Patriot Coal 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001376812	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	92,346,020

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	$322,390	$442,935	$1,077,363	$1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674	5,261	10,625	39,293
Total revenues	326,064	448,196	1,087,988	1,484,839
Costs and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	361,855	434,599	1,134,231	1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582	48,906	136,189	135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	-14,257	19,496	20,284	377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	-11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434	-1,453	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	8,917	12,611	27,506	42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-224	-457	-3,422	-3,125
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	1,803	-1,864	11,119	-3,564
Operating loss	-75,612	-83,529	-236,466	-480,802
Interest expense and other	13,995	13,661	42,051	46,168
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719	42,552	11,719	42,552
Interest income	-2	-15	-15	-178
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-101,324	-139,727	-290,221	-569,344
Reorganization items, net	23,569	76,214	50,323	76,214
Loss before income taxes	-124,893	-215,941	-340,544	-645,558
Income tax provision	0	-8	0	-8
Net loss	($124,893)	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted	92,366,261	92,686,588	92,389,028	92,462,636
Loss per share, basic and diluted	($1.35)	($2.33)	($3.69)	($6.98)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net loss	($124,893)	'	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119	'	13,715	56,140	41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	6,876	0	6,876	0
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	0	76,218	0
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44	'	2,822	34	2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	-180	'	-346	-461	-1,472
Other comprehensive income	16,983	'	16,191	125,055	42,246
Comprehensive loss	($107,910)	'	($199,742)	($215,489)	($603,304)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$102,551	$333,929
Accounts receivable and other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $18 as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	103,995	105,135
Inventories	83,325	99,219
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814	37,406
Total current assets	361,164	640,725
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'
Land and coal interests	2,899,224	2,892,799
Buildings and improvements	599,384	571,985
Machinery and equipment	796,176	767,749
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-1,243,317	-1,130,027
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467	3,102,506
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990	64,990
Investments and other assets	31,433	30,586
Total assets	3,509,054	3,838,807
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	244,595	247,489
Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684	375,409
Total current liabilities	626,279	622,898
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533	1,766
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036
Asset retirement obligations	704,363	720,461
Workers' compensation obligations	259,286	254,680
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915	87,805
Obligation to industry fund	31,838	34,278
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503	22,805
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196	1,809,729
Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449	2,262,307
Total liabilities	3,953,645	4,072,036
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	982,402	978,273
Retained deficit	-1,071,354	-730,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-356,562	-481,617
Total stockholders' deficit	-444,591	-233,229
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	3,509,054	3,838,807
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 92,378,514 and 92,531,916 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	923	925
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' deficit	'	'
Preferred stock	$0	$0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets	'	'
Net allowance for doubtful accounts	($18,000)	($18,000)
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	92,347,471	92,531,916
Common stock, shares outstanding	92,347,471	92,531,916
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net loss	($340,544,000)	($645,550,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	136,189,000	135,430,000
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719,000	42,552,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	0	3,986,000
Amortization of debt discount	0	5,076,000
Sales contract accretion	0	-11,628,000
Impairment and restructuring charge	-1,453,000	60,892,000
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-3,422,000	-3,125,000
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	11,119,000	-3,564,000
Distributions from equity affiliates	0	2,842,000
Stock-based compensation expense	4,129,000	776,000
Non-cash reorganization items	3,848,000	56,428,000
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	-6,876,000	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,140,000	79,137,000
Inventories	16,142,000	-30,170,000
Other current assets	11,034,000	-1,135,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-20,228,000	1,701,000
Asset retirement obligations	-10,604,000	305,375,000
Workers' compensation obligations	4,952,000	7,157,000
Postretirement benefit obligations	45,918,000	39,310,000
Obligation to industry fund	-1,843,000	-2,257,000
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities	0	46,000,000
Other, net	-5,736,000	518,000
Net cash used in operating activities	-144,516,000	-2,249,000
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	-60,095,000	-123,174,000
Additions to advance mining royalties	-7,207,000	-17,024,000
Acquisition	-1,186,000	-2,530,000
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442,000	3,490,000
Other	-710,000	-369,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-65,756,000	-139,607,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	375,000,000
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	-11,719,000	-42,552,000
Long-term debt payments	-5,833,000	-1,305,000
Deferred financing costs	0	-1,595,000
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	930,000
Coal reserve financing transaction	-3,554,000	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-21,106,000	330,478,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-231,378,000	188,622,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,929,000	194,162,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$102,551,000	$382,784,000

