Wright, Wyo. (Sept. 19, 2005) – Arch Coal, Inc. will sponsor its statewide Teacher Achievement Awards program again this year, according to Greg Schaefer, Arch Coal's vice president for external affairs, western region.

"In each of the past five years, Arch Coal has recognized 10 of the very best classroom teachers in the state," Schaefer said. "This school year, 10 more teachers will be selected and receive a $2,500 personal cash prize.

"It is Arch Coal's way of saying thank you for all the excellent work our classroom teachers do," he said. "Our program asks the public to nominate teachers who they know are outstanding. Then, we ask a blue ribbon panel of other teachers to evaluate the nominations and determine the top 10 applicants."

Schaefer said nomination forms soon will be available in schools, in Taco John's and Loaf 'n Jug stores, and in libraries across the state. The public also may nominate on the Internet at www.archteacherawards.com. Every teacher nominated receives an application packet from Arch Coal that requires in-depth responses to questions regarding their teaching philosophy, activities in the school and community, and what keeps them in the teaching profession.

In addition to Taco John's, Loaf 'n Jug, and the state library community, the program also is supported by the Wyoming Governor's office, the Department of Education, and the Wyoming Education Association.

The nominations phase of the program will end Jan. 16, 2006. Announcement of the recipients is expected in the spring.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer and employs approximately 900 people in Wyoming. Arch Coal's Black Thunder mine sells more than 90 million tons of clean-burning, low-sulfur coal on an annual basis. Located in Campbell County, Black Thunder mine is one of the largest and most efficient coal mines in the world. Arch Coal is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.