1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                                      FOR
 
                              9 3/4% SENIOR NOTES
 
                                    DUE 2007
 
                                       OF
 
                             ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 PM, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON             ,
     1997 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE") UNLESS EXTENDED BY ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
 
                                Exchange Agent:
                              MARINE MIDLAND BANK
 

                                          
                  By Hand:                                     By Mail:
            Marine Midland Bank                          Marine Midland Bank
       Attn: Corporate Trust Services               Attn: Corporate Trust Services
           140 Broadway, Level A                        140 Broadway, Level A
       New York, New York 10005-1180                New York, New York 10005-1180
           By Overnight Courier:                            By Facsimile:
            Marine Midland Bank                             (212) 658-2292
       Attn: Corporate Trust Services               Attn: Corporate Trust Services
           140 Broadway, Level A                      Telephone: (212) 658-5931
       New York, New York 10005-1180

 
     DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA A FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN
AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
   
     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated             ,
1998 (the "Prospectus") of Anker Coal Group, Inc. (the "Company"), and this
Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together describe the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange an aggregate principal amount
of its new 9 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Exchange Notes") equal to
the aggregate principal amount of outstanding 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2007 (the
"Old Notes") held by the undersigned. The terms of the Exchange Notes are
identical in all material respects (including principal amount, interest rate
and maturity) to the terms of the Old Notes for which they may be exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, except that the Exchange Notes are freely
transferable by holders thereof (except as provided herein or in the Prospectus)
and are not subject to any covenant regarding registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
    
 
     The undersigned has checked the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take
with respect to the Exchange Offer.
 
        PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS
                    CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW
   2
 
YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE INSTRUCTIONS
INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
     List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If
the space provided below is inadequate, the Certificate Numbers and Principal
Amounts should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES TENDERED HEREWITH
 

                                                                                      
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               AGGREGATE
                                                                            PRINCIPAL AMOUNT         PRINCIPAL
  NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)       CERTIFICATE          REPRESENTED BY            AMOUNT
                 (PLEASE FILL IN)                        NUMBER(S)*            OLD NOTES*            TENDERED**
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Total
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 
 ** Unless otherwise indicated, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the
    full aggregate principal amount represented by such Old Notes. See
    instruction 2.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if certificates
representing Old Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if delivery of Old Notes
is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange
Agent at The Depository Trust Company, pursuant to the procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus.
Delivery of documents to the book-entry transfer facility does not constitute
delivery to the Exchange Agent.
 
     Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Old Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent on
or prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
 
[ ]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
   MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY
   TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
   Name of Tendering Institution
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ] The Depository Trust Company
 
   Account Number
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Transaction Code Number
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        2
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[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
    GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
   Name of Registered Holder(s)
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
   ------------------------------------------------------
 
   Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
   --------------------------------------------------------
 
   If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
 
   Account Number
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF EXCHANGE NOTES ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO PERSON OTHER THAN PERSON
    SIGNING THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL:
 
   Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (PLEASE PRINT)
 
   Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF EXCHANGE NOTES ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO ADDRESS DIFFERENT FROM
    THAT LISTED ELSEWHERE IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL:
 
   Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
    COPIES OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
    THERETO:
 
   Name
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Address
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Any holder who is an "affiliate" of the Company
or who has an arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of
the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, or any
broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes from the Company to resell pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements under the Securities Act.
 
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   4
 
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the above-described principal amount
of the Old Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance
for exchange of the Old Notes tendered herewith, the undersigned hereby
exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all
right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes. The undersigned hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent the true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that said
Exchange Agent acts as the agent of the Company, in connection with the Exchange
Offer) to cause the Old Notes to be assigned, transferred and exchanged. The
undersigned represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to
tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes and to acquire Exchange
Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the
same are accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered
title to the tendered Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions,
charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned
also warrants that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of tendered Old
Notes or transfer ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by
the book-entry transfer facility. The undersigned further agrees that acceptance
of any and all validly tendered Old Notes by the Company and the issuance of
Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the
Company of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined
in the Prospectus) and that the Company shall have no further obligations or
liabilities thereunder except as provided in Section 2 of said agreement.
 
