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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Summary Of Standby Letters Of Credit) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Standby Letters of Credit        
Long term debt $ 2,277,896us-gaap_LongTermDebt $ 2,005,584us-gaap_LongTermDebt $ 2,006,953us-gaap_LongTermDebt  
Reclamation/restoration requirements 238,689us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation 226,565us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation 225,831us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation 228,234us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]        
Standby Letters of Credit        
Risk management insurance 33,111us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
     
Reclamation/restoration requirements 6,131us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
     
Total 53,472us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
     
Industrial revenue bonds [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]        
Standby Letters of Credit        
Long term debt $ 14,230us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember