contract, we have renewed them through 2001. Our
PEPCO contract is scheduled to expire at the end of 2000, and PEPCO has the
unilateral right to extend the contract for one additional year. Although we do
know at this time whether PEPCO will renew its contract, we have done business
with PEPCO for 17 continuous years, and we were successful in having the
contract renewed for the year 2000. If PEPCO does not renew the contract, we
would attempt to sell the coal at equivalent prices, but we cannot assure you
that we would be successful in doing so. If PEPCO does not renew and we are
unable to sell the coal at substantially equivalent prices, our financial
condition would be materially adversely affected.
Some of our long-term contracts are at above-market prices. We estimate
that for the nine months ended September 30, 1999, a total of approximately $6.4
million of our cash flow is attributable to the extent by which our contract
prices exceed current market prices for coal of comparable quality.
VEPCO has the right to terminate one of its contracts with us, as described
under "Business -- Mining Operations -- Grant County, West Virginia," although
VEPCO has indicated to us by letter dated February 1, 2000 that it would not do
so if mining operations at the Grant County mine resume shortly. We expect to
resume mining at the Grant County surface mine in April 2000. Although we do not
expect VEPCO to terminate its contract, if VEPCO did terminate, we would
reevaluate the operation of our surface mine in Grant County, West Virginia. If
we decided not to operate this surface mine, we estimate that this would
negatively impact cash flow by approximately $1.2 million in 2000.
Cost of Operations and Selling Expenses. The cost of operations and
selling expenses decreased 26.5% from $73.5 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 to $54.0 million for the three months ended September 30,
1999. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, the decrease was 26.6%
from $214.4 million for 1998 to $157.4 million for 1999. The cost of operations
and selling expenses decreased 13.5% from $22.65 per ton shipped for the three
months ended September 30, 1998 to $19.60 per ton shipped for the three months
ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, the
decrease was 12.9% from $22.73 per ton shipped for 1998 to $19.80 per ton
shipped for 1999. The decreases resulted from the implementation of our business
plan to transition from operating our own deep mines to contracting with third
parties to operate our deep mines and from the idling of some of our higher cost
mines.
Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses decreased from $7.5
million for the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $7.4 million for the
three months ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods ended
September 30, other expenses decreased from $20.8 million for 1998 to $20.2
million for 1999. Other operating expenses includes general and administrative
expenses and depreciation, depletion and amortization.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased 3.7% from $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 1998
to $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 1999. However, general
and administrative expenses decreased 12.8% from $7.8 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 to $6.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30,
42
<PAGE> 43
1999. The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the nine-month
period primarily resulted from management changes we made as we restructured our
mining operations. The increase for the three-month period is primarily related
to the costs we incurred in connection with the private restructuring discussed
above and are not expected to continue beyond 1999. We recorded approximately
$0.8 million as of September 30, 1999, for costs in connection with the private
restructuring.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization decreased 4.2% from $4.8 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1998 to $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30,
1999. However, depreciation, depletion and amortization increased 3.1% from
$13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 to $13.4 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1999. As a result of the restructuring of
our deep mining operations that took place in 1998, we reviewed the carrying
value of long-lived assets to determine whether that value was recoverable from
future undiscounted operating cash flows. Based on the results of that review,
we impaired those assets in 1998 and adjusted prospectively the remaining asset
life based on the cash flow analysis. Accordingly, the useful life of goodwill
was reduced from 40 years to a prospective period ranging from 3 to 20 years,
and the useful life of various fixed assets was also reduced. These reductions
in useful life resulted in higher depreciation, depletion and amortization. We
expect depreciation, depletion and amortization to increase by $1.2 million for
the reduction of the useful life of goodwill.
Loss On Impairment And Restructuring Charges. We recorded loss on
impairment and restructuring charges of $1.1 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1999, and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1999.
The loss on impairment and restructuring recorded in the third quarter
consisted of three items. First, the operating sections of our Barbour County
deep mine were moved from one area of the reserve to another. As a result of the
move, various unamortized assets were no longer useful in the mining operation,
and we recorded a $0.6 million charge. Other unamortized assets associated with
this area of the Barbour County operation totaling $1.7 million were not
impaired because we believe these assets will be used for future mining
activities. Second, in connection with the close down of our operations in
Webster County, we recorded $1.0 million of additional charges for reclamation
and other close down costs to be incurred over the next four months. The third
component of the loss consists of an income offset of $0.5 million relating to
the disposition of coal reserves in Preston and Taylor counties, West Virginia,
that were previously impaired during the fourth quarter of 1998.
During the second quarter of 1999, we reviewed the carrying value of
computer software and determined that, in connection with the use of contract
miners at our deep mines, some software would no longer be utilized. As a
result, we recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million. In addition, we recorded
an impairment of $2.4 million relating to properties located in Tazewell County,
Virginia. This impairment was the result of pricing decreases in the
metallurgical coal markets, which directly affects future cash flows expected
from this property and, as a result, current fair market value. We considered
all available information to determine fair market value. In that regard, we
considered oral indications of purchase offers to be most relevant. The $2.4
million impairment represents reductions in reserve asset value and the accrual
of advanced minimum royalties we were required to pay on these properties.
We recorded loss on impairment and restructuring charges of $5.5 million
for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and $7.3 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998. As discussed in more detail below, during the
first nine months of 1998, we
- impaired our remaining investment in Oak Mountain,
- initiated steps to reduce general and administrative expenses,
- recorded an impairment relating to impairment losses on pieces of mining
equipment and
- recorded a reclamation charge relating to a change in the mine plan for
the Webster County.
During the third quarter of 1998, we recorded a reclamation charge of $5.1
million relating to a change in the mine plan for our Webster County operation.
43
<PAGE> 44
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 12.1% from $3.3 million for
the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $3.7 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods, the increase was 16.0%
from $9.4 million for 1998 to $10.9 million for 1999. The increases were due to
an increase in the average outstanding indebtedness and average effective
interest rate from the periods in 1998 to the same periods in 1999. In
connection with the financial restructuring, we expect additional increases in
interest expense for the future.
Other Income And Expense. Other income increased 300% from $0.3 million
for the three months ended September 30, 1998 to $1.2 million for the three
months ended September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods, the increase was
225% from $0.8 million for 1998 to $2.6 million for 1999. The increase in income
for the nine-month period was attributable primarily to $0.6 million of income
from the sale of real property and mining equipment that was no longer useful in
our business and $0.3 million of income we received for services we rendered
under a fuel agency agreement. The remaining increase for this period is
attributable to a combination of other items, each of which is less than
$250,000, including (1) prior year franchise tax refunds, (2) settlement on a
prior year sublease dispute, (3) rental income from equipment leased to
contractors and (4) royalty income on leased property.
Other income and expense usually includes
- gain or loss from the sale of assets,
- interest income,
- royalty income,
- production tax credits,
- timber sales and
- miscellaneous income and expense items.
Income Taxes. The income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1999 is based on the effective tax rate expected to be applicable
for the full year. We have established a full valuation allowance on the net
operating loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards and contribution
carryforwards because the realization of these assets is uncertain. In addition,
we received a refund of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 1999 related to a
prior year federal tax deposit. We established a valuation allowance for these
items because we were not certain that we would be able to realize these items.
In connection with the expected income tax consequences relating to the
restructuring transactions, we may use the carryforwards, which will result in
the recognition of a tax benefit. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to
Anker -- We could have income tax liability as a result of the restructuring of
our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes."
Net Loss. Our net loss decreased $3.2 million from $8.1 million for the
three months ended September 30, 1998 to $4.9 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1999. For the nine-month periods, the decrease was $2.0 million
from $18.0 million for 1998 to $16.0 million for 1999. The decreases in net loss
are primarily the result of the reduction of operating and selling expenses
discussed above.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Coal Sales and Related Revenues. Coal sales and related revenues decreased
9.8% from $323.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $291.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 1998. Approximately 96.6% of the decrease in
coal sales and related revenue was due to lower production levels, and 3.4% of
the decrease was due to pricing changes, as discussed below. Coal sales volume
decreased 8.2% from 13.4 million tons for the year ended December 31, 1997 to
12.3 million tons for the year ended December 31, 1998. The following table
presents the coal production, including coal purchased
44
<PAGE> 45
from third parties for blending, from each of the counties in which we produced
coal for the previous five years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED,
-------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
(IN THOUSANDS OF TONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Webster County, West Virginia............................ 2,108 1,889 1,998 2,012 1,271
Barbour County, West Virginia............................ 1,497 1,883 1,787 1,555 1,222
Monongalia County, West Virginia......................... 917 1,288 1,743 1,299 1,134
Raleigh County, West Virginia............................ 123 641 948 1,016 941
Preston County, West Virginia............................ 1,021 893 886 694 512
Garrett County, Maryland................................. 156 293 300 305 286
Harrison County, West Virginia........................... -- -- -- 725 316
Grant County, West Virginia.............................. -- -- -- 623 703
Upshur County, West Virginia............................. -- -- -- 204 960
Shelby County, Alabama................................... -- -- -- 182 --
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total.................................................. 5,822 6,887 7,662 8,615 7,345
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
The decrease in coal production for the year ended December 31, 1998 as
compared to the same period for 1997 was due primarily to the following:
- We completed one contract mining operation in Preston County during the
fourth quarter of 1998. We replaced coal produced at that contract mine
with coal from our Upshur County operations.
- We implemented a new mining plan at our Barbour County operations during
the fourth quarter of 1997, which, as expected, resulted in lower
production.
- We experienced significant rainfall at our Webster County surface mine
during the first quarter of 1998, which reduced our ability to dispose of
preparation plant refuse and caused an increase in inventory. The
inventory handling issues eventually prevented the mine from operating
efficiently according to its mine plan. During March 1998, we idled this
mine to reduce inventory. The mine restarted operations in May 1998 at
reduced levels and continued to produce at reduced levels through the
third quarter of 1998. During the fourth quarter of 1998, we idled the
surface mining activities in Webster County. Deep mining operations are
expected to continue until mid-1999.
- At our Harrison County operations, we discontinued acquiring blending
coal from other producers and only produced from our own mine during
1998.
Increases in production at mines we previously acquired or developed during
1997, including Grant County and Upshur County operations, and additional sales
of coal that we purchased from other producers partially offset the decline in
coal sales described above.
Coal sales and related revenues consists of sales of company-produced coal,
brokered coal, and commission coal, as well as other revenue. The revenues
attributable to each are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1998 1997
------- -------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Company Produced Sales................................. $207.1 $234.1
Brokered Coal Sales.................................... 80.2 84.3
Commission Coal Sales.................................. 1.0 1.1
Other Revenue.......................................... 3.1 3.5
------ ------
$291.4 $323.0
====== ======
</TABLE>
The average selling price per ton sold on company-produced sales decreased
0.4% from $27.68 for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $27.57 for the year
ended December 31, 1998. This decrease was
45
<PAGE> 46
primarily related to a reduction in the proportionate share of sales of our
higher priced metallurgical coal to total sales. Our metallurgical coal is
produced entirely in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
The average selling price per ton sold on brokered coal sales decreased 6%
from $30.69 for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $28.86 for the year ended
December 31, 1998. This decrease is the result of our supplying selected
lower-priced higher-sulfur coal sales contracts with brokered coal and a
contractual price decrease on a long-term contract supplied with brokered coal.
Some of our long-term contracts are at above-market prices. We estimate
that for the year ended December 31, 1998, a total of approximately $9.5 million
of our cash flow is attributable to the extent by which our contract prices
exceed current market prices for coal of comparable quality.
COST OF OPERATIONS AND SELLING EXPENSES. The cost of operations and
selling expenses decreased 6.4% from $295.4 million for the year ended December
31, 1997 to $276.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The cost of
operations and selling expenses increased from $22.00 per ton shipped for the
year ended December 31, 1997 to $22.43 per ton shipped for the year ended
December 31, 1998. This increase was due to a reduction in production as
described above and higher operating costs at our Barbour and Raleigh county
underground mines. During 1998, we made significant changes in the management of
our operations, with an emphasis on adding experienced underground mine
managers. Once in place, the new management initiated efforts to
- improve safety,
- tighten capital expenditure requirements,
- improve operational tracking,
- revamp budgeting and forecasting processes, and
- initiate training programs to improve communications and productivity.
These efforts resulted in cost savings in our underground operations that
we began realizing in late 1998. We did not believe, however, that the realized
savings were large enough or sustainable. As a result, during 1999, we changed
from operating these mines ourselves to using contract miners to operate these
mines.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. Other operating expenses increased from $26.9
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $27.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. Other operating expenses includes general and administrative
expenses and depreciation, depletion and amortization.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
decreased 4.4% from $9.5 million for the year ended December 31 1997 to $9.1
million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The decrease in general and
administrative costs primarily resulted from changes in our staff necessary to
manage the lower mine production in 1998.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization increased 4.1% from $17.4 million for the year ended December 31,
1997 to $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase was due
to depreciation, depletion and amortization starting in 1998 on the mine
developed in Upshur County in 1997 and early 1998. The increase was partially
offset by reductions in production at other locations. As indicated below, we
recorded losses on impairment and restructuring charges that will impact future
depreciation, depletion and amortization. Accordingly, the useful life of
goodwill was reduced from 40 years to a prospective period ranging from three to
20 years, and the useful life of various fixed assets was also reduced.
LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES. During the fourth quarter of
1998, we initiated a comprehensive new business plan that is the basis for our
future direction and that of our operations. The development of a new business
plan was necessary based on several factors, including (1) the overall
deterioration of our operating performance and financial position, (2) a decline
in the coal market and (3) the changes in our senior operational management.
Most of the new senior operational management
46
<PAGE> 47
joined us in early 1998. While the new operational management was gaining an
understanding of our current and future business strategy, we continued to
exhaust our available liquidity through negative cash flow from operations,
capital expenditures required to maintain current production levels and methods
and a settlement with the estate of our former president and chief executive
officer. That settlement required us to make substantial payments over the next
three years. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, all senior operational
management changes had been completed, and the new management was sufficiently
knowledgeable to prepare performance forecasts. The forecasts were eventually
used to develop five-year cash flow forecasts and our new business plan. The new
business plan resulted in a significant shift in the long-term strategy of our
operations. Through the development of the new business plan, we determined that
the estimated future undiscounted cash flows were below the carrying value of
some properties, that some properties were to be exited and that other assets
were to be sold.
The major components of loss on impairment and restructuring charges were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Impairment of properties and investment(1).............. $44,416 $8,267
Exit costs.............................................. 25,411 --
Assets to be disposed................................... 15,983 --
Equipment leasehold termination costs................... 3,957 --
Other................................................... 950 --
------- ------
$90,717 $8,267
======= ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) This adjustment relates to active operations only. Our assets in Raleigh and
Preston counties include both active operations and inactive assets held for
sale. The adjustments for inactive assets held for sale are discussed
separately below.
Impairment of Properties and Investment. During 1998, we changed the
operational managers at each mine, and the new managers analyzed various
operating plans. This reevaluation resulted in a determination that carrying
values exceeded the expected discounted cash flows from the market and cost
assumptions. As a result, in 1998 we recorded losses on impairments for
properties and investments. The properties affected and the related asset
categories are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY,
PLANT ADVANCED
AND MINIMUM
DESCRIPTION EQUIPMENT ROYALTIES GOODWILL TOTAL
----------- --------- --------- -------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Raleigh County, WV...................................... -- -- $ 5,705 $ 5,705
Upshur County, WV....................................... $ 6,036 -- -- 6,036
Grant County, WV and Garrett County, MD................. 11,113 $7,009 -- 18,122
Monongalia County, WV and Preston County, WV............ 2,652 2,895 9,006 14,553
------- ------ ------- -------
$19,801 $9,904 $14,711 $44,416
======= ====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
Raleigh County. The impairment relating to Raleigh County, West Virginia,
is a result of a change in the expected future production from this property. As
more fully described under "Business -- Mining Operations," we controlled
additional reserves adjacent to our current mine that would have required
additional investment to mine. In late 1998, we decided not to make that
additional investment due to an insufficient expected return on investment, and
we subsequently surrendered the reserves. As a result, the life of the mine was
shortened and the expected future cash flows were reduced, which created the
$5.7 million impairment.
Upshur County. The impairment relating to Upshur County, West Virginia, is
an adjustment in the value of a coal preparation plant and loading facility that
we acquired in 1995. This facility was held idle for future use in connection
with our Upshur County coal operations. In early 1998, we entered into a
synthetic fuel project with a third party. We expected that the project would
provide capital improvements for these facilities and that the facilities would
be used in connection with the production and sale of the
47
<PAGE> 48
synthetic fuel. By the end of 1998, the synthetic fuel project was not
successful, and we no longer expected the capital improvements to be made.
Without the project and the expected capital improvements, the facility will
remain idle indefinitely. As a result, we recorded the impairment listed above.
The amount of the impairment represented the difference between the carrying
amount and a third-party appraisal performed in connection with our entering
into the loan agreement with Foothill. The appraisal valued the facilities in
their current state.
Grant and Garrett Counties. The impairments relating to Grant County, West
Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland are combined because our mines in these
neighboring counties serve the same coal market. These impairments relate to the
cancellation of a coal sales contract and the delay in obtaining a new mining
permit.
In 1998, we operated three coal mines in these two counties. Two of these
mines were acquired and developed in 1997. In connection with the acquisition of
one of these mines, we acquired two coal sales contracts. However, one of these
contracts was subsequently cancelled, and we were unable to sell the coal that
would have been sold under the cancelled contract. As a result, we adjusted our
mining operations for a lower production level and still believed we could
achieve the same level of performance through reducing our cost of mining.
During 1998, we evaluated various operating plans for these mines to improve
their financial performance. By the end of 1998, we determined that our
remaining operating plans would result in lower than expected operating
performance for the future.
In addition, at the same time, we were forced to idle our surface mine in
Grant County because we were unable to secure a new mining permit that was
necessary to continue the surface mine operation. See "Business -- Mining
Operations -- Grant County, Maryland." Although we assumed we could secure the
permit, which was in fact issued in December 1999, the delay resulted in
significantly lower cash flows on a present value basis.
As a result of the cancellation of the contract and the delay in the permit
issuance, we recorded the loss of impairment as shown above.
Monongalia and Preston Counties. The impairment for Monongalia and Preston
counties, West Virginia relates to the mining operations conducted by one of our
subsidiaries in those two counties. Of the total $14.9 million impairment, $14.5
million relates to the subsidiary's operations in Monongalia County and the
remaining $0.4 million of the impairment relates to its operations in Preston
County.
The impairment for Monongalia County relates primarily to reductions in the
price expected to be received for the high sulfur coal produced from these
operations. Although a substantial portion of our total production is sold under
long-term contracts, a significant portion of the production in Monongalia
County is sold on a short-term basis or in the spot market. See
"Business -- Long Term Coal Supply Contracts." As a result, these operations are
subject to price fluctuations. Over the past few years, the prices for this coal
have deteriorated. For example, during the period beginning June 1997 through
September 1998, spot prices for this quality of coal have decreased
approximately $3 per ton according to quotes and other published information.
These price reductions caused us to lower production levels and analyze various
operating strategies. The results of our analyses coupled with the market
changes lowered our estimated future cash flows from this property and, when
compared with our carrying values for the property, generated this impairment.
The $0.4 million impairment for Preston County, West Virginia relates to
the active operations in this county which are expected to cease in early 2000.
The most significant portion of this adjustment is the result of our decision
not to mine additional coal reserves in this county. As a result of this
decision, we were left with carrying amounts on a preparation plant and loading
facility that were expected to be used with new operations without a useful life
beyond early 2000. As a result, the expected carrying value beyond early 2000
was fully impaired.
As discussed below, our remaining reserves in Preston County are being held
for sale.
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<PAGE> 49
Exit Costs. Also, in conjunction with the reevaluation of our operations,
we decided to exit our investment in Webster and Braxton counties in West
Virginia. This decision was based on current market conditions and expected
future mining costs. Although we will still own or control assets in these
counties, no operations are expected in the future and all active operations
will be reclaimed. We tried to sell these assets, but we were unsuccessful. We
are permanently reclaiming the active operations. Previously, our financial
statements included coal reserves that extended beyond Webster County and into
Braxton County. Although the reserves were in two counties, all coal mined in
either county would have been returned to our processing plant and loading
facility in Webster County. Accordingly, these reserves constituted one coal
property. The exit charges associated with our investment in these counties
consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSET CATEGORY AMOUNT
-------------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Property, plant and equipment............................... $13,569
Reclamation accrual......................................... 5,100
Advanced minimum royalties.................................. 1,651
Goodwill.................................................... 4,896
Other....................................................... 195
-------
$25,411
=======
</TABLE>
Assets to be Disposed. As part of our liquidity planning, some of our
assets have been identified to be held for sale. These assets have been
reclassified to a separate asset account and were adjusted to their fair market
value. We established the fair market values based on current offers, third
party appraisals and other information we believe is relevant to establish these
values. The charges for assets held for sale consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY,
PLANT ADVANCED
AND MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT
DESCRIPTION EQUIPMENT ROYALTIES TOTAL
----------- --------- --------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Raleigh County.............................................. $1,353 $2,419 $ 3,772
Preston County.............................................. 7,721 4,026 11,747
Other Property.............................................. 464 -- 464
------ ------ -------
Total............................................. $9,538 $6,445 $15,983
====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
The assets held for sale in Raleigh and Preston counties consist of
undeveloped coal reserves. The undeveloped coal reserves are separate from our
active operations and related coal processing and loading facilities in those
counties. In the third quarter of 1999, we sold substantially all of our
undeveloped coal reserves in Preston County for $1.25 million in cash plus
royalties on future production.
Equipment Leasehold Termination Costs. In conjunction with the mining
operational changes described above, we will also incur losses on equipment
currently covered by operating leases. These losses were estimated by comparing
lease buyout costs with the expected fair market value of the underlying
equipment. These differences of approximately $3,957,000 have been recorded as
equipment leasehold termination costs.
Other Impairments. On April 17, 1997, we entered into a joint venture
agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and assume specified
liabilities of Oak Mountain Energy Corporation and its affiliates for
approximately $40 million, of which we provided $10 million. Subsequent to the
initial capitalization, we contributed an additional $255,000. Solely for
financial accounting purposes, we identified that we owned an undivided interest
in each of the assets and were proportionately liable for our share of each
liability of Oak Mountain up to our capital investment. In accordance with
industry practice and purchase accounting, we presented our proportionate
ownership, amounting to 32.0%, in Oak Mountain in the consolidated financial
statements from the date of acquisition.
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<PAGE> 50
In February 1998, we sold our indirect minority ownership interest in Oak
Mountain to a related party for one dollar. We tried unsuccessfully to sell our
investment to other unrelated parties during December 1997 and January and
February 1998. We recorded an impairment loss of $8,267,000 to adjust our
investment to its fair market value less cost to sell as of December 31, 1997.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased 29.8% from $10.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1997 to $13.0 million for the year ended December
31, 1998. The increase was due to an increase in our average outstanding
indebtedness and average effective interest rate from 1997 to 1998.
INCOME TAXES. Income tax benefit from operations increased from $1.2
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $7.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. The change in tax benefit is due to the impairment of the
non-deductible goodwill and the increase in the valuation allowance for our
state and federal net operating loss carryforwards, contribution carryforwards
and capital loss carryforwards. In 1998, we established a valuation allowance
for these items because we believed that it was more likely than not that we
would not realize these items. In connection with the expected income tax
consequences relating to the restructuring transactions, we may use the
carryforwards, which will result in the recognition of a tax benefit. See "Risk
Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We could have income tax liability as a
result of the restructuring of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes."
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM. For the year ended December 31, 1998, we wrote-off the
unamortized portion of debt issuance costs relating to the refinancing of our
amended and restated credit facility with The Chase Manhattan Bank and other
lenders. The amount written-off was $965,000, net of income taxes.
NET LOSS. Our loss increased from $3.2 million for the year ended December
31, 1997 to $106.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The increase in
loss was primarily due to the loss on impairment and restructuring charges,
increases in operating expenses and decreases in production levels described
above.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO ADJUSTED COMBINED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1996
COAL SALES AND RELATED REVENUES. Coal sales and related revenues increased
11.3% from $290.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $323.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997. Coal sales volume increased 15.4% from
11.6 million tons for the year ended December 31, 1996 to 13.4 million tons for
the year ended December 31, 1997. The increased volume resulted primarily from
- an increase in the sales of coal we arrange between other producers and
third parties,
- acquisitions of mining operations,
- mine expansion and development and
- our investment in Oak Mountain.
COST OF OPERATIONS AND SELLING EXPENSES. The cost of operations and
selling expenses increased 13.8% from $259.6 million for the year ended December
31, 1996 to $295.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase
primarily resulted from an increased volume of shipments and increased costs
related to adverse geological conditions at two of our mines. The cost of
operations and selling expenses decreased 1.4% from $22.40 per ton for the year
ended December 31, 1996 to $22.09 per ton shipped for the year ended December
31, 1997.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased 22.8% from $21.9
million for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $26.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased 25.6% from $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $9.5
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in general and
administrative costs primarily resulted from the increase in our management
staff necessary to manage the additional mines we developed or acquired since
December 31, 1996.
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<PAGE> 51
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization increased 22.0% from $14.3 million for the year ended December 31,
1996 to $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in
depreciation, depletion and amortization primarily resulted from the
amortization of purchase accounting adjustments and goodwill relating to our
recapitalization and from acquisitions we made in the year ended December 31,
1997.
LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT OF INVESTMENT. On April 17, 1997, we entered into a
joint venture agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and assume
specified liabilities of Oak Mountain Energy Corporation and its affiliates for
approximately $40 million, of which we provided $10 million. Subsequent to the
initial capitalization, we contributed an additional $255,000. Solely for
financial accounting purposes, we identified that we owned an undivided interest
in each of the assets and were proportionately liable for our share of each
liability of Oak Mountain up to our capital investment. In accordance with
industry practice and purchase accounting, we presented our proportionate
ownership, amounting to 32.0%, in Oak Mountain in the consolidated financial
statements from the date of acquisition.
In February 1998, we sold our indirect minority ownership interest in Oak
Mountain to a related party for one dollar. We tried unsuccessfully to sell our
investment to other unrelated parties during December 1997 and January and
February 1998. We recorded an impairment loss of $8,267,000 to adjust our
investment to its fair market value less cost to sell as of December 31, 1997.
NON-CASH STOCK COMPENSATION AND NON-RECURRING RELATED EXPENSES. During
June 1996, we made a non-cash common stock grant to one of our executive
officers in the amount of $1.5 million. This grant was intended to reward the
executive officer for past service and to ensure the continuity of our top
management. In conjunction with that transaction, we awarded a cash bonus and
related expenses in the amount of $1.5 million. These transactions resulted in
an expense of $3.0 million in 1996, which did not reoccur in 1997.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased 105.5% from $4.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 1996 to $10.0 million for the year ended December
31, 1997. The increase was due to an increase in our average outstanding
indebtedness and average effective interest rate from 1996 to 1997.
LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS. On October 12, 1997, John J. Faltis, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, was
killed in a helicopter accident in West Virginia. In accordance with a
stockholders' agreement, dated as of August 12, 1996, among us, Mr. Faltis, JJF
Group and other holders of our capital stock, we maintained key man life
insurance on the life of Mr. Faltis in the amount of $15.0 million. Under the
stockholders' agreement, we were to use the proceeds from the key man policy to
repurchase as much of our common stock that JJF Group owned as possible, based
on the fair market value of the common stock. In December 1997, we received $5.0
million in life insurance proceeds, which we used to temporarily reduce the
outstanding indebtedness under our amended and restated credit facility with The
Chase Manhattan Bank and others. In connection with our recent private exchange,
we exchanged $6.0 million in principal amount of notes with JJF Group to settle
our obligation to repurchase our common stock from JJF Group.
INCOME TAXES. Income taxes decreased from an income tax expense for the
year ended December 31, 1996 of $0.4 million to an income tax benefit from
operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 of $1.2 million. This decrease
was primarily the result of the exclusion of life insurance proceeds and the
deductibility of our taxable loss from income. These decreases were partially
offset by a valuation allowance established for the Oak Mountain capital loss.
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM. For the year ended December 31, 1997, we wrote-off the
unamortized portion of debt issuance costs relating to our credit facility dated
August 12, 1996. We incurred a loss on the refinancing of approximately $3.9
million, net of income taxes of $1.5 million.
51
<PAGE> 52
NET INCOME. Our net income decreased from $2.0 million of income for the
year ended December 31, 1996 to a loss of $3.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997. The decrease in net income is primarily due to
- the increase in operating expenses for items, including (1) adverse
geological conditions at two of our mines, (2) general and administrative
costs related to increase in management staff and (3) depreciation,
depletion and amortization,
- the extraordinary loss related to the write off of unamortized debt costs
and
- the impairment of the Oak Mountain investment.
These decreases in net income were partially offset by the recognition of
life insurance proceeds.
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000, or Y2K, issue is the result of computer programs that were
written using two digits, rather than four, to define the applicable year. Any
of our computers, computer programs or mining or administration equipment that
have date-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. If any of our systems or equipment has date-sensitive
software using only two digits, system failures or miscalculations may result.
These failures or miscalculations may cause disruptions of operations or
disruptions in normal business activities.
During 1998, we created an internal project team to assess the Y2K issue.
The team identified risks in four general categories:
- internal business software and systems,
- mine operating equipment,
- coal processing facilities and
- other.
In addition to assessing and testing our systems for the Y2K issue in
connection with these four categories, we also developed contingency plans.
To date, we have not experienced any disruptions or operational problems in
connection with the Y2K issue.
Expenditures on Y2K have been minimal and funded by operating cash. Based
on preliminary information, the majority of the project cost will be attributed
to the purchase of new software to meet future industry requirements and will be
capitalized. We believe that we devoted the necessary resources to identify and
resolve significant Y2K issues in a timely manner.
DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES
As of September 30, 1999, there were no restrictions affecting the ability
of the subsidiaries guaranteeing our notes to make distributions to us or other
subsidiaries, except for restrictions in our loan agreement with Foothill and
those restrictions provided by law generally, such as the requirement of
adequate capital to pay dividends under corporate law. The loan agreement with
Foothill provides that, in order to advance funds to us, the borrowers under the
loan agreement must have borrowing availability of at least $5.0 million after
giving effect to the advances of funds. As of February 1, 2000, revolving credit
ability under the loan agreement was $12.9 million.
52
<PAGE> 53
THE COAL INDUSTRY
According to data that the Energy Information Administration of the U.S.
Department of Energy has compiled, U.S. coal production totaled 1.13 billion
tons in 1998, a 3.7% increase from the 1.09 billion tons produced in 1997 and a
record high. Most of the coal consumed in the United States is used to generate
electricity. Factors driving the increase in 1998 coal production include:
- the lower cost of generating electricity with coal compared to oil,
natural gas and nuclear power;
- volatile natural gas prices; and
- strong economic growth.
Total U.S. coal consumption reached 1.09 billion tons in 1998, a nominal
increase from 1997. In 1998, utilities used approximately 83.0% of the coal
consumed in the United States for the generation of electricity. Coal continues
to be the principal energy source for U.S. utilities, with 55.2% of total
electricity generation in 1998, as compared with 21.1% from nuclear, 10.1% from
hydroelectric and 9.8% from gas-fired facilities in 1998.
Despite the increased consumption and the many inefficient mines that have
closed in the last 10 years, coal mining companies with improving productivity
have filled the increasing demand without price increases. As a result of
increased competition among generators of electricity, utility buyers must
purchase coal more selectively. This heightened fiscal responsibility has led to
lower stockpiles, increased spot market activity and shorter contract terms,
which may create greater price volatility than in the past.
According to statistics compiled by the federal government, the number of
operating mines has declined 55% from 1988 through 1998, even though production
during that same time has increased 17.7%. The United States coal industry has
undergone significant consolidation since 1988. The 10 largest coal producers in
1988 accounted for 37.3% of total domestic coal production. The 10 largest coal
companies accounted for 61.9% of total domestic coal production in 1998.
The following table presents five year U.S. coal consumption by sector. We
derived this information from publications of the Energy Information
Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIVE YEAR COAL CONSUMPTION BY SECTOR
------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
----- ----- ------- ------ -------
(IN MILLIONS OF TONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Utilities............................................ 817.3 829.0 873.7 900.3 910.9
Independent Power Producers.......................... 20.9 21.2 24.0 21.6 28.1
Coke Plants.......................................... 31.7 33.0 31.7 30.2 28.2
Other Industrial Plants.............................. 75.2 72.8 70.6 70.6 69.2
Residential/Commercial Users......................... 6.0 5.8 5.8 6.5 6.4
----- ----- ------- ------ -------
Total........................................... 951.1 968.1 1,005.8 1029.2 1,042.8
===== ===== ======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
COAL TYPES
In general, coal is classified by heat value and sulfur content. In
ascending order of heat values, measured in British Thermal units or "Btus," the
four basic types of coal are lignite, subbituminous, bituminous and anthracite.
Coal of all geological composition may be used as steam coal. Bituminous coals
must have various characteristics to qualify for use as a metallurgical coal,
which is used in coke production.
Lignite Coal. Lignite coal is a brownish-black coal with a heat value that
generally ranges from 3,500 to 8,300 Btus per pound. Major lignite
operations are located in Texas, North Dakota, Montana and Louisiana.
Lignite coal is used almost exclusively in power plants adjacent to the
mine because the addition of any transportation costs to the mining costs
would exceed the price a customer would pay for this low-Btu coal.
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<PAGE> 54
Subbituminous Coal. Subbituminous coal is a dull black coal with a heat
value that ranges from approximately 8,300 to 11,500 Btus per pound. Most
subbituminous reserves are located in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New
Mexico, Washington and Alaska. Subbituminous coal is used almost
exclusively by electric utilities and some industrial consumers.
Bituminous Coal. Bituminous coal is a "soft" black coal with a heat value
that ranges from 10,500 to 14,000 Btus per pound. This coal is found in
Appalachia, the Midwest, Colorado and Utah, and it is the type most
commonly used for electric power generation in the United States.
Bituminous coal is used to generate steam by utility and industrial
customers and is also used as a feedstock for metallurgical purposes in
steel production. Coal used in metallurgical processes has higher
expansion/contraction characteristics than steam coal.
Anthracite Coal. Anthracite coal is a "hard" coal with a heat value that
can be as high as 15,000 Btus per pound. Anthracite deposits are found
primarily in the Appalachian region of eastern Pennsylvania and are used
primarily for utility, industrial and home heating purposes.
One hundred percent of our reserves are bituminous and are located east of
the Mississippi River.
COAL QUALITIES
The primary factors considered in determining the value and marketability
of coal that utility and industrial customers use to generate steam include the
Btu content, the sulfur content and the percentage of small particles of inert
material known as ash, moisture and volatile matter.
BTU Content. The Btu content provides the basis for satisfying the heating
requirements of boilers. Coal having a lower Btu content frequently must be
blended with coal having a higher Btu content to allow the consumer to use
the coal efficiently in its operations.
Sulfur Content. Due to the restrictive environmental regulations regarding
sulfur dioxide emissions, coal is commonly described with reference to its
sulfur content, measured by pounds of sulfur dioxide produced per million
Btus, or lbs.SO2/MMBtu.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SULFUR CONTENT
CLASSIFICATION (LBS.SO2/MMBTUS)
-------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
Compliance............................................ Up to 1.2
Low sulfur............................................ Up to 1.6
Medium sulfur......................................... Over 1.6 and up to 2.8
High sulfur........................................... Over 2.8
</TABLE>
Coal that emits no more than 1.2 lbs.SO2/MMBtu of sulfur dioxide when
burned complies with the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 and is referred to
as compliance coal. Medium sulfur coal is burned in power plants that have
equipment to limit sulfur emissions in the production of electricity. These
power plants will be able to continue to burn medium sulfur coal after
implementation of Phase II of the Clean Air Act.
Ash Content. The non-combustible nature of ash diminishes the heating
value of the coal. Therefore, coal with a higher percentage of ash will
have a lower heating value. For electric utilities, the percentage of ash
is important not only for its effect on heating value, but also because it
affects the amount of combustion by-products. Electric utilities typically
require coal with an ash content ranging from 6% to 15%, depending on
individual power plant specifications. More stringent ash standards apply
for metallurgical coal, typically requiring less than 8% ash. Moisture
content also diminishes the heating value of coal. A high percentage of
moisture also may cause customers to experience problems handling the coal.
Moisture concerns arise principally with coal from the Powder River Basin
in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. Volatile matter, which is
combustible matter that vaporizes easily during combustion, is important
for electric utilities because most utility power plant boilers are
designed to burn coal having a medium to high percentage of volatile
matter.
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<PAGE> 55
METALLURGICAL COAL
Sulfur content, ash content, volatility, carbon content and other coking
characteristics are especially important for determining the value and
marketability of metallurgical coal. Metallurgical coal is fed into a coke oven
where it is heated in an oxygen deficient environment, producing porous coke
with a high carbon content which is then used to fuel blast furnaces. It is
important in the coking process to create a stable and high strength coke. This
is done by carefully blending low volatile and high volatile metallurgical coals
to create the proper coking characteristics. The lower the volatile
characteristics and percentage of ash in coal, the higher the yield and carbon
content of the coke. However, too much low volatility coal may cause coke to
stick in the coke oven if it is an expanding coal.
COAL REGIONS
The majority of U.S. coal production comes from six regions: Northern
Appalachia, Central Appalachia, Southern Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, the
Rocky Mountains and the Powder River Basin.
Northern Appalachia. Northern Appalachia includes northern West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio. Coal from this region generally has a
sulfur content ranging from low sulfur to high sulfur and has a Btu content
of about 12,000 to 13,000 Btus per pound of coal.
Central Appalachia. Central Appalachia includes southern West Virginia,
eastern Kentucky and Virginia. Coal from this region generally has a low
sulfur content and a high Btu content of about 12,000 to 13,500 Btus per
pound of coal.
Southern Appalachia. Southern Appalachia includes Tennessee and Alabama.
Coal from this region also has a low sulfur content and a high Btu content
of about 12,000 to 13,000 Btus per pound of coal.
The Illinois Basin. The Illinois Basin includes western Kentucky, Illinois
and Indiana. Coal from this region varies in Btu content from 10,000 to
12,000 Btus per pound of coal and has a high sulfur content.
The Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain region consists of Utah and
Colorado. The coal from this region has a low sulfur content and varies in
Btu content from about 10,500 to 12,800 Btus per pound of coal.
The Powder River Basin. The Powder River Basin consists mainly of
northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. This coal has a very low
sulfur content and a low Btu content of about 8,000 to 9,200 Btus per pound
of coal.
All of our coal reserves are bituminous and are located east of the
Mississippi River in the Northern and Central Appalachian regions and the
Illinois Basin region of the United States.
MINING METHODS
Coal is mined using either surface or underground methods. The method used
depends upon several factors, including the proximity of the target coal seam to
the earth's surface and the geology of the surrounding area. In general, surface
techniques are usually employed when a coal seam is within 200 feet of the
earth's surface, and underground techniques are used for deeper seams. We
describe the mining methods used at each of our mining operations under
"Business -- Mining Operations."
Surface techniques generally require a favorable ratio of the amount of
rock and soil overlying a coal deposit, or overburden, that must be removed to
excavate a given quantity of coal. Underground techniques are used for deeper
seams. In 1998, surface mining accounted for approximately 61.0% of total U.S.
coal production, with underground mining accounting for the balance of
production. We estimate that approximately 75.0% of our coal production in 1998
originated from our deep mines, with the balance originating from our surface
mines. Surface mining generally costs less and has a higher seam recovery
percentage than underground mining. Surface mining typically results in the
recovery of 80.0% to 90.0% of
55
<PAGE> 56
the total coal from a particular deposit, while underground mining typically
results in the recovery of 50.0% to 60.0%.
SURFACE MINING METHODS
Surface mining consists essentially of a large-scale earth moving operation
in which the overburden is removed by means of large earth-moving machines. The
coal exposed by removing the overburden is loaded onto haul trucks or overland
conveyers for transportation to processing and loading facilities. The site is
then backfilled with the overburden and otherwise restored to its approximate
original contour and condition, a process known as "reclamation." Federal law
mandates reclamation of all surface mining sites. The most common forms of
surface mining are:
Mountaintop Removal Mining. Mountaintop removal mining involves removing
all material above the coal seam before removal of the coal, leaving a
relative level plateau in place of the hilltop after mining. This method
achieves a more complete recovery of the coal. However, its feasibility
depends on the amount of overlying material in relation to the coal to be
removed.
Contour Mining. Contour mining is conducted on coal seams where
mountaintop removal is not feasible because of the high overburden ratios.
Mining proceeds laterally around a hillside, at essentially the same
elevation, assuming the seam is fairly flat. The contour cut in a coal seam
provides a flat surface that can be used to facilitate auger mining. This
is a common surface mining method in the steeper slopes of the Appalachian
coalfields.
Auger Mining. In auger mining, the miners remain outside of the mine and
an auger, which is a large, corkscrew-like machine, bores into the side of
a hill and extracts coal by "twisting" it out. Auger mining generally
permits the extraction of coal to depths of only 300 feet or less.
DEEP MINING METHODS
Underground or deep mining operations are used when a coal seam is too deep
to permit surface mining. There are three basic classifications of deep mining
based on the way the coal seam is accessed:
- slope mines, where a coal seam is relatively close to the earth's surface
and is accessed through a sloped tunnel,
- shaft mines, for deeper deposits, which are accessed through a vertical
tunnel, and
- drift mines, which are accessed through a horizontal entry.
Once the coal seam is accessed, there are two types of mining methods to
extract coal from deep mines:
Room and Pillar Mining. Room and pillar mining uses continuous miners or
conventional mining equipment that cut a network of interconnected passages
as high as the coal seam. Roof bolters stabilize the mine roof and pillars
are left to provide overall roof support. As a result of significant
technological advances, this mining method has become the most common
method of deep mining.
Longwall Mining. Longwall mining uses powerful hydraulic jacks to support
the roof of the mine while mobile shearing machines extract the coal. High
capacity chain conveyors then move the coal to a high capacity mine belt
system for delivery to the surface. The longwall machine generally cuts
blocks of coal, referred to as longwall panels, that have a width of
approximately 900 feet and a length ranging from 9,000 to 11,000 feet.
Longwall mining is a low-cost, high-output method of deep mining. After a
longwall panel is cut, the longwall machine must be disassembled and moved
to the next panel location, a process which generally takes one to two
weeks. We do not use the long wall mining method in any of our deep mines.
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COAL PREPARATION AND BLENDING
Depending on coal quality and customer requirements, raw coal may be
shipped directly from the mine to the customer. However, the quality of most raw
coal does not allow it to be shipped directly to the customer without processing
it first in a preparation plant. Preparation plants separate impurities from
coal using a gravity process. This processing upgrades the quality and heating
value of the coal by removing or reducing sulfur and ash-producing materials,
but it entails additional expense and results in some loss of coal. Coals of
various sulfur and ash contents can be mixed or "blended" at a preparation plant
or loading facility to meet the specific combustion and environmental needs of
customers. Coal blending helps increase profitability by reducing the cost of
meeting the quality requirements of specific customer contracts, thereby
optimizing contract revenue.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
Various federal, state and local environmental laws have had, and will
continue to have, a significant effect on the domestic coal industry. These laws
govern matters including employee health and safety, limitations on land use,
permitting and licensing requirements, air quality standards, water pollution,
plant and wildlife protection, reclamation and restoration of mining properties
after mining is completed, discharge of materials into the environment, surface
subsidence, which is the sinking or settling of the earth's surface from
underground mining and the effects of mining on groundwater quality and
availability. In addition, the electric utility industry is subject to extensive
regulation regarding the environmental impact of electricity generation
activities which could affect demand for coal. New legislation or regulations
could be adopted that may have a significant impact on coal mining operations or
the ability of coal customers to use coal. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to
Anker -- Government regulations could increase our costs of doing business and
may discourage our customers from buying our coal" and "Business -- Regulation
and Laws."
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BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
We are a producer of coal that is used principally to generate electricity
and to produce coke for use in making steel. We currently own or control
substantial coal reserves in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. We
currently operate a portfolio of seven deep mines and one surface mine that are
located in West Virginia and Maryland. We recently changed from operating our
deep mines with our own employees to using contract miners to operate these deep
mines for us. Our coal mines and reserves are located in close proximity to rail
and water transportation services or are within short trucking distances to
power plants.
