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Sample Business Contracts

Maryland-Allegany County Lease - Allegany Coal & Land Co. and Patriot Mining Co. Inc.

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                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

      This LEASE AGREEMENT, effective the 1st day of January, 1995, by and
between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND COMPANY ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC.
("the Company"), constitutes the final, complete, and integrated agreement to
which Owner and the Company intend to be legally bound as follows:

                                    SECTION 1
                                   DEFINITIONS

1.01  "AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY" shall mean any person (including an individual,
      partnership, joint venture, or corporation) who directly or indirectly
      through one or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is
      under common control with the Company, or any of the partners who
      constitute the Company, "control" in this context meaning possession,
      direct or indirect, of the power to vote respecting the management or
      operations of the Company, of such person, or both, or the power to direct
      the management policies of the Company, of such person, or both, by
      contract or otherwise.

1.02  "APPROVED MINING METHODS" shall mean only the strip mining method in
      compliance with good mining practices and applicable law, and shall not
      mean or include any other mining method.

1.03  "GROSS SALES PRICE" shall mean the gross sales price paid by the first
      purchaser who is not an Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs
      of transportation.

1.04  "LAND" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County, Maryland which
      are more particularly described and delineated in Exhibit "A".

1.05  "LEASEHOLD ESTATE" shall mean all of the seams of Mineable and
      Merchantable Coal in, upon, and underlying the Land, together with all
      Mining Rights, and shall not mean or include any of Owner's Retained
      Interests.

1.06  "MINEABLE AND MERCHANTABLE COAL" shall mean all of the coal that can be
      reached and economically recovered by mining to a highwall height of sixty
      (60) feet of overburden over the uppermost seam then being mined, and
      shall include all the coal that can be reached and economically recovered
      from the Pittsburgh and Morantown seams when the Company is mining in the
      Redstone seam.

1.07  "MINING RIGHTS" shall mean all of the rights and privileges described in
      Section 2.02.

1.08  "OPERATIONS" shall mean the mining and removing by Approved Mining Methods
      of all Mineable and Merchantable Coal that can be produced from the
      Leasehold Estate by the Company.

1.09  "RETAINED INTERESTS" shall mean and include all of Owner's right, title,
      interest, and estate in and to the surface and minerals in, upon, and
      underlying the Land other than the Leasehold Estate.

<PAGE>

1.10  "THIRD PARTY" shall mean any person (including an individual, partnership,
      joint venture, or corporation) who is not the Company or an Affiliate of
      the Company.

1.11  "TON" shall mean 2,000 pounds.

                                    SECTION 2
                                LEASE/RESERVATION

2.01  In consideration of the royalty payments to be made by the Company, Owner
      leases the Leasehold Estate to the Company in accordance with the terms
      and provisions of this Agreement.

2.02  Owner, to the extent its title permits, and subject to the provisions of
      Section 2.04, grants to the Company for and during the term set forth in
      Section 3 and any extensions thereof, the following Mining Rights: the
      exclusive right to mine, remove, transport and process coal and all other
      minerals commingled therein, in, on or under the Land by Approved Mining
      Methods together with all necessary or convenient rights and privileges
      with respect thereto, including, but not limited to the free and
      uninterrupted right and right-of-way into, upon, over, under and through
      the Land at such points and in such manner as may be convenient or
      necessary for the purpose of all Operations in connection therewith and in
      the horizons of coal seams and in the strata above or below the same and
      other coal, including but not limited to, the transportation of personnel,
      supplies and equipment, and the right to explore, test drill, dig, mine,
      drain, transport and carry away the coal and other coals and materials now
      owned or leased or which may be hereafter acquired by Company, and to
      erect and maintain on the Land such structures and improvements necessary
      or convenient to the Operations; and in connection with Approved Mining
      Methods, the right and privilege to excavate, drill, remove and displace
      any or all of the earth, rock and other strata or materials in, upon, or
      about the coal and the horizons thereof and to dump or deposit the same on
      or off the Land, all without any liability to the surface or other mineral
      deposits and strata thereof; and without being required to leave or
      provide subjacent or lateral support for the overlying strata or surface
      or anything therein, thereon, or thereunder, including structures or
      improvements now or hereafter erected thereon.

2.03  At any time and from time to time Owner, in its sole discretion, may
      develop, exploit, remove, sell, lease, or convey any part or parts or all
      of Owner's Retained Interests.

2.04  The Company shall conduct the Operations and exercise its Mining Rights in
      such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with Owner's Retained
      Interests. Owner shall exercise its rights to the Retained Interests in
      such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the Leasehold Estate and
      the Company's Operations. To the extent feasible, the parties shall
      coordinate the utilization and disposition of their respective interests
      in, on, and underlying the Land in such manner as to promote their mutual
      economic interests in the same.

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<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 3
                                      TERM

3.01  The term of this lease shall begin on the effective date of this Agreement
      and shall end twenty (20) years from the date the AES Warrior Run Power
      Plant begins accepting coal shipments, unless extended or earlier
      terminated as hereinafter provided.

