Alaska Mining Co. acquired mineral rights for $67,500,000. The mineral deposit is estimated at 30,000,000 tons. During the current year, 4,000,000 tons were mined and sold. a. Determine the amount of depletion expense for the current year. Round the depletion rate to two decimal places. $ b. Journalize the adjusting entry on December 31 to recognize the depletion expense. If an amount box does not require an entry, leave it blank. Dec. 31

a. Depletion rate = $2.25

b. Account Debit ($) Credit ($)

Depletion expense 9,000,000

Accumulated depletion expense 9,000,000

Being depletion expense for the year.

Explanation:

Depletion expense refers to the loss in value of a long term asset due to reduction in producing capacity of the asset. The depletion is recognized as an expense in the income statement of the relevant year.

To determine depletion expense, depletion rate is needed which can be derived by dividing the total value of the asset net of its residual value (if any) by the total producing capacity of the asset. After this, the depletion rate is used to multiply the production units of the current year.

Here is the formula for depletion rate:

a. Depletion rate = Total value of the asset - residual value

Total production capacity

Here is the formula for depletion expense

b. Depletion expense = Depletion rate x current year production units

a. Depletion rate = $67,500,000

30,000,000

Depletion rate = $2.25

b. Depletion expense = $2.25 x 4,000,000

= $9,000,000

Note: Accumulated depletion expense account is the corresponding account for depletion expense account.