Ramaco Resources, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
or
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-38003
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 38-4018838 |
(State or other jurisdiction | (I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
250 West Main Street, Suite 1900 | |
Lexington, Kentucky | 40507 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(859) 244-7455 | |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | METC | NASDAQ Global Select Market | ||
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value | METCB | NASDAQ Global Select Market | ||
9.00% Senior Notes due 2026 | METCL | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 31, 2023, the registrant had 43,902,118 and 8,783,877 outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 21 | |
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39 |
2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this report, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenue and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under, but not limited to, the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in this Quarterly Report and elsewhere in the Annual Report of Ramaco Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 14, 2023 and amended on April 7, 2023, as well as other filings of the Company with the SEC.
Forward-looking statements may include statements about:
● | risks related to the impact of the novel coronavirus “COVID-19” global pandemic, such as the scope and duration of the outbreak, the health and safety of our employees, government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response, delays and cancellations of customer sales, supply chain disruptions and other impacts to the business, or our ability to execute our business continuity plans; |
● | anticipated production levels, costs, sales volumes, and revenue; |
● | timing and ability to complete major capital projects; |
● | economic conditions in the metallurgical coal and steel industries; |
● | expected costs to develop planned and future mining operations, including the costs to construct necessary processing, refuse disposal and transport facilities; |
● | estimated quantities or quality of our metallurgical coal reserves; |
● | our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if required, to complete the acquisition of additional metallurgical coal reserves as currently contemplated or to fund the operations and growth of our business; |
● | maintenance, operating or other expenses or changes in the timing thereof; |
● | the financial condition and liquidity of our customers; |
● | competition in coal markets; |
● | the price of metallurgical coal or thermal coal; |
● | compliance with stringent domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including environmental, climate change and health and safety regulations, and permitting requirements, as well as changes in the regulatory environment, the adoption of new or revised laws, regulations and permitting requirements; |
● | potential legal proceedings and regulatory inquiries against us; |
● | the impact of weather and natural disasters on demand, production, and transportation; |
● | purchases by major customers and our ability to renew sales contracts; |
● | credit and performance risks associated with customers, suppliers, contract miners, co-shippers and traders, banks, and other financial counterparties; |
● | geologic, equipment, permitting, site access and operational risks and new technologies related to mining; |
● | transportation availability, performance, and costs; |
● | availability, timing of delivery and costs of key supplies, capital equipment or commodities such as diesel fuel, steel, explosives, and tires; |
● | timely review and approval of permits, permit renewals, extensions, and amendments by regulatory authorities; |
● | our ability to comply with certain debt covenants; |
● | tax payments to be paid for the current fiscal year; |
● | our expectations relating to dividend payments and our ability to make such payments; |
● | the anticipated benefits and impacts of previous acquisitions; |
3
● | risks related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the international community’s response; |
● | risks related to weakened global economic conditions and inflation; |
● | risks related to the Company’s tracking stock structure and separate performance of its Carbon Ore-Rare Earth (“CORE”) assets; and |
● | other risks identified in this Quarterly Report that are not historical. |
We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the development, production, gathering and sale of coal. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and additional risks may arise from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all of the risks associated with our business, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Quarterly Report are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.
All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.
Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report.
4
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Ramaco Resources, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
In thousands, except share and per share information |
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| ||
Assets |
|
|
| ||||
Current assets |
|
|
| ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 42,924 | $ | 35,613 | | ||
Accounts receivable |
| 63,634 |
| 41,174 | | ||
Inventories |
| 50,242 |
| 44,973 | | ||
Prepaid expenses and other |
| 12,422 |
| 25,729 | | ||
Total current assets |
| 169,222 |
| 147,489 | | ||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
| 456,712 |
| 429,842 | | ||
Financing lease right-of-use assets, net | 13,201 | 12,905 | | ||||
Advanced coal royalties |
| 3,606 |
| 3,271 | | ||
Other |
| 3,965 |
| 2,832 | | ||
Total Assets | $ | 646,706 | $ | 596,339 | | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | | | | | | ||
Liabilities | | | | | | ||
Current liabilities | | | | | | ||
Accounts payable | $ | 51,584 | $ | 34,825 | | ||
Accrued liabilities |
| 46,485 |
| 41,806 | | ||
Current portion of asset retirement obligations |
| 110 |
| 29 | | ||
Current portion of long-term debt |
| 28,015 |
| 35,639 | | ||
Current portion of related party debt | 10,000 | 40,000 | | ||||
Current portion of financing lease obligations | 6,312 | 5,969 | | ||||
Insurance financing liability | — | 4,577 | | ||||
Total current liabilities |
| 142,506 |
| 162,845 | | ||
Asset retirement obligations, net |
| 28,495 |
| 28,856 | | ||
Long-term debt, net |
| 34,157 |
| 18,757 | | ||
Long-term financing lease obligations, net | 5,765 |
| 4,917 | | |||
Senior notes, net | 33,178 |
| 32,830 | | |||
Deferred tax liability, net |
| 45,685 |
| 35,637 | | ||
Other long-term liabilities | 4,322 | 3,299 | | ||||
Total liabilities |
| 294,108 | 287,141 | | |||
Commitments and contingencies |
|
| | ||||
Stockholders' Equity | | | | | | ||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding |
|
| | ||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 260,000,000 shares authorized, 44,155,735 shares and at * |
| — |
| 442 | | ||
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 225,000,000 shares authorized, 43,902,118 shares issued and at September 30, 2023 * | 439 | — | | ||||
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 35,000,000 shares authorized, 8,783,877 shares and outstanding at September 30, 2023 | 88 | — | | ||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 275,929 |
| 168,711 | | ||
Retained earnings |
| 76,142 |
| 140,045 | | ||
Total stockholders' equity |
| 352,598 |
| 309,198 | | ||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 646,706 | $ | 596,339 | | ||
* Common stock was reclassified to Class A common stock during Q2 2023. Refer to Note 6. | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Ramaco Resources, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
In thousands, except per-share amounts |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||||
Revenue |
| $ | 186,966 |
| $ | 136,925 |
| $ | 490,795 |
| $ | 430,461 |
|
Costs and expenses | |||||||||||||
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below) |
| 144,635 |
| 79,634 |
| 354,383 |
| 237,530 | |||||
Asset retirement obligations accretion |
| 349 |
| 495 |
| 1,049 |
| 1,485 | |||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
| 14,443 |
| 11,435 |
| 39,850 |
| 29,898 | |||||
Selling, general, and administrative |
| 11,458 |
| 8,672 |
| 37,519 |
| 29,282 | |||||
Total costs and expenses |
| 170,885 |
| 100,236 |
| 432,801 |
| 298,195 | |||||
Operating income |
| 16,081 |
| 36,689 |
| 57,994 |
| 132,266 | |||||
Other income (expense), net |
| 11,333 |
| (933) |
| 15,076 |
| 1,781 | |||||
Interest expense, net |
| (2,447) |
| (2,255) |
| (7,274) |
| (5,323) | |||||
Income before tax |
| 24,967 |
| 33,501 |
| 65,796 |
| 128,724 | |||||
Income tax expense |
| 5,505 |
| 6,596 |
| 13,521 |
| 27,068 | |||||
Net income | $ | 19,462 | $ | 26,905 | $ | 52,275 | $ | 101,656 | |||||
Earnings per common share * | |||||||||||||
Basic - Single class (through 6/20/2023) | $ | N/A | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 2.30 | |||||
Basic - Class A (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.41 | $ | — | $ | 0.44 | $ | — | |||||
Total | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 2.30 | |||||
Basic - Class B (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.17 | $ | — | $ | 0.17 | $ | — | |||||
Diluted - Single class (through 6/20/23) | $ | N/A | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.27 | |||||
Diluted - Class A (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.40 | $ | — | $ | 0.44 | $ | — | |||||
Total | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 2.27 | |||||
Diluted - Class B (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.16 | $ | — | $ | 0.16 | $ | — | |||||
* Refer to Note 10 for earnings per common share calculations |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Ramaco Resources, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Class B | Additional | Total | |||||||||||||
| Common | Common |
| Paid- |
| Retained |
| Stockholders' | |||||||
In thousands |
| Stock * | Stock |
| in Capital |
| Earnings |
| Equity | ||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | 442 | $ | — | $ | 168,711 | $ | 140,045 | $ | 309,198 | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 3 |
| — |
| 2,934 |
| — |
| 2,937 | |||||
Shares surrendered for withholding taxes payable | (1) | — | (114) | — | (115) | ||||||||||
Adjustment to cash dividends previously declared | — | — |
| — |
| (354) |
| (354) | |||||||
Net income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 25,257 |
| 25,257 | |||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | | 444 | | — | | 171,531 | | 164,948 | | 336,923 | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| 3,568 |
| — |
| 3,568 | |||||
Cash dividends declared | — | — |
| — |
| (5,734) |
| (5,734) | |||||||
Stock dividend declared and distributed | — | 89 | 102,831 | (102,920) | — | ||||||||||
Shares surrendered for withholding taxes payable | (5) | (1) | (5,202) | — | (5,208) | ||||||||||
Net income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 7,556 |
| 7,556 | |||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 | 439 | * | 88 | 272,728 | 63,850 | 337,105 | |||||||||
* Common stock was reclassified to Class A common stock during Q2 2023. Refer to Note 6. | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| 3,201 |
| — |
| 3,201 | |||||
Cash dividends declared | — | — |
| — |
| (7,170) |
| (7,170) | |||||||
Net income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 19,462 |
| 19,462 | |||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | 439 | $ | 88 | $ | 275,929 | $ | 76,142 | $ | 352,598 | |||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | 441 | $ | — | $ | 163,566 | $ | 47,067 | $ | 211,074 | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 2 | — |
| 1,885 |
| — |
| 1,887 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared | — | — | — | (2,497) | (2,497) | ||||||||||
Net income |
| — | — |
| — |
| 41,471 |
| 41,471 | ||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | | 443 | — | | 165,451 | | 86,041 | | 251,935 | ||||||
Shares surrendered for withholding taxes payable | (2) | — | (2,819) | — | (2,821) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — |
| 2,286 |
| — |
| 2,286 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared | — | — |
| — |
| (4,998) |
| (4,998) | |||||||
Net income |
| — | — |
| — |
| 33,280 |
| 33,280 | ||||||
Balance at June 30, 2022 | 441 | — | 164,918 | 114,323 | 279,682 | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| 2,019 |
| — |
| 2,019 | |||||
Stock options exercised | — | — | 107 | — | 107 | ||||||||||
Shares surrendered for withholding taxes payable | — | — | (50) | — | (50) | ||||||||||
Cash dividends declared | — | — | — | (9,994) | (9,994) | ||||||||||
Net income |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 26,905 |
| 26,905 | |||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 441 | $ | — | $ | 166,994 | $ | 131,234 | $ | 298,669 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
