Company Description
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) is a diversified energy company with core operations in coal mining and mineral royalties. According to company disclosures, ARLP is currently the second largest coal producer in the eastern United States, supplying coal for reliable, affordable energy to major utilities, metallurgical customers and industrial users in domestic and international markets. In addition to coal production, the partnership generates operating and royalty income from mineral interests in coal and oil & gas producing regions in the United States and is pursuing opportunities tied to energy and related infrastructure.
ARLP operates as a limited partnership and is classified in the bituminous coal and lignite surface mining industry within the broader mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. Based on available segment information, the partnership’s coal operations are organized around two primary geographic regions, the Illinois Basin and Appalachia, while its royalty activities are reported through Oil & Gas Royalties and Coal Royalties segments. These segments reflect the different ways ARLP participates in the energy value chain, either as an operator of mining complexes or as an owner of mineral interests that generate royalty income.
Coal operations and mining complexes
According to the company’s description and segment disclosures, the Illinois Basin segment includes underground mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia. Coal production and sales volumes from this region are a major contributor to ARLP’s results, with mines such as Hamilton and River View highlighted in recent operating updates for their shipping performance and productivity improvements. The Appalachia segment includes the Mettiki, Tunnel Ridge and MC Mining complexes. Company commentary notes that changes in mining conditions, longwall moves and infrastructure projects at these operations can significantly affect production volumes, costs per ton and segment profitability over time.
Across both regions, ARLP focuses on coal shipments to customers that rely on base-load power generation and industrial uses. Management commentary in earnings releases emphasizes the role of infrastructure investments, longwall moves and productivity initiatives in reducing Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton and supporting higher coal tons sold. The company also reports on coal inventory levels and contracted sales tons, which provide context for how its mining complexes serve long-term customer commitments.
Royalties and mineral interests
Beyond operating mines, ARLP reports two royalty-focused segments. The Oil & Gas Royalties segment reflects mineral interests held by entities such as AR Midland and AllDale I & II and includes equity interests in AllDale III and Cavalier Minerals, as described in the Polygon profile. This segment earns royalty revenues based on oil and gas production volumes and prices, with the company disclosing barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) sold, average sales prices per BOE and Segment Adjusted EBITDA. Management commentary in quarterly releases highlights how changes in commodity prices and volumes affect this segment’s contribution.
The Coal Royalties segment includes coal mineral reserves and resources owned or leased by Alliance Resource Properties and related entities. Royalty revenues in this segment are driven by royalty tons sold and revenue per royalty ton, often linked to production at ARLP’s own mining subsidiaries. Segment disclosures show how royalty tons and average royalty rates per ton contribute to Segment Adjusted EBITDA, providing investors with visibility into this non-operating income stream.
Energy and infrastructure focus
ARLP describes itself as positioning for the future as a reliable energy partner by pursuing opportunities that support the growth and development of energy and related infrastructure. In recent communications, the partnership has discussed allocating a portion of excess cash flows into investments that are tied to power generation and infrastructure. For example, ARLP reported an investment commitment in a limited partnership that indirectly owns and operates a coal-fired power plant in the PJM service area, aligning with its strategy to participate in baseload power markets and energy infrastructure.
Company commentary also references broader power market conditions, including electricity demand in eastern regions, utility coal consumption trends and the role of coal-fired power plants in maintaining grid reliability. These discussions frame ARLP’s coal and royalty businesses within the context of power system needs and contracted coal supply to utilities.
Corporate structure and regulatory reporting
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. is organized under the laws of Delaware, as indicated in its SEC filings. The partnership files periodic and current reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 8-K filings for material events such as quarterly earnings releases and entry into material definitive agreements. For example, ARLP has reported quarterly financial and operating results via Form 8-K and has disclosed a Master Supply and Services Agreement entered into by a wholly owned subsidiary, CR Services, LLC, with Saminco Solutions LLC. That agreement covers the supply of traction drives, motors, switches, batteries, electrical systems and other equipment, along with related services such as repair and refurbishment.
The Master Supply Agreement is identified as a related party transaction because the supplier is affiliated with an executive who beneficially owns a portion of ARLP’s common units and serves in leadership roles at the managing general partner. ARLP’s filings state that the terms of this agreement were unanimously approved by a Conflicts Committee consisting solely of independent directors, and that the agreement contains customary provisions regarding pricing, warranties, liability limitations, force majeure and indemnification.
Investor communications and public company profile
ARLP’s common units trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ARLP. The partnership regularly communicates with investors through earnings releases, conference calls and participation in investor conferences. Press releases describe upcoming earnings calls, investor presentations and participation in events such as energy and natural resources study groups and energy infrastructure conferences. These communications often reiterate the company’s positioning as a diversified energy partnership with coal production, coal royalties and oil & gas royalties, as well as its focus on energy and infrastructure-related opportunities.
In its public materials, ARLP highlights that it supplies coal to major utilities, metallurgical users and industrial customers, and that it seeks to be a reliable supplier of energy-related products and services. The partnership also notes that it generates income from mineral interests in strategic coal and oil & gas producing regions in the United States, emphasizing the geographic and commodity diversity of its royalty portfolio.
Community and workforce programs
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. also sponsors workforce- and education-related initiatives. One example is the Alliance Coal Scholars Program, which provides college scholarships to children of Alliance Coal employees who are pursuing postsecondary education in college or vocational school programs. Company communications explain that the program recognizes academic achievement, community contributions and leadership in school activities, and that it has awarded scholarships and teacher recognition awards over multiple years. The program is administered by Scholarship America, which manages the selection process.
Through this scholarship initiative, ARLP underscores its connection to employees and local communities in regions where it operates. The program is presented as a way to acknowledge students’ accomplishments and support their educational goals, while also recognizing teachers who have had a meaningful impact on those students’ academic journeys.
Business risks and considerations
As a coal-focused and royalty-based energy partnership, ARLP’s results are influenced by factors such as coal production volumes, coal sales prices, transportation revenues, mining conditions, commodity prices for oil and gas, and power market dynamics. Company disclosures discuss how changes in mining conditions, longwall moves, customer defaults, contract expirations and commodity price movements can affect revenues, expenses and Adjusted EBITDA across its segments. Investors reviewing ARLP typically consider the performance of its Illinois Basin and Appalachia coal operations, the stability and growth of its royalty revenues, and its capital allocation toward energy and infrastructure investments.
ARLP’s SEC filings and earnings releases provide detailed quantitative information on tons sold, prices per ton, BOE volumes, average sales prices per BOE, Segment Adjusted EBITDA and leverage metrics. These disclosures, along with management commentary, help explain how the partnership’s coal operations and royalty segments contribute to overall financial performance and how strategic investments are intended to support long-term participation in energy and infrastructure markets.