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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To Board of Directors and Shareholders

of Arch Coal, Inc.

      We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Arch Coal, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Arch Coal Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

      We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

      Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

      In our opinion, management’s assessment that Arch Coal, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Arch Coal, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria.

      We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Arch Coal, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 of Arch Coal, Inc. and our report dated February 23, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

St. Louis, Missouri

February 23, 2005

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To Board of Directors and Shareholders

of Arch Coal, Inc.

      We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Arch Coal, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Arch Coal, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

      We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Arch Coal, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 23, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

      As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for asset retirement obligations effective January 1, 2003.

St. Louis, Missouri

February 23, 2005

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

      Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2004.

      Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

      The management of Arch Coal, Inc. is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related financial information in this annual report. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and necessarily include some amounts that are based on management’s informed estimates and judgments, with appropriate consideration given to materiality.

      The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable for purposes of preparing financial statements and that assets are properly accounted for and safeguarded. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on the recognition that the cost of a system of internal accounting controls should not exceed the value of the benefits derived. The Company has a professional staff of internal auditors who monitor compliance with and assess the effectiveness of the system of internal accounting controls.

      The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed of directors who are free from relationships that may impair their independence from Arch Coal, Inc., meets regularly with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors to discuss matters relating to financial reporting, internal accounting control, and the nature, extent and results of the audit effort. The independent auditors and internal auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, with and without management present.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Three Years Ended December 31, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Arch Coal, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the Company”), which operate in the coal mining industry. The Company’s primary business is the production of steam and metallurgical coal from surface and deep mines throughout the United States, for sale to utility, industrial and export markets. The Company’s mines are primarily located in the Powder River Basin, Central Appalachia and Western Bituminous regions of the United States. All subsidiaries (except as noted below) are wholly owned. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

      The Company’s Wyoming, Colorado and Utah coal operations are included in a joint venture named Arch Western Resources, LLC (“Arch Western”). Arch Western is 99% owned by the Company and 1% owned by BP Amoco. The Company also acts as the managing member of Arch Western.

      As of and for the period ending July 31, 2004, the membership interests in the Utah coal operations, Canyon Fuel Company, LLC (“Canyon Fuel”), were owned 65% by Arch Western and 35% by a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation. Through July 31, 2004, the Company’s 65% ownership of Canyon Fuel was accounted for on the equity method in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of certain super-majority voting rights in the joint venture agreement. Income from Canyon Fuel through July 31, 2004 is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as income from equity investments (see additional discussion in Note 5, “Equity Investments”). On July 31, 2004, the Company acquired the remaining 35% of Canyon Fuel. See Note 3, “Business Combinations” for further discussion.

      The Company’s 17.5% partnership interest in Dominion Terminal Associates is accounted for on the equity method in the consolidated balance sheets. Allocable costs of the partnership for coal loading and storage are included in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. (See additional discussion in “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 20.)

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

      On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“FAS 143”). FAS 143 requires legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets to be recognized at fair value at the time the obligations are incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, the cost should also be capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the useful life of the asset. Previously, the Company accrued for the expected costs of these obligations over the estimated useful mining life of the property. See additional discussion in Note 11, “Asset Retirement Obligations.”

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased.

      The Company maintains allowances to reflect the expected uncollectability of its trade accounts receivable and other receivables based on past collection history, the economic environment and specified risks identified in the receivables portfolio. Allowances recorded at December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $3.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

      Inventories consist of the following:

      Coal and supplies inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs and operating overhead. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for slow-moving and obsolete supplies inventories of $23.0 million and $18.8 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

      The costs to obtain coal lease rights are capitalized and amortized primarily by the units-of-production method over the estimated recoverable reserves. Amortization occurs either as the Company mines on the property or as others mine on the property through subleasing transactions.

      Rights to leased coal lands are often acquired through royalty payments. Where royalty payments represent prepayments recoupable against production, they are capitalized, and amounts expected to be recouped within one year are classified as a current asset. As mining occurs on these leases, the prepayment is charged to cost of coal sales.

      Acquisition costs allocated to coal supply agreements (sales contracts) are capitalized and amortized on the basis of coal to be shipped over the term of the contract. Value is allocated to coal supply agreements based on discounted cash flows attributable to the difference between the above or below-market contract price and the then-prevailing market price. The net book value of the Company’s above-market coal supply agreements was $11.1 million and $6.4 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These amounts are recorded in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net book value of all below-market coal supply agreements was $29.2 million at December 31, 2004. This amount is recorded in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization expense on all above-market coal supply agreements was $3.8 million, $16.6 million and $22.2 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Amortization income on all below-market coal supply agreements was $4.1 million in 2004. Based on expected shipments related to these contracts, the Company expects to record annual amortization

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

expense on the above-market coal supply agreements and annual amortization income on the below-market coal supply agreements in each of the next five years as reflected in the table below.

