UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

o	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission file number: 333-107569-03

Arch Western Resources, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		43-1811130
(State or other jurisdiction		(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)		Identification Number)

One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri		63141
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (314) 994-2700

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer x		Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

At May 15, 2012, the registrant’s common equity consisted solely of undenominated membership interests, 99.5% of which were held by Arch Western Acquisition Corporation and 0.5% of which were held by a subsidiary of BP p.l.c.

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		Page

Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	19
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	19

Part II OTHER INFORMATION		20
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	20
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	20
Item 6.	Exhibits	20

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011
	(unaudited)
Revenues	$	540,922		$	534,405

Costs, expenses and other
Cost of sales	448,053			423,324
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	38,735			39,586
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	(816		)	5,944
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,464			9,298
Other operating income, net	(1,275		)	(1,174		)
	494,161			476,978

Income from operations	46,761			57,427

Interest income (expense), net
Interest expense	(10,305		)	(10,491		)
Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal, Inc.	13,882			12,857
	3,577			2,366

Net income	$	50,338		$	59,793
Net income attributable to redeemable membership interest	$	203		$	273
Net income attributable to non-redeemable membership interest	$	50,135		$	59,520

Total comprehensive income	$	50,878		$	59,712

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Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

	March 31,		December 31,
	2012		2011
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	70,207	$	75,093
Receivables	2,900		4,964
Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.	465,897		473,803
Inventories	231,789		170,439
Other	13,618		22,162
Total current assets	784,411		746,461

Property, plant and equipment, net	1,494,422		1,514,499

Other assets:
Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.	1,206,985		1,234,918
Other	16,341		12,955
Total other assets	1,223,326		1,247,873

Total assets	$	3,502,159	$	3,508,833

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	133,549	$	183,151
Accrued expenses	157,579		166,762
Total current liabilities	291,128		349,913

Long-term debt	450,809		450,971
Note payable to Arch Coal, Inc.	225,000		225,000
Asset retirement obligations	289,714		305,046
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension	22,781		22,195
Accrued pension benefits	23,968		24,843
Accrued workers’ compensation	6,840		6,564
Other noncurrent liabilities	54,301		37,540
Total liabilities	1,364,541		1,422,072

Redeemable membership interest	11,739		11,534

Non-redeemable membership interest	2,125,879		2,075,227

Total liabilities and membership interests	$	3,502,159	$	3,508,833

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Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011
	(unaudited)
Operating Activities
Net income	$	50,338		$	59,793
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	38,735			39,586
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	(816		)	5,944
Amortization relating to financing activities	267			314
Changes in:
Receivables	2,065			(1,737		)
Inventories	(61,350		)	(19,210		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(58,712		)	(33,434		)
Other	9,687			15,683

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(19,786		)	66,939

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(18,437		)	(14,197		)
Change in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.	36,719			(70,140		)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	62			14
Additions to prepaid royalties	(3,444		)	—

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	14,900			(84,323		)

Financing Activities
Net proceeds from (repayments on) commercial paper	—			3,681

Cash provided by financing activities	—			3,681

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(4,886		)	(13,703		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	75,093			79,817

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	70,207		$	66,114

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Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Arch Western Resources, LLC and its subsidiaries and controlled entities (the “Company”). Arch Coal, Inc. (“Arch Coal”) has a 99.5% common membership interest in the Company, while BP p.l.c. has a 0.5% common membership interest and a preferred membership interest in the Company. The terms of the Company’s membership agreement grant a put right to BP p.l.c., where BP p.l.c. may require Arch Coal to purchase its membership interest. The terms of the agreement state that the price of the membership interest shall be determined by mutual agreement between the members. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

On April 9, 2012, Delta Housing, Inc., the other member in Arch Western, exercised their contractual right to require Arch Coal to purchase their membership interests in Arch Western. The negotiation of this sale and purchase is ongoing.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Accounting Policies

There are no new accounting pronouncements whose adoption is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. Debt

