RNS Number:5178F
ATH Resources plc
23 November 2004


Press Release                                                   23 November 2004

                                 ATH Resources plc
                       ("ATH Resources" or "the Company")


          ATH Resources completes Acquisition of Bertholene Concession



ATH Resources plc, one of the UK's largest coal producers, announces that it has
completed the acquisition of the Bertholene Concession through its French
subsidiary, Societe des Ressources Minieres du Massif Central SA (SRMMC) .

The Bertholene Concession covers an area of approximately 36km2 in South Central
France, not all of which is coal bearing, and runs until 31 December 2018.  The
Concession conveys the right to enter onto land for the purpose of exploration
and also the exclusive right to mine coal within the Concession area, which is
similar to outline planning permission in the UK.  Prior to mining, an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required and will be submitted to the
regional prefecture in Rodez.

The Company intends to carry out drilling ahead of the EIA. Preliminary
assessments indicate an inferred coal resource of approximately 4.5 million
tonnes.  The EIA will be conducted as soon as practical in 2005.  The Company
hopes to commence production at the concession in 2006 with annual production of
300,000 tonnes.  The coal produced is expected to be sold into the French power
and cement industries.

Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive Officer of ATH Resources plc, said: "This is a
major step in bringing coal production back to France.  France closed its last
coal mine in March 2004 but still maintains a market that consumes 18 million
tonnes per annum of imported coal.  This is significant progress for the Group
in extending its resource base and production life well beyond that of the
Group's two current producing mines, Skares Road and Garleffan.  We hope that
Bertholene will form an important part of the Group's coal production from 2007
onwards."

                                    - Ends -


For further information:
ATH Resources
Tom Allchurch, Chief Executive                         Tel: +44 (0) 1302 760 462
tom@ath.co.uk                                                      www.ath.co.uk

Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Henry Harrison-Topham / Justin Heath                   Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7702
henry.ht@abchurch-group.com                               www.abchurch-group.com



Notes to Editors:

ATH Resources is an AIM-listed operator of opencast coal mines in the UK with
its current two operational mines, Skares Road and Garleffan, located near New
Cumnock, East Ayrshire in Scotland.  The Company is currently the third largest
producer of coal in the UK producing approximately 1.6 million tonnes per annum.
  Coal was used to generate 34.7 per cent of the UK's electricity in 2003 and
the Company holds coal supply contracts with four of the UK's main electricity
generating companies.

The management team has been in place since 1998. It acquired the rights to
operate (and subsequently acquire) the Skares Road mine with support from The
Alchemy Plan and Bank of Scotland.  Following ATH Resource's incorporation in
October 2003, and backed by a follow on investment from The Alchemy Plan, the
Company acquired the Garleffan mine in November 2003.

In addition to the Skares Road and Garleffan mines, the Company also has a
number of other coal mining projects in Scotland and two through its French
subsidiary, SRMMC including a series of six existing coal concessions in
south-central France, covering an area of 36km2 with an estimated resource of
approximately 4.5 million tonnes of recoverable coal.

ATH Resources listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2004
under the symbol ATH.L


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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