UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2000
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____
Commission file number 1-13105
ARCH COAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 43-0921172
(State or other jurisdiction of I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
CityPlace One, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (314) 994-2700
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
At November 10, 2000, there were 38,164,482 shares of registrant's common stock
outstanding.
<PAGE>
INDEX
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE
Item 1.Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2000 and
December 31, 1999.................................................1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months
Ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 and the Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2000 and 1999.................................2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 and 1999.....................3
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements....................4
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations...................9
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.....24
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings..............................................25
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...............................25
<PAGE>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
September 30 December 31,
2000 1999
--------------- --------------
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents ................. $ 1,553 $ 3,283
Trade accounts receivable ................. 152,250 162,802
Other receivables ......................... 27,422 25,659
Inventories ............................... 54,546 62,382
Prepaid royalties ......................... 2,629 1,310
Deferred income taxes ..................... 21,600 21,600
Other ..................................... 8,716 8,916
----------- -----------
Total current assets ............. 268,716 285,952
----------- -----------
Property, plant and equipment, net ......... 1,443,322 1,479,171
----------- -----------
Other assets
Prepaid royalties ......................... 16,000 --
Coal supply agreements .................... 121,498 151,978
Deferred income taxes ..................... 188,271 182,500
Investment in Canyon Fuel ................. 191,124 199,760
Other ..................................... 31,549 33,013
----------- -----------
Total other assets ............... 548,442 567,251
----------- -----------
Total assets ..................... $ 2,260,480 $ 2,332,374
=========== ===========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable .......................... $ 112,576 $ 109,359
Accrued expenses .......................... 163,938 145,561
Current portion of debt ................... 86,000 86,000
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities ........ 362,514 340,920
Long-term debt ............................. 1,066,216 1,094,993
Accrued postretirement benefits other
than pension............................. 345,097 343,993
Accrued reclamation and mine closure ....... 115,091 129,869
Accrued workers' compensation .............. 96,896 105,190
Accrued pension cost ....................... 18,204 22,445
Other noncurrent liabilities ............... 44,101 53,669
----------- -----------
Total liabilities ................ 2,048,119 2,091,079
----------- -----------
Stockholders' equity
Common stock ............................... 397 397
Paid-in-capital ............................ 473,335 473,335
Retained deficit ........................... (242,400) (213,466)
Treasury stock, at cost .................... (18,971) (18,971)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity ....... 212,361 241,295
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity.............. $ 2,260,480 $ 2,332,374
=========== ===========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
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ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
---------------------- -------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ----------
Revenues
Coal sales $ 343,405 $368,195 $ 1,010,102 $1,153,877
Income from equity investment 3,452 3,960 8,844 7,542
Other revenues 12,432 10,081 38,297 33,235
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
359,289 382,236 1,057,243 1,194,654
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
Costs and expenses
Cost of coal sales 319,500 343,731 946,617 1,071,187
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 8,951 10,811 29,611 33,188
Amortization of coal
supply agreements 11,087 9,315 30,790 28,894
Other expenses 3,900 5,777 11,510 14,060
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
343,438 369,634 1,018,528 1,147,329
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
Income from operations 15,851 12,602 38,715 47,325
Interest expense, net
Interest expense (23,172) (21,739) (69,287) (68,445)
Interest income 423 317 1,122 979
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
(22,749) (21,422) (68,165) (67,466)
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
Loss before income
taxes and cumulative
effect of accounting
change (6,898) (8,820) (29,450) (20,141)
Benefit from income taxes (1,700) (7,000) (7,100) (18,400)
--------- -------- ----------- ----------
Loss before cumulative
effect of accounting
change (5,198) (1,820) (22,350) (1,741)
Cumulative effect of
accounting change,
net of taxes -- -- -- 3,813
--------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss) $ (5,198) $ (1,820)$ (22,350) $ 2,072
========= ========== =========== ===========
Basic and diluted earnings
(loss) per common share:
Loss before cumulative
effect of accounting
change $ (0.14) $ (0.05)$ (0.59) $ (0.05)
Cumulative effect of
accounting change,
net of taxes -- -- -- (0.10)
--------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Basic and diluted earnings
(loss) per common share $ (0.14) $ (0.05)$ (0.59) $ 0.05
========= ========== =========== ===========
Weighted average shares
outstanding 38,164 38,187 38,164 38,463
========= ========== =========== ===========
Dividends declared per
share $ 0.0575 $ 0.1150 $ 0.1725 $ 0.3450
========= ========== =========== ===========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
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ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-------------------------------
2000 1999
-------------- ---------------
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $(22,350) $2,072
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 153,286 179,942
Prepaid royalties expensed 5,479 12,107
Net gain on disposition of assets (15,786) (5,020)
Income from equity investment (8,844) (7,542)
Net distributions from equity investment 17,479 72,843
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- (3,813)
Changes in:
Receivables 8,789 (1,882)
Inventories 7,836 (7,719)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 21,594 (18,202)
Income taxes (5,771) (27,513)
Accrued postretirement benefits other
than pension 1,104 794
Accrued reclamation and mine closure (14,778) (2,459)
Accrued workers' compensation benefits (8,294) 2,222
Other (12,487) 134
-------------- ---------------
Cash provided by operating activities 127,257 195,964
-------------- ---------------
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (103,121) (76,078)
Proceeds from dispositions of property,
plant and equipment 18,942 19,627
Proceeds from coal supply agreements -- 14,067
Additions to prepaid royalties (22,799) (22,958)
-------------- ---------------
Cash used in investing activities (106,978) (65,342)
-------------- ---------------
Financing activities
Net proceeds from (payments on) revolver and
lines of credit (28,777) 23,266
Payments on term loans -- (151,144)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of equipment 13,352 --
Dividends paid (6,584) (13,218)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock -- 2,549
Purchase of treasury stock -- (15,349)
-------------- ---------------
Cash used in financing activities (22,009) (153,896)
-------------- ---------------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,730) (23,274)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 3,283 27,414
-------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $1,553 $4,140
============== ===============
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
(UNAUDITED)
Note A - General
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, but are
subject to any year-end adjustments which may be necessary. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results of operations for
the periods ended September 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of results
to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2000. Arch Coal, Inc. (the
"Company") operates one reportable segment: the production of steam coal from
surface and deep mines throughout the United States, for sale to utility,
industrial and export markets. The Company's mines are located in the central
Appalachian and western regions of the United States. All subsidiaries (except
as noted below) are wholly owned. Significant intercompany transactions and
accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Arch Western Resources, LLC ("Arch Western"), a subsidiary of the Company, is
99% owned by the Company and 1% owned by Atlantic Richfield Company ("ARCO"),
which merged with a subsidiary of BP Amoco on April 18, 2000. The principal
operating units of Arch Western are Thunder Basin Coal Company, L.L.C., owned
100% by Arch Western, which operates one coal mine in the Southern Powder River
Basin in Wyoming; Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C., owned 100% by Arch Western,
which operates one coal mine in Colorado; Canyon Fuel Company, LLC ("Canyon
Fuel"), 65% owned by Arch Western and 35% by ITOCHU Coal International Inc., a
subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation, which operates three coal mines in Utah; and
Arch of Wyoming, LLC, owned 100% by Arch Western, which operates two coal mines
in the Hanna Basin of Wyoming.
The Company's 65% ownership of Canyon Fuel is accounted for on the equity method
in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of certain
super-majority voting rights in the joint venture agreement. Income from Canyon
Fuel is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as
income from equity investment (see additional discussion in "Investment in
Canyon Fuel" in Note C).
Note B - Change in Accounting Method
Through December 31, 1998, plant and equipment have principally been depreciated
on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which
range from three to twenty years. Effective January 1, 1999, depreciation on the
Company's preparation plants and loadouts was computed using the
units-of-production method, which is based upon units produced, subject to a
minimum level of depreciation. These assets are usage-based assets and their
economic lives are typically based and measured on coal throughput. The Company
believes the units-of-production method is preferable to the method previously
used because the new method recognizes that depreciation of this equipment is
related substantially to physical wear due to usage and also to the passage of
time. This method, therefore, more appropriately matches production costs over
the lives of the preparation plants and loadouts with coal sales revenue and
results in a more accurate allocation of the cost of the physical assets to the
periods in which the assets are consumed. The cumulative effect of applying the
new method for years prior to 1999 is an increase to income of $3.8 million
net-of-tax ($6.3 million pre-tax) reported as a cumulative effect of accounting
change in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999.
Note C - Investment in Canyon Fuel
The following table presents unaudited summarized financial information for
Canyon Fuel which, as part of the Company's June 1, 1998 acquisition of ARCO's
coal operations (the "Arch Western transaction"), is accounted for on the equity
method:
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------- --------------------
Condensed Income Statement 2000 1999 2000 1999
Information
-------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
(in thousands)
Revenues $ 55,234 $ 67,538 $ 181,112 $184,409
Total costs and expenses 50,841 63,161 170,628 176,267
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net income $ 4,393 $ 4,377 $ 10,484 $ 8,142
========== ========== ========== ========
65% of Canyon Fuel net income $ 2,855 $ 2,845 $ 6,815 $ 5,292
Effect of purchase adjustments 597 1,115 2,029 2,250
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Arch Coal's income from its
equity
investment in Canyon Fuel $ 3,452 $ 3,960 $ 8,844 $ 7,542
========== ========== ========== ========
The Company's income from its equity investment in Canyon Fuel represents 65% of
Canyon Fuel's net income after adjusting for the effect of its investment in
Canyon Fuel. The Company's investment in Canyon Fuel reflects purchase
adjustments primarily related to the reduction in amounts assigned to sales
contracts, mineral reserves and other property, plant and equipment.
