COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2018 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
NOTE 19 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Purchase Commitments
In 2017, we began to incur capital commitments related to the construction of our HBI production plant in Toledo, Ohio. We expect to spend approximately $830 million on the HBI production plant, exclusive of construction-related contingencies and capitalized interest through 2020. Through December 31, 2018, we have entered into contracts and purchase orders for approximately $580 million of the total capital investment for the HBI production plant, of which a total of approximately $180 million has been expended project-to-date, including deposits. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $425 million and $225 million are expected to be made during 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Contingencies
We are currently the subject of, or party to, various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our operations. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of the loss or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary. These claims and legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages, additional funding requirements or an injunction. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the financial position and results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs or future periods. However, we do not believe that any pending claims or legal proceedings will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We previously recorded a liability in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position related to the CCAA proceedings, in which a settlement was reached during the period ended June 30, 2018. Refer to NOTE 13 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS for information on the CCAA proceedings.
Environmental Matters
We had environmental liabilities of $2.5 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, including obligations for known environmental remediation exposures at active and closed mining operations and other sites. These amounts have been recognized based on the estimated cost of investigation and remediation at each site, and include site studies, design and implementation of remediation plans, legal and consulting fees, and post-remediation monitoring and related activities. Future expenditures are not discounted unless the amount and timing of the cash disbursements are readily known. Potential insurance recoveries have not been reflected. Additional environmental obligations could be incurred, the extent of which cannot be assessed. The amount of our ultimate liability with respect to these matters may be affected by several uncertainties, primarily the ultimate cost of required remediation and the extent to which other responsible parties contribute. Refer to NOTE 11 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS for further information.
Tax Matters
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary. We also recognize tax benefits to the extent that it is more likely than not that our positions will be sustained when challenged by the taxing authorities. To the extent we prevail in matters for which liabilities have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our liabilities, our effective tax rate in a given period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement would require use of our cash and result in an increase in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. A favorable tax settlement would be recognized as a reduction in our effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Refer to NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES for further information.
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