Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

                                COAL MINING LEASE

      THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 30th day of July, 1979 by and
between EVELYN C. BACH, a Widow, of 2375 Ohio Boulevard, Terre Haute, Indiana,
47803; MARY FRANCES MARSHALL AND VINCENT MARSHALL, her husband, of 1177 Leavitt,
Apt. 105, Flossmere, Illinois, 60422; NANCY PILLON, divorced and not remarried,
of 2375 Ohio Boulevard, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47803; JOSEPHINE PORTERFIELD AND
ALEXANDER R. PORTERFIELD, her husband, of 619 Banyan Road, Edgewood, Maryland,
21040; and STEVE C. BACH AND ROSEMARY H. BACH, his wife, of 512 Walnut Street,
Mt. Vernon, Indiana, 47620, all being parties of the first part, hereinafter
called "LESSOR" and FALCON COAL COMPANY INC., a Delaware Corporation, of 1200
First Security Plaza, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, 40507, being party of
the second part, hereinafter called "LESSEE".

      WITNESSETH THAT:

      For and in consideration of the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars
advance royalty, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it being understood
that this amount is to be recouped from the coal mined in subsequent years and
in further consideration of the tonnage royalties herein specified and of the
covenants and agreements to be kept and performed by the LESSEE, LESSOR does
hereby grant, demise, lease and let unto LESSEE, its successors and assigns,
exclusively, all of the several seams or measures of merchantable, commercially
mineable and economically recoverable coal in and underlying those certain
tracts of land located on Fugates Fork and Ben Smith Branch in Breathitt County,
Kentucky, containing 150 acres, more or less, and more particularly described in
Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes, upon the
following terms and conditions, to-wit:

      (1) Mining Rights Granted: To the extent and only to the extent LESSOR has
      such rights, LESSOR does hereby grant unto LESSEE the right and license to
      enter upon the leased premises at any and all times during the term of
      this Lease, and to use so much of the surface thereof as may be necessary
      or desirable in searching and exploring for coal and in determining the
      thickness and depth of the coal and for the deposit thereon of waste
      materials, including spoilage from strip mining or auger mining or
      otherwise from the mining operations conducted on the premises or adjacent
      premises in which LESSEE may be operating coal mines; also the right and
      license to dig, mine and remove said coal therefrom without

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      limitation as to depth below the surface by any lawful means or methods of
      mining, together with all and singular the rights, privileges, licenses
      and easements necessary, incident to, or convenient for the proper
      prosecution of the business of mining and removing said coal and also the
      rights-of-way over and under said premises and the right to use roads and
      railroads and underground entries, openings and tunnels in, upon or under
      said premises for the purpose of transportation of persons, machinery and
      coal from other tracts of land during the term of this Lease, and the
      right to occupy so much of the surface of the leased premises as may be
      reasonable or necessary for the storing, cleaning and processing of said
      coal and depositing the refuse therefrom, and the right to erect upon such
      premises such buildings, structures, and fixtures as may be necessary or
      desirable to the prosecution of such coal mining, and/or processing of
      said coal, provided no dwelling houses for miners or others shall be
      maintained upon the leased premises.

      (2) Exceptions and Reservations: The LESSOR excepts and reserves from this
      Lease, and this Lease is made subject to the following:

            (a) All rights, titles, interests and estates in the land comprising
            the leased premises which are not specifically herein leased.

            (b) All the oil and gas in and underlying the leased premises,
            together with the right to drill for and extract the same in the
            manner and to the extent as permitted under the statutes and the
            general law of Kentucky.

            (c) All easements and rights-of-way of record in the office of the
            Breathitt County Court Clerk on the date of execution.

      (3) Compliance with Governmental Regulations: LESSEE shall at all times
      use its best efforts to conduct its mining operations in a good and
      workmanlike manner in accordance with the terms and conditions herein
      provided and in further compliance with applicable State, Federal and
      local laws, rules and regulations and without limiting the generality of
      the foregoing, the parties specifically agree as follows:

            (a) LESSEE covenants that it will comply with the workmen's
            compensation laws of the State, and that it will promptly pay any
            awards, contributions, taxes, or assessments in connection with said
            law or in connection with present or future social security laws of
            like or different character of State and Federal governments which
            might or could become a lien upon any of the rights of LESSEE
            hereunder or upon any of the property of LESSEE located upon the
            premises herein described.

            (b) LESSEE agrees that it will at its expense obtain and file all
            necessary mining permits for the strip mining of coal, and that

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            during such strip mining operations, it will at its expense supply
            all necessary mining equipment and further that LESSEE will at its
            expense obtain any and all consents or other rights required from
            the owners of the surface.

            (c) If the LESSEE shall engage in strip mining or auger mining (and
            any auger mining is subject to the other provisions of this Lease),
            it shall at all times maintain portal areas in its mining operation
            of sufficient size to permit or allow underground mining in
            compliance with the laws and regulations of the State of Kentucky or
            any other lawful body. It is likewise agreed that the LESSEE shall
            provide and maintain drainage at all points where the spoil banks
            may break water courses or natural drainage, and the LESSEE shall
            endeavor to prevent the accumulations of large bodies of water in
            the worked over areas so as to maintain access to any unmined coal
            so that the same may be mined at a later date. Roads on the leased
            premises constructed by the LESSEE shall be left, subject to
            approval of regulatory agencies, in a useable condition upon the
            termination of this Lease, but only if the leaving of said roads
            does not cost LESSEE additional money and/or does not delay LESSEE
            from obtaining a release from its reclamation bonds which have been
            posted.

            (d) LESSEE hereby covenants and agrees to use its best efforts not
            to do or omit to do any act in mining said coal under the terms of
            this Lease which will violate any Federal or State law or regulation
            now or hereafter in force relating to air or water pollution
            control, Health, or safety and related subjects. During the term of
            or upon termination of this Lease for any reason, LESSEE agrees to
            remove from the premises or otherwise abate any condition which may
            impose upon LESSOR any liability to any person or public authority,
            and this covenant of indemnity shall survive the termination of this
            Lease as to such liability. LESSOR's remedies for the failure to
            comply with any portion of this provision (3) are limited to this
            covenant of indemnity.

      (4)   Term:

            (a) With respect to those seams of coal which can be mined by the
            mountaintop, surface or auger method of mining, being the Hazard No.
            5A coal seam and all seams overlying said Hazard No. 5A, the term of
            this Lease shall be for a period of ten (10) years from the date
            hereof and the LESSOR does hereby grant unto LESSEE the exclusive
            right to extend this term for a period of ten (10) additional years,
            and the same shall be automatically extended unless the LESSEE shall
            have notified the LESSOR of its intent

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            not to extend said term prior to the expiration of the original ten
            (10) year term.

            (b) With respect to those seams of coal which are to be mined by the
            deep mine or underground method of mining, being the coal seams
            underlying the Hazard No. 5A, as well as the surface rights granted
            hereunder, the term of this Lease shall continue in full force and
            effect until all coal required to be mined by the LESSEE hereunder
            has been exhausted; provided, however, LESSOR agrees that even
            though all merchantable and mineable coal shall have been removed
            from the premises, LESSEE shall have the right to continue the use
            of the surface and all of the roads, buildings, structures and
            fixtures which may then be on or under said premises, and the other
            rights hereby granted, for the purpose of removing, transporting,
            cleaning, processing and shipping persons, machinery and coal and
            other minerals from such premises so long as LESSEE tenders payment
            to LESSOR of the annual minimum royalty provided by this Lease.

      (5)   Earned Royalty:

            (a) LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR as earned royalties for all
            merchantable coal actually mined, removed and sold from Tract No. 1
            an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the average gross
            realization price for such coal, F.O.B. mine or tipple, but in no
            event shall the royalties payable hereunder be less than One Dollar
            ($1.00) per ton.

            (b) LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR as earned royalties for all
            merchantable coal actually mined, removed and sold from Tract No. 2
            by the mountaintop, surface or auger methods an amount equal to
            seven (7%) percent of the average gross realization price for such
            coal, F.O.B. mine or tipple, but in no event shall the royalties
            payable hereunder be less than One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50)
            per ton.

            (c) LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR as earned royalties for all
            merchantable coal actually mined, removed and sold from Tract No. 2
            by the deep or underground methods an amount equal to five (5%)
            percent of the average gross realization price for such coal, F.O.B.
            mine or tipple, but in no event shall the royalties payable
            hereunder be less than One Dollar ($1.00) per ton.

            (d) A ton is hereby defined to mean 2,000 pounds. Any loss caused by
            the removal of impurities in the coal, such as rock, slate, or the
            like, shall be deducted from the gross weight of the raw coal
            removed from the property, and the royalties will be paid only on

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            the net tonnage of saleable coal. LESSEE shall keep accurate records
            of all coal mined, removed and sold from the premises which shall be
            open at all reasonable times for inspection by the LESSOR, its
            representatives or agents, and shall furnish LESSOR a monthly
            statement showing the number of tons of coal sold and the average
            gross realization price thereof from the leased premises during the
            preceding month.

            (e) Said royalties shall be paid to the LESSOR on or before the 25th
            day of the month following the month during which such coal is
            mined, removed or sold from the premises. Royalties payable
            hereunder shall be divided among and paid to the parties LESSOR in
            the following proportions, to-wit:

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
Steve C. Bach                      28%
Mary Frances Marshall              18%
Nancy Pillon                       18%
Josephine Porterfield              18%
Evelyn C. Bach                     18%
</TABLE>

      (6)   Minimum Royalty:

            (a) LESSEE further covenants that it will mine from the leased
            premises at least 10,000 tons of coal per year. In the event LESSEE
            fails to mine said minimum tonnage herein required in any one year,
            then it shall pay to LESSOR as a minimum royalty, an amount equal to
            the difference between the earned royalty on tonnage actually mined
            and paid for, and the aforesaid minimum tonnage required herein to
            be mined. The LESSEE shall pay the royalty on any minimum mining
            deficiency on or before the 25th day of June following the year
            during which such deficiency occurred, and the amount of royalty due
            on such deficit shall be calculated at One Dollar ($1.00) per ton.
            For purposes of this provision (6)(a) only the lease year shall be
            from June 1 to May 31.

            (b) In the event LESSEE shall fail in any year to mine tonnage from
            the leased property sufficient to pay the minimum tonnage royalty
            required for any such year, then LESSEE shall and does have the
            right in any one of the succeeding years during the life of this
            Lease, and after the required minimum tonnage for such succeeding
            year or years shall have been mined and paid for, to mine and remove
            sufficient coal from the leasehold free of royalty to reimburse
            itself for the minimum royalty in excess of earned royalty paid in
            any such preceding year or years. In addition a credit will be
            allowed for any coal mined in excess of the minimum or for minimum
            royalties paid to be carried forward to any subsequent year or
            years. Payment by LESSEE of the

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            minimum royalties herein stipulated shall be in lieu of any and all
            express or implied covenants on the part of LESSEE to conduct actual
            mining operations.

            (c) Royalties payable hereunder shall be divided among and paid to
            the parties LESSOR in the following proportions, to-wit:

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
Steve C. Bach                      28%
Mary Frances Marshall              18%
Nancy Pillon                       18%
Josephine Porterfield              18%
Evelyn C. Bach                     18%
</TABLE>

            (d) All payments required or intended to be sent to the parties
            LESSOR under the terms of this Lease shall be deemed sufficient and
            satisfied if posted by first-class mail with the U.S. Postal Service
            and tendered to the addresses herein designated or as to such other
            addresses as LESSOR may designate in writing to LESSEE.

      (7)   Records and Access:

            (a) LESSEE shall keep a true and accurate record of all coal mined,
            removed and sold from the leased premises and said records shall be
            available at all reasonable times to the LESSOR, its representatives
            or agents.

            (b) LESSOR shall have the right to obtain from the L & N Railroad
            Company, or any other railroad over which coal mined hereunder shall
            be shipped, information as to the quantity of coal shipped by LESSEE
            from the leased premises.

            (c) LESSOR, by its agents, engineers or other persons on its behalf,
            at all reasonable times, shall have the right and privilege of
            entering the leased premises in order to inspect, examine, survey or
            measure the operations and workings conducted by LESSEE thereon,
            provided, however, persons should notify LESSEE's chief engineers
            prior to entering said premises.

      (8)   Maps:

            (a) LESSEE agrees to employ a competent registered mining engineer
            to keep an accurate map of the mine workings upon the leased
            premises showing at all times the progress of the work, which map
            shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection by LESSOR and
            its agents. A copy of said mine map shall be furnished to the LESSOR
            or its engineer at least every three (3) months. No deep mining
            operations shall be commenced or

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            prosecuted except pursuant to and in conformity with such
            projections, plans and descriptions as are approved by the LESSOR's
            engineer, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. No
            material change in or modification of or departure from any plan so
            approved shall be made by the LESSEE without the consent of LESSOR's
            mining engineer. Where mining of multiple seams is being conducted
            progress maps shall distinctly differentiate the work in each seam
            by multiple angle cross-hatchings clearly defined or by a separate
            map of each seam or split encountered and worked.

            (b) LESSOR, or its engineer, may cause inspection or examination to
            be made of the mined areas, and if it is mutually determined, by
            LESSOR and LESSEE, that in the progress of the work any areas of
            merchantable mineable coal of workable thickness has been by-passed
            with the result that coal has not been removed, which in accordance
            with good mining practices, and consistent with Federal mining laws,
            should have been removed, it shall be the duty of the LESSEE after
            receipt of written notice, to return as soon as practicable to such
            areas and remove the coal therefrom, or failing do so, LESSEE shall
            account for the coal contained in such areas and pay the royalty
            therefor as if the same had been mined. The royalty rate shall be
            determined pursuant to numerical paragraph (5) herein using the
            highest realization prices received by LESSEE for coal mined and
            sold from the areas surrounding such by-passed coal.

            (c) If any such coal is sold hereunder through a sales agent, LESSEE
            shall bear and pay all costs, commissions, and expenses of the
            selling agent unless the LESSOR shall consent in writing to the
            selling arrangement.

            (d) Copies of any and all applications or mining permits shall be
            submitted to the LESSOR or its mining engineer prior to submission
            to the applicable State, Federal or other regulatory agency.

            (e) Duplicate copies of all information required hereunder or under
            any other provision of this Lease shall be submitted to the LESSOR.
            The LESSOR may at any time, upon notice designate a mining engineer,
            and the LESSEE shall upon receipt of notice provide to such engineer
            copies of the information required hereunder.

      (9)   Auger Mining: Auger mining is prohibited unless approved by LESSOR
      in writing.

