Q1 2026 NACCO Industries Inc Earnings Call

May 6, 2026

Operator: Thank you for standing by. My name is Tina, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the NACCO Industries Q1 2026 earnings call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, press star one again. It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to Christina Kmetko, investor relations. You may begin.

Operator: Thank you for standing by. My name is Tina, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the NACCO Industries Q1 2026 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, press star one again. It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to Christina Kmetko, Investor Relations. You may begin.

Speaker #2: All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, press star one again. It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to Christy Kmetko, Investor Relations, you may begin.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our 2026 first quarter earnings call. I'm Christina Kmetko, and I'm responsible for investor relations at NACCO.

Christina Kmetko: Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our 2026 Q1 earnings call. I'm Christina Kmetko, and I'm responsible for investor relations at NACCO. Joining me today are J.C. Butler, Jr., NACCO's President and CEO; and Elizabeth Loveman, our Senior Vice President and Controller. Yesterday, we released our Q1 results and filed our 10-Q with the SEC. Both documents are available on our website. During today's call, we will reference several non-GAAP measures which we believe provide additional insight into how we manage our business. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are also available on our website. Before we begin, let me remind you that today's remarks include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated due to a variety of risks and uncertainties which are described in our earnings release, 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

Christy Kmetko: Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our 2026 Q1 earnings call. I'm Christina Kmetko, and I'm responsible for investor relations at NACCO. Joining me today are J.C. Butler, Jr., NACCO's President and CEO; and Elizabeth Loveman, our Senior Vice President and Controller. Yesterday, we released our Q1 results and filed our 10-Q with the SEC. Both documents are available on our website. During today's call, we will reference several non-GAAP measures which we believe provide additional insight into how we manage our business. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are also available on our website. Before we begin, let me remind you that today's remarks include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated due to a variety of risks and uncertainties which are described in our earnings release, 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

Speaker #2: Joining me today are JC Butler, NACCO's president and CEO, and Elizabeth Loveman, our senior vice president and controller. Yesterday, we released our first quarter results, and filed our 10-Q with the SEC.

Speaker #2: Both documents are available on our website. During today's call, we will reference several non-GAAP measures which we believe provide additional insight into how we manage our business.

Speaker #2: Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are also available on our website. Before we begin, let me remind you that today's remarks include forward-looking statements.

Speaker #2: Actual results may differ materially from those indicated due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which are described in our earnings release, 10-Q, and other SEC filings.

Speaker #2: We undertake no obligation to update these statements. With that, I'll turn the call over to JC for his opening remarks. JC. Thanks, Christy. And good morning, everyone.

Christina Kmetko: We undertake no obligation to update these statements. With that, I'll turn the call over to J.C. for his opening remarks. J.C.

Christy Kmetko: We undertake no obligation to update these statements. With that, I'll turn the call over to J.C. for his opening remarks. J.C.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Thanks, Christina Kmetko, good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to say that we delivered a strong start to 2026, reporting significant growth and profitability. Q1 operating profit increased 43% over last year and 45% sequentially. Meaningful growth in our utility coal and contract mining segments drove the year-over-year improvement, while contract mining led the sequential growth primarily due to the commencement of a new construction project in Florida. These operating results contributed to the 28% year-over-year and 15% sequential increases in adjusted EBITDA. These results reflect the business executing well and delivering as expected. Let me walk through each of our businesses in more detail. Our utility coal mining segment remains the foundation of our business. This quarter, Mississippi Lignite Mining Company was one of the main drivers of our operating profit increase.

J.C. Butler: Thanks, Christina Kmetko, good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to say that we delivered a strong start to 2026, reporting significant growth and profitability. Q1 operating profit increased 43% over last year and 45% sequentially. Meaningful growth in our utility coal and contract mining segments drove the year-over-year improvement, while contract mining led the sequential growth primarily due to the commencement of a new construction project in Florida. These operating results contributed to the 28% year-over-year and 15% sequential increases in adjusted EBITDA. These results reflect the business executing well and delivering as expected. Let me walk through each of our businesses in more detail. Our utility coal mining segment remains the foundation of our business. This quarter, Mississippi Lignite Mining Company was one of the main drivers of our operating profit increase.

Speaker #2: I'm pleased to say that we delivered a strong start to 2026, reporting significant growth and profitability. First quarter operating profit increased 43% over last year and 45% sequentially.

Speaker #2: Meaningful growth in our utility coal and contract mining segments drove the year-over-year improvement, while contract mining led the sequential growth, primarily due to the commencement of a new construction project in Florida.

Speaker #2: These operating results contributed to the 28% year-over-year and 15% sequential increases in adjusted EBITDA. These results reflect a business executing well and delivering as expected.

Speaker #2: Let me walk through each of our businesses in more detail. Our utility coal mining segment remains the foundation of our business, and this quarter, Mississippi Lignite Mining Company was one of the main drivers of our operating profit increase.

Speaker #2: During our year-end earnings call, I discussed the customers' power plant outage that began in mid-February. During the outage, we pivoted effectively and redeployed crews to work on planned reclamation activities.

J.C. Butler Jr.: During our year-end earnings call, I discussed the customer's power plant outage that began in mid-February. During the outage, we pivoted effectively and redeployed crews to work on planned reclamation activities. This reduced our asset retirement obligation rather than being recognized as an expense which would have impacted Q1 earnings. Lower cost per ton helped minimize the effect of reduced deliveries in Q1. I'm confident that as long as the customer's power plant operates as planned, the team will continue to mine effectively and control costs, driving improvement in year-over-year results at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company. Our contract mining segment is our primary growth platform for mining, and its strong Q1 operating profit reflects the benefits of our strategic initiatives to expand this business.

J.C. Butler: During our year-end earnings call, I discussed the customer's power plant outage that began in mid-February. During the outage, we pivoted effectively and redeployed crews to work on planned reclamation activities. This reduced our asset retirement obligation rather than being recognized as an expense which would have impacted Q1 earnings. Lower cost per ton helped minimize the effect of reduced deliveries in Q1. I'm confident that as long as the customer's power plant operates as planned, the team will continue to mine effectively and control costs, driving improvement in year-over-year results at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company. Our contract mining segment is our primary growth platform for mining, and its strong Q1 operating profit reflects the benefits of our strategic initiatives to expand this business.

Speaker #2: This reduced our asset retirement obligation rather than being recognized as an expense which would have impacted first quarter earnings. Lower cost helped lower cost per ton, helped minimize the effect of reduced deliveries in the first quarter.

Speaker #2: I'm confident that as long as the customers' power plant operates as planned, the team will continue to mine effectively and control costs. Driving improvement in year-over-year results at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company.

Speaker #2: Our contract mining segment is our primary growth platform for mining, and its strong first quarter operating profit reflects the benefits of our strategic initiatives to expand this business.

Speaker #2: During the quarter, we commenced activities under a multi-year drag line services contract as part of a US Army Corps of Engineers construction project in Palm Beach County, Florida.

