Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
REVENUES:
Coal sales	$ 56,963,000	$ 72,177,000	$ 124,377,000	$ 141,780,000
Freight and handling revenues	640,000	1,794,000	1,262,000	3,314,000
Other revenues	9,225,000	16,027,000	15,934,000	26,787,000
Total revenues	66,828,000	89,998,000	141,573,000	171,881,000
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately below)	51,655,000	60,203,000	106,490,000	117,290,000
Freight and handling costs	319,000	1,798,000	554,000	3,062,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	10,579,000	9,755,000	20,790,000	20,847,000
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately above)	4,995,000	5,475,000	10,483,000	10,385,000
(Gain)/loss on sale of assets-net	(10,618,000)	168,000	(9,692,000)	(990,000)
Total costs and expenses	56,930,000	77,399,000	128,625,000	150,594,000
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	9,898,000	12,599,000	12,948,000	21,287,000
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense	(1,925,000)	(1,962,000)	(3,779,000)	(3,784,000)
Interest income and other		33,000		76,000
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated affiliate	(2,076,000)	2,326,000	(3,449,000)	4,391,000
Total interest and other income (expense)	(4,001,000)	397,000	(7,228,000)	683,000
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	5,897,000	12,996,000	5,720,000	21,970,000
INCOME TAXES
NET INCOME	5,897,000	12,996,000	5,720,000	21,970,000
Other comprehensive income:
Amortization of actuarial gain under ASC Topic 715	(36,000)	(74,000)	(72,000)	(148,000)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)	5,861,000	12,922,000	5,648,000	21,822,000
General partner's interest in net income/(loss)	118,000	260,000	114,000	439,000
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Distributions paid per limited partner unit	$ 0.445	$ 0.480	$ 0.89	$ 0.96
Common Units [Member]
Other comprehensive income:
Unitholders' interest in net income (loss)	3,199,000	7,041,000	3,102,000	11,900,000
Net income per limited partner unit, basic:
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ 0.78
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ 0.78
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	15,371	15,329	15,358	15,317
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted	15,379	15,331	15,363	15,325
Subordinated Units [Member]
Other comprehensive income:
Unitholders' interest in net income (loss)	$ 2,580,000	$ 5,695,000	$ 2,504,000	$ 9,631,000
Net income per limited partner unit, basic:
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ 0.78
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.46	$ 0.20	$ 0.78
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	12,397	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	12,397