Peabody Operations Win Multiple Awards at MSHA National Mine Rescue Competition

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peabody Energy teams took first place in 13 categories and won four of the seven national champion trophies presented at the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration National Mine Rescue Competition in Louisville, Ky. The annual competition tests the skills of mine rescue and first aid teams in a simulated emergency, which helps employees hone their safety preparedness skills.

"Safety is our number one priority. We're proud of our leadership in achieving the highest standards of safety readiness while working toward our ultimate vision of operating a safe and incident free workplace," said Group Vice President of U.S. Eastern Operations Jiri Nemec.

Peabody's constant focus on best practices, expanded training and improved communication has enabled the company to improve its safety performance 75 percent since 1990.

Winners in the Louisville competition include: Lifetime Achievement Award -- Gary McHenry, Federal No. 2 Mine, West Virginia National Champions First Place -- Pre-shift Examiner, Wayne Stafford, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia -- First Aid, Harvey Ferrell and Nick Reeves, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia -- Combination Mine Rescue/First Aid, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia -- Benchman - BG4 Apparatus, Kyle Blair, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia Second Place -- First Aid, Jackie Repass and Wayne Stafford, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia -- Benchman - BG4 Apparatus, Dave Blankenship, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia Third Place -- Mine Rescue, Southern Appalachia Team, West Virginia -- Combination Mine Rescue/First Aid, Highland Mine, Kentucky -- Benchman - BG4 Apparatus, Brandon Sommers, Twentymile Mine, Colorado -- Benchman - BG174 Apparatus, Harry McGinnis, Federal No. 2 Mine, West Virginia -- Benchman/Biomarine Apparatus, Shawn Miller, Willow Lake Mine, Illinois State Awards First Place -- Colorado State Mine Rescue, Twentymile Mine -- Kentucky Benchman - Biomarine Apparatus, Dwight Baker, Ohio County Coal Company -- Kentucky First Aid, Highland Mine -- Kentucky Mine Rescue, Highland Mine -- West Virginia First Aid, Harvey Ferrell and Nick Reeves, Southern Appalachia Team -- West Virginia Benchman - BG4 Apparatus, Kyle Blair, Southern Appalachia Team -- Benchman - BG174 Apparatus, Harry McGinnis, Southern Appalachia Team -- West Virginia Mine Examiner, Wayne Stafford, Southern Appalachia Team -- West Virginia Combination Mine Rescue/First Aid, Southern Appalachia Team

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2004 sales of 227 million tons and $3.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel more than 10 percent of all U.S. electricity and 3 percent of worldwide electricity.

Use of the words "Peabody," the "company," and "our" relate to Peabody, our subsidiaries and our majority-owned affiliates.

CONTACT: Beth Sutton (505) 287-2636