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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 6, 2000
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
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(Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 333-39643 52-1990183
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Number) Identification No.)
2708 Cranberry Square
Morgantown, West Virginia 26508
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(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (304) 594-1616
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ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
FORM 8-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.................... 1
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS................................ 1
SIGNATURE PAGE........................................................... 1
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
At the request of its Board of Directors, Anker Coal Group,
Inc. (the "Company") solicited bids from several nationally recognized
independent accounting firms, including PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the
Company's current auditors, to serve as its auditors for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2000. On September 6, 2000,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP advised the Company that it would not submit
a bid to provide those services to the Company. Accordingly, effective
September 7, 2000, the Audit Committee recommended and the Board of
Directors of the Company approved the engagement of KPMG as the
Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2000 to replace the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the year ended
December 31, 1998, was modified for an uncertainty related to the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the year ended December 31, 1999,
included an emphasis paragraph regarding the Company's significant
losses in 1999 and 1998 and significant future debt service payments
beginning in 2001.
In connection with the audits of the Company's financial
statements for each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1999,
and in the subsequent interim period ending September 6, 2000, there
were no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matters of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or
auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP would have caused
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to make reference to the matter in their
report. The Company has requested PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to furnish
it a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with
the above statements. A copy of that letter, dated September 11, 2000,
is filed as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Letter from Registrant's Certifying Accountant
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ANKER COAL GROUP, INC.
/s/ Bruce Sparks
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Bruce Sparks
President
Date: September 12, 2000
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