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 June 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 August 1, 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 June 30, 2000 and
December 31, 1999.....................................................1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months
Ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2000
and 1999..............................................................2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Six Months Ended June 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 ............8
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk..............................................22
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings..............................................22
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders..........22
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...............................22
i
<PAGE>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
June 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------ ------------
Assets (Unaudited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,882 $ 3,283
Trade accounts receivable 134,234 162,802
Other receivables 24,115 25,659
Inventories 61,616 62,382
Prepaid royalties 2,551 1,310
Deferred income taxes 21,600 21,600
Other 8,431 8,916
------------ -----------
Total current assets 254,429 285,952
------------ -----------
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,472,390 1,479,171
------------ -----------
Other assets
Prepaid royalties 16,000 -
Coal supply agreements 132,585 151,978
Deferred income taxes 187,843 182,500
Investment in Canyon Fuel 192,222 199,760
Other 33,290 33,013
------------ -----------
Total other assets 561,940 567,251
------------ -----------
Total assets $ 2,288,759 $ 2,332,374
============ ===========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 106,564 $ 109,359
Accrued expenses 156,959 145,561
Current portion of debt 86,000 86,000
------------ -----------
Total current liabilities 349,523 340,920
Long-term debt 1,087,568 1,094,993
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension 343,833 343,993
Accrued reclamation and mine closure 118,947 129,869
Accrued workers' compensation 98,505 105,190
Accrued pension cost 21,334 22,445
Other noncurrent liabilities 49,295 53,669
------------ -----------
Total liabilities 2,069,005 2,091,079
------------ -----------
Stockholders' equity
Common stock 397 397
Paid-in capital 473,335 473,335
Accumulated deficit (235,007) (213,466)
Treasury stock, at cost (18,971) (18,971)
------------ -----------
Total stockholders' equity 219,754 241,295
------------ -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,288,759 $2,332,374
============ ===========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
<PAGE>
ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
----------------- -----------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
-------- -------- ------- -------
Revenues
Coal sales $322,298 $379,730 $666,697 $785,682
Income (loss) from equity investment 1,761 (447) 5,392 3,582
Other revenues 16,094 12,009 25,865 23,154
-------- ------- ------- -------
340,153 391,292 697,954 812,418
-------- ------- ------- -------
Costs and expenses
Cost of coal sales 297,132 347,537 627,117 727,457
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 10,904 9,880 20,660 22,377
Amortization of coal supply agreements 9,607 8,957 19,703 19,579
Other expenses 2,544 4,179 7,610 8,282
-------- ------- ------- -------
320,187 370,553 675,090 777,695
-------- ------- ------- -------
Income from operations 19,966 20,739 22,864 34,723
Interest expense, net:
Interest expense (23,195) (22,714) (46,115) (46,706)
Interest income 404 334 699 662
-------- -------- ------- ------
(22,791) (22,380) (45,416) (46,044)
-------- -------- ------- ------
Loss before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting
change (2,825) (1,641) (22,552) (11,321)
Benefit from income taxes (700) (4,100) (5,400) (11,400)
-------- -------- ------- ------
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of accounting change (2,125) 2,459 (17,152) 79
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of taxes - - - 3,813
-------- -------- ------- ------
Net income (loss) $ (2,125) $2,459 $(17,152) $3,892
======== ======= ======== ======
Basic and diluted earnings (loss)
per common share:
Loss before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (0.06) $ 0.06 $ (0.45) $ -
Cumulative effect of accounting
change, net of taxes - - - 0.10
-------- ------- -------- -------
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
common share $ (0.06) $ 0.06 $ (0.45) $ 0.10
======== ======= ======= =======
Weighted average shares outstanding 38,164 38,207 38,164 38,603
======== ======= ======= =======
Dividends declared per share $ 0.0575 $0.115 $ 0.115 $ 0.230
======== ======= ======= =======
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
<PAGE>
ARCH COAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended
June 30
----------------------
2000 1999
---------- ---------
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ (17,152) $ 3,892
Adjustments to reconcile to cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 103,153 120,947
Prepaid royalties expensed 3,601 8,763
Net gain on disposition of assets (10,696) (4,789)
Income from equity investment (5,392) (3,582)
Net distributions from equity investment 12,929 59,842
Cumulative effect of accounting change - (3,813)
Changes in:
Receivables 30,112 13,180
Inventories 766 (11,889)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,603 (14,089)
Income taxes (5,343) (20,307)
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension (160) 827
Accrued reclamation and mine closure (10,922) (353)
Accrued workers' compensation benefits (6,685) (883)
Other (5,620) 5,704
---------- ---------
Cash provided by operating activities 97,194 153,450
---------- ---------
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (92,011) (53,586)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment 12,720 19,309
Proceeds from coal supply agreements - 14,067
Additions to prepaid royalties (20,842) (21,156)
---------- ---------
Cash used in investing activities (100,133) (41,366)
---------- ---------
Financing activities
Net payments on revolver and lines of credit (7,425) (69,674)
