Natural Resource Partners L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, management, and leasing of mineral properties in the United States. The company owns coal reserves in Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, and the Western United States, as well as lignite reserves in the Gulf Coast region. It also has interest in the Bakken/Three Forks play, which consists of approximately 13,500 net acres and 134 producing wells. The company leases its reserves to mine operators in exchange for royalty payments. It also owns preparation plants and related material handling facilities; and handling and transportation infrastructure, as well as owns and manages aggregate reserves. As of December 31, 2012, the company owned or controlled approximately 2.4 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves; and approximately 500 million tons of aggregate reserves. NRP (GP) LP serves as the general partner of the company. Natural Resource Partners L.P. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.