LATEST PRESS RELEASES

December 17, 2003
EIA projections of increased coal use good news for
economy and underscore need to pass Energy Bill
"New Energy Information Administration (EIA) projections that coal will actually increase its share of US electricity generation from 50 percent in 2002 to 52 percent by 2025 is good news for the nation's continued economic prosperity and another reason for Congress to approve the Energy Bill," NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard said today.

December 5, 2003
Energy Bill Needed to Meet Costs of Air Measures
Practical Measures Needed to Offset Compliance Costs
"Proposals to further reduce emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides at US coal-based utilities will be very costly and underline the need for quick Congressional passage of the National Energy Bill," said National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard today in response to a package of measures announced yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

November 26, 2003
Mining Industry Hails Congressional Compromise on Prescription Drug Bill that was Absent on Energy Bill
The American mining industry today lauded Congress for passing the Medicare prescription drug legislation 54-44 one day after the Senate failed, by 58-40, to allow a vote on comprehensive energy reform legislation. The following is a statement by National Mining Association president and CEO Jack Gerard:

November 21, 2003
Coal Industry Leader Cites Close Vote, Strong Bi-Partisan Support in Urging Renewed Effort to Pass Energy Bill
The following statement was issued by NMA president and CEO Jack Gerard following today's failure by the Senate to pass H.R. 6, the National Energy Policy Act. The Senate failed by two votes to end the filibuster on the bill and, as a result, was precluded from bringing the measure to the Senate for a vote at this time.

November 20, 2003
Coal Incentives in Energy Bill Best Hope for Over 17,000 West Virginia Mining Jobs and Consumers Across the State
The energy bill now before Congress provides powerful incentives to coal production, consumption and employment, especially in West Virginia, said the mining industry's chief spokesman in Washington, D.C. today.

November 19, 2003
Highlights of the Conference Report to H.R. 6, "The Energy Policy Act of 2003"
"This bill will increase the diversity of fuels available for electricity generation, enhance the environmental progress made by the coal industry, and stimulate employment opportunities in mining communities across the country."
Jack Gerard, NMA President and CEO, November 17, 2003

November 19, 2003
Legal Update: District Court Affirms BLM's Revision of 3809
On November 18, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued its decision affirming, with one exception, the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 2001 revisions to the Part 3809 Surface Management Standards for hardrock mining operations conducted on public lands under the Mining Law.

November 14, 2003
Congress Should Pass Comprehensive Energy Legislation Now to Help Sustain Economic Recovery and Job Growth
"Congress can help put more Americans back to work and assure our energy future by passing without delay the energy bill announced today by the Energy Conference Committee co-chairmen," said National Mining Association President and CEO Jack Gerard upon today's announcement by Senator Domenici and Congressman Tauzin.

November 10, 2003
Senate Clear Skies Proposal Provides Vital Framework for Environmental Improvements
"The Clear Skies proposal outlined today provides a vital framework for future environmental improvements," National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard said today in response to the release by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee of the Chairman's Mark for S.485, the Clear Skies Act of 2003.

November 10, 2003
POPOVICH JOINS NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION
The National Mining Association (NMA) this week announced that Luke Popovich has joined the organization as Vice President, External Communications. Popovich, formerly with Smith & Harroff Inc. and the American Forest & Paper Association, will work on a variety of communications projects, including media relations, speech writing and publications.

October 30, 2003
SENATE WISELY REJECTS "SWISS CHEESE" VERSION OF LIEBERMAN/ MCCAIN, PRESERVING AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY AND U.S. JOBS
"The Senate has wisely rejected the latest proposal offered by Senators Lieberman and McCain, S. 139, that would have resulted in increased electricity prices and loss of jobs-particularly in America's manufacturing sector so hard hit by recent fluctuations in energy costs and supply," National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard said today following the Senate vote.

October 10, 2003
DOI ANNOUNCEMENT GOOD FOR JOBS, COMMUNITIES & ECONOMY
"Today's announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is good for jobs, mining communities and the American economy," National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard said in response to the DOI's announcement regarding millsites. "With the support of governors and Congressional leaders from both political parties, DOI has restored a decades-old, common-sense understanding of the law. This is a good example of how public officials can work together to keep jobs, investments and tax dollars here at home."

