exv10w52






Exhibit 10.52




ROYALTY DEFERMENT AND OPTION AGREEMENT




     This Royalty Deferment and Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into this
11th day of October, 2011, but effective as of February 9, 2011, by and between
Armstrong Coal Company, Inc. (“Armstrong”), Western Diamond LLC (“WD”) and Western Land Company,
LLC (“WLC”) (Armstrong, together with WD and WLC, collectively referred to herein as the
“Armstrong Entities”), and Western Mineral Development, LLC (“WMD”) and Ceralvo Holdings, LLC
(“Ceralvo,” and together with WMD, the “ARP Entities”) (collectively, the “Parties”).



RECITALS




     WHEREAS, with respect to each of the coal properties identified on Exhibit A
attached hereto (the “Subject Assets”), WMD, WLC and/or WD own an undivided joint interest in the
fee and/or leasehold estate associated with each of the coal reserves and other real property that
comprise the Subject Assets; and



     WHEREAS, WLC, WD and the ARP Entities have entered into certain coal mining leases and
subleases with Armstrong dated February 9, 2011 (the “Existing Leases”), pursuant to which
Armstrong has leased, inter alia, the Subject Assets and other real property, and in exchange for
which Armstrong has agreed to pay a production royalty in the amount of seven percent (7%) of the
sales price received by Armstrong (the “Production Royalty”), to the lessors upon the terms and
conditions set forth therein; and



     WHEREAS, the Parties are each subject to certain restrictions and covenants pursuant to that
certain Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, N.A., among others, dated February 9, 2011 (the “Credit
Agreement”), including certain restrictions on distributions by WMD’s indirect parent, Armstrong
Resource Partners, L.P., to its limited partners; and



     WHEREAS, WMD desires to grant to Armstrong the option to defer payment of the ARP Entities’
share of the Production Royalty until the later of such time as the aforementioned restrictions on
distributions by Armstrong Resource Partners, L.P. to its limited partners have been eliminated or
WMD has acquired 100% of the Subject Assets, and in exchange for the foregoing, the Armstrong
Entities desire to grant to WMD the option to acquire an additional joint interest in the Subject
Assets, subject to the exclusions set forth herein, by satisfying payment of the deferred portion
of the Production Royalty by engaging in a sale and leaseback transaction upon the terms set forth
herein;



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:



AGREEMENT




     1. Option to Defer Production Royalty. The parties hereby agree that each
calendar year, Armstrong shall have the option to elect to defer payment (in whole or in part) of
the ARP Entities’ share of the Production Royalty until the following year (the “Deferment
Option”),



 









 




including any amounts previously deferred by Armstrong hereunder. Armstrong shall provide notice to
the ARP Entities of its intent to exercise the Deferment Option each year at least thirty (30) days
prior to the commencement of the calendar year for which the option is being exercised and the
amount of the Production Royalty being deferred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the
Parties agree that Armstrong shall have been deemed to have exercised the Deferment Option with
respect to the entirety of the Production Royalty for the current year. In the event that Armstrong
does not exercise the Deferment Option for a given year, than any amounts previously deferred shall
be paid to the ARP Entities no later than April 1 of such year, and all other amounts owed to the
ARP Entities shall be paid promptly when due thereafter.




     2. Term of Deferment Option. Armstrong’s Deferment Option shall continue from
year-to-year until the later of: (a) the amendment or termination of the Credit Facility
insofar as it prohibits or restricts distributions by Armstrong Resource Partners, L.P. to its limited
partners
as set forth above; or (b) WMD has acquired sole ownership of the Subject Assets.



     3. Option to Acquire Additional Interest in Subject Assets. In the event that
Armstrong exercises the Deferment Option in any year pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 1
herein, then WMD shall have the option to acquire an additional interest in the Subject
Assets,
subject to the exclusions set forth in Paragraph 4, in complete satisfaction of the amounts
deferred by Armstrong pursuant to the sale and leaseback transaction described below (the
“Sale/Leaseback Option”) at the conclusion of the calendar year for which such amounts were
deferred. WMD shall provide notice to the Armstrong Entities of its intent to exercise the
Sale/Leaseback Option each year at least one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of notice
from Armstrong pursuant to Paragraph 1. In the event WMD does not exercise the
Sale/Leaseback Option in a given year, then the amounts otherwise due shall remain subject to
subsequent deferment by Armstrong pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 1.



     4. Exclusion of Ancillary Portions of Subject Assets. The Parties agree that the
Subject Assets subject to the Sale/Leaseback shall not include any portion of the mineral
reserves, mining rights, surface property or other real property associated with Armstrong’s
Parkway Mine. The Parties further acknowledge that the partial undivided in those surface
properties previously conveyed to WMD associated with the Parkway Mine do not generate any
royalty payments to WMD, and accordingly WMD agrees, in further consideration for the rights
granted herein, to quitclaim those properties to WLC and WD, and WMD hereby waives any
rights of first refusal it may have under the Credit and Collateral Support Fee,
Indemnification
and Right of First Refusal Agreement dated February 9, 2011, insofar as the parcels excluded
herein are transferred to the Survant Joint Venture as such term is defined in the Credit
Agreement.



