Note 5 - Asset Retirement Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

NOTE 5—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

We estimate asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) for final reclamation based upon detailed engineering calculations of the amount and timing of the future cash spending for a third-party to perform the required work. Amounts recorded related to asset retirement obligations were as follows:

	December 31,
(In thousands)	2022		2021
Balance at beginning of year	$	22,549	$	15,156
Additional asset retirement obligations acquired/incurred		1,440		6,919
Expenditures made		—		(62)
Accretion expense		1,115		615
Revisions to estimates		3,781		(79)
Balance at end of year	$	28,885	$	22,549