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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount |  |  |  | $ (528,200,000) |  |
Canadian Entities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation | $ 700,000 |  | $ 36,200,000 | 700,000 | $ 80,200,000 |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount | 134,700,000 |  | 0 | (684,000,000) | 0 |
Cost Method Investments | 0 |  |  | 0 |  |
Contingent Liabilities of Deconsolidated Entities | 139,100,000 |  |  |  |  |
Wabush [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Amount Arranged | 10,000,000 |  |  | 10,000,000 |  |
Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Borrowings Outstanding | 1,400,000 |  |  | 1,400,000 |  |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount | 134,700,000 |  |  |  |  |
North American Coal [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities | 330,000,000 |  |  | 330,000,000 |  |
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation | 400,000 |  | $ 40,500,000 | 500,000 | $ 47,900,000 |
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges |  | $ (73,400,000) |  |  |  |
Bloom Lake Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount |  |  |  | 818,700,000 |  |
Contingent Liabilities of Deconsolidated Entities |  |  |  | (203,600,000) |  |
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member] | Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges |  |  |  |  |  | $ 526,500,000
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Bloom Lake Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent Liabilities recognized in Consolidated Financials | 120,700,000 |  |  | 120,700,000 |  |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Bloom Lake Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent Liabilities recognized in Consolidated Financials | 39,800,000 |  |  | 39,800,000 |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Canadian Entities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans, Associated Interest and Accounts Receivable recognized in Consolidated Financials at Fair Value | $ 94,500,000 |  |  | $ 94,500,000 |  |

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