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            (10) Indemnification of LESSOR: LESSEE does hereby assume all risk
            inherent in the mining operation, and agrees to indemnify, protect,
            and save harmless LESSOR, its heirs and assigns, from any and all
            claims, demands, actions or causes of action connected with,
            resulting from or arising out of the mining operation. The LESSEE
            also agrees to carry appropriate workmen's compensation, general
            public liability, property damage and automotive insurance in
            amounts sufficient to protect and indemnify the LESSOR. Upon
            request, LESSEE will furnish to LESSOR certifications from insurance
            companies acceptable to LESSOR that it has in force the aforesaid
            insurance, and that the insurance carrier will not cancel the same
            without written notice to the LESSOR.

            (11) Taxes: The LESSEE shall render for taxation the leased premises
            and shall assume and pay during the term of this Lease any and all
            real estate and personal property taxes and special assessments
            levied upon the leased premises or the machinery and equipment of
            LESSEE used in any phase of the mining operation. The LESSEE shall
            likewise pay any and all taxes assessed by reason of the production,
            severance or marketing of the coal from the leased premises.

            (12) Default and Remedies: If LESSEE shall fail to pay any of the
            royalties or other payments at the time and in the manner herein
            provided, or shall fail to keep and perform any of the covenants and
            agreements on its part to be kept and performed hereunder, and
            continues any such failure to pay or continues without diligently
            proceeding to remedy such default for a period of sixty (60) days
            after receiving written notice from LESSOR, then the LESSOR may at
            its option cancel and void this Lease, and the LESSOR may thereupon
            enter upon the leased premises and expel the LESSEE therefrom. In
            the event of any such failure to pay by LESSEE, LESSOR shall have a
            lien upon any structures, equipment, machinery, improvements and
            rights and privileges of LESSEE to secure the payment for all coal
            mined; provided, however, the property of every kind put on the
            leased premises by the LESSEE or used in connection with the
            operations thereof, shall at all times be and remain the property of
            the LESSEE, with the full and free right to remove the same at any
            time subject to the above granted lien. Upon a default pursuant to
            this paragraph or any other provision of this Lease, the LESSEE
            agrees to furnish and supply to the LESSOR copies of any and all
            mine maps and records pertaining to the leased premises. If any
            dispute shall arise concerning the payment of royalties and it shall
            be later proven that the LESSEE has not paid sufficient royalties
            under the provisions of this Lease, the LESSEE agrees that in
            addition to all royalties as to which it shall have defaulted, it
            shall promptly pay the same whenever the amount is ascertained,
            together with interest at the highest lawful rate. In the event of a
            dispute concerning the amount or persons entitled to royalties,
            LESSEE may withhold and escrow with interest the amount in dispute
            until the dispute is finally resolved. The rights and remedies
            granted hereunder are cumulative and in addition to any other rights
            which the LESSOR may have at law or in equity and forebearance by
            the LESSOR with respect to any particular breach or default shall
            not constitute a waiver of such rights with respect to any
            subsequent period.

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<PAGE>

            (13) Prohibition on Assignment or Sublease: The LESSEE shall not
            assign or sublease any of their estates, rights or interest
            hereunder or any part thereof to any person, firm or corporation in
            any manner whatsoever without the consent of the LESSOR in writing
            for that purpose first had and obtained. The LESSOR may at its
            option avoid and cancel this Lease if the LESSEE shall:

                  a.    Be adjudged bankrupt,

                  b.    Become insolvent,

                  c.    Be a party to any assignment for the benefit of
                        creditors.

            (14) Termination: The LESSEE shall have the right to cancel and
            terminate this Lease by giving LESSOR thirty (30) days notice in
            writing of its intention to do so, provided at the time of the
            giving of the notice all royalties have been paid and the LESSEE is
            not in default with respect to any other provisions hereon.
            Following the expiration of said thirty (30) days, this Lease shall
            terminate and both parties shall thereafter be released from any
            further obligations hereunder except obligations incurred by the
            LESSEE with respect to the payment of monies and royalties due at
            the time of such termination, and further provided that the LESSEE
            shall remain liable for compliance with all Federal and State laws,
            rules and regulations pertaining to the restoration of the leased
            premises. Upon termination of this Lease, the LESSEE shall upon
            request surrender to the LESSOR any mine maps or records pertaining
            to any mining conducted on the leased premises.

            (15) Notices: Except as otherwise provided, all notices provided for
            herein shall be in writing and shall be served by certified or
            registered mail upon the parties as follows:

                  Upon the LESSOR:            Honorable Steve C. Bach
                                              512 Walnut Street
                                              Mt. Vernon, Indiana  47620

                  Upon the LESSEE:            Falcon Coal Company Inc.
                                              1200 First Security Plaza
                                              Lexington, Kentucky  40507

            Either party shall have the right to give the other party notice of
            the change of address for receipt of notice. No change of ownership
            in the leased premises or royalties shall be binding on either party
            until it has furnished to the other a certified copy of the
            documents by which the change of ownership was effected, but nothing
            herein shall be construed to permit a change of ownership by LESSEE
            without LESSOR's written consent as above provided.

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            (16) Title Warranty: While the LESSOR does not warrant title
            generally to the leased premises, it nevertheless warrants that it
            has done nothing to encumber or diminish the title, and that it will
            warrant specially as against the actions of LESSOR or persons
            claiming by, through or under it, but as to no others, and LESSOR
            does hereby transfer to LESSEE the benefit of any prior warranties
            lying within LESSOR's chain of title. Insofar as the LESSOR's rights
            are concerned, it is further agreed that the LESSEE shall have the
            peaceable possession of the leased premises for so long as it is not
            in default under any of the provisions hereof, but nothing herein
            shall be construed to require the LESSOR to secure for LESSEE any
            permits or rights from third parties. It is agreed, however, should
            the title to the coal herein leased be vested in someone other than
            the LESSOR, then the LESSOR agrees to refund to LESSEE the minimum
            and earned royalties herein paid in the proportion that such
            failure, if any, bears to the land herein leased and let; and
            provided further that the extent of the monetary liability of each
            individual hereunder to the LESSEE under the foregoing covenant
            shall in no event exceed the total amount of money paid by the
            LESSEE to the individual LESSOR as royalties hereunder for the
            proportionate share of the leased premises which has failed.

                  Upon execution of this Lease the parties hereto recognize that
            the Agreement dated August 15, 1966 by and between EVELYN C. BACH
            and VIRGINIA M. HINDMAN, LESSORS, and SPRUCE PINE LAND COMPANY,
            LESSEE, who subsequently assigned said Agreement to LESSEE herein,
            is null and void as it applies to the parties herein and it is
            understood that the LESSOR shall receive no additional royalty for
            the coal mined from the leased premises than is provided for herein;
            and the royalties payable hereunder are payable notwithstanding any
            claim made under said Lease.

            (17) LESSOR owns certain coal properties located on Calhoun Branch
            of Quicksand Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky, being the same
            property conveyed by Margaret Back and husband, Barry Howard and
            wife to Virginia Mae Hindman by deed dated March 16, 1910 and
            recorded in Deed Book 28, page 588, which is presently leased to R.
            C. Durr Company. LESSOR does hereby give and grant unto LESSEE the
            exclusive right and option to lease from LESSOR said property any
            time within four (4) months after notice from LESSOR of the
            termination or expiration of said R. C. Durr Company lease. The
            terms of said lease shall be negotiated at such time upon the same
            terms and conditions as herein provided with the following
            exceptions: the earned royalty rate shall be a reasonable rate but
            in no event greater than ten (10%) percent of the gross realization
            price for such coal, F.O.B. mine or tipple; the delay rentals shall
            be reasonable but in no event greater than Fifty Thousand ($50,000)
            Dollars per year; and the term of said lease shall not exceed six
            (6) years.

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<PAGE>

            (18) This Lease shall be construed as though both the LESSOR and
            LESSEE prepared the lease so that the terms of the lease shall be
            construed with equal weight as to both parties.

            (19) Counterparts: This Lease is prepared in multiple counterparts,
            and may be executed in any number thereof, each of which will be
            considered a duplicate original.

            (20) Short Form: In order to avoid burdening the records, and in
            order to maintain confidentiality as to certain provisions of this
            Lease, the parties agree, upon request, to execute a Short For
            Memorandum of this Lease.

            (21) Successors and Assigns: This Lease shall be binding upon shall
            inure to the benefit of the parties hereto their nominees, heirs,
            executors, administrators and assigns.

            IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness the execution hereof by the LESSOR and
      the LESSEE as of the day and date first above written.

                                            LESSORS

/s/ Mary Frances Marshall                   /s/ Vincent Marshall
-------------------------                   ----------------------------
MARY FRANCES MARSHALL                       VINCENT MARSHALL

/s/ Evelyn C. Bach                          /s/ Nancy Pillon
-------------------------                   ----------------------------
EVELYN C. BACH                              NANCY PILLON

/s/ Josephine Porterfield                   /s/ Alexander M. Porterfield
-------------------------                   ----------------------------
JOSEPHINE PORTERFIELD                       ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD

/s/ Steve C. Bach                           /s/ Rosemary H. Bach
-------------------------                   ----------------------------
STEVE C. BACH                               ROSEMARY H. BACH

                                            LESSEE

                                            FALCON COAL COMPANY INC.

                                            BY: /s/ Roy Mullins
                                                -------------------------
                                                   Vice-President

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STATE OF MARYLAND )
                  )
COUNTY OF HARFORD )

      I, Thelma D. Magnese, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Josephine Porterfield and
Alexander M. Porterfield, her husband, known to me to be the individuals
executing the said Coal Mining Lease, and was duly acknowledged before me by
them to be their act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 5th day of July, 1979.

      My commission expires: July 1982.

[Notary Seal]                               /s/ Thelma D. Magnese
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF _____   )

      I, ______________________, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Steve C. Bach and Rosemary H.
Bach, his wife, known to me to be the individuals executing the said Coal Mining
Lease, and was duly acknowledged before me by them to be their act and deed.

      Given under my hand this ____ day of __________, 1979.

      My commission expires: ___________________________________

                                        ________________________________
                                        Notary Public

STATE OF KENTUCKY     )
                      )
COUNTY OF BREATHITT   )

      I, Mary L. Fugate, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Roy Mullins, known to me to be the
Vice President of Falcon Coal Company Inc., and was duly acknowledged by him to
be his act and deed and the act and deed of Falcon Coal Company Inc.

      Given under my hand this 27 day of June, 1979.

      My commission expires: April 23, 1983

                                            /s/ Mary L. Fugate
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Notary Public, State at Large
                                                           Kentucky

                                       12

<PAGE>

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF VIGO    )

      I, Sally Garthwaite, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Evelyn C. Bach, a Widow, known to
me to be the individual executing the said Coal Mining Lease, and was duly
acknowledged before me by her act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 2 day of July, 1979.

      My commission expires: July 9 1982

      County Residence is: Vigo

                                            /s/ Sally Garthwaite
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  )
COUNTY OF COOK    )

      I, Patricia M. Gerrard, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Mary Frances Marshall and Vincent
Marshall, her husband, known to me to be the individuals executing the said Coal
Mining Lease, and was duly acknowledged before me by them to be their act and
deed.

      Given under my hand this 2 day of July, 1979.

                                /s/ Patricia M. Gerrard
                                ---------------------------
                                Notary Public

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF VIGO    )

      I, Sally Garthwaite, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Nancy Pillon, known to me to be
the individual executing the said Coal Mining Lease, and was duly acknowledged
before me by her to be her act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 2 day of July, 1979.

      My commission expires: July 9 1982.

      County Residence is Vigo

                                            /s/ Sally Garthwaite
                                            -----------------------------
                                            Notary Public

                                       13

<PAGE>

STATE OF MARYLAND )
                  )
COUNTY OF _______ )

      I, ________________________, a Notary Public in and for the County and
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this
day produced to me in my said County and State by Josephine Porterfield and
Alexander R. Porterfield, her husband, known to me to be the individuals
executing the said Coal Mining Lease, and was duly acknowledged before me by
them to be their act and deed.

      Given under my hand this _____ day of __________, 1979.

      My commission expires: ___________________________

                                           _______________________________
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF POSEY   )

      I, Malien R. Webster, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Steve C. Bach and Rosemary H.
Bach, his wife, known to me to be the individuals executing the said Coal Mining
Lease, and was duly acknowledged before me by them to be their act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 30th day of July, 1979.

      My commission expires: July 26, 1981

                                            /s/ Malien R. Webster
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Notary Public Malien R. Webster
                                            Residing in Posey Co.

STATE OF KENTUCKY   )
                    )
COUNTY OF BREATHITT )

      I, Mary L. Fugate, a Notary Public in and for the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Coal Mining Lease was this day
produced to me in my said County and State by Roy Mullins, known to me to be the
Vice President of Falcon Coal Company Inc., and was duly acknowledged by him to
be his act and deed and the act and deed of Falcon Coal Company Inc.

      Given under my hand this 27 day of June, 1979.

      My commission expires: April 23, 1983

                                            /s/ Mary L. Fugate
                                            -----------------------------
                                            Notary Public, State at Large
                                                                 Kentucky

                                       14

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT "A"

      Attached to and made a part of Coal Mining Lease dated July 30, 1979, from
VIRGINIA MAE HINDMAN, ET AL as LESSOR to FALCON COAL COMPANY INC., as LESSEE.
Description of Lands Owned by Lessors Leased to Lessee:

                                   TRACT NO. 1

      Lying and being in Breathitt County, Kentucky, and on the waters of
Fugates Fork of Troublesome Creek, Beginning on a stake in the Branch and corner
to the lands of Preston Miller, thence up the hill with said Millers line, S 65
W 165 feet to a stake in said Preston Miller Field, thence S 64 W 807 feet to a
black oak and hickory on the ridge between Harvey's Branch and Fugates fork S 74
W 342 feet to a cucumber under the top of the ridge on the Harvey's Branch side,
thence around the side of the hill, N 20 W 543 feet to the corner of a Patent
and a small chestnut oak, thence N 21-45 E 835 to two chestnuts and corner to
the land of Bum Miller, thence with said Millers line N 80-3 E 78 feet to a
chestnut snag in the Fannie gap N 7-45 E 270 feet to a dogwood and chestnut N
36-30 E 300 feet to a black oak, N 57-15 E 270 feet to the top of the point and
fence on the ridge between Big Leatherwood Creek of south fork of Quicksand
Creek and Fugates fork of Troublesome Creek, thence with said ridge, S 30-15 E
239 feet to a black walnut S 46-45 E 356 feet to two sourwood and a black oak S
85-30 E 275 feet to a hickory, S 88-30 E 196 feet to the low gap at the head Big
Leatherwood fork at the road, N 63 E 150 feet to a flat rock, N 40 E 130 feet to
a black oak and walnut near the Big Coal opening, N 27-30 E 232 feet to a
chestnut oak on top of the point, thence N 77-15 E 240 feet to a hickory and
corner to the Goff Land Company, thence with said Goff Land Company's line, S
60-15 E 564 feet to a poplar and dogwood in the head of a small drain and corner
to the land of Bum Miller, thence with said Miller's line up the hill S 48-45 E
264 feet to a large chestnut oak, thence around the hill S 2-15 W 940 feet to a
chestnut oak, thence S 65-45 W 1710 feet to main Fugates fork and corner to the
land of Preston Miller, thence up said Fugates fork, N 3-30 E 610 feet to the
beginning, containing (92-1/2) ninety two and one half acres.

