CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC., 10-Q filed on 4/26/2012
Quarterly Report
Document And Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Apr. 23, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
 
 
Document Type
10-Q 
 
Amendment Flag
false 
 
Document Period End Date
Mar. 31, 2012 
 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2012 
 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q1 
 
Trading Symbol
clf 
 
Entity Registrant Name
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. 
 
Entity Central Index Key
0000764065 
 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
--12-31 
 
Entity Filer Category
Large Accelerated Filer 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
 
142,479,076 
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Operations (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
REVENUES FROM PRODUCT SALES AND SERVICES
 
 
Product
$ 1,200.9 
$ 1,133.0 
Freight and venture partners' cost reimbursements
63.8 
50.2 
TOTAL REVENUES
1,264.7 
1,183.2 
COST OF GOODS SOLD AND OPERATING EXPENSES
(961.2)
(583.7)
SALES MARGIN
303.5 
599.5 
OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(63.0)
(50.6)
Exploration costs
(18.8)
(10.6)
Miscellaneous - net
9.4 
3.8 
TOTAL OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
(72.4)
(57.4)
OPERATING INCOME
231.1 
542.1 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts, net
0.3 
56.3 
Interest income
2.0 
2.5 
Interest expense
(47.3)
(38.4)
Other non-operating income
1.5 
0.5 
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
(43.5)
20.9 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INCOME (LOSS) FROM VENTURES
187.6 
563.0 
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)
210.8 
(142.2)
EQUITY INCOME (LOSS) FROM VENTURES
(6.9)
3.0 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
391.5 
423.8 
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax
(0.1)
(0.4)
NET INCOME
391.4 
423.4 
LESS: INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
15.6 
 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
$ 375.8 
$ 423.4 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - BASIC
 
 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share
$ 2.64 
$ 3.12 
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Basic
$ 2.64 
$ 3.12 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - DILUTED
 
 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share
$ 2.63 
$ 3.11 
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Diluted
$ 2.63 
$ 3.11 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES (IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
Basic
142,226 
135,486 
Diluted
142,709 
136,191 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE
$ 0.28 
$ 0.14 
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Statement Of Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
$ 375.8 
$ 423.4 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX
 
 
Pension and OPEB liability
6.2 
8.7 
Unrealized net gain (loss) on marketable securities
2.3 
(0.2)
Unrealized net gain on foreign currency translation
10.9 
14.6 
Unrealized net gain on derivative financial instruments
3.8 
1.5 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
23.2 
24.6 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
397.5 
447.5 
LESS: COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
$ (1.5)
$ (0.5)
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Financial Position (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 122.3 
$ 521.6 
Accounts receivable
247.2 
304.2 
Inventories
695.9 
475.7 
Supplies and other inventories
228.8 
216.9 
Deferred and refundable taxes
21.8 
21.9 
Derivative assets
78.8 
82.1 
Other current assets
192.5 
168.3 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
1,587.3 
1,790.7 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
10,766.7 
10,524.6 
OTHER ASSETS
 
 
Investments in ventures
530.9 
526.6 
Goodwill
1,166.9 
1,152.1 1
Intangible assets, net
143.0 
147.0 
Deferred income taxes
511.7 
209.5 
Other non-current assets
186.8 
191.2 
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS
2,539.3 
2,226.4 
TOTAL ASSETS
14,893.3 
14,541.7 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
Accounts payable
394.5 
380.3 
Accrued expenses
380.6 
386.3 
Taxes payable
238.0 
324.5 
Current portion of term loan
87.2 
74.8 
Deferred revenue
108.6 
126.6 
Other current liabilities
175.7 
200.8 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
1,384.6 
1,493.3 
POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITIES
635.6 
665.8 
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
227.0 
222.0 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
1,143.9 
1,062.4 
LONG-TERM DEBT
3,583.8 
3,608.7 
BELOW-MARKET SALES CONTRACTS
113.2 
111.8 
OTHER LIABILITIES
371.3 
338.0 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
7,459.4 
7,502.0 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
   
   
CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
Common Shares - par value $0.125 per share, Authorized - 400,000,000 shares (2011 - 400,000,000); Issued - 149,195,469 shares (2011 - 149,195,469 shares); Outstanding - 142,487,477 shares (2011 - 142,021,718 shares)
18.5 
18.5 
Capital in excess of par value of shares
1,755.1 
1,770.8 
Retained earnings
4,760.3 
4,424.3 
Cost of 6,707,992 common shares in treasury (2011 - 7,173,751 shares)
(323.0)
(336.0)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(70.9)
(92.6)
TOTAL CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
6,140.0 
5,785.0 
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
1,293.9 
1,254.7 
TOTAL EQUITY
7,433.9 
7,039.7 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$ 14,893.3 
$ 14,541.7 
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Financial Position (Parenthetical) (USD $)
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Financial Position [Abstract]
 
 
Common shares, par value
$ 0.125 
$ 0.125 
Common shares, authorized
400,000,000 
400,000,000 
Common shares, issued
149,195,469 
149,195,469 
Common shares, outstanding
142,487,477 
142,021,718 
Common shares in treasury
6,707,992 
7,173,751 
Statements Of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Net income
$ 391.4 
$ 423.4 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
117.3 
79.8 
Derivatives and currency hedges
(9.9)
(42.7)
Equity (income) loss in ventures (net of tax)
6.9 
(3.0)
Pensions and other postretirement benefits
(24.8)
 
Deferred income taxes
(248.5)
14.2 
Changes in deferred revenue and below-market sales contracts
(23.3)
15.8 
Other
(5.7)
(22.6)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Receivables and other assets
(9.5)
(166.7)
Product inventories
(219.0)
(229.5)
Payables and accrued expenses
(103.9)
38.2 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
(129.0)
106.9 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(241.1)
(65.7)
Settlements in Canadian dollar foreign exchange contracts
 
28.1 
Investments in ventures
(11.2)
(0.1)
Proceeds from sale of assets
0.3 
0.3 
Net cash used by investing activities
(252.0)
(37.4)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes
 
699.3 
Repayment of term loan
(12.5)
 
Debt issuance costs
 
(31.8)
Cost of Canadian dollar foreign exchange option
 
(22.3)
Contributions by joint ventures
30.0 
8.0 
Common stock dividends
(39.7)
(19.0)
Other financing activities
1.0 
(6.8)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(21.2)
627.4 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
2.9 
4.1 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(399.3)
701.0 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
521.6 
1,566.7 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
$ 122.3 
$ 2,267.7 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies

 

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with SEC rules and regulations and in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly, the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2012 or any other future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including the following operations:

 

                 

        Name        

      Location           Ownership Interest             Operation    

 Northshore

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 United Taconite

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 Wabush

   Labrador/Quebec, Canada     100.0   Iron Ore

 Bloom Lake

   Quebec, Canada     75.0   Iron Ore

 Tilden

   Michigan     85.0   Iron Ore

 Empire

   Michigan     79.0   Iron Ore

 Koolyanobbing

   Western Australia     100.0   Iron Ore

 Pinnacle

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal

 Oak Grove

   Alabama     100.0   Coal

 CLCC

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal

Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

Also included in our consolidated results are Cliffs Chromite Ontario Inc. and Cliffs Chromite Far North Inc., which have a 100 percent interest in the Black Label and Black Thor chromite deposits and a 72 percent interest in the Big Daddy chromite deposit, all located in Northern Ontario, Canada.

 

The following table presents the detail of our investments in unconsolidated ventures and where those investments are classified in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Parentheses indicate a net liability.

 

                         
               (In Millions)  

Investment    

   Classification            Interest
  Percentage  
     March 31,
2012
       December 31,  
2011
 

Amapá

   Investments in ventures    30    $         492.5           $ 498.6     

AusQuest

   Investments in ventures    30      3.5           3.7     

Cockatoo

   Other liabilities    50      (13.9)          (15.0)    

Hibbing

   Other liabilities    23      (4.4)          (6.8)    

Other

   Investments in ventures           34.9           24.3     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
                 $ 512.6           $ 504.8     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Immaterial Errors

In September 2011, we noted an error in the accounting for the 21 percent noncontrolling interest in the Empire mine. In accordance with applicable GAAP, management quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the materiality of the error and determined the error to be immaterial to the quarterly reports previously filed for the periods ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and also immaterial for the quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2011. Accordingly, all of the resulting adjustments were recorded prospectively in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of September 30, 2011. The impact of the immaterial error in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 would have resulted in an increase in Income from Continuing Operations of $8.4 million and a decrease in Net Income Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders of $37.5 million or $0.28 to basic and diluted earnings per common share. These adjustments should be considered when comparing the operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 to the reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as such adjustments are not reflected in the operating results reported for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

.

 

Reportable Segments

As a result of the acquisition of Consolidated Thompson in May 2011, we revised the number of our operating and reportable segments as determined under ASC 280. Our Company's primary operations are organized and managed according to product category and geographic location and now include: U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal, Asia Pacific Iron Ore, Asia Pacific Coal, Latin American Iron Ore, Ferroalloys and our Global Exploration Group. Our historical presentation of segment information consisted of three reportable segments: North American Iron Ore, North American Coal and Asia Pacific Iron Ore. Our restated presentation consists of four reportable segments: U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal and Asia Pacific Iron Ore. The amounts disclosed in NOTE 2 – SEGMENT REPORTING reflect this restatement.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

A detailed description of our significant accounting policies can be found in the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Due to continued market movement away from historical benchmark prices and the evolution of customer supply agreements to meet the requirements of the market, there have been changes in our significant accounting policies from those disclosed therein. The significant accounting policies requiring updates have been included within the disclosures below.

 

 

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Goods Sold and Operating Expenses

U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore

We sell our products pursuant to comprehensive supply agreements negotiated and executed with our customers. Revenue is recognized from a sale when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the product is delivered in accordance with F.O.B. terms, title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer in accordance with the specified provisions of each supply agreement and collection of the sales price reasonably is assured. Our U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore supply agreements provide that title and risk of loss transfer to the customer either upon loading of the vessel, shipment or, as is the case with some of our U.S. Iron Ore supply agreements, when payment is received. Under certain term supply agreements, we ship the product to ports on the lower Great Lakes or to the customers' facilities prior to the transfer of title. Our rationale for shipping iron ore products to certain customers and retaining title until payment is received for these products is to minimize credit risk exposure.

Iron ore sales are recorded at a sales price specified in the relevant supply agreements resulting in revenue and a receivable at the time of sale. Upon revenue recognition for provisionally priced sales, a freestanding derivative is created for the difference between the sales price used and expected future settlement price. The derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues as a revenue adjustment each reporting period based upon current market data and forward looking estimates determined by management until the final sales price is determined. The principal risks associated with recognition of sales on a provisional basis include iron ore price fluctuations between the date initially recorded and the date of final settlement. For revenue recognition, we estimate the future settlement rate; however, if significant changes in iron ore prices occur between the provisional pricing date and the final settlement date, it is reasonably possible that we could be required to either return a portion of the sales proceeds received or bill for the additional sales proceeds due based on the provisional sales price. Refer to NOTE 3 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.

In addition, certain supply agreements with one customer include provisions for supplemental revenue or refunds based on the customer's annual steel pricing for the year the product is consumed in the customer's blast furnaces. We account for this provision as a derivative instrument at the time of sale and record this provision at fair value until the year the product is consumed and the amounts are settled as an adjustment to revenue. Refer to NOTE 3 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES for further information.

Revenue from product sales also includes reimbursement for freight charges paid on behalf of customers in Freight and venture partners' cost reimbursements separate from Product revenues. Revenue is recognized on the sale of services when the services are performed.

Costs of goods sold and operating expenses represents all direct and indirect costs and expenses applicable to the sales and revenues of our mining operations. Operating expenses within this line item primarily represent the portion of the Tilden mining venture costs for which we do not own; that is, the costs attributable to the share of the mine's production owned by the other joint venture partner in the Tilden mine. The mining venture functions as a captive cost company; it supplies product only to its owners effectively on a cost basis. Accordingly, the noncontrolling interests' revenue amounts are stated at cost of production and are offset in entirety by an equal amount included in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses resulting in no sales margin reflected in the noncontrolling interest participant. As we are responsible for product fulfillment, we retain the risks and rewards of a principal in the transaction and, accordingly, record revenue under these arrangements on a gross basis.

Where we are joint venture participants in the ownership of a mine, our contracts entitle us to receive royalties and/or management fees, which we earn as the pellets are produced.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on fair value as a result of the joint efforts by the FASB and the IASB to develop a single, converged fair value framework. The converged fair value framework provides guidance on how to measure fair value and on what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The significant amendments to the fair value measurement guidance and the new disclosure requirements include: (1) the highest and best use and valuation premise for nonfinancial assets; (2) the application to financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting positions in market risks or counterparty credit risks; (3) premiums or discounts in fair value measurement; (4) fair value of an instrument classified in a reporting entity's shareholders' equity; (5) for Level 3 measurements, a quantitative disclosure of the unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurement, a description of the valuation process in place, and a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value to changes in the unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs; and (6) the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the Statement of Financial Position but whose fair value must be disclosed. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted the amended guidance beginning in the current period ended as of March 31, 2012. Refer to Note 8 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS for further information.

Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting

NOTE 2 SEGMENT REPORTING

Our Company's primary operations are organized and managed according to product category and geographic location: U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal, Asia Pacific Iron Ore, Asia Pacific Coal, Latin American Iron Ore, Ferroalloys and our Global Exploration Group. The U.S. Iron Ore segment is comprised of our interests in five U.S. mines that provide iron ore to the integrated steel industry. The Eastern Canadian Iron Ore segment is comprised of two Eastern Canadian mines that primarily provide iron ore to the seaborne market for Asian steel producers. The North American Coal segment is comprised of our five metallurgical coal mines and one thermal coal mine that provide metallurgical coal primarily to the integrated steel industry and thermal coal primarily to the energy industry. The Asia Pacific Iron Ore segment is located in Western Australia and provides iron ore to the seaborne market for Asian steel producers. There are no intersegment revenues.

The Asia Pacific Coal operating segment is comprised of our 45 percent economic interest in Sonoma, located in Queensland, Australia. The Latin American Iron Ore operating segment is comprised of our 30 percent Amapá interest in Brazil. The Ferroalloys operating segment is comprised of our interests in chromite deposits held in Northern Ontario, Canada and the Global Exploration Group is focused on early involvement in exploration activities to identify new world-class projects for future development or projects that add significant value to existing operations. The Asia Pacific Coal, Latin American Iron Ore, Ferroalloys and Global Exploration Group operating segments do not meet reportable segment disclosure requirements and therefore are not reported separately.

We evaluate segment performance based on sales margin, defined as revenues less cost of goods sold and operating expenses identifiable to each segment. This measure of operating performance is an effective measurement as we focus on reducing production costs throughout the Company.

 

The following table presents a summary of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Revenues from product sales and services:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 441.7           35%         $ 510.2           43%   

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     220.7           18%         127.3           11%   

North American Coal

     189.9           15%         165.0           14%   

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     359.8           28%         345.4           29%   

Other

     52.6           4%         35.3           3%   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments

     $   1,264.7           100%         $   1,183.2           100%   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Sales margin:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 166.9              $ 361.3        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     (14.3)             34.5        

North American Coal

     14.5              (2.9)       

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     125.0              195.8        

Other

     11.4              10.8        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Sales margin

     303.5              599.5        

Other operating expense

     (72.4)             (57.4)       

Other income (expense)

     (43.5)             20.9        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss) from ventures

     $ 187.6              $ 563.0        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 23.2              $ 17.5        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     37.9              9.6        

North American Coal

     20.1              21.6        

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     30.0              24.0        

Other

     6.1              7.1        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization

     $ 117.3              $ 79.8        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Capital additions (1):

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 34.8              $ 31.6        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     130.6              3.5        

North American Coal

     39.1              27.5        

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     109.3              25.3        

Other

     39.6              3.1        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total capital additions

     $ 353.4              $ 91.0        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

(1) Includes capital lease additions and non-cash accruals.

A summary of assets by segment is as follows:

 

     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Segment Assets:

     

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 1,758.9           $     1,691.8     

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     8,008.0           7,973.1     

North American Coal

     1,948.3           1,814.4     

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     1,885.5           1,511.2     

Other

     984.6           1,017.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total segment assets

     14,585.3           14,008.1     

Corporate

     308.0           533.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $         14,893.3           $   14,541.7     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

NOTE 3 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative instruments and the classification of each in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Assets      Derivative Liabilities  
     March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011      March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Derivative

Instrument

   Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:

                     

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 9.6         Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 5.2         Other
current
liabilities
     $ 2.5         Other
current
liabilities
     $ 3.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815

       $ 9.6             $ 5.2              $ 2.5              $ 3.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:

                     

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ -           Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 2.8              $ -                $ -       

Customer Supply Agreements

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    65.1         Derivative
assets
(current)
    72.9              -                -       

Provisional Pricing Arrangements

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    4.1         Derivative
assets
(current)
    1.2         Other
current
liabilities
       1.1         Other
current
liabilities
     19.5     
   Accounts
receivable
    -           Accounts
receivable
    83.8              -                -       
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815

       $   69.2             $   160.7              $ 1.1              $   19.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives

       $ 78.8             $ 165.9              $   3.6              $ 23.0     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Cash Flow Hedges

Australian and Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts

We are subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our operations in Australia and Canada. With respect to Australia, foreign exchange risk arises from our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because the functional currency of our Asia Pacific operations is the Australian dollar. Our Asia Pacific operations receive funds in U.S. currency for their iron ore and coal sales. The functional currency of our Canadian operations is the U.S. dollar; however the production costs for these operations primarily are incurred in the Canadian dollar.

We use foreign currency exchange derivatives to hedge our foreign currency exposure for a portion of our Australian dollar sales receipts and our Canadian dollar operating costs. For our Australian operations, U.S. currency is converted to Australian dollars at the currency exchange rate in effect during the period the transaction occurred. For our Canadian operations, U.S. dollars are converted to Canadian dollars at the exchange rate in effect for the period the operating costs are incurred. The primary objective for the use of these instruments is to reduce exposure to changes in Australian and U.S. currency exchange rates and Canadian and U.S. currency exchange rates, respectively, and to protect against undue adverse movement in these exchange rates. These instruments are subject to formal documentation, intended to achieve qualifying hedge treatment, and are tested for effectiveness at inception and at least once each reporting period. During the third quarter of 2011, we implemented a global foreign exchange hedging policy to apply to all of our operating segments and our consolidated subsidiaries that engage in foreign exchange risk mitigation. The policy allows for hedging of not more than 75 percent, but not less than 40 percent for up to 12 months and not less than 10 percent for up to 15 months, occurring only during the fourth quarter of each year, of forecasted net currency exposures that are probable to occur. If and when any of our hedge contracts are determined not to be highly effective as hedges, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued.

As of March 31, 2012, we had outstanding Australian and Canadian foreign currency exchange contracts with notional amounts of $425.0 million and $518.4 million, respectively, in the form of forward contracts with varying maturity dates ranging from April 2012 to March 2013. This compares with outstanding Australian foreign currency exchange contracts with a notional amount of $400.0 million as of December 31, 2011. There were no outstanding Canadian foreign currency exchange contracts as of December 31, 2011, as we did not begin entering into Canadian foreign exchange contracts until January 2012.

Changes in fair value of highly effective hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position. Unrealized gains of $3.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, were recorded as of March 31, 2012 related to these Australian and Canadian hedge contracts, based on the Australian to U.S. dollar spot rate of 1.03 and the U.S. dollar to Canadian spot rate of 1.00, respectively, as of March 31, 2012. Unrealized gains of $1.9 million were recorded as of March 31, 2011 related to the Australian dollar hedge contracts, based on the Australian to U.S. dollar spot rate of 1.03 at March 31, 2011. Any ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in income and as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no ineffectiveness recorded for these foreign exchange contracts. Amounts recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are reclassified into earnings in the same period the forecasted transaction affects earnings. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recorded realized gains of $3.1 million and $0.5 million for these Australian and Canadian hedge contracts, respectively. Of the amounts remaining in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to Australian hedge contracts and Canadian hedge contracts, we estimate that $4.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

 

The following summarizes the effect of our derivatives designated as hedging instruments in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  

Derivatives in Cash Flow

Hedging Relationships

   Amount of Gain
Recognized in OCI on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
     Location of Gain
Reclassified From
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Effective Portion)
   Amount of Gain
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
     Three months ended
March 31,
          Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011           2012      2011  

Australian Dollar Foreign

Exchange Contracts

(hedge designation)

   $ 3.0       $ 1.9       Product revenue    $ 3.1       $ 0.2   

Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts (hedge designation)

     0.7         —         Cost of goods sold
and operating
expenses
     0.5         -     

Australian Dollar Foreign

Exchange Contracts

(prior to de-designation)

     —           —         Product revenue      —           0.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3.7       $ 1.9          $ 3.6       $ 0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Australian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts

Effective July 1, 2008, we discontinued hedge accounting for foreign exchange contracts entered into for all outstanding contracts at the time and continued to hold such instruments as economic hedges to manage currency risk as described above. The outstanding non-designated foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of $15.0 million as of December 31, 2011, matured as of January 2012.

As a result of discontinuing hedge accounting, the instruments were marked to fair value each reporting period through Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts, net in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the change in fair value of the foreign currency contracts resulted in a net gain of $0.3 million based on the Australian to U.S. dollar spot rate change until maturity. This compares with the net gain of $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 based on the Australian to U.S. dollar spot rate of 1.03 at March 31, 2011. The amounts that previously were recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss were reclassified to earnings with a corresponding realized gain or loss recognized in the same period the forecasted transaction affected earnings.

Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts and Options

On January 11, 2011, we entered into a definitive agreement with Consolidated Thompson to acquire all of its common shares in an all-cash transaction, including net debt. We hedged a portion of the purchase price on the open market by entering into foreign currency exchange forward contracts and an option contract with a combined notional amount of C$4.7 billion. The hedge contracts were considered economic hedges, which do not qualify for hedge accounting. The forward contracts had various maturity dates and the option contract had a maturity date of April 14, 2011.

During the first quarter of 2011, a swap was executed in order to extend the maturity dates of certain of the forward contracts through the consummation of the Consolidated Thompson acquisition and the repayment of the Consolidated Thompson convertible debentures. The swap and the maturity of the forward contracts resulted in net realized gains of $28.1 million recognized through Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts, net in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the change in fair value of these contracts and option resulted in net unrealized gains of $23.5 million based on the Canadian to U.S. dollar spot rate of 1.03 as of March 31, 2011.

Customer Supply Agreements

Most of our U.S. Iron Ore long-term supply agreements are comprised of a base price with annual price adjustment factors, some of which are subject to annual price collars in order to limit the percentage increase or decrease in prices for our iron ore pellets during any given year. The price adjustment factors vary based on the agreement but typically include adjustments based upon changes in international pellet prices and changes in specified Producers Price indices including those for all commodities, industrial commodities, energy and steel. The adjustments generally operate in the same manner, with each factor typically comprising a portion of the price adjustment, although the weighting of each factor varies based upon the specific terms of each agreement. The price adjustment factors have been evaluated to determine if they contain embedded derivatives. The price adjustment factors share the same economic characteristics and risks as the host contract and are integral to the host contract as inflation adjustments; accordingly, they have not been separately valued as derivative instruments.

Certain supply agreements with one U.S. Iron Ore customer provide for supplemental revenue or refunds to the customer based on the customer's average annual steel pricing at the time the product is consumed in the customer's blast furnace. The supplemental pricing is characterized as a freestanding derivative and is required to be accounted for separately once the product is shipped. The derivative instrument, which is finalized based on a future price, is adjusted to fair value as a revenue adjustment each reporting period until the pellets are consumed and the amounts are settled. We recognized $39.2 million and $24.6 million as Product revenues in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the supplemental payments. Derivative assets, representing the fair value of the pricing factors, were $65.1 million and $72.9 million, respectively, in the March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position.

Provisional Pricing Arrangements

Certain of our U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customer supply agreements specify provisional price calculations, where the pricing mechanisms are generally based on market pricing, with the final sales price to be based on market inputs at a specified point in time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. The difference between the provisionally agreed-upon price and the estimated final sales price is characterized as a derivative and is required to be accounted for separately once the revenue has been recognized. The derivative instrument is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by management until the final sales price is determined. We have recorded $4.1 million as current Derivative assets and $1.1 million as derivative liabilities, included in Other current liabilities in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position at March 31, 2012 related to our estimate of final sales price with our U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customers. At December 31, 2011, we did not have any derivative assets or liabilities recorded due to these arrangements. These amounts represent the difference between the provisional price agreed upon with our customers based on the supply agreement terms and our estimate of the final sales price based on the price calculations established in the supply agreements. As a result, we recognized a net $3.0 million increase in Product revenues in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 related to these arrangements. There were no amounts recognized related to these arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

In some instances we are still working to revise components of the pricing calculations referenced within our supply agreements to incorporate new market inputs to the pricing mechanisms as a result of the elimination of historical benchmark pricing. As a result, we record certain shipments made to our U.S. Iron Ore and Eastern Canadian Iron Ore customers based on an agreed-upon provisional price with the customer until final settlement on the market inputs to the pricing mechanisms are finalized. The lack of agreed-upon market inputs results in these pricing provisions being characterized as derivatives. The derivative instrument, which is settled and billed or credited once the determinations of the market inputs to the pricing mechanisms are finalized, is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates determined by management. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had no shipments to customers under supply agreements in which components of the pricing calculations are still being finalized. We recognized $20.0 million as an increase in Product revenues in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 under these pricing provisions for certain shipments to our U.S. Iron Ore and Eastern Canadian Iron Ore customers. At March 31, 2012, we had no Derivative assets, derivative liabilities included in Other current liabilities or Accounts receivable in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position recorded related to these arrangements. At December 31, 2011, we recorded $1.2 million Derivative assets, $19.5 million derivative liabilities included in Other current liabilities and $83.8 million Accounts receivable in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position recorded related to these arrangements.

