Walter Energy 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registration Name	Walter Energy, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	837173
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$356.80
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		71,980,646
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$468,532	$260,818
Trade receivables, net	91,057	149,116
Other receivables	127,037	132,647
Inventories	201,598	312,647
Deferred income taxes	16,819	37,067
Prepaid expenses	46,190	39,022
Other current assets	19,542	18,031
Total current assets	970,775	949,348
Mineral interests, net	2,836,801	2,905,002
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,466,297	1,637,552
Other long-term assets	112,256	98,958
Total assets	5,386,129	5,590,860
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	12,327	9,210
Accounts payable	38,980	92,712
Accrued expenses	125,318	133,870
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	29,032	37,125
Other current liabilities	215,952	206,984
Total current liabilities	421,609	479,901
Long-term debt	3,123,643	2,769,622
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	641,231	572,768
Deferred income taxes	730,685	822,867
Other long-term liabilities	187,380	193,008
Total liabilities	5,104,548	4,838,166
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: Authorized-20,000,000 shares; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: Authorized-200,000,000 shares; issued-71,978,113 and 62,577,924 shares, respectively	720	626
Capital in excess of par value	1,668,407	1,613,256
Accumulated deficit	-1,169,498	-698,930
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-218,048	-162,258
Total stockholders' equity	281,581	752,694
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,386,129	$5,590,860

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	71,978,113	62,577,924

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Sales									$1,374,422	$1,836,343	$2,381,760
Miscellaneous income									32,923	24,288	18,135
Total revenues	285,563	329,546	378,351	413,885	471,996	455,796	441,496	491,343	1,407,345	1,860,631	2,399,895
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									1,266,757	1,558,305	1,796,991
Depreciation and depletion									262,525	311,514	316,232
Selling, general and administrative									72,015	99,994	133,467
Other postretirement benefits									55,476	58,900	52,852
Restructuring and asset impairments	28,600	-2,400	31,300		1,200		-5,700	7,400	57,508	2,883	49,070
Goodwill impairment									0	0	1,064,409
Total costs and expenses									1,714,281	2,031,596	3,413,021
Operating loss	-105,602	-54,833	-99,439	-47,062	-17,711	-59,081	-30,553	-63,620	-306,936	-170,965	-1,013,126
Interest expense, net									-295,903	-221,583	-132,997
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	32,800	3,400	11,400	-13,900		-900		6,000	33,673	-6,875	-5,555
Other income (loss), net									646	-1,418	-13,081
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-568,520	-400,841	-1,164,759
Income tax expense (benefit)									-97,952	-41,838	-99,204
Loss from continuing operations	-128,097	-98,902	-151,391	-92,178	-174,343	-100,724	-34,492	-49,444	-470,568	-359,003	-1,065,555
Income from discontinued operations									0	0	5,180
Net loss									($470,568)	($359,003)	($1,060,375)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($17.04)
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									$0	$0	$0.08
Net loss (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($16.96)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	($470,568)	($359,003)	($1,060,375)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	-33,819	100,892	-40,501
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on hedges (net of tax: $1,034, $1,458, and $1,985, respectively)	1,679	2,524	-3,416
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-23,650	6,073	1,774
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	0	-897	769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-55,790	108,592	-41,374
Total comprehensive loss	($526,358)	($250,411)	($1,101,749)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, tax	$1,102	$60,013	$23,330
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, net of tax	$1,034	$1,458	$1,985

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)		Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		$2,136,517	$624	$1,620,430	$744,939	($229,476)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss		-1,060,375			-1,060,375
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-41,374				-41,374
Stock issued upon the exercise of stock options		161	1	160
Dividends paid, $0.04, $0.27 and $0.50 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively		-31,246			-31,246
Stock based compensation		7,437		7,437
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		217		217
Other		-766			-766
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012		1,010,571	625	1,628,244	-347,448	-270,850
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss		-359,003			-359,003
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		108,592				108,592
Stock issued upon the exercise of stock options		279	1	278
Dividends paid, $0.04, $0.27 and $0.50 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	[1]	-16,889		-24,703	7,814
Stock based compensation		10,154		10,154
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		-717		-717
Other		-293			-293
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013		752,694	626	1,613,256	-698,930	-162,258
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss		-470,568			-470,568
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-55,790				-55,790
Stock issued upon the exercise of stock options		108		108
Dividends paid, $0.04, $0.27 and $0.50 per share for the year ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively		-2,625		-2,625
Stock based compensation		8,170		8,170
Issuance of common stock in connection with extinguishment of debt		49,895	94	49,801
Other		-303		-303
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014		$281,581	$720	$1,668,407	($1,169,498)	($218,048)
[1]	An adjustment of $7.8 million was made to Capital in Excess of Par Value in the first quarter of 2013 to correct the classification of the dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2012. See NoteB 1 in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$0.04	$0.27	$0.50

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	($470,568)	($359,003)	($1,060,375)
Less income from discontinued operations	0	0	-5,180
Loss from continuing operations	-470,568	-359,003	-1,065,555
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and depletion	262,525	311,514	316,232
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-70,939	16,518	-132,220
Amortization of debt issuance costs	15,418	18,717	17,051
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	0	717	-217
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	-33,673	6,875	5,555
Goodwill impairment	0	0	1,064,409
Asset impairment charges	51,556	0	43,103
Other	18,751	1,151	-59,190
Decrease (increase) in current assets:
Receivables	47,471	-24,918	44,378
Inventories	92,821	3,599	-62,630
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-7,269	13,775	11,702
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:
Accounts payable	-51,229	-4,117	34,594
Accrued interest	13,106	11,130	8,633
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-7,674	-23,034	104,062
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-139,704	-27,076	329,907
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-92,999	-153,896	-391,512
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	30,112	0	0
Proceeds from sales of investments	0	1,559	13,239
Other	488	1,824	898
Cash flows used in investing activities	-62,399	-150,513	-377,375
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	869,800	897,412	496,510
Repayments on revolving credit agreement	0	0	-8,803
Retirements of debt	-427,165	-515,195	-392,851
Dividends paid	-2,625	-16,889	-31,246
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	0	-717	217
Proceeds from stock options exercised	108	279	161
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants	0	0	-11,535
Debt issuance costs	-27,748	-41,588	-24,532
Other	-303	-293	-766
Cash flows provided by financing activities	412,067	323,009	27,155
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations	209,964	145,420	-20,313
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities	0	0	9,500
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	-2,250	-1,203	-1,016
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	207,714	144,217	-11,829
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	260,818	116,601	128,430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	468,532	260,818	116,601
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	252,124	191,388	95,642
Income taxes (refund) paid, net	($14,288)	($1,380)	$12,433

Business_and_Basis_of_Presenta

Business and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business and Basis of Presentation	Business and Basis of Presentation
	Walter Energy, Inc. ("Walter"), together with its consolidated subsidiaries ("the Company"), is a leading producer and exporter of metallurgical coal for the global steel industry from underground and surface mines with mineral reserves located in the United States (U.S.), Canada and the United Kingdom (U.K.). The Company also extracts, processes, markets and/or possesses mineral reserves for thermal coal and anthracite coal, as well as produces metallurgical coke and coal bed methane gas.
	The Company reports all of its operations located in the U.S. in the U.S. Operations segment and its mining operations located in Northeast British Columbia (Canada) and South Wales (United Kingdom) in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment. The Other segment primarily consists of unallocated Corporate activities and expenditures. See Note 20 for segment information.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. Preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The notes to consolidated financial statements, except where otherwise indicated, relate to continuing operations only. The 2013 consolidated balance sheet has been reclassified to present current and long-term pension benefit obligations, previously classified in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities, respectively, as a component of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. In addition, trade receivables, net and other current receivables, which were previously combined and classified as receivables, net, in 2013, have been reclassified to present these components as separate balance sheet line items.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company corrected its classification of accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs that it recognized upon the extinguishment or partial extinguishment of debt to present these amounts as a component of the gain (loss) recognized upon the extinguishment of debt as one line item in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Section 470-50. Components of the gain (loss) on the extinguishment of debt were previously recognized within interest expense and other income (loss) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has concluded that this revision is not material to previously issued financial statements, as the net effect of these revisions did not impact operating loss, net loss, stockholders' equity or cash flows. Previously reported interest expense and other income (loss) have decreased by the same amount to correct the classification and interest income and interest expense have been netted in the current presentation. The following reflects the revisions for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Interest expense, prior to revision	$	(233,854	)	$	(139,356	)
	Interest income	1,103			804
	Revision of loss on extinguishment of debt	11,168			5,555
	Interest expense, net revised	$	(221,583	)	$	(132,997	)
		2013			2012
	Other income (loss), net, prior to revision	$	2,875		$	(13,081	)
	Revision of gain on extinguishment of debt	(4,293		)	—
	Other loss, net revised	$	(1,418	)	$	(13,081	)
	During the second quarter of 2013, the Company identified an immaterial cumulative error related to the mineral interest value acquired in the acquisition of Western Coal Corp. The related correction resulted in an $8.4 million reduction to depreciation and depletion expense in the quarter. Prior period balances were not restated as management determined that the effect was not material.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the $7.8 million cash dividend declared and paid in the fourth quarter of 2012 should have been reported as a reduction to the capital in excess of par value component of stockholders' equity rather than retained earnings as the Company was in an accumulated deficit position. This amount has been reclassified from accumulated deficit to capital in excess of par value. Management has determined that the effect of this classification change was immaterial to the prior reporting period affected as the change had no effect on total stockholders' equity.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company began to classify certain administrative costs as cost of sales as opposed to selling, general and administrative costs as it determined that these costs are directly supportive of operations. If this classification of these costs had been retrospectively applied, selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 would have been reduced by $24.5 million and cost of sales would have been increased by a similar amount. Prior period balances were not restated as management determined that the effect of this classification change was immaterial to prior reporting periods. The change in classification had no effect on net income.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the applicable reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers
	The Company's principal line of business is mining and marketing metallurgical coal to foreign steel and coke producers. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 76%, 83% and 78%, respectively, of the Company's sales revenues were derived from coal shipments to these customers, located primarily in Europe, South America and Asia. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 70%, 84% and 87%, respectively, of the Company's net trade receivables related to these customers. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2013, ArcelorMittal accounted for $233.5 million, or 12.6%, of consolidated revenues. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition. In some instances, the Company requires letters of credit, cash collateral or prepayment for shipment from its customers to mitigate the risk of loss. These efforts have consistently led to minimal credit losses.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; delivery has occurred; and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. For coal shipments via rail, delivery generally occurs when the railcar is loaded. For coal shipments via ocean vessel, delivery generally occurs when the vessel is loaded. For coke shipments via rail or truck, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, generally at the point of shipment. For natural gas sales, delivery occurs when the gas has been transferred to the pipeline.
	Shipping and Handling
	Costs incurred to get products to point of sale are included in cost of sales and amounts billed to customers, if any, to cover shipping and handling are included in sales.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include short-term deposits and highly liquid investments that have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
	Allowances for Losses
	Allowances for losses on trade accounts receivables are based, in large part, upon judgments and estimates of expected losses and specific identification of problem trade accounts receivables. Significantly weaker than anticipated industry or economic conditions could impact customers' ability to pay such that actual losses may be greater than the amounts provided for in these allowances. The allowance for losses was $1.4 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized lower of cost or market charges of $74.6 million, $126.1 million, and $218.8 million, respectively, which are included within cost of sales exclusive of depreciation and depletion in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognized lower of cost or market charges of $55.4 million, $36.5 million and $17.4 million within depreciation and depletion in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company's coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, freight, royalties, depreciation and depletion and other related costs. As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's coal inventories are determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") inventory valuation method. The valuation of coal inventories are subject to estimates due to possible gains and losses resulting from inventory movements from the mine site to storage facilities, inherent inaccuracies in belt scales and aerial surveys used to measure quantities and fluctuations in moisture content. Periodic adjustments to coal tonnages on hand are made for an estimate of coal shortages and overages due to these inherent gains and losses, primarily based on historical results from the results of aerial surveys and periodic coal pile clean-ups. The Company's supplies inventories are determined using the average cost method of accounting. Additionally, the Company evaluates its inventory in terms of excess and obsolete exposures. This evaluation includes such factors as anticipated usage, inventory turnover, inventory levels and ultimate market value.
	Owned and Leased Mineral Interests
	Costs to obtain coal reserves and lease mineral rights are capitalized based on the fair value at acquisition and depleted using the unit-of-production method over the life of proven and probable reserves. Lease agreements are generally long-term in nature (original terms range from 10 to 50 years) and substantially all of the leases contain provisions that allow for automatic extension of the lease term providing certain requirements are met. Depletion expense is included in depreciation and depletion in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and was $34.7 million, $61.4 million and $99.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded principally on the straight-line or units of production methods, whichever is deemed most appropriate over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term. Estimated useful lives used in computing depreciation expense range from three to ten years for machinery and equipment, and from fifteen to thirty years for land improvements and buildings, well life for gas properties and related development, and mine life for mine development costs. Gains and losses upon disposition are reflected in the statement of operations in the period of disposition. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred.
	Direct internal and external costs to implement computer systems and software are capitalized and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the system or software, generally three to five years, beginning when site installations or module development is complete and ready for its intended use.
	Deferred Mine Development
	Costs of developing new underground mines and certain underground expansion projects are capitalized. Underground development costs, which are costs incurred to make the coal physically accessible, may include construction permits and licenses, mine design, construction of access roads, main entries, airshafts, roof protection and other facilities. Costs of developing the first pit within a permitted area of a surface mine are capitalized up to the point of coal production attaining a level that would be more than de minimis. A surface mine is defined as the permitted mining area which includes various adjacent pits that share common infrastructure, processing equipment and a common coal reserve. Surface mine development costs include construction costs for entry roads, drilling, blasting and removal of overburden to access the first coal seam. Mine development costs are amortized primarily on a unit-of-production basis over the estimated reserve tons directly benefiting from the capital expenditures. Costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are capitalized into inventory and expensed to cost of sales as the coal is sold.
	Capitalized Interest Costs
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized interest costs in the amounts of $0.5 million, $1.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company has certain asset retirement obligations, primarily related to reclamation efforts for its mining operations. These obligations are recognized at fair value in the period incurred and the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is correspondingly increased. Over time, the liability is accreted to its future value. The corresponding asset is amortized over the useful life of the asset. The present values of the Company's asset retirement obligations were $112.3 million and $116.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Natural Gas Exploration Activities
	The Company accounts for its natural gas exploration activities under the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells found commercially sufficient quantities of proved reserves. If a commercially sufficient quantity of proved reserves is not discovered, any associated previously capitalized exploratory costs associated with the drilling area are expensed. Costs of producing properties and natural gas mineral interests are amortized using the unit-of-production method. Costs incurred to develop proved reserves, including the cost of all development wells and related equipment used in the production of natural gas, are capitalized and amortized using the unit-of-production method. Unit-of-production amortization rates are revised when events and circumstances indicate an adjustment is necessary, but at least once a year, and such revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.
	Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
	The Company classifies assets and liabilities (disposal groups) to be sold, which do not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, as held for sale that in the period in which all of the following criteria are met: management having the authority to approve the action commits to a plan to sell; the disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such disposal groups; an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the disposal group have been initiated; the sale of the disposal group is probable, and transfer of the disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond the Company's control extend the period of time required to sell the disposal group beyond one year; the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
	The Company initially measures a disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a disposal group until the date of sale. The Company assesses the fair value of a disposal group less any costs to sell each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and reports any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.
	Upon determining that a disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company reports the assets and liabilities of the disposal group, if material, in the line items assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	See Note 4 for additional discussion on assets and liabilities held for sale.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment. When impairment indicators exist, the Company uses an estimate of the future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or asset group over the remaining life in measuring whether or not the asset values are recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset groups exceeds its estimated future cash flows, impairment is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset groups. Fair value is generally determined using market quotes, if available, or a discounted cash flow approach. The Company's estimate of future undiscounted cash flows are based on assumptions including long-term metallurgical coal pricing forecasts, anticipated production volumes and mine operating costs for the life of mine or estimated useful life of the asset. Due to market volatility associated with the global coal supply and demand as well as actual mine operating conditions experienced in the years being forecasted, it is possible that the estimate of undiscounted cash flows may change in the near term resulting in a potential need to write down the related assets to fair value, in particular the assets associated with acquired coal reserves.
	With the exception of impairments recorded for the sale of the Blue Creek Coal Terminal and the classification of the Gauley Eagle operations as assets and liabilities held for sale, no long-lived asset impairments resulted from the 2014 review. However, as mentioned above, global metallurgical coal pricing is volatile. In light of this volatility, the Company performed a sensitivity analysis and noted that a sustained price decrease of 5% over and above the prices used in the analysis through the life of all its mines would result in a potential impairment of coal reserves related to the Wolverine, Brule, Willow Creek and Aberpergwm mines within the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment. The Company recognized asset impairment charges of approximately $51.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 due to the sale of the Blue Creek Coal Terminal and associated properties and the classification of the Gauley Eagle operations as assets held for sale.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of approximately $8.0 million related to the earlier than initially anticipated closure of the Alabama North River Mine.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized impairment charges relating to a natural gas exploration project in the U.S. Operations segment and asset impairment charges related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment at the Aberpergwm mine in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment as carrying values of certain asset groups exceeded their fair value. See Note 4 for additional discussion on asset impairment matters.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but instead is tested for impairment at a minimum annually unless circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. The Company performs its annual goodwill testing as of the beginning of the fourth quarter at the reporting unit level. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a market approach, an income approach or a combination of each. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in determining fair value of the reporting unit including markets, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, capital spending, working capital changes and the discount rate. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company performed a goodwill impairment test and a goodwill impairment charge of $1.1 billion was recorded. There was no goodwill impairment charge in either 2014 or 2013.
	See Note 3 for additional discussion on goodwill impairment matters.
	Benefit Plans
	The Company has various defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. salaried employees and eligible hourly employees. The plans provide benefits based on years of service and compensation or at stated amounts for each year of service. The Company also provides certain postretirement benefits other than pensions, primarily healthcare, to eligible retirees. The cost of providing these benefits is determined on an actuarial basis and accrued over the employee's period of active service.
	The Company is required to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of these plans as determined on an actuarial basis as an asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company is also required to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the Company's fiscal year-end balance sheet and provide the required disclosures as of the end of each fiscal year.
	See Note 14 for additional discussion of employee benefit plans.
	Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis ("Black Lung") Benefits
	The Company is insured for workers' compensation benefits for work related injuries that occur within its U.S. operations. The Company retains the first $1 million to $2 million per accident for all U.S. subsidiaries and is fully insured above the deductible for statutory limits, with the exception of Jim Walter Resources located in Alabama, where the Company retains any amount in excess of $15 million per accident. Workers' compensation liabilities, including those related to claims incurred but not reported, are recorded principally using annual valuations based on discounted future expected payments and using historical data of the operating subsidiary or combined insurance industry data when historical data is limited. Workers' compensation liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Undiscounted aggregated estimated claims to be paid	$	50,417	$	46,119
	Workers' compensation liability recorded on a discounted basis	$	43,643	$	40,238
	The Company applies a discount rate at a risk-free interest rate, generally a U.S. Treasury bill rate, for each policy year. The rate used is one with a duration that corresponds to the weighted average expected payout period for each policy year. Once a discount rate is applied to a policy year, it remains the discount rate for that year until all claims are paid. The weighted average rate used for discounting the 2014 policy year liability at December 31, 2014 was 1.60%. A one-percentage-point increase in the discount rate on the discounted claims liability would decrease the liability by $0.3 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease in the discount rate would increase the liability by $0.3 million.
	The Company is responsible for medical and disability benefits for black lung disease under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, and is self-insured for certain amounts of black lung related claims. The Company performs an annual evaluation of the overall black lung liabilities at the December 31st balance sheet date. The calculation is performed using assumptions regarding rates of successful claims, discount factors, benefit increases and mortality rates, among others. The present value of the obligation recorded by the Company using a discount factor of 4.34% for 2014 and 5.28% for 2013 was $21.8 million and $17.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. A one-percentage-point increase in the discount rate on the discounted claims liability would decrease the liability by $3.3 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease in the discount rate would increase the liability by $4.3 million.
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company enters into interest rate hedge agreements in accordance with the Company's internal debt and interest rate risk management policy, which is designed to mitigate risks related to floating rate financing agreements that are subject to changes in the market rate of interest. Changes in the fair value of interest rate hedge agreements that are designated and effective as hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI to the statement of operations in the same period as the underlying transactions are recorded and are recognized in the caption, interest expense. Changes in the fair value of interest rate hedge agreements that are not effective as hedges would be recorded immediately in the statement of operations as interest expense.
	To protect against the reduction in the value of forecasted cash flows resulting from sales of natural gas, the Company periodically engages in a natural gas hedging program. The Company periodically hedges portions of its forecasted revenues from sales of natural gas with natural gas derivative contracts, generally either "swaps" or "collars". The Company enters into natural gas derivatives that effectively convert a portion of its forecasted sales at floating-rate natural gas prices to a fixed-rate basis, thus reducing the impact of natural gas price changes on revenues. When natural gas prices fall, the decline in value of future natural gas sales is offset by gains in the value of swap contracts designated as hedges. Conversely, when natural gas prices rise, the increase in the value of future cash flows from natural gas sales is offset by losses in the value of the swap contracts. Changes in the fair value of natural gas derivative agreements that are designated and effective as hedges are recorded in OCI. Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI and recognized as miscellaneous income in the statement of operations in the same period as the underlying transactions are recognized. Changes in the fair value of natural gas hedge agreements that are not effective as hedges or are not designated as hedges would be recorded immediately in the statement of operations as miscellaneous income.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company did not hold any non-derivative instruments designated as hedges or any derivatives designated as fair value hedges. In addition, the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Derivative contracts are entered into only with counterparties that management considers creditworthy. Cash flows from hedging activities are reported in the statement of cash flows in the same classification as the hedged item, generally as a component of cash flows from operations.
	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company's Canadian operations is the U.S. dollar, while the U.K. operation's functional currency is the British Pound. The Company's Canadian operations' monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at period end exchange rates while non-monetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for those expenses related to balance sheet amounts that are remeasured at historical exchange rates. The Company's U.K. operations' assets and liabilities are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and revenues and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. For the Company's Canadian operations, gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement related to tax balances are included as a component of income tax expense while all other remeasurement gains and losses are included in miscellaneous income (expense). For the Company's U.K. operations, foreign currency translation adjustments are reported in OCI. The foreign currency remeasurement gain recognized in miscellaneous income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $5.8 million compared to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company periodically grants stock-based awards to employees and its Board of Directors and records the related compensation expense during the period of vesting. This compensation expense results in a corresponding credit to capital in excess of par value and the expense is generally recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses and cost of sales, as appropriate, utilizing the graded vesting method for stock options and the straight-line method for restricted stock units. The Company uses the Black- Scholes option pricing model to value stock option grants and estimates forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. The Company uses the Monte Carlo simulation to value its performance share units in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. See Note 6 for additional disclosures on stock-based compensation and equity awards.
	Environmental Expenditures
	The Company capitalizes environmental expenditures that increase the life or efficiency of property or that reduce or prevent environmental contamination. The Company accrues for environmental expenses resulting from existing conditions that relate to past operations when the costs are probable and reasonably estimable. See Note 16 for additional disclosures of environmental matters.
Deferred Financing Costs
The costs to obtain new debt financing or amend existing financing agreements are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related indebtedness or credit facility using the effective interest method. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs was $54.8 million and $62.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts classified as current were $10.3 million and $14.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Current amounts are included in other current assets and non-current amounts are included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income (Loss) per Share
The Company calculates basic income (loss) per share based on the weighted average common shares outstanding during each period and diluted income (loss) per share based on weighted average common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during each period. Dilutive common equivalent shares include the dilutive effect of stock awards. See Note 15 for additional disclosures on income (loss) per share.
Income Taxes
The Company records a tax provision for the expected tax effects of the reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax impact of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
When the Company concludes that all or part of the net deferred income tax assets are not realizable in the future, the Company makes an adjustment to the valuation allowance that is charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.
See Note 10 for additional disclosures on the accounting for income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014‑08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014‑08 improves the definition of discontinued operations by limiting the discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in ASU 2014‑08 are effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has early adopted this standard and is in compliance.

Goodwill_Impairment

Goodwill Impairment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill Impairment	Goodwill Impairment
	During 2012, domestic and international metallurgical coal markets deteriorated as a result of slowing economic activity in Europe and Asia, an oversupply of coal due to the settlement of labor unrest issues in Australia and a decline in the production of steel. The changes to the market outlook resulted in the Company reviewing its operating strategy and related capital investment projects during the third quarter of 2012. Based on this review, the Company decided to reduce capital spending and to curtail mining operations at certain mines in its Canadian and U.K. Operations segment.
	The changes to the market outlook combined with planned reductions in capital spending, plans to curtail mining operations at certain mines in the Company's Canadian and U.K. Operations segment, and a significant decrease in the Company's common stock price indicated that the fair value of the Company's goodwill could be less than its carrying value. Accordingly, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $74.3 million to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to its implied fair value for two reporting units in the U.S. Operations segment and $990.1 million for two reporting units in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment.
	The market approach was utilized to estimate the fair value of three of the Company's four reporting units and the income approach was used for one reporting unit where there were no market comparable data available. The market approach is based on a guideline public company methodology. Under the guideline public company method, certain operating metrics from a selected group of publicly traded guideline companies that have operations similar to the Company's reporting units were used to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow methodology in which expected future net cash flows are discounted to present value, using an appropriate after-tax weighted average cost of capital. The valuation methodology utilized to allocate the estimated fair value of the reporting units to the underlying assets and liabilities contained within the individual reporting units for the goodwill impairment test was primarily based on an income approach. The income approach uses future discounted cash flow estimates in which future net cash flows projected to result from such assets were discounted to present value using an appropriate after-tax weighted average cost of capital.

