Natural Resource Partners L.P. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results and Declares Third Quarter 2023 Distribution of $0.75 per Common Unit

Rhea-AI Summary

Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NYSE:NRP) reported third quarter 2023 results with $63.8 million net income, $78.9 million operating cash flow, and $79.6 million free cash flow. They generated $80 million of free cash flow, paid a common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit, redeemed $50 million of preferred units, and repurchased warrants. The board declared a third quarter 2023 common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit.

Positive

• Natural Resource Partners L.P. generated $80 million of free cash flow in the third quarter of 2023.
• They redeemed $50 million of preferred units at par with cash and repurchased 1.46 million warrants for $56 million in cash.
• The board declared a third quarter 2023 common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit.

Negative

• None.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NYSE:NRP) today reported third quarter 2023 results as follows:

		For the Three Months Ended				Last Twelve Months Ended
(In thousands) (Unaudited)		September 30, 2023
Net income		$	63,846			$	276,673
Operating cash flow			78,942				302,080
Free cash flow (1)			79,564				304,426

(1)

See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and reconciliation tables at the end of this release.

Highlights:

• Generated $80 million of free cash flow
• Paid second quarter 2023 common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit
• Redeemed $50 million of preferred units at par with cash; $72 million of original $250 million preferred units remain outstanding
• Repurchased 812,500 warrants in September and 650,000 warrants in October with $56 million in cash; 1.54 million of original 4 million warrants remain outstanding
• Declares third quarter 2023 common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit

"NRP had another robust quarter with $80 million of free cash flow generated in the third quarter of 2023 as a result of continued strong performance from our mineral rights assets and a significant cash distribution from our soda ash investment," said Craig Nunez, NRP's president and chief operating officer. "We also made noteworthy progress towards our goal of eliminating all preferred units and warrants by redeeming $50 million of preferred units at par with cash and repurchasing a total of 1.46 million warrants for $56 million in cash. I am proud of the NRP team for the continued strong performance and am confident our strategy to retire all outstanding debt, preferred equity, and warrants while maintaining common unit distributions will continue to maximize long-term unitholder value.”

NRP announced today that the board of directors of its general partner declared a third quarter 2023 cash distribution of $0.75 per common unit to be paid on November 21, 2023, to unitholders of record on November 14, 2023. In addition, the board declared a $2.15 million cash distribution on NRP's outstanding preferred units. Future distributions on NRP's common and preferred units will be determined on a quarterly basis by the board of directors. The board of directors considers numerous factors each quarter in determining cash distributions including profitability, cash flow, debt service obligations, market conditions and outlook, estimated unitholder income tax liability, and the level of cash reserves that the board determines is necessary for future operating and capital needs.

NRP's available liquidity was $45.4 million at September 30, 2023, consisting of $18.4 million of cash and $27.0 million of borrowing capacity available under its revolving credit facility.

Segment Performance

Mineral Rights

Mineral Rights net income, operating cash flow, and free cash flow for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $11.2 million, $15.0 million, and $15.0 million, respectively, as compared to the prior year period. These decreases were primarily due to certain carbon neutral initiative transactions entered into during the third quarter of 2022 and higher oil and gas royalty revenues as a result of higher natural gas production and prices in the third quarter of 2022. Approximately 60% of coal royalty revenues and approximately 45% of coal royalty sales volumes were derived from metallurgical coal in the third quarter of 2023.

Metallurgical coal prices improved and thermal coal prices remained relatively flat during the third quarter of 2023. Both metallurgical and thermal coal prices were above historical norms but below the record highs seen in 2022. NRP expects continued price support for coal as limited access to capital, labor shortages, and inflationary pressures limit operators’ ability to increase production.

In addition, NRP continues to explore carbon neutral revenue opportunities across its large asset portfolio, including the sequestration of carbon dioxide underground and in standing forests, and the generation of electricity using geothermal, solar, and wind energy.

Soda Ash

Soda Ash net income in the third quarter of 2023 decreased $2.2 million as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower international sales prices and an increased sales mix into the lower priced international market in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the prior year period. Operating cash flow and free cash flow in the third quarter of 2023 improved $12.6 million as compared to the prior year period due to a higher cash distribution received from Sisecam Wyoming in the third quarter of 2023 stemming from strong operating performance in the first half of the year.

International soda ash prices were significantly lower in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the first half of the year primarily due to new supply from China. NRP believes lower international prices will persist throughout the remainder of the year and into next year as the market absorbs the additional supply. Sisecam Wyoming’s domestic soda ash sales prices are expected to remain above the spot market for the rest of this year as a result of negotiated 2023 domestic sales contracts entered into at the end of 2022. As domestic sales contracts for 2024 begin to be negotiated, NRP believes contracted sales prices will be set at lower levels as the market contends with recessionary headwinds and new supply entering the export markets.

