NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Balance at the beginning of the period			$ 707,775	$ 626,193
Net income	103,573	93,881	205,957	176,367
Other comprehensive income			1,453	1,303
Settlement of Directors Deferred Compensation				(459)
Vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan			(3,015)	(3,734)
Common unit-based compensation			4,375	3,602
Distributions on ARLP common unit-based compensation			(894)	(825)
Distributions to AHGP Partners			(89,944)	(78,121)
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interest			(47,854)	(42,906)
Balance at the end of the period	777,853	681,420	777,853	681,420
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at the beginning of the period			(18,296)	(17,560)
Other comprehensive income			669	609
Balance at the end of the period	(17,627)	(16,951)	(17,627)	(16,951)
Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at the beginning of the period			277,095	229,588
Net income			84,978	72,689
Other comprehensive income			784	694
Vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan			(3,015)	(3,734)
Common unit-based compensation			4,227	3,514
Distributions on ARLP common unit-based compensation			(894)	(825)
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interest			(47,854)	(42,906)
Balance at the end of the period	315,321	259,020	315,321	259,020
Limited Partners' Capital
Balance at the beginning of the period			448,976	414,165
Net income			120,979	103,678
Settlement of Directors Deferred Compensation				(459)
Common unit-based compensation			148	88
Distributions to AHGP Partners			(89,944)	(78,121)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 480,159	$ 439,351	$ 480,159	$ 439,351