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair

Restructuring and Asset Impairments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Restructuring and Asset Impairment	Restructuring and Asset Impairments
	On August 25, 2014, the Company completed the sale of the Blue Creek Coal Terminal and associated properties (collectively "BCCT") located in Mobile, Alabama, to the Alabama State Port Authority for $25.0 million. Additionally, the parties amended and extended the existing coal handling agreement. The BCCT assets were part of the U.S. Operations segment. The Company recognized an impairment charge of approximately $23.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 in anticipation of the sale. This charge is included in restructuring and asset impairments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The carrying value of the BCCT assets as of December 31, 2013 was $47.5 million and was included in property, plant and equipment, net, within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company idled the Canadian Operations, which included the Wolverine, Brule and Willow Creek mines in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment. The Wolverine Mine was placed on idle status in April 2014 and the Brazion operations (which include the operations of Brule and Willow Creek) were placed on idle status in June 2014. In connection with this idling, the Company recognized restructuring charges of $4.7 million in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company also recognized restructuring charges of approximately $0.7 million in the U.S. Operations segment and $0.5 million in the Other segment for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	In 2013, the Company recognized a gain of $17.0 million due to the release of a below market contract liability that was obtained through the acquisition of North River which was partially offset by asset impairment charges of approximately $9.3 million related to the accelerated closure of the North River Mine. The Company also incurred $10.7 million of costs related to the curtailment of the Willow Creek Mine.
	In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company curtailed operations at its Aberpergwm underground coal mine in the U.K. and recognized restructuring and asset impairment charges of $9.1 million in the Canadian and U.K. Operations segment, of which $6.0 million related to severance and other obligations and $3.1 million related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment as the carrying values of certain assets exceeded their fair value. The Company also recorded a pre-tax charge of $40 million ($25 million after-tax) within the U.S. Operations segment in the third quarter of 2012 to write off capitalized exploratory costs associated with a natural gas exploration project that had not proved capable of providing commercially sufficient quantities of proven reserves to be economical.
	All of these charges are presented as restructuring and asset impairments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company committed to a plan to sell the assets of the idled Gauley Eagle operations within our U.S. Operations segment located in West Virginia. The planned sale of the Gauley Eagle operations does not represent a strategic shift in the operations of the Company and does not and will not have a significant effect on the Company's operations or financial results. The Company expects to dispose of these assets within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has determined that these operations met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Gauley Eagle operations assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
	Mineral interests, net	$	1,654
	Property, plant and equipment, net	1,527
	Advance mining royalties	3,368
	Other current assets	$	6,549
	Asset retirement obligations	$	4,049
	Other current liabilities	$	4,049
	The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Gauley Eagle operations assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Mineral interests, net	$	16,464
	Property, plant and equipment, net	20,233
	Advance mining royalties (1)	2,863
		$	39,560
	Asset retirement obligations (1)	$	7,365
		$	7,365
	_____________________________
	(1) Advance mining royalties and asset retirement obligations are reported within other long-term assets and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.
	Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are required to be recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value was determined based upon the anticipated sales price of the Gauley Eagle operations and is categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $28.5 million. The charge is included in restructuring and asset impairments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	Closure of Kodiak Mining Co.    In 2012, the Company divested the Kodiak Mining Company, LLC, assets and liabilities for $9.5 million cash. This mine was closed in 2008 and the sale resulted in a gain of $8.2 million ($5.2 million after-tax). The Company has reported the results of operations and cash flows of Kodiak as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Equity_Award_Plans

Equity Award Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Award Plans	Equity Award Plans
	The stockholders of the Company approved the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Award Plan (as amended, the "2014 Plan") and 2002 Long-Term Incentive Award Plan (as amended, the "2002 Plan"). An aggregate of 4.3 million shares of the Company's common stock have been reserved for grant and issuance of incentive and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and stock awards respectively for the 2014 Plan. No new awards are to be granted under the 2002 Plan.
	Under the 2014 Plan and the 2002 Plan, an option becomes exercisable at such times and in such installments as set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (generally, vesting occurs over three years in equal annual increments), but no option will be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date on which it is granted. The Company may also grant restricted stock unit awards. The Company has granted restricted stock unit awards which generally fully vest and settle in shares of common stock after three years of continuous employment or over three years in equal annual increments.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for its continuing operations related to equity awards totaling approximately $8.0 million, $10.1 million, and $7.3 million, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and have been allocated to the reportable segments. There was no income tax benefit recognized during 2014 for share-based compensation as management concluded that such tax benefits might not be realized. The total income tax benefits for share-based compensation arrangements recognized in the statements of operations were $3.8 million and $2.7 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	A summary of activity related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014 is presented below:
		Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000) (1)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	749,616		$	40.88
	Granted	629,963		$	10.45
	Exercised	(18,300	)	$	5.89
	Forfeited or expired	(105,538	)	$	21.64
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,255,741		$	27.75		7.03	$	—
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	517,384		$	44.92		4.3	$	—
	_____________________________
	(1) The market price of all outstanding and exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2014 was less than the exercise price resulting in no intrinsic value.
	The weighted-average grant-date fair values of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $5.57, $15.83 and $36.97, respectively. The total amount of cash received from exercise of stock options during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.1 million, $0.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine the grant-date fair value of options granted were:
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Risk free interest rate	1.53	%	1.13	%	0.85	%
	Dividend yield	0.25	%	1.1	%	0.55	%
	Expected life (years)	5.02		4.98		4.95
	Volatility	63.62	%	73.54	%	75.79	%
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant with a term equal to the expected life. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company's estimated annual dividend payout at grant date. The expected term of the options represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company's share price for the expected term of the options.
	A summary of activity related to restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	209,511		$	63.67
	Granted	597,434		$	9.82
	Vested	(115,115	)	$	83.33
	Forfeited or expired	(68,145	)	$	15.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	623,685		$	13.73
	The weighted-average grant-date fair values of restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $9.82, $34.03 and $63.17, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $9.6 million, $3.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
	Performance-Based Share Units
	During 2014, the Board of Directors approved the grant of 168,029 performance-based share units. The performance-based share units are awarded to executive officers and key employees and generally cliff vest after two or three years (with accelerated vesting upon a change of control). Performance-based share units granted represent the number of shares of common stock to be issued based on the achievement of targeted performance levels related to total shareholder return goals over a two or three year period and may range from 0% to 200% of the targeted amount. The grant date fair value of the awards is based upon a Monte Carlo simulation and is amortized over the performance period. Upon vesting of performance-based share units, the Company issues authorized and unissued shares of the Company's common stock to the recipient.
	A summary of activity related to performance-based share units during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	53,874		$	52.38
	Granted	168,029		$	12.13
	Vested	—		$	—
	Forfeited or canceled	(18,063	)	$	20.55
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	203,840		$	22.02
	Unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock units granted were approximately $2.2 million as of December 31, 2014. These costs are to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years. Unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options granted were approximately $1.4 million and are to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Unrecognized compensation costs related to performance-based share units compensation arrangements granted were approximately $1.1 million and are to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	All full-time employees of the Company who have attained the age of majority in the country in which they reside are eligible to participate in the employee stock purchase plan, which was adopted in January 1996 and amended in April 2004. The Company contributes a sum equal to 15% (20% after five years of continuous participation) of each participant's actual payroll deduction as authorized, and remits such funds to a designated brokerage firm that purchases shares of the Company's common stock for the accounts of the participants, in the open market. The total number of shares that may be purchased under the plan is 3.5 million. Shares purchased under the plan during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately 794,680, 217,900 and 86,200, respectively, and the Company's contributions recognized as expense were approximately $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for such years. Effective February 1, 2015, participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was suspended.

Receivables

Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Receivables
	Trade receivables are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Trade receivables	$	92,418		$	150,394
	Less: Allowance for losses	(1,361		)	(1,278		)
	Trade receivables, net	$	91,057		$	149,116
	Other receivables are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Tax receivables	$	123,826		$	127,130
	Miscellaneous receivables	3,211			5,517
	Other receivables	$	127,037		$	132,647

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Coal	$	136,335	$	238,820
	Raw materials, supplies and other	65,263		73,827
	Total inventories	$	201,598	$	312,647

Mineral_Interests_and_Property

Mineral Interests and Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Mineral Interests and Property, Plant and Equipment	Mineral Interests and Property, Plant and Equipment
	Mineral interests totaled $3,083.5 million and $3,146.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related accumulated depletion totaled $246.7 million and $241.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	38,624		$	79,733
	Land improvements	29,739			43,107
	Building and leasehold improvements	417,352			420,142
	Mine development costs	262,641			255,680
	Machinery and equipment	1,613,033			1,569,318
	Gas properties and related development	190,233			188,527
	Construction in progress	53,774			61,933
	Total	2,605,396			2,618,440
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,139,099		)	(980,888		)
	Net	$	1,466,297		$	1,637,552

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense (benefit) applicable to continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014									2013									2012
		Current			Deferred			Total			Current			Deferred			Total			Current			Deferred			Total
	Federal	$	(24,660	)	$	24,221		$	(439	)	$	(54,312	)	$	103,851		$	49,539		$	49,236		$	(45,330	)	$	3,906
	State	160			94			254			(3,906		)	15,040			11,134			3,860			(1,747		)	2,113
	Foreign	(2,513		)	(95,254		)	(97,767		)	(138		)	(102,373		)	(102,511		)	(20,080		)	(85,143		)	(105,223		)
	Total	$	(27,013	)	$	(70,939	)	$	(97,952	)	$	(58,356	)	$	16,518		$	(41,838	)	$	33,016		$	(132,220	)	$	(99,204	)
	The foreign benefit for income taxes is based on foreign pre-tax losses of $189.5 million in 2014 as compared with foreign pretax losses of $222.3 million and $1.2 billion in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
	As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities were (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating losses and credit carryforwards	$	403,572		$	278,016
	Accrued expenses	23,414			19,033
	Contingent interest	46,089			42,763
	Other postretirement benefits	222,297			223,346
	Pension obligations	26,893			2,925
	Other	14,275			1,377
	Total	736,540			567,460
	Less: valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	(333,650		)	(166,265		)
	Net deferred income tax assets	402,890			401,195
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Prepaid expenses	(18,514		)	(13,494		)
	British Columbia mineral tax	(159,360		)	(184,680		)
	Property, plant and equipment	(938,882		)	(990,580		)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,116,756		)	(1,188,754		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(713,866	)	$	(787,559	)
	Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
	Current deferred income tax asset	$	16,819		$	37,067
	Other current liabilities	—			(1,759		)
	Noncurrent deferred income tax liability	(730,685		)	(822,867		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(713,866	)	$	(787,559	)
	As of each reporting date, the Company's management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management's view with regard to future realization of deferred income tax assets. As of December 31, 2014, management determined that sufficient negative evidence exists to conclude that deferred income tax assets of $333.7 million will more than likely not be realized. In recognition of this risk, the Company increased the valuation allowances by $167.4 million. The tax benefits related to any future reversals of the valuation allowances on deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2014 will be accounted for as a reduction to income tax expense.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company's U.S. net operating losses ("NOLs") consisted of $332.6 million of federal NOLs and $633.7 million of state NOLs available as offsets to future years' taxable income. The NOLs primarily expire between 2026 and 2034. The Company has alternative minimum tax credits of $37.3 million and general business credits of $6.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The general business credits are subject to expiration between 2026 and 2034. The alternative minimum tax credits may be carried forward indefinitely. In the Company's evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance on the U.S. deferred income tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred income tax liabilities, carryback of future period losses to prior periods, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial performance. Based on the Company's review of all positive and negative evidence, including a three year U.S. cumulative pre-tax loss, it was concluded that a valuation allowance should remain against those deferred income tax assets that are not expected to be realized through future sources of taxable income generated from carrybacks of future period losses, scheduled reversals of deferred income tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. As a result, a valuation allowance was recorded to reflect the portion of the U.S. federal and state deferred income tax assets that are not likely to be realized based upon all available evidence. If the Company later determines that the Company will more likely than not realize all, or a portion, of the U.S. deferred income tax assets, the Company will reverse the valuation allowance in a future period. All future reversals of the valuation allowance would result in a tax benefit in the period recognized.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company's foreign subsidiaries had $889.3 million of ordinary non-U.S. NOLs and $1.3 million of non-U.S. capital losses available for carryforward. Canadian ordinary NOLs of $747.6 million will expire between 2031 and 2034, while Canadian capital losses of $1.3 million have an indefinite carryforward period. U.K. ordinary NOLs of $141.7 million have an indefinite carryforward period. The Company believes the Canadian and U.K Operations will have sufficient future sources of taxable income from the reversal of taxable temporary differences to utilize the non-capital and capital losses prior to expiration. The Company has $106.4 million of Canadian unrealized losses for which the Company has a full valuation allowance recorded. Additionally, the Company has established a full valuation allowance against $13.5 million of future British Columbia mineral tax deductions that are not expected to provide future tax benefits.
	The income tax expense (benefit) at the Company's effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% as follows (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	(568,520	)	$	(400,841	)	$	(1,164,759	)
	Tax benefit at statutory tax rate of 35%	(198,982		)	(140,294		)	(407,665		)
	Effect of:
	Excess depletion benefit	(8,667		)	(17,524		)	(26,107		)
	Taxation of foreign operations	(7,894		)	(5,663		)	(11,945		)
	British Columbia mineral tax foreign currency effect	(15,727		)	(26,778		)	3,643
	British Columbia mineral tax	(10,845		)	(14,697		)	(22,365		)
	Goodwill impairment	—			—			372,543
	State and local income tax, net of federal effect	(12,840		)	(6,947		)	2,470
	U.S. domestic production activities benefit	—			—			(2,950		)
	Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	158,305			145,322			19,189
	Impact of statutory tax rate changes	89			14,660			(3,772		)
	Credits and other incentives	(2,704		)	(659		)	(2,301		)
	Impact of West Virginia legal entity restructuring	—			10,084			—
	Other	1,313			658			(19,944		)
	Tax benefit recognized	$	(97,952	)	$	(41,838	)	$	(99,204	)
	There was no income tax benefit recognized during 2014 for share-based compensation due to a full valuation allowance recognized on the related deferred income tax assets. Income tax expense attributable to equity-based compensation transactions that were allocated to stockholders' equity were $0.7 million in 2013 as compared to a net excess tax benefit of $0.8 million in 2012.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and in various state, provincial and local jurisdictions which are routinely examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. The statute of limitations related to the U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns is closed for years prior to August 31, 1983 and for the years ended May 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999. The impact of any U.S. federal changes for these years on state income taxes remains subject to examination for a period up to five years after formal notification to the states. The Company generally remains subject to income tax in various states for prior periods ranging from three to eleven years depending on jurisdiction. In the Company's major non-U.S. jurisdictions, tax years are typically subject to examination for three to six years.
	On December 27, 1989, the Company and most of its U.S. subsidiaries each filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Proceedings") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The Company emerged from bankruptcy on March 17, 1995 (the "Effective Date") pursuant to the Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization dated as of December 9, 1994, as modified on March 1, 1995 (as so modified the "Consensual Plan"). Despite the confirmation and effectiveness of the Consensual Plan, the Bankruptcy Court continues to have jurisdiction over, among other things, the resolution of disputed prepetition claims against the Company and other matters that may arise in connection with or related to the Consensual Plan, including claims related to federal income taxes.
	In connection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Proceedings, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") filed a proof of claim in the Bankruptcy Court (the "Proof of Claim") for a substantial amount of taxes, interest and penalties with respect to fiscal years ended August 31, 1983 through May 31, 1994. The Company filed an adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court disputing the Proof of Claim (the "Adversary Proceeding") and the various issues have been litigated in the Bankruptcy Court. An opinion was issued by the Bankruptcy Court in June 2010 with respect to two of the disputed issues. The Bankruptcy Court instructed both parties to submit a final order addressing all issues that have been litigated for the tax years 1983 through 1995 in the Adversary Proceeding by late August 2010. At the request of both parties, the Bankruptcy Court granted an extension of time of 90 days from the initial submission date to submit the final order. Additional extensions of time to submit the proposed final order were granted in November 2010, February 2011, May 2011, September 2011, January 2013, May 2013 and December 2013. At the request of the IRS, in December 2013 the Bankruptcy Court granted an additional extension of time to submit the final order. As of December 31, 2014, both parties are still reviewing the litigation issues in order to submit the final order.
	The amounts initially asserted by the Proof of Claim do not reflect the subsequent resolution of various issues through settlements or concessions by the parties. The Company believes that any financial exposure with respect to those issues that have not been resolved or settled in the Proof of Claim is limited to interest and possible penalties and the amount of tax assessed has been offset by tax reductions in future years. All of the issues in the Proof of Claim, which have not been settled or conceded, have been litigated before the Bankruptcy Court and are subject to appeal but only at the conclusion of the entire Adversary Proceeding.
	The IRS completed its audits of the Company's federal income tax returns for the years ended May 31, 2000 through December 31, 2008. The IRS issued 30-Day Letters to the Company in June 2010 and July 2012, proposing changes to tax for these tax years. The Company believes its tax filing positions have substantial merit and filed a formal protest with the IRS within the prescribed 30-day time limit for those issues which have not been previously settled or conceded. The IRS filed a rebuttal to the Company's formal protest and the case was assigned to the Appeals Division of the IRS. The Appeals Division convened a hearing on March 8, 2011 and heard arguments from both parties as to issues not settled or conceded for the 2000 through 2008 audit periods. In September 2014, the IRS Appeals Office returned these tax periods to IRS Examination Division to be placed into suspense pending the resolution of the tax periods that are in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The disputed issues in these audit periods are similar to the issues remaining in the Proof of Claim.
	The IRS is conducting an audit of the Company's income tax returns filed for the 2009 through 2012 tax years. Since the examination is ongoing, any resulting tax deficiency or overpayment cannot be estimated at this time. During 2014, the statute of limitations for assessing additional income tax deficiencies will expire for certain tax years in several state tax jurisdictions. The expiration of the statute of limitations for these years is expected to have an immaterial impact on the total uncertain income tax positions and net income.
It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months. The Company anticipates a final order will be issued by the Bankruptcy Court in the near future settling the issues in the Proof of Claim. A final order by the Bankruptcy Court would permit a resolution of similar issues for the tax years currently under IRS Exam (2000-2012). As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $33.0 million of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits on the matters subject to disposition. Due to the uncertainty related to the potential outcome of these matters, any possible changes in unrecognized tax benefits cannot be reasonably estimated.
The Company believes that all of its current and prior tax filing positions have substantial merit and intends to vigorously defend any tax claims asserted. The Company believes that it has sufficient accruals to address any claims, including interest and penalties, and does not believe that any potential difference between the final settlements and the amounts accrued will have a material effect on the Company's financial position, but such potential difference could be material to results of operations in a future reporting period.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits excluding penalties and interest is as follows (in thousands):
	December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	76,288		$	89,631		$	92,758
Increases for tax positions taken in prior years	734			347			10,019
Increases in tax positions for the current year	—			—			8,058
Decreases for tax positions taken in prior years	(3,086		)	(13,690		)	(18,440		)
Decreases for lapse of statute of limitations	—			—			(2,764		)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	73,936		$	76,288		$	89,631
The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate totaled $67.3 million, $69.1 million and $87.6 million at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company recognizes interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses.
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, interest expense includes $9.1 million, $9.0 million and $10.4 million, respectively, for interest accrued on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and for issues identified in the Proof of Claim. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and the Adversary Proceeding of $123.6 million, of which $121.9 million is included in other current liabilities and $1.7 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014.

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, asset retirement obligation accruals for mine reclamation and closure costs were $112.3 million and $116.4 million, respectively. The portion of the costs expected to be paid within a year of $22.7 million and $23.9 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in other current liabilities. The portion of costs expected to be incurred beyond one year of $89.6 million and $92.5 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in other long-term liabilities. There were no assets that were legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Changes in the asset retirement obligations are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	116,393		$	89,478
	Accretion expense	11,011			9,079
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	(87		)	26,453
	Obligations settled	(10,941		)	(8,617		)
	Obligations held for sale (1)	(4,049		)	—
	Balance at end of year	$	112,327		$	116,393
	_____________________________
	(1) In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company determined that the Gauley Eagle operations within the Company's U.S. Operations segment located in West Virginia met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrued professional fees	$	23,341	$	23,855
	Accrued wages and employee benefits	28,299		41,938
	Accrued interest	42,329		34,473
	Freight	10,144		11,105
	Other	21,205		22,499
	Total accrued expenses	$	125,318	$	133,870
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrual for tax interest and penalties	$	121,861	$	111,581
	Accrual for uncertain tax positions	42,488		42,433
	Asset retirement obligations	22,740		23,937
	Liabilities held for sale	4,049		—
	Other	24,814		29,033
	Total other current liabilities	$	215,952	$	206,984

