Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     
  

Commission file number:

 001-31465

 

nrp20220630_10qimg001.jpg

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS LP

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

35-2164875

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 24003325

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(713) 751-7507

(Registrants 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

Common Units representing limited partner interests

 

NRP

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of "accelerated filer", "large 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  ☒

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.  Yes ☐    No  ☐

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  

Page

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

1

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

2

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

54

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

65

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

1617

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2725

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2725

Part II. Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2826

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2826

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2826

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

2826

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

2826

Item 5.

Other Information

2826

Item 6.

Exhibits

2826

 

Signatures

2927

 

i

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  2023  2022 

(In thousands, except unit data)

 

2022

  

2021

  

(Unaudited)

   
 

(Unaudited)

   

ASSETS

  

Current assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $60,937  $135,520  $17,655  $39,091 

Accounts receivable, net

 34,726  24,538  36,513  42,701 

Other current assets, net

  1,228   2,723   3,216   1,822 

Total current assets

 $96,891  $162,781  $57,384  $83,614 

Land

 24,008  24,008  24,008  24,008 

Mineral rights, net

 421,351  437,697  408,371  412,312 

Intangible assets, net

 15,168  16,130  14,613  14,713 

Equity in unconsolidated investment

 284,806  276,004  295,361  306,470 

Long-term contract receivable, net

 29,570  31,371  28,309  28,946 

Other long-term assets, net

  7,216   5,832   7,622   7,068 

Total assets

 $879,010  $953,823  $835,668  $877,131 

LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL

  

Current liabilities

  

Accounts payable

 $2,179  $1,956  $1,452  $1,992 

Accrued liabilities

 5,913  10,297  3,466  11,916 

Accrued interest

 4,227  1,213  1,252  989 

Current portion of deferred revenue

 8,886  11,817  7,450  6,256 

Current portion of long-term debt, net

  89,989   39,102   39,055   39,076 

Total current liabilities

 $111,194  $64,385  $52,675  $60,229 

Deferred revenue

 35,882  50,045  38,833  40,181 

Long-term debt, net

 148,734  394,443  133,821  129,205 

Other non-current liabilities

  5,231   5,018   6,124   5,472 

Total liabilities

 $301,041  $513,891  $231,453  $235,087 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 12)

       

Class A Convertible Preferred Units (250,000 and 269,321 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, at $1,000 par value per unit; liquidation preference of $1,850 per unit at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021)

 $164,587  $183,908 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)

       

Class A Convertible Preferred Units (202,501 and 250,000 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, at $1,000 par value per unit; liquidation preference of $1,850 per unit at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022) (See Note 3)

 $133,316  $164,587 

Partners’ capital

  

Common unitholders’ interest (12,505,996 and 12,351,306 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)

 $358,332  $203,062 

Common unitholders’ interest (12,634,642 and 12,505,996 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)

 $417,401  $404,799 

General partner’s interest

 5,054  1,787  6,400  5,977 

Warrant holders’ interest

 47,964  47,964  47,964  47,964 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  2,032   3,211 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  (866)  18,717 

Total partners’ capital

 $413,382  $256,024  $470,899  $477,457 

Total liabilities and partners' capital

 $879,010  $953,823  $835,668  $877,131 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands, except per unit data)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues and other income

  

Royalty and other mineral rights

 $81,379  $47,884  $231,795  $114,422  $76,271  $71,083 

Transportation and processing services

 5,969  2,171  15,377  6,545  3,598  3,796 

Equity in earnings of Sisecam Wyoming

 14,556  6,672  44,036  11,246  19,254  14,837 

Gain on asset sales and disposals

  354  68  699  243   96    

Total revenues and other income

 $102,258  $56,795  $291,907  $132,456  $99,219  $89,716 
  

Operating expenses

  

Operating and maintenance expenses

 $7,898  $8,354  $25,989  $19,076  $7,163  $8,076 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 6,850  5,182  16,565  15,145  4,083  3,868 

General and administrative expenses

 4,518  4,052  14,037  11,550  5,845  4,467 

Asset impairments

  812   57   874   4,116      19 

Total operating expenses

 $20,078  $17,645  $57,465  $49,887  $17,091  $16,430 
  

Income from operations

 $82,180  $39,150  $234,442  $82,569  $82,128  $73,286 
  

Other expenses, net

 

Interest expense, net

 $(5,141) $(9,652) $(22,636) $(29,308) $(2,853) $(9,387)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  (2,484)    (6,532)   

Total other expenses, net

 $(7,625) $(9,652) $(29,168) $(29,308)
  

Net income

 $74,555  $29,498  $205,274  $53,261  $79,275  $63,899 

Less: income attributable to preferred unitholders

  (7,500)  (7,961)  (22,500)  (23,530) (6,661) (7,500)

Less: redemption of preferred units

 (16,228)  

Net income attributable to common unitholders and the general partner

 $67,055  $21,537  $182,774  $29,731  $56,386  $56,399 
  

Net income attributable to common unitholders

 $65,714  $21,106  $179,119  $29,136  $55,258  $55,271 

Net income attributable to the general partner

 1,341  431  3,655  595  1,128  1,128 
  

Net income per common unit (see Note 4)

 

Net income per common unit (see Note 5)

 

Basic

 $5.25  $1.71  $14.36  $2.36  $4.40  $4.45 

Diluted

 3.71  1.10  10.24  1.98  3.44  3.11 
  

Net income

 $74,555  $29,498  $205,274  $53,261  $79,275  $63,899 

Comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated investment and other

  289   4,204   (1,179)  7,469   (19,583)  2,545 

Comprehensive income

 $74,844  $33,702  $204,095  $60,730  $59,692  $66,444 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

2

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS CAPITAL

(Unaudited)

 

             

Accumulated

                

Accumulated

   
             

Other

 

Total

              

Other

 

Total

 
 

Common Unitholders

  

General

 

Warrant

 

Comprehensive

 

Partners'

  

Common Unitholders

  

General

 

Warrant

 

Comprehensive

 

Partners'

 

(In thousands)

 

Units

  

Amounts

  

Partner

  

Holders

  

Income

  

Capital

  

Units

  

Amounts

  

Partner

  

Holders

  

Income (Loss)

  

Capital

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

 12,351  $203,062  $1,787  $47,964  $3,211  $256,024 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 12,506  $404,799  $5,977  $47,964  $18,717  $477,457 

Net income (1)

   62,621  1,278      63,899    77,690  1,585      79,275 

Redemption of preferred units

  (15,904) (324)   (16,228)

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

   (5,559) (113)     (5,672)   (40,082) (818)     (40,900)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

   (7,603) (155)     (7,758)   (7,924) (162)     (8,086)

Issuance of unit-based awards

 155            129           

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting, net

   (1,754)       (1,754)   (1,178)       (1,178)

Capital contribution

     112      112      142      142 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              2,545   2,545 

Balance at March 31, 2022

  12,506  $250,767  $2,909  $47,964  $5,756  $307,396 

Net income (1)

   65,484  1,336      66,820 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

   (9,379) (191)     (9,570)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

   (7,350) (150)     (7,500)

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting

   1,231        1,231 

Comprehensive loss from unconsolidated investment and other

              (4,013)  (4,013)              (19,583)  (19,583)

Balance at June 30, 2022

  12,506  $300,753  $3,904  $47,964  $1,743  $354,364 

Net income (1)

  73,064 1,491   74,555 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

  (9,380) (191)   (9,571)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

  (7,350) (150)   (7,500)

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting

  1,245    1,245 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              289   289 

Balance at September 30, 2022

  12,506  $358,332  $5,054  $47,964  $2,032  $413,382 

Balance at March 31, 2023

  12,635  $417,401  $6,400  $47,964  $(866) $470,899 

(1)

Net income includes $6.7 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $6.5 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.1 million is allocated to the general partner.

                  

Accumulated

     
                  

Other

  

Total

 
  

Common Unitholders

  

General

  

Warrant

  

Comprehensive

  

Partners'

 

(In thousands)

 

Units

  

Amounts

  

Partner

  

Holders

  

Income

  

Capital

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

  12,351  $203,062  $1,787  $47,964  $3,211  $256,024 

Net income (1)

     62,621   1,278         63,899 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

     (5,559)  (113)        (5,672)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

     (7,603)  (155)        (7,758)

Issuance of unit-based awards

  155                

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting, net

     (1,754)           (1,754)

Capital contribution

        112         112 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              2,545   2,545 

Balance at March 31, 2022

  12,506  $250,767  $2,909  $47,964  $5,756  $307,396 
     

(1)

Net income includes $7.5 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $7.4 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.2 million is allocated to the general partner.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS CAPITAL

(Unaudited)

                  

Accumulated

     
                  

Other

  

Total

 
  

Common Unitholders

  

General

  

Warrant

  

Comprehensive

  

Partners'

 

(In thousands)

 

Units

  

Amounts

  

Partner

  

Holders

  

Income

  

Capital

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

  12,261  $136,927  $459  $66,816  $322  $204,524 

Net income (1)

     8,213   168         8,381 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

     (5,517)  (113)        (5,630)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

     (7,461)  (152)        (7,613)

Issuance of unit-based awards

  90                

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting, net

     215            215 

Capital contribution

        32         32 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              732   732 

Balance at March 31, 2021

  12,351  $132,377  $394  $66,816  $1,054  $200,641 

Net income (2)

     15,074   308         15,382 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

     (5,559)  (113)        (5,672)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

     (7,571)  (155)        (7,726)

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting

     515            515 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              2,533   2,533 

Balance at June 30, 2021

  12,351  $134,836  $434  $66,816  $3,587  $205,673 

Net income (3)

     28,909   589         29,498 

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

     (5,558)  (113)        (5,671)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

     (7,687)  (156)        (7,843)

Unit-based awards amortization and vesting

     959            959 

Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other

              4,204   4,204 

Balance at September 30, 2021

  12,351  $151,459  $754  $66,816  $7,791  $226,820 

(1)

Net income includes $7.7 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $7.6 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.2 million is allocated to the general partner.

(2)

Net income includes $7.8 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $7.7 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.2 million is allocated to the general partner.

(3)Net income includes $8.0 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $7.8 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.2 million is allocated to the general partner.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

43

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities

  

Net income

 $205,274  $53,261  $79,275  $63,899 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 16,565  15,145  4,083  3,868 

Distributions from unconsolidated investment

 34,055  3,920  10,780  13,230 

Equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

 (44,036) (11,246) (19,254) (14,837)

Gain on asset sales and disposals

 (699) (243) (96)  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 6,532  

Asset impairments

 874  4,116    19 

Bad debt expense

 641  1,715  (610) 1,028 

Unit-based compensation expense

 4,216  2,837  2,491  1,448 

Amortization of debt issuance costs and other

 1,887  1,899  25  375 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Accounts receivable

 (10,118) (12,332) 7,061  (7,579)

Accounts payable

 223  89  (541) (60)

Accrued liabilities

 (4,831) (839) (8,805) (7,156)

Accrued interest

 3,014  6,971  263  7,250 

Deferred revenue

 (17,094) (2,121) (154) (7,316)

Other items, net

  1,447   3,471   (1,618)  (1,838)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $197,950  $66,643  $72,900  $52,331 
  

Cash flows from investing activities

  

Proceeds from asset sales and disposals

 $699  $249  $101  $ 

Return of long-term contract receivable

 1,138  1,622  598   

Capital expenditures

  (59)     (2)   

Net cash provided by investing activities

 $1,778  $1,871  $697  $ 
  

Cash flows from financing activities

  

Debt borrowings

 $94,200 $ 

Debt repayments

 $(197,665) $(19,061)  (89,696)  (16,697)

Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner

 (24,813) (16,973) (40,900) (5,672)

Distributions to preferred unitholders

 (22,500) (11,591) (7,500) (7,500)

Acquisition of non-controlling interest in BRP

  (1,000)

Redemption of preferred units

 (48,085)  

Redemption of preferred units paid-in-kind

 (19,579)     (19,579)

Other items, net

  (9,754)  (690)  (3,052)  (2,813)

Net cash used in financing activities

 $(274,311) $(49,315) $(95,033) $(52,261)
  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 $(74,583) $19,199  $(21,436) $70 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  135,520   99,790   39,091   135,520 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $60,937  $118,989  $17,655  $135,590 
  

Supplemental cash flow information:

  

Cash paid for interest

 $18,501  $20,829  $2,474  $1,644 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

Preferred unit distributions paid-in-kind

   11,591 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

54

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

Nature of Business

 

Natural Resource Partners L.P. (the "Partnership") engages principally in the business of owning, managing and leasing a diversified portfolio of mineral properties in the United States, including interests in coal and other natural resources and owns a non-controlling 49% interest in Sisecam Wyoming LLC ("Sisecam Wyoming"), a trona ore mining and soda ash production business. The Partnership is organized into two operating segments further described in Note 5.6. Segment Information. The Partnership’s operations are conducted through, and its operating assets are owned by, its subsidiaries. The Partnership owns its subsidiaries through one wholly owned operating company, NRP (Operating) LLC ("Opco"). As used in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms "NRP," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Natural Resource Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

 

Principles of Consolidation and Reporting

 

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20212022 and notes thereto included in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2022.3, 2023. 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standard

On January 1, 2023, NRP adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06)”. The ASU includes targeted improvements to earnings per share, which the Partnership adopted on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 5. Net Income Per Common Unit for the calculations of our basic and diluted net income per common unit. See Note 3. Class A Convertible Preferred Units and Warrants for disclosures related to our convertible preferred units and warrants.