      During 2003, the Company agreed to terms with a large customer seeking to buy out of the remaining term of an above-market coal supply contract. The buy-out resulted in the receipt of $52.5 million in cash during the quarter. The Company wrote off the remaining contract value of $37.5 million and recorded a deferred gain of approximately $15 million related to this transaction. The deferred gain will be recognized ratably through 2012.

      Costs related to locating coal deposits and determining the economic mineability of such deposits are expensed as incurred.

      Plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Interest costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the construction period. Expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment or increase the productivity of the asset are capitalized. Plant and equipment are depreciated principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to 30 years except for preparation plants and loadouts. Preparation plants and loadouts are depreciated using the units-of-production method over the estimated recoverable reserves, subject to a minimum level of depreciation.

      Leased plant and equipment meeting certain criteria is capitalized and the present value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability. Amortization of capitalized leased assets is computed on the straight-line method over the term of the lease.

      Costs of developing new mines or significantly expanding the capacity of existing mines are capitalized and amortized using the units-of-production method over the estimated recoverable reserves that are associated with the property being benefited. Additionally, the asset retirement obligation asset has been recorded as a component of deferred mine development.

      A significant portion of the Company’s coal reserves are controlled through leasing arrangements. Amounts paid to acquire such lease rights are capitalized and depleted over the life of those reserves that are proven and probable. Depletion of coal lease rights is computed using the units-of-production method and the rights are assumed to have no residual value. The leases are generally long-term in nature (original terms range from 10 to 50 years), and substantially all of the leases contain provisions that allow for automatic extension of the lease term as long as mining continues.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

The net book value of the Company’s leased coal interests was $1,169.7 million and $693.3 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This increase is due to the addition of leased coal interests resulting from the North Rochelle and Canyon Fuel acquisitions and the Little Thunder leasing arrangement (See additional discussion in “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 20).

      Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS 142”), goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or if certain circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Impairment testing is performed at a reporting unit level. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, with the fair value of the reporting unit determined using a discounted cash flow analysis.

      If facts and circumstances suggest that a long-lived asset may be impaired, the carrying value is reviewed. If this review indicates that the value of the asset will not be recoverable, as determined based on projected undiscounted cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, then the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value.

      Coal sales revenues include sales to customers of coal produced at Company operations and coal purchased from other companies. The Company recognizes revenue from coal sales at the time title passes to the customer. Transportation costs that are billed by the Company and reimbursed to the transportation provider (pass through costs) are included in coal sales and cost of coal sales.

      Other operating income reflects income from sources other than coal sales, including administration and production fees from Canyon Fuel (these fees ceased as of the July 31, 2004 acquisition by the Company of the remaining 35% interest in Canyon Fuel), royalties earned from properties leased to third parties, and gains and losses from dispositions of long-term assets. These amounts are recognized as services are performed or otherwise earned.

      Derivative financial instruments are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 133”). FAS 133 requires all derivative financial instruments to be reported on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized either in earnings or equity, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure being hedged and how effective the derivatives are at offsetting price movements in the underlying exposure.

      The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company evaluates the effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis. Any ineffectiveness is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Ineffectiveness for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      The Company has historically utilized interest-rate swap agreements to modify the interest characteristics of outstanding Company debt. The swap agreements essentially convert variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. These agreements require the exchange of amounts based on variable interest rates for amounts based on fixed interest rates over the life of the agreement. The Company accrues amounts to be paid or received under interest-rate swap agreements over the lives of the agreements. Such amounts are recognized as adjustments to interest expense over the lives of agreements, thereby adjusting the effective interest rate on the Company’s debt.