Note D - Inventories
Inventories are comprised of the following:
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
-------------- ------------
(in thousands)
Coal $ 25,500 $ 28,183
Repair parts and supplies 29,046 34,199
----------- ----------
$ 54,546 $ 62,382
============ ==========
Note E - Debt
Debt consists of the following:
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
-------------- ------------
(in thousands)
Indebtedness to banks under revolving
credit agreement, expiring May 31, 2003 $ 336,650 $ 365,000
Variable rate term loan payable
quarterly from July 1, 2001 through May
31, 2003 135,000 135,000
Variable rate term loan payable
May 31, 2003 675,000 675,000
Other 5,566 5,993
------------ ----------
1,152,216 1,180,993
Less current portion 86,000 86,000
------------ ----------
Long-term debt $1,066,216 $1,094,993
============ ==========
In connection with the Arch Western transaction, the Company entered into two
five-year credit facilities: a $675 million non-amortizing term loan, or the
5
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Arch Western credit facility, and a $900 million credit facility, or the Arch
Coal credit facility, including a $300 million fully amortizing term loan and a
$600 million revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the Arch Coal credit
facility were used to finance the acquisition of ARCO's Colorado and Utah coal
operations, to pay related fees and expenses, to refinance existing corporate
debt and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the Arch Western
credit facility were used to fund a portion of a $700 million cash distribution
by Arch Western to ARCO, which distribution occurred simultaneously with ARCO's
contribution of its Wyoming coal operations and certain other assets to Arch
Western. The $675 million term loan is secured by Arch Western's membership
interests in its subsidiaries. The Arch Western credit facility is not
guaranteed by the Company. The rate of interest on the borrowings under the
agreements is, at the Company's option, the PNC Bank base rate or a rate based
on LIBOR. At September 30, 2000, the Company's debt was approximately 84% of
capital employed.
Financial covenants contained in the Company's credit facilities consist of
a maximum leverage ratio, a maximum fixed charge coverage ratio and a minimum
net worth test. The leverage ratio requires that the Company not permit the
ratio of total indebtedness at the end of any calendar quarter to adjusted
EBITDA for the 12 months then ended to exceed a specified amount. The fixed
charge coverage ratio requires that the Company not permit the ratio of the
Company's adjusted EBITDA plus lease expense to interest expense plus lease
expense for the 12 months then ended to exceed a specified amount. The net worth
test requires that the Company not permit its net worth to be less than a
specified amount plus 50% of cumulative net income. At December 31, 1999, as a
result of the effect of the write-down of impaired assets and other
restructuring costs, the Company did not comply with the net worth test. At that
date, the Company was required to have a net worth of at least $508.4 million.
After giving effect to the write-down of impaired assets and other restructuring
costs, the Company's net worth was $241.3 million at that date. The Company
received an amendment to the credit facilities on January 21, 2000 which reset
the net worth requirement to $163.0 million at December 31, 1999. These
amendments resulted in, among other things, a one-time payment of $1.8 million
and an increase in the interest rate of 0.375% associated with the term loan and
the revolving credit facility. In addition, the amendments required the Company
to pledge assets to collateralize the term loan and the revolving credit
facility, including the stock of some of the Company's subsidiaries, some real
property interests, accounts receivable and inventory. The Company was in
compliance with these financial covenants at September 30, 2000.
The Company enters into interest-rate swap and collar agreements to modify the
interest-rate characteristics of the Company's outstanding debt. At September
30, 2000, the Company had interest-rate swap and collar agreements having a
total notional value of $755.0 million. These swap and collar agreements were
used to convert variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. Under these swap and
collar agreements, the Company pays a weighted-average fixed-rate of 5.75%
(before the credit spread over LIBOR) and is receiving a weighted-average
variable-rate based upon 30-day and 90-day LIBOR. At September 30, 2000, the
remaining term of the swap and collar agreements ranged from 23 to 57 months.
The Company accrues amounts to be paid or received under interest-rate swap
agreements over the lives of the agreements. Such amounts are recognized as
adjustments to interest expense over the lives of agreements, thereby adjusting
the effective interest rate on the Company's debt. The fair value of the swap
agreements are not recognized in the financial statements. Gains and losses on
terminations of interest-rate swap agreements are deferred on the balance sheet
(in other long-term liabilities) and amortized as an adjustment to interest
expense over the remaining term of the terminated swap agreement.
Note F - Stockholder Rights Plan
On March 3, 2000, the Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan under
which preferred share purchase rights were distributed as a dividend to the
Company's stockholders of record on March 20, 2000. The rights are exercisable
only if a person or group acquires 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock (an
"Acquiring Person") or announces a tender or exchange offer the consummation of
6
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which would result in ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of the
Company's Common Stock. Each right entitles the holder to buy one one-hundredth
of a share of a series of junior participating preferred stock at an exercise
price of $42, or in certain circumstances allows the holder (except for the
Acquiring Person) to purchase the Company's Common Stock or voting stock of the
Acquiring Person at a discount. At its option, the Board of Directors may allow
some or all holders (except for the Acquiring Person) to exchange their rights
for Company Common Stock. The rights will expire on March 20, 2010, subject to
earlier redemption or exchange by the Company as described in the plan.
Note G - Contingencies
The Company is a party to numerous claims and lawsuits with respect to various
matters. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies, including
environmental matters, when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably
determinable. The Company estimates that its probable aggregate loss as a result
of such claims as of September 30, 2000 is $4.0 million (included in other
noncurrent liabilities). The Company estimates that its reasonably possible
aggregate losses from all material litigation that is currently pending could be
as much as $.5 million (before taxes) in excess of the probable loss previously
recognized. After conferring with counsel, it is the opinion of management that
the ultimate resolution of these claims, to the extent not previously provided
for, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
Note H - Changes in Estimates and Other Non-Recurring Revenues and Expenses
The Company's operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2000
includes income from the receipt of $24.0 million in partial insurance payments
under the Company's property and business interruption insurance policy, $12.0
million of which was received during the three months ended September 30, 2000.
The payments offset a portion of the loss incurred at the West Elk mine in
Gunnison County, Colorado which was idled from January 28, 2000 to July 12, 2000
following the detection of combustion related gases in a portion of the mine. As
a result of permit revisions at its idle mine properties in Illinois, the
Company reduced its reclamation liability at Arch of Illinois by $7.8 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 2000. In addition, the IRS issued a
notice during the nine months ended September 30, 2000 outlining the procedures
for obtaining tax refunds on certain excise taxes paid by the industry on export
sales tonnage. The notice is a result of a 1998 federal district court decision
that found such taxes to be unconstitutional. The Company recorded $12.7 million
of income related to these excise tax recoveries. During the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2000, the Company sold surface rights in Illinois
resulting in a $3.0 million gain.
The Company's operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
reflect a charge of $6.5 million related to the temporary shut down of its
Dal-Tex mine in Logan County, West Virginia on July 23, 1999. The charge
consisted principally of severance costs, obligations for non-cancelable lease
payments and a change in the reclamation liability due to the early shut down.
The shut down was due to a delay in obtaining mining permits resulting from
legal action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West
Virginia (for a discussion of the legal action, see the "Contingencies - Legal
Contingencies - Dal-Tex Litigation" section of Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this report). The
Company has also entered into settlements with various suppliers that resulted
in increased income of $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1999.
During 1999, the Company recorded pre-tax charges totaling $23.1 million
(including the $6.5 million charge discussed above) related to (i) the
restructuring of its administrative workforce; (ii) the closure of its Dal-Tex
mine in West Virginia due to permitting problems; and (iii) the closure of
several small mines in Kentucky (Coal-Mac) and the one remaining underground
mine in Illinois (Arch of Illinois) due to depressed coal prices, caused in part
by increased competition from western coal mines. The following are the
components of severance and other exit costs included in the restructuring
charge along with related activity:
1999 Utilized Utilized Utilized Utilized Balance
(in thousands) Charge in 1999 During During During at
First Second Third September
Quarter Quarter Quarter 30, 2000
2000 2000 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee costs $ 7,354 $ 704 $ 3,730 $1,053 $ 367 $1,500
Obligations for non-
cancelable lease
payments 9,858 484 8,366 174 784 50
Reclamation liabilities 3,667 1,200 310 137 2,020 --
Depreciation 2,172 2,172 -- -- -- --
acceleration
-------------------------------------------------------
$23,051 $4,560 $12,406 $1,364 $3,171 $1,550
=======================================================
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Except for the charge related to depreciation acceleration, all of the 1999
restructuring charge will require the Company to use cash. Also, except for
amounts attributable to retiree healthcare, the Company expects to utilize the
balance of the amounts reserved for employee cost during the remainder of 2000,
while obligations for non-cancelable lease payments will be utilized in future
periods as lease payments are made.
Note I - Sale and Leaseback
On June 30, 2000, the Company sold several shovels and continuous miners for
$14.9 million and leased back the equipment under operating leases. The proceeds
of the sales were used to pay down debt and for general corporate purposes. The
shovels have been leased over a period of 5 years while the continuous miners
have been leased with terms ranging from 2 to 5 years. The leases contain
renewal options at lease termination and purchase options at amounts
approximating fair value at lease termination. The gain on the sale and
leaseback of $1.5 million was deferred and is being amortized over the base term
of the lease as a reduction of lease expense. Future non-cancelable rental
payments under the leases are expected to be approximately $.8 million for the
remainder of 2000, $3.4 million in 2001, $3.2 million in 2002, $3.0 million in
2003, $3.0 million in 2004 and $1.5 million in 2005.
On January 29, 1998, the Company sold mining equipment for approximately $74.2
million and leased back the equipment under an operating lease with a term of
three years. This included the sale and leaseback of equipment purchased under
an existing operating lease that expired on the same day. The proceeds of the
sale were used to purchase the equipment under the expired lease for $28.3
million and to pay down debt. At the end of the lease term, the Company had the
option to renew the lease for two additional one-year periods or purchase the
equipment. Alternatively, the equipment could be sold to a third party. The gain
on the sale and leaseback of $10.7 million was deferred and was amortized over
the base term of the lease as a reduction of lease expense. Effective February
4, 2000, the Company purchased for $10.3 million several pieces of equipment
under lease that were included in this transaction and transferred them to the
Company's Wyoming operations. A pro-rata portion of the deferred gain, $.3
million, was offset against the cost of the assets. On May 17, 2000, the Company
purchased the remaining assets under the lease for $34.7 million, which resulted
in the termination of this lease. The remaining deferred gain of $1.2 million
was offset against the cost of the assets.
