Rhino Resource Partners 10-Q 6 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
		Common Units [Member]	Subordinated Units [Member]
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Rhino Resource Partners LP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001490630	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	'	16,672,286	12,397,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,077	$461
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts ($0 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)	25,704	33,560
Inventories	18,339	18,743
Advance royalties, current portion	200	187
Prepaid expenses and other	4,675	4,323
Total current assets	49,995	57,274
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:	'	'
At cost, including coal properties, mine development and construction costs	709,772	683,669
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-243,601	-219,709
Net property, plant and equipment	466,171	463,960
Advance royalties, net of current portion	5,431	4,506
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	20,577	23,659
Intangible assets	1,167	1,228
Other non-current assets	8,806	8,831
TOTAL	552,147	559,458
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	17,630	18,030
Accrued expenses and other	20,380	22,178
Current portion of long-term debt	1,025	2,350
Current portion of asset retirement obligations	1,720	2,255
Current portion of postretirement benefits	227	227
Total current liabilities	40,982	45,040
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	153,232	161,199
Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion	32,582	30,748
Other non-current liabilities	10,545	10,309
Postretirement benefits, net of current portion	6,750	6,520
Total non-current liabilities	203,109	208,776
Total liabilities	244,091	253,816
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 13)	'	'
PARTNERS' CAPITAL:	'	'
Limited partners	295,574	292,791
General partner	11,160	11,420
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,322	1,431
Total partners' capital	308,056	305,642
TOTAL	$552,147	$559,458

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
REVENUES:	'		'		'		'
Coal sales	$59,569,000		$83,902,000		$183,946,000		$225,683,000
Freight and handling revenues	416,000		1,610,000		1,678,000		4,923,000
Other revenues	11,103,000		8,063,000		27,037,000		34,849,000
Total revenues	71,088,000		93,575,000		212,661,000		265,455,000
COSTS AND EXPENSES:	'		'		'		'
Cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately below)	50,409,000		69,369,000		156,899,000		186,659,000
Freight and handling costs	341,000		1,521,000		894,000		4,583,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	10,471,000		10,065,000		31,262,000		30,912,000
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization shown separately above)	4,678,000		4,654,000		15,161,000		15,039,000
(Gain) on sale/disposal of assets-net	-609,000		-1,185,000		-10,301,000		-2,176,000
Total costs and expenses	65,290,000		84,424,000		193,915,000		235,017,000
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	5,798,000		9,151,000		18,746,000		30,438,000
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	-2,069,000		-2,105,000		-5,848,000		-5,889,000
Interest income and other	'		15,000		'		91,000
Equity in net (loss)/income of unconsolidated affiliate	-852,000		1,815,000		-4,300,000		6,206,000
Total interest and other (expense) income	-2,921,000		-275,000		-10,148,000		408,000
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	2,877,000		8,876,000		8,598,000		30,846,000
INCOME TAXES	'		'		'		'
NET INCOME	2,877,000		8,876,000		8,598,000		30,846,000
Other comprehensive income:	'		'		'		'
Amortization of actuarial gain under ASC Topic 715	-36,000		-73,000		-109,000		-221,000
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	2,841,000		8,803,000		8,489,000		30,625,000
General partner's interest in net income	58,000		177,000		172,000		617,000
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:	'		'		'		'
Distributions paid per limited partner unit	$0.45	[1]	$0.45	[1]	$1.34	[1]	$1.41	[1]
Common Units [Member]	'		'		'		'
Other comprehensive income:	'		'		'		'
Unitholders' interest in net income (loss)	1,629,000		4,806,000		4,671,000		16,709,000
Net income per limited partner unit, basic:	'		'		'		'
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$0.10		$0.31		$0.30		$1.09
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:	'		'		'		'
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$0.10		$0.31		$0.30		$1.09
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	15,609		15,332		15,422		15,322
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted:	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted	15,621		15,333		15,430		15,327
Subordinated Units [Member]	'		'		'		'
Other comprehensive income:	'		'		'		'
Unitholders' interest in net income (loss)	$1,190,000		$3,893,000		$3,755,000		$13,520,000
Net income per limited partner unit, basic:	'		'		'		'
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$0.10		$0.31		$0.30		$1.09
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted:	'		'		'		'
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$0.10		$0.31		$0.30		$1.09
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic:	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, basic	12,397		12,397		12,397		12,397
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted:	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding, diluted	12,397		12,397		12,397		12,397
[1]	No distributions were paid on the subordinated units for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, June 30, 2013 and 2012, and March 31, 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (Subordinated Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Distributions paid per limited partner unit	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$8,598	$30,846
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	31,262	30,912
Accretion on asset retirement obligations	1,767	1,305
Accretion on interest-free debt	57	165
Amortization of deferred revenue	-1,087	-910
Amortization of advance royalties	121	161
Amortization of debt issuance costs	953	806
Amortization of actuarial gain	-109	-221
Equity in net loss/(income) of unconsolidated affiliates	4,300	-6,206
Distribution from unconsolidated affiliate	'	2,958
Loss on retirement of advance royalties	32	86
(Gain) on sale/disposal of assets-net	-10,301	-1,764
Equity-based compensation	620	683
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	5,994	15
Inventories	404	-3,249
Advance royalties	-1,090	-728
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,173	-416
Accounts payable	-1,060	-3,384
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,158	7,888
Asset retirement obligations	-467	-1,269
Postretirement benefits	230	350
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,209	58,028
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	-34,285	-53,347
Proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment	11,833	2,684
Changes in restricted cash	1,079	'
Principal payments received on notes receivable	'	11,945
Cash paid from issuance of notes receivable	-205	-11,945
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	-1,219	-114
Net cash used in investing activities	-22,797	-50,777
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings on line of credit	129,850	173,300
Repayments on line of credit	-137,100	-146,770
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	'	2,603
Repayments on long-term debt	-2,099	-1,932
Distributions to unitholders	-21,363	-34,276
General partner's contributions	325	7
Net settlement of employee withholding taxes on unit awards vested	-53	-85
Payments on debt issuance costs	-980	'
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of underwriting discount	14,788	'
Payment of offering costs	-164	-7
Net cash used in financing activities	-16,796	-7,160
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	616	91
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-Beginning of period	461	449
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-End of period	$1,077	$540

