Exhibit 2.5

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                              PITTSTON COAL COMPANY

                                       AND

                       PARAMONT COAL COMPANY VIRGINIA, LLC




                                October 29, 2002










                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                                Page
                                                                                                                ----

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................1
                                                                                                            
     1.1. Administrative Services Agreement.......................................................................1
     1.2. Affiliate...............................................................................................2
     1.3. Agreement...............................................................................................2
     1.4. Asset Sale Companies....................................................................................2
     1.5. Assignment and Assumption Agreements....................................................................2
     1.6. Assumed Liabilities.....................................................................................2
     1.7. Audited Closing Date Financial Statements...............................................................3
     1.8. Bills of Sale...........................................................................................3
     1.9. Books and Records.......................................................................................3
     1.10. Business...............................................................................................3
     1.11.  Buyer.................................................................................................3
     1.12. Buyer's Affiliates, Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors........................................4
     1.13. Buyer Closing Certificate..............................................................................4
     1.14. Buyer's Ultimate Parent................................................................................4
     1.15. CERCLA.................................................................................................4
     1.16. CERCLIS................................................................................................4
     1.17. Closing................................................................................................4
     1.18. Closing Date...........................................................................................4
     1.19. Coal Act...............................................................................................5
     1.20. Coal Inventory.........................................................................................5
     1.21. COBRA..................................................................................................5
     1.22. Code...................................................................................................5
     1.23. Contaminated...........................................................................................5
     1.24. Contracts..............................................................................................5
     1.25. Controlled Group.......................................................................................6
     1.26. Cooperation Agreement..................................................................................6
     1.27. CPA Arbitrator.........................................................................................6
     1.28. Dispute................................................................................................6
     1.29. Employee...............................................................................................6
     1.30. Employee Benefit Plans.................................................................................6
     1.31. Engagement Letter......................................................................................6
     1.32. Environment............................................................................................7
     1.33. Environmental Laws.....................................................................................7
     1.34. Environmental Matter...................................................................................7
     1.35. Environmental or Response Action.......................................................................8
     1.36. EPA....................................................................................................8
     1.37. Equipment..............................................................................................9
     1.38. ERISA..................................................................................................9
     1.39. ERISA Affiliates.......................................................................................9
     1.40. Fiduciary..............................................................................................9
     1.41. Final VC 5 Cost........................................................................................9





                                                                                                          
     1.42. Fiscal Year Financial Statements.......................................................................9
     1.43. GAAP...................................................................................................9
     1.44. Governmental Authority................................................................................10
     1.45. Hazardous Substances..................................................................................10
     1.46. Health and Safety Requirements........................................................................10
     1.47. HIPAA.................................................................................................10
     1.48. Income Tax or Income Taxes............................................................................11
     1.49. Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement................................................................11
     1.50. Independent Surveyor..................................................................................11
     1.51. Intellectual Property.................................................................................11
     1.52. IRS...................................................................................................11
     1.53. Knowledge of PCC......................................................................................12
     1.54. Law...................................................................................................12
     1.55. Lien..................................................................................................12
     1.56. Liability.............................................................................................12
     1.57. Material Adverse Effect...............................................................................12
     1.58. MD&A Disclosure.......................................................................................13
     1.59. Medical Plans.........................................................................................13
     1.60. Mining Activities.....................................................................................13
     1.61. Mining Environmental Liabilities......................................................................13
     1.62. MSHA..................................................................................................13
     1.63. Multiemployer Plan....................................................................................14
     1.64. Operator..............................................................................................14
     1.65. Ordinary Course of Business...........................................................................14
     1.66. OSM...................................................................................................14
     1.67. Paramont Service Agreement............................................................................14
     1.68. Parts, Fuel and Supplies Inventory....................................................................14
     1.69. PBGC..................................................................................................14
     1.70. PCC...................................................................................................14
     1.71. PCC Bonds.............................................................................................14
     1.72. PCC Closing Certificate...............................................................................15
     1.73. PCC Group.............................................................................................15
     1.74. PCC Parent............................................................................................15
     1.75. Pension Plans.........................................................................................15
     1.76. Permits...............................................................................................15
     1.77. Permitted Liens.......................................................................................15
     1.78. Person................................................................................................15
     1.79. Post-Closing Period...................................................................................16
     1.80. Pre-Closing Period....................................................................................16
     1.81. Promissory Note.......................................................................................16
     1.82. Purchase Price........................................................................................16
     1.83. Purchased Assets......................................................................................16
     1.84. Qualified Plans.......................................................................................16





                                                                                                         
     1.85. RCRA..................................................................................................17
     1.86. Reclamation Laws......................................................................................17
     1.87. Related Persons.......................................................................................17
     1.88. Release...............................................................................................17
     1.89. Retained Liabilities..................................................................................17
     1.90. Security Agreement....................................................................................23
     1.91. SEC...................................................................................................23
     1.92. SMCRA.................................................................................................23
     1.93. Straddle Period.......................................................................................23
     1.94. Tax or Taxes..........................................................................................23
     1.95. Tax Return............................................................................................24
     1.96. VC 5..................................................................................................24
     1.97. VC 5 Calculation......................................................................................24
     1.98. VC 5 Costs............................................................................................24
     1.99. VC 5 Estimate.........................................................................................24
     1.100. VC 5 Revenue.........................................................................................25
     1.101. VDEQ.................................................................................................25
     1.102. VDMME................................................................................................25
     1.103. Virginia Entities....................................................................................25
     1.104. WARN Act.............................................................................................25
     1.105. Welfare Plans........................................................................................25
     1.106. Workers' Compensation Acts...........................................................................25

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS...........................................................................26

     2.1. Transfer of Assets.....................................................................................26
     2.2. Calculation of VC 5 Adjustment Amount..................................................................26
     2.3. Bills of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreements and Other Documents................................28
     2.4. Assumption of Liabilities..............................................................................28
     2.5. Proration of Liabilities...............................................................................28
     2.6. Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement.................................................................28
     2.7. Cooperation Agreement..................................................................................28
     2.8. Administrative Services Agreement......................................................................29
     2.9. Paramont Service Agreement.............................................................................29
     2.10. Security Agreement....................................................................................29
     2.11. Additional Documents..................................................................................29
     2.12. Coal Inventory Adjustment.............................................................................29
     2.13. Allocation of Purchase Price and Assumed Liabilities..................................................30

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PCC................................................................32

     3.1. Incorporation..........................................................................................32
     3.2. Execution, Delivery and Performance....................................................................33
     3.3. Authorization..........................................................................................34
     3.4. Absence of Changes.....................................................................................34





                                                                                                            
     3.5. Purchased Assets.......................................................................................37
     3.6. Intellectual Property..................................................................................38
     3.7. Permits and Environmental Compliance...................................................................38
     3.8. Reclamation Bonds......................................................................................41
     3.9. Contracts..............................................................................................42
     3.10. Litigation; Claims....................................................................................42
     3.11. Employee Benefits.....................................................................................43
     3.12. Employment Matters....................................................................................48
     3.13. No Broker.............................................................................................48
     3.14. Health and Safety Requirements........................................................................49
     3.15. Restrictions on Business Activities...................................................................49
     3.16. Powers of Attorney....................................................................................49
     3.17. Transactions With Affiliates..........................................................................49
     3.18. Absence of Certain Payments...........................................................................49
     3.19. Disclosure............................................................................................50

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER...............................................................50

     4.1.   Organization.........................................................................................50
     4.2.   Execution, Delivery and Performance..................................................................50
     4.3.   Authorization........................................................................................51
     4.4.   No Broker............................................................................................52
     4.5.   Reclamation and Environmental Compliance.............................................................52
     4.6.   Financing............................................................................................52
     4.7.   Disclosure...........................................................................................52

ARTICLE V CERTAIN COVENANTS......................................................................................52

     5.1. Operation in Ordinary Course..........................................................................52
     5.2. Compliance with Law...................................................................................53
     5.3. Cooperation...........................................................................................53
     5.4. Notices and Consents..................................................................................54
     5.5. Publicity.............................................................................................54
     5.6. Permits; Replacement Bonds; Insurance and Guarantees; Other Filings...................................55
     5.7. Exclusivity...........................................................................................57
     5.8. Access................................................................................................58
     5.9. Notice of Developments................................................................................58
     5.10. Financial Statement Cooperation and Audits...........................................................58
     5.11. Coal Inventory.......................................................................................61
     5.12. Further Assurances...................................................................................61

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING......................................................................62

     6.1.   Conditions Precedent to Each Party's Obligations....................................................62
     6.2.   Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer........................................................63
     6.3.   Conditions Precedent to Obligations of PCC..........................................................65






ARTICLE VII CERTAIN TAX MATTERS.................................................................................67
                                                                                                          
     7.1.   Property Taxes......................................................................................67
     7.2.   Sales and Use Taxes.................................................................................68
     7.3.   Transfer Taxes......................................................................................68
     7.4.   Access for Tax Returns..............................................................................68

ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS REGARDING EMPLOYEES......................................................................69

     8.1. Employees.............................................................................................69

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION..........................................................................................69

     9.1. Termination...........................................................................................69
     9.2. Effect of Termination.................................................................................71

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................................71

     10.1. Entire Agreement.....................................................................................71
     10.2. Amendment............................................................................................71
     10.3. Extension;  Waiver...................................................................................72
     10.4. Expenses.............................................................................................72
     10.5. Bulk Sales Waiver....................................................................................72
     10.6. Governing  Law.......................................................................................73
     10.7. Assignment...........................................................................................73
     10.8. Notices..............................................................................................73
     10.9. Counterparts; Headings...............................................................................74
     10.10. Interpretation; Construction........................................................................75
     10.11. Severability........................................................................................75
     10.12. No Reliance.........................................................................................75
     10.13. Retention of and Access to Records..................................................................75
     10.14. Arbitration.........................................................................................76










                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------
                   
Exhibit A             Outline of Administrative Services Agreement
Exhibit B             Assignment and Assumption Agreements
Exhibit C             Bills of Sale
Exhibit D             Buyer Closing Certificate
Exhibit E             Cooperation Agreement
Exhibit F             Paramont Service Agreement
Exhibit G             Engagement Letter
Exhibit H             Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement
Exhibit I             PCC Closing Certificate
Exhibit J             Opinion of Counsel to PCC
Exhibit K             Opinion of Counsel to Buyer









                                    SCHEDULES
                                    ---------
                       
Schedule 1.4               Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.6               Assumed Liabilities
Schedule 1.20              Coal Inventory Locations
Schedule 1.24              Contracts of Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.37(a)           Equipment Owned by Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.37(b)           Equipment Leased by Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.51(a)           Intellectual Property Owned by the Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.51(b)           Intellectual Property Leased by the Asset Sale Companies
Schedule 1.53              Knowledge of PCC
Schedule 1.61              Mining Environmental Liabilities
Schedule 1.68              Parts, Fuel and Supplies Inventory
Schedule 1.76              Permits
Schedule 1.77              Permitted Liens
Schedule 1.89(a)           Retained Liabilities
Schedule 1.89(v)           Excluded Contracts
Schedule 1.96              VC 5
Schedule 2.12(b)           Independent Survey of the Coal Inventory-Principles and Format
Schedule 3.1               Foreign States
Schedule 3.2               Conflicts
Schedule 3.4               Absence of Changes
Schedule 3.5               Purchased Assets Exceptions
Schedule 3.6               Intellectual Property Exceptions
Schedule 3.7               Permits and Environmental Compliance
Schedule 3.8               PCC Bonds
Schedule 3.9(b)            Contract Exceptions
Schedule 3.9(c)            Consents
Schedule 3.10              Litigation; Claims
Schedule 3.11(a)           Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.11(d)           Plan Administration
Schedule 3.11(f)           Severance Entitlements
Schedule 3.16              Powers of Attorney
Schedule 3.17              Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 5.4(a)            PCC Consents
Schedule 5.4(b)            Buyer Consents
Schedule 5.6               PCC Guaranties
Schedule 5.10(a)           Excluded Business
Schedule 6.1(e)(i)         PCC Material Consents
Schedule 6.1(e)(ii)        Buyer Material Consents
Schedule 8.1               Asset Sale Companies with pre-Closing termination
                           Employees






                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made as of the 29th day of October,  2002,
by and between  PITTSTON  COAL  COMPANY,  a Delaware  corporation  ("PCC"),  and
Paramont  Coal  Company  virginia,  LLC, a Delaware  limited  liability  company
("Buyer").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS,  PCC owns, directly or indirectly,  all of the outstanding capital
stock of the corporations listed on Schedule 1.4 (the "Asset Sale Companies");
     WHEREAS, PCC desires to cause to be sold and assigned, and Buyer desires to
purchase and assume,  certain of the assets and certain of the  Liabilities  (as
hereinafter defined) of the Asset Sale Companies;
     WHEREAS,  PCC desires to cause the Asset Sale  Companies to retain  certain
assets and certain Liabilities;
     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants,  conditions and
agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable  consideration,  the
receipt and  sufficiency of which are hereby  acknowledged,  PCC and Buyer agree
that:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     When used in this  Agreement,  the following  terms shall have the meanings
specified:

     1.1. Administrative Services Agreement.

     "Administrative Services Agreement" shall mean the agreement by and between
PCC and Buyer, an outline of which is attached hereto Exhibit A.


                                       1


     1.2. Affiliate.

     "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to a specified Person,  another Person
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,  Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common  Control with the Person  specified.  "Control"
shall mean the  possession,  directly or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person,  whether  through
the ownership of voting  securities,  by contract or otherwise.  For purposes of
this  Agreement,  none of Dominion  Terminal  Associates or any of its partners,
other than Pittston Coal Terminal  Corporation,  shall be deemed an Affiliate of
PCC or any of its Affiliates.

     1.3. Agreement.

     "Agreement"  shall mean this Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  together with the
Exhibits and Schedules  attached hereto,  which are incorporated into this Asset
Purchase  Agreement by this  reference,  as the same may be amended from time to
time in accordance with the terms hereof.

     1.4. Asset Sale Companies.

     "Asset Sale  Companies"  shall have the meaning given to it in the Recitals
to this  Agreement.  The term "Asset Sale  Company"  shall mean one of the Asset
Sale Companies.

     1.5. Assignment and Assumption Agreements.

     "Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreements"  shall  mean the  assignment  and
assumption agreements substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

     1.6. Assumed Liabilities.

     "Assumed  Liabilities"  shall  mean  all  Liabilities  of  the  Asset  Sale
Companies listed on Schedule 1.6.


                                       2


     1.7. Audited Closing Date Financial Statements.

     "Audited  Closing  Date  Financial  Statements"  shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.10 hereof.

     1.8. Bills of Sale.

     "Bills of Sale" shall mean the bills of sale  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit C attached hereto.

     1.9. Books and Records.

     "Books and Records" shall mean the original or true and complete  copies of
all of the books and  records  of the Asset  Sale  Companies  pertaining  to the
Purchased Assets, including but not limited to, customer lists, employee records
for those  Employees  employed by Buyer on or immediately  following the Closing
Date,  purchase  orders and  invoices,  sales  orders and sales order log books,
credit and collection records, plats, drawings and specifications, environmental
and mining reports and studies,  correspondence  and miscellaneous  records with
respect to customers and supply sources,  lessors and lessees,  maps, core logs,
engineering  data,   equipment   maintenance   records  and  all  other  general
correspondence,  records,  books and files owned by any Asset Sale Company,  but
excluding  any and all Tax Returns,  books and records  relating to the Retained
Liabilities and corporate records of the Asset Sale Companies.

     1.10. Business.

     "Business"  shall mean the coal mining and sale  business  conducted by the
Asset Sale Companies using the Purchased Assets.

     1.11. Buyer.

     "Buyer"  shall  have  the  meaning  given  to it in the  preamble  of  this
Agreement.


                                       3


     1.12. Buyer's Affiliates, Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors.

     "Buyer's  Affiliates,  Successors,  Assigns,  Lessees or Contractors" shall
mean Buyer's Affiliates, Buyer's contractual successors and assigns, and lessees
and contractors  who, as part of a contractual  arrangement with Buyer or one of
its Affiliates,  offer employment to the current or former Employees of an Asset
Sale Company.

