Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated January 23, 2004 in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-107569) and related Prospectus of Arch Western
Finance Company for the registration of $700,000,000 of senior notes.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference herein or our report dated
January 23, 2004 with respect to the financial statements and schedule of Arch
Coal, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 included in
the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference herein of our report dated
January 23, 2004 with respect to the financial statements of Canyon Fuel
Company, LLC for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 incorporated
by reference to the Arch Coal, Inc. Annual Report (Form 10-K) for 2003 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



St. Louis, Missouri
March 29, 2004