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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(K) Commitments and Contingencies

Our operations and properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local laws; regulations and ordinances governing the protection of the environment; as well as laws relating to worker health and workplace safety. We carefully consider the requirements mandated by such laws and regulations and have procedures in place at all of our operating units to monitor compliance. Any matters which are identified as potential exposures under these laws and regulations are carefully reviewed by management to determine our potential liability. Although management is not aware of any exposures which require an accrual under generally accepted accounting principles, there can be no assurance that prior or future operations will not ultimately result in violations, claims, or other liabilities associated with these regulations.

We have certain deductible limits under our workers’ compensation and liability insurance policies for which reserves are established based on the undiscounted estimated costs of known and anticipated claims. We have entered into standby letter of credit agreements relating to workers’ compensation and auto and general liability self-insurance. At March 31, 2020, we had contingent liabilities under these outstanding letters of credit of approximately $6.5 million. We have also provided an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit for any borrowings made by our Joint Venture under its credit facility. The Joint Venture has not had any borrowings under the credit facility during the last two fiscal years; therefore, we have not issued any letters of credit during fiscal 2020 and 2019.

We are currently contingently liable for performance under $31.0 million in performance bonds required by certain states and municipalities, and their related agencies. The bonds are principally for certain reclamation obligations and mining permits. We have indemnified the underwriting insurance company against any exposure under the performance bonds. In our past experience, no material claims have been made against these financial instruments.

Other

In the ordinary course of business, we execute contracts involving indemnifications that are standard in the industry and indemnifications specific to a transaction such as the sale of a business. These indemnifications might include claims relating to any of the following: environmental and tax matters; intellectual property rights; governmental regulations and employment-related matters; customer, supplier, construction contractor, and other commercial contractual relationships; and financial matters. While the maximum amount to which we may be exposed under such agreements cannot be estimated, it is the opinion of management that these indemnifications are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We currently have no outstanding guarantees of third-party debt.

We have certain forward purchase contracts, primarily for natural gas, that expire during calendar 2020 and 2021. The contracts are for approximately 25% of our anticipated natural gas usage.