EXHIBIT 23.2(b) [LETTERHEAD OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP APPEARS HERE] INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-72327 of AEI Resources, Inc. and AEI Holding Company, Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated April 3, 1998 (May 15, 1998 as to note 6 and August 17, 1998 as to note 16), appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Louisville, Kentucky April 27, 1999