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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies
NOTE 1—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
On January 14, 2025, CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation, completed its previously announced all-stock merger of equals transaction (the “Merger”) with Arch Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Arch”), pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 20, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among CONSOL Energy Inc., Mountain Range Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Arch. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Arch, with Arch continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Additionally, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company was renamed “Core Natural Resources, Inc.”
The information set forth herein does not include the results of operations or cash flows of Arch prior to January 14, 2025. Accordingly, unless otherwise specifically noted, references herein to “Core Natural Resources,” “Core,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “our Company” and “the Company” refer only to Core and its subsidiaries and do not include Arch and its subsidiaries prior to the Merger. See Note 2—Merger with Arch for further discussion of the unaudited pro forma information.
A summary of the significant accounting policies of the Company is presented below. These, together with the other notes that follow, are an integral part of these financial statements.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and they include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Upon closing of the Merger with Arch (see Note 2 - Merger with Arch), the Company acquired a 35% interest in the Dominion Terminal, a ground storage-to-vessel coal transloading facility in Newport News, Virginia operated by DTA. The Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over DTA and accordingly, the investment in DTA is accounted for under the equity method.
All dollar amounts discussed in these Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share amounts, and unless otherwise indicated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as various disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit at banking institutions as well as all highly liquid short-term securities with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral, which supports the Company’s surety bond portfolio and letters of credit issued under the Company’s accounts receivable securitization program. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $168,988 in restricted cash. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $39,302 in restricted cash. These restricted cash balances are included in Other Current Assets and Funds for Asset Retirement Obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount. Credit is extended based on the Company’s assessment of several factors, including, but not limited to, a customer’s financial condition and ability to perform its obligations. See Note 7—Credit Losses for additional information regarding the Company’s measurement of expected credit losses. There were no material financing receivables with a contractual maturity greater than one year at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the Company’s coal operations.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost upon acquisition. Expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are capitalized. Interest costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the construction period. Costs of additional mine facilities required to maintain production after a mine reaches the production stage, generally referred to as “receding face costs,” are expensed as incurred; however, the costs of additional airshafts and new portals are capitalized. Planned major maintenance costs that do not extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are expensed as incurred.
Coal exploration costs are expensed as incurred. Coal exploration costs include those incurred to ascertain existence, location, extent or quality of ore or minerals before beginning the development stage of the mine. Costs of developing new underground mines and certain underground expansion projects are capitalized. Underground development costs, which are costs incurred to make the mineral physically accessible, include costs to prepare property for shafts, driving main entries for ventilation, haulage, personnel, construction of airshafts, roof protection and other facilities.
Airshafts and capitalized mine development associated with a coal reserve are amortized on a units-of-production basis as the coal is produced so that each ton of coal is assigned a portion of the unamortized costs. The Company employs this method to match costs with the related revenues realized in a particular period. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when information becomes available that indicates a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once a year. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs. Amortization of development costs begins when the development phase is complete and the production phase begins. At an underground mine, the end of the development phase and the beginning of the production phase takes place when construction of the mine for economic extraction is substantially complete. Coal extracted during the development phase is incidental to the mine’s production capacity and is not considered to shift the mine into the production phase.
Coal reserves are either owned in fee or controlled by lease. The durations of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests. Depletion of leased coal interests is computed using the units-of-production method over recoverable coal reserves. The Company also makes advance payments, or advance mining royalties, to lessors under certain lease agreements that are recoupable against future production, and it makes payments that are generally based upon a specified rate per ton or a percentage of gross realization from the sale of the coal. The Company evaluates its properties, including advance mining royalties and leased coal interests, for impairment indicators whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Costs to obtain coal lands are capitalized based on the cost at acquisition and are amortized using the units-of-production method over all estimated recoverable reserve tons assigned and accessible to the mine. Recoverable coal reserves are estimated on a clean coal ton equivalent, which excludes nonrecoverable coal reserves and anticipated preparation plant processing refuse. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when events and circumstances indicate a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once a year. Amortization of coal interests begins when the coal reserve is produced. At an underground mine, a ton is considered produced once it reaches the surface area of the mine. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs.
When properties are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on disposition is recognized in Other Operating Income and Expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.
Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease terms, generally as follows:
Years
Buildings and improvements
10 to 45
Machinery and equipment
3 to 25
Leasehold improvementsLife of Lease
Capitalization of Interest
Interest costs associated with the development of significant properties and projects are capitalized until the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. A weighted average cost of borrowing rate is used. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, capitalized interest totaled $5,564, $6,106 and $3,981, respectively.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets or asset groups is recorded when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the respective assets’ or asset groups’ carrying value. The carrying value of the assets is then reduced to its estimated fair value, which is usually measured based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows. There were no indicators of impairment and, therefore, no impairment losses were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and utilizes the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. The provision for income taxes represents amounts paid or estimated to be payable, net of amounts refunded or estimated to be refunded, for the current year and the change in deferred taxes, exclusive of amounts recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Any refinements to prior years’ provisions made due to subsequent information are reflected as adjustments in the current period.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of such temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement. The recognition threshold requires the Company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position in order to record any financial statement benefit. If it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained, then the Company must measure the tax position to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
Postretirement benefit obligations established by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the “Coal Act”) are treated as a multi-employer plan, which requires expense to be recorded for the associated obligations as payments are made. For postretirement benefits other than pensions, except for those established pursuant to the Coal Act, the Company accrues the cost of such retirement benefits for the employees’ active service periods. Such liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis, and the Company administers these liabilities through a combination of self-insured and fully-insured agreements. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Pneumoconiosis Benefits and Workers’ Compensation
The Company is required by federal and state statutes to provide benefits to certain current and former totally disabled employees or their dependents for awards related to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. The Company is also required by various state statutes to provide workers’ compensation benefits for employees who sustain employment-related physical injuries or some types of occupational disease. Workers’ compensation benefits include compensation for
disability, medical costs and, on some occasions, the cost of rehabilitation. The Company is primarily self-insured for these benefits. The Company estimates provisions related to these benefits on an actuarial basis.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company recognizes the fair values of asset retirement obligations for mine closing costs and costs associated with dismantling and removing degasification facilities in the periods in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. For active locations, the present value of the estimated asset retirement obligation is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. For locations that have been fully depleted or closed, the present value of the change is recorded directly to earnings. Generally, the capitalized asset retirement obligation is depreciated on a units-of-production basis. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation is recognized over time and until the reclamation obligations are satisfied. Accretion is included in Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the closure of mines, which includes treatment of water and the reclamation of land upon exhaustion of coal reserves. Accrued mine closing costs, perpetual water treatment costs, reclamation and costs associated with dismantling and removing degasification facilities are regularly reviewed by management and are revised for changes in future estimated costs and regulatory requirements, in each case if and as applicable.
Subsidence
Subsidence occurs when there is sinking or shifting of the ground surface due to the removal of underlying coal. Areas affected may include, but are not limited to, streams, property, roads, pipelines and other land and surface structures. Total estimated subsidence-related obligations are recognized in the period when the related coal has been extracted and are included in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On occasion, the Company may elect to prepay for estimated damages prior to undermining the property in return for a release of liability. Prepayments are included as assets and are either recognized in Other Current Assets or Other Noncurrent Assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets if the payment is made less than or greater than one year, respectively, prior to undermining the property.
Retirement Plans
The Company has non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay. The costs of these retiree benefits are recognized over the employees’ service periods. In 2015, the Company’s qualified defined benefit retirement plan was frozen. The Company uses actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of expense. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations and plan assets are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Stock-Based Compensation
Eligible Company employees participate in equity-based compensation plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards based on the estimated fair value at the grant date. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the award’s vesting term. See Note 18—Stock-Based Compensation for additional information.
Revenue Recognition
Coal revenue is recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied and the corresponding transaction price has been determined. Generally, title passes when coal is loaded at the coal preparation facilities, at terminal locations or other customer destinations. The Company’s coal contract revenue per ton is fixed or determinable based upon either fixed forward pricing or pricing derived from established indices and adjusted for nominal quality characteristics. Some coal contracts also contain positive electric power price-related adjustments, which represent market-driven price adjustments, in addition to a fixed base price per ton. The Company’s coal contracts generally do not allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed and do not have significant financing components. See Note 3—Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information.
Contingencies
The Company is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. Liabilities are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably
estimated. Estimates are developed through consultation with legal counsel involved in the defense of these matters and are based upon the nature of the lawsuit, progress of the case in court, view of legal counsel, prior experience in similar matters and management’s intended response. Environmental liabilities are not discounted or reduced by possible recoveries from third-parties. Legal fees associated with defending these various lawsuits and claims are expensed when incurred.
(Loss) Earnings per Share
Basic (loss) earnings per share are computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share are computed similarly to basic (loss) earnings per share, except that the weighted-average number of shares outstanding is increased to include additional shares from restricted stock units and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities, as applicable, were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period.
The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units105,182 797 1,146 
Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units83,809 — — 
188,991 797 1,146 
The computations for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
Numerator:
Net (Loss) Income$(153,216)$286,405 $655,892 
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding51,386,84129,683,00232,941,654
Effect of dilutive shares — 124,366200,353 
Weighted-average diluted shares of common stock outstanding51,386,841 29,807,36833,142,007
(Loss) Earnings per Share:
Basic$(2.98)$9.65 $19.91 
Diluted$(2.98)$9.61 $19.79 
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had 500,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, none of which were issued or outstanding.
Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
Balance, Beginning of Year29,407,83029,910,43934,746,904
Retirement Related to Stock Repurchase (a)
(3,088,520)(747,351)(5,224,016)
Issuance Related to Merger with Arch (b)
24,339,073— — 
Issuance Related to Stock-Based Compensation (c)
316,802244,742387,551
Balance, End of Year50,975,18529,407,83029,910,439
(a) See Note 4—Stock and Debt Repurchases for additional information.
(b) See Note 2—Merger with Arch for additional information.
(c) See Note 18—Stock-Based Compensation for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03 Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40). The amendments in this update improve the disclosures about a public business entity’s expenses and address requests from investors for more detailed information about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions. The amendments in this update require that public business entities, at each interim period and on an annual basis: (1) disclose the amounts of (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation, (d) intangible asset amortization and (e) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities (or other amounts of depletion expense) included in each relevant expense caption; (2) include certain amounts that are already required to be disclosed under current generally accepted accounting principles; (3) disclose a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively; and (4) disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. These amendments may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance but, with the exception of the increased disclosures summarized above, does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the report classifications of the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported total net income (loss), assets, stockholders’ equity or cash flows from operating activities, nor do they affect key metrics used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to evaluate performance.