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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000788965-07-000016.txt : 20071109
<SEC-HEADER>0000788965-07-000016.hdr.sgml : 20071109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070503154545
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000788965-07-000016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070503

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HALLADOR PETROLEUM CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000788965
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				841014610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 LINCOLN ST STE 2700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80264
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038395505

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1660 LINCOLN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2700
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80264

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KIMBARK OIL & GAS CO /CO/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900102

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KIMBARK INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860624
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>
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      Unassociated Document
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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">May
      3,
      2007</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Mr.
      Karl
      Hiller</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Branch
      Chief</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">United
      States
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Securities
      and
      Exchange Commission</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Washington,
      DC
      20549-7010</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Re:<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Hallador
      Petroleum
      Company</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
Engineering
      comments
      included in&#160;letter dated February 22, 2007</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
      File</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
      No. 0-14731</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear
      Mr.
      Hiller:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This
      letter is in
      response to the engineering comments in your letter dated February 22,
      2007.&#160; As I&#160;discussed with Ms. Towner on May 1, 2007,&#160;we will
      respond to the&#160;remaining comments at a later date.&#160;&#160;&#160; The
      information below corresponds to your numbered comments in your letter.&#160;
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>Engineering
      Comments</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_11"/>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_12"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">1.</font></a></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In
                addition,
                the following items should be addressed in relation to your reserve
                disclosure.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
                coal
                reserves need to be stated separately as proven reserves and
                as</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">probable
                reserves. Measured and indicated reserves are not terms recognized
                by
                Industry Guide 7 and combining the proven and probable reserve quantities
                is contrary to the guidance
                provided.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">State
                whether
                these reserves are in-place quantities or the final salable
                product.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Disclose
                the
                criteria used to make the distinction between the proven and probable
                reserve classes.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">State
                the
                coal reserve tonnages along with the average BTU and sulfur
                content.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">List
                your
                mining recovery and wash plant
                recoveries.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Identify
                the
                utility companies that are your major
                customers.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">State
                the
                price of coal received for your salable product for each of the last
                five
                years, and future contracted
                prices.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Provide
                general coal product specifications for your salable
                product.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Disclose
                your
                land ownership and leased acreage.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">1</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Clarify
                that
                structural characteristic associated with your use of the term "slope"
                which may also be described as a decline or inclined shaft.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Other
      cautionary
      matters and disclosure concerns that will need to be addressed in your annual
      filing are covered in the comments that follow. The information requested should
      be based on the feasibility study underlying your conclusion of having proven
      and probable reserves. Please submit a copy of this feasibility study for review
      by our mining engineer, in support of the reserve information you plan to
      disclose in your annual filing.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A
        hard copy of our feasibility study was&#160;mailed to you on March 30, 2007 and
        receipt of such was acknowledged by your staff.&#160; Except, for the contracted
        sale price of our coal, we have complied with the above in our 2006 Form
        10-KSB
        filed on April 16, 2007 and will comply in all future filings.&#160;&#160;Our
        contracts with our purchasers require us to keep coal prices&#160;and certain
        other terms confidential.&#160; In future filings, we will disclose coal revenue
        and coal production, consequently, our investors would be able to compute
        average&#160;prices.&#160;&#160; As disclosed in our 2006 Form 10-KSB, coal
        sales did not begin until February
        2007<strong>.</strong></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_29">&#160;</a></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Coal
                reserves
                must have legal, economic and technical feasibility at the time&#160;of
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">the
                reserve
                determination. Common problems in reserve calculations involve including
                coal reserves which are found under railroads, roads, buildings,
                power
                lines, or other structures protected by restrictions on mining activities.
                Also, non-recoverable coal, such as in the roof and in barrier pillars,
                sometimes has been </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">included
                in
                reserves. Please ensure that your reporting takes all legal, economic
                and
                technical factors into account. For further details, consult the
                general
                letter to </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">coal
                operators located on our website at the following
                address.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_30"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><u>http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/guidance/coalmineletter.htm</u></font></a></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_37"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">On
      a related point,
      we have found that companies sometimes include in their </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">reserve
      estimates
      small tracks of coal lands that are not owned or large enough to </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">be
      mined by
      themselves, based on the belief that such lands, typically between the main
      block and smaller tracks to be mined will be acquired in the future. As
</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Industry
      Guide 7
      requires all reserves to meet the definition for reserves at the </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">time
      of the reserve
      determination, this practice would be inappropriate.</font></a></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
      engineer is
      aware of the above, and used such guidance in our reserve disclosures in our
      2006 Form 10-KSB.&#160;&#160;We will continue to comply with this guidance in
      all future filings. </font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_38"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">3.</font></a></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Insert
                a
                small-scale map showing the location and access to your property.
                Briefly
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">describe
                the
                road, barge and/or railroad access to each of your properties in
                be
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">text.
                Note
                that SEC's EDGAR program now accepts digital maps. Therefore, </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">please
                include these in any future filings or amendments that are uploaded
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">EDGAR.
                It is
                relatively easy to include automatic links at the appropriate </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">locations
                within the document to GIF or JPEG files, which will allow figures
                and
                diagrams to appear in the right location when the document is viewed
                on
                the Internet. For more information, please consult the EDGAR manual,
                and
                if you need addition assistance, please call Filer Support at
                202-942-8900. Otherwise provide the map to the engineering staff
                for our
                review.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Because
        we have
        only one coal mile, and the location was adequately described in our 2006
        Form
        10-KSB, we do not believe that a map would enhance an investor's understanding
        of the location of our mine.&#160; If, and when, we develop additional mines, a
        map may prove beneficial and will be considered in future filings.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">&#160;</div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">2</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For
                all of
                your coal properties that have reserves included in your reserve
                disclosure, provide us with an analysis that compares the length
