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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Ashland Coal, Inc.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
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(Title of Class of Securities)
043906 10 6
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(CUSIP Number)
Jeffry N. Quinn
Arch Mineral Corporation
CityPlace One
St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
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(Name, Address and Telephone Number
of Person Authorized to Receive
Notices and Communications)
April 4, 1997
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(Date of Event Which Requires
Filing of This Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].
NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits,
should be filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Page 1 of 10 Pages)
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP No. 043906 10 6
1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Arch Mineral Corporation
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S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION
NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 43-0921172
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2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3) SEC USE ONLY
4) SOURCE OF FUNDS OO (see Item 3)
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5) CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
6) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
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NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:
7) SOLE VOTING POWER 0
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8) SHARED VOTING POWER 10,281,586 (See Item 5)
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9) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
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10) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 10,281,586 (See Item 5)
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11) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 10,281,586 (See Item 5)
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12) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ]
13) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY
AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 56.8% (See Item 5)
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14) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO
--
(Page 2 of 10 Pages)
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This statement on Schedule 13D (the "Statement") is filed by Arch
Mineral Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). The name of the
issuer is Ashland Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ashland Coal"). Ashland
Coal's principal executive offices are located at 2205 Fifth Street Road,
Huntington, West Virginia 25771. This Statement relates to the Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Ashland Coal ("Ashland Coal Common Stock").
Item 2. Identity and Background.
The Company's principal business is the mining, processing,
marketing and transporting of bituminous coal in the domestic steam market and
the address of its principal business is CityPlace One, St. Louis, Missouri
63141-7056.
Annex I attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference sets
forth the following information with respect to each director and executive
officer of the Company: (a) name; (b) residence or business address; and (c)
present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and
address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is
conducted. All of the directors and executive officers of the Company are United
States citizens.
During the last five years, neither the Company nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, any of the persons listed in Annex I has been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors).
During the last five years, neither the Company nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, any of the persons listed in Annex I has been a party
to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction in which a judgment, decree or final order was entered enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal
or state securities laws, or in which there was a finding of a violation with
respect to such laws.
(Page 3 of 10 Pages)
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
This Statement is being filed in connection with the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of April 4, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), among the
Company, AMC Merger Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub") and Ashland Coal, pursuant to which,
among other things, Ashland Coal will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company (the "Merger"). A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed as Exhibit 7.1
to this Statement and specifically incorporated by reference herein.
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Ashland
Inc., a stockholder of Ashland Coal, has entered into a Voting Agreement dated
as of April 4, 1997 with the Company (the "Voting Agreement"), pursuant to which
Ashland Inc. has agreed to vote its shares of Ashland Coal Common Stock and its
shares of Class B Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share, of Ashland Coal
("Ashland Coal Class B Preferred Stock") for the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and in favor of the Merger and to grant to the Company, upon
the Company's request, its irrevocable proxy to vote such shares in such manner.
A copy of the Voting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 7.2 to this Statement and
specifically incorporated by reference herein.
Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, the consideration given by the
Company in connection with the execution and performance thereof was its
agreement to enter into the Merger Agreement and to incur the obligations set
forth therein.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined
in the Merger Agreement), Merger Sub will merge with and into Ashland Coal and
Ashland Coal will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. By virtue of
the Merger, each outstanding share of Ashland Coal Common Stock will be
converted into the right to receive one share of the Common Stock of the
Company, par value $.01 per share ("Company Common Stock") and each outstanding
share of the Class B Preferred Stock and Class C Preferred Stock, par value $100
per share, of Ashland Coal ("Class C Preferred Stock") will be converted into
the right to receive 20,500 shares of Company Common Stock.
Prior to consummation of the Merger, the Company will amend its
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to read as set forth in Annexes A and B
to the Merger Agreement. The current Company Board of Directors will remain
members of the Company's Board of Directors following consummation of the
Merger. The names of the directors of the Company following consummation of the
Merger are listed in Annex C to the Merger Agreement.
(Page 4 of 10 Pages)
In connection with the proposed Merger, the Company plans to enter
into a Voting Agreement with Carboex International, Ltd., a Bahamian corporation
("Carboex") and a stockholder of Ashland Coal, whereby Carboex will agree to
vote its shares of Class C Preferred Stock, for the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and in favor of the Merger and to grant to the Company, upon
the Company's request, its irrevocable proxy to vote such shares in such manner.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
By virtue of the Voting Agreement, pursuant to which Ashland Inc.
has agreed with the Company that it will vote, or grant to the Company, at the
Company's request, a proxy with respect to 7,529,686 shares of Ashland Coal
Common Stock and 150 shares of Ashland Coal Class B Preferred Stock owned by
Ashland Inc., the Company may be deemed to have shared power to vote such
shares. Included within the 10,281,586 shares of Ashland Coal Common Stock
reported as beneficially owned by the Company are the 7,529,686 shares reported
above and an additional 2,751,900 shares of Ashland Coal Common Stock that would
be issuable upon the conversion of 150 shares of Ashland Coal Class B Preferred
Stock. Each share of Ashland Coal Class B Preferred Stock and Class C Preferred
Stock, par value $100 per share, of Ashland Coal ("Ashland Coal Class C
Preferred Stock") is convertible into 18,346 shares of Ashland Coal Common Stock
and the holder thereof is entitled to cast 18,346 votes on matters submitted to
a vote of Ashland Coal stockholders.