Note J - Earnings (Loss) per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings
(loss) per common share from continuing operations.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- -----------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
-------- -------- -------- --------
(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Loss before cumulative effect of
accounting change $(5,198) $(1,820) $(22,350) $(1,741)
Cumulative effect of accounting
change, net of taxes -- -- -- 3,813
-------- -------- --------- --------
Net income (loss) $(5,198) $(1,820) $(22,350) $2,072
======== ======== ========= ========
Denominator:
Weighted average shares -
denominator for basic 38,164 38,187 38,164 38,463
Dilutive effect of employee
stock options -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Adjusted weighted average share
denominator for diluted 38,164 38,187 38,164 38,463
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic and diluted loss per common
share before cumulative effect
of accounting change $ (.14) $ (.05) $ (.59) $ (.05)
======== ======== ========= ========
Basic and diluted earnings
(loss) per common share $ (.14) $ (.05) $ (.59) $ .05
======== ======== ========= ========
8
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements within the "safe
harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "estimate,"
"expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "continue," "may," "will,"
"should" or "shall." The Company based these forward-looking statements on its
current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking
statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in these statements,
some of which are described under "Contingencies" and "Certain Trends and
Uncertainties." The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q are
based on expectations or assumptions, some or all of which may be incorrect.
These expectations and assumptions include the Company's expectation of
continued growth in the demand for electricity; belief that legislation and
regulations relating to the Clean Air Act will increase demand for its coal;
expectation of improving market conditions for the price of coal; expectation
that the Company will continue to have adequate liquidity from its cash flow
from operations, together with available borrowings under its credit facilities,
to finance the Company's working capital needs and meet its debt reduction
goals; and expectations as to changes in mining rates and costs for a variety of
operational, geological, permitting, labor and weather-related reasons,
including equipment availability.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Quarter Ended September 30, 2000, Compared
to Quarter Ended September 30, 1999
Net Income (Loss). The Company incurred a net loss of $5.2 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 2000 compared to a net loss of $1.8 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 1999. Results for the third quarter in both 2000 and
1999 were adversely impacted by higher maintenance costs resulting from major
maintenance projects undertaken while mines were idle or operating on reduced
schedules resulting from worker vacation schedules. Results for the quarter
ended September 30, 2000 were also adversely affected by continued operating
losses incurred by the Company's West Elk mine in Gunnison County, Colorado. The
mine was idled on January 28, 2000, following the detection of combustion gases
in a portion of the mine. It resumed longwall operations during the quarter and
began ramping up to normal levels of production. During the quarter ended
September 30, 2000, the mine contributed $14.2 million of coal sales and
incurred an operating loss of $4.5 million (excluding insurance recoveries)
compared to $25.7 million of coal sales and $1.2 million of operating income
during the quarter ended September 30, 1999. Offsetting a portion of the loss at
the West Elk mine was an additional $12.0 million pre-tax partial insurance
payment received during the quarter under the Company's property and business
interruption insurance policy coverage.
Revenues. Total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 were
$359.3 million, a decrease of 6% from the quarter ended September 30, 1999 as a
result of several factors. These factors include reduced sales at the Company's
West Elk mine as a result of the idling described above, and the closure of its
Dal-Tex, Wylo and Arch of Illinois operations and two surface mines in Kentucky
during the second half of 1999. In addition, the Company's Mingo Logan operation
production and sales decreased 25% and 18%, respectively, in the current
quarter's compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Partially offsetting
reduced sales at the Company's closed eastern operations were increased sales at
other eastern operations.
The Company idled the Dal-Tex operation on July 23, 1999 due to a delay in
obtaining new mining permits which resulted from legal action in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (see additional
discussion in the "Contingencies - Legal Contingencies - Dal-Tex Litigation"
section of this report). The Wylo operation ceased production in December 1999
due to the depletion of its recoverable reserves. The Arch of Illinois
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underground operation, which had remained operative after the closing of
the Arch of Illinois surface operation in 1999, was closed in December 1999 due
to a lack of demand for the mine's high-sulfur coal. Demand for high-sulfur coal
has declined rapidly as a result of the stringent Clean Air Act requirements
that are driving a shift to low-sulfur coal. Two small surface mines in Kentucky
affiliated with the Coal-Mac operation were closed because their cost structures
were not competitive in the then-existing market environment. The resulting
decrease in production and sales from our eastern operations was partially
offset by increased production and sales at the Company's Black Thunder mine in
Wyoming and increased brokered coal sales during the quarter when compared to
the quarter ended September 30, 1999. As a result, on a per-ton-sold basis, the
Company's average selling price of $12.82 decreased $.31 from the same period in
the prior year primarily as a result of the expected shift of coal sales from
the Company's eastern operations to its western operations. Western coal,
especially Powder River Basin coal, has a significantly lower average sales
price than that provided from the Company's eastern coal operations, but is also
significantly less costly to mine.
Income from Operations. Excluding the period over period decrease in income
from operations resulting from the temporary idling of the West Elk mine offset
by the second partial insurance payment described above, income from operations
decreased $3.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 when compared to
the same period in the prior year. The decrease is attributable to low sales
attributable to the difficult market conditions that prevailed in U.S. coal
markets in recent quarters along with increased fuel costs of over $1.0 million
per month compared to the same period last year. In addition, income from
operations also declined at the Company's Mingo Logan longwall operation
(Mountaineer Mine) where, despite the contribution of $7.9 million of income
from operations, results were below the $13.0 million of income from operations
from the third quarter of 1999. The decrease was primarily caused by continuing
depressed coal prices, generally less favorable mining conditions and increased
mine development expenses associated with the start-up of the operations in the
Alma seam in preparation for moving longwall equipment into the newly developed
seam in early 2001. Partially offsetting the decrease in income from operations
was ongoing improved performance at several of the Company's other mines caused
in part by the Company's continued focus on reducing costs and improving
productivity. Other factors that affected quarter to quarter comparisons were
sales of surplus land which resulted in a gain of $3.0 million during the
current quarter.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased $1.9 million from the third quarter of 1999.
The decrease was attributable to cost savings resulting from the restructuring
of the Company's administrative workforce that occurred during the fourth
quarter of 1999.
Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate is sensitive to changes in annual
profitability and percentage depletion. During the fourth quarter of 1999, the
Company determined that as it relates to future income taxes, the Company does
not anticipate recognizing all of its alternative minimum tax credit
carry-forwards in the future and expects to recognize part of the benefit of its
deferred tax asset at the alternative minimum tax rate of approximately 24%.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA (income from operations before the effect of
changes in accounting principles and extraordinary items; unusual items; net
interest expense; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization of Arch
Coal, its subsidiaries and its ownership percentage in its equity investments)
was $76.1 million for the current quarter compared to $80.9 million for the
third quarter of 1999. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily
attributable to the continued negative impact of the idling at the West Elk mine
(excluding insurance recoveries) and lower operating profit at the Mingo Logan
Mountaineer mine as described above. This was partially offset by improved
performance at the Company's Black Thunder mine and the impact of the partial
insurance payment. EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator of a
company's ability to incur and service debt, but EBITDA should not be considered
in isolation or as an alternative to net income, operating income or cash flows
from operations or as a measure of a company's profitability, liquidity or
performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. This measure of
EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies, or
EBITDA may be computed differently by the Company in different contexts (i.e.,
public reporting versus computations under financing arrangements).
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared
to Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999
Net Income (Loss). The Company incurred a net loss of $22.4 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 compared to net income of $2.1 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999. Results for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 were adversely impacted by the temporary idling of the West
Elk mine in Gunnison County, Colorado. The mine was idled from January 28, 2000
to July 12, 2000, following the detection of combustion gases in a portion of
the mine. During the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the mine contributed
$23.1 million of coal sales and incurred an operating loss of $38.6 million
(excluding insurance recoveries) compared to $80.1 million of coal sales and
$7.6 million of operating income during the nine months ended September 30,
1999. Offsetting a portion of the loss at the West Elk mine were pre-tax partial
insurance payments aggregating $24.0 million received as part of the Company's
coverage under its property and business interruption insurance policy. Also, as
a result of recent permit revisions at its idle mine properties in Illinois, the
Company reduced its reclamation liability at that location by $7.8 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 2000. In addition, the IRS issued a
notice during the nine months ended September 30, 2000 outlining the procedures
for obtaining tax refunds on certain excise taxes paid by the industry on export
sales tonnage. The notice is a result of a 1998 federal district court decision
that found such taxes to be unconstitutional. The Company recorded $12.7 of
pre-tax income related to these excise tax recoveries.
Revenues. Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 were
$1.057 billion, a decrease of 11.5% from the same period in the prior year as a
result of several factors. These factors include reduced sales at the Company's
West Elk mine as a result of the idling described above. Also, the Company
closed its Dal-Tex, Wylo and Arch of Illinois operations and two surface mines
in Kentucky during the second half of 1999. In addition, the Company's Mingo
Logan operation's production and sales decreased 12% and 10%, respectively, in
the current period compared to the same period in the prior year. Partially
offsetting sales at the Company's closed eastern operations were increased sales
at other eastern operations.
