Peabody Energy announced new appointments across the company's Midwest and Colorado operations in the United States, as well as at the Metropolitan Mine in New South Wales, Australia:

Mr Marc Hathhorn joins the company as senior vice president Midwest Operations, with responsibility to lead Peabody's five surface and five underground coal mines across Illinois and Indiana. He reports to Charles Meintjes, Group Executive Midwest and Colorado and he is based at the Midwest regional office in Evansville, Ind. Hathhorn brings to Peabody almost two decades of extensive international mining, transportation infrastructure and engineering experience. Prior to Peabody, he served as Vice President of Mining Operations for Drummond Company's coal operations in Colombia, South America. In addition, Hathhorn managed the Santa Marta Port for Drummond and was Mine Operations Superintendent at the company's Pribbenow Mine. He also has held roles of increasing responsibility with Newmont Gold Corporation's surface operations in Nevada, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from the University of Idaho's College of Mines in Moscow, Idaho.

Mr E Jason Davis has been named general manager of the Metropolitan Mine in New South Wales, Australia, with responsibility for the underground operation and surface facilities. He reports to Neville McAlary, Senior Vice President Operations Underground for Peabody Energy Australia. Davis most recently was General Manager Colorado Operations in the United States. He also has served as Superintendent Operations at the underground Twentymile Mine near Steamboat Springs, Colo. His previous experience also includes mine engineering and supervisory roles for Peabody in the Midwest, Western Kentucky and West Virginia. Davis joined Peabody in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Succeeding Mr Davis as general manager Colorado Operations is Mr Patrick Sollars. Mr Sollars assumes responsibility for the Twentymile Mine in Colorado. He will report to Kent Holcomb, Vice President of Operations Support Midwest and Colorado. Mr Sollars has more than two decades of coal mining experience at Twentymile, including most recently in the role of Superintendent Operations. He also has held engineering, production and maintenance roles across the operation. Sollars has a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from the Montana College of Mineral Sciences and Technology.