ST. LOUIS, 22 april 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BOOG) rapporteerde vandaag een nettoverlies van $ 6.0 miljoenof $0.40 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021, compared with a net loss of $ 25.3 miljoenof $1.67 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.  Arch had adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion on asset retirement obligations (ARO), and non-operating expenses (“adjusted EBITDA”) [1] of $ 30.9 miljoen in het eerste kwartaal van 2021, waaronder a $ 0.5 miljoen non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with the company’s coal-hedging activities.  This compares to $ 12.9 miljoen of adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2020, which included a $ 0.7 miljoen non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with the company’s coal-hedging activities.  Revenues totaled $ 357.5 miljoen voor de afgelopen drie maanden 31 maart 2021, versus $ 405.2 miljoen in hetzelfde kwartaal vorig jaar.

In the first quarter of 2021, Arch significantly advanced its strategic priorities as the company:

• Built on momentum at the world-class Leer South project, which remains on-track to commence longwall operations in the third quarter;
• Maintained its consistent and well-established position as one of the U.S. metallurgical industry’s lowest cost producers;
• Continued generating cash from its legacy thermal assets while driving forward with its accelerated reclamation plan; and
• Maintained its intense focus and exemplary performance across environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.

“The Arch team maintained its world-class execution in the first quarter of 2021, once again delivering operational excellence in the key areas of cost control, safety and environmental stewardship,” said Paul A. Lang, Arch’s chief executive officer.  “Notably, our performance improved steadily as the quarter progressed, in lockstep with the expanding availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and declining rates of infection at our operations.  We expect to continue our positive operational and financial momentum in the second quarter, and to achieve a significant step-change in our overall performance in the third quarter with the startup of the Leer South longwall.  Coupled with our intensified focus on long-term reclamation activities at our legacy thermal mines, Arch is extremely well-positioned to complete our strategic transformation into a pure play metallurgical coal producer in an accelerated fashion.”

Further Extending Leadership on Key ESG Metrics

During the first quarter, Arch maintained its intense focus and exemplary performance across a wide range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.  Arch’s subsidiary operations achieved a lost-time incident rate of 0.58 per 200,000 employee-hours worked, which was nearly 40 percent better than Arch’s industry-leading 2020 average.  Arch also achieved a perfect score in both regulatory and water quality compliance.  In addition, Arch reported continuing reductions in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, which have been reduced by 55 percent since 2013, due in large part to the company’s strategic shift towards higher-value but lower-volume metallurgical products.

With its strategic shift towards metallurgical products – which are an essential input in the production of new steel – Arch has realigned its value proposition to reflect the global economy’s intensifying focus on de-carbonization.  Arch believes that a significant amount of new steel will be required in a de-carbonizing world, given steel’s importance in urbanization, infrastructure replacement and the construction of essential de-carbonization tools such as mass transit systems, wind turbines and electric vehicles. 

Leer South Update

“The Leer South team continues to hit milestones, on time and on budget, as they prepare for the third quarter startup of the longwall,” said John T. Drexler, Arch’s chief operating officer.  “I’m pleased to report that all 212 longwall shields are now on site, development of the first longwall panel is nearing completion, and work on the underground setup room for the longwall mining system is well under way.  The entire operations and marketing team is energized and ready for the rapidly approaching startup.”

During the first quarter, Arch invested a total of $ 60 miljoen at Leer South and has now expended a total of $ 342 miljoen on the project net of the previously announced insurance recovery associated with the lost shields at Mountain Laurel.  As previously indicated, Arch expects total capital spending on the project to come in at the high end of the original guidance range of $ 360 miljoen naar $ 390 miljoen.     

With the addition of Leer South, Arch expects to expand its High-Vol A metallurgical output by an incremental 3 million tons annually; enhance its already advantageous position on the global cost curve; strengthen its coking coal profit margins across a wide range of market conditions; and cement its position as the leading supplier of High-Vol A coking coal globally.  