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Orga

Basis Of Presentation And Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation And Organization	'
	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION
	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation— The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include the accounts of Rhino Resource Partners LP and its subsidiaries (the “Partnership”). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information—The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. The condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of September  30, 2013, condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the Partnership considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”). The Partnership filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which included all information and notes necessary for such presentation. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year or any future period. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC.
	Organization—Rhino Resource Partners LP is a Delaware limited partnership formed on April 19, 2010 to acquire Rhino Energy LLC (the “Predecessor” or the “Operating Company”). Rhino Resource Partners LP had no operations during the period from April 19, 2010 (date of inception) to October 5, 2010 (the consummation of the initial public offering (“IPO”) of the Partnership). The Operating Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries produce and market coal from surface and underground mines in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Utah and also have one underground mine located in Colorado that remained temporarily idled at September 30, 2013. The majority of sales are made to domestic utilities and other coal-related organizations in the United States. In addition to operating coal properties, the Operating Company manages and leases coal properties and collects royalties from such management and leasing activities. The Operating Company was formed in April 2003 and has been built primarily via acquisitions.
	In addition to its coal operations, the Partnership has invested in oil and natural gas properties and mineral rights that began to generate revenues in 2012.
	Follow-on Offering
	On September 13, 2013, the Partnership completed a public offering of 1,265,000 common units, representing limited partner interests in the Partnership, at a price of $12.30 per common unit. Of the common units issued, 165,000 units were issued in connection with the exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional units. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $14.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses of approximately $1.0 million. The Partnership used the net proceeds from this offering, and a related capital contribution by Rhino GP LLC, the Partnership’s general partner (the “General Partner”), of approximately $0.3 million, to repay approximately $14.9 million of outstanding indebtedness under the Partnership’s credit facility.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General	'
	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND GENERAL
	Investment in Joint Ventures.    Investments in other entities are accounted for using the consolidation, equity method or cost basis depending upon the level of ownership, the Partnership’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and whether the Partnership is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Equity investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Partnership’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment. Any losses from the Partnership’s equity method investment are absorbed by the Partnership based upon its proportionate ownership percentage. If losses are incurred that exceed the Partnership’s investment in the equity method entity, then the Partnership must continue to record its proportionate share of losses in excess of its investment. Investments are written down only when there is clear evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred.
	In May 2008, the Operating Company entered into a joint venture, Rhino Eastern LLC (“Rhino Eastern”), with an affiliate of Patriot Coal Corporation (“Patriot”) to acquire the Eagle mining complex. To initially capitalize the joint venture, the Operating Company contributed approximately $16.1 million for a 51% ownership interest in the joint venture. The Partnership accounts for the investment in the joint venture and its results of operations under the equity method. The Partnership considers the operations of this entity to comprise a reporting segment (“Eastern Met”) and has provided additional detail related to this operation in Note 18, “Segment Information.” As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Rhino Eastern equity method investment of $18.4 million and $21.8 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Rhino Eastern joint venture in the amount of $0.7 million.
	On July 9, 2012, Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Normal operations have continued at the joint venture and thus far the bankruptcy filing has not had a material negative effect on Rhino Eastern. On October 9, 2013, Patriot announced that it had achieved several major milestones toward  a successful emergence from bankruptcy, possibly by 2013 year-end.
	In March 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $0.1 million in a new joint venture, Timber Wolf, with affiliates of Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”).  Timber Wolf was formed to construct and operate a condensate river terminal that will provide barge trans-loading services for parties conducting activities in the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio.  The initial investment was the Partnership’s proportionate minority ownership share to purchase land for the construction site of the condensate river terminal. Timber Wolf had no operating activities during 2012 or the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Partnership has included its Timber Wolf investment in its Other category for segment reporting purposes.
	In December 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $2.0 million in a new joint venture, Muskie Proppant LLC (“Muskie”), with affiliates of Wexford Capital. Muskie was formed to provide sand for fracking operations to drillers in the Utica Shale region and other oil and natural gas basins in the United States. The Partnership recorded its proportionate share of the operating loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, of approximately $68,000 and $200,000, respectively, for Muskie, which is still undergoing operational development. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Muskie joint venture in the amount of $0.5 million. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership provided a loan based upon its ownership share to Muskie in the amount of $0.2 million that remained outstanding as of September 30, 2013. As of September  30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Muskie equity method investment of $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. The Partnership includes any operating activities of Muskie in its Other category for segment reporting purposes.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This ASU requires preparers to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The ASU also requires companies to report changes in AOCI balances. For significant items reclassified out of AOCI to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, reporting (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) is required about the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items in the statement where net income is presented. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP (e.g., pension amounts that are included in inventory) is required in the notes. The above information must be presented in one place (parenthetically on the face of the financial statements by income statement line item or in a note). Public companies must provide the information required by the ASU (e.g., changes in AOCI balances and reclassifications out of AOCI) in interim and annual periods. For public companies, the ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after 15 December 2012, or the first quarter of 2013 for calendar-year companies. The Partnership has included the required disclosures of ASU 2013-02 in this Form 10Q and this ASU did not have a material effect on the Partnership.

Business_Combinations_And_Othe

Business Combinations And Other Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations And Other Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations And Other Acquisitions	'
	3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND OTHER ACQUISITIONS
	Acquisition of Oil and Gas Mineral Rights
	The Partnership and an affiliate of Wexford Capital have participated with Gulfport Energy (“Gulfport”), a publicly traded company, to acquire interests in a portfolio of oil and gas leases in the Utica Shale. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Partnership completed the acquisitions of interests in a portfolio of leases in the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio,  which consisted of a 10.8% interest in approximately 80,000 acres. During the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership completed an exchange of its initial 10.8% position for a pro rata interest in 125,000 acres under lease by Gulfport and an affiliate of Wexford Capital. The non-cash transaction was an exchange of the Partnership’s operating interest for the operating interest owned by another party in order to diversify the Partnership’s risk in its oil and gas investment. Thus, the Partnership determined that the non-cash exchange of the Partnership’s ownership interest in the Utica acreage did not result in any gain or loss. Also during the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership’s position was adjusted to a  5% net interest in the 125,000 acres, or approximately 6,250 net acres. As of September 30, 2013, the Partnership had invested approximately $25.0 million for its pro rata interest in the Utica Shale portfolio of oil and gas leases, which consisted of a 5% interest in a total of approximately 146,000 gross acres, or approximately 7,300 net acres. In addition, per the joint operating agreement among the Partnership, Gulfport and an affiliate of Wexford Capital, the Partnership has funded its proportionate share of drilling costs to Gulfport for wells being drilled on the Partnership’s acreage. As of September  30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has funded approximately $15.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of drilling costs that are included in Coal properties and oil and natural gas properties in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership recorded revenue from its Utica Shale investment of approximately $1.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in Other revenue in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Partnership did not have any revenue from its Utica Shale investment.
	On March 6, 2012, the Partnership completed a lease agreement with a third party for approximately 1,232 acres that the Partnership previously owned in the Utica Shale region in Harrison County, Ohio. The lease agreement is for an initial five year term with an optional three year renewal period and conveys rights to the third party to perform drilling and operating activities for producing oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbons. As part of the lease agreement, the third party agreed to pay the Partnership the sum of $6,000 per acre as a lease bonus, of which $0.5 million was paid at the signing of the lease agreement. An additional $6.9 million was paid in the second quarter of 2012 totaling approximately $7.4 million of lease bonus payments for the approximately 1,232 acres. In addition, the lease agreement stipulates that the third party shall pay the Partnership a 20% royalty based upon the gross proceeds received from the sale of oil and/or natural gas recovered from the leased property.
	The Partnership analyzed the lease agreement and determined that the lease bonus payments represented a conveyance of these oil and gas rights, and should be recognized as a component of the Partnership’s unaudited consolidated condensed statements of operations and comprehensive income. This determination was based upon the fact that that the lease agreement did not require the Partnership to perform any future obligations to perform or participate in drilling activities and the lease agreement did not result in any pooling of assets that would be used to perform any future drilling activities. In addition, the entire amount of the lease bonus was recognized as Other revenues since the Partnership’s business activities have historically included the leasing of mineral resources, including coal leasing, which have been recorded as Other revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Partnership recorded $7.4 million related to the initial lease bonus payments within Other revenues in the Partnership’s Northern Appalachia segment.
	In April 2013, the Partnership closed on an agreement with a third party to sell the 20% royalty interest on its owned 1,232 acres in the Utica Shale for approximately $10.5 million. The sale of the royalty interest resulted in a gain of approximately $10.5 million since the Partnership had no cost basis associated with the royalty interest. This gain is included on the (Gain) on sale/disposal of assets—net line of the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
	In September 2013, the Partnership closed on an agreement with a third party to sell the oil and natural gas mineral rights for approximately 57 acres the Partnership owns in the Utica Shale region in Harrison County, Ohio for approximately $0.6 million.  The sale of this acreage resulted in a gain of approximately $0.6 million since the Partnership had no cost basis associated with this property. This gain is included on the (Gain) on sale/disposal of assets—net line of the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Partnership completed the acquisition of certain oil and gas mineral rights in the Cana Woodford region of western Oklahoma for a total purchase price of approximately $8.1 million. The Partnership recorded an immaterial amount of royalty revenue from its Cana Woodford investment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Acquisition of Coal Properties
	In May 2012, the Partnership completed the purchase of certain rights to coal leases and surface property located in Daviess and McLean counties in western Kentucky for approximately $1.5 million. In addition, the Partnership could potentially be required to pay an additional $3.0 million related to this acquisition if certain conditions are met. Of that amount, $2.0 million was recorded in Property, plant and equipment and Accrued expenses related to this acquisition since this additional amount related to the purchase of these assets was probable and estimable. The remaining $1.0 million in potential payments has not been recorded because the conditions requiring payment of this amount are currently not probable.
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership paid $1.6 million of the $2.0 million that was accrued related to the acquisition since the conditions requiring payment had been met. The remaining accrued balance of $0.4  million is recorded in the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position as of September 30, 2013 since the conditions remained probable and estimable.
	As of December 31, 2012, the coal leases and property were estimated to contain approximately 32 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves that are contiguous to the Green River. The property is fully permitted and provides the Partnership with access to Illinois Basin coal that is adjacent to a navigable waterway, which could allow for exports to non-U.S. customers. The Partnership has commenced the initial construction of a new underground mining operation on this property with production targeted to begin in mid-2014.

