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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-4 for $125
million of 9.75% Series B Senior Notes of our reports dated February 28, 1997,
on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Anker Coal Group, Inc.
and Subsidiaries and Anker Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries, respectively, and our
report dated August 8, 1997 on our audit of the combined financial statements of
Oak Mountain Energy Corporation and its Affiliates. We also consent to the
references to our firm under the caption "Experts", "Summary Historical and Pro
Forma Consolidated Financial Data" and "Selected Consolidated Historical
Financial Data."
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND LLP
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
November 6, 1997