Basis_Of_Presentation_Notes

Basis Of Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis Of Presentation	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business
	Patriot Coal Corporation (Patriot, we, our or the Company) is engaged in the mining, preparation and sale of thermal coal primarily to electricity generators, and metallurgical coal, for sale to steel and coke producers. Our mining complexes and coal reserves are located in the eastern and midwestern United States (U.S.), primarily in West Virginia and Kentucky.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Patriot and its subsidiaries. All significant transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated between Patriot and its subsidiaries. Patriot operates in two domestic coal segments: Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. See Note 16 for our segment disclosures.
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the notes thereto, are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 may not necessarily be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings [Abstract]	'
Reorganization under Chapter 11 of US Bankruptcy Code Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Bankruptcy Proceedings
	Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings
	On July 9, 2012 (the Initial Petition Date), Patriot Coal Corporation, as a stand-alone entity, and substantially all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Initial Filing Subsidiaries and, together with Patriot Coal Corporation, the Initial Debtors) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization (the Chapter 11 Petitions) under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On December 19, 2012, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entered an order transferring the bankruptcy cases to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and/or the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, as applicable, the Bankruptcy Court). On September 23, 2013 (the Subsequent Petition Date, together with the Initial Petition Date, the Petition Date), Brody Mining, LLC and Patriot Ventures LLC (the New Debtors, together with the Initial Debtors, the Debtors), wholly-owned subsidiaries (the New Filing Subsidiaries, together with the Initial Filing Subsidiaries, the Filing Subsidiaries) of Patriot Coal Corporation, filed Chapter 11 Petitions under the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. On September 27, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved the New Debtors’ motions to jointly administer their Chapter 11 cases with the existing Chapter 11 cases of the Initial Debtors. The Debtors’ Chapter 11 cases are being jointly administered under the caption In re: Patriot Coal Corporation, et al. (Case No. 12-51502) (the Bankruptcy Case). Our joint ventures and certain of our other subsidiaries (collectively, the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries) were not included in the Chapter 11 filings.
	The Debtors are currently operating as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. In general, the Debtors are authorized to, and continue to, operate as an ongoing business, but may not engage in transactions outside of the ordinary course of business without the approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
	As required by the Bankruptcy Code, the U.S. Trustee for the Southern District of New York appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (the Creditors’ Committee). The Creditors’ Committee and its legal representatives have a right to be heard on all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court.
	Financial Reporting Considerations
	For periods subsequent to filing the Chapter 11 Petitions, we have applied Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, “Reorganizations” (ASC 852), in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements. ASC 852 requires that the financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized or incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings have been recorded in “Reorganization items, net” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. In addition, pre-petition obligations that may be impacted by the bankruptcy reorganization process have been classified in “Liabilities subject to compromise” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. These liabilities are reported at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts.
	Bankruptcy Initiatives
	In the sixteen months since the Petition Date, we have been working on multiple fronts to stabilize our business, address our unsustainable cost structure and preserve jobs and benefits for thousands of our workers. We have achieved significant progress in creating a competitive labor and benefit cost structure by restructuring wage and benefit programs for our current workforce and preparing to transition certain retiree healthcare benefits to a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust.
	Sections 1113 and 1114
	In relation to the bankruptcy process and pursuant to Sections 1113 and 1114 of the Bankruptcy Code, we renegotiated the terms of collective bargaining agreements between certain Patriot subsidiaries and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), as well as certain postretirement healthcare benefits. In November 2012, the Debtors commenced the Sections 1113 and 1114 process with the UMWA and began negotiating in good faith for consensual agreements to achieve the level of labor cost and postretirement healthcare benefit savings necessary for the successful reorganization of the Debtors. In March 2013, the Debtors filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to modify collective bargaining agreements with the UMWA and certain UMWA-related retiree healthcare benefits. On May 29, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court granted the motion in its entirety. On June 7, 2013, the UMWA appealed the Bankruptcy Court’s decision.
	Effective July 1, 2013, Patriot exercised the authority granted to us by the Bankruptcy Court to implement changes to UMWA-represented employee wages, benefits and healthcare plans, but chose to implement significantly improved terms reflecting our subsequent negotiations with the UMWA. In August 2013, Patriot negotiated new Collective Bargaining Agreements (new CBAs) with the UMWA. The new CBAs were ratified by union members on August 16, 2013. On August 22, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the new CBAs, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and a VEBA Funding Agreement (described below). The new CBAs are retroactive to July 1, 2013.
	The following are some of the key provisions of the new CBAs and the MOU that affect UMWA employees:
	•	Various adjustments to wages, including future wage changes;
	•	Elimination of shift differential payments and premium overtime pay, but UMWA employees will receive 1.5 times their regular pay for any hours worked over 40 hours per week and holidays;
	•	Reductions to paid time off and adjustments to work rules;
	•	UMWA employees now receive a healthcare plan closely matching that of Patriot non-union employees but with lower out-of-pocket maximums and without healthcare premiums;
	•	Patriot will contribute three percent of UMWA employees’ gross wages into a 401(k) or similar plan in lieu of the obligation to provide retiree healthcare in the future; and
	•	Debtors participating in and contributing to the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan (the 1974 Pension Plan) will continue to do so.
	The following are some of the key provisions of the new CBAs and the MOU that affect UMWA retirees:
	•	The UMWA has established a VEBA which will assume the Debtors’ obligations to provide retiree healthcare benefits to certain UMWA retirees effective July 1, 2013;
	•	The Company will continue to administer retiree healthcare benefits to UMWA retirees through December 31, 2013, subject to certain limitations and funding requirements; and
	•	Patriot, on behalf of itself and certain Patriot subsidiaries, has entered into an agreement to provide certain funding to the VEBA (the VEBA Funding Agreement or VFA).
	The MOU reflects certain other understandings between Patriot, certain Patriot subsidiaries and the UMWA:
	•	Any chapter 11 plan of reorganization filed in Patriot’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case will not conflict with or alter the new CBAs or the MOU and shall not propose or contain any involuntary releases by the UMWA; and
	•	Provided that certain requirements are met, the UMWA will support and the VEBA will not object to or vote against the confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
	Patriot also agreed that each Patriot subsidiary that is signatory to a new CBA that requires participation in and contributions to the 1974 Pension Plan will continue their obligation to participate in and contribute to the 1974 Pension Plan at the rates set forth in the new CBA through 2016, and, for the years 2017 and 2018, at the rates set forth in any successor to the 2011 National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement.  In connection therewith, the UMWA also made certain representations to Patriot.
	The Bankruptcy Court’s May 29, 2013 ruling also authorized Patriot to implement the transition of UMWA-related retiree healthcare benefits to a VEBA trust. Under the new CBAs and the MOU, each approved by the Bankruptcy Court on August 22, 2013, and the VFA, approved by the Bankruptcy Court on August 22, 2013 and amended on November 4, 2013, funding for the VEBA will consist of (i) a 35% ownership stake in the reorganized company, (ii) profit sharing contributions up to a maximum of $300 million, (iii) a royalty contribution for every ton produced at all existing mining complexes, and (iv) an initial cash contribution of $10 million on or prior to the effective date of the Debtors' plan of reorganization and $5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2014. The VEBA trust is being designed and administered by trustees appointed by the UMWA. The liability associated with these obligations totals approximately $1.02 billion as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and is classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The UMWA reserves the right to terminate the new CBAs, the MOU and the VFA if the VEBA does not receive the initial $10 million payment that is contemplated by the VFA to be paid to the VEBA on or prior to the effective date of the Debtors’ plan of reorganization.
	We continue to provide healthcare benefits for more than 2,300 individuals who receive healthcare benefits pursuant to the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (Coal Act). We spent approximately $14 million on Coal Act liabilities in 2012. The liabilities associated with these obligations are classified as liabilities not subject to compromise in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Other Initiatives
	On March 14, 2013, Patriot filed a lawsuit against Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody) and one of its subsidiaries. In connection with Patriot’s 2007 spinoff from Peabody, Peabody agreed to assume the obligations for healthcare costs associated with thousands of UMWA retirees and dependents who had been employed by Peabody entities that were transferred to Patriot in the spinoff. Patriot sought a declaration from the Bankruptcy Court that any relief Patriot was able to obtain through the bankruptcy proceedings with respect to the healthcare benefits of its subsidiaries’ retirees would not relieve Peabody of its own liabilities with respect to the healthcare benefits of the UMWA retirees and dependents. On October 24, 2013, Patriot, Peabody and the UMWA, on behalf of itself and the UMWA-represented employees and retirees, entered into a settlement, which sets forth the principle terms that would resolve the various disputes among the three parties (the Peabody Settlement). As part of the Peabody Settlement, Peabody agreed to, among other things, (i) provide $310 million to the VEBA, (ii) issue and replace, as applicable, $126 million of letters of credit and (iii) provide credit support for Patriot’s federal black lung obligations. The settlement also provides for broad mutual releases of claims and causes of action among the parties. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Peabody Settlement on November 7, 2013.
	The Peabody Settlement is also subject to certain conditions, including the satisfaction of certain minimum liquidity standards by Patriot and the effectiveness of Patriot’s plan of reorganization. The Peabody Settlement may be terminated if, by March 31, 2014, a plan of reorganization that is consistent with the Peabody Settlement is not effective.
	On October 23, 2013, Patriot and Arch Coal, Inc. (Arch) entered into a settlement that resolves various disputes between the parties (the Arch Settlement). As part of the Arch Settlement, Arch agreed to (i) provide $5 million of cash to Patriot, (ii) purchase Patriot’s South Guffey reserve for $16 million and (iii) relieve Patriot of the obligation to post $16 million of letters of credit for the next two years. The settlement also provides for broad mutual releases of claims and causes of action among the parties. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Arch Settlement on November 7, 2013. The settlement is subject to, among other things, the effectiveness of Patriot’s plan of reorganization. The Arch Settlement will terminate if, by March 31, 2014, a plan of reorganization that is consistent with the Arch Settlement is not effective.
	Other Wage and Benefit Programs
	On April 26, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Debtors to discontinue substantially all of their non-union retiree healthcare programs, eliminate retiree life insurance benefits for current non-union employees, and cap life insurance benefits for current non-union retirees, effective July 31, 2013. Pursuant to this order, the Debtors contributed $250,000 in cash to a VEBA trust for the benefit of current non-union retirees, and, upon emergence from bankruptcy, will contribute $3.75 million in cash to the VEBA. The VEBA trust will be designed and administered by a Retiree Committee consisting of appointed non-union retirees. Pursuant to the order, the Debtors and the Retiree Committee have also agreed to engage in good faith discussions and negotiations to replace some or all of the remaining retiree life insurance benefits with other retiree benefits that are economically cash neutral or more advantageous to the Debtors, and/or to consider accelerating the payment or provision of any such existing or replacement benefits if economically beneficial to the Debtors.
	At December 31, 2012, the liability associated with these plans totaled approximately $63 million and was classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In the second quarter of 2013, Patriot recognized a curtailment gain of $6.9 million related to the termination of these plans. Patriot also reduced its postretirement benefit obligation and the corresponding unrecognized loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss by $20.7 million in relation to the settlement of these plan obligations for current non-union employees. The settlement of the terminated benefits for retirees will not be recognized until the contribution is made in full to the VEBA. The remaining balances of both the terminated and surviving non-union retiree benefit obligations remain in “Liabilities subject to compromise” at September 30, 2013.
	On March 15, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the Debtors to terminate the Patriot Coal Corporation Supplemental 401(k) Retirement Plan (the Supplemental 401(k) Plan) and on April 1, 2013, Patriot’s board of directors approved the termination of the Supplemental 401(k) Plan effective as of March 31, 2013. The Supplemental 401(k) Plan provided for certain salaried employees to defer a specified portion of their compensation until retirement and also provided an employer match and discretionary contribution based on Patriot’s performance. The Supplemental 401(k) Plan was unfunded and the termination resulted in approximately $2.5 million of compensation deferrals being treated as pre-petition general unsecured claims rather than being paid in cash. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the liability associated with this plan is classified as “Liabilities subject to compromise” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Bankruptcy Process
	The Bankruptcy Court has authorized us to pay certain of our pre-petition obligations, including payments for employee wages, salaries and certain benefits and payments to certain shippers and critical vendors, subject to certain limitations. The Debtors are required to pay vendors and other providers in the ordinary course for goods and services received after the filing of the Chapter 11 Petitions and to pay certain other business-related payments necessary to maintain the operation of our business. We have retained legal and financial professionals to advise us on the bankruptcy proceedings. From time to time, we may seek the Bankruptcy Court’s approval for the retention of additional professionals.
	Rejected Contracts
	Since the Petition Date, the Debtors have received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to reject a number of equipment leases and other executory contracts of various types. On January 15, 2013, the Debtors filed a motion for authorization to assume or reject all of their unexpired leases of nonresidential real property, including their coal reserve leases. Substantially all of their assumptions and rejections were subsequently approved by the Bankruptcy Court. As of September 30, 2013, most of the lease cure payments have been made. We are working to resolve differences in cure amounts and certain other discreet issues with counterparties that objected to our motion. In conjunction with the assumption of these leases and payment of cure amounts, Patriot reclassified approximately $14 million of royalty and real estate tax accruals from “Liabilities subject to compromise” to liabilities not subject to compromise in the first quarter of 2013.
	The Debtors continue to review executory contracts and unexpired leases to determine which contracts will be rejected, assumed or renegotiated. We expect additional liabilities subject to compromise will arise due to rejection of executory contracts, including leases, and from the determination of the Bankruptcy Court (or agreement by parties in interest) of allowed claims for contingencies and other disputed amounts. Due to the uncertain nature of many of the potential claims, we cannot project the magnitude of such claims with certainty. We also expect that the assumption of additional executory contracts and unexpired leases will convert certain of the liabilities subject to compromise to liabilities not subject to compromise.
	Pre-Petition Claims
	On September 27, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order establishing October 24, 2013 as the bar date for potential creditors of the New Debtors, other than governmental units, to file claims. The bar date for governmental units to file claims against the New Debtors was established as March 24, 2014.
	The Debtors have received approximately 4,294 proofs of claim, a portion of which assert, in part or in whole, unliquidated amounts. In the aggregate, total liquidated proofs of claim of approximately $308.7 billion have been filed against the Debtors. During the second quarter of 2013, the UMWA levied claims for postretirement benefit obligations against each of the Initial Filing Subsidiaries, significantly increasing the total liquidated proofs of claim. New and amended claims may be filed in the future, including claims amended to assign values to claims originally filed with no designated value. We are in the process of reconciling such claims to the amounts listed in the Debtors’ books and records. Differences between liability amounts estimated by the Debtors and claims filed by creditors are being investigated and, if necessary, the Bankruptcy Court will make a final determination of the allowable claims.
	Through the claims resolution process, we have identified a substantial number of claims that we believe should be disallowed by the Bankruptcy Court because they are duplicative, have already been satisfied, have been later amended or superseded, are without merit, are overstated or should be disallowed for other reasons. As of October 30, 2013, we estimate that the claims resolution process will reduce the total liquidated proof of claims by approximately $304.1 billion, primarily due to redundant claims. As of October 30, 2013, approximately 2,128 claims totaling $287.1 million have been expunged, withdrawn or settled and the Debtors have filed additional objections with the Bankruptcy Court that would reduce claims by $204.8 million. We continue to evaluate the filed claims and expect to continue to file claim objections with the Bankruptcy Court.
	In addition, as a result of this process, we may identify additional liabilities that need to be recorded or reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise and will adjust amounts as necessary. Such adjustments may be material. The determination of how liabilities will ultimately be treated cannot be made until the Bankruptcy Court approves a plan of reorganization. Accordingly, the ultimate amount or treatment of such liabilities is not determinable at this time.
	Plan of Reorganization
	In order to successfully exit Chapter 11, the Debtors are required to propose and obtain confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court of a plan of reorganization that satisfies the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, a plan of reorganization will be voted on by certain holders of impaired claims. A plan of reorganization, among other things, would resolve the Debtors’ pre-petition obligations, set forth the revised capital structure of the newly reorganized entity and provide for corporate governance subsequent to emerging from bankruptcy.
	On August 21, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order extending our exclusivity period to file a plan of reorganization to December 1, 2013. On September 6, 2013, Patriot filed a Plan of Reorganization (POR) with the Bankruptcy Court. We subsequently filed amended versions of the POR on October 9, 2013, October 26, 2013, and November 4, 2013.
	Under section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code, a disclosure statement must be approved by the Bankruptcy Court before the debtors may solicit acceptance of a proposed plan of reorganization. To be approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the disclosure statement must contain adequate information that would enable a hypothetical investor to make an informed judgment about the plan. Once the disclosure statement is approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the Debtors may send the proposed plan of reorganization, the disclosure statement and ballots to all creditors entitled to vote. The Debtors submitted a disclosure statement in respect of the Third Amended POR to the Bankruptcy Court on November 4, 2013 (the Disclosure Statement). The Bankruptcy Court approved the Disclosure Statement on November 7, 2013.
	The POR provides for a reorganization of the Debtors and the resolution of all outstanding claims against and interests in the Debtors. The POR contemplates two rights offerings to raise $250 million of capital through the issuance of (i) senior secured second lien notes and (ii) warrants exercisable for new class A common stock. The POR will provide eligible holders of allowed claims on account of Patriot’s 8.25% Senior Notes and Patriot’s 3.25% Convertible Notes, and eligible holders of allowed general unsecured claims above a certain threshold, an opportunity to participate in these rights offerings. Such claim holders will also receive a distribution of new class A common stock. Claim holders who do not participate in the rights offerings will receive a cash distribution on a pro rata basis in accordance with the POR.
	The POR also contemplates payment in full of the DIP Facilities in accordance with the terms thereof.
	For the POR to be effective, certain conditions must be satisfied, including:
	▪	An order confirming the POR must be entered by the Bankruptcy Court;
	▪	The backstop commitment agreement must be in full force and effect and the transactions contemplated thereunder must be consummated;
	▪	The exit financing facilities must be consummated;
	▪	Each of the new CBAs, the MOU and the VFA must be in effect;
	▪	All actions, documents and agreements necessary to implement the POR must be executed;
	▪	The Debtors must have received any authorizations, consents, regulatory approvals, rulings, letters, no-action letters, opinions or documents that are necessary to implement the POR and that are required by law, regulation or order; and
	▪	Each of the new organizational documents for the reorganized company must be in full force and effect.
	Under the distribution priorities established by the Bankruptcy Code, unless creditors agree otherwise, pre-petition liabilities and post-petition liabilities must be satisfied in full before stockholders are entitled to receive any distribution or retain any property under a plan of reorganization. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed to creditors and/or stockholders or what types or amounts of distributions, if any, they will receive. A plan of reorganization could result in holders of certain liabilities and/or securities, including common stock, receiving no distribution on account of their interests and cancellation of their holdings. The Debtors’ current proposed POR provides no distribution for holders of equity securities. Because of such possibilities, there is significant uncertainty regarding the value of our liabilities and securities, including our common stock. At this time, there is no assurance we will be able to restructure as a going concern or successfully implement a plan of reorganization.
	Backstop Commitment Agreement
The rights offerings contemplated by the POR will be backstopped by certain funds and accounts managed and/or advised by Knighthead Capital Management, LLC (Knighthead). On November 4, 2013, Patriot and Knighthead entered into a backstop commitment agreement, which sets forth the terms of Knighthead’s backstop commitment, the rights offerings and related financing transactions. Subject to certain conditions, Knighthead has committed to purchase, for the applicable subscription price, all of the notes and warrants that are not purchased in the rights offerings up to an aggregate subscription price of $250,025,000. The proceeds from the rights offering will be used toward the consummation of the POR. In exchange for the backstop commitment, Patriot has agreed to distribute to Knighthead (and any other party that becomes a backstop party under the agreement in accordance with their backstop commitment percentage set forth in the agreement) rights to purchase up to 40% of the notes offered in the rights offerings and up to 40% of the warrants offered in the rights offerings, in the aggregate, for an aggregate subscription price of $100,010,000. Patriot expects that the proceeds of the rights offerings, combined with the proceeds from the exit financing facilities and the cash and credit support received pursuant to the Peabody Settlement and the Arch Settlement, will provide the Debtors with the liquidity necessary for consummation of the POR.
As a result of the rights offerings and the Peabody Settlement, the VEBA is expected to receive more than $400 million in cash over the next four years. The transactions contemplated by the agreement with Knighthead are subject to, among other things, (i) the Debtors entering into definitive documentation for the exit financing facilities; (ii) satisfaction of certain minimum liquidity standards by Patriot; and (iii) the VEBA having been funded with the amount contemplated by the backstop commitment agreement to be funded on the effective date of the POR.
The Bankruptcy Court approved the backstop commitment agreement and the rights offerings procedures on November 7, 2013.
Notwithstanding approval by the Bankruptcy Court, the backstop commitment agreement may be terminated by the backstop parties if (i) there has been a material adverse change since October 9, 2013; (ii) the Bankruptcy Court enters an order confirming a plan of reorganization other than the POR; (iii) the Debtors breach any representation, warranty or covenant in the backstop commitment agreement in any material respect, or it shall be reasonably apparent that the Debtors shall be unable to satisfy each of the conditions to closing on or before the effective date of the POR, and such failure or inability remains uncured or continues for a period of ten business days following delivery of written notice thereof to the Debtors by the backstop parties; (iv) the Debtors enter into or seek court authority to enter into an alternative transaction; or (v) the effective date of the POR shall not have occurred by December 31, 2013.
Going Concern Matters
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern, although the Bankruptcy Case and weak industry conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or to the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon, among other things, market conditions and our ability to (i) improve profitability; (ii) meet the financial covenants of the DIP Facilities (defined in Note 10) or obtain appropriate amendments or waivers; (iii) obtain financing to replace the DIP Facilities upon emergence; and (iv) restructure our obligations in a manner that allows us to obtain confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court. In order to improve profitability, we continue to take actions to further reduce operating expenses and align our production to meet market demand. As a result of the Bankruptcy Case, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities are subject to uncertainty. While operating as debtors-in-possession pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, we may sell or otherwise dispose of or liquidate assets or settle liabilities, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or as otherwise permitted in the ordinary course of business (and subject to restrictions contained in the DIP Facilities), for amounts other than those reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Further, any plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities reported in the historical consolidated financial statements.
Reorganization Items
Our reorganization items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Professional fees	$	10,859			$	19,786		$	46,490		$	19,786
Provision for rejected executory contracts and leases	12,646				32,155			14,842			32,155
Losses from adjusting debt from carrying value to amount of allowed claim	—				27,021			—			27,021
Accounts payable settlement gains	68				(2,748		)	(10,994		)	(2,748		)
Interest income	(4		)		—			(15		)	—
Reorganization items, net	$	23,569			$	76,214		$	50,323		$	76,214
Professional fees are directly related to the reorganization and include fees associated with our advisors, the Creditors’ Committee and certain secured creditors. Net cash paid for reorganization items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 totaled $12.6 million and $46.0 million, respectively, all of which related to professional fees. Net cash paid for reorganization items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 totaled $6.5 million, all of which related to professional fees. Interest income represents interest earned on investment of proceeds from DIP financing. Reorganization items exclude charges related to the restructuring of our operations, including mine closures and production cuts. See Note 4 for further details on restructuring charges.
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
Liabilities subject to compromise represent unsecured obligations that will be accounted for under a plan of reorganization. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect payment of pre-petition liabilities are stayed. These liabilities represent the amounts expected to be allowed on known or potential claims to be resolved through the Chapter 11 process, and remain subject to future adjustments arising from negotiated settlements, actions of the Bankruptcy Court, rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases, the determination as to the value of collateral securing the claims, proofs of claim, or other events. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain items that may be assumed under the plan of reorganization, and as such, may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise.
Liabilities subject to compromise consist of the following:
	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Postretirement benefit obligations, excluding Coal Act	$	1,436,700			$	1,517,284
Unsecured debt	458,500				458,500
Interest payable	4,838				4,838
Rejected executory contracts and leases	177,226				151,449
Trade payables	71,315				78,086
Other accruals	23,870				52,150
Liabilities subject to compromise	$	2,172,449			$	2,262,307
Other accruals primarily include liabilities subject to compromise related to accrued royalty payments, litigation reserves, employee claims and other operating accruals. Royalty and real estate tax cure payments on real property lease contract assumptions approved by the Bankruptcy Court were reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise during the first quarter of 2013.
Debtor Financial Statements
The following unaudited condensed combined financial statements represent the financial statements for the Debtors applicable to that period. The Company’s Non-Debtor Subsidiaries are accounted for as non-consolidated subsidiaries in these Debtor financial statements and, as such, their net loss is included in “Loss from non-debtor entities” in the condensed combined statement of operations and their net assets are included as “Investments in and advances to non-debtor entities” in the condensed combined balance sheets. The Debtors’ condensed combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the guidance in ASC 852.
Intercompany transactions between the Debtors have been eliminated in the condensed combined financial statements. Intercompany transactions between the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries have not been eliminated in the Debtors’ condensed combined financial statements.
PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - DEBTORS
	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Sales	$	322,390			$	442,935		$	1,077,363		$	1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674				5,261			10,625			39,293
Total revenues	326,064				448,196			1,087,988			1,484,839
Costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses	361,855				434,598			1,134,225			1,367,150
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582				48,906			136,189			135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	(14,257		)		19,496			20,284			377,737
Sales contract accretion	—				—			—			(11,628		)
Impairment and restructuring charge	—				18,434			(1,453		)	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	8,917				12,611			27,506			42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	(224		)		(457		)	(3,422		)	(3,125		)
Income from equity affiliates	—				—			(234		)	(130		)
Loss (income) from non-debtor entities	1,803				(1,863		)	11,359			(3,491		)
Operating loss	(75,612		)		(83,529		)	(236,466		)	(480,737		)
Interest expense and other	13,995				13,661			42,051			46,168
DIP financing fees	11,719				42,552			11,719			42,552
Interest income	(2		)		(15		)	(15		)	(113		)
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(101,324		)		(139,727		)	(290,221		)	(569,344		)
Reorganization items, net	23,569				76,214			50,323			76,214
Loss before income taxes	(124,893		)		(215,941		)	(340,544		)	(645,558		)
Income tax benefit	—				(8		)	—			(8		)
Net loss	$	(124,893	)		$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - DEBTORS
	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012			2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss	$	(124,893	)		$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119				13,715			56,140			41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—				—			(6,876		)	—
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—				—			76,218			—
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44				2,822			34			2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(180		)		(346		)	(461		)	(1,472		)
Other comprehensive income	16,983				16,191			125,055			42,246
Comprehensive loss	$	(107,910	)		$	(199,742	)	$	(215,489	)	$	(603,304	)
PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS - DEBTORS
	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	(unaudited)
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,551			$	333,175
Accounts receivable and other, net	103,995				105,135
Inventories	83,325				99,219
Deferred income taxes	48,479				65,036
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814				36,734
Total current assets	361,164				639,299
Property, plant, equipment and mine development
Land and coal interests	2,899,224				2,892,799
Buildings and improvements	599,384				571,985
Machinery and equipment	796,176				767,749
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,243,317		)		(1,130,027		)
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467				3,102,506
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990				64,990
Investments and other assets	13,715				6,193
Investments in and advances to non-debtor entities	17,718				23,428
Total assets	$	3,509,054			$	3,836,416
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Liabilities not subject to compromise
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	244,595			$	245,098
Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684				375,409
Total current liabilities	626,279				620,507
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533				1,766
Deferred income taxes	48,479				65,036
Asset retirement obligations	704,363				720,461
Workers’ compensation obligations	259,286				254,680
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915				87,805
Obligation to industry fund	31,838				34,278
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503				22,805
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196				1,807,338
Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449				2,262,307
Total liabilities	3,953,645				4,069,645
Total stockholders’ deficit	(444,591		)		(233,229		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	3,509,054			$	3,836,416
PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - DEBTORS
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	136,189			135,430
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			42,552
Amortization of deferred financing costs	—			3,986
Amortization of debt discount	—			5,076
Sales contract accretion	—			(11,628		)
Impairment and restructuring charge	(1,453		)	60,892
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	(3,422		)	(3,125		)
Income from equity affiliates	(234		)	(130		)
Loss from non-debtor entities	11,359			(3,491		)
Stock-based compensation expense	4,129			776
Non-cash reorganization items, net	3,848			56,428
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	(6,876		)	—
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,139			79,137
Inventories	16,142			(30,170		)
Other current assets	10,767			(1,135		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(19,639		)	1,701
Advances to non-debtor entities	(142		)	2,530
Asset retirement obligations	(10,604		)	305,375
Workers’ compensation obligations	4,952			7,157
Postretirement benefit obligations	45,918			39,310
Obligation to industry fund	(1,843		)	(2,257		)
Cash collateralization deposit	—			(46,000		)
Other, net	(5,877		)	518
Net cash used in operating activities	(144,472		)	(2,618		)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	(60,095		)	(123,174		)
Additions to advance mining royalties	(7,207		)	(17,024		)
Acquisitions	(1,186		)	(2,530		)
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442			3,490
Net cash used in investing activities	(65,046		)	(139,238		)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	—			375,000
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	(42,552		)
Long-term debt payments	(5,833		)	(1,305		)
Deferred financing costs	—			(1,595		)
Proceeds from employee stock programs	—			930
Coal reserve financing transaction	(3,554		)	—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(21,106		)	330,478
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(230,624		)	188,622
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,175			194,162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	102,551		$	382,784

New_Accounting_Pronouncements_

New Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Accumulated Comprehensive Loss
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance that clarifies how to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013. See Note 11.
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the FASB ratified authoritative guidance which mandates that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position, as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This guidance was effective January 1, 2013 and did not affect our results of operations or financial condition.
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
	In July 2012, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which reduces the cost and complexity of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by simplifying how an entity tests those assets for impairment and improving consistency in impairment testing guidance. The new guidance allows an entity the option to make a qualitative assessment about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should then perform a quantitative impairment test. This guidance was effective January 1, 2013 and did not affect our results of operations or financial condition.
	Income Taxes
	In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance, which requires an entity to present its unrecognized tax benefits net of its deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards in cases where these carryforwards and losses are available at the balance sheet date. When carryforwards or losses are not available at the balance sheet date, an entity must present the liability separately and not net it against the deferred tax assets. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C

Impairment and Restructuring Charge (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions [Abstract]	'
Restructuring And Impairment Charge	'
	Impairment and Restructuring Charge
	In 2010, we established a restructuring reserve for on-going contractual obligations related to the 2010 closure of the Harris No. 1 mine and the rationalization of the operations at the Rocklick mining complex in our Appalachia segment. In the first quarter of 2013, based on final resolution of these obligations, we recorded a $1.6 million reversal of certain estimated charges related to these events.
	In the third quarter of 2012, we recorded an impairment charge of $18.4 million for the write-off of coal reserves related to our Bluegrass mining complex located in the Illinois Basin segment. This impairment resulted from the termination of leases providing rights to certain coal reserves through the bankruptcy contract rejection process and related negotiations.
	In the second quarter of 2012, as a result of weaker industry fundamentals and coal demand, and the significant decline in value of our equity securities and debt instruments, we performed an impairment review of all of our long-lived assets. As a result, we recorded a $1.4 million impairment charge during the second quarter of 2012 on certain coal reserves located in our Appalachia segment.
	In June 2012, we idled our Freedom mine at the Bluegrass mining complex due to continued weakened demand for thermal coal. The Freedom mine produced approximately 1.2 million tons of thermal coal in 2011. We also closed one mine at our Kanawha Eagle mining complex due to certain adjustments to our mining plans. The Freedom mine is reported in our Illinois Basin segment and the Kanawha Eagle mining complex is reported in our Appalachia segment. As a result, we recorded an $8.2 million impairment and restructuring charge related to these two mines during the second quarter of 2012, which primarily consisted of the write-off of infrastructure, mine development and certain equipment. We also recorded a $4.1 million charge to asset retirement obligation expense to adjust the liability for the accelerated closure and to write-off the related asset.
	In February 2012, we closed the Big Mountain mining complex, which is reported in our Appalachia segment, due to the weakened demand for thermal coal experienced in late 2011 and early 2012. Prior to the closure, the complex had two active mines and one preparation plant. The complex produced 1.8 million tons of thermal coal in 2011. In the first quarter of 2012, we recorded a $32.8 million impairment and restructuring charge related to the closure, which mainly consisted of the write-off of infrastructure, mine development and certain equipment. We also recorded a $17.5 million charge to asset retirement obligation expense to adjust the asset retirement obligation liability for the accelerated closure and write-off the related asset.