5

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

2.    Revenues from Contracts with Customers

 

The following table presents the Partnership's Mineral Rights segment revenues by major source:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Coal royalty revenues

 $52,381  $32,432  $170,775  $66,095  $58,023  $55,449 

Production lease minimum revenues

 1,885  3,235  3,542  10,241  613  1,592 

Minimum lease straight-line revenues

 4,778  4,808  14,235  15,773  4,503  4,783 

Carbon neutral initiative revenues (1)

 8,600  8,600   2,118   

Property tax revenues

 1,360  1,466  4,527  4,522  1,470  1,472 

Wheelage revenues

 2,977  1,964  11,073  5,589  3,869  3,717 

Coal overriding royalty revenues

 1,367  757  2,307  3,592  188  258 

Lease amendment revenues

 759  1,519  2,450  3,159  851  880 

Aggregates royalty revenues

 884  429  2,691  1,339  753  770 

Oil and gas royalty revenues

 6,170  1,154  10,890  3,420  3,588  1,814 

Other revenues

  218   120   705   692   295   348 

Royalty and other mineral rights revenues

 $81,379  $47,884  $231,795  $114,422  $76,271  $71,083 

Transportation and processing services revenues (2)(1)

  5,969   2,171   15,377   6,545   3,598   3,796 

Total Mineral Rights segment revenues

 $87,348  $50,055  $247,172  $120,967  $79,869  $74,879 
     
(1)

Included within carbon neutral initiative revenues are payments that are recognized at a point in time upon satisfaction of NRP's performance obligation.

(2)

Transportation and processing services revenues from contracts with customers as defined under ASC 606 was $4.9$2.9 million and $1.2$3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022, respectively, and $12.9 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The remaining transportation and processing services revenues of $1.1$0.7 million and $0.9$0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 2021, respectively, and $2.5 million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022and 2021, respectively, related to other NRP-owned infrastructure leased to and operated by third-party operators accounted for under other guidance. See Note 14.15. Financing Transactionfor more information.

 

The following table details the Partnership's Mineral Rights segment receivables and liabilities resulting from contracts with customers:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Receivables

  

Accounts receivable, net

 $30,991  $22,277  $32,706  $39,004 

Other current assets, net (1)

 874  769  1,947   

Other long-term assets, net (2)

 75  250  75  75 
  

Contract liabilities

  

Current portion of deferred revenue

 $8,886  $11,817  $7,450  $6,256 

Deferred revenue

 35,882  50,045  38,833  40,181 
     
(1)

Other current assets, net includes short-term notes receivables from contracts with customers.

(2)

Other long-term assets, net includes long-term lease amendment fee receivables from contracts with customers.

 

6

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

The following table shows the activity related to the Partnership's Mineral Rights segment deferred revenue: 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Balance at beginning of period (current and non-current)

 $61,862  $61,554  $46,437  $61,862 

Increase due to minimums and lease amendment fees

 11,309  6,411  7,770  5,059 

Recognition of previously deferred revenue

  (28,403)  (8,532)  (7,924)  (12,375)

Balance at end of period (current and non-current)

 $44,768  $59,433  $46,283  $54,546 

 

The Partnership's non-cancelable annual minimum payments due under the lease terms of its coal and aggregates royalty leases are as follows as of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 (in thousands): 

 

Lease Term (1)

 

Weighted Average Remaining Years

 

Annual Minimum Payments

 

Weighted Average Remaining Years

Annual Minimum Payments

0 - 5 years

 2.4  $22,229 1.9$21,939

5 - 10 years

 3.8  7,517 3.3 7,547

10+ years

 12.8   27,221 12.3 27,121

Total

 7.5  $56,967 7.1$56,607
     
(1)

Lease term does not include renewal periods.

 

6

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

3.      Class A Convertible Preferred Units and Warrants

On March 2, 2017, NRP issued $250 million of Class A Convertible Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in NRP (the "preferred units") to certain entities controlled by funds affiliated with The Blackstone Group Inc. (collectively referred to as "Blackstone") and certain affiliates of GoldenTree Asset Management LP (collectively referred to as "GoldenTree") (together the "preferred purchasers") pursuant to a Preferred Unit and Warrant Purchase Agreement. NRP issued 250,000 preferred units to the preferred purchasers at a price of $1,000 per preferred unit (the "per unit purchase price"), less a 2.5% structuring and origination fee. The preferred units entitle the preferred purchasers to receive cumulative distributions at a rate of 12% of the purchase price per year, up to one half of which NRP may pay in additional preferred units (such additional preferred units, the "PIK units"). The preferred units have a perpetual term, unless converted or redeemed as described below.

NRP also issued two tranches of warrants (the "warrants") to purchase common units to the preferred purchasers (warrants to purchase 1.75 million common units with a strike price of $22.81 and warrants to purchase 2.25 million common units with a strike price of $34.00). The warrants may be exercised by the holders thereof at any time before the eighth anniversary of the closing date. Upon exercise of the warrants, NRP may, at its option, elect to settle the warrants in common units or cash, each on a net basis.

After March 2, 2022 and prior to March 2, 2025, the holders of the preferred units may elect to convert up to 33% of the outstanding preferred units in any 12-month period into common units if the volume weighted average trading price of our common units (the "VWAP") for the 30 trading days immediately prior to date notice is provided is greater than $51.00. In such case, the number of common units to be issued upon conversion would be equal to the per unit purchase price plus the value of any accrued and unpaid distributions divided by an amount equal to a 7.5% discount to the VWAP for the 30 trading days immediately prior to the notice of conversion. Rather than have the preferred units convert to common units in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, NRP would have the option to elect to redeem the preferred units proposed to be converted for cash at a price equal to the per unit purchase price plus the value of any accrued and unpaid distributions.

On or after March 2, 2025, the holders of the preferred units may elect to convert the preferred units to common units at a conversion rate equal to the Liquidation Value divided by an amount equal to a 10% discount to the VWAP for the 30 trading days immediately prior to the notice of conversion. The “liquidation value” will be an amount equal to the greater of: (1) (a) the per unit purchase price multiplied by (i) prior to March 2, 2020, 1.50, (ii) on or after March 2, 2020 and prior to March 2, 2021, 1.70 and (iii) on or after March 2, 2021, 1.85, less (b)(i) all preferred unit distributions previously made by NRP and (ii) all cash payments previously made in respect of redemption of any PIK units; and (2) the per unit purchase price plus the value of all accrued and unpaid distributions.

To the extent the holders of the preferred units have not elected to convert their preferred units before March 2, 2029, NRP has the right to force conversion of the preferred units at a price equal to the liquidation value divided by an amount equal to a 10% discount to the VWAP for the 30 trading days immediately prior to the notice of conversion.

In addition, NRP has the ability to redeem at any time (subject to compliance with its debt agreements) all or any portion of the preferred units and any outstanding PIK units for cash. The redemption price for each outstanding PIK unit is $1,000 plus the value of any accrued and unpaid distributions per PIK unit. The redemption price for each preferred unit is the liquidation value divided by the number of outstanding preferred units. The preferred units are redeemable at the option of the preferred purchasers only upon a change in control.

The terms of the preferred units contain certain restrictions on NRP's ability to pay distributions on its common units. To the extent that either (i) NRP's consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Partnership's Fifth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement dated March 2, 2017 (the "restated partnership agreement"), is greater than 3.25x, or (ii) the ratio of NRP's Distributable Cash Flow (as defined in the Restated Partnership Agreement) to cash distributions made or proposed to be made is less than 1.2x (in each case, with respect to the most recently completed four-quarter period), NRP may not increase the quarterly distribution above $0.45 per quarter without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred units. In addition, if at any time after January 1, 2022, any PIK units are outstanding, NRP may not make distributions on its common units until it has redeemed all PIK units for cash.

The holders of the preferred units have the right to vote with holders of NRP’s common units on an as-converted basis and have other customary approval rights with respect to changes of the terms of the preferred units. In addition, Blackstone has certain approval rights over certain matters as identified in the restated partnership agreement. GoldenTree also has more limited approval rights that will expand once Blackstone's ownership goes below the minimum preferred unit threshold (as defined below). These approval rights are not transferrable without NRP's consent. In addition, the approval rights held by Blackstone and GoldenTree will terminate at such time that Blackstone (together with their affiliates) or GoldenTree (together with their affiliates), as applicable, no longer own at least 20% of the total number of preferred units issued on the closing date, together with all PIK units that have been issued but not redeemed (the "minimum preferred unit threshold").

At the closing, pursuant to the Board Representation and Observation Rights Agreement, the Preferred Purchasers received certain board appointment and observation rights, and Blackstone appointed one director and one observer to the Board of Directors.

NRP also entered into a registration rights agreement (the "preferred unit and warrant registration rights agreement") with the preferred purchasers, pursuant to which NRP is required to file (i) a shelf registration statement to register the common units issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to cause such registration statement to become effective not later than 90 days following the closing date and (ii) a shelf registration statement to register the common units issuable upon conversion of the preferred units and to cause such registration statement to become effective not later than the earlier of the fifth anniversary of the closing date or 90 days following the first issuance of any common units upon conversion of preferred units (the "registration deadlines"). In addition, the preferred unit and warrant registration rights agreement gives the preferred purchasers piggyback registration and demand underwritten offering rights under certain circumstances. The shelf registration statement to register the common units issuable upon exercise of the warrants became effective on April 20, 2017. If the shelf registration statement to register the common units issuable upon conversion of the preferred units is not effective by the applicable registration deadline, NRP will be required to pay the preferred purchasers liquidated damages in the amounts and upon the term set forth in the preferred unit and warrant registration rights agreement.

7

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Accounting for the Preferred Units and Warrants

Classification

The preferred units are accounted for as temporary equity on NRP's Consolidated Balance Sheets due to certain contingent redemption rights that may be exercised at the election of preferred purchasers. The warrants are accounted for as equity on NRP's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Initial Measurement

The net transaction price was allocated to the preferred units and warrants based on their relative fair values at inception date. NRP allocated the transaction issuance costs to the preferred units and warrants primarily on a pro-rata basis based on their relative inception date allocated values.

Subsequent Measurement

Preferred Units

Subsequent adjustment of the preferred units will not occur until NRP has determined that the conversion or redemption of all or a portion of the preferred units is probable of occurring. Once conversion or redemption becomes probable of occurring, the carrying amount of the preferred units will be accreted to their redemption value over the period from the date the feature is probable of occurring to the date the preferred units can first be converted or redeemed. 

In February 2023, the Partnership received a notice from holders of the Class A Preferred Units exercising their right to either convert or redeem, at the election of NRP, an aggregate of 47,499 Class A Preferred Units. The Partnership chose to redeem the preferred units for $47.5 million in cash rather than issuing common units. Of the originally issued 250,000 Class A Preferred Units, 202,501 Class A Preferred Units remain outstanding as of March 31, 2023.

Activity related to the preferred units is as follows:

  

Units

  

Financial

 

(In thousands, except unit data)

 

Outstanding

  

Position

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

  269,321  $183,908 

Redemption of preferred units paid-in-kind

  (19,321)  (19,321)

Balance at December 31, 2022

  250,000  $164,587 

Redemption of preferred units

  (47,499)  (31,271)

Balance at March 31, 2023

  202,501  $133,316 

Warrants

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 there were 3.0 million warrants outstanding, which included warrants to purchase 0.75 million common units at a strike price of $22.81 and warrants to purchase 2.25 million common units with a strike price of $34.00. These warrants had a $48.0 million carrying value included in warrant holders' interest within partners' capital on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Subsequent adjustment of the warrants will not occur until the warrants are exercised, at which time, NRP may, at its option, elect to settle the warrants in common units or cash, each on a net basis. The net basis will be equal to the difference between the Partnership's common unit price and the strike price of the warrant. Once warrant exercise occurs, the difference between the carrying amount of the warrants and the net settlement amount will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to the common unitholders and general partner.