October 2, 2003
Excellent Safety Records Earn Eight Mines Prestigious Federal Awards
Eight U.S. coal, metal and nonmetal mines that achieved a perfect safety record in 2002-a combined 1.9 million employee hours without any time lost to serious injury or a fatality-were honored today with prestigious "Sentinels of Safety Awards" presented by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health David Lauriski.

October 1, 2003
OSM/BLM Award Winners Announced
A total of 15 coal and minerals mining companies were presented national awards honoring outstanding reclamation and community outreach by two U.S. Department of the Interior agencies - the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - during special ceremonies in Washington, D.C., this evening.

September 16, 2003
President's Clear Skies and Clean Coal Technology Initiatives are Essential for Economic Growth and Environmental Protection
"President Bush offered a compelling case for prompt Congressional action on the administration's Clear Skies and Energy initiatives," National Mining Association President and CEO Jack Gerard said today following a small meeting at the White House in which he and Jim Roberts, president and CEO of RAG American Coal Holding Inc., were briefed by President Bush.

September 8, 2003
NEVADA EXCELLENCE IN MINE RECLAMATION AWARD WINNERS NAMED
(RENO, NEVADA) At the annual Nevada Mining Association Convention, held September 4 - 6, 2003 at Harvey's Resort in Lake Tahoe, the Nevada Excellence in Mine Reclamation Awards were presented to four mining companies for their accomplishments in restoring and preserving Nevada's environment.

September 2, 2003
EPA To Honor Colorado Mining Association For Developing Pollution Prevention Program
The Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, and the Colorado Mining Association (CMA) proudly announce that CMA will be the recipient of a Friend of EPA Award at CMA's upcoming membership forum on Environmental Management Systems and Sustainable Development September 11 (Wells Fargo Bank Forum, Denver).

August 27, 2003
Statement of National Mining Association on NSR Rule
Jack N. Gerard, president and chief executive officer of the National Mining Association, said of the Environmental Protection Agency's action clarifying and restoring important provisions of the New Source Review (NSR) program, "This new rule is true to the intent of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the integrity of our nation's overall energy supply and the well being of our economy. It cuts a Gordian knot that put needlessly at risk the reliability, adequacy and affordability of our near-term electric power."

August 4, 2003
John Shelk to Join National Mining Association as Senior VP Government Affairs
"John Shelk brings to NMA a tremendous knowledge of Congress, a talent for working collaboratively with its members and broad experience in the private sector. I'm pleased he is joining NMA at a time when the association and our industry are poised to make even greater contributions to the mineral and energy needs so important to our economy and way of life," NMA President & CEO Jack Gerard said today upon announcing Shelk's appointment as Senior Vice President Government Affairs for NMA.

August 1, 2003
Important Step Toward Ensuring Affordable and Reliable Future for America's Energy Users Taken by Senate
"An important step toward ensuring an affordable and reliable future for America's energy uses was taken by the U.S. Senate last evening;," NMA President & CEO Jack Gerard said upon Senate passage of energy legislation. "The Clean Coal Power Initiative and the basic coal research and development program included in the measure will allow coal-based electricity generation to continue the unprecedented progress made in meeting our energy needs while achieving dramatic environmental improvements. We are hopeful this important step will lead to Congressional passage of a comprehensive energy measure by year-end."

July 31, 2003
NMA Supports Evaluation of New Dust Sampling Technology in MSHA Rulemaking
"The National Mining Association envisions new dust sampling technology, the Personal Dust Monitor (PDM), to be the centerpiece upon which a new regulatory program will be built. Never before have we had within our grasp a tool to empower miners and mine operators to initiate intervention actions based upon the results of real-time sampling," David Beerbower, vice chairman of NMA's Safety and Health Committee told members of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee at hearings conducted today.

July 28, 2003
NMA Applauds MSHA "Coal Mine Safety Awareness Day" Designation
"NMA applauds the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) designation of today as Coal Mine Safety Awareness Day-kicking off two weeks of mine safety education around the country. While U.S. mining operations had their safest year on record in 2002, safety must continue to be our top priority every day, and MSHA's increased emphasis on safety awareness is welcomed by all in the mining industry," National Mining Association President & CEO Jack Gerard said today.

July 28, 2003
Senate Should Pass Energy Policy Legislation So U.S. Can Meet Growing Energy Needs
"It is crucial the United States Senate promptly pass energy policy legislation now, if our nation is going to meet an expected growth of more than 43 percent in demand for electric power through 2020," Jack Gerard, President & CEO of the National Mining Association, urged today.