The following summarizes the effect of our derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

(In Millions)

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

                 Instruments

   Location of Gain Recognized in
Income on Derivative
  Amount of Gain
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
 
         Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
         2012      2011  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Product Revenues   $ -         $ 0.3   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Other Income (Expense)     0.3         56.0   

Customer Supply Agreements

   Product Revenues     39.2         24.6   

Provisional Pricing Arrangements

   Product Revenues     3.0         20.0   

Total

     $ 42.5       $ 100.9   

Refer to NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS for additional information.

Inventories
Inventories

NOTE 4 INVENTORIES

The following table presents the detail of our Inventories in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Segment

   Finished
    Goods     
     Work-in
    Process     
     Total
    Inventory     
     Finished
    Goods    
     Work-in
    Process    
     Total
    Inventory    
 

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 250.0           $ 25.0           $ 275.0           $ 100.2           $ 8.5           $   108.7     

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     133.6           45.0           178.6           96.2           43.0           139.2     

North American Coal

     48.0           115.1           163.1           19.7           110.5          130.2     

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     41.6           19.1           60.7           57.2           21.6          78.8     

Other

     17.2           1.3           18.5           18.0           0.8          18.8     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 490.4           $   205.5           $   695.9           $   291.3           $   184.4           $   475.7     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Property Plant And Equipment
Property, Plant And Equipment

NOTE 5 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following table indicates the value of each of the major classes of our consolidated depreciable assets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Land rights and mineral rights

     $ 7,969.0         $ 7,918.9     

Office and information technology

     68.4           67.0     

Buildings

     138.1           132.2     

Mining equipment

     1,394.7           1,323.8     

Processing equipment

     1,505.3           1,441.8     

Railroad equipment

     203.7           164.3     

Electric power facilities

     58.0           57.9     

Port facilities

     96.4           64.1     

Interest capitalized during construction

     24.8           22.5     

Land improvements

     30.6           30.4     

Other

     73.3           43.2     

Construction in progress

     682.4           615.4     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,244.7           11,881.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for depreciation and depletion

     (1,478.0)          (1,356.9)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 10,766.7           $ 10,524.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We recorded depreciation and depletion expense of $111.4 million and $71.7 million in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Acquisitions And Other Investments
Acquisitions And Other Investments

NOTE 6 – ACQUISITIONS

Acquisitions

We allocate the cost of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. Any excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Consolidated Thompson

On May 12, 2011, we completed our acquisition of Consolidated Thompson by acquiring all of the outstanding common shares of Consolidated Thompson for C$17.25 per share in an all-cash transaction, including net debt, pursuant to the terms of an arrangement agreement dated as of January 11, 2011. Upon the acquisition: (a) each outstanding Consolidated Thompson common share was acquired for a cash payment of C$17.25; (b) each outstanding option and warrant that was "in the money" was acquired for cancellation for a cash payment of C$17.25 less the exercise price per underlying Consolidated Thompson common share; (c) each outstanding performance share unit was acquired for cancellation for a cash payment of C$17.25; (d) all outstanding Quinto Mining Corporation rights to acquire common shares of Consolidated Thompson were acquired for cancellation for a cash payment of C$17.25 per underlying Consolidated Thompson common share; and (e) certain Consolidated Thompson management contracts were eliminated that contained certain change of control provisions for contingent payments upon termination. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $4.6 billion. Our full ownership of Consolidated Thompson has been included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date, and the subsidiary is reported as a component of our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore segment.

The acquisition of Consolidated Thompson reflects our strategy to build scale by owning expandable and exportable steelmaking raw material assets serving international markets. Through our acquisition of Consolidated Thompson, we now own and operate an iron ore mine and processing facility near Bloom Lake in Quebec, Canada that produces iron ore concentrate of high quality. WISCO is a 25 percent partner in the Bloom Lake mine. Bloom Lake is designed to achieve an initial production rate of 8.0 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate per year. During the second quarter of 2011 and in January 2012, additional capital investments were approved in order to increase the initial production rate to 16.0 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate per year. We also own two additional development properties, Lamêlée and Peppler Lake, in Quebec. All three of these properties are in proximity to our existing Canadian operations and will allow us to leverage our port facilities and supply this iron ore to the seaborne market. The acquisition also is expected to further diversify our existing customer base.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Consolidated Thompson and the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. We are in the process of finalizing the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the acquisition, most notably, deferred taxes, required liabilities to minority parties and goodwill, and the final allocation will be made when completed. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Consolidated Thompson during the second quarter. Accordingly, the provisional measurements noted below are preliminary and subject to modification in the future.

 

     (In Millions)  
     Initial
Allocation
     Revised
Allocation
     Change  

Consideration

        

Cash

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of total consideration transferred

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

        

ASSETS:

        

Cash

     $ 130.6           $ 130.6           $ -       

Accounts receivable

     102.8           102.4           (0.4)    

Product inventories

     134.2           134.2           -       

Other current assets

     35.1           35.1           -       

Mineral rights

     4,450.0           4,825.6           375.6     

Property, plant and equipment

     1,193.4           1,193.4           -       

Intangible assets

     2.1           2.1           -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

     6,048.2           6,423.4           375.2     

LIABILITIES:

        

Accounts payable

     (13.6)          (13.6)          -       

Accrued liabilities

     (130.0)          (123.8)          6.2     

Convertible debentures

     (335.7)          (335.7)          -       

Other current liabilities

     (41.8)          (47.9)          (6.1)    

Long-term deferred tax liabilities

     (831.5)          (1,041.8)          (210.3)    

Senior secured notes

     (125.0)          (125.0)          -       

Capital lease obligations

     (70.7)          (70.7)          -       

Other long-term liabilities

     (25.1)          (32.8)          (7.7)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable liabilities assumed

     (1,573.4)          (1,791.3)          (217.9)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable net assets acquired

     4,474.8           4,632.1           157.3     

Noncontrolling interest in Bloom Lake

     (947.6)          (1,075.4)          (127.8)    

Preliminary goodwill

     1,026.8           997.3           (29.5)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net assets acquired

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the first quarter of 2012, we further refined the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to the initial purchase price allocation, which was established during the second quarter of 2011, for Consolidated Thompson. The acquisition date fair value was adjusted to record a $16.4 million increase related to pre-acquisition date Quebec mining duties tax. We recorded $6.1 million and $10.3 million as increases to current and long term liabilities, respectively. This resulted in a reduction of our calculated minimum distribution payable to the minority partner by $2.6 million. These adjustments resulted in a net $13.8 million increase to our goodwill during the period. As our fair value estimates remained materially unchanged from December 31, 2011, the immaterial adjustments made to the initial purchase price allocation during the first quarter of 2012 were recorded in the current period.

 

In the months during 2011 subsequent to the initial purchase price allocation for Consolidated Thompson, we adjusted the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on this process, the acquisition date fair value of the Consolidated Thompson mineral rights, deferred tax liability and noncontrolling interest in Bloom Lake were adjusted to $4,825.6 million, $1,041.8 million and $1,075.4 million, respectively, in the revised purchase price allocation during the fourth quarter of 2011. The change in mineral rights was caused by further refinements to the valuation model, most specifically as it related to potential tax structures that have value from a market participant standpoint and the risk premium used in determining the discount rate. The change in the deferred tax liability primarily was a result of the movement in the mineral rights value and obtaining additional detail of the acquired tax basis in the acquired assets and liabilities. Finally, the change in the noncontrolling interest in Bloom Lake was due to the change in mineral rights and a downward adjustment to the discount for lack of control being used in the valuation. A complete comparison of the initial and revised purchase price allocation has been provided in the table above.

The fair value of the noncontrolling interest in the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in Bloom Lake has been allocated proportionately, based upon WISCO's 25 percent interest in Bloom Lake. We then reduced the allocated fair value of WISCO's ownership interest in Bloom Lake to reflect the noncontrolling interest discount.

The $997.3 million of preliminary goodwill resulting from the acquisition has been assigned to our Eastern Canadian Iron Ore business segment through the Bloom Lake reporting unit. Management believes the preliminary goodwill recognized primarily is attributable to the proximity to our existing Canadian operations and potential for future expansion in Eastern Canada, which will allow us to leverage our port facilities and supply iron ore to the seaborne market. None of the preliminary goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Refer to NOTE 7 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES for further information.

The following unaudited consolidated pro forma information summarizes the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as if the Consolidated Thompson acquisition and the related financing had been completed as of January 1, 2010. The pro forma information gives effect to actual operating results prior to the acquisition. The unaudited consolidated pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have been obtained if the acquisition of Consolidated Thompson had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented or that may be obtained in the future.

 

     (In Millions, Except
Per Common Share)
 
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2011  

REVENUES FROM PRODUCT SALES AND SERVICES

     $ 1,278.8     

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS

     $ 400.1     

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - BASIC

     $ 2.95     

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - DILUTED

     $ 2.94     

 

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities

NOTE 7 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Goodwill

The following table summarizes changes in the carrying amount of goodwill allocated by operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Following is a summary of intangible assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

    

Classification

   (In Millions)  
      March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
      Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
 

Definite lived intangible assets:

                    

Permits

   Intangible assets, net      $ 135.1           $ (25.2)          $ 109.9           $ 134.3           $ (23.2)          $ 111.1     

Utility contracts

   Intangible assets, net      54.7           (24.1)          30.6           54.7           (21.3)          33.4     

Leases

   Intangible assets, net      5.5           (3.0)          2.5           5.5           (3.0)          2.5     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

      $ 195.3           $ (52.3)          $ 143.0           $ 194.5           $ (47.5)          $ 147.0     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Below-market sales contracts

   Other current liabilities    $ (46.0)          $ -             $ (46.0)          $ (77.0)          $ 24.3           $ (52.7)    

Below-market sales contracts

   Below-market sales contracts      (247.4)          134.2           (113.2)          (252.3)          140.5           (111.8)    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total below-market sales contracts

        $ (293.4)          $ 134.2           $ (159.2)          $ (329.3)          $ 164.8           $ (164.5)    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The intangible assets are subject to periodic amortization on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Intangible Asset

   Useful Life (years)

Permits

   15 - 28

Utility contracts

   5

Leases

   1.5 - 4.5

 

Amortization expense relating to intangible assets was $4.8 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is recognized in Cost of goods sold and operating expenses in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations. The estimated amortization expense relating to intangible assets for the remainder of 2012 and each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Amount  

Year Ending December 31

  

2012 (remaining nine months)

     $ 13.5     

2013

     17.9     

2014

     17.9     

2015

     6.0     

2016

     6.0     

2017

     6.0     
  

 

 

 

Total

     $       67.3     
  

 

 

 

The below-market sales contracts are classified as a liability and recognized over the terms of the underlying contracts, which the remaining lives range from 2 to 5 years. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized $1.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, in Product revenues related to the below-market sales contracts. The following amounts will be recognized in Product revenues for each of the five succeeding fiscal years:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Amount  

Year Ending December 31

  

2012 (remaining nine months)

     $       44.1     

2013

     46.0     

2014

     23.1     

2015

     23.0     

2016

     23.0     

2017

     -         
  

 

 

 

Total

     $       159.2     
  

 

 

 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

NOTE 8 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following represents the assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

(In Millions)  
     March 31, 2012  

Description

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

     $   -             $   -             $   -             $   -       

Derivative assets

       -               -             69.2           69.2     

International marketable securities

     30.6             -               -             30.6     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             9.6             -             9.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 30.6           $ 9.6           $ 69.2           $ 109.4     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative liabilities

     $   -             $   -             $ 1.1           $ 1.1     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             2.5             -             2.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $                     -             $                     2.5           $                     1.1           $                     3.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     (In Millions)  
     December 31, 2011  

Description

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    Total  

Assets:

          

Cash equivalents

     $ 351.2           $   -             $   -            $ 351.2     

Derivative assets

       -               -             157.9    (1)      157.9     

International marketable securities

     27.1             -               -            27.1     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             8.0             -            8.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 378.3           $ 8.0           $ 157.9          $ 544.2     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

          

Derivative liabilities

     $   -             $   -             $ 19.5          $ 19.5     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             3.5             -            3.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $                     -             $                     3.5           $                     19.5          $                     23.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Financial assets classified in Level 1 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 include money market funds and available-for-sale marketable securities. The valuation of these instruments is determined using a market approach, taking into account current interest rates, creditworthiness and liquidity risks in relation to current market conditions, and is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.

The valuation of financial assets and liabilities classified in Level 2 is determined using a market approach based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 2 securities primarily include derivative financial instruments valued using financial models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, such derivative financial instruments included our existing foreign currency exchange contracts. The fair value of the foreign currency exchange contracts is based on forward market prices and represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account creditworthiness, nonperformance risk and liquidity risks associated with current market conditions.

The derivative financial assets classified within Level 3 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 include a freestanding derivative instrument related to certain supply agreements with one of our U.S. Iron Ore customers. The agreements include provisions for supplemental revenue or refunds based on the customer's annual steel pricing at the time the product is consumed in the customer's blast furnaces. We account for this provision as a derivative instrument at the time of sale and mark this provision to fair value as an adjustment to Product revenues each reporting period until the product is consumed and the amounts are settled. The fair value of the instrument is determined using a market approach based on an estimate of the annual realized price of hot rolled steel at the steelmaker's facilities, and takes into consideration current market conditions and nonperformance risk.

The Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities at March 31, 2012 also consisted of derivatives related to certain supply agreements with our U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore and Asia Pacific Iron Ore customers. These customer supply agreements specify provisional price calculations, where the pricing mechanisms are generally based on market pricing, with the final sales price to be based on market inputs at a specified point in time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. The difference between the provisionally agreed-upon price and the estimated final sales price is characterized as a derivative and is required to be accounted for separately once the revenue has been recognized. The derivative instrument is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by management until the final sales price is determined.

 

The Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 also consisted of derivatives related to certain supply agreements with our U.S. Iron Ore and Eastern Canadian Iron Ore customers. In some instances we are still working to revise components of the pricing calculations referenced within our supply agreements to incorporate new market inputs to the pricing mechanisms as a result of the elimination of historical benchmark pricing. As a result, we record certain shipments made to our U.S. Iron Ore and Eastern Canadian Iron Ore customers based on an agreed-upon provisional price with the customer until final settlement on the market inputs to the pricing mechanisms are finalized. The lack of agreed-upon market inputs results in these pricing provisions being characterized as derivatives. The derivative instrument, which is settled and billed or credited once the determinations of the market inputs to the pricing mechanisms are finalized, is adjusted to fair value through Product revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates determined by management. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had no shipments to customers under supply agreements in which components of the pricing calculations are still being finalized.

 

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

($ in millions)

   Fair Value at
3/31/12
     Balance Sheet
Location
     Valuation
Technique
    

Unobservable
Input

  

Range (Weighted
Average)

Provisional Pricing Arrangement

   $             4.1         Derivative Assets         Market Approach       Managements Estimate of 62% Fe    $130-$175 ($150)
   $ 1.1         Other current liabilities            

Customer Supply Agreement

   $ 65.1         Derivative Assets         Market Approach       Hot-Rolled Steel Estimate    $700-$750 ($700)

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the reporting entity's provisional pricing arrangements is management's estimate of 62% Fe price that is determined based upon current market data, including historical seasonality and forward-looking estimates determined by management. Significant increases or decreases in this input would result in a significantly higher or lower fair-value measurement, respectively.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair-value measurement of the reporting entity's customer supply agreements is the future hot-rolled steel price. Significant increases or decreases in this input would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement, respectively.

These significant estimates are determined by a collaboration of our commercial, finance and treasury departments and are reviewed by management.

 

Substantially all of the financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value or contracted amounts that approximate fair value. We had no financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the first quarter of 2012 or 2011. The following table represents a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Assets (Level 3)  
         Three Months Ended    
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Beginning balance-January 1

     $ 157.9           $ 45.6     

Total gains

     

Included in earnings

     43.3           44.6     

Included in other comprehensive income

       -               -       

Settlements

     (132.0)          (22.1)    

Transfers into Level 3

       -               -       

Transfers out of Level 3

       -               -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance - March 31

     $ 69.2           $ 68.1     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains on assets still held at the reporting date

     $         43.3           $ 44.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Liabilities (Level 3)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Beginning balance-January 1

     $ (19.5)          $ -       

Total losses

     

Included in earnings

     (1.1)            -       

Included in other comprehensive income

     -             -       

Settlements

     19.5             -       

Transfers into Level 3

     -             -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance - March 31

     $ (1.1)          $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at the reporting date

     $         (1.1)          $         -      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gains and losses included in earnings are reported in Product revenues in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

The carrying amount and fair value of our long-term receivables and long-term debt at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows:

 

            (In Millions)  
            March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Classification      Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 

Long-term receivables:

              

Customer supplemental payments

     Level 2       $ 22.3       $ 21.2       $ 22.3       $ 20.8   

ArcelorMittal USA—Receivable

     Level 2         24.8         28.6         26.5         30.7   

Other

     Level 2         10.8         10.8         10.0         10.0   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term receivables (1)

      $ 57.9       $ 60.6       $ 58.8       $ 61.5   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt:

              

Term loan—$1.25 billion

     Level 2       $ 872.2       $ 872.2       $ 897.2       $ 897.2   

Senior notes—$700 million

     Level 2         699.3         738.7         699.3         726.4   

Senior notes—$1.3 billion

     Level 2         1,289.2         1,439.1         1,289.2         1,399.4   

Senior notes—$400 million

     Level 2         398.1         453.6         398.0         448.8   

Senior notes—$325 million

     Level 2         325.0         353.9         325.0         348.7   

Customer borrowings

     Level 2         4.6         4.6         5.1         5.1   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

      $ 3,588.4       $ 3,862.1       $ 3,613.8       $ 3,825.6   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1) Includes current portion.

              

The fair value of the long-term receivables and debt are based on the fair market yield curves for the remainder of the term expected to be outstanding.

The terms of one of our U.S. Iron Ore pellet supply agreements require supplemental payments to be paid by the customer during the period 2009 through 2013, with the option to defer a portion of the 2009 monthly amount up to $22.3 million in exchange for interest payments until the deferred amount is repaid in 2013. Interest is payable by the customer quarterly and began in September 2009 at the higher of 9 percent or the prime rate plus 350 basis points. As of March 31, 2012, a receivable of $22.3 million had been recorded in Other non-current assets in the Statement of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position reflecting the terms of this deferred payment arrangement. The fair value of the receivable of $21.2 million and $20.8 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, is based on a discount rate of 3.30 percent, which represents the estimated credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate for the period the receivable is outstanding.

In 2002, we entered into an agreement with Ispat that restructured the ownership of the Empire mine and increased our ownership from 46.7 percent to 79.0 percent in exchange for the assumption of all mine liabilities. Under the terms of the agreement, we indemnified Ispat from obligations of Empire in exchange for certain future payments to Empire and to us by Ispat of $120.0 million, recorded at a present value of $24.8 million and $26.5 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The fair value of the receivable of $28.6 million and $30.7 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, is based on a discount rate of 2.02 percent, which represents the estimated credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate for the period the receivable is outstanding.

The fair value of long-term debt was determined using quoted market prices or discounted cash flows based upon current borrowing rates. The term loan and revolving loan are variable rate interest and approximate fair value. See NOTE 9 — DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES for further information.

Debt And Credit Facilities
Debt And Credit Facilities

NOTE 9 DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

The following represents a summary of our long-term debt as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

 

The terms of the private placement senior notes, term loan and credit facility each contain customary covenants that require compliance with certain financial covenants based on: (1) debt to earnings ratio and (2) interest coverage ratio. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with the financial covenants related to both the private placement senior notes and the credit facilities. The terms of the senior notes due in 2020, 2021 and 2040 contain certain customary covenants; however, there are no financial covenants.

Short-term Facilities

Asia Pacific Iron Ore maintains a bank contingent instrument facility and cash advance facility. The facility, which is renewable annually at the bank's discretion, provides A$40 million in credit for contingent instruments, such as performance bonds and the ability to request a cash advance facility to be provided at the discretion of the bank. As of March 31, 2012, the outstanding bank guarantees under this facility totaled A$24.7 million ($25.5 million), thereby reducing borrowing capacity to A$15.3 million ($15.9 million). We have provided a guarantee of the facility, along with certain of our Australian subsidiaries. The facility agreement contains customary covenants that require compliance with certain financial covenants: (1) debt to earnings ratio and (2) interest coverage ratio, both based on the financial performance of the Company. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.

Letters of Credit

In conjunction with our acquisition of Consolidated Thompson, we issued standby letters of credit with certain financial institutions in order to support Consolidated Thompson's and Bloom Lake's general business obligations. In addition, we issued standby letters of credit with certain financial institutions during the third quarter of 2011 in order to support Wabush's obligations. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, these letter of credit obligations totaled $95.0 million. All of these standby letters of credit are in addition to the letters of credit provided for under the amended and restated multicurrency credit agreement.

Debt Maturities

Maturities of debt instruments based on the principal amounts outstanding at March 31, 2012, total approximately $62.3 million in 2012, $369.7 million in 2013, $124.6 million in 2014, $428.8 million in 2015, $299.1 million in 2016 and $2.4 billion thereafter.

Lease Obligations
Lease Obligations

NOTE 10 LEASE OBLIGATIONS

We lease certain mining, production and other equipment under operating and capital leases. The leases are for varying lengths, generally at market interest rates and contain purchase and/or renewal options at the end of the terms. Our operating lease expense was $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared with $5.8 million for the same period in 2011.

Future minimum payments under capital leases and non-cancellable operating leases at March 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

 

Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations

NOTE 11 ENVIRONMENTAL AND MINE CLOSURE OBLIGATIONS

We had environmental and mine closure liabilities of $240.7 million and $235.7 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The following is a summary of the obligations as of March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Environmental

     $ 15.5         $ 15.5   

Mine closure

     

LTVSMC

     16.7           16.5   

Operating mines:

     

U.S Iron Ore

     76.1           74.3   

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     69.8           68.0   

North American Coal

     36.9           36.3   

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     16.7           16.3   

Other

     9.0           8.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mine closure

     225.2           220.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total environmental and mine closure obligations

     240.7           235.7   

Less current portion

     13.7           13.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long term environmental and mine closure obligations

   $ 227.0         $     222.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mine Closure

Our mine closure obligations are for our four consolidated U.S. operating iron ore mines, our two Eastern Canadian operating iron ore mines, our six operating North American coal mines, our Asia Pacific operating iron ore mines, the coal mine at Sonoma and a closed operation formerly known as LTVSMC.

The accrued closure obligation for our active mining operations provides for contractual and legal obligations associated with the eventual closure of the mining operations. The accretion of the liability and amortization of the related asset is recognized over the estimated mine lives for each location. The following represents a rollforward of our asset retirement obligation liability related to our active mining locations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits
Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits

NOTE 12 PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The following are the components of defined benefit pension and OPEB expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Pension Benefits      Other Benefits  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Service cost

     $ 8.0         $ 5.8           $ 3.6           $ 2.4     

Interest cost

     12.0           13.6           5.2           5.9     

Expected return on plan assets

     (14.8)          (15.5)          (4.3)          (4.3)    

Amortization:

           

Prior service costs

     1.0           1.2           0.7           0.6     

Net actuarial loss

     7.4           5.2           2.9           2.9     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

     $ 13.6           $ 10.3           $ 8.1           $ 7.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We made pension contributions of $14.4 million and $23.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. OPEB contributions were $21.9 million for three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Stock Compensation Plans
Stock Compensation Plans

NOTE 13 STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Employees' Plans

On March 12, 2012, the Compensation and Organization Committee ("Committee") of the Board of Directors approved a grant under our shareholder-approved ICE Plan for the performance period 2012-2014. A total of 426,610 shares were granted under the award, consisting of 312,540 performance shares and 114,070 restricted share units.

For the outstanding ICE Plan award agreements, each performance share, if earned, entitles the holder to receive a number of common shares within the range between a threshold and maximum number of our common shares, with the actual number of common shares earned dependent upon whether the Company achieves certain objectives and performance goals as established by the Committee. The performance share grants vest over a period of three years and are intended to be paid out in common shares. Performance for the 2010 to 2012 performance period and 2011 to 2013 performance period is measured on the basis of two factors: 1) relative TSR for the period, as measured against a predetermined peer group of mining and metals companies, and 2) three-year cumulative free cash flow. Performance for the 2012 to 2014 performance period is measured on the basis of relative TSR for the period, as measured against a predetermined peer group of mining and metals companies. The final payout for the 2010 to 2012 performance period will vary from zero to 150 percent. The final payouts for the 2011 to 2013 performance period and the 2012 to 2014 performance period will vary from zero to 200 percent of the original grant. The restricted share units are subject to continued employment, are retention based, will vest at the end of the respective performance period for the performance shares, and are payable in common shares at a time determined by the Committee at its discretion.

Upon the occurrence of a change in control, all performance shares, restricted share units, restricted stock and retention units granted to a participant will vest and become nonforfeitable and will be paid out in cash.

Our Board of Directors approved the new 2012 Equity Plan on March 13, 2012, and recommended it to our shareholders to approve at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If approved, the 2012 Equity Plan will be effective as of March 13, 2012.

 

Determination of Fair Value

The fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation to forecast relative TSR performance. A correlation matrix of historic and projected stock prices was developed for both the Company and our predetermined peer group of mining and metals companies. The fair value assumes that performance goals will be achieved.

The expected term of the grant represents the time from the grant date to the end of the service period for each of the three plan year agreements. We estimated the volatility of our common shares and that of the peer group of mining and metals companies using daily price intervals for all companies. The risk-free interest rate is the rate at the grant date on zero-coupon government bonds, with a term commensurate with the remaining life of the performance plans.