The Company idled the Dal-Tex operation on July 23, 1999 due to a delay in
obtaining new mining permits which resulted from legal action in the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (see additional
discussion in the "Contingencies - Legal Contingencies - Dal-Tex Litigation"
section of this report). The Wylo operation ceased production in December 1999
due to the depletion of its recoverable reserves. The Arch of Illinois
underground operation, which had remained operative after the closing of the
Arch of Illinois surface operation in 1998, was closed in December 1999 due to a
lack of demand for the mine's high-sulfur coal. Demand for high-sulfur coal has
declined rapidly as a result of the stringent Clean Air Act requirements that
are driving a shift to low-sulfur coal. The two small surface mines in Kentucky
affiliated with the Coal-Mac operation were closed because their cost structures
were not competitive in the then-existing market environment. The resulting
decrease in production and sales from our eastern operations was partially
offset by increased production and sales at the Company's Black Thunder mine in
Wyoming when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1999. As a result,
on a per-ton-sold basis, the Company's average selling price of $12.72 decreased
$1.23 from the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the
increase in coal sales from the Company's western operations. Western coal,
especially Powder River Basin coal, has a significantly lower average sales
price than that provided from the Company's eastern coal operations, but is also
significantly less costly to mine.
Income from Operations. Excluding the decrease in income from operations
resulting from the temporary idling of the West Elk mine, the partial insurance
payments, the reclamation liability adjustment at Arch of Illinois and the
excise tax recoveries (all described above), income from operations decreased
$7.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 when compared to the
same period in the prior year. The decrease is attributable to low sales
attributable to the difficult market conditions that prevailed in U.S. coal
markets during the period along with increased fuel costs of over $1.0 million
per month compared to the same period last year resulting from higher diesel
fuel and oil prices. Income from operations also declined at the Company's Mingo
Logan longwall operation (Mountaineer Mine) where, despite the contribution of
$30.0 million of income from operations, results were below the $40.9 million of
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income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999. The
decrease was primarily caused by depressed coal prices, generally less favorable
mining conditions and increased mine development expenses associated with the
start-up of operations in the Alma seam in preparation for moving longwall
equipment into the newly developed seam in early 2001. Partially offsetting the
decrease in income from operations was ongoing improved performance at several
of the Company's other mines caused in part by the Company's continued focus on
reducing costs and improving productivity and reduced costs in the current
period resulting from the closure of the Dal-Tex operation in July 1999. The
Dal-Tex complex incurred production shortfalls, deterioration of mining
conditions and resulting lower income contributions prior to its closing on July
23, 1999. As a result of the closing, the Company recorded a charge of $6.5
million during the first quarter of 1999, comprised principally of severance
costs, obligations for non-cancelable lease payments and a change in the
reclamation liability due to the closure. Other factors that affected period to
period comparisons were several sales of surplus land which resulted in a gain
of $8.4 million during the current period. During the nine months ended
September 30, 1999 the Company sold a dragline at the Arch of Illinois operation
resulting in a gain of $2.5 million and also had settlements with two suppliers
that added $4.5 million to the prior period's results.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased $3.6 million from the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. The decrease was attributable to cost savings resulting from
the restructuring of the Company's administrative workforce that occurred during
the fourth quarter of 1999. The decrease was partially offset by higher legal
and consulting expenses incurred during the second quarter of 2000.
Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate is sensitive to changes in annual
profitability and percentage depletion. During the fourth quarter of 1999, the
Company determined that as it relates to future income taxes, the Company does
not anticipate recognizing all of its alternative minimum tax credit
carry-forwards in the future and expects to recognize part of the benefit of its
deferred tax asset at the alternative minimum tax rate of approximately 24%.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $220.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 compared to $255.1 million for the same period in the prior
year. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the
continued negative impact of the idling at the West Elk mine (excluding
insurance recoveries) and lower operating profit at the Mingo Logan Mountaineer
mine as described above. This was partially offset by improved performance at
the Company's Black Thunder mine and the impact of the partial insurance
payments.
OUTLOOK
West Elk Mine. On July 12, 2000, the Company resumed production at the West
Elk underground mine in Gunnison County, Colorado, and started to ramp up to
normal levels of production. During the ramp up process, the mine experienced
geologic conditions unrelated to the fire that have hindered production, but the
Company expects that the mine will return to normal levels of production during
the fourth quarter of 2000. West Elk had been idle since January 28, 2000,
following the detection of combustion-related gases in a portion of the mine.
The Company incurred between $4 million and $6 million per month in after-tax
losses while the mine was idled. Additional fire-related costs will continue to
be incurred during the balance of 2000 and into 2001 as the Company reclaims
drilling sites and roads and eventually dismantles pumping equipment. The
Company has received and recognized aggregate pre-tax partial insurance payments
of $24.0 million that cover a portion of the losses incurred at West Elk. The
Company expects to receive additional insurance payments under its property and
business interruption policy. Any additional recovery, however, will depend on
resolution of our claim with the insurance carrier, the timing of which is
uncertain.
West Virginia Operations. On October 20, 1999, the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of West Virginia permanently enjoined the West Virginia
Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) from issuing any permits that
authorize the construction of valley fills as part of coal mining operations.
The West Virginia DEP complied with the injunction by issuing an order banning
the issuance of permits for the construction of nearly all new valley fills and
the expansion of nearly all existing valley fills. On October 29, 1999, the
district court granted a stay of its injunction, pending the outcome of an
appeal of the court's decision filed by the West Virginia DEP with the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The West Virginia DEP rescinded its
order in response to the stay granted by the court. The Company cannot predict
the outcome of the West Virginia DEP's appeal to the Fourth Circuit. If,
however, the district court's ruling is not overturned or if a legislative or
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other solution is not achieved, the Company and other coal producers in West
Virginia may be forced to close all or a portion of coal mining operations in
West Virginia, to the extent those operations are dependent on the use of valley
fills.
The injunction discussed above was entered as part of the litigation that caused
a delay in obtaining mining permits for the Company's Dal-Tex operation
described under "Contingencies--Legal Contingencies--Dal-Tex Litigation." As a
result of the delay, the Company idled its Dal-Tex mining operation on July 23,
1999. If all necessary permits are obtained, which is not expected to occur
until mid-2001 at the earliest, and the permanent injunction is withdrawn by the
Fourth Circuit, then the Company may determine to reopen the mine subject to
then-existing market conditions.
Previously, the Company had disclosed that longwall mineable reserves at Mingo
Logan were likely to be exhausted during 2002. As a result of improvements to
the mine plan, the Company now believes that longwall mining at that operation
can be extended for an additional twelve months, which will be well into 2003.
Coal Markets. Although the Company continues to be adversely affected by
weak market conditions, there have been developments that may translate into
improved market conditions for coal in the future. As of November 2000, the
price of natural gas has increased approximately 74% since December, 1999. No
domestic nuclear plants are currently in the permitting stage while in
September, Wisconsin Electric Power Company announced plans to construct two new
coal-fired units with a combined generating capacity of 1,200 megawatts.
Hydroelectric power conditions are weaker than normal due to dry conditions.
Also, since late July, quoted and spot prices for coal produced in the regions
in which we operate have risen. However, because most of the Company's
production is already committed and priced for the current year, performance for
the remainder of the year is expected to reflect the earlier market weakness.
The Company continues to take steps to match production levels to market needs.
The Company has ceased production at its Coal Creek surface mine in Campbell
County, Wyoming. The Company also plans to maintain a production level of
approximately 60 million tons from its Black Thunder mine near Gillette,
Wyoming.
Low-Sulfur Coal Producer. The Company continues to believe that it is
well-positioned to capitalize on the continuing growth in demand for low-sulfur
coal to produce electricity. With Phase II of the Clean Air Act in effect,
compliance coal has captured a growing share of United States coal demand and
commands a higher price than high-sulfur coals in the marketplace. Compliance
coal is coal that meets the requirements of Phase II of the Clean Air Act
without the use of expensive scrubbing technology. All of the Company's western
coal production and approximately half of its eastern production is compliance
quality.
Chief Financial Objectives. The Company continues to focus on realizing the
potential of its assets and maximizing stockholder value by making decisions
based upon five chief financial objectives: (1) further strengthening cash
generation, (2) improving earnings, (3) increasing productivity, (4)
aggressively paying down debt, and (5) reducing costs. The Company is
aggressively pursuing cost savings which, together with improved productivity,
is designed to enable the Company to achieve these financial objectives. In
addition to the corporate-wide restructuring in late 1999 that the Company
believes will result in a substantial reduction in operating costs for the
current and future years, the Company recently initiated a cost reduction effort
targeting key cost drivers at each of the Company's captive mines. The Company
is also exploring Internet-based solutions that could reduce costs, especially
in the procurement area.
The Company repaid $28.8 million of debt during the nine months ended September
30, 2000, and made the second of five annual payments of $31.6 million for the
Thundercloud federal reserve lease (which was acquired in 1998), despite lower
cash generation and increased expenditures related to the idling of the West Elk
mine and a net payment of $31.6 million to purchase assets out of an operating
lease. The Company anticipates continuing to make substantial progress toward
reducing debt in the future.
Registration of Ashland Inc.'s Remaining Shares. On August 3, 2000, the Company
received a written notice from Ashland Inc. ("Ashland") pursuant to which
Ashland exercised its demand registration rights under a Registration Rights
Agreement, dated April 4, 1997, by and among the Company, Ashland, Carboex
International, Limited (now Carboex, S.A.) and the certain Hunt entities listed
on Schedules I and II thereto. Ashland has requested that its remaining
4,756,968 shares be sold by means of an underwritten offering. On September 6,
2000, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities
and Exchange Commission to register the shares. The Registration Statement has
not yet been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated
types of activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999:
2000 1999
----------- -----------
(in thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities $127,257 $195,964
Investing activities (106,978) (65,342)
Financing activities (22,009) (153,896)
Cash provided by operating activities decreased in the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 compared to the same period in 1999 due to a decrease in cash
provided from equity investments and reduced cash from coal sales along with
increased costs resulting from the temporary idling of the West Elk mine and
increased fuel costs. These were partially offset by increased receivable
collections and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the
current period when compared to the prior year's period. The decrease in cash
provided from equity investments results primarily from the amendment in the
prior year of a coal supply agreement with the Intermountain Power Agency, which
was a significant portion of the $72.8 million cash distribution from Canyon
Fuel to the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 1999.