July 22, 2003
Mining industry appreciates leadership of President Bush in seeking Clear Skies measure that protects vital coal-based electricity generation and achieves environmental improvement
"The mining industry appreciates the personal interest, support and leadership of President Bush in seeking multi-emissions legislation that protects vital coal-based electricity generation, promotes economic growth and achieves significant additional improvement in air quality," NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard said today.

July 11, 2003
NMA APPLAUDS HOUSE VOTE TO ADVANCE MINERS' HEALTH
"This evening's vote advances miners' health and allows us to take full advantage of new cutting-edge technology that has the potential to revolutionize the protections afforded miners from exposure to coal dust," NMA President & CEO Jack Gerard said this evening in response to a vote by the House of Representatives defeating an amendment offered by Representative Nick Rahall to the Department of Labor Appropriations bill, HR 2660.

June 30, 2003
MINING INDUSTRY TRI DATA SHOW OVER 85 PERCENT OF MATERIALS NATURALLY OCCURRING AND MANAGED ON-SITE
The National Mining Association (NMA), on behalf of its member operations, today provided summary information on the industry's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reports for calendar year 2001. The information was provided as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of the nationwide results for all reporting operations.

June 26, 2003
COAL'S ROLE IN EASING THE NATURAL GAS CRISIS
This week the National Mining Association provided a white paper to the Administration that suggested several actions that can be taken in the near term to assist in alleviating current pressures on the natural gas market by encouraging greater use of coal to generate electricity. The white paper noted that the coal industry has always shown a strong ability to respond to an increase in demand, but that the real question is not the ability of the coal industry to meet demand, but the ability of the electric generators to use additional coal in the place of natural gas.

June 20, 2003
NMA President & CEO Jack N. Gerard Corrects Early News Reports That Coal Industry Endorses Energy Plan of Ted Turner Group
NMA President & CEO Jack N. Gerard said that, contrary to early news reports, the National Mining Association, as representative of the U.S. coal industry, did not participate in the Energy Future Coalition and opposes its overall call for control of carbon dioxide emissions to achieve 30 percent reductions.

June 4, 2003
Statement by Jack N. Gerard, President and CEO, National Mining Association, on the G-8 Action Plan, "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development."
"The U.S. mining industry applauds the Action Plan on Science and Technology agreed to by G-8 leaders today for its inclusion of provisions that the Bush Administration notes 'build directly on U.S. initiatives to develop transformational technologies' for clean coal and hydrogen fuel cells."

June 3, 2003
Court Rules Underground Mining Activities Not Subject to Section 522(e) Prohibitions
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled today in a 3-0 opinion to uphold the Office of Surface Mining's (OSM) longstanding interpretation that Section 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) does not apply to underground mining and related activities, including subsidence.

May 29, 2003
Draft EIS Provides Roadmap for Further Environmental Improvements at Appalachian Coal Mining Operations
"The Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released today by federal and state agencies that have spent the last four years studying surface (mountaintop) mining operations in Appalachia, provides a constructive roadmap for coal mining operations as well as state and federal regulatory agencies that could lead to further environmental improvements at mining operations," National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard said today based on NMA's very preliminary review of the summary documents provided with the full report.

May 15, 2003
Backgrounder on TRI Data For U.S. Mining Industry
Due to the unique nature of the reports provided by coal and metals mining operations under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program, the following is provided as background information in anticipation of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) public announcement of nationwide results that is expected later this month.

April 22, 2003
NMA Applauds the Formation of FutureGen Alliance for Near Zero-Emission Power Plant
Washington, DC - "NMA congratulates the nine coal companies and electric utilities that today announced the formation of an alliance to support President Bush's FutureGen Initiative. The nine charter companies are to be congratulated for their timely initiative on this important project and for their contribution of substantial financial and technical resources and experience," Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the National Mining Association (NMA) said today.

April 8, 2003
NMA Supports Clear Skies Initiative that Builds on Emissions Reductions Achieved in Coal-Based Electricity Generation
Washington, DC - "Coal based electric generators have significantly reduced emissions while meeting dramatically increased demand for reliable and affordable energy. Further emissions reductions will be achieved with flexible market based approaches that build on these accomplishments," National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Jack Gerard said today in response to hearings on the Clear Skies Initiative held the by the Clean Air, Climate Change and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Words Committee."