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,			Weighted Average Interest Rate at December 31, 2014		Final Maturity
		2014			2013
	2011 term loan A	$	—		$	406,566		—%		—
	2011 term loan B	978,178			978,178			7.25%		2018
	9.50% senior secured notes	970,000			450,000			9.50%		2019
	11.00% / 12.00% senior secured PIK toggle notes	350,000			—			11.00% / 12.00%		2020
	9.875% senior notes	388,000			500,000			9.88%		2020
	8.50% senior notes	450,000			450,000			8.50%		2021
	Other (1)	18,085			14,876			Various		Various
	Debt discount, net	(18,293		)	(20,788		)
	Total Debt	3,135,970			2,778,832
	Less: current debt (1)	(12,327		)	(9,210		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,123,643		$	2,769,622
	___________________________
	-1	This balance includes capital lease obligations (see Note 16) and an equipment financing agreement.
	The Company's minimum debt repayment schedule, excluding interest, as of December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Payments Due
		2015			2016			2017			2018		2019		Thereafter
	2011 term loan B	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	978,178	$	—	$	—
	9.50% senior secured notes	—			—			—			—		970,000		—
	11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes	—			—			—			—		—		350,000
	9.875% senior notes	—			—			—			—		—		388,000
	8.50% senior notes	—			—			—			—		—		450,000
	Other debt	12,327			5,758			—			—		—		—
		$	12,327		$	5,758		$	—		$	978,178	$	970,000	$	1,188,000
	2011 Credit Agreement
	On April 1, 2011, the Company entered into a $2.725 billion credit agreement (the "2011 Credit Agreement") to partially fund the acquisition of Western Coal and to pay off all outstanding loans under the 2005 Credit Agreement. The 2011 Credit Agreement consisted of (1) a $950.0 million principal amortizing term loan A facility maturing in April 2016, (2) a $1.4 billion principal amortizing term loan B facility maturing in April 2018 and (3) a $375.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility maturing in April 2016. The Revolver provides for operational needs and letters of credit. The Company's obligations under the 2011 Credit Agreement are secured by the Company's domestic and foreign real, personal and intellectual property.
	On March 27, 2014, the Company utilized the net proceeds from the $200.0 million of First Lien Notes (as defined below) and $350.0 million of Second Lien Notes (as defined below) to repay in full term loan A debt, increase its liquidity and pay related fees and expenses.
	Credit Agreement Amendments
	During 2014, the Company entered into the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments to the 2011 Credit Agreement (collectively, the "Amendments") which, among other things, (1) permitted repayment of term loan A without a pro-rata repayment to term loan B, (2) extended the maturity of 81.6% of its revolving commitments (the "2017 revolver") to October 2017 with reduced availability of $60.0 million, (3) reduced availability of the non-extending revolving lenders (the "2016 revolver") to $16.9 million, (4) eliminated the liquidity and fixed charge coverage maintenance covenants, (5) provided for a 0.50% increase in the interest rate payable on the term loan B, and (6) suspended the senior secured leverage ratio covenant until the aggregate amount outstanding, excluding outstanding letters of credit, under the 2016 revolver and the 2017 revolver (collectively, the "revolver) exceeds 30%, or $23.1 million, of the total revolving commitment of $76.9 million. In connection with these Amendments, the Company recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $6.5 million.
	As of December 31, 2014, the revolver and term loan B interest rates were tied to LIBOR or CDOR, plus a credit spread of 550 basis points for the revolver and 625 basis points on the term loan B debt, adjusted quarterly based on the Company's total leverage ratio as defined by the amended 2011 Credit Agreement. The term loan B has a minimum LIBOR floor of 1.0%. The revolver loans can be denominated in either U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars at the Company's option. The commitment fee on the unused portion of the 2016 revolver is 0.5% and on the 2017 revolver is 0.625%. As of December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolver, with $2.8 million available under the Company's $16.9 million revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit of $14.1 million, and $9.9 million available under the Company's $60.0 million 2017 revolver, net of outstanding letters of credit of $50.1 million, for a total availability of $12.7 million. All borrowings under the revolver must be made pro-rata between the 2016 and 2017 revolver through the maturity of the 2016 revolver. The unamortized balance of the debt issuance discount on the term loan B of $11.9 million and the revolver of $1.5 million at December 31, 2014, will be accreted to interest expense over the term of the debt until maturity using the effective interest rate method.
	First Lien Notes
	On March 27, 2014 and July 14, 2014, the Company issued $200.0 million and $320.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes, respectively. These notes are an addition to the $450.0 million of the Company’s 9.50% Senior Secured Notes that were issued on September 27, 2013 (collectively, the “First Lien Notes”). The First Lien Notes will mature on October 15, 2019, and interest is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year.
	The Company utilized $245.7 million of the net proceeds from the $450.0 million in First Lien Notes issued in September 2013 to extinguish $250.0 million of term loan A debt through a dutch auction process. In 2013, the Company recognized a net gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.0 million. In March 2014, the Company issued $200.0 million First Lien Notes and $350.0 million Second Lien Notes to repay in full its term loan A debt, increase liquidity and pay related fees and expenses. The Company recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $13.9 million.
	The First Lien Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain 100% owned U.S. domestic restricted subsidiaries of the Company (the "Guarantors") and are secured on a first priority basis, equally and ratably with the Company’s Credit Agreement and any future pari passu secured obligations (subject to permitted liens) on substantially all of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s property and assets, which also secure the Company’s Second Lien Notes on a second priority basis.
	At any time prior to October 15, 2016, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the First Lien Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings, at a redemption price of 109.50% of the aggregate principal amount. The Company may redeem the First Lien Notes, in whole or in part, prior to October 15, 2016, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a "make-whole" premium. The Company may redeem the First Lien Notes, in whole or in part, at redemption prices equal to 107.125% of principal amount for the year commencing October 15, 2016, 102.375% of principal amount for the year commencing October 15, 2017 and 100% of principal amount beginning on October 15, 2018. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the First Lien Notes, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase each holder's First Lien Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount. The unamortized balance of the debt issuance discount of $2.7 million at December 31, 2014, will be accreted to interest expense over the life of the First Lien Notes using the effective interest method.
	Second Lien Notes
	On March 27, 2014, the Company issued $350.0 million of 11.0%/12.0% Senior Secured Second Lien Payment-in-Kind ("PIK") Toggle Notes due April 1, 2020 (the "Second Lien Notes"). These notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company's current and future 100% owned domestic restricted subsidiaries that from time to time guarantee any of the Company's indebtedness or any indebtedness of any of the Company's restricted subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). The Second Lien Notes and the guarantees are secured on a second priority basis, equally and ratably with all future second lien obligations, on substantially all of the Company's and the guarantors' property and assets, which also secure the Company's 2011 Credit Agreement and First Lien Notes on a first priority basis. Interest on these notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2014.
	The Company may elect to pay interest on the Second Lien Notes (1) entirely in cash, at a rate of 11.0% per annum, or (2) with a combination of (i) 50% cash and 50% by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Second Lien Notes or issuing additional Second Lien Notes ("PIK Interest") or (ii) 75% cash and 25% PIK Interest. Interest on PIK Interest accrues on the Second Lien Notes at a rate equal of 12.0% per annum. The Company is required to pay the first and last interest payments entirely in cash. The Company has elected to pay 50% cash and 50% PIK Interest for the next interest payment date of April 1, 2015.
	At any time prior to April 1, 2017, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the Second Lien Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price of 111.0% of the principal amount. The Company may redeem the Second Lien Notes, in whole or in part, prior to April 1, 2017 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes plus a "make-whole" premium of 1.625% and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the Second Lien Notes, in whole or in part, at redemption prices equal to 105.5% of principal amount for the year commencing April 1, 2017, 102.75% of principal amount for the year commencing April 1, 2018 and 100% of principal amount beginning on April 1, 2019. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Second Lien Notes, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase each holder's Second Lien Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount.
	9.875% Senior Notes due 2020
	On November 21, 2012, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.875% senior notes due December 15, 2020 (the "2020 Notes") at an initial price of 99.302% of their face amount. The 2020 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, by each of the Company's current and future wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the 2020 Notes accrues at the rate of 9.875% per year and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, beginning on June 15, 2013.
	At any time prior to December 15, 2015, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the 2020 Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 109.875% of the principal amount. The Company may redeem the 2020 Notes, in whole or in part, prior to December 15, 2016, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a "make-whole" premium. The Company may redeem the 2020 Notes, in whole or in part, at redemption prices equal to 104.938% of principal amount for the year commencing December 15, 2016, 102.469% of principal amount for the year commencing December 15, 2017, and 100% of principal amount beginning December 15, 2018. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the 2020 Notes, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase each holder's 2020 Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount. The unamortized balance of the debt issuance discount of $2.2 million at December 31, 2014, will be accreted to interest expense over the life of the 2020 Notes using the effective interest method.
	During 2014, in three separate transactions, the Company issued an aggregate of 9.3 million shares of its common stock and paid $5.2 million in cash, in exchange for $112.0 million of the 9.875% Senior Notes and recognized a net gain of $54.1 million, or $0.81 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2014 in gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt.
	8.50% Senior Notes due 2021
	On March 27, 2013, the Company issued $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due April 15, 2021 (the "2021 Notes"). The 2021 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, by each of the Company's current and future wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries that from time to time guarantees any of the Company's indebtedness or any indebtedness of the Company's restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2013.
	A portion of the proceeds from the 2021 Notes was used to repurchase $250.0 million of term loan A and B debt on a pro-rata basis. In 2013, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $6.0 million, primarily related to the accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs. The accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs is included in gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the 2021 Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings, at a redemption price of 108.50% of principal amount. The Company may redeem the 2021 Notes, in whole or in part, prior to April 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a "make-whole" premium. The Company may redeem the 2021 Notes, in whole or in part, at redemption prices equal to 104.25% of principal amount for the year commencing April 15, 2017, 102.125% of principal amount for the year commencing April 15, 2018 and 100% of principal amount beginning on April 15, 2019. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the 2021 Notes, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase each holder's 2021 Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount.
	Debt Covenants
	The amended 2011 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default and negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness; create or permit liens on assets; pay dividends and repurchase stock; acquire, dispose, merge or consolidate assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; and make investments, loans and advances. The amended 2011 Credit Agreement also includes a senior secured leverage ratio covenant that must be maintained. The Indentures governing the Company's Senior Notes also contain covenants that limit the ability of the Company and the guarantors to, among other things, incur additional debt; pay dividends and make distributions or repurchase stock; make certain investments; create or incur liens; sell assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; make distributions, loans or advances; and merge or consolidate assets. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is in compliance with all required covenants.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has various defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. salaried employees and eligible hourly employees. In addition to its own pension plans, the Company contributes to a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan covering eligible employees who are represented by the United Mine Workers of America ("UMWA"). The Company funds its retirement and employee benefit plans in accordance with the requirements of the plans and, where applicable, in amounts sufficient to satisfy the "Minimum Funding Standards" of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). The plans provide benefits based on years of service and compensation or at stated amounts for each year of service.
	Defined Benefits Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
	The Company also provides certain postretirement benefits other than pensions, primarily healthcare, to eligible retirees. The Company's postretirement benefit plans are not funded. New salaried employees have been ineligible to participate in postretirement healthcare benefits since May 2000. Effective January 1, 2003 the Company placed a monthly cap on Company contributions for postretirement healthcare coverage.
	The Company is required to measure plan assets and liabilities as of the fiscal year-end reporting date. As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's pension plans had obligations that exceed plan assets and, as of December 31, 2013, all of the Company's pension plans, with the exception of the Salaried Pension Plan, had obligations that exceeded plan assets. The amounts recognized for all of the Company's pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		December 31,				December 31,				December 31,			December 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	290,524			$	247,874			$	598,385		$	600,748
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	265,650			$	295,944			$	600,748		$	662,464
	Service cost	6,804				7,062				7,776			9,943
	Interest cost	13,296				12,280				30,903			28,791
	Actuarial (gain) loss	59,433				(37,873		)		64,426			(74,146		)
	Benefits paid	(28,083		)		(11,763		)		(28,924		)	(26,304		)
	Plan amendments	4,531				—				(76,544		)	—
	Plan settlements	(5,162		)		—				—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	316,469			$	265,650			$	598,385		$	600,748
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	257,765			$	232,960			$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets	14,138				35,788				—			—
	Employer contributions	771				780				28,924			26,304
	Benefits paid	(28,083		)		(11,763		)		(28,924		)	(26,304		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	244,591			$	257,765			$	—		$	—
	Unfunded status of plan	$	(71,878	)		$	(7,885	)		$	(598,385	)	$	(600,748	)
	Amounts recognized in balance sheet, pre-tax:
	Other long-term assets	$	—			$	1,260			$	—		$	—
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation
	Current	(3,292		)		(7,089		)		(25,740		)	(30,036		)
	Long-term	(68,586		)		(2,056		)		(572,645		)	(570,712		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(71,878	)		$	(7,885	)		$	(598,385	)	$	(600,748	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax
	Prior service cost (credit)	$	5,279			$	994			$	(70,130	)	$	7,641
	Net actuarial loss	107,884				48,331				287,550			238,693
	Net amount recognized	$	113,163			$	49,325			$	217,420		$	246,334
	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits											Other Postretirement Benefits
		For the years ended December 31,											For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	6,804			$	7,062			$	5,991		$	7,776			$	9,943		$	8,072
	Interest cost	13,296				12,280				12,517			30,903				28,791			29,010
	Expected return on plan assets	(18,213		)		(16,941		)		(16,125		)	—				—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	246				263				256			1,227				1,230			1,045
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,292				9,609				9,377			15,570				18,936			14,725
	Settlement loss	1,663				—				—			—				—
	Net periodic benefit cost for continuing operations	$	6,088			$	12,273			$	12,016		$	55,476			$	58,900		$	52,852
	The estimated portions of net prior service cost (credit) and net actuarial loss remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs in 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Prior service cost (credit)	$	681			$	(6,209	)
	Net actuarial loss	7,666				22,635
	Net amount to be recognized	$	8,347			$	16,426
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits				Total
	Current year net actuarial loss	$	(63,507	)		$	(64,426	)		$	(127,933	)
	Current year prior service (cost) credit	(4,530		)		76,544				72,014
	Amortization of actuarial loss	2,292				15,570				17,862
	Recognition of settlement loss	1,663				—				1,663
	Amortization of prior service cost	246				1,227				1,473
	Total	(63,836		)		28,915				(34,921		)
	Deferred income taxes	218				884				1,102
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$	(63,618	)		$	29,799			$	(33,819	)
	A summary of key assumptions used is as follows:
		Pension Benefits									Other Postretirement Benefits
	December 31,									December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	4.32	%		5.24	%		4.29	%		4.34	%	5.28	%		4.44	%
Rate of compensation increase	3.7	%		3.7	%		3.7	%		—		—			—
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Discount rate	5.24	%		4.29	%		5.02	%		5.28	%	4.44	%		5.14	%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%		7.5	%		7.75	%		—		—			—
Rate of compensation increase	3.7	%		3.7	%		3.7	%		—		—			—
	December 31,
	2014				2013				2012
	Pre-65		Post-65		Pre-65		Post-65		Pre-65		Post-65
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	6.90%		6.90%		7.00%		7.00%		7.50%		7.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	4.50%		4.50%		4.50%		4.50%		5.00%		5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2027		2027		2027		2027		2019		2019
The discount rate is based on a yield-curve approach which matches the expected cash flows to high quality corporate bonds available at the measurement date. The model constructs a hypothetical bond portfolio whose cash flows match the year-by-year, projected benefit cash flow from the benefit plan. The yield on this hypothetical portfolio is the maximum discount rate used. The yield curve is based on a universe of bonds available from the Bloomberg Finance bond database at the measurement date, with a quality rating of AA or better by Moody's or S&P.
The plan assets of the pension plans are held and invested by the Walter Energy, Inc. Subsidiaries Master Pension Trust ("Pension Trust"). The Pension Trust employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity and fixed income investments are used to meet the long-term funding and near-term cash flow requirements of the pension plan. The asset mix strives to generate rates of return sufficient to fund plan liabilities and exceed the long-term rate of inflation, while maintaining an appropriate level of portfolio risk. Risk tolerance is established through consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio is diversified across domestic and foreign equity holdings, and by investment styles and market capitalizations. Domestic equity holdings primarily consist of investments in common stocks and funds invested in large-cap and mid-cap companies located in the United States managed to replicate the investment performance of industry standard investment indexes. Foreign equity holdings primarily consist of investments in domestically managed mutual funds located in the United States. Fixed income holdings are diversified by issuer, security type and principal and interest payment characteristics. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner; however, derivatives may not be used to leverage the portfolio beyond the market value of the underlying investments. Fixed income and derivatives holdings primarily consist of investments in domestically managed mutual funds located in the United States. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual benefits liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies. Management believes the only significant concentration of investment risk lies in exposure to the U.S. domestic markets as compared with total global investment opportunities.
The Pension Trust's strategic asset allocation targets for 2014 and the asset allocations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
						Actual Allocation
	Strategic Allocation			Tactical Range		2014			2013
Equity Investments:
U.S. large-cap equity	33	%		25-41%		33.4	%		39	%
International equity	13	%		9-17%		11.9	%		14.3	%
U.S. mid-cap equity	14	%		10-18%		14.6	%		9.7	%
Total equity investments	60	%		50-70%		59.9	%		63	%
Fixed income investments	40	%		30-50%		38.7	%		36.5	%
Cash	—	%		0-5%		1.4	%		0.5	%
Total	100	%				100	%		100	%
These ranges are targets and deviations may occur from time-to-time due to market fluctuations. Portfolio assets are typically rebalanced to the allocation targets at least annually.
The fair values of the Pension Trust's assets, all of which are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets for identified assets (Level 1), were as follows (in thousands):
	December 31,
Asset Class:	2014				2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,477			$	1,224
Equity investments(a):
U.S. large cap equity	81,662				100,384
International equity	28,992				36,812
U.S. mid-cap equity	35,715				25,143
Fixed income investments:
Intermediate-term bond(b)	69,250				34,091
Long-term bond(c)	25,495				60,111
Total	$	244,591			$	257,765
_______________________________________________________________________________
(a)	Equity investments include investments in domestic and international mutual funds and U.S. common stocks investing in large- and mid-capitalization companies. Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and are traded on listed exchanges.
(b)	This fund seeks maximum total return through a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by forward or derivatives such as options, futures, contracts, or swap agreements. Fixed income instruments include bonds, debt securities and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public or private-sector entities. This fund also invests in high yield securities, mortgage-related securities and securities denominated in foreign currencies. This fund is valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and is traded on a listed exchange.
(c)	This fund invests in a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of high-quality bonds and other fixed income securities, including U.S. government obligations, mortgage-and asset-backed securities, corporate and municipal bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations of varying maturities. This fund is valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and is traded on a listed exchange.
The expected long-term return on assets of the Pension Trust is established at the beginning of each year by the Company's Benefits Committee in consultation with the plans' actuaries and outside investment advisor. A building block approach is used in determining the long-term rate of return for plan assets. Historical market returns are studied and long-term risk/return relationships between equity and fixed income asset classes are analyzed. This analysis supports the widely accepted fundamental investment principle that assets with greater risk generate higher returns over long periods of time. The historical impact of returns in one asset class on returns of another asset class is reviewed to evaluate portfolio diversification benefits. Current market factors including inflation rates and interest rate levels are considered before assumptions are developed. The long-term portfolio return is established via the building block approach by adding interest rate risk and equity risk premiums to the anticipated long-term rate of inflation. Proper consideration is given to the importance of portfolio diversification and periodic rebalancing. Peer data and historical return assumptions are reviewed to check for reasonableness. For the determination of net periodic benefit cost in 2015, the Company will utilize an expected long-term return on plan assets of 6.25%.
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates, discount rates, expected return on plan assets and salary increases have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the pension and healthcare plans. A one-percentage-point change in the rate for each of these assumptions would have had the following effects as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Increase (Decrease)
	1-Percentage Point Increase				1-Percentage Point Decrease
Healthcare cost trend:
Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	6,244			$	(5,002	)
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation	$	92,287			$	(74,174	)
Discount rate:
Effect on other postretirement service and interest cost components	$	48			$	(184	)
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation	$	(77,097	)		$	95,043
Effect on current other postretirement expense	$	(5,634	)		$	6,820
Effect on pension service and interest cost components	$	(167	)		$	150
Effect on pension benefit obligation	$	(38,267	)		$	47,783
Effect on current year pension expense	$	(1,813	)		$	3,138
Expected return on plan assets:
Effect on current year pension expense	$	(2,512	)		$	2,512
Rate of compensation increase:
Effect on pension service and interest cost components	$	790			$	(692	)
Effect on pension benefit obligation	$	6,383			$	(5,749	)
Effect on current year pension expense	$	1,228			$	(1,120	)
The Company does not have a minimum pension plan funding requirement for fiscal year 2015. The Company expects to pay $25.7 million in 2015 for benefits related to its other postretirement benefit plans. The following estimated benefit payments from the plans, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows (in thousands):
	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
2015	$	17,670			$	25,740
2016	$	15,232			$	27,252
2017	$	16,148			$	28,600
2018	$	17,051			$	29,886
2019	$	17,955			$	30,801
Years 2020-2024	$	100,590			$	162,291
UMWA Pension and Benefit Trusts
The Company is required under its agreement with the UMWA to contribute to multi-employer plans providing pension, healthcare and other postretirement benefits. The risks of participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:
•	Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
•	If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
•	The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), as amended in 1980, imposes certain liabilities on contributors to multi-employer pension plans in the event of a contributor's withdrawal from the plan.
At December 31, 2014, approximately 49.5% of Walter Energy's workforce was represented by the UMWA and covered under the Company's collective bargaining agreement which began July 11, 2012 and expires December 31, 2016.
UMWA 1974 Pension Plan
The Company is required under the agreement with the UMWA to pay amounts to the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan ("the 1974 Pension Plan") based principally on hours worked by UMWA represented employees. The required contribution called for by the Company's current collective bargaining agreement is $5.50 per hour worked. This cost is recognized as an expense in the year the payments are assessed. The benefits provided by the 1974 Pension Plan to the participating employees are determined based on age and years of service at retirement. The Company was listed in the 1974 Pension Plan's Form 5500, filed April 11, 2014, as providing more than 5 percent of the total contributions for the 2012 plan year.
As of June 30, 2014, the most recent date for which information is available, the 1974 Pension Plan was underfunded. This determination was made in accordance with ERISA calculations. In October 2014, the Company received notice from the trustees of the 1974 Pension Plan stating that the plan is considered to be in "critical" status for the plan year beginning July 1, 2014. The Pension Protection Act ("Pensions Act") requires a funded percentage of 80% be maintained for this multi-employer pension plan. If the plan is determined to have a funded percentage of less than 80% it will be deemed to be "endangered." The plan will be considered "seriously endangered" if the number of years to reach a projected funding deficiency equals 7 or less in addition to having a funded percentage of less than 80%, and if less than 65%, it will be deemed to be in "critical" status. The funded percentage certified by the actuary for the 1974 Pension Plan was determined to be less than 65.0% under the Pension Act. As a result of the 1974 Pension Plan entering "critical" status, the Pensions Act requires a surcharge of 5% of the contributions otherwise required under the current collective bargaining agreement be contributed which will increase the contribution rate from $5.50 to $5.78 per hour. Subject to certain exceptions, the surcharge will increase to 10%, or $6.05 per hour, on July 1, 2015. Additionally as a result of the 1974 Pension Plan's "critical" status, Federal law requires pension plans to adopt a rehabilitation plan aimed at restoring the financial health of the plan. The law permits pension plans to reduce, or even eliminate, benefits called "adjustable benefits" as part of a rehabilitation plan.
The Company faces risks and uncertainties by participating in the 1974 Pension Plan. All assets contributed to the plan are pooled and available to provide benefits for all participants and beneficiaries. As a result, contributions made by the Company benefit the employees of other employers. If the 1974 Pension Plan fails to meet ERISA's minimum funding requirements or fails to develop and adopt a rehabilitation plan, a nondeductible excise tax of five percent of the accumulated funding deficiency may be imposed on an employer's contribution to this multi-employer pension plan. As a result of the 1974 Pension Plan entering "seriously endangered" status for the plan year beginning July 1, 2011, the plan adopted a Funding Improvement Plan as of May 25, 2012 in an effort to improve the plan's funding situation. The Funding Improvement Plan states that the plan must avoid a funding deficiency for any plan year during the funding improvement period and improve the plan's funded status by at least 20% over a 15-year period. The Funding Improvement Period began July 1, 2014 and ends June 30, 2029. The Funding Improvement Plan calls for increased contributions beginning January 1, 2017 and lasting throughout the improvement period so that the plan can meet the applicable benchmarks and emerge from seriously endangered status by the end of the Funding Improvement Period. The Funding Improvement Plan and the corresponding contribution schedules were updated on April 26, 2013 and May 21, 2014, to reflect the experience of the plan.
Under current law governing multi-employer defined benefit plans, if the Company voluntarily withdrew from the 1974 Pension Plan, the Company would be required to make payments to the plan which would approximate its proportionate share of the multiemployer plan's unfunded vested benefit liabilities at the time of the withdrawal. The 1974 Pension Plan uses a modified "rolling five" year allocation method for calculating an employer's withdrawal liability share of the unfunded vested benefits. An employer would be obligated to pay its pro-rata share of the unfunded vested benefits based on the ratio of hours worked by the employer's employees during the previous five plan years for which contributions were due compared to the number of hours worked by all the employees of the employers from which contributions were due. The 1974 Pension Plan's unfunded vested benefits at June 30, 2014 was $4.3 billion. The Company's percentage of hours worked during the previous five plan years to the total hours worked by all plan participants during the same period was estimated to be approximately 15%. The Company does not have any intention to withdraw from the plan; however, if the Company were to withdraw from the plan before July 1, 2015, the Company's estimated withdrawal liability would be $661.2 million.
The following table provides additional information regarding the 1974 Pension Plan as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
				Pension						Contributions of Walter
				Protection Act						Energy
		EIN/Pension		Zone Status				FIP/RP Status												Surcharge	Expiration Date of
		Plan Number						Pending/Implemented												Imposed	Collective-Bargaining
Pension Fund				2014		2013				2014			2013				2012				Agreement
United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan(1)		52-1050282/002		Red		Yellow		Yes		$	17,854		$	19,670			$	20,948		Yes	12/31/16
_______________________________________________________________________________
-1	The enrolled actuary for the 1974 Pension Plan certified to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the plan sponsor that the plan is in "Critical Status" for the plan year beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015. The plan adopted a funding improvement plan on May 25, 2012.
UMWA Benefit Trusts
The Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 ("Coal Act") created two multiemployer benefit plans: (1) the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund ("Combined Fund") into which the former UMWA Benefit Trusts were merged, and (2) the 1992 Benefit Fund. The Combined Fund provides medical and death benefits for all beneficiaries of the former UMWA Benefit Trusts who were actually receiving benefits as of July 20, 1992. The 1992 Benefit Fund provides medical and death benefits to orphan UMWA-represented members eligible for retirement on February 1, 1993, and who actually retired between July 20, 1992 and September 30, 1994. The Coal Act provides for the assignment of beneficiaries to former employers and the allocation of unassigned beneficiaries (referred to as orphans) to companies using a formula set forth in the Coal Act. The Coal Act requires that responsibility for funding the benefits to be paid to beneficiaries, be assigned to their former signatory employers or related companies. This cost is recognized as an expense in the year the payments are assessed. The Company's contributions to these funds for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were insignificant.
The UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan is a defined contribution plan that was created as the result of negotiations for the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement (NBCWA) of 1993. This plan provides healthcare benefits to orphan UMWA retirees who are not eligible to participate in the Combined Fund, the 1992 Benefit Fund or whose last employer signed the 1993, or a later, NBCWA and subsequently goes out of business. Contributions to the trust under the 2011 labor agreement were $1.10 per hour worked by UMWA represented employees for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Total contributions to the UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $3.6 million, $3.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
The NBCWA of 2011 established the UMWA 2012 Retiree Bonus Account Trust and Plan. The UMWA Retiree Bonus Account Trust is a defined contribution plan that provides funding for continued single sum payments to retirees and is administered by a board of trustees consisting of two trustees appointed by the UMWA and two trustees appointed by the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association (BCOA). The trust shall provide a one-time single sum bonus payment of $580 for most retirees or $455 for disabled and certain other retirees on November 1, 2015 and 2016. If the trustees determine that there are not sufficient assets in the trust to pay the projected bonus amounts, the employer will be required to pay the difference to its retirees. The 2012 Retiree Bonus Account Trust provides benefits to beneficiaries of the UMWA 1974 Pension Plan who have retired by July 1, 2011 or who retire by October 31, 2016. Contributions to the trust under the 2011 NBCWA are currently $1.56 per hour worked by UMWA represented employees, which began on February 1, 2013. Total contributions to the UMWA 2012 Retiree Bonus Account Trust in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $5.1 million, $5.5 million, and $5.7 million, respectively.

Net_Loss_Per_Share

Net Loss Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share
	A reconciliation of the basic and diluted net loss per share computations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014						2013						2012
		Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(470,568	)	$	(470,568	)	$	(359,003	)	$	(359,003	)	$	(1,065,555	)	$	(1,065,555	)
	Income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,180		$	5,180
	Denominator:
	Average number of common shares outstanding (a)	66,300			66,300			62,564			62,564			62,536			62,536
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(7.10	)	$	(7.10	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(17.04	)	$	(17.04	)
	Income from discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			0.08			0.08
	Net loss per share	$	(7.10	)	$	(7.10	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(16.96	)	$	(16.96	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	In periods of net loss, the number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share; therefore, the effect of dilutive securities is zero for such periods. The weighted average number of stock options and restricted stock units outstanding of 1,522,772, 539,682, and 238,210 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were excluded because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. There were no dilutive securities outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Income Tax Litigation
	The Company is currently engaged in litigation with the IRS with regard to certain federal income tax issues. See Note 10 for a more complete explanation.
	Environmental Matters
	The Company is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations concerning the protection of the environment, both with respect to the construction and operation of its plants, mines and other facilities and with respect to remediating environmental conditions that may exist at its own and other properties.
	The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Company accrues for environmental expenses resulting from existing conditions that relate to past operations when the costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated.
	Walter Coke, Inc.
	Walter Coke entered into a decree order in 1989 (the "1989 Order") relative to a Resource Conservation Recovery Act ("RCRA") compliance program mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). A RCRA Facility Investigation ("RFI") Work Plan was prepared which proposed investigative tasks to assess the presence of contamination at the Walter Coke facility. In 2004, the EPA re-directed Walter Coke's RFI efforts toward completion of the Environmental Indicator ("EI") determinations for the Current Human Exposures, which were approved and finalized for Walter Coke's Birmingham facility in 2005. In 2008, as a follow-up to the EI determination, the EPA requested that Walter Coke perform additional soil sampling and testing in the neighborhoods surrounding its facility. The results of this sampling and testing were submitted to the EPA for review in 2009. In conjunction with the plan, Walter Coke agreed to remediate portions of 23 properties based on the 2009 sampling and that process was completed in 2012.
	In 2011, the EPA notified Walter Coke in the form of a General Notice Letter that it proposed that the offsite remediation project ("35th Avenue Superfund Site") be classified and managed as a Superfund site under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), allowing other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) to potentially be held responsible. Under CERCLA authority, the EPA proceeded directly with the offsite sampling work and deferred any further enforcement actions or decisions. In March 2013, the EPA released the North Birmingham Air Toxics Risk Assessment showing the air quality around Company facilities to be acceptable. In August 2013, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a report concerning past, present and future exposures to residential soils in North Birmingham and concluded that there is no public health hazard. In September 2013, the EPA sent an "Offer to Conduct Work" letter to Walter Coke and four other PRPs notifying them that the EPA had completed sampling at 1,100 residential properties and that 400 properties exceeded Regional Removal Management Levels (RML's) and offered the PRPs an opportunity to cleanup 50 Phase I properties. The Company has notified the EPA that it has declined the Offer to Conduct Work. In July 2014, the Jefferson County Department of Health ("JCDH") said there are no apparent health risks to individuals living in North Birmingham. In August 2014, the EPA sent an “Offer to Conduct Work” letter to Walter Coke and five other PRPs and offered the PRPs an opportunity to cleanup 30 Phase II properties. The Company has notified the EPA that it has declined the Offer to Conduct Work. In September 2014, the EPA proposed to add the 35th Avenue Superfund Site to the National Priorities List ("NPL"). The EPA has accepted and is reviewing comments to the proposed listing.
	A RCRA Section 3008(h) Administrative Order on Consent (the "2012 Order") with the effective date of September 24, 2012 was signed by Walter Coke and the EPA. The 2012 Order declared that all of the approved investigation tasks of the RFI Work Plans required by the 1989 Order had been completed by Walter Coke and that the 1989 Order was terminated and is no longer in effect. The objectives of the 2012 Order are to perform Corrective Measure Studies, implement remedies if necessary, and implement and maintain institutional controls if required at the Walter Coke facility.
	The Company has incurred costs to investigate the presence of contamination at the Walter Coke facility and to define remediation actions to address this environmental liability in accordance with the agreements reached with the EPA under the RFI and the residential soil sampling conducted by Walter Coke in the neighborhoods surrounding its facility. At December 31, 2014, the Company had an amount accrued that is probable and can be reasonably estimated for the costs to be incurred to identify and define remediation actions, as well as to perform certain remedial tasks which can be quantified. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of this accrual was not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements. While it is probable that the Company will incur additional future costs to remediate environmental liabilities at the Walter Coke facility, the amount of such additional costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Although no assurances can be given that the Company will not be required in the future to make material expenditures relating to the Walter Coke site or other sites, management does not believe at this time that the cleanup costs, if any, associated with these sites will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but such cleanup costs could be material to the Company's results of operations in a future reporting period.
	In 2011, the Company and Walter Coke were named in a suit filed by Louise Moore (Louise Moore v. Walter Energy, Inc. and Walter Coke, Inc., Case No. 2:11-CV-1391) in the federal District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. This is a putative civil class action alleging state law tort claims arising from the alleged presence on properties of substances, including arsenic, BaP, and other hazardous substances, allegedly as a result of current and/or historic operations in the area conducted by the defendants and/or their predecessors. On September 30, 2014, the case was dismissed without prejudice. However, the Order provides that either party may move for reinstatement before the earlier of (i) 6 months of the EPA’s issuance of a Record of Decision for the 35th Avenue Superfund Site, or (ii) 5 years after the date of the Order. Reinstatement also causes the reinstated claims to relate back to the original date of filing.
	Securities Class Actions and Shareholder Derivative Actions
	On January 26, 2012 and March 15, 2012, putative class actions were filed against Walter Energy, Inc. and some of its current and former senior executive officers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Rush v. Walter Energy, Inc., et al.). The three executive officers named in the complaints are: Keith Calder, Walter's former CEO; Walter Scheller, the Company's current CEO and a director; and Neil Winkelmann, former President of Walter's Canadian and U.K. Operations (collectively the "Individual Defendants"). The complaints were filed by Peter Rush and Michael Carney, purported shareholders of Walter Energy who each seek to represent a class of Walter Energy shareholders who purchased common stock between April 20, 2011 and September 21, 2011.
	These complaints allege that Walter Energy and the Individual Defendants made false and misleading statements regarding the Company's operations outlook for the second quarter of 2011. The complaints further allege that the Company and the Individual Defendants knew that these statements were misleading and failed to disclose material facts that were necessary in order to make the statements not misleading. Plaintiffs claimed violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act. On May 30, 2012, the two actions were consolidated into In re Walter Energy, Inc. Securities Litigation. The court also appointed the Government of Bermuda Contributory and Public Service Superannuation Pension Plans as well as the Stephen C. Beaulieu Revocable Trust to be lead plaintiffs and approved lead plaintiffs' selection of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP as lead plaintiffs' counsel for the consolidated action. On August 20, 2012, Lead Plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint in this action. The consolidated amended complaint names as an additional defendant Joseph Leonard, a current director and former interim CEO of Walter Energy, in addition to the previously named defendants. Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint on October 4, 2012. On January 29, 2013, the court denied that motion without prejudice. Defendants answered the complaint on February 15, 2013. The parties are now in the process of discovery. Plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification on August 15, 2013. On March 18, 2014, the Court denied Plaintiffs' motion for class certification without prejudice to refiling and rebriefing and stayed this litigation pending a decision by the United States Supreme Court in Halliburton Co., et al. v. Erica P. John Fund, Inc. ("Halliburton II"). Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Halliburton II on June 23, 2014, Plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification on August 29, 2014. Defendants' filed their opposition on October 28, 2014, and Plaintiffs' Reply was due January 16, 2015. The Court has set an evidentiary hearing on Plaintiffs' renewed class certification motion for April 16, 2015. All other deadlines have been stayed by the Court.
	Walter Energy and the other named defendants believe that there is no merit to the claims alleged and intend to vigorously defend these actions.
	On February 7, 2012, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama (Israni v. Clark et al.). On February 10, 2012, a second shareholder derivative suit was filed in the same court (Himmel v. Scheller et al.), and on February 16, 2012 a third derivative suit was filed (Walters v. Scheller et al.). All three complaints named as defendants the Company's then current Board of Directors, Keith Calder and Neil Winkelmann. The Company was named as a nominal defendant in each complaint. The three complaints allege similar claims to those alleged in the Rush complaint. The complaints variously assert state law claims for breaches of fiduciary duties for alleged failures to maintain internal controls and to properly manage the Company, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets, gross mismanagement and abuse of control. The three derivative actions seek among other things, recovery for the Company for damages that the Company suffered as a result of alleged wrongful conduct. On April 11, 2012, the Court consolidated these shareholder derivative suits. Walter Energy thereafter entered into a stipulation with the lead plaintiffs in the consolidated derivative suit, pursuant to which all proceedings in the derivative action were stayed pending the filing of the consolidated amended complaint in the class action. On September 19, 2012, lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated shareholder derivative complaint. This action has been stayed pending the resolution of summary judgment motions in the putative securities class action. The derivative plaintiffs will have certain rights to participate in discovery taken in the federal securities action.
	On March 1, 2012, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Makohin v. Clark, et al.). On September 27, 2012, a second shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the same court (Sinerius v. Beatty, et al.). Both complaints name as defendants the Company's then current Board of Directors and Keith Calder. The Company is named as a nominal defendant in each complaint. These complaints, like the state court derivative claims, allege similar facts to those alleged in the Rush complaint. The Makohin complaint asserts state law claims for breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment, while the Sinerius complaint asserts these same claims as well as claims for abuse of control and gross mismanagement. Both actions seek, among other things, recovery for the Company for damages that the Company suffered as a result of alleged wrongful conduct and restitution from defendants of all profits, benefits and other compensation that they wrongfully obtained. Like the state court derivative action, both of these cases have been stayed pending resolution of summary judgment motions in the putative securities class action. The federal derivative plaintiffs will also have certain rights to participate in discovery taken in the federal securities action.
	Walter Energy and the other named defendants believe that there is no merit to the claims alleged in these shareholder derivative lawsuits and intend to vigorously defend these actions.
	Miscellaneous Litigation
	The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to a number of other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of their businesses. The Company records costs relating to these matters when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The effect of the outcome of these matters on the Company's future results of operations cannot be predicted with certainty as any such effect depends on future results of operations and the amount and timing of the resolution of such matters. While the results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that the final outcome of such other litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	Commitments and Contingencies—Other
	In the opinion of management, accruals associated with contingencies incurred in the normal course of business are sufficient. Resolution of existing known contingencies is not expected to significantly affect the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Ridley Terminal Services Agreement
	In connection with the acquisition of Western Coal Corp., the Company assumed a terminal services agreement (the "Agreement") with Ridley Terminals Inc. located in British Columbia. The Agreement contained minimum throughput obligations each calendar year through December 31, 2020. If the Company does not meet its minimum throughput obligation, the Company shall pay Ridley Terminals a contractually specified amount per metric ton for the difference between the actual throughput and the minimum throughput requirement. At December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a liability of $11.2 million as a result of not meeting the required minimum. In January 2015, the Company entered into an Amending Agreement with Ridley Terminals which waived the minimum throughput obligations for calendar years 2015 through 2017, reduced the minimum throughput commitment volume from 4.0 million tons to 3.0 million tons and extended the contract through December 31, 2023.
	Transportation and Throughput Agreements
	The Company has various transportation and throughput agreements with its rail and barge transportation providers and the Alabama State Port Authority. These agreements contain minimum tonnage guarantees with respect to coal transported from the mine sites to the Port of Mobile, Alabama, unloading of rail cars or barges, and the loading of vessels. If the Company does not meet its minimum throughput obligations, the Company shall pay the transportation providers or the Alabama State Port Authority a contractually specified amount per metric ton for the difference between the actual throughput and the minimum throughput requirement. At December 31, 2014, the Company maintained a liability of $4.5 million as a result of not meeting the required minimums.
	Lease Obligations
	The Company's leases are primarily for mining equipment, automobiles and office space. The total cost of assets under capital leases was $32.5 million and $45.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization on assets under capital leases was $12.6 million and $18.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense for capital leases is included in depreciation and depletion expense. Rent expense was $11.2 million, $20.8 million and $18.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Future minimum payments under non-cancellable capitalized and operating leases as of December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Capitalized Leases			Operating Leases
	2015	$	5,294		$	7,420
	2016	62			7,212
	2017	—			7,329
	2018	—			7,297
	2019	—			7,299
	Thereafter	—			1,379
	Total	5,356			$	37,936
	Less: amount representing interest and other executory costs	(184		)
	Present value of minimum lease payments	$	5,172
	A substantial amount of the coal that the Company mines is produced from mineral reserves leased from third-party land owners. These leases convey mining rights to the coal producer in exchange for royalties to be paid to the lessor as either a fixed amount per ton or as a percentage of the sales price. Although coal leases have varying renewal terms and conditions, they generally last for the economic life of the reserves. Coal royalty expense was $56.0 million, $78.1 million and $116.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	Interest Rate Swaps
	On June 27, 2011, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $450.0 million. The objective of the swap was to protect against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate related to interest payments required under term loan A in the 2011 Credit Agreement. The interest rate on the debt is subject to change due to fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate of 3-month LIBOR. The structure of the hedge was a three year amortizing interest rate swap based on a 1.17% fixed rate with quarterly fixed rate and floating rate payment dates beginning on July 18, 2011. The hedge was settled upon maturity in July 2014 and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the hedge were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transactions affected earnings. The Company recognized income of $1.1 million related to the effective portion of the hedge for the year ended December 31, 2014 in interest expense, net. Upon the prepayment of term loan A in the first quarter of 2014, the interest rate swap became fully ineffective. The ineffective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedge is recognized directly in earnings. The Company recognized income of approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the ineffective portion of the hedge and the mark-to-market gain from the settlement in other income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	On December 30, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate hedge agreement with a notional value of $31.5 million. The objective of the hedge was to protect against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate related to 62 of the 64 monthly interest payments required under an equipment financing arrangement for a new longwall shield system entered into on October 21, 2008. The interest rate on the debt was subject to change due to fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate of 1-month LIBOR. The structure of the hedge was a 62 month amortizing interest rate swap based on a 1.84% fixed rate with monthly fixed rate and floating rate payment dates beginning on February 1, 2009. The hedge was settled upon maturity in the first quarter of 2014 and was being accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of the hedge were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affected earnings.
	Interest Rate Cap
	On June 27, 2011, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement related to interest payments required under term loan B in the 2011 Credit Agreement with a notional value of $255.0 million. The objective of the cap was to protect against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate above 2.00%. The interest rate on the debt was subject to change due to fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate of 3-month LIBOR. The structure of the hedge was a three year amortizing interest rate cap based on a strike price of 2.00% with quarterly fixed rate and floating rate payment dates beginning on July 7, 2011. The hedge was settled upon maturity in July 2014 and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of the hedge were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affected earnings.
	The following table presents the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments as well as their classification within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except amounts in the footnotes to the table). There were no outstanding derivative instruments as of December 31, 2014. See Note 19 for additional information related to the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments.
		December 31,
		2013
	Asset derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Interest rate cap(1)	$	1
	Liability derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps(2)	$	3,080
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	$1 thousand was included within other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.
	-2	$3.1 million was included within other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.
	The following tables present the gains and losses from derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and their location within the consolidated financial statements (in thousands).
		Gain (loss),					Gain, net of						Loss, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings (ineffective portion) (2)
		net of tax,					tax, reclassified
		recognized in					from
		accumulated					accumulated
		other					other
		comprehensive					comprehensive
		income (loss)					income (loss)
							to earnings(1)
		For the years ended December 31,					For the years ended December 31,						For the years ended December 31,
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	2014		2013			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,303	$	4,894		$	(677	)	$	(2,546	)	$	1,053	$	184
	Interest rate cap	—		(8		)	—			—			—		—
	Total	$	1,303	$	4,886		$	(677	)	$	(2,546	)	$	1,053	$	184
	______________________________
	-1	Interest rate swap amounts are recorded within interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	-2	The ineffective portion of the interest rate swap is recorded within other income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the year ended December 31, 2014, net of tax (in thousands).
		Pension and			Unrealized			Foreign				Total
		other			gain/(loss)			currency
		postretirement			on hedges			translation
		plans						adjustment
	Beginning balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(165,150	)	$	(1,679	)	$	4,571			$	(162,258	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(54,817		)	1,303			(23,650		)		(77,164		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	20,998			376			—			-1	21,374
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(33,819		)	1,679			(23,650		)		(55,790		)
	Ending balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(198,969	)	$	—		$	(19,079	)		$	(218,048	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	Foreign currency translation adjustments are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity.
	The following table presents amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands).
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Amount Reclassified			Affected Line Item in the
		from Accumulated			Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Other Comprehensive
		Income (Loss)
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps (effective portion)	$	(1,095	)	Interest expense, net
	Interest rate swaps (ineffective portion)	1,701			Other income (loss), net
		606			Total before tax
		(230		)	Income tax benefit
		$	376		Net of tax
	Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Prior service cost	$	1,473		(a)
	Net actuarial loss	17,862			(a)
	Settlement loss	1,663			(a)
		20,998			Total before tax
		—			Income tax benefit
		$	20,998		Net of tax
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	Amortization of pension benefit items is included in cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion) and selling, general and administrative expenses while amortization of other postretirement benefit items is included in other postretirement benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three level hierarchy has been established for valuing assets and liabilities based on how transparent (observable) the inputs are that are used to determine fair value, with the inputs considered most observable categorized as Level 1 and those that are the least observable categorized as Level 3. Hierarchy levels are defined as follows:
	Level 1:		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
	Level 2:		Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
	Level 3:		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market data which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The Company had no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014. The following table presents information about the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such values. For some assets, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When this is the case, the asset is categorized based on the level of the most significant input to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considers factors specific to the assets being valued.
		December 31, 2013
		Fair Value
		Measurements Using						Total
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Interest rate cap	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	1
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	3,080	$	—	$	3,080
	The Company uses quoted dealer prices for similar contracts in active over-the-counter markets for determining fair value of Level 2 financial assets and liabilities.
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:
	Cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable—The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate fair value.
	Debt—All of the Company's outstanding debt is carried at cost. There were no borrowings outstanding under the revolver at December 31, 2014 or 2013. The estimated fair value of the Company's debt is based upon observable market data (Level 2). The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations, equipment financing agreements and a discount on the revolver of $1,542 as of December 31, 2014) are presented below (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
	2011 term loan A(1)	$	—	$	—	$	401,052	$	403,517
	2011 term loan B(2)	$	966,283	$	755,936	$	968,581	$	959,838
	9.50% senior secured notes(3)	$	967,349	$	759,025	$	447,492	$	474,750
	11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes	$	350,000	$	113,750	$	—	$	—
	9.875% senior notes(4)	$	385,795	$	77,600	$	496,831	$	431,250
	8.50% senior notes	$	450,000	$	85,500	$	450,000	$	374,625
	-1	Net of debt discount of $5,514 as of December 31, 2013.
	-2	Net of debt discount of $11,895 and $9,597 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	-3	Net of debt discount of $2,651 and $2,508 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	-4	Net of debt discount of $2,205 and $3,169 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units arranged geographically which have separate management teams. The business units have been aggregated into the U.S. Operations, Canadian and U.K. Operations, and Other reportable segments. Both the U.S. Operations and Canadian and U.K. Operations reportable segments primary business is that of mining and exporting metallurgical coal for the steel industry. The U.S. Operations segment includes the operations of the Company's underground mines, surface mines, coke plant and natural gas operations located in Alabama and the Company's underground and surface mining operations located in West Virginia. The Canadian and U.K. Operations segment includes the results of the mining operations located in Northeast British Columbia (Canada) and South Wales (United Kingdom). The Other segment primarily includes unallocated corporate expenses.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance primarily based on operating income of the respective business segments.
	Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments is shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Revenues:
	U.S. Operations	$	1,166,226			$	1,331,308			$	1,728,363
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	237,584				527,989				668,313
	Other	3,535				1,334				3,219
	Total revenues (a)	$	1,407,345			$	1,860,631			$	2,399,895
	Segment operating income (loss) (b):
	U.S. Operations	$	(118,009	)		$	58,371			$	188,696
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	(183,180		)		(209,709		)		(1,158,591		)
	Other	(5,747		)		(19,627		)		(43,231		)
	Total operating loss	(306,936		)		(170,965		)		(1,013,126		)
	Interest expense, net	(295,903		)		(221,583		)		(132,997		)
	Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	33,673				(6,875		)		(5,555		)
	Other income (loss), net	646				(1,418		)		(13,081		)
	Loss before income tax benefit	(568,520		)		(400,841		)		(1,164,759		)
	Income tax benefit	(97,952		)		(41,838		)		(99,204		)
	Net loss	$	(470,568	)		$	(359,003	)		$	(1,065,555	)
	Impairment and restructuring charges:
	U.S. Operations	$	52,223			$	(7,763	)		$	114,281
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	4,721				10,646				999,198
	Other	564				—				—
	Total	$	57,508			$	2,883			$	1,113,479
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Depreciation and depletion:
	U.S. Operations	$	150,701			$	167,668			$	173,140
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	109,368				141,696				141,713
	Other	2,456				2,150				1,379
	Total	$	262,525			$	311,514			$	316,232
	Capital expenditures:
	U.S. Operations	$	85,333			$	133,407			$	162,535
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	4,387				18,331				224,583
	Other	3,279				2,158				4,394
	Total	$	92,999			$	153,896			$	391,512
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Identifiable assets by segment:
	U.S. Operations	$	1,122,850			$	1,265,255			$	1,603,745
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	3,538,073				3,687,925				3,728,817
	Other	725,206				637,680				435,858
	Total	$	5,386,129			$	5,590,860			$	5,768,420
	Long-lived assets by country:
	U.S.	$	876,079			$	998,763			$	1,034,992
	Canada	3,007,732				3,092,483				3,203,227
	U.K.	419,287				451,308				459,469
	Total	$	4,303,098			$	4,542,554			$	4,697,688
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	Export sales were $1.0 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.9 billion for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Export sales to customers in foreign countries in excess of 10% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Percent of Consolidated Revenues
		For the years ended December 31,
	Country	2014			2013			2012
	Germany	9.6	%		10.5	%		9.7	%
	Brazil	10.7	%		13.3	%		10.7	%
	Japan	8.6	%		13.2	%		11.5	%
	(b)	Segment operating income (loss) amounts include expenses for other postretirement benefits. A breakdown by segment of other postretirement benefits (income) expense is as follows (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S. Operations	$	55,653			$	59,118			$	53,301
	Other	(177		)		(218		)		(449		)
	$	55,476			$	58,900			$	52,852