      Being the same property inherited by Mrs. Virginia Mae Hindman from her
mother Margaret Day, being of record at ____________________, which was deeded
by John Miller to

                                       15

<PAGE>

Margaret Day by deed dated February 19, 1212 and recorded in Deed Book 32, page
38. Virginia M. Hindman deeded this property to Grannis Bach and Evelyn Bach by
deed dated June 17, 1937 and recorded in Deed Book 72, page 388, with Mrs.
Hindman retaining a life interest in one-half of the proceeds. An Affidavit of
Descent dated October 24, 1961, of record in Deed Book 100, page 204, deals with
the death of Grannis Bach. Being also lands conveyed by a certain Deed dated
____ day Evelyn C. Bach to Steve C. Bach, et al, being of record in Deed Book
________, page __________, all of the above references being in the office of
the County Court Clerk of Breathitt County, Kentucky.

                                   TRACT NO. 2

      Lying and being on the right hand fork of Ben Smith branch. Beginning on
the ridge at the head of the right hand fork of Ben Smith branch at a black gum,
chestnut and white oak, thence N84 W 36 poles to a black oak, N 14 W 54 poles to
a black oak N 27 E 29 poles to a white oak, N 47 E 28 poles, N 12 E 31 poles to
a small pine on the ridge, N 44 W 26 poles to a chestnut oak, N 17 E 32 poles to
a chestnut, N 69 E 30 pole to two chestnut oaks on the ridge, S 65 E 9 poles,
South 161 poles, S 30 W 33 poles to the beginning, containing 50 acres.

      Said land was granted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Rhoda Smith by
patent No. 32124, issued April 24, 1860, and recorded in Book 58, page 40.

      Said land is included in the boundary conveyed to J. J. C. Bach by Alvey
Jane Combs, by deed dated October 29, 1898 and recorded in Deed Book 14, page
565; by Mary Bach, widow of J. J. C. Bach and Herschal Bach to Grannis Bach by
deed dated August 10, 1916 and recorded in Dook Book 37, page 593 and was
conveyed to Evelyn Bach, widow of Grannis Bach to Steve C. Bach, et al, by deed
dated December 28, 1970 and recorded in Dook Book 120, page 664.

                                       16

<PAGE>

STATE OF KENTUCKY      )
                       ) Sct.
COUNTY OF BREATHITT    )

      I, Margaret McPherson, Clerk of the County Court in and for the county and
state aforesaid, certify that the foregoing instrument was on the 29th day of
September, 1982, lodged for record, whereupon the same with the foregoing and
this certificate have been duly recorded in my office in Lease Bk.17 at page
190.

      WITNESS my hand this 30th day of September, 1982.

                                            MARGARET McPHERSON, CLERK

                                            By /s/ Virginia L. Schneider D.C.
                                               -------------------------

                                       17

<PAGE>

                               CONSENT TO SUBLEASE

      The undersigned, who are: EVELYN C. BACH, a widow, of 2375 Ohio Boulevard,
Terre Haute, Indiana, 47803; MARY FRANCES MARSHALL and VINCENT MARSHALL, her
husband, of 1177 Leavitt, Apt. 105, Flossmere, Illinois, 60422; NANCY PILLON,
divorced and not remarried, of 2375 Ohio Boulevard, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47803;
JOSEPHINE PORTERFIELD and ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD, her husband, of 619 Banyan
Road, Edgewood, Maryland, 21040; and STEVE C. BACH and ROSEMARY H. BACH, his
wife, of 512 Walnut Street, Mt. Vernon, Indiana, 47620, (the "LESSORS"), and who
are the Lessors to FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC., a Delaware Corporation, of 1200
First Security Plaza, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, 40507, by a July 30,
1979 lease (the "LEASE"), do hereby consent, effective the 28th day of October,
1982, to FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC. subleasing to KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC.
a Virginia Corporation, of Post Office Box 5001, Hazard, Kentucy, 41701, under
terms and conditions consistent with the lease from FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC.,
TO KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC., dated the 28th day of October, 1982, a copy
of which is attached hereto.

      It is understood herein that, as a consideration of granting this Consent
to Sublease, Falcon Coal Company, Inc., agrees to pay to the LESSORS a
production royalty of $2.50 per ton of coal or ten percent (10%) of the gross
sales price whichever is greater and to comply with all the terms and conditions
of the original lease from LESSORS dated 3rd day of July, 1979, same being
recorded in Lease Book No. 17, Page 190, Breathitt County Court Clerk's Office.

      It is further understood herein that the Lease from LESSORS to Falcon Coal
Company dated July 3, 1979, provides for an annual minimum royalty of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), all of which would be recoupable from the royalty
due for coal to be mined from the properties during future years; Falcon Coal
Company, Inc., agrees that it will not recoup more than Twenty Thousand Dollars
($20,000.00) that might be available for recoupment from the royalty due for
coal mined from the properties being subleased herein to Kentucky May Coal
Company, Inc.

      The Consent to Sublease shall not in any way continue the Lease beyond the
time that said Lease would terminate according to its' own terms.

                                       18

<PAGE>

      IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the parties hereto have subscribed their names as of
the dates set out below.

                                                     /s/ Evelyn C. Bach
                                                     ------------------
                                                     EVELYN C. BACH

STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
                   )
COUNTY OF COOK     )

      This is to certify that the foregoing Consent to Sublease was acknowledged
before me by Evelyn C. Bach, Widow, this the 19th day of November, 1982.

      My Commission Expires: November 1, 1986

                                                     /s/ Robert J. Peterson
                                                     -----------------------
(SEAL)                                                   NOTARY PUBLIC

/s/ Mary Frances Marshall                            /s/ Vincent Marshall
-------------------------                            -----------------------
MARY FRANCES MARSHALL                                VINCENT MARSHALL

STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
                   )
COUNTY OF COOK     )

      This is to certify that the foregoing Consent to Sublease was acknowledged
before me by Mary Frances Marshall and Vincent Marshall, her husband, this the
13th day of November, 1982.

      My Commission Expires:  MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 5/14/86

                                                       /s/ Mary J. Prendergast
                                                       -----------------------
(SEAL)                                                 NOTARY PUBLIC

                                                       /s/ Nancy Pillon
                                                       -----------------------
                                                       NANCY PILLON

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF VIGO    )

      This is to certify that the foregoing Consent to Sublease was acknowledged
before me by Nancy Pillon, unmarried, this 9 day of November, 1982.

                                       19

<PAGE>

      My Commission Expires: July 10 1986

(SEAL) County Residence: Vigo

                                                 /s/ Sally Garthwaite
                                                 --------------------
                                                        NOTARY PUBLIC

/s/ Josephine Porterfield                        /s/ Alexander M. Porterfield
-------------------------                        ----------------------------
JOSEPHINE PORTERFIELD                            ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD

STATE OF MARYLAND    )
                     )
COUNTY OF BALTIMORE  )

      This is to certify that the foregoing Consent to Sublease was acknowledged
before me by Josephine Porterfield and her husband, Alexander R. Porterfield
this the 16th day of November, 1982.

      My Commission Expires: 7/1/86

                                                 /s/ Marilyn J. Cooper
                                                 -----------------------------
(SEAL)                                               NOTARY PUBLIC

/s/ Steve C. Bach                                /s/ Rosemary H. Bach
-----------------                                -----------------------------
STEVE C. BACH                                    ROSEMARY H. BACH

STATE OF INDIANA  )
                  )
COUNTY OF POSEY   )

      This is to certify that the foregoing Consent to Sublease was acknowledged
before me by Steve C. Bach and his wife Rosemary H. Bach, this 24th day of
November, 1982.

      My Commission Expires: May 26, 1983

                                                 /s/ Virginia C. Christmas
                                                 ----------------------------
(SEAL)                                               NOTARY PUBLIC

                                       20

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                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
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                               Sublease Agreement

      This Sublease Agreement ("AGREEMENT"), effective as of this the 28th day
of October, 1982, by and between Falcon Coal Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, with a principal place of business at 1200 First Security Plaza,
Lexington, Kentucky 40507, ("FALCON"); and Kentucky May Coal Company, Inc., a
Virginia corporation, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 5004, Hazard, Kentucky
41701, ("KENTUCKY MAY") is as follows:

I.    RECITALS

1.1   Whenever the terms FALCON or KENTUCKY MAY are used in this AGREEMENT they
      shall apply to persons, both men and women, companies, co-partnerships and
      corporations, and, in reading this AGREEMENT, the necessary grammatical
      changes required to make the provisions hereof mean and apply as
      aforesaid, shall be made in the same manner as if written into this
      AGREEMENT.

1.2   FALCON and KENTUCKY MAY are hereafter occasionally referred to as
      "PARTY(IES)" (in singular or plural usage, as indicated by the context),
      which, as used herein, is meant to refer to each PARTY as a collective
      entity including employees, agents and others normally responsible to the
      entity.

1.3   Terms in this AGREEMENT (other than names of PARTIES and article headings)
      which are set forth in upper case letters have the meanings established
      for such items in Article II of the AGREEMENT.

1.4   FALCON is lessee of the FALCON PROPERTY, possessing coal mineral and
      surface rights which FALCON is willing to sublease to KENTUCKY MAY.

1.5   Each of the PARTIES is presently engaged in mining and removing coal from
      their respective properties.

1.6   KENTUCKY MAY is willing to accept a sublease from FALCON in order to
      expedite and make more efficient continued mining operations on their
      respective properties.

      In consideration of the covenants and promises herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound herby, the PARTIES agree as follows:

II.   DEFINITIONS

2.1   AFFILIATE shall mean:

      2.1.1 any business organization which directly or indirectly controls a
            PARTY:

      2.1.2 or any business organization with respect to which a PARTY is in
            direct or indirect control;

                                       21

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

      2.1.3 or any business organization which is controlled by a business
            organization described in subsections 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 above.

2.2   FALCON PROPERTY shall mean those certain tracts of land described in
      Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.

2.3   LEASE TERM shall mean an uninterrupted term commencing upon the EFFECTIVE
      DATE and continuing until this AGREEMENT expires or is terminated in
      accordance with Article VIII.

2.4   LEASE YEAR shall mean the year commencing on October 1 of each year and
      terminating on September 31 of each year.

2.5   BASE LEASE shall mean a lease agreement by which FALCON has been granted
      rights to the FALCON PROPERTY.

2.6   FALCON COAL shall mean the coal in, on or above an elevation of 1,250 feet
      so as to include the No. 5A Seam and those seams overlying the 5A Seam on
      the FALCON PROPERTY.

2.7   PRODUCTION ROYALTY shall mean the per TON royalties upon FALCON COAL sold
      to THIRD PARTY accrued when such FALCON COAL is loaded in railroad cars at
      Seller's tipple.

2.8   TON shall mean 2000 pounds avoirdupois.

2.9   THIRD PARTY shall mean any individual, corporation, firm, organization or
      entity of any nature whatsoever other than FALCON or KENTUCKY MAY.

2.10  SURFACE MINING LAWS shall mean the provisions of the Federal Surface
      Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the regulations issued
      thereunder, as well as statutes and regulations adopted by the
      Commonwealth of Kentucky applicable to surface mining.

2.11  GROSS SALES PRICE shall mean sales price for FALCON COAL at Seller's
      tipple less

      2.11.1 all federal and state excise and severance taxes levied against
            such coal, and

      2.11.2 transportation costs which are not included in the price of coal.

2.12  MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE shall refer to coal which can be mined at a
      reasonable profit in the prevailing coal market using then existing
      technology and mining methods appropriate for the relevant property.

III.  GRANT TO KENTUCKY MAY

      3.1   FALCON hereby grants and agrees to grant to KENTUCKY MAY, to have
            and to hold in quiet and peaceable possession, rights in and to the
            FALCON COAL as

                                       22

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

            well as such rights to use the surface of the FALCON PROPERTY as
            FALCON possesses for the LEASE TERM, including but not limited to

            3.1.1 the right and privilege to mine and remove the FALCON COAL by
                  the deep, surface, mountaintop, auger and any other method of
                  mining now or hereafter in existence;

            3.1.2 the right to enter upon the surface of the FALCON PROPERTY;

            3.1.3 the right to use the surface of the FALCON PROPERTY for any
                  purpose deemed necessary or convenient by KENTUCKY MAY in the
                  mining, extracting, removing, storing, cleaning, processing,
                  handling, shipping or marketing of FALCON COAL, as well as
                  coal from adjoining and adjacent properties mined or marketed
                  in connection with mining operations contemplated hereunder,
                  including but not limited to the right to construct, erect or
                  place thereon buildings, machinery, plants, roads, ways,
                  tramroads, air shafts, power lines, substations, drains,
                  drainways, silt ponds, dams, hollowfills, and any other
                  improvements or structures and the rights to operate the same;
                  and

            3.1.4 the right to use the surface to haul or transport men,
                  supplies equipment, materials and coal, over, across, under
                  and through the FALCON PROPERTY.

      3.2   The grant of Section 3.1 shall be limited to those rights FALCON
            possesses under the terms of the FALCON BASE LEASES, which documents
            are of public record and the terms of which are known by KENTUCKY
            MAY.

IV. PAYMENTS AND ROYALTIES BY KENTUCKY MAY

4.1   KENTUCKY MAY agrees to pay to FALCON, as the PRODUCTION ROYALTY, the sum
      of $2.50 per TON of FALCON COAL sold or 10% of the GROSS SALES PRICE for
      each TON of FALCON COAL sold, whichever amount is greater.

4.2   KENTUCKY MAY shall submit to FALCON by the 15th day of the month following
      the month in which the PRODUCTION ROYALTY accrued, a written report
      showing

      4.2.1 the number of TONS of FALCON COAL mined from each tract of FALCON
            PROPERTY;

      4.2.2 the number of TONS of FALCON COAL sold;

      4.2.3 the GROSS SALES PRICE; and

      4.2.4 the amount of PRODUCTION ROYALTY due.

