v2.3.0.15
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2011
facility
quarter
Y
segment
Sep. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2011
Marketing agreement between Intrepid and PCS Sales (USA), Inc. ("PCS Sales")
Sep. 30, 2011
Marketing agreement between Intrepid and Envirotech Services, Inc. ("ESI")
ton
Sep. 30, 2011
Health Care Costs
Dec. 31, 2010
Health Care Costs
Commitments and contingencies         
Period of cancellation of marketing agreement by way of written notice     thirty-daystwo years  
Maximum annual exclusion of quantity sold for applications other than dust control, de-icing, and soil stabilization (in tons)      15,000  
Medical claims liability for employees' health care costs       $ 1,100,000$ 1,200,000
Reclamation Deposits and Surety Bonds         
Security placed with the State of Utah8,700,000  8,700,000     
Long-term restricted cash deposits1,300,000  1,300,000     
Surety bonds issued by an insurer7,400,000  7,400,000     
Surety bond fee (as a percent)   1.20%     
Operating Lease Commitments         
Maximum period of operating leases (in years)   20     
Rental and lease expenses1,259,000 1,596,0003,839,0005,080,000    
Refundable credit         
Refundable employment credit receivable from state agency3,800,0004,700,000 3,800,000     
Refundable employment credit from state recorded to other income$ 3,200,000$ 4,700,000