e10vq
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from                                          to                     .
Commission file number: 333-107569-03
Arch Western Resources, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   43-1811130
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)
     
One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri   63141
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (314) 994-2700
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer þ   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
     At August 14, 2008, the registrant’s common equity consisted solely of undenominated membership interests, 99.5% of which were held by Arch Western Acquisition Corporation and 0.5% of which were held by a subsidiary of BP p.l.c.
 
 

 


 

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PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30     Six Months Ended June 30  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (unaudited)  
REVENUES
                               
Coal sales
  $ 459,953     $ 386,458     $ 897,162     $ 756,555  
 
COSTS, EXPENSES AND OTHER
                               
Cost of coal sales
    359,126       308,067       695,849       591,338  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    37,870       32,939       77,526       65,458  
Selling, general and administrative expenses allocated from Arch Coal
    9,333       6,786       16,890       12,938  
Other operating income, net
    (1,169 )     (7,063 )     (2,120 )     (7,986 )
 
                       
 
    405,160       340,729       788,145       661,748  
 
                       
 
                               
Income from operations
    54,793       45,729       109,017       94,807  
 
                               
Interest income, net:
                               
Interest expense
    (16,107 )     (18,078 )     (33,582 )     (35,699 )
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal, Inc.
    18,154       24,390       39,999       47,211  
 
                       
 
    2,047       6,312       6,417       11,512  
 
                               
Non-operating expense
          (1,270 )           (2,539 )
 
                       
 
Income before minority interest
    56,840       50,771       115,434       103,780  
Minority interest
    (2,027 )     (4,832 )     (5,753 )     (9,564 )
 
                       
Net income
  $ 54,813     $ 45,939     $ 109,681     $ 94,216  
 
                       
Net income attributable to redeemable membership interest
  $ 274     $ 230     $ 548     $ 471  
Net income attributable to non-redeemable membership interest
  $ 54,539     $ 45,709     $ 109,133     $ 93,745  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


 

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 206     $ 248  
Receivables
    1,871       3,559  
Inventories
    134,480       141,626  
Other
    21,471       27,128  
 
           
Total current assets
    158,028       172,561  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,316,700       1,225,993  
 
               
Other assets
               
Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.
    1,517,321       1,427,833  
Other
    25,279       25,800  
 
           
Total other assets
    1,542,600       1,453,633  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,017,328     $ 2,852,187  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
               
 
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 93,891     $ 82,254  
Accrued expenses
    129,016       128,754  
Commercial paper
    98,575       74,959  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    321,482       285,967  
Long-term debt
    956,831       957,514  
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension
    38,159       36,805  
Asset retirement obligations
    201,962       194,190  
Accrued workers’ compensation
    9,186       8,784  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    35,959       30,725  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,563,579       1,513,985  
 
           
 
               
Redeemable membership interest
    8,547       8,000  
 
               
Minority interest
    188,772       183,018  
Non-redeemable membership interest
    1,256,430       1,147,184  
 
           
Total liabilities and membership interests
  $ 3,017,328     $ 2,852,187  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30  
    2008     2007  
    (unaudited)  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Net income
  $ 109,681     $ 94,216  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    77,526       65,458  
Prepaid royalties expensed
    71       3,069  
Net gain on dispositions of property, plant and equipment
    (337 )     (6,074 )
Minority interest
    5,753       9,564  
Other non-operating expense
          2,539  
Changes in:
               
Receivables
    1,688       12,397  
Inventories
    7,146       (8,983 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    11,946       (16,022 )
Other
    17,752       15,866  
 
           
Cash provided by operating activities
    231,226       172,030  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Capital expenditures
    (171,380 )     (74,696 )
Increase in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.
    (86,119 )     (122,082 )
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment
    379       6,327  
Reimbursement of deposits on equipment
    2,455       18,325  
 
           
Cash used in investing activities
    (254,665 )     (172,126 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Net proceeds from commercial paper
    23,616        
Debt financing costs
    (219 )      
 
           
Cash provided by financing activities
    23,397        
 
           
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (42 )     (96 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    248       186  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 206     $ 90  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


 

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
     The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Arch Western Resources, LLC and its subsidiaries and controlled entities (the “Company”). Arch Coal, Inc. (“Arch Coal”) has a 99.5% common membership interest in the Company, while BP p.l.c. has a 0.5% common membership interest and a 0.5% preferred membership interest in the Company. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in Arch Western Resources, LLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Accounting Policies
     Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
     On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“Statement No. 157”). Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Statement No. 157 is effective prospectively for financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB deferred the effective date of Statement No. 157 for one year for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, which the Company will adopt effective January 1, 2009.
     On January 1, 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“Statement No. 159”) became effective. Statement No. 159 permits entities the choice to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value. The Company did not elect to measure any financial instruments or other items at fair value under Statement No. 159.
     Accounting Standards Issued and Not Yet Adopted
     In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“Statement No. 160”). Statement No. 160 requires that a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) in a consolidated subsidiary be displayed in the consolidated balance sheet as a separate component of equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the consolidated statement of income. Statement No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. Statement No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not allowed. The Company does not expect the adoption of Statement No. 160 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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3. Inventories
     Inventories consist of the following:
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
Coal
  $ 27,031     $ 42,942  
Repair parts and supplies, net of allowance
    107,449       98,684  
 