4.3   Concurrently with making the report specified in Section 4.2, KENTUCKY MAY
      will pay the total PRODUCTION ROYALTY due.

                                       23

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

4.4   The weight of FALCON COAL mined shall be determined by any reasonable and
      accurate method or system selected by KENTUCKY MAY and the weight of
      FALCON COAL sold shall be determined using the truck weights KENTUCKY MAY
      uses to prepare its invoices to THIRD PARTY purchasers of FALCON COAL.

4.5   All payments required or intended to be sent to FALCON under the terms of
      this AGREEMENT shall be deemed sufficient and satisfied if posted by
      first-class mail with the U.S. Postal Service and tendered to the address
      herein designated, or to such other address as FALCON may designate in
      writing to KENTUCKY MAY.

V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1   FALCON represents and warrants that

      5.1.1 As of the EFFECTIVE DATE, all the FALCON BASE LEASES are in full
            force and effect and FALCON is not in breach or default of any
            material provisions of any FALCON BASE LEASE;

      5.1.2 FALCON has the right to lease and convey the interest which it
            hereby leased and conveyed.

      5.1.3 FALCON will continue to comply with all terms and conditions of the
            FALCON BASE LEASES, committing no act which would result in a
            termination of any FALCON BASE LEASE during the term of this
            AGREEMENT;

      5.1.4 FALCON will use its best efforts to obtain any extension or renewal
            of the term of any FALCON BASE LEASE as may be necessary or required
            for the mining and removal of all of the MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE
            FALCON COAL;

      5.1.5 FALCON will not mortgage or assign any of its rights under the
            FALCON BASE LEASES without first having obtained the prior written
            consent of KENTUCKY MAY.

      5.1.6 FALCON will pay and all advance royalties, minimum royalties and/or
            production royalties in accordance with the provisions of the FALCON
            BASE LEASES.

VI. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES

6.1   KENTUCKY MAY agrees with respect to the FALCON PROPERTY

      6.1.1 to abide by all terms and provisions of the BASE LEASES governing
            such property (except as regards payment of royalties to BASE LEASE
            lessors);

      6.1.2 to provide the BASE LEASE lessors and FALCON the opportunity to
            review and comment on any proposed permits to be obtained on the
            FALCON PROPERTIES

                                       24

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

            prior to the submission of the permit applications to the Department
            of Natural Resources or any other state or federal regulatory
            authorities;

      6.1.3 to give notice to the BASE LEASE lessors and to FALCON whenever
            KENTUCKY MAY encounters an area or pit of coal which it determines
            is not MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE;

      6.1.4 at all times to diligently and energetically operate, develop and
            prosecute the mining operations on the FALCON PROPERTY, using its
            best efforts to insure that all of the MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE
            FALCON COAL will be recovered;

      6.1.5 to perform no auger mining without obtaining prior written consent
            from FALCON and from the BASE LEASE lessors;

      6.1.6 to reclaim all of the FALCON PROPERTY which they disturb in
            accordance with the SURFACE MINING LAWS;

      6.1.7 to use its best efforts to insure that in the disturbance of any of
            the property described herein that it will not render any other seam
            or seams or areas of coal unmineable after the termination of this
            AGREEMENT;

      6.1.8 not to use or permit to be used any access or haul roads, which are
            not state or county designated, and which are being used by FALCON
            in transporting men, supplies, materials or coal without first
            having obtained the prior written consent of FALCON.

6.2   KENTUCKY MAY agrees that FALCON, its agents, engineers, attorneys or other
      persons on FALCON'S behalf shall at all reasonable times have the right
      and privilege of entering the works and mines of KENTUCKY MAY upon or
      beneath the surface of the FALCON PROPERTIES in order to inspect, examine,
      survey or measure the same or any part thereof, or for any lawful purpose
      and for these purposes to use freely the means of access to said works or
      mines without hindrance or molestation.

6.3   KENTUCKY MAY shall have the right no enter upon the FALCON PROPERTY after
      the termination of this AGREEMENT for the purpose of revegetating and/or
      reclaiming areas disturbed by KENTUCKY MAY in the mining of FALCON COAL
      and otherwise complying with the requirements of any SURFACE MINING LAWS
      and accordingly, the PARTIES hereto do agree to and consent, to the extent
      that they are able, to the post mining land use for the property to be
      selected hereafter by the PARTIES.

6.4   In the event any FALCON BASE LEASE requires the payment of wheelage,
      KENTUCKY MAY agrees to pay the amounts when due which are attributable to
      its use of FALCON PROPERTY.

6.5   FALCON agrees to be responsible for the payment of royalties on FALCON
      BASE LEASES, whether said royalties be tonnage royalties, advance
      royalties or minimum

                                       25

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

      royalties, paying same promptly on the due date. FALCON shall be entitled
      to fully recoup advance or minimum royalties heretofore or hereafter paid
      in accordance with the FALCON BASE LEASES.

6.6   KENTUCKY MAY agrees and covenants to indemnify and save harmless FALCON
      against any and all claims arising either directly or indirectly from the
      conduct or management of KENTUCKY MAY'S business on the FALCON PROPERTY
      and from any work or thing whatsoever done in, on or about the FALCON
      PROPERTY by KENTUCKY MAY, its agents, servants or assigns, and arising
      from any accident, injury or damage whatsoever, however caused, to any
      person or persons, or to the property of any person, persons, corporation
      or corporations, and from any and all costs, counsel fees, expenses and
      liabilities incurred as a result of any such claim, accident, injury or
      damage or any action or proceeding brought thereon.

6.7   Each PARTY agrees to promptly notify the other PARTY of any claims or
      demands being made against the FALCON PROPERTY or arising out of mining
      operations thereon, whether the said claims or demands shall have any
      merit or shall have been made in writing or otherwise, except that state
      or federal routine mining violation notices shall not be considered a
      claim or demand.

VII. TAXES AND INSURANCE

7.1   KENTUCKY MAY agrees to be responsible for and shall pay all taxes levied
      or assessed against its mining operations including but not limited to

      7.1.1 severance tax

      7.1.2 sales and/or use tax

      7.1.3 personal property tax

      7.1.4 black lung tax

      7.1.5 reclamation tax

      7.1.6 income tax

      7.1.7 other taxes of the State of Kentucky or the United States or any
            other governmental or political subdivision or agency thereof which
            are now in effect or which may hereinafter be in effect during the
            term of this AGREEMENT.

7.2   KENTUCKY MAY agrees to secure and maintain separate workers' compensation
      coverage either through a policy of insurance or through a self-insurance
      plan under the laws and regulations of the State of Kentucky and of the
      United States which said coverage shall apply to the employees of KENTUCKY
      MAY working on the FALCON PROPERTIES.

VIII. TERM AND TERMINATION

                                       26

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                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
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8.1   The LEASE TERM shall be for four (4) years commencing with the EFFECTIVE
      DATE and shall automatically be extended for such additional one (1) year
      terms necessary for KENTUCKY MAY to comply with all SURFACE MINING LAWS
      pertaining to the FALCON PROPERTY.

8.2   KENTUCKY MAY may terminate its sublease of the FALCON PROPERTY whenever,
      in KENTUCKY MAY's sole opinion, all MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE FALCON COAL
      has been removed, by giving FALCON sixty (60) days written notice.

8.3   The word "termination" and cognate words, such as "term" and "terminate",
      used in this AGREEMENT are to be read, except where the contrary is
      specifically indicated, as omitting from their effect the following rights
      and obligations, all of which shall survive any termination to the degree
      necessary to permit their complete fulfillment or discharge:

      8.3.1 KENTUCKY MAY'S right to enter upon the FALCON PROPERTY and to remove
            any and all property put on such FALCON PROPERTY by KENTUCKY MAY;

      8.3.2 KENTUCKY MAY'S right to enter upon the FALCON PROPERTY for the
            purpose of reclaiming areas disturbed by mining and otherwise
            complying with the requirements of any SURFACE MINING LAWS;

      8.3.3 the PARTIES' representations and warranties set out in Article V;

      8.3.4 KENTUCKY MAY'S obligation to pay royalties due and owing at the time
            of termination.

8.4   In the event any FALCON BASE LEASE requires the FALCON BASE LEASE lessor's
      consent to any sublease, the PARTIES agree to use their best efforts to
      obtain such consent. If such consent cannot be obtained under reasonable
      terms, this AGREEMENT shall be ineffective with regard to the property
      covered by that FALCON BASE LEASE.

8.5   KENTUCKY MAY shall be declared to be in default if the royalties required
      to be paid to FALCON herein remain unpaid for thirty (30) days after
      notice of delinquency has been given or if any breach of a material
      provision of this AGREEMENT is not corrected within sixty (60) days after
      notice thereof has been given. FALCON shall have the right

      8.5.1 to terminate this AGREEMENT with respect to the FALCON PROPERTY it
            sublet to KENTUCKY MAY;

      8.5.2 to reenter upon the FALCON property, take possession and re-enjoy it
            as if this AGREEMENT had never been executed; and

      8.5.4 to take any legal or equitable action to recover the FALCON
            PROPERTY, to obtain any unpaid royalties or to require that KENTUCKY
            MAY perform necessary reclamation.

                                       27

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

8.6   Any waiver of any particular cause of forfeiture shall not prevent the
      forfeiture or cancellation of this AGREEMENT for any other cause of
      forfeiture or for the same cause occurring at any time.

8.7   The remedies given in this Article VIII are merely cumulative and shall
      not deprive any PARTY of its other legal or equitable remedies.

IX.   GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1   RIGHT OF REMOVAL

      Property of every kind put on the FALCON PROPERTY by KENTUCKY MAY or used
      in connection with its mining operations thereon, shall at all times be
      and remain the property of KENTUCKY MAY with the full and free right to
      remove the same at any time.

9.2   MAPS

      KENTUCKY MAY agrees to employ competent engineers to keep an accurate map
      of the mine workings upon the property sublet to them showing at all
      times, the progress of the work, and said map, together, with all books
      and records of all coal mined, shall be at all reasonable times, open for
      the inspection by FALCON and its duly authorized agents.

9.3   CONFIDENTIALITY

      All books and records of KENTUCKY MAY of whatever nature which are made
      available to FALCON shall be deemed proprietary and confidential to
      KENTUCKY MAY. FALCON will not disclose to any THIRD PARTY any information
      contained therein unless

      9.3.1 FALCON has received prior written consent from an officer of
            KENTUCKY MAY;

      9.3.2 such information has been made public through no fault of FALCON;

      9.3.3 FALCON received such information from a THIRD PARTY who had not
            wrongfully obtained such information and had the right to disclose
            it.

9.4   ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

      Neither of the PARTIES may assign this AGREEMENT or further sublet the
      property described herein or any part thereof without the prior written
      permission of the other PARTY; however a PARTY may assign or sublease the
      property and its interest therein to an AFFILIATE of that PARTY without
      the necessity of obtaining consent.

9.5   NOTICES

      It is understood and agreed that any notice given by either PARTY hereto
      to the other, under any of the provisions hereof, or in connection
      herewith, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered and served when
      sent by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage
      prepaid to the address or addresses set forth in the first

                                       28

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

      paragraph of this AGREEMENT or at such other address as a PARTY may
      designate in writing.

9.6   BINDING EFFECT

      The rights, powers, privileges, interest and title granted in this
      AGREEMENT shall be held, owned, used and enjoyed by the PARTIES hereto and
      their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns; and all
      covenants, conditions and obligations created by this AGREEMENT shall be
      binding against them in like manner and to the same extent they bind the
      PARTIES hereto.

9.7   NON-WAIVER

      The failure of either PARTY to enforce at any time any of the provisions
      of this AGREEMENT or any rights in respect thereto shall in no way be
      considered to be a waiver of such provisions or rights, or in any way to
      affect the validity of this AGREEMENT.

9.8   SEVERABILITY

      If any clause of this AGREEMENT shall be deemed to be invalid by a court
      of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect the remaining portions of
      this AGREEMENT.

9.9   SOLE UNDERSTANDING

      This AGREEMENT embodies all of the understandings and obligations between
      the PARTIES with respect to the subject matter hereof and neither PARTY
      shall be bound by any conditions, definitions, warranties, or
      representations with respect to the subject matter of this AGREEMENT other
      than as expressly provided in this AGREEMENT or as duly set forth on or
      subsequent to the EFFECTIVE DATE in writing and executed with at least
      equal formality to the execution of this AGREEMENT. This AGREEMENT
      supersedes any prior agreements between the PARTIES hereto related to the
      same subject matter.

9.10  GOVERNING LAW

      This AGREEMENT shall be construed according to the laws of the
      Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America.

9.11  CAPTIONS

      The captions of this AGREEMENT are for the purpose of convenience only,
      and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of this
      AGREEMENT, or in any way affect or alter any of the provisions hereof.

9.12  EXHIBITS

      All exhibits referred to in the AGREEMENT are incorporated herein by
      reference.

9.13  EXECUTION

      This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
      shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one
      and the same instrument.

                                       29

<PAGE>

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9.14  MEMORANDUM OF LEASE

      The PARTIES agree to execute a Memorandum of Lease covering this
      AGREEMENT. If the terms of such Memorandum of Lease in any way are deemed
      to conflict with the terms of this AGREEMENT, this AGREEMENT shall govern.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF each of the PARTIES hereto have subscribed their names
and have signed or caused this AGREEMENT to be signed by their duly authorized
representatives as of the dates written below.

KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC.

BY: /s/ Michael P. Buchart                                      /s/ Gary Hallon
    ----------------------                                      ---------------
    Michael P. Buchart                                          Attest
    President

DATE: ___________________

FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC.

BY: /s/ Roy Mullins                                             /s/ Gary Hallon
    -----------------                                           ---------------
      Roy Mullins                                               Attest
      Vice President

DATE: ___________________

                                       30

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

STATE OF KENTUCKY )

COUNTY OF BREATHITT  )

      I, Mary L. Fugate, a Notary Public in and for the State and County
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Sublease Agreement by and
between KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC. and FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC., was this
day produced to me in my said County and State by Michael Buchart, known to me
to be the President of KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC., and was duly
acknowledged before me by him to be his true act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 28th day of October, 1982.

      My Commission Expires: April 23, 1983.

                                         /s/ Mary L. Fugate
                                         ---------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC

STATE OF KENTUCKY   )

COUNTY OF BREATHITT   )

      I, Mary L. Fugate, a Notary Public in and for the State and County
aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Sublease Agreement by and
between KENTUCKY MAY COAL COMPANY, INC. and FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC., was this
day produced to me in my said County and State by Roy Mullins, known to me to be
the Vice President of FALCON COAL COMPANY, INC., and was duly acknowledged
before me by him to be his true act and deed.