Embedded Features

Certain embedded features within the preferred unit and warrant purchase agreement are accounted for at fair value and are remeasured each quarter. See Note 10.Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding valuation of these embedded derivatives.

8

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

4.    Common and Preferred Unit Distributions

 

The Partnership makes cash distributions to common and preferred unitholders on a quarterly basis, subject to approval by the Board of Directors of GP Natural Resource Partners LLC (the "Board of Directors"). NRP recognizes both common unit and preferred unit distributions on the date the distribution is declared.

 

Distributions made on the common units and the general partner's general partner ("GP") interest are made on a pro-rata basis in accordance with their relative percentage interests in the Partnership. The general partner is entitled to receive 2% of such distributions.

 

Income available to common unitholders and the general partner is reduced by preferred unit distributions that accumulated during the period. NRP reduced net income available to common unitholders and the general partner by $7.5$6.7 million and $8.0$7.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022, respectively, and $22.5 million and $23.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as a result of accumulated preferred unit distributions earned during the period. Of the $6.7 million in accumulated preferred unit distributions earned during March 31, 2023, $0.6 million was paid in February 2023 in connection with the preferred units that were redeemed. Income available to common unitholders and the general partner is also reduced by the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid upon redemption and the carrying value of the preferred units. As such, NRP reduced net income available to common unitholders and the general partner by $16.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. 

 

The following table shows the cash distributions declared and paid to common and preferred unitholders during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022, respectively:

 

    

Cash Distributions

 

Paid-in-kind Distributions

    

Common Units

 

Preferred Units

      Total Distribution (1)   Total Distribution Total Distribution

Month Paid

 

Period Covered by Distribution

 

Distribution per Unit

 

(In thousands)

 Distribution per Unit 

(In thousands)

 

(In units)

2022

                

February 2022

 

October 1 - December 31, 2021

 $0.45 $5,672 $30.00 $7,500 

May 2022

 

January 1 - March 31, 2022

  0.75  9,570  30.00  7,500 

August 2022

 

April 1 - June 30, 2022

  0.75  9,571  30.00  7,500 
                 

2021

                

February 2021

 

October 1 - December 31, 2020

 $0.45 $5,630 $15.00 $3,806 3,806

May 2021

 

January 1 - March 31, 2021

  0.45  5,672  15.00  3,864 3,864

August 2021

 

April 1 - June 30, 2021

  0.45  5,671  15.00  3,921 3,921
                   
    

Common Units

  

Preferred Units

 
        

Total Distribution (1)

      

Total Distribution

 

Month Paid

 

Period Covered by Distribution

 

Distribution per Unit

  

(In thousands)

  

Distribution per Unit

  

(In thousands)

 

2023

                  

February 2023

 

October 1 - December 31, 2022

 $0.75  $9,571  $30.00  $7,500 

February 2023 (2)

 

January 1 - February 8, 2023

        12.33   586 

March 2023 (3)

 

Special Distribution

  2.43   31,329       
                   

2022

                  

February 2022

 

October 1 - December 31, 2021

 $0.45  $5,672  $30.00  $7,500 
     
(1)

Totals include the amount paid to NRP's general partner in accordance with the general partner's 2% general partner interest.

(2)
Relates to accrued distribution paid upon the redemption of 47,499 preferred units in February 2023.
(3)Special distribution was made to help cover unitholder tax liabilities associated with owning NRP's common units during 2022.

 

 

79

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

4.5.    Net Income Per Common Unit

 

Basic net income per common unit is computed by dividing net income, after considering income attributable to preferred unitholders, the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid upon redemption and the carrying value of the preferred units and the general partner’s general partner interest, by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. Diluted net income per common unit includes the effect of NRP's preferred units, warrants, and unvested unit-based awards if the inclusion of these items is dilutive.

 

The dilutive effect of the preferred units is calculated using the if-converted method. Under the if-converted method, the preferred units are assumed to be converted at the beginning of the period, and the resulting common units are included in the denominator of the diluted net income per unit calculation for the period being presented. Distributions declared in the period and undeclared distributions on the preferred units that accumulated during the period are added back to the numerator for purposes of the if-converted calculation. The calculation of diluted net income per common unit for the three andmonths ended nineMarch 31, 2023 includes the assumed conversion of the remaining preferred units while it does not include the assumed conversion of the preferred units that were redeemed during the first quarter of 2023 as the inclusion of these units would be anti-dilutive. The calculation of diluted net income per common unit for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2022 and 2021includes the assumed conversion of the preferred units.

 

The dilutive effect of the warrants is calculated using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the proceeds from the exercise of these instruments are used to purchase common units at the average market price for the period. The calculation of diluted net income per common unit for the three and ninemonths ended September 30, March 31, 2023 and 2022 includes the net settlement of warrants to purchase 0.75 million common units at a strike price of $22.81 and the net settlement of warrants to purchase 2.25 million common units with a strike price of $34.00 whereas the calculation of diluted net income per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 does not include the net settlement of warrants to purchase 1.75 million common units at a strike price of $22.81 or the net settlement of warrants to purchase 2.25 million common units with a strike price of $34.00 because the impact would have been anti-dilutive.$34.00.

 

The following tables reconciletable reconciles the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per common unit computations and calculates basic and diluted net income per common unit:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands, except per unit data)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Allocation of net income

        

Net income

 $74,555  $29,498  $205,274  $53,261 

Less: income attributable to preferred unitholders

  (7,500)  (7,961)  (22,500)  (23,530)

Net income attributable to common unitholders and the general partner

 $67,055  $21,537  $182,774  $29,731 

Less: net income attributable to the general partner

  (1,341)  (431)  (3,655)  (595)

Basic net income per common unit

    

Net income attributable to common unitholders

 $65,714  $21,106  $179,119  $29,136  $55,258  $55,271 
 

Basic net income per common unit

        

Weighted average common units—basic

 12,506  12,351  12,476  12,332  12,570  12,415 

Basic net income per common unit

 $5.25  $1.71  $14.36  $2.36  $4.40  $4.45 
  

Diluted net income per common unit

            

Weighted average common units—basic

 12,506  12,351  12,476  12,332  12,570  12,415 

Plus: dilutive effect of preferred units

 6,210  13,835  6,210  13,835  3,778  6,974 

Plus: dilutive effect of warrants

 807    759    1,255  531 

Plus: dilutive effect of unvested unit-based awards

  195   188   204   144   209   240 

Weighted average common units—diluted

 19,718  26,374  19,649  26,311  17,812  20,160 
  

Net income

 $74,555  $29,498  $205,274  $53,261  $79,275  $63,899 

Less: income attributable to preferred unitholders

             (586)  

Less: redemption of preferred units

  (16,228)   

Diluted net income attributable to common unitholders and the general partner

 $74,555  $29,498  $205,274  $53,261  $62,461  $63,899 

Less: diluted net income attributable to the general partner

  (1,491)  (589)  (4,105)  (1,065)  (1,249)  (1,278)

Diluted net income attributable to common unitholders

 $73,064  $28,909  $201,169  $52,196  $61,212  $62,621 
  

Diluted net income per common unit

 $3.71  $1.10  $10.24  $1.98  $3.44  $3.11 

 

 

810

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

5.6.    Segment Information

 

The Partnership's segments are strategic business units that offer distinct products and services to different customers in different geographies within the U.S. and that are managed accordingly. NRP has the following two operating segments:

 

Mineral Rights—consists of mineral interests and other subsurface rights across the United States. NRP's ownership provides critical inputs for the manufacturing of steel, electricity and basic building materials, as well as opportunities for carbon sequestration and renewable energy. The Partnership is working to strategically redefine its business as a key player in the transitional energy economy in the years to come.

 

Soda Ash—consists of the Partnership's 49% non-controlling equity interest in Sisecam Wyoming, a trona ore mining operation and soda ash refinery in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. Sisecam Wyoming mines trona and processes it into soda ash that is sold both domestically and internationally to the glass and chemicals industries.

 

Direct segment costs and certain other costs incurred at the corporate level that are identifiable and that benefit the Partnership's segments are allocated to the operating segments accordingly. These allocated costs generally include salaries and benefits, insurance, property taxes, legal, royalty, information technology and shared facilities services and are included in operating and maintenance expenses on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

 

Corporate and Financing includes functional corporate departments that do not earn revenues. Costs incurred by these departments include interest and financing, corporate headquarters and overhead, centralized treasury, legal and accounting and other corporate-level activity not specifically allocated to a segment and are included in general and administrative expenses on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

 

The following table summarizes certain financial information for each of the Partnership's business segments:

 

 

Operating Segments

        

Operating Segments

       

(In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

  

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

            

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

            

Revenues

 $87,348  $14,556  $  $101,904  $79,869  $19,254  $  $99,123 

Gain on asset sales and disposals

 354   354  96   96 

Operating and maintenance expenses

 7,867  31    7,898  7,005  158    7,163 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 6,850      6,850  4,079    4  4,083 

General and administrative expenses

     4,518  4,518      5,845  5,845 

Asset impairments

 812      812         

Other expenses, net

     7,625  7,625 

Interest expense, net

     2,853  2,853 

Net income (loss)

 72,173  14,525  (12,143) 74,555  68,881  19,096  (8,702) 79,275 
                  

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

            

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

            

Revenues

 $50,055  $6,672  $  $56,727  $74,879  $14,837  $  $89,716 

Gain on asset sales and disposals

 68      68 

Operating and maintenance expenses

 8,278  76    8,354  8,025  51    8,076 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 5,182      5,182  3,868      3,868 

General and administrative expenses

     4,052  4,052      4,467  4,467 

Asset impairments

 57      57  19      19 

Other expenses, net

     9,652  9,652 

Interest expense, net

     9,387  9,387 

Net income (loss)

 36,606  6,596  (13,704) 29,498  62,967  14,786  (13,854) 63,899 
         

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

            

Revenues

 $247,172  $44,036  $  $291,208 

Gain on asset sales and disposals

 699   699 

Operating and maintenance expenses

 25,884  105    25,989 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 16,565      16,565 

General and administrative expenses

     14,037  14,037 

Asset impairments

 874      874 

Other expenses, net

     29,168  29,168 

Net income (loss)

 204,548  43,931  (43,205) 205,274 
         

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

            

Revenues

 $120,967  $11,246  $  $132,213 

Gain on asset sales and disposals

 243      243 

Operating and maintenance expenses

 18,945  131    19,076 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 15,145      15,145 

General and administrative expenses

     11,550  11,550 

Asset impairments

 4,116      4,116 

Other expenses, net

 24    29,284  29,308 

Net income (loss)

 82,980  11,115  (40,834) 53,261 

 

 

911

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

6.7.    Equity Investment 

 

The Partnership accounts for its 49% investment in Sisecam Wyoming using the equity method of accounting. Activity related to this investment is as follows: 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $280,300  $266,433  $276,004  $262,514  $306,470  $276,004 

Income allocation to NRP’s equity interests(1)

 15,732  7,989  47,601  15,060  20,364  16,065 

Amortization of basis difference

 (1,176) (1,317) (3,565) (3,814) (1,110) (1,228)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 289  4,204  (1,179) 7,469  (19,583) 2,545 

Distribution

  (10,339)     (34,055)  (3,920)  (10,780)  (13,230)

Balance at end of period

 $284,806  $277,309  $284,806  $277,309  $295,361  $280,156 
(1)Amounts reclassified into income out of accumulated other comprehensive loss were $20.6 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The following table represents summarized financial information for Sisecam Wyoming as derived from their respective unaudited financial statements for the three and ninemonths ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Net sales

 $190,450  $135,648  $542,955  $384,129  $207,128  $163,437 

Gross profit

 $39,679  23,530  119,723  50,317  49,055  39,765 

Net income

 $32,105  16,304  97,144  30,734  41,560  32,786 

 

 

7.8.    Mineral Rights, Net

 

The Partnership’s mineral rights consist of the following:

 

 

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 

(In thousands)

 

Carrying Value

  

Accumulated Depletion

  

Net Book Value

  

Carrying Value

  

Accumulated Depletion

  

Net Book Value

  

Carrying Value

  

Accumulated Depletion

  

Net Book Value

  

Carrying Value

  

Accumulated Depletion

  

Net Book Value

 

Coal properties

 $666,604  $(265,031) $401,573  $670,650  $(253,503) $417,147  $661,812  $(272,743) $389,069  $661,812  $(269,037) $392,775 

Aggregates properties

 8,674  (3,310) 5,364  8,747  (2,975) 5,772  8,655  (3,520) 5,135  8,655  (3,410) 5,245 

Oil and gas royalty properties

 12,354  (9,479) 2,875  12,354  (9,115) 3,239  12,354  (9,720) 2,634  12,354  (9,600) 2,754 

Other

  13,151   (1,612)  11,539   13,151   (1,612)  11,539   13,145   (1,612)  11,533   13,150   (1,612)  11,538 

Total mineral rights, net

 $700,783  $(279,432) $421,351  $704,902  $(267,205) $437,697  $695,966  $(287,595) $408,371  $695,971  $(283,659) $412,312 

 

Depletion expense related to the Partnership’s mineral rights is included in depreciation, depletion and amortization on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and totaled $6.4$3.9 million and $4.6$3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 2021,2022, respectively, and $15.5 million and $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 the Partnership recorded $0.8 million and $0.9 million of asset impairments, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Partnership did not have any material asset impairments and during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Partnership recorded $4.1 million of expense primarily due to a lease termination that resulted in the full impairment of a coal property. The Partnership has developed procedures to evaluate its long-lived assets for possible impairment periodically or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset's net book value may not be recoverable. Potential events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, specific events such as a reduction in economically recoverable reserves or production ceasing on a property for an extended period. This analysis is based on historic, current and future performance and considers both quantitative and qualitative information. While the Partnership's impairment evaluation as of September 30, 2022 incorporated an estimated impactAs a result of the global COVID-analysis, the Partnership did 19not pandemic, there is significant uncertainty as tohave any asset impairments during the severity three months ended March 31, 2023 and duration of this disruption. Ifrecorded an immaterial impairment expense during the impact is worse than current estimates, an additional impairment charge may threebe recognized in future periods. months ended March 31, 2022.