Cash used in investing activities increased in the nine months ended September
30, 2000 compared to the same period in 1999 primarily as a result of the
Company making the second of five annual payments under the Thundercloud federal
lease, which is part of the Black Thunder mine in Wyoming. The first payment was
made at the time of the acquisition of the lease in 1998. The remaining three
payments are due each January of the years 2001 through 2003. In addition,
during the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the Company purchased all
remaining assets under a 1998 sale and leaseback arrangement for $45.0 million.
Period-over-period comparisons are also affected by the amendment of another
coal supply agreement during 1999. The amendment changed the contract terms from
above-market to market-based pricing. As a result of the amendment, the Company
received proceeds of $14.1 million from the customer (net of royalty and tax
obligations) during the first quarter of 1999.
Cash provided by financing activities reflects reduced debt payments in the
current period compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition,
during the second quarter of 2000, the Company entered into a sale and leaseback
of certain equipment which resulted in net proceeds of $13.4 million. Dividend
payments have decreased $6.6 million in the current period as compared to the
same period in the prior year, resulting from a decrease in shares outstanding,
and a reduction in the quarterly dividend from 11.5 cents per share to 5.75
cents per share. The dividend reduction is attributable to the Company's goal to
aggressively pay down debt.
The Company generally satisfies its working capital requirements and funds its
capital expenditures and debt-service obligations with cash generated from
operations. The Company believes that cash generated from operations and its
borrowing capacity will be sufficient to meet its working capital requirements,
anticipated capital expenditures and scheduled debt payments for at least the
next several years. The Company's ability to satisfy debt service obligations,
to fund planned capital expenditures, to make acquisitions and to pay dividends
will depend upon its future operating performance, which will be affected by
prevailing economic conditions in the coal industry and financial, business and
other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control.
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Expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $103.1 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000, and $98.7 million, $141.7 million and $77.3
million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Capital expenditures are made to
improve and replace existing mining equipment, expand existing mines, develop
new mines and improve the overall efficiency of mining operations. The Company
estimates that its capital expenditures will be approximately $18.0 million for
the remainder of the year. It is anticipated that these capital expenditures
will be funded by available cash and existing credit facilities.
At September 30, 2000, there was $231 million available under the Company's
revolving credit facility. Financial covenants contained in the Company's credit
facilities consist of a maximum leverage ratio, a maximum fixed charge coverage
ratio and a minimum net worth test. The leverage ratio requires that the Company
not permit the ratio of total indebtedness at the end of any calendar quarter to
EBITDA for the 12 months then ended to exceed a specified amount. The fixed
charge coverage ratio requires that the Company not permit the ratio of the
Company's EBITDA plus lease expense to interest expense plus lease expense for
the 12 months then ended to exceed a specified amount. The net worth test
requires that the Company not permit its net worth to be less than a specified
amount plus 50% of cumulative net income. At December 31, 1999, as a result of
the effect of the write-down of impaired assets and other restructuring costs,
the Company did not comply with the net worth test. At that date, the Company
was required to have a net worth of at least $508.4 million. After giving effect
to the write-down of impaired assets and other restructuring costs, the
Company's net worth was $241.3 million at that date. The Company received an
amendment to the credit facilities on January 21, 2000 which reset the net worth
requirement to $163.0 million at December 31, 1999. These amendments resulted
in, among other things, a one-time payment of $1.8 million and an increase in
the interest rate of 0.375% associated with the term loan and the revolving
credit facility. In addition, the amendments required the Company to pledge
assets to collateralize the term loan and the revolving credit facility,
including the stock of some of the Company's subsidiaries, some real property
interests, accounts receivable and inventory. The Company was in compliance with
these financial covenants at September 30, 2000.
At September 30, 2000, debt amounted to $1.152 billion, or 84% of capital
employed, compared to $1.181 billion, or 83% of capital employed, at December
31, 1999. Based on the current level of consolidated indebtedness and prevailing
interest rates, debt service obligations, including optional payments associated
with the revolving credit facility, for the twelve months ended September 30,
2001 are approximately $180 million.
The Company periodically establishes uncommitted lines of credit with banks.
These agreements generally provide for short-term borrowings at market rates. At
September 30, 2000, there were $20.0 million of such agreements in effect, none
of which were outstanding.
The Company is exposed to market risk associated with interest rates. At
September 30, 2000, debt included $1.147 billion of floating-rate debt, for
which the rate of interest is, at the Company's option, the PNC Bank base rate
or a rate based on LIBOR and current market rates for bank lines of credit. To
manage this exposure, the Company enters into interest-rate swap agreements to
modify the interest-rate characteristics of outstanding Company debt. At
September 30, 2000, the Company had interest-rate swap agreements having a total
notional value of $755.0 million. These swap agreements are used to convert
variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. Under these swap agreements, the Company
pays a weighted average fixed rate of 5.75% (before the credit spread over
LIBOR) and receives a weighted average variable rate based upon 30-day and
90-day LIBOR. The Company accrues amounts to be paid or received under
interest-rate swap agreements over the lives of the agreements. These amounts
are recognized as adjustments to interest expense over the lives of agreements,
thereby adjusting the effective interest rate on the Company's debt. The fair
value of the swap agreements are not recognized in the financial statements.
Gains and losses on terminations of interest-rate swap agreements are deferred
on the balance sheet (in other long-term liabilities) and amortized as an
adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the terminated swap
agreement. The remaining terms of the swap agreements at September 30, 2000
ranged from 23 to 57 months. All instruments are entered into for other than
trading purposes.
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The discussion below presents the sensitivity of the market value of the
Company's financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices.
The range of changes reflects the Company's view of changes that are reasonably
possible over a one-year period. Market values are the present value of
projected future cash flows based on the market rates and prices chosen. The
major accounting policies for these instruments are described in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1999 as filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Changes in interest rates have different impacts on the fixed-rate and
variable-rate portions of the Company's debt portfolio. A change in interest
rates on the fixed portion of the debt portfolio impacts the net financial
instrument position but has no impact on interest incurred or cash flows. A
change in interest rates on the variable portion of the debt portfolio impacts
the interest incurred and cash flows but does not impact the net financial
instrument position.
The sensitivity analysis related to the fixed portion of the Company's debt
portfolio assumes an instantaneous 100-basis-point move in interest rates from
their levels at September 30, 2000 with all other variables held constant. A
100-basis-point decrease in market interest rates would result in an increase in
the net financial instrument position of the fixed portion of debt of $19.9
million at September 30, 2000. Based on the variable-rate debt included in the
Company's debt portfolio as of September 30, 2000, after considering the effect
of the swap agreements, a 100-basis-point increase in interest rates would
result in an annualized additional $3.9 million of interest expense incurred
based on September 30, 2000 debt levels.
CONTINGENCIES
Reclamation
The federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ("SMCRA") and
similar state statutes require that mine property be restored in accordance with
specified standards and an approved reclamation plan. The Company accrues for
the costs of final mine closure reclamation over the estimated useful mining
life of the property. These costs relate to reclaiming the pit and support
acreage at surface mines and sealing portals at deep mines. Other costs of final
mine closure common to surface and underground mining are related to reclaiming
refuse and slurry ponds, eliminating sedimentation and drainage control
structures and dismantling or demolishing equipment or buildings used in mining
operations. The Company also accrues for significant reclamation that is
completed during the mining process prior to final mine closure. The
establishment of the final mine closure reclamation liability and the other
ongoing reclamation liabilities are based upon permit requirements and require
various estimates and assumptions, principally associated with costs and
productivities.
The Company reviews its entire environmental liability periodically and makes
necessary adjustments, including permit changes and revisions to costs and
productivities to reflect current experience. These recosting adjustments are
recorded to cost of coal sales. Adjustments included a decrease in the liability
of $1.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2000 and $9.2 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 2000. The adjustments occurred principally
as a result of recent permit revisions at the Company's idle mine properties in
Illinois. Adjustments recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30,
1999 resulted in a $.7 million charge to expense. The Company's management
believes it is making adequate provisions for all expected reclamation and other
associated costs.
Legal Contingencies
The Company is a party to numerous claims and lawsuits with respect to various
matters, including those discussed below. The Company provides for costs related
to contingencies, including environmental matters, when a loss is probable and
the amount is reasonably determinable. The Company estimates that its probable
aggregate loss as a result of such claims as of September 30, 2000 is $4.0
million (included in other noncurrent liabilities). This amount does not include
losses that may be incurred as a result of the temporary or permanent shutdown
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of the Dal-Tex operations described below. The Company estimates that its
reasonably possible aggregate losses from all material litigation that is
currently pending could be as much as $.5 million (on a pre-tax basis) in excess
of the probable loss previously recognized. After conferring with counsel, it is
the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of these claims, to the
extent not previously provided for, will not have a material adverse effect on
the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the
Company.
Dal-Tex Litigation. On July 16, 1998, ten individuals and The West Virginia
Highlands Conservancy filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of West Virginia against the director of the West Virginia Department
of Environmental Policy ("DEP") and officials of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers alleging violations of SMCRA, the Clean Water Act and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ("NEPA"). Specifically, plaintiffs made the
following allegations in the suit: (i) the Corps violated NEPA by approving
mining permits without the preparation of an environmental impact statement
("EIS") under NEPA that would evaluate the environmental effects of mountaintop
mining and the construction of valley fills; (ii) the Corps violated the Clean
Water Act by issuing generic Section 404 dredge and fill permits rather than
site-specific individual permits; (iii) the West Virginia DEP has failed to
require the restoration of mined lands to approximate original contour and that
it has not enforced approved post-mining land uses following reclamation; and
(iv) the West Virginia DEP lacked authority to issue permits for the
construction of valley fills.