     1.13. Buyer Closing Certificate.

     "Buyer   Closing   Certificate"   shall  mean  the   certificate  of  Buyer
substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

     1.14. Buyer's Ultimate Parent.

     "Buyer's  Ultimate  Parent"  shall mean  Alpha  Natural  Resources,  LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company.

     1.15. CERCLA.

     "CERCLA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.33 hereof.

     1.16. CERCLIS.

     "CERCLIS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7 hereof.

     1.17. Closing.

     "Closing" shall mean the closing of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement  beginning  at 10:00 a.m.,  local time,  on the Closing  Date,  at the
offices  of Hunton &  Williams,  Riverfront  Plaza,  East  Tower,  951 East Byrd
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

     1.18. Closing Date.

     "Closing  Date"  shall  mean  November  30,  2002 or such other date as the
parties may  mutually  agree in writing,  subject to the  provisions  of Section
5.10(a) hereof.


                                       4


     1.19. Coal Act.

     "Coal Act" shall mean the Coal Industry  Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992
as amended through the Closing Date (codified at Subtitle J of the Code).

     1.20. Coal Inventory.

     "Coal  Inventory"  shall  mean  the coal  stockpile  inventory  and  loaded
shipments in transit to a pier or at a pier owned by the Asset Sale Companies at
the locations listed on Schedule 1.20.

     1.21. COBRA.

     "COBRA" shall mean the Consolidated  Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation  Act of
1986, as amended.

     1.22. Code.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and, where
appropriate, any predecessor or successor provisions of Law, and all regulations
thereunder.

     1.23. Contaminated.

     "Contaminated"  shall mean the presence of one or more Hazardous Substances
in such quantity or concentration as to: (i) violate any Environmental Law; (ii)
require disclosure to any Governmental  Authority;  (iii) require remediation or
removal;  or (iv)  interfere  with or  prevent  the use of any of the  Purchased
Assets as customarily intended.

     1.24. Contracts.

     "Contracts" shall mean the written contracts, agreements, personal and real
property  leases,  relationships  and  commitments,  of the Asset Sale Companies
listed on Schedule 1.24.
                                       5



     1.25. Controlled Group.

     "Controlled Group" shall have the meaning set forth in Codess.1563.

     1.26. Cooperation Agreement.

     "Cooperation  Agreement"  shall  mean the  agreement  by and  among the PCC
Parent, PCC and Buyer substantially in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto.

     1.27. CPA Arbitrator.

     "CPA Arbitrator" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

     1.28. Dispute.

     "Dispute" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.14 hereof.

     1.29. Employee.

     "Employee"  shall mean any Person (i)  employed by and  rendering  personal
services for an Asset Sale  Company or (ii)  receiving  short-term  or long-term
disability  benefits from an Asset Sale Company under an Employee  Benefit Plan.
The term "current and former  Employees"  shall mean any Persons who fall within
the term Employee at any time prior to the Closing Date.

     1.30. Employee Benefit Plans.

     "Employee  Benefit  Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.11
hereof.

     1.31. Engagement Letter.

     "Engagement  Letter"  shall  mean the  engagement  letter by and among PCC,
Buyer and KPMG LLP substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto.


                                       6


     1.32. Environment.

     "Environment" shall mean surface or ground water, water supply, soil or the
ambient air.

     1.33. Environmental Laws.

     "Environmental Laws" shall mean collectively,  all federal, foreign, state,
and  local  Laws  in  effect  as of the  Closing  Date  that  relate  to (a) the
prevention,  abatement or  elimination  of pollution,  or the  protection of the
environment,  or of  natural  resources,  including,  without  limitation,  Laws
applicable to coal mining operations or related activities,  (b) the generation,
handling, treatment, storage, disposal or transportation of waste materials, (c)
the  regulation  of or  exposure to  Hazardous  Substances,  including,  without
limitation, the Comprehensive  Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.ss.9601 et. seq.  ("CERCLA"),  the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as
amended  by  the  Resource   Conservation  and  Recovery  Act,  as  amended,  42
U.S.C.ss.ss.6901  et. seq. ("RCRA"),  the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.ss.7401 et.
seq., the Clean Water Act, 33  U.S.C.ss.ss.1251  et. seq., the Toxic  Substances
Control Act, 15 U.S.C.ss.ss.2601  et. seq., the Emergency Planning and Community
Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss.ss.11001  et.  seq.,  and any  foreign,  state,
county, municipal, or local statutes, Laws or ordinances similar or analogous to
the federal statutes listed in this sentence.

     1.34. Environmental Matter.

     "Environmental  Matter" shall mean any  assertion of a violation,  claim or
directive by any Governmental Authority or any other Person for personal injury,
damage to property or the Environment,  nuisance, contamination or other adverse
effects on the  Environment,  or for damages or  restrictions  resulting from or
related  to (i) the  operation  of  PCC's  or its  Affiliates'  business  or any
predecessor  or the  ownership,  use or operation at or on any real  property or


                                       7


other  assets  owned,  operated  or  leased  by  PCC or  its  Affiliates  or any
predecessor;  or (ii) the  existence  or the  continuation  of a Release  of, or
exposure  to, or the  transportation,  storage  or  treatment  of any  Hazardous
Substance  into the  Environment  from or related to any real property or assets
currently or formerly owned,  operated or leased by PCC or its Affiliates or any
activities on or operations thereof.

     1.35. Environmental or Response Action.

     "Environmental  or Response  Action" shall mean all actions required (i) to
clean up, remove,  treat or in any other way address any Hazardous  Substance or
other substance;  (ii) to prevent the Release or threat of Release,  or minimize
the further Release of any Hazardous Substance or other substance so it does not
migrate or endanger or  threaten  to  endanger  public  health or welfare or the
indoor  or  outdoor  Environment;  (iii) to  perform  pre-remedial  studies  and
investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care; (iv) to bring facilities on
any real property currently or formerly owned,  operated or leased by PCC or its
Affiliates and the  facilities  located and  operations  conducted  thereon into
compliance with all Environmental  Laws and Reclamation Laws and all permits and
other  authorizations,  and the filing of all notifications and reports required
under any  Environmental  Laws and  Reclamation  Laws; or (v) for the purpose of
environmental  protection  of any real  property  currently  or formerly  owned,
operated or leased by PCC or its Affiliates.

     1.36. EPA.

     "EPA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7 hereof.


                                       8


     1.37. Equipment.

     "Equipment"  shall  mean  the  tangible  machinery,   vehicles,  equipment,
furniture,  fixtures,  furnishings,  trailers,  tools,  parts and other personal
property owned or leased by the Asset Sale Companies listed on Schedules 1.37(a)
and 1.37(b), respectively.

     1.38. ERISA.

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

     1.39. ERISA Affiliates.

     "ERISA  Affiliates"  shall  mean any  trade  or  business  (whether  or not
incorporated)  that is part of the same  Controlled  Group as,  or under  common
control with, or part of an affiliated service group that includes, PCC and each
of the Asset Sale Companies  within the meaning of Section  414(b),  (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code.

     1.40.  Fiduciary.

     "Fiduciary" shall have the meaning set forth in ERISA ss.3(21).

     1.41. Final VC 5 Cost.

     "Final  VC 5 Cost"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth is  Section  2.2(b)
hereof.

     1.42. Fiscal Year Financial Statements.

     "Fiscal  Year  Financial  Statements"  shall have the  meaning set forth in
Section 5.10(a).

     1.43. GAAP.

     "GAAP" shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect from time to time.


                                       9


     1.44. Governmental Authority.

     "Governmental   Authority"   shall   mean   any   governmental,   judicial,
legislative,  executive,  administrative  or regulatory  authority of the United
States, or of any foreign, state or local government or any subdivision, agency,
commission, office, authority or bureau thereof or any quasi-governmental entity
or authority of any nature.

     1.45. Hazardous Substances.

     "Hazardous  Substances" shall mean any substance,  chemical,  waste, solid,
material,  pollutant  or  contaminant  that is defined or listed as hazardous or
toxic under any applicable  Environmental  Laws. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing it shall also include any radioactive  material,  including any
naturally-occurring  radioactive material, and any source, special or by-product
material as defined in 42 U.S.C. 2011, et seq., any amendments or authorizations
thereof,  any  asbestos-containing  materials  in any  form  or  condition,  any
polychlorinated  biphenyls  in any  form or  condition,  radioactive  waste,  or
natural  gas,  natural  gas  liquids,  liquified  natural  gas,  condensate,  or
derivatives or byproducts  thereof or oil and petroleum  products or by products
and constituents thereof.

     1.46. Health and Safety Requirements.

     "Health and Safety Requirements" shall mean all applicable federal,  state,
local and foreign Laws concerning public health and safety and worker health and
safety each as in effect as of the Closing Date, other than Environmental  Laws.

     1.47. HIPAA.

     "HIPAA" shall mean the Health Insurance  Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996, as amended, and all rules and regulations thereunder.


                                       10


     1.48. Income Tax or Income Taxes.

     "Income  Tax or "Income  Taxes"  shall mean any Tax based on or measured by
net income.

     1.49. Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement.

     "Indemnification  and Guaranty  Agreement"  shall mean the agreement by and
among PCC Parent,  PCC, Buyer and Buyer's  Ultimate Parent  substantially in the
form of Exhibit H attached hereto.

     1.50. Independent Surveyor.

     "Independent  Surveyor" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b)
hereof.

     1.51. Intellectual Property.

     "Intellectual Property" shall mean the trademarks,  service marks, patents,
copyrights  (including  any  registrations,  applications,  licenses  or  rights
relating  to  any  of  the  foregoing),   technology,   logos,   trade  secrets,
confidential information related to the Purchased Assets, inventions,  know-how,
designs, technical data, drawings, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost
information,  or computer  programs and  processes  and all goodwill  associated
therewith and rights thereunder,  remedies against  infringements  thereof,  and
rights to  protection of interests  therein under the laws of all  jurisdictions
owned or  licensed  or leased by the Asset Sale  Companies  listed on  Schedules
1.51(a)  and  1.51(b),   respectively,   including,   without  limitation,   the
trademarks, service marks, logos or other rights related to the name "Paramont."

     1.52. IRS.

     "IRS"  shall  mean  the  United  States  Internal  Revenue  Service.


                                       11


     1.53. Knowledge of PCC.

     "Knowledge of PCC" shall mean, for the individuals listed on Schedule 1.53,
any such individual's  actual knowledge and what any such individual should have
known  after  reasonable  inquiry  within  the  scope of that  individual's  job
responsibilities.

     1.54. Law.

     "Law" and  "Laws"  shall  mean any  applicable  United  States or  foreign,
federal, state, local or other law or governmental  requirement of any kind, and
the rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder.

     1.55. Lien.

     "Lien"  shall  mean  any  lien,  encumbrance,   mortgage,   charge,  claim,
restriction, pledge, security interest or imposition of any kind.

     1.56. Liability.

     "Liability"  shall  mean any  liability  or  obligation  (whether  known or
unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or contingent, whether
liquidated  or  unliquidated  and whether due or to become due),  including  any
liability for Taxes. Liabilities shall mean one or more items of Liability.

     1.57. Material Adverse Effect.

     "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean any event,  change or occurrence that
individually,  or together  with any other event,  change or  occurrence,  has a
material adverse impact on the Business, taken as a whole, without regard to the
duration of such material adverse impact.


                                       12


     1.58. MD&A Disclosure.

     "MD&A Disclosure"  shall mean any "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations"  disclosure (required by Item 303
of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC (or any successor rule or regulation of
the SEC)) to be  prepared  for the  fiscal  years  covered  by the  Fiscal  Year
Financial  Statements  and  the  period  covered  by the  Audited  Closing  Date
Financial Statements.

     1.59. Medical Plans.

     "Medical Plans" shall mean any and all benefit plans that provide  medical,
vision  and  dental  benefits  to  current  or  former  Employees  sponsored  or
maintained  by or on behalf  of, or for the  benefit  of,  PCC or any Asset Sale
Company,  including  the  Comprehensive  Medical  Expense  Benefits  Plan of The
Pittston Company and Its Subsidiaries.

     1.60. Mining Activities.

     "Mining Activities" shall mean those activities of the Asset Sale Companies
that have taken place on or through the use of the Purchased Assets that involve
surface,  underground  and auger mining,  processing or transporting of coal and
the handling of coal by-products.

     1.61. Mining Environmental Liabilities.

     "Mining Environmental Liabilities" shall mean Liabilities that relate to or
arise from both of the following:  (i) any of the Hazardous Substances set forth
on Schedule 1.61 and (ii) an Environmental  Matter or Environmental and Response
Action  associated  with  Mining  Activities  to the  extent  that  such  Mining
Activities  conformed  to industry  standard  practices  at the time such Mining
Activities were conducted.

     1.62. MSHA.

     "MSHA"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in  Section  3.7  hereof.


                                       13


     1.63. Multiemployer Plan.

     "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in  Section  3.11
hereof.

     1.64. Operator.

     "Operator" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7 hereof.

     1.65. Ordinary Course of Business.

     "Ordinary  Course of  Business"  means  the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity and
frequency).

     1.66. OSM.

     "OSM"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in  Section  3.7  hereof.

     1.67. Paramont Service Agreement.

     "Paramont Service  Agreement" shall mean the agreement by and between Buyer
and PCC,  substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto.

     1.68. Parts, Fuel and Supplies Inventory.

     "Parts,  Fuel and Supplies Inventory" shall include the categories of items
listed on Schedule 1.68.

     1.69. PBGC.

     "PBGC" shall mean the Pension  Benefits  Guaranty  Corporation.

     1.70. PCC.

     "PCC" shall have the meaning given to it in the preamble to this Agreement.

     1.71. PCC Bonds.

     "PCC  Bonds"  shall have the meaning  set forth in Section  3.7(g)  hereof.


                                       14


     1.72. PCC Closing Certificate.

     "PCC Closing  Certificate"  shall mean the certificate of PCC substantially
in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.

     1.73. PCC Group.

     "PCC Group"  shall have the meaning  set forth in Section  1.89(j)  hereof.

     1.74. PCC Parent.

     "PCC Parent" shall mean The Pittston Company, a Virginia corporation.

     1.75. Pension Plans.

     "Pension  Plans"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.11 hereof.

     1.76. Permits.

     "Permits" shall mean the written permits, licenses,  orders,  certificates,
registrations,  approvals  and similar  rights held by the Asset Sale  Companies
listed on Schedule 1.76.

     1.77. Permitted Liens.

     "Permitted  Liens" shall mean those Liens  affecting the  Purchased  Assets
that are listed on Schedule 1.77.

     1.78. Person.

     "Person"  shall  mean  any  individual,  corporation,  general  or  limited
partnership,   limited  liability  company,   joint  venture,   estate,   trust,
association,   organization,   labor  union  or  other  entity  or  Governmental
Authority.

                                       15


     1.79. Post-Closing Period.

     "Post-Closing  Period" shall mean any taxable  period  beginning  after the
Closing Date.

     1.80. Pre-Closing Period.

     "Pre-Closing  Period" shall mean any taxable period ending on or before the
Closing Date.

     1.81. Promissory Note.

     "Promissory  Note" shall mean the secured  promissory note made by Buyer in
favor of PCC in the amount  determined  in  accordance  with Section 2.12, to be
dated as of the Closing Date, in a form to be agreed upon by the parties hereto.

     1.82. Purchase Price.

     "Purchase  Price" shall mean the cash amount of  $10,565,000  (which amount
shall include $620,000 for the Parts,  Fuel and Supplies  Inventory,  $1,640,000
for the Coal  Inventory,  $55,000 for one continuous  miner and $250,000 for one
helicopter),  plus the Promissory  Note, plus the VC 5 Estimate,  subject to the
adjustment provided for in Section 2.2(b).

     1.83. Purchased Assets.

     "Purchased  Assets" shall mean all right,  title and interest in and to the
Coal Inventory, Parts, Fuel and Supplies Inventory, Equipment, Books and Records
and  Intellectual  Property  of the Asset Sale  Companies  and the rights of the
Asset Sale  Companies  with  respect to the  Contracts  and the  Permits.