Net_Gain_On_Disposal_Or_Exchan

Net Gain On Disposal Or Exchange Of Assets And Other Transactions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Gain On Disposal Or Exchange Of Assets And Other Transactions	'
Net Gain On Disposal Or Exchange Of Assets And Other Transactions	'
	Net Gain on Disposal or Exchange of Assets and Other Transactions
	In the normal course of business, we enter into certain asset sales and exchange agreements.
	In the first quarter of 2013, we sold certain non-strategic Appalachia coal mineral rights to a third party in exchange for cash resulting in a gain of $2.3 million.
	In the first quarter of 2012, we sold certain non-strategic Appalachia gas and oil rights to a third party in exchange for cash resulting in a gain of $1.5 million.
	Other Transactions
	In the first quarter of 2012, we acquired Coventry Mining Services, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which employs the workforce for our Kanawha Eagle mining complex. The purchase price of $2.5 million was recorded as an intangible asset in accordance with asset acquisition authoritative guidance. The intangible asset is being amortized over the life of the mine where the workforce is located, which was estimated to be approximately 10 years. In September 2012, we reduced this workforce by 60% in relation to a temporary curtailment of metallurgical coal production in response to further weakening of market demand. Accordingly, we recognized an impairment charge of $1.5 million representing a corresponding portion of the unamortized balance in the third quarter of 2012.
	“Other revenues” includes payments from customer settlements, royalties related to coal lease agreements and farm income. During the first half of 2012, certain customers requested to cancel or delay shipment of coal contracted for 2012 and 2013 deliveries. In certain situations, we agreed to release the customer from their commitment in exchange for a cash settlement. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized revenue of $2.2 million and $22.7 million, respectively, related to these cash settlements. During the first half of 2012, we also received $8.3 million related to the settlement of a customer contract dispute concerning coal deliveries in prior years.

Postretirement_Benefit_Costs_N

Postretirement Benefit Costs (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Postretirement Benefit Costs	'
	Postretirement Healthcare Benefits
	We have historically provided healthcare and life insurance benefits to qualifying salaried and hourly retirees and their dependents from defined benefit plans. Plan coverage for healthcare and life insurance benefits was provided to certain hourly retirees in accordance with the applicable labor agreements.
	In relation to the bankruptcy process and pursuant to Sections 1113 and 1114 of the Bankruptcy Code, we have renegotiated the terms of collective bargaining agreements between certain Patriot subsidiaries and the UMWA, as well as certain postretirement healthcare benefits. Additionally, Patriot terminated certain non-union hourly and salaried retiree healthcare programs and postemployment benefits in the second quarter of 2013. In anticipation of these changes, we have classified the liabilities associated with these benefits as “Liabilities subject to compromise” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet since filing for bankruptcy. The liability related to healthcare coverage under the Coal Act is not subject to compromise and is classified as such.
	On April 26, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the Debtors to discontinue substantially all of their non-union retiree healthcare programs, eliminate retiree life insurance benefits for current non-union employees, and cap life insurance benefits for current non-union retirees, effective July 31, 2013. Pursuant to this order, the Debtors contributed $250,000 in cash to a VEBA trust for the benefit of current non-union retirees, and, upon emergence from bankruptcy, will contribute $3.75 million in cash to the VEBA. The VEBA trust will be designed and administered by a Retiree Committee consisting of appointed non-union retirees. Pursuant to the order, the Debtors and the Retiree Committee have also agreed to engage in good faith discussions and negotiations to replace some or all of the remaining retiree life insurance benefits with other retiree benefits that are economically cash neutral or more advantageous to the Debtors, and/or to consider accelerating the payment or provision of any such existing or replacement benefits if economically beneficial to the Debtors.
	At December 31, 2012, the liability associated with the non-union retiree benefit plans totaled approximately $63 million. In the second quarter of 2013, Patriot recognized a curtailment gain of $6.9 million related to the termination of these plans. Patriot also reduced its postretirement benefit obligation and a corresponding unrecognized loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss by $20.7 million in relation to the settlement of these plan obligations for current non-union employees. The settlement of the terminated benefits for retirees will not be recognized until the contribution is made in full to the VEBA. The remaining balances of both the terminated and surviving non-union retiree benefit obligations remain in “Liabilities subject to compromise” at September 30, 2013.
	As part of the accounting for the plan terminations, the fair value of the benefit obligations was remeasured resulting in a reduction to the postretirement benefit obligation and the corresponding unrecognized loss of $53.8 million. The change in the discount rate is the primary factor contributing to the change in the actuarial loss (discount rate of 4.71% at June 30, 2013 compared to 4.33% at December 31, 2012). Based on these changes to our obligation and the remeasurement of the liability, the accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit are $357.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013, and are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	As described in Note 2, Patriot and the UMWA have entered various agreements which, among other things, allow for the establishment of a VEBA trust that will assume the Debtors’ obligations to provide retiree healthcare benefits to certain UMWA retirees. Patriot and the UMWA are operating under these agreements; however, Patriot continues to recognize the full retiree healthcare obligation for both active employees and retirees as well as continues to accrue for these benefits until all applicable conditions are met. We anticipate the full transfer of this obligation to occur as part of the emergence transactions. We currently record monthly expenses of approximately $10.8 million in relation to these obligations.
	We will continue to provide healthcare benefits for more than 2,300 individuals who receive healthcare benefits pursuant to the Coal Act.
	Net periodic postretirement benefit costs included the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost for benefits earned	$	624			$	1,382		$	2,566		$	4,147
	Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	17,528				18,208			51,681			54,623
	Amortization of actuarial losses	16,998				14,007			56,112			42,022
	Amortization of prior service credit	(201		)		(202		)	(937		)	(607		)
	Gain on benefit plan curtailments	—				—			(6,876		)	—
	Net periodic postretirement benefit costs	$	34,949			$	33,395		$	102,546		$	100,185
	The following table sets forth the plan’s funded status reconciled with the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
			September 30, 2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	1,612,689
	Service cost		2,566
	Interest cost		51,681
	Plan amendment		(1,695		)
	Plan terminations		(20,741		)
	Net benefits paid		(63,503		)
	Change in actuarial loss		(53,782		)
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of period		1,527,215
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		—
	Contributions		63,503
	Benefits paid and administrative fees (net of Medicare Part D reimbursements)		(63,503		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period		—
	Postretirement benefit obligation		1,527,215
	Less current portion (included in Accrued expenses)		(7,600		)
	Less liabilities subject to compromise portion		(1,436,700		)
	Noncurrent obligation (included in Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations)		$	82,915

Income_Tax_Provision_Notes

Income Tax Provision (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Income Tax Provision
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 we recorded no income tax provision. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded an insignificant income tax benefit primarily related to certain state taxes. We anticipate a tax net operating loss for the year ending December 31, 2013 for which no benefit will be recognized.

Earnings_Per_Share_Notes

Earnings Per Share (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated to give effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the reporting period.
	The effect of dilutive securities excludes certain stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt-related shares because the inclusion of these securities was antidilutive to earnings per share. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no common stock equivalents were included in the computation of the diluted loss per share because we reported a net loss. Accordingly, 2.1 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 1.9 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 related to stock-based compensation awards were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation. In addition, 3.0 million common shares related to the convertible notes were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation for all periods.

Inventories_Notes

Inventories (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Materials and supplies	$	48,285	$	52,970
	Saleable coal	16,407		27,197
	Raw coal	18,633		19,052
	Total	$	83,325	$	99,219

Debt_and_Credit_Facilities

Debt and Credit Facilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Credit Facilities	'
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Debt and Credit Facilities
	Our total indebtedness consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Secured Debt
	DIP First Out Term Loan, due 2013	$	375,000		$	375,000
	Capital lease obligations	12,912			2,175
	Promissory notes	2,305			—
	Total secured debt, not subject to compromise	390,217			377,175
	Unsecured Debt
	8.25% Senior Notes, due 2018	250,000			250,000
	3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, due 2013	200,000			200,000
	Promissory notes	8,500			8,500
	Total unsecured debt, subject to compromise	458,500			458,500
	Total long-term debt	848,717			835,675
	Less liabilities subject to compromise	(458,500		)	(458,500		)
	Less current maturities of long-term debt	(381,684		)	(375,409		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	8,533		$	1,766
	DIP Financing
	In connection with filing the Chapter 11 Petitions, the Debtors obtained and the Bankruptcy Court authorized post-petition financing, and for the Filing Subsidiaries (other than EACC Camps, Inc.) (collectively, the DIP Guarantors) to guaranty our obligations in connection with the DIP financing, up to an aggregate principal amount of $802.0 million, consisting of (i) a revolving credit loan in an amount not to exceed $125.0 million (First Out Revolving Credit Loan), (ii) a term loan in the amount of $375.0 million (First Out Term Loan, and together with the First Out Revolving Credit Loan, the First Out Facility), and (iii) a $302.0 million roll up of obligations under our pre-petition credit agreement in respect to outstanding letters of credit, inclusive of any obligations as to reimbursement, renewal and extension of the same issued in the aggregate amount of $300.8 million as of the Petition Date (the Second Out Facility and, together with the First Out Facility, the DIP Facilities).
	The DIP Facilities include financial covenants applicable to Patriot and its subsidiaries, including compliance with requirements relating to minimum cumulative consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the DIP Facilities, maximum capital expenditures and minimum liquidity. On August 7, 2013, Patriot obtained an amendment to the DIP Facilities that (i) lowered the minimum cumulative consolidated EBITDA financial covenant threshold beginning with the July 2013 compliance reporting period, (ii) added a covenant requiring committed financing related to a plan of reorganization no later than October 31, 2013, and (iii) included a provision allowing for the financing of Patriot’s corporate insurance program. The Bankruptcy Court approved the DIP Facilities amendment on August 20, 2013. On October 30, 2013, Patriot obtained an amendment to the First Out Facility removing the covenant requiring committed financing related to a plan of reorganization no later than October 31, 2013. At September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with each of the financial covenants of the DIP Facilities. Our compliance with the minimum cumulative consolidated EBITDA financial covenant remains subject to market conditions and our ability to improve financial performance, including implementing our restructuring initiatives. Failure to comply with any of the financial covenants would be an event of default under the terms of the DIP Facilities. If an event of default occurs, we would need to negotiate an amendment or waiver from the lenders and obtain Bankruptcy Court approval of such amendment or waiver; however, there can be no assurances that we would be able to obtain such an amendment or waiver in the future.
	On September 11, 2013, after meeting certain conditions prescribed in the DIP Facilities agreement, Patriot extended the maturity date of the DIP Facilities to December 31, 2013. DIP financing fees of $11.7 million were incurred and paid in connection with the August 7, 2013 amendment to and the extension of the DIP Facilities in the third quarter of 2013.
	At September 30, 2013, letters of credit totaling $63.4 million and $279.4 million were outstanding under the First Out Facility and the Second Out Facility, respectively.
	Pre-Petition Credit Facilities
	The filing of the Chapter 11 Petitions constituted an event of default under our pre-petition debt agreements and those obligations became automatically and immediately due and payable, although any actions to enforce such payment obligations are stayed as a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Petitions. Thus, the Debtors’ pre-petition unsecured long-term debt of $458.5 million is included in “Liabilities subject to compromise” at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Since July 9, 2012, we have not recorded interest expense on unsecured debt that is subject to compromise. Contractual interest expense on pre-petition unsecured long-term debt from July 10, 2012 through September 30, 2013 was $51.7 million.
	Capital Lease Obligations
	Our capital lease obligations pertain to the financing of mining equipment used in operations. In the first nine months of 2013, Patriot amended certain existing operating leases allowing for transfer of ownership of the equipment at the end of each respective lease. As such, a carrying amount of approximately $15.6 million of additional capital lease obligations, net of imputed interest of $2.1 million, was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Future minimum lease payments required under these capital leases are $1.2 million remaining in 2013, $4.1 million in 2014, $6.8 million in 2015 and $0.3 million in 2016.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:
		Net			Prior Service Credit			Gains and Losses on Cash Flow			Total
		Actuarial Loss			Associated with			Hedges			Accumulated
		Associated with			Postretirement						Other
		Postretirement			Plans						Comprehensive
		Plans and									Loss
		Workers’
		Compensation
		Obligations
		(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2012	$	(492,467	)	$	10,423		$	427		$	(481,617	)
	Unrealized gains	74,523			1,695			34			76,252
	Reclassification from other comprehensive income to earnings (1)	57,077			(7,813		)	(461		)	48,803
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	131,600			(6,118		)	(427		)	125,055
	September 30, 2013	$	(360,867	)	$	4,305		$	—		$	(356,562	)
	(1)	Amounts were recorded to “Operating costs and expenses” in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and increased (decreased) net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Comprehensive loss during the periods differs from net loss by the amount of (i) unrealized gain or loss resulting from valuation changes of our diesel fuel hedges; (ii) adjustments related to the change in funded status of various benefit plans; and (iii) realized gains resulting from curtailments of certain benefit plans.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Authoritative guidance establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy for fair value to be measured based on the observability of the inputs utilized in the valuation. The levels are: Level 1 - inputs from quoted prices in an active market, Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable through market corroborated inputs and Level 3 - inputs that are unobservable and require assumptions about pricing by market participants.
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses have carrying values which approximate fair value due to the short maturity or the financial nature of these instruments.
	The following table summarizes the fair value of our remaining financial instruments:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Fuel contracts, cash flow hedges	$	—	$	427
	Liabilities:
	First Out Term Loan	375,000		378,750
	$200 million of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (Convertible Notes)	20,126		24,250
	$250 million of 8.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (Senior Notes)	125,000		118,750
	All of the instruments above were valued using Level 2 inputs. For additional disclosures regarding our fuel contracts, see Note 13. We utilized New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) quoted market prices for the fair value measurement of these contracts, which reflects a Level 2 input. The fair value of the First Out Term Loan, Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes was estimated using the last traded value on the last day of each period, as provided by a third party.

Derivatives_Notes

Derivatives (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	In connection with the Chapter 11 Petitions, we have been authorized by the Bankruptcy Court to continue performance under our pre-petition derivative contracts and to enter into and perform under post-petition derivative contracts consistent with the ordinary course of business and past practices. We utilize derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to certain commodity prices. We recognize derivative financial instruments at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For derivative instruments that are eligible and designated as cash flow hedges, the periodic change in fair value is recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” until the hedged transaction occurs or the relationship ceases to qualify for hedge accounting. For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, the periodic change in fair value is recorded directly to earnings in “Operating costs and expenses” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, if a portion of the change in fair value of a cash flow hedge is deemed ineffective during a reporting period, the ineffective portion of the change in fair value is recorded directly to earnings.
	We have commodity price risk related to our diesel fuel purchases. To manage a portion of this risk, we entered into ultra low sulfur diesel swap contracts with financial institutions. The changes in diesel fuel prices and the prices of these financial instruments have historically been highly correlated, thus allowing the swap contracts to be designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated diesel fuel purchases. We expect to purchase approximately 21 million gallons of diesel fuel across all operations in 2013. As of September 30, 2013, our ultra low sulfur diesel swap contracts were expired, with no notional amounts outstanding. During the fourth quarter of 2012, our outstanding contracts ceased to be highly effective due to impacts on diesel fuel prices from Hurricane Sandy. As such, we recorded the change in fair value directly to earnings on a prospective basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the prospective change in the fair value for the cash flow hedges deemed ineffective was immaterial. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the portion of the fair value for the cash flow hedges deemed ineffective was immaterial.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized a net gain of $0.2 million and $0.5 million in earnings on settled contracts, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized a net gain of $0.3 million and $1.5 million in earnings on settled contracts, respectively. Excluding the impact of our hedging activities, a $0.10 per gallon change in the price of diesel fuel would impact our annual operating costs by approximately $2.1 million.
	The fair value of our fuel contracts at December 31, 2012 resulted in a current asset (Prepaid expenses and other current assets) of $0.4 million. We utilized NYMEX quoted market prices for the fair value measurement of the contracts, which reflected a Level 2 fair value input.