On May 1, 2012, Arch Western Finance commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its outstanding $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6 ¾% Senior Notes due 2013. In connection with the tender offer, Arch Western Finance is soliciting consents from the holders of the senior notes for certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the notes that eliminates most of the covenants and certain default provisions applicable to the senior notes, as well as reduces the minimum notice period in the optional redemption provision of the senior notes from 30 days to three days. If Arch Western Finance purchases less than all of the outstanding senior notes in the tender offer, it intends to redeem any senior notes that remain outstanding. The terms and conditions of the tender offer and consent solicitation are described in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (the “Statement”) and a related Consent and Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which have been sent to holders of the senior notes. The Consent Solicitation expires on May 14, 2012, prior to which the consideration for each $1,000 of principal is $1,002.50. For notes tendered after the expiration of the Consent Solicitation and before May 29, 2012, the end of the tender offer, the consideration for each $1,000 of principal is $972.50.

The tender offer will be funded with a loan from Arch Coal.

4. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2012		2011
	(In thousands)
Coal	$	116,958	$	65,790
Repair parts and supplies, net of allowance	114,831		104,649
	$	231,789	$	170,439

The repair parts and supplies are stated net of an allowance for slow-moving and obsolete inventories of $12.4 million at March 31, 2012, and $12.1 million at December 31, 2011.

5. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

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Cash and cash equivalents: At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.

Debt: The fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding intercompany debt, was $448.9 million and $451.7 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The fair values are based upon observed prices in an active market, and as such are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

6. Related Party Transactions

Transactions with Arch Coal may not be at arm’s length. If the transactions were negotiated with an unrelated party, the impact could be material to the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s cash transactions are managed by Arch Coal. Cash paid to or from the Company that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded in an Arch Coal receivable account. In addition, any amounts owed between the Company and Arch Coal, exclusive of borrowings under the intercompany credit agreement are recorded in the account. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the receivable from Arch Coal was approximately $1.7 billion. This amount earns interest from Arch Coal at the prime interest rate. Interest earned on the note was $13.9 million and $12.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The current portion of the receivable at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, represents the amounts needed to fund working capital and contractual purchase, service and lease obligations due within the next twelve months.

Interest incurred on the intercompany note payable to Arch Coal was $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The Company is a party to Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program. Under the program, the Company sells its receivables to Arch Coal without recourse at a discount based on the prime rate and days sales outstanding. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company sold $384.7 million and $397.3 million, respectively, of trade accounts receivable to Arch Coal at a discount of $0.9 million for both periods.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company incurred production royalties of $24.7 million and $24.7 million, respectively, under sublease agreements with Arch Coal.

The Company is charged selling, general and administrative services fees by Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on behalf of the Company. Amounts allocated to the Company by Arch Coal were $9.5 million and $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such amounts are reported as selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

7. Contingencies

The Company is a party to numerous claims and lawsuits with respect to various matters. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. After conferring with counsel, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending claims will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

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8. Segment Information

The Company has two reportable business segments which are based on the major low-sulfur coal basins in which the Company operates. Both of these reportable business segments include a number of mine complexes. The Company manages its coal sales by coal basin, not by individual mine complex. Geology, coal transportation routes to customers, regulatory environments and coal quality are generally consistent within a basin. Accordingly, market and contract pricing have developed by coal basin. Mine operations are evaluated based on their per-ton operating costs (defined as including all mining costs but excluding pass-through transportation expenses), as well as on other non-financial measures, such as safety and environmental performance. The Company’s reportable segments are the Powder River Basin (PRB) segment, with operations in Wyoming, and the Western Bituminous (WBIT) segment, with operations in Utah, Colorado and southern Wyoming.

Operating segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below. Results for the operating segments include all direct costs of mining. Corporate, Other and Eliminations includes primarily corporate overhead and other support functions.