     5. Sale and Leaseback of Subject Assets. In the event WMD exercises the
Sale/Leaseback Option for a given year, then WD and WLC shall sell an additional undivided
joint interest in the Subject Assets to WMD, and such interest shall be equal to a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be equal to the amount of the Production Royalty deferred by
Armstrong up to and including the year for which the Sale/Leaseback Option is being exercised
(the “Purchase Price”), and the denominator of which is a dollar amount the parties agree
represents the aggregate fair market value of the Subject Assets (the “Purchased Interest”).



 









 




Armstrong and WMD shall amend the Existing Leases to reflect the acquisition of the Purchased
Interest by WMD.




     6. Closing. The Parties hereby agree that the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) shall take place on or before ninety (90) days after the
end
of year for which the Deferment Option has been exercised (the “Closing Date”), or at such
date
as the Parties shall mutually agree. The Closing shall not occur unless and until the
representations and warranties of the Parties are true and correct in all material respects as
of the
Closing Date.



     7. Representations of the Armstrong Entities. Each of the Armstrong Entities
represents and warrants as of the date hereof and the Closing Date, as follows:




	 	(a)	 	The entity is an entity duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.
	 
	 	(b)	 	The entity has all power and authority to enter into the Agreement and any
ancillary documents contemplated herein, and the Agreement and the transactions
contemplated herein have been approved by all requisite action by its directors,
members or managers, as applicable.
	 
	 	(c)	 	The Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the entity,
enforceable against the entity in accordance with its terms.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Neither the execution, the delivery or performance of the Agreement conflicts
with any applicable law, any organizational document, or any agreement,
judgment, license, order or permit applicable to or binding upon the entity or any
of its properties, except for any consents required to be obtained by the Armstrong
Entities in respect of any leasehold interests in and to the Subject Assets.
	 
	 	(e)	 	No consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental entity is required to be obtained or made by
the entity in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance by the entity
of the Agreement and, the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
hereby.





     8. Representations of the ARP Entities. The ARP Entities hereby represent and
warrant as of the date hereof and the Closing Date, as follows:




	 	(a)	 	Each of the ARP Entities is a limited liability company duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Each of the ARP Entities has all power and authority to enter into the
Agreement
and any ancillary documents contemplated herein, and the Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein have been approved by all requisite action by its
members or managers as required.




 









 






	 	(c)	 	The Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the
ARP Entities, enforceable against each entity in accordance with its terms.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Neither the execution, the delivery or performance of the Agreement conflicts
with any applicable law, any organizational document, or any agreement,
judgment, license, order or permit applicable to or binding upon Each of the ARP
Entities.
	 
	 	(e)	 	No consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental entity is required to be obtained or made by
each of the ARP Entities in connection with the execution, delivery, or
performance by each of the ARP Entities of the Agreement and, the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby.





     9. Arbitration. Any disagreement between the Parties arising hereunder shall be
submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect. A panel of three arbitrators, knowledgeable with the coal industry
in the West Kentucky area, shall be named, one to be selected by the Armstrong Entities, one to
be selected by the ARP Entities, and one to be selected by the other two arbitrators. If the
two arbitrators appointed by the Armstrong Entities and the ARP Entities cannot agree on the
selection of the third neutral arbitrator selection of such arbitrator shall be made by the
American
Arbitration Association. The non-prevailing party shall be responsible for the reasonable
expenses, fees and costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred
by
the Parties in such arbitration. With regard to any monetary sum or quantum measurement such
as fair market values, coal tonnages or reserves, the figures determined by each of the
arbitrators
shall be averaged and the determination which differs most from said average shall be
excluded;
the remaining two determinations shall then be averaged and such average shall be final and
conclusive.



     10. Miscellaneous.




	 	(a)	 	Further Assurances. Each party to the Agreement agrees to perform such
further
acts and to execute and deliver such other and additional documents as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of the Agreement.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Amendment. The Agreement may not be amended in whole or in part except
by
the written agreement of the parties hereto.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Assignment. Except as otherwise specifically provided, the Agreement
and any
right hereunder, shall not be assigned by any party hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Severability. If any clause or provision of the Agreement is illegal,
invalid, or
unenforceable under any present or future law, the remainder of the Agreement
will not be affected thereby. It is the intention of the parties that if any such
provision is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, there will be added in
lieu




 









 






	 	 	 	thereof a provision as similar in terms to such provision as is possible which is legal,
valid and enforceable.
	 
	 	(e)	 	Binding Effect. The Agreement will inure to the benefit of and bind the
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of the
parties hereto.
	 
	 	(f)	 	Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered personally
or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first class postage prepaid) to the parties
at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:




(i)    if to the Armstrong Entities:



7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1625 

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

Attn: Martin D. Wilson

Facsimile: (314) 721-8211



(ii)   if to the ARP Entities:



7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1625

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

Attn: J. Hord Armstrong, III

Facsimile: (314) 721-8211





	 	(g)	 	Governing Law; Venue. THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED,
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, EXCLUDING THAT BODY OF LAW
PERTAINING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW.
	 
