The appointment is effective July 5.

Winkelmann, 49, has 23 years experience in the mining industry and previously held senior operating positions with Anglo Coal, Shell Coal and Power Coal, all in Australia.

Before joining Western, he led the project business analysis for operating mines and projects at Rio Tinto Copper Group.

"Neil will lead the execution of our organic growth strategy to bring production to our target of 10 million tonnes per year by fiscal 2013,” Western president Keith Calder said of the University of Oxford-educated Winkelmann.

“His focus will be to expand and develop our portfolio of assets, improving productivity, and reduce operating costs."

The announcement is the latest in a series of executive shake-ups for the Canadian producer; in March, Western announced the retirement of its Australian chairman, John Byrne, effective May 31.

Additionally, the producer appointed Calder as president, chief executive officer and director of the company last December to replace a retiring John Hogg.

While Hogg stepped down from the board at that time as well, he opted to remain with the company as a senior consultant.

A 45-year industry veteran, Hogg had been with Western for six years, first as COO and later as president and CEO.

Western Coal, which was known as Western Canadian Coal before changing its name in late 2009, inked an agreement last July to buy struggling UK miner Cambrian Mining in a $C120 million ($A138.74 million) deal.