Ramaco Resources, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||
In thousands |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
| |||
Net income | $ | 52,275 | $ | 101,656 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: | |||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations |
| 1,049 |
| 1,485 | |||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
| 39,850 |
| 29,898 | |||
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
| 566 |
| 367 | |||
Stock-based compensation |
| 9,706 |
| 6,192 | |||
Other income | (4,912) | (2,113) | |||||
Deferred income taxes |
| 10,048 |
| 11,579 | |||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
| (22,460) |
| (5,905) | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 10,115 |
| 1,242 | |||
Inventories |
| (5,269) |
| (24,237) | |||
Other assets and liabilities |
| (816) |
| 91 | |||
Accounts payable |
| 19,253 |
| 12,432 | |||
Accrued liabilities |
| 10,071 |
| 26,112 | |||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 119,476 |
| 158,799 | |||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
| (64,924) |
| (91,384) | |||
Acquisition of Ramaco Coal assets | — | (11,738) | |||||
Acquisition of Maben assets (bond recovery in 2023) | 1,182 | (10,715) | |||||
Other | 5,976 | 2,000 | |||||
Net cash used for investing activities | (57,766) | (111,837) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
| 95,000 |
| 17,000 | |||
Proceeds from stock options exercised | — | 107 | |||||
Payment of dividends | (18,049) | (14,996) | |||||
Repayment of borrowings |
| (87,225) |
| (17,066) | |||
Repayment of Ramaco Coal acquisition financing - related party | (30,000) | — | |||||
Repayments of insurance financing | (3,848) | (280) | |||||
Repayments of equipment finance leases | (4,954) | (3,760) | |||||
Shares surrendered for withholding taxes payable | (5,323) | (2,871) | |||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
| (54,399) |
| (21,866) | |||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| 7,311 |
| 25,096 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
| 36,473 |
| 22,806 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 43,784 | $ | 47,902 | |||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||
Leased assets obtained under new financing leases |
| 6,144 |
| 4,259 | |||
Financed equipment purchases | — | 5,730 | |||||
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
| 10,910 |
| 9,004 | |||
Ramaco Coal acquisition financing |
| — |
| 56,551 | |||
Maben Coal acquisition financing | — | 21,000 | |||||
Financed insurance | 407 | — | |||||
Accrued dividends payable |
| 733 |
| 4,994 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
Ramaco Resources, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1—BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Ramaco Resources, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,”) is a Delaware corporation formed in October 2016. Our principal corporate and executive offices are located in Lexington, Kentucky with operational offices in Charleston, West Virginia and Sheridan, Wyoming. We are an operator and developer of high-quality, low-cost metallurgical coal in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania. We also control mineral deposits near Sheridan, Wyoming as part of the Company’s initiatives regarding the potential recovery of rare earth elements as well as the potential commercialization of coal-to-carbon-based products and materials.
Economic Conditions—Renewed global economic concerns, including those related to the military conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, have caused volatility in the commodity markets. This volatility, including market expectations of potential changes in coal prices and inflationary pressures on steel products, has had a significant effect on market prices and may affect overall demand for our coal as well as the cost of supplies and equipment.
Basis of Presentation—These interim financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding interim financial reporting. Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2023, as well as the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.
There were no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In October 2023, subsequent to the date of the Company’s financial statements, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in ASU 2023-06 clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements for a variety of topics, including debt and earnings per share. The effective date for each amendment in ASU 2023-06 will be the effective date of the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from existing SEC regulations, and each amendment should be applied prospectively after its effective date. Although the Company is still evaluating this guidance, we do not expect a material impact to our disclosures since the Company is already subject to existing SEC disclosure requirements.
NOTE 2—INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
(In thousands) |
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | ||
Raw coal | $ | 27,334 | $ | 22,414 | ||
Saleable coal | 17,645 | 18,223 | ||||
Supplies |
| 5,263 |
| 4,336 | ||
Total inventories | $ | 50,242 | $ | 44,973 |
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NOTE 3—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
(In thousands) |
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Plant and equipment | $ | 276,813 | $ | 232,885 | |||
Mining property and mineral rights | 120,532 | 120,760 | |||||
Construction in process |
| 17,554 |
| 34,698 | |||
Capitalized mine development costs |
| 168,646 |
| 153,436 | |||
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
| (126,833) |
| (111,937) | |||
Total property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 456,712 | $ | 429,842 |
On July 10, 2022, the Company experienced a methane ignition at the Berwind No. 1 mine, which was one of the active mines at our Berwind mining complex. The other mines resumed production while the Berwind No. 1 mine was idled until a full investigation could be conducted. There were no personnel in the mine at the time of the incident and no injuries or fatalities occurred. Production from the Berwind No. 1 mine restarted in the first quarter of 2023. The Company received $6.0 million of insurance proceeds during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 related to this matter, which have been reported as other investing activities on the statement of cash flows, and recognized a $4.9 million gain in other income as the Company had previously accrued a $1.1 million loss recovery asset at December 31, 2022.
On September 30, 2023, the Company updated its estimates of the amount and timing of future spending related to asset retirement obligations. The adjustment resulted in a $1.3 million decrease to capitalized mine development costs and a corresponding decrease to the Company’s asset retirement obligations liabilities ($1.4 million decrease to noncurrent liabilities and a $0.1 million increase to current liabilities).
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization included:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Depreciation of plant and equipment | $ | 8,063 | $ | 5,903 | $ | 22,492 | $ | 15,928 | ||||
Amortization of right of use assets (finance leases) | 2,432 | 1,710 | 6,312 | 3,806 | ||||||||
Amortization and depletion of capitalized | ||||||||||||
mine development costs and mineral rights |
| 3,948 |
| 3,822 |
| 11,046 |
| 10,164 | ||||
Total depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $ | 14,443 | $ | 11,435 | $ | 39,850 | $ | 29,898 |
NOTE 4—DEBT
Outstanding debt consisted of the following:
(In thousands) |
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | ||
Revolving Credit Facility | $ | 43,500 | $ | 25,000 | ||
Equipment loans | 4,872 | 8,396 | ||||
Senior Notes, net |
| 33,178 |
| 32,830 | ||
Financing of Ramaco Coal acquisition - Related party debt | 10,000 | 40,000 | ||||
Financing of Maben Coal acquisition | 13,800 | 21,000 | ||||
Total debt | $ | 105,350 | $ | 127,226 | ||
Current portion of long-term debt |
| 38,015 |
| 75,639 | ||
Long-term debt, net | $ | 67,335 | $ | 51,587 |
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Revolving Credit Facility—On February 15, 2023, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, which includes multiple lending parties and provides additional borrowing capacity compared to the facility utilized in 2022. The new facility, which has a maturity date of February 15, 2026, provides an initial aggregate revolving commitment of $125.0 million as well as an accordion feature of $50.0 million subject to certain terms and conditions, including the lenders’ consents. The remaining availability under the facility at September 30, 2023 was $55.3 million after the determination of the collateralized borrowing base of $98.8 million less $43.5 million of outstanding borrowings.
Revolving loans under the new facility bear interest at either the base rate plus 1.50% or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 2.00%. The base rate equals the highest of the administrative agent’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5%, or 3%.
The terms of the new facility include covenants limiting the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness, make investments or loans, incur liens, consummate mergers and similar fundamental changes, make restricted payments, and enter into transactions with affiliates. The terms of the new facility also require the Company to maintain certain covenants, including fixed charge coverage ratio and compensating balance requirements, with which the Company was in compliance at September 30, 2023.
Fair Value—The Company’s Senior Notes had an estimated fair value of approximately $35.5 million and $36.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s Senior Notes were based on observable market prices and were considered a Level 2 measurement based on trading volumes. The difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the Company’s remaining debts is not material due to the similarity between the terms of the debt agreements and prevailing market terms available to the Company.
Current Portion of Long-term Debt—Debt repayments occurring over the next twelve months from September 30, 2023 include $14.0 million of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility that were repaid shortly after the balance sheet date using funds from current operations, $10.0 million of related party debt shown above, $9.6 million of Maben Coal acquisition financing, and $4.4 million of equipment loans.
Other—Finance lease obligations and liabilities related to insurance premium financing are excluded from the disclosures above.
NOTE 5—ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2023 were $46.5 million compared to $41.8 million at December 31, 2022. The year-to-date increase was driven primarily by accrued compensation.
Self-Insurance—The Company is self-insured for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation claims and occupational disease obligations under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969, as amended. Starting in 2023, the Company also elected to self-insure employee medical expenses. The Company purchases insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to significant levels of these claims. Self-insured losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims incurred as of the balance sheet date using current and historical claims experience and certain actuarial assumptions. These estimates are subject to uncertainty due to a variety of factors, including extended lag times in the reporting and resolution of claims, trends or changes in claim settlement patterns, and future cost trends. As a result, actual costs could differ significantly from the estimated amounts.
The estimated aggregate liability for these items totaled $4.9 million and $3.6 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Of the aggregate liability, the amounts included in other long-term liabilities were $3.2 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Funds held in escrow for potential future workers’ compensation claims are considered restricted cash and have been included in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash balances were $0.9 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
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NOTE 6—EQUITY
Common Stock—On June 12, 2023, a charter amendment was approved by shareholder vote to reclassify the Company’s existing common stock as shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and create a separate Class B common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share.
The initial distribution of Class B common stock occurred on June 21, 2023 via a stock dividend to existing holders of common stock as of May 12, 2023. On the date of initial distribution, each holder of common stock received 0.2 shares of Class B common stock for every one share of existing common stock held on the record date. Similar actions or modifications occurred for holders of outstanding stock-based awards.
