Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. Files Initial Public Offering Registration Statement.

TULSA, Okla. -- Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. ("AHGP") today announced the filing of a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of 11,000,000 of its common units representing limited partner interests. The underwriters will be granted an additional 30-day option to purchase up to 1,650,000 additional units. AHGP has applied to list its common units on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol "AHGP."

AHGP was recently formed to own certain general partner interests, all of the incentive distribution rights and 15,550,628 common units in Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (Nasdaq:ARLP).

Lehman Brothers will act as sole book-running manager. A copy of the prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Lehman Brothers c/o ADP Financial Services, Integrated Distribution Services, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, fax: [phone], email: [e-mail].

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus.

About Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. is a limited partnership formed to own and control Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, the managing general partner of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., through which it will hold a 1.98% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. In addition, Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. will own 15,550,628 common units of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

About Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. is a diversified producer and marketer of steam coal to major United States utilities and industrial users. Alliance Resource Partners, the nation's only publicly traded master limited partnership involved in the production and marketing of coal, is currently the fifth largest coal producer in the eastern United States with operations in all major eastern coalfields. Alliance Resource Partners currently operates seven underground mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland; one surface mining operation in Kentucky; and is developing two additional underground mines, one in Kentucky and one in West Virginia.

Partnership news, unit prices and additional information about Alliance Resource Partners, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at http://www.arlp.com. For more information, contact Alliance Resource Partners investor relations department at 918-295-7624 or via e-mail at [e-mail].