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Commitments and Contingencies
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

The Partnership is involved, from time to time, in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Partnership management believes these claims will not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial position, liquidity or operations.

Environmental Compliance

The operations conducted on the Partnership’s properties by its lessees are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which these operations are conducted. As owner of surface interests in some properties, the Partnership may be liable for certain environmental conditions occurring at the surface properties. The terms of substantially all of the Partnership’s leases require the lessee to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. Lessees post reclamation bonds assuring that reclamation will be completed as required by the relevant permit, and substantially all of the leases require the lessee to indemnify the Partnership against, among other things, environmental liabilities. Some of these indemnifications survive the termination of the lease. The Partnership has neither incurred, nor is aware of, any material environmental charges imposed on it related to its properties as of March 31, 2012. The Partnership is not associated with any environmental contamination that may require remediation costs.

Acquisition

In conjunction with a definitive agreement, as of March 31, 2012, the Partnership may be obligated to purchase in excess of 75 million additional tons of coal reserves from Colt, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $40.0 million over the next year as certain milestones are completed relating to construction of a new mine.