J.C. Butler Jr.: During the quarter, we commenced activities under a multi-year dragline services contract as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project in Palm Beach County, Florida. We're excited about this opportunity because it advances our growth into large scale infrastructure projects, and it showcases the efficiency and environmental advantages of our new electric drive MTEC draglines. We have 2 MTEC draglines on site and plan to add a third to this project later this year. We're encouraged by the early project progress on this project. In addition to the Florida project, we expect to commence operations during H2 2026 on a limestone quarry in Arizona, where we will be operating a dragline for an existing customer. This is a great opportunity that expands our footprint into a new region of the United States.

J.C. Butler: During the quarter, we commenced activities under a multi-year dragline services contract as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project in Palm Beach County, Florida. We're excited about this opportunity because it advances our growth into large scale infrastructure projects, and it showcases the efficiency and environmental advantages of our new electric drive MTEC draglines. We have 2 MTEC draglines on site and plan to add a third to this project later this year. We're encouraged by the early project progress on this project. In addition to the Florida project, we expect to commence operations during H2 2026 on a limestone quarry in Arizona, where we will be operating a dragline for an existing customer. This is a great opportunity that expands our footprint into a new region of the United States.

Speaker #2: We're excited about this opportunity because it advances our growth in the large-scale infrastructure projects and it showcases the efficiency and environmental advantages of our new electric drive MTEC drag lines.

Speaker #2: We have two MTEC drag lines on site and planned at a third to this project later this year. We're encouraged by the early project on progress on this project.

Speaker #2: In addition to the Florida project, we expect to commence operations during the second half of 2026 on a limestone quarry in Arizona where we will be operating a drag line for an existing customer.

Speaker #2: This is a great opportunity that expands our footprint into a new region of the United States. Contract mining continues to build a growing portfolio of long-term contracts through geographic and mineral expansion.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Contract Mining continues to build a growing portfolio of long-term contracts through great geographic and mineral expansion, which is expected to lead to increasing profitability in this segment. Turning to Minerals and Royalties. This segment reported comparable year-over-year operating profit. While Q1 results exceeded our forecast, we continue to expect year-over-year decrease in operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA in 2026 despite higher oil prices. Natural gas remains the primary driver of our near-term results, so higher oil prices certainly contribute to our results, but they do not have the same level of impact. That said, there's a lot of uncertainty in the oil and gas market, so we'll have to see how the situation in the Middle East plays out. At Mitigation Resources, we expect increasing profitability over time from the sale of mitigation credits and as reclamation and restoration services expand.

J.C. Butler: Contract Mining continues to build a growing portfolio of long-term contracts through great geographic and mineral expansion, which is expected to lead to increasing profitability in this segment. Turning to Minerals and Royalties. This segment reported comparable year-over-year operating profit. While Q1 results exceeded our forecast, we continue to expect year-over-year decrease in operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA in 2026 despite higher oil prices. Natural gas remains the primary driver of our near-term results, so higher oil prices certainly contribute to our results, but they do not have the same level of impact. That said, there's a lot of uncertainty in the oil and gas market, so we'll have to see how the situation in the Middle East plays out. At Mitigation Resources, we expect increasing profitability over time from the sale of mitigation credits and as reclamation and restoration services expand.

Speaker #2: Which is expected to lead to increasing profitability in this segment. Turning to minerals and royalties, this segment reported comparable year-over-year operating profit. While first quarter results exceeded our forecast, we continue to expect year-over-year decrease in operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA in 2026 despite higher oil prices.

Speaker #2: Natural gas remains the primary driver of our near-term results. So higher oil prices certainly contribute to our results, but they do not have the same level of impact.

Speaker #2: That said, there's a lot of uncertainty in the oil and gas market, so we'll have to see how the situation in the Middle East plays out.

Speaker #2: A mitigation resource we expect increasing profitability over time from the sale of mitigation credits. And as reclamation and restoration services expand. While performance is currently variable due to permit and project timing, mitigation resources is expected to generate profit in the second half of 2026.

J.C. Butler Jr.: While performance is currently variable due to permit and project timing, Mitigation Resources is expected to generate profit in H2 2026 and move toward more consistent results as the business expands. In mid-April, Mitigation Resources acquired 958 acres in Wilson County, Tennessee, which is east of Nashville. This marks an important step in their growth strategy, representing significant expansion into an area experiencing steady economic growth. The project is expected to deliver a new mitigation bank with high-quality stream and wetland mitigation credits, with availability anticipated in 2029. These credits will support continued residential, industrial, and infrastructural development in a 14-county area around Greater Nashville. We are very excited about this project because it allows us to serve twice the typical service range for similar mitigation projects, and we will be serving an area that has experienced steady economic growth.

J.C. Butler: While performance is currently variable due to permit and project timing, Mitigation Resources is expected to generate profit in H2 2026 and move toward more consistent results as the business expands. In mid-April, Mitigation Resources acquired 958 acres in Wilson County, Tennessee, which is east of Nashville. This marks an important step in their growth strategy, representing significant expansion into an area experiencing steady economic growth. The project is expected to deliver a new mitigation bank with high-quality stream and wetland mitigation credits, with availability anticipated in 2029. These credits will support continued residential, industrial, and infrastructural development in a 14-county area around Greater Nashville. We are very excited about this project because it allows us to serve twice the typical service range for similar mitigation projects, and we will be serving an area that has experienced steady economic growth.

Speaker #2: And move toward more consistent results as the business expands. In mid-April, mitigation resources acquired $958 acres in Wilson County, Tennessee, which is east of Nashville.

Speaker #2: This marks an important step in their growth strategy, representing significant expansion into an area experiencing steady economic growth. The project is expected to deliver a new mitigation bank with high-quality stream and wetland mitigation credits, with availability anticipated in 2029.

Speaker #2: These credits will support continued residential, industrial, and infrastructural development in a 14-county area around Greater Nashville. We are very excited about this project because it allows us to serve twice the typical service range for similar mitigation projects and we will be serving an area that is experiencing steady economic growth.

Speaker #2: Across the board, we continue invest in our businesses to drive future growth. We made capital expenditures of $33 million during the first quarter, and we anticipate making additional capital investments through the remainder of 2026, primarily in business development opportunities that meet our strict investment criteria.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Across the board, we continue to invest in our businesses to drive future growth. We made capital expenditures of $33 million during Q1, and we anticipate making additional capital investments through the remainder of 2026, primarily in business development opportunities that meet our strict investment criteria. Overall, I continue to believe we are well-positioned for meaningful growth. We entered 2026 with clear opportunities to build on our 2025 momentum, and we are executing. I remain confident in our businesses and our ability to deliver strong 2026 results as we continue to execute our growth strategies and create long-term value for our shareholders through long-term relationships, long-term contracts, and investment in long-term assets. With that, I'll turn the call over to Liz to provide a more detailed view of our financial results and outlook. Liz?

