UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from ________________to________________
Commission File No.:
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As of May 9, 2024,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | 1 | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | 2 | |
3 | ||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 | 4 | |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 23 | |
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34 | ||
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35 |
i
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except unit data)
(Unaudited)
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
ASSETS |
|
| |||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | |||
Trade receivables |
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Other receivables |
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Inventories, net |
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Advance royalties |
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Digital assets |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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Total current assets |
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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |
| |
| | |||
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Total property, plant and equipment, net |
| |
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OTHER ASSETS: | |||||||
Advance royalties |
| |
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Equity method investments |
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Equity securities | |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | |||||
Other long-term assets |
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Total other assets |
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TOTAL ASSETS | $ | | $ | | |||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL | |||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | |||
Accrued taxes other than income taxes |
| |
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Accrued payroll and related expenses |
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Accrued interest |
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Workers' compensation and pneumoconiosis benefits |
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Other current liabilities |
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Current maturities, long-term debt, net |
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Total current liabilities |
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LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, net |
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Pneumoconiosis benefits |
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Accrued pension benefit |
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Workers' compensation |
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Asset retirement obligations |
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Long-term operating lease obligations |
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Deferred income tax liabilities |
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Other liabilities |
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Total long-term liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (NOTE 4) | |||||||
PARTNERS' CAPITAL: | |||||||
ARLP Partners' Capital: | |||||||
Limited Partners - Common Unitholders |
| |
| | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Total ARLP Partners' Capital |
| |
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Noncontrolling interest | | | |||||
Total Partners' Capital | | | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL | $ | | $ | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES: | |||||||
Coal sales | $ | | $ | | |||
Oil & gas royalties | | | |||||
Transportation revenues |
| |
| | |||
Other revenues |
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Total revenues |
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EXPENSES: | |||||||
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) |
| |
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Transportation expenses |
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Outside coal purchases |
| |
| — | |||
General and administrative |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
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Total operating expenses |
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS |
| |
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Interest expense (net of interest capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 of $ |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Interest income |
| |
| | |||
Equity method investment income (loss) |
| ( |
| | |||
Change in fair value of digital assets |
| |
| — | |||
Other expense |
| ( |
| ( | |||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
| |
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INCOME TAX EXPENSE |
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NET INCOME | | | |||||
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST |
| ( |
| ( | |||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARLP | $ | | $ | | |||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARLP | |||||||
GENERAL PARTNER | $ | — | $ | | |||
LIMITED PARTNERS | $ | | $ | | |||
EARNINGS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT - BASIC AND DILUTED | $ | | $ | | |||
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING – BASIC AND DILUTED |
| |
| |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
NET INCOME | $ | | $ | | |||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: | |||||||
Defined benefit pension plan | |||||||
Amortization of prior service cost (1) | | | |||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss (1) |
| |
| | |||
Total defined benefit pension plan adjustments |
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Pneumoconiosis benefits | |||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss (1) |
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Total pneumoconiosis benefits adjustments |
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OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
| |
| | |||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | | |||||
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | ( | ( | |||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARLP | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial loss is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (credit) (see Notes 15 and 17 for additional details). |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | $ | | $ | | |||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment: | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| |
| | |||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
| |
| | |||
Contributions to equity method investments |
| ( |
| ( | |||
JC Resources acquisition | — |
| ( | ||||
Oil & gas reserve asset acquisitions | ( | ( | |||||
Other |
| |
| | |||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Borrowings under securitization facility | |
| — | ||||
Payments under securitization facility | ( |
| — | ||||
Proceeds from equipment financings | |
| — | ||||
Payments on equipment financings | ( |
| ( | ||||
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities |
| |
| — | |||
Payments under revolving credit facilities |
| ( |
| — | |||
Borrowing under long-term debt | — |
| | ||||
Payments on long-term debt |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Payment of debt issuance costs |
| — |
| ( | |||
Payments for purchases of units under unit repurchase program | — |
| ( | ||||
Payments for tax withholdings related to settlements under deferred compensation plans |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Excess purchase price over the contributed basis from JC Resources acquisition | — |
| ( | ||||
Cash retained by JC Resources in acquisition | — |
| ( | ||||
Distributions paid to Partners | ( |
| ( | ||||
Other |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
| |
| ( | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
| |
| | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | | $ | | |||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | | $ | | |||
SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH ACTIVITY: | |||||||
Accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment | $ | | $ | | |||
Market value of common units issued under deferred compensation plans before tax withholding requirements | $ | | $ | |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.ORGANIZATION AND PRESENTATION
Significant Relationships Referenced in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
● | References to "we," "us," "our" or "ARLP Partnership" mean the business and operations of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., the parent company, as well as its consolidated subsidiaries. |
● | References to "ARLP" mean Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., individually as the parent company, and not on a consolidated basis. |
● | References to "MGP" mean Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, ARLP's general partner. |
● | References to "Mr. Craft" mean Joseph W. Craft III, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGP. |
● | References to "Intermediate Partnership" mean Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P., the intermediate partnership of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. |
● | References to "Alliance Coal" mean Alliance Coal, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
● | References to "Alliance Minerals" mean Alliance Minerals, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
● | References to "Alliance Resource Properties" mean Alliance Resource Properties, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
Organization
ARLP is a Delaware limited partnership listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "ARLP." ARLP was formed in May 1999 and completed its initial public offering on August 19, 1999 when it acquired substantially all of the coal production and marketing assets of Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. We are managed by our general partner, MGP, a Delaware limited liability company which holds a non-economic general partner interest in ARLP.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the ARLP Partnership and present our financial position as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and the results of our operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Certain immaterial amounts in the prior quarter have been reclassified to conform to the current quarter presentation.
These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting and do not include all the information normally included with financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") of the United States. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2024.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the ARLP Partnership's condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
5
Digital Assets
We began our crypto-mining activities during the second half of 2020 as we started mining bitcoin as a pilot project to monetize already paid for, yet underutilized, electricity load. We continue to periodically be awarded digital assets through our crypto-mining activities. The awards are accounted for as revenue and valued at the exchange quoted price at the time they are awarded. Beginning January 1, 2024, with our adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60) ("ASU 2023-08"), the digital assets we hold are subsequently remeasured to fair value based on the exchange quoted price as of the balance sheet date and included on our condensed consolidated balance sheets within the Digital assets line item. The fair value of our digital assets are based on the exchange quoted price and represent a Level 1 input under the fair value hierarchy. The activity from remeasurement of digital assets to fair value is reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of income within the Change in fair value of digital assets line item. Digital assets sold for cash nearly immediately after they are awarded to us for mining activities are presented as cash flows from operating activities, while other sales are reflected as cash flows from investing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Our realized gains or losses are determined as the difference between the proceeds received when the digital assets are sold and our cost basis in the digital assets. Our cost basis is the value of the digital assets when they are awarded less any impairment recognized prior to our adoption of ASU 2023-08. We use a first-in, first-out methodology to assign costs to our digital assets in the calculation of our realized gains or losses. See Note 6 – Digital Assets for additional information.