 

 

1012

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

8.9.    Debt, Net

 

The Partnership's debt consists of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

NRP LP debt:

 

9.125% senior notes, with semi-annual interest payments in June and December, due June 2025, issued at par ("2025 Senior Notes")

 $121,396  $300,000 

Opco debt:

 

Revolving credit facility

 $  $ 

Senior Notes

 

Opco credit facility

 $91,200  $70,000 

Opco Senior Notes

 

5.55% with semi-annual interest payments in June and December, with annual principal payments in June, due June 2023

 $2,366  $4,730  $2,366  $2,366 

4.73% with semi-annual interest payments in June and December, with annual principal payments in December, due December 2023

  12,008   12,008   6,004   6,004 

5.82% with semi-annual interest payments in March and September, with annual principal payments in March, due March 2024

  25,368   38,053   12,684   25,368 

8.92% with semi-annual interest payments in March and September, with annual principal payments in March, due March 2024

  8,023   12,035   4,011   8,023 

5.03% with semi-annual interest payments in June and December, with annual principal payments in December, due December 2026

  57,104   57,104   45,683   45,683 

5.18% with semi-annual interest payments in June and December, with annual principal payments in December, due December 2026

  14,554   14,554   11,643   11,643 

Total Opco Senior Notes

 $119,423  $138,484  $82,391  $99,087 

Total debt at face value

 $240,819  $438,484  $173,591  $169,087 

Net unamortized debt issuance costs

  (2,096)  (4,939)  (715)  (806)

Total debt, net

 $238,723  $433,545  $172,876  $168,281 

Less: current portion of long-term debt

  (89,989)  (39,102)  (39,055)  (39,076)

Total long-term debt, net

 $148,734  $394,443  $133,821  $129,205 

 

NRP LP Debt

2025 Senior Notes

In October 2022, NRP redeemed the outstanding $121.4 million 2025 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 102.281% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, utilizing cash on hand and $70 million in borrowings under its recently extended credit facility. The $51.4 million of 2025 Senior Notes redeemed using cash on hand is classified as current portion of long-term debt, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2022. As of the date of this report, there are no2025 Senior Notes outstanding. The following describes the terms of the 2025 Senior Notes prior to their redemption.

The 2025 Senior Notes were issued under an Indenture dated as of April 29, 2019 (the "2025 Indenture"), bear interest at 9.125% per year and mature on June 30, 2025. Interest is payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 30. NRP has the option to redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 30, 2021, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 104.563% for the 12-month period beginning October 30, 2021, 102.281% for the 12-month period beginning October 30, 2022, and thereafter at 100.000%, together, in each case, with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Furthermore, before October 30, 2021, NRP may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain public or private equity offerings at a redemption price of 109.125% of the principal amount of 2025 Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes issued under the 2025 Indenture remains outstanding immediately after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing date of such equity offering. In the event of a change of control, as defined in the 2025 Indenture, the holders of the 2025 Senior Notes may require us to purchase their 2025 Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The 2025 Senior Notes were issued at par. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, NRP retired $60.5 million and $178.6 million, respectively of its 2025 Senior Notes. These notes were purchased on the open market at a weighted average price of 102.750% and 102.436% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, a discount to the redemption price at the time of 104.563%. Included in loss on extinguishment of debt on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 are $1.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of call premium and fees and the write off of $0.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs.

The 2025 Senior Notes are the senior unsecured obligations of NRP. The 2025 Senior Notes rank equal in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured debt of NRP and senior in right of payment to any of NRP's subordinated debt. The 2025 Senior Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all future secured debt of NRP to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness and are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, including the Opco Credit Facility and each series of Opco’s existing senior notes. "Opco" refers to NRP (Operating) LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRP, and its subsidiaries. None of NRP's subsidiaries guarantee the 2025 Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, NRP was in compliance with the terms of the Indenture relating to their 2025 Senior Notes.

11

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Opco Debt

 

All of Opco’s debt is guaranteed by its wholly owned subsidiaries and is secured by certain of the assets of Opco and its wholly owned subsidiaries, other than BRP LLC and NRP Trona LLC. As of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, Opco was in compliance with the terms of the financial covenants contained in its debt agreements.

 

Opco Credit Facility

 

In August 2022, the Partnership entered into the Fifth Amendment (the "Fifth Amendment) to the Opco Credit Facility (the "Opco Credit Facility"). The Fifth Amendment extended the term of the Opco Credit Facility until August 2027. Lender commitments under the Opco Credit Facility increased to $130.0 million. The Opco Credit Facility contains financial covenants requiring Opco to maintain:

 

A leverage ratio of consolidated indebtedness to EBITDDA (in each case as defined in the Opco Credit Facility) not to exceed 3.0x;3.0x; provided, and

 

an interest coverage ratio of consolidated EBITDDA to the sum of consolidated interest expense and consolidated lease expense (in each case as defined in the Opco Credit Facility) of not less than 3.5 to 1.0.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Partnership had $70.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Opco Credit Facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Partnership borrowed $94.2 million and repaid $73.0 million, resulting in $91.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Opco Credit Facility as of nineMarch 31, 2023. The weighted average interest rate for the borrowings outstanding under the Opco Credit Facility for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2023 was 8.14%. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, the Partnership did not have any borrowings outstanding under the Opco Credit Facility andFacility. The Partnership had $130.0$38.8 million and $100.0$60.0 million inof available borrowing capacity atas of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2021, As mentioned above, in October 2022, NRP borrowed $70 million under the credit facility to redeem the outstanding 2025 Senior Notes.respectively.

 

The Opco Credit Facility is collateralized and secured by liens on certain of Opco’s assets with carrying values of $331.2$323.0 million and $345.0$326.4 million classified as mineral rights, net and other long-term assets, net on the Partnership’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, respectively.

 

Opco Senior Notes   

 

Opco has issued several series of private placement senior notes (the "Opco Senior Notes") with various interest rates and principal due dates. As of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, the Opco Senior Notes had cumulative principal balances of $119.4$82.4 million and $138.5$99.1 million, respectively. Opco made mandatory principal payments of $19.1$16.7 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022.

 

The 8.92% Opco Senior Notes also provides that in the event that Opco’s leverage ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDDA (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreements) exceeds 3.75 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter, then in addition to all other interest accruing on these notes, additional interest in the amount of 2.00% per annum shall accrue on the notes for the two succeeding quarters and for as long thereafter as the leverage ratio remains above 3.75 to 1.00. Opco has not exceeded the 3.75 to 1.00 ratio at the end of any fiscal quarter through September 30, 2022March 31, 2023.

 

13

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

9.10.    Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

The Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities consist of cash and cash equivalents, a contract receivable and debt. The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The Partnership uses available market data and valuation methodologies to estimate the fair value of its debt and contract receivable.

 

The following table shows the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Partnership's debt and contract receivable:

 

   

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

     

March 31, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 
 

Fair Value

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

  

Fair Value

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

(In thousands)

 

Hierarchy Level

 

Value

  

Fair Value

  

Value

  

Fair Value

  

Hierarchy Level

  

Value

  

Fair Value

  

Value

  

Fair Value

 

Debt:

            

NRP 2025 Senior Notes

 1 $120,199  $124,165  $296,236  $300,000 

Opco Senior Notes (1)

 3 118,524  122,146  137,309  138,484  3  $81,676  $77,587  $98,281  $96,060 

Opco Credit Facility

 3        

Opco Credit Facility (2)

 3  91,200  91,200  70,000  70,000 
            

Assets:

            

Contract receivable, net (current and long-term) (2)

 3 $31,948  $25,144  $33,612  $26,010 

Contract receivable, net (current and long-term) (3)

 3  $30,783  $25,615  $31,371  $24,833 
     

(1)

The fair value of the Opco Senior Notes are estimated by management using quotations obtained for the NRP 2025 Senior Notes on the closing trading prices near period end, which were at 102% and 100% of par value at September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2021, respectively. All 20252022 Senior Notes were redeemed inestimated by management utilizing the present value replacement method incorporating the interest rate of the Opco Credit facility at October 2022.March 31, 2023

and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2)The fair value of the Opco Credit Facility approximates the outstanding borrowing amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the terms of the credit facility allow the Partnership to repay the debt at any time without penalty.

(23)

The fair value of the Partnership's contract receivable is determined based on the present value of future cash flow projections related to the underlying asset at a discount rate of 15% at September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022.

 

NRP has embedded derivatives in the preferred units related to certain conversion options, redemption features and the change of control provision that are accounted for separately from the preferred units as assets and liabilities at fair value on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Level 3 valuation of the embedded derivatives are based on numerous factors including the likelihood of the event occurring. The embedded derivatives are revalued quarterly and changes in their fair value would be recorded in other expenses, net on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The embedded derivatives had zero value as of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022.

 

12

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

10.11.    Related Party Transactions

 

Affiliates of our General Partner

 

The Partnership’s general partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for its management of NRP. However, in accordance with the partnership agreement, the general partner and its affiliates are reimbursed for services provided to the Partnership and for expenses incurred on the Partnership’s behalf. Employees of Quintana Minerals Corporation ("QMC") and Western Pocahontas Properties Limited Partnership ("WPPLP"), affiliates of the Partnership, provide their services to manage the Partnership's business. QMC and WPPLP charge the Partnership the portion of their employee salary and benefits costs related to their employee services provided to NRP. These QMC and WPPLP employee management service costs are presented as operating and maintenance expenses and general and administrative expenses on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. NRP also reimburses overhead costs incurred by its affiliates, including Quintana Infrastructure Development ("QID"), to manage the Partnership's business. These overhead costs include certain rent, information technology, administration of employee benefits and other corporate services incurred by or on behalf of the Partnership’s general partner and its affiliates and are presented as operating and maintenance expenses and general and administrative expenses on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

 

Direct general and administrative expenses charged to the Partnership by QMC, WPPLP and QID are included on the Partnership's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as follows:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Operating and maintenance expenses

 $1,687  $1,661  $5,044  $4,913  $1,719  $1,659 

General and administrative expenses

 1,195  1,185  3,660  3,486  1,320  1,240 

 

The Partnership had accounts payable to QMC of $0.4 million on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $0.4 million to QMC at both September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, and $0.8 million and $1.0 million and $0.9 millionof accounts payable to WPPLP at September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, respectively.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022, the Partnership recognized $2.2$2.0 million and $0.9$1.6 million, respectively, in operating and maintenance expenses on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income related to an overriding royalty agreement with WPPLP. These amounts were $6.5 million and $2.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

 

Corbin J. Robertson, Jr. owns 85% of the general partner of Great Northern Properties Limited Partnership ("GNP"), a privately held company primarily engaged in owning and managing mineral properties and surface leases. As ofAt both September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022 the Partnership had $0.0$0.03 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of accounts receivable from GNP included in accounts receivable, net on its Consolidated Balance Sheets related to amounts collected for surface leases that belong to NRP.