By virtue of the Voting Agreement, pursuant to which Ashland Inc.
has agreed with the Company that it will not dispose of such shares, the Company
may be deemed to have shared power to dispose of such shares. Such shares
represent approximately 56.8% of the combined voting power of Ashland Coal
Common Stock outstanding on April 4, 1997.
Neither the Company nor any of the persons listed in Item 2 hereof
has effected any transactions relating to Ashland Coal Common Stock or Class B
Preferred Stock within the past 60 days. Except as has been reported in filings
made by Ashland Inc. under Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, no person other than Ashland Inc. is known to have the right to receive
or the power to direct the dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the
shares described in the preceding paragraph.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With
Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
Other than as set forth in this Statement, neither the Company nor
any of the persons named in Item 2 hereof has any contracts, arrangements,
understandings or relationships (legal
(Page 5 of 10 Pages)
or otherwise) with respect to any securities of Ashland Coal, including but not
limited to transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder's fees, joint
ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits,
division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
Item 7. Material To Be Filed As Exhibits.
The following are filed as exhibits to this Statement:
7.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 4, 1997 among
Arch Mineral Corporation, AMC Merger Corporation and Ashland Coal, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K of
Ashland Coal, Inc. dated April 4, 1997.)
7.2 Voting Agreement, dated as of April 4, 1997, by and between
Arch Mineral Corporation and Ashland Inc. (Filed herewith.)
(Page 6 of 10 Pages)
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
ARCH MINERAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jeffry N. Quinn
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Signature
Jeffry N. Quinn
Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
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Name and Title
Date: April 14, 1997
(Page 7 of 10 Pages)
ANNEX I
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
ARCH MINERAL CORPORATION
NAME AND PRESENT PRINCIPAL ADDRESS AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
OCCUPATION OF ORGANIZATION IN WHICH EMPLOYED
Ronald Eugene Samples, Arch Mineral Corporation
Chairman of the Board CityPlace One
of Directors St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Bituminous Coal Mining
Steven F. Leer, Arch Mineral Corporation
President and Chief CityPlace One
Executive Officer and St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Director Bituminous Coal Mining
James R. Boyd, Ashland Inc.
Senior Vice President and 1000 Ashland Drive
Group Operating Officer Russell, Kentucky 41169
Energy and Chemical Company
James L. Parker, Hunt Petroleum
President 5000 Thanksgiving Tower
Dallas, Texas 75201
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Douglas H. Hunt, Petro-Hunt Corporation
Director of Acquisitions 5000 Thanksgiving Tower
Dallas, Texas 75201
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
John R. Hall, Ashland Inc.
Retired Chairman of 500 Diederich Boulevard
the Board and Chief Russell, Kentucky 41169
Executive Officer Energy and Chemical Company
of Ashland Inc.
Patrick Kriegshauser, Arch Mineral Corporation
Senior Vice President and CityPlace One
Chief Financial Officer/ St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Treasurer Bituminous Coal Mining
Jeffry N. Quinn, Arch Mineral Corporation
Senior Vice President-- CityPlace One
Law and Human Resources, St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Secretary and General Bituminous Coal Mining
Counsel
(Page 8 of 10 Pages)
ANNEX I (continued)
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
ARCH MINERAL CORPORATION
NAME AND PRESENT PRINCIPAL ADDRESS AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
OCCUPATION OF ORGANIZATION IN WHICH EMPLOYED
Steve A. Carter, Arch Mineral Corporation
Executive Vice President- CityPlace One
Marketing St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Bituminous Coal Mining
David B. Peugh, Arch Mineral Corporation
Vice President- CityPlace One
Business Development St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Bituminous Coal Mining
Robert W. Shanks, Arch Mineral Corporation
President- CityPlace One
Apogee Coal Company St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Bituminous Coal Mining
Ben H. Daud, Arch Mineral Corporation
President- CityPlace One
Catenary Coal Holdings, Inc. St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7056
Bituminous Coal Mining
(Page 9 of 10 Pages)
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description
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7.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 4, 1997 among Arch Mineral Corporation,
AMC Merger Corporation and Ashland Coal, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to
Current Report on Form 8-K of Ashland Coal,
Inc. dated April 4, 1997.)
