Harworth Gp Regulatory News (HWG)

6 Jan 2010 07:00



6th January 2010

UK COAL PLC

("UK COAL" or "the Company")

Director of Mining - Board Appointment. 

Up-Date on 2009 Production and Q1 2010 Face Changes.

Appointment of Director of Mining

The Board of UK COAL PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Gareth Williams to the position of Mining Director on the Board of UK COAL. It is expected that Gareth will join the Company and take his seat on the Board during February 2010.

Aged 43, Gareth has over 20 years experience in coal mining in a wide range of international roles with Anglo Coal, part of Anglo American plc. Having been General Manager of some of Anglo's largest coal mines, he is currently Head of Operational Performance for Anglo Coal Canada and South America. Born in England, Gareth was raised and educated in New Zealand, gaining an honours degree in Mining Engineering at the University of Otago/Auckland in 1988. Married with four children, Gareth is based in the UK.

David Jones, Chairman of UK COAL, said: "We are delighted to welcome Gareth. He has extensive coal mining experience and knowledge and an impressive track record in mine management, driving productivity with a strong safety culture. All of this equips him ideally to his new role with UK COAL and made him our clear choice in what was a strong list of candidates in our selection process."

There are no further details requiring disclosure under Listing Rule 9.6.13 in relation to the appointment of Gareth Williams to the Board of UK COAL. 

Full Year Production 

For the full year, 2009, UK COAL expects to report Deep Mines production of around 5.7 million tonnes, in line with the lower end of the Company's production up-date of 17 November, 2009, and Surface Mines production of 1.4 million tonnes. 

Face Change Up-date

At Daw Mill, powered roof support installation will be commencing shortly on the next face in preparation for production. It is expected this equipment installation will resolve the impact of current difficult geological conditions, although these conditions mean production on this new face is now expected to commence around the end of February this year, rather than in January. 

Mitigating action is being taken, including operating cost reductions and the extraction of additional tonnage off the existing production face in the first several weeks of the New Year, to reduce the impact of the Daw Mill face gap on working capital.

At Kellingley, the new Beeston Seam is expected to be ready to take over directly from the current production face from around late February, with the specific date depending on completion of the extraction of the final tonnes on the current face.

At Thoresby, the Deep Soft project remains on schedule for commencement of production in March in this new seam, following record-breaking development drivage in 2009. 

Pre-Close Announcement

UK COAL will make its pre-close announcement towards the end of January, 2010.

Enquiries:

Media:

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: 020 7638 9571

Anthony Carlisle Mobile: 07973 611 888

Analysts and investors:

UK COAL PLC Tel: 01302 751751

Jon Lloyd, Chief Executive

David Brocksom, Finance Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: 020 7638 9571

Nick Cox-Johnson