Corporate and Financing

Corporate and Financing costs in the third quarter of 2023 decreased $2.6 million as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in 2022. Operating cash flow and free cash flow in the third quarter of 2023 decreased $1.1 million as compared to the prior year period primarily due to higher cash paid for interest in the third quarter of 2023 due to borrowings on the credit facility used for the preferred unit redemptions and warrant repurchases.

NRP redeemed an aggregate of 50,001 preferred units at par with cash in the third quarter of 2023, saving NRP $6.0 million annually in preferred unit cash distributions. Of the originally issued 250,000 preferred units, 71,666 remain outstanding.

In addition, NRP repurchased 752,500 warrants with an exercise price of $22.81 and 60,000 warrants with an exercise price of $34.00 for $33.6 million in cash during the third quarter of 2023. In October, NRP repurchased 650,000 warrants with an exercise price of $34.00 for $22.5 million in cash. After the warrant repurchases in October, 1.54 million warrants with an exercise price of $34.00 remain outstanding.

In August 2023, NRP declared and paid a second quarter 2023 cash distribution of $0.75 per common unit and a $3.65 million cash distribution on its preferred units. Today, NRP declared a third quarter 2023 cash distribution of $0.75 per common unit and a $2.15 million cash distribution on its outstanding preferred units.

NRP's consolidated leverage ratio was 0.7x at September 30, 2023.

Conference Call

A conference call will be held today at 9:00 a.m. ET. To register for the conference call, please use this link: https://conferencingportals.com/event/cHhtshxF. After registering a confirmation will be sent via email, including dial in details and unique conference call codes for entry. Registration is open through the live call, however, to ensure you are connected for the full conference call we suggest registering at minimum 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Investors may also listen to the call via the Investor Relations section of the NRP website at www.nrplp.com. To access the replay, please visit the Investor Relations section of NRP’s website.

Withholding Information for Foreign Investors

Concurrent with this announcement, we are providing qualified notice to brokers and nominees that hold NRP units on behalf of non-U.S. investors under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b) and (d) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446(f)-4(c)(2)(iii). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100%) of NRP's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. In addition, brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100%) of the distribution as being in excess of cumulative net income for purposes of determining the amount to withhold. Accordingly, NRP's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at a rate equal to the sum of the highest applicable rate plus ten percent (10%).

Company Profile

Natural Resource Partners L.P., a master limited partnership headquartered in Houston, TX, is a diversified natural resource company that owns, manages and leases a diversified portfolio of properties in the United States including coal, industrial minerals and other natural resources, as well as rights to conduct carbon sequestration and renewable energy activities. NRP also owns an equity investment in Sisecam Wyoming LLC, one of the world’s lowest-cost producers of soda ash.

For additional information, please contact Tiffany Sammis at 713-751-7515 or tsammis@nrplp.com. Further information about NRP is available on the partnership’s website at http://www.nrplp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Partnership based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Partnership. These risks include, among other things, statements regarding: the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic; future distributions on the Partnership’s common and preferred units; the Partnership's business strategy; its liquidity and access to capital and financing sources; its financial strategy; prices of and demand for coal, trona and soda ash, and other natural resources; estimated revenues, expenses and results of operations; projected future performance by the Partnership's lessees; Sisecam Wyoming LLC’s trona mining and soda ash refinery operations; distributions from the soda ash joint venture; the impact of governmental policies, laws and regulations, as well as regulatory and legal proceedings involving the Partnership, and of scheduled or potential regulatory or legal changes; global and U.S. economic conditions; and other factors detailed in Natural Resource Partners’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Natural Resource Partners L.P. has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

"Adjusted EBITDA" is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss) less equity earnings from unconsolidated investment; plus total distributions from unconsolidated investment, interest expense, net, debt modification expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation, depletion and amortization and asset impairments. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or loss, net income or loss attributable to partners, operating income or loss, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance, liquidity or ability to service debt obligations. There are significant limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring items that materially affect our net income, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA presented below is not calculated or presented on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA as defined in our partnership agreement or Consolidated EBITDDA as defined in Opco's debt agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental performance measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis.

“Distributable cash flow” or "DCF" is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities plus distributions from unconsolidated investment in excess of cumulative earnings, proceeds from asset sales and disposals, including sales of discontinued operations, and return of long-term contract receivable; less maintenance capital expenditures. DCF is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. DCF may not be calculated the same for us as for other companies. In addition, distributable cash flow is not calculated or presented on the same basis as distributable cash flow as defined in our partnership agreement, which is used as a metric to determine whether we are able to increase quarterly distributions to our common unitholders. Distributable cash flow is a supplemental liquidity measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assess our ability to make cash distributions and repay debt.

