ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS LP

Previous wording

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. In addition, we continue to position ourselves as a reliable energy provider for the future as we pursue opportunities that support the advancement of energy and related infrastructure. We intend to pursue strategic investments that leverage our core competencies and relationships with electric utilities, industrial customers, and federal and state governments.

Current wording

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 load expectations. The primary focus of our business is to maximize the value of our existing mineral assets, both in the production of coal from our mining assets and the leasing and development of our coal and oil & gas mineral ownership. In addition, we continue to position ourselves as a reliable energy provider for the future as we pursue opportunities that support the growth and development of energy and related infrastructure. We intend to pursue strategic investments that leverage our core competencies and relationships with electric utilities, industrial customers, and federal and state governments. We believe that our diverse and rich resource base and strategic investments will allow us to continue to create long-term value for unitholders.

Previous wording

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.

Current wording

We are the second 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.

Previous wording

We currently own minerals interests in approximately 67,700 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.

Current wording

We currently own minerals interests in approximately 70,000 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.

Previous wording

Please see "Item 1. Business and Item 2. Properties" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a more detailed discussion of our various businesses.

Current wording

Please see “Item 1. Business and Item 2. Properties” for a more detailed discussion of our various businesses.

Previous wording

Our management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements to analyze our performance. Primary measurements include the following: (1) coal sales price per ton; (2) BOE sold; (3) price per BOE; (4) coal royalty tons sold; (5) coal royalty revenue per ton; (6) Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton; (7) EBITDA; and (8) Segment Adjusted EBITDA.

Current wording

Our management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements to analyze our performance. Primary measurements include the following: (1) coal volumes; (2) coal sales; (3) oil & gas volumes; (4) oil & gas royalties; (5) intercompany coal royalties; (6) Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense; and (7) Segment Adjusted EBITDA.

Previous wording

We monitor and analyze our BOE sales volumes from the various basins that comprise our portfolio of mineral interests. We also regularly compare projected volumes to actual volumes reported and investigate unexpected variances.

Current wording

We monitor and analyze our oil & gas royalty volumes from the various basins that comprise our portfolio of mineral interests. We also regularly compare budgeted to actual volumes reported and investigate variances. Oil & gas royalty volumes on a BOE basis are used as a measure of performance and give us insight into the production activity of our operators.

Previous wording

We define price per BOE as total oil & gas royalties divided by BOE produced. We review price per BOE to evaluate performance against budget and for trend analysis.

Current wording

We monitor and analyze our oil and gas royalties in total and on a price per BOE from the various basins that comprise our portfolio of mineral interests. We also regularly compare budgeted to actual volumes and investigate unexpected variances. We define price per BOE as total oil & gas royalties divided by BOE produced. We review oil & gas royalties and price per BOE to evaluate performance against budget and for trend analysis.

Previous wording

We define coal royalty revenue per ton as total coal royalties divided by royalty tons sold. We review coal royalty revenue per ton to evaluate consistency with our coal operations segments and for trend analysis.

Current wording

We monitor and analyze our coal royalties, coal royalty volumes and coal royalties per ton at our various mining subsidiaries for coal leased by Alliance Resource Properties for trend analysis. We define coal royalties per ton as total coal royalties divided by royalty tons sold.

Previous wording

Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (a non-GAAP financial measure) includes operating expenses, coal purchases and other expense (income). Transportation expenses are excluded as these expenses are passed through to our customers and, consequently, we do not realize any gain or loss 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.

Current wording

We define Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense (a non-GAAP financial measure) as the sum of operating expenses, coal purchases and other expenses as adjusted to remove certain items from operating expenses that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations. Transportation expenses are excluded as these expenses are passed through to our customers and, consequently, we do not realize any gain or loss 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. We also review Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense on a per ton basis for cost trends at our coal operations by dividing Segment Adjusted EBITDA expense by coal sales volumes.

Previous wording

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. 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.

