Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 112,140	$ 127,632	$ 239,904	$ 254,071
Cost, expenses and other:
Cost of sales	91,289	104,481	188,799	202,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	11,004	11,078	22,249	22,471
Selling and administrative	9,035	9,673	18,340	19,648
Heritage health benefit expenses	3,441	3,394	7,219	7,309
Loss (gain) on sales of assets	241	19	324	90
Other operating income	(1,870)	(2,346)	(3,467)	(4,252)
Total cost expenses and other	113,140	126,299	233,464	247,424
Operating income (loss)	(1,000)	1,333	6,440	6,647
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(7,645)	(5,767)	(14,612)	(11,490)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(17,030)
Interest income	329	367	711	777
Other income (loss)	240	4,726	(2,777)	891
Total other income expense	(7,076)	(674)	(33,708)	(9,822)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(8,076)	659	(27,268)	(3,175)
Income tax benefit from operations	(161)	(47)	(621)	(137)
Net income (loss)	(7,915)	706	(26,647)	(3,038)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(508)	(553)	(1,630)	(1,443)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Parent company	(7,407)	1,259	(25,017)	(1,595)
Less preferred stock dividend requirements	340	340	680	680
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	(7,747)	919	(25,697)	(2,275)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders:
Basic	$ (0.59)	$ 0.09	$ (2.01)	$ (0.21)
Diluted	$ (0.59)	$ 0.09	$ (2.01)	$ (0.21)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	13,200	10,654	12,789	10,588
Diluted	13,200	10,704	12,789	10,588
Net income (loss) (from above)	(7,915)	706	(26,647)	(3,038)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses, pension	385	436	770	664
Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses and transition obligations and prior service costs, postretirement medical benefits	(72)	(70)	(144)	(138)
Tax effect of other comprehensive income gains	(57)		(167)
Unrealized and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	(161)	(108)	(191)	(607)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (7,820)	$ 964	$ (26,379)	$ (3,119)