                of your
                leases, including assured renewals, with the scheduled production
                of
                currently designated reserves, and advise us whether you believe
                all
                designated reserves will be mined during the tenure of your leases,
                according to your current plans.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
      2006 Form
      10-KSB complied with the above, and we will comply in all future
      filings.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For
                each of
                your mines, provide the disclosures required by Industry Guide 7(b).
                In
                particular, provide a brief discussion of:</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
                coal beds
                of interest, including minable coal
                thickness.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
                description and capacities of the mine, mining equipment used, anti
                other
                infrastructure facilities present.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A
                list of
                your coal processing and/or handling
                facilities.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
                road,
                barge and/or railroad access to each of your
                properties.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
                present
                condition of the mine.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Material
                events of interest concerning the mine, adverse or otherwise within
                the
                last three years.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any
                mine
                expansions, contractions or decommissioning within the last three
                years.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any
                planned
                expansions or reductions in raining</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any
                joint
                ownership.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any
                use of
                mining contractors.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
        2006 Form
        10-KSB complied with the above, and we will comply in all future
        filings.</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_57"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">6.</font></a></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In
                a table,
                disclose proven and probable reserves, as defined in Industry Guide
                7,</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">for
                each
                mine. Provide a separate table that lists "unassigned" reserves with
                their
                particular location, tonnage, Btu, sulfur and ownership/lease
                characteristics. &#160;In addition, please address the following
                points.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Indicate
                tonnages that are "assigned" to an existing facility and those that
                have
                not been "assigned."</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Disclose
                if
                the coal is steam or metallurgical, if it is leased or owned, and
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">the
                Btu
                estimate per pound and sulfur content. Do not report Btu content
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">as
                "dry," but
                include natural moisture in the
                calculation.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">If
                coal is
                reported as tonnes in the ground, disclose in another column the
                average
                mining and wash plant recoveries in percentages; indicate whether
                these
                losses have been reflected in the total recoverable reserves
                reported.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In
                either
                case, clearly disclose whether the reserves reported are "in the
                ground"
                or "recoverable."</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 72pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Provide
                totals in all tabular presentations, where appropriate.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Disclose
                your
                percentage of compliance and non-compliance
                coal.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
        2006 Form
        10-KSB complied with the above, and we will comply in all future
        filings.</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">3</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_64"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">7</font></a></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Proven
                and
                probable reserves are disclosed in your filing. With a minimal</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">transfer
                of
                paper, forward to our engineer as supplemental information, not as
                part of
                the filing, information that establishes the legal, technical and
                economic
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">feasibility
                of the materials designated as reserves, as required under paragraph
                (c)
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">of
                Industry
                Guide 7. This should include the following
                data:</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Maps
                showing
                property,</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><sub>&#160;</sub></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">mine
                permit
                and reserve boundaries and geology, and recent and historic production
                areas, and seams mined and any cultural restrictions to
                mining.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Drill-hole
                maps showing drill intercepts.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Justifications
                for the drill hole spacing's used at various classification
                levels.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">General
                cross-sections that indicate the relationship between coal seams,
                geology
                and topography.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A
                detailed
                description of your procedures for estimating
                "reserves."</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">An
                indication
                of how many years are left in your longest-term mining plan for each
                reserve block.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Site
                specific
                economic justification for the criteria you used to estimate
                reserves.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Mining
                plans
                or feasibility studies, including production schedules, cost estimates
                and
                cash flow projections needed to establish the existence of reserves,
                as
                defined in Industry Guide 7.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Third
                party
                reviews of your reserves that were developed within the last three
                years</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any
                other
                information needed to establish legal, technical and economic
                feasibility.</font></div>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Provide
      the name
      and phone number for a technical person our engineer may call, </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">if
      he has technical
      questions about your reserves. If there are any questions </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">concerning
      the
      above request, please phone Mr. G. K. Schuler, Mining Engineer </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">at
      (202)
      551-3718.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A
        hard copy of our reserve report was mailed to you on March 30, 2007 and receipt
        of such was acknowledged by your staff.&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
        mining engineer
        is Sam Elder and you may reach him at (812) 894-3480.</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td style="width: 36pt;">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_83"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">8.
                </font></a></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For
                each
                operating region or major property, provide us with an analysis of
                the
                </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">economic
                and
                technical evaluation criteria used for establishing and classifying
                your
                coal reserves. For example, please address the following points,
                and any
                other evaluation criteria that were
                significant.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Minimum
                economic tonnage</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Mine
                dilution</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Maximum
                and
                minimum mining heights for each type of
                mining</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Maximum
                depth</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Mining
                recoveries by mine type</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Wash
                plant
                recoveries</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
      <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">4</font></div>
      <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div id="HDR">
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Maximum
                stripping ratios</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="list" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="right" style="width: 72pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td>
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Types
                of
                surface conditions or items that limit or preclude
                mining</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="SSFT_1_65535_98"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Explain
      to us the
      basis for all material assumptions used to develop these criteria and
      specifically address the price assumptions underlying your
      estimates.</font></a><a name="SSFT_1_65535_99"/></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><strong><u>OUR
      RESPONSE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Our
        2006 Form
        10-KSB complied with the above, and we will comply in all future
        filings.</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Yours
      truly,</font></div>
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