Payments on term loans - (31,141)
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of equipment 13,352 -
Dividends paid (4,389) (8,829)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock - 2,535
Purchases of treasury stock - (15,349)
---------- ---------
Cash provided by (used) in financing activities 1,538 (122,458)
---------- ---------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,401) (10,374)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 3,283 27,414
---------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,882 $ 17,040
========== =========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 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 June 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 and
metallurgical 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 two coal mines 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 six months
ended June 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:
4
<PAGE>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- --------------------
Condensed Income Statement 2000 1999 2000 1999
Information
-------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
(in thousands)
Revenues $60,407 $58,490 $125,699 $116,872
Total costs and expenses 58,381 59,863 119,609 113,107
------- ------- -------- --------
Net income(loss) $ 2,026 $(1,373) $ 6,090 $3,765
======= ======== ======== ========
65% of Canyon Fuel net income $ 1,317 $ (892) $ 3,959 $ 2,447
(loss)
Effect of purchase adjustments 444 445 1,433 1,135
------- -------- -------- --------
Arch Coal's income (loss) from
its equity investment in
Canyon Fuel $ 1,761 $ (447) $ 5,392 $3,582
======= ======== ======== ========
The Company's income (loss)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:
June 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------ ------------
(in thousands)
Coal $ 29,334 $ 28,183
Repair parts and supplies 32,282 34,199
------------ -----------
$ 61,616 $ 62,382
============ ===========
Note E - Debt
Debt consists of the following:
June 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------ ------------
(in thousands)
Indebtedness to banks under
revolving credit agreement,
expiring May 31, 2003 $ 358,000 $ 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 5,568 5,993
----------- -----------
1,173,568 1,180,993
Less current portion 86,000 86,000
----------- -----------
Long-term debt $1,087,568 $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 in the
name of Arch Western, the entity owning the right to the coal reserves and
operating assets acquired in the Arch Western transaction, and a $900 million
credit facility in the name of the Company, including a $300 million fully
amortizing term loan and a $600 million revolver. Borrowings under these credit
5
<PAGE>
facilities 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 June 30, 2000, the Company's debt is approximately 84% of capital
employed.
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 which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on
the Company. At December 31, 1999, as a result of the effect of the write-down
of impaired assets and other restructuring costs incurred during 1999, the
Company did not comply with certain of these restrictive covenant requirements,
for which the Company received an amendment on January 21, 2000. These
amendments resulted in, among other things, a one time payment of $1.8 million
and an increase in the interest rate of .375% associated with the Company's term
loan and the $600 million revolver. In addition, the amendments required the
pledging of assets to collateralize the term loan and the $600 million revolver
by May 17, 2000. The assets, which were pledged by such date, include equity
interests in wholly owned entities, certain real property interests, accounts
receivable and inventory of the Company and such wholly owned entities.
The Company enters into interest-rate swap and collar agreements to modify
the interest-rate characteristics of the Company's outstanding debt. At June 30,
2000, the Company had interest-rate swap and collar agreements having a total
notional value of $782.5 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 5.74% (before the
credit spread over LIBOR) and is receiving a weighted-average variable-rate
based upon 30-day and 90-day LIBOR. At June 30, 2000, the remaining term of the
swap and collar agreements ranged from 26 to 60 months.
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 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 June 30, 2000 is $4.6 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 three and six months ended June 30,
2000 reflect a $12.0 million partial insurance payment received as part of the
Company's coverage under its property and business interruption insurance
6
<PAGE>
policy. The payment offsets 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 there. As a result of
recent permit revisions at its idle mine properties in Illinois, the Company
reviewed and reduced its reclamation liability at Arch of Illinois by $7.8
million. In addition, the IRS issued a notice during the current quarter
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.
The Company's operating results for the six months ended June 30, 1999
reflect a charge of $6.5 million related to the planned 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 temporary 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).
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:
Utilized
Utilized During
During Second Balance
(in thousands) 1999 Utilized First Quarter at June 30,
Charge in 1999 Quarter 2000 2000 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee costs $7,354 $ 704 $ 3,730 $1,053 $ 1,867
Obligations for
non-cancelable
lease payments 9,858 484 8,366 174 834
Reclamation liabilities 3,667 1,200 310 137 2,020
Depreciation acceleration 2,172 2,172 - - -
------------------------------------------------------
$23,051 $4,560 $12,406 $1,364 $ 4,721
======================================================
Except for the charge related to depreciation acceleration, all of the 1999
restructuring charge will require the Company to use cash. Also, 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 and
reclamation liabilities will be utilized in future periods as lease payments are
made and reclamation procedures are performed.
