Item 2. Properties
Item 2 Properties, Figure 1 below shows the location of our mining properties and offices as of December 31, 2023:
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At December 31, 2023, we had five mining properties, as summarized in the table below (tons produced in 000s), excluding the Brook Mine property:
Clean Tons
Clean Tons
Clean Tons
Controlled
Produced
Produced
Produced
Processing Facilities -
Location
Acres
Yrs
Stage
2021
2022
2023
Mine Type
Quality
Transportation
Elk Creek Complex
Logan, Wyoming, and Mingo Counties, WV
20,200
20+
Production
1,981
2,033
2,031
Underground, Highwall, Surface
High Volatile A, A/B, B
Elk Creek Preparation Plant - CSX RR, Truck
Berwind Complex
McDowell County, WV, Buchanan and Tazewell Counties, VA
62,500
20+
Production
180
416
601
Underground, Highwall, Surface
Low and Mid Volatile
Berwind Preparation Plant - Truck, Norfolk Southern RR
Knox Creek Complex
McDowell County, WV, Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties, VA
64,050
15
Production
45
235
370
Underground, Highwall, Surface
Mid and High Volatile A
Knox Creek Preparation Plant - Truck, Norfolk Southern RR
Maben Complex
Wyoming and Raleigh Counties, WV
28,000
18
Production
—
—
172
Underground, Highwall, Surface
Low Volatile
Berwind Preparation Plant - Truck, Norfolk Southern RR
RAM Mine
Washington County, PA
1,567
n/a
Commercial Development or Other
—
—
—
Underground
High Volatile C
Truck, Barge
Total
176,317
2,206
2,684
3,174
At December 31, 2023, we owned or controlled, primarily through long-term leases, approximately 174,750 acres of coal in Virginia and West Virginia and 1,567 acres of coal in Pennsylvania. The aggregate annual production for our properties during the three most recently completed fiscal years are as follows: 3.2 million tons for fiscal year 2023, 2.7 million tons for fiscal year 2022, and 2.2 million tons for fiscal year 2021. Our preparation plants and loadout facilities are located on properties owned by us or held under leases which expire at varying dates over the next 30 years. Most of the leases contain options to renew. Many of these leases provide for a royalty payment to the lessor based on a specific price per ton of coal extracted or as a percentage of coal sales revenue. We believe that all of our leases were entered into at market terms.
The Company leases office space in Lexington, Kentucky that serves as its executive headquarters. In addition, the Company owns office space in Charleston, West Virginia that serves as an operations center. The Company also owns offices in Sheridan, Wyoming. See Item 1. “Business - Our Projects” for additional information about our mining operations and CORE initiatives.
We hold numerous environmental and mineral extraction permits, water rights and other permits, licenses and approvals from governmental authorities authorizing operations at each of our facilities. With respect to each facility at which we produce coal, permits, licenses and approvals are obtained as needed in the normal course of business based on our mine plans and federal, state, and local regulatory provisions regarding mine permitting and licensing. Based on our historical permitting experience, we expect to be able to continue to obtain necessary mining permits and approvals to support historical rates of production.
We are the operators of the mining and processing operations and the mining methods we use consist of surface, underground and highwall mining methods. The mining operations for the Elk Creek, Berwind, and Knox Creek complexes are material to our business and are further described below.
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Elk Creek Complex
The Elk Creek Complex is located approximately 45 miles south of Charleston, West Virginia, in Logan, Wyoming, and Mingo Counties at N 37.698718, W 81.778297. The nearest town is Man, West Virginia, which is approximately five miles to the northwest of the Elk Creek Complex. The Elk Creek Complex is within the Southern West Virginia coal field of the Central Appalachia Coal Producing Region (the “CAPP Region”) of the United States.