Guarantees

Guarantees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Guarantees	'
	Guarantees
	In 2010, we agreed to provide a limited guaranty of the payment and performance under certain loans entered into by one of our joint ventures. The loans were obtained to purchase equipment, which is pledged as collateral for the loans. The maximum term of the loans is through January 2016. The guaranteed portion of the loan balances at September 30, 2013 totaled $4.1 million, all of which is recorded as a liability subject to compromise on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2012, there was no carrying amount of the liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet related to these guarantees. The financial performance of our joint ventures is subject to market risks similar to our coal mining operations.
	As of September 30, 2013, we have a receivable of approximately $0.7 million due from one of our joint ventures for royalties and utility usage.
	During 2012, subsequent to filing Chapter 11 Petitions, we posted cash collateral for letters of credit under the DIP Facilities, resulting in $50.0 million in interest-bearing deposits. During 2011, Patriot posted a $15.0 million interest-bearing deposit with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as collateral for occupational disease (black lung) workers’ compensation obligations related to certain of our subsidiaries. These deposits are recorded to “Cash collateralization deposits” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	In the normal course of business, we are party to guarantees and financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk, such as bank letters of credit, performance or surety bonds and other guarantees and indemnities, which are not reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Such financial instruments are valued based on the amount of exposure under the instrument and the likelihood of required performance. We do not expect any material losses to result from these guarantees or off-balance-sheet instruments.
	Other Guarantees
	We are the lessee or sublessee under numerous equipment and property leases. It is common in such commercial lease transactions for Patriot, as the lessee, to agree to indemnify the lessor for the value of the property or equipment leased, should the property be damaged or lost during the course of our operations. We expect that losses with respect to leased property would be covered by insurance (subject to deductibles). Patriot and certain of our subsidiaries have guaranteed other subsidiaries’ performance under their various lease obligations. Aside from indemnification of the lessor for the value of the property leased, our maximum potential obligations under these leases are equal to the respective future minimum lease payments and/or, in certain leases, liquidated damages, assuming no amounts could be recovered from third parties.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Bankruptcy Case
	On July 9, 2012, the Initial Debtors filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On September 23, 2013, Brody Mining, LLC (Brody) and Patriot Ventures LLC (the New Debtors, together with the Initial Debtors, the Debtors), wholly owned subsidiaries, filed Chapter 11 Petitions under the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The Debtors continue to operate their businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. As a result of the Chapter 11 Petitions, much of the pending litigation against the Debtors is stayed. Subject to certain exceptions and approval by the Bankruptcy Court, no party can take further actions against the Debtors to recover pre-petition claims that have been discharged under the POR.
	Commitments
	As of September 30, 2013, purchase commitments for equipment totaled $36.3 million primarily related to longwall equipment replacements, ventilation shaft projects at our Federal and Highland mining complexes, and safety equipment upgrades throughout our operations. Of this amount, we have equipment totaling $17.2 million scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 2013, with the remainder in subsequent years.
	Other
	On occasion, we become a party to claims, lawsuits, arbitration proceedings and administrative procedures in the ordinary course of business. Our material legal proceedings are discussed below.
	Clean Water Act Permit Issues
	The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and corresponding state and local laws and regulations affect coal mining operations by restricting the discharge of pollutants, including dredged or fill materials, into waters of the U.S. In particular, the CWA requires effluent limitations and treatment standards for wastewater discharge through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. NPDES permits, which we must obtain for both active and historical mining operations, govern the discharge of pollutants into water, require regular monitoring and reporting and set forth performance standards. States are empowered to develop and enforce water quality standards, which are subject to change and must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water quality standards vary from state to state.
	Patriot has obligations related to the discharge of selenium in excess of allowable limits at certain mining operations. Although existing technology continues to evolve and new technologies are being considered for the treatment of selenium discharges in excess of allowable limits, there has been no proven technology to effectively treat selenium in coal mining discharges to the levels required in all the applications present at our operations. Additionally, we are currently involved in various legal proceedings related to compliance with the effluent selenium limits in our mining permits. As a result of these legal proceedings, we are subject to various consent decrees and court orders that require us to, among other things, meet certain compliance deadlines. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the liability related to selenium water treatment at outfalls with known exceedances was $433.2 million and $443.0 million, respectively, and reflects the estimated costs of the planned technology selections to be implemented and maintained at these operations. Further discussed below are the lawsuits in which we are involved and the various rulings and settlements related to these lawsuits, as well as the continued uncertainties related to these obligations, including the identification, implementation and cost of effective treatment technologies.
	At September 30, 2013, environmental claims and litigation in connection with our various NPDES permits and related CWA requirements included the following:
	West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Actions
	In 2007, Hobet Mining, LLC (Hobet), one of our subsidiaries, was sued for exceedances of effluent limits contained in four of its NPDES permits in state court in Boone County, West Virginia by the WVDEP. We refer to this case as the Hobet WVDEP Action. This action addressed all effluent limits, including selenium, established by the permits. We entered into a settlement and consent order with the WVDEP, as subsequently modified, to extend coverage to two additional permits, achieve full compliance with the WVDEP permits by July 2012 and to study potential treatment alternatives for selenium. In May 2012, WVDEP and Hobet jointly requested an extension of the July 2012 compliance date while further refinements to the consent decree were discussed. The Boone County Circuit Court extended the compliance date while those discussions were ongoing.
	On April 23, 2010, WVDEP filed a lawsuit against Catenary Coal Company, LLC (Catenary), one of our subsidiaries, in the Boone County Circuit Court in West Virginia. We refer to this case as the Catenary WVDEP Action. This lawsuit alleged that Catenary had discharged selenium from its surface mining operations in violation of certain of its NPDES and surface mining permits. WVDEP sought fines and penalties as well as injunctions prohibiting Catenary from discharging pollutants, including selenium, in violation of laws and NPDES permits. The permits contained in the Catenary WVDEP Action are also included in the February 2011 Litigation discussed below under “Federal Cases.” The Catenary WVDEP Action was consolidated with the Hobet WVDEP Action. In the first quarter of 2013, Patriot filed a modified consent decree with the WVDEP in Boone County seeking to align the compliance dates for the permits in the consolidated Hobet WVDEP Action and Catenary WVDEP Action with the compliance dates in the January 2012 comprehensive consent decree and subsequent modification discussed below. On April 9, 2013, the Boone County Circuit Court approved and signed this modified consent decree.
	On June 11, 2010, WVDEP filed a lawsuit against Apogee Coal Company, LLC (Apogee), one of our subsidiaries, in the Logan County Circuit Court in West Virginia, alleging discharge of pollutants, including selenium, in violation of certain of its NPDES and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) permits. We refer to this case as the Apogee WVDEP Action. The permits contained in the Apogee WVDEP Action are also included in the February 2011 Litigation discussed below. The compliance deadlines for outfalls covered by this lawsuit were addressed in the January 2012 comprehensive consent decree and subsequent modification. WVDEP is seeking fines and penalties as well as injunctions prohibiting Apogee from discharging pollutants, including selenium, in violation of laws and NPDES permits. In the second quarter of 2013, Patriot filed a draft consent decree with the WVDEP seeking to align the compliance dates for the permits in the Apogee WVDEP Action with the compliance dates in the January 2012 comprehensive consent decree and subsequent modification discussed below. On August 13, 2013, the Logan County Circuit Court approved and signed this consent decree.
	Federal Cases
	In 2007, Apogee was sued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (U.S. District Court) by the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Inc. (OVEC) and another environmental group (pursuant to the citizen suit provisions of the CWA). We refer to this lawsuit as the Federal Apogee Case. This lawsuit alleged that Apogee had violated water effluent limits for selenium set forth in one of its NPDES permits.
	In March 2010, the U.S. District Court permitted a lawsuit to proceed that was filed in October 2009 by OVEC and other environmental groups against Hobet, alleging that Hobet had in the past violated, and continued to violate, effluent limitations for selenium in a NPDES permit and the requirements of a SMCRA permit for Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 and seeking injunctive relief. We refer to this as the Federal Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 Case.
	The U.S. District Court entered a ruling on September 1, 2010 (the September 2010 Ruling) in both the Federal Apogee Case and the Federal Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 Case mandating the installation of selenium treatment systems at these sites.
	In relation to the Federal Apogee Case and based on the September 2010 Ruling, Apogee completed the construction of a Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) water treatment facility and began operating the facility in the first quarter of 2013. This is a first-of-its-kind application of this treatment technology to coal mining discharges at full scale water flows. Accordingly, the facility has been subjected to an extended startup and commissioning phase. Because of the uncertainties surrounding the use of FBR technology to remove selenium or any other chemical elements at coal mining operations and due to the variable conditions encountered during startup, the system will require significant monitoring and, as applicable, adjusting over the first several months of operations. Apogee met its March 1, 2013 deadline to comply with the terms of the court order and will continue monitoring and testing the facility. As of September 30, 2013, we have spent approximately $46.1 million on the installation of the Apogee FBR facility.
	In relation to the Federal Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 Case and as part of the September 2010 Ruling, Patriot had identified the Advanced Biological Metals Removal System (ABMet) as the selenium treatment technology to be utilized at the Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 outfall. This ruling initially required compliance with applicable discharge limits under the permit by May 1, 2013. The Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree, as defined and discussed below, extended the compliance deadline for this outfall to August 1, 2014. In the third quarter of 2013, Patriot received approval to implement a bio-chemical reactor (BCR) treatment technology at this outfall. We began construction on the BCR treatment system in July 2013 and expect to complete construction prior to the August 1, 2014 compliance deadline. If the BCR technology is not successful in eliminating selenium from this outfall below allowable limits, we may be required to utilize ABMet or an alternative technology.
	In February 2011, OVEC and two other environmental groups filed a lawsuit against us, Apogee, Catenary and Hobet, in the U.S. District Court alleging violations of ten NPDES permits and certain SMCRA permits. We refer to this case as the February 2011 Litigation. The February 2011 Litigation involves the same four NPDES permits that are the subject of the Catenary WVDEP Action, the same Apogee permit that is the subject of the Apogee WVDEP Action, four NPDES permits that are the subject of the Hobet WVDEP Action and one additional NPDES permit held by Hobet that is not the subject of any action by WVDEP.
	On January 18, 2012, we finalized a comprehensive consent decree with OVEC and the other environmental groups to resolve the February 2011 Litigation. The comprehensive consent decree was approved by the U.S. District Court and became effective on March 15, 2012. The comprehensive consent decree set technology selection and compliance dates for the outfalls in the ten permits included in the February 2011 Litigation on a staggered basis, allowing us to continue testing certain technologies as well as to take advantage of technology that is still in the development stage.
	In December 2012 and January 2013, the Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court approved an agreement between Patriot and OVEC and other environmental groups to extend the Hobet Surface Mine No. 22 outfall compliance date to August 1, 2014. In addition, a 12-month extension of each of the technology selection and specified compliance dates in the January 2012 comprehensive consent decree was approved (as modified, the Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree); such technology selection and compliance dates, as extended, are set forth below. Extension of the deadlines allows us to defer spending and help to maintain liquidity during the bankruptcy proceedings and provides additional time for alternative treatment technologies and solutions to develop.
	The Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree, which was entered by the U.S. District Court in January 2013, separates the specified outfalls into categories based on the average gallons per minute water flow at each outfall and requires that we select water treatment technology alternatives by category. Additionally, we agreed to, among other things, come into compliance with applicable selenium discharge limits at each outfall beginning with the first category by March 15, 2015 and ending with the last category by March 15, 2018. The Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree established the following framework under which we will interface with the plaintiffs with respect to the identified permits and outfalls:
	Category/Gallons Per Minute	Technology Selection Date	Specified Compliance Date
	I / 0-200	1-Sep-13	15-Mar-15
	II / 201-400	31-Dec-13	15-Mar-16
	III / 401-600	31-Mar-14	15-Dec-16
	IV / 601-1000	1-Sep-14	15-May-17
	V / 1000 +	1-Sep-15	15-Mar-18
	As of September 1, 2013, we made our technology selection for Category I, selecting the BCR technology for each of these outfalls. The BCR technology has proven to be effective at removing selenium on a sustainable basis under conditions similar to our Category I outfalls. Based on this selection we adjusted our liability to reflect the estimated costs of installing and operating the BCR technology at the Category I outfalls and this resulted in a reduction of $31.4 million to the liability and to asset retirement obligation expense in the third quarter of 2013.
	Continued Uncertainties Related to Selenium Water Treatment Obligations
	Prior to our pilot project performed in 2010, FBR technology required under the September 2010 Ruling had not been used to remove selenium or any other minerals discharged at coal mining operations, but had been successful in other industrial applications. The FBR water treatment facility is the first facility of its kind constructed for selenium removal on a commercial scale. Though we have operated the FBR facility for two quarters, the FBR technology has not been proven effective on a sustained full-scale commercial basis at coal mining operations, and there can be no assurance that it will be successful under all variable conditions experienced at our mining operations.
	As of September 30, 2013, the liability to treat selenium discharges at outfalls not addressed in the September 2010 Ruling or in the Category I adjustment discussed above is based on the installation and operating costs of an Iron Facilitated Selenium Reduction (IFSeR) water treatment system. There is significant uncertainty as to whether IFSeR technology can be utilized to achieve compliance at these outfalls, particularly those with higher average water flows. However, IFSeR technology is currently the treatment technology that is best adapted for installation and operation under the various site-specific conditions at our outfalls. We have been and continue to assess the use of the BCR treatment technology and other potential treatment technologies, particularly at outfalls with higher water flows, to determine their applicability and effectiveness at removing selenium from coal mining discharges. Additionally, we continue to refine the IFSeR treatment systems to obtain efficiencies in both selenium removal and cost. The ability to utilize the BCR technology at more outfalls, to combine treatment technologies if necessary, and to identify improvements to the efficiencies of the IFSeR system or any other treatment approaches that are selected for implementation at our outfalls may affect the amount of the liability in the future and we will adjust it as necessary.
	If BCR or IFSeR systems are not ultimately successful in treating the effluent selenium exceedances at our outfalls, we may be required to install alternative treatment solutions. Alternative technology solutions that we may ultimately select are still in the early phases of development and their related costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The cost of other water treatment solutions could be materially different than the costs reflected in our liability. Furthermore, costs associated with potential modifications to BCR or IFSeR or the scale of our current BCR or IFSeR systems could also cause the costs to be materially different than the costs reflected in our liability. We cannot provide an estimate of the possible additional range of costs associated with alternate treatment solutions at this time. Potential installations of selenium treatment alternatives are further complicated by the variable geological, topographical and water flow considerations of each individual outfall.
	While we are actively continuing to explore treatment options, there can be no assurance as to if or when a definitive solution will be identified and implemented for outfalls covered by the WVDEP actions and the Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree. As a result, actual costs may differ from our current estimates. Due to the uncertainties discussed herein, we continuously assess the need to adjust our liability, taking into consideration, among other things, the probability of the utilization of a different technology or modification to the current technology, whether due to developments in our ongoing research, technology changes, further modifications pursuant to the Modified Comprehensive Consent Decree or other legal obligations to do so. Additionally, there are no assurances we will meet the timetable stipulated in the various court orders, consent decrees and permits to which we are subject.
	With respect to all outfalls with known exceedances for selenium or any other parameter, including the specific sites discussed above, any failure to meet the deadlines set forth in our consent decrees or established by the federal government, the U.S. District Court or the State of West Virginia or to otherwise comply with our permits could result in (i) further litigation against us; (ii) an inability to obtain new permits or to maintain existing permits, which could impact our ability to mine our coal reserves; and (iii) the imposition of significant and material fines and penalties or other costs, all of which could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
	In addition to the uncertainties related to technology discussed above, future changes to legislation, compliance with judicial rulings, consent decrees and regulatory requirements, findings from current research initiatives and the pace of future technological progress could result in costs that differ from our current estimates, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
	We may incur additional costs relating to the lawsuits discussed above, including potential fines and penalties relating to selenium matters. Additionally, as a result of these ongoing litigation matters and federal regulatory initiatives related to water quality standards that affect valley fills, impoundments and other mining practices, including the selenium discharge matters described above, the process of applying for new permits has become more time-consuming and complex, the review and approval process is taking longer, and in certain cases, permits may not be issued.
	Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
	CERCLA and similar state laws create liability for investigation and remediation in response to releases of hazardous substances in the environment and for damages to natural resources. Under CERCLA and many similar state statutes, joint and several liability may be imposed on waste generators, site owners and operators and others regardless of fault. These laws and related regulations could require us to do some or all of the following: (i) remove or mitigate the effects of the disposal or release of certain substances on the environment at various sites; (ii) perform remediation work at such sites; and (iii) pay damages for loss of use and non-use values.
	Although waste substances generated by coal mining and processing are generally not regarded as hazardous substances for the purposes of CERCLA and similar legislation, and are generally covered by SMCRA, some products used by coal companies in operations, such as chemicals, and the disposal of these products are governed by CERCLA. Thus, coal mines currently or previously owned or operated by us, and sites to which we have sent waste materials, may be subject to liability under CERCLA and similar state laws. A predecessor of one of our subsidiaries has been named as a potentially responsible party at a third-party site, but given the large number of entities involved at the site and our anticipated share of expected cleanup costs, we believe that its ultimate liability, if any, will not be material to our financial condition and results of operations.
	Flood Litigation
	In 2006, Hobet and Catenary were named as defendants along with various other property owners, coal companies, timbering companies and oil and natural gas companies in lawsuits arising from flooding that occurred on May 30 and 31, 2004 and June 4, 2004 in the Island Creek watershed of southern West Virginia. This litigation is pending before two different judges in the Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia. In one action, the plaintiffs assert that (i) Hobet failed to maintain an approved drainage control system for a pond on land near, on and/or contiguous to the sites of flooding and (ii) Hobet participated in the development of plans to grade, blast, and alter the land near, on and/or contiguous to the sites of the flooding. Hobet filed motions to dismiss, which were granted with respect to general factual allegations, generic claims, claims of strict liability and fraud and claims asserted by plaintiffs from certain localities. In the second action, in which plaintiffs allege that Hobet and Catenary engaged in extensive land altering activities that disturbed hydraulic balance, increased peak flow and surface runoff, and blocked natural drains, Hobet and Catenary filed motions to dismiss, asserting that the plaintiffs’ allegations are conclusory in nature and likely deficient as a matter of law. Most of the other defendants also filed motions to dismiss. The litigation of both actions are stayed due to the bankruptcy of one or more defendants. The outcome of the flood litigation is subject to numerous uncertainties. Based on our evaluation of the issues and their potential impact, the amount of any future loss cannot be reasonably estimated. However, based on current information, we believe this matter is likely to be resolved without a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
	Other Litigation and Investigations
	On October 24, 2013, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) notified Brody that a Pattern of Violations (POV) exists at the Brody No. 1 mine. MSHA issues POV notifications upon its determination that a particular mine demonstrated repeated violations of health or safety standards at the mine that could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of safety or health hazards pursuant to §104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety Mine and Health Act (an S&S Violation). Once a POV has been issued for a mine, any additional S&S Violation may result in MSHA issuing an order requiring the affected part of the mine to withdraw, effectively ceasing operations, pending a determination that such violation has been abated.
	Brody was acquired by Black Stallion Coal Company, LLC, one of our subsidiaries, effective December 31, 2012. Many of the violations and the severity measure cited in the POV finding took place during the period of time that Brody was owned and operated by its prior owner, an independent company. Immediately following our purchase of Brody, on January 3, 2013, Patriot submitted a Compliance Improvement Plan to MSHA. Since that time, the Brody mine compliance performance (as measured by violations per inspector day) has improved by 40 percent. Additionally, all former officers and key mine-level managers at Brody were replaced shortly after the purchase was concluded. More recently, on September 6, 2013, we submitted a Corrective Action Plan to MSHA to further improve safety and compliance at the Brody mine. Subsequently, on September 17, 2013, MSHA approved the submitted Corrective Action Plan.
	While Brody intends to vigorously contest the POV finding, there can be no assurance as to if or when it will be successful in these efforts. At this time, we cannot provide an estimate of the possible additional range of costs associated with contesting the POV finding, complying with the POV-related inspections and the risk of partial or complete mine closure at the Brody mine.
	On March 14, 2013, Patriot filed a lawsuit against Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody) and one of its subsidiaries. In connection with Patriot’s 2007 spinoff from Peabody, Peabody agreed to assume the obligations for healthcare costs associated with thousands of UMWA retirees and dependents who had been employed by Peabody entities that were transferred to Patriot in the spinoff. Patriot sought a declaration from the Bankruptcy Court that any relief Patriot was able to obtain through the bankruptcy proceedings with respect to the healthcare benefits of its subsidiaries’ retirees would not relieve Peabody of its own liabilities with respect to the healthcare benefits of the UMWA retirees and dependents. On October 24, 2013, Patriot, Peabody and the UMWA, on behalf of itself and the UMWA-represented employees and retirees, entered into a settlement, which sets forth the principle terms that would resolve the various disputes among the three parties (the Peabody Settlement). As part of the Peabody Settlement, Peabody agreed to, among other things, (i) provide $310 million to the VEBA, (ii) issue and replace, as applicable, $126 million of letters of credit and (iii) provide credit support for Patriot’s federal black lung obligations. The settlement also provides for broad mutual releases of claims and causes of action among the parties. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Peabody Settlement on November 7, 2013.
	The Peabody Settlement is subject to certain conditions, including the satisfaction of certain minimum liquidity standards by Patriot and the effectiveness of Patriot’s plan of reorganization. The Peabody Settlement may be terminated if, by March 31, 2014, a plan of reorganization that is consistent with the Peabody Settlement is not effective.
	During the second half of 2012 and subsequent to the filing of the Chapter 11 Petitions, three class action complaints were filed against a former Chief Executive Officer, Richard M. Whiting, and former Chief Financial Officer, Mark N. Schroeder (the Class Action Complaints). The Class Action Complaints contain nearly identical allegations including that the defendants made or allowed false and misleading statements related to Patriot’s selenium water treatment liability and Patriot’s financial condition. The Class Action Complaints were consolidated and a lead plaintiff was appointed during January 2013. The Class Action Complaints can proceed during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Case as Patriot was not named as a defendant. Messrs. Whiting and Schroeder filed a motion to dismiss the Class Action Complaints on May 20, 2013. Additional briefing regarding this motion occurred during the third quarter of 2013, but a date for a hearing regarding the motion to dismiss has not yet been set.
	Apogee has been sued, along with eight other defendants, including Monsanto Company (Monsanto), Pharmacia Corporation and Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Inc., by certain plaintiffs in state court in Putnam County, West Virginia. In total, 243 similar lawsuits have been served on Apogee, which are identical except for the named plaintiff. Each lawsuit alleges personal injury occasioned by exposure to dioxin generated by a plant owned and operated by certain of the other defendants during production of a chemical, 2,4,5-T, from 1949-1969. Apogee is alleged to be liable as the successor to the liabilities of a company that owned and/or controlled a dump site known as the Manila Creek landfill, which allegedly received and incinerated dioxin-contaminated waste from the plant. The lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages for personal injury. As of September 30, 2013, 51 of the lawsuits have been dismissed. Under the terms of the governing lease, Monsanto has assumed the defense of these lawsuits and has agreed to indemnify Apogee for any related damages. The failure of Monsanto to satisfy its indemnification obligations under the lease could have a material adverse effect on us.
	A predecessor of one of our subsidiaries operated the Eagle No. 2 mine located near Shawneetown, Illinois, from 1969 until closure of the mine in July 1993. In March 1999, the State of Illinois brought a proceeding before the Illinois Pollution Control Board against the subsidiary alleging that groundwater contamination due to leaching from a coal waste pile at the mine site violated state standards. The subsidiary has developed a remediation plan with the State of Illinois and is in litigation before the Illinois Pollution Control Board with the Illinois Attorney General’s office with respect to its claim for a civil penalty of $1.3 million.
	In late January 2010, the U.S. Attorney’s office and the State of West Virginia began investigations relating to one or more of our employees making inaccurate entries in official mine records at our Federal No. 2 mine. We terminated one employee and two other employees resigned after being placed on administrative leave. The terminated employee subsequently admitted to falsifying inspection records and has been cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s office. In April 2010, we received a federal subpoena requesting methane detection systems equipment used at our Federal No. 2 mine since July 2008 and the results of tests performed on the equipment since that date. We provided the equipment and information as required by the subpoena. We have not received any additional requests for information. In January 2012, the terminated employee filed a civil lawsuit against us alleging retaliatory discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Additionally, in January 2012, five employees filed a purported class action lawsuit against us and the terminated employee seeking compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages for the alleged intentional violation of employee safety at the mine. In late March 2013, the court dismissed the purported class action lawsuit. The remaining civil lawsuit is currently stayed due to the bankruptcy of one or more defendants.
	The outcome of other litigation and investigations is subject to numerous uncertainties. Based on our evaluation of the issues and their potential impact, the amount of any future loss cannot be reasonably estimated. However, based on current information, we believe these matters are likely to be resolved without a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Segment_Information_Notes