2.NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
New Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60) ("ASU 2023-08"), which requires an entity to measure certain digital assets at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized in net income. In addition, the guidance requires additional disclosures related to digital assets once adopted. We adopted ASU 2023-08, effective January 1, 2024, which resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to increase the opening balance of Partners' Capital of $
New Accounting Standards Issued and Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 primarily requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), the amount and composition of other segment items, and the title and position of the CODM. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07, but do not expect it to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 primarily requires enhanced disclosures to (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) disclose the amount of income taxes paid and expensed disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, with further disaggregation by individual jurisdictions if certain criteria are met, and (3) disclose income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09, but do not expect it to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
3.ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition Agreement
On January 27, 2023, we entered into a one-year collaborative agreement with a third party, effective January 1, 2023, committing up to $
6
the agreement, the third party assists us in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of target oil & gas mineral interests. In exchange for these services, the third party receives a participation share, partially funded by the third party, and is paid a periodic management fee. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we purchased $
Miscellaneous Acquisitions
In addition to the acquisitions under the collaborative agreement discussed above, we purchased $
4.CONTINGENCIES
Certain of our subsidiaries are party to litigation in which the plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and state law due to alleged failure to compensate for time "donning" and "doffing" equipment and to account for certain bonuses in the calculation of overtime rates and pay. In April 2024, we entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs pursuant to which we agreed to settle such litigation for $
We also have various other lawsuits, claims and regulatory proceedings incidental to our business that are pending against the ARLP Partnership. We record an accrual for a potential loss related to these matters when, in management's opinion, such loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Based on known facts and circumstances, we believe the ultimate outcome of these outstanding lawsuits, claims and regulatory proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, if the results of these matters are different from management's current expectations and in amounts greater than our accruals (if any), such matters could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
5.INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Coal | $ | | $ | | |||
Finished goods (net of reserve for obsolescence of $ | | | |||||
Work in process | | | |||||
Raw materials | | | |||||
| | ||||||
Supplies (net of reserve for obsolescence of $ |
| |
| | |||
Total inventories, net | $ | | $ | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments of $
Certain of our subsidiaries, primarily consisting of Matrix Design Group, LLC, its subsidiaries, and Alliance Design Group, LLC (collectively referred to as "Matrix Group"), manufacture a variety of products for our mining operations and third parties. These products are primarily consumed internally by our mining operations with associated inventory historically presented as supplies inventory. Recently Matrix Group has been increasing its production of
7
products with the intention to increase third-party sales. We have therefore presented our manufactured goods inventories in the table above separately from our historical presentation of supplies inventory.
6.DIGITAL ASSETS
The following table sets forth our digital assets as shown on the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
Units | Cost Basis | Fair Value | ||||||||
Digital assets: | (in thousands, except unit data) | |||||||||
Bitcoin | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Total | $ | | $ | |
The following table represents a reconciliation of the fair values of our digital assets:
Three Months Ended | ||||
March 31, | ||||
| 2024 | |||
Digital assets: | (in thousands) | |||
Beginning balance | $ | | ||
Additions | | |||
Dispositions | ( | |||
Change in fair value gains | | |||
Ending balance | $ | |
As discussed in Note 2 – New Accounting Standards, our beginning balance is inclusive of a cumulative-effect adjustment of $
7.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table summarizes our fair value measurements within the hierarchy not included elsewhere in these notes:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| |||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — |
The carrying amounts for cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
The estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including current maturities, is based on interest rates that we believe are currently available to us in active markets for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. See Note 8 – Long-Term Debt for additional information on our long-term debt.
8
8.LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
Unamortized Discount and | |||||||||||||
Principal | Debt Issuance Costs | ||||||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Revolving credit facility | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Term loan |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Senior notes |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Securitization facility | | — | — | — | |||||||||
June 2020 equipment financing | | | — | — | |||||||||
February 2024 equipment financing | | — | — | — | |||||||||
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||
Less current maturities |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| | |||||
Total long-term debt | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( |
Credit Facility
On January 13, 2023, Alliance Coal, as borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with various financial institutions. The Credit Agreement provides for a $
The Revolving Credit Facility is underwritten by a syndicate of eighteen financial institutions and the obligations of the lenders are individual obligations, which means the failure of one or more lenders to be able to fund its obligation does not relieve the remaining lenders from funding their obligations. Based on our diligence, including discussions with representatives of certain of these financial institutions, as of March 31, 2024 we have no reason to believe that the banks within our syndicate are facing financial difficulties, defaults or limited liquidity situations that would cause them to be unable to fund their obligations under the Credit Agreement. However, should any of the banks in our syndicate experience conditions in the future that limit their ability to fund their obligations, the amount available under the Revolving Credit Facility could be reduced.
The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by ARLP and certain of its subsidiaries, including the Intermediate Partnership and most of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of Alliance Coal (the "Subsidiary Guarantors"). The Credit Agreement also is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Subsidiary Guarantors and Alliance Coal. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at either (i) an adjusted one-month, three-month or six-month term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus the applicable margin or (ii) the base rate plus the applicable margin. The base rate is the highest of (i) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus
9
The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions affecting Alliance Coal and its subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, sale of assets, investments, mergers and consolidations and transactions with affiliates. In each case, these restrictions are subject to various exceptions. In addition, restrictions apply to cash distributions by Alliance Coal to the Intermediate Partnership if such distribution would result in exceeding a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as determined in the Credit Agreement) or in Alliance Coal having liquidity of less than $
Senior Notes
On April 24, 2017, the Intermediate Partnership and Alliance Resource Finance Corporation (as co-issuer), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intermediate Partnership ("Alliance Finance"), issued an aggregate principal amount of $
Accounts Receivable Securitization
Certain direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of our Intermediate Partnership are party to a $
June 2020 Equipment Financing
On June 5, 2020, the Intermediate Partnership entered into an equipment financing arrangement accounted for as debt, wherein the Intermediate Partnership received $
February 2024 Equipment Financing
On February 28, 2024, the Intermediate Partnership entered into an equipment financing arrangement accounted for as debt, wherein the Intermediate Partnership received $
10
9.INCOME TAXES
Components of income tax expense are as follows:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Current: | |||||||
Federal | $ | | $ | | |||
State |
| |
| | |||
| |
| | ||||
Deferred: | |||||||
Federal |
| ( |
| ( | |||
State |
| |
| ( | |||
| ( |
| ( | ||||
Income tax expense | $ | | $ | |
The effective income tax rates for our income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are less than the federal statutory rate, primarily due to the portion of income not subject to income taxes.
Our 2020 through 2023 tax years remain open to examination by tax authorities, and certain lower-tier partnership income tax returns for the tax years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 are being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.
10.VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
AllDale I & II and Cavalier Minerals
We own the general partner interests and, including the limited partner interests we hold through our ownership in Cavalier Minerals JV, LLC ("Cavalier Minerals"), approximately
Cavalier Minerals owns approximately
We have concluded that AllDale I, AllDale II and Cavalier Minerals are variable interest entities ("VIEs") which we consolidate as the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of AllDale I, AllDale II and Cavalier Minerals in addition to having substantial equity ownership.
Our share of Cavalier Minerals' investment in AllDale I & II is eliminated in consolidation and Bluegrass Minerals' investment in Cavalier Minerals is accounted for as noncontrolling ownership interest on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, earnings attributable to Bluegrass Minerals are recognized as noncontrolling interest in our condensed consolidated statements of income.
11
The following table presents the carrying amounts and classification of AllDale I & II's assets and liabilities included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets:
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Assets (liabilities): |
| (in thousands) |
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | |||
Trade receivables |
| |
| | |||
Total property, plant and equipment, net |
| |
| | |||
Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||
Accrued taxes other than income taxes |
| ( | ( |
AllDale III
AllDale Minerals III, LP ("AllDale III") owns oil & gas mineral interests in areas around the oil & gas mineral interests we own. Alliance Minerals owns a
We have concluded that AllDale III is a VIE that we do not consolidate because we are not the primary beneficiary and AllDale III is structured as a limited partnership with the limited partners (1) not having the ability to remove the general partner and (2) not participating significantly in the operational decisions. We are not the primary beneficiary of AllDale III because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact AllDale III's economic performance. See Note 11 – Equity Investments for more information about the accounting for our investment in AllDale III.
Francis
On April 5, 2022, we invested $
We have concluded that Francis is a VIE that we do not consolidate because we are not the primary beneficiary and Francis' management structure is similar to a limited partnership with the non-managing members (i) not having the ability to remove the managing member and (ii) not participating significantly in the operational decisions. We are not the primary beneficiary of Francis because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Francis's economic performance. See Note 11 – Equity Investments for more information about the accounting for our investment in Francis.
NGP ET IV
On June 2, 2022, we committed to purchase $
We have concluded that NGP ET IV is a VIE that we do not consolidate because we are not the primary beneficiary and NGP ET IV is structured as a limited partnership with limited partners (i) not having the ability to remove the general partner and (ii) not participating significantly in the operational decisions. We are not the primary beneficiary of NGP ET IV because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact NGP ET IV's economic performance. See Note 11 – Equity Investments for more information about the accounting for our investment in NGP ET IV.
