1 ================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------- FORM 10-Q [X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 OR [ ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____________TO_____________ COMMISSION FILE NO.: 0-26823 ---------- ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 73-1564280 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) 1717 SOUTH BOULDER AVENUE, SUITE 600, TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74119 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE) (918) 295-7600 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) ---------- 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 [X] No [ ] As of November 10, 2000, 8,982,780 Common Units and 6,422,531 Subordinated Units are outstanding. ================================================================================ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page ---- ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 .............................................................. 1 Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 and the Predecessor periods from January 1, 1999 and July 1, 1999 to August 19, 1999 and from Commencement of Operations (on August 20, 1999) to September 30, 1999 ........................................................... 2 Consolidated and Combined Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and the periods from Commencement of Operations (on August 20, 1999) to September 30, 1999 and January 1, 1999 to August 19, 1999 (Predecessor) ........................... 3 Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital (Deficit) from January 1, 2000 to September 30, 2000 .......................................................... 4 Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements ........................ 5 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ................................. 8 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK .............................................................. 13 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ..................................................... 14 -i- 3 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS .............................................................. 15 ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS ...................................... 15 ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES ................................................ 15 ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS ............................................................... 15 ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION .............................................................. 15 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K ............................................... 15 -ii- 4 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT UNIT DATA) ASSETS SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 ------------- ------------ (UNAUDITED) CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents .............................................. $ 4,219 $ 8,000 Trade receivables ...................................................... 39,572 33,056 Other receivables ...................................................... 16,478 -- Marketable securities (at cost, which approximates fair value) ......... 36,819 42,339 Inventories ............................................................ 11,949 21,130 Advance royalties ...................................................... 1,557 1,557 Prepaid expenses and other assets ...................................... 16,842 923 --------- --------- Total current assets .............................................. 127,436 107,005 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AT COST ..................................... 300,811 278,221 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION ................. (126,724) (102,709) --------- --------- 174,087 175,512 OTHER ASSETS: Advance royalties ...................................................... 7,959 8,306 Coal supply agreements, net ............................................ 17,213 19,879 Other long-term assets ................................................. 3,801 4,112 --------- --------- $ 330,496 $ 314,814 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT) CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable ....................................................... $ 25,461 $ 19,377 Due to affiliates ...................................................... 17,654 806 Accrued taxes other than income taxes .................................. 5,357 4,574 Accrued payroll and related expenses ................................... 8,177 8,811 Accrued interest ....................................................... 1,698 5,491 Workers' compensation and pneumoconiosis benefits ...................... 4,391 4,317 Other current liabilities .............................................. 6,423 2,937 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ......................................... 69,161 46,313 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Long-term debt, excluding current maturities ........................... 230,000 230,000 Accrued pneumoconiosis benefits ........................................ 21,675 21,655 Workers' compensation .................................................. 16,310 15,696 Reclamation and mine closing ........................................... 13,544 13,407 Other liabilities ...................................................... 3,290 3,671 --------- --------- Total liabilities ................................................. 353,980 330,742 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT): Common Unitholders 8,982,780 units outstanding ......................... 154,388 158,705 Subordinated Unitholder 6,422,531 units outstanding .................... 