J.C. Butler: Across the board, we continue to invest in our businesses to drive future growth. We made capital expenditures of $33 million during Q1, and we anticipate making additional capital investments through the remainder of 2026, primarily in business development opportunities that meet our strict investment criteria. Overall, I continue to believe we are well-positioned for meaningful growth. We entered 2026 with clear opportunities to build on our 2025 momentum, and we are executing. I remain confident in our businesses and our ability to deliver strong 2026 results as we continue to execute our growth strategies and create long-term value for our shareholders through long-term relationships, long-term contracts, and investment in long-term assets. With that, I'll turn the call over to Liz to provide a more detailed view of our financial results and outlook. Liz?

Speaker #2: Overall, I continue to believe we are well-positioned for meaningful growth. We entered 2026 with clear opportunities to build on our 2025 momentum, and we are executing.

Speaker #2: I remain confident in our businesses and our ability to deliver strong 2026 results as we continue to execute our growth strategies and create long-term value for our shareholders through long-term relationships, long-term contracts, and investment in long-term assets.

Speaker #2: With that, I'll turn the call over to Liz to provide a more detailed view of our financial results and outlook. Liz?

Speaker #1: Thank you, Tracy. I'll start with some high-level comments about our consolidated first quarter 2026 results compared to the 2025 first quarter. We generated consolidated gross profit of $14.3 million, an increase of 48% year-over-year despite first quarter revenues of $62.8 million, decreasing 4%.

Elizabeth Loveman: Thank you, J.C. I'll start with some high-level comments about our consolidated Q1 2026 results compared to the 2025 Q1. We generated consolidated gross profit of $14.3 million, an increase of 48% year-over-year, despite Q1 revenues of $62.8 million, decreasing 4%. Consolidated operating profit of $11 million increased from $7.7 million in 2025, driven by improvements in both our utility coal mining and contract mining segments. These favorable results were partly offset by higher unallocated expenses. These strong operating profit results, combined with an improvement in other investment income, resulted in net income of $8.8 million or $1.17 per share.

Speaker #1: Consolidated operating profit of $11 million, increased from $7.7 million in 2025. Driven by improvements in both our utility coal mining and contract mining segments.

Speaker #1: These favorable results were partly offset by higher unallocated expenses. These strong operating profit results combined with an improvement in other investment income resulted in net income of $8.8 million or $1.17 per share.

Speaker #1: This was an 80% increase over first quarter 2025 net income of $4.9 million or $66 per share. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 28% to $16.4 million, versus $12.8 million for the same period last year.

Elizabeth Loveman: This was an 80% increase over Q1 2025 net income of $4.9 million or $0.66 per share. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 28% to $16.4 million versus $12.8 million for the same period last year. Turning to the segments. The utility coal mining segment reported operating profit of $7.4 million in 2026, a substantial increase over the $3.8 million generated in the Q1 2025. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased to $9.7 million from $5.8 million in the prior year. Efficiency actions and reclamation progress at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company during the power plant outage drove a meaningful improvement in gross profit compared with the prior year, when results were affected by a $3 million inventory impairment charge.

Speaker #1: Turning to the segments, the utility coal mining segment reported operating profit of $7.4 million in 2026, a substantial increase over the $3.8 million generated in the 2025 first quarter.

Speaker #1: Segment adjusted EBITDA increased to $9.7 million from $5.8 million in the prior year. Efficiency actions and reclamation progress at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company during the power plant outage drove a meaningful improvement in gross profit compared with the prior year, when results were affected by a $3 million inventory impairment charge.

Speaker #1: Looking ahead, we expect a meaningful increase in operating profit compared with 2025, primarily in the first half of 2026. Improvements at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company driven by an increase in the contractually determined per-ton sales price and a lower cost per-ton delivered are expected to be partly offset by lower earnings at the unconsolidated mining operations.

Elizabeth Loveman: Looking ahead, we expect a meaningful increase in operating profit compared with 2025, primarily in the H1 of 2026. Improvements at Mississippi Lignite Mining Company, driven by an increase in the contractually determined per ton sales price and a lower cost per ton delivered, are expected to be partly offset by lower earnings at the unconsolidated mining operations. The lower unconsolidated mining earnings in the H2 of 2026 are due to reduced income from The Sabine Mining Company associated with the wind down of reclamation services. In the contract mining segment, current quarter results benefited from the commencement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dragline services contract J.C. discussed.

Speaker #1: The lower unconsolidated mining earnings in the second half of 2026 are due to reduced income from the Sabine Mining Company associated with the wind-down of reclamation services.

Speaker #1: In the contract mining segment, current quarter results benefited from the commencement of the Army Corps of Engineers drag line service of contract JC discussed.

Speaker #1: This contract, combined with increased customer requirements and deliveries at the Limestone Mining operations, led to a 32% increase in revenues, net of reimbursed costs, and substantial year-over-year increases in both operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA.

Elizabeth Loveman: This contract, combined with increased customer requirements and deliveries at the limestone mining operations, led to a 32% increase in revenues, net of reimbursed costs, and substantial year-over-year increases in both operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA. During the quarter, contract mining changed its depreciation method for draglines and other large mining equipment from straight line to units of production to better align depreciation with asset usage. This change contributed approximately $900,000 to Q1 operating profit. As activity increases, particularly with the dragline services project in Florida and the commencement of operations in Arizona, depreciation expense will increase accordingly, and we expect full year depreciation to be generally in line with 2025.

Speaker #1: During the quarter, contract mining changed its depreciation method for drag lines and other large mining equipment from straight line to units of production, to better align depreciation with asset use with asset usage.

Speaker #1: This change contributed approximately $900,000 to first quarter operating profit. As activity as activity increases, particularly with the drag line services project in Florida and the commencement of operations in Arizona, depreciation expense will increase accordingly, and we expect full-year depreciation to be generally in line with 2025.

Speaker #1: Looking forward, as a result of earnings contributions from new contracts and continued momentum from 2025 activities, we anticipate a substantial year-over-year increase in both operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA at the contract mining segment.

Elizabeth Loveman: Looking forward, as a result of earnings contributions from new contracts and continued momentum from 2025 activities, we anticipate a substantial year-over-year increase in both operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA at the Contract Mining segment. In the Minerals and Royalties segment, higher Q1 2026 earnings from our Eiger equity investment mostly offset lower natural gas revenues, reflecting the benefits of our diversified portfolio and resulting in comparable year-over-year operating profit. For full year 2026, we expect the increases in income from our equity holding, combined with higher oil prices, will be more than offset by anticipated production declines in our natural gas assets and a changing mix of production and development activity, resulting in an overall year-over-year decrease in Minerals and Royalties operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA.

Speaker #1: In the minerals and royalties segment, higher first quarter 2026 earnings from our IGER equity investment, mostly offset lower natural gas revenues, reflecting the benefits of our diversified portfolio and resulting in comparable year-over-year operating profit.

Speaker #1: For full-year 2026, we expect to increases in income from our equity holding combined with higher oil prices will be more than offset will be more than offset by anticipated production declines in our natural gas assets and a changing mix of production and development activity.