12
11. EQUITY INVESTMENTS
AllDale III
We account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of AllDale III as an equity method investment. We record equity income or loss based on AllDale III's distribution structure. The changes in our equity method investment in AllDale III were as follows:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | |||
Equity method investment income | | | |||||
Distributions received | ( | ( | |||||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
Francis
We account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of Francis as an equity method investment. Prior to the conversion of our convertible note, we did not participate in Francis' earnings or losses; however, upon conversion on April 1, 2023 we began participating. As a development stage company, Francis depends primarily on capital contributions to meet its operating and debt obligations. We currently believe that the carrying value of our investment is recoverable; however, if Francis is unable to raise sufficient funds to continue its operations and meet its debt obligations, it could have an adverse effect on our investment. The changes in our equity method investment in Francis were as follows:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | |||
Equity method investment loss | ( | — | |||||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
NGP ET IV
We account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of NGP ET IV as an equity method investment. The changes in our equity method investment in NGP ET IV were as follows:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | |||
Contributions | | | |||||
Equity method investment income (loss) | | ( | |||||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
Infinitum
During 2022, we purchased $
13
Infinitum Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time, at our option, into shares of common stock of Infinitum. We account for our ownership interest in Infinitum as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value. Absent an observable price change, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our investment in Infinitum because of the lack of a quoted market price for our ownership interests. Therefore, we use a measurement alternative other than fair value to account for our investment.
Ascend
On August 22, 2023, we purchased $
12.PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Distributions
Distributions paid or declared during 2023 and 2024 were as follows:
Payment Date |
| Per Unit Cash Distribution |
| Total Cash Distribution |
| ||
(in thousands) | |||||||
February 14, 2023 | $ | $ | | ||||
May 15, 2023 | | ||||||
August 14, 2023 | | ||||||
November 14, 2023 | | ||||||
Total | $ | $ | | ||||
February 14, 2024 | $ | $ | | ||||
May 15, 2024 (1) | |||||||
Total | $ | $ | |
(1) | On April 26, 2024, we declared this quarterly distribution payable on May 15, 2024 to all unitholders of record as of May 8, 2024. |
Unit Repurchase Program
In January 2023, the board of directors of MGP authorized a $
14
Change in Partners' Capital
The following tables present the quarterly change in Partners' Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Limited | General | Other | |||||||||||||||
Limited Partner | Partners' | Partner's | Comprehensive | Noncontrolling | Total Partners' | |||||||||||||
| Units |
| Capital |
| Capital |
| Income (Loss) |
| Interest |
| Capital |
| ||||||
(in thousands, except unit data) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2024 | | $ | | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Cumulative-effect adjustment (see Note 2) | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — | |
|
| | ||||||
Actuarially determined long-term liability adjustments |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
|
| | |||||
Total comprehensive income |
| — | — | — | — |
| | |||||||||||
Settlement of deferred compensation plans | | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Purchase of units under unit repurchase program | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Common unit-based compensation |
| — |
| | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Distributions on deferred common unit-based compensation |
| — |
| ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Distributions from consolidated company to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Distributions to Partners |
| — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2024 |
| | $ | | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Limited | General | Other | |||||||||||||||
Limited Partner | Partners' | Partner's | Comprehensive | Noncontrolling | Total Partners' | |||||||||||||
| Units |
| Capital |
| Capital |
| Income (Loss) |
| Interest |
| Capital |
| ||||||
(in thousands, except unit data) | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | |
|
| | ||||||
Actuarially determined long-term liability adjustments |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
|
| | |||||
Total comprehensive income |
|
| | |||||||||||||||
Settlement of deferred compensation plans | | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Purchase of units under unit repurchase program | ( | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Common unit-based compensation |
| — |
| | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Distributions on deferred common unit-based compensation |
| — |
| ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Distributions from consolidated company to affiliate noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
JC Resources acquisition | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Cash retained by JC Resources in acquisition | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Distributions to Partners |
| — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 |
| | $ | | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
15
13.REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following table illustrates the disaggregation of our revenues by type, including a reconciliation to our segment presentation as presented in Note 18 – Segment Information.
| Coal Operations | Royalties | Other, | ||||||||||||||||
Illinois |
|
|
| Corporate and |
| ||||||||||||||
| Basin |
| Appalachia |
| Oil & Gas |
| Coal |
| Elimination |
| Consolidated | ||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
Coal sales | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ||||||||
Oil & gas royalties | — | — | | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Coal royalties | — | — | — | | ( | — | |||||||||||||
Transportation revenues | | | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Other revenues | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Coal sales | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ||||||||
Oil & gas royalties | — | — | | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Coal royalties | — | — | — | | ( | — | |||||||||||||
Transportation revenues | | | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Other revenues | | | | — | | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The following table illustrates the amount of our transaction price for all current coal supply contracts allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as of March 31, 2024 and disaggregated by segment and contract duration.
2027 and | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2025 |
| 2026 |
| Thereafter |
| Total | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations coal revenues | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ||||||
Appalachia Coal Operations coal revenues | | | | | |||||||||||
Total coal revenues (1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) Coal revenues generally consists of consolidated revenues excluding our Oil & Gas Royalties segment as well as intercompany revenues from our Coal Royalties segment.
14.EARNINGS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
We utilize the two-class method in calculating basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit ("EPU"). Subsequent to the acquisition of oil & gas net royalty acres from JC Resources LP on February 22, 2023 (the "JC Resources Acquisition"), net income attributable to ARLP is allocated to limited partners and participating securities with nonforfeitable distributions or distribution equivalents, while net losses attributable to ARLP are allocated only to limited partners but not to participating securities. Prior to the JC Resources Acquisition, in addition to limited partners and participating securities allocations, amounts were also allocated to our general partner for historical earnings from the mineral interests acquired in the JC Resources Acquisition.
Our participating securities are outstanding restricted unit awards under our Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and phantom units in notional accounts under our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") and the MGP Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors ("Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan").
16
The following is a reconciliation of net income attributable to ARLP used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per unit and the weighted-average units used in computing EPU:
Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(in thousands, except per unit data) | |||||||
Net income attributable to ARLP | $ | | $ | | |||
Less: | |||||||
General partner's interest in net income attributable to ARLP |
| — |
| ( | |||
Limited partners' interest in net income attributable to ARLP |
| |
| | |||
Less: | |||||||
Distributions to participating securities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Net income attributable to ARLP available to limited partners | $ | | $ | | |||
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding – basic and diluted |
| |
| | |||
Earnings per limited partner unit - basic and diluted (1) | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Diluted EPU gives effect to all potentially dilutive common units outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted EPU excludes all potentially dilutive units calculated under the treasury stock method if their effect is anti-dilutive. The combined total of LTIP, SERP and Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan units of |
15.WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS
The changes in the workers' compensation liability, including current and long-term liability balances, for each of the periods presented were as follows:
| Three Months Ended |
| |||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
Beginning balance | $ | | $ | | |||
Changes in accruals |
| |
| | |||
Payments |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Interest accretion |
| |
| | |||
Ending balance | $ | | $ | |
We limit our exposure to traumatic injury claims by purchasing a high deductible insurance policy that starts paying benefits after deductibles for a claim have been met. The deductible level may vary by claim year. Our workers' compensation liability above is presented on a gross basis and does not include our expected receivables from our insurance policy. Our receivables for traumatic injury claims under this policy as of March 31, 2024 are $
17
Certain of our mine operating entities are liable under state statutes and the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, to pay pneumoconiosis, or black lung, benefits to eligible employees and former employees and their dependents. Components of the net periodic benefit cost for each of the periods presented are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Black lung benefits: | |||||||
Service cost | $ | | $ | |
| ||
| |
| | ||||
| |
| | ||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Interest cost and net amortization are included in the Other income (expense) line item within our condensed consolidated statements of income. |
16.COMMON UNIT-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Long-Term Incentive Plan
A summary of non-vested LTIP grants of restricted units is as follows:
| Number of units |
| Weighted average grant date fair value per unit |
| Intrinsic value |
| |||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Non-vested grants at January 1, 2024 | | $ | | ||||||
Granted (1) |
| | |||||||
Vested (2) |
| ( |
| ||||||
Forfeited |
| ( |
| ||||||
Non-vested grants at March 31, 2024 |
| |
| |
(1) | The restricted units granted during 2024 have certain minimum-value guarantees per unit, regardless of whether or not the awards vest. |
(2) | During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we issued |
LTIP expense for grants of restricted units was $
18
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan
A summary of SERP and Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan activity is as follows:
| Number of units |
| Weighted average grant date fair value per unit |
| Intrinsic value |
| |||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Phantom units outstanding as of January 1, 2024 | | $ | $ | | |||||
Granted | | ||||||||
Phantom units outstanding as of March 31, 2024 |
| |
| |
Total SERP and Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan expense was $
17.COMPONENTS OF PENSION PLAN NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS
Eligible employees at certain of our mining operations participate in a defined benefit plan (the "Pension Plan") that we sponsor. The Pension Plan is currently closed to new applicants and participants in the Pension Plan are no longer receiving benefit accruals for service. The benefit formula for the Pension Plan is a fixed dollar unit based on years of service. Components of the net periodic benefit credit for each of the periods presented are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
$ | | $ | | ||||
| ( |
| ( | ||||
| | ||||||
| |
| | ||||
Net periodic benefit credit (1) | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1) | Net periodic benefit credit for the Pension Plan is included in the Other expense line item within our condensed consolidated statements of income. |
We do not expect to make material contributions to the Pension Plan during 2024.
