Segment Information (Reconciliation Statement Of Segment Income from Operations To Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 134,805		$ 71,902	$ 261,905	$ 164,439
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(103,965)		(105,155)	(306,211)	(312,042)
Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net	1,994		3,013	7,028	9,948
Asset impairment and mine closure costs	(2,120,292)	$ (19,100)	(5,060)	(2,139,438)	(6,572)
Losses from disposed operations resulting from Patriot Coal bankruptcy	(149,314)		0	(149,314)	0
Interest expense, net	(99,087)		(96,268)	(294,578)	(286,820)
Nonoperating expense	(7,482)		0	(11,498)	0
Loss before income taxes	$ (2,343,341)		$ (131,568)	$ (2,632,106)	$ (431,047)