The following assumptions were utilized to estimate the fair value for the first quarter 2012 performance share grants:

 

Grant Date

   Grant
Date

Market
Price
   Average
Expected
Term
(Years)
   Expected
Volatility
  Risk-
Free
Interest
Rate
  Dividend
Yield
  Fair
Value
   Fair Value
(Percent of
Grant Date
Market Price)

March 12, 2012

   63.62    2.80    56.0%   0.45%   3.93%   77.78    122.26%

The fair value of the restricted share units is determined based on the closing price of the Company's common shares on the grant date. The restricted share units granted under the ICE Plan vest over a period of three years.

Income Taxes
Income Taxes

NOTE 14 INCOME TAXES

Our tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was a benefit of $210.8 million. Our tax provision for the same period ended March 31, 2011 was an expense of $142.2 million. The effective tax rate for the first three months of 2012 is approximately a benefit of 112.4 percent, while the effective tax rate for the first three months of 2011 was 25.3 percent. The difference in the effective rate from the prior year primarily is due to the enactment of the MRRT by the Australian federal government. Additionally, the effective rate is impacted by lower pre-tax book income in 2012 over 2011 with similar book to tax differences, and the impact of currency elections on remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Our 2012 estimated annual effective tax rate before discrete items is approximately 23.2 percent. This estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to deductions for percentage depletion in excess of cost depletion related to U.S. operations, income not subject to tax, non-taxable income related to noncontrolling interests in partnerships, foreign taxes including MRRT and Quebec Mining Duty and benefits derived from operations outside the U.S., which are taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent.

In July 2010, the Australian federal government announced its intention to introduce a new MRRT applicable to the mining of iron ore and coal in Australia. The MRRT legislation was passed by the Australian Senate on March 19, 2012 and received Royal Assent on March 29, 2012, thereby enacting the law. The MRRT commencement date is July 1, 2012 and broadly aims to tax existing and future iron ore and coal projects at an effective tax rate of 22.5 percent. Based on valuations and modeling carried out on each of our Australian projects, we will be liable to pay MRRT over the course of the Koolyanobbing mine life, but not for the Cockatoo Island or Sonoma operations. The financial impact of this MRRT enactment is an increase to the balance of deferred tax assets of $334.6 million. From the results of a recoverability analysis undertaken, a valuation allowance of $19.9 million has also been recorded. The net deferred tax asset of $314.7 million represents the amount of allowance available to us to offset any future MRRT liability. The effect of the MRRT will be to increase our consolidated effective tax rate by approximately 3 percent to 4 percent each year over the life of the mines, which also includes the unwinding of the deferred tax asset.

 

As of March 31, 2012, our valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets increased by $51.8 million from December 31, 2011. This increase primarily relates to ordinary losses of certain foreign operations for which future utilization is uncertain and a portion of the MRRT depreciable starting base expected not to be realized.

As of March 31, 2012, cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries included in consolidated retained earnings continue to be indefinitely reinvested in international operations. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practical to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.

As of March 31, 2012, we had $78.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits recorded in Other liabilities in the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. If the $78.5 million were recognized, the full amount would impact the effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the range of $27.2 million to $29.5 million within the next 12 months due to expected settlements with the taxing authorities. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we settled an audit for approximately $23.9 million, which previously was recorded. Additionally, we recorded $0.1 million of interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits during the first quarter of 2012.

Tax years that remain subject to examination are years 2009 and forward for the United States, 2005 and forward for Canada, and 2007 and forward for Australia.

Capital Stock
Capital Stock

NOTE 15 – CAPITAL STOCK

Dividends

A $0.14 per share cash dividend was paid on March 1, 2011 and June 1, 2011 to shareholders on record as of February 15, 2011 and April 29, 2011, respectively. On July 12, 2011, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly common share dividend by 100 percent to $0.28 per share. The increased cash dividend was paid on September 1, 2011 and December 1, 2011 to shareholders on record as of the close of business on August 15, 2011 and November 18, 2011, respectively. Additionally, the increased cash dividend was paid on March 1, 2012 to shareholders on record as of the close of business on February 15, 2012. On March 13, 2012, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly common share dividend by 123 percent to $0.625 per share. The increased cash dividend will be payable on June 1, 2012 to shareholders of record on the close of business on April 29, 2012.

Shareholders Equity
Stockholders Equity

NOTE 16 – SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

The following table reflects the changes in shareholders' equity attributable to both Cliffs and the noncontrolling interests primarily related to Bloom Lake, Tilden and Empire of which Cliffs owns 75 percent, 85 percent and 79 percent, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011:

 

Related Parties
Related Parties

NOTE 17 RELATED PARTIES

We co-own three of our five U.S. iron ore mines and one of our two Eastern Canadian iron ore mines with various joint venture partners that are integrated steel producers or their subsidiaries. We are the manager of each of the mines we co-own and rely on our joint venture partners to make their required capital contributions and to pay for their share of the iron ore pellets that we produce. The joint venture partners are also our customers. The following is a summary of the mine ownership of these iron ore mines at March 31, 2012:

 

Mine

   Cliffs Natural
Resources
     ArcelorMittal      U.S. Steel
Canada
     WISCO  

Empire

     79.0         21.0         -           -     

Tilden

     85.0         -           15.0         -     

Hibbing

     23.0         62.3         14.7         -     

Bloom Lake

     75.0         -           -           25.0   

ArcelorMittal has a unilateral right to put its interest in the Empire Mine to us, but has not exercised this right to date.

 

Product revenues to related parties were as follows:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012     2011  

Product revenues to related parties

   $ 331.9      $ 313.6   

Total product revenues

     1,200.9        1,133.0   

Related party product revenue as a percent of total product revenue

     27.6     27.7

Amounts due from related parties recorded in Accounts receivable and Derivative assets, including customer supply agreements and provisional pricing arrangements, were $129.2 million and $180.4 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Amounts due to related parties recorded in Other current liabilities, including provisional pricing arrangements and liabilities to minority parties, were $31.8 million and $43.0 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share

NOTE 18 EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Cliffs shareholders:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
         2012             2011      

Net income from continuing operations

attributable to Cliffs shareholders

   $ 375.9      $ 423.8   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.1     (0.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Cliffs shareholders

   $ 375.8      $ 423.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares:

    

Basic

     142.2        135.5   

Employee stock plans

     0.5        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     142.7        136.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to

Cliffs shareholders - Basic:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 2.64      $ 3.12   

Discontinued operations

     -          -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2.64      $ 3.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to

Cliffs shareholders - Diluted:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 2.63      $ 3.11   

Discontinued operations

     -          -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2.63      $ 3.11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Commitments And Contingencies
Commitments And Contingencies

NOTE 19 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

In 2011, we incurred capital commitments related to the expansion of our Bloom Lake mine. The expansion project requires a capital investment of over $1.3 billion for the expansion of the mine and the mine's processing capabilities in order to ramp-up production capacity from 8.0 million to 16.0 million metric tons of iron ore concentrate per year. The capital investment also includes the common infrastructure necessary to support the mine's future production levels. Through March 31, 2012, approximately $601 million of the total capital investment required for the Bloom Lake expansion project has been committed, of which a total of approximately $235 million had been expended. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $366 million are expected to be made during the remainder of 2012 and in 2013.

In March 2011, we incurred capital commitments related to bringing Lower War Eagle, a high-volatile metallurgical coal mine in West Virginia, into production. The project requires a capital investment of approximately $113 million, of which $62 million has been committed as of March 31, 2012. Total capital expenditures related to this commitment were approximately $52 million through March 31, 2012. Of the remaining committed capital, expenditures of approximately $10 million are scheduled to be made during the remainder of 2012.

In 2010, our Board of Directors approved a capital project at our Koolyanobbing Operation in Western Australia. The project is expected to increase the production capacity at the Koolyanobbing Operation to approximately 11 million metric tons annually. The improvements consist of enhancements to the existing rail infrastructure and upgrades to various other existing operational constraints. The expansion project requires a capital investment of approximately $275 million, of which approximately $273 million has been committed through March 31, 2012, that will be required to meet the timing of the proposed expansion. Through March 31, 2012, $225 million in capital expenditures had been expended related to this commitment. Of the remaining committed capital, approximately $16 million is expected to be spent throughout 2012, with the remainder of the committed capital to be financed through capital leases.

In 2011, we entered into an agreement with the rail service provider for one of the rail lines used by our Koolyanobbing operations to upgrade the existing rail line. The upgrade is being performed to enhance safety and improve functionality of the rail. The improvements include the replacement of rail and associated parts. As a result, our portion of the related purchase commitment is approximately $33 million for replacements and improvements to the rail structure. Through March 31, 2012, our capital expenditures related to this purchase were approximately $17 million. Remaining expenditures of approximately $16 million are expected to be made throughout 2013 and 2014.

We incurred capital commitments related to an expansion project at our Empire and Tilden mines in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 2010. The expansion project requires a capital investment of approximately $264 million, of which $210 million has been committed as of March 31, 2012, and is expected to allow for production capacity at the Empire mine to produce at three million tons annually through 2014 and increase Tilden mine production capacity by an additional two million tons annually. Through March 31, 2012, total capital expenditures related to this commitment were approximately $160 million. Of the committed capital, expenditures of approximately $39 million and $11 million are scheduled to be made during the remainder of 2012 and in 2013, respectively.

Contingencies

Litigation

We are currently a party to various claims and legal proceedings incidental to our operations. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can reasonably be estimated, we record the amount of the loss, or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range, and no point within the range is more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary. Based on currently available information, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages, additional funding requirements or an injunction. If an unfavorable ruling were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material impact on the financial position and results of operations of the period in which the ruling occurs, or future periods. However, we believe that any pending litigation will not result in a material liability in relation to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cash Flow Information
Cash Flow Information

NOTE 20 – CASH FLOW INFORMATION

A reconciliation of capital additions to cash paid for capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

 

     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011  

Capital additions

   $ 353.4       $ 91.0   

Cash paid for capital expenditures

     241.1         65.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Difference

   $ 112.3       $ 25.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-cash accruals

   $ 59.5       $ 25.3   

Capital leases

     52.8         -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 112.3       $ 25.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events

NOTE 21 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

As of April 26, 2012, we had direct borrowings on our $1.75 billion credit facility in the amount of $425.0 million for purposes of funding general operations.

We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of financial statement issuance.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with SEC rules and regulations and in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly, the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on various assumptions and historical experience, which are believed to be reasonable; however, due to the inherent nature of estimates, actual results may differ significantly due to changed conditions or assumptions. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2012 or any other future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including the following operations:

 

                 

        Name        

      Location           Ownership Interest             Operation    

 Northshore

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 United Taconite

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 Wabush

   Labrador/Quebec, Canada     100.0   Iron Ore

 Bloom Lake

   Quebec, Canada     75.0   Iron Ore

 Tilden

   Michigan     85.0   Iron Ore

 Empire

   Michigan     79.0   Iron Ore

 Koolyanobbing

   Western Australia     100.0   Iron Ore

 Pinnacle

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal

 Oak Grove

   Alabama     100.0   Coal

 CLCC

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal

Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

The following table presents the detail of our investments in unconsolidated ventures and where those investments are classified in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Parentheses indicate a net liability.

 

                         
               (In Millions)  

Investment    

   Classification            Interest
  Percentage  
     March 31,
2012
       December 31,  
2011
 

Amapá

   Investments in ventures    30    $         492.5           $ 498.6     

AusQuest

   Investments in ventures    30      3.5           3.7     

Cockatoo

   Other liabilities    50      (13.9)          (15.0)    

Hibbing

   Other liabilities    23      (4.4)          (6.8)    

Other

   Investments in ventures           34.9           24.3     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
                 $ 512.6           $ 504.8     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Immaterial Errors

In September 2011, we noted an error in the accounting for the 21 percent noncontrolling interest in the Empire mine. In accordance with applicable GAAP, management quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the materiality of the error and determined the error to be immaterial to the quarterly reports previously filed for the periods ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and also immaterial for the quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2011. Accordingly, all of the resulting adjustments were recorded prospectively in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position as of September 30, 2011. The impact of the immaterial error in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 would have resulted in an increase in Income from Continuing Operations of $8.4 million and a decrease in Net Income Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders of $37.5 million or $0.28 to basic and diluted earnings per common share. These adjustments should be considered when comparing the operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 to the reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as such adjustments are not reflected in the operating results reported for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Reportable Segments

As a result of the acquisition of Consolidated Thompson in May 2011, we revised the number of our operating and reportable segments as determined under ASC 280. Our Company's primary operations are organized and managed according to product category and geographic location and now include: U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal, Asia Pacific Iron Ore, Asia Pacific Coal, Latin American Iron Ore, Ferroalloys and our Global Exploration Group. Our historical presentation of segment information consisted of three reportable segments: North American Iron Ore, North American Coal and Asia Pacific Iron Ore. Our restated presentation consists of four reportable segments: U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore, North American Coal and Asia Pacific Iron Ore. The amounts disclosed in NOTE 2 – SEGMENT REPORTING reflect this restatement.

Significant Accounting Policies

A detailed description of our significant accounting policies can be found in the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Due to continued market movement away from historical benchmark prices and the evolution of customer supply agreements to meet the requirements of the market, there have been changes in our significant accounting policies from those disclosed therein. The significant accounting policies requiring updates have been included within the disclosures below.