           
 
  $ 134,480     $ 141,626  
 
           
4. Property Transactions
     During the second quarter of 2007, the Company sold non-strategic reserves in the Powder River Basin and recognized a gain on the sale of $6.0 million, reflected in other operating income, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
5. Debt
     On April 11, 2008, the Company amended its commercial paper placement program and the related revolving credit facility to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding to $100.0 million from $75.0 million.   
6. Comprehensive Income
     Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income items under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, are transactions recorded in membership interests during the year, excluding net income and transactions with members.
     The following table details the components of comprehensive income:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30     Six Months Ended June 30  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
Net income
  $ 54,813     $ 45,939     $ 109,681     $ 94,216  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Net pension, postretirement and other post-employment benefits adjustments reclassified to income
    22       367       160       872  
Net losses on derivatives reclassified to income
          1,270             2,539  
 
                       
Total comprehensive income
  $ 54,835     $ 47,576     $ 109,841     $ 97,627  
 
                       
7. Related Party Transactions
     Transactions with Arch Coal may not be at arms length. If the transactions were negotiated with an unrelated party, the impact could be material to the Company’s results of operations.
     The Company’s cash transactions are managed by Arch Coal. Cash paid to or from the Company that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded in an Arch Coal receivable account. In addition, any amounts owed between the Company and Arch Coal are recorded in the account. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the receivable from Arch Coal was $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively. This amount earns interest from Arch Coal at the prime interest rate. Interest earned on the note was $18.1 million and $24.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $39.9 million and $46.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The receivable is payable on demand by the Company; however, it is currently management’s intention to not demand payment of the receivable within the next year. Therefore, the receivable is classified on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as noncurrent.
     On February 10, 2006, Arch Coal established an accounts receivable securitization program. Under the program,

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the Company sells its receivables to Arch Coal without recourse at a discount based on the prime rate and days sales outstanding. During the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company sold $430.8 million and $373.5 million, respectively, of trade accounts receivable to Arch Coal at a total discount of $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company sold $843.7 million and $750.7 million, respectively, of trade accounts receivable to Arch Coal at a total discount of $4.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively. These transactions are recorded through the Arch Coal receivable account.
     For each of the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred production royalties of $8.7 million payable to Arch Coal under sublease agreements. For each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred production royalties of $17.8 million payable to Arch Coal under sublease agreements.
     The Company is charged selling, general and administrative services fees by Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on behalf of the Company. Amounts allocated to the Company by Arch Coal were $9.3 million and $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $16.9 million and $12.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
8. Contingencies
     The Company is a party to numerous claims and lawsuits with respect to various matters. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. After conferring with counsel, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending claims will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
9. Segment Information
     The Company has two reportable business segments, which are based on the major low-sulfur coal basins in which the Company operates. Both of these reportable business segments include a number of mine complexes. The Company manages its coal sales by coal basin, not by individual mine complex. Geology, coal transportation routes to customers, regulatory environments and coal quality are generally consistent within a basin. Accordingly, market and contract pricing have developed by coal basin. Mine operations are evaluated based on their per-ton operating costs (defined as including all mining costs but excluding pass-through transportation expenses), as well as on other non-financial measures, such as safety and environmental performance. The Company’s reportable segments are the Powder River Basin (PRB) segment, with operations in Wyoming, and the Western Bituminous (WBIT) segment, with operations in Utah, Colorado and southern Wyoming.
     Operating segment results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are presented below. Results for the operating segments include all direct costs of mining. Corporate, Other and Eliminations includes corporate overhead, other support functions, and the elimination of intercompany transactions.

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                    Corporate,    
                    Other and    
    PRB   WBIT   Eliminations   Consolidated
Three months ended June 30, 2008
                               
Coal sales
  $ 268,568     $ 191,385     $     $ 459,953  
Income (loss) from operations
    20,262       44,642       (10,111 )     54,793  
Total assets
    1,763,537       2,032,949       (779,158 )     3,017,328  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    18,125       19,745             37,870  
Capital expenditures
    38,385       34,500             72,885  
 
                               
Three months ended June 30, 2007
                               
Coal sales
  $ 249,959     $ 136,499     $     $ 386,458  
Income from operations
    25,603       19,706       420       45,729  
Total assets
    1,637,555       1,887,258       (867,409 )     2,657,404  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    17,715       15,224             32,939  
Capital expenditures
    963       30,872             31,835  
 
                               
Six months ended June 30, 2008
                               
Coal sales
  $ 544,256     $ 352,906     $     $ 897,162  
Income (loss) from operations
    49,049       78,603       (18,635 )     109,017  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    36,348       41,178             77,526  
Capital expenditures
    76,562       94,818             171,380  
 
                               
Six months ended June 30, 2007
                               
Coal sales
  $ 489,416     $ 267,139     $     $ 756,555  
Income (loss) from operations
    55,852       45,608       (6,653 )     94,807  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    33,753       31,705             65,458  
Capital expenditures
    14,086       60,610             74,696  
     A reconciliation of segment income from operations to consolidated income before minority interest follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30     June 30  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
ncome from operations
  $ 54,793     $ 45,729     $ 109,017     $ 94,807  
Interest expense
    (16,107 )     (18,078 )     (33,582 )     (35,699 )
Interest income
    18,154       24,390       39,999       47,211  
Other non-operating expense
          (1,270 )           (2,539 )
 