Speaker #1: Resulting in an overall year-over-year decrease in minerals and royalties operating profit and segment adjusted EBITDA. At the consolidated level, we anticipate meaningful year-over-year improvements in consolidated operating profit, net income, and adjusted EBITDA in 2026.

Elizabeth Loveman: At the consolidated level, we anticipate meaningful year-over-year improvements in consolidated operating profit, net income, and adjusted EBITDA in 2026. Excluding the effect of a $6 million after-tax pension settlement charge in 2025, we expect year-over-year growth to moderate in the H2 of the year as anticipated results are compared against stronger prior year operational performance. Looking at our liquidity, at 31 March, we had outstanding debt of $126.4 million, up from $100.9 million at 31 December 2025. Our total liquidity was $102.7 million, consisting of $53.2 million of cash and $49.5 million of availability under our revolving credit facility.

Speaker #1: Excluding the effect of a $6 million after-tax pension settlement charge in 2025, we expect year-over-year growth to moderate in the second half of the year as anticipated results are compared against stronger prior-year operational performance.

Speaker #1: Looking at our liquidity at March 31st, we had outstanding outstanding debt of $126.4 million, up from $100.9 million at December 31st, 2025. Our total liquidity was $102.7 million, consisting of $53.2 million of cash and $49.5 million of availability under our revolving credit facility.

Speaker #1: As a result of the anticipated capital investments, we expect a greater use of cash before financing in 2026 compared with 2025. With that, I'll turn the call back to Tracy for closing remarks.

Elizabeth Loveman: As a result of the anticipated capital investments, we expect a greater use of cash before financing in 2026 compared with 2025. With that, I'll turn the call back to J.C. for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Liz. To wrap up, our first quarter 2026 results reflect continued execution of our business model and the strength of our operations. As we move forward, we plan to build on this momentum through additional investments in our growth platforms that are expected to deliver improvements in profitability and cash generation.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Thanks, Liz. To wrap up, our Q1 2026 results reflect continued execution of our business model and the strength of our operations. As we move forward, we plan to build on this momentum through additional investments in our growth platforms that are expected to deliver improvements in profitability and cash generation. I am encouraged by our performance and remain confident in our ability to generate long-term value for shareholders. We'll now turn to any questions you may have.

J.C. Butler: Thanks, Liz. To wrap up, our Q1 2026 results reflect continued execution of our business model and the strength of our operations. As we move forward, we plan to build on this momentum through additional investments in our growth platforms that are expected to deliver improvements in profitability and cash generation. I am encouraged by our performance and remain confident in our ability to generate long-term value for shareholders. We'll now turn to any questions you may have.

Speaker #2: I am encouraged by our performance and remain confident in our ability to generate long-term value for shareholders. We'll now turn to any questions you may have.

Speaker #3: As a reminder to ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. Again, that is star one to ask a question. And our first question comes from the line of Doug Weiss with DSW Investment.

Operator: As a reminder, to ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. Again, that is star one to ask a question. Our first question comes from the line of Doug Weiss with DSW Investment. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hey, good morning.

Douglas Weiss: Hey, good morning.

Doug Weiss: Hey, good morning.

Speaker #5: Good morning.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Morning, Doug.

J.C. Butler: Morning, Doug.

Speaker #6: Good morning.

Elizabeth Loveman: Morning.

Douglas Weiss: Congrats on a good quarter. I guess starting with Mississippi Lignite, it sounds like the plant maintenance has been completed and it's back to business as usual.

Speaker #4: So congrats on the good quarter. I guess starting with Mississippi Lignite, it sounds like the plant maintenance has been completed and it's back to business as usual.

Doug Weiss: Congrats on a good quarter. I guess starting with Mississippi Lignite, it sounds like the plant maintenance has been completed and it's back to business as usual.

Speaker #5: Yeah, yeah. The outage that occurred, the implant outage that occurred earlier in the year has been completed and the plan the plant is actually running pretty well, which helps us because the best situation for us is to be mining at a steady rate so we can operate most efficiently.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yep. The outage that occurred, the unplanned outage that occurred earlier in the year has been completed, and the plant is actually running pretty well, which, you know, helps us because the best situation for us is to, you know, be mining at a steady rate so we can, you know, operate most efficiently. That's a nice positive.

J.C. Butler: Yep. The outage that occurred, the unplanned outage that occurred earlier in the year has been completed, and the plant is actually running pretty well, which, you know, helps us because the best situation for us is to, you know, be mining at a steady rate so we can, you know, operate most efficiently. That's a nice positive.

Speaker #5: So that's a nice positive.

Speaker #4: Right. Is that plant are you able to say whether that plant is now providing attractive returns to its owners given the evolution of electricity markets?

Douglas Weiss: Right. Are you able to say whether that plant is now providing attractive returns to its owners given the evolution of electricity markets?

Doug Weiss: Right. Are you able to say whether that plant is now providing attractive returns to its owners given the evolution of electricity markets?

J.C. Butler Jr.: You know, we don't have a lot of exposure to the electricity side of that equation, I think it would be reckless for me to speculate on, you know, how exactly that's playing out right now. I mean, generally, there's, you know, high demand for electrons that's supportive of prices. You know, you'd have to work through the mechanics of the PPA that they have to Sorry, the power purchase agreement they have with TVA in order to really figure out how that works. I just I'm not privy to those details.

J.C. Butler: You know, we don't have a lot of exposure to the electricity side of that equation, I think it would be reckless for me to speculate on, you know, how exactly that's playing out right now. I mean, generally, there's, you know, high demand for electrons that's supportive of prices. You know, you'd have to work through the mechanics of the PPA that they have to Sorry, the power purchase agreement they have with TVA in order to really figure out how that works. I just I'm not privy to those details.

Speaker #5: We don't have a lot of exposure to the electricity side of that equation. So it would be I think it would be reckless for me to speculate on how exactly that's playing out right now.

Speaker #5: I mean, generally, there's high demand for electrons that's supportive of prices. But you got to you'd have to work through the mechanics of the PPA that they have to sorry, the power purchase agreement that they have with TVA in order to really figure out how that works.

Speaker #5: So I just am not privy to those details.

Speaker #4: Right. Okay. On the contract on the North American Mining so you've had a contract start this quarter and then you have a couple more starting through the year.

Douglas Weiss: Right. Okay. On the contract, on the North American Mining, so you had a contract to start this quarter, and then you have a couple more starting through the year. You know, last year, I guess there was a big drop-off in the second half, and I think that was partly weather related. Would you anticipate a more, a steady sort of cadence through this year and even growth through the year?

Doug Weiss: Right. Okay. On the contract, on the North American Mining, so you had a contract to start this quarter, and then you have a couple more starting through the year. You know, last year, I guess there was a big drop-off in the second half, and I think that was partly weather related. Would you anticipate a more, a steady sort of cadence through this year and even growth through the year?

Speaker #4: Last year, I guess there was a big drop-off in the second half and I think that was partly weather-related. Would you anticipate a more a steady sort of cadence through this year and even growth through the year?

