Rule 8.3 - UK Coal PLC

    FORM 8.3

  DEALINGS BY PERSONS WHO OWN OR CONTROL 1% OR MORE OF ANY CLASS OF RELEVANT   
                                   SECURITY                                    

             (Rule 8.3 of The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers)              

Name of purchaser/vendor *        Veer Palthe Voute NV                         
                                                                               
Company dealt in                  UK Coal PLC                                  
                                                                               
Relevant security dealt in        Ordinary 1p shares                           
                                                                               
If a connected EFM, name of                                                    
offeree/offeror with which                                                     
connected                                                                      
                                                                               
If a connected EFM, nature of                                                  
connection #                                                                   
                                                                               
Date of dealing                   25th August 2005                             

DEALINGS *

Amount bought                Price per unit (currency must be       
                             stated)                                
                                                                    
Amount sold                  Price per unit (currency must be       
                             stated)                                
                                                                    
3,312                        £1.4250                                

Resultant total amount and        3,621,883 2.439%                             
percentage of the same relevant                                                
security owned or controlled                                                   

IS A SUPPLEMENTAL FORM 8 (DERIVATIVE)/FORM 8 (OPTION) ATTACHED? NO

Date of disclosure                25th August 2005                             
                                                                               
Contact name                      Andrew Stevens                               
                                                                               
Telephone number                  020 7475 5472                                

* Specify the owner or controller in addition to the person dealing. The naming
of nominees or vehicle companies is insufficient. In the case of disclosure of
dealings by fund managers on behalf of discretionary clients, the clients need
not be named.

# See the definition of "connected fund managers and principal traders" in the
Definitions Section of the Code.

* If disclosing dealings/holdings in derivatives or options, please attach
Supplemental Form 8 (Derivative) or Supplemental Form 8 (Option), as
appropriate.

For details of the Code's dealing disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 and its
Notes which can be viewed on the Takeover Panel's website at 
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.


END