Campbell is a certified mining engineer with 25 years industry experience.

Before joining the company as chief operating officer in 2011, he was COO for an exploration and development joint venture operating in Botswana.

Forbes also announced changes to its financial structure.

Private equity firm Resource Capital Fund and Forbes Coal have agreed to lengthen the maturity date for the secured convertible loan facility from RCF in the aggregate principal amount of up to $US25 million ($A27 million) from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2019.

“The closing of the outstanding portion of the facility, comprising a convertible loan in the principal amount of $15 million is subject to disinterested shareholder approval, for which the company intends to seek approval of its disinterested shareholders at a special meeting,” Forbes said.

It is believed the company will close on the facility by June 30.

The company is also in the process of finalising a restructuring of its debt facilities with international specialist bank Investec.

The annual and special meeting of shareholders for the company to approve the facility and the Investec warrants is expected to be held on June 27.