8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 8, 2008

Patriot Coal Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-33466	20-5622045
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

12312 Olive Boulevard, Suite 400	63141
St. Louis, Missouri	(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (314) 275-3600

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

x Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c)           On May 8, 2008, Patriot Coal Corporation (“Patriot”) entered into an employment agreement with Paul H. Vining, under which Mr. Vining will serve as Patriot’s President and Chief Operating Officer, subject to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which was entered into on April 2, 2008, by and among Patriot, Magnum Coal Company ( “Magnum”), Colt Merger Corporation (“Merger Subsidiary”), and ArcLight Energy Partners Fund I, L.P. and ArcLight Energy Partners Fund II, L.P., acting jointly as the Stockholder Representative (the “Stockholder Representative”) (the “Merger Agreement”), which provides that upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Subsidiary will merge with and into Magnum (the “Merger”), and as a result, Magnum will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Patriot. The employment agreement will become effective only if the effective date of the Merger (the “Closing Date”) occurs on or before the later of September 30, 2008, or such later date to which the End Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is extended by mutual agreement of the parties to the Merger Agreement.  A copy of Mr. Vining’s employment agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

Mr. Vining, age 53, currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Magnum, a position he has held since 2006.  Before joining Trout Coal Holdings, LLC as President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2005, Mr. Vining was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Trading at Arch Coal, Inc., a position he held since June 2005.  Prior to that, from 2002 to 2006, he was President of Ellett Valley CC Inc., a coal trading, marketing and consulting company based in Williamsburg, Virginia.  From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Vining was Executive Vice President for Sales and Trading at Peabody Energy.  From 1996 to 1999, he was President of Peabody COALTRADE.  From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Vining was Senior Vice President of Peabody COALSALES.  Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions with Guasare Coal America, Agipcoal USA, Island Creek Coal and A.T. Massey Coal.  Mr. Vining holds a B.S. in chemistry from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and a B.S. in mineral engineering and a M.S. in extractive metallurgy from Columbia University’s Henry Krumb School of Mines in New York.

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Vining will have an initial employment term of three years, after which his employment will be “at will” unless both parties elect to extend the term.  Mr. Vining’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $600,000.  The employment agreement also provides for an annual performance-based cash bonus with a target amount of 100% of base salary (with a maximum of no less than 175% of base salary), based on achievement of performance targets established by the compensation committee of Patriot.  Mr. Vining will be eligible to receive an annual bonus for calendar year 2008 as if he had been employed by Patriot since January 1, 2008.  Mr. Vining’s employment agreement provides that Mr. Vining will be granted a long-term incentive award on the Closing Date with a value that is at least equal to $3.9 million and will consist of stock options and restricted stock units.  In addition, Mr. Vining will receive annual equity-based compensation incentive compensation awards with a value at least equal to 200% of his base salary.  Mr. Vining’s annual long term incentive award for calendar year 2008 will be made in the form of restricted stock and will be granted on the Closing Date.  Upon the termination of Mr. Vining’s employment due to death or disability, or upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the applicable equity-based plan or award) all outstanding long term incentive awards and any other equity-based awards granted to him by Patriot, other than any performance units, which will be governed by the applicable plan or award, will become immediately and fully vested.  Under the employment agreement, Patriot will pay to Mr. Vining a retention award equal to $1 million, one-half of which will be paid on the first anniversary of

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the date Mr. Vining’s employment with Patriot commences (the “Commencement Date”), provided that he remains employed by Patriot on such date, and the remainder of which shall be paid on the second anniversary of the Commencement Date, provided that he remains employed by Patriot on such date.

The employment agreement provides that if Mr. Vining’s employment is terminated for cause or he resigns without good reason, the compensation due to him will only include accrued but unpaid salary and bonus, incurred but not yet reimbursed business expenses and payment of accrued and vested benefits and unused vacation time.  If his employment is terminated due to death or disability, he will be entitled to receive accrued but unpaid salary and bonus, incurred but not yet reimbursed business expenses and payment of accrued and vested benefits and unused vacation time and a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination.

The employment agreement provides further that, if Mr. Vining’s employment is terminated prior to the third anniversary of the Commencement Date by Patriot without cause or by Mr. Vining for good reason, Mr. Vining will be entitled to an amount equal to two times his base salary, plus an additional amount equal to two times the greater of his target annual bonus for the calendar year of termination or the annual average of his actual annual bonus awards for the three calendar years preceding the date of termination (or, if he has not been employed by Patriot for three full calendar years, for the two or one-year period, as applicable, for which he has been employed and received an annual bonus), plus an additional amount equal to two times six percent of his base salary.  In addition, if Mr. Vining’s employment is terminated by Patriot without cause or by him for good reason and the termination constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Mr. Vining will be entitled to a prorated bonus for the calendar year of termination, calculated as the annual bonus that he would have received in such year based on actual performance.  Patriot will also continue to provide Mr. Vining life insurance, group health coverage, accidental death and dismemberment coverage and a health care flexible spending account for a period of two years following his termination; provided that any such coverage will terminate to the extent Mr. Vining is offered or obtains comparable benefits from another employer.