      At December 31, 2004, the Company’s net interest rate swap position is as follows:

      Changes in the market value of the interest-rate swaps that no longer qualify as hedges are recorded as income or expense in the period of the change. During 2003, the Company recorded gains of $13.4 million resulting from changes in the market value of interest-rate swaps. This amount is included as other non-operating income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

      Deferred income taxes are based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years during which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

      These financial statements include the disclosure requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“FAS 123”), as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure (“FAS 148”). With respect to accounting for its stock options, as permitted under FAS 123, the Company has retained the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Had compensation expense for stock option grants been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the method of FAS 123, the Company’s net income (loss) and

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

earnings (loss) per common share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts as indicated in the following table:

      On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (FAS 123R), which requires all public companies to measure compensation cost in the income statement for all share-based payments (including employee stock options) at fair value for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company intends to adopt FAS 123R on July 1, 2005 using the modified-prospective method and anticipates a pre-tax charge to income of approximately $3.5 million for the expensing of unvested stock options and price contingent stock awards for the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. FAS 123R also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption.

      In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4” (FAS 151). This Statement amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). Provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on its financial statements.

      In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions” (FAS 153). This Statement’s amendments are based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. Further, FAS 153 eliminates the narrow exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a broader exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. Provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on its financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the classifications in the current year’s financial statements with no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.

      During the year ending December 31, 2004, the Company assigned its rights and obligations on a parcel of land to a third party resulting in a gain of $5.8 million. The gain is reflected in other operating income.

      During 2004, the Company filed a royalty rate reduction request with the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) for its West Elk mine in Colorado. The BLM notified the Company that it would receive a royalty rate reduction for a specified number of tons representing a retroactive portion for the year totaling $2.7 million. The retroactive portion was recognized as a component of cost of coal sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

      In connection with the settlement of tax audits for prior years, the Company recorded interest income of $2.2 million in 2004 related to federal income tax refunds. This amount is reflected as interest income.

      During the year ending December 31, 2004, the Company was notified by the IRS that it would receive additional black lung excise tax refunds and interest related to black lung claims that were originally denied by the IRS in 2002. The Company recognized a gain of $2.8 million ($2.1 million refund and $0.7 million of interest) related to the claims. The $2.1 million refund was recorded as a component of cost of coal sales, while the $0.7 million of interest was recorded as interest income.

      During the year ending December 31, 2004, Canyon Fuel, which was accounted for under the equity method through July 31, 2004, began the process of idling its Skyline Mine (the idling process was completed in May 2004), and incurred severance costs of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company’s share of these costs totals $2.1 million and is reflected in income from equity investments.

      During the year ending December 31, 2003, the Company instituted cost reduction efforts throughout its operations. These cost reduction efforts included the termination of approximately 100 employees at the Company’s corporate headquarters and its Central Appalachia mining operations and the recognition of expenses related to severance of $2.6 million. Of this amount, $1.6 million was reported as a component of cost of coal sales, with the remainder reported in selling, general and administrative expenses. Substantially all of the amounts noted were paid during 2003.

      During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company was notified by the State of Wyoming of a favorable ruling relating to the Company’s calculation of coal severance taxes. The ruling resulted in a refund of previously paid taxes and the reversal of previously accrued taxes payable. The impact on the 2003 financial results was a gain of $2.5 million, which was reflected as a reduction of cost of coal sales.

      During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company repaid its variable-rate term loans with the proceeds from the sale of fixed-rate notes. At that time, the Company determined that certain interest rate swaps that had been designated as hedges of the variable-rate interest payments were no longer effective hedges. Historical mark-to-market losses related to these swaps totaling $27.0 million had been previously deferred and are now being amortized as additional expense over the contractual terms of the swap agreements. The swap agreements’ contractual termination dates

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

range from September 2005 through October 2007. During 2004 and 2003, the Company recognized expenses of $8.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to the amortization of these previously deferred mark-to-market adjustments. The Company recognized an additional $0.7 million and $4.7 million of expense in 2004 and 2003, respectively, that represented early debt extinguishment costs. These amounts are included in expenses resulting from early debt extinguishment and termination of hedge accounting for interest rate swaps in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

      During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company settled certain coal contracts with a customer that was partially unwinding its coal supply position and desired to buy out of the remaining terms of those contracts. The settlements resulted in a pre-tax gain of $5.6 million, which was recognized in other operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

      The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $4.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2002 as a result of a workers’ compensation premium adjustment refund from the State of West Virginia. During 1998, the Company entered into the West Virginia workers’ compensation plan at one of its subsidiary operations. The subsidiary paid standard base rates until the West Virginia Division of Workers’ Compensation could determine the actual rates based on claims experience. Upon review, the Division of Workers’ Compensation refunded $4.6 million in premiums, which was recognized as an adjustment to cost of coal sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