We primarily market and sell our coal to electric utilities located in the
Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. The utilities that we currently sell our
coal to use modern generating processes that will allow them to continue using
our coal after implementation of Phase II of the Clean Air Act. See " --
Regulation and Law -- Environmental Laws -- Clean Air Act" for a discussion of
Phase II of Title IV of the Clean Air Act.
In addition to selling coal that we produce from our own mines, we also
sell coal that we purchase from other producers, which is referred to as
brokered coal. We also arrange for coal that others produce to be sold to third
parties, which is referred to as commission coal.
Based on the most recent data published by the National Mining Association,
we are one of the 30 largest coal producers and one of the 30 largest holders of
coal reserves in the United States.
ORGANIZATION
We were organized as a corporation in August 1996 under the laws of the
State of Delaware. This was done in order to effect a recapitalization of our
predecessor, Anker Group, Inc. Anker Group, Inc. had been engaged in the
production of coal since 1975. To effect the recapitalization, First Reserve
Corporation purchased approximately 54.1% of our common stock and 10,000 shares
of our Class B preferred stock for $50 million in cash. In addition, senior
management and Anker Holding B.V. exchanged an aggregate of 7.5% of Anker
Group's common stock for shares of Anker Coal Group's common stock. Anker Coal
Group then acquired the remaining 92.5% of Anker Group's common stock from Anker
Holding for approximately $87 million. We partially funded the $87 million by
issuing $25 million of Class A preferred stock to Anker Holding. We paid the
remaining $62 million in cash, $12 million of which we borrowed under our then
existing credit agreement. That credit agreement was subsequently amended and
restated on September 25, 1997 and replaced with our current credit facility on
November 21, 1998. See "Description of Other Indebtedness." In addition, we
assumed $152 million of Anker Group's outstanding liabilities.
Our principal offices are located at 2708 Cranberry Square, Morgantown,
West Virginia 26508 and our telephone number is (304) 594-1616.
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
We believe that we possess the following competitive strengths:
PORTFOLIO OF LONG-TERM CONTRACTS. We have secured long-term coal supply
contracts with a weighted average term of approximately 5.4 years as of January
1, 2000. Our long-term contracts have accounted for an average of approximately
75% of our coal sales revenues from 1994 to 1998. Over the same period,
approximately 2.6 million tons of our annual coal shipments covered by long-term
contracts were up for renewal, and contracts for approximately 2.0 million tons
of this coal were rolled over into new long-term contracts upon their
expiration. In addition, over the same period, we entered into new long-term
contracts for 2.3 million tons of annual coal shipments. We have been successful
in negotiating long-term contracts for our medium and high sulfur coal with
independent power producers and utilities equipped with sulfur-reduction
technologies. As of October 1, 1999, of our 17 long-term contracts, 14 were for
our medium and
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high sulfur coal. These long-term contracts provide us with stable sources of
revenues to support the large expenditures needed to open, expand and maintain
the mines servicing these contracts.
DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF RESERVES. We have increased our reserve base
approximately 244%, from 147 million recoverable products tons as of December
31, 1992 to approximately 505 million recoverable product tons as of October 1,
1999, substantially all of which was due to acquisitions of reserves. As of
October 1, 1999, approximately 16% of our coal reserves were compliance coal,
and 68% of our reserves were medium sulfur coal. Many of our current customers
that possess the technology to scrub higher sulfur coal prefer that coal due to
its lower cost. All of our coal is of a quality suitable for use in electricity
generating facilities. At December 31, 1998, our reserve life index, defined as
total recoverable reserves divided by production for 1998, was approximately
75.7 years.
EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM. Bruce Sparks, our President, has 21 years of
experience in the coal industry, has worked at Anker for the past 14 years and
owns approximately 8.5% of our fully diluted common stock. William D. Kilgore,
Jr., our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our Board of Directors, has
42 years experience in the coal industry, including as a coal mining consultant
for several Central Appalachian coal companies. See "Management."
COAL RESERVES
As of October 1, 1999, we had an estimated reserve base totaling
approximately 505 million recoverable product tons. Approximately 14% of that
amount consists of compliance coal, 16% of that amount consists of low sulfur
coal, which includes the 16% of compliance coal, and 68% of that amount consists
of medium sulfur coal. Approximately 96% of these reserves are classified as
deep, and 4% are classified as surface mineable. Moreover, steam coal represents
approximately 440 million tons, or 87%, of our reserves. Premium quality
metallurgical coal, on the other hand, constitutes approximately 65 million
tons, or 13%, of our reserves. Assigned reserves, which consist of coal that
could reasonably be expected to be processed in existing plants, represent
approximately 45% of our reserves. Unassigned reserves, which consist of coal
for which additional expenditures will be required for processing facilities,
represent the remaining 55% of our reserves.
Our engineers and geologists prepare reserve estimates, which are reviewed
periodically to reflect additional data obtained and developments affecting the
reserves. Accordingly, reserve estimates will change from time to time in
response to:
- mining activities
- analysis of new engineering and geological data,
- acquisition or divestment of reserve holdings,
- modification of mining plans or mining methods,
- market conditions and
- other factors.
We engaged Marshall Miller & Associates, an independent mining and
geological consultant, to audit our estimates of our coal reserves. The audit
verified that we properly estimated our reserve base according to
industry-accepted standards. The audit also verified the accuracy of our reserve
estimates. The following table summarizes our coal reserves as of October 1,
1999. Estimates of measured, indicated and total recoverable reserves are based
on the reserve information contained in the reserve audit report of Marshall
Miller & Associates. See Annex A -- Report of Marshall Miller & Associates.
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ESTIMATES OF MEASURED, INDICATED AND TOTAL RECOVERABLE COAL RESERVES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERGROUND TOTAL
(UG) OR MEASURED INDICATED RECOVERABLE
COUNTY AND STATE SURFACE (S) (1) (2) RESERVES SURFACE UNDERGROUND
---------------- ----------- -------- --------- ----------- ------- -----------
(IN MILLIONS OF TONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Barbour County, West Virginia..... UG 23.00 6.98 29.98 29.98
Grant County, West Virginia....... S/UG 16.21 13.69 29.90 1.30 28.60
Harrison County, West Virginia.... UG 18.45 38.15 56.60 56.60
Monongalia County, West
Virginia........................ S 2.03 0.02 2.05 2.05
Preston County, West Virginia..... UG 0.68 0.00 0.68 0.68
Raleigh County, West Virginia..... UG 18.60 12.83 31.43 31.43
Taylor County, West Virginia...... UG 73.57 144.41 217.98 217.98
Upshur County, West Virginia...... UG 41.11 24.76 65.87 65.87
Allegany County, Maryland......... S 4.15 0.10 4.25 4.25
Garrett County, Maryland.......... S/UG 19.43 3.26 22.69 9.55 13.14
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky....... S/UG 7.08 0.83 7.91 0.34 7.57
Tazewell County, Virginia......... S/UG 25.26 10.44 35.70 0.90 34.80
------ ------ ------ ----- ------
Totals....................... 249.57 255.47 505.04 18.39 486.65
====== ====== ====== ===== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVG.
AVG. MINE AVG. MINE WASH AVG. WASH
RECOVERY RECOVERY RECOVERY RECOVERY
COUNTY AND STATE SURFACE UNDERGROUND SURFACE UNDERGROUND MET STEAM ASSIGNED UNASSIGNED
---------------- --------- ----------- -------- ----------- ----- ------ -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Barbour County, West Virginia...... 54% 73% 29.98 29.98
Grant County, West Virginia........ 85% 55% 76% 65% 29.90 29.90
Harrison County, West Virginia..... 57% 100% 56.60 56.60
Monongalia County, West Virginia... 85% 100% 2.05 2.05
Preston County, West Virginia...... 55% 73% 0.68 0.68
Raleigh County, West Virginia...... 55% 76% 31.43 31.43
Taylor County, West Virginia....... 60% 70% 217.98 217.98
Upshur County, West Virginia....... 54% 72% 65.87 65.87
Allegany County, Maryland.......... 85% 100% 4.25 4.25
Garrett County, Maryland........... 85% 55% 100% 94% 22.69 11.38 11.31
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky........ 85% 55% 100% 91% 7.91 0.34 7.57
Tazewell County, Virginia.......... 85% 64% 100% 87% 33.40 2.30 35.70
----- ------ ------ ------
Totals........................ 64.83 440.21 228.23 276.81
===== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) "Measured" refers to coal tonnages computed from seam measurements as
observed and recorded in drill holes, mine workings, and/or seam outcrop
prospect openings. The sites for measurement are so closely spaced and the
geologic character so well-defined that the thickness, areal extent, size,
shape and depth of coal are well-established. The maximum acceptable
distance for projection from seam data points varies with the geologic
nature of the coal seam being studied, but generally a radius of 1/4 mile is
recognized as the standard. Losses for extraction recovery and wash recovery
have been factored into measured reserves.
(2) "Indicated" refers to coal tonnages computed by projection of data from
available seam measurements for a distance beyond coal classed as measured.
The assurance, although lower than for measured, is high enough to assume
continuity between points of measurement. The maximum acceptable distance
for projection of indicated tonnage is 1/4 to 3/4 mile from points of
observation. Further exploration is necessary to place these reserves in a
measured category. Losses for extraction recovery and wash recovery have
been factored into indicated reserves.
We or our subsidiaries own approximately 59% of our total reserves. We
lease approximately 41% of our total reserves from third parties. Our reserve
leases with third parties generally have terms of between 10 to 20 years. We
generally have the right to renew the leases for a stated period or to maintain
the lease in force until the exhaustion of mineable and merchantable coal. These
leases provide that we must pay royalties to the lessor, either as a fixed
amount per ton or as a percentage of the sales price. The fixed amount per ton
and the percentage of the sales price that we pay as royalties under our leases
vary from lease to lease and from region to region. Generally, however, the
royalty that takes the form of a fixed amount per ton ranges from between $0.75
and $2.50 per ton, with an average of approximately $1.50 per ton. The royalty
that is a percentage of the sales price generally ranges from between 3% and 10%
of the sales price, with an average of approximately 5% of the sales price. Many
leases also require us to pay a
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lease bonus or minimum royalties. These lease bonuses and minimum royalties must
be paid either at the time the lease is executed or in periodic installments. In
most cases, the minimum royalty payments are applied to reduce future production
royalties.
Consistent with industry practices, we conduct limited investigation of
title to third-party coal properties prior to our leasing of these properties.
The title of the lessors or grantors and the boundaries of our leased properties
are not fully verified until we prepare to mine the reserves. If defects in
title or boundaries of undeveloped reserves arise in the future, our control and
right to mine these reserves could be materially affected.
MINING OPERATIONS
COAL PRODUCTION
During 1998, we conducted mining operations at nine deep mines and three
surface mines in eight counties in West Virginia and in Garrett County,
Maryland. Approximately 75% of our production originated from our deep mines,
and approximately 25% of our production originated from our surface mines. The
following table presents the production, including coal purchased from third
parties for blending, from each of the counties in which we produced coal for
the previous five years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS OF TONS)
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Webster County, West Virginia............................ 2,108 1,889 1,998 2,012 1,271
Barbour County, West Virginia............................ 1,497 1,883 1,787 1,555 1,222
Monongalia County, West Virginia......................... 917 1,288 1,743 1,299 1,134
Raleigh County, West Virginia............................ 123 641 948 1,016 941
Preston County, West Virginia............................ 1,021 893 886 694 512
Garrett County, Maryland................................. 156 293 300 305 286
Harrison County, West Virginia........................... -- -- -- 725 316
Grant County, West Virginia.............................. -- -- -- 623 703
Upshur County, West Virginia............................. -- -- -- 204 960
Shelby County, Alabama(1)................................ -- -- -- 182 --
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total.......................................... 5,822 6,887 7,662 8,615 7,345
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) We indirectly owned a minority interest in Oak Mountain Energy, L.L.C. Oak
Mountain operated a deep mine in Shelby County, Alabama. We sold our
investment in Oak Mountain in the first quarter of 1998 and recorded an
impairment loss of $8,267,000 to adjust our investment to its fair market
value as of December 31, 1997.
The following is a description of our mining operations. In 1998, we
recorded impairment losses and restructuring charges with respect to our
operations in Webster, Monongalia, Raleigh, Preston and Grant counties, West
Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
WEBSTER COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. In 1998, we operated a mining complex in
Webster County, West Virginia. The complex consisted of a multiple seam surface
mine and a deep mine in the Kittanning Seam operated by a contract miner. Coal
from the surface and deep mines were blended to make two products. The first was
a premium grade steam coal, the contents of which average 1.33 lbs.SO2/MMBtu,
10% ash, 12,800 Btu per pound, 6.0% moisture and 34 volatility. The second
product was a lesser grade steam coal, the contents of which average 1.67
lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 15% ash and 12,000 Btu per pound. Production from the surface and
deep mines totaled approximately 1.3 million tons in 1998. We sold approximately
66% of this production to Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, Delmarva Power &
Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, AES Corporation and Salt City
Energy Venture, L.P.
As a part of our mining complex, we operated a computer-controlled,
500-tons-per-hour preparation plant located in close proximity to the mines. We
also operated an on-site laboratory that allowed us to precisely blend the coal
from the surface and deep mines. The complex also had a 100,000 ton unprocessed
coal storage capacity and a 100,000 ton processed coal storage capacity.
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During the second half of 1998, the coal mined at the surface operation
began to thin, and the quality of the mined coal began to deteriorate. At the
same time, the cost of production began to rise, and the prices at which we
could sell the coal began to decrease. As a result, the surface operation became
uneconomical, and we idled the mine in December 1998. We are currently
reclaiming the properties associated with the idled surface mine and expect to
complete the reclamation in the first quarter of 2000. The deep mine continued
to operate through September 1999, at which time the reserves in the deep mine
were exhausted.
In late 1998 and early 1999, we reevaluated our coal reserves in Webster
and Braxton counties. Our ability to economically mine these reserves had been
adversely affected by the rising cost of production, which is due to the
thinning of the seams and the deteriorating quality of the coal. As a result, we
determined that we could not economically mine these reserves at that time.
Consequently, we impaired the entire carrying value of the properties and have
recorded exit costs associated with these operations.
BARBOUR COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. We own a deep mine complex in Barbour
County, West Virginia, known as the Sentinel Mine. The Sentinel Mine produces
coal from the Kittanning Seam. This mine produced approximately 1.1 million tons
of coal in 1998. We sold approximately 85% of the 1998 production to Potomac
Electric Power Company, AES Corporation and Logan Generating Company L.P. Coal
from the Sentinel Mine's Kittanning Seam averages 2.0 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 9% ash,
13,000 Btu per pound, 7.0% moisture and 33 volatility on a fully-washed basis.
We entered into a contract mining agreement for the Sentinel Mine, and the
contract miner began operation on June 1, 1999.
The Barbour County operation has approximately 30.0 million tons of
recoverable reserves. All of these recoverable reserves are steam coal, assigned
reserves and are classified as deep mineable.
In addition to the mining operation, we have an on-site, 1,100
tons-per-hour preparation plant. The plant is fed from a 100,000 ton open
stockpile that facilitates the shipment of coal through an attached 3,000
tons-per-hour train loading facility. We also have an on-site laboratory that
provides sampling and blending capabilities. The total cost of our plant and
equipment associated with our Barbour County operations was approximately $13.0
million at December 31, 1998, and its net book value was approximately $8.8
million.
We are able to purchase coal from surrounding smaller producers to provide
additional sales at various qualities for our utility and industrial customers.
With our preparation plant capacity, blending ability, on-site laboratory and
large stockpile area, we have the ability to blend the purchased coal with the
production from the Sentinel Mine to serve a variety of customers. In 1998, we
blended approximately 164,000 tons of brokered coal with production from the
Sentinel Mine for shipment to customers.
MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. We operate a surface mine in the
Waynesburg seam in Monongalia County, West Virginia. This surface mine produced
approximately 900,000 tons of coal in 1998. Approximately 10% of this production
was shipped by truck to the Morgantown Energy Associates power plant in
Morgantown, West Virginia, where it was blended with coal refuse. This was done
under a long-term contract with Morgantown Energy Associates. The balance of the
production from the surface mine was shipped to our rail and river terminal
located on the nearby Monongahela River, known as Anker Rail & River Terminal.
The coal was then blended with other brokered coal and shipped by rail and barge
to various utilities. Shipments from Anker Rail & River Terminal averaged 2.5 to
4.3 lbs.SO2/ MMBtu, 14 to 16% ash and 11,800 to 12,200 Btu per pound.
We control approximately 2.0 million tons of recoverable reserves in the
Waynesburg seam in Monongalia County with an average quality of 3.7
lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 16.5% ash and 12,500 Btu per pound. All of these reserves are
steam coal, assigned reserves and are surface mineable.
Anker Rail & River Terminal is designed to enable us to simultaneously load
trains of up to 100 cars, referred to as unit trains, on rail lines jointly
served by CSX Transportation, Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation at a rate of
1,500 tons per hour and onto barges on the Monongahela River at a rate of 1,200
tons per hour. The facility is equipped with crushing, screening and blending
equipment, as well as quality
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control and automated sampling systems. We operate Anker Rail & River Terminal
for coal from our surface mine and for third-party brokered coal.
We also own the Rosedale and Dippel river facilities. These facilities are
adjacent to the Anker Rail & River Terminal and are used for barge staging and
additional ground storage. The total cost of the plant and equipment associated
with our Monongalia County operations was approximately $3.0 million at December
31, 1998, and its net book value was approximately $2.5 million.
RALEIGH COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. We own a deep mine in the Beckley seam in
Raleigh County, West Virginia, known as the Baybeck Mine. In 1998, this mine
produced approximately 941,000 tons of premium quality, low volatility
metallurgical coal, which is used in coke production and is known as met coal.
We sold the 1998 production from this mine to Citizens Gas and Coke Utility,
Drummond Coal Sales, Inc., Koppers Industries, Inc., A.K. Steel, U.S. Steel
Corporation and Dofasco Steel Company. Coal from the Baybeck Mine averages 1.0
lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 5.5% ash, 6.0% moisture and 19 volatility. We have entered into a
contract mining agreement for our mining operations in Raleigh County, and the
contract miner began operations on July 5, 1999.
The Baybeck Mine has approximately 1.9 million tons of recoverable
reserves. We previously controlled an additional block of reserves in the
Beckley seam adjacent to our current mine. However, these reserves were
separated from our current mining area by a zone of very thin or no coal. In
order to access and mine these additional reserves, we would have been required
to spend additional capital. As a result of this and other factors, we
surrendered these reserves to the lessor in July 1999.
We also control approximately 29.0 million tons of coal in the Pocahontas
#3 Seam. This is a low volatility metallurgical coal reserve and is adjacent to
our Baybeck Mine. This reserve is jointly served by Norfolk Southern and CSX
railroads. We are holding this reserve for sale, and, accordingly, it has been
adjusted to its estimated fair market value.
All of the reserves in Raleigh County are metallurgical coal, assigned
reserves and are classified as deep mineable.
We own and operate a 300-tons-per-hour preparation plant, with an on-site
CSX train loading facility, capable of fast-loading a unit train in four hours.
The loading facility is fed from a 150,000 ton open stockpile area adjacent to
the preparation plant. The total cost of the plant and equipment associated with
our Raleigh County operations was approximately $11.1 million at December 31,
1998, and its net book value was approximately $7.1 million. Upon completion of
coal mining operations in the Baybeck mine, we expect to sell the preparation
plant and loading facility. They are not, however, currently being held for
sale.
PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. In 1998, we operated two deep mines through
contract miners in the Upper Freeport seam in Preston County, West Virginia.
These deep mines produced a total of 501,000 tons of coal in 1998. We sold
approximately 82% of the production from these mines to Potomac Electric Power
Company, Allegheny Power Service Corporation and AES Corporation. Coal produced
from these deep mines averages 2.3 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 11% ash, 12,800 Btu per pound,
6.0% moisture and 28 volatility on a fully-washed basis.
We own and operate a 250-tons-per-hour preparation plant in Preston County,
where the coal from our contract mines is processed. The plant has blending
capabilities, a sophisticated sampling system and a 1,200-tons-per-hour CSX unit
train loading facility. The plant has a 60,000 ton storage capacity.
One of the two deep mines ceased production in December 1998 due to the
exhaustion of its reserves. The other deep mine is currently operating. However,
its reserves are expected to be depleted at the end of 1999. We expect to serve
our customers with coal produced from our Barbour and Upshur county mining
operations.
In July 1999, we sold substantially all of the coal reserves we controlled
in Preston County for $1.25 million in cash plus royalties on future production.
A gain of approximately $0.5 million from this
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sale was recognized in the third quarter of 1999. As a result of that sale, we
now control 0.68 million tons in Preston County.
The total cost of the plant and equipment associated with our Preston
County operations was approximately $3.2 million at December 31, 1998, and its
net book value was approximately $300,000.
GARRETT COUNTY, MARYLAND. We own a deep mine in the Bakerstown seam in
Garrett County, Maryland, known as the Steyer Mine. The Steyer Mine produced
286,000 tons of coal in 1998. That coal was shipped by truck to Mettiki Coal
Corporation and to our Vindex Mine in Grant County, West Virginia, where it was
blended and shipped to Virginia Electric Power Company's Mount Storm Power
Station. Coal mined from the Bakerstown seam averages 1.76 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 25%
ash, 10,200 Btu per pound, 5.0% moisture and 15 vol. The Steyer Mine has
approximately 11.0 million tons of recoverable reserves. The total cost of the
plant and equipment associated with the Steyer Mine was approximately $2.1
million at December 31, 1998, and its net book value was approximately $700,000.
We control a total of 22.7 million tons of reserves in Garrett County. All
of these reserves are steam coal reserves. Approximately 50% are assigned
reserves. Approximately 13.0 million tons, or 58%, of these reserves are deep
mineable.
We entered into a contract mining agreement for our operations in Garrett
County, and the contract miner began operations on April 12, 1999.
HARRISON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. We own 50% of a limited liability company
that operates a deep mine in the Pittsburgh seam in Harrison County, West
Virginia, known as the Sycamore Mine. Production from the Sycamore Mine began in
May 1997. The Sycamore Mine has approximately 5.1 million tons of recoverable
reserves with an average of 5.8 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 11% ash, 12,500 Btu per pound and
35 volatility.
Coal mined from the Sycamore Mine is sold and delivered by truck to the
nearby Harrison Power Station. Allegheny Power Service Corporation owns the
Harrison Power Station, which burns more than 5.0 million tons of coal per year.
The Harrison Power Station was recently equipped with a scrubber addition, which
allows the Harrison Power Station to burn the high sulfur coal produced at the
Sycamore Mine. In 1998, the Sycamore Mine shipped by truck a total of
approximately 630,000 tons to the Harrison Power Station.
We control a total of 56.6 million tons of reserves in Harrison County. All
of these reserves are steam coal, assigned reserves and are classified as deep
mineable.
GRANT COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. We own a surface mine in the Kittanning and
Freeport seams and a deep mine in the Bakerstown seam in Grant County, West
Virginia. The surface mine, known as the Vindex Mine, produced 312,000 tons of
coal in 1998. This coal was sold to Virginia Electric Power Company's Mount
Storm Power Station. The deep mine, known as the Stony River Mine, produced
approximately 333,000 tons of coal in 1998. The coal from the Stony River Mine
was sold to Mettiki Coal Corporation and to the Vindex Mine, where it was
blended and shipped to Virginia Electric Power Company's Mount Storm Power
Station. The blended product averages 3.0 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 16% ash, 12,000 Btu per
pound, 5.0% moisture and 15 volatility. The reserves for the Vindex Mine and the
Stony River Mine contain approximately 16.2 million tons of recoverable coal,
all of which are located within several miles of the Mount Storm Power Station.
All of these reserves are steam coal, assigned reserves. Approximately 1.3
million tons, or 8.0%, of the reserves in Grant County are surface mineable.
We operate a 200-tons-per-hour preparation plant located at the Vindex
Mine. The preparation plant processes coal from the Vindex, Steyer and Stony
River mines for shipment to Virginia Electric Power Company, referred to as
VEPCO. The total cost of the plant and equipment associated with our Grant
County operations was approximately $6.8 million at December 31, 1998, and its
net book value was approximately $5.3 million.
In December 1998, we were forced to idle the Vindex Mine because we had
mined all of its then permitted coal reserves, and we were unable to secure a
new mining permit for our adjacent properties.
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With the closing of the Vindex Mine, we were unable to sell that portion of the
production from the Stony River Mine which had previously been blended with coal
from the Vindex Mine and shipped to VEPCO's Mount Storm Power Station. On
December 17, 1999, the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection issued
the mining permit covering a portion of the Grant County surface mine operation.
Because the permit was not issued by October 15, 1999, VEPCO had the right to
terminate one of its long-term coal contracts with us. By letter dated February
1, 2000, VEPCO agreed not to terminate the contract if mining operations at the
Grant County mine resume shortly. We expect to resume mining at the Grant County
surface mine in April 2000.
We control a total of 29.9 million tons of reserves in Grant County. All of
these reserves are steam coal and assigned reserves. Approximately 27.4 million
tons, or 96.4%, of these reserves are deep mineable.
UPSHUR COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. In July 1997, we commenced production from a
deep mine in the Upper Freeport seam in Upshur County, West Virginia. As of
October 1, 1999, the deep mine, known as the Spruce Fork Mine No. 1, had
approximately 6.7 million tons of recoverable reserves in the Upper Freeport
seam. In 1998, the Spruce Fork Mine No. 1 produced 743,000 tons of coal. We sold
approximately 81% of the production from this mine to Baltimore Gas & Electric
Company, Lehigh Portland Cement, Logan Generating and Potomac Electric Power
Company. The quality of the reserves at the Spruce Fork Mine No. 1 averages 1.8
lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 9% ash, 13,000 Btu per pound, 6.0% moisture and 33 volatility. We
entered into a contract mining agreement for our Spruce Fork Mine No. 1, and the
contract miner began operations on June 1, 1999.
In September 1999, a contract miner commenced production from a new deep
mine in the Kittanning seam in Upshur Country. This deep mine, known as the
Spruce Fork Mine No. 2, has approximately 16.8 million tons of recoverable
reserves. The quality of these reserves averages 1.90 lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 9% ash,
13,000 Btu per pound and 33 volatility.
We own and operate a 700-tons-per-hour preparation plant known as the
Sawmill Run Plant. We acquired the plant from a subsidiary of Pittston Coal
Company, and we have upgraded the plant. We also own and operate a train loading
facility on the CSX railroad which is adjacent to the Sawmill Run Plant. The
loading facility is a high-speed unit train loading facility with an automatic
sampling system. The total cost of the plant and equipment associated with our
Upshur County operations was approximately $28.0 million at December 31, 1998,
and its net book value was approximately $26.0 million.
We control approximately 65.9 million tons of recoverable reserves in
Upshur County. All of these reserves are steam coal, assigned reserves and
classified as deep mineable.
OTHER RESERVES. In addition to the reserves discussed above in connection
with our existing mining operations, we own or control substantial additional
reserves, including approximately 218 million tons of reserves in Taylor County,
West Virginia. All of the reserves in Taylor County are steam coal, unassigned
and classified as deep mineable. They have an average quality of 1.92
lbs.SO2/MMBtu, 10% ash, 13,000 Btu and 31 volatility. We are not currently
producing coal from these reserves and are holding them for future production.
CONTRACT MINING
We recently converted from operating our deep mines ourselves to using
contract miners to operate these mines for us. In each case, the contract miner
is a third party that provides coal extraction services at our mines. The
contract miner uses its own employees and supplies to mine the coal from our
reserves. The contract miner is responsible for making all capital expenditures
to advance the mine and continue coal production. As a service provider, the
contract miner produces the coal for us, and we own the coal at all times.
COAL TRANSPORTATION
Transportation costs range from 10 to 15% of the cost of a customer's coal
for coal trucked to power plants located in coal fields. For eastern utilities
supplied by rail, on the other hand, transportation costs range from 25 to 40%
of the cost of a customer's coal. Typically, customers receiving coal by truck
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purchase the coal on a delivered basis, freight included. Customers receiving
coal by rail and generally by barge are responsible for transportation charges.
As a result, the availability and cost of transportation constitute important
factors for the marketability of coal.
In 1998, approximately 60% of our tonnage traveled by rail on CSX and
Conrail, with the remaining 40% traveling by truck and inland waterway barges.
Although all of our mines are currently served only by CSX, we believe that the
freight charges we pay are competitive with the charges that other coal
producers served by multiple railroads pay. The practices of, and rates set by,
the railroad serving a particular mine might affect, either adversely or
favorably, our marketing efforts with respect to coal produced from the relevant
mine.
Effective on or about June 1, 1999, Conrail was divided between CSX and
Norfolk Southern. We anticipate that the division of Conrail will give us access
to affected markets without having to incur switching costs between railroads,
as we have in the past. Thus, we may be able to supply coal into various markets
more competitively because of lower rail transportation costs. We also expect
that our competitors will similarly benefit from the division of Conrail since
they will be able to supply coal into markets where we have in the past had a
transportation advantage because there was a single rail line haul into those
markets.
COAL MARKETING AND SALES
We currently conduct our marketing and sales operations primarily in the
eastern and mid-western United States.
Our sales and marketing staff in Morgantown, West Virginia focus on steam
coal sales in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions and on metallurgical coal
sales across the entire United States and Canada. Our sales and marketing staff
in Carmel, Indiana focus on sales in the mid-western United States. Sales of
coal in 1998 were 12.3 million tons, including 5.0 million tons shipped under
long-term contracts with utilities, 3.1 million tons under long-term contracts
with independent power producers, 2.4 million tons under spot market contracts
with utilities and 1.8 million tons to metallurgical and industrial customers.
Sales of coal in 1997 were 13.4 million tons, and sales of coal in 1996 were
11.6 million tons.
Anker Holding BV, which currently owns 6.84% of our fully-diluted common
stock, through related parties purchases coal from us for its international
trading operations. These purchases amounted to $131,000 in 1998, $9.7 million
in 1997 and $16.2 million in 1996.
LONG-TERM COAL SUPPLY CONTRACTS
During 1999, we have supplied coal to approximately 26 different customers
on a regular basis. We have entered into various long-term coal supply contracts
with our customers, particularly with our regional utilities and independent
power producers. We have secured long-term coal supply contracts with a weighted
average remaining life of approximately 5.4 years as of January 1, 2000. Our
long-term contracts have accounted for approximately 75% of our coal sales
revenues from 1994 to 1998. Over the same period, approximately 2.6 million tons
of annual coal shipments covered by long-term contracts were up for renewal, and
contracts for approximately 2.0 million tons of this coal were rolled over into
new long-term contracts upon their expiration. In addition, over the same
period, we entered into new long-term contracts for 2.3 million tons of annual
coal shipments. We believe that customers enter into these long-term contracts
principally to secure a reliable source of coal at predictable prices. We enter
into these contracts to obtain stable sources of revenues required to support
the large expenditures we need to open, expand and maintain the mines servicing
the contracts. Our long-term contracts with companies related to AES Corporation
accounted for approximately 18% of our revenues in 1998 compared to 17% of our
revenues in 1997 and 16% of our revenues in 1996. We expect shipments to these
customers to account for approximately 18% of our revenues in 1999. Our
shipments to VEPCO accounted for approximately 11% of our revenues in 1998,
compared to 6% of our revenues in 1997 and 5% of our revenues in 1996. We expect
shipments to VEPCO to account for approximately 10% of our revenues in 1999. In
addition, our shipments to Potomac Electric Power Company accounted for
approximately 10% of our revenues in 1998
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and 1997 compared to 11% of our revenues in 1996. We expect shipments to that
customer to account for approximately 27% of our revenues in 1999. The loss of
these customers and other of our long-term contracts could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk
Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We depend on key customers for a
significant portion of our revenues, and the loss of one or more of them could
adversely affect us."
The following table sets forth information regarding our long-term coal
supply contracts as of January 1, 2000. Of our 17 long-term contracts, 10 expire
on the stated expiration date and do not have renewal provisions. Our contracts
with BG&E -- Wagner Plant, Mettiki Coal Corp., ER&L/AES Thames Plant, MEA Plant
and Logan Generating Plant provide for extension upon mutual agreement. Our
contracts with PEPCO -- Chalk Point and Morgantown Plants and Lehigh
Portland -- Union Bridge Plant allow the customer to unilaterally extend the
contract for a period of one year. The expiration dates listed below are the
current expiration dates of our long-term contracts and do not reflect any
extensions or renewals. As noted above, during the period from 1994 to 1998,
approximately 2.6 million tons of annual coal shipments covered by long-term
contracts were up for renewal, and contracts for approximately 2.0 million tons
of this coal were rolled over into new long-term contracts upon their
expiration. We do not believe that our renewal rate is dependent upon whether
the contract includes renewal provisions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CURRENT
CONTINUOUS APPROXIMATE EXPIRATION ANNUAL
YEARS OF TERM OF CURRENT DATE OF CONTRACT
SERVICE WITH CONTRACT CURRENT TONNAGE
CUSTOMER CUSTOMER (NUMBER OF YEARS) CONTRACT (1) (IN THOUSANDS)
-------- ------------ ----------------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allegheny Energy-Harrison Plant......... 9 2 12/31/01 900
BG&E-Wagner Plant....................... 10 3 12/31/02 100
BG&E-Crane Plant........................ 5 3 12/31/02 175
PEPCO-Chalk Point & Morgantown Plants... 17 2 12/31/00 2150
Lehigh Portland-Union Bridge Plant...... 1 2 06/30/01 192(1)
Atlantic Electric-Deepwater Plant....... 17 6 06/30/01 160(2)
AK Steel-Ashland & Middletown Plants.... 3 2 12/31/01 480(1)
VEPCO-Mt. Storm Station-Vindex
Contract.............................. 8 3 12/31/01 360
PP&L-Brunner Island Plant............... 1 3 12/31/01 320(3)
VEPCO Mt. Storm Plant-Mastellar
Contract.............................. 8 8 12/31/02 432
Mettiki Coal Corp....................... 5 7 12/31/02 432
ER&L/AES Thames Plant................... 11 16 03/03/05 650(1)
MEA Plant............................... 8 15 09/14/07 120(1)
AES Shady Point Plant................... 9 18 12/31/07 600(1)
Logan Generating Plant.................. 5 21 12/31/14 400(1)
AES Beaver Valley Plant................. 14 20 12/31/16 576(4)
AES Warrior Run Plant(5)................ 0 20 12/31/19 650(1)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Reflects shipments under a "total requirements" contract. Amounts are
averages of what the customer has asked for and is expected to ask for in
the future. A "total requirements" contract is a contract in which the
seller agrees to supply all of the specific goods that the purchaser will
need during a specified period at an agreed price, and the purchaser agrees
to purchase all of those goods exclusively from the seller.
(2) Reflects an 85% requirements contract.
(3) Shipments for 2000 at 324,000 tons and 2001 at 162,000 tons.
(4) As of April 1, 1999 this contract changed from a coal supply agreement to an
agency agreement under which the customer pays a fee to us for all tons
delivered to the plant.
(5) Contract term is for 20 years from the commercial operation date, which has
yet to occur. We are currently shipping coal and expect the commercial
operation date to occur in the first quarter of 2000.
The terms of long-term coal supply contracts are based on bidding
procedures and extensive negotiations with customers. Consequently, the terms of
these contracts typically vary significantly from one another in many respects,
including their price adjustment features, price reopener terms, coal quality
requirements, quantity parameters, flexibility and adjustment mechanics,
permitted sources of supply,
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treatment of environmental constraints, options to extend and force majeure and
termination and assignment provisions.
Virtually all of our long-term coal supply contracts are subject to price
adjustment provisions. These price adjustment provisions permit an increase or
decrease in the contract price at specified times to reflect changes in market
price indices or other economic indices, taxes and other charges. Two of our 17
long-term coal supply contracts also contain price reopener provisions. These
price reopener provisions provide for the contract price to be adjusted upward
or downward at specified times on the basis of market factors. Price reopener
provisions might specify an index or other market pricing mechanism on which a
new contract price is to be based. Frequently, customers send bid solicitations
to other suppliers to establish a new price or to establish a right of first
refusal. Some price reopener provisions contain limitations on the magnitude of
the price change permitted. Contract prices under long-term coal supply
agreements frequently vary from the price at which a customer could acquire and
take delivery of coal of similar quality in the spot market.
Our long-term coal supply contracts specify Btu, sulfur, ash, moisture,
volatility and other quality requirements for the coal to be supplied. Most of
our contracts specify the approved seams and/or approved locations from which
the coal is to be mined.
Our long-term coal supply contracts contain "force majeure" provisions that
allow us and/or the customer to suspend performance under the contract to the
extent necessary while events beyond the reasonable control of the affected
party are occurring.
From time to time, we have become involved in contract disputes relating
to, among other things, coal quality, pricing, source of the coal and quantity.
While customer disputes, if unresolved, could result in the termination or
cancellation of the contracts to which they relate, our experience has been that
curative and/or dispute resolution measures decrease the likelihood of
termination or cancellation. In addition, our development of long-term business
relationships with many of our customers has generally permitted us to resolve
business disputes in a mutually acceptable manner. Nonetheless, we have from
time to time been involved in arbitration and other legal proceedings regarding
our long-term contracts, and we cannot assure you that existing and future
disputes can be resolved in a mutually satisfactory manner. In August 1999, to
resolve disputes under an agreement with VEPCO, we entered into an amendment to
that agreement. The amendment, among other things, gives VEPCO the right, but
not the obligation, to terminate that agreement to purchase coal from us since
the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection did not issue a permit
for the resumption of operations at our Grant County surface mine by October 15,
1999. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We depend on key customers
for a significant portion of our revenue, and the loss of one or more of them
could adversely affect us."
The operating profit margins we realize under our long-term coal supply
contracts vary from contract to contract and depend upon a variety of factors,
including price reopener and other price adjustment provisions, as well as our
production costs and the cost of brokered coal. Termination or suspension of
deliveries under a high-price contract could have a material adverse effect on
earnings and operating cash flow disproportionate to the percentage of
production the tonnage delivered under contract represents.
REGULATION AND LAWS
Federal, state and local authorities regulate the coal mining industry on
matters including employee health and safety, permitting and licensing
requirements, air quality standards, water pollution, the reclamation and
restoration of mining properties after mining is completed, the discharge of
materials into the environment, surface subsidence, which is the sinking or
settling of the earth's surface from underground mining and the effects that
mining has on groundwater quality and availability. In addition, significant
legislation mandating benefits for current and retired coal miners affects the
industry. Mining operations require numerous federal, state and local
governmental permits and approvals.
Our independent operating subsidiaries endeavor to conduct mining
operations in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations. However, because of extensive and comprehensive
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regulatory requirements, violations during mining operations occur from time to
time in the industry. Notwithstanding compliance efforts, we do not believe
these violations can be completely eliminated.
While it is not possible to quantify the costs of compliance with all
applicable laws, those costs have been and continue to be significant.
MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Federal legislation has imposed stringent safety and health standards since
1969, when Congress adopted the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.
The 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act resulted in increased operating costs
and reduced productivity. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
significantly expanded the enforcement of health and safety standards. The 1977
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act imposes safety and health standards on all
mining operations. Regulations are comprehensive and affect numerous aspects of
mining operations, including training of mine personnel, mining procedures,
blasting, the equipment used in mining operations and other matters. The Mine
Safety and Health Administration monitors compliance with these federal laws and
regulations. The Black Lung Benefits Act of 1969 and the Black Lung Benefits
Reform Act of 1977 constitute parts of the 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
and the 1977 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, respectively. In addition to
the federal framework, most of the states in which we operate impose regulatory
and legal parameters for mine safety and health.
One of our long-term goals is to achieve excellent health and safety
performance, as measured by accident frequency rates and other measures. We
believe that our attainment of this goal is inherently tied to our attainment of
productivity and financial goals. We seek to implement this goal by, among other
measures
- training employees in safe work practices;
- carrying out periodical safety audits at each operation;
- openly communicating with employees;
- establishing, following and improving safety standards;
- involving employees in establishing safety standards; and
- recording, reporting and investigating all accidents, incidents and
losses to avoid recurrences.
As evidence of the effectiveness of our safety program, the West Virginia
Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training awarded our Osage Mine in
Monongalia County, West Virginia the Bart Lay Award. The Osage Mine was
recognized as the safest coal mine in West Virginia during 1996 and 1997. In
addition, the Mine Safety and Health Administration awarded the Webster County
surface mine and the Steyer Mine the Pacesetter Award for lowest accident
frequency for 1998. The State of West Virginia awarded the preparation plant
associated with the Sentinel Mine the Mountain Guardian Award for lowest
accident and violation frequency for 1998.
BENEFITS UNDER BLACK LUNG LEGISLATION
In order to compensate miners who were last employed as miners prior to
1970, the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977 and the Black Lung Benefits
Reform Act of 1977, as amended by the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1981
and the Black Lung Benefits Amendments of 1981, levy a tax on production of
$1.10 per ton for deep-mined coal and $0.55 per ton for surface-mined coal,
neither amount to exceed 4.4% of the sales price. In addition, the 1981 Acts
provide that some claims for which coal operators had previously been
responsible will be obligations of a government trust funded by the tax. The
Revenue Act of 1987 extended the termination date of the tax from January 1,
1996 to the earlier of January 1, 2014 and the first January on which the
government trust becomes solvent. We maintain a fully-insured program covering
all black lung claims through the West Virginia Workers Compensation
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and the West Virginia Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Funds. We have not received
any notice of claims for black lung disease which the plans would not cover.
The United States Department of Labor has issued proposed amendments to the
regulations implementing the federal black lung laws which, among other things,
- expand the definition of coal works pneumoconiosis,
- liberalize the standards for entitlement to living miners' and widows'
benefits,
- restrict the number of medical reports a party may use in defending a
claim and
- expand the types of medical conditions for which treatment must be
provided.
If adopted, the amendments could have an adverse impact on us, the extent
of which we cannot accurately predict.
COAL INDUSTRY RETIREE HEALTH BENEFIT ACT OF 1992
Congress enacted the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 in
October 1992 to provide for the funding of health benefits for United Mine
Workers Association retirees. The Health Benefits Act was enacted to eliminate
the funding deficits of the 1950 and 1974 United Mine Workers Association
Benefit Trusts by establishing a trust fund to which "signatory operators" are
obligated to pay annual premiums for assigned beneficiaries, together with a pro
rata share for unassigned beneficiaries who never worked for those employers.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services is to determine the amounts of the
premiums to be paid on the basis set forth in the Health Benefits Act.
"Signatory operators" include operators who are signatory to the current or
prior National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreements. "Related persons" include
entities that we at one time owned which were signatory operators. For the plan
year from October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999, we contributed
approximately $386,000 under this legislation, which represented payments that
accrued and were owing with respect to prior years. Based upon independent
actuarial estimates, we believe that the amount of our obligation under the new
plan will be approximately $7.3 million as of December 31, 1998, using a 7%
discount rate. This amount is recorded on our consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus. We will fund amounts paid in connection
with this obligation with cash from operations or borrowings under our credit
facility. We have also been involved in a lawsuit concerning a dispute over a
portion of the premiums we allegedly owe. See " -- Legal Proceedings."
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
We are subject to various federal environmental laws, including the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act, the Clean Air Act, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act and
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. We are also subject to state laws of
similar scope in each state in which we operate. These laws require governmental
approval of many aspects of coal mining operations. As a result, both federal
and state inspectors regularly visit our mines and other facilities in order to
assure compliance.
SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT. The federal Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, administered by the Office of Surface
Mining, establishes mining and reclamation standards for all aspects of surface
mining as well as many aspects of deep mining. The Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act and similar state statutes require, among other things, that
mined property be restored in accordance with specified standards and an
approved reclamation plan. In addition, the Abandoned Mine Lands Act, which is
part of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, imposes a tax on all
current mining operations. The proceeds of the tax are used to restore mines
closed before 1977. The maximum tax is $0.35 per ton on surface-mined coal and
$0.15 per ton on underground-mined coal.