7.2 Voting Agreement, dated as of April 4, 1997,
by and between Arch Mineral Corporation and
Ashland Inc. (Filed herewith.)
(Page 10 of 10 Pages)
EXHIBIT 7.2
VOTING AGREEMENT
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THIS VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of April 4, 1997, by and between
Arch Mineral Corporation., a Delaware corporation ("AMC"), and the stockholder
identified on the signature page hereof (the "Stockholder");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Stockholder, as of the date hereof, is the owner of or
has the sole right to vote the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share ("Common Stock"), Class B Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share
("Class B Preferred Stock") and/or Class C Preferred Stock, par value $100 per
share ("Class C Preferred Stock" and, together with Common Stock and Class B
Preferred Stock, "Capital Stock") of Ashland Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), set forth below the name of the Stockholder on the signature
page hereof (the "Shares"); and
WHEREAS, in reliance upon the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, AMC will enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the
date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), with the Company and AMC Merger
Corporation which provides, among other things, that upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
AMC (the "Merger"); and
WHEREAS, to induce AMC to enter into the Merger Agreement and to
incur the obligations set forth therein, the Stockholder is entering into this
Agreement pursuant to which the Stockholder agrees to vote in favor of the
Merger, and to make certain agreements with respect to the Shares upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. VOTING OF SHARES; PROXY. (a) The Stockholder agrees that
until the earlier of (i) the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
or (ii) the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated (the earliest
thereof being hereinafter referred to as the "Expiration Date"), the Stockholder
shall vote all Shares owned by the Stockholder at any meeting of the Company's
stockholders (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned meeting)
for adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the Merger as such Merger Agreement may be
modified or amended from time to time. Any such vote shall be cast in
accordance with such procedures relating thereto as shall ensure that it is duly
counted for purposes of determining that a quorum is present and for purposes of
recording the results of such vote or consent.
(b) At the request of AMC, the Stockholder, in furtherance of the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Merger Agreement, and in order to
secure the performance by the Stockholder of its duties under this Agreement,
shall promptly execute, in accordance with the provisions of Section 212(e) of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, and deliver to AMC, an irrevocable proxy,
substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, and irrevocably appoint AMC or its
designees, with full power of substitution, its attorney and proxy to vote all
of the Shares owned by the Stockholder in respect of any of the matters set
forth in, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(a). The Stockholder
acknowledges that the proxy executed and delivered by it shall be coupled with
an interest, shall constitute, among other things, an inducement for AMC to
enter into the Merger Agreement, shall be irrevocable and shall not be
terminated by operation of law or upon the occurrence of any event.
Section 2. COVENANTS OF THE STOCKHOLDER. The Stockholder covenants
and agrees for the benefit of AMC that, until the Expiration Date, it will:
(a) not sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, assign,
tender or otherwise dispose of, or other than as expressly contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, enter into any contract, option or other arrangement
or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment, tender or other disposition of,
any of the Shares owned by it or any interest therein; and
(b) other than as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, not
grant any powers of attorney or proxies or consents in respect of any of
the Shares owned by it, deposit any of the Shares owned by it into a
voting trust, enter into a voting agreement with respect to any of the
Shares owned by it or otherwise restrict the ability of the holder of any
of the Shares owned by it freely to exercise all voting rights with
respect thereto.
Section 3. COVENANTS OF AMC. AMC covenants and agrees for the
benefit of the Stockholder that (a) immediately upon execution of this
Agreement, it shall enter into the Merger Agreement, and (b) until the
Expiration Date, it shall use best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
action, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or advisable in order
to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement, consistent with the terms and conditions of each such
Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this Section 3, Section 12 or any
other provision of
2
this Agreement is intended, nor shall it be construed, to limit or in any way
restrict AMC's right or ability to exercise any of its rights under the Merger
Agreement.
