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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)
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9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
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Sep. 30, 2013
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Sep. 30, 2013
Amapa [Member]
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2012
Amapa [Member]
USD ($)
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Sep. 30, 2013
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Cockatoo [Member]
USD ($)
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Dec. 31, 2012
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Cockatoo [Member]
AUD
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Dec. 31, 2012
Sonoma [Member]
Asia Pacific Coal [Member]
AUD
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Jul. 10, 2012
Sonoma [Member]
Asia Pacific Coal [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2013
Black Label And Black Thor Chromite Deposits [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2013
Big Daddy Chromite Deposit [Member]
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Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Ventures [Member]
Amapa [Member]
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| Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Trading Day Window Determining Number of Common Shares Issuable on Conversion | 20 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Depositary Share Interest in a Share of 7% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A | 0.025 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Ownership Interest | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 45.00% | 100.00% | 70.00% | Ìý |
| Ownership interest, equity method investment | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 30.00% |
| Total percentage of Amapa sold | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 100.00% |
| Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment | Ìý | $ 67,600,000 | $ 365,400,000 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Proceeds from sale of economic interest (in AUD) | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | 4.00 | 141,000,000 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| Estimated rehabilitation costs | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | $ 18,600,000 | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Depositary Share Interest in a Share of 7% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A No definition available.
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- Definition
Estimated rehabilitation costs associated with divestiture No definition available.
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- Definition
The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee. No definition available.
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- Definition
Total percentage of Amapa sold No definition available.
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- Definition
Trading Day Window Determining Number of Common Shares Issuable on Conversion No definition available.
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- Definition
End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD. No definition available.
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- Definition
This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The cash inflow from the sale of an investment interest in a joint venture that the reporting entity has not previously accounted for using consolidation or the equity method of accounting. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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