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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-35416
 
 https://cdn.kscope.io/ebba27e01f95baba5134129012a1da4a-usslogo2q15a36.jpg
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware
 
26-3718801
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
24275 Katy Freeway, Suite 600
Katy, Texas 77494
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(281) 258-2170
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
SLCA
New York Stock Exchange
 
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Act: None
 
 
 

Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
  
Smaller reporting company
 
☐
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  þ

The aggregate market value of the outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $905,828,280 based on the closing price of $12.79 per share, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, on such date.
As of February 21, 2020, 73,750,501 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant were outstanding.
 
 
 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain sections of the Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “2020 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated.




U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1


Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning.

For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected costs; reserve and finished products estimates; demand for our products; the strategies of our customers; anticipated expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results; our plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives; strategies and their anticipated effect on our performance and liquidity; and the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expect. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based on many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. As a result, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements we make.

If one or more of the risks described above or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of any such development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date hereof. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, and our other public communications.
PART I

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Unless we state otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “U.S. Silica,” “the Company,” “our business,” “our company” refer to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries as a combined entity.
Our Company
Business Overview
We are a global performance materials company and a leading producer of commercial silica used in a wide range of industrial applications and in the oil and gas industry. In addition, through our acquisition of EP Minerals, LLC ("EPM") and its affiliated companies in 2018, we are an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays. 
During our 120-year history, we have developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable us to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 400 diversified product types to customers across our end markets. As of December 31, 2019, we operate 25 production facilities across the United States. We control 527 million tons of reserves of commercial silica, which can be processed to make 202 million tons of finished products that meet American Petroleum Institute ("API") frac sand specifications, and 59 million tons of reserves of diatomaceous earth, perlite, and clays.

2


Our operations are organized into two reportable segments based on end markets served and the manner in which we analyze our operating and financial performance: (1) Oil & Gas Proppants and (2) Industrial & Specialty Products. We believe our segments are complementary because our ability to sell to a wide range of customers across end markets in these segments allows us to maximize recovery rates in our mining operations and optimize our asset utilization.
Acquisitions
On May 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of EP Acquisition Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EPAP”), and the ultimate parent of EPM. Contemporaneous with the merger, EPAP was renamed EP Minerals Holdings, Inc. ("EPMH"). The consideration paid consisted of $743.2 million of cash, net of cash acquired of $19.1 million, including $0.5 million of post-closing adjustments. EPM's industrial minerals are used as filter aids, functional additives, catalysts, adsorbents and absorbents for a variety of industries including food and beverage, biofuels, automotive retail, recreational water, oil refining, edible oil, farm and home, landscape, paint and coatings, agriculture, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and insecticides. The acquisition of EPM increased our industrial materials product offering in our Industrial & Specialty Products segment.
On August 16, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Mississippi Sand, LLC ("MS Sand"). MS Sand is a frac sand mining and logistics company based in St. Louis, Missouri.
On April 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of White Armor, a product line of cool roof granules used in industrial roofing applications.
See Note E - Business Combinations to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Corporate History
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 14, 2008. U.S. Silica Company, which has been a domestic producer of commercial silica for 120 years, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company on November 25, 2008. On January 31, 2012, we completed our initial public offering of our common stock.
Our Strengths
We attribute our success to the following strengths:
•
Large-scale producer with a diverse and high-quality reserve base. Our 25 geographically dispersed operating production facilities control an estimated 527 million tons of reserves, including API size frac sand and large quantities of silica with distinct characteristics, and an estimated 59 million tons of reserves of diatomaceous earth, perlite, and clays. These reserves give us the ability to sell over 400 product types to customers in both our Oil & Gas Proppants segment and Industrial & Specialty Products segment. We believe our large-scale production, logistics capabilities and long reserve life make us a preferred supplier to our customers. Our consistent, reliable supply of reserves gives our customers the security to customize their production processes around our products. Furthermore, our relatively large scale and wide product portfolio provide us earnings diversification and the ability to reach broader market segments.
•
Geographically advantaged footprint with intrinsic transportation advantages. We believe the strategic location of our facilities and our logistics capabilities contribute to our customer retention rates and our ability to reach broader market segments. In our Oil & Gas Proppants segment, our network of frac sand production facilities with access to barge and Class I rail, either onsite or by truck, combined with the strategic locations of our transloads, enable us to serve every major U.S. shale basin. Additionally, SandBox Logistics ("SandBox") extends our delivery capability directly to our customers' wellhead locations. We believe we are one of the few frac sand producers capable of cost-effectively delivering API grade frac sand to most of the major U.S. shale basins by on-site rail.
Additionally, due to the high weight-to-value ratio of many silica products in our Industrial & Specialty Products segment, the proximity of our facilities to our customers’ facilities often results in us being their sole supplier. This advantage has enabled us to enjoy strong customer retention in this segment, with our top five Industrial & Specialty Products segment customers purchasing from us for an average of over 50 years.
Diatomaceous earth, clay, and perlite facilities are located near major highways and export corridors to optimize the cost of operations and shipment. Products can be shipped via bulk truck, rail or packaged. We utilize experienced in-house international logistics operations using a broad base of steamship partners to enable efficient and cost-effective exports to approximately 100 countries.

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•
Low-cost operating structure. We focus on building and operating facilities with low delivered costs to enable us to better manage market downturns. We believe the combination of the following factors contributes to our goal of having a low-cost structure and high margins:
•
our ownership of the vast majority of our reserves, resulting in mineral royalty expense that was less than 0.1% of our sales in 2019;
•
the optimal positioning of our mines and their respective processing plants, enabling cost-efficient and highly automated production processes;
•
our processing expertise, developed over the 120-year company history and shared amongst our facilities, which enables us to create over 400 product types with unique characteristics while minimizing waste;
•
our integrated logistics management expertise and geographically advantaged facility network, which enables us to reliably ship products by the most cost-effective method available, whether domestic or overseas; we transport products by truck, rail or barge to meet the needs of our customers, including at in-basin transload locations and directly at wellhead locations via our SandBox operations;
•
our large customer base across numerous end markets, which allows us to maximize our mining recovery rate and asset utilization; and
•
our large overall and plant-level operating scale.
•
Focus on safety and positive relationships with the communities in which we operate. We focus on the safety of our employees and maintain safe and responsible operations. We also believe we are known in the communities in which we operate as a preferred employer and a responsible corporate citizen, which generally serves us well in hiring new employees and securing difficult to obtain permits for expansions and new facilities.
•
Strong reputation with our customers. We believe we have built a strong reputation during our 120-year operating history. We have a long track record of timely delivery of our products according to customer specifications, which we believe contributes to a reputation for dependability. We also have an extensive network of technical resources, including materials science and petroleum engineering expertise, which enables us to collaborate with our customers to develop products to improve the performance of their existing applications.
•
Commitment to innovation. Our team is dedicated to continuing to develop patentable products through research and development. The acquisition of EPM has accelerated our team’s research and development efforts by providing additional expertise and testing equipment, such as experience with filtration products and with high temperature manufacturing processes.
•
Experienced management team. The members of our senior management team bring significant experience to the dynamic environment in which we operate. Their expertise covers a range of disciplines, including industry-specific operating and technical knowledge. We believe we have assembled a flexible, creative and responsive team that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions.
Our Business Strategy
The key drivers of our growth strategy include:
•
Increase our presence and product offering in specialty products end markets. On May 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of EPM, a global producer of industrial minerals including diatomaceous earth, clay and perlite, which increased our industrial materials product offerings.
◦
Our research and business development teams work to enhance our existing products, develop new products and pursue opportunities to acquire new product offerings through business acquisitions, which we expect will increase our presence and market share in certain specialty products end markets and allow us to enter new markets. We manage a robust pipeline of new products in various stages of development.
◦
We are expanding our capabilities to improve our product offerings across our various platforms. For example, on December 31, 2018, we completed our acquisition of a manufacturing facility located in Millen, Georgia. This facility has a kiln, which allows for the production of specialty industrial products that require high temperature heat treatments.
•
Further develop value-added capabilities to maximize margins. We expect to continue investing in ways to increase the value we provide to our customers by expanding our product offerings, improving our supply chain management, upgrading our information technology, and enhancing our customer service model. We are exploring other applications of our patented SandBox technology that can provide incremental value to customers.

4


•
Optimize product mix and keep operating costs low. We continue to actively manage our product mix at each of our plants as we seek to maximize our profit margins. This requires us to use our proprietary expertise in balancing key variables, such as mine geology, processing capacity, transportation availability, customer requirements and pricing. Additionally, we execute continuous improvement efforts to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our production facilities.
•
Effectively position our Oil & Gas Proppants facilities and utilize our logistics capabilities and supply chain network to meet our customers’ needs. Our mix of Northern White, regional, and local in-basin mines are positioned to provide a full range of frac sand products to our customers. We continue to strategically position our supply chain in order to deliver sand according to our customers’ needs, whether at a plant, a transload or the wellhead. As market conditions have changed, we simplified transload operations to focus on the most value-adding and strategic locations. We believe that our supply chain network and logistics capabilities are a competitive advantage that enables us to provide superior service for our customers.
◦
Our acquisition of SandBox extends our delivery capability directly to our customers' wellhead locations, which increases efficiency and provides a lower cost logistics solution for our customers. SandBox has operations in the major United States oil and gas producing regions, including the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Mid-Con, Rocky Mountains and the Marcellus/Utica Shale, where its largest customers are located.
◦
We manage our transload network through partnerships rather than owned transloads because we believe this approach enables us to receive high quality service from our specialized transloading partners without the significant capital investment related to owning the assets. As of December 31, 2019, we have storage capacity at 40 transloads located near all of the major shale basins in the United States.
•
Evaluate expansion opportunities and other acquisitions. We expect to continue leveraging our reputation, processing capabilities and infrastructure to increase production, as well as explore other opportunities to expand our reserve base and sell new products.
◦
We have completed several Greenfield projects that became operational in 2018. We expect our Crane County, Texas, facility to eventually produce approximately 4 million tons of annual frac sand capacity. We expect our Lamesa, Texas, facility to eventually produce approximately 6 million tons of annual frac sand capacity.
◦
We continue to pursue acquisitions of value-adding products in our Industrial & Specialty Products segment and assets that are complementary to our current offering for our Oil & Gas Proppants segment. We prioritize acquisitions that provide opportunities to realize synergies, including entering new geographic markets, acquiring attractive customer contracts and improving operations. See the descriptions of other recent and notable acquisitions under “Business Overview-Acquisitions” above. See the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of certain risks related to our acquisition activities.
•
Maintain financial strength and flexibility. We intend to maintain financial strength and flexibility to enable us to better manage through industry downturns and pursue acquisitions and new growth opportunities as they arise. In connection with the EPM acquisition, on May 1, 2018, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein. The Credit Agreement increased our then existing senior debt by establishing a new $1.380 billion senior secured credit facility, consisting of a $1.280 billion term loan (the “Term Loan”) and a $100 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) (collectively the "Credit Facility") that may also be used for swingline loans or letters of credit, and we may elect to increase the term loan in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. For more information on the Credit Agreement see Note K - Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of December 31, 2019, we had $185.7 million of cash on hand and $93.5 million of availability under the Revolver with the consent of our lenders.
Our Products and Services
In order to serve a broad range of end markets, we produce and sell a variety of commercial silica, diatomaceous earth, clay and perlite products. We also offer services including transportation, equipment rental and contract labor.
Whole Grain Silica Products—We sell whole grain commercial silica products in a range of shapes, sizes and purity levels. We sell whole grain silica that has a round shape and high crush strength to be used as frac sand in connection with oil and natural gas recovery. We also sell whole grain silica products in a range of size distributions, grain shapes and chemical purity levels to our customers involved in the manufacturing of glass products, including a low-iron whole grain product sold to

5


manufacturers of architectural and solar glass applications. In addition, we sell several grades of whole grain round silica to the foundry industry and provide whole grain commercial silica to the building products industry. Sales of whole grain commercial silica products accounted for approximately 56%, 64%, and 72% of our total sales for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Ground Silica Products—Our ground commercial silica products are inherently inert, white and bright, with high purity. We market our ground silica in sizes ranging from 40 to 250 microns for use in plastics, rubber, polishes, cleansers, paints, glazes, textile fiberglass and precision castings. We also produce and market fine ground silica in sizes ranging from 5 to 40 microns for use in premium paints, specialty coatings, sealants, silicone rubber and epoxies. Our milling technology allows us to offer some of the smallest particle size ground silica products in the United States. Sales of ground silica products accounted for approximately 6%, 6%, and 6% of our total sales for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Performance Material Products—We sell engineered performance materials made from diatomaceous earth (DE), clay and perlite. DE is used in filtration for foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and swimming pools. DE is also used as a functional additive for paint and coatings, plastics and rubber, and agriculture. Perlite (hydrated volcanic glass) is used mainly for filtration. Calcium bentonite clay from Mississippi is used for bleaching, catalysis and adsorption in edible oil processing, aromatics purification, and industrial and chemical applications. Sales of our performance material products accounted for approximately 14% and 8% of our total sales for 2019 and 2018, respectively. We had no sales of performance materials in 2017.
Industrial Mineral Products—We also produce and sell certain other industrial mineral products, such as aplite, magnesium silicate and aggregates made with DE and clay. Aplite is a mineral used to produce container glass and insulation fiberglass and is a source of alumina that has a low melting point and a low tendency to form defects in glass. Magnesium silicate is a highly selective adsorbent made from a mixture of silica and magnesium, used extensively in preparative and analytical chromatography. DE and clay aggregates are mainly used as an absorbent for automotive, industrial and sports turf applications. Sales of our other industrial mineral products accounted for approximately 3%, 3%, and 3% of our total sales for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Services—We offer services through the provision of transportation, equipment rental and contract labor services, primarily through SandBox, to companies in the oil and gas industry. Sales of our services accounted for approximately 21%, 19%, and 19% of our total sales for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Our Industry
The commercial silica industry consists of businesses that are involved in the mining, processing and distribution of commercial silica. Commercial silica, also referred to as “silica,” “industrial sand and gravel,” “sand,” “silica sand” and “quartz sand,” is a term applied to sands and gravels containing a high percentage of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) in the form of quartz. Commercial silica deposits occur throughout the United States, but mines and processing facilities are typically located near end markets and in areas with access to transportation infrastructure. Other factors affecting the feasibility of commercial silica production include deposit composition, product quality specifications, land-use and environmental regulation, including permitting requirements, access to electricity, natural gas and water and a producer’s expertise and know-how. New entrants face hurdles to establish their operations, including the capital investment required to develop a mine and build a plant, a lack of industry-specific mining knowledge and experience, the difficulty of obtaining operating permits, and the difficulty of assembling a diverse portfolio of customers to optimize operations.
EPM's diatomaceous earth, perlite, montmorillonite clay and bentonite clay products are sold globally, where they are used in hundreds of applications for filtration, functional additives, absorbents and adsorbents. The largest industries for these products include food and beverage, wine, beer, paint and coatings, biofuel, pharmaceuticals, chemical, oil and gas, plastics and rubber, automotive and agriculture.
Extraction Processes
Commercial silica deposits are formed from a variety of sedimentary processes and have distinct characteristics that range from hard sandstone rock to loose, unconsolidated dune sands. While the specific extraction method utilized depends primarily on the deposit composition, most silica is mined using conventional open-pit bench extraction methods and begins after clearing the deposit of any overlaying soil and organic matter. The silica deposit composition and chemical purity also dictate the processing methods and equipment utilized. For example, broken rock from a sandstone deposit may require one, two or three stages of crushing to liberate the silica grains required for most markets. Unconsolidated deposits may require little or no crushing, as silica grains are not tightly cemented together.
We conduct only surface mining operations and do not operate any underground mines, although we do lease underground reserves at our Festus, Missouri, operation, which are being mined underground by a contractor. Mining methods at our facilities include conventional hard rock mining, hydraulic mining, surface or open-pit mining of loosely consolidated

6


silica deposits and dredge mining. Hard rock mining involves drilling and blasting in order to break up sandstone into sizes suitable for transport to the processing facility by truck, slurry or conveyor. Hydraulic mining involves spraying high-pressure water to break up loosely consolidated sandstone at the mine face. Surface or open-pit mining involves using earthmoving equipment, such as bucket loaders, to gather silica deposits for processing. Lastly, dredging involves gathering silica deposits from mining ponds and transporting them by slurry pipelines for processing. We may also use slurry pipelines in our hydraulic and open-pit mining efforts to expedite processing. Silica mining and processing typically has less of an environmental impact than the mining and processing of other minerals, in part because it uses fewer chemicals. Our processing plants are equipped to receive the mined sand, wash away impurities, eliminate oversized or undersized particles and remove moisture through a multi-stage drying process. Each of our facilities operates year-round, typically in shift schedules designed to optimize facility utilization in accordance with market demand. Our facilities receive regular preventative maintenance, and we make additional capital investments in our facilities as required to support customer volumes and internal performance goals. For more information related to our production facilities, see Item 2. Properties.
Freshwater diatomaceous earth (DE) deposits were formed from the compression of diatoms (single-celled algae skeletons) that are a unique species with superior characteristics for filtration and for use as functional additives.  The DE is usually layered with volcanic ash and tephra and overlaid with basalt.  We use conventional open-pit bench extraction methods that begin after clearing the overlaying soil, organic matter, basalt and volcanic tuff.  DE may require a crushing stage before processing to remove moisture through a multi-stage drying process.
Clay deposits may contain volcanic ash, calcareous concretions, sand, or silt that are removed during mining and processing. We use conventional open-pit bench extraction methods that begin after clearing the overlaying soil, organic matter, sand and silt.
We believe we have broad and high-quality mineral reserves due to our strategically located mines and facilities. At December 31, 2019, we estimate that we had approximately 586 million tons of proven and probable mineral reserves. The quantity and nature of the mineral reserves at each of our properties are estimated by our mining engineers. Our mining engineers update our reserve estimates annually, making necessary adjustments for reserve usage at each location during the year and additions or reductions due to property acquisitions and dispositions, quality adjustments and mine plan updates. Before acquiring new reserves, we perform surveying, drill cuttings and drill core analysis and other tests to confirm the quantity and quality of the to-be acquired reserves. In some instances, we acquire the mineral rights to reserves without actually taking ownership of the properties.
Production Processes
After extracting silica ore, the silica is washed with water to remove fine impurities such as clay and organic particles. In some deposits, these fine contaminants or impurities are tightly bonded to the surface of the silica grain and require attrition scrubbing to be removed. Other deposits require the use of flotation to collect and separate contaminants from the silica. When these contaminants are weakly magnetic, special high intensity magnets may be utilized in the process to improve the purity of the final commercial silica product. After the silica has been washed, most output is dried prior to sale.
The next step in the production process involves the classification of commercial silica products according to their chemical purity, particle shape and particle size distribution. Generally, commercial silica is produced and sold in either whole grain form or ground form. Whole grain silica generally ranges from 12 to 140 mesh. Mesh refers to the number of openings per linear inch on a sizing screen. Whole grain silica products are sold in a range of shapes, sizes and purity levels to be used in a variety of industrial applications, such as oil and natural gas hydraulic fracturing proppants, glass, foundry, building products, filtration and recreation. Some whole grain silica is further processed to ground silica of much smaller particle sizes, ranging from 5 to 250 microns. A micron is one-millionth of a meter.
After extracting diatomaceous earth (DE) ore, the DE is crushed and fed into a continuous production process consisting of wet end drying and classification, calcination through a rotary kiln, and finished end sizing. Clay undergoes a multi-step process that could include crushing, calcining, drying, screening/sizing, acid activation, flash drying, classification, milling, and roller/compaction.

7


Quality Control
We maintain quality standards in all of our mining and processing facilities, some of which include International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") 9001-registered quality systems. We use automated process control systems that efficiently manage the majority of the mining and processing functions, and we monitor the quality and consistency of our products by conducting hourly tests throughout the production process to detect variances. All of our major facilities operate a testing laboratory to evaluate and ensure the quality of our products and services. We also provide customers with documentation verifying that all products shipped meet customer specifications. These quality assurance functions are designed to ensure that we deliver quality products to our customers and maintain customer trust and loyalty.
In addition, we have certain company-wide quality control mechanisms. We maintain a company-wide quality assurance database that facilitates easy access and analysis of product and process data from all plants. We also have fully staffed and equipped corporate laboratories that provide critical technical expertise, analytical testing resources and application development to promote product value and cost savings. The labs consist of different departments: a foundry lab, a paint and coatings lab, an analytical lab, a minerals-processing lab and an oil and gas lab. The foundry lab is fully equipped for analyzing foundry silica based on grain size distribution, acidity, acid demand value and turbidity, which is a measure of silica cleanliness. The paint and coatings lab provides formulation, application, and testing of paints, coatings and grouts for end use in fillers and extenders as well as building products. The analytical lab performs various analyses on products for quality control assessment. The minerals processing lab models plant production processes to test variations in deposits and improve our ability to meet customer requirements. The oil and gas lab performs testing and provides in-depth analysis of all types of hydraulic fracturing proppants to verify products meet specifications, such as API size and crush strength specifications.
EPM's diatomaceous earth and perlite products are classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)" by the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") when they are used in food processing as filtration media. To best position ourselves with certain end-users, EPM filter aids and functional additives comply with the respective specifications of the U.S. Food Chemical Codex (FCC). This regulatory body focuses on food safety by maintaining strict standards on diatomaceous earth and perlite products that come in contact with food and beverage goods, and according to customer specifications.
Distribution
We ship our commercial silica products direct to our customers by truck, rail or barge and through our network of in-basin transloads. Recent trends in the oil and gas market and the expansion of our logistics footprint have resulted in more of our product volumes being transported by high-efficiency unit trains over the past two years. During 2019, we shipped 333-unit trains to both our transload sites and our customers. SandBox extends our delivery capability directly to our customers' wellhead locations, which increases efficiency and provides a lower cost logistics solution for certain of our customers. SandBox has operations in the major United States oil and gas producing regions, including the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Mid-Con, Rocky Mountains and the Marcellus/Utica Shale, where its largest customers are located.
For bulk commercial silica, transportation cost represents a significant portion of the overall product cost. Generally, we utilize trucks for shipments of 200 miles or less from our plant sites and to distribute our bagged products. Given the weight-to-value ratio of most of our products, the majority of our shipments outside this 200-mile radius are by rail or barge. As a result, facility location is one of the most important considerations for producers and customers. Generally, our plant sites are strategically located to provide access to rail and/or barge, which enables us to cost effectively send product to each of the strategic basins in North America.
We continually look to optimize our network to position product close to the point of end use. This approach is designed to allows us to provide strong customer service and positions us to take advantage of opportunistic spot market sales. As of December 31, 2019, we have 40 transload facilities strategically located in or near all major shale basins in the United States. For more information related to our transload facilities, see Item 2. Properties.
Both our customers and us lease a significant number of railcars for shipping purposes, as well as to facilitate the short-term storage of our products, particularly our frac sand products. As of December 31, 2019, we leased a fleet of 6,979 railcars, of which 2,271 railcars were in storage.
In addition to bulk shipments, commercial silica products can be packaged and shipped in 50- to 100-pound bags or bulk super sacks. Bag shipments are usually made to smaller customers with batch operations, warehouse distributor locations or for ocean container shipments made overseas. The products that are shipped in bags are often higher value products, such as ground and fine.
Diatomaceous earth, clay, and perlite facilities are located near major highways and export corridors to optimize the cost of operations and shipment. Products can be shipped via bulk truck, rail or packaged. Products can also be packaged and shipped in jugs, 25- to 50-pound bags or bulk super sacks. Packaged shipments can be made via common carriers for the North/South American markets and intermodal carriers to ports for shipment overseas. We utilize experienced in-house

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international logistics operations using a broad base of steamship partners to enable efficient and cost-effective exports to approximately 100 countries.
Primary End Markets
The special properties of commercial silica such as chemistry, purity, grain size, color, inertness, hardness and resistance to high temperatures make it critical to a variety of industries. Commercial silica is a key input in the well completion process, specifically, in the hydraulic fracturing techniques used in unconventional oil and natural gas wells. In the Industrial and Specialty Products end markets, stringent quality requirements must be met when commercial silica is used as an ingredient to produce thousands of everyday products, including glass, building and foundry products and metal castings, as well as certain specialty applications such high-performance glass, specialty coatings, polymer additives and geothermal energy systems. Due to the unique properties of commercial silica, we believe it is an economically irreplaceable raw material in a wide range of industrial applications.
High quality diatomaceous earth (DE) possesses superior characteristics for filtration and for functional additives. The
perlite (hydrated volcanic glass) is used for filtration, lightweight construction, horticulture and insulation. The calcium
bentonite clay from Mississippi and calcium montmorillonite clay from Tennessee are thermally processed to produce powder and granular products for bleaching clays, absorbents, catalysis, and adsorbents.
Our major end markets include:
Oil and Gas Proppants
Commercial silica is used as a proppant for oil and natural gas recovery in conventional and unconventional resource plays. Unconventional oil and natural gas production requires hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation techniques to recover oil or natural gas that is trapped in the source rock and typically involves horizontal drilling. Frac sand is pumped down oil and natural gas wells at high pressures to prop open rock fissures in order to increase the flow rate of hydrocarbons from the wells. Proppants are also used in the "refracturing" process where older wells are restimulated using newer technologies and additional frac sand as a viable and lower-cost alternative to drilling new wells. Oil and gas horizontal rig count in North America increased during 2017 and 2018, which led to more well completion activity, but the rig count then decreased during 2019.
Glass
Commercial silica is a critical input into and accounts for 55% to 75% of the raw materials in glass production. The glassmaking markets served by commercial silica producers include containers, flat glass, specialty glass and fiberglass. Demand typically varies within each of these end markets.
The container glass, flat glass and fiberglass end markets are generally mature end markets. Demand for container glass has historically grown in line with population growth, and we expect similar growth in the future. Flat glass and fiberglass tend to be correlated with construction and automotive production activity. To the extent construction and domestic automotive production activity grow in the coming years, we expect that demand in these end markets will continue to increase. Some of the anticipated growth in the glass markets may be offset through the use of recycled glass.
Building Products
Commercial silica is used in the manufacturing of building products for commercial and residential construction. Whole grain commercial silica products are used in flooring compounds, mortars and grouts, specialty cements, stucco and roofing shingles. Ground commercial silica products are used by building products manufacturers in the manufacturing of certain fiberglass products and as functional extenders and to add durability and weathering properties to cementious compounds. In addition, geothermal wells, an alternative energy source, require specialized ground silica products in their well casings for effectiveness. The market for commercial silica used to manufacture building products is driven primarily by the demand in the construction markets. The historical trend for this market has been one of growth, especially in demand for cementious compounds for new construction, renovation and repair. We have seen an increase in permits and housing starts since 2012, and those gains continued in 2019. To the extent the housing market growth continues in the coming years, we expect that demand in this end market will increase.
Foundry
Commercial silica products are used in the production of molds for metal castings and in metal casting products. In addition, commercial whole grain silica is sold to coaters of foundry silica, or coated internally, who then sell their product to foundries for cores and shell casting processes. The demand for foundry silica primarily depends on the rate of automobile and light truck production, construction and production of heavy equipment such as railcars. Over the past decade, there has been some movement of foundry supply chains to Mexico and other offshore production areas. We have experienced increases in

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foundry demand since 2011. During 2019, several of the foundry markets continued to see growth. To the extent production levels continue to strengthen in the coming years, we expect that demand in this end market will increase.
Chemicals
Both whole grain and ground silica products are used in the manufacturing of silicon-based chemicals, such as sodium silicate, that are used in a variety of applications, including food processing, detergent products, paper textile, specialty foundry applications and as inputs for some precipitated silicas. This end market is driven by the development of new products by the chemical manufacturers, including specialty coatings and polymer additives as well as the growth of “green” tires. We expect this end market to grow if and to the extent these manufacturers continue their product and applications development.
Fillers and Extenders
Commercial silica products are sold to producers of paints and coating products for use as fillers and extenders in architectural, industrial and traffic paints and are sold to producers of rubber and plastic for use in the production of epoxy molding compounds and silicone rubber. The commercial silica products used in this end market are most often ground silica, including finer ground classifications. The market for fillers and extenders is driven by demand in the construction and automotive production industries as well as by demand for materials in the housing remodeling industry. We have experienced increases in demand in these sectors since 2011. To the extent these industries continue to grow in the coming years, we expect demand to increase.
Filtration
Diatomaceous earth and perlite filter aid products are used to filter and purify unwanted solids from a variety of liquids including wine, beer, juice, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, swimming pools and edible oil.
Absorbents
Diatomaceous earth and montmorillonite clay are used for absorbent products used for small floor spills, large scale industrial accidents, hazardous waste spills, pet litter and in the automotive industry.
Functional Additives
A broad portfolio of diatomaceous earth, perlite, cellulose and blends of specialty minerals and fibers are used around the world as functional additives in hundreds of applications including animal feed, catalysts, cosmetics, paper mills, plastic molders, and paint and coatings.
Agriculture / Insecticide
We offer a wide variety of natural agricultural products used by farmers and ranchers. Our natural diatomaceous earth and montmorillonite clay products are mined and specifically produced for agricultural use, including fertilizer carrier, soil amendment, animal feed additive, and a range of seed-coating products to provide strength and carry nutrients. We also offer insecticide diatomaceous earth products effective for use on crops, orchards, gardens, plants, and around the house, apartment buildings, hotels, farms, ranches, animal stalls, animal bedding, stored grains and insulation. These insecticides are effective treatments for the control of fleas and ticks, mites and other pests on pets, poultry and livestock.
Sportsfield
We offer high-performance super calcined clay solutions for sportsfields, such as a patent-pending premier infield conditioner, a drying agent and mound clay.
Bleaching Clays
 Our bleaching clay products are well known for oil bleaching, color removal and purification of any edible oil including canola, soybean, coconut, palm, fish and sunflower oils, and tallow. These clays can also be effectively used for metal removal from biodiesel obtained via renewable, eco-friendly technologies.
Adsorbents
Our adsorbent products are for the purification of hydrocarbon streams to industrial gases. The comprehensive product portfolio includes adsorbent technologies for applications in industries such as chemical, gas processing, petrochemical, dimerization, and refining.
Catalytic Solutions
We produce bentonite clays that are used effectively as catalysts. A catalyst is a material that increases a chemical reaction rate without sustaining any permanent change. Solid acid catalysts are environmentally-friendly products that eliminate the need for liquid acid. These products are used in the oil and gas and chemical industries.

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Our Customers
We sell our products to a variety of end markets. Our customers in the oil and gas proppants end market include major oilfield services companies and exploration and production companies that are engaged in hydraulic fracturing. Sales to the oil and gas proppants end market comprised approximately 69%, 75%, and 82% of our total sales in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
During most of our 120-year history, our primary markets have been core industrial end markets with customers engaged in the production of building and construction products, fillers and extenders, glass, foundry products, chemicals, and sports and recreation products. Our diverse customer base drives high recovery rates across our production. We also benefit from strong and long-standing relationships with our customers in each of the industrial and specialty products end markets we serve. Through our acquisition of EPM, we also serve a variety of industrial mineral markets including pool filtration, paints and plastics, absorbents and food and beverage. Sales to our Industrial and Specialty Products end markets comprised approximately 31%, 25%, and 18% of our total sales in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Sales to one customer in the Oil & Gas Proppant end market accounted for 11% of our total sales in 2019. Sales to one of our customers in the Oil & Gas Proppant end market accounted for 15% of our total sales in 2018. Sales to two of our customers in the Oil & Gas Proppant end market accounted for 15% and 12% of our total sales in 2017. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our total sales in 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Competition
Both of our reportable segments operate in highly competitive markets that are characterized by a small number of large, national producers and a larger number of small, regional or local producers. According to a February 2020 publication by the United States Geological Survey, in 2019, there were 191 producers of commercial silica with a combined 308 active operations in 35 states within the United States. Competition for both of our reportable segments is based on price, consistency and quality of product, site location, distribution capability, customer service, reliability of supply, breadth of product offering and technical support. Because transportation costs can be a significant portion of the total cost to customers of commercial silica, the commercial silica market is typically local, and competition from beyond the local area is limited. Notable exceptions to this are the frac sand and fillers and extenders markets, where certain product characteristics are not available in all deposits and not all plants have the requisite processing capabilities, necessitating that some products be shipped for extended distances. For more information regarding competition, see Item 1A. Risk Factors. 
Seasonality
Our business is affected to some extent by seasonal fluctuations in weather that impact our production levels and our customers' business needs. For example, during the second and third quarters we sell more commercial silica to our customers in the building products and recreation end markets due to increased construction activity resulting from more favorable weather. In the first and fourth quarters, we can experience lower sales, and sometimes production levels, largely from adverse weather hampering logistical capabilities and general decreased customer activity levels.
Intellectual Property
Other than operating licenses for our mining and processing facilities, there are no third-party patents, licenses or franchises material to our business. Our intellectual property primarily consists of trade secrets, know-how and trademarks, including our name US SILICA® and products with trademarked names such as MIN-U-SIL®, Mystic White II®, Q-ROK®, SIL-CO-SIL®, White Armor®, EP Minerals®, Transcend®, and SANDBOX® among others. We own patents and have patent applications pending related to SandBox, our "last mile" logistics solution. Most of the issued patents have expiration dates ranging from 2028-2031. With respect to our other products, we principally rely on trade secrets, rather than patents, to protect our proprietary processes, methods, documentation and other technologies, as well as certain other business information. Although we do seek patents from time to time, for example for our ultra-high reflectance cool roofing granules, patent protection for other industrial and specialty products requires a costly federal registration process with an uncertain outcome that would place our confidential information in the public domain. As a result, we typically utilize trade secrets to protect the formulations and processes we use to manufacture our products and to safeguard our proprietary formulations and methods. We strive to protect our trade secrets indefinitely through the use of confidentiality agreements and other security measures, understanding that these efforts may prove to be ineffective. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information.
Condition of Physical Assets and Insurance
Our business is capital intensive and requires ongoing capital investment for the replacement, modernization and/or expansion of equipment and facilities. For more information, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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We maintain insurance policies against property loss and business interruption and insure against other risks that are typical in the operation of our business, in amounts that we believe to be reasonable. Such insurance, however, contains exclusions and limitations on coverage, particularly with respect to environmental liability and political risk. There can be no assurance that claims would be paid under such insurance policies in connection with a particular event. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information.
Commercial Team
Our commercial team consists of approximately 250 individuals responsible for all aspects of our sales process, including pricing, marketing, transportation and logistics, product development and general customer service. This necessitates a highly organized staff and extensive coordination between departments. For example, product development requires the collaboration of our market development team, sales team, our production facilities and our corporate laboratories. Our sales team interacts directly with our customers in determining their needs, our production facilities fulfill the orders and our corporate laboratories are responsible for ensuring that our products meet those needs.
Our commercial team can be divided into five units:
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Sales—Our sales team is organized by both region and end market. We have an experienced group of dedicated sales team members for the oil and gas proppants and the industrial and specialty products end markets. Our oil and gas proppants team is led out of our Katy and Houston offices and is regionally positioned in the major oil and gas markets across the United States. This staff consists of experienced experts in the use of frac proppants in the oil and gas industry. Our industrial and specialty products sales team is strategically located across the county and overseas near our major customers. As we make decisions to enter or expand our presence in certain end markets or regions, we expect we will continue to add dedicated team members to support that growth.
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Marketing—Our marketing team coordinates all of our new and existing customer outreach efforts and identifies emerging market trends and new product opportunities. This includes producing exhibits for trade shows and exhibitions, manufacturing product overview materials, participating in regional industry meetings and other trade associations and managing our advertising efforts in trade journals.
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Transportation and Logistics—Our transportation and logistics team manages domestic and international shipments and wellhead deliveries of frac sand by directing inbound and outbound rail, barge, ocean vessel and truck traffic, supervising equipment maintenance, coordinating with freight carriers to ensure equipment availability, ensuring compliance with shipping regulations and strategically planning for future growth.
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Technical—Our technical team is anchored by our industrial & specialty products laboratory in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and our research and development laboratory in Reno, Nevada. At these facilities, we perform a variety of analyses including:
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analytical chemistry by X-Ray Fluorescence (“XRF”) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (“ICP”) spectroscopy;
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particle characterization by sieve, SediGraph, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (“BET”) surface area and microscopy;
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ore evaluation by mineral processing, flotation and magnetic separation;
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API frac sand evaluation, including crush resistance; and
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American Foundry Society (“AFS”) green sand evaluation by various foundry sand tests.
Many other product analyses are performed locally at our 25 production facilities to support new product development, plant operations and customer quality requirements.
We also have a variety of other technical competencies including process engineering, equipment design, facility construction, maintenance excellence, environmental engineering, geology and mine planning and development. We believe effective integration of these capabilities has been a critical component of our business success and has allowed us to establish and maintain our reserve base, maximize the value of our reserves by producing and selling a wide range of products, optimize processing costs to provide strong value to customers and prioritize operating in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.
In addition, our Reno, Nevada research and development laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-the-art research instruments. R&D and technical experts provide the following capabilities for customers:
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Expert geologists and engineers for desirable ore-body and processing evaluations;
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Material analysis and formulation assistance by Ph.D. chemists; and

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◦
An array of testing capabilities.
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Customer Service—Our customer service team is dedicated to creating an exceptional customer experience and making it easy to do business with our company. Our customer service team aims to accomplish this by consistently exceeding our customers’ expectations, continually improving our performance, offering efficient and timely responses to customer needs, being available to our customers 24/7 and providing customers with personal points of contact on whom they can rely.
 Employees
As of December 31, 2019, we employed a workforce of approximately 2,177 employees, the majority of whom are hourly wage plant workers living in the areas surrounding our mining facilities. Approximately 38% of our hourly employees are represented by labor unions that include the Teamsters Union; United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union; Laborers International Union of North America; Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union; Cement, Lime, Gypsum and Allied Workers’ Division of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; and International Union of Operating Engineers A.F.L. - C.I.O. We believe that we maintain good relations with our workers and their respective unions and have not experienced any material strikes or work stoppages since 1987.
Regulation and Legislation
Mining and Workplace Safety
Federal Regulation
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) is the primary regulatory organization governing the commercial silica industry. Accordingly, MSHA regulates quarries, surface mines, underground mines and the industrial mineral processing facilities associated with quarries and mines. The mission of MSHA is to administer the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the "Mine Act") and to enforce compliance with mandatory safety and health standards. MSHA works closely with the Industrial Minerals Association, a trade association in which we have a significant leadership role, in pursuing this mission. As part of MSHA’s oversight, representatives perform at least two unannounced inspections annually for each above-ground facility. For additional information regarding mining and workplace safety, including MSHA safety and health violations and assessments in 2019, see Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
We also are subject to the requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) and comparable state statutes that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and the public. OSHA regulates the customers and users of commercial silica and provides detailed regulations requiring employers to protect employees from overexposure to silica bearing dust through the enforcement of permissible exposure limits and the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
Internal Controls
We adhere to a strict occupational health program aimed at controlling exposure to silica bearing dust, which includes dust sampling, a respiratory protection program, medical surveillance, training and other components. Our safety program is designed to ensure compliance with the standards of our Occupational Health and Safety Manual and MSHA regulations. For both health and safety issues, extensive training is provided to employees. We have safety committees at our plants made up of salaried and hourly employees. We perform annual internal health and safety audits and conduct annual crisis management drills to test our plants’ abilities to respond to various situations. Health and safety programs are administered by our corporate health and safety department with the assistance of plant Environmental, Health and Safety Coordinators.
Motor Carrier Regulation
Our trucking services are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT"), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA") and by various state agencies. These regulatory authorities have broad powers, generally governing matters such as authority to engage in motor carrier operations, as well as motor carrier registration, driver hours of service, safety and fitness of transportation equipment and drivers, transportation of hazardous materials and periodic financial reporting. The transportation industry is subject to possible other regulatory and legislative changes (such as the possibility of more stringent environmental, climate change, security and/or occupational safety and health regulations, limits on vehicle weight and size and a mandate to implement electronic logging devices) that may affect the economics of our trucking services by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for motor carrier services or the cost of providing truckload or other transportation or logistics services.

