PCX Patriot Coal Corp.

ST. LOUIS, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE: PCX) announced that Apogee Coal, Patriot's Logan County complex, received the Employer of the Year Award from WorkForce West Virginia, an affiliate of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.  The award was presented during the "Building Workforce Success Together" conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.  

"One of Patriot's core values is to hire and retain the most qualified people and maximize their opportunities through personal growth and development," stated Patriot President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Whiting.  "Our employees are key to the success of our operations.  We are pleased to receive this award in recognition of our employee development and training programs and our commitment to building a skilled workforce devoted to a culture of safety and continuous improvement."

About Patriot Coal

Patriot Coal Corporation is a leading producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with 14 active mining complexes in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin.  The Company ships to domestic and international electricity generators, industrial users and metallurgical coal customers, and controls approximately 1.9 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves.  The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PCX.

SOURCE Patriot Coal Corporation