"We view the combined Otter Creek coal reserves as a strategic platform for future growth in the Northern Powder River Basin," said Steven F. Leer, Arch's chairman and chief executive officer. "The addition of the Montana state reserves further expands and strengthens our position while affording us greater flexibility in future site development. As previously stated, we believe these Northern PRB reserves will help us competitively serve US power producers, supply additional coal for export to emerging Asia or possibly house the site of a future coal-conversion facility."
St. Louis-based Arch Coal is the second largest US coal producer. Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies coal to domestic and international steel manufacturers as well as international power producers.