3.02  The provisions of Section 3.01 notwithstanding, the Company without cause
      may terminate this lease at any time by giving Owner no less than thirty
      (30) days' notice of cancellation and upon payment to Owner of all sums
      due and payable under this lease to the date of such termination.

3.03  The provisions of Section 3.01 notwithstanding, Owner without cause may
      terminate this lease upon cancellation or closing of the AES Warrior Run
      Power Plant or at any time on or after January 1, 2001 if the AES Warrior
      Run Power Plant is not then in commercial operation.

4.01  Upon expiration of the original term, this lease shall continue from year
      to year upon written agreement of the parties.

                                    SECTION 4
                                 MINIMUM ROYALTY

4.01  From and after the effective date of this lease, the Company shall pay to
      Owner a minimum royalty of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per year,
      payable in consecutive monthly installments of Eight Hundred Thirty-Three
      Dollars and Thirty-Three Cents ($833.33) each.

4.02  From and after the date the AES Warrior Run Power Plant begins accepting
      coal shipments, or on and after January 1, 2001, whichever first occurs,
      the Company shall pay to Owner a minimum royalty of Three Hundred Thousand
      Dollars ($300,000.00) per year, payable in consecutive monthly
      installments of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) each.

4.03  The first payment of minimum royalty shall be payable on the effective
      date of this lease and each subsequent monthly payment of minimum royalty
      shall be paid on the same day of each following month.

                                    SECTION 5
                               PRODUCTION ROYALTY

5.01  The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of coal produced
      from the Leasehold Estate the following production royalty:

5.01.01     Nine percent (9%) of the Gross Sales Price of such coal shipped to
            the AES Warrior Run Power Plant;

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<PAGE>

5.01.02     Ten percent (10%) of the Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
            Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton, of such coal shipped to any
            customer other than the AES Warrior Run Power Plant.

5.02  The production royalty shall be paid on the twenty-fifth (25th) day of the
      month following the month in which such coal is sold, subject to the
      Company's right of recoupment as provided in Section 5.03.

5.03  All payments of the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.01 shall be
      recoupable from the production royalty provided for in Section 5.01.02
      until such time as the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.02
      becomes effective.

5.04  All payments of the minimum royalty provided for in Section 4.02 shall be
      recoupable from the production royalty provided for in Section 5.01.

5.05  In addition, the minimum royalty payable hereunder shall be reduced by the
      amount of all production royalty paid by Winner Bros. Coal Company to
      Owner on coal sold to the AES Warrior Run Power Plant.

                                    SECTION 6
                                   ACCOUNTING

6.01  The Company shall keep accurate and correct books of accounting and
      records showing all coal mined, processed, marketed, and shipped from the
      Leasehold Estate, together with the correct weights thereof, and the Gross
      Sales Price received or receivable therefrom.

6.02  The books and records shall be available for inspection by Owner and
      Owner's duly authorized agents upon fifteen (15) days' advance notice for
      the purpose of verification of information contained in the royalty report
      provided for herein.

6.03  The Company shall furnish Owner with a written royalty report accompanying
      each royalty payment showing the quantity of coal sold and the Gross Sales
      Price received or receivable therefrom.

                                    SECTION 7
                                   OPERATIONS

7.01  During mining, the Company shall conduct the Operations in a diligent and
      workmanlike manner in order to promote the development, production, and
      sale of all Mineable and Merchantable Coal.

7.02  The Company shall use its best efforts and due diligence to comply in all
      material respects with every requirement and obligation imposed by every
      governmental body having jurisdiction over the Operations and the
      Leasehold Estate and shall obtain and maintain all consents, licenses, and
      permits required by law. The Company reserves the right to appeal from any
      ruling which it believes is not proper, and to carry on the Operations if
      permitted in accordance with its interpretation of the same pending final

                                       4
<PAGE>

      determination. The Company shall be responsible for acquisition of all
      permits and for all reclamation required by law.

7.03  The Company shall employ a competent engineer or surveyor to make surveys,
      plans, and maps of the Operations within the Leasehold Estate, and shall
      furnish Owner, upon request, with copies of all maps required to be
      maintained by state law or regulations.

7.04  Owner waives all duties, statutory or otherwise, on the part of the
      Company to maintain a barrier pillar in the coal in each or either side of
      the outside boundary line of the Leasehold Estate, where the Company has
      the right to mine the adjacent coal.

7.05  The Company shall provide Owner with at least ninety (90) days' prior
      written notice of the commencement of Operations in any area where timber
      could be removed in commercial quantities. If such timber has not been
      removed within the lime provided, it may be removed or destroyed by the
      Company without liability therefor.

7.06  Upon the surrender of this lease, the Company shall have a period of six
      (6) months within which to remove any improvements, structures, fixtures,
      machinery, equipment, supplies, or other property from the Leasehold
      Estate, and on demand from Owner shall be required to remove the same
      within such six (6) month period, providing that the Company may re-enter
      the Leasehold Estate thereafter in the event such entry is necessary to
      complete reclamation or obtain final release of all mining permits.

