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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;6, 2009<BR>
Registration No.&nbsp;333 &#150; <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><IMG src="c48517c4851700.gif" alt="(ACI LOGO)"></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>43-0921172</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>One CityPlace Drive, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
St. Louis, Missouri 63141<BR>
(314)&nbsp;994-2700</B><BR>
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code<BR>
of registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries Employee Thrift Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Robert G. Jones<BR>
Senior Vice President &#150; Law, General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
Arch Coal, Inc.<BR>
One CityPlace Drive, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
St. Louis, Missouri 63141<BR>
(314)&nbsp;994-2700<BR>
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone<BR>
number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>



<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
</DIV>



<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Calculation of Registration Fee</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title of securities to be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">offering price per share <SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">aggregate offering price <SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registration fee <SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common stock, par value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,000,000 shares <SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$16.14</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$16,140,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$634.30</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV style="margin-top: 3pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457, these prices are estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee and are based upon the average of the high and low sales
prices of the registrant&#146;s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December&nbsp;31, 2008.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>This registration statement shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in accordance with </B><B>Section 8(a)</B><B> of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule&nbsp;462
thereunder.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">






<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">Part&nbsp;II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">Signatures</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c48517exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c48517exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c48517exv24w1.htm">EX-24.1</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Part II</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Information Required in the Registration Statement</B></DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to Instruction E of Form S-8, this filing relates to the registration of additional
securities of the same class as other securities for which a registration statement filed on this
form relating to a benefit plan is effective. The contents of the registration statement on Form
S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-32777) filed on August&nbsp;4, 1997 are hereby incorporated by reference, except as
amended by the items included below.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gregory A. Billhartz, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Arch Coal, Inc.,
has rendered an opinion as to the validity of the shares of common stock being registered hereby.
Mr.&nbsp;Billhartz is paid a salary by us and is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered
to our employees generally.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="92%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Arch Coal, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the registrant&#146;s
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on May&nbsp;5, 2006).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Arch Coal, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws (effective as of
December&nbsp;5, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the
registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;10,
2008).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Rights Agreement, dated March&nbsp;3, 2000 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;1 to the registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form
8-A filed on March&nbsp;9, 2000).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of counsel.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of independent registered public accounting firm.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of attorney.</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material
change to such information in this registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in reports filed or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of this offer.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
</DIV>


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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 "Signatures" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Signatures</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on the 6<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day
of January&nbsp;2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Arch Coal, Inc.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ John T. Drexler
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">John T. Drexler&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="2" align="left">Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signatures</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Capacity</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Steven F. Leer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John T. Drexler
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John T. Drexler
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John W. Lorson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John W. Lorson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal Accounting
Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James R. Boyd
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank M. Burke
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John W. Eaves
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Patricia F. Godley
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Douglas H. Hunt
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Brian J. Jennings
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas A. Lockhart
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
A. Michael Perry
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert G. Potter
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt">
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
Theodore D. Sands
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Wesley M. Taylor
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;6, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">*By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Robert G. Jones
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Robert G. Jones, attorney-in-fact&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan Administrator has caused
this registration statement to be signed on the Plan&#146;s behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on the 6<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of January&nbsp;2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries Employee Thrift
Plan<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Sheila B. Feldman
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Sheila B. Feldman&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Plan Administrator&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 6, 2009
Registration No. 333 –
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
43-0921172
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
(314) 994-2700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries Employee Thrift Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Robert G. Jones
Senior Vice President – Law, General Counsel and Secretary
Arch Coal, Inc.
One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
(314) 994-2700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Calculation of Registration Fee
Amount to be
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
registered
offering price per share
(1)
aggregate offering price
(1)
registration fee
(1)
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
1,000,000 shares
(2)
$16.14
$16,140,000
$634.30
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 457, these prices are estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee and are based upon the average of the high and low sales
prices of the registrant's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2008.
(2)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.
This registration statement shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in accordance with
Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 462
thereunder.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part II
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
Signatures
EX-5.1
EX-23.1
EX-24.1
Table of Contents
Part II
Information Required in the Registration Statement
Pursuant to Instruction E of Form S-8, this filing relates to the registration of additional
securities of the same class as other securities for which a registration statement filed on this
form relating to a benefit plan is effective. The contents of the registration statement on Form
S-8 (File No. 333-32777) filed on August 4, 1997 are hereby incorporated by reference, except as
amended by the items included below.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Gregory A. Billhartz, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Arch Coal, Inc.,
has rendered an opinion as to the validity of the shares of common stock being registered hereby.
Mr. Billhartz is paid a salary by us and is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered
to our employees generally.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Arch Coal, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2006).
4.2
Arch Coal, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws (effective as of
December 5, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10,
2008).
4.3
Form of Rights Agreement, dated March 3, 2000 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form
8-A filed on March 9, 2000).
5.1
Opinion of counsel.
23.1
Consent of independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2
Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of attorney.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material
change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in reports filed or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Table of Contents
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of this offer.
(b) insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(c) the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on the 6
th
day
of January 2009.
Arch Coal, Inc.
By:
/s/ John T. Drexler
John T. Drexler
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated:
Signatures
Capacity
Date
*
Steven F. Leer
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
January 6, 2009
/s/ John T. Drexler
John T. Drexler
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
January 6, 2009
/s/ John W. Lorson
John W. Lorson
Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal Accounting
Officer)
January 6, 2009
*
James R. Boyd
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Frank M. Burke
Director
January 6, 2009
*
John W. Eaves
President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
January 6, 2009
*
Patricia F. Godley
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Douglas H. Hunt
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Brian J. Jennings
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Thomas A. Lockhart
Director
January 6, 2009
*
A. Michael Perry
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Robert G. Potter
Director
January 6, 2009
*
Director
January 6, 2009
Theodore D. Sands
*
Wesley M. Taylor
Director
January 6, 2009
*By:
/s/ Robert G. Jones
Robert G. Jones, attorney-in-fact
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan Administrator has caused
this registration statement to be signed on the Plan's behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on the 6
th
day of January 2009.
Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries Employee Thrift
Plan
By:
/s/ Sheila B. Feldman
Sheila B. Feldman
Plan Administrator