Core Viewpoint - Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NRP) reported a decline in net income and revenues for Q3 2025, reflecting challenges in the coal and soda ash markets, while maintaining a focus on deleveraging and free cash flow generation [2][12][14]. Financial Performance - NRP's net income for Q3 2025 was $30.9 million, down 20% from $38.6 million a year earlier [2] - Total revenues fell 17% to $49.9 million from $60.3 million in the prior-year quarter [2] - Basic earnings per common unit decreased to $2.31 from $2.55 [2] - Operating cash flow was $41.1 million compared to $54.1 million in Q3 2024 [2] - Free cash flow decreased 24% year over year to $41.8 million from $54.8 million [2] Segment Performance - **Mineral Rights Segment**: Net income rose slightly to $40.9 million from $40.6 million, but operating and free cash flows decreased due to lower metallurgical coal sales prices and volumes [3] - **Coal Royalty Revenues**: Dropped approximately 9% to $34.2 million, with average royalty revenue per ton declining to $4.51 from $5.24, attributed to weak global steel demand and low natural gas prices [4] - **Soda Ash Segment**: Net income fell by $10.5 million due to lower international sales prices, with no distributions received from the joint venture Sisecam Wyoming LLC in Q3 [5][6] Management Commentary - Management highlighted the ongoing depressed market conditions for coal, soda ash, and carbon-neutral ventures, yet emphasized the generation of substantial free cash flow [8] - The global soda ash market is described as oversupplied, with prices at or below production costs for many operators [6] - The company is focused on maintaining a conservative capital management approach and has made significant progress in deleveraging [11] Guidance & Outlook - NRP anticipates continued weakness in coal and soda ash markets through 2026 but expects to remain free cash flow positive [14] - The long-term goal is to achieve a "fortress balance sheet" with no permanent debt and at least $30 million in cash reserves [15] Other Developments - NRP maintained its quarterly cash distribution of 75 cents per common unit, payable on November 25, 2025 [16] - The company is diversifying by leasing acreage for lithium production in the Smackover formation, indicating a shift beyond its traditional coal and soda ash businesses [17]

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]

Business Overview - Alpha sold 171 million tons of coal in 2024, with 76% for export and 24% for domestic markets[11] - Adjusted EBITDA in 2024 was $408 million[11] - The company has a diverse sales mix, including 37% High Vol-A, 31% High Vol-B, 19% Mid Vol, and 13% Low Vol[11] Production and Reserves - Total production in 2024 was 157 million tons, and total reserves as of year-end 2024 were 299 million tons[18] - Marfork complex accounted for 31% of total reserves, while McClure / Toms Creek accounted for 22%[18] Financial Performance - In 2024, the average realized price was $143 per ton[61] - Free cash flow in 2024 was $349 million[62] Capital Expenditures - Planned capital expenditures for 2025 are approximately $140 million, including $98 million for maintenance, $32 million for development projects, and $10 million carryover[64] Safety and Environment - The company has a ~24% lower Total Reportable Incident Rate vs Industry Avg[16] - The company has a ~50% Lower Non-Fatal Days Lost vs Industry Avg[16] Market Outlook - Global finished steel demand is expected to grow by ~40Mt or ~26% from 2029E to 2034E[27]

Group 1 - The company primarily invests in turnarounds within the natural resource industries, with a typical holding period of 2-4 years, focusing on value for downside protection and upside participation [1] - The portfolio has achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 34% over the last 7 years, indicating strong performance [1] - Warrior Met Coal (HCC) is a U.S. metallurgical coal mining company with two operating mines and a development project, Blue Creek, which is ahead of schedule, starting longwall mining in October 2025 [2] Group 2 - The investment strategy emphasizes companies with quality characteristics that are trading at depressed valuations, allowing for participation in the upside of natural resource investing while mitigating extreme drawdowns [2]

