Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.8
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Amapa [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Amapa [Member]
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Cockatoo [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Cockatoo [Member]
AUD
Dec. 31, 2012
Sonoma [Member]
Asia Pacific Coal [Member]
AUD
Jul. 10, 2012
Sonoma [Member]
Asia Pacific Coal [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Black Label And Black Thor Chromite Deposits [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Big Daddy Chromite Deposit [Member]
Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Ventures [Member]
Amapa [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]                    
Trading Day Window Determining Number of Common Shares Issuable on Conversion 20                  
Depositary Share Interest in a Share of 7% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A 0.025                  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31                  
Ownership Interest             45.00% 100.00% 70.00%  
Ownership interest, equity method investment                   30.00%
Total percentage of Amapa sold                   100.00%
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment   $ 67,600,000 $ 365,400,000              
Proceeds from sale of economic interest (in AUD)         4.00 141,000,000        
Estimated rehabilitation costs       $ 18,600,000