PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

in thousands	2019	2018
Property, Plant & Equipment
Land and land improvements 1	$    2,920,963	$  2,823,092
Buildings	141,898	139,948
Machinery and equipment	5,362,279	5,106,918
Leasehold improvements	1,677	18,217
Deferred asset retirement costs	167,484	183,324
Construction in progress	154,917	186,120
Total, gross	$    8,749,218	$  8,457,619
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion
and amortization	4,433,180	4,220,312
Total, net	$    4,316,038	$  4,237,307

¹ Includes depletable land: December 31, 2019 — $1,667,642 thousand and December 31, 2018 — $1,626,899 thousand.

Capitalized Interest Costs and Total Interest Costs Incurred

in thousands	2019	2018	2017
Capitalized interest cost	$          3,896	$        3,674	$        5,177
Total interest cost incurred before recognition
of the capitalized amount 1	134,051	141,651	300,699

¹ Interest expense for 2017 includes $148,030 thousand of charges related to debt purchases.