18.SEGMENT INFORMATION
We operate in the United States as a diversified natural resource company that generates operating and royalty income from the production and marketing of coal to major domestic and international utilities, and industrial users as well as royalty income from oil & gas mineral interests. We aggregate multiple operating segments into
19
The Illinois Basin Coal Operations reportable segment includes (a) the Gibson County Coal, LLC's mining complex, (b) the Warrior Coal, LLC mining complex, (c) the River View mining complex and (d) the Hamilton mining complex. The segment also includes our Mt. Vernon Transfer Terminal, LLC ("Mt. Vernon") coal loading terminal in Indiana which operates on the Ohio River, Mid-America Carbonates, LLC and other support services, and our non-operating mining complexes.
The Appalachia Coal Operations reportable segment includes (a) the Mettiki mining complex, (b) the Tunnel Ridge, LLC mining complex and (c) the MC Mining, LLC mining complex.
The Oil & Gas Royalties reportable segment includes oil & gas mineral interests held by Alliance Minerals through its consolidated subsidiaries as well as equity interests held in AllDale III (Note 11 – Equity Investments).
The Coal Royalties reportable segment includes coal mineral reserves and resources owned or leased by Alliance Resource Properties that are (a) leased to certain of our mining complexes in both the Illinois Basin Coal Operations and Appalachia Coal Operations reportable segments or (b) located near our operations and external mining operations. Approximately
Other, Corporate and Elimination includes marketing and administrative activities, the Matrix Group, our investments in Francis, Infinitum, NGP ET IV, and Ascend (see Note 11 – Equity Investments), Wildcat Insurance, LLC which assists the ARLP Partnership with its insurance requirements, AROP Funding and Alliance Finance (both discussed in Note 8 – Long-Term Debt) and our crypto-mining activities. The eliminations included in Other, Corporate and Elimination primarily represent the intercompany coal royalty transactions described above between our Coal Royalties reportable segment and our coal operations' mines.
Reportable segment results are presented below.
| Coal Operations | Royalties | Other, |
| |||||||||||||||
Illinois |
|
| Corporate and |
| |||||||||||||||
| Basin |
| Appalachia |
| Oil & Gas |
| Coal | Elimination |
| Consolidated |
| ||||||||
(in thousands) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues - Outside (1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Revenues - Intercompany | — | — | — | | ( | — | |||||||||||||
Total revenues (1) | | | | | ( | | |||||||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (2) |
| | | | | ( |
| | |||||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA (3) |
| | | | | |
| | |||||||||||
Total assets |
| | | | | |
| | |||||||||||
Capital expenditures (4) |
| | | — | — | |
| | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues - Outside (1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ||||||||
Revenues - Intercompany | — | — | — | | ( | — | |||||||||||||
Total revenues (1) | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (2) |
| | | | | ( |
| ||||||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA (3) |
| | | | | |
| ||||||||||||
Total assets |
| | | | | |
| ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures (4) |
| | | | | |
|
(1) | Revenues included in the Other, Corporate and Elimination column are attributable to intercompany eliminations, which are primarily intercompany coal royalty eliminations, outside revenues at the Matrix Group and awarded digital assets received for our crypto-mining activities. |
(2) | Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (a non-GAAP financial measure) includes operating expenses, coal purchases, if applicable, and other income or expense as adjusted to remove certain items from operating expenses that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations such as litigation accruals. Transportation expenses are excluded as these expenses are passed through to our customers and, consequently, we do not realize any gain or loss |
20
on transportation revenues. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management to assess the operating performance of our segments. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense is a key component of Segment Adjusted EBITDA in addition to coal sales, royalty revenues and other revenues. The exclusion of corporate general and administrative expenses from Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense allows management to focus solely on the evaluation of segment operating performance as it primarily relates to our operating expenses. |
The following is a reconciliation of Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization), the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to consolidated Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | | $ | | |||
Litigation expense accrual | ( |
| — | ||||
Outside coal purchases |
| |
| — | |||
Other expense | | | |||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense | $ | | $ | |
(3) | Segment Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) is defined as net income attributable to ARLP before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization and general and administrative expenses modified for certain items that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations, such as the change in fair value of digital assets and litigation accruals. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a key component of consolidated EBITDA, which is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA provides useful information to investors regarding our performance and results of operations because EBITDA, when used in conjunction with related GAAP financial measures, (i) provides additional information about our core operating performance and ability to generate and distribute cash flow, (ii) provides investors with the financial analytical framework upon which we base financial, operational, compensation and planning decisions and (iii) presents a measurement that investors, rating agencies and debt holders have indicated is useful in assessing us and our results of operations. |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a supplemental financial measure by our management for reasons similar to those stated in the previous explanation of EBITDA. In addition, the exclusion of corporate general and administrative expenses from consolidated Segment Adjusted EBITDA allows management to focus solely on the evaluation of segment operating profitability as it relates to our revenues and operating expenses, which are primarily controlled by our segments.
21
The following is a reconciliation of Net income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to Consolidated Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Net income | $ | | $ | | |||
Noncontrolling interest | ( | ( | |||||
Net income attributable to ARLP | $ | | $ | | |||
General and administrative |
| |
| | |||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
| |
| | |||
Interest expense, net |
| |
| | |||
Change in fair value of digital assets | ( | — | |||||
Litigation expense accrual | | — | |||||
Income tax expense |
| |
| | |||
Consolidated Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $ | | $ | |
(4) | Capital expenditures exclude $ |
22
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Significant relationships referenced in this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations include the following:
● | References to "we," "us," "our" or "ARLP Partnership" mean the business and operations of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., the parent company, as well as its consolidated subsidiaries. |
● | References to "ARLP" mean Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., individually as the parent company, and not on a consolidated basis. |
● | References to "MGP" mean Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, ARLP's general partner. |
● | References to "Mr. Craft" mean Joseph W. Craft III, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGP. |
● | References to "Intermediate Partnership" mean Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P., the intermediate partnership of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. |
● | References to "Alliance Coal" mean Alliance Coal, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
● | References to "Alliance Minerals" mean Alliance Minerals, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
● | References to "Alliance Resource Properties" mean Alliance Resource Properties, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARLP. |
Summary
We are a diversified natural resource company that generates operating and royalty income from the production and marketing of coal to major domestic utilities, industrial users and international customers, as well as royalty income from oil & gas mineral interests located in strategic producing regions across the United States. Our strategy is to provide our customers with reliable, baseload fuel for electricity generation to meet their load expectations. In addition, we continue to position ourselves as a reliable energy partner for the future as we pursue opportunities that support the advancement of energy and related infrastructure particularly in the face of expanding energy demand and the electrification of the economy. We intend to pursue strategic investments that leverage our core competencies and relationships with electric utilities, industrial customers, and federal and state governments.
We are currently the largest coal producer in the eastern United States with seven operating underground mining complexes near many of the major eastern utility generating plants and on major coal hauling railroads in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as a coal-loading terminal in Indiana. Two of our mines also have loading facilities located on the Ohio River.
