Wright, WY (Aug. 7, 2003) -- Arch Coal, Inc. will continue its popular Teacher Achievement Awards program in the upcoming school year, the company said today. The program is now in its fourth year.

"In its first three years, Arch Coal has honored 30 excellent teachers from around the state with a $2,500 unrestricted cash award," said Greg Schaefer, Arch Coal vice president, external affairs, western region. "From the number of nominations we have received in the program's first three years, we know that there are many more teachers who deserve to be recognized with our award. I urge all Wyoming citizens to tell us about an excellent teacher they know."

Schaefer said the company will be sending nomination forms to all Wyoming schools, posting the forms on the company's Web site (www.archcoal.com) and also making them available at MiniMart and Taco John's locations. In addition, the Wyoming Education Association will once again partner with the company in supporting the awards program and will provide a link from its Web site to the nomination form. Schaefer said he expects all the nomination materials to be available near the start of the school year.

"Arch Coal appreciates the continued support of MiniMart, Taco John's, the Wyoming Education Association, the Wyoming Department of Education, and the Governor in supporting this important program," Schaefer said.

The Arch Coal teacher recognition program is unique because it features public nomination and peer selection. A blue-ribbon panel of experienced educators, including past winners of the Arch Coal award, select 10 recipients from in-depth applications in which the teachers discuss their teaching philosophies and the techniques they employ in the classroom.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer and employs approximately 500 people in Wyoming. Arch produces more than 65 million tons of clean-burning, low-sulfur coal annually at its Wyoming operations. The company's Black Thunder operation in Campbell County is one of the nation's largest and most efficient coal mines. Arch Coal is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.