FORM 8-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported November 5, 2001.


                            HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Kansas                                                               #1-8680
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (Commission File
incorporation)                                                       Number)



200 W. Douglas                                                   #48-0901658
Suite #820                                                     (IRS Employer
Wichita, Kansas  67202                                   Identification No.)
(Address of principal
executive offices)


                                  (316) 269-4310
                         (Registrant's telephone number)





Item 5  Other Information

Wichita, KS, November 5, 2001 -- High Plains Corporation (Nasdaq: HIPC) today
announced earnings of $61,048 for its first fiscal quarter ended September
30, 2001, reporting a profitable quarter in spite of the extended startup
required after the completion of the expansion at its York, Nebraska
facility.

The Company reported nominal net earnings of $61,048 on revenues of
$43,237,455, compared with net earnings of $1,297,597, on revenues of
$29,181,796, for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.  Additional financial
details for the quarters are shown in the table below.

Gary R. Smith, President and CEO of High Plains, cited the downtime
associated with the expansion and subsequent startup of the Company's York,
Nebraska facility as the primary reason that earnings for the quarter were
lower than prior quarters.  "We lost over three million gallons of production
while we were down.  We had expected and budgeted for a one million gallon
shortfall, but there were unexpected difficulties encountered when the plant
resumed production.  The plant has now produced intermittently at the
expanded design rate of 50 million gallons per year.  While production at
this rate is not yet continuous, we are improving production consistency, and
we still expect a strong second quarter of production and profitability,"
said Smith.

The Company will not be holding an earnings conference call at this time.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, High Plains Corporation is among the nation's
largest producers of ethanol.  The company operates facilities in Colwich,
Kansas, York, Nebraska, and Portales, New Mexico.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995.  Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties, including without limitation risks of fluctuations
in feedstock commodity prices, changes in the market prices or demand for
motor fuels and Ethanol, legislative changes regarding air quality, fuel
specifications or incentive programs, as well as general market conditions,
competition and pricing.  The Company believes that forward-looking
statements made by it are based upon reasonable expectations.  However, no
assurances can be given that actual results will not differ materially from
those contained in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information
concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities
and Exchange Commission filings, including its annual 10-K, Proxy Statement
and quarterly 10-Q filings, copies of which are available from the Company
without charge.





                            High Plains Corporation
                            Statement of Operations
                                 (Unaudited)
                Three Months Ended September 30, 2001 and 2000


                                  Three Months       Three Months
                                     ended              ended
                               September 30, 2001  September 30, 2000


Net Sales and revenues           $ 43,237,455        $ 29,181,796

Cost of goods sold                 42,008,612          25,909,342

   Gross profit                     1,228,843           3,272,454

Selling, general and
administrative expense                834,377             804,813

   Operating income/(loss)            394,466           2,467,641

Other income/(expense
 Interest expense                    (349,286)           (489,302)
  Interest and other income            55,189              97,816
  (Loss)/gain on sales of assets         (340)                 --

                                     (294,437)           (391,486)

Net income/(loss) before
  income taxes                        100,029           2,076,155

Income tax expense                    (38,981)           (778,558)

Net earnings/(loss)              $     61,048        $  1,297,597

Basis and diluted
  earnings/(loss) per share      $        .00        $        .08







                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant had duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:     November 5, 2001                 HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION

                                           /s/Gary R. Smith
                                           President & CEO