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act also requires that we meet
comprehensive environmental protection and reclamation standards during the
course of, and upon completion of, mining activities. For example, the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act requires that we restore a
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surface mine to approximate original contour as contemporaneously as
practicable. The mine operator must submit a bond or otherwise secure the
performance of these reclamation obligations. We must obtain permits for surface
mining operations from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement. On the other hand, where state regulatory agencies have adopted
federally approved state programs under the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act, we must obtain the permits from the appropriate state
regulatory authority. We accrue for the liability associated with all end of
mine reclamation on a ratable basis as the coal reserve is being mined. We
periodically update the estimated cost of reclamation, and the corresponding
accrual, on our financial statements. The earliest a reclamation bond can be
released is five years after reclamation to the approximate original contour has
been achieved.
All states in which our active mining operations are located have achieved
primary jurisdiction for Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act enforcement
through approved state programs. Under the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act, responsibility for any coal operator that is currently in
violation of the Act can be imputed to other companies that are deemed,
according to regulations, to "own or control" the coal operator. Sanctions can
include being blocked from receiving new permits and rescission or suspension of
existing permits. Because of a federal court action invalidating the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act ownership and control regulations, the scope
and potential impact of the "ownership and control" requirements on us are
unclear. The Office of Surface Mining has responded to the court action by
promulgating interim regulations, which more narrowly apply the ownership and
control standards to coal companies. Although the federal action should have a
precedential effect on state regulations dealing with "ownership and control,"
which are in many instances similar to the invalidated federal regulations, we
are not certain what impact the federal court decision will have on these state
regulations.
CLEAN AIR ACT. The Clean Air Act, including the Clean Air Act Amendments,
and corresponding state laws that regulate the emissions of materials into the
air, affect coal mining operations both directly and indirectly. Coal mining and
processing operations may be directly affected by Clean Air Act permitting
requirements and/or emissions control requirements relating to particulate
matter, such as fugitive dust. Coal mining and processing may also be impacted
by future regulation of fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers in
diameter or smaller. Regulations relating to fugitive dust and coal emissions
may restrict our ability to develop new mines or require us to modify our
existing operations. The Clean Air Act indirectly affects coal mining operations
by extensively regulating the air emissions of coal-fueled electric power
generating plants. Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments places limits on
sulfur dioxide emissions from electric power generation plants. The limits set
baseline emission standards for these facilities. Reductions in these sulfur
dioxide emissions will occur in two phases. Phase I began in 1995 and currently
applies to 445 utility units. Phase II will begin in 2000 and will apply to all
facilities, including those subject to the 1995 restrictions. The affected
utilities may be able to meet these requirements by, among other things,
switching to lower sulfur fuels, installing pollution control devices such as
scrubbers, reducing electricity generating levels or by purchasing or trading
pollution credits. Specific emissions sources will receive these credits, which
utilities and industrial concerns can trade or sell to allow other units to emit
higher levels of sulfur dioxide.
We cannot ascertain completely the effect of the Clean Air Act Amendments
at this time. It was generally anticipated that Phase I of Title IV of the Clean
Air Act Amendments would increase prices for low sulfur coal. This price
increase, however, did not materialize. When the Clean Air Act Amendments were
enacted, many plants switched to low sulfur coal supplied from the Powder River
Basin, located predominantly in Wyoming. This compliance strategy generated an
unexpectedly large number of pollution credits, which were then marketed
together with lower cost, higher sulfur coal and sold in competition with
Central Appalachian production. We believe these factors reduced or capped the
anticipated price increase for Central Appalachian low sulfur coal in Phase I.
We believe that in Phase II, the price for low sulfur coal is more likely
to increase, and the price for high sulfur coal to decrease, because additional
coal-burning electric power plants will be affected by Phase II. However, this
is not expected to occur until well into Phase II, after the large bank of
pollution credits which has developed in connection with Phase I has been
reduced and before utilities electing to
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comply with Phase II by installing scrubber sulfur-reduction technologies are
able to implement this compliance strategy. We do not believe that compliance
strategies utilizing scrubbers will result in significant downward pressure on
compliance coal prices during initial phases of Phase II. However, if the prices
of compliance coal and/or pollution credits rise, scrubber compliance strategies
may become more competitive. The expected reduction of the existing bank of
pollution credits during Phase II should also help to rationalize the market for
compliance coal during the long term to the extent utilities are unable to
utilize strategies to create a new bank of pollution credits. This legislation
limits the ability of some of our customers to burn higher sulfur coals unless
these customers have or are willing to install scrubbers, to blend coal or to
bear the cost of acquiring emission credits that permit them to burn higher
sulfur coal. We have endeavored to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the
legislation's limitations on sulfur dioxide emissions through our acquisition
and development of compliance and low sulfur coal reserves and operations in
Appalachia.
The Clean Air Act Amendments also require that existing major sources of
nitrogen oxides in moderate or higher ozone non-attainment areas install
reasonably available control technology for nitrogen oxides, which are
precursors of ozone. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is
expected to implement stricter ozone ambient air quality standards by 2003. In
September 1998, the EPA issued its final rule on regional nitrogen oxide
emission reductions directed at 22 eastern states and the District of Columbia.
This rule is intended to further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by the year
2003. In estimating the impact of this rule on emissions sources, the EPA
assumed reductions of approximately 85% from electric generating units, although
it is up to the individual states to determine how the reductions are to be
imposed on sources within their borders. In addition, in response to petitions
filed under Section 126 of the Clean Air Act Amendments, the EPA has proposed to
apply additional restrictions on nitrogen oxide emissions from specified
individual sources, including electric generating facilities, in various states,
including West Virginia. Because the EPA's actions have been challenged, we do
not know what the ultimate impact of these actions will be. The installation of
reasonably available control technology, and any control measures beyond the
reasonably available control technology that the states and the EPA may require,
will make it more costly to operate coal-fired power plants. In addition,
depending on the requirements of individual state attainment plans and the
development of revised new source performance standards, the installation of
these measures could make coal a less attractive fuel or alternative in the
planning and building of power plants in the future. If coal's share of the
capacity for power generation were to be reduced, a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations could result. We cannot
predict with certainty the effect this legislation, regulatory action and
pending litigation, as well as other legislation that may be enacted in the
future, could have on the coal industry in general and on us in particular. We
cannot assure you that implementation of the Clean Air Act Amendments, new or
revised ambient air quality standards or any other current or future regulatory
provision, will not materially adversely affect us.
COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION AND LIABILITY ACT. The
federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and
similar state laws may affect coal mining operations by imposing clean-up
requirements for threatened or actual releases of hazardous substances that may
endanger public health or welfare or the environment. Under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, joint and several
liability may be imposed on waste generators, site owners and operators and
others regardless of fault or the legality of the original disposal activity.
Waste substances generated by coal mining and processing are generally not
regarded as hazardous substances for purposes of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act.
CLEAN WATER ACT. Both the federal Clean Water Act and corresponding state
statutes affect coal mining operations by imposing restrictions on discharges,
including acid mine drainage, into surface waters, ground water and wetlands.
The Clean Water Act permitting requirements can impact coal mining operations in
two primary ways. First, under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the dredging,
filling or impoundment of waters of the United States requires a permit from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, under Section 402 of the Clean Water
Act, a permit must be obtained for a discharge from any
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point source into waters of the United States. State laws have similar
permitting requirements. Regular monitoring, as well as compliance with
reporting requirements and performance standards, are included under the Clean
Water Act and are preconditions for the renewal of required permits. In
addition, to the extent not otherwise regulated by applicable law, West
Virginia's Groundwater Protection Act may affect coal mining operations by
imposing restrictions to protect groundwater quality.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT. The federal Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, and corresponding state statutes, may affect coal mining
operations by imposing requirements for the treatment, storage and disposal of
hazardous wastes. Although many mining wastes are excluded from the regulatory
definition of hazardous waste, and coal mining operations covered by Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act permits are exempted from regulation under
the Resource Conservation Recovery Act by statute, the EPA is studying the
possibility of expanding regulation of mining wastes under the Resource
Conservation Recovery Act.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT. The Toxic Substances Control Act regulates,
among other things, the use and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls, a
substance that, in the past, was commonly found in coolants and hydraulic fluids
that the mining industry utilized. The penalties imposed under the Toxic
Substances Control Act for the improper disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls
can be significant.
COMPETITION
The U.S. coal industry is highly competitive, with numerous producers in
all coal-producing regions. Competition in the coal industry is based on a
variety of factors, including price, location, transportation, quality and
stability of supply. Historically, we have competed with many other larger
producers, as well as small producers in our region. Many of our customers are
also customers of our competitors. In addition, some of our larger competitors
have both the size of reserves and capital resources to utilize mining
technologies providing low cost production, which we cannot. The markets in
which we sell our coal are highly competitive and affected by factors beyond our
control. Continued demand for our coal and the prices that we will be able to
obtain will depend primarily on coal consumption patterns of the domestic
electric utility industry. Domestic coal consumption patterns, in turn, are
affected by the demand for electricity, deregulation of electric utilities, coal
transportation costs and consolidation within the rail transportation industry,
environmental and other governmental regulations, technological developments and
the availability and price of competing coal and alternative fuel supply sources
such as oil, natural gas, nuclear energy and hydroelectric energy.
Although demand for coal has grown over the recent past, the industry has
since been faced with over-capacity, which in turn has increased competition and
lowered prevailing coal prices. Moreover, because of greater competition for
electricity and increased pressure from customers and regulators to lower
electricity prices, the term lengths of long-term sales contracts generally have
decreased. In addition, public utilities are lowering fuel costs by buying
higher percentages of spot coal through a competitive bidding process. They are
also buying only the amount of coal necessary to meet their requirements.
EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS
We recently changed from operating our deep mines ourselves to utilizing
contract miners to operate these mines. As a result, our employee base has been
significantly reduced from 668 employees as of December 31, 1998 to 162 as of
September 30, 1999. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement.
We consider our relations with our employees to be good. If some or all of our
currently non-union operations were to become unionized, we could incur higher
labor costs and an increased risk of work stoppages. We cannot assure you that
our workforce will not unionize in the future. The labor force for our contract
miners is currently not unionized. If some or all of our contract miners'
employees were to become unionized, the contract miners could incur higher labor
costs and have an increased risk of work stoppages, which could adversely affect
our business and costs of operations.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In 1998, two of our subsidiaries, Anker Energy Corporation and King Knob
Coal Co., Inc., sued Consolidation Coal Company, known as Consol, the Social
Security Administration, which is the administrator of the Coal Industry Retiree
Health Benefit Act of 1992, and the Trustees of the United Mine Workers of
America Combined Benefit Fund in the U.S. District for the Western District of
Pennsylvania. Our subsidiaries claimed that:
- Consol is responsible for paying approximately one-third of the
subsidiaries' 1992 Coal Act premiums that relate to employees affected by
Consol's breach of several contract mining agreements in the early
1980's;
- the Social Security Administration should be prohibited from continuing
to invoice Anker Energy and King Knob for these payments, which Consol
should have made; and
- the 1992 Coal Act is unconstitutional.
The trustees filed a counterclaim against Anker Energy and King Knob for
the amount of premiums they have failed to pay as a result of their claim
against Consol. The trial court granted the trustees' motion for summary
judgment on this counterclaim, as well as the motions to dismiss that Consol and
the Social Security Administration filed.
Anker Energy and King Knob appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Third Circuit. The appeals court reversed the trial court's ruling with respect
to Consol but affirmed all of the trial court's other rulings. As a result,
Anker Energy and King Knob could pursue their claim for reimbursement against
Consol, but they were required to pay the disputed portion of their 1992 Coal
Act premiums while the claim was pending. The disputed portion of premiums,
including interest and penalties, is currently approximately $1.6 million.
Interest accrues at the post judgment rate of nine percent per year.
On August 12, 1999, Anker Energy and King Knob filed for a writ of
certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court of appeals' judgment was stayed
pending the Supreme Court's disposition of the writ. On November 16, 1999, the
Supreme Court denied the writ of certiorari, and Anker Energy and King Knob paid
the disputed premiums, which amounted to approximately $1.6 million including
interest and penalties, in January 2000. We have fully accrued the entire
judgment in prior years. Anker Energy and King Knob funded the judgment from
borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
We and our subsidiaries are also involved in various legal proceedings
incidental to our normal business activities. Our management does not believe
that the outcome of any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect
on our operations.
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MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Our executive officers and directors are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
William D. Kilgore.............. 64 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
P. Bruce Sparks................. 44 President and Director
John A. H. Shober............... 66 Director
Thomas R. Denison............... 39 Director
Willem H. Hartog................ 37 Director
Michael M. Matesic.............. 34 Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Richard B. Bolen................ 51 Senior Vice President -- Sales, Anker Energy
Corporation
Gerald Peacock.................. 45 Vice President, Anker Energy Corporation
B. Judd Hartman................. 36 Secretary
James A. Walls.................. 37 Assistant Secretary
</TABLE>
The term of each of the directors expires annually upon the election and
qualification of a successor at the annual meeting of our stockholders.
MANAGEMENT BIOGRAPHIES
WILLIAM D. KILGORE. Mr. Kilgore was named Chairman of our Board and our
Chief Executive Officer, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Anker Energy
Corporation, our subsidiary, on May 1, 1999. Mr. Kilgore has 42 years experience
in the coal industry. Over the past five years, Mr. Kilgore has served as a
consultant to Kanawha Eagle, LLC, Double Eagle, LLC, New Eagle, LLC and Mossy
Eagle, LLC, all of which are Central Appalachian coal companies. Mr. Kilgore
served as President/Chief Executive Officer and Director of Agipcoal from 1989
to 1994 and as Vice President/General Manager of Enoxy Coal, Inc. from 1985 to
1989.
P. BRUCE SPARKS. Mr. Sparks has been our President since October 28, 1997,
and he has been a stockholder since 1996. From 1988 to October 1997, he was
Executive Vice President of Anker and our predecessor, Anker Group, Inc. Mr.
Sparks was the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer of
Anker Group from 1985 until 1988. A 1976 business graduate from Concord College,
he spent seven years in various management positions with CoalARBED, Inc., a
coal company, the last of which was as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer before joining us. Mr. Sparks has been with us for 14 years.
JOHN A. H. SHOBER. Mr. Shober was elected Chairman of the Board on October
28, 1997, and he served as Chairman until June 8, 1999. He has served as one of
our Directors since 1996. Mr. Shober is a private investor and corporate
director. Mr. Shober serves as a director of Penn Virginia Corporation, a
natural resources company; Airgas, Inc., a distributor of industrial gas and
industrial gas supplies; Hercules, Inc., a manufacturer of performance
chemicals; C&D Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of stored power systems;
Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of detonation devices; and
MIBRAG mbH, a German coal mining and power company. He serves as a member of the
Advisory Board of First Reserve Corporation, which oversees the investment
activities and decisions of First Reserve acting in its capacity as manager for
the First Reserve Funds' investment portfolios.
THOMAS R. DENISON. Mr. Denison became one of our Directors in August 1998.
Mr. Denison is a Managing Director and General Counsel of First Reserve. He
joined the firm in January 1998 and opened its Denver office. Prior to joining
First Reserve, he was a partner in the international law firm of Gibson, Dunn &
Crutcher LLP, which he joined in 1986 as an associate. Mr. Denison received his
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of
Denver and his Juris Doctorate from the
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University of Virginia. Mr. Denison also serves as a Director of TransMontaigne,
Inc. and Patina Oil & Gas Corporation.
WILLEM H. HARTOG. Mr. Hartog was elected one of our Directors on December
31, 1998. Mr. Hartog has been Senior Vice President Finance and Administration
of Anker Holding, B.V. and various of its subsidiaries since 1998 and has worked
for Anker Holding in various capacities since 1994. Prior to joining Anker
Holding, Mr. Hartog was employed by KPMG as a member of its audit staff.
MICHAEL M. MATESIC. Mr. Matesic is a Certified Public Accountant and has
been our Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since October 28, 1997 and
Secretary/Treasurer of various of our subsidiaries since 1996. From 1990 to
October 1997, he was Controller of Anker Energy. A 1987 graduate of Duquesne
University with a B.S. in Business Administration, he spent two years on the
audit staff of Ernst & Young LLP, certified public accountants. Mr. Matesic's
responsibilities include accounting, tax, financial administration, human
resources and risk management. Mr. Matesic is a member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, and the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr.
Matesic has been with us for 10 years.
RICHARD B. BOLEN. Mr. Bolen has been Senior Vice President -- Sales of
Anker Energy since June 8, 1998. Mr. Bolen joined an affiliate of Anker Energy
in 1979 and served as its President from 1980 through 1994. In 1994, he became
President of another affiliate, and, in 1995, he assumed the additional duties
of Vice President Operations, Southern Region, for Anker Energy. From October
1996 -- June 1998, Mr. Bolen was Senior Vice President of Operations of Anker
Energy. Mr. Bolen is a 1970 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a
degree in Mining Engineering. Prior to joining Anker Energy, he served in
various management capacities with Consolidation Coal Company, Virginia Electric
and Power Company, Jewell Smokeless Coal Corporation and Jno. McCall Coal
Company.
GERALD PEACOCK. Mr. Peacock joined Anker Energy in June 1998, as Vice
President of Operations. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1976. Prior to June, 1998, he was employed by
Arch Mineral Corporation for 20 years, serving in several senior positions,
including President and Vice President of Catenary Coal Holdings, Inc., one of
Arch's operating subsidiaries.
B. JUDD HARTMAN. Mr. Hartman was elected as our Secretary effective
November 1, 1997. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hartman was a partner with the law
firm of Spilman, Thomas & Battle in Charleston, West Virginia, a firm that he
joined in 1989 as an associate. Mr. Hartman graduated from Washington and Lee
University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and received his
Juris Doctorate degree in 1989 from Wake Forest University School of Law. Mr.
Hartman has been with us for two years.
JAMES A. WALLS. Mr. Walls has been our Assistant Secretary since 1993. He
graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of
Arts and Juris Doctorate degree in 1989. Prior to March of 1993, he was employed
by Spilman, Thomas & Battle in Charleston, West Virginia. Mr. Walls has been
with us for six years.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table presents summary information of the compensation that
we paid or accrued for services rendered in all capacities for the last three
completed fiscal years for our Chief Executive Officer
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and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers of us or
Anker Energy Corporation, determined as of December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AND AWARDS
------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
RESTRICTED OPTIONS/
NAME AND FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL STOCK SARS LTIP ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS (#) PAYMENTS COMPENSATION
------------------ ------ -------- ------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
P. Bruce Sparks.............. 1998 $267,404 $15,000 $2,391 -- -- -- --
President, Chief Executive... 1997 252,885 90,953 3,625 -- -- -- --
Officer(1)................... 1996 210,005 157,757 1,600 -- -- -- $2,885,000(2)
Ben H. Daud(3)............... 1998 181,731 -- 224(3) .25(4) -- -- --
Chief Operating Officer...... 1997 23,557 20,750 450 -- -- -- --
(Anker Energy)............... 1996 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Richard B. Bolen(4).......... 1998 172,115 -- 761 .25(4) -- -- --
Senior Vice President........ 1997 175,000 18,052 5,126 -- -- -- --
(Anker Energy)............... 1996 152,000 20,000 3,036 -- -- -- --
Kim A. Burke(5).............. 1998 170,192 -- 5,723 -- -- -- --
Senior Vice President........ 1997 175,000 15,166 4,143 -- -- -- --
(Anker Energy)............... 1996 136,615 35,000 4,841 -- -- -- --
Gerald Peacock(6)............ 1998 93,654 15,000 -- .20(4) -- -- --
Vice President............... 1997 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
(Anker Energy)............... 1996 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Mr. Sparks resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Kilgore was named
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors on May 1,
1999. See "-- Employment Agreements" below for a description of Mr.
Kilgore's compensation arrangements.
(2) In 1996, Mr. Sparks received a one-time bonus. The bonus consists of
$1,385,000 cash and $1,500,000 recognized compensation for stock received in
connection with our recapitalization.
(3) Mr. Daud was hired by Anker Energy Corporation on November 1, 1997. The
listed amounts for 1997 represent only compensation he received from
November 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. We estimate that his annual
compensation for 1997 would have been: salary, $175,000; bonus, $22,500; and
other annual compensation, $4,841. Mr. Daud resigned from Anker Energy
Corporation on July 2, 1999.
(4) On October 1, 1998, Mr. Daud, Mr. Bolen and Mr. Peacock received restricted
stock awards of common stock under our 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
Awards were valued for purposes of the plan at the par value of the common
stock, which is $0.01 per share.
(5) Mr. Burke's employment with Anker Energy Corporation ended on May 8, 1999.
(6) Anker Energy Corporation hired Mr. Peacock on May 11, 1998. The listed
amounts for 1998 represent only compensation he received from May 11, 1998
through December 31, 1998. We estimate that his annual compensation for 1998
would have been: salary, $150,000; bonus, $15,000; and other annual
compensation, $0.
BOARD COMPENSATION
All directors are reimbursed for their usual and customary expenses
incurred in attending all board and committee meetings. Each director who is not
also an officer receives an aggregate annual fee of $12,000 for serving on our
board of directors. In addition to the annual fee of $12,000, Mr. Shober
received an additional $57,000 for serving as Chairman of the Board in 1998.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Mr. Sparks has an employment agreement with us and our subsidiaries, Anker
Group, Inc., Anker Energy Corporation and Simba Group, Inc. The agreement with
Anker Energy is dated as of August 1, 1996 and expires on July 31, 2002. The
agreement with Anker Energy provides for Mr. Sparks' employment as an executive
officer of Anker Energy at an annual salary of:
- $250,000 for the period August 1, 1996 through July 31, 1997
- $257,500 for the period August 1, 1997 through July 31, 1998
- $265,200 for the period August 1, 1998 through July 31, 1999
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- $273,200 for the period August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000
- $281,200 for the period August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001 and
- $289,600 for the period August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002.
The agreement with Anker Energy also provides for a quarterly bonus of
$3,750 for each calendar quarter during its duration, and a yearly bonus based
on our financial performance. Mr. Sparks may terminate his employment upon 30
days' notice. In the event Anker Energy were to terminate Mr. Sparks other than
for cause at any time prior to August 1, 2000, Mr. Sparks would be entitled to
receive the annual salary, bonuses and benefits that he would have received
under the agreement with Anker Energy through July 31, 2002, had Anker Energy
not terminated his employment. In the event Anker Energy were to terminate Mr.
Sparks other than for cause at any time on or after August 1, 2000, Mr. Sparks
would have the option to receive either
- 250% of his then current annual salary or
- the compensation, bonuses and other benefits he would have been entitled
to receive under the agreement with Anker Energy, had Anker Energy not
terminated him, for a period of two years.
In addition, Mr. Sparks is entitled to participate in any of Anker Energy's
pension plans for which he is eligible. Mr. Spark's agreement with Anker Energy
also requires him not to compete with Anker Energy during the employment term
and for a period of one year following the termination of the agreement. Mr.
Sparks also has employment agreements, each without compensation, with us, Anker
Group and Simba Group, Inc., providing for his seat on the board of directors of
those companies and his employment as an executive officer of those companies.
Mr. Kilgore also has an employment agreement with us and Anker Energy
Corporation, dated as of May 1, 1999. The term of the agreement ends on December
31, 2002. The agreement provides for Mr. Kilgore's employment as Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at an annual salary of $315,000.
Mr. Kilgore is entitled to participate in any of Anker Energy's benefits plans
for which he is eligible and may be reimbursed for costs of relocating his
residence, not to exceed $125,000. Mr. Kilgore also may receive cash bonuses, at
Anker Energy's discretion, and an incentive bonus in the event we undergo a
change of control. The incentive bonus, which would be calculated based on
specified financial tests' being met, can be as much as $2.5 million, and could
include an option for Mr. Kilgore to purchase as much as five percent of our
then-outstanding common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share.
In the event that Anker Energy were to terminate Mr. Kilgore's employment
other than for cause on or before May 1, 2001, Mr. Kilgore would be entitled to
receive, in addition to the salary and bonus he had earned to that date, the
amount of his annual salary he would have received for an additional 36 months
less the number of months that have elapsed since Mr. Kilgore's employment. In
the event that Anker Energy were to terminate Mr. Kilgore's employment other
than for cause after May 1, 2001 but before May 1, 2002, Mr. Kilgore would be
entitled to the annual salary he would have received for an additional year had
he not been terminated. In the event that Anker Energy were to terminate Mr.
Kilgore's employment other than for cause after December 31, 2002, Mr. Kilgore
would be entitled to the annual salary he would have received for an additional
year had he not been terminated. Mr. Kilgore's agreement with Anker Energy also
requires him not to compete with Anker Energy during the employment term and for
a period of two years following the termination of the agreement.
None of our other employees has an employment contract with us or any of
our subsidiaries.
1997 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
GENERAL
Our 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of
restricted stock awards or stock options to designated officers and key
employees of us or our affiliates of up to a maximum of 300 shares
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of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of our common stock. The plan is
intended to motivate, reward and retain participants in the plan for
contributing to our long-term success. It does so by providing an opportunity
for meaningful capital accumulation linked to our future success and
appreciation in shareholder value.
Our president is responsible for administering the plan. Subject to the
approval of our board of directors, the president has the authority to designate
who may participate in the plan and the number of shares of common stock subject
to each restricted stock award or stock option. Awards and options are granted
based on the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the award
or option. Fair market value is determined by the board of directors.
As long as our common stock is not publicly traded, the plan provides that
we have a call right. This means that we have the right to purchase at fair
market value any vested option and any shares that a participant in the plan
owns as a result of the exercise of an option or the grant of an award. We also
have a right of first refusal with respect to these shares.
The board of directors has the authority to amend the plan, including with
respect to the acceleration of vesting of options and awards. No modification
will become effective, however, without the prior approval of the participants
in the plan if the approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory
requirement or rule of any exchange or system on which the stock may be listed.
In addition, no amendment may, without a participant's consent, adversely affect
any rights that a participant has under any award or grant that is outstanding
at the time the amendment is made.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
When a participant in the 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan is granted a
restricted stock award, he or she must sign a restricted stock award agreement.
Under the agreement and the plan, the shares of common stock subject to the
award will be nontransferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and subject to forfeiture until the shares are vested. Unless the
board of directors accelerates the vesting period, the shares subject to an
award will become fully vested on the sixth anniversary of the award if the
participant in the plan has been in our continuous employ during that six-year
period. Vesting will be accelerated upon the termination of the participant's
employment due to
- death, disability or retirement
- the involuntary termination of the participant's employment during the
90-day period following our merger with another entity
- the voluntary termination of the participant's employment at any time
after one year following our merger with another entity or
- a change of control.
Under the plan, a change of control is deemed to occur if any person or
group that is not a beneficial owner of our voting securities as of the date of
the adoption of the plan becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
of our securities that represent in the aggregate 75% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of our then-outstanding securities. Once
vested, the shares of common stock are no longer subject to forfeiture and may
be transferred. However, the shares will continue to be subject to our call
rights and right of first refusal.
STOCK OPTIONS
When a participant in the 1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan is granted a
stock option, he or she must sign a stock option grant agreement. Under the
agreement and the plan, the participant's options would become fully vested on
the third anniversary of the date the option is granted if the participant has
been in our or an affiliate's continuous employ during that three-year period.
Vesting for an option will be accelerated on the same basis as vesting is
accelerated for restricted stock awards, as discussed above. Once an option is
vested, a participant may exercise the option as provided in the plan. Options
granted
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under the plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of the option. After common
stock is purchased pursuant to an option, the shares will continue to be subject
to our call rights and right of first refusal.
OUTSTANDING AWARDS AND OPTIONS
As of October 31, 1999, a total of 147 shares of common stock were
outstanding under the plan. Twelve participants hold these shares, and these
shares are fully vested. We have not granted any options under the plan.
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE BONUSES
Designated members of our and our subsidiaries' management, including the
executive officers set forth under "-- Executive Officers and Directors" above,
are eligible to receive cash bonuses in addition to their annual salary
compensation. These awards are based on the performance of these individuals, as
determined by their direct supervisors and other senior management, and our
financial performance and that of our subsidiaries. In addition, Mr. Kilgore and
Mr. Sparks are entitled to incentive bonuses as described under "-- Employment
Agreements."
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
At a meeting of our board of directors on May 22, 1997, a compensation
committee was established. Mr. Macaulay, a former director of Anker, and Mr.
Shober were appointed members of the committee. Mr. Shober is currently the only
member of the compensation committee. The compensation committee did not hold
any meetings in 1998 or 1999. Other than Mr. Sparks, no current or former
executive officer or employee of us or any of our subsidiaries participated in
deliberations of the board of directors concerning executive officer
compensation. Mr. Sparks' compensation is established in accordance with his
employment agreement. See "-- Employment Agreements" above.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information concerning the ownership of our
common stock, as of February 1, 2000, except as otherwise noted, by:
- each person known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding common stock
- each person who is a director or a nominee of Anker
- each person who is identified on the executive compensation table above
and
- all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
The percentage of beneficial ownership of common stock is based on 7,108
shares outstanding as of February 1, 2000. In addition, we issued warrants to
purchase common stock in connection with the private exchange and private
placement consummated on October 28, 1999. The warrants are exercisable
immediately, and holders of these warrants are included in the following table
to the extent applicable. See "Description of Warrants."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
------------------------------------ ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
First Reserve Corporation
475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830(1)......... 5,407 76.07%
William Macaulay(2)......................................... 5,407 76.07
John Hill(2)................................................ 5,407 76.07
Anker Holding B.V. ......................................... 695 9.78
P.O. Box 1334
3000 BH
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Willem G. Rottier(3)........................................ 695 9.78
Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P.
1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020(4).... 1,782(5) 20.04(5)
William D. Kilgore.......................................... -- --
Thomas R. Denison........................................... -- --
John A. H. Shober........................................... -- --
Willem H. Hartog............................................ -- --
PPK Group Limited Liability Company(6)...................... 859 12.08
P. Bruce Sparks(7).......................................... 859 12.08
Richard B. Bolen............................................ 25 0.35
Gerald Peacock.............................................. 20 0.28
All executive officers and directors as..................... 904 12.72
a group ((10) persons)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Shares of common stock shown as owned by First Reserve are owned of record
by American Oil & Gas Investors, Limited Partnership, AmGO II, Limited
Partnership, First Reserve Fund V, Limited Partnership, First Reserve Fund
V-2, Limited Partnership, First Reserve Fund VI, Limited Partnership and
First Reserve Fund VII, Limited Partnership. First Reserve is the sole
general partner of, and possesses sole voting and investment power for, each
of the funds.
(2) Messrs. Macaulay and Hill may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the
shares shown as beneficially owned by First Reserve as a result of their
ownership of common stock of First Reserve. Messrs. Macaulay and Hill
disclaim beneficial ownership of those shares. Their address is c/o First
Reserve Corporation, 475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
(3) Mr. Rottier may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares shown
as owned by Anker Holdings B.V. as a result of his ownership of common stock
of Anker Holding. Mr. Rottier disclaims beneficial ownership of those
shares. His address is c/o Anker Holding B.V., Vaseland 4, 3011 BK,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
(4) Rothschild Recovery Associates, L.L.C. is the general partner of Rothschild
Recovery Fund L.P. Wilbur Ross, Jr., is the managing member of Rothschild
Recovery Associates, L.L.C.
(5) Represents shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. See "Description of
the Warrants."
(6) PPK Group Limited Liability Company is a limited liability company
controlled by Mr. Sparks. Mr. Sparks has the sole authority to exercise all
rights and remedies of PPK Group and all voting rights of the shares owned
by PPK Group.
(7) Mr. Sparks may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares shown
as being owned by PPK Group as a result of his ownership of voting units of
PPK Group.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
On August 12, 1996, we entered into a stockholders' agreement with holders
of our capital stock. The stockholder's agreement was amended on October 26,
1999 as part of the restructuring of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes. The
following is a summary description of the stockholders' agreement, as amended.
It does not restate the entire stockholders' agreement. For a more detailed
understanding of the rights of the stockholders that are parties to the
agreement, you should read the stockholders' agreement. A copy of the
stockholders' agreement is available from us upon request.
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
The funds that First Reserve Corporation manages are entitled to nominate
- four of the seven members of our board of directors for as long as they
hold in the aggregate more than 50% of our issued and outstanding common
stock,
- three of the seven members of our board of directors for as long as they
hold in the aggregate more than 10% of our issued and outstanding common
stock, or
- one of the seven members of our board of directors for as long as they
hold in the aggregate more than 2% of our issued and outstanding common
stock.
The stockholders' agreement also provides that PPK Group Limited Liability
Company and Anker Holding B.V. may each nominate one director for as long as it
holds at least 2% of our issued and outstanding common stock.
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES
As long as the funds that First Reserve Corporation manages in the
aggregate own 10% or more of our issued and outstanding common stock, or as long
as PPK Group in the aggregate owns 10% or more of our issued and outstanding
common stock, we may not take, and may not permit to be taken, any actions
constituting a fundamental issue without the favorable vote or written consent
of at least five-sevenths of the whole number of our directors. Fundamental
issues include, but are not limited to,
- the sale, lease or exchange of 50% or more of our assets;
- any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution;
- any amendment to our certificate of incorporation;
- the authorization, issuance or sale of shares of our capital stock, any
other type of equity or debt securities or options, warrants or other
rights to acquire equity or debt securities, except issuances upon
conversion of our convertible securities issued prior to the date of the
stockholders' agreement and issuances to key members of our management
under a stock purchase, stock option or similar plan;
- any redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of our capital stock or
other equity securities, including any option, warrant or other right to
acquire our capital stock or other equity securities, except purchases or
redemptions under the terms of securities issued prior to the date of the
stockholders' agreement; and
- entering into or engaging in business or entering into any transactions
with any stockholder that is a party to the stockholders' agreement or
any affiliate of those stockholders, except for our inter-company
transactions and transactions at arm's length and in the ordinary course
of business involving the sale, purchase, exchange or trading of coal or
coal-related products.
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In the event the funds that First Reserve manages own in the aggregate 50%
or less of our issued and outstanding common stock and for as long as those
funds in the aggregate own at least 10% of our issued and outstanding common
stock, each of the following additional actions will be fundamental issues:
- any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or disposition by us of (1) any
outstanding capital stock or other equity security of any of our
subsidiaries or (2) assets or other rights for consideration in excess of
$2.0 million, other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business;
- any purchase, lease, exchange or other acquisition of assets or other
rights, including securities, by us for consideration in excess of $2.0
million;
- any financing, refinancing or other incurrence of indebtedness by us with
a principal amount in excess of $2.0 million;
- any capital expenditure by us not provided in an annual budget for our
then-current fiscal year approved by our board of directors in accordance
with specified procedures if the expenditure is either (1) in excess of
$1.0 million or (2) together with the aggregate of all of our and our
subsidiaries other non-budgeted capital expenditures in the fiscal year,
in excess of $2.0 million;
- any amendment to or modification or repeal of any provision of our
by-laws which would materially alter the rights of any of the
stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement;
- any amendment to the employment agreement of Bruce Sparks;
- dissolution of Anker Coal Group, the adoption of a plan of liquidation
with respect to Anker Coal Group, or any action by us to commence a
bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceeding;
- the investment of additional funds in, or extension of additional credit
to, Anker Capital Corporation or any subsidiary of Anker Capital
Corporation or other investment; and
- our entry, other than through Anker Capital Corporation, into any
business other than mining, processing, shipping, purchasing and selling
coal.
Furthermore, if we redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire our capital
stock or other of our equity securities, or any option, warrant or other right
to acquire capital stock or other equity securities, from any stockholder that
is a party to the stockholder's agreement or its affiliate, the redemption,
repurchase or acquisition, and any transactions relating the redemption,
repurchase or acquisition, must be approved by a majority of our board of
directors. This requirement does not apply to purchases or redemptions under the
terms of securities issued prior to the date of the stockholders' agreement. In
addition, the determination of a majority of our board of directors excludes,
for these purposes, any director nominated by a stockholder that is a party to
the stockholders' agreement and is interested in the transaction being approved.
NON-COMPETITION
Each stockholder that is a party to the stockholders' agreement must
prevent entities under its control from engaging in specified activities that
are competitive with our business. In addition, if any of these stockholders
becomes aware of an existing or potential business opportunity in one of these
activities, the stockholder must offer the opportunity to us on an exclusive
basis.
ANTI-DILUTION
If we issue any equity securities of any type, class or series, then we
must offer all stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement the
right to purchase a portion of the securities on the same terms and conditions
as we are offering to the purchaser of the securities. However, this right does
not apply in the case of
- issuances of Class C preferred stock and Class D preferred stock,
- securities offered to the public in an initial public offering,
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- issuances upon conversion of our convertible securities issued prior to
the date of the stockholders' agreement,
- issuances to key members of our management under a stock purchase, stock
option or similar plan,
- any issuance of securities as consideration in connection with an
acquisition and
- except with respect to Anker Holding, issuances of common stock in
satisfaction of specified pre-existing contractual obligations.
Each stockholder will be entitled to purchase that percentage of the
newly-issued securities equal to
- if the newly-issued securities are of a type, class or series previously
issued, the stockholder's percentage ownership of the total outstanding
number of the previously-issued securities, or
- in all other events, the stockholder's percentage ownership of the total
outstanding number of shares of common stock.
RESTRICTIONS ON DISPOSITIONS OF STOCK
The stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement may not
transfer any shares of common stock except in accordance with the stockholders'
agreement. Restrictions on dispositions of stock include the following
provisions:
- Lock-Up Period. Prior to August 12, 2001, except for specified permitted
transfers set forth in the stockholders' agreement, no stockholder may
transfer any shares without the prior written approval of all the other
stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement.
- Right of First Refusal. Beginning on August 12, 2001, if a stockholder
receives a bona fide offer to purchase any or all of its shares of
capital stock and wishes to accept the offer, we and the remaining
stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement have the
opportunity to purchase the shares offered at the same price per share
and on the same terms and conditions as the offer the stockholder
received.
- Tag Along Rights. Except with respect to specified permitted transfers
and in connection with an initial public offering of our common stock,
each stockholder has the right to participate in the sale of common stock
by another stockholder that is a party to the stockholders' agreement to
any third party at the same price per share and on the same terms and
conditions as the stockholder initiating the sale to the third party.
SALES OF SHARES
In the event of the death, total disability, retirement after age 60 or
termination of employment of Bruce Sparks, we have obligations and rights to
purchase shares of capital stock that PPK Group owns. If Mr. Sparks dies, we are
required to use all proceeds from the "key man" life insurance policy we
maintain with respect to Mr. Sparks to purchase shares of capital stock that PPK
Group owns at fair market value. The indentures governing our notes would permit
this repurchase as an exception to the limitation on restricted payments. See
"Description of the New Notes -- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted
Payments." During the eight months following the death of Mr. Sparks, we would
have the option to purchase all, but not some, of the shares PPK Group owns at
fair market value and, during the 120-day period following expiration of the
eight month period, PPK Group would have the right to require us to purchase
shares PPK Group owns at fair market value. In the event of the total
disability, retirement after age 60 or termination of employment, other than for
cause prior to August 12, 2001, of Mr. Sparks, we have the option, for a period
of time ranging from three months to nine months depending upon the
circumstances, to purchase all, but not some, of the shares of capital stock PPK
Group holds at fair market value. In the event of termination of Mr. Sparks'
employment for cause prior to August 12, 2001, we have the option, for a period
of one year, to purchase the shares of common stock PPK Group holds for the
lower of book value and fair market value.
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In the event of a change of control of any stockholder that is a party to
the stockholders' agreement, we have the right but not the obligation, for a
period of 60 days after we become aware of the change of control, to purchase
all of the stockholder's shares of capital stock at fair market value.
SALE OF ALL OF OUR COMMON STOCK
After August 12, 2001, under specified circumstances, the funds that First
Reserve Corporation manages may compel all stockholders that are parties to the
stockholders' agreement to participate in the sale of all of our outstanding
common stock to a buyer or buyers that are not our affiliates or affiliates of
any of the stockholders that are parties to the stockholders' agreement. Until
the earlier to occur of an initial public offering of our common stock and
October 30, 2002, however, any sale of a majority of our common stock must be
approved by holders of at least 85% of our outstanding common stock. All shares
of common stock will be sold at an identical price and on identical terms. In
addition, a sale may only be consummated if the buyer or buyers either redeem or
purchase the Class A preferred stock and Class B preferred stock.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
At any time following an initial public offering of our common stock, upon
the written request of PPK Group, Anker Holding B.V. or the funds that First
Reserve Corporation manages, we are required, as expeditiously as possible, to
use our best efforts to effect the registration, under the Securities Act, of
the shares of common stock outstanding as of August 12, 1996 or the shares of
common stock that any of PPK Group, Anker Holding or the funds that First
Reserve Corporation manages acquired after that date.
INVESTOR AGREEMENT
In connection with the restructuring of our 9 3/4% notes, we entered into
an investor agreement with the stockholders that are parties to the
stockholders' agreement and the initial holders of our warrants. Some of the
parties to the investor agreement, including the funds that First Reserve
Corporation manages, PPK Group, Anker Holding B.V. and Rothschild Recovery Fund,
L.P., are each beneficial owners of more than 5% of our fully-diluted common
stock. The investor agreement contains provisions regarding tag along rights,
restrictions on dispositions of shares of common stock issued upon exercise of
warrants and restrictions on mergers and sales of assets and stock. For a more
complete summary of the investor agreement, please see "Description of
Warrants -- Investor Agreement."
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Anker Holding B.V., through parties related to it, purchases coal from us
for its trading operations. These purchases are at prices that we believe are no
less favorable to us then those that we would have obtained in a comparable
transaction with an unrelated person. These purchases amounted to $100,000 in
1998, $9.7 million in 1997 and $16.2 million in 1996.
In February 1998, one of our subsidiaries sold its ownership interest in
Anker-Alabama, L.L.C., which indirectly owned an interest in Oak Mountain, to a
party related to of Anker Holding B.V. for one dollar. We had tried but were
unsuccessful in selling our investment to unrelated parties during December 1997
and January and February 1998. We recorded an impairment loss of $8,267,000 to
adjust our investment to its fair market value less cost to sell as of December
31, 1997.
On October 28, 1999, we issued $6.0 million principal amount of notes to
JJF Group in exchange for cancellation of all of our shares of common stock that
JJF Group owned and JJF Group's relinquishment of its rights under a put
agreement entered into in August 1998. The put agreement required us to purchase
the shares of our common stock that JJF Group owned in installments over time
for a total of approximately $10.5 million. As part of the October 28, 1999
private restructuring transaction, JJF Group ceased to be a party to the
stockholders' agreement.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
When we sold the old notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement
with the holders of the old notes. We agreed, among other things, to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act for an offer to exchange the old
notes for new notes with terms identical in all material respects and to have
the registration statement remain effective until the closing of the exchange
offer. This exchange offer is being made to satisfy our contractual obligations
under the registration rights agreement.
We will be required to pay penalties to the holders of the old notes in the
following cases:
- If we fail to file the registration statement under which the exchange
offer is made within 20 days from October 26, 1999;
- if the registration statement is not declared effective within 45 days
from October 26, 1999 if the SEC does not review the registration
statement;
- if the registration statement is not declared effective within 90 days
from October 26, 1999 if the SEC does review the registration statement;
or
- if the exchange offer is not consummated on or before 30 days after the
registration statement has become effective.
The penalties start to accrue when we miss a deadline for meeting one of
the registration requirements above and continue to accrue until we are no
longer in violation of any of the registration requirements. The amount of
penalties we will have to pay to each holder of old notes if we do not meet any
of the registration requirements above within the time periods specified will be
- $.03 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the first 90
days after we fail to meet a specified time limit;
- $.12 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the second
90-day period after we fail to meet a specified time limit;
- $.15 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the third
90-day period after we fail to meet a specified time limit; and
- after the third 90-day period, an additional $.05 per week per $1,000
principal amount of old notes for each subsequent 90-day period until the
registration requirement or requirements in question are met.