Prepaid_Expenses_And_Other_Cur

Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	'
	4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Other prepaid expenses	$                      554	$                      767
	Prepaid insurance	2,337	1,895
	Prepaid leases	153	121
	Supply inventory	1,311	1,219
	Deposits	320	321
	Total Prepaid expenses and other	$                   4,675	$                   4,323

Property_Plant_And_Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment	'
	5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment, including coal properties and mine development and construction costs, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized by major classification as follows:
		Useful Lives		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
				(in thousands)
	Land and land improvements			$         34,978		$         34,978
	Mining and other equipment and related facilities	2 - 20 Years		302,712		297,615
	Mine development costs	1 - 15 Years		69,975		67,045
	Coal properties and oil and natural gas properties (1)	1 - 15 Years		286,323		278,088
	Construction work in process			15,784		5,943
	Total			709,772		683,669
	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization			-243,601		-219,709
	Net			$       466,171		$       463,960
	(1) Oil and natural gas properties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were $48,622 and $37,720, respectively.
	Depreciation expense for mining and other equipment and related facilities, depletion expense for coal properties and oil and gas properties, amortization expense for mine development costs, amortization expense for intangible assets and amortization expense for asset retirement costs for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012  were as follows:
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013	2012
			(in thousands)
	Depreciation expense-mining and other equipment and related facilities		$              7,916		$              7,950		$            23,954	$            24,414
	Depletion expense for coal properties and oil and natural gas properties		1,883		1,440		5,274	4,361
	Amortization expense for mine development costs		627		526		1,914	1,650
	Amortization expense for intangible assets		20		20		60	60
	Amortization expense for asset retirement costs		25		129		60	427
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization		$            10,471		$            10,065		$            31,262	$            30,912
	Sale of Mining Assets
	On February 29, 2012, the Partnership sold certain non-core mining assets located in Pike County, Kentucky to a third party for approximately $0.6 million. The transaction also extinguished certain liabilities related to the assets sold. In relation to the sale of these assets and extinguishment of liabilities, the Partnership recorded a gain of approximately $0.9 million, which was higher than the sales amount due to the extinguishment of the liabilities. This gain is included on the (Gain) on sale/disposal of assets—net line of the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
	Sale of Triad Operations
	In August 2012, the Partnership sold the operations and tangible assets of its roof bolt manufacturing company, Triad Roof Support Systems, LLC (“Triad”), to a third party for $0.5 million of cash consideration. As part of the sale, the Partnership retained the rights to certain intellectual property and entered into an exclusive license and option to purchase agreement for this intellectual property with the same third party for potential additional cash consideration. The Partnership has not recorded any portion of this additional consideration since this amount is contingent upon the third party determining the viability of the related intellectual property to their specifications, which has since expired. In connection with the purchase of Triad in 2009, the Partnership recorded approximately $0.2 million of goodwill. Since the Partnership disposed of the entire operations and fixed assets of the Triad reporting unit, the goodwill was included in the carrying amount of the Triad reporting unit to determine the $0.2 million gain that was recorded on the sale of this reporting unit.

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill And Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets	'
	6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 addresses financial accounting and reporting for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. Under the provisions of ASC Topic 350, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized but instead tested for impairment at least annually.
	The Partnership’s goodwill balance was reduced to zero as a result of the disposal of the Partnership’s Triad operations that were sold during the third quarter of 2012, as described in Note 5.
	Intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 consisted of the following:
		Gross		Net
		Carrying	Accumulated	Carrying
	Intangible Asset	Amount	Amortization	Amount
		(in thousands)
	Patent	$              728	$              197	$              531
	Developed Technology	78	21	57
	Trade Name	184	21	163
	Customer List	470	54	416
	Total	$           1,460	$              293	$           1,167
	Intangible assets as of December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		Gross		Net
		Carrying	Accumulated	Carrying
	Intangible Asset	Amount	Amortization	Amount
		(in thousands)
	Patent	$              728	$              164	$              564
	Developed Technology	78	18	60
	Trade Name	184	14	170
	Customer List	470	36	434
	Total	$           1,460	$              232	$           1,228
	The Partnership considers the patent and developed technology intangible assets to have a useful life of 17 years and the trade name and customer list intangible assets to have a useful life of 20 years. All of the intangible assets are amortized over their useful life on a straight line basis.
	Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 is included in the depreciation, depletion and amortization table included in Note 5. The future total amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years related to intangible assets that are currently recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position is estimated to be as follows at September 30, 2013:
			Developed		Customer
		Patent	Technology	Trade Name	List	Total
		(in thousands)
	2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	$                  11	$                    1	$                    2	$             6	$           20
	2014	43	5	9	23	80
	2015	43	5	9	23	80
	2016	43	5	9	23	80
	2017	43	5	9	23	80

Other_NonCurrent_Assets

Other Non-Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Non-Current Assets [Abstract]	'
Other Non-Current Assets	'
	7. OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
	Other non-current assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Deposits and other	$                  534	$               1,135
	Debt issuance costs—net	3,878	3,851
	Non-current receivable	3,829	3,829
	Note receivable	206	-
	Deferred expenses	359	16
	Total	$               8,806	$               8,831
	Debt issuance costs were approximately $9.0 million and $8.0 million as of September  30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs were approximately $5.1 million and approximately $4.2 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	The non-current receivable balance of $3.8 million as of September  30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the amount due from the Partnership’s workers’ compensation insurance providers for potential claims that are the primary responsibility of the Partnership, but are covered under the Partnership’s insurance policies. The $3.8 million is also included in the Partnership’s accrued workers’ compensation benefits liability balance, which is included in the non-current liabilities section of the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position. The Partnership presents this amount on a gross asset and liability basis since a right of setoff does not exist per the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 210. This presentation has no impact on the Partnership’s results of operations or cash flows.

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities	'
	8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Payroll, bonus and vacation expense	$                3,568	$                4,086
	Non income taxes	3,284	3,318
	Royalty expenses	1,765	2,536
	Accrued interest	705	671
	Health claims	2,289	1,479
	Workers’ compensation & pneumoconiosis	1,784	1,784
	Deferred revenues	3,639	2,788
	Accrued insured litigation claims	639	2,783
	Other	2,707	2,733
	Total	$              20,380	$              22,178
	The $0.6 million and $2.8 million accrued for insured litigation claims as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, consists of probable and estimable litigation claims that are the primary obligation of the Partnership. The amount accrued for litigation claims decreased due to the settlement of various litigation claims during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The amount accrued for litigation claims is also due from the Partnership’s insurance providers and is included in Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts on the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position. The Partnership presents this amount on a gross asset and liability basis as a right of setoff does not exist per the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 210. This presentation has no impact on the Partnership’s results of operations or cash flows.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	9. DEBT
	Debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A.	$            150,000	$            157,250
	Note payable to H&L Construction Co., Inc.	993	1,560
	Other notes payable	3,264	4,739
	Total	154,257	163,549
	Less current portion	-1,025	-2,350
	Long-term debt	$            153,232	$            161,199
	Senior Secured Credit Facility with PNC Bank, N.A.—On July 29, 2011, the Operating Company and the Partnership, as a guarantor, executed an amended and restated senior secured credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a group of lenders, which are parties thereto. The maximum availability under the amended and restated credit facility is $300.0 million, with a one-time option to increase the availability by an amount not to exceed $50.0 million. Of the $300.0 million, $75.0 million is available for letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility bear interest, which varies depending upon the levels of certain financial ratios. As part of the agreement, the Operating Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the borrowing availability that also varies depending upon the levels of certain financial ratios. Borrowings on the amended and restated senior secured credit facility are collateralized by all of the unsecured assets of the Partnership. The amended and restated senior secured credit facility requires the Partnership to maintain certain minimum financial ratios and contains certain restrictive provisions, including among others, restrictions on making loans, investments and advances, incurring additional indebtedness, guaranteeing indebtedness, creating liens, and selling or assigning stock. The Partnership was in compliance with all covenants contained in the amended and restated senior secured credit facility as of and for the period ended September 30, 2013. The amended and restated senior secured credit facility expires in July 2016.
	As part of executing the amended and restated senior secured credit facility, the Operating Company paid a fee of approximately $2.8 million to the lenders in July 2011, which was recorded in Debt issuance costs in Other non-current assets on the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
	In April 2013, the Partnership entered into an amendment of its amended and restated senior secured credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a group of lenders, which are parties thereto. The amendment provided for an increase in the maximum allowed investments in coal-related entities outside of the Partnership (i.e. joint ventures) under the amended and restated senior secured credit facility from $25 million to $40 million. The amendment also altered the maximum leverage ratio allowed under the amended and restated senior secured credit facility and also altered the pricing grid to include applicable interest rates for borrowings, letter of credit fees and commitment fees on unused borrowings based upon the new maximum leverage ratio. The amendment increases the maximum leverage ratio of the amended and restated senior secured credit facility to 3.75 from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015, then steps the maximum leverage ratio down to its previous level of 3.0 by December 31, 2015. All other terms of the amended and restated senior secured credit facility were not affected by the amendment. As part of executing the amendment to the amended and restated senior secured credit facility, the Operating Company paid a fee of approximately $1.0 million to the lenders in April 2013, which was recorded in Debt issuance costs in Other non-current assets on the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
	At September 30, 2013, the Operating Company had borrowed $150.0 million at a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.00% (3.19% at September 30, 2013). In addition, the Operating Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $22.1 million at a fixed interest rate of 3.00%  at September  30, 2013. Based upon a maximum borrowing capacity of 3.75 times a trailing twelve-month EBITDA calculation (as defined in the credit agreement), the Operating Company had not used $94.2 million of the borrowing availability at September 30, 2013.
	Note payable to H&L Construction Co., Inc.— The note payable to H&L Construction Co., Inc. was originally a non-interest bearing note and the Partnership has recorded a discount for imputed interest at a rate of 5.0% on this note that is being amortized over the life of the note using the effective interest method. The note payable matures in January 2015. The note is secured by mineral rights purchased by the Partnership from H&L Construction Co., Inc. with a carrying amount of approximately  $11.1 million and approximately $11.3 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	10. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
	The changes in asset retirement obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Year ended December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period (including current portion)	$                            33,003	$                            34,113
	Accretion expense	1,767	1,896
	Adjustment resulting from addition of property	-	72
	Adjustment resulting from disposal of property	-	-968
	Adjustments to the liability from annual recosting and other	-	-201
	Liabilities settled	-468	-1,909
	Balance at end of period	34,302	33,003
	Current portion of asset retirement obligation	1,720	2,255
	Long-term portion of asset retirement obligation	$                            32,582	$                            30,748

