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Business Summary And Significant Accounting Policies (Depreciation Methods And Useful Lives) (Details)
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2011
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U.S. Iron Ore And Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member] | Building [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life (Years) | 45 |
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U.S. Iron Ore And Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member] | Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line/Double declining balance |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 10 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 20 |
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U.S. Iron Ore And Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member] | Other Machinery And Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 15 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 45 |
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U.S. Iron Ore And Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member] | Computer Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 2 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 7 |
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North American Coal [Member] | Building [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life (Years) | 30 |
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North American Coal [Member] | Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 2 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 22 |
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North American Coal [Member] | Other Machinery And Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 2 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 30 |
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North American Coal [Member] | Computer Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 2 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 3 |
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Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member] | Property Plant And Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 5 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 10 |
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Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member] | Mine Development [Member]
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| Basis | Production output |
| Life (Years) | 10 |
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Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member] | Vehicles And Office Equipment [Member]
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| Basis | Straight line |
| Life, minimum (Years) | 3 |
| Life, maximum (Years) | 5 |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Describes an entity's methodology for allocating the cost of a property, plant or equipment, less salvage value (if any), over the estimated useful life of the asset in a systematic and rational manner. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The average useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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- Definition
The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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- Definition
The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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