1.0.0.3 false Basis of Presentation false 1 $ false false Unit1 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 2 Basis of Presentation 0 btu_BasisOfPresentation btu false na duration string Basis of Presentation false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Basis of Presentation false 3 (1) Basis of Presentation 1 us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div><div><a name="_AUCec5a5a3ccd0242719d3f07d11d2fa4d0">(1)   Basis of Presentation</a> The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peabody Energy Corporation (the Company) and its affiliates. All intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the notes thereto, are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the periods presented. The balance sheet information as of December 31, 2008 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as provided in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 6, 2009. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2009. The Company classifies items within discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations when the operations and cash flows of a particular component (defined as operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity) of the Company have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of a disposal transaction, and the Company will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of that component.  See Note 4 for additional details related to discontinued operations. </div></div> (1)   Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Peabody Energy Corporation (the Company) and its false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true