SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (OTC Pink: PATCA) today announced that the State of West Virginia presented the Bart B. Lay Jr. Milestones of Safety Award to the Samples surface mine for achieving the highest safety performance among surface coal mines in the state. Samples surface mine is part of the Paint Creek complex.

Additionally, Patriot operations received six Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards for outstanding safety performance. The following operations received the award in their respective categories:


    --  Eagle underground mine at the Kanawha Eagle mining complex;
    --  Winchester underground mine at the Paint Creek mining complex;
    --  Speed underground mine at the Panther mining complex;
    --  South Hollow Plant at the Kanawha Eagle mining complex;
    --  Tom's Fork Loadout at the Paint Creek complex;
    --  Thunderhill surface mine at the Wells complex

"The safety of our employees is the first priority in all aspects of our business," noted Patriot Executive Vice President - Operations Michael D. Day. "We are pleased that these Patriot operations are being recognized for strong safety performance and are honored to receive these prestigious awards. It is particularly rewarding to have our employees at the Samples surface mine recognized for achieving the top safety performance for a surface mine within our state."

Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards are presented each year by the West Virginia Coal Association to mining operations that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety. Inspectors for the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety & Training nominate facilities based on numerous safety-related criteria, including below average injury incidence rates and effective safety programs.

About Patriot Coal
 Patriot Coal Corporation is a producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with 8 active mining complexes in North and Central Appalachia. Patriot ships to domestic and international electricity generators, industrial users and metallurgical coal customers, and controls approximately 1.4 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves.

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SOURCE Patriot Coal Corporation