Companies that previously mined on the Elk Creek Complex include Island Creek Coal Company (“Island Creek”) which started mining in the area in December 1904. Consolidation Coal Company, now known as Consol Energy, Inc. (“Consol”), bought Island Creek in July 1993 and continued operations in and around the area until the late-1990s when Consol idled its Elk Creek Mine. Ramaco Coal bought the property from Consol in 2012 and started production on the Elk Creek Complex in the fourth quarter of 2016. The 2012 purchase included acquisition of rail access, permitted impoundment and coal refuse disposal facilities, as well as numerous reclaimed, but permitted deep mines. Pittston Coal Company operated mines on the northern Huff Creek portion (McDonald and Baisden properties) of the Elk Creek Complex in the 1970s and 1980s before the company exited the coal mining business in 2001.
The Elk Creek Complex consists of approximately 20,200 acres of leased coal holdings. Within the Elk Creek Complex controlled coal holdings, 16,000 acres lie in Logan County, 2,800 acres in Wyoming County and 1,400 acres in Mingo County. The Elk Creek Complex is in the production stage and currently has six active mines, three planned and permitted mines, one permitted inactive mine, and one planned but not permitted mine. The five planned and/or permitted mines include two contour surface mine developing areas for a highwall miner, and three underground room and pillar mines, which use continuous miners for mine development. Ramaco began production of metallurgical coal at the complex in 2016. A majority of the underground mines implement retreat mining, which results in mining recovery of greater than 80 percent. Contour mining has an average mining recovery of approximately 90 percent, and the highwall mines have an average mining recovery of approximately 40 percent.
The Elk Creek Complex is mining several seams and seam splits, including the Chilton A, Upper Dorothy, Upper Dorothy 2, 3, and 4, Middle Dorothy, Lower Dorothy, Upper Cedar Grove, Lower Cedar Grove A, Lower Cedar Grove B, Lower Cedar Grove C, Upper Alma, Lower Alma, Powellton, Eagle, and No. 2 Gas seams, in descending stratigraphic order.
Currently, there are six active mines within the complex:
● Ram No. 1 Surface and Highwall Mine;
● Stonecoal No. 2 Alma Deep Mine;
● Rockhouse Eagle Deep Mine;
● No. 2 Gas Deep Mine;
● Michael Powellton Deep Mine; and
● Crucible Deep Mine Lower Cedar Grove B and C seams
There are three planned and permitted mines within the complex:
● Ram No. 3 Surface and Highwall Mine, scheduled for 2024 startup
● Ram No. 2 Surface and Highwall Mine (which is the extension of Ram No. 1 above), scheduled for late 2024 startup; and
● Glen Alum Tunnel #1 Deep Mine, scheduled for 2027 startup.
There are two permitted inactive mines, the Eight-Kay Deep Mine that is projected to start in 2027 as well as the Monarch Deep Mine that is scheduled to start in 2026. The Bens Creek Deep Mine is planned but is not yet permitted. The projected startup date for this mine is 2028. It is likely future mines will be planned and scheduled, as necessary, from resource areas within the complex, to meet internal Ramaco production goals aligned with market conditions. With the exception of the Ram No. 3 mine, all planned mines are subject to future Board approval.
The current Elk Creek Complex Life-of-Mine (“LOM”) Plan projects mining through 2040; an expected mine life for the complex of 17 years.
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All Run-of-Mine (“ROM”) coal is washed at the Elk Creek Preparation Plant. The Elk Creek Preparation Plant, built in 2017 by Raw Resources Group located in Princeton, West Virginia, is a well designed and constructed preparation plant, with ROM processing capacity of 700 tons per hour. During 2022, we began work on a throughput upgrade at our Elk Creek Preparation plant. We completed the expansion in 2023, which raised the nameplate processing capacity to 1,050 raw tons per hour and our annual processing capacity from this complex to approximately three million tons per year.
We also began development work on additional low-cost, high-volatile underground and surface mines at Elk Creek. These mines began production during the second quarter of 2022 and reached full levels of productivity during 2023. Production increased at Elk Creek during 2023 commensurate with the increase in processing capacity discussed above.