Current wording

We define Segment Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) as net income attributable to ARLP before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization and general and administrative expenses adjusted for certain items that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a key component of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, which is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others. We believe that the presentation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors

Previous wording

We define EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) as net income attributable to ARLP before net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by our 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.

Current wording

regarding our performance and results of operations because Adjusted 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.

Previous wording

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.

Current wording

Segment Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a supplemental measure by our management for reasons similar to those stated in the previous explanation of Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, the exclusion of corporate general and administrative expenses from 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.

Previous wording

Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense for our coal operations increased 8.8% to $1.39 billion, as a result of higher per ton costs. On a per ton basis, Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense for our coal operations increased 12.4% to $40.38 per ton sold in 2023 compared to $35.91 per ton in 2022, primarily due to certain cost increases, which are discussed below by category:

Current wording

Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense increased 8.9% to $1.53 billion primarily related to our coal operations which increased 8.0% to $1.50 billion, as a result of higher per ton costs, partially offset by lower coal sales volumes. Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton sold for our coal operations increased 11.6% to $45.07 per ton sold in 2024 compared to $40.38 per ton in 2023, primarily due to certain cost increases, which are discussed below by category:

Previous wording

Increased revenues and lower income tax expense more than offset higher total operating expenses in 2023, resulting in record net income attributable to ARLP of $630.1 million, or $4.81 per basic and diluted limited partner unit for 2023, compared to $586.2 million, or $4.39 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, for 2022.

Current wording

Net income attributable to ARLP for 2024 was $360.9 million, or $2.77 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, compared to $630.1 million, or $4.81 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, for 2023 as a result of lower revenues, increased operating expenses and a $31.1 million non-cash impairment charge, partially offset by a $22.4 million increase in the fair value of our digital assets.

Previous wording

Oil & Gas Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $121.5 million for 2023 from $143.2 million in 2022. The decrease of $21.7 million was primarily due to lower average sales price per BOE, which decreased 29.4% to $44.37 per BOE, partially offset by increased volumes in 2023, which increased by 29.1%. Higher BOE volumes during 2023 resulted from increased drilling and completion activities on our properties and additional volumes from oil & gas mineral interest acquisitions.

Current wording

Oil & Gas Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $117.0 million for 2024 from $121.5 million in 2023. The decrease of $4.5 million was primarily due to lower average sales price per BOE, which decreased 8.4% to $40.65 per BOE, partially offset by increased volumes in 2024, which increased by 9.6%, and increased expenses. Higher BOE volumes during 2024 resulted from increased drilling and completion activities on our properties and additional volumes from oil & gas mineral interest acquisitions.

Previous wording

Coal Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.9% to $38.8 million for 2022 from $33.2 million in 2021. The increase of $5.6 million was a result of increased royalty tons sold and higher average royalty rates per ton.

Current wording

Coal Royalties – Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.8% to $44.0 million for 2024 from $41.2 million in 2023. The $2.8 million increase was a result of increased royalty tons sold and higher average royalty rates per ton.

Previous wording

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 see "Item 1A. Risk Factors."

Current wording

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 see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Previous wording

In January 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a $93.5 million increase to the unit repurchase program. As a result, we were authorized to repurchase up to a total of $100.0 million of ARLP's limited partner common units. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased and retired 929,842 units at an average price of $20.90 for an aggregate purchase price of $19.4 million, leaving $80.6 million authorized. Please read "Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" for more information on the unit repurchase program.

Current wording

In January 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a $93.5 million increase to the unit repurchase program, which had $6.5 million of available capacity as of December 31, 2022. As a result, we were authorized to repurchase up to a total of $100.0 million of ARLP’s limited partner common units. No units were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2024. The remaining authorized amount for unit repurchases under this program was $80.6 million at December 31, 2024. Please read “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” for more information on the unit repurchase program.

Previous wording

In January 2024, we extended the term of our 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 read "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6 – Long-Term Debt".* *

Current wording

In January 2025, we extended the term of the Securitization Facility to January 2026 and decreased the borrowing availability under the facility to $75.0 million. For additional information on the Securitization Facility please read “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 – Long-Term Debt”.

