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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2013
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| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | Ìý |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
NOTE 19 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Purchase Commitments
In 2011, we began to incur capital commitments related to the expansion of the Bloom Lake mine. The Phase II expansion project includes expansion of the mine and the mine’s processing capabilities. The capital investment also includes common infrastructure necessary to sustain current operations and support the expansion. As previously announced, at the Bloom Lake mine we are delaying certain components of the Phase II expansion, including the completion of the concentrator and load-out facility. Common infrastructure projects necessary to sustain current operations and support the expansion are continuing as planned. We expect to complete Phase II construction in 2014, which will depend on seaborne iron ore pricing, customer demand and other market conditions. Through MarchÌý31, 2013, approximately $1.2 billion of the total capital investment required for the Bloom Lake expansion project had been committed, of which a total of approximately $889 million had been expended. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $311 million are expected to be made during the remainder of 2013.
Contingencies
Litigation
We are currently a party to various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our operations. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of the loss, or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary. Based on currently available information, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages, additional funding requirements or an injunction. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the financial position and results of operations of the period in which the ruling occurs, or future periods. However, we believe that any pending litigation will not result in a material liability in relation to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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