      Given under my hand this 28th day of October, 1982.

      My Commission Expires: April 23, 1983.

                                         /s/ Mary L. Fugate
                                         ------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC

                                       31

<PAGE>

                                                            SBL 0208 FCO KMA SPW
                                                                   092782 LGM/EA

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 FALCON PROPERTY

1.    That portion of the real property leased to FALCON from Elias Noble, et
      al, by Lease dated May 15, 1974, a copy of said Lease being of record in
      the Breathitt County Court Clerk's Office in Lease Book 3, Page 725 as set
      forth on Map B, attached hereto, denoted as Tract ___.

2.    That portion of the real property leased from Marie R. Turner to FALCON by
      Lease dated March 16, 1981, a copy of said Lease being of record in the
      Breathitt County Court Clerk's Office in Lease Book 16, Page 394 (Tract 3
      on Map B).

3.    That portion of the real property leased from Rebecca Smith Lee, et al, to
      FALCON by Lease dated November 12, 1980, a copy of said Lease being of
      record in the Breathitt County Court Clerk's Office in Lease Book 17, Page
      40 (Tract 5 on May B).

4.    That portion of the real property leased from Kentucky Union Company to
      FALCON by Lease dated August 1, 1977, a copy of said Lease being of record
      in the Breathitt County Clerk's Office (Tract 6 on Map C).

5.    That portion of the real property leased from Rebecca Smith Lee, et al, to
      FALCON by Lease dated November 12, 1980, a copy of said Lease being of
      record in the Breathitt County Court Clerk's Office in Lease Book 17, Page
      40 (Tract 7 on Map C).

6.    That portion of the real property leased from Steve C. Bach, et al to
      Falcon by lease dated July 30, 1979, set forth on map marked Exhibit "C"
      attached hereto, and denoted Tract #8.

                                       32

<PAGE>

                         CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE,
                              ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
                                       AND
                               AMENDMENT OF LEASE

      THIS CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE, ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE AND AMENDMENT OF
LEASE, made and given this 26th day of October, 1998, by and between WILLIAM
BACH MARSHALL, single, JAMES THOMAS MARSHALL and BONNIE MARSHALL, his wife,
VINCENT MARSHALL, JR. and SYLVIA MARSHALL, his wife, NANCY MARSHALL SIMPSON and
JOHN SIMPSON, her husband, NANCY B. PILLION, Trustee of the NANCY B. PILLION
LIVING TRUST, and ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD, a widower, and STEVE C. BACH and
ROSEMARY H. BACH, his wife, hereinafter collectively referred to as "Lessor",
ARK LAND COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, hereinafter referred to as "Lessee",
and LESLIE RESOURCES, INC., a Kentucky corporation, hereinafter referred to as
"Leslie Resources".

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, by that certain Coal Mining Lease dated July 30, 1979, as the
same may have been previously supplemented and amended, between Lessor and
Falcon Coal Company, Inc., predecessor in interest to Lessee, such lease being
here incorporated by reference as if fully set forth (the "Base Lease"), Lessee
acquired certain rights respecting the mining and removing of mineable and
merchantable coal in, on and under certain tracts or parcels of land located on
Fugates Fork and Ben Smith Branch in Breathitt County, Kentucky, containing 150
acres, more or less; and,

      WHEREAS, subject to the consent of Lessor, and except as amended hereby,
Lessee has proposed to assign all of its rights, titles, interests and
obligations in, to and under the Base Lease to Leslie Resources, Inc., a
Kentucky corporation, 1021 Lori Drive, Hazard, Kentucky 41701 on the terms and
conditions herein set forth.

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties Lessor do hereby
grant their consent to

                                       33

<PAGE>

the assignment of the Base Lease from Lessor to Leslie Resources, subject,
however, to the following:

      1. Without intending to change or lessen the obligations between Lessor
and Lessee under the Base Lease, Lessor agrees to only look to Lessee for the
performance of any obligations or the satisfaction of any liabilities which may
have occurred or which may have arisen prior to the date of the assignment of
the Base Lease from Lessee to Leslie Resources; further, Lessor agrees to look
only to Leslie Resources, or any subsequent sublessee or assignee of Leslie
Resources, as to its particular performance of the covenants and conditions of
the Base Lease from and after the date of the assignment, thereof by Lessee to
Leslie Resources (i.e. Leslie Resources or its sublessee or assignee will be
solely and individually responsible for their respective acts or omissions).

      2. The parties Lessor, as the owners of the property covered by the Base
Lease, hereby certify that, as of the date hereof, the Base Lease is in full
force and effect. Further, the parties Lessor do hereby release and discharge
Lessee from any and all claims which they may have relating to any acts or
omissions of Lessee or its predecessors either under the Base Lease or on the
property covered thereby.

      3. Paragraph 9 of the Base Lease is hereby amended to authorize the form
of auger mining known as highwall mining and/or thin seam mining on the property
covered by the Base Lease.

      4. The granting clause of the Base Lease and Exhibit A to the Base Lease
are hereby amended and modified to delete the Ben Smith Branch property from the
premises covered by the Base Lease, such that the Base Lease shall, as of the
date hereof and going forward, only cover and relate to the 92 1/2 acre, more or
less, Tract No. 1 located on Fugates Fork.

      5. Paragraph 4(a) of the Base Lease is hereby supplemented, clarified and
amended to provide for a further extended term of five (5) years beyond July 30,
1999, and thereafter for fifteen (15) additional one (1) year terms, with such
further extended term(s) to be automatic unless the Lessee shall have notified
the Lessor of its intent to not further extend said term prior to the expiration
of the then current term. Provided, however, that the lessee under the Base
lease shall have the right and option to terminate the Base Lease at the end of
the extended five (5) year term or at any time thereafter by providing six (6)
months prior written notice to Lessor.

                                       34

<PAGE>

In addition, Lessor and Lessee hereby confirm that Lessee or its successors or
assigns, including Leslie Resources, has, and shall continue to hold, a right of
reentry after the expiration or termination of the Base Lease for the purpose of
reclaiming the property covered by the Base Lease. In the event that Lessee or
its successors or assigns, including Leslie Resources, shall mine and recover
any coal as a part of such reclamation activities Lessee or its successors or
assign, including Leslie Resources, shall pay to Lessor the earned royalties
required under the Base Lease.

      6. Lessor, Lessee and Leslie Resources understand and agree that the
obligation of the lessee to pay minimum royalty pursuant to paragraph 6 of the
Base Lease shall be amended as follows:

      (a) Upon the execution of this document by all of the parties, Lessee and
      Leslie Resources shall pay to Lessor as minimum royalty or advance royalty
      the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), Fifty
      Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) of which will be paid by Lessee and One
      Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) of which will be paid by Leslie
      Resources. In consideration of the payment made by Lessee, the parties
      Lessor hereby release Lessee from any lost coal claim which they may have
      had due to the construction, location and use of the slurry impoundment
      and refuse dam on Tract No. 1 of the property covered by the Base Lease.

      (b) Effective as of May 31, 1999, the annual minimum royalty required
      under the Base Lease shall be, and the same is hereby, increased from Ten
      Thousand ($10,000.00) per year to Fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000.00)
      per year, and Lessor and Leslie Resources understand and agree that such
      $15,000.00 payments shall be "guaranteed" and will be paid for each year
      during the five (5) year extended term beginning July 30, 1999.

      (c) All minimum or advance royalties, whether paid, concurrently herewith
      or in the future, shall be fully recoupable against earned royalties
      otherwise due according to the terms and conditions set forth in the Base
      Lease. Likewise, the Reprocessing Fee referenced below in paragraph 7
      shall also be taken as a credit by Leslie Resources or its successors or
      assigns until all such minimum or

                                       35

<PAGE>

      advance royalties have been fully recouped. Provided, however, the parties
      hereto understand and agree that all minimum royalties or advance
      royalties that have been previously paid by Lessee and its predecessor
      shall be forfeited and shall not be subject to recoupment.

      (d) All minimum or advance royalties (or earned royalties payable
      hereafter under other provisions of the Base Lease) or the Reprocessing
      Fee referenced below, shall be paid in the following proportions, to wit:

<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Steve C. Bach                                 32.5    %
Nancy B. Pillion                              22.5    %
Alexander R. Porterfield                      22.5    %
Vincent Marshall, Jr.                          5.625  %
William Bach Marshall                          5.625  %
James Thomas Marshall                          5.625  %
Nancy Marshall Simpson                         5.625  %
</TABLE>

      and/or to their heirs, successors or assigns.

      7. Paragraphs 5(a) 5(b) and 5(c) of the Base Lease are hereby deleted in
their entirety, and substituted therefor shall be the following:

      "LESSEE shall pay to LESSOR as earned royalties for all merchantable coal
      actually mined, removed and sold from tract No. 1 by the mountain top,
      surface, auger, highwall or deep mining methods(s) an amount equal to
      seven (7%) percent of the average gross realization price for such coal,
      F.O.B. mine or tipple, but in no event shall the earned royalties payable
      hereunder be less that One Dollar and Seventy-Five Cents ($1.75) per clean
      ton of coal"

      8. Lessor, Lessee and Leslie Resources understand and agree that Tract No.
1 of the property covered by the Base Lease presently has a coal processing
facility and related appurtenances, including a slurry impoundment and refuse
dam, all of which uses have been and will continue to be permissible uses under
the Base Lease. As regards refuse material now present on Tract No. 1 or refuse
material that may be added to Tract No. 1 by the lessee under the Base Lease in
the future, in the event that Leslie Resources or its successors or assigns
should "reprocess" any of such refuse material and recover marketable coal
therefrom, Leslie Resources shall pay to LESSOR a Reprocessing Fee of Five Cents
($0.05) for each marketable ton of coal so recovered and sold. Provided,
however, that no such Processing Fees shall be payable for so long as there
remains a recoupable balance of advance or minimum royalties that have been
paid.

                                       36

<PAGE>

      9. Leslie Resources, as the assignee and new lessee under the Base Lease,
agrees to leave and not disturb any presently available deep mine portal sites
(i.e. at the out crop) on the property covered by the Base Lease so as to leave
sufficient access to deep mineable coal seams. Prior to commencing coal removal
operations hereunder, Leslie Resources shall furnish Lessor a plan for all such
mining operations to be conducted upon the property covered by the Base Lease.
If Leslie Resources shall have received no written comments (based upon a
reasonableness standard) upon such plan within thirty (30) days, then Leslie
Resources shall have the right to commence mining operations pursuant to such
plan without any liability to Lessor for damage to or sterilization of leased
coal indicated by such plan. Except in emergency situations, Leslie Resources
shall not substantially deviate from such mine plan unless Leslie Resources
shall have first furnished Lessor a plan showing such deviation and have allowed
Lessor a like period of thirty (30) days in which to comment upon such plan.

      10. This document may be executed in counterparts, and all counterparts
taken together shall constitute one original.

      11. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to be, or operate to be, a
consent on the part of Lessor to any subsequent sublease or assignment of the
Base Lease, as amended, it being understood that any such further sublease or
assignment shall require the consent of Lessor in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Base Lease.

      12. AEI Holding Company, Inc., the parent corporation of Leslie Resources,
has added its signature below for the purpose of guaranteeing the performance of
the covenants and conditions of the Base Lease, as amended, by Leslie Resources.

                                       37

<PAGE>

      IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness the signatures of the parties hereto the day
and year first above written.

[Notary Seal]

                              /s/ James T. Marshall
                              --------------------------------
                              WILLIAM BACH MARSHALL

                              /s/ James Thomas Marshall
                              --------------------------------
                              JAMES THOMAS MARSHALL

                              /s/ Bonnie Marshall
                              --------------------------------
                              BONNIE MARSHALL

                              /s/ Vincent Marshall, Jr.
                              --------------------------------
                              VINCENT MARSHALL, JR.

                              /s/ Sylvia Marshall
                              --------------------------------
                              SYLVIA MARSHALL

                              /s/ Nancy Marshall Simpson
                              --------------------------------
                              NANCY MARSHALL SIMPSON

                              /s/ John Simpson
                              --------------------------------
                              JOHN SIMPSON

                              NANCY B. PILLION LIVING TRUST

                              By: /s/ Nancy B. Pillon, Trustee
                                  ----------------------------
                                  NANCY B. PILLION, TRUSTEE

                              /s/ Alexander M. Porterfield
                              --------------------------------
                              ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD

                              /s/ Steve C. Bach
                              --------------------------------
                              STEVE C. BACH

                              /s/ Rosemary H. Bach
                              --------------------------------
                              ROSEMARY H. BACH

                              ARK LAND COMPANY

                              By: /s/ Terence L. Irons
                                  ----------------------------
                              Its: Vice President

                                       38

<PAGE>

                              LESLIE RESOURCES, INC.

                              By: /s/ D.P. Brown
                                  -------------------------
                              Its: President

                              AEI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

                              By: /s/ D.P. Brown
                                  -------------------------
                              Its: President

STATE OF   )
           )  SS:
COUNTY OF  )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by WILLIAM BACH MARSHALL, single.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF   )
           )  SS:
COUNTY OF  )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by JAMES THOMAS MARSHALL and BONNIE MARSHALL, his
wife.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

                                       39

<PAGE>

STATE OF    )
            )  SS:
COUNTY OF   )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by VINCENT MARSHALL, JR. and SYLVIA MARSHALL, his
wife.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF    )
            )  SS:
COUNTY OF   )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by NANCY MARSHALL SIMPSON and JOHN SIMPSON, her
husband.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF    )
            )  SS:
COUNTY OF   )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by STEVE C. BACH and ROSEMARY H. BACH, his wife.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

                                       40

<PAGE>

STATE OF    )
            )  SS:
COUNTY OF   )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
____________________, 1998, by NANCY B. PILLION, Trustee of the NANCY B. PILLION
LIVING TRUST.

      My commission expires ___________________________________.

                                      ________________________________
                                            Notary Public

STATE OF MD       )
                  )  SS:
COUNTY OF HARFORD )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 14th day of
September, 1998, by ALEXANDER M. PORTERFIELD, a widower.

      My commission expires Sept 8, 2000 .

                                            /s/ Kathleen A. Anderson
                                            ------------------------
                                                    Notary Public

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA   )
                         )  SS:
COUNTY OF CABELL         )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 26 day of
October, 1998, by Terence L. Irons, Vice President of ARK LAND COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

      My commission expires 1-24-2000 .