      During 2002, the Company filed a royalty rate reduction request with the BLM for its West Elk mine in Colorado. The BLM notified the Company that it would receive a royalty rate reduction for a specified number of tons representing a retroactive portion for the year totaling $3.3 million. The retroactive portion was recognized as a component of cost of coal sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Additionally in 2002, Canyon Fuel was notified by the BLM that it would receive a royalty rate reduction for certain tons mined at its Skyline mine. The rate reduction applies to certain tons mined representing a retroactive refund of $1.1 million. The retroactive amount was reflected in income from equity investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

      On July 31, 2004, the Company purchased the 35% interest in Canyon Fuel that it did not own from ITOCHU Corporation. The purchase price, including related costs and fees, of $112.2 million was funded with cash of $90.2 million and a five-year, $22.0 million non-interest bearing note. Net of cash acquired, the fair value of the transaction totaled $97.4 million. As a result of the acquisition, the Company owns substantially all of the ownership interests of Canyon Fuel and will no longer account for its investment in Canyon Fuel on the equity method but will consolidate Canyon Fuel in its financial statements. As of December 31, 2003, Canyon Fuel controlled approximately 161.0 million tons of low-sulfur coal reserves in Utah and produced approximately 13.0 million tons of coal in 2003. The results of operations of the Canyon Fuel mines are included in the Company’s Western Bituminous segment.

      The preliminary purchase accounting allocation related to the acquisition has been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of, and for the period subsequent to, July 31, 2004. The final valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is expected to be finalized once third-party appraisals are completed. The Company expects the completion of these appraisals during the first half of 2005.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (dollars in thousands):

      Amounts preliminarily allocated to coal supply agreements noted in the table above represent the liability established for the net below-market coal supply agreements to be amortized over the remaining terms of the contracts. The liability is classified as an other noncurrent liability on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amortization period on these acquired coal supply agreements ranges from one to three years.

      On August 20, 2004, the Company acquired (1) Vulcan Coal Holdings, L.L.C., which owns all of the common equity of Triton Coal Company, LLC (“Triton”), and (2) all of the preferred units of Triton for a purchase price of $382.1 million, including transaction costs and working capital adjustments. Prior to the acquisition, Triton was the nation’s sixth largest coal producer in 2003 and operated two mines in the Powder River Basin, North Rochelle and Buckskin. Following the consummation of the transaction, the Company completed the agreement to sell Buckskin to Kiewit Mining Acquisition Company (“Kiewit”). The net sales price for this second transaction was $73.1 million. The total purchase price, including related costs and fees, was funded with cash on hand, including the proceeds from the Buckskin sale, $22.0 million in borrowings under the Company’s existing revolving credit facility and a $100.0 million term loan at its Arch Western Resources subsidiary. Upon acquisition, the Company integrated the North Rochelle mine with its existing Black Thunder mine in the Powder River Basin.

      The preliminary purchase accounting allocations related to the acquisition have been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of, and for the periods subsequent to, August 20, 2004. The final valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is expected to be finalized once third-party appraisals are completed. The Company expects the completion of these appraisals during the first half of 2005.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (dollars in thousands):

      Amounts preliminarily allocated to coal supply agreements noted in the table above represent the value attributed to the net above-market coal supply agreements to be amortized over the remaining terms of the contracts. The amortization period on these acquired coal supply agreements ranges from one to seven years.

      The goodwill amount above arose due to the delay in time between the execution of the acquisition agreement and the date of closing because of the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit to block the acquisition and is attributable to the loss of value from the tons mined during this period. Of the $37.4 million allocated to goodwill above, $27.5 million was deductible for income tax purposes.

      Included in the amounts allocated to accounts payable and accrued expenses noted in the table above are $5.5 million of liabilities incurred in connection with terminating Vulcan employees upon acquisition. Upon acquisition, the Company identified 24 employees of Vulcan who were terminated as part of the integration of the North Rochelle mine into the Company’s Black Thunder mine. All amounts accrued for severance have been paid as of December 31, 2004.

