Alpha Natural Resources 10-Q 2008 Q4 Quarterly report

EXHIBIT 32(a)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (the “Registrant”) for the period ended September 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael J. Quillen, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: November 6, 2008

 By: /s/ Michael J. Quillen

  Michael J. Quillen

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)