Nine permits held by four indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company
were identified in the complaint as violating the legal standards that the
plaintiffs requested the court to interpret. In addition, pending permit
applications for the Company's Dal-Tex mining operations, which are operated by
its subsidiary, Hobet Mining, Inc., were specifically identified as permits that
should be enjoined from issuance. These permit applications, known as the Spruce
Fork permits, include a SMCRA mining permit application requesting authorization
from the West Virginia DEP to commence surface mining operations and a Section
404 permit application requesting authorization from the Corps to construct a
valley fill. The Company intervened in the lawsuit in support of the Corps and
the West Virginia DEP on August 6, 1998.
Settlement Agreement. A settlement between the plaintiffs and the Corps, which
was reached on December 23, 1998, resolved the Clean Water Act and NEPA claims
against the Corps, except those relating to the Spruce Fork permits. The
settlement agreement requires the Corps, in cooperation with other agencies, to
prepare a programmatic EIS on the effects of valley fills on streams and the
environment. This EIS is scheduled to be completed by January 2001. Until it is
completed, an individual Clean Water Act Section 404 dredge and fill permit must
be obtained prior to the construction of any valley fill greater than 250 acres.
The Company's Hobet Mining subsidiary later agreed to apply for an individual
Section 404 permit for the Dal-Tex valley fill, which will require the
preparation of an EIS to evaluate the effects of the valley fill on the
environment.
Preliminary Injunction. Subsequent to the settlement agreement, the West
Virginia DEP approved the Spruce Fork SMCRA permit. Plaintiffs sought a
preliminary injunction staying the Spruce Fork permit and enjoining the Company
from future operations on the permit until a full trial on the merits could be
held. The district court issued the preliminary injunction on March 3, 1999. As
a result, the Company idled the Dal-Tex mine on July 23, 1999.
Consent Decree. On July 26, 1999, the plaintiffs and the West Virginia DEP
submitted a proposed consent decree which would resolve the remaining issues in
the case, except those relating to the West Virginia DEP's authority to issue
permits for the construction of valley fills. Pursuant to the proposed consent
decree, the West Virginia DEP agreed in principle to amend its regulations and
procedures to correct alleged deficiencies. In addition, the parties agreed in
principle on a new definition of approximate original contour as it applies to
mountaintop mining, as well as to certain regulatory changes involving
post-mining land uses. The Company's Hobet Mining subsidiary agreed as part of
the consent decree to revise portions of its Spruce Fork permit applications to
conform to the new definition of approximate original contour to be adopted by
the West Virginia DEP. After inviting public comment on the proposed consent
decree, the court entered the consent decree in a final order on February 17,
2000, and the West Virginia legislature approved the West Virginia DEP's
proposed statutory and regulatory changes to implement the consent decree on
April 3, 2000.
Permanent Injunction. On October 20, 1999, the district court addressed the
remaining counts in the plaintiffs' complaint by issuing a permanent injunction
against the West Virginia DEP enjoining the issuance of any new permits that
authorize the construction of valley fills as part of mining operations. The
West Virginia DEP complied with the injunction by issuing an order banning the
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issuance of permits for nearly all new valley fills and the expansion of
existing valley fills. The West Virginia DEP also filed an appeal of the
district court's decision with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
On October 29, 1999, the district court granted a stay of its decision, pending
the outcome of the appeal. The West Virginia DEP rescinded its administrative
order on November 1, 1999 in response to the district court's action.
The Company cannot predict the outcome of the West Virginia DEP's appeal. If the
district court's decision is upheld, the Company, and other coal producers, may
be forced to close all or a portion of mining operations in West Virginia, to
the extent those operations are dependent on the use of valley fills. If the
Company is successful on appeal, then it could be required to complete the EIS
for the Section 404 dredge and fill permit and comply with the conditions
imposed on the Spruce Fork permit as a result of the consent decree, each of
which could delay the issuance of the Spruce Fork permit and, consequently, the
reopening of the mine until mid-2001 at the earliest. If all necessary permits
are issued, the Company may determine to reopen the mine subject to
then-existing market conditions.
Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment ("CHIA") Litigation. On January 20,
2000, two environmental organizations, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
and the Hominy Creek Watershed Association, filed suit against the West Virginia
DEP in U.S. District Court in Huntington, West Virginia. In addition to
allegations that the West Virginia DEP violated state law and provisions of the
Clean Water Act, the plaintiffs allege that the West Virginia DEP's issuance of
permits for surface and underground coal mining has violated certain
non-discretionary duties mandated by SMCRA. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege
that the West Virginia DEP has failed to require coal operators seeking permits
to conduct water monitoring to verify stream flows and ascertain water quality,
to always include certain water quality information in their permit applications
and to analyze the probable hydrologic consequences of their operations. The
plaintiffs also allege that the West Virginia DEP has failed to analyze the
cumulative hydrologic impact of mining operations on specific watersheds.
The plaintiffs seek an injunction to prohibit the West Virginia DEP from issuing
any new permits which fail to comply with all of the elements identified in
their complaint. The complaint identifies, and seeks to enjoin, three pending
permits that are sought by the Company's Mingo Logan subsidiary to continue
existing surface mining operations at the Phoenix reserve. If the permits are
not issued, it is possible that those operations will have to be suspended early
in 2001. It is impossible to predict whether this litigation will result in a
suspension of the affected surface mining operations. If, however, the
operations are suspended, the Company's ability to mine surface coal at Mingo
Logan could be adversely affected and, depending upon the length of the
suspension, the effect could be material.
Lone Mountain Litigation. On October 24, 1996, the rock strata overlaying an
abandoned underground mine adjacent to the coal-refuse impoundment used by the
Lone Mountain preparation plant failed, resulting in the discharge of
approximately 6.3 million gallons of water and fine coal slurry into a tributary
of the Powell River in Lee County, Virginia. The U.S. Department of the Interior
notified the Company of its intention to file a civil action under the Clean
Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act ("CERCLA") to recover alleged natural resource damages suffered as
a result of the discharge. The Company and the Interior Department have reached
an agreement in principle to settle this matter, which would require a payment
of $2.5 million by the Company. The settlement is subject to the Company and the
Interior Department entering into a definitive agreement. The Company's
consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2000 reflects a reserve for the
full amount of this settlement.
CERTAIN TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Substantial Leverage; Variable Interest Rate; Restrictive Covenants
As of September 30, 2000, the Company had outstanding consolidated indebtedness
of $1.152 billion, representing approximately 84% of the Company's capital
employed and resulting in significant debt service obligations. As a result, the
Company will have significant debt service obligations, and the terms of its
credit agreements limit its flexibility and impose a number of restrictions on
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the Company. The Company expects to repay $43.0 million of its indebtedness in
2000. Aggregate scheduled future principal payments on the Company's
indebtedness are $30.5 million in 2001, $60.5 million in 2002, $1.0 billion in
2003 and $.6 million in 2004. The Company also has significant lease and
royalty obligations. The Company's ability to satisfy debt service, lease and
royalty obligations and to effect any refinancing of its indebtedness will
depend upon future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing
economic conditions in the markets that the Company serves and financial,
business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The
Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and
future borrowings or other financings may be unavailable in an amount sufficient
to enable it to fund its debt service, lease and royalty payment obligations or
its other liquidity needs.
The Company's relative amount of debt and the terms of its credit agreements
could have material consequences to its business, including, but not limited to:
(i) making it more difficult to satisfy debt covenants and debt service, lease
payment and other obligations; (ii) making it more difficult to pay quarterly
dividends as the Company has in the past; (iii) increasing the Company's
vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; (iv) limiting
the Company's ability to obtain additional financing to fund future
acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate
requirements; (v) reducing the availability of cash flow from operations to fund
acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate
purposes; (vi) limiting the Company's flexibility in planning for, or reacting
to, changes in the Company's business and the industry in which the Company
competes; and, (vii) placing the Company at a competitive disadvantage when
compared to competitors with less relative amounts of debt.
A significant portion of the Company's indebtedness bears interest at
variable-rates that are linked to short-term interest rates. If interest rates
rise, the Company's costs relative to those obligations would also rise.
Terms of the Company's credit facilities and leases contain financial and other
restrictive covenants that limit the ability of the Company to, among other
things, pay dividends, effect acquisitions or dispositions and borrow additional
funds and require the Company to, among other things, maintain various financial
ratios and comply with various other financial covenants. Failure by the Company
to comply with such covenants could result in an event of default under these
agreements which, if not cured or waived, would enable the Company's lenders to
declare amounts borrowed due and payable or otherwise result in unanticipated
costs.
Losses
The Company incurred an operating loss of approximately $327.0 million and a net
loss of approximately $346.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, and a
net loss of approximately $22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2000. The losses in 1999 were primarily attributable to a write-down of the
carrying value of some of the Company's operating assets and coal reserves. This
adjustment was partially due to adverse legal and regulatory rulings related to
surface mining techniques, as well as persistent negative pricing for Central
Appalachian coal production. The losses were also partially attributable to a
workforce restructuring and the closure of several of the Company's mines. The
loss in 2000 was primarily attributable to the temporary idling of the West Elk
mine in Colorado following the detection of combustion gases in a portion of the
mine.
Because the coal mining industry is subject to significant regulatory oversight,
and due to the continuing possibility of negative pricing or other industry
trends beyond the Company's control, the Company may suffer losses in the future
if legal and regulatory rulings, mine idlings and closures, negative pricing
trends or other factors continue to affect the Company's ability to mine and
sell coal profitably.
Environmental and Regulatory Factors
Federal, state and local governmental authorities regulate the coal mining
industry on matters as diverse as employee health and safety, air quality
standards, water pollution, groundwater quality and availability, plant and
wildlife protection, the reclamation and restoration of mining properties, the
discharge of materials into the environment and surface subsidence from
underground mining. In addition, federal legislation mandates certain benefits
for various retired coal miners represented by the United Mine Workers of
America ("UMWA"). These regulations and legislation have had and will continue
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to have a significant effect on the Company's costs of production and
competitive position. Future regulations, legislation or orders may also cause
the Company's sales or profitability to decline by hindering its ability to
continue its mining operations or by increasing its costs or by causing coal to
become a less attractive fuel source.
