RSM: Status of Wolfe County, Kentucky Coal Property

  ROYAL STANDARD MINERALS INC., "RSM" (TSX VENTURE: RSM)(OTCBB: RYSMF) has advanced the surface mine coal project in Wolfe County, Kentucky.  The permitting and bonding for the initial phases of the strip mine are in place for the Campton coal project.  The Company purchased the permit holder Pick & Shovel, the permit transfer will be made in the near future to Kentucky Standard Energy Company Inc. ("KSEC") the current (100%) owner of the permit as indicated in the purchase agreement.  The current bond for the first increment is in the name of KSEC and Pick & Shovel.  The next bond increment will be in the name of KSEC. The MSHA mine ID is in the name of KSEC, the severance tax number is in the name of KSEC.  All of the necessary surface equipment to commence mining is in place and the strip mining operation began in October 2008, according to Qualified Person, Roland M. Larsen, the writer and reviewer of this press release.

As a result of positive field inspections in October and early November, 2008 by technically competent representatives in regard to the development of the Wolfe County property by coal buyers to include Arch Coal Terminal Inc., Koch Carbon, LLC and Thoroughbred Coal Company, all of which indicated interest in purchasing coal production from the project initially on a "spot" market basis going to longer term contracts in the near future. The Company currently has a monthly "spot" market contract with Thoroughbred Coal Company of Lexington, Kentucky.

Subsequent to an announcement, a June 12th, 2008 press release, of a proposed Joint Venture program between Royal Standard Minerals Inc. and Sharpe Resources Corp. to jointly explore and develop coal projects in Eastern Kentucky, the Boards of Directors of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. and Sharpe Resources Corporation have completed a 50-50 Joint Venture agreement to jointly pursue the exploration and development of coal projects in Eastern Kentucky. The agreement was approved and executed on November 21, 2008 and is subject to regulatory approvals.

RSM is an exploration and development company with interests in coal and precious metals in the United States.

The information presented in this press release is subject to the various regulatory approvals. The economic viability of this project is uncertain and is contingent upon coal pricing and mining conditions that could affect the project economics.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for adequacy or accuracy of this release as per Exchange Policy 3.3 section 6.5.

Royal Standard Minerals cautions that the statements made in this press release and other forward looking statements made on behalf of the Company may be affected by such other factors including, but not limited to, volatility of mineral prices, product demand, market competition, imprecision of mineral estimates, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of the Company.

C.U.S.I.P. # 780919106

LISTED: STANDARD & POORS

Contacts: Royal Standard Minerals Inc. Roland Larsen 804-580-8107 804-580-4132 (FAX) www.Royalstandardminerals.com