      The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of the Company, the remaining Canyon Fuel interest acquired from ITOCHU Corporation and the North Rochelle operations acquired from Triton, on a pro forma basis, as though the purchases had occurred as of the beginning of each period presented. The pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had the

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

Company and the operations acquired from Canyon Fuel and Triton constituted a single entity during those periods:

      Other comprehensive income items under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, are transactions recorded in stockholders’ equity during the year, excluding net income and transactions with stockholders. Following are the items included in other comprehensive income (loss), net of a 39% tax rate:

      The 2004 activity for financial derivatives is comprised substantially of reclassifications to net income.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      As of December 31, 2004, the Company held no equity investments. The Company purchased the remaining 35% interest in Canyon Fuel on July 31, 2004. Prior to July 31, 2004, the Company accounted for its investment in Canyon Fuel on the equity method. Additionally, prior to March 10, 2004, the Company accounted for its investment in Natural Resource Partners, LP (“NRP”) on the equity method. Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows:

      The following tables present unaudited, summarized financial information for Canyon Fuel, for periods in which it was accounted for on the equity method.

Condensed Income Statement Information

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

Condensed Balance Sheet Information

      Through July 31, 2004, the Company’s income from its equity investment in Canyon Fuel represented 65% of Canyon Fuel’s net income after adjusting for the effect of purchase adjustments related to its investment in Canyon Fuel. The Company’s investment in Canyon Fuel reflects purchase adjustments primarily related to the reduction in amounts assigned to sales contracts, mineral reserves and other property, plant and equipment. The purchase adjustments are amortized consistent with the underlying assets of the joint venture.

      Effective January 1, 2003, Canyon Fuel adopted FAS 143 and recorded a cumulative effect loss of $2.4 million. The Company’s 65% share of this amount was offset by purchase adjustments of $0.5 million. These amounts are included in the cumulative effect of accounting change reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

      During 2002, the Company contributed 454 million tons of coal reserves with a net book value of $84.9 million to Natural Resource Partners L.P. in exchange for 4.8 million of NRP’s common limited partnership units, 4.8 million of NRP’s subordinated limited partnership units, and 42.25% of NRP’s general partner interest. Concurrent with the contribution, the Company entered into various leases with NRP for the right to mine approximately 57 million tons of the contributed reserves. No gain was recorded at the time of the contribution of the reserves and formation of NRP. On October 17, 2002, the Company sold 1.9 million of its common limited partner units in a public offering for proceeds of $33.6 million.

      On December 22, 2003, the Company sold its 4.8 million subordinated units and its general partner interest for a purchase price of $115.0 million. This sale resulted in a gain of $70.6 million, of which $42.7 million was recognized in 2003 and the remainder was deferred. After this sale, the Company’s remaining ownership in NRP consisted of 2.9 million common limited partnership units, representing approximately 12.5% of NRP’s outstanding partnership interests.

      During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company sold its remaining limited partnership units of NRP in three separate transactions occurring in March, June and October. These sales resulted in proceeds of approximately $111.4 million and gains of $91.3 million.

      As of December 31, 2004, the Company had deferred gains from its sales of NRP units totaling $21.8 million, which are included as “Other noncurrent liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These deferred gains will be recognized over the remaining term of the Company’s leases with NRP, as follows: $7.6 million in 2005, $4.6 million in 2006, $3.9 million in 2007, and a total of $5.7 million from 2008 through 2012.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      Accrued expenses included in current liabilities consist of the following:

      Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows:

      A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax expense (benefit) on the Company’s pretax income (loss) to the actual provision (benefit) for income taxes follows:

      During 2004, the IRS completed an audit and review of tax returns and claims for tax years 1999 through 2002 resulting in a favorable tax settlement, which includes a $9.7 million reduction in prior

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

years tax reserves. Also, compensatory stock options were exercised resulting in a tax benefit of $5.0 million that was recorded to paid in capital.

      During 2003, the Company reversed a $5.8 million tax reserve, which was established in prior years, for capital loss deductions which the Company deemed had no value at that time. Capital losses are only deductible to the extent that a company has capital gains. Capital gains generated during 2003 and projected to be generated in future years will fully absorb the capital loss. Also during the year, the Company reversed a $1.5 million tax reserve as a result of filing amended state income tax returns based on prior year IRS audit changes.

      During 2002, the Company received notice from the IRS that it will receive tax refunds of $3.6 million as a result of proposed adjustments to tax years 1997 and 1998. In addition, carryover adjustments have been allowed which will reduce the Company’s 1999 and 2000 taxes paid by an additional $5.3 million. These favorable adjustments are primarily the result of revisions in the tax treatment of acquisitions made during the audit years. Tax refunds for 1999 and 2000 will not be realized until audits of those years have been completed.

      Management believes that the Company has adequately provided for any income taxes and interest which may ultimately be paid with respect to all open tax years.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(In Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)

      Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities that result from carryforwards and temporary differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities are summarized as follows: