CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 548,884	$ 422,369
Property, plant and equipment:
Capital expenditures	(242,653)	(332,353)
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(354)	(4,024)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	124	114
Purchases of equity investments in affiliate	(47,500)	(43,100)
Payment for acquisition of business		(100,000)
Payments to affiliate for acquisition and development of coal reserves	(21,318)	(34,601)
Advances/loans to affiliate	(7,500)	(2,229)
Payments from affiliate		4,229
Other		546
Net cash used in investing activities	(319,201)	(511,418)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under term loan		250,000
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	211,000	150,000
Payments under revolving credit facilities	(216,000)	(75,000)
Payment on term loan		(300,000)
Payment on long-term debt	(18,000)	(18,000)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(886)	(673)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(4,272)
Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan	(3,015)	(3,734)
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests	(73,835)	(66,755)
Distributions paid to Partners	(136,937)	(119,876)
Net cash used in financing activities	(237,673)	(188,310)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(7,990)	(277,359)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	31,111	281,469
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	23,121	4,110
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	21,638	22,166
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITY:
Accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment	20,618	20,955
Market value of ARLP common units issued under ARLP's Long-Term Incentive and Directors Deferred Compensation Plans before minimum statutory tax withholding requirements	8,583	11,070
Acquisition of business:
Fair value of assets assumed		126,639
Cash paid		(100,000)
Fair value of liabilities assumed		$ 26,639