                       
Income before minority interest
  $ 56,840     $ 50,771     $ 115,434     $ 103,780  
 
                       
10. Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
     Pursuant to the indenture governing the Arch Western Finance senior notes, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the senior notes on a joint and several basis. The following tables present unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for (i) the Company, (ii) the issuer of the senior notes (Arch Western Finance, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), (iii) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (Thunder Basin Coal Company, L.L.C., Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C., and Arch of Wyoming, LLC), on a combined basis, which are guarantors under the Notes, and (iv) its majority owned subsidiary (Canyon Fuel Company, LLC) which is not a guarantor under the Notes:

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in thousands)
                                                 
    Parent           Guarantor   Non-
Guarantor
       
    Company   Issuer   Subsidiaries   Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
Coal sales
  $     $     $ 352,248     $ 107,705     $     $ 459,953  
Cost of coal sales
    824             272,046       86,747       (491 )     359,126  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
                23,429       14,441             37,870  
Selling, general and administrative
expenses allocated from Arch Coal
    9,333                               9,333  
Other operating income, net
    (46 )           (889 )     (725 )     491       (1,169 )
 
                                   
 
    10,111             294,586       100,463             405,160  
Income from investment in subsidiaries
    67,366                         (67,366 )    
 
                                               
Income from operations
    57,255             57,662       7,242       (67,366 )     54,793  
Interest expense
    (18,290 )     (13,254 )     (171 )     (424 )     16,032       (16,107 )
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal
    17,875       16,032       54       225       (16,032 )     18,154  
 
                                   
 
    (415 )     2,778       (117 )     (199 )           2,047  
Minority interest
    (2,027 )                             (2,027 )
 
                                   
Net income
  $ 54,813     $ 2,778     $ 57,545     $ 7,043     $ (67,366 )   $ 54,813  
 
                                   

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands)
                                                 
    Parent           Guarantor     Non-
Guarantor
             
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
Coal sales revenues
  $     $     $ 288,268     $ 98,190     $     $ 386,458  
Cost of coal sales
    (1,166 )           235,322       74,504       (593 )     308,067  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
                22,388       10,551             32,939  
Selling, general and administrative expenses allocated from Arch Coal
    6,786                               6,786  
Other operating income
    (6,040 )           (736 )     (880 )     593       (7,063 )
 
                                   
 
    (420 )           256,974       84,175             340,729  
Income from investment in subsidiaries
    45,712                         (45,712 )      
 
                                               
Income from operations
    46,132             31,294       14,015       (45,712 )     45,729  
Interest expense
    (17,974 )     (15,423 )     (105 )     (607 )     16,031       (18,078 )
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal
    23,883       16,031       103       404       (16,031 )     24,390  
 
                                   
 
    5,909       608       (2 )     (203 )           6,312  
Non-operating expense
    (1,270 )                             (1,270 )
Minority interest
    (4,832 )                             (4,832 )
 
                                   
Net income
  $ 45,939     $ 608     $ 31,292     $ 13,812     $ (45,712 )   $ 45,939  
 
                                   

9


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in thousands)
                                                 
    Parent           Guarantor     Non-
Guarantor
             
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
Coal sales
  $     $     $ 692,382     $ 204,780     $     $ 897,162  
Cost of coal sales
    1,822             538,567       156,582       (1,122 )     695,849  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
                46,169       31,357             77,526  
Selling, general and administrative expenses allocated from Arch Coal
    16,890                               16,890  
Other operating income, net
    (77 )           (1,664 )     (1,501 )     1,122       (2,120 )
 
                                   
 
    18,635             583,072       186,438             788,145  
Income from investment in subsidiaries
    131,832                         (131,832 )      
 
                                               
Income from operations
    113,197             109,310       18,342       (131,832 )     109,017  
Interest expense
    (37,072 )     (27,411 )     (276 )     (886 )     32,063       (33,582 )
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal
    39,309       32,063       142       548       (32,063 )     39,999  
 
                                   
 
    2,237       4,652       (134 )     (338 )           6,417  
Minority interest
    (5,753 )                             (5,753 )
 
                                   
Net income
  $ 109,681     $ 4,652     $ 109,176     $ 18,004     $ (131,832 )   $ 109,681  
 
                                   

10


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands)
                                                 
    Parent           Guarantor     Non-
Guarantor
             
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
Coal sales revenues
  $     $     $ 570,690     $ 185,865     $     $ 756,555  
Cost of coal sales
    (220 )           454,632       138,188       (1,262 )     591,338  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
                43,828       21,630             65,458  
Selling, general and administrative expenses allocated from Arch Coal
    12,938                               12,938  
Other operating income
    (6,065 )           (1,347 )     (1,836 )     1,262       (7,986 )
 
                                   
 
    6,653             497,113       157,982             661,748  
Income from investment in subsidiaries
    102,699                         (102,699 )      
 