The employment agreement also provides that to the extent that excise taxes are incurred by Mr. Vining as a result of “excess parachute payments” as defined by IRS regulations, Patriot will pay additional amounts to him so that he will be in the same financial position as if the excise taxes were not incurred.  The employment agreement contains standard provisions concerning confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation.

Under Mr. Vining’s employment agreement, “good reason” is defined as (i) a reduction in his base salary; (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate program of employee benefits and perquisites to which he is entitled (other than a reduction that generally affects all executives); (iii) a material decline in his annualbonus or long term incentive award opportunities (other than a decline that generally affects all executives); (iv) relocation of his primary office by more than 50 miles from the location of his primary office in Charleston, West Virginia or secondary office in Saint Louis, Missouri; or (v) any material diminution or material adverse change in his title, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationships.

Under Mr. Vining’s employment agreement, “cause” is defined as (i) any material and uncorrected breach by him of the terms of his employment agreement, (ii) any willful fraud or dishonesty of his involving the property or business of Patriot, (iii) a deliberate or willful refusal or failure of his to comply with any major corporate policy of Patriot which is communicated to him in writing, or (iv) his conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony if such conviction or plea results in his imprisonment; provided that, with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, hewill have thirty (30) days following his receipt of written notice of the conduct that is the basis for the potential termination for cause within which to cure the conduct. In the event that Mr. Vining is terminated for failure to meet performance goals, as determined by the Patriot Board of Directors, such termination shall be considered a termination for cause for all purposes relating to his equity-based compensation awards, but it will be considered a termination without cause for purposes of his right to receive the severance benefits described above.

Information about the Merger and the Merger Agreement was previously disclosed on a Form 8-K filed by Patriot on April 8, 2008.  Patriot will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the Merger.   Patriot, Magnum and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Patriot in connection with the proposed issuance of Patriot stock in the Merger.  Information about Patriot’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Patriot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008 and in the proxy statement for Patriot’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders filed by Patriot with the SEC on April 7, 2008.  Additional information regarding the potential participants in the proxy solicitation and information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On May 13, 2008, Patriot issued a press release announcing the execution of an employment agreement with Paul H. Vining.  The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

On May 13, 2008, Patriot issued a press release announcing receipt of early termination of the waiting period applicable to the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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 Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of May 8, 2008, by and between Paul H. Vining and Patriot Coal Corporation.
99.1	Press Release issued by PatriotCoal Corporation dated May 13, 2008.
99.2	Press Release issued by Patriot Coal Corporation dated May 13, 2008.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: May 13, 2008

PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Joseph W. Bean
	Joseph W. Bean
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of May 8, 2008, by and between Paul H. Vining and Patriot Coal Corporation.
99.1	Press Release issued by Patriot Coal Corporation dated May 13, 2008.
99.2	Press Release issued by Patriot Coal Corporation dated May 13, 2008.

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EX-10.1

EXECUTION COPY

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AGREEMENT is entered into by and between Patriot Coal Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned executive (the “Executive”), with effect as of the effective date of the merger pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 2, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Magnum Coal Company, Patriot Coal Corporation, Colt Merger Corporation and ArcLight Energy Partners Fund I, L.P. and ArcLight Energy Partners Fund II, L.P. (such date, the “Closing Date”).

RECITALS

To induce Executive to serve in the executive team position set forth on the signature page hereof, the Company desires to provide Executive with compensation and other benefits on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

Executive is willing to accept such employment and perform services for the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.

It is therefore hereby agreed by and between the parties as follows:

1.Employment.

1.1Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ Executive during the term hereof in the executive team position set forth on the signature page hereof.  In such capacity, Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) and shall have the customary powers, responsibilities and authorities of executives holding such positions in publicly-held corporations of the size, type and nature of the Company, as it exists from time to time, and as are assigned by the CEO.

1.2Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive hereby accepts employment in the executive team position set forth on the signature page hereof commencing on the commencement date set forth on the signature page hereof (the “Commencement Date”) and agrees, subject to any period of vacation or sick leave, to devote his full business time and efforts to the performance of services, duties and responsibilities in connection therewith, subject at all times to review and control of the CEO.

1.3Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from engaging in trade association activities, charitable work and community affairs, from delivering lectures, fulfilling speaking engagements or teaching at educational institutions, from managing any investment made by him or his immediate family with respect to which Executive or such family member is not substantially involved with the management or operation of the entity in which Executive has invested (provided that no such investment in publicly traded equity securities or other property may exceed five percent (5%) of the equity of any entity, without the prior approval of the CEO or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”)) or from serving, subject to the prior approval of the CEO or the Board, as a member of the board of directors or as a trustee of any other corporation, association or entity, to the extent that any of the above activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.  For purposes

of the preceding sentence, any approval by the CEO or the Board required therein shall not be unreasonably withheld.

2.Term of Employment.  Executive’s term of employment under this Agreement (the “Term of Employment”) shall commence on the Commencement Date and, subject to termination as provided in this Agreement, shall have an initial term of three years (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, Executive’s employment shall be employment “at will” unless both parties elect to extend the Term of Employment. Following the Term of Employment, Executive shall be not entitled to any benefits upon any termination of employment except for the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 6.1 hereof).

3.Compensation.