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
                 

        Name        

      Location           Ownership Interest             Operation    

 Northshore

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 United Taconite

   Minnesota     100.0   Iron Ore

 Wabush

   Labrador/Quebec, Canada     100.0   Iron Ore

 Bloom Lake

   Quebec, Canada     75.0   Iron Ore

 Tilden

   Michigan     85.0   Iron Ore

 Empire

   Michigan     79.0   Iron Ore

 Koolyanobbing

   Western Australia     100.0   Iron Ore

 Pinnacle

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal

 Oak Grove

   Alabama     100.0   Coal

 CLCC

   West Virginia     100.0   Coal
                         
               (In Millions)  

Investment    

   Classification            Interest
  Percentage  
     March 31,
2012
       December 31,  
2011
 

Amapá

   Investments in ventures    30    $         492.5           $ 498.6     

AusQuest

   Investments in ventures    30      3.5           3.7     

Cockatoo

   Other liabilities    50      (13.9)          (15.0)    

Hibbing

   Other liabilities    23      (4.4)          (6.8)    

Other

   Investments in ventures           34.9           24.3     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
                 $ 512.6           $ 504.8     
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
Segment Reporting (Tables)
     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Revenues from product sales and services:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 441.7           35%         $ 510.2           43%   

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     220.7           18%         127.3           11%   

North American Coal

     189.9           15%         165.0           14%   

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     359.8           28%         345.4           29%   

Other

     52.6           4%         35.3           3%   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments

     $   1,264.7           100%         $   1,183.2           100%   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Sales margin:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 166.9              $ 361.3        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     (14.3)             34.5        

North American Coal

     14.5              (2.9)       

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     125.0              195.8        

Other

     11.4              10.8        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Sales margin

     303.5              599.5        

Other operating expense

     (72.4)             (57.4)       

Other income (expense)

     (43.5)             20.9        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss) from ventures

     $ 187.6              $ 563.0        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization:

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 23.2              $ 17.5        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     37.9              9.6        

North American Coal

     20.1              21.6        

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     30.0              24.0        

Other

     6.1              7.1        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization

     $ 117.3              $ 79.8        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Capital additions (1):

           

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 34.8              $ 31.6        

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     130.6              3.5        

North American Coal

     39.1              27.5        

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     109.3              25.3        

Other

     39.6              3.1        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total capital additions

     $ 353.4              $ 91.0        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

(1) Includes capital lease additions and non-cash accruals.

     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Segment Assets:

     

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 1,758.9           $     1,691.8     

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     8,008.0           7,973.1     

North American Coal

     1,948.3           1,814.4     

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     1,885.5           1,511.2     

Other

     984.6           1,017.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total segment assets

     14,585.3           14,008.1     

Corporate

     308.0           533.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $         14,893.3           $   14,541.7     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)
     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Assets      Derivative Liabilities  
     March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011      March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Derivative

Instrument

   Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair
Value
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:

                     

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 9.6         Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 5.2         Other
current
liabilities
     $ 2.5         Other
current
liabilities
     $ 3.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815

       $ 9.6             $ 5.2              $ 2.5              $ 3.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:

                     

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ -           Derivative
assets
(current)
    $ 2.8              $ -                $ -       

Customer Supply Agreements

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    65.1         Derivative
assets
(current)
    72.9              -                -       

Provisional Pricing Arrangements

   Derivative
assets
(current)
    4.1         Derivative
assets
(current)
    1.2         Other
current
liabilities
       1.1         Other
current
liabilities
     19.5     
   Accounts
receivable
    -           Accounts
receivable
    83.8              -                -       
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815

       $   69.2             $   160.7              $ 1.1              $   19.5     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total derivatives

       $ 78.8             $ 165.9              $   3.6              $ 23.0     
    

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 
     (In Millions)  

Derivatives in Cash Flow

Hedging Relationships

   Amount of Gain
Recognized in OCI on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
     Location of Gain
Reclassified From
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Effective Portion)
   Amount of Gain
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
     Three months ended
March 31,
          Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011           2012      2011  

Australian Dollar Foreign

Exchange Contracts

(hedge designation)

   $ 3.0       $ 1.9       Product revenue    $ 3.1       $ 0.2   

Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts (hedge designation)

     0.7         —         Cost of goods sold
and operating
expenses
     0.5         -     

Australian Dollar Foreign

Exchange Contracts

(prior to de-designation)

     —           —         Product revenue      —           0.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3.7       $ 1.9          $ 3.6       $ 0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

(In Millions)

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

                 Instruments

   Location of Gain Recognized in
Income on Derivative
  Amount of Gain
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
 
         Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
         2012      2011  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Product Revenues   $ -         $ 0.3   

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Other Income (Expense)     0.3         56.0   

Customer Supply Agreements

   Product Revenues     39.2         24.6   

Provisional Pricing Arrangements

   Product Revenues     3.0         20.0   

Total

     $ 42.5       $ 100.9   
Inventories (Tables)
Schedule Of Inventories
     (In Millions)  
     March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  

Segment

   Finished
    Goods     
     Work-in
    Process     
     Total
    Inventory     
     Finished
    Goods    
     Work-in
    Process    
     Total
    Inventory    
 

U.S. Iron Ore

     $ 250.0           $ 25.0           $ 275.0           $ 100.2           $ 8.5           $   108.7     

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     133.6           45.0           178.6           96.2           43.0           139.2     

North American Coal

     48.0           115.1           163.1           19.7           110.5          130.2     

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     41.6           19.1           60.7           57.2           21.6          78.8     

Other

     17.2           1.3           18.5           18.0           0.8          18.8     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 490.4           $   205.5           $   695.9           $   291.3           $   184.4           $   475.7     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Property Plant And Equipment (Tables)
Value Of Each Of The Major Classes Of Consolidated Depreciable Assets
     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Land rights and mineral rights

     $ 7,969.0         $ 7,918.9     

Office and information technology

     68.4           67.0     

Buildings

     138.1           132.2     

Mining equipment

     1,394.7           1,323.8     

Processing equipment

     1,505.3           1,441.8     

Railroad equipment

     203.7           164.3     

Electric power facilities

     58.0           57.9     

Port facilities

     96.4           64.1     

Interest capitalized during construction

     24.8           22.5     

Land improvements

     30.6           30.4     

Other

     73.3           43.2     

Construction in progress

     682.4           615.4     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,244.7           11,881.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for depreciation and depletion

     (1,478.0)          (1,356.9)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 10,766.7           $ 10,524.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Acquisitions And Other Investments (Tables) (Consolidated Thompson [Member])
     (In Millions)  
     Initial
Allocation
     Revised
Allocation
     Change  

Consideration

        

Cash

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of total consideration transferred

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

        

ASSETS:

        

Cash

     $ 130.6           $ 130.6           $ -       

Accounts receivable

     102.8           102.4           (0.4)    

Product inventories

     134.2           134.2           -       

Other current assets

     35.1           35.1           -       

Mineral rights

     4,450.0           4,825.6           375.6     

Property, plant and equipment

     1,193.4           1,193.4           -       

Intangible assets

     2.1           2.1           -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

     6,048.2           6,423.4           375.2     

LIABILITIES:

        

Accounts payable

     (13.6)          (13.6)          -       

Accrued liabilities

     (130.0)          (123.8)          6.2     

Convertible debentures

     (335.7)          (335.7)          -       

Other current liabilities

     (41.8)          (47.9)          (6.1)    

Long-term deferred tax liabilities

     (831.5)          (1,041.8)          (210.3)    

Senior secured notes

     (125.0)          (125.0)          -       

Capital lease obligations

     (70.7)          (70.7)          -       

Other long-term liabilities

     (25.1)          (32.8)          (7.7)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable liabilities assumed

     (1,573.4)          (1,791.3)          (217.9)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable net assets acquired

     4,474.8           4,632.1           157.3     

Noncontrolling interest in Bloom Lake

     (947.6)          (1,075.4)          (127.8)    

Preliminary goodwill

     1,026.8           997.3           (29.5)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net assets acquired

     $ 4,554.0           $ 4,554.0           $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (In Millions, Except
Per Common Share)
 
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
     2011  

REVENUES FROM PRODUCT SALES AND SERVICES

     $ 1,278.8     

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS

     $ 400.1     

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - BASIC

     $ 2.95     

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - DILUTED

     $ 2.94     
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Tables)
    

Classification

   (In Millions)  
      March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
      Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Carrying
Amount
 

Definite lived intangible assets:

                    

Permits

   Intangible assets, net      $ 135.1           $ (25.2)          $ 109.9           $ 134.3           $ (23.2)          $ 111.1     

Utility contracts

   Intangible assets, net      54.7           (24.1)          30.6           54.7           (21.3)          33.4     

Leases

   Intangible assets, net      5.5           (3.0)          2.5           5.5           (3.0)          2.5     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

      $ 195.3           $ (52.3)          $ 143.0           $ 194.5           $ (47.5)          $ 147.0     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Below-market sales contracts

   Other current liabilities    $ (46.0)          $ -             $ (46.0)          $ (77.0)          $ 24.3           $ (52.7)    

Below-market sales contracts

   Below-market sales contracts      (247.4)          134.2           (113.2)          (252.3)          140.5           (111.8)    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total below-market sales contracts

        $ (293.4)          $ 134.2           $ (159.2)          $ (329.3)          $ 164.8           $ (164.5)    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible Asset

   Useful Life (years)

Permits

   15 - 28

Utility contracts

   5

Leases

   1.5 - 4.5
     (In Millions)  
     Amount  

Year Ending December 31

  

2012 (remaining nine months)

     $ 13.5     

2013

     17.9     

2014

     17.9     

2015

     6.0     

2016

     6.0     

2017

     6.0     
  

 

 

 

Total

     $       67.3     
  

 

 

 
     (In Millions)  
     Amount  

Year Ending December 31

  

2012 (remaining nine months)

     $       44.1     

2013

     46.0     

2014

     23.1     

2015

     23.0     

2016

     23.0     

2017

     -         
  

 

 

 

Total

     $       159.2     
  

 

 

 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)
(In Millions)  
     March 31, 2012  

Description

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

     $   -             $   -             $   -             $   -       

Derivative assets

       -               -             69.2           69.2     

International marketable securities

     30.6             -               -             30.6     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             9.6             -             9.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 30.6           $ 9.6           $ 69.2           $ 109.4     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative liabilities

     $   -             $   -             $ 1.1           $ 1.1     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             2.5             -             2.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $                     -             $                     2.5           $                     1.1           $                     3.6     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     (In Millions)  
     December 31, 2011  

Description

   Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
    Total  

Assets:

          

Cash equivalents

     $ 351.2           $   -             $   -            $ 351.2     

Derivative assets

       -               -             157.9    (1)      157.9     

International marketable securities

     27.1             -               -            27.1     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             8.0             -            8.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 378.3           $ 8.0           $ 157.9          $ 544.2     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

          

Derivative liabilities

     $   -             $   -             $ 19.5          $ 19.5     

Foreign exchange contracts

       -             3.5             -            3.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $                     -             $                     3.5           $                     19.5          $                     23.0     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

($ in millions)

   Fair Value at
3/31/12
     Balance Sheet
Location
     Valuation
Technique
    

Unobservable
Input

  

Range (Weighted
Average)

Provisional Pricing Arrangement

   $             4.1         Derivative Assets         Market Approach       Managements Estimate of 62% Fe    $130-$175 ($150)
   $ 1.1         Other current liabilities            

Customer Supply Agreement

   $ 65.1         Derivative Assets         Market Approach       Hot-Rolled Steel Estimate    $700-$750 ($700)
     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Assets (Level 3)  
         Three Months Ended    
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Beginning balance-January 1

     $ 157.9           $ 45.6     

Total gains

     

Included in earnings

     43.3           44.6     

Included in other comprehensive income

       -               -       

Settlements

     (132.0)          (22.1)    

Transfers into Level 3

       -               -       

Transfers out of Level 3

       -               -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance - March 31

     $ 69.2           $ 68.1     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains on assets still held at the reporting date

     $         43.3           $ 44.6    
     (In Millions)  
     Derivative Liabilities (Level 3)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Beginning balance-January 1

     $ (19.5)          $ -       

Total losses

     

Included in earnings

     (1.1)            -       

Included in other comprehensive income

     -             -       

Settlements

     19.5             -       

Transfers into Level 3

     -             -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance - March 31

     $ (1.1)          $ -       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at the reporting date

     $         (1.1)          $         -      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
            (In Millions)  
            March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Classification      Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 

Long-term receivables:

              

Customer supplemental payments

     Level 2       $ 22.3       $ 21.2       $ 22.3       $ 20.8   

ArcelorMittal USA—Receivable

     Level 2         24.8         28.6         26.5         30.7   

Other

     Level 2         10.8         10.8         10.0         10.0   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term receivables (1)

      $ 57.9       $ 60.6       $ 58.8       $ 61.5   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt:

              

Term loan—$1.25 billion

     Level 2       $ 872.2       $ 872.2       $ 897.2       $ 897.2   

Senior notes—$700 million

     Level 2         699.3         738.7         699.3         726.4   

Senior notes—$1.3 billion

     Level 2         1,289.2         1,439.1         1,289.2         1,399.4   

Senior notes—$400 million

     Level 2         398.1         453.6         398.0         448.8   

Senior notes—$325 million

     Level 2         325.0         353.9         325.0         348.7   

Customer borrowings

     Level 2         4.6         4.6         5.1         5.1   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

      $ 3,588.4       $ 3,862.1       $ 3,613.8       $ 3,825.6   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1) Includes current portion.