Section 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDER. The
Stockholder represents and warrants to AMC that: (a) the execution, delivery and
performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement will not conflict with, require
a consent, waiver or approval under, or result in a breach of or default under,
any of the terms of any contract, commitment or other obligation (written or
oral) to which the Stockholder is bound; (b) this Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Stockholder and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Stockholder, enforceable against the Stockholder in
accordance with its terms; (c) the Stockholder is the sole owner of or has the
sole right to vote the Shares and the Shares represent all shares of Capital
Stock which the Stockholder is the sole owner of or has the sole right to vote
at the date hereof, and the Stockholder does not have any right to acquire, nor
is it the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of, any other shares of any class
of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of any class of capital stock of the
Company; (d) the Stockholder has full right, power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and (e) the
Stockholder owns the Shares free and clear of all liens, claims, pledges,
charges, proxies, restrictions, encumbrances, proxies, voting trusts and voting
agreements of any nature whatsoever other than as provided by this Agreement and
other than the Restated Shareholders Agreement among Ashland Inc., Carboex
International, Ltd. and the Company dated December 12, 1991, as amended August
6, 1993. The representations and warranties contained herein shall be made as of
the date hereof and as of each day from the date hereof through and including
the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
Section 5. ADJUSTMENTS; ADDITIONAL SHARES. In the event (a) of any
stock dividend, stock split, merger (other than the Merger) recapitalization,
reclassification, conversion, combination, exchange of shares or the like of any
of the Capital Stock of the Company on, of or affecting the Shares or (b) that
the Stockholder shall become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of
Capital Stock or other securities entitling the holder thereof to vote or give
consent with respect to the matters set forth in Section 1, then the terms of
this Agreement shall apply to the shares of Capital Stock or other instruments
or documents held by the Stockholder immediately following the effectiveness of
the events described in clause (a) or the Stockholder becoming the beneficial
owner thereof as described in clause (b), as though, in either case, they were
Shares hereunder.
3
Section 6. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The Stockholder acknowledges that
the agreements contained in this Agreement are an integral part of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and that, without these
agreements, AMC would not enter into the Merger Agreement, and acknowledges that
damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach by it of the provisions of
this Agreement. Accordingly, the Stockholder and AMC each agree that the
obligations of the parties hereunder shall be specifically enforceable and
neither party shall take any action to impede the other from seeking to enforce
such right of specific performance.
Section 7. NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of
receipt), shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person, by telecopy or
telefacsimile, by telegram, by next-day courier service, or by mail (registered
or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the Stockholder
at the address listed on the signature page hereof, and to AMC at Suite 300,
CityPlace One, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Secretary, telecopy number
(314) 994-2734, or to such other address or telecopy number as any party may
have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.
Section 8. BINDING EFFECT; SURVIVAL. Upon execution and delivery of
this Agreement by AMC, this Agreement shall become effective as to the
Stockholder at the time the Stockholder executes and delivers this Agreement.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
agreements made and to be performed entirely within such State.
Section 10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two
counterparts, both of which shall be an original and both of which together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 11. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction
hereof.
Section 12. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS; FURTHER ASSURANCE. Subject to the
terms and conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use
all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Stockholder
will provide AMC with all documents which may reasonably be requested by AMC and
will take reasonable steps to
4
enable AMC to obtain fully all rights and benefits provided it hereunder.
Section 13. AMENDMENT; WAIVER. No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective
unless in writing and signed by AMC and the Stockholder, in the case of an
amendment, or by the party which is the beneficiary of any such provision, in
the case of a waiver or a consent to depart therefrom.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the
parties hereto all as of the day and year first above written.
ARCH MINERAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jeffry N. Quinn
------------------------
Name: Jeffry N. Quinn
------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
------------------------
Ashland Inc.
- ----------------------
Name of Stockholder
By: /s/ Thomas L. Feazell
---------------------
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Address: Ashland Inc.
P.O. Box 391
Ashland, KY 41114
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Number of Shares:
7,529,686 (Common Stock)
---------
150 (Class B Preferred Stock)
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0 (Class C Preferred Stock)
---------
5
ANNEX A
[Form of Proxy]
IRREVOCABLE PROXY
-----------------
In order to secure the performance of the duties of the undersigned
pursuant to the Voting Agreement, dated as of , 1997 (the "Voting
Agreement"), between the undersigned and Arch Mineral Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, a copy of such agreement being attached hereto and incorporated by
reference herein, the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints and , and each of
them, the attorneys, agents and proxies, with full power of substitution in each
of them, for the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, in respect of any of the matters set forth in clauses (i) and (ii)
of Section 1 of the Voting Agreement, to vote or, if applicable, to give written
consent, in accordance with the provisions of said Section 1 and otherwise act
(consistent with the terms of the Voting Agreement) with respect to all shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, Class B Preferred Stock, par value
$100 per share, and Class C Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share (the
"Shares"), of Ashland Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which the undersigned is or may be
entitled to vote at any meeting of the Company held after the date hereof,
whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned meeting, or, if
applicable, to give written consent with respect thereto. This Proxy is coupled
with an interest, shall be irrevocable and binding on any successor in interest
of the undersigned and shall not be terminated by operation of law or upon the
occurrence of any event. This Proxy shall operate to revoke any prior proxy as
to the Shares heretofore granted by the undersigned. This Proxy shall terminate
on , 1997. This Proxy has been executed in accordance with Section 212(e) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
Dated:
--------------