Industry veteran Haywood joined Cline’s board on February 11.

McKnight, who has served as a director since December 2004 and chairman of the board since January 2005, stepped down as of May 18.

He will continue to serve as a director of Cline.

Additionally, board member Peter Elzinga has also resigned from the Cline board.

Elzinga had served as a director since June 2010.

“We are very pleased to have access to Mark's extensive expertise and experience in the mining industry,” chief executive officer Ken Bates said.

“Along with his strong industry background, Mark brings a strategic focus to the company which will be instrumental in Cline moving forward to complete its financial restructuring together with Marret Asset Management … and its ongoing success.

“We wish to thank and express our gratitude to the Hon Bill McKnight and Mr Peter Elzinga for the dedicated, valuable and important service and contributions they have each made to the company.”

Cline Mining holds significant metallurgical coal property interests in British Columbia as well as at the New Elk complex in Colorado.

New Elk’s inferred coal resources total is 104.5Mt; it comprises the Green, Loco, Blue, Bing Canyon Upper, Red, Maxwell, Apache and Allen coal seams in a total plan area of 34,060 acres.

The complex’s seams are classified as low-sulfur, high-volatile B bituminous coal and can be marketed as a high-ash metallurgical-grade coal, a pulverized coal injection coal or a thermal coal.