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	The Company owns a 50% interest in Black Warrior Methane ("BWM"), which is accounted for under the proportionate consolidation method. The Company has granted the rights to produce and sell methane gas from its coal mines to BWM. The Company also supplies labor to BWM and incurs costs, including property and liability insurance, to support the joint venture. The Company charges the joint venture for such costs on a monthly basis. These charges for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $1.8 million, $1.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
	In connection with the acquisition of Western Coal Corp., the Company acquired a 50% interest in the Belcourt Saxon Coal Limited Partnership ("Belcourt Saxon"). Belcourt Saxon owns two multi-deposit coal properties which are located approximately 40 to 80 miles south of the Wolverine Mine in Northeast British Columbia. The joint venture was formed for the future exploration and development of surface coal mines. Belcourt Saxon is accounted for under the proportionate consolidation method. Costs associated with the joint venture were insignificant for 2014, 2013 and 2012. No field work was conducted on the Belcourt Saxon properties during 2014, other than maintenance of environmental monitoring stations.

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information	NOTE 22—Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information
	In accordance with the indentures governing the 9.875% senior notes due December 2020, the 8.50% senior notes due April 2021 and the 11.0%/12.0% senior notes due April 2020 (collectively the "Senior Notes"), certain 100% owned U.S. domestic restricted subsidiaries of the Company have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes on a joint and several basis. Effective November 10, 2014, the subsidiaries that comprise the Company's West Virginia operations were added as guarantors under the indentures governing the Senior Notes. Prior period balances have been restated to present these subsidiaries as guarantors. The following tables present unaudited consolidating financial information for (i) the Company, (ii) the issuer of the senior notes, (iii) the guarantors under the senior notes, and (iv) the entities which are not guarantors of the senior notes:
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	31-Dec-14
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	421,533		$	1,117		$	45,882		$	—		$	468,532
	Trade receivables, net	—			88,959			2,098			—			91,057
	Other receivables	123,659			2,193			1,185			—			127,037
	Intercompany receivables	—			206,118			14,952			(221,070		)	—
	Inventories	—			110,882			90,716			—			201,598
	Deferred income taxes	15,986			—			833			—			16,819
	Prepaid expenses	3,424			40,044			2,722			—			46,190
	Other current assets	10,363			7,029			2,150			—			19,542
	Total current assets	574,965			456,342			160,538			(221,070		)	970,775
	Mineral interests, net	—			135,377			2,701,424			—			2,836,801
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,558			726,478			732,261			—			1,466,297
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,233,399			6,459			—			(3,239,858		)	—
	Other long-term assets	87,928			17,857			6,471			—			112,256
		$	3,903,850		$	1,342,513		$	3,600,694		$	(3,460,928	)	$	5,386,129
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current debt	$	—		$	7,209		$	5,118		$	—		$	12,327
	Accounts payable	2,296			30,697			5,987			—			38,980
	Accrued expenses	43,088			60,762			21,468			—			125,318
	Intercompany payables	221,070			—			—			(221,070		)	—
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	95			28,937			—			—			29,032
	Other current liabilities	168,444			27,172			20,336			—			215,952
	Total current liabilities	434,993			154,777			52,909			(221,070		)	421,609
	Long-term debt	3,117,886			5,704			53			—			3,123,643
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	10,502			630,729			—			—			641,231
	Deferred income taxes	23,766			—			706,919			—			730,685
	Other long-term liabilities	35,122			96,599			55,659			—			187,380
	Total liabilities	3,622,269			887,809			815,540			(221,070		)	5,104,548
	Stockholders' equity	281,581			454,704			2,785,154			(3,239,858		)	281,581
		$	3,903,850		$	1,342,513		$	3,600,694		$	(3,460,928	)	$	5,386,129
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	31-Dec-13
	(in thousands)
		Parent (Issuer)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	234,150		$	1,620		$	25,048		$	—		$	260,818
	Trade receivables, net	—			92,027			57,089			—			149,116
	Other receivables	113,936			3,157			15,554			—			132,647
	Intercompany receivables	—			29,735			58,169			(87,904		)	—
	Intercompany loans receivable	63,549			1,104,282			—			(1,167,831		)	—
	Inventories	—			176,981			135,666			—			312,647
	Deferred income taxes	23,957			12,716			394			—			37,067
	Prepaid expenses	2,245			34,317			2,460			—			39,022
	Other current assets	15,257			440			2,334			—			18,031
	Total current assets	453,094			1,455,275			296,714			(1,255,735		)	949,348
	Mineral interests, net	—			157,812			2,747,190			—			2,905,002
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,248			824,729			805,575			—			1,637,552
	Deferred income taxes	3,049			—			—			(3,049		)	—
	Investment in subsidiaries	4,409,683			6,401			—			(4,416,084		)	—
	Other long-term assets	73,564			13,186			12,208			—			98,958
		$	4,946,638		$	2,457,403		$	3,861,687		$	(5,674,868	)	$	5,590,860
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current debt	$	—		$	1,424		$	7,786		$	—		$	9,210
	Accounts payable	5,604			68,370			18,738			—			92,712
	Accrued expenses	34,551			57,036			42,283			—			133,870
Intercompany payables	87,904			—			—			(87,904		)	—
Intercompany loans payable	1,104,282			—			63,549			(1,167,831		)	—
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	94			37,031			—			—			37,125
Other current liabilities	164,364			22,443			20,177			—			206,984
Total current liabilities	1,396,799			186,304			152,533			(1,255,735		)	479,901
Long-term debt	2,763,957			22			5,643			—			2,769,622
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	263			572,505			—			—			572,768
Deferred income taxes	—			24,079			801,837			(3,049		)	822,867
Other long-term liabilities	32,925			87,944			72,139			—			193,008
Total liabilities	4,193,944			870,854			1,032,152			(1,258,784		)	4,838,166
Stockholders' equity	752,694			1,586,549			2,829,535			(4,416,084		)	752,694
	$	4,946,638		$	2,457,403		$	3,861,687		$	(5,674,868	)	$	5,590,860
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Revenues:
Sales	$	—		$	1,136,548		$	237,874		$	—		$	1,374,422
Miscellaneous income	1,206			13,631			18,086			—			32,923
	1,206			1,150,179			255,960			—			1,407,345
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			963,015			303,742			—			1,266,757
Depreciation and depletion	2,456			148,218			111,851			—			262,525
Selling, general and administrative	6,276			47,167			18,572			—			72,015
Other postretirement benefits	(177		)	55,653			—			—			55,476
Restructuring and asset impairments	564			52,223			4,721			—			57,508
	9,119			1,266,276			438,886			—			1,714,281
Operating loss	(7,913		)	(116,097		)	(182,926		)	—			(306,936		)
Interest income (expense), net	(299,405		)	6,458			(2,956		)	—			(295,903		)
Gain on extinguishment of debt	33,673			—			—			—			33,673
Other income (loss), net	704			(2		)	(56		)	—			646
Loss before income tax benefit	(272,941		)	(109,641		)	(185,938		)	—			(568,520		)
Income tax benefit	(184		)	—			(97,768		)	—			(97,952		)
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(197,811		)	—			—			197,811			—
Net loss	$	(470,568	)	$	(109,641	)	$	(88,170	)	$	197,811		$	(470,568	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Revenues:
Sales	$	—		$	1,304,806		$	531,537		$	—		$	1,836,343
Miscellaneous income	88			11,201			12,999			—			24,288
	88			1,316,007			544,536			—			1,860,631
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			985,176			573,129			—			1,558,305
Depreciation and depletion	2,150			157,065			152,299			—			311,514
Selling, general and administrative	4,393			53,415			42,186			—			99,994
Other postretirement benefits	(218		)	59,118			—			—			58,900
Restructuring and asset impairments	—			(7,763		)	10,646			—			2,883
	6,325			1,247,011			778,260			—			2,031,596
Operating income (loss)	(6,237		)	68,996			(233,724		)	—			(170,965		)
Interest income (expense), net	(252,144		)	27,877			2,684			—			(221,583		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(6,875		)	—			—			—			(6,875		)
Other income (loss), net	(300		)	(1,336		)	218			—			(1,418		)
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(265,556		)	95,537			(230,822		)	—			(400,841		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(51,821		)	111,527			(101,544		)	—			(41,838		)
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(145,268		)	—			—			145,268			—
Net loss	$	(359,003	)	$	(15,990	)	$	(129,278	)	$	145,268		$	(359,003	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Revenues:
Sales	$	—		$	1,702,246		$	679,514		$	—		$	2,381,760
Miscellaneous income (loss)	2,233			21,047			(5,145		)	—			18,135
	2,233			1,723,293			674,369			—			2,399,895
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			1,142,914			654,077			—			1,796,991
Depreciation and depletion	1,379			165,300			149,553			—			316,232
Selling, general and administrative	11,716			72,962			48,789			—			133,467
Other postretirement benefits	(449		)	53,301			—			—			52,852
Restructuring and asset impairments	—			—			49,070			—			49,070
Goodwill impairment	—			74,319			990,090			—			1,064,409
	12,646			1,508,796			1,891,579			—			3,413,021
Operating income (loss)	(10,413		)	214,497			(1,217,210		)	—			(1,013,126		)
Interest income (expense), net	(151,488		)	22,909			(4,418		)	—			(132,997		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(5,555		)	—			—			—			(5,555		)
Other loss, net	—			—			(13,081		)	—			(13,081		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(167,456		)	237,406			(1,234,709		)	—			(1,164,759		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(68,615		)	73,379			(103,968		)				(99,204		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(98,841		)	164,027			(1,130,741		)	—			(1,065,555		)
Income from discontinued operations	—			5,180			—			—			5,180
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(961,534		)	—			—			961,534			—
Net income (loss)	$	(1,060,375	)	$	169,207		$	(1,130,741	)	$	961,534		$	(1,060,375	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Net loss	$	(470,568	)	$	(109,641	)	$	(88,170	)	$	197,811		(470,568		)
Other comprehensive loss:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	(33,819		)	(30,275		)	—			30,275			(33,819		)
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	1,679			3			—			(3		)	1,679
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(23,650		)	—			(23,650		)	23,650			(23,650		)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(55,790		)	(30,272		)	(23,650		)	53,922			(55,790		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(526,358	)	$	(139,913	)	$	(111,820	)	$	251,733		$	(526,358	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Net loss	$	(359,003	)	$	(15,990	)	$	(129,278	)	$	145,268		$	(359,003	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	100,892			91,501			—			(91,501		)	100,892
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	2,524			58			—			(58		)	2,524
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	6,073			—			6,073			(6,073		)	6,073
Change in unrealized loss on investments, net of tax	(897		)	—			(897		)	897			(897		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	108,592			91,559			5,176			(96,735		)	108,592
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	(250,411	)	$	75,569		$	(124,102	)	$	48,533		$	(250,411	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
							Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(1,060,375	)	$	169,207		$	(1,130,741	)	$	961,534		$	(1,060,375	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	(40,501		)	(90,876		)	—			90,876			(40,501		)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, net of tax	(3,416		)	95			(2,533		)	2,438			(3,416		)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	1,774			—			1,774			(1,774		)	1,774
Change in unrealized gain on investments, net of tax	769			—			769			(769		)	769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(41,374		)	(90,781		)	10			90,771			(41,374		)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,101,749	)	$	78,426		$	(1,130,731	)	$	1,052,305		$	(1,101,749	)
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(179,786	)	$	53,037		$	(12,955	)	$	—		$	(139,704	)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(3,279		)	(82,889		)	(6,831		)	—			(92,999		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	(44		)	30,156			—			—			30,112
Intercompany loans made	(5,200		)	—			—			5,200			—
Intercompany loans received	1,828			—			—			(1,828		)	—
Other	—			—			488			—			488
Cash flows used in investing activities	(6,695		)	(52,733		)	(6,343		)	3,372			(62,399		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	869,800			—			—			—			869,800
Retirements of debt	(411,766		)	(7,626		)	(7,773		)	—			(427,165		)
Dividends paid	(2,625		)	—			—			—			(2,625		)
Debt issuance costs	(27,748		)	—			—			—			(27,748		)
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	(53,602		)	6,812			46,790			—			—
Intercompany notes borrowings	—			—			5,200			(5,200		)	—
Intercompany notes payments	—			—			(1,828		)	1,828			—
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	108			—			—			—			108
Other	(303		)	7			(7		)	—			(303		)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	373,864			(807		)	42,382			(3,372		)	412,067
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(2,250		)	—			(2,250		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	187,383			(503		)	20,834			—			207,714
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	234,150			1,620			25,048			—			260,818
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	421,533		$	1,117		$	45,882		$	—		$	468,532
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(204,982	)	$	246,428		$	(68,522	)	$	—		$	(27,076	)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(2,294		)	(130,061		)	(21,541		)	—			(153,896		)
Proceeds from sales of investments	—			—			1,559			—			1,559
Intercompany loans made	(40,236		)	—			—			40,236			—
Intercompany loans received	30,500			—			—			(30,500		)	—
Other	—			—			1,824			—			1,824
Cash flows used in investing activities	(12,030		)	(130,061		)	(18,158		)	9,736			(150,513		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	897,412			—			—			—			897,412
Retirements of debt	(496,062		)	(11,840		)	(7,293		)	—			(515,195		)
Dividends paid	(16,889		)	—			—			—			(16,889		)
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	(717		)	—			—			—			(717		)
Debt issuance costs	(41,588		)	—			—			—			(41,588		)
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	25,072			(97,311		)	72,239			—			—
Intercompany notes borrowings	—			—			40,236			(40,236		)	—
Intercompany notes payments	—			(13,639		)	(16,861		)	30,500			—
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	279			—			—			—			279
Other	(178		)	(115		)	—			—			(293		)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	367,329			(122,905		)	88,321			(9,736		)	323,009
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(1,203		)	—			(1,203		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	150,317			(6,538		)	438			—			144,217
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	83,833			8,158			24,610			—			116,601
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	234,150		$	1,620		$	25,048		$	—		$	260,818
WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
	(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(373,256	)	$	742,100		$	(38,937	)	$	—		$	329,907
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(4,395		)	(157,833		)	(229,284		)	—			(391,512		)
Proceeds from sales of investments	—			—			13,239			—			13,239
Intercompany loans made	(293,170		)	—			—			293,170			—
Intercompany loans received	16,513			—			—			(16,513		)	—
Investments in equity affiliates	(238,083		)	—			—			238,083			—
Distributions from equity affiliates	271,847			—			—			(271,847		)	—
Other	—			855			43			—			898
Cash flows used in investing activities	(247,288		)	(156,978		)	(216,002		)	242,893			(377,375		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	496,510			—			—			—			496,510
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	—			—			510,650			—			510,650
Repayments on revolving credit agreement	—			—			(519,453		)	—			(519,453		)
Retirements of debt	(343,255		)	(12,140		)	(37,456		)	—			(392,851		)
Dividends paid	(31,246		)	—			—			—			(31,246		)
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	217			—			—			—			217
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	161			—			—			—			161
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants	(11,535		)	—			—			—			(11,535		)
Debt issuance costs	(24,532		)	—			—			—			(24,532		)
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	519,737			(568,099		)	48,362			—			—
Intercompany notes borrowings	—			8,499			284,671			(293,170		)	—
Intercompany notes payments	—			—			(16,513		)	16,513			—
Investment from Parent	—			238,083			—			(238,083		)	—
Intercompany dividends	—			(261,102		)	(10,745		)	271,847			—
Other	(766		)	—			—			—			(766		)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	605,291			(594,759		)	259,516			(242,893		)	27,155
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations	(15,253		)	(9,637		)	4,577			—			(20,313		)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities	—			9,500			—			—			9,500
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations	—			9,500			—			—			9,500
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(1,016		)	—			(1,016		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(15,253	)	$	(137	)	$	3,561		—			$	(11,829	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	99,086			8,295			21,049			—			128,430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	83,833		$	8,158		$	24,610		$	—		$	116,601