Strategic Plan for Legacy Thermal Assets  

During the first quarter, Arch made meaningful progress on its dual objectives of generating cash from its legacy thermal assets while driving forward with an accelerated reclamation plan at its Powder River Basin operations.  The thermal segment achieved solid margins despite less-than-ratable volume levels, while expending little capital.  Further, Arch completed work totaling $ 8 miljoen towards the reduction in Coal Creek’s asset retirement obligation, and an additional $ 2 miljoen towards the reduction in Black Thunder’s ARO. 

“We are methodically harvesting value and cash from our legacy thermal assets, while working down our long-term closure obligations in a systematic and measured way,” Lang said.  “The team’s objective is clear as we drive forward in completing the company’s strategic transition towards steel and metallurgical coal markets, while remaining committed to our environmental stewardship across our operations.”   

As previously announced, Arch plans to discontinue production at the Coal Creek mine by the end of 2021, and to reduce the mine’s total ARO by an estimated $ 40 miljoen, or approximately 80 percent, by mid-2022.

Operationele update

“After overcoming virus-related challenges early in the quarter, our core metallurgical segment finished strong and turned in solid results in the first quarter,” Drexler said.  “Despite less-than-ratable production and shipping rates, we achieved coking coal costs of less than $60 per ton and maintained our durable position as one of the U.S. metallurgical coal industry’s lowest cost operators.  Once again, the Leer mine led the way, delivering costs in the $40-per-ton range, further underscoring the great potential of its companion mine, Leer South.”

With the rapidly diminishing operational and economic impacts of the pandemic and the seasonal resumption of shipping on the Great Lakes, Arch expects metallurgical sales volumes to increase by 15 percent in the second quarter, and to increase still further in the year’s back half, buoyed by the startup of Leer South. 

Arch expects the second quarter results of its legacy thermal portfolio to be generally comparable to the segment’s first quarter performance, as projected increases in export volumes from the West Elk mine in Colorado are expected to be offset by weak domestic shipments due to still-inflated power plant stockpile levels and typical power demand softness in the spring months. 

Financial and Liquidity Update

Arch ended the first quarter with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $ 237 miljoen, and total liquidity of approximately $ 250 miljoen. 

As previously disclosed, Arch issued $ 45.0 miljoen in tax-exempt bonds in early March, at a highly competitive interest rate of 4.125 percent.  The proceeds are being used to fund the ongoing construction of the preparation plant and other waste management facilities at Leer South.  At the end of the quarter, Arch had approximately $ 16 miljoen of restricted cash that will become available for use as qualifying work is completed.

“With the completion of the second phase of this tax-exempt offering, Arch is poised to complete the Leer South buildout while maintaining a healthy and prudent level of liquidity,” said Matthew C. Giljum, Arch’s chief financial officer.  “Following the ramp-up of the new longwall, we intend to prioritize debt reduction and further fortify our already sound balance sheet, in advance of ultimately resuming a measured capital return program.”

Any future capital return program remains subject to ongoing board review and authorization.

Markt update

U.S. East Coast metallurgical markets remain solidly supported, as the resurgence in global steel production has buoyed coking coal demand while acting to counterbalance the adverse effects of politically driven Chinese import restrictions.  Steel output appears on course to recover to pre-pandemic levels as soon as this year; steel prices in all major markets remain at historic highs; steel mill capacity factors have rebounded to healthy levels; and key importing countries, such as India, are returning to the seaborne market to satisfy pent-up coking coal needs. 

U.S. East Coast prompt metallurgical price assessments continue to enjoy a $30 naar $50 per ton premium compared to premium Australian coals, and Arch continues to see strong interest in its yet-to-be-committed coking coal volumes.  In addition, while Chinese import restrictions on Australian metallurgical coals have acted to dampen aggregate seaborne coking coal demand, Arch continues to explore opportunities – both strategic and opportunistic – to increase its direct metallurgical sales into China, which has sourced only modest volumes from the U.S. in the past. 

During the quarter, Arch committed an additional 500,000 tons of metallurgical coal for delivery in 2021, bringing total commitments for the current year to 6.8 million tons and leaving just 1 million tons still to sell at the mid-point of guidance.

