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Asset Retirement Obligations | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract] |
Asset Retirement Obligations | C. Asset Retirement Obligations Alcoa has recorded AROs related to legal obligations associated with the normal operations of bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminum smelting facilities. These AROs consist primarily of costs associated with spent pot lining disposal, closure of bauxite residue areas, mine reclamation, and landfill closure. Alcoa also recognizes AROs for any significant lease restoration obligation, if required by a lease agreement, and for the disposal of regulated waste materials related to the demolition of certain power facilities. In addition to AROs, certain CAROs related to alumina refineries, aluminum smelters, and fabrication facilities have not been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements due to uncertainties surrounding the ultimate settlement date. Such uncertainties exist as a result of the perpetual nature of the structures, maintenance and upgrade programs, and other factors. At the date a reasonable estimate of the ultimate settlement date can be made (e.g., planned demolition), Alcoa would record an ARO for the removal, treatment, transportation, storage, and (or) disposal of various regulated assets and hazardous materials such as asbestos, underground and aboveground storage tanks, PCBs, various process residuals, solid wastes, electronic equipment waste, and various other materials. If Alcoa was required to demolish all such structures immediately, the estimated CARO as of December 31, 2011 ranges from less than $1 to $52 per structure (131 structures) in today's dollars. The following table details the carrying value of recorded AROs by major category (of which $76 and $92 was classified as a current liability as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively):
December 31, |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Spent pot lining disposal |  | $ | 187 |  |  | $ | 177 |
Closure of bauxite residue areas |  |  | 173 |  |  |  | 156 |
Mine reclamation |  |  | 164 |  |  |  | 156 |
Demolition* |  |  | 34 |  |  |  | 24 |
Landfill closure |  |  | 17 |  |  |  | 19 |
Other |  |  | 4 |  |  |  | 2 |
|  | $ | 579 |  |  | $ | 534 |
* | In 2011 and 2010, AROs were recorded as a result of management's decision to permanently shut down and demolish certain structures, each of which was previously temporarily idled for different reasons (see Note D).
The following table details the changes in the total carrying value of recorded AROs:
December 31, |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Balance at beginning of year |  | $ | 534 |  |  | $ | 453 |
Accretion expense |  |  | 22 |  |  |  | 21 |
Payments |  |  | (86 | ) |  |  | (38 | )
Liabilities incurred |  |  | 115 |  |  |  | 43 |
Translation and other |  |  | (6 | ) |  |  | 55 |
Balance at end of year |  | $ | 579 |  |  | $ | 534 |

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- Definition The entire disclosure for an asset retirement obligation and the associated long-lived asset. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement from service of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 143 -Paragraph 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7569-110849 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
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