CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 391,594	$ 331,226	$ 386,343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	264,911	218,122	160,335
Non-cash compensation expense	9,193	7,607	6,417
Settlement of deferred directors compensation		(459)
Asset retirement obligations	3,004	2,853	2,546
Coal inventory adjustment to market	2,811	2,978	386
Equity in loss of affiliates, net	24,441	14,650	3,404
Net (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	3,475	147	(634)
Asset impairment charge		19,031
Valuation allowance of deferred tax assets	3,483
Other	(6,251)	(3,815)	1,488
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	19,062	(44,081)	(15,701)
Other receivables	243	1,960	(1,832)
Inventories	(795)	(16,119)	(2,818)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,290	(8,532)	(1,659)
Advance royalties	4,492	765	(3,225)
Accounts payable	(17,858)	7,316	21,795
Due to affiliates	(1,364)	(729)	6,556
Accrued taxes other than income taxes	(947)	4,136	1,981
Accrued payroll and related benefits	8,604	2,625	5,103
Pneumoconiosis benefits	5,944	5,961	4,944
Workers' compensation	(14,092)	4,075	5,717
Other	(1,321)	(3,493)	(5,041)
Total net adjustments	311,325	214,998	189,762
Net cash provided by operating activities	702,919	546,224	576,105
Property, plant and equipment:
Capital expenditures	(329,151)	(424,631)	(321,920)
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(3,048)	(4,007)	11,640
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,520	114	1,526
Purchases of equity investments in affiliate	(62,500)	(59,800)	(42,700)
Payment for acquisition of business		(100,000)
Payments to affiliate for acquisition and development of coal reserves	(25,272)	(34,601)	(50,800)
Advances/loans to affiliate	(7,500)	(5,229)
Payments from affiliate		4,229
Other		546	1,146
Net cash used in investing activities	(425,951)	(623,379)	(401,108)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under term loan		250,000
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities	386,000	278,800
Payments under revolving credit facilities	(291,000)	(123,800)
Payment on term loan		(300,000)
Payment on long-term debt	(18,000)	(18,000)	(18,000)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(1,190)	(943)	(812)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(4,272)
Contribution by limited partner - affiliate	2,200	2,000
Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan	(3,015)	(3,734)	(2,324)
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests	(99,423)	(90,277)	(78,441)
Distributions paid to Partners	(185,276)	(162,977)	(136,188)
Net cash used in financing activities	(209,704)	(173,203)	(235,765)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	67,264	(250,358)	(60,768)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	31,111	281,469	342,237
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 98,375	$ 31,111	$ 281,469