Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On June 30, 2020, NRP (Operating) LLC, WPP LLC, Hod LLC, Independence Land
Company, LLC, and Williamson Transport LLC (collectively, "NRP"), and Foresight
Energy LP, Foresight Energy GP LLC, Foresight Energy LLC, Macoupin Energy, LLC,
Williamson Energy, LLC, Sugar Camp Energy, LLC, Hillsboro Energy LLC, Foresight
Energy Resources LLC, and Foresight Energy Operating LLC (collectively,
"Foresight"), entered into the Master Amendment and Supplement to Coal Mining
and Transportation Lease Agreements and Parent Guaranty (the "Master
Agreement").
The Master Agreement was entered into in connection with the emergence by
Foresight and certain of their affiliates from bankruptcy on June 30, 2020. All
contracts and agreements existing between NRP and Foresight prior to the
Foresight bankruptcy filing were assumed by Foresight in the bankruptcy and
continue post-bankruptcy pursuant to their terms, except as amended by the
Master Agreement.
Pursuant to the Master Agreement, Foresight agreed to pay NRP fixed cash
payments of $48.75 million in 2020 and $42.0 million in 2021 to satisfy all
obligations arising out of the existing various coal mining leases and
transportation infrastructure fee agreements between NRP and Foresight for
calendar years 2020 and 2021. Beginning in January 2022, Foresight's payment
obligations will be calculated in accordance with the provisions of the various
existing agreements, except as described below with respect to Foresight's
Macoupin mine. The fixed payments for 2020 and 2021 will provide cash flow
certainty for NRP at a level greater than had been anticipated as the coal
industry manages through difficult market conditions compounded by the COVID-19
pandemic. In addition, NRP has preserved the potential to realize economic
upside if coal markets improve in years 2022 and beyond.
Production at the Foresight Macoupin mine was temporarily ceased in March
2020. Pursuant to the Master Agreement, Foresight is no longer obligated to make
royalty, transportation fee, or quarterly minimum payments to NRP under the
Macoupin coal mining lease and transportation agreements. Foresight will pay an
annual Macoupin fee of $2.0 million to NRP each year through 2023. The amounts
payable for 2020 and 2021 are included in the fixed amounts discussed in the
paragraph above. Foresight also forfeited its right to recoup all previously
paid but unrecouped minimum payments with respect to the Macoupin mine. At all
times that the Macoupin mine remains in temporary cessation of production,
Foresight will take reasonable actions to preserve, protect, and store the
equipment, infrastructure, and property located at the mine.
Beginning January 1, 2024, NRP may at any time elect to cause Foresight to
transfer the Macoupin mine and all associated equipment and permits to NRP for
no consideration. If NRP makes this election, NRP will assume all liabilities
associated with the Macoupin mine. Also beginning January 1, 2024, Foresight may
at any time elect to offer to sell the Macoupin assets to NRP for $1.00. If NRP
accepts Foresight's offer, NRP will assume all liabilities associated with the
Macoupin mine. If NRP does not accept Foresight's offer, Foresight may proceed
to permanently seal the Macoupin mine and conduct all reclamation activities. To
the extent the elections described above are not made, Foresight will continue
to pay the annual $2.0 million fee to NRP each year that the mine remains in
temporary cessation of production. In addition, Foresight may determine at any
time to recommence operations at the Macoupin mine, at which time NRP and
Foresight will negotiate in good faith to enter into new coal mining lease and
transportation agreements.
The Master Agreement contains a guaranty of all obligations of Foresight
under all agreements between NRP and Foresight by Foresight Energy Resources
LLC, which is the ultimate parent company of the Foresight companies following
emergence from bankruptcy. The Master Agreement also contains a cross default
provision pursuant to which any default by any Foresight company under any
agreement with the NRP results in a default under all agreements between NRP and
Foresight.
A copy of the Master Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the
Master Agreement in this report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by
the terms of the Master Agreement.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information included in this Current Report on Form 8-K contains
"forward-looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that
address activities, events or developments that NRP expects, believes or
anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based on certain assumptions made by NRP based on its
experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the
circumstances. The assumptions used in preparing the statements may prove to be
incorrect in a number of material ways and are subject to risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of NRP. These risks include,
but are not limited to the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic; Foresight
Energy's ability to operate profitably following its bankruptcy; commodity
prices; decreases in demand for coal, aggregates and industrial minerals,
including trona/soda ash; changes in operating conditions and costs; production
cuts by NRP's lessees; unanticipated geologic problems; our liquidity and access
to capital and financing sources; changes in the legislative or regulatory
environment and other factors detailed in NRP's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. NRP has no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
10.1 Master Amendment and Supplement to Coal Mining and Transportation Lease
Agreements and Parent Guaranty dated June 30, 2020 by and among NRP (Operating)
LLC, WPP LLC, Hod LLC, Independence Land Company, LLC, Williamson Transport LLC,
Foresight Energy LP, Foresight Energy GP LLC, Foresight Energy LLC, Macoupin
Energy, LLC, Williamson Energy, LLC, Sugar Camp Energy, LLC, Hillsboro Energy
LLC, Foresight Energy Resources LLC, and Foresight Energy Operating LLC.
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