“Free cash flow” or "FCF" is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities plus distributions from unconsolidated investment in excess of cumulative earnings and return of long-term contract receivable; less maintenance and expansion capital expenditures and cash flow used in acquisition costs classified as investing or financing activities. FCF is calculated before mandatory debt repayments. Free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. Free cash flow may not be calculated the same for us as for other companies. Free cash flow is a supplemental liquidity measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to assess our ability to make cash distributions and repay debt.

"Cash flow cushion" is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as free cash flow less one-time beneficial items, mandatory Opco debt repayments, preferred unit distributions, redemption of preferred units, redemption of PIK units, common unit distributions, and warrant cash settlements. Cash flow cushion is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. Cash flow cushion is a supplemental liquidity measure used by our management to assess the Partnership's ability to make or raise cash distributions to our common and preferred unitholders and our general partner and repay debt or redeem preferred units.

"Leverage ratio" represents the outstanding principal of NRP's debt at the end of the period divided by the last twelve months' Adjusted EBITDA as defined above. NRP believes that leverage ratio is a useful measure to management and investors to evaluate and monitor the indebtedness of NRP relative to its ability to generate income to service such debt and in understanding trends in NRP’s overall financial condition. Leverage ratio may not be calculated the same for NRP as for other companies and is not a substitute for, and should not be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial ratios.

-Financial Tables and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures Follow-

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
		For the Three Months Ended												For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								June 30,				September 30,
(In thousands, except per unit data)		2023				2022				2023				2023				2022
Revenues and other income
Royalty and other mineral rights		$	68,533			$	81,379			$	61,007			$	205,811			$	231,795
Transportation and processing services			4,579				5,969				3,270				11,447				15,377
Equity in earnings of Sisecam Wyoming			12,401				14,556				26,978				58,633				44,036
Gain on asset sales and disposals			854				354				5				955				699
Total revenues and other income		$	86,367			$	102,258			$	91,260			$	276,846			$	291,907
Operating expenses
Operating and maintenance expenses		$	8,358			$	7,898			$	7,930			$	23,451			$	25,989
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			4,594				6,850				3,792				12,469				16,565
General and administrative expenses			5,669				4,518				5,643				17,157				14,037
Asset impairments			63				812				69				132				874
Total operating expenses		$	18,684			$	20,078			$	17,434			$	53,209			$	57,465
Income from operations		$	67,683			$	82,180			$	73,826			$	223,637			$	234,442
Other expenses, net
Interest expense, net		$	(3,837	)		$	(5,141	)		$	(3,492	)		$	(10,182	)		$	(22,636	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			—				(2,484	)			—				—				(6,532	)
Total other expenses, net		$	(3,837	)		$	(7,625	)		$	(3,492	)		$	(10,182	)		$	(29,168	)
Net income		$	63,846			$	74,555			$	70,334			$	213,455			$	205,274
Less: income attributable to preferred unitholders			(2,936	)			(7,500	)			(4,971	)			(14,568	)			(22,500	)
Less: redemption of preferred units			(17,083	)			—				(27,618	)			(60,929	)			—
Net income attributable to common unitholders and the general partner		$	43,827			$	67,055			$	37,745			$	137,958			$	182,774
Net income attributable to common unitholders		$	42,951			$	65,714			$	36,990			$	135,199			$	179,119
Net income attributable to the general partner			876				1,341				755				2,759				3,655
Net income per common unit
Basic		$	3.40			$	5.25			$	2.93			$	10.72			$	14.36
Diluted			2.91				3.71				2.49				8.88				10.24
Net income		$	63,846			$	74,555			$	70,334			$	213,455			$	205,274
Comprehensive income (loss) from unconsolidated investment and other			2,200				289				911				(16,472	)			(1,179	)
Comprehensive income		$	66,046			$	74,844			$	71,245			$	196,983			$	204,095

