WTN 08-13
TSX: WTN and WTN.DB and AIM: WTN

Western Canadian Coal Closes Short-term
Financing and Reduces Debt

Vancouver, B.C. May [2], 2008 - Western Canadian Coal Corp (TSX: WTN, WTN.WT and WTN.DB and AIM: WTN) (the "Company" or "Western") announces that it has closed the US$ 30 million financing with Audley European Opportunities Master Fund Limited ("Audley"). As noted on April 25, 2008, the financing has been used to repay the existing project financing facility with the current lending syndicate and will allow the Company to accelerate expansion plans at the Willow Creek mine.

The Company is also pleased to announce that as at April 30, 2008, it had reduced its long-term debt by $19.1 million. This was completed through $12.7 million of principal from the 7.5% debentures being converted into 3,172,500 common shares and $6.4 million of principal from the 8.5% debentures being converted into 8,492,007 common shares. As at April 30, 2008, the Company has 127,927,847 common shares outstanding.

About Audley

Audley European Opportunities Master Fund is advised by Audley Capital Advisors LLP. A partner of Audley, Mr. Julian Treger, is a member of Western's Board. Audley also holds US$ 30 million of the company's convertible debentures and warrants to purchase up to 2.6 million common shares of the Company. Upon full conversion of all of the Company's convertible debentures, warrants and options, Audley would hold 46,940,000 common shares of the Company, representing approximately 19% of the total number of common shares in the Company.

About Western Canadian Coal

Western Canadian Coal Corp. produces 3.7 million tonnes of high quality metallurgical coal from three mines located in the northeast of British Columbia. The Company also has interests in various coal properties in northern and southern British Columbia and a 50% interest in the Belcourt Saxon Limited Partnership, which was formed to explore and develop the Belcourt and Saxon group of properties in northern BC. Currently, these properties provide the Company with an estimated 15 years of coal reserves at current production levels.

For further information contact:
David Jan, Manager, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Phone: (604) 608-2692
Email: djan@westerncoal.com