PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

Balances of major classes of assets and allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization at December 31 are as follows:

in thousands	2016	2015
Property, Plant & Equipment
Land and land improvements 1	$    2,374,051	$  2,305,801
Buildings	127,369	124,950
Machinery and equipment	4,316,243	4,124,808
Leaseholds	17,595	14,143
Deferred asset retirement costs	168,258	166,252
Construction in progress	182,302	155,333
Total, gross	$    7,185,818	$  6,891,287
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion
and amortization	3,924,380	3,734,997
Total, net	$    3,261,438	$  3,156,290

1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2016 — $1,327,402 thousand and December 31, 2015 — $1,296,211 thousand.

Capitalized interest costs with respect to qualifying construction projects and total interest costs incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

in thousands	2016	2015	2014
Capitalized interest cost	$          7,468	$        2,930	$        2,092
Total interest cost incurred before recognition
of the capitalized amount	141,544	223,518	245,459