Fortbridge Media Release

Universal Coal [ASX: UNV] - Change to Universal Coal Board of Directors

Universal Coal Plc (ASX: UNV) has announced that effective from today, the company�s Executive Chairman Tony Harwood has notified the Board of his decision to resign.

Highlights:

* Tony Harwood has announced his resignation from the Board effective immediately
* John Hopkins to step up to Non Executive Chairman from Non Executive Director

As a result of personal reasons, Tony Harwood, after consultation with the Board, has tendered his resignation which will take immediate effect.

The Board has taken the decision to appoint John Hopkins (a current Non Executive Director of Universal) to assume the role of Non Executive Chairman.

The company recognises the substantial effort of Tony, who took the company to IPO and has in his role of Executive Chairman, overseen the proving up of some 600Mt in JORC resources since IPO in December 2010.

The appointment of John Hopkins to Non Executive Chairman is in line with good corporate governance practices and will enable the company to move forward without interruption to strategy or delivery of the company�s planned Kangala project in 2012 and the further advancing of the company�s other assets.

Please see more on the attached announcement

For further information, please contact:

Fortbridge
+61 2 9003 0477
Bill Kemmery
+61 400 122 449