ST. LOUIS, Sept 15, 2010 -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI - News) today announced that it again earned a spot on the InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation's most innovative users of business technology. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Arch Coal has been ranked as one of the most innovative companies by InformationWeek. The 2009 InformationWeek 500 companies were announced on September 14, 2009 at a gala awards ceremony held during the annual conference at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point, Calif.

We are honored to be recognized time and again by InformationWeek as an innovative user of new technologies," said Chairman and CEO Steven F. Leer. "This award recognizes Arch Coal's commitment to empower our management team with more timely business intelligence insights. Increasing the immediate access to critical business data helps us more effectively operate as a highly competitive and responsible energy company."

Arch Coal is the only coal producer and one of only five natural resources companies among this year's InformationWeek 500.

"For over 20 years, the InformationWeek 500 has honored the most innovative users of business technology," said InformationWeek Editor-in-Chief Rob Preston. "Year after year, InformationWeek 500 companies harness technology to improve efficiency, boost productivity, drive revenue, and establish a competitive advantage. We applaud this year's winners, and the CIOs and other executives whose ingenuity and risk taking are at the center of business technology innovation."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual 500 listing, now in its 21st year, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America's best-known companies. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are unique among corporate rankings as they spotlight the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders. Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

St. Louis-based Arch Coal is one of the largest U.S. coal producers, with revenues of $3.0 billion in 2008. Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal to fuel roughly 6 percent of the nation's electricity. The company also ships coal to domestic and international steel manufacturers as well as international power producers. Arch has amassed numerous national and international awards for the innovative use of new technologies, including Business Week's Web Smart 50 and CIO's Bold 100.