                                    SECTION 8
                                 POWER PLANT ASH

8.01  The Company has advised Owner that the coal reserves underlying the Land
      when mined may be dedicated to electric utility customers owning and/or
      operating electric power generating plants located within reasonable
      proximity to the Leasehold Estate, and that the residue from the burning
      of such coal ("Power Plant Ash") may be economically trucked to and
      disposed of in spoil areas of the Leasehold Estate. Accordingly, should
      the Company contract with its utility customer or customers for the
      disposal of Power Plant Ash on the Leasehold Estate, the Company shall
      have the following disposal rights and duties:

8.01.01     The Company shall have the right to dispose of Power Plant Ash, free
            of charge, in quantities proportionate to the percentage which
            obtains when the total burn of coal originating from the Leasehold
            Estate is divided by the total burn of coal produced by such utility
            customer or customers; and

8.01.02     The Company shall have the right to dispose of Power Plant Ash in
            quantities exceeding those provided for in Section 8.01.01 upon
            payment to Owner of five percent (5%) of the Company's contract
            price per ton for such disposal. Such compensation shall be paid to
            Owner on the twenty-fifth (25th) day of the month following the
            month such Power Plant Ash is deposited on the Leasehold Estate.

                                       5
<PAGE>

8.03  The Power Plant Ash disposed of on the Leasehold Estate shall not
      constitute or contain any Hazardous Materials as defined in Section
      9.01.02.

8.04  Owner reserves the right to designate or approve in writing those areas of
      the Leasehold Estate available for deposit of Power Plant Ash.

                                    SECTION 9
                           ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

9.01  Any Hazardous Materials (as hereinafter defined) to be brought upon, kept
      or used in or about the Land by the Company and its agents, employees,
      contractors or invitees, will be used, kept and stored in a manner that
      complies with all laws regulating any such Hazardous Material brought upon
      or used or kept in or about the Land.

9.01.01     If the Company breaches the obligations stated in Section 9.01, or
            if the presence of Hazardous Materials on the Land caused or
            permitted by the Company results in contamination of the Land, or if
            contamination of the Land by Hazardous Materials otherwise occurs
            for which the Company is legally liable to Owner for damage
            resulting therefrom, then the Company shall indemnify, defend and
            hold Owner harmless from any and all claims, judgments, damages,
            penalties, response costs, fines, costs, liabilities or losses
            (including without limitation, diminution in value of the Land,
            damages for the loss or restriction on use of the Land, and sums
            paid in settlement of claims, reasonable attorney's fees, consultant
            fees and expert fees) which arise during or after the term of this
            lease as a result of such contamination. This indemnification of
            Owner by the Company includes, without limitation, costs incurred in
            connection with any investigation of site conditions or any
            clean-up, remedial, removal or restoration work required by any
            federal, state or local governmental agency or political subdivision
            because of Hazardous Materials present in the soil or ground water
            on or under the Land. Without limiting the foregoing, if the
            presence of any Hazardous Materials on the Land caused or permitted
            by the Company results in any contamination of the Land, the Company
            shall promptly take all actions at its sole expense as are necessary
            to return the Land to the condition existing prior to the
            introduction of any such Hazardous Materials to the Land; provided
            that Owner's approval of such actions shall first be obtained, which
            approval shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as such actions
            would not potentially have any material adverse effect on the Land.

9.01.02     As used herein, the term "Hazardous Materials" means any hazardous
            or toxic substance, material or waste, including but not limited to
            those substances, materials and wastes listed in the United States
            Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR
            172-101) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as Hazardous
            Substances (40 CFR Part 302) and Amendments thereto, or such
            substances, materials and wastes that are or become regulated under
            any applicable local, state or federal law.

9.01.03     On the effective date of this lease and annually thereafter, the
            Company shall disclose to Owner the names and amounts of all
            Hazardous Materials, or any

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<PAGE>

            combination thereof which the Company intends to store, use or
            dispose of on the Land.

9.02  Any default under the provisions of this section (other than an
      unintentional or unknowing default which causes no harm or potential harm
      to Owner or the Land) shall be a material default enabling Owner to
      exercise any of the remedies set forth in this lease.

                                   SECTION 10
                                   TITLE/TAXES

10.01 Owner warrants specially Owner's title to the Leasehold Estate and that
      the Leasehold Estate is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances,
      subject to recorded easements, encroachments which may be revealed from an
      inspection of the Leasehold Estate, and all existing ways and servitudes,
      howsoever created.

10.02 If a third party asserts any claim or title to any portion of the
      Leasehold Estate where the Company is then mining, the Company may pay all
      production royalty arising from the disputed area into escrow pending
      resolution of the dispute. Such payment shall not be deemed a default
      under this Agreement. Owner shall exercise its best efforts and shall take
      all reasonably action necessary to resolve any such dispute or quiet title
      to such disputed area. On such resolution, if Owner's interest in the
      disputed area is less than complete, all production royalty payable to
      Owner in respect of such portion shall be reduced proportionately in
      relation to Owner's ascertained interest, and Owner shall reimburse the
      Company for any production royalty previously paid which properly should
      have been paid to others.

