Options Update

Atlantic Coal plc / Index: AIM / Epic: ATC / Sector: Mining

2 April 2013

Atlantic Coal plc ("Atlantic Coal" or the "Company")

Option update

Atlantic Coal, the AIM-listed anthracite coal mining company operating in Pennsylvania, USA, announces an update in relation to the option agreement to acquire additional anthracite mining assets in Pennsylvania, further details of which were originally announced on 15 February 2012.

This option, which is exercisable entirely at the Company's discretion, has an exercise price of US$35 million and, following a previous extension as announced on 29 October 2012, the exercise period ends on 31 March 2013 (the "Option exercise Period"). As a result of the size of the exercise price, the acquisition of the assets in question would be likely to constitute a reverse takeover under the AIM Rules for Companies and would therefore be, inter alia, subject to shareholder approval. Due diligence and funding discussions are on-going but will not be completed prior to the expiry of the Option Exercise Period.

The Company has had discussions with the vendor in connection with the extension of the Option Exercise Period and anticipates that this will be agreed shortly. However, there can be no certainty that the vendor will in fact agree an option extension or that such an extension will be on acceptable terms to the Company. Further announcements will be made in this regard at the appropriate time.

**ENDS**

For further information on the Company, visit: www.atlanticcoal.com or contact: