ST. LOUIS, Sept. 25, 2012 -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today has been honored with the 2012 Conservation Legacy Award by the National Museum of Forest Service History.

President of the National Museum of Forest Service History, Gray F. Reynolds, applauded Arch's voluntary environmental efforts on public and private lands during the museum's annual meeting in Vail, Colo.

"The Museum board salutes Arch Coal for passing on a conservation legacy through its outstanding actions to restore landscapes, safeguard wildlife and enhance the public lands where the company operates," said Reynolds. "The men and women of Arch Coal have set a stellar example for public-private cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving as long-term custodians of our nation's forests and grasslands."

Deck S. Slone, Arch's senior vice president of strategy and public policy, accepted the award during the MINExpo on behalf of the company and its 6,500 employees.

"Helping to meet the world's growing energy needs in a responsible manner is central to our mission at Arch Coal," said Slone. "Our commitment to protecting and restoring America's lands extends to every project. It is highly gratifying to be recognized for our efforts by the National Museum of Forest Service History."

The Conservation Legacy Award recognizes an organization, company, or individual that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to advancing the legacy of conservation of our national forests and grasslands, invites the participation of the public and likeminded organizations, and exhibits the esprit de corps that has served for more than 100 years to define the work of the U.S. Forest Service and its cooperators in the private and nonprofit sectors.

The National Museum of Forest Service History, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1988, is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the entire national history of the USDA Forest Service for the education and enjoyment of the general public, scholars and historical researchers. For more information, visit www.nmfs-history.net.

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. is a top five global coal producer and marketer. Arch is the most diversified American coal company, with mining complexes across every major U.S. coal supply basin.  Its core business is supplying cleaner-burning, low-sulfur thermal and metallurgical coal to power generators and steel manufacturers on five continents.  In 2011, Arch continued to lead the U.S. coal industry in safety performance and environmental compliance among large, diversified producers. For more information, visit www.archcoal.com.