Other Transactions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Transactions [Abstract]
Other Events and Transactions [Text Block]	Other Transactions NACoal: During 2010, NACoal received and recorded $7.6 million, which is included on the line “Revenues” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, related to the reimbursement from Mississippi Power Company for previously recognized costs for pre-development activities. NACoal also received $3.5 million related to Mississippi Power Company's purchase of capitalized assets for activities related to obtaining a mining permit, which approximated NACoal's book value. During 2010 and 2011, NACoal entered into agreements to sell $31.4 million of assets, which consist primarily of two draglines. The sales of the assets are expected to occur in 2012. As a result, these assets have been classified as held-for-sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010. During 2010, NACoal sold the majority of the assets of its investment in Great American Energy for cash proceeds of $11.2 million, which is included on the line "Proceeds from the sale of assets" in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. NACoal's contract at San Miguel Lignite Mine (“San Miguel”) expired at the end of 2010. NACoal did not incur significant costs or recognize any impairment of assets as a result of the transition of the operations related to this contract during the last six months of 2010. During 2009, NACoal received bonus payments of $7.1 million for the lease of certain oil and gas mineral rights to a third party, which is included on the line “(Gain) loss on sale of assets” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. NACCO and Other: In 2006, the Company initiated litigation in the Delaware Chancery Court against Applica Incorporated ("Applica") and individuals and entities affiliated with Applica's shareholder, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund, Ltd. The litigation alleged a number of contract and tort claims against the defendants related to the failed transaction with Applica, which had been previously announced. On February 14, 2011, the parties to this litigation entered into a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement provided for, among other things, the payment of $60 million to the Company and dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice. The payment was received in February 2011. Litigation costs related to the failed transaction with Applica were $2.8 million, $18.8 million and $1.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Other Transactions

NACoal: During 2010, NACoal received and recorded $7.6 million, which is included on the line “Revenues” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, related to the reimbursement from Mississippi Power Company for previously recognized costs for pre-development activities. NACoal also received $3.5 million related to Mississippi Power Company's purchase of capitalized assets for activities related to obtaining a mining permit, which approximated NACoal's book value.

During 2010 and 2011, NACoal entered into agreements to sell $31.4 million of assets, which consist primarily of two draglines. The sales of the assets are expected to occur in 2012. As a result, these assets have been classified as held-for-sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

During 2010, NACoal sold the majority of the assets of its investment in Great American Energy for cash proceeds of $11.2 million, which is included on the line "Proceeds from the sale of assets" in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

NACoal's contract at San Miguel Lignite Mine (“San Miguel”) expired at the end of 2010. NACoal did not incur significant costs or recognize any impairment of assets as a result of the transition of the operations related to this contract during the last six months of 2010.

During 2009, NACoal received bonus payments of $7.1 million for the lease of certain oil and gas mineral rights to a third party, which is included on the line “(Gain) loss on sale of assets” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

NACCO and Other: In 2006, the Company initiated litigation in the Delaware Chancery Court against Applica Incorporated ("Applica") and individuals and entities affiliated with Applica's shareholder, Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund, Ltd. The litigation alleged a number of contract and tort claims against the defendants related to the failed transaction with Applica, which had been previously announced. On February 14, 2011, the parties to this litigation entered into a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement provided for, among other things, the payment of $60 million to the Company and dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice. The payment was received in February 2011.

Litigation costs related to the failed transaction with Applica were $2.8 million, $18.8 million and $1.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.