Segment Information (Reportable Segment Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 66,828	$ 89,998	$ 141,573	$ 171,881
DD&A	10,579	9,755	20,790	20,847
Interest expense	1,925	1,962	3,779	3,784
Net Income (loss)	5,897	12,996	5,720	21,970
Central Appalachia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	34,164	42,259	76,105	84,179
DD&A	6,156	6,097	12,422	13,636
Interest expense	954	1,118	1,927	2,128
Net Income (loss)	(5,138)	(1,485)	(7,342)	955
Northern Appalachia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	20,294	35,985	42,161	64,359
DD&A	1,990	2,052	4,042	3,965
Interest expense	192	208	382	399
Net Income (loss)	13,787	12,102	18,410	17,077
Rhino Western [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	9,423	10,127	19,021	20,146
DD&A	1,318	1,067	2,668	2,107
Interest expense	158	182	317	346
Net Income (loss)	(266)	1,474	(369)	2,859
Complete Basis [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues		17,432
DD&A		554
Interest expense		58
Net Income (loss)		4,561
Complete Basis [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,649		13,818	32,837
DD&A	481		957	1,122
Interest expense				139
Net Income (loss)	(4,105)		(6,502)	8,754
Equity Method Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues		(17,432)
DD&A		(554)
Interest expense		(58)
Net Income (loss)		(2,235)
Equity Method Eliminations [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	(7,649)		(13,818)	(32,837)
DD&A	(481)		(957)	(1,122)
Interest expense				(139)
Net Income (loss)	2,012		3,186	(4,363)
Equity Method Presentation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (loss)		2,326
Equity Method Presentation [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (loss)	(2,093)		(3,316)	4,391
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,947	1,627	4,286	3,197
DD&A	1,115	539	1,658	1,139
Interest expense	621	454	1,153	911
Net Income (loss)	$ (393)	$ (1,421)	$ (1,663)	$ (3,312)