EXHIBIT 99.1


                                CERTIFICATION OF
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       OF GP NATURAL RESOURCE PARTNERS LLC
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

         In connection with the accompanying report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the
date hereof (the "Report"), I, Corbin J. Robertson, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board of GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, the general
partner of the general partner of Natural Resource Partners L.P. (the
"Company"), hereby certify, to my knowledge, that:

         1.  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
             15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
             material respects, the financial condition and results of
             operations of the Company.



                                            /s/ Corbin J. Robertson, Jr.
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Corbin J. Robertson, Jr.
                                            Date:  May 15, 2003