	PRB			WBIT		Corporate, Other and Eliminations			Consolidated
	(In thousands)

Three months ended March 31, 2012
Revenues	$	396,363		$	144,559	$	—		$	540,922
Income from operations	26,470			31,203		(10,912		)	46,761
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	20,152			18,583		—			38,735
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	(816		)	—		—			(816		)
Capital expenditures	3,300			15,137		—			18,437

Three months ended March 31, 2011
Revenues	$	378,966		$	155,439	$	—		$	534,405
Income from operations	39,510			26,896		(8,979		)	57,427
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	19,866			20,514		(794		)	39,586
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	5,944			—		—			5,944
Capital expenditures	2,420			11,777		—			14,197

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A reconciliation of segment income from operations to consolidated net income is presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Income from operations	$	46,761		$	57,427
Interest expense	(10,305		)	(10,491		)
Interest income	13,882			12,857

Net income	$	50,338		$	59,793

9. Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Pursuant to the indenture governing the Arch Western Finance senior notes, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the senior notes on a joint and several basis. The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information for (i) the Company, (ii) the issuer of the senior notes (Arch Western Finance, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), (iii) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (Thunder Basin Coal Company, LLC, Mountain Coal Company, LLC, and Arch of Wyoming, LLC), on a combined basis, which are guarantors under the Notes, and (iv) the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary, Canyon Fuel LLC, which is not a guarantor under the Notes.

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(in thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Coal sales	$	—		$	—		$	461,509		$	79,413		$	—		$	540,922
Cost of coal sales	1,555			—			402,440			44,058			—			448,053
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			—			29,811			8,925			(1		)	38,735
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	—			—			(816		)	—			—			(816		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,464			—			—			—			—			9,464
Other operating income, net	(107		)	—			(873		)	(295		)	—			(1,275		)
	10,912			—			430,562			52,688			(1		)	494,161
Income from investment in subsidiaries	57,420			—			—			—			(57,420		)	—

Income from operations	46,508			—			30,947			26,725			(57,419		)	46,761

Interest expense	(10,037		)	(7,688		)	(15		)	(159		)	7,594			(10,305		)
Interest income	13,865			7,594			—			17			(7,594		)	13,882
	3,828			(94		)	(15		)	(142		)	—			3,577

Net income (loss)	$	50,336		$	(94	)	$	30,932		$	26,583		$	(57,419	)	$	50,338

Total comprehensive income	$	50,336		$	(94	)	$	31,333		$	26,722		$	(57,419	)	$	50,878

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(in thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Coal sales	$	—		$	—		$	438,758		$	95,647		$	—		$	534,405
Cost of coal sales	485			—			354,899			67,940			—			423,324
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(794		)	—			28,849			11,531			—			39,586
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	—			—			5,944			—			—			5,944
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,298			—			—			—			—			9,298
Other operating income, net	(10		)	—			(900		)	(264		)	—			(1,174		)
	8,979			—			388,792			79,207			—			476,978
Income from investment in subsidiaries	66,168			—			—			—			(66,168		)	—

Income from operations	57,189			—			49,966			16,440			(66,168		)	57,427

Interest expense	(10,237		)	(7,688		)	—			(160		)	7,594			(10,491		)
Interest income	12,841			7,594			—			16			(7,594		)	12,857
	2,604			(94		)	—			(144		)	—			2,366
Net income (loss)	$	59,793		$	(94	)	$	49,966		$	16,296		$	(66,168	)	$	59,793

Total comprehensive income	$	59,793		$	(94	)	$	49,924		$	16,257		$	(66,168	)	$	59,712

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

March 31, 2012

(in thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—	$	70,053	$	154	$	—		$	70,207
Receivables	558			—		453		1,889		—			2,900
Receivable from Arch Coal	465,897			—		—		—		—			465,897
Intercompanies	(443,101		)	7,594		322,990		112,517		—			—
Inventories	—			—		152,125		79,664		—			231,789
Other	6,099			1,011		3,837		2,671		—			13,618
Total current assets	29,453			8,605		549,458		196,895		—			784,411

Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—		1,224,576		269,858		(12		)	1,494,422

Investment in subsidiaries	3,037,057			—		—		—		(3,037,057		)	—
Receivable from Arch Coal	1,191,068			—		—		15,917		—			1,206,985
Intercompanies	(1,862,475		)	455,386		1,177,272		229,817		—			—
Other	1,588			252		10,507		3,994		—			16,341
Total other assets	2,367,238			455,638		1,187,779		249,728		(3,037,057		)	1,223,326
Total assets	$	2,396,691		$	464,243	$	2,961,813	$	716,481	$	(3,037,069	)	$	3,502,159

Accounts payable	$	19,769		$	—	$	89,920	$	23,860	$	—		$	133,549
Accrued expenses	3,585			7,594		138,604		7,796		—			157,579
Commercial paper and current portion of long-term debt	—			—		—		—		—			—
Total current liabilities	23,354			7,594		228,524		31,656		—			291,128
Long-term debt	—			450,809		—		—		—			450,809
Note payable to Arch Coal	225,000			—		—		—		—			225,000
Asset retirement obligations	—			—		280,769		8,945		—			289,714
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension	2,475			—		11,707		8,599		—			22,781
Accrued pension benefits	5,672			—		7,115		11,181		—			23,968
Accrued workers’ compensation	241			—		2,422		4,177		—			6,840
Other noncurrent liabilities	2,319			—		51,944		38		—			54,301
Total liabilities	259,061			458,403		582,481		64,596		—			1,364,541
Redeemable membership interest	11,739			—		—		—		—			11,739
Non-redeemable membership interest	2,125,891			5,840		2,379,332		651,885		(3,037,069		)	2,125,879
Total liabilities and membership interests	$	2,396,691		$	464,243	$	2,961,813	$	716,481	$	(3,037,069	)	$	3,502,159

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

December 31, 2011

(In thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—	$	75,058	$	35	$	—		$	75,093
Receivables	2,012			—		887		2,065		—			4,964
Receivable from Arch Coal	473,803			—		—		—		—			473,803
Intercompanies	(457,908		)	15,188		342,486		100,234		—			—
Inventories	—			—		114,406		56,033		—			170,439
Other	8,820			1,017		6,035		6,290		—			22,162
Total current assets	26,727			16,205		538,872		164,657		—			746,461
Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—		1,248,892		265,620		(13		)	1,514,499
Investment in subsidiaries	3,051,144			—		—		—		(3,051,144		)	—
Receivable from Arch Coal	1,213,354			—		—		21,564		—			1,234,918
Intercompanies	(1,948,670		)	455,385		1,245,698		247,587		—			—
Other	1,369			502		7,066		4,018		—			12,955
Total other assets	2,317,197			455,887		1,252,764		273,169		(3,051,144		)	1,247,873
Total assets	$	2,343,924		$	472,092	$	3,040,528	$	703,446	$	(3,051,157	)	$	3,508,833

Accounts payable	$	14,754		$	—	$	145,793	$	22,604	$	—		$	183,151
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	3,153			15,188		140,836		7,585		—			166,762
Total current liabilities	17,907			15,188		286,629		30,189		—			349,913
Long-term debt	—			450,971		—		—		—			450,971
Note payable to Arch Coal	225,000			—		—		—		—			225,000
Asset retirement obligations	—			—		296,302		8,744		—			305,046

Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension	2,968			—		10,475		8,752		—			22,195

Accrued pension benefits	8,943			—		5,299		10,601		—			24,843
Other noncurrent liabilities	2,332			—		37,563		4,209		—			44,104
Total liabilities	257,150			466,159		636,268		62,495		—			1,422,072
Redeemable membership interest	11,534			—		—		—		—			11,534
Non-redeemable membership interest	2,075,240			5,933		2,404,260		640,951		(3,051,157		)	2,075,227
Total liabilities and membership interests	$	2,343,924		$	472,092	$	3,040,528	$	703,446	$	(3,051,157	)	$	3,508,833

