Arch to Become Second Largest U.S. Metallurgical Coal Producer

ST. LOUIS and SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va., May 2, 2011 -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) ("Arch" or "the company") and International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE:ICO) ("ICG") today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Arch will acquire all of the outstanding shares of ICG for $14.60 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $3.4 billion. The combined company will be the second largest U.S. metallurgical coal supplier and a top-five overall global coal producer and marketer. Arch will have a balanced metallurgical ("met") and thermal coal portfolio with unparalleled operational diversification in every major U.S. supply basin and the No. 1 or No. 2 position in each of its three core operating regions.

"The acquisition of ICG is a significant strategic step that strengthens Arch's position as a world-class, global coal franchise positioned for growth," said Steven F. Leer, Arch's chairman and chief executive officer. "This transaction will greatly expand our participation in global met markets; provide a powerful platform for future organic met coal production growth; enhance and further diversify our met and thermal coal product slate; extend our operating portfolio into every major U.S. coal-producing basin; and solidify our position as one of the industry's lowest cost producers."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With the smashing of a champagne bottle against its bow, a lingering baritone blast from its horn and a chorus of cheers from a festive crowd, the Motor Vessel Pennsylvania became the MV O. Nelson Jones in a ceremony Friday in its homeport of Port Amherst, southeast of Charleston.

The newly christened 164-foot towboat was named to honor Jones, the president of the 30-boat Amherst Madison fleet, who died last July at age 52 after a long battle with cancer.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201104291859

BIRCH RIVER – Approximately 100 students from area elementary and high schools, as well as West Virginia University joined the staff of the ICG Eastern Mining Complex in Webster County Thursday for the company’s 5th annual Arbor Day Celebration.

The Friends of Coal and the West Virginia Coal Association would like to remind everyone to vote May 14. The economic future of our state is too important to sit back and allow others to make the decisions for you. Take that little bit of extra time and stop by the polls. Tell your friends and neighbors and if they don’t have a way to get to the polls, drive them.

Vote for your future!

Vote for jobs!

Vote for coal!

Kevin Stricklin, Administrator for MSHA’s Coal Mine Health & Safety Division, addressed WVCA’s Mine Safety Committee in Charleston this week and provided an update on organizational and personnel matters.

MSHA’s District 4 will be divided into two districts with a new MSHA District 12 will be created.  Mt. Hope, Mt. Carbon, Summersville and Uneeda will remain with District 4 out of Mt. Hope and the Princeton, Logan and Pineville offices will be merged into District 12.

The new district will eventually be housed in a new facility but for the interim will operate out of the current Pineville MSHA Office and possibly the Mine Academy in Beckley.

Charlie Carpenter will succeed Bob Hardman, who is leaving his post as District Manager of District 4 this summer and Tim Watkins will be the District Manager for District 12.  Carpenter worked for Consol in Northern WV before joining MSHA.  He’s a former Field Office Supervisor in Alabama and is currently working out of Arlington on special safety projects and petitions. Watkins has been with MSHA for 20 years and was recently an ADM in District 6 in Pikeville KY;  he also worked in the agency’s technical support and ventilation division.

Additionally, Link Self will remain with District 4 and Luther Marrs will be reassigned to District 12.  Existing District 4 personnel will likely be given an opportunity to be reassigned to District 12.