Massey Energy Signs Memorandum of Understanding With Jindal Steel & Power Limited

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Massey Energy Company (NYSE: MEE), a leading coal producer in the United States, today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL), a leading international player in the steel, power, mining, oil & gas and infrastructure industries.  Under the MOU, the parties have agreed to work together and bid for the development and operation of underground coal mining projects.  The major focus of the announced collaboration will be on, but not limited to, potential projects in India, Mongolia, Australia and the United States.

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“We believe there is great potential for synergies between Massey and JSPL,” said Don L. Blankenship, Massey’s Chairman and CEO.  “We expect that by combining our technical expertise in underground mining with JSPL’s broad portfolio of international assets and businesses we will be able to establish profitable joint ventures that will both extend Massey’s coal producing opportunities and provide lower cost, more stable energy supply for Jindal’s planned global expansion.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Jindal Steel & Power Limited will identify various underground coal mining projects in India and other countries and obtain necessary licenses, permits and approvals from the respective government authorities.  Massey will provide technical mining expertise and will be responsible for the development of detailed underground mine project plans.  Massey will also provide the technical manpower and project management to ensure continuity and successful project implementation.

“We are very pleased to formalize the terms of our cooperation with Massey Energy Company,” said Anand Goel, Jt. Managing Director of Jindal Steel & Power Limited.  “We are looking forward to extending our relationship beyond this MOU as appropriate joint venture opportunities are identified.”

Company Descriptions

Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the largest coal company in Central Appalachia and is included the S&P 500 index.

Based in New Delhi, India, Jindal Power & Steel Limited is a leading international player in steel, power, mining, oil & gas and infrastructure with annual revenue of over $2.1 billion.  The company produces economical and efficient steel and power through backward integration from its own captive coal and iron-ore mines and passes on the benefits to its customers.  JSPL is a part of the Jindal Group.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:  Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. Any forward-looking statements are also subject to a number of assumptions regarding, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions. These assumptions are based on facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made as well as predictions as to future facts and conditions, the accurate prediction of which may be difficult and involve the assessment of circumstances or events beyond the Company’s control. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements unless required by securities law, and the Company cautions the reader to not rely on them unduly. Caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements including disclosures that use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” and similar words or statements that are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors potentially contributing to such differences include, among others: the Company’s cash flows, results of operation or financial condition; worldwide market demand for coal, electricity and steel; the successful completion of acquisition, disposition or financing transactions; future economic or capital market conditions; foreign currency fluctuations; governmental policies, laws, regulatory actions and court decisions affecting the coal industry or our customers’ coal usage; competition among coal producers in the United States and internationally; inherent risks of coal mining beyond the Company’s control, including weather and geologic conditions or catastrophic weather-related damage; the Company’s ability to expand mining capacity; the Company’s production capabilities to meet market expectations and customer requirements; the Company’s ability to obtain coal from brokerage sources or contract miners in accordance with their contracts; the successful implementation of the Company’s strategic plans and objectives for future operations and expansion or consolidation; the Company’s assumptions and projections concerning economically recoverable coal reserve estimates; the Company’s assumptions and projections regarding pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities; the Company’s interpretation and application of accounting literature related to mining specific issues; failure to receive anticipated new contracts; the Company’s reliance upon and relationships with our customers and suppliers; the creditworthiness of the Company’s customers and suppliers; adjustments made in price, volume or terms to existing coal supply agreements; the Company’s ability to manage production costs, including labor costs; the Company’s ability to timely obtain necessary supplies and equipment; the Company’s ability to obtain and renew permits necessary for existing and planned operations; the availability and cost of credit, surety bonds, and letters of credit that the Company requires; the Company’s ability to attract, train and retain a skilled workforce to meet replacement or expansion needs; the cost and availability of transportation for the Company’s produced coal; legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims and the availability of insurance coverage related thereto; the lack of insurance coverage against all potential operating risk; and environmental concerns related to coal mining and combustion and the cost and perceived benefits of alternative sources of energy such as natural gas and nuclear energy.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in press releases and Massey's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Massey’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed on March 2, 2009, and subsequently filed interim reports.  Massey’s filings are available either publicly, on the Investor Relations page of Massey’s website, www.masseyenergyco.com, or upon request from Massey’s Investor Relations Department: (866) 814-6512 (toll free).  For further information, please visit Massey’s website at www.masseyenergyco.com.

SOURCE Massey Energy Company