Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

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ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]  
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
NOTE 11 - ASSET RETIREMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The accrued closure obligation provides for contractual and legal obligations related to our indefinitely idled and closed operations and for the eventual closure of our active operations. The closure date for each of our active mine sites was determined based on the exhaustion date of the remaining mineral reserves, and the amortization of the related asset and accretion of the liability is recognized over the estimated mine lives. The closure date and expected timing of the capital requirements to meet our obligations for our indefinitely idled or closed mines is determined based on the unique circumstances of each property. For indefinitely idled or closed mines, the accretion of the liability is recognized over the anticipated timing of remediation. Asset retirement obligations at our steelmaking operations primarily include the closure and post-closure care for on-site landfills and other waste containment facilities. Asset retirement obligations have been recorded at present values using settlement dates based on when we expect these facilities to reach capacity and close.
The following is a summary of our asset retirement obligations:
(In millions) March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Asset retirement obligations1
$ 605  $ 599 
Less: current portion 16  18 
Long-term asset retirement obligations $ 589  $ 581 
1 Includes $380 million and $375 million related to our active operations as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.
The following is a roll-forward of our asset retirement obligations:
(In millions) 2026 2025
Asset retirement obligations as of January 1 $ 599  $ 526 
Accretion expense 9 
Remediation payments (3) (8)
Asset retirement obligations as of March 31 $ 605  $ 525 
ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS
Our operations currently use, and have in the past used, hazardous materials and substances, and we have generated, and expect to continue to generate, solid and hazardous waste. We have been, and may in the future be, subject to claims under laws and regulations for toxic torts, natural resource damages and other damages, as well as for the investigation and clean-up of soil, surface water, sediments, groundwater, and other natural resources and reclamation of properties. If we reasonably can, we estimate potential remediation expenditures for those sites where future remediation efforts are probable based on identified conditions, regulatory requirements, or contractual obligations arising from the sale of a business or facility. For sites involving government required investigations, including pursuant to RCRA and CERCLA, we typically make an estimate of potential remediation expenditures only after the investigation is complete and when we better understand the nature and scope of the remediation. In general, the material factors in these estimates include the costs associated with investigations, delineations, risk assessments, remedial work, governmental response and oversight, site monitoring and preparation of reports to the appropriate environmental agencies.
The following is a summary of our environmental obligations:
(In millions) March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Environmental obligations $ 117  $ 112 
Less: current portion 13  11 
Long-term environmental obligations $ 104  $ 101