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Basis of Presentation and Organization
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Basis of Presentation and Organization [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Organization

1.    Basis of Presentation and Organization

Natural Resource Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed in April 2002. The general partner of the Partnership is NRP (GP) LP, a Delaware limited partnership, whose general partner is GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The Partnership engages principally in the business of owning and managing mineral properties in the United States. The Partnership owns coal reserves in the three major coal-producing regions of the United States: Appalachia, the Illinois Basin and the Western United States, as well as lignite reserves in the Gulf Coast region. As of December 31, 2011, the Partnership owned or controlled approximately 2.3 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves (unaudited), and also owned approximately 380 million tons of aggregate reserves (unaudited) in a number of states across the country. The Partnership does not operate any mines, but leases reserves to experienced mine operators under long-term leases that grant the operators the right to mine reserves in exchange for royalty payments. Lessees are generally required to make royalty payments based on the higher of a percentage of the gross sales price or a fixed price per ton, in addition to a minimum payment.

In addition, the Partnership owns coal transportation and preparation equipment, other coal related rights and oil and gas properties on which it earns revenue.

The Partnership’s operations are conducted through, and its operating assets are owned by, its subsidiaries. The Partnership owns its subsidiaries through a wholly owned operating company, NRP (Operating) LLC. NRP (GP) LP, the general partner of the Partnership, has sole responsibility for conducting its business and for managing its operations. Because its general partner is a limited partnership, its general partner, GP Natural Resource Partners LLC, conducts its business and operations, and the board of directors and officers of GP Natural Resource Partners LLC makes decisions on its behalf. Robertson Coal Management LLC, a limited liability company wholly owned by Corbin J. Robertson, Jr., owns all of the membership interest in GP Natural Resource Partners LLC. Mr. Robertson is entitled to nominate all nine of the directors, five of whom must be independent directors, to the board of directors of GP Natural Resource Partners LLC. In connection with the Cline acquisition, Mr. Robertson delegated the right to nominate two of the directors, one of whom must be independent, to Adena Minerals, LLC, an affiliate of the Cline Group.