RECLAMATION

Reclamation and mine closure costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation costs for inactive properties. The Company uses assumptions about future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates, production levels, capital costs and reclamation costs. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions, and future expenditures could differ from current estimates.

Changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations (included in Reclamation) are as follows:



In thousands	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Asset retirement obligation - Beginning	$	57,454		$	34,456
Accretion	4,205			2,277
Additions and changes in estimates	—			19,542
Settlements	(470		)	(502		)
Asset retirement obligation - Ending	$	61,189		$	55,773

The Company has accrued $0.5 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for reclamation liabilities related to former mining activities. These amounts are also included in Reclamation.