10.03 If for any reason it becomes necessary to provide record notice of this
      lease, the Company shall record a memorandum of lease in lieu of this
      Agreement. All recordation taxes and costs shall be paid by the Company.
      If a memorandum of lease shall have been recorded, then upon termination
      of this lease for any reason, the Company shall execute, deliver, and
      record such documents as may be necessary to release the Leasehold Estate
      of record from the operation and effect of this lease and the memorandum
      of lease.

10.04 Owner shall pay all real estate taxes assessed or levied against the
      Leasehold Estate.

10.05 The Company shall pay all taxes assessed or levied against all
      improvements, machinery, equipment, or other property of the Company
      installed or placed in or upon the Leasehold Estate by the Company.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 11
                            INSURANCE/INDEMNIFICATION

11.01 The Company shall carry public liability insurance, naming Owner as an
      additional insured, providing minimum personal injury coverage of Five
      Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per person, One Million Dollars
      ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, and minimum property coverage of Five
      Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per occurrence, One Million Dollars
      ($1,000,000.00) aggregate.

11.02 The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Owner from and against any
      and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, actions, suits,
      proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, reasonable counsel fees,
      costs, and expenses arising out of or resulting from the Operations and
      the Company's use and occupation of the Leasehold Estate. In the event any
      action or proceeding is brought against Owner by reason of any such claim,
      the Company will, at its expense, resist and defend such action or
      proceeding and satisfy any order of judgment against Owner resulting
      therefrom.

11.03 The Company shall be in default on the occurrence of any one or more of
      the following events:

11.03.01 When the Company fails to pay when due any sum of money payable under
      this lease and such failure to pay shall continue for more than thirty
      (30) days from the due date ("Grace Period");

11.03.02 When the Company has utilized in any twelve (12) month period Grace
       Periods amounting to more than sixty (60) days;

11.03.03 When the Company fails to perform any provision of this lease (other
      than the payment of money) and a failure to perform shall continue for
      more than thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company of such
      failure;

11.03.04 When the Company becomes insolvent or generally does not pay its debts
      as they come due, or files a petition for bankruptcy or makes an
      assignment for the benefit of creditors.

11.04 On default by the Company Owner may elect to cancel this lease, re-enter
      the Leasehold Estate, expel the Company, and repossess the Leasehold
      Estate without notice to the Company and without prejudice to any and all
      other remedies available to Owner under law.

                                   SECTION 12
                                   ARBITRATION

      12.01 Except as provided in Section 12.06, any controversy or claim
arising out of or relating to this lease shall be submitted to arbitration in
the manner hereinafter provided. The party desiring such arbitration shall give
written notice to that effect to the other party to this lease, specifying in
such notice, the matter to be submitted to arbitration and the name, address and
telephone number of the person designated to act as arbitrator on its behalf.
Within fifteen

                                       8
<PAGE>

(15) days of receipt of such notice by the other party to this lease, said other
party shall give written notice to the party invoking arbitration specifying the
name, address and telephone number of the person designated to act as arbitrator
on behalf of said other party. If the second party fails to so notify the party
invoking arbitration of the appointment of the second party's arbitrator, then
the appointment of the second arbitrator shall be made in the same manner as
hereinafter provided for the appointment of a third arbitrator in a case where
the two arbitrators appointed hereunder or the parties are unable to agree upon
such appointment. The two arbitrators appointed by the parties shall meet within
ten days after the second arbitrator is appointed and shall themselves appoint a
third arbitrator. In the event of their being unable to agree upon such
appointment within said ten days, the third arbitrator shall be selected by the
parties themselves if they can agree thereon within a further period of fifteen
(15) days. If the parties do not so agree on the appointment of the third
arbitrator, then either party, on behalf of both may apply to the Circuit Court
of Allegany County, Maryland, for appointment of such third arbitrator, and the
other party shall not raise any question as to said court's full power and
jurisdiction to entertain the application and make the appointment.

12.02 All arbitrators shall have no financial interest in the parties or the
      outcome.

12.03 All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with
      applicable provisions of the Maryland Uniform Arbitration Act and in
      accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, except as otherwise
      provided herein.

12.04 The arbitrators shall conduct a hearing on the merits, and within forty
      (40) days thereof, shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of
      law. The decision in which any two arbitrators so appointed and acting
      hereunder concur shall in all cases be binding and conclusive upon the
      parties and shall not be subject to appeal. Each party shall pay the fees
      and expenses of the one of the two original arbitrators appointed by such
      party or otherwise appointed on behalf of said party, and the fees and
      expenses of the third arbitrator shall be borne equally by both parties.

12.05 In the event that any arbitrator appointed pursuant to Section 12.01 shall
      thereafter die or become unwilling or unable to act as arbitrator, his
      successor shall be appointed within fifteen (15) days by the party who
      originally had the right to appoint him or, as regards a successor third
      arbitrator, by the two remaining arbitrators. In case of the failure to
      appoint a successor by the party entitled to do so (or, as regards the
      third arbitrator, the failure of the two remaining arbitrators to choose a
      successor) appointment of the successor arbitrator shall be made in the
      same manner as provided for in Section 12.01 for the appointment of a
      third arbitrator where the two arbitrators appointed hereunder or the
      parties are unable to agree upon such appointment.