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Environmental Matters
We and the commercial silica industry in general are subject to extensive governmental regulations on, among other things, matters such as permitting and licensing requirements, plant and wildlife protection, hazardous materials, air and water emissions and environmental contamination and reclamation. A variety of state, local and federal agencies enforce these regulations.
Federal Regulation
At the federal level, we may be required to obtain permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands and streams, in connection with our operations. We also may be required to obtain permits under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) (or the relevant state environmental agency in states where the permit program has been delegated to the state) for discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States, including discharges of wastewater or storm water runoff associated with construction activities. Failure to obtain these required permits or to comply with their terms could subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties as well as injunctive relief.
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (the “SDWA”) regulates the underground injection of substances through the Underground Injection Control Program (the “UIC Program”). Hydraulic fracturing generally has been exempt from federal regulation under the UIC Program, and the hydraulic fracturing process has been typically regulated by state or local governmental authorities. The EPA, however, has taken the position that certain aspects of hydraulic fracturing with fluids containing diesel fuel may be subject to regulation under the UIC Program, specifically as “Class II” UIC wells. In February 2014, the EPA released an interpretive memorandum to clarify UIC Program requirements under the SDWA for underground injection of diesel fuels in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction and issued technical guidance containing recommendations for EPA permit writers to consider in implementing these UIC “Class II” requirements. Among other things, the memorandum and technical guidance clarified that any owner or operator who injects diesel fuels in hydraulic fracturing for oil or gas extraction must obtain a UIC “Class II” permit before injection.
The U.S. Clean Air Act and comparable state laws regulate emissions of various air pollutants through air emissions permitting programs and the imposition of other requirements. These regulatory programs may require us to install expensive emissions abatement equipment, modify our operational practices and obtain permits for our existing operations, and before commencing construction on a new or modified source of air emissions, such laws may require us to reduce emissions at existing facilities. As a result, we may be required to incur increased capital and operating costs because of these regulations. We could be subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties as well as injunctive relief for noncompliance with air permits or other requirements of the U.S. Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations.
As part of our operations, we utilize or store petroleum products and other substances such as diesel fuel, lubricating oils and hydraulic fluid. We are subject to applicable requirements regarding the storage, use, transportation and disposal of these substances, including the relevant Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure requirements that the EPA imposes on us. Spills or releases may occur in the course of our operations, and we could incur substantial costs and liabilities as a result of such spills or releases, including those relating to claims for damage or injury to property and persons.
Additionally, some of our operations are located on properties that historically have been used in ways that resulted in the release of contaminants, including hazardous substances, into the environment, and we could be held liable for the remediation of such historical contamination. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the Superfund law, and comparable state laws impose joint and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of conduct, on classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of hazardous substances into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of the site where the release occurred and anyone who disposed or arranged for the disposal of a hazardous substance released at the site. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment.
In addition, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Under the auspices of the EPA, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. In the course of our operations, we generate industrial solid wastes that may be regulated as hazardous wastes.
Our operations may also be subject to broad environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of all “major federal actions” significantly

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affecting the quality of the human environment. The granting of a federal permit for a major development project, such as a mining operation, may be considered a “major federal action” that requires review under NEPA. Therefore, our projects may require review and evaluation under NEPA.
Federal agencies granting permits for our operations also must consider impacts to endangered and threatened species and their habitat under the Endangered Species Act. We also must comply with and are subject to liability under the Endangered Species Act, which prohibits and imposes stringent penalties for the harming of endangered or threatened species and their habitat. Federal agencies also must consider a project’s impacts on historic or archaeological resources under the National Historic Preservation Act, and we may be required to conduct archaeological surveys of project sites and to avoid or preserve historical areas or artifacts.
State and Local Regulation
Because our operations are located in numerous states, we are also subject to a variety of different state and local environmental review and permitting requirements. Some states in which our projects are located or are being developed have state laws similar to NEPA; thus, our development of new sites or the expansion of existing sites may be subject to comprehensive state environmental reviews even if they are not subject to NEPA. In some cases, the state environmental review may be more stringent than the federal review. Our operations may require state law based permits in addition to federal permits, requiring state agencies to consider a range of issues, many the same as federal agencies, including, among other things, a project’s impact on wildlife and their habitats, historic and archaeological sites, aesthetics, agricultural operations and scenic areas. Some states also have specific permitting and review processes for commercial silica mining operations, and states may impose different or additional monitoring or mitigation requirements than federal agencies. The development of new sites and our existing operations also are subject to a variety of local environmental and regulatory requirements, including land use, zoning, building and transportation requirements.
As demand for frac sand in the oil and natural gas industry has driven a significant increase in current and expected future production of commercial silica, some local communities have expressed concern regarding silica sand mining operations. These concerns have generally included exposure to ambient silica sand dust, truck traffic, water usage and blasting. In response, certain state and local communities have developed or are in the process of developing regulations or zoning restrictions intended to minimize dust from getting airborne, control the flow of truck traffic, significantly curtail the amount of practicable area for mining activities, provide compensation to local residents for potential impacts of mining activities and, in some cases, ban issuance of new permits for mining activities. To date, we have not experienced any material impact or disruption to our existing mining operations or planned capacity expansions as a result of these types of concerns.
We have a long history of positive engagement with the communities that surround our existing mining operations. We believe our relatively stable workforce and strong relationship with our employees help foster good relations with the communities in which we operate. Although additional regulatory requirements could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, we believe our existing operations may be less likely to be negatively impacted by virtue of our good community relations.
Planned expansion of our mining and production capacity in new communities could be more significantly impacted by increased regulatory activity. Difficulty or delays in obtaining or inability to obtain new mining permits or increased costs of compliance with future state and local regulatory requirements could have a material negative impact on our ability to grow our business. In an effort to minimize these risks, we continue to be engaged with local communities in order to grow and maintain strong relationships with residents and regulators.
Costs of Compliance
We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to our activities. Failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of investigatory, cleanup and site restoration costs and liens, the denial or revocation of permits or other authorizations and the issuance of injunctions to limit or cease operations. Compliance with these laws and regulations may also increase the cost of the development, construction and operation of our projects and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of a given project. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property may result from environmental and other impacts of our activities.
The process for performing environmental impact studies and reviews for federal, state and local permits for our operations involves a significant investment of time and monetary resources. We cannot control the permit approval process. We cannot predict whether all permits required for a given project will be granted or whether such permits will be the subject of significant opposition. The denial of a permit essential to a project or the imposition of conditions with which it is not practicable or feasible to comply could impair or prevent our ability to develop a project. Significant opposition and delay in

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the environmental review and permitting process also could impair or delay our ability to develop a project. Additionally, the passage of more stringent environmental laws could impair our ability to develop new operations and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations We do not expect any material capital expenditures due to current regulatory compliance obligations.
Availability of Reports; Website Access; Other Information
Our Internet address is http://www.ussilica.com. Through “Investors” — “Financial Information” on our home page, we make available free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our proxy statements, our current reports on Form 8-K, SEC Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our reports filed with the SEC are also available on its website at http://www.sec.gov.
Stockholders may also request a free copy of these documents from: U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., attn.: Investor Relations, 24275 Katy Freeway, Suite 600, Katy, Texas 77494.
Information about our Executive Officers

Bryan A. Shinn, age 58, has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board since January 2012. He also served as our President from March 2011 to January 2020. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Shinn was our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from October 2009 to February 2011. Before joining us, Mr. Shinn was employed by the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company from 1983 to September 2009, where he held a variety of key leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing and business management, including Global Business Director and Global Sales Director. Mr. Shinn earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware.

Donald A. Merril, age 55, has served as an Executive Vice President since July 2016 and as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2013. He had previously served as our Vice President of Finance from October 2012 until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Merril had served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Myers Industries Inc. from January 2006 through August 2012. Prior to serving at Myers Industries, Mr. Merril held the role of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rubbermaid Home Products Division at Newell Rubbermaid Inc. from 2003 through 2005. Mr. Merril has a B.S. in Accounting from Miami University.

Bradford B. Casper, age 45, has served as our President since January 2020. He was previously an Executive Vice President from July 2016 to January 2020 and our Chief Commercial Officer from May 2015 to January 2020. He served as our Vice President of Strategic Planning from May 2011 until his promotion to Chief Commercial Officer in May 2015. Before joining us, Mr. Casper was at Bain & Company, Inc., where he held various positions from 2002 to May 2011 in the United States, Australia and Hong Kong, most recently serving as a Principal from July 2010 to May 2011. Mr. Casper earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael L. Winkler, age 55, has served as an Executive Vice President since July 2016 and as our Chief Operating Officer since December 2013. He served as a Vice President from June 2011 until July 2016 and as our Vice President of Operations from June 2011 until December 2013. Before joining us, Mr. Winkler was Vice President of Operations for Campbell Soup Company from August 2007 to June 2011 and held various positions with Mars Inc. from 1996 to August 2007, including Plant Manager-Columbus Plant and Director of Industrial Engineering. Mr. Winkler earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and an M.B.A. from the University of North Texas.

John P. Blanchard, age 46, has served as our Senior Vice President and President, Industrial & Specialty Products since July 2016, having served as Vice President and General Manager, Industrial & Specialty Products from September 2011 until July 2016. Mr. Blanchard possesses over 20 years’ experience in a variety of industries, including nonwovens, composites, building materials and pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining us, Mr. Blanchard held various positions of increasing responsibility with Johns Manville from 2005 to September 2011, including Global Business Director from December 2010 to September 2011 and Global Business Manager from February 2008 to December 2010. Mr. Blanchard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Daniel R. Miers, age 39, has served as our Senior Vice President and President, SandBox Logistics since June 2018. Previously, Mr. Miers was the Chief Operating Officer of Gulfstream Services International from October 2016 to June 2018. From 2009 to 2016 Mr. Miers worked at Key Energy Services in various roles including Vice President, Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountains and Vice President of Fluid Management. Mr. Miers began his career as a Petroleum Landman working for

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Suncoast Land Services in 2002. Mr. Miers has a B.S. in Petroleum Land and Resource Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Zach Carusona, age 33, has served as our Senior Vice President and President, Specialty Minerals since December 2018. He served as a Vice President for Business Development of SandBox Logistics from August 2016 until December 2018, as the Director, Strategic Planning from June 2015 to August 2016, and in various roles in our strategy group from 2011 through 2015. Mr. Carusona earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

J. Derek Ussery, age 35, was appointed as our Senior Vice President and President, Oil and Gas in November 2019. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Ussery was the Chief Operating Officer of SandBox Logistics from January 2019 to November 2019. He previously served as Vice President, North America ESG at Tetra Technologies, from May 2018 to December 2018. From April 2013 to May 2018, he served in roles of increasing responsibility with Key Energy Services, culminating in his position as Vice President for the Eastern Region. Mr. Ussery earned a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University.

D. Lynnette Crowder, age 40, was appointed U.S. Silica’s Senior Vice President, and Chief Human Resources Officer in November 2019. Ms. Crowder previously served in roles of increasing responsibility with WestRock Company, from July 2015 until October 2019, and with MeadWestVaco Corporation from March 2010 until the company became part of WestRock Company in July 2015. Most recently she served as the Division Leader of Human Resources for Westrock Company. Ms. Crowder earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia.

Stacy Russell, age 49, was appointed U.S. Silica’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in January 2020. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Russell was the General Counsel for our Oil and Gas Segment. She was previously Of Counsel at Boyar Millar from July 2018 to May 2019. From October 2010 to January 2018, she served as the Managing Counsel for the Litigation and HSE law groups at Halliburton Company. Ms. Russell earned B.A. in Government from the University of Texas and her J.D. from the University of Houston.


ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in connection with evaluating our business and our securities. The categorization of risks set forth below is meant to help you better understand the risks facing our business and is not intended to limit consideration of the possible effects of these risks to the listed categories, nor is it meant to imply that one category of risks is more material than another. Any adverse effects related to the risks discussed below may, and likely will, adversely affect many aspects of our business.

Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our stock price, business, results of operations or financial condition. Certain statements in these risk factors are forward-looking statements.
Risks Related to Market, Competition, & Sales

Our frac sand mining and logistics operations depend on the level of activity in the oil and natural gas industries, which experience substantial volatility.

Our operations that produce and transport frac sand are materially dependent on the levels of activity in natural gas and oil exploration, development and production. More specifically, the demand for the frac sand we produce is closely related to the number of natural gas and oil wells completed in geological formations where sand-based proppants are used in fracture treatments. These activity levels are affected by both short- and long-term trends in natural gas and oil prices. In recent years, natural gas and oil prices and, therefore, the level of exploration, development and production activity, have experienced significant volatility. 

When oil and natural gas prices decrease, as they did throughout 2015 and into 2016, as well as during the second half of each of 2018 and 2019, exploration and production companies may reduce their exploration, development, production and well completion activities. During such periods, demand for our products and services which supply oil and natural gas wells, including our transportation and logistics solutions, may decline, leading to a decline in the market price of frac sand due to an

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oversupply of frac sand. When demand for frac sand increases, there may not be a corresponding increase in the prices for our products or our customers may not increase use of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Worldwide economic, political and military events, including war, terrorist activity, events in the Middle East and initiatives by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”), have contributed, and are likely to continue to contribute, to oil and natural gas price volatility. Additionally, warmer than normal winters in North America and other weather patterns may adversely impact the short-term demand for natural gas and, therefore, demand for our products. Reduction in demand for natural gas to generate electricity could also adversely impact the demand for frac sand. In addition, any future decrease in the rate at which oil and natural gas reserves are discovered or developed, whether due to increased governmental regulation, limitations on exploration and drilling activity, technological innovations that result in new processes for oil and gas production that do not require proppants, or other factors, could adversely affect the demand for our products, even in a stronger natural gas and oil price environment. The continued or future occurrence of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our industrial materials operations are subject to the cyclical nature of our customers’ businesses.

The majority of our industrial products customers are engaged in industries that have historically been cyclical, such as glassmaking, building products, foundry products, and paint. During periods of economic slowdown in one or more of the industries or geographic regions we serve or in the worldwide economy, our customers often reduce their production and capital expenditures by deferring or canceling pending projects, even if such customers are not experiencing financial difficulties. These developments can have an adverse effect on sales of our products and our results of operations.

Demand in many of the end markets for our industrial products is driven by cyclical industries, such as construction and automotive. For example, the flat glass market depends on the automotive and commercial and residential construction and remodeling markets; the market for commercial silica used to manufacture building products is driven primarily by demand in the construction markets; the market for foundry silica depends on the rate of automobile, light truck and heavy equipment production as well as construction; and the market for diatomaceous earth, perlite, clay and cellulose is driven by agricultural, food and beverage, chemical industries, filtration, catalyst and absorbent applications. When demand from one of these cyclical industries decreases, demand for the products we sell to customers in that industry may also decrease. When demand from one of these cyclical industries increases, however, there may not be a corresponding increase in the prices for our products or our customers may not increase the use of our products due to factors such as the use of recycled glass in glass production; substitution of our products for other materials; changes in residential and commercial construction demands, driven in part by fluctuating interest rates and demographic shifts; prices, availability and other factors relating to our products; competitors both locally and internationally; and other factors.

Continued weakness in the industries we serve has had, and may in the future have, an adverse effect on sales and our results of operations. A continued or renewed economic downturn in one or more of the industries or geographic regions that we serve, or in the worldwide economy, could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from historical and expected results.
 
Our sales, profitability and operations could be materially affected by weather conditions, seasonality and other factors.

Our sales and profitability from period to period are affected by a variety of factors, including weather conditions and seasonal periods. As a result, our results of operations may fluctuate on a quarterly basis and relative to corresponding periods in prior years. For example, we sell more of our products in the second and third quarters in the building products and recreation end markets due to the seasonal rise in construction driven by more favorable weather conditions. Conversely, we sell fewer of our products in the first and fourth quarters in these end markets due to reduced construction and recreational activity largely as a result of adverse weather conditions. These fluctuations in our operating results may render period-to-period comparisons less meaningful, and investors in our securities should not rely on the results of any one period as an indicator of performance in any other period.

In addition, severe seasonal or weather conditions may impact our operations by causing weather-related damage to our facilities and equipment or preventing us from delivering equipment, personnel or products to job sites, any of which could force us to delay or curtail services and potentially breach our contractual obligations or result in a loss of productivity, an increase in operating costs or other losses that may not be covered by applicable insurance policies. Severe weather conditions may also interfere with our customers’ operations, which could reduce our customers’ demand for our products. If any of these risks were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Moreover, changing weather patterns, due to climate-warming trends and other effects of climate change or other causes, may lead to the increased frequency, severity or unpredictability of extreme weather events, which could intensify these risks.

A significant portion of our sales is generated at five of our plants. Any adverse developments at any of those plants or in the end markets those plants serve could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
A significant portion of our sales are generated at our plants located in Ottawa, Illinois; Lamesa, Texas; Sparta, Wisconsin; Crane County, Texas; and Mill Creek, Oklahoma. These plants represented a combined 31% of our total sales in 2019. Any adverse development at these plants or in the end markets these plants serve, including adverse developments due to catastrophic events or weather, decreased demand for commercial silica products, or a decrease in the availability of transportation services or adverse developments affecting our customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We may be adversely affected by decreased demand for frac sand or the development of effective alternative proppants or new processes to replace hydraulic fracturing.

Frac sand is a proppant used in the completion and re-completion of natural gas and oil wells through hydraulic fracturing. Frac sand is the most commonly used proppant and is less expensive than ceramic proppant, which is also used in hydraulic fracturing to stimulate and maintain oil and natural gas production. A significant shift in demand from frac sand to other proppants, such as ceramic proppants, the development and use of other effective alternative proppants, or the development of new processes to replace hydraulic fracturing altogether, could cause a decline in demand for the frac sand we produce and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our future performance will depend on our ability to succeed in competitive markets, and on our ability to appropriately react to potential fluctuations in demand for and supply of our products.

We operate in a highly competitive market that is characterized by a small number of large, national producers and a larger number of small, regional or local producers. Competition in the industry is based on price, consistency and quality of product, site location, distribution capability, customer service, reliability of supply, breadth of product offering and technical support. Because transportation costs are a significant portion of the total cost to customers of commercial silica (in many instances transportation costs can represent more than 50% of delivered cost), the commercial silica market is typically local, and competition from beyond the local area is limited. Notable exceptions to this are the frac sand and fillers and extenders markets, where certain product characteristics are not available in all deposits and not all plants have the requisite processing capabilities, necessitating that some products be shipped for extended distances.

Because the markets for our products are typically local, we also compete with smaller, regional or local producers in addition to the other national producers. There typically is an increasing number of small producers servicing the frac sand market when there is increased demand for hydraulic fracturing services. If demand for hydraulic fracturing services decreases and the supply of frac sand available in the market increases, prices in the frac sand market could continue to materially decrease as less-efficient producers exit the market, selling frac sand at below market prices. Furthermore, our competitors may choose to consolidate, which could provide them with greater financial and other resources than us and negatively impact demand for our frac sand products. In addition, oil and natural gas exploration and production companies and other providers of hydraulic fracturing services may acquire their own frac sand reserves, expand their existing frac sand production capacity or otherwise fulfill their own proppant requirements, and existing or new frac sand producers could add to or expand their frac sand production capacity, which would negatively impact demand for our frac sand products.

With regards to our international sales and operations, our performance is also subject to currency exchange fluctuations. In addition, our ability to sell and deliver our products to, and collect payment from, our international customers depends on fund transfer and trade restrictions and import/export duties, which are subject to increased uncertainty and volatility as a result of the trade policies of the current Administration regarding existing and proposed trade agreements, the ability to import and export goods, and fluctuating policies on tariffs on a number of goods that could impact our operations. These factors and uncertainties may cause our international customers to seek out producers who are not located in the United States to fulfill their commercial silica requirements or may otherwise make it more difficult for us to compete with international producers.

We may not be able to compete successfully against any of our competitors, and competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


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If our customers delay or fail to pay a significant amount of our outstanding receivables, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity financial condition, and results of operations.

We bill our customers for our products in arrears and are, therefore, subject to credit risks if our customers delay or fail to pay our invoices. In weak economic environments, we may experience increased delays or failures due to, among other reasons, a reduction in our customers’ cash flow from operations and ability to access the credit markets. In addition, some of our customers may experience financial difficulties, including insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, in which case we may not be able to collect sums owed to us by these customers and we may be required to refund pre-petition amounts paid to us during a specified period prior to the bankruptcy filing. Furthermore, we may experience longer collection cycles with our international customers due to foreign fund transfer restrictions, and we may have difficulty enforcing agreements and collecting accounts receivable from our international customers through a foreign country’s legal system. If our customers delay or fail to pay us a significant amount of our outstanding receivables, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity financial condition, and results of operations.

A large portion of our sales is generated by our top ten customers, and the loss of or a significant reduction in purchases by our largest customers could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 43%, 48% and 58% of total sales during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As a result of market conditions, competition or other factors, these customers may not continue to purchase the same levels of our products in the future, if at all. Substantial reductions in purchase volumes across these customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Operational Risks

Our operations are subject to risks and dangers inherent to mining, some of which are beyond our control, and some of which may not be covered by insurance.

Our mining, processing and production facilities are subject to risks normally encountered in the commercial silica and earth minerals industries, many of which are not in our control. In addition to the other risks described in these risk factors, these risks include:
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unanticipated ground, grade or water conditions;
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unusual or unexpected geological formations or pressures;
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pit wall failures, underground roof falls or surface rock falls;
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environmental hazards;
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physical plant security breaches;
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inability to acquire or maintain necessary permits or mining or water rights;
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failure to maintain dust controls and meet restrictions on respirable crystalline silica dust;
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restrictions on blasting operations;
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failures in quality control systems or training programs;
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technical difficulties or key equipment failures;
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inability to obtain necessary mining or production equipment or replacement parts;
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fires, explosions or industrial accidents or other accidents; and
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facility shutdowns in response to environmental regulatory actions.

Any of these risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, our mining properties or production facilities, personal injury, environmental damage, delays in mining or processing, losses or possible legal liability. Any prolonged downtime or shutdowns at our mining properties or production facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Not all of these risks are reasonably insurable, and our insurance coverage contains limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements. Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to meet our needs in the event of loss and any such loss may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


Diminished access to water may adversely affect our operations.

The mining and processing activities in which we engage at a number of our facilities require significant amounts of water, and some of our facilities are located in areas that are water-constrained. We may not be able obtain water rights sufficient to service our current activities or to service any properties we may develop or acquire in the future. Moreover, the

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amount of water we are entitled to use pursuant to our water rights must be determined by the appropriate regulatory authorities, and these authorities may amend the regulations affecting our water rights, increase the cost of maintaining our water rights or reduce or eliminate our existing water rights, in which case we may be unable to retain these rights. Furthermore, our existing water rights could be disputed. Any such changes in laws, regulations or government policy and related interpretations pertaining to water rights or any successful claim that we lack appropriate water rights may alter our operating costs or the environment in which we do business, which may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Increasing costs, a lack of dependability or availability of transportation services, transload network access or infrastructure or an oversupply of transportation services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Because of the relatively low cost of producing commercial silica, transportation and related costs, including freight charges, fuel surcharges, transloading fees, switching fees, railcar lease costs, demurrage costs and storage fees, tend to be a significant component of the total delivered cost of sales. The high relative cost of transportation related expense tends to favor manufacturers located in close proximity to the customer. As a result, if we expand our commercial silica production to new geographic markets, we could need increased transportation services and transload network access and would be subject to higher overall costs for these services. We contract with truck, rail and barge services to move commercial silica from our production facilities to transload sites and our customers, and increased costs under these contracts could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, we bear the risk of non-delivery under our contracts. Labor disputes, derailments, adverse weather conditions or other environmental events, shortages in the railcar leasing market or changes to rail freight systems could interrupt or limit available transportation services. A significant increase in transportation service rates, a reduction in the dependability or availability of transportation or transload services, or relocation of our customers’ businesses to areas farther from our plants or transloads could impair our ability to deliver our products economically to our customers and to expand to new markets. Further, reduced demand for commercial silica sometimes results in railcar over-capacity, requiring us to pay railcar storage fees while, at the same time, continuing to make lease payments for those railcars in storage, which can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


Our operations consume large amounts of natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel. An increase in the price or a significant interruption in the supply of these or any other energy sources could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Energy costs, primarily natural gas and electricity, represented approximately 4%, 3% and 3% of our total sales in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Natural gas is the primary fuel source used for drying in the commercial silica production process. In addition, our operations are dependent on earthmoving equipment, railcars and tractor trailers, and diesel fuel costs are a significant component of the operating expense of these vehicles. To the extent that we perform these services with equipment that we own, we are responsible for buying and supplying the diesel fuel needed to operate these vehicles, which currently represents less than 1% of total cost of sales. To the extent that these services are provided by independent contractors, we may be subject to fuel surcharges that attempt to recoup increased diesel fuel expenses. Our profitability is impacted by the price and availability of these energy sources. The price and supply of diesel fuel and natural gas are unpredictable and can fluctuate significantly based on international political and economic circumstances, as well as other events outside our control, such as changes in supply and demand due to weather conditions, actions by OPEC and other oil and natural gas producers, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. In addition, potential climate change regulations or carbon or emissions taxes could result in higher production costs for energy, which may be passed on to us in whole or in part or could reduce supply. In the past, the price of natural gas has been extremely volatile, and we believe this volatility may continue. In order to manage this risk, we may hedge natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments, such as forwards, swaps and futures. However, these measures carry different risks (including nonperformance by counterparties) and do not in any event entirely eliminate the risk of decreased margins as a result of energy price increases. A significant increase in the price of energy that is not recovered through an increase in the price of our products or covered through our hedging arrangements or an interruption in the supply of the energy sources we use could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Certain of our contracts contain provisions requiring us to deliver products that meet certain specifications. Noncompliance with these contractual obligations may result in penalties or termination of the agreements.
In certain instances, we commit to deliver products under penalty of nonperformance. These obligations can require that we deliver products or services that meet certain specifications that a customer may designate. Our inability to meet these contract requirements may permit the counterparty to terminate the agreements, return products that fail to meet a customer’s

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quality specifications, or require us to pay a fee equal to the difference between the amount contracted for and the amount delivered. Further, we may not be able to sell some of our products developed for one customer to a different customer because the products may be customized to meet specific customer quality specifications, and even if we are able to sell these products to another customer, our margin on these products may be reduced. Moreover, any inability to deliver products or services that meet customer requirements could harm our relationships with these customers and our reputation generally. In such events, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Inaccuracies in our estimates of mineral reserves and resource deposits, or deficiencies in our title to those deposits, could result in our inability to mine the deposits or require us to pay higher than expected costs.

We base our mineral reserve and resource estimates on engineering, economic and geological data assembled and analyzed by our mining engineers, which are reviewed periodically by outside firms. However, commercial silica reserve estimates are necessarily imprecise and depend to some extent on statistical inferences drawn from available drilling data, which may prove unreliable. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities and qualities of commercial silica reserves and non-reserve commercial silica deposits and costs to mine recoverable reserves, many of which are beyond our control and any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These uncertainties include:

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geological and mining conditions and/or effects from prior mining that may not be fully identified by available data or that may differ from experience;
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assumptions regarding the effectiveness of our mining, quality control and training programs;
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assumptions concerning future prices of commercial silica products, operating costs, mining technology improvements, development costs and reclamation costs; and
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assumptions concerning future effects of regulation, including the issuance of required permits and taxes by governmental agencies.

    In addition, title to, and the area of, mineral properties and water rights may also be disputed. Mineral properties sometimes contain claims or transfer histories that examiners cannot verify. A successful claim that we do not have title to one or more of our properties or lack appropriate water rights could cause us to lose any rights to explore, develop and extract any minerals on that property, without compensation for our prior expenditures relating to such property. Any inaccuracy in our estimates related to our mineral reserves and non-reserve mineral deposits, or our title to such deposits, could result in our inability to mine the deposits or require us to pay higher than expected costs.

Our business and operations could suffer in the event of cybersecurity breaches, information technology system failures, or network disruptions.

We rely on our information technology systems to process transactions, summarize our operating results and manage our business. Our information technology systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages; computer and telecommunications failures; computer viruses; cyberattack or other security breaches; catastrophic events, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, acts of war or terrorism; and usage errors by our employees. If our information technology systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we may need to make a significant investment to fix or replace them, and we may suffer loss of critical data and interruptions or delays in our operations.

We have been the target of cyberattacks, and while to date none of these incidents has had a material impact on us, we expect to continue to be targeted in the future. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats, the current global economic and political environment, the outsourcing of some of our business operations, the ongoing shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals, and the interconnectivity and interdependence of third parties to our systems.

The systems we employ to detect and prevent cyberattacks may be insufficient to protect us from an incident or to allow us to minimize the magnitude and effects of such incident for a significant period of time. The occurrence of a cyberattack, breach, unauthorized access, misuse, computer virus or other cybersecurity event could jeopardize our systems or result in the unauthorized disclosure, gathering, monitoring, misuse, corruption, loss or destruction of confidential and other information that belongs to us, our customers, our counterparties, third-party service providers or borrowers that is processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks. Any such event could result in significant losses, loss of customers and business opportunities, reputational damage, litigation, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Mine closures entail substantial costs, and if we close one or more of our mines sooner than anticipated, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

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We base our assumptions regarding the life of our mines on detailed studies that we perform from time to time, but our studies and assumptions do not always prove to be accurate. If we close any of our mines sooner than expected, sales will decline unless we are able to increase production at any of our other mines, which may not be possible. The closure of an open pit mine may also involve significant fixed closure costs, including accelerated employment legacy costs, severance-related obligations, reclamation and other environmental costs and the costs of terminating long-term obligations, including energy contracts and equipment leases. We accrue for the costs of reclaiming open pits, stockpiles, tailings ponds, roads and other mining support areas over the estimated mining life of our properties. If we were to reduce the estimated life of any of our mines, the fixed mine closure costs could be applied to a shorter period of production, which would increase production costs per ton produced and could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Applicable statutes and regulations require that mining property be reclaimed following a mine closure in accordance with specified standards and an approved reclamation plan. The plan addresses matters such as removal of facilities and equipment, re-grading, prevention of erosion and other forms of water pollution, re-vegetation and post-mining land use. Complying with these plans has had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on our business. Some environmental laws impose substantial penalties for noncompliance with a reclamation plan, and others, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), impose strict, retroactive and joint and several liability for the remediation of releases of hazardous substances. We may be required to post a surety bond or other form of financial assurance equal to the anticipated cost of reclamation as set forth in the approved reclamation plan. The inability to acquire, maintain or renew such financial assurances could subject us to fines or the revocation of our operating permits. The establishment of the final mine closure reclamation liability is based on permit requirements and requires various estimates and assumptions, principally associated with reclamation costs and production levels. If our accruals for expected reclamation and other costs associated with mine closures for which we will be responsible were later determined to be insufficient, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
Legal & Compliance Risks

We are subject to numerous environmental regulations that impose significant costs and liabilities, which could increase under potential future regulations or more stringent enforcement of existing regulations.

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations affecting the mining and mineral processing industry, including, among others, those relating to environmental permitting and licensing, plant and wildlife protection, wetlands protection, air and water emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, waste management, remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, land use, reclamation and restoration of properties, hazardous materials and natural resources. These laws and regulations have had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on our business. Some environmental laws impose substantial penalties for noncompliance, and others, such as CERCLA, impose strict, retroactive and joint and several liability for the remediation of releases of hazardous substances.

The denial of a permit essential to our operations or the imposition of conditions with which it is not practicable or feasible to comply could have a material adverse effect on our business. Significant opposition to a permit by neighboring property owners, members of the public or other third parties or delay in the environmental review and permitting process also could impair or delay our operations.

Moreover, environmental requirements, and the interpretation and enforcement of these requirements, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. Future environmental laws and regulations could restrict our ability to expand our facilities or extract our mineral deposits or could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses in connection with our business. The costs associated with complying with such requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

For example, greenhouse gas emission regulation is becoming more rigorous, and concerns about climate change could cause this trend to continue or intensify. We expect to be required to report annual greenhouse gas emissions from our operations to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and additional greenhouse gas emission -related requirements are in various stages of developmentat the international, federal, state, regional and local levels. The U.S. Congress has considered, and may adopt in the future, various legislative proposals to address climate change, including a nationwide limit on greenhouse gas emissions. Any regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, including, for example, through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement, new permit requirement or other program, could curtail our operations, significantly increase our operating costs, impair demand for our products or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, reputation, and performance.


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Additionally, various state, local and foreign governments have implemented, or are considering, increased regulatory oversight of hydraulic fracturing through additional permitting requirements, operational restrictions, disclosure requirements and temporary or permanent bans on hydraulic fracturing. A significant portion of our business supplies frac sand to hydraulic fracturing operators in the oil and natural gas industry. Although we do not directly engage in hydraulic fracturing activities, our customers purchase our frac sand for use in their hydraulic fracturing operations. There is significant federal oversight of these operations by the EPA, Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), and Department of Energy (“DOE”). A number of local municipalities across the United States have also instituted measures resulting in temporary or permanent bans on or otherwise limiting or delaying hydraulic fracturing in their jurisdictions. Additionally, a number of states have enacted legislation or issued regulations that impose various disclosure requirements on hydraulic fracturing operators. Such moratoriums, bans, disclosure obligations, and other regulatory actions could make it more difficult to conduct hydraulic fracturing operations and increase our customers’ cost of doing business, which could negatively impact demand for our frac sand products. In addition, heightened political, regulatory and public scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing practices could potentially expose us or our customers to increased legal and regulatory proceedings, and any such proceedings could be time-consuming, costly or result in substantial legal liability or significant reputational harm. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, whether directly or indirectly.

If we or our customers are not able to obtain and maintain necessary permits, our business and performance could suffer.

We hold numerous governmental, environmental, mining and other permits and approvals authorizing operations at each of our facilities. Our future success depends on, among other things, our ability, and the ability of our customers, to obtain and maintain the necessary permits and licenses required to conduct operations. In order to obtain permits and renewals of permits in the future, we may be required to prepare and present data to governmental authorities pertaining to the impact that any proposed exploration or production activities may have on the environment. Compliance with these regulatory requirements is expensive and significantly lengthens the time needed to conduct operations. Additionally, obtaining or renewing required permits is sometimes delayed, conditioned or prevented due to community opposition, opposition from other parties, the location of existing or proposed third-party operations, or other factors beyond our control. The denial of a new or renewed permit essential to our operations, delays in obtaining such a permit or the imposition of conditions in order to acquire the permit could impair our ability to continue operations at the affected facilities, delay those operations, or involve significant unplanned costs, any of which could adversely affect our business, performance and financial condition.

We are subject to regulations that impose stringent health and safety standards on numerous aspects of our operations.

Multiple aspects of our operations are subject to health and safety standards, including our mining operations, our trucking operations, and employee exposure to crystalline silica.

Our mining operations are subject to the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“Mine Act”), as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, which imposes stringent health and safety standards on numerous aspects of mineral extraction and processing operations, including the training of personnel, operating procedures, operating equipment and other matters. Our operating locations are regularly inspected by the Mine Safety & Health Administration (“MSHA”) for compliance with the Mine Act.

The Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and various state agencies exercise broad powers over our trucking services, generally governing matters including authorization to engage in motor carrier service, equipment operation, safety, and financial reporting. In addition, our operations must comply with the Fair Labor Standard Act, which governs such matters as wages and overtime, and which is administered by the Department of Labor (“DOL”). We may be audited periodically by the DOT or the DOL to ensure that we are in compliance with these safety, hours-of-service, wage and other rules and regulations.

We are also subject to laws and regulations relating to human exposure to crystalline silica. Several federal and state regulatory authorities, including MSHA and OSHA, may continue to propose changes to their regulations regarding workplace exposure to crystalline silica, such as permissible exposure limits, required controls and personal protective equipment.
 
Our failure to comply with existing or new health and safety standards, or changes in such standards or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, could require us or our customers to modify operations or equipment, shut down some or all operating locations, impose significant restrictions on our ability to conduct operations or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


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Silica-related health issues and litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.

The inhalation of respirable crystalline silica is associated with the lung disease silicosis. There is evidence of an association between crystalline silica exposure or silicosis and lung cancer and possible association with other diseases, including immune system disorders such as scleroderma. These health risks have been, and may continue to be, a significant issue confronting the commercial silica industry. Concerns over silicosis and other potential adverse health effects, as well as concerns regarding potential liability from the use of silica, may have the effect of discouraging our customers’ use of our silica products. The actual or perceived health risks of mining, processing and handling silica could materially and adversely affect silica producers, including us, through reduced use of silica products, the threat of product liability or employee lawsuits, increased scrutiny by federal, state and local regulatory authorities of us and our customers or reduced financing sources available to the commercial silica industry.

