Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody) is a coal company. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company sold 255.5 million tons of coal, including 224.3 million tons from its United States and Australian mining operations, and 31.2 million tons through its brokerage activities. At December 31, 2008, it had 9.2 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves. As of December 31, 2008, the Company owned majority interests in 30 coal mining operations located in the United States and Australia. In addition, it owns a minority interest in one Venezuelan operating mine through a joint venture arrangement. The Company conducts its mining business through three principal mining operating segments: Western U.S. Mining, Midwestern U.S. Mining and Australian Mining. In addition to its mining operations, the Company markets, brokers and trades coal through its Trading and Brokerage Operations segment.