12.06 The arbitration provision set forth above shall be the exclusive remedy of
      the parties to this lease, but, notwithstanding that agreement, said
      arbitration provision shall not be construed or applied to limit, preempt
      or delay any rights or remedies (i) of either the Owner or Company to
      apply to any court for recovery of the possession of the property from, or
      for injunctive relief against, the other party hereto or (ii) of the Owner
      to apply to any court for the collection of rents.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 13
                                  OTHER LEASES

13.01 On the effective date of this Agreement several parcels of the Land are
      subject to coal mining leases from Owner to others. These parcels are
      described or delineated in Exhibit A. As each such lease is terminated and
      such parcel becomes available, Owner by written notice shall offer such
      parcel to the Company for the sole purpose of incorporating such parcel
      into the Leasehold Estate on the terms and provisions of this lease.
      Should the Company fail to accept such offer in the time and manner
      required, Owner may dispose of such parcel in any manner whatsoever, free
      from the requirements of this section.

13.02 From and after the date the AES Warrior Run Power Plant begins accepting
      coal shipments, Owner shall amend each lease then in effect between Owner
      and Winner Bros. Coal Company reducing the production royalty payable
      thereunder for each ton of coal shipped to the AES Warrior Run Power Plant
      to nine percent (9%) of the Gross Sales Price as defined in this
      Agreement.

13.03 The parties acknowledge that this lease supersedes and replaces all of the
      terms and provisions of the lease from Owner to the Company dated May 18,
      1992, as modified by agreement dated July 11, 1994, and that this
      Agreement constitutes a novation.

                                   SECTION 14
                                   ASSIGNMENT

14.01 Except as provided in Section 14.02, the Company shall not assign any part
      or all of this lease or sublet any part or all of the Leasehold Estate
      without the prior written consent of Owner, which shall not be
      unreasonably withheld, providing that no such assignment or sublease shall
      relieve the Company of its duties and liabilities to Owner hereunder.

14.02 The Company shall have the right to pledge the coal reserves available to
      it under this lease to the performance of a long-term contract with
      Applied Energy Services involving, in whole or in part, the mining and
      sale of the coal reserves underlying the Leasehold Estate. Any such pledge
      shall be subject to the royalty and other provisions of this Agreement. If
      Owner shall be required to join in such pledge agreement, Owner shall not
      be required to subject Owner's reversionary interest in the Leasehold
      Estate to the operating or effect of such pledge agreement. Owner agrees
      to negotiate in good faith with the Company amendments or modifications to
      this Agreement to the extent required by any such pledge so long as such
      amendments or modifications do not materially alter the terms and
      conditions of this lease.

                                   SECTION 15
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

15.01 All payments required to be made or tendered to Owner may be delivered
      personally or by mail at the address set forth below or to such other
      address as Owner may designate by written notice.

                                       10
<PAGE>

15.02 Any notice to be given to any party to this Agreement shall be in writing
      and shall be deemed given when hand delivered with signed receipt or sent
      postage prepaid by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
      to the other party at the address set forth below or to such other address
      as a party may designate by written notice given in accordance with this
      section.

15.03 This Agreement shall be deemed to be an agreement under this laws of the
      State of Maryland and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed
      in accordance with the laws of that state.

15.04 In case any provision of this Agreement is for any reason held to be
      illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
      remainder thereof, which shall be construed and enforced as if such
      illegal or invalid portion were not contained herein.

15.05 Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

15.06 This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
      Owner, the Company, and their respective successors and assigns.

                                       11
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Lease Agreement
on the dates shown below intending it to be effective on January 1, 1995.

                                         OWNER:

ATTEST:                                  ALLEGANY COAL & LAND COMPANY

                                         By                               (SEAL)
-----------------------                     ------------------------------

Date: Jan 5, 1995                        Address:  P.O. Box 410, Depot Street
                                         Frostburg, Maryland  21532

                                         THE COMPANY:

ATTEST:                                  PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC.

                                         By                               (SEAL)
-----------------------                     ------------------------------

Date: December 21, 1994                  Address:  2708 Cranberry Square
                                         Morgantown, West Virginia  26505

                                       12
<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 7th day of June, 1999, by and between ALLEGANY COAL &
LAND COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY,
INC., a West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to amend the Lease to add the property
which was formerly subject to leases with Winner Bros. Coal Co. and which is
more particularly identified and described on Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B,
which Exhibits are attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Additional
Property") to the Land and Leasehold Estate under the Lease (as such terms are
hereinafter defined) and to change certain other provision of the Lease as
hereinafter provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in
this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in the Lease.

      2. Amendments. The Lease is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

            2.1 Gross Sales Price. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property, the gross sales price
      f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal or (ii) with respect to coal
      mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold Estate (other than from the
      Additional Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser
      who is not an Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of
      transportation. The gross selling price under subsection (i) above shall
      be effective for a period of one year from the date of this Amendment,
      unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the event Owner does not
      agree to extend the expiration date of the gross selling price under
      subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be deemed to be amended by
      deleting subsection (i) above.

