APPALACHIA, Va., June 26, 2013 -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today announced that its Cumberland River Coal Company's Pine Branch No. 1 mine earned the distinction of Virginia's safest large underground mine for working more than 168,000 employee-hours without a lost-time safety incident in 2012.

Pine Branch was recognized by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board today.

"We're very proud of our Virginia employees for demonstrating strong leadership in mine safety," said Charles Snavely, president of eastern operations. "Achieving the best mine safety record in the state is a reflection of Arch's unwavering commitment to the safety of our employees and our mines."

The Cumberland River mining complex and its approximately 240 employees operate two coal mines, Pine Branch in Wise County, Va. and Trace Fork in Letcher County, Ky. Cumberland River's top-ranked mine rescue team earned the Grand Championship at the Virginia Mining Institute Contest in 2011 and 2012.

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. is one of the world's top coal producers for the global steel and power generation industries, serving customers in 25 countries on five continents. Its network of mining complexes is the most diversified in the United States, spanning every major coal basin in the nation. The company controls a 5.5 billion-ton reserve base of high-quality metallurgical and thermal coals, with access to all major railroads, inland waterways and a growing number of seaborne trade channels. In 2012, Arch maintained its leading position in the U.S. coal industry for safety performance and environmental compliance among large, diversified producers. For more information, visit www.archcoal.com.