The distribution of the Class B common stock provides existing holders of the Company’s common stock with an opportunity to participate directly in the financial performance of the Company’s CORE assets on a stand-alone basis, separate from the Company’s metallurgical coal operations. CORE assets were acquired initially as part of the Company’s acquisition of Ramaco Coal in the second quarter of 2022. The financial performance of CORE assets consists of the following non-cost bearing revenue streams based on the Company’s current expectations:
● | Royalty fees derived from the royalties associated with the Ramaco Coal and Amonate reserves, which we believe approximates 3% of Company-produced coal sales revenue excluding coal sales revenue from Knox Creek, |
● | Infrastructure fees based on $5.00 per ton of coal processed at our preparation plants and $2.50 per ton of loaded coal at the Company’s rail load-out facilities, and |
● | Future income derived, if and when realized, from advanced carbon products and rare earth elements initiatives. |
The Company expects to pay a dividend equal to 20% of the total fees above; however, any dividend amounts declared and paid are subject to the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.
In addition, the Board of Directors retains the power to change or add expense allocation policies related to CORE, redefine CORE assets, and redetermine CORE’s per-ton usage fees at any time, in its sole discretion, without shareholder approval. Holders of shares of Class A common stock continue to be entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to outstanding preferred stock, if any.
CORE is not a separate legal entity and holders of Class B common stock do not own a direct interest in the assets of CORE. Holders of Class B common stock are stockholders of Ramaco Resources, Inc. and are subject to all risks and liabilities of the Company as a whole.
With respect to voting rights, holders of Class A common stock and
common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders and are entitled to one vote per share. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Class B common stock does not have any specific voting rights or governance rights with respect to CORE.With respect to liquidation rights, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the assets available for distribution to the stockholders after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of outstanding preferred stock, if any. That is, the rights to residual net assets upon liquidation are equal between holders of Class A and Class B common stock. Holders of Class B common stock do not have specific rights to CORE assets in the event of liquidation.
The Board of Directors also retains the ability, in its sole discretion, to exchange all outstanding shares of Class B common stock into Class A common stock based on an exchange ratio determined by a 20-day trailing volume-weighted average price for each class of stock.
The initial distribution of the tracking stock was recorded as a stock dividend at fair value, which was estimated to be $11.00 per share based on the closing price of Class B shares on the first day of regular-way trading. The effect of the
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equity restructuring was a $102.9 million reduction in retained earnings and an increase of $102.9 million to Class B common stock and
during the second quarter of 2023. The Company initially distributed 8,201,956 shares of Class B common shares as well as additional restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance stock units as discussed below under Effects of Class B Distribution on Outstanding Stock-based Awards.Stock-Based Awards—Stock-based compensation expense totaled $3.2 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $9.7 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. During 2023, the Company granted new stock-based awards and modified certain awards previously granted as discussed below.
Restricted Stock—We granted 296,115 shares of restricted stock to certain senior executives, key employees, and directors during the first quarter of 2023, having a grant-date fair value of $10.61 per share. The aggregate fair value of these awards was $2.5 million, which is recognized ratably as expense over the three-year service period unless forfeited. The aggregate fair value of restricted stock granted to directors during the same quarter was $0.6 million, which is recognized ratably as expense over 2023 unless forfeited. During the vesting period, the participants have voting rights and receive nonforfeitable dividends on the same basis as fully vested common stockholders.
Restricted Stock Units—We granted 518,348 restricted stock units to certain senior executives and key employees during the first quarter of 2023, having a grant-date fair value of $10.61 per share. The aggregate fair value of these awards was $5.5 million, which is recognized ratably as expense over the three-year service period unless forfeited. During the vesting period, the participants have no voting rights and no dividend rights; however, participants are entitled to receive dividend equivalents, which shall be subject to the same conditions applicable to the units and payable at the time the units vest. Upon vesting and within 30 days thereafter, the recipient will receive one share of common stock for each stock unit.
Performance Stock Units—We granted performance stock units to certain senior executives and key employees during the first quarter of 2023. These awards cliff-vest approximately three years from the date of grant based on the achievement of targeted performance levels related to pre-established relative total shareholder return goals. These performance stock units have the potential to be earned from 0% to 200% of target depending on actual results. During the vesting period, the participants have no voting rights and no dividend rights; however, participants are entitled to receive dividend equivalents, which shall be subject to the same conditions applicable to the units and payable at the time the units vest. Upon vesting and within 30 days thereafter, the recipient will receive one share of common stock for each stock unit.
The target number of performance stock units granted during the first quarter of 2023, or 518,348 units, were valued relative to the total shareholder return of a peer group based on a Monte Carlo simulation, which resulted in a grant date fair value of $18.09 per unit. The aggregate fair value of these awards was $9.4 million, which is recognized ratably as expense over the three-year period.
In addition, performance stock units granted in 2022, or 248,706 units at target, were modified during the first quarter of 2023. Modifications to these awards were made up primarily of changes in the composition of the peer group as well as changes in the way relative total shareholder return is evaluated against the updated peer group. The modification resulted in incremental fair value of $1.2 million, which is recognized as expense over 2023 and 2024.
Performance stock units are accounted for as awards with a market condition since vesting depends on total shareholder return relative to a group of peer companies.
Effects of Class B Distribution on Outstanding Stock-based Awards—Outstanding stock-based awards, including those discussed above, were reclassified to Class A common stock as part of the equity restructuring. In addition, the terms of the Company’s outstanding stock-based awards contained anti-dilution provisions before the contemplation of the equity restructuring. Equitable adjustments were made in accordance with such terms and the Company initially distributed 680,718 of Class B restricted stock as well as 473,707 of Class B stock-based awards (183,484 stock options, 136,819 restricted stock units, and 153,404 performance stock units at target) based on the same factor of 0.2 for every
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outstanding award. Since there were no changes in fair value, vesting conditions, or classification, no incremental compensation expense resulted.
Dividends–On December 8, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.125 per share of common stock. Estimated dividends of $5.5 million were accrued in December 2022 and were on March 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2023 in the amount of $5.6 million.
Dividends in the amount of $5.6 million, or approximately $0.125 per share of common stock, were paid on June 15, 2023, to shareholders of record on June 1, 2023, and dividends in the amount of $5.5 million, or approximately $0.125 per share of Class A common stock, were paid on September 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2023.
The Company also paid on September 15, 2023 its first cash dividend on Class B common stock in the amount of $1.5 million, or approximately $0.165 per share of Class B common stock, to shareholders of record on September 1, 2023, bringing the total cash dividends paid for all classes of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $18.0 million. The Class B dividend was declared in July 2023 and was based on 20% of CORE royalty and infrastructure fees for the second quarter of 2023. CORE financial performance is shown in the table below.
|
| Three months ended September 30, | Three months ended June 30, | ||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 | 2023 | ||||
Royalties | |||||||
Ramaco Coal | $ | 3,572 | $ | 1,351 | |||
Amonate Assets | 614 | 752 | |||||
Other | 13 | — | |||||
Total Royalties | $ | 4,199 | $ | 2,103 | |||
Infrastructure Fees | |||||||
Preparation Plants (Processing at $5.00/ton) | $ | 4,521 | $ | 3,433 | |||
Rail Load-outs (Loading at $2.50/ton) | 2,202 | 1,726 | |||||
Total Infrastructure Fees (at $7.50/ton) | $ | 6,723 | $ | 5,159 | |||
CORE Royalty and Infrastructure Fees | $ | 10,922 | $ | 7,262 | |||
Total Cash Available for Dividend for Class B Common Stock | $ | 10,922 | $ | 7,262 | |||
20% of Cash Available for Dividend for Class B Common Stock | $ | 2,184 | $ | 1,452 |
Refer to Note 12 for information regarding cash dividends declared after the date of the financial statements for holders of Class A and Class B common stock.
On February 18, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved an increase in its initial quarterly cash dividend to $5.0 million from the formerly approved $2.5 million that was declared and accrued in December 2021. Dividends in the amount of $5.0 million, or approximately $0.11 per share of common stock, were paid on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2022.
Dividends in the amount of $5.0 million, or approximately $0.11 per share of common stock, were paid on June 15, 2022, to shareholders of record on June 1, 2022, and dividends in the amount of $5.0 million, or approximately $0.11 per share of common stock, were paid on September 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2022, bringing the total cash dividends paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $15.0 million.
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On September 28, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.11 per share of common stock. Dividends of $5.0 million were accrued at September 30, 2022 and on December 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on December 1, 2022.
NOTE 7—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. We also have a smaller amount of surety bonds that secure performance obligations. Bonds outstanding at September 30, 2023 totaled approximately $28.2 million.
Coal Leases and Associated Royalty Commitments—We lease coal reserves under agreements that require royalties to be paid as the coal is mined and sold. Many of these agreements require minimum annual royalties to be paid regardless of the amount of coal mined and sold. Royalty expense was $9.0 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively, and $25.0 million and $25.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. These agreements generally have terms running through exhaustion of all the mineable and merchantable coal covered by the respective lease. Royalties or throughput payments are based on a percentage of the gross selling price received for the coal we mine.
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 September 30, 2023, the Company’s remaining commitments under take-or-pay arrangements totaled $28.9 million, the majority of which relates to a five-year contract entered into during 2023 with a total remaining commitment of $21.1 million. The level of these commitments 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. No amounts have been recognized as contingent liabilities related to take-or-pay arrangements.
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 our 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 our 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. The trial in the matter commenced on June 29, 2021, in Charleston, West Virginia.
On July 15, 2021, the jury returned a verdict in our favor for $7.7 million in compensatory damages and on July 16, 2021, made an additional award of $25.0 million for inconvenience and aggravation. On August 12, 2021, the defendants filed a post-trial motion for judgment as a matter of law or in the alternative to alter or amend the judgment or for a new trial. On March 4, 2022, the court entered its memorandum opinion and order on the motion reducing the jury award to a total of $1.8 million, including pre-judgment interest, and also vacated and set aside, in its entirety, the jury award of damages for inconvenience and aggravation. The same day, the court entered the judgment in accordance with the memorandum opinion and order.
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On April 1, 2022, we filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On July 20, 2023, the court rendered a decision reinstating the jury’s $7.7 million verdict. The court further determined that we are entitled to attorney’s fees in an amount to be determined on remand. Finally, the court held that we are entitled to damages for inconvenience and aggravation but remanded for a new trial on the amount of such damages after affirming that the original $25 million award was excessive. On August 3, 2023, the Defendants-Appellees filed a Petition of Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc with the Fourth Circuit. The petition was denied by order dated August 15, 2023. On August 29, 2023, the court clarified that the amount of attorney’s fees to be determined on remand included appellate fees. On September 8, 2023, the court entered its amended judgment, which awarded post-judgment interest on the previously awarded and reinstated verdict related to contract (compensatory) damages and the Fourth Circuit thereafter issued its mandate on October 2, 2023. The matter is now pending before the District Court for a new trial on damages for inconvenience and aggravation as well as the court’s determination and award of attorney’s fees.