              
Debt And Credit Facilities (Tables)
Schedule Of Long-Term Debt
Lease Obligations (Tables)
Future Minimum Lease Payments
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations (Tables)
     (In Millions)  
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 

Environmental

     $ 15.5         $ 15.5   

Mine closure

     

LTVSMC

     16.7           16.5   

Operating mines:

     

U.S Iron Ore

     76.1           74.3   

Eastern Canadian Iron Ore

     69.8           68.0   

North American Coal

     36.9           36.3   

Asia Pacific Iron Ore

     16.7           16.3   

Other

     9.0           8.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total mine closure

     225.2           220.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total environmental and mine closure obligations

     240.7           235.7   

Less current portion

     13.7           13.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long term environmental and mine closure obligations

   $ 227.0         $     222.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
     (In Millions)  
     Pension Benefits      Other Benefits  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Service cost

     $ 8.0         $ 5.8           $ 3.6           $ 2.4     

Interest cost

     12.0           13.6           5.2           5.9     

Expected return on plan assets

     (14.8)          (15.5)          (4.3)          (4.3)    

Amortization:

           

Prior service costs

     1.0           1.2           0.7           0.6     

Net actuarial loss

     7.4           5.2           2.9           2.9     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

     $ 13.6           $ 10.3           $ 8.1           $ 7.5     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)
Schedule Of Share-Based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions

Grant Date

   Grant
Date

Market
Price
   Average
Expected
Term
(Years)
   Expected
Volatility
  Risk-
Free
Interest
Rate
  Dividend
Yield
  Fair
Value
   Fair Value
(Percent of
Grant Date
Market Price)

March 12, 2012

   63.62    2.80    56.0%   0.45%   3.93%   77.78    122.26%
Shareholders' Equity (Tables)
Schedule Of Stockholders' Equity
Related Parties (Tables)

Mine

   Cliffs Natural
Resources
     ArcelorMittal      U.S. Steel
Canada
     WISCO  

Empire

     79.0         21.0         -           -     

Tilden

     85.0         -           15.0         -     

Hibbing

     23.0         62.3         14.7         -     

Bloom Lake

     75.0         -           -           25.0   
     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2012     2011  

Product revenues to related parties

   $ 331.9      $ 313.6   

Total product revenues

     1,200.9        1,133.0   

Related party product revenue as a percent of total product revenue

     27.6     27.7
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
Earnings Per Share Computation
     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
         2012             2011      

Net income from continuing operations

attributable to Cliffs shareholders

   $ 375.9      $ 423.8   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.1     (0.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Cliffs shareholders

   $ 375.8      $ 423.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares:

    

Basic

     142.2        135.5   

Employee stock plans

     0.5        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     142.7        136.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to

Cliffs shareholders - Basic:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 2.64      $ 3.12   

Discontinued operations

     -          -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2.64      $ 3.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to

Cliffs shareholders - Diluted:

    

Continuing operations

   $ 2.63      $ 3.11   

Discontinued operations

     -          -     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2.63      $ 3.11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Cash Flow Information (Tables)
Reconciliation Of Capital Additions To Cash Paid For Capital Expenditures
     (In Millions)  
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011  

Capital additions

   $ 353.4       $ 91.0   

Cash paid for capital expenditures

     241.1         65.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Difference

   $ 112.3       $ 25.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-cash accruals

   $ 59.5       $ 25.3   

Capital leases

     52.8         -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 112.3       $ 25.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
 
 
Noncontrolling interest
21.00% 
 
Change in net income(loss)
 
$ 37.5 
Black Label And Black Thor Chromite Deposits [Member]
 
 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Big Daddy Chromite Deposit [Member]
 
 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership interest, percent
72.00% 
 
RenewaFUEL [Member]
 
 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
0.1 
0.4 
Immaterial Errors [Member]
 
 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
 
 
Change in income (loss) from continuing operations including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
$ 8.4 
Change in earnings per share basic and diluted
 
0.28 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Subsidiaries) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Northshore [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Minnesota 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
United Taconite [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Minnesota 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Wabush [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Labrador/Quebec, Canada 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Bloom Lake [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Quebec, Canada 
 
Ownership interest, percent
75.00% 
75.00% 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Tilden [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Michigan 
 
Ownership interest, percent
85.00% 
85.00% 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Empire [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Michigan 
 
Ownership interest, percent
79.00% 
79.00% 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Koolyanobbing [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Western Australia 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Iron Ore 
 
Pinnacle [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
West Virginia 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Coal 
 
Oak Grove [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
Alabama 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Coal 
 
CLCC [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Location
West Virginia 
 
Ownership interest, percent
100.00% 
 
Operation
Coal 
 
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Investments In Unconsolidated Ventures) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Investment
$ 512.6 
$ 504.8 
Amapa [Member] |
Investments In Ventures [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Interest Percentage
30.00% 
 
Investment
492.5 
498.6 
AusQuest [Member] |
Investments In Ventures [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Interest Percentage
30.00% 
 
Investment
3.5 
3.7 
Cockatoo [Member] |
Other Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Interest Percentage
50.00% 
 
Investment
(13.9)
(15.0)
Hibbing [Member] |
Other Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Interest Percentage
23.00% 
 
Investment
(4.4)
(6.8)
Other Equity Investees [Member] |
Investments In Ventures [Member]
 
 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
 
 
Investment
$ 34.9 
$ 24.3 
Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Number of mines
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Number of mines
Metallurgical Coal Mines [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Number of mines
Thermal Coal Mines [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Number of mines
Amapa [Member] |
Latin American Iron Ore [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Percent ownership interest
30.00% 
Sonoma [Member] |
Asia Pacific Coal [Member]
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
Ownership interest, percent
45.00% 
Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information, By Segment) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
100.00% 
100.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
$ 1,264.7 
$ 1,183.2 
Sales margin
303.5 
599.5 
Other operating expense
(72.4)
(57.4)
Other income (expense)
(43.5)
20.9 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INCOME (LOSS) FROM VENTURES
187.6 
563.0 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
117.3 
79.8 
Capital additions
353.4 1
91.0 1
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
35.00% 
43.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
441.7 
510.2 
Sales margin
166.9 
361.3 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
23.2 
17.5 
Capital additions
34.8 1
31.6 1
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
18.00% 
11.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
220.7 
127.3 
Sales margin
(14.3)
34.5 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
37.9 
9.6 
Capital additions
130.6 1
3.5 1
North American Coal [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
15.00% 
14.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
189.9 
165.0 
Sales margin
14.5 
(2.9)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
20.1 
21.6 
Capital additions
39.1 1
27.5 1
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
28.00% 
29.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
359.8 
345.4 
Sales margin
125.0 
195.8 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
30.0 
24.0 
Capital additions
109.3 1
25.3 1
Other Segment [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Revenues from product sales and services for reportable segments, percent
4.00% 
3.00% 
Revenues from product sales and services
52.6 
35.3 
Sales margin
11.4 
10.8 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
6.1 
7.1 
Capital additions
$ 39.6 1
$ 3.1 1
Segment Reporting (Summary Of Assets By Segment) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
$ 14,893.3 
$ 14,541.7 
Total Segment Assets [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
14,585.3 
14,008.1 
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
1,758.9 
1,691.8 
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
8,008.0 
7,973.1 
North American Coal [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
1,948.3 
1,814.4 
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
1,885.5 
1,511.2 
Other Segment [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
984.6 
1,017.6 
Corporate [Member]
 
 
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
 
 
Total assets
$ 308.0 
$ 533.6 
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Product Revenues [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Australian Hedge Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Australian Hedge Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Australian Hedge Contracts [Member]
AUD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Australian Hedge Contracts [Member]
AUD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Canadian Hedge Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Canadian Hedge Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Canadian Hedge Contracts [Member]
CAD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Customer Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Customer Contracts [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Customer Contracts [Member]
Product Revenues [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Customer Contracts [Member]
Product Revenues [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
U.S. Iron Ore, Eastern Canadian Iron Ore And Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member]
Product Revenues [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
USD ($)
Jan. 11, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
CAD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Twelve Month [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Fifteen Month [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Twelve Month [Member]
Percentage of hedging policy allowed anticipated operating cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40.00% 
10.00% 
75.00% 
Description of cash flow hedge risk management
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notional amounts of outstanding exchange rate contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 400.0 
$ 425.0 
 
 
 
$ 518.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in income on derivative
 
 
 
20.0 
 
4.4 
 
3.1 
 
 
 
0.5 
 
 
 
 
39.2 
24.6 
 
 
3.0 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency spot rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.03 
1.03 
1.03 
 
1.03 
1.00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
0.3 
56.3 
 
 
0.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28.1 
 
 
 
 
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
15.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,700.0 
 
 
 
Amount that will be reclassified to product revenues in the next 12 months upon settlement of the related contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.3 
 
 
 
0.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedging
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0 
1.9 
 
 
0.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, gain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
78.8 
 
82.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
65.1 
72.9 
 
 
1.2 
4.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19.5 
1.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
$ 247.2 
 
$ 304.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 83.8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The policy allows for hedging of not more than 75 percent, but not less than 40 percent for up to 12 months and not less than 10 percent for up to 15 months, occurring only during the fourth quarter of each year, of forecasted net currency exposures that are probable to occur.
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position, Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative asset, fair value
$ 78.8 
$ 165.9 
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative liability, fair value
3.6 
23.0 
Accounts Receivable [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative asset, fair value
 
83.8 
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative asset, fair value
9.6 
5.2 
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative liability, fair value
2.5 
3.5 
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Othercurrentliabilities 
Othercurrentliabilities 
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |
Derivative Assets (Current) [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Assets at Fair Value
9.6 
5.2 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivativeassets(current) 
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value
2.5 
3.5 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative asset, fair value
69.2 
160.7 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative liability, fair value
1.1 
19.5 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |
Derivative Assets (Current) [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivative asset, fair value
 
2.8 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Customer Contracts [Member] |
Derivative Assets (Current) [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivative asset, fair value
65.1 
72.9 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member] |
Derivative Assets (Current) [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivativeassets(current) 
Derivative asset, fair value
4.1 
1.2 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member] |
Accounts Receivable [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Accountsreceivable 
Accountsreceivable 
Derivative asset, fair value
 
83.8 
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member] |
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
 
 
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
 
 
Description of Location of Foreign Currency Derivatives on Balance Sheet
Othercurrentliabilities 
Othercurrentliabilities 
Derivative liability, fair value
$ 1.1 
$ 19.5 
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
$ 3.7 
$ 1.9 
Amount of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
3.6 
0.4 
Australian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contract (Hedge Designation) [Member]
 
 
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
3.0 
1.9 
Australian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contract (Hedge Designation) [Member] |
Product Revenues [Member]
 
 
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
3.1 
0.2 
Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts Hedge Designation [Member]
 
 
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)
0.7 
 
Canadian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contracts Hedge Designation [Member] |
Cost Of Goods Sold And Operating Expenses [Member]
 
 
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
0.5 
 
Australian Dollar Foreign Exchange Contract (Prior to De-Designation) [Member] |
Product Revenues [Member]
 
 
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
 
 
Amount of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
$ 0.2 
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Statements Of Financial Performance Location Table) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net
$ 42.5 
$ 100.9 
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |
Product Revenues [Member]
 
 
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net
 
0.3 
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] |
Other Income (Expense) [Member]
 
 
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net
0.3 
56.0 
Customer Supply Agreements [Member] |
Product Revenues [Member]
 
 
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net
39.2 
24.6 
Provisional Pricing Arrangements [Member] |
Product Revenues [Member]
 
 
Derivative [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net
$ 3.0 
$ 20.0 
Inventories (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Finished Goods
$ 490.4 
$ 291.3 
Work-in Process
205.5 
184.4 
Total Inventory
695.9 
475.7 
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Finished Goods
250.0 
100.2 
Work-in Process
25.0 
8.5 
Total Inventory
275.0 
108.7 
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Finished Goods
133.6 
96.2 
Work-in Process
45.0 
43.0 
Total Inventory
178.6 
139.2 
North American Coal [Member]
 
 
Finished Goods
48.0 
19.7 
Work-in Process
115.1 
110.5 
Total Inventory
163.1 
130.2 
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Finished Goods
41.6 
57.2 
Work-in Process
19.1 
21.6 
Total Inventory
60.7 
78.8 
Other Segment [Member]
 
 
Finished Goods
17.2 
18.0 
Work-in Process
1.3 
0.8 
Total Inventory
$ 18.5 
$ 18.8 
Property, Plant And Equipment (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
$ 12,244.7 
 
$ 11,881.5 
Allowance for depreciation and depletion
(1,478.0)
 