            2.2 Additional Property. Section 1.04 of the Lease is hereby
stricken and replaced in full by the following:

            1.04 "Land" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County,
      Maryland, which are more particularly described and delineated on Exhibit
      "B" attached hereto and made a part hereof, including, without limitation,
      the Additional Property.

<PAGE>

            2.3 Tipple. A new Section 1.11 is hereby added to the Lease as set
forth below and existing Section 1.11 is hereby renumbered as Section 1.12:

            1.11 "Tipple" means the coal tipple located near Tysons Corner,
      Maryland, and known as the UEC Coal Yard.

            2.4 Production Royalty. Section 5.01 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

                  5.01 The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of
            coal produced from the Leasehold Estate the following production
            royalty:

                        5.01.01     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Redstone seam on the Additional Property
                                    and sold separately without commingling with
                                    other coal, $1.35 per ton;

                        5.01.02     With respect to rations mined and removed
                                    from the Additional Property and sold
                                    separately without commingling with other
                                    coal, $0.80 per ton;

                        5.01.03     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than the coal
                                    from the Redstone seam or rations sold
                                    separately as provided in 5.01.01 and
                                    5.01.02 above) and sold to the AES Warrior
                                    Run Power Plant, nine percent (9%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price; or

                        5.01.04     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than coal from
                                    the Redstone seam or rations sold separately
                                    as provided in 5.01.01 and 5.01.02 above)
                                    and sold to any customer other than the AES
                                    Warrior Run Plant, ten percent (10%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
                                    Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton.

                  2.5 Recoupment. Sections 5.03 and 5.04 of the Lease are hereby
stricken and replaced in full by a new Section 5.03 as set forth below and
existing Section 5.05 is renumbered as Section 5.04 and all references to
Section 5.05 shall be to Section 5.04:

                  5.03 All minimum royalties paid under Sections 4.01 and 4.02
         shall be fully recoupable from and against production royalties
         provided for and paid under Section 5.01.

                  2.6 Permits. A new Section 15.07 is hereby added to the Lease
as follows:

                  15.07 Assignment of Permits Upon Termination. In the event the
         Lease is terminated or surrendered for any reason, Owner shall have the
         option for a period of ninety (90) days following the effective date of
         such termination or surrender, as the case may be, to require the
         Company to use its good faith efforts to transfer or cause to be
         transferred to Owner any mining permits relating to the Leasehold
         Estate. If Owner

<PAGE>

         desires to exercise this option, Owner shall notify the Company within
         said 90-day period stating which permits it desires to acquire. The
         Company shall use its good faith efforts to transfer or cause to be
         transferred to Owner said permits; provided, however, that the Company
         shall not be obligated to directly or indirectly incur or assume any
         liability in connection with the transfer of any such permit, and Owner
         shall reimburse the Company for any cost or expense incurred by it in
         connection therewith. Owner shall be solely responsible, at its cost
         and expense, for securing any and all bonds required for the transfer
         of such permits and shall assume, and shall indemnify the Company
         against, any and all liabilities and obligations associated with such
         permits, including, without limitation, liabilities and obligations
         which arose or were incurred prior to the effective date of the
         transfer thereof. In the event said permits are not transferred within
         six months of the effective date of the termination or surrender of the
         Lease, as the case may be, the Company shall have no further obligation
         under this provision.

         3. Representations and Warranties. Owner hereby represents and warrants
to Company that, as of the date hereof, the Additional Property is free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances, and, except for the Lease as herein
amended, is not subject to any lease, license, agreement or instrument granting
the right to mine or remove coal from the Additional Property to any Third
Party.

         4. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

         5. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By: /s/ Will Jenkins
                                             ----------------------------------
                                         Name: Will Jenkins
                                         Title: President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By: /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                             ----------------------------------
                                         Name: Gerald Peacock
                                         Title: President

                                       7
<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO LEASE AGREEMENT ("Amendment No. 2"), is made and
entered into as of the 31st day of August, 1999, by and between ALLEGANY COAL &
LAND COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY,
INC., a West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Original Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Amendment No. 1 to
Lease dated as of June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), pursuant to which Owner and
Company added the Additional Property (as defined in Amendment No. 1) to the
Original Lease; and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease to include
the property identified and described on Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B (the
"Amendment No. 2 Property"), which Exhibit is attached hereto and made a part
hereof, to the Land and Leasehold Estate under the Original Lease (as such terms
are hereinafter defined).

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The Original Lease, as amended by Amendment No. 1,
is hereinafter referred to as the Lease. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Amendment No. 2 shall have the meaning given to
them in the Lease.

      2. Amendments. The Lease is hereby amended as set forth in this Section 2.

            2.1 Property. Section 1.04 of the Lease is hereby stricken and
replaced in full by the following:

            1.04 "Land" shall mean those tracts of land in Allegany County,
      Maryland, which are more particularly described and delineated on Exhibit
      "B" attached hereto and made a part hereof, including, without limitation,
      the Additional Property and the Amendment No. 2 Property. Owner
      represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that (i) the tracts
      identified on Exhibit A to the Lease as being leased to others (per
      Section 13.01 of the Lease) are no longer subject to any such third party
      leases and (ii) that said tracts comprise the Amendment No. 2 Property and
      are, by this Amendment No. 2, being added to the property subject to the
      Lease.