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefits	'
	11. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
	In conjunction with the acquisition of the coal operations of American Electric Power on April 16, 2004, the Operating Company acquired a postretirement benefit plan providing healthcare to eligible employees at its Hopedale operations. The Partnership has no other postretirement plans.
	Net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Service costs	$                  96	$                  86	$                289	$                291
	Interest cost	46	52	139	179
	Amortization of (gain)	-36	-73	-109	-221
	Total	$                106	$                  65	$                319	$                249
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, net periodic benefit costs, including the amortization of actuarial gain included in the table above, are included in Cost of operations in the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
	401(k) Plans—The Operating Company and certain subsidiaries sponsor defined contribution savings plans for all employees. Under one defined contribution savings plan, the Operating Company matches voluntary contributions of participants up to a maximum contribution based upon a percentage of a participant’s salary with an additional matching contribution possible at the Operating Company’s discretion. The expense under these plans for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 is included in Cost of operations in the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and was as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	401(k) plan expense	$                552	$                580	$             1,689	$             1,743

EquityBased_Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Equity-Based Compensation	'
	12. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
	In October 2010, the General Partner established the Rhino Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan” or “LTIP”). The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership by providing to employees, consultants and directors of the General Partner, the Partnership or affiliates of either incentive compensation awards to encourage superior performance. The LTIP provides for grants of restricted units, unit options, unit appreciation rights, phantom units, unit awards, and other unit-based awards.
	As of September  30, 2013, the General Partner granted phantom units to certain employees and restricted units and unit awards to its directors. A portion of these grants were made in connection with the IPO completed during October 2010, as well as annual restricted unit awards to directors and phantom unit awards with tandem distribution equivalent rights granted in the first quarters of 2012 and 2013 to certain employees in connection with the prior year’s performance. A total of 30,818 phantom units were granted in the first quarter of 2013 and these awards vest in equal annual installments over a three year period from the date of grant. The remaining terms and conditions of these phantom unit awards are similar to the phantom units awarded in connection with the Partnership’s IPO.  The total fair value of the awards granted in the first quarter of 2013 was approximately $0.4 million at the grant date and the fair value of these awards was approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2013. The expense related to these awards will be recognized ratably over the three year vesting period, plus any mark-to-market adjustments, and the amount of expense recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to these awards was immaterial.
	With the vesting of the first portion of the employees’ IPO awards in early April 2011, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the General Partner elected to pay some of the awards in cash or a combination of cash and common units. This election was a change in policy since management had previously planned to settle all employee awards with units upon vesting as per the grant agreements. This policy change resulted in a modification of all employee awards from equity to liability classification as of March 31, 2011 and all new awards granted thereafter. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Partnership did not record any incremental compensation expense due to the modification of the employees’ IPO awards since the market price of the Partnership’s common units was below the IPO grant price.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Coal Sales Contracts and Contingencies—As of September  30, 2013, the Partnership had commitments under sales contracts to deliver annually scheduled base quantities of coal as follows:
	Year	Tons (in thousands)	Number of customers
	2013 Q4	788	16
	2014	2,663	12
	2015	1,796	4
	2016	1,100	2
	2017	1,100	2
	Some of the contracts have sales price adjustment provisions, subject to certain limitations and adjustments, based on a variety of factors and indices.
	Purchase Commitments—As of September 30, 2013, the Partnership had approximately  0.3 million gallons remaining on a commitment to purchase diesel fuel at fixed prices through December 2013 for approximately $0.8 million.
	Purchased Coal Expenses—The Partnership incurs purchased coal expense from time to time related to coal purchase contracts. In addition, the Partnership incurs expense from time to time related to coal purchased on the over-the-counter market (“OTC”). Purchased coal expense from coal purchase contracts and expense from OTC purchases for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 are included in Cost of operations in the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and were as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Purchased coal expense	$                952	$             7,460	$             2,829	$           17,622
	OTC expense	$                605	$                    -	$             1,271	$                    -
	Leases—The Partnership leases various mining, transportation and other equipment under operating leases. The Partnership also leases coal reserves under agreements that call for royalties to be paid as the coal is mined. Lease and royalty expense for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 are included in Cost of operations in the Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and was as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Lease expense	$                831	$                873	$             2,504	$             2,136
	Royalty expense	$             2,836	$             3,654	$             8,886	$           10,741
	Joint Ventures—Pursuant to the Rhino Eastern joint venture agreement with Patriot, the Partnership is required to contribute additional capital to assist in funding the development and operations of the Rhino Eastern joint venture. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership made capital contributions of approximately $0.7 million to the Rhino Eastern joint venture. The Partnership may be required to contribute additional capital to the Rhino Eastern joint venture in subsequent periods.
	The Partnership may contribute additional capital to the Timber Wolf joint venture that was formed in the first quarter of 2012.  The Partnership made an initial capital contribution of approximately $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 based upon its proportionate ownership interest.
	The Partnership may contribute additional capital to the Muskie Proppant joint venture that was formed in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Partnership made an initial capital contribution of approximately $2.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 and an additional capital contribution of approximately $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, each based upon its proportionate ownership interest. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership provided a loan based upon its ownership share to Muskie in the amount of $0.2 million that remained outstanding as of September 30, 2013.

Earnings_Per_Unit_EPU

Earnings Per Unit ("EPU")	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Unit ("EPU")	'
	14. EARNINGS PER UNIT (“EPU”)
	The following tables present a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPU calculations for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$                58	$                1,629	$                 1,190
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,609	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	12	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,621	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.10	$                   0.10
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.10	$                   0.10
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              172	$                4,671	$                 3,755
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,422	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	8	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,430	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.30	$                   0.30
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.30	$                   0.30
	Three months ended September 30, 2012	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              177	$                4,806	$                 3,893
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,332	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	1	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,333	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.31	$                   0.31
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.31	$                   0.31
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              617	$              16,709	$               13,520
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,322	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	5	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,327	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  1.09	$                   1.09
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  1.09	$                   1.09
	Diluted EPU gives effect to all dilutive potential common units outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted EPU excludes all dilutive potential units calculated under the treasury stock method if their effect is anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately 12,000 LTIP granted phantom units were anti-dilutive.  For the three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately 77,000 LTIP granted phantom units were anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive units for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Major_Customers

Major Customers	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Major Customers [Abstract]	'
Major Customers	'
	15. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
	The Partnership had revenues or receivables from the following major customers that in each period equaled or exceeded 10% of revenues:
		September 30,	Nine months	Nine months
		2013	ended	ended
		Receivable	September 30,	September 30,
		Balance	2013 Sales	2012 Sales
		(in thousands)
	NRG Energy, Inc. (fka GenOn Energy, Inc.)	$                   4,125	$                 40,051	$                 38,847
	Indiana Harbor Coke Company, L.P	n/a	n/a	28,806
	PPL Corporation	n/a	n/a	30,553
	American Electric Power Company, Inc.	1,639	25,191	26,683

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	16. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The book values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the immediate short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of the Partnership’s senior secured credit facility was determined based upon a market approach and approximates the carrying value at September 30, 2013. The fair value of the Partnership’s senior secured credit facility is a Level 2 measurement.

