Exhibit 23.1


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to 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 reports with respect to the following financial
statements 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:





     Report Date                    Financial Statements
     -----------                    --------------------
                                
     February 11, 2003              Consolidated Financial Statements of Natural
                                    Resource Partners L.P.

     February 7, 2003               Financial Statements of Western Pocahontas
                                    Properties Limited Partnership

     February 7, 2003               Financial Statements of Great Northern
                                    Properties Limited Partnership

     February 7, 2003               Financial Statements of New Gauley Coal
                                    Corporation

     February 11, 2003              Consolidated Balance Sheet of NRP (GP) LP
                                    included as Exhibit 99.1






                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP


February 9, 2004
Houston, Texas