The gross book value of the Elk Creek Complex property and its associated plant and equipment was $269 million as of December 31, 2023. The Elk Creek Complex utilizes industry standard, modern surface and underground mining equipment, processing equipment and infrastructure that is in good operating condition and capable of meeting planned production requirements using prudent operating methods and operating schedules.
The Elk Creek Complex produces high-quality, high-volatile metallurgical coal. Historically, the market for metallurgical coal from the Elk Creek Complex has been domestic metallurgical coal consumers and the global seaborne metallurgical coal market. Coal produced from the complex is primarily high-volatile A and high-volatile B metallurgical coal. The Elk Creek Complex also produces thermal coal and specialty coals, which represent approximately five percent of sales.
Volatiles refers to the volatile matter contained in the coal. Classification of coal as low, mid or high-volatile refers to the specific volatile content within the coal, with coals of 17% to 22% volatile matter being classified as low-volatile, 23% to 31% as mid-volatile and 32% or greater as high-volatile. The volatile matter in coal impacts coke yield (i.e. the amount of coke and coke by-products produced per ton of coal charged). Low-volatile coal contains more carbon, but too much carbon can result in coke oven damage. Too much volatile matter results in less carbon and reduces the volume of coke produced. Therefore, coke producers use blends of high-volatile and low-volatile coals for coke production.
We are unaware of any significant encumbrances to the Elk Creek Complex, including current and future permitting requirements and associated timelines, permit conditions, and violations and fines.
Berwind Complex
The Berwind Complex is located approximately 80 miles south of Charleston, West Virginia; 100 miles west of Roanoke, Virginia; 60 miles northeast of Kingsport, Tennessee; and 160 miles east/southeast of Lexington, Kentucky at N 37.164522, W 81.744893. The complex includes areas in Buchanan and Tazewell Counties, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia. The Berwind Complex is within the Southwestern Virginia and Southern West Virginia coal fields of the CAPP Region of the United States.
The Berwind Complex and surrounding area have an extensive history of coal mining, primarily by underground mining methods. Mining within the Berwind/Knox Creek Complex likely began in the early-1900s and there have been many different mine operators both large and small in the region since then.
The Berwind Property consists of approximately 62,500 acres of leased coal holdings located in McDowell County, West Virginia and Buchanan and Tazewell Counties, Virginia. Ramaco obtained its initial lease for this property in 2015 and commenced mine operations in 2017. The Berwind Complex is in the production stage and currently has three active mines. The three mines that were active at December 31, 2023 are underground room and pillar mines, which use continuous miners for mine development.
Ramaco started operations at the Berwind Pocahontas 4 Deep Mine in 2017 and idled the mine in mid-July 2022 due to an ignition that an investigation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) suggests was
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caused by lightning that struck a pilot hole for a new shaft. Production at the Berwind No. 1 Deep Mine restarted in the first quarter of 2023.
A majority of the underground mines implement retreat mining, which typically results in mining recovery of greater than 80 percent. Contour mining has an average mining recovery of approximately 90 percent, and the highwall mine has an average mining recovery of approximately 40 percent.
The Berwind Complex is mining several seams and seam splits, including the Pocahontas 6, Pocahontas 5, Pocahontas 4 and Pocahontas 3 seams, in descending stratigraphic order.
Active Mines:
● Laurel Fork Pocahontas 3 Deep Mine
● Triad No. 2 Deep Mine
● Berwind No. 1 Pocahontas 4 Deep Mine
Permitted Mines:
● Squire Jim No. 1 Deep Mine, permitted but not planned for startup
The current Berwind Complex Life-of-Mine (LOM) Plan projects mining through 2049, an expected mine life for the complex of 20+ years. However, it is likely future mines will be planned and scheduled, as necessary, from resource areas within the complex, to meet internal Ramaco production goals aligned with market conditions.