Supplemental_Disclosures_Of_Ca

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information	'
	17. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2013 excludes approximately $4.3 million of property additions, which are recorded in accounts payable, and approximately $0.3 million related to the value of phantom and restricted units that were issued to certain employees and directors of the General Partner. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September  30, 2012 excludes approximately $2.8 million of property additions, which are recorded in accounts payable,   and approximately $0.4 million related to the value of phantom and restricted units that were issued to certain employees and directors of the general partner. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 also excludes $0.4 million related to the amount accrued for the acquisition of the western Kentucky assets discussed in Note 3 and approximately $0.4 million related to a gain recognized on an approved insurance claim for a damaged piece of equipment, which the proceeds had not been received as of September 30, 2012.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	18. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Partnership produces and markets coal from surface and underground mines in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and Utah and also has one underground mine located in Colorado that was temporarily idled. The Partnership sells primarily to electric utilities in the United States. The Partnership also leases coal reserves to third parties in exchange for royalty revenues. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership had four reportable segments: Central Appalachia (comprised of both surface and underground mines located in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia, along with the Elk Horn coal leasing operations), Northern Appalachia (comprised of both surface and underground mines located in Ohio), Rhino Western (comprised of underground mines in Colorado and Utah) and Eastern Met (comprised solely of the joint venture with Patriot). Additionally, the Partnership has an Other category that is comprised of the Partnership’s ancillary businesses and oil and natural gas investments. The Partnership has not provided disclosure of total expenditures by segment for long-lived assets, as the Partnership does not maintain discrete financial information concerning segment expenditures for long lived assets, and accordingly such information is not provided to the Partnership’s chief operating decision maker. The information provided in the following tables represents the primary measures used to assess segment performance by the Partnership’s chief operating decision maker.
	The Partnership accounts for the Rhino Eastern joint venture under the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Partnership has only presented limited information (net income). The Partnership considers this operation to comprise a separate operating segment and has presented additional operating detail, with corresponding eliminations and adjustments, to reflect its percentage of ownership.
	Reportable segment results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows (Note: “DD&A” refers to depreciation, depletion and amortization):
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$       37,924	$       19,964	$      9,687	$       6,858	$          (6,858)	$                   -	$      3,513	$         71,088
	DD&A	6,078	2,007	1,382	498	-498	-	1,004	10,471
	Interest expense	1,030	195	174	-	-	-	670	2,069
	Net Income (loss)	$          (405)	$         4,338	$          (40)	$      (1,537)	$              753	$             (784)	$        (232)	$           2,877
	Reportable segment results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$       51,428	$       29,939	$     10,621	$     16,296	$        (16,296)	$                   -	$       1,587	$         93,575
	DD&A	6,165	2,189	1,217	508	-508	-	494	10,065
	Interest expense	1,212	221	201	16	-16	-	471	2,105
	Net Income (loss)	$          (143)	$         6,123	$       1,891	$       3,558	$          (1,743)	$           1,815	$         (810)	$           8,876
	Reportable segment results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$      114,029	$        62,125	$     28,708	$     20,675	$        (20,675)	$                   -	$       7,799	$       212,661
	DD&A	18,501	6,049	4,050	1,455	-1,455	-	2,662	31,262
	Interest expense	2,957	576	491	-	-	-	1,824	5,848
	Net Income (loss)	$        (7,747)	$        22,749	$         (409)	$      (8,039)	$           3,939	$          (4,100)	$      (1,895)	$           8,598
	Reportable segment results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$      135,607	$        94,298	$     30,767	$     49,133	$        (49,133)	$                   -	$       4,783	$       265,455
	DD&A	19,801	6,154	3,323	1,630	-1,630	-	1,634	30,912
	Interest expense	3,340	620	546	155	-155	-	1,383	5,889
	Net Income (loss)	$             812	$        23,199	$       4,750	$     12,312	$          (6,106)	$           6,206	$      (4,121)	$         30,846
	Additional summarized financial information for the Rhino Eastern equity method investment for the periods ended September 30,  2013 and 2012:
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Total costs and expenses	$              8,395		$            12,733		$            28,715		$            36,676
	(Loss)/income from operations	-1,537		3,563		-8,040		12,457

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	19.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On October  21, 2013, the Partnership announced a cash distribution of $0.445  per common unit, or $1.78 per unit on an annualized basis. This distribution will be paid on November 14, 2013 to all common unit holders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2013. No distributions will be paid on the subordinated units.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General [Abstract]	'
Investment In Joint Ventures	'
	Investment in Joint Ventures.    Investments in other entities are accounted for using the consolidation, equity method or cost basis depending upon the level of ownership, the Partnership’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee and whether the Partnership is determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Equity investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Partnership’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment. Any losses from the Partnership’s equity method investment are absorbed by the Partnership based upon its proportionate ownership percentage. If losses are incurred that exceed the Partnership’s investment in the equity method entity, then the Partnership must continue to record its proportionate share of losses in excess of its investment. Investments are written down only when there is clear evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred.
	In May 2008, the Operating Company entered into a joint venture, Rhino Eastern LLC (“Rhino Eastern”), with an affiliate of Patriot Coal Corporation (“Patriot”) to acquire the Eagle mining complex. To initially capitalize the joint venture, the Operating Company contributed approximately $16.1 million for a 51% ownership interest in the joint venture. The Partnership accounts for the investment in the joint venture and its results of operations under the equity method. The Partnership considers the operations of this entity to comprise a reporting segment (“Eastern Met”) and has provided additional detail related to this operation in Note 18, “Segment Information.” As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Rhino Eastern equity method investment of $18.4 million and $21.8 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Rhino Eastern joint venture in the amount of $0.7 million.
	On July 9, 2012, Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Normal operations have continued at the joint venture and thus far the bankruptcy filing has not had a material negative effect on Rhino Eastern. On October 9, 2013, Patriot announced that it had achieved several major milestones toward  a successful emergence from bankruptcy, possibly by 2013 year-end.
	In March 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $0.1 million in a new joint venture, Timber Wolf, with affiliates of Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”).  Timber Wolf was formed to construct and operate a condensate river terminal that will provide barge trans-loading services for parties conducting activities in the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio.  The initial investment was the Partnership’s proportionate minority ownership share to purchase land for the construction site of the condensate river terminal. Timber Wolf had no operating activities during 2012 or the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Partnership has included its Timber Wolf investment in its Other category for segment reporting purposes.
	In December 2012, the Partnership made an initial investment of approximately $2.0 million in a new joint venture, Muskie Proppant LLC (“Muskie”), with affiliates of Wexford Capital. Muskie was formed to provide sand for fracking operations to drillers in the Utica Shale region and other oil and natural gas basins in the United States. The Partnership recorded its proportionate share of the operating loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, of approximately $68,000 and $200,000, respectively, for Muskie, which is still undergoing operational development. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership contributed additional capital based upon its ownership share to the Muskie joint venture in the amount of $0.5 million. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Partnership provided a loan based upon its ownership share to Muskie in the amount of $0.2 million that remained outstanding as of September 30, 2013. As of September  30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership has recorded its Muskie equity method investment of $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as a long-term asset. The Partnership includes any operating activities of Muskie in its Other category for segment reporting purposes.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This ASU requires preparers to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The ASU also requires companies to report changes in AOCI balances. For significant items reclassified out of AOCI to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, reporting (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) is required about the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items in the statement where net income is presented. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP (e.g., pension amounts that are included in inventory) is required in the notes. The above information must be presented in one place (parenthetically on the face of the financial statements by income statement line item or in a note). Public companies must provide the information required by the ASU (e.g., changes in AOCI balances and reclassifications out of AOCI) in interim and annual periods. For public companies, the ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after 15 December 2012, or the first quarter of 2013 for calendar-year companies. The Partnership has included the required disclosures of ASU 2013-02 in this Form 10Q and this ASU did not have a material effect on the Partnership.