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
		For the Three Months Ended												For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								June 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)		2023				2022				2023				2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income		$	63,846			$	74,555			$	70,334			$	213,455			$	205,274
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			4,594				6,850				3,792				12,469				16,565
Distributions from unconsolidated investment			23,010				10,339				32,350				66,140				34,055
Equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			(12,401	)			(14,556	)			(26,978	)			(58,633	)			(44,036	)
Gain on asset sales and disposals			(854	)			(354	)			(5	)			(955	)			(699	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			—				2,484				—				—				6,532
Asset impairments			63				812				69				132				874
Bad debt expense			1,621				1				(198	)			813				641
Unit-based compensation expense			2,766				1,429				2,646				7,903				4,216
Amortization of debt issuance costs and other			477				215				541				1,043				1,887
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(2,610	)			2,494				(361	)			4,090				(10,118	)
Accounts payable			(381	)			210				72				(850	)			223
Accrued liabilities			498				278				2,019				(6,288	)			(4,831	)
Accrued interest			599				3,177				(627	)			235				3,014
Deferred revenue			(2,163	)			(7,519	)			(2,646	)			(4,963	)			(17,094	)
Other items, net			(123	)			2,081				342				(1,399	)			1,447
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	78,942			$	82,496			$	81,350			$	233,192			$	197,950
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from asset sales and disposals		$	855			$	353			$	5			$	961			$	699
Return of long-term contract receivable			622				575				610				1,830				1,138
Capital expenditures			—				(59	)			(8	)			(10	)			(59	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		$	1,477			$	869			$	607			$	2,781			$	1,778
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt borrowings		$	50,000			$	—			$	70,834			$	215,034			$	—
Debt repayments			(25,000	)			(60,494	)			(61,365	)			(176,061	)			(197,665	)
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			(9,669	)			(9,571	)			(9,669	)			(60,238	)			(24,813	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			(4,437	)			(7,500	)			(7,396	)			(19,919	)			(22,758	)
Redemption of preferred units			(50,001	)			—				(80,834	)			(178,334	)			—
Redemption of preferred units paid-in-kind			—				—				—				—				(19,321	)
Warrant settlement			(33,608	)			—				—				(33,608	)			—
Other items, net			(23	)			(4,219	)			(452	)			(3,527	)			(9,754	)
Net cash used in financing activities		$	(72,738	)		$	(81,784	)		$	(88,882	)		$	(256,653	)		$	(274,311	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		$	7,681			$	1,581			$	(6,925	)		$	(20,680	)		$	(74,583	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			10,730				59,356				17,655				39,091				135,520
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	18,411			$	60,937			$	10,730			$	18,411			$	60,937
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest		$	3,050			$	1,729			$	3,960			$	9,484			$	18,501

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
		September 30,				December 31,
		2023				2022
(In thousands, except unit data)		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	18,411			$	39,091
Accounts receivable, net			38,569				42,701
Other current assets, net			2,570				1,822
Total current assets		$	59,550			$	83,614
Land			24,008				24,008
Mineral rights, net			400,548				412,312
Intangible assets, net			14,014				14,713
Equity in unconsolidated investment			282,491				306,470
Long-term contract receivable, net			26,997				28,946
Other long-term assets, net			7,601				7,068
Total assets		$	815,209			$	877,131
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	1,143			$	1,992
Accrued liabilities			6,511				11,916
Accrued interest			1,224				989
Current portion of deferred revenue			6,399				6,256
Current portion of long-term debt, net			36,780				39,076
Total current liabilities		$	52,057			$	60,229
Deferred revenue			35,076				40,181
Long-term debt, net			170,735				129,205
Other non-current liabilities			6,833				5,472
Total liabilities		$	264,701			$	235,087
Commitments and contingencies
Class A Convertible Preferred Units (71,666 and 250,000 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, at $1,000 par value per unit; liquidation preference of $1,850 per unit at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)		$	47,181			$	164,587
Partners’ capital
Common unitholders’ interest (12,634,642 and 12,505,996 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)		$	461,043			$	404,799
General partner’s interest			7,196				5,977
Warrant holders’ interest			32,843				47,964
Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,245				18,717
Total partners’ capital		$	503,327			$	477,457
Total liabilities and partners' capital		$	815,209			$	877,131

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital
																		Accumulated
																		Other				Total
		Common Unitholders								General				Warrant				Comprehensive				Partners'
(In thousands)		Units				Amounts				Partner				Holders				Income (Loss)				Capital
Balance at December 31, 2022			12,506			$	404,799			$	5,977			$	47,964			$	18,717			$	477,457
Net income (1)			—				77,690				1,585				—				—				79,275
Redemption of preferred units			—				(15,904	)			(324	)			—				—				(16,228	)
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(40,082	)			(818	)			—				—				(40,900	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(7,924	)			(162	)			—				—				(8,086	)
Issuance of unit-based awards			129				—				—				—				—				—
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting, net			—				(1,178	)			—				—				—				(1,178	)
Capital contribution			—				—				142				—				—				142
Comprehensive loss from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				(19,583	)			(19,583	)
Balance at March 31, 2023			12,635			$	417,401			$	6,400			$	47,964			$	(866	)		$	470,899
Net income (2)			—				68,927				1,407				—				—				70,334
Redemption of preferred units			—				(27,065	)			(553	)			—				—				(27,618	)
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(9,476	)			(193	)			—				—				(9,669	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(7,248	)			(148	)			—				—				(7,396	)
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting			—				2,299				—				—				—				2,299
Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				911				911
Balance at June 30, 2023			12,635			$	444,838			$	6,913			$	47,964			$	45			$	499,760
Net income (3)			—				62,569				1,277				—				—				63,846
Redemption of preferred units			—				(16,741	)			(342	)			—				—				(17,083	)
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(9,475	)			(194	)			—				—				(9,669	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(4,349	)			(88	)			—				—				(4,437	)
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting			—				2,318				—				—				—				2,318
Warrant settlement			—				(18,117	)			(370	)			(15,121	)			—				(33,608	)
Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				2,200				2,200
Balance at September 30, 2023			12,635			$	461,043			$	7,196			$	32,843			$	2,245			$	503,327

