Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 132,449	$ 124,080	$ 372,353	$ 378,152
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of sales	100,164	94,208	288,964	296,366
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	11,612	10,964	33,861	33,435
Selling and administrative	9,884	8,930	28,224	28,578
Heritage health benefit expenses	3,896	4,241	11,115	11,550
Loss on sales of assets	91	165	415	256
Other operating income	(1,769)	(2,267)	(5,236)	(6,519)
Total cost expenses and other	123,878	116,241	357,343	363,666
Operating income	8,571	7,839	15,010	14,486
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(7,650)	(5,756)	(22,262)	(17,245)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(17,030)
Interest income	423	603	1,134	1,380
Other income (loss)	147	17	(2,630)	907
Total other income expense	(7,080)	(5,136)	(40,788)	(14,958)
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,491	2,703	(25,778)	(472)
Income tax expense (benefit) from operations	(84)	285	(706)	149
Net income (loss)	1,575	2,418	(25,072)	(621)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,154)	(435)	(2,783)	(1,878)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Parent company	2,729	2,853	(22,289)	1,257
Less preferred stock dividend requirements	340	340	1,020	1,020
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	2,389	2,513	(23,309)	237
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders:
Basic	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ (1.79)	$ 0.02
Diluted	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ (1.79)	$ 0.02
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	13,384	10,849	12,990	10,676
Diluted	13,442	10,911	12,990	10,758
Net income (loss) (from above)	1,575	2,418	(25,072)	(621)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses, pension	442	332	1,212	996
Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses, transition obligations and prior service costs, postretirement medical benefits	(72)	(68)	(216)	(206)
Tax effect of other comprehensive income gains	(141)		(308)
Unrealized and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	(12)	262	(203)	(345)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,792	$ 2,944	$ (24,587)	$ (176)