Directorate Change

UK Coal PLC
18 October 2004


18th October 2004

UK COAL plc

                                 Board Changes

Following the announcement made on 1st October2004, UK COAL plc is pleased to
announce that Garold (Gerry) Spindler has today taken up his position as Chief
Executive following the successful completion of immigration formalities.


For Further Information:

Financial
Gavin Anderson & Company                           020 7554 1400
Ken Cronin                                         07887591499
Michael Turner                                     07775992415

Operational
Stuart Oliver                                      01525 381 759





Notes to Editors


Garold (Gerry) Spindler has a BSC and Masters in Mining & Engineering and an MBA
from Stanford University.

He is a US citizen aged 56 and began his career in mining at Consolidation Coal,
one of America's largest coal mining companies based in Pittsburgh as a section
foreman. He held various positions throughout the company leaving in 1984 as
Vice President of Non-Mining operations. Following this he became President &
Chief Executive Officer at Pittston Mineral Group, which produced 20 to 30m
tonnes of coal per year.

In 1995 he joined Cyprus Amax Coal Company the second largest coal business in
the US producing 70 to 90m tonnes of coal per annum as President. His main
objectives were the creation of a new strategy and the improvement of the
operating performance of the group.


Gerry has a personal interest of 283,200 UK COAL shares bought during 2002.






                      This information is provided by RNS
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