In addition to our mining operations, Alliance Resource Properties owns or leases substantially all of our coal mineral resources and the majority of our coal mineral reserves in the Illinois and Appalachia Basins that are (a) leased to our internal mining complexes or (b) near our coal mining operations but not yet leased.
We currently own oil & gas mineral interests in approximately 69,000 net royalty acres in premier oil & gas producing regions of the United States, primarily in the Permian (Delaware and Midland), Anadarko (SCOOP/STACK), and Williston (Bakken) basins, providing us with diversified exposure to industry-leading operators consistent with our general strategy to grow our oil & gas mineral interest business.
We have invested in energy and infrastructure opportunities including our investments in Francis Renewable Energy, LLC ("Francis"), Infinitum Electric, Inc. ("Infinitum"), NGP Energy Transition, L.P. ("NGP ET IV"), and Ascend Elements, Inc. ("Ascend") which are in the businesses of, respectively, electric vehicle charging stations, electric motor manufacturing, private equity investments in renewable energy, the electrification of our economy or the efficient use of energy, and the manufacturing and recycling of sustainable, engineered battery materials for electric vehicles.
On February 19, 2024, we renewed our collaborative agreement with a third-party to acquire oil & gas mineral interests in the Midland and Delaware Basins (the "Acquisition Agreement") for an additional one-year term, committing up to $25.0 million. For more information about the Acquisition Agreement please read "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3 – Acquisitions" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
23
We have four reportable segments, Illinois Basin Coal Operations, Appalachia Coal Operations, Oil & Gas Royalties and Coal Royalties. We also have an "all other" category referred to as Other, Corporate and Elimination. Our two coal operations reportable segments correspond to major coal producing regions in the eastern United States with similar economic characteristics including coal quality, geology, coal marketing opportunities, mining and transportation methods and regulatory issues. Our Oil & Gas Royalties reportable segment includes our oil & gas mineral interests. Our Coal Royalties reportable segment includes coal mineral reserves and resources owned or leased by Alliance Resource Properties.
● | Illinois Basin Coal Operations reportable segment includes (a) the Gibson County Coal, LLC's mining complex, (b) the Warrior Coal, LLC ("Warrior") mining complex, (c) the River View Coal, LLC ("River View") mining complex and (d) the Hamilton County Coal, LLC ("Hamilton") mining complex. The segment also includes our Mt. Vernon coal-loading terminal on the Ohio River in Indiana, Mid-America Carbonates, LLC and other support services, and our non-operating mining complexes. |
● | Appalachia Coal Operations reportable segment includes (a) the Mettiki mining complex, (b) the Tunnel Ridge, LLC ("Tunnel Ridge") mining complex and (c) the MC Mining, LLC mining complex. |
● | Oil & Gas Royalties reportable segment includes oil & gas mineral interests held by Alliance Minerals as well as our equity method investment in AllDale III. Please read "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 11 – Equity Investments" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information on AllDale III. |
● | Coal Royalties reportable segment includes coal mineral reserves and resources owned or leased by Alliance Resource Properties. Approximately 64% of the coal sold by our Coal Operations' mines is leased from our Coal Royalties entities. |
● | Other, Corporate and Elimination includes marketing and administrative activities, Matrix Design Group, LLC, its subsidiaries and Alliance Design Group, LLC, our investments in Francis, Infinitum, NGP ET IV, and Ascend, Wildcat Insurance, LLC, which assists the ARLP Partnership with its insurance requirements, AROP Funding, LLC ("AROP Funding") and Alliance Resource Finance Corporation ("Alliance Finance"), and other miscellaneous activities. The eliminations included in Other, Corporate and Elimination primarily represent the intercompany coal royalty transactions described above between our Coal Royalties reportable segment and our coal operations' mines. Please read "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 11 – Equity Investments" and —Note 8 – Long-Term Debt" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information on our investments in Francis, Infinitum, Ascend, and NGP ET IV as well as AROP Funding and Alliance Finance. |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Consolidated Information
Total Revenues
Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 ("2024 Quarter") decreased slightly to $651.7 million compared to $662.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 ("2023 Quarter") primarily as a result of lower average coal sales prices, partially offset by higher oil & gas royalties and other revenues.
Total operating expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $491.4 million in the 2024 Quarter, compared to $455.6 million in the 2023 Quarter, primarily due to the sale of higher cost purchased coal, increased coal sales volumes, higher per ton costs on certain expense items discussed in more detail below and a $15.3 million litigation expense accrual in the 2024 Quarter relating to the settlement (which is subject to court approval) of certain litigation as described in "Part II - Item 1. Legal Proceedings" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Net income attributable to ARLP
Net income for the 2024 Quarter was $158.1 million, or $1.21 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, compared to $191.2 million, or $1.45 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, for the 2023 Quarter as a result of lower revenues and increased total operating expenses, partially offset by an increase in the fair value of our digital assets.
Coal sales
Coal sales decreased to $561.9 million for the 2024 Quarter compared to $578.8 million for the 2023 Quarter. The decrease was attributable to lower average coal sales prices, which reduced coal sales by $30.9 million, partially offset by the benefit of higher tons sold, which contributed $14.0 million in additional coal sales. Coal sales prices decreased by 5.2% primarily due to reduced domestic pricing at our Tunnel Ridge mine, which benefited from significantly elevated pricing during the 2023 Quarter. Increased sales tonnage from our Hamilton and Warrior mines drove sales volumes higher by 2.4% in the 2024 Quarter to 8.7 million tons sold, compared to 8.5 million tons sold during the 2023 Quarter.
Coal - Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense for our coal operations increased 5.5% to $354.3 million, as a result of increased sales volumes and higher per ton costs. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton sold for our coal operations increased 3.0% to $40.85 per ton sold in the 2024 Quarter compared to $39.66 per ton in the 2023 Quarter, primarily due to certain cost increases, which are discussed below by category:
● | Labor and benefit expenses per ton produced, excluding workers' compensation, increased 5.1% to $12.49 per ton in the 2024 Quarter from $11.88 per ton in the 2023 Quarter. The increase of $0.61 per ton was primarily due to higher direct labor costs at several mines. |
● | Material and supplies expenses per ton produced increased 6.4% to $14.88 per ton in the 2024 Quarter from $13.99 per ton in the 2023 Quarter. The increase of $0.89 per ton produced primarily reflects increases of $0.35 per ton for outside expenses, $0.22 per ton for roof support and $0.11 per ton for environmental and reclamation expenses other than longwall subsidence. |
● | Maintenance expenses per ton produced increased 17.6% to $5.22 per ton in the 2024 Quarter from $4.44 per ton in the 2023 Quarter. The increase of $0.78 per ton produced was primarily a result of higher maintenance costs at our River View and Hamilton mines. |
● | We had outside coal purchases of $9.1 million in the 2024 Quarter compared to no sales of outside coal purchases in the 2023 Quarter. Thus, costs per ton in the 2024 Quarter increased as our cost of outside coal purchases are generally higher on a per ton basis than our produced coal. |
For a definition of Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense and related reconciliation to its comparable GAAP financial measure, please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 18 – Segment Information."
Change in fair value of digital assets
We recorded an $11.9 million increase in the fair value of our digital assets reflecting the increase in the price of bitcoin during the 2024 Quarter. Effective January 1, 2024, we adopted new accounting guidance which clarifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for certain crypto assets. The new guidance requires us to measure our digital assets at fair value and include the change in net income. Please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 6 – Digital Assets" for more information on our digital assets.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Our 2024 Quarter Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased $31.3 million to $260.6 million from the 2023 Quarter Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $291.9 million.
For a definition of Segment Adjusted EBITDA and related reconciliation to its comparable GAAP financial measure, please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 18 – Segment Information."
