PCX Patriot Coal Corp.

ST. LOUIS, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE: PCX) today announced that a number of its operations received safety awards from the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association.  Awards were presented based on the best safety record in 2011 by size of operation in each of the Councils of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association.  Additionally, the Company's Eastern Associated Construction Crew earned an Outstanding Safety Performance award recognizing 11 years without a lost-time accident.  Recognized for their safety performance were:

"A comprehensive safety program is one of our key strengths," said Patriot Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Bennett K. Hatfield.  "We are pleased to once again receive Holmes awards recognizing the exemplary safety performance of our coal miners.  In total, Patriot operations have received nearly 50 safety-related awards in the last two years alone."

About Patriot Coal

Patriot Coal Corporation is a leading producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with 13 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