(1)		Net income includes $6.7 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $6.5 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.1 million is allocated to the general partner.
(2)		Net income includes $5.0 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $4.9 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.1 million is allocated to the general partner.
(3)		Net income includes $2.9 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $2.9 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.1 million is allocated to the general partner.

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital
																		Accumulated
																		Other				Total
		Common Unitholders								General				Warrant				Comprehensive				Partners'
(In thousands)		Units				Amounts				Partner				Holders				Income				Capital
Balance at December 31, 2021			12,351			$	203,062			$	1,787			$	47,964			$	3,211			$	256,024
Net income (1)			—				62,621				1,278				—				—				63,899
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(5,559	)			(113	)			—				—				(5,672	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(7,603	)			(155	)			—				—				(7,758	)
Issuance of unit-based awards			155				—				—				—				—				—
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting, net			—				(1,754	)			—				—				—				(1,754	)
Capital contribution			—				—				112				—				—				112
Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				2,545				2,545
Balance at March 31, 2022			12,506			$	250,767			$	2,909			$	47,964			$	5,756			$	307,396
Net income (1)			—				65,484				1,336				—				—				66,820
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(9,379	)			(191	)			—				—				(9,570	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(7,350	)			(150	)			—				—				(7,500	)
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting			—				1,231				—				—				—				1,231
Comprehensive loss from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				(4,013	)			(4,013	)
Balance at June 30, 2022			12,506			$	300,753			$	3,904			$	47,964			$	1,743			$	354,364
Net income (1)			—				73,064				1,491				—				—				74,555
Distributions to common unitholders and the general partner			—				(9,380	)			(191	)			—				—				(9,571	)
Distributions to preferred unitholders			—				(7,350	)			(150	)			—				—				(7,500	)
Unit-based awards amortization and vesting			—				1,245				—				—				—				1,245
Comprehensive income from unconsolidated investment and other			—				—				—				—				289				289
Balance at September 30, 2022			12,506			$	358,332			$	5,054			$	47,964			$	2,032			$	413,382

(1)

Net income includes $7.5 million of income attributable to preferred unitholders that accumulated during the period, of which $7.4 million is allocated to the common unitholders and $0.2 million is allocated to the general partner.

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
The following table presents NRP's unaudited business results by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and June 30, 2023:
		Operating Segments
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenues		$	73,112			$	12,401			$	—			$	85,513
Gain on asset sales and disposals			854				—				—				854
Total revenues and other income		$	73,966			$	12,401			$	—			$	86,367
Asset impairments		$	63			$	—			$	—			$	63
Net income (loss)		$	61,009			$	12,348			$	(9,511	)		$	63,846
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	65,661			$	22,957			$	(5,669	)		$	82,949
Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities		$	60,938			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	78,942
Investing activities		$	1,477			$	—			$	—			$	1,477
Financing activities		$	—			$	—			$	(72,738	)		$	(72,738	)
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	62,415			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	80,419
Free cash flow (1)		$	61,560			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	79,564
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Revenues		$	87,348			$	14,556			$	—			$	101,904
Gain on asset sales and disposals			354				—				—				354
Total revenues and other income		$	87,702			$	14,556			$	—			$	102,258
Asset impairments		$	812			$	—			$	—			$	812
Net income (loss)		$	72,173			$	14,525			$	(12,143	)		$	74,555
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	79,835			$	10,308			$	(4,518	)		$	85,625
Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities		$	75,948			$	10,309			$	(3,761	)		$	82,496
Investing activities		$	928			$	—			$	(59	)		$	869
Financing activities		$	—			$	—			$	(81,784	)		$	(81,784	)
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	76,876			$	10,309			$	(3,820	)		$	83,365
Free cash flow (1)		$	76,523			$	10,309			$	(3,820	)		$	83,012
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Revenues		$	64,277			$	26,978			$	—			$	91,255
Gain on asset sales and disposals			5				—				—				5
Total revenues and other income		$	64,282			$	26,978			$	—			$	91,260
Asset impairments		$	69			$	—			$	—			$	69
Net income (loss)		$	52,510			$	26,964			$	(9,140	)		$	70,334
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	56,366			$	32,336			$	(5,643	)		$	83,059
Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities		$	55,040			$	32,326			$	(6,016	)		$	81,350
Investing activities		$	615			$	—			$	(8	)		$	607
Financing activities		$	—			$	—			$	(88,882	)		$	(88,882	)
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	55,655			$	32,326			$	(6,024	)		$	81,957
Free cash flow (1)		$	55,650			$	32,326			$	(6,024	)		$	81,952