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Segment Information
Three Months Ended |
| ||||||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| Increase (Decrease) |
| ||||||||
| (in thousands) |
|
|
| |||||||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations | $ | 140,278 | $ | 132,008 | $ | 8,270 | 6.3 | % | |||||
Appalachia Coal Operations |
| 74,235 |
| 116,550 |
| (42,315) | (36.3) | % | |||||
Oil & Gas Royalties | 31,402 | 30,045 | 1,357 | 4.5 | % | ||||||||
Coal Royalties | 12,444 | 10,125 | 2,319 | 22.9 | % | ||||||||
Other, Corporate and Elimination (1) |
| 2,195 |
| 3,219 |
| (1,024) |
| (31.8) | % | ||||
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA (2) | $ | 260,554 | $ | 291,947 | $ | (31,393) | (10.8) | % | |||||
Coal - Tons sold | |||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations |
| 6,437 |
| 6,190 |
| 247 | 4.0 | % | |||||
Appalachia Coal Operations |
| 2,237 |
| 2,279 |
| (42) | (1.8) | % | |||||
Total tons sold |
| 8,674 |
| 8,469 |
| 205 | 2.4 | % | |||||
Coal sales | |||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations | $ | 370,630 | $ | 336,910 | $ | 33,720 | 10.0 | % | |||||
Appalachia Coal Operations |
| 191,249 |
| 241,874 |
| (50,625) | (20.9) | % | |||||
Total coal sales | $ | 561,879 | $ | 578,784 | $ | (16,905) | (2.9) | % | |||||
Other revenues | |||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations | $ | 2,735 | $ | 2,168 | $ | 567 |
| 26.2 | % | ||||
Appalachia Coal Operations |
| 487 |
| 475 |
| 12 |
| 2.5 | % | ||||
Oil & Gas Royalties | 315 | 1,040 | (725) |
| (69.7) | % | |||||||
Coal Royalties | 6 | — | 6 |
| n/m | ||||||||
Other, Corporate and Elimination |
| 18,492 |
| 15,720 |
| 2,772 | 17.6 | % | |||||
Total other revenues | $ | 22,035 | $ | 19,403 | $ | 2,632 | 13.6 | % | |||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense | |||||||||||||
Illinois Basin Coal Operations | $ | 233,087 | $ | 207,069 | $ | 26,018 | 12.6 | % | |||||
Appalachia Coal Operations |
| 117,502 |
| 125,799 |
| (8,297) | (6.6) | % | |||||
Oil & Gas Royalties | 4,940 | 4,424 | 516 | 11.7 | % | ||||||||
Coal Royalties | 6,264 | 5,388 | 876 | 16.3 | % | ||||||||
Other, Corporate and Elimination (1) |
| (3,466) |
| (3,384) |
| (82) | (2.4) | % | |||||
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (2) | $ | 358,327 | $ | 339,296 | $ | 19,031 | 5.6 | % | |||||
Oil & Gas Royalties | |||||||||||||
Volume - BOE (3) | 898 | 759 | 139 | 18.3 | % | ||||||||
Oil & gas royalties | $ | 37,030 | $ | 34,497 | $ | 2,533 |
| 7.3 | % | ||||
Coal Royalties | |||||||||||||
Volume - Tons sold (4) | 5,512 | 5,057 | 455 | 9.0 | % | ||||||||
Intercompany coal royalties | $ | 18,702 | $ | 15,513 | $ | 3,189 |
| 20.6 | % |
n/m Percentage change not meaningful.
(1) | Other, Corporate and Elimination includes the elimination of intercompany coal royalty revenues and expenses between our Coal Royalties Segment and our Coal Operations Segments. |
(2) | For definitions of Segment Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense and related reconciliations to their respective comparable GAAP financial measures, please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 18 – Segment Information." |
(3) | Barrels of oil equivalent ("BOE") is calculated on a 6:1 basis (6,000 cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel). |
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(4) | Represents tons sold by our Coal Operations Segments that were produced from coal reserves leased from our Coal Royalties Segment. |
Illinois Basin Coal Operations – Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.3% to $140.3 million in the 2024 Quarter from $132.0 million in the 2023 Quarter. The increase of $8.3 million was primarily attributable to higher coal sales, which increased 10.0% to $370.6 million in the 2024 Quarter from $336.9 million in the 2023 Quarter, partially offset by increased operating expenses. The increase in coal sales reflects higher coal sales price realizations of $57.58 per ton sold in the 2024 Quarter compared to $54.43 per ton sold in the 2023 Quarter due to improved domestic pricing, and a 4.0% increase in tons sold due primarily to higher sales volumes from our Hamilton and Warrior mines. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense increased 12.6% to $233.1 million in the 2024 Quarter from $207.1 million in the 2023 Quarter primarily as a result of higher volumes and operating expenses per ton. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton increased by 8.3% compared to the 2023 Quarter resulting from reduced production and recoveries at our River View mine.
Appalachia Coal Operations – Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased 36.3% to $74.2 million for the 2024 Quarter from $116.6 million in the 2023 Quarter. The decrease of $42.4 million was primarily attributable to lower coal sales, which decreased 20.9% to $191.2 million in the 2024 Quarter from $241.9 million in the 2023 Quarter, partially offset by lower operating expenses. Average coal sales prices decreased by 19.4% compared to the 2023 Quarter as a result of reduced domestic pricing from our Tunnel Ridge mine, which benefited from significantly elevated pricing during the 2023 Quarter. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense decreased 6.6% to $117.5 million in the 2024 Quarter from $125.8 million in the 2023 Quarter due to decreased per ton operating expenses. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton decreased by 4.8% compared to the 2023 Quarter due primarily to increased production and recoveries at our Mettiki mine during the 2024 Quarter.
Oil & Gas Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased to $31.4 million in the 2024 Quarter compared to $30.0 million in the 2023 Quarter. Improved Segment Adjusted EBITDA in the 2024 Quarter was due to record oil & gas volumes, which rose to 898 MBOE sold in the 2024 Quarter, representing an increase of 18.3% compared to the 2023 Quarter as a result of increased drilling and completion activities on our interests and acquisitions of additional oil & gas mineral interests.
Coal Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased to $12.4 million for the 2024 Quarter compared to $10.1 million for the 2023 Quarter. Higher average royalty rates per ton and increased royalty tons sold contributed to improved results for the 2024 Quarter.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
We have historically satisfied our working capital requirements and funded our capital expenditures, investments, contractual obligations and debt service obligations with cash generated from operations, cash provided by the issuance of debt or equity, borrowings under credit and securitization facilities and other financing transactions. We believe that existing cash balances, future cash flows from operations and investments, borrowings under credit facilities and cash provided from the issuance of debt or equity will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and additional investments, debt payments, contractual obligations, commitments and distribution payments. Nevertheless, our ability to satisfy our working capital requirements and additional investments, to satisfy our contractual obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures, to service our debt obligations or to pay distributions will depend upon our future operating performance and access to and cost of financing sources, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions generally, and in both the coal and oil & gas industries specifically, as well as other financial and business factors, some of which are beyond our control. Based on our recent operating cash flow results, current cash position, anticipated future cash flows and sources of financing that we expect to have available, we anticipate being in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Agreement and expect to have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations and growth strategies. However, to the extent operating cash flow or access to and cost of financing sources are materially different than expected, future covenant compliance or liquidity may be adversely affected. Please read "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Accounts Receivable Securitization
In January 2024, we extended the term of the accounts receivable securitization facility (the "Securitization Facility") to January 2025 and increased the borrowing availability under the facility to $90.0 million. For additional information on the Securitization Facility, please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 8 – Long-Term Debt."
February 2024 Equipment Financing
On February 28, 2024, the Intermediate Partnership entered into an equipment financing arrangement accounted for as debt, wherein the Intermediate Partnership received $54.6 million in exchange for conveying its interest in certain equipment owned indirectly by the Intermediate Partnership and entering into a master lease agreement for that equipment (the "February 2024 Equipment Financing"). The February 2024 Equipment Financing contains customary terms and events of default and provides for forty-eight monthly payments with an implicit interest rate of 8.29%, maturing on February 28, 2028. Upon maturity, the equipment will revert to the Intermediate Partnership. For additional information on February 2024 Equipment Financing, please see "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 8 – Long-Term Debt."
Unit Repurchase Program
In May 2018, the Board of Directors approved the establishment of a unit repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $100 million of ARLP common units. In January 2023, the board of directors of MGP authorized a $93.5 million increase to the unit repurchase program authorizing us to be able to repurchase up to a total of $100.0 million of ARLP common units from that date. The program has no time limit and we may repurchase units from time to time in the open market or in other privately negotiated transactions. The unit repurchase program authorization does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of units. No units were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The timing of any future unit repurchases and the ultimate number of units to be purchased will depend on several factors, including business and market conditions, our future financial performance, and other capital priorities. Please read "Part II - Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information on the unit repurchase program.
