Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 429,975	$ 391,213
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(216,308)	(233,773)
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	511	(6,298)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	465	353
Purchase of equity investment in affiliate	(35,700)
Payment for acquisition of coal reserves	(33,841)
Receipts of prior advances on Gibson rail project	810	1,597
Net cash used in investing activities	(284,063)	(238,121)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities		95,000
Payments under revolving credit facilities		(95,000)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(595)	(242)
Payment on long-term debt	(18,000)	(18,000)
Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on vesting of ARLP Long-Term Incentive Plan	(2,324)	(1,265)
Distributions paid by consolidated partnership to noncontrolling interests	(57,787)	(51,242)
Distributions paid to Partners	(99,672)	(83,808)
Net cash used in financing activities	(178,378)	(154,557)
EFFECT OF CURRENCY TRANSLATION ON CASH		(274)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(32,466)	(1,739)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	342,237	24,361
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	309,771	22,622
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	22,930	19,354
Cash paid for income taxes	300	888
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITY:
Accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment	12,828	14,521
Market value of ARLP common units issued under ARLP's Long-Term Incentive Plan before minimum statutory tax withholding requirements	6,572	3,396
Assets acquired by capital lease	$ 3,525