8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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): April 20, 2012

Rhino Resource Partners LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 001-34892 (Commission File Number) 27-2377517 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

424 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite 250
Lexington, Kentucky 40503
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(859) 389-6500
(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

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

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

ITEM 7.01             Regulation FD Disclosure.

On April 20, 2012, Rhino Resource Partners LP (“Rhino” or the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing a cash distribution of $0.48 per common unit and subordinated unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, or $1.92 per unit on an annualized basis.  This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2012 to all unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 1, 2012.

The information in this Form 8-K, including the exhibit,  shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, unless Rhino specifically states in a future filing that the information is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

ITEM 9.01             Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated April 20, 2012.

1

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.

	RHINO RESOURCE PARTNERS LP
	By:	Rhino GP LLC,
		Its General Partner
Dated: April 20, 2012	By:	/s/ Joseph R. Miller
	Name:		Joseph R. Miller
	Title:		Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

2

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press Release dated April 20, 2012.

3

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Investor Contact:

Scott Morris

+1 859.519.3622

smorris@rhinolp.com

RHINO RESOURCE PARTNERS LP ANNOUNCES

FIRST QUARTER DISTRIBUTION AND EARNINGS

RELEASE DATE

LEXINGTON, KY (April 20, 2012) — Rhino Resource Partners LP (NYSE: RNO) (“Rhino” or the “Partnership”) today is pleased to announce a cash distribution of $0.48 per common unit and subordinated unit, or $1.92 per unit on an annualized basis.  This distribution is consistent with the distribution amount from the previous quarter and will be paid on May 15, 2012 to all unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 1, 2012.

Rhino today also announced that it plans to release its 2012 first quarter financial results on Thursday, May 3, 2012, before the market opens.  In connection with the earnings release, Rhino will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the quarter on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 10:00 am (ET).

Participants should call 866-783-2143 (United States/Canada) or 857-350-1602 (International) and utilize the confirmation code 91996823. A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010 (United States/Canada) or 617-801-6888 (International) and enter confirmation code 30762240. The recording will be available from 12:00 pm (ET) on Thursday, May 3, 2012 through Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (ET). A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via the Internet at www.rhinolp.com under ‘Investor Relations’. The webcast will be archived on the site for one year.

This press release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of Rhino’s distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business.  Accordingly, Rhino’s distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

About Rhino Resource Partners LP

Rhino Resource Partners LP is a growth-oriented limited partnership.  Rhino produces metallurgical and steam coal in a variety of basins throughout the United States, it leases coal through its Elk Horn subsidiary, and it owns oil and gas acreage in the Utica and Cana Woodford plays.

About Wexford Capital LP

Rhino’s general partner, Rhino GP LLC, is an affiliate of Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford”).  Wexford is an SEC registered investment advisor with over $5.6 billion of assets under management.  Wexford has particular expertise in the energy/natural resources sector with actively managed investments in coal, oil and gas exploration and production, energy services and related sectors.  Through Wexford’s extensive portfolio of energy, resource and related investments, it sees an extensive flow of potential new investment opportunities, many of which could be suitable for Rhino.  Although Wexford has no obligation to provide such investment opportunities to Rhino, it has made available several of these investments to Rhino and  expects to be in a position to continue to selectively source and underwrite for Rhino new coal, energy and related investment opportunities.

Additional information regarding Rhino and Wexford is available on their respective web sites — RhinoLP.com and Wexford.com.

# # #