Permits. Mining companies must obtain numerous permits that strictly regulate
environmental and health and safety matters in connection with coal mining.
Regulatory authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing of permit
issuance. Also, private individuals and the public at large possess rights to
comment on and otherwise engage in the permitting process, including through
intervention in the courts. Accordingly, the permits necessary for mining
operations may not be issued or, if issued, may not be issued in a timely
fashion or may involve requirements that may be changed or interpreted in a
manner that restricts the Company's ability to conduct its mining operation or
to do so profitably.
As indicated by the legal action involving the Company's Dal-Tex operation which
is discussed in "Contingencies - Legal Contingencies - Dal-Tex Litigation"
above, the regulatory environment in West Virginia is changing with respect to
coal mining. No assurance can be made that the Fourth Circuit will overturn the
district court's decision in such legal action or that a legislative or other
solution will be achieved. If the district court's ruling is not overturned or a
legislative or other solution is not achieved, there could be a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
NOx Emissions. The use of explosives in surface mining causes oxides of nitrogen
("NOx") to be emitted into the air. The emission of NOx from the use of
explosives at surface mines in the Powder River Basin is gaining increased
scrutiny from regulatory agencies and the public. The Company has taken steps to
monitor the level of NOx emitted during blasting activities at its surface mines
in the Powder River Basin and is continuing efforts to find a method of reducing
these NOx emissions. Any increase in the regulation of NOx emissions from
blasting activities could have an adverse effect on the Company's Powder River
Basin surface mines. Depending upon the nature and scope of any such
regulations, the effect on the mines could be material.
Kyoto Protocol. On December 11, 1997, the U.S. government representatives at the
climate change negotiations in Kyoto, Japan, agreed to reduce the emissions of
greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and other gas emissions that are
believed to be trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming the earth's climate)
in the United States. The U.S. adoption of the requirements of the Kyoto
protocol is subject to conditions which may not occur and is also subject to the
protocol's ratification by the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Senate has indicated that
it will not ratify an agreement unless certain conditions, not currently
provided for in the Kyoto protocol, are met. At present, it is not possible to
predict whether the Kyoto protocol will attain the force of law in the United
States or what its impact would be on the Company. Further developments in
connection with the Kyoto protocol could increase the Company's costs to mine
coal.
Customers. In July 1997, the EPA proposed that twenty-two eastern states,
including states in which many of the Company's customers are located, make
substantial reductions in NOX emissions. The EPA expects the states to achieve
these reductions by requiring power plants to reduce their NOX emissions to a
level of 0.15 pounds of NOX per million Btu's of energy consumed. Many of the
states sued the EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit to challenge the new standard. In June 2000, the court upheld the
standard, but did not determine the time frame within which the standard must be
implemented. To achieve these reductions, power plants may be required to
install reasonably available control technology ("RACT") and additional control
measures. The installation of these measures would make it more costly to
operate coal-fired utility power plants and, depending on the requirements of
individual state implementation plans, could make coal a less attractive fuel
alternative in the planning and building of utility power plants in the future.
The EPA is also proposing to implement stricter ozone standards by 2003. The
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has, however,
enjoined the EPA from implementing the new ozone standards on constitutional and
other legal grounds. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the lower
court's decision. It is impossible to predict the outcome of this legal action.
If the EPA is successful in appeal, then the implementation of the standards
could require some of the Company's customers to reduce NOX emissions, which is
a precursor to ozone formation, or even prevent the construction of new
facilities that contribute to the non-attainment of the new ozone standard.
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The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the EPA, has filed a lawsuit
against seven investor-owned utilities and brought an administrative action
against one government-owned utility for alleged violations of the Clean Air
Act. The EPA claims that over thirty of these utilities' power stations have
failed to obtain permits required under the Clean Air Act for major improvements
which have extended the useful service of the stations or increased their
generating capacity. The Company supplies coal to seven of the eight utilities.
It is impossible to predict the outcome of this legal action. Any outcome that
adversely affects the Company's customers or makes coal a less attractive fuel
source could, however, have an adverse effect on the Company's coal sales
revenues and profitability.
Competition; Excess Industry Capacity
The coal industry is intensely competitive, primarily as a result of the
existence of numerous producers in the coal producing regions in which the
Company operates, and a number of the Company's competitors have greater
financial resources. The Company competes with approximately six major coal
producers in each of the Central Appalachian and Powder River Basin areas. The
Company also competes with a number of smaller producers in those and other
market regions. The Company is also subject to the risk of reduced profitability
as a result of excess industry capacity, which has occurred in the past, and
which results in reduced coal prices.
Electric Industry Factors
Demand for coal and the prices that the Company will be able to obtain for its
coal are closely linked to coal consumption patterns of the domestic electric
generation industry, which has accounted for approximately 90% of domestic coal
consumption in recent years. These coal consumption patterns are influenced by
factors beyond the Company's control, including the demand for electricity
(which is dependent to a significant extent on summer and winter temperatures),
government regulation, technological developments and the location,
availability, quality and price of competing sources of coal, alternative fuels
such as national gas, oil and nuclear, and alternative energy sources such as
hydroelectric power. Demand for the Company's low-sulfur coal and the prices
that the Company will be able to obtain for it will also be affected by the
price and availability of high-sulfur coal, which can be marketed in tandem with
emissions allowances in order the meet federal Clean Air Act requirements. Any
reduction in the demand for the Company's coal by the domestic electric
generation industry may cause a decline in profitability.
Electric utility deregulation is expected to provide incentives to generators of
electricity to minimize their fuel costs and is believed to have caused electric
generators to be more aggressive in negotiating prices with coal suppliers.
Deregulation may have a negative effect on the Company's profitability to the
extent it causes the Company's customers to be more cost sensitive.
Significant Customers
The Company's sales to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Southern
Company, including their subsidiaries and affiliates, accounted for
approximately 10.0% and 10.5%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues in
1999. AEP and Southern Company each has multiple long-term contracts with the
Company, some of which expire at the end of this year or in the next few years.
Several of these contracts contain early termination provisions, including
provisions which allow these customers to terminate the agreements if the
Company's coal fails to meet specified quality standards or if the Company is
forced by changes in laws or regulations to increase the price of its coal above
specified limits. In addition, some of these contracts contain buy-out
provisions which allow these customers to terminate their contracts, at their
option, subject to the payment of a fee. If the Company experiences an
unanticipated loss of business with either of these customers, the Company's
revenues and profitability may decline significantly.
Reliance on and Terms of Long-Term Coal Supply Contracts
The Company sells a substantial portion of its coal pursuant to long-term coal
supply agreements, which are contracts with a term greater than 12 months. As a
consequence, the Company may experience fluctuations in operating results as a
result of the expiration or termination of, or sales price redeterminations or
suspensions of deliveries under, these coal supply agreements. In addition, the
increasingly short terms of sales contracts and the consequent absence of price
adjustment provisions in such contracts make it more likely that inflation
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related increases in mining costs during the contract term will not be recovered
by the Company through a later price adjustment. In 1999, sales of coal under
long-term contracts accounted for 76% of the Company's total revenues. Some of
these contracts include pricing which is above, and, in some cases, materially
above, current market prices. The Company currently supplies coal under
long-term coal supply contracts with one customer which have price renegotiation
or modification provisions that take effect in mid-2001. The prices for coal
shipped under these contracts are materially above the current market price for
similar type coal. For the year ended December 31, 1999, and the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, approximately $16.8 million and $15.1 million,
respectively, of the Company's operating income related to these contracts. The
Company expects income from operations to be reduced by approximately one-half
of the operating income attributable to these contracts in 2001, and by the full
amount of this operating income in 2002. These amounts are predicated on current
market pricing and will change with market conditions. Some price adjustment
provisions permit a periodic decrease in the contract price to reflect decreases
in production costs, including those related to technological improvements,
changes in specified price indices or items such as taxes or royalties. Price
renegotiation or modification provisions may provide for downward adjustments in
the contract price based on market factors.
The Company also renegotiated some contracts to change the contract term or
accommodate adverse market conditions such as decreasing coal spot market
prices. New nitrous oxide emission limits could also result in price
adjustments, or could force electric generators to terminate or modify long-term
contracts. Other short and long-term contracts define base or optional tonnage
requirements by reference to the customer's requirements, which may change as a
result of factors beyond the Company's, and in some instances, the customer's
control, including utility deregulation. If the parties to any long-term
contracts with the Company were to modify, suspend or terminate those contracts,
the Company's profitability would decline to the extent that it is unable to
find alternative customers at a similar or higher level of profitability.
Reserve Degradation and Depletion
The Company's profitability depends substantially on its ability to mine coal
reserves that have the geological characteristics that enable them to be mined
at competitive costs. Replacement reserves may not be available when required
or, if available, may not be capable of being mined at costs comparable to those
characteristic of the depleting mines. The Company has in the past, and will in
the future, acquire coal reserves for its mine portfolio from third parties. The
Company may not be able to accurately assess the geological characteristics of
any reserves that it acquires, which may adversely affect the profitability and
financial condition of the Company. Exhaustion of reserves at particular mines
can also have an adverse effect on operating results that is disproportionate to
the percentage of overall production and operating income represented by such
mines. Mingo Logan's Mountaineer Mine is estimated to exhaust its longwall
mineable reserves in 2003. The Mountaineer Mine generated $7.9 million and $30.0
million of the Company's total operating income for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2000, respectively.
Potential Fluctuations in Operating Results; Factors Routinely Affecting Results
of Operations
The Company's mining operations are inherently subject to changing conditions
that can affect levels of production and production costs at particular mines
for varying lengths of time and can result in decreases in profitability.