Shelf Registration Statement
We currently have an effective universal shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 that provides for the registration and sale of an unspecified amount of our equity or debt securities. We may over time, and subject to market conditions, in one or more offerings, offer and sell any of the securities described in the prospectus.
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Cash Flows
Cash provided by operating activities was $209.7 million for the 2024 Quarter compared to $221.7 million for the 2023 Quarter. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the decrease in net income adjusted for non-cash items and unfavorable working capital changes related to accounts payable, prepaid expenses and inventories. These decreases were partially offset by favorable working capital changes related to trade receivables, accrued payroll and related benefits as well as miscellaneous other changes compared to the 2023 Quarter.
Net cash used in investing activities was $120.5 million for the 2024 Quarter compared to $147.1 million for the 2023 Quarter. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to acquisitions of oil & gas reserves including the JC Resources Acquisition in the 2023 Quarter. These decreases were partially offset by increased capital expenditures during the 2024 Quarter and changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities during the 2024 Quarter.
Net cash used in financing activities was $15.0 million for the 2024 Quarter compared to $99.3 million for the 2023 Quarter. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to increased borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the securitization facility, increased proceeds from equipment financing, reduced payments on long-term debt in the 2024 Quarter as compared to the 2023 Quarter, debt issuance costs paid in the 2023 Quarter and the purchase of units in the 2023 Quarter. These decreases were partially offset by payments under our revolving credit facility and the securitization facility in the 2024 Quarter and long-term debt borrowings in the 2023 Quarter.
Cash Requirements
Management anticipates having sufficient cash flow to meet 2024 cash requirements, including capital expenditures, scheduled payments on long-term debt, lease obligations, asset retirement obligation costs and workers' compensation and pneumoconiosis costs, with our March 31, 2024 cash and cash equivalents of $134.0 million, cash flows from operations, or borrowings under our revolving credit facility and securitization facility, if necessary. We currently project average estimated annual maintenance capital expenditures over the next five years of approximately $7.76 per ton produced. Our anticipated total capital expenditures, including maintenance capital expenditures, for 2024 are estimated in a range of $450.0 million to $500.0 million. We will continue to have significant cash requirements over the long term, which may require us to incur debt or seek additional equity capital. The availability and cost of additional capital will depend upon prevailing market conditions, the market price of our common units and several other factors over which we have limited control, as well as our financial condition and results of operations.
Debt Obligations
See "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 8 – Long-Term Debt" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of our long-term debt obligations.
We also have an agreement with a bank to provide additional letters of credit in the amount of $5.0 million to maintain surety bonds to secure certain asset retirement obligations and our obligations for workers' compensation benefits. On March 31, 2024, we had $5.0 million in letters of credit outstanding under this agreement.
Related-Party Transactions
We have related-party transactions and activities with Mr. Craft, MGP and their respective affiliates as well as other related parties. These related-party transactions and activities relate principally to (1) coal mineral leases with The Joseph W. Craft III Foundation and The Kathleen S. Craft Foundation, (2) the use of aircraft, and (3) the purchase of oil & gas mineral interests from JC Resources LP, an entity owned by Mr. Craft. We also have related-party transactions with (a) WKY CoalPlay, LLC, a company owned by entities related to Mr. Craft, regarding three mineral leases, and (b) with entities in which we hold equity investments. For more information regarding our investments, please read "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 11 – Equity Investments" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Please read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data— Note 3 – Acquisitions and Note 20 – Related-Party Transactions" for additional information concerning the JC Resources Acquisition and our related-party transactions.
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New Accounting Standards
See "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 2. New Accounting Standards" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of new accounting standards.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Commodity Price Risk
We have significant long-term coal sales contracts. Most of the long-term sales contracts are subject to price adjustment provisions, which periodically permit an increase or decrease in the contract price, typically to reflect changes in specified indices or changes in production costs resulting from regulatory changes, or both.
Our results of operations are highly dependent upon the prices we receive for our coal, oil and natural gas. Regarding coal, the short-term sales contracts favored by some of our coal customers leave us more exposed to risks of declining coal price periods. Also, a significant decline in oil & gas prices would have a significant impact on our oil & gas royalty revenues.
We have exposure to coal and oil & gas sales prices and price risk for supplies that are used directly or indirectly in the normal course of coal and oil & gas production such as steel, electricity and other supplies. We manage our risk for these items through strategic sourcing contracts for normal quantities required by our operations. Historically, we have not utilized any commodity price-hedges or other derivatives related to either our sales price or supply cost risks but may do so in the future.
Credit Risk
Most of our coal is sold to U.S. electric utilities or into the international markets through brokered transactions. Therefore, our credit risk is primarily with domestic electric power generators and reputable global brokerage firms. Our policy is to independently evaluate each customer's creditworthiness prior to entering into transactions and to constantly monitor outstanding accounts receivable. When deemed appropriate by our credit management department, we will take steps to reduce our credit exposure to customers that do not meet our credit standards or whose credit has deteriorated. These steps may include obtaining letters of credit or cash collateral, requiring prepayments for shipments or establishing customer trust accounts held for our benefit in the event of a failure to pay. Such credit risks from customers may impact the borrowing capacity of our Securitization Facility. See "Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 8 – Long-Term Debt" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information on our Securitization Facility.
Exchange Rate Risk
Almost all our transactions are denominated in United States dollars, and as a result, we do not have material exposure to currency exchange-rate risks. However, because coal is sold internationally in United States dollars, general economic conditions in foreign markets and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide our foreign competitors with a competitive advantage. If our competitors' currencies decline against the United States dollar or against foreign purchasers' local currencies, those competitors may be able to offer lower prices for coal to these purchasers. Furthermore, if the currencies of overseas purchasers were to significantly decline in value in comparison to the United States dollar, those purchasers may seek decreased prices for the coal we sell to them. Consequently, currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal in international markets.
Interest Rate Risk
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and Securitization Facility are at variable rates and, as a result, we have interest rate exposure on any amounts drawn under these facilities. Historically, our earnings have not been materially affected by changes in interest rates and we have not utilized interest rate derivative instruments related to our outstanding debt. We had $45.0 million in borrowings under the Securitization Facility as of March 31, 2024, and no outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility.
There were no other changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2024.