Summary_of_Quarterly_Financial

Summary of Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Financial Information	SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Quarter ended
	Fiscal Year 2014	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	Revenues	$	413,885		$	378,351		$	329,546		$	285,563
	Operating loss	$	(47,062	)	$	(99,439	)	$	(54,833	)	$	(105,602	)
	Net loss(1)	$	(92,178	)	$	(151,391	)	$	(98,902	)	$	(128,097	)
	Basic and Diluted loss per share:(3)
	Net loss	$	(1.47	)	$	(2.33	)	$	(1.48	)	$	(1.83	)
		Quarter ended
	Fiscal Year 2013	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	Revenues	$	491,343		$	441,496		$	455,796		$	471,996
	Operating loss	$	(63,620	)	$	(30,553	)	$	(59,081	)	$	(17,711	)
	Net loss(2)	$	(49,444	)	$	(34,492	)	$	(100,724	)	$	(174,343	)
	Basic and Diluted loss per share:(3)
	Net loss	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.55	)	$	(1.61	)	$	(2.79	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	Net loss included restructuring and impairment charges (benefits) of $31.3 million, $(2.4) million and $28.6 million for the three months ended June, 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Net loss also included gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt of $(13.9) million, $11.4 million, $3.4 million, and $32.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	-2	Net loss included restructuring and impairment charges (benefits) of $7.4 million, $(5.7) million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Net loss also included a gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt of $6.0 million and $(0.9) million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2013 also included a $140.9 million income tax charge for a deferred income tax valuation allowance.
	-3	The sum of quarterly EPS amounts may be different than annual amounts as a result of the impact of variations in shares outstanding.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the applicable reporting period. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers	Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers
	The Company's principal line of business is mining and marketing metallurgical coal to foreign steel and coke producers. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 76%, 83% and 78%, respectively, of the Company's sales revenues were derived from coal shipments to these customers, located primarily in Europe, South America and Asia. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 70%, 84% and 87%, respectively, of the Company's net trade receivables related to these customers. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2013, ArcelorMittal accounted for $233.5 million, or 12.6%, of consolidated revenues. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition. In some instances, the Company requires letters of credit, cash collateral or prepayment for shipment from its customers to mitigate the risk of loss. These efforts have consistently led to minimal credit losses.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; delivery has occurred; and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. For coal shipments via rail, delivery generally occurs when the railcar is loaded. For coal shipments via ocean vessel, delivery generally occurs when the vessel is loaded. For coke shipments via rail or truck, revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, generally at the point of shipment. For natural gas sales, delivery occurs when the gas has been transferred to the pipeline.
Shipping and Handling	Shipping and Handling
	Costs incurred to get products to point of sale are included in cost of sales and amounts billed to customers, if any, to cover shipping and handling are included in sales.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include short-term deposits and highly liquid investments that have original maturities of three months or less when purchased and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Allowances for Losses	Allowances for Losses
	Allowances for losses on trade accounts receivables are based, in large part, upon judgments and estimates of expected losses and specific identification of problem trade accounts receivables. Significantly weaker than anticipated industry or economic conditions could impact customers' ability to pay such that actual losses may be greater than the amounts provided for in these allowances.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized lower of cost or market charges of $74.6 million, $126.1 million, and $218.8 million, respectively, which are included within cost of sales exclusive of depreciation and depletion in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognized lower of cost or market charges of $55.4 million, $36.5 million and $17.4 million within depreciation and depletion in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company's coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, freight, royalties, depreciation and depletion and other related costs. As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's coal inventories are determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") inventory valuation method. The valuation of coal inventories are subject to estimates due to possible gains and losses resulting from inventory movements from the mine site to storage facilities, inherent inaccuracies in belt scales and aerial surveys used to measure quantities and fluctuations in moisture content. Periodic adjustments to coal tonnages on hand are made for an estimate of coal shortages and overages due to these inherent gains and losses, primarily based on historical results from the results of aerial surveys and periodic coal pile clean-ups. The Company's supplies inventories are determined using the average cost method of accounting. Additionally, the Company evaluates its inventory in terms of excess and obsolete exposures. This evaluation includes such factors as anticipated usage, inventory turnover, inventory levels and ultimate market value.
Owned and Leased Mineral Interests	Owned and Leased Mineral Interests
	Costs to obtain coal reserves and lease mineral rights are capitalized based on the fair value at acquisition and depleted using the unit-of-production method over the life of proven and probable reserves. Lease agreements are generally long-term in nature (original terms range from 10 to 50 years) and substantially all of the leases contain provisions that allow for automatic extension of the lease term providing certain requirements are met.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded principally on the straight-line or units of production methods, whichever is deemed most appropriate over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term. Estimated useful lives used in computing depreciation expense range from three to ten years for machinery and equipment, and from fifteen to thirty years for land improvements and buildings, well life for gas properties and related development, and mine life for mine development costs. Gains and losses upon disposition are reflected in the statement of operations in the period of disposition. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred.
	Direct internal and external costs to implement computer systems and software are capitalized and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the system or software, generally three to five years, beginning when site installations or module development is complete and ready for its intended use.
	Deferred Mine Development
	Costs of developing new underground mines and certain underground expansion projects are capitalized. Underground development costs, which are costs incurred to make the coal physically accessible, may include construction permits and licenses, mine design, construction of access roads, main entries, airshafts, roof protection and other facilities. Costs of developing the first pit within a permitted area of a surface mine are capitalized up to the point of coal production attaining a level that would be more than de minimis. A surface mine is defined as the permitted mining area which includes various adjacent pits that share common infrastructure, processing equipment and a common coal reserve. Surface mine development costs include construction costs for entry roads, drilling, blasting and removal of overburden to access the first coal seam. Mine development costs are amortized primarily on a unit-of-production basis over the estimated reserve tons directly benefiting from the capital expenditures. Costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are capitalized into inventory and expensed to cost of sales as the coal is sold.
	Capitalized Interest Costs
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized interest costs in the amounts of $0.5 million, $1.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company has certain asset retirement obligations, primarily related to reclamation efforts for its mining operations. These obligations are recognized at fair value in the period incurred and the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is correspondingly increased. Over time, the liability is accreted to its future value. The corresponding asset is amortized over the useful life of the asset. The present values of the Company's asset retirement obligations were $112.3 million and $116.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Natural Gas Exploration Activities
	The Company accounts for its natural gas exploration activities under the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells found commercially sufficient quantities of proved reserves. If a commercially sufficient quantity of proved reserves is not discovered, any associated previously capitalized exploratory costs associated with the drilling area are expensed. Costs of producing properties and natural gas mineral interests are amortized using the unit-of-production method. Costs incurred to develop proved reserves, including the cost of all development wells and related equipment used in the production of natural gas, are capitalized and amortized using the unit-of-production method. Unit-of-production amortization rates are revised when events and circumstances indicate an adjustment is necessary, but at least once a year, and such revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale	Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
	The Company classifies assets and liabilities (disposal groups) to be sold, which do not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, as held for sale that in the period in which all of the following criteria are met: management having the authority to approve the action commits to a plan to sell; the disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such disposal groups; an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the disposal group have been initiated; the sale of the disposal group is probable, and transfer of the disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond the Company's control extend the period of time required to sell the disposal group beyond one year; the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
	The Company initially measures a disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a disposal group until the date of sale. The Company assesses the fair value of a disposal group less any costs to sell each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and reports any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.
	Upon determining that a disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company reports the assets and liabilities of the disposal group, if material, in the line items assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	See Note 4 for additional discussion on assets and liabilities held for sale.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment. When impairment indicators exist, the Company uses an estimate of the future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or asset group over the remaining life in measuring whether or not the asset values are recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset groups exceeds its estimated future cash flows, impairment is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset groups. Fair value is generally determined using market quotes, if available, or a discounted cash flow approach. The Company's estimate of future undiscounted cash flows are based on assumptions including long-term metallurgical coal pricing forecasts, anticipated production volumes and mine operating costs for the life of mine or estimated useful life of the asset. Due to market volatility associated with the global coal supply and demand as well as actual mine operating conditions experienced in the years being forecasted, it is possible that the estimate of undiscounted cash flows may change in the near term resulting in a potential need to write down the related assets to fair value, in particular the assets associated with acquired coal reserves.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but instead is tested for impairment at a minimum annually unless circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. The Company performs its annual goodwill testing as of the beginning of the fourth quarter at the reporting unit level. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a market approach, an income approach or a combination of each. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in determining fair value of the reporting unit including markets, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, capital spending, working capital changes and the discount rate. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated.
Benefit Plans	Benefit Plans
	The Company has various defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. salaried employees and eligible hourly employees. The plans provide benefits based on years of service and compensation or at stated amounts for each year of service. The Company also provides certain postretirement benefits other than pensions, primarily healthcare, to eligible retirees. The cost of providing these benefits is determined on an actuarial basis and accrued over the employee's period of active service.
	The Company is required to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of these plans as determined on an actuarial basis as an asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company is also required to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the Company's fiscal year-end balance sheet and provide the required disclosures as of the end of each fiscal year.
	See Note 14 for additional discussion of employee benefit plans.
Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis ("Black Lung") Benefits	Workers' Compensation and Pneumoconiosis ("Black Lung") Benefits
	The Company is insured for workers' compensation benefits for work related injuries that occur within its U.S. operations. The Company retains the first $1 million to $2 million per accident for all U.S. subsidiaries and is fully insured above the deductible for statutory limits, with the exception of Jim Walter Resources located in Alabama, where the Company retains any amount in excess of $15 million per accident. Workers' compensation liabilities, including those related to claims incurred but not reported, are recorded principally using annual valuations based on discounted future expected payments and using historical data of the operating subsidiary or combined insurance industry data when historical data is limited. Workers' compensation liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Undiscounted aggregated estimated claims to be paid	$	50,417	$	46,119
	Workers' compensation liability recorded on a discounted basis	$	43,643	$	40,238
	The Company applies a discount rate at a risk-free interest rate, generally a U.S. Treasury bill rate, for each policy year. The rate used is one with a duration that corresponds to the weighted average expected payout period for each policy year. Once a discount rate is applied to a policy year, it remains the discount rate for that year until all claims are paid. The weighted average rate used for discounting the 2014 policy year liability at December 31, 2014 was 1.60%. A one-percentage-point increase in the discount rate on the discounted claims liability would decrease the liability by $0.3 million, while a one-percentage-point decrease in the discount rate would increase the liability by $0.3 million.
	The Company is responsible for medical and disability benefits for black lung disease under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, and is self-insured for certain amounts of black lung related claims. The Company performs an annual evaluation of the overall black lung liabilities at the December 31st balance sheet date. The calculation is performed using assumptions regarding rates of successful claims, discount factors, benefit increases and mortality rates, among others.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company enters into interest rate hedge agreements in accordance with the Company's internal debt and interest rate risk management policy, which is designed to mitigate risks related to floating rate financing agreements that are subject to changes in the market rate of interest. Changes in the fair value of interest rate hedge agreements that are designated and effective as hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI to the statement of operations in the same period as the underlying transactions are recorded and are recognized in the caption, interest expense. Changes in the fair value of interest rate hedge agreements that are not effective as hedges would be recorded immediately in the statement of operations as interest expense.
	To protect against the reduction in the value of forecasted cash flows resulting from sales of natural gas, the Company periodically engages in a natural gas hedging program. The Company periodically hedges portions of its forecasted revenues from sales of natural gas with natural gas derivative contracts, generally either "swaps" or "collars". The Company enters into natural gas derivatives that effectively convert a portion of its forecasted sales at floating-rate natural gas prices to a fixed-rate basis, thus reducing the impact of natural gas price changes on revenues. When natural gas prices fall, the decline in value of future natural gas sales is offset by gains in the value of swap contracts designated as hedges. Conversely, when natural gas prices rise, the increase in the value of future cash flows from natural gas sales is offset by losses in the value of the swap contracts. Changes in the fair value of natural gas derivative agreements that are designated and effective as hedges are recorded in OCI. Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI and recognized as miscellaneous income in the statement of operations in the same period as the underlying transactions are recognized. Changes in the fair value of natural gas hedge agreements that are not effective as hedges or are not designated as hedges would be recorded immediately in the statement of operations as miscellaneous income.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company's Canadian operations is the U.S. dollar, while the U.K. operation's functional currency is the British Pound. The Company's Canadian operations' monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at period end exchange rates while non-monetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for those expenses related to balance sheet amounts that are remeasured at historical exchange rates. The Company's U.K. operations' assets and liabilities are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and revenues and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. For the Company's Canadian operations, gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement related to tax balances are included as a component of income tax expense while all other remeasurement gains and losses are included in miscellaneous income (expense). For the Company's U.K. operations, foreign currency translation adjustments are reported in OCI.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company periodically grants stock-based awards to employees and its Board of Directors and records the related compensation expense during the period of vesting. This compensation expense results in a corresponding credit to capital in excess of par value and the expense is generally recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses and cost of sales, as appropriate, utilizing the graded vesting method for stock options and the straight-line method for restricted stock units. The Company uses the Black- Scholes option pricing model to value stock option grants and estimates forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. The Company uses the Monte Carlo simulation to value its performance share units in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation. See Note 6 for additional disclosures on stock-based compensation and equity awards.
Environmental Expenditures	Environmental Expenditures
	The Company capitalizes environmental expenditures that increase the life or efficiency of property or that reduce or prevent environmental contamination. The Company accrues for environmental expenses resulting from existing conditions that relate to past operations when the costs are probable and reasonably estimable. See Note 16 for additional disclosures of environmental matters.
Deferred Financing Costs	Deferred Financing Costs
	The costs to obtain new debt financing or amend existing financing agreements are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related indebtedness or credit facility using the effective interest method.
Income (Loss) per Share	Income (Loss) per Share
	The Company calculates basic income (loss) per share based on the weighted average common shares outstanding during each period and diluted income (loss) per share based on weighted average common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during each period. Dilutive common equivalent shares include the dilutive effect of stock awards. See Note 15 for additional disclosures on income (loss) per share.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company records a tax provision for the expected tax effects of the reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax impact of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
	The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
	When the Company concludes that all or part of the net deferred income tax assets are not realizable in the future, the Company makes an adjustment to the valuation allowance that is charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.
	See Note 10 for additional disclosures on the accounting for income taxes.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014‑08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014‑08 improves the definition of discontinued operations by limiting the discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in ASU 2014‑08 are effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has early adopted this standard and is in compliance.

Business_and_Basis_of_Presenta1

Business and Basis of Presentation Business and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of revision for loss on extinguishment of debt	The following reflects the revisions for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		2013			2012
	Interest expense, prior to revision	$	(233,854	)	$	(139,356	)
	Interest income	1,103			804
	Revision of loss on extinguishment of debt	11,168			5,555
	Interest expense, net revised	$	(221,583	)	$	(132,997	)
		2013			2012
	Other income (loss), net, prior to revision	$	2,875		$	(13,081	)
	Revision of gain on extinguishment of debt	(4,293		)	—
	Other loss, net revised	$	(1,418	)	$	(13,081	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Workers' Compensation Liabilities	Workers' compensation liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Undiscounted aggregated estimated claims to be paid	$	50,417	$	46,119
	Workers' compensation liability recorded on a discounted basis	$	43,643	$	40,238

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair1

Restructuring and Asset Impairments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale, Fair Value	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Gauley Eagle operations assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
	Mineral interests, net	$	1,654
	Property, plant and equipment, net	1,527
	Advance mining royalties	3,368
	Other current assets	$	6,549
	Asset retirement obligations	$	4,049
	Other current liabilities	$	4,049
	The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Gauley Eagle operations assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	Mineral interests, net	$	16,464
	Property, plant and equipment, net	20,233
	Advance mining royalties (1)	2,863
		$	39,560
	Asset retirement obligations (1)	$	7,365
		$	7,365

Equity_Award_Plans_Tables

Equity Award Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options During the Year	A summary of activity related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014 is presented below:
		Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000) (1)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	749,616		$	40.88
	Granted	629,963		$	10.45
	Exercised	(18,300	)	$	5.89
	Forfeited or expired	(105,538	)	$	21.64
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,255,741		$	27.75		7.03	$	—
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	517,384		$	44.92		4.3	$	—
	_____________________________
	(1) The market price of all outstanding and exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2014 was less than the exercise price resulting in no intrinsic value.
Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine the Grant-date Fair Value of Options Granted	Weighted average assumptions used to determine the grant-date fair value of options granted were:
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Risk free interest rate	1.53	%	1.13	%	0.85	%
	Dividend yield	0.25	%	1.1	%	0.55	%
	Expected life (years)	5.02		4.98		4.95
	Volatility	63.62	%	73.54	%	75.79	%
Summary of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units During the Year	A summary of activity related to restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	209,511		$	63.67
	Granted	597,434		$	9.82
	Vested	(115,115	)	$	83.33
	Forfeited or expired	(68,145	)	$	15.47
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	623,685		$	13.73
Summary of Activity Related to Performance-based Share Units During the Year	A summary of activity related to performance-based share units during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	53,874		$	52.38
	Granted	168,029		$	12.13
	Vested	—		$	—
	Forfeited or canceled	(18,063	)	$	20.55
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	203,840		$	22.02

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Receivables	Trade receivables are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Trade receivables	$	92,418		$	150,394
	Less: Allowance for losses	(1,361		)	(1,278		)
	Trade receivables, net	$	91,057		$	149,116
	Other receivables are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Tax receivables	$	123,826		$	127,130
	Miscellaneous receivables	3,211			5,517
	Other receivables	$	127,037		$	132,647

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Coal	$	136,335	$	238,820
	Raw materials, supplies and other	65,263		73,827
	Total inventories	$	201,598	$	312,647

Mineral_Interests_and_Property1

Mineral Interests and Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	38,624		$	79,733
	Land improvements	29,739			43,107
	Building and leasehold improvements	417,352			420,142
	Mine development costs	262,641			255,680
	Machinery and equipment	1,613,033			1,569,318
	Gas properties and related development	190,233			188,527
	Construction in progress	53,774			61,933
	Total	2,605,396			2,618,440
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,139,099		)	(980,888		)
	Net	$	1,466,297		$	1,637,552

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Applicable to Continuing Operations	Income tax expense (benefit) applicable to continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014									2013									2012
		Current			Deferred			Total			Current			Deferred			Total			Current			Deferred			Total
	Federal	$	(24,660	)	$	24,221		$	(439	)	$	(54,312	)	$	103,851		$	49,539		$	49,236		$	(45,330	)	$	3,906
	State	160			94			254			(3,906		)	15,040			11,134			3,860			(1,747		)	2,113
	Foreign	(2,513		)	(95,254		)	(97,767		)	(138		)	(102,373		)	(102,511		)	(20,080		)	(85,143		)	(105,223		)
	Total	$	(27,013	)	$	(70,939	)	$	(97,952	)	$	(58,356	)	$	16,518		$	(41,838	)	$	33,016		$	(132,220	)	$	(99,204	)
Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities	As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities were (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating losses and credit carryforwards	$	403,572		$	278,016
	Accrued expenses	23,414			19,033
	Contingent interest	46,089			42,763
	Other postretirement benefits	222,297			223,346
	Pension obligations	26,893			2,925
	Other	14,275			1,377
	Total	736,540			567,460
	Less: valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	(333,650		)	(166,265		)
	Net deferred income tax assets	402,890			401,195
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Prepaid expenses	(18,514		)	(13,494		)
	British Columbia mineral tax	(159,360		)	(184,680		)
	Property, plant and equipment	(938,882		)	(990,580		)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,116,756		)	(1,188,754		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(713,866	)	$	(787,559	)
	Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
	Current deferred income tax asset	$	16,819		$	37,067
	Other current liabilities	—			(1,759		)
	Noncurrent deferred income tax liability	(730,685		)	(822,867		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(713,866	)	$	(787,559	)
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate to Statutory Rate	The income tax expense (benefit) at the Company's effective tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% as follows (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	(568,520	)	$	(400,841	)	$	(1,164,759	)
	Tax benefit at statutory tax rate of 35%	(198,982		)	(140,294		)	(407,665		)
	Effect of:
	Excess depletion benefit	(8,667		)	(17,524		)	(26,107		)
	Taxation of foreign operations	(7,894		)	(5,663		)	(11,945		)
	British Columbia mineral tax foreign currency effect	(15,727		)	(26,778		)	3,643
	British Columbia mineral tax	(10,845		)	(14,697		)	(22,365		)
	Goodwill impairment	—			—			372,543
	State and local income tax, net of federal effect	(12,840		)	(6,947		)	2,470
	U.S. domestic production activities benefit	—			—			(2,950		)
	Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	158,305			145,322			19,189
	Impact of statutory tax rate changes	89			14,660			(3,772		)
	Credits and other incentives	(2,704		)	(659		)	(2,301		)
	Impact of West Virginia legal entity restructuring	—			10,084			—
	Other	1,313			658			(19,944		)
	Tax benefit recognized	$	(97,952	)	$	(41,838	)	$	(99,204	)
Schedule of Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of the Total Amounts of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Penalties and Interest	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits excluding penalties and interest is as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	76,288		$	89,631		$	92,758
	Increases for tax positions taken in prior years	734			347			10,019
	Increases in tax positions for the current year	—			—			8,058
	Decreases for tax positions taken in prior years	(3,086		)	(13,690		)	(18,440		)
	Decreases for lapse of statute of limitations	—			—			(2,764		)
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	73,936		$	76,288		$	89,631

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in the Asset Retirement Obligations	Changes in the asset retirement obligations are as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	116,393		$	89,478
	Accretion expense	11,011			9,079
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	(87		)	26,453
	Obligations settled	(10,941		)	(8,617		)
	Obligations held for sale (1)	(4,049		)	—
	Balance at end of year	$	112,327		$	116,393
	_____________________________
	(1) In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company determined that the Gauley Eagle operations within the Company's U.S. Operations segment located in West Virginia met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrued professional fees	$	23,341	$	23,855
	Accrued wages and employee benefits	28,299		41,938
	Accrued interest	42,329		34,473
	Freight	10,144		11,105
	Other	21,205		22,499
	Total accrued expenses	$	125,318	$	133,870
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrual for tax interest and penalties	$	121,861	$	111,581
	Accrual for uncertain tax positions	42,488		42,433
	Asset retirement obligations	22,740		23,937
	Liabilities held for sale	4,049		—
	Other	24,814		29,033
	Total other current liabilities	$	215,952	$	206,984

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt Instruments	Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,			Weighted Average Interest Rate at December 31, 2014		Final Maturity
		2014			2013
	2011 term loan A	$	—		$	406,566		—%		—
	2011 term loan B	978,178			978,178			7.25%		2018
	9.50% senior secured notes	970,000			450,000			9.50%		2019
	11.00% / 12.00% senior secured PIK toggle notes	350,000			—			11.00% / 12.00%		2020
	9.875% senior notes	388,000			500,000			9.88%		2020
	8.50% senior notes	450,000			450,000			8.50%		2021
	Other (1)	18,085			14,876			Various		Various
	Debt discount, net	(18,293		)	(20,788		)
	Total Debt	3,135,970			2,778,832
	Less: current debt (1)	(12,327		)	(9,210		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,123,643		$	2,769,622
	___________________________
	-1	This balance includes capital lease obligations (see Note 16) and an equipment financing agreement.
Minimum Debt Repayment Schedule, Excluding Interest	The Company's minimum debt repayment schedule, excluding interest, as of December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Payments Due
		2015			2016			2017			2018		2019		Thereafter
	2011 term loan B	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	978,178	$	—	$	—
	9.50% senior secured notes	—			—			—			—		970,000		—
	11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes	—			—			—			—		—		350,000
	9.875% senior notes	—			—			—			—		—		388,000
	8.50% senior notes	—			—			—			—		—		450,000
	Other debt	12,327			5,758			—			—		—		—
		$	12,327		$	5,758		$	—		$	978,178	$	970,000	$	1,188,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized for All of the Entity's Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	The amounts recognized for all of the Company's pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		December 31,				December 31,				December 31,			December 31,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	290,524			$	247,874			$	598,385		$	600,748
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	265,650			$	295,944			$	600,748		$	662,464
	Service cost	6,804				7,062				7,776			9,943
	Interest cost	13,296				12,280				30,903			28,791
	Actuarial (gain) loss	59,433				(37,873		)		64,426			(74,146		)
	Benefits paid	(28,083		)		(11,763		)		(28,924		)	(26,304		)
	Plan amendments	4,531				—				(76,544		)	—
	Plan settlements	(5,162		)		—				—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	316,469			$	265,650			$	598,385		$	600,748
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	257,765			$	232,960			$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets	14,138				35,788				—			—
	Employer contributions	771				780				28,924			26,304
	Benefits paid	(28,083		)		(11,763		)		(28,924		)	(26,304		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	244,591			$	257,765			$	—		$	—
	Unfunded status of plan	$	(71,878	)		$	(7,885	)		$	(598,385	)	$	(600,748	)
	Amounts recognized in balance sheet, pre-tax:
	Other long-term assets	$	—			$	1,260			$	—		$	—
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation
	Current	(3,292		)		(7,089		)		(25,740		)	(30,036		)
	Long-term	(68,586		)		(2,056		)		(572,645		)	(570,712		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(71,878	)		$	(7,885	)		$	(598,385	)	$	(600,748	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax
	Prior service cost (credit)	$	5,279			$	994			$	(70,130	)	$	7,641
	Net actuarial loss	107,884				48,331				287,550			238,693
	Net amount recognized	$	113,163			$	49,325			$	217,420		$	246,334
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits											Other Postretirement Benefits
		For the years ended December 31,											For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012			2014				2013			2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	6,804			$	7,062			$	5,991		$	7,776			$	9,943		$	8,072
	Interest cost	13,296				12,280				12,517			30,903				28,791			29,010
	Expected return on plan assets	(18,213		)		(16,941		)		(16,125		)	—				—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	246				263				256			1,227				1,230			1,045
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,292				9,609				9,377			15,570				18,936			14,725
	Settlement loss	1,663				—				—			—				—
	Net periodic benefit cost for continuing operations	$	6,088			$	12,273			$	12,016		$	55,476			$	58,900		$	52,852
Schedule of Estimated Portion of Net Prior Service Cost and Net Actuarial Loss Remaining in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income that is Expected to be Recognized as a Component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost in 2014	The estimated portions of net prior service cost (credit) and net actuarial loss remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs in 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Prior service cost (credit)	$	681			$	(6,209	)
	Net actuarial loss	7,666				22,635
	Net amount to be recognized	$	8,347			$	16,426
Schedule of Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits				Total
	Current year net actuarial loss	$	(63,507	)		$	(64,426	)		$	(127,933	)
	Current year prior service (cost) credit	(4,530		)		76,544				72,014
	Amortization of actuarial loss	2,292				15,570				17,862
	Recognition of settlement loss	1,663				—				1,663
	Amortization of prior service cost	246				1,227				1,473
	Total	(63,836		)		28,915				(34,921		)
	Deferred income taxes	218				884				1,102
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$	(63,618	)		$	29,799			$	(33,819	)
Summary of Key Assumptions Used	A summary of key assumptions used is as follows:
		Pension Benefits									Other Postretirement Benefits
		December 31,									December 31,
		2014			2013			2012			2014		2013			2012
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
	Discount rate	4.32	%		5.24	%		4.29	%		4.34	%	5.28	%		4.44	%
	Rate of compensation increase	3.7	%		3.7	%		3.7	%		—		—			—
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
	Discount rate	5.24	%		4.29	%		5.02	%		5.28	%	4.44	%		5.14	%
	Expected return on plan assets	7.25	%		7.5	%		7.75	%		—		—			—
	Rate of compensation increase	3.7	%		3.7	%		3.7	%		—		—			—
Summary of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
		December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		Pre-65		Post-65		Pre-65		Post-65		Pre-65		Post-65
	Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31:
	Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	6.90%		6.90%		7.00%		7.00%		7.50%		7.50%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	4.50%		4.50%		4.50%		4.50%		5.00%		5.00%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2027		2027		2027		2027		2019		2019
Schedule of Pension Trust's Strategic Asset Allocation Targets	The Pension Trust's strategic asset allocation targets for 2014 and the asset allocations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
							Actual Allocation
		Strategic Allocation			Tactical Range		2014			2013
	Equity Investments:
	U.S. large-cap equity	33	%		25-41%		33.4	%		39	%
	International equity	13	%		9-17%		11.9	%		14.3	%
	U.S. mid-cap equity	14	%		10-18%		14.6	%		9.7	%
	Total equity investments	60	%		50-70%		59.9	%		63	%
	Fixed income investments	40	%		30-50%		38.7	%		36.5	%
	Cash	—	%		0-5%		1.4	%		0.5	%
	Total	100	%				100	%		100	%
Schedule of the Fair Values of Pension Trust's Assets by Asset Category	The fair values of the Pension Trust's assets, all of which are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets for identified assets (Level 1), were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
	Asset Class:	2014				2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,477			$	1,224
	Equity investments(a):
	U.S. large cap equity	81,662				100,384
	International equity	28,992				36,812
	U.S. mid-cap equity	35,715				25,143
	Fixed income investments:
	Intermediate-term bond(b)	69,250				34,091
	Long-term bond(c)	25,495				60,111
	Total	$	244,591			$	257,765
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	Equity investments include investments in domestic and international mutual funds and U.S. common stocks investing in large- and mid-capitalization companies. Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and are traded on listed exchanges.
	(b)	This fund seeks maximum total return through a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by forward or derivatives such as options, futures, contracts, or swap agreements. Fixed income instruments include bonds, debt securities and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public or private-sector entities. This fund also invests in high yield securities, mortgage-related securities and securities denominated in foreign currencies. This fund is valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and is traded on a listed exchange.
	(c)	This fund invests in a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of high-quality bonds and other fixed income securities, including U.S. government obligations, mortgage-and asset-backed securities, corporate and municipal bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations of varying maturities. This fund is valued at the net asset value per share multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date and is traded on a listed exchange.
Schedule of One-percentage Point Change in the Trend Rate	A one-percentage-point change in the rate for each of these assumptions would have had the following effects as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Increase (Decrease)
		1-Percentage Point Increase				1-Percentage Point Decrease
	Healthcare cost trend:
	Effect on total service and interest cost components	$	6,244			$	(5,002	)
	Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation	$	92,287			$	(74,174	)
	Discount rate:
	Effect on other postretirement service and interest cost components	$	48			$	(184	)
	Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation	$	(77,097	)		$	95,043
	Effect on current other postretirement expense	$	(5,634	)		$	6,820
	Effect on pension service and interest cost components	$	(167	)		$	150
	Effect on pension benefit obligation	$	(38,267	)		$	47,783
	Effect on current year pension expense	$	(1,813	)		$	3,138
	Expected return on plan assets:
	Effect on current year pension expense	$	(2,512	)		$	2,512
	Rate of compensation increase:
	Effect on pension service and interest cost components	$	790			$	(692	)
	Effect on pension benefit obligation	$	6,383			$	(5,749	)
	Effect on current year pension expense	$	1,228			$	(1,120	)
Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments from the Plans that are Expected to be Paid	The following estimated benefit payments from the plans, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	2015	$	17,670			$	25,740
	2016	$	15,232			$	27,252
	2017	$	16,148			$	28,600
	2018	$	17,051			$	29,886
	2019	$	17,955			$	30,801
	Years 2020-2024	$	100,590			$	162,291
Schedule of Additional Information Regarding the 1974 Pension Plan	The following table provides additional information regarding the 1974 Pension Plan as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
					Pension						Contributions of Walter
					Protection Act						Energy
			EIN/Pension		Zone Status				FIP/RP Status												Surcharge	Expiration Date of
			Plan Number						Pending/Implemented												Imposed	Collective-Bargaining
	Pension Fund				2014		2013				2014			2013				2012				Agreement
	United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan(1)		52-1050282/002		Red		Yellow		Yes		$	17,854		$	19,670			$	20,948		Yes	12/31/16
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	The enrolled actuary for the 1974 Pension Plan certified to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the plan sponsor that the plan is in "Critical Status" for the plan year beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015. The plan adopted a funding improvement plan on May 25, 2012.

