8.INCOME TAXES

	For The Three Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2016			2015
	(Amounts in thousands, except rate)

Income tax expense	$	7,188		$	59,177
Effective tax rate	21.1		%	415.7		%

The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, is primarily due to the prior year discrete tax impacts attributable to the Company’s Andacollo transaction and liquidation of our Chilean subsidiary.