Malone will serve on Peabody’s board and on the board's Audit and Compensation Committees.

Malone is a 35-year energy and mining industry executive and is past chairman and president of oil giant BP America.

"Bob has extensive knowledge of US and global energy markets with particular focus on China, India and Indonesia," Peabody chief executive Gregory Boyce said.

"He will be a major asset to our board as Peabody continues to pursue strategic growth opportunities in high-margin Pacific Rim markets."

Malone has also held senior positions with Kennecott Copper, the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and BP, and Alyeska Pipeline Services Company.

He currently sits on the board of Halliburton and First National Bank of Sonora.

Peabody named Santana as chief financial officer for Peabody Energy Australia where she will be responsible for finance, treasury, accounting, tax, financial and operational reporting, shared services, information services, supply chain management and compliance for Peabody's Australia operations.

De Santana will report to Peabody Australia managing director Julian Thornton.

De Santana has a degree from the University of South Africa and has worked for various subsidiaries of Anglo American, having the responsibility for the financial affairs of Anglo's worldwide coal businesses.

Most recently she was CFO for Anglo Coal Australia.

She succeeds Gregg Wickstra who is retiring from Peabody after a 31-year career.