3.1  Salary.  During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (“Base Salary”) in the amount set forth on the signature page hereof.  Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the ordinary payroll practices of the Company.  During the Term of Employment, the Board and the CEO shall review in good faith, at least annually, Executive’s Base Salary in accordance with the Company’s customary procedures and practices regarding the salaries of senior executives and may, if determined by the Board to be appropriate, increase Executive’s Base Salary following such review.  “Base Salary” for all purposes herein shall be deemed to be a reference to any such increased amount.

3.2  Annual Bonus.  In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall, commencing with the 2008 calendar year and continuing for each calendar year thereafter during the Term of Employment, be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the “Bonus”) in accordance with a program to be developed by the Board, based on achievement of performance targets established by the compensation committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) as soon as practicable at or after the beginning of the calendar year to which the performance targets relate.  The target for the 2008 bonus amount shall be determined before or as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date, it being understood that Executive shall be qualified to receive a Bonus for 2008 as though he had been employed by the Company since January 1, 2008.  Executive’s target and maximum annual Bonus percentages are set forth on the signature page hereof.  A Bonus award for any calendar year shall be payable to Executive at the time bonuses are paid to executive officers for such calendar year in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices as set by the Board in consultation with the CEO, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the later of (a) the calendar year in which the Bonus is earned or (b) the calendar year in which the Bonus is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the guidance promulgated and in effect thereunder (“Section 409A”).

4.  Employee Benefits.

4.1  Equity and Stock Options.

(a)  Executive shall receive an extended long-term incentive award (the “Extended Long Term Incentive Award”) with a value (as determined by the

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Compensation Committee in good faith) that is at least equal to the percentage of Executive’s initial Base Salary as set forth on the signature page hereof.  Such award shall consist of stock options and restricted stock units, which will be granted effective on the Closing Date.  The stock options will be granted with an exercise price per share equal to the closing market price of a share of Company common stock on the grant date.  The restricted stock units will be granted with a value per unit equal to the closing market price of a share of Company common stock on the grant date.

(b)  With respect to each calendar year during the Term of Employment, commencing with the 2008 calendar year, Executive shall receive equity-based compensation awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans (the “Annual Long Term Incentive Awards” and, together with the Extended Long Term Incentive Award, the “Long Term Incentive Awards”) with a value at least equal to the percentage of Executive’s Base Salary (as in effect on the date of such award) as set forth on the signature page hereof.  The Annual Long Term Incentive Award with respect to the 2008 calendar year shall be made in the form of restricted stock granted effective on the Closing Date, with a value per share that equals the closing market price of a share of Company common stock on the grant date.  The Annual Long Term Incentive Award with respect to each calendar year after 2008 shall be made effective on the first business day of such calendar year.

(c)  As of the date of termination of Executive’s employment due to Executive’s Disability (as hereinafter defined) or death, or upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the applicable equity-based plan or award) all outstanding Long Term Incentive Awards and any other equity-based awards granted to Executive by the Company shall become immediately and fully vested; provided, however, that any performance units granted to Executive shall not become fully vested upon a change in control unless otherwise provided in the applicable plan or award agreement.  In the case of termination of Executive’s employment due to Executive’s Disability (as defined in Section 6.4) or death, any options held by Executive as of such date shall remain exercisable until at least the earlier of (i) the date that is one (1) year after the date of termination of Executive’s employment or (ii) the date on which the option would have expired solely by reason of the passage of time if Executive’s employment had not been terminated, provided that no option shall remain outstanding longer than the maximum time permitted by Section 409A.

(d)  The Long Term Incentive Awards shall be governed by separate grant agreements (together with any other agreement approved by the Board and designated by the Board as an “Ancillary Document” for purposes of this Agreement, the “Ancillary Documents”).  To the extent permitted by any applicable law and the rules of any exchange on which the Company’s stock is listed, in the event of any conflict between an Ancillary Document and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

(e)  All Long Term Incentive Awards and any other equity-based awards granted to Executive by the Company (i) shall be subject to the approval of the

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Compensation Committee and (ii) shall be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

4.2  Employee Benefit Programs, Plans and Practices; Perquisites.  During the Term of Employment, the Company shall provide Executive with employee benefits and perquisites at a level (a) commensurate with his position in the Company and (b) at least as favorable to Executive as the Company provides to its other senior executives, including retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits (both active and retiree), the Continuation Benefits (as defined in Section 6.2(a)(2)), and other employee benefits and perquisites which the Company may make available to its senior executives from time to time.

4.3  Vacation.  Executive shall be entitled to the number of business days paid vacation in each calendar year as determined in accordance with the Company’s applicable vacation policies, which shall be taken at such times as are reasonably consistent with Executive’s responsibilities hereunder.

4.4  Retention Award.  The Company shall pay Executive a retention award  (the “Retention Award”) in the amount set forth on the signature page hereof.  The Company shall pay the Executive one-half (1/2) of the Retention Award on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, providedthat the Executive remain employed by the Company on such date, and the remainder of the Retention Award on the second anniversary of the Commencement Date, providedthat the Executive remain employed by the Company on such date.

5.  Expenses.  Subject to prevailing Company policy or such guidelines as may be established by the Board, the Company will reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in carrying out his duties on behalf of the Company, providedthat no such reimbursement will be required if such reimbursement would be taxable income to Executive.