                                            /s/ Joyce A. Johnson
                                            --------------------
[Notary Seal]                                    Notary Public

                                       41

<PAGE>

STATE OF KENTUCKY )
                  ) SS:
COUNTY OF BOYD    )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 12th day of
October, 1998, by Donald P. Brown, President of LESLIE RESOURCES, INC., a
Kentucky corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

      My commission expires 8/13/2001 .

                            /s/ Kristi Lee Moss (Ruggles)
                            -----------------------------
                                      Notary Public

STATE OF KENTUCKY )
                  ) SS:
COUNTY OF BOYD    )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 12th day of
October, 1998, by Donald P. Brown, President of AEI HOLDING COMPANY, INC., on
behalf of the corporation.

      My commission expires 8/13/2001 .

                            /s/ Kristi Lee Moss (Ruggles)
                            -----------------------------
                                     Notary Public

This Instrument Prepared By:

/s/ Gary L. Colley
------------------------
Gary L. Colley, Attorney
P. O. Box 6300
Huntington, West Virginia 25571

                                       42

<PAGE>

                              ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE

      THIS ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE, made and entered into as of this 25th day of
November, 1998, by and between ARK LAND COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, with a
mailing address of CityPlace One, CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis,
Missouri 63141, hereinafter referred to as "ASSIGNOR", and LESLIE RESOURCES,
INC., a Kentucky corporation, with a mailing address of 1021 Tori Drive, Hazard,
Kentucky 41701, hereinafter referred to as "ASSIGNEE".

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, by that certain Coal Mining Lease dated July 30, 1979, as the
same may have been previously supplemented (the last Amendment of Lease being
dated October 26, 1998), between William Bach Marshall, et al (the "Lessors")
and Falcon Coal Company, predecessor in interest to Assignor, such lease, as
supplemented and amended being here incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth (the "Base Lease"), Assignor leased certain coal seams on certain real
property together with the right to make use of the surface thereof, such
property being located on Fugates Fork in Breathitt County, Kentucky; and,

      WHEREAS, ASSIGNEE has requested that ASSIGNOR assign the Base Lease to
ASSIGNEE; and,

      WHEREAS, the Lessors under the Base Lease have granted their consent to
the assignment of the Base Lease by ASSIGNOR to ASSIGNEE;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in furtherance of the agreement of ASSIGNOR to transfer,
assign and quitclaim the Base Lease to ASSIGNEE, ASSIGNOR, but only to the
extent that it has the right to do so under the Base Lease, or otherwise, does
hereby quitclaim and set over unto ASSIGNEE the Base Lease and all of the
rights, titles, interests and obligations of ASSIGNOR therein or arising
thereunder, upon the following terms and conditions:

      1. ASSIGNOR and ASSIGNEE each acknowledge that the consent of the Lessors
under the Base Lease has been obtained upon mutually agreeable terms.

                                       43

<PAGE>

      2. To the best of its knowledge, ASSIGNOR has paid all monies required
under the Base Lease as of the date hereof. Further, as of the date hereof,
ASSIGNOR understands and believes that the recoupable balance under the Base
Lease is $140,000.00. ASSIGNEE, rather than ASSIGNOR, shall have the right to
recoup (for ASSIGNEE's sole benefit) all such recoupable balance, but only to
the extent that such recoupable balance now is, and continues to remain,
recoupable. Provided, however, that ASSIGNOR neither warrants nor represents
that such sum shall be recoupable by ASSIGNEE according to the terms and
conditions of the Base Lease. Also to the extent that ASSIGNOR has been required
to make further advance minimum royalty payments under the Base Lease after
February 28, 1998, all as more particularly set forth on Exhibit A attached
hereto, ASSIGNEE has also agreed to reimburse ASSIGNOR for all of such payments,
and then ASSIGNEE shall be entitled to recoup such amounts so paid by ASSIGNOR
after February 28, 1998.

      3. To the best of its knowledge, ASSIGNOR has performed in accordance with
all of the terms and conditions contained in the Base Lease, and such Base Lease
is valid, subsisting and in full force and effect as of the date hereof.
Provided, however, that, in the event that the Lessors should prevail in any
claim that ASSIGNOR is in default for failing to have kept and performed all of
such terms and conditions, ASSIGNOR shall not incur any liability to ASSIGNEE
therefor.

      4. ASSIGNEE agrees to accept this Assignment of Lease and to assume the
performance of the Base Lease with respect to all obligations of the lessee
thereunder from and after the date hereof, but not with respect to any such
obligations owed to the Lessors under the Base Lease prior to the date hereof.
ASSIGNEE agrees to indemnify and hold ASSIGNOR harmless from any liability,
loss, expense or cost arising out of or in connection with the Base Lease or
operations of ASSIGNEE or its successors or assigns thereon from and after the
date hereof.

                                       44

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ASSIGNOR and ASSIGNEE have executed this instrument as
of the day and year first above written.

                                                 ARK LAND COMPANY

                                                 By: /s/ Terence L. Irons
                                                     ---------------------

                                                 Its: Vice President - Land

                                                 LESLIE RESOURCES, INC.

                                                 By: /s/ D.P. Brown
                                                     ---------------------

                                                 Its:  President

                                       45

<PAGE>

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA     )
                           ) SS:
COUNTY OF CABELL           )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 16 day of
November, 1998, by Terence L. Irons, Vice President-Land of ARK LAND COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

      My commission expires 1-24-2000 .

                            /s/ Joyce A. Johnson
                            --------------------
[Notary Seal]                        NOTARY PUBLIC

STATE OF KENTUCKY          )
                           ) SS:
COUNTY OF BOYD             )

      The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 25th day of
November, 1998, by Don P. Brown, President of LESLIE RESOURCES, INC., a Kentucky
corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

      My commission expires June 13, 2002 .

                            /s/ Lavina K. Conley
                            --------------------
                                     NOTARY PUBLIC

This Instrument Prepared By:

/s/ Gary L. Colley
-----------------------------
Gary L. Colley, Attorney
P. O. Box 2649
Ashland, Kentucky 41105-2649

                                       46

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                        ADVANCE MINIMUM ROYALTY PAYMENTS
                       PAID BY ARK AFTER FEBRUARY 28, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE                           AMOUNT
----                          --------
<S>                           <C>
7/30/98                       $ 10,000
</TABLE>

                                       47<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

      This LEASE AGREEMENT, effective the 1st day of January, 1995, by and
between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND COMPANY ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC.
("the Company"), constitutes the final, complete, and integrated agreement to
which Owner and the Company intend to be legally bound as follows:

                                    SECTION 1
                                   DEFINITIONS

1.01  "AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY" shall mean any person (including an individual,
      partnership, joint venture, or corporation) who directly or indirectly
      through one or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is
      under common control with the Company, or any of the partners who
      constitute the Company, "control" in this context meaning possession,
      direct or indirect, of the power to vote respecting the management or
      operations of the Company, of such person, or both, or the power to direct
      the management policies of the Company, of such person, or both, by
      contract or otherwise.

1.02  "APPROVED MINING METHODS" shall mean only the strip mining method in
      compliance with good mining practices and applicable law, and shall not
      mean or include any other mining method.

1.03  "GROSS SALES PRICE" shall mean the gross sales price paid by the first
      purchaser who is not an Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs
      of transportation.

1.04  "LAND" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County, Maryland which
      are more particularly described and delineated in Exhibit "A".

1.05  "LEASEHOLD ESTATE" shall mean all of the seams of Mineable and
      Merchantable Coal in, upon, and underlying the Land, together with all
      Mining Rights, and shall not mean or include any of Owner's Retained
      Interests.

1.06  "MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE COAL" shall mean all of the coal that can be
      reached and economically recovered by mining to a highwall height of sixty
      (60) feet of overburden over the uppermost seam then being mined, and
      shall include all the coal that can be reached and economically recovered
      from the Pittsburgh and Morantown seams when the Company is mining in the
      Redstone seam.

1.07  "MINING RIGHTS" shall mean all of the rights and privileges described in
      Section 2.02.

1.08  "OPERATIONS" shall mean the mining and removing by Approved Mining Methods
      of all Mineable and Merchantable Coal that can be produced from the
      Leasehold Estate by the Company.

1.09  "RETAINED INTERESTS" shall mean and include all of Owner's right, title,
      interest, and estate in and to the surface and minerals in, upon, and
      underlying the Land other than the Leasehold Estate.

<PAGE>

1.10  "THIRD PARTY" shall mean any person (including an individual, partnership,
      joint venture, or corporation) who is not the Company or an Affiliate of
      the Company.

1.11  "TON" shall mean 2,000 pounds.

                                    SECTION 2
                                LEASE/RESERVATION

2.01  In consideration of the royalty payments to be made by the Company, Owner
      leases the Leasehold Estate to the Company in accordance with the terms
      and provisions of this Agreement.

2.02  Owner, to the extent its title permits, and subject to the provisions of
      Section 2.04, grants to the Company for and during the term set forth in
      Section 3 and any extensions thereof, the following Mining Rights: the
      exclusive right to mine, remove, transport and process coal and all other
      minerals commingled therein, in, on or under the Land by Approved Mining
      Methods together with all necessary or convenient rights and privileges
      with respect thereto, including, but not limited to the free and
      uninterrupted right and right-of-way into, upon, over, under and through
      the Land at such points and in such manner as may be convenient or
      necessary for the purpose of all Operations in connection therewith and in
      the horizons of coal seams and in the strata above or below the same and
      other coal, including but not limited to, the transportation of personnel,
      supplies and equipment, and the right to explore, test drill, dig, mine,
      drain, transport and carry away the coal and other coals and materials now
      owned or leased or which may be hereafter acquired by Company, and to
      erect and maintain on the Land such structures and improvements necessary
      or convenient to the Operations; and in connection with Approved Mining
      Methods, the right and privilege to excavate, drill, remove and displace
      any or all of the earth, rock and other strata or materials in, upon, or
      about the coal and the horizons thereof and to dump or deposit the same on
      or off the Land, all without any liability to the surface or other mineral
      deposits and strata thereof; and without being required to leave or
      provide subjacent or lateral support for the overlying strata or surface
      or anything therein, thereon, or thereunder, including structures or
      improvements now or hereafter erected thereon.

2.03  At any time and from time to time Owner, in its sole discretion, may
      develop, exploit, remove, sell, lease, or convey any part or parts or all
      of Owner's Retained Interests.

2.04  The Company shall conduct the Operations and exercise its Mining Rights in
      such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with Owner's Retained
      Interests. Owner shall exercise its rights to the Retained Interests in
      such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the Leasehold Estate and
      the Company's Operations. To the extent feasible, the parties shall
      coordinate the utilization and disposition of their respective interests
      in, on, and underlying the Land in such manner as to promote their mutual
      economic interests in the same.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 3
                                      TERM

3.01  The term of this lease shall begin on the effective date of this Agreement
      and shall end twenty (20) years from the date the AES Warrior Run Power
      Plant begins accepting coal shipments, unless extended or earlier
      terminated as hereinafter provided.

3.02  The provisions of Section 3.01 notwithstanding, the Company without cause
      may terminate this lease at any time by giving Owner no less than thirty
      (30) days' notice of cancellation and upon payment to Owner of all sums
      due and payable under this lease to the date of such termination.

3.03  The provisions of Section 3.01 notwithstanding, Owner without cause may
      terminate this lease upon cancellation or closing of the AES Warrior Run
      Power Plant or at any time on or after January 1, 2001 if the AES Warrior
      Run Power Plant is not then in commercial operation.

4.01  Upon expiration of the original term, this lease shall continue from year
      to year upon written agreement of the parties.

                                    SECTION 4
                                 MINIMUM ROYALTY

4.01  From and after the effective date of this lease, the Company shall pay to
      Owner a minimum royalty of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per year,
      payable in consecutive monthly installments of Eight Hundred Thirty-Three
      Dollars and Thirty-Three Cents ($833.33) each.

4.02  From and after the date the AES Warrior Run Power Plant begins accepting
      coal shipments, or on and after January 1, 2001, whichever first occurs,
      the Company shall pay to Owner a minimum royalty of Three Hundred Thousand
      Dollars ($300,000.00) per year, payable in consecutive monthly
      installments of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) each.

4.03  The first payment of minimum royalty shall be payable on the effective
      date of this lease and each subsequent monthly payment of minimum royalty
      shall be paid on the same day of each following month.

                                    SECTION 5
                               PRODUCTION ROYALTY

5.01  The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of coal produced
      from the Leasehold Estate the following production royalty:

5.01.01     Nine percent (9%) of the Gross Sales Price of such coal shipped to
            the AES Warrior Run Power Plant;

                                       3
<PAGE>

5.01.02     Ten percent (10%) of the Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
            Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton, of such coal shipped to any
            customer other than the AES Warrior Run Power Plant.

5.02  The production royalty shall be paid on the twenty-fifth (25th) day of the
      month following the month in which such coal is sold, subject to the
      Company's right of recoupment as provided in Section 5.03.

5.03  All payments of the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.01 shall be
      recoupable from the production royalty provided for in Section 5.01.02
      until such time as the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.02
      becomes effective.

5.04  All payments of the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.02 shall be
      recoupable from the production royalty provided for in Section 5.01.

5.05  In addition, the minimum royalty payable hereunder shall be reduced by the
      amount of all production royalty paid by Winner Bros. Coal Company to
      Owner on coal sold to the AES Warrior Run Power Plant.

                                    SECTION 6
                                   ACCOUNTING

6.01  The Company shall keep accurate and correct books of accounting and
      records showing all coal mined, processed, marketed, and shipped from the
      Leasehold Estate, together with the correct weights thereof, and the Gross
      Sales Price received or receivable therefrom.

6.02  The books and records shall be available for inspection by Owner and
      Owner's duly authorized agents upon fifteen (15) days' advance notice for
      the purpose of verification of information contained in the royalty report
      provided for herein.

6.03  The Company shall furnish Owner with a written royalty report accompanying
      each royalty payment showing the quantity of coal sold and the Gross Sales
      Price received or receivable therefrom.

                                    SECTION 7
                                   OPERATIONS

7.01  During mining, the Company shall conduct the Operations in a diligent and
      workmanlike manner in order to promote the development, production, and
      sale of all Mineable and Merchantable Coal.

7.02  The Company shall use its best efforts and due diligence to comply in all
      material respects with every requirement and obligation imposed by every
      governmental body having jurisdiction over the Operations and the
      Leasehold Estate and shall obtain and maintain all consents, licenses, and
      permits required by law. The Company reserves the right to appeal from any
      ruling which it believes is not proper, and to carry on the Operations if
      permitted in accordance with its interpretation of the same pending final

                                       4
<PAGE>

      determination. The Company shall be responsible for acquisition of all
      permits and for all reclamation required by law.