Previous wording

In 2022, we began development of the Henderson County mine which continued through 2023 and into 2024. We have deployed capital of $69.3 million through 2023 and currently anticipate deploying capital of approximately $36.5 million in 2024 to complete the project. We have funded our capital expenditures and expect to fund our remaining capital expenditures for the project with cash from operations or borrowings under our credit facilities. We anticipate the new mine will enable us to access an additional 109.5 million clean recoverable tons of coal.

Current wording

In 2022, we began development of the Henderson County mine which continued through 2023 and into 2024. We have deployed capital of $114.3 million through 2024 and currently anticipate deploying capital of approximately $6.6 million in 2025 to complete the project. We have funded our capital expenditures and expect to fund our remaining capital expenditures for the project with cash from operations or borrowings under our credit facilities. We anticipate the new mine will enable us to access an additional 109.5 million clean recoverable tons of coal.

Previous wording

Cash provided by operating activities was $830.6 million for 2023 compared to $802.3 million for 2022. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to increases in net income adjusted for non-cash items and favorable working capital changes primarily related to trade receivables. These increases were partially offset by unfavorable working capital changes primarily related to inventories, as well as miscellaneous other changes.

Current wording

Cash provided by operating activities was $803.1 million for 2024 compared to $824.2 million for 2023. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the decrease in net income adjusted for non-cash items and

Previous wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $559.7 million for 2023 compared to $403.3 million for 2022. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to increases in capital expenditures, acquisitions of oil & gas reserves including the JC Resources and Skyland Acquisitions, and changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. These increases were partially offset by payments for the Belvedere and Jase Acquisitions, and contributions to equity method investments in 2022. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 3 – Acquisitions" for more information on the Belvedere, Jase, JC Resources and Skyland Acquisitions.

Current wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $440.7 million for 2024 compared to $553.3 million for 2023. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to acquisitions of oil & gas reserves including the JC Resources Acquisition and purchase of investments in 2023 as well as an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for property, plant and equipment. These decreases were partially offset by increased capital expenditures during 2024. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4 – Acquisitions” for more information on the Belvedere, Jase, JC Resources and Skyland Acquisitions.

Previous wording

We currently estimate our 2024 annual cash requirements, including capital expenditures, scheduled payments on long-term debt, lease obligations, asset retirement obligation costs and workers' compensation and pneumoconiosis, to be in a range of $728.0 million to $778.0 million. Management anticipates having sufficient cash flow to meet 2024 cash requirements with our December 31, 2023 cash and cash equivalents of $59.8 million and cash flows from operations, or borrowings under revolving credit and securitization facilities or other sources of financing that we expect to have available if necessary. We currently project average estimated annual maintenance capital expenditures over the next five years of approximately $7.76 per ton produced. For additional information on our future cash requirements other than capital expenditures, please see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6 – Long-Term Debt," "—Note 8 – Leases," "—Note 15 – Employee Benefit Plans," "—Note 18 – Asset Retirement Obligations," "—Note 19 – Accrued Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits" and "—Note 21 – Commitments and Contingencies." We will

Current wording

We currently estimate our 2025 annual cash requirements, including capital expenditures, scheduled payments on long-term debt, lease obligations, asset retirement obligation costs and workers’ compensation and pneumoconiosis, to be in a range of $519.0 million to $554.0 million. Management anticipates having sufficient cash flow to meet 2024 cash requirements with our December 31, 2024 cash and cash equivalents of $137.0 million and cash flows from operations, or borrowings under revolving credit and securitization facilities or other sources of financing that we expect to have available if necessary. We currently project average estimated annual maintenance capital expenditures over the next five years of approximately $7.28 per ton produced. For additional information on our future cash requirements other than capital expenditures, please see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 – Long-Term Debt,” “—Note 11 – Leases,” “—Note 14 – Employee Benefit Plans,” “—Note 15 – Asset Retirement Obligations,” “—Note 13 – Accrued Workers’ Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits” and “—Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies.” 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.

