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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 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) |  | $ 726,700,000 | 0 | $ 807,000,000 |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount | (13,400,000) |  | 0 | (697,400,000) | 0 |
Cost Method Investments | 0 |  |  | 0 |  |
Contingent Liabilities of Deconsolidated Entities | 500,000 |  |  |  |  |
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 | 4,900,000 |  |  | 4,900,000 |  |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount | (13,400,000) |  |  |  |  |
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 | 2,100,000 |  | $ 278,800,000 | 2,600,000 | $ 326,600,000 |
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 |  |  |  | (203,100,000) |  |
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 | 105,500,000 |  |  | 105,500,000 |  |
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 | 37,400,000 |  |  | 37,400,000 |  |
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 | $ 84,500,000 |  |  | $ 84,500,000 |  |

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