Since we did not meet the 20-day time limit specified above for filing the
registration statement, we incurred penalties totaling approximately $9,540
between the 21st day and the date the registration statement was filed. If the
registration statement is not declared effective within the time periods
specified above, then the penalties will begin to accrue again in the amounts
set forth above, and they will continue to accrue until the registration
statement is declared effective. After the registration statement is declared
effective, if the exchange offer is not consummated within the time period
specified above, then these penalties will again begin to accrue and will
continue to accrue until the exchange offer is consummated.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE
We offer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, to exchange up to
$106,003,000 in aggregate principal amount of 14.25% Series B Second Priority
Senior Secured Notes due 2007 (PIK through April 1, 2000) for a like aggregate
principal amount of 14.25% Series A Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due
2007 (PIK through April 1, 2000). In addition, in April 2000, we will issue up
to $7,553,000 in aggregate principal amount of additional new notes in payment
of the April 1, 2000 interest payment on the notes. The form and terms of the
new notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the
old notes,
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except that the new notes have been registered under the Securities Act and
therefore will not contain transfer restrictions. We will exchange new notes for
old notes properly tendered on or prior to the expiration date and not properly
withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described below. We will issue the
new notes promptly after the expiration date. We will issue when due the new
notes in payment of the April 1, 2000 interest payment on the notes. The
exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of old
notes' being tendered.
The exchange offer is not being made to, and we will not accept tenders for
exchange from, holders of old notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange
offer or the acceptance of the offer would not be in compliance with the
securities or blue sky laws of that jurisdiction.
Old notes that are not tendered for, or are tendered but not accepted, will
remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of the note indenture, but
those old notes will not be entitled to any further registration rights under
the registration rights agreement.
We will be considered to have accepted validly tendered old notes if and
when we give oral or written notice to the exchange agent. The exchange agent
will act as the tendering holders' agent for purposes of receiving the new notes
from us. If we do not accept any tendered notes for exchange because of an
invalid tender or the occurrence of other events, the exchange agent will return
the certificates for unaccepted old notes, without expense, to the tendering
holder promptly after the expiration date. If unaccepted old notes are
uncertificated, those securities will be returned, without expense to the
tendering holder, promptly after the expiration date via book entry transfer.
Our board of directors does not make any recommendation to holders of old
notes as to whether or not to tender all or any portion of their old notes. In
addition, no one has been authorized to make any recommendation. Holders of old
notes must make their own decision whether to tender their old notes and, if so,
the amount of old notes to tender.
EXPIRATION DATE
The expiration date for the offer is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
March 16, 2000, unless we extend the exchange offer. In that case, the
expiration date will be the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is
extended.
CONDITIONS; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
The exchange offer is not subject to any conditions other than that the
offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretations of the
SEC staff. The offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
notes being tendered.
We reserve the right in our sole discretion:
- to delay the acceptance of the old notes for exchange,
- to terminate the exchange offer,
- to extend the expiration date and retain all old notes that have been
tendered, subject, however, to the right of holders of old notes to
withdraw their tendered notes, and
- to waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the exchange offer
in any respect.
If we amend the exchange offer in a manner we consider material, or if we
waive a material condition of the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose the
amendment by means of a prospectus supplement, and we will extend the exchange
offer for a period of five to ten business days.
Following any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment, we
will notify the exchange agent and make a public announcement. In the case of an
extension, we will make the announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
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expiration date. We will communicate any public announcement by issuing a
release to an appropriate news agency.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must, unless the tender is being
made in book-entry form,
- complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of it,
- have the signatures guaranteed if required by the letter of transmittal
and
- mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal or the facsimile, the
old notes and any other required documents to The Bank of New York, which
is the exchange agent, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date.
Any financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust
Company's Book-Entry Transfer Facility system may make book-entry delivery of
the old notes by causing DTC to transfer the old notes into the exchange agent's
account. Although delivery of old notes may be effected in this way, the letter
of transmittal, or facsimile, with any required signature guarantees and any
other required documents must be transmitted to and received or confirmed by the
exchange agent at its addresses set forth under "-- Exchange Agent," below,
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Delivery of
documents to DTC in accordance with its procedures does not constitute delivery
to the exchange agent.
A holder's tender of old notes will constitute an agreement between us and
the holder to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
The method of delivery of old notes and the letter of transmittal and all
other required documents to the exchange agent is at the election and risk of
the holders. Instead of delivery by mail, we recommend that holders use an
overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow
sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration
date. No letter of transmittal of old notes should be sent to us.
Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks,
trust companies or nominees to effect the tenders for them. Any beneficial owner
whose old notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the
registered holder promptly and instruct the registered holder to tender on
behalf of the beneficial owner. If the beneficial owner wishes to tender on that
owner's own behalf, the owner must, prior to completing and executing the letter
of transmittal and delivery of the owner's old notes, either make appropriate
arrangements to register ownership of the old notes in the owner's name or
obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The transfer
of registered ownership may take considerable time.
Signature on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution within the meaning of Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act, unless the old notes are tendered
- by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special
Payment Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of
transmittal, or
- for the account of an eligible guarantor institution.
In the event that signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantee must be by
- a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
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- a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States or
- an eligible guarantor institution.
If the letter of transmittal for any old notes is signed by a person other
than the registered holder, the old notes must be endorsed by the registered
holder or accompanied by a properly completed bond power, in each case signed or
endorsed in blank by the registered holder. If the letter of transmittal or any
old notes or bond powers are signed or endorsed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, they should so indicate when
signing. In addition, these persons must submit evidence satisfactory to us of
their authority to act in that capacity with the letter of transmittal. We can
waive this requirement.
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity,
form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance and withdrawal of
tendered old notes. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all old
notes not properly tendered or any old notes whose acceptance by us would, in
the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any
defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to any particular old notes
either before or after the expiration date. Our interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of
transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured
within a time period we will determine. Although we intend to request the
exchange agent to notify holders of defects or irregularities relating to
tenders of old notes, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will
have any duty or incur any liability for failure to give that notification.
Tenders of old notes will not be considered to have been made until any defects
or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any old notes that the exchange
agent receives which are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange
agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in the letter of
transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.
By tendering, each holder represents to us that, among other things
- the new notes acquired in connection with the exchange offer are being
obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving the
new notes, whether or not that person is the holder;
- that neither the holder nor any other person receiving the new notes has
an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the new notes; and
- that neither the holder nor any other person receiving the new notes is
an "affiliate" of ours. An affiliate is a person that controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with us.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
Holders that wish to tender their old notes and:
- whose old notes are not immediately available;
- that cannot deliver their old notes, the letter of transmittal or any
other required documents, to The Bank of New York, which is the exchange
agent; or
- that cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer, prior to the
expiration date,
may effect a tender if:
(1) the tender is made through a firm that is a member of a registered
national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having
an office or correspondent in the United States;
(2) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from an
institution listed in clause (1) above a properly completed and duly
executed notice of guaranteed delivery, by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery, setting forth the name and address of the holder, the
certificate number(s) of the old notes and the principal amount of old
notes tendered. The notice
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of guaranteed delivery must state that the tender is being made under
these guaranteed delivery procedures. It must also include a guarantee
that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
expiration date, the institution will deposit with the exchange agent
the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of it, together with the
certificate(s) representing the old notes, or a confirmation of
book-entry transfer of the old notes into the exchange agent's account
at the book-entry transfer facility, and any other documents required
by the letter of transmittal; and
(3) the exchange agent receives, no later than three New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the certificate(s)
representing all tendered old notes in proper form for transfer, or a
confirmation of book-entry transfer of the old notes into the exchange
agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility, together with a
letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of it, properly completed and
duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and all other
documents required by the letter of transmittal.
Holders that wish to tender their old notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above may request that the exchange agent send
them a notice of guaranteed delivery.
RESALES OF NEW NOTES
We believe that the new notes issued in the exchange offer for old notes
may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by the holder
without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act, if
- the holder is acquiring the new notes in the ordinary course of its
business,
- the holder is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding
to participate, in the distribution of the new notes, and
- the holder is not an affiliate of ours.
Our belief is based on interpretations by the SEC staff in no-action
letters issued to third parties unrelated to us. The staff has not considered
this exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter, and we cannot assure
you that the staff would make a similar determination with respect to this
exchange offer.
Any holder of the old notes using the exchange offer to participate in a
distribution of new notes cannot rely on the no-action letters referred to
above. This includes a broker-dealer that acquired old notes directly from us,
but not as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
Consequently, the holder must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in the absence of an exemption from
these requirements. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own
account in exchange for old notes that it acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of those new notes. This prospectus, as
it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for
old notes where the old notes were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The letter of transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver a prospectus, a broker-dealer
will not be considered to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning
of the Securities Act. We have agreed that for a period of 180 days after the
date the registration statement under which the exchange offer is made is
declared effective, we will make this prospectus available to broker-dealers for
use in connection with any resale covered by these rules. See "Plan of
Distribution." Except as described above, this prospectus may not be used for an
offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of new notes.
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, tenders of old notes may
be withdrawn at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date.
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For a holder to withdraw a tender of old notes, the exchange agent must
receive a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at its address
below before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Any notice
of withdrawal must
- specify the name of the person who deposited the old notes to be
withdrawn;
- identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate number
or numbers and principal amount of the old notes;
- be signed by the depositor in the same manner as the original signature
on the letter of transmittal by which the old notes were tendered,
including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee register the
transfer of the old notes into the name of the person withdrawing the
tender; and
- specify the name of which any withdrawn old notes are to be registered,
if different from that of the depositor.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility,
including time of receipt, of withdrawal notices. Any old notes so withdrawn
will be considered not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the
exchange offer, and no new notes will be issued unless the old notes withdrawn
are validly re-tendered. Any old notes that have been tendered but that are not
accepted for exchange or that are withdrawn will be returned to the holder
without cost to the holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of
tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn old notes may be
re-tendered by following one of the procedures described above under the caption
"Procedures for Tendering" at any time prior to the expiration date.
EXCHANGE AGENT
The Bank of New York has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange
offer. Delivery of the letter of transmittal and any other required documents,
questions, requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this
prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notice of guaranteed
delivery should be directed to the exchange agent as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BY OVERNIGHT COURIER OR BY FACSIMILE TO CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE
BY HAND DELIVERY: REGISTERED/CERTIFIED MAIL: TRANSMISSION: OR FOR INFORMATION:
----------------- -------------------------- ------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The Bank of New York The Bank of New York (212) 815-6339 (212) 815-6331
101 Barclay Street 101 Barclay Street
New York, New York 10286 New York, New York 10286
Ground Level Attn: Reorganization
Corporate Trust Services Window Unit -- 7E
Attn: Reorganization Unit -- 7E
</TABLE>
Delivery other than to the above addresses or facsimile number will not
constitute a valid delivery.
FEES AND EXPENSES
We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others soliciting
acceptances of the exchange offer. We will pay other expenses to be incurred in
the exchange offer, including the fees and expenses of the exchange agent,
accounting fees and legal fees. Holders who tender their old notes for exchange
will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes. If, however, new notes are to
be delivered to, or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered
holder of the old notes tendered, tendered old notes are registered in the name
of any person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal or a
transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes in
connection with the exchange offer, then the amount of any transfer taxes,
whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons, will be payable
by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of these taxes or
exemption from them is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount
of these transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.
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ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The new notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as that of the
old notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon
completion of the exchange offer.
We recorded the private placement, the private exchange and the private
stockholder exchange in accordance with FAS-15 "Accounting By Debtors and
Creditors For Troubled Debt Restructurings." In the private exchange, the
carrying amount of $125.0 million principal amount of 9 3/4% notes and the
accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $6.1 million will be compared to
the principal and interest payments on the old notes over time. To the extent
the carrying amount is less than the interest and principal on the old notes, we
will adjust the carrying amount. We do not expect to change our carrying amount
in connection with the private exchange. The private exchange had tax
ramifications that we expect to result in the recording of income tax expense on
our financial statements. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Related to Anker -- We
could have income tax liability as a result of the restructuring of our 9 3/4%
Series B Senior Notes."
The issuance of old notes for cash in the private placement is expected to
result in financial statement recognition of original issue discount. This
discount will be accreted over the term of the notes. We recorded the private
stockholder exchange in a manner similar to the private exchange described
above. All of these transactions will have an effect on our recorded annual
interest expense.
In connection with the accounting treatment for the private stockholder
exchange, we recorded the notes we issued at their face value. The difference
between the notes and the common stock available for repurchase, including
current portion, increased paid-in capital.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
The new notes will be issued under the indenture dated as of October 1,
1999 between us and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. The terms of the notes
include those terms stated in the indenture and those terms made part of the
indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You can find the
definitions of capitalized terms used in this description below under
"-- Definitions." This section contains a summary and a more detailed
description of the material provisions of the indenture. It does not restate the
indenture in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not
this description, defines your rights as holders of these notes. You may obtain
a copy of the indenture from us.
GENERAL
We are a holding company that owns stock of subsidiary corporations. All of
our wholly owned subsidiaries have guaranteed payment of the notes and
performance of our other obligations under the indenture and related security
documents. The have also granted liens on their assets to secure those
obligations. These liens do not apply to all of their assets and are junior to
the liens that Foothill holds. The scope and terms of these liens are described
in more detail below under the heading "Security."
The notes are being issued in two series: Series A, which are the old notes
and Series B, which are the new notes. The terms and conditions of the two
series of notes are identical. The difference between the two series is that the
Series A old notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and
are not freely tradable, while the Series B new notes will be either registered
or issued under an exemption from registration that will permit them to be
freely tradable. The old notes were issued on October 28, 1999 to holders of our
9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007 in exchange for cancellation of most of
those notes; to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P. in return for approximately $13.2
million in cash; and to JJF Group Limited Liability Company in return for
cancellation of its shares of our common stock and its right to require us to
purchase those shares in installments over time for approximately $10.5 million,
including accrued interest. The new notes will be issued
- in this exchange offer,
- under an exemption from registration requirements or in a registered
exchange under the Securities Act in exchange for cancellation of any
remaining 9 3/4% notes that holders of those notes wish to exchange; and
- at our option, to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P. in return for an
additional cash payment of up to $6.3 million on or about October 1,
2000.
The interest payment due April 1, 2000 on the new notes will be paid in
kind in the form of additional notes. The amount of additional notes issued as
payment of interest will be $71.25 for each $1,000 principal amount of notes
outstanding. The notes issued as payment of interest will be of the same series
as the notes on which the interest is being paid.
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
THE NOTES
- have a maximum aggregate principal amount of $118.3 million plus the
amount of notes issued to pay interest on April 1, 2000 and the amount of
notes to be sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P. on October 1, 2000;
- will mature on September 1, 2007; and
- accrue interest at a rate of 14.25% per year, payable semi-annually on
April 1 and October 1.
We can issue up to $118,258,800 million of notes under the indenture. This
amount does not include the additional notes that we will issue to pay interest
due April 1, 2000 or the additional notes that we may sell to Rothschild
Recovery Fund L.P. on October 1, 2000. The amount of these additional notes
cannot be calculated in advance. The amount of the April 1, 2000 interest
payment will depend on the
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total amount of old and new notes outstanding on that date. The amount of notes
to be sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund will depend upon the price at which the
notes trade during a period of approximately 30 days before October 1, 2000. The
sale to Rothschild Recovery Fund is intended to raise a fixed amount of cash.
Because the notes will be sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund at 95% of the average
trading price, we will need to issue more notes if the average trading price is
lower than we will have to issue if the price is higher.
The new notes mature on September 1, 2007. Interest on the new notes
accrues at the rate of 14.25% per annum and is payable twice each year -- on
April 1 to persons who held notes on March 15 of that year, and on October 1 to
persons who held notes on September 15 of that year. The first interest payment
is due April 1, 2000 and will be made in the form of additional notes with a
face amount of $71.25 for each $1,000 of notes on which interest is being paid.
All other interest payments will be made in cash. Except for the notes that are
issued in payment of interest due April 1, 2000 and the notes that are to be
sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P. on October 1, 2000, interest on the notes
accrues from October 1, 1999. Interest on the notes to be issued in payment of
the interest due April 1, 2000 will accrue from that date. Interest on the notes
to be sold to Rothschild Recovery Fund on October 1, 2000 will accrue from the
date those notes are issued. Interest is computed on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest and liquidated damages, if any, on
the notes is payable, and the notes may be presented for transfer or exchange,
at our office or agency maintained for that purpose within the city and state of
New York. At our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to
registered holders of the notes at the addresses set forth on the registry books
maintained by the trustee, who will initially act as registrar for the notes.
However, payments to holders that have provided wire transfer instructions will
be made according to those instructions. No service charge will be made for any
exchange or registration of transfer of notes, but we may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection with the exchange or registration. Unless we otherwise designate, our
office or agency will be the corporate trust office of the trustee.
Except for the notes issued in payment of interest due April 1, 2000, the
notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000, $800 or $743 or integral
multiples of those amounts. Notes issued in payment of interest will be issued
in integral multiples of $1.
NO MANDATORY SINKING FUND
We are not required to make sinking fund payments for the notes.
SECURITY
- The notes are secured by liens in favor of the trustee on almost all of
our assets and those of our subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes.
- These liens do not apply to (1) mobile equipment, (2) coal leases and
other contracts and permits that prohibit these liens or assignments, (3)
real property located in Maryland and (4) some specific parcels of real
property and related improvements located in other states.
- Although we have provided the best descriptions of real property
collateral available to us, some of those descriptions may be inaccurate
or insufficient to create valid liens on the property.
- The liens that secure the notes are junior to the liens that secure our
commercial loan facility and to all other liens that existed on October
28, 1999. This means that holders of these senior liens are entitled, if
we default, to be paid in full from proceeds of collateral before any
payments are made on the notes.
- We have the right to obtain the release of collateral without replacing
it as long as we comply with the restrictions and procedural requirements
of the indenture.
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- The trustee's ability to enforce the liens and to retain proceeds of any
enforcement action it takes is limited by an intercreditor agreement with
our lenders that hold senior secured debt.
- The trustee's willingness to enforce the liens against individual parcels
of real property may also be limited by concerns about becoming liable
for dealing with environmental problems at the property
COLLATERAL
The collateral for the notes includes all of our and the guarantor
subsidiaries' right, title and interest in and to each of the following:
- Accounts
- books and records
- equipment, not including mobile equipment
- General Intangibles
- Inventory
- Negotiable Collateral
- cash collateral
- Investment Property, including, all capital stock in subsidiaries
- Real Property Collateral, not including real estate located in Maryland
and specified parcels of real property and related improvements located
elsewhere
- any money or other of our assets and those of the guarantor subsidiaries
which come into the possession, custody or control of the collateral
agent
- the proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the
items above, including proceeds of insurance covering any or all of the
collateral, and any and all Accounts, books, Equipment, General
Intangibles, Inventory, Negotiable Collateral, Real Property, money,
deposit accounts, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from
the sale, exchange, collection or other disposition of any of the items
above or any portion of or interest in those items and the proceeds of
those items.
In the case, however, of any coal supply agreement, coal brokerage
agreement, other agreement or leasehold interest or permit the terms of which
prohibit or would give the other party the right to terminate if the contract or
permit were assigned or subjected to a lien, then unless the other party's
consent has been obtained or the restriction is found to be unenforceable, the
liens securing the notes apply solely to the proceeds of the contract or permit.
Furthermore, the liens securing the notes may not be effective against some
parcels of real property because (1) we do not have accurate or adequate legal
descriptions of those parcels, and (2) some of our leasehold interests or those
of the guarantor subsidiaries may not be properly recorded in the land records.
It should be noted, however, that the property descriptions that we used to
create the liens securing the notes are essentially the same as the ones we used
to create the liens securing the loan from our commercial lender, so any
problems caused by those descriptions would apply to both kinds of debt.
The collateral release provisions of the indenture permit the release of
collateral without substitution of collateral of equal value under specified
circumstances. See "-- Possession, Use and Release of Collateral -- Release of
Collateral." As described under the subsection entitled "-- Repurchase at the
Option of Holders -- Asset Sales," the net cash proceeds of specified asset
sales may be utilized for various purposes, including for the purpose of making
an offer to purchase notes. To the extent that cash proceeds remain after we
have purchased all notes that are tendered in response to a purchase offer, the
unutilized net cash proceeds may be released to us, free of the lien securing
the notes.
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If an event of default occurs under the indenture, the collateral agent may
take action to protect and enforce its rights in the collateral, including the
institution of foreclosure proceedings, except to the extent it is prohibited
from doing so by the terms of the intercreditor agreement between Foothill and
The Bank of New York, as collateral agent. See "-- Intercreditor Agreement." As
long as the intercreditor agreement remains in effect, proceeds of foreclosure
on collateral must be applied in accordance with that agreement, which generally
means net proceeds must be paid to our lenders that hold senior secured debt
until their loans have been paid in full before the collateral agent can apply
any proceeds under the indenture. Collateral proceeds that are available to the
collateral agent are to be used first to pay the expenses of the foreclosure and
fees and other amounts then payable to the trustee under the indenture and,
after that, to pay the principal of and interest on, and other amounts due with
respect to, the notes.
Real property pledged as security for debt may be subject to known and
unforeseen environmental risks. Under federal environmental laws, a secured
lender may be held liable, in limited circumstances, for the costs of cleaning
up or preventing releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances at or
from a mortgaged property. There may be similar risks under various state laws
and common law theories. Lender liability may be imposed where the lender
actually participates in the management or operation of the mortgaged property,
with some exceptions.
Under the indenture, the trustee may, before taking specified actions,
request that holders of notes provide an indemnification against its costs,
expenses and liabilities. It is possible that environmental cleanup costs could
become a liability of the trustee and cause a loss to any holders of notes that
provided indemnification. In addition, the holders may act directly rather than
through the trustee, in specified circumstances, in order to pursue a remedy
under the indenture. If noteholders exercised that right, they could, under some
circumstances, be subject to the risks of environmental liability discussed
above.
LIEN SUBORDINATION
The liens securing our senior secured indebtedness have priority over the
liens securing the notes with respect to all collateral. The senior secured
indebtedness currently consists of a term loan and a revolving credit facility
extended by Foothill and other lenders. The principal amount outstanding under
this credit facility may be as much as $55 million. The agent for our lenders
that hold senior secured debt and The Bank of New York, as collateral agent
under the indenture, have entered into an intercreditor agreement relating to
the administration, preservation and disposition of the collateral. See
"-- Intercreditor Agreement" below. The collateral agent and each noteholder
acknowledge that, as more fully set forth in the intercreditor agreement,
regardless of the order or manner of attachment or perfection, the liens of the
trustee on the collateral are subject to and subordinate in all respects to the
liens of the lenders that hold senior secured debt. Until the senior secured
indebtedness has been paid in full and the credit facilities have been
terminated, the collateral agent will be prohibited from taking any action to
enforce the liens securing the notes.
The liens on the collateral that secure senior secured debt have priority
over the liens securing the notes. In the event we default on the notes, or
enter into bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets would be used
to pay the senior secured indebtedness before any payment from those assets
could be made on the notes. The relative priorities of the lenders that hold
senior debt and the noteholders with respect to the collateral are set forth in
the intercreditor agreement. As of February 1, 2000, we and our subsidiaries had
outstanding senior secured indebtedness, including amounts outstanding under the
loan agreement with Foothill and other Indebtedness secured by prior liens, of
approximately $14.5 million. The indenture permits us and our Restricted
Subsidiaries to incur additional Indebtedness, including secured Indebtedness,
subject to limitations. Specifically, Indebtedness under the loan agreement with
Foothill may be as much as $55 million.
Under some circumstances, we can designate current or future subsidiaries
as unrestricted subsidiaries. Unrestricted subsidiaries are not subject to the
restrictive covenants set forth in the indenture. All of our subsidiaries
currently are restricted subsidiaries.
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INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
The intercreditor agreement between Foothill and The Bank of New York, as
collateral agent under the indenture, provides
- the relative priorities of the parties to the agreement in and to the
collateral,
- the conditions under which the parties to the agreement will consent to
the release of or granting of any Lien in any of the collateral and
- the conditions under which the parties to the agreement will enforce
their rights with respect to the collateral and the Indebtedness secured
by the collateral.
The intercreditor agreement imposes significant limitations on the ability
of the collateral agent to enforce the liens securing the notes while amounts
remain outstanding under our credit facilities. See "Description of Other
Indebtedness -- Intercreditor Agreement."
BANKRUPTCY LIMITATIONS
The rights of the collateral agent under the indenture to repossess and
dispose of the collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default would be
significantly impaired by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy proceeding
were commenced by or against us before the collateral agent has repossessed and
disposed of the collateral. Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, a secured creditor
such as the collateral agent is prohibited from repossessing its security from a
debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security repossessed from the
debtor, without the bankruptcy court's approval. Moreover, the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code permits the debtor to continue to retain and to use collateral even though
the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments, as long as the
secured creditor is given "adequate protection." The meaning of the term
"adequate protection" may vary according to circumstances, but it is intended in
general to protect the value of the secured creditor's interest in the
collateral and may include cash payments or the granting of additional security
to replace the value of existing collateral that is lost as a result of the stay
of repossession or disposition or any use of the collateral by the debtor during
the pendency of the bankruptcy case. In view of the lack of a precise definition
of the term "adequate protection" and the broad discretionary powers of a
bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments under the notes
could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when
the collateral agent could repossess or dispose of the collateral or whether or
to what extent holders of notes would be compensated for any delay in payment or
loss of value of the collateral through the requirement of "adequate
protection."
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
Our payment obligations under the notes are jointly and severally
guaranteed, fully and unconditionally, on a secured basis, by our wholly owned
subsidiaries. Each of the subsidiaries that has guaranteed the notes is a
borrower under the loan agreement with Foothill and is liable for amounts due
under the loan agreement on a senior secured basis. As a result, the
subsidiaries' guarantees of the notes are effectively subordinated to the prior
payment in full of all senior secured indebtedness. The obligations of each
subsidiary guarantor are limited in order not to constitute a fraudulent
conveyance under applicable law.
The indenture prohibits the guarantor subsidiaries from merging with other
entities that are not guarantors unless specified tests are met and the
surviving entity becomes a guarantor of the notes. The indenture also provides
that, in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the stock or assets
of any guarantor subsidiary, the stock or assets will be released from the liens
securing the notes as long as the proceeds of the sale are to be applied in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture. See "-- Security"
and "-- Repurchase at the Option of Holders -- Asset Sales."
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OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
We may redeem any of the notes at our option. The initial redemption price
is 104% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest and liquidated damages,
if any. The redemption price will decline each year after 2000 and will be 100%
of the principal amount, plus accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any,
beginning on October 1, 2003.
We may redeem all or part of the notes upon our giving not fewer than 30
nor more than 60 days' notice at the redemption prices, expressed as percentages
of principal amount, set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR PERCENTAGE
---- ----------
<S> <C>
Until October 1, 2000....................................... 104%
Beginning October 1, 2000................................... 103%
Beginning October 1, 2001................................... 102%
Beginning October 1, 2002................................... 101%
Beginning October 1, 2003 and thereafter.................... 100%
</TABLE>
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
We must redeem, or offer to redeem, notes from excess asset sale proceeds
or upon a change of control.
MANDATORY REDEMPTION FROM EXCESS ASSET SALE PROCEEDS
- During the first 15 days of January and July of each year, we may be
required to offer to redeem notes out of excess proceeds of asset sales
we received by the end of the immediately preceding month that have not
been previously used to make an offer to redeem.
- Asset sale proceeds do not have to be used for this purpose if they are
used within 120 days of receipt (1) to make a permanent paydown of senior
secured debt, (2) to buy back new notes in the market at a time when no
senior secured debt is outstanding or (3) to pay for capital expenditures
relating to our coal mining activities or that of any of the guarantor
subsidiaries.
- In addition, we can use the first $1 million plus 40% of the excess over
$1 million of what would otherwise be excess asset sale proceeds for
general corporate purposes rather than to redeem notes.
- We must pay 100% of outstanding principal plus accrued interest and any
liquidated damages on notes that we redeem out of excess asset sale
proceeds.
- If the total redemption price of notes tendered in response to an offer
to redeem is less than the amount of excess proceeds, we can use the
remaining excess proceeds for general corporate purposes.
Within 120 days after the receipt of any proceeds from an asset sale, we or
a guarantor subsidiary may apply the proceeds, at our option, (1) to repay
senior secured indebtedness, and to correspondingly permanently reduce
commitments with respect to that senior secured indebtedness in the case of term
borrowings, (2) at any time when no senior secured indebtedness is outstanding
and no default or event of default has occurred or is continuing, to offer to
purchase notes in the market in accordance with the terms of the indenture at a
price and in an amount we determine, or (3) to the making of a capital
expenditure in a Permitted Business relating to our coal mining activities and
that of the guarantor subsidiaries if deemed necessary and appropriate for use
in the ordinary course of our business and that of our subsidiaries by our board
of directors or to reimburse the cost of a capital expenditure made during the
120 days before the proceeds were received. The property and assets that are the
subject of that capital expenditure and any other non-cash consideration
received as a result of the asset sale, however, must be made subject to the
liens securing the notes. Pending the final application of any asset sale
proceeds, we may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under our credit facilities or
invest the proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture.
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We must use 60% of the excess over $1.0 million of net proceeds from asset
sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph to
make offers to redeem notes. The amount of proceeds required to be used for this
purpose is calculated twice each year, as of June 30 and December 31. If the
amount of excess proceeds exceeds $1 million on either date, we must make an
offer to all holders of notes within 15 days after that date to purchase the
maximum principal amount of notes that may be purchased out of the excess
proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of principal plus
accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages on those notes, if any, to
the date of purchase, in accordance with the applicable procedures set forth in
the indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of notes tendered in
response to the offer is less than the amount of excess proceeds available to
purchase those notes, we may use any remaining excess proceeds for general
corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of notes tendered by
holders in response to the offer exceeds the amount of excess proceeds available
to purchase notes, the trustee will select the notes to be purchased on a pro
rata basis. Upon completion of the offer to purchase, the amount of excess
proceeds will be reset at zero.
MANDATORY REDEMPTION UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
- Upon a change of control, holders have the right to require us to redeem
their notes at 101% of principal plus accrued interest and any liquidated
damages.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of notes will have
the right, which neither we nor the trustee may waive, to require us to
repurchase all or any part of that holder's notes at an offer price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and
unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, on the notes to the date of
purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, we will mail a notice
to each noteholder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute
the Change of Control. The notice will also contain our offer to repurchase
notes on the date specified in the notice. That date will be no earlier than 30
days and no later than 60 days from the date the notice is mailed. The offer and
repurchase will be made in accordance with the procedures required by the
indenture and described in the notice. We will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other securities
laws and regulations to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in
connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of our assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is
a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there
is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. As a
result, the ability of a noteholder to require us to repurchase those notes as a
result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than
all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole to another
person or entity or group may be uncertain.
Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the
indenture does not contain provisions that permit the noteholders to require
that we repurchase or redeem their notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
- Our commercial loan agreement prohibits us from redeeming notes unless
there is no existing default and specified financial tests are met.
The loan agreement with Foothill prohibits us from purchasing any notes
unless specified conditions are satisfied. The loan agreement also provides that
Change of Control events with respect to us would constitute a default under the
loan agreement. Among other things, we are not permitted to purchase notes
unless there is no existing Event of Default and, after taking account of the
use of funds for the purchase, the subsidiaries would have the ability to borrow
at least $5.0 million, in the case of purchases funded by asset sale proceeds,
or $10.0 million, in all other cases, under the revolving credit facility of the
loan agreement. Any future credit agreements or other agreements to which we
become a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a
Change of Control occurs at a time when we are
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prohibited from purchasing notes, we could seek the consent of our lenders to
the purchase of notes, or we could attempt to refinance the borrowings that
contain the prohibition. If we do not obtain a consent or repay the borrowings,
we will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In that case, our failure to
purchase tendered notes would constitute an event of default under the
indenture, which would, in turn, constitute a default under the loan agreement
with Foothill.
PROCEDURES FOR REDEEMING NOTES
If fewer than all of the notes are to be redeemed or repurchased in an
offer to purchase at any time, the trustee will make the selection of notes for
redemption or repurchase in compliance with the requirements of the principal
national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed. If the
notes are not so listed, the selection will be made on a pro rata basis. No
notes that have been previously reissued at less than their original principal
amount, however, will be redeemed except as part of the redemption of all notes
held by the same holder. Notices of redemption or repurchase will be mailed by
first class mail at least 30, but not more than 60, days before the redemption
date or repurchase date to each holder of notes to be redeemed or repurchased at
its registered address. If any note is to be redeemed or repurchased in part
only, the notice of redemption or repurchase that relates to that note will
state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed or
repurchased. A note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed or unrepurchased
portion will be issued in the name of the noteholder upon cancellation of the
original note. On and after the redemption or repurchase date, interest ceases
to accrue on notes or portions of notes called for redemption or repurchase.
DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of some terms used in this description of the
notes. We refer you to the indenture for the full definition of these terms.
"ACCOUNTS" means all accounts, contract rights and all other forms of
obligations owing to us and the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes
arising out of the sale or lease of goods or the rendition of services by us and
those subsidiaries, irrespective of whether earned by performance, and any and
all related credit insurance, guaranties or security.
"APPRAISER" means an engineer, appraiser or other expert who, except as
otherwise expressly provided in the indenture, we may employ.
"ASSET SALE" means
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or
rights, including a sale and leaseback or a contract settlement, other
than in the ordinary course of business; however, the sale, lease,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our
assets will be treated either as a Change of Control or as a merger or
consolidation rather than as an Asset Sale; and
(2) the issue or sale by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries of equity
interests of any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of either
clause (1) or (2), whether in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions that have a fair market value, as determined in
good faith by our board of directors, in excess of $1.0 million or for
net cash proceeds in excess of $100,000.
- The following kinds of transactions are not treated as Asset Sales even
if they meet the tests described in the first sentence of this
definition:
- our transfer of assets to a subsidiary that has guaranteed the notes or a
transfer by that subsidiary to us or to another guarantor subsidiary;
- a guarantor subsidiary's issuance of equity interest to us or to another
guarantor subsidiary;
- a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described under
"-- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments;"
- a disposition of cash equivalents;
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- a disposition in the ordinary course of business of either obsolete
equipment or equipment otherwise no longer useful in the business;
- a disposition in the ordinary course of business of mineral rights or
real property no longer useful in the business for net proceeds not to
exceed $50,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year;
- any sale of equity interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of,
an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
- any sale and leaseback of an asset within 90 days after the completion of
construction or acquisition of the asset;
- contribution of excluded assets to an entity engaged in a Permitted
Business in exchange for an equity interest in that entity which is
subjected to the liens securing the notes; and
- any disposition of Inventory or Accounts in the ordinary course of our or
the guarantor subsidiaries' business.
"CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION" means, as of any measurement date, the amount of
the liability under a capital lease that would be required to be capitalized on
a balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, other than
by merger or consolidation, in one or a series of related transactions,
of all or substantially all of our assets and those of our Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person," as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than to
the Permitted Holders;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution;
(3) the consummation of any transaction, including any merger or
consolidation, the result of which is that any person or entity, other
than the Permitted Holders, becomes the "beneficial owner," as that
term is defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, directly or indirectly, of more than 80% of our voting
stock, as measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or
(4) we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any person or entity, other
than the Permitted Holders, or any person or entity, other than the
Permitted Holders, consolidates with, or merges with or into, us in
connection with a transaction in which our outstanding voting stock is
converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property.
This does not include, however, any transaction in which our voting
stock outstanding immediately before the transaction is converted into
or exchanged for voting stock of the surviving or transferee entity
constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of the voting stock
of the surviving or transferee entity, immediately after giving effect
to the issuance.
"COAL ACQUISITION PREFERRED STOCK" means preferred stock that (1) is issued
to a seller of coal properties or assets as part of the consideration or
financing of the acquisition of the properties or assets and (2) provides for
the payment of dividends calculated by reference to the revenues from coal
production of those properties or assets, as long as the aggregate purchase
price is fair to us. Our Class C preferred stock, par value $13,000 per share,
and Class D preferred stock, par value $7,000 per share, each as in effect on
October 1, 1999, are each Coal Acquisition Preferred Stock.
"CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, for any particular period, the result of
the following calculation: Start with our Consolidated Net Income for the period
in question and
(1) add back extraordinary losses and net losses in connection with Asset
Sales which were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income for the
period;
(2) add back accrued taxes based on income or profits that were deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income for the period;
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(3) add back consolidated interest expense, including amortization of debt
issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred
with respect to letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings and
net payments, if any, under Hedging Obligations, that were deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income for the period;
(4) add back depreciation, depletion and amortization, including
amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding
amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period,
and other non-cash expenses, excluding any non-cash expense to the
extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in
any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was
paid in a prior period, that were deducted in computing Consolidated
Net Income for the period; and
(5) subtract non-cash revenues, other than non-cash income that represents
an accrual of cash revenues in any future period, that was included in
Consolidated Net Income for the period.
Notwithstanding the calculation above, taxes based on the income or profits
of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash charges of, our
subsidiaries will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated
Cash Flow only to the extent, and in the same proportion, that the Net Income of
each subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income and only
if the subsidiary would not be prohibited from paying that amount to us as a
dividend.
"CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, our Net Income and that of
our Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, adjusted as follows:
(1) the Net Income of any subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or
that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be
included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions
paid in cash, or to the extent converted into cash, to us or our wholly
owned subsidiary;
(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the
extent that the Restricted Subsidiary's declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions of its Net Income is prohibited;
(3) the Net Income of any person or entity acquired in a pooling of
interests transaction for any period before the date of the acquisition
will be excluded;
(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be
excluded; and
(5) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses will be excluded.
"EQUIPMENT" means all of our and the guarantor subsidiaries' machinery,
machine tools, motors, equipment, furniture, furnishings, loading facilities,
tipples, processing plants and similar structures, fixtures, tools, parts,
goods, other than consumer goods, farm products or Inventory, wherever located.
Equipment does not include, however, Mobile Equipment.
"FIXED CHARGES" means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the
following charges or expenses:
(1) our consolidated interest expense and that of our Restricted
Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, including amortization of debt
issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges in
connection with letter of credit or banker's acceptance financings and
net payments, if any, under Hedging Obligations;
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(2) our consolidated interest expense and that of our Restricted
Subsidiaries which was capitalized during that period;
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another person or entity which
we or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries guarantees or which is secured
by a lien on our assets or that of one of our Restricted Subsidiaries,
whether or not the guarantee or lien is called upon;
(4) the product of (a) all cash dividend payments, on any series of our
preferred stock or that of any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, other
than dividend payments on equity interests payable solely in our equity
interests, multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one
and the denominator of which is one minus our then current combined
federal, state and local effective tax rate, expressed as a decimal.
"FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means, for any period, the ratio of our
Consolidated Cash Flow and that of our Restricted Subsidiaries to their Fixed
Charges. In the event that we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries incurs,
assumes, guarantees or redeems any Indebtedness, other than revolving credit
borrowings, or issues or redeems preferred stock after the start of the period
for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but before the
date as of which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated, then the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated as if that incurrence,
assumption, guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or the issuance or
redemption of preferred stock had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of making the
computation referred to above,
(1) acquisitions and Investments that we or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries has made, including through mergers or consolidations and
including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter
reference period or between the reference period and the calculation
date, will be treated as if they had occurred on the first day of the
four-quarter reference period, and Consolidated Cash Flow for the
reference period will be calculated without giving effect to clause (3)
of the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and operations or businesses disposed of before the calculation date,
will be excluded; and
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and operations or businesses disposed of before the calculation date,
will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving
rise to the Fixed Charges will not be obligations of any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries or us following the calculation date.
"GENERAL INTANGIBLES" means all of our and the guarantor subsidiaries'
present and future general intangibles and other personal property, including
rights under coal supply contracts, coal brokerage agreements and other contract
rights, rights arising under common law, statutes or regulations, choses or
things in action, goodwill, permits, patents, trade names, trademarks,
servicemarks, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists,
monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and
other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, infringement claims,
computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, literature,
reports, catalogs, deposit accounts, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds and
tax refund claims, other than goods, Accounts and Negotiable Collateral.
"HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" means the obligations of a person or entity under (1)
interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate
collar agreements with respect to Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of
the indenture and (2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
against fluctuation in interest rates or the value of foreign currencies
purchased or received in the ordinary course of business.
"INDEBTEDNESS" means, for any person or entity, as of any date,
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- any indebtedness, whether or not contingent, for borrowed money or
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, letters of
credit or reimbursement agreements for letters of credit, other than
standby letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business that
either have not been drawn upon or, if drawn upon, were reimbursed no
later than the tenth business day after the issuer of the letter of
credit demanded reimbursement, bankers' acceptances, Capital Lease
Obligations, the deferred and unpaid portion of the purchase price of
property, other than trade payables, and Hedging Obligations, if and to
the extent any of these forms of indebtedness, other than letters of
credit and Hedging Obligations, would appear as a liability upon a
balance sheet of the person or entity prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; and
- all indebtedness of others secured by a lien on any asset of that person
or entity, whether or not that person or entity assumes the indebtedness,
and, to the extent not otherwise included, the person or entity's
guarantee of any indebtedness of any other person or entity.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be (1) the
accredited value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness that does
not require current payment of interest, and (2) the principal amount of the
Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than
30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
"INDEPENDENT" means a person or entity that
- is in fact independent,
- does not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect
financial interest in us or in any subsidiary that has guaranteed the
notes or in any affiliate of us or a guarantor subsidiary, and
- is not connected with us or any guarantor subsidiary as an officer,
employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or person
performing similar functions.
Whenever an opinion or certificate of an Independent person or entity is
required under the indenture, that person or entity must be appointed by an
order signed by two of our officers and approved by the trustee in the exercise
of reasonable care. The opinion or certificate must state that the signer has
read this definition and that the signer is independent as that term is defined
in the indenture.
"INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT" means the intercreditor agreement dated as of
October 1, 1999, between The Bank of New York, as collateral agent under the
indenture, and Foothill Credit Corporation, as collateral agent for the senior
commercial lenders, substantially in the form attached as an exhibit to the
indenture, as it may be amended, waived or otherwise modified from time to time
in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, or any similar agreement
with lenders under any replacement credit facility on terms which, taken as a
whole, are not materially less favorable to the noteholders in any material
respect than the form attached as an exhibit to the indenture.
"INVENTORY" means all of our and the guarantor subsidiaries' present and
future inventory, whether in the form of raw materials, work-in-process or
finished and semi-finished inventory of any kind, nature or description,
wherever located, including the following:
- all minerals in whatever form, including coal, fly ash, bottom ash or
other ash, methane, sulfur, sulfur dioxide and other by-products
resulting from the processing of the coal we and the subsidiaries that
have guaranteed the notes mine and other minerals and chemicals resulting
from the mining or processing of coal;
- cast iron fittings, paint, belts and hoses, bolts and nuts, wire and wire
products, welding supplies, tools, steel, rope, timber, railroad, spikes,
railroad car parts and railroad crane parts, baghouse parts, pump parts,
compressor parts, electrical parts, bearings, drills, bits and
accessories and other parts and supplies;
- all wrapping, packaging, advertising and shipping materials; and
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- any other personal property held for sale, exchange or lease or furnished
or to be furnished or used or consumed in the business or in connection
with the manufacturing, packaging, shipping, advertising, selling or
finishing of goods, inventory, merchandise and other personal property,
and all names or marks affixed to or to be affixed to these items for
purposes of our and the guarantor subsidiaries' selling these items and
all right, title and interest to them.
Inventory also includes all coal (1) in which we and the subsidiaries that
have guaranteed the notes have any interest which has been mined, (2) that is in
a coal stockpile and (3) that is held for sale in the ordinary course of
business, together with all other present and future goods we and the guarantor
subsidiaries hold for sale in the ordinary course of business, wherever located.
"INVESTMENT PROPERTY" means "investment property" as that term is defined
in Section 9-115 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.
"INVESTMENTS" means all investments a person or entity makes in other
persons or entities, including affiliates, in the form of direct or indirect
loans, including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations, advances or
capital contributions -- excluding commission, travel and similar advances to
officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business -- purchases or
other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness and equity interests or
other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. If we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries sells or
otherwise disposes of any equity interests of any of our direct or indirect
Restricted Subsidiaries so that, after giving effect to the sale or disposition,
the person or entity is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, we will be deemed to
have made an Investment on the date of the sale or disposition equal to the fair
market value of the equity interests of the Restricted Subsidiary not sold or
disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the
covenant described below under " -- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted
Payments."
"MOBILE EQUIPMENT" means all equipment that is (1) mobile, and (2) used or
useful in connection with our coal mining, extraction, development, construction
or environmental remediation activities or that of any Restricted Subsidiary.
