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ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS  
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

15.ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following table presents the activity affecting the asset retirement and mine closing liability:

Year Ended December 31, 

 

    

2024

    

2023

 

(in thousands)

Beginning balance

$

150,443

$

149,813

Accretion expense

 

4,528

 

4,433

Payments

 

(1,770)

 

(2,317)

Allocation of liability associated with mine development and change in assumptions

 

5,576

 

(1,486)

Ending balance

$

158,777

$

150,443

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the allocation of liability associated with mine development and change in assumptions increased by $5.6 million. The increase was largely attributable to higher cost assumptions.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the allocation of liability associated with mine development and change in assumptions decreased by $1.5 million. The decrease was largely attributable to lower cost assumptions.

The impact of discounting our estimated cash flows resulted in reducing the accrual for asset retirement obligations by $120.1 million and $116.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Estimated payments of asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:

Year Ended

December 31, 

    

(in thousands)

 

2025

$

3,621

2026

 

4,763

2027

 

7,043

2028

 

9,312

2029

 

9,584

Thereafter

 

244,592

Aggregate undiscounted asset retirement obligations

 

278,915

Less: effect of discounting

 

(120,138)

Total asset retirement obligations

 

158,777

Less: current portion

 

(3,621)

Non-current asset retirement obligations

$

155,156

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had approximately $170.1 million and $173.5 million, respectively, in surety bonds outstanding to secure the performance of our reclamation obligations.