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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144945-05-000083.txt : 20051213
<SEC-HEADER>0001144945-05-000083.hdr.sgml : 20051213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051213142259
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144945-05-000083
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051212
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051213

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PENN VIRGINIA RESOURCE PARTNERS L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001144945
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221]
		IRS NUMBER:				233087517
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE RADNOR CORP CTR
		STREET 2:		100 MATSONFORD RD STE 300
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		610 687 8900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE RADNOR CORP CTR
		STREET 2:		100 MATSONFORD RD STE 300
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PENN VIRGINIA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000077159
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16735
		FILM NUMBER:		051260628

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MATSONFORD ROAD SUITE 300
		STREET 2:		THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6106878900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MATSONFORD ROAD SUITE 300
		STREET 2:		THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VIRGINIA COAL & IRON CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001144945</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PENN VIRGINIA RESOURCE PARTNERS L P</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PVR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000077159</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PENN VIRGINIA CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 MATSONFORD ROAD SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RADNOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19087</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>100% owner of general partner</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-12-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>55.21</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3935070</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Parent Company</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Transfer of common units by Penn Virginia Resource GP, LLC, the general partner of the Issuer (the &quot;General Partner&quot;), to certain directors, officers and employees of the General Partner as compensation pursuant to the General Partner's Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Penn Virginia Corporation is the ultimate parent company of Penn Virginia Resource LP Corp. (&quot;LP Corp&quot;), Kanawha Rail Corp (&quot;KRC&quot;) and the General Partner.  As such, Penn Virginia Corporation may be deemed to beneficially own the common units and subordinated units held by LP Corp, KRC and the General Partner.  In addition, as the ultimate parent company to the General Partner, Penn Virginia Corporation appoints the directors of the General Partner.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nancy M. Snyder, Senior Vice President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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