Alpha to transfer idle assets to Lexington Coal Co.

The conveyance will include approximately 280 permits, substantial reclamation equipment, ongoing royalty payments associated with these properties and 100 million short t of reserves. While the specific economic terms were not disclosed, LCC will receive approximately US$204 million in cash at the time of closing and US$112 million in instalment payments to assist in the fulfilment of bonding, reclamation, water treatment and other obligations associated with the conveyed properties and permits.

Alpha CEO David Stetson called the agreement a significant transaction for all stakeholders of the Central Appalachian coal producer. "LCC has a decade-long history of reclaiming properties in a diligent and environmentally responsible manner," said Stetson, "and Alpha is providing LCC with adequate resources to meet its obligations to the communities in which the properties are located."

Alpha established a dedicated management team to oversee its idle and non-active properties after emerging from bankruptcy and that team will take senior leadership positions in LCC at the time of closing.  Stetson added: "The seamless transition of this management team, which knows the properties and permits and has a demonstrated track record of success, coupled with the conveyance of infrastructure and capital, will enable LCC to dedicate resources to accelerate the reclamation of the properties with less contingent exposure for the states."

In addition to accelerating reclamation compared to current plans, the transaction with LCC will eliminate all remaining self-bonds in West Virginia.  Before emerging from bankruptcy in July 2016, Alpha had approximately US$250 million in self-bonding outstanding. Alpha and West Virginia regulators have worked to reduce that exposure by more than US$100 million over the past year.  This transaction with LCC allows Alpha's self-bonds in West Virginia to be replaced nine years ahead of schedule.

The closing is subject to various contingencies, including Alpha obtaining financing and entering into agreements with various state and federal regulatory agencies on the transfer of the permits. After closing, Alpha will continue to operate 19 mines and 9 prep plants in West Virginia, and the company still expects to produce 14 million short t of metallurgical and thermal coal in 2017. The parties expect to close during the third quarter of 2017.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/21072017/alpha-to-transfer-idle-assets-to-lexington-coal-co/