Exhibit 23.2



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

We consent to the reference of our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Natural Resource
Partners L.P. for the registration of its common units, and debt securities, and
debt securities of NRP (Operating) LLC, and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 11, 2003, with respect to the financial
statements of Arch Coal Contributed Properties included in Natural Resource
Partners L.P.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP

December 18, 2003
St. Louis, Missouri