Patriot Coal Corporation announced that it received the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Excellence in Reforestation Award, presented by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the US Office of Surface Mining. The award was presented for the reclamation of the Guyan Surface mine in the Logan County complex, near the communities of Yolyn and Amherstdale. Earlier in 2011, the Company received an Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Award for outstanding reclamation at a former surface mine in Kentucky.

The ARRI Excellence in Reforestation Award is presented each year to honor both active and abandoned coal mine reclamation operations from each state in the Appalachian Region that best exemplify the use of the Forestry Reclamation Approach in conducting reclamation operations.

Mr Charles A Ebetino Jr Patriot Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer said "Since 2006, almost 400,000 seedlings have been planted at this reclamation site. The project included two wildlife research plots with native species that will assist Patriot and other coal producers in incorporating native plants into future reclamation activities across the region. We are very pleased to receive this award in recognition of our ongoing environmental stewardship efforts."