(1)

See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and reconciliation tables at the end of this release.

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
The following table presents NRP's unaudited business results by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
		Operating Segments
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenues		$	217,258			$	58,633			$	—			$	275,891
Gain on asset sales and disposals			955				—				—				955
Total revenues and other income		$	218,213			$	58,633			$	—			$	276,846
Asset impairments		$	132			$	—			$	—			$	132
Net income (loss)		$	182,400			$	58,408			$	(27,353	)		$	213,455
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	194,987			$	65,915			$	(17,157	)		$	243,745
Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities		$	189,836			$	65,901			$	(22,545	)		$	233,192
Investing activities		$	2,791			$	—			$	(10	)		$	2,781
Financing activities		$	(583	)		$	—			$	(256,070	)		$	(256,653	)
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	192,627			$	65,901			$	(22,555	)		$	235,973
Free cash flow (1)		$	191,666			$	65,901			$	(22,555	)		$	235,012
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Revenues		$	247,172			$	44,036			$	—			$	291,208
Gain on asset sales and disposals			699				—				—				699
Total revenues and other income		$	247,871			$	44,036			$	—			$	291,907
Asset impairments		$	874			$	—			$	—			$	874
Net income (loss)		$	204,548			$	43,931			$	(43,205	)		$	205,274
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	221,987			$	33,950			$	(14,037	)		$	241,900
Cash flow provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities		$	194,475			$	33,934			$	(30,459	)		$	197,950
Investing activities		$	1,837			$	—			$	(59	)		$	1,778
Financing activities		$	(614	)		$	—			$	(273,697	)		$	(274,311	)
Distributable cash flow (1)		$	196,312			$	33,934			$	(30,518	)		$	199,728
Free cash flow (1)		$	195,613			$	33,934			$	(30,518	)		$	199,029

(1)

See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and reconciliation tables at the end of this release.

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Financial Tables
(Unaudited)
Operating Statistics - Mineral Rights
		For the Three Months Ended												For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								June 30,				September 30,
(In thousands, except per ton data)		2023				2022				2023				2023				2022
Coal sales volumes (tons)
Appalachia
Northern			284				440				390				1,053				1,260
Central			3,429				3,503				3,352				10,390				10,238
Southern			741				498				693				2,016				1,171
Total Appalachia			4,454				4,441				4,435				13,459				12,669
Illinois Basin			2,541				3,490				1,631				5,482				8,395
Northern Powder River Basin			1,364				835				881				3,330				2,772
Gulf Coast			479				188				139				676				324
Total coal sales volumes			8,838				8,954				7,086				22,947				24,160
Coal royalty revenue per ton
Appalachia
Northern		$	5.54			$	6.74			$	6.87			$	7.59			$	9.48
Central			8.20				9.04				8.49				8.89				10.85
Southern			11.88				9.78				10.85				12.41				14.28
Illinois Basin			3.98				2.57				3.15				3.63				2.30
Northern Powder River Basin			4.86				4.56				4.62				4.74				4.24
Gulf Coast			0.69				0.59				0.71				0.68				0.58
Combined average coal royalty revenue per ton			6.29				5.85				6.77				7.04				7.08
Coal royalty revenues
Appalachia
Northern		$	1,573			$	2,965			$	2,681			$	7,991			$	11,946
Central			28,111				31,680				28,445				92,362				111,121
Southern			8,806				4,872				7,521				25,024				16,725
Total Appalachia			38,490				39,517				38,647				125,377				139,792
Illinois Basin			10,108				8,967				5,141				19,924				19,331
Northern Powder River Basin			6,627				3,805				4,066				15,768				11,751
Gulf Coast			330				111				98				461				187
Unadjusted coal royalty revenues			55,555				52,400				47,952				161,530				171,061
Coal royalty adjustment for minimum leases			(11	)			(19	)			8				(3	)			(286	)
Total coal royalty revenues		$	55,544			$	52,381			$	47,960			$	161,527			$	170,775
Other revenues
Production lease minimum revenues		$	850			$	1,885			$	562			$	2,025			$	3,542
Minimum lease straight-line revenues			4,464				4,778				4,447				13,414				14,235
Carbon neutral initiative revenues			681				8,600				115				2,914				8,600
Wheelage revenues			2,385				2,977				3,284				9,538				11,073
Property tax revenues			1,770				1,360				1,470				4,710				4,527
Coal overriding royalty revenues			827				1,367				150				1,165				2,307
Lease amendment revenues			623				759				848				2,322				2,450
Aggregates royalty revenues			736				884				686				2,175				2,691
Oil and gas royalty revenues			324				6,170				1,214				5,126				10,890
Other revenues			329				218				271				895				705
Total other revenues		$	12,989			$	28,998			$	13,047			$	44,284			$	61,020
Royalty and other mineral rights		$	68,533			$	81,379			$	61,007			$	205,811			$	231,795
Transportation and processing services revenues			4,579				5,969				3,270				11,447				15,377
Gain on asset sales and disposals			854				354				5				955				699
Total Mineral Rights segment revenues and other income		$	73,966			$	87,702			$	64,282			$	218,213			$	247,871

