NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Distributions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests		$ 50,036	$ 57,883
SGP
Noncontrolling Interest
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests	[1]	28	32
Non-Affiliates (ARLP's non-affiliate limited partners)
Noncontrolling Interest
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests	[1]	$ 50,008	$ 57,851

[1] Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests, in the table above, represent ARLP’s quarterly distributions in accordance with the ARLP partnership agreement.