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah. I mean, you know, it's always subject to, you know, what could happen in the interim that would, that would cause something to go, you know, directions we don't anticipate. As we added, you know, we're ramping up production at the new project in Palm Beach County, the US Army Corps of Engineers project. We've got one dragline operating. It's either just been commissioned or will be shortly. Third dragline is gonna be in there later in the year, we're gonna see increasing levels of production there in support of that project, which is great. In H2, we're gonna start, you know, operating the dragline in Arizona, which is great.

Speaker #5: Yeah. I mean, it's always subject to what could happen in the interim that would cause something to go in directions we don't anticipate. But as we added, we're ramping up production at the new project in Palm Beach County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.

J.C. Butler: Yeah. I mean, you know, it's always subject to, you know, what could happen in the interim that would, that would cause something to go, you know, directions we don't anticipate. As we added, you know, we're ramping up production at the new project in Palm Beach County, the US Army Corps of Engineers project. We've got one dragline operating. It's either just been commissioned or will be shortly. Third dragline is gonna be in there later in the year, we're gonna see increasing levels of production there in support of that project, which is great. In H2, we're gonna start, you know, operating the dragline in Arizona, which is great. Those are the main two new contracts that we're layering on to our existing contracts this year.

Speaker #5: We've got one drag line operating and another one is just on the it's either just been commissioned or it will be shortly. Third drag line is going to be in there later in the year.

Speaker #5: So we're going to see increasing levels of production there in support of that project, which is great. Then in the second half of the year, we're going to start operating the drag line in Arizona.

Speaker #5: Which is great. Those are the main two new contracts that we're layering onto our existing contracts this year.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Those are the main two new contracts that we're layering on to our existing contracts this year.

Speaker #4: Right. Right. Okay. And then you had a large oh, oh, sorry. One other question on North American Mining. In terms of how you account for capital expenditure on that or on that division, what is the sort of decision point on whether something gets expensed in the quarter as opposed to allocated to capital?

Douglas Weiss: Right. Right. Okay. Then, sorry, one other question on North American Mining. In terms of how you account for capital expenditure on that division, what is the sort of decision point on whether something gets expensed in the quarter as opposed to allocated to capital?

Doug Weiss: Right. Right. Okay. Then, sorry, one other question on North American Mining. In terms of how you account for capital expenditure on that division, what is the sort of decision point on whether something gets expensed in the quarter as opposed to allocated to capital?

J.C. Butler Jr.: Liz, that's a you question.

J.C. Butler: Liz, that's a you question.

Speaker #5: Well, that's a you question.

Speaker #3: Yeah. I mean, normal repairs and maintenance are expensed if it's something that is going to benefit us over the long term, like a drag line rebuild on a drag line tub.

Elizabeth Loveman: Yeah. I mean, you know, normal repairs and maintenance are expensed. If it's something that, you know, is going to benefit us over the long term, like, you know, a dragline, you know, a rebuild on a dragline tub, those kinds of things that are, you know, expected to generate, you know, we're gonna be able to use those over a longer period and they meet our capitalization criteria, we would capitalize those. Just run general repairs and maintenance is expensed, other things are capitalized.

Speaker #3: Those kinds of things that are expected to generate we're going to be able to use those over a longer period and they meet our capitalization criteria, we would capitalize those.

Speaker #3: So just general repairs and maintenance is expensed. Other things are capitalized.

Speaker #5: It's kind of a major component, I guess, is the way you could think of it. The tub for a large drag line, the tub is the base that the drag line sits on.

J.C. Butler Jr.: It's kind of a major component, I guess is the way you could think of it. The tub, for a large dragline, the tub is the base, that the dragline sits on. You know, these things, the big ones walk, which is, you know, fascinating technology, but it sits and rotates on a tub. Others, you know, are on very large tracks, kind of like you'd see on a, on a, you know, mobile crane or a bulldozer kind of thing. It operates on tracks. Large components get capitalized. Everything else gets expensed.

J.C. Butler: It's kind of a major component, I guess is the way you could think of it. The tub, for a large dragline, the tub is the base, that the dragline sits on. You know, these things, the big ones walk, which is, you know, fascinating technology, but it sits and rotates on a tub. Others, you know, are on very large tracks, kind of like you'd see on a, on a, you know, mobile crane or a bulldozer kind of thing. It operates on tracks. Large components get capitalized. Everything else gets expensed.

Speaker #5: These things the big ones walk. Which is fascinating technology, but it sits and rotates on a tub. Others are on very large tracks, kind of like you'd see on a mobile crane or a bulldozer kind of thing.

Speaker #5: It operates on tracks. So large components get capitalized. Everything else gets expensed.

Speaker #3: Yeah. If it's going to extend the useful life, it gets capitalized, I guess, is another way to say it.

Elizabeth Loveman: Yeah. If it's gonna extend the useful life, it gets capitalized, I guess is another way to.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah

J.C. Butler: Yeah

Elizabeth Loveman: to say it.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Yeah. Like if you take a boom down and do a complete boom rebuild, that probably gets capitalized.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah. Like if you know, take a boom down and do a complete boom rebuild, that probably gets capitalized.

J.C. Butler: Yeah. Like if you know, take a boom down and do a complete boom rebuild, that probably gets capitalized.

Douglas Weiss: Mm-hmm. Okay. That's helpful. You had a large.

Doug Weiss: Mm-hmm. Okay. That's helpful. You had a large.

Speaker #4: Okay. That's helpful. Then you had a large.

Speaker #5: Hey, just sorry to talk just on that point. We talk about the fact that we pursue contracts that may not all contracts have capital upfront, but we do contracts that have initial capital upfront when we may put a drag line in place.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Hey, just Sorry, Doug, just on that point.

J.C. Butler: Hey, just Sorry, Doug, just on that point.

Douglas Weiss: Yeah.

Doug Weiss: Yeah.

J.C. Butler Jr.: You know, we talk about the fact that we pursue contracts that not all contracts have capital upfront, but we do contracts that have initial capital upfront when we may put a dragline in place or in Mitigation Resources, we're buying mineral interests. In minerals and royalties, we're buying mineral interests. Mitigation Resources, we might buy land. Generally, the maintenance CapEx that we have in our projects going forward is a low number as a percentage of the original. Like, you know, I don't want you to think that any of these things that Liz was describing, you know, tub repairs, boom rebuilds, I mean, they come up every so often, but they're a small portion of the, you know, depreciation expense that we incur over the life of a contract.

J.C. Butler: You know, we talk about the fact that we pursue contracts that not all contracts have capital upfront, but we do contracts that have initial capital upfront when we may put a dragline in place or in Mitigation Resources, we're buying mineral interests. In minerals and royalties, we're buying mineral interests. Mitigation Resources, we might buy land. Generally, the maintenance CapEx that we have in our projects going forward is a low number as a percentage of the original. Like, you know, I don't want you to think that any of these things that Liz was describing, you know, tub repairs, boom rebuilds, I mean, they come up every so often, but they're a small portion of the, you know, depreciation expense that we incur over the life of a contract.