Since at least 1975, we and/or our predecessors have been named as a defendant, usually among many defendants, in numerous product liability lawsuits brought by or on behalf of current or former employees of our customers alleging damages caused by silica exposure. Almost all of the claims pending against us arise out of the alleged use of our silica products in foundries or as an abrasive blast media, involve various other defendants and have been filed in the States of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, although some cases have been brought in many other jurisdictions over the years. For further information about material pending proceedings, see Item 3. Legal Proceedings. The silica-related litigation brought against us to date and associated litigation costs, settlements and verdicts have not resulted in a material liability to us to date, and we presently maintain insurance policies where available. However, we continue to have silica exposure claims filed against us, including claims that allege silica exposure for periods or in areas not covered by insurance, and the costs, outcome and impact to us of any pending or future claims is not certain. Any such pending or future claims or inadequacies of our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations.

Due to the international nature of parts of our business, we are subject to both U.S. and foreign regulations that could negatively impact our business.

In addition to U.S. laws and regulations, we are also subject to regulation in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we conduct business, including with respect to environmental, employee and other matters. The requirements for compliance with these laws and regulations may be unclear or indeterminate and may involve significant costs, including additional capital expenditures or increased operating expenses, or require changes in business practice, in each case that could result in reduced profitability for our business. Our need to comply with these foreign laws and regulations may provide an advantage to competitors who are not subject to comparable restrictions or may restrict our ability to take advantage of growth opportunities. In addition, because the laws and regulations in different jurisdictions can vary substantially, we may be required to undertake different steps or otherwise experience increased costs or other challenges in order to comply with the laws and regulations in each of the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate.

In addition, the United States regulates our international operations through various statutes, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The FCPA and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit U.S. -based companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We operate in parts of the world that experience government corruption to some degree, and, in certain circumstances, compliance with anti-corruption laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Although we maintain policies, procedures and controls and deliver training designed to ensure compliance with anti-corruption laws, such efforts may not be sufficient to protect us from liability under these laws.

If we are found to be liable for regulatory violations related to our international operations, we could suffer from criminal or civil penalties or other sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Strategic & General Business Risks

We must effectively manage our production capacity so that we can appropriately react to fluctuations in demand for our products.

To meet rapidly changing demand in the markets we serve, we must effectively manage our resources and production capacity. During periods of decreasing demand we must be able to appropriately align our cost structure with prevailing market conditions and effectively manage our mining operations. Our ability to rapidly and effectively reduce our cost structure in response to such downturns is limited by the fixed nature of many of our expenses in the near term and by our need to continue to invest

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in maintaining reserves and production capabilities. Conversely, when upturns occur in the markets we serve, we may have difficulty rapidly and effectively increasing our production capacity or incur substantial costs related to restarting idled facilities or executing other expansion plans. A failure to timely and appropriately adapt our resources, costs and production capacity to changes in our business environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

If we cannot successfully complete acquisitions or integrate acquired businesses, our growth may be limited, and our financial condition may be adversely affected.

Our business strategy includes supplementing internal growth by pursuing acquisitions of complementary businesses. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:
•the validity of our assumptions about mineral reserves, future production, sales, capital expenditures, operating expenses and costs, including synergies;
•an inability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire;
•the use of a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions and the subsequent decrease in our liquidity, or the use of equity securities to fund an acquisition and the resulting dilution to our existing stockholders;
•a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;
•the assumption of unknown liabilities, losses or costs for which we are not indemnified or for which our indemnity is inadequate;
•the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
•an inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate any growth in our business and assets;
•the incurrence of other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges;
•unforeseen difficulties encountered in operating in new geographic areas or other new markets;
•customer or key employee losses at the acquired businesses; and
•the accuracy of data obtained from production reports and engineering studies, geophysical and geological analyses and other information used when deciding to acquire a property, the results of which are often inconclusive and subject to various interpretations.

If we cannot successfully complete acquisitions or integrate acquired businesses, our growth may be limited, and our financial condition may be adversely affected.

We may need to recognize impairment charges related to goodwill, identifiable intangible assets, and fixed assets, in which case our net earnings and net worth could be materially adversely affected.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, net assets acquired are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date, with any excess purchase price allocated to goodwill. Our acquisitions have resulted in significant balances of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of a potential impairment of goodwill, identified intangible assets and fixed assets. If, as a result of a general economic slowdown, deterioration in one or more of the markets in which we operate, impairment in our financial performance and/or future outlook or decline in our market capitalization due to other factors, the estimated fair value of our long-lived assets or goodwill decreases, we may determine that one or more of our long-lived assets or our goodwill is impaired. Any such impairment charge would be determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, and results of operations.

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and protecting our rights or defending against third-party allegations of infringement may be costly.

Our commercial success depends on our proprietary information and technologies, know-how and other intellectual property. Because of the technical nature of our business, we rely primarily on patents, trade secrets, trademarks and contractual restrictions to protect our intellectual property rights. The measures we take to protect our patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights may be insufficient. In addition, certain non-U.S. jurisdictions where we operate offer limited intellectual property protections relative to the United States. Failure to protect, monitor and control the use of our existing intellectual property rights could cause us to lose our competitive advantage and incur significant expenses. It is possible that our competitors or others could independently develop the same or similar technologies or otherwise obtain access to our unpatented technologies. In such case, our patents and trade secrets would not prevent third parties from competing with us. Furthermore, third parties or employees may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual

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property rights. Policing unauthorized use of intellectual property rights can be difficult and expensive, and adequate remedies may not be available.

In addition, third parties may claim that our products infringe or otherwise violate their patents or other proprietary rights and seek corresponding damages or injunctive relief. Defending ourselves against such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and result in costly litigation. An adverse outcome in any such litigation could subject us to significant liability to third parties (potentially including treble damages) or temporary or permanent injunctions prohibiting the manufacture or sale of our products, the use of our technologies or the conduct of our business. Any adverse outcome could also require us to seek licenses from third parties (which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all) or to make substantial one-time or ongoing royalty payments. Protracted litigation could also result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products until resolution of such litigation. In addition, we may not have insurance coverage in connection with such litigation and may have to bear all costs arising from any such litigation to the extent we are unable to recover them from other parties. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Capital Resources & Stock Ownership Risks

We will need substantial additional capital to maintain, develop and increase our asset base, and the inability to obtain needed capital or financing, on satisfactory terms, or at all, whether due to restrictions in our Credit Agreement or otherwise, could have an adverse effect on our growth and profitability.

Our business plan requires a significant amount of capital expenditures to maintain and grow our production levels over the long term. Although we currently use a significant amount of our cash reserves and cash generated from our operations to fund the maintenance and development of our existing mineral reserves and our acquisitions of new mineral reserves, we may need to depend on external sources of capital to fund future capital expenditures if commercial silica prices were to decline for an extended period of time, if the costs of our acquisition and development operations were to increase substantially or if other events were to occur that reduce our sales or increase our costs. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future equity or debt offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering, adverse market conditions or other contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds necessary to maintain, develop and increase our asset base could adversely impact our growth and profitability.

In addition, our existing Credit Agreement contains, and any future financing agreements we may enter into could also contain, operating and financial restrictions and covenants that may limit our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in, expand or pursue our business activities.

Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and events and circumstances beyond our control. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we violate any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our Credit Agreement, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets, and if we are unable to repay our indebtedness or satisfy our other obligations under our Credit Agreement, the lenders could seek to foreclose on our assets.

Even if we are able to obtain financing or access the capital markets, incurring additional debt may significantly increase the risks associated with our existing indebtedness, as discussed elsewhere in these risk factors. In addition, the issuance of additional common stock in an equity offering may result in significant stockholder dilution. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing any capital-raising transactions, including investment banking, legal and accounting fees, which may not be adequately offset by the proceeds from the transaction.
Our substantial indebtedness and pension obligations could adversely affect our financial flexibility and our competitive position.

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We have, and we expect to maintain in the near term, a significant amount of indebtedness. On May 1, 2018, we entered into the Credit Agreement, which consists of a $1.280 billion Term Loan and a $100 million Revolver that may also be used for swingline loans or letters of credit.
As of December 31, 2019, we had $1.248 billion of outstanding indebtedness under the Term Loan and we were using$6.5 million for outstanding letters of credit, leaving $93.5 million of borrowing availability under the Revolver with the consent of our lenders.
In addition to our indebtedness, we also have, and will continue to have, significant pension obligations. The substantial level of these obligations increases the risk that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay amounts owed under these obligations when due. In such a case, we may be forced to reduce or delay business activities, acquisitions, investments and/or capital expenditures; sell assets; restructure or refinance our indebtedness; or seek additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection, and we may not be able to affect any of these remedies when necessary, on satisfactory terms or at all. Our level of indebtedness and pension obligations could also have important consequences to you and significant effects on our business, including:
•
increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;
•
requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our indebtedness and pension obligations, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including dividend payments;
•
restricting us from exploiting business opportunities;
•
making it more difficult to satisfy our financial obligations, including payments on our indebtedness;
•
disadvantaging us when compared to our competitors that have less debt and pension obligations; and
•
increasing our borrowing costs or otherwise limiting our ability to borrow additional funds for the execution of our business strategy.

In addition, the amounts owed under the Credit Agreement use LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate at which interest accrues. LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely or to perform differently than in the past. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted but could include an increase in the cost to us of this indebtedness.
We may have to utilize significant cash to meet our unfunded pension obligations and post-retirement health care liabilities and these obligations are subject to increase.
Many of our employees participate in our defined benefit pension plans. In 2019, we made contribution payments totaling $4.8 million toward reducing the unfunded liability of our defined benefit pension plans. Declines in interest rates or the market values of the securities held by the plans or other adverse changes could materially increase the underfunded status of our plans and affect the level and timing of required cash contributions. To the extent we continue to use cash to reduce these unfunded liabilities, the amount of cash available for our working capital needs would be reduced. In addition, under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) has the authority to institute proceedings to terminate a pension plan in certain circumstances. In the event our tax-qualified pension plans are terminated by the PBGC, we could be liable to the PBGC for the underfunded amount, which could trigger default provisions in our Credit Agreement.

We also have a post-retirement health and life insurance plan for many of our employees and former employees. The post-retirement benefit plan is unfunded, and retiree health benefits are generally paid as covered expenses are incurred. We derive post-retirement benefit expense from an actuarial calculation based on the provisions of the plan and a number of assumptions provided by us. Although we previously maintained a trust to partially fund health care benefits for future retirees, the trust terminated in 2017 upon depletion of its assets in accordance with trust terms. As a result, our satisfaction of our obligations under our post-retirement benefit plan increases our expenses and reduces our cash available for other uses.

See Note R - Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits in our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about these plans.

Our stock price and trading volume has been and could continue to be volatile, and you may not be able to resell shares of your common stock when desired, at or above the price you paid, or at all.

The stock market has experienced and continues to experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the underlying businesses. In 2019, our stock closed at a high of $18.36 per share and a low of $4.46 per share. Broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our

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common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition to the other risks described in this section, the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, many of which we cannot control, including inaccurate or unfavorable research or ratings published by industry analysts about our business, or a cessation of coverage of us by industry analysts; quarterly variations in our operating results compared to market expectations; announcements by others in or affecting our industry or our customers; actions by competitors; our acquisition of, investment in or disposition of other businesses; and other global or regional economic, political, legal and regulatory factors that may not be directly related to our performance.

Volatility in the market price or trading volume of our common stock may make it difficult or impossible for you to sell your common stock at or above the price at which you purchased the stock. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs, reduce our profits, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business.

Holders of our common stock may not receive dividends on our common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive only such dividends as our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Applicable Delaware law provides that we may pay dividends only out of a surplus, as determined under Delaware law, or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend was declared and for the preceding fiscal year if certain specified conditions are met. Any determination to pay dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property by us in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including business conditions, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital requirements, the ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends or make other distributions to us, contractual restrictions (including restrictive covenants contained in the Credit Agreement or other debt agreements) and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant. We are not required to declare future cash dividends on our common stock, and our board of directors may determine not to do so at any time.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law might discourage or delay acquisition attempts for us that you might consider favorable.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make the acquisition of our company more difficult without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions:
•
authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval, and which may include super voting, special approval, dividend, or other rights or preferences superior to the rights of our common stock;
•
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which requires all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders;
•
provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws;
•
establish advance notice requirements for nominations of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and
•
prevent us from engaging in a business combination with a person who acquires at least 15% of our common stock for a period of three years from the date such person acquired such common stock, unless board or stockholder approval is obtained prior to the acquisition.

These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire.
Labor & Employment Risks

Our business may suffer if we are unable to attract and retain members of our workforce.

We depend to a large extent on the services of our senior management team and other key personnel. These employees have extensive experience and expertise in evaluating and analyzing industrial mineral properties, maximizing production from such properties, marketing industrial mineral production and developing and executing financing and hedging strategies.

Competition for management and key personnel is intense, and the pool of qualified candidates is limited. The loss of any of these individuals or the failure to attract additional personnel as needed could have a material adverse effect on our

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operations and could lead to higher labor costs or the use of less-qualified personnel. In addition, if any of our executives or other key employees were to join a competitor or form a competing company, we could lose customers, suppliers, know-how and other personnel.

Our operations also rely on skilled laborers using modern techniques and equipment to mine efficiently. We may be unable to train or attract the necessary number of skilled laborers to maintain our operating costs.

With respect to our trucking services, the industry periodically experiences a shortage of qualified drivers, particularly during periods of economic expansion, in which alternative employment opportunities are more plentiful and freight demand increases, or during periods of economic downturns, in which unemployment benefits might be extended and financing is limited for independent contractors who seek to purchase equipment or for students who seek financial aid for driving school. Our independent contractors are responsible for paying for their own equipment, fuel, and other operating costs, and significant increases in these costs could cause them to seek higher compensation from us or seek other opportunities within or outside the trucking industry. The trucking industry suffers from a high driver turnover rate, which requires us to continually recruit a substantial number of drivers to operate our equipment and could negatively affect our operations and expenses if we are unable to do so.

Our success will be dependent on our ability to continue to attract, employ and retain highly skilled personnel at all levels of our operations.

Our profitability could be negatively affected if we fail to maintain satisfactory labor relations.

As of December 31, 2019, various labor unions represented approximately 38% of our hourly employees. If we are unable to renegotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements with these labor unions in the future, we could experience, among other things, strikes, work stoppages or other slowdowns by our workers and increased operating costs as a result of higher wages, health care costs or benefits paid to our employees. An inability to maintain good relations with our workforce could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None. 

ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in Katy, Texas. In addition, we maintain corporate support centers and sales offices in Reno, Nevada, Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas.
As of December 31, 2019, we operate 25 production facilities located primarily in the eastern half of the United States, with operations in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri (2), New Jersey, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada (3), Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee (2), Texas (3), Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. We also operate several transload sites via service contracts with our transload operating partners.
Additionally, we operate corporate laboratories located at our Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and Reno, Nevada locations that provide critical technical expertise, analytical testing resources and application development to promote product value and cost savings.
We generally own our principal production properties, although some land is leased. Substantially all of our owned assets are pledged as security under the Credit Agreement; for additional information regarding our indebtedness see Note K - Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Corporate offices, including sales locations are leased. In general, we consider our facilities, taken as a whole, to be suitable and adequate for our current operations.

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Our Production Facilities
The following is a detailed description of our 25 production facilities.
Crane County, Texas
Our Crane County facility is a fully automated, state-of-the-art facility that features a 4 million ton per year plant with a wet plant, intermediate stockpile, dry plant, screening plant, and loadout. The facility uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica through surface mining methods. The reserves at Crane County contain windblown dune sand lying above ancient dunes of clayey sand, all Quaternary in age. The facility is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Odessa, Texas in Crane County and is located 5 miles south of U.S. Interstate 20 on a main Farm-to-Market Road. The facility's location in West Texas allows it to ship local in-basin sand by truck.
We purchased 3200 acres of ranch land in May 2017, on which the Crane County facility was built and became operational during the first quarter of 2018. The facility primarily produces a range of API/ISO certified frac sand grades. The total net book value of the Crane County facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $217.6 million.
Lamesa, Texas
Our Lamesa facility is a fully-automated, state-of-the-art facility that currently features a 6 million ton per year plant with a wet plant, intermediate stockpile, dry plant, screening plant, and loadout. The facility uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica through surface mining methods. The reserves at Lamesa contain windblown dune sand lying above ancient dunes of clayey sand, all Quaternary in age. The facility is located in Dawson County, approximately 55 miles north of Midland, Texas and 60 miles south of Lubbock, Texas. The site is located 13 miles north and west of Lamesa, Texas using state, farm-to-market and private roads. U.S. Route 87 runs through Lamesa and directly leads north to Lubbock and south to Midland. The facility's location in West Texas allows it to ship local in-basin sand by truck.
We purchased 3500 acres of ranch land in July 2017, on which the Lamesa facility was built and became operational during the third quarter 2018. The facility primarily produces a range of API/ISO certified frac sand grades. The total net book value of the Lamesa facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $202.0 million.
Festus, Missouri
The Festus facility uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica from a sandstone reserve that we lease, subject to the lease's expiration on June 30, 2048. The ore is mined by a contractor using both surface and underground hard-rock mining methods. The reserves are part of the St. Peter Sandstone Formation that stretches north-south from Minnesota to Missouri and east-west from Illinois to Nebraska and South Dakota. The facility is located approximately 30 miles south of St. Louis and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 55. Once the product is processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped by truck to either barge or rail.
We acquired the Festus facility in August 2017 in connection with the closing of our MS Sand acquisition in August 2017. Since acquiring the facility, we completed an expansion to increase capacity. While the Festus facility's production techniques and distribution model enable it to serve all major silica markets, the primary production has been frac sand for oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Festus facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $32.3 million.
Ottawa, Illinois
Our surface mines in Ottawa use natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain and ground silica through a variety of mining methods, including hard rock mining, mechanical mining and hydraulic mining. The reserves are part of the St. Peter Sandstone Formation that stretches north-south from Minnesota to Missouri and east-west from Illinois to Nebraska and South Dakota. The facility is located approximately 80 miles southwest of Chicago and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 80. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is shipped either in bulk or packaged form by rail by the CSX Corporation or the BNSF Railway Company (via the Illinois Railway short line), truck or barge.
We acquired the Ottawa facility in 1987 by merger with the Ottawa Silica Company, which historically used the property to produce whole grain and ground silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including washing, hydraulic sizing, grinding, screening and blending. These production techniques allow the Ottawa facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Ottawa facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, building products, foundry, fillers and extenders, chemicals and oil

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and gas proppants. In November 2009, we expanded the frac sand capacity by 500,000 tons. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we completed a follow-on expansion project that added an additional 900,000 tons of frac sand capacity. The total net book value of the Ottawa facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $95.4 million.
Mill Creek, Oklahoma
Our surface mines in Mill Creek use natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain, ground and fine ground silica through hydraulic mining. The reserves are part of the Oil Creek Formation in south central Oklahoma. The facility is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Oklahoma City and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 35. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped either by rail by BNSF Railway Company or by truck.
We acquired the Mill Creek facility in 1987 by merger with the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, grinding and air sizing. These production techniques allow the Mill Creek facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Mill Creek facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, foundry, fillers and extenders, building products and oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Mill Creek facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $19.5 million.
Sparta, Wisconsin
Our facility at Sparta uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica products through dredging. The reserve geology is that of high purity alluvial sands that are part of the Wonewoc Formation. The Wonewoc is known for its round, coarse grains and superior crush strength properties, which makes it an ideal substrate for oil and gas proppants. The Sparta property was acquired on December 30, 2011, and site development began in April 2012. The property is located 25 miles northeast of La Crosse; approximately 120 miles northwest of Madison, Wisconsin; and is readily accessible by both U.S. Interstate 90 and the Canadian Pacific railroad. The total net book value of the Sparta facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $2.1 million.
Mapleton Depot, Pennsylvania
Our surface mines in Mapleton Depot use natural gas, fuel oil and electricity to produce whole grain silica through hard rock mining. The reserves are part of the Ridgeley (sometimes called the Oriskany) Sandstone Formation in central Pennsylvania. The facility is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Harrisburg and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 99, 80 and 76 and U.S. Routes 22 and 322. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped either by rail by Norfolk Southern Corporation or by truck.
We acquired the Mapleton Depot facility in 1987 by merger with the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, scalping and a low iron circuit. These production techniques allow the Mapleton Depot facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Mapleton Depot facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, specialty glass, building products, recreation, and oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Mapleton Depot facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $15.0 million.
Pacific, Missouri
Our surface mines at the Pacific facility use natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain, ground and fine ground silica through a variety of mining methods, including hard rock and hydraulic mining. The reserves are part of the St. Peter Sandstone Formation that stretches north-south from Minnesota to Missouri and east-west from Illinois to Nebraska and South Dakota. The facility is located approximately 50 miles southwest of St. Louis and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 44. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped either by rail directly by Union Pacific Corporation and through open switching on the same line by BNSF Railway Company or by truck.
We acquired the Pacific facility in 1987 by merger with the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through

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various processing methods, including hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, grinding, dry screening, classifying and microsizing. In August 2010, we expanded this facility’s processing capabilities to include the processing of frac sand. These production techniques allow the Pacific facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Pacific facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, foundry, fillers and extenders and oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Pacific facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $56.9 million.
Kosse, Texas
Our surface mine in Kosse uses mechanical mining to extract sand ore from the reserve. The plant uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica. The reserves are part of the Simsboro member of the Rockdale Formation in central Texas. The facility is located approximately 90 miles south of Dallas and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 45 and 35. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is shipped by truck.
We acquired the Kosse facility in 1987 by merger with the Ottawa Silica Company, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including washing, hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, and dry screening. These production techniques allow the Kosse facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Kosse facility services multiple end markets, such as building products, recreation, and oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Kosse facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $11.8 million.
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Our surface mines at the Berkeley Springs facility use hard rock mining methods to produce high-purity sandstone. The plant uses natural gas, propane, fuel oil and electricity to make whole grain, ground, and fine ground silica. Berkeley Springs also produces a synthetic magnesium-silica product called Florisil. The reserves are part of the Ridgeley Sandstone Formation along the Warm Springs Ridge in eastern West Virginia. The facility is located approximately 100 miles northwest of Baltimore and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 70. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped by rail by the CSX Corporation or truck.

We acquired the Berkeley Springs facility in 1987 by merger with the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including primary, secondary and tertiary crushing, grinding, flotation, dewatering, fluid bed drying, mechanical screening and rotary drying processing. These production techniques allow the Berkeley Springs facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications from customers producing specialty epoxies, resins and polymers, geothermal energy equipment and fiberglass. As such, the Berkeley Springs facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, building products, foundry, chemicals and fillers and extenders. The total net book value of the Berkeley Springs facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $21.5 million.
Columbia, South Carolina
Our surface mines in Columbia use natural gas, fuel oil and electricity to produce whole grain, ground and fine ground silica. The reserves are part of the Tuscaloosa Formation in central South Carolina. The facility is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Columbia and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 26 and 20. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is bagged or shipped in bulk either by rail by Norfolk Southern Corporation or by truck.
We acquired the Columbia facility in 1987 by merger with the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, scalping and grinding. These production techniques allow the Columbia facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Columbia facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, building products, fillers and extenders, filtration and oil and gas proppants. The total net book value of the Columbia facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $14.5 million.

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Dubberly, Louisiana
Our surface mines in Dubberly use natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica through dredge mining. The reserves are part of the Sparta Formation. The facility is located approximately 30 miles east of Shreveport and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 20 and state Highway 532. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is bagged or shipped in bulk by truck.
We acquired the Dubberly facility in 1987 by merger with the Ottawa Silica Company, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including screening, washing, fluid bed drying and conditioning to remove heavy and iron bearing minerals. These production techniques allow the Dubberly facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Dubberly facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, foundry and building products. The total net book value of the Dubberly facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $3.2 million.
Montpelier, Virginia
Our surface mines in Montpelier use fuel oil and electricity to produce aplite through hard rock mining. The reserves are part of an igneous rock complex that is unique to this location. The facility is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Richmond and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 64 and 95. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped either by rail by Norfolk Southern Corporation or CSX Corporation or by truck.
We acquired the Montpelier facility in 1993 from The Feldspar Company, which had historically used the property to produce aplite for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including hydraulic crushing and sizing, washing, fluid bed drying and grinding. These production techniques allow the Montpelier facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Montpelier facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, building products and recreation. The total net book value of the Montpelier facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $14.3 million.
Hurtsboro, Alabama
Our surface mines in Hurtsboro use propane and electricity to produce whole grain silica. Sand feed for processing is trucked in from surrounding mine locations. The reserves are mined from the Cusseta member of the lower Ripley Formation. The facility is located approximately 75 miles east of Montgomery and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 85 and state Highway 431. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is shipped in bulk by truck.
We acquired the Hurtsboro facility in 1988 from Warrior Sand & Gravel Company, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including trucking in sand from surrounding locations, hydraulic sizing, screening and fluid bed drying. These production techniques allow the Hurtsboro facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Hurtsboro facility services multiple end markets, such as foundry, building products and recreation. The total net book value of the Hurtsboro facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $0.4 million.
Jackson, Tennessee
Our surface mines in Jackson use natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain and ground silica. Sand is purchased from a local dredging company whose reserves are alluvial sands associated with an ancient river system. The facility is located approximately 75 miles east of Memphis and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 40. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is shipped in bulk by truck.
We acquired the Jackson facility in 1997 from Nicks Silica Company, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain and ground silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities, turning it into one of our premier grinding facilities and enabling it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including rotary drying, screening and grinding. These production techniques allow the Jackson facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Jackson facility services multiple end markets, such as fiberglass, building products, ceramics, fillers

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and extenders and recreation. The total net book value of the Jackson facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $1.3 million.
Mauricetown, New Jersey
Our surface mines near the Mauricetown facility use natural gas, fuel oil and electricity, to produce whole grain silica through dredge mining. The reserves are mined from alluvial sands in the Maurice River Valley and are similar to those found in the Cohansey, Bridgeton and Cape May deposits. The facility is located approximately 50 miles south of Philadelphia and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 295 and state Highway 55. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bags or bulk and shipped either by rail by Winchester & Western Railroad or by truck.
We acquired the Mauricetown facility in 1999 from Unimin Corporation, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities, including the construction of a new wet processing plant, to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including washing, hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, rotary drying and scalping. These production techniques allow the Mauricetown facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Mauricetown facility services multiple end markets, such as foundry, filtration, building products and recreation. The total net book value of the Mauricetown facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $15.8 million.
Rockwood, Michigan
Our Rockwood facility uses natural gas and electricity to produce whole grain silica. Rockwood's own surface mining reserves are part of the Sylvania Formation and are notable for their low iron content, making them particularly valuable to customers producing specialty glass for architectural or alternative energy applications. Currently, sandstone ore is purchased from a local construction material company from that company's surface mining operation. The facility is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Detroit and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstate 75. Once the product is appropriately processed, it is packaged in bulk and shipped by rail via the Canadian National Railway or truck.
We acquired the Rockwood facility in 1987 by merger with the Ottawa Silica Company, which had historically used the property to produce whole grain and ground silica for customers in industrial and specialty products end markets. Since acquiring the facility, we renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including fluid bed drying, dry screening and classifying. These production techniques allow the Rockwood facility to meet a wide variety of focused specifications on product composition from customers. As such, the Rockwood facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, building products, oil and gas proppants and chemicals. The total net book value of the Rockwood facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $13.5 million.
Millen, Georgia
Our Millen facility has a natural gas kiln that enables the production of specialty industrial products that require high temperature heat treatments. These products are sold to customers that produce finished goods for the building products and residential construction markets. Our initial production commenced in 2019 and is expected to become fully operational by the end of the first quarter of 2020. The facility is located southeast of Atlanta in Jenkins County in close proximity to high quality kaolin and silica deposits that are used as raw materials. The site can ship bulk or packaged material via truck and the Norfolk Southern railway.
We acquired the Millen facility on December 31, 2018. The facility was constructed in 2014 as a ceramic proppant facility. Our process and packaging modifications have enabled the production of cool roof granules and other specialty industrial products. The total net book value of the Millen facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $13.8 million.
Lovelock, Nevada
Our Lovelock facility is the world's largest producing diatomaceous earth (DE) plant. The facility is 90 miles northeast of Reno, next to Interstate 80. The plant has full rail service on the UPRR, but primarily produces packaged products. The plant’s proximity to the port of Oakland allows it to be the primary export plant for filter aids and fillers. Its three kilns produce calcined and flux-calcined filter aids and functional additives. It has an annual capacity of approximately 156,000 tons. A perlite expander was installed in 1994, and the site crushes and screens perlite ore from our open-pit Popcorn Mine as a raw material for the Blair, Nebraska facility as well as selling expanded perlite ore for use as a filter aid and has an annual capacity of approximately 15,000 tons. The facility uses DE ore from the open-pit Colado mine, soda ash, natural gas, and electricity to

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manufacture products used as filtration media across many industries including brewing, corn wet milling, oil and gas, wineries, potable water, swimming pools and petrochemicals. In addition, filler products are used as an anti-block in polyethylene film and flattening agents in paint.
The Lovelock facility was initially commissioned in 1959. We acquired the Lovelock facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Lovelock facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $33.6 million.
Vale, Oregon
Our Vale facility is the world’s third largest DE facility. Two kilns can produce calcined and flux-calcined diatomaceous earth for use as filter aids, functional additives, and low iron brewing grades of filter aids. It has an annual capacity of approximately 120,000 tons and uses DE ore from the open-pit Celatom mine, natural gas, electricity and soda ash.
The facility was originally commissioned in 1985, with the second kiln added in 1997. We acquired the Vale facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Vale facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $24.6 million.
Clark, Nevada
The Clark facility utilizes a rotary kiln to produce granular DE products utilized in the soil amendment, absorbent, and carrier markets. In addition, a flash dryer process is utilized in producing natural DE powders in support of the functional additive and natural insecticide/animal feed markets. The Clark facility has an annual capacity of approximately 70,000 tons and utilizes DE ore from its surface mining, natural gas and electricity. It is located adjacent to the Truckee River, immediately accessible by Interstate 80 and serviced via the Union Pacific Railroad.
In 1945, EPM (Eagle-Picher at that time) acquired the DE deposits 20 miles east of Reno, Nevada in what is known today as Clark, Nevada. We acquired the Clark facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Clark facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $26.9 million.
Fernley, Nevada
Our Fernley facility surface-mines DE and has a rotary kiln for granular DE products. The facility utilizes electricity and recycled oil to manufacture granular products used in absorbent products, soil amendments, fertilizer and pet litter. It has an annual capacity of approximately 50,000 tons and is located near Interstate 80, fifteen miles east of Fernley, Nevada.
EPM purchased the facility from Moltan Corporation in 2013. We acquired the Fernley facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Fernley facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $4.0 million.
Blair, Nebraska
Our Blair facility uses natural gas, electricity, and perlite ore from our open-pit Popcorn mine that has been initially processed at our Lovelock facility. Products produced are used in the industry as a filter media in the manufacturing of bio-fuels food grade oils.
Our Blair facility began producing perlite in 2014. We acquired the Blair facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Blair facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $2.5 million.
Jackson, Mississippi
Our Jackson facility, located approximately at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Interstate 55, uses natural gas, electricity, water, and sulfuric acid to process calcium bentonite from our open-pit mine (Fowlkes Mine) located in Monroe County, approximately 170 miles from the Jackson facility. Once the calcium bentonite is processed into finished product, the product is shipped to the animal feed, oleo bleaching/filtration or refinery catalyst/purification markets The products are shipped via bulk truck and rail leaving Jackson on the CN Railway. Packaged shipments are also made by common carriers for the North/South American markets and intermodal carriers to the ports of New Orleans, Louisiana or Mobile, Alabama for shipments to multiple overseas countries.

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The processing facility sits on land leased from BASF, the former owner of the site. EPM purchased the facility and associated mining operations from BASF in July 2017. We acquired the Jackson facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Jackson facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $27.5 million.
Middleton, Tennessee
The Middleton facility surface-mines montmorillonite clay, a high calcium bentonite, and has two rotary kilns that have a capacity of roughly 150,000 tons per year. The facility uses natural gas, electricity, and sulfuric acid to process ore. With on-site milling, screening, and multiple packaging capabilities, this plant serves several different industries including agriculture, sports fields, and absorbents. This facility is located 80 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee and 60 miles south of Jackson, Tennessee.
EPM purchased the mines and processing facility from the Moltan Company in early 2013. We acquired the Middleton facility in connection with the completion of the acquisition of EPMH in May 2018. The total net book value of the Middleton facility's real property and fixed assets as of December 31, 2019 was $8.0 million.
Our Reserves
We believe we have a broad and high-quality mineral reserve base due to our strategically located mines and facilities. “Reserves” are defined by SEC Industry Guide 7 as that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Industry Guide 7 divides reserves between “proven (measured) reserves” and “probable (indicated) reserves” which are defined as follows:
•
Proven (measured) reserves. Reserves for which (1) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (2) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well-established.
•
Probable (indicated) reserves. Reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measured) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.
We categorize our reserves as proven or probable in accordance with these SEC definitions. We estimate that we had a total of approximately 586 million tons of proven and probable mineable mineral reserves as of December 31, 2019. Compared to 683 million tons of proven and probable mineable mineral reserves we had as of December 31, 2018, the decrease of 97 million tons was due to adjustments and mining, partly offset by the addition of diatomaceous earth, clay, and perlite reserves during the year ended December 31, 2019.
The quantity and nature of the mineral reserves at each of our properties are estimated by our internal Geology and Mine Planning departments. Our geology and mining staff update our reserve estimates annually, making necessary adjustments for operations at each location during the year and additions or reductions due to property acquisitions and dispositions, quality adjustments and mine plan updates. Before acquiring new reserves, we perform surveying, drill core analysis and other tests to confirm the quantity and quality of the to-be acquired reserves. In some instances, we acquire the mineral rights to reserves without taking ownership of the properties.
Description of Deposits
The following is a description of the nature of our silica sand and aplite deposits for each of our reserve locations:
Crane County, Texas
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 98%. The controlling attributes are grain crush strength and size distribution. All areas of the deposit are characterized by clean, low-clay content sand in windblown dunes. In many areas, a more clayey sand lies beneath the clean sand. In all cases the sand is unconsolidated.

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Lamesa, Texas
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 98%. The controlling attributes are grain crush strength and size distribution. All areas of the deposit are characterized by clean, low-clay content sand in windblown dunes. In many areas, a more clayey sand lies beneath the clean sand. In all cases the sand is unconsolidated.
Festus, Missouri
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 98%. The controlling attributes are grain crush strength and size distribution. The top half of the deposit tends to have a coarser grain size distribution and exhibits stronger rock.
Ottawa, Illinois
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are grain crush strength, iron (Fe2O3) content and grain size distribution. Iron is concentrated near the surface, where orange iron staining is evident and also increases where the bottom contact becomes concentrated in iron pyrite. Maximum average full-face iron content is 0.045%. The deposit tends to exhibit a coarser grain size distribution in the top half of deposit.
Mill Creek, Oklahoma
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are iron (Fe2O3) content, calcium (CaO) content and grain size distribution. The sand/overburden contact is occasionally concentrated in calcium and any sand with greater than 0.03% CaO is removed during the overburden removal process. Sand with iron greater than 0.03% Fe2O3 is not mined.
Sparta, Wisconsin
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are sand grain crush strength and size distribution. A thin layer of silt overlies the 50 to 100-foot-thick sand deposit. The deposit is unconsolidated and well graded and can be used to manufacture three main API product grades, 40/70, 30/50, and 20/40 as well as the non-API 100-mesh product.
Mapleton Depot, Pennsylvania
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute is iron (Fe2O3) as most sales have low iron specifications. Higher-iron ore is stockpiled and used when oil and gas proppant production is required or is blended when very low iron ore is available.
Pacific, Missouri
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are iron (Fe2O3) and calcium (CaO) content. Calcium can be concentrated at the upper sand contact with overlying carbonate cap rock. This enriched calcium zone is known from drill sample results and is stripped during the overburden removal process. Average full mining face washed sand samples are less than 0.03% iron and 0.05% calcium.
Kosse, Texas
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are iron content (Fe2O3), sand grain crush strength and size distribution. Multiple areas of deposit can be mined at any one time to assure consistency of ore and to smooth out variability of attributes. Maximum sand irons are 0.045%.
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute is iron (Fe2O3). Ore that is higher than 0.06% iron is not mined. Ore less than 0.06% iron is mined and blended for feed to plant.
Columbia, South Carolina

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The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are iron content (Fe2O3) and percentage of clay/slimes. Clay content increases at depth and generally the pit bottom follows a marker bed at 250-foot elevation where clay content is in excess of 11%. Generally, sand having iron values greater than 0.03% is not mined.
Dubberly, Louisiana
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attributes are iron (Fe2O3) content and grain size distribution. Mining full-face average for iron is 0.045%. Fine and coarse areas are blended to meet the grain size average.
Montpelier, Virginia
The Montpelier anorthosite contains andesine feldspar which is mined and processed to create an alumina rich product. The general term aplite is used to denote the product. The controlling attributes are titanium (TiO2), aluminum (AI2O3), iron (Fe2O3) and phosphorous (P2O5).
The Montpelier anorthosite is approximately 1,000 million years in age and intruded into the older Precambrian Sabot Gneiss. The overall dome shape of the orebody has been altered by multiple structural and metamorphic events that result in the present day foliated and folded deposit. The deposit is highly weathered and soft near the surface. Hardness and strength increase with depth.
Aplite is used as a flux agent in glass making and is sold to the same glass end markets and used in the same processes and in a similar manner as our silica product.
Hurtsboro, Alabama
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute is grain size distribution. Sand reserves are located on the crests of rolling hills and mining occurs from multiple pits and faces within pits to assure optimum grain size distribution is available to meet the market product mix.
Jackson, Tennessee
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute of iron (Fe2O3) content is managed through keeping clay overburden from intermixing with the sand and maintaining adequate washing of sand in the wet processing of the sand.
Mauricetown, New Jersey
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute is grain size distribution. Occasional zones high in clay are avoided in the course of dredge mining.
Rockwood, Michigan
The deposit has a minimum silica (SiO2) content of 99%. The controlling attribute is iron content (Fe2O3). Mineable sand must have less than 0.01% Fe2O3.
Middleton, Tennessee and Mississippi
The deposits are calcium montmorillonite clays hosted in the Porters Creek formation (a deltaic clay deposit on the east flank of the Mississippi embayment) with ore types of low to high density black and brown clay interbedded with sand and silt laminations.
Clark, Nevada
The deposits are composed of freshwater diatomaceous earth, capped with basalt, and interbedded with volcanic ash and tephra units. The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.
Lovelock, Nevada
The deposits are composed of freshwater diatomaceous earth with the primary diatom species of Melosira granulata, typically capped with basalt, and interbedded with volcanic ash and tephra units. The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.