     1.84. Qualified Plans.

     "Qualified  Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.11 hereof.


                                       16


     1.85. RCRA.

     "RCRA"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section  1.33  hereof.

     1.86. Reclamation Laws.

     "Reclamation Laws" shall mean all federal,  state and local Laws, as now or
hereafter  in  effect,   relating  to  coal  mining  reclamation  activities  or
Liabilities.  For purposes of this definition,  "coal mining" shall include, but
not be limited to, any  activities  defined under the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended,  as "surface coal mining operations."

     1.87. Related Persons.

     "Related  Persons"  shall mean  related  persons as that term is defined in
Section  9701(c)(2) of the Coal Act, except that it shall not include successors
in interest.

     1.88. Release.

     "Release" shall mean any spilling,  leaking,  pumping,  pouring,  emitting,
emptying,  discharging,  injecting,  escaping,  dumping  or  disposing  into the
Environment of Hazardous Substances.

     1.89. Retained Liabilities.

     "Retained Liabilities" shall mean all of the Liabilities of each Asset Sale
Company, other than the Assumed Liabilities,  including, without limitation, the
following:

          (a)  the Liabilities listed on Schedule 1.89(a);

          (b)  all Liabilities  arising under applicable  Workers'  Compensation
               Acts for or based  upon the  employment  of (i) the  current  and
               former Employees of the Asset Sale Companies who are not hired by
               Buyer or one of Buyer's Affiliates,  Successors, Assigns, Lessees
               or Contractors,  and (ii) the current and former Employees of the


                                       17


               Asset  Sale  Companies  who are hired by Buyer or one of  Buyer's
               Affiliates, Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors, but only
               with  respect  to claims  where the date of injury or the date of
               last injurious exposure occurred prior to the date such Employees
               began working for Buyer or one of Buyer's Affiliates, Successors,
               Assigns, Lessees or Contractors;

          (c)  all Liabilities  arising under the federal black lung Laws for or
               based upon the employment of (i) the current and former Employees
               of the Asset Sale  Companies who are not hired by Buyer or one of
               Buyer's Affiliates,  Successors,  Assigns, Lessees or Contractors
               and (ii) the  current  and  former  Employees  of the Asset  Sale
               Companies  who are hired by Buyer or one of  Buyer's  Affiliates,
               Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors, to the extent and in
               the amounts  provided in the  federal  black lung Laws,  but only
               until  such  time  as  Buyer  or  one  of   Buyer's   Affiliates,
               Successors,   Assigns,   Lessees  or   Contractors   becomes  the
               responsible  operator  under the federal black lung Laws for such
               Employees;

          (d)  all  Liabilities for medical,  dental,  vision and other benefits
               and expenses  covered under the Medical Plans  including  related
               insurance  costs or premiums for or based upon the  employment of
               (i) the current and former  Employees of the Asset Sale Companies
               who  are  not  hired  by  Buyer  or  one of  Buyer's  Affiliates,
               Successors,  Assigns, Lessees or Contractors, (ii) the current or
               former  Employees  of the Asset Sale  Companies  who are hired by
               Buyer or one of Buyer's Affiliates,  Successors, Assigns, Lessees
               or Contractors,  but only with respect to the period prior to the
               date such  Employees  began  working  for Buyer or one of Buyer's
               Affiliates, Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors and (iii)
               in either case, all such Liabilities under COBRA, HIPAA and other
               Laws,  including  all  Liabilities  of a Fiduciary  for breach of
               fiduciary  duty  or  any  other  failure  to  act  or  comply  in
               connection with the administration of such Medical Plans;


                                       18


          (e)  unless  such  Liabilities  are  otherwise  retained  pursuant  to
               Section  1.89(j) hereof,  all Liabilities  arising under or based
               upon the Employee  Benefit Plans  sponsored or maintained  by, on
               behalf of or for the  benefit of such  Asset Sale  Company or its
               Employees or in which such Asset Sale Company participated (other
               than the Medical Plans),  including all Liabilities  arising from
               or  related  to  the  termination  thereof  or  Liabilities  of a
               Fiduciary  for breach of fiduciary  duty or any other  failure to
               act or comply in connection with the administration or investment
               of the assets of any such Employee Benefit Plan;

          (f)  all  Liabilities  for salaries,  wages,  bonuses,  vacation days,
               personal days and similar forms of leave or  compensation  for or
               based upon the employment of (i) the current and former Employees
               of the Asset Sale  Companies who are not hired by Buyer or one of
               Buyer's Affiliates,  Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors,
               and (ii) the  current  and  former  Employees  of the Asset  Sale
               Companies  who are hired by Buyer or one of  Buyer's  Affiliates,
               Successors,  Assigns,  Lessees or Contractors,  that are accrued,
               due or earned up to the date such  Employees  began  working  for
               Buyer or one of Buyer's Affiliates,  Successors, Assigns, Lessees
               or Contractors and for which such Employees are eligible;

          (g)  all Liabilities for terminated  contract miner performance escrow
               amounts (including interest) accrued up to the Closing Date;

          (h)  all  Liabilities  for accounts  payable for which goods have been
               shipped and delivered  (whether or not invoiced) or services have
               been performed (whether or not invoiced) and related notes, trade
               payables and earned  royalties,  to the extent that an Asset Sale
               Company received a benefit before the Closing Date;


                                       19


          (i)  all  Liabilities  for claims of any  current or former  Employees
               pursuant to the WARN Act arising out of acts or  omissions of the
               Asset Sale Companies prior to and including the Closing Date;

          (j)  (1) all  Liabilities,  if any, of any Asset Sale  Company and its
               Related  Persons  (collectively,  the "PCC Group") under the Coal
               Act, and (2) all Liabilities,  if any, of the PCC Group under any
               post-Closing  amendments  to the Coal  Act for (i)  beneficiaries
               eligible  under the Coal Act who are  assigned to a member of the
               PCC Group or for whom a member of the PCC  Group is  required  to
               provide or pay for medical benefits  pursuant to Sections 9711 or
               9712 of the Coal Act or (ii) death benefit premiums or unassigned
               beneficiary premiums (as those terms are used in Sections 9704(c)
               and 9704(d) of the Coal Act) for beneficiaries eligible under the
               Coal Act, that are assessed  against any member of the PCC Group;
               provided,   for  the  --------   avoidance  of  doubt,  that  the
               Liabilities  retained  pursuant to (1) and (2) above shall not be
               affected by Buyer or any of its Affiliates being identified under
               the  Coal  Act  or  any  post-Closing  amendments  thereto  as  a
               successor,  successor in interest or "Related  person"  under the
               Coal Act or any post-Closing  amendments thereto to any member of
               the PCC  Group  solely  as a result of  Buyer's  purchase  of the
               Purchased Assets;

          (k)  unless  such  Liabilities  are  otherwise  retained  pursuant  to
               Section 1.89(j) hereof,  all  Liabilities,  if any, of such Asset
               Sale  Companies  for retiree  medical  benefits  with  respect to
               current or former Employees of such Asset Sale Company (and their
               eligible  dependents and  beneficiaries)  who, on or prior to the
               Closing  Date,  satisfy  the  requirements  for  retiree  medical
               benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan in which such Asset Sale
               Company participates;


                                       20


          (l)  all  Liabilities  relating  to  assets  held in trust  under  any
               Qualified  Plan  sponsored or maintained  by, on behalf of or for
               the  benefit of such Asset Sale  Company or its current or former
               Employees  or in  which  such  Asset  Sale  Company  participates
               arising or relating to the period prior to the Closing Date;

          (m)  all inter-company  indebtedness owed by any Asset Sale Company to
               the PCC Parent or any of the PCC Parent's Affiliates;

          (n)  all  Liabilities  arising out of or in connection with compliance
               prior to the  Closing  Date with  Health and Safety  Requirements
               pertaining to the Purchased Assets,  and all Liabilities  arising
               out of or in connection with compliance with all Laws relating to
               equal  employment  opportunity,  employment,  or labor  relations
               concerning  the  employment  of any  Employee  by the Asset  Sale
               Companies,  or relating to any other action taken or not taken by
               the Asset Sale  Companies  concerning  (i) the current and former
               Employees of the Asset Sale  Companies who are not hired by Buyer
               or one of Buyer's  Affiliates,  Successors,  Assigns,  Lessees or
               Contractors,  and (ii) the  current and former  Employees  of the
               Asset  Sale  Companies  who are hired by Buyer or one of  Buyer's
               Affiliates, Successors, Assigns, Lessees or Contractors, but only
               with  respect to matters  arising out of the  employment  of such
               Employees by the Asset Sale Companies;

          (o)  except as set forth on  Schedule  1.6,  all  Liabilities  for the
               claims, legal actions, suits, litigation,  arbitrations, disputes
               or investigations listed on Schedules 3.7 and 3.10;


                                       21


          (p)  all  Liabilities  of any of the Asset Sale  Companies  for unpaid
               Taxes with respect to any Tax year or portion  thereof  ending on
               or before the Closing Date or for any Tax year  beginning  before
               and ending after the Closing Date to the extent  allocable to the
               portion of such period beginning before and ending on the Closing
               Date (to the  extent  of any  inconsistencies  with  Article  VII
               hereof, Article VII shall be controlling);

          (q)  all  amounts  payable  as the result of the  consummation  of the
               transactions contemplated by this Agreement that arise due to any
               change of  control  provision  of any  Contract  other than those
               Contracts listed on Schedule 5.4(b);

          (r)  all Liabilities of any of the Asset Sale Companies for the unpaid
               Taxes of any Person  (including PCC and its  subsidiaries)  under
               Reg.  ss.1.1502-6 (or any similar  provision of state,  local, or
               foreign  law),  as a transferee  or  successor,  by contract,  or
               otherwise;

          (s)  all Liabilities for any Environmental  Matter or Environmental or
               Response  Action  related  to real  property  or any other  asset
               owned, operated or leased by PCC or any of its Affiliates that is
               not a Purchased Asset (except to the extent otherwise provided in
               the Paramont  Service  Agreement or any other  agreement  entered
               into  contemporaneously  with this  Agreement  pursuant  to which
               reclamation  and other  services  are to be performed on PCC's or
               its Affiliates' idle properties);

          (t)  all Liabilities for any Environmental  Matter or Environmental or
               Response Action (other than Mining Environmental  Liabilities) to
               the extent the  underlying  claim  relates to or arises  from any
               activity  on or through  the use of the  Purchased  Assets and is
               attributable  to acts or  omissions  occurring at or prior to the
               Closing;


                                       22


          (u)  all Liabilities of PCC that become a Liability of Buyer under any
               bulk transfer Law of any jurisdiction;

          (v)  all  Liabilities  under the contracts,  agreements,  personal and
               real property leases,  relationships and commitments of the Asset
               Sale Companies listed on Schedule 1.89(v); and

          (w)  all  Liabilities  related to  Equipment  retained  by PCC and the
               Asset Sale Companies  after the Closing Date but included  within
               the Equipment leases listed Schedule 5.4(b).

     1.90. Security Agreement.

     "Security  Agreement" shall mean the Security  Agreement  between Buyer and
PCC,  to be dated as of the  Closing  Date,  in a form to be agreed  upon by the
parties hereto.

     1.91. SEC.

     "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     1.92. SMCRA.

     "SMCRA"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section  3.7  hereof.

     1.93. Straddle Period.

     "Straddle  Period" shall mean any taxable  period  covering days before and
after the Closing Date.

     1.94. Tax or Taxes.

     "Tax" or "Taxes" mean any federal,  state, local, or foreign income,  gross
receipts,  license, payroll,  employment,  excise, severance, stamp, occupation,
premium,  windfall profits,  environmental  (including taxes under Code ss.59A),
custom duties, capital stock, franchise, profits,  withholding,  social security

                                       23


(or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales,
use,  transfer,  registration,  value  added,  alternative  or  add-on  minimum,
estimated,  reclamation fees or other tax of any kind whatsoever,  including any
interest,  penalty, or addition thereto,  whether disputed or not, but shall not
include, for purposes of this Agreement only, Liabilities under the Coal Act, of
whatever nature and regardless of how denominated.

     1.95. Tax Return.

     "Tax  Return"   shall  mean  any  original  or  amended   report,   return,
declaration,  claim for refund,  statement,  document,  schedule,  attachment or
other  information  supplied  or  required  to  be  supplied  to a  Governmental
Authority with respect to Taxes, including any return of an affiliated, combined
or unitary group.

     1.96. VC 5.

     "VC 5" shall mean that certain property owned indirectly by PCC depicted on
Schedule 1.96.

     1.97. VC 5 Calculation.

     "VC 5 Calculation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.99 hereof.

     1.98. VC 5 Costs.

     "VC 5 Costs"  shall  mean the amount  that  equals the sum of all costs and
expenses in connection with VC 5 incurred by PCC and its Affiliates  through the
Closing Date.

     1.99. VC 5 Estimate.

     "VC 5  Estimate"  shall  mean:

          (a)  if the  expected VC 5 Costs minus the  expected VC 5 Revenue (the
               "VC 5 Calculation")  exceeds $13,800,000,  then the VC 5 Estimate
               shall  be  the  amount  by  which  the VC 5  Calculation  exceeds
               $13,800,000; or


                                       24


          (b)  if the VC 5 Calculation is less than  $13,800,000,  then the VC 5
               Estimate shall equal the VC 5 Calculation minus $13,800,000.

     1.100. VC 5 Revenue.

     "VC 5 Revenue" shall mean the amount that equals the sum of all revenues in
connection  with VC 5 received  by PCC and its  Affiliates  through  the Closing
Date.

     1.101. VDEQ.

     "VDEQ" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7 hereof.

     1.102. VDMME.

     "VDMME"  shall have the meaning  set forth in Section  3.7  hereof.

     1.103. Virginia Entities.

     "Virginia  Entities"  shall have the meaning  set forth in Section  5.10(a)
hereof.

     1.104. WARN Act.

     "WARN Act" shall mean the Worker  Adjustment  and  Retraining  Notification
Act, as amended.

     1.105. Welfare Plans.

     "Welfare Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.11 hereof.

     1.106. Workers' Compensation Acts.

     "Workers'  Compensation  Acts"  shall mean Laws that  provide for awards to
employees and their dependents for employment-related accidents and diseases.


                                       25


                                   ARTICLE II
                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

     2.1. Transfer of Assets.

     On the  Closing  Date,  PCC (on behalf of the Asset Sale  Companies)  shall
cause to be sold, conveyed,  transferred,  assigned, and delivered to Buyer, and
Buyer shall acquire, the Purchased Assets. At the Closing,  subject to the terms
and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  PCC  agrees  to:  (i)  cause  title to the
Purchased  Assets to be transferred and delivered to Buyer; and (ii) perform its
obligations  under this Agreement to be performed at or before Closing.  In full
payment  for  the  Purchased  Assets,   Buyer  shall:  (i)  assume  the  Assumed
Liabilities;  (ii) pay to PCC (which shall receive such amounts on behalf of the
Asset Sale  Companies)  the  Purchase  Price by wire  transfer  of cash or other
immediately  available funds and execute and deliver to PCC the Promissory Note;
and (iii)  perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement to be performed at or
before Closing.  Buyer shall not assume or have any responsibility  with respect
to any Liability of PCC Parent,  PCC, the PCC Group or the Asset Sale  Companies
that is not an Assumed Liability.

     2.2. Calculation of VC 5 Adjustment Amount.

          (a)  No later than ten days before the Closing Date,  PCC will deliver
               to Buyer documentation  reasonably  acceptable to Buyer detailing
               and supporting the VC 5 Estimate.

