EXHIBIT 3.3

                            CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION
                                       OF
                           ARCH WESTERN RESOURCES, LLC
                           A Limited Liability Company

         FIRST:   The name of the limited liability company is:

                           Arch Western Resources, LLC

         SECOND:  The address of the limited liability company's registered
office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street,
in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered
agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

         THE UNDERSIGNED, being the individual forming the limited liability
company, has executed, signed and acknowledged this Certificate of Formation
this 27th day of February, 1998.

                                                    /s/ Miriam Rogers Singer
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Name: Miriam Rogers Singer