ST. LOUIS, April 26, 2012 -- The board of directors of Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) late yesterday announced that Arch's Tygart Valley #1 mine will be renamed the Leer Mine in recognition of the leadership of Steven F. Leer, who was elected executive chairman of Arch's board today after two decades with the company as chief executive officer.

"We wanted to honor Steve for two decades of exceptional service and leadership," said Arch's Lead Director James R. Boyd. "It is fitting to name this brand-new, world-class mining complex in honor of Steve and his vision of safety excellence, environmental stewardship and strategic growth. We view the Leer Mine as one of Arch's most exciting new growth projects and an integral part of our company's future."

The new Leer Mine is a metallurgical coal mine currently under development in Taylor County, W.Va. With the startup of the longwall in mid-2013, the Leer Mine is expected to produce 3.5 million tons of premium metallurgical coal annually, for sale to overseas and domestic steel producers. The Leer Mine will employ more than 300 employees.

"I'm honored to have my name forever associated with this new operation, which I believe is destined to become one of the world's premier coal mines," said Leer. "It has been a great privilege to be associated with Arch for 20 years and counting, and I am more enthusiastic than ever about the company's exciting future prospects."

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is a top five global coal producer and marketer, with 155 million tons of coal sold in 2011. Arch is the most diversified American coal company, with more than 20 active mining complexes across every major U.S. coal supply basin. Its core business is supplying cleaner-burning, low-sulfur thermal and metallurgical coal to power generators and steel manufacturers on five continents. In 2011, Arch continued to lead the U.S. coal industry in safety performance and environmental compliance among large, diversified producers.

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