St. Louis - April 12, 2001 - Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced today that it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a new universal shelf registration statement to allow it to offer, from time to time in the future, up to $750 million in debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock and related rights and warrants.

The securities may be offered separately or as units with other securities, in one or more separate offerings. They may be offered in amounts, at prices and based on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. These terms will be stated in a prospectus supplement.

Any offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may any offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. Accordingly, this press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or solicitation of any offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer, with subsidiary operations in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Through these operations, Arch provides the fuel for approximately 6% of the electricity generated in the United States. Arch Coal's Internet address is www.archcoal.com.