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Investment in Unconsolidated 50% or Less Owned Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 BHH [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 BHH [Member]	Sep. 30, 2009 BHH [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Mincenco [Member]
Balance sheet [Abstract]
Current assets			$ 54,327	$ 48,970
Non-current assets	40,922	37,570	49,040	51,571
Current liabilities			36,318	45,108
Non-current liabilities			4,696	4,420
Income statement [Abstract]
Net sales			105,845	89,430	63,321
Gross profit			16,577	14,688	5,844
Income from continuing operations			$ 8,859	$ 8,969	$ (1,093)
Joint venture ownership percentage (in hundredths)			40.00%			50.00%
Capacity of alumina refining facility in Jamaica (in metric ton)						1.5 Million

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The capacity of aluminum refining facility in Jamaica that is being explored through joint venture with Minmetals Aluminum Company.

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