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Fernley, Nevada
The deposits are composed of freshwater diatomaceous earth interbedded with minor volcanic ash and tephra units. The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.
Fowlkes Mine, Mississippi
The deposit occurs in the Tombigbee Sand in Mississippi and is composed of 90% clay, 100% of which is montmorillonite. It holds approximately 1/3 bound water by volume and is dark gray in color, frequently with a greenish tint. It is primarily of the calcium/magnesium type of bentonite. Tombigbee Sand bentonite contains byproducts of volcanic ash degradation and leading evidence suggests the ash came from volcanic vents on the Sharkey Platform, 130 miles to the southwest. The clay deposit contains calcareous concretions that have to be removed as part of the mining operations.
Hazen Mine, Nevada
The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.
Popcorn Mine, Nevada
Perlite is an aqueous rich volcanic glass which was deposited beneath sea water and quenched. Upon crushing and heating, perlite's high-water saturation permits rapid expansion or popping.
Colado Mine, Nevada
The deposits are composed of freshwater diatomaceous earth with the primary diatom species of Melosira granulata, typically capped with basalt, and interbedded with volcanic ash and tephra units. The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.
Celatom Mine, Oregon
The deposits are composed of freshwater diatomaceous earth with the primary diatom species of Melosira granulata, interbedded with volcanic ash and clay units. The deposits are primarily amorphous silicate (SiO2) composition with controlling trace attributes.
Cheto Mine, Arizona
The deposit has a silica content (SiO2) of 68%, alumina content (Al2O3) of 17%, calcium (CaO) content of around 3%, and magnesium (MgO) content of around 5%. It is classified of the montmorillonite type, primarily of the calcium/magnesium type of bentonite.
Fallon, Nevada
The deposit is a greenfield diatomite deposit currently in the process of permitting. This a deposit of fresh water diatoms deposits. Melosira granulata is the primary species of diatom present with minor traces of volcanic ash and basalt detritus.
Mineral Rights
The mineral rights and access to mineral reserves for the majority of our operations are secured through land that is owned in fee. There are no underlying agreements and/or royalties associated with our locations other than those listed below. None of our operations, except as listed below, are on government land and, accordingly, we do not have any other government leases or associated mining claims.
The mineral rights and access to mineral reserves at our Mill Creek operation are a combination of land owned in fee and one mineral lease. A non-participating royalty is paid to the original sellers of the fee property that covers almost all of the reserves. The lease agreements involve an annual minimum payment and a non-participating per-ton production royalty payment expiring on December 31, 2019.
The Columbia operation mineral reserves and rights are secured under a long-term mineral lease. The lease includes an annual minimum payment and a production royalty based on gross revenue expiring on April 24, 2021.

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The Hurtsboro operation mineral reserves and rights are secured under three mineral leases. They are long-term leases that include an annual minimum payment and a production royalty payment based on average selling price expiring from May 2019 through March 2027. These mineral leases are renewed for 2 to 10 year periods and have been renewed in the past, and it is expected that if mining is still occurring on these properties the leases can be extended again.
The mineral rights and access to mineral reserves at our Kosse operation are a combination of land owned in fee and one long-term mineral lease. The lease is for 25 acres and a minimum royalty is paid annually expiring on November 26, 2042.
The Mapleton Depot operation mineral reserves and rights are secured under three long-term mineral leases. One of the leases is with a Commission of the Pennsylvania State government. Annual minimum royalty is nominal, and production royalty payments are based on selling price with a minimum per-ton royalty expiring from June 2021 through August 2025.
The Festus operation leases its reserves from another company that is also the mining contractor for those reserves. There is a royalty associated with the mineral lease agreement expiring on December 31, 2048.
When the Crane County operation mineral reserves were acquired, we entered into a royalty agreement with the company that sold us the land. The non-participating royalty interest is perpetual and based on tons of frac sand sold.
The Clark operation mineral reserves and rights are secured by a combination of land owned in fee, unpatented placer claims and a mineral lease.  A lease covers unpatented placer claims expiring on December 12, 2022 and includes a minimum royalty and production royalty clause with credits.
The Fernley operation mineral reserves and rights are secured by a combination of land owned in fee and unpatented placer claims.
The Fowlkes operation mineral reserves and rights are secured by a combination of land leased, for which royalty obligations expired in November 2018, and land owned in fee simple.
The Hazen Mine mineral reserves and rights are secured by a combination of land owned in fee and unpatented placer claims. A mineral lease covers unpatented placer claims on federal lands expiring September 12, 2020, with royalty obligations.
The Popcorn Mine mineral reserves and rights are secured by lode claims.
The Colado Mine mineral reserves and rights are secured by owned claims on federal land and an evergreen land lease.
The Celatom Mine mineral reserves and rights are secured by a combination of land owned in fee, unpatented placer claims, unpatented mill site claims and mineral leases. Some of the leased unpatented mineral rights are state owned.
The Cheto Mine mineral reserves and rights consist of leased private land for which a minimum annual royalty is owed as well as a per ton royalty with a credit back against the minimum annual royalty.
The Fallon Mine mineral reserves and rights are secured by unpatented placer claims on federal lands.


41


Summary of Reserves
We follow SEC Industry Guide 7 in determining our mineral reserves. Exploration samples are evaluated in our laboratory facilities to assess product quality and mining/processing parameters. Members of our sales management team assess the salability of the product(s). Geologic, topographic and site data are used to create a geologic model and mining plan. We prepare an analysis of operating costs, capital costs and long-term anticipated sales volume and price to ensure the economic viability of the reserve. In performing feasibility economic analysis for purposes of categorizing proven and probable reserves, we considered a range of average sales price assumptions: for commercial silica, from $30 per ton for some of our Oil & Gas Proppants sands to $80 per ton for high-quality glass sand in our Industrial & Specialty Products segment; for diatomaceous earth, from $65 to $1015 per ton; for clay, from $60 to $2500 per ton; and for perlite, $70 to $1600 per ton. Reserve estimates are updated when necessary to account for new geologic, mining, sales or cost data.
The following table provides information on our production facilities that have reserves as of December 31, 2019. Included is the location and area of the facility; the type, amount and ownership status of its reserves; and the primary end markets that it serves.
Mine/Plant Location
 
Acreage Owned/Leased
 
Proven Reserves
 
Probable Reserves
 
Combined Proven and Probable Reserves
 
Estimated Processing Recovery Percentages
 
2019 Tons Mined
 
Primary End Markets Served
 
 
(in acres)
 
(tonnage data in thousands)
 
 
Crane County, TX
 
3,200 owned
 
120,407

 
47,500

 
167,907

 
85
%
 
2,370

 
Oil and gas proppants(3)
Lamesa, TX
 
3,523 owned
 
92,021

 
6,800

 
98,821

 
85
%
 
4,774

 
Oil and gas proppants(3)
Festus, MO
 
635 leased
 
15,450

 
7,411

 
22,861

 
84
%
 
868

 
Oil and gas proppants(3)
Ottawa, IL
 
2,100 owned
 
93,125

 
26,932

 
120,057

 
89
%
 
3,720

 
Oil and gas proppants(3), glass, chemicals, foundry(4)
Mill Creek, OK
 
2,174 owned
16 mineral lease
 
—

 
11,505

 
11,505

 
61
%
 
2,045

 
Oil and gas proppants(3), glass, foundry, building products(4)
Sparta, WI
 
660 owned
 
20,767

 
2,740

 
23,507

 
85
%
 
2,162

 
Oil and gas proppants(3)
Mapleton Depot, PA
 
1,761 owned
194 mineral lease
98 access lease
 
1,674

 
2,100

 
3,774

 
81
%
 
315

 
Glass, building products(4)
Pacific, MO
 
524 owned
 
12,300

 
7,994

 
20,294

 
83
%
 
874

 
Oil and gas proppants(3), glass, foundry, fillers and extenders(4)
Kosse, TX
 
1,053 owned
25 mineral lease
 
10,830

 
—

 
10,830

 
40
%
 
—

 
Oil and gas proppants(3), building products, recreational products(4)
Berkeley Springs, WV
 
4,435 owned
 
937

 
6,000

 
6,937

 
72
%
 
285

 
Glass, building products, fillers and extenders(4)
Columbia, SC
 
648 leased
204 owned
 
3,745

 
—

 
3,745

 
72
%
 
462

 
Glass, building products, fillers and extenders(4)
Dubberly, LA
 
356 owned
 
4,194

 
—

 
4,194

 
82
%
 
106

 
Glass, foundry, building products(4)
Montpelier(1), VA
 
824 owned
 
—

 
12,604

 
12,604

 
39
%
 
169

 
Glass, building products(4)
Hurtsboro, AL
 
117 owned
1,108 mineral lease
 
184

 
—

 
184

 
83
%
 
138

 
Foundry, building products(4)
Mauricetown, NJ
 
1,279 owned
 
11,403

 
—

 
11,403

 
55
%
 
152

 
Filtration, foundry, building products(4)
Rockwood (2), MI
 
872 owned
 
8,363

 
—

 
8,363

 
—
%
 
—

 
Glass, building products(4)
Middleton, TN
 
1,178 owned
 
1,468

 
12,001

 
13,469

 
66
%
 
325

 
Absorbent for automotive, industrial(4)

42


Clark, NV
 
2,690 owned 2,813 leased
 
2,237

 
1,530

 
3,767

 
78
%
 
52

 
Absorbents, catalysts, supports filtration(4)
Fernley, NV
 
5,668 owned
 
1,526

 
—

 
1,526

 
60
%
 
90

 
Absorbent for automotive, industrial(4)
Fowlkes Mine, MS
 
502 owned / 146 leased
 
—

 
1,275

 
1,275

 
100
%
 
54

 
Edible oil, petrochemical, animal feed(4)
Hazen Mine, NV
 
120 owned 1,135 leased
 
337

 
84

 
421

 
90
%
 
21

 
 Calcium silicate insulation(4)
Popcorn Mine, NV
 
200 owned
 
4,662

 
2,709

 
7,371

 
93
%
 
—

 
Filtration for wine, sugar, enzymes(4)
Colado Mine, NV
 
3,773 owned 7,025 leased
 
967

 
3,228

 
4,195

 
83
%
 
144

 
Filtration for brewing, wine, swimming pools, sweeteners; additives for coatings, LDPE film(4)
Celatom Mine, OR
 
4,998 owned 2,120 leased
 
—

 
25,282

 
25,282

 
90
%
 
38

 
Filtration for brewing, wine, swimming pools, sweeteners; additives for coatings(4)
Cheto Mine, AZ
 
10,240 leased
 
—

 
572

 
572

 
100
%
 
8

 
Static desiccant(4)
Fallon, NV
 
840 owned
 
—

 
935

 
935

 
70
%
 
—

 
Filtration for brewing, wine, swimming pools, sweeteners; additives for coatings, LDPE film(4)
Total
 
 
 
406,597

 
179,202

 
585,799

 
 
 
19,172

 
 
(1)
Montpelier’s reserves are comprised entirely of the mineral aplite.
(2)
Rockwood's products were produced, or sourced, from a third party. It did not mine any of its reserves in 2019.
(3)
Oil & Gas Proppants segment
(4)
Industrial & Specialty Products segment

43


Our Properties and Logistics Network
We continue to strategically position our supply chain in order to deliver sand according to our customers' needs, whether at a plant, a transload, or at the wellhead. We believe that our supply chain network and logistics capabilities are a competitive advantage that enables us to provide superior service for our customers and positions us to take advantage of opportunistic spot market sales. As of December 31, 2019, we had 40 transload facilities strategically located near all the major shale basins in the United States. Most of our transloads are operated by third-party transload service providers via service agreements, which include both longer term contracts (generally 2 to 5 years) and month-to-month arrangements.
We lease a significant number of railcars for shipping purposes and for short-term storage of our products, particularly our frac sand products. As of December 31, 2019, we had a leased fleet of 6,979 railcars, of which 2,271 railcars were in storage.
Our acquisition of SandBox extended our delivery capability directly to our customers' wellhead locations. SandBox provides “last mile” logistics to companies in the oil and gas industry, which increases efficiency and provides a lower cost logistics solution for our customers. SandBox has operations in the major United States oil and gas producing regions, including the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Mid-Con, Rocky Mountains and the Marcellus/Utica Shale, where its largest customers are located. We expect we will continue to make strategic investments and develop partnerships with transload operators and transportation providers that will enhance our portfolio of supply chain services that we can provide to customers.
The map below shows the location of our production facilities, transload facilities, SandBox operation sites and Corporate offices:                 

https://cdn.kscope.io/ebba27e01f95baba5134129012a1da4a-slca10kmap0207020.jpg

44


ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In addition to the matters described below, we are subject to various legal proceedings, claims, and governmental inspections, audits or investigations incidental to our business, which can cover general commercial, governmental regulations, antitrust and trade regulations, product liability, environmental, intellectual property, employment and other matters. Although the outcomes of these ordinary routine claims cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Prolonged inhalation of excessive levels of respirable crystalline silica dust can result in silicosis, a disease of the lungs. Breathing large amounts of respirable silica dust over time may injure a person’s lungs by causing scar tissue to form. Crystalline silica in the form of quartz is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and most other types of rock. Cutting, breaking, crushing, drilling, grinding and abrasive blasting of or with crystalline silica containing materials can produce fine silica dust, the inhalation of which may cause silicosis, lung cancer and possibly other diseases including immune system disorders such as scleroderma. Sources of exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust include sandblasting, foundry manufacturing, crushing and drilling of rock, masonry and concrete work, mining and tunneling, and cement and asphalt pavement manufacturing.
Since at least 1975, we and/or our predecessors have been named as a defendant, usually among many defendants, in numerous lawsuits brought by or on behalf of current or former employees of our customers alleging damages caused by silica exposure. Prior to 2001, the number of silicosis lawsuits filed annually against the commercial silica industry remained relatively stable and was generally below 100, but between 2001 and 2004 the number of silicosis lawsuits filed against the commercial silica industry substantially increased. This increase led to greater scrutiny of the nature of the claims filed, and in June 2005 the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued an opinion in the former federal silica multi-district litigation remanding almost all of the 10,000 cases then pending in the multi-district litigation back to the state courts from which they originated for further review and medical qualification, leading to a number of silicosis case dismissals across the United States. In conjunction with this and other favorable court rulings establishing “sophisticated user” and “no duty to warn” defenses for silica producers, several states, including Texas, Ohio and Florida, have passed medical criteria legislation that requires proof of actual impairment before a lawsuit can be filed.
As a result of the above developments, the filing rate of new claims against us over the past few years has decreased to below pre-2001 levels, and we were named as a defendant in one, twenty, and zero new silicosis cases filed in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The main driver of the increase in cases filed in 2018 is 16 claims arising out of a single location in Mississippi. As of December 31, 2019, there were 58 active silica-related product liability claims pending in which U.S. Silica is a defendant. Almost all of the claims pending against us arise out of the alleged use of our silica products in foundries or as an abrasive blast media and involve various other defendants. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2012, we had insurance policies for our predecessors that cover certain claims for alleged silica exposure for periods prior to certain dates in 1985 and 1986 (with respect to certain insurance). As a result of a settlement with a former owner and its insurers in the fourth quarter of 2012, some of these policies are no longer available to us and we will not seek reimbursement for any defense costs or claim payments from these policies. Other insurance policies, however, continue to remain available to us and will continue to make such payments on our behalf.
The silica-related litigation brought against us to date has not resulted in material liability to us. However, we continue to have silica-related product liability claims filed against us, including claims that allege silica exposure for periods for which we do not have insurance coverage. Although the outcomes of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, it is not reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations that exceeds the accrual amounts. For more information regarding silica-related litigation, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Safety is one of our core values and we strive to achieve a workplace free of injuries and occupational illnesses. Our health and safety leadership team has developed comprehensive safety policies and standards, which include detailed standards and procedures for safe production and address topics such as employee training, risk management, workplace inspection, emergency response, accident investigation and program auditing. We place special emphasis on the importance of continuous improvement in occupational health, personal injury avoidance and prevention, emergency preparedness, and property damage elimination. In addition to strong leadership and involvement from all levels of the organization, these programs and procedures form the cornerstone of our safety initiatives and are intended as a means to reduce workplace accidents, incidents and losses, comply with all mining-related regulations and provide support for both regulators and the industry to improve mine

45


safety. While we want to have productive operations in full regulatory compliance, we know it is equally essential that we motivate and train our people to think, practice and feel a personal responsibility for health and safety on and off the job.
All of our production facilities, with the exception of our Blair, Nebraska, facility, are classified as mines and are subject to regulation by MSHA under the Mine Act. MSHA inspects our mines on a regular basis and issues various citations and orders when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act. Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

PART II.
 
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Shares of our common stock, traded under the symbol “SLCA”, have been listed and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since February 1, 2012.
Holders of Record
On February 21, 2020, there were 73,750,501 shares of our common stock outstanding, which were held by approximately 107 stockholders of record. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of beneficial owners, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders. For additional information related to ownership of our stock by certain beneficial owners and management, refer to Part III, Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Dividend
We pay dividends on our common stock if the Board declares them. Management and the Board remain committed to evaluating additional ways of creating shareholder value. Any determination to pay dividends and other distributions in cash, stock, or property by U.S. Silica in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our business conditions, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital requirements, contractual restrictions including restrictive covenants contained in debt agreements and other factors.
Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer
From time to time, we repurchase our common stock in the open market pursuant to programs approved by our Board of Directors, or the Board. We may repurchase our common stock for a variety of reasons, such as to offset dilution related to equity-based incentives and to optimize our capital structure.
We consider several factors in determining when to make share repurchases including, among other things, our cash needs, the availability of funding, our future business plans and the market price of our stock. We expect that cash provided by future operating activities, as well as available liquidity, will be the sources of funding for our share repurchase program. For more information see Note D - Capital Structure and Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table presents the total number of shares of our common stock that we purchased during the fourth quarter of 2019, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that we repurchased as part of our share repurchase program, and the approximate dollar value of shares that still could have been repurchased at the end of the applicable fiscal period pursuant to our share repurchase program:
Period
Total Number of
Shares Withheld or Forfeited
 
Average Price
Paid Per
Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Program(1)
 
Maximum Dollar Value of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Program(1)
October 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
126,540,060

November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
5,750

(2) 
$
5.21

 
—

 
126,540,060

December 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
10,517

(2) 
$
5.37

 
—

 
126,540,060

Total
16,267

 
$
5.32

 
—

 
 

46


 
 
 
(1) 
In May 2018, our Board of Directors authorized and announced the repurchase of up to $200 million of our common stock.
(2) 
Represents shares withheld by U.S. Silica to pay taxes due upon the vesting of employee restricted stock and restricted stock units for the months ended November 30 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

We did not repurchase any shares of common stock under our share repurchase program during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
 
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Comparative Stock Performance Graph
The information contained in this U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Comparative Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock to the cumulative total return on the Russell 3000 index and the Standard and Poor’s SmallCap 600 Energy Sector index, in each case assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2014 and the reinvestment of all dividends. We elected to include the Standard and Poor’s SmallCap 600 Energy Sector index because this index is used in relative total shareholder return performance share units that we have granted to employees.



47


https://cdn.kscope.io/ebba27e01f95baba5134129012a1da4a-slca2019.jpg

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

48


ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Additionally, see Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for discussions of material uncertainties that might cause the data reflected in this table not to be indicative of our future financial condition or results of operations.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018(3)
 
2017(4)
 
2016(4)
 
2015
 
(amounts in thousands, excluding per share and per ton figures)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
1,474,477

 
$
1,577,298

 
$
1,240,851

 
$
559,625

 
$
642,989

Operating (loss) income
(352,955
)
 
(163,533
)
 
169,742

 
(52,491
)
 
26,672

(Loss) income before income taxes
(428,908
)
 
(229,953
)
 
136,526

 
(77,745
)
 
117

Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
(329,082
)
 
(200,808
)
 
145,206

 
(41,056
)
 
11,868

(Loss) earnings per share - basic
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.79

 
$
(0.63
)
 
$
0.22

(Loss) earnings per share - diluted
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.77

 
$
(0.63
)
 
$
0.22

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.25

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.44

Statement of Cash Flows Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
144,046

 
$
310,706

 
$
222,013

 
$
381

 
$
61,492

Investing activities
(120,393
)
 
(1,066,879
)
 
(491,529
)
 
(201,657
)
 
49

Financing activities
$
(40,411
)
 
$
574,104

 
$
(57,142
)
 
$
635,424

 
$
(47,530
)
Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
$
118,357

 
$
339,815

 
$
368,479

 
$
46,450

 
$
53,646

Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total tons sold
18,788

 
18,059

 
15,128

 
9,875

 
10,025

Average selling price (per ton)
$
78.48

 
$
87.34

 
$
82.02

 
$
56.67

 
$
64.14

Segment cost of goods sold (per ton)(1)
55.76

 
58.94

 
56.19

 
47.51

 
48.27

Oil & Gas Proppants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
1,010,521

 
$
1,182,991

 
$
1,020,365

 
$
362,550

 
$
430,435

Segment contribution margin(2)
248,594

 
357,846

 
301,972

 
11,445

 
88,928

Industrial & Specialty Products:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
463,956

 
$
394,307

 
$
220,486

 
$
197,075

 
$
212,554

Segment contribution margin(2)
178,215

 
155,084

 
88,781

 
78,988

 
70,137

Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
185,740

 
$
202,498

 
$
384,567

 
$
711,225

 
$
298,926

Total assets
2,553,234

 
2,900,840

 
2,307,283

 
2,073,220

 
1,108,619

Total long-term debt, including current portion
1,247,600

 
1,270,400

 
489,075

 
494,175

 
491,705

Total liabilities
1,836,654

 
1,848,536

 
910,777

 
799,930

 
724,452

Total stockholders’ equity
$
716,580

 
$
1,052,304

 
$
1,396,506

 
$
1,273,290

 
$
384,167

 
(1)
Segment cost of goods sold (per ton) equals segment cost of goods sold, divided by total tons sold.
(2)
Segment contribution margin is a financial measure that is not included or defined under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). For a detailed description of segment contribution margin and a reconciliation to its most comparable GAAP measure, please see the discussion under “How We Evaluate Our Business” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(3)
We acquired EP Minerals Holdings, Inc. on May 1, 2018, and have included their financial position and results of operations in our 2018 financial information above. As a result, our 2018 financial information may not be comparable to prior years. See Note E - Business Combinations to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
(4)
We acquired White Armor and MS Sand on April 1, 2017 and August 16, 2017, respectively, and NBI and SandBox on August 16, 2016 and August 22, 2016, respectively, and have included their financial position and results of operations in our 2017 and 2016 financial information above. As a result, our 2017 and 2016 financial information may not be comparable to prior years. See Note E - Business Combinations to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

49



     
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Item 6. Selected Financial Data, the description of the business appearing in Item 1. Business and the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements, as discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements". These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly under "Forward-Looking Statements" and in Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Adjusted EBITDA and segment contribution margin as used herein are non-GAAP measures. For a detailed description of Adjusted EBITDA and segment contribution margin and reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measures, please see the discussion below under “How We Evaluate Our Business.”
Overview
We are a performance materials company and a leading producer of commercial silica used in a wide range of industrial applications and in the oil and gas industry. In addition, through our acquisition of EP Minerals, LLC ("EPM") and its affiliated companies in 2018, we are an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays.
During our 120-year history, we have developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable us to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 400 diversified product types to customers across our end markets. As of December 31, 2019, we operate 25 production facilities across the United States. We control 527 million tons of reserves of commercial silica, which can be processed to make 202 million tons of finished products that meet API frac sand specifications, and 59 million tons of reserves of diatomaceous earth, perlite, and clays.
Our operations are organized into two reportable segments based on end markets served and the manner in which we analyze our operating and financial performance: (1) Oil & Gas Proppants and (2) Industrial & Specialty Products. We believe our segments are complementary because our ability to sell to a wide range of customers across end markets in these segments allows us to maximize recovery rates in our mining operations and optimize our asset utilization.
Acquisitions    
For a description of our key business acquisitions during the past three years, see the discussion under “Our Company-Business Overview-Acquisitions” in Item 1. Business and Note E - Business Combinations to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Recent Trends and Outlook
Oil and gas proppants end market trends
Demand for frac sand is driven by the use of hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract hydrocarbons from shale formations. According to Rystad Energy's Proppant Market report - 1Q 2020, published on December 10, 2019, U.S. raw sand proppant demand was 4% higher in 2019 than 2018, and is expected to continue to grow by 2% assuming a per barrel oil price higher than $50. We continue to expect long-term growth in oil and gas drilling in North American shale basins.
During the three months ended December 31, 2019, frac sand demand and tons sold declined sequentially compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019, as summarized below. Average selling price per ton increased sequentially from the three months ended September 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019 due to revenue recognized from shortfall penalties assessed to customers, partly offset by increased proppant supply causing decreased sand pricing.

50


Amounts in thousands, except per ton data
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage Change for the Three Months Ended
Oil & Gas Proppants
December 31, 
 2019
 
September 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2019
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2019 vs. September 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2019 vs. June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2019 vs. March 31, 2019
Sales
$
234,273

 
$
242,707

 
$
273,064

 
$
260,477

 
(3
)%
 
(11
)%
 
5
%
Tons Sold
3,362

 
3,896

 
3,932

 
3,864

 
(14
)%
 
(1
)%
 
2
%
Average Selling Price per Ton
$
69.68

 
$
62.30

 
$
69.45

 
$
67.41

 
12
 %
 
(10
)%
 
3
%

If oil and gas drilling and completion activity does not continue to grow or if frac sand supply remains greater than demand, then we may sell fewer tons, sell tons at lower prices, or both. If we sell less frac sand or sell frac sand at lower prices, our revenue, net income, cash generated from operating activities, and liquidity would be adversely affected, and we could incur material asset impairments. If these events occur, we may evaluate actions to reduce costs and improve liquidity.
Fluctuations in frac sand demand and price may occur as the market adjusts to supply and demand due to energy pricing fluctuations. Fluctuations in price may also occur as the supply of local in-basin sand changes.
Oil and natural gas exploration and production companies' and oilfield service providers’ preferences and expectations have been evolving in recent years. A proppant supplier's logistics capabilities have become an important differentiating factor when competing for business, on both a spot and contract basis. Many of our customers increasingly seek convenient in-basin and wellhead proppant delivery capability from their proppant supplier. Over the past year, this trend of customers preferring local in-basin sand has accelerated.
Industrial and specialty products end market trends
Demand in the industrial and specialty products end markets has been relatively stable in recent years and is primarily influenced by key macroeconomic drivers such as housing starts, population growth, light vehicle sales, beer and wine production, repair and remodel activity and industrial production. The primary end markets served by our Industrial & Specialty Products segment are building and construction products, fillers and extenders, filtration, glassmaking, absorbents, foundry, and sports and recreation. We have been increasing our value-added product offerings in the industrial and specialty products end markets organically as well as through acquisitions, such as White Armor and EPM. Sales of these new higher margin products have increased our Industrial & Specialty Products segment's profitability in recent periods.
Our Business Strategy
The key drivers of our strategy include:
•
increasing our presence and product offering in specialty products end markets;
•
further developing value-added capabilities to maximize margins;
•
optimizing our product mix and keeping operating costs low;
•
effectively positioning our Oil & Gas Proppants facilities and utilizing our supply chain network and logistics capabilities to meet our customers’ needs;
•
evaluating both expansion opportunities and other acquisitions; and,
•
maintaining financial strength and flexibility.
For additional information about our key business strategies, see the discussion under “Our Company-Our Business Strategy” in Item 1. Business.”
How We Generate Our Sales
Products
We derive our product sales by mining and processing minerals that our customers purchase for various uses. Our product sales are primarily a function of the price per ton and the number of tons sold. We primarily sell our products through individual purchase orders executed under short-term price agreements or at prevailing market rates. The amount invoiced

51


reflects the price of the product, transportation, surcharges, and additional handling services as applicable, such as storage, transloading the product from railcars to trucks and last mile logistics to the customer site. We invoice most of our product customers on a per shipment basis, although for some larger customers, we consolidate invoices weekly or monthly. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.
Services
We derive our service sales primarily through the provision of transportation, equipment rental, and contract labor services to companies in the oil and gas industry. Transportation services typically consist of transporting customer proppant from storage facilities to proximal well-sites and are contracted through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amount invoiced reflects transportation services rendered. Equipment rental services provide customers with use of either dedicated or nonspecific wellhead proppant delivery equipment solutions for contractual periods defined either through formal lease agreements or executed work orders under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the length of time the equipment set was utilized in the billing period. Contract labor services provide customers with proppant delivery equipment operators through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the amount of time our labor services were utilized in the billing period. We typically invoice our customers on a weekly or monthly basis; however, some customers receive invoices upon well-site operation completion. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.
Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 43%, 48% and 58% of total sales during the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Sales to one of our customers accounted for 11% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2019. Sales to one of our customers accounted for 15% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2018. Sales to two of our customers accounted for 15% and 12% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2017. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our total sales. At December 31, 2019, one of our customer's accounts receivable represented 12% of our total trade accounts receivable, net of allowance. At December 31, 2018, one of our customers' accounts receivable represented 18% of our total trade accounts receivable, net of allowance. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our total trade accounts receivable.
For a limited number of customers, we sell under long-term, minimum purchase supply agreements. These agreements define, among other commitments, the volume of product that our customers must purchase, the volume of product that we must provide, and the price that we will charge and that our customers will pay for each product. Prices under these agreements are generally fixed and subject to certain contractual adjustments. Sometimes these agreements may undergo negotiations regarding pricing and volume requirements, which may occur in volatile market conditions. When these negotiations occur, we may deliver sand at prices or at volumes below the requirements in our existing supply agreements. We do not consider these agreements solely representative of contracts with customers. An executed order specifying the type and quantity of product to be delivered, in combination with the noted agreements, comprise our contracts in these arrangements. Selling more tons under supply contracts enables us to be more efficient from a production, supply chain, and logistics standpoint. As discussed in Part I, Item 1A., Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, these customers may not continue to purchase the same levels of product in the future due to a variety of reasons, contract requirements notwithstanding.
As of December 31, 2019, we have sixteen minimum purchase supply agreements in the Oil & Gas Proppants segment with initial terms expiring between 2020 and 2034. As of December 31, 2018, we had 21 minimum purchase supply agreements in the Oil & Gas Proppants segment with initial terms expiring between 2019 and 2034. Collectively, sales to customers with minimum purchase supply agreements accounted for 60% and 52% of Oil & Gas Proppants segment sales during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
In the industrial and specialty products end markets we have not historically entered into long-term minimum purchase supply agreements with our customers because of the high cost to our customers of switching providers. We may periodically do so when capital or other investment is required to meet customer needs. Instead, we often enter into supply agreements with our customers with targeted volumes and terms of one to five years. Prices under these agreements are generally fixed and subject to annual increases.
The Costs of Conducting Our Business
The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are transportation costs, labor costs, electricity and drying fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for our mining and processing equipment and facilities. Transportation and related costs include freight charges, fuel surcharges, transloading fees, switching fees, railcar lease costs, demurrage costs, storage fees and labor costs. We believe the majority of our operating costs are relatively stable in price, but they can vary significantly based on the volume of product produced. We benefit from owning the majority of the mineral deposits that we mine and having long-term mineral rights leases or supply agreements for our other primary sources of raw material, which limits royalty payments.

52


Additionally, we incur expenses related to our corporate operations, including costs for sales and marketing; research and development; and the finance, legal, environmental, health and safety functions of our organization. These costs are principally driven by personnel expenses.
How We Evaluate Our Business
Our management team evaluates our business using a variety of financial and operating metrics. We evaluate the performance of our two segments based on their tons sold, average selling price and contribution margin earned. Additionally, we consider a number of factors in evaluating the performance of our business as a whole, including total tons sold, average selling price, total segment contribution margin, and Adjusted EBITDA. We view these metrics as important factors in evaluating our profitability and review these measurements frequently to analyze trends and make decisions, and we believe the presentation of these metrics provides useful information to our investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the same reasons.
Segment Contribution Margin
Segment contribution margin, a non-GAAP measure, is a key metric that management uses to evaluate our operating performance and to determine resource allocation between segments. Segment contribution margin excludes costs such as selling, general, and administrative costs, corporate costs, plant capacity expansion expenses, and facility closure costs.
Segment contribution margin is not a measure of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative measure or superior to measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Our measure of segment contribution margin is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation. For more information about segment contribution margin, including a reconciliation of this measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss), see Note W - Segment Reporting to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is included in this report because it is a key metric used by management to assess our operating performance and by our lenders to evaluate our covenant compliance. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain income and/or costs, the removal of which improves comparability of operating results across reporting periods. Our target performance goals under our incentive compensation plan are tied, in part, to our Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of our financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative or superior to net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance, cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. Adjusted EBITDA contains certain other limitations, including the failure to reflect our cash expenditures, cash requirements for working capital needs and cash costs to replace assets being depreciated and amortized, and excludes certain charges that may recur in the future. Management compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and by using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA.

53


(amounts in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
 
2019

2018
2017
Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
$
(329,082
)

$
(200,808
)
$
145,206

Total interest expense, net of interest income
92,063


64,689

25,871

Provision for taxes
(99,151
)

(29,132
)
(8,680
)
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses
179,444


148,832

97,233

EBITDA
(156,726
)

(16,419
)
259,630

Non-cash incentive compensation (1)
15,906


22,337

25,050

Post-employment expenses (excluding service costs) (2)
1,735


2,206

1,231

Merger and acquisition related expenses (3)
32,021


34,098

9,010

Plant capacity expansion expenses (4)
17,576


59,112

5,667

Contract termination expenses (5)
1,882


2,491

325

Goodwill and other asset impairments (6)
363,847

 
281,899

—

Business optimization projects (7)
55

 
1,980

—

Facility closure costs (8)
12,718

 
529

—

Gain on valuation change of royalty note payable (9)
(16,854
)
 
—

—

Other adjustments allowable under the Credit Agreement (10)
14,165


4,290

6,790

Adjusted EBITDA
$
286,325


$
392,523

$
307,703


54






(1) 
Reflects equity-based, non-cash compensation expense.
(2) 
Includes net pension cost and net post-retirement cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations during the applicable period, but in each case excluding the service cost relating to benefits earned during such period. Non-service net periodic benefit costs are not considered reflective of our operating performance because these costs do not exclusively originate from employee services during the applicable period and may experience periodic fluctuations as a result of changes in non-operating factors, including changes in discount rates, changes in expected returns on benefit plan assets, and other demographic actuarial assumptions. See Note R - Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

(3) 
Merger and acquisition related expenses include legal fees, consulting fees, bank fees, severance costs, purchase-related costs such as the amortization of inventory fair value step-up, information technology integration costs and similar charges. While these costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular transaction on an ongoing basis, similar types of costs, expenses and charges have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future as we continue to integrate prior acquisitions and pursue any future acquisitions.


(4) 
Plant capacity expansion expenses include expenses that are not inventoriable or capitalizable as related to plant expansion projects greater than $5 million in capital expenditures or plant start up projects. While these expenses are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular project on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future.

(5) 
Reflects contract termination expenses related to strategically exiting service contracts. While these expenses are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future as we continue to strategically evaluate our contracts.

(6) 
See Footnote Z - Impairments for additional information. While these expenses are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future.

(7) 
Reflects costs incurred related to business optimization projects mainly within our corporate center, which aim to measure and improve the efficiency, productivity and performance of our organization. While these costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular project on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses may recur in the future.

(8) 
Reflects costs incurred mainly related to idled sand facilities and closed corporate offices, including severance costs and remaining contracted costs such as office lease costs, and common area maintenance fees. While these costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses may recur in the future.
(9) 
Gains on valuation change of royalty note payable due to a change in estimate of future tonnages and sales related to the sand shipped from our Tyler, Texas facility. These gains are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis.
(10) 
Reflects miscellaneous adjustments permitted under the Credit Agreement. For 2019, includes $6.2 million of loss contingencies reserve as well as restructuring costs for actions that will provide future savings, storm damage costs, recruiting fees, relocation costs and a loss on sale of assets, partially offset by insurance proceeds of $2.2 million. For 2018, includes storm damage costs, recruiting fees, relocation costs, and a net loss of $0.7 million on divestitures of assets, consisting of $5.2 million of contract termination costs and $1.3 million of divestiture related expenses such as legal fees and consulting fees, partially offset by a $5.8 million gain on sale of assets. For 2017, includes a contract restructuring cost of $6.3 million. While these gains and costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis, similar types of gains and expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future.
    





55




Adjusted EBITDA-Trailing Twelve Months
Our revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") contains a consolidated total net leverage ratio of no more than 3.75:1.00 that, unless we have the consent of our lenders, we must meet as of the last day of any fiscal quarter whenever usage of the Revolver (other than certain undrawn letters of credit) exceeds 30% of the Revolver commitment. This ratio is calculated based on our Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. Noncompliance with this financial ratio covenant could result in the acceleration of our obligations to repay all amounts outstanding under the Revolver and the term loan (the "Term Loan") (collectively the "Credit Facility"). Moreover, the Revolver and the Term Loan contain covenants that restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to make permitted acquisitions, incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments (including dividends) and retain excess cash flow based, in some cases, on our ability to meet leverage ratios calculated based on our Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months.
See the description under “Adjusted EBITDA” above for certain important information about Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months, including certain limitations and management’s use of this metric in light of its status as a non-GAAP measure.
As of December 31, 2019, we are in compliance with all covenants under our Credit Facility, and our Revolver usage was zero (other than certain undrawn letters of credit). Since the Revolver usage did not exceed 30% of the Revolver commitment, the consolidated leverage ratio covenant did not apply. Based on our consolidated leverage ratio of 4.30:1.00 as of December 31, 2019, we may draw up to $30.0 million without the consent of our lenders. With the consent of our lenders, we have access to the full availability of the Revolver. The calculation of the consolidated leverage ratio incorporates the Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months as follows:

(All amounts in thousands)
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
Total debt
 
$
1,232,378

Finance leases
 
70

Total consolidated debt
 
$
1,232,448

 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months
 
$
286,325

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA including impact of acquisitions (1)
 
—

Other adjustments for covenant calculation (2)
 
252

Total Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months for covenant calculation
 
$
286,577

 
 
 
Consolidated leverage ratio(3)
 
4.30


 
 
 
(1) 
Covenant calculation allows for the Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months to include the impact of acquisitions on a pro forma basis.
(2) 
Covenant calculation excludes activity at legal entities above the operating company, which is mainly interest income offset by public company operating expenses.
(3) 

Calculated by dividing Total consolidated debt by Total Adjusted EBITDA-trailing twelve months for covenant calculation.




