Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General [Abstract]
Investment In Joint Ventures	Investment in Joint Ventures. Investments in other entities are accounted for using the consolidation, equity method or cost basis depending upon the level of ownership, the Partnership’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and whether the Partnership is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Equity investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Partnership’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment. Any losses from the Partnership’s equity method investment are absorbed by the Partnership based upon its proportionate ownership percentage. If losses are incurred that exceed the Partnership’s investment in the equity method entity, then the Partnership must continue to record its proportionate share of losses in excess of its investment. Investments are written down only when there is clear evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred. In May 2008, the Operating Company entered into a joint venture, Rhino Eastern LLC (“Rhino Eastern”), with an affiliate of Patriot Coal Corporation (“Patriot”) to acquire the Eagle mining complex. To initially capitalize the joint venture, the Operating Company contributed approximately $16.1 million for a 51% ownership interest in the joint venture and accounts for the investment in the joint venture and its results of operations under the equity method. The Partnership considers the operations of this entity to comprise a reporting segment (“Eastern Met”) and has provided additional detail related to this operation in Note 18, “Segment Information.” As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Rhino Eastern equity method investment of $21.0 million and $21.8 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Rhino Eastern joint venture in the amount of $0.4 million. On July 9, 2012, Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Normal operations have continued at the joint venture and thus far the bankruptcy filing has not had a material negative effect on Rhino Eastern. In March 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $0.1 million in a new joint venture, Timber Wolf, with affiliates of Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”). Timber Wolf was formed to construct and operate a condensate river terminal that will provide barge trans-loading services for parties conducting activities in the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The initial investment was the Partnership’s proportionate minority ownership share to purchase land for the construction site of the condensate river terminal. Timber Wolf had no operating activities during 2012 or the first quarter of 2013. The Partnership has included its Timber Wolf investment in its Other category. In December 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $2.0 million in a new joint venture, Muskie Proppant LLC (“Muskie”), with affiliates of Wexford Capital. Muskie was formed to provide sand for fracking operations to drillers in the Utica Shale region and other oil and natural gas basins in the U.S. The Partnership recorded its proportionate share of the operating loss for the first quarter of 2013, approximately $150,000, for Muskie, which is still undergoing operational development. During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Muskie joint venture in the amount of $0.3 million. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Muskie equity method investment of $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. The Partnership includes any operating activities of Muskie in its Other category.

Investment in Joint Ventures. Investments in other entities are accounted for using the consolidation, equity method or cost basis depending upon the level of ownership, the Partnership’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and whether the Partnership is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Equity investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Partnership’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment. Any losses from the Partnership’s equity method investment are absorbed by the Partnership based upon its proportionate ownership percentage. If losses are incurred that exceed the Partnership’s investment in the equity method entity, then the Partnership must continue to record its proportionate share of losses in excess of its investment. Investments are written down only when there is clear evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred.

In May 2008, the Operating Company entered into a joint venture, Rhino Eastern LLC (“Rhino Eastern”), with an affiliate of Patriot Coal Corporation (“Patriot”) to acquire the Eagle mining complex. To initially capitalize the joint venture, the Operating Company contributed approximately $16.1 million for a 51% ownership interest in the joint venture and accounts for the investment in the joint venture and its results of operations under the equity method. The Partnership considers the operations of this entity to comprise a reporting segment (“Eastern Met”) and has provided additional detail related to this operation in Note 18, “Segment Information.” As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Rhino Eastern equity method investment of $21.0 million and $21.8 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Rhino Eastern joint venture in the amount of $0.4 million.

On July 9, 2012, Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Normal operations have continued at the joint venture and thus far the bankruptcy filing has not had a material negative effect on Rhino Eastern.

In March 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $0.1 million in a new joint venture, Timber Wolf, with affiliates of Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”). Timber Wolf was formed to construct and operate a condensate river terminal that will provide barge trans-loading services for parties conducting activities in the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The initial investment was the Partnership’s proportionate minority ownership share to purchase land for the construction site of the condensate river terminal. Timber Wolf had no operating activities during 2012 or the first quarter of 2013. The Partnership has included its Timber Wolf investment in its Other category.

In December 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $2.0 million in a new joint venture, Muskie Proppant LLC (“Muskie”), with affiliates of Wexford Capital. Muskie was formed to provide sand for fracking operations to drillers in the Utica Shale region and other oil and natural gas basins in the U.S. The Partnership recorded its proportionate share of the operating loss for the first quarter of 2013, approximately $150,000, for Muskie, which is still undergoing operational development. During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Muskie joint venture in the amount of $0.3 million. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Muskie equity method investment of $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. The Partnership includes any operating activities of Muskie in its Other category.