Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.	NOTE 10—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Environmental Liabilities—Environmental liabilities are recognized when the expenditures are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on currently enacted laws and regulations, existing technology and undiscounted site-specific costs. Generally, such recognition would coincide with a commitment to a formal plan of action. No amounts have been recognized for environmental liabilities. Surety Bond—In accordance with state laws, we are required to post reclamation bonds to assure that reclamation work is completed. Reclamation bonds outstanding at December 31, 2020 totaled approximately $14.9 million. Additionally, we had $0.3 million of surety bonds that secured performance obligations. Contingent Transportation Purchase Commitments—We secure the ability to transport coal through rail contracts and export terminals that are sometimes funded through take-or-pay arrangements. As of December 31, 2020, contingent liabilities under these take-or-pay arrangements expiring March 31, 2021 totaled $3.3 million. The level of these take or pay liabilities will be reduced at a per ton rate as such rail and export terminal services are utilized against the required minimum tonnage amounts over the contract term stipulated in such rail and export terminal contracts. Litigation—From time to time, we are subject to various litigation and other claims in the normal course of business. No amounts have been accrued in the consolidated financial statements with respect to any matters. On November 5, 2018, one of three raw coal storage silos that fed our Elk Creek plant experienced a partial structural failure. A temporary conveying system completed in late-November 2018 restored approximately 80% of the plant capacity. We completed a permanent belt workaround and restored the preparation plant to its full processing capacity in mid-2019. Our insurance carrier, Federal Insurance Company, disputed our claim for coverage based on certain exclusions to the applicable policy and therefore on August 21, 2019 we filed suit against Federal Insurance Company and Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. in Logan County Circuit Court in West Virginia seeking a declaratory judgment that the partial silo collapse was an insurable event and to require coverage under our policy. Defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and upon removal, we substituted ACE American Insurance Company as a defendant in place of Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. Currently, the case is scheduled for trial beginning June 29, 2021, in Charleston, West Virginia.

NOTE 10—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental Liabilities—Environmental liabilities are recognized when the expenditures are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Measurement of liabilities is based on currently enacted laws and regulations, existing technology and undiscounted site-specific costs. Generally, such recognition would coincide with a commitment to a formal plan of action. No amounts have been recognized for environmental liabilities.

Surety Bond—In accordance with state laws, we are required to post reclamation bonds to assure that reclamation work is completed. Reclamation bonds outstanding at December 31, 2020 totaled approximately $14.9 million. Additionally, we had $0.3 million of surety bonds that secured performance obligations.

Contingent Transportation Purchase Commitments—We secure the ability to transport coal through rail contracts and export terminals that are sometimes funded through take-or-pay arrangements. As of December 31, 2020, contingent liabilities under these take-or-pay arrangements expiring March 31, 2021 totaled $3.3 million. The level of these take or pay liabilities will be reduced at a per ton rate as such rail and export terminal services are utilized against the required minimum tonnage amounts over the contract term stipulated in such rail and export terminal contracts.

Litigation—From time to time, we are subject to various litigation and other claims in the normal course of business. No amounts have been accrued in the consolidated financial statements with respect to any matters.

On November 5, 2018, one of three raw coal storage silos that fed our Elk Creek plant experienced a partial structural failure. A temporary conveying system completed in late-November 2018 restored approximately 80% of the plant capacity. We completed a permanent belt workaround and restored the preparation plant to its full processing capacity in mid-2019. Our insurance carrier, Federal Insurance Company, disputed our claim for coverage based on certain exclusions to the applicable policy and therefore on August 21, 2019 we filed suit against Federal Insurance Company and Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. in Logan County Circuit Court in West Virginia seeking a declaratory judgment that the partial silo collapse was an insurable event and to require coverage under our policy. Defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and upon removal, we substituted ACE American Insurance Company as a defendant in place of Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. Currently, the case is scheduled for trial beginning June 29, 2021, in Charleston, West Virginia.