          (b)  No later than 20 days after the Closing Date, PCC will deliver to
               Buyer documentation  reasonably acceptable to Buyer detailing the
               VC 5 Costs and the VC 5  Revenue  (the  "Final  VC 5 Cost").  The
               Final VC 5 Cost  shall be equal to the VC 5 Costs  minus the VC 5
               Revenue  as shown on such  documentation.  PCC and Buyer will use
               commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any differences within
               seven   business   days  after  the   delivery   by  PCC  of  the



                                       26


               documentation  detailing  the Final VC 5 Costs.  If PCC and Buyer
               cannot  resolve any such  differences  within such seven business
               days period,  the parties agree to submit any such differences to
               arbitration  in Abingdon,  Virginia,  by the  accounting  firm of
               Deloitte  &  Touche,  LLP or  another  accounting  firm  mutually
               acceptable to both parties (the "CPA Arbitrator") to resolve such
               differences.  The CPA  Arbitrator  shall  make  such  review  and
               examination  of the  relevant  facts  and  documents  as the  CPA
               Arbitrator deems appropriate,  and shall permit each of Buyer and
               PCC to make a written presentation of their respective positions.
               Within  forty-five (45) days after  submission of such dispute by
               both parties, the CPA Arbitrator shall resolve all disputed items
               in writing and shall  prepare and  deliver  its  decision  (which
               shall include a determination of the VC 5 Costs, the VC 5 Revenue
               and the Final VC 5 Cost),  and which  shall be final and  binding
               upon the parties  without further  recourse or collateral  attack
               and, as to each disputed  matter,  shall accept either Buyer's or
               PCC's  position in its entirety  and the party whose  position is
               not  accepted  by the CPA  Arbitrator  on a  particular  disputed
               matter  shall  pay all fees and costs of such CPA  Arbitrator  to
               arbitrate such disputed matter. In accordance with the provisions
               of this Section  2.2(b):  (i) Buyer shall pay PCC the amount,  if
               any, by which the value of the Final VC 5 Cost  exceeds the value
               of the VC 5 Estimate;  or (ii) PCC shall pay Buyer the amount, if
               any, by which the value of the VC 5 Estimate exceeds the value of
               the Final VC 5 Cost. Such payment shall  constitute an adjustment
               to the Purchase  Price and shall be paid by wire transfer of cash
               or other  immediately  available funds within three business days
               after  the  completion  of the  procedures  contemplated  in this
               Section 2.2(b).


                                       27


     2.3.  Bills  of  Sale,  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreements  and  Other
Documents.

     At the Closing,  PCC shall cause each of the Asset Sale  Companies  to: (i)
execute and deliver to Buyer the Bills of Sale,  the  Assignment  and Assumption
Agreements  and such other  documents as may be necessary to convey to Buyer the
Purchased  Assets;  and (ii) perform its  obligations  under the Agreement to be
performed at or before the Closing.

     2.4. Assumption of Liabilities.

     At the Closing,  Buyer shall execute and deliver to PCC the  Assignment and
Assumption  Agreements  and  such  other  documents  and  instruments  as may be
necessary  for Buyer to assume all of the Assumed  Liabilities.  Buyer shall not
assume or have any responsibility, however, with respect to any Liability of PCC
Parent,  PCC, the PCC Group or the Asset Sale  Companies  that is not an Assumed
Liability.

     2.5. Proration of Liabilities.

     PCC and Buyer shall  cooperate  with each other to provide for payments due
with respect to the Assumed Liabilities and the Retained  Liabilities during the
payment period in which the Closing occurs with all such Liabilities prorated as
of the Closing Date, if applicable.

     2.6. Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement.

     At the Closing,  PCC, PCC Parent,  Buyer's  Ultimate Parent and Buyer shall
execute and deliver the Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement.

     2.7. Cooperation Agreement.

     At the  Closing,  PCC and Buyer  shall,  and PCC shall cause PCC Parent to,
execute and deliver  the  Cooperation  Agreement  pursuant to which  Buyer,  PCC
Parent and PCC shall provide each other certain information and other assistance
in connection with the collection, administration and/or satisfaction of certain
of the Retained Liabilities.


                                       28


     2.8. Administrative Services Agreement.

     At the Closing,  PCC and Buyer shall execute and deliver the Administrative
Services  Agreement  pursuant to which PCC or one of its Affiliates will provide
certain services to Buyer and the Asset Sale Companies for a transition  period.

     2.9. Paramont Service Agreement.

     At the  Closing,  PCC and Buyer shall  execute  and  deliver  the  Paramont
Service  Agreement  pursuant to which Buyer will cause one of its  Affiliates to
perform  reclamation  and other  services  on idle  properties.

     2.10. Security Agreement.

     At the Closing, in order to secure Buyer's obligations under the Promissory
Note,  PCC and Buyer shall  execute and deliver the  Security  Agreement.

     2.11. Additional Documents.

     At the  Closing,  PCC and Buyer  shall,  and PCC shall cause the Asset Sale
Companies  to,  execute  and  deliver all such other  documents  or  instruments
necessary  or  appropriate  to  effect  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  including the  documents  provided in Section 5.6 hereof and in this
Article II.

     2.12. Coal Inventory Adjustment.

          (a)  In accordance  with the  provisions  of this Section 2.12:  Buyer
               shall pay PCC the amount,  if any, by which the value of the Coal
               Inventory (as calculated in accordance with Sections  2.12(b)) is
               finally  determined to be greater than  $1,640,000.  Such payment
               shall constitute an adjustment to the Purchase Price and shall be
               paid by fixing the face amount of the Promissory  Note within one
               business day after the completion of the procedures  contemplated
               in Sections 2.12(b).


                                       29


          (b)  No later than three days  before the  Closing  Date,  the parties
               will  agree  upon the  density  of the  various  stockpiles  that
               constitute  the Coal  Inventory.  No later than two business days
               prior to the Closing, PCC and Buyer shall cause Tuck Engineering,
               Inc. (the "Independent  Surveyor") to prepare and deliver to each
               of  them a  survey  of all  Coal  Inventory  of  the  Asset  Sale
               Companies as of the  Closing,  which survey shall be conducted in
               accordance  with the  principles  set  forth  on and  shall be in
               substantially  the  format  attached  hereto as part of  Schedule
               2.12(b).  PCC and Buyer shall,  and shall cause their  respective
               Affiliates to,  cooperate with and make available any information
               reasonably   requested  by  the   Independent   Surveyor  in  its
               preparation   of  its   survey   of  the  Coal   Inventory.   All
               determinations made by the Independent  Surveyor in its survey of
               the Coal Inventory shall be final,  binding and conclusive on the
               parties.  PCC and Buyer shall each bear fifty percent of the fees
               and costs of the  Independent  Surveyor and any other third party
               incurred in connection with the calculation of the Coal Inventory
               pursuant to this Section 2.12(b).

     2.13. Allocation of Purchase Price and Assumed Liabilities.

     The  Purchase  Price  and  the  Assumed  Liabilities  (to the  extent  they
constitute part of the amount realized for federal Income Tax purposes) shall be
allocated among the Purchased  Assets in accordance with a schedule to be agreed
upon by  Buyer  and PCC  after  the  Closing  Date.  Buyer  shall  prepare  such
allocation  schedule  and deliver it to PCC within the later to occur of (i) ten
(10) business days after the  completion of the Audited  Closing Date  Financial
Statements  or (ii) ten (10)  business  days  after the CPA  Arbitrator's  final
resolution  under Sections 2.2 and 2.12, if  applicable.  PCC shall be deemed to
agree with such allocation schedule unless,  within ten (10) days after the date
PCC receives the allocation  schedule from Buyer,  PCC notifies Buyer in writing

                                       30


of (i)  each  allocation  with  which  it  disagrees  and  (ii)  for  each  such
allocation,  the amount that PCC  proposes to  allocate.  If PCC  provides  such
notice to Buyer, the parties shall proceed in good faith to resolve mutually the
disputed allocation amounts within fifteen (15) days after the date on which PCC
notifies Buyer of a disagreement  with Buyer's proposed  allocation.  If PCC and
Buyer  cannot  resolve any such  differences,  the parties  agree to submit such
differences  to  arbitration  in Abingdon,  Virginia,  by the CPA  Arbitrator to
resolve  such  differences.  The CPA  Arbitrator  shall  make  such  review  and
examination  of the relevant  facts and  documents as the CPA  Arbitrator  deems
appropriate  and  shall  permit  each  of  Buyer  and  PCC  to  make  a  written
presentation of their respective  positions.  Within  forty-five (45) days after
submission of such dispute by both  parties,  the CPA  Arbitrator  shall resolve
such dispute in writing and shall prepare and deliver its decision,  which shall
(i) be based upon a  determination  of the fair  market  value of the  Purchased
Assets,  (ii) defer to valuations  that have been  prepared in  accordance  with
generally  accepted  valuation  techniques absent manifest error, (iii) be final
and binding upon the parties without further  recourse or collateral  attack and
(iv) accept either  Buyer's or PCC's  position in its entirety.  The party whose
position is not accepted by the CPA  Arbitrator  shall pay all fees and costs of
such CPA  Arbitrator to arbitrate such dispute.  The  allocation  schedule shall
include,  at a minimum,  information  necessary to complete  Part II of IRS Form
8594.  The  allocation  to the  Purchased  Assets is intended to comply with the
requirements  of Section 1060 of the Code. The parties shall cooperate to comply

                                       31


with all substantive and procedural requirements of Section 1060, and except for
any  adjustment  to the  Purchase  Price  hereunder,  after the  completion  and
agreement by the parties to the allocation  schedule,  such allocation  schedule
shall be  adjusted  only if and to the  extent  necessary  to  comply  with such
requirements  of Section  1060.  Buyer and PCC agree that they will not take nor
will they permit any Affiliate to take,  for Income Tax  purposes,  any position
inconsistent with such allocation  schedule to the Purchased  Assets;  provided,
however,  that (i)  Buyer's  cost for the  Purchased  Assets may differ from the
total amount  allocated  hereunder to reflect the inclusion in the total cost of
items (for  example,  capitalized  acquisition  costs) not included in the total
amount so allocated and (ii) the amount realized by the Asset Sale Companies may
differ from the total amount allocated  hereunder to reflect  transaction  costs
that reduce the amount realized for federal Income Tax purposes.

                                  ARTICLE III
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PCC

     PCC hereby  represents and warrants to Buyer that the statements  contained
in this  Article  III are  correct  and  complete,  except  as set  forth in the
Schedules  delivered  by PCC to Buyer in  connection  with this  Agreement.  The
Schedules are arranged in paragraphs  corresponding to the lettered and numbered
paragraphs contained in this Article III.

     3.1. Incorporation.

     PCC and each of the Asset Sale Companies are  corporations  duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under the Laws of the respective state or
commonwealth  of each such  company's  incorporation.  PCC and each of the Asset
Sale Companies that is not a corporation incorporated under the Laws of Virginia
are duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign  corporation in
Virginia  and are in good  standing  under  the laws of  Virginia.  Set forth on
Schedule 3.1 is the name of each state or other  jurisdiction in which each such
company  has either  paid taxes or had an office in the three years prior to the
date of this Agreement.


                                       32


     3.2. Execution, Delivery and Performance.

     The execution, delivery and performance by PCC of this Agreement and by PCC
and the applicable  Asset Sale Company of each other  agreement or instrument to
which it is a party executed in connection herewith or delivered pursuant hereto
and the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  herein and therein will
not, with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time,  or both:  (i)
conflict  with,  or result in a violation  or breach of, or a default,  right to
accelerate,  right to exercise any remedy or loss of rights under,  or result in
the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted  Liens) under or pursuant to, any
provision  of PCC's or any Asset Sale  Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  or
Bylaws or of any  material  franchise,  mortgage,  deed of trust,  Lien,  lease,
license,  instrument,  agreement,  consent, approval, waiver or understanding to
which  PCC or any Asset  Sale  Company  is a party or by which  any  Asset  Sale
Company is bound, or any Law or any order, judgment,  writ, injunction or decree
to which PCC or any Asset Sale  Company  is a party or by which  PCC,  any Asset
Sale Company or the Purchased Assets may be bound or affected;  (ii) require the
approval,   consent  or  authorization   of,  prior  notice  to,  or  filing  or
registration with any Governmental Authority or, except as set forth on Schedule
1.76, contravene,  conflict with or result in a violation of any of the terms or
requirements  of,  or give any  Governmental  Authority  the  right  to  revoke,
withdraw,  suspend,  cancel or terminate any authorization or Permit issued by a
Governmental  Authority  that is held by PCC or the Asset Sale Companies or that
otherwise  relates  to the  Purchased  Assets;  or (iii)  give any  Governmental
Authority  or other  Person  the  right  to  challenge  any of the  transactions
contemplated hereunder or exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under any Law
to which PCC or any Asset Sale Company is subject.


                                       33


     3.3. Authorization.

     PCC has full power and  authority to enter into and deliver this  Agreement
and to  perform  its  obligations  hereunder  and each of PCC and the Asset Sale
Companies  has full power and  authority  to enter into and  deliver  each other
agreement or instrument to which it is a party  executed in connection  herewith
and delivered pursuant hereto and to perform its obligations  thereunder.  PCC's
execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  and  the  execution,
delivery and performance of all other agreements and instruments by PCC and each
of the Asset Sale Companies in connection herewith and delivered pursuant hereto
and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  have  been duly  authorized  by all
requisite  corporate  action  on the  part of PCC and  each  of the  Asset  Sale
Companies.  This Agreement and all other  agreements or instruments  executed by
PCC or any of the Asset Sale  Companies in connection  herewith and delivered by
PCC or any of the Asset Sale Companies  pursuant  hereto have been duly executed
and  delivered by PCC or such Asset Sale  Companies  and this  Agreement and all
other  agreements  and  instruments  executed  by PCC or any of the  Asset  Sale
Companies in  connection  herewith and delivered by PCC or any of the Asset Sale
Companies  pursuant hereto constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of
PCC or such Asset Sale Company,  as the case may be,  enforceable  in accordance
with their respective terms (subject to any applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium  or  other  similar  Laws  affecting  generally  the
enforcement of creditors' rights).

     3.4. Absence of Changes.

     Except as contemplated by this Agreement,  since December 31, 2001, none of
the Asset Sale Companies has, with respect to the Purchased Assets:


                                       34


          (a)  borrowed  or agreed to borrow  any funds or  incurred,  or become
               subject to, any Liability, or issued any note, bond or other debt
               security,  or guaranteed any  indebtedness  for borrowed money or
               capitalized lease obligation,  except Liabilities incurred in the
               Ordinary  Course of Business,  none of which would  reasonably be
               expected to result in an impact greater than $100,000;

          (b)  paid any Liability other than current Liabilities in the Ordinary
               Course of Business;

          (c)  sold,  transferred  or otherwise  disposed of, or agreed to sell,
               transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Equipment,  or, other
               than in the  Ordinary  Course of  Business,  any other  Purchased
               Assets, or canceled or otherwise terminated,  or agreed to cancel
               or  otherwise  terminate,  other than in the  Ordinary  Course of
               Business, any Permits;

          (d)  except in the  Ordinary  Course  of  Business,  entered  into any
               agreement,  contract,  lease or  license  (or  series of  related
               agreements,  contracts, leases and licenses) or made or permitted
               any   material   amendment  to  or   termination,   acceleration,
               modification  or  cancellation  of any  Contract or breached  any
               provision of any Contract;

          (e)  merged or consolidated with any other Person;

          (f)  mortgaged,  pledged or subjected to any Lien any of its assets or
               properties, other than Permitted Liens;

          (g)  made any  capital  expenditure  (or  series  of  related  capital
               expenditures)  either (x)  involving  more than  $100,000  or (y)
               outside the Ordinary Course of Business;


                                       35


          (h)  made any capital  investment in, any loan to, or any  acquisition
               of the  securities  or assets of, any other  Person (or series of
               related capital  investments,  loans and acquisitions) either (x)
               involving   $100,000  or  (y)  outside  the  Ordinary  Course  of
               Business;

          (i)  delayed or  postponed  the payment of accounts  payable and other
               Liabilities outside the Ordinary Course of Business;

          (j)  cancelled, compromised, waived or released any right or claim (or
               series of related  rights and claims)  either (x) involving  more
               than $100,000 or (y) outside the Ordinary Course of Business;

          (k)  made any loan to, or entered into any other transaction with, any
               of the  directors,  officers  and  employees  of such  Asset Sale
               Company outside the Ordinary Course of Business;

          (l)  entered into any  employment  contract or  collective  bargaining
               agreement, written or oral, or modified the terms of any existing
               such contract;

          (m)  except in the  Ordinary  Course  of  Business  adopted,  amended,
               modified  or  terminated  any bonus,  profit-sharing,  incentive,
               severance or other plan,  contract or commitment  for the benefit
               of any of the directors, officers and Employees of the Asset Sale
               Companies,  or taken any such  action  with  respect to any other
               Employee Benefit Plan;

          (n)  made  any  other  change  in  employment  terms  for  any  of the
               directors,  officers and  Employees  of the Asset Sale  Companies
               outside the Ordinary Course of Business;


                                       36


          (o)  suffered any damage,  destruction or loss, whether or not covered
               by  insurance,  that has had or would  reasonably  be expected to
               have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (p)  implemented  or adopted any change in its  accounting  methods or
               principles or the application thereof; or

          (q)  entered into any  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding  with
               respect to any of the foregoing.

     3.5. Purchased Assets.

          (a)  The Asset Sale Companies (i) own good and  transferable  title to
               all of the  Purchased  Assets  free and  clear of all  Liens  and
               restrictions  on  transfer,  other than  Permitted  Liens or (ii)
               lease such Purchased  Assets under a valid and enforceable  lease
               (subject    to    any    applicable    bankruptcy,    insolvency,
               reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  Laws  affecting
               generally the enforcement of creditors' rights). No rights of the
               Asset Sale  Companies  under such  leases  have been  assigned or
               otherwise transferred as security for any obligation of the Asset
               Sale Companies. The consummation of the transactions contemplated
               by this Agreement  will not create or constitute,  either with or
               without  notice  or the  passage  of time a  default  or event of
               default  under any such lease or require the consent of any other
               party to such  lease in  order  to  avoid a  default  or event of
               default.

          (b)  Except for the items set forth on Schedule 1.89(v), the Purchased
               Assets  include all tangible and  intangible  assets owned by the
               Asset Sale Companies and used in the Business.


                                       37


          (c)  The  Equipment  that is currently in use has been  maintained  in
               accordance with normal industry  practice and is suitable for the
               purposes for which the Asset Sale  Companies are presently  using
               such Equipment.

          (d)  The value of the Parts,  Fuel and  Supplies  Inventory  as of the
               Closing Date shall be at least $620,000.

     3.6. Intellectual Property.

     No third party has asserted any interest in the Intellectual  Property, nor
has any third party  alleged  that any Asset Sale  Company has  infringed on any
Intellectual  Property of any third party.  To the Knowledge of PCC, none of the
Asset Sale  Companies  interferes  with,  infringes  upon,  misappropriates,  or
otherwise  comes into conflict with, any  Intellectual  Property rights of third
parties as a result of the  continued  operation  of the  Business as  presently
conducted.

     3.7. Permits and Environmental Compliance.

          (a)  Each  Asset  Sale  Company  is in  material  compliance  with all
               Environmental  Laws related to the Purchased Assets.  Neither PCC
               nor any Asset Sale Company (such Persons being hereafter referred
               to in this Section 3.7 as  "Operators")  has been notified by any
               Governmental  Authority  of any  current,  alleged or  unresolved
               violation  of  any   Environmental   Laws  applicable  to  Mining
               Activities,  including any investigatory,  remedial or corrective
               obligations,  that would  result in (i)  closure,  suspension  or
               restriction of any mine or mining-related activity related to the
               Permits, (ii) revocation or suspension of any license or Permits,
               or (iii)  exposure  of Buyer to the  imposition  of any  fines or
               other civil or criminal monetary penalty in excess of $5,000. The
               Permits include all material  permits,  licenses,  franchises and


                                       38


               other  authorizations  necessary to conduct the Mining Activities
               as  currently  conducted  and the  Asset  Sale  Companies  are in
               material  compliance with all such Permits. No such Permit is the
               subject  of any  proceeding  by or in front  of any  Governmental
               Authority  that might affect its validity and no such  proceeding
               is pending or, to the Knowledge of PCC, threatened.

          (b)  PCC has made  available to Buyer true and complete  copies of (i)
               the  Permits,  (ii) all of the mining  permits and other  permits
               held  by  each  Operator  pertaining  to  the  Purchased  Assets,
               together  with  a  description  of  the  permitted   property  or
               facility,  the  amount of the bond for each such  Permit  and the
               surety  for each such bond or manner in which  each such bond has
               otherwise  been  posted,  (iii) all other  licenses,  franchises,
               certificates,  concessions and other  governmental  approvals and
               authorizations  held by each Operator pertaining to the Purchased
               Assets,  as amended,  supplemented  and modified through the date
               hereof, and (iv) any and all pending  applications for additional
               mining  permits and other licenses and  authorizations  that have
               been  submitted  to  any  governmental   agency  by  an  Operator
               pertaining  to the  Purchased  Assets  or are in the  process  of
               development either in-house or through consultants.

          (c)  Schedule  3.7  includes  a true and  complete  list of all of the
               citations,  notices of  non-compliance  and notices of  violation
               received by each Operator  with respect to the  Purchased  Assets
               from the  Virginia  Department  of  Mines,  Minerals  and  Energy
               ("VDMME"),  the  Virginia  Department  of  Environmental  Quality
               ("VDEQ"),  the federal  Environmental  Protection Agency ("EPA"),
               the federal  Office of Surface Mining  ("OSM"),  the federal Mine
               Safety  and  Health   Administration   ("MSHA"),   or  any  other
               Governmental  Authority that remain  outstanding.  No Operator is
               subject to any cessation orders, cease and desist orders, closure
               orders or show cause  orders  issued by VDMME,  VDEQ,  EPA,  OSM,
               MSHA, or any such other  Governmental  Authority  with respect to
               the Purchased Assets.


                                       39


          (d)  With  respect  to  the  Purchased  Assets,  each  Operator  is in
               material  compliance with all of the  requirements of the Surface
               Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ("SMCRA"), the Federal
               Mine  Safety and  Health Act of 1977,  as  amended,  all  similar
               statutes  of the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  and all  rules and
               regulations  promulgated  under  those Acts and  statutes by OSM,
               MSHA,  VDMME,  VDEQ and any other  Governmental  Authority.  With
               respect to the Purchased  Assets,  no Operator has been subjected
               to any bond  forfeiture,  permit  suspension  or  revocation,  or
               similar  effort and  proceedings  instituted by OSM, VDMME or any
               other Governmental Authority.

          (e)  To the  Knowledge of PCC,  after the  Closing,  Buyer will not be
               liable  for  any   fines,   penalties,   fees,   Taxes  or  other
               governmental   charges   assessed  with  respect  to  notices  of
               violation, cessation orders, closure orders, show cause orders or
               other  governmental  enforcement  actions issued prior to Closing
               with respect to the Purchased Assets.  Neither this Agreement nor
               the consummation of the transactions that are the subject of this
               Agreement  will  result  in  any  Buyer   Liabilities   for  site
               investigation  or cleanup,  or  notification to or consent of any
               Governmental  Agency  or third  parties,  pursuant  to any of the
               so-called   "transaction-triggered"   or  "responsible   property
               transfer"  Environmental Laws. The representation in the previous
               sentence  does not relate to any  matters for which Buyer has the
               responsibility,   pursuant  to  this  Agreement,  to  notify  any
               Governmental   Authority  or  to   otherwise   process  with  any
               Governmental  Authority  in  connection  with the transfer of any
               Permit.


                                       40


          (f)  No Asset Sale Company has, with respect to the Purchased  Assets,
               either  expressly or by operation of Law,  assumed or  undertaken
               any Liability,  including without  limitation,  any Liability for
               corrective or remedial  action,  of any other Person  relating to
               any Environmental Laws.

          (g)  To the Knowledge of PCC, no conditions existing as of the Closing
               Date and relating to the  Purchased  Assets or the  activities of
               the Asset Sale Companies or any of their respective  predecessors
               or  Affiliates   will  prevent  or  materially   hinder   Buyer's
               compliance with  Environmental  Laws,  require Buyer to undertake
               any  investigatory,  remedial or corrective  actions  pursuant to
               Environmental  Laws or impose  upon  Buyer any other  Liabilities
               pursuant to Environmental Laws, including without limitation, any
               Environmental  Laws  relating  to onsite or offsite  releases  or
               threatened releases of Hazardous Substances or imposing Liability
               for personal injury, property damage or natural resource damage.

     3.8. Reclamation Bonds.

     Schedule  3.8  contains  a  list  of  all  bonds,   including   guaranties,
indemnities,  letters of credit and other forms of surety,  posted by and/or for
the  benefit of the Asset Sale  Companies  to secure  the  performance  of their
respective  reclamation or other Liabilities  pursuant to, in connection with or
as a condition of, the Permits  (collectively,  the "PCC Bonds").  The PCC Bonds
are  sufficient  to permit  the Asset Sale  Companies  and their  Affiliates  to
conduct the Mining  Activities in compliance with Laws and are in full force and
effect.


                                       41


     3.9. Contracts.

          (a)  PCC has made  available  to Buyer  copies  of all of the  written
               Contracts,  or a  written  summary  setting  forth  the terms and
               conditions  where no  copies  exist,  including  all  amendments,
               modifications, waivers and elections applicable thereto.

          (b)  As to the Asset Sale Companies  party thereto:  (i) the Contracts
               are valid and  binding,  enforceable  in  accordance  with  their
               respective   terms   (subject  to  any   applicable   bankruptcy,
               insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar  Laws
               affecting  generally the enforcement of creditors'  rights),  and
               are in full  force  and  effect;  (ii)  the  consummation  of the
               transactions  contemplated  herein will not,  with or without the
               giving of notice or the passage of time, or both,  conflict with,
               or result in a  violation  or breach of, or a  default,  right to
               accelerate,  right to exercise any remedy or loss of rights under
               the Contracts;  (iii) no Asset Sale Company, nor to the Knowledge
               of PCC, any other party is in material breach or default,  and no
               event has  occurred  that,  with  notice or lapse of time,  would
               constitute   a  breach  or   default,   or  permit   termination,
               modification or  acceleration,  under the Contracts;  and (iv) no
               Asset Sale Company,  nor to the Knowledge of PCC, any other party
               has repudiated any provision of the Contracts.

          (c)  Schedule  3.9(c) sets forth the consents  and  approvals of third
               parties and Governmental Authorities required to be obtained as a
               result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     3.10. Litigation; Claims.

          (a)  Schedules  3.7 and 3.10 list all claims,  legal  actions,  suits,
               litigation, arbitrations,  disputes, investigations,  proceedings
               by or  before  any  Governmental  Authority  involving  more than
               $100,000 and all orders, decrees or judgments,  now pending or in

                                       42


               effect, or, to the Knowledge of PCC,  threatened or contemplated,
               against or  affecting  the Asset Sale  Companies,  the  Purchased
               Assets,  or the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
               this  Agreement,   except  to  the  extent  involving  Taxes  for
               Pre-Closing Periods.

          (b)  There are no existing  claims by or disputes  involving more than
               $100,000  with  Persons  owning  or  occupying  lands  or  realty
               adjoining or near any of the Purchased  Assets  regarding  Mining
               Activities by the Asset Sale  Companies or regarding the location
               of boundary lines,  encroachments,  mineral  rights,  subsidence,
               water quantity or quality,  blasting  damage,  transportation  of
               coal or other materials, nuisances or any other similar matter.

     3.11. Employee Benefits.

          (a)  Schedule 3.11(a) contains a list of all "employee  benefit plans"
               (as  defined  in Section  3(3) of ERISA)  and all other  employee
               benefit plans, programs or arrangements, including each severance
               pay, bonus, deferred compensation,  incentive compensation, stock
               purchase, stock option or other equity-based compensation,  death
               benefit,  group  insurance,  hospitalization  or  other  medical,
               dental,  health,  life  (including all individual  life insurance
               policies  as to which  any of the  Asset  Sale  Companies  is the
               owner, beneficiary or both), disability or other insurance,  Code
               Section 125  "cafeteria"  or "flexible"  benefit  plan,  pension,
               savings,   profit-sharing   or   retirement   plan,   program  or
               arrangement:  (i) under which  Employees or former  Employees are
               entitled to participate by reason of their employment with any of
               the Asset Sale Companies or their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates,
               whether or not any of the foregoing is funded, whether insured or
               self-funded,  and with  respect  to which any of the  Asset  Sale
               Companies  are a party or a sponsor or a fiduciary  thereof or by

                                       43


               which any of the Asset Sale  Companies  are  bound;  or (ii) with
               respect to which any of the Asset Sale  Companies  otherwise  may
               have,  as of the Closing Date,  any direct or indirect  Liability
               (the "Employee Benefit Plans"). Schedule 3.11(a) identifies:  (i)
               each Employee  Benefit Plan that is a "pension  plan" (as defined
               in Section  3(2) of ERISA)  (the  "Pension  Plans"),  and denotes
               those Pension Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
               of the Code (the "Qualified  Plans");  (ii) each Employee Benefit
               Plan that is a "multiemployer  plan" (as defined in Section 3(37)
               or Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA) (a  "Multiemployer  Plan");  and
               (iii) each  Employee  Benefit  Plan that is a "welfare  plan" (as
               defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) (the "Welfare Plans").

          (b)  Each Qualified Plan meets the  requirements of a "qualified plan"
               under Code Section 401(a) and has received, pursuant to a request
               that  accurately  described  such  Qualified  Plan,  a  favorable
               determination  letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of
               such Qualified Plan satisfies the  requirements of Section 401(a)
               of the Code and that its related  trust is exempt  from  taxation
               under Section  501(a) of the Code. To the Knowledge of PCC, there
               are no facts or circumstances  that would jeopardize or adversely
               affect in any  material  respect  the  qualification  under  Code
               Section 401(a) of any Qualified Plan.

          (c)  As of the Closing  Date,  full payment to each  Employee  Benefit
               Plan of all contributions  (including all employer  contributions
               and employee salary reduction contributions) that are required to
               be made by the Asset Sale  Companies  under the terms thereof and
               under  ERISA or the Code in respect of the current and prior plan
               years,  if any,  have been made for all  Employee  Benefit  Plans
               (except  for The  Savings  and  Investment  Plan of The  Pittston

                                       44


               Company and Its Subsidiaries, which payment shall be made as soon
               as possible after the Closing Date). All  contributions  that are
               required  to be made by the Asset Sale  Companies  for any period
               ending on or before  the  Closing  Date that are not yet due have
               been  paid to each  such  Employee  Benefit  Plan or  accrued  in
               accordance  with the past  custom and  practice of the Asset Sale
               Companies.  All  premiums  that are due on or before the  Closing
               Date have been paid with respect to each such Welfare Plan. As of
               the  latest  actuarial  determination,  no  "accumulated  funding
               deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of
               the Code),  whether or not  waived,  exists  with  respect to any
               Pension  Plan.  The  present  value  of all  accumulated  benefit
               obligations  under each Qualified Plan (based on the  assumptions
               used for purposes of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard
               No. 87) did not as of the last annual  valuation date  applicable
               thereto  exceed  the  fair  market  value of the  assets  of such
               Qualified  Plan.  No  "reportable  event"  within the  meaning of
               Section 4043 of ERISA has occurred in connection  with any of the
               Pension Plans.

          (d)  Employee Benefit Plan Compliance.

               (i)  Each  Employee  Benefit  Plan (other than the  Multiemployer
                    Plans) has been  administered  substantially  in  accordance
                    with its terms;

               (ii) each  Employee  Benefit  Plan (other than the  Multiemployer
                    Plans) and each related  trust,  insurance  contract or fund
                    complies in form and in operation and has been  administered
                    substantially  in accordance with any applicable  provisions
                    of ERISA, the Code and all other Laws, all reports,  returns
                    and other documentation  (including Form 5500 Annual Reports
                    and  PBGC-1s)  that are required to have been filed with the
                    IRS, the United States  Department of Labor, the PBGC or any

                                       45


                    other  Governmental  Authority  have been  filed on a timely
                    basis in each  instance  in which the  failure  to file such
                    reports,  returns and other  documents  would  result in any
                    material Liability to PCC or the Asset Sale Companies;

               (iii)other than routine claims for benefits,  no Liens,  lawsuits
                    or complaints to or by any Person or Governmental  Authority
                    have  been  filed  or,  to  the   Knowledge   of  PCC,   are
                    contemplated  or  threatened,  with  respect to any Employee
                    Benefit Plan (other than the Multiemployer Plans) except for
                    those that would not reasonably be expected to result in any
                    material Liability to PCC or the Asset Sale Companies.