            2.2 Production Royalty. Section 5.01 of the Lease is hereby stricken
and replaced in full by the following:

            5.01 The Company shall pay to Owner in respect of each ton of coal
produced from the Leasehold Estate the following production royalty:

<PAGE>

                        5.01.01     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Redstone seam on the Additional Property
                                    or the Amendment No. 2 Property and sold
                                    separately without commingling with other
                                    coal, $1.35 per ton;

                        5.01.02     With respect to rations mined and removed
                                    from the Additional Property or the
                                    Amendment No. 2 Property and sold separately
                                    without commingling with other coal, $0.80
                                    per ton;

                        5.01.03     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than the coal
                                    from the Redstone seam or rations sold
                                    separately as provided in 5.01.01 and
                                    5.01.02 above) and sold to the AES Warrior
                                    Run Power Plant, nine percent (9%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price; or

                        5.01.04     With respect to coal mined and removed from
                                    the Leasehold Estate (other than coal from
                                    the Redstone seam or rations sold separately
                                    as provided in 5.01.01 and 5.01.02 above)
                                    and sold to any customer other than the AES
                                    Warrior Run Plant, ten percent (10%) of the
                                    Gross Sales Price, but not less than One
                                    Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per ton.

      3. Representations and Warranties. Owner hereby represents and warrants to
Company that, as of the date hereof, the Amendment No. 2 Property is free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances, and, except for the Lease as herein
amended, is not subject to any lease, license, agreement or instrument granting
the right to mine or remove coal from the Additional Property to any Third
Party.

      4. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      5. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

                                       2

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By: /s/ Will Jenkins
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:  Will Jenkins
                                         Title: President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By: /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:  Gerald Peacock
                                         Title: President

                                       3

<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 1 day of June, 2000, by and between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company amended the Lease pursuant to Amendment No. 1
to Lease Agreement dated June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), and pursuant to
Amendment No. 2 to Lease Agreement dated August 31, 2000 ("Amendment No. 2");
and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease as herein
provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The term "Lease" shall refer to that certain Lease
Agreement dated January 1, 1995, between Owner and Company as amended by
Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to them in
the Lease.

      2. Amendment. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken and replaced in
full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property, the gross sales price f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal
      or (ii) with respect to coal mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold
      Estate (other than from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser who is not an
      Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of transportation. The
      gross sales price under subsection (i) above shall be effective until June
      1, 2001, unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the event Owner
      does not agree to extend the expiration date of the gross selling price
      under subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be deemed to be
      amended by deleting subsection (i) above.

      3. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      4. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By:  Allegany Coal and Land Co.
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title:      President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By:  /s/ B. Judd Hartman
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  B. Judd Hartman
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title:       Secretary

                                       2

<PAGE>

                       AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LEASE AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LEASE AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), is made and
entered into as of the 1 day of June, 2001, by and between ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
COMPANY, a Maryland corporation ("Owner"), and PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
West Virginia corporation ("Company");

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company entered into that certain Lease Agreement dated
January 1, 1995, pursuant to which Owner leased to Company certain coal property
located in Allegany County, Maryland (the "Lease"); and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company amended the Lease pursuant to Amendment No. 1
to Lease Agreement dated June 7, 1999 ("Amendment No. 1"), pursuant to Amendment
No. 2 to Lease Agreement dated August 31, 2000 ("Amendment No. 2"), and pursuant
to Amendment No. 3 to Lease Agreement dated June 1, 2000 ("Amendment No. 3");
and

      WHEREAS, Owner and Company desire to further amend the Lease as herein
provided.

      NOW, THEREFORE, that for and in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the mutual agreements herein contained, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Owner and Company hereby agree as follows:

      1. Definitions. The term "Lease" shall refer to that certain Lease
Agreement dated January 1, 1995, between Owner and Company as amended by
Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2, and Amendment No. 3. Unless otherwise defined
herein, capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meaning given to
them in the Lease.

      2. Amendment. Section 1.03 of the Lease is hereby stricken and replaced in
full by the following:

            1.03 "Gross Sales Price" shall mean (i) with respect to coal mined,
      removed and sold from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property, the gross sales price f.o.b. the Tipple received for such coal
      or (ii) with respect to coal mined, removed and sold from the Leasehold
      Estate (other than from the Additional Property or the Amendment No. 2
      Property), the gross sales price paid by the first purchaser who is not an
      Affiliate of the Company less the reasonable costs of transportation. The
      gross sales price under subsection (i) above shall be effective until
      December 31, 2002, unless Owner agrees to an extension thereof. In the
      event Owner does not agree to extend the expiration date of the gross
      selling price under subsection (i) above, this Section 1.03 shall be
      deemed to be amended by deleting subsection (i) above.

