News Archive

08 September 2006

Director Changes

ATH Resources plc ( AIM: ATH), one of the UK’s largest coal producers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Beaumont to the Board of the Company as Group Finance Director, with effect from 9 October 2006. Richard Croston, currently Finance Director, will relinquish his position but remain as Company Secretary to the PLC and Finance Director of the Group’s mining subsidiaries.

Steven Beaumont, 43, has spent the majority of his career with United Utilities where, since 2001, he held the senior positions of both Finance Director, and then Commercial Director of United Utilities’ North West Division. Last year the division turned over £1billion. As Commercial Director he managed over 1,000 people responsible for the investment delivery programme, front line network customer service, commercial activities, supply chain, legal, and business services . He was Group Financial Controller from 1998 to 2001. He is a chartered accountant having previously worked for Arthur Andersen and Deloitte Haskins and Sells.

The Company also announces that Alistair Black, Operations Director, will also be appointed as Managing Director of Aardvark TMC Ltd on 9 October. Aardvark TMC Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of ATH Resources that operates the Skares Road site. Alistair joined the Group in 1998 as Operations Manager for the Skares Road mine and became Operations Director in 2000.

Commenting on the appointments, Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive of ATH Resources, said: “Following the successful acquisition of Ogden, coupled with the Group’s continued growth prospects it is clear that there was an increased requirement to split the financial role between the Group and its operating subsidiaries. Therefore the Board is delighted to welcome Steven whose extensive experience will be of great value going forward. Richard’s proven track record with ATH will ensure that there is excellent financial management throughout the Group.

Alistair’s long term experience and success with the Group makes him the perfect candidate for his elevated role. Both appointments will further strengthen the highly experienced management team, as ATH continues to grow organically and through acquisition.”

Steven Beaumont, has been a Director of the following companies and organisations during the past five years:

Current Directorships	Directorships held in the past five years
	United Utilities Water PLC United Utilities Electricity PLC United Utilities Pension Trustees Ltd

There is no other information that requires disclosure under Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

For further information:
ATH Resources
Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive	Tel: +44 (0) 1302 760 462
tom.allchurch@ath.co.uk
Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Sarah Hollins / Georgina Bonham	Tel: +44 (0) 113 203 1341
georgina.bonham@abchurch-group.com	www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to Editors:

ATH Resources is an AIM-listed operator of opencast coal mines in the UK with its current three operational mines, Skares Road, Grievehill and Garleffan, located near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire in Scotland. The Company is currently the third largest producer of coal in the UK producing approximately 1.7 million tonnes per annum. Coal was used to generate 34 per cent of the UKs electricity in 2005 and the Company holds coal supply contracts with four of the UKs main electricity generating companies.

The management team has been in place since 1998. It acquired the rights to operate (and subsequently acquire) the Skares Road mine with support from The Alchemy Plan and Bank of Scotland. Following ATH Resources incorporation in October 2003, and backed by a follow on investment from The Alchemy Plan, the Company acquired the Garleffan mine in November 2003.

In June 2005 the Group acquired two new opencast sites, Grievehill and Glenmuckloch in Scotland for 18 million using the 16.8 million raised by way of an Open Offer on the basis of 1 New Ordinary Share for every 3 Existing Ordinary Shares. The acquisition increased the Groups reserve base by 160% and provided longer term stability to the business.

In addition to its operating mines, the Company also has a number of other coal mining projects in Scotland and two through its French subsidiary, SRMMC including a series of six existing coal concessions in south-central France, covering an area of 36km, 2 with an estimated resource of approximately 4.5 million tonnes of recoverable coal.

In May 2006 the Group acquired Doncaster-based A Ogden & Sons Limited a successful coal recovery, land remediation and regeneration business with a particular focus on colliery spoil heap reclamation projects. ATH paid net 9.5 million for the business. The acquisition, which was earnings enhancing, allowed ATH to build on its skills as a regenerator of land, whilst developing strong relationships with key English planning authorities.

ATH Resources listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2004 under the symbol ATH.L

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