SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Disaggregation of Revenue [Policy Text Block]

We generated revenue from the following products for the last three years. We believe the disaggregation of revenue by products best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic conditions. Amounts presented are in thousands:



	Year Ended December 31,
Product	2018		2017		2016
Potash	$	107,471	$	95,540	$	149,335
Trio^®	64,139		63,338		52,884
Water	19,797		7,042		—
Salt	6,877		6,334		2,947
Magnesium Chloride	6,804		5,432		6,931
Brines	1,777		229		—
Other	1,405		—		—
Total Revenue	$	208,270	$	177,915	$	212,097

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, those for proven and probable mineral reserves, the related present value of estimated future net cash flows, useful lives of plant assets, asset retirement obligations, normal inventory production levels, inventory valuations, the valuation of equity awards, revenue from products we sell to customers where the price is variable, the valuation of receivables, estimated future net cash flows used in long-lived assets impairment analysis, the related valuation of our long-lived assets, valuation of our deferred tax assets and estimated blended income tax rates utilized in the current and deferred income tax calculations. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proven and probable reserves, projecting future rates of production, and the timing of development expenditures. Future mineral prices may vary significantly from the prices in effect at the time the estimates are made, as may estimates of future operating costs. The estimate of proven and probable mineral reserves, the related present value of estimated future cash flows, and useful lives of plant assets can affect various other items including depletion, the net carrying value of our mineral properties, the useful lives of related property, plant, and equipment, depreciation expense, and estimates associated with recoverability of long-lived assets and asset retirement obligations. Specific to income tax items, we experience fluctuations in the valuation of the deferred tax assets and liabilities due to changing income tax rates and the blend of state tax rates.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), which we adopted on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method. See Note 3 "Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" for further discussion of the adoption of ASC 606, including the adjustments made to our previously reported 2017 and 2016 financial statements.

Under ASC 606, we recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

Performance Obligation

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606. The contract's transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations and recognized as revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied. Substantially all of our contracts are of a short-term nature and contain a single performance obligation because the sale is for one type of product and shipping and handling charges are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are not considered to be a separate performance obligation. The performance obligation is satisfied when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which typically occurs when we ship mineral products or deliver water from our facility to the customer. We account for substantially all of our revenue from sales to customers at a single point in time.

Contract Estimates

In certain circumstances, we may sell product to customers where the sales price is variable. For such sales, we estimate the sales price we expect to realize based on the facts and circumstances for each sale, including historical experience, and recognize revenue to the extent it is probable that a subsequent change in estimate will not result in a significant revenue reversal compared to the cumulative revenue recognized under the contract.

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collection may result in contract assets or contract liabilities. For certain contracts, the customer has agreed to pay us before we have satisfied our performance obligations. Customer payments received before we have satisfied our performance obligations are accounted for as a contract liability. As of December 31, 2018, we had $11.7 million of contract liabilities, which are included in "Other current liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet. Our contract liability relates to payments received from customers for water purchases for which we have not yet delivered the water. Our contract liability activity for the year ended December 31, 2018, is shown below (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018
Beginning balance	$	—
Additions	17,558
Recognized as revenue during period	(5,880		)
Ending Balance	$	11,678

Inventory and Long-Term Parts Inventory

Inventory consists of product and byproduct stocks that are ready for sale; mined ore; potash in evaporation ponds, which is considered work-in-process; and parts and supplies inventory. Product and byproduct inventory cost is determined using the lower of weighted average cost or estimated net realizable value and includes direct costs, maintenance, operational overhead, depreciation, depletion, and equipment lease costs applicable to the production process. Direct costs, maintenance, and operational overhead include labor and associated benefits.

We evaluate our production levels and costs to determine if any should be deemed abnormal and therefore excluded from inventory costs and expensed directly during the applicable period. The assessment of normal production levels is judgmental and unique to each period. We model normal production levels and evaluate historical ranges of production by operating plant in assessing what is deemed to be normal.

Parts inventory, including critical spares, that is not expected to be used within a period of one year is classified as non-current. Parts and supply inventory cost is determined using the lower of average acquisition cost or estimated replacement cost. Detailed reviews are performed related to the net realizable value of parts inventory, giving consideration to quality, slow-moving items, obsolescence, excessive levels, and other factors. Parts inventories that have not turned over in more than a year, excluding parts classified as critical spares, are reviewed for obsolescence and, if deemed appropriate, are included in the determination of an allowance for obsolescence.

Property, Plant, Equipment, Mineral Properties and Development Costs

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at historical cost. Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment relating to new assets or improvements are capitalized, provided the expenditure extends the useful life of an asset or extends the asset's functionality. Property, plant, and equipment are depreciated under the straight-line method using estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of property, plant, and equipment are evaluated periodically as changes in estimates occur. No depreciation is taken on assets classified as construction in progress until the asset is placed into service. Gains and losses are recorded upon retirement, sale, or disposal of assets. Maintenance and repair costs are recognized as period costs when incurred. Capitalized interest, to the extent of debt outstanding, is calculated and capitalized on assets that are being constructed, drilled, or built or that are otherwise classified as construction in progress.

