ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS BENEFITS (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ACCRUED WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS BENEFITS
Black lung claims	$ 60,991	$ 55,605
Workers' compensation claims	77,046	73,201	67,687
Total obligations	138,037	128,806
Less current portion	(9,320)	(9,511)
Non-current obligations	$ 128,717	$ 119,295

Represents the liability for benefits payable to workers affected by coal workers pneumoconiosis.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Also includes, the current portion of the liability for benefits payable to workers affected by coal workers pneumoconiosis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature. Also includes the liability for benefits payable to workers affected by coal workers pneumoconiosis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature. Used to reflect the noncurrent portion of the liabilities (due after one year or the normal operating cycle if longer). Also includes the noncurrent portion of the liability for benefits payable to workers affected by coal workers pneumoconiosis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

+ Details

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