          (e)  Neither PCC nor any of the Asset Sale  Companies  has  received a
               written  notice of, or incurred,  any  withdrawal  liability with
               respect to a Multiemployer Plan.

          (f)  The  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
               Agreement  will not (i) entitle any Person to  severance  pay for
               which Buyer will be liable after the Closing; (ii) accelerate the
               time of payment or vesting of, increase the amount of, or satisfy
               a  condition  to the  compensation  due to any  Person  under any
               Employee  Benefit  Plan for which Buyer will be liable  after the
               Closing;  or (iii) result in the payment of an amount that could,
               individually  or in  combination  with any  other  such  payment,
               constitute  an "excess  parachute  payment"  under  Code  Section
               280G(b)(1).

          (g)  No "prohibited  transaction"  (as such term is defined in Section
               406 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the  Code)  has  occurred  with
               respect to any Employee Benefit Plan subject to ERISA, other than
               such a  transaction  subject to an  administrative  or  statutory
               exemption,  with respect to which a Tax,  penalty or other amount
               may reasonably be expected to be imposed on any of the Asset Sale
               Companies or their respective ERISA Affiliates.


                                       46


          (h)  Neither the PCC Parent,  PCC, the Asset Sale Companies nor any of
               their respective  ERISA  Affiliates,  nor any  organization  with
               respect  to which  any  such  entity  is a  successor  or  parent
               corporation,  within the meaning of Section 4069(b) of ERISA, has
               engaged in any transaction  described in Sections 4069 or 4212(c)
               of ERISA.

          (i)  Each Pension Plan that is not qualified under Code Section 401(a)
               or 403(a) is exempt  from Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA as
               an unfunded plan that is maintained  primarily for the purpose of
               providing deferred  compensation for a select group of management
               or  highly  compensated  employees,  pursuant  to ERISA  Sections
               201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1).

          (j)  No assets of any of the Asset Sale  Companies are allocated to or
               held in a "rabbi trust" or similar funding vehicle.

          (k)  Neither the PCC Parent,  PCC, the Asset Sale Companies nor any of
               their  respective  ERISA Affiliates has received any notification
               that any  Multiemployer  Plan is in  reorganization  (within  the
               meaning  of Section  4121 of ERISA),  is  insolvent  (within  the
               meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been terminated  (within
               the meaning of Title IV of ERISA),  and to the  Knowledge of PCC,
               no   Multiemployer   Plan  is   reasonably   expected  to  be  in
               reorganization, insolvent or terminated.

          (l)  No Welfare Plan is a "multiple  employer welfare  arrangement" as
               defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA.

                                       47


     3.12. Employment Matters.

     None of the Asset Sale  Companies is a party to,  bound by, or  negotiating
with  respect  to any  agreement  with any  labor  union,  association  or other
employee  group,  nor is any  unit of  Employees  of the  Asset  Sale  Companies
represented  by any  labor  union or  similar  association.  No  labor  union or
employee  organization  has  been  certified  or  recognized  as the  collective
bargaining  representative of any Employees of the Asset Sale Companies.  To the
Knowledge  of  PCC,  there  are no  active  union  organizational  campaigns  or
representation  proceedings underway or threatened with respect to any Employees
of the Asset Sale  Companies,  nor are there any  existing or  threatened  labor
strikes, work stoppages,  slowdowns,  grievances, unfair labor practice charges,
discrimination  charges  or  labor  arbitration   proceedings  affecting  Mining
Activities at or  deliveries  to any mine or other  facility of any of the Asset
Sale  Companies.  Each of the Asset Sale Companies has been and is in compliance
with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment  practices,  terms
and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be
in compliance would not reasonably be expected to impose any material  Liability
on the Asset Sale Companies.

     3.13. No Broker.

     None  of the  Asset  Sale  Companies,  PCC or the  PCC  Parent  has had any
dealings,  negotiations or  communications  with or retained any broker or other
intermediary in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
and none of the  foregoing  is committed  to any  Liability  for any brokers' or
finders'  fees  or  any  similar  fees  in  connection  with  the   transactions
contemplated hereby, other than Rothschild Inc., who shall be compensated solely
by PCC or an  Affiliate  of PCC.


                                       48


     3.14.  Health and  Safety  Requirements.

     As it relates to the Purchased Assets, each of the Asset Sale Companies has
complied with all applicable Health and Safety Requirements and no action, suit,
proceeding, hearing, investigation,  charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice
is currently  outstanding against any of them alleging any failure to so comply,
except  for those  that  would not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     3.15. Restrictions on Business Activities.

     Except for this  Agreement,  there is no agreement,  judgment,  injunction,
order or decree  binding upon PCC or any of the Asset Sale Companies that has or
would  reasonably be expected to have the effect of  prohibiting  the conduct of
the Business.

     3.16. Powers of Attorney.

     There are no  outstanding  powers of attorney  executed on behalf of any of
the Asset Sale Companies affecting the Purchased Assets.

     3.17. Transactions With Affiliates.

     The Contracts do not include any  Liability  between any Asset Sale Company
and any  Affiliate of such Asset Sale  Company.  At the Closing,  the  Purchased
Assets will not include any  receivable or other  Liability from an Affiliate of
any Asset Sale Company.

     3.18. Absence of Certain Payments.

     During the five (5) year period prior to the date of this Agreement, to the
Knowledge of PCC, none of the Asset Sale  Companies  have (nor has any director,
officer,  agent,  or  employee of any Asset Sale  Company nor any other  person,
acting on behalf of any Asset Sale Company) directly or indirectly:  used any of
such company's funds for unlawful contributions,  gifts,  entertainment or other
unlawful expenses relating to political  activity;  made any unlawful payment to

                                       49


foreign or domestic government  officials or employees or to foreign or domestic
political parties or campaigns from such company's funds; violated any provision
of the  Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act of 1977  applicable  to  such  company;
established  or  maintained  any unlawful or unrecorded  fund of such  company's
monies  or other  assets;  made any  false or  fictitious  entry on the books or
records of such company; or made any bribe, rebate,  payoff,  influence payment,
kickback, or other unlawful payment, to any person or entity, private or public,
regardless of form, whether in money, property, or services, to obtain favorable
treatment  in  securing  business  or to  obtain  special  concessions  for such
company,  or to pay for favorable  treatment for business secured or for special
concessions already obtained for such company.

     3.19. Disclosure.

     The  representations  and  warranties  contained in this Article III do not
contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements and information contained in this
Article III not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     Buyer hereby represents and warrants to PCC that:

     4.1. Organization.

     Buyer is a duly formed limited liability  company,  validly existing and in
good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

     4.2. Execution, Delivery and Performance.

     The  execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement and each other
agreement or instrument  executed in connection  herewith or delivered  pursuant
hereto and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated herein and therein
will not,  with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both,
(i) conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of, or a default, right to

                                       50


accelerate or loss of rights under, or result in the creation of any Lien, under
or pursuant  to, any  provision  of Buyer's  organizational  documents or of any
franchise,  mortgage,  deed of trust,  lease,  license,  instrument,  agreement,
consent,  approval,  waiver or  understanding,  any Law, or any finding,  order,
judgment, writ, injunction or decree to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer
or its respective assets may be bound or affected; or (ii) require the approval,
consent or  authorization  of, or prior notice to,  filing with or  registration
with, any Governmental  Authority,  or any other Person or entity; provided that
this  Section  4.2  shall not apply to any  requirement  of Buyer to obtain  any
consent of the  applicable  Governmental  Authority  to  transfer  or modify the
Permits.

     4.3. Authorization.

     Buyer  has full  power  and  authority  to  enter  into  and  deliver  this
Agreement,  and each  other  agreement  or  instrument  (to which it is a party)
executed in connection  herewith or delivered pursuant hereto and to perform its
obligations   hereunder  and  thereunder.   Buyer's   execution,   delivery  and
performance of this Agreement and all other agreements and instruments  executed
in  connection  herewith  or  delivered  pursuant  hereto  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby have been duly  authorized  by all requisite  action.  This
Agreement  and  all  other  agreements  or  instruments  executed  by  Buyer  in
connection  herewith  or  delivered  by Buyer  pursuant  hereto  have  been duly
executed and delivered by Buyer and this Agreement and all other  agreements and
instruments  executed  by Buyer in  connection  herewith or  delivered  by Buyer
pursuant  hereto  constitute  Buyer's  legal,  valid  and  binding   obligation,
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to any applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   moratorium  or  other  similar  Laws
affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights).

                                       51


     4.4. No Broker.

     Buyer has had no dealings,  negotiations or communications  with any broker
or other  intermediary in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement nor is it committed to any Liability for any brokers' or finders' fees
or any similar fees in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.

     4.5. Reclamation and Environmental Compliance.

     Buyer and all  operators  it owns or controls  are in  compliance  with all
Environmental  Laws and Reclamation Laws in all material  respects,  and are not
"permit  blocked"  under  the  Applicant  Violator  System  administered  by the
Department of the Interior.

     4.6. Financing.

     Buyer  will have  available  to it,  at the  Closing,  financial  resources
sufficient to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.7. Disclosure.

     The  representations  and  warranties  contained  in this Article IV do not
contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements and information contained in this
Article IV not misleading.

                                    ARTICLE V
                               CERTAIN COVENANTS

     5.1. Operation in Ordinary Course.

     Except as provided in this  Agreement,  between the date of this  Agreement
and the Closing,  PCC shall cause each of the Asset Sale Companies,  in relation
to the Purchased Assets, to: (i) carry on its business in the Ordinary Course of
Business;  (ii) use  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  preserve  intact its
current  business  organization,  Mining  Activities  and  properties  until the
Closing  Date,  and maintain  the  relations  and good will with its  suppliers,

                                       52


customers,   landlords,   creditors,   agents,   and  others   having   business
relationships with such Asset Sale Company; (iii) not enter into any contract or
other obligation  binding upon such Asset Sale Company  involving its Employees,
any union, or an expenditure,  purchase,  sale, cost or commitment  (unless such
contract is cancelable in thirty or fewer days, involves less than $100,000,  or
is for consumable  purchases)  without the prior written  consent of Buyer;  and
(iv) report  regularly to Buyer  concerning  the status of the business,  Mining
Activities and finances of such Asset Sale Company.

     5.2. Compliance with Law.

     Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing,  each of the Asset Sale
Companies  shall  comply  in all  material  respects  with all Laws and with all
orders of any Governmental Authority.

     5.3. Cooperation.

     Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided,  each of PCC and Buyer
agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all action,  and to do, or cause to be done,  all things  necessary,  proper and
advisable  under  Law,  to  consummate  and  make  effective  the   transactions
contemplated by this  Agreement.  In case at any time after the Closing Date any
further  action is  necessary  or  desirable  to carry out the  purposes of this
Agreement,  PCC and Buyer will,  and PCC will cause the Asset Sale Companies to,
execute any  additional  instruments  reasonably  necessary  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby. Prior to and following the Closing Date, PCC
shall make available to Buyer, at reasonable times, and in a manner so as not to
interfere with the normal business  operations of the Asset Sale Companies,  all
documents, maps and other information necessary to transfer all Permits to Buyer
in accordance with Law.




                                       53


     5.4. Notices and Consents.

     PCC and Buyer each will use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
consents of all  Governmental  Authorities and other third parties  necessary to
the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  PCC shall
have  responsibility  for  providing  any notices to third  parties  that may be
required by the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and for obtaining,
or causing to be obtained,  at its sole cost and expense, the consents listed on
Schedule 5.4(a) and Buyer shall have  responsibility for obtaining,  at its sole
cost and expense,  all consents listed on Schedule 5.4(b),  which Schedule shall
include all  Equipment  leases,  and all  consents  necessary  to  transfer  the
Permits,  with the other  party in each case using its  commercially  reasonable
efforts to assist the  responsible  party in obtaining such consents or Permits.

     5.5. Publicity.

     All  general  notices,  releases,  statements  and  communications  to  any
Employees, suppliers, distributors and customers of the Asset Sale Companies, to
the general public and to the press relating to the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement  shall be made only at such  times and in such  manner as may be
mutually  agreed upon by PCC and Buyer;  provided,  however,  that either  party
hereto  (or,  in the case of PCC,  the PCC  Parent)  shall be entitled to make a
public  announcement  of the  foregoing  if:  (a) in the  opinion  of its  legal
counsel,  such  announcement  is  required  to  comply  with Law or any  listing
agreement  with any  national  securities  exchange  or  inter-dealer  quotation
system;  and (b) such disclosing  party gives a reasonable  period of notice and
opportunity  to comment to the other party hereto of its  intention to make such
public  announcement;  provided,  that,  failure to  comment  within 24 hours of
receipt of such notice shall be deemed a waiver of the  opportunity  to comment;

                                       54


and  provided,  further,  that  nothing  in this  Section  5.5 shall  operate to
prohibit any Asset Sale Company or Buyer from  communicating,  after the Closing
Date, with their respective suppliers, distributors,  customers and Governmental
Authorities the fact that the transaction has occurred or to employees regarding
their  employment  or the terms and  conditions  thereof,  the  operation of the
Purchased  Assets  or  matters  necessarily   related  thereto.

     5.6. Permits; Replacement Bonds; Insurance and Guarantees; Other Filings.

          (a)  At or prior to the Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall:  (i) secure,  in
               accordance with Law, irrevocable commitments to issue replacement
               bonds and replacement  sureties and guarantees or other financial
               security, if applicable,  for all Permits sufficient to cause the
               applicable  Governmental  Authority  to  transfer  the Permits to
               Buyer in  accordance  with Law; and (ii)  deliver  copies of such
               documents to PCC.

          (b)  At or prior to the Closing Date,  Buyer shall  deliver  copies to
               PCC  of  all  filings,   each  in  a  form  that   satisfies  all
               requirements  of the applicable  Governmental  Authority and that
               are necessary to cause the applicable  Governmental  Authority to
               transfer the Permits to Buyer in accordance with Law.

          (c)  Promptly  following the Closing Date through the  application  of
               best efforts,  Buyer shall make all filings with the  appropriate
               Governmental   Authorities   and  shall,   upon  submitting  such
               applications  to transfer such Permits,  post  replacement  bonds
               necessary  under  Laws  to  transfer  the  Permits  to  Buyer  in
               accordance with Law.

          (d)  Following  the Closing  Date,  PCC will cause each of the Permits
               that is in its name or in the name of an Asset Sale Company to be
               retained  in its name or in the name of such Asset Sale  Company,
               as  appropriate,  until  the  applicable  Governmental  Authority
               transfers  the  Permits to Buyer.  Buyer may rely on any  related
               bonds held or guaranteed by PCC or an Affiliate of PCC;  provided



                                       55


               that Buyer reimburses PCC for bond premiums,  security, Office of
               Surface Mining fees,  amounts required to be paid to correct (and
               to pay  fines  or  assessments  with  respect  to) any  violation
               occurring  after the  Closing  Date and any direct  out-of-pocket
               costs  incurred by PCC or its  Affiliates in connection  with the
               maintenance  of such Permits or the related  bonds  following the
               Closing Date.  Buyer agrees to use the same efforts to accomplish
               the transfer of the Permits as soon as possible after the Closing
               that it would use to obtain its own permits to commence immediate
               mining operations at any site.

          (e)  To the extent allowed by and in accordance  with  applicable Law,
               PCC shall cause each of the Asset Sale  Companies  to grant Buyer
               the right to conduct Mining Activities on the properties included
               in the Purchased Assets under each of the Permits;  provided that
               if the appropriate Governmental Authority has not transferred any
               Permit by the first  anniversary of the Closing Date,  Buyer will
               deposit  in  escrow  cash  or a  letter  of  credit  from  a bank
               reasonably  acceptable  to PCC in an  amount  equal  to the  face
               amount of any related  outstanding surety bonds until such Permit
               has been transferred.