 

14

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

11.12.    Major Customers

 

Revenues from customers that exceeded 10 percent of total revenues for any of the periods presented below are as follows:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenues

  

Percent

  

Revenues

  

Percent

  

Revenues

  

Percent

  

Revenues

  

Percent

  

Revenues

  

Percent

  

Revenues

  

Percent

 

Foresight Energy Resources LLC ("Foresight") (1) (2)

 $19,334  19% $8,552  15% $47,081  16% $25,686  19%

Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (1)

 $21,000  21% $12,854  23% $81,638  28% $29,748  23% $24,218  24% $27,743  31%

Foresight Energy Resources LLC ("Foresight") (1)

 $12,529  13% $11,250  13%
     

(1)

Revenues from Foresight and Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. and Foresight are included within the Partnership's Mineral Rights segment.

(2)

Revenues from Foresight in 2021 were fixed as a result of the lease amendment the Partnership entered into with Foresight pursuant to which Foresight agreed to pay NRP fixed cash payments to satisfy all obligations arising out of the existing various coal mining leases and transportation infrastructure fee agreements between the Partnership and Foresight. Revenues from Foresight in 2022 represent traditional royalty and minimum payments.

 

 

12.13.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

NRP is involved, from time to time, in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Partnership management believes these ordinary course matters will not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial position, liquidity or operations.

 

13

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

13.14.    Unit-Based Compensation

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Partnership granted service, performance and market-based awards under its 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan and during the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Partnership granted service-based awards. The Partnership's unit-basedservice and performance-based awards granted in 2022 and 2021 wereare valued using the closing price of NRP's common units as of the grant date.date while the Partnership's market-based awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. The grant date fair value of these awards granted during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 20212022 were $7.9was $15.9 million and $3.8$7.9 million, respectively. Total unit-based compensation expense associated with these awards was $1.4$2.5 million and $1.1$1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and 2021,2022, respectively, and $4.2 million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expenses and operating and maintenance expenses on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The unamortized cost associated with unvested outstanding awards as of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 is $7.6$20.2 million, which is to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.02.5 years. The unamortized cost associated with unvested outstanding awards as of December 31, 20212022 was $3.3$6.3 million.

 

A summary of the unit activity in the outstanding grants during 20222023 is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

Common Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Common Unit

  

Common Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Common Unit

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2022

 411 $23.00 

Outstanding at January 1, 2023

 386  $28.96 

Granted

 208 $38.29  278  $56.94 

Fully vested and issued

 (233) $26.74   (184) $26.30 

Outstanding at September 30, 2022

 386  $28.96 

Outstanding at March 31, 2023

  480  $46.20 

 

15

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

14.15.    Financing Transaction

 

The Partnership owns rail loadout and associated infrastructure at the Sugar Camp mine in the Illinois Basin operated by a subsidiary of Foresight. The infrastructure at the Sugar Camp mine is leased to a subsidiary of Foresight and is accounted for as a financing transaction (the "Sugar Camp lease"). The Sugar Camp lease expires in 2032 with renewal options for up to 80 additional years. Minimum payments are $5.0 million per year through the end of the lease term. The Partnership is also entitled to variable payments in the form of throughput fees determined based on the amount of coal transported and processed utilizing the Partnership's assets. In the event the Sugar Camp lease is renewed beyond 2032, payments become a fixed $10 thousand per year for the remainder of the renewed term.

 

 

15.16.    Credit Losses

 

The Partnership is exposed to credit losses through collection of its short-term trade receivables resulting from contracts with customers and a long-term receivable resulting from a financing transaction with a customer. The Partnership records an allowance for current expected credit losses on these receivables based on the loss-rate method. NRP assessed the likelihood of collection of its receivables utilizing historical loss rates, current market conditions, that included the estimated impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, industry and macroeconomic factors, reasonable and supportable forecasts and facts or circumstances of individual customers and properties. Examples of these facts or circumstances include, but are not limited to, contract disputes or renegotiations with the customer and evaluation of short and long-term economic viability of the contracted property. For its long-term contract receivable, management reverts to the historical loss experience immediately after the reasonable and supportable forecast period ends.

 

As of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 20212022, NRP had the following current expected credit loss (“CECL”) allowance related to its receivables and long-term contract receivable:

 

 

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 

(In thousands)

 

Gross

  

CECL Allowance

  

Net

  

Gross

  

CECL Allowance

  

Net

  

Gross

  

CECL Allowance

  

Net

  

Gross

  

CECL Allowance

  

Net

 

Receivables

 $39,692  $(4,018) $35,674  $28,869  $(3,312) $25,557  $42,410  $(3,874) $38,536  $47,237  $(4,461) $42,776 

Long-term contract receivable

  30,631   (1,061)  29,570   32,497   (1,126)  31,371   29,325   (1,016)  28,309   29,984   (1,038)  28,946 

Total

 $70,323  $(5,079) $65,244  $61,366  $(4,438) $56,928  $71,735  $(4,890) $66,845  $77,221  $(5,499) $71,722 

 

NRP recorded $0.0 million($0.6 million) and $0.5$1.0 million in operating and maintenance expenses on its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income related to the change in the CECL allowance during the three months ended September 2022March 31, 2023 and 2021,2022, respectively, and $0.6 million and $(0.2) million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

NRP has procedures in place to monitor its ongoing credit exposure through timely review of counterparty balances against contract terms and due dates, account and financing receivable reconciliation, bankruptcy monitoring, lessee audits and dispute resolution. The Partnership may employ legal counsel or collection specialists to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables.

 

14

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
 

16.17.    Subsequent Events

 

The following represents material events that have occurred subsequent to September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 through the time of the Partnership’s filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC:

 

Common Unit and Preferred Unit Distributions

 

In November 2022,May 2023, the Board of Directors declared a distribution of $0.75 per common unit with respect to the thirdfirst quarter of 20222023. The Board of Directors also declared a $6.1 million cash distribution on NRP's outstanding preferred units with respect to the thirdfirst quarter of 20222023 totaling $7.5 million in cash.

Redemption of 2025 Senior Notes 

In October 2022, NRP redeemed the outstanding $121.4 million 2025 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 102.281% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, utilizing cash on hand and $70 million in borrowings under its recently extended credit facility. The fourth quarter 2022 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income will include a $3.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt associated with the redemption..

 

 

1516

 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following review of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30,March 31, 2023 and 2022 and 2021 should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q and with the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the Natural Resource Partners L.P. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

 

As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires: "we," "our," "us" and the "Partnership" refer to Natural Resource Partners L.P. and, where the context requires, our subsidiaries. References to "NRP" and "Natural Resource Partners" refer to Natural Resource Partners L.P. only, and not to NRP (Operating) LLC or any of Natural Resource Partners L.P.’s subsidiaries. References to "Opco" refer to NRP (Operating) LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRP, and its subsidiaries. NRP Finance Corporation ("NRP Finance") is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRP and was a co-issuer with NRP on the 9.125% senior notes due 2025 (the "2025 Senior Notes").

 

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements included in this 10-Q may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding: the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic; future distributions on our common and preferred units; our business strategy; our liquidity and access to capital and financing sources; our financial strategy; prices of and demand for coal, trona and soda ash, and other natural resources; estimated revenues, expenses and results of operations; projected production levelsfuture performance by our lessees; Sisecam Wyoming LLC’s ("Sisecam Wyoming's") trona mining and soda ash refinery operations; distributions from our soda ash joint venture; the impact of governmental policies, laws and regulations, as well as regulatory and legal proceedings involving us, and of scheduled or potential regulatory or legal changes; and global and U.S. economic conditions.

 

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are made based upon our current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212022 for important factors that could cause our actual results of operations or our actual financial condition to differ.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss) less equity earnings from unconsolidated investment; plus total distributions from unconsolidated investment, interest expense, net, debt modification expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation, depletion and amortization and asset impairments. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or loss, net income or loss attributable to partners, operating income or loss, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance, liquidity or ability to service debt obligations. There are significant limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring items that materially affect our net income, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA presented below is not calculated or presented on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our partnership agreement or Consolidated EBITDDA as defined in Opco's debt agreements. For a description of Opco's debt agreements, see Note 8.9. Debt, Net in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein as well as in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11. Debt, Net" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental performance measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis.

 

Distributable Cash Flow

 

Distributable cash flow ("DCF") represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations plus distributions from unconsolidated investment in excess of cumulative earnings, proceeds from asset sales and disposals, including sales of discontinued operations, and return of long-term contract receivables;receivable; less maintenance capital expenditures. DCF is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. DCF may not be calculated the same for us as for other companies. In addition, DCF presented below is not calculated or presented on the same basis as distributable cash flow as defined in our partnership agreement, which is used as a metric to determine whether we are able to increase quarterly distributions to our common unitholders. DCF is a supplemental liquidity measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assesassess our ability to make cash distributions and repay debt.

 

Free Cash Flow

 

Free cash flow ("FCF") represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations plus distributions from unconsolidated investment in excess of cumulative earnings and return of long-term contract receivables;receivable; less maintenance and expansion capital expenditures and cash flow used in acquisition costs classified as investing or financing activities. FCF is calculated before mandatory debt repayments. FCF is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. FCF may not be calculated the same for us as for other companies. FCF is a supplemental liquidity measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assess our ability to make cash distributions and repay debt.

 

Leverage Ratio

Leverage ratio represents the outstanding principal of our debt at the end of the period divided by the last twelve months' Adjusted EBITDA as defined above. We believe that leverage ratio is a useful measure to management and investors to evaluate and monitor our indebtedness relative to our ability to generate income to service such debt and in understanding trends in our overall financial condition. Leverage ratio may not be calculated the same for us as for other companies and is not a substitute for, and should not be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial ratios. 

 

1617

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion and analysis presents management's view of our business, financial condition and overall performance. Our discussion and analysis consists of the following subjects:

•    Executive Overview

•    Results of Operations

•    Liquidity and Capital Resources

•    Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

•    Related Party Transactions

•    Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates

•    Recent Accounting Standards

 

Executive Overview

 

We are a diversified natural resource company engaged principally in the business of owning, managing and leasing a diversified portfolio of mineral properties in the United States, including interests in coal and other natural resources and own a non-controlling 49% interest in Sisecam Wyoming, a trona ore mining and soda ash production business. Our common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NRP." Our business is organized into two operating segments:

 

Mineral Rights—consists of approximately 13 million acres of mineral interests and other subsurface rights across the United States. If combined in a single tract, our ownership would cover roughly 20,000 square miles. Our ownership provides critical inputs for the manufacturing of steel, electricity and basic building materials, as well as opportunities for carbon sequestration and renewable energy. We are working to strategically redefine our business as a key player in the transitional energy economy in the years to come.

 

Soda Ash—consists of our 49% non-controlling equity interest in Sisecam Wyoming, a trona ore mining and soda ash production business located in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. Sisecam Wyoming mines the trona and processes it into soda ash that is sold both domestically and internationally into the glass and chemicals industries.

 

Corporate and Financing includes functional corporate departments that do not earn revenues. Costs incurred by these departments include interest and financing, corporate headquarters and overhead, centralized treasury, legal and accounting and other corporate-level activity not specifically allocated to a segment.

 

Our financial results by segment for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

 

Operating Segments

        

Operating Segments

       

(In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

  

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

Revenues and other income

 $247,871  $44,036  $  $291,907  $79,965  $19,254  $  $99,219 

Net income (loss)

 $204,548  $43,931  $(43,205) $205,274  $68,881  $19,096  $(8,702) $79,275 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 $221,987  $33,950  $(14,037) $241,900  $72,960  $10,622  $(5,845) $77,737 
  

Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations

  

Operating activities

 $194,475  $33,934  $(30,459) $197,950  $73,858  $10,617  $(11,575) $72,900 

Investing activities

 $1,837  $  $(59) $1,778  $699  $  $(2) $697 

Financing activities

 $(614) $  $(273,697) $(274,311) $(583) $  $(94,450) $(95,033)

Distributable cash flow (1)

 $196,312  $33,934  $(30,518) $199,728  $74,557  $10,617  $(11,577) $73,597 

Free cash flow (1)

 $195,613  $33,934  $(30,518) $199,029  $74,456  $10,617  $(11,577) $73,496 
     

(1)

See "—Results of Operations" below for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.