      3. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of
Owner and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes
all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings regarding the same.

      4. Effect of Amendments. Except as herein amended, the Lease shall remain
in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Company have executed and delivered this
Amendment No. 4 to Lease Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                         ALLEGANY COAL & LAND
                                         COMPANY, a Maryland corporation

                                         By:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:   Will Jenkins
                                         Title:  President

                                         PATRIOT MINING COMPANY, INC., a
                                         West Virginia corporation

                                         By:  /s/ Gerald Peacock
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:   Gerald Peacock
                                         Title:  President

                                       2
<PAGE>

                         ALLEGANY COAL AND LAND COMPANY
                             PO Box 410 - Depot Road
                            FROSTBURG, MARYLAND 21532

                                                       Telephone: (301) 689-8895
                                                       Facsimile: (301) 689-0113

                                   May 6, 2002

Anker Energy Corporation
2708 Cranberry Square
Morgantown, WV 26505

To Whom It Concerns:

Due to your default under the Lease Agreement effective January 1, 1995, by and
between Allegany Coal and Land Company and Patriot Mining Company, Inc. and the
Lease Agreement effective July 1, 1999, by and between Allegany Coal and Land
Company and Patriot Mining Company, Inc., we are hereby terminating said leases
immediately.

                                         Sincerely,

                                         ALLEGANY COAL AND LAND COMPANY

                                         /s/ Will Jenkins
                                         Will Jenkins
                                         President

CC:  W. Stevens Hidey, Esq.
CC:  United Energy Corporation

CERTIFIED / COURIER / PRIORITY / FAX

                                    Exhibit B

<PAGE>



                            ANKER ENERGY CORPORATION
        2708 CRANBERRY SQUARE - MORGANTOWN, WV 26508-9286 - 304-594-1616

May 8, 2002

Mr. Will Jenkins
Allegany Coal & Land Company
P.O. Box 410
Frostburg, MD  21532

RE:    Lease from Allegany Coal and Land Company to Patriot Mining Company, Inc.
       Dated January 1, 1995, as amended

Dear Will:

This letter is intended to serve as a memorandum of our verbal agreement of this
date.

(1)   Patriot ("PMC") shall pay unto Allegany Coal and Land Company ("ACLC") via
      wire transfer all amounts which are past due of this date under the
      captioned lease and that certain lease dated July 1, 2002, which amounts
      are set forth on Exhibit 1, attached to and made a party of this letter
      agreement.

(2)   ACLC does hereby rescind the termination notice submitted to PMC by letter
      dated May 6, 2002, a copy of which is designated Exhibit B, attached to
      and made a part of this letter agreement.

(3)   ACLC and PMC hereby agree that although the captioned lease may be in
      default, ACLC waives termination for PMC's alleged use of Grace Period
      days exceeding sixty (60) prior to this date.

(4)   ACLC shall not terminate the captioned lease for late payment thereunder,
      unless any such payment hereafter due from PMC to ACLC is made more than
      five (5) days after it is due. However, effective as of this date, PMC
      will be in default if cumulative default days exceed thirty (30) days in
      any six (6) month period.

(5)   PMC shall continue to pay minimum royalty payments directly to ACLC. PMC
      shall instruct United Energy Company, for the remainder of the sublease
      term or any extension thereof, to (i) make tonnage or production royalty
      payment directly to ACLC, and (ii) withhold from production royalties due
      ACLC and to pay PMC any minimum royalty previously paid by PMC for the
      reporting period.

                     ADMINISTRATION / SALES FAX 304-594-3695
           ACCOUNTING / ENGINEERING / HUMAN RESOURCES FAX 304-594-3708

<PAGE>

                                                            Allegany Coal & Land
                                                                Letter Agreement
                                                                     May 8, 2002
                                                                          Page 2

(6)   Except as herein amended, the captioned lease shall remain in full force
      and effect in accordance with its terms.

If this letter correctly reflects our verbal agreement, please so indicate by
signing in the space provided below.

Sincerely,

/s/ Fred C. Kunzelman

Fred C. Kunzelman

FCK: nrh

                                         Allegany Coal and Land Company

                                         By:  /s/ Will Jenkins
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Its:  President

<PAGE>

Coal Yard Rental Payment History



Rental       Check           Check            Date
Month        Number          Date            Mailed
                                  
January      23368         12/20/2001      12/31/2001
February     23651          1/25/2002       1/29/2002
March        23912           3/8/2002        3/8/2002


      April Rental Included in the wire

      May Rental Still Due

Payments made as part of wire transfer of 5/3/02


                                       
April Coat Yard Rental                    $      500.00
Additional Royalties for Feb. Error            3,888.80
March Tonnage Royalties                       21,765.83
                                          -------------
                                          $   26,154.63

Amount wired                              $   24,154.63

Money due caused by addition error        $    2,000.00


Monies currently due to Allegany


                                       
Addition Error in Wire                    $    2,000.00
April Advance Minimum                         25,000.00
May Advance Minimum                           25,000.00
May Coal Yard Rental                             500.00
                                          -------------
                                          $   52,500.00


                                    Exhibit A