U.S. Department of Interior Honors Patriot With Good Neighbor Award

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE: PCX) today announced that its subsidiary, Patriot Coal Company, LP, has been selected to receive the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining's 2009 Silver Good Neighbor Award for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining. Patriot Coal Company, LP was awarded this honor for exemplary stewardship in restoring surface mining land located in Henderson County, Kentucky.

"As a part of our reclamation efforts, not only did we restore land for agricultural use, but a portion of the reclaimed land will become a significant part of the Henderson County Park system," said Patriot Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Whiting. "I commend our employees for being a good neighbor in their local community and creating a long-lasting legacy for generations to come."

In selecting winners for this award, the Office of Surface Mining recognizes the highest achievements in preparing mined land for long-term agricultural use while at the same time building enduring community infrastructure. State mining regulatory agencies select state-level winners, which are forwarded to the Office of Surface Mining for the selection of national award winners.

About Patriot Coal

Patriot Coal Corporation is a leading producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with 14 current mining complexes in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. The Company ships to domestic and international electric utilities, industrial users and metallurgical coal customers, and controls approximately 1.8 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PCX.