FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Deck S. Slone Director, Investor Relations and Public Affairs (314) 994-2717

April 26, 2001



Arch Coal board declares quarterly dividend

St. Louis - April 26, 2001 - The board of directors of Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today declared a quarterly dividend of 5.75 cents per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable June 15, 2001, to shareholders of record on June 5, 2001.

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.