Note I - Sale and Leaseback
On June 30, 2000, the Company sold several shovels and several 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 of
the lease as a reduction of lease expense. Future non-cancelable rental payments
under the leases are expected to be approximately $1.7 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. In the
event of such a sale, the Company was required to make a payment to the lessor
7
<PAGE>
in the event, and to the extent, that the sale proceeds were below a certain
threshold. The gain on the sale and leaseback of $10.7 million was deferred and
was amortized over the base 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 the 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 Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- ------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Income (loss) before extraordinary
item and cumulative effect of
accounting change $(2,125) $2,459 $(17,152) $ 79
Cumulative effect of accounting
change, net of taxes - - - 3,813
------- ------- -------- ------
Net income (loss) $(2,125) $2,459 $(17,152) $3,892
======= ======== ======== ======
Denominator:
Weighted average shares -
denominator for basic 38,164 38,207 38,164 38,603
Dilutive effect of employee stock
options - 89 - 77
------ ------ ------ ------
Adjusted weighted average shares -
denominator for diluted 38,164 38,296 38,164 38,680
====== ====== ====== ======
Basic and diluted loss per common
share before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ (.06) $ .06 $ (.45) $ .00
====== ====== ====== ======
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
common share $ (.06) $ .06 $ (.45) $ .10
====== ====== ====== ======
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements in the "Outlook" and
"Liquidity and Capital Resources" sections below. Words such as "anticipates,"
"believes," "estimates," "expects," "is likely," "predicts," "may" and
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations
are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure that the expectations
contained in such statements will be achieved. Important factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such
statements are discussed in the "Contingencies" and "Certain Trends and
Uncertainties" sections below.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Quarter Ended June 30, 2000, Compared
to Quarter Ended June 30, 1999
The Company incurred a net loss of $2.1 million for the quarter ended June
30, 2000 compared to net income of $2.5 million for the quarter ended June 30,
1999. Results for the quarter were adversely impacted by the continued idling of
the 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.
During the current quarter, the mine had no coal sales and incurred an operating
loss of $22.3 million (excluding insurance recoveries) compared to $27.2 million
of coal sales and $4.8 million of operating income during the quarter ended June
30, 1999. Offsetting a portion of the loss at the West Elk mine was a $12.0
8
<PAGE>
million pre-tax partial insurance payment 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 reviewed and reduced its reclamation liability at that location by $7.8
million during the quarter. In addition, the IRS issued a notice during the
current quarter 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.
Total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 decreased 13% from the
quarter ended June 30, 1999 as a result of several factors. Those factors
include reduced sales at the Company's West Elk mine as a result of the
continued idling described above. In addition, the Company closed its Dal-Tex,
Wylo and Arch of Illinois operations and two surface mines in Kentucky during
1999.
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 operation
was closed 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 are affiliated with the Coal-Mac operation and were closed as
a result of their cost structures not being competitive in the current market.
These factors were 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 June 30, 1999. On a per-ton-sold
basis, the Company's average selling price of $12.98 decreased $1.10 from the
same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the continuing expected
shift of coal sales from the Company's eastern operations to its western
operations. Western 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.
Excluding the period over period decrease in income from operations
resulting from the temporary idling of the West Elk mine, the partial insurance
payment, the reclamation liability adjustment at Arch of Illinois and the excise
tax recoveries (all described above), income from operations decreased $6.2
million for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 when compared to the same period in
the prior year. The decrease is attributable to the continuing difficult market
conditions that prevailed in U.S. coal markets during the quarter along with
increased fuel costs that were up over $1.0 million per month compared to the
same period last year resulting from higher diesel fuel and oil prices. In
addition, income from operations also declined at the Company's Mingo Logan
longwall operation (Mountaineer Mine) where, despite another strong second
quarter and the contribution of $9.0 million of income from operations, results
were below the $11.6 million of income from operations from the second 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 Alma seam operation. Lone Mountain
also experienced reduced income from operations caused by adverse mining
conditions which reduced production at the mine and also caused increased mining
expenses. Partially offsetting the decrease in income from operations was
ongoing improved performance at several other of the Company's mines caused in
part by the continued Company focus on reducing costs and improving
productivity, as well as reduced costs in the current quarter resulting from the
closure of the Dal-Tex operation in July 1999. The Dal-Tex operation incurred
production shortfalls, deterioration of mining conditions and resulting lower
income contributions prior to its closing on July 23, 1999. Other factors that
affected quarter to quarter comparisons were several sales of surplus land which
resulted in a gain of $3.5 million during the current quarter. During the
quarter ended June 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 $2.5 million to the prior quarter's results.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.0 million from
the second quarter of 1999. The increase is attributable to higher legal and
consulting expenses partially offset by cost savings resulting from the
restructuring of the Company's administrative workforce that occurred during the
fourth quarter of 1999.
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
9
<PAGE>
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%.
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 $80.8 million for
the current quarter compared to $88.2 million for the second quarter of 1999.
The decrease in EBITDA was primarily attributable to the temporary idling of the
West Elk mine partially offset by improved performance at the Company's Black
Thunder mine. 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 generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's method
of computing EBITDA also may not be the same method used to compute similar
measures reported by other companies, or EBITDA may be computed differently by
the Company in different contexts (e.g., public reporting versus computations
under financing agreements).