                                               
Income from operations
    96,046             73,577       27,883       (102,699 )     94,807  
Interest expense
    (35,921 )     (30,436 )     (204 )     (1,189 )     32,051       (35,699 )
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal
    46,194       32,051       236       781       (32,051 )     47,211  
 
                                   
 
    10,273       1,615       32       (408 )           11,512  
Non-operating expense
    (2,539 )                             (2,539 )
Minority interest
    (9,564 )                             (9,564 )
 
                                   
Net income
  $ 94,216     $ 1,615     $ 73,609     $ 27,475     $ (102,699 )   $ 94,216  
 
                                   

11


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2008
(in thousands)
                                                 
                            Non-              
    Parent             Guarantor     Guarantor              
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 38     $     $ 18     $ 150     $     $ 206  
Receivables
    621             589       661             1,871  
Inventories
                101,524       32,956             134,480  
Other
    4,527       2,146       6,530       8,268             21,471  
 
                                   
Total current assets
    5,186       2,146       108,661       42,035             158,028  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Property, plant and equipment, net
                976,330       340,370             1,316,700  
 
Investment in subsidiaries
    2,215,899                         (2,215,899 )      
Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.
    1,484,185                   33,136             1,517,321  
Intercompanies
    (2,114,503 )     986,408       1,023,079       105,016              
Other
    1,137       8,544       11,553       4,045             25,279  
 
                                   
Total other assets
    1,586,718       994,952       1,034,632       142,197       (2,215,899 )     1,542,600  
 
                                   
Total assets
  $ 1,591,904     $ 997,098     $ 2,119,623     $ 524,602     $ (2,215,899 )   $ 3,017,328  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Accounts payable
  $ 3,078     $     $ 75,914     $ 14,899     $     $ 93,891  
Accrued expenses
    4,643       32,063       81,718       10,592             129,016  
Commercial paper
    98,575                               98,575  
 
                                   
Total current liabilities
    106,296       32,063       157,632       25,491             321,482  
 
                                   
Long-term debt
          956,831                         956,831  
 
                                   
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension
    25,138             2,485       10,536             38,159  
Asset retirement obligations
                189,317       12,645             201,962  
Accrued workers’ compensation
    4,641             685       3,860             9,186  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    2,080             28,355       5,524             35,959  
 
                                   
Total liabilities
    138,155       988,894       378,474       58,056             1,563,579  
 
                                   
Redeemable membership interest
    8,547                               8,547  
Minority interest
    188,772                               188,772  
Non-redeemable membership interest
    1,256,430       8,204       1,741,149       466,546       (2,215,899 )     1,256,430  
 
                                   
Total liabilities and membership interests
  $ 1,591,904     $ 997,098     $ 2,119,623     $ 524,602     $ (2,215,899 )   $ 3,017,328  
 
                                   

12


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2007
(in thousands)
                                                 
                                         
    Parent             Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Consolidated  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 78     $     $ 16     $ 154     $     $ 248  
Receivables
    1,145             1,224       1,190             3,559  
Inventories
                98,638       42,988             141,626  
Other
    11,342       2,153       5,868       7,765             27,128  
 
                                   
Total current assets
    12,565       2,153       105,746       52,097             172,561  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Property, plant and equipment, net
                864,575       361,418             1,225,993  
 
Investment in subsidiaries
    2,140,722                         (2,140,722 )      
Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.
    1,399,046             (112 )     28,899             1,427,833  
Intercompanies
    (2,105,212 )     981,359       1,064,385       59,468              
Other
    802       9,617       11,611       3,770             25,800  
 
                                   
Total other assets
    1,435,358       990,976       1,075,884       92,137       (2,140,722 )     1,453,633  
 
                                   
Total assets
  $ 1,447,923     $ 993,129     $ 2,046,205     $ 505,652     $ (2,140,722 )   $ 2,852,187  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Accounts payable
  $ 3,434     $     $ 62,504     $ 16,316     $     $ 82,254  
Accrued expenses
    2,863       32,063       83,515       10,313             128,754  
Commercial paper
    74,959                               74,959  
 
                                   
Total current liabilities
    81,256       32,063       146,019       26,629             285,967  
 
                                   
Long-term debt
          957,514                         957,514  
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension
    24,482             2,485       9,838             36,805  
Asset retirement obligations
                182,101       12,089             194,190  
Accrued workers’ compensation
    4,293             1,053       3,438             8,784  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    (310 )           25,886       5,149             30,725  
 
                                   
Total liabilities
    109,721       989,577       357,544       57,143             1,513,985  
 
                                   
Redeemable membership interest
    8,000                               8,000  
Minority interest
    183,018                               183,018  
Non-redeemable membership interest
    1,147,184       3,552       1,688,661       448,509       (2,140,722 )     1,147,184  
 
                                   
Total liabilities and membership interests
  $ 1,447,923     $ 993,129     $ 2,046,205     $ 505,652     $ (2,140,722 )   $ 2,852,187  
 
                                   

13


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in thousands)
                                         
                                   
    Parent             Guarantor     Non-Guarantor        
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Consolidated  
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 49,042     $ 5,049     $ 116,216     $ 60,919     $ 231,226  
Investing Activities
                                       
