Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Discussion (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

The table below summarizes the book value of the Company’s equity method investments, which is reported in “Investments and other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets, and the loss from its equity affiliates:



	Book Value at December 31,				Loss from Equity Affiliates for the Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Equity interest in Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd	$	295.9	$	449.7	$	52.1	$	7.3	$	—
Other equity method investments	2.7		76.9		9.1		11.9		1.7
Total equity method investments	$	298.6	$	526.6	$	61.2	$	19.2	$	1.7

The Company's equity interest in Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd reflected in the table above includes a remaining unamortized difference between the book value of that investment and the underlying equity in the net assets of the joint venture of $143.1 million as of December 31, 2012.

In addition to impact of the loss from its equity method affiliates and changes to its pro-rata portion of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment of those affiliates, the book value of the Company's equity method investments was affected during the year ended December 31, 2012 by provisional fair value adjustments recorded during that period related to the purchase price allocation for the 2011 acquisition of PEA-PCI.

Depreciation of plant and equipment (excluding life of mine assets)

The estimated useful lives by category of assets are as follows:



			Years
Building and improvements			4 to 29
Plant and equipment			3 to 43
Leasehold improvements			Shorter of Useful Life or Remaining Life of Lease

Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block]



	Book Value at December 31,				Loss from Equity Affiliates for the Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Equity interest in Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd	$	295.9	$	449.7	$	52.1	$	7.3	$	—
Other equity method investments	2.7		76.9		9.1		11.9		1.7
Total equity method investments	$	298.6	$	526.6	$	61.2	$	19.2	$	1.7

- Definition

The entire disclosure for equity investment, or group of investments, for which combined disclosure is appropriate, including: (a) the name of each investee and percentage of ownership of common stock, (b) accounting policies for investments in common stock, (c) difference between the amount at which the investment is carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets and the accounting treatment of the difference, (d) the total fair value of each identified investment for which a market value is available, (e) summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investees (for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, common stock of joint ventures, or other investments using the equity method), and (f) material effects of possible conversions, exercises, or contingent issuances of the investee. Other disclosures include (a) the names of any investee in which the investor owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock and investment is not accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why not, and (b) the names of any investee in which the investor owns less than 20 percent of the voting stock and the investment is accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why it is.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of equity method investments in common stock. The disclosure may include: (a) the name of each investee or group of investments for which combined disclosure is appropriate, (2) the percentage ownership of common stock, (3) the difference, if any, between the carrying amount of an investment and the value of the underlying equity in the net assets and the accounting treatment of difference, if any, and (4) the aggregate value of each identified investment based on its quoted market price, if available.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References+ Details