WARRIOR MET COAL, INC. 8-K

What Happened
Warrior Met Coal, Inc. filed an 8-K (Item 1.01) on January 16, 2026 disclosing that two wholly‑owned subsidiaries entered into federal coal leases with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. On November 25, 2025, Warrior Met Coal BC, LLC obtained the Mine No. 1 Lease (ALES-056519) covering ~8,346 acres (BLM estimates ~36.3 million short tons recoverable), and Warrior Met Coal Mining, LLC obtained the Mine No. 4 Lease (ALES-055797) covering ~5,704 acres (BLM estimates ~16.9 million short tons recoverable). The Department of the Interior issued mining plan approval documents for both leases on January 13, 2026 authorizing coal development and mining on approved areas.

Key Details

• Leases entered November 25, 2025; 20‑year minimum term and continue while coal is produced commercially (readjustment at year 20 and each 10 years thereafter).
• Estimated recoverable reserves: Mine No. 1 ≈ 36.3M short tons; Mine No. 4 ≈ 16.9M short tons (total ≈ 53.2M short tons).
• Upfront bid/payments: Warrior BC bid ≈ $32M for Mine No. 1 and paid ≈ $6.4M (first of five equal annual payments); Warrior Mining bid ≈ $15M for Mine No. 4 and paid ≈ $3.0M (first of five). Successive payments due annually on each lease anniversary for 4 years.
• Ongoing obligations: customary production royalties of 7% of coal value, per‑acre annual rentals, and indemnification of the BLM for operations under the leases. Copies of the leases will be filed as exhibits to the company’s Form 10‑K for year ended Dec 31, 2025.

Why It Matters
These leases expand Warrior Met Coal’s permitted acreage and reported recoverable coal reserves, with federal approval now in place to begin authorized development in approved areas. The deals involve multi‑year payment commitments and a 7% production royalty, which are relevant to future cash flow and operating costs. For investors, the leases represent tangible growth in mineable reserves and a clearer pathway to production, while also adding ongoing royalty and rental obligations to consider.