Mobile Equipment includes any of the following, whether the equipment is on
wheels, is track mounted or is skid mounted: bulldozers, drills, pans, augers,
high wall miners, continuous miners, shuttle cars, roof bolters, mobile roof
supporters, rock dusters, man trips, scoops, backhoes, shovels, front end
loaders, continuous haulage units, underground locomotives, loaders, trailers,
trucks, other motor vehicles and other mining, construction, earthmoving or
excavating equipment of a similar nature.
"NEGOTIABLE COLLATERAL" means letters of credit, notes, drafts,
instruments, Investment Property, documents, and chattel paper issued to us or
any of our subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes; personal property leases
under which we or our subsidiary is the lessor; and the books relating to any of
these items.
"NET INCOME" means, for any person or entity and any period, the net income
(loss) of the person or entity, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and before deducting preferred stock dividends, excluding,
however, the following items:
(1) any extraordinary gain, but not loss, together with any related
provision for taxes on that gain, but not loss, realized in connection
with any Asset Sale or disposition of any securities or the
extinguishment of any Indebtedness; and
(2) any extraordinary gain, but not loss, together with any related
provision for taxes on the extraordinary gain, but not loss.
In determining Consolidated Net Income for the purpose of the covenant
described under " -- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments" only,
however, items (1) and (2) will not be so excluded.
"PERMITTED BUSINESS" means coal producing, coal mining, coal brokering or
mine development or any business that is reasonably similar or is a reasonable
extension, development or expansion or is ancillary to
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these activities, including ash disposal and/or environmental remediation, and
participation in the ownership and operation of coal-fired electric power
generating facilities that purchase coal or other inventory from us or any
Restricted Subsidiary.
"PERMITTED HOLDERS" means the Estate of John J. Faltis, JJF Group Limited
Liability Company, P. Bruce Sparks, PPK Group Limited Liability Company, Anker
Holding B.V., First Reserve Corporation, American Oil & Gas Investors, Limited
Partnership, Amgo II, Limited Partnership, First Reserve Fund V, Limited
Partnership, First Reserve Fund V-2, Limited Partnership, First Reserve Fund VI,
Limited Partnership and First Reserve Fund VII, Limited Partnership, any of the
entities that received warrants on October 28, 1999 to purchase our common stock
and any of their affiliates and their successors and assigns.
"PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means
(1) any Investment in Anker Coal Group or in a subsidiary that is a
guarantor of the notes;
(2) any Investment in cash equivalents;
(3) any Investment by us or any guarantor subsidiary in a person or entity,
if as a result of the Investment (a) the person or entity becomes a
subsidiary that guarantees the notes or (b) the person or entity is
merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or
conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, us
or a subsidiary that is a guarantor of the notes;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from an Asset Sale that was made in compliance with the
covenant described under " -- Mandatory Redemption -- Asset Sales;"
(5) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of our
equity interests;
(6) any Investment existing on October 1, 1999;
(7) any Investment acquired by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (a)
in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by us
or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a
bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer
of the other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of
the transfer of title with respect to any secured investment in default
as a result of a foreclosure by us or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to the secured Investment;
(8) Hedging Obligations permitted under the covenant described under
" -- Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance
of Mandatorily Redeemable Stock;"
(9) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for
business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar
expenses, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(10) any guarantees permitted to be made pursuant to the covenant described
under " -- Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Mandatorily Redeemable Stock;"
(11) any Investment of excluded assets, other than Mobile Equipment, in any
person or entity engaged in the ownership and operation of a
coal-fired power generation facility that purchases coal or other
inventory from us or any Restricted Subsidiary; however, any ownership
interest in that person or entity we or a subsidiary guarantor making
the Investment receives will be subjected to the liens securing the
notes; and
(12) other Investments in any person or entity, including Investments in
Unrestricted Subsidiaries, primarily engaged in a Permitted Business
having an aggregate fair market value, measured on the date each
Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in
value,
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when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (12) that are at the time outstanding, do not exceed $10.0
million.
"PERMITTED LIENS" means
(1) liens securing senior Indebtedness that is permitted by clauses (1),
(2), (7) and (9) under " -- Covenants -- Permitted Debt" and the liens
securing the notes;
(2) liens in favor of us;
(3) liens on property of an entity existing at the time it is merged into
or consolidated with us or any of our subsidiaries, as long as the
liens were in existence before the contemplation of the merger or
consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the
person or entity merged into or consolidated with us;
(4) liens on property existing at the time it was acquired by us or any of
our subsidiaries, as long as the liens were in existence before the
contemplation of the acquisition;
(5) liens to secure the performance of statutory or regulatory obligations,
leases, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations
of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6) liens to secure Indebtedness, including Capital Lease Obligations,
permitted by clause (4) under " -- Covenants -- Permitted Debt"
covering only the assets acquired with that Indebtedness;
(7) liens existing on October 1, 1999;
(8) liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are
not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded,
as long as any reserve or other appropriate provision required in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles has been made;
(9) liens incurred in the ordinary course of our business or that of any of
our subsidiaries with respect to obligations that do not exceed $5
million at any one time outstanding and that (a) are not incurred in
connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or
credit, other than trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and
(b) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the
property or materially impair the use of the property in our or the
subsidiary's operation of business;
(10) liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries which secure non-recourse
debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(11) liens on assets of subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes which
would be Permitted Liens if they were liens or assets of us to secure
senior Indebtedness that was permitted to be incurred by clauses (1),
(2), (7) and (9) under " -- Covenants -- Permitted Debt;" and
(12) liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness to the same extent,
as long as the lien is not secured by any additional assets, and with
the same or lower priority as liens securing the Indebtedness that was
exchanged or extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded with the net proceeds of the Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness.
"PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of us or any of
our Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, Indebtedness
of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, as long as
(1) the principal amount, or accreted value, if applicable, of the
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount
of, or accreted value, if applicable, plus accrued interest on, the
Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded, plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred, including
premiums paid, if any, to the holders of the Indebtedness;
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(2) the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date at or
later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life
to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes,
the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later
than 91 days after the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in
right of payment to, the notes on terms at least as favorable to the
noteholders as those contained in the documentation governing the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded; and
(4) the Indebtedness is incurred either by us or by the Restricted
Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"REAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL" means the parcel or parcels of real property and
related improvements described in the mortgages securing the notes and any real
property we and the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes acquire in the
future, including leasehold interests, together with all buildings, structures,
fixtures and other improvements relating to the property, and all metals and
minerals that are in, under, upon, or to be produced from the real property to
the extent of our rights and those of the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the
notes to the same, including all coal, but only to the extent the metals and
minerals have not been extracted from the real property, wherever located,
including our real property and related assets and that of the subsidiaries that
have guaranteed the notes, as more particularly described in the mortgages
securing the notes. Real Property Collateral will not include, however, the
specified interests in real property listed in Schedule B to the indenture or
any non-assignable property. The Real Property Collateral also will not include
any real property located in the State of Maryland which is not subject to the
liens securing the senior secured indebtedness.
"RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of a person or entity means any Subsidiary of us or
of our subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any of our subsidiaries that our board of
directors designates as an Unrestricted Subsidiary through a board resolution,
but only to the extent that the subsidiary:
- has no Indebtedness other than non-recourse debt;
- is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
with us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, unless the terms of the
agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable
to us or the Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at
the time from persons or entities that are not affiliates;
- is a person or entity with respect to which neither we nor any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (1) to
subscribe for additional equity interests or (2) to maintain or preserve
the person or entity's financial condition or to cause the person or
entity to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
- has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit
support for any Indebtedness of us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries.
If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the
conditions referred to above as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will then cease
to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the indenture, and any
Indebtedness of the subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by our Restricted
Subsidiary as of that date. If the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred
as of that date under the covenant described under " -- Covenants -- Limitation
on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Mandatorily Redeemable Stock," we
will be in default of that covenant.
Our board of directors may at any time designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary. In that case, the designation will be
deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by our
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Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of the Unrestricted
Subsidiary, and the designation will only be permitted if (1) the Indebtedness
is permitted under the covenant described under " -- Covenants -- Limitation on
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Mandatorily Redeemable Stock,"
calculated on a pro forma basis as if the designation had occurred at the
beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no default or Event of
Default under the indenture would exist following the designation.
"WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing
- the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of each
then-remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other
required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, by
(2) the number of years, calculated to the nearest one-twelfth, that will
elapse between that date and the making of the payment, by
- the then-outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness.
COVENANTS
The indenture contains covenants with which we must comply. Here are
summaries and more detailed descriptions of the principal covenants.
LIMITATION ON ASSET SALES. We may not sell assets unless we receive fair
market value and at least 75% of the consideration is in cash or assets to be
used for our coal mining business. Proceeds of permitted Asset Sales must be
used for permitted purposes or to redeem notes, as described above under
" -- Mandatory Redemption -- Asset Sales."
The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless
- we or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives
consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair
market value, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, of
the assets or equity interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of,
and
- at least 75% of the consideration we or the Restricted Subsidiary
receives is in the form of (1) cash or cash equivalents or (2) property
or assets to be used in the ordinary course of our or the subsidiary's
coal mining business.
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, the following
types of consideration are treated as cash or cash equivalents:
- any liabilities of the seller, other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any
guarantee of the notes, which the transferee assumes under an agreement
that releases the seller from further liability; and
- any securities, notes or other obligations the seller receives from the
transferee which are converted into cash within 90 days after the Asset
Sale.
Proceeds of permitted Asset Sales must be used for permitted purposes or to
redeem notes, as described above under a " -- Mandatory Redemption -- Asset
Sales."
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. We may not make restricted
payments -- such as cash dividends on capital stock, repurchases or redemptions
of stock or investments in or loans to unrestricted entities in which we have an
interest, unless a series of requirements are met or a specific exemption
applies. The requirements are as follows:
- There can be no default under the indenture either before or after the
payment;
- We must be able to meet the financial test to incur additional debt, even
if the payment is treated as having been made at the beginning of the
previous four quarters; and
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- The payment in question, together with all other restricted payments,
would not exceed a cap that is calculated by reference to our income and
cash receipts.
Even if these general requirements are not met, we can make some kinds of
payments that would otherwise be restricted as long as they qualify under one of
the specific exemptions in the covenant. Most of the exemptions apply only if
there is no existing Event of Default under the indenture. The exemptions
include:
- Payments of dividends on stock that were permissible under the indenture
when declared;
- Payments to retire debt or preferred stock which are made out of proceeds
of the sale of our common stock;
- Refinancing of our 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007 or of
subordinated debt;
- Redemption of stock our officers, directors and employees own under
specified circumstances;
- Redemption of our Series A and Series B preferred stock following a
Change of Control and redemption of all notes that are tendered for
redemption as a result of the Change of Control; and
- Payment of dividends on our Coal Acquisition Preferred Stock.
The restrictions of the covenants in the indenture apply only to us and
subsidiaries that our board of directors has designated as Restricted
Subsidiaries. Our board can change the designation of any subsidiary and make
these restrictions inapplicable, but only if our investment in, and other
transactions with, the subsidiary would be permissible under the terms of the
indenture.
The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, take any of the following
actions unless the tests set forth below are satisfied:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution
to direct or indirect shareholders on account of their equity
interests, other than dividends or distributions payable in our stock
that is not mandatorily redeemable until at least 91 days after the
notes mature;
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any of our
equity interests or that of any direct or indirect parent of us;
(3) make any principal payment on, or with respect to, or purchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any of our 9 3/4%
Series B Senior Notes due 2007 or Indebtedness that is subordinated to
the notes, except a scheduled repayment of principal or a payment of
principal at stated maturity; or
(4) make any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
All of the following tests must be satisfied in order for us or our
Restricted Subsidiaries to be permitted to make any of the payments specified
above:
- No default or Event of Default under the indenture can be continuing or
would result from the payment;
- At the time of making the payment and after giving effect to the payment
as if it had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter
period, we would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test, as set forth
below under " -- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Mandatorily Redeemable Stock;" and
- The payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other restricted
payments we and our Restricted Subsidiaries make after October 1, 1999,
excluding restricted payments permitted by
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clauses (2), (3), (4) and (6) of the next succeeding paragraph, is less
than the sum, without duplication, of the following:
(1) 50% of our Consolidated Net Income for the period, taken as one
accounting period, from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter
commencing after October 1, 1999 to the end of our most recently ended
fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at
the time of the restricted payment, or, if the Consolidated Net Income
for the period is a deficit, less 100% of that deficit, plus
(2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of
marketable securities, as we determine in good faith, we receive from
the issue or sale to a person or entity other than a Restricted
Subsidiary since October 1, 1999 of our stock, other than stock that we
can be required to redeem, or of our debt securities that have been
converted into stock; however, proceeds used to acquire or redeem our
9 3/4% notes or subordinated debt or equity interests under the
exemption provided below are to be excluded from this calculation; plus
(3) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of
marketable securities, as we determine in good faith, we receive as an
equity contribution from a holder or holders of our equity interests,
other than a contribution with respect to stock that we can be required
to redeem; plus
(4) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after
October 1, 1999 is sold or otherwise liquidated or repaid, the
aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable
securities, as we determine in good faith, we receive as the return of
capital with respect to the Restricted Investment, less the cost of
disposition, if any; plus
(5) the amount resulting from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
as long as the amount does not exceed the amount of Investments we or
any Restricted Subsidiary made in the Unrestricted Subsidiary since
October 1, 1999 which was treated as a Restricted Payment under the
indenture, plus
(6) the amount of the net reduction in Investments in Unrestricted
Subsidiaries resulting from the payment of cash dividends we or any of
our Restricted Subsidiaries received from the Unrestricted
Subsidiaries.
The following kinds of payments are exempt from the restrictions of this
covenant even if they would otherwise be prohibited:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the payment
would have complied with the provisions of the indenture;
(2) as long as no event of default is continuing, the redemption,
repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any of our
9 3/4% notes, subordinated indebtedness or equity interests in exchange
for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, the substantially concurrent
sale, other than to any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, of our other
equity interests, other than stock that we can be required to redeem;
however, the amount of any net cash proceeds that are utilized under
this exemption to make any redemption, repurchase, retirement,
defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded in calculating the
maximum amount of restricted payments permitted by the restricted
payments covenant;
(3) as long as no event of default is continuing, the defeasance,
redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of our 9 3/4% notes or
subordinated indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence
of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) the payment of any dividend by any of our subsidiaries to the holders
of our or its common equity interests on a pro rata basis;
(5) as long as no event of default is continuing, the repurchase,
retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of our common
equity interests held by any of our future, present or former
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employees or directors or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries or the
estate, heirs or legatees of, or any entity controlled by, any of these
employees or directors, under any management equity plan or stock
option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or
agreement in connection with the termination of that person's
employment for any reason, including by reason of death or disability.
The aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause to any person
other than PPK Group Limited Liability Company may not exceed $100,000
in any calendar year. The aggregate Restricted Payments made under this
clause to PPK Group may not exceed the cash proceeds of key man life
insurance policies which we receive after October 1, 1999, less the
amount of any Restricted Payments previously made to PPK Group Limited
Liability Company pursuant to this clause;
(6) as long as no Event of Default is continuing, in the event of a Change
of Control under the indenture, the making of mandatory redemptions on
our Class A preferred stock and our Class B preferred stock, par value
$1,000 per share, in each case in accordance with the terms of the
change of control provisions of the preferred stock as in effect on
October 1, 1999. No redemption may be made until after we have redeemed
all notes tendered under the Change of Control provisions of the
indenture;
(7) as long as no Event of Default is continuing, the declaration and
payment of dividends on and the making of scheduled mandatory
redemptions of our Coal Acquisition Preferred Stock in accordance with
the terms of that stock; and
(8) repurchases of equity interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock
options if those equity interests represent a portion of the exercise
price of the options.
The payment restrictions in this covenant apply only to us and to our
Restricted Subsidiaries. They do not apply to Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Our
board of directors may redesignate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary if the designation is permitted by this covenant and otherwise would
not cause a default under the indenture. For purposes of determining whether
redesignation is permissible, all outstanding Investments we and our Restricted
Subsidiaries make, except to the extent repaid in cash, in the subsidiary to be
redesignated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the time of the
redesignation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under
the first paragraph of the covenant. The amount of the Investments will be equal
to the fair market value of the Investments at the time of the redesignation.
The redesignation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment to an
Unrestricted Subsidiary in that amount would be permitted at that time and if
the subsidiary to be redesignated otherwise meets the definition of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The amount of all Restricted Payments, other than cash, will be the fair
market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities
we or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, proposes to be transferred or
issued under the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any non-cash
Restricted Payment will be based on the good faith determination of our board of
directors. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, we must
deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate stating that the Restricted
Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations
required by this covenant were computed.
LIMITATION ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF MANDATORILY
REDEEMABLE STOCK. We may not incur additional Indebtedness or issue stock that
we can be required to redeem sooner than 91 days after the notes mature if,
treating the transaction as if it had occurred at the beginning of the previous
four fiscal quarters, our consolidated cash flow for that four-quarter period
would be less than 2.25 times the sum of our consolidated interest expense plus
the pretax amount necessary to pay cash dividends on our preferred stock. These
restrictions do not apply to Indebtedness that falls within the definition of
Permitted Debt.
The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness, including Acquired
Debt, and that we
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will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any
shares of stock that the issuer can be required to redeem before the 91st day
after the notes mature. We or any of the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the
notes, may incur Indebtedness, including Acquired Debt, or issue shares of stock
if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for our most recently ended four full fiscal
quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately
preceding the date on which the additional Indebtedness is incurred or the stock
is issued would have been at least 2.25 to 1, determined as if the additional
Indebtedness had been incurred or the stock had been issued and the proceeds had
been received and applied at the beginning of the four-quarter period.
LIMITATION ON LAYERING. We cannot create Indebtedness that ranks below the
senior secured debt but ahead of the notes.
The indenture also provides that neither we nor any subsidiary that has
guaranteed the notes may incur any Indebtedness that is contractually
subordinated to any other Indebtedness of us or the subsidiary, unless the
Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated to the notes or the guarantee of
the subsidiary on substantially identical terms. No Indebtedness of us or any
guarantor subsidiary, however, will be deemed to be contractually subordinated
to any other Indebtedness of our or the guarantor subsidiary solely by virtue of
its being unsecured.
PERMITTED DEBT. We and our Restricted Subsidiaries can incur some kinds of
Indebtedness even if we or they do not meet the consolidated cash flow test
described above.
The restrictions on incurrence of Indebtedness described above under
' -- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Mandatorily
Redeemable Stock" do not apply to any of the following items of Indebtedness:
(1) Indebtedness under debt or commercial paper facilities providing for
term loans, revolving credit loans or letters of credit in a principal
amount of up to $55 million;
(2) Indebtedness that existed on October 1, 1999;
(3) Indebtedness under the indenture and related documents;
(4) Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage
financings or purchase money obligations, in each case incurred for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, lease or
cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment
used in our business or that of a subsidiary that has guaranteed the
notes, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10.0 million at
any time outstanding;
(5) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds
of which are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness, other
than intercompany Indebtedness, that the indenture permits to be
incurred;
(6) intercompany Indebtedness between or among us and any of our
subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes; however, (a) if we are the
obligor on the Indebtedness, the Indebtedness must be expressly
subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations
with respect to the notes, and (b)(i) any subsequent issuance or
transfer of equity interests that results in any Indebtedness' being
held by a person or entity other than us or a subsidiary that has
guaranteed the notes and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any
Indebtedness to a person or entity that is not either a guarantor
subsidiary or us will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an
incurrence of Indebtedness by us or the guarantor subsidiary, as the
case may be;
(7) Hedging Obligations;
(8) Indebtedness incurred in connection with performance, surety and
similar bonds and completion guarantees we or any Restricted Subsidiary
provides in the ordinary course of business;
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(9) the issuance by our Unrestricted Subsidiaries of non-recourse debt;
however, if any of this Indebtedness ceases to be non-recourse debt of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary, that event will be deemed to constitute an
incurrence of Indebtedness by our Restricted Subsidiary; and
(10) Guarantees of Indebtedness that another provision of this covenant
permits to be incurred.
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event
that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of permitted debt described in clauses (1) through (10) above or is
entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of the covenant
described under this section, we can choose which provision will apply to the
item of Indebtedness. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accredited value and
the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be
deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.
LIMITATION ON LIENS. We may not pledge our assets as collateral for any
debt for borrowed money that ranks equally with or below the notes, unless the
notes also get the benefit of the pledge. If we grant a lien on real property in
Maryland to secure our senior credit facility, we must also grant a junior lien
on the same property to secure the notes.
The indenture provides that, except for Permitted Liens, we will not, and
will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any lien securing Indebtedness or trade
payables on any asset now owned or acquired in the future, or any income or
profits from that asset. Nor will we assign or convey any right to receive
income from that asset. This limitation does not apply in the event the notes
are secured equally and ratably with, or before in the case of subordinated
indebtedness, the obligation or liability secured by the lien. In the event that
we or any subsidiary that has guaranteed the notes grants a lien on any real
property located in the state of Maryland to secure the senior secured
indebtedness, that grantor must immediately grant a junior lien in favor of the
collateral agent to secure the obligations under the indenture.
LIMITATION ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING
SUBSIDIARIES. We generally cannot allow our subsidiaries to be subject to
restrictions on their ability to pay money or transfer assets to us.
The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, be subject to any agreement
or other consensual arrangement that restricts our or their ability to do any of
the following:
- (1) pay dividends or make any other distributions to us or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries based upon stock ownership or its profits, or (2)
pay any indebtedness owed to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries,
- make loans or advances to us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries or
- transfer any of our or their properties or assets to us or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries.
The following kinds of restrictions are permissible under this covenant
even if they would otherwise fall within one of the three categories set forth
above:
- restrictions imposed by the terms of Indebtedness as in effect on October
1, 1999;
- restrictions imposed by the terms of our senior credit facility;
- restrictions imposed by the indenture and the notes;
- restrictions imposed by applicable law, rules or regulations or any order
or ruling by a governmental authority;
- restrictions imposed by agreements to which a Restricted Subsidiary was
already subject at the time it was acquired and that do not apply to us
or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
- customary non-assignment provisions in leases, licenses, encumbrances,
contracts or similar agreements entered into or acquired in the ordinary
course of business;
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- purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course
of business which impose transfer restrictions on the acquired property;
- customary restrictions included in contracts for the sale of assets by us
or a Restricted Subsidiary;
- restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
- customary provisions in joint venture agreements at the time of creation
of the joint venture and other similar agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business; and
- renewals or replacements of agreements that impose restrictions that are
otherwise permissible under this covenant.
LIMITATION ON MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS AND SALES OF ASSETS. We may not
merge or consolidate with other companies unless (1) we are not in default under
the notes, (2) the surviving corporation assumes our obligations under the
indenture and (3) we could incur additional Indebtedness under the debt covenant
described under "-- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Mandatorily Redeemable Stock."
The indenture provides that we may not consolidate or merge with or into,
whether or not we are the surviving corporation, or sell or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of our properties or assets in one or more related
transactions, to another corporation, person or entity or entity unless all of
the following tests are met:
- we must be the surviving corporation or the surviving corporation or
other party to the transaction must be organized under U.S. law;
- the surviving corporation or other party to the transaction must assume
all our obligations under the notes and the indenture;
- immediately after closing of the transaction there would be no default
under the indenture; and
- we or the surviving corporation or other party to the transaction would
be able to incur additional Indebtedness under the covenant described
above under "-- Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Mandatorily Redeemable Stock" with the financial ratio specified in that
covenant calculated as if the transaction had been completed at the start
of the four-quarter measurement period.
This covenant does not prohibit (1) a Restricted Subsidiary from merging
with or transferring property to us, or (2) us from merging with an affiliate
that was incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating us in another
state of the United States, as long as the amount of our Indebtedness and that
of our Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased.
LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PERSONS. We and our
subsidiaries may not enter into transactions with major stockholders or persons
we or they control, are controlled by or are under common control with, unless
the transaction is fair and we comply with specified procedures.
The indenture provides that we will not, and will not permit any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to or Investment in, or sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of our or its properties or assets
to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any
transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee
with, or for the benefit of, any person or entity that directly or indirectly
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with us or the Restricted
Subsidiary unless
- the transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to us or the
relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained
in a comparable transaction with an unrelated person or entity;
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- if the total consideration involved in the transaction exceeds $5
million, the transaction must be approved by a majority of the members of
our board of directors or that of the Restricted Subsidiary who do not
have an interest in the transaction, and one of our officers must certify
that fact in writing to the trustee; and
- if the total consideration involved in the transaction exceeds $10
million, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion from an engineer,
appraiser or other expert who has no interest in, or connection with, us
or our subsidiaries to the effect that the transaction is fair from a
financial point of view.
The following kinds of transactions are not subject to the restrictions of
this covenant:
- any employment agreement we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries enters
into in the ordinary course of business;
- transactions between or among us and/or our Restricted Subsidiaries;
- Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the indenture
described above under " -- Limitation on Restricted Payments;"
- any payments made in connection with the notes, warrants to purchase our
common stock issued October 28, 1999, or any related agreements;
- the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnity
provided on behalf of, our officers, directors or employees or those of
any Restricted Subsidiary;
- transactions in which we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries delivers
to the trustee a letter from an engineer, appraiser or other expert who
has no interest in or connection with us or our subsidiaries to the
effect that the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to us or
the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been
obtained in a comparable transaction with an unrelated person or entity;
- loans to employees (1) under our employee relocation policy as in effect
on October 1, 1999 or (2) for any other purpose, as long as the loans are
not in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding
and are approved by a majority of our or the Restricted Subsidiary's
board of directors, as applicable, in good faith;
- any agreement as in effect as of October 1, 1999 or any amendment to that
agreement, as long as the amendment is no less favorable to the holders
of the notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in
effect on October 1, 1999, or any transaction contemplated by that
agreement;
- the existence of, or the performance by us or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries of our or its obligations under the terms of, the
stockholders' agreement, dated as of August 12, 1996, as in effect on
October 1, 1999, and any amendments or similar agreements that are no
less favorable to the noteholders and that are entered into after October
1, 1999; and
- coal supply agreements with Anker Holding B.V. and its affiliates in the
ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of
the indenture on arms-length terms.
LIMITATION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries can engage in any business that does
not fall within the definition of "Permitted Business" unless that other
business would not be material to us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole.
LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT. We cannot pay noteholders to waive
rights under, or modify the terms of, the indenture unless we make the same
offer to all noteholders.
The indenture provides that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may,
directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by
way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of any notes
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for, or as an inducement to, any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the
terms or provisions of the indenture or the notes unless the consideration is
offered to be paid or is paid to all holders of the notes that consent, waive or
agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents
relating to the consent, waiver or agreement.
ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE
The indenture provides that if we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries
acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary after October 1, 1999, then
the newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary must guarantee the notes.
REPORTS
As long as any of the notes is outstanding, we are required to file with
the SEC the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we would
have been required to file with the SEC under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act if we were subject to these sections. We must also provide to all
noteholders and file with the trustee copies of these reports. In addition,
until the effectiveness of a registration statement that permits holders of
unregistered notes to exchange them for registered notes or to sell their notes
without restriction, we must furnish to the holders of the notes and to
prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be
delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
We will be in default under the notes if specified events occur. These
events include(1) failure to pay principal on the notes when due, (2) failure to
pay interest within 30 days after it is due, (3) breaches of covenants, (4)
defaults under other indebtedness, (5) failure to pay judgments and (6)
bankruptcy. Bankruptcy causes automatic acceleration of the notes. Any other
event of default will give the trustee or 25% of the holders the right to call
the notes and take other enforcement action, including foreclosing on the
collateral.
The indenture provides that each of the following is an "Event of Default:"
- failure to pay interest or liquidated damages, if any, on the notes
within 30 days after the date due;
- failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on the notes when due;
- failure to comply with the mandatory redemption requirements applicable
to Asset Sales and Changes of Control, as described above;
- failure to comply with any other provision of the notes or the indenture
unless cured within 60 days after written notice by the trustee or by the
holders of at least 25% of notes then outstanding;
- failure to comply with any provision of the documents creating the liens
that secure the notes unless cured within 30 days after written notice by
the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% of the notes then
outstanding;
- a payment default in connection with Indebtedness of $5.0 million or
more, or any other kind of default that results in the acceleration of
Indebtedness of $5.0 million or more;
- failure to pay within 60 days final judgments that exceed applicable
insurance coverage by more than $5.0 million unless those judgments have
been discharged or stayed within that 60-day period;
- if the guarantee of the notes by any significant subsidiary becomes, or
is claimed by the subsidiary to be, invalid or unenforceable;
- various events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any of
our significant subsidiaries; and
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- we or any of our subsidiaries initiates any suit or proceeding
challenging the legality, validity, or enforceability of the notes, the
indenture or the liens that secure the notes.
The holders of a majority in amount of the notes may waive any existing
default or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture, except a
continuing payment default. Payment defaults can only be waived by individual
holders; waiver by a majority of the holders is not effective to bind those who
do not consent.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may declare all of
the notes to be due and payable immediately. If the Event of Default relates to
bankruptcy of us or a significant subsidiary, the notes automatically become due
and payable immediately without any action by the trustee or the holders.
In addition to calling the notes, the trustee may take the following
enforcement actions as a result of an Event of Default:
- sue us and the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes to collect and
otherwise enforce the terms of the notes;
- except as limited by the intercreditor agreement, foreclose upon the
collateral that secures the notes or seek appointment of a receiver for
the collateral or any other assets of us and the subsidiaries that have
guaranteed the notes; or
- pursue any other remedy that is available under the indenture or
applicable law.
No holder of a note can act to enforce the indenture unless the following
requirements are met:
- the holder has notified the trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
- the holders of at least 25% in amount of the notes have requested the
trustee to take enforcement action and offered to indemnify the trustee
in connection with that action;
- holders of a majority in amount of the notes have not instructed the
trustee not to take enforcement action; and
- the trustee has failed to take enforcement action within 60 days.
However, the above limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a
holder of a note to collect unpaid amounts due under the holder's notes.
Holders of a majority in amount of the notes may direct the trustee in its
exercise of any trust or power under the indenture, but the trustee can refuse
to follow those directions if they would conflict with law or the indenture,
injure other holders or expose the trustee to personal liability. The trustee
may withhold from noteholders notice of any continuing default or Event of
Default, except a default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest, if the trustee determines that withholding notice is in
their interest.
We are required to certify to the trustee annually that we are in
compliance with the indenture and to notify the trustee whenever we become aware
of any default or Event of Default.
NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS
Holders of notes have no legal recourse against our directors, officers,
employees or stockholders.
The indenture provides that none of our directors, officers, employees or
stockholders, in those capacities, will have any liability for any of our
obligations under the notes or the indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of those obligations or their creation. Each holder, by
accepting the notes, waives and releases all of this liability.
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LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
We can be relieved of our obligations under the indenture if we deposit
with the trustee sufficient money or government securities to pay the principal
of and interest on the notes as they become due.
At any time while the notes are outstanding, we may be relieved of almost
all of our obligations under the indenture or obtain a more limited release from
some covenants by delivering cash to the trustee and complying with other
procedures.
The broader release, which is referred to in the indenture as "Legal
Defeasance," would leave us with only those obligations relating to the issuance
and replacement of notes, administration of payments and cooperation with, and
payment of the fees and expenses of, the trustee. The narrower release, which is
referred to as "Covenant Defeasance," would relieve us of our reporting and
certification obligations, the financial covenants and restrictions on
operations and transactions, but it would leave us subject to the other
provisions of the indenture.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, we
must comply with all of the following requirements:
(1) We must deposit with the trustee enough cash to pay when due all
amounts required to be paid under notes and the indenture;
(2) Depending on whether we are seeking Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee one of the following tax
opinions:
- in order to get the narrower release from specified covenants, we must
deliver a legal opinion confirming that the deposit of funds with the
trustee and the related release of our obligations will not be a taxable
event for the note holders; or
- in order to get the broader release from the requirements of the
indenture, we must deliver a legal opinion stating that the lack of tax
consequences for noteholders has been confirmed by the Internal Revenue
Service or is the result of a change in applicable law since October 1,
1999;
(3) We and the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes cannot be in
default under the notes or the indenture when we make the cash deposit;
(4) The deposit of funds and our release from obligations under the
indenture cannot be a violation of any of our material contracts or
those of any of our subsidiaries;
(5) In addition to the tax opinion referred to above, we must deliver to
the trustee a legal opinion to the effect that
- after the 91st day following the deposit, the funds deposited with the
trustee will not be subject to recovery in a bankruptcy or similar
proceeding of us or any of the subsidiaries that have guaranteed the
notes; and
- all of the requirements for Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance,
whichever is applicable, have been satisfied;
(6) We must deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate stating that
- the deposit of funds was not made with the intent of preferring the
noteholders over the other creditors or with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors;
- all of the requirements for Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance,
whichever is applicable, have been satisfied.
POSSESSION AND USE OF COLLATERAL
Unless the notes have been accelerated, we and our subsidiaries can keep
and use the collateral as long as the use does not violate the restrictions and
covenants in the indenture. In addition, we and they
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can transfer collateral from one Restricted Subsidiary to another without the
trustee's consent. Collateral that we or our subsidiaries use or that is
transferred from one subsidiary to another remains subject to the liens securing
the notes.
DISPOSITION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL
We and our subsidiaries can sell or transfer collateral free and clear of
the liens securing the notes if we and they comply with the requirements
described below. The applicable requirements depend upon the kind of collateral
and its value. In general, we must receive fair value in exchange for collateral
and, except in the case of collateral that we sell in the ordinary course of our
business, we must deliver to the trustee evidence that the price was fair and
that the release of the collateral will not impair the liens securing the notes.
If we comply with the applicable requirements, the trustee must release the lien
on the particular item of collateral.
DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL WITHOUT RELEASE
As long as the notes have not been accelerated, we and our subsidiaries can
take the following actions or sell or transfer the following kinds of collateral
free and clear of the liens securing the notes without obtaining the trustee's
consent or a formal release of liens:
(1) dispose of worn-out or obsolete machinery, equipment, furniture,
apparatus, tools or implements, materials, supplies or other similar
property or nonproductive real property, as long as the value does not
exceed the greater of $25,000 or 1% of the outstanding notes in any
given year;
(2) sell or dispose of inventory and collect or write off accounts
receivable in the ordinary course of business, as long as we certify to
the trustee every six months that our inventory and receivables
transactions during the preceding six-month period were in the ordinary
course of business and that we used the proceeds from those
transactions for purposes that are permitted under the indenture;
(3) grant rights-of-way, restrictions on use, subleases, easements or other
encumbrances on real estate that do not impair the usefulness of the
property or prejudice the interests of the noteholders;
(4) give up, amend or exchange contractual rights or rights in real
property, as long as any net proceeds or substitute property received
in the transaction in excess of the greater of $25,000 or 1% of the
outstanding notes becomes subject to the liens securing the notes;
(5) give up or modify any franchise, license or permit, the loss of which
will not affect our continuing business operations, as long as any net
proceeds received in the transaction in excess of the greater of
$25,000 or 1% of the outstanding notes becomes subject to the liens
securing the notes;
(6) alter, repair, replace, change the location or position of and add to
our plants, structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and
related property, as long as the property in question continues to be
subject to the liens securing the notes; or
(7) demolish, dismantle, tear down, scrap or abandon any worthless
collateral, including mineral rights, leases and other real property
interests.
RELEASES OF COLLATERAL. We may obtain the release of collateral from the
liens securing the notes either by substituting cash or other property worth at
least as much as the collateral to be released or by complying with procedures
to demonstrate that we are receiving the fair value of the collateral at issue
and the noteholders will not be harmed by the release.
RELEASE BY SUBSTITUTION OF PROPERTY. In order to substitute property for
collateral to be released from the liens securing the notes, we must provide
evidence to the trustee of the fair value of the property to be released and the
fair value of the substitute property. If the fair value of the collateral being
released or substituted is at least equal to the greater of $25,000 or 1% of the
outstanding notes, or if the fair value of
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all collateral released through substitution of property is at least 10% of the
outstanding notes, the fair values must be certified by an engineer, appraiser
or other expert who is not employed by or affiliated with us or our
subsidiaries. Otherwise, the fair values can be established by our qualified
personnel. In addition, we must deliver to the trustee officers' certificates,
corporate resolutions, opinions of counsel and any documents necessary to create
the lien on the substitute collateral.
RELEASE BY SUBSTITUTION OF CASH. We are not permitted to substitute cash
for collateral unless our senior secured credit facilities have been paid off
and terminated. At that point, we can
- obtain a release of all the collateral, other than cash, by depositing
with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay all obligations under the
indenture;
- obtain a release of particular items of collateral by depositing with the
trustee an amount at least equal to the fair value of the collateral to
be released;
- obtain a release of particular items of collateral being sold for cash
equal to their fair value if all net proceeds of the sale are deposited
with the trustee to replace the property being sold.
Cash deposited as collateral is to be held by the trustee in a segregated
account. As long as we and our subsidiaries are not in default under the
indenture, we and they can select from among permissible investments of cash
deposited as collateral and are entitled to receive interest earned on
investments of that cash. We and our subsidiaries can substitute cash or cash
equivalents for other forms of cash collateral.
Release of Collateral Without Substitution. We can sell, exchange or
otherwise dispose of collateral, and the trustee must release its liens upon the
collateral being sold, as long as we deliver the following documents to the
trustee and, if applicable, comply with the mandatory redemption requirements
described above under " -- Mandatory Redemption from Excess Asset Sale
Proceeds."
- If the property to be released has a book value in excess of the greater
of $25,000 and 1% of the outstanding notes, a board resolution requesting
the release;
- An officers' certificate identifying the property to be released,
specifying its fair value, describing the terms of the proposed
transaction and stating that the transaction and release comply with the
terms of the indenture;
- If the total fair value of all the property plus all other collateral
except inventory and accounts receivable released from the liens securing
the notes in the current calendar year is at least 10% of the amount of
the outstanding notes, and the value of the property to be released is at
least equal to the greater of $25,000 and 1% of the outstanding notes, we
must provide a certificate from an engineer, appraiser or other expert
who is not employed by or affiliated with us or our subsidiaries
specifying the fair value of the property and stating that the proposed
release will not impair the liens securing the notes on the remaining
collateral;
- If the book value of the collateral that is the subject of the release is
more than the greater of $25,000 and 1% of the outstanding notes, a legal
opinion that the release complies with the terms of the indenture and
that the trustee will have a valid lien on any substitute collateral.
CASH HELD BY THE TRUSTEE
Cash or cash equivalents deposited with or received by the trustee will be
held in a collateral account for the benefit of the noteholders and, where
applicable, the lenders that hold senior secured debt, as part of the
collateral. As long as we and our subsidiaries are not in default under the
indenture, we and they can obtain the release of cash from the trustee if
release is permitted under the provisions of the indenture described above under
' -- Mandatory Redemption from Excess Asset Sale Proceeds" and " -- Disposition
and Release of Collateral." We can also obtain the release of insurance or
condemnation proceeds in order to replace the property that was destroyed or
taken.
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If we or any of our subsidiaries fails to perform any of the covenants in
the indenture, the trustee may use cash it holds as collateral to correct the
omission and, if that cash is insufficient, the trustee may advance funds and
charge interest at 14.25% on the advance.
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
A holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture.
As described under "-- Book-Entry; Delivery and Form," as long as notes are in
book-entry form, registration of transfers and exchanges of notes will be made
through direct participants and indirect participants in The Depository Trust
Company. For notes in definitive form, the registrar and the trustee may require
a noteholder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. In
addition, we may require a noteholder to pay any taxes and fees required by law
or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to register the transfer of
or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, we are not required to
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any note for a period of 15 days
before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of the note
for all purposes.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Except for payment provisions, most provisions of the indenture and related
documents can be amended or waived by holders of a majority in amount of the
outstanding notes. Provisions relating to payments and similar matters cannot be
amended or waived without the consent of all holders. The trustee can
unilaterally amend the indenture and related documents in order to perform its
duties under the indenture.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS BY THE MAJORITY OF HOLDERS. Except as described
below, the holders of a majority in amount of the outstanding notes can permit
the indenture, the subsidiary guarantees, the notes, the intercreditor agreement
or any of the security documents to be amended or supplemented and can waive any
existing default or Event of Default under those documents other than a payment
default.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS THAT REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF ALL AFFECTED HOLDERS.
Amendments and waivers cannot do any of the following things without the consent
of each noteholder affected by the amendment or waiver:
- reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver;
- reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note or alter
the provisions for redemption of the notes other than mandatory
redemptions out of excess asset sale proceeds or upon a Change of
Control;
- reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest on any
note;
- waive a payment default, except a rescission of acceleration of the notes
by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from
the acceleration;
- make any note payable in money other than U.S. dollars;
- make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of
the rights of noteholders to receive payments of principal of or premium,
if any, or interest on the notes;
- waive a redemption payment with respect to any note, other than mandatory
redemption out of excess asset sale proceeds or upon a Change of Control;
- release any subsidiary from any of its obligations under its guarantee of
the notes, or amend the provisions of the indenture relating to the
release of subsidiaries that have guaranteed the notes;
- permit the release or termination of all or substantially all of the
liens for the benefit of the noteholders, other than as expressly
provided in the indenture; or
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- make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions, except to
increase the percentage of outstanding notes required for these actions
or to provide that other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified
or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note.
AMENDMENTS BY THE TRUSTEE WITHOUT CONSENT
The trustee can amend the indenture, the subsidiary guarantees or the notes
without anyone's consent in order to do any of the following:
- cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
- provide for uncertificated notes in addition to, or in place of,
certificated notes;
- provide for the assumption of our or a guarantor subsidiary's obligations
to noteholders in the case of a merger or consolidation;
- make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to
the noteholders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under
the indenture of any noteholder;
- comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;
- further secure the notes or to add guarantees with respect to the notes;
- establish or maintain the liens securing the notes, correct or amplify
the description of the collateral, or subject additional property to the
liens; or
- add to our covenants for the benefit of the parties to the intercreditor
agreement.
In addition, the trustee can amend or supplement any of the security
documents without anyone's consent in order to do any of the following:
- cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
- provide for the assumption of our or a guarantor subsidiary's obligations
in case of a merger or consolidation;
- make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to
noteholders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights and liens
of the notes;
- add holders of permitted senior secured Indebtedness as parties to the
intercreditor agreement;
- further secure or add guarantees of the notes;
- establish or maintain the liens securing the notes, correct or amplify
the description of the collateral, or subject additional property to the
liens; or
- establish or provide for an amended, restated, modified, renewed or
replaced credit facility permitted to be incurred by the indenture;
- give holders of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness liens with the same or
lower priority as the liens securing the indebtedness so refinanced; and
- add to our covenants for the benefit of the parties to the intercreditor
agreement.
THE TRUSTEE
The duties, rights, powers and limitations of the trustee are governed by
the indenture.
The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the trustee will perform only the duties specifically set forth in the
indenture. The holders of a majority of the notes have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the trustee, subject to specified exceptions. The trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise
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any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any noteholder
unless the holder has agreed to indemnify the trustee against any loss,
liability or expense. During the continuance of an Event of Default, the trustee
must exercise its rights under the indenture with the same degree of care and
skill as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct
of the person's own affairs.
The indenture contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it
become a creditor of ours, to obtain payment of claims in specified cases or to
realize on specified property it receives in connection with any claim as
security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions
with us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates. If the trustee acquires any
conflicting interest, as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act,
however, the trustee must eliminate the conflict within 90 days or resign.
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
New notes exchanged for old notes will be held in book-entry form by The
Depository Trust Company. DTC and its participants will maintain the records of
beneficial ownership of the notes and of transfers of the notes.
New notes exchanged for old notes will be represented by one or more
permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered form, deposited with a
custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, The Depository Trust
Company. Beneficial interests in permanent global notes will be shown on, and
transfers will be effected through, records maintained by DTC and its
participants.
The certificates representing the new notes will be issued in fully
registered form without interest coupons. New notes received in the exchange
offer in exchange for old notes originally issued in reliance on Rule 144A and
Regulation D will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in
definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons and will be deposited
with the trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of,
DTC.
