Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details)

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Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Oct. 31, 2011
North America Coal [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
North America Coal [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Corporate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal and Other segments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
North American Coal [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Operating lease expense $ 26.3 $ 24.2 $ 25.5                
Capital lease assets 406.0 283.2                  
Capital leases assets accumulated amortization 110.6 92.7                  
Sale leaseback transaction, lease terms      

In October 2011, our North American Coal segment entered into the second phase of the sale-leaseback arrangement initially executed in December 2010 for the sale of the new longwall plow system at our Pinnacle mine in West Virginia. The first and second phases of the leaseback arrangement are for a period of five years. The 2010 sale-leaseback arrangement was specific to the assets at the time of the agreement and did not include the longwall plow system assets. Both phases of the leaseback arrangement have been accounted for as a capital lease. We recorded assets and liabilities under the capital lease of $75.9 million, reflecting the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the asset.

             
Capital lease, assets and liabilities                   75.9  
Total minimum capital lease payments 348.8       71.6 1.0   105.5 9.7   161.0
Total minimum operating lease payments $ 111.8         $ 38.7 $ 10.7   $ 40.4   $ 22.0