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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | $ 73.5 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss | $ 80.9 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss |
Product | 4,230.8 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | 5,346.6 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet | 5,520.9 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Below-market sales contracts, remaining contract life | 2 years |  |
Cost of Sales [Member] |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets | 10.4 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember | 19.9 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember | 22.5 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Product Revenues [Member] | Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Product | 23.1 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / clf_BelowMarketSalesContractsAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember | 45.9 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / clf_BelowMarketSalesContractsAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember | 46.3 us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet / clf_BelowMarketSalesContractsAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember
Cliffs Chromite Ontario and Cliffs Chromite Far North [Member] |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss |  | 80.9 us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss / clf_ReportingUnitAxis = clf_CliffsChromiteOntarioandCliffsChromiteFarNorthMember |
Permits [Member] |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived | 15.5 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Utility Contracts [Member] |  |  |
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived |  | $ 9.5 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = clf_UtilityContractsMember | $ 0 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = clf_UtilityContractsMember

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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13854-109267 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13777-109266 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267 + Details
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- Definition The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of a finite-lived intangible asset to fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16373-109275 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
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