Prepaid_Expenses_And_Other_Cur1

Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	'
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Other prepaid expenses	$                      554	$                      767
	Prepaid insurance	2,337	1,895
	Prepaid leases	153	121
	Supply inventory	1,311	1,219
	Deposits	320	321
	Total Prepaid expenses and other	$                   4,675	$                   4,323

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_T

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant And Equipment By Major Classification	'
		Useful Lives		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
				(in thousands)
	Land and land improvements			$         34,978		$         34,978
	Mining and other equipment and related facilities	2 - 20 Years		302,712		297,615
	Mine development costs	1 - 15 Years		69,975		67,045
	Coal properties and oil and natural gas properties (1)	1 - 15 Years		286,323		278,088
	Construction work in process			15,784		5,943
	Total			709,772		683,669
	Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization			-243,601		-219,709
	Net			$       466,171		$       463,960
	(1) Oil and natural gas properties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were $48,622 and $37,720, respectively.
Depreciation, Depletion, And Amortization	'
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013	2012
			(in thousands)
	Depreciation expense-mining and other equipment and related facilities		$              7,916		$              7,950		$            23,954	$            24,414
	Depletion expense for coal properties and oil and natural gas properties		1,883		1,440		5,274	4,361
	Amortization expense for mine development costs		627		526		1,914	1,650
	Amortization expense for intangible assets		20		20		60	60
	Amortization expense for asset retirement costs		25		129		60	427
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization		$            10,471		$            10,065		$            31,262	$            30,912

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Major Class	'
	Intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 consisted of the following:
		Gross		Net
		Carrying	Accumulated	Carrying
	Intangible Asset	Amount	Amortization	Amount
		(in thousands)
	Patent	$              728	$              197	$              531
	Developed Technology	78	21	57
	Trade Name	184	21	163
	Customer List	470	54	416
	Total	$           1,460	$              293	$           1,167
	Intangible assets as of December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		Gross		Net
		Carrying	Accumulated	Carrying
	Intangible Asset	Amount	Amortization	Amount
		(in thousands)
	Patent	$              728	$              164	$              564
	Developed Technology	78	18	60
	Trade Name	184	14	170
	Customer List	470	36	434
	Total	$           1,460	$              232	$           1,228
Future Amortization Expense	'
			Developed		Customer
		Patent	Technology	Trade Name	List	Total
		(in thousands)
	2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	$                  11	$                    1	$                    2	$             6	$           20
	2014	43	5	9	23	80
	2015	43	5	9	23	80
	2016	43	5	9	23	80
	2017	43	5	9	23	80

Other_NonCurrent_Assets_Tables

Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Non-Current Assets [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Other Non-Current Assets	'
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Deposits and other	$                  534	$               1,135
	Debt issuance costs—net	3,878	3,851
	Non-current receivable	3,829	3,829
	Note receivable	206	-
	Deferred expenses	359	16
	Total	$               8,806	$               8,831

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities	'
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Payroll, bonus and vacation expense	$                3,568	$                4,086
	Non income taxes	3,284	3,318
	Royalty expenses	1,765	2,536
	Accrued interest	705	671
	Health claims	2,289	1,479
	Workers’ compensation & pneumoconiosis	1,784	1,784
	Deferred revenues	3,639	2,788
	Accrued insured litigation claims	639	2,783
	Other	2,707	2,733
	Total	$              20,380	$              22,178

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Debt	'
		September 30,	December 31,
		2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Senior secured credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A.	$            150,000	$            157,250
	Note payable to H&L Construction Co., Inc.	993	1,560
	Other notes payable	3,264	4,739
	Total	154,257	163,549
	Less current portion	-1,025	-2,350
	Long-term debt	$            153,232	$            161,199

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Asset Retirement Obligations	'
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Year ended December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period (including current portion)	$                            33,003	$                            34,113
	Accretion expense	1,767	1,896
	Adjustment resulting from addition of property	-	72
	Adjustment resulting from disposal of property	-	-968
	Adjustments to the liability from annual recosting and other	-	-201
	Liabilities settled	-468	-1,909
	Balance at end of period	34,302	33,003
	Current portion of asset retirement obligation	1,720	2,255
	Long-term portion of asset retirement obligation	$                            32,582	$                            30,748

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Benefits [Abstract]	'
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Service costs	$                  96	$                  86	$                289	$                291
	Interest cost	46	52	139	179
	Amortization of (gain)	-36	-73	-109	-221
	Total	$                106	$                  65	$                319	$                249
Schedule Of Expense Under Defined Contribution Savings Plans	'
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	401(k) plan expense	$                552	$                580	$             1,689	$             1,743

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Delivery Commitments	'
	Year	Tons (in thousands)	Number of customers
	2013 Q4	788	16
	2014	2,663	12
	2015	1,796	4
	2016	1,100	2
	2017	1,100	2
Schedule Of Purchased Coal Expenses	'
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Purchased coal expense	$                952	$             7,460	$             2,829	$           17,622
	OTC expense	$                605	$                    -	$             1,271	$                    -
Schedule Of Lease And Royalty Expense	'
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
		(in thousands)
	Lease expense	$                831	$                873	$             2,504	$             2,136
	Royalty expense	$             2,836	$             3,654	$             8,886	$           10,741

Earnings_Per_Unit_EPU_Tables

Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share	'
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$                58	$                1,629	$                 1,190
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,609	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	12	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,621	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.10	$                   0.10
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.10	$                   0.10
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              172	$                4,671	$                 3,755
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,422	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	8	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,430	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.30	$                   0.30
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.30	$                   0.30
	Three months ended September 30, 2012	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              177	$                4,806	$                 3,893
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,332	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	1	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,333	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  0.31	$                   0.31
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  0.31	$                   0.31
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012	General Partner	Common Unitholders	Subordinated Unitholders
	Numerator:	(in thousands, except per unit data)
	Interest in net income	$              617	$              16,709	$               13,520
	Denominator:
	Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	n/a	15,322	12,397
	Effect of dilutive securities — LTIP awards	n/a	5	-
	Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	n/a	15,327	12,397
	Net income per limited partner unit, basic	n/a	$                  1.09	$                   1.09
	Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	n/a	$                  1.09	$                   1.09

Major_Customers_Tables

Major Customers (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Major Customers [Abstract]	'
Major Customers	'
		September 30,	Nine months	Nine months
		2013	ended	ended
		Receivable	September 30,	September 30,
		Balance	2013 Sales	2012 Sales
		(in thousands)
	NRG Energy, Inc. (fka GenOn Energy, Inc.)	$                   4,125	$                 40,051	$                 38,847
	Indiana Harbor Coke Company, L.P	n/a	n/a	28,806
	PPL Corporation	n/a	n/a	30,553
	American Electric Power Company, Inc.	1,639	25,191	26,683

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Reportable Segment Results Of Operations	'
	Reportable segment results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows (Note: “DD&A” refers to depreciation, depletion and amortization):
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$       37,924	$       19,964	$      9,687	$       6,858	$          (6,858)	$                   -	$      3,513	$         71,088
	DD&A	6,078	2,007	1,382	498	-498	-	1,004	10,471
	Interest expense	1,030	195	174	-	-	-	670	2,069
	Net Income (loss)	$          (405)	$         4,338	$          (40)	$      (1,537)	$              753	$             (784)	$        (232)	$           2,877
	Reportable segment results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$       51,428	$       29,939	$     10,621	$     16,296	$        (16,296)	$                   -	$       1,587	$         93,575
	DD&A	6,165	2,189	1,217	508	-508	-	494	10,065
	Interest expense	1,212	221	201	16	-16	-	471	2,105
	Net Income (loss)	$          (143)	$         6,123	$       1,891	$       3,558	$          (1,743)	$           1,815	$         (810)	$           8,876
	Reportable segment results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$      114,029	$        62,125	$     28,708	$     20,675	$        (20,675)	$                   -	$       7,799	$       212,661
	DD&A	18,501	6,049	4,050	1,455	-1,455	-	2,662	31,262
	Interest expense	2,957	576	491	-	-	-	1,824	5,848
	Net Income (loss)	$        (7,747)	$        22,749	$         (409)	$      (8,039)	$           3,939	$          (4,100)	$      (1,895)	$           8,598
	Reportable segment results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:
					Eastern Met
						Equity	Equity
		Central	Northern	Rhino	Complete	Method	Method		Total
		Appalachia	Appalachia	Western	Basis	Eliminations	Presentation	Other	Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Total revenues	$      135,607	$        94,298	$     30,767	$     49,133	$        (49,133)	$                   -	$       4,783	$       265,455
	DD&A	19,801	6,154	3,323	1,630	-1,630	-	1,634	30,912
	Interest expense	3,340	620	546	155	-155	-	1,383	5,889
	Net Income (loss)	$             812	$        23,199	$       4,750	$     12,312	$          (6,106)	$           6,206	$      (4,121)	$         30,846
Equity Method Investments, Summarized Financial Information	'
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Total costs and expenses	$              8,395		$            12,733		$            28,715		$            36,676
	(Loss)/income from operations	-1,537		3,563		-8,040		12,457