6.  Termination of Employment.

6.1  Termination of Employment for Any Reason.  In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether or not such termination occurs during the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay to Executive (a) within five (5) business days following the date of termination of Executive’s employment, a lump sum equal to (i) Executive’s Base Salary earned on or prior to the date of such termination but not yet paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s customary procedures and practices regarding the salaries of executives, (ii) any business expenses incurred by Executive and not yet reimbursed by the Company under Section 5 above, as of the date of such termination, (iii) any vacation time accrued but unused as of the date of such termination, and (iv) any Bonus earned but not yet paid for any calendar year prior to the date of such termination and (b) any benefits accrued and vested under any of the Company’s employee benefit programs, plans and practices on or prior to the date of termination of Executive’s employment (remuneration described in (a) and (b) above are collectively referred to as the “Accrued Obligations” herein) in accordance with the terms of such programs, plans and practices.

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6.2  Termination Not for Cause or for Good Reason.  (a)  The Company or Executive may terminate Executive’s Term of Employment at any time for any reason by providing written notice to the other party at least thirty (30) days (or such other number of days specified in this Agreement) in advance of the date of termination of Executive’s employment.  If, during the Term of Employment, Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, such notice shall describe the conduct Executive believes to constitute Good Reason.

If Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the third anniversary of the Commencement Date (i) by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in Section 6.3(b) hereof), Disability (as defined in Section 6.4 hereof) or death or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6.2(b) hereof), and such termination constitutes a Separation from Service (as hereinafter defined), the Company, as severance, shall pay to Executive an amount (the “Severance Payment”) equal to:

(A)  two (2) times Executive’s Base Salary, plus

(B)  an additional amount equal two (2) times the greater of (x) Executive’s target Bonus for the calendar year of termination of Executive’s employment or (y) the annual average of the actual Bonus awards paid to Executive by the Company for the three (3) calendar years preceding the date of termination of Executive’s employment (or, if Executive has not yet been employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement for three (3) full calendar years as of the date his employment is terminated, for the two (2) year or (1) year period, as applicable, for which he has been so employed and received a Bonus); plus

(C)  an additional amount equal to two (2) times six percent (6%) of Executive’s Base Salary.

The Company shall pay to Executive (I) one-half (1/2) of such Severance Payment in a lump sum payment on the six (6) month anniversary of Executive’s Separation from Service and (II) the remaining one-half (1/2) of the Severance Payment in a lump sum on the first anniversary of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 “Separation from Service” means a “separation from service,” as such term is defined under Section 409A.

In addition, if Executive’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in Section 6.3(b) hereof), Disability (as defined in Section 6.4 hereof), or death or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6.2(b)) and if such termination constitutes a Separation from Service,

           (1)   The Company shall pay to Executive a prorated bonus (the “Prorated Bonus”) for the calendar year of termination of Executive’s employment, calculated as the Bonus Executive would have received in such year based on actual performance multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of business days during the calendar year of termination that Executive was employed and the denominator of which is the total number of business days during the calendar year of termination. The

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Prorated Bonus shall be payable when annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the later of (a) the calendar year in which the Bonus is earned or (b) the calendar year in which the Bonus is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 409A.

(2)   The Company shall also continue to provide Executive, as though he or she remained actively employed, for a period ending on two years from the date of termination of Executive’s employment (the “Benefit Continuation Period”), life insurance, group health coverage (including medical, dental, and vision benefits), accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and the health care flexible spending account (to the extent required to comply with COBRA continuation coverage requirements (collectively, the “Continuation Benefits”) in accordance with the applicable plan terms; provided, however, that any such coverage shall terminate to the extent that Executive is offered or obtains comparable benefits from any other employer during the Benefit Continuation Period; provided, further, that the amount of Continuation Benefits provided during one calendar year shall not affect the amount of Continuation Benefits provided during a subsequent calendar year (except with respect to health plan maximums), the Continuation Benefits may not be exchanged or substituted for other forms of compensation to Executive, and any reimbursement or payment under the Continuation Benefit arrangements will be paid in accordance with applicable plan terms and no later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which he incurred the expense giving rise to such reimbursement or payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive breaches any provision of Section 13 hereof, the remaining balances of the Severance Payment, the Prorated Bonus, and any Continuation Benefits shall be forfeited.

(b)   For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” means: (i) a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary (in which event the Severance Payment shall be calculated based on Executive’s Base Salary in effect prior to any such reduction); (ii) a material reduction in the aggregate program of employee benefits and perquisites to which Executive is entitled (other than a reduction that generally affects all executives); (iii) a material decline in Executive’s Bonus or Long Term Incentive Award opportunities (other than a decline that generally affects all executives); (iv) relocation of Executive’s primary office by more than 50 miles from the location of Executive’s primary office in Charleston, West Virginia or secondary office in Saint Louis, Missouri; or (v) any material diminution or material adverse change in Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities or reporting relationships.  Any amounts due to Executive in connection with a termination of employment shall be computed without giving effect to any changes that give rise to Good Reason.  If Executive does not give notice to the Company as described in Section 6.2(a) hereof within ninety (90) days after an event giving rise to Good Reason, Executive’s right to claim Good Reason termination on the basis of such event shall be deemed waived.

6.3  Voluntary Termination by Executive; Discharge for Cause.  (a) In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company for Cause, as hereinafter

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defined or (ii) by Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations.

(b)As used herein, the term “Cause” shall be limited to (i) any material and uncorrected breach by Executive of the terms of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a violation of Section 13 hereof, (ii) any willful fraud or dishonesty of Executive involving the property or business of the Company, (iii) a deliberate or willful refusal or failure of Executive to comply with any major corporate policy of the Company which is communicated to Executive in writing, or (iv) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolocontendere to, any felony if such conviction or plea results in his imprisonment; providedthat, with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, Executive shall have thirty (30) days following his receipt of written notice of the conduct that is the basis for the potential termination for Cause within which to cure such conduct to prevent termination for Cause by the Company.  If Executive cures the conduct that is the basis for the potential termination for Cause within such thirty (30) day period, the Company’s notice of termination shall be deemed withdrawn.  In the event that Executive is terminated for failure to meet performance goals, as determined by the Board, such termination shall be considered a termination for Cause for all purposes relating to his equity-based compensation awards, but it shall be considered a termination without Cause for purposes of his right to receive the Severance Payment, the Prorated Bonus, and the Continuation Benefits.

6.4  Disability.  In the event of the Disability (as defined below) of Executive during the Term of Employment, the Company may terminate Executive’s Term of Employment upon written notice to Executive (or Executive’s personal representative, if applicable) effective upon the date of receipt thereof (the “Disability Commencement Date”).  The Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations as provided in Section 6.1 and the Prorated Bonus when such bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company.  The term “Disability,” for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean Executive’s absence from the full-time performance of Executive’s duties pursuant to a reasonable determination made in accordance with the Company’s disability plan that Executive is disabled as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness that lasts, or is reasonably expected to last, for at least six (6) months.

6.5  Death.  In the event of Executive’s death during the Term of Employment or at any time thereafter while payments are still owing to Executive under the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive’s beneficiary(ies) (to the extent so designated by Executive) or his estate (to the extent that no such beneficiary has been designated) the Accrued Obligations as provided in Section 6.1, the Prorated Bonus when such bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company, and any remaining payments that were payable to Executive by reason of his termination of employment under Section 6.2 to which Executive was entitled at the time of his death in accordance with the terms of Section 6.2.

6.6  No Further Notice or Compensation or Damages.  Executive understands and agrees that he or she shall not be entitled to any further notice, compensation or damages upon a termination of his employment under this Agreement or otherwise, other than amounts specified in Sections 4 and 6 hereof, the Ancillary Documents, and any plan, program or arrangement of the Company.

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6.7  Executive’s Duty to Deliver Materials.  Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive or his estate shall surrender to the Company all correspondence, letters, files, contracts, mailing lists, customer lists, advertising materials, ledgers, supplies, equipment, checks, and all other materials and records of any kind that are the property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, that may be in Executive’s possession or under his control, including all copies of any of the foregoing.

7.  Gross-Up Payments.

7.1  Gross-Up of Excise Tax.  If Executive becomes entitled to any payment, benefit or distribution (or combination thereof) by the Company, any affiliated company, or one or more trusts established by the Company for the benefit of its employees, whether paid or payable pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company or any affiliated company (the “Payments”), which are or become subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999, or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive during his lifetime with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to Executive an additional payment (the “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that the net retained by Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on such Payments and any federal, state or local income tax and Excise Tax on the Gross-Up Payment shall equal the amount of such Payments.

7.2  Determination of Gross-Up Payment.  All determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be mutually agreed by the Company and Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within ten (10) business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that Payments were made, or such earlier time as is required by the Company; provided that for purposes of determining the amount of any Gross-Up Payment, Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income tax at the highest marginal rates applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which any such Gross-Up Payment is to be made and deemed to pay state and local income taxes at the highest effective rates applicable to individuals in the state or locality of Executive’s residence or place of employment in the calendar year in which any such Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that can be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, taking into account limitations applicable to individuals subject to federal income tax at the highest marginal rates.  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7.2, shall be paid by the Company to Executive (or to the appropriate taxing authority on Executive’s behalf) when due; provided, however, that such payment shall be made no later than (a) with respect to taxes, the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which Executive remits such taxes to the applicable taxing authority and (b) with respect to interest and penalties incurred by Executive with respect to such taxes, the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which Executive incurs such interest and/or penalties, as applicable.  The amount of interest and penalties reimbursed by the Company during one calendar year shall not affect the amount of interest and penalties reimbursable by the Company during a subsequent calendar

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year, the right to such reimbursement may not be exchanged or substituted for other forms of compensation to Executive.  If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it shall so indicate to Executive in writing.  Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.  As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Section 4999, it is possible that the amount of the Gross-Up Payment determined by the Accounting Firm to be due to (or on behalf of) Executive was lower than the amount actually required to be paid by Executive to the applicable taxing authority (“Underpayment”).  In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies hereunder and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive; provided, however, that such Underpayment shall be made no later than the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which Executive remits the Excise Tax to the applicable taxing authority.