Speaker #5: Or in mitigation resources, we're buying mineral interest or sorry, in minerals and royalties, we're buying mineral interest mitigation resources. We might buy land. But generally, the maintenance capex that we have in our projects going forward is a low number as a percentage of the original.

Speaker #5: So I don't want you to think that any of these things that Liz was describing, tub repairs, boom rebuilds, I mean, they come up every so often, but they're a small portion of the depreciation expense that we incur over the life of a contract.

Speaker #4: Right. Right. Makes sense.

Douglas Weiss: Right. Right. Makes sense.

Doug Weiss: Right. Right. Makes sense.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Sorry to interrupt.

J.C. Butler: Sorry to interrupt.

Speaker #5: Sorry to interrupt.

Speaker #4: Let's see. Oh, and in terms of stock or pass, I believe that's supposed to ramp next year. Any I think lithium prices have come up quite a bit.

Douglas Weiss: Let's see. Oh, in terms of Thacker Pass, you know, I believe that's supposed to ramp next year. Any, you know, I think lithium prices have come up quite a bit, anything you're seeing there that's worth updating on?

Doug Weiss: Let's see. Oh, in terms of Thacker Pass, you know, I believe that's supposed to ramp next year. Any, you know, I think lithium prices have come up quite a bit, anything you're seeing there that's worth updating on?

Speaker #4: Anything you're seeing there that's worth updating on?

J.C. Butler Jr.: I'm actually headed out there next week. The, you know, the plant is progressing very nicely. We're doing initial work on mine development. We've got our, you know, our office trailers established where the mine site will be, which is directly adjacent to the processing plant. That, I mean, that project's moving along nicely. I look forward to being out there next week to see it. You're right, later this year, early next year is when we anticipate. It's really late next year we anticipate.

Speaker #5: I'm actually headed out there next week. The plant is progressing very nicely. We're doing initial work on mine development. We've got our office trailers established where the mine site will be, which is directly adjacent to the processing plant.

J.C. Butler: I'm actually headed out there next week. The, you know, the plant is progressing very nicely. We're doing initial work on mine development. We've got our, you know, our office trailers established where the mine site will be, which is directly adjacent to the processing plant. That, I mean, that project's moving along nicely. I look forward to being out there next week to see it. You're right, later this year, early next year is when we anticipate. It's really late next year we anticipate.

Speaker #5: That I mean, that project's moving along nicely. I look forward to being out there next week to see it. You're right. Later this year, early next year is when we anticipate it's really late next year we anticipate.

Elizabeth Loveman: Late 2027.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Sorry. I'm off a year. It's late 2027 is when we anticipate, you know, making lithium deliveries to them, which they'll then be processing. Everything seems to be on target.

J.C. Butler: Sorry. I'm off a year. It's late 2027 is when we anticipate, you know, making lithium deliveries to them, which they'll then be processing. Everything seems to be on target.

Speaker #5: Sorry. I'm off of year. It's late 2027 is when we anticipate making lithium deliveries to them, which they'll then be processing. But everything seems to be on target.

Speaker #3: And they do a very nice job of updating their website with what's going on. So if you wanted to look there, they have they update that regularly.

Elizabeth Loveman: They do a very nice job of updating their website.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah

J.C. Butler: Yeah

Elizabeth Loveman: What's going on. If you wanted to look there, they have, they update that regularly.

J.C. Butler Jr.: They do a great job giving project updates.

J.C. Butler: They do a great job giving project updates.

Speaker #5: They do a great job. Giving the project updates.

Douglas Weiss: Okay.

Doug Weiss: Okay.

Speaker #3: And I think they just filed their annual report today. So it's probably good information out there.

Elizabeth Loveman: I think they just filed their annual report today, so there's probably good information out there.

Speaker #4: Okay. Good. Yeah. I'll check that out. Let's see. You had a large expenditure this quarter for mitigation resources. I think that's independent of your comments on buying land in Tennessee.

Douglas Weiss: Okay, good. Yeah, I'll check that out. Let's see. You had a large expenditure this Q for Mitigation Resources. I think that's independent of your comments on buying land in Tennessee. Why, what was the $32 million? What did that relate to?

Doug Weiss: Okay, good. Yeah, I'll check that out. Let's see. You had a large expenditure this Q for Mitigation Resources. I think that's independent of your comments on buying land in Tennessee. Why, what was the $32 million? What did that relate to?

Speaker #4: What was the 32 million? What did that relate to?

J.C. Butler Jr.: Our total CapEx for the quarter was $33 million, right, Lizzie?

Speaker #5: So our total capex for the quarter was 33 million dollars, right, Liz?

J.C. Butler: Our total CapEx for the quarter was $33 million, right, Lizzie?

Speaker #3: Yes. Yes.

Elizabeth Loveman: Yes. Yes.

Speaker #5: Christie are nodding. That was made up of the purchase of land in Tennessee and expenditures on the drag lines for the project in Florida that we just discussed.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Christy, you're nodding. That was made up of the purchase of land in Tennessee and expenditures on the drag lines for the project in Florida we just discussed, the Army Corps of Engineers project. That's really what makes up that $33 million.

J.C. Butler: Christy, you're nodding. That was made up of the purchase of land in Tennessee and expenditures on the drag lines for the project in Florida we just discussed, the Army Corps of Engineers project. That's really what makes up that $33 million.

Speaker #5: The Army Corps of Engineers project. That's really what makes up that 33 million dollars.

Speaker #4: Got it. Got it.

Douglas Weiss: Got it. Got it.

Doug Weiss: Got it. Got it.

Speaker #3: And some solar. Expenses. So there's other things mixed in.

Elizabeth Loveman: Expenses. There's other things mixed in.

J.C. Butler Jr.: There's other things in there too. That's not 100% of it, but it's certainly a majority of those expenditures are related to the land purchase from, for, Mitigation Resources and the drag lines for, contract mining.

J.C. Butler: There's other things in there too. That's not 100% of it, but it's certainly a majority of those expenditures are related to the land purchase from, for, Mitigation Resources and the drag lines for, contract mining.

Speaker #5: There's other things in there too. That's not 100% of it, but it's a certainly a majority of those expenditures are related to the land purchase from for mitigation resources and the drag lines for contract mining.

Speaker #4: I see. And when you make a large land purchase like that, what's the payoff in terms of time? When do you start to see cash realizations from that?

Douglas Weiss: I see. When you make a large land purchase like that, what's the payoff in terms of time? You know, when do you start to see cash realizations from that?

Doug Weiss: I see. When you make a large land purchase like that, what's the payoff in terms of time? You know, when do you start to see cash realizations from that?

Speaker #5: Oh, I mean, the nature of our projects typically there's always exceptions, but typically, we expect to get assets deployed pretty quickly. And start generating cash returns.