120,186 123,273 General Partners ....................................................... (298,058) (297,906) --------- --------- Total Partners' capital (deficit) ................................. (23,484) (15,928) --------- --------- $ 330,496 $ 314,814 ========= ========= See notes to unaudited consolidated and combined financial statements. -1- 5 ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT UNIT AND PER UNIT DATA) (UNAUDITED) PARTNERSHIP PREDECESSOR PARTNERSHIP PREDECESSOR --------------------------------- ------------- ----------- --------------- FROM COMMENCEMENT FOR THE FOR THE OF OPERATIONS PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM THREE MONTHS (ON AUGUST 20, 1999) JULY 1, 1999 NINE MONTHS JANUARY 1, 1999 ENDED TO TO ENDED TO SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, AUGUST 19, SEPTEMBER 30, AUGUST 19, 2000 1999 1999 2000 1999 ------------- -------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES: Coal sales ........................................ $ 92,433 $ 43,927 $ 47,669 $ 261,172 $ 217,033 Other sales and operating revenues ................ 621 125 134 1,220 577 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total revenues .......................... 93,054 44,052 47,803 262,392 217,610 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- EXPENSES: Operating expenses ................................ 69,050 30,456 35,024 192,579 152,066 Outside purchases ................................. 4,567 2,442 2,570 11,860 17,738 General and administrative ........................ 3,610 1,685 1,959 10,822 8,912 Depreciation, depletion and amortization .......... 9,624 4,450 5,246 28,825 24,622 Interest expense (net of interest income and interest capitalized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000 of $805 and $2,168, respectively) ................... 4,240 1,627 21 12,502 100 Unusual items ..................................... (9,466) -- -- (9,466) -- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total operating expenses ............. 81,625 40,660 44,820 247,122 203,438 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS ............................... 11,429 3,392 2,983 15,270 14,172 OTHER INCOME ......................................... 131 117 334 754 531 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ........................... 11,560 3,509 3,317 16,024 14,703 INCOME TAX EXPENSE ................................... -- -- 1,015 -- 4,498 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- NET INCOME ........................................... $ 11,560 $ 3,509 $ 2,302 $ 16,024 $ 10,205 ========== ========== ========== ========== =========== GENERAL PARTNERS' INTEREST IN NET INCOME ...................................... $ 231 $ 70 $ 320 ========== ========== ========== LIMITED PARTNERS' INTEREST IN NET INCOME ...................................... $ 11,329 $ 3,439 $ 15,704 ========== ========== ========== BASIC NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT .................................... $ 0.74 $ 0.22 $ 1.02 ========== ========== ========== DILUTED NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT .................................... $ 0.73 $ 0.22 $ 1.01 ========== ========== ========== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING-BASIC ............................... 15,405,311 15,405,311 15,405,311 ========== ========== ========== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING-DILUTED ............................. 15,552,017 15,405,311 15,550,287 ========== ========== ========== See notes to unaudited consolidated and combined financial statements. -2- 6 ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) PARTNERSHIP PREDECESSOR ----------------------------------- ---------------- FROM COMMENCEMENT FOR THE NINE MONTHS OF OPERATIONS PERIOD FROM ENDED (ON AUGUST 20, 1999) JANUARY 1, 1999 SEPTEMBER 30, TO TO 2000 SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AUGUST 19, 1999 ------------- -------------------- ---------------- CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES ............. $ 39,786 $ (29,537) $ 32,896 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment ...................... (27,194) (10,895) (21,984) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ............ 74 66 447 Purchase of marketable securities .............................. (54,751) (34,514) -- Proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities ............ 61,884 8,452 -- --------- --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities ............. (19,987) (36,891) (21,537) --------- --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net proceeds from initial public offering (see Note 1) ....... -- 137,872 -- Cash contribution by General Partner ......................... -- 5,917 -- Distributions upon formation (see Note 1) .................... -- (64,750) -- Payment of formation costs ................................... -- (2,919) -- Deferred financing cost ...................................... -- (3,517) -- Payments on long-term debt ................................... -- (1,975) -- Distribution to Partners ..................................... (23,580) -- -- Return of capital to Parent .................................. -- -- (11,359) --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities..................................... (23,580) 70,628 (11,359) --------- --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ........................... (3,781) 4,200 -- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD .................. 8,000 -- -- --------- --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD ........................ $ 4,219 $ 4,200 $ -- ========= ========= ========= CASH PAID FOR: Interest ..................................................... $ 18,029 $ -- $ -- ========= ========= ========= Income taxes paid through Parent ............................. $ -- $ -- $ 4,510 ========= ========= ========= SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Debt transferred from Special General Partner ................ $ -- $ 230,000 $ -- ========= ========= ========= Marketable securities transferred from Special General ....... $ -- $ 15,496 $ -- ========= ========= ========= See notes to unaudited consolidated and combined financial statements. -3- 7 ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT) FROM JANUARY 1, 2000 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT UNIT DATA) (UNAUDITED) NUMBER OF LIMITED TOTAL PARTNER UNITS PARTNERS' --------------------------- GENERAL CAPITAL COMMON SUBORDINATED COMMON SUBORDINATED PARTNERS (DEFICIT) --------- ------------ --------- ------------ --------- --------- Balance at January 1, 2000 ........ 8,982,780 6,422,531 $ 158,705 $ 123,273 $(297,906) $ (15,928) Distribution to Partners ....... -- -- (13,474) (9,634) (472) (23,580) Net income ..................... -- -- 9,157 6,547 320 16,024 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Balance at September 30, 2000 ..... 8,982,780 6,422,531 $ 154,388 $ 120,186 $(298,058) $ (23,484) ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= See notes to unaudited consolidated and combined financial statements. -4- 8 ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. ORGANIZATION AND PRESENTATION Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership that was formed on May 17, 1999, to acquire, own and operate certain coal production and marketing assets of Alliance Resource Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ARH" or "Parent") (formerly known as Alliance Coal Corporation) and substantially all of its operating subsidiaries (collectively, the "Partnership"). Prior to August 20, 1999, (a) MAPCO Coal Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of ARH merged with and into Alliance Coal, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Alliance Coal"), which prior to August 20, 1999 was also a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARH, (b) several other indirect corporate subsidiaries of ARH were merged with and into corresponding limited liability companies, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance Coal, and (c) two indirect limited liability company subsidiaries of ARH became subsidiaries of Alliance Coal as a result of the merger described in clause (a) above. Collectively, the coal production and marketing assets and operating subsidiaries of ARH acquired by the Partnership are referred to as the Alliance Resource Group (the "Predecessor"). The Delaware limited partnerships and limited liability companies that comprise the Partnership are as follows: Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., Alliance Resource Operating Partners, L.P. (the "Intermediate Partnership"), Alliance Coal, LLC (the holding company for operations), Alliance Land, LLC, Alliance Properties, LLC, Backbone Mountain, LLC, Excel Mining, LLC, Gibson County Coal, LLC, Hopkins County Coal, LLC, MC Mining, LLC, Mettiki Coal, LLC, Mettiki Coal (WV), LLC, Mt. Vernon Transfer Terminal, LLC, Pontiki Coal, LLC, Toptiki Coal, LLC, Webster County Coal, LLC, and White County Coal, LLC. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Partnership and present the financial position as of September 30, 2000, and the results of its operations, cash flows and changes in partners' capital (deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000. The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Predecessor for the periods indicated. All material intercompany transactions and accounts of the Partnership and Predecessor have been eliminated. These consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto for interim periods are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the periods presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These consolidated and combined financial statements and notes are prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated and combined financial statements and notes included in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. Initial Public Offering and Concurrent Transactions On August 20, 1999, the Partnership completed its initial public offering (the "IPO") of 7,750,000 Common Units ("Common Units") representing limited partner interests in the Partnership at a price of $19.00 per unit. -5- 9 Concurrently with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a Contribution and Assumption Agreement (the "Contribution Agreement"), dated August 20, 1999, among the Partnership and the other parties named therein, whereby, among other things, ARH contributed its 100% member interest in Alliance Coal, which is the sole member of fourteen subsidiary operating limited liability companies, to the Intermediate Partnership which holds a 99.999% non-managing member interest in Alliance Coal. The Partnership and the Intermediate Partnership are managed by Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Managing GP"), which, as a result of the consummation of the transactions under the Contribution Agreement, holds (a) a 0.99% and 1.0001% managing general partner interest in the Partnership and the Intermediate Partnership, respectively, and (b) a 0.001% managing member interest in Alliance Coal. Also as a result of the consummation of the transactions completed under the Contribution Agreement, Alliance Resource GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of ARH (the "Special GP"), holds, (a) 1,232,780 Common Units, (b) 6,422,531 Subordinated Units ("Subordinated Units") convertible into Common Units in the future upon the occurrence of certain events and (c) a 0.01% special general partner interest in each of the Partnership and the Intermediate Partnership. Concurrently with the closing of the IPO, the Special GP issued and the Intermediate Partnership assumed the obligations with respect to $180 million principal amount of 8.31% senior notes due August 20, 2014. The Special