Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 161,448	$ 147,236
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of sales	130,421	110,763
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	14,426	13,289
Selling and administrative	11,887	13,535
Heritage health benefit expenses	3,951	3,810
Loss (gain) on sales of assets	(234)	38
Other operating income	(4,737)	(3,284)
Total costs, expenses and other	155,714	138,151
Operating income (loss)	5,734	9,085
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(10,160)	(9,883)
Interest income	297	406
Other income (loss)	70	177
Total other income (expense)	(9,793)	(9,300)
Loss before income taxes	(4,059)	(215)
Income tax expense	28	7
Net loss	(4,087)	(222)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,702)	(1,080)
Net loss attributable to the Parent company	(2,385)	858
Less preferred stock dividend requirements	340	340
Net loss applicable to common shareholders	$ (2,725)	$ 518
Net loss per share applicable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.19)	$ 0.04
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	14,282	13,861
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	14,282	13,968