J.C. Butler Jr.: I mean, you know, the nature of our projects, typically, there's always exceptions, but typically we expect to get assets deployed pretty quickly, and start generating cash returns. You know, if you look at I'll give you one example. In our minerals business, we, for the most part, look at projects that have payback, complete payback, within 5 years. Then, you know, these assets deliver for decades after that. You know, we always look at As we're measuring, you know, NPV and IRR on these projects, you know, the speed with which you get your capital back is a big factor in all of this.

J.C. Butler: I mean, you know, the nature of our projects, typically, there's always exceptions, but typically we expect to get assets deployed pretty quickly, and start generating cash returns. You know, if you look at I'll give you one example. In our minerals business, we, for the most part, look at projects that have payback, complete payback, within 5 years. Then, you know, these assets deliver for decades after that. You know, we always look at As we're measuring, you know, NPV and IRR on these projects, you know, the speed with which you get your capital back is a big factor in all of this.

Speaker #5: If you look at I'll give you one example in our minerals business. We for the most part look at projects that have payback complete payback within five years.

Speaker #5: And then these assets deliver for decades after that. So we always look at as we're measuring NPV and IRR on these projects, the speed with which you get your capital back is a big factor in all of this.

Speaker #5: And of course, as we discussed internally all the time, the faster we can get our capital back means we have capital we can then redeploy—and redeploy into other assets, other contracts, other opportunities that build on this long-term business model that we've described in our investor deck.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Of course, you know, as we discuss internally all the time, the faster we can get our capital back means we have capital we can then redeploy and can redeploy into other assets, other contracts, other opportunities that build on this long-term business model that we've described in our investor deck.

J.C. Butler: Of course, you know, as we discuss internally all the time, the faster we can get our capital back means we have capital we can then redeploy and can redeploy into other assets, other contracts, other opportunities that build on this long-term business model that we've described in our investor deck.

Speaker #4: Right.

Douglas Weiss: Right.

Doug Weiss: Right.

Speaker #3: And if you were asked about the Tennessee land, we had issued a press release when we acquired the land, and we noted that credits we anticipate will be available in 2029.

Elizabeth Loveman: If you were asked about the Tennessee land, we had issued a press release, when we acquired the land, and we noted that credits we anticipate will be available in 2029.

Elizabeth Loveman: You know, there's just permitting that has to happen before the credits are available.

Speaker #3: They're just permitting that has to happen before the credits are available.

Elizabeth Loveman: You know, there's just permitting that has to happen before the credits are available.

Speaker #4: I see. I see. When you. Buy an asset like that, does that improve the utilization of your heavy equipment that you're using to improve that land?

Douglas Weiss: I see. I see. When you buy an asset, like, does that improve the utilization of your, you know, heavy equipment that you're using to improve that land?

Doug Weiss: I see. I see. When you buy an asset, like, does that improve the utilization of your, you know, heavy equipment that you're using to improve that land?

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah. Within the Mitigation Resources business, you know, when we started, we were just really doing the credits and contracting the dirt work. Very quickly we realized that we should be doing our own dirt work 'cause we can better control our costs and our schedule, and honestly, we're pretty good at what we do. We established a business inside Mitigation Resources that we call MITRE Services that does dirt work, not only for Mitigation Resources' own projects, but from time to time we go identify, that team identifies other restoration and reclamation projects that can be done for third parties. We're able to utilize the equipment. This is smaller equipment. This is not like stuff that we would operate at a big coal mine.

J.C. Butler: Yeah. Within the Mitigation Resources business, you know, when we started, we were just really doing the credits and contracting the dirt work. Very quickly we realized that we should be doing our own dirt work 'cause we can better control our costs and our schedule, and honestly, we're pretty good at what we do. We established a business inside Mitigation Resources that we call MITRE Services that does dirt work, not only for Mitigation Resources' own projects, but from time to time we go identify, that team identifies other restoration and reclamation projects that can be done for third parties. We're able to utilize the equipment. This is smaller equipment. This is not like stuff that we would operate at a big coal mine.

Speaker #5: mitigation resources business, when we started, we were just really doing the credits and contracting the dirt work. Very quickly, we realized that we should be doing our own dirt work because we can better control our costs and our schedule.

Speaker #5: And honestly, we're pretty good at what we do. So we established a business inside mitigation resources that we call MITRIS services. That does dirt work not only for mitigation resources' own projects, but from time to time, we go identify that team identifies other restoration and reclamation projects that can be done for third parties.

Speaker #5: So we're able to utilize the equipment. And this is smaller equipment. This is not like stuff that we would operate at a big coal mine.

Speaker #5: This is smaller kind of things that you can haul under the road. So we do not only our own dirt work, we do dirt work for third parties as well, which has turned out to be a really interesting business with a huge addressable market and I think a lot of opportunity.

J.C. Butler Jr.: This is smaller kind of things that you can haul into the road. We do not only our own dirt work, we do work for third parties as well, which has turned out to be a really interesting business with a huge addressable market and I think a lot of opportunity.

J.C. Butler: This is smaller kind of things that you can haul into the road. We do not only our own dirt work, we do work for third parties as well, which has turned out to be a really interesting business with a huge addressable market and I think a lot of opportunity.

Speaker #4: Okay. Great. I guess last question on the minerals business. So given the increase in oil prices and appreciating that there's a lot of volatility in those prices, do you are you getting any indications on whether that's going to lead to more wells over the rest of the year in terms of your partners or?

Douglas Weiss: Okay. Great. I guess last question on the minerals business. Given the increase in oil prices and appreciating that there's a lot of volatility in those prices, are you getting any indications on whether that's gonna lead to more wells over the rest of the year in terms of your partners or, you know?

Doug Weiss: Okay. Great. I guess last question on the minerals business. Given the increase in oil prices and appreciating that there's a lot of volatility in those prices, are you getting any indications on whether that's gonna lead to more wells over the rest of the year in terms of your partners or, you know?

Speaker #5: Yeah. I mean, they like everybody else are watching what's going on with caution. Several years ago, we went through the period where all the produced not all.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Yeah. You know, I mean, they, like everybody else, are watching what's going on with caution. You know, several years ago we went through the period where not all, many of the producers were. It's almost like, you know, an internet business where it was all about the clicks. It was about how many rigs did they have going and how many wells they were drilling and not what was going on with their cash flows, and they all, a bunch of them got burned by that. The, you know, amongst the more sophisticated producers, which are primarily the folks that we work with, they're being cautious not to get out over their skis by taking on too much debt or bringing in private equity money that they need in order to fund a huge drilling program.

J.C. Butler: Yeah. You know, I mean, they, like everybody else, are watching what's going on with caution. You know, several years ago we went through the period where not all, many of the producers were. It's almost like, you know, an internet business where it was all about the clicks. It was about how many rigs did they have going and how many wells they were drilling and not what was going on with their cash flows, and they all, a bunch of them got burned by that. The, you know, amongst the more sophisticated producers, which are primarily the folks that we work with, they're being cautious not to get out over their skis by taking on too much debt or bringing in private equity money that they need in order to fund a huge drilling program.

Speaker #5: Many of the producers were it's almost like an internet business where it's all about the clicks. It was about how many rigs did they have going and how many wells they were drilling and not what was going on with their cash flows.

