Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 600,437	$ 501,713	$ 506,057
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of sales	466,521	392,787	394,827
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	57,145	45,594	44,690
Selling and administrative	49,908	40,276	39,481
Heritage health benefit expenses	13,388	18,575	14,421
Loss on sales of assets	528	640	226
Other operating income	(15,925)	(6,785)	(8,109)
Total costs, expenses and other	571,565	491,087	485,536
Operating income (loss)	28,872	10,626	20,521
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(42,677)	(29,769)	(22,992)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(1,986)	(17,030)	0
Interest income	1,496	1,444	1,747
Other income (loss)	723	(2,572)	(2,587)
Total other income (expense)	(42,444)	(47,927)	(23,832)
Loss before income taxes	(13,572)	(37,301)	(3,311)
Income tax expense (benefit)	90	(426)	(141)
Net loss	(13,662)	(36,875)	(3,170)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6,436)	(3,775)	(2,645)
Net loss attributable to the Parent company	(7,226)	(33,100)	(525)
Less preferred stock dividend requirements	1,360	1,360	1,360
Net loss applicable to common shareholders	$ (8,586)	$ (34,460)	$ (1,885)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.61)	$ (2.61)	$ (0.17)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted (in shares)	14,033	13,192	10,791