Segment Information (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	We report our operations through two reportable operating segments, Appalachia and Illinois Basin. The Appalachia and Illinois Basin segments primarily consist of our mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The principal business of the Appalachia segment is the mining and preparation of thermal coal, sold primarily to electricity generators, and metallurgical coal, sold to steel and coke producers. The principal business of the Illinois Basin segment is the mining and preparation of thermal coal, sold primarily to electricity generators.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	(% of total sales volume - tons)
	Sales to electricity generators	70		%	75		%
	Sales to steel & coke producers	30		%	25		%
	Export sales	49		%	45		%
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues attributable to foreign countries, based on where product shipped	$	521,771		$	682,700
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no material revenues attributable to any individual foreign country for which we can determine the final destination of the shipment. For certain sales made through third-party arrangements, it is impracticable to determine the ultimate destination and customer.
	We utilize underground and surface mining methods and produce coal with high and medium Btu content. Our operations have relatively short shipping distances from the mine to most of our domestic utility customers and certain metallurgical coal customers.
	Our chief operating decision makers use Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of segment profit and loss. We believe that in our industry such information is a relevant measurement of a company’s operating financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before deducting interest income and expense; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization; asset retirement obligation expense; sales contract accretion; impairment and restructuring charge; and reorganization items. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is calculated the same as Adjusted EBITDA but excludes “Corporate and Other” as defined below. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Adjusted EBITDA are not calculated identically by all companies, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
	“Corporate and Other” in the tables below includes selling and administrative expenses, net gain on disposal or exchange of assets and costs associated with past mining obligations.
	Operating segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Appalachia			Illinois Basin			Corporate and Other			Total			Appalachia			Illinois Basin		Corporate and Other			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	285,030		$	41,034		$	—		$	326,064		$	945,649		$	142,339	$	—		$	1,087,988
	Adjusted EBITDA	12,178			(2,212		)	(56,253		)	(46,287		)	81,900			1,065		(164,411		)	(81,446		)
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	22,797			3,819			—			26,616			46,116			13,979		—			60,095
	Loss from equity affiliates	(1,803		)	—			—			(1,803		)	(11,119		)	—		—			(11,119		)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Appalachia			Illinois Basin			Corporate and Other			Total			Appalachia			Illinois Basin		Corporate and Other			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	375,101		$	73,095		$	—		$	448,196		$	1,234,609		$	250,230	$	—		$	1,484,839
	Adjusted EBITDA	51,381			9,011			(57,085		)	3,307			229,415			30,748		(178,534		)	81,629
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	24,308			2,105			—			26,413			107,337			15,824		13			123,174
	Income from equity affiliates	1,864			—			—			1,864			3,564			—		—			3,564
	A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	(46,287	)	$	3,307		$	(81,446	)	$	81,629
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(43,582		)	(48,906		)	(136,189		)	(135,430		)
	Asset retirement obligation expense	14,257			(19,496		)	(20,284		)	(377,737		)
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			11,628
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			(18,434		)	1,453			(60,892		)
	Interest expense and other	(13,995		)	(13,661		)	(42,051		)	(46,168		)
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	(42,552		)	(11,719		)	(42,552		)
	Interest income	2			15			15			178
	Reorganization items, net	(23,569		)	(76,214		)	(50,323		)	(76,214		)
	Income tax benefit	—			8			—			8
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information	'
	Supplemental Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information
	The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information for: (i) Patriot Coal Corporation (the Parent Company) on a stand-alone basis; (ii) the subsidiary guarantors of the 8.25% Senior Notes (the Guarantor Subsidiaries) on a combined basis and; (iii) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, Patriot Coal Receivables (SPV) Ltd. (the facilitating entity for the pre-petition accounts receivable securitization program), on a stand-alone basis. Each Guarantor Subsidiary is wholly-owned by Patriot Coal Corporation. The guarantees from each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are full, unconditional, joint and several. Accordingly, separate financial statements of the wholly-owned Guarantor Subsidiaries are not presented because the Guarantor Subsidiaries will be jointly, severally and unconditionally liable under the guarantees, and we believe that separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the Guarantor Subsidiaries are not material to potential investors.
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	322,390		$	—		$	—		$	322,390
	Other revenues	—			3,674			—			—			3,674
	Total revenues	—			326,064			—			—			326,064
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	—			361,855			—			—			361,855
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			43,582			—			—			43,582
	Asset retirement obligation expense	—			(14,257		)	—			—			(14,257		)
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			—			—			—			—
	Selling and administrative expenses	2,762			6,155			—			—			8,917
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(224		)	—			—			(224		)
	Loss from equity affiliates	100,825			1,803			—			(100,825		)	1,803
	Operating loss	(103,587		)	(72,850		)	—			100,825			(75,612		)
	Interest expense and other	9,592			4,403			—			—			13,995
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			—			—			—			11,719
	Interest income	(2		)	—			—			—			(2		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(124,896		)	(77,253		)	—			100,825			(101,324		)
	Reorganization items, net	(3		)	23,572			—			—			23,569
	Loss before income taxes	(124,893		)	(100,825		)	—			100,825			(124,893		)
	Income tax benefit	—			—			—			—			—
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(100,825	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(124,893	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	442,935		$	—		$	—		$	442,935
	Other revenues	—			5,261			—			—			5,261
	Total revenues	—			448,196			—			—			448,196
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	—			434,599			—			—			434,599
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			48,906			—			—			48,906
	Asset retirement obligation expense	—			19,496			—			—			19,496
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			18,434			—			—			18,434
	Selling and administrative expenses	3,752			8,859			—			—			12,611
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(457		)	—			—			(457		)
	Loss (income) from equity affiliates	134,511			(1,864		)	—			(134,511		)	(1,864		)
	Operating loss	(138,263		)	(79,777		)	—			134,511			(83,529		)
	Interest expense and other	9,262			4,399			175			(175		)	13,661
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	42,552			—			—			—			42,552
	Interest income	(11		)	(4		)	(175		)	175			(15		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(190,066		)	(84,172		)	—			134,511			(139,727		)
	Reorganization items, net	25,867			50,347			—			—			76,214
	Loss before income taxes	(215,933		)	(134,519		)	—			134,511			(215,941		)
	Income tax benefit	—			(8		)	—			—			(8		)
	Net loss	$	(215,933	)	$	(134,511	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(215,933	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	1,077,363		$	—		$	—		$	1,077,363
	Other revenues	—			10,625			—			—			10,625
	Total revenues	—			1,087,988			—			—			1,087,988
	Costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses	—			1,134,231			—			—			1,134,231
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			136,189			—			—			136,189
Asset retirement obligation expense	—			20,284			—			—			20,284
Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
Impairment and restructuring charge	—			(1,453		)	—			—			(1,453		)
Selling and administrative expenses	8,363			19,143			—			—			27,506
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(3,422		)	—			—			(3,422		)
Loss from equity affiliates	292,068			11,119			—			(292,068		)	11,119
Operating loss	(300,431		)	(228,103		)	—			292,068			(236,466		)
Interest expense and other	28,421			13,630			—			—			42,051
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			—			—			—			11,719
Interest income	(12		)	(3		)	—			—			(15		)
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(340,559		)	(241,730		)	—			292,068			(290,221		)
Reorganization items, net	(15		)	50,338			—			—			50,323
Loss before income taxes	(340,544		)	(292,068		)	—			292,068			(340,544		)
Income tax benefit	—			—			—			—			—
Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(292,068	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(340,544	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Sales	$	—		$	1,445,546		$	—		$	—		$	1,445,546
Other revenues	—			39,293			—			—			39,293
Total revenues	—			1,484,839			—			—			1,484,839
Costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses	—			1,367,158			—			—			1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			135,430			—			—			135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	—			377,737			—			—			377,737
Sales contract accretion	—			(11,628		)	—			—			(11,628		)
Impairment and restructuring charge	—			60,892			—			—			60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	12,225			30,516			—			—			42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(3,125		)	—			—			(3,125		)
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	531,842			(3,564		)	—			(531,842		)	(3,564		)
Operating loss	(544,067		)	(468,577		)	—			531,842			(480,802		)
Interest expense and other	33,173			12,995			952			(952		)	46,168
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	42,552			—			—			—			42,552
Interest income	(109		)	(69		)	(952		)	952			(178		)
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(619,683		)	(481,503		)	—			531,842			(569,344		)
Reorganization items, net	25,867			50,347			—			—			76,214
Loss before income taxes	(645,550		)	(531,850		)	—			531,842			(645,558		)
Income tax benefit	—			(8		)	—			—			(8		)
Net loss	$	(645,550	)	$	(531,842	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(645,550	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(100,825	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(124,893	)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			17,119			—			—			17,119
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—			—			—			—			—
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—			—			—			—			—
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44						—			—			44
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(180		)				—			—			(180		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(136		)	17,119			—			—			16,983
Comprehensive loss	$	(125,029	)	$	(83,706	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(107,910	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss	$	(215,933	)	$	(134,511	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(215,933	)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			13,715			—			—			13,715
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	2,822			—			—			—			2,822
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(346		)	—			—			—			(346		)
Other comprehensive income	2,476			13,715			—			—			16,191
Comprehensive loss	$	(213,457	)	$	(120,796	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(199,742	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(292,068	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(340,544	)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			56,140			—			—			56,140
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—			(6,876		)	—			—			(6,876		)
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—			76,218			—			—			76,218
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	34			—			—			—			34
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(461		)	—			—			—			(461		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(427		)	125,482			—			—			125,055
Comprehensive loss	$	(340,971	)	$	(166,586	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(215,489	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net loss	$	(645,550	)	$	(531,842	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(645,550	)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			41,147			—			—			41,147
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	2,571			—			—			—			2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(1,472		)	—			—			—			(1,472		)
Other comprehensive income	1,099			41,147			—			—			42,246
Comprehensive loss	$	(644,451	)	$	(490,695	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(603,304	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	September 30, 2013
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,470		$	81		$	—		$	—		$	102,551
Accounts receivable and other, net	59			103,936			—			—			103,995
Inventories	—			83,325			—			—			83,325
Deferred income taxes	48,479			—			—			—			48,479
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	197			22,617			—			—			22,814
Total current assets	151,205			209,959			—			—			361,164
Property, plant, equipment and mine development
Land and coal interests	—			2,899,224			—			—			2,899,224
Buildings and improvements	—			599,384			—			—			599,384
Machinery and equipment	492			795,684			—			—			796,176
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(33		)	(1,243,284		)	—			—			(1,243,317		)
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	459			3,051,008			—			—			3,051,467
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990			—			—			—			64,990
Investments, intercompany and other assets	581,070			(374,188		)	—			(175,449		)	31,433
Total assets	$	797,724		$	2,886,779		$	—		$	(175,449	)	$	3,509,054
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Liabilities not subject to compromise
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	898		$	243,697		$	—		$	—		$	244,595
Current maturities of long-term debt	375,170			6,514			—			—			381,684
Total current liabilities	376,068			250,211			—			—			626,279
Long-term debt, less current maturities	135			8,398			—			—			8,533
Deferred income taxes	48,479			—			—			—			48,479
Asset retirement obligations	—			704,363			—			—			704,363
Workers’ compensation obligations	—			259,286			—			—			259,286
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	—			82,915			—			—			82,915
Obligation to industry fund	—			31,838			—			—			31,838
Other noncurrent liabilities	—			19,503			—			—			19,503
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	424,682			1,356,514			—			—			1,781,196
Liabilities subject to compromise	461,163			1,711,286			—			—			2,172,449
Total liabilities	885,845			3,067,800			—			—			3,953,645
Stockholders’ deficit	(88,121		)	(181,021		)	—			(175,449		)	(444,591		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	797,724		$	2,886,779		$	—		$	(175,449	)	$	3,509,054
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	December 31, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	333,041		$	888		$	—		$	—		$	333,929
Accounts receivable and other, net	125			105,010			—			—			105,135
Inventories	—			99,219			—			—			99,219
Deferred income taxes	65,036			—			—			—			65,036
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,253			35,153			—			—			37,406
Total current assets	400,455			240,270			—			—			640,725
Property, plant, equipment and mine development
Land and coal interests	—			2,892,799			—			—			2,892,799
Buildings and improvements	—			571,985			—			—			571,985
Machinery and equipment	—			767,749			—			—			767,749
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			(1,130,027		)	—			—			(1,130,027		)
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	—			3,102,506			—			—			3,102,506
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990			—			—			—			64,990
Investments, intercompany and other assets	692,771			(194,668		)	—			(467,517		)	30,586
Total assets	$	1,158,216		$	3,148,108		$	—		$	(467,517	)	$	3,838,807
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Liabilities not subject to compromise
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	8,024		$	239,465		$	—		$	—		$	247,489
Current maturities of long-term debt	375,000			409			—			—			375,409
Total current liabilities	383,024			239,874			—			—			622,898
Long-term debt, less current maturities	—			1,766			—			—			1,766
Deferred income taxes	65,036			—			—			—			65,036
Asset retirement obligations	—			720,461			—			—			720,461
Workers’ compensation obligations	—			254,680			—			—			254,680
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	—			87,805			—			—			87,805
Obligation to industry fund	—			34,278			—			—			34,278
Other noncurrent liabilities	139			22,666			—			—			22,805
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	448,199			1,361,530			—			—			1,809,729
Liabilities subject to compromise	461,202			1,801,105			—			—			2,262,307
Total liabilities	909,401			3,162,635			—			—			4,072,036
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)	248,815			(14,527		)	—			(467,517		)	(233,229		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$	1,158,216		$	3,148,108		$	—		$	(467,517	)	$	3,838,807
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(38,308	)	$	(106,208	)	$	—		$	—		$	(144,516	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	—			(60,095		)	—			—			(60,095		)
Additions to advance mining royalties	—			(7,207		)	—			—			(7,207		)
Acquisition	—			(1,186		)	—			—			(1,186		)
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	—			3,442			—			—			3,442
Other	—			(710		)	—			—			(710		)
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(65,756		)	—			—			(65,756		)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	—			—			—			—			—
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	—			—			—			(11,719		)
Long-term debt payments	(210		)	(5,623		)	—			—			(5,833		)
Deferred financing costs	—			—			—			—			—
Proceeds from employee stock programs	—			—			—			—			—
Coal reserve financing transaction	—			(3,554		)	—			—			(3,554		)
Intercompany transactions	(180,334		)	180,334			—			—			—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(192,263		)	171,157			—			—			(21,106		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(230,571		)	(807		)	—			—			(231,378		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,041			888			—			—			333,929
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	102,470		$	81		$	—		$	—		$	102,551
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(66,721	)	$	64,472		$	—		$	—		$	(2,249	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	—			(123,174		)	—			—			(123,174		)
Additions to advance mining royalties	—			(17,024		)	—			—			(17,024		)
Acquisition	—			(2,530		)	—			—			(2,530		)
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	—			3,490			—			—			3,490
Other	—			(369		)	—			—			(369		)
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(139,607		)	—			—			(139,607		)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	375,000			—			—			—			375,000
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(42,552		)	—			—			—			(42,552		)
Long-term debt payments	—			(1,305		)	—			—			(1,305		)
Deferred financing costs	(1,595		)	—			—			—			(1,595		)
Proceeds from employee stock programs	930			—			—			—			930
Coal reserve financing transaction	—			—			—			—			—
Intercompany transactions	(76,394		)	76,394			—			—			—
Net cash provided by financing activities	255,389			75,089			—			—			330,478
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	188,668			(46		)	—			—			188,622
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	193,882			280			—			—			194,162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	382,550		$	234		$	—		$	—		$	382,784

