FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2015 CONTACT: media@coalsource.com MURRAY AMERICAN ENERGY, INC. HIRING LEVELS AND MINE IDLING Murray American Energy, Inc. (“Murray American”) has had 4,000 employees at its West Virginia Mines, which was about 400 more jobs than existed at the time of the December, 2013 acquisition of its Mines. We regret that, due to the vastly increased use of natural gas in the Ohio Valley area to generate electricity, the ongoing destruction of the United States coal industry by President Barack Obama, and the excessive coal severance tax in the State of West Virginia, workforce reductions and operational changes have been forced upon the Company. Specifically, the following employment changes are required at this time: 1. The Marshall County Coal Company – Two hundred sixty-one (261) hourly and ninety-eight (98) salaried positions must be eliminated at The Marshall County Coal Company (“Marshall County”) Marshall County Mine. There are still seven hundred ninety-four (794) jobs at this Mine, which are some of the highest paying and best benefited jobs available in our communities. 2. The Marion County Coal Company – One hundred seventy-one (171) hourly and forty-five (45) salaried positions must be eliminated The Marion County Coal Company (“Marion County”) Marion County Mine. There are still four hundred seventy-six (476) jobs at this Mine, which are some of the highest paying and best benefited jobs available in our communities. 3. The Ohio County Coal Company – One hundred twenty-three (123) hourly and twenty-three (23) salaried positions must be eliminated at The Ohio County Coal Company (“Ohio County”) Ohio County Mine. There are still five hundred thirty-seven (537) jobs at this Mine, which are some of the highest paying and best benefited jobs available in our communities. 4. The Harrison County Coal Company – Ninety-two (92) hourly and sixteen (16) salaried positions must be eliminated at The Harrison County Coal Company (“Harrison County”) Harrison County Mine. There are still five hundred fifty-three (553) jobs at this Mine, which are some of the highest paying and best benefited jobs available in our communities. 5. The Monongalia County Coal Company – Notices have been sent to employees of The Monongalia County Coal Company (“Monongalia County”) Monongalia County Mine, indicating that the Mine will be idled and certain of the five hundred eighty-nine (589) employees will be laid off for an indefinite period of time, effective July 21, 2015. Again, Murray American had increased its West Virginia employment by about 400 jobs since its inception, and directly employed around 4,000 people in the State of West Virginia. Any questions should be directed to media@coalsource.com. ***