GP also entered into, and the Intermediate Partnership assumed the obligations under, a $100 million credit facility. The credit facility consists of three tranches, including a $50 million term loan facility, a $25 million working capital facility, and a $25 million revolving credit facility. The Partnership has borrowings outstanding of $50 million under the term loan facility and no borrowings outstanding under either the working capital facility or the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2000. The weighted average interest rate on the term loan facility at September 30, 2000 was 7.99%. The credit facility agreement expires August 2004. The senior notes and credit facility contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants, including the amount of distributions by the Intermediate Partnership and the incurrence of other debt. The Partnership was in compliance with the covenants of both the senior notes and credit facility at September 30, 2000. Consistent with guidance provided by the Emerging Issues Task Force in Issue No. 87-21 "Change of Accounting Basis in Master Limited Partnership Transactions", the Partnership maintained the historical cost of the $121 million of net assets received under the Contribution Agreement. Analysis of Pro Forma Results of Operations For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the pro forma total revenues would have been approximately $216,662,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, the pro forma net income would have been approximately $5,362,000 and net income per limited partner unit would have been $0.34. The pro forma results of operations reflect certain pro forma adjustments to the historical results of operations as if the Partnership had been formed on January 1, 1999. The pro forma adjustments include (a) pro forma interest on debt assumed by the Partnership and (b) the elimination of income tax expense as income taxes will be borne by the partners and not the Partnership. 2. CONTINGENCIES Transloading Facility Dispute The Partnership has been involved in litigation with Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("Seminole") with respect to Seminole's termination of a long-term contract for the transloading of coal from rail to barge through the Partnership's terminal in Indiana. Seminole filed a lawsuit on December 16, 1998, seeking declaratory relief as to the damages owed to the Partnership as a result of such -6- 10 termination. Rather than pay the damages stipulated in the contract for breach, Seminole sought the court's agreement that the proper damage award should be calculated based on the Partnership's loss of net profits from its terminal for the term of the agreement. Seminole ceased transloading any coal shipments through this terminal and is transporting coal deliveries by rail under a separate supply contract. The parties agreed to submit this dispute to binding arbitration and filed a joint motion to stay the litigation during the pendency of the arbitration. The final resolution between the parties, reached in conjunction with the arbitrator's decision rendered during the third quarter, includes both future cash payments and amendments to an existing coal supply contract. The Partnership recorded income of $12.2 million, which is net of litigation expenses and costs relating to the impairment of certain transloading facility assets. The net $12.2 million is included in "Unusual items" and the amount due from Seminole is included in "Other receivables" in the accompanying consolidated and combined statements of income and balance sheets, respectively. General Litigation The Partnership is involved in various lawsuits, claims and regulatory proceedings, including those conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, incidental to its business. The Partnership provides for costs related to litigation and regulatory proceedings (including civil fines issued as part of the outcome of such proceedings), when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. The Partnership has recorded an expense of $2.7 million related to litigation matters previously settled and contingencies associated with other litigation matters, which is reflected in "Unusual items" in the accompanying consolidated and combined statements of income. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters to the extent not previously provided for or covered under insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's business, financial position or results of operations, although management cannot give any assurance to that effect. 3. COAL PREPARATION PLANT On March 23, 2000, the Partnership entered into an arrangement with the Special GP for construction of a coal preparation plant and ancillary facilities (collectively the "coal preparation plant") at the Gibson County Coal, LLC ("Gibson County") mining complex currently under development. Under the terms of the arrangement, the Special GP is constructing the coal preparation plant at an anticipated cost of approximately $23.1 million and has the option to sell or lease the coal preparation plant to the Partnership when construction is completed within the next year. Accumulated costs associated with this "build-to-suit" facility totaled approximately $16.6 million as of September 30, 2000. The asset and corresponding liability are included in the Partnership's balance sheet as prepaid expenses and other assets and due to affiliates, respectively, since it is the Partnership's current intention to enter into an operating lease agreement with the Special GP or a third party for the use of the coal preparation plant. In the event that the operating lease is entered into with either the Special GP or a third party, the Partnership would remove the corresponding asset and liability associated with the coal preparation plant from its consolidated balance sheet once construction is completed and the lease term begins. 4. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On October 26, 2000, the Partnership declared a minimum quarterly distribution for the period from July 1, 2000, to September 30, 2000, of $0.50 per unit, totaling approximately $7,703,000, on all of its Common and Subordinated Units outstanding, payable on November 14, 2000 to all unitholders of record on November 2, 2000. -7- 11 Effective October 27, 2000, MC Mining, LLC ("MC Mining") settled litigation filed October 12, 2000 by Garrett Mining, Inc., the contract miner for MC Mining. As part of such settlement, the Contract Mining Agreement between the parties was terminated and MC Mining purchased parts inventory and equipment from Garrett Mining for the fair market value of $2.2 million and mutual waivers and releases were executed by the parties. MC Mining has entered into an intercompany support services agreement and an agency agreement with Excel Mining, LLC ("Excel Mining"), and Gibson County Coal, LLC, respectively, both affiliates, by which Excel Mining is responsible for conducting all mining operations. The transition from Garrett Mining to Excel Mining may adversely impact coal production at MC Mining during the fourth quarter of 2000. In the opinion of management, the impact on production, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's business, financial position or results of operations, although management cannot give any assurance to that effect. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION In comparing 2000 to 1999, the Partnership and Predecessor periods for 1999 have been combined. Since the Partnership maintained the historical basis of the Predecessor's net assets, management believes that the combined Partnership and Predecessor results for 1999 are comparable with 2000. SELECTED OPERATING DATA THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------- ------------------------------ SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 1999 2000 1999 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Tons sold (000s) 4,051 3,987 11,276 11,332 Tons produced (000s) 3,249 3,624 10,305 10,644 Revenues per ton sold $ 22.97 $ 23.04 $ 23.27 $ 23.09 Cost per ton sold(1) $ 19.06 $ 18.59 $ 19.09 $ 18.82 (1) Cost per ton is based on the total of operating expenses, outside purchases and general and administrative expenses divided by tons sold. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 1999 Coal sales. Coal sales for the three months ended September 30, 2000 (the "2000 Quarter") increased 0.9% to $92.4 million from $91.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 1999 (the "1999 Quarter"). The increase of $0.8 million is primarily attributable to higher sales volumes in the Partnership's Illinois Basin operations as electric utility power plants' demand for high-sulfur coal increased, partially offset by planned reduced participation in low margin, coal export brokerage markets. The brokerage business is not expected to be material in the future. Tons sold increased 1.6% to 4.1 million for the 2000 Quarter from 4.0 million for the 1999 Quarter. Tons produced decreased 10.3% to 3.2 million tons for the 2000 Quarter from 3.6 million for the 1999 Quarter. Other sales and operating revenues. Other sales and operating revenues increased to $0.6 million for the 2000 Quarter from $0.3 million for the 1999 Quarter. The increase of $0.3 million results from the introduction of a third party coal synfuel production facility at the Partnership's Hopkins County Coal, LLC ("Hopkins") operation. Hopkins provides the coal feedstock and receives various fees for operating -8- 12 the third party's coal synfuel facility and providing other services. Alliance Coal, LLC assists the third party with marketing the coal synfuel and receives a fee for such services. The synfuel agreements continue through December 2000 and commitments have been made to extend the agreements through February 2001 with current negotiations underway to continue the synfuel arrangements beyond this date. In late October, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued Rev. Proc. 2000-47, suspending issuance of private letter rulings for most coal synfuel plants while a review is conducted concerning whether current tax rules adequately address the evolving synfuel industry. The IRS has requested public comment on Rev. Proc. 2000-47 by November 27, 2000. The IRS has indicated it will provide substantial guidance in the form of a general revenue ruling or a tax regulation to address tax credits granted under Section 29 of the Internal Revenue Code. Until such guidance is received from the IRS, we cannot give any assurance that future benefits will be received from the coal synfuel production facility. Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 5.5% to $69.1 million for the 2000 Quarter from $65.5 million for the 1999 Quarter. The increase of $3.6 million results from increased sales volumes in the Partnership's Illinois Basin operations and prolonged adverse mining conditions initially encountered in May 2000 at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine resulting in increased operating expenses in both instances. The difficult mining conditions at Mettiki continued through most of August. The remainder of the longwall panel has shown great improvement allowing for above normal production in September. Outside purchases. Outside purchases decreased 8.9% to $4.6 million for the 2000 Quarter compared to $5.0 million for the 1999 Quarter. The decrease of $0.4 million was the result of lower coal export brokerage volumes. See "Coal sales" above concerning the decrease in coal export brokerage volumes. General and administrative. General and administrative expenses were comparable for the 2000 Quarter and the 1999 Quarter at $3.6 million. Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were comparable for the 2000 Quarter and the 1999 Quarter at $9.