Quarterly Financial Information Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Coal Products and Services Revenue	$ 968,231	$ 1,087,618	$ 1,063,538	$ 1,039,651	$ 1,228,756	$ 1,198,673	$ 985,528	$ 872,938	$ 4,159,038	$ 4,285,895	$ 3,186,268
Gross Profit	37,176	69,249	54,984	63,704	154,388	120,085	172,234	130,523
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	0	(2,194)	525,762	0					523,568	7,316
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	230,632	0	115,791	0					(330,680)
Operating Income (Loss)	(282,645)	135,960	(588,984)	54,081	139,728	76,256	95,354	102,238	(681,588)	413,576	323,984
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(295,423)	45,751	(435,424)	1,409	71,215	9,121	6,630	55,874	(683,687)	142,840	159,394
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (1.39)	$ 0.22	$ (2.05)	$ 0.01	$ 0.34	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.34	$ (3.24)	$ 0.75	$ 0.98
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (1.39)	$ 0.22	$ (2.05)	$ 0.01	$ 0.33	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.34	$ (3.24)	$ 0.74	$ 0.97
Acquisition And Transition Costs										47,360
ICG [Member]
Acquisition And Transition Costs		$ 4,700			$ 1,300		$ 98,200