Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details)

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QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]                      
Revenues from product sales and services $ 1,535.9 $ 1,544.9 $ 1,579.5 $ 1,212.4 $ 1,603.7 $ 2,089.1 $ 1,723.2 $ 1,147.9 $ 5,872.7 $ 6,563.9 $ 4,483.8
Sales margin 238.5 198.3 443.5 291.8 480.1 843.1 699.2 588.5 1,172.1 2,610.9 1,458.7
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations attributable to Cliffs shareholders (1,649.1) 87.8 255.7 370.3 168.9 618.0 392.8 419.3 (935.3) 1,599.0 997.4
Income (Loss) and Gain on Sale from Discontinued Operations, net of tax 30.8 (2.7) 2.3 5.5 16.5 (16.8) 16.3 4.1 35.9 20.1 22.5
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS $ (1,618.3) $ 85.1 $ 258.0 $ 375.8 $ 185.4 $ 601.2 $ 409.1 $ 423.4 $ (899.4) $ 1,619.1 $ 1,019.9
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders - Basic:                      
Continuing operations (in usd per share) $ (11.58) $ 0.62 $ 1.79 $ 2.60 $ 1.19 $ 4.29 $ 2.82 $ 3.09 $ (6.57) $ 11.41 $ 7.37
Discontinued operations (in usd per share) $ 0.22 $ (0.02) $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.11 $ (0.12) $ 0.12 $ 0.03 $ 0.25 $ 0.14 $ 0.17
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Basic (in usd per share) $ (11.36) $ 0.60 $ 1.81 $ 2.64 $ 1.30 $ 4.17 $ 2.94 $ 3.12 $ (6.32) $ 11.55 $ 7.54
Earnings (loss) per Common Share Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders - Diluted:                      
Continuing operations (in usd per share) $ (11.58) $ 0.61 $ 1.79 $ 2.59 $ 1.18 $ 4.27 $ 2.80 $ 3.08 $ (6.57) $ 11.34 $ 7.32
Discontinued operations (in usd per share) $ 0.22 $ (0.02) $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.12 $ (0.12) $ 0.12 $ 0.03 $ 0.25 $ 0.14 $ 0.17
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Diluted (in usd per share) $ (11.36) $ 0.59 $ 1.81 $ 2.63 $ 1.30 $ 4.15 $ 2.92 $ 3.11 $ (6.32) $ 11.48 $ 7.49