Capital expenditures
                (160,219 )     (11,161 )     (171,380 )
Increase in receivable from Arch Coal
    (81,770 )           (112 )     (4,237 )     (86,119 )
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment
                356       23       379  
Reimbursement of deposits on equipment
                2,455             2,455  
 
                             
Cash used in investing activities
    (81,770 )           (157,520 )     (15,375 )     (254,665 )
 
                                       
Financing Activities
                                       
Net proceeds from commercial paper
    23,616                         23,616  
Debt financing costs
    (219 )                       (219 )
Transactions with affiliates, net
    9,291       (5,049 )     41,306       (45,548 )      
 
                             
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    32,688       (5,049 )     41,306       (45,548 )     23,397  
 
                             
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (40 )           2       (4 )     (42 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    78             16       154       248  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 38     $     $ 18     $ 150     $ 206  
 
                             

14


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands)
                                         
    Parent           Guarantor     Non-Guarantor        
    Company     Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Consolidated  
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ (258 )   $ 2,012     $ 112,601     $ 57,675     $ 172,030  
 
Investing Activities
                                       
Capital expenditures
                (32,150 )     (42,546 )     (74,696 )
Increase in receivable from Arch Coal
    (112,227 )           (112 )     (9,743 )     (122,082 )
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment
    6,000             248       79       6,327  
Reimbursement of deposits on equipment
                18,325             18,325  
 
                             
Cash used in investing activities
    (106,227 )           (13,689 )     (52,210 )     (172,126 )
 
                                       
Financing Activities
                                       
Transactions with affiliates, net
    106,485       (2,012 )     (98,998 )     (5,475 )      
 
                             
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    106,485       (2,012 )     (98,998 )     (5,475 )      
 
                             
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
                (86 )     (10 )     (96 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
                161       25       186  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $     $     $ 75     $ 15     $ 90  
 
                             

15


 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
     This document contains “forward-looking statements” — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties arise from changes in the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation industry; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; from operational, geological, permit, labor and weather-related factors; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate from operations; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results, see “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
     Arch Western Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of Arch Coal, Inc., one of the largest coal producers in the United States. We focus on mining, processing and marketing coal with low sulfur content for sale to power plants and industrial facilities primarily in the United States.
     The locations of our mines enable us to ship coal to numerous major coal-fueled power plants. Our two reportable business segments are based on the low-sulfur U.S. coal producing regions in which we operate — the Powder River Basin and the Western Bituminous region. These geographically distinct areas are characterized by geology, coal transportation routes to consumers, regulatory environments and coal quality. These regional similarities have caused market and contract pricing environments to develop by coal region and form the basis for the segmentation of our operations.
     The Powder River Basin is located in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. The coal we mine from surface operations in this region has a very low sulfur content and a low heat value compared to other coal-producing regions. The price of Powder River Basin coal is generally less than that of coal produced in other regions because Powder River Basin coal is generally lower in heat value, exists in greater abundance, is easier to mine and thus has a lower cost of production. Because Powder River Basin coal is generally lower in heat value, some power plants must blend it with higher Btu coal or retrofit existing coal plants to accommodate Powder River Basin coal. The Western Bituminous region includes western Colorado, eastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. Coal we mine from underground mines in this region typically has a low sulfur content and varies in heat value.
     We believe that growing domestic and international coal demand, along with persistent challenges in augmenting global coal production, infrastructure and transportation networks, has led to a shift in worldwide coal trade. Constrained global coal supply has allowed the United States to become a more significant exporter of metallurgical and steam coal. A strengthening international coal market has positively influenced domestic coal markets during the first half of 2008, due to increases in global and domestic coal-based electricity generation and steel production, increases in net coal exports from the United States and production difficulties, particularly in the Central Appalachian region. We believe these industry fundamentals will continue, and, together with expected new coal-based electricity generation capacity will favorably influence future coal prices in all regions, including in the Powder River Basin.
     During the second quarter of 2008, we continued construction of a new loadout facility at our Black Thunder mining complex in Wyoming. This facility, which we have strategically located in relation to the direction of our mining activities, will replace the facility that we currently lease from a third party under an agreement set to expire within the next year. In the second quarter of 2008, we also continued development of a new reserve area at our West Elk mining complex in Colorado.

16


 

Results of Operations
     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
     Summary. Our results during the three months ended June 30, 2008 when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 were affected primarily by stronger market conditions in the Western Bituminous region, offset in part by an upward pressure on commodity costs and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization costs.
     Revenues. The following table summarizes information about coal sales during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those results to the comparable information for the three months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30   Increase
    2008   2007   $   %
    (Amounts in thousands, except per ton data)
Coal sales
  $ 459,953     $ 386,458     $ 73,495       19.0 %
Tons sold
    29,692       29,193       499       1.7 %
Coal sales realization per ton sold
  $ 15.49     $ 13.24     $ 2.25       17.0 %
     Coal sales. Coal sales increased from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008 due to higher price realizations across both segments and an increase in sales volumes in the Western Bituminous region. We have provided more information about the tons sold and the coal sales realizations per ton by operating segment under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 18.
     Expenses, costs and other. The following table summarizes expenses, costs and other operating income, net for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those results to the comparable information for the three months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
                    Decrease  
    Three Months Ended June 30     in Net Income  
    2008     2007     $     %  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
Cost of coal sales
  $ 359,126     $ 308,067     $ (51,059 )     (16.6 )%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    37,870       32,939       (4,931 )     (15.0 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    9,333       6,786       (2,547 )     (37.5 )
Other operating income, net
    (1,169 )     (7,063 )     (5,894 )     (83.4 )
 