56



Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Sales
(In thousands except per ton data)
Year ended December 31,
Percent Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
'19 vs. '18
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
$
1,010,521

 
$
1,182,991

 
(15
)%
Industrial & Specialty Products
463,956

 
394,307

 
18
 %
Total sales
$
1,474,477

 
$
1,577,298

 
(7
)%
Tons:
 
 
 
 
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
15,054

 
14,242

 
6
 %
Industrial & Specialty Products
3,734

 
3,817

 
(2
)%
Total Tons
18,788

 
18,059

 
4
 %
Average Selling Price per Ton:
 
 
 
 
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
$
67.13

 
$
83.06

 
(19
)%
Industrial & Specialty Products
124.25

 
103.30

 
20
 %
         Overall Average Selling Price per Ton
$
78.48

 
$
87.34

 
(10
)%
Total sales decreased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, driven by a 10% decrease in overall average selling price partially offset by a 4% increase in total tons sold.
The decrease in total sales was driven by Oil & Gas Proppants sales, which decreased 15% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Oil & Gas Proppants average selling price decreased 19% and tons sold increased 6%. The decrease in average selling price was driven by more tons sold from local in-basin plants which have lower logistics costs, increased in-basin proppant supply, and decreased sand pricing. The increase in tons sold was mainly due to more tons produced and sold in-basin in West Texas.
The decrease in total sales was partially offset by Industrial & Specialty Products sales, which increased 18% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Industrial & Specialty Products average selling price increased 20% and tons sold decreased 2%. The increase in average selling price was due to the acquisition of EPM, additional higher-margin product sales and price increases. The decrease in tons sold was mainly driven by a decrease in low-margin tons sold.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased by $30.0 million, or 3%, to $1.133 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $1.163 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. These changes result from the main components of cost of sales as discussed below. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales represented 77% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 74% for the same period in 2018.
We incurred $506.3 million and $545.8 million of transportation and related costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease was mainly due to a decline in demand for Northern White sand caused by some of our customers shifting to local in-basin frac sands with lower logistics costs, partially offset by costs related to additional SandBox operations and the acquisition of EPM. As a percentage of sales, transportation and related costs decreased to 34% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 35% for the same period in 2018.
We incurred $198.6 million and $198.5 million of operating labor costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $0.1 million increase in labor costs incurred was due to more tons sold and the acquisition of EPM,

57


offset by lower SandBox driver costs and idled sand facilities. As a percentage of sales, operating labor costs represented 13% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 13% for the same period in 2018.
We incurred $54.8 million and $53.7 million of electricity and drying fuel (principally natural gas) costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The $1.1 million increase in electricity and drying fuel costs incurred was due to more tons sold and the acquisition of EPM, partially offset by idled sand facilities. As a percentage of sales, electricity and drying fuel costs represented 4% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 3% for the same period in 2018.
We incurred $92.3 million and $108.8 million of maintenance and repair costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in maintenance and repair costs incurred was mainly due to idled sand facilities and a decrease in plant capacity expansion expenses, partially offset by higher production volume, additional SandBox operations and the acquisition of EPM. As a percentage of sales, maintenance and repair costs represented 6% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 7% for the same period in 2018.
Segment Contribution Margin
Oil & Gas Proppants contribution margin decreased by $109.2 million to $248.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $357.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, driven by a $172.5 million decrease in sales, partially offset by $63.2 million in lower cost of sales. The decrease in segment contribution margin was mainly driven by decreased sand pricing.
Industrial & Specialty Products contribution margin increased by $23.1 million, or 15%, to $178.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $155.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, driven by a $69.6 million increase in revenue, partially offset by $46.5 million in higher cost of sales. The increase in segment contribution margin was due to the acquisition of EPM, new higher-margin product sales and price increases.    
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $3.8 million, or 3%, to $150.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $147.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was due to the following factors:
•
Compensation related expense increased by $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, mainly due to the acquisition of EPM.
•
Merger and acquisition related expense decreased by $11.1 million to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was mainly due to costs related to the acquisition of EPM during 2018 that did not recur during 2019.
•
During the year ended December 31, 2019, $6.3 million of costs were incurred related to closing the corporate office in Frederick, Maryland. These costs included severance and remaining contracted costs such as office lease costs and common area maintenance fees.
    In total, our selling, general and administrative expenses represented approximately 10% and 9% of our sales for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased by $30.6 million, or 21%, to $179.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $148.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was mainly driven by our plant capacity expansions and our acquisitions, including the acquisition of EPM, as well as other continued capital spending. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense represented approximately 12% and 9% of our sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Asset Impairments
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded $243.1 million of long-lived asset impairments, $115.4 million of right-of-use asset impairments, $4.1 million of inventory impairments, and $1.2 million of intangible asset impairments in our Oil & Gas segment due to a sharp decline in customer demand for Northern White frac sand and for regional non-in-basin frac sand as more tons are produced and sold in-basin. During 2018, we recorded $164.2 million in goodwill impairments, $97.0 million of long-lived asset impairments and $4.5 million of intangible impairments in our Oil & Gas segment due to a declining shift in demand for Northern White sand caused by some of our customers shifting to local in-

58


basin frac sands with lower logistics costs. We also recorded a $16.2 million asset impairment related to the closure of our resin coating facility and associated product portfolio during the second quarter of 2018.
Operating (Loss) Income
Operating loss increased by $189.5 million to $353.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $163.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was driven by asset impairments as discussed above, a 7% decrease in total sales, a 3% increase in selling, general and administrative expense and a 21% increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, partially offset by a 3% decrease in cost of sales.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $24.9 million, or 35%, to $95.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, mainly driven by an increase in our new Credit Facility to finance the acquisition of EPM.
Other Income (Expense), net, including interest income
Other income increased by $15.4 million to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $4.1 million in other expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was mainly due to gains driven by the change in valuation of the royalty note payable.
Provision for Income Taxes    
Our income tax benefit increased by $70.1 million to $99.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to a $29.1 million income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was mainly due to decreased profit before income tax during the year ended December 31, 2019. The effective tax rate was 23% and 13% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the tax effect of goodwill impairments described in Note I - Goodwill and Intangible Assets is a significant permanent item in the effective tax rate calculation. See Note T - Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual report on Form 10-K for more information.
Historically, our actual effective tax rates have differed from the statutory effective rate primarily due to the benefit received from statutory percentage depletion allowances. The deduction for statutory percentage depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income before income taxes.
Net (loss) income
Net loss attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., was $329.1 million and $200.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The year over year changes were due to the factors noted above.

59


Liquidity and Capital Resources

This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Overview
Our principal liquidity requirements have historically been to service our debt, to meet our working capital, capital expenditure and mine development expenditure needs, to return cash to our stockholders, and to pay for acquisitions. We have historically met our liquidity and capital investment needs with funds generated through operations. We have historically funded our acquisitions through cash on hand, borrowings under our credit facilities, or equity issuances. Our working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities and is a measure of our ability to pay our liabilities as they become due. As of December 31, 2019, our working capital was $173.6 million and we had $93.5 million of availability under the Revolver. Based on our consolidated leverage ratio of 4.30:1.00 as of December 31, 2019, we may draw up to $30.0 million without the consent of our lenders. With the consent of our lenders, we have access to the full availability of the Revolver.
In connection with the EPMH acquisition, on May 1, 2018, we entered into the Credit Agreement with BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein. The Credit Agreement increases our existing senior debt by entering into a new $1.380 billion senior secured Credit Facility, consisting of a $1.280 billion Term Loan and a $100 million Revolver that may also be used for swingline loans or letters of credit, and we may elect to increase the Term Loan in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. The amounts owed under the Credit Agreement use LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate at which interest accrues. LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely or to perform differently than in the past. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted but could include an increase in the cost to us of this indebtedness.
During the third quarter of 2019, we repurchased outstanding debt under the Term Loan in the amount of $10 million at a rate of 95.5%. Debt issuance costs and original issue discount were recalculated with the reduced future debt payments, and additional costs of approximately $0.4 million were expensed. As a result, we recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $0.1 million. For more information on the Credit Agreement see Note K - Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We believe that cash on hand, cash generated through operations and cash generated from financing arrangements will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments and any dividends declared for at least the next 12 months.
Management and our Board remain committed to evaluating additional ways of creating shareholder value. Any determination to pay dividends or other distributions in cash, stock, or property in the future or otherwise return capital to our stockholders, including decisions about existing or new share repurchase programs, will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including industry and market conditions, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital requirements, contractual restrictions including restrictive covenants contained in debt agreements, and other factors. Additionally, because we are a holding company, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to us, including restrictions under the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness.
Cash Flow Analysis
A summary of operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands) is shown in the following table:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
144,046

 
$
310,706

 
$
222,013

Investing activities
(120,393
)
 
(1,066,879
)
 
(491,529
)
Financing activities
(40,411
)
 
574,104

 
(57,142
)

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Net Cash Provided by / Used in Operating Activities
Operating activities consist primarily of net income adjusted for certain non-cash and working capital items. Adjustments to net income for non-cash items include depreciation, depletion and amortization, deferred revenue, deferred income taxes, equity-based compensation and bad debt provision. In addition, operating cash flows include the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities, principally accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, income taxes payable and receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $144.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This was mainly due to a $329.8 million net loss adjusted for non-cash items, including $179.4 million in depreciation, depletion and amortization, $363.8 million in goodwill and other asset impairments, $101.7 million in deferred income taxes, $15.9 million in equity-based compensation, $74.9 million in deferred revenue, $16.9 million in gain on valuation of royalty note payable, $22.4 million in inventory step-up adjustments, $1.6 million mainly related to the gain on sales of property, plant and equipment, and $1.9 million in other miscellaneous non-cash items. Also contributing to the change was a $33.8 million decrease in accounts receivable, an $11.2 million decrease in inventories, an $8.5 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets, a $1.7 million decrease in income taxes, a $21.0 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, $4.0 million in short-term and long-term vendor incentives, and $5.7 million in other operating assets and liabilities.
Net Cash Provided by / Used in Investing Activities
Investing activities consist primarily of cash consideration paid to acquire businesses and capital expenditures for growth and maintenance.
Net cash used in investing activities was $120.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This was mainly due to capital expenditures of $118.4 million and capitalized intellectual property costs of $3.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.9 million. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2019 were mainly for engineering, procurement and construction of our growth projects, primarily Lamesa and Millen, equipment to expand our SandBox operations, and other maintenance and cost improvement capital projects.
Subject to our continuing evaluation of market conditions, we anticipate that our capital expenditures in 2020 will be in the range of approximately $30 million to $40 million, which is primarily associated with maintenance, cost improvement capital projects and near-term payback growth projects. We expect to fund our capital expenditures through cash on our balance sheet, cash generated from our operations and cash generated from financing activities.
Net Cash Provided by / Used in Financing Activities
Financing activities consist primarily of equity issuances, dividend payments, share repurchases, borrowings and repayments related to the Revolver and Term Loan, as well as fees and expenses paid in connection with our credit facilities.
Net cash used in financing activities was $40.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This was mainly due to $23.4 million of long-term debt payments, $18.6 million of dividends paid, $3.0 million of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock and stock units, and a $4.6 million capital contribution from a non-controlling interest.
Share Repurchase Program
See Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer in Part II, Item 5. and Note D - Capital Structure and Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our share repurchase program.
Credit Facilities
See Note K - Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our credit facilities.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have a current material effect or are reasonably likely to have a future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, sales, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.


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Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2019, the total of our future contractual cash commitments, including the repayment of our debt obligations under the Term Loan, is summarized as follows:
 
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
5 years
 
(amounts in thousands)
Principal payments on long-term debt(1)
$
1,247,600

 
$
12,800

 
$
25,600

 
$
25,600

 
$
1,183,600

Estimated interest payments on long-term debt(4)
378,336

 
71,526

 
140,714

 
137,770

 
28,326

Minimum payments on note payable secured by a royalty interest(6)
10,438

 
454

 
812

 
1,069

 
8,103

Retirement plans
107,826

 
11,571

 
21,666

 
21,989

 
52,600

Finance lease obligations
70

 
67

 
3

 
—

 
—

Operating lease obligations(5)
202,039

 
63,337

 
77,802

 
38,616

 
22,284

Minimum purchase obligations(2)
43,648

 
14,512

 
16,153

 
10,493

 
2,490

Total Contractual Cash Obligations(3):
$
1,989,957

 
$
174,267

 
$
282,750

 
$
235,537

 
$
1,297,403


(1)
Excludes the unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount.
(2)
Includes estimated future minimum purchase obligations related to transload service agreements and transportation service agreements. As of December 31, 2019, we accrued $3.1 million in shortfall fees under these service agreements.
(3)
The above table excludes discounted asset retirement obligations in the amount of $25.8 million at December 31, 2019, the majority of which have a settlement date beyond 2025, as well as indemnification for surety bonds issued on our behalf discussed in Note Q - Commitments and Contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(4)
Estimated interest payment amounts are computed using forecasted three-month LIBOR rates as of December 31, 2019.
(5)
Includes interest costs. See Note S - Leases for additional information on interest costs.
(6)
Excludes interest costs. See Note K - Debt for additional information about this note payable.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing, among other things, hazardous materials, air and water emissions, environmental contamination and reclamation and the protection of the environment and natural resources. We have made, and expect to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but we cannot estimate or predict the full amount of such future expenditures. As of December 31, 2019, we had $25.8 million accrued for future reclamation costs, as compared to $18.4 million as of December 31, 2018.
We discuss certain environmental matters relating to our various production and other facilities, certain regulatory requirements relating to human exposure to crystalline silica and our mining activity and how such matters may affect our business in the future under Item 1. Business, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Our actual results may materially differ from these estimates.
A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management believes that the

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application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide the users of the Consolidated Financial Statements with useful and reliable information about our operating results and financial condition.
Described below are the accounting policies we believe are critical to our financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved, and that we believe are critical to the understanding of our operations and our performance.
Revenue Recognition
Products
We derive our product sales by mining and processing minerals that our customers purchase for various uses. Our product sales are primarily a function of the price per ton and the number of tons sold. We primarily sell our products through individual purchase orders executed under short-term price agreements or at prevailing market rates. The amount invoiced reflects product, transportation and / or additional handling services as applicable, such as storage, transloading the product from railcars to trucks and last mile logistics to the customer site. We invoice most of our product customers on a per shipment basis, although for some larger customers, we consolidate invoices weekly or monthly. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.
We recognize revenue for products and materials at a point in time following the transfer of control of such items to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. We account for shipping and handling activities related to product and material sales contracts with customers as costs to fulfill our promise to transfer the associated products pursuant to the accounting policy election allowed under ASC 606-10-25-10b. Accordingly, we record amounts billed for shipping and handling costs as a component of net sales and accrue and classify related costs as a component of cost of sales at the time revenue is recognized.
For a limited number of customers, we sell under long-term, minimum purchase supply agreements. These agreements define, among other commitments, the volume of product that our customers must purchase, the volume of product that we must provide and the price that we will charge and that our customers will pay for each product. Prices under these agreements are generally fixed and subject to certain contractual adjustments. Sometimes these agreements may undergo negotiations regarding pricing and volume requirements, which may often occur in volatile market conditions. While these negotiations continue, we may deliver sand at prices or at volumes below the requirements in our existing supply agreements. An executed order specifying the type and quantity of product to be delivered, in combination with the noted agreements, comprise our contracts in these arrangements.
Service
We derive our service revenues primarily through the provision of transportation, equipment rental, and contract labor services to companies in the oil and gas industry. Transportation services typically consist of transporting customer proppant from storage facilities to proximal well-sites and are contracted through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amount invoiced reflects the transportation services rendered. Equipment rental services provide customers with use of either dedicated or nonspecific wellhead proppant delivery equipment solutions for contractual periods defined either through formal lease agreements or executed work orders under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the length of time the equipment set was utilized in the billing period. Contract labor services provide customers with proppant delivery equipment operators through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the amount of time our labor services were utilized in the billing period.
We typically invoice our customers on a weekly or monthly basis; however, some customers receive invoices upon well-site operation completion. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations. We typically recognize revenue for specific, dedicated equipment set rental arrangements under ASC 842, Leases. For the remaining components of service revenue, we have applied the practical expedient allowed under ASC 606-10-55-18 to recognize transportation revenues in proportion to the amount we have the right to invoice.
Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations
From time to time, we may enter into contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, such as work orders containing a combination of product, transportation, equipment rentals, and contract labor services. For these arrangements, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices, or estimates of such prices, and recognize the related revenue as control of each individual product or service is transferred to the customer, in satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligations. We typically invoice our customers on a weekly or monthly basis; however, some customers receive invoices upon well-site operation completion. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.

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Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities 
We exclude from our measurement of transaction prices all taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are both (i) imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and (ii) collected from customers. Accordingly, such tax amounts are not included as a component of net sales or cost of sales.
See Note U - Revenue.
Deferred Revenues
For a limited number of customers, we enter into supply agreements which give customers the right to make advanced payments toward the purchase of certain products at specified volumes over an average initial period of one to fifteen years. These payments represent consideration that is unconditional for which we have yet to transfer the related product. These payments are recorded as contract liabilities referred to as “deferred revenues” upon receipt and recognized as revenue upon delivery of the related product.

Unbilled Receivables
Revenues recognized in advance of invoice issuance create assets referred to as “unbilled receivables.” Any portion of our unbilled receivables for which our right to consideration is conditional on a factor other than the passage of time is considered a contract asset. These assets are presented on a combined basis with accounts receivable and are converted to accounts receivable once billed.
Accounts Receivable
The majority of our accounts receivable are due from companies in the oil and natural gas drilling, glass, building products, filler and extenders, foundries and other major industries. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the payment terms are considered past due. We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to us, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Ongoing credit evaluations are performed. We write-off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. See Note F - Accounts Receivable and Note U - Revenue.
Impairment or Disposal of Property, Plant and Mine Development
We periodically evaluate whether current events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our property, plant and equipment assets may not be recoverable. If circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, we estimate future undiscounted net cash flows using estimates of proven and probable sand reserves, estimated future sales prices (considering historical and current prices, price trends and related factors) and operating costs and anticipated capital expenditures. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets.
The recoverability of the carrying value of our mineral properties is dependent upon the successful development, start-up and commercial production of our mineral deposit and the related processing facilities. Our evaluation of mineral properties for potential impairment primarily includes assessing the existence or availability of required permits and evaluating changes in our mineral reserves, or the underlying estimates and assumptions, including estimated production costs. Assessing the economic feasibility requires certain estimates, including the prices of products to be produced and processing recovery rates, as well as operating and capital costs.
Gains on the sale of property, plant and mine development are included in income when the assets are disposed of provided there is more than reasonable certainty of the collectability of the sales price and any future activities required to be performed by us relating to the disposal of the assets are complete or insignificant. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, all costs and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are written-off.
Mine Reclamation Costs and Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize the fair value of any liability for conditional asset retirement obligations, including environmental remediation liabilities when incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction or development and/or through the

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normal operation of the asset, if sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. These obligations generally include the estimated net future costs of dismantling, restoring and reclaiming operating mines and related mine sites, in accordance with federal, state, local regulatory and land lease agreement requirements. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings. In addition, the asset retirement cost is capitalized as part of the asset’s carrying value and amortized over the life of the related asset. Reclamation costs are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the reclamation and abandonment costs. The reclamation obligation is based on when spending for an existing environmental disturbance will occur. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement. We review, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the reclamation obligation at each mine site in accordance with ASC guidance for accounting reclamation obligations.
See Note M - Asset Retirement Obligations.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Related Impairment
Our intangible assets consist of goodwill, which is not being amortized, indefinite-lived intangibles, which consist of certain trade names that are not subject to amortization, intellectual property and customer relationships.
Intellectual property mainly consists of patents and technology, and it is amortized on a straight-line basis over an average useful life of 15 years. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life of 20, 15 or 13 years.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill and trade names are reviewed for impairment annually as of October 31, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. An impairment exists if the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill has been allocated, or the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, is less than their respective carrying values. Prior to conducting a formal impairment test, we have an option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that is more likely than not (more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors may include the following: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; cost factors; overall financial performance; and other relevant entity-specific events. If the qualitative assessment determines that an impairment is more likely than not, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
See Note I - Goodwill and Intangible Assets.
Self-Insurance
We are self-insured for various levels of employee health insurance coverage, workers’ compensation and third-party product liability claims alleging occupational disease. We purchase insurance coverage for claim amounts which exceed our self-insured retentions. Depending on the type of insurance, these self-insured retentions range from $0.1 million to $0.5 million per occurrence. Our insurance reserves are accrued based on estimates of the ultimate cost of claims expected to occur during the covered period. These estimates are prepared with the assistance of outside actuaries and consultants. Our actuaries periodically review the volume and amount of claims activity, and based upon their findings, we adjust our insurance reserves accordingly. The ultimate cost of claims for a covered period may differ from our original estimates. The current portion of our self-insurance reserves is included in accrued liabilities and the non-current portion is included in other long-term obligations in our Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our self-insurance reserves totaled $6.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of which $4.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, was classified as current.
Employee Benefit Plans
We provide a range of benefits to our employees and retired employees, including pensions and post-retirement healthcare and life insurance benefits. We record annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations specified by generally accepted accounting principles, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of returns, compensation increases, turnover rates, mortality table, and healthcare cost trend rates. We review the actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate to do so. As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the effect of the modifications is generally recorded or amortized over future periods. We believe that the assumptions utilized in recording our obligations under the plans, which are presented in Note R - Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits to our Consolidated Financial Statements in

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Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are reasonable based on advice from our actuaries and information as to assumptions used by other employers.
Equity-based Compensation
We grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units to certain of our employees and directors under the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan. We recognize the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for awards of equity instruments.
Vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the individual continuing to render service over a three-year vesting schedule. Cash dividend equivalents are accrued and paid to the holders of time based restricted stock units and restricted stock. The fair value of the restricted stock awards is equal to the market price of our stock at date of grant. The restricted award-related compensation expense is recognized, on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
We grant performance share units to certain employees in which the number of shares of common stock ultimately received is determined based on achievement of certain performance thresholds over a specified performance period (generally three years) in accordance with the stock award agreement. Cash dividend equivalents are not accrued or paid on performance share units. We recognize expense based on the estimated vesting of our performance share units granted and the grant date market price. The estimated vesting of the performance share units is principally based on the probability of achieving certain financial performance levels during the vesting periods. In the period it becomes probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the award agreement will be achieved, we recognize expense for the proportionate share of the total fair value of the award related to the vesting period that has already lapsed. The remaining fair value of the award is expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period.
We grant certain employees performance share units, the vesting of which is based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) ranking among a peer group over a three-year period. The number of units that will vest will depend on the percentage ranking of the Company's TSR compared to the TSRs for each of the companies in the peer group over the performance period. For these awards subject to market conditions, a binomial-lattice model (i.e., Monte Carlo simulation model) is used to fair value these awards at grant date. The related compensation expense is recognized, on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
We grant stock options to certain employees and directors. Stock options vest on a vesting schedule and the related compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, usually over 3 or 4 years. In calculating the compensation expense for stock options granted, we estimate the fair value of each grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The fair value of stock options granted is based on the exercise price of the option and certain assumptions, which are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience. Our expected forfeiture rate is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or canceled on an annual basis before becoming fully vested. Our expected term is the period of time over which the options are expected to remain outstanding. An increase in the expected term will increase compensation expense. The computation of the expected term is based on the simplified method, under which the expected term is presumed to be the mid-point between the average vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The assumptions for expected volatility are based on historical experience for the same periods as our expected lives. Risk-free interest rates are set using grant-date U.S. Treasury yield curves for the same periods as our expected lives. The expected dividend yield is based on our future dividend expectations for the same periods as our expected lives. See Note P - Equity-based Compensation.
Income Taxes
Deferred taxes are provided on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. This approach requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the expenses are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We recognize a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated

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with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management.
The largest permanent item in computing both our effective tax rate and taxable income is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income before income taxes. See Note T - Income Taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New accounting guidance that has been recently issued is described in Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
We are exposed to certain market risks, which exist as a part of our ongoing business operations. Such risks arise from adverse changes in market rates, prices and conditions. We address such market risks in “Recent Trends and Outlook” and "How We Generate Our Sales" in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk arising from adverse changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2019, we had $1.248 billion of debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement. Assuming LIBOR is greater than the 1.0% minimum base rate on the Term Loan, a hypothetical increase in interest rates by 1.0% would have changed our interest expense by $12.5 million per year.
LIBOR is expected to be discontinued after 2021 and there can be no assurance as to what alternative base rate may replace LIBOR in the event it is discontinued, or whether such base rate will be more or less favorable to us. We intend to monitor the developments with respect to LIBOR and work with our lenders, including under the Credit Agreement, to ensure any transition away from LIBOR will have a minimal impact on our financial condition, but can provide no assurances regarding the impact of the discontinuation of LIBOR.
We use interest rate derivatives in the normal course of our business to manage both our interest cost and the risks associated with changing interest rates. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of our interest rate swaps was a liability of $2.8 million and a liability of $1.3 million and classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet. Our interest rate cap matured on June 30, 2019. For more information see Note O - Derivative Instruments to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.    
Credit Risk
We are subject to risks of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers. We examine the creditworthiness of third-party customers to whom we extend credit and manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures, and for certain transactions, we may request letters of credit, prepayments or guarantees, although collateral is generally not required.
Despite enhancing our examination of our customers' creditworthiness, we may still experience delays or failures in customer payments. Some of our customers have reported experiencing financial difficulties. With respect to customers that may file for bankruptcy protection, we may not be able to collect sums owed to us by these customers and we also may be required to refund pre-petition amounts paid to us during the preference period (typically 90 days) prior to the bankruptcy filing.

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ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated February 25, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Change in accounting principle
As discussed in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases on January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical audit matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue Recognition of Contract Shortfall
As described in Note U, during 2019 the Company recognized revenue as variable consideration from shortfall penalties according to contract terms in the amount of $70.6 million. In some cases the amounts recorded are estimates which are based on the current status of negotiations with certain customers.
 
The principal consideration for our determination that this revenue recognition represents a critical audit matter relates to the judgments and assumptions associated with management’s determination of the amount of revenue to be recognized as a result of shortfall penalties. Management’s revenue recognition was based on the application of Accounting Standards Codification 606 Revenues from Contracts with Customers, their interpretation of customer contract terms and conditions along with their assessment of collectability of the related amounts.

69


Our audit procedures related to contract shortfall revenue recognition included the following:
•
We tested the design and operating effectiveness of key controls related to revenue accounting, including controls relating to management’s assessment of unusual or infrequent transactions;
•
We obtained and reviewed customer contracts;
•
We tested the calculations supporting the amounts that formed the basis for the revenue amounts recognized;
•
We assessed the reasonableness of the accounting principles applied;
•
We tested management’s assumptions related to collectability of the recorded amounts.

Impairment of Tangible and Right-Of-Use Assets
As described in Note Z to the consolidated financial statements, during the fourth quarter of 2019 the Company experienced a decline in demand for certain products. Based on the noted decline, the Company also experienced a decline in the utilization of its leased railcar fleet. Given this information the Company completed an impairment assessment of frac sand-related assets, which included property, plant and mine development and right-of-use (ROU) assets. As a result, the Company recognized a $243.1 million asset impairment in their Oil & Gas Proppants business segment as well as a $115.4 million ROU asset impairment.
The principal consideration for our determination that these impairments represent a critical audit matter is the judgments, complexity and subjectivity involved in management’s determination of the impairment amounts.
For the property, plant and mine development impairment, the Company performed an analysis of the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows by asset group (each plant) using estimates of proven and probable sand reserves, estimated future sales prices and operating costs, and expected future capital expenditures and determined that the fair value of these assets was less than their carrying value. The Company then recognized an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeded the fair value of the assets.
The impairment related to the ROU assets was recorded based on the evaluation of estimated future replacement costs for railcars as an asset group using market data. This assessment was performed by utilizing internally developed undiscounted cash flow models and quoted market prices and then discounting the future cash flows over the life of the assets utilizing an appropriate discount rate.
Our audit procedures related to the impairment of property, plant and mine development and ROU assets included the following:
•
We tested the design and operating effectiveness of key controls related to the accounting for the 2019 impairments;
•
We assessed the qualifications and competence of management who performed the internal impairment analysis;
•
We evaluated the methodology used to determine the fair value of the property, plant and mine development, including the grouping of the assets;
•
We evaluated the methodology used to determine the fair value of the ROU assets, including the grouping of the assets;
•
We tested the assumptions used in the valuation models for the property, plant and mine development assets which included estimates of proven and probable reserves, estimated future sales prices and operating costs and expected future capital expenditures;
•
We tested the assumptions used in the valuation models for the ROU assets which included future replacement costs for railcars, asset lives and discount rate.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004.
Houston, Texas
February 25, 2020


70


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
ASSETS
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
185,740

 
$
202,498

Accounts receivable, net
182,238

 
215,486

Inventories, net
124,432

 
162,087

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
16,155

 
17,966

Income tax deposits
475

 
2,200

Total current assets
509,040

 
600,237

Property, plant and mine development, net
1,517,587

 
1,826,303

Operating lease right-of-use assets
53,098

 
—

Goodwill
273,524

 
261,340

Intangible assets, net
183,815

 
194,626

Other assets
16,170

 
18,334

Total assets
$
2,553,234

 
$
2,900,840

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
248,237

 
$
216,400

Current portion of operating lease liabilities
53,587

 
—

Current portion of long-term debt
18,463

 
13,327

Current portion of deferred revenue
15,111

 
31,612

Total current liabilities
335,398

 
261,339

Long-term debt, net
1,213,985

 
1,246,428

Deferred revenue
35,523

 
81,707

Liability for pension and other post-retirement benefits
58,453

 
57,194

Deferred income taxes, net
38,585

 
137,239

Operating lease liabilities
117,964

 
—

Other long-term obligations
36,746

 
64,629

Total liabilities
1,836,654

 
1,848,536

Commitments and Contingencies (Note Q)


 


Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; zero issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018
—

 
—

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 82,601,926 issued and 73,601,950 outstanding at December 31, 2019; 81,811,977 issued and 73,148,853 outstanding at December 31, 2018
823

 
818

Additional paid-in capital
1,185,116

 
1,169,383

Retained (deficit) earnings
(279,956
)
 
67,854

Treasury stock, at cost, 8,999,976 and 8,663,124 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
(180,912
)
 
(178,215
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(19,854
)
 
(15,020
)
Total U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. stockholders’ equity
705,217

 
1,044,820

Non-controlling interest
11,363

 
7,484

Total stockholders' equity
716,580

 
1,052,304

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,553,234

 
$
2,900,840

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

71

U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Year Ended 
 December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Product
$
1,168,472

 
$
1,282,799

 
$
1,010,394

Service
306,005

 
294,499

 
230,457

Total sales
1,474,477

 
1,577,298

 
1,240,851

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization):
 
 
 
 
 
Product
900,091

 
955,469

 
714,521

Service
233,202

 
207,660

 
152,299

Total cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
1,133,293

 
1,163,129

 
866,820

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
150,848

 
146,971

 
107,056

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
179,444

 
148,832

 
97,233

Goodwill and other asset impairments
363,847

 
281,899

 
—

Total operating expenses
694,139

 
577,702

 
204,289

Operating (loss) income
(352,955
)
 
(163,533
)
 
169,742

Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(95,472
)
 
(70,564
)
 
(31,342
)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income
19,519

 
4,144

 
(1,874
)
Total other expense
(75,953
)
 
(66,420
)
 
(33,216
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(428,908
)
 
(229,953
)
 
136,526

Income tax benefit
99,151

 
29,132

 
8,680

Net (loss) income
$
(329,757
)
 
$
(200,821
)
 
$
145,206

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(675
)
 
(13
)
 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
$
(329,082
)
 
$
(200,808
)
 
$
145,206

(Loss) earnings per share attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.79

Diluted
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.77

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
73,253

 
76,453

 
81,051

Diluted
73,253

 
76,453

 
81,960

Dividends declared per share
$
0.25

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.25

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

72


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended 
 December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net (loss) income
$
(329,757
)
 
$
(200,821
)
 
$
145,206

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives (net of tax of $(456), $(470), and $(27) for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively)
(1,432
)
 
(1,545
)
 
(44
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $(60), $(196), and $2 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
(188
)
 
(614
)
 
(6
)
Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,024), $339, and $1,205 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
(3,214
)
 
1,065

 
2,000

Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(334,591
)
 
$
(201,915
)
 
$
147,156

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(675
)
 
(13
)
 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
$
(333,916
)
 
$
(201,902
)
 
$
147,156

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

73


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total U.S. Silica Holdings Inc., Stockholders’
Equity
Non-controlling Interest
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance at January 1, 2017
$
811

$
(3,869
)
$
1,129,051

$
163,173

$
(15,876
)
$
1,273,290

$
—

$
1,273,290

Net income
—

—

—

145,206

—

145,206

—

145,206

Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

—

—

—

(44
)
(44
)
—

(44
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

—

—

—

(6
)
(6
)
—

(6
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

—

—

—

2,000

2,000

—

2,000

Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

—

—

(20,387
)
—

(20,387
)
—

(20,387
)
Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
















Equity-based compensation
—

—

25,050

—

—

25,050

—

25,050

Proceeds from options exercised
—

1,190

(392
)
—

—

798

—

798

Issuance of restricted stock
—

1,859

(1,859
)
—

—

—

—

—

Shares withheld for tax payments related to vested restricted stock and stock units
1

386

(4,766
)
—

—

(4,379
)
—

(4,379
)
Repurchase of common stock
—

(25,022
)
—

—

—

(25,022
)
—

(25,022
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
812

(25,456
)
1,147,084

287,992

(13,926
)
1,396,506

—

1,396,506

Net loss
—

—

—

(200,808
)
—

(200,808
)
(13
)
(200,821
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

—

—

—

(1,545
)
(1,545
)
—

(1,545
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

—

—

—

(614
)
(614
)
—

(614
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

—

—

—

1,065

1,065

—

1,065

Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

—

—

(19,330
)
—

(19,330
)
—

(19,330
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
—

—

—

—

—

—

7,497

7,497

Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
















Equity-based compensation
—

—

22,337

—

—

22,337

—

22,337

Proceeds from options exercised
—

93

(32
)
—

—

61

—

61

Shares withheld for tax payments related to vested restricted stock and stock units
6

(4,383
)
(6
)
—

—

(4,383
)
—

(4,383
)
Repurchase of common stock
—

(148,469
)
—

—

—

(148,469
)
—

(148,469
)

74


Balance at December 31, 2018
818

(178,215
)
1,169,383

67,854

(15,020
)
1,044,820

7,484

1,052,304

Net loss
—

—

—

(329,082
)
—

(329,082
)
(675
)
(329,757
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

—

—

—

(1,432
)
(1,432
)
—

(1,432
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

—

—

—

(188
)
(188
)
—

(188
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

—

—

—

(3,214
)
(3,214
)
—

(3,214
)
Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

—

—

(18,728
)
—

(18,728
)
—

(18,728
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
—

—

—

—

—

—

4,554

4,554

Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity-based compensation
—

—

15,906

—

—

15,906

—

15,906

Proceeds from options exercised
—

296

(168
)
—

—

128

—

128

Shares withheld for tax payments related to vested restricted stock and stock units
5

(2,993
)
(5
)
—

—

(2,993
)
—

(2,993
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
823

$
(180,912
)
$
1,185,116

$
(279,956
)
$
(19,854
)
$
705,217

$
11,363

$
716,580

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

75


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended 
 December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(329,757
)
 
$
(200,821
)
 
$
145,206

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
179,444

 
148,832

 
97,233

Goodwill and other asset impairments
363,847

 
281,899

 
—

Debt issuance amortization
5,597

 
4,044

 
1,382

Original issue discount amortization
1,053

 
832

 
372

Gain on valuation change of royalty note payable
(16,854
)
 
—

 
—

Inventory step-up adjustments
22,373

 
20,107

 
3,812

Deferred income taxes
(101,682
)
 
(31,070
)
 
(20,601
)
Deferred revenue
(74,910
)
 
(36,720
)
 
28,438

(Loss) gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
1,573

 
(5,170
)
 
415

Equity-based compensation
15,906

 
22,337

 
25,050

Bad debt provision, net of recoveries
3,466

 
315

 
1,529

Other
(12,042
)
 
(13,536
)
 
13,929

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
33,837

 
56,815

 
(110,920
)
Inventories
11,182

 
(7,022
)
 
(8,637
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,547

 
(2,678
)
 
8,787

Income taxes
1,725

 
(3,764
)
 
1,469

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
21,024

 
26,907

 
43,654

Short-term and long-term obligations-vendor incentives
4,021

 
52,806

 
—

Liability for pension and other post-retirement benefits
2,734

 
4,608

 
(705
)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities
2,962

 
(8,015
)
 
(8,400
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
144,046

 
310,706

 
222,013

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(118,357
)
 
(339,815
)
 
(368,479
)
Capitalized intellectual property costs
(3,932
)
 
(10,046
)
 
(3,586
)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
—

 
(743,249
)
 
(119,801
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
1,896

 
26,231

 
337

Net cash used in investing activities
(120,393
)
 
(1,066,879
)
 
(491,529
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(18,592
)
 
(19,912
)
 
(20,377
)
Repurchase of common stock
—

 
(148,469
)
 
(25,022
)
Proceeds from options exercised
128

 
61

 
798

Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock and stock units
(2,993
)
 
(4,383
)
 
(4,379
)
Proceeds from long-term debt
—

 
1,280,000

 
—

Payments on long-term debt
(23,449
)
 
(501,425
)
 
(7,211
)
Financing fees paid
—

 
(38,701
)
 
—

Contributions from non-controlling interest
4,554

 
7,497

 
—

Principal payments on capital lease obligations
(59
)
 
(564
)
 
(951
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(40,411
)
 
574,104

 
(57,142
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(16,758
)
 
(182,069
)
 
(326,658
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
202,498

 
384,567

 
711,225

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
185,740

 
$
202,498

 
$
384,567


76


Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
87,286

 
$
66,769

 
$
24,490

Taxes, net of refunds
$
(14,741
)
 
$
5,373

 
$
8,958

Related party purchases
$
—

 
$
2,958

 
$
4,942

Non-cash Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment received
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
18,185

