Bethesda Mining is a midsized coal mining company with 20 mines located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, west Virginia, and Kentucky. the company operates deep mines as well as strip mines. most of the coal mined is sold under contract, with excess production sold on the spot market.

The coal mining industry, especially high-sulfur coal operations suck as Bethesda, has been hard-hit by environmental regulations recently, however, a combination of increased demand for coal and new pollution reduction technologies has led to an improved market demand for higher-sulfur coal. Bethesda has been approached by Mid-Ohio Electric Company with a request to supply coal for its electric generators for the next four years. Bethesda Mining does not have enough excess capacity at its existing mines to guarantee the contract. the company is considering opening a strip mine in Ohio on 5000 acres of land purchased 10 years ago for $4.2 million. based on a recent appraisal, the company feels it could receive $6.7 million on an after-tax basis if it sold the land today.

Strip mining is a process where the layers of topsoil above a coal vein are removed and the exposed coal is removed. some time ago, the company would remove the coal and leave the land unusable. Changes in mining regulation now force a company to reclaim the land; when the mining is completed, the land must be restored to its original condition. The land can then be used for Other purposes. because it is currently operating at full capacity, Bethesda will need to purchase additional necessary equipment, which will cost $105 million. the equipment will be depreciated on a seven-year MACRS schedule, the contract runs for only four years. at that time the coal from the site will be entirely mined. the company feels that the equipment can be sold for 60% of its initial purchase price in four years. However, Bethesda plans to open another strip mine at that time and will use the equipment at the new mine.

The contract calls for the delivery of 500000 tons of coal per year at a price of 89$ per ton . Bethesda Mining feels that coal production will be 660000 tons, 720000 tons , 760000 tons , and 620000 tons , respectively, over the next four years. The excess production will be sold in the spot market at an average of 77$ per ton. Variable costs amount to 30$ per ton. and fixed costs are 4.1$ million per year . The mine will require a net working capital of investment of 5% of sales . The NWC will be built up in the year prior to the sales .

Bethesda will be responsible for reclaiming the land at the termination of the mining. this will occur in year 5 . The company uses an outside company for the reclamation of all the companys strip mines. It is estimated the cost of reclamation will be $2.4 million. In order to get the necessary permits for the strip mine , the company agreed to donate the land after reclamation to the state for use as a public park and recreation area . This will occur in year 6 and result in a charitable expense deduction of $7 million . Bethesda faces a 25% tax rate and has a 12% required return on new strip mine projects . Assume that a loss in any year will result in a tax credit .

You have been approached by the president of the company with a request to analyze the project. Calculate the pay back period, profitability index, net present value , and internal rate of return for the new strip mine . should Bethesda mining take the contract open the mine?