The defendants fully paid the portion of the judgment related to contract (compensatory) damages in the court’s order, which was received by the Company subsequent to the date of the financial statements, and that portion of the matter is considered closed. The Company recognized a $7.8 million gain in the third quarter of 2023, which was recorded in other income and other current assets. The Company determined the full amount to be realizable as of September 30, 2023 under the accounting guidance for contingencies based on the reinstated verdict above and acknowledgement received from the counterparty prior to the date of the financial statements.
NOTE 8—REVENUE
Our revenue is derived from contracts for the sale of coal and is recognized when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied, which is at the point in time control is transferred to our customer. Generally, domestic sales contracts have terms of about one year and the pricing is typically fixed. Export sales have spot or term contracts, and pricing can be either fixed or derived against index-based pricing mechanisms. Sales completed with delivery to an export terminal are reported as export revenue.
Disaggregated information about our revenue is presented below:
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | 2023 |
| 2022 | |||||
Coal Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
North American revenue | $ | 75,143 | $ | 78,442 | $ | 168,571 | $ | 231,365 | ||||
Export revenue, excluding Canada |
| 111,823 |
| 58,483 |
| 322,224 |
| 199,096 | ||||
Total revenue | $ | 186,966 | $ | 136,925 | $ | 490,795 | $ | 430,461 |
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding performance obligations of approximately 1.5 million tons for contracts with fixed sales prices averaging $177 per ton, excluding freight, and 0.4 million tons for contracts with index-based pricing mechanisms. For contracts with fixed sales prices, 0.4 million tons are expected to be satisfied in the fourth quarter of 2023 having an average sales price of $197 per ton, excluding freight, and 1.1 million tons are expected to be satisfied in 2024 having an average sales price of $169 per ton, excluding freight. For contracts with index-based pricing, 0.4 million tons are expected to be satisfied in the fourth quarter of 2023. Variable amounts, including index-based prices, have not been estimated for the purpose of disclosing remaining performance obligations as permitted under the revenue recognition guidance when variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation.
Concentrations—During the three months ended September 30, 2023, sales to our top three customers accounted for approximately 52% of our total revenue. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, sales to our top four customers accounted for approximately 55% of our total revenue. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, sales to our top four customers accounted for approximately 56% of total revenue. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, sales to our top two customers accounted for approximately 40% of total revenue. The number of customers comprising the concentrations above is based on a threshold of 10% or more of total revenues. Three
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customers with individual accounts receivable balances equal to 10% or more of total accounts receivable made up approximately 72% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2023.
Segments—CORE represents a separate operating segment and has economic and geographic differences compared to the Company’s metallurgical operations in the Appalachian basin; however, CORE does not meet the significance tests for separate disclosure as a reportable segment at this time. In addition, reconciling items of the metallurgical coal segment to the Company’s consolidated results are not yet material. CORE royalty and infrastructure fees disclosed in Note 6 are primarily intracompany transactions eliminated upon consolidation and are not included in the disaggregated revenue table above.
NOTE 9—INCOME TAXES
Income tax provisions for interim periods are generally based on an estimated annual effective income tax rate calculated separately from the effect of significant, infrequent, or unusual items related specifically to interim periods. The income tax impacts of discrete items are recognized in the period these occur.
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was 22.0% and 20%, respectively, excluding discrete items. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was 20.5% and 21.9%, respectively, excluding discrete items. The primary difference from the federal statutory rate of 21% in each period is related to state taxes, non-deductible expenses, the foreign-derived intangible income deduction, and depletion expense for income tax purposes.
In addition, the Company received an income tax refund of $11.8 million in the third quarter of 2023, which drove the decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheet compared to December 31, 2022.
NOTE 10—EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is not presented retrospectively for periods prior to the issuance of the tracking stock as the tracking stock was not a part of the Company’s capital structure during those periods and the issuance of the tracking stock changes the common shareholders’ relative residual interest in the Company. Therefore, EPS is presented for the Company’s single class of common stock up to the time the tracking stock was issued. EPS is presented prospectively under the two-class method starting on the date of initial distribution of the tracking stock. Refer to Note 6 for information related to the Company’s tracking stock.
The computation of basic and diluted EPS is shown on the following page:
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(In thousands, except per share amounts) |
| Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
Earnings attribution | |||||||||||||
Single class of common stock (through 6/20/2023) * | $ | N/A | $ | 26,905 | $ | 31,382 | $ | 101,656 | |||||
Class A common stock (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | 17,288 | — | 18,616 | — | |||||||||
Class A restricted stock awards (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | 721 | — | 824 | — | |||||||||
Class B common stock (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | 1,395 | — | 1,395 | — | |||||||||
Class B restricted stock awards (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | 58 | — | 58 | — | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 19,462 | $ | 26,905 | $ | 52,275 | $ | 101,656 | |||||
* Common stock and restricted stock participated in earnings 1:1 and are shown on a combined basis through 6/20/2023 consistent with historical presentation | |||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, | Jan. 1 - June 20, | Jan. 1 - Sept. 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
EPS data for single class of common stock through 6/20/2023 | |||||||||||||
Numerator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Net earnings | $ | N/A | $ | 26,905 | $ | 31,382 | $ | 101,656 | |||||
Denominator | | | | | | | | | |||||
Weighted average shares used to compute basic earnings per share * |
| N/A |
| 44,085 |
| 44,344 |
| 44,179 | |||||
Dilutive effect of stock option awards |
| N/A |
| 458 |
| 381 |
| 560 | |||||
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units | N/A | — | — | 8 | |||||||||
Dilutive effect of performance stock units | N/A | — | 27 | — | |||||||||
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share | N/A | 44,543 | 44,752 | 44,747 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | |||||
Earnings per common share (single class of common stock) | | | | | | | | | |||||
Basic | $ | N/A | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 2.30 | |||||
Diluted | $ | N/A | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.27 | |||||
| Three months ended September 30, 2023 | June 21, 2023 - September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||
Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A | Class B | ||||||||
EPS data for dual-class common stock 6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023 | |||||||||||||
Numerator | |||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 17,288 | $ | 1,395 | $ | 18,616 | $ | 1,395 | |||||
Denominator | | | | | |||||||||
Weighted average shares used to compute basic earnings per share ** |
| 42,144 |
| 8,432 | 42,044 | 8,412 | |||||||
Dilutive effect of stock option awards |
| 352 |
| 103 | 339 | 97 | |||||||
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units | 85 | 49 | 62 | 41 | |||||||||
Dilutive effect of performance stock units | 302 | 102 | 263 | 92 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted earnings per share | 42,883 | 8,686 | 42,708 | 8,642 | |||||||||
| | | | | |||||||||
Earnings per common share (dual-class structure) | | | | | |||||||||
Basic | | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.17 | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | 0.17 | ||
Diluted | | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.16 | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | 0.16 | ||
| | | | | | | |||||||
** Does not include unvested restricted stock, which averaged 1.8 million and 0.4 million for Class A and Class B, respectively, for the third quarter of 2023 and 1.9 million and 0.4 million for Class A and Class B, respectively, for the period June 21, 2023 through September 30, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Unvested restricted stock awards have the right to receive nonforfeitable dividends on the same basis as common shares; therefore, unvested restricted stock is considered a participating security for the purpose of calculating EPS. Historically, the Company has shown EPS for its common stock and unvested restricted stock on a combined basis since both instruments participate on the same basis and the resulting EPS is typically the same. Starting under the two-class method, the Company reports separately the net earnings allocated away from holders of Class A and Class B common stock to holders of unvested restricted stock awards.
For accounting purposes, Class B’s participation rights are, in substance, discretionary based on the power of the Company’s Board of Directors to add or modify expense allocation policies, redefine CORE assets, and redetermine CORE’s per-ton usage fees at any time, in its sole discretion, without shareholder approval. Therefore, no amount of the Company’s net earnings shall be allocated to Class B for the purpose of calculating EPS other than actual dividends declared during the period for the tracking stock. Refer to Note 6 for information regarding dividends declared on Class B common stock.
Diluted EPS was calculated using the treasury stock method for stock options and restricted stock units. For performance stock units, the awards were first evaluated under the contingently issuable shares guidance, which requires a determination as to whether shares would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. For shares determined to be issuable under performance stock unit awards, the treasury stock method was then applied to determine the dilutive impact of the awards, if any. Unvested restricted stock awards are considered potential common shares as well as participating securities, as discussed previously, and were included in diluted EPS using the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or the two-class method. Since these awards share in dividends on a 1:1 basis with common shares, applying the treasury stock method was antidilutive compared to the basic EPS calculation that allocates earnings to participating securities under the two-class method discussed previously.
Diluted EPS for the period from January 1, 2023 through June 20, 2023, the period for which a single class of common stock existed, excluded all outstanding restricted stock units, or 684,151 units in total, because the effect would have been antidilutive under the treasury stock method. In addition, diluted EPS for the same period excluded outstanding performance stock units originally granted in 2022, or 248,706 units at target, based on the guidance for contingently issuable shares, which requires exclusion when shares would not be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period.
For the third quarter of 2023 and the period from June 21,2023 through September 30, 2023, diluted EPS for Class A common stock excluded 165,803 RSUs because the effect would have been antidilutive under the treasury stock method. Class A diluted EPS for these periods also excluded outstanding performance stock units originally granted in 2022, or approximately 153,452 units if September 30, 2023 were the end of the contingency period, because the effect would have been antidilutive under the treasury stock method. The same performance stock unit awards, or 248,706 units at target, were excluded in the previous reporting period based on the guidance for contingently issuable shares. In addition, the Company’s ability to convert Class B common shares into Class A common shares, as discussed previously in Note 6, is a contingency that will not be reflected in the diluted EPS for Class A under the if-converted method until such time that the required Board resolutions occur, if ever.
For the third quarter of 2023 and the period from June 21, 2023 through September 30, 2023, diluted EPS for Class B common stock excluded certain performance stock units, or approximately 30,688 units if September 30, 2023 were the end of the contingency period, because the effect would have been antidilutive under the treasury stock method. The same awards, or 49,737 units at target, were excluded in the previous reporting period based on the guidance for contingently issuable shares.
Diluted EPS for the single class of common stock in the third quarter of 2022 excluded 248,706 RSUs because the effect would have been antidilutive under the treasury stock method and 248,706 performance stock units, at target, based on the guidance for contingently issuable shares. The performance stock units were excluded from diluted EPS for the single class of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as well.