     The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Certain Conditions to the
Exchange Offer." The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions
(which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Company), as more particularly
set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to exchange any of
the Old Notes tendered hereby and, in such event, the Old Notes not exchanged
will be returned to the undersigned at the address shown above. In addition, the
Company may amend the Exchange Offer at any time prior to the Expiration Date if
any of the conditions set forth under "The Exchange Offer -- Certain Conditions
to the Exchange Offer" occur.
 
     By tendering, each holder of Old Notes represents that the Exchange Notes
acquired in the exchange will be obtained in the ordinary course of such
holder's business, that such holder has no arrangement with any person to
participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes, that such holder is not
an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act and that such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to
engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. Any holder of Old Notes using
the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes (i)
cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") enunciated in its interpretive letter with respect
to Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989) or similar
letters and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction.
 
     If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes, however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Tendered Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the terms of this Letter of
Transmittal. See Instruction 2.
 
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     Certificates for all Exchange Notes delivered in exchange for tendered Old
Notes and any Old Notes delivered herewith but not exchanged, and registered in
the name of the undersigned, shall be delivered to the undersigned at the
address shown below the signature of the undersigned.
 
                           TENDER HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                  (COMPLETE ACCOMPANYING SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
 
Dated
- ---------------------------------                 Area Code and Telephone Number
                                                       -------------------------
 
(MUST BE SIGNED BY REGISTERED HOLDER(S) EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON
CERTIFICATE(S) FOR OLD NOTES. IF SIGNATURE IS BY A TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR,
ADMINISTRATOR, GUARDIAN, ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, OFFICER OF A CORPORATION OR OTHER
PERSON ACTING IN A FIDUCIARY OR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY, PLEASE SET FORTH THE
FULL TITLE OF SUCH PERSON.) SEE INSTRUCTION 3.
 
Name(s)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
Capacity (full title)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
Area Code and Telephone No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Taxpayer Identification No.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                       (IF REQUIRED -- SEE INSTRUCTION 3)
 
Authorized Signature
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Title
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Name of Firm
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Area Code and Telephone No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Dated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
1.  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES.
 
     A holder of Old Notes may tender the same by (i) properly completing and
signing this Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof (all references in the
Prospectus to the Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to include a facsimile
thereof) and delivering the same, together with the certificate or certificates
representing the Old Notes being tendered and any required signature guarantees
and any other document required by this Letter of Transmittal, to the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth above on or prior to the Expiration Date (or
complying with the procedure for book-entry transfer described below) or (ii)
complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE OLD NOTES AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER, AND EXCEPT
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BELOW, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY
RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS
SUGGESTED THAT REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED,
BE USED. IN ALL CASES SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PERMIT TIMELY
DELIVERY. NO OLD NOTES OR LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
 
     If tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of the signer of the
Letter of Transmittal and the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange therefor
are to be issued (and any untendered Old Notes are to be reissued) in the name
of the registered holder (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall
include any participant in The Depository Trust Company (also referred to as a
"book-entry transfer facility") whose name appears on a security listing as the
owner of Old Notes), the signature of such signer need not be guaranteed. In any
other case, the tendered Old Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by written
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed by
the registered holder, and the signature on the endorsement or instrument of
transfer must be guaranteed by a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings
association, clearing agency or other institution (each an "Eligible
Institution") that is a member of a recognized signature guarantee medallion
program within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. If the Exchange Notes and/or Old Notes not exchanged are to be
delivered to an address other than that of the registered holder appearing on
the note register for the Old Notes, the signature on the Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     The Exchange Agent will make a request within two business days after the
date of receipt of this Prospectus to establish accounts with respect to the Old
Notes at the book-entry transfer facility for the purpose of facilitating the
Exchange Offer, and subject to the establishment thereof, any financial
institution that is a participant in the book-entry transfer facility's system
may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing such book-entry transfer
facility to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account with
respect to the Old Notes in accordance with the book-entry transfer facility's
procedures for such transfer. Although delivery of Old Notes may be effected
through book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry
transfer facility, an appropriate Letter of Transmittal with any required
signature guarantee and all other required documents must in each case be
transmitted to and received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or, if the guaranteed delivery procedures described below
are complied with, within the time period provided under such procedures.
 