7.03  The Company shall employ a competent engineer or surveyor to make surveys,
      plans, and maps of the Operations within the Leasehold Estate, and shall
      furnish Owner, upon request, with copies of all maps required to be
      maintained by state law or regulations.

7.04  Owner waives all duties, statutory or otherwise, on the part of the
      Company to maintain a barrier pillar in the coal in each or either side of
      the outside boundary line of the Leasehold Estate, where the Company has
      the right to mine the adjacent coal.

7.05  The Company shall provide Owner with at least ninety (90) days' prior
      written notice of the commencement of Operations in any area where timber
      could be removed in commercial quantities. If such timber has not been
      removed within the lime provided, it may be removed or destroyed by the
      Company without liability therefor.

7.06  Upon the surrender of this lease, the Company shall have a period of six
      (6) months within which to remove any improvements, structures, fixtures,
      machinery, equipment, supplies, or other property from the Leasehold
      Estate, and on demand from Owner shall be required to remove the same
      within such six (6) month period, providing that the Company may re-enter
      the Leasehold Estate thereafter in the event such entry is necessary to
      complete reclamation or obtain final release of all mining permits.

                                    SECTION 8
                                 POWER PLANT ASH

8.01  The Company has advised Owner that the coal reserves underlying the Land
      when mined may be dedicated to electric utility customers owning and/or
      operating electric power generating plants located within reasonable
      proximity to the Leasehold Estate, and that the residue from the burning
      of such coal ("Power Plant Ash") may be economically trucked to and
      disposed of in spoil areas of the Leasehold Estate. Accordingly, should
      the Company contract with its utility customer or customers for the
      disposal of Power Plant Ash on the Leasehold Estate, the Company shall
      have the following disposal rights and duties:

8.01.01     The Company shall have the right to dispose of Power Plant Ash, free
            of charge, in quantities proportionate to the percentage which
            obtains when the total burn of coal originating from the Leasehold
            Estate is divided by the total burn of coal produced by such utility
            customer or customers; and

8.01.02     The Company shall have the right to dispose of Power Plant Ash in
            quantities exceeding those provided for in Section 8.01.01 upon
            payment to Owner of five percent (5%) of the Company's contract
            price per ton for such disposal. Such compensation shall be paid to
            Owner on the twenty-fifth (25th) day of the month following the
            month such Power Plant Ash is deposited on the Leasehold Estate.

                                       5
<PAGE>

8.03  The Power Plant Ash disposed of on the Leasehold Estate shall not
      constitute or contain any Hazardous Materials as defined in Section
      9.01.02.

8.04  Owner reserves the right to designate or approve in writing those areas of
      the Leasehold Estate available for deposit of Power Plant Ash.

                                    SECTION 9
                           ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

9.01  Any Hazardous Materials (as hereinafter defined) to be brought upon, kept
      or used in or about the Land by the Company and its agents, employees,
      contractors or invitees, will be used, kept and stored in a manner that
      complies with all laws regulating any such Hazardous Material brought upon
      or used or kept in or about the Land.

9.01.01     If the Company breaches the obligations stated in Section 9.01, or
            if the presence of Hazardous Materials on the Land caused or
            permitted by the Company results in contamination of the Land, or if
            contamination of the Land by Hazardous Materials otherwise occurs
            for which the Company is legally liable to Owner for damage
            resulting therefrom, then the Company shall indemnify, defend and
            hold Owner harmless from any and all claims, judgments, damages,
            penalties, response costs, fines, costs, liabilities or losses
            (including without limitation, diminution in value of the Land,
            damages for the loss or restriction on use of the Land, and sums
            paid in settlement of claims, reasonable attorney's fees, consultant
            fees and expert fees) which arise during or after the term of this
            lease as a result of such contamination. This indemnification of
            Owner by the Company includes, without limitation, costs incurred in
            connection with any investigation of site conditions or any
            clean-up, remedial, removal or restoration work required by any
            federal, state or local governmental agency or political subdivision
            because of Hazardous Materials present in the soil or ground water
            on or under the Land. Without limiting the foregoing, if the
            presence of any Hazardous Materials on the Land caused or permitted
            by the Company results in any contamination of the Land, the Company
            shall promptly take all actions at its sole expense as are necessary
            to return the Land to the condition existing prior to the
            introduction of any such Hazardous Materials to the Land; provided
            that Owner's approval of such actions shall first be obtained, which
            approval shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as such actions
            would not potentially have any material adverse effect on the Land.

9.01.02     As used herein, the term "Hazardous Materials" means any hazardous
            or toxic substance, material or waste, including but not limited to
            those substances, materials and wastes listed in the United States
            Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR
            172-101) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as Hazardous
            Substances (40 CFR Part 302) and Amendments thereto, or such
            substances, materials and wastes that are or become regulated under
            any applicable local, state or federal law.

9.01.03     On the effective date of this lease and annually thereafter, the
            Company shall disclose to Owner the names and amounts of all
            Hazardous Materials, or any

                                       6
<PAGE>

            combination thereof which the Company intends to store, use or
            dispose of on the Land.

9.02  Any default under the provisions of this section (other than an
      unintentional or unknowing default which causes no harm or potential harm
      to Owner or the Land) shall be a material default enabling Owner to
      exercise any of the remedies set forth in this lease.

                                   SECTION 10
                                   TITLE/TAXES

10.01 Owner warrants specially Owner's title to the Leasehold Estate and that
      the Leasehold Estate is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances,
      subject to recorded easements, encroachments which may be revealed from an
      inspection of the Leasehold Estate, and all existing ways and servitudes,
      howsoever created.

10.02 If a third party asserts any claim or title to any portion of the
      Leasehold Estate where the Company is then mining, the Company may pay all
      production royalty arising from the disputed area into escrow pending
      resolution of the dispute. Such payment shall not be deemed a default
      under this Agreement. Owner shall exercise its best efforts and shall take
      all reasonably action necessary to resolve any such dispute or quiet title
      to such disputed area. On such resolution, if Owner's interest in the
      disputed area is less than complete, all production royalty payable to
      Owner in respect of such portion shall be reduced proportionately in
      relation to Owner's ascertained interest, and Owner shall reimburse the
      Company for any production royalty previously paid which properly should
      have been paid to others.

10.03 If for any reason it becomes necessary to provide record notice of this
      lease, the Company shall record a memorandum of lease in lieu of this
      Agreement. All recordation taxes and costs shall be paid by the Company.
      If a memorandum of lease shall have been recorded, then upon termination
      of this lease for any reason, the Company shall execute, deliver, and
      record such documents as may be necessary to release the Leasehold Estate
      of record from the operation and effect of this lease and the memorandum
      of lease.

10.04 Owner shall pay all real estate taxes assessed or levied against the
      Leasehold Estate.

10.05 The Company shall pay all taxes assessed or levied against all
      improvements, machinery, equipment, or other property of the Company
      installed or placed in or upon the Leasehold Estate by the Company.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 11
                            INSURANCE/INDEMNIFICATION

11.01 The Company shall carry public liability insurance, naming Owner as an
      additional insured, providing minimum personal injury coverage of Five
      Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per person, One Million Dollars
      ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, and minimum property coverage of Five
      Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per occurrence, One Million Dollars
      ($1,000,000.00) aggregate.

11.02 The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Owner from and against any
      and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, actions, suits,
      proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, reasonable counsel fees,
      costs, and expenses arising out of or resulting from the Operations and
      the Company's use and occupation of the Leasehold Estate. In the event any
      action or proceeding is brought against Owner by reason of any such claim,
      the Company will, at its expense, resist and defend such action or
      proceeding and satisfy any order of judgment against Owner resulting
      therefrom.

11.03 The Company shall be in default on the occurrence of any one or more of
      the following events:

11.03.01 When the Company fails to pay when due any sum of money payable under
      this lease and such failure to pay shall continue for more than thirty
      (30) days from the due date ("Grace Period");

11.03.02 When the Company has utilized in any twelve (12) month period Grace
       Periods amounting to more than sixty (60) days;

11.03.03 When the Company fails to perform any provision of this lease (other
      than the payment of money) and a failure to perform shall continue for
      more than thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company of such
      failure;

11.03.04 When the Company becomes insolvent or generally does not pay its debts
      as they come due, or files a petition for bankruptcy or makes an
      assignment for the benefit of creditors.

11.04 On default by the Company Owner may elect to cancel this lease, re-enter
      the Leasehold Estate, expel the Company, and repossess the Leasehold
      Estate without notice to the Company and without prejudice to any and all
      other remedies available to Owner under law.

                                   SECTION 12
                                   ARBITRATION

      12.01 Except as provided in Section 12.06, any controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this lease shall be submitted to arbitration in
the manner hereinafter provided. The party desiring such arbitration shall give
written notice to that effect to the other party to this lease, specifying in
such notice, the matter to be submitted to arbitration and the name, address and
telephone number of the person designated to act as arbitrator on its behalf.
Within fifteen

                                       8
<PAGE>

(15) days of receipt of such notice by the other party to this lease, said other
party shall give written notice to the party invoking arbitration specifying the
name, address and telephone number of the person designated to act as arbitrator
on behalf of said other party. If the second party fails to so notify the party
invoking arbitration of the appointment of the second party's arbitrator, then
the appointment of the second arbitrator shall be made in the same manner as
hereinafter provided for the appointment of a third arbitrator in a case where
the two arbitrators appointed hereunder or the parties are unable to agree upon
such appointment. The two arbitrators appointed by the parties shall meet within
ten days after the second arbitrator is appointed and shall themselves appoint a
third arbitrator. In the event of their being unable to agree upon such
appointment within said ten days, the third arbitrator shall be selected by the
parties themselves if they can agree thereon within a further period of fifteen
(15) days. If the parties do not so agree on the appointment of the third
arbitrator, then either party, on behalf of both may apply to the Circuit Court
of Allegany County, Maryland, for appointment of such third arbitrator, and the
other party shall not raise any question as to said court's full power and
jurisdiction to entertain the application and make the appointment.

12.02 All arbitrators shall have no financial interest in the parties or the
      outcome.

12.03 All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with
      applicable provisions of the Maryland Uniform Arbitration Act and in
      accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, except as otherwise
      provided herein.

12.04 The arbitrators shall conduct a hearing on the merits, and within forty
      (40) days thereof, shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of
      law. The decision in which any two arbitrators so appointed and acting
      hereunder concur shall in all cases be binding and conclusive upon the
      parties and shall not be subject to appeal. Each party shall pay the fees
      and expenses of the one of the two original arbitrators appointed by such
      party or otherwise appointed on behalf of said party, and the fees and
      expenses of the third arbitrator shall be borne equally by both parties.

12.05 In the event that any arbitrator appointed pursuant to Section 12.01 shall
      thereafter die or become unwilling or unable to act as arbitrator, his
      successor shall be appointed within fifteen (15) days by the party who
      originally had the right to appoint him or, as regards a successor third
      arbitrator, by the two remaining arbitrators. In case of the failure to
      appoint a successor by the party entitled to do so (or, as regards the
      third arbitrator, the failure of the two remaining arbitrators to choose a
      successor) appointment of the successor arbitrator shall be made in the
      same manner as provided for in Section 12.01 for the appointment of a
      third arbitrator where the two arbitrators appointed hereunder or the
      parties are unable to agree upon such appointment.

12.06 The arbitration provision set forth above shall be the exclusive remedy of
      the parties to this lease, but, notwithstanding that agreement, said
      arbitration provision shall not be construed or applied to limit, preempt
      or delay any rights or remedies (i) of either the Owner or Company to
      apply to any court for recovery of the possession of the property from, or
      for injunctive relief against, the other party hereto or (ii) of the Owner
      to apply to any court for the collection of rents.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 13
                                  OTHER LEASES

13.01 On the effective date of this Agreement several parcels of the Land are
      subject to coal mining leases from Owner to others. These parcels are
      described or delineated in Exhibit A. As each such lease is terminated and
      such parcel becomes available, Owner by written notice shall offer such
      parcel to the Company for the sole purpose of incorporating such parcel
      into the Leasehold Estate on the terms and provisions of this lease.
      Should the Company fail to accept such offer in the time and manner
      required, Owner may dispose of such parcel in any manner whatsoever, free
      from the requirements of this section.

13.02 From and after the date the AES Warrior Run Power Plant begins accepting
      coal shipments, Owner shall amend each lease then in effect between Owner
      and Winner Bros. Coal Company reducing the production royalty payable
      thereunder for each ton of coal shipped to the AES Warrior Run Power Plant
      to nine percent (9%) of the Gross Sales Price as defined in this
      Agreement.

13.03 The parties acknowledge that this lease supersedes and replaces all of the
      terms and provisions of the lease from Owner to the Company dated May 18,
      1992, as modified by agreement dated July 11, 1994, and that this
      Agreement constitutes a novation.

                                   SECTION 14
                                   ASSIGNMENT

14.01 Except as provided in Section 14.02, the Company shall not assign any part
      or all of this lease or sublet any part or all of the Leasehold Estate
      without the prior written consent of Owner, which shall not be
      unreasonably withheld, providing that no such assignment or sublease shall
      relieve the Company of its duties and liabilities to Owner hereunder.

14.02 The Company shall have the right to pledge the coal reserves available to
      it under this lease to the performance of a long-term contract with
      Applied Energy Services involving, in whole or in part, the mining and
      sale of the coal reserves underlying the Leasehold Estate. Any such pledge
      shall be subject to the royalty and other provisions of this Agreement. If
      Owner shall be required to join in such pledge agreement, Owner shall not
      be required to subject Owner's reversionary interest in the Leasehold
      Estate to the operating or effect of such pledge agreement. Owner agrees
      to negotiate in good faith with the Company amendments or modifications to
      this Agreement to the extent required by any such pledge so long as such
      amendments or modifications do not materially alter the terms and
      conditions of this lease.

                                   SECTION 15
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

15.01 All payments required to be made or tendered to Owner may be delivered
      personally or by mail at the address set forth below or to such other
      address as Owner may designate by written notice.

                                       10
<PAGE>

15.02 Any notice to be given to any party to this Agreement shall be in writing
      and shall be deemed given when hand delivered with signed receipt or sent
      postage prepaid by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
      to the other party at the address set forth below or to such other address
      as a party may designate by written notice given in accordance with this
      section.

15.03 This Agreement shall be deemed to be an agreement under this laws of the
      State of Maryland and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed
      in accordance with the laws of that state.

15.04 In case any provision of this Agreement is for any reason held to be
      illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
      remainder thereof, which shall be construed and enforced as if such
      illegal or invalid portion were not contained herein.

15.05 Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

15.06 This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
      Owner, the Company, and their respective successors and assigns.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Lease Agreement
on the dates shown below intending it to be effective on January 1, 1995.

