Alpha Natural Resources Fills New Executive-Level Role

ABINGDON, Va., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpha Natural Resources Inc. , a leading Appalachian coal producer, announced that Gary W. Banbury has joined the company as Vice President-Administration, a newly created executive role to proactively deal with the human capital aspects of its business.

Banbury, 54, will oversee the company's leadership and employee development and training programs, wage and benefit policies, and will actively support continuous improvement of Alpha's company-wide behavior based safety program. He also will be responsible for recruiting and retention systems, other key administrative duties and will play a key role ensuring the smooth integration of personnel in future acquisitions or mergers.

Banbury comes to Alpha with more than 20 years of executive, human resources and administration experience in the mining sector, including management positions at Cyprus Minerals Co., Sonora Mining Corp. and Louisiana Land & Exploration. Most recently he was Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Safety and Chief Administrative Officer for Coeur D'Alene Mines Corp. , a multinational producer of silver and gold.

"We're convinced that the human capital issue is a key one for our sector in the coming years and it needs to be dealt with on a proactive basis," said Kevin Crutchfield, Alpha's president. "Gary has both the proven skill set and passion for the business to ensure that Alpha develops world-class professional, technical and leadership qualities we need to achieve our long-term strategic goals."

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources is a leading supplier of high-quality Appalachian coal to electric utilities, steel producers and heavy industry. Approximately 91 percent of the company's reserve base is high Btu coal and 82 percent is low sulfur, qualities that are in high demand among electric utilities which use steam coal. Alpha is also one of the nation's largest producers and exporters of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel manufacturing. Alpha and its subsidiaries currently operate mining complexes in four states, consisting of 58 mines feeding 11 coal preparation and blending plants. The company and its subsidiaries employ approximately 3,700 people.

ANRG