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v2.4.1.9

PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |  |
Effect of change in mine ownership & noncontrolling interest | $ 51.4 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 46.5 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 54.8 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual return on plan assets | 78.7 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 109.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 92.5 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Other Benefits [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |  |
Effect of change in mine ownership & noncontrolling interest | 5.9 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 4.8 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 8.6 clf_EffectOfChangeInMineOwnershipAndNoncontrollingInterest / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Actual return on plan assets | $ 31.9 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 11.0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 26.1 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember

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- Definition This element represents the effect of change in mine ownership & noncontrolling interest + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The difference between fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contributions and payments of benefits during the period, and after adjusting for taxes and other expenses, as applicable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Actual Return on Plan Assets (Component of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504192 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Actual Return on Plan Assets (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504226 + Details
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