All Run-of-Mine (ROM) coal is washed at the Berwind Preparation Plant with no planned direct shipment coal. The Berwind Preparation Plant was initially built in 1955 and commissioned in 1957. Ramaco refurbished the preparation plant in 2021 and 2022 based on a design by Ramsey Industrial, with a current ROM processing capacity of 600 tons per hour.
The gross book value of the Berwind Complex property and its associated plant and equipment was $155 million as of December 31, 2023. The Berwind Complex utilizes industry standard, modern surface and underground mining equipment, processing equipment and infrastructure that is in good operating condition and capable of meeting planned production requirements using prudent operating methods and operating schedules.
The Berwind Complex produces high-quality, mid and low-volatile metallurgical coal. Historically, the market for metallurgical coal from the Berwind Complex has been for both domestic metallurgical coal consumers and the global seaborne metallurgical coal market.
We are unaware of any significant encumbrances to the Berwind Complex, including current and future permitting requirements and associated timelines, permit conditions, and violations and fines.
Knox Creek Complex
The Knox Creek Complex consists of two general properties or areas as follows:
● Big Creek Property; and
● Knox Creek Property
The Knox Creek Complex is located approximately 80 miles south of Charleston, West Virginia; 100 miles west of Roanoke, Virginia; 60 miles northeast of Kingsport, Tennessee; and 160 miles east/southeast of Lexington, Kentucky at N 37.164522, W 81.744893. The complex includes areas in Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell Counties, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia. The Knox Creek Complex is within the Southwestern Virginia and Southern West Virginia coal fields of the CAPP Region of the United States.
The Knox Creek Complex and surrounding area have an extensive history of coal mining, primarily by underground mining methods. Mining within the Knox Creek Complex likely began in the early-1900s and there have been many different mine operators both large and small in the region since then.
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The Knox Creek Complex consists of approximately 64,050 acres of owned and leased coal holdings. Within the Knox Creek Complex controlled coal holdings, 5,370 acres lie in McDowell County, West Virginia. The Knox Creek Complex is in the production stage and currently has two active mines and two planned and permitted mines. There are no active or planned West Virginia mines currently within the Knox Creek Complex. The two active mines include one contour surface mine developing areas for a highwall miner, and one underground room and pillar mine, which uses continuous miners for mine development.
Ramaco began production of metallurgical coal at the complex in 2019. The underground mines will implement retreat mining, which typically results in mining recovery of 50 to 80 percent. At the surface mine, contour mining has an average mining recovery of approximately 90 percent, and highwall mining has an average mining recovery of approximately 40 percent.
The Knox Creek Complex is mining or plans to mine several seams and seam splits, including the Jawbone, Kennedy and Tiller seams.
Active Mines:
● Big Creek Jawbone No. 1 Deep Mine
● Big Creek Surface and Highwall Mine
Planned and Permitted Mines:
● Knox Creek Tiller Deep Mine, scheduled for 2026 startup
● Kennedy No. 3 Deep Mine, scheduled for 2026 startup
The current Knox Creek Complex Life-of-Mine (LOM) Plan projects mining through 2037, an expected mine life for the complex of 15 years. It is anticipated that future mines will be planned and scheduled, as necessary, from resource areas within the complex, to meet internal Ramaco production goals aligned with market conditions. Both planned mines listed above are subject to future Board approval.
All Run-of-Mine (ROM) coal is washed at the Knox Creek Preparation Plant. The Knox Creek Preparation Plant, built in 1981 by Powell Construction Company located in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a well designed and constructed preparation plant, with ROM processing capacity of 750 tons per hour.
The gross book value of the Knox Creek Complex property and its associated plant and equipment was $47 million as of December 31, 2023. The Knox Creek Complex utilizes industry standard, modern surface and underground mining equipment, processing equipment and infrastructure that is in good operating condition and capable of meeting planned production requirements using prudent operating methods and operating schedules.