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(in thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer		Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidated

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	54,302		$	—	$	(63,874	)	$	(10,214	)	$	(19,786	)

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	—			—		(5,297		)	(13,140		)	(18,437		)
Change in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.	31,072			—		—			5,647			36,719
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	6			—		—			56			62
Additions to prepaid royalties				—		(3,444		)				(3,444		)
Cash used in investing activities	31,078			—		(8,741		)	(7,437		)	14,900

Financing Activities
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(85,380		)			67,610			17,770			—

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			—		(5,005		)	119			(4,886		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	—			—		75,058			35			75,093
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	—		$	—	$	70,053		$	154		$	70,207

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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(in thousands)

	Parent Company			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidated

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(5,219	)	(7,594		)	$	56,358		$	23,394		$	66,939

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	—			—			(5,555		)	(8,642		)	(14,197		)
Change in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.	(71,067		)	—			—			927			(70,140		)
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	—			—			1			13			14
Cash used in investing activities	(71,067		)	—			(5,554		)	(7,702		)	(84,323		)

Financing Activities
Net proceeds fom commercial paper	3,681			—			—			—			3,681
Transactions with affiliates, net	71,949			7,594			(63,829		)	(15,714		)	—
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	75,630			7,594			(63,829		)	(15,714		)	3,681

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(656		)	—			(13,025		)	(22		)	(13,703		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,613			—			78,070			134			79,817
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	957		$	—		$	65,045		$	112		$	66,114

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This document contains “forward-looking statements” — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties arise from changes in the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation industry; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; from regulations relating to mine safety; from operational, geological, permit, labor and weather-related factors; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate from operations; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results, see “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Overview

We are a subsidiary of Arch Coal, Inc., one of the world’s largest coal producers by volume. We sell substantially all of our coal to power plants and industrial facilities. Our two reportable business segments are based on the low-sulfur U.S. coal producing regions in which we operate — the Powder River Basin and the Western Bituminous region. These geographically distinct areas are characterized by geology, coal transportation routes to consumers, regulatory environments and coal quality. These regional similarities have caused market and contract pricing environments to develop by coal region and form the basis for the segmentation of our operations.

The Powder River Basin is located in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. The coal we mine from surface operations in this region is very low in sulfur content and has a low heat value compared to the other region in which we operate. The price of Powder River Basin coal is generally less than that of coal produced in other regions because Powder River Basin coal exists in greater abundance, is easier to mine and thus has a lower cost of production. In addition, Powder River Basin coal is generally lower in heat content, which requires some electric power generation facilities to blend it with higher Btu coal or retrofit some existing coal plants to accommodate lower Btu coal. The Western Bituminous region includes Colorado, Utah and southern Wyoming. Coal we mine from underground and surface mines in this region typically is low in sulfur content and varies in heat content.

Weakness in the U.S. thermal coal markets impacted our first quarter results resulting from an unprecedented build in power generator coal stockpiles year to date and the continued erosion in natural gas prices. We expect U.S. coal consumption for power generation to decline by at least 75 million tons in 2012, as compared to 2011, due to unfavorable weather trends that have reduced power demand and contributed to a natural gas surplus. These factors have led to an increase in U.S. coal generator stockpiles to date in 2012. The industry has responded with supply reductions. Mine Safety

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and Health Administration data suggests that total domestic production decreased 14 million tons during the first quarter of 2012, and we expect further reductions as 2012 progresses.

In response to these market conditions, we further curtailed our production expectations for 2012 and we have taken steps to increase operational efficiency and productivity. In the Powder River Basin, we idled one dragline, and placed another into reclamation efforts during the first quarter of 2012.

We expect that coal exports will somewhat offset the weakness in domestic markets. The global cross-border hard coal trade through March 2012 is on pace to exceed the 1.2 billion-ton record set in 2011. More than 185 new coal-fueled plants are expected to come online in 2012, resulting in approximately 400 million tons of incremental annual coal demand.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

Summary. Our results during the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the first quarter of 2011 were impacted substantially by our production cutbacks in response to weak market conditions, which offset the impact of higher sales pricing in all regions.