Speaker #5: And they all a bunch of them got burned by that. So the amongst the more sophisticated producers, which are primarily the folks that we work with, they're being cautious not to get out over their skis by taking on too much debt or bringing in private equity money that they need in order to fund a huge drilling program.

Speaker #5: Now, do I think that sustained and look, I mean, I read the same stuff. You probably read in the Wall Street Journal and other places, but if we have continued higher oil prices, they don't necessarily have to be at the level they are.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Now, do I think that it's sustained? Look, I mean, I read the same stuff you probably read in The Wall Street Journal and other places, but, you know, as, if we have continued higher oil prices, they don't necessarily have to be at the level they are. Would that probably lead to future increases in development? It probably would, but I think they're all waiting to see how this plays out and what really happens to oil prices over the long term. My own view is, you know, if all of a sudden somebody waved a magic wand in the Middle East and everything was settled, which I don't think is gonna happen, oil prices are gonna drop because the immediate stress will come out of the system, oil will begin flowing through the strait more regularly.

J.C. Butler: Now, do I think that it's sustained? Look, I mean, I read the same stuff you probably read in The Wall Street Journal and other places, but, you know, as, if we have continued higher oil prices, they don't necessarily have to be at the level they are. Would that probably lead to future increases in development? It probably would, but I think they're all waiting to see how this plays out and what really happens to oil prices over the long term. My own view is, you know, if all of a sudden somebody waved a magic wand in the Middle East and everything was settled, which I don't think is gonna happen, oil prices are gonna drop because the immediate stress will come out of the system, oil will begin flowing through the strait more regularly.

Speaker #5: Would that probably lead to future increases in development? It probably would. But I think they're all waiting to see how this plays out and what really happens to oil prices over the long term.

Speaker #5: My own view is if all of a sudden somebody waved a magic wand in the Middle East and everything was settled, which I don't think is going to happen, oil prices are going to drop because the immediate stress will come out of the system.

Speaker #5: Oil will begin flowing through the strait more regularly. But I think there's going to be a there's going to be a risk premium added to global oil prices for quite a while.

J.C. Butler Jr.: I think there's gonna be a risk premium added to global oil prices for quite a while. You know, that's gonna affect how people think about drilling in the Permian and other oil-producing regions of the United States. Purely my opinion based on what I've been reading, but it feels like how it plays out.

J.C. Butler: I think there's gonna be a risk premium added to global oil prices for quite a while. You know, that's gonna affect how people think about drilling in the Permian and other oil-producing regions of the United States. Purely my opinion based on what I've been reading, but it feels like how it plays out.

Speaker #5: And that's going to affect how people think about drilling in the Permian and other oil-producing regions in the United States. Purely my opinion based on what I've been reading, but I just it feels like how it plays out.

Douglas Weiss: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I agree.

Doug Weiss: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I agree.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Ultimately, you know, that should be good for the oil reserves that we own. I think ultimately that spills over into natural gas to some extent, although we really haven't seen much movement in natural gas prices thus far, even though, you know, what's going on in the Middle East has disrupted LNG shipments. My own opinion is, over time, this is a positive for US LNG exports. We're, you know, we're heavily, well, we're less heavily than we used to be, but we're still significantly weighted towards natural gas. Ultimately, that should play into a really nice long-term benefit for our natural gas asset.

Speaker #5: And ultimately, that should be good for the oil reserves that we own. I think ultimately, that spills over into natural gas to some extent.

J.C. Butler: Ultimately, you know, that should be good for the oil reserves that we own. I think ultimately that spills over into natural gas to some extent, although we really haven't seen much movement in natural gas prices thus far, even though, you know, what's going on in the Middle East has disrupted LNG shipments. My own opinion is, over time, this is a positive for US LNG exports. We're, you know, we're heavily, well, we're less heavily than we used to be, but we're still significantly weighted towards natural gas. Ultimately, that should play into a really nice long-term benefit for our natural gas asset.

Speaker #5: Although we really haven't seen much movement in natural gas prices thus far, even though what's going on in the Middle East has just disrupted LNG shipments.

Speaker #5: But my own opinion is over time, this is a positive for US LNG exports and we're heavily weighted toward we're less heavily than we used to be, but we're still significantly weighted towards natural gas.

Speaker #5: So ultimately, that should play into a really nice long-term benefit for our natural gas asset.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Right. Okay. All right. Well, thanks as always for the time and congrats on the good quarter and talk to you next quarter.

Douglas Weiss: Yeah. Right. Okay. All right. Well, thanks as always for the time. Congrats on the good quarter and talk to you next quarter.

Doug Weiss: Yeah. Right. Okay. All right. Well, thanks as always for the time. Congrats on the good quarter and talk to you next quarter.

Speaker #5: We'll talk to you next quarter. We appreciate your interest and your questions.

J.C. Butler Jr.: We'll talk to you next quarter. We appreciate your interest and your questions.

J.C. Butler: We'll talk to you next quarter. We appreciate your interest and your questions.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Doug.

Christina Kmetko: Thanks, Doug.

Christy Kmetko: Thanks, Doug.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Doug.

J.C. Butler Jr.: Thanks, Doug.

J.C. Butler: Thanks, Doug.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Christina Kmetko: Thank you.

Christy Kmetko: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Again, as a reminder to ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. And with no further questions in queue, I'll now hand the call back over to Christy for closing remarks.

Operator: Again, as a reminder, to ask a question, simply press star one on your telephone keypad. With no further questions in queue, I'll now hand the call back over to Christie for closing remarks.

Speaker #6: Okay, thank you. We'll conclude our Q&A session. Before we wrap up the call, I'd like to provide a few reminders. A replay of our call will be available online later this morning.

Christina Kmetko: Thank you. We'll conclude our Q&A session. Before we wrap up the call, I'd like to provide a few reminders. A replay of our call will be available online later this morning. We'll also post a transcript on our website when it becomes available. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. My phone number is on the press release. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, and I'll turn it back to Tina to conclude the call. Thank you.

Christy Kmetko: Thank you. We'll conclude our Q&A session. Before we wrap up the call, I'd like to provide a few reminders. A replay of our call will be available online later this morning. We'll also post a transcript on our website when it becomes available. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. My phone number is on the press release. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, and I'll turn it back to Tina to conclude the call. Thank you.

Speaker #6: We'll also post a transcript on our website when it becomes available. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. My phone number is on the press release.

Speaker #6: I hope you have enjoyed the rest of your day, and I'll turn it back to Tina to conclude the call. Thank you.

Speaker #1: And audio recording of the event will be available via the Echo Replay platform to access the platform by phone. Please dial in using one of the numbers listed.

Operator: Thank you very much for joining us today. This does conclude today's conference call. You may now disconnect.

Speaker #1: And input playback ID 1610203, followed by the pound key. Echo Replay will expire on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Thank you very much for joining us today.

Operator: Thank you very much for joining us today. This does conclude today's conference call. You may now disconnect.