 

Current Results/Market Commentary

 

Business OutlookFinancial Results and Quarterly Distributions

 

We generated $199.0$72.9 million of operating cash flow and $73.5 million of free cash flow during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023, and ended the quarter with $190.9$56.5 million of liquidity consisting of $60.9$17.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $130.0$38.8 million of borrowing capacity under our Opco Credit Facility. During the third quarter of 2022 we refinanced, upsized, and extended our Opco Credit Facility to $130 million due 2027. Also during the third quarter, we permanently retired an additional $60.5 million of 2025 Senior Notes, bringing our total 2025 Senior Note repurchases through the third quarter of 2022 to $178.6 million. These notes were purchased on the open market at a weighted average price of 102.436%, a discount to the redemption price at the time of 104.563%. In October 2022, we redeemed the outstanding $121.4 million 2025 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 102.281% using cash on hand and $70 million in borrowings under our Opco Credit Facility. These debt repurchases and the redemption of our outstanding 2025 Senior Notes will save approximately $27.4 million annually in interest costs. As of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 our leverage ratio was 0.8x.0.5 x.

 

In November 2022, the Board of DirectorsFebruary 2023, we declared and paid a cash distribution of $0.75 per common unit of NRP with respect to the thirdfourth quarter of 2022. The Board of Directors also declared2022 as well as a $7.5 million cash distribution on the preferred units with respect to the third quarter.fourth quarter of 2022. In March 2023, we declared and paid a special cash distribution of $2.43 per common unit to help cover unitholder tax liabilities associated with owning NRP's common units during 2022. Future distributions on our common and preferred units will be determined on a quarterly basis by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors considers numerous factors each quarter in determining cash distributions, including profitability, cash flow, debt service obligations, market conditions and outlook, estimated unitholder income tax liability and the level of cash reserves that the Board determines is necessary for future operating and capital needs.

In February 2023, we received a notice from holders of our Class A Preferred Units exercising their right to either convert or redeem, at the election of NRP, an aggregate of 47,499 Class A Preferred Units. We chose to redeem the preferred units for $47.5 million in cash rather than issuing common units. Of the originally issued 250,000 Class A Preferred Units, 202,501 Class A Preferred Units remain outstanding.

 

 

1718

 

Mineral Rights Business Segment

 

MetallurgicalRevenues and thermalother income in the first quarter of 2023 increased $5.1 million, or 7%, as compared to the prior year period primarily due to increased metallurgical coal sales volumes and revenue from carbon neutral initiatives. Cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow increased $25.7 million and $26.3 million, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the timing of minimum and royalty payments and prior year recoupments. 

 Metallurgical coal prices remain supported by ongoing tightnessstrong relative to historical norms, although pricing has declined from the record highs seen in the supply-demand balance2022. Continued support for coal. Manypricing is expected as operators are limited in their ability to increase production due to ongoing labor shortages, global supply chain interruptions,transportation and logistics challenges, difficulty of new mine permitting, and limited access to capital. Thermal coal prices are further supported by the European Union's ban on Russian coal due to the war in Ukraine, as well as increased natural gas prices and demand for electricity. While metallurgical markets are seeing weakened demand for steel, and thermal marketsprices have pulled back from the peaks reached last year, we continue to face ongoing environmental and political pressures, supply constraints should provide continued support for metallurgical and thermal coalbelieve met prices will remain well-supported for the foreseeable future. Our lessees sold 24.2 million tons

Thermal coal prices also reached record highs in 2022, but have declined significantly in recent months due to unusually warm weather in Europe and North America as well as lower natural gas prices. While we do not expect to see thermal prices rebound to last year’s levels, many of the factors that provided support to prices over the last year still exist. Boycotts of Russian coal continue to force European buyers to source coal from our properties inother regions, including the first nine months of 2022,U.S. Operators will continue to be burdened by labor shortages, pressure from governments, regulators, activists, and we derived approximately 75% of ourcapital providers, which will limit ability to increase thermal production to meet demand. China appears to be relaxing its three-year ban on Australian coal royalty revenues and approximately 45% of our coal royalty sales volumesimports with the recent approvals for several Chinese companies to buy Australian coal. Additional demand from metallurgical coal duringa Chinese economy emerging from a zero-COVID policy should provide additional support for prices. We expect these factors to keep thermal prices elevated relative to historical levels for the same period.foreseeable future.

 

We continue to explore and identify alternativecarbon neutral revenue sourcesopportunities across our large portfolio of land, mineral, and mineral assets. We owntimber assets, including the rights to sequestersequestration of carbon dioxide ("CO2") on approximately 3.5 million acresunderground and in standing forests, and the generation of pore space in the southern United States. As announced previously, inelectricity using geothermal, solar, and wind energy. In the first quarter of 20222023, we executed our first subsurface CO2 sequestration lease on 75,000 acres of underground pore space we own in southwest Alabama with the potential to store over 300 million metric tons of CO2. In October of 2022, we announced our second subsurface CO2 transaction with the execution of a lease for approximately 65,000 acres of pore space we control near southeast Texas with estimated storage capacity of at least 500 million metric tons of CO2. In total, we have approximately 140,000 acres of pore space under lease for carbon sequestration with estimated CO2 storage capacity of 800 million metric tons. While the timing and likelihood of additional cash flows being realized from these activities is uncertain, we believe our large ownership footprint throughout the United States will provide additional opportunities to create value in this regard and position us as a key beneficiary of the transitional energy economy with minimal capital investment.new solar lease. 

 

Soda Ash Business Segment

 

Revenues and other income in the first nine monthsquarter of 2022 were higher by $32.82023 increased $4.4 million, or 30%, as compared to the prior year period primarily as a result ofdue to increased international sales prices. FreeCash provided by operating activities and free cash flow in the first nine monthsquarter of 2022 increased $30.12023 decreased $2.6 million as compared to the prior year period due toas Sisecam Wyoming reinstating itspaid a higher regular quarterly cash distributions beginningdistribution in the fourthfirst quarter of 2021.2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. 

 

Supply interruptionsInternational prices remained strong in China and input cost inflation which significantly increased the global marginal costfirst quarter of 2023 reflecting a continued supply constrained market for soda ash production led to historically highash. Domestic soda ash prices inwere also strong during the thirdfirst quarter of 2022. Though soda ash demand weakened in many parts of2023 versus the world during the thirdprior year quarter due to slowing global economic growth and lower construction activity in China, Sisecam Wyoming remained sold-out as it took advantage of its low-cost positionnegotiated 2023 domestic prices converging to profitably exportinternational soda ash. Consequently, Sisecam Wyoming delivered strong financial results in the third quarter of 2022.ash prices.

 

Results of Operations

 

ThirdFirst Quarter of 20222023 and 20212022 Compared

 

Revenues and Other Income

 

The following table includes our revenues and other income by operating segment:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

     

Percentage

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

     

Percentage

 

Operating Segment (In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

Increase

  

Change

  

2023

  

2022

  

Increase

  

Change

 

Mineral Rights

 $87,702 $50,123 $37,579 75% $79,965 $74,879 $5,086 7%

Soda Ash

  14,556   6,672   7,884  118%  19,254   14,837   4,417  30%

Total

 $102,258  $56,795  $45,463  80% $99,219  $89,716  $9,503  11%

 

The changes in revenues and other income are discussed for each of the operating segments below:

 

 

1819

 

Mineral Rights

 

The following table presents coal sales volumes, coal royalty revenue per ton and coal royalty revenues by major coal producing region, the significant categories of other revenues and other income:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Increase

 

Percentage

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

  

Increase

 

Percentage

 

(In thousands, except per ton data)

 

2022

  

2021

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

  

2023

  

2022

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

 

Coal sales volumes (tons)

  

Appalachia

  

Northern

 440  422  18  4% 379  428  (49) (11)%

Central

 3,503  3,199  304  10% 3,609  3,251  358  11%

Southern

  498   642   (144) (22)%  582   361   221  61%

Total Appalachia

 4,441  4,263  178  4% 4,570  4,040  530  13%

Illinois Basin

 3,490  2,689  801  30% 1,310  1,502  (192) (13)%

Northern Powder River Basin

 835  1,047  (212) (20)% 1,085  1,238  (153) (12)%

Gulf Coast

 188 13 175 1346% 58 69 (11) (16)%

Total coal sales volumes

  8,954   8,012   942  12%  7,023   6,849   174  3%
                  

Coal royalty revenue per ton

  

Appalachia

  

Northern

 $6.74  $7.18  $(0.44) (6)% $9.86  $10.14  $(0.28) (3)%

Central

 9.04 5.74 3.30 57% 9.92 11.37 (1.45) (13)%

Southern

 9.78  11.61  (1.83) (16)% 14.94  17.56  (2.62) (15)%

Illinois Basin

 2.57  2.33  0.24  10% 3.57  2.20  1.37  62%

Northern Powder River Basin

 4.56 3.71 0.85 23% 4.68 3.74 0.94 25%

Gulf Coast

 0.59  0.54  0.05  9% 0.57  0.55  0.02  4%

Combined average coal royalty revenue per ton

 5.85 4.87 0.98 20% 8.26 8.12 0.14 2%
                  

Coal royalty revenues

  

Appalachia

  

Northern

 $2,965  $3,031  $(66) (2)% $3,737  $4,341  $(604) (14)%

Central

 31,680  18,357  13,323  73% 35,806  36,980  (1,174) (3)%

Southern

  4,872   7,452   (2,580)  (35)%  8,697   6,340   2,357   37%

Total Appalachia

 39,517  28,840  10,677  37% 48,240  47,661  579  1%

Illinois Basin

 8,967  6,261  2,706  43% 4,675  3,303  1,372  42%

Northern Powder River Basin

 3,805  3,881  (76) (2)% 5,075  4,632  443  10%

Gulf Coast

  111   7   104  1486%  33   38   (5) (13)%

Unadjusted coal royalty revenues

 52,400  38,989  13,411  34% 58,023  55,634  2,389  4%

Coal royalty adjustment for minimum leases

  (19)  (6,557)  6,538  100%     (185)  185  100%

Total coal royalty revenues

 $52,381  $32,432  $19,949  62% $58,023  $55,449  $2,574  5%
                  

Other revenues

  

Production lease minimum revenues

 $1,885  $3,235  $(1,350) (42)% $613 $1,592 $(979) (61)%

Minimum lease straight-line revenues

 4,778  4,808  (30) (1)% 4,503 4,783 (280) (6)%

Carbon neutral initiative revenues

 8,600  8,600 100% 2,118  2,118 100%

Wheelage revenues

 2,977  1,964  1,013  52% 3,869 3,717 152 4%

Property tax revenues

 1,360  1,466  (106) (7)% 1,470 1,472 (2) (0)%

Coal overriding royalty revenues

 1,367  757  610  81% 188 258 (70) (27)%

Lease amendment revenues

 759  1,519  (760) (50)% 851 880 (29) (3)%

Aggregates royalty revenues

 884  429  455  106% 753 770 (17) (2)%

Oil and gas royalty revenues

 6,170  1,154  5,016  435% 3,588 1,814 1,774 98%

Other revenues

  218   120   98  82%  295   348   (53) (15)%

Total other revenues

 $28,998  $15,452  $13,546  88% $18,248  $15,634  $2,614  17%

Royalty and other mineral rights

 $81,379  $47,884  $33,495  70% $76,271 $71,083 $5,188 7%

Transportation and processing services revenues

 5,969  2,171  3,798  175% 3,598 3,796 (198) (5)%

Gain on asset sales and disposals

  354   68   286  421%  96      96  100%

Total Mineral Rights segment revenues and other income

 $87,702  $50,123  $37,579  75% $79,965  $74,879  $5,086  7%

 

 

1920

 

Coal Royalty Revenues

 

Approximately 65%75% of coal royalty revenues and approximately 40%55% of coal royalty sales volumes were derived from metallurgical coal during the three months ended September 30, 2022.March 31, 2023. Total coal royalty revenues increased $19.9$2.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter. The discussion by region is as follows:

 

Appalachia: Coal royalty revenues were essentially flat period-over-period as increased $10.7 million primarily due to increased coalsales volumes more than offset the decrease in sales prices and volumes in Centralthe Southern Appalachia during the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the prior year quarter.region. 

 

Illinois Basin: Coal royalty revenues increased $2.7$1.4 million primarily due to increased sales volumes and prices during the three months ended September 30, 2022March 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year quarter. Revenues recognized from Foresight in 2021 were fixed as a result of the lease amendment the Partnership entered into with Foresight pursuant to which Foresight agreed to pay NRP fixed cash payments to satisfy all obligations arising out of the existing various coal mining leases and transportation infrastructure fee agreements between the Partnership and Foresight. Revenues from Foresight in 2022 represent traditional royalty and minimum payments.

Northern Powder River Basin: Coal royalty revenues decreased $0.1 million primarily due to decreased sales volumes as our lessee mined less on our property during the third quarter of 2022 as compared to the prior year quarter in accordance with its mine plan.