Weather conditions, equipment replacement or repair, fuel prices, fires,
variations in coal seam thickness, amounts of overburden rock and other natural
materials and other geological conditions, have had, and can be expected in the
future to have, a significant impact on operating results. For example, the
Company was forced to temporarily idle the West Elk mine in Colorado for more
than five months this year following the detection of combustion gases in a
portion of the mine. The temporary closure of this mine adversely affected the
Company's operating results, as the Company incurred between $4 million and $6
million per month in after-tax losses while the mine was idled. Additional
fire-related costs will continue to be incurred during the balance of this year
and into 2001. Through September 2000, the Company received and recognized an
aggregate of $24 million pre-tax partial insurance payments. The Company expects
to receive additional insurance payments under its property and business
interruption policy. There may not be additional recovery however, unless and
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until the claim is resolved with the insurance carrier, the timing of which is
uncertain. In addition, a prolonged disruption of production at any of the
Company's principal mines, particularly its Mingo Logan operation West Virginia,
would result in a decrease, which could be material, in the Company's revenues
and profitability. Other factors affecting the production and sale of the
Company's coal that could result in decreases in its profitability include: (i)
expiration or termination of, or sales price redeterminations or suspension of
deliveries under, coal supply agreements; (ii) disruption or increases in the
cost of transportation services; (iii) changes in laws or regulations, including
permitting requirements; (iv) litigation; (v) the timing and amount of insurance
recoveries; (vi) work stoppages or other labor difficulties; (vii) mine worker
vacation schedules and related maintenance activities; and (viii) changes in
coal market and general economic conditions.
Decreases in the Company's profitability as a result of the factors
described above could materially adversely impact quarterly or annual results.
Any such adverse impact on the Company's operating results could cause its stock
price to decline substantially, particularly if the results are below research
analyst or investor expectations.
Transportation
The coal industry depends on rail, trucking and barge transportation to deliver
shipments of coal to customers and transportation costs are a significant
component of the total cost of supplying coal. Disruption of these
transportation services could temporarily impair the Company's ability to supply
coal to its customers and thus adversely affect the Company's business and
operating results. Increases in transportation costs, or changes in such costs
relative to transportation costs for coal produced by its competitors or of
other fuels, could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results
of operations.
Reliance on Estimates of Reserves; Title
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of
recoverable reserves, including many factors beyond the control of the Company.
Estimates of economically recoverable coal reserves and net cash flows
necessarily depend upon the number of variable factors and assumptions, such as
geological and mining conditions which may not be fully identified by available
exploration data or may differ from experience in current operations, historical
production from the area compared with production from other producing areas,
the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and assumptions
concerning coal prices, operating costs, severance and excise taxes, development
costs and reclamation costs, all of which may cause estimates to vary
considerably from actual results.
For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities
attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of such
reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of net cash flows expected
therefrom 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 and revenues and expenditures with respect to the
Company's reserves may vary from estimates, and such variances may be material.
These estimates thus may not accurately reflect the Company's actual reserves.
A significant part of the Company's mining operations are conducted on
properties leased by the Company. The loss of any lease could adversely affect
the Company's ability to develop the associated reserves. Because title to most
of the Company's leased properties and mineral rights is not usually verified
until a commitment is made by the Company to develop a property, which may not
occur until after the Company has obtained necessary permits and completed
exploration of the property, the Company's right to mine certain of its reserves
may be adversely affected if defects in title or boundaries exist. In order to
obtain leases or mining contracts to conduct mining operations on property where
these defects exist, the Company has had to, and may in the future have to,
incur unanticipated costs. In addition, the Company may not be able to
successfully negotiate new leases or mining contracts for properties containing
additional reserves or maintain its leasehold interests in properties on which
mining operations are not commenced during the term of the lease.
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Certain Contractual Arrangements
The Company's affiliate, Arch Western Resources, LLC, is the owner of the
Company's reserves and mining facilities in the western United States. The
agreement under which Arch Western was formed provides that a subsidiary of the
Company, as the managing member of Arch Western, generally has exclusive power
and authority to conduct, manage and control the business of Arch Western.
However, consent of ARCO, the other member of Arch Western, would generally be
required in the event that Arch Western proposes to make a distribution, incur
indebtedness, sell properties or merge or consolidate with any other entity if,
at such time, Arch Western has a debt rating less favorable than Ba3 from
Moody's Investors Service or BB- from Standard & Poor's or fails to meet
specified indebtedness and interest ratios.
In connection with the Arch Western acquisition, the Company entered into an
agreement under which it agreed to indemnify ARCO against specified tax
liabilities in the event that these liabilities arise as a result of certain
actions taken prior to June 1, 2013, including the sale or other disposition of
certain properties of Arch Western, the repurchase of certain equity interests
in Arch Western by Arch Western or the reduction under certain circumstances of
indebtedness incurred by Arch Western in connection with the Arch Western
transaction. Depending on the time at which any such indemnification obligation
were to arise, it could impact the Company's profitability for the period in
which it arises.
The membership interests in Canyon Fuel, which operates three coal mines in
Utah, are owned 65% by Arch Western and 35% by a subsidiary of ITOCHU
Corporation of Japan. The agreement which governs the management and operations
of Canyon Fuel provides for a management board to manage its business and
affairs. Some major business decisions concerning Canyon fuel require the vote
of 70% of the membership interests and therefore limit the Company's ability to
make these decisions. These decisions include admission of additional members;
approval of annual business plans; the making of capital expenditures; sales of
coal below specified prices; agreements between Canyon Fuel and any member; the
institution or settlement of litigation; a material change in the nature of
Canyon Fuel's business or a material acquisition; the sale or other disposition,
including by merger, of assets other than in the ordinary course of business;
incurrence of indebtedness; entering into leases; and the selection and removal
of officers. The Canyon Fuel agreement also contains various restrictions on the
transfer of membership interests in Canyon Fuel.
The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of outstanding common
stock voting thereon to approve a merger or consolidation and certain other
fundamental actions involving or affecting control of the Company. The Company's
Bylaws require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the
Board of Directors of the Company in order to declare dividends and to authorize
certain other actions.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information required by this Item is contained under the caption
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information required by this Item is contained in the second through
thirteenth paragraphs of the "Contingencies - Legal Contingencies" section of
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)
2.1 Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 22, 1998 among Atlantic
Richfield Company, ARCO Uinta Coal Company, Arch Coal, Inc. and Arch
Western Acquisition Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15,
1998)
2.2 Contribution Agreement among Arch Coal, Inc., Arch Western Acquisition
Corporation, Atlantic Richfield Company, Delta Housing, Inc., and Arch
Western Resources LLC, dated as of March 22, 1998 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
filed June 15, 1998)
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Arch Coal, Inc.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2000)
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Arch Coal, Inc. (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2000)
4.1 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of April 4, 1997, among Carboex
International, Ltd., Ashland Inc. and Arch Coal, Inc. (formerly Arch
Mineral Corporation) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
333-28149) filed on May 30, 1997)
4.2 Assignment of Rights, Obligations and Liabilities under the Stockholders
Agreement between Carboex International, Limited and Carboex, S.A.
effective as of October 15, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended
December 31, 1998)
4.3 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 4, 1997, among Arch
Coal, Inc. (formerly Arch Mineral Corporation), Ashland Inc., Carboex
International, Ltd. and the entities listed on Schedules I and II thereto
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.333-28149) filed on
May 30, 1997, except for amended Schedule I thereto, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the Quarter Ended September 30, 1998)
4.4 Assignment of Registration Rights between Carboex International, Limited
and Carboex, S.A. effective as of October 15, 1998 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the Year Ended December 31, 1998)
4.5 Agreement Relating to Nonvoting Observer, executed as of April 4, 1997,
among Carboex International, Ltd., Ashland Inc., Ashland Coal, Inc. and
Arch Coal, Inc. (formerly Arch Mineral Corporation) (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-28149) filed on May 30, 1997)
4.6 Assignment of Right to Maintain a Non-Voting Observer at Meetings of
the Board of Directors of Arch Coal, Inc. between Carboex International,
Limited and Carboex, S.A. effective as of October 15, 1998 (incorporated
herein by referenced to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1998)
25
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4.7 Agreement for Termination of the Arch Mineral Corporation Voting Agreement
and for Nomination of Directors, dated as of April 4, 1997, among Hunt
Coal Corporation, Petro-Hunt Corporation, each of the trusts listed on
Schedule I thereto, Ashland Inc. and Arch Mineral Corporation
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-28149) filed on
May 30, 1997)
4.8 $600,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility, $300,000,000 Term Loan Credit
Agreement by and among Arch Coal, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, PNC
Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as Syndication Agent, and First Union National Bank,
as Documentation Agent, dated as of June 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
June 15, 1998)
4.9 Amendment 1 to Credit Agreement by and among Arch Coal, Inc., the Lenders
party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent,
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Syndication Agent, and First
Union National Bank, as Documentation Agent, dated as of January 21, 2000
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1999)
4.10 $675,000,000 Term Loan Credit Agreement by and among Arch Western
Resources, LLC, the Banks party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association,
as Administrative Agent, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as
Syndication Agent, and NationsBank N.A., as Documentation Agent dated as
of June 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 1998)
4.11 Form of Rights Agreement, dated March 3, 2000, between Arch Coal, Inc. and
First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to a Current Report on Form 8-A filed on
March 9, 2000)
18 Preferability Letter of Ernst & Young LLP dated May 11, 1999 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 18 of the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 1999)
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None
26
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ARCH COAL, INC.
---------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 13, 2000. /s/ John W. Lorson
---------------------
John W. Lorson
Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
Date: November 13, 2000. /s/ Robert G. Jones
----------------------
Robert G. Jones
Vice President, Law and General Counsel
(Duly Authorized Officer)
27
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Arch Coal, Inc.
Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended June 30, 2000
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
27 Financial Data Schedule
