UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 13, 2011

ALLIANCE RESOURCE PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	Commission	73-1564280
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	File No.: 0-26823	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1717 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 400, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(918) 295-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 8.01 Other Events

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) was enacted. Section 1503 of the Act included new reporting requirements related to mine safety, including disclosing on a Current Report on Form 8-K the receipt of an imminent danger order under Section 107(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“the Mine Act”) issued by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”).

On December 13, 2011, at approximately 9:30 A.M., White County Coal, LLC (“WCC”), an operating subsidiary of the Partnership, received an imminent danger order under Section 107(a) of the Mine Act at the Pattiki Mine. The imminent danger order was issued by MSHA’s inspector after elevated methane levels were detected at the face of an idle entry of the mine. However, no miners were working and no mining equipment was located in the face of the idle entry at the time of the order’s issuance. Upon detection of the methane, WCC adjusted ventilation controls in the entry and the methane was diluted. The order was terminated an hour after it was written and no miners were injured. WCC is presently reviewing the matter to determine if it will seek judicial review of MSHA’s decision to issue the order.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
By:	Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC, its managing general partner
By:	/s/ Joseph W. Craft III
	Joseph W. Craft III
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: December 19, 2011

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