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili1

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Reorganization Items [Table Text Block]	'
	Our reorganization items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Professional fees	$	10,859			$	19,786		$	46,490		$	19,786
	Provision for rejected executory contracts and leases	12,646				32,155			14,842			32,155
	Losses from adjusting debt from carrying value to amount of allowed claim	—				27,021			—			27,021
	Accounts payable settlement gains	68				(2,748		)	(10,994		)	(2,748		)
	Interest income	(4		)		—			(15		)	—
	Reorganization items, net	$	23,569			$	76,214		$	50,323		$	76,214
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Table Text Block]	'
	Liabilities subject to compromise consist of the following:
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Postretirement benefit obligations, excluding Coal Act	$	1,436,700			$	1,517,284
	Unsecured debt	458,500				458,500
	Interest payable	4,838				4,838
	Rejected executory contracts and leases	177,226				151,449
	Trade payables	71,315				78,086
	Other accruals	23,870				52,150
	Liabilities subject to compromise	$	2,172,449			$	2,262,307
Schedule of Condensed Statement of Operations [Table Text Block]	'
	PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - DEBTORS
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	322,390			$	442,935		$	1,077,363		$	1,445,546
	Other revenues	3,674				5,261			10,625			39,293
	Total revenues	326,064				448,196			1,087,988			1,484,839
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	361,855				434,598			1,134,225			1,367,150
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582				48,906			136,189			135,430
	Asset retirement obligation expense	(14,257		)		19,496			20,284			377,737
	Sales contract accretion	—				—			—			(11,628		)
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—				18,434			(1,453		)	60,892
	Selling and administrative expenses	8,917				12,611			27,506			42,741
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	(224		)		(457		)	(3,422		)	(3,125		)
	Income from equity affiliates	—				—			(234		)	(130		)
	Loss (income) from non-debtor entities	1,803				(1,863		)	11,359			(3,491		)
	Operating loss	(75,612		)		(83,529		)	(236,466		)	(480,737		)
	Interest expense and other	13,995				13,661			42,051			46,168
	DIP financing fees	11,719				42,552			11,719			42,552
	Interest income	(2		)		(15		)	(15		)	(113		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(101,324		)		(139,727		)	(290,221		)	(569,344		)
	Reorganization items, net	23,569				76,214			50,323			76,214
	Loss before income taxes	(124,893		)		(215,941		)	(340,544		)	(645,558		)
	Income tax benefit	—				(8		)	—			(8		)
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)		$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - DEBTORS
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)		$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
	Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119				13,715			56,140			41,147
	Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—				—			(6,876		)	—
	Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—				—			76,218			—
	Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44				2,822			34			2,571
	Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(180		)		(346		)	(461		)	(1,472		)
	Other comprehensive income	16,983				16,191			125,055			42,246
	Comprehensive loss	$	(107,910	)		$	(199,742	)	$	(215,489	)	$	(603,304	)
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
	PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
	CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS - DEBTORS
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(unaudited)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,551			$	333,175
	Accounts receivable and other, net	103,995				105,135
	Inventories	83,325				99,219
	Deferred income taxes	48,479				65,036
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814				36,734
	Total current assets	361,164				639,299
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development
	Land and coal interests	2,899,224				2,892,799
	Buildings and improvements	599,384				571,985
	Machinery and equipment	796,176				767,749
	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,243,317		)		(1,130,027		)
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467				3,102,506
	Cash collateralization deposits	64,990				64,990
	Investments and other assets	13,715				6,193
	Investments in and advances to non-debtor entities	17,718				23,428
	Total assets	$	3,509,054			$	3,836,416
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	244,595			$	245,098
	Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684				375,409
	Total current liabilities	626,279				620,507
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533				1,766
	Deferred income taxes	48,479				65,036
	Asset retirement obligations	704,363				720,461
	Workers’ compensation obligations	259,286				254,680
	Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915				87,805
	Obligation to industry fund	31,838				34,278
	Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503				22,805
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196				1,807,338
	Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449				2,262,307
	Total liabilities	3,953,645				4,069,645
	Total stockholders’ deficit	(444,591		)		(233,229		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	3,509,054			$	3,836,416
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	'
	PATRIOT COAL CORPORATION
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - DEBTORS
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities
	Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	136,189			135,430
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			42,552
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	—			3,986
	Amortization of debt discount	—			5,076
	Sales contract accretion	—			(11,628		)
	Impairment and restructuring charge	(1,453		)	60,892
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	(3,422		)	(3,125		)
	Income from equity affiliates	(234		)	(130		)
	Loss from non-debtor entities	11,359			(3,491		)
	Stock-based compensation expense	4,129			776
	Non-cash reorganization items, net	3,848			56,428
	Gain on benefit plan curtailments	(6,876		)	—
	Changes in current assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable	1,139			79,137
	Inventories	16,142			(30,170		)
	Other current assets	10,767			(1,135		)
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(19,639		)	1,701
	Advances to non-debtor entities	(142		)	2,530
	Asset retirement obligations	(10,604		)	305,375
	Workers’ compensation obligations	4,952			7,157
	Postretirement benefit obligations	45,918			39,310
	Obligation to industry fund	(1,843		)	(2,257		)
	Cash collateralization deposit	—			(46,000		)
	Other, net	(5,877		)	518
	Net cash used in operating activities	(144,472		)	(2,618		)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	(60,095		)	(123,174		)
	Additions to advance mining royalties	(7,207		)	(17,024		)
	Acquisitions	(1,186		)	(2,530		)
	Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442			3,490
	Net cash used in investing activities	(65,046		)	(139,238		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities
	Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	—			375,000
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	(42,552		)
	Long-term debt payments	(5,833		)	(1,305		)
	Deferred financing costs	—			(1,595		)
	Proceeds from employee stock programs	—			930
	Coal reserve financing transaction	(3,554		)	—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(21,106		)	330,478
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(230,624		)	188,622
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,175			194,162
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	102,551		$	382,784

Postretirement_Benefit_Costs_T

Postretirement Benefit Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Net periodic postretirement benefit costs included the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost for benefits earned	$	624			$	1,382		$	2,566		$	4,147
	Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	17,528				18,208			51,681			54,623
	Amortization of actuarial losses	16,998				14,007			56,112			42,022
	Amortization of prior service credit	(201		)		(202		)	(937		)	(607		)
	Gain on benefit plan curtailments	—				—			(6,876		)	—
	Net periodic postretirement benefit costs	$	34,949			$	33,395		$	102,546		$	100,185
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the plan’s funded status reconciled with the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
			September 30, 2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	1,612,689
	Service cost		2,566
	Interest cost		51,681
	Plan amendment		(1,695		)
	Plan terminations		(20,741		)
	Net benefits paid		(63,503		)
	Change in actuarial loss		(53,782		)
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at end of period		1,527,215
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		—
	Contributions		63,503
	Benefits paid and administrative fees (net of Medicare Part D reimbursements)		(63,503		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period		—
	Postretirement benefit obligation		1,527,215
	Less current portion (included in Accrued expenses)		(7,600		)
	Less liabilities subject to compromise portion		(1,436,700		)
	Noncurrent obligation (included in Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations)		$	82,915

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories Schedule of Inventory Components (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Inventory [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Materials and supplies	$	48,285	$	52,970
	Saleable coal	16,407		27,197
	Raw coal	18,633		19,052
	Total	$	83,325	$	99,219

Debt_and_Credit_Facilities_Deb

Debt and Credit Facilities Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	Our total indebtedness consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Secured Debt
	DIP First Out Term Loan, due 2013	$	375,000		$	375,000
	Capital lease obligations	12,912			2,175
	Promissory notes	2,305			—
	Total secured debt, not subject to compromise	390,217			377,175
	Unsecured Debt
	8.25% Senior Notes, due 2018	250,000			250,000
	3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, due 2013	200,000			200,000
	Promissory notes	8,500			8,500
	Total unsecured debt, subject to compromise	458,500			458,500
	Total long-term debt	848,717			835,675
	Less liabilities subject to compromise	(458,500		)	(458,500		)
	Less current maturities of long-term debt	(381,684		)	(375,409		)
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	8,533		$	1,766

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:
		Net			Prior Service Credit			Gains and Losses on Cash Flow			Total
		Actuarial Loss			Associated with			Hedges			Accumulated
		Associated with			Postretirement						Other
		Postretirement			Plans						Comprehensive
		Plans and									Loss
		Workers’
		Compensation
		Obligations
		(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2012	$	(492,467	)	$	10,423		$	427		$	(481,617	)
	Unrealized gains	74,523			1,695			34			76,252
	Reclassification from other comprehensive income to earnings (1)	57,077			(7,813		)	(461		)	48,803
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	131,600			(6,118		)	(427		)	125,055
	September 30, 2013	$	(360,867	)	$	4,305		$	—		$	(356,562	)
	(1)	Amounts were recorded to “Operating costs and expenses” in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and increased (decreased) net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of our remaining financial instruments:
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Fuel contracts, cash flow hedges	$	—	$	427
	Liabilities:
	First Out Term Loan	375,000		378,750
	$200 million of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (Convertible Notes)	20,126		24,250
	$250 million of 8.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (Senior Notes)	125,000		118,750

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	(% of total sales volume - tons)
	Sales to electricity generators	70		%	75		%
	Sales to steel & coke producers	30		%	25		%
	Export sales	49		%	45		%
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues attributable to foreign countries, based on where product shipped	$	521,771		$	682,700
Operating Segment Results	'
	Operating segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Appalachia			Illinois Basin			Corporate and Other			Total			Appalachia			Illinois Basin		Corporate and Other			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	285,030		$	41,034		$	—		$	326,064		$	945,649		$	142,339	$	—		$	1,087,988
	Adjusted EBITDA	12,178			(2,212		)	(56,253		)	(46,287		)	81,900			1,065		(164,411		)	(81,446		)
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	22,797			3,819			—			26,616			46,116			13,979		—			60,095
	Loss from equity affiliates	(1,803		)	—			—			(1,803		)	(11,119		)	—		—			(11,119		)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Appalachia			Illinois Basin			Corporate and Other			Total			Appalachia			Illinois Basin		Corporate and Other			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	375,101		$	73,095		$	—		$	448,196		$	1,234,609		$	250,230	$	—		$	1,484,839
	Adjusted EBITDA	51,381			9,011			(57,085		)	3,307			229,415			30,748		(178,534		)	81,629
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	24,308			2,105			—			26,413			107,337			15,824		13			123,174
	Income from equity affiliates	1,864			—			—			1,864			3,564			—		—			3,564
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income Text Block	'
	A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	(46,287	)	$	3,307		$	(81,446	)	$	81,629
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(43,582		)	(48,906		)	(136,189		)	(135,430		)
	Asset retirement obligation expense	14,257			(19,496		)	(20,284		)	(377,737		)
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			11,628
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			(18,434		)	1,453			(60,892		)
	Interest expense and other	(13,995		)	(13,661		)	(42,051		)	(46,168		)
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	(42,552		)	(11,719		)	(42,552		)
	Interest income	2			15			15			178
	Reorganization items, net	(23,569		)	(76,214		)	(50,323		)	(76,214		)
	Income tax benefit	—			8			—			8
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(215,933	)	$	(340,544	)	$	(645,550	)

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia1

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Table Text Block]	'
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	322,390		$	—		$	—		$	322,390
	Other revenues	—			3,674			—			—			3,674
	Total revenues	—			326,064			—			—			326,064
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	—			361,855			—			—			361,855
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			43,582			—			—			43,582
	Asset retirement obligation expense	—			(14,257		)	—			—			(14,257		)
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			—			—			—			—
	Selling and administrative expenses	2,762			6,155			—			—			8,917
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(224		)	—			—			(224		)
	Loss from equity affiliates	100,825			1,803			—			(100,825		)	1,803
	Operating loss	(103,587		)	(72,850		)	—			100,825			(75,612		)
	Interest expense and other	9,592			4,403			—			—			13,995
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			—			—			—			11,719
	Interest income	(2		)	—			—			—			(2		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(124,896		)	(77,253		)	—			100,825			(101,324		)
	Reorganization items, net	(3		)	23,572			—			—			23,569
	Loss before income taxes	(124,893		)	(100,825		)	—			100,825			(124,893		)
	Income tax benefit	—			—			—			—			—
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(100,825	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(124,893	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	442,935		$	—		$	—		$	442,935
	Other revenues	—			5,261			—			—			5,261
	Total revenues	—			448,196			—			—			448,196
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	—			434,599			—			—			434,599
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			48,906			—			—			48,906
	Asset retirement obligation expense	—			19,496			—			—			19,496
	Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
	Impairment and restructuring charge	—			18,434			—			—			18,434
	Selling and administrative expenses	3,752			8,859			—			—			12,611
	Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(457		)	—			—			(457		)
	Loss (income) from equity affiliates	134,511			(1,864		)	—			(134,511		)	(1,864		)
	Operating loss	(138,263		)	(79,777		)	—			134,511			(83,529		)
	Interest expense and other	9,262			4,399			175			(175		)	13,661
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	42,552			—			—			—			42,552
	Interest income	(11		)	(4		)	(175		)	175			(15		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(190,066		)	(84,172		)	—			134,511			(139,727		)
	Reorganization items, net	25,867			50,347			—			—			76,214
	Loss before income taxes	(215,933		)	(134,519		)	—			134,511			(215,941		)
	Income tax benefit	—			(8		)	—			—			(8		)
	Net loss	$	(215,933	)	$	(134,511	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(215,933	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues
	Sales	$	—		$	1,077,363		$	—		$	—		$	1,077,363
	Other revenues	—			10,625			—			—			10,625
	Total revenues	—			1,087,988			—			—			1,087,988
	Costs and expenses
	Operating costs and expenses	—			1,134,231			—			—			1,134,231
	Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			136,189			—			—			136,189
Asset retirement obligation expense	—			20,284			—			—			20,284
Sales contract accretion	—			—			—			—			—
Impairment and restructuring charge	—			(1,453		)	—			—			(1,453		)
Selling and administrative expenses	8,363			19,143			—			—			27,506
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(3,422		)	—			—			(3,422		)
Loss from equity affiliates	292,068			11,119			—			(292,068		)	11,119
Operating loss	(300,431		)	(228,103		)	—			292,068			(236,466		)
Interest expense and other	28,421			13,630			—			—			42,051
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	11,719			—			—			—			11,719
Interest income	(12		)	(3		)	—			—			(15		)
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(340,559		)	(241,730		)	—			292,068			(290,221		)
Reorganization items, net	(15		)	50,338			—			—			50,323
Loss before income taxes	(340,544		)	(292,068		)	—			292,068			(340,544		)
Income tax benefit	—			—			—			—			—
Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(292,068	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(340,544	)
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Sales	$	—		$	1,445,546		$	—		$	—		$	1,445,546
Other revenues	—			39,293			—			—			39,293
Total revenues	—			1,484,839			—			—			1,484,839
Costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses	—			1,367,158			—			—			1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			135,430			—			—			135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	—			377,737			—			—			377,737
Sales contract accretion	—			(11,628		)	—			—			(11,628		)
Impairment and restructuring charge	—			60,892			—			—			60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	12,225			30,516			—			—			42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	—			(3,125		)	—			—			(3,125		)
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	531,842			(3,564		)	—			(531,842		)	(3,564		)
Operating loss	(544,067		)	(468,577		)	—			531,842			(480,802		)
Interest expense and other	33,173			12,995			952			(952		)	46,168
Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	42,552			—			—			—			42,552
Interest income	(109		)	(69		)	(952		)	952			(178		)
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	(619,683		)	(481,503		)	—			531,842			(569,344		)
Reorganization items, net	25,867			50,347			—			—			76,214
Loss before income taxes	(645,550		)	(531,850		)	—			531,842			(645,558		)
Income tax benefit	—			(8		)	—			—			(8		)
Net loss	$	(645,550	)	$	(531,842	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(645,550	)
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net loss	$	(124,893	)	$	(100,825	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(124,893	)
	Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			17,119			—			—			17,119
	Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—			—			—			—			—
	Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—			—			—			—			—
	Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44						—			—			44
	Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(180		)				—			—			(180		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(136		)	17,119			—			—			16,983
	Comprehensive loss	$	(125,029	)	$	(83,706	)	$	—		$	100,825		$	(107,910	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net loss	$	(215,933	)	$	(134,511	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(215,933	)
	Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			13,715			—			—			13,715
	Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	2,822			—			—			—			2,822
	Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(346		)	—			—			—			(346		)
	Other comprehensive income	2,476			13,715			—			—			16,191
	Comprehensive loss	$	(213,457	)	$	(120,796	)	$	—		$	134,511		$	(199,742	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net loss	$	(340,544	)	$	(292,068	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(340,544	)
	Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			56,140			—			—			56,140
	Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	—			(6,876		)	—			—			(6,876		)
	Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	—			76,218			—			—			76,218
	Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	34			—			—			—			34
	Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(461		)	—			—			—			(461		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(427		)	125,482			—			—			125,055
	Comprehensive loss	$	(340,971	)	$	(166,586	)	$	—		$	292,068		$	(215,489	)
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net loss	$	(645,550	)	$	(531,842	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(645,550	)
	Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	—			41,147			—			—			41,147
	Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	2,571			—			—			—			2,571
	Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	(1,472		)	—			—			—			(1,472		)
	Other comprehensive income	1,099			41,147			—			—			42,246
	Comprehensive loss	$	(644,451	)	$	(490,695	)	$	—		$	531,842		$	(603,304	)
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Table Text Block]	'
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
		September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	102,470		$	81		$	—		$	—		$	102,551
	Accounts receivable and other, net	59			103,936			—			—			103,995
	Inventories	—			83,325			—			—			83,325
	Deferred income taxes	48,479			—			—			—			48,479
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	197			22,617			—			—			22,814
	Total current assets	151,205			209,959			—			—			361,164
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development
	Land and coal interests	—			2,899,224			—			—			2,899,224
	Buildings and improvements	—			599,384			—			—			599,384
	Machinery and equipment	492			795,684			—			—			796,176
	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(33		)	(1,243,284		)	—			—			(1,243,317		)
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	459			3,051,008			—			—			3,051,467
	Cash collateralization deposits	64,990			—			—			—			64,990
	Investments, intercompany and other assets	581,070			(374,188		)	—			(175,449		)	31,433
	Total assets	$	797,724		$	2,886,779		$	—		$	(175,449	)	$	3,509,054
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	898		$	243,697		$	—		$	—		$	244,595
	Current maturities of long-term debt	375,170			6,514			—			—			381,684
	Total current liabilities	376,068			250,211			—			—			626,279
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	135			8,398			—			—			8,533
	Deferred income taxes	48,479			—			—			—			48,479
	Asset retirement obligations	—			704,363			—			—			704,363
	Workers’ compensation obligations	—			259,286			—			—			259,286
	Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	—			82,915			—			—			82,915
	Obligation to industry fund	—			31,838			—			—			31,838
	Other noncurrent liabilities	—			19,503			—			—			19,503
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	424,682			1,356,514			—			—			1,781,196
	Liabilities subject to compromise	461,163			1,711,286			—			—			2,172,449
	Total liabilities	885,845			3,067,800			—			—			3,953,645
	Stockholders’ deficit	(88,121		)	(181,021		)	—			(175,449		)	(444,591		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	797,724		$	2,886,779		$	—		$	(175,449	)	$	3,509,054
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
		December 31, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	333,041		$	888		$	—		$	—		$	333,929
	Accounts receivable and other, net	125			105,010			—			—			105,135
	Inventories	—			99,219			—			—			99,219
	Deferred income taxes	65,036			—			—			—			65,036
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,253			35,153			—			—			37,406
	Total current assets	400,455			240,270			—			—			640,725
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development
	Land and coal interests	—			2,892,799			—			—			2,892,799
	Buildings and improvements	—			571,985			—			—			571,985
	Machinery and equipment	—			767,749			—			—			767,749
	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	—			(1,130,027		)	—			—			(1,130,027		)
	Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	—			3,102,506			—			—			3,102,506
	Cash collateralization deposits	64,990			—			—			—			64,990
	Investments, intercompany and other assets	692,771			(194,668		)	—			(467,517		)	30,586
	Total assets	$	1,158,216		$	3,148,108		$	—		$	(467,517	)	$	3,838,807
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	8,024		$	239,465		$	—		$	—		$	247,489
Current maturities of long-term debt	375,000			409			—			—			375,409
Total current liabilities	383,024			239,874			—			—			622,898
Long-term debt, less current maturities	—			1,766			—			—			1,766
Deferred income taxes	65,036			—			—			—			65,036
Asset retirement obligations	—			720,461			—			—			720,461
Workers’ compensation obligations	—			254,680			—			—			254,680
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	—			87,805			—			—			87,805
Obligation to industry fund	—			34,278			—			—			34,278
Other noncurrent liabilities	139			22,666			—			—			22,805
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	448,199			1,361,530			—			—			1,809,729
Liabilities subject to compromise	461,202			1,801,105			—			—			2,262,307
Total liabilities	909,401			3,162,635			—			—			4,072,036
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)	248,815			(14,527		)	—			(467,517		)	(233,229		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$	1,158,216		$	3,148,108		$	—		$	(467,517	)	$	3,838,807
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Table Text Block]	'
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities
	Net cash used in operating activities	$	(38,308	)	$	(106,208	)	$	—		$	—		$	(144,516	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	—			(60,095		)	—			—			(60,095		)
	Additions to advance mining royalties	—			(7,207		)	—			—			(7,207		)
	Acquisition	—			(1,186		)	—			—			(1,186		)
	Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	—			3,442			—			—			3,442
	Other	—			(710		)	—			—			(710		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(65,756		)	—			—			(65,756		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities
	Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	—			—			—			—			—
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(11,719		)	—			—			—			(11,719		)
	Long-term debt payments	(210		)	(5,623		)	—			—			(5,833		)
	Deferred financing costs	—			—			—			—			—
	Proceeds from employee stock programs	—			—			—			—			—
	Coal reserve financing transaction	—			(3,554		)	—			—			(3,554		)
	Intercompany transactions	(180,334		)	180,334			—			—			—
	Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(192,263		)	171,157			—			—			(21,106		)
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(230,571		)	(807		)	—			—			(231,378		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,041			888			—			—			333,929
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	102,470		$	81		$	—		$	—		$	102,551
	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Entity			Eliminations			Consolidated
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash Flows From Operating Activities
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(66,721	)	$	64,472		$	—		$	—		$	(2,249	)
	Cash Flows From Investing Activities
	Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	—			(123,174		)	—			—			(123,174		)
	Additions to advance mining royalties	—			(17,024		)	—			—			(17,024		)
	Acquisition	—			(2,530		)	—			—			(2,530		)
	Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	—			3,490			—			—			3,490
	Other	—			(369		)	—			—			(369		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(139,607		)	—			—			(139,607		)
	Cash Flows From Financing Activities
	Proceeds from debtor-in-possession debt	375,000			—			—			—			375,000
	Debtor-in-possession debt financing fees	(42,552		)	—			—			—			(42,552		)
	Long-term debt payments	—			(1,305		)	—			—			(1,305		)
	Deferred financing costs	(1,595		)	—			—			—			(1,595		)
	Proceeds from employee stock programs	930			—			—			—			930
	Coal reserve financing transaction	—			—			—			—			—
	Intercompany transactions	(76,394		)	76,394			—			—			—
	Net cash provided by financing activities	255,389			75,089			—			—			330,478
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	188,668			(46		)	—			—			188,622
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	193,882			280			—			—			194,162
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	382,550		$	234		$	—		$	—		$	382,784