                         
 
  $ 405,160     $ 340,729     $ (64,431 )     (18.9 )%
 
                         
     Cost of coal sales. Our cost of coal sales increased from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008 primarily due to higher per-ton production costs in the Powder River Basin, the increase in sales volumes in the Western Bituminous region, and an increase in sales-sensitive costs and transportation costs. We have provided more information about our operating segments under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 18.
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization. The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008 is due primarily to the costs of capital improvement projects that we capitalized in 2007. We have provided more information about our operating segments under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 18 and our capital spending in the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” on page 21.
     Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses represent expenses allocated to us from Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on our behalf.
     Other operating income, net. The decrease in income from changes in other operating income, net in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007 is due primarily to a $6.0 million gain in 2007 on the sale of non-core reserves in the Powder River Basin.

17


 

     Operating segment results. The following table shows results by operating segment for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those amounts to the comparable information for the three months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30   Increase (Decrease)
    2008   2007   $   %
    (Tons in thousands)
Powder River Basin
                               
Tons sold
    24,077       24,237       (160 )     (0.7 )%
Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)
  $ 11.12     $ 10.29     $ 0.83       8.1 %
Operating margin per ton sold (2)
  $ 0.81     $ 1.03     $ (0.22 )     (21.4 )%
 
                               
Western Bituminous
                               
Tons sold
    5,615       4,956       659       13.3 %
Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)
  $ 29.93     $ 24.13     $ 5.80       24.0 %
Operating margin per ton sold (2)
  $ 7.78     $ 3.77     $ 4.01       106.4 %
 
(1)   Coal sales prices per ton exclude certain transportation costs that we pass through to our customers. We use these financial measures because we believe the amounts as adjusted better represent the coal sales prices we achieved within our operating segments. Since other companies may calculate coal sales prices per ton differently, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by those companies. For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, transportation costs per ton billed to customers were $0.03 for the Powder River Basin and $4.16 for the Western Bituminous region. Transportation costs per ton billed to customers for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 were $0.03 for the Powder River Basin and $3.41 for the Western Bituminous region.
 
(2)   Operating margin per ton is calculated as the result of coal sales revenues less cost of coal sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization divided by tons sold.
     Powder River Basin — Sales volume in the Powder River Basin was flat in the second quarter of 2008 when compared to the second quarter of 2007. In 2007, our production levels reflected planned reductions due to market conditions. In the second quarter of 2008, we encountered weather-related production and shipment challenges that affected our sales volumes. Increases in sales prices during the second quarter of 2008 when compared with the second quarter of 2007 reflect higher pricing on contract and market index-priced tons. On a per-ton basis, operating margins in the second quarter of 2008 decreased from the second quarter of 2007 due to an increase in per-ton costs, which offset the contribution from higher sales prices. The increase in per-ton costs resulted primarily from higher diesel fuel and explosives prices and higher sales-sensitive costs.
     Western Bituminous — In the Western Bituminous region, sales volume increased during the second quarter of 2008 when compared with the second quarter of 2007, driven largely by increased demand in the region. Higher sales prices during the second quarter of 2008 represent higher contract pricing from a more favorable customer mix and the effect of market-based spot sales during the quarter. Higher sales prices resulted in higher operating margins per ton for the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007, partially offset by an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization and the impact of higher sales-sensitive costs.
     Net interest income. The following table compares our net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 with the comparable information for the three months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
          Increase (Decrease)  
    Three Months Ended June 30     in Net Income  
    2008     2007     $     %  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
Interest expense
  $ (16,107 )   $ (18,078 )   $ 1,971       10.9 %
Interest income
    18,154       24,390       (6,236 )     (25.6 )
 
                         
 
  $ 2,047     $ 6,312     $ (4,265 )     (67.6 )%
 
                         
     Interest expense consists of interest on our 63/4% senior notes, the discount on trade accounts receivable sold to Arch Coal under Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program and interest on our commercial paper. The decrease in interest expense from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008 is the result of an increase in interest costs capitalized, in part offset by interest on our commercial paper program, which commenced in August 2007. For more information on our ongoing capital improvement and development projects, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” on page 21.
     Our cash transactions are managed by Arch Coal. Cash paid to or from us that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded as a receivable from Arch Coal. The receivable balance earns interest from Arch Coal at the prime interest rate. The decrease in interest income results primarily from a lower prime interest rate during

