CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income		$ 304,158	$ 492,669	$ 391,594
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME /(LOSS):
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		1,290	(26,128)	32,545
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME		305,448	466,541	424,139
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(93,555)	(193,448)	(176,168)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AHGP		211,893	273,093	247,971
Pension Plan
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME /(LOSS):
Net actuarial (loss) gain		(863)	(23,821)	12,472
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	[1]	3,354	773	2,653
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		2,491	(23,048)	15,125
Pneumoconiosis benefits
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME /(LOSS):
Net actuarial (loss) gain		(750)	(2,029)	16,750
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	[1]	(451)	(1,051)	670
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		$ (1,201)	$ (3,080)	$ 17,420

[1] Amortization of actuarial gain or loss is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Notes 14 and 18 for additional details).