ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE	5. ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE Pontiki's mining complex in Martin County, Kentucky was idled from August 29, 2012 to November 25, 2012. The Mine Safety and Health Administration ("MSHA") ordered the closure of the coal preparation plant and associated surface facilities at the Pontiki mining complex following the failure on August 23, 2012 of a belt line between two clean coal stacking tubes. MSHA required a comprehensive structural inspection of all the surface facilities by an independent bridge engineering firm before the surface facilities could be reopened. Although the Pontiki mining complex resumed operations to fulfill contractual obligations for the delivery of coal in 2013 under existing coal sales agreements, significant uncertainty remains regarding market demand and pricing for coal from Pontiki beyond 2013. This uncertainty along with the likelihood of future cost increases arising from stringent regulatory oversight places the long-term viability of Pontiki at significant risk. As a result of the above events, which included uncertainty around the future operations of the mine and the required additional repair costs, and our assessment of related risks, the ARLP Partnership concluded that indicators of impairment were present and the carrying value of the asset group representing the Pontiki mining complex ("Pontiki Assets") was not fully recoverable. The ARLP Partnership estimated the fair value of the Pontiki Assets and determined it was exceeded by the carrying value and accordingly, the ARLP Partnership recorded an asset impairment charge of $19.0 million in the Central Appalachian segment during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 to reduce the carrying value of the Pontiki Assets to their estimated fair value of $16.1 million. The fair value of the Pontiki Assets was determined using the market and cost valuation techniques and represents a Level 3 fair value measurement. The fair value analysis was based on the marketability of coal properties in the current market environment, discounted projected future cash flows, and estimated fair value of assets that could be sold or used at other operations. As these estimates incorporate certain assumptions, including replacement cost of equipment and marketability of coal reserves in the Central Appalachian region, and it is possible that the estimates may change in the future resulting in the need to adjust the ARLP Partnership's determination of fair value. The asset impairment established a new cost basis on which depreciation, depletion and amortization is calculated for the Pontiki Assets.

5. ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

Pontiki's mining complex in Martin County, Kentucky was idled from August 29, 2012 to November 25, 2012. The Mine Safety and Health Administration ("MSHA") ordered the closure of the coal preparation plant and associated surface facilities at the Pontiki mining complex following the failure on August 23, 2012 of a belt line between two clean coal stacking tubes. MSHA required a comprehensive structural inspection of all the surface facilities by an independent bridge engineering firm before the surface facilities could be reopened. Although the Pontiki mining complex resumed operations to fulfill contractual obligations for the delivery of coal in 2013 under existing coal sales agreements, significant uncertainty remains regarding market demand and pricing for coal from Pontiki beyond 2013. This uncertainty along with the likelihood of future cost increases arising from stringent regulatory oversight places the long-term viability of Pontiki at significant risk.

As a result of the above events, which included uncertainty around the future operations of the mine and the required additional repair costs, and our assessment of related risks, the ARLP Partnership concluded that indicators of impairment were present and the carrying value of the asset group representing the Pontiki mining complex ("Pontiki Assets") was not fully recoverable. The ARLP Partnership estimated the fair value of the Pontiki Assets and determined it was exceeded by the carrying value and accordingly, the ARLP Partnership recorded an asset impairment charge of $19.0 million in the Central Appalachian segment during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 to reduce the carrying value of the Pontiki Assets to their estimated fair value of $16.1 million. The fair value of the Pontiki Assets was determined using the market and cost valuation techniques and represents a Level 3 fair value measurement. The fair value analysis was based on the marketability of coal properties in the current market environment, discounted projected future cash flows, and estimated fair value of assets that could be sold or used at other operations. As these estimates incorporate certain assumptions, including replacement cost of equipment and marketability of coal reserves in the Central Appalachian region, and it is possible that the estimates may change in the future resulting in the need to adjust the ARLP Partnership's determination of fair value. The asset impairment established a new cost basis on which depreciation, depletion and amortization is calculated for the Pontiki Assets.