                                         OWNER:

ATTEST:                                  ALLEGANY COAL & LAND COMPANY

                                         By                               (SEAL)
-----------------------                     ------------------------------

Date: Jan 5, 1995                        Address:  P.O. Box 410, Depot Street
                                         Frostburg, Maryland  21532

                                         THE COMPANY:

ATTEST:                                  PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC.

                                         By                               (SEAL)
-----------------------                     ------------------------------

Date: December 21, 1994                  Address:  2708 Cranberry Square
                                         Morgantown, West Virginia  26505

                                       12
<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 7th day of June, 1999, by and between ALLEGANY COAL &
LAND COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY,
INC., a West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to amend the Lease to add the property
which was formerly subject to leases with Winner Bros. Coal Co. and which is
more particularly identified and described on Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B,
which Exhibits are attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Additional
Property") to the Land and Leasehold Estate under the Lease (as such terms are
hereinafter defined) and to change certain other provision of the Lease as
hereinafter provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in
this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in the Lease.

      2. Amendments. The Lease is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

            2.1 Gross Sales Price. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property, the gross sales price
      f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal or (ii) with respect to coal
      mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold Estate (other than from the
      Additional Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser
      who is not an Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of
      transportation. The gross selling price under subsection (i) above shall
      be effective for a period of one year from the date of this Amendment,
      unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the event Owner does not
      agree to extend the expiration date of the gross selling price under
      subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be deemed to be amended by
      deleting subsection (i) above.

            2.2 Additional Property. Section 1.04 of the Lease is hereby
stricken and replaced in full by the following:

            1.04 "Land" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County,
      Maryland, which are more particularly described and delineated on Exhibit
      "B" attached hereto and made a part hereof, including, without limitation,
      the Additional Property.

<PAGE>

            2.3 Tipple. A new Section 1.11 is hereby added to the Lease as set
forth below and existing Section 1.11 is hereby renumbered as Section 1.12:

            1.11 "Tipple" means the coal tipple located near Tysons Corner,
      Maryland, and known as the UEC Coal Yard.

            2.4 Production Royalty. Section 5.01 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

                  5.01 The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of
            coal produced from the Leasehold Estate the following production
            royalty:

                        5.01.01     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Redstone seam on the Additional Property
                                    and sold separately without commingling with
                                    other coal, $1.35 per ton;

                        5.01.02     With respect to rations mined and removed
                                    from the Additional Property and sold
                                    separately without commingling with other
                                    coal, $0.80 per ton;

                        5.01.03     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than the coal
                                    from the Redstone seam or rations sold
                                    separately as provided in 5.01.01 and
                                    5.01.02 above) and sold to the AES Warrior
                                    Run Power Plant, nine percent (9%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price; or

                        5.01.04     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than coal from
                                    the Redstone seam or rations sold separately
                                    as provided in 5.01.01 and 5.01.02 above)
                                    and sold to any customer other than the AES
                                    Warrior Run Plant, ten percent (10%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
                                    Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton.

                  2.5 Recoupment. Sections 5.03 and 5.04 of the Lease are hereby
stricken and replaced in full by a new Section 5.03 as set forth below and
existing Section 5.05 is renumbered as Section 5.04 and all references to
Section 5.05 shall be to Section 5.04:

                  5.03 All minimum royalties paid under Sections 4.01 and 4.02
         shall be fully recoupable from and against production royalties
         provided for and paid under Section 5.01.

                  2.6 Permits. A new Section 15.07 is hereby added to the Lease
as follows:

                  15.07 Assignment of Permits Upon Termination. In the event the
         Lease is terminated or surrendered for any reason, Owner shall have the
         option for a period of ninety (90) days following the effective date of
         such termination or surrender, as the case may be, to require the
         Company to use its good faith efforts to transfer or cause to be
         transferred to Owner any mining permits relating to the Leasehold
         Estate. If Owner

<PAGE>

         desires to exercise this option, Owner shall notify the Company within
         said 90-day period stating which permits it desires to acquire. The
         Company shall use its good faith efforts to transfer or cause to be
         transferred to Owner said permits; provided, however, that the Company
         shall not be obligated to directly or indirectly incur or assume any
         liability in connection with the transfer of any such permit, and Owner
         shall reimburse the Company for any cost or expense incurred by it in
         connection therewith. Owner shall be solely responsible, at its cost
         and expense, for securing any and all bonds required for the transfer
         of such permits and shall assume, and shall indemnify the Company
         against, any and all liabilities and obligations associated with such
         permits, including, without limitation, liabilities and obligations
         which arose or were incurred prior to the effective date of the
         transfer thereof. In the event said permits are not transferred within
         six months of the effective date of the termination or surrender of the
         Lease, as the case may be, the Company shall have no further obligation
         under this provision.

         3. Representations and Warranties. Owner hereby represents and warrants
to Company that, as of the date hereof, the Additional Property is free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances, and, except for the Lease as herein
amended, is not subject to any lease, license, agreement or instrument granting
the right to mine or remove coal from the Additional Property to any Third
Party.

         4. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

         5. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By: /s/ Will Jenkins
                                             ----------------------------------
                                         Name: Will Jenkins
                                         Title: President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By: /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                             ----------------------------------
                                         Name: Gerald Peacock
                                         Title: President

                                       7
<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO LEASE AGREEMENT ("Amendment No. 2"), is made and
entered into as of the 31st day of August, 1999, by and between ALLEGANY COAL &
LAND COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY,
INC., a West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Original Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Amendment No. 1 to
Lease dated as of June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), pursuant to which Owner and
Company added the Additional Property (as defined in Amendment No. 1) to the
Original Lease; and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease to include
the property identified and described on Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B (the
"Amendment No. 2 Property"), which Exhibit is attached hereto and made a part
hereof, to the Land and Leasehold Estate under the Original Lease (as such terms
are hereinafter defined).

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The Original Lease, as amended by Amendment No. 1,
is hereinafter referred to as the Lease. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Amendment No. 2 shall have the meaning given to
them in the Lease.

      2. Amendments. The Lease is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

            2.1 Property. Section 1.04 of the Lease is hereby stricken and
replaced in full by the following:

            1.04 "Land" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County,
      Maryland, which are more particularly described and delineated on Exhibit
      "B" attached hereto and made a part hereof, including, without limitation,
      the Additional Property and the Amendment No. 2 Property. Owner
      represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that (i) the tracts
      identified on Exhibit A to the Lease as being leased to others (per
      Section 13.01 of the Lease) are no longer subject to any such third party
      leases and (ii) that said tracts comprise the Amendment No. 2 Property and
      are, by this Amendment No. 2, being added to the property subject to the
      Lease.

            2.2 Production Royalty. Section 5.01 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

            5.01 The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of coal
produced from the Leasehold Estate the following production royalty:

<PAGE>

                        5.01.01     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Redstone seam on the Additional Property
                                    or the Amendment No. 2 Property and sold
                                    separately without commingling with other
                                    coal, $1.35 per ton;

                        5.01.02     With respect to rations mined and removed
                                    from the Additional Property or the
                                    Amendment No. 2 Property and sold separately
                                    without commingling with other coal, $0.80
                                    per ton;

                        5.01.03     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than the coal
                                    from the Redstone seam or rations sold
                                    separately as provided in 5.01.01 and
                                    5.01.02 above) and sold to the AES Warrior
                                    Run Power Plant, nine percent (9%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price; or

                        5.01.04     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than coal from
                                    the Redstone seam or rations sold separately
                                    as provided in 5.01.01 and 5.01.02 above)
                                    and sold to any customer other than the AES
                                    Warrior Run Plant, ten percent (10%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
                                    Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton.

      3. Representations and Warranties. Owner hereby represents and warrants to
Company that, as of the date hereof, the Amendment No. 2 Property is free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances, and, except for the Lease as herein
amended, is not subject to any lease, license, agreement or instrument granting
the right to mine or remove coal from the Additional Property to any Third
Party.

      4. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      5. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

                                       2

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By: /s/ Will Jenkins
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:  Will Jenkins
                                         Title: President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By: /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:  Gerald Peacock
                                         Title: President

                                       3

<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 1 day of June, 2000, by and between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company amended the Lease pursuant to Amendment No. 1
to Lease Agreement dated June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), and pursuant to
Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement dated August 31, 2000 ("Amendment No. 2");
and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease as herein
provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The term "Lease" shall refer to that certain Lease
Agreement dated January 1, 1995, between Owner and Company as amended by
Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in
the Lease.

      2. Amendment. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken and replaced in
full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property, the gross sales price f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal
      or (ii) with respect to coal mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold
      Estate (other than from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser who is not an
      Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of transportation. The
      gross sales price under subsection (i) above shall be effective until June
      1, 2001, unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the event Owner
      does not agree to extend the expiration date of the gross selling price
      under subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be deemed to be
      amended by deleting subsection (i) above.

      3. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      4. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By:  Allegany Coal and Land Co.
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title:      President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By:  /s/ B. Judd Hartman
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  B. Judd Hartman
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title:       Secretary

                                       2

<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 1 day of June, 2001, by and between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company amended the Lease pursuant to Amendment No. 1
to Lease Agreement dated June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), pursuant to Amendment
No. 2 to Lease Agreement dated August 31, 2000 ("Amendment No. 2"), and pursuant
to Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement dated June 1, 2000 ("Amendment No. 3");
and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease as herein
provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The term "Lease" shall refer to that certain Lease
Agreement dated January 1, 1995, between Owner and Company as amended by
Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2, and Amendment No. 3. Unless otherwise defined
herein, capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to
them in the Lease.

      2. Amendment. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken and replaced in
full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property, the gross sales price f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal
      or (ii) with respect to coal mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold
      Estate (other than from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser who is not an
      Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of transportation. The
      gross sales price under subsection (i) above shall be effective until
      December 31, 2002, unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the
      event Owner does not agree to extend the expiration date of the gross
      selling price under subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be
      deemed to be amended by deleting subsection (i) above.

      3. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      4. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:   Will Jenkins
                                         Title:  President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By:  /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:   Gerald Peacock
                                         Title:  President

                                       2
<PAGE>

                         ALLEGANY COAL AND LAND COMPANY
                             PO Box 410 - Depot Road
                            FROSTBURG, MARYLAND 21532

                                                       Telephone: (301) 689-8895
                                                       Facsimile: (301) 689-0113

                                   May 6, 2002

Anker Energy Corporation
2708 Cranberry Square
Morgantown, WV 26505

To Whom It Concerns:

Due to your default under the Lease Agreement effective January 1, 1995, by and
between Allegany Coal and Land Company and Patriot Mining Company, Inc. and the
Lease Agreement effective July 1, 1999, by and between Allegany Coal and Land
Company and Patriot Mining Company, Inc., we are hereby terminating said leases
immediately.

                                         Sincerely,

                                         ALLEGANY COAL AND LAND COMPANY

                                         /s/ Will Jenkins
                                         Will Jenkins
                                         President

CC:  W. Stevens Hidey, Esq.
CC:  United Energy Corporation

CERTIFIED / COURIER / PRIORITY / FAX

                                    Exhibit B

<PAGE>

                            ANKER ENERGY CORPORATION
        2708 CRANBERRY SQUARE - MORGANTOWN, WV 26508-9286 - 304-594-1616

May 8, 2002

Mr. Will Jenkins
Allegany Coal & Land Company
P.O. Box 410
Frostburg, MD  21532

RE:    Lease from Allegany Coal and Land Company to Patriot Mining Company, Inc.
       Dated January 1, 1995, as amended

Dear Will:

This letter is intended to serve as a memorandum of our verbal agreement of this
date.

(1)   Patriot ("PMC") shall pay unto Allegany Coal and Land Company ("ACLC") via
      wire transfer all amounts which are past due of this date under the
      captioned lease and that certain lease dated July 1, 2002, which amounts
      are set forth on Exhibit 1, attached to and made a party of this letter
      agreement.

(2)   ACLC does hereby rescind the termination notice submitted to PMC by letter
      dated May 6, 2002, a copy of which is designated Exhibit B, attached to
      and made a part of this letter agreement.

(3)   ACLC and PMC hereby agree that although the captioned lease may be in
      default, ACLC waives termination for PMC's alleged use of Grace Period
      days exceeding sixty (60) prior to this date.

(4)   ACLC shall not terminate the captioned lease for late payment thereunder,
      unless any such payment hereafter due from PMC to ACLC is made more than
      five (5) days after it is due. However, effective as of this date, PMC
      will be in default if cumulative default days exceed thirty (30) days in
      any six (6) month period.

(5)   PMC shall continue to pay minimum royalty payments directly to ACLC. PMC
      shall instruct United Energy Company, for the remainder of the sublease
      term or any extension thereof, to (i) make tonnage or production royalty
      payment directly to ACLC, and (ii) withhold from production royalties due
      ACLC and to pay PMC any minimum royalty previously paid by PMC for the
      reporting period.

                     ADMINISTRATION / SALES FAX 304-594-3695
           ACCOUNTING / ENGINEERING / HUMAN RESOURCES FAX 304-594-3708

<PAGE>

                                                            Allegany Coal & Land
                                                                Letter Agreement
                                                                     May 8, 2002
                                                                          Page 2

(6)   Except as herein amended, the captioned lease shall remain in full force
      and effect in accordance with its terms.

If this letter correctly reflects our verbal agreement, please so indicate by
signing in the space provided below.

Sincerely,

/s/ Fred C. Kunzelman

Fred C. Kunzelman

FCK: nrh

                                         Allegany Coal and Land Company

                                         By:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Its:  President

<PAGE>

Coal Yard Rental Payment History

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rental       Check           Check            Date
Month        Number          Date            Mailed
<S>          <C>           <C>             <C>
January      23368         12/20/2001      12/31/2001
February     23651          1/25/2002       1/29/2002
March        23912           3/8/2002        3/8/2002
</TABLE>

      April Rental Included in the wire

      May Rental Still Due

Payments made as part of wire transfer of 5/3/02

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
April Coat Yard Rental                    $      500.00
Additional Royalties for Feb. Error            3,888.80
March Tonnage Royalties                       21,765.83
                                          -------------
                                          $   26,154.63

Amount wired                              $   24,154.63

Money due caused by addition error        $    2,000.00
</TABLE>

Monies currently due to Allegany

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
Addition Error in Wire                    $    2,000.00
April Advance Minimum                         25,000.00
May Advance Minimum                           25,000.00
May Coal Yard Rental                             500.00
                                          -------------
                                          $   52,500.00
</TABLE>

                                    Exhibit A

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00086-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00086-of-00352.parquet"}]]