February 27, 2003
NMA Supports Objectives of Clear Skies Initiative
"The National Mining Association (NMA) supports the objective of the President's Clear Skies Initiative -- to rationalize and streamline a myriad of air regulatory programs while achieving further dramatic reductions in air emissions," NMA President Jack Gerard said today upon the introduction of the bill by Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and George Voinovich (R-OH), and Congressmen Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Joe Barton (R-TX). He noted, however, "NMA is concerned about the possible impact of specific provisions of the legislation on the nation's ability to provide reliable and affordable electricity through continued use of the nation's vast coal reserves. We look forward to working with the Administration and the Congress to address these concerns and to develop a bill that significantly improves air quality and allows for continued use of the nation's most abundant source of domestic energy."

February 27, 2003
Mineral Leasing Act Should be Updated to Ensure Orderly Development of Coal Reserves and to Avoid Market Dislocations
Washington, DC - "Policy changes are needed to ensure the vast energy resources on federal lands can contribute to the goal of energy self-sufficiency while advancing local economies and protecting the environment," Arch Coal, Inc. President and CEO Steve Leer told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in testimony today on behalf of the National Mining Association (NMA).

February 24, 2003
New Study Provides Key Insight Into Environmental Policy Debate
Policy makers have a new tool available to them as they consider regulatory actions that may limit the use of coal to generate electricity.  Mortality Reductions from the Use of Low-Cost Coal-Fueled Power: An Analytical Framework, is a new, peer-reviewed study co-authored by Daniel E. Klein and Ralph L. Keeney.  This research examines, for the first time, the human mortality impacts associated with overly stringent regulations that would displace coal as the primary fuel used for electricity generation in the U.S.  The Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) and the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) are commenting on the findings of this new study as they use it to increase awareness of policy makers across the country.

February 12, 2003
America's Mining Industry Mobilizes to Increase Efficiency, Decrease Emissions in Response to President's Climate Challenge
Washington, DC - A six-part strategy -- Mining Industry Climate Action Plan (MICAP) -- that launches a comprehensive industry-wide mobilization effort in support of President Bush's "Voluntary Industry Sector Initiative: Opportunities Now" (VISION) was announced today by the National Mining Association (NMA) at a Washington press conference.

February 6, 2003
NMA Joins President Bush in Call for Action on U.S. Energy Independence NMA President & CEO Jack Gerard joined President Bush today in a call to action on U.S. energy independence. At a Bush-hosted event, the President emphasized he expected Congress to pass comprehensive energy legislation this year.

January 29, 2003
US Court of Appeals for Fourth Circuit Reverses Lower Court Decision on Valley Fills
In a decision issued today by the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in the matter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth vs. US Army Corps of Engineers, et al, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of Federal District Judge Charles Haden, which had enjoined the issuance of permits for the construction of valley fills within that court's jurisdiction.

January 29, 2003
NMA Applauds President's Initiatives on Hydrogen-Powered Fuel; Says U.S. Coal is Most Abundant and Affordable Source
Washington, DC - The National Mining Association (NMA) applauded President Bush's State of the Union commitment to energy independence and his new initiative, "Freedom Fuel," for the development of needed technology for commercially viable hydrogen-powered fuel cells.

January 20, 2003
Proposed Cyanide Ban Would Cost Jobs and Harm Mining in Colorado
"Proposed legislation heard today in the Colorado State Senate would cost jobs and jeopardize the future of one of the most modern and carefully managed gold mines in the United States," NMA President and CEO Jack Gerard said today.

January 17, 2003
NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard Says First-Round Projects Put President's Power Initiative in Support of Affordability, Environment
NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard said the initial selection of projects for the President's Clean Coal Power Initiative shows that it intends to make wise investments in the continued affordability of electric power and continued improvement of the environment.

January 8, 2003
U.S. Mining Tops Two Million Reclaimed Acres Returning Once-Mined Land to New Beneficial Uses
"The reclamation of more than 2 million acres of mined lands for new beneficial uses is an extraordinary achievement, and U.S. coal, hard rock and minerals mining companies are proud to have exceeded this important milestone in 2002," NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard said today.

January 7, 2003
U.S. Mining Achieves Historic Safety Record in 2002
"The historic new low in fatal injuries at U.S. mines in 2002 continues the steady, positive trend toward improved mine safety since the early 1990s," National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Jack N. Gerard said today. "It is a testimony to the continuous, diligent application of equipment and technology advances, improved engineering methods, advanced training and conscientious safety awareness by all involved."