INVESTMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

INVESTMENTS

Schedule of changes in the ARLP Partnership's equity investment

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	149,592	$	96,670	$	138,817	$	64,509
Contributions		3,900		32,181		16,487		65,367
Equity in income of affiliates		3,798		1,105		10,414		1,041
Distributions received		(12,941)		(1,905)		(21,369)		(2,866)
Ending balance	$	144,349	$	128,051	$	144,349	$	128,051

Schedule of changes in cost method investment

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2017
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	—
Contributions		100,000
Payment-in-kind distributions received		2,800
Ending balance	$	102,800