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share Computations	A reconciliation of the basic and diluted net loss per share computations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014						2013						2012
		Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(470,568	)	$	(470,568	)	$	(359,003	)	$	(359,003	)	$	(1,065,555	)	$	(1,065,555	)
	Income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,180		$	5,180
	Denominator:
	Average number of common shares outstanding (a)	66,300			66,300			62,564			62,564			62,536			62,536
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(7.10	)	$	(7.10	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(17.04	)	$	(17.04	)
	Income from discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			0.08			0.08
	Net loss per share	$	(7.10	)	$	(7.10	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(5.74	)	$	(16.96	)	$	(16.96	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	In periods of net loss, the number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share; therefore, the effect of dilutive securities is zero for such periods. The weighted average number of stock options and restricted stock units outstanding of 1,522,772, 539,682, and 238,210 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were excluded because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. There were no dilutive securities outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Non-cancellable Capitalized and Operating Leases	Future minimum payments under non-cancellable capitalized and operating leases as of December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Capitalized Leases			Operating Leases
	2015	$	5,294		$	7,420
	2016	62			7,212
	2017	—			7,329
	2018	—			7,297
	2019	—			7,299
	Thereafter	—			1,379
	Total	5,356			$	37,936
	Less: amount representing interest and other executory costs	(184		)
	Present value of minimum lease payments	$	5,172

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments	The following table presents the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments as well as their classification within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except amounts in the footnotes to the table). There were no outstanding derivative instruments as of December 31, 2014. See Note 19 for additional information related to the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments.
		December 31,
		2013
	Asset derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Interest rate cap(1)	$	1
	Liability derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps(2)	$	3,080
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	$1 thousand was included within other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.
	-2	$3.1 million was included within other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013.
Schedule of Gains and Losses from Derivative Instruments	The following tables present the gains and losses from derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and their location within the consolidated financial statements (in thousands).
		Gain (loss),					Gain, net of						Loss, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings (ineffective portion) (2)
		net of tax,					tax, reclassified
		recognized in					from
		accumulated					accumulated
		other					other
		comprehensive					comprehensive
		income (loss)					income (loss)
							to earnings(1)
		For the years ended December 31,					For the years ended December 31,						For the years ended December 31,
	Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	2014		2013			2014			2013			2014		2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,303	$	4,894		$	(677	)	$	(2,546	)	$	1,053	$	184
	Interest rate cap	—		(8		)	—			—			—		—
	Total	$	1,303	$	4,886		$	(677	)	$	(2,546	)	$	1,053	$	184
	______________________________
	-1	Interest rate swap amounts are recorded within interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	-2	The ineffective portion of the interest rate swap is recorded within other income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the year ended December 31, 2014, net of tax (in thousands).
		Pension and			Unrealized			Foreign				Total
		other			gain/(loss)			currency
		postretirement			on hedges			translation
		plans						adjustment
	Beginning balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(165,150	)	$	(1,679	)	$	4,571			$	(162,258	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(54,817		)	1,303			(23,650		)		(77,164		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	20,998			376			—			-1	21,374
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(33,819		)	1,679			(23,650		)		(55,790		)
	Ending balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(198,969	)	$	—		$	(19,079	)		$	(218,048	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	Foreign currency translation adjustments are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity.
Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands).
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Amount Reclassified			Affected Line Item in the
		from Accumulated			Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Other Comprehensive
		Income (Loss)
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps (effective portion)	$	(1,095	)	Interest expense, net
	Interest rate swaps (ineffective portion)	1,701			Other income (loss), net
		606			Total before tax
		(230		)	Income tax benefit
		$	376		Net of tax
	Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Prior service cost	$	1,473		(a)
	Net actuarial loss	17,862			(a)
	Settlement loss	1,663			(a)
		20,998			Total before tax
		—			Income tax benefit
		$	20,998		Net of tax
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	Amortization of pension benefit items is included in cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion) and selling, general and administrative expenses while amortization of other postretirement benefit items is included in other postretirement benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The following table presents information about the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such values. For some assets, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When this is the case, the asset is categorized based on the level of the most significant input to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considers factors specific to the assets being valued.
		December 31, 2013
		Fair Value
		Measurements Using						Total
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Interest rate cap	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	1
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	3,080	$	—	$	3,080
Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Debt	The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations, equipment financing agreements and a discount on the revolver of $1,542 as of December 31, 2014) are presented below (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
	2011 term loan A(1)	$	—	$	—	$	401,052	$	403,517
	2011 term loan B(2)	$	966,283	$	755,936	$	968,581	$	959,838
	9.50% senior secured notes(3)	$	967,349	$	759,025	$	447,492	$	474,750
	11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes	$	350,000	$	113,750	$	—	$	—
	9.875% senior notes(4)	$	385,795	$	77,600	$	496,831	$	431,250
	8.50% senior notes	$	450,000	$	85,500	$	450,000	$	374,625
	-1	Net of debt discount of $5,514 as of December 31, 2013.
	-2	Net of debt discount of $11,895 and $9,597 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	-3	Net of debt discount of $2,651 and $2,508 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	-4	Net of debt discount of $2,205 and $3,169 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segment	Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments is shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Revenues:
	U.S. Operations	$	1,166,226			$	1,331,308			$	1,728,363
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	237,584				527,989				668,313
	Other	3,535				1,334				3,219
	Total revenues (a)	$	1,407,345			$	1,860,631			$	2,399,895
	Segment operating income (loss) (b):
	U.S. Operations	$	(118,009	)		$	58,371			$	188,696
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	(183,180		)		(209,709		)		(1,158,591		)
	Other	(5,747		)		(19,627		)		(43,231		)
	Total operating loss	(306,936		)		(170,965		)		(1,013,126		)
	Interest expense, net	(295,903		)		(221,583		)		(132,997		)
	Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	33,673				(6,875		)		(5,555		)
	Other income (loss), net	646				(1,418		)		(13,081		)
	Loss before income tax benefit	(568,520		)		(400,841		)		(1,164,759		)
	Income tax benefit	(97,952		)		(41,838		)		(99,204		)
	Net loss	$	(470,568	)		$	(359,003	)		$	(1,065,555	)
	Impairment and restructuring charges:
	U.S. Operations	$	52,223			$	(7,763	)		$	114,281
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	4,721				10,646				999,198
	Other	564				—				—
	Total	$	57,508			$	2,883			$	1,113,479
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Depreciation and depletion:
	U.S. Operations	$	150,701			$	167,668			$	173,140
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	109,368				141,696				141,713
	Other	2,456				2,150				1,379
	Total	$	262,525			$	311,514			$	316,232
	Capital expenditures:
	U.S. Operations	$	85,333			$	133,407			$	162,535
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	4,387				18,331				224,583
	Other	3,279				2,158				4,394
	Total	$	92,999			$	153,896			$	391,512
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Identifiable assets by segment:
	U.S. Operations	$	1,122,850			$	1,265,255			$	1,603,745
	Canadian and U.K. Operations	3,538,073				3,687,925				3,728,817
	Other	725,206				637,680				435,858
	Total	$	5,386,129			$	5,590,860			$	5,768,420
	Long-lived assets by country:
	U.S.	$	876,079			$	998,763			$	1,034,992
	Canada	3,007,732				3,092,483				3,203,227
	U.K.	419,287				451,308				459,469
	Total	$	4,303,098			$	4,542,554			$	4,697,688
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	(a)	Export sales were $1.0 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.9 billion for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Export sales to customers in foreign countries in excess of 10% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Percent of Consolidated Revenues
		For the years ended December 31,
	Country	2014			2013			2012
	Germany	9.6	%		10.5	%		9.7	%
	Brazil	10.7	%		13.3	%		10.7	%
	Japan	8.6	%		13.2	%		11.5	%
	(b)	Segment operating income (loss) amounts include expenses for other postretirement benefits. A breakdown by segment of other postretirement benefits (income) expense is as follows (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S. Operations	$	55,653			$	59,118			$	53,301
	Other	(177		)		(218		)		(449		)
		$	55,476			$	58,900			$	52,852
Schedule of Export Sales to Customers in Foreign Countries in Excess of 10% of Consolidated Revenues	Export sales to customers in foreign countries in excess of 10% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Percent of Consolidated Revenues
		For the years ended December 31,
	Country	2014			2013			2012
	Germany	9.6	%		10.5	%		9.7	%
	Brazil	10.7	%		13.3	%		10.7	%
	Japan	8.6	%		13.2	%		11.5	%
Schedule of Breakdown by Segment of Other Postretirement Benefits (Income) Expense	A breakdown by segment of other postretirement benefits (income) expense is as follows (in thousands):
		For the years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S. Operations	$	55,653			$	59,118			$	53,301
	Other	(177		)		(218		)		(449		)
		$	55,476			$	58,900			$	52,852

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non1

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information
Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	31-Dec-14
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	421,533		$	1,117		$	45,882		$	—		$	468,532
	Trade receivables, net	—			88,959			2,098			—			91,057
	Other receivables	123,659			2,193			1,185			—			127,037
	Intercompany receivables	—			206,118			14,952			(221,070		)	—
	Inventories	—			110,882			90,716			—			201,598
	Deferred income taxes	15,986			—			833			—			16,819
	Prepaid expenses	3,424			40,044			2,722			—			46,190
	Other current assets	10,363			7,029			2,150			—			19,542
	Total current assets	574,965			456,342			160,538			(221,070		)	970,775
	Mineral interests, net	—			135,377			2,701,424			—			2,836,801
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,558			726,478			732,261			—			1,466,297
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,233,399			6,459			—			(3,239,858		)	—
	Other long-term assets	87,928			17,857			6,471			—			112,256
		$	3,903,850		$	1,342,513		$	3,600,694		$	(3,460,928	)	$	5,386,129
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current debt	$	—		$	7,209		$	5,118		$	—		$	12,327
	Accounts payable	2,296			30,697			5,987			—			38,980
	Accrued expenses	43,088			60,762			21,468			—			125,318
	Intercompany payables	221,070			—			—			(221,070		)	—
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	95			28,937			—			—			29,032
	Other current liabilities	168,444			27,172			20,336			—			215,952
	Total current liabilities	434,993			154,777			52,909			(221,070		)	421,609
	Long-term debt	3,117,886			5,704			53			—			3,123,643
	Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	10,502			630,729			—			—			641,231
	Deferred income taxes	23,766			—			706,919			—			730,685
	Other long-term liabilities	35,122			96,599			55,659			—			187,380
	Total liabilities	3,622,269			887,809			815,540			(221,070		)	5,104,548
	Stockholders' equity	281,581			454,704			2,785,154			(3,239,858		)	281,581
		$	3,903,850		$	1,342,513		$	3,600,694		$	(3,460,928	)	$	5,386,129
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	31-Dec-13
	(in thousands)
		Parent (Issuer)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	234,150		$	1,620		$	25,048		$	—		$	260,818
	Trade receivables, net	—			92,027			57,089			—			149,116
	Other receivables	113,936			3,157			15,554			—			132,647
	Intercompany receivables	—			29,735			58,169			(87,904		)	—
	Intercompany loans receivable	63,549			1,104,282			—			(1,167,831		)	—
	Inventories	—			176,981			135,666			—			312,647
	Deferred income taxes	23,957			12,716			394			—			37,067
	Prepaid expenses	2,245			34,317			2,460			—			39,022
	Other current assets	15,257			440			2,334			—			18,031
	Total current assets	453,094			1,455,275			296,714			(1,255,735		)	949,348
	Mineral interests, net	—			157,812			2,747,190			—			2,905,002
	Property, plant and equipment, net	7,248			824,729			805,575			—			1,637,552
	Deferred income taxes	3,049			—			—			(3,049		)	—
	Investment in subsidiaries	4,409,683			6,401			—			(4,416,084		)	—
	Other long-term assets	73,564			13,186			12,208			—			98,958
		$	4,946,638		$	2,457,403		$	3,861,687		$	(5,674,868	)	$	5,590,860
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current debt	$	—		$	1,424		$	7,786		$	—		$	9,210
	Accounts payable	5,604			68,370			18,738			—			92,712
	Accrued expenses	34,551			57,036			42,283			—			133,870
	Intercompany payables	87,904			—			—			(87,904		)	—
	Intercompany loans payable	1,104,282			—			63,549			(1,167,831		)	—
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	94			37,031			—			—			37,125
Other current liabilities	164,364			22,443			20,177			—			206,984
Total current liabilities	1,396,799			186,304			152,533			(1,255,735		)	479,901
Long-term debt	2,763,957			22			5,643			—			2,769,622
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	263			572,505			—			—			572,768
Deferred income taxes	—			24,079			801,837			(3,049		)	822,867
Other long-term liabilities	32,925			87,944			72,139			—			193,008
Total liabilities	4,193,944			870,854			1,032,152			(1,258,784		)	4,838,166
Stockholders' equity	752,694			1,586,549			2,829,535			(4,416,084		)	752,694
	$	4,946,638		$	2,457,403		$	3,861,687		$	(5,674,868	)	$	5,590,860
Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Sales	$	—		$	1,136,548		$	237,874		$	—		$	1,374,422
	Miscellaneous income	1,206			13,631			18,086			—			32,923
		1,206			1,150,179			255,960			—			1,407,345
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			963,015			303,742			—			1,266,757
	Depreciation and depletion	2,456			148,218			111,851			—			262,525
	Selling, general and administrative	6,276			47,167			18,572			—			72,015
	Other postretirement benefits	(177		)	55,653			—			—			55,476
	Restructuring and asset impairments	564			52,223			4,721			—			57,508
		9,119			1,266,276			438,886			—			1,714,281
	Operating loss	(7,913		)	(116,097		)	(182,926		)	—			(306,936		)
	Interest income (expense), net	(299,405		)	6,458			(2,956		)	—			(295,903		)
	Gain on extinguishment of debt	33,673			—			—			—			33,673
	Other income (loss), net	704			(2		)	(56		)	—			646
	Loss before income tax benefit	(272,941		)	(109,641		)	(185,938		)	—			(568,520		)
	Income tax benefit	(184		)	—			(97,768		)	—			(97,952		)
	Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(197,811		)	—			—			197,811			—
	Net loss	$	(470,568	)	$	(109,641	)	$	(88,170	)	$	197,811		$	(470,568	)
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Sales	$	—		$	1,304,806		$	531,537		$	—		$	1,836,343
	Miscellaneous income	88			11,201			12,999			—			24,288
		88			1,316,007			544,536			—			1,860,631
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			985,176			573,129			—			1,558,305
	Depreciation and depletion	2,150			157,065			152,299			—			311,514
	Selling, general and administrative	4,393			53,415			42,186			—			99,994
	Other postretirement benefits	(218		)	59,118			—			—			58,900
	Restructuring and asset impairments	—			(7,763		)	10,646			—			2,883
		6,325			1,247,011			778,260			—			2,031,596
	Operating income (loss)	(6,237		)	68,996			(233,724		)	—			(170,965		)
	Interest income (expense), net	(252,144		)	27,877			2,684			—			(221,583		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	(6,875		)	—			—			—			(6,875		)
	Other income (loss), net	(300		)	(1,336		)	218			—			(1,418		)
	Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(265,556		)	95,537			(230,822		)	—			(400,841		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(51,821		)	111,527			(101,544		)	—			(41,838		)
	Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(145,268		)	—			—			145,268			—
	Net loss	$	(359,003	)	$	(15,990	)	$	(129,278	)	$	145,268		$	(359,003	)
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Revenues:
	Sales	$	—		$	1,702,246		$	679,514		$	—		$	2,381,760
	Miscellaneous income (loss)	2,233			21,047			(5,145		)	—			18,135
		2,233			1,723,293			674,369			—			2,399,895
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)	—			1,142,914			654,077			—			1,796,991
	Depreciation and depletion	1,379			165,300			149,553			—			316,232
	Selling, general and administrative	11,716			72,962			48,789			—			133,467
Other postretirement benefits	(449		)	53,301			—			—			52,852
Restructuring and asset impairments	—			—			49,070			—			49,070
Goodwill impairment	—			74,319			990,090			—			1,064,409
	12,646			1,508,796			1,891,579			—			3,413,021
Operating income (loss)	(10,413		)	214,497			(1,217,210		)	—			(1,013,126		)
Interest income (expense), net	(151,488		)	22,909			(4,418		)	—			(132,997		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(5,555		)	—			—			—			(5,555		)
Other loss, net	—			—			(13,081		)	—			(13,081		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(167,456		)	237,406			(1,234,709		)	—			(1,164,759		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(68,615		)	73,379			(103,968		)				(99,204		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(98,841		)	164,027			(1,130,741		)	—			(1,065,555		)
Income from discontinued operations	—			5,180			—			—			5,180
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries	(961,534		)	—			—			961,534			—
Net income (loss)	$	(1,060,375	)	$	169,207		$	(1,130,741	)	$	961,534		$	(1,060,375	)
Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Net loss	$	(470,568	)	$	(109,641	)	$	(88,170	)	$	197,811		(470,568		)
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	(33,819		)	(30,275		)	—			30,275			(33,819		)
	Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	1,679			3			—			(3		)	1,679
	Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(23,650		)	—			(23,650		)	23,650			(23,650		)
	Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(55,790		)	(30,272		)	(23,650		)	53,922			(55,790		)
	Total comprehensive loss	$	(526,358	)	$	(139,913	)	$	(111,820	)	$	251,733		$	(526,358	)
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Net loss	$	(359,003	)	$	(15,990	)	$	(129,278	)	$	145,268		$	(359,003	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	100,892			91,501			—			(91,501		)	100,892
	Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	2,524			58			—			(58		)	2,524
	Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	6,073			—			6,073			(6,073		)	6,073
	Change in unrealized loss on investments, net of tax	(897		)	—			(897		)	897			(897		)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	108,592			91,559			5,176			(96,735		)	108,592
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	(250,411	)	$	75,569		$	(124,102	)	$	48,533		$	(250,411	)
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING
	STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor						Consolidated
								Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(1,060,375	)	$	169,207		$	(1,130,741	)	$	961,534		$	(1,060,375	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	(40,501		)	(90,876		)	—			90,876			(40,501		)
	Change in unrealized gain (loss) on hedges, net of tax	(3,416		)	95			(2,533		)	2,438			(3,416		)
	Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	1,774			—			1,774			(1,774		)	1,774
	Change in unrealized gain on investments, net of tax	769			—			769			(769		)	769
	Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(41,374		)	(90,781		)	10			90,771			(41,374		)
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,101,749	)	$	78,426		$	(1,130,731	)	$	1,052,305		$	(1,101,749	)
Schedule of Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(179,786	)	$	53,037		$	(12,955	)	$	—		$	(139,704	)
	INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	(3,279		)	(82,889		)	(6,831		)	—			(92,999		)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	(44		)	30,156			—			—			30,112
	Intercompany loans made	(5,200		)	—			—			5,200			—
	Intercompany loans received	1,828			—			—			(1,828		)	—
	Other	—			—			488			—			488
	Cash flows used in investing activities	(6,695		)	(52,733		)	(6,343		)	3,372			(62,399		)
	FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Proceeds from issuance of debt	869,800			—			—			—			869,800
	Retirements of debt	(411,766		)	(7,626		)	(7,773		)	—			(427,165		)
	Dividends paid	(2,625		)	—			—			—			(2,625		)
	Debt issuance costs	(27,748		)	—			—			—			(27,748		)
	Advances from (to) consolidated entities	(53,602		)	6,812			46,790			—			—
	Intercompany notes borrowings	—			—			5,200			(5,200		)	—
	Intercompany notes payments	—			—			(1,828		)	1,828			—
	Proceeds from stock-options exercised	108			—			—			—			108
	Other	(303		)	7			(7		)	—			(303		)
	Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	373,864			(807		)	42,382			(3,372		)	412,067
	Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(2,250		)	—			(2,250		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	187,383			(503		)	20,834			—			207,714
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	234,150			1,620			25,048			—			260,818
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	421,533		$	1,117		$	45,882		$	—		$	468,532
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
		(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries						Consolidated
	Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(204,982	)	$	246,428		$	(68,522	)	$	—		$	(27,076	)
	INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	(2,294		)	(130,061		)	(21,541		)	—			(153,896		)
	Proceeds from sales of investments	—			—			1,559			—			1,559
	Intercompany loans made	(40,236		)	—			—			40,236			—
	Intercompany loans received	30,500			—			—			(30,500		)	—
	Other	—			—			1,824			—			1,824
	Cash flows used in investing activities	(12,030		)	(130,061		)	(18,158		)	9,736			(150,513		)
	FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Proceeds from issuance of debt	897,412			—			—			—			897,412
	Retirements of debt	(496,062		)	(11,840		)	(7,293		)	—			(515,195		)
	Dividends paid	(16,889		)	—			—			—			(16,889		)
	Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	(717		)	—			—			—			(717		)
	Debt issuance costs	(41,588		)	—			—			—			(41,588		)
	Advances from (to) consolidated entities	25,072			(97,311		)	72,239			—			—
	Intercompany notes borrowings	—			—			40,236			(40,236		)	—
	Intercompany notes payments	—			(13,639		)	(16,861		)	30,500			—
	Proceeds from stock-options exercised	279			—			—			—			279
	Other	(178		)	(115		)	—			—			(293		)
	Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	367,329			(122,905		)	88,321			(9,736		)	323,009
	Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(1,203		)	—			(1,203		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	150,317			(6,538		)	438			—			144,217
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	83,833			8,158			24,610			—			116,601
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	234,150		$	1,620		$	25,048		$	—		$	260,818
	WALTER ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Total
(Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries			Consolidated
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(373,256	)	$	742,100		$	(38,937	)	$	—		$	329,907
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(4,395		)	(157,833		)	(229,284		)	—			(391,512		)
Proceeds from sales of investments	—			—			13,239			—			13,239
Intercompany loans made	(293,170		)	—			—			293,170			—
Intercompany loans received	16,513			—			—			(16,513		)	—
Investments in equity affiliates	(238,083		)	—			—			238,083			—
Distributions from equity affiliates	271,847			—			—			(271,847		)	—
Other	—			855			43			—			898
Cash flows used in investing activities	(247,288		)	(156,978		)	(216,002		)	242,893			(377,375		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	496,510			—			—			—			496,510
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	—			—			510,650			—			510,650
Repayments on revolving credit agreement	—			—			(519,453		)	—			(519,453		)
Retirements of debt	(343,255		)	(12,140		)	(37,456		)	—			(392,851		)
Dividends paid	(31,246		)	—			—			—			(31,246		)
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	217			—			—			—			217
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	161			—			—			—			161
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants	(11,535		)	—			—			—			(11,535		)
Debt issuance costs	(24,532		)	—			—			—			(24,532		)
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	519,737			(568,099		)	48,362			—			—
Intercompany notes borrowings	—			8,499			284,671			(293,170		)	—
Intercompany notes payments	—			—			(16,513		)	16,513			—
Investment from Parent	—			238,083			—			(238,083		)	—
Intercompany dividends	—			(261,102		)	(10,745		)	271,847			—
Other	(766		)	—			—			—			(766		)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	605,291			(594,759		)	259,516			(242,893		)	27,155
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations	(15,253		)	(9,637		)	4,577			—			(20,313		)
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities	—			9,500			—			—			9,500
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations	—			9,500			—			—			9,500
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	—			—			(1,016		)	—			(1,016		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(15,253	)	$	(137	)	$	3,561		—			$	(11,829	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	99,086			8,295			21,049			—			128,430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	83,833		$	8,158		$	24,610		$	—		$	116,601

Summary_of_Quarterly_Financial1

Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information
		Quarter ended
	Fiscal Year 2014	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	Revenues	$	413,885		$	378,351		$	329,546		$	285,563
	Operating loss	$	(47,062	)	$	(99,439	)	$	(54,833	)	$	(105,602	)
	Net loss(1)	$	(92,178	)	$	(151,391	)	$	(98,902	)	$	(128,097	)
	Basic and Diluted loss per share:(3)
	Net loss	$	(1.47	)	$	(2.33	)	$	(1.48	)	$	(1.83	)
		Quarter ended
	Fiscal Year 2013	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	Revenues	$	491,343		$	441,496		$	455,796		$	471,996
	Operating loss	$	(63,620	)	$	(30,553	)	$	(59,081	)	$	(17,711	)
	Net loss(2)	$	(49,444	)	$	(34,492	)	$	(100,724	)	$	(174,343	)
	Basic and Diluted loss per share:(3)
	Net loss	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.55	)	$	(1.61	)	$	(2.79	)
	_______________________________________________________________________________
	-1	Net loss included restructuring and impairment charges (benefits) of $31.3 million, $(2.4) million and $28.6 million for the three months ended June, 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Net loss also included gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt of $(13.9) million, $11.4 million, $3.4 million, and $32.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	-2	Net loss included restructuring and impairment charges (benefits) of $7.4 million, $(5.7) million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Net loss also included a gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt of $6.0 million and $(0.9) million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2013 also included a $140.9 million income tax charge for a deferred income tax valuation allowance.
	-3	The sum of quarterly EPS amounts may be different than annual amounts as a result of the impact of variations in shares outstanding.

Business_and_Basis_of_Presenta2

Business and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Interest expense								($221,583,000)	($132,997,000)
Interest income								1,103,000	804,000
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	-32,800,000	-3,400,000	-11,400,000	13,900,000	900,000	-6,000,000	-33,673,000	6,875,000	5,555,000
Other income (loss)								-1,418,000	-13,081,000
Depreciation and depletion							262,525,000	311,514,000	316,232,000
Amount of the prior year fourth quarter impact of cash dividend declared and paid had reclassification been made from accumulated deficit to capital in excess of par value						7,800,000
Amount of the prior year first quarter impact had reclassification been made from selling, general and administrative costs to cost of sales									24,500,000
Western Coal Corp
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Depreciation and depletion										8,400,000
Effect Of Correction Of Debt Issuance Costs
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt								11,168,000	5,555,000
Incorrect Classification Of Accelerated Amortization Of Debt Issuance Cost
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt								-4,293,000	0
Prior to Revision
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Interest expense								-233,854,000	-139,356,000
Other income (loss)								$2,875,000	($13,081,000)

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentrations of credit risk and major customers
Revenue from sales	$1,374,422,000	$1,836,343,000	$2,381,760,000
Allowance for losses
Allowance for losses	1,361,000	1,278,000
Inventories
Lower of cost or market charges included in cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and depletion	74,600,000	126,100,000	218,800,000
Lower of cost or market charges included in depreciation and depletion	55,400,000	36,500,000	17,400,000
Revenues | Customer Concentration Risk | Foreign steel and coke producers
Concentrations of credit risk and major customers
Concentration risk percentage	76.00%	83.00%	78.00%
Revenues | Customer Concentration Risk | ArcelorMittal
Concentrations of credit risk and major customers
Concentration risk percentage		12.60%
Revenue from sales		$233,500,000
Net receivables | Credit Concentration Risk | Foreign steel and coke producers
Concentrations of credit risk and major customers
Concentration risk percentage	70.00%	84.00%	87.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Owned and leased mineral rights
Depletion expense included in depreciation and depletion	$34.70	$61.40	$99.80
Mineral rights | Minimum
Owned and leased mineral rights
Original lease term	10 years
Mineral rights | Maximum
Owned and leased mineral rights
Original lease term	50 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, plant and equipment
Capitalized interest costs	$500,000	$1,700,000	$7,700,000
Present values of the asset retirement obligations	112,327,000	116,393,000	89,478,000
Sustained price decrease over and above prices used in analysis through life of assets that would result in potential impairment as per sensitivity analysis (as a percent)	5.00%
Asset impairment charges	51,556,000	0	43,103,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	1,064,409,000
BCCT
Property, plant and equipment
Asset impairment charges	51,600,000
North River Mine
Property, plant and equipment
Long-lived asset impairments	0
Asset impairment charges		$8,000,000
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Land improvements and building | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Land improvements and building | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	30 years
Capitalized computer systems and software implementation costs | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Capitalized computer systems and software implementation costs | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies
Undiscounted aggregated estimated claims to be paid	$50,417,000	$46,119,000
Workers' compensation liability recorded on a discounted basis	43,643,000	40,238,000
Weighted average discount rate used for discounting liability to present value (as a percent)	1.60%
Decrease in the discounted claims liability due to one-percentage-point increase in discount rate	300,000
Increase in the discounted claims liability due to one-percentage-point decrease in discount rate	300,000
Discount factor used to calculate present value of the obligation pertaining to medical and disability benefits for black lung disease (as a percent)	4.34%	5.28%
Present value of obligation pertaining to medical and disability benefits	21,800,000	17,200,000
Medical and disability benefits for black lung disease, decrease in the discounted claims liability due to one-percentage-point increase in discount rate	3,300,000
Medical and disability benefits for black lung disease, increase in the discounted claims liability due to one-percentage-point decrease in discount rate	4,300,000
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss) recognized in miscellaneous income	5,800,000	8,000,000
Deferred Financing Costs
Unamortized deferred financing costs	54,800,000	62,700,000
Deferred financing costs, current	10,300,000	14,900,000
Jim Walter Resources | Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies
Amount of claims retained per accident	15,000,000
U.S. | Other subsidiaries except Jim Walter Resources | Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies
Amount of claims retained per accident	1,000,000
U.S. | Other subsidiaries except Jim Walter Resources | Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies
Amount of claims retained per accident	$2,000,000

Goodwill_Impairment_Details

Goodwill Impairment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
	reporting_unit			reporting_unit
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment	$0	$0	$1,064,409
Number of reporting units that utilized the market approach	3
Number of reporting units in which fair value testing was performed	4
Number of reporting units that utilized the income approach	1
U.S. Operations
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment				74,300
Number of reporting units that recorded impairment charge				2
Canadian and U.K. Operations
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment				$990,100
Number of reporting units that recorded impairment charge				2

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair2

Restructuring and Asset Impairments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 25, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Asset impairment and restructuring
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		$30,112,000	$0	$0
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,466,297,000	1,637,552,000		1,466,297,000
Asset impairment charges		51,556,000	0	43,103,000
Restructuring and impairment charge		57,508,000	2,883,000	1,113,479,000
Write-off capitalized exploratory costs associated with natural gas exploration project, net of taxes	40,000,000
Write-off capitalized exploratory costs associated with natural gas exploration project, net of taxes	25,000,000
Canadian and U.K. Operations
Asset impairment and restructuring
Restructuring and impairment charge		4,721,000	10,646,000	999,198,000
Willow Creek Mine | Corporate, Non-Segment
Asset impairment and restructuring
Curtailment costs		500,000
Willow Creek Mine | Closure
Asset impairment and restructuring
Curtailment costs			10,700,000
Willow Creek Mine | Canadian and U.K. Operations
Asset impairment and restructuring
Curtailment costs		4,700,000
Willow Creek Mine | U.S.
Asset impairment and restructuring
Curtailment costs		700,000
North River Mine | Closure
Asset impairment and restructuring
Gain on release of a below market contract liability			17,000,000
Asset impairment charges			9,300,000		28,500,000
Aberpergwm underground coal mine | Closure
Asset impairment and restructuring
Asset impairment charges						3,100,000
Restructuring and impairment charge						9,100,000
Severance and other obligations						6,000,000
BCCT
Asset impairment and restructuring
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment							25,000,000
Impairment charge recognized								23,100,000
Property, plant and equipment, net			$47,500,000

