Simpson takes the seat from a retiring Joseph “Blair” McGill, who plans to step down in January 2011 after 12 years with Patriot.

He will report to senior vice-president of underground mining James Magro.

With 35 years of experience in underground mining and management, Simpson has a strong background in longwall mining from the prolific Pittsburgh coal seam.

"Pete's significant prior experience running mines in northern Appalachia will be invaluable in this new role overseeing our federal longwall mine,” Patriot chief executive officer Richard Whiting said of the West Virginia University alum.

“We intend to draw on Pete's expertise as we continue to optimize operations at this important property.”

Including Federal No. 2, Patriot has 14 active mining complexes in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin and controls approximately 1.8 billion tons of proven and probable reserves.