During the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with our evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements and information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and certain oral statements made from time to time by our representatives, constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "foresee," "may," "outlook," "plan," "project," "potential," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, all statements relating to our future outlook, anticipated capital expenditures, future cash flows and borrowings, and sources of funding are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to numerous assumptions that we believe are reasonable, but are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are:
● | decline in the coal industry's share of electricity generation, including as a result of environmental concerns related to coal mining and combustion, the cost and perceived benefits of other sources of electricity and fuels, such as oil & gas, nuclear energy, and renewable fuels and the planned retirement of coal-fired power plants in the U.S.; |
● | our ability to provide fuel for growth in domestic energy demand, should it materialize; |
● | changes in macroeconomic and market conditions and market volatility, and the impact of such changes and volatility on our financial position; |
● | changes in global economic and geo-political conditions or changes in industries in which our customers operate; |
● | changes in commodity prices, demand and availability which could affect our operating results and cash flows; |
● | the outcome or escalation of current hostilities in Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza conflict; |
● | the severity, magnitude, and duration of any future pandemics and impacts of such pandemics and of businesses' and governments' responses to such pandemics on our operations and personnel, and on demand for coal, oil, and natural gas, the financial condition of our customers and suppliers and operators, available liquidity and capital sources and broader economic disruptions; |
● | actions of the major oil-producing countries with respect to oil production volumes and prices could have direct and indirect impacts over the near and long term on oil & gas exploration and production operations at the properties in which we hold mineral interests; |
● | changes in competition in domestic and international coal markets and our ability to respond to such changes; |
● | potential shut-ins of production by the operators of the properties in which we hold oil & gas mineral interests due to low commodity prices or the lack of downstream demand or storage capacity; |
● | risks associated with the expansion of and investments into the infrastructure of our operations and properties; |
● | our ability to identify and complete acquisitions and to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our business and achieve the anticipated benefits therefrom; |
● | our ability to identify and invest in new energy and infrastructure transition ventures; |
● | the success of our development plans for Matrix Group, and our investments in emerging infrastructure and technology companies; |
● | dependence on significant customer contracts, including renewing existing contracts upon expiration; |
● | adjustments made in price, volume, or terms to existing coal supply agreements; |
● | the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws central bank policy actions including interest rates, bank failures, and associated liquidity risks; |
● | the effects of and changes in taxes or tariffs and other trade measures adopted by the United States and foreign governments; |
● | legislation, regulations, and court decisions and interpretations thereof, both domestic and foreign, including those relating to the environment and the release of greenhouse gases, such as the EPA's recently promulgated emissions regulations for coal-fired power plants, mining, miner health and safety, hydraulic fracturing, and health care; |
● | deregulation of the electric utility industry or the effects of any adverse change in the coal industry, electric utility industry, or general economic conditions; |
● | investors' and other stakeholders' increasing attention to environmental, social, and governance matters; |
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● | liquidity constraints, including those resulting from any future unavailability of financing; |
● | customer bankruptcies, cancellations or breaches to existing contracts, or other failures to perform; |
● | customer delays, failure to take coal under contracts or defaults in making payments; |
● | our productivity levels and margins earned on our coal sales; |
● | disruptions to oil & gas exploration and production operations at the properties in which we hold mineral interests; |
● | changes in equipment, raw material, service or labor costs or availability, including due to inflationary pressures; |
● | changes in our ability to recruit, hire and maintain labor; |
● | our ability to maintain satisfactory relations with our employees; |
● | increases in labor costs including costs of health insurance and taxes resulting from the Affordable Care Act, adverse changes in work rules, or cash payments or projections associated with workers' compensation claims; |
● | increases in transportation costs and risk of transportation delays or interruptions; |
● | operational interruptions due to geologic, permitting, labor, weather, supply chain shortage of equipment or mine supplies, or other factors; |
● | risks associated with major mine-related accidents, mine fires, mine floods, or other interruptions; |
● | results of litigation, including claims not yet asserted; |
● | foreign currency fluctuations that could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad; |
● | difficulty maintaining our surety bonds for mine reclamation as well as workers' compensation and black lung benefits; |
● | difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding post-mine reclamation as well as pension, black lung benefits, and other post-retirement benefit liabilities; |
● | uncertainties in estimating and replacing our coal mineral reserves and resources; |
● | uncertainties in estimating and replacing our oil & gas reserves; |
● | uncertainties in the amount of oil & gas production due to the level of drilling and completion activity by the operators of our oil & gas properties; |
● | uncertainties in the future of the electric vehicle industry and the market for EV charging stations; |
● | the impact of current and potential changes to federal or state tax rules and regulations, including a loss or reduction of benefits from certain tax deductions and credits; |
● | difficulty obtaining commercial property insurance, and risks associated with our participation in the commercial insurance property program; |
● | evolving cybersecurity risks, such as those involving unauthorized access, denial-of-service attacks, malicious software, data privacy breaches by employees, insiders or others with authorized access, cyber- or phishing attacks, ransomware, malware, social engineering, physical breaches, or other actions; |
● | difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding future revenues and costs associated with equity investments in companies we do not control; and |
● | other factors, including those discussed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results could differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statement. When considering forward-looking statements, you should also keep in mind our risk factors and legal proceedings. Known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are described in "Item 1. Legal Proceedings" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors" below. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments unless required by law.
You should consider the information above when reading or considering any forward-looking statements contained in:
● | this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; |
● | other reports filed by us with the SEC; |
● | our press releases; |
● | our website www.arlp.com; and |
● | written or oral statements made by us or any of our officers or other authorized persons acting on our behalf. |
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Litigation was initiated in November 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (Branson v. Webster County Coal, LLC et al.) against certain of our subsidiaries in which the plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and state law due to alleged failure to compensate for time "donning" and "doffing" equipment and to account for certain bonuses in the calculation of overtime rates and pay. A similar lawsuit was initiated in March 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (Brewer v. Alliance Coal, LLC, et al.). Subsequently, four additional lawsuits making similar allegations were initiated against certain of our subsidiaries: filed March 4, 2021 in the Circuit Court for Hopkins County, Kentucky (Johnson v. Hopkins County Coal, LLC, et al.); filed April 6, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (Rettig v. Mettiki Coal WV, LLC, et al.); filed April 9, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois (Cates v. Hamilton County Coal, LLC, et al.); and filed April 13, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (Prater v. Gibson County Coal, LLC, et al.). The plaintiffs in these cases sought class and collective action certification, which we opposed. The plaintiffs sought to recover alleged compensatory, liquidated and/or exemplary damages for the alleged underpayment, and costs and fees that potentially may be recoverable under applicable law. In April 2024, we entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs pursuant to which we agreed to settle all six cases for $15.3 million. The settlement is subject to court approval.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I - Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in these reports are not our only risks. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial based on current knowledge and factual circumstances, if such knowledge or facts change, also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results in the future.
ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On May 31, 2018, ARLP announced that the Board of Directors approved the establishment of a unit repurchase program authorizing ARLP to repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding limited partner common units. In January 2023, the board of directors authorized a $93.5 million increase to the unit repurchase program authorizing us to be able to repurchase up to a total of $100.0 million of ARLP common units from that date. The unit repurchase program is intended to enhance ARLP's ability to achieve its goal of creating long-term value for its unitholders and provides another means, along with quarterly cash distributions, of returning cash to unitholders. The program has no time limit and ARLP may repurchase units from time to time in the open market or in other privately negotiated transactions. The unit repurchase program authorization does not obligate ARLP to repurchase any dollar amount or number of units and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we did not repurchase and retire any units. Since inception of the unit repurchase program, we have repurchased and retired 6,390,446 units at an average unit price of $17.67 for an aggregate purchase price of $112.9 million.
ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no
ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
Incorporated by Reference | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed | |||||||||||||
3.1 | Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. | 8-K | 000-26823 17990766 | 3.2 | 07/28/2017 | ||||||||||||||
3.2 | 10-K | 000-26823 18634634 | 3.9 | 02/23/2018 | |||||||||||||||
3.3 | 8-K | 000-26823 18883834 | 3.3 | 06/06/2018 | |||||||||||||||
3.4 | 8-K | 000-26823 18883834 | 3.4 | 06/06/2018 | |||||||||||||||
3.5 | Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P. | 10-K | 000-26823 583595 | 3.2 | 03/29/2000 | ||||||||||||||
3.6 | 8-K | 000-26823 18883834 | 3.5 | 06/06/2018 | |||||||||||||||
3.7 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. | 8-K | 000-26823 17990766 | 3.6 | 07/28/2017 | ||||||||||||||
3.8 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P. | S-1/A | 333-78845 99669102 | 3.8 | 07/23/1999 | ||||||||||||||
3.9 | Certificate of Formation of Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC | S-1/A | 333-78845 99669102 | 3.7 | 07/23/1999 | ||||||||||||||
3.10 | Third Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC | 8-K | 000-26823 18883834 | 3.7 | 06/06/2018 | ||||||||||||||
3.11 | 8-K | 000-26823 17990766 | 3.5 | 07/28/2017 | |||||||||||||||
3.12 | 8-K | 000-26823 17990766 | 3.4 | 07/28/2017 | |||||||||||||||
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Incorporated by Reference | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed | |||||||||||||
10.1 | Thirteenth Amendment to the Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2024.
| 10-K | 000-26823 24670765 | 10.30 | 02/23/2024 | ||||||||||||||
10.2 | 8-K | 000-26823 23540292 | 10.1 | 01/20/2023 | |||||||||||||||
31.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
31.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
32.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
32.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Incorporated by Reference | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed | |||||||||||||
95.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
101 | Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed in Inline XBRL). | ||||||||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* Or furnished, in the case of Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 9, 2024.
ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. | |||
By: | Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC | ||
its general partner | |||
/s/ Joseph W. Craft, III | |||
Joseph W. Craft, III | |||
Chairman, President and Chief Executive | |||
Officer, duly authorized to sign on behalf | |||
/s/ Megan J. Cordle | |||
Megan J. Cordle | |||
Vice President, Controller and | |||
Chief Accounting Officer |
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