7.3  Disputed Taxes.  Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service or other relevant taxing authority that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of any Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than fifteen (15) business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.  If such claim is due to a tax audit or litigation addressing the existence or amount of tax liability, whether Federal, state or local (a “Reimbursable Claim”), then Executive shall not pay such Reimbursable Claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such Reimbursable Claim is due).  If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such Reimbursable Claim, Executive shall (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such Reimbursable Claim, (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such Reimbursable Claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such Reimbursable Claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company, (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to effectively contest such Reimbursable Claim and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such Reimbursable Claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses.  Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.3, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such Reimbursable Claim and may, at its sole option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the Reimbursable Claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, further, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such Reimbursable Claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such

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payment to Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; provided, further, that if Executive is required to extend the statute of limitations to enable the Company to contest such Reimbursable Claim, Executive may limit this extension solely to such contested amount.  The Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.  In no event shall payments for or reimbursements to Executive for Reimbursable Claims be made later than the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the taxes that are the subject to the Reimbursable Claim are remitted to the taxing authority, or where, as a result of such audit or litigation no taxes are remitted, the end of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the audit is completed or there is a final nonappealable settlement or other resolution of the litigation.

7.4  Refunds of Gross-Up Payments.  If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount paid or advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 7, Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to a Gross-Up Payment, Executive shall (subject to the Company’s compliance with the requirements of Section 7.3) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund received (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto).  If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this Section 7, a determination is made that Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

8.  Notices.  All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing, addressed as follows:

To the Company:

Patriot Coal Corporation

attn: Board of Directors

12312 Olive Boulevard, Suite 400

Saint Louis, Missouri 63124

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with a copy to:

Patriot Coal Corporation

attn: Richard M. Whiting

12312 Olive Boulevard, Suite 400

Saint Louis, Missouri 63124

To Executive at the address set forth on the signature page hereof.

Any such notice or communication shall be delivered by hand or by courier or sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as above (or to such other address as such party may designate in a notice duly delivered as described above), and the third business day after the actual date of sending shall constitute the time at which notice was given.

9.  Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof which shall remain in full force and effect.

10.  Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the heirs and representatives of Executive and the assigns and successors of the Company, but neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession) or by the Company, except that the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, spin off, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the stock, assets or businesses of the Company.

11.  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement of the parties hereto.

12.  Amendment to Comply with Code Section 409A.  If either party to this Agreement reasonably determines that any amount payable pursuant to this Agreement would result in adverse tax consequences under Code Section 409A (including, but not limited to, the additional tax described in Code Section 409A(a)(1)(B)), then such party shall deliver written notice of such determination to the other party, and the parties hereby agree to work in good faith to amend this Agreement so it is exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements of Code Section 409A and preserves as nearly as possible the original intentions of the affected provisions.  If any payment due to Executive is required to be delayed by reason of Code Section 409A, such payment shall be paid in one lump-sum payment as soon as administratively feasible on or after the date such payment is permitted to be made under Code Section 409A, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings.

13.  Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.

(a)  Executive, both during the term hereof and thereafter, will not, directly or indirectly, use for himself or use for, or disclose to, any party other than the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of Executive’s duties

11

for the benefit of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or to the extent required by applicable law), any secret or confidential information that is not publicly available regarding the business or property of the Company or its subsidiaries or regarding any secret or confidential apparatus, process, system, or other method at any time used, developed, acquired, discovered or investigated by or for the Company or its subsidiaries, whether or not developed, acquired, discovered or investigated by Executive.  At the termination of Executive’s employment or at any other time the Company or any of its subsidiaries may request, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all memoranda, notes, records, plats, sketches, plans or other documents made by, compiled by, delivered to, or otherwise acquired by Executive concerning the business or properties of the Company or its subsidiaries or any secret or confidential product, apparatus or process used developed, acquired or investigated by the Company or its subsidiaries.

(b)  In consideration of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, Executive agrees that: (i) during the period of his employment hereunder and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Board, he will not, directly or indirectly, as principal, manager, agent, consultant, officer, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or employee or in any other capacity, carry on, be engaged in or have any financial interest in, any activities which are in competition with the business of the Company or its subsidiaries; and  (ii) during the period of his employment hereunder and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Board, he shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm or company, directly or indirectly solicit or offer employment to any person who is or has been employed by the Company or its subsidiaries at any time during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding such solicitation.

(c)  For purposes of this Section 13, an entity shall be deemed to be in competition with the Company if it is principally involved in the purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or the rendering of any service purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by the Company as a part of the business of the Company within the same geographic area in which the Company effects such sales or dealings or renders such services.  Notwithstanding this Section 13(c) or Section 13(b), nothing herein shall be construed so as to preclude Executive from investing in any publicly or privately held company, provided Executive’s beneficial ownership of any class of such company’s securities does not exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of such class.

(d)  Executive agrees that this covenant not to compete is reasonable under the circumstances and will not interfere with his ability to earn a living or to otherwise meet his financial obligations.  Executive and the Company agree that if in the opinion of any court of competent jurisdiction such restraint is not reasonable in any respect, such court shall have the right, power and authority to excise or modify such provision or provisions of this covenant as to the court shall appear not reasonable and to enforce the remainder of the covenant as so amended.  Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants contained in this Section 13 would irreparably injure the Company.  Accordingly, Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach of this Section 13 by Executive, the Company may, in addition to pursuing any other remedies it may have in law or in

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equity, cease making any payments otherwise required by this Agreement and seek to obtain an injunction against Executive from any court having jurisdiction over the matter to restrain any further violation of this Section 13 by Executive.

