Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt $ 313,700,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt $ 0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt      
Total Face Amount 3,621,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount     3,980,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount  
Letters of credit outstanding 136,200,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount     149,500,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount  
Long-term Debt 2,880,900,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt     2,843,300,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt  
Current portion of long-term debt 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent  
Long-term debt noncurrent portion 2,880,900,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent     2,843,300,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent  
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Note [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount 58,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
       
Stated interest rate 4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
    4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Repurchase Discount 52.00%clf_DebtRepurchaseDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Exchanged 208,500,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountExchanged
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
       
Type Fixed   Fixed    
Final Maturity 2021   2021    
Total Face Amount 700,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
    700,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 423,200,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
    690,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
 
Long-term Debt 422,900,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
[1]     689,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
[1]  
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
    500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
 
Imputed interest rate 4.89%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
    4.88%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
 
$500 million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount 43,800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
       
Stated interest rate 4.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
    4.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Repurchase Discount 54.30%clf_DebtRepurchaseDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Exchanged 137,800,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountExchanged
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
       
Type Fixed   Fixed    
Final Maturity 2020   2020    
Total Face Amount 500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
    500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 308,500,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
    490,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
 
Long-term Debt 308,100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
[2]     489,400,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
[2]  
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
    600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
 
Imputed interest rate 4.83%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
    4.83%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
 
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount 45,900,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
       
Stated interest rate 6.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
       
Debt Repurchase Discount 52.50%clf_DebtRepurchaseDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Exchanged 261,300,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountExchanged
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
       
Type Fixed   Fixed    
Final Maturity 2040   2040    
Total Face Amount 800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
       
Debt Instrument, Par Value 492,800,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
    800,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
 
Long-term Debt 487,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
[3]     790,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
[3]  
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 5,800,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
    9,500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
 
Imputed interest rate 6.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
    6.34%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
 
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount 1,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
       
Stated interest rate 5.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
    5.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Repurchase Discount 58.00%clf_DebtRepurchaseDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Exchanged 67,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountExchanged
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
       
Type Fixed   Fixed    
Final Maturity 2020   2020    
Total Face Amount 400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
    400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 326,800,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
    395,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
 
Long-term Debt 325,700,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
[4]     393,700,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
[4]  
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 1,100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
    1,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
 
Imputed interest rate 5.98%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
    5.98%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
 
$500 Million 3.95% 2018 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount 44,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
       
Stated interest rate 3.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
    3.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Repurchase Discount 77.50%clf_DebtRepurchaseDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
       
Type Fixed   Fixed    
Final Maturity 2018   2018    
Total Face Amount 500,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
    500,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 436,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
    480,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
 
Long-term Debt 433,800,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
[5]     477,400,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
[5]  
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 2,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
    2,600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
 
Imputed interest rate 6.32%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
    5.17%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
 
Five hundred forty million Eight point two five Twenty twenty First Lien Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Stated interest rate 8.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
       
Type Fixed        
Final Maturity 2020        
Total Face Amount 540,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
    0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 540,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
       
Long-term Debt 503,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
[5]        
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 36,500,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
       
Imputed interest rate 9.97%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredfortymillionEightpointtwofiveTwentytwentyFirstLienNotesMember
       
Five hundred Forty-four Million Seven Point Seven Five Twenty Twenty Second Lien Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Stated interest rate 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Discount Received in Debt Exchange of $400M 5.90% Notes 15,500,000clf_DiscountReceivedinDebtExchangeof400M5.90Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Received in Debt Exchange of $400M 5.90% Notes 57,500,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountReceivedinDebtExchangeof400M5.90Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Received in Debt Exchange of $800M 6.25% Notes 203,500,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountReceivedinDebtExchangeof800M6.25Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Discount Received in Debt Exchange of $800M 6.25% Notes 55,000,000clf_DiscountReceivedinDebtExchangeof800M6.25Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Discount Received in Debt Exchange of $500M 4.80% Notes 30,500,000clf_DiscountReceivedinDebtExchangeof500M4.80Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Received in Debt Exchange of $500M 4.80% Notes 112,900,000clf_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountReceivedinDebtExchangeof500M4.80Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Discount Received in Debt Exchange of $700M 4.875% Notes 46,000,000clf_DiscountReceivedinDebtExchangeof700M4.875Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Debt instrument, Face Amount Received in Debt Exchange of $700M 4.875% Notes 170,300,000clf_DebtinstrumentFaceAmountReceivedinDebtExchangeof700M4.875Notes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Type Fixed        
Final Maturity 2020        
Total Face Amount 544,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
    0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
 
Debt Instrument, Par Value 544,200,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Long-term Debt 397,200,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
[5]        
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount 147,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
       
Imputed interest rate 15.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
    15.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FivehundredFortyfourMillionSevenPointSevenFiveTwentyTwentySecondLienNotesMember
 
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Type Variable   Variable    
Final Maturity 2020   2017    
Debt Instrument, Par Value 550,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
    1,125,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
900,000,000clf_DebtInstrumentParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Credit facility, amount outstanding 0us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
[6]     0us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
[7]  
Revolving credit facility, borrowing capacity 441,100,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
       
Letters of credit outstanding 136,200,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
    149,500,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
 
Foreign Exchange Hedge Obligations 5,500,000clf_ForeignExchangeHedgeObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
       
Imputed interest rate 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
    2.94%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
 
Credit facility remaining capacity 299,400,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
    975,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
 
Interest Rate Swap [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Fair Value Adjustment to Interest Rate Hedge 2,700,000clf_FairValueAdjustmenttoInterestRateHedge
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
    2,800,000clf_FairValueAdjustmenttoInterestRateHedge
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
 