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NOTE 11—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Ramaco Coal Deferred Purchase Price—As part of the financing of the acquisition of Ramaco Coal that occurred in the second quarter of 2022, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.4 million and $1.7 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The Company incurred interest expense of $1.1 million and $2.0 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. In addition, the Company paid down $30.0 million of its related-party debt during the first nine months of 2023, leaving a balance of $10.0 million at September 30, 2023.
Mineral Lease and Surface Rights Agreements—Prior to the acquisition of Ramaco Coal, much of the coal reserves and surface rights that we control were acquired through a series of mineral leases and surface rights agreements with Ramaco Coal, who was a related party. Royalties paid to Ramaco Coal in 2022 prior to the acquisition totaled $3.1 million.
Administrative Services—Also prior to the acquisition of Ramaco Coal, the Company and Ramaco Coal agreed to share the services of certain of each company’s employees pursuant to a mutual service agreement. Charges to Ramaco Coal in 2022 prior to the acquisition totaled $44 thousand related to this arrangement.
Legal Services—Some of the professional legal services we receive are provided by Jones & Associates (“Jones”), a related party. Legal services payable to Jones totaled $0.6 million at September 30, 2023 and were included in accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. There were no legal fees incurred for Jones during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Legal fees incurred for Jones during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2022 were zero and $0.8 million, respectively.
Other Professional Services—The Company has also entered into professional services agreements with two other related parties, neither of which has resulted in material activity at this time.
NOTE 12—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 16, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.125 per share of Class A common stock and $0.249 per share of Class B common stock. The Class B dividend was based on 20% of CORE royalty and infrastructure fees for the third quarter of 2023. Both dividends are to be paid on December 15, 2023 to shareholders of record on December 1, 2023.
* * * * *
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report, as well as the financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. We caution you that our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, particularly in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and in our Annual Report and in this Quarterly Report under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Overview
We are an operator and developer of high-quality, low-cost metallurgical coal in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania. Our executive offices are located in Lexington, Kentucky, with operational offices in Charleston, West Virginia and Sheridan, Wyoming. We are a pure play metallurgical coal company with 62 million reserve tons and 1,156 million of measured and indicated resource tons of high-quality metallurgical coal.
Our development portfolio primarily includes the following properties: Elk Creek, Berwind, Knox Creek and RAM Mine. We believe each of these properties possesses geologic and logistical advantages that make our coal among the lowest delivered-cost U.S. metallurgical coal to our domestic target customer base, North American blast furnace steel mills and coke plants, as well as international metallurgical coal consumers. We also control mineral deposits near Sheridan, Wyoming as part of the Company’s initiatives regarding the potential recovery of rare earth elements as well as the potential commercialization of coal-to-carbon-based products and materials.
On July 10, 2022, the Company experienced a methane ignition at the Berwind No. 1 mine, which was one of the active mines at our Berwind mining complex. The other mines resumed production while the Berwind No. 1 mine was idled until a full investigation could be conducted. There were no personnel in the mine at the time of the incident and no injuries or fatalities occurred. Production from the Berwind No. 1 mine restarted in the first quarter of 2023.
Renewed global economic concerns, including those related to the military conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, have caused volatility in the commodity markets. This volatility, including market expectations of potential changes in coal prices and inflationary pressures on steel products, has had a significant effect on market prices and may affect overall demand for our coal. Furthermore, inflation has affected the cost of supplies and other materials and may continue to negatively impact our profitability.
During the first nine months of 2023, we sold 2.5 million tons of coal and recognized $490.8 million of revenue. Of this amount, 34% was sold in North American markets, including Canada, and 66% was sold into export markets. During the same period of 2022, we sold 1.8 million tons of coal and recognized $430.5 million of revenue. Of this amount, 54% of our sales were sold in North American markets, including Canada, with the remaining 46% being sold into the export markets. The increase in sales into export markets, which often include index-based pricing, has created greater exposure to variability in pricing in 2023 compared to 2022.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding performance obligations of approximately 1.5 million tons for contracts with fixed sales prices averaging $177 per ton, excluding freight, and 0.4 million tons for contracts with index-based pricing mechanisms. Subsequent to the date of the financial statements, the Company was able to obtain sales commitments for an additional 0.2 million tons under North America fixed price contracts and an additional 0.2 million tons under index-priced contracts. The Company expects to satisfy its existing sales commitments in 2023 and 2024. Refer to Note 8 of Part I, Item 1 for additional information.
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Recent Developments
The Company continues to assess its potential rare earth elements deposit in Wyoming, and core analysis performed to date shows high relative concentrations of heavy rare earth elements such as Terbium and Dysprosium as well as lighter rare earth elements such as Neodymium and Praseodymium. The exploration target does not represent, and should not be construed to be, a mineral resource or mineral reserve as such terms are used in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. The Company also continues its work to advance new carbon product technologies with the goal of commercializing products that use coal in both an improved economic and environmental manner.
On June 21, 2023, the Company distributed Class B common stock, a tracking stock, to provide existing holders of the Company’s common stock an opportunity to participate directly in the financial performance of the Company’s CORE assets on a stand-alone basis, separate from the Company’s metallurgical coal operations. CORE assets were acquired initially by the Company as part of the Company’s acquisition of Ramaco Coal in the second quarter of 2022. The financial performance of CORE assets consists of the following non-cost bearing revenue streams based on the Company’s current expectations:
● | Royalty fees derived from the royalties associated with the Ramaco Coal and Amonate reserves, which we believe approximates 3% of Company-produced coal sales revenue excluding coal sales revenue from Knox Creek, |
● | Infrastructure fees based on $5.00 per ton of coal processed at our preparation plants and $2.50 per ton of loaded coal at the Company’s rail load-out facilities, and |
● | Future income derived, if and when realized, from advanced carbon products and rare earth elements initiatives. |
The Company anticipates paying a quarterly dividend equal to 20% of the total fees above; however, any dividend amounts declared and paid are subject to the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Dividends paid on the tracking stock may create additional value for common stockholders and allow the Company to return to investors a portion of the savings from royalties and infrastructure usage fees resulting from the acquisition of Ramaco Coal. In addition, the tracking stock provides an opportunity for investors to participate directly in the potential revenue growth associated with the development of carbon products and rare earth elements. The Company paid its first dividend on Class B common stock during the third quarter of 2023.
Separate financial statements for CORE have not been included as exhibits to this filing since CORE’s financial performance and dividends will be evaluated based on non-cost bearing revenue streams, at least initially, and other potential forms of passive income rather than reduced by allocated costs and expenses. Refer to Note 6 of Part I, Item 1 for additional information related to the tracking stock.
22
Results of Operations
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||||
Revenue | $ | 186,966 | $ | 136,925 | $ | 490,795 | $ | 430,461 | |||||
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below) |
| 144,635 |
| 79,634 |
| 354,383 |
| 237,530 |
| ||||
Asset retirement obligations accretion | 349 |
| 495 |
| 1,049 |
| 1,485 |
| |||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
| 14,443 | 11,435 | 39,850 | 29,898 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| 11,458 | 8,672 | 37,519 | 29,282 | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
| 170,885 | 100,236 | 432,801 | 298,195 | ||||||||
Operating income |
| 16,081 |
| 36,689 |
| 57,994 |
| 132,266 |
| ||||
Other income (expense), net |
| 11,333 | (933) | 15,076 | 1,781 | ||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| (2,447) | (2,255) | (7,274) | (5,323) | ||||||||
Income before tax | 24,967 | 33,501 | 65,796 | 128,724 | |||||||||
Income tax expense |
| 5,505 |
| 6,596 |
| 13,521 |
| 27,068 |
| ||||
Net income | $ | 19,462 | $ | 26,905 | $ | 52,275 | $ | 101,656 | |||||
Earnings per common share | |||||||||||||
Basic - Single class (through 6/20/2023) | $ | N/A | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 2.30 | |||||
Basic - Class A (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.41 | $ | — | $ | 0.44 | $ | — | |||||
Total | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 2.30 | |||||
Basic - Class B (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.17 | $ | — | $ | 0.17 | $ | — | |||||
Diluted - Single class (through 6/20/23) | $ | N/A | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 2.27 | |||||
Diluted - Class A (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.40 | $ | — | $ | 0.44 | $ | — | |||||
Total | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 2.27 | |||||
Diluted - Class B (6/21/2023 - 9/30/2023) | $ | 0.16 | $ | — | $ | 0.16 | $ | — | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 45,407 | $ | 50,705 | $ | 123,675 | $ | 172,622 |
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, our net income and Adjusted EBITDA were lower compared to the same periods in 2022, which was driven by lower margins on coal sales due to the negative impact of sales pricing coupled with higher per ton cost of sales as discussed below.
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Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Revenue. Our revenue includes sales of Company produced coal and coal purchased from third parties. We include amounts billed by us for transportation to our customers within revenue and transportation costs incurred within cost of sales.
Coal sales information is summarized as follows:
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Increase (Decrease) | |||
Company Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 177,826 | $ | 135,416 | $ | 42,410 | |||
Tons sold |
| 949 |
| 602 |
| 348 | |||
Purchased from Third Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 9,140 | $ | 1,509 | $ | 7,631 | |||
Tons sold | 46 |
| 7 |
| 40 | ||||
Totals | |||||||||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 186,966 | $ | 136,925 | $ | 50,041 | |||
Tons sold |
| 996 |
| 608 |
| 388 |
May not foot due to rounding
Coal sales revenue in the third quarter of 2023 was $187.0 million, which increased 37% compared to the third quarter of 2022, despite the negative impact of pricing, due to the 64% increase in tons sold. Revenue per ton sold decreased 17% from $225 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 to $188 per ton in the third quarter of 2023. Revenue per ton sold (FOB mine), which excludes transportation revenues, decreased 22% from $202 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 to $157 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, including company-produced coal and purchased coal.
Cost of sales. Our cost of sales totaled $144.6 million for the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $79.6 million for the third quarter of 2022. The 82% increase versus the prior year was due to the increase in tons sold, as discussed above, as well as the increase in the Company’s cost per ton sold related mostly to inflationary pressures. Total cost per ton sold increased 11% from $131 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 to $145 per ton in the third quarter of 2023. Total cash cost per ton sold (FOB mine), which excludes transportation costs, increased 15% from $99 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 to $114 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, including company-produced coal and purchased coal.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense totaled $14.4 million and $11.4 million for the third quarter of 2023 and third quarter of 2022, respectively. The increase year-to-year occurred across all asset types and was driven by the Company’s initiative to grow production.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $11.5 million and $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2023 and third quarter of 2022, respectively. The 32% increase in 2023 was primarily due to greater compensation-related expenses on the back of higher headcount as well as increased spending for professional services consistent with the Company’s growth efforts.