The Knox Creek Complex produces high-quality, mid and high-volatile metallurgical coal. Historically, the market for metallurgical coal from the Knox Creek Complex has included both domestic metallurgical coal consumers and the global seaborne metallurgical coal market. The Knox Creek Complex also sporadically produces a minimal quantity of thermal coal from the surface mine from oxidized zones.
We are unaware of any significant encumbrances to the Knox Creek Complex, including current and future permitting requirements and associated timelines, permit conditions, and violations and fines.
Other Properties
Refer to the discussion of our Maben Complex and our RAM Mine under Item 1. “Business - Our Projects” for information about these properties, which are not included in the disclosures of mineral resources and reserves at December 31, 2023 to follow. Additional information regarding the acquisition of Maben can be found in Part II, Item 8, Note 4 of this report.
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Summary of Mineral Resources and Reserves
Summaries of mineral resources and reserves at our material properties as of December 31, 2023, are set forth in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1. Summary of Mineral Resources at the end of Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2023
Measured Mineral Resources
Indicated Mineral Resources
Measured + Indicated
Mineral Resources
Inferred Mineral Resources
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Area
Berwind Complex
558,581
20.41
91.06
70,375
20.41
91.06
628,956
20.41
91.06
4,495
20.41
91.06
Knox Creek Complex
Big Creek Property
35,021
14.10
91.42
—
—
—
35,021
14.10
91.42
—
—
—
Knox Creek Property
234,093
13.62
87.77
6,580
13.62
87.77
240,673
13.62
87.77
—
—
—
Elk Creek Complex
Ram Surface
96,776
15.42
88.42
12,626
15.42
88.42
109,402
15.42
88.42
—
—
—
Crucible Deep
2,285
8.74
84.04
730
8.74
84.04
3,015
8.74
84.04
—
—
—
Stonecoal No. 2 Alma Deep Mine
19,928
14.32
86.83
3,041
14.32
86.83
22,969
14.32
86.83
—
—
—
Rockhouse Eagle Deep Mine
4,065
19.62
89.07
35
19.62
89.07
4,100
19.62
89.07
—
—
—
Moorfork Mine
2,390
15.49
82.24
360
15.49
82.24
2,750
15.49
82.24
—
—
—
Bens Creek Deep Mine
15,510
25.83
93.81
24,425
25.83
93.81
39,935
25.83
93.81
—
—
—
Lower War Eagle
4,965
21.76
90.64
2,870
21.76
90.64
7,835
21.76
90.64
70
21.76
90.64
Glen Alum Tunnel #1 Deep Mine
9,295
4.80
81.13
10,855
4.80
81.13
20,150
4.80
81.13
815
4.80
81.13
Gilbert Deep Mine
2,085
23.56
92.66
2,565
23.56
92.66
4,650
23.56
92.66
85
23.56
92.66
Grand Total
984,994
134,462
1,119,456
5,465
Notes:
● Mineral Resources reported above are not Mineral Reserves and do not meet the threshold for reserve modifying factors, such as estimated economic viability, that would allow for conversion to mineral reserves. There is no certainty that any part of the Mineral Resources estimated will be converted into Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources reported here are exclusive of Mineral Reserves.
● Numbers in the table have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate and may not sum due to rounding.
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Table 2. Summary of Mineral Reserves at the end of Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2023
Proven Mineral Reserves
Probable Mineral Reserves
Proven + Probable Mineral Reserves
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Coal Quality (Dry Basis) Raw
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Amount
(000 Tons)
Ash (%)
Relative Density
(Lbs./Cu.Ft.)