Assets_and_Liabilities_Heldfor

Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale (Details) (Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations, Gauley Eagle, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Gauley Eagle
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Mineral interests, net	$1,654	$16,464
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,527	20,233
Advance mining royalties	3,368	2,863
Other current assets	6,549	39,560
Asset retirement obligations	4,049	7,365
Other current liabilities	$4,049	$7,365

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (Kodiak, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Kodiak
Discontinued Operations
Cash proceeds received	$9.50
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	8.2
Income from discontinued operations	$5.20

Equity_Award_Plans_Details

Equity Award Plans (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock options
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	3 years
Maximum term of options granted	10 years
Restricted stock units
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	3 years
Requisite continuous employment period	3 years
2002 Plan
Equity Award Plans
Number of shares authorized	4.3

Equity_Award_Plans_Details_2

Equity Award Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Amount of cash received from exercise of stock options	$108,000	$279,000	$161,000
2002 Plan
Equity Award Plans
Stock-based compensation expense	8,000,000	10,100,000	7,300,000
Income tax benefits in the entity's continuing operations recognized	0	3,800,000	2,700,000
Stock options
Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	749,616
Granted (in shares)	629,963
Exercised (in shares)	-18,300
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-105,538
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,255,741	749,616
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	517,384
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$40.88
Granted (in dollars per share)	$10.45
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$5.89
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share)	$21.64
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$27.75	$40.88
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$44.92
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period	7 years 11 days
Exercisable at the end of the period	4 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	0
Exercisable at the end of the period	0
Weighted average grant-date fair values of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$5.57	$15.83	$36.97
Amount of cash received from exercise of stock options	100,000	300,000	200,000
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	100,000	500,000	1,400,000
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the grant-date fair value of options granted
Risk free interest rate	1.53%	1.13%	0.85%
Dividend yield	0.25%	1.10%	0.55%
Expected life (years)	5 years 7 days	4 years 11 months 23 days	4 years 11 months 12 days
Volatility	63.62%	73.54%	75.79%
Restricted stock units
Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	209,511
Granted (in shares)	597,434
Vested (in shares)	-115,115
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	-68,145
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	623,685	209,511
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$63.67
Granted (in dollars per share)	$9.82	$34.03	$63.17
Vested (in dollars per share)	$83.33
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share)	$15.47
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$13.73	$63.67
Equity award plans, additional disclosures
Granted (in dollars per share)	$9.82	$34.03	$63.17
Fair value of restricted stock units vested	$9,600,000	$3,400,000	$2,100,000

Equity_Award_Plans_Equity_Awar

Equity Award Plans Equity Award Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance shares
Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	53,874
Granted (in shares)	168,029
Vested (in shares)	0
Forfeited or canceled (in shares)	-18,063
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	203,840
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$52.38
Granted (in dollars per share)	$12.13
Vested (in dollars per share)	$0
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$20.55
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$22.02
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized	1 year 8 months 12 days
Unrecognized compensation costs related to performance-based share units compensation arrangements granted	$1.10
Performance shares | Minimum
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	2 years
Percentage of total shareholders return depending on achievement of the goals	0.00%
Performance shares | Maximum
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	3 years
Percentage of total shareholders return depending on achievement of the goals	200.00%
Restricted stock units
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	3 years
Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	209,511
Granted (in shares)	597,434
Vested (in shares)	115,115
Forfeited or canceled (in shares)	-68,145
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	623,685	209,511
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$63.67
Granted (in dollars per share)	$9.82	$34.03	$63.17
Vested (in dollars per share)	$83.33
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$15.47
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$13.73	$63.67
Stock options
Equity Award Plans
Vesting period	3 years
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized	1 year 10 months 24 days
Unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options granted	1.4
Employee stock
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Employer contribution, as a percentage of participant's actual payroll deduction	15.00%
Employer contribution after five years of continuous participation , as a percentage of participant's actual payroll deduction	20.00%
Period of continuous employee participation required to receive employer contribution of 20% of participant's actual payroll deduction	5 years
Number of shares authorized	3,500,000
Number of shares purchased under the plan	794,680	217,900	86,200
Stock-based compensation expense	0.4	0.3	0.5
2002 Plan
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized	2 years
Number of shares authorized	4,300,000
Stock-based compensation expense	8	10.1	7.3
2002 Plan | Restricted stock units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unrecognized compensation costs	$2.20

Receivables_Details

Receivables (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Trade Receivables, Net
Trade receivables	$92,418	$150,394
Less: Allowance for losses	-1,361	-1,278
Trade receivables, net	91,057	149,116
Other Receivables
Tax receivables	123,826	127,130
Miscellaneous receivables	3,211	5,517
Other receivables	$127,037	$132,647

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Coal	$136,335	$238,820
Raw materials, supplies and other	65,263	73,827
Total inventories	$201,598	$312,647

Mineral_Interests_and_Property2

Mineral Interests and Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	$2,605,396	$2,618,440
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-1,139,099	-980,888
Net	1,466,297	1,637,552
Mineral interests
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	3,083,500	3,146,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-246,700	-241,000
Land
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	38,624	79,733
Land improvements
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	29,739	43,107
Building and leasehold improvements
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	417,352	420,142
Mine development costs
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	262,641	255,680
Machinery and equipment
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	1,613,033	1,569,318
Gas properties and related development
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	190,233	188,527
Construction in progress
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment	$53,774	$61,933

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current
Federal	($24,660,000)	($54,312,000)	$49,236,000
State	160,000	-3,906,000	3,860,000
Foreign	-2,513,000	-138,000	-20,080,000
Total	-27,013,000	-58,356,000	33,016,000
Deferred
Federal	24,221,000	103,851,000	-45,330,000
State	94,000	15,040,000	-1,747,000
Foreign	-95,254,000	-102,373,000	-85,143,000
Total	-70,939,000	16,518,000	-132,220,000
Total
Federal	-439,000	49,539,000	3,906,000
State	254,000	11,134,000	2,113,000
Foreign	-97,767,000	-102,511,000	-105,223,000
Tax benefit recognized	-97,952,000	-41,838,000	-99,204,000
Foreign pretax earnings (losses)	-189,500,000	-222,300,000	-1,200,000,000
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating losses and credit carryforwards	403,572,000	278,016,000
Accrued expenses	23,414,000	19,033,000
Contingent interest	46,089,000	42,763,000
Other postretirement benefits	222,297,000	223,346,000
Pension obligations	26,893,000	2,925,000
Other	14,275,000	1,377,000
Total	736,540,000	567,460,000
Less: valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	-333,650,000	-166,265,000
Net deferred income tax assets	402,890,000	401,195,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	-18,514,000	-13,494,000
British Columbia mineral tax	-159,360,000	-184,680,000
Property, plant and equipment	-938,882,000	-990,580,000
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-1,116,756,000	-1,188,754,000
Net deferred income tax liability	-713,866,000	-787,559,000
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Current deferred income tax asset	16,819,000	37,067,000
Other current liabilities	0	-1,759,000
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability	-730,685,000	-822,867,000
Net deferred income tax liability	-713,866,000	-787,559,000
Increase in valuation allowance	167,400,000
Period of cumulative pre-tax loss	3 years
Income tax expense (benefit) at the entity's effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 35%
Federal statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	-568,520,000	-400,841,000	-1,164,759,000
Tax benefit at statutory tax rate of 35%	-198,982,000	-140,294,000	-407,665,000
Excess depletion benefit	-8,667,000	-17,524,000	-26,107,000
Taxation of foreign operations	-7,894,000	-5,663,000	-11,945,000
British Columbia mineral tax foreign currency effect	-15,727,000	-26,778,000	3,643,000
British Columbia mineral tax	-10,845,000	-14,697,000	-22,365,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	372,543,000
State and local income tax, net of federal effect	-12,840,000	-6,947,000	2,470,000
U.S. domestic production activities benefit	0	0	-2,950,000
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	158,305,000	145,322,000	19,189,000
Impact of statutory tax rate changes	89,000	14,660,000	-3,772,000
Credits and other incentives	-2,704,000	-659,000	-2,301,000
Impact of West Virginia legal entity restructuring	0	10,084,000	0
Other	1,313,000	658,000	-19,944,000
Tax benefit recognized	-97,952,000	-41,838,000	-99,204,000
Net excess tax benefits from employee stock plan awards	0	700,000	800,000
Federal
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
NOLs	332,600,000
State
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
NOLs	633,700,000
Non-U.S.
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
NOLs	889,300,000
Canada
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration between 2031 and 2032	747,600,000
Canadian unrealized losses incurred	106,400,000
U.K.
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Operating loss carryforwards with indefinite carryforward period	141,700,000
Alternative Minimum Tax
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Tax credit carryforward amount	37,300,000
General Business Tax Credit Carryforward
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Tax credit carryforward amount	6,700,000
Capital loss carryforward | Non-U.S.
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Capital loss carryforwards	1,300,000
Capital loss carryforward | Canada
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Capital loss carryforwards	1,300,000
Capital loss carryforward | British Columbia
Deferred income taxes are classified as follows:
Valuation allowances on capital losses	$13,500,000

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum
Income tax examination
Number of years the Company remains subject to income tax in various states for prior periods	3 years
Number of years for which the tax years are typically subject to examination in the major non-U.S. jurisdictions	3 years
Maximum
Income tax examination
Number of years the state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination	5 years
Number of years the Company remains subject to income tax in various states for prior periods	11 years
Number of years for which the tax years are typically subject to examination in the major non-U.S. jurisdictions	6 years

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income taxes
Comment letter period	30 days
Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits related to disposition	$33,000,000
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	76,288,000	89,631,000	92,758,000
Increases for tax positions taken in prior years	734,000	347,000	10,019,000
Increases in tax positions for the current year	0	0	8,058,000
Decreases for tax positions taken in prior years	-3,086,000	-13,690,000	-18,440,000
Decreases for lapse of statute of limitations	0	0	-2,764,000
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	73,936,000	76,288,000	89,631,000
Amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	67,300,000	69,100,000	87,600,000
Interest accrued on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and for issues identified in the Proof of Claim	9,100,000	9,000,000	10,400,000
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and the Adversary Proceeding	123,600,000
Other current liabilities
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and the Adversary Proceeding	121,900,000
Other long-term liabilities
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and the Adversary Proceeding	$1,700,000

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_D

Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligations expected to be paid within a year	$22,740,000	$23,937,000
Asset retirement obligations expected to be incurred beyond one year	89,600,000	92,500,000
Assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations	0	0
Changes in the asset retirement obligations
Balance at beginning of year	116,393,000	89,478,000
Accretion expense	11,011,000	9,079,000
Revisions in estimated cash flows	-87,000	26,453,000
Obligations settled	-10,941,000	-8,617,000
Obligations held for sale	-4,049,000	0
Balance at end of year	$112,327,000	$116,393,000

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued expenses
Accrued professional fees	$23,341	$23,855
Accrued wages and employee benefits	28,299	41,938
Accrued interest	42,329	34,473
Freight	10,144	11,105
Other	21,205	22,499
Total accrued expenses	125,318	133,870
Other current liabilities
Accrual for tax interest and penalties	121,861	111,581
Accrual for uncertain tax positions	42,488	42,433
Asset retirement obligations	22,740	23,937
Liabilities held for sale	4,049	0
Other	24,814	29,033
Total other current liabilities	$215,952	$206,984

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Nov. 21, 2012	Mar. 27, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2011	Jul. 14, 2014
Debt instrument
Total Debt	$3,135,970,000						$3,135,970,000	$2,778,832,000
Debt discount	-18,293,000						-18,293,000	-20,788,000
Less current debt	-12,327,000						-12,327,000	-9,210,000
Total long-term debt	3,123,643,000						3,123,643,000	2,769,622,000
Payments Due
2015	12,327,000						12,327,000
2016	5,758,000						5,758,000
2017	0						0
2018	978,178,000						978,178,000
2019	970,000,000						970,000,000
Thereafter	1,188,000,000						1,188,000,000
Gain (loss) on partial extinguishment of debt								-13,900,000
Proceeds from debt							869,800,000	897,412,000	496,510,000
Gain resulting from transaction	32,800,000	3,400,000	11,400,000	-13,900,000	-900,000	6,000,000	33,673,000	-6,875,000	-5,555,000
Prior to April 1, 2017
Payments Due
Debt instrument, make-whole premium										1.63%
2011 term loan A
Debt instrument
Total Debt	0						0	406,566,000
Debt discount								-5,514,000
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	0.00%						0.00%
Payments Due
Aggregate principal amount															950,000,000
Gain (loss) on partial extinguishment of debt								1,000,000
Extinguishment of debt											250,000,000
2011 term loan B
Debt instrument
Total Debt	978,178,000						978,178,000	978,178,000
Debt discount	-11,895,000						-11,895,000	-9,597,000
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	7.25%						7.25%
Payments Due
2015	0						0
2016	0						0
2017	0						0
2018	978,178,000						978,178,000
2019	0						0
Thereafter	0						0
Aggregate principal amount															1,400,000,000
Increase in interest rate (as a percent)							0.50%
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)							6.25%
2011 term loan B | Minimum
Payments Due
Rate of LIBOR floor (as a percent)	1.00%						1.00%
9.50% senior secured notes
Debt instrument
Total Debt	970,000,000						970,000,000	450,000,000
Debt discount	-2,651,000						-2,651,000	-2,508,000
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	9.50%						9.50%
Payments Due
2015	0						0
2016	0						0
2017	0						0
2018	0						0
2019	970,000,000						970,000,000
Thereafter	0						0
Aggregate principal amount										200,000,000	450,000,000					320,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)										9.50%	9.50%					9.50%
Proceeds from debt											245,700,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							101.00%
9.50% senior secured notes | Up to 35% redeemable prior to October 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							109.50%
9.50% senior secured notes | Prior to October 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							100.00%
9.50% senior secured notes | During the twelve months commencing October 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							107.13%
9.50% senior secured notes | During the twelve months commencing October 15, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							102.38%
9.50% senior secured notes | Period commencing October15, 2018
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							100.00%
9.50% senior secured notes | Maximum | Up to 35% redeemable prior to October 15, 2016
Payments Due
Aggregate principal of debt redeemed (as a percent)	35.00%						35.00%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes
Debt instrument
Total Debt	350,000,000						350,000,000	0
Payments Due
2015	0						0
2016	0						0
2017	0						0
2018	0						0
2019	0						0
Thereafter	350,000,000						350,000,000
Aggregate principal amount										350,000,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)							101.00%			111.00%
Percentage of interest that may be paid in cash										50.00%
Percentage of interest that may be paid by increasing principal or issuing new debt										50.00%
Percentage of paid in kind interest that may be paid in cash										75.00%
Percentage of paid in kind interest that may be paid by increasing principal or issuing new debt										25.00%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | Prior to April 1, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)										100.00%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | During the twelve months commencing April 1, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)										105.50%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | During the twelve months commencing April 1, 2018
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)										102.75%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | Beginning April 1, 2019 [Member]
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)										100.00%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | Minimum
Debt instrument
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	11.00%						11.00%			11.00%
11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes | Maximum
Debt instrument
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	12.00%						12.00%			12.00%
Payments Due
Aggregate principal of debt redeemed (as a percent)										35.00%
9.875% senior notes
Debt instrument
Total Debt	388,000,000						388,000,000	500,000,000
Debt discount	-2,205,000						-2,205,000	-3,169,000
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	9.88%						9.88%
Payments Due
2015	0						0
2016	0						0
2017	0						0
2018	0						0
2019	0						0
Thereafter	388,000,000						388,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	9.88%						9.88%					9.88%
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												101.00%
Debt issued												500,000,000
Debt issuance price as a percentage of face amount												99.30%
Common stock exchanged for senior notes (in shares)							9.3
Cash exchanged for senior notes							5,200,000
Senior notes received in transaction							112,000,000
Gain resulting from transaction							54,100,000
Gain per basic and diluted share (in dollars per share)							$0.81
9.875% senior notes | Prior to December 15, 2015
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												109.88%
9.875% senior notes | Prior to December 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												100.00%
9.875% senior notes | During the twelve months commencing December 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												104.94%
9.875% senior notes | During the twelve months commencing December 15, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												102.47%
9.875% senior notes | After December 15, 2018
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)												100.00%
9.875% senior notes | Maximum | Prior to December 15, 2015
Payments Due
Aggregate principal of debt redeemed (as a percent)												35.00%
8.50% senior notes
Debt instrument
Total Debt	450,000,000						450,000,000	450,000,000
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	8.50%						8.50%
Payments Due
2015	0						0
2016	0						0
2017	0						0
2018	0						0
2019	0						0
Thereafter	450,000,000						450,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.50%						8.50%						8.50%
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)													101.00%
Debt issued													450,000,000
8.50% senior notes | Prior to April 15, 2016
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)													108.50%
8.50% senior notes | Prior to April 15, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)													100.00%
8.50% senior notes | During the twelve months commencing April 15, 2017
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)													104.25%
8.50% senior notes | During the twelve months commencing April 15, 2018
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)														102.13%
8.50% senior notes | Period commencing April 15, 2019
Payments Due
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)													100.00%
8.50% senior notes | Maximum | Prior to April 15, 2016
Payments Due
Aggregate principal of debt redeemed (as a percent)													35.00%
Other
Debt instrument
Total Debt	18,085,000						18,085,000	14,876,000
Payments Due
2015	12,327,000						12,327,000
2016	5,758,000						5,758,000
2017	0						0
2018	0						0
2019	0						0
Thereafter	0						0
2011 Credit Agreement - 2017
Payments Due
Maximum borrowing capacity	60,000,000						60,000,000								2,725,000,000
Percentage of revolving commitments with extended maturity date							81.60%
Commitment fee on the unused portion (as a percent)							0.63%
Availability for future borrowings under the revolver	9,900,000						9,900,000
Outstanding letters of credit	50,100,000						50,100,000
2011 Credit Agreement - 2016
Debt instrument
Debt discount	-1,542,000						-1,542,000
Payments Due
Maximum borrowing capacity	16,900,000						16,900,000								375,000,000
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)							5.50%
Commitment fee on the unused portion (as a percent)							0.50%
Outstanding borrowings	0						0
Availability for future borrowings under the revolver	2,800,000						2,800,000
Outstanding letters of credit	14,100,000						14,100,000
2011 Credit Agreement - 2016 and 2017
Payments Due
Maximum borrowing capacity	76,900,000						76,900,000
Threshold percentage for applicability of senior secured leverage ratio covenant							30.00%
Threshold amount for applicability of senior secured leverage ratio covenant	23,100,000						23,100,000
Gain (loss) on partial extinguishment of debt							-6,500,000
Availability for future borrowings under the revolver	12,700,000						12,700,000
Term Loan A and Term Loan B
Payments Due
Gain (loss) on partial extinguishment of debt								-6,000,000
Extinguishment of debt													$250,000,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amounts recognized in balance sheet, pre-tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Current	($29,032)	($37,125)
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Long-term	-641,231	-572,768
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
Current year net actuarial loss	-127,933
Current year prior service (cost) credit	72,014
Amortization of actuarial loss	17,862
Recognition of settlement loss	1,663
Amortization of prior service cost	1,473
Total	-34,921
Deferred income taxes	1,102	60,013	23,330
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	-33,819	100,892	-40,501
Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Accumulated benefit obligation	290,524	247,874
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	265,650	295,944
Service cost	6,804	7,062	5,991
Interest cost	13,296	12,280	12,517
Actuarial (gain) loss	59,433	-37,873
Benefits paid	-28,083	-11,763
Plan amendments	4,531	0
Plan settlements	-5,162	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	316,469	265,650	295,944
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	257,765	232,960
Actual return on plan assets	14,138	35,788
Employer contributions	771	780
Benefits paid	-28,083	-11,763
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	244,591	257,765	232,960
Unfunded status of plan	-71,878	-7,885
Amounts recognized in balance sheet, pre-tax:
Other long-term assets	0	1,260
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Current	-3,292	-7,089
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Long-term	-68,586	-2,056
Net amount recognized	-71,878	-7,885
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax
Prior service cost (credit)	5,279	994
Net actuarial loss	107,884	48,331
Net amount recognized	113,163	49,325
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	6,804	7,062	5,991
Interest cost	13,296	12,280	12,517
Expected return on plan assets	-18,213	-16,941	-16,125
Amortization of prior service cost	246	263	256
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,292	9,609	9,377
Settlement loss	1,663	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost for continuing operations	6,088	12,273	12,016
Estimated portion of net prior service cost and net actuarial loss remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2014
Prior service cost (credit)	681
Net actuarial loss	7,666
Net amount to be recognized	8,347
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
Current year net actuarial loss	-63,507
Current year prior service (cost) credit	-4,530
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,292
Recognition of settlement loss	1,663
Amortization of prior service cost	246
Total	-63,836
Deferred income taxes	218
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	-63,618
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	4.32%	5.24%	4.29%
Rate of compensation increase	3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Discount rate	5.24%	4.29%	5.02%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25%	7.50%	7.75%
Rate of compensation increase	3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Accumulated benefit obligation	598,385	600,748
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	600,748	662,464
Service cost	7,776	9,943	8,072
Interest cost	30,903	28,791	29,010
Actuarial (gain) loss	64,426	-74,146
Benefits paid	-28,924	-26,304
Plan amendments	-76,544	0
Plan settlements		0
Benefit obligation at end of year	598,385	600,748	662,464
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	28,924	26,304
Benefits paid	-28,924	-26,304
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Unfunded status of plan	-598,385	-600,748
Amounts recognized in balance sheet, pre-tax:
Other long-term assets	0	0
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Current	-25,740	-30,036
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation, Long-term	-572,645	-570,712
Net amount recognized	-598,385	-600,748
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax
Prior service cost (credit)	-70,130	7,641
Net actuarial loss	287,550	238,693
Net amount recognized	217,420	246,334
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	7,776	9,943	8,072
Interest cost	30,903	28,791	29,010
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	1,227	1,230	1,045
Amortization of net actuarial loss	15,570	18,936	14,725
Settlement loss	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost for continuing operations	55,476	58,900	52,852
Estimated portion of net prior service cost and net actuarial loss remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2014
Prior service cost (credit)	-6,209
Net actuarial loss	22,635
Net amount to be recognized	16,426
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
Current year net actuarial loss	-64,426
Current year prior service (cost) credit	76,544
Amortization of actuarial loss	15,570
Recognition of settlement loss	0
Amortization of prior service cost	1,227
Total	28,915
Deferred income taxes	884
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$29,799
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	4.34%	5.28%	4.44%
Rate of compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Discount rate	5.28%	4.44%	5.14%
Expected return on plan assets	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Rate of compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) (Other Postretirement Benefits)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Postretirement Benefits
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year, pre-65	6.90%	7.00%	7.50%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year, post-65	6.90%	7.00%	7.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate), pre-65	4.50%	4.50%	5.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate), post-65	4.50%	4.50%	5.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details2

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	100.00%
Actual Allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	$244,591	$257,765	$232,960
Pension Benefits | U.S. large-cap equity
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	33.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	25.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	41.00%
Actual Allocation	33.40%	39.00%
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	81,662	100,384
Pension Benefits | International equity
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	13.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	9.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	17.00%
Actual Allocation	11.90%	14.30%
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	28,992	36,812
Pension Benefits | U.S. mid-cap equity
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	14.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	10.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	18.00%
Actual Allocation	14.60%	9.70%
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	35,715	25,143
Pension Benefits | Total equity investments
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	60.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	50.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	70.00%
Actual Allocation	59.90%	63.00%
Pension Benefits | Fixed income investments
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	40.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	30.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	50.00%
Actual Allocation	38.70%	36.50%
Pension Benefits | Cash
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Strategic allocation (as a percent)	0.00%
Tactical range, minimum (as a percent)	0.00%
Tactical range, maximum (as a percent)	5.00%
Actual Allocation	1.40%	0.50%
Pension Benefits | Cash and cash equivalents
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	3,477	1,224
Pension Benefits | Intermediate-term bond
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	69,250	34,091
Pension Benefits | Long-term bond
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	25,495	60,111
Other Postretirement Benefits
Fair value of the plan assets
Fair value of the pension trust's assets	$0	$0	$0
Expected return on plan assets	6.25%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details3

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Healthcare cost trend:
Effect on total service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point increase	$6,244
Effect on total service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point decrease	-5,002
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation, 1-percentage point increase	92,287
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation, 1-percentage point decrease	-74,174
Discount rate:
Effect on other postretirement service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point increase	48
Effect on other postretirement service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point decrease	-184
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation, 1-percentage point increase	-77,097
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligation, 1-percentage point decrease	95,043
Effect on current other postretirement expense, 1-percentage point increase	-5,634
Effect on current other postretirement expense, 1-percentage point decrease	6,820
Effect on pension service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point increase	-167
Effect on pension service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point decrease	150
Effect on pension benefit obligation, 1-percentage point increase	-38,267
Effect on pension benefit obligation, 1-percentage point decrease	47,783
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point increase	-1,813
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point decrease	3,138
Expected return on plan assets:
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point increase	-2,512
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point decrease	2,512
Rate of compensation increase:
Effect on pension service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point increase	790
Effect on pension service and interest cost components, 1-percentage point decrease	-692
Effect on pension benefit obligation, 1-percentage point increase	6,383
Effect on pension benefit obligation, 1-percentage point decrease	-5,749
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point increase	1,228
Effect on current year pension expense, 1-percentage point decrease	($1,120)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details4

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits
Expected benefits to be paid
2015	$17,670,000
2016	15,232,000
2017	16,148,000
2018	17,051,000
2019	17,955,000
Years 2020-2024	100,590,000
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Employee Benefits
Expected payment for benefits related to other postretirement benefit plans in 2015	25,700,000
Expected benefits to be paid
2015	25,740,000
2016	27,252,000
2017	28,600,000
2018	29,886,000
2019	30,801,000
Years 2020-2024	$162,291,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details5

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Percentage workforce of the entity represented by UMWA	49.50%
Pension Act surcharge (percentage)	5.00%
Pension Act surcharge starting July 1, 2015 (percentage)	10.00%
Number of multiemployer benefit plans	2
UMWA 1974 Pension Plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Required contribution per hour worked by employees under collective bargaining agreement (in dollars per hour)	5.5
Percentage required for getting listed under Form 5500 filed (more than)			5.00%
Required funded percentage under Pension Protection Act (less than)	80.00%
Maximum funded percentage for specified period to deem plan as endangered or seriously endangered (less than)	80.00%
Maximum number of years to reach a projected funding deficiency in addition to specified funded percentage to deem plan as endangered or seriously endangered	7 years
Minimum funded percentage for specified period to deem plan as critical (less than)	65.00%
Funded percentage of multi-employer pension plan as certified by the actuary (less than)	65.00%
Required contribution per hour worked by employees under collective bargaining agreement, including surcharge (in dollars per hour)	5.78
Required contribution per hour worked by employees under collective bargaining agreement, including surcharge starting July 1, 2015 (in dollars per hour)	6.05
Minimum improvement in funded plan status under the Funding Improvement Plan (as a percent)	20.00%
Period for a specified improvement in funded plan status under the Funding Improvement Plan	15 years
Number of plan years used in calculating employer's share of the unfunded vested benefits	5 years
Unfunded vested benefits				$4,300,000,000
Percentage of hours worked compared during the previous five plan years to the total hours worked by all plan participants	15.00%
Entity's combined withdrawal liability	661,200,000
Contributions to the plans	17,854,000	19,670,000	20,948,000
UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Contributions to the plans	3,600,000	3,900,000	4,200,000
Contribution per hour worked by employees under 2011 labor agreement (in dollars per hour)	1.1	1.1	1.1
UMWA 2012 Retiree Bonus Account Trust and Plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Contributions to the plans	5,100,000	5,500,000	5,700,000
Contribution per hour worked by employees under 2011 labor agreement (in dollars per hour)	1.56
One-time retiree bonus payment	580
One-time disabled and other retiree bonus payment	$455