Other income (expense), net. The Company had other income, net of $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to other expense, net of $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. Other income, net in the third quarter of 2023 was due primarily to recognition of the $7.8 million legal verdict for contract (compensatory) damages related to the 2018 Elk Creek silo failure as well as the receipt of $3.0 million of insurance proceeds related to the methane ignition event that occurred at our Berwind complex in 2022. Other expense, net in the third quarter of 2022 was due primarily to a $1.0 million charitable contribution made by the Company.
Income tax expense. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2022 was 22% and 20%, respectively, excluding discrete items. The primary difference from the federal statutory rate of 21% in each period is related to state taxes, non-deductible expenses, the foreign-derived intangible income deduction, and depletion expense for income tax purposes.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Revenue. Coal sales information is summarized as follows:
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Increase (Decrease) | |||
Company Produced |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 469,356 | $ | 424,058 | $ | 45,298 | |||
Tons sold |
| 2,372 |
| 1,753 |
| 619 | |||
Purchased from Third Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 21,439 | $ | 6,403 | $ | 15,036 | |||
Tons sold |
| 96 |
| 22 |
| 74 | |||
Totals | |||||||||
Coal sales revenue | $ | 490,795 | $ | 430,461 | $ | 60,334 | |||
Tons sold |
| 2,467 |
| 1,775 |
| 692 |
May not foot due to rounding
Coal sales revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $490.8 million, approximately 14% higher than the same period in 2022 driven by the 39% increase in tons sold offset partially by the negative impact of pricing. Revenue per ton sold decreased 18% from $243 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $199 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue per ton sold (FOB mine), which excludes transportation revenues, decreased 22% from $217 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $169 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, including company-produced coal and purchased coal.
Cost of sales. Our cost of sales totaled $354.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $237.5 million for the same period in 2022. The 49% increase was due to the increase in tons sold, as discussed above, as well as the increase in the Company’s cost per ton sold related mostly to inflationary pressures. Total cost per ton sold increased 7% from $134 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $144 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Total cash cost per ton sold (FOB mine), which excludes transportation costs, increased 6% from $106 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to $112 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, including company-produced coal and purchased coal.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense totaled $39.9 million and $29.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. The increase year-to-year occurred across all asset types and was driven by the Company’s initiative to grow production.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $37.5 million and $29.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. The 28% increase in 2023 was primarily due to greater compensation-related expenses on the back of higher headcount as well as increased spending for professional services consistent with the Company’s growth efforts.
Other income (expense), net. Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $15.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Other income, net for 2023 was due primarily to recognition of the $7.8 million legal verdict for contract (compensatory) damages related to the 2018 Elk Creek silo failure as well as the $4.9 million gain from the Company’s insurance claim related to the methane ignition event that occurred at our Berwind complex in 2022. The Company received $6.0 million of proceeds during 2023 related to the Berwind ignition event and had previously accrued a $1.1 million loss recovery asset at year-end 2022. Other income, net for 2022 included a $2.1 million gain on the sale of mineral rights offset partially by a $1.0 million charitable contribution made by the Company.
Income tax expense. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 20.5% and 21.9%, respectively, excluding discrete tax items. The primary difference from the federal statutory rate of 21% is related
25
to state taxes, non-deductible expenses, the foreign-derived intangible income deduction, and depletion expense for income tax purposes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2023, we had $42.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $55.3 million available under our Revolving Credit Facility for future borrowings. The Company is party to an arrangement that began in the first quarter of 2023 whereby our cash and cash equivalents are placed at various banks in amounts no greater than the $250,000 FDIC-insured limit to help safeguard against potential losses in the financial sector.
Significant sources and uses of cash during the first nine months of 2023
Sources of cash:
● | Cash flows provided by operating activities were $119.5 million, which were driven primarily by cash earnings as well as the receipt of an $11.8 million income tax refund during the third quarter of 2023. Other factors included: |
o | Accounts payable increased $19.3 million, excluding unfunded capital expenditures, due to increased spending as well as the timing of payments |
o | Accounts receivable increased $22.5 million during the year driven by the increase in quarterly revenues for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. |
● | Net borrowings from the Revolving Credit Facility increased by $18.5 million (gross proceeds of $95.0 million less repayments of $76.5 million). The proceeds were used primarily for the management of our normal operating cash position. |
● | The Company received $6.0 million of insurance proceeds during 2023 related to the methane ignition that occurred at our Berwind Complex in 2022. The proceeds were reported as other investing activities on the statement of cash flows. |
Uses of cash:
● | Capital expenditures were $64.9 million driven by investments in growth projects. We expect to spend approximately $70 million to $75 million on capital expenditures for the full year 2023. |
● | We made repayments of $30.0 million and $7.2 million against debt incurred from the 2022 acquisitions of Ramaco Coal (which was a related party) and Maben assets, respectively. |
● | We paid dividends of $18.0 million, which includes the Company’s first cash dividend payment on Class B common stock in the amount of $1.5 million. Refer to Note 6 of Part I, Item 1 for information regarding dividends. |
Future sources and uses of cash
Our primary use of cash includes capital expenditures for mine development, ongoing operating expenses, and deferred cash payments in connection with the Ramaco Coal and Maben Coal acquisitions. We expect to fund our capital and liquidity requirements for the next twelve months and the reasonably foreseeable future with cash on hand, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and projected cash flows from operations. Factors that could adversely impact our future liquidity and ability to carry out our capital expenditure program include the following:
● | Timely delivery of our product by rail and other transportation carriers; |
● | Late payments of accounts receivable by our customers; |
● | Cost overruns in our purchases of equipment needed to complete our mine development plans; |
● | Delays in completion of development of our various mines, processing plants and refuse disposal facilities, which would reduce the coal we would have available to sell and our cash flow from operations; and |
● | Adverse changes in the metallurgical coal markets that would reduce the expected cash flow from operations. |
26
If future cash flows were to become insufficient to meet our liquidity needs or capital requirements, due to changes in macroeconomic conditions or otherwise, we may reduce our expected level of capital expenditures for new mine production and/or fund a portion of our capital expenditures through the issuance of debt or equity securities, new debt arrangements, or from other sources such as asset sales.
On September 1, 2023, the Company filed a shelf registration statement to sell any combination of Class A common stock, Class B common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, and rights at an aggregate initial offering price of up to $400.0 million. However, the Company has no specific plans to raise capital at this time and no securities may be sold until a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of any future offering is delivered.
The Company anticipates paying a separate quarterly dividend on Class B common stock based on the financial performance of CORE in addition to the quarterly cash dividend on Class A common stock. Although both dividends are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, dividends paid on the Class B common stock will likely result in a new use of cash compared to prior periods. The Company paid its first cash dividend on Class B common stock during the third quarter of 2023 as discussed above. In addition, the Company declared a second cash dividend on Class B common stock during October 2023 of approximately $2.2 million, or $0.249 per share, to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Indebtedness
Refer to Note 4 of Part I, Item 1 for information regarding the Company’s indebtedness. During October 2023, shortly after the balance sheet date, the Company repaid $14.0 million of its outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility using funds from current operations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amounts of revenue and expenses reported for the period then ended. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates is included in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of the Annual Report. There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the first nine months of 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of off-balance sheet arrangements is included under the heading “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” in the Annual Report. There were no material changes during the first nine months of 2023.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA - Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure by management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful because it allows us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense; stock-based compensation expense; depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses; income taxes; accretion of asset retirement obligations; and, when applicable, certain non-operating expenses (charitable contributions). A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA is included below. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to serve as a substitute to U.S. GAAP measures of performance and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.