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Adjusted EBITDA
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net income (loss)		$	61,009			$	12,348			$	(9,511	)		$	63,846
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			—				(12,401	)			—				(12,401	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			—				23,010				—				23,010
Add: interest expense, net			—				—				3,837				3,837
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				—
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			4,589				—				5				4,594
Add: asset impairments			63				—				—				63
Adjusted EBITDA		$	65,661			$	22,957			$	(5,669	)		$	82,949
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net income (loss)		$	72,173			$	14,525			$	(12,143	)		$	74,555
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			—				(14,556	)			—				(14,556	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			—				10,339				—				10,339
Add: interest expense, net			—				—				5,141				5,141
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				2,484				2,484
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			6,850				—				—				6,850
Add: asset impairments			812				—				—				812
Adjusted EBITDA		$	79,835			$	10,308			$	(4,518	)		$	85,625
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Net income (loss)		$	52,510			$	26,964			$	(9,140	)		$	70,334
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			—				(26,978	)			—				(26,978	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			—				32,350				—				32,350
Add: interest expense, net			—				—				3,492				3,492
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				—
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			3,787				—				5				3,792
Add: asset impairments			69				—				—				69
Adjusted EBITDA		$	56,366			$	32,336			$	(5,643	)		$	83,059

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Adjusted EBITDA
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net income (loss)		$	182,400			$	58,408			$	(27,353	)		$	213,455
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			—				(58,633	)			—				(58,633	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			—				66,140				—				66,140
Add: interest expense, net			—				—				10,182				10,182
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				—
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			12,455				—				14				12,469
Add: asset impairments			132				—				—				132
Adjusted EBITDA		$	194,987			$	65,915			$	(17,157	)		$	243,745
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net income (loss)		$	204,548			$	43,931			$	(43,205	)		$	205,274
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			—				(44,036	)			—				(44,036	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			—				34,055				—				34,055
Add: interest expense, net			—				—				22,636				22,636
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				6,532				6,532
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			16,565				—				—				16,565
Add: asset impairments			874				—				—				874
Adjusted EBITDA		$	221,987			$	33,950			$	(14,037	)		$	241,900

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Distributable Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	60,938			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	78,942
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			855				—				—				855
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			622				—				—				622
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			—				—				—				—
Distributable cash flow		$	62,415			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	80,419
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(855	)			—				—				(855	)
Free cash flow		$	61,560			$	22,958			$	(4,954	)		$	79,564
Net cash provided by investing activities		$	1,477			$	—			$	—			$	1,477
Net cash used in financing activities			—				—				(72,738	)			(72,738	)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	75,948			$	10,309			$	(3,761	)		$	82,496
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			353				—				—				353
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			575				—				—				575
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			—				—				(59	)			(59	)
Distributable cash flow		$	76,876			$	10,309			$	(3,820	)		$	83,365
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(353	)			—				—				(353	)
Free cash flow		$	76,523			$	10,309			$	(3,820	)		$	83,012
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		$	928			$	—			$	(59	)		$	869
Net cash used in financing activities			—				—				(81,784	)			(81,784	)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	55,040			$	32,326			$	(6,016	)		$	81,350
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			5				—				—				5
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			610				—				—				610
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			—				—				(8	)			(8	)
Distributable cash flow		$	55,655			$	32,326			$	(6,024	)		$	81,957
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(5	)			—				—				(5	)
Free cash flow		$	55,650			$	32,326			$	(6,024	)		$	81,952
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		$	615			$	—			$	(8	)		$	607
Net cash used in financing activities			—				—				(88,882	)			(88,882	)