New notes exchanged in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S
under the Securities Act will initially be represented by one or more permanent
global notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons and
will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name
of a nominee of, DTC for the accounts of Euroclear and Cedel Bank.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be limited to
persons who have accounts with DTC or persons who hold interests through DTC
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown
on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records
DTC or its nominee maintains with respect to interests of participants and the
records of participants with respect to interests of persons other than
participants. Qualified institutional buyers may hold their interests in a
global note directly through DTC if they are participants in that system or
indirectly through organizations that are participants in that system.
Investors may hold their interests in a Regulation S global note directly
through Cedel Bank or Euroclear, if they are participants in those systems, or
indirectly through organizations that are participants in those systems. Cedel
Bank and Euroclear will hold interests in the Regulation S global notes on
behalf of their participants through DTC.
As long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a
global note, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole
owner or holder of the new notes represented by the global note for all purposes
under the indenture and the new notes. No beneficial owner of an interest in a
global note will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with
DTC's applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the
indenture and, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Cedel Bank.
Payments of the principal of, and interest on, a global note will be made
to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global
note. Neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility
or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on
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account of, beneficial ownership interests in a global note or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership
interests.
We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal
or interest in respect of a global note, will credit participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of the global note as shown on the records of DTC or its
nominee. We also expect that payments participants make to owners of beneficial
interests in the global note held through those participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with
securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of
nominees for those customers. These payments will be the responsibility of those
participants.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way
in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers
between participants in Euroclear and Cedel Bank will be effected in the
ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder
of new notes, including the presentation of notes for exchange as described
below, only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the
DTC interests in a global note is credited and only in respect of that portion
of the aggregate principal amount of new notes as to which the participant or
participants has or have given that direction. However, if there is an Event of
Default under the notes, DTC will exchange the applicable global note for
certificated notes, which it will distribute to its participants and which may
bear legends restricting their transfer.
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
DTC will facilitate the exchange of new notes for old notes in the exchange
offer using its standard procedures. Neither we nor the trustee is responsible
for DTC's performance of its obligations.
We understand that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under
the laws of the State of New York, a "banking organization" within the meaning
of New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a "Clearing
Agency" registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance
and settlement of securities transactions between participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, eliminating the
need for physical movement of certificates and some other organizations.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others, such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial
relationship with, a participant, either directly or indirectly.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Cedel Bank are expected to follow the foregoing
procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in a global note among
participants of DTC, Euroclear and Cedel Bank, they are under no obligation to
perform or continue to perform those procedures, and those procedures may be
discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Cedel Bank or their
participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for
the global notes and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we
will issue certificated notes, which may bear legends restricting their
transfer, in exchange for the global notes. Holders of an interest in a global
note may receive certificated notes, which may bear legends restricting their
transfer, in accordance with the DTC's rules and procedures in addition to those
provided for under the indenture.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OLD NOTES
The terms of the old notes are identical in all material respects to those
of the new notes, except that the old notes
- have not been registered under the Securities Act and, accordingly,
contain transfer restrictions, and
- are entitled to registration rights under the registration rights
agreement, which rights will terminate upon consummation of the exchange
offer.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
We agreed with the holders of the notes, that we will, at our cost, file
and cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to the
exchange offer. The exchange offer will effectuate an exchange of the old notes
for an issue of new notes with terms identical to the old notes, except that the
new notes will not bear legends restricting their transfer. Upon the
registration statement's being declared effective, we will offer the new notes
in return for surrender of the old notes. The exchange offer will remain open
for not fewer than 20 business days after the registration statement is declared
effective. For each old note surrendered under the exchange offer, the holder
will receive a new note of equal principal amount.
In the event that applicable interpretations of the SEC staff do not permit
the exchange offer, or under some other circumstances, we will, at our cost,
file and use our best efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration
statement with respect to resales of the notes and to keep the shelf
registration statement effective until the earliest to occur of October 26,
2001, the expiration of the time period referred to in any amendment to Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act and the period that will terminate when all
notes covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold in connection
with the shelf registration statement. We will, in the event of a shelf
registration, provide to each holder copies of the prospectus, notify each
holder when the shelf registration statement for the notes has become effective
and take other actions as are required to permit resales of the notes. A holder
that sells its notes in connection with the shelf registration statement
generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the
related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to
civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with those
sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement
which are applicable to the holder, including specified indemnification
obligations.
We will be required to pay penalties to the holders of the old notes in the
following cases:
- If we fail to file the registration statement under which the exchange
offer is made within 20 days from October 26, 1999;
- if the registration statement is not declared effective within 45 days
from October 26, 1999 if the SEC does not review the registration
statement;
- if the registration statement is not declared effective within 90 days
from October 26, 1999 if the SEC does review the registration statement;
or
- if the exchange offer is not consummated on or before 30 days after the
registration statement has become effective.
The penalties start to accrue when we miss a deadline for meeting one of
the registration requirements above and continue to accrue until we are no
longer in violation of any of the registration requirements. The amount of
penalties we will have to pay to each holder of old notes if we do not meet any
of the registration requirements above within the time periods specified will be
- $.03 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the first 90
days after we fail to meet a specified time limit;
- $.12 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the second
90-day period after we fail to meet a specified time limit;
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- $.15 per week per $1,000 principal amount of old notes for the third
90-day period after we fail to meet a specified time limit; and
- after the third 90-day period, an additional $.05 per week per $1,000
principal amount of old notes for each subsequent 90-day period until the
registration requirement or requirements in question are met.
Since we did not meet the 20-day time limit specified above for filing the
registration statement, we incurred penalties totaling approximately $9,540
between the 21st day and the date the registration statement was filed. If the
registration statement is not declared effective within the time periods
specified above, then the penalties will begin to accrue again in the amounts
set forth above, and they will continue to accrue until the registration
statement is declared effective. After the registration statement is declared
effective, if the exchange offer is not consummated within the time period
specified above, then these penalties will again begin to accrue and will
continue to accrue until the exchange offer is consummated.
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
The old notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not
be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit
of, U.S. persons except in accordance with an exemption from, or in a
transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
CREDIT FACILITY
On November 21, 1998, we and Foothill Capital Corporation, as agent,
entered into a loan and security agreement whereby the lenders under the
agreement have provided to us up to a $55.0 million credit facility. The credit
facility consists of a commitment for a $40.0 million working capital revolver
and a term loan with an original principal amount of $15.0 million. Commitments
under the credit facility will expire in 2002. The credit facility is secured by
collateral that consists of substantially all of our present and future assets.
Borrowings under the revolver are limited to 85% of eligible accounts
receivable and 65% of eligible inventory. Borrowings bear interest, at our
option, at either 1% above the prime interest rate or at 3 3/4% above the
adjusted Eurodollar rate. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the average
interest rate under the revolver was approximately 8.75%. As of February 1,
2000, the outstanding indebtedness under the revolver was approximately $1.8
million.
The term loan bears interest at 2 1/2% above the prime interest rate and is
payable in monthly installments through 2002. The average interest rate for the
term loan for the year ended December 31, 1998 was approximately 10.25%. As of
February 1, 2000, the outstanding indebtedness under the term loan was
approximately $12.5 million.
The following table sets forth the amounts outstanding and borrowing
availability under the credit facility as of the dates specified:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVOLVING REVOLVING ADDITIONAL
CREDIT CREDIT INTERIM
DATE TERM LOAN BORROWINGS AVAILABILITY AVAILABILITY
- -------- --------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/98.. $15.0 $ 1.9 $15.5 --
03/31/99.. 14.4 1.4 16.5 --
06/30/99.. 13.9 12.9 6.9 --
09/30/99.. 13.3 10.9 6.7 2.0
10/31/99.. 13.2 3.0 14.9 2.0
02/01/00.. 12.5 1.8 12.9 --
</TABLE>
The term loan changes are based on the normal amortization of the loan,
except that
- in July 1999 the term loan was paid down through the application of
approximately $1.25 million of asset sale proceeds; and
- in September 1999, under the terms of the August 27, 1999 amendment to
the loan agreement with Foothill described below, Foothill reversed this
$1.25 million payment, which caused the term loan to increase by the same
amount, and Foothill reapplied the proceeds to reduce revolving credit
borrowings in order to provide us with additional liquidity.
The increase in the revolving credit borrowings since March 31, 1999 is
primarily related to
- our borrowing to make the interest payment on April 29, 1999 on our
9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2007,
- performing reclamation in Webster County, West Virginia and
- capital expenditures.
Lower coal production and coal shipments have also reduced revolving credit
availability. Future revolving credit availability will be impacted by changes
in coal production and the resulting changes in coal inventory and accounts
receivable.
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The loan agreement with Foothill contains covenants that, among other
matters, restrict or limit our ability to
- pay interest and dividends,
- incur indebtedness,
- acquire or sell assets and
- make capital expenditures.
We must also maintain cash flow ratios specified in the loan agreement. In
particular, the loan agreement provides that, in order to advance funds to us
and the other guarantors under the loan agreement, the borrowers under the loan
agreement must have borrowing availability of at least $5.0 million after giving
effect to the advances and for the 30 days immediately preceding the advances.
With respect to the term loan, in addition to regularly scheduled amortizing
principal and interest payments, the loan agreement requires that we apply the
first $5.0 million of proceeds from designated asset sales to the repayment of
the term loan. As of February 1, 2000, no amounts have been applied to the $5.0
million requirement. Proceeds used to repay the term loan cannot be reborrowed.
On August 27, 1999, we entered into an amendment to the loan agreement with
Foothill. Under the amendment, Foothill and the other lenders agreed to provide
us with up to $3.25 million of additional liquidity, $2.0 million of which, if
drawn, we would have been required to repay on or before November 2, 1999. We
also entered into a consent and amendment to the loan agreement with Foothill as
of October 1, 1999. Under that consent and amendment, Foothill and the other
lenders consented to our issuance of the old notes in the private exchange and
the private placement, provisions of the loan agreement were amended to take
into account the issuance of the notes, and Foothill and the other lenders
waived various defaults under the loan agreement existing as of that date.
The former amended and restated credit facility, which was repaid with
funds from our existing credit facility with Foothill, provided for a line of
credit up to $71.0 million. The average interest rate on borrowings under the
amended and restated credit facility was 8.1% in 1998 and 8.89% in 1997. We
incurred a loss on the refinancing of approximately $965,000, net of income
taxes of $375,000. The loss was classified as an extraordinary item in our
consolidated financial statements in 1998.
9 3/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
On September 25, 1997, we issued $125.0 million of unsecured 9 3/4% Series
A Senior Notes due October 1, 2007. We used the proceeds from the issuance of
these notes to repay all outstanding indebtedness, together with accrued
interest and fees associated with the repayment, under our amended and restated
credit facility. We incurred a loss on the refinancing of approximately $3.9
million, net of income taxes of $1.5 million. The loss was classified as an
extraordinary item in our consolidated financial statements in 1997.
On March 11, 1998, we consummated an exchange offer registered under the
Securities Act in which we exchanged $125.0 million of our unsecured 9 3/4%
Series B Senior Notes due 2007 for the $125 million of unsecured 9 3/4% Series A
Senior Notes due 2007 we previously issued. Interest on the 9 3/4% Series B
Senior Notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year,
commencing April 1, 1998. We may redeem the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after October 1, 2002 at the redemption
price as specified in the indenture governing the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and other charges. At any time on or prior to
October 1, 2000, we may redeem, with proceeds of an initial public offering, up
to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes at
a redemption price equal to 109.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest and other charges. The 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes mature on
October 1, 2007.
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THE 9 3/4% SERIES B SENIOR NOTES CONTAIN CROSS-DEFAULT PROVISIONS RELATED TO OUR
OUTSTANDING CREDIT FACILITY.
Our obligations under the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes are jointly and
severally guaranteed, fully and unconditionally on a senior unsecured basis, by
each of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, other than those subsidiaries that, both
individually and in the aggregate, are inconsequential to our business and
financial condition. See the consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus for information regarding the guaranteeing
subsidiaries.
On October 28, 1999, we consummated a private exchange, with a limited
number of qualified holders, of our 14.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes
due 2007 (PIK through April 1, 2000) for outstanding unsecured 9 3/4% Series B
Senior Notes. Holders of $108.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured
9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes exchanged their notes for $86.8 million aggregate
principal amount of 14.25% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2007 (PIK
through April 1, 2000) and warrants to purchase their pro rata share of 20% of
our common stock at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per share. In connection
with the private exchange, the exchanging noteholders consented to amendments to
the indenture governing the 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes that, among other
things, modify or eliminate various covenants contained in the indenture. As of
the date of this prospectus, $16.5 million aggregate principal amount of
unsecured 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes remain outstanding.
NOTE PAYABLE TO SELLER
In conjunction with an acquisition we made, we assumed an outstanding note
payable with an original principal amount of $2.8 million, which bears interest
at 7.47% and is payable in monthly installments through April 1, 2000. The
principal amount outstanding as of September 30, 1999 was approximately $0.4
million. The note is secured by a first lien on the coal reserve acquired in the
transaction.
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
At the closing of the private placement and the private exchange of the old
notes, Foothill Capital Corporation, as agent for the lenders under the loan
agreement, and The Bank of New York, as collateral agent under the indenture
governing the old notes and new notes, entered into an intercreditor agreement
dated as of October 1, 1999. The intercreditor agreement defines the rights of
the lenders under the loan agreement in relation to the rights of the
noteholders with respect to the collateral that secures our and our guarantor
subsidiaries' obligations under both the loan agreement and the indenture. The
following description summarizes the material terms of the intercreditor
agreement. It does not restate the intercreditor agreement in its entirety. We
urge you to read the intercreditor agreement because it, and not this
description, defines the rights of noteholders, in relation to the senior
lenders, to the collateral. You may obtain a copy of the intercreditor agreement
from us.
Under the intercreditor agreement, Foothill acknowledges the lien that the
collateral agent holds on the collateral to secure the notes and the obligations
under the indenture and related security documents. The collateral agent and
each noteholder, by accepting a note,
- acknowledge the lien that Foothill holds on the collateral to secure the
obligations under the loan agreement and related security documents,
- agree to all of the terms of the intercreditor agreement, as it may be
amended from time to time, and
- acknowledge that the collateral agent has not been granted a lien on some
of our property and that of the subsidiary guarantors which is subject to
Foothill's lien.
Under the intercreditor agreement, Foothill and the collateral agent agree
that Foothill's lien on the collateral has priority over the collateral agent's
lien on the collateral to secure the senior debt under the loan agreement up to
an aggregate principal amount of $55.0 million, plus interest, fees, expenses
and related costs. Foothill's priority is not affected by
- the order, time or manner of attachment, perfection or recording of
Foothill or the collateral agent's lien;
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- any amendments to the terms of the loan agreement or the indenture or any
other documents governing our obligations or those of the guarantor
subsidiaries to either the lenders or the noteholders; or
- any action or inaction of either Foothill or the collateral agent with
respect to the collateral.
The intercreditor agreement also provides that each of Foothill and the
collateral agent is solely responsible for perfecting and maintaining the
perfection of its lien on the collateral. In addition, neither Foothill nor the
collateral agent may contest the validity, perfection, priority or
enforceability of the liens of the other or the obligations that the liens
secure.
The intercreditor agreement provides that, until the debt under the loan
agreement has been paid in full and the commitments under the loan agreement
have been terminated,
- Foothill has the exclusive right to control, manage and liquidate the
collateral;
- the collateral agent and the holders of the notes may not seek to
foreclose or realize upon the collateral or assert any interest in the
collateral or exercise any rights to setoff, recoupment or counterclaim
or deduction against the collateral or the proceeds of the collateral,
other than to preserve the collateral agent's lien on the collateral; and
- prior to the occurrence of a payment default under the notes indenture,
the collateral agent and the noteholders may not commence any action or
proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state insolvency laws
against us, the guarantor subsidiaries or any of the collateral.
The intercreditor agreement provides that proceeds of collateral are to be
applied to pay the senior debt under the loan agreement in full. Moreover, until
the loan agreement and the related documents evidencing the senior debt have
been terminated, proceeds of collateral are to be used to provide for payment of
our and the guarantor subsidiaries' contingent liabilities under those
agreements before payment of any amounts owed under the notes indenture and
related documents. If the collateral agent receives any proceeds of collateral
while the senior debt under the loan agreement remains outstanding, the
collateral agent must turn those proceeds over to Foothill. Despite this
requirement, to the extent a court equitably subordinates any of the senior debt
under the loan agreement to our obligations under the notes indenture, the
collateral agent may retain and apply proceeds of collateral in payment of our
obligations under the notes before the subordinated portion of the senior debt
is paid.
If we and the guarantors become debtors in a bankruptcy case and Foothill
or other lenders under the loan agreement are willing to permit the use of cash
collateral or provide bankruptcy financing on terms that contemplate the
continuation of the collateral agent's lien on the collateral during the
bankruptcy case, then, until the senior debt has been paid in full and the
commitments under the loan agreement have been terminated, the collateral agent
waives any right to object to that financing on the ground that its interest in
the collateral is not adequately protected as long as the total outstanding
principal of that financing, including amounts already outstanding under the
loan agreement, does not exceed $55.0 million.
If either Foothill or the collateral agent gives notice to us or the
guarantors of a default, event of default, acceleration of indebtedness or its
intention to exercise its enforcement rights, it must give concurrent notice to
the other. The failure to give notice to the other, however, will not affect the
validity of the notice as against us and the guarantors or the relative
priorities of the liens of Foothill and the collateral agent in the collateral.
OPTION AGREEMENT
Simultaneously with the execution of the intercreditor agreement, Foothill
entered into an option Agreement with Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P., a
participant in the private exchange and private placement. The following
description summarizes the material terms of the option agreement. It does not
restate the option agreement in its entirety. You may obtain a copy of the
option agreement from us.
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The option agreement grants Rothschild or its designee an option to
purchase all, but not less than all, of the senior debt under our loan agreement
with Foothill on the following terms:
- The option to purchase the senior debt must be exercised in writing
within 10 days after the collateral agent under the indenture governing
the notes receives a written notice from Foothill of Foothill's intention
to exercise its remedies under the loan agreement and related documents.
- Unless the notice of exercise of the option is previously revoked,
closing of the purchase of the senior debt must occur within 30 days
after Rothschild gives notice of its exercise of the option.
- During the 30-day period, Foothill must forbear from exercising its
remedies with respect to the shared collateral, other than accounts and
inventory, under the loan agreement and related documents.
At closing, Rothschild must:
- pay to Foothill the outstanding balance of the senior debt, including
early termination fees, attorneys fees of Foothill and other amounts
payable under the loan documents,
- furnish substitute letters of credit or cash collateral to replace or
secure all letters of credit outstanding under the loan documents and
- agree to reimburse Foothill and the lenders for any other fees, expenses,
or losses for which we and the guarantors would be liable under the loan
documents which Foothill or the lenders incur after closing of the
purchase.
Upon closing of the purchase, Rothschild will become the holder of the
senior debt and Foothill's liens upon, and other interests in, the collateral.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock contains a summary of the
material provisions of our certificate of incorporation and the certificates of
designations, preferences and rights of each class of our preferred stock. It
does not restate these documents in their entirety. You should read these
documents, copies of which you may obtain from us, in their entirety to
understand all of the rights that holders of our capital stock are entitled to.
In addition, the following summary is subject to applicable provisions of
Delaware law.
Our authorized capital stock consists of
- 100,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share
- 10,000 shares of Class A preferred stock with a par value of $2,500 per
share
- 10,000 shares of Class B preferred stock with a par value of $1,000 per
share
- 1,000 shares of Class C preferred stock with a par value of $13,000 per
share and
1,000 shares of Class D preferred stock with a par value of $7,000 per
share.
- 7,108 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding,
- all of the authorized shares of Class A, B and D preferred stock were
issued and outstanding and
- we owned all of the authorized shares of Class C preferred stock.
COMMON STOCK
Each share of common stock has equal voting, dividend, distribution and
liquidation rights. Each share of common stock is not redeemable and has no
preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights, except as described under
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions-Stockholders' Agreement."
Covenants in the indentures governing the notes and our 9 3/4% Series B Senior
Notes and our loan agreement with Foothill prohibit the declaration and payment
of dividends. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the
holders of the common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in our
assets, if any, that remain after the payment of all of our debts and
liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.
PREFERRED STOCK
CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK
Holders of Class A preferred stock are generally not entitled to voting
rights. However, we may not take any of the following actions without the
affirmative vote of at least 50% of the Class A preferred stock outstanding:
- amend, alter or repeal any provision of our certificate of incorporation
or bylaws, or pass any stockholders' resolution, that would adversely
affect the preferences, special rights, or powers of the Class A
preferred stock;
- increase or decrease, other than by redemption or conversion, the total
number of authorized shares of Class A preferred stock; or
- issue any capital stock that ranks senior to, or on parity with, the
Class A preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the
right to receive distributions upon liquidation.
Holders of Class A preferred stock are entitled to annual cash dividends.
These dividends are payable on December 31 and accrue whether or not they have
been declared. The dividend per share is calculated by multiplying the total of
the sum of $2,500 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends by five percent. As of
September 30, 1999, there were approximately $4.2 million of accrued and unpaid
dividends on the Class A preferred stock. Dividends cannot be paid on any of our
equity securities, other than our Class C
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preferred stock and Class D preferred stock, if accrued dividends on the Class A
preferred stock have not been declared and paid.
Each share of Class A preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference over the Class B preferred stock and common stock, and junior to the
Class C preferred stock and Class D preferred stock, equal to $2,500 plus
accrued and unpaid dividends. Furthermore, we must redeem all shares of Class A
preferred stock in the event of bankruptcy or if all common stock is transferred
to a single person. The amount paid per share will be $2,500 plus any accrued
and unpaid dividends. However, Class A preferred stock may not be redeemed until
we have paid all accrued and unpaid dividends on Class C preferred stock and
Class D preferred stock.
On May 31, 2006, we must redeem 10% of all outstanding Class A preferred
stock. After that, on every May 31, we must redeem the same number of shares of
Class A preferred stock until all outstanding shares have been redeemed. The
price per share for redemption will be $2,500 plus any accrued and unpaid
dividends. The indenture governing the notes prohibits us from making any
dividend or redemption payments on the Class A preferred stock unless we meet a
coverage test described under "Description of the New
Notes -- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments." We are also prohibited
from making any dividend or redemption payments on the Class A preferred stock
upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of any default or event of
default under the indenture governing the notes.
In the event we conduct a public offering of our common stock, holders of
Class A preferred stock will have the right to convert their shares into shares
of common stock. The number of shares of common stock offered for each share of
Class A preferred stock will be determined by the following formula:
1.5(2,500)/offering price of the common stock. However, the number of shares of
common stock issued upon conversion of the Class A preferred stock may not
exceed 20% of the total number of shares of common stock that we offer for sale
in the public offering.
CLASS B PREFERRED STOCK
The Class B preferred stock is generally non-voting and is entitled to no
dividends. However, we may not take any of the following actions without the
affirmative vote of at least 50% of the Class B preferred stock outstanding:
- amend, alter or repeal any provision of our certificate of incorporation
or bylaws, or pass any stockholders' resolution, that would adversely
affect the preferences, special rights or powers of the Class B preferred
stock;
- increase or decrease, other than by redemption, the total number of
authorized shares of Class B preferred stock;
- issue any capital stock, other than Class A preferred stock, Class C
preferred stock or Class D preferred stock, that ranks senior to, or on a
parity with, the Class B preferred stock with respect to the right to
receive distributions upon liquidation; or
- enter into, authorize or permit any sale of Anker Coal Group.
A sale of Anker Coal Group is deemed to have occurred at any time that
- both any third party that is not an affiliate of the First Reserve
Corporation or the First Reserve Funds acquires beneficial ownership of a
majority of our outstanding common stock and PPK Group Limited Liability
Company and Anker Holdings B.V. and their permitted transferees
beneficially own in the aggregate less than 20% of our common stock;
- we are merged with or into any other entity and, following the
consummation of the merger, any third party that is not an affiliate of
First Reserve or the First Reserve Funds owns a majority of the
outstanding common stock, partnership interests or other comparable
securities of the resulting or surviving entity and PPK Group and Anker
Holdings B.V. and their permitted transferees
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beneficially own in the aggregate less than 20% of the outstanding common
stock, partnership interests or other comparable securities of the
resulting or surviving entity; or
- there is a sale, transfer or other disposition to one or more third
parties not affiliated with First Reserve or the First Reserve Funds in a
transaction or series of transactions of more than 75% of the assets,
valued on a consolidated basis prior to the transaction or series of
transactions, of us and our direct or indirect subsidiaries.
Each share of Class B preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference of $1,000 over shares of common stock and any preferred stock junior
to the Class B preferred stock. Furthermore, the Class B preferred stock is
mandatorily redeemable for cash at a price per share of $1,375 in the event we
enter into bankruptcy or there is a sale of Anker Coal Group. The Class B
preferred stock is not redeemable upon a sale, however, as long as the First
Reserve Funds are entitled to designate a majority of our board of directors,
unless a majority of the directors not designated by the First Reserve Funds
approves the sale. Moreover, the Class B preferred stock is not redeemable to
the extent that
- we have not effected all of the required redemptions of our Class A
preferred stock and Class D preferred stock prior to or simultaneously
with the redemption of the Class B preferred stock,
- there are any accrued but unpaid dividends on the Class A preferred
stock, Class C preferred stock or Class D preferred stock, or
- we do not have funds legally available to redeem the Class B preferred
stock.
The Class B preferred stock is also redeemable, in whole but not in part,
at our option for cash at a price of $1,375 per share; however, we may not elect
to redeem the Class B preferred stock for so long as the First Reserve Funds are
entitled to designate a majority of our board of directors, unless a majority of
the directors not designated by the First Reserve Funds approves the redemption.
In addition, in the event of a public offering of our common stock, the Class B
preferred stock is redeemable for common stock at our option or the option of
the holders of the Class B preferred stock; however, we may not elect to redeem
the Class B preferred stock for so long as the First Reserve Funds are entitled
to designate a majority of our board of directors, unless a majority of the
directors not designated by the First Reserve Funds approves the redemption.
Moreover, the holders of the Class B preferred stock may not elect to have us
redeem the Class B preferred stock for so long as the First Reserve Funds are
entitled to designate a majority of our board of directors, unless a majority of
the directors not designated by the First Reserve Funds approves the public
offering. The indenture governing the notes prohibits the making of any dividend
or redemption payments on the Class B preferred stock unless we meet a coverage
test described under "Description of the New Notes -- Covenants -- Limitation on
Restricted Payments". We are also prohibited from making any dividend or
redemption payments on the Class Be preferred stock upon the occurrence, and
during the continuance, of any default or event of default under the indenture
governing the notes.
CLASS D PREFERRED STOCK
In connection with our purchase of assets from Phillips Resources, Inc., we
issued 1,000 shares of Class D preferred stock to Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc.,
which owns Phillips. The Class D preferred stock is non-voting, except as
required by applicable law. The Class D preferred stock is entitled to receive:
- for a period of 15 years from and after January 1, 1996, quarterly
cumulative cash dividends in an amount equal to 2 1/2% of the gross
realization from coal sales from properties in Upshur and Randolph
counties for the immediately preceding calendar quarter and
- after that, quarterly cumulative cash dividends equal to 1 1/2% of the
gross realization from coal sales from properties in Upshur and Randolph
counties for the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
Each share of Class D preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation
preference over all other classes of our capital stock equal to the redemption
price described below.
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If aggregate dividends of $5.0 million or more on the Class D preferred
stock are not paid on or before December 31, 2005, then we must, if a holder of
Class D preferred stock requests, redeem that holder's shares over the five-year
period beginning December 31, 2006 by redeeming 20% of that holder's shares on
that date and on December 31 of the succeeding four years, at a price per share
equal to $7,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. If aggregate dividends of
$5.0 million or more on the Class D preferred stock are paid on or before
December 31, 2005, then we must redeem the Class D preferred stock over the
five-year period beginning December 31, 2011 by redeeming 20% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Class D preferred stock on that date and on December 31 of
each succeeding year, at the same redemption price described in the previous
sentence. Furthermore, the Class D preferred stock is redeemable at any time at
our option at a price per share equal to this same redemption price.
No dividends have been paid on the Class D preferred stock as of the date
of this prospectus. The indenture governing the notes prohibits the payment of
dividends on the Class D preferred stock after the occurrence, and during the
continuance, of any default or event of default under the indenture.
STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
On August 12, 1996, we issued a stock purchase warrant to the First Reserve
Funds. The stock purchase warrant is exercisable for that number of shares of
our common stock equal to 8.333% of the total number of shares of common stock
issued to the holders of Class A preferred stock upon their conversion of Class
A preferred stock into shares of our common stock. The exercise price is $0.01
per share of common stock. The First Reserve funds may exercise the stock
purchase warrant concurrently with each conversion of shares of Class A
preferred stock into shares of common stock. The stock purchase warrant expires
on the date that all of our Class A preferred stock ceases to be outstanding.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
The following is summary description of the material provisions of the
warrants and the material rights of holder of warrants and shares of common
stock issued upon exercise of the warrants. It does not restate the terms of the
warrants and the rights of the holders in their entirety. For more details
regarding the rights of holders of warrants and shares of common stock issued
upon exercise of warrants, please read the warrant, the warrant agreement, the
common stock registration rights agreement, the investor agreement and the
stockholders' agreement. You may obtain copies of these agreements from us.
GENERAL
In connection with the restructuring of our 9 3/4% notes and the private
placement of the notes being exchanged in this exchange offer, we issued
warrants to purchase 3,047 shares of our common stock, which is equivalent to
30% of our fully diluted common stock. The initial exercise price of the
warrants is $0.01 per share, payable in cash. The warrants are exercisable at
any time or from time to time before October 28, 2009. We will not issue
fractional shares upon exercise of the warrants, but we will pay a cash
adjustment for any fractional share that would otherwise be issuable. The cash
amount will be equal to the same fraction of the per share exercise price.
ANTI-DILUTION
The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock for which the
warrants are exercisable are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of any of
the following events:
- our issuance of any shares of common stock for no consideration or for a
consideration per share less than the market price, as defined below,
including
(1) our issuance of any warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or to
purchase common stock or other securities exercisable, convertible into
or exchangeable for common stock at an exercise price per share of
common stock less than the market price, but not including grants or
exercises of employee stock options; and
(2) our issuance of any securities exercisable, convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock at an exercise, conversion or exchange
price per share of common stock less than the market price;
- the subdivision or combination of the common stock; and
- the payment in shares of common stock of a dividend or distribution.
Market price, as of any date, means
(1) the average of the closing bid prices for the shares of common stock as
reported to The Nasdaq National Market for the ten trading days
immediately preceding the relevant date;
(2) if The Nasdaq National Market is not the principal trading market for
the common stock, the average of the last reported bid prices on the
principal trading market for the common stock during the same period,
or, if there is no bid price for the period, the average of the last
reported sales price on each trading day for the period; or
(3) if market value cannot be calculated as of the relevant date on any of
the bases above, the market price means the average fair market value
as reasonably determined by an investment banking firm we select and
reasonably acceptable to the holders of a majority in interest of the
warrants.
In the case of any transaction, including a merger, consolidation, sale of
all or substantially all of our assets, liquidation or recapitalization of the
common stock, in which the common stock is changed into or, under the operation
of law or the terms of the transaction, exchanged for other of our securities or
common stock or other securities of any other company or interests in a
non-corporate entity or other property, then each holder of warrants will be
entitled, upon exercise of warrants, to receive the aggregate
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amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property that the holder
would have received in the transaction if it had exercised the warrants
immediately prior to consummation of the transaction. Similarly, if we declare
or make any distribution of our assets to holders of common stock, then each
holder of warrants is entitled, upon exercise of warrants, to receive the amount
of assets that would have been payable to the holder had the holder owned the
shares of common stock received upon exercise of the warrants on the record date
for determination of stockholders entitled to the distribution.
If our Class A preferred stock is converted into common stock, each warrant
will be exercisable for additional shares of common stock in an amount equal to
each warrant's pro rata share, based on the number of warrants originally
issued, of 30% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock into which the
Class A preferred stock is converted. The exercise price will be the implied
conversion price per share of common stock at which the Class A preferred stock
is converted. This exercise price will be payable in cash or by delivery by the
holder of notes.
If we redeem our Class B preferred stock at a redemption price payable in
shares of common stock, each warrant will be exercisable for additional shares
of common stock in an amount equal to each warrant's pro rata share, based on
the number of warrants originally issued, of 30% of the aggregate number of
shares for which the Class B preferred stock is redeemed. The exercise price
will be the redemption price per share of common stock at which the Class B
preferred stock is redeemed. This exercise price will be payable in cash or by
the holders' delivery of notes.
If the stock purchase warrant issued to the funds that First Reserve
Corporation manages becomes exercisable upon a conversion of Class A preferred
stock, the warrants will be exercisable for additional shares of common stock in
an amount equal to each warrant's pro rata share, based on the number of
warrants originally issued, of 30% of the aggregate number of shares for which
the First Reserve funds' warrant is exercised. The exercise price will be $.01
per share of common stock. This exercise price will be payable in cash or by the
holders' delivery of notes.
If we issue any equity securities of any type, class or series, we must
offer each holder of warrants or of shares of common stock issued upon exercise
of warrants, along with some other stockholders, the right to purchase a portion
of the newly-issued securities on the same terms and conditions as we offer to
the purchasers of the newly-issued securities. Each holder of warrants or of
shares of common stock issued upon exercise of warrants would be entitled to
purchase that portion of the newly-issued securities equal to
- if the newly-issued securities are of a type, class or series previously
issued, the holder's percentage ownership of the total outstanding number
of the previously-issued securities or
- in all other events, the holder's percentage of ownership of our total
outstanding common stock.
For the purposes of this calculation, all warrants will be deemed to have
been exercised for shares of common stock, and each holder of warrants will be
deemed to hold the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the holder's warrants and any other shares of common stock held by the holder.
The exercise price for the warrants will not, however, be adjusted
- upon the grant or exercise of any employee stock options, as long as a
majority of the non-employee members of our board of directors or a
majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors
established for that purpose approves of the grant of exercise;
- upon the exercise of the options to purchase common stock under Mr.
Kilgore's employment agreement;
- upon the issuance of common stock or warrants in accordance with the
terms of the agreement under which the initial warrant holders received
their warrants; or
- upon exercise of the warrants.
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RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
We have not registered the warrants or the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act. Each holder of warrants
or shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants agrees that it
will offer to sell the warrants or the shares of common stock only to, and will
solicit offers to buy the warrants or shares of common stock only from,
qualified institutional buyers, institutional accredited investors or purchasers
under Regulation S. Furthermore, all initial holders of warrants have entered
into an investor agreement, and any holder of shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of a warrant which transfers any of those shares of common stock
must require the transferee to agree in writing to be bound by all the
provisions of the investor agreement and the common stock registration rights
agreement described below.
In addition, each holder of warrants has agreed not to transfer warrants or
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants to any person or
entity that, to the knowledge of the holder, is engaged in any business in the
states of West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Kentucky involving
- the purchase for resale, sale, operation or maintenance for resale of
coal, coal reserves, coal inventories, coal mines, coal mining
operations, coal processing operations or processing or disposing of ash
produced from the consumption of coal;
- the conduct or performance of coal mining, coal loading, coal processing
or contract coal mining or processing;
- the employment of independent contractors in connection with any of the
activities above;
- the conduct of coal trading; or
- the holding of any equity investment constituting a controlling equity
interest in any entity or business that, at the time the transfer is
proposed to be made, is engaged in any of the above activities.
INVESTOR AGREEMENT
The initial holders of the warrants entered into an investor agreement.
Upon exercise of the warrants and purchase of shares of common stock issued upon
exercise, the holder of the common stock must also enter into the investor
agreement. The investor agreement contains the following provisions:
RESTRICTIONS ON MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS AND STOCK
Until the earlier to occur of an initial public offering of our common
stock and October 30, 2002, the investor agreement prohibits
- us from consolidating or merging with or into, or selling, assigning,
transferring, leasing, conveying or otherwise disposing of all or a
majority of our properties or assets in one or more related transactions,
to another corporation, person or entity, except (1) in accordance with
the terms of the indenture governing the notes and (2) upon the
affirmative written vote or consent of the holders of at least 85% of our
outstanding common stock as of the record date, as defined below, and
- us or any of our shareholders, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, from selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of more
than 50% of our outstanding common stock, except upon the affirmative
written vote or consent of at least 85% of the holders of the outstanding
common stock as of the record date. We or the shareholders are required
to give written notice to all holders of warrants at least 30 days prior
to the record date.
For these purposes, the record date means the date fixed for a stockholder
vote in accordance with the terms of our certificate of incorporation and
bylaws.
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TAG ALONG RIGHTS
In accordance with the terms of the investor agreement, other than in
connection with permitted transfers and with an initial public offering of our
common stock, each holder of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
warrants has the right to participate in a sale of common stock by another
holder of common stock to any third party at the same price per share and on the
same terms and conditions as the stockholder initiating the sale to the third
party. Each stockholder is entitled to sell that number of shares of common
stock so that the ratio of the number of shares sold by the stockholder to the
aggregate number of shares sold to the third party is equal to the ratio of the
number of shares owned by the stockholder to the total number of shares of
common stock outstanding.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The initial holders of the warrants entered into a common stock
registration rights agreement with us. Upon exercise of the warrants and
purchase of common stock issued upon exercise, the holder of the common stock
must also enter into the common stock registration rights agreement. The
agreement grants them demand and incidental registration rights with respect to
the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and any other
shares of common stock held by the holders of those shares. These shares of
common stock are referred to as registrable securities.
DEMAND REGISTRATION
At any time following the earlier of October 28, 2002 or an initial public
offering of our common stock, the holders of at least 25% of the registrable
securities may demand that we register their shares of common stock under the
Securities Act. Holders of registrable securities collectively may only demand
registration of their shares twice, and we are not obligated file a registration
statement relating to a request, other than on Form S-3 or a similar short-form
registration statement, within a period of six months after the effective date
of any other registration statement that was not effected on Form S-3 or a
similar short-form registration statement. We are obligated to register all
shares of registrable securities requested to be included by the holders
initially demanding registration and any other holder of registrable securities
that has properly notified us that its securities should also be included. In
the event of an underwritten offering, however, we may register fewer than all
shares requested to be included if the managing underwriter advises us that the
number of securities requested to be included in the registration exceeds the
maximum number that can be offered without having an adverse effect on the
offering of shares, including the price at which the shares can be sold.
INCIDENTAL REGISTRATION
If we at any time register any of our securities under the Securities Act,
other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor or similar form
and other than a request for registration described in the preceding paragraph,
we are required include in the registration statement any registrable securities
owned by holders that have properly notified us that their securities should be
included. If the registration is an underwritten registration, holders of
registrable securities will sell their shares to the underwriters on the same
terms and conditions as apply to us. We are obligated to register all shares of
registrable securities that the holders request to be included. In the event of
an underwritten offering, however, we may register fewer than all shares
requested to be included if the managing underwriter advises us that the number
of securities requested to be included in the registration exceeds the maximum
number that can be offered without having an adverse effect on the offering of
shares, including the price at which the shares can be sold.
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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion sets forth the anticipated material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the exchange of old notes for new notes, as well as
the ownership and disposition of new notes. The following discussion constitutes
the opinion of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering regarding these material tax
consequences.
This discussion is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in
effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
Neither we nor Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering can assure you that the Internal
Revenue Service will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described
below, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service as to any U.S. federal income tax consequences relating
to the notes.
This discussion may not apply to all holders of notes because:
- this discussion does not address the tax consequences to subsequent
purchasers of the new notes and is limited to investors who will hold the
new notes as capital assets, as defined in Section 1221 of the Internal
Revenue Code;
- this discussion does not discuss the tax consequences to holders that may
be subject to special tax rules, such as financial institutions,
insurance companies, tax exempt entities, dealers in securities or
foreign currencies or persons who hold the notes as a position in a
straddle or as part of a "conversion transaction" or that have hedged the
interest rate on the notes;
- this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation that may be relevant to holders of the notes in light of their
particular circumstances; and
- this discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the
laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
Because this discussion may not apply to all new note holders, prospective
holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax
consequences to them of acquiring, holding or disposing of the new notes.
DEFINITIONS
A "United States Holder" of a note means:
- a citizen or resident of the United States, including, in some cases,
former citizens and former long-time residents,
- a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized under the
laws of the United States or any political subdivision,
- an estate if its income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation, or
- a trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over
the administration of the trust and (2) one or more U.S. persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
A "Foreign Holder" is a holder that is not a United States Holder.
The term "note(s)" by itself refers to both new notes and exchanged old
notes.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The exchange of old notes for new notes will result in no federal income
tax consequences for holders. An exchange of old notes for new notes in
connection with the exchange offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for
federal income tax purposes because the new notes are not materially different
from the old notes. Rather, the new notes will be treated as a continuation of
the old notes. Exchanging holders will have the same tax basis and holding
period in the new notes as they had in the old notes.
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QUALIFIED STATED INTEREST
United States Holders will generally be taxed on any "qualified stated
interest" as ordinary income from domestic sources at the time it is paid or
accrued, in accordance with the United States Holder's method of accounting for
tax purposes. Qualified stated interest is stated interest that is
unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed rate that
appropriately takes into account the length of the interval between payments.
The new notes will pay interest semiannually at a stated rate of 14.25
percent per annum, with the exception of the first interest payment due on April
1, 2000. We expect to satisfy the April 1, 2000 interest payment on the new
notes by issuing additional new notes. Because of the ability to make this
initial payment in kind, the annual amount of qualified stated interest on the
new notes will generally equal the combined semiannual October 1 interest
payment on the notes. The remaining interest payments made will be taken into
account under the original issue discount rules, discussed below.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Because the old notes were issued with original issue discount, the new
notes will also have original issue discount. Except as described below under
"-- Acquisition Premium on Notes," "-- Amortizable Bond Premium" and "-- High
Yield Discount Obligation Rules," each United States Holder of a new note must
include in gross income a portion of the original issue discount that accrues on
the new note during each taxable year, determined by using a constant yield to
maturity method, regardless of whether the holder receives cash payments
attributable to this original issue discount. The original issue discount
included in income for each year will be calculated under a compounding formula
that will result in the allocation of less original issue discount to the
earlier years of the term of the new note and more original issue discount to
later years. Any amount included in income as original issue discount will
increase a United States Holder's tax basis in the note.
Original issue discount on a note is the excess of the note's stated
redemption price at maturity over its issue price. For purposes of determining
the amount of original issue discount of the new notes and otherwise under the
original issue discount rules, each new note and the additional new note to be
issued with respect to that new note in satisfaction of the April 1, 2000
interest payment will be aggregated and treated as part of the same debt
obligation.
The stated redemption price at maturity of a debt obligation is the sum of
all payments, whether denominated as interest or principal, required to be made
on the debt obligation, other than payments of qualified stated interest. The
issue price of a debt obligation is determined based on whether the debt
obligation is issued in exchange for cash or other property and whether the debt
obligation or the property for which it is exchanged is "publicly traded" as
that term is used in the applicable Treasury regulations.
We intend to take the position that the issue price of all of the old notes
is based on the cash price Rothschild Recovery Fund paid for its notes in the
private placement, less the portion of that cash purchase price that is properly
allocable to the warrants we issued in the private placement. It is possible,
however, that the Internal Revenue Service will not respect this determination.
If the Internal Revenue Service were to successfully assert that the issue price
of the old notes issued in the private exchange must be separately determined,
those old notes, and the new notes issued in exchange for those old notes in the
exchange offer, could bear additional original issue discount. Holders of new
notes would be required to include this additional original issue discount in
their income under the rules described above.
HIGH YIELD DISCOUNT OBLIGATION RULES
The new notes will constitute high yield discount obligations. Accordingly,
we may not be entitled to deduct a portion of the original issue discount and
may also be required to defer deductions on another portion until amounts
attributable to the original issue discount are paid in cash.
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Subject to otherwise applicable limitations, a corporate holder will be
entitled to a dividend received deduction with respect to the disqualified
portion of the accrued original issue discount if we have sufficient current or
accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent that our earnings and profits
are insufficient, any portion of the original issue discount that otherwise
would have been recharacterized as a dividend for purposes of the dividend
received deduction will continue to be treated as ordinary original issue
discount income in accordance with the rules described above under "-- Original
Issue Discount."
