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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Summary
Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data," "Selected Consolidated
Historical Financial Data," and "Experts" and to the use of our reports dated
March 18, 1996, with respect to the financial statements of Anker Group, Inc.
and subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related
Prospectus for the registration of $125,000,000 of Anker Coal Group, Inc.'s
Series B Senior Notes due 2007.
 
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
November 6, 1997