Previous wording

Effective October 1, 2023, we renewed our property and casualty insurance program through September 30, 2024. Our property insurance was procured from our wholly owned captive insurance company, Wildcat Insurance. Wildcat Insurance charged certain of our subsidiaries for the premiums on this program and in return purchased reinsurance for the program in the standard market. The maximum limit in the commercial property program is $100.0 million per occurrence, excluding a $1.5 million deductible for property damage, a 75 or 90 day waiting period for underground business interruption depending on the mining complex and an additional $25.0 million overall aggregate deductible. We retained a 7.25% participating interest in our current commercial property insurance program. We can make no assurances that we will not experience significant insurance claims in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to purchase property insurance in the future. Also, exposures exist for which no insurance may be available and for which we have not reserved. In addition, the insurance industry has been subject to efforts by environmental activists to restrict coverages available for fossil-fuel companies.

Current wording

Effective October 1, 2024, we renewed our property and casualty insurance program through September 30, 2025. Our property insurance was procured from our wholly owned captive insurance company, Wildcat Insurance. Wildcat Insurance charged certain of our subsidiaries for the premiums on this program and in return purchased reinsurance for the program in the standard market. The maximum limit in the commercial property program is $100.0 million per occurrence, excluding a $1.5 million deductible for property damage, a 75- or 90-day waiting period for underground business interruption depending on the mining complex and an additional $25.0 million overall aggregate deductible. We retained a 2.50% participating interest in our current commercial property insurance program. We can make no assurances that we will not experience significant insurance claims in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to purchase property insurance in the future. Also, exposures exist for which no insurance may be available and for which we have not reserved. In addition, the insurance industry has been subject to efforts by environmental activists to restrict coverages available for fossil-fuel companies.

Previous wording

We account for business acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 3 – Acquisitions" for more information on the Belvedere, Jase and Skyland Acquisitions. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, if any, is recorded as goodwill. Given the time it takes to obtain pertinent information to finalize the acquired business' balance sheet, it may be several quarters before we are able to finalize those initial fair value estimates. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for the initial estimates to be subsequently revised. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Current wording

We account for business acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4 – Acquisitions” for more information on the Belvedere, Jase and Skyland Acquisitions. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, if any, is recorded as goodwill. Given the time it takes to obtain pertinent information to finalize the acquired business’ balance sheet, it may be several quarters before we are able to finalize those initial fair value estimates. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for the initial estimates to be subsequently revised. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Previous wording

Estimates of future commodity prices utilized in our impairment analyses consider market information including published forward oil & gas prices. The forecasted price information used in our impairment analyses is consistent with that generally used in evaluating third-party operator drilling decisions and our expected acquisition plans, if any. Prices for future periods will impact the production economics underlying oil & gas reserve estimates. In addition, changes in the price of oil & gas also impact certain costs associated with our expected underlying production and future capital costs. The prices of oil & gas are volatile and change from period to period, thus are expected to impact our estimates. Significant unfavorable changes in the estimated future commodity prices could result in an impairment of our oil & gas mineral interests.

Current wording

Estimates of future commodity prices utilized in our impairment analyses consider market information including published forward oil & gas prices. The forecasted price information used in our impairment analyses is consistent with that generally used in evaluating third-party operator drilling decisions and our expected acquisition plans, if any. Prices for future periods will impact the production economics underlying oil & gas reserve estimates. In addition, changes in the price of oil & gas also impact certain costs associated with our expected underlying production and future capital costs.