	 	(h)	 	Counterparts. The Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which
so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures shall be effective as
original signatures.





[Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank; Signature Page to Follow]







 









 








     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned, by its duly authorized person, has executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	ARMSTRONG COAL COMPANY, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin D. Wilson
 	 
	 	 	Martin D. Wilson, President 	 



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	WESTERN DIAMOND LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin D. Wilson
 	 
	 	 	Martin D. Wilson, Manager 	 



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	WESTERN LAND COMPANY, LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin D. Wilson
 	 
	 	 	Martin D. Wilson, Manager 	 



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	WESTERN MINERAL DEVELOPMENT, LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin D. Wilson
 	 
	 	 	Martin D. Wilson, Manager 	 



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	CERALVO HOLDINGS, LLC

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin D. Wilson
 	 
	 	 	Martin D. Wilson, Manager 	 



 









 






	 	 	 	 	 



EXHIBIT A 




SUBJECT ASSETS




     The Subject Assets shall mean all of the coal reserves and real property described in,
and conveyed, demised or otherwise granted in or under the following deeds and instruments, to
Western Land Company, LLC and/or Western Diamond LLC, subject to all rights-of-way, easements,
leases, deed and plat restrictions, partitions, severances, encumbrances, licenses, reservations,
conveyances and exceptions which are of record as of the date of the exercise of the Option by Elk
Creek, and to all rights of persons in possession, and to physical conditions, encroachments and
possessory rights which would be evident from an inspection of the property at such time:



     (i) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC and Beaver Dam Coal Company to Western Diamond LLC, dated September 19, 2006, of
record in Deed Book 363, page 369, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (ii) The Partial Assignment of Coal Mining Lease from Central States Coal
Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Diamond LLC dated September 19, 2006, of record in Deed Book
363, page 428, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (iii) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC and Beaver Dam Coal Company to Western Diamond LLC, dated September 19, 2006, of
record in Deed Book 363, page 414, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (iv) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Beaver Dam Coal Company to
Western Diamond LLC, dated September 19, 2006, of record in Deed Book 363, page 393, in the Office
of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (v) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Beaver Dam Coal Company to
Western Diamond LLC, dated September 19, 2006, of record in Deed Book 363, page 403, in the Office
of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (vi) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC to Western Diamond LLC, dated May 31, 2007, of record in Deed Book 528, page 284, in
the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk, and the Deed of Confirmation between Central States Coal
Reserves of Kentucky, LLC, Western Diamond LLC and Armstrong Coal Reserves, Inc., dated September
30, 2007, of record in Deed Book 531, page 205, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk;



     (vii) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC and Beaver Dam Coal Company to Western Diamond LLC, dated May 31, 2007, of record in
Deed Book 368, page 17, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk, and the Deed of Correction between
Central States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC, Beaver Dam Coal Company, LLC and Western Diamond
LLC, of record in Deed Book 369, page 759, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



 









 





     (viii) The Partial Assignment and Assumption of Mineral Leasehold Estate from Central
States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Diamond LLC, dated May 31, 2007, of record in Deed
Book 528, page 320, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk;



     (ix) The Partial Assignment and Assumption of Mineral Leasehold Estate from
Central States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Diamond LLC, dated May 31, 2007, of record
in Deed Book 528, page 330, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk.



     (x) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC to Western Land Company, LLC, dated December 12, 2006, of record in Deed Book 524,
page 505, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk;



     (xi) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC and Beaver Dam Coal Company to Western Land Company, LLC, dated December 12,
2006, of record in Deed Book 365, page 36, in the Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (xii) The Partial Assignment and Assumption of Mineral Leasehold Estate from Central
States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Land Company, LLC, dated November 20, 2006, of
record in Deed Book 524, page 523, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk, as amended and
restated in Deed Book 527, page 186, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk;



     (xiii) The Partial Assignment and Assumption of Surface and Mineral Leasehold Estate
from Central States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Land Company, LLC, dated November 20,
2006, of record in Deed Book 365, page 57, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk;



     (xiv) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC, Beaver Dam Coal Company, Ohio County Coal Company, LLC and Grand Eagle Mining, Inc.
to Western Land Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2007, of record in Deed Book 367, page 1, in the
Office of the Ohio County Clerk;



     (xv) The Corporation Special Warranty Deed from Central States Coal Reserves of
Kentucky, LLC to Western Land Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2007, of record in Deed Book 527, page
118, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk, as corrected by Deed of Correction dated
September 30, 2007, of record in Deed Book 531, page 213, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County
Clerk; and



     (xvi) The Partial Assignment and Assumption of Surface and Mineral Leasehold Estate
from Central States Coal Reserves of Kentucky, LLC to Western Land Company, LLC, dated March 30,
2007, of record in Deed Book 527, page 161, in the Office of the Muhlenberg County Clerk.