Revenues. The following table summarizes information about coal sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and compares it with the information for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

	Three Months Ended March 31				Increase (Decrease)
	2012		2011		Amount			%
	(In thousands, except per ton data and percentages)
Revenues	$	540,922	$	534,405	$	6,517		1.2	%
Tons Sold	30,195		32,310		(2,115		)	(6.5	)%
Coal sales realization per ton sold	$	17.91	$	16.54	$	1.37		8.3	%

Coal sales increased slightly in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011, as higher pricing offset lower sales volumes in both regions. We have provided more information about the tons sold and the coal sales realizations per ton by operating segment under the heading “Operating segment results”.

Costs, expenses and other. The following table summarizes costs, expenses and other components of operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and compares them with the information for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

	Three Months Ended March 31						Increase (Decrease) in Net Income
	2012			2011			Amount			%
	(In thousands, except per ton data and percentages)
Cost of sales	$	448,053		$	423,324		$	(24,729	)	(5.8	)%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	38,735			39,586			851			2.1
Sales contract amortization	(816		)	5,944			6,760			113.7
Selling, general and administrative	9,464			9,298			(166		)	(1.8	)
Other operating income, net	(1,275		)	(1,174		)	101			8.6
	$	494,161		$	476,978		$	(17,183	)	(3.6	)%

Cost of coal sales. Our cost of coal sales was higher in 2012 when compared with the same period in 2011 due to increased transportation costs primarily resulting from increased export shipments, and an increase in sales-sensitive costs. We have provided more information about our operating segments’ performance and profitability under the heading “Operating segment results”.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. When compared with the first quarter of 2011, depreciation, depletion and amortization costs in 2012 decreased slightly from the impact of lower production and sales volumes on assets amortized or depleted on the basis of tons produced.

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net. Arch Coal acquired both above- and below-market sales contracts with the Jacobs Ranch mining operation acquired in 2009. The sales contracts were not contributed to us; however, the amortization of these acquired sales contracts is reflected in our results. The fair values of acquired sales contracts are amortized over the tons of coal shipped during the term of the contracts. The remaining amortizable amount of these sales contracts is a liability of $12.6 million at March 31, 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses represent expenses allocated

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to us from Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on our behalf.

Operating segment results. The following table shows results by operating segment for the three months ended March 31,2012 and compares it with information for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

	Three Months Ended March 31				Increase (Decrease)
(In thousands, except per ton data and percentages)	2012		2011		Amount			%

Powder River Basin
Tons sold (in thousands)	26,934		28,124		(1,190		)	(4.2	)%
Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)	$	13.84	$	13.34	$	0.50		3.7	%
Operating margin per ton sold (2)	$	0.95	$	1.37	$	(0.42	)	(30.7	)%

Western Bituminous
Tons sold (in thousands)	3,261		4,186		(925		)	(22.1	)%
Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)	$	36.31	$	34.87	$	1.44		4.1	%
Operating margin per ton sold (2)	$	9.46	$	6.35	$	3.11		49.0	%

(1) Coal sales prices per ton exclude certain transportation costs that we pass through to our customers. We use these financial measures because we believe the amounts as adjusted better represent the coal sales prices we achieved within our operating segments. Since other companies may calculate coal sales prices per ton differently, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by those companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, transportation costs per ton were $0.88 for the Powder River Basin and $7.86 for the Western Bituminous region. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, transportation costs per ton were $0.13 for the Powder River Basin and $2.25 for the Western Bituminous region.

(2) Operating margin per ton sold is calculated as coal sales revenues less cost of coal sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization divided by tons sold.

Powder River Basin — The lower operating margin per ton sold in the Powder River Basin 2012 when compared with 2011 is the result of lower sales volumes from the production cutbacks in response to market conditions. Per-ton costs were higher due to the lower production levels, which offset the impact of slightly higher per-ton selling prices.

