World Coal Institute Elects New Chairman

Press Release

World Coal Institute Elects New Chairman

5 November 2008

BRUSSELS - The World Coal Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chairman, Dr Don Elder. Dr Elder was elected Chairman at the 48th WCI Board Meeting held in Brussels today and succeeds Preston Chiaro.

A Director of the World Coal Institute since 2003, Dr Elder is Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand’s largest primary energy producer. Solid Energy produces and distributes coal, biomass, biofuels, coal bed methane and solar and is a leading participant in new energy research and commercialisation including carbon capture and storage (CCS), alternative energy and waste re-use.

Dr Elder is also the Deputy Chairman of the Coal Industry Advisory Board (CIAB) to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

On his appointment, Dr Elder commented: “Energy underpins economic prosperity and social wellbeing.

Supply of secure, affordable energy is increasingly one of the greatest challenges facing the world and coal is an increasingly critical component of the supply mix, but also must rise to the challenge of supporting environmental sustainability. The World Coal Institute is the global organisation representing almost all the world’s leading coal producers. It is a great honour to be asked to chair the WCI at one of the most exciting times in the history of the industry."

WCI Chief Executive, Milton Catelin, welcomed the appointment of Dr Don Elder and also paid tribute to the contribution of the outgoing Chairman, Preston Chiaro.

“Preston has been a great ambassador for the World Coal Institute and for the coal industry more widely. He has shown vision and leadership in his two years as Chairman of WCI, shaping our work programme to ensure that we are effectively engaging with the core challenges facing the industry. Specifically, this has included focusing on the role of CCS and working to ensure governments worldwide strongly support the deployment of this essential technology as part of a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change.”

“We look forward to working with Don in continuing to progress the work of WCI and meeting the evolving challenges faced by the coal industry worldwide,” said Mr Catelin.

Notes to Editors

The World Coal Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental association of coal enterprises. It is the only international group working worldwide on behalf of the coal industry. The WCI is based in London, with members located worldwide.

ENDS

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