Vooruitkijkend

“We remain sharply focused on executing on our clear and actionable strategy for long-term growth and value creation,” Lang said.  “Supported by an accelerated global recovery, the advancement of infrastructure-driven stimulus efforts, and the build-out of a new, low-carbon economy, steel demand remains robust and poised to continue its upward trajectory.  With our low-cost metallurgical assets, premium High-Vol A product slate, industry-leading ESG performance, top-tier marketing and logistics expertise and best-in-class growth project, we believe Arch is well-positioned to drive long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Arch Resources is a premier producer of high-quality metallurgical products for the global steel industry.  The company operates large, modern and highly efficient mines that consistently set the industry standard for both mine safety and environmental stewardship.  Arch Resources from time to time utilizes its website – www.archrsc.com – as a channel of distribution for material company information.  To learn more about us and our premium metallurgical products, go to www.archrsc.com. 

Vooruitziende verklaringen: Dit persbericht bevat "toekomstgerichte verklaringen" - dat wil zeggen verklaringen die betrekking hebben op toekomstige gebeurtenissen, niet op gebeurtenissen uit het verleden. In deze context hebben toekomstgerichte verklaringen vaak betrekking op onze verwachte toekomstige zakelijke en financiële prestaties, en bevatten ze vaak woorden als 'zou moeten', 'verschijnt', 'verwacht', 'anticipeert', 'is van plan', 'plant', 'gelooft' , '' Zoekt 'of' wil '. Toekomstgerichte verklaringen hebben van nature betrekking op zaken die, in verschillende mate, onzeker zijn. Voor ons ontstaan ​​er bijzondere onzekerheden door de COVID-19-pandemie, inclusief de nadelige gevolgen voor bedrijven, economieën en financiële markten wereldwijd; van de impact van COVID-19 op efficiëntie, kosten en productie; van veranderingen in de vraag naar onze steenkool door de staalproductie en elektriciteitsopwekking; van ons vermogen om tegen aanvaardbare voorwaarden toegang te krijgen tot de kapitaalmarkten; uit beleid, wet- en regelgeving met betrekking tot de Clean Air Act, broeikasgasemissies, prikkels voor alternatieve energiebronnen en andere milieu-initiatieven; van concurrentie binnen onze industrie en met producenten van concurrerende energiebronnen; van ons vermogen om met succes steenkoolreserves te verwerven of te ontwikkelen, inclusief de ontwikkeling van onze Leer South-mijn; van operationele, geologische, vergunning-, arbeids-, transport- en weersgerelateerde factoren; van de effecten van buitenlands en binnenlands handelsbeleid, acties of geschillen; door schommelingen in de hoeveelheid geld die we genereren uit operaties, die onder andere een invloed kunnen hebben op ons vermogen om onze uitstaande schuldenlast te betalen en kapitaaluitgaven te financieren; van ons vermogen om de activiteiten die we verwerven succesvol te integreren; van ons vermogen om aanzienlijke inkomsten te genereren om betalingen te doen die vereist zijn door, en om te voldoen aan beperkingen met betrekking tot onze schuldenlast, inclusief ons vermogen om onze converteerbare obligaties terug te kopen; van aanvullende eisen voor kredietondersteuning door derden; door het verlies van, of een aanzienlijke vermindering van, aankopen door onze grootste klanten; van de ontwikkeling van toekomstige technologie om steenkool te vervangen door waterstof in het staalproductieproces; en uit tal van andere zaken van nationale, regionale en mondiale schaal, inclusief die van politieke, economische, zakelijke, concurrerende of regelgevende aard. Deze onzekerheden kunnen ervoor zorgen dat onze werkelijke toekomstige resultaten wezenlijk verschillen van die uitgedrukt in onze toekomstgerichte verklaringen. We verbinden ons er niet toe om onze toekomstgerichte verklaringen bij te werken, hetzij als gevolg van nieuwe informatie, toekomstige gebeurtenissen of anderszins, behalve voor zover wettelijk vereist. Voor een beschrijving van enkele van de risico's en onzekerheden die van invloed kunnen zijn op onze toekomstige resultaten, dient u de risicofactoren te raadplegen die van tijd tot tijd worden beschreven in de rapporten die we indienen bij de Securities and Exchange Commission.

BRON Arch Resources, Inc.

Gerelateerde Links

https://www.archrsc.com

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