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively. Interest expense. Interest expense was $4.2 million for the 2000 Quarter compared to $1.6 million for the 1999 Quarter. The increase reflects the interest on the $180 million principal amount of 8.31% senior notes and $50 million of borrowings on the term loan facility in connection with the IPO and concurrent transactions occurring on August 20, 1999. See "Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements - - Note 1. Organization and Presentation." Unusual items. The Partnership arbitrated its dispute with Seminole with respect to Seminole's termination of a long-term contract for the transloading of coal from rail to barge through the Partnership's terminal in Indiana. The final resolution between the parties, reached in conjunction with the arbitrator's decision rendered during the third quarter, includes both future cash payments and amendments to an existing coal supply contract. The Partnership recorded income of $12.2 million, which is net of litigation expenses and cost relating to the impairment of certain transloading facility assets. Additionally, the Partnership recorded an expense of $2.7 million related to other litigation matters. The net effect of these unusual items is $9.5 million. See "Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements -- Note 2. Contingencies." Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes increased 69.4% to $11.6 million for the 2000 Quarter compared with $6.8 million for the 1999 Quarter. The increase of $4.8 million is primarily attributable to the unusual items recorded during the 2000 Quarter, see "Unusual items" described above, which was offset by increased operating expenses as a result of prolonged adverse mining conditions -9- 13 encountered at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine resulting in increased operating expense from a sandstone intrusion and additional interest expense associated with the debt incurred concurrent with the closing of the IPO. Income tax expense. The Partnership's earnings or loss for federal income taxes purposes will be included in the tax returns of the individual partners. Accordingly, no recognition is given to income taxes in the accompanying financial statements of the Partnership. The Predecessor is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of ARH. Federal and state income taxes are calculated as if the Predecessor had filed its return on a separate company basis utilizing an effective income tax rate of 31%. EBITDA (income from operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization) increased 39.9% to $25.4 million for the 2000 Quarter compared with $18.2 million for the 1999 Quarter. The $7.2 million increase is primarily attributable to the unusual items recorded during the 2000 Quarter, see "Unusual items" described above, which was partially offset by increased operating expenses as a result of prolonged adverse mining conditions encountered at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income before income taxes, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA has not been adjusted for unusual items. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow and does not represent the measure of cash available for distribution, but provides additional information for evaluating the Partnership's ability to make minimum quarterly distributions. The Partnership's method of computing EBITDA also may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other companies, or EBITDA may be computed differently by the Partnership in different contexts (i.e., public reporting versus computation under financing agreements). Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 Coal sales. Coal sales were comparable for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 (the "2000 Period") and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 (the "1999 Period") at $261.2 million and $261.0 million, respectively. The Partnership has experienced higher sales volumes in the Illinois Basin operations and at the restructured Pontiki/Excel operation, which were directly offset by planned reduced participation in low margin, coal export brokerage markets. The brokerage business is not expected to be material in the future. Tons sold remained consistent at 11.3 million for the 2000 and 1999 Periods. Tons produced decreased 3.2% to 10.3 million for the 2000 Period from 10.6 million in the 1999 Period. Other sales and operating revenues. Other sales and operating revenues increased to $1.2 million for the 2000 Period from $0.7 million for the 1999 Period. The increase of $0.5 million results from the introduction of a third party coal synfuel production facility at the Partnership's Hopkins County Coal, LLC ("Hopkins") operation. Hopkins provides the coal feedstock and receives various fees for operating the third party's coal synfuel facility and providing other services. Alliance Coal, LLC assists the third party with marketing the coal synfuel and receives a fee for such services. The synfuel agreements continue through December 2000 and commitments have been made to extend the agreements through February 2001 with current negotiations underway to continue the synfuel arrangements beyond this date. In late October, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued Rev. Proc. 2000-47, suspending issuance of private letter rulings for most coal synfuel plants while a review is conducted concerning whether current tax rules adequately address the evolving synfuel industry. The IRS has requested public comment on Rev. Proc. 2000-47 by November 27, 2000. The IRS has indicated it will provide substantial guidance in the form of a general revenue ruling or a tax regulation to address tax credits granted under Section 29 of -10- 14 the Internal Revenue Code. Until such guidance is received from the IRS, we cannot give any assurance that future benefits will be received from the coal synfuel production facility. Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 5.5% to $192.6 million for the 2000 Period from $182.5 million for the 1999 Period. The increase of $10.1 million was a result of increased production volumes at the Partnership's restructured Pontiki/Excel operation and prolonged adverse mining conditions at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine resulting in increased operating expenses, which were partially offset by cost savings as a result of suspended production at one of the Partnership's surface mines at the Hopkins operation. Outside purchases. Outside purchases declined 41.2% to $11.9 million for the 2000 Period from $20.2 million for the 1999 Period. The decrease of $8.3 million was the result of lower coal export brokerage volumes. See "Coal sales" above concerning the decrease in coal export brokerage volumes. General and administrative. General and administrative expenses were comparable for the 2000 Period and the 1999 Period at $10.8 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense were comparable for the 2000 Period and the 1999 Period at $28.8 million and $29.1 million, respectively. Interest expense. Interest expense was $12.5 million for the 2000 Period compared to $1.7 million for the 1999 Period. The increase reflects the interest on the $180 million principal amount of 8.31% senior notes and $50 million of borrowings on the term loan facility in connection with the IPO and concurrent transactions occurring on August 20, 1999. See "Part I., Item 1. Financial statements -- Note 1. Organization and Presentation." Unusual items. The Partnership arbitrated its dispute with Seminole with respect to Seminole's termination of a long-term contract for the transloading of coal from rail to barge through the Partnership's terminal in Indiana. The final resolution between the parties, reached in conjunction with the arbitrator's decision rendered during the third quarter, included both future cash payments and amendments to an existing coal supply contract. The Partnership recorded income of $12.2 million, which is net of litigation expenses and cost relating to the impairment of certain transloading facility assets. Additionally, the Partnership recorded an expense of $2.7 million related to other litigation matters. The net effect of these unusual items is $9.5 million. See "Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements -- Note 2. Contingencies." Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes was $16.0 million for the 2000 Period compared to $18.2 million for the 1999 Period. The decrease of $2.2 million was primarily attributable to increased operating expenses as a result of prolonged adverse mining conditions encountered at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine resulting in increased operating expense from a sandstone intrusion and additional interest expense associated with the debt incurred concurrent with the closing of the IPO offset by unusual items recorded during the 2000 Quarter. See "Unusual items" described above. Income tax expense. The Partnership's earnings or loss for federal income taxes purposes will be included in the tax returns of the individual partners. Accordingly, no recognition is given to income taxes in the accompanying financial statements of the Partnership. The Predecessor is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of ARH. Federal and state income taxes are calculated as if the Predecessor had filed its return on a separate company basis utilizing an effective income tax rate of 31%. EBITDA (income from operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and depletion and amortization) increased 17.0% to $57.4 million for the 2000 Period compared with $49.0 -11- 15 million for the 1999 Period. The $8.4 million increase is primarily attributable to the unusual items recorded during the 2000 Period, see "Unusual items" described above and the increased production and sales volumes at the Partnership's restructured Pontiki/Excel operation, which was partially offset by increased operating expenses as a result of adverse mining conditions at the Partnership's Mettiki longwall mine. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income before income taxes, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA has not been adjusted for unusual items. EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flow and does not represent the measure of cash available for distribution, but provides additional information for evaluating the Partnership's ability to make minimum quarterly distributions. The Partnership's method of computing EBITDA also may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other companies, or EBITDA may be computed differently by the Partnership in different contexts (i.e., public reporting versus computation under financing agreements). LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Cash Flows Cash flows provided by operating activities was $39.8 million in the 2000 Period compared to $3.4 million in the 1999 Period. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities is principally attributable to the Special GP retaining approximately $37.9 million of trade receivables in conjunction with the IPO and concurrent transactions that occurred on August 20, 1999. Net cash used in investing activities was $20.0 million for the 2000 Period compared to $58.4 million in the 1999 Period. The decrease is principally attributable to the purchase of U.S. Treasuries in conjunction with the IPO and concurrent transactions that occurred on August 20, 1999. Net cash used in financing activities was $23.6 million for the 2000 Period compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $59.2 million in the 1999 Period. The decrease was the result of three minimum quarterly distributions paid in the 2000 Period of $0.50 per unit on its Common and Subordinated Units outstanding totaling approximately $23.6 million and the net cash provided by the IPO and concurrent transactions that occurred on August 20, 1999. Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures decreased to $27.2 million in the 2000 Period compared to $32.9 million in the 1999 Period. The decrease is primarily attributable to a coal reserve acquisition in the 1999 Period. The Partnership's new Gibson County mining complex currently under development remains on schedule and budget and should commence production in November. The Partnership has approved an extension of its existing Pattiki mine into adjacent coal reserves. The extension will involve capital expenditures of approximately $30.0 million during the 2000-2003 period and is expected to allow the Pattiki mine to continue its existing productive level for the next 15 years. Notes Offering and Credit Facility Concurrently with the closing of the IPO, the Special GP issued and the Intermediate Partnership assumed the obligations with respect to $180 million principal amount of 8.31% senior notes due August 20, 2014. The Special GP also entered into, and the Intermediate Partnership assumed the obligations -12- 16 under, a $100 million credit facility. The credit facility consists of three tranches, including a $50 million term loan facility, a $25 million working capital facility and a $25 million revolving credit facility. The Partnership has borrowings outstanding of $50 million under the term loan facility and no borrowings outstanding under either the working capital facility or the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2000. The weighted average interest rate on the term loan facility at September 30, 2000, was 7.99%. The credit facility expires August 2004. The senior notes and credit facility are guaranteed by Alliance Coal, LLC and all of it subsidiaries. In addition, the credit facility is secured further by a pledge of treasury securities, which, upon written notice, are released for purposes of financing qualifying capital expenditures of the Intermediate Partnership or its subsidiaries. The senior notes and credit facility contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants, including the amount of distributions by the Intermediate Partnership and the incurrence of other debt. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). The Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. During June 2000, FASB issued SFAS No. 138, which amends certain provisions of SFAS No. 133. The Partnership does not believe that adoption of SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 138 effective January 1, 2001, will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Almost all of the Partnership's and the Predecessor's transactions are denominated in U. S. dollars, and as a result, they do not have material exposure to currency exchange-rate risks. The Predecessor did not, and the Partnership does not, engage in any interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate or commodity price-hedging transactions. The Intermediate Partnership assumed obligations under a $100 million credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility are at variable rates and, as a result, the Partnership has interest rate exposure. As of September 30, 2000, there were no significant changes in the Partnership's quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as set forth in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. -13- 17 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Partnership's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Partnership. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "forecast," "project," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the Partnership's current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions including but not limited to: o the Partnership's dependence on significant customer contracts and the terms of those contracts, including renewing customer contracts upon expiration and the price of coal sold under new customer contracts; o the Partnership's productivity levels and margins that it earns from the sale of coal; o the effects of any unanticipated increases in labor costs, adverse changes in work rules or unexpected cash payments associated with post-mine reclamation, workers' compensation claims, and environmental litigation or cleanup; o the risk of major mine-related accidents or interruptions; and o the effects of any adverse change in the domestic coal industry, electric utility industry, or general economic conditions. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this Form 10-Q. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Partnership does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. -14- 18 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The information under "General Litigation" in Note 2 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements herein is hereby incorporated by reference. See also "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 1999. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS None. ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None. ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION None. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: Exhibit No. Description 27.1 -- Financial Data Schedule. (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None -15- 19 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 thereunto duly authorized, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 10, 2000. ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P. By: Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC its managing general partner /s/ Michael L. Greenwood -------------------------------- Michael L. Greenwood Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) -16- 20 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 27.1 -- Financial Data Schedule.