Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $32 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA of $141 million for Q3 2025 [15] - Free cash flow generation was $39 million, with operating cash flow impacted by negative working capital changes of $52 million [15][16] - Total liquidity at the end of Q3 was $995 million, an increase of $47 million compared to Q2 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - High-CV thermal segment coal production was 7.6 million tons in Q3 2025, down from 8 million tons in Q2 2025, with realized coal revenue of $59.78 per ton and cash cost of $40.53 per ton [5] - Metallurgical segment coal production was 2.3 million tons, down from 2.4 million tons in Q2 2025, with realized coke and coal revenue of $112.94 per ton and cash costs of $94.18 per ton [6] - Powder River Basin (PRB) segment coal production increased to 12.9 million tons, with realized coal revenue of $14.09 per ton and cash cost of $13.04 per ton [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. power demand remained robust, with coal-fired generation increasing by approximately 12% year-to-date [17] - The PJM RTO market saw a 16% increase in coal-fired generation year-to-date [17] - Internationally, cement demand in India is expected to grow approximately 50% by 2030 compared to 2024 levels [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on the recovery and repositioning of long-haul equipment at the Lyr-South mine and exploring the presence of rare earth elements and critical minerals in its operations [4][10] - A measured approach to shareholder returns is being maintained, targeting around 75% of free cash flow for share buybacks and dividends [9] - The company aims to fill out its sales book for 2026 and beyond, having layered in nearly 26 million tons of forward contracts [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in overcoming operational challenges and highlighted the potential for improved productivity at the West Elk mine due to transitioning to a thicker coal seam [13] - The company anticipates a performance step change in 2026 due to low-cost asset base and advanced logistics network [13] - Management remains optimistic about the long-term fundamentals of the metallurgical segment despite current pressures on global steel prices [19] Other Important Information - The company returned over 60% of Q3 2025 free cash flow to shareholders, deploying $19 million for share repurchases and $5 million for dividends [9] - The board declared a $0.10 per share dividend payable on December 15th to stockholders of record on November 28th [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on West Elk mine and methane levels - Management confirmed that methane issues have been managed and production is expected to resume soon, with confidence in the future performance of the West Elk mine [29][30] Question: Breakdown of high CV coal for 2026 - The company has 17 million tons of committed high CV coal for 2026, with 14 million tons from PAMC and 3 million tons from West Elk, pricing in the upper 50s [31][32] Question: Insurance proceeds and business interruption claims - Management indicated that total costs related to fire and idling are approaching $100 million, with optimism about the overall insurance claim [37] Question: Confidence in maintaining low costs at PAMC - Management expressed confidence in maintaining low costs at PAMC and improving costs at West Elk as operations stabilize [42][44] Question: Rare earth elements and government involvement - The company is evaluating the potential for recovering rare earth elements and critical minerals, leveraging its scale and existing operations [54][56] Question: Domestic thermal market capacity factors - Management noted that domestic coal-fired generation could increase by 20-30%, driven by investments in coal fleet and data center demand [59][60]

Financial Performance - Core reported net income of $31.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA of $141.2 million in Q3 2025, which included $18.4 million of fire extinguishment and idle mine cash costs at Leer South and a $19.4 million initial recovery of insurance proceeds related to the Leer South combustion-related event[6] - The company generated net cash provided by operating activities of $87.9 million and free cash flow of $38.9 million[6] - Core increased cash and cash equivalents by $31.5 million and overall liquidity by $47.5 million[6] Capital Return Program - Core returned $24.6 million to stockholders via share repurchases and quarterly dividends in Q3 2025, increasing the year-to-date capital return total to $218.3 million[6] - Since February 20, 2025, Core has reduced shares outstanding by approximately 5.2%[19] - As of September 30, 2025, Core had $797.4 million of remaining authorization under its existing $1.0 billion share repurchase program[22] Operational Highlights - The company achieved a strong production and sales volume performance at the Pennsylvania Mining Complex[6] - Core transitioned to a more advantageous reserve area at the West Elk mine[6] - The company raised PRB volume guidance again, taking advantage of improving domestic coal generation[6] - Core signed commitments across all segments and all periods totaling nearly 26 million tons[6] - In 2024, the company's sales volume was 85 million tons and revenue was $4.6 billion[7] Market Position and Strategy - The company has a 35% interest in Dominion Terminal Associates ("DTA")[13] - The company has 27 Mtpa export capacity via ownership interests in two marine terminals[13] - The high calorific value thermal segment has a committed book of ~17 million tons and the Powder River Basin segment has a committed book of business of ~40 million tons for delivery in 2026[28]