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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 pertaining to the Belden & Blake Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan of our report dated March 17, 2000, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Belden & Blake Corporation included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
May 31, 2000
