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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">May 3, 2012</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 0.5pt solid"><B>JAMES
RIVER COAL COMPANY</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 25%; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Virginia &nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; padding-bottom: 1pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 25%; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>000-51129 &nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; padding-bottom: 1pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 25%; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>54-1602012 &nbsp;</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
    of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Commission<BR> File Number)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(IRS Employer<BR> Identification
    No.)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>901
    E. Byrd Street, Suite 1600, Richmond, Virginia</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; padding-bottom: 1pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>23219 &nbsp;</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Address
    of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">(804) 780-3000</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 100%; padding-top: 0; padding-right: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 0; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">Not Applicable</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(<I>see</I> General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in">ITEM 2.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">The
Company today issued a press release, attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, regarding its results of operations for the first quarter
ended March 31, 2012.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in">ITEM 7.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">The
Company will hold a conference call today regarding its results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Materials
to be discussed in the conference call are attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">The
information in this report (including Exhibits&nbsp;99.1 and 99.2) is being furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K
and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&ldquo;Exchange Act&rdquo;), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements in this Form 8-K are &ldquo;forward-looking statements&rdquo; within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Statements regarding future events and developments and the future performance of the Company, as well as management&rsquo;s expectations,
beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, the following: a change in the demand for coal by electric utility customers; the loss of one or more of our
largest customers; inability to secure new coal supply agreements or to extend existing coal supply agreements at market prices;
our dependency on one railroad for transportation of a large percentage of our products; failure to exploit additional coal reserves;
the risk that reserve estimates are inadequate; failure to diversify our operations; increased capital expenditures; encountering
difficult mining conditions; increased costs of complying with mine health and safety regulations; bottlenecks or other difficulties
in transporting coal to our customers; delays in the development of new mining projects; increased cost of raw materials; the effects
of litigation, regulation and competition; lack of availability of financing sources; our compliance with debt covenants; the risk
that we are unable to successfully integrate acquired assets into the business; our cash flows, results of operation or financial
condition; the consummation of acquisition, disposition or financing transactions and the effect thereof on our business; governmental
policies and regulatory actions; legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; weather conditions
or catastrophic weather-related damage; our production capabilities; availability of transportation; market demand for coal, electricity
and steel; competition; our relationships with, and other conditions affecting, our customers; employee workforce factors; our
assumptions concerning economically recoverable coal reserve estimates; future economic or capital market conditions; our plans
and objectives for future operations and expansion or consolidation; our ability to integrate successfully operations that we have
or may acquire or develop in the future, including those of International Resource Partners LP and its subsidiaries (collectively,
IRP), or the risk that any such integration could be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the consummation of
financing transactions, acquisitions or dispositions and the related effects on our business; uncertainty of our expected financial
performance following the completion of the acquisition of IRP; disruption from the acquisition of IRP making it more difficult
to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and the other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company&rsquo;s management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however,
you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of
the date of such statements. T<FONT STYLE="color: black">he Company</FONT> undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in"><B>ITEM 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND EXHIBITS</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 80%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-left: 0.5in">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 14%; padding: 0; text-align: left; tab-stops: 1.0in; text-autospace: none; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 86%; padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; text-indent: 0">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-autospace: none; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">99.1</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-autospace: none; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">Press release dated May 3, 2012 for the first quarter earnings</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">99.2</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-autospace: none; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 0">Discussion materials for May 3, 2012 conference call</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>



<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">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
hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">(Registrant)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0; width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0; width: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0; width: 35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0; width: 10%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Samuel M. Hopkins II</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">Samuel M. Hopkins II</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 0; text-align: left; text-autospace: none; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Date: May 3, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "James River Coal CO", "cik": "0001297720", "assigned-sic": "1221", "irs-number": "541602012", "state-of-incorporation": "VA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-51129", "film-number": "12807280"}, "business-address": {"street1": "901 E. BYRD STREET", "street2": "SUITE 1600", "city": "RICHMOND", "state": "VA", "zip": "23219", "phone": "804-780-3000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "901 E. BYRD STREET", "street2": "SUITE 1600", "city": "RICHMOND", "state": "VA", "zip": "23219"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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)
May 3, 2012
JAMES
RIVER COAL COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)
Virginia
000-51129
54-1602012
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification
    No.)
901
    E. Byrd Street, Suite 1600, Richmond, Virginia
23219
(Address
    of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(804) 780-3000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 2.02          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION
The
Company today issued a press release, attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, regarding its results of operations for the first quarter
ended March 31, 2012.
ITEM 7.01         REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
The
Company will hold a conference call today regarding its results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Materials
to be discussed in the conference call are attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto.
The
information in this report (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) is being furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K
and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain statements in this Form 8-K are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Statements regarding future events and developments and the future performance of the Company, as well as management's expectations,
beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, the following: a change in the demand for coal by electric utility customers; the loss of one or more of our
largest customers; inability to secure new coal supply agreements or to extend existing coal supply agreements at market prices;
our dependency on one railroad for transportation of a large percentage of our products; failure to exploit additional coal reserves;
the risk that reserve estimates are inadequate; failure to diversify our operations; increased capital expenditures; encountering
difficult mining conditions; increased costs of complying with mine health and safety regulations; bottlenecks or other difficulties
in transporting coal to our customers; delays in the development of new mining projects; increased cost of raw materials; the effects
of litigation, regulation and competition; lack of availability of financing sources; our compliance with debt covenants; the risk
that we are unable to successfully integrate acquired assets into the business; our cash flows, results of operation or financial
condition; the consummation of acquisition, disposition or financing transactions and the effect thereof on our business; governmental
policies and regulatory actions; legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; weather conditions
or catastrophic weather-related damage; our production capabilities; availability of transportation; market demand for coal, electricity
and steel; competition; our relationships with, and other conditions affecting, our customers; employee workforce factors; our
assumptions concerning economically recoverable coal reserve estimates; future economic or capital market conditions; our plans
and objectives for future operations and expansion or consolidation; our ability to integrate successfully operations that we have
or may acquire or develop in the future, including those of International Resource Partners LP and its subsidiaries (collectively,
IRP), or the risk that any such integration could be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the consummation of
financing transactions, acquisitions or dispositions and the related effects on our business; uncertainty of our expected financial
performance following the completion of the acquisition of IRP; disruption from the acquisition of IRP making it more difficult
to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and the other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however,
you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of
the date of such statements. T
he Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.
ITEM 9.01         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND EXHIBITS
(d)          Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release dated May 3, 2012 for the first quarter earnings
99.2
Discussion materials for May 3, 2012 conference call
SIGNATURES
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
hereunto duly authorized.
JAMES RIVER COAL COMPANY
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Samuel M. Hopkins II
Samuel M. Hopkins II
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Date: May 3, 2012