Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. Announces Deployment of New Proximity Detection Systems

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) today announced that several of its independent operating subsidiaries have begun deployment of a newly-developed product – a proximity detection system designed to improve the safety of continuous mining machines used in underground operations. To date, ARLP operating companies have installed seven proximity detection systems on continuous miners in production at five underground coal mines.

The new system was developed and designed by Matrix Design Group, LLC (Matrix), a subsidiary of ARLP. Matrix began development of its proximity detection technology in 2005. Its current technology, the Matrix Mine Monitor (M3), provides a practical, mine-duty system that trains operators to remain clear of unsafe areas, or "red zones,” by warnings and machine shut-downs. Matrix recently entered into a partnership with Joy Mining Machinery (Joy) to offer a highly reliable proximity detection system for the entire range of Joy continuous miners. Matrix is currently conducting field tests and anticipates the system will be commercially available in the U.S. market in early 2011.

"Alliance is committed to serving as a leader at the forefront of mine safety technology,” said Joseph W. Craft III, ARLP President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our operating companies share this commitment and are working diligently to complete installations of the Matrix proximity detection system on their entire fleet of continuous miners.”

Aric Pryor, Matrix President, added, "Matrix is pleased that ARLP operating companies have begun deployment of our M3 proximity detection system. All of us at Matrix are excited for this opportunity to advance the development of this new cutting-edge technology and we look forward to the opportunity to provide the mining industry with proximity detection technology through our partnership with Joy.”

About Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

ARLP is a diversified producer and marketer of coal to major United States utilities and industrial users. ARLP, the nation's first publicly traded master limited partnership involved in the production and marketing of coal, is currently the fifth largest coal producer in the eastern United States with mining operations in the Illinois Basin, Northern Appalachian and Central Appalachian coal producing regions. ARLP operates nine mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia and is also constructing a new mining complex in West Virginia. In addition, ARLP operates a coal loading terminal on the Ohio River at Mount Vernon, Indiana.

News, unit prices and additional information about ARLP, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available at http://www.arlp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of ARLP at (918) 295-7674 or via e-mail at investorrelations@arlp.com.

About Matrix Design Group, LLC

Matrix is a designer, developer and marketer of safety and productivity technology for use in the underground mining industry. Its innovative and industry leading products include wireless tracking and communications systems, mine atmospheric monitoring systems and proximity detection systems. Matrix is a subsidiary of ARLP.