Question

On April 2, 2017, Montana Mining Co. pays $4,653,970 for an ore deposit containing 1,571,000 tons. The company installs machinery in the mine costing $231,600, with an estimated seven-year life and no salvage value. The machinery will be abandoned when the ore is completely mined. Montana begins mining on May 1, 2017, and mines and sells 154,100 tons of ore during the remaining eight months of 2017.

Required:
Prepare the December 31, 2017, entries to record both the ore deposit depletion and the mining machinery depreciation. Mining machinery depreciation should be in proportion to the mine's depletion.

Answer 1

Date General Journal Debit Credit

Dec 31 Depletion expense (Mineral deposit) $456,510

($4,653,970 / 1,571,000 tons *154,100 tons )

Accumulated depletion—Mineral deposit $456,510

Dec 31 Depreciation expense—Machinery $22,718

($231,600 / 1,571,000 tons * 154,100 tons)

Accumulated depreciation—Machinery $22,718