 

Other Revenues

 

Total other revenues increased $13.5$2.6 million during the three months September 30, 2022ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to an $8.6a $2.1 million increase in carbon neutral initiatives and a $5.0 million increaseinitiative revenues. Carbon neutral initiative revenues recognized in oil and gas royalty revenues. The increase in carbon neutral initiatives is due to the recognition of revenue2023 primarily related to carbon neutral transactions includinga subsurface CO2 storage and geothermal. The increase in oil and gas royalty revenues is primarily related to new wells and increased natural gas prices as compared to the prior year period.

Transportation and Processing Services Revenues

Transportation and processing services revenues increased $3.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the lease amendment with Foresight whereas transportation and processing revenues were based on the recognition of a fixed amount in 2021. Revenues from Foresight in 2022 represent traditional royalty and minimum payments and were greater than the fixed revenue from 2021.transaction.

 

Soda Ash

 

Revenues and other income related to our Soda Ash segment increased $7.9$4.4 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily as a result of increased international sales prices.prices compared to the prior year quarter.

 

Operating and Other Expenses

 

The following table presents the significant categories of our consolidated operating and other expenses:

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Increase

 

Percentage

  

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

  

Increase

 

Percentage

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

  

2023

  

2022

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

 

Operating expenses

  

Operating and maintenance expenses

 $7,898  $8,354  $(456) (5)% $7,163  $8,076  $(913) (11)%

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 6,850  5,182  1,668  32% 4,083  3,868  215  6%

General and administrative expenses

 4,518  4,052  466  12% 5,845  4,467  1,378  31%

Asset impairments

  812   57   755  1325%    19   (19) (100)%

Total operating expenses

 $20,078  $17,645  $2,433  14% $17,091  $16,430  $661  4%
         

Other expenses, net

 

Interest expense, net

 $5,141 $9,652 $(4,511) (47)%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 2,484  2,484 100%

Total other expenses, net

 $7,625  $9,652  $(2,027)  (21)%

 

Total operating expenses increased $2.4were essentially flat period-over-period. The $1.4 million increase in general and administrative expenses, primarily duerelated to increased depreciation, depletion and amortizationincentive compensation expense, aswas partially offset byresult of higher Illinois Basin coal royalty sales volumes during the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the prior year period.

Total other expenses, net decreased $2.0 million primarily due to a $4.5$0.9 million decrease in interestoperating and maintenance expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in bad debt expense.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net decreased $6.5 million as a result of less debt outstanding as compared to the prior year period, partially offset by a $2.5 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the premiums and fees incurred and write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the retirement of the 2025 Senior Notes during the three months ended September 30, 2022.quarter. 

 

 

2021

 

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

 

The following table reconciles net income (loss) (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) to Adjusted EBITDA by business segment:

 

 

Operating Segments

        

Operating Segments

       

For the Three Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

  

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

         

March 31, 2023

         

Net income (loss)

 $72,173  $14,525  $(12,143) $74,555  $68,881  $19,096  $(8,702) $79,275 

Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

   (14,556)   (14,556)   (19,254)   (19,254)

Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment

   10,339    10,339    10,780    10,780 

Add: interest expense, net

     5,141  5,141      2,853  2,853 

Add: loss on extinguishment of debt

   2,484 2,484 

Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization

 6,850      6,850  4,079    4  4,083 

Add: asset impairments

  812         812             

Adjusted EBITDA

 $79,835  $10,308  $(4,518) $85,625  $72,960  $10,622  $(5,845) $77,737 
                  

September 30, 2021

         

March 31, 2022

         

Net income (loss)

 $36,606  $6,596  $(13,704) $29,498  $62,967  $14,786  $(13,854) $63,899 

Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

   (6,672)   (6,672)   (14,837)   (14,837)

Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment

       13,230  13,230 

Add: interest expense, net

     9,652  9,652      9,387  9,387 

Add: loss on extinguishment of debt

     

Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization

 5,182      5,182  3,868      3,868 

Add: asset impairments

  57         57   19         19 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $41,845  $(76) $(4,052) $37,717  $66,854  $13,179  $(4,467) $75,566 

 

Adjusted EBITDANet income increased $47.9$15.4 million primarily due to the decrease in interest expense, net and increase in revenues and other income, both discussed above. Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.2 million as compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to a $38.0$6.1 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA within our Mineral Rights segment as a result of higher revenues and other income asand lower operating and maintenance expenses, both discussed above,above. The increase in addition toAdjusted EBITDA within our Mineral Rights segment was partially offset by$10.4$2.6 million increasedecrease in Adjusted EBITDA within our Soda Ash segment primarily due to Sisecam Wyoming reinstating its regularpaying a higher quarterly cash distributions beginningdistribution in the fourthfirst quarter of 20212022 as discussed above and a $1.4 decrease in Adjusted EBITDA within our Corporate and Financing segment due to higher general and administrative expenses as discussed above.

 

Distributable Cash Flow ("DCF") and Free Cash Flow ("FCF") (Non-GAAP Financial Measures)

 

The following table presents the three major categories of the statement of cash flows by business segment:

 

 

Operating Segments

        

Operating Segments

       

For the Three Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

  

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

         

Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations

         

March 31, 2023

         

Cash flow provided by (used in)

         

Operating activities

 $75,948  $10,309  $(3,761) $82,496  $73,858  $10,617  $(11,575) $72,900 

Investing activities

 928    (59) 869  699    (2) 697 

Financing activities

     (81,784) (81,784) (583)   (94,450) (95,033)
                  

September 30, 2021

         

Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations

         

March 31, 2022

         

Cash flow provided by (used in)

         

Operating activities

 $33,968  $(36) $(3,873) $30,059  $48,176  $13,195  $(9,040) $52,331 

Investing activities

 614      614         

Financing activities

     (9,592) (9,592) (614)   (51,647) (52,261)

 

 

2122

 

The following table reconciles net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) by business segment to DCF and FCF:

 

 

Operating Segments

        

Operating Segments

       

For the Three Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

  

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

 $75,948  $10,309  $(3,761) $82,496 

March 31, 2023

         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 $73,858  $10,617  $(11,575) $72,900 

Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

 353      353  101      101 

Add: return of long-term contract receivable

 575      575  598      598 

Less: maintenance capital expenditures

        (59)  (59)        (2)  (2)

Distributable cash flow

 $76,876  $10,309  $(3,820) $83,365  $74,557  $10,617  $(11,577) $73,597 

Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  (353)        (353)  (101)        (101)

Free cash flow

 $76,523  $10,309  $(3,820) $83,012  $74,456  $10,617  $(11,577) $73,496 
                  

September 30, 2021

         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

 $33,968  $(36) $(3,873) $30,059 

March 31, 2022

         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 $48,176  $13,195  $(9,040) $52,331 

Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

 74      74         

Add: return of long-term contract receivable

  540         540             

Distributable cash flow

 $34,582  $(36) $(3,873) $30,673  $48,176  $13,195  $(9,040) $52,331 

Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  (74)        (74)            

Free cash flow

 $34,508  $(36) $(3,873) $30,599  $48,176  $13,195  $(9,040) $52,331 

 

Operating cash flow, DCF and FCF increased $52.7$20.6 million, $21.3 million and $52.4$21.2 million, respectively, primarily due to the following:an increase in cash flow within our Mineral Rights segment, partially offset by a decrease in cash flow within our Soda Ash and Corporate and Financing segments. The discussion by segment is as follows:

 

Mineral Rights Segment

 

Operating cash flow, DCF and FCF increased $42.3$25.7 million, $26.4 million and $42.0$26.3 million, respectively, primarily due to the segment's increase in revenuestiming of minimum and other income as discussed above.royalty payments and prior year recoupments. 

 

Soda Ash Segment

 

Operating cash flow, DCF and FCF increased $10.3 million as a result of Sisecam Wyoming reinstating its regular quarterly cash distributions beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 as discussed above.

Results of Operations

First Nine Months of 2022 and 2021 Compared

Revenues and Other Income

The following table includes our revenues and other income by operating segment:

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

      

Percentage

 

Operating Segment (In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

Increase

  

Change

 

Mineral Rights

 $247,871  $121,210  $126,661   104%

Soda Ash

  44,036   11,246   32,790   292%

Total

 $291,907  $132,456  $159,451   120%

The changes in revenues and other income are discussed for each of the operating segments below:

22

Mineral Rights

The following table presents coal sales volumes, coal royalty revenue per ton and coal royalty revenues by major coal producing region, the significant categories of other revenues and other income:

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Increase

  

Percentage

 

(In thousands, except per ton data)

 

2022

  

2021

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

 

Coal sales volumes (tons)

                

Appalachia

                

Northern

  1,260   947   313   33%

Central

  10,238   8,824   1,414   16%

Southern

  1,171   1,058   113   11%

Total Appalachia

  12,669   10,829   1,840   17%

Illinois Basin

  8,395   7,987   408   5%

Northern Powder River Basin

  2,772   2,291   481   21%

Gulf Coast

  324   13   311   2392%

Total coal sales volumes

  24,160   21,120   3,040   14%
                 

Coal royalty revenue per ton

                

Appalachia

                

Northern

 $9.48  $5.57  $3.91   70%

Central

  10.85   4.91   5.94   121%

Southern

  14.28   9.82   4.46   45%

Illinois Basin

  2.30   2.13   0.17   8%

Northern Powder River Basin

  4.24   3.59   0.65   18%

Gulf Coast

  0.58   0.54   0.04   7%

Combined average coal royalty revenue per ton

  7.08   3.99   3.09   77%
                 

Coal royalty revenues

                

Appalachia

                

Northern

 $11,946  $5,272  $6,674   127%

Central

  111,121   43,308   67,813   157%

Southern

  16,725   10,390   6,335   61%

Total Appalachia

  139,792   58,970   80,822   137%

Illinois Basin

  19,331   17,044   2,287   13%

Northern Powder River Basin

  11,751   8,222   3,529   43%

Gulf Coast

  187   7   180   2571%

Unadjusted coal royalty revenues

  171,061   84,243   86,818   103%

Coal royalty adjustment for minimum leases

  (286)  (18,148)  17,862   98%

Total coal royalty revenues

 $170,775  $66,095  $104,680   158%
                 

Other revenues

                

Production lease minimum revenues

 $3,542  $10,241  $(6,699)  (65)%

Minimum lease straight-line revenues

  14,235   15,773   (1,538)  (10)%

Carbon neutral initiative revenues

  8,600      8,600   100%

Wheelage revenues

  11,073   5,589   5,484   98%

Property tax revenues

  4,527   4,522   5   0%

Coal overriding royalty revenues

  2,307   3,592   (1,285)  (36)%

Lease amendment revenues

  2,450   3,159   (709)  (22)%

Aggregates royalty revenues

  2,691   1,339   1,352   101%

Oil and gas royalty revenues

  10,890   3,420   7,470   218%

Other revenues

  705   692   13   2%

Total other revenues

 $61,020  $48,327  $12,693   26%

Royalty and other mineral rights

 $231,795  $114,422  $117,373   103%

Transportation and processing services revenues

  15,377   6,545   8,832   135%

Gain on asset sales and disposals

  699   243   456   188%

Total Mineral Rights segment revenues and other income

 $247,871  $121,210  $126,661   104%

23

Coal Royalty Revenues

Total coal royalty revenues increased $104.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the prior year period. The discussion by region is as follows:

Appalachia: Coal royalty revenues increased $80.8decreased $2.6 million primarily due to increased coal sales prices and volumes duringSisecam Wyoming paying a higher quarterly distribution in the nine months ended September 30,first quarter of 2022 as compared to the prior year period.discussed above. 

 

Illinois Basin: Coal royalty revenues increased $2.3 million primarily due to higher sales volumesCorporate and increased sales prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the prior year period. Revenues recognized from Foresight in 2021 were fixed as a result of the lease amendment the Partnership entered into with Foresight pursuant to which Foresight agreed to pay NRP fixed cash payments to satisfy all obligations arising out of the existing various coal mining leases and transportation infrastructure fee agreements between the Partnership and Foresight. Revenues from Foresight in 2022 represent traditional royalty and minimum payments.

Northern Powder River Basin: Coal royalty revenues increased $3.5 million primarily due to increased sales volumes as our lessee mined more on our property during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the prior year period in accordance with its mine plan.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased $12.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the following:

An $8.6 million increase in carbon neutral initiatives due to the recognition of revenue related to carbon neutral transactions including subsurface CO2 storage and geothermal.

A $7.5 million increase in oil and gas royalty revenues primarily due to new wells and increased natural gas prices.