Accrued capital expenditures
$
27,646

 
$
36,008

 
$
16,534

Capital lease assumed by third-party
$
—

 
$
119

 
$
—

Asset retirement obligation assumed by third-party
$
—

 
$
2,116

 
$
—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

77


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A—ORGANIZATION
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings,” and together with its subsidiaries “we,” “us” or the “Company”) is a performance materials company and a leading producer of commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry and in a wide range of industrial applications. In addition, through our acquisition of EP Minerals, LLC ("EPM") and its affiliated companies, we are an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays. During our 120-year history, we have developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable us to produce and cost-effectively deliver products to customers across our end markets. Our operations are organized into two reportable segments based on end markets served: (1) Oil & Gas Proppants and (2) Industrial & Specialty Products. See Note W - Segment Reporting for more information on our reportable segments.
On May 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of EP Acquisition Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EPAP”), and the ultimate parent of EPM. Contemporaneous with the merger, EPAP was renamed EP Minerals Holdings, Inc. ("EPMH"). The consideration paid consisted of $743.2 million of cash, net of cash acquired of $19.1 million, including $0.5 million of post-closing adjustments. EPM is a global producer of engineered materials derived from industrial minerals, including diatomaceous earth, clay (calcium bentonite) and perlite. EPM's industrial minerals are used as filter aids, absorbents and functional additives for a variety of industries including food and beverage, biofuels, recreational water, oil and gas, farm and home, landscape, sports turf, paint, plastics, and insecticides. The acquisition of EPM increased our industrial materials product offering in our Industrial & Specialty Products segment.
On August 16, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Mississippi Sand, LLC ("MS Sand"). MS Sand is a frac sand mining and logistics company based in St. Louis, Missouri.
On April 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of White Armor, a product line of cool roof granules used in industrial roofing applications.
See Note E - Business Combinations for more information.
NOTE B—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.
Throughout this report we refer to (i) our Consolidated Balance Sheets as our “Balance Sheets,” (ii) our Consolidated Statements of Operations as our “Income Statements,” and (iii) our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as our “Cash Flows.”
Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Holdings and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We follow FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) guidance for identification and reporting of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. The guidance defines such entities as Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). We consolidate VIEs when we have variable interests and are the primary beneficiary. We continually evaluate our involvement with VIEs to determine when these criteria are met.
During the third quarter of 2018 we finalized a shareholders' agreement with unrelated parties to form a limited liability company with the purpose of constructing and operating a water pipeline to transport and sell water. In connection with the shareholders’ agreement, we acquired a 50% equity ownership for $3.2 million, with a maximum initial capital contribution of $7.0 million, and a water rights intangible asset for $0.7 million. Based on our evaluation, we determined that this limited liability company is a VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary and therefore we are required to consolidate it. As of December 31, 2019, the VIE had total assets of $18.3 million and total liabilities of $0.4 million. We made capital contributions in the amounts of $0.4 million and $7.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


78


Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period presentations have been made to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions relate to the purchase price allocation for businesses acquired; mineral reserves that are the basis for future cash flow estimates utilized in impairment calculations and units-of-production amortization calculations; environmental, reclamation and closure obligations; estimates of recoverable minerals; estimates of allowance for doubtful accounts; estimates of fair value for certain reporting units and asset impairments (including impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets); write-downs of inventory to net realizable value; equity-based compensation expense; post-employment, post-retirement and other employee benefit liabilities; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; contingent considerations; reserves for contingencies and litigation and the fair value and accounting treatment of financial instruments, including derivative instruments. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Because of the short maturity of these investments, the carrying amounts approximate their fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in money market securities held by financial institutions with high credit ratings. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Cash balances at times may exceed federally-insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and believe we are not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.
Accounts Receivable
The majority of our accounts receivable are due from companies in the oil and natural gas drilling, building and construction products, filler and extenders, filtration, glass, absorbents, foundry, sports and recreation, and other major industries. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the payment terms are considered past due. We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to us, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Ongoing credit evaluations are performed. We write-off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. See Note F - Accounts Receivable and Note U - Revenue.
Inventories
Inventories include raw stockpiles, in-process product and finished product available for shipment, as well as spare parts and supplies for routine facility maintenance. We value inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out and average cost methods. Our inventoriable costs include production costs and transportation and additional service costs as applicable. See Note G - Inventories.
Property, Plant and Mine Development
Plant and equipment
Plant and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Interest incurred during construction of facilities is capitalized and depreciated over the life of the asset. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance that do not extend economic life or improve service potential are expensed as incurred. Costs of improvements that extend economic life or improve service potential are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life.
Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives as follows: buildings (15 years); land improvements (10 years); machinery and equipment, including computer equipment and software (3-10 years);

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furniture and fixtures (8 years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the asset life or lease term. Construction-in-progress is primarily comprised of machinery and equipment which have not yet been placed in service.
Mining property and development
Mining property and development includes mineral deposits and mine exploration and development. Mineral deposits are initially recognized at cost, which approximates the estimated fair value on the date of purchase. Mine exploration and development costs include engineering and mineral studies, drilling and other related costs to delineate an ore body, and the removal of overburden to initially expose an ore body for production. Costs incurred before mineralization are classified as proven and probable reserves are expensed and classified as exploration or advanced projects, research and development expense. Capitalization of mine development project costs, that meet the definition of an asset, begins once mineralization is classified as proven and probable reserves.
The cost of removing overburden and waste materials to access the ore body at an open pit mine prior to the production phase are referred to as “pre-stripping costs.” Pre-stripping costs are capitalized during the development of an open pit mine. The production phase of an open pit mine commences when saleable minerals, beyond a de minimis amount, are produced. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that are included as a component of inventory to be recognized in costs applicable to sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory.
Depletion and amortization of mineral deposits and mine development costs are recorded as the minerals are extracted, based on units of production and engineering estimates of mineable reserves. The impact of revisions to reserve estimates is recognized on a prospective basis.
See Note H - Property, Plant and Mine Development.
Mine reclamation costs and asset retirement obligations
We recognize the fair value of any liability for conditional asset retirement obligations, including environmental remediation liabilities when incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset, if sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. These obligations generally include the estimated net future costs of dismantling, restoring and reclaiming operating mines and related mine sites, in accordance with federal, state, local regulatory and land lease agreement requirements. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings. In addition, the asset retirement cost is capitalized as part of the asset’s carrying value and amortized over the life of the related asset. Reclamation costs are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the reclamation and abandonment costs. The reclamation obligation is based on when spending for an existing environmental disturbance will occur. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement. We review, on an annual basis, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the reclamation obligation at each mine site in accordance with ASC guidance for accounting for reclamation obligations.
See Note M - Asset Retirement Obligations.
Impairment or Disposal of Property, Plant and Mine Development
We periodically evaluate whether current events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our property, plant and equipment assets may not be recoverable. If circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, we estimate future undiscounted net cash flows using estimates of proven and probable sand reserves, estimated future sales prices (considering historical and current prices, price trends and related factors) and operating costs and anticipated capital expenditures. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets.
The recoverability of the carrying value of our mineral properties is dependent upon the successful development, start-up and commercial production of our mineral deposit and the related processing facilities. Our evaluation of mineral properties for potential impairment primarily includes assessing the existence or availability of required permits and evaluating changes in our mineral reserves, or the underlying estimates and assumptions, including estimated production costs. Assessing the economic feasibility requires certain estimates, including the prices of products to be produced and processing recovery rates, as well as operating and capital costs.
Gains on the sale of property, plant and mine development are included in income when the assets are disposed of provided there is more than reasonable certainty of the collectability of the sales price and any future activities required to be performed by us relating to the disposal of the assets are complete or insignificant. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, all costs and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are written-off.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Related Impairment
Our intangible assets consist of goodwill, which is not being amortized, indefinite-lived intangibles, which consist of certain trade names that are not subject to amortization, intellectual property and customer relationships.
Intellectual property mainly consists of patents and technology, and it is amortized on a straight-line basis over an average useful life of 15 years. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful life of 20, 15 or 13 years.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill and trade names are reviewed for impairment annually as of October 31, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. An impairment exists if the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill has been allocated, or the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets, is less than their respective carrying values. Prior to conducting a formal impairment test, we have an option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that is more likely than not (more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors may include the following: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; cost factors; overall financial performance; and other relevant entity-specific events. If the qualitative assessment determines that an impairment is more likely than not, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
See Note I - Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

Leases

We lease railroad cars, office space, mining property, mining/processing equipment and transportation and other equipment. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities, and operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and mine development, current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets also include any lease payments made at or before the commencement date of the lease and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, the latter of which are generally accounted for separately. See Note S - Leases.
We periodically evaluate whether current events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our right-of-use assets exceeds fair value. If circumstances indicate an impairment exists, we estimate fair value primarily utilizing internally developed cash flow models and quoted market prices, discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets.
Revenue Recognition
Products
We derive our product sales by mining and processing minerals that our customers purchase for various uses. Our product sales are primarily a function of the price per ton and the number of tons sold. We primarily sell our products through individual purchase orders executed under short-term price agreements or at prevailing market rates. The amount invoiced reflects product, transportation and / or additional handling services as applicable, such as storage, transloading the product from railcars to trucks and last mile logistics to the customer site. We invoice most of our product customers on a per shipment basis, although for some larger customers, we consolidate invoices weekly or monthly. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.
We recognize revenue for products and materials at a point in time following the transfer of control of such items to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. We account for shipping and handling activities related to product and material sales contracts with customers as costs to fulfill our promise to

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transfer the associated products pursuant to the accounting policy election allowed under ASC 606-10-25-18b. Accordingly, we record amounts billed for shipping and handling costs as a component of net sales and accrue and classify related costs as a component of cost of sales at the time revenue is recognized.
For a limited number of customers, we sell under long-term, minimum purchase supply agreements. These agreements define, among other commitments, the volume of product that our customers must purchase, the volume of product that we must provide and the price that we will charge and that our customers will pay for each product. Prices under these agreements are generally fixed and subject to certain contractual adjustments. Sometimes these agreements may undergo negotiations regarding pricing and volume requirements, which may often occur in volatile market conditions. While these negotiations continue, we may deliver sand at prices or at volumes below the requirements in our existing supply agreements. An executed order specifying the type and quantity of product to be delivered, in combination with the noted agreements, comprise our contracts in these arrangements.
Service
We derive our service revenues primarily through the provision of transportation, equipment rental, and contract labor services to companies in the oil and gas industry. Transportation services typically consist of transporting customer proppant from storage facilities to proximal well-sites and are contracted through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amount invoiced reflects the transportation services rendered. Equipment rental services provide customers with use of either dedicated or nonspecific wellhead proppant delivery equipment solutions for contractual periods defined either through formal lease agreements or executed work orders under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the length of time the equipment set was utilized in the billing period. Contract labor services provide customers with proppant delivery equipment operators through work orders executed under established pricing agreements. The amounts invoiced reflect the amount of time our labor services were utilized in the billing period.
We typically invoice our customers on a weekly or monthly basis; however, some customers receive invoices upon well-site operation completion. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations. We typically recognize revenue for specific, dedicated equipment set rental arrangements under ASC 842, Leases. For the remaining components of service revenue, we have applied the practical expedient allowed under ASC 606-10-55-18 to recognize transportation revenues in proportion to the amount we have the right to invoice.
Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations
From time to time, we may enter into contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, such as work orders containing a combination of product, transportation, equipment rentals, and contract labor services. For these arrangements, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices, or estimates of such prices, and recognize the related revenue as control of each individual product or service is transferred to the customer, in satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligations. We typically invoice our customers on a weekly or monthly basis; however, some customers receive invoices upon well-site operation completion. Standard collection terms are net 30 days, although extended terms are offered in competitive situations.
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities. 
We exclude from our measurement of transaction prices all taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are both (i) imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and (ii) collected from customers. Accordingly, such tax amounts are not included as a component of net sales or cost of sales.
See Note U - Revenue.
Deferred Revenues
For a limited number of customers, we enter into supply agreements which give customers the right to make advanced payments toward the purchase of certain products at specified volumes over an average initial period of one to fifteen years. These payments represent consideration that is unconditional for which we have yet to transfer the related product. These payments are recorded as contract liabilities referred to as “deferred revenues” upon receipt and recognized as revenue upon delivery of the related product.


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Unbilled Receivables
Revenues recognized in advance of invoice issuance create assets referred to as “unbilled receivables.” Any portion of our unbilled receivables for which our right to consideration is conditional on a factor other than the passage of time is considered a contract asset. These assets are presented on a combined basis with accounts receivable and are converted to accounts receivable once billed.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company defers costs directly associated with acquiring third-party financing, primarily loan origination costs and related professional expenses. Debt issuance costs are deferred and amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of our senior secured Term Loan facility and the straight-line method for our Revolver facility. Debt issuance costs related to long-term debt are reflected as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt. Amortization included in interest expense was $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, and $4.0 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. See Note K - Debt.
Employee Benefit Plans
We provide a range of benefits to our employees and retired employees, including pensions and post-retirement healthcare and life insurance benefits. We record annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations specified by generally accepted accounting principles, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of returns, compensation increases, turnover rates, mortality table, and healthcare cost trend rates. We review the actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate to do so. As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the effect of the modifications is generally recorded or amortized over future periods. We believe that the assumptions utilized in recording our obligations under the plans are reasonable based on advice from our actuaries and information as to assumptions used by other employers. See Note R - Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits.
Environmental Costs
Environmental costs, other than qualifying capital expenditures, are accrued at the time the exposure becomes known and costs can be reasonably estimated. Costs are accrued based upon management’s estimates of all direct costs, after taking into account expected reimbursement by third parties (primarily the sellers of acquired businesses) and are reviewed by outside consultants. Environmental costs are charged to expense unless a settlement with an indemnifying party has been reached.
Self-Insurance
We are self-insured for various levels of employee health insurance coverage, workers’ compensation and third-party product liability claims alleging occupational disease. We purchase insurance coverage for claim amounts which exceed our self-insured retentions. Depending on the type of insurance, these self-insured retentions range from $0.1 million to $0.5 million per occurrence. Our insurance reserves are accrued based on estimates of the ultimate cost of claims expected to occur during the covered period. Our insurance reserves are accrued based on estimates of the ultimate cost of claims expected to occur during the covered period. These estimates are prepared with the assistance of outside actuaries and consultants. Our actuaries periodically review the volume and amount of claims activity, and based upon their findings, we adjust our insurance reserves accordingly. The ultimate cost of claims for a covered period may differ from our original estimates. The current portion of our self-insurance reserves is included in accrued liabilities and the non-current portion is included in other long-term obligations in our Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our self-insurance reserves totaled $6.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of which $4.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, was classified as current.
Research and Development Costs
We may incur immaterial internal research and development (“R&D”) expenditures, and research and development conducted for others, all of which are expensed as incurred, and included in selling, general and administrative expense. R&D costs may include, but are not limited to, research and administrative salaries, contractor fees, building costs, utilities, administrative expenses, and allocations of corporate costs.
Advertising Costs
We recognize advertising expense when incurred as selling, general and administrative expense. Advertising costs have not been a significant component of expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, or 2017.

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Equity-based Compensation
We grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units to certain of our employees and directors under the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan. We recognize the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for awards of equity instruments.
Vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the individual continuing to render service over a pre-defined vesting schedule, generally three years. Cash dividend equivalents are accrued and paid to the holders of time-based restricted stock units and restricted stock. The fair value of the restricted stock awards is equal to the market price of our stock at date of grant. The restricted award-related compensation expense is recognized, on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
We grant performance share units to certain employees in which the number of shares of common stock ultimately received is determined based on achievement of certain performance thresholds over a specified performance period (generally three years) in accordance with the stock award agreement. Cash dividend equivalents are not accrued or paid on performance share units. We recognize expense based on the estimated vesting of our performance share units granted and the grant date market price. The estimated vesting of the performance share units is principally based on the probability of achieving certain financial performance levels during the vesting periods. In the period it becomes probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the award agreement will be achieved, we recognize expense for the proportionate share of the total fair value of the award related to the vesting period that has already lapsed. The remaining fair value of the award is expensed on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period.
We grant certain employees performance share units, the vesting of which is based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) ranking among a peer group over a three-year period. The number of units that will vest will depend on the percentage ranking of the Company's TSR compared to the TSRs for each of the companies in the peer group over the performance period. For these awards subject to market conditions, a binomial-lattice model (i.e., Monte Carlo simulation model) is used to fair value these awards at grant date. The related compensation expense is recognized, on a straight-line basis, over the vesting period.
We grant stock options to certain employees and directors. Stock options vest on a vesting schedule and the related compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period, usually over 3 or 4 years. In calculating the compensation expense for stock options granted, we estimate the fair value of each grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The fair value of stock options granted is based on the exercise price of the option and certain assumptions, which are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience. We account for forfeitures as they occur. Our expected term is the period of time over which the options are expected to remain outstanding. An increase in the expected term will increase compensation expense. The computation of the expected term is based on the simplified method, under which the expected term is presumed to be the mid-point between the average vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The assumptions for expected volatility are based on historical experience for the same periods as our expected lives. Risk-free interest rates are set using grant-date U.S. Treasury yield curves for the same periods as our expected lives. The expected dividend yield is based on our future dividend expectations for the same periods as our expected lives. See Note P - Equity-based Compensation.
Income Taxes
Deferred taxes are provided on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. This approach requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the expenses are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We recognize a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are

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identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management.
The largest permanent item in computing both our effective tax rate and taxable income is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income before income taxes. See Note T - Income Taxes.
Financial Instruments
We currently use interest rate hedge agreements to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. Amounts to be paid or received under these hedge agreements are accrued as interest rates change and are recognized over the life of the hedge agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. Our policy is to not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. When entered into, these financial instruments are designated as hedges of underlying exposures, associated with our long-term debt, and are monitored to determine if they remain effective hedges. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in income. See Note O - Derivative Instruments.
Foreign Currency Translation
For our operations in countries where the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, balance sheet amounts are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income statement amounts are translated monthly using the average exchange rate for the respective month. The gains and losses resulting from the changes in exchange rates from year-to-year are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as currency translation adjustments, net of tax. Any gains or losses on transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are included in other income (expense), net, including interest income. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded net realized foreign currency transaction losses of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. We had no significant foreign operations during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Comprehensive Income (loss)
In addition to net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period, such as adjustments to minimum pension liabilities and the effective portion of changes in fair value of derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, acquired assets, including separately identifiable intangible assets and any assumed liabilities, are recorded at their acquisition date estimated fair value. The excess of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents the goodwill amount resulting from the acquisition. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. See Note E - Business Combinations.    
New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and issued ASU 2018-11 Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. The new standard(s) established a right-of-use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. Similarly, lessors will be required to classify leases as sales-type, finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of income recognition. Classification for both lessees and lessors will be based on an assessment of whether the lease risks and rewards, as well as substantive control, have been transferred through a lease contract.
On January 1, 2019, we adopted the new accounting standard using the modified retrospective approach. We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed us to account for our existing operating leases without reassessing (a) whether the contracts contain a lease under the new standard, (b) whether classification of the operating leases would be different in accordance with the new standard, or (c) whether the unamortized initial direct costs before transition adjustments would have met the definition of initial direct costs in the new standard at lease commencement. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease ROU assets of $223.0 million, which we have subsequently impaired during 2019 by $115.4 million, and lease liabilities of $222.7 million. The standard did not have a

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material impact on our consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. See Note S - Leases.
In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The ASU provides that the stranded tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in accumulated other comprehensive loss may be reclassified to retained earnings. The ASU was effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new accounting standard on January 1, 2019, and we do not intend to exercise the option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20). The new guidance removes certain disclosure requirements for employers which sponsor defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans, but also adds disclosure requirements for the weighted average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised crediting rates and an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amendments also clarify disclosure requirements for the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs and ABOs in excess of plan assets. Entities should apply the amendments on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. The amendments in this Update are effective for public entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. We are currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on our disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The new guidance requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (i.e., hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. Capitalized implementation costs related to a hosting arrangement that is a service contract will be amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. The update is effective for calendar-year public business entities in 2020. We plan to adopt this guidance on a prospective basis and do not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Operation.
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. The amendments in this ASU clarified issues related to Topic 326. In Issue 1, the amendment in this ASU mitigate transition complexity by requiring that for nonpublic business entities the amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In Issue 2, the amendment clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. We expect the adoption of this standard will primarily impact our accounts receivable allowance estimating process, but do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions and also simplify the accounting for income taxes by requiring that an entity recognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amount incurred as a non-income-based tax, requiring that an entity evaluate when a step up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which the book goodwill was originally recognized and when it should be considered a separate transaction, specifying that an entity is not required to allocate the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements (however, an entity may elect to do so on an entity-by-entity basis) for a legal entity that is both not subject to tax and disregarded by the taxing authority, requiring that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date, and making minor codification improvements for income taxes related to employee stock ownership plans and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. We are currently evaluating the effect that the guidance will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

NOTE C—EARNINGS PER SHARE

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Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed similarly to basic earnings per common share except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued.
The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
In thousands, except per share amounts
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
$
(329,082
)
 
$
(200,808
)
 
$
145,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
73,253

 
76,453

 
81,051

Diluted effect of stock awards
 
—

 
—

 
909

Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution
 
73,253

 
76,453

 
81,960

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share
 
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.79

Diluted (loss) earnings per share
 
$
(4.49
)
 
$
(2.63
)
 
$
1.77


Potentially dilutive shares (in thousands) of 68 and 443 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding and diluted earnings per share because we were in a loss position. Certain stock options, restricted stock awards and performance share units were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Such stock awards (in thousands) excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share were as follows:
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Stock options excluded
 
711

 
574

 
195

Restricted stock and performance share units awards excluded
 
1,298

 
155

 
305



NOTE D—CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Common Stock
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders of Holdings shall be vested in the holders of the common stock. There were 82,601,926 shares issued and 73,601,950 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019. There were 81,811,977 shares issued and 73,148,853 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, our Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends as follows:
Dividends per Common Share
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
 Payable Date
$
0.0625

 
February 15, 2019
 
March 14, 2019
 
April 4, 2019
$
0.0625

 
May 13, 2019
 
June 14, 2019
 
July 5, 2019
$
0.0625

 
July 18, 2019
 
September 13, 2019
 
October 3, 2019
$
0.0625

 
November 12, 2019
 
December 13, 2019
 
January 3, 2020


87


All dividends were paid as scheduled.
Any determination to pay dividends and other distributions in cash, stock, or property by Holdings in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our business and financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital requirements, contractual restrictions including restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements, and other factors. Additionally, because we are a holding company, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to us, including restrictions under the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness.
Preferred Stock
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares, in the aggregate, of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 in one or more series, to fix the powers, preferences and other rights of such series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including the dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and liquidation preference, and to fix the number of shares to be included in any such series, without any further vote or action by our stockholders.
There were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding at December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. At present, we have no plans to issue any preferred stock.
Share Repurchase Program
We are authorized by our Board of Directors to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Stock repurchases, if any, will be funded using our available liquidity. The timing and amount of stock repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the market conditions as well as corporate and regulatory considerations.
In May 2018, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of our common stock. As of December 31, 2019, we have repurchased a total of 5,036,139 shares of our common stock at an average price of $14.59 and have $126.5 million of remaining availability under this program.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of fair value adjustments associated with cash flow hedges, accumulated adjustments for net experience losses and prior service cost related to employee benefit plans and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax. The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands) during the year ended December 31, 2019:
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability
 
Total
Beginning Balance
$
(1,621
)
 
$
(620
)
 
$
(12,779
)
 
$
(15,020
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(1,432
)
 
(188
)
 
(4,450
)
 
(6,070
)
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss
—

 
—

 
1,236

 
1,236

Ending Balance
$
(3,053
)
 
$
(808
)
 
$
(15,993
)
 
$
(19,854
)

Any amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges are included in interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and amounts reclassified related to pension and other post-retirement benefits are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs at their pre-tax amounts.

NOTE E—BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the underlying net assets acquired.


88


Trade Names
A trade name is a legally protected trade or similar mark. Acquired trade names are valued using an income method approach, generally the relief-from-royalty valuation method. The method uses a royalty rate based on comparable marketplace royalty agreements for similar types of trade names and applies it to the after-tax discounted free cash flow attributed to the trade name. The discount rate used is based on an estimated weighted average cost of capital and the anticipated risk for intangible assets.
The valued trade names have an indefinite life based on our plans and expectations for the trade names going forward and are reviewed for impairment under ASC 350-30-35.

Intellectual Property and Technology
Intellectual property and technology (“IP”) is a design, work or invention that is the result of creativity to which one has ownership rights that may be protected through a patent, copyright, trademark or service mark. IP is valued using the relief from royalty valuation method. The method uses a royalty rate based on comparable market-place royalty agreements for similar types of IP and applies it to the after-tax discounted free cash flow attributed to the IP. The discount rate used is based on an estimated weighted average cost of capital and the anticipated risk for intangible assets.
The IP is amortized following the pattern in which the expected benefits will be consumed or otherwise used up over each component’s useful life, based on our plans and expectations for the IP going forward, which is generally the underlying IP’s legal expiration dates. IP is reviewed for impairment under ASC 360-10.

Customer Relationships
Customer relationships are intangible assets that consist of historical and factual information about customers and contacts collected from repeat transactions with customers, with or without any underlying contracts. The information is generally organized as customer lists or customer databases. We have the expectation of repeat patronage from these customers based on the customers’ historical purchase activity, which creates the intrinsic value over a finite period of time and translates into the expectation of future revenue, income, and cash flow.
Customer relationships are valued using projected operating income, adjusted for estimated future existing customer growth less estimated future customer attrition, net of charges for net tangible assets, IP charge, trade name charge and work force. The concluded value is the after-tax discounted free cash flow. Customer relationships are reviewed for impairment under ASC 360-10.

2018 Acquisition:
On May 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of EP Acquisition Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EPAP”), and the ultimate parent of EP Minerals, LLC ("EPM"). Contemporaneous with the merger, EPAP was renamed EP Minerals Holdings, Inc. ("EPMH"). The consideration paid consisted of $743.2 million of cash, net of cash acquired of $19.1 million, including $0.5 million of post-closing adjustments. EPM is a global producer of engineered materials derived from industrial minerals, including diatomaceous earth, clay (calcium bentonite and calcium montmorillonite) and perlite. EPM's industrial minerals are used as filter aids, absorbents and functional additives for a variety of industries including food and beverage, biofuels, recreational water, oil and gas, farm and home, landscape, sports turf, paint, plastics, and insecticides. The acquisition of EPM increased our industrial materials product offering in our Industrial & Specialty Products business segment.
We have accounted for the acquisition of EPMH under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, and have accounted for measurement period adjustments in accordance with ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. Estimates of fair value included in the Consolidated Financial Statements represent our best estimates and valuations. In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, the allocation of consideration value was subject to adjustment until we completed our analysis in the second quarter of 2019.

89


The following table sets forth the final allocation of the purchase price to EPMH's identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including measurement period adjustments (in thousands):
Final allocation of purchase price:
Estimate as of December 31, 2018
Measurement Period Adjustments
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable, net
$
43,305

$
—

$
43,305

Inventories
86,112

—

86,112

Property, plant and mine development
148,495

(1,937
)
146,558

Mineral rights
419,469

(10,580
)
408,889

Identifiable intangible assets - finite lived
10,270

(1,500
)
8,770

Identifiable intangible assets - indefinite lived
38,050

(1,250
)
36,800

Prepaids and deposits
2,072

(245
)
1,827

Other assets
7,474

—

7,474

Goodwill
150,628

12,184

162,812

Total assets acquired
905,875

(3,328
)
902,547

Accounts payable
13,435

—

13,435

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
10,304

—

10,304

Deferred tax liabilities
122,811

(3,328
)
119,483

Long term obligations
16,076

—

16,076

Total liabilities assumed
$
162,626

$
(3,328
)
$
159,298

Net assets acquired
$
743,249

$
—

$
743,249


The acquired intangible assets and the related estimated useful lives consist of the following:
 
Approximate Fair Value
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
(in thousands)
 
(in years)
Technology and intellectual property
$
1,400

 
15
Customer relationships
7,370

 
15
Total identifiable intangible assets - finite lived
$
8,770


 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
$
36,800

 
 
Total identifiable intangible assets - indefinite lived
$
36,800

 
 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the underlying net assets acquired. Goodwill in this transaction is attributable to planned growth in our industrial materials product offering in our Industrial & Specialty Products business segment. Intangibles and goodwill are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Our Income Statement included revenue of $158.8 million and a net loss of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, associated with EPMH following the date of acquisition. We incurred $13.6 million of acquisition-related charges, excluding debt issuance costs, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Income Statement.

90


Unaudited Pro Forma Results
The results of EPMH's operations have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements subsequent to the acquisition date. EPMH's fiscal year end was November 30 and the Company's fiscal year end was December 31. Under SEC regulations, if a target's fiscal year end varies by more than 93 days from the acquirer's fiscal year end, it is required to adjust interim periods until it is within 93 days. Since EPMH’s fiscal year end was within 93 days of the Company's fiscal year end, no adjustment is necessary and EPMH’s fiscal year end and interim period ends are used as if they coincided with the Company's fiscal year end and interim period end. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information reflects the results of operations as if the EPMH acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2017, after giving effect to certain purchase accounting adjustments. Material non-recurring transaction costs attributable to the business combination were $15.2 million. Pro forma net income includes incremental interest expense due to the related debt financing, incremental depreciation and depletion expense related to the fair value adjustment of property, plant and mine development, amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets, and tax expense related to the combined tax provisions. This information does not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have occurred if the acquisition had actually been completed on the date indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future operating results or the financial position of the combined company (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
For the year ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Sales
$
1,659,775

 
$
1,454,070

Net (loss) income
$
(179,220
)
 
$
116,899

Basic (loss) earnings per share
$
(2.34
)
 
$
1.44

Diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(2.34
)
 
$
1.43

 
 
 
 


2017 Acquisitions:

White Armor Acquisition:
On April 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of White Armor, a product line of cool roof granules used in industrial roofing applications, for cash consideration of $18.6 million. The final purchase price was allocated to goodwill of approximately $3.9 million, identifiable intangible assets of $12.8 million and other net assets of approximately $1.9 million.
Goodwill in this transaction is attributable to planned growth in our specialty industrial sand business segment. The goodwill amount is included in our Industrial & Specialty Products business segment. Identifiable definite lived intangibles, including customer relationships, and goodwill are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
We incurred $0.2 million of acquisition-related charges which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017. Revenue and earnings for White Armor after the acquisition date are not presented as the business was integrated into our operations subsequent to the acquisition and therefore impracticable to quantify.
MS Sand Acquisition:
On August 16, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Mississippi Sand, LLC ("MS Sand"), a Missouri limited liability company, for cash consideration of approximately $95.4 million, net of cash acquired of $2.2 million. As is normal and customary, subsequent adjustments were made including $(0.5) million of net working capital adjustments plus an additional $6.1 million consideration paid related to a pre-existing contracted asset sale, which was entered into prior to our acquisition, for total cash consideration of $101.0 million. MS Sand is a frac sand mining and logistics company based in St. Louis, Missouri. The acquisition of MS Sand increased our regional frac sand product offering in our Oil & Gas Proppants business segment.
We have accounted for the acquisition of MS Sand under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, and have accounted for measurement period adjustments in accordance with ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, the allocation of consideration value was subject to adjustment until we completed our analysis in the third quarter of 2018.
The following table sets forth the final allocation of the purchase price to MS Sands' identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including measurement period adjustments (in thousands):

91


 
Estimate as of December 31, 2017
Measurement Period Adjustments
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable
$
11,201

$
—

$
11,201

Inventories
8,067

—

8,067

Other current assets
362

—

362

Assets held for sale
9,453

—

9,453

Property, plant and mine development
27,458

—

27,458

Mineral rights
26,300

(2,800
)
23,500

Other non-current assets
1,136

—

1,136

Goodwill
22,522

2,800

25,322

Customer relationships
1,840

—

1,840

Total assets acquired
108,339

—

108,339

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
3,761

—

3,761

Unfavorable leasehold positions
2,237

—

2,237

Notes Payable
866

—

866

Other long term liabilities
—

—

—

Asset retirement obligations
474

—

474

Total liabilities assumed
7,338

—

7,338

Net assets acquired
$
101,001

$
—

$
101,001


The acquired intangible assets and the related estimated useful lives consist of the following:
 
Approximate Fair Value
Estimated Useful Life
 
(in thousands)
(in years)
 Customer relationships
$
1,840

15

Goodwill in this transaction is attributable to planned growth in our regional frac sand product offering in our Oil & Gas Proppants business segment. The goodwill amount is included in our Oil & Gas Proppants business segment. Identifiable definite lived intangibles, including customer relationships, and goodwill are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
We incurred $1.0 million of acquisition-related charges which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Revenue and earnings for MS Sand after the acquisition date are not presented as the business was integrated into our operations subsequent to the acquisition and therefore impracticable to quantify.
Unaudited Pro Forma Results
The results of MS Sand’s operations have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements subsequent to the acquisition dates. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information reflects the results of operations as if the MS Sand Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2016, after giving effect to certain purchase accounting adjustments. These adjustments mainly include incremental depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustment of property, plant, equipment and mine development, amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets and tax expense related to the combined tax provisions. This information does not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have occurred if the acquisition had actually been completed on the date indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future operating results or the financial position of the combined company (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
For the year ended December 31,
 
2017
Sales
$
1,287,202

Net income
$
143,604

Basic earnings per share
$
1.77

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.75



92







NOTE F—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, accounts receivable (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 
 2019
 
December 31,  
 2018
Trade receivables
$
178,182

 
$
198,435

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
(8,984
)
 
(6,751
)
Net trade receivables
169,198

 
191,684

Other receivables(1)
13,040

 
23,802

Total accounts receivable
$
182,238

 
$
215,486

(1
)
At December 31, 2019, other receivables include $8.1 million of refundable alternative minimum tax credits. At December 31, 2018, other receivables included $16.0 million of refundable alternative minimum tax credits that were refunded during the third quarter of 2019.
Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands) during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 
December 31, 
 2019
 
December 31,  
 2018
Beginning balance
$
6,751

 
$
7,100

Bad debt provision
3,466

 
315

Write-offs
(1,233
)
 
(664
)
Ending balance
$
8,984

 
$
6,751


Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 43%, 48% and 58% of total sales during the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Sales to one of our customers accounted for 11% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2019. Sales to one of our customers accounted for 15% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2018. Sales to two of our customers accounted for 15% and 12% of our total sales during the year ended December 31, 2017. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our total sales. At December 31, 2019, one of our customers' accounts receivable represented 12% of our total trade accounts receivable, net of allowance. At December 31, 2018, the same customer's accounts receivable represented 18% of our total trade accounts receivable, net of allowance. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of our total trade accounts receivable.
NOTE G—INVENTORIES
At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, inventories (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Supplies
$
47,277

 
$
41,453

Raw materials and work in process
41,167

 
68,474

Finished goods
35,988

 
52,160

Total inventories
$
124,432

 
$
162,087



The decrease in inventories is primarily attributable to the amortization of inventory fair value step-up from purchase accounting as well as from write-offs of obsolete inventory, write-downs of inventory to net realizable value and impairments of unused inventory at frac sand plants we idled. See Note Z - Impairments for additional information.

93


NOTE H—PROPERTY, PLANT AND MINE DEVELOPMENT
At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, property, plant and mine development (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 
 2019
 
December 31,  
 2018
Mining property and mine development
$
794,899

 
$
995,759

Asset retirement cost
18,260

 
12,732

Land
57,082

 
55,502

Land improvements
73,203

 
67,729

Buildings
69,112

 
64,515

Machinery and equipment
1,152,898

 
958,357

Furniture and fixtures
4,068

 
3,599

Construction-in-progress
54,675

 
167,933

 
2,224,197

 
2,326,126

Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges
(706,610
)
 
(499,823
)
Total property, plant and mine development, net
$
1,517,587

 
$
1,826,303


Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense related to property, plant and mine development for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $168.6 million and $139.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the aggregate cost of machinery and equipment acquired under finance leases was $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, reduced by accumulated depreciation of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The amount of interest costs capitalized in property, plant and mine development was $2.0 million and $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
During 2019, impairment charges of approximately $243.1 million were recorded mainly related to facilities that have reduced capacity or have been idled, including Tyler, Texas, Sparta, Wisconsin, and Utica, Illinois. During 2018, impairment charges of approximately $109.9 million were recorded mainly related to facilities that have reduced capacity or have been idled, including Voca, Texas, Fairchild, Wisconsin, Rochelle, Illinois, and Peru, Illinois. These charges relate to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note Z - Impairments for additional information.
During 2019, management approved the disposal of certain non-operating parcels of land. The assets had a combined carrying value of approximately $1.3 million. The proceeds of the disposals were expected to exceed the net carrying value of the assets and, accordingly, no impairment loss was recognized on these assets held for sale. The assets were previously classified as Land, therefore, no adjustments were needed for depreciation of these assets. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we sold a portion of these assets at a gain of $0.6 million, which was recorded in Other income, net, including interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. At December 31, 2019, the remaining balance of assets held for sale included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is $0.1 million, which we expect to dispose of within one year of the balance sheet date.
On March 21, 2018, we completed the sale of three transload facilities located in the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Marcellus Basins to CIG Logistics (“CIG”) for total consideration of $86.1 million, including the assumption by CIG of $2.2 million of Company obligations. Total cash consideration was $83.9 million. The consideration includes receipt of a vendor incentive from CIG to enter into master transloading service arrangements. Of the total consideration, $25.8 million was allocated to the fair value of the transload facilities, which had a net book value of $20.0 million and resulted in a gain on sale of $5.8 million. The consideration included a related asset retirement obligation of $2.1 million and an equipment note of $0.1 million assumed by CIG. In addition, $60.3 million of the consideration received in excess of the facilities' fair value was allocated to vendor incentives to be recognized as a reduction of costs using a service-level methodology over the contract lives of the transloading service arrangements. At December 31, 2019, vendor incentives of $26.6 million were classified in accounts payable and accrued expenses on our balance sheet. At December 31, 2018, vendor incentives of $12.5 million and $33.8 million were classified in accounts payable and accrued expenses and in other long-term obligations, respectively, on our balance sheet.
Separately, on March 21, 2018, we accrued $7.9 million in contract termination costs for facilities contracts operated by third-parties, which will not transfer to CIG. During the second quarter of 2018, as a result of the final settlement of these contracts, we recorded a $2.7 million credit in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Income Statement.

