Crutchfield, who has more than two decades of mining experience – and 10 years with Alpha, having joined the miner at its inception – will know if his election to the board is successful on May 14.

Upon his election, he is expected to be appointed to Coeur d’Alene Mines’ compensation committee and the environmental, health, safety and social responsibility committee.

The Alpha executive, who is also chairman along with his position as CEO, has also served as the producer’s executive vice president, president and director during his tenure.

He is also vice chairman of the National Mining Association and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.

Prior to joining Alpha, he was president of Coastal Coal and vice president of El Paso, president and CEO of AMVEST Minerals and president of parent company, AMVEST Corporation.

His earlier senior management positions included Pittston Coal and Cyprus Amax Coal and chairman of Cyprus Australia Coal in Australia.

“Kevin brings 25 years of mining industry experience to the board and we feel fortunate to have him join us," a Coeur d’Alene Mines official said.

“Kevin brings to the board significant experience in corporate leadership, financial and operational management, government and regulatory oversight, health and safety management and industry expertise through his various executive roles in global natural resource businesses, in addition to experience in public company board leadership.”

Coeur d'Alene Mines is growing its gold business and is known as the largest US-based silver producer.

It has four precious metals mines in the Americas, including the Palmarejo silver-gold mine in Mexico, the San Bartolome silver mine in Bolivia, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada and the Kensington gold mine in Alaska.

The company also owns a non-operating interest in a low-cost mine in Australia and conducts ongoing exploration activities in Mexico, Argentina, Nevada, Alaska and Bolivia.

The 51-year-old executive was appointed to the Alpha Natural Resources board of directors in November 2007 and elected as CEO the time of the company’s merger with Foundation Coal on July 31, 2009.

He was named the company’s chairman on May 17.