Western Bituminous — Operating margins improved as a result of an increase in export sales and a decrease in per-ton costs due to higher production levels.

Interest expense. Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our 6.75% senior notes, the discount on trade accounts receivable sold to Arch Coal under Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program, interest on commercial paper, and interest on the $225.0 million loan from Arch Coal.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and capital resources

Our primary sources of cash are coal sales to customers and debt related to significant transactions. Excluding any significant business acquisitions, we generally satisfy our working capital requirements and fund capital expenditures and debt-service obligations with cash generated from operations, and if necessary, from Arch Coal. Arch Coal manages our cash transactions. Cash paid to or from us that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded through a note receivable from Arch Coal, with the exception of the borrowings under the intercompany credit agreement.

Our ability to satisfy debt service obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures and to make acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the coal industry and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

On May 1, 2012, Arch Western Finance commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its outstanding senior notes. In connection with the tender offer, Arch Western Finance is soliciting consents from the holders of the senior notes for certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the notes that would eliminate most of the covenants and certain default provisions applicable to the senior notes, as well as reduce the minimum notice period in the optional

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redemption provision of the senior notes from 30 days to three days. If Arch Western Finance purchases less than all of the outstanding senior notes in the tender offer, it intends to redeem any senior notes that remain outstanding. The terms and conditions of the tender offer and consent solicitation are described in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (the “Statement”) and a related Consent and Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which have been sent to holders of the senior notes. Arch Western Finance’s obligations to accept any senior notes tendered and to pay the applicable consideration for them are set forth solely in the Statement and the Consent and Letter of Transmittal. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to sell, or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. Neither we nor Arch Western Finance is making any recommendation in connection with the tender offer and the consent solicitation. The Consent Solicitation expires on May 14, 2012, prior to which the consideration for each $1,000 of principal is $1,002.50. For notes tendered after the expiration of the Consent Solicitation and before May 29, 2012, the end of the tender offer, the consideration for each $1,000 of principal is $972.50.

The funding for the tender offer will be provided by a loan from Arch Coal.

The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities.

	Three Months Ended March
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(19,786	)	$	66,939
Investing activities	14,900			(84,323		)
Financing activities	—			3,681

Cash provided by operating activities decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to our lower operating income and also as a result of an increased investment in working capital, primarily coal inventories, and a decrease in accounts payable in 2012.

Our investing activities consist primarily of capital spending and activity under the intercompany note receivable from Arch Coal.

Critical Accounting Policies

For a description of our critical accounting policies, see “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We manage our commodity price risk for our long-term coal contract portfolio through the use of long-term coal supply agreements, rather than through the use of derivative instruments. The majority of our tonnage is sold under long-term contracts. We are also exposed to price risk related to the value of sulfur dioxide emission allowances that are a component of quality adjustment provisions in many of our coal supply contracts. We manage this risk through the use of long-term coal supply agreements.

We are also exposed to the risk of fluctuations in cash flows related to our purchase of diesel fuel. We use approximately 40-50 million gallons of diesel fuel annually in our operations. Arch Coal enters into heating oil options to reduce the risk of increases in the price of diesel fuel.

We are exposed to market risk associated with fluctuating interest rates on the notes payable to Arch Coal. A one percentage point increase in the interest rates related to these borrowings would result in an annualized increase in interest expense of $2.3 million, based on borrowing levels at March 31, 2012.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

We performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have

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materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial results.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

The statement concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit			Description
31.1			Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Paul A. Lang.
31.2			Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of John T. Drexler.
32.1			Section 1350 Certification of Paul A. Lang.
32.2			Section 1350 Certification of John T. Drexler.
95			Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Arch Western Resources, LLC

	By:	/s/ John T. Drexler
		John T. Drexler
		Vice President

		May 15, 2012

ARCH WESTERN RESOURCES LLC 10-Q