94




NOTE I—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands) by business segment consisted of the following:
 
Oil & Gas Proppants Segment
 
Industrial & Specialty Products Segment
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
247,467

 
24,612

 
272,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
MS Sand acquisition measurement period adjustment
2,800

 
—

 
2,800

EPMH acquisition and measurement period adjustment
—

 
150,628

 
150,628

Oil & Gas Sand impairment
(164,167
)
 
—

 
(164,167
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
250,267

 
175,240

 
425,507

Impairment losses
(164,167
)
 
—

 
(164,167
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
86,100

 
175,240

 
261,340

 
 
 
 
 
 
EPMH acquisition measurement period adjustment
—

 
12,184

 
12,184

Balance at December 31, 2019
$
86,100

 
$
187,424

 
$
273,524



Goodwill and trade names are evaluated for impairment annually as of October 31, or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. We evaluated events and circumstances since the date of our last qualitative assessment, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and our overall financial performance. After assessing the totality of the events and circumstances, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units was less than their carrying amount and no impairment existed related to goodwill or trade names as of December 31, 2019.

During 2018, subsequent to our annual impairment test, we experienced a declining shift in demand for Northern White sand caused by some of our customers shifting to local in-basin frac sands with lower logistics costs. Our largest customer at our Voca, Texas plant did not renew their contract, instead opting to sign a new contract with us for local in-basin frac sand. Additionally, Northern White Sand operations and reserves in Fairchild, Wisconsin and Peru, Illinois experienced a similar significant fourth quarter decline in demand due to customers' shift to local in-basin sand closer to their operations.

As a result of these triggering events, we performed a quantitative analysis and determined that the goodwill of our Oil & Gas Sand reporting unit was impaired. We recognized goodwill impairment charges of $164.2 million and intangible asset impairment charges related to trade names of $4.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2018. These impairment charges were recorded in the "Goodwill and other asset impairments" caption of our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of our reporting units was determined using a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the market multiples approach.

95


The changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Impairments
Net
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Impairments
Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Technology and intellectual property
$
86,183

$
(17,080
)
—

$
69,103

$
83,616

$
(11,168
)
—

$
72,448

Customer relationships
68,599

(18,737
)
$
(1,240
)
48,622

68,664

(13,826
)
—

54,838

 Total definite-lived intangible assets:
$
154,782

$
(35,817
)
$
(1,240
)
$
117,725

$
152,280

$
(24,994
)
$
—

$
127,286

Trade names
65,390

—

—

65,390

71,118

—

(4,478
)
66,640

Other
700

—

—

700

700

—

—

700

Total intangible assets:
$
220,872

$
(35,817
)
$
(1,240
)
$
183,815

$
224,098

$
(24,994
)
$
(4,478
)
$
194,626



We recorded a $1.2 million impairment of customer relationships and a $4.5 million impairment of trade names as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, in the Oil & Gas Segment. These impairment charges were recorded in the "Goodwill and other asset impairments" caption of our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note Z - Impairments for additional information.

Estimated useful life of technology and intellectual property is 15 years. Estimated useful life of customer relationships is a range of 13 - 15 years.

During the first quarter of 2019, measurement period adjustments related to the Company's EPMH acquisition decreased the gross carrying amounts of the technology and intellectual property by $1.5 million and the trade names by $1.3 million. See Note E - Business Combinations.

Amortization expense was $10.8 million, $9.7 million and $8.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets (in thousands) for the five succeeding years is as follows:
2020
$
10,863

2021
10,861

2022
10,846

2023
10,841

2024
10,843




96


NOTE J—ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, accounts payable and accrued liabilities (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Trade payables
$
181,029

 
$
166,296

Accrued salaries and wages
12,385

 
12,291

Accrued vacation liability
3,053

 
3,503

Current portion of liability for pension and post-retirement benefits
2,993

 
2,708

Accrued healthcare liability
4,078

 
2,702

Accrued property taxes and sales taxes
4,070

 
4,490

Vendor incentives
26,617

 
12,508

Other accrued liabilities
14,012

 
11,902

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
248,237

 
$
216,400


Other accrued liabilities consist of employer related expenses, dividends payable, royalties payable, accrued interest payable, and other items.
Certain reclassifications of prior year's amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. In conforming to the current year presentation, trade payables were decreased by $12.5 million and included in the vendor incentives line item. See Note H - Property, Plant and Mine Development for more information related to vendor incentives.

97


NOTE K—DEBT
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, debt (in thousands) consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 
 2019
 
December 31,  
 2018
Senior secured credit facility:
 
 
 
Revolver expiring May 1, 2023 (7.75% at December 31, 2019 and 8.50% at December 31, 2018)
$
—

 
$
—

Term Loan facility—final maturity May 1, 2025 (5.81% at December 31, 2019 and 6.56% December 31, 2018)
1,247,600

 
1,270,400

Less: Unamortized original issue discount
(5,412
)
 
(6,511
)
Less: Unamortized debt issuance cost
(25,390
)
 
(31,310
)
Note payable secured by royalty interest
10,438

 
26,511

Insurance financing notes payable
5,055

 
—

Equipment notes payable
87

 
321

Finance leases
70

 
344

Total debt
1,232,448

 
1,259,755

Less: current portion
(18,463
)
 
(13,327
)
Total long-term portion of debt
$
1,213,985

 
$
1,246,428


Senior Secured Credit Facility
On May 1, 2018, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), which increased our existing senior debt by entering into a new $1.380 billion senior secured Credit Facility, consisting of a $1.280 billion term loan (the "Term Loan") and a $100 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") (collectively the "Credit Facility") that may also be used for swingline loans or letters of credit, and we may elect to increase the term loan in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at variable rates as determined at our election, at LIBOR or a base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. In addition, under the Credit Agreement, we are required to pay a per annum facility fee and fees for letters of credit. The Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of our assets and of our domestic subsidiaries' assets and a pledge of the equity interests in such entities. The Term Loan matures on May 1, 2025, and the Revolver expires on May 1, 2023. We capitalized $38.7 million in debt issuance costs and original issue discount as a result of the new Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability, and certain of our subsidiaries' abilities, to create, incur or assume indebtedness and liens, to make acquisitions or investments, to sell assets and to pay dividends. The Credit Agreement also requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of no more than 3.75:1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter whenever usage of the Revolver (other than certain undrawn letters of credit) exceeds 30% of the Revolver commitment. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. The Credit Agreement includes events of default and other affirmative and negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, we are in compliance with all covenants in accordance with our senior secured Credit Facility.
Term Loan
At December 31, 2019, contractual maturities of our senior secured Credit Facility (in thousands) are as follows:
2020
$
12,800

2021
12,800

2022
12,800

2023
12,800

2024
12,800

Thereafter
1,183,600

Total
$
1,247,600



98


During the third quarter of 2019, we repurchased outstanding debt under the Term Loan in the amount of $10 million at a rate of 95.5%. Debt issuance costs and original issue discount were recalculated with the reduced future debt payments, and additional costs of approximately $0.4 million were expensed. As a result, we recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $0.1 million. The gain on extinguishment was recorded in Other income, net, including interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Revolving Line-of-Credit
We have a $100.0 million Revolver with zero drawn and $6.5 million allocated for letters of credit as of December 31, 2019, leaving $93.5 million available under the Revolver. Based on our consolidated leverage ratio of 4.30:1.00 as of December 31, 2019, we may draw up to $30.0 million without the consent of our lenders. With the consent of our lenders, we have access to the full availability of the Revolver.
Note Payable Secured by Royalty Interest
In conjunction with the acquisition of New Birmingham, Inc. in August 2016, we assumed a note payable secured by a royalty interest. The monthly royalty payment is calculated based on future tonnages and sales related to the sand shipped from our Tyler, Texas facility. The note payable is due by June 30, 2032. The note does not provide a stated interest rate. The minimum payments (in thousands) for the next five years required by the note are as follows:
2020
$
454

2021
378

2022
434

2023
499

2024
570

Thereafter
8,103


Under this agreement once a certain number of tons have been shipped from the Tyler facility, the minimum payments will decrease to $0.5 million per year, subject to proration in the period this threshold is met.
The royalty note payable fair value was estimated to be $22.5 million on the acquisition date. The estimate was made using a discounted cash flow model, which calculated the present value of projected future cash payments required under the agreement using a discounted rate of 14%. As of December 31, 2019, the note payable had a fair value of $10.4 million. The decrease in fair value of the note payable amount is due to changes in our estimate of future tonnages and sales related to the sand shipped from our Tyler, Texas facility. We no longer expect any future tonnages and sales related to this facility, which has been idled. The note payable has been reduced to the discounted value of the future minimum payments as required by contract. These changes in estimate resulted in gains that were recorded in Other income, net, including interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains in the amount of $16.9 million were recorded during 2019. The effective interest rate based on the updated projected future cash payments was 14% at December 31, 2019. Other changes in fair value of the note payable amount may result if estimates of future tonnages and sales increase or decrease.
Insurance Financing Notes Payable
During the third quarter of 2019, we renewed our insurance policies and financed the payments through notes payable with a stated interest rate of 4.5%. These payments will be made in installments throughout a ten-month period and, as such, have been classified as current debt. As of December 31, 2019, the notes payable had a balance of $5.1 million.
NOTE L—DEFERRED REVENUE
We enter into certain customer supply agreements which give the customers the right to purchase certain products for a discounted price at certain volumes over an average initial contract term of one to fifteen years. The advance payments represent future purchases and are recorded as deferred revenue, recognized as revenue over the contract term of each supply agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2019 we received advances of $12.2 million. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total deferred revenue balance was $50.6 million and $113.3 million, respectively, of which $15.1 million and $31.6 million was classified as current on our Balance Sheets.

The decrease in the current year balance is partially attributable to revenue recognized as variable consideration from shortfall penalties assessed to multiple customers according to contract terms. In some cases, amounts recorded are estimates

99


which are in negotiation and may increase or decrease. We believe this is the best estimate of revenue to recognize as of December 31, 2019.     
NOTE M—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Mine reclamation or future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the costs expected to be incurred at a site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates at inactive mines are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had a liability of $25.8 million and $18.4 million, respectively, in other long-term obligations related to our asset retirement obligations. Changes in the asset retirement obligations (in thousands) during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
 
December 31, 
 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Beginning balance
$
18,413

 
$
19,032

Accretion
1,531

 
1,214

Additions and revisions of prior estimates
5,881

 
(319
)
Addition related to EPMH acquisition
—

 
2,733

EPMH measurement period adjustment
—

 
(2,131
)
Disposal related to sale of transloads
—

 
(2,116
)
Ending balance
$
25,825

 
$
18,413


The increase in liability is primarily attributable to additions due to increased environmental and acreage disturbance at certain plant sites and revisions of estimates of closure dates of certain plants sites.
NOTE N—FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3—Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Cash Equivalents
Due to the short-term maturity, we believe our cash equivalent instruments at December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximate their reported carrying values.
Long-Term Debt, Including Current Maturities
We believe that the fair values of our long-term debt, including current maturities, approximate their carrying values based on their effective interest rates compared to current market rates.
Changes in the fair value of the royalty note payable utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of future tonnages sold and average sales price. See Note K - Debt for more information on the change in fair value during the year ended December 31, 2019.

100


Derivative Instruments
The estimated fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded at each reporting period and are based upon widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative contract. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. We also incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our nonperformance risk as well as that of the respective counterparty in the fair value measurements.
Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default of ourselves and our counterparties. However, as of December 31, 2019, we have assessed that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions is not significant. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note O - Derivative Instruments for more information.    

NOTE O—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
We enter into interest rate swap agreements in connection with our Term Loan facility to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. The derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet within other current or long-term assets or liabilities based on maturity dates at their fair values. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of our interest rate swaps was a liability of $2.8 million and a liability of $1.3 million which are classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet. Our interest rate cap matured on June 30, 2019. At December 31, 2018, the fair value of our two interest rate swaps was a liability of $1.5 million and a liability of $0.7 million and were classified within other long-term liabilities on our balance sheet. The fair value of our interest rate cap was zero. We have designated the interest rate swap agreements as qualified cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and recognized in earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative instruments (in thousands, except contract/notional amount). See Note N - Fair Value Accounting for more information regarding the estimated fair values of our derivative instruments at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
Maturity
Date
 
Contract/Notional
Amount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
 
Maturity Date
 
Contract/Notional
Amount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
LIBOR(1) interest rate swap agreement
2020
 

$440
 million
 
$
(2,768
)
 
$
(2,768
)
 
 
2020
 

$440
 million
 
$
(1,475
)
 
$
(1,475
)
LIBOR(1) interest rate swap agreement
2020
 

$200
 million
 
$
(1,259
)
 
$
(1,259
)
 
 
2020
 

$200
 million
 
$
(663
)
 
$
(663
)
LIBOR interest rate cap agreement

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
2019
 

$249
 million
 
$
—

 
$
—

(1) Agreements fix the LIBOR interest rate base to 2.74%
On May 1, 2018, as a result of entering into the new Credit Agreement, we determined the existing interest rate cap derivative no longer qualified for hedge accounting. During the year ended December 31, 2018 we recognized $76 thousand of deferred losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we had no ineffectiveness for the interest rate swap derivatives.

101


The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments (in thousands) on our income statements and our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Deferred losses from derivatives in OCI, beginning of period
$
(1,621
)
 
$
(76
)
 
$
(32
)
(Loss) gain recognized in OCI from derivative instruments
(1,432
)
 
(1,622
)
 
(45
)
Loss reclassified from Accumulated OCI
—

 
77

 
1

Deferred losses from derivatives in OCI, end of period
$
(3,053
)
 
$
(1,621
)
 
$
(76
)


NOTE P—EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
In July 2011, we adopted the U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which was amended and restated in May 2015. The 2011 Plan provides for grants of stock options, restricted stock, performance share units and other incentive-based awards. We believe our 2011 Plan aligns the interests of our employees and directors with those of our common stockholders. At December 31, 2019, we have 1,769,759 shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2011 Plan. We use a combination of treasury stock and new shares if necessary to satisfy option exercises or vesting of restricted awards and performance share units.
Stock Options

The following table summarizes the status of, and changes in, our stock option awards during the year ended December 31, 2019:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
901,996

 
$
28.52

 
$
18,566

 
4.8 years
Granted
—

 
—

 
—

 

Exercised
(10,000
)
 
12.87

 
—

 

Forfeited
—

 
—

 
—

 

Expired
(65,338
)
 
$
25.16

 
$
—

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2019
826,658

 
$
28.97

 
$
—

 
4.1 years
Exercisable at December 31, 2019
826,658

 
$
28.97

 
$
11,557

 
4.1 years


There were no grants of stock options during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
There were 10,000, 4,167 and 43,774 stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $12 thousand, $0.1 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The tax benefit realized from stock option exercises was $3 thousand, $14 thousand and $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to these options. We recognized $1.4 million and $2.5 million of equity-based compensation expense related to options during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

102


Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
The following table summarizes the status of, and changes in, our unvested restricted stock awards during the year ended December 31, 2019:
 
Number of Shares
 
Grant Date Weighted
Average Fair Value
Unvested, December 31, 2018
587,577

 
$
25.18

Granted
814,387

 
13.42

Vested
(306,806
)
 
26.18

Forfeited
(74,910
)
 
20.09

Unvested, December 31, 2019
1,020,248

 
$
15.86


We granted 814,387, 415,110 and 156,164 restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fair value of the awards was based on the market price of our stock at date of grant.
We recognized $8.2 million, $7.6 million and $7.1 million of equity-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was $10.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
Performance Share Unit Awards
The following table summarizes the status of, and changes in, our performance share unit awards during the year ended December 31, 2019:
 
Number of Shares
 
Grant Date Weighted
Average Fair Value
Unvested, December 31, 2018
838,188

 
$
39.44

Granted
607,130

 
15.58

Vested
(523,368
)
 
37.83

Forfeited/Cancelled
(83,228
)
 
25.60

Unvested, December 31, 2019
838,722

 
$
18.00


We granted 607,130, 261,500 and 90,501 of performance share unit awards during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The grant date weighted average fair value of these awards was estimated to be $15.58, $31.24 and $67.69 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and the number of units that will vest will depend on the percentage ranking of the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") compared to the TSR for each of the companies in the peer group over the three year period from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021 for the 2019 grant, January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 for the 2018 grant, and from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 for the 2017 grant. The related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
The grant date fair value for these awards was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions. Our key assumptions in the model included the price and the expected volatility of our common stock and our self-determined peer group companies’ stock, risk-free rate of interest, dividend yields and cross-correlations between our common stock and our self-determined peer group companies' stock.
We recognized $7.7 million, $13.3 million and $15.5 million of compensation expense related to performance share unit awards during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was $7.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these performance share unit awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

103


NOTE Q—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Future Minimum Annual Commitments at December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
Minimum Purchase Commitments
2020
$
14,512

2021
9,253

2022
6,900

2023
6,900

2024
3,593

Thereafter
2,490

Total future purchase commitments
$
43,648


Minimum Purchase Commitments
We enter into service agreements with our transload and transportation service providers. Some of these agreements require us to purchase a minimum amount of services over a specific period of time. Any inability to meet these minimum contract requirements requires us to pay a shortfall fee, which is based on the difference between the minimum amount contracted for and the actual amount purchased.
Contingent Liability on Royalty Agreement
On May 17, 2017, we purchased reserves in Crane County, Texas, for $94.4 million cash consideration plus contingent consideration. The contingent consideration is a royalty that is based on the tonnage shipped to third-parties. Because the contingent consideration is dependent on future tonnage sold, the amounts of which are uncertain, it is not currently possible to estimate the fair value of these future payments. The contingent consideration will be capitalized at the time a payment is probable and reasonably estimable, and the related depletion expense will be adjusted prospectively.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
Our operating subsidiary, U.S. Silica Company (“U.S. Silica”), has been named as a defendant in various product liability claims alleging silica exposure causing silicosis. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, one, twenty and zero claims, respectively, were brought against U.S. Silica. As of December 31, 2019, there were 58 active silica-related products liability claims pending in which U.S. Silica is a defendant. Although the outcomes of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, in the opinion of management, it is not reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations that exceeds the accrual amounts.
We have recorded estimated liabilities for these claims in other long-term obligations as well as estimated recoveries under the indemnity agreement and an estimate of future recoveries under insurance in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, other non-current assets included zero for insurance for third-party products liability claims and other long-term obligations included $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for third-party products liability claims.
One of our subsidiaries has also been named as a defendant in lawsuits regarding certain labor practices. If we are unsuccessful in defending the litigation, these cases could result in a material liability for us.
Obligations Under Guarantees
We have indemnified our insurers against any loss they may incur in the event that holders of surety bonds, issued on our behalf, execute the bonds. As of December 31, 2019, there were $42.6 million in bonds outstanding. The majority of these bonds, $30.9 million relate to reclamation requirements issued by various government authorities. Reclamation bonds remain outstanding until the mining area is reclaimed and the authority issues a formal release. The remaining bonds relate to licenses, permits, and tax collections.

104


NOTE R— PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
We maintain single-employer noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees. There have been no new entrants to the U. S. Silica Company plan since May 2009 and to the EP Management Corporation plan since January 2007 for salaried participants and January 2010 for hourly participants when the plans were frozen to all new employees. The plans provide benefits based on each covered employee’s years of qualifying service. Our funding policy is to contribute amounts within the range of the minimum required and maximum deductible contributions for the plans consistent with a goal of appropriate minimization of the unfunded projected benefit obligations. The pension plans use a benefit level per year of service for covered hourly employees and a final average pay method for covered salaried employees. The plans use the projected unit credit cost method to determine the actuarial valuation.
We employ a total rate of return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed-income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth, value and small and large capitalizations. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies.
We employ a building block approach in determining the long-term rate of return for plan assets. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return is established via a building block approach with proper consideration of diversification and rebalancing. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to check for reasonability and appropriateness.
In addition, we provide defined benefit post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to some employees. Covered employees become eligible for these benefits at retirement after meeting minimum age and service requirements. The projected future cost of providing post-retirement benefits, such as healthcare and life insurance, is recognized as an expense as employees render services. We previously maintained a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association trust that was used to partially fund health care benefits for future retirees. Benefits were funded to the extent contributions were tax deductible, which under current legislation is limited. In 2017, the trust terminated upon depletion of its assets, which were used in accordance with trust terms. In general, retiree health benefits are paid as covered expenses are incurred.
Net pension benefit cost (in thousands) consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
Year Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
 
$
1,304

 
$
1,307

 
$
1,037

Interest cost
 
5,375

 
4,632

 
3,971

Expected return on plan assets
 
(6,171
)
 
(5,969
)
 
(5,265
)
Net amortization and deferral
 
1,648

 
2,526

 
1,773

Net pension benefit costs
 
$
2,156

 
$
2,496

 
$
1,516


Net post-retirement benefit cost (in thousands) consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Service cost
 
$
88

 
$
102

 
$
107

Interest cost
 
789

 
740

 
753

Expected return on plan assets
 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss
 
(29
)
 
—

 
—

Net post-retirement benefit costs
 
$
848

 
$
842

 
$
859




105


The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets (in thousands), as well as the funded status (in thousands) of our pension and post-retirement plans at December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Post-retirement Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Benefit obligation at January 1,
$
138,900

 
$
122,052

 
$
21,570

 
$
22,771

Service cost
1,304

 
1,307

 
88

 
102

Interest cost
5,375

 
4,632

 
789

 
740

Actuarial (gain) loss
17,225

 
(10,263
)
 
206

 
(965
)
Benefits paid
(14,922
)
 
(8,202
)
 
(815
)
 
(1,499
)
Other(1)
609

 
29,374

 
216

 
421

Benefit obligation at December 31,
$
148,491

 
$
138,900

 
$
22,054

 
$
21,570

Fair value of plan assets at January 1,
$
102,396

 
$
92,067

 
$
—

 
$
—

Actual return on plan assets
17,919

 
(6,204
)
 
—

 
—

Employer contributions
4,755

 
3,350

 
599

 
1,078

Benefits paid
(14,922
)
 
(8,202
)
 
(815
)
 
(1,499
)
Other(1)
283

 
21,385

 
216

 
421

Fair value of plan assets at December 31,
$
110,431

 
$
102,396

 
$
—

 
$
—

Plan assets less than benefit obligations at December 31 recognized as liability for pension and other post-retirement benefits
$
(38,060
)
 
$
(36,504
)
 
$
(22,054
)
 
$
(21,570
)
(1
)
Includes opening pension benefit obligation and plan assets balances related to the May 1, 2018, EPMH acquisition and other adjustments.

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plans, which excludes the assumption of future salary increases, totaled $148.5 million and $138.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
We also sponsor unfunded, nonqualified pension plans. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for these plans were $1.6 million, $1.6 million and zero, respectively, at December 31, 2019 and $1.5 million, $1.5 million and zero. respectively, at December 31, 2018.
Future estimated annual benefit payments (in thousands) for pension and post-retirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2019 are as follows:
 
Benefits
 
 
 
Post-retirement
 
Pension
 
Before
Medicare
Subsidy
 
After
Medicare
Subsidy
2020
$
10,025

 
$
1,601

 
$
1,431

2021
9,221

 
1,669

 
1,502

2022
9,195

 
1,686

 
1,520

2023
9,208

 
1,659

 
1,492

2024
9,551

 
1,677

 
1,513

2025-2029
45,386

 
7,526

 
6,677


Our best estimate of expected contributions to the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans for the 2020 fiscal year are $5.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

106


The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost (in thousands) during the following fiscal year are as follows:
 
Benefits
 
Pension
 
Post-retirement
 
Total
Net actuarial loss
$
2,532

 
$
—

 
$
2,532

Prior service cost
534

 
—

 
534

 
$
3,066

 
$
—

 
$
3,066


The total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to net actuarial loss, net of tax, for the pension and post-retirement plans was $22.1 million and $17.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to prior service cost, net of tax, for the pension and post-retirement plans, was $2.2 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine our obligations under the plans:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Post-retirement Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Discount rate
3.2
%
 
4.4
%
 
3.2
%
 
4.3
%
Long-term rate of compensation increase
3.0%-3.5%

 
3.0%-3.5%

 
N/A

 
N/A

Long-term rate of return on plan assets
6.3
%
 
6.25%-7.15%

 
N/A

 
N/A

Health care cost trend rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-65 initial rate/ultimate rate
N/A

 
N/A

 
7.0%/4.5%

 
7.3%/4.5%

Pre-65 ultimate year
N/A

 
N/A

 
—

 
—

Post-65 initial rate/ultimate rate
N/A

 
N/A

 
7.5%/4.5%

 
8.0%/4.5%

Post-65 ultimate year
N/A

 
N/A

 
2026/2027

 
2026/2027


The weighted average discount rate used to determine the projected pension and post-retirement obligations was updated to 3.2% at December 31, 2019 from 4.4% at December 31, 2018. The discount rate reflects the expected long-term rates of return with maturities comparable to payments for the plan obligations utilizing Aon Hewitt's AA Above Medium Curve.
Mortality tables used for pension benefits and post-retirement benefits plans are the following:
 
Pension and Post-retirement Benefits
 
2019
 
2018
Healthy Lives
Pri-2012 base mortality tables with generational mortality improvements using Scale MP-2019
 
RP-2014 mortality table, adjusted back to 2006 base rates, with generational mortality improvements using Scale MP-2018
Disabled Lives
Pri-2012 base mortality tables with generational mortality improvements using Scale MP-2019

 
RP-2014 disabled retiree mortality table, adjusted back to 2006 base rates, with generational mortality improvements using Scale MP-2018


107


Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects (in thousands):
 
One-Percentage-Point
 
Increase
 
Decrease
Effect on total of service and interest cost
$
100

 
$
(85
)
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation
2,341

 
(2,010
)

The major investment categories and their relative percentage of the fair value of total plan assets as invested at December 31, 2019, and 2018 are as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Post-retirement Benefits(1)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Equity securities
52.1
%
 
42.1
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Debt securities
46.6
%
 
55.5
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Cash
1.3
%
 
2.4
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
(1
)
Retiree health benefits are paid by the Company as covered expenses are incurred.



108


The fair values of the pension plan assets (in thousands) at December 31, 2019, by asset category, are as follows:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
1,385

 
$
—

 
$
1,385

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diversified emerging markets
4,942

 
—

 
—

 
4,942

Foreign large blend
19,183

 
—

 
—

 
19,183

Large-cap blend
20,738

 
—

 
—

 
20,738

Mid-cap blend
8,416

 
—

 
—

 
8,416

Real estate
4,309

 
—

 
—

 
4,309

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate notes and bonds
37,664

 
—

 
—

 
37,664

U.S. Treasuries
10,894

 
—

 
—

 
10,894

Mortgage-backed securities
—

 
2,496

 
—

 
2,496

Asset-backed securities
—

 
404

 
—

 
404

Net asset
$
106,146

 
$
4,285

 
$
—

 
$
110,431

The fair values of the pension plan assets (in thousands) at December 31, 2018, by asset category, are as follows:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
2,449

 
$
—

 
$
2,449

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diversified emerging markets
6,638

 
—

 
—

 
6,638

Foreign large blend
11,689

 
—

 
—

 
11,689

Large-cap blend
14,226

 
—

 
—

 
14,226

Mid-cap blend
6,819

 
—

 
—

 
6,819

Small-cap blend
522

 
—

 
—

 
522

Real estate
3,192

 
—

 
—

 
3,192

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate notes and bonds
43,745

 
—

 
—

 
43,745

U.S. Treasuries
8,486

 
—

 
—

 
8,486

Mortgage-backed securities
—

 
3,578

 
—

 
3,578

Asset-backed securities
—

 
1,052

 
—

 
1,052

Net asset
$
95,317

 
$
7,079

 
$
—

 
$
102,396


We contribute to three multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements for union-represented employees. A multiemployer plan is subject to collective bargaining for employees of two or more unrelated companies. These plans allow multiple employers to pool their pension resources and realize efficiencies associated with the daily administration of the plan. Multiemployer plans are generally governed by a board of trustees composed of management and labor representatives and are funded through employer contributions. However, in most cases, management is not directly represented.
The risks of participating in multiemployer plans differ from single employer plans as follows: 1) assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, 2) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, and 3) if we cease to have an obligation to contribute to one or more of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

109


A summary of each multiemployer pension plan for which we participate is presented below:
Pension
Fund
EIN/ Pension
Plan No.
 
Pension Protection Act
Zone Status(1)
 
FIP/RP  Status
Pending/
Implemented
 
Company
Contributions
(in thousands)
 
Surcharge
Imposed
 
Expiration
Date of
CBA
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
LIUNA
52-6074345/001
 
Red
 
Red
 
Yes
 
$
385

 
$
573

 
$
223

 
Yes
 
5/31/2020
IUOE
36-6052390/001
 
Green
 
Green
 
No
 
310

 
1,385

 
40

 
No
 
7/31/2022
CSSS(2)
36-6044243/001
 
Red
 
Red
 
Yes
 
51

 
51

 
51

 
NA
 
NA
 
(1)
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 defines the zone status as follows: green—healthy, yellow—endangered, orange—seriously endangered and red—critical.
(2)
In 2011, we withdrew from the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan. The withdrawal liability of $1.0 million will be paid in monthly installments of $4,000 until 2031.
Our contributions to individual multiemployer pension funds did not exceed 5% of the fund’s total contributions for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. Additionally, our contributions to multiemployer post-retirement benefit plans were immaterial for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
We also sponsor a defined contribution plan covering certain employees. We contribute to the plan in two ways. For certain employees not covered by the defined benefit plan, we make a contribution equal to 4% of their salary. We may also contribute an employee discretionary match of up to 50 cents for each dollar contributed by an employee, up to 4% of their earnings. Finally, for some employees, we make a catch-up match of one dollar for each dollar contributed by an employee, up to 6% of catch-up contributions. Contributions were $6.1 million, $2.6 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
NOTE S— LEASES
We lease railroad cars, office space, mining property, mining/processing equipment, and transportation and other equipment. The majority of our leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 20 years. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, the latter of which are generally accounted for separately.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases (in thousands except for term and rate information) was as follows:
Leases
Classification
December 31, 2019
Assets
 
 
Operating
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
53,098

     Total leased assets
 
$
53,098

Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
 
Operating
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
$
53,587

Non-Current
 
 
Operating
Operating lease liabilities
117,964

     Total lease liabilities
 
$
171,551


We recorded impairment charges of approximately $115.4 million related to the write down of value in the sand railcar fleet to their estimated fair value. These charges relate mainly to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note Z - Impairments for additional information.

Operating lease liabilities are based on the net present value of the remaining lease payments over the remaining lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, in determining the lease liability and the present value of lease payments, we used our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date. The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate as of December 31, 2019 related to leases are as follows:
Lease Term and Discount Rate
 
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
 
     Operating leases
4.5 years

 
 
Weighted average discount rate:
 
     Operating leases
5.7
%

The components of lease expense included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
Lease Costs
Classification
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Operating lease costs (1)
Cost of Sales
$
88,966

Operating lease costs (2)
Selling, general, and administrative
3,993

Right-of-use asset impairment
Goodwill and other asset impairments
115,443

Total
 
$
208,402

(1) Includes short-term operating lease costs of $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
(2) Includes short-term operating lease costs of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 
     Operating cash flows for operating leases
$
74,740

 
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities:
 
     Operating leases
$
232,123


Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019:
Maturities of lease liabilities
Operating leases
2020
$
63,337

2021
44,276

2022
33,526

2023
22,380

2024
16,236

Thereafter
22,284

     Total lease payments
$
202,039

Less: Interest
30,488

     Total
$
171,551



NOTE T— INCOME TAXES
We evaluate our deferred tax assets periodically to determine if valuation allowances are required. Ultimately, the realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income during those periods in which temporary differences become deductible and/or credits can be utilized. To this end, management considers the level of historical taxable income, the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax-planning strategies and projected future taxable income. Based on these considerations, and the carry-forward availability of a portion of the deferred tax assets, management believes it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets.

110


Income tax benefit (in thousands) consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
—

 
$
1,076

 
$
(10,754
)
State
(1,188
)
 
(2,496
)
 
(1,167
)
Foreign
(1,343
)
 
(518
)
 
—

 
(2,531
)
 
(1,938
)
 
(11,921
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
90,457

 
25,578

 
22,641

State
11,225

 
5,492

 
(2,040
)
Foreign
—

 
—

 
—

 
101,682

 
31,070

 
20,601

Income tax benefit
$
99,151

 
$
29,132

 
$
8,680


Income tax benefit (in thousands) differed from the amount that would be provided by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 due to the following:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Income tax (expense) benefit computed at U.S. federal statutory rate
$
90,070

 
$
48,290

 
$
(47,784
)
Decrease (increase) resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory depletion
4,679

 
12,090

 
20,259

Goodwill impairment
—

 
(29,157
)
 
—

Prior year tax return reconciliation
3,121

 
530

 
219

State income taxes, net of federal benefit
9,486

 
2,592

 
(2,267
)
Adjustment to deferred taxes from the Tax Act rate reduction
—

 
—

 
35,772

Equity compensation
(6,440
)
 
(653
)
 
2,602

Other, net
(1,765
)
 
(4,560
)
 
(121
)
Income tax benefit
$
99,151

 
$
29,132

 
$
8,680


The largest permanent item in computing both our effective tax rate and taxable income is the deduction allowed for statutory percentage depletion. The deduction for statutory percentage depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income before income taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the tax effect of the goodwill impairment described in Note I - Goodwill and Intangible Assets is a significant permanent item in the effective tax rate calculation.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects, based on enacted tax laws, of temporary differences between the values of assets and liabilities recorded for financial reporting and for tax purposes and of net operating loss and other carry forwards.

111


The tax effects of the types of temporary differences and carry forwards that gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands) at December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following:
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Gross deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Net operating loss carry forward and state tax credits
$
32,173

 
$
11,089

Pension and post-retirement benefit costs
13,976

 
13,303

Alternative minimum tax credit carry forward
7,895

 
15,971

Property, plant and equipment
7,179

 
5,474

Accrued expenses
15,336

 
27,025

Inventories
6,507

 
774

Third-party products liability
236

 
231

Stock-based compensation expense
2,390

 
8,199

Note payable
109

 
3,724

Interest expense limitation
22,324

 
—

Lease obligation liability
29,604

 
—

Other
5,191

 
8,116

Total deferred tax assets
142,920

 
93,906

Gross deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Land and mineral property basis difference
(124,182
)
 
(165,002
)
Fixed assets and depreciation
(44,314
)
 
(55,596
)
Intangibles
(12,541
)
 
(10,346
)
Other
(468
)
 
(201
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(181,505
)
 
(231,145
)
Net deferred tax liabilities
$
(38,585
)
 
$
(137,239
)

We have federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $122.3 million at December 31, 2019. The losses will expire in years 2028 through 2037. The losses are subject to an annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, but are expected to be fully realized. Under the Tax Act, net operating loss (NOL) deductions arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 can only offset up to 80 percent of future taxable income. The Act also prohibits NOL carrybacks, but allows indefinite carryforwards for NOLs arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Net operating losses arising before January 1, 2018 are accounted for under the previous tax rules that imposed no limit on the amount of the taxable income that can be set off using NOLs (except for a 90 percent limit for AMT carryforwards) and that can be carried back 2 years and carried forward 20 years.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we have an alternative minimum tax credit carry forward of approximately $16.2 million and $16.0 million, respectively. The Tax Act repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, but allows an entity to claim portions of any unused AMT credits over the next four years to offset its regular tax liability. An entity with unused AMT credits as of December 31, 2017 can first use these credits to offset its regular tax for 2017 and can then claim up to 50 percent of the remaining AMT credits in 2018, 2019, and 2020, with all remaining AMT credits refundable in 2021. Based on the Tax Act repeal of AMT, $8.1 million was reclassified from deferred tax assets to other receivables. See Note F - Accounts Receivable.
At the end of each reporting period as presented, there were no material amounts of interest and penalties recognized in the statement of operations or balance sheets. We have no material unrecognized tax benefits or any known material tax contingencies at December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018 and do not expect this to change significantly within the next twelve months. Tax returns filed with the IRS for the years 2016 through 2018 along with tax returns filed with numerous state entities remain subject to examination.
NOTE U— REVENUE
We consider sales disaggregated at the product and service level by business segment to depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flow are impacted by changes in economic factors. The following table reflects our sales disaggregated by major source for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

112


 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Category
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
 
Industrial & Specialty Products
 
Total Sales
Oil & Gas Proppants
 
Industrial & Specialty Products
 
Total Sales
Product
 
$
704,516

 
$
463,956

 
$
1,168,472

$
888,509

 
$
394,290

 
$
1,282,799

Service
 
306,005

 
—

 
306,005

294,482

 
17

 
294,499

Total Sales
 
$
1,010,521

 
$
463,956

 
$
1,474,477

$
1,182,991

 
$
394,307

 
$
1,577,298


The following tables reflect the changes in our contract assets, which we classify as unbilled receivables and our contract liabilities, which we classify as deferred revenues, for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 
Unbilled Receivables
 
 
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Beginning Balance
 
$
90

$
5,245

Reclassifications to billed receivables
 
(3,983
)
(11,157
)
Revenues recognized in excess of period billings
 
4,037

6,002

Ending Balance
 
$
144

$
90

    
 
 
Deferred Revenue
 
 
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Beginning Balance
 
$
113,319

$
118,414

Revenues recognized from balances held at the beginning of the period
 
(65,225
)
(33,381
)
Revenues deferred from period collections on unfulfilled performance obligations
 
12,225

31,625

Revenues recognized from period collections
 
(9,685
)
(3,339
)
Ending Balance
 
$
50,634

$
113,319


We have elected to use the practical expedients allowed under ASC 606-10-50-14, pursuant to which we have excluded disclosures of transaction prices allocated to remaining performance obligations and when we expect to recognize such revenue. The majority of our remaining performance obligations are primarily comprised of unfulfilled product, transportation service, and labor service orders, all of which hold a remaining duration of less than one year. The long term portion of deferred revenue primarily represents a combination of refundable and nonrefundable customer prepayments for which related current performance obligations do not yet exist, but are expected to arise, before the expiration of the contract. Our residual unfulfilled performance obligations are comprised primarily of long-term equipment rental arrangements in which we recognize revenues equal to what we have a right to invoice. Generally, no variable consideration exists related to our remaining performance obligations and no consideration is excluded from the associated transaction prices. However, the decrease in the current year deferred revenue balance is partially attributable to revenue recognized as variable consideration from shortfall penalties assessed to multiple customers according to contract terms as of December 31, 2019. During 2019, the Company recognized revenue as variable consideration from shortfall penalties according to contract terms in the amount of $70.6 million. In some cases, amounts recorded are estimates which are in negotiation and may increase or decrease.
Foreign Operations
Foreign operations constituted approximately $92.8 million and $66.9 million of our consolidated sales; $27.7 million and $7.3 million of consolidated assets; $7.0 million and $5.9 million of pre-tax income and $5.5 million and $4.7 million of net income as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We had no significant foreign operations during the year ended December 31, 2017.