Debt Repurchase [Member] | $700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Note [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 20,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_DebtRepurchaseMember
       
Debt Repurchase [Member] | $500 million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 15,600,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_DebtRepurchaseMember
       
Debt Repurchase [Member] | $800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 15,000,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_DebtRepurchaseMember
       
Debt Repurchase [Member] | $400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 300,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_DebtRepurchaseMember
       
Debt Repurchase [Member] | $500 Million 3.95% 2018 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 7,100,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionThreePointNineFiveTwoThousandEighteenSeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_DebtRepurchaseMember
       
Exchange of Debt [Member] | $700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Note [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 83,100,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_SevenHundredMillionFourPointEightSevenFiveTwoThousandTwentyoneSeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_ExchangeofDebtMember
       
Exchange of Debt [Member] | $500 million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 54,600,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FiveHundredMillionFourPointEightZeroPercentSeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_ExchangeofDebtMember
       
Exchange of Debt [Member] | $800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt 107,300,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_EightHundredMillionSixPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFortyMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_ExchangeofDebtMember
       
Exchange of Debt [Member] | $400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Gain on extinguishment of debt $ 24,500,000us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= clf_FourHundredMillionFivePointNineZeroTwoThousandAndTwentySeniorNoteMember
/ us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis
= clf_ExchangeofDebtMember
       
[1] During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased $58.3 million of outstanding 4.875 percent senior notes that were trading at a discount of 52.0 percent which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $20.0 million. In addition, on March 27, 2015, we exchanged as part of a tender offer $208.5 million of the 4.875 percent senior notes for $170.3 million of the 7.75 percent second lien notes at a discount of $46.0 million based on an imputed interest rate of 15.55 percent, resulting in a gain on extinguishment of $83.1 million, net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees. As of March 31, 2015, the $700.0 million 4.875 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $423.2 million less unamortized discounts of $0.3 million, based on an imputed interest rate of 4.89 percent. As of December 31, 2014, the $700.0 million 4.875 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $690.0 million less unamortized discounts of $0.5 million based on an imputed interest rate of 4.88 percent.
[2] During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased $43.8 million of outstanding 4.80 percent senior notes that were trading at a discount of 54.3 percent, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $15.6 million. In addition, on March 27, 2015, we exchanged as part of a tender offer $137.8 million of the 4.80 percent senior notes for $112.9 million of the 7.75 percent second lien notes at a discount of $30.5 million based on an imputed interest rate of 15.55 percent, resulting in a gain on extinguishment of $54.6 million, net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees. As of March 31, 2015, the $500.0 million 4.80 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $308.5 million less unamortized discounts of $0.4 million, based on an imputed interest rate of 4.83 percent. As of December 31, 2014, the $500.0 million 4.80 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $490.0 million less unamortized discounts of $0.6 million based on an imputed interest rate of 4.83 percent.
[3] During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased $45.9 million of outstanding 6.25 percent senior notes that were trading at a discount of 52.5 percent, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $15.0 million. In addition, on March 27, 2015, we exchanged as part of a tender offer $261.3 million of the 6.25 percent senior notes for $203.5 million of the 7.75 percent second lien notes at a discount of $55.0 million based on an imputed interest rate of 15.55 percent, resulting in a gain on extinguishment of $107.3 million, net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees. As of March 31, 2015, the $800 million 6.25 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $492.8 million less unamortized discounts of $5.8 million, based on an imputed interest rate of 6.34 percent. As of December 31, 2014, the $800 million 6.25 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $800.0 million less unamortized discounts of $9.5 million based on an imputed interest rate of 6.34 percent.
[4] During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased $1.3 million of outstanding 5.90 percent senior notes that were trading at a discount of 58.0 percent, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of $0.3 million. In addition, on March 27, 2015, we exchanged as part of a tender offer $67.0 million of the 5.90 percent senior notes for $57.5 million of the 7.75 percent second lien notes at a discount of $15.5 million based on an imputed interest rate of 15.55 percent, resulting in a gain on extinguishment of $24.5 million, net of amounts expensed for unamortized original issue discount and deferred origination fees. As of March 31, 2015, the $400.0 million 5.90 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $326.8 million less unamortized discounts of $1.1 million, based on an imputed interest rate of 5.98 percent. As of December 31, 2014, the $400.0 million 5.90 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $395.0 million less unamortized discounts of $1.3 million based on an imputed interest rate of 5.98 percent.
[5] During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased $44.0 million of outstanding 3.95 percent senior notes that were trading at a discount of 77.5 percent, which resulted in a gain on the extinguishment of debt of $7.1 million. As of March 31, 2015, the $500.0 million 3.95 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $436.0 million less unamortized discounts of $2.2 million, based on an imputed interest rate of 6.32 percent. As of December 31, 2014, the $500.0 million 3.95 percent senior notes were recorded at a par value of $480.0 million less unamortized discounts of $2.6 million based on an imputed interest rate of 5.17 percent.
[6] As of March 31, 2015, no loans were drawn under the ABL Facility and we had total availability of $441.1 million as a result of borrowing base limitations. As of March 31, 2015, the principal amount of letter of credit obligations totaled $136.2 million and foreign exchange hedge obligations totaled $5.5 million, thereby further reducing available borrowing capacity on our ABL Facility to $299.4 million.
[7] As of December 31, 2014, we had no revolving loans drawn under the revolving credit agreement of which had $1.125 billion availability. As of December 31, 2014, the principal amount of letter of credit obligations totaled $149.5 million, thereby further reducing available borrowing capacity on the revolving credit agreement to $975.5 million.