Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES:
Coal sales	$ 202,881		$ 236,601		$ 304,568
Freight and handling revenues	2,020		2,159		6,357
Other revenues	34,156		33,505		40,818
Total revenues	239,057		272,265		351,743
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately below)	200,141		199,705		247,719
Freight and handling costs	1,877		1,294		5,833
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	37,233		39,627		41,274
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately above)	19,226		19,800		20,442
Asset impairment charges	45,296		1,667		0
(Gain) on sale/disposal of assets, net	(569)		(10,359)		(4,890)
Total costs and expenses	303,204		251,734		310,378
(LOSS)/INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	(64,147)		20,531		41,365
INTEREST AND OTHER (EXPENSE)/INCOME:
Interest expense and other	(5,708)		(7,898)		(7,767)
Interest income and other	274		207		92
Equity in net (loss)/income of unconsolidated affiliates	(11,712)		(4,729)		5,757
Total interest and other (expense)	(17,146)		(12,420)		(1,918)
(LOSS)/INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(81,293)		8,111		39,447
INCOME TAXES
NET LOSS/INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(81,293)		8,111		39,447
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Income from discontinued operations	130,342		1,307		88
NET INCOME	49,049		9,418		39,535
Other comprehensive income:
Change in actuarial gain under ASC Topic 815	(858)		800		(917)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	48,191		10,218		38,618
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Distributions paid per limited partner unit	$ 1.385	[1]	$ 1.78	[1]	$ 1.85	[1]
Subordinated Units [Member]
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Distributions paid per limited partner unit	$ 0		$ 0
General Partner Capital [Member]
Interest in net (loss)/ income:
Net (loss)/ ncome from continuing operations	(1,626)		162		789
Net income from discontinued operations	2,607		26		1
Interest in net income	981		188		790
Common Unitholders [Member]
Interest in net (loss)/ income:
Net (loss)/ ncome from continuing operations	(45,705)		4,448		21,374
Net income from discontinued operations	73,271		769		48
Interest in net income	27,566		5,217		21,422
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, basic:
Net (loss)/income per unit from continuing operations	$ (2.74)		$ 0.29		$ 1.39
Net income per unit from discontinued operations	$ 4.39		$ 0.04		$ 0.01
Net income per common unit, basic	$ 1.65		$ 0.33		$ 1.40
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Net income per unit from continuing operations	$ (2.74)		$ 0.29		$ 1.39
Net income per unit from discontinued operations	$ 4.39		$ 0.04		$ 0.01
Net income per common unit, diluted	$ 1.65		$ 0.33		$ 1.40
Common Unitholders [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	16,678		15,751		15,331
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted	16,685		15,760		15,335
Subordinated Unitholders[Member]
Interest in net (loss)/ income:
Net (loss)/ ncome from continuing operations	(33,962)		3,501		17,284
Net income from discontinued operations	54,464		512		39
Interest in net income	$ 20,502		$ 4,013		$ 17,323
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, basic:
Net (loss)/income per unit from continuing operations	$ (2.74)		$ 0.28		$ 1.39
Net income per unit from discontinued operations	$ 4.39		$ 0.04		$ 0.01
Net income per common unit, basic	$ 1.65		$ 0.32		$ 1.40
Net (loss)/income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Net income per unit from continuing operations	$ (2.74)		$ 0.28		$ 1.39
Net income per unit from discontinued operations	$ 4.39		$ 0.04		$ 0.01
Net income per common unit, diluted	$ 1.65		$ 0.32		$ 1.40
Subordinated Unitholders[Member] | Subordinated Units [Member]
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	12,397		12,397		12,397
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted	12,397		12,397		12,397

[1] No distributions were paid on the subordinated units during 2014, 2013 or for the three months ended June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012.