Six Months Ended June 30, 2000 Compared
to Six Months Ended June 30, 1999
The Company incurred a net loss of $17.2 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 compared to net income of $3.9 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1999. Results for the six months ended June 30, 2000 were adversely
impacted by the temporary idling of the 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. During the six months ended June 30,
2000, the mine contributed $8.9 million of coal sales and incurred an operating
loss of $34.1 million (excluding insurance recoveries) compared to $54.5 million
of coal sales and $6.3 million of operating income during the six months ended
June 30, 1999. Offsetting a portion of the loss at the West Elk mine was a $12.0
million pre-tax partial insurance payment 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 reviewed and reduced its reclamation liability at that location by $7.8
million during the current period. In addition, the IRS issued a notice during
the current period 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.
Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2000 decreased 14% from
the same period in the prior year as a result of several factors. Those factors
include reduced sales at the Company's West Elk mine as a result of the idling
described above. In addition, the Company closed its Dal-Tex, Wylo and Arch of
Illinois operations and two surface mines in Kentucky during 1999.
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 operation
was closed 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 are affiliated with the Coal-Mac operation and were closed as
a result of its cost structure not being competitive in the current market.
These factors were partially offset by increased production and sales at the
Company's Black Thunder mine in Wyoming when compared to the six months ended
June 30, 1999. On a per-ton-sold basis, the Company's average selling price of
$12.68 decreased $1.69 from the same period in the prior year primarily as a
result of the continuing increase in coal sales from the Company's western
operations. Western 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.
Excluding the decrease in income from operations resulting from the
temporary idling of the West Elk mine from the prior year, the partial insurance
payment, the reclamation liability adjustment at Arch of Illinois and the excise
tax recoveries (all described above), income from operations decreased $3.9
million for the six months ended June 30, 2000 when compared to the same period
in the prior year. The decrease is attributable to the continuing difficult
market conditions that prevailed in U.S. coal markets during the period along
10
<PAGE>
with increased fuel costs that were up over $1.0 million per month compared to
the same period last year resulting from higher diesel fuel and oil prices. In
addition, income from operations also declined at the Company's Mingo Logan
longwall operation (Mountaineer Mine) where, despite another strong six months
and the contribution of $22.1 million of income from operations, results were
below the $28.0 million of income from operations from the six months ended June
30, 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 Alma seam operation. Partially
offsetting the decrease in income from operations was ongoing improved
performance at several other of the Company's mines caused in part by the
continued Company 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 $4.1 million during the current period. During the six months ended
June 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 $4.0 million to the prior period's results.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.7 million from
the six months ended June 30, 1999. The decrease is attributable to cost savings
resulting from the restructuring of the Company's administrative workforce that
occurred during the fourth quarter of 1999. The decrease is partially offset by
higher legal and consulting expenses incurred during the second quarter of 2000.
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%.
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 $144.4 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2000 compared to $174.2 million for the same
period in the prior year. The decrease in EBITDA was primarily attributable to
the temporary idling of the West Elk mine partially offset by improved
performance at the Company's Black Thunder mine.
OUTLOOK
West Elk Mine. On July 12, 2000, the Company resumed longwall production at
its West Elk underground mine in Gunnison County, Colorado. West Elk had been
idle since January 28, 2000, following the detection of combustion-related gases
in a portion of the mine. The Company expects West Elk to return to normal
levels of production in the near term. West Elk incurred between $4 million and
$6 million per month in after-tax losses while the mine was idled and the
Company engaged in efforts to suppress the combustion. Additional fire-related
costs will continue to be incurred during the balance of the year and into 2001
as the Company reclaims drilling sites and roads and eventually dismantles
pumping equipment. During June, the Company recognized a $12.0 million pre-tax
partial insurance payment that covered a portion of the losses incurred at West
Elk during the quarter. The Company expects to receive additional insurance
payments under its property and business interruption policy. There can be no
assurance of additional recovery, however, until the claim is resolved with the
insurance carrier.
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 (the "West Virginia DEP") from issuing
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 nearly all new permits for valley fills and
prohibiting the further advancement of nearly all existing 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. It is impossible to
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
other solution is not achieved, then the ability of the Company and other coal
11
<PAGE>
producers to mine coal in West Virginia would be seriously compromised.
The injunction discussed above was entered as part of the litigation that
caused the delay in obtaining mining permits for the Company's Dal-Tex operation
(see additional discussion of this litigation in the "Contingencies - Legal
Contingencies - Dal-Tex Litigation" section of this report). As a result of such
delay, the Company idled its Dal-Tex mining operation on July 23, 1999. The
Company remains hopeful that it can reopen the Dal-Tex operation after all
necessary permits are obtained, which is not expected to occur until mid-2001 at
the earliest. Reopening the mine is, however, contingent upon the district
court's injunction being overturned or a legislative or other solution being
achieved, as well as then-existing market conditions.
Coal Markets. Although the Company continues to be adversely affected by
weak market conditions, developments that may translate into improved market
conditions for coal are continuing. Electric generation continues to increase,
up approximately 4% compared to 1999. Also, coal's share of the electric
generation market is up approximately 1% compared to 1999. The average price of
natural gas for the summer to date is roughly double its average price in 1999.
No nuclear plants are planned or are being built. Hydro conditions are weaker
than normal due to dry conditions. Also, in recent weeks, quoted and spot prices
appear to be rising. The Company is hopeful that the movement in such prices is
an indication that a stronger coal market will start to materialize because of
these and other developments. However, because most of the Company's production
is already committed and priced for the current year, the Company expects its
performance for the remainder of the year to reflect the current market
weakness.