Previous wording

We provide income replacement and medical treatment for work-related traumatic injury claims as required by applicable state laws. We generally provide for these claims through self-insurance programs. Workers' compensation laws also compensate survivors of workers who suffer employment related deaths. Our liability for traumatic injury claims is the estimated present value of current workers' compensation benefits, based on our actuary estimates. Our actuarial calculations are based on a blend of actuarial projection methods and numerous assumptions including claim development patterns, mortality, medical costs and interest rates. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 19 – Accrued Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits" for additional discussion. We had accrued liabilities for workers' compensation of $48.0 million and $49.5 million for these costs at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A one-percentage-point reduction in the discount rate would have increased operating expense by approximately $2.4 million at December 31, 2023. We limit our exposure to traumatic injury claims by purchasing a high deductible insurance policy that starts paying benefits after deductibles for a particular claim year have been met. Our receivables for traumatic injury claims under this policy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $4.1 million.

Current wording

We provide income replacement and medical treatment for work-related traumatic injury claims as required by applicable state laws. We generally provide for these claims through self-insurance programs. Workers’ compensation laws also compensate survivors of workers who suffer employment related deaths. Our liability for traumatic injury claims is the estimated present value of current workers’ compensation benefits, based on our actuary estimates. Our actuarial calculations are based on a blend of actuarial projection methods and numerous assumptions including claim development patterns, mortality, medical costs and interest rates. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13 – Accrued Workers’ Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits” for additional discussion. We had accrued liabilities for workers’ compensation of $47.9 million and $48.0 million for these costs at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. A one-percentage-point reduction in the discount rate would have increased operating expense by approximately $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. We limit our exposure to traumatic injury claims by purchasing a high deductible insurance policy that starts paying benefits after deductibles for a particular claim year have been met. Our receivables for traumatic injury claims under this policy as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $3.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Previous wording

Coal mining companies are subject to FMSHA and various state statutes for the payment of medical and disability benefits to eligible recipients related to coal worker's pneumoconiosis, or black lung. We provide for these claims through self-insurance programs. Our pneumoconiosis benefits liability is calculated using the service cost method based on the actuarial present value of the estimated pneumoconiosis benefits obligation. Our actuarial calculations are based on numerous assumptions including disability incidence, medical costs, mortality, death benefits, dependents and discount rates. We had accrued liabilities of $132.4 million and $104.3 million for the pneumoconiosis benefits at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A one-percentage-point reduction in the discount rate would have increased the expense recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023 by approximately $1.4 million. Under the service cost method used to

Current wording

Coal mining companies are subject to FMSHA and various state statutes for the payment of medical and disability benefits to eligible recipients related to coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, or black lung. We provide for these claims through self-insurance programs. Our pneumoconiosis benefits liability is calculated using the service cost method based on the actuarial present value of the estimated pneumoconiosis benefits obligation. Our actuarial calculations are based on numerous assumptions including disability incidence, medical costs, mortality, death benefits, dependents and discount rates. We had accrued liabilities of $124.3 million and $132.4 million for the pneumoconiosis benefits at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. A one-percentage-point reduction in the discount rate would have increased the expense recognized for the year ended December 31, 2024 by approximately $2.0 million. Under the service cost method used to estimate our pneumoconiosis benefits liability, actuarial gains or losses attributable to changes in actuarial assumptions, such as the discount rate, are amortized over the remaining service period of active miners.

Previous wording

SMCRA and similar state statutes require that mined property be restored in accordance with specified standards and an approved reclamation plan. A liability is recorded for the estimated cost of future mine asset retirement and closing procedures on a present value basis when incurred or acquired and a corresponding amount is capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Those costs relate to permanently sealing portals at underground mines and to reclaiming the final pits and support surface acreage for both our underground mines and past surface mines. Examples of these types of costs, common to both types of mining, include, but are not limited to, removing or covering refuse piles and settling ponds, water treatment obligations, and dismantling preparation plants, other facilities and roadway infrastructure. Accrued liabilities of $150.4 million and $149.8 million for these costs are recorded at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 18 – Asset Retirement Obligations" for additional information. The liability for asset retirement and closing procedures is sensitive to changes in cost estimates, estimated mine lives and timing of post-mine reclamation activities. As changes in estimates occur (such as mine plan revisions, changes in estimated costs or changes in timing of the performance of reclamation activities), the revisions to the obligation and asset are recognized at the appropriate credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate.

