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Stock Compensation Plans (Share-based Compensation Expense Recorded For Continuing Operations) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2010
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Jun. 30, 2010
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Mar. 31, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ 274.4 | $ 202.1 | $ 117.6 | |||||||||
| Reduction of operating income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss) from ventures | (16.1) | (2,241.5) | (1,303.0) | (296.5) | ||||||||
| Income tax benefit | 420.1 | 293.5 | 22.5 | |||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS | 185.4 | 601.2 | 409.1 | 423.4 | 384.1 | 297.6 | 260.8 | 77.4 | 1,619.1 | 1,019.9 | 205.1 | |
| Reduction of earnings per share attributable to Cliffs shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ 1.30 | $ 4.17 | $ 2.94 | $ 3.12 | $ 2.84 | $ 2.19 | $ 1.93 | $ 0.58 | $ 11.55 | $ 7.54 | $ 1.64 | |
| Diluted | $ 1.30 | $ 4.15 | $ 2.92 | $ 3.11 | $ 2.82 | $ 2.18 | $ 1.92 | $ 0.57 | $ 11.48 | $ 7.49 | $ 1.63 | |
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Stock Based Compensation Expense [Member]
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| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold and operating expenses | 2.7 | 2.8 | 1.2 | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 13.2 | 12.7 | 11.0 | |||||||||
| Reduction of operating income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss) from ventures | 15.9 | 15.5 | 12.2 | |||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (5.6) | (5.4) | (4.3) | |||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS | $ (10.3) | $ (10.1) | $ (7.9) | |||||||||
| Reduction of earnings per share attributable to Cliffs shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ 0.07 | $ 0.07 | $ 0.06 | |||||||||
| Diluted | $ 0.07 | $ 0.07 | $ 0.06 | |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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