AHGP Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. Representing Limited Partner Interests (delisted)

Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. (NASDAQ: AHGP) today reported strong financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (the "2016 Quarter") and announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner (the "Board") approved a distribution to unitholders of $0.55 per unit (an annualized rate of $2.20 per unit) for the 2016 Quarter, payable on November 18, 2016 to AHGP's unitholders of record as of the close of trading on November 10, 2016. The announced distribution is equal to that declared for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (the "Sequential Quarter") and compares to the unitholder distribution of $0.96 per unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 (the "2015 Quarter").

AHGP's principal sources of cash flow are its ownership of general partner interests, limited partner interests and incentive distribution rights in Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP). The declared distribution is based on the distribution AHGP will receive from its ownership interests in ARLP, which today announced a quarterly distribution for the 2016 Quarter of $0.4375 per unit, or $1.75 per unit on an annualized basis, payable on November 14, 2016 to all unitholders of record as of the close of trading on November 7, 2016. (See ARLP Press Release dated October 28, 2016.)

AHGP also reported net income for the 2016 Quarter of $48.5 million, or net income per basic and diluted limited partner interest of $0.81 per unit, compared to net income for the 2015 Quarter of $56.1 million, or $0.94 per basic and diluted limited partner unit. AHGP's net income for the 2016 Quarter increased approximately 6.9% compared to net income for the Sequential Quarter of $45.4 million, or net income per basic and diluted limited partner interest of $0.76 per unit.

Operating results for AHGP reflect those of the operating subsidiaries of ARLP and, as a result, AHGP reports its financial results on a consolidated basis with the financial results of ARLP. Consolidated net income includes earnings and losses attributable to both AHGP and non-controlling interests. Unless otherwise noted, any reference to net income in this release represents Net Income Attributable to AHGP.

Based on ARLP's current declared distribution, AHGP expects to receive quarterly cash distributions from ARLP of $33.4 million, or $133.6 million on an annualized basis. AHGP's primary cash requirements are for working capital, distributions to its unitholders and, for the 2016 full year, an estimated $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses.

AHGP and ARLP will discuss their 2016 Quarter financial results during a joint conference call scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. To participate in the conference call, dial (855) 793-3259 and provide conference number 42634095. International callers should dial (631) 485-4928 and provide the same conference number. Investors may also listen to the call via the "investor information" section of ARLP's website at http://www.arlp.com or AHGP's website at http://www.ahgp.com.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available for approximately one week. To access the audio replay, dial (855) 859-2056 and provide conference number 42634095. International callers should dial (404) 537-3406 and provide the same conference number.

This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b), with 100% of the partnership's distributions to foreign investors attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, AHGP's distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable tax rate.

About Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.

AHGP is a limited partnership formed to own and control Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, the managing general partner of ARLP, through which it holds a 1.98% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in ARLP. In addition, AHGP owns 31,088,338 common units of ARLP.

News, unit prices and additional information about AHGP including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at http://www.ahgp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of AHGP at (918) 295-1415 or via e-mail at investorrelations@ahgp.com.

The statements and projections used throughout this release are based on current expectations. These statements and projections are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. These statements do not include the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations that may occur after the date of this release. At the end of this release, we have included more information regarding business risks that could affect our results.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: With the exception of historical matters, any matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in competition in coal markets and the ARLP Partnership's ability to respond to such changes; changes in coal prices, which could affect the ARLP Partnership's operating results and cash flows; risks associated with the ARLP Partnership's expansion of its operations and properties; legislation, regulations, and court decisions and interpretations thereof, including those relating to the environment, mining, miner health and safety and health care; deregulation of the electric utility industry or the effects of any adverse change in the coal industry, electric utility industry, or general economic conditions; dependence on significant customer contracts, including renewing customer contracts upon expiration of existing contracts; changing global economic conditions or in industries in which the ARLP Partnership's customers operate; liquidity constraints, including those resulting from any future unavailability of financing; customer bankruptcies, cancellations or breaches to existing contracts, or other failures to perform; customer delays, failure to take coal under contracts or defaults in making payments; adjustments made in price, volume or terms to existing coal supply agreements; fluctuations in coal demand, prices and availability; the ARLP Partnership's productivity levels and margins earned on its coal sales; changes in raw material costs; changes in the availability of skilled labor; the ARLP Partnership's ability to maintain satisfactory relations with its employees; increases in labor costs, adverse changes in work rules, or cash payments or projections associated with post-mine reclamation and workers' compensation claims; increases in transportation costs and risk of transportation delays or interruptions; operational interruptions due to geologic, permitting, labor, weather-related or other factors; risks associated with major mine-related accidents, such as mine fires, or interruptions; results of litigation, including claims not yet asserted; difficulty maintaining the ARLP Partnership's surety bonds for mine reclamation as well as workers' compensation and black lung benefits; difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding pension, black lung benefits and other post-retirement benefit liabilities; the coal industry's share of electricity generation, including as a result of environmental concerns related to coal mining and combustion and the cost and perceived benefits of other sources of electricity, such as natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable fuels; uncertainties in estimating and replacing the ARLP Partnership's coal reserves; a loss or reduction of benefits from certain tax deductions and credits; difficulty obtaining commercial property insurance, and risks associated with the ARLP Partnership's participation (excluding any applicable deductible) in the commercial insurance property program; and difficulty in making accurate assumptions and projections regarding future revenues and costs associated with equity investments in companies we do not control.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in AHGP's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including AHGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016 and AHGP's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, filed on May 10, 2016 and August 5, 2016, respectively, with the SEC. Except as required by applicable securities laws, AHGP does not intend to update its forward-looking statements.