14.  Beneficiaries; References.  Executive shall be entitled to select (and change, to the extent permitted under any applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executive’s death, and may change such election, in either case by giving the Company written notice thereof.  In the event of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.  Any reference to the masculine gender in this Agreement shall include, where appropriate, the feminine.

15.  Dispute Resolution.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement (other than an action to enforce the covenants in Section 13 hereof) or the Ancillary Documents shall be resolved by arbitration.  Arbitrators shall be selected, and arbitration shall be conducted, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.  The Company shall pay any legal fees in connection with such arbitration in the event that Executive prevails on a material element of his claim or defense.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15 to the contrary, payments made under this Section 15 that are provided during one calendar year shall not affect the amount of such payments provided during a subsequent calendar year, payments under this Section 15 may not be exchanged or substituted for other forms of compensation to Executive, and any such reimbursement or payment will be paid within sixty (60) days after Executive prevails, but in no later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which he incurred the expense giving rise to such reimbursement or payment.  This Section 15 shall remain in effect throughout the Term of Employment and for a period of five (5) years following the termination of the Term of Employment.

16.  Indemnification; Directors’ & Officers’ Liability Insurance.

(a)   The Company shall indemnify Executive during and after the Term of Employment to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law for any liability incurred by Executive by reason of his service as an officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or by reason of his service as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

(b)   During the Term of Employment and for so long as Executive may have any liability by reason of serving as an officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Executive shall be entitled to the same directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage that the Company provides generally to its other directors and officers, as may be amended from time to time for such directors and officers.  During the Term of Employment and for so long as Executive may have any liability by reason of serving as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Executive shall be entitled to the same fiduciary liability insurance coverage that the Company provides generally to its other directors and officers, as may be amended from time to time for such directors and officers.

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17.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.

18.  Effect on Prior Agreements.  This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents contain the entire understanding between the parties hereto and this Agreement, except as proved in an Ancillary Document, supersedes in all respects any prior or other agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between the (i) the Executive, and (ii) the Company or Magnum Coal Company (“Magnum”), any affiliate of the Company or Magnum, any predecessor of the Company or affiliate of the Company, or any predecessor of Magnum or affiliate of Magnum.

19.  Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from payments to Executive any amount of withholding required by law.

20.  Survival.  Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 4, 13 and 16 hereunder shall remain in effect as long as is reasonably necessary to give effect thereto in accordance with the terms hereof.

21.  Closing of Merger.    This Agreement shall become effective if and only if the Closing Date occurs on or before the later of September 30, 2008, or such later date to which the End Date (as defined in Section 10.01(b) of the Merger Agreement) is extended by mutual agreement of the parties to the Merger Agreement (the “MA End Date”).If the Closing Date does not occur on or before the MA End Date, this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force and effect.

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22.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Richard M. Whiting                       

Richard M. Whiting, Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Paul H. Vining                                        

Paul H. Vining

Commencement Date:	The Closing Date
Name of Executive:	Paul H. Vining
Address of Executive:	6406 Ocean Front Ave Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Executive Team Position:	President and Chief Operating Officer
Base Salary:	$600,000 per annum
Annual Bonus Target:	100% of Base Salary commencing with the 2008 calendar year and continuing for each calendar year thereafter (with a maximum of no less than 175% of Base Salary).
Long-Term Incentive Award:	200% of Base Salary
Extended Long-Term Incentive Award:	650% of Base Salary
Retention Award:	$1,000,000

EX-99.1

NEWS RELEASE  

CONTACT:

Janine Orf

(314) 275-3680

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PATRIOT COAL SIGNS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH PAUL VINING

TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ST. LOUIS, May 13 – Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE: PCX) today announced that it has signed an employment agreement with Paul H. Vining to serve as President & Chief Operating Officer, effective with the closing of the proposed acquisition of Magnum Coal Company (“Magnum”).  Mr. Vining has over 30 years of experience in the coal mining industry.

Vining is currently serving as President & Chief Executive Officer of Magnum and is a member of Magnum’s board of directors.  Under Paul’s leadership since late 2005, Magnum integrated operations acquired from Arch Coal and doubled in size to become a top-three producer in Central Appalachia.  Before joining Magnum and its predecessor company, Mr. Vining was senior vice president of marketing and trading at Arch Coal.  He also operated a privately held coal trading, marketing and consulting company, and served in various capacities at Peabody Energy, including Executive Vice President of Sales and Trading, and President of Peabody COALTRADE.  Vining holds a B.S. in chemistry from the College of William and Mary, and a B.S. in mineral engineering and a M.S. in extractive metallurgy from Columbia University.

“We are extremely pleased that Paul will be joining our Patriot team.  Paul is one of the most capable leaders in our industry, with a wealth of experience in every key aspect of the coal business.  He will be responsible for both operations and marketing of the combined company, and is uniquely qualified to drive our day-to-day performance,” said Patriot Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Whiting.  “We look forward to completing the Magnum acquisition and welcoming Paul as our new President & COO.  In the interim, we will be working closely with Paul to develop the appropriate compensation and benefits programs for the combined company, to ensure that we attract and retain qualified mining people at all of our operations.”