     If a holder desires to accept the Exchange Offer and time will not permit a
Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes to reach the Exchange Agent before the
Expiration Date or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on
a timely basis, a tender may be effected if the Exchange Agent has received on
or prior to the Expiration Date, a letter, telegram or facsimile transmission
(receipt confirmed by telephone and an original delivered by guaranteed
overnight courier) from an Eligible Institution setting forth the name and
address of the tendering holder, the names in which the Old Notes are registered
and, if possible, the certificate numbers of the Old Notes to be tendered, and
stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that within three
business days after the Expiration Date, the Old Notes in proper form for
transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the
 
                                        6
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book-entry transfer facility), will be delivered by such Eligible Institution
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (and
any other required documents). Copies of the notice of guaranteed delivery
("Notice of Guaranteed Delivery") which may be used by Eligible Institutions for
the purposes described in this paragraph are available from the Exchange Agent.
 
     A tender will be deemed to have been received as of the date when (i) the
tendering holder's properly completed and duly signed Letter of Transmittal
accompanied by the Old Notes (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such
Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility)
is received by the Exchange Agent, or (ii) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or
letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to similar effect (as provided above)
from an Eligible Institution is received by the Exchange Agent. Issuances of
Exchange Notes in exchange for Old Notes tendered pursuant to a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery or letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to similar
effect (as provided above) by an Eligible Institution will be made only against
deposit of the Letter of Transmittal (and any other required documents) and the
tendered Old Notes.
 
     If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than
the registered holder or holders of Old Notes, such Old Notes must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case signed exactly
as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the Old
Notes.
 
     No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of
the Old Notes for exchange.
 
2.  PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS.
 
     If less than the entire principal amount of Old Notes evidenced by a
submitted certificate is tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the
principal amount tendered in the box entitled "Principal Amount Tendered." A
newly issued certificate for the principal amount of Old Notes submitted but not
tendered will be sent to such holder as soon as practicable after the Expiration
Date. All Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered unless otherwise clearly indicated.
 
     For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal sent by
telegram, facsimile transmission (receipt confirmed by telephone) or letter must
be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein prior to the
Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the
person having tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii)
identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or
numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes), (iii) specify the principal
amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn, (iv) include a statement that such holder
is withdrawing his election to have such Old Notes exchanged, (v) be signed by
the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered or as otherwise described
above (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee under the Indenture
register the transfer of such Old Notes into the name of the person withdrawing
the tender and (vi) specify the name in which any such Old Notes are to be
registered, if different from that of the Depositor. The Exchange Agent will
return the properly withdrawn Old Notes promptly following receipt of notice of
withdrawal. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number
of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the
withdrawn Old Notes or otherwise comply with the book-entry transfer facility
procedure. All questions as to the validity of notices of withdrawals, including
time of receipt, will be determined by the Company and such determination will
be final and binding on all parties.
 
     Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered
for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been
tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be
returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case of
Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at
the book-entry transfer facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described above, such Old Notes will be credited to an account with such
book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder) as soon as practicable
after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.
Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following
 
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one of the procedures described under the caption "Procedures for Tendering Old
Notes" in the Prospectus at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
3.  SIGNATURE ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND
    ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as
written on the face of the certificates without alteration, enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
 
     If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
     If a number of Old Notes registered in different names are tendered, it
will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this
Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of Old Notes.
 
     When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder or
holders (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the
book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the
owner of the Old Notes) of Old Notes listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements
of certificates or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are
required.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder or holder of the Old Notes listed, such Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by separate written instruments of transfer or exchange
in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed by the registered holder,
in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or
holders appear(s) on the Old Notes.
 
     If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written
instruments of transfer or exchange are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.
 
     Endorsements on certificates or signatures on separate written instruments
of transfer or exchange required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
 
     Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, provided the Old Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered
holder of such Old Notes, for the holder of such Old Notes; or (ii) for the
account of an Eligible Institution.
 
