On May 1, 2011, Hecala Mining entered into an agreement with the state of New Mexico to obtain the rights to operate a mineral mine in New Mexico for $10 million. Additional costs and purchases included the following:
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After the minerals are removed from the mine, the machinery will be sold for an estimated residual value of $10,000. The structures will be torn down.
Geologists estimate that 800,000 tons of ore can be extracted from the mine. After the ore is removed the land will revert back to the state of New Mexico.
The contract with the state requires Hecala to restore the land to its original condition after mining operations are completed in approximately four years. Management has provided the following possible outflows for the restoration costs:
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Hecala's credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate is 8%. During 2011, Hecala extracted 120,000 tons of ore from the mine.
Required:
1. Determine the amount at which Hecala will record the mine.
2. Calculate the depletion of the mine and the depreciation of the mining facilities and equipment for 2011, assuming that Hecala uses the units-of-production method for both depreciation and depletion. Round depletion and depreciation rates to four decimals.
3. Are depletion of the mine and depreciation of the mining facilities and equipment reported as separate expenses in the income statement? Discuss the accounting treatment of these items in the income statement and balance sheet.
4. During 2012, Hecala changed its estimate of the total amount of ore originally in the mine from 800,000 to 1,000,000 tons. Briefly describe the accounting treatment the company will employ to account for the change and calculate the depletion of the mine and depreciation of the mining facilities and equipment for 2012 assuming Hecala extracted 150,000 tons of ore in 2012.