The Company continues to take steps to match its production levels to
market needs. The Company has substantially reduced production at its Coal Creek
surface mine in Campbell County, Wyoming and plans to idle the mine in the third
quarter. The Company also plans to maintain a production level of approximately
60 million tons from its Black Thunder mine near Gillette, Wyoming. Demand for
Powder River Basin coal has more than doubled in the past decade. The Company is
optimistic that the continuing increase in demand, coupled with its recent
actions, will be reflected by stronger prices for PRB coal in the future.
Low-Sulfur Coal Producer. The Company continues to believe that it is
uniquely positioned to capitalize on the continuing growth in demand for
electricity. With Phase II of the Clean Air Act in effect, compliance coal has
captured a growing share of U.S. coal demand and commands a higher price than
higher 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 Arch'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
substantial potential of its assets and maximizing shareholder value by making
decisions based upon its five chief financial objectives: (i) aggressively
paying down debt, (ii) further strengthening cash generation, (iii) improving
earnings, (iv) increasing productivity and (v) reducing costs throughout the
Company.
Despite making the second of five annual payments of $31.6 million for the
Thundercloud federal reserve lease, which was acquired in 1998, 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 repaid $7.4 million of debt in the first half of the year and
anticipates continuing to make substantial progress toward reducing debt in the
second half of 2000.
The Company is aggressively pursuing cost savings. In addition to the
corporate-wide restructuring in late 1999 that believes will likely result in a
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
its captive mines. The Company is also exploring Internet-based solutions that
could reduce costs, especially in the procurement area.
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 the 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
12
<PAGE>
listed on Schedules I and II thereto. Ashland has requested that its remaining
4,756,968 shares be disposed of by means of an underwritten offering. Ashland
has selected Merrill Lynch & Co. as its managing underwriter for the sale of the
shares.
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 six months ended June 30, 2000 and
1999:
2000 1999
----------- -----------
(in thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities $ 97,194 $ 153,450
Investing activities (100,133) (41,366)
Financing activities 1,538 (122,458)
Cash provided by operating activities decreased in the six months ended
June 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. 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 $59.8 million cash distribution from Canyon Fuel.
Cash used in investing activities increased in the six months ended June
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
due 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 first six months ended June 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 $4.4 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 periodically establishes uncommitted lines of credit with
banks. These agreements generally provide for short-term borrowings at market
rates. At June 30, 2000, there were $20 million of such agreements in effect, of
which none were outstanding.
The Company is exposed to market risk associated with interest rates. At
June 30, 2000, debt included $1.168 billion of floating-rate debt, which 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 these exposures, the
Company enters into interest-rate swap agreements to modify the interest-rate
characteristics of outstanding Company debt. At June 30, 2000, the Company had
interest-rate swap agreements having a total notional value of $782.5 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
5.74% (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. 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
13
<PAGE>
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
June 30, 2000 ranged from 26 to 60 months. All instruments are entered into for
other than trading purposes.
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 June 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 $19.7
million at June 30, 2000. Based on the variable-rate debt included in the
Company's debt portfolio as of June 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
June 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 liability 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 $8.1 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2000. The adjustments
occurred principally as a result of recent permit revisions at the Company's
idle mine properties in Illinois. No adjustments were recorded in the six months
ended June 30, 1999. 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 June 30, 2000 is
$4.6 million (included in other noncurrent liabilities). The Company estimates
14
<PAGE>
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 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 U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of West Virginia against the director of the West Virginia DEP and
officials of the Corps alleging violations of SMCRA and the Clean Water Act. The
plaintiffs alleged that the West Virginia DEP and the Corps have violated their
duties under SMCRA and the Clean Water Act by authorizing the construction of
"valley fills" under certain surface coal mining permits. These fills are the
large, engineered works into which the excess earth and rock extracted during
surface mining are placed. The plaintiffs also alleged that the West Virginia
DEP has failed to require (i) that lands mined are restored to "approximate
original contour" and (ii) that approved post-mining land uses are enforced
following reclamation.
Four indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company hold nine permits
that were identified in the complaint as violating the legal standards that the
plaintiffs requested the district court interpret. In addition, a pending permit
application for the Company's Dal-Tex operation (known as the "Spruce Fork
Permit") was specifically identified as a permit the issuance of which should be
enjoined. Three subsidiaries of the Company intervened in the lawsuit in support
of the Corps and the West Virginia DEP on August 6, 1998.
A partial settlement between the plaintiffs and the Corps was reached on
December 23, 1998. Pursuant to that settlement, all claims were dismissed
against the Corps for its alleged failure to execute its duties under the Clean
Water Act. The settlement agreement reached between the Corps and the plaintiffs
requires the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement (an
"EIS") under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ("NEPA") to evaluate
the environmental effects of mountaintop mining. This EIS is scheduled to be
completed by January 2001. Until it is completed, any proposed fill greater than
250 acres in size must secure an individual Clean Water Act Section 404 "dredge
and fill" permit, instead of a general permit like the one the Corps indicated
it would issue for the Dal-Tex operation under its nationwide authorization
program. The Spruce Fork Permit was not included in the settlement, and the
claims against the Corps with respect to that permit were not dismissed.