Current wording

SMCRA and similar state statutes require that mined property be restored in accordance with specified standards and an approved reclamation plan. A liability is recorded for the estimated cost of future mine asset retirement and closing procedures on a present value basis when incurred or acquired and a corresponding amount is capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Those costs relate to permanently sealing portals at underground mines and to reclaiming the final pits and support surface acreage for both our underground mines and past surface mines. Examples of these types of costs, common to both types of mining, include, but are not limited to, removing or covering refuse piles and settling ponds, water treatment obligations, and dismantling preparation plants, other facilities and roadway infrastructure. Accrued liabilities of $158.8 million and $150.4 million for these costs are recorded at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 15 – Asset Retirement Obligations” for additional information. The liability for asset retirement and closing procedures is sensitive to changes in cost estimates, estimated mine lives and timing of post-mine reclamation activities. As changes in estimates occur (such as mine plan revisions, changes in estimated costs or changes in timing of the performance of reclamation activities), the revisions to the obligation and asset are recognized at the appropriate credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate.

Previous wording

On at least an annual basis, we review our entire asset retirement obligation liability and make necessary adjustments for permit changes approved by state authorities, changes in the timing of reclamation activities, and revisions to cost estimates and productivity assumptions, to reflect current experience. Adjustments to the liability associated with these assumptions resulted in a decrease of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjustments to the liability associated with these assumptions resulted in an increase of $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Current wording

On at least an annual basis, we review our entire asset retirement obligation liability and make necessary adjustments for permit changes approved by state authorities, changes in the timing of reclamation activities, and revisions to cost estimates and productivity assumptions, to reflect current experience. Adjustments to the liability associated with these assumptions resulted in a increase of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Adjustments to the liability associated with these assumptions resulted in a decrease of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

While the precise amount of these future costs cannot be determined with certainty, we have estimated the costs and timing of future asset retirement obligations escalated for inflation, then discounted and recorded at the present value of those estimates. Discounting resulted in reducing the accrual for asset retirement obligations by $116.2 million and $110.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022. We estimate that the aggregate undiscounted cost of final mine closure is approximately $266.6 million and $260.2 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. If our assumptions differ from actual experiences, or if changes in the regulatory environment occur, our actual cash expenditures and costs that we incur could be materially different than currently estimated.

Current wording

While the precise amount of these future costs cannot be determined with certainty, we have estimated the costs and timing of future asset retirement obligations escalated for inflation, then discounted and recorded at the present value of those estimates. Discounting resulted in reducing the accrual for asset retirement obligations by $120.1 million and $116.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023. We estimate that the aggregate undiscounted cost of final mine closure is approximately $278.9 million and $266.6 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. If our assumptions differ from actual experiences, or if changes in the regulatory environment occur, our actual cash expenditures and costs that we incur could be materially different than currently estimated.

Previous wording

We had accruals for other liabilities, including current obligations, totaling $398.4 million and $395.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These accruals were chiefly comprised of workers' compensation benefits, pneumoconiosis benefits, and costs associated with asset retirement obligations. These obligations are self-insured except for certain excess insurance coverage for workers' compensation. The accruals of these items were based on estimates of future expenditures based on current legislation, related regulations and other developments. Thus, from time to time, our results of operations may be significantly affected by changes to these liabilities. Please see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 18 – Asset Retirement Obligations" and "—Note 19 – Accrued Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits."

Current wording

We had accruals for other liabilities, including current obligations, totaling $415.1 million and $398.4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These accruals were chiefly comprised of workers’ compensation benefits, pneumoconiosis benefits, and costs associated with asset retirement obligations. These obligations are self-insured except for certain excess insurance coverage for workers’ compensation. The accruals of these items were based on estimates of future expenditures based on current legislation, related regulations and other developments. Thus, from time to time, our results of operations may be significantly affected by changes to these liabilities. Please see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 15 – Asset Retirement Obligations” and “—Note 13 – Accrued Workers’ Compensation and Pneumoconiosis Benefits.”