                    ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OPERATING DATA (In thousands, except unit and per unit data) (Unaudited)   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES: Coal sales $ 533,817 $ 547,466 $ 1,357,578 $ 1,632,493 Transportation revenues 7,692 9,395 19,732 24,323 Other sales and operating revenues   10,457     9,481     26,422     74,445   Total revenues   551,966     566,342     1,403,732     1,731,261     EXPENSES: Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 347,711 336,527 847,513 1,045,954 Transportation expenses 7,692 9,395 19,732 24,323 Outside coal purchases 1,514 2 1,514 326 General and administrative 18,987 18,356 55,175 53,659 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 80,612 84,661 240,640 242,730 Asset impairment   —     10,695     —     10,695   Total operating expenses 456,516 459,636 1,164,574 1,377,687   INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 95,450 106,706 239,158 353,574 Interest expense, net (8,001 ) (7,352 ) (23,386 ) (23,626 ) Interest income 3 286 11 1,422 Equity in income (loss) of affiliates, net 1,105 (17,221 ) 1,041 (49,049 ) Other income   293     455     545     750     INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 88,850 82,874 217,369 283,071   INCOME TAX EXPENSE   6     12     4     18     NET INCOME 88,844 82,862 217,365 283,053 LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS   (40,337 )   (26,765 )   (92,643 )   (100,476 )   NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. ("NET INCOME OF AHGP") $ 48,507   $ 56,097   $ 124,722   $ 182,577     BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME OF AHGP PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT $ 0.81   $ 0.94   $ 2.08   $ 3.05     DISTRIBUTIONS PAID PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT $ 0.55   $ 0.96   $ 2.06   $ 2.8125     WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING – BASIC AND DILUTED   59,863,000     59,863,000     59,863,000     59,863,000               ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except unit data) (Unaudited)   September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,876 $ 38,678 Trade receivables 146,209 122,875 Other receivables 492 696 Due from affiliates 32 38 Inventories, net 89,904 121,081 Advance royalties, net 2,016 6,820 Prepaid expenses and other assets   18,240     29,890   Total current assets 282,769 320,078 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment, at cost 2,994,420 3,044,260 Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization   (1,352,117 )   (1,243,985 ) Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,642,303 1,800,275 OTHER ASSETS: Advance royalties, net 30,872 21,295 Equity investments in affiliate 128,051 64,509 Goodwill 136,399 136,399 Other long-term assets   28,411     23,960   Total other assets   323,733     246,163   TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,248,805   $ 2,366,516     LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 63,797 $ 84,058 Due to affiliates 44 129 Accrued taxes other than income taxes 22,016 15,621 Accrued payroll and related expenses 43,396 37,031 Accrued interest 2,607 306 Workers’ compensation and pneumoconiosis benefits 8,701 8,688 Current capital lease obligations 27,035 19,764 Other current liabilities 15,420 18,929 Current maturities, long-term debt, net   509,155     238,086   Total current liabilities 692,171 422,612 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, net 144,949 579,420 Pneumoconiosis benefits 62,529 60,077 Accrued pension benefit 38,239 39,031 Workers’ compensation 50,051 47,486 Asset retirement obligations 124,925 122,434 Long-term capital lease obligations 92,376 80,150 Other liabilities   13,647     21,174   Total long-term liabilities   526,716     949,772   Total liabilities   1,218,887     1,372,384     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES   PARTNERS’ CAPITAL: Alliance Holdings GP, L.P. ("AHGP") Partners’ Capital: Limited Partners – Common Unitholders 59,863,000 units outstanding 568,736 567,259 Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (14,676 )   (14,875 ) Total AHGP Partners’ Capital 554,060 552,384 Noncontrolling interests   475,858     441,748   Total Partners’ Capital   1,029,918     994,132   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL $ 2,248,805   $ 2,366,516           ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GP, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015   CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: $ 491,960 $ 527,210   CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Property, plant and equipment: Capital expenditures (70,267 ) (159,182 ) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (7,965 ) (3,093 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 756 1,519 Purchases of equity investments in affiliates (65,367 ) (47,624 ) Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (1,011 ) (74,953 ) Payment for acquisition of customer contracts (23,000 ) — Advances/loans to affiliate — (7,300 ) Other   2,167     1,807   Net cash used in investing activities   (164,687 )   (288,826 )   CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings under securitization facility 44,600 6,500 Payments under securitization facility (27,700 ) (6,500 ) Payments on term loan (106,250 ) (20,319 ) Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 140,000 463,000 Payments under revolving credit facilities (215,000 ) (200,000 ) Payment on long-term debt — (205,000 ) Proceeds on capital lease transactions 33,881 — Payments on capital lease obligations (17,769 ) (994 ) Contributions to consolidated company from affiliate noncontrolling interest 2,557 1,483 Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan (1,336 ) (2,719 ) Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests (69,680 ) (87,623 ) Distributions paid to Partners (123,318 ) (168,365 ) Other   (60 )   (5,583 ) Net cash used in financing activities   (340,075 )   (226,120 )   NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (12,802 ) 12,264   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 38,678 28,274     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 25,876   $ 40,538  

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Alliance Holdings GP, L.P.Brian L. Cantrell, 918-295-7673