Group 1 - The company primarily invests in turnarounds within the natural resource industries, with a typical holding period of 2-4 years, focusing on value for downside protection and upside participation [1] - The portfolio has achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 34% over the last 7 years, indicating strong performance [1] - Warrior Met Coal (HCC) is a U.S. metallurgical coal mining company with two operating mines and a development project, Blue Creek, which is ahead of schedule, starting longwall mining in October 2025 [2] Group 2 - The investment strategy emphasizes companies with quality characteristics that are trading at depressed valuations, allowing for participation in the upside of natural resource investing while mitigating extreme drawdowns [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company generated $31 million of net income, $41 million of operating cash flow, and $42 million of free cash flow [12] - Over the last 12 months, free cash flow totaled $190 million, indicating strong cash generation despite market challenges [4] - The company has retired nearly $130 million of debt over the past 12 months, with only $70 million remaining as of the end of the quarter [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mineral rights segment generated $41 million of net income, with operating and free cash flow each decreasing by $9 million compared to the prior year due to weaker metallurgical coal markets [12] - The soda ash segment saw a net income decrease of $11 million, with operating and free cash flow each down by $6 million, primarily due to lower international sales prices and weakened demand [13] - The corporate and financing segment improved net income by $3 million, with operating cash flow and free cash flow each improving by $2 million due to reduced debt and lower interest costs [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Metallurgical coal markets are facing challenges from slowing global growth and soft steel demand, while thermal coal markets are struggling with muted demand due to mild weather and competition from natural gas [4][5] - The soda ash market remains oversupplied, with international prices below cash production costs for most producers, indicating a generational bear market [6][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to manage its operations with a conservative approach, focusing on maintaining a robust free cash flow and improving its capital structure [6][10] - There is an emphasis on long-term sustainability in the soda ash market, with expectations that producers will eventually rationalize supply [7] - The company aims to increase unit holder distributions in the future, contingent on market conditions improving [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the significant headwinds in coal and soda ash markets, with no near-term catalysts for improvement [9][10] - The company believes that most coal operators are struggling to make profits, with many operating at razor-thin margins [5] - The outlook for thermal coal remains cautious, with a belief that North American thermal coal is in long-term secular decline until evidence suggests otherwise [5] Other Important Information - The company did not receive a distribution from Shishajam, Wyoming, in Q3 2025, and does not expect distributions to resume until market conditions improve [8][13] - The carbon-neutral industry continues to face challenges, with significant barriers to CO2 sequestration operations [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about lithium mining leasing in the Smackover region - The company is active in leasing acreage for lithium production in the Smackover formation, with varied activity levels over the years [16][17] Question: Clarification on operating and maintenance expenses - Operating and maintenance expenses include salaries, corporate costs, property taxes, and royalty expenses, with a focus on cost management [19][20][21] Question: Opportunities in natural gas production - The majority of the company's mineral rights are in the Haynesville basin, which is currently active, but oil and gas revenues are not material to the partnership [28] Question: Criteria for unit repurchases - The company aims for a "fortress balance sheet" before considering unit repurchases, prioritizing unit holder distributions and opportunistic acquisitions [34][35] Question: Thermal coal infrastructure capacity for increased demand - Increased power demand from data centers may require significant capital investment in thermal coal infrastructure, but specifics are uncertain [40]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record liquidity of $272 million at the end of Q3 2025, a 237% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [30] - Q3 adjusted EBITDA was $8.4 million, down from $9 million in Q2, while the net loss for Q3 was $13 million compared to a loss of $14 million in Q2 [32] - Cash cost per ton sold fell to $97, down $6 from the second quarter, placing the company in the first quartile of the U.S. cash cost curve [30][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The metallurgical coal production fell to 945,000 tons in Q3, down from approximately 1.1 million tons in Q2, primarily due to a disciplined approach to spot sales [31][32] - The company trimmed its production guidance for 2025 to 3.7 to 3.9 million tons, down from 3.9 million tons previously [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. metallurgical coal spot price indices fell by 6% in Q3 compared to Q2 and nearly 20% year-over-year, impacting earnings despite operational achievements [32][37] - The rare earth and critical minerals markets are experiencing a bifurcation between Chinese and Western pricing, with significant price increases observed for scandium [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to establish a vertically integrated platform for critical minerals, including upstream, midstream, and downstream operations [4][6] - Plans include increasing the base size of the Brook Mine to approximately 5 million tons, which could generate over $500 million of EBITDA in the first year of commercial oxide production [7][36] - The establishment of a Strategic Critical Minerals Terminal at the Brook Mine is intended to create a fee-based terminal services business, enhancing supply chain resilience [19][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the ongoing challenges in the metallurgical coal market due to oversupply from China, which has depressed prices and production [20][37] - The company is optimistic about the future of its rare earth operations, especially given the increasing demand for scandium and other critical minerals [10][39] Other Important Information - The company has engaged with federal and state officials to expand the existing approved Brook Mine permit, which currently covers approximately 4,500 acres [11] - The pilot plant for rare earth processing is under construction, with initial operations expected to begin in 2026 [14][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide your viewpoint on the deals with the United States and how that impacts support from the government? - Management indicated that while the U.S. is making deals with foreign countries, the implications for domestic supply remain uncertain, but the government is supportive of domestic industry [50][51] Question: What has been done to de-risk the extraction of rare earth elements from coal? - The company has focused on testing various processes to solubilize high-value critical minerals, with ongoing work on downstream purification and optimization [53][54] Question: How modular are the plans for the processing facilities? - The company is conducting test work in parallel and has some optionality with ramp-up, aiming to place equipment orders early to expedite the process [59][60] Question: What is the rationale behind the Strategic Critical Minerals Terminal? - The terminal will act as a regional hub for marketing rare earths, providing optionality for producers and visibility into the market without heavy CapEx requirements [68]

Ramaco Overview - Ramaco shipped metallurgical coal to steelmakers in over 20 countries[9] - Ramaco's 2024 sales volume was 40 million tons, with an adjusted EBITDA of $106 million[12] - As of October 27, 2025, Ramaco's market capitalization was $20 billion, with revenue of $666 million in 2024 and net cash of $77 million as of September 30, 2025[12] Brook Mine Expansion and Economics - The Brook Mine is projected to have a steady-state annual production of approximately 3,414 short tons of rare earths and critical minerals[13,56] - The revised total Capex requirement for Brook Mine is $1125 million, with an NPV (8%) of $51 billion and a 3-year payback period[21] - Brook Mine is projected to generate over $500 million in EBITDA by 2028, a 276% increase compared to the Fluor PEA[21] - At steady state, the Brook Mine is expected to generate $1038 million in revenue and $552 million in EBITDA, representing a 53% margin[56] Rare Earths and Critical Minerals Opportunity - Brook Mine is believed to be the only primary mine source of Gallium, Germanium, and Scandium in the world[10,14,39] - Approximately 40% of the total estimated REO production consists of primary magnetic REOs, gallium, germanium, and scandium, accounting for ~99% of annual revenue from the Brook Mine[40] - China holds dominant market shares in Gallium (>95%), Heavy Rare Earths (>90%), Light Rare Earths (85%), Scandium (>60%), and Germanium (65%)[25] Metallurgical Coal Business - Ramaco's cash costs of $100 per ton for YTD 2025 are among the lowest of its publicly traded peer group[16] - Ramaco's 2025 production guidance is between 37 million and 39 million tons[88]

Core Viewpoint - Ramaco Resources has seen a significant stock price increase of 283% year-to-date, driven by its strategic expansion into rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals following the discovery of substantial deposits at its Brook Mine in Wyoming [1][4]. Company Overview - Ramaco Resources has a market capitalization of $2.48 billion and focuses on the development, operation, and sale of metallurgical coal, emphasizing high-quality, low-cost production [2]. - The company operates several mining complexes across southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania, and is developing the Brook Mine in northeastern Wyoming, which spans approximately 16,000 acres [2]. - The Brook Mine is expected to produce REEs such as neodymium and praseodymium without generating radioactive waste, aligning with U.S. efforts to enhance critical mineral supply chains [2]. Market Context - The U.S.-China trade war has heightened the importance of rare earth minerals, which are essential for advanced technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines [5]. - As China tightens its control over REE exports, the U.S. government is prioritizing the development of secure domestic supply chains [5]. Analyst Coverage - Baird initiated coverage of Ramaco Resources with a "Buy" rating and a price target of $63, the highest on Wall Street, indicating strong potential for the company in the U.S. rare earth economy [3][6]. - Analyst Ben Kallo highlighted the Brook Mine project as a significant opportunity for Ramaco and the U.S. rare earth sector [8]. Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Ramaco reported a revenue decline of 1.5% year-over-year to $153 million, exceeding Wall Street estimates by $21.45 million [11]. - The company achieved an 18% year-over-year increase in tons sold, reaching over 1 million tons, driven by growth in both North American and export markets [11]. - The non-GAAP cash cost per ton sold was $103, positioning Ramaco within the first quartile of the U.S. cash cost curve [12]. Future Outlook - Ramaco's Brook Mine is fully permitted for an initial production capacity of 1,200 tons of REEs and 2 million tons of coal, with plans to increase output to 3,400 tons of REEs and 5 million tons of coal [8]. - Analysts expect the company to face a net loss of $0.97 per share in fiscal 2025, with full-year revenue projected to drop 12.72% year-over-year to $581.57 million, although investor focus remains on the Brook project [18].

Core Insights - Ramaco Resources has initiated mobilization and site development for a new pilot processing plant and laboratory in Wyoming, aimed at establishing a U.S.-based supply chain for rare earth elements and critical minerals [1][2][4] Group 1: Facility Development - The pilot facility will demonstrate the feasibility of converting domestic carbonaceous ore into high-purity individual rare earth oxides, crucial for U.S. magnet production and advanced technologies [2] - A $6.1 million matching grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority's Energy Matching Fund has been secured to support the pilot facility's development, part of a state initiative for energy innovation [3] - The facility will focus on processing rare earths and critical materials recently restricted from export by China, highlighting the importance of domestic production [4] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The Brook Mine deposit is geologically unique and enriched with rare earths, making it a promising source for rare earths in the U.S. [4] - The company aims to build a secure domestic supply of rare earths and critical minerals to maintain U.S. competitiveness in future technologies [5] Group 3: Company Background - Ramaco Resources operates in metallurgical coal and is developing rare earth and critical minerals in Wyoming, with four active coal mining complexes in Central Appalachia [7] - The company has discovered a major deposit of primary magnetic rare earths and critical minerals at its mine near Sheridan, Wyoming [7]