MASSEY ENERGY RESPONDS TO 60 MINUTES

We at Massey Energy Company were distressed by the many significant inaccuracies in the recent 60 Minutes story regarding Mr. Jack Spadaro, MSHA and the Martin County slurry spill investigation. While we could address a number of these inaccuracies, we will confine ourselves to a few important points.

First, Massey declined to be interviewed by 60 Minutes when they called on January 20, 2004 because we are unaware of the facts regarding the relationship between Mr. Spadaro and his employer and the disciplinary action taken by MSHA. Massey did not hear from 60 Minutes after that time.

Second, we would like to clarify that the coal slurry released at Martin County was no more toxic than the dirt outside one’s home. Slurry is nothing more than coal fines, clay, shale and other rock. It is natural material, containing no more "hazardous chemicals" (such as arsenic and mercury) than are generally found in earth and soil.

Third, the allegation that Massey management knew after 1994 that another spill was "inevitable" is completely false. The mining engineer apparently referred to in the story stated that no plan of action, no matter how thorough, could guarantee a breakthrough would never happen. It is difficult to imagine how Mr. Spadaro or anyone else could in good faith twist such a statement into support for the outrageous claim made on 60 Minutes.

Massey and its engineers could not have foreseen the breakthrough or its magnitude and, if we had, we would obviously have done whatever was necessary to prevent it. This is just common sense. Similarly, there is no truth to the allegation that Massey managers intentionally misled regulators as to the thickness or quality of rock and coal underlying the Martin County impoundment. Furthermore, Massey has long demonstrated its commitment to safety by the adoption of safety standards and procedures that exceed state and federal regulations at all of its operations.

Lastly, we would like to state for the record that Massey does, like many corporations in America, contribute, from time to time, to political causes. However, our criteria for contributions are based on support for the coal industry and policies that benefit our employees and the states within which we operate, as well as promoting the overall energy security of our country.

Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is the fourth largest coal company in the United States based on produced coal revenues.

Massey Energy Company
4 North Fourth Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

April 8, 2004