Whitehaven Coal Limited announced the appointment of Mr. Peter Wilkinson as General Manager - Open Cut Operations. The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process which commenced in 2011 after the current General Manager Open Cut Operations, Mr. Casper Dieben, announced his intention to retire in 2012. Mr. Wilkinson's previous role was as Executive General Manager NSW at Idemitsu Australia Resources, with responsibility for the Boggabri Coal operations in the Gunnedah Basin and Muswel brook Coal in the Hunter Valley. He will join Whitehaven on March 12, 2012. Mr. Dieben will remain with Whitehaven to complete a number of projects before he retires in July.