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Orga1

Basis Of Presentation And Organization (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
		item
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of underground mines temporarily idle	'	1	'
Limited partnership common units issued	1,265,000	'	'
Limited partnership common units price	$12.30	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common units	$14,600,000	$14,788,000	'
Underwriting discounts and offering expenses	1,000,000	'	'
Partner contributions	300,000	325,000	7,000
Repayments of credit facility	$14,900,000	'	'
Underwriters Option To Purchase Additional Units [Member]	'	'	'
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'
Limited partnership common units issued	165,000	'	'

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies And General (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	31-May-08	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
					Rhino Eastern LLC [Member]	Rhino Eastern LLC [Member]	Rhino Eastern LLC [Member]	Timber Wolf [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture	'	'	'	'	$16,100,000	$700,000	'	$100,000	$2,000,000	'	$500,000
Ownership interest in joint venture	'	'	'	'	51.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loans to joint venture	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000	'
Equity method investment	'	'	'	'	'	18,400,000	21,800,000	'	1,700,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate	($852,000)	$1,815,000	($4,300,000)	$6,206,000	'	'	'	'	'	$68,000	$200,000

Business_Combinations_And_Othe1

Business Combinations And Other Acquisitions (Acquisition Of Oil And Gas Mineral Rights) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 06, 2012

Apr. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Cana Woodford Region Of Oklahoma [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

Utica Shale Region Of Ohio [Member]

acre

acre

acre

acre

acre

Lease Agreement [Member]

Lease Agreement [Member]

Lease Agreement [Member]

Lease Agreement [Member]

acre

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

'

5.00%

10.80%

'

'

'

'

Gross acreage

'

'

'

'

'

146,000

146,000

146,000

'

125,000

80,000

'

'

'

'

Net acreage

'

'

'

'

'

7,300

7,300

7,300

'

6,250

'

1,232

'

'

'

Cumulative investment in pro rata interest in oil and gas leases

'

'

'

'

'

$25,000,000

$25,000,000

$25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Drilling costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,400,000

5,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

Lease renewal term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

Lease bonus per acre

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

Lease revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

6,900,000

7,400,000

Royalty percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

Proceeds from the sale of royalty interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,500,000

'

'

Gain on sale of royalty interest

609,000

1,185,000

10,301,000

2,176,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,500,000

'

'

Acreage sold

'

'

'

'

'

57

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of acreage

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of acreage

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of mineral rights

'

'

'

'

$8,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business_Combinations_And_Othe2

Business Combinations And Other Acquisitions (Acquisition Of Coal Properties) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
			Daviess And McLean Counties In Kentucky [Member]	Daviess And McLean Counties In Kentucky [Member]	Daviess And McLean Counties In Kentucky [Member]
					T
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of mineral rights	'	'	$1,500,000	$1,600,000	'
Contingent additional payments	'	'	3,000,000	'	'
Accrued expenses	20,380,000	22,178,000	'	2,000,000	400,000
Potential payment not recorded as currently not probable	'	'	'	$1,000,000	'
Coal tonnage	'	'	'	'	32,000,000

Prepaid_Expenses_And_Other_Cur2

Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Other prepaid expenses	$554	$767
Prepaid insurance	2,337	1,895
Prepaid leases	153	121
Supply inventory	1,311	1,219
Deposits	320	321
Total Prepaid expenses and other	$4,675	$4,323

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_N

Property, Plant And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009
					Pike County, Kentucky [Member]	Triad Roof Support Systems, LLC [Member]	Triad Roof Support Systems, LLC [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of other assets	'	'	'	'	$600,000	'	'
Gain on disposition of assets	609,000	1,185,000	10,301,000	2,176,000	900,000	'	'
Proceeds from sale of business	'	'	'	'	'	500,000	'
Goodwill recorded	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000
Gain on sale of business	'	'	'	'	'	$200,000	'

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_P

Property, Plant And Equipment (Property, Plant And Equipment By Major Classification) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Land And Land Improvements [Member]

Land And Land Improvements [Member]

Mining And Other Equipment And Related Facilities [Member]

Mining And Other Equipment And Related Facilities [Member]

Mine Development Costs [Member]

Mine Development Costs [Member]

Coal Properties And Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Coal Properties And Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Construction Work In Process [Member]

Construction Work In Process [Member]

Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Mining And Other Equipment And Related Facilities [Member]

Mine Development Costs [Member]

Coal Properties And Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Mining And Other Equipment And Related Facilities [Member]

Mine Development Costs [Member]

Coal Properties And Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Useful Lives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'1 year

'1 year

[1]

'20 years

'15 years

'15 years

[1]

Total

$709,772,000

$683,669,000

$34,978,000

$34,978,000

$302,712,000

$297,615,000

$69,975,000

$67,045,000

$286,323,000

[1]

$278,088,000

[1]

$15,784,000

$5,943,000

$48,622

$37,720

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

-243,601,000

-219,709,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net

$466,171,000

$463,960,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Oil and natural gas properties as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were $48,622 and $37,720, respectively.

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_D

Property, Plant And Equipment (Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization) (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
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	$10,471	$10,065	$31,262	$30,912
Mining And Other Equipment And Related Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	7,916	7,950	23,954	24,414
Coal Properties And Oil And Natural Gas Properties [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,883	1,440	5,274	4,361
Mine Development Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	627	526	1,914	1,650
Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	20	20	60	60
Asset Retirement Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	$25	$129	$60	$427

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill	0
Patent And Developed Technology [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets, useful life	'17 years
Trade Name And Customer List [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Intangible assets, useful life	'20 years

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets By Major Class) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$1,460	$1,460
Accumulated Amortization	293	232
Net Carrying Amount	1,167	1,228
Patent [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	728	728
Accumulated Amortization	197	164
Net Carrying Amount	531	564
Developed Technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	78	78
Accumulated Amortization	21	18
Net Carrying Amount	57	60
Trade Name [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	184	184
Accumulated Amortization	21	14
Net Carrying Amount	163	170
Customer List [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	470	470
Accumulated Amortization	54	36
Net Carrying Amount	$416	$434

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	$20
2014	80
2015	80
2016	80
2017	80
Patent [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	11
2014	43
2015	43
2016	43
2017	43
Developed Technology [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	1
2014	5
2015	5
2016	5
2017	5
Trade Name [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	2
2014	9
2015	9
2016	9
2017	9
Customer List [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013 (from Oct 1 to Dec 31)	6
2014	23
2015	23
2016	23
2017	$23

Other_NonCurrent_Assets_Narrat

Other Non-Current Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Non-Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Debt issuance costs, gross	$9,000,000	$8,000,000
Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs	5,100,000	4,200,000
Workers' compensation insurance receivable	$3,829,000	$3,829,000

Other_NonCurrent_Assets_Schedu

Other Non-Current Assets (Schedule Of Other Non-Current Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Non-Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits and other	$534	$1,135
Debt issuance costs-net	3,878	3,851
Non-current receivable	3,829	3,829
Note receivable	206	'
Deferred expenses	359	16
Total	$8,806	$8,831

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Payroll, bonus and vacation expense	$3,568	$4,086
Non income taxes	3,284	3,318
Royalty expenses	1,765	2,536
Accrued interest	705	671
Health claims	2,289	1,479
Workers' compensation & pneumoconiosis	1,784	1,784
Deferred revenues	3,639	2,788
Accrued insurance litigation claims	639	2,783
Other	2,707	2,733
Total	$20,380	$22,178

Debt_Senior_Secured_Credit_Fac

Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facility With PNC Bank, N.A.) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. Amendment [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. Amendment [Member]

Credit Facility LIBOR Plus Applicable Spread [Member]

Amended And Restated [Member]

Amended And Restated [Member]