NOTE V— RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A former employee, who was an officer of one of our operating subsidiaries prior to the third quarter of 2018, held an ownership interest in a transportation brokerage and logistics services vendor, from which we made purchases of approximately $2.9 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and, 2017, respectively. There were no related party transactions during the year ended December 31, 2019.

113



NOTE W— SEGMENT REPORTING
Our business is organized into two reportable segments, Oil & Gas Proppants and Industrial & Specialty Products, based on end markets. The reportable segments are consistent with how management views the markets that we serve and the financial information reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. We manage our Oil & Gas Proppants and Industrial & Specialty Products businesses as components of an enterprise for which separate information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
In the Oil & Gas Proppants segment, we serve the oil and gas recovery market primarily by providing and delivering fracturing sand, or “frac sand,” which is pumped down oil and natural gas wells to prop open rock fissures and increase the flow rate of oil and natural gas from the wells.
The Industrial & Specialty Products segment consists of over 400 product types and materials used in a variety of markets including building and construction products, fillers and extenders, filtration, glassmaking, absorbents, foundry, and sports and recreation.
An operating segment’s performance is primarily evaluated based on segment contribution margin, which excludes selling, general, and administrative costs, corporate costs, plant capacity expansion expenses, and facility closure costs. We believe that segment contribution margin, as defined above, is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our segments. However, segment contribution margin is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not a substitute for, or superior to, net income (loss) or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The other accounting policies of each of the two reportable segments are the same as those in Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table presents sales and segment contribution margin (in thousands) for the reportable segments and other operating results not allocated to the reported segments for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
Year Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
 
$
1,010,521

 
$
1,182,991

 
$
1,020,365

Industrial & Specialty Products
 
463,956

 
394,307

 
220,486

Total sales
 
1,474,477

 
1,577,298

 
1,240,851

Segment contribution margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil & Gas Proppants
 
248,594

 
357,846

 
301,972

Industrial & Specialty Products
 
178,215

 
155,084

 
88,781

Total segment contribution margin
 
426,809

 
512,930

 
390,753

Operating activities excluded from segment cost of sales(1)
 
(85,625
)
 
(98,761
)
 
(16,722
)
Selling, general and administrative
 
(150,848
)
 
(146,971
)
 
(107,056
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
(179,444
)
 
(148,832
)
 
(97,233
)
Goodwill and other asset impairments
 
(363,847
)
 
(281,899
)
 
—

Interest expense
 
(95,472
)
 
(70,564
)
 
(31,342
)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income
 
19,519

 
4,144

 
(1,874
)
Income tax benefit
 
99,151

 
29,132

 
8,680

Net (loss) income
 
$
(329,757
)
 
$
(200,821
)
 
$
145,206

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
 
(675
)
 
(13
)
 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
$
(329,082
)
 
$
(200,808
)
 
$
145,206


(1)
2019 and 2018 mainly driven by plant capacity expansion expenses, amortization of purchase accounting inventory fair value step-up, and facility closure costs.


114


Asset information, including capital expenditures and depreciation, depletion, and amortization, by segment is not included in reports used by management in its monitoring of performance and, therefore, is not reported by segment. At December 31, 2019, goodwill of $273.5 million has been allocated to these segments with $86.1 million assigned to Oil & Gas Proppants and $187.4 million to Industrial & Specialty Products. At December 31, 2018, goodwill of $261.3 million had been allocated to these segments with $86.1 million assigned to Oil & Gas Proppants and $175.2 million to Industrial & Specialty Products.

NOTE X— UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following table sets forth our unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations (in thousands, except per share data) for each of the four quarters in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. This unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as our annual audited financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the financial information for the fiscal quarters presented.
 
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
2019
(Unaudited)
Sales:
 
 
 
 
Product
$
296,860

$
303,041

$
287,977

$
280,594

Service
81,890

91,813

73,837

58,465

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization):
 
 
 
 
Product
234,916

225,473

226,797

212,905

Service
62,622

68,687

56,836

45,057

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
34,656

38,659

40,208

37,325

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
44,600

44,899

47,126

42,819

Goodwill and other asset impairments
—

—

130

363,717

Total operating expenses
79,256

83,558

87,464

443,861

Operating (loss) income
1,956

17,136

(9,283
)
(362,764
)
Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(23,978
)
(23,765
)
(24,733
)
(22,996
)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income
722

15,074

3,280

443

Total other expense
(23,256
)
(8,691
)
(21,453
)
(22,553
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
(21,300
)
8,445

(30,736
)
(385,317
)
Income tax benefit
1,972

(2,384
)
7,671

91,892

Net (loss) income
(19,328
)
6,061

(23,065
)
(293,425
)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(4
)
(89
)
(28
)
(554
)
Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
$
(19,324
)
$
6,150

$
(23,037
)
$
(292,871
)
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) earnings per share, basic
$
(0.26
)
$
0.08

$
(0.31
)
$
(4.00
)
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted
$
(0.26
)
$
0.08

$
(0.31
)
$
(4.00
)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic
73,040

73,301

73,328

73,343

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted
73,040

73,505

73,328

73,343

Dividends declared per share
$
0.06

$
0.06

$
0.06

$
0.06

 
 
 
 
 
 
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
2018
(Unaudited)
Sales:
 
 
 
 
Product
$
294,788

$
345,957

$
348,635

$
293,419

Service
74,525

81,476

74,537

63,961



115


Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization):
 
 
 
 
Product
207,239

236,236

270,370

241,624

Service
53,671

56,609

51,966

45,414

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
34,591

42,232

37,980

32,168

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
28,592

36,563

37,150

46,527

Goodwill and other asset impairments
—

16,184

—

265,715

Total operating expenses
63,183

94,979

75,130

344,410

Operating (loss) income
45,220

39,609

25,706

(274,068
)
Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(7,070
)
(20,214
)
(21,999
)
(21,281
)
Other income (expense), net, including interest income
665

1,081

1,062

1,336

Total other expense
(6,405
)
(19,133
)
(20,937
)
(19,945
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
38,815

20,476

4,769

(294,013
)
Income tax benefit
(7,521
)
(2,832
)
1,547

37,938

Net (loss) income
31,294

17,644

6,316

(256,075
)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
—

—

—

(13
)
Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
$
31,294

$
17,644

$
6,316

$
(256,062
)
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share, basic
$
0.39

$
0.23

$
0.08

$
(3.44
)
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted
$
0.39

$
0.22

$
0.08

$
(3.44
)
Weighted average shares, basic
79,496

77,784

77,365

74,485

Weighted average shares, diluted
80,309

78,480

77,859

74,485

Dividends declared per share
$
0.06

$
0.06

$
0.06

$
0.06





NOTE Y— PARENT COMPANY FINANCIALS

U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

116


 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(in thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
51,849

 
$
107,151

Due from affiliates
138,988

 
100,094

Total current assets
190,837

 
207,245

Investment in subsidiaries
530,830

 
850,099

Total assets
$
721,667

 
$
1,057,344

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
129

 
$
217

Dividends payable
4,958

 
4,823

Total current liabilities
5,087

 
5,040

Total liabilities
5,087

 
5,040

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock
—

 
—

Common stock
823

 
818

Additional paid-in capital
1,185,116

 
1,169,383

Retained (deficit) earnings
(279,956
)
 
67,854

Treasury stock, at cost
(180,912
)
 
(178,215
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(19,854
)
 
(15,020
)
Total U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. stockholders’ equity
705,217

 
1,044,820

Non-controlling interest
11,363

 
7,484

Total stockholders' equity
716,580

 
1,052,304

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
721,667

 
$
1,057,344











117


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in thousands)
Sales
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Cost of sales
—

 
—

 
—

Operating expenses

 

 

Selling, general and administrative
253

 
254

 
252

Total operating expenses
253

 
254

 
252

Operating loss
(253
)
 
(254
)
 
(252
)
Other income (expense)

 

 

Interest income
1,440

 
2,784

 
3,854

Total other income
1,440

 
2,784

 
3,854

Income before income taxes and equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
1,187

 
2,530

 
3,602

Income tax expense
(327
)
 
(696
)
 
(1,453
)
Income before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
860

 
1,834

 
2,149

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax
(330,617
)
 
(202,655
)
 
143,057

Net (loss) income
(329,757
)
 
(200,821
)
 
145,206

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(675
)
 
(13
)
 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
(329,082
)
 
(200,808
)
 
145,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
(329,757
)
 
(200,821
)
 
145,206

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives (net of tax of $(456),$(470), and $(27) for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively)
(1,432
)
 
(1,545
)
 
(44
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (net of tax of $(60), $(196), and $2 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
(188
)
 
(614
)
 
(6
)
Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1,024), $339, and $1,205 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
(3,214
)
 
1,065

 
2,000

Comprehensive (loss) income
(334,591
)
 
(201,915
)
 
147,156

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
(675
)
 
(13
)
 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
(333,916
)
 
(201,902
)
 
147,156










118


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(amounts in thousands)
Par Value
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Retained Earnings - Present
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total U.S. Silica, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Non-controlling Interest
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance at January 1, 2017
$
811

 
$
(3,869
)
 
$
1,129,051

 
$
163,173

 
$
(15,876
)
 
$
1,273,290

$
—

$
1,273,290

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
145,206

 
—

 
145,206

—

145,206

Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(44
)
 
(44
)
—

(44
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
—

(6
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,000

 
2,000

—

2,000

Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(20,387
)
 
—

 
(20,387
)
—

(20,387
)
Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity-based compensation
—

 
—

 
25,050

 
—

 
—

 
25,050

—

25,050

Proceeds from options exercised
—

 
1,190

 
(392
)
 
—

 
—

 
798

—

798

Issuance of restricted stock
—

 
1,859

 
(1,859
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

—

—

Shares withheld for employee taxes related to vested restricted stock and stock units
1

 
386

 
(4,766
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4,379
)
—

(4,379
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
 
(25,022
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(25,022
)
—

(25,022
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
812

 
$
(25,456
)
 
$
1,147,084

 
$
287,992

 
$
(13,926
)
 
$
1,396,506

$
—

$
1,396,506

Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(200,808
)
 
—

 
(200,808
)
(13
)
(200,821
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,545
)
 
(1,545
)
—

(1,545
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(614
)
 
(614
)
—

(614
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,065

 
1,065

—

1,065

Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(19,330
)
 
—

 
(19,330
)
—

(19,330
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

7,497

7,497

Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity-based compensation
—

 
—

 
22,337

 
—

 
—

 
22,337

—

22,337

Proceeds from options exercised
—

 
93

 
(32
)
 
—

 
—

 
61

—

61

Shares withheld for employee taxes related to vested restricted stock and stock units
6

 
(4,383
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4,383
)
—

(4,383
)
Repurchase of common stock
—

 
(148,469
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(148,469
)
—

(148,469
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
818

 
$
(178,215
)
 
$
1,169,383

 
$
67,854

 
$
(15,020
)
 
$
1,044,820

$
7,484

$
1,052,304

Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(329,082
)
 
—

 
(329,082
)
(675
)
(329,757
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,432
)
 
(1,432
)
—

(1,432
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(188
)
 
(188
)
—

(188
)
Pension and post-retirement liability
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,214
)
 
(3,214
)
—

(3,214
)
Cash dividend declared ($0.25 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(18,728
)
 
—

 
(18,728
)
—

(18,728
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

4,554

4,554

Common stock-based compensation plans activity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


119


Equity-based compensation
—

 
—

 
15,906

 
—

 
—

 
15,906

—

15,906

Proceeds from options exercised
—

 
296

 
(168
)
 
—

 
—

 
128

—

128

Shares withheld for employee taxes related to vested restricted stock and stock units
5

 
(2,993
)
 
(5
)
 
—

 
—

 
(2,993
)
—

(2,993
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
823

 
$
(180,912
)
 
$
1,185,116

 
$
(279,956
)
 
$
(19,854
)
 
$
705,217

$
11,363

$
716,580




120


U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in thousands)
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(329,757
)
 
$
(200,821
)
 
$
145,206

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed loss (income) from equity method investment, net
330,617

 
202,655

 
(143,057
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(88
)
 
(295
)
 
48

Net cash provided by operating activities
772

 
1,539

 
2,197

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in subsidiary
—

 
—

 
(143,654
)
Net cash used in investing activities
—

 
—

 
(143,654
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(18,592
)
 
(19,912
)
 
(20,377
)
Repurchase of common stock
—

 
(148,469
)
 
(25,022
)
Proceeds from options exercised
128

 
61

 
798

Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock and stock units
(2,993
)
 
(4,383
)
 
(4,379
)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
4,554

 
7,497

 
—

Net financing activities with subsidiaries
(39,171
)
 
40,171

 
(113,294
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(56,074
)
 
(125,035
)
 
(162,274
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(55,302
)
 
(123,496
)
 
(303,731
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
107,151

 
230,647

 
534,378

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
51,849

 
$
107,151

 
$
230,647

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash (received) paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
(1,440
)
 
$
(2,784
)
 
$
(3,853
)


Notes to Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant (Parent Company Only)
These condensed parent company only financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X, because the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X) exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company. The ability of the Company's operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to the terms of the Company's Credit Facility, as discussed in Note K - Debt to these financial statements.    
These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting principles and policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements; the only exceptions are that (a) the parent company accounts for its subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting, (b) taxes are allocated to the parent from the subsidiary using the separate return method, and (c) intercompany loans are not eliminated. In the parent company financial statements, the Company's investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since the date of acquisition. These condensed parent company financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
No cash dividends were paid to the parent by its consolidated entities for the years presented in the condensed financial statements.

121


NOTE Z— IMPAIRMENTS
During the fourth quarter of 2019, similar to the fourth quarter of 2018, we experienced a sharp decline in customer demand for Northern White frac sand and for regional non-in-basin frac sand as more tons are produced and sold in-basin. Additionally, the price of frac sand decreased significantly. Given the changes in demand and customer preferences of local in-basin sand, we also experienced a significant decline in the utilization of the sand railcar fleet in our transload network. A significant number of sand railcars have been put into storage and are no longer used to deliver sand to our customers. In response to these economic conditions, we implemented numerous cost reductions including headcount reductions and a reduction of frac sand capacity at multiple locations.
    
As a result of the events described above, we have recorded impairment charges (in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for the following assets:
Description
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Inventories, net
$
4,100

$
3,316

Property, plant and mine development, net
243,064

109,938

Operating lease right-of-use assets
115,443

—

Goodwill
—

164,167

Intangible assets, net
1,240

4,478

Total
$
363,847

$
281,899



2019 Impairments

As a result of triggering events described above, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed an impairment assessment of our frac sand-related assets, including plant, property and mine development, right-of-use assets, inventories, and other intangible assets.

Inventories, net

We recorded impairment charges for unused inventory at frac sand plants we idled. These charges relate to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Property, plant and mine development
We estimated the future undiscounted net cash flows of asset groupings, which are at the plant level, using estimates of proven and probable sand reserves, estimated future sales prices (considering historical and current prices, price trends and related factors) and operating costs and anticipated capital expenditures. In the cases where the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, we recognized an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. Impairment charges of approximately $243.1 million were recorded mainly related to facilities that have reduced capacity or have been idled, including Tyler, Texas, Sparta, Wisconsin, and Utica, Illinois. These charges relate to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Operating lease right-of-use assets

We determined the fair value of the railcars primarily utilizing internally developed cash flow models and quoted market prices, discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. As a result, we recognized impairment charges of approximately $115.4 million to write down the value of railcars to their estimated fair value. These charges relate mainly to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Intangible assets, net

We recorded a $1.2 million impairment of customer relationships related to the Oil & Gas segment that was recorded in the "Goodwill and other asset impairments" caption of our Consolidated Statements of Operations.


122


2018 Impairments

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we experienced a declining shift in demand for Northern White sand caused by some of our customers shifting to local in-basin frac sands with lower logistics costs. Our largest customer at our Voca, Texas plant did not renew their contract, instead opting to sign a new contract with us for local in-basin frac sand. Additionally, Northern White Sand operations and reserves in Fairchild, Wisconsin and Peru, Illinois experienced a similar significant fourth quarter decline in demand due to customers' shift to local in-basin sand closer to their operations.

As a result of these triggering events, we completed an impairment assessment of our frac sand-related assets, including plant, property and mine development, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Inventories, net

We recorded impairment charges for unused inventory related to the closure of our resin coating facility and associated product portfolio. These charges relate to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Property, plant and mine development
We estimated the future undiscounted net cash flows of asset groupings using estimates of proven and probable sand reserves, estimated future sales prices (considering historical and current prices, price trends and related factors) and operating costs and anticipated capital expenditures. In the cases where the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, we recognized an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. Impairment charges of approximately $109.9 million were recorded mainly related to facilities that have reduced capacity, have been idled or were undeveloped, including Voca, Texas, Fairchild, Wisconsin, Rochelle, Illinois, and Peru, Illinois. These charges relate to the Oil & Gas Segment and are recorded in "Goodwill and other asset impairments" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

We performed a quantitative analysis and determined that the goodwill of our Oil & Gas Sand reporting unit was impaired. We recognized goodwill impairment charges of $164.2 million and intangible asset impairment charges related to trade names of $4.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2018. These impairment charges were recorded in the "Goodwill and other asset impairments" caption of our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of our reporting units was determined using a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the market multiples approach.

NOTE AA-SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 3, 2020, we paid a cash dividend of $4.6 million or $0.0625 per share to common stockholders of record on December 13, 2019, which had been declared by our Board of Directors on November 12, 2019.
On February 10, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share to common stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2020, payable on April 3, 2020.

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None. 

ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or

123


submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, under the direction of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).
Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the framework in 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). As noted in the COSO framework, an internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding achievement of an entity's financial reporting objectives. We acquired the ultimate parent company of EP Minerals, LLC ("EPM") on May 1, 2018 and have integrated EPM processes, information technology systems and other components of internal control over financial reporting into our internal control structure as of December 31, 2019. Based upon the evaluation under this framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, as stated in its report below.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than continued integration of EPM as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


124



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our report dated February 25, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Houston, Texas
February 25, 2020

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable. 

PART III

125


ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item with respect to directors and corporate governance will be set forth under “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item with respect to executive officers of U.S. Silica, pursuant to instruction 3 of paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, is set forth following Part I, Item 1. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Executive Officers of the Registrant”. 
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be set forth under “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Report of Compensation Committee” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be set forth under “Stock Ownership” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is furnished as a separate item captioned “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” included in Part II, Item 5. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item will be set forth under “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Determination of Independence” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item will be set forth under “Ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

126


PART IV.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements, together with the report thereon of Grant Thornton LLP, dated February 25, 2020, are included as part of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
Page

Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.) at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is included in Note Y - Parent Company Financial Statements to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Exhibits
The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibit Index included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Description
 
Form
 
File No.
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 22, 2018, by and among EP Acquisition Parent, Inc. US Silica Company, Tranquility Acquisition Corp., EPMC Parent LLC, as the Stockholders' Representative, and solely for the purposes of Section 11.17, Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc.

 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
2.1
 
April 24, 2018
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., effective May 4, 2017.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
3.1
 
May 10, 2017
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., effective May 4, 2017.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
3.2
 
May 10, 2017
Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
4.1
 
December 7, 2011
Description of the Registrant's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2012, by and between U.S. Silica Company and Bryan A. Shinn.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.11
 
March 22, 2012
Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
May 11, 2015

127


Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.

 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
10.16
 
August 29, 2011
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.
 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
10.17
 
August 29, 2011
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
10.19
 
August 29, 2011
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
10.20
 
December 29, 2011
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2011, by and between William J. Kacal and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
S-1/A
 
333-175636
 
10.24
 
December 29, 2011
Letter Agreement, dated April 27, 2012, by and between Peter Bernard and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.10
 
May 1, 2012
Letter Agreement, dated October 8, 2013, by and between J. Michael Stice and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.10
 
October 11, 2013
Omnibus Amendment dated February 18, 2016 to Award Agreements.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.3
 
February 23, 2016
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.
 
10-K
 
001-35416
 
10.2
 
February 25, 2015
Change in Control Severance Plan of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
February 23, 2016
Amendment dated February 18, 2016 to Employment Agreement by and between U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. and Bryan Shinn.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.2
 
February 23, 2016
Omnibus Amendment dated November 3, 2016 to Award Agreements.
 
10-K
 
001-35416
 
10.22
 
February 23, 2017
Amendment No. 1 dated November 3, 2016 to Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan
 
10-K
 
001-35416
 
10.23
 
February 23, 2017
Letter Agreement, effective August 15, 2017, by and between Diane Duren and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
August 18, 2017
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan.

 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
April 24, 2018
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.2
 
April 24, 2018
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.3
 
April 24, 2018
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2018, by and among U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, USS Holdings, Inc., as guarantor, and U.S. Silica Company, as borrower, and certain of U.S. Silica’s subsidiaries as additional guarantors and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and the lenders named therein.
 
8-K
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
May 2, 2018

Consent and Amendment Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2019, among U.S. Silica Company and BNP Paribas, as administrative agent and the lenders named therein, amending that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2018.

 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
October 30, 2019

128


Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement (Adjusted Cash Flow) Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.1
 
May 1, 2019
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement (Relative TSR) Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.2
 
May 1, 2019
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement Pursuant to the Amended and Restated U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.3
 
May 1, 2019
Separation, Severance and General Release Agreement entered into by and between Billy Ray Smith and U.S. Silica Company effective March 27, 2019
 
10-Q
 
001-35416
 
10.4
 
May 1, 2019
Letter Agreement, effective July 7, 2019, by and between Bonnie Lind and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of subsidiaries of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification by Bryan A. Shinn, Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification by Donald A. Merril, Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 1350 Certification by Bryan A. Shinn, Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section 1350 Certification by Donald A. Merril, Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mine Safety Disclosure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consent of Rystad Energy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101*
101.INS XBRL Instance - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
104*
Cover Page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 formatted Inline XBRL (and contained in Exhibit 101)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#
Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. We will furnish the omitted schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Commission.
 
 
+
Management contract or compensatory plan/arrangement
*
Filed herewith
We will furnish to any of our stockholders a copy of any of the above exhibits upon the written request of such stockholder and the payment to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. of the reasonable expenses incurred in furnishing such copy or copies.

129




130


ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.


131


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this 25th day of February, 2020.
 
 
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
 
 
/s/ BRYAN A. SHINN
 
Name:  
 
Bryan A. Shinn
 
Title:
 
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
  
Capacity
 
Date
 
 
 
/S/ BRYAN A. SHINN
  
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
February 25, 2020
Bryan A. Shinn
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ DONALD A. MERRIL
  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
February 25, 2020
Donald A. Merril
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ CHARLES SHAVER
  
Chairman of the Board
 
February 25, 2020
Charles Shaver
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ PETER BERNARD
  
Director
 
February 25, 2020
Peter Bernard
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DIANE DUREN
 
Director
 
February 25, 2020
Diane Duren
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ WILLIAM J. KACAL
  
Director
 
February 25, 2020
William J. Kacal
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ J. MICHAEL STICE
  
Director
 
February 25, 2020
J. Michael Stice
 
 
 
/s/ BONNIE LIND
 
Director
 
February 25, 2020
Bonnie Lind
 
 
 



S-1
Exhibit

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

We have one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “common stock”).

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
General
The following descriptions of our common stock and of certain provisions of Delaware law do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our third amended and restated bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Copies of our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our third amended and restated bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are filed as exhibits to our annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of the date hereof, we are authorized to issued up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, and 10,000,000 shares are preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding. The Board of Directors has the authority to repeal, alter or amend the bylaws or adopt new bylaws, subject to certain limitations set forth in the bylaws.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SLCA.”
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareowners. Each share of our common stock outstanding is entitled to participate equally in any distribution of net assets made to the shareowners in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company and is entitled to participate equally in dividends as and when declared by our board of directors. There are no redemption, sinking fund, conversion or preemptive rights with respect to the shares of our common stock. All shares of our common stock have equal rights and preferences. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Voting Rights
Holders of shares of common stock have one vote per share in all elections of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Dividend Rights
All outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to participate equally and receive dividends that may be paid out of available profits of the preceding fiscal year or years or distributions out of contributed surplus capital reserves. Any such distribution can only be issued out of our surplus, as computed in accordance with Sections 154 and 244 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws
Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our third amended and restated bylaws contain certain provisions that may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.
Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of common stock may be effected only at an annual or special meeting of such holders, and that stockholders may not by written consent. Our third amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of holders of common stock may be called only by our Chairman or President or board of directors. Holders of common stock are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require that our board of directors call a special meeting of stockholders.
Our third amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for the nomination, other than by or at the direction of our board of directors, of candidates for election as directors as well as for other stockholder proposals to be considered at annual meetings of stockholders. In general, notice of intent to nominate a director or raise business at such meetings must be received by us not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the date of the annual meeting and must contain certain specified information concerning the person to be nominated or the matters to be brought before the meeting and concerning the stockholder submitting the proposal.
Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that certain provisions of our third amended and restated bylaws may only be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66-2/3% of our outstanding shares entitled to vote. Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that, in addition to any affirmative vote required by law, the affirmative vote of holders of 85% of our outstanding voting stock and two-thirds of the voting stock other than voting stock held by an interested stockholder shall be necessary to approve certain business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder.
Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to the “business combination” statute of the DGCL. In general, such statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an “interested stockholder,” unless:
 
 
(1)
such transaction is approved by our board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtains such status,
 
 
(2)
upon consummation of such transaction, the “interested stockholder” beneficially owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by (a) persons who are directors and also officers and (b) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or
 
 
(3)
the “business combination” is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the “interested stockholder.”
A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to the “interested stockholder.” An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) beneficially 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts with respect to us and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.
Certain Effects of Authorized But Unissued Stock
Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock may be issued without additional stockholder approval and may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital or to facilitate corporate acquisitions.
The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount available for distribution to holders of our common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of such holders. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.
One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of management. Such additional shares also could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.


Exhibit
    
https://cdn.kscope.io/ebba27e01f95baba5134129012a1da4a-directorwelcomeletter_image1.gif






June 29, 2019

Bonnie C. Lind
1020 Bay Pointe Crossing
Alpharetta, GA 30005


Dear Bonnie:

Re:    U.S. Silica Board of Directors
On behalf of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), I am pleased to invite you to become a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).  We believe that your skills, expertise and knowledge will prove very helpful to the Company and our stockholders as we strive to deliver best in class returns while balancing the needs of all our stakeholders. In addition to your normal Board duties, we invite you to also serve as a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board.
To facilitate your onboarding, please complete, sign and return the following enclosed documents:
•
Director’s Questionnaire
•
Section 16 Power of Attorney
•
Indemnification Agreement
For your reference, we have also enclosed copies of the 2018 Form 10-K, the 2019 Proxy Statement, the 2019 Board calendar, our most recent Board Brief and the current drafts of the press release and 8-K announcing your appointment.
In connection with your service as a director, you will be eligible for equity awards under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan. Upon the commencement of your service on the Board, you will receive the 2019 director equity award of restricted stock units with a fair market value of $120,000, pro-rated to reflect the time you will serve on the Board between the date of your execution of this letter and the vesting of the award on May 9, 2020. The number of restricted stock units to be granted to you will be determined by dividing the value of the grant by the average closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the thirty (30) trading days immediately preceding the grant date. Future annual equity grants will be determined by the Board based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board.  In addition to equity compensation, you will be entitled to receive cash compensation of (1) an Annual Retainer of $75,000, payable in quarterly installments, for your service as a director, (2) an Annual Retainer of $10,000, payable in quarterly installments, for your service as a member of the Audit Committee, and (3) an Annual Retainer of $10,000, payable in quarterly installments, for your service as a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee.  You will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with your services to the Company in accordance with the Company’s established policies.  Further, you will be covered by the Company’s D&O insurance and given an opportunity to execute the Company’s standard director indemnification agreement.
The Board and its committees will meet at least quarterly. It is our expectation that you will participate in those meetings in person to the extent possible. We also ask that you make yourself available to participate in various telephonic meetings from time to time.
Your services on the Board will be in accordance with, and subject to, the Company’s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation, as such may be amended from time to time. By accepting this offer, you represent to us that (1) you do not know of any conflict that would restrict you from becoming a director of the Company and (2) you will not provide the Company with any documents, records or other confidential information belonging to any other parties.
To accept this offer, please sign below and return the fully executed letter to us. You should keep one copy of this letter for your own records. This letter sets forth the terms of your service with the Company and supersedes any prior representations or agreements, whether written or oral. This letter may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement, signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company and by you.
I look forward to receiving your acceptance and I am very excited to have you join our Board.  We are looking forward to seeing you in Austin, TX for our annual Board retreat July 17th – 21st.
 
Sincerely,
 
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.
 
/s/ Bryan A Shinn
Bryan A. Shinn
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Accepted and agreed to this 7th day of July, 2019


/s/ Bonnie C. Lind
Bonnie C. Lind

Enclosures


cc:    Charles Shaver, Chairman of the Board
Peter Bernard, Chairman of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
W. Andrew Macan, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

24275 Katy Freeway, Suite 600, Katy, YX 77494

phone (281) 258-2170     web www.ussilica.com
Exhibit
Exhibit 21.1

 
 
 
Name

Jurisdiction of Formation
Hourglass Acquisition I, LLC
Delaware
Preferred Rocks USS Inc.
Delaware
Hourglass Holdings, LLC
Delaware
USS Holdings, Inc.
Delaware
U.S. Silica Company
Delaware
Pennsylvania Glass Sand Corporation
Delaware
The Fulton Land and Timber Company
Pennsylvania
Ottawa Silica Company
Delaware
Ottawa Silica Company, Ltd.
Quebec, Canada
Coated Sand Solutions, LLC
Delaware
Cadre Services Inc.
Delaware
Cadre Material Products, LLC
Texas
Fairchild Silica, LLC
Delaware
Utica Silica, LLC
Delaware
Tyler Silica Company
Delaware
New Birmingham Resources, LLC
Texas
NBR Sand, LLC
Texas
NBR Maritime I, LLC
Texas
NBR Maritime II, LLC
Texas
Sandbox Enterprises, LLC
Texas
Oren Technologies, LLC
Texas
Sandbox Leasing, LLC
Texas
Sandbox Logistics, LLC
Texas
Sandbox Transportation, LLC
Texas
Mississippi Sand, LLC
Missouri
Arcadia Sand, LLC
Delaware
Boss Energy Resources, LLC
Delaware
Seagraves Development, LLC
Delaware
EP Minerals Holdings, Inc.
Delaware
EP Acquisition, LLC
Delaware
EP Management Corporation
Delaware
EP Minerals, LLC
Delaware
2473428 Ontario, Inc.
Ontario, Canada
EP Engineered Clays Corporation
Delaware
EP Minerals International S.A.S.
France
EP Minerals Europe Verwaltungs und Beteiligungs GmbH
Germany
EP Minerals Europe GmbH & Co. KG
Germany
EP Mexican Parent, Inc.
Delaware
EP Minerals de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
Mexico
Celatom de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
Mexico
Kermit Pipeline, LLC (50% ownership)
Texas
Spruce Acquisition, LLC
Delaware


Exhibit




Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our reports dated February 25, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting included in the Annual Report of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said reports in the Registration Statements of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. on Form S-3 (333-234450) and 333-213870) and Forms S-8 (333-179480 and 333-204062).

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Houston, Texas
February 25, 2020



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Bryan A. Shinn, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2019;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: February 25, 2020
 
 
/s/ BRYAN A. SHINN
 
Name: Bryan A. Shinn
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit


Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Donald A. Merril, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2019;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: February 25, 2020
 
 
/s/ DONALD A. MERRIL
 
Name: Donald A. Merril
 
Title: Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit


Exhibit 32.1
SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION
I, Bryan A. Shinn, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, on the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
 
i.
The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
 
ii.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 25, 2020
 
 
/s/ BRYAN A. SHINN
 
Name: Bryan A. Shinn
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer
A signed copy of this original statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff on request.


Exhibit


Exhibit 32.2
SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION
I, Donald A. Merril, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, on the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
 
i.
The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
 
ii.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 25, 2020
 
 
/s/ DONALD A. MERRIL
 
Name: Donald A. Merril
 
Title: Chief Financial Officer
A signed copy of this original statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff on request.


Exhibit

Exhibit 95.1
Mine Safety Disclosure

The following disclosures are provided pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) and Item 104 of Regulation S-K, which requires certain disclosures by companies required to file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that operate mines regulated under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”).

Mine Safety Information. Whenever the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) believes a violation of the Mine Act, any health or safety standard or any regulation has occurred, it may issue a citation which describes the alleged violation and fixes a time within which the U.S. mining operator must abate the alleged violation. In some situations, such as when MSHA believes that conditions pose a hazard to miners, MSHA may issue an order removing miners from the area of the mine affected by the condition until the alleged hazards are corrected. When MSHA issues a citation or order, it generally proposes a civil penalty, or fine, as a result of the alleged violation, that the operator is ordered to pay. Citations and orders can be contested and appealed, and as part of that process, are often reduced in severity and amount, and are sometimes dismissed. The number of citations, orders and proposed assessments vary depending on the size and type (underground or surface) of the mine as well as by the MSHA inspector(s) assigned. Due to timing and other factors, the data below may not agree with the mine data retrieval system maintained by the MSHA at www.MSHA.gov




The following table details the violations, citations and orders issued to us by MSHA during the 2019 calendar year:

Mine or Operating Name/MSHA Identification Number
Section 104 S&S Citations
Section 104(b) Orders
Section 104(d) Citations and Orders
Section 110(b)(2) Violations
Section 107(a) Orders
Total Dollar Value of MSHA Assessments Proposed (1)
Total Number of Mining Related Fatalities
Received Notice of Pattern of Violations Under Section 104(e) (yes/no)
Received Notice of Potential to Have Pattern Under Section 104(e) (yes/no)
Legal Actions Pending as of Last Day of Period
Legal Actions Initiated During Period
Legal Actions Resolved During Period
Berkley Springs, WV / 4602805
3
0
0
0
0
$3,852.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Celatom Mine, OR / 3503237
0
0
0
0
0
$263.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Celatom Plant, OR / 3503236
1
0
0
0
0
$1,364.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Cheto Mine, AZ / 0200103
0
0
0
0
0
$121.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Clark, NV / 2600677
4
0
0
0
0
$5,348.00*
0
No
No
0
0
0
Colado Mine, NV / 2600672
1
0
0
0
0
$472.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Colado Plant, NV / 2600680
12
0
2
0
1
$58,127.00**
0
No
No
10
19
24
Columbia, SC / 3800138
1
0
0
0
0
$1,179.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Crane, TX / 4105331
13
0
0
0
0
$32,835.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Dubberly, LA / 1600489
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Fernley, NV / 2601950
1
0
0
0
0
$517.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Festus, MO / 2302377
2
0
0
0
0
$889.00***
0
No
No
0
0
0
Fowlkes Mine, MS / 2200460
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Hazen Mine, NV/ 2600679
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Hurtsboro, AL / 100617
0
0
0
0
0
$242.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Jackson, MS / 2200415
4
0
0
0
0
$9500.00****
0
No
No
0
0
0
Jackson, TN / 4002937
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Kosse, TX / 4100262
2
0
0
0
0
$1,240.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Lamesa, TX / 4105363
6
1
0
0
0
$8209.00*****
0
No
No
0
8
8
Mapleton, PA / 3603122
0
0
0
0
0
$2,089.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Mauricetown, NJ / 2800526
0
0
0
0
0
$759.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Middletown, TN / 4002968
0
0
0
0
0
$242.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Mill Creek Plant, OK / 3400377
0
0
0
0
0
$121.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Mill Creek Mine, OK / 3400836
0
0
0
0
0
$835.00
0
No
No
0
3
3
Millen, GA / 0901232
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Montpelier, VA / 4402829
0
0
0
0
0
$242.00
0
No
No
0
—
1


Ottawa, IL / 1101013
0
0
0
0
0
$1,520.00
0
No
No
0
—
0
Pacific, MO / 2300544
0
0
0
0
0
$540.00
0
No
No
0
6
6
Peru, IL / 1103269
0
0
0
0
0
$0.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Popcorn Mine, NV / 2602236
0
0
0
0
0
$121.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Port Elizabeth Mine, NJ / 2800510
0
0
0
0
0
$363.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Rockwood, MI / 2000608
2
0
0
0
0
$2,301.00
0
No
No
0
7
7
Seagraves, TX / 4105004
0
0
0
0
0
$121.00
0
No
No
0
0
0
Sparta, WI / 4703644
1
0
0
0
0
$484.00
0
No
No
0
2
2
Tyler, TX /4104182
0
0
0
0
0
$1,571.00
0
No
No
0
3
3
Utica, IL / 1103268
0
0
0
0
0
$726.00
0
No
No
0
0
4
Voca, TX / 4104855
1
0
0
0
0
$242.00
0
No
No
0
0
0

(whole dollars)    

Amounts included are the total dollar value of proposed assessments received from MSHA on or before December 31, 2019, regardless of whether the assessment has been challenged or appealed.  Citations and orders can be contested and appealed, and as part of that process, are sometimes reduced in severity and amount, and sometimes dismissed.  The number of citations, orders, and proposed assessments vary by inspector and vary depending on the size and type of the operation

* As of January 15, 2020 MSHA had not yet proposed an assessment for 1 S&S citation at Clark, NV.
 
 
** As of January 15, 2020 MSHA had not yet proposed an assessment for 2 non-S&S citations at Colado, NV Plant.
*** As of January 15, 2020 MSHA had not yet proposed an assessment for 1 non-S&S and 1 S&S citation at Festus, MO.
****As of January 15, 2020 MSHA had not yet proposed an assessment for 1 non-S&S citation at Jackson, MS
 
*****As of January 15, 2020 MSHA had not yet proposed an assessment for 1 Section 104(b) order at Lamesa, TX.
 


Exhibit


Exhibit 99.1
  
 CONSENT OF RYSTAD ENERGY.
We hereby consent to the references to our company’s name in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 (the “Annual Report”) of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and the quotation by the Company of our Proppant Market report - 1Q 2020, published on December 10, 2019. We also hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
 
RYSTAD ENERGY

 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Chris Campbell
 
 
Name:
 
Chris Campbell

 
 
Title:
 
Business Development Manager

February 25, 2020