On March 3, 1999, the district court issued a preliminary injunction which
prohibited the Corps from issuing a general Clean Water Act Section 404 dredge
and fill permit for the Dal-Tex operation and enjoined the Company from future
operations on the permit until a full trial on the merits could be held. As a
result of the entry of the preliminary injunction, the Company idled the Dal-Tex
mine on July 23, 1999.
On July 26, 1999, the plaintiffs and the West Virginia DEP tendered to the
district court a proposed consent decree which would resolve most of the
remaining issues in the case. 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. After inviting public comment on the proposed consent decree, the court
entered the consent decree in a final order on February 17, 2000.
The Company's Hobet Mining subsidiary agreed as part of the consent decree
to revise portions of its Spruce Fork Permit application to conform to the new
definition of approximate original contour to be adopted by the West Virginia
DEP. Hobet Mining also agreed to seek an individual Clean Water Act Section 404
dredge and fill permit from the Corps as part of its future mining operation.
Before issuing that permit, the Corps must first complete an EIS to comply with
the provisions of NEPA. The completion of this EIS and issuance of all permits
are not expected until mid-2001 at the earliest.
The plaintiffs' allegation that the West Virginia DEP violated its duties
under the Clean Water Act by authorizing the construction of valley fills under
certain coal mining permits was not resolved by the consent decree. On October
20, 1999, the district court permanently enjoined the West Virginia DEP from
issuing permits that authorize the construction of valley fills as part of coal
mining operations. The West Virginia DEP complied with the injunction by issuing
15
<PAGE>
an order banning the issuance of nearly all new permits for valley fills and
prohibiting the further advancement of nearly all existing 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 injunction, pending the outcome of the appeal. The West
Virginia DEP rescinded its order on November 1, 1999 in response to the district
court's action.
It is impossible to predict the outcome of the West Virginia DEP's appeal.
If, however, the district court's decision is upheld, the Company and other coal
producers may be forced to close all or a portion of their mining operations in
West Virginia because of the prohibition on constructing valley fills for their
existing and future mines.
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
(i) to conduct water monitoring to verify stream flows and ascertain water
quality, (ii) to always include certain water quality information in their
permit applications and (iii) 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 impacts 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 financial condition and results of
operations 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 June 30, 2000 reflects a reserve for the full
amount of this settlement.
Other Litigation. On October 31, 1997, the EPA notified a Company
subsidiary that it was a potentially responsible party in the investigation and
remediation of two hazardous waste sites located in Kansas City, Kansas, and
Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's involvement arises from the subsidiary's
sale, in the mid-1980's, of fluids containing small quantities of
polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") to a company authorized to engage in the
processing and disposal of these wastes. Some of these waste materials were sent
to one of the sites for final disposal. The Company responded to the information
request submitted by the EPA on December 1, 1997. Any liability which might be
asserted by the EPA against the Company is not believed to be material because
of the de minimis quantity and concentration of PCBs linked to the Company.
Moreover, the party with which the subsidiary contracted to dispose of the waste
material has agreed to indemnify the Company for any costs associated with this
action.
16
<PAGE>
CERTAIN TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Substantial Leverage; Variable Interest Rate; Restrictive Covenants
The Company has substantial leverage and significant debt service and lease
and royalty payment obligations. As of June 30, 2000, the Company had
outstanding consolidated indebtedness of approximately $1.2 billion,
representing approximately 84% of the Company's total capitalization.
The Company's ability to satisfy its debt service and lease payment
obligations will depend upon the future operating performance of its
subsidiaries, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in their
markets, as well as financial, business and other factors, certain of which are
beyond their control. Based upon current levels of operations, the Company
believes that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with
available borrowings under the Company's credit facilities, will be adequate to
meet the Company's future liquidity needs for at least the next several years.
However, there can be no assurance that the Company's business will generate
sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available
in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to fund its debt service and lease
payment obligations or its other liquidity needs.
The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have material
consequences to the Company and its business, including, but not limited to: (i)
making it more difficult for the Company to satisfy its debt service, lease
payment and other obligations; (ii) increasing the Company's vulnerability to
general adverse economic and industry conditions; (iii) limiting the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing to fund future acquisitions, working
capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements; (iv)
reducing the availability of cash flow from operations to fund acquisitions,
working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes; (v)
limiting the Company's flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in
its business and the industry in which it competes and (vi) placing the Company
at a competitive disadvantage when compared to competitors with less 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 which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
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
to have a significant effect on the Company's costs of production and
competitive position.
New legislation, regulations or orders may be adopted or become effective
which may adversely affect the Company's mining operations, its cost structure
or the ability of the Company's customers to use coal. For example, new
legislation, regulations or orders may require the Company to incur increased
costs or to significantly change its operations. New legislation, regulations or
orders may also cause coal to become a less attractive fuel source, resulting in
a reduction in coal's share of the market for fuels used to generate
electricity. Any such regulation, legislation or order could have an adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition
and, depending upon the nature and scope of the legislation, regulations or
orders, the effect could be material.