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili2

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings Narrative (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

unitRef

UMWA Retiree Healthcare Liabilities [Member]

UMWA Retiree Healthcare Liabilities [Member]

Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992 [Member]

Non-Union Retiree Liabilities [Member]

Supplemental 401(k) Plan [Member]

Supplemental 401(k) Plan [Member]

Bankruptcy Proceedings, Date Petition for Bankruptcy Filed

9-Jul-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Section 1114 UMWA Retiree Healthcare Proposal

'

'

'

'

'funding for the VEBA will consist of (i) a 35% ownership stake in the reorganized company, (ii) profit sharing contributions up to a maximum of $300 million, (iii) a royalty contribution for every ton produced at all existing mining complexes, and (iv) an initial cash contribution of $10 million on or prior to the effective date of the Debtors' plan of reorganization and $5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Postretirement Benefit Expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14,000,000

'

'

'

Peabody Energy Settlement

'

'

'

'

'Peabody agreed to, among other things, (i) provide $310 million to the VEBA, (ii) issue and replace, as applicable, $126 million of letters of credit and (iii) provide credit support for Patriotbs federal black lung obligations.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Arch Coal Settlement

'

'

'

'

'Arch agreed to (i) provide $5 million of cash to Patriot, (ii) purchase Patriotbs South Guffey reserve for $16 million and (iii) relieve Patriot of the obligation to post $16 million of letters of credit for the next two years.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Union Retirement Fund - Funding Requirement

'

'

'

'

'Debtors contributed $250,000 in cash to a VEBA trust for the benefit of current non-union retirees, and, upon emergence from bankruptcy, will contribute $3.75 million in cash to the VEBA.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected Transfer of Liabilities Subject to Compromise to Not Subject to Compromise

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Number Claims Filed

'

'

'

'

4,294

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Filed

'

'

'

'

308,700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Filed Claims Likely to be Denied

'

304,100,000,000

'

'

304,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Number of Claims Expunged by Bankruptcy Court

'

2,128

'

'

2,128

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Expunged by Bankruptcy Court

'

287,100,000

'

'

287,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Objected To by Management

'

204,800,000

'

'

204,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reorganization Items [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Professional Fees

'

10,859,000

'

19,786,000

46,490,000

19,786,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Revaluation of Assets and Liabilities

'

0

'

27,021,000

0

27,021,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Accounts Payable Settlement Gains

'

68,000

'

-2,748,000

-10,994,000

-2,748,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Provision for Rejection of Executory Contracts and Leases

'

12,646,000

'

32,155,000

14,842,000

32,155,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Interest Income

'

-4,000

'

0

-15,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reorganization items, net

'

23,569,000

'

76,214,000

50,323,000

76,214,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debtor Reorganization Items, Professional Fees Paid

'

12,600,000

'

'

46,000,000

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Pension and Other Postretirement Obligations

'

1,436,700,000

'

'

1,436,700,000

'

'

1,517,284,000

1,020,000,000

1,020,000,000

'

63,000,000

2,500,000

2,500,000

Gain on benefit plan curtailments

'

0

6,876,000

0

6,876,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments

'

'

-20,741,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Debt and Accrued Interest

'

458,500,000

'

'

458,500,000

'

'

458,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Interest Payable

'

4,838,000

'

'

4,838,000

'

'

4,838,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Rejected Contracts and Leases

'

177,226,000

'

'

177,226,000

'

'

151,449,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

'

71,315,000

'

'

71,315,000

'

'

78,086,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Other Liabilities

'

23,870,000

'

'

23,870,000

'

'

52,150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities subject to compromise

'

2,172,449,000

'

'

2,172,449,000

'

'

2,262,307,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Post Retirement Beneficiaries Under Coal Act

'

'

'

'

'2300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rights Offering Proposal

'

'

'

'

'The POR contemplates two rights offerings to raise $250 million of capital through the issuance of (i) senior secured second lien notes and (ii) warrants exercisable for new class A common stock. The POR will provide eligible holders of allowed claims on account of Patriotbs 8.25% Senior Notes and Patriotbs 3.25% Convertible Notes, and eligible holders of allowed general unsecured claims above a certain threshold, an opportunity to participate in these rights offerings.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Backstop Agreement Commitment

'

'

'

'

'Subject to certain conditions, Knighthead has committed to purchase, for the applicable subscription price, all of the notes and warrants that are not purchased in the rights offerings up to an aggregate subscription price of $250,025,000. The proceeds from the rights offering will be used toward the consummation of the POR. In exchange for the backstop commitment, Patriot has agreed to distribute to Knighthead (and any other party that becomes a backstop party under the agreement in accordance with their backstop commitment percentage set forth in the agreement) rights to purchase up to 40% of the notes offered in the rights offerings and up to 40% of the warrants offered in the rights offerings, in the aggregate, for an aggregate subscription price of $100,010,000.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Contributions to VEBA

'

'

'

'

$400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili3

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Statement of Operations - Debtors) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	$322,390	$442,935	$1,077,363	$1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674	5,261	10,625	39,293
Total revenues	326,064	448,196	1,087,988	1,484,839
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	361,855	434,599	1,134,231	1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582	48,906	136,189	135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	-14,257	19,496	20,284	377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	-11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434	-1,453	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	8,917	12,611	27,506	42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-224	-457	-3,422	-3,125
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	1,803	-1,864	11,119	-3,564
Operating loss	-75,612	-83,529	-236,466	-480,802
Interest expense and other	13,995	13,661	42,051	46,168
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719	42,552	11,719	42,552
Interest income	-2	-15	-15	-178
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-101,324	-139,727	-290,221	-569,344
Reorganization items, net	23,569	76,214	50,323	76,214
Loss before income taxes	-124,893	-215,941	-340,544	-645,558
Income tax provision	0	-8	0	-8
Net loss	-124,893	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Debtors in Bankruptcy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	322,390	442,935	1,077,363	1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674	5,261	10,625	39,293
Total revenues	326,064	448,196	1,087,988	1,484,839
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	361,855	434,598	1,134,225	1,367,150
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582	48,906	136,189	135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	-14,257	19,496	20,284	377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	-11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434	-1,453	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	8,917	12,611	27,506	42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-224	-457	-3,422	-3,125
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	0	0	-234	-130
Loss from non-debtor entities	-1,803	1,863	-11,359	3,491
Operating loss	-75,612	-83,529	-236,466	-480,737
Interest expense and other	13,995	13,661	42,051	46,168
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719	42,552	11,719	42,552
Interest income	-2	-15	-15	-113
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-101,324	-139,727	-290,221	-569,344
Reorganization items, net	23,569	76,214	50,323	76,214
Loss before income taxes	-124,893	-215,941	-340,544	-645,558
Income tax provision	0	-8	0	-8
Net loss	($124,893)	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili4

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Statement of Comprehensive Income - Debtors) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net loss	($124,893)	'	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119	'	13,715	56,140	41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	-6,876	0	-6,876	0
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	0	76,218	0
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44	'	2,822	34	2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	-180	'	-346	-461	-1,472
Other comprehensive income	16,983	'	16,191	125,055	42,246
Comprehensive loss	-107,910	'	-199,742	-215,489	-603,304
Debtors in Bankruptcy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-124,893	'	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119	'	13,715	56,140	41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	'	0	-6,876	0
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	0	76,218	0
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44	'	2,822	34	2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	-180	'	-346	-461	-1,472
Other comprehensive income	16,983	'	16,191	125,055	42,246
Comprehensive loss	($107,910)	'	($199,742)	($215,489)	($603,304)

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili5

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Balance Sheet - Debtors) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$102,551	$333,929	$382,784	$194,162
Accounts receivable and other, net	103,995	105,135	'	'
Inventories	83,325	99,219	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814	37,406	'	'
Total current assets	361,164	640,725	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	2,899,224	2,892,799	'	'
Buildings and improvements	599,384	571,985	'	'
Machinery and equipment	796,176	767,749	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-1,243,317	-1,130,027	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467	3,102,506	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990	64,990	'	'
Investments and other assets	31,433	30,586	'	'
Total assets	3,509,054	3,838,807	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	244,595	247,489	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684	375,409	'	'
Total current liabilities	626,279	622,898	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533	1,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	704,363	720,461	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	259,286	254,680	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915	87,805	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	31,838	34,278	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503	22,805	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196	1,809,729	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449	2,262,307	'	'
Total liabilities	3,953,645	4,072,036	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-444,591	-233,229	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	3,509,054	3,838,807	'	'
Debtors in Bankruptcy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	102,551	333,175	382,784	194,162
Accounts receivable and other, net	103,995	105,135	'	'
Inventories	83,325	99,219	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814	36,734	'	'
Total current assets	361,164	639,299	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	2,899,224	2,892,799	'	'
Buildings and improvements	599,384	571,985	'	'
Machinery and equipment	796,176	767,749	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,243,317	1,130,027	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467	3,102,506	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990	64,990	'	'
Investments and other assets	13,715	6,193	'	'
Investments in and advances to non-debtor entities	17,718	23,428	'	'
Total assets	3,509,054	3,836,416	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	244,595	245,098	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684	375,409	'	'
Total current liabilities	626,279	620,507	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533	1,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	704,363	720,461	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	259,286	254,680	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915	87,805	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	31,838	34,278	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503	22,805	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196	1,807,338	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449	2,262,307	'	'
Total liabilities	3,953,645	4,069,645	'	'
Total stockholders' deficit	-444,591	-233,229	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$3,509,054	$3,836,416	'	'

Chapter_11_Reorganization_Fili6

Chapter 11 Reorganization Filings (Statement of Cash Flows - Debtors) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net loss	($340,544,000)	($645,550,000)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	136,189,000	135,430,000
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719,000	42,552,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	0	3,986,000
Amortization of debt discount	0	5,076,000
Sales contract accretion	0	-11,628,000
Impairment and restructuring charge	-1,453,000	60,892,000
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-3,422,000	-3,125,000
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	11,119,000	-3,564,000
Stock-based compensation expense	4,129,000	776,000
Non-cash reorganization items	3,848,000	56,428,000
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	-6,876,000	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,140,000	79,137,000
Inventories	16,142,000	-30,170,000
Other current assets	11,034,000	-1,135,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-20,228,000	1,701,000
Asset retirement obligations	-10,604,000	305,375,000
Workers' compensation obligations	4,952,000	7,157,000
Postretirement benefit obligations	45,918,000	39,310,000
Obligation to industry fund	-1,843,000	-2,257,000
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets	0	-46,000,000
Net cash used in operating activities	-144,516,000	-2,249,000
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	-60,095,000	-123,174,000
Additions to advance mining royalties	-7,207,000	-17,024,000
Acquisition	-1,186,000	-2,530,000
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442,000	3,490,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-65,756,000	-139,607,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	375,000,000
Long-term debt payments	-5,833,000	-1,305,000
Deferred financing costs	0	-1,595,000
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	-11,719,000	-42,552,000
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	930,000
Coal reserve financing transaction	-3,554,000	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-21,106,000	330,478,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-231,378,000	188,622,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,929,000	194,162,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	102,551,000	382,784,000
Debtors in Bankruptcy [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net loss	-340,544,000	-645,550,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	136,189,000	135,430,000
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719,000	42,552,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	0	3,986,000
Amortization of debt discount	0	5,076,000
Sales contract accretion	0	-11,628,000
Impairment and restructuring charge	-1,453,000	60,892,000
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-3,422,000	-3,125,000
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	-234,000	-130,000
Loss from non-debtor entities	-11,359,000	3,491,000
Stock-based compensation expense	4,129,000	776,000
Non-cash reorganization items	3,848,000	56,428,000
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	-6,876,000	0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,139,000	79,137,000
Inventories	16,142,000	-30,170,000
Other current assets	10,767,000	-1,135,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-19,639,000	1,701,000
Advances to non-debtor entities	-142,000	2,530,000
Asset retirement obligations	-10,604,000	305,375,000
Workers' compensation obligations	4,952,000	7,157,000
Postretirement benefit obligations	45,918,000	39,310,000
Obligation to industry fund	-1,843,000	-2,257,000
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets	0	-46,000,000
Other, net	-5,877,000	518,000
Net cash used in operating activities	-144,472,000	-2,618,000
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	-60,095,000	-123,174,000
Additions to advance mining royalties	-7,207,000	-17,024,000
Acquisition	-1,186,000	-2,530,000
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442,000	3,490,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-65,046,000	-139,238,000
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	375,000,000
Long-term debt payments	-5,833,000	-1,305,000
Deferred financing costs	0	1,595,000
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	-11,719,000	-42,552,000
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	930,000
Coal reserve financing transaction	-3,554,000	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-21,106,000	330,478,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-230,624,000	188,622,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,175,000	194,162,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$102,551,000	$382,784,000

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C1

Impairment and Restructuring Charge (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
					Rocklick Mining Complex [Member]	Bluegrass Mining Complex [Member]	Appalachia [Member]	Freedom Mine [Member]	Kanawha Eagle Mining Complex [Member]	Big Mountain Mining Complex [Member]	Big Mountain Mining Complex [Member]
								T			T
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tons produced	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,200,000	'	'	1,800,000
Impairment and restructuring charge	$0	$18,434,000	($1,453,000)	$60,892,000	$1,600,000	$18,400,000	'	'	$8,200,000	$32,800,000	'
Asset Impairment Charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,400,000	'	'	'	'
Asset retirement obligation expense	($14,257,000)	$19,496,000	$20,284,000	$377,737,000	'	'	'	'	$4,100,000	$17,500,000	'

Net_Gain_On_Disposal_Or_Exchan1

Net Gain On Disposal Or Exchange Of Assets And Other Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
						Appalachia [Member]	Appalachia [Member]	Kanawha Eagle Mining Complex [Member]	Kanawha Eagle Mining Complex [Member]
Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment	'	'	'	'	'	$2,300,000	$1,500,000	'	'
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	224,000	457,000	'	3,422,000	3,125,000	'	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'	'	'	-1,186,000	-2,530,000	'	'	'	2,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434,000	'	-1,453,000	60,892,000	'	'	1,500,000	'
Cash Settlement Customer Release of Coal Shipment Obligations	'	2,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash Settlement Customer Contract Dispute	'	'	$8,300,000	'	$22,700,000	'	'	'	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Costs_N1

Postretirement Benefit Costs Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-Union Retirement Fund - Funding Requirement	'	'	'	'Debtors contributed $250,000 in cash to a VEBA trust for the benefit of current non-union retirees, and, upon emergence from bankruptcy, will contribute $3.75 million in cash to the VEBA.	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Pension and Other Postretirement Obligations	$1,436,700,000	'	'	$1,436,700,000	'	$1,517,284,000
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	0	6,876,000	0	6,876,000	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments	'	-20,741,000	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	-53,782,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	'	4.71%	'	'	'	4.33%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-356,562,000	'	'	-356,562,000	'	-481,617,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	10,800,000	'	'	'	'	'
Post Retirement Beneficiaries Under Coal Act	'	'	'	'2300	'	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans, Actuarial Valuation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	357,500,000	'	'	357,500,000	'	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans, Prior Service Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,305,000	'	'	4,305,000	'	10,423,000
Non-Union Retiree Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Pension and Other Postretirement Obligations	'	'	'	'	'	$63,000,000