          (f)  If PCC or one of the Asset  Sale  Companies  receives a notice of
               violation under any of the Permits following the Closing Date but
               before the  transfer  of the Permit,  PCC will give Buyer  prompt
               notice thereof. If PCC reasonably  determines that Buyer will not
               cause such violation to be cured in a timely  fashion,  PCC shall
               have the  right to cure,  or cause to be  cured,  such  violation
               itself and be reimbursed by Buyer for curing such violation.

          (g)  At or  prior to the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  shall  have:  (i) for
               purposes  other  than the  Permits,  secured  replacement  bonds,
               replacement sureties,  guarantees or other financial security, if



                                       56


               applicable,  sufficient  to allow PCC and the Persons who will be
               its Affiliates  after the Closing Date to be relieved or released
               as  of  the  Closing   Date  from  all   financial   commitments,
               guarantees,  collateral agreements or similar undertakings listed
               on Schedule 5.6; (ii) obtained  property and liability  insurance
               customary  for a company  that is  engaged in the  Business  or a
               business similar to the Business to insure the Purchased  Assets;
               and (iii)  delivered  copies of such  documents to PCC.

          (h)  On or prior to the  Closing,  Buyer shall  deliver to PCC:  (i) a
               Certificate of Good Standing for self-insured  status or evidence
               of insurance  coverage  with respect to Buyer's  Liabilities  for
               workers'  compensation and federal black lung benefits that arise
               out of employment by Buyer or any of its  Affiliates of Employees
               on and after the Closing  Date,  to the extent and in the amounts
               provided in  applicable  Laws;  and (ii)  certification  from the
               Department  of Labor of  approval of  self-insured  status in the
               event Buyer is to be  self-insured  for federal  black lung claim
               liability.

     5.7. Exclusivity.

     PCC will not (nor will it cause or permit any of the Asset  Sale  Companies
to) (i) solicit,  initiate or encourage the  submission of any proposal or offer
from any Person  relating  directly  or  indirectly  to the  acquisition  of the
Purchased Assets, or any portion thereof, or (ii) participate in any discussions
or negotiations  regarding,  furnish any information  with respect to, assist or
participate in, or facilitate in any other manner,  any effort or attempt by any
Person to do or seek any of the foregoing.  PCC will notify Buyer immediately if
any Person makes any proposal,  offer, inquiry or contact with respect to any of
the foregoing.


                                       57


     5.8. Access.

     At or prior to the  Closing  Date,  PCC will permit (and will cause each of
the Asset Sale Companies to permit) representatives of Buyer to have full access
at all reasonable  times, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal
business  operations of the Asset Sale Companies,  to all premises,  properties,
personnel, books, records (including Tax records), contracts and documents of or
pertaining  to each of the Asset Sale  Companies  as  related  to the  Purchased
Assets. Copies of and access to accounting records,  ledgers and other pertinent
documents or work papers related to the Purchased  Assets will be made available
to Buyer at all  reasonable  times,  and in a manner so as not to interfere with
the normal business operations of the Asset Sale Companies,  upon request.

     5.9. Notice of Developments.

     Each  party  will give  prompt  written  notice  to the other  party of any
material adverse  development causing a breach of any of its own representations
and  warranties in Article III and Article IV above.  No disclosure by any party
pursuant to this Section 5.9,  however,  shall be deemed to amend or  supplement
the Schedules to such  representations  and warranties or to prevent or cure any
misrepresentation,  breach of warranty or breach of  covenant.

     5.10. Financial Statement Cooperation and Audits.

          (a)  PCC and Buyer shall  engage KPMG LLP  pursuant to the  Engagement
               Letter  to audit  the  combined  balance  sheets,  statements  of
               income,  cash flow and  stockholders'  equity (the  "Fiscal  Year
               Financial  Statements")  as of and for  the  fiscal  years  ended
               December  31,  2000 and 2001 for the  Asset  Sale  Companies  and
               certain of their  Affiliates who conduct the coal mining and sale
               and  export  terminal  and  equipment  rebuilding,  repairing  or



                                       58


               servicing  business  of PCC in  Virginia,  except  as  listed  on
               Schedule 5.10(a) (the "Virginia  Entities"),  including notes and
               disclosures required by GAAP. The parties shall cause KPMG LLP to
               deliver a draft of the Fiscal Year  Financial  Statements to both
               parties  for  review.  Each of the  parties  shall  have ten (10)
               business  days  to  review  such  draft  Fiscal  Year   Financial
               Statements and provide any comments to KPMG LLP.  Notwithstanding
               any  provisions  of this  Agreement  to the  contrary  and unless
               agreed to by both  parties,  the Closing Date shall be no earlier
               than forty-five (45) days from the date on which the final Fiscal
               Year Financial  Statements shall be delivered by KPMG LLP to both
               parties.

          (b)  PCC agrees that the Fiscal Year Financial  Statements  (including
               the notes  thereto)  will (i) use  accounting  policies  that are
               consistent with PCC Parent's audited financial  statements,  (ii)
               be  prepared in  conformity  with GAAP,  applied on a  consistent
               basis  throughout the periods  covered  thereby and (iii) present
               fairly  the   financial   position,   condition  and  results  of
               operations of the Virginia Entities as of such dates.

          (c)  At any time  between the date of this  Agreement  and the Closing
               Date,  Buyer shall have the right,  in its reasonable  discretion
               and upon  reasonable  advance  notice to PCC,  to require  PCC to
               provide Buyer with unaudited  internally prepared balance sheets,
               statements  of  income  and cash flow for the  Virginia  Entities
               individually  or on a combined basis as Buyer may request as of a
               more  recent  month end than  December  31,  2001,  which will be
               prepared in a manner that is consistent  with past  practices and
               with the books and records of the Virginia Entities.

          (d)  After  the  Closing  Date,  PCC  will  furnish,  or  cause  to be
               furnished to Affiliates of Buyer,  its  accountants and auditors,
               upon  request  of Buyer  and as  promptly  as  practicable,  such



                                       59


               information  and  assistance  as  is  reasonably   necessary  for
               Affiliates  of Buyer to cause  to be  prepared  audited  combined
               balance sheets,  statements of income, cash flow and stockholders
               equity for the  Virginia  Entities as of the Closing Date and for
               the period  beginning on January 1, 2002 and ended on the Closing
               Date (the "Audited Closing Date Financial  Statements")  that are
               consistent with the significant  accounting policies disclosed in
               the footnotes to the Fiscal Year Financial  Statements (except as
               such  consistency  may be affected by accounting  principles that
               have an effective date  subsequent to the date of the Fiscal Year
               Financial   Statements),   in  conformity   with  GAAP  and  with
               Regulations  S-K and S-X  promulgated by the SEC and applied on a
               consistent basis throughout the period covered thereby.

          (e)  With respect to any registration  statement or other filings with
               the SEC that Buyer shall  determine  to make in the  future,  PCC
               shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to timely furnish,
               or cause to be timely  furnished  to  Affiliates  of  Buyer,  its
               accountants and auditors,  upon request of Buyer,  the following:
               (i) consents of PCC's independent public accountants with respect
               to the audited  Fiscal Year  Financial  Statements as required by
               SEC  Regulation  S-X,  (ii)  such  information,   assistance  and
               cooperation  (including  information,  assistance and cooperation
               from PCC's independent  auditors) as is reasonably  necessary for
               Buyer and Affiliates of Buyer to: (a) address and resolve any SEC
               comments  related to the Fiscal Year Financial  Statements or the
               Audited Closing Date Financial Statements (including any required
               modification of such financial  statements or footnotes  thereto)
               and (b) prepare any MD&A Disclosure required in connection with a
               filing with the SEC and  address  and  resolve  any SEC  comments
               related  to  such  MD&A   Disclosure   (including   any  required
               modification to such MD&A  Disclosure),  (iii) such  information,



                                       60


               assistance  and  cooperation  reasonably  necessary  for Buyer to
               prepare  any  unaudited  pro  forma  balance   sheets  or  income
               statements  required  to be  included  in any  such  registration
               statement  or  other  SEC  filing  and  (iv)  such   information,
               assistance  and  cooperation  reasonably  necessary  for Buyer to
               accumulate   five  years  of   historical   unaudited   financial
               information  of the Virginia  Entities for  inclusion in any such
               registration statement or other filing with the SEC.

          (f)  PCC and its Affiliates shall reasonably cooperate with Buyer, its
               accountants and auditors in the conduct of the actions  described
               in the preceding  sentence and shall allow Buyer, its accountants
               and  auditors  to have  access at all  reasonable  times and upon
               reasonable advance notice, and in a manner so as not to interfere
               with the normal  business  operations  of PCC,  to all  premises,
               properties,  books,  records,  contracts,  and  documents  of  or
               pertaining to Buyer's audit of the Audited Closing Date Financial
               Statements. In addition, PCC will provide access to PCC's and its
               Affiliates'  employees,  including,  without  limitation,  making
               employees   available  to  provide  additional   information  and
               explanation of any materials  reviewed by Buyer,  its accountants
               and auditors;  provided,  however,  Buyer's use of such employees
               shall not unreasonably  interfere with such employee's  duties to
               his or her employer.

     5.11. Coal Inventory.

     PCC shall use its commercially  reasonable  efforts to have 110,000 tons of
Coal Inventory as of the Closing Date.

     5.12. Further Assurances.

     The parties shall cooperate in a commercially  reasonable  manner with each
other and with their  respective  representatives  in connection  with any steps
required  to be  taken  as part  of  their  respective  obligations  under  this

                                       61


Agreement,  and shall (a)  furnish  upon  request  to each  other  such  further
information; (b) execute and deliver to each other such other documents; and (c)
do such other acts and things, all as the other party may reasonably request for
the purpose of carrying out the intent of this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

     6.1. Conditions Precedent to Each Party's Obligations.

     The respective  obligations  of each party to consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement are subject to the  satisfaction  at or prior to
the Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)  no action,  suit,  proceeding,  order, decree or injunction shall
               have been  commenced,  threatened  or  entered  by or before  any
               Governmental  Authority  that  remains  in  force  and  that  (i)
               prohibits,  seeks to  prohibit,  or imposes or seeks  substantial
               damages in connection  with, the consummation of the transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) seeks or imposes relief that
               causes or would  cause any of the  transactions  contemplated  by
               this Agreement to be rescinded following  consummation,  or (iii)
               affects  adversely the right of Buyer to own the Purchased Assets
               or to operate the Business on or after the Closing Date;

          (b)  PCC Parent,  PCC,  Buyer and Buyer's  Ultimate  Parent shall have
               executed  and   delivered   to  each  other  party   thereto  the
               Administrative Services Agreement, the Cooperation Agreement, the
               Indemnification  and Guaranty  Agreement,  and  Paramont  Service
               Agreement   and  any   other   documentation   required   in  all
               transactions contemplated or covered by all such agreements,  all
               in form and  substance  as set  forth in  Exhibits  A, E, H and F
               attached hereto and the same shall be in full force and effect;

                                       62


          (c)  all  other  transactions  pursuant  to which  Buyer or any of its
               Affiliates acquire assets related to the Business shall have been
               consummated  prior to or  simultaneously  with  the  transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement;

          (d)  PCC and Buyer shall have executed and delivered to each other all
               such other  documents or instruments  necessary or appropriate to
               effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
               the documents provided in Section 5.6 hereof; and

          (e)  PCC shall have  obtained,  or caused to have been  obtained,  the
               consents listed in Schedule 6.1(e)(i) and PCC shall have provided
               such  payments as may be  reasonably  required to obtain all such
               consents.  Buyer  shall  have  obtained,  or  caused to have been
               obtained,  the consents  listed in Schedule  6.1(e)(ii) and Buyer
               shall have provided such payments,  guarantees  and/or assurances
               as may be reasonably required to obtain all such consents.

     6.2. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer.

     The  obligations of Buyer to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  by
this  Agreement  are  subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver at or prior to the
Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)  all of the  representations  and  warranties  of PCC set forth in
               this Agreement or in any Exhibit,  Schedule or document delivered
               pursuant   hereto,   without  regard  to  any   qualification  or
               limitation  with respect to materiality  (whether by reference to
               "Material  Adverse  Effect"  or  otherwise),  shall  be true  and
               correct in all  respects  as of the date  hereof and at and as of
               the   Closing   Date  with  the  same   effect  as  though   such
               representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing
               unless  the  aggregate   failure  of  such   representations   or


                                       63


               warranties  to be true  and  correct  does  not  have a  Material
               Adverse Effect;  provided that if a representation or warranty is
               expressly  made only as of a specific  date, it need only be true
               and correct in all respects as of such date, and Buyer shall have
               received the PCC Closing  Certificate  required by Section 6.2(g)
               below  dated  as of the  Closing  Date  executed  by PCC to  such
               effect;

          (b)  all of the  covenants  and  obligations  that PCC is  required to
               perform or to comply with pursuant to this  Agreement at or prior
               to the Closing Date shall have been duly  performed  and complied
               with in all material respects;

          (c)  all proceedings  and actions,  corporate or other, to be taken by
               PCC  or  the  Asset  Sale   Companies  in  connection   with  the
               transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and all documents
               incident  thereto,  including all actions  necessary to authorize
               the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
               transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been taken and shall
               be  reasonably  satisfactory  in form and  substance to Buyer and
               Buyer's counsel;

          (d)  PCC shall have, and shall have caused the Asset Sale Companies to
               have,  executed and delivered the Bills of Sale,  the  Assignment
               and  Assumption  Agreements  and such other  documents  as may be
               necessary to convey to Buyer the Purchased Assets;

          (e)  between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing  Date,  there
               shall  not  have  been  a  change,   event  or  occurrence  that,
               individually,  or  together  with  any  other  change,  event  or
               occurrence,  has had or could  reasonably  be  expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect;


                                       64


          (f)  Buyer shall have  received an opinion of counsel to PCC addressed
               to Buyer substantially in the form of Exhibit J;

          (g)  Buyer shall have  received  an  executed  copy of the PCC Closing
               Certificate; and

          (h)  KPMG LLP shall have  issued an  unqualified  audit  opinion  with
               respect to the Fiscal Year Financial  Statements  pursuant to the
               Engagement Letter.

     6.3. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of PCC.

