<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<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">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As
Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;15, 2005
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</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>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 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<BR>
Under the<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ARCH COAL, INC.</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%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">DELAWARE<BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">43-0921172<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">City Place One, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
St. Louis, Missouri 63141<BR>
(314)&nbsp;994-2700<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: 20pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ARCH COAL, INC. RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLAN</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Robert G. Jones<BR>
Vice President &#151; Law, Secretary and General Counsel<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 number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <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="21" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

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

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">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">Title of Securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Offering Price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registration</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">to be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Per Share(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Offering Price(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Fee(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock, $.01
par value per share
</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD nowrap align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">295,000 Shares(2)
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$58.175</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$17,161,625</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$2,019.92</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<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">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of determining the registration
fee.</TD>
</TR>

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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>This Registration Statement also covers such additional shares of Common Stock as may be
issuable pursuant to antidilution provisions.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<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>












<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>

<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>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c97640exv5w1.htm">Opinion and Consent of Robert G. Jones</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c97640exv23w1.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c97640exv24.htm">Power of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>






<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

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


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by Arch Coal, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange
Act&#148;), are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March&nbsp;31, 2005 and June&nbsp;30, 2005;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since
the end of the fiscal year referred to in (a)&nbsp;above; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on
Form 8-B filed on June&nbsp;17, 1997 under the Exchange Act.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Common Stock, and related Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, contained in
Item&nbsp;1 of the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on June&nbsp;17, 1997 under the
Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference. The securities are registered under Section
12(b) of the Exchange Act.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The legality of the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan will be passed upon for the
Company by Robert G. Jones, Vice President &#150; Law, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, who
beneficially owns 4,552 shares of common stock.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-1
</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">
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with Delaware law, the Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, contains provisions that result in the elimination of the personal
liability of directors to the Registrant and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of
their fiduciary duties as a director, except for (i)&nbsp;breach of a director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the
company or to the stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;acts of omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;dividend or stock repurchases or
redemptions that are illegal under Delaware law, and (iv)&nbsp;any transaction for which a director
receives an improper personal benefit. These provisions pertain only to breaches of duty by
directors as directors and not in any other capacity, such as officers. As a result of the
inclusion of such provisions, stockholders may be unable to recover monetary damages against
directors for actions taken by them that constitute negligence or gross negligence or that are in
violation of their fiduciary duties, although it may be possible to obtain injunctive or other
equitable relief with respect to such actions. If equitable remedies are found not to be available
to stockholders in any particular case, stockholders may not have any effective remedy against the
challenged conduct.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation law, a corporation has the power to
indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain
limitations against certain costs and expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of this being a director or officer of
the corporation if it is determined that he acted in accordance with the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in such statutory provision. Article&nbsp;V of the Registrant&#146;s Bylaws provides that
the Registrant will indemnify any person who may be involved, as a party or otherwise, in a claim,
action, suit or proceeding (other than any claim, action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the
right of the Registrant) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of
the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director or officer of
any other corporation or entity, against certain liabilities, costs and expenses. The Registrant
is also authorized to and does maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director
or officer of the Registrant , or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director
or officer of any other corporation or entity, against any liability asserted against such person
and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or
not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
Delaware General Corporation law.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with persons who are directors and/or
officers of the Registrant.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference is made to the Exhibit&nbsp;Index filed herewith.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

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


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

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-2
</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">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">(1)&nbsp;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: 4%">&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: 4%">&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
total 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% 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: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">(2)&nbsp;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 <I>bona fide </I>offering

thereof.
</DIV>


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

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&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 <I>bona fide </I>offering
thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&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
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>II-3</B>
</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">
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>II-4</B>
</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">



<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">SIGNATURES
</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 St. Louis, Missouri on August&nbsp;12, 2005.
</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="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">ARCH COAL, INC.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Robert G. Jones</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">

