82020--3/2/2010--UNITED_STATES_LIME_&_MINERALS

related topics

{gas, price, oil}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{competitive, industry, competition}

{operation, natural, condition}

{condition, economic, financial}

{loan, real, estate}

The recent financial crisis may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations in various ways. In the normal course of our Lime and Limestone Operations, we face various business and financial risks that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and competitive position. Not all risks are foreseeable or within our ability to control. We incur environmental compliance costs, including capital, maintenance and operating costs, with respect to pollution control facilities, the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of reclamation and remediation efforts and other similar costs and liabilities relating to our compliance with Environmental Laws, and we expect these costs and liabilities to continue to increase, including possible new costs, taxes and limitations on operations, such as those related to possible climate change initiatives. In order to maintain our competitive position, we may need to continue to expand our operations and production capacity, obtain financing for any such expansion at reasonable interest rates and acceptable terms and sell the resulting increased production at acceptable prices. The lime industry is highly regionalized and competitive. Historically, the markets for natural gas have been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. We do not control development and production operations on the O G Properties, which could impact our Natural Gas Interests. Our natural gas income is affected by development, production and other costs, some of which are outside of our control, and possible unitizations. Our natural gas reserves are depleting assets, and we have no ability to explore for new reserves. In addition, our ability to increase our proved developed reserves is limited to drilling potential additional wells and reworking existing wells by the operators on the O G Properties. Drilling activities on the O G Properties may not be productive, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A natural disaster, accident or catastrophe could damage pipelines, gathering systems and other facilities that service wells on the O G Properties, which could substantially limit operations and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The O G Properties are geographically concentrated, which could cause net proceeds to be impacted by regional events. Governmental policies, laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our O G Properties and natural gas business. Environmental costs and liabilities and changing environmental regulation could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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82020--3/2/2010--UNITED_STATES_LIME_&_MINERALS_INC