Charles Meintjes, who was named president of Peabody Americas in July, will take over as president of Peabody Australia. Australian group executive of operations Kemal Williamson is new president of Peabody Americas.

Meanwhile, standing president of Peabody Australia, Eric Ford, will take the role of chairman for Peabody Australia. And George Schuller has been transferred from Americas group executive of operations to the same role in Australia.

Replacing Schuller in the US will be Powder River Basin veteran Delbert Lee Lobb.

All changes are effective November 15.

“We will continue to rely on Eric for his deep operation expertise as he oversees all strategic aspects of the Australia platform,” Peabody chairman and chief executive Gregory Boyce said.

“Charles and Kemal each bring extensive senior operating experience across the world’s mining regions, and we look forward to their leadership advancing mining and commercial operations and cost control across Australia and the Americas.”

In his new role, Ford will oversee strategic direction, operational and commercial strategy and performance, and external stakeholder interaction.

Meintjes and Williamson will lead business unit teams that manage all aspects of the Australia and Americas operating platforms, with responsibility for health and safety, operations, sales and marketing, product delivery and support functions.

Peabody’s announcement of the leadership changes follows immediately on mixed third-quarter results, which saw earnings surpass expectation in Powder River and Australia, while profits sank 84%.

In the September quarter, the company recorded revenues of $US2.06 billion, up 4% from the prior-year quarter of $1.98 million, while income from continuing operations totaled $122.9 million.

Net income fell to $42.9 million from $274.1 million year-on-year.