18


 

the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was partially offset by a higher average receivable balance during the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.
     Other non-operating expense. Our non-operating expense is related to the termination of hedge accounting on interest rate swaps and the resulting amortization of amounts that had previously been deferred. We previously had amounts deferred from the termination of hedge accounting related to interest rate swaps, and other non-operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2007 represents the amortization of the amounts that had previously been deferred.
     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
     Summary. Our results during the six months ended June 30, 2008 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 were influenced primarily by stronger market conditions in the Western Bituminous region, offset in part by an upward pressure on commodity costs and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization costs.
     Revenues. The following table summarizes information about coal sales during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those results to the comparable information for the six months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30   Increase
    2008   2007   $   %
    (Amounts in thousands, except per ton data)
Coal sales
  $ 897,162     $ 756,555     $ 140,607       18.6 %
Tons sold
    59,878       56,899       2,979       5.2 %
Coal sales realization per ton sold
  $ 14.98     $ 13.30     $ 1.68       12.6 %
     Coal sales. Coal sales increased from the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2008 due to higher price realizations in both segments and higher sales volumes in both segments. We have provided more information about the tons sold and the coal sales realizations per ton by operating segment under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 20.
     Expenses, costs and other. The following table summarizes expenses, costs, and other operating income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those results to the comparable information for the six months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
                    Decrease  
    Six Months Ended June 30     in Net Income  
    2008     2007     $     %  
          (Amounts in thousands)          
Cost of coal sales
  $ 695,849     $ 591,338     $ (104,511 )     (17.7 )%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    77,526       65,458       (12,068 )     (18.4 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    16,890       12,938       (3,952 )     (30.5 )
Other operating income, net
    (2,120 )     (7,986 )     (5,866 )     (73.4 )
 
                         
 
  $ 788,145     $ 661,748     $ (126,397 )     (19.1 )%
 
                         
     Cost of coal sales. Our cost of coal sales increased from the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2008 primarily due to higher sales-sensitive costs and transportation costs, higher per-ton production costs in the Powder River Basin, and the increase in sales volumes. We have provided more information about our operating segments under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 20.
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization. The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense from the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2008 is due primarily to the costs of capital improvement and mine development projects that we capitalized in 2007. We have provided more information about our operating segments under the heading “Operating segment results” on page 20 and our capital spending in the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” on page 21.
     Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses represent expenses allocated to us from Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on our behalf.
     Other operating income, net. The decrease in other operating income, net in the first half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2007 is due primarily to a $6.0 million gain in 2007 on the sale of non-core reserves in the Powder River Basin.

19


 

     Operating segment results. The following table shows results by operating segment for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and compares those amounts to the comparable information for the six months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30   Increase (Decrease)
    2008   2007   $   %
            (Tons in thousands)        
Powder River Basin
                               
Tons sold
    49,229       47,179       2,050       4.3 %
Coal sales realization per ton sold (3)
  $ 11.01     $ 10.33     $ 0.68       6.6 %
Operating margin per ton sold (4)
  $ 0.97     $ 1.16     $ (0.19 )     (16.4 )%
 
                               
Western Bituminous
                               
Tons sold
    10,649       9,720       929       9.6 %
Coal sales realization per ton sold (3)
  $ 28.42     $ 24.44     $ 3.98       16.3 %
Operating margin per ton sold (4)
  $ 7.22     $ 4.49     $ 2.73       60.8 %
 
(3)   Coal sales prices per ton exclude certain transportation costs that we pass through to our customers. We use these financial measures because we believe the amounts as adjusted better represent the coal sales prices we achieved within our operating segments. Since other companies may calculate coal sales prices per ton differently, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by those companies. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, transportation costs per ton were $0.04 for the Powder River Basin and $4.72 for the Western Bituminous region. Transportation costs per ton for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 were $0.05 for the Powder River Basin and $3.04 for the Western Bituminous region.
 
(4)   Operating margin per ton is calculated as the result of coal sales revenues less cost of coal sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization divided by tons sold.
     Powder River Basin — Sales volume in the Powder River Basin was higher in the first half of 2008 when compared to the first half of 2007 due primarily to planned production cutbacks in the first half of 2007 in response to weak market conditions. Increases in sales prices during the first half of 2008 when compared with the first half of 2007 reflect higher pricing on contract and market index-priced tons. On a per-ton basis, operating margins in the first half of 2008 decreased from the first half of 2007 due to an increase in per-ton costs, which offset the contribution of higher sales prices. The increase in per-ton costs resulted primarily from higher diesel fuel and explosives prices, higher sales-sensitive costs and costs in 2008 related to planned maintenance.
     Western Bituminous — In the Western Bituminous region, sales volume increased during the first half of 2008 when compared with the first half of 2007, driven largely by increased demand in the region. Higher sales prices during the first half of 2008 when compared with the first half of 2007 resulted from higher contract pricing from the roll off of lower-priced legacy contracts and the effect of market-based spot sales during the first half of 2008. Higher sales prices resulted in higher per-ton operating margins for the first half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2007, partially offset by an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization and the impact of higher sales-sensitive costs.
     Net interest expense. The following table summarizes our net interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and compares that information to the comparable information for the six months ended June 30, 2007:
                                 
                    Increase (Decrease)  
    Six Months Ended June 30     in Net Income  
    2008     2007     $     %  
            (Amounts in thousands)          
Interest expense
  $ (33,582 )   $ (35,699 )   $ 2,117       5.9 %
Interest income
    39,999       47,211       (7,212 )     (15.3 )
 
                         
 
