ST. LOUIS (August 1, 2008) — The board of directors of Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today announced that Deck S. Slone has been elected vice president, government, investor and public affairs. Slone previously held the position of vice president, investor relations and public affairs.

"Deck has contributed greatly to the company's growth and success in recent years, and I expect him to play an even more significant leadership role in this new and expanded position," said Steven F. Leer, Arch's chairman and chief executive officer. "I look forward to working closely with Deck in the future as we endeavor to create still greater value for our shareholders."

In his new position, Slone will have leadership responsibility for Arch's federal and state government affairs functions, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities for the corporation's investor relations and corporate communications efforts. Slone also maintains his position as a member of the corporation's senior officer team, which has responsibility for strategy development, policy formation and capital allocation. In addition, he serves as president of the Arch Coal Foundation and treasurer of the corporation's political action committee.

Slone currently serves as chairman of the associates group of the Coal Industry Advisory Board, an international organization providing policy guidance on coal-related issues to the Paris-based International Energy Agency. In addition, he is co-chair of the communications committee for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. He also serves on the boards of the American Coal Foundation, St. Louis for Kids and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Slone joined Arch Coal in 1997 and was elected vice president, investor relations and public affairs in 2001. He started his career in 1987 with Ashland Inc., a diversified chemical company based in Covington, Ky.

Slone earned a bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., in 1986, and a master's of business administration from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999.

St. Louis-based Arch Coal is one of the largest U.S. coal producers, with revenues of $2.4 billion in 2007. 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.