Letters of Credit [Member]

Letters of Credit [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. Amendment [Member]

PNC Bank, N.A. Amendment [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility, maximum available

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

'

'

$75,000,000

'

'

Line of credit facility option to increase maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, expiration date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jul-16

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum investment in joint ventures

'

'

25,000,000

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

3.75%

Amendment fee

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, amount outstanding

150,000,000

157,250,000

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental interest rate above variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective interest rate

5.00%

'

'

'

'

3.19%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,100,000

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity measured as a multiple of EBITDA

'

'

375.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

EBITDA measurement period for determining maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity

'

'

$94,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Note_Payable_To_HL_Constr

Debt (Note Payable To H&L Construction) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt [Abstract]	'	'
Imputed interest discount rate	5.00%	'
Note payable maturity date	1-Jan-15	'
Mineral rights owned and pledged as collateral, carrying amount	$11.10	$11.30

Debt_Schedule_Of_Debt_Details

Debt (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt [Abstract]	'	'
Senior secured credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A.	$150,000	$157,250
Notes payable to H&L Construction Co., Inc.	993	1,560
Other notes payable	3,264	4,739
Total	154,257	163,549
Less current portion	-1,025	-2,350
Long-term debt	$153,232	$161,199

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_D

Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period (including current portion)	$33,003	$34,113	$34,113
Accretion expense	1,767	1,305	1,896
Adjustment resulting from addition of property	'	'	72
Adjustment resulting from disposal of property	'	'	-968
Adjustments to liability from annual recosting and other	'	'	-201
Liabilities settled	-468	'	-1,909
Balance at end of period	34,302	'	33,003
Current portion of asset retirement obligation	1,720	'	2,255
Long-term portion of asset retirement obligation	$32,582	'	$30,748

Employee_Benefits_Components_O

Employee Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (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
Employee Benefits [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	$96	$86	$289	$291
Interest cost	46	52	139	179
Amortization of (gain)	-36	-73	-109	-221
Total	$106	$65	$319	$249

Employee_Benefits_Schedule_Of_

Employee Benefits (Schedule Of Expense Under Defined Contribution Savings Plans) (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
Employee Benefits [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
401(k) plan expense	$552	$580	$1,689	$1,743

EquityBased_Compensation_Detai

Equity-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'
Phantom units granted	30,818	'
Vesting period	'	'3 years
Total fair value of awards granted	$0.40	$0.40

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	Diesel Fuel [Member]	Rhino Eastern [Member]	Timber Wolf [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]	Muskie Proppant [Member]
	gal
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fuel purchase commitments, gallons	300,000	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase commitments	$0.80	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture	'	0.7	0.1	'	2	0.5
Loans to joint venture	'	'	'	$0.20	'	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Delivery Commitments) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	customer
	T
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Tons, 2013 Q4	788,000
Tons, 2014	2,663,000
Tons, 2015	1,796,000
Tons 2016	1,100,000
Tons, 2017	1,100,000
Number of customers, 2013 Q4	16
Number of customers, 2014	12
Number of customers, 2015	4
Number of customers, 2016	2
Number of customers, 2017	2

Commitments_And_Contingencies_3

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Purchased Coal Expenses) (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
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Purchased coal expense	$952	$7,460	$2,829	$17,622
OTC expense	$605	'	$1,271	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_4

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Lease And Royalty Expense) (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
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Lease expense	$831	$873	$2,504	$2,136
Royalty expense	$2,836	$3,654	$8,886	$10,741

Earnings_Per_Unit_EPU_Narrativ

Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive LTIP phantom units	12,000	77,000	12,000	0

Earnings_Per_Unit_EPU_Schedule

Earnings Per Unit ("EPU") (Schedule Of Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest in net income	$2,877	$8,876	$8,598	$30,846
General Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest in net income	58	177	172	617
Common Unitholders [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest in net income	1,629	4,806	4,671	16,709
Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	15,609	15,332	15,422	15,322
Effect of dilutive securities - LTIP awards	12	1	8	5
Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	15,621	15,333	15,430	15,327
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$0.10	$0.31	$0.30	$1.09
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$0.10	$0.31	$0.30	$1.09
Subordinated Unitholders[Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest in net income	$1,190	$3,893	$3,755	$13,520
Weighted average units used to compute basic EPU	12,397	12,397	12,397	12,397
Weighted average units used to compute diluted EPU	12,397	12,397	12,397	12,397
Net income per limited partner unit, basic	$0.10	$0.31	$0.30	$1.09
Net income per limited partner unit, diluted	$0.10	$0.31	$0.30	$1.09

Major_Customers_Details

Major Customers (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
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Receivable balance	$25,704	'	$25,704	'	$33,560
Revenue	71,088	93,575	212,661	265,455	'
NRG Energy, Inc. (fka GenOn Energy, Inc.) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Receivable balance	4,125	'	4,125	'	'
Revenue	'	'	40,051	38,847	'
Indiana Harbor Coke Company, L.P. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	28,806	'
PPL Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	30,553	'
American Electric Power Company, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Receivable balance	1,639	'	1,639	'	'
Revenue	'	'	$25,191	$26,683	'

Supplemental_Disclosures_Of_Ca1

Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Recorded In Accounts Payable [Member]	'	'
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]	'	'
Property additions	$4.30	$2.80
Units Issued [Member]	'	'
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]	'	'
Value of units issued	0.3	0.4
Contingent Payments Related To Acquisition [Member]	'	'
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]	'	'
Property additions	'	0.4
Insurance Claim [Member]	'	'
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]	'	'
Value of units issued	$0.40	'

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	segment
	item
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Number of underground mines temporarily idle	1
Number of reportable business segments	4

Segment_Information_Reportable

Segment Information (Reportable Segment Results 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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$71,088	$93,575	$212,661	$265,455
DD&A	10,471	10,065	31,262	30,912
Interest expense	2,069	2,105	5,848	5,889
Net Income (loss)	2,877	8,876	8,598	30,846
Central Appalachia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	37,924	51,428	114,029	135,607
DD&A	6,078	6,165	18,501	19,801
Interest expense	1,030	1,212	2,957	3,340
Net Income (loss)	-405	-143	-7,747	812
Northern Appalachia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	19,964	29,939	62,125	94,298
DD&A	2,007	2,189	6,049	6,154
Interest expense	195	221	576	620
Net Income (loss)	4,338	6,123	22,749	23,199
Rhino Western [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	9,687	10,621	28,708	30,767
DD&A	1,382	1,217	4,050	3,323
Interest expense	174	201	491	546
Net Income (loss)	-40	1,891	-409	4,750
Complete Basis [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	16,296	'	'
DD&A	'	508	'	'
Interest expense	'	16	'	'
Net Income (loss)	'	3,558	'	'
Complete Basis [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	6,858	'	20,675	49,133
DD&A	498	'	1,455	1,630
Interest expense	'	'	'	155
Net Income (loss)	-1,537	'	-8,039	12,312
Equity Method Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	-16,296	'	'
DD&A	'	-508	'	'
Interest expense	'	-16	'	'
Net Income (loss)	'	-1,743	'	'
Equity Method Eliminations [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-6,858	'	-20,675	-49,133
DD&A	-498	'	-1,455	-1,630
Interest expense	'	'	'	-155
Net Income (loss)	753	'	3,939	-6,106
Equity Method Presentation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (loss)	'	1,815	'	'
Equity Method Presentation [Member] | Eastern Met [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (loss)	-784	'	-4,100	6,206
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	3,513	1,587	7,799	4,783
DD&A	1,004	494	2,662	1,634
Interest expense	670	471	1,824	1,383
Net Income (loss)	($232)	($810)	($1,895)	($4,121)

Segment_Information_Equity_Met

Segment Information (Equity Method Investments, Summarized Financial Information) (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 Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total costs and expenses	$8,395	$12,733	$28,715	$36,676
(Loss)/income from operations	($1,537)	$3,563	($8,040)	$12,457

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Oct. 21, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
									Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'
Cash distribution, date declared	'		'		'		'		21-Oct-13	'
Cash distribution	$0.45	[1]	$0.45	[1]	$1.34	[1]	$1.41	[1]	$0.45	'
Cash distribution, annualized	'		'		'		'		$1.78	'
Cash distribution, date of distribution	'		'		'		'		'	14-Nov-13
Cash distribution, date of record	'		'		'		'		'	1-Nov-13
[1]	No distributions were paid on the subordinated units for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, June 30, 2013 and 2012, and March 31, 2013.