Postretirement_Benefit_Costs_D

Postretirement Benefit Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost for benefits earned	$624	'	$1,382	$2,566	$4,147
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	17,528	'	18,208	51,681	54,623
Amortization of actuarial loss	16,998	'	14,007	56,112	42,022
Amortization of prior service cost	-201	'	-202	-937	-607
Gain on benefit plan curtailments	0	-6,876	0	-6,876	0
Net periodic postretirement benefit costs	$34,949	'	$33,395	$102,546	$100,185

Postretirement_Benefit_Costs_P

Postretirement Benefit Costs Postretirement Benefit Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Postemployment Benefit Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$1,527,215	'	'	$1,527,215	'	$1,612,689
Service cost for benefits earned	624	'	1,382	2,566	4,147	'
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	17,528	'	18,208	51,681	54,623	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	'	'	'	-1,695	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Terminations	'	-20,741	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	'	'	'	-63,503	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	-53,782	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	'	'	0	'	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	'	'	'	63,503	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities	-7,600	'	'	-7,600	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Pension and Other Postretirement Obligations	-1,436,700	'	'	-1,436,700	'	-1,517,284
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	$82,915	'	'	$82,915	'	'

Income_Tax_Provision_Details

Income Tax Provision (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Provision [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision (benefit)	$0	($8)	$0	($8)

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Potentially Dilutive Securities	'0	'0	'0	'0
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation awards excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share	2.1	1.9	2.1	1.9
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation awards excluded from diluted earnings (loss) per share	3	3	3	3

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Materials and supplies	$48,285	$52,970
Saleable coal	16,407	27,197
Raw coal	18,633	19,052
Total	$83,325	$99,219

Debt_and_Credit_Facilities_Deb1

Debt and Credit Facilities Debt and Credit Facilities Table (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 09, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
DIP First Out Term Loan, due 2013	$375,000	$375,000	$375,000
Capital leases	12,912	2,175	'
Promisory Notes, Secured	2,305	0	'
Total secured debt, not subject to compromise	390,217	377,175	'
Senior Notes	250,000	250,000	'
Convertible Debt	200,000	200,000	'
Promissory notes	8,500	8,500	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	458,500	458,500	'
Total long-term debt	848,717	835,675	'
Less liabilities subject to compromise	-458,500	-458,500	'
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current	-381,684	-375,409	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$8,533	$1,766	'

Debt_and_Credit_Facilities_Nar

Debt and Credit Facilities Narrative (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 11, 2012	Jul. 09, 2012
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest on Debt Subject to Compromise	'	'	'	'	'	$51,700,000	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	250,000,000	'	250,000,000	'	250,000,000	250,000,000	'	'
Convertible Debt	'	200,000,000	'	200,000,000	'	200,000,000	200,000,000	'	'
Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Amount Arranged	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	802,000,000
First Out Revolving Credit Loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	125,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	31-Jan-16	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Debt and Accrued Interest	'	458,500,000	'	458,500,000	'	458,500,000	458,500,000	'	'
First Out Term Loan	'	375,000,000	'	375,000,000	'	375,000,000	375,000,000	'	375,000,000
Payments of Financing Costs	'	'	'	0	1,595,000	'	'	'	'
Second Out Facility, Maximum Available	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	302,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	'	'	'	15,600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Costs Capitalized	'	'	'	2,100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	'	1,200,000	'	1,200,000	'	1,200,000	'	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	'	4,100,000	'	4,100,000	'	4,100,000	'	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	'	6,800,000	'	6,800,000	'	6,800,000	'	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	'	300,000	'	300,000	'	300,000	'	'	'
Second Out Facility	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	300,800,000	'
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	'	11,719,000	42,552,000	11,719,000	42,552,000	'	'	'	'
First Out Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	63,400,000	'	63,400,000	'	63,400,000	'	'	'
Second Out Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	$279,400,000	'	$279,400,000	'	$279,400,000	'	'	'
Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8.25%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($356,562)	'	($356,562)	'	($481,617)
Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	'	'	76,252	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification to Net Income	'	'	48,803	'	'
Other comprehensive income	16,983	16,191	125,055	42,246	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans and Workers Compensation, Actuarial Valuation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-360,867	'	-360,867	'	-492,467
Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	'	'	74,523	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification to Net Income	'	'	57,077	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	131,600	'	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans, Prior Service Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,305	'	4,305	'	10,423
Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	'	'	1,695	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification to Net Income	'	'	-7,813	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	-6,118	'	'
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	'	0	'	427
Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	'	'	34	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification to Net Income	'	'	-461	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	($427)	'	'

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$0	$427
First Out Term Loan	375,000	378,750
$200 million of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013	20,126	24,250
$250 million of 8.25% Senior Notes due 2018	$125,000	$118,750

Derivatives_Narrative_Details

Derivatives Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					gal
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected Purchase of Diesel Fuel	'	'	'	'	21,000,000	'
Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness is Immaterial	'immaterial	'immaterial	'immaterial	'immaterial	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	$179,000	$300,000	$500,000	$1,500,000	'	'
Impact of Price Risk on Operating Costs	'	'	'	'	2,100,000	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	'	0	'	'	427,000
Derivative, Notional Amount	$0	'	$0	'	'	'

Guarantees_Details

Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	31-Jan-16	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	'	'	$0	$4,100,000
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party	'	'	'	700,000
Deposits Made for DIP Facilities	'	'	50,000,000	'
Deposits Made for Workers' Compensation	'	$15,000,000	'	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			Selenium Water Treatment [Member]	Selenium Water Treatment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Bankruptcy Proceedings, Date Petition for Bankruptcy Filed	9-Jul-12	'	'	'
Purchase commitments for equipment	'	$36.30	'	'
Purchase Commitments For Capital Expenditures Current Year	'	17.2	'	'
Asset Retirement Obligation	'	'	433.2	443
Total expenditures to date for Apogee FBR facility	'	46.1	'	'
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate	'	'	31	'
Peabody Energy Settlement	'	'Peabody agreed to, among other things, (i) provide $310 million to the VEBA, (ii) issue and replace, as applicable, $126 million of letters of credit and (iii) provide credit support for Patriotbs federal black lung obligations.	'	'
Number of lawsuits	'	243	'	'
Lawsuits dismissed	'	51	'	'
Civil penalty	'	$1.30	'	'

Segment_Information_Segment_Sa

Segment Information Segment - Sales Volume %ages (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Export Sales	49.00%	45.00%
Revenues attributable to foreign countries	$521,771	$682,700
Electricity Generator [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of sales revenue	70.00%	75.00%
Steel And Coke Producer [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of sales revenue	30.00%	25.00%

Segment_Information_Segment_Re

Segment Information (Segment Results) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue	$326,064	$448,196	$1,087,988	$1,484,839
Adjusted EBITDA	-46,287	3,307	-81,446	81,629
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	26,616	26,413	60,095	123,174
Income from equity affiliates	-1,803	1,864	-11,119	3,564
Appalachia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	285,030	375,101	945,649	1,234,609
Adjusted EBITDA	12,178	51,381	81,900	229,415
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	22,797	24,308	46,116	107,337
Income from equity affiliates	-1,803	1,864	-11,119	3,564
Illinois Basin [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	41,034	73,095	142,339	250,230
Adjusted EBITDA	-2,212	9,011	1,065	30,748
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	3,819	2,105	13,979	15,824
Income from equity affiliates	0	0	0	0
Corporate And Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Adjusted EBITDA	-56,253	-57,085	-164,411	-178,534
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	0	0	0	13
Income from equity affiliates	$0	$0	$0	$0

Segment_Information_Adjusted_E

Segment Information (Adjusted EBITDA) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total Adjusted EBITDA	($46,287)	$3,307	($81,446)	$81,629
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	-43,582	-48,906	-136,189	-135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	14,257	-19,496	-20,284	-377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	-18,434	1,453	-60,892
Interest expense and other	-13,995	-13,661	-42,051	-46,168
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	-11,719	-42,552	-11,719	-42,552
Interest income	2	15	15	178
Reorganization items, net	-23,569	-76,214	-50,323	-76,214
Net loss	($124,893)	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia2

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information Narrative (Details) (Senior Notes due 2018 [Member])	Jul. 09, 2012
Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.25%

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia3

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	$322,390	$442,935	$1,077,363	$1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674	5,261	10,625	39,293
Total revenues	326,064	448,196	1,087,988	1,484,839
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	361,855	434,599	1,134,231	1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582	48,906	136,189	135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	-14,257	19,496	20,284	377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	-11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434	-1,453	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	8,917	12,611	27,506	42,741
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-224	-457	-3,422	-3,125
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	1,803	-1,864	11,119	-3,564
Operating loss	-75,612	-83,529	-236,466	-480,802
Interest expense and other	13,995	13,661	42,051	46,168
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719	42,552	11,719	42,552
Interest income	-2	-15	-15	-178
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-101,324	-139,727	-290,221	-569,344
Reorganization items, net	23,569	76,214	50,323	76,214
Income (loss) before income taxes	-124,893	-215,941	-340,544	-645,558
Income tax provision	0	-8	0	-8
Net income (loss)	-124,893	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	0	0	0	0
Other revenues	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	0	0
Asset retirement obligation expense	0	0	0	0
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	0
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses	2,762	3,752	8,363	12,225
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	0	0	0	0
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	100,825	134,511	-292,068	531,842
Operating loss	-103,587	-138,263	-300,431	-544,067
Interest expense and other	9,592	9,262	28,421	33,173
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	11,719	42,552	11,719	42,552
Interest income	-2	-11	-12	-109
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-124,896	-190,066	-340,559	-619,683
Reorganization items, net	-3	25,867	-15	25,867
Income (loss) before income taxes	-124,893	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	-124,893	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	322,390	442,935	1,077,363	1,445,546
Other revenues	3,674	5,261	10,625	39,293
Total revenues	326,064	448,196	1,087,988	1,484,839
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	361,855	434,599	1,134,231	1,367,158
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	43,582	48,906	136,189	135,430
Asset retirement obligation expense	-14,257	19,496	20,284	377,737
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	-11,628
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	18,434	-1,453	60,892
Selling and administrative expenses	6,155	8,859	19,143	30,516
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	-224	-457	-3,422	-3,125
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	1,803	-1,864	-11,119	-3,564
Operating loss	-72,850	-79,777	-228,103	-468,577
Interest expense and other	4,403	4,399	13,630	12,995
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	-4	-3	-69
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	-77,253	-84,172	-241,730	-481,503
Reorganization items, net	23,572	50,347	50,338	50,347
Income (loss) before income taxes	-100,825	-134,519	-292,068	-531,850
Income tax provision	0	-8	0	-8
Net income (loss)	-100,825	-134,511	-292,068	-531,842
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	0	0	0	0
Other revenues	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	0	0
Asset retirement obligation expense	0	0	0	0
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	0
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	0	0	0	0
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	0	0	0	0
Operating loss	0	0	0	0
Interest expense and other	0	175	0	952
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	-175	0	-952
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	0	0	0	0
Reorganization items, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Sales	0	0	0	0
Other revenues	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	0	0
Asset retirement obligation expense	0	0	0	0
Sales contract accretion	0	0	0	0
Impairment and restructuring charge	0	0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Net gain on disposal or exchange of assets	0	0	0	0
Loss (income) from equity affiliates	-100,825	-134,511	292,068	-531,842
Operating loss	100,825	134,511	292,068	531,842
Interest expense and other	0	-175	0	-952
Debtor Reorganization Items, Debtor-in-Possession Facility Financing Costs	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	175	0	952
Loss before reorganization items and income taxes	100,825	134,511	292,068	531,842
Reorganization items, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	100,825	134,511	292,068	531,842
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$100,825	$134,511	$292,068	$531,842

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia4

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($124,893)	'	($215,933)	($340,544)	($645,550)
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119	'	13,715	56,140	41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	-6,876	0	-6,876	0
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	0	76,218	0
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44	'	2,822	34	2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	-180	'	-346	-461	-1,472
Other comprehensive income	16,983	'	16,191	125,055	42,246
Comprehensive loss	-107,910	'	-199,742	-215,489	-603,304
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-124,893	'	-215,933	-340,544	-645,550
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	0	'	0	0	0
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	'	'	0	'
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	'	0	'
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	44	'	2,822	34	2,571
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	-180	'	-346	-461	-1,472
Other comprehensive income	-136	'	2,476	-427	1,099
Comprehensive loss	-125,029	'	-213,457	-340,971	-644,451
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-100,825	'	-134,511	-292,068	-531,842
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	17,119	'	13,715	56,140	41,147
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	'	'	-6,876	'
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	'	76,218	'
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	'	'	0	0	0
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	'	'	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	17,119	'	13,715	125,482	41,147
Comprehensive loss	-83,706	'	-120,796	-166,586	-490,695
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	0	'	0	0	0
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	0	'	0	0	0
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	'	'	0	'
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	'	0	'
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	0	'	0	0	0
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	0	'	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	0	'	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	0	'	0	0	0
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss	100,825	'	134,511	292,068	531,842
Accumulated actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net loss	0	'	0	0	0
Plan curtailment - prior service credit recognized	0	'	'	0	'
Reduction in postretirement benefit obligations due to terminations	0	'	'	0	'
Net change in fair value of diesel fuel hedge	0	'	0	0	0
Realized gains of diesel fuel hedge	0	'	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	0	'	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	$100,825	'	$134,511	$292,068	$531,842

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia5

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$102,551	$333,929	$382,784	$194,162
Accounts receivable and other, net	103,995	105,135	'	'
Inventories	83,325	99,219	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,814	37,406	'	'
Total current assets	361,164	640,725	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	2,899,224	2,892,799	'	'
Buildings and improvements	599,384	571,985	'	'
Machinery and equipment	796,176	767,749	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-1,243,317	-1,130,027	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,467	3,102,506	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990	64,990	'	'
Investments, intercompany and other assets	31,433	30,586	'	'
Total assets	3,509,054	3,838,807	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	244,595	247,489	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	381,684	375,409	'	'
Total current liabilities	626,279	622,898	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,533	1,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	704,363	720,461	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	259,286	254,680	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915	87,805	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	31,838	34,278	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503	22,805	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,781,196	1,809,729	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	2,172,449	2,262,307	'	'
Total liabilities	3,953,645	4,072,036	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	-444,591	-233,229	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	3,509,054	3,838,807	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	102,470	333,041	382,550	193,882
Accounts receivable and other, net	59	125	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	197	2,253	'	'
Total current assets	151,205	400,455	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	0	0	'	'
Buildings and improvements	0	0	'	'
Machinery and equipment	492	0	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-33	0	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	459	0	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	64,990	64,990	'	'
Investments, intercompany and other assets	581,070	692,771	'	'
Total assets	797,724	1,158,216	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	898	8,024	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	375,170	375,000	'	'
Total current liabilities	376,068	383,024	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	135	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	48,479	65,036	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	0	0	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	0	0	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	0	0	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	0	0	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	139	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	424,682	448,199	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	461,163	461,202	'	'
Total liabilities	885,845	909,401	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	-88,121	248,815	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	797,724	1,158,216	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	81	888	234	280
Accounts receivable and other, net	103,936	105,010	'	'
Inventories	83,325	99,219	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,617	35,153	'	'
Total current assets	209,959	240,270	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	2,899,224	2,892,799	'	'
Buildings and improvements	599,384	571,985	'	'
Machinery and equipment	795,684	767,749	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-1,243,284	-1,130,027	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	3,051,008	3,102,506	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	0	0	'	'
Investments, intercompany and other assets	-374,188	-194,668	'	'
Total assets	2,886,779	3,148,108	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	243,697	239,465	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,514	409	'	'
Total current liabilities	250,211	239,874	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	8,398	1,766	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	704,363	720,461	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	259,286	254,680	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	82,915	87,805	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	31,838	34,278	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,503	22,666	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	1,356,514	1,361,530	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	1,711,286	1,801,105	'	'
Total liabilities	3,067,800	3,162,635	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	-181,021	-14,527	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	2,886,779	3,148,108	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable and other, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	0	0	'	'
Buildings and improvements	0	0	'	'
Machinery and equipment	0	0	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	0	0	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	0	0	'	'
Investments, intercompany and other assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	0	0	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	0	0	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	0	0	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	0	0	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	0	0	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	0	0	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	0	0	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable and other, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development	'	'	'	'
Land and coal interests	0	0	'	'
Buildings and improvements	0	0	'	'
Machinery and equipment	0	0	'	'
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	0	0	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net	0	0	'	'
Cash collateralization deposits	0	0	'	'
Investments, intercompany and other assets	-175,449	-467,517	'	'
Total assets	-175,449	-467,517	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	0	0	'	'
Workers' compensation obligations	0	0	'	'
Coal Act postretirement benefit obligations	0	0	'	'
Obligation to industry fund	0	0	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities not subject to compromise	0	0	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	-175,449	-467,517	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	($175,449)	($467,517)	'	'

GuarantorNonGuarantor_Financia6

Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	($144,516)	($2,249)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	-60,095	-123,174
Additions to advance mining royalties	-7,207	-17,024
Acquisition	-1,186	-2,530
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442	3,490
Other	-710	-369
Net cash used in investing activities	-65,756	-139,607
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	375,000
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	-11,719	-42,552
Coal reserve financing transaction	-3,554	0
Long-term debt payments	-5,833	-1,305
Deferred financing costs	0	-1,595
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	930
Intercompany transactions	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-21,106	330,478
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-231,378	188,622
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,929	194,162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	102,551	382,784
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-38,308	-66,721
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	0	0
Additions to advance mining royalties	0	0
Acquisition	0	0
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	375,000
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	-11,719	-42,552
Coal reserve financing transaction	0	'
Long-term debt payments	-210	0
Deferred financing costs	0	-1,595
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	930
Intercompany transactions	-180,334	-76,394
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-192,263	255,389
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-230,571	188,668
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	333,041	193,882
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	102,470	382,550
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-106,208	64,472
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	-60,095	-123,174
Additions to advance mining royalties	-7,207	-17,024
Acquisition	-1,186	-2,530
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	3,442	3,490
Other	-710	-369
Net cash used in investing activities	-65,756	-139,607
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	0
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	0	0
Coal reserve financing transaction	-3,554	'
Long-term debt payments	-5,623	-1,305
Deferred financing costs	0	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	0
Intercompany transactions	180,334	76,394
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	171,157	75,089
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-807	-46
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	888	280
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	81	234
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	0	0
Additions to advance mining royalties	0	0
Acquisition	0	0
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	0
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	0	0
Coal reserve financing transaction	0	'
Long-term debt payments	0	0
Deferred financing costs	0	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	0
Intercompany transactions	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Additions to property, plant, equipment and mine development	0	0
Additions to advance mining royalties	0	0
Acquisition	0	0
Proceeds from disposal or exchange of assets	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from Other Debt	0	0
Debtor in Possession Facility Financing Costs - Cash Flows	0	0
Coal reserve financing transaction	0	'
Long-term debt payments	0	0
Deferred financing costs	0	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	0	0
Intercompany transactions	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0