Davies has been appointed operations executive director at Whitehaven, which owns and operates the Canyon, Tarrawonga, Werris Creek, Rocglen and Sunnyside open cut coal mines and the Narrabri underground project in New South Wales.

Davies, a founding director of Excel Coal which sold to Peabody Energy in 2006, follows former Excel founder and current managing director of Whitehaven Tony Haggarty to the company.

In his role at Excel, Davies had direct responsibility for operations and construction projects.

Mining engineer Davies holds 35 years experience in Australian and international coal and metalliferous mining industries and is a registered mine manager in Australia and South Africa.

Prior to working at Excel and Patrick Corporation, Davies was general manager for Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley No. 1 and Howick mines in NSW (1996-2000); general manager for Agipcoal’s United Collieries in NSW (1991-95); and mining director for BP Coal in Ohio, US (1988-2000).

Davies is currently a member of the advisory board of the Kaplan Infrastructure and Logistics Fund, director of rail provider QR Limited and non-executive director of QMastor.

Subject to shareholder approval, Davies will be issued with 2.5 million new ordinary shares in Whithaven at $A1.55 per share.

He will also be issued 5 million options in three tranches of 1.667 million with a strike price of $1.70. The options will expire in 2013.