Note 2 - Long-lived Asset Impairments	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 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 year ended December 31, 2020, there were no material COVID-19 related impairment charges recorded for long-lived assets. Carlisle Mine Due to softness in the market in Q4 2019 and the elevated cost structure of the Carlisle Mine, we made the decision to idle the Carlisle Mine during Q4 2019 with the intent to recommence production in 2020, and accordingly, we conducted an evaluation of impairment on the Carlisle Mine utilizing a discounted future cash flow model using the income approach. We utilized a discount rate of 10% in discounting the estimated cash flows. Other key assumptions included the anticipated demand of overall tons of coal over the remaining life of the mine, the average selling price per ton of coal, operating cost per ton and expected future capital expenditures to support the anticipated production levels. We also assessed the impairment based upon the potential closure of the mine which was being contemplated at the time and considered both scenarios in determining the amount of impairment at December 31, 2019. Based on our review, we recorded an impairment of $65.7 million related to the Carlisle Mine as of December 31, 2019, which 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 was estimated at $1.8 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of the assets used in our impairment assessment was determined using a market approach based on recent sales of similar property. 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 utilized at the Oaktown mines. No additional impairment costs were recorded during 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. We also evaluated whether the closure of the Carlisle Mine should be considered a discontinued operation and concluded while the mine does have discrete separately identifiable cashflows a strategic shift in our business had not occurred therefore the closure of the mine was not considered a discontinued operation under ASC 205-20. 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 in the third quarter of 2020, which included the remaining inventory and buildings and which was determined using a market approach.

Note 2 - Long-lived Asset Impairments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

(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 year ended December 31, 2020, there were no material COVID-19 related impairment charges recorded for long-lived assets.

Carlisle Mine

Due to softness in the market in Q4 2019 and the elevated cost structure of the Carlisle Mine, we made the decision to idle the Carlisle Mine during Q4 2019 with the intent to recommence production in 2020, and accordingly, we conducted an evaluation of impairment on the Carlisle Mine utilizing a discounted future cash flow model using the income approach. We utilized a discount rate of 10% in discounting the estimated cash flows. Other key assumptions included the anticipated demand of overall tons of coal over the remaining life of the mine, the average selling price per ton of coal, operating cost per ton and expected future capital expenditures to support the anticipated production levels. We also assessed the impairment based upon the potential closure of the mine which was being contemplated at the time and considered both scenarios in determining the amount of impairment at December 31, 2019. Based on our review, we recorded an impairment of $65.7 million related to the Carlisle Mine as of December 31, 2019, which 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 was estimated at $1.8 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of the assets used in our impairment assessment was determined using a market approach based on recent sales of similar property. 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 utilized at the Oaktown mines. No additional impairment costs were recorded during 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. We also evaluated whether the closure of the Carlisle Mine should be considered a discontinued operation and concluded while the mine does have discrete separately identifiable cashflows a strategic shift in our business had not occurred therefore the closure of the mine was not considered a discontinued operation under ASC 205-20.

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 in the third quarter of 2020, which included the remaining inventory and buildings and which was determined using a market approach.