SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of consolidated Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense to operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense	$ 347,874	[1]	$ 348,417	[1]	$ 696,777	[1]	$ 635,898	[1]
Outside coal purchases	(790)		(16,154)		(1,392)		(30,335)
Other income	353		2,384		627		2,599
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)	$ 347,437		$ 334,647		$ 696,012		$ 608,162

[1] Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense includes operating expenses, outside coal purchases and other income. Transportation expenses are excluded as these expenses are passed through to the ARLP Partnership's customers and consequently it does not realize any gain or loss on transportation revenues. We review Segment Adjusted EBITDA Expense per ton for cost trends.