<TD 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" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD 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">Robert G. Jones</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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">Vice President &#150; Law, General Counsel and</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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">Secretary</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</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="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Name</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<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">President, Chief Executive Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" 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 and Director
</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 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Robert J. Messey</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="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert J. Messey
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Officer and Treasurer (Principal</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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">Chairman of the Board and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">James R. Boyd</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Frank M. Burke</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Patricia Fry Godley</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Douglas H. Hunt</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Thomas A. Lockhart</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">A. Michael Perry</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>II-5</B>
</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">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Name</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<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 nowrap align="left" valign="top">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Robert G. Potter</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 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">August 12, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Theordore 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><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Wesley M. Taylor</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</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="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*By:
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Robert G. Jones
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Robert G. Jones</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">As Attorney-in-fact</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>ORIGINAL POWERS OF ATTORNEY AUTHORIZING STEVEN F. LEER AND ROBERT G. JONES, AND EACH OF THEM,
TO SIGN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 AND ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS THERETO ON BEHALF OF THE
ABOVE NAMED PERSONS IS ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT 24.</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>II-6</B>
</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">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">ARCH COAL, INC.
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">EXHIBIT INDEX
</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="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="91%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Arch Coal, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the Quarter Ended March&nbsp;31, 2000)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of Arch Coal, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the Year Ended December&nbsp;31, 2000)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Rights Agreement, dated March&nbsp;3, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;1 to a
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-A filed on March&nbsp;9, 2000)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Robert G. Jones regarding the validity of the Common Stock</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Robert G. Jones (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (filed herewith)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>II-7</B>
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c97640sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 48313}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ARCH COAL INC", "cik": "0001037676", "assigned-sic": "1221", "irs-number": "430921172", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-127548", "film-number": "051026739"}, "business-address": {"street1": "CITY PLACE ONE STE 300", "street2": "ARCH MINERAL CORP", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63141", "phone": "3149942700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "CITYPLACE ONE SUITE 300", "street2": "ARCH MINERAL CORP", "city": "CREVE COEUR", "state": "MO", "zip": "63141"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ARCH MINERAL CORP", "date-changed": "19970411"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
As
Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2005
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under the
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ARCH COAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
43-0921172
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
City Place One, 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. RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Robert G. Jones
Vice President — Law, Secretary and General Counsel
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)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Maximum
Maximum
Amount of
Title of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Registration
to be Registered
Registered
Per Share(1)
Offering Price(1)
Fee(1)
Common Stock, $.01
par value per share
295,000 Shares(2)
$58.175
$17,161,625
$2,019.92
(1)
Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of determining the registration
fee.
(2)
This Registration Statement also covers such additional shares of Common Stock as may be
issuable pursuant to antidilution provisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Opinion and Consent of Robert G. Jones
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Power of Attorney
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by Arch Coal, Inc. (the "Registrant") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004;
(b)
The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005;
(c)
All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since
the end of the fiscal year referred to in (a) above; and
(d)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form 8-B filed on June 17, 1997 under the Exchange Act.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
The description of the Common Stock, and related Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, contained in
Item 1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on June 17, 1997 under the
Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference. The securities are registered under Section
12(b) of the Exchange Act.
Item 5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.
The legality of the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan will be passed upon for the
Company by Robert G. Jones, Vice President – Law, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, who
beneficially owns 4,552 shares of common stock.
II-1
Table of Contents
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
In accordance with Delaware law, the Registrant's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, contains provisions that result in the elimination of the personal
liability of directors to the Registrant and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of
their fiduciary duties as a director, except for (i) breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the
company or to the stockholders, (ii) acts of omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) dividend or stock repurchases or
redemptions that are illegal under Delaware law, and (iv) any transaction for which a director
receives an improper personal benefit. These provisions pertain only to breaches of duty by
directors as directors and not in any other capacity, such as officers. As a result of the
inclusion of such provisions, stockholders may be unable to recover monetary damages against
directors for actions taken by them that constitute negligence or gross negligence or that are in
violation of their fiduciary duties, although it may be possible to obtain injunctive or other
equitable relief with respect to such actions. If equitable remedies are found not to be available
to stockholders in any particular case, stockholders may not have any effective remedy against the
challenged conduct.
Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation law, a corporation has the power to
indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain
limitations against certain costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of this being a director or officer of
the corporation if it is determined that he acted in accordance with the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in such statutory provision. Article V of the Registrant's Bylaws provides that
the Registrant will indemnify any person who may be involved, as a party or otherwise, in a claim,
action, suit or proceeding (other than any claim, action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the
right of the Registrant) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of
the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director or officer of
any other corporation or entity, against certain liabilities, costs and expenses. The Registrant
is also authorized to and does maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director
or officer of the Registrant , or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director
or officer of any other corporation or entity, against any liability asserted against such person
and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or
not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
Delaware General Corporation law.
The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with persons who are directors and/or
officers of the Registrant.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Reference is made to the Exhibit Index filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
II-2
Table of Contents
(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
total 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% 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 the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 the offering.
(b) 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.
(c) 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
II-3
Table of Contents
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.
II-4
Table of Contents
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 St. Louis, Missouri on August 12, 2005.
ARCH COAL, INC.
By:
/s/ Robert G. Jones
Robert G. Jones
Vice President – Law, General Counsel and
Secretary
Name
Title
Date
*
President, Chief Executive Officer
August 12, 2005
Steven F. Leer and Director
/s/ Robert J. Messey
Robert J. Messey
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
August 12, 2005
Officer and Treasurer (Principal
Financial Officer)
*
Chairman of the Board and Director
August 12, 2005
James R. Boyd
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Frank M. Burke
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Patricia Fry Godley
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Douglas H. Hunt
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Thomas A. Lockhart
*
Director
August 12, 2005
A. Michael Perry
II-5
Table of Contents
Name
Title
Date
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Robert G. Potter
*
Director
August 12, 2005
Theordore D. Sands
Director
Wesley M. Taylor
*By:
/s/ Robert G. Jones
Robert G. Jones
As Attorney-in-fact
ORIGINAL POWERS OF ATTORNEY AUTHORIZING STEVEN F. LEER AND ROBERT G. JONES, AND EACH OF THEM,
TO SIGN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 AND ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS THERETO ON BEHALF OF THE
ABOVE NAMED PERSONS IS ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT 24.
II-6
Table of Contents
ARCH COAL, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Arch Coal, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2000)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Arch Coal, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2000)
4.1
Form of Rights Agreement, dated March 3, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to a
Current Report on Form 8-A filed on March 9, 2000)
5.1
Opinion of Robert G. Jones regarding the validity of the Common Stock
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3
Consent of Robert G. Jones (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24
Power of Attorney (filed herewith)
II-7