Permits. Mining companies must obtain numerous permits that impose strict
regulations on various environmental and health and safety matters in connection
with coal mining, including the emission of air and water borne pollutants, the
17
<PAGE>
manner and sequencing of coal extractions and reclamation, the storage, use and
disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous substances, and the construction of
fills and impoundments. Because regulatory authorities have considerable
discretion in the timing of permit issuance and because both 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, no assurance
can be made that permits necessary for mining operations will be issued or, if
issued, that such issuance will be timely or that permitting requirements will
not be changed or interpreted in a manner that would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
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 have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
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 the new standard, power plants may be required to
install reasonably available control technology ("RACT") and additional control
measures. The installation of such 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.
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
financial condition or results of operations.
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
18
<PAGE>
adversely affects the Company's customers or makes coal a less attractive fuel
source could, however, have an adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
Reserve Degradation and Depletion
The Company's profitability depends substantially on its ability to mine
coal reserves that have the geologic characteristics that enable them to be
mined at competitive costs. There can be no assurance that replacement reserves,
particularly in central Appalachia, will be available when required or, if
available, that such replacement reserves can be mined at costs comparable to
those characteristic of the depleting mines. 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 2002. The Mountaineer Mine generated
$9.0 million and $22.1 million of the Company's total operating income for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2000, respectively.
Reliance on and Terms of Long-Term Coal Supply Contracts
The Company sells a substantial portion of its coal production pursuant to
long-term coal supply agreements and, as a consequence, may experience
fluctuations in operating results due to the expiration or termination of, or
sales price redeterminations or suspensions of deliveries under such coal supply
agreements. Other short- and long-term contracts define base or optional tonnage
requirements by reference to the customer's requirements, which are subject to
change as a result of factors beyond the Company's (and in certain instances the
customer's) control, including utility deregulation. In addition, certain price
adjustment provisions permit a periodic increase or decrease in the contract
price to reflect increases and decreases in production costs, changes in
specified price indices or items such as taxes or royalties. Price reopener
provisions provide for an upward or downward adjustment in the contract price
based on market factors. The Company has from time to time renegotiated
contracts after execution to extend the contract term or to accommodate changing
market conditions. The contracts also typically include stringent minimum and
maximum coal quality specifications and penalty or termination provisions for
failure to meet such specifications and force majeure provisions allowing
suspension of performance or termination by the parties during the duration of
certain events beyond the control of the affected party. Contracts occasionally
include provisions that permit a utility to terminate the contract if changes in
the law make it illegal or uneconomic for the utility to consume the Company's
coal or if the utility has unexpected difficulties in utilizing the Company's
coal. Imposition of new nitrous oxide emissions limits in connection with Phase
II of the Clean Air Act could result in price adjustments or in affected
utilities seeking to terminate or modify long-term contracts in reliance on such
termination provisions. If the parties to any long-term contracts with the
Company were to modify, suspend or terminate those contracts, the Company could
be adversely affected to the extent that it is unable to find alternative
customers at a similar or higher level of profitability.
From time to time, disputes with customers may arise under long-term
contracts relating to, among other things, coal quality, pricing and quantity.
The Company may thus become involved in arbitration and legal proceedings
regarding its long-term contracts. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to resolve such disputes in a satisfactory manner.
Although the Company cannot predict changes in its costs of production and
coal prices with certainty, the Company believes that in the current economic
environment of low to moderate inflation, the price adjustment provisions in its
older long-term contracts will largely offset changes in the costs of providing
coal under those contracts, except for those costs related to changes in
productivity. However, the increasingly short terms of sales contracts and the
consequent absence of price adjustment provisions in such contracts also make it
more likely that inflation related increases in mining costs during the contract
term will not be recovered by the Company through a later price adjustment.
Potential Fluctuations in Operating Results; Seasonality
The Company may experience significant fluctuations in operating results in
the future, both on an annual and quarterly basis, as a result of one or more
factors beyond its control, including expiration or termination of, or sale
price redeterminations or suspensions of deliveries under, coal supply
19
<PAGE>
agreements; disruption of transportation services; changes in mine operating
conditions; changes in laws or regulations, including permitting requirements;
unexpected results in litigation; work stoppages or other labor difficulties;
competitive and overall coal market conditions; and general economic conditions.
The Company's mining operations are also subject to factors beyond its
control that can negatively or positively affect the level of production and
thus the cost of mining at particular mines for varying lengths of time. These
factors include weather conditions, equipment replacement and repair
requirements; variations in coal seam thickness, amount of overburden, rock and
other natural materials; and other surface or subsurface conditions. Such
production factors frequently result in significant fluctuations in operating
results.