4.  TRANSFER TAXES.
 
     The Company shall pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the
transfer and exchange of Old Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. If, however, certificates representing Exchange Notes or Old Notes for
principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to,
or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder
of the Old Notes tendered, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name
of any person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a
transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable
by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exception therefrom is not submitted herewith the amount of such transfer taxes
will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
     Except as provided in this Instruction 4, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
                                        8
   9
 
5.  WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
 
     The Company reserves the right to waive in its reasonable judgment, in
whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the
Prospectus.
 
6.  MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD NOTES.
 
   
     Any holder whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed,
should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further
instructions.
    
 
7.  SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
     Each holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange (or
other payee) is required to provide a correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN"), generally the holder's Social Security or federal employer
identification number, and with certain other information, on Substitute Form
W-9, which is provided under "Important Tax Information" below, and to certify
that the holder (or other payee) is not subject to backup withholding. Failure
to provide the information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the holder (or
other payee) to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and 31%
federal income tax backup withholding on payments made in connection with the
Exchange Notes. The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if
the holder (or other payee) has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN
or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is
checked and a TIN is not provided by the time any payment is made in connection
with the Exchange Notes, 31% of all such payments will be withheld until a TIN
is provided.
 
8.  REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
 
   
     Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be
directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number set forth
above. In addition, all questions relating to the Exchange Offer, as well as
requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter
of Transmittal, may be directed to Anker Coal Group, Inc., 2708 Cranberry
Square, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, attention: Corporate Secretary
(telephone: 304-594-1616).
    
 
     IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH
CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
   
     Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes
are accepted for exchange may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder
provides Marine Midland Bank (as payor) (the "Paying Agent"), through the
Exchange Agent, with either (i) such holder's correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 attached hereto, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such holder of Old Notes is
awaiting a TIN) and that (A) the holder of Old Notes has not been notified by
the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to backup withholding as
a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (B) the Internal
Revenue Service has notified the holder of Old Notes that he or she is no longer
subject to backup withholding; or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption from
backup withholding. If such holder of Old Notes is an individual, the TIN is
such holder's social security number. If the Paying Agent is not provided with
the correct taxpayer identification number, the holder of Old Notes may be
subject to certain penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
    
 
     Certain holders of Old Notes (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. Exempt holders of Old Notes should indicate their exempt
status on Substitute Form W-9. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as
an exempt recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties
of perjury, attesting to that individual's
 
                                        9
   10
 
exempt status. A Form W-8 can be obtained from the Paying Agent. See the
enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.
 
     If backup withholding applies, the Paying Agent is required to withhold 31%
of any such payments made to the holder of Old Notes or other payee. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons
subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from
the Internal Revenue Service.
 
     The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
surrendering holder of Old Notes has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a
TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is
checked, the holder of Old Notes or other payee must also complete the
Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid
backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the
Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Paying
Agent will withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly
certified TIN is provided to the Paying Agent.
 
     The holder of Old Notes is required to give the Paying Agent the TIN (e.g.,
social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of
the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name
of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance
on which number to report.
 
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYOR'S NAME: MARINE MIDLAND BANK, AS PAYING AGENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 SUBSTITUTE                    PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN Social Security number(s) or
                               THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY    Employer Identification
                               SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.          Number(s)
                                                                  ------------------------------
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
 FORM W-9                     PART 2--CERTIFICATION--Under penalties of perjury, I certify
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY   that:
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE     (1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer
 PAYOR'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER  identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER            issued for me), and
     ("TIN")                  (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am
                              exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified
                                  by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to
                                  backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
                                  interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that
                                  I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
                              CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above
                              if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently
                              subject to backup withholding because of underreporting
                              interest or dividends on your tax return.
                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                      Signature -----------------------------    PART 3--Awaiting TIN  [ ]
                                      Date---------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN A $50 PENALTY
      IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF
      ANY CASH PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
      CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR
      ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
      YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
      3 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
     I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all reportable cash payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I
provide a taxpayer identification number.
 
- --------------------------------------
              SIGNATURE
 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                          DATE
 
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