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Distributable Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow
		Mineral								Corporate and
(In thousands)		Rights				Soda Ash				Financing				Total
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	189,836			$	65,901			$	(22,545	)		$	233,192
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			961				—				—				961
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			1,830				—				—				1,830
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			—				—				(10	)			(10	)
Distributable cash flow		$	192,627			$	65,901			$	(22,555	)		$	235,973
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(961	)			—				—				(961	)
Free cash flow		$	191,666			$	65,901			$	(22,555	)		$	235,012
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		$	2,791			$	—			$	(10	)		$	2,781
Net cash used in financing activities			(583	)			—				(256,070	)			(256,653	)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	194,475			$	33,934			$	(30,459	)		$	197,950
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			699				—				—				699
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			1,138				—				—				1,138
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			—				—				(59	)			(59	)
Distributable cash flow		$	196,312			$	33,934			$	(30,518	)		$	199,728
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(699	)			—				—				(699	)
Free cash flow		$	195,613			$	33,934			$	(30,518	)		$	199,029
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		$	1,837			$	—			$	(59	)		$	1,778
Net cash used in financing activities			(614	)			—				(273,697	)			(274,311	)

Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Last Twelve Months (LTM) Free Cash Flow
		For the Three Months Ended
(In thousands)		December 31, 2022				March 31, 2023				June 30, 2023				September 30, 2023				Last 12 Months
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	68,888			$	72,900			$	81,350			$	78,942			$	302,080
Add: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			384				101				5				855				1,345
Add: return of long-term contract receivable			585				598				610				622				2,415
Less: maintenance capital expenditures			(59	)			(2	)			(8	)			—				(69	)
Distributable cash flow		$	69,798			$	73,597			$	81,957			$	80,419			$	305,771
Less: proceeds from asset sales and disposals			(384	)			(101	)			(5	)			(855	)			(1,345	)
Free cash flow		$	69,414			$	73,496			$	81,952			$	79,564			$	304,426

Leverage Ratio
		For the Three Months Ended
(In thousands)		December 31, 2022				March 31, 2023				June 30, 2023				September 30, 2023				Last 12 Months
Net income		$	63,218			$	79,275			$	70,334			$	63,846			$	276,673
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			(15,759	)			(19,254	)			(26,978	)			(12,401	)			(74,392	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			10,780				10,780				32,350				23,010				76,920
Add: interest expense, net			3,638				2,853				3,492				3,837				13,820
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			3,933				—				—				—				3,933
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			5,954				4,083				3,792				4,594				18,423
Add: asset impairments			3,583				—				69				63				3,715
Adjusted EBITDA		$	75,347			$	77,737			$	83,059			$	82,949			$	319,092
Debt—at September 30, 2023																		$	208,059
Leverage Ratio																		0.7 x

		For the Three Months Ended
(In thousands)		December 31, 2021				March 31, 2022				June 30, 2022				September 30, 2022				Last 12 Months
Net income		$	55,641			$	63,899			$	66,820			$	74,555			$	260,915
Less: equity earnings from unconsolidated investment			(10,625	)			(14,837	)			(14,643	)			(14,556	)			(54,661	)
Add: total distributions from unconsolidated investment			7,350				13,230				10,486				10,339				41,405
Add: interest expense, net			9,568				9,387				8,108				5,141				32,204
Add: loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				4,048				2,484				6,532
Add: depreciation, depletion and amortization			3,930				3,868				5,847				6,850				20,495
Add: asset impairments			986				19				43				812				1,860
Adjusted EBITDA		$	66,850			$	75,566			$	80,709			$	85,625			$	308,750
Debt—at September 30, 2022																		$	240,819
Leverage Ratio																		0.8 x

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231103376145/en/

Tiffany Sammis

713-751-7515

tsammis@nrplp.com

Source: Natural Resource Partners L.P.

FAQ

What were Natural Resource Partners' financial results for the third quarter of 2023?

Natural Resource Partners reported $63.8 million net income, $78.9 million operating cash flow, and $79.6 million free cash flow for the third quarter of 2023.

What distributions did Natural Resource Partners declare for the third quarter of 2023?

The board declared a third quarter 2023 common unit distribution of $0.75 per unit and a $2.15 million cash distribution on outstanding preferred units.

What did Natural Resource Partners do with their free cash flow in the third quarter of 2023?

Natural Resource Partners redeemed $50 million of preferred units at par with cash and repurchased 1.46 million warrants for $56 million in cash.