Note 2 - Long-lived Asset Impairments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]

(2) LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENTS

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.  The impact of COVID-19 is being monitored closely, but for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, there were no material COVID-19 related impairment charges recorded for long-lived assets.

Carlisle Mine

We recorded an impairment of $65.7 million as of December 31, 2019 due to our decision to idle the Carlisle Mine during Q4 2019.  The impairment included buildings, land, rail, mine development, equipment, and advanced royalties. Buildings, land, and rail were impaired to their estimated salvage value. The remaining salvage value of land and buildings at the Carlisle Mine is estimated at $1.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Subsequent to year-end during late Q1 2020, we determined that it was economically prudent to permanently close the Carlisle Mine. Equipment totaling $23 million is being redeployed and will be utilized at the Oaktown mines. No additional impairment costs were recorded during Q1 2020 as a result of the decision to close the Carlisle Mine. Exit and disposal costs to close the mine were $1.1 million, which were recorded as current period costs in Q1 and Q2 of 2020.

Bulldog Reserves

As a result of the Carlisle Mine impairment, we determined that an impairment of the Bulldog Reserves was also necessary.  With the closure of the Carlisle Mine, it became apparent that the likelihood of construction and opening of Bulldog was reduced.  Based on our review, we recorded an impairment of $9.2 million as of December 31, 2019, which included land and advanced royalties, and was a complete impairment of all assets.

Hourglass Sands

We recorded an impairment of $2.9 million as of December 31, 2019, due to softness in the pricing of the frac sand market.  The impairment included inventory, land, mine development, buildings and equipment and was determined using a market approach.  The remaining fair market value of inventory, equipment, and buildings at Hourglass Sands was $1.9 million as of  December 31, 2019.  Due to the continued regression of the frac sand market, in August 2020 we ceased operations of the plant and recorded an impairment of $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, which included the remaining inventory and buildings and which was determined using a market approach.