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Details

Net Loss Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	($128,097)	($98,902)	($151,391)	($92,178)	($174,343)	($100,724)	($34,492)	($49,444)	($470,568)	($359,003)	($1,065,555)
Income from discontinued operations									$0	$0	$5,180
Denominator:
Average number of common shares outstanding, basic									66,300,000	62,564,000	62,536,000
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted									66,300,000	62,564,000	62,536,000
Loss from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($17.04)
Loss from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($17.04)
Income from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)									$0	$0	$0.08
Income from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)									$0	$0	$0.08
Net loss (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($16.96)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share)									($7.10)	($5.74)	($16.96)
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									0
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation (in shares)									1,523,000	540,000	238,000
Number of dilutive securities outstanding	0				0				0	0	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	30-May-12	Mar. 15, 2012	Jan. 26, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Jan. 31, 2015
				property	property	action	officer	officer	complaint	T
				party	party
Lease Obligations
Total cost of assets under capital leases	$32,500,000	$45,200,000
Accumulated amortization on assets under capital leases	12,600,000	18,900,000
Rent expense	11,200,000	20,800,000	18,100,000
Capitalized Leases
2015	5,294,000
2016	62,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	0
Total	5,356,000
Less: amount representing interest and other executory costs	-184,000
Present value of minimum lease payments	5,172,000
Operating Leases
2015	7,420,000
2016	7,212,000
2017	7,329,000
2018	7,297,000
2019	7,299,000
Thereafter	1,379,000
Total	37,936,000
Coal royalty expense	56,000,000	78,100,000	116,300,000
Environmental Matters | Walter Coke, Inc.
Commitments and contingencies
Number of properties that the entity has agreed to remediate			23
Number of other PRP's in which "Offer to Conduct Work" letter was sent to				5	4
Number of residential properties whose sampling has been completed by EPA					1,100
Number of properties exceeding Regional Removal Management Levels (RML's)					400
Number of Phase I properties offered to Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP's) for cleanup					50
Number of Phase II properties offered to Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP's) for cleanup				30
Reinstatement period, from time of EPA Issuance of a record of decision (in months)	6 months
Reinstatement period, from date of the order (in years)	5 years
Securities Class Actions and Shareholder Derivative Actions
Commitments and contingencies
Number of executive directors as defendants							3	3
Number of actions						2
Number of complaints									3
Other | Ridley Terminals Inc. | Western Coal Corp | Agreement
Commitments and contingencies
Loss contingency, liability maintained	11,200,000
Minimum throughput commitment	4,000,000
Other | Alabama State Port Authority | Transportation and throughput agreements
Commitments and contingencies
Loss contingency, liability maintained	$4,500,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Other | Ridley Terminals Inc. | Western Coal Corp | Agreement
Commitments and contingencies
Minimum throughput commitment										3,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2008
Interest rate swap - June 2011
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Derivative liability, notional amount	$450,000,000
Agreement period	3 years
Fixed rate (as a percent)	1.17%
Interest rate swap - June 2011 | Interest Expense
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Amount recognized in Statements of Operations, effective portion		1,100,000
Interest rate swap - June 2011 | Other Income (loss)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Amount recognized in Statements of Operations, ineffective portion		300,000
Interest rate swap - December 2008
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Derivative liability, notional amount			31,500,000
Agreement period			62 months
Fixed rate (as a percent)			1.84%
Number of monthly interest payments, hedged			62 months
Number of monthly interest payments			64 months
Interest rate cap
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Agreement period	3 years
Derivative asset, notional amount	$255,000,000
Fixed rate (as a percent)	2.00%

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 2) (Designated as cash flow hedging instruments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Interest rate cap
Entity's derivative instruments within the consolidated balance sheets
Asset derivatives	$1
Interest rate cap | Other current assets
Entity's derivative instruments within the consolidated balance sheets
Asset derivatives	1
Interest rate swaps
Entity's derivative instruments within the consolidated balance sheets
Liability derivatives	3,080
Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Entity's derivative instruments within the consolidated balance sheets
Liability derivatives	$3,100

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details 3) (Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Gain (loss), net of tax, recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$1,303	$4,886
Gain, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings(1)	-677	-2,546
Loss, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings (ineffective portion) (2)	1,053	184
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Gain (loss), net of tax, recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,303	4,894
Gain, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings(1)	-677	-2,546
Loss, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings (ineffective portion) (2)	1,053	184
Interest rate cap
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
Gain (loss), net of tax, recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-8
Gain, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings(1)	0	0
Loss, net of tax, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings (ineffective portion) (2)	$0	$0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the period	($162,258)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-77,164
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	21,374
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-55,790	108,592	-41,374
Balance at the end of the period	-218,048	-162,258
Pension and other postretirement plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the period	-165,150
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-54,817
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	20,998
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-33,819
Balance at the end of the period	-198,969
Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the period	-1,679
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,303
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	376
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,679
Balance at the end of the period	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,571
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-23,650
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-23,650
Balance at the end of the period	($19,079)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other income (loss), net									$646	($1,418)	($13,081)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-568,520	-400,841	-1,164,759
Income tax benefit									97,952	41,838	99,204
Loss from continuing operations	-128,097	-98,902	-151,391	-92,178	-174,343	-100,724	-34,492	-49,444	-470,568	-359,003	-1,065,555
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Income tax benefit									-230
Loss from continuing operations									376
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Interest rate swaps
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Interest expense, net									-1,095
Other income (loss), net									1,701
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									606
Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plans | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Prior service cost									1,473
Net actuarial loss									17,862
Settlement loss									1,663
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									20,998
Income tax benefit									0
Loss from continuing operations									$20,998

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (Recurring, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value information
Derivative assets	$0
Derivative liabilities	0
Interest rate cap
Fair value information
Derivative assets		1,000
Interest rate swaps
Fair value information
Derivative liabilities		3,080,000
Level 1 | Interest rate cap
Fair value information
Derivative assets		0
Level 1 | Interest rate swaps
Fair value information
Derivative liabilities		0
Level 2 | Interest rate cap
Fair value information
Derivative assets		1,000
Level 2 | Interest rate swaps
Fair value information
Derivative liabilities		3,080,000
Level 3 | Interest rate cap
Fair value information
Derivative assets		0
Level 3 | Interest rate swaps
Fair value information
Derivative liabilities		$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt
Debt discount	$18,293,000	$20,788,000
Walter revolving credit facility 2011
Debt
Debt	0	0
Debt discount	1,542,000
2011 term loan A
Debt
Debt discount		5,514,000
2011 term loan B
Debt
Debt discount	11,895,000	9,597,000
9.50% senior secured notes
Debt
Debt discount	2,651,000	2,508,000
9.875% senior notes
Debt
Debt discount	2,205,000	3,169,000
Carrying Amount | 2011 term loan A
Debt
Debt	0	401,052,000
Carrying Amount | 2011 term loan B
Debt
Debt	966,283,000	968,581,000
Carrying Amount | 9.50% senior secured notes
Debt
Debt	967,349,000	447,492,000
Carrying Amount | 11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes
Debt
Debt	350,000,000	0
Carrying Amount | 9.875% senior notes
Debt
Debt	385,795,000	496,831,000
Carrying Amount | 8.50% senior notes
Debt
Debt	450,000,000	450,000,000
Fair Value | 2011 term loan A
Debt
Debt	0	403,517,000
Fair Value | 2011 term loan B
Debt
Debt	755,936,000	959,838,000
Fair Value | 9.50% senior secured notes
Debt
Debt	759,025,000	474,750,000
Fair Value | 11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes
Debt
Debt	113,750,000	0
Fair Value | 9.875% senior notes
Debt
Debt	77,600,000	431,250,000
Fair Value | 8.50% senior notes
Debt
Debt	$85,500,000	$374,625,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$285,563	$329,546	$378,351	$413,885	$471,996	$455,796	$441,496	$491,343	$1,407,345	$1,860,631	$2,399,895
Segment operating income (loss):
Operating loss	-105,602	-54,833	-99,439	-47,062	-17,711	-59,081	-30,553	-63,620	-306,936	-170,965	-1,013,126
Interest expense, net									-295,903	-221,583	-132,997
Gain on extinguishment of debt	32,800	3,400	11,400	-13,900		-900		6,000	33,673	-6,875	-5,555
Other income (loss), net									646	-1,418	-13,081
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-568,520	-400,841	-1,164,759
Income tax expense (benefit)									-97,952	-41,838	-99,204
Loss from continuing operations	-128,097	-98,902	-151,391	-92,178	-174,343	-100,724	-34,492	-49,444	-470,568	-359,003	-1,065,555
Impairment and restructuring charges:
Impairment and restructuring charges									57,508	2,883	1,113,479
Depreciation and depletion:
Total depreciation and depletion									262,525	311,514	316,232
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									92,999	153,896	391,512
Identifiable assets by segment:
Total identifiable assets	5,386,129				5,590,860				5,386,129	5,590,860	5,768,420
Long-lived assets by country:
Total long-lived assets	4,303,098				4,542,554				4,303,098	4,542,554	4,697,688
Export sales
Export sales	285,563	329,546	378,351	413,885	471,996	455,796	441,496	491,343	1,407,345	1,860,631	2,399,895
Other postretirement benefits (income) expense									55,476	58,900	52,852
U.S.
Long-lived assets by country:
Total long-lived assets	876,079				998,763				876,079	998,763	1,034,992
Canada
Long-lived assets by country:
Total long-lived assets	3,007,732				3,092,483				3,007,732	3,092,483	3,203,227
U.K.
Long-lived assets by country:
Total long-lived assets	419,287				451,308				419,287	451,308	459,469
Foreign
Revenues:
Total Revenues									1,000,000	1,500,000	1,900,000
Export sales
Export sales									1,000,000	1,500,000	1,900,000
Sales | Foreign countries
Export sales
Threshold for sales to customers in foreign countries as a percentage of consolidated revenues (more than)									10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Sales | Foreign countries | Germany
Export sales
Revenues from external customers as a percentage of consolidated revenues									9.60%	10.50%	9.70%
Sales | Foreign countries | Brazil
Export sales
Revenues from external customers as a percentage of consolidated revenues									10.70%	13.30%	10.70%
Sales | Foreign countries | Japan
Export sales
Revenues from external customers as a percentage of consolidated revenues									8.60%	13.20%	11.50%
U.S. Operations
Revenues:
Total Revenues									1,166,226	1,331,308	1,728,363
Segment operating income (loss):
Operating loss									-118,009	58,371	188,696
Impairment and restructuring charges:
Impairment and restructuring charges									52,223	-7,763	114,281
Depreciation and depletion:
Total depreciation and depletion									150,701	167,668	173,140
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									85,333	133,407	162,535
Identifiable assets by segment:
Total identifiable assets	1,122,850				1,265,255				1,122,850	1,265,255	1,603,745
Export sales
Export sales									1,166,226	1,331,308	1,728,363
Other postretirement benefits (income) expense									55,653	59,118	53,301
Canadian and U.K. Operations
Revenues:
Total Revenues									237,584	527,989	668,313
Segment operating income (loss):
Operating loss									-183,180	-209,709	-1,158,591
Impairment and restructuring charges:
Impairment and restructuring charges									4,721	10,646	999,198
Depreciation and depletion:
Total depreciation and depletion									109,368	141,696	141,713
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									4,387	18,331	224,583
Identifiable assets by segment:
Total identifiable assets	3,538,073				3,687,925				3,538,073	3,687,925	3,728,817
Export sales
Export sales									237,584	527,989	668,313
Other
Revenues:
Total Revenues									3,535	1,334	3,219
Segment operating income (loss):
Operating loss									-5,747	-19,627	-43,231
Impairment and restructuring charges:
Impairment and restructuring charges									564	0	0
Depreciation and depletion:
Total depreciation and depletion									2,456	2,150	1,379
Capital expenditures:
Total capital expenditures									3,279	2,158	4,394
Identifiable assets by segment:
Total identifiable assets	725,206				637,680				725,206	637,680	435,858
Export sales
Export sales									3,535	1,334	3,219
Other postretirement benefits (income) expense									($177)	($218)	($449)

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
BWM
Related Party Transactions
Ownership interest in the joint venture accounted for under the proportionate consolidation method (as a percent)	50.00%
Charges to joint venture	$1.80	$1.90	$2.40
Belcourt Saxon
Related Party Transactions
Ownership interest in the joint venture accounted for under the proportionate consolidation method (as a percent)	50.00%
Number of multi-deposit coal properties owned by the related party	2
Belcourt Saxon | Minimum
Related Party Transactions
Distance of multi-deposit coal properties from south of Wolverine Mine (in miles)	40
Belcourt Saxon | Maximum
Related Party Transactions
Distance of multi-deposit coal properties from south of Wolverine Mine (in miles)	80

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non2

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 21, 2012	Mar. 27, 2013	Mar. 27, 2014
2020 Notes
Debt instrument
Interest rate (as a percent)	9.88%	9.88%
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	9.88%
2021 Notes
Debt instrument
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.50%		8.50%
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	8.50%
Minimum | 11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes
Debt instrument
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	11.00%			11.00%
Maximum | 11.0%/12.0% senior secured PIK toggle notes
Debt instrument
Weighted average stated interest rate (as a percent)	12.00%			12.00%

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non3

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$468,532	$260,818	$116,601	$128,430
Trade receivables, net	91,057	149,116
Other receivables	127,037	132,647
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Intercompany loans receivable		0
Inventories	201,598	312,647
Deferred income taxes	16,819	37,067
Prepaid expenses	46,190	39,022
Other current assets	19,542	18,031
Total current assets	970,775	949,348
Mineral interests, net	2,836,801	2,905,002
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,466,297	1,637,552
Deferred income taxes		0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	112,256	98,958
Total assets	5,386,129	5,590,860	5,768,420
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	12,327	9,210
Accounts payable	38,980	92,712
Accrued expenses	125,318	133,870
Intercompany payables	0	0
Intercompany loans payable		0
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	29,032	37,125
Other current liabilities	215,952	206,984
Total current liabilities	421,609	479,901
Long-term debt	3,123,643	2,769,622
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	641,231	572,768
Deferred income taxes	730,685	822,867
Other long-term liabilities	187,380	193,008
Total liabilities	5,104,548	4,838,166
Total stockholders' equity	281,581	752,694	1,010,571	2,136,517
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,386,129	5,590,860
Parent (Issuer)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	421,533	234,150	83,833	99,086
Trade receivables, net	0	0
Other receivables	123,659	113,936
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Intercompany loans receivable		63,549
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	15,986	23,957
Prepaid expenses	3,424	2,245
Other current assets	10,363	15,257
Total current assets	574,965	453,094
Mineral interests, net	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,558	7,248
Deferred income taxes		3,049
Investment in subsidiaries	3,233,399	4,409,683
Other long-term assets	87,928	73,564
Total assets	3,903,850	4,946,638
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	0	0
Accounts payable	2,296	5,604
Accrued expenses	43,088	34,551
Intercompany payables	221,070	87,904
Intercompany loans payable		1,104,282
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	95	94
Other current liabilities	168,444	164,364
Total current liabilities	434,993	1,396,799
Long-term debt	3,117,886	2,763,957
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	10,502	263
Deferred income taxes	23,766	0
Other long-term liabilities	35,122	32,925
Total liabilities	3,622,269	4,193,944
Total stockholders' equity	281,581	752,694
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,903,850	4,946,638
Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,117	1,620	8,158	8,295
Trade receivables, net	88,959	92,027
Other receivables	2,193	3,157
Intercompany receivables	206,118	29,735
Intercompany loans receivable		1,104,282
Inventories	110,882	176,981
Deferred income taxes	0	12,716
Prepaid expenses	40,044	34,317
Other current assets	7,029	440
Total current assets	456,342	1,455,275
Mineral interests, net	135,377	157,812
Property, plant and equipment, net	726,478	824,729
Deferred income taxes		0
Investment in subsidiaries	6,459	6,401
Other long-term assets	17,857	13,186
Total assets	1,342,513	2,457,403
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	7,209	1,424
Accounts payable	30,697	68,370
Accrued expenses	60,762	57,036
Intercompany payables	0	0
Intercompany loans payable		0
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	28,937	37,031
Other current liabilities	27,172	22,443
Total current liabilities	154,777	186,304
Long-term debt	5,704	22
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	630,729	572,505
Deferred income taxes	0	24,079
Other long-term liabilities	96,599	87,944
Total liabilities	887,809	870,854
Total stockholders' equity	454,704	1,586,549
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,342,513	2,457,403
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	45,882	25,048	24,610	21,049
Trade receivables, net	2,098	57,089
Other receivables	1,185	15,554
Intercompany receivables	14,952	58,169
Intercompany loans receivable		0
Inventories	90,716	135,666
Deferred income taxes	833	394
Prepaid expenses	2,722	2,460
Other current assets	2,150	2,334
Total current assets	160,538	296,714
Mineral interests, net	2,701,424	2,747,190
Property, plant and equipment, net	732,261	805,575
Deferred income taxes		0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	6,471	12,208
Total assets	3,600,694	3,861,687
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	5,118	7,786
Accounts payable	5,987	18,738
Accrued expenses	21,468	42,283
Intercompany payables	0	0
Intercompany loans payable		63,549
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	0	0
Other current liabilities	20,336	20,177
Total current liabilities	52,909	152,533
Long-term debt	53	5,643
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	0	0
Deferred income taxes	706,919	801,837
Other long-term liabilities	55,659	72,139
Total liabilities	815,540	1,032,152
Total stockholders' equity	2,785,154	2,829,535
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,600,694	3,861,687
Eliminations
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade receivables, net	0	0
Other receivables	0	0
Intercompany receivables	-221,070	-87,904
Intercompany loans receivable		-1,167,831
Inventories	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	-221,070	-1,255,735
Mineral interests, net	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes		-3,049
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,239,858	-4,416,084
Other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	-3,460,928	-5,674,868
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Intercompany payables	-221,070	-87,904
Intercompany loans payable		-1,167,831
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	-221,070	-1,255,735
Long-term debt	0	0
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligation	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	-3,049
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	-221,070	-1,258,784
Total stockholders' equity	-3,239,858	-4,416,084
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($3,460,928)	($5,674,868)

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non4

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Sales									$1,374,422	$1,836,343	$2,381,760
Miscellaneous income									32,923	24,288	18,135
Total revenues	285,563	329,546	378,351	413,885	471,996	455,796	441,496	491,343	1,407,345	1,860,631	2,399,895
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									1,266,757	1,558,305	1,796,991
Depreciation and depletion									262,525	311,514	316,232
Selling, general and administrative									72,015	99,994	133,467
Other postretirement benefits									55,476	58,900	52,852
Restructuring and asset impairments									57,508	2,883	49,070
Goodwill impairment									0	0	1,064,409
Total costs and expenses									1,714,281	2,031,596	3,413,021
Operating loss	-105,602	-54,833	-99,439	-47,062	-17,711	-59,081	-30,553	-63,620	-306,936	-170,965	-1,013,126
Interest income (expense), net									-295,903	-221,583	-132,997
Gain on extinguishment of debt	32,800	3,400	11,400	-13,900		-900		6,000	33,673	-6,875	-5,555
Other income (loss), net									646	-1,418	-13,081
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-568,520	-400,841	-1,164,759
Income tax expense (benefit)									-97,952	-41,838	-99,204
Loss from continuing operations	-128,097	-98,902	-151,391	-92,178	-174,343	-100,724	-34,492	-49,444	-470,568	-359,003	-1,065,555
Income from discontinued operations									0	0	5,180
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net loss									-470,568	-359,003	-1,060,375
Parent (Issuer)
Revenues:
Sales									0	0	0
Miscellaneous income									1,206	88	2,233
Total revenues									1,206	88	2,233
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									0	0	0
Depreciation and depletion									2,456	2,150	1,379
Selling, general and administrative									6,276	4,393	11,716
Other postretirement benefits									-177	-218	-449
Restructuring and asset impairments									564	0	0
Goodwill impairment											0
Total costs and expenses									9,119	6,325	12,646
Operating loss									-7,913	-6,237	-10,413
Interest income (expense), net									-299,405	-252,144	-151,488
Gain on extinguishment of debt									33,673	-6,875	-5,555
Other income (loss), net									704	-300	0
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-272,941	-265,556	-167,456
Income tax expense (benefit)									-184	-51,821	-68,615
Loss from continuing operations											-98,841
Income from discontinued operations											0
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries									-197,811	-145,268	-961,534
Net loss									-470,568	-359,003	-1,060,375
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Sales									1,136,548	1,304,806	1,702,246
Miscellaneous income									13,631	11,201	21,047
Total revenues									1,150,179	1,316,007	1,723,293
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									963,015	985,176	1,142,914
Depreciation and depletion									148,218	157,065	165,300
Selling, general and administrative									47,167	53,415	72,962
Other postretirement benefits									55,653	59,118	53,301
Restructuring and asset impairments									52,223	-7,763	0
Goodwill impairment											74,319
Total costs and expenses									1,266,276	1,247,011	1,508,796
Operating loss									-116,097	68,996	214,497
Interest income (expense), net									6,458	27,877	22,909
Gain on extinguishment of debt									0	0	0
Other income (loss), net									-2	-1,336	0
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-109,641	95,537	237,406
Income tax expense (benefit)									0	111,527	73,379
Loss from continuing operations											164,027
Income from discontinued operations											5,180
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net loss									-109,641	-15,990	169,207
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Sales									237,874	531,537	679,514
Miscellaneous income									18,086	12,999	-5,145
Total revenues									255,960	544,536	674,369
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									303,742	573,129	654,077
Depreciation and depletion									111,851	152,299	149,553
Selling, general and administrative									18,572	42,186	48,789
Other postretirement benefits									0	0	0
Restructuring and asset impairments									4,721	10,646	49,070
Goodwill impairment											990,090
Total costs and expenses									438,886	778,260	1,891,579
Operating loss									-182,926	-233,724	-1,217,210
Interest income (expense), net									-2,956	2,684	-4,418
Gain on extinguishment of debt									0	0	0
Other income (loss), net									-56	218	-13,081
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									-185,938	-230,822	-1,234,709
Income tax expense (benefit)									-97,768	-101,544	-103,968
Loss from continuing operations											-1,130,741
Income from discontinued operations											0
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Net loss									-88,170	-129,278	-1,130,741
Eliminations
Revenues:
Sales									0	0	0
Miscellaneous income									0	0	0
Total revenues									0	0	0
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and depletion)									0	0	0
Depreciation and depletion									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative									0	0	0
Other postretirement benefits									0	0	0
Restructuring and asset impairments									0	0	0
Goodwill impairment											0
Total costs and expenses									0	0	0
Operating loss									0	0	0
Interest income (expense), net									0	0	0
Gain on extinguishment of debt									0	0	0
Other income (loss), net									0	0	0
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit									0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)									0	0
Loss from continuing operations											0
Income from discontinued operations											0
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries									197,811	145,268	961,534
Net loss									$197,811	$145,268	$961,534

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non5

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Net loss	($470,568)	($359,003)	($1,060,375)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	-33,819	100,892	-40,501
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	1,679	2,524	-3,416
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-23,650	6,073	1,774
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	0	-897	769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-55,790	108,592	-41,374
Total comprehensive loss	-526,358	-250,411	-1,101,749
Parent (Issuer)
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Net loss	-470,568	-359,003	-1,060,375
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	-33,819	100,892	-40,501
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	1,679	2,524	-3,416
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-23,650	6,073	1,774
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax		-897	769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-55,790	108,592	-41,374
Total comprehensive loss	-526,358	-250,411	-1,101,749
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Net loss	-109,641	-15,990	169,207
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	-30,275	91,501	-90,876
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	3	58	95
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax		0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-30,272	91,559	-90,781
Total comprehensive loss	-139,913	75,569	78,426
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Net loss	-88,170	-129,278	-1,130,741
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	0	0	-2,533
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-23,650	6,073	1,774
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax		-897	769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-23,650	5,176	10
Total comprehensive loss	-111,820	-124,102	-1,130,731
Eliminations
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Net loss	197,811	145,268	961,534
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans (net of tax: $1,102, $60,013, and $23,330, respectively)	30,275	-91,501	90,876
Change in unrealized gain on hedges, net of tax	-3	-58	2,438
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	23,650	-6,073	-1,774
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax		897	-769
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	53,922	-96,735	90,771
Total comprehensive loss	$251,733	$48,533	$1,052,305

Supplemental_Guarantor_and_Non6

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	($139,704)	($27,076)	$329,907
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-92,999	-153,896	-391,512
Proceeds from sales of investments	0	1,559	13,239
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	30,112	0	0
Intercompany loans made	0	0	0
Intercompany loans received	0	0	0
Investments in equity affiliates			0
Distributions from equity affiliates			0
Other	488	1,824	898
Cash flows used in investing activities	-62,399	-150,513	-377,375
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	869,800	897,412	496,510
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement			510,650
Repayments on revolving credit agreement			-519,453
Retirements of debt	-427,165	-515,195	-392,851
Dividends paid	-2,625	-16,889	-31,246
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements	0	-717	217
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants	0	0	-11,535
Debt issuance costs	-27,748	-41,588	-24,532
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	0	0	0
Intercompany notes borrowings	0	0	0
Intercompany notes payments	0	0	0
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	108	279	161
Investment from Parent			0
Intercompany dividends			0
Other	-303	-293	-766
Cash flows provided by financing activities	412,067	323,009	27,155
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations	209,964	145,420	-20,313
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities	0	0	9,500
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations			9,500
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	-2,250	-1,203	-1,016
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	207,714	144,217	-11,829
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	260,818	116,601	128,430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	468,532	260,818	116,601
Parent (Issuer)
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-179,786	-204,982	-373,256
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-3,279	-2,294	-4,395
Proceeds from sales of investments		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	-44
Intercompany loans made	-5,200	-40,236	-293,170
Intercompany loans received	1,828	30,500	16,513
Investments in equity affiliates			-238,083
Distributions from equity affiliates			271,847
Other	0	0	0
Cash flows used in investing activities	-6,695	-12,030	-247,288
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	869,800	897,412	496,510
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement			0
Repayments on revolving credit agreement			0
Retirements of debt	-411,766	-496,062	-343,255
Dividends paid	-2,625	-16,889	-31,246
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		-717	217
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants			-11,535
Debt issuance costs	-27,748	-41,588	-24,532
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	-53,602	25,072	519,737
Intercompany notes borrowings	0	0	0
Intercompany notes payments	0	0	0
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	108	279	161
Investment from Parent			0
Intercompany dividends			0
Other	-303	-178	-766
Cash flows provided by financing activities	373,864	367,329	605,291
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations			-15,253
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities			0
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations			0
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	187,383	150,317	-15,253
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	234,150	83,833	99,086
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	421,533	234,150	83,833
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	53,037	246,428	742,100
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-82,889	-130,061	-157,833
Proceeds from sales of investments		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	30,156
Intercompany loans made	0	0	0
Intercompany loans received	0	0	0
Investments in equity affiliates			0
Distributions from equity affiliates			0
Other	0	0	855
Cash flows used in investing activities	-52,733	-130,061	-156,978
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	0
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement			0
Repayments on revolving credit agreement			0
Retirements of debt	-7,626	-11,840	-12,140
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants			0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	6,812	-97,311	-568,099
Intercompany notes borrowings	0	0	8,499
Intercompany notes payments	0	-13,639	0
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	0	0	0
Investment from Parent			238,083
Intercompany dividends			-261,102
Other	7	-115	0
Cash flows provided by financing activities	-807	-122,905	-594,759
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations			-9,637
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities			9,500
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations			9,500
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-503	-6,538	-137
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,620	8,158	8,295
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,117	1,620	8,158
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	-12,955	-68,522	-38,937
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-6,831	-21,541	-229,284
Proceeds from sales of investments		1,559	13,239
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0
Intercompany loans made	0	0	0
Intercompany loans received	0	0	0
Investments in equity affiliates			0
Distributions from equity affiliates			0
Other	488	1,824	43
Cash flows used in investing activities	-6,343	-18,158	-216,002
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	0
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement			510,650
Repayments on revolving credit agreement			-519,453
Retirements of debt	-7,773	-7,293	-37,456
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants			0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	46,790	72,239	48,362
Intercompany notes borrowings	5,200	40,236	284,671
Intercompany notes payments	-1,828	-16,861	-16,513
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	0	0	0
Investment from Parent			0
Intercompany dividends			-10,745
Other	-7	0	0
Cash flows provided by financing activities	42,382	88,321	259,516
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations			4,577
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities			0
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations			0
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	-2,250	-1,203	-1,016
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	20,834	438	3,561
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	25,048	24,610	21,049
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	45,882	25,048	24,610
Eliminations
Supplemental guarantor and non-guarantor financial information
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0	0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Proceeds from sales of investments		0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0
Intercompany loans made	5,200	40,236	293,170
Intercompany loans received	-1,828	-30,500	-16,513
Investments in equity affiliates			238,083
Distributions from equity affiliates			-271,847
Other	0	0	0
Cash flows used in investing activities	3,372	9,736	242,893
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	0
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement			0
Repayments on revolving credit agreement			0
Retirements of debt	0	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0	0
Tax effect from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Cash paid upon exercise of warrants			0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	0
Advances from (to) consolidated entities	0	0	0
Intercompany notes borrowings	-5,200	-40,236	-293,170
Intercompany notes payments	1,828	30,500	16,513
Proceeds from stock-options exercised	0	0	0
Investment from Parent			-238,083
Intercompany dividends			271,847
Other	0	0	0
Cash flows provided by financing activities	-3,372	-9,736	-242,893
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing operations			0
CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Cash flows provided by investing activities			0
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations			0
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$0	$0	$0

Summary_of_Quarterly_Financial2

Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$285,563,000	$329,546,000	$378,351,000	$413,885,000	$471,996,000	$455,796,000	$441,496,000	$491,343,000	$1,407,345,000	$1,860,631,000	$2,399,895,000
Operating loss	-105,602,000	-54,833,000	-99,439,000	-47,062,000	-17,711,000	-59,081,000	-30,553,000	-63,620,000	-306,936,000	-170,965,000	-1,013,126,000
Loss from continuing operations	-128,097,000	-98,902,000	-151,391,000	-92,178,000	-174,343,000	-100,724,000	-34,492,000	-49,444,000	-470,568,000	-359,003,000	-1,065,555,000
Basic and Diluted loss per share:
Net loss (in dollars per share)	($1.83)	($1.48)	($2.33)	($1.47)	($2.79)	($1.61)	($0.55)	($0.79)
Restructuring and impairment charges (benefits)	28,600,000	-2,400,000	31,300,000		1,200,000		-5,700,000	7,400,000	57,508,000	2,883,000	49,070,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	32,800,000	3,400,000	11,400,000	-13,900,000		-900,000		6,000,000	33,673,000	-6,875,000	-5,555,000
Deferred tax asset, valuation allowance, Income tax charge					$140,900,000