Arch Coal's Thunder Basin Coal Company Earns National Award for Public Outreach

WRIGHT, Wyo., April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arch Coal's Thunder Basin Coal Company has been named the exclusive recipient of the 2010 Public Outreach Award by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC).

Since 1999, the IMCC Public Outreach Award has been presented each year to a single state government body, industry, environmental or citizen group to recognize excellent achievements in fostering awareness, cooperation, educational and community outreach.

"It is a great honor for Thunder Basin to be selected for its excellence in public outreach," says John W. Eaves, president and chief operating officer of Arch Coal.  "We're especially honored to be chosen from such a large pool of well-deserving organizations for the prestigious IMCC award.  Going that extra mile is an important part of our company's responsible culture."

IMCC selected Thunder Basin for its multi-faceted educational efforts to effectively reach people in the local community, the state and the nation.  Thunder Basin has had involvement in state and national advertising campaigns that promote mining and reclamation.  They have done extensive educational programs with schools including presentations at local high schools, specialized school tours, and hosted HawkQuest, a falconer group, at Campbell County Schools for two consecutive years.  Critical habitat studies and research have been conducted with their participation in Wyoming sage grouse efforts.  Other educational efforts include sponsoring an ongoing Teacher Achievement Award program that annually honors 10 Wyoming teachers, hosting an annual luncheon for neighboring ranchers and their families, as well as countless hours volunteering in the community and providing public mine tours.

Thunder Basin operates two large-scale surface mines located in the Powder River Basin in Campbell County, Wyo.  Thunder Basin's 1,800-strong workforce at Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines produce more than 12 percent of the U.S. coal supply each year.

The Interstate Mining Compact Commission is a multi-state governmental organization that represents the natural resource interests of its member states.  First envisioned in 1964, the Commission came into existence in 1970 with the entry of its first four states.  Since that time, 19 additional states have enacted legislation bringing them into the Compact, and five additional states have become associate members as they pursue enactment of legislation which will make them full members.  The Commission established its headquarters in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. in 1988.  The states are officially represented by their Governors who serve as Commissioners.  The Commission operates through several committees composed of duly appointed representatives of the Governors from their respective Departments of Natural Resources or Environmental Protection.  More information is available at www.imcc.isa.us.

St. Louis-based Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) is the second largest U.S. coal producer.  Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal to fuel roughly 8 percent of the nation's electricity.  Arch and its subsidiaries add the IMCC award to a long list of national accolades, including the coveted U.S. Department of Interior OSM Director's Award three times, the National Award three times, the national Good Neighbor Award five times, as well as the Special 25th Anniversary Award.  For a list of Arch Coal's recent awards, visit www.archcoal.com/aboutus/awards.aspx.

SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.