Area
Berwind Complex
Berwind No. 1 Deep Mine
16,645
23.70
92.82
26
23.70
92.82
16,671
23.70
92.82
Laurel Fork Deep Mine
6,015
10.60
84.32
22
10.60
84.32
6,037
10.60
84.32
Triple S Highwall Mine
141
11.10
84.89
37
11.10
84.89
178
11.10
84.89
Triad No. 2 Deep Mine
129
40.10
103.02
—
—
—
129
40.10
103.02
Knox Creek Complex
Big Creek Surface and Highwall Mine
132
19.00
89.72
—
—
—
132
19.00
89.72
Big Creek Jawbone 1 Deep Mine
396
30.60
97.38
—
—
—
396
30.60
97.38
Knox Creek Tiller Deep Mine
6,362
16.10
88.05
—
—
—
6,362
16.10
88.05
Kennedy No. 3 Deep Mine
720
13.60
86.48
—
—
—
720
13.60
86.48
Elk Creek Complex
Ram Surface and Highwall Mine
1,220
17.68
88.72
10
17.68
88.72
1,230
17.68
88.72
Ram Surface 3 and Highwall Mine
2,760
15.79
87.83
440
15.79
87.83
3,200
15.79
87.83
Crucible Deep
3,908
10.38
84.11
645
10.38
84.11
4,553
10.38
84.11
Stonecoal No. 2 Alma Deep Mine
4,535
24.32
88.49
60
24.32
88.49
4,595
24.32
88.49
Michael Powellton Mine
971
40.70
103.20
56
40.70
103.20
1,027
40.70
103.20
Rockhouse Eagle Deep Mine
1,426
15.79
87.45
495
15.79
87.45
1,921
15.79
87.45
No. 2 Gas Deep Mine
3,623
22.30
91.40
112
22.30
91.40
3,735
22.30
91.40
Eight-Kay
1,390
12.32
85.73
240
12.32
85.73
1,630
12.32
85.73
Bens Creek Deep Mine
1,670
28.56
95.84
170
28.56
95.84
1,840
28.56
95.84
Glen Alum Tunnel #1 Deep Mine
2,380
5.94
81.78
2,190
5.94
81.78
4,570
5.94
81.78
Grand Total
54,423
4,503
58,926
Notes:
● Clean recoverable reserve tonnage based on underground mining recovery of 50 to 80 percent (contingent upon retreat mining capability), 90 percent for surface mining, 40 percent for highwall mining, theoretical preparation plant yield, and a 95 percent preparation plant efficiency.
● Numbers in the table have been rounded to reflect the accuracy of the estimate and may not sum due to rounding.
● Mineral Reserves are reported exclusive of Mineral Resources.
Our coal resource and reserve estimates at December 31, 2023, were prepared by a qualified person (“QP”) and have a basis in periodic, historical reserve studies completed by third-party geological engineering firms. Our coal resource and reserve estimates are based on data obtained from our drilling activities and other available geologic data. Acquisitions or sales of coal properties will change these estimates. Changes in mining methods or the utilization of new technologies may increase or decrease the recovery basis for a coal seam. The most recent studies of our coal reserves for the Elk Creek Complex, Berwind Complex, and Knox Creek Complex were prepared by an independent engineering firm, Weir International, Inc. (“Weir”). In periods between third party updates, we update reserves utilizing our internal staff of engineers and geologists based on production data. We intend to continue to periodically retain outside experts to assist management with the verification of our estimates of our coal reserves going forward.
Weir prepared our reserve reporting in compliance with the Regulation S-K 1300 requirements. Weir initiated this process with us by completing a historical project review as well as its validation of our complete drill hole database. Weir validated that property control is accurately reflected in reserve modeling, verifying the latest property boundaries, including control by each seam. Weir also examined reserve boundaries to ensure agreement with mining parameters, such as minimum thickness, minimum yield and minimum inter-burden between seams. Resource classification is determined based on the expectation of our meeting these mining parameters. Weir also conducted mining integrity checks to ensure each reserve area is minable.
