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

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February&nbsp;5, 2004
</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration No.&nbsp;333-
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under the<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="6"><B>ARCH COAL, INC.</B>
</FONT>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">DELAWARE<BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
43-0921172<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">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)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">ARCH COAL, INC. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">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)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="42%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="29%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of Securities</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to be</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Aggregate</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Per Share(1)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price(1)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Fee(1)</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, $.01
par value per share</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
3,000,000 Shares(2)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$26.63<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$79,890,000<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">$10,122<br>
</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top"><FONT size="2"><br>
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2">(1)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of determining
the registration fee.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2">(2)
</FONT></TD>
 <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
 <TD><FONT size="2">This Registration Statement also covers such additional shares of Common
Stock as may be issuable pursuant to antidilution provisions.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>
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<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
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</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="c82670exv5w1.htm">Opinion/Consent of Robert G. Jones</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c82670exv23w1.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c82670exv24w1.htm">Power of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<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="left"><A name="a000"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">PART II
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a001"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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:
</FONT>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2">(a)
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2002;
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2">(b)
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">All 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
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
       <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><FONT size="2">(c)
</FONT></TD>
       <TD width="1%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
       <TD><FONT size="2">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.
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a002"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a003"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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 2,150 shares of
common stock.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a004"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with Delaware law, the Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation,
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;
</FONT>
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<P align="left"><FONT size="2">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.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with persons who are
directors and/or officers of the Registrant.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a005"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a006"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference is made to the Exhibit&nbsp;Index filed herewith.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a007"></A></DIV>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-2
</FONT>
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<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%"><FONT size="2">(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;
</FONT>

<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;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
</FONT>

<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; margin-right:0%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;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;
</FONT>

<P align="left" style="margin-left:2%"><FONT size="2"><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.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%"><FONT size="2">(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.
</FONT>
<P align="left" style="margin-left:4%"><FONT size="2">(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.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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 provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-3
</FONT>
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<P align="left"><FONT size="2">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.
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-4
</FONT>
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<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left"><A name="a008"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SIGNATURES
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&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 February&nbsp;4, 2004.
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">ARCH COAL, INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">By:
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Robert G. Jones</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Robert G. Jones<br>
Vice President &#150; Law, General Counsel<br>
and Secretary</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Name</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Steven F. Leer
<HR size="1" noshade>
Steven F. Leer</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President, Chief Executive Officer<br>
and Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 4, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Robert J. Messey
<HR size="1" noshade>
Robert J. Messey</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February 4, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
James R. Boyd</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board and Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
Frank M. Burke</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
Douglas H. Hunt</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
Thomas A. Lockhart</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
James L. Parker</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-5
</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Name</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
A. Michael Perry</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
Robert G. Potter</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">*
<HR size="1" noshade>
Theodore D. Sands</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">*By: /s/ Robert G. Jones</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">February&nbsp;4, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Robert G. Jones<br>
Attorney-in-fact</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-6
</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">ARCH COAL, INC.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">EXHIBIT INDEX
</FONT>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR  valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">3.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
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)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">3.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
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
10-K for the Year Ended December&nbsp;31, 2000)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
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)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Robert G. Jones regarding the validity of the Common Stock</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Robert G. Jones (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">II-7
</FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2004
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. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE 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 Maximum
Proposed 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
3,000,000 Shares(2)
$26.63
$79,890,000
$10,122
(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
Opinion/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, 2002;
(b)
All 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
(c)
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 2,150 shares of
common stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
In accordance with Delaware law, the Registrant's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation,
Table of Contents
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:
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(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 provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
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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.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in St. Louis, Missouri on February 4, 2004.
ARCH COAL, INC.
By:
/s/ Robert G. Jones
Robert G. Jones
Vice President – Law, General Counsel
and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/s/ Steven F. Leer
Steven F. Leer
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
February 4, 2004
/s/ Robert J. Messey
Robert J. Messey
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
February 4, 2004
*
James R. Boyd
Chairman of the Board and Director
*
Frank M. Burke
Director
*
Douglas H. Hunt
Director
*
Thomas A. Lockhart
Director
*
James L. Parker
Director
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Name
Title
Date
*
A. Michael Perry
Director
*
Robert G. Potter
Director
*
Theodore D. Sands
Director
*By: /s/ Robert G. Jones
February 4, 2004
Robert G. Jones
Attorney-in-fact
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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
23.2
Consent of Robert G. Jones (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney
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