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20 October 2005

Planning application - Muir Dean

ATH Resources plc (AIM:ATH.L), one of the UK’s largest coal producers , has today submitted an application for planning consent to Fife Council for its Muir Dean development. Muir Dean is a prospective opencast coal site located approximately 5km east of Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland.

Under the proposals submitted, the Group will recover almost two million tonnes of high-quality coal, suitable for electricity generation and industry, from less than half of the 181-hectare Muir Dean development area, over a four-and-a-half year period. The land will be progressively restored during the course of the development and final restoration will be complete a year thereafter. It is anticipated that the proposals will also generate up to 118 new jobs in the local area.

Environmental improvements include a permanent environmentally friendly wetland system for the treatment of water. Restoration proposals include the planting of native trees, the formation of new public footpaths and the cultivation of wetlands and grasslands to encourage a greater diversity of birds, bats and other wildlife.

Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive of ATH Resources plc, said: “In all of our operations, ATH Resources is committed to playing an active role in the local economy whilst preserving its environment for the enjoyment of future generations, and the same strategy will be applied at Muir Dean. The planning application that we have submitted for Muir Dean carries a full environmental assessment and we are happy that it meets the criteria required.

“The Muir Dean site forms an exciting part of the development of ATH Resources and we look forward to the successful determination of this application next year.”

Information regarding the planning application for a development at Muir Dean is available in PDF format here.

For further information:

ATH Resources plc
Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive	Tel: +44 (0) 1302 760 462
tom.allchurch@ath.co.uk	www.ath.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Abchurch
Henry Harrison-Topham / Sarah Hollins	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700
henry.ht@abchurch-group.com	www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to Editors:

ATH Resources plc is an AIM-listed operator of opencast coal mines in the UK with its current three operational mines, Skares Road, Garleffan and Grievehill, located near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire in Scotland. The Group is currently the third largest producer of coal in the UK producing approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum. Coal was used to generate 32.7 per cent of the UK’s electricity in 2004 and the Group holds coal supply contracts with four of the UK’s 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 Resource’s 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 Group’s reserve base by 160% and provided longer term stability to the business.

In addition to its operating mines, the Group 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.

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

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