27
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Net income | $ | 19,462 | $ | 26,905 | $ | 52,275 | $ | 101,656 | ||||
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization |
| 14,443 |
| 11,435 |
| 39,850 |
| 29,898 | ||||
Interest expense, net |
| 2,447 |
| 2,255 |
| 7,274 |
| 5,323 | ||||
Income tax expense |
| 5,505 |
| 6,596 |
| 13,521 |
| 27,068 | ||||
EBITDA |
| 41,857 |
| 47,191 |
| 112,920 |
| 163,945 | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 3,201 |
| 2,019 |
| 9,706 |
| 6,192 | ||||
Other non-operating expenses | — | 1,000 | — | 1,000 | ||||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
| 349 |
| 495 |
| 1,049 |
| 1,485 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 45,407 | $ | 50,705 | $ | 123,675 | $ | 172,622 |
Non-GAAP revenue per ton - Non-GAAP revenue per ton (FOB mine) is calculated as coal sales revenue less transportation costs, divided by tons sold. We believe revenue per ton (FOB mine) provides useful information to investors as it enables investors to compare revenue per ton we generate against similar measures made by other publicly-traded coal companies and more effectively monitor changes in coal prices from period to period excluding the impact of transportation costs which are beyond our control. The adjustments made to arrive at these measures are significant in understanding and assessing our financial performance. Revenue per ton sold (FOB mine) is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, therefore, should not be considered as a substitute to revenue under U.S. GAAP.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
Company | Purchased | Company | Purchased | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per ton amounts) |
| Produced |
| Coal |
| Total |
| Produced |
| Coal |
| Total | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 177,826 | $ | 9,140 | $ | 186,966 | $ | 135,416 | $ | 1,509 | $ | 136,925 | ||||||
Less: Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP revenue (FOB mine) | ||||||||||||||||||
Transportation costs |
| (28,928) |
| (1,505) |
| (30,433) |
| (14,158) |
| — |
| (14,158) | ||||||
Non-GAAP revenue (FOB mine) | $ | 148,898 | $ | 7,635 | $ | 156,533 | $ | 121,258 | $ | 1,509 | $ | 122,767 | ||||||
Tons sold |
| 949 |
| 46 |
| 996 |
| 602 |
| 7 |
| 608 | ||||||
Revenue per ton sold (FOB mine) | $ | 157 | $ | 164 | $ | 157 | $ | 202 | $ | 231 | $ | 202 |
May not foot due to rounding
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Company |
| Purchased |
|
| Company |
| Purchased |
| |||||||||
(In thousands, except per ton amounts) |
| Produced |
| Coal | Total |
| Produced |
| Coal | Total | ||||||||
Revenue | $ | 469,356 | $ | 21,439 | $ | 490,795 | $ | 424,058 | $ | 6,403 | $ | 430,461 | ||||||
Less: Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP revenue (FOB mine) | ||||||||||||||||||
Transportation costs |
| (72,489) |
| (2,121) |
| (74,610) |
| (44,749) |
| (239) |
| (44,988) | ||||||
Non-GAAP revenue (FOB mine) | $ | 396,867 | $ | 19,318 | $ | 416,185 | $ | 379,309 | $ | 6,164 | $ | 385,473 | ||||||
Tons sold |
| 2,372 |
| 96 |
| 2,467 |
| 1,753 |
| 22 |
| 1,775 | ||||||
Revenue per ton sold (FOB mine) | $ | 167 | $ | 202 | $ | 169 | $ | 216 | $ | 279 | $ | 217 |
May not foot due to rounding
28
Non-GAAP cash cost per ton sold - Non-GAAP cash cost per ton sold is calculated as cash cost of sales less transportation costs and idle mine costs, divided by tons sold. We believe cash cost per ton sold provides useful information to investors as it enables investors to compare our cash cost per ton against similar measures made by other publicly-traded coal companies and more effectively monitor changes in coal cost from period to period excluding the impact of transportation costs which are beyond our control. The adjustments made to arrive at these measures are significant in understanding and assessing our financial performance. Cash cost per ton sold is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, therefore, should not be considered as a substitute to cost of sales under U.S. GAAP.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 | Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
Company | Purchased | Company | Purchased | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per ton amounts) |
| Produced |
| Coal |
| Total |
| Produced |
| Coal |
| Total | ||||||
Cost of sales | $ | 138,959 | $ | 5,676 | $ | 144,635 | $ | 78,818 | $ | 816 | $ | 79,634 | ||||||
Less: Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP cash cost of sales | ||||||||||||||||||
Transportation costs |
| (29,249) |
| (1,005) |
| (30,254) |
| (14,156) |
| — |
| (14,156) | ||||||
Idle mine costs |
| (378) | — | (378) | (5,037) | — | (5,037) | |||||||||||
Non-GAAP cash cost of sales | $ | 109,332 | $ | 4,671 | $ | 114,003 | $ | 59,625 | $ | 816 | $ | 60,441 | ||||||
Tons sold |
| 949 |
| 46 |
| 996 |
| 602 |
| 7 |
| 608 | ||||||
Cash cost per ton sold | $ | 115 | $ | 101 | $ | 114 | $ | 99 | $ | 125 | $ | 99 |
May not foot due to rounding
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Company |
| Purchased |
|
| Company |
| Purchased |
| |||||||||
(In thousands, except per ton amounts) |
| Produced |
| Coal | Total |
| Produced |
| Coal | Total | ||||||||
Cost of sales | $ | 338,629 | $ | 15,754 | $ | 354,383 | $ | 232,536 | $ | 4,994 | $ | 237,530 | ||||||
Less: Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP cash cost of sales | ||||||||||||||||||
Transportation costs |
| (72,894) |
| (1,573) |
| (74,467) |
| (44,749) |
| (239) |
| (44,988) | ||||||
Idle mine costs |
| (2,937) | — | (2,937) | (5,037) | — | (5,037) | |||||||||||
Non-GAAP cash cost of sales | $ | 262,798 | $ | 14,181 | $ | 276,979 | $ | 182,750 | $ | 4,755 | $ | 187,505 | ||||||
Tons sold |
| 2,372 |
| 96 |
| 2,467 |
| 1,753 |
| 22 |
| 1,775 | ||||||
Cash cost per ton sold | $ | 111 | $ | 148 | $ | 112 | $ | 104 | $ | 215 | $ | 106 |
May not foot due to rounding
29
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Disclosures about market risk are included in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” of our Annual Report.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer, who serves as our principal executive officer, and chief financial officer, who serves as our principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures, and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.
Our senior members of management do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Due to the nature of our business, we may become, from time to time, involved in routine litigation or subject to disputes or claims related to our business activities. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of our management, there are no pending litigation, disputes or claims against us which, if decided adversely, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. For a description of our legal proceedings, see Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Quarterly Report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report and the risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in our other SEC filings, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, or future results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or future results.
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those described in our Annual Report except as set forth below:
Risks Related to our Class B Common Stock Structure
Holders of Class B common stock are common stockholders of the Company and, therefore, are subject to risks associated with an investment in the Company as a whole, even if a holder does not own shares of Class A common stock.
We retain legal title to all of our assets and our tracking stock capitalization does not limit our legal responsibility, or that of our subsidiaries, for the liabilities included in any set of financial statement schedules. Holders of Class B common stock do not have any legal rights related to specific assets attributed to CORE and, in any liquidation, holders of Class B common stock and Class A common stock will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of our available net assets based on their respective numbers of shares.
Our Board’s ability to reattribute businesses, assets and expenses between the Class A common stock and Class B common stock may make it difficult to assess the future prospects of a class of common stock based on past performance.
Our Board currently expects to attribute 100% of the costs associated with the CORE Assets to Ramaco Resources and zero such costs to CORE; however, our Board is vested with discretion to reattribute businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to one class of common stock to another class of common stock, without the approval of any of our stockholders. Any such reattribution made by our Board, as well as the existence, in and of itself, of the right to effect a reattribution may impact the ability of investors to assess the future prospects of the businesses and assets attributed to a class of common stock, including liquidity and capital resource needs to pay the projected dividend to holders of our Class B common stock, based on past performance. Stockholders may also have difficulty evaluating the liquidity and capital resources of the businesses and assets attributed to each class of common stock based on past performance, as our Board may use the liquidity of one class to fund the liquidity of another class and capital expenditure requirements through the use of loans and interests between classes.
We could be required to use assets attributed to one class of common stock to pay liabilities attributed to another class.
The assets attributed to one class are potentially subject to the liabilities attributed to another class, even if those liabilities arise from lawsuits, contracts or indebtedness that are attributed to such other class. No provision of our
31
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended Charter”) prevents us from satisfying liabilities of one class with assets of another class, and our creditors will not in any way be limited by our tracking stock capitalization from proceeding against any assets they could have proceeded against if we did not have a tracking stock capitalization.
Dividends on our Class B common stock are discretionary and may fluctuate materially quarter to quarter. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pay dividends in the future or what the actual dividends will be for any future periods.
Our ability to pay dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board, the requirements of applicable law, any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends, any prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock and commercial factors, whether or not attributable to the CORE Assets. We may lack sufficient cash to pay dividends to our Class B stockholders due to cash flow shortfalls attributable to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, as well as increases in corporate level general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs. The timing and amount of dividends declared in future periods will depend on, among other things, (a) our earnings, earnings outlook, production, processing and shipping levels, financial condition, cash flow, cash requirements and our outlook on current and future market conditions, (b) our overall liquidity, (c) the restrictive covenants in the Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement and any future debt instruments that we may enter into and (d) provisions of applicable law governing the dividends. We have not established a minimum dividend payment for any class of our Common Stock, including our Class B common stock. Further our ability to pay and the amount of dividends declared in future periods may be harmed by other risk factors described herein and incorporated by reference herein. Our ability to pay dividends may fluctuate materially from quarter to quarter, and any quarterly estimate is subject to uncertainty due to the factors described above and elsewhere herein.
The market price of the Class B common stock may not reflect the performance of CORE attributed to it, as we intend.
We cannot assure the holders of Class B common stock that the market price of the Class B common stock related to CORE will, in fact, reflect the performance of CORE attributed to it. Holders of Class B common stock are common stockholders of the Company as a whole and, as such, are subject to all risks associated with an investment in the Company and all of our businesses, assets and liabilities. As a result, the market price of Class B common stock may, in part, reflect events that are intended to be reflected by the Class A common stock of the Company. In addition, investors may discount the value of Class B common stock because it is part of a common enterprise rather than a stand-alone entity.
The market price of the Class B common stock may be volatile, could fluctuate substantially and could be affected by factors that do not affect traditional common stock.
To the extent the market price of the Class B common stock tracks the performance of more focused classes of businesses and assets than our existing common stock does, the market price of the Class B common stock may be more volatile than the market price of our existing common stock has been historically. The market price of the Class B common stock may be materially affected by, among other things:
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations CORE’s operating results; |
● | potential acquisition activity by the Company (regardless of the class to which it is attributed) or the companies in which we invest; |
● | issuances of debt or equity securities to raise capital by the Company or the companies in which we invest and the manner in which that debt or the proceeds of an equity issuance are attributed to each of the classes; |
32
● | changes in financial estimates by securities analysts regarding the Class B common stock, the Class A common stock or CORE attributable to the Class B common stock; |
● | the complex nature and the potential difficulties investors may have in understanding the terms of our new tracking stock, as well as concerns regarding the possible effect of certain of those terms on an investment in our stocks; and |
● | general market conditions. |
Until an orderly trading market develops for the Class B common stock, the trading price of the Class B common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The market value of the Class B common stock could be adversely affected by events involving the other assets and businesses of the Company.
Because we are the issuer of the Class B common stock, an adverse market reaction to events relating to any of our assets and businesses, such as earnings announcements or announcements of new products or services, acquisitions or dispositions that the market does not view favorably, may cause an adverse market reaction in a particular class of common stock. This could occur even if the triggering event is not material to us as a whole. Certain events may also have a greater impact on one class than the same triggering event would have on another class due to the asset composition of the affected class. In addition, the incurrence of significant indebtedness by us or any of our subsidiaries on behalf of one class, including indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with acquisitions of or investments in businesses, could affect our credit rating and that of our subsidiaries and, therefore, could increase the borrowing costs of businesses attributable to our other classes or the borrowing costs of the Company as a whole.
We may not pay dividends equally or at all on our classes of common stock.
We have the right to pay dividends on the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock in equal or unequal amounts, and we may pay dividends on one class of common stock and not pay dividends on another class. In addition, any dividends or distributions on, or repurchases of, shares relating to a class will reduce our assets legally available to be paid as dividends on another class.
Our new tracking stock capital structure could create conflicts of interest, and our Board may make decisions that could adversely affect only some holders of our common stock.