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In determining whether our reserves meet this standard, we take into account, among other things, our potential ability to obtain a mining permit, the possible necessity of revising a mining plan, changes in estimated future costs, changes in future cash flows caused by changes in costs required to be incurred to meet regulatory requirements and obtaining or renewing mining permits, variations in quantity and quality of coal, and varying levels of demand and their effects on selling prices. Further, the economic recoverability of our reserves is based on market conditions including contracted pricing, market pricing and overall demand for our coal. Thus, the actual value at which we no longer consider our reserves to be economically recoverable varies depending on the length of time in which the specific market conditions are expected to last. We consider our reserves to be economically recoverable at a price in excess of our cash costs to mine the coal and fund our ongoing replacement capital. The reserves in this Annual Report are classified by reliability or accuracy in decreasing order of geological assurance as Proven (Measured) and Probable (Indicated).
Summaries of the mineral resources and mineral reserves as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are shown below. Weir served as the QP and prepared the estimates of mineral resources and mineral reserves at the Berwind Complex, Knox Creek Complex, and Elk Creek Complex. Since a material change has not occurred from the last TRS filed for each complex, the previous years’ TRSs have not been updated. Refer to Exhibit 96.1, 96.2, and 96.3 for access to the previous TRS for the Berwind Complex, Knox Creek Complex, and Elk Creek Complex, respectively.
Year ended December 31,
Year ended December 31,
2023
2022
(in millions)
Measured + Indicated In-Place Resources
Proven + Probable Clean Recoverable Reserves
Measured + Indicated In-Place Resources
Proven + Probable Clean Recoverable Reserves
Area
Berwind Complex
629
23
629
24
Knox Creek Complex
275
8
301
8
Elk Creek Complex
215
28
215
30
RAM Mine
—
—
11
—
Total
1,119
59
1,156
62
Estimates of coal reserves and resources are updated annually to reflect changes resulting from active mine production, mine plan modifications, property acquisitions/sales, impacts of additional exploration drilling, and any other changes that impact remaining coal reserve and resource tonnage.
The combined proven and probable reserves at the Berwind, Knox Creek and Elk Creek complexes decreased by three million tons due to 2023 production. Measured and indicated coal resources decreased by 37 million tons during 2023, approximately 25 million tons were due to property control changes (assignment of coal leases) at the Knox Creek Complex and 11 million tons were due to the permit denial at the RAM mine and our decision not to pursue an appeal.
Key assumptions and parameters relating to the mineral resources and mineral reserves are discussed in sections 11 and 12, respectively, of each TRS.
Exploration Target
Brook Mine is an exploration property that includes three drillhole programs involving a total of 123 new core drillholes. Specifically, targeting REEs has been completed within the current Brook Mine permit area. So far, the results of these drilling programs indicate elevated levels of REEs, along with significant concentrations of other critical elements such as Yttrium, Gallium, and Germanium. Work is ongoing to evaluate the potential exploitation of these minerals within the current Brook Mine permit area.
There has been insufficient exploration of the Brook Mine to estimate a mineral resource and it is unclear, at present, whether further exploration will result in the estimation of a mineral resource. The exploration target therefore does not represent, and should not be construed to be, an estimate of a mineral resource or mineral reserve as such terms are used in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K.
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Internal Controls
In our exploration and mineral resource and reserve estimation efforts, we utilize a certified American National Standards Institute third-party laboratory, which has in-house quality control and assurance procedures. Once in possession of the samples, the laboratory standard sample preparation and security procedures are followed. After the sample has been tested, reviewed, and accepted, the disposal of the sample is done in accordance with local, state and EPA approved methods.
Weir has determined the sample preparation, security and analysis procedures used for our drillhole samples meet current coal industry standards and practices for quality testing, with laboratory results suitable to use for geological modeling, mineral resource estimation and economic evaluation.
Year-end reserve estimates are and will continue to be reviewed by our Chief Executive Officer and other senior management, and revisions are communicated to our board of directors. Inaccuracies in our estimates of our coal reserves could result in decreased profitability from lower-than-expected revenue or higher-than-expected costs. Actual production recovered from identified reserve areas and properties, and revenue and expenditures associated with our mining operations, may vary materially from estimates.