Name:	cenx_DebtInstrumentCollateralEquityInterestsinForeignSubsidiaries
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

After a change of control, details of effect on note.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_DebtRedemptionsRightsAfterChangeOfControl
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Debt redemptions rights price to repurchase as a percentage of principal amount.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_DebtRedemptionsRightsAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This amount represents the accrued interest on the E.ON contingent obligation, which is defined as the sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the E.ON Contingent Obligation which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. The E.ON contingent obligation consists of the aggregate E.ON payments. Obligation to make repayments is contingent upon certain operating criteria. When the conditions for repayment are met, and for so long so those conditions continue to be met, there is obligation to make principal and interest payments.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_E.ONContingentObligationAccruedInterest
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

This amount represents the derivative asset recorded for the E.ON contingent obligation, which is defined as the sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the E.ON Contingent Obligation which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. The E.ON contingent obligation consists of the aggregate E.ON payments. Obligation to make repayments is contingent upon certain operating criteria. When the conditions for repayment are met, and for so long so those conditions continue to be met, there is obligation to make principal and interest payments.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_E.ONContingentObligationDerivativeAsset
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This amount represents the principal amount of the E.ON contingent obligation, which is defined as the sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the E.ON Contingent Obligation which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. The E.ON contingent obligation consists of the aggregate E.ON payments. Obligation to make repayments is contingent upon certain operating criteria. When the conditions for repayment are met, and for so long so those conditions continue to be met, there is obligation to make principal and interest payments.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_E.ONContingentObligationPrincipal
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the E.ON Contingent Obligation which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. The E.ON contingent obligation consists of the aggregate E.ON payments. Obligation to make repayments is contingent upon certain operating criteria. When the conditions for repayment are met, and for so long so those conditions continue to be met, there is obligation to make principal and interest payments.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_EOnContingentObligation
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the long-term debt associated with industrial revenue bonds. For classified balance sheets, these bonds are considered current assets because they are remarketed weekly and the bonds could be required to be repaid upon demand if there is a failed remarketing.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_IndustrialRevenueBonds
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of additional borrowing provided in credit facility under a letter of credit sub-facility.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingsUnderLetterOfCreditSubFacility
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Term of Credit Facility

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_TermOfCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value on the contingent obligation held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.

No definition available.

Name:	cenx_UnrealizedGainLossOnEOnObligation
Namespace Prefix:	cenx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest effective rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount of collateralized debt obligations with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, excluding the current portion. Obligations include, but not limited to, mortgage loans, chattel loans, and other borrowings secured by assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5