EXHIBIT 23.6


                CONSENT OF WEIR INTENATIONAL MINING CONSULTANTS


     We hereby consent to: (1) the reference to us under the captions "Coal
Reserve Data" and "Engineers"; and (2) the use of information from or based on:
our 1994 reserve report, as updated in May 1998, with respect to the
demonstrated coal reserves of Zeigler Coal Holding Company, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, which were acquired by Zeigler Acquisition Corporation, a
subsidiary of AEI Resources, Inc.("AEI"), on September 2, 1998, all of which are
included in the prospectus of AEI for the registration of US$150,000,000 of
AEI's 111/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006, which prospectus is part of the
registration statement to which this consent is an exhibit.

     We further wish to advise that Weir International Mining Consultants was
not employed on a contingent basis and that at the time of preparation of our
report, as well as at present, neither Weir International Mining Consultants nor
any of its employees had or now has a substantial interest in AEI or any of its
subsidiaries.

Respectfully submitted,


Weir International Mining Consultants


By:    /s/ Dennis N. Kostic
       _______________________

Name:  Dennis N. Kostic
       _______________________

Title: President
       _______________________

Date:     February 8, 1999