  $ 6,417     $ 11,512     $ (5,095 )     (44.3 )%
 
                         
     Interest expense consists of interest on our 63/4% senior notes, the discount on trade accounts receivable sold to Arch Coal under Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program and interest on our commercial paper. The decrease in interest expense from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008 is the result of an increase in interest costs capitalized, in part offset by interest on our commercial paper program, which commenced in August 2007. For more information on our ongoing capital improvement and development projects, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” on page 21.
     Our cash transactions are managed by Arch Coal. Cash paid to or from us that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded as a receivable from Arch Coal. The receivable balance earns interest from Arch Coal

20


 

at the prime interest rate. The decrease in interest income results primarily from a lower prime interest rate during the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was partially offset by a higher average receivable balance during the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.
     Other non-operating expense. Our non-operating expense is related to the termination of hedge accounting on interest rate swaps and the resulting amortization of amounts that had previously been deferred. We previously had amounts deferred from the termination of hedge accounting related to interest rate swaps, and other non-operating expense for the six months ended June 30, 2007 represents the amortization of the amounts that had previously been deferred.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Our primary sources of cash include sales of our coal production to customers, sales of assets, our commercial paper program and debt related to significant transactions. Excluding any significant mineral reserve acquisitions, we generally satisfy our working capital requirements and fund capital expenditures and debt-service obligations with cash generated from operations and, if necessary, cash from Arch Coal. Our ability to satisfy debt service obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures and to make acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the coal industry and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
     Arch Coal manages our cash transactions. Cash paid to or from us that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded in an Arch Coal receivable account.
     The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities:
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30
    2008   2007
    (in thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
               
Operating activities
  $ 231,226     $ 172,030  
Investing activities
    (254,665 )     (172,126 )
Financing activities
    23,397        
     Cash provided by operating activities increased $59.2 million in the first half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in net income and decrease in our investment in working capital in the first half of 2008 compared to the first half of 2007.
     Cash used in investing increased $82.5 million in the first half months of 2008 compared to the first half of 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures of $96.7 million. During the first half of 2008, we spent approximately $60.0 million on the construction of a new loadout facility at our Black Thunder mine in Wyoming and $85.0 million in maintenance capital for the transition to a new reserve area at our West Elk mining complex in Colorado. We expect to complete the work on the loadout facility and to transition to the new seam at West Elk in the fourth quarter of 2008. In the first half of 2007, we made payments of approximately $31.0 million for a new longwall at our Sufco mine in Utah. Also during the first six months of 2007, we recovered $18.3 million from the lease of equipment in the Powder River Basin. We had previously made deposits to purchase the equipment. In addition, the receivable from Arch Coal increased approximately $86.1 million in the first half of 2008 compared with $122.1 million in the first half of 2007.
     The cash provided from financing activities during the first half of 2008 was the result of proceeds from additional commercial paper issued. In April 2008, we increased our commercial paper program to $100.0 million from $75.0 million.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
     In addition to the other quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk contained in this report, you should see Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. There have been no other material changes in our exposure to market risk since December 31, 2007.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
     We performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our

21


 

chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2008. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
     We are involved in various claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial results.
     You should see Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for more information about some of the proceedings and litigation in which we are involved.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
     Our business inherently involves certain risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Should one or more of any of these risks materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
     None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
     None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     None.
Item 5. Other Information.
     None.

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Item 6. Exhibits.
     Exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are as follows:
     
Exhibit   Description
3.1
  Certificate of Formation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Form S-4 (File No. 333-107569) filed on August 1, 2003 by Arch Western Finance, LLC, Arch Western Resources, LLC, Arch of Wyoming, LLC, Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C., and Thunder Basin Coal Company, L.L.C.).
 
   
3.2
  Limited Liability Company Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Form S-4 (File No. 333-107569) filed on August 1, 2003 by Arch Western Finance, LLC, Arch Western Resources, LLC, Arch of Wyoming, LLC, Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C., and Thunder Basin Coal Company, L.L.C.).
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Paul A. Lang.
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of John T. Drexler.
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification of Paul A. Lang.
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certification of John T. Drexler.

23


 

Signatures
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  Arch Western Resources, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ John T. Drexler    
    John T. Drexler   
    Vice President   
 
  August 14, 2008  

24

exv31w1
Exhibit 31.1
Certification
     I, Paul A. Lang, certify that:
     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Arch Western Resources, LLC;
     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
     4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
     5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
  /s/ Paul A. Lang    
  Paul A. Lang   
  President   
 
Date: August 14, 2008

 

exv31w2
Exhibit 31.2
Certification
     I, John T. Drexler, certify that:
     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Arch Western Resources, LLC;
     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
     4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (c)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (d)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
     5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
  /s/ John T. Drexler    
  John T. Drexler   
  Vice President   
 
Date: August 14, 2008

 

exv32w1
Exhibit 32.1
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports
     I, Paul A. Lang, President of Arch Western Resources, LLC, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
     (1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
     (2) information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Arch Western Resources, LLC.
         
     
  /s/ Paul A. Lang    
  Paul A. Lang   
  President   
 
Date: August 14, 2008

 

exv32w2
Exhibit 32.2
Certification of Periodic Financial Reports
     I, John T. Drexler, Vice President of Arch Western Resources, LLC, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
     (1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and
     (2) information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Arch Western Resources, LLC.
         
     
  /s/ John T. Drexler    
  John T. Drexler   
  Vice President   
 
Date: August 14, 2008