Mineral properties and development costs, which are referred to collectively as mineral properties, include acquisition costs, the cost of drilling production wells, and the cost of other development work, all of which are capitalized. Depletion of mineral properties is calculated using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the relevant ore body. The lives of reserves used for accounting purposes are shorter than current reserve life determinations due to uncertainties inherent in long-term estimates. These reserve life estimates have been prepared by us and reviewed and independently determined by mine consultants. Tons of potash and langbeinite in the proven and probable reserves are expressed in terms of expected finished tons of product to be realized, net of estimated losses. Market price fluctuations of potash or Trio^®, as well as increased production costs or reduced recovery rates, could render proven and probable reserves containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic to exploit and might result in a reduction of reserves. In addition, the provisions of our mineral leases, including royalty provisions, are subject to periodic readjustment by the state and federal government, which could affect the economics of our reserve estimates. Significant changes in the estimated reserves could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment is potentially considered to exist if an asset group's total estimated net future cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the related asset. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on the excess of the carrying amount of long-lived assets over its estimated fair value. Changes in significant assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates or fair values of asset groups may have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations. Sales price is a significant element of any cash flow estimate, particularly for higher cost operations. Other assumptions we estimate include, among other things, the economic life of the asset, sales volume, inflation, raw materials costs, cost of capital, tax rates, and capital spending.

Factors we generally will consider important and which could trigger an impairment review of the carrying value of long-lived assets include the following:


•	significant underperformance relative to expected operating results or operating losses


•	significant changes in the manner of use of assets or the strategy for our overall business


•	the denial or delay of necessary permits or approvals that would affect the utilization of our tangible assets


•	underutilization of our tangible assets


•	discontinuance of certain products by us or our customers


•	a decrease in estimated mineral reserves


•	significant negative industry or economic trends

Exploration Costs

Exploration costs include geological and geophysical work performed on areas that do not yet have proven and probable reserves declared. These costs are expensed as incurred.

Asset Retirement Obligation

Reclamation costs are initially recorded as a liability associated with the asset to be reclaimed or abandoned, based on applicable inflation assumptions and discount rates. The accretion of this discounted liability is recognized as expense over the life of the related assets, and the liability is periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimates of either the timing or amount of the reclamation and abandonment costs.

Planned Turnaround Maintenance

Each production operation typically shuts down periodically for planned maintenance activities. The costs of maintenance turnarounds at our facilities are considered part of production costs and are absorbed into inventory in the period incurred.

Leases

Upon entering into leases, we evaluate whether leases are operating or capital leases. Operating lease expense is recognized as incurred. If lease payments change over the contractual term or involve contingent amounts, the total estimated cost over the term is recognized on a straight-line basis.

Income Taxes

We are a subchapter C corporation and, therefore, are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. We recognize income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax liability or asset is expected to be settled or realized. We record a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that our deferred income tax assets will not be realized in full. These determinations are subject to ongoing assessment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, refundable income taxes, accounts payable and current accrued liabilities. These instruments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of the instruments. Allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded against the accounts receivable balance to estimate net realizable value. The fair value of the long-term debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on current borrowing rates for debt with similar remaining maturities and ratings. Amounts outstanding under our secured credit facility are carried at cost, which approximates fair value, due to the short-term nature of the borrowings.

Earnings per Share

Basic net income or loss per common share of stock is calculated by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average basic common shares outstanding for the respective period.

Diluted net income per common share of stock is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted earnings or loss per share calculation consist of awards of restricted shares, performance units, and non‑qualified stock options. The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation arrangements is computed using the treasury‑stock method. Following the lapse of the vesting period of restricted shares, the shares are considered issued and therefore are included in the number of issued and outstanding shares for purposes of these calculations.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation by recording expense using the fair value of the awards at the time of grant. We have recorded compensation expense associated with the issuance of restricted shares, performance units, and non-qualified stock options, all of which are subject to service conditions and in some cases subject to operational performance or market-based conditions. The expense associated with such awards is recognized over the service period associated with each grant. Expense associated with awards with service only conditions is recognized using the straight-line recognition method over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting period of the award. Expense associated with awards that contain both a service condition and a market condition is recognized using the accelerated recognition method over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the longest of the explicit service period or the derived service period (expected date the market condition is estimated to be achieved).

Reclassification of Prior Period Presentation

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.

Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

n February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires, among other things, lessees to recognize lease assets and liabilities on their balance sheets for those leases classified as operating leases under previous generally accepted accounting principles. These assets and liabilities must be recorded generally at the present value of the contracted lease payments, and the cost of the lease must be allocated over the lease term on a straight-line basis. This guidance is effective for us for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective transition method is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. We will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019, and use the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated, and disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates before January 1, 2019.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We have elected the use the package of practical expedients, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We have elected not to use the hindsight practical expedient nor the practical expedient pertaining to land easements.

On adoption, we will recognize additional lease liabilities and right-of-use ("ROU") assets of approximately $6.0 million.

The new standard also provides practical expedients for our ongoing accounting. We have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases with an original term of 12 months or less. For leases that qualify for this exemption, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities. We have also elected the practical expedient which permits us to not separate lease and non-lease components for all our leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over their remaining life. This guidance is effective for us for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Because we have historically experienced minimal bad debt expense related to our trade receivables, we do not believe the adoption of this new standard will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.