A $5.5 million increase in wheelage revenues as a result of higher production in 2022 from the properties that pay us a wheelage fee as compared to the prior year period.

These increases were partially offset by a $6.7 million decrease in production lease minimum revenues primarily as a result of breakage revenues recognized in the first nine months of 2021. 

Transportation and Processing Services Revenues

Transportation and processing services revenues increased $8.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the lease amendment with Foresight whereas transportation and processing revenues were based on the recognition of a fixed amount in 2021. Revenues from Foresight in 2022 represent traditional royalty and minimum payments and were greater than the fixed revenue from 2021.

Soda Ash

Revenues and other income related to our Soda Ash segment increased $32.8 million primarily as a result of increased international sales prices.

Operating and Other Expenses

The following table presents the significant categories of our consolidated operating and other expenses:

  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Increase

  

Percentage

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

(Decrease)

  

Change

 

Operating expenses

                

Operating and maintenance expenses

 $25,989  $19,076  $6,913   36%

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  16,565   15,145   1,420   9%

General and administrative expenses

  14,037   11,550   2,487   22%

Asset impairments

  874   4,116   (3,242)  (79)%

Total operating expenses

 $57,465  $49,887  $7,578   15%
                 

Other expenses, net

                

Interest expense, net

 $22,636  $29,308  $(6,672)  (23)%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  6,532      6,532   100%

Total other expenses, net

 $29,168  $29,308  $(140)  (0)%

Total operating expenses increased $7.6 million primarily due to a $6.9 million increase in operating and maintenance expenses as compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of higher costs related to an overriding royalty agreement with WPPLP, partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense. The coal royalty expense we pay to WPPLP is fully offset by the coal royalty revenue we receive from this property. Total operating expenses also increased as a result of a $2.5 million increase in general and administrative expenses primarily due to increased long-term incentive expense incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. These increases were partially offset by a $3.2 million decrease in asset impairments as compared to the prior year period. Asset impairments in 2021 primarily related to a lease termination that resulted in the full impairment of a coal property.

Total other expenses, net was essentially flat year-over-year. The $6.7 million decrease in interest expense, net resulting from less debt outstanding was partially offset by a $6.5 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the premiums and fees incurred and write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the retirement of the 2025 Senior Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. 

24

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

The following table reconciles net income (loss) (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) to Adjusted EBITDA by business segment:

  

Operating Segments

         

For the Nine Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

                

Net income (loss)

 $204,548  $43,931  $(43,205) $205,274 

Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

     (44,036)     (44,036)

Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment

     34,055      34,055 

Add: interest expense, net

        22,636   22,636 

Add: loss on extinguishment of debt

        6,532   6,532 

Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization

  16,565         16,565 

Add: asset impairments

  874         874 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $221,987  $33,950  $(14,037) $241,900 
                 

September 30, 2021

                

Net income (loss)

 $82,980  $11,115  $(40,834) $53,261 

Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

     (11,246)     (11,246)

Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment

     3,920      3,920 

Add: interest expense, net

  24      29,284   29,308 

Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization

  15,145         15,145 

Add: asset impairments

  4,116         4,116 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $102,265  $3,789  $(11,550) $94,504 

Adjusted EBITDA increased $147.4 million primarily due to a $119.7 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA within our Mineral Rights segment as a result of higher revenues and other income as discussed above, in addition to a $30.2 million increase in Adjusted EBITDA within our Soda Ash segment as a result of higher distributions received from Sisecam Wyoming in the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the prior year period as discussed above.

Distributable Cash Flow ("DCF") and Free Cash Flow ("FCF") (Non-GAAP Financial Measures)

The following table presents the three major categories of the statement of cash flows by business segment:

  

Operating Segments

         

For the Nine Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

                

Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations

                

Operating activities

 $194,475  $33,934  $(30,459) $197,950 

Investing activities

  1,837      (59)  1,778 

Financing activities

  (614)     (273,697)  (274,311)
                 

September 30, 2021

                

Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations

                

Operating activities

 $91,958  $3,817  $(29,132) $66,643 

Investing activities

  1,871         1,871 

Financing activities

  (1,132)     (48,183)  (49,315)

25

The following table reconciles net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) by business segment to DCF and FCF:

  

Operating Segments

         

For the Nine Months Ended (In thousands)

 

Mineral Rights

  

Soda Ash

  

Corporate and Financing

  

Total

 

September 30, 2022

                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

 $194,475  $33,934  $(30,459) $197,950 

Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  699         699 

Add: return of long-term contract receivable

  1,138         1,138 

Less: maintenance capital expenditures

        (59)  (59)

Distributable cash flow

 $196,312  $33,934  $(30,518) $199,728 

Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  (699)        (699)

Free cash flow

 $195,613  $33,934  $(30,518) $199,029 
                 

September 30, 2021

                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

 $91,958  $3,817  $(29,132) $66,643 

Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  249         249 

Add: return of long-term contract receivable

  1,622         1,622 

Distributable cash flow

 $93,829  $3,817  $(29,132) $68,514 

Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals

  (249)        (249)

Less: acquisition costs

  (1,000)        (1,000)

Free cash flow

 $92,580  $3,817  $(29,132) $67,265 

DCF and FCF increased $131.2 million and $131.8 million, respectively, primarily due to the following:

Mineral RightsFinancing Segment

 

Operating cash flow, DCF and FCF increased $102.5decreased $2.5 million and $103.0 million, respectively, primarily due to the segment's increase in revenues and other income as discussed above.

Soda Ash Segment

DCF and FCF increased $30.1 million as a result of higher cash distributions received from Sisecam Wyomingpaid for incentive compensation in the first nine monthsquarter of 2023 because of the improved business performance in 2022 as compared to the prior year period as discussed above.and higher cash paid for interest on credit facility borrowings in 2023. 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Current Liquidity

 

As of September 30, 2022,March 31, 2023, we had total liquidity of $190.9$56.5 million, consisting of $60.9$17.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $130.0$38.8 million of borrowing capacity under our Opco Credit Facility. We have debt service obligations, including approximately $20$23 million of principal repayments on Opco’s senior notes, throughout the remainder of 2022. As discussed previously, through the date2023. The following table calculates our leverage ratio as of this report, we have permanently retired allMarch 31, 2023: 

  

For the Three Months Ended

     

(In thousands)

 

June 30, 2022

  

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2023

  

Last 12 Months

 

Net income

 $66,820  $74,555  $63,218  $79,275  $283,868 

Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment

  (14,643)  (14,556)  (15,759)  (19,254)  (64,212)

Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment

  10,486   10,339   10,780   10,780   42,385 

Add: interest expense, net

  8,108   5,141   3,638   2,853   19,740 

Add: loss on extinguishment of debt

  4,048   2,484   3,933      10,465 

Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization

  5,847   6,850   5,954   4,083   22,734 

Add: asset impairments

  43   812   3,583      4,438 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $80,709  $85,625  $75,347  $77,737  $319,418 
                     

Debt—at March 31, 2023

                 $173,591 
                     

Leverage Ratio

                 

0.5 x

 

23

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities increased $131.3$20.6 million, from $66.6$52.3 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 to $198.0$72.9 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022,March 31, 2023, primarily relateddue to increased revenues and other incomecash provided by operating activities within our Mineral Rights segment, partially offset by decreased cash provided by operating activities within our Soda Ash and $30.1 million of higher cash distributions received from Sisecam Wyoming in the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the prior year period.Corporate and Financing segments, all discussed above. 

 

Cash flows used in financing activities increased $225.0$42.8 million, from $49.3$52.3 million used in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 to $274.3$95.0 million used in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2022,March 31, 2023, primarily due to the following:

 

$178.673.0 million of cash used to retirerepay a portion of our 2025 Senior Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022;Opco Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2023;

 

$19.648.1 million of cash used to redeem the preferred units paid-in-kind during the first quarter of 2022;2023; and

 

$10.935.2 million of increased cash used for preferred unit distributions as a result of paying all of our preferred unit distributions in cash in 2022 as compared to half in kind during the nine months ended September 30, 2021;

$9.1 million of increased cash used for other items, net which primarily related to the premiums paid related to the repayment of the 2025 Senior Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022; and

$7.8 million of increased cash used for distributions to common unitholders and the general partner as a result of increasing our common unitquarterly cash distribution to $0.75/unit beginning in the second quarter of 2022.2022 in addition to the special distribution paid in the first quarter of 2023.

 

26

borrowings on our Opco Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2023 and $19.6 million of cash used to redeem the preferred units paid-in-kind during the first quarter of 2022. 

Capital Resources and Obligations

 

Debt, Net

 

We had the following debt outstanding as of September 30, 2022March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2021:2022:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Current portion of long-term debt, net

 $89,989  $39,102  $39,055  $39,076 

Long-term debt, net

  148,734   394,443   133,821   129,205 

Total debt, net

 $238,723  $433,545  $172,876  $168,281 

 

We have been and continue to be in compliance with the terms of the financial covenants contained in our debt agreements. For additional information regarding our debt and the agreements governing our debt, including the covenants contained therein, see Note 8.9. Debt, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities or related parties and accordingly, there are no off-balance sheet risks to our liquidity and capital resources from unconsolidated entities.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

The information required set forth under Note 10.11. Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

24

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

AsWe are exposed to market risk, which includes adverse changes in commodity prices and interest rates as discussed below:

Commodity Price Risk

Our revenues, operating results, financial condition and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital depend substantially on prevailing commodity prices. Historically, coal prices have been volatile, with prices fluctuating widely, and are likely to continue to be volatile. Depressed prices in the future would have a smaller reporting company,negative impact on our future financial results. In particular, substantially lower prices would significantly reduce revenues and could potentially trigger an impairment of our coal properties or a violation of certain financial debt covenants. Because substantially all our reserves are coal, changes in coal prices have a more significant impact on our financial results. 

We are dependent upon the effective marketing of the coal mined by our lessees. Our lessees sell the coal under various long-term and short-term contracts as well as on the spot market. Current conditions in the coal industry may make it difficult for our lessees to extend existing contracts or enter into supply contracts with terms of one year or more. Our lessees' failure to negotiate long-term contracts could adversely affect the stability and profitability of our lessees' operations and adversely affect our future financial results. If more coal is sold on the spot market, coal royalty revenues may become more volatile due to fluctuations in spot coal prices. 

The market price of soda ash and energy costs directly affects the profitability of Sisecam Wyoming's operations. If the market price for soda ash declines, Sisecam Wyoming's sales revenues will decrease. Historically, the global market and, to a lesser extent, the domestic market for soda ash have been volatile and are likely to remain volatile in the future. 

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to changes in interest rates results from our borrowings under the Opco Credit Facility, which is subject to variably interest rates based upon SOFR. At March 31, 2023, we are not requiredhad $91.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Opco Credit Facility. If interest rates were to include this disclosure in our Form 10-Q forincrease by 1%, annual interest expense would increase approximately $0.9 million, assuming the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022.same principal amount remained outstanding during the year.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

NRP carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of NRP management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the general partner of the general partner of NRP. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that (a) the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in the Partnerships Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no material changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting during the first ninethree months of 20222023 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

2725

 

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe these ordinary course matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity or operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

During the period covered by this report, there were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Natural Resource Partners L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None. 

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3.1

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Natural Resource Partners L.P., dated as of March 2, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2017).

3.2

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NRP (GP) LP, dated as of December 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2011).

3.3

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, dated as of October 31, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2013).

3.4

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership of Natural Resource Partners L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 19, 2002, File No. 333-86582).

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley.

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley.

32.1**

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

32.2**

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

10.1Master Assignment Agreement and Fifth Amendment to Third Amended Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2022 by and among NRP (Operating) LLC, the Lenders party thereto, the Exiting Lenders, and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, as administrative agent for the Lenders, as Swingline Lender, and as an Issuing Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 11, 2022). 
10.2New Lender Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2022 by and among NRP (Operating) LLC, the Borrower, Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent under the Fifth Amendment to Third Amended Credit Agreement and Prosperity Bank, the New Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2022). 

101.INS*

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104*

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibits 101)

   

*

 

Filed herewith

**

 

Furnished herewith

 

 

2826

 

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 and thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS L.P.

 

By:

NRP (GP) LP, its general partner

 

By:

GP NATURAL RESOURCE

  

PARTNERS LLC, its general partner

   

Date: November 3, 2022May 4, 2023

By:

/s/ Corbin J. Robertson, Jr.
  

Corbin J. Robertson, Jr.

  

Chairman of the Board and

  

Chief Executive Officer

  

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

 

Date: November 3, 2022May 4, 2023

By:

/s/ Christopher J. Zolas

  

Christopher J. Zolas

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

  

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

  
2927