     The  obligation  of PCC to  consummate  and cause the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement is subject to the  satisfaction or
waiver at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)  all of the  representations  and warranties of Buyer set forth in
               this Agreement or in any Exhibit,  Schedule or document delivered
               pursuant   hereto,   without  regard  to  any   qualification  or
               limitation with respect to materiality, shall be true and correct
               in  all  respects  as of  the  date  hereof  and at and as of the
               Closing Date with the same effect as though such  representations
               and  warranties  were made at and as of the  Closing  unless  the
               aggregate  failure of such  representations  or  warranties to be
               true and  correct  does not have a  material  adverse  effect  on
               Buyer's  ability to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
               this Agreement or fulfill its post-Closing obligations hereunder;
               provided that if a  representation  or warranty is expressly made
               only as of a specific  date,  it need only be true and correct in
               all respects as of such date, and PCC shall have received Buyer's
               Closing Certificate  required by Section 6.3(j) below dated as of
               the Closing Date executed by Buyer to such effect;


                                       65


          (b)  all of the  covenants and  obligations  that Buyer is required to
               perform or to comply with pursuant to this  Agreement at or prior
               to the Closing Date shall have been duly  performed  and complied
               with in all material respects;

          (c)  all proceedings  and actions,  corporate or other, to be taken by
               Buyer in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated by this
               Agreement,  and all  documents  incident  thereto,  including all
               actions  necessary  to  authorize  the  execution,  delivery  and
               performance of this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
               hereby,   shall   have  been   taken  and  shall  be   reasonably
               satisfactory in form and substance to PCC and its counsel;

          (d)  PCC shall have received,  on behalf of the Asset Sale  Companies,
               the Purchase Price by wire transfer of cash or other  immediately
               available  funds and the  execution  and delivery by Buyer of the
               Promissory Note;

          (e)  Buyer shall have executed and delivered the Security Agreement;


          (f)  Buyer  shall have  executed  and  delivered  the  Assignment  and
               Assumption   Agreements  and  such  other  documents  as  may  be
               necessary for Buyer to assume all of the Assumed Liabilities;

          (g)  Buyer  shall  have  delivered  to PCC  satisfactory  evidence  of
               compliance with Sections 5.6(a), 5.6(g) and 5.6(h);

          (h)  between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing  Date,  there
               shall  not  have  been  a  change,   event  or  occurrence  that,
               individually,  or  together  with  any  other  change,  event  or
               occurrence,  has had or could  reasonably  be  expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect;


                                       66


          (i)  PCC shall have received an opinion of counsel to Buyer  addressed
               to PCC substantially in the form of Exhibit K; and

          (j)  PCC shall have  received  an  executed  copy of  Buyer's  Closing
               Certificate.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                               CERTAIN TAX MATTERS

     7.1. Property Taxes.

     Property  Taxes of the Asset Sale  Companies  with respect to the Purchased
Assets  (including,  without  limitation,  property Taxes payable as a tenant or
lessee  under  any  lease)  will  be  pro-rated  as of  the  Closing  Date  and,
notwithstanding  any other provision of this  Agreement,  the economic burden of
any such  property  Tax will be borne by (i) the Asset  Sale  Companies  for all
Pre-Closing  Periods and the portion of any Straddle  Period through the Closing
Date and (ii) by Buyer  for all  Post-Closing  Periods  and the  portion  of any
Straddle Period after the Closing Date.  Accordingly,  notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement,  (i) if any Asset Sale Company pays such a property
Tax with  respect to a  Post-Closing  Period or the portion of  Straddle  Period
after the Closing  Date,  Buyer will  reimburse PCC on behalf of such Asset Sale
Company within 15 days after receiving from PCC written demand for the amount of
such  property Tax, and (ii) if Buyer pays such a property Tax with respect to a
Pre-Closing Period or the portion of a Straddle Period through the Closing Date,
PCC on behalf of the Asset Sale Companies  will  reimburse  Buyer within 15 days
after  receiving  from Buyer written demand for the amount of such property Tax.
For  purposes of  pro-rating  property  Taxes,  the amount of any  property  Tax
attributable  to the portion of a Straddle Period through the Closing Date shall
be deemed to be the amount of such property Taxes for the entire Straddle Period
multiplied  by a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the number of days in the
Straddle  Period  through the Closing Date and the  denominator  of which is the
number of days in the entire Straddle Period. In determining the Straddle Period

                                       67


for property  Taxes,  the Tax period as reflected on the statement of Taxes due,
property Tax bill,  property "tax ticket," or any other request for payment from
a  Governmental  Authority  will  determine the taxable period (e.g., a Virginia
property  Tax  bill  that  indicates  the tax  year as 2002 is for a Tax for the
taxable period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002).

     7.2. Sales and Use Taxes.

     Buyer  and  PCC  or  the  Asset  Sale  Companies  hereby  intend  that  the
transaction  be an  occasional  sale within the meaning of Virginia Code Section
58.1-602 and regulations  thereunder,  and therefore  exempt from Virginia sales
and use Tax pursuant to Virginia Code Section 58.1-609.  PCC will be responsible
for sales and use Taxes  payable as a result of the failure of this  transaction
to qualify as an  occasional  sale or as an exempt  transaction  under any other
Virginia law;  provided,  however,  that any use Tax payable as a result of this
transaction  that  would  be  payable  regardless  of  whether  the  transaction
qualifies as an  occasional  sale or not shall be paid by Buyer.

     7.3. Transfer Taxes.

     All transfer,  recording  and similar Taxes arising in connection  with the
transactions contemplated hereunder shall be borne equally by PCC and Buyer. PCC
and Buyer shall (and they shall cause their respective  Affiliates to) cooperate
to comply  with all Tax  Return  requirements  for such Taxes and  provide  such
documentation  and take such other  actions as may be  necessary to minimize the
amount of any such Taxes.

     7.4. Access for Tax Returns.

     Following the Closing Date,  Buyer shall,  at  reasonable  times,  and in a
manner so as not to interfere with normal business operations, allow PCC (and if
requested by PCC, representatives of federal, state or local agencies) access to
the Purchased Assets for purposes of reviewing  information pertinent to any Tax
Return filed by PCC Parent or any of its  Affiliates,  including  the Asset Sale
Companies.


                                       68


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                         COVENANTS REGARDING EMPLOYEES

     8.1. Employees.

          (a)  Subject to the requirements of applicable Laws, but no later than
               immediately prior to the Closing, PCC will cause those Asset Sale
               Companies set forth on Schedule 8.1 to terminate  the  employment
               of their Employees with respect to the Purchased Assets.

          (b)  From  time to time  after  the  Closing  Date,  PCC and Buyer may
               require  information with respect to current or former Employees.
               Without  intending to limit the obligations of the parties in the
               exchange of  information  with  respect to any other matter or in
               accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, PCC and Buyer agree to
               furnish such  information  to the other,  if available,  promptly
               after receipt of a written request therefor.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   TERMINATION

     9.1. Termination.

     This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Closing Date only as follows:

          (a)  by mutual written consent of PCC and Buyer;

          (b)  by  either  PCC or  Buyer,  if the  Closing  Date  shall not have
               occurred  prior to the close of business on December  31, 2002 or
               such later date as the  parties  may agree in writing  (provided,
               that the right to  terminate  this  Agreement  under this Section
               9.1(b) shall not be



                                       69


               available  to any party whose  failure to fulfill any  obligation
               under this Agreement has been the cause, in whole or in part, of,
               or has resulted in, the failure of the  conditions  in Article VI
               to be  satisfied  and the Closing Date to occur on or before such
               date);

          (c)  by PCC or Buyer if an action,  suit,  or  proceeding,  shall have
               been  commenced  or  threatened  by or  before  any  Governmental
               Authority,  or any order,  decree or  injunction  shall have been
               entered  therein,  that  (i)  prohibits,  seeks to  prohibit,  or
               imposes or seeks  substantial  damages in  connection  with,  the
               consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
               (ii) seeks or imposes  relief  that  causes or would cause any of
               the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded
               following  consummation,  or (iii) affects adversely the right of
               Buyer to own the Purchased Assets or to operate the Business;

          (d)  by  Buyer if (i) the  representations  of PCC  contained  in this
               Agreement are not true and correct in all material respects as if
               made at and as of that time,  except for  failures to be true and
               correct  that are capable of being and are cured  within  fifteen
               (15) days after written notice from Buyer to PCC of such failure;
               or (ii) PCC has failed to comply  materially  with its respective
               obligations  under this Agreement,  except for failures to comply
               that are capable of being and are cured within  fifteen (15) days
               after written notice from Buyer to PCC of such failure; or

          (e)  by PCC if (i) the  representations  of  Buyer  contained  in this
               Agreement are not true and correct in all material respects as if
               made at and as of that time,  except for  failures to be true and
               correct  that are capable of being and are cured  within  fifteen
               (15) days after written notice from PCC to Buyer of such failure;
               or  (ii)  Buyer  has  failed  to  comply   materially   with  its



                                       70


               obligations  under this Agreement,  except for failures to comply
               that are capable of being and are cured within  fifteen (15) days
               after written notice from the PCC to Buyer of such failure.

     9.2. Effect of Termination.

     If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, all further
obligations of the parties under or pursuant to this Agreement  shall  terminate
without further Liability of either party to the other except:  (a) as set forth
in  Section  10.4;  and (b) for  breaches  of  representations,  warranties,  or
covenants or for fraud.  PCC and Buyer hereby agree that the  provisions of this
Section 9.2 and of Section 10.4 shall survive any  termination of this Agreement
pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     10.1. Entire Agreement.

     This  Agreement,  the  documents  referred  to herein  and to be  delivered
pursuant hereto and any other agreement entered into contemporaneously with this
Agreement  among PCC,  PCC  Parent,  Buyer and  Buyer's  Ultimate  Parent or the
Affiliates of any of them  constitute the entire  agreement  between the parties
pertaining to the subject  matter  hereof,  and supersede all prior  agreements,
understandings,  negotiations  and  discussions of the parties,  whether oral or
written,  and  there  are no  warranties,  representations  or other  agreements
between the parties in  connection  with the subject  matter  hereof,  except as
specifically set forth herein or therein.

     10.2. Amendment.

     This  Agreement  may be amended by an  instrument  in writing and signed on
behalf of all of the parties hereto at any time.


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     10.3. Extension; Waiver.

     At any time prior to the Closing Date,  the parties may (i) extend the time
for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties
hereto,  (ii)  waive any  inaccuracies  in the  representations  and  warranties
contained herein or in any document,  certificate or writing delivered  pursuant
hereto  or (iii)  waive  compliance  with any of the  agreements  or  conditions
contained herein,  other than the conditions  contained in Section 6.1(a) hereof
as it  relates  to the  entry  of an  order  in any  proceeding  by or  before a
Governmental  Authority.  Any  agreement  on the  part of any  party to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
and signed on behalf of such party.

     10.4. Expenses.

     Whether  or  not  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  are
consummated, each of the parties hereto shall pay the fees and expenses of their
respective  counsel,  investment bankers,  financial  advisors,  accountants and
other experts and the other expenses incident to the negotiation and preparation
of this Agreement and  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby;
provided  that  Buyer and PCC  shall  each pay 50% of the cost of  auditing  the
Fiscal  Year  Financial  Statements  and  the  Audited  Closing  Date  Financial
Statements and provided further that Buyer shall reimburse PCC or its Affiliates
for all  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred by PCC or its Affiliates in complying
with their  respective  obligations  under Sections  5.10(e) and 5.10(f) hereof.

     10.5. Bulk Sales Waiver.

     Buyer hereby waives  compliance with all applicable bulk sales Laws.


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     10.6. Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted  according to the Laws of
the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  without  regard to the  conflicts of Law rules
thereof.

     10.7. Assignment.

     This  Agreement  and each party's  respective  rights  hereunder may not be
assigned  at any time except as  expressly  set forth  herein  without the prior
written  consent  of the other  party,  provided  that PCC may assign its rights
hereunder to any  Affiliate of PCC after the Closing Date without the consent of
Buyer and Buyer may assign its rights  hereunder to any Affiliate of Buyer prior
to, at or after  the  Closing  Date  without  the  consent  of PCC and,  further
provided,  that nothing in this Agreement  shall prevent a successor in interest
to either party from enforcing the provisions of this Agreement.

     10.8. Notices.

     All communications,  notices and disclosures  required or permitted by this
Agreement  shall be in  writing  and shall be deemed  to have  been  given  when
delivered personally or by messenger or by overnight delivery service, or within
five days of being mailed by registered or certified United States mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, in all cases addressed to the person for whom
it is intended  at his  address  set forth  below or to such other  address as a
party  shall have  designated  by notice in  writing  to the other  party in the
manner provided by this Section 10.8:

If to PCC:                    Pittston Coal Company
                              448 N.E. Main Street
                              P.O. Box 5100
                              Lebanon, Virginia 24266
                              Attention: President


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With a copy to:               Pittston Coal Company
                              c/o The Pittston Company
                              1801 Bayberry Court
                              P.O. Box 18100
                              Richmond, Virginia 23226-8100
                              Attention: General Counsel

And a copy to:                Hunton & Williams
                              Riverfront Plaza, East Tower
                              951 East Byrd Street
                              Richmond, Virginia 23219
                              Attention: Louanna O. Heuhsen, Esq.

If to Buyer:                  Paramont Coal Company Virginia, LLC
                              c/o Alpha Natural Resources, LLC
                              406 West Main Street
                              Abingdon, Virginia 24212
                              Attention:  Vice President

With a copy to:               First Reserve Corporation
                              411 West Putnam, Suite 109
                              Greenwich, Connecticut  06830
                              Attention: Alex T. Krueger

                              First Reserve Corporation
                              1801 California Street, Suite 4110
                              Denver, Colorado  80202
                              Attention:  Thomas R. Denison

                              Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
                              1899 Wynkoop Street, Suite 800
                              Denver, Colorado  80202
                              Attention:  James L. Palenchar, Esq.

     10.9. Counterparts; Headings.

     This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original,  but such counterparts shall together  constitute but one
and the same Agreement.  The Table of Contents and Article and Section  headings
in this  Agreement are inserted for  convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part hereof.


                                       74


     10.10. Interpretation; Construction.

          (a)  Unless the  context  requires  otherwise,  all words used in this
               Agreement in the singular  number shall extend to and include the
               plural,  all  words in the  plural  number  shall  extend  to and
               include the  singular and all words in any gender shall extend to
               and include all genders.

          (b)  This  Agreement has been fully  negotiated by the parties  hereto
               and shall not be construed by any Governmental  Authority against
               either party as the drafting party.

     10.11. Severability.

     If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or  unenforceable by any
court of competent  jurisdiction,  the other  provisions of this  Agreement will
remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.

     10.12. No Reliance.

     No  third  party  is  entitled  to  rely  on any  of  the  representations,
warranties and  agreements  contained in this Agreement and PCC and Buyer assume
no Liability to any third party because of any reliance on the  representations,
warranties and agreements of PCC and Buyer  contained in this  Agreement,  other
than  Section  5.5 and Article  VIII  hereof,  which are  intended to be for the
benefit of the  Persons  expressly  covered  thereby and may be enforced by such
Persons.

     10.13. Retention of and Access to Records.

     After the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall retain for a period  consistent  with
Buyer's record retention policies and practices those books and records relating
to the Asset Sale Companies  delivered to Buyer. Buyer also shall provide to PCC
and its Affiliates  reasonable access thereto,  during normal business hours and

                                       75


on at least  three  days'  prior  written  notice,  to  enable  them to  prepare
financial statements or Tax Returns or deal with Tax audits or litigation. Buyer
shall  deliver  to  PCC  at  least  thirty  days  written  notice  prior  to the
destruction  or  other  disposal  of any such  books  and  records.  PCC and its
Affiliates  may elect to take  delivery of any such books and records that Buyer
intends  to  destroy  or  otherwise  dispose  of and to copy any such  books and
records  that  Buyer  intends  to  keep,  all  at  their  own  expense.

     10.14. Arbitration.

     Any  dispute,  controversy  or claim  arising  out of or  relating  to this
Agreement (a "Dispute"), excluding any dispute or disagreement among the parties
concerning  the  determination  of the Coal  Inventory,  which shall be resolved
pursuant  to Section  2.12 and the  allocation  of  Purchase  Price and  Assumed
Liabilities,  which shall be resolved pursuant to Section 2.13, shall be decided
by binding  arbitration in accordance with the commercial  arbitration  rules of
the American  Arbitration  Association.  PCC and Buyer shall jointly  select one
arbitrator.  If the two  parties  shall  fail to  select  an  arbitrator  within
fourteen  calendar days after  arbitration  is requested,  then such  arbitrator
shall be selected  by the  American  Arbitration  Association  or any  successor
thereto upon  application of either party.  No Dispute shall be  consolidated in
any arbitration  with any dispute,  claim or controversy of any other party. The
arbitration  shall be  conducted  in  Roanoke,  Virginia,  and any court  having
jurisdiction  thereof may immediately  issue judgment on the arbitration  award.
The parties agree that the arbitration  provided for in this Section 10.14 shall
be the exclusive means to resolve all Disputes.


                                       76




     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be duly
executed as of the date first above written.

                            PITTSTON COAL COMPANY



                            By:    /s/ Michael D. Brown
                            ---------------------------------------------
                            Name:  Michael D. Brown
                            Title: Vice President - Development and Technical
                                   Resources



                            PARAMONT COAL COMPANY VIRGINIA, LLC



                             By:    /s/ Eddie Bateman
                             ---------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Eddie Bateman
                             Title: Vice President






                                       77


                                  SCHEDULE 1.4
                                  ------------

                              ASSET SALE COMPANIES


Paramont Coal Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Motivation Coal Company, a Virginia corporation

Pittston Coal Management Company, a Virginia corporation








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