MARKET DISCOUNT
If a United States Holder acquires a note subsequent to its original
issuance and the note's issue price, increased by the amount of any accrued
original issue discount, exceeds the holder's purchase price, the note will be
considered to have market discount equal to that excess. Any gain recognized by
the holder on the disposition of a note having market discount generally will be
treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on
the note while held by the holder. Alternatively, the holder may elect to
include market discount in income currently over the life of the note. This
election will apply to all market discount notes the holder acquires on or after
the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and is
revocable only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. Market discount
will accrue on a straight-line basis unless the holder elects to accrue the
market discount on a constant yield method. A constant yield election will apply
only to notes to which it is made and is irrevocable. Unless a holder elects to
include market discount, if any, in income on a current basis, as described
above, the holder could be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the
interest paid on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry
notes.
Any market discount on the old notes will carry over to, and be treated as,
market discount on the new notes. You should consult your own tax advisor
regarding the amount of any market discount accrued with respect to your old
notes.
ACQUISITION PREMIUM ON NOTES
A United States Holder of a note will be entitled to a reduction in the
amount of original issue discount required to be included in its income if the
United States Holder is considered to acquire the note with acquisition premium.
A note will have acquisition premium if the United States Holder's adjusted tax
basis in the note immediately after its acquisition is less than or equal to the
stated redemption price at maturity and exceeds the issue price of the note. The
amount of original issue discount the holder must include in its gross income
with respect to that note for any taxable year is generally reduced by the
portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to that year.
Any acquisition premium on the old notes will carry over to, and be treated
as, acquisition premium on the new notes. Holders of new notes should therefore
consult their own tax advisors regarding the amount of any acquisition premium
and reduction in original issue discount with respect to the new notes.
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
A United States Holder that purchases a note for more than the amount
payable at maturity will be considered to have purchased the note at a
"premium." A United States Holder generally may elect to amortize the premium
over the remaining term of the note on a constant yield method. However, if the
note may be optionally redeemed for more than the amount payable at maturity at
the time it is purchased, the amortization of the premium might, depending on
the timing and pricing of the purchase relative to the redemption provisions of
the notes, have to be deferred. The amount amortized for a year will be treated
as a reduction of interest income from the note. If the United States Holder
does not elect amortization, the premium will decrease the gain or increase the
loss otherwise recognized upon the disposition of the note. The election to
amortize premium on a constant yield method, once made, applies to all debt
obligations held or acquired by the electing United States Holder on or after
the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may
not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
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Any amortizable bond premium on the old notes will carry over to, and be
treated as amortizable bond premium on, the new notes. You should consult your
own tax advisor regarding the amount of any amortizable bond premium accrued
with respect to your old notes.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND RETIREMENT OF NOTES
When a United States Holder disposes of a note, that holder generally will
recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between:
(A) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received,
except to the extent that amount is attributable to accrued and unpaid
interest which is taxable as ordinary income, and
(B) the holder's adjusted tax basis in the note.
A United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in a note will, in general, be
the cost of the note increased by
- any amounts included in income as original issue discount and
- any market discount previously included in the holder's income
and decreased by
- any principal and non-qualified stated interest the holder receives and
- any amortized premium previously deducted from income by that holder.
The capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss
if the holding period of the note exceeds one year at the time of the
disposition. Some noncorporate taxpayers, including individuals, are eligible
for preferential rates of taxation of long-term capital gain. The deductibility
of capital losses is subject to limitations.
FOREIGN HOLDERS
Any gain or income realized on a Foreign Holder's disposition of a note
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, as long as
- the gain is not effectively connected with the holder's conduct of a
trade or business in the United States and
- in the case of gains realized by an individual, the individual is not
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of
the disposition.
Under present U.S. federal income and estate tax law, and subject to the
discussion below concerning backup withholding,
(1) no U.S. federal withholding tax will be imposed with respect to payment
of principal, premium, if any, or interest, including original issue
discount, on a note owned by a Foreign Holder, provided that
- the Foreign Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more
of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock
entitled to vote, within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and the related regulations,
- the Foreign Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership,
- the Foreign Holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on a note
is described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, and
- the Foreign Holder satisfies the statement requirement, described
generally below, set forth in sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code and the related regulations;
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(2) no U.S. federal withholding tax will be imposed generally with respect
to any gain or income realized by a Foreign Holder upon the disposition
of a note; and
(3) a note beneficially owned by an individual who at the time of death is
a Foreign Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax as a
result of the individual's death, provided that:
- the individual does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of
the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled
to vote, within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code, and
- the interest payments with respect to the note would not have been, if
received at the time of the individual's death, effectively connected
with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business by the individual.
To satisfy the statement requirement referred to in (1) above, the
beneficial owner of the note, or a financial institution holding the note on
behalf of the beneficial owner, must provide, in accordance with specified
procedures, our paying agent with a statement to the effect that the beneficial
owner is a Foreign Holder. Under current Treasury regulations, this statement
will satisfy the certification requirements if (a) the beneficial owner provides
its name and address, and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is a
Foreign Holder, which certification may be made on an Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8 or Form W-8BEN, or (b) a financial institution holding the note on
behalf of the beneficial owner certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it
has received the statement and furnishes a paying agent with a copy.
With respect to notes held by a foreign partnership, under current law, the
foreign partnership may provide the Form W-8 or a Form W-8IMY. However, for
interest and disposition proceeds paid with respect to a note after December 31,
2000, unless the foreign partnership has entered into a withholding agreement
with the Internal Revenue Service, a foreign partnership will be required, in
addition to providing an intermediary Form W-8 or Form W-8IMY, to attach an
appropriate certification by each partner. Prospective investors, including
foreign partnerships and their partners, should consult their tax advisors
regarding possible additional reporting requirements.
If a Foreign Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the portfolio
interest exception described in (1) above, payments on a note, including
payments of original issue discount, made to that holder will be subject to a
30% withholding tax unless the beneficial owner of the note provides us or the
paying agent, as the case may be, with a properly executed
- IRS Form 1001 or Form W-8BEN claiming an exemption from, or reduction of,
withholding under the benefit of a tax treaty or
- IRS Form 4224 or Form W-8ECI stating that interest paid on the note is
not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with
the beneficial owner's conduct of a trade or business in the United
States.
Treasury regulations that will become generally effective for payments made
beginning January 1, 2001, modify various certification requirements described
above. In general, these new regulations do not significantly alter the
substantive withholding and information reporting requirements, but rather they
unify current certification procedures and forms and clarify reliance standards.
In addition, the new regulations impose different conditions on the ability of
financial intermediaries acting for a Foreign Holder to provide certifications
on behalf of the Foreign Holder, which may include entering into an agreement
with the Internal Revenue Service to audit selected documentation with respect
to these certifications. It is possible that we and other withholding agents may
request new withholding exemption forms from holders in order to qualify for
continued exemption from withholding under the Treasury regulations when they
become effective. Foreign Holders should consult their own tax advisors to
determine the effects of the application of the new regulations to their
particular circumstances.
If a Foreign Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States,
and payment on a note, including payments of original issue discount, is
effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business, the Foreign
Holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax as discussed above,
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generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that payment on a net
income basis in the same manner as if it were a United States Holder. In
addition, if the Foreign Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a
branch profits tax equal to 30% or the applicable lower tax treaty rate on its
effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to
adjustments. For this purpose, the payment on a note will be included in the
foreign corporation's earnings and profits.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments on a
note, to accrued original issue discount and to the proceeds of the sale of a
note to some noncorporate United States Holders. A 31% backup withholding tax
may apply to the payments if the United States Holder:
- fails to furnish or certify its correct taxpayer identification number to
the payor in the manner required,
- is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it has failed to report
payments of interest and dividends properly, or
- under some circumstances, fails to certify that it has not been notified
by the Internal Revenue Service that it is subject to backup withholding
for failure to report interest and dividend payments.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as
a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax. If the holder has filed a
return and the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service, the holder may be entitled to a refund of the excess of the amount
withheld over the holder's federal income tax liability.
FOREIGN HOLDERS
Under current regulations, no information reporting or backup withholding
will apply to payments to Foreign Holders that have provided the payor with a
statement described in the previous section and if the payor does not have
actual knowledge that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person. If these conditions
are not satisfied, information reporting and backup withholding will apply.
These rules also apply to payments on a note paid to the beneficial owner by a
U.S. office of an agent or broker.
In addition, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply if
payments on a note are paid or collected by a foreign agent on behalf of the
beneficial owner of the note, or if a foreign office of a broker, as defined in
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, pays the proceeds of the sale of a note to
the owner of the note. Information reporting, however, may be required in some
circumstances. If the agent or broker is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
- a United States person,
- a controlled foreign corporation,
- a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for
specified periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States, or
- with respect to payments made beginning January 1, 2000, a foreign
partnership if, at any time during its tax year, one or more of its
partners are "U.S. persons," as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations, who
in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in
the partnership if, at any time during the tax year, the partnership is
engaged in a U.S. trade or business,
the payments will be subject to information reporting, but not backup
withholding, unless (1) the agent or broker has documentary evidence in its
records that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person and other conditions are
met or (2) the beneficial owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
146
<PAGE> 147
The Treasury regulations that will become generally effective for payments
made beginning January 1, 2000 modify some of the certification requirements for
backup withholding. It is possible that we and other withholding agents may
request a new withholding exemption form from holders in order to qualify for
continued exemption from backup withholding under Treasury regulations when they
become effective.
THIS DISCUSSION MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR
SITUATION. PROSPECTIVE UNITED STATES HOLDERS AND FOREIGN HOLDERS OF THE NOTES
ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES
TO THEM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX
LAWS AND THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN THOSE LAWS.
147
<PAGE> 148
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in
connection with the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. This prospectus, as
it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by
broker-dealers in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for
old notes if old notes were acquired by broker-dealers for their own accounts as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed
that this prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a participating broker-dealer in connection with resales of new
notes for a period ending on the earlier of 180 days from the date on which the
registration statement under which the exchange offer is made is declared
effective and the date when all broker-dealers receiving new notes for their own
accounts in connection with the exchange offer have sold all of those new notes
held by them. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of New Notes."
New notes that broker-dealers receive for their own accounts in connection
with the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of these methods of
resale. These resales may be at market prices prevailing at the time of resale,
at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any
of these resales may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or
dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions
from any broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any new notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account in
connection with the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in
a distribution of new notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any resale of new notes and any
commissions or concessions received by any of these persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We shall not be liable for any delay by DTC or any participant or indirect
participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and these
participants may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on,
instructions from DTC for all purposes, including with respect to the
registration and delivery, and the principal amounts, of the new notes to be
issued.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The file number for our SEC
filings is 333-39643. You can inspect and copy all of this information at the
Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC
maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy statements and information
statements and other information regarding issuers, like us, that file
electronically with the SEC. The address of this web site is http://www.sec.gov.
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-4 that we
filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. The rules of the SEC allow
us to leave some of the information contained in the registration statement out
of this prospectus. Therefore, you should review the registration statement and
its exhibits for further information about us. Copies of the registration
statement and its exhibits are on file at the offices of the SEC and you can
view them at the SEC's website. You should read the exhibits for a more complete
description of the matters involved. You should rely only on the information or
representations provided in this prospectus and the registration statement. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
148
<PAGE> 149
LEGAL MATTERS
Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, Washington, D.C., will pass upon the validity
of the new notes for us.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Anker Coal Group, Inc. as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the period from August 1, 1996 to December
31, 1996 and the consolidated financial statements of Anker Group, Inc. for the
period from January 1, 1996 to July 31, 1996 included in this prospectus have
been so included in reliance on the reports, which contain an explanatory
paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern, as described
in Note 14 to the financial statements, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
The reserve reports and estimates of our coal reserves included in this
prospectus have, to the extent described in the prospectus, been prepared by us
and audited by Marshall Miller & Associates. Summaries of these estimates
contained in Marshall Miller & Associates' audit report have been included in
this prospectus as Annex A. We have relied on Marshall Miller & Associates as an
expert with respect to the matters contained in the audit report.
149
<PAGE> 150
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AUDITED ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-2
Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and
1997................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the period August 1,
1996 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 1996
and for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31,
1996................................................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the
period August 1, 1996 (date of acquisition) through
December 31, 1996...................................... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996........... F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the period from
August 1, 1996 (date of acquisition) through December
31, 1996 and for the period January 1, 1996 through
July 31, 1996.......................................... F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-9
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30,
1999................................................... F-29
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
nine and three months ended September 30, 1999 and
1998................................................... F-30
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999 and 1998...................... F-31
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...... F-32
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedules have been omitted because the information
required in the schedules is not applicable or is shown
in the financial statements or the notes to the
financial statements.
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 151
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
Anker Coal Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and of cash
flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Anker
Coal Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
two years in the period ended December 31, 1998 and the five month period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management;
our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, and
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 14 to the
financial statements, the Company has experienced recurring losses from
operations, negative cash flows from operations and has a retained deficit that
raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.
Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 14. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the
outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 29, 1999
F-2
<PAGE> 152
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
Anker Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows of Anker Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Predecessor) for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion of these consolidated
financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of their
operations and their cash flows of Anker Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Predecessor) for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 28, 1997
F-3
<PAGE> 153
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 15 --
Accounts receivable:
Trade................................................... 27,845 $ 31,029
Affiliates.............................................. 42 223
Inventories............................................... 5,876 10,717
Current portion of long-term notes receivable............. 986 791
Life insurance proceeds receivable........................ -- 10,000
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 1,989 3,443
Deferred income taxes..................................... 3,683 399
--------- --------
Total current assets............................... 40,436 56,602
Properties:
Coal lands and mineral rights............................. 62,398 101,324
Machinery and equipment................................... 72,355 83,370
--------- --------
134,753 184,694
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion and
amortization............................................ 26,161 17,333
--------- --------
108,592 167,361
Other assets:
Assets held for sale...................................... 10,000 --
Advance minimum royalties................................. 4,453 19,050
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $2,517 and
$1,408 in 1998 and 1997, respectively................... 21,572 43,010
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $694 and $432 in 1998 and 1997, respectively......... 6,268 6,553
Notes receivable.......................................... 3,735 5,056
Other assets.............................................. 6,664 7,018
--------- --------
Total assets....................................... $ 201,720 $304,650
========= ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable:
Trade................................................... 10,982 16,254
Affiliates.............................................. 480 1,572
Cash overdraft............................................ 5,111 3,919
Accrued interest.......................................... 3,365 3,530
Accrued expenses and other................................ 11,287 8,674
Accrued leasehold termination............................. 3,957 --
Accrued reclamation expenses.............................. 5,234 355
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 2,777 799
Common stock available for repurchase..................... 1,505 --
--------- --------
Total current liabilities.......................... 44,698 35,103
Long-term debt.............................................. 139,934 132,800
Other liabilities:
Accrued reclamation expenses.............................. 17,367 18,619
Deferred income taxes..................................... 8,242 12,976
Other..................................................... 6,272 6,771
--------- --------
Total liabilities.................................. 216,513 206,269
Commitments and contingencies............................... -- --
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock...................... 24,588 22,651
Common stock available for repurchase....................... 8,495 --
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock........................................... 23,000 23,000
Common stock.............................................. -- --
Paid-in capital........................................... 47,900 57,900
Treasury stock............................................ (5,100) --
Accumulated deficit....................................... (113,676) (5,170)
--------- --------
Total stockholders' equity......................... (47,876) 75,730
--------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity......... $ 201,720 $304,650
========= ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 154
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE THE THE
COMPANY COMPANY COMPANY PREDECESSOR
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR YEAR AUGUST 1 JANUARY 1
ENDED ENDED THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, JULY 31,
1998 1997 1996 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue................ $ 291,426 $322,979 $123,246 $166,909
Expenses:
Cost of operations and selling expenses..... 276,469 295,387 110,215 149,364
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.... 18,150 17,470 6,437 7,882
General and administrative.................. 9,076 9,462 3,738 3,796
Stock compensation and related expenses..... -- -- -- 2,969
Loss on impairment and restructuring
charges.................................. 90,717 8,267 -- --
--------- -------- -------- --------
Total expenses........................... 394,412 330,586 120,390 164,011
Operating (loss) income.................. (102,986) (7,607) 2,856 2,898
Interest, net of $386 and $760 capitalized in
1998 and 1997, respectively................. (13,066) (10,042) (2,090) (2,796)
Life insurance proceeds....................... -- 15,000 -- --
Other income, net............................. 2,805 2,083 373 1,107
--------- -------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before income taxes and
extraordinary item..................... (113,247) (566) 1,139 1,209
Income tax (benefit) expense.................. (7,643) (1,242) 485 (134)
--------- -------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income before extraordinary
item................................... (105,604) 676 654 1,343
Extraordinary loss, net of taxes of $375 and
$1,497 in 1998 and 1997, respectively....... 965 3,849 -- --
--------- -------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income........................ (106,569) (3,173) 654 1,343
Less mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
dividends................................... 1,337 1,276 512 116
Less mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
accretion................................... 600 600 263 --
--------- -------- -------- --------
Net (loss) income available to common
Stockholders........................... $(108,506) $ (5,049) $ (121) $ 1,227
========= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 155
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND
FOR THE PERIOD AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREFERRED COMMON PAID-IN TREASURY ACCUMULATED
STOCK STOCK CAPITAL STOCK DEFICIT TOTAL
--------- ------- -------- -------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at August 1, 1996........ -- -- -- -- -- --
Initial Company capitalization... $23,000 -- $ 57,900 -- -- $ 80,900
Net income....................... -- -- -- -- $ 654 654
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock dividends................ -- -- -- -- (512) (512)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock accretion................ -- -- -- -- (263) (263)
------- ------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1996..... 23,000 -- 57,900 -- (121) 80,779
Net loss......................... -- -- -- -- (3,173) (3,173)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock dividends................ -- -- -- -- (1,276) (1,276)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock accretion................ -- -- -- -- (600) (600)
------- ------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997..... 23,000 -- 57,900 -- (5,170) 75,730
Net loss......................... -- -- -- -- (106,569) (106,569)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock dividends................ -- -- -- -- (1,337) (1,337)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock accretion................ -- -- -- -- (600) (600)
Issuance of Class A common stock
awards......................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Reclassification of Class A
common stock to common stock
available for repurchase....... -- -- (15,000) -- -- (15,000)
Repurchase of Class A common
stock.......................... -- -- 5,000 (5,000) -- --
Repurchase of Class C preferred
stock.......................... -- -- -- (100) -- (100)
------- ------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1998..... $23,000 -- $ 47,900 $(5,100) $(113,676) $ (47,876)
======= ======= ======== ======= ========= =========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 156
PREDECESSOR
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREFERRED COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED
STOCK STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
--------- ------ ------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995.................... $14,122 $50 $40,007 $3,024 $57,203
Stock compensation.............................. -- -- 1,500 -- 1,500
Net income...................................... -- -- -- 1,343 1,343
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
dividends..................................... -- -- -- (116) (116)
------- --- ------- ------ -------
Balance at July 31, 1996........................ $14,122 $50 $41,507 $4,251 $59,930
======= === ======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-7
<PAGE> 157
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE THE THE COMPANY PREDECESSOR
COMPANY COMPANY ---------------- ----------------
------------ ------------ PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED AUGUST 1 THROUGH JANUARY 1
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, THROUGH JULY 31,
1998 1997 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income............................ $(106,569) $ (3,173) $ 654 $ 1,343
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income
to net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities:
Extraordinary item, net of taxes........... 965 3,849 -- --
Loss on impairment and restructuring
charges.................................. 90,717 8,267 -- --
Depreciation, depletion and amortization... 18,150 17,470 6,437 7,882
Minority interest.......................... -- -- 31 (5)
Life insurance proceeds.................... -- (15,000) -- --
Deferred taxes............................. (8,018) (2,739) 485 (257)
Gain on sale of property, plant and
equipment................................ (302) (352) (203) (806)
Loss on sale of investment................. -- 1,069 -- --
Stock compensation......................... -- -- -- 2,969
Tax refund received........................ 722 -- -- --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(net of assets and liabilities acquired
and disposed of):
Accounts receivable...................... 3,365 (5,536) (434) 2,153
Inventories, prepaid expenses and
other.................................. 5,105 (7,511) 5,515 (1,258)
Advance minimum royalties................ (2,915) (3,777) (2,095) (706)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
other.................................. (6,186) 2,513 (10,087) 8,095
Other liabilities........................ (499) (127) (867) (388)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities................. (5,465) (5,047) (564) 19,022
--------- --------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of Anker Group, Inc., including
related acquisition cost of $7,534, net of
cash acquired of $6,980 and liabilities
assumed of $151,873........................ -- -- (66,554) --
Acquisitions................................. -- (9,883) (4,262) --
Purchases of properties...................... (11,795) (45,203) (6,769) (3,046)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and
equipment.................................. 2,535 2,549 213 1,560
Proceeds from sale of investment............. -- 3,551 -- --
Issuances of notes receivable................ (38) (2,156) (4,991) (671)
Payments received on notes receivable........ 1,164 5,134 518 889
Intangible assets............................ -- (927) (277) --
Other assets................................. -- (90) (2,846) (496)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing
activities........................... (8,134) (47,025) (84,968) (1,764)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and
long-term debt............................. 155,698 174,259 81,460 49,389
Principal payments on revolving line of
credit and long-term debt.................. (146,586) (249,199) (45,372) (79,184)
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes....... -- 125,000 -- --
Cash overdraft............................... 1,192 2,135 -- --
Debt issuance costs.......................... (1,590) (5,679) -- --
Purchase of treasury stock................... (5,100) -- -- --
Proceeds from issuance of preferred and
common stock............................... -- -- 50,000 --
Proceeds received from life insurance........ 10,000 5,000 -- --
--------- --------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities................. 13,614 51,516 86,088 (29,795)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents.................................. 15 (556) 556 (12,537)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period....................................... -- 556 -- 13,526
--------- --------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..... $ 15 -- $ 556 $ 989
========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-8
<PAGE> 158
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Anker Coal Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") was formed in
August 1996. The Company was capitalized with approximately $50 million in cash
and $14.1 million of preferred and common stock exchanged for similar stock in
Anker Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Predecessor"). Subsequently, the
Company acquired the remaining 92.5% of the common stock of the Predecessor for
approximately $87 million, which was funded by the issuance of $25 million of
Class A mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and the payment of $62 million in
cash, $12 million of which was borrowed under the Company's credit facilities.
The acquisition was effective on August 12, 1996 but for accounting purposes,
the Company has designated August 1, 1996 as the effective date of the
acquisition. The acquisition of the Predecessor was accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting as prescribed under Accounting Principles Bulletin
No. 16, "Accounting for Business Combinations."
The operating results of this acquisition are included in the Company's
consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition. The following
unaudited adjusted results have been prepared to illustrate results of
operations had the acquisition been made on January 1, 1996 and do not purport
to be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition been made as of
those dates or of results which may occur in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
UNAUDITED
--------------
<S> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue.............................. $290,155
========
Operating income............................................ $ 5,754
========
Net income.................................................. $ 1,997
========
</TABLE>
The Company's operations, which are principally located in West Virginia
and Maryland, consist of mining and selling coal from mineral rights which it
owns and/or leases, as well as brokering coal from other producers.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and for
the period August 1, 1996 (date of acquisition) through December 31, 1996
include the accounts of Anker Coal Group, Inc. and its wholly and majority-owned
subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements for the period January 1,
1996 through July 31, 1996 include the accounts of the Predecessor. All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Cash And Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company must maintain a lockbox
account and direct all cash receipts to this account. Control of this account
has been transferred to the Foothill Capital Corporation, as agent, under the
Company's Credit Facility.
Inventories:
Coal inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market and
amounted to approximately $4,415,000 and $8,822,000 at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. Supply inventories are stated at
F-9
<PAGE> 159
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
the lower of average cost or market and amounted to approximately $1,461,000 and
$1,895,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
PROPERTIES:
Properties are recorded at cost, which includes the allocated purchase
price for the acquisition described in Note 1.
Coal lands represent the investment in land and related mineral and/or
surface rights, including capitalized mine development costs, which are being
mined or will be mined. Mine development costs of $24.9 million and $40.7
million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, represent expenditures
incurred, net of revenue received and amortization, in the development of coal
mines until the principal operating activity becomes coal production. Depletion
and amortization of coal lands is computed on a tonnage basis calculated to
amortize its costs fully over the estimated recoverable reserves.
Provisions for machinery and equipment depreciation are based upon the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets and are computed by the
straight-line method.
Upon sale or retirement of properties, the cost and related accumulated
depreciation or depletion are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain
or loss is included in other non-operating income.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of
the net assets acquired related to the acquisition described in Note 1. Due to
the restructuring of the Company's mining operations, goodwill previously
amortized over 40 years will be prospectively amortized over 3 to 20 years in
conjunction with the expected useful lives of existing mineral rights and sales
contracts. The pro forma effect on income before extraordinary item and net
income of the change in the amortization period approximates a decrease of $1.2
million.
Other intangible assets consist of debt issuance costs which are being
amortized using the straight line method over the life of the associated debt,
which approximates the effective interest method.
During the period January 1 through July 31, 1997, adjustments were made to
increase goodwill due to changes in assumptions or underestimates relating to
certain preacquisition, contingent assets and liabilities. Accordingly, goodwill
was increased by approximately $4,789,000, net of income taxes.
ACCRUED RECLAMATION EXPENSES:
Provisions to reclaim disturbed acreage remaining after production has been
completed and related mine closing costs are accrued during the life of the
mining operation or recorded in conjunction with the acquisition of related
properties. The annual provision included in cost of operations is made at a
rate per ton equivalent to the estimated end-of-mine-life reclamation cost
divided by the estimated tonnage to be mined. The estimated liability of the
Company is not discounted or reduced for possible recoveries from insurance
carriers.
INCOME TAXES:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary
differences between the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of
assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which
the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established
when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be
realized.
F-10
<PAGE> 160
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
USE OF ESTIMATES:
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated
financial statements. Estimates also affect the amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
The fair value of current and long term debt is less than the carrying value by
approximately $56.3 million at December 31, 1998. The fair value of current and
long term debt exceeded the carrying value by approximately $1.3 million at
December 31, 1997. The fair value of the Company's borrowings under its senior
notes, credit agreement and other notes payable is estimated using the current
market rate and discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company's current
incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
ADVANCE MINIMUM ROYALTIES:
Advance minimum royalties represent payments, ranging from 2% to 10% of
coal yield, made by the Company to landowners for the right to mine on the
landowners' property. These payments are initially capitalized then expensed
over future production or are expensed as incurred when mine properties are held
for sale.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets,
based on whether they are recoverable from expected future undiscounted
operating cash flows and will recognize impairments when the expected future
operating cash flow derived from such long-lived assets is less than their
carrying value. See Note 13 for the results of the current year evaluation.
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
The presentation of earnings per share is not required as the Company's
stock is not publicly traded.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
In 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) issued its
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." SFAS No. 130 establishes new rules for the reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components. As the Company has no items
of other comprehensive income, the requirements of SFAS No. 130 are not
applicable.
In 1998, FASB also issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." This pronouncements establishes standards
for reporting information about operating segments and related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company
operates within one industry segment only and, as such, the requirements of SFAS
No. 131 are not applicable.
In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits." SFAS No. 132 enhances the
disclosure requirements for pensions and postretirement benefits. The adoption
of SFAS No. 132 has no impact on the measurement or recognition of benefits.
F-11
<PAGE> 161
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
In 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued its
Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides guidance on expensing
and capitalizing the costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use
software. This pronouncement will be effective for the year ended December 31,
1999. Management is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of this
pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements.
RECLASSIFICATION:
Certain amounts in the 1997 consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation.
3. COAL SALES AND RELATED REVENUE
Coal sales and related revenue consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE
THE THE COMPANY PREDECESSOR
COMPANY COMPANY ------------ -----------
------------ ------------ PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR YEAR AUGUST 1 JANUARY 1
ENDED ENDED THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, JULY 31,
1998 1997 1996 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal mining revenue................... $207,102 $234,091 $ 85,175 $126,500
Brokered coal revenue................. 81,220 85,411 36,521 37,697
Ash disposal and waste fuel revenue... 3,104 3,477 1,550 2,712
-------- -------- -------- --------
$291,426 $322,979 $123,246 $166,909
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Included in revenue are sales to unconsolidated affiliated companies
aggregating approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998,
$9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, $9.2 million for the period
August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $7 million for the period January
1, 1996 through July 31, 1996.
The Company recognizes revenue either upon shipment or customer receipt of
coal, based on contractual terms. The Company's coal mining revenue is
substantially generated from long-term coal supply contracts with domestic
utilities and Independent Power Producers throughout the northeastern United
States. These contracts range from one to twenty years with fixed based prices
which change based on certain industry and government indices. Receivables
generally are due within 30 to 45 days. Sales to three customers represented
39.7%, 32.4% and 29.7% of total revenue for years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997, and for the two periods ended December 31, 1996 combined, respectively.
The Company performs credit evaluations on all new customers, and credit losses
have historically been minimal.
4. FEDERAL EXCISE TAXES
Federal excise taxes, included in cost of operations and selling expenses,
amounted to $5,786,000 in 1998, $5,896,000 in 1997, $2,188,000 for the period
August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $3,378,000 for the period January
1, 1996 through July 31, 1996.
F-12
<PAGE> 162
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997
------------ ------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Senior notes................................................ $125,000 $125,000
Foothill Credit Facility.................................... 16,911 --
Amended and Restated Credit Facility........................ -- 7,000
Notes payable to seller..................................... 800 1,388
Other notes payable to affiliates........................... -- 211
-------- --------
142,711 133,599
Less current maturities of long-term debt................... 2,777 799
-------- --------
$139,934 $132,800
======== ========
</TABLE>
SENIOR NOTES:
On September 25, 1997, the Company issued $125,000,000 of unsecured 9 3/4%
Senior Notes due October 1, 2007. In connection therewith, the Company repaid
all outstanding indebtedness together with accrued interest and fees associated
with such repayment under the Company's existing credit agreement. The Company
incurred a loss on the refinancing of approximately $3.9 million, net of income
taxes of $1.5 million. The loss has been classified as an extraordinary item in
the consolidated financial statements in 1997. Interest on the Senior Notes is
payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April 1,
1998. The Senior Notes are redeemable by the Company, in whole or in part, at
any time on or after October 1, 2002 at the redemption price as specified in the
agreement plus accrued and unpaid charges. At any time on or prior to October 1,
2000, the Company may redeem up to 35%, through an initial public offering, of
the aggregated principal amount of the Senior Notes originally issued at a
redemption price equal to 109.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid charges.
The Senior Notes contain certain cross-default provisions related to the
Company's outstanding Credit Facility.
The Company's obligations under the Senior Notes are jointly and severally
guaranteed fully and unconditionally on a senior unsecured basis, by the
wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that have executed a subsidiary
guarantee. See Note 11 for the financial statements of the Company and its
guarantor and nonguarantor subsidiaries.
CREDIT FACILITY:
On November 21, 1998, the Company and Foothill Capital Corporation, as
agent, entered into a loan and security agreement whereby the lenders will
provide to the Company a $55 million credit facility (the "Credit Facility").
The Credit Facility consists of a $40 million working capital revolver and a $15
million term loan. Commitments under the Credit Facility will expire in 2002.
The Credit Facility is collateralized by substantially all of the Company's
present and future assets.
Borrowings under the revolver are based on 85% of eligible accounts
receivable and 65% of eligible inventory and bear interest at the Company's
option at either 1% above the prime interest or at 3 3/4% above the adjusted
Eurodollar rate. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the average interest rate
was approximately 8.75%. As of December 31, 1998, the outstanding indebtedness
under the revolver was approximately $1.9 million.
F-13
<PAGE> 163
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
5. LONG-TERM DEBT -- (CONTINUED)
The term loan bears interest at 2 1/2% above the prime interest rate and is
payable in monthly installments through 2002. The average interest rate for the
term loan for the year ended December 31, 1998 was approximately 10.25%. As of
December 31, 1998, the outstanding indebtedness under the term loan was
approximately $15 million.
The Credit Facility contains covenants which, among other matters, restrict
or limit the ability of the Company to pay interest, dividends, incur
indebtedness, or acquire or sell assets and make capital expenditures. The
Company must also maintain certain cash flow ratios.
The Credit Facility also contains covenants that require the Company to
receive an unqualified audit opinion on its annual financial statements. The
issuance of the going-concern opinion by the Company's independent accountants
for the year ended December 31, 1998 is a violation of this covenant. However,
Foothill has agreed to accept the going concern opinion and the Company has
obtained a waiver for this violation from Foothill.
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT FACILITY:
The Amended and Restated Credit Facility, which was repaid by the Credit
Facility, provided for a line of credit up to $71 million. The average interest
rate on borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility was 8.1% in
1998 and 8.89% in 1997. The Company incurred a loss on the refinancing of
approximately $965,000, net of income taxes of $375,000. The loss has been
classified as an extraordinary item in the consolidated financial statements in
1998.
NOTE PAYABLE TO SELLER:
In conjunction with an acquisition, the Company assumed an outstanding note
payable, which bears interest at 7.47% and is payable in monthly installments
through April 1, 2000.
OTHER MATTERS:
Future minimum required principal payments on long-term debt are:
$2,777,000 in 1999; $2,309,000 in 2000; $2,142,900 in 2001; $10,482,000 in 2002
and $125,000,000 thereafter.
F-14
<PAGE> 164
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
6. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, COMMON STOCK AND TREASURY STOCK
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, common stock and treasury stock as
of December 31, 1998 and 1997 consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
AUTHORIZED, ISSUED
AND
OUTSTANDING
------------------- PAR
DESCRIPTION 1998 1997 VALUE 1998 1997
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock:
Class A........................................ 10,199 10,000 $ 0.01 -- --
====== ====== ======= =======
Preferred Stock:
Class B........................................ 10,000 10,000 1,000 $10,000 $10,000
Class C........................................ -- 1,000 13,000 13,000 13,000
------ ------ ------- -------
10,000 11,000 $23,000 $23,000
====== ====== ======= =======
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock:
Class A........................................ 10,000 10,000 2,500 $28,125 $26,788
Class D........................................ 1,000 1,000 7,000 7,000 7,000
Less preferred stock discount.................... -- -- 10,537 11,137
------ ------ ------- -------
11,000 11,000 $24,588 $22,651
====== ====== ======= =======
Treasury Stock:
Common Stock Class A........................... (1,013) -- 4,936 $(5,000) --
Preferred Stock Class C........................ (1,000) -- 100 (100) --
------ ------ ------- -------
(2,013) -- $(5,100) --
====== ====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
PREFERRED STOCK:
Class B preferred stock is nonvoting, with no dividends, redeemable at
$1,375 per share upon the event of liquidation or other action described in the
preferred stock agreement. Class B stockholders shall be entitled to receive
liquidation distributions senior to common stockholders.
Class C preferred stock is nonvoting with 4% cumulative dividends,
calculated on the gross realization from certain coal sales, redeemable at par
value upon the event of liquidation or other action described in the preferred
stock agreement. During 1998, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding
Class C preferred stock for $100 per share.
MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK:
Class A preferred stock is nonvoting with 5% cumulative dividends,
mandatorily redeemable at par value over ten years beginning May 31, 2006.
Dividends are predicated on meeting certain established debt covenants.
Dividends in arrears as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $3,125,000 and
$1,788,000, respectively, in the aggregate and $313 and $179, respectively, per
share. With regards to rights to receive distributions upon liquidation of the
Company, Class A shares rank junior to Class D preferred stockholders and senior
to Class B preferred and common stockholders. Upon public offering by the
Company of its common stock, each holder of Class A preferred stock shall have
the right to convert each Class A share to common shares based on a specified
formula.
F-15
<PAGE> 165
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
6. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, COMMON STOCK AND TREASURY
STOCK -- (CONTINUED)
Class D preferred stock is nonvoting with 2 1/2% cumulative dividends
through 2011, reducing to 1 1/2% cumulative dividends thereafter, calculated on
the gross realization from certain coal sales, redeemable at par value over five
years beginning December 31, 2006, if aggregate dividends paid on or before
December 31, 2005 are less than $5,000,000; otherwise mandatorily redeemable at
par value over five years beginning December 31, 2011. With regards to rights to
receive distributions upon liquidation of the Company, Class D stockholders rank
senior to Class B and common stockholders.
The mandatorily redeemable preferred stock was recorded at estimated fair
market value, which is less than redemption value. This difference of $12
million is being accreted over the remaining life of the preferred stock.
7. COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR REPURCHASE AND LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS
On October 12, 1997, John Faltis, the Company's President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, was killed in a helicopter
accident in West Virginia. In accordance with the Stockholders' Agreement, dated
as of August 12, 1996, among the Company, Mr. Faltis ("Faltis"), JJF Group
Limited Company, a West Virginia limited liability company formerly controlled
by Mr. Faltis and now controlled by his estate ("JJF Group"), and others (the
"Stockholders' Agreement") the Company maintained key man life insurance on the
life of Mr. Faltis in the amount of $15 million. For the year ended December 31,
1997 $15 million was included within the consolidated statement of operations.
In accordance with the Stockholders' Agreement, the Company was to use proceeds
received from the insurance policy to repurchase common stock owned by JJF
Group.
In lieu of the certain provisions in the Stockholders' Agreement regarding
the purchase and sale of the Company's common stock owned by JJF Group upon the
death of Faltis, the Company and JJF Group entered into a Put Agreement dated as
of August 25, 1998 (the "Put Agreement") pursuant to which the Company granted
to JJF Group the right to require the Company to purchase such common stock. On
September 15, 1998, pursuant to the Put Agreement, the Company acquired 1,013
shares of the Company's common stock from JJF Group. The schedule for the
remaining payments under the Put Agreement is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
SHARES SUBJECT TO PER SHARE
PUT OPTION DATE PUT OPTION NOTICE PUT OPTION PRICE TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE
--------------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
August 1, 1999............................. 305 $4,936 $ 1,505
August 1, 2000............................. 325 4,936 1,604
August 1, 2001............................. 1,396 4,936 6,891
----- -------
2,026 $10,000
===== =======
</TABLE>
Under the Put Agreement, if JJF Group fails or elects not to put any of its
common stock to the Company on or before the applicable date, JJF Group shall
not have the right to put those shares to the Company after that date. The Put
Agreement also requires the Company to pay interest on the outstanding balance
of the total purchase price at the "blended annual rate" established by the
Internal Revenue Service. The interest rate will be adjusted on July 25 of each
year during the term of the Put Agreement based on the blended annual rate in
effect as of that time. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the interest rate
for the Put Agreement was 5.63%.
F-16
<PAGE> 166
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. INCOME TAXES:
The (benefit) provision for taxes is comprised of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE
THE THE COMPANY PREDECESSOR
COMPANY COMPANY ------------ -----------
------------ ------------ PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR YEAR AUGUST 1 JANUARY 1
ENDED ENDED THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, JULY 31,
1998 1997 1996 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal..................................... -- -- -- $ 123
Deferred:
Federal and state........................... $(15,597) $ 2,557 $1,253 (45)
Tax benefit from recognition of net
operating losses......................... (18,193) (7,146) (768) (212)
Valuation allowance........................... 26,147 3,347 -- --
-------- ------- ------ -----
Provision for income taxes before
extraordinary item....................... (7,643) (1,242) 485 (134)
Tax benefit of extraordinary charge........... (375) (1,497) -- --
-------- ------- ------ -----
$ (8,018) $(2,739) $ 485 $(134)
======== ======= ====== =====
</TABLE>
In the period January 1 through July 31, 1996, the Predecessor was subject
to alternative minimum taxes; accordingly, the $123,000 represents amounts
payable under the alternative tax structure, which is a creditable tax that can
be used to reduce any future regular income taxes.
The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated
effective tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE
THE THE COMPANY PREDECESSOR
COMPANY COMPANY ------------ -----------
------------ ------------ PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR YEAR AUGUST 1 JANUARY 1,
ENDED ENDED THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, JULY 31,
1998 1997 1996 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Federal statutory tax rate.................... $(38,992) $ (192) $387 $ 411
Goodwill...................................... 377 348 122 --
Impairment of goodwill........................ 6,667 -- -- 8
Business meals exclusion...................... 42 55 50 (604)
Use of percentage depletion................... 85 (313) (95) --
Loss disallowance............................. -- 416 -- --
Life insurance proceeds....................... -- (5,100) -- --
Valuation allowance........................... 26,147 3,347 -- --
Mine development amortization................. -- 132 -- --
Other......................................... 223 644 -- --
State taxes................................... (2,567) (579) 21 51
-------- ------- ---- -----
$ (8,018) $(1,242) $485 $(134)
======== ======= ==== =====
</TABLE>
F-17
<PAGE> 167
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. INCOME TAXES: -- (CONTINUED)
The components of net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December
31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Inventory................................................... $ 57 $ 77
Other current liabilities................................... 532 322
Accrued reclamation......................................... 2,050 --
Leasehold termination....................................... 1,044 --
-------- --------
$ 3,683 $ 399
======== ========
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.................... (16,089) (14,436)
Advance minimum royalties................................... -- (611)
Accrued reclamation......................................... 884 1,071
Other long-term assets...................................... (939) 953
Fair market value........................................... (6,921) (8,663)
Capital loss................................................ 1,214 2,871
Contribution carryforwards.................................. 301 228
Other long-term liabilities................................. (453) (453)
Impairment of assets........................................ 14,325 --
Restructuring charges....................................... 951 --
Net operating loss.......................................... 27,979 9,411
-------- --------
21,252 (9,629)
Valuation allowance......................................... (29,494) (3,347)
-------- --------
$ (8,242) $(12,976)
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company has a federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $27,726,000 that is available to off set future taxable income
beginning in 1999 and will begin to expire in 2006. In addition, the Company has
alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $253,000 as of
December 31, 1998.
The Company received a federal tax refund of $722,000 in 1998 through the
utilization of previously unrecognized net operating loss carryforwards. This
refund was allocated directly to goodwill.
The Company has established a full valuation allowance on the net operating
loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards and contribution carryforwards
because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that these assets
will not be realized.
9. BENEFIT PLANS
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
The Company has a contributory defined contribution retirement plan
covering all employees who meet eligibility requirements. The plan provides for
employer contributions representing 5% of compensation. The Company's
contributions amounted to $1,452,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998,
$1,218,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, $577,000 for the period August
1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $547,000 for the period January 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996.
The Company also has a 401(k) savings plan for all employees who meet
eligibility requirements. The plan provides for mandatory employer contributions
to match 50% of employee contributions up to a
F-18
<PAGE> 168
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
9. BENEFIT PLANS -- (CONTINUED)
maximum of 2% of each participant's compensation. In addition, the Company may
make discretionary contributions up to 5% of employee compensation. The
Company's contributions amounted to $473,000 for the year ended December 31,
1998, $418,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, $185,000 for the period
August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $182,000 for the period January 1,
1996 through July 31, 1996.
In addition, the Company has a 401(h) savings plan for the purpose of
providing retiree health care benefits. The plan is a defined contribution plan
for all employees who meet eligibility requirements and provides for mandatory
employer contributions between .237% and 1.66% of each participant's
compensation, based on years of service. The Company's contributions amounted to
$309,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998, $302,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1997, $143,000 for the period August 1, 1996 through December 31,
1996, and $150,000 for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996.
STOCK BENEFIT PLAN
In May 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a Stock Incentive
Plan (the Plan) which provides for grants of restricted stock and nonqualified,
compensatory stock options to key employees of the Company and affiliates.
During 1998, 199 shares of restricted stock were granted at par value, which
approximated fair value.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COAL INDUSTRY RETIREE HEALTH BENEFIT ACT:
Current and projected operating deficits in the United Mine Workers of
America Benefit Trust Funds (the Funds) resulted in the Coal Industry Retiree
Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the Act). The Act created a multiemployer benefit
plan called the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund (the
Combined Fund). The Combined Fund provides medical and death benefits for all
beneficiaries of the earlier trusts who were actually receiving benefits as of
July 20, 1992. The Act provides for the assignment of beneficiaries to former
employers and the allocation of any unassigned beneficiaries (referred to as
orphans) to companies using a formula included in the legislation. The Act
requires that responsibility for funding those payments be assigned to companies
that had been signatories to the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement
(Agreement). Although the Company does not currently have any operations which
are signatory to the Agreement, it is subject to certain liabilities as a result
of being signatory to a prior agreement.