Third quarter results of operations are frequently adversely affected by
lower production and resultant higher costs due to scheduled vacation periods at
the majority of the Company's mines. In addition, costs are typically somewhat
higher during vacation periods because of maintenance activity carried on during
those periods. These adverse effects may prevent the third quarter from being
comparable to the other quarters and also prevent the third quarter results from
being indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
Certain Contractual Arrangements
The Company owns a 99% interest in Arch Western Resources, LLC ("Arch
Western"), a joint venture that was formed in connection with the Company's
acquisition of the U.S. coal operations of Atlantic Richfield Company on June 1,
1998. The Limited Liability Company Agreement pursuant to 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, if Arch Western at the time has a
debt rating less favorable than Ba3 from Moody's Investors Service or BB- from
Standard & Poors Ratings Group or does not meet certain specified indebtedness
and interest coverage ratios, then a proposal that Arch Western make certain
distributions, incur indebtedness, sell properties or merge or consolidate with
any other entity would require the consent of all the members of Arch Western.
In connection with the Arch Western transaction, the Company entered into
an agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to indemnify another member of
Arch Western against certain tax liabilities in the event that such 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 have a material adverse
effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the
Company.
The membership interests in Canyon Fuel are owned 65% by Arch Western and
35% by a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese corporation. The agreement
which governs the management and operations of Canyon Fuel provides for a
Management Board to manage its business and affairs. Generally, the Management
Board acts by affirmative vote of the representatives of the members holding
more than 50% of the membership interests. However, certain actions require
either the unanimous approval of the members or the approval of representatives
of members holding more than 70% of the membership interests. The Canyon Fuel
agreement also contains various restrictions on the transfer of membership
interests in Canyon Fuel.
Pursuant to a stockholders agreement among the Company, Ashland and Carboex
S.A. ("Carboex"), the Company has agreed to nominate for election as a director
of the Company a person designated by Carboex, and Ashland has agreed to vote
its shares of common stock in a manner sufficient to cause the election of such
nominee, in each case for so long (subject to earlier termination in certain
circumstances) as shares of common stock owned by Carboex represent at least 63%
of the shares of common stock acquired by Carboex in the Company's merger with
Ashland's subsidiary, Ashland Coal, Inc. The Agreement terminates as to Ashland
once Ashland ceases to be the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 10% or more of the Company's
common stock. In addition, for so long as the various trusts for the benefit of
descendants of H.L. and Lyda Hunt and various corporations owned by trusts for
the benefit of descendants of H.L. and Lyda Hunt (collectively the "Hunt
Entities") have the collective voting power to elect one or more persons to
serve on the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company has agreed to
nominate for election as directors of the Company that number of persons
20
<PAGE>
designated by certain of the Hunt Entities that could be elected to the Board by
the Hunt Entities by exercise of such voting power.
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.
Transportation
The coal industry depends on rail, trucking and barge transportation to
deliver shipments of coal to customers. 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. In addition, transportation costs are a significant component of the
total cost of supplying coal to customers and can significantly affect a coal
producer's competitive position and profitability. Increases in the Company's
transportation costs, or changes in such costs relative to transportation costs
incurred by providers of competing coal 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 and/or 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.
No assurance can be given that these estimates are an accurate reflection of the
Company's actual reserves.
The Company's mining operations are conducted on properties owned or leased
by the Company. The loss of any lease could adversely affect the Company's
ability to develop the applicable 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 addition, there
can be no assurance that the Company can 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.
Factors Routinely Affecting Results of Operations
Any one or a combination of the following factors may occur at times or in
a manner that causes results of the Company's operations to deviate from
expectations: changing demand; fluctuating selling prices; contract penalties,
suspensions or terminations; operational, geologic, transportation and
weather-related factors; unexpected regulatory changes; results of litigation;
or labor disruptions. Any event disrupting substantially all production at any
of the Company's principal mines for a prolonged period would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's current and projected results of operations. The
effect of such a disruption at the Mingo Logan operations would be particularly
severe because of the high volume of coal produced by those operations and the
relatively high contribution to operating income from the sale of such coal.
21
<PAGE>
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.
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 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS
The information required by this Item with respect to the Company's Annual
Meeting of Stockholders held on May 4, 2000 is incorporated herein by reference
from Part II, Item 4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2000, filed May 15, 2000 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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)
22
<PAGE>
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)
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)
10.1 Retention Agreement between Arch Coal, Inc. and Steven F. Leer, dated
June 5, 2000 (filed herewith)
10.2 Form of Retention Agreement between Arch Coal, Inc. and each of its
Executive Officers (other than its Chief Executive Officer), dated
June 5, 2000 (filed herewith)
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
23
<PAGE>
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: August 3, 2000 /s/John W. Lorson
-----------------
John W. Lorson
Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
Date: August 3, 2000 /s/ Robert G. Jones
-------------------
Robert G. Jones
Vice President, Law and General Counsel
(Duly Authorized Officer)
24
<PAGE>
Arch Coal, Inc.
Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended June 30, 2000
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
10.1 Retention Agreement between Arch Coal, Inc. and Steven F. Leer, dated
June 5, 2000 (filed herewith)
10.2 Form of Retention Agreement between Arch Coal, Inc. and each of its
Executive Officers (other than its Chief Executive Officer), dated
June 5, 2000 (filed herewith)
27 Financial Data Schedule
25
<PAGE>