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Acquisition of Magnum Coal Company

On April 2, 2008, the Company announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Magnum.  Magnum sold 18.4 million tons of coal in 2007 and operates 12 mines and 7 preparation plants in Central Appalachia.  The acquisition is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and the issuance of common stock is subject to approval by Patriot stockholders.  The proposed transaction is expected to be completed around mid-year.

About Patriot Coal

Patriot Coal Corporation (the “Company”) is a leading producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with ten Company-operated mines and numerous contractor-operated mines in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin.  The Company ships to electric utilities, industrial users and metallurgical coal customers, and controls approximately 1.3 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves.  The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PCX.

Important Information for Stockholders

The Company will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the proposed issuance of Company common stock in the transaction with Magnum.  Investors and stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information about the proposed issuance.  Investors and stockholders may obtain these documents free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.  In addition, documents filed with the SEC by the Company are available free of charge by contacting investor relations by phone at 314-275-3680, in writing to Janine A. Orf, Director of Investor Relations, or by email to jorf@patriotcoal.com.  The final proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

The Company, Magnum and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company in connection with the proposed issuance.  Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008 and in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders filed by the Company with the SEC on April 7, 2008.  Additional information regarding the potential participants in the proxy solicitation and information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.

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Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may be beyond our control and may cause our actual future results to differ materially from expectations.  We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.  Factors that could affect our results include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain Company stockholder approval of the proposed issuance of shares in connection with the Magnum transaction; failure to obtain, delays in obtaining or adverse conditions contained in any required regulatory or other approvals; availability and cost of financing; failure to consummate or delay in consummating the transaction for other reasons; changes in laws or regulations; changes in general economic conditions, including coal and power market conditions; the outcome of commercial negotiations involving sales contracts or other transactions; the Company’s dependence on Peabody Energy Corporation in the near future; geologic, equipment and operational risks associated with mining; supplier and contract miner performance and the availability and cost of key equipment and commodities; the Company’s ability to replace coal reserves; labor availability and relations; availability and costs of transportation; weather patterns affecting energy demand; legislative and regulatory developments; risks associated with environmental laws and compliance; the outcome of pending or future litigation; and the availability and costs of competing energy resources.  The Company undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  For additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected herein, please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K and 8-K reports.

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EX-99.2

  NEWS RELEASE  

CONTACT:

Janine Orf

(314) 275-3680

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PATRIOT COAL ANNOUNCES EARLY TERMINATION

OF HART-SCOTT-RODINO WAITING PERIOD

ST. LOUIS, May 13 – Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE: PCX) today announced that early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the proposed acquisition of Magnum Coal Company has been granted by the Federal Trade Commission.

The termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to Patriot’s acquisition of Magnum.  The acquisition is subject to the receipt of certain other approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, including the approval by Patriot stockholders of the issuance of Patriot common stock to Magnum’s stockholders.  The proposed transaction is expected to be completed around mid-year.

Acquisition of Magnum Coal Company

On April 2, 2008, the Company announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Magnum.  Magnum sold 18.4 million tons of coal in 2007 and operates 12 mines and 7 preparation plants in Central Appalachia.

About Patriot Coal

Patriot Coal Corporation (the “Company”) is a leading producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with ten Company-operated mines and numerous contractor-operated mines in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin.  The Company ships to electric utilities, industrial users and metallurgical coal customers, and controls approximately 1.3 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves.  The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PCX.

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Important Information for Stockholders

The Company will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the proposed issuance of Company common stock in the transaction with Magnum.  Investors and stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information about the proposed issuance.  Investors and stockholders may obtain these documents free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.  In addition, documents filed with the SEC by the Company are available free of charge by contacting investor relations by phone at 314-275-3680, in writing to Janine A. Orf, Director of Investor Relations, or by email to jorf@patriotcoal.com.  The final proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

The Company, Magnum and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company in connection with the proposed issuance.  Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008 and in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders filed by the Company with the SEC on April 7, 2008.  Additional information regarding the potential participants in the proxy solicitation and information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may be beyond our control and may cause our actual future results to differ materially from expectations.  We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.  Factors that could affect our results include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain Company stockholder approval of the proposed issuance of shares in connection with the Magnum transaction; failure to obtain, delays in obtaining or adverse conditions contained in any required regulatory or other approvals; availability and cost of financing; failure to consummate or delay in consummating the transaction for other reasons; changes in laws or regulations; changes in general economic conditions, including coal and power market conditions; the outcome of commercial negotiations involving sales contracts or other transactions; the Company’s dependence on Peabody Energy Corporation in the near future; geologic, equipment and operational risks associated with mining; supplier and contract miner performance and the availability and cost of key equipment and commodities; the Company’s ability to replace coal reserves; labor availability and relations; availability and costs of transportation; weather patterns affecting energy demand; legislative and regulatory developments; risks associated with environmental laws and compliance; the outcome of pending or future litigation; and the availability and costs of competing energy resources.  The Company undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  For additional information concerning factors that

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could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected herein, please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K and 8-K reports.

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