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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 November&nbsp;16, 2007<BR>
Registration No.&nbsp;333- __________________
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; margin-top: 3pt; 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: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><IMG src="c21651c2165100.gif" alt="(ARCH COAL LOGO)">
</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"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>43-0921172</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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: 18pt"><B>Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Robert G. Jones<BR>
Vice President &#151; 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="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Calculation of Registration Fee</B>
</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="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="19" 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: 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">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed 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="left" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000">Title of securities 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">offering price per share</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">aggregate offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registration fee</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">Deferred compensation obligations<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top"> (1)</SUP>
</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 align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$15,000,000<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP>
</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">100</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">%</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 align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$15,000,000<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP>
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">461</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="19" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px 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"><SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP> &nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The obligations under the Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan are unsecured
general obligations of Arch Coal, Inc. to pay deferred compensation in accordance with the
terms of the Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.</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> &nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.</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"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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








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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Registration of Additional Shares</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;333-68131) filed on December&nbsp;1, 1998 are hereby incorporated by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. </B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>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 deferred compensation obligations 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>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. </B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>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%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&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>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 filed on December&nbsp;1, 1998 (File No.
333-68131)).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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>


<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="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 16<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day
of November, 2007.
</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/ Steven F. Leer
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Steven F. Leer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman and Chief Executive 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="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&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" style="line-height: 9pt"><!-- 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/ Steven F. Leer
<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
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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/ Robert J. Messey
<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 and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">Controller (Principal Accounting<BR>
Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
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    <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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
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    <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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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>
Theodore D. Sands
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 6pt"><!-- 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">November&nbsp;16, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <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>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c21651sv8.htm", "description": "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 26991}]
{"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": "333-147459", "film-number": "071253171"}, "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
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2007
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
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
43-0921172
(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. Deferred Compensation Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Robert G. Jones
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)
Calculation of Registration Fee
Amount to be
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
registered
offering price per share
aggregate offering price
registration fee
Deferred compensation obligations
(1)
$15,000,000
(2)
100
%
$15,000,000
(2)
$
461
(1)
The obligations under the Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan are unsecured
general obligations of Arch Coal, Inc. to pay deferred compensation in accordance with the
terms of the Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
Explanatory Note
Registration of Additional Shares
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. 333-68131) filed on December 1, 1998 are hereby incorporated by reference.
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 deferred compensation obligations 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
Arch Coal, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed on December 1, 1998 (File No.
333-68131)).
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.
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 16
th
day
of November, 2007.
Arch Coal, Inc.
By:
/s/ Steven F. Leer
Steven F. Leer
Chairman and Chief Executive 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
/s/ Steven F. Leer
Steven F. Leer
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
November 16, 2007
/s/ Robert J. Messey
Robert J. Messey
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
November 16, 2007
/s/ John W. Lorson
John W. Lorson
Controller (Principal Accounting
Officer)
November 16, 2007
*
James R. Boyd
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Frank M. Burke
Director
November 16, 2007
*
John W. Eaves
President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
November 16, 2007
*
Patricia F. Godley
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Douglas H. Hunt
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Brian J. Jennings
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Thomas A. Lockhart
Director
November 16, 2007
*
A. Michael Perry
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Robert G. Potter
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Theodore D. Sands
Director
November 16, 2007
*
Wesley M. Taylor
Director
November 16, 2007
*By:
/s/ Robert G. Jones
Robert G. Jones, attorney-in-fact