Our tracking stock capital structure could give rise to occasions when the interests of holders of one class of common stock might diverge or appear to diverge from the interests of holders of another class of common stock. Our Class B common stock is not issued by a separate entity and thus holders of Class B common stock do not have the right to elect a separate board of directors. As a result, the Company’s officers and directors owe fiduciary duties to the Company as a whole and all of our stockholders as opposed to only holders of a particular class of common stock. Decisions deemed to be in the best interest of the Company and all of our stockholders may not be in the best interest of a particular class of common stock when considered independently. Examples include:
● | decisions as to the terms of any business relationships between classes of common stock; |
● | the terms of any reattributions of assets between classes of common stock; |
● | decisions as to the allocation of consideration among the holders of Class B common stock and Class A common stock to be received in connection with a merger involving the Company; |
● | decisions as to the allocation of corporate opportunities between the classes, especially where the opportunities might meet the strategic business objectives of both classes; |
33
● | decisions as to operational and financial matters that could be considered detrimental to one class but beneficial to the other; |
● | decisions as to the conversion of shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock; |
● | decisions regarding the creation of, and, if created, the subsequent increase or decrease of any interest that one class of common stock may own in the other class of common stock; |
● | decisions as to the internal or external financing attributable to businesses or assets attributed to any of our classes of common stock; |
● | decisions as to the dispositions of assets of any of our classes of common stock; and |
● | decisions as to the payment of dividends on any of our classes of common stock. |
Our directors’ or officers’ equity ownership may create or appear to create conflicts of interest.
If directors or officers own disproportionate interests (in percentage or value terms) in Class A common stock or Class B common stock, that disparity could create or appear to create conflicts of interest when they are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock.
We have not adopted any specific procedures for consideration of matters involving a divergence of interests among holders of Class A common stock or Class B common stock. Rather than develop additional specific procedures in advance, our Board intends to exercise its judgment from time to time, depending on the circumstances, as to how best to:
● | obtain information regarding the divergence (or potential divergence) of interests; |
● | determine under what circumstances to seek the assistance of outside advisers; |
● | determine whether a committee of our Board should be appointed to address a specific matter and the appropriate members of that committee; and |
● | assess what is in the Company’s best interests and the best interests of all of our stockholders. |
Our Board believes the advantage of retaining flexibility in determining how to fulfill its responsibilities in any such circumstances as they may arise outweighs any perceived advantages of adopting additional specific procedures in advance.
Our Board does not expect to formally adopt any management or allocation policies with respect to the CORE Assets.
The Board does not expect to formally adopt any management or allocation policies with respect to the CORE Assets to serve as guidelines in making decisions regarding the relationship between the Company’s overall business and CORE with respect to matters such as tax liabilities and benefits, loans between the two, attribution of assets, financing alternatives, corporate opportunities and similar items. Such determinations are in the sole discretion of our Board and our Board may at any time change or make exceptions to the relationship between CORE and Ramaco Resources. A decision to change, or make exceptions to, these arrangements could disadvantage one class of stockholder while advantaging the other.
Holders of a class of common stock may not have any remedies if any action by our directors or officers has an adverse effect on only that class of common stock.
Principles of applicable law and the provisions of our Amended Charter may protect decisions of our Board that have a disparate impact upon a particular class of common stock. Under applicable law, our Board has a duty to act with
34
due care and in the best interests of all of our stockholders, regardless of the class of stock, or series, they hold. Principles of applicable law established in cases involving differing treatment of multiple classes or series of stock provide that a Board owes an equal duty to all stockholders and does not have separate or additional duties to any subset of stockholders. Judicial opinions in Delaware involving tracking stocks have established that decisions by directors or officers involving differing treatment of holders of tracking stocks may be judged under the business judgment rule. In some circumstances, our directors or officers may be required to make a decision that is viewed as adverse to the holders of a particular series of that stock. Under the principles of applicable law and the business judgment rule referred to above, the holders of Class B common stock may not be able to successfully challenge decisions that they believe have a disparate impact upon the stockholders of one of our classes if a majority of our Board is disinterested and independent with respect to the action taken, is adequately informed with respect to the action taken and acts in good faith and in the honest belief that our Board is acting in the best interest of the Company and all of our stockholders.
Stockholders will not vote on how to attribute consideration received in connection with a merger involving the Company among holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
Our Amended Charter does not contain any provisions governing how consideration received in connection with a merger or consolidation involving the Company is to be to the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and none of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will have a separate class vote in the event of such a merger or consolidation. Consistent with applicable principles of applicable law, our Board will seek to divide the type and amount of consideration received in a merger or consolidation involving the Company among holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock in a fair manner. As the different ways our Board may divide the consideration between holders of the different classes of stock might have materially different results, the consideration to be received by holders of Class B common stock in any such merger or consolidation may be materially less valuable than the consideration they would have received if they had a separate class vote on such merger or consolidation.
We may dispose of assets of CORE without the approval of the Class B common stock holders.
Applicable law requires stockholder approval only for a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company taken as a whole, and our Amended Charter does not require a separate class vote in the case of a sale of a significant amount of assets attributed to any of our classes of common stock. As long as the assets attributed to a certain class of common stock proposed to be disposed of represent less than substantially all of our assets, we may approve sales and other dispositions of any amount of the assets of such class without any stockholder approval.
Our Board will decide, in its sole discretion, how to proceed and is not required to select the option that would result in the highest value to holders of any particular class of stock.
Holders of Class B common stock may receive less consideration upon a sale of the assets attributed to that class than if that class were a separate company.
If CORE was a separate, independent company and its shares were acquired by another person, certain costs of that sale, including corporate level taxes, might not be payable in connection with that acquisition. As a result, stockholders of a separate, independent company with the same assets might receive a greater amount of proceeds than the holders of Class B common stock would receive upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of CORE. In addition, we cannot assure the holders of Class B common stock that in the event of such a sale the per share consideration to be paid to holders of Class B common stock will be equal to or more than the per share value of that share of stock prior to or after the announcement of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of CORE. Further, there is no requirement that the consideration paid be tax-free to the holders of Class B common stock. Accordingly, if we sell all or substantially all of the assets attributed to CORE, our Class B stockholders could suffer a loss in the value of their investment in our Class B common stock.
35
In the event of a liquidation of Ramaco Resources, holders of Class B common stock will not have a priority with respect to the assets attributed to CORE remaining for distribution to stockholders.
Under the Amended Charter, upon Ramaco Resources’ liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be entitled to receive, in respect of their shares of such stock, their proportionate interest in all of Ramaco Resources’ assets, if any, remaining for distribution to holders of common stock in proportion to their respective number of shares. Hence, the assets to be distributed to a holder of either class of common stock upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Ramaco Resources will have nothing to do with the value of the assets attributed to the class of common stock or to changes in the relative value of the Class B common stock over time.
Our Board may, in its sole discretion, elect to convert the Class B common stock to Class A common stock, thereby changing the nature of an investment in the Class B common stock and possibly diluting the economic interest in the Company of Class B common stock holders, which could result in a loss in value to such holders.
Our Amended Charter permits our Board, in its sole discretion, to convert all of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock based on an exchange ratio determined by a 20-day trailing VWAP for each class of stock. A conversion would preclude the holders of Class B common stock from retaining their investment in a security that is intended to reflect separately the performance of CORE. We cannot predict the impact on the market value of our stock of (1) our Board’s ability to effect any such conversion or (2) the exercise of this conversion right by our Board. In addition, our Board may effect such a conversion at a time when the market value of our different stocks could cause the stockholders of one group to be disadvantaged.
Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together and have limited separate voting rights.
Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class, except in certain limited circumstances prescribed under applicable law. When holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class, holders having a majority of the votes will be in a position to control the outcome of the vote even if the matter involves a conflict of interest among our stockholders or has a greater impact on one class than another.
Transactions in Class B common stock by our insiders could depress the market price of those stocks.
Sales of, or hedging transactions such as collars relating to, shares of Class B common stock by any of our directors or executive officers, could cause a perception in the marketplace that the stock price of the Class B common stock has peaked or that adverse events or trends have occurred or may be occurring at the Company or with respect to the Class B common stock. This perception can result notwithstanding any personal financial motivation for these transactions. As a result, insider transactions could depress the market price for shares of the Class B common stock.
Our capital structure, as well as the fact that CORE is not an independent company, may inhibit or prevent acquisition bids for CORE attributed to the Class B common stock and may make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our stockholders.
If CORE were a separate independent company, any person interested in acquiring CORE without negotiating with management could seek control of that class by obtaining control of its outstanding voting stock, by means of a tender offer or a proxy contest. Although we intend Class B common stock to reflect the separate economic performance of CORE, it is not a separate entity, and a person interested in acquiring that class of common stock without negotiation with our management could obtain control of that class only by obtaining control of a majority in voting power of all of the outstanding voting shares of the Company. The existence of different classes of common stock could present complexities and in certain circumstances pose obstacles, financial and otherwise, to an acquiring person that are not present in companies that do not have a capital structure similar to ours.
36
Certain provisions of our Amended Charter and bylaws may discourage, delay, or prevent a change in control of the Company that a stockholder may consider favorable.
These provisions include:
● | authorizing a capital structure with multiple classes of common stock: a Class A common stock and Class B common stock; |
● | classifying our Board with staggered three-year terms, which may lengthen the time required to gain control of our Board; |
● | prohibiting stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders; |
● | limiting who may call special meetings of stockholders; |
● | establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings; |
● | requiring stockholder approval by holders of at least 66 2/3% of our aggregate voting power with respect to certain extraordinary matters, such as an amendment to our Amended Charter (excluding amendments to Section 4.1 thereof) or bylaws, and the approval by holders of at least 75% of our aggregate voting power for the removal of a director; and |
● | the existence of authorized and unissued stock, including “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our Board to persons friendly to our then current management, thereby protecting the continuity of our management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of the Company. |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report.
Item 5. Other Information
During the period covered by this Quarterly Report, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers has adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (each as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
37
Item 6. Exhibits
*31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
*31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
**32.1 | |||
**32.2 | |||
*95.1 | |||
*101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | ||
*101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||
*101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||
*101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||
*101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | ||
*101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Exhibit filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith. Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-8212, this certification will be treated as “accompanying” this Quarterly Report and not “filed” as part of such report for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability under Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and this certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
38
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
RAMACO RESOURCES, INC. | ||
November 9, 2023 | By: | /s/ Randall W. Atkins |
Randall W. Atkins | ||
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
November 9, 2023 | By: | /s/ Jeremy R. Sussman |
Jeremy R. Sussman | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial Officer) |
39