A company's annual cost of benefits is based on the number of beneficiaries
assigned to the company plus a percentage of the cost of unassigned
beneficiaries, which is a function of the number of orphans times the
per-beneficiary premium. As part of the acquisition described in Note 1, the
Company recorded a liability of approximately $7.3 million to recognize the
anticipated unfunded obligations under this Act. The Company paid $352,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1998, $352,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997,
$725,000 for the period August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $470,000
for the period January 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996.
In 1997, the Company brought suit against the Combined Fund for continuing
to charge the Company for premiums which, the Company contends, should be paid
by the former employer of assigned and unassigned beneficiaries. The Combined
Fund filed a counterclaim for the amount of the premiums that the Company has
refused to pay as well as penalties and interest. As noted above, the Company
has previously recorded all anticipated unfunded obligations under this Act,
including the premiums, interest and penalties under dispute. Penalties and
interest will accrue until final resolution.
F-19
<PAGE> 169
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -- (CONTINUED)
ADVANCE MINIMUM ROYALTIES:
The Company made royalty payments of approximately $12,254,000 during 1998,
$13,233,000 during 1997, $5,307,000 for the period August 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1996, and $4,687,000 for the period January 1, 1996 through July
31, 1996. Required minimum royalty payments, over the next five years, on the
leases are: $5,258,000 in 1999; $4,933,000 in 2000; $4,056,000 in 2001;
$3,066,000 in 2002; and $3,082,000 in 2003.
OPERATING LEASES:
The Company has office and mining equipment operating lease agreements.
Total rent expense approximated $12,467,000 for the year ended December 31,
1998, $9,189,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, $3,277,998 for the period
August 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and $5,002,472 for the period January
1, 1996 through July 31, 1996. Minimum annual rentals for office and mining
equipment leases for the next five years, including payments for leases for in
Accrued Leasehold Termination (See note 13), are approximately $9,722,000 in
1999; $6,987,000 in 2000; $3,194,000 in 2001; $1,472,000 in 2002; and $259,000
in 2003.
CONTINGENCIES:
The Company is a party to various lawsuits and claims incidental to its
business. While it is not possible to predict accurately the outcome of these
matters, management believes that none of these actions will have a material
effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations
or cash flows.
11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
The Company is a holding company with no assets other than its investments
in its subsidiaries. The Company's $125 million Senior Notes due October 2007
(the "Senior Notes") are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company
(collectively, the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). Each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and has fully and unconditionally
guaranteed the Senior Notes on a joint and several basis. The following tables
summarize the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the
Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the subsidiaries of the Company which
did not guarantee the Senior Notes (collectively, "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries").
The Company has not presented separate financial statements and other disclosure
regarding the Guarantor Subsidiaries because management has determined that such
information is not material to investors. As of December 31, 1998, there were no
restrictions affecting the ability of the Guarantor Subsidiaries to make
F-20
<PAGE> 170
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES -- (CONTINUED)
distributions to the Company or other Guarantor Subsidiaries except to the
extent provided by law generally (e.g., adequate capital to pay dividends under
corporate law).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------
ANKER NON- ANKER COAL
COAL GUARANTOR GUARANTOR CONS. GROUP
GROUP SUBS. SUBS. ADJUST. CONS.
-------- --------- ------------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET
Total current assets.................. $ 3,683 $ 31,642 -- $ 5,111 $ 40,436
Investment in subsidiaries............ 55,925 -- -- (55,925) --
Properties, net....................... -- 101,302 $7,290 -- 108,592
Other assets.......................... -- 52,692 -- -- 52,692
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Total assets................ $ 59,608 $ 185,636 $7,290 $(50,814) $ 201,720
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
Total current liabilities............. 4,719 34,544 324 5,111 44,698
Long-term debt........................ -- 139,934 -- -- 139,934
Intercompany payable, net............. (54,985) 47,324 7,661 -- --
Other long-term liabilities........... 6,745 25,136 -- -- 31,881
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock............................... 24,588 -- -- -- 24,588
Common stock available for
repurchase.......................... 8,495 -- -- -- 8,495
Total stockholders'
equity.................... 70,046 (61,302) (695) (55,925) (47,876)
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity...... $ 59,608 $ 185,636 $7,290 $(50,814) $ 201,720
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Coal sales and related revenues....... -- 291,426 -- -- 291,426
Cost of operations and operating
expenses............................ -- 393,637 775 -- 394,412
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Operating income (loss)............... -- (102,211) (775) -- (102,986)
Other (income) expense................ 2,302 8,675 (716) -- 10 ,261
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Income (loss) before taxes and
extraordinary item............... (2,302) (110,886) (59) -- (113,247)
Income tax (benefit) expense.......... (7,643) -- -- -- (7,643)
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
item............................. $ 5,341 (110,886) (59) -- (105,604)
Extraordinary item, net of tax of
$1,497.............................. -- 965 -- -- 965
-------- --------- ------ -------- ---------
Net income (loss)........... $ 5,341 $(111,851) $ (59) $ -- $(106,569)
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities................ $ 5,255 $ (10,565) $ (155) -- $ (5,465)
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
Net cash used in investing
activities.......................... -- $ (8,134) -- -- $ (8,134)
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
Net cash provided by financing
activities.......................... $ (5,255) $ 18,714 $ 155 -- $ 13,614
======== ========= ====== ======== =========
</TABLE>
F-21
<PAGE> 171
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------
ANKER NON- ANKER COAL
COAL GUARANTOR GUARANTOR CONS. GROUP
GROUP SUBS. SUBS. ADJUST. CONS.
-------- --------- ------------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET
Total current assets................... $ 399 $ 56,194 $ 9 $ -- $ 56,602
Investment in subsidiaries............. 55,925 -- -- (55,925) --
Properties, net........................ -- 160,071 7,290 -- 167,361
Other assets........................... -- 80,687 -- -- 80,687
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total assets................. $ 56,324 $296,952 $ 7,299 $(55,925) $304,650
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total current liabilities.............. -- 34,962 141 -- 35,103
Long-term debt......................... -- 132,800 -- -- 132,800
Intercompany payable, net.............. (62,167) 54,108 8,059 -- --
Other long-term liabilities............ 14,473 23,893 -- -- 38,366
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock................................ 22,651 -- -- -- 22,651
Total stockholders' equity... 81,367 51,189 (901) (55,925) 75,730
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity....... $ 56,324 $296,952 $ 7,299 $(55,925) $304,650
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Coal sales and related revenues........ -- 313,781 9,198 -- 322,979
Cost of operations and operating
expenses............................. -- 310,869 19,717 -- 330,586
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss)................ -- 2,912 (10,519) -- (7,607)
Other (income) expense................. -- (7,403) 362 -- (7,041)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before taxes and
extraordinary item................ -- 10,315 (10,881) -- (566)
Income tax (benefit) expense........... (1,242) -- -- -- (1,242)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
item.............................. 1,242 10,315 (10,881) -- 676
Extraordinary item, net of tax of
$1,497............................ -- 3,849 -- 3,849
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss).................... $ 1,242 $ 6,466 $(10,881) -- $ (3,173)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities................. $ 10,000 $(16,992) $ 1,945 -- $ (5,047)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net cash used in investing
activities........................... $(10,000) $(31,384) $(15,641) $ 10,000 $(47,025)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net cash provided by financing
activities........................... -- $ 38,400 $ 13,116 -- $ 51,516
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-22
<PAGE> 172
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1996
--------------------------------------------------------
ANKER NON- ANKER COAL
COAL GUARANTOR GUARANTOR CONS. GROUP
GROUP SUBS. SUBS. ADJUST. CONS.
----- --------- ------------- ------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Coal sales and related revenues............. -- $118,997 $ 4,249 -- $123,246
Cost of operations and operating expenses... -- 115,886 4,504 -- 120,390
----- -------- -------- -- --------
Operating income............................ -- 3,111 ( 255) -- 2,856
Other (income) expense...................... -- 1,870 (153) -- 1,717
----- -------- -------- -- --------
Income (loss) before taxes.................. -- 1,241 (102) -- 1,139
Income tax expense (benefit )............... $ 485 -- -- -- 485
----- -------- -------- -- --------
Net (loss) income...................... $(485) $ 1,241 $ ( 102) -- $ 654
===== ======== ======== == ========
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities................................ -- $( 5,709) $ 5,145 -- $ (564)
===== ======== ======== == ========
Net cash used in investing activities....... -- $(80,379) $( 4,589) -- $(84,968)
===== ======== ======== == ========
Net cash provided by financing activities... -- $ 86,088 -- -- $ 86,088
===== ======== ======== == ========
</TABLE>
12. RELATED PARTIES
In July 1997, mineral reserve estimates were audited by John T. Boyd
Company. On December 1, 1997, James W. Boyd, President of John T. Boyd Company,
and executor of John Faltis' estate, was elected to the Company's Board of
Directors.
In February 1998, the Company sold its investment in Oak Mountain, LLC to
an affiliate for $1. See Note 13 for further information.
13. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company initiated a comprehensive
new business plan that is the basis for its future direction and that of its
operations. The development of a new business plan was necessary based on
several factors, including (1) the overall deterioration of operating
performance and financial position, (2) a decline in the coal market and (3) the
changes in senior operational management. Most of the new senior operational
managers joined the Company in early 1998. While the new operational managers
were gaining an understanding of the current and future business strategy, the
Company continued to exhaust available liquidity through negative cash flow from
operations, capital expenditures required to maintain current production levels
and methods and a settlement with the estate of the Company's former president
and chief executive officer. That settlement required substantial payments over
the next three years. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, all senior
operational management changes had been completed, and the new management was
sufficiently knowledgeable to prepare performance forecasts. The forecasts were
eventually used to develop five-year cash flow forecasts and the Company's new
business plan. The business plan resulted in a significant shift in the
long-term operating strategy. Through the development of the new business plan,
the Company determined that the estimated future undiscounted cash flows were
below the carrying value of some properties, that some properties were to be
exited and that other assets were to be sold.
F-23
<PAGE> 173
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
13. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES -- (CONTINUED)
The major components of loss on impairment and restructuring charges were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------- ------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Impairment of properties and investment(1).................. $44,416 $8,267
Exit costs.................................................. 25,411 --
Assets to be disposed....................................... 15,983 --
Equipment leasehold termination costs....................... 3,957 --
Other....................................................... 950
------- ------
$90,717 $8,267
======= ======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) This adjustment relates to active operations only. Assets in Raleigh and
Preston counties include both active operations and inactive assets held for
sale. The adjustments for inactive assets held for sale are discussed
separately below.
Impairment of Properties and Investment. During 1998, the Company changed
the operational managers at each mine, and the new managers analyzed various
operating plans. This reevaluation resulted in a determination that carrying
values exceeded the expected discounted cash flows from the market and cost
assumptions. As a result, in 1998 the Company recorded losses on impairments for
properties and investments. The properties affected and the related asset
categories are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY,
PLANT ADVANCED
AND MINIMUM
DESCRIPTION EQUIPMENT ROYALTIES GOODWILL TOTAL
----------- --------- --------- -------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Raleigh County, WV...................................... -- -- $ 5,705 $ 5,705
Upshur County, WV....................................... $ 6,036 -- -- 6,036
Grant County, WV and Garrett County, MD................. 11,113 $7,009 -- 18,122
Monongalia County, WV and Preston County, WV............ 2,652 2,895 9,006 14,553
------- ------ ------- -------
$19,801 $9,904 $14,711 $44,416
======= ====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
Raleigh County. The impairment relating to Raleigh County, West Virginia,
is a result of a change in the expected future production from this property.
The Company controlled additional reserves adjacent to the current mine that
would have required additional investment to mine. In late 1998, the Company
decided not to make that additional investment due to an insufficient expected
return on investment, and subsequently surrendered the reserves. As a result,
the life of the mine was shortened and the expected future cash flows were
reduced, which created the $5.7 million impairment.
Upshur County. The impairment relating to Upshur County, West Virginia, is
an adjustment in the value of a coal preparation plant and loading facility that
was acquired in 1995. This facility was held idle for future use in connection
with Upshur County coal operations. In early 1998, the Company entered into a
synthetic fuel project with a third party. The Company expected that the project
would provide capital improvements for these facilities and that the facilities
would be used in connection with the production and sale of the synthetic fuel.
By the end of 1998, the synthetic fuel project was not successful, and the
Company no longer expected the capital improvements to be made. Without the
project and the expected capital improvements, the facility will remain idle
indefinitely. As a result, the Company recorded the impairment listed above. The
amount of the impairment represented the difference between the carrying amount
and a third-party appraisal performed in connection with the loan agreement with
Foothill. The appraisal valued the facilities in their current state.
F-24
<PAGE> 174
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
13. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES -- (CONTINUED)
Grant and Garrett Counties. The impairments relating to Grant County, West
Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland are combined because mines in these
neighboring counties serve the same coal market. These impairments relate to the
cancellation of a coal sales contract and the delay in obtaining a new mining
permit.
In 1998, the Company operated three coal mines in these two counties. Two
of these mines were acquired and developed in 1997. In connection with the
acquisition of one of these mines, the Company acquired two coal sales
contracts. However, one of these contracts was subsequently cancelled, and the
Company was unable to sell the coal that would have been sold under the
cancelled contract. As a result, mining operations were adjusted for a lower
production level and the Company still believed it could achieve the same level
of performance through reducing the cost of mining. During 1998, the Company
evaluated various operating plans for these mines to improve their financial
performance. By the end of 1998, the Company determined that the remaining
operating plans would result in lower than expected operating performance for
the future.
In addition, at the same time, the Company was forced to idle its surface
mine in Grant County because it was unable to secure a new mining permit that
was necessary to continue the surface mine operation. Although the Company
assumed it could secure the permit, which was in fact issued in December 1999,
the delay resulted in significantly lower cash flows on a present value basis.
As a result of the cancellation of the contract and the delay in the permit
issuance, the Company recorded the loss of impairment as shown above.
Monongalia and Preston Counties. The impairment for Monongalia and Preston
counties, West Virginia relates to the mining operations conducted by one of the
Company's subsidiaries in those two counties. Of the total $14.9 million
impairment, $14.5 million relates to the subsidiary's operations in Monongalia
County and the remaining $0.4 million of the impairment relates to its
operations in Preston County.
The impairment for Monongalia County relates primarily to reductions in the
price expected to be received for the high sulfur coal produced from these
operations. Although a substantial portion of the Company's total production is
sold under long-term contracts, a significant portion of the production in
Monongalia County is sold on a short-term basis or in the spot market. As a
result, these operations are subject to price fluctuations. Over the past few
years, the prices for this coal have deteriorated. For example, during the
period beginning June 1997 through September 1998, spot prices for this quality
of coal have decreased approximately $3 per ton according to quotes and other
published information. These price reductions caused the Company to lower
production levels and analyze various operating strategies. The results of the
analyses coupled with the market changes lowered estimated future cash flows
from this property and, when compared with the carrying values for the property,
generated this impairment.
The $0.4 million impairment for Preston County, West Virginia relates to
the active operations in this county which are expected to cease in early 2000.
The most significant portion of this adjustment is the result of the Company's
decision not to mine additional coal reserves in this county. As a result of
this decision, the Company was left with carrying amounts on a preparation plant
and loading facility that were expected to be used with new operations without a
useful life beyond early 2000. As a result, the expected carrying value beyond
early 2000 was fully impaired.
As discussed below, remaining reserves in Preston County are being held for
sale.
Exit Costs. Also, in conjunction with the reevaluation of its operations,
the Company decided to exit its investment in Webster and Braxton counties in
West Virginia. This decision was based on current market conditions and expected
future mining costs. Although the Company will still own or control assets
F-25
<PAGE> 175
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
13. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES -- (CONTINUED)
in these counties, no operations are expected in the future and all active
operations will be reclaimed. The Company attempted to sell these assets, but
was unsuccessful and is permanently reclaiming the active operations.
Previously, financial statements included coal reserves that extended beyond
Webster County and into Braxton County. Although the reserves were in two
counties, all coal mined in either county would have been returned to the
processing plant and loading facility in Webster County. Accordingly, these
reserves constituted one coal property. The exit charges associated with the
investment in these counties consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSET CATEGORY AMOUNT
-------------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Property, plant and equipment............................... $13,569
Reclamation accrual......................................... 5,100
Advanced minimum royalties.................................. 1,651
Goodwill.................................................... 4,896
Other....................................................... 195
-------
$25,411
=======
</TABLE>
Assets to be Disposed. As part of the Company's liquidity planning, some
assets have been identified to be held for sale. These assets have been
reclassified to a separate asset account and were adjusted to their fair market
value. Fair market values were based on current offers, third party appraisals
and other information the Company believes is relevant to establish these
values. The charges for assets held for sale consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY,
PLANT ADVANCED
AND MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT
DESCRIPTION EQUIPMENT ROYALTIES TOTAL
----------- --------- --------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Raleigh County.......................................... $1,353 $2,419 $ 3,772
Preston County.......................................... 7,721 4,026 11,747
Other Property.......................................... 464 -- 464
------ ------ -------
Total......................................... $9,538 $6,445 $15,983
====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
The assets held for sale in Raleigh and Preston counties consist of
undeveloped coal reserves. The undeveloped coal reserves are separate from
active operations and related coal processing and loading facilities in those
counties. In the third quarter of 1999, the Company sold substantially all of
its undeveloped coal reserves in Preston County for $1.25 million in cash plus
royalties on future production.
Equipment Leasehold Termination Costs. In conjunction with the mining
operational changes described above, the Company expects to incur losses on
equipment currently covered by operating leases. These losses were estimated by
comparing lease buyout costs with the expected fair market value of the
underlying equipment. These differences of approximately $3,957,000 have been
recorded as equipment leasehold termination costs.
14. GOING CONCERN
Beginning in late 1997 and early 1998, the Company's financial position
began to deteriorate due primarily to poor operating performance and excessive
capital expenditures. In response to its financial problems, the Company
developed a plan to improve operations. This plan consisted of reducing general
and administrative expenses and making significant changes in the management of
the Company's
F-26
<PAGE> 176
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
14. GOING CONCERN -- (CONTINUED)
operations, with an emphasis on adding experienced underground mine managers.
Once in place, the new management initiated efforts to improve safety, tighten
capital expenditure requirements, improve operational tracking, revamp budgeting
and forecasting processes, and initiate training programs to improve
communications and productivity.
While these efforts improved the Company's operations, the results were not
as significant as needed and were not realized in the timeframes projected. In
light of that and its continued financial difficulties, the Company revised the
plan to insure that it would have adequate long-term liquidity. The revised plan
consists of four components: (1) obtain more flexible senior financing; (2)
improve cash flow from operations; (3) raise cash by selling certain assets; and
(4) reduce the Company's debt.
The first component was achieved in November 1998 with the closing of the
Credit Facility. The new Credit Facility helps provide the needed flexibility by
enabling the Company to borrow against its asset base.
The second component of the Company's plan is to utilize contract mining
services for its underground operations. By utilizing contractors, the Company
expects to reduce both operating and general and administrative expenses, reduce
month-to-month cost fluctuations, and minimize future capital expenditures thus
improving cash flow from operations. The Company believes it will complete this
analysis and engage contractors for certain of its underground operations during
the second quarter of 1999.
The third component of the Company's plan is to sell certain non-operating
assets and select non-strategic operating properties. The non-operating assets
which the Company is seeking to sell are those that require substantial
development costs and/or have significant holding costs. The operating
properties which the Company plans to sell either complement the non-operating
assets being held for sale or are not integral to the Company's long-term
operating strategy. The Company believes that its efforts to date to market
these properties have been hampered by the Company's deteriorated financial
position. The Company believes it will be successful in selling all or a part of
these assets during the next twelve to eighteen months. The Company will also
evaluate reasonable offers on other assets as opportunities develop.
The final component of the plan involves reducing the Company's overall
debt level. This will be achieved in part through the success of the other
components of the plan. Based upon the expected results in the next two years,
the Company is also exploring the possibility of restructuring its Senior Notes
in order to reduce its long-term debt. The significant annual interest charges
from the Senior Notes severely limit the Company's operating flexibility and
substantially reduce the Company's ability to grow or replenish its production
base. The Company believes that a restructuring of its Senior Notes would
improve liquidity. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to restructure its Senior Notes on terms acceptable to it, if at all.
The Company and its Board of Directors are committed to this plan and
believe the results will provide the foundation for an improved financial
position.
F-27
<PAGE> 177
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND PREDECESSOR
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
15. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE
THE THE COMPANY PREDECESSOR
COMPANY COMPANY ------------ -----------
------------ ------------ PERIOD PERIOD
YEAR YEAR AUGUST 1 JANUARY 1
ENDED ENDED THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, JULY 31,
1998 1997 1996 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash paid for interest........................ $13,617 $ 7,641 $ 2,747 $2,983
Cash paid for taxes........................... -- 17 202 8
Details of acquisitions:
Fair value of assets..................... -- 14,354 8,476 --
Liabilities.............................. -- 4,354 4,214 --
------- ------- ------- ------
Cash paid................................ -- 10,000 4,262 --
Less cash acquired....................... -- 117 -- --
------- ------- ------- ------
-- $ 9,883 $ 4,262 --
======= ======= ======= ======
Non cash activities:
Stock exchange in purchase of Anker
Group, Inc............................. -- -- $50,900 --
Redeemable preferred stock dividends and
accretion.............................. $ 1,937 $ 1,876 $ 775 $ 116
Assets written off to goodwill........... -- $ 4,789 -- --
</TABLE>
16. QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations
for 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER
---- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue.................... $71,574 $76,320 $78,217 $ 65,315
Loss before extraordinary items................... (4,206) (5,689) (8,144) (87,565)
Net loss.......................................... (4,206) (5,689) (8,144) (88,530)
Net loss available to common stockholders......... (4,691) (6,173) (8,628) (89,014)
1997
- --------------------------------------------------
Coal sales and related revenue.................... $69,980 $79,927 $90,911 $ 82,161
Income (loss) before extraordinary items.......... 783 (1,260) (948) 2,101
Net income (loss)................................. 783 (1,260) (4,797) 2,101
Net income (loss) available to common
stockholders.................................... 314 (1,729) (5,269) 1,635
</TABLE>
F-28
<PAGE> 178
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
1999
-------------
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 21
Accounts receivable....................................... 25,431
Inventories............................................... 3,279
Current portion of long-term notes receivable............. 682
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 3,271
Deferred income taxes..................................... 3,683
--------
Total current assets.................................. 36,367
Properties:
Coal lands and mineral rights............................. 62,535
Machinery and equipment................................... 71,893
--------
134,428
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion and
amortization............................................ 34,023
--------
100,405
Other assets:
Assets held for sale...................................... 9,000
Advance minimum royalties................................. 5,963
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $3,700 at
September 30, 1999...................................... 20,389
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $1,419 at September 30, 1999......................... 5,493
Notes receivable.......................................... 3,495
Other assets.............................................. 5,930
--------
Total assets.......................................... $187,042
========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable:
Trade................................................. 10,319
Affiliate............................................. 547
Cash overdraft.......................................... 2,928
Accrued interest........................................ 6,310
Accrued expenses and other.............................. 10,150
Accrued leasehold termination........................... 3,214
Accrued reclamation expenses............................ 5,015
Current maturities of long-term debt.................... 2,472
Common stock available for repurchase................... 3,695
--------
Total current liabilities............................. 44,650
Long-term debt.............................................. 147,119
Other liabilities:
Accrued reclamation expenses.............................. 15,396
Deferred income taxes..................................... 8,242
Other..................................................... 4,448
--------
Total Liabilities..................................... 219,855
Commitments and contingencies............................... --
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock...................... 26,093
Common stock available for repurchase....................... 6,891
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock........................................... 23,000
Common stock.............................................. --
Paid-in capital........................................... 47,900
Treasury stock............................................ (5,100)
Accumulated deficit....................................... (131,597)
--------
Total stockholders' equity............................ (65,797)
--------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............ $187,042
========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-29
<PAGE> 179
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------ -------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Coal sales and related revenue....................... $60,070 $ 78,217 $174,293 $226,111
Expenses:
Cost of operations and selling expenses............ 53,971 73,512 157,419 214,443
Depreciation, depletion and amortization........... 4,591 4,792 13,430 13,009
General and administrative......................... 2,836 2,679 6,781 7,767
Loss on impairment and restructuring............... 1,065 5,517 4,526 7,346
------- -------- -------- --------
Total expenses.................................. 62,463 86,500 182,156 242,565
------- -------- -------- --------
Operating loss.................................. (2,393) (8,283) (7,863) (16,454)
Interest, net of $386 capitalized for the nine months
September 30, 1998................................. (3,711) (3,301) (10,911) (9,421)
Other income, net.................................... 1,158 273 2,579 821
------- -------- -------- --------
Loss before income taxes........................ (4,946) (11,311) (16,195) (25,054)
Income tax benefit................................... -- (3,167) (200) (7,015)
------- -------- -------- --------
Net loss........................................ (4,946) (8,144) (15,995) (18,039)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock dividends..... (352) (334) (1,055) (1,004)
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock accretion..... (150) (150) (450) (450)
Common stock available for repurchase accretion...... (142) -- (421) --
------- -------- -------- --------
Net loss available to common stockholders....... $(5,590) $ (8,628) $(17,921) $(19,493)
======= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-30
<PAGE> 180
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss.................................................. $(15,995) $(18,039)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Loss on impairment and restructuring................... 4,526 7,346
Depreciation, depletion and amortization............... 13,430 13,009
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment.......... (77) (101)
Debt issuance costs.................................... 756 --
Deferred taxes......................................... -- (7,015)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable.................................. 2,456 (670)
Inventories, prepaid expenses and other.............. 1,315 4,298
Advance minimum royalties............................ (1,893) (1,875)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other......... (1,116) 2,711
Accrued reclamation.................................. (3,121) (968)
Other liabilities.................................... (1,824) (142)
-------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities..................... (1,543) (1,446)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of properties................................... (5,222) (8,134)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment...... 1,690 345
Issuance of notes receivable.............................. -- (20)
Payments received on notes receivable..................... 544 1,010
Other assets.............................................. 794 (310)
Investment in affiliate................................... -- (333)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities..................... (2,194) (7,442)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term
debt................................................... 187,538 84,600
Principal payments on revolving line of credit and
long-term debt......................................... (180,658) (75,341)
Cash overdraft............................................ (2,183) (3,919)
Payment of debt issuance costs............................ (954) (421)
Treasury stock purchase................................... -- (5,100)
Proceeds received from life insurance proceeds............ -- 10,000
-------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities................. 3,743 9,819
Increase in cash and cash equivalents....................... 6 931
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 15 --
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $ 21 $ 931
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
F-31
<PAGE> 181
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements presented herein
have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q and do not include
all of the information and note disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain
all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present
fairly the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and
cash flows. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the other disclosures contained herein and with the
Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained
in the Company's Annual Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results
that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles necessarily requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Certain amounts in the 1998 consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform with the 1999 presentation.
2. INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are provided for financial reporting purposes based on
management's best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable
for the full calendar year. The Company has established a full valuation
allowance on the net operating loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards
and contribution carryforwards because the realization of these assets are
uncertain.
3. INVENTORIES
Coal inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market and
amounted to approximately $2.9 million and $4.4 million at September 30, 1999
and December 31, 1998, respectively. Supply inventories are stated at the lower
of average cost or market and amounted to approximately $0.4 million and $1.5
million at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively.
4. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING
The Company recorded loss on impairment and restructuring charges of $1.1
million and $4.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999.
The loss on impairment and restructuring recorded in the third quarter
consisted of three items. First, the operating sections of the Company's Barbour
County deep mine were moved from one area of the reserve to another. As a result
of the move, certain unamortized assets were no longer useful in the mining
operation, and the Company recorded a $0.6 million charge. Other unamortized
assets associated with this area of the Barbour County operation totaling $1.7
million were not impaired because the Company believes these assets will be used
for future mining activities. Second, in connection with the close down of the
Company's operations in Webster County, the Company recorded $1.0 million of
additional charges for reclamation and other close down costs to be incurred
over the next seven months. The third component of the loss consists of an
income offset of $0.5 million relating to the disposition of certain coal
reserves in Preston and Taylor Counties, West Virginia, that were previously
impaired during the fourth quarter of 1998.
F-32
<PAGE> 182
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) -- (CONTINUED)
4. LOSS ON IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING -- (CONTINUED)
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company reviewed the carrying value
of computer software and determined that, in connection with the use of contract
miners at the Company's deep mines, certain software would no longer be
utilized. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million.
In addition, the Company recorded an impairment of $2.4 million relating to
properties located in Tazewell County, Virginia.
The Company recorded loss on impairment and restructuring charges of $5.5
million and $7.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998.
During 1998, the Company impaired its remaining investment in Oak Mountain of
$0.3 million and initiated steps to reduce general and administrative expenses
by making management changes resulting in $0.2 million of restructuring charges.
In addition, the Company recorded an impairment of $2.4 million in the second
quarter of 1998 relating to impairment losses on certain pieces of mining
equipment.
During the third quarter of 1998, a reclamation charge of $5.1 million was
recorded relating to the Company's operations in Webster County. This
reclamation charge was a result of a change in the mine plan for the Webster
County surface mine.
5. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
The Company is a holding company with no assets other than its investments
in its subsidiaries. The Company's $125 million principal amount of 9.75% Senior
Notes due October 2007 (the "Old Notes") are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries
of the Company (collectively, the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). Each of the
Guarantor Subsidiaries is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and has fully
and unconditionally guaranteed the Old Notes on a joint and several basis. The
following tables summarize the financial position, results of operations and
cash flows for the Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the subsidiaries of
the Company which did not guarantee the Old Notes (collectively, "Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries"). The Company has not presented separate financial statements and
other disclosure regarding the Guarantor Subsidiaries because management has
determined that such information is not material to investors. The restrictions
affecting the ability of the Guarantor Subsidiaries to make distributions to the
Company or other Guarantor Subsidiaries are set forth in the Loan and Security
Agreement dated November 21, 1998, among the Company, Foothill Capital
Corporation ("Foothill") and the lenders named therein (the "Foothill Loan
Agreement"). The ability of the Guarantor Subsidiaries to make distributions is
also affected by law generally (e.g., adequate capital to pay dividends under
corporate
F-33
<PAGE> 183
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) -- (CONTINUED)
5. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES -- (CONTINUED)
law). See Note 7 for information on the recent private exchange of $108.5
million of Old Notes for New Secured Notes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------
ANKER COAL
ANKER COAL GUARANTOR NON-GUARANTOR CONS. GROUP
GROUP SUBS. SUBS. ADJUST. CONS.
---------- --------- ------------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET
Total current assets.................. $ 3,683 $ 29,755 -- $ 2,929 $ 36,367
Investments in Subsidiaries........... 55,925 -- -- (55,925) --
Properties, net....................... -- 93,115 $7,290 -- 100,405
Other assets.......................... -- 50,270 -- -- 50,270
------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Total assets................ $59,608 $173,140 $7,290 $(52,996) $187,042
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
Total current liabilities............. 3,696 37,965 60 2,929 44,650
Long-term debt........................ -- 147,119 -- -- 147,119
Intercompany payable (receivable),
net................................. (54,169) 45,954 8,215 -- --
Other long-term liabilities........... 6,745 21,341 -- -- 28,086
Mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock............................... 26,093 -- -- -- 26,093
Common stock available for
repurchase.......................... 6,891 -- -- -- 6,891
Total stockholders' equity............ 70,352 (79,239) (985) (55,925) (65,797)
------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity...... $59,608 $173,140 $7,290 $(52,996) $187,042
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Coal sales and related revenues....... -- $174,293 -- -- $174,293
Cost of operations and operating
expenses............................ -- 181,976 $ 180 -- 182,156
------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Operating loss...................... -- (7,683) (180) -- ( 7,863)
Other expense......................... $ -- (8,332) -- -- (8,332)
------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Loss before taxes................... -- (16,015) (180) -- (16,195)
Income tax benefit.................... 200 -- -- -- 200
------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Net income (loss)................... $ 200 $(16,015) $ (180) -- $(15,995)
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities................ 200 $ (1,743) -- -- $ (1,543)
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
Net cash used in investing
activities.......................... -- $ (2,194) -- -- $ (2,194)
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
Net cash provided by financing
activities.......................... -- $ 3,743 -- -- $ 3,743
======= ======== ====== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-34
<PAGE> 184
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) -- (CONTINUED)
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In 1998, certain subsidiaries of the Company (the "Plaintiffs") sued
Consolidation Coal Company ("Consol"), the Social Security Administration (the
administrator of the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992 (the
"1992 Coal Act")), and the Trustees of the United Mine Workers of America
Combined Benefit Fund (the "Trustees") in the United States District for the
Western District of Pennsylvania claiming that (i) Consol is responsible for
paying certain of the Plaintiffs' 1992 Coal Act premiums relating to employees
that were affected by Consol's breach of several contract mining agreements in
the early 1980s (approximately 1/3 of the Plaintiffs' entire premium); (ii) the
Social Security Administration should be enjoined from continuing to invoice the
Plaintiff for these payments that should be made by Consol; and (iii) the 1992
Coal Act is unconstitutional. The Trustees filed a counterclaim against the
Plaintiffs for the amount of premiums they have failed to pay as a result of
their claim against Consol. The court granted the Trustee's motion for summary
judgment on their counterclaim, and the court granted the motions to dismiss
filed by Consol and the Social Security Administration.
The Plaintiffs appealed to the United States Third Circuit Court of
Appeals. The appeals court reversed the trial court ruling with respect to
Consol. However, the appeals court affirmed all other trial court rulings. Thus,
the appeals court ruled that the Plaintiffs can pursue their reimbursement claim
against Consol, but while that claim is proceeding they must pay the disputed
portion of their 1992 Coal Act premiums. At this time, the disputed portion of
premiums, including interest and penalties, is approximately $1.3 million.
Interest accrues at the post judgment rate of 9% per year.
The Plaintiffs filed a petition for appeal with the United States Supreme
Court on August 12, 1999. The Third Circuit's judgment has be stayed pending the
Supreme Court denial of the writ or otherwise ruling against the Plaintiffs. The
entire judgment has been fully accrued by the Company in prior years. In the
event the Plaintiffs are required to pay this judgment, the Plaintiffs will fund
the judgment from borrowings under the revolving credit facility under the
Foothill Loan Agreement.
The Company and its subsidiaries are party to various other lawsuits and
claims incidental to the conduct of their business. While it is not possible to
predict accurately the outcome of these matters, the Company's management does
not believe that these matters will have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 28, 1999, the Company completed a private restructuring of the
Old Notes and a private placement to raise additional capital. In the
transactions, a limited number of qualified noteholders exchanged $108.5 million
of their Old Notes for $86.8 million of 14.25% Series A Second Priority Senior
Secured Notes due 2007 (paid in kind ("PIK") through April 1, 2000) ("New
Secured Notes"). The New Secured Notes are guaranteed by all of the subsidiaries
of the Company. Exchanging noteholders waived their right to receive the October
1, 1999 interest payment on the Old Notes. Exchanging noteholders also received
warrants to purchase 20% of the common stock of the Company at a nominal
exercise price. The Company believes that the nominal exercise price represents
the fair value of the warrants at the time of issuance. In connection with the
private exchange, exchanging noteholders consented to amendments to the
indenture for the Old Notes that, among other things, modified or eliminated
various covenants. Following the private exchange, approximately $16.5 million
of the Old Notes remain outstanding. The Company also paid the October 1, 1999
cash interest payment on the remaining Old Notes on October 28, 1999, prior to
the expiration of the grace period for that interest payment.
F-35
<PAGE> 185
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) -- (CONTINUED)
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The Company expects to record the private exchange transaction described
above in accordance with FAS-15 "Accounting By Debtors and Creditors For
Troubled Debt Restructurings." In the private exchange, the carrying amount of
the Old Notes ($125.0 million) and the accrued and unpaid interest of
approximately $6.1 million is compared with the New Secured Notes principal and
interest payments over time. To the extent the carrying amount is less than the
New Secured Notes interest and principal, the Company can adjust its carrying
amount. The Company does not expect to change its carrying amount in connection
with the private exchange.
In conjunction with the private exchange, the Company raised $11.2 million
in cash through the sale to Rothschild Recovery Fund L.P. ("RRF") in a private
placement of $13.2 million principal amount of New Secured Notes and warrants to
purchase 10% of the common stock of the Company at a nominal exercise price. The
funds raised in the private placement were applied against the revolving credit
facility under the Foothill Loan Agreement. The issuance of the New Secured
Notes for cash in the private placement is expected to result in the financial
statement recognition of original issue discount. This discount will be accreted
over the term of the New Secured Notes.
The Company also issued $6.0 million of New Secured Notes to JJF Group
Limited Liability Company ("JJF Group"), a shareholder of the Company controlled
by the estate of John J. Faltis, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company. The New Secured Notes were issued to JJF Group in exchange for
cancellation of JJF Group's common stock in the Company and its rights to
require the Company to buy that stock for approximately $10.5 million under a
Put Agreement dated as of August 25, 1998 (the "Put Agreement"). In connection
with the expected accounting treatment for the private exchange with JJF Group,
the Company will record the New Secured Notes issued at their face value, and
the difference between the New Secured Notes and the common stock available for
repurchase (including current portion) will increase paid-in-capital.
F-36
<PAGE> 186
ANNEX A
AUDIT OF DEMONSTRATED RESERVES
CONTROLLED BY ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
January 20, 2000
Prepared for
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
2708 Cranberry Square
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
Prepared by
MARSHALL MILLER & ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 848
Bluefield, Virginia 24605
A-1
<PAGE> 187
[MARSHALL MILLER & ASSOCIATES LOGO]
January 20, 2000
Mr. Bruce Sparks, President
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
2708 Cranberry Square
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
Dear Mr. Sparks:
MARSHALL MILLER & ASSOCIATES (MM&A) has completed an audit of reserves
controlled by ANKER COAL GROUP, INC. (ANKER). A reserve audit verifies that the
audited reserve base has been properly estimated according to industry-accepted
standards and that the reserves, as presented, may be used with reasonable
geologic assurance for mine planning and/or economic forecasting.
This audit was based on a thorough review of an extensive amount of
geologic data documenting the Anker reserves as well as Anker's in-house reserve
estimations, which were provided by Anker to facilitate the audit. The audit
demonstrated that Anker's geologic modeling and reserve estimation methodologies
are performed within industry-accepted standards. Moreover, MM&A's independent
checks verified the Anker reserve estimates, since differences between the MM&A
and Anker estimates were typically less than the generally-accepted margin of
error for the estimation of measured reserves. This letter provides a summary of
those portions of the audited reserve base that qualify as DEMONSTRATED
reserves.
CONCLUSIONS
Our audit of the subject coal properties has confirmed that Anker controls
a total demonstrated reserve base of 505.04 million tons of potentially
recoverable coal. The demonstrated reserves are reasonably well established by
exploration with 50 percent having measured status and 50 percent having
indicated status.
The table below presents MM&A's estimates of the Anker demonstrated reserve
base, which were prepared during the course of this audit. The reserve estimate
accounts for mine depletion through September 1999 and is therefore based on
Anker's reserves as of October 1, 1999.
A-2
<PAGE> 188
Mr. Bruce Sparks, President
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
January 20, 2000
Page 2
SUMMARY OF DEMONSTRATED RESERVES
(MILLIONS OF TONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERGROUND TOTAL
(UG) OR RECOVERABLE
COUNTY AND STATE SURFACE (S) MEASURED INDICATED RESERVES SURFACE UNDERGROUND
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Barbour County, West Virginia UG 23.00 6.98 29.98 29.98
Grant County, West Virginia S/UG 16.21 13.69 29.90 1.30 28.60
Harrison County, West Virginia UG 18.45 38.15 56.60 56.60
Monongalia County, West Virginia S 2.03 0.02 2.05 2.05
Preston County, West Virginia UG 0.68 0.00 0.68 0.68
Raleigh County, West Virginia UG 18.60 12.83 31.43 31.43
Taylor County, West Virginia UG 73.57 144.41 217.98 217.98
Upshur County, West Virginia UG 41.11 24.76 65.87 65.87
Allegheny County, Maryland S 4.15 0.10 4.25 4.25
Garrett County, Maryland S/UG 19.43 3.26 22.69 9.55 13.14
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky S/UG 7.08 0.83 7.91 0.34 7.57
Tazewell County, Virginia S/UG 25.26 10.44 35.70 0.90 34.80
TOTALS 249.57 255.47 505.04 18.39 486.65
</TABLE>
DEFINITIONS
Definitions(1) of key terms and criteria applied in this audit are as
follows:
- RESERVE -- Reserve is defined as virgin and/or accessed parts of a coal
reserve base that could be economically extracted or produced at the time
of determination considering environmental, legal, and technological
constraints. DEMONSTRATED RESERVES are the sum of coal reserves
classified as measured and indicated as explained below.
- RESERVE RELIABILITY CATEGORIES -- The reliability categories are related
to the level of geologic assurance for the existence of a quantity of
resources. Assurance is based on the distance from points where coal is
measured or sampled and on the abundance and quality of geologic data as
related to thickness of overburden, rank, quality, thickness of coal,
areal extent, geologic history, structure, and correlation of coal beds
and enclosing rocks. The degree of assurance increases as the proximity
to points of control, abundance, and quality of geologic data increase.
The reserve reliability categories include:
- MEASURED COAL -- Reserve estimates in this category have the highest
degree of geologic assurance. Measured coal lies within 1/4 mile of a
valid point of measurement or point of observation (such as previously
mined areas) supporting such measurements. The sites for thickness
measurement are so closely spaced, and the geologic character is so
well defined, that the average thickness, areal extent, size, shape,
and depth of coal beds are well established.
- INDICATED COAL -- Reserve estimates in this category have a moderate
degree of geologic assurance. There are no sample and measurement
sites in areas of indicated coal. However, a single measurement can be
used to classify coal lying beyond measured as INDICATED. Indicated
coal lies more than 1/4 mile, but less than 3/4 mile, from a point of
thickness measurement. Further exploration is necessary to place
indicated coal into the measured category.
- ---------------
(1) Source: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891, #Coal Resource Classification
of the U.S. Geological Survey,# 1983.
A-3
<PAGE> 189
Mr. Bruce Sparks, President
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
January 20, 2000
Page 3
METHODOLOGY AND QUALIFICATIONS
The reserve estimates presented herein are based on a thorough review and
checking of an extensive amount of geologic data provided by Anker to document
its reserve estimations. For each reserve area, seam correlations, thickness,
and mineable limits were cross-checked by MM&A to the geologic database and maps
provided by Anker. Reserve acreage by measured and indicated status, average
seam thickness, average seam density, and average mine and wash recovery
percentage were verified by MM&A to prepare a check calculation of each reserve.
MM&A has previously prepared a number of proprietary reserve reports
covering some of the subject reserve areas. A comparison of the geologic data,
coal mapping, and reserve estimations from these reports to Anker's in-house
reserve mapping and estimations demonstrated that Anker's estimates have been
performed within industry-accepted methodologies. Checking of those reserve
areas not previously evaluated by MM&A also supported this conclusion.
Our audit of the Anker's reserves was planned and performed to obtain
reasonable geologic assurance on the subject coal properties. The audit included
examination by certified professional geologists of all supplied reserve maps
and supporting data using industry-accepted standards. Although the audit
methodology is inherently not as exhaustive as a detailed reserve evaluation, in
our opinion the audit was conducted in sufficient detail and with independent
verification on a test basis of the underlying supporting evidence to provide
reasonable assurance for the subject reserves. The reserve audit did not include
independent verification of property ownership; we have relied on property
information supplied by Anker and considered this information to be accurate.
Sincerely,
MARSHALL MILLER & ASSOCIATES
ENERGY & MINERAL RESOURCES GROUP
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ J. Scott Nelson /s/ Peter B. Taylor
J. Scott Nelson, C.P.G. Peter B. Taylor, K.P.G.
Vice President Supervisory Geologist
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
J. Scott Nelson, C.P.G. Peter B. Taylor, K.P.G.
Vice President Supervisory Geologist
</TABLE>
A-4
