PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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	2018	2017
Property, Plant & Equipment
Land and land improvements 1	$    2,823,092	$  2,742,285
Buildings	139,948	135,655
Machinery and equipment	5,106,918	4,740,212
Leasehold improvements	18,217	17,354
Deferred asset retirement costs	183,324	172,631
Construction in progress	186,120	161,175
Total, gross	$    8,457,619	$  7,969,312
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion
and amortization	4,220,312	4,050,381
Total, net	$    4,237,307	$  3,918,931

1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2018 — $1,626,899 thousand and December 31, 2017 — $1,606,303 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	2018	2017	2016
Capitalized interest cost	$          3,674	$        5,177	$        7,468
Total interest cost incurred before recognition
of the capitalized amount	141,651	300,699	141,544