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ST. LOUIS, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE:PCX - News) today announced that its five mine rescue teams turned in outstanding results at the Southern West Virginia Mine Rescue Contest held recently in Beckley, West Virginia, including first place awards in eight of the nine events.  The competition included mine rescue, first aid, and pre-shift events.  Patriot's Federal #2 team won the Grand Champion award, while the Company's Southern Appalachia team won third place in this event.  In total, Patriot's teams won 70 percent of the awards given at the competition.
"We are very pleased with these results, particularly as we lead up to the National Mine Rescue Championships to be held next month.  Considering there were nearly 50 mine rescue teams from nine states that participated in this event, our teams achieved excellent results," noted Patriot President & Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Whiting.  "Maintaining top-tier mine rescue teams is a key component of our comprehensive safety program.  I congratulate all five of our mine rescue teams on their winning performances, and I thank our team members for their ongoing efforts to promote a safe workplace."

MCT REGIONAL NEWS
By Bill Archer
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Sept. 15--BRUSHFORK -- The entrance to the National Guard Armory in Brushfork was jammed with traffic as 237 vendors from 37 states, and three foreign countries opened their booths at the 19th biennial Bluefield Coal Show sponsored by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Former International Coal Group Inc. President and CEO Ben Hatfield has taken a job with Patriot Coal Corp.
St. Louis-based Patriot Coal announced Wednesday that it has named Hatfield as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Patriot says the 54-year-old Hatfield will be based in Charleston.
Hatfield had served as ICG's chief executive for six years before Arch Coal bought the company in June.
Patriot says Hatfield's appointment is part of a reorganization of senior management.
Patriot operates coal mines in West Virginia and Kentucky.

At the Annual Media Appreciation Breakfast of the Bluefield Coal Show, West Virginia Coal Association Chairman Gary White today announced the Association’s endorsement of acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in the Oct. 4 special election for governor.  

White said the decision by the Association’s Executive Committee is in recognition of Tomblin’s lifetime of service to the people of West Virginia and his proven record of fiscal responsibility and leadership while serving as president of the Senate.