(1,356.9)
Total depreciable assets
10,766.7 
 
10,524.6 
Cost of goods sold depreciation and depletion expense
111.4 
71.7 
 
Land Rights And Mineral Rights [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
7,969.0 
 
7,918.9 
Office And Information Technology [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
68.4 
 
67.0 
Buildings [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
138.1 
 
132.2 
Mining Equipment [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
1,394.7 
 
1,323.8 
Processing Equipment [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
1,505.3 
 
1,441.8 
Railroad Equipment [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
203.7 
 
164.3 
Electric Power Facilities [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
58.0 
 
57.9 
Port Facilities [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
96.4 
 
64.1 
Interest Capitalized During Construction [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
24.8 
 
22.5 
Land Improvements [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
30.6 
 
30.4 
Other Property Plant And Equipment [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
73.3 
 
43.2 
Construction in Progress [Member]
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
$ 682.4 
 
$ 615.4 
Acquisitions And Other Investments (Narrative) (Details)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2012
T
Mar. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
T
Jun. 30, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
T
May 12, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
USD ($)
May 12, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
CAD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
WISCO [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost per share acquired
 
 
 
 
 
$ 17.25 
 
Consideration transferred, amount
 
 
 
 
$ 4,600,000,000 
 
 
Subsidiary or equity method investee percentage ownership acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
25.00% 
Initial production rate, metric tons
16,000,000 
 
8,000,000 
16,000,000 
 
 
 
Mineral rights
 
4,825,600,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
 
1,041,800,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
 
1,075,400,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in Other Current Liabilities
 
6,100,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in Other Noncurrent Liabilities
 
10,300,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-acquisition date Quebec mining duties tax
 
16,400,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Reduction of calculated minimum distribution payable to the minority partner
 
(2,600,000)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in goodwill
 
13,800,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Preliminary goodwill
 
$ 997,300,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill tax deductibility
 
None of the preliminary goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions And Other Investments (Schedule Of Allocation Of Purchase Price) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
$ 1,041.8 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
(1,075.4)
Preliminary goodwill
997.3 
Consolidated Thompson [Member] |
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
Cash portion of acquisition consideration
4,554.0 
Fair value of total consideration transferred
4,554.0 
Cash
130.6 
Accounts receivable
102.8 
Product inventories
134.2 
Other current assets
35.1 
Mineral rights
4,450.0 
Property, plant and equipment
1,193.4 
Intangible assets
2.1 
Total identifiable assets acquired
6,048.2 
Accounts payable
(13.6)
Accrued liabilities
(130.0)
Convertible debentures
(335.7)
Other current liabilities
(41.8)
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
(831.5)
Senior secured notes
(125.0)
Capital lease obligations
(70.7)
Other long-term liabilities
(25.1)
Total identifiable liabilities assumed
(1,573.4)
Total identifiable net assets acquired
4,474.8 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
(947.6)
Preliminary goodwill
1,026.8 
Total net assets acquired
4,554.0 
Consolidated Thompson [Member] |
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
Cash portion of acquisition consideration
4,554.0 
Fair value of total consideration transferred
4,554.0 
Cash
130.6 
Accounts receivable
102.4 
Product inventories
134.2 
Other current assets
35.1 
Mineral rights
4,825.6 
Property, plant and equipment
1,193.4 
Intangible assets
2.1 
Total identifiable assets acquired
6,423.4 
Accounts payable
(13.6)
Accrued liabilities
(123.8)
Convertible debentures
(335.7)
Other current liabilities
(47.9)
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
(1,041.8)
Senior secured notes
(125.0)
Capital lease obligations
(70.7)
Other long-term liabilities
(32.8)
Total identifiable liabilities assumed
(1,791.3)
Total identifiable net assets acquired
4,632.1 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
(1,075.4)
Preliminary goodwill
997.3 
Total net assets acquired
4,554.0 
Consolidated Thompson [Member] |
Scenario, Change [Member]
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
Accounts receivable
(0.4)
Mineral rights
375.6 
Total identifiable assets acquired
375.2 
Accrued liabilities
6.2 
Other current liabilities
(6.1)
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
(210.3)
Other long-term liabilities
(7.7)
Total identifiable liabilities assumed
(217.9)
Total identifiable net assets acquired
157.3 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary
(127.8)
Preliminary goodwill
$ (29.5)
Acquisitions And Other Investments (Schedule Of Unaudited Consolidated Proforma Information) (Details) (Consolidated Thompson [Member], USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Thompson [Member]
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
REVENUES FROM PRODUCT SALES AND SERVICES
$ 1,278.8 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS
$ 400.1 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - BASIC
$ 2.95 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CLIFFS SHAREHOLDERS - DILUTED
$ 2.94 
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets
$ 4.8 
$ 4.7 
Product
1,200.9 
1,133.0 
Lower Limit [Member]
 
 
Below-market sales contracts life (in years)
2.0 
 
Upper Limit [Member]
 
 
Below-market sales contracts life (in years)
5.0 
 
Below Market Sales Contracts [Member]
 
 
Product
$ 1.9 
$ 7.1 
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
North American Coal [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
North American Coal [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Other [Member]
Region Reporting Information, by Region [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill, beginning balance
$ 1,152.1 1
$ 196.5 1
$ 2.0 
$ 2.0 1
$ 2.0 1
$ 986.2 1
$ 3.1 1
    
$ 27.9 1
$ 83.0 1
$ 82.6 1
$ 80.9 
$ 80.9 1
$ 80.9 1
Arising in business combinations
13.8 
983.4 1
 
 
 
13.8 
983.5 1
   
(0.1)1
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment of goodwill
 
(27.8)1
 
 
 
 
 
   
(27.8)1
 
 
 
 
 
Impact of foreign currency translation
1.0 
0.4 1
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
1.0 
0.4 1
 
 
 
Other
 
(0.4)1
 
 
 
 
(0.4)1
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill, ending balance
$ 1,166.9 
$ 1,152.1 1
$ 2.0 
$ 2.0 1
$ 2.0 1
$ 1,000.0 
$ 986.2 1
    
    
$ 84.0 
$ 83.0 1
$ 80.9 
$ 80.9 1
$ 80.9 1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Schedule Of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Definite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount
$ 195.3 
$ 194.5 
Definite lived intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization
(52.3)
(47.5)
Definite lived intangible assets - Net Carrying Amount
143.0 
147.0 
Below-market sales contracts - Gross Carrying Amount
(293.4)
(329.3)
Below-market sales contracts - Accumulated Amortization
134.2 
164.8 
Below-market sales contracts - Net Carrying Amount
(159.2)
(164.5)
Permits [Member]
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Classification of intangible assets and liabilities
Intangible assets, net 
 
Definite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount
135.1 
134.3 
Definite lived intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization
(25.2)
(23.2)
Definite lived intangible assets - Net Carrying Amount
109.9 
111.1 
Utility Contracts [Member]
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Classification of intangible assets and liabilities
Intangible assets, net 
 
Definite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount
54.7 
54.7 
Definite lived intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization
(24.1)
(21.3)
Definite lived intangible assets - Net Carrying Amount
30.6 
33.4 
Leases [Member]
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Classification of intangible assets and liabilities
Intangible assets, net 
 
Definite lived intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount
5.5 
5.5 
Definite lived intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization
(3.0)
(3.0)
Definite lived intangible assets - Net Carrying Amount
2.5 
2.5 
Below Market Sales Contracts [Member]
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Classification of intangible assets and liabilities
Below-market sales contracts 
 
Below-market sales contracts - Gross Carrying Amount
(247.4)
(252.3)
Below-market sales contracts - Accumulated Amortization
134.2 
140.5 
Below-market sales contracts - Net Carrying Amount
(113.2)
(111.8)
Below-Market Sales Contracts Current [Member]
 
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
 
Classification of intangible assets and liabilities
Other current liabilities 
 
Below-market sales contracts - Gross Carrying Amount
(46.0)
(77.0)
Below-market sales contracts - Accumulated Amortization
 
24.3 
Below-market sales contracts - Net Carrying Amount
$ (46.0)
$ (52.7)
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Estimated Useful Lives Of Intangible Assets Subject To Periodic Amortization On A Straight-Line Basis) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Y
Permits [Member]
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life Minimum (years)
15 
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life Maximum (years)
28 
Utility Contracts [Member]
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
Useful Life (years)
Leases [Member]
 
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
 
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life Minimum (years)
1.5 
Intangible Assets Estimated Useful Life Maximum (years)
4.5 
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Estimated Amortization Expense Relating To Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
 
Estimated amortization expense for 2012 (remaining nine months)
$ 13.5 
Estimated amortization expense for 2013
17.9 
Estimated amortization expense for 2014
17.9 
Estimated amortization expense for 2015
6.0 
Estimated amortization expense for 2016
6.0 
Estimated amortization expense for 2017
6.0 
Total
$ 67.3 
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities (Schedule Of Earnings To Be Recognized On Below Market Sales Contract) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
 
Below-market sales contracts revenue for 2012 (remaining nine months)
$ 44.1 
Below-market sales contracts revenue for 2013
46.0 
Below-market sales contracts revenue for 2014
23.1 
Below-market sales contracts revenue for 2015
23.0 
Below-market sales contracts revenue for 2016
23.0 
Total
$ 159.2 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2002
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
 
Interest rate on long term receivable
the higher of 9 percent or the prime rate plus 350 basis points 
 
 
Other non-current assets
$ 186.8 
$ 191.2 
 
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
 
Maximum deferred portion of supplemental payments
22.3 
 
 
Other non-current assets
22.3 
 
 
Fair value of the receivable
21.2 
20.8 
 
Estimated credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate
3.30% 
 
 
Empire [Member]
 
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
 
Long term accounts notes and loans receivable net noncurrent
24.8 
26.5 
120.0 
Fair value of the receivable
$ 28.6 
$ 30.7 
 
Estimated credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate
2.02% 
 
 
Current [Member] |
Empire [Member]
 
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
 
Percent ownership interest
 
 
79.00% 
Prior [Member] |
Empire [Member]
 
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
 
Percent ownership interest
 
 
46.70% 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
$ 351.2 
Derivative assets
69.2 
157.9 
International marketable securities
30.6 
27.1 
Foreign exchange contracts
9.6 
8.0 
Total Assets
109.4 
544.2 
Derivative liabilities
1.1 
19.5 
Foreign exchange contracts
2.5 
3.5 
Total Liabilities
3.6 
23.0 
Derivative asset, fair value
78.8 
165.9 
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
351.2 
International marketable securities
30.6 
27.1 
Total Assets
30.6 
378.3 
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
9.6 
8.0 
Total Assets
9.6 
8.0 
Foreign exchange contracts
2.5 
3.5 
Total Liabilities
2.5 
3.5 
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative assets
69.2 
157.9 1
Total Assets
69.2 
157.9 
Derivative liabilities
1.1 
19.5 
Total Liabilities
1.1 
19.5 
Accounts Receivable [Member]
 
 
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Components [Line Items]
 
 
Derivative asset, fair value
 
$ 83.8 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Quantitative Inputs And Assumptions For Level 3 Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Mar. 31, 2012
Provisional Pricing Arrangement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Customer Supply Agreement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Managements Estimate Of 62% Fe [Member]
Market Approach [Member]
Provisional Pricing Arrangement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Managements Estimate Of 62% Fe [Member]
Market Approach [Member]
Provisional Pricing Arrangement [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Managements Estimate Of 62% Fe [Member]
Market Approach [Member]
Provisional Pricing Arrangement [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Hot-Rolled Steel Estimate [Member]
Market Approach [Member]
Customer Supply Agreement [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Hot-Rolled Steel Estimate [Member]
Market Approach [Member]
Customer Supply Agreement [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets And Liabilities Measured On Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at derivative assets
$ 69,200,000 
$ 157,900,000 
$ 68,100,000 
$ 45,600,000 
 
$ 65,100,000 
$ 4,100,000 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at derivative liabilities
(1,100,000)
(19,500,000)
 
 
1,100,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Range (Weighted Average) at derivative assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150 
 
700 
Fair value measurement with unobservable inputs derivative asset range
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 130 
$ 175 
$ 700 
$ 750 
Description of Location of Price Risk Derivatives on Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
Other current liabilities 
Derivative Assets 
Derivative Assets 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
 
 
Beginning balance - January 1
$ 157.9 
$ 45.6 
Total gains
 
 
Included in earnings
43.3 
44.6 
Settlements
(132.0)
(22.1)
Ending balance - March 31
69.2 
68.1 
Total gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains on assets still held at the reporting date
$ 43.3 
$ 44.6 
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value, Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
 
Beginning balance - January 1
$ (19.5)
Total losses
 
Included in earnings
(1.1)
Settlements
19.5 
Ending balance - March 31
(1.1)
Total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at the reporting date
$ (1.1)
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Carrying Value And Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Disclosure) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt:
 
 
Total long-term debt
$ 3,583.8 
$ 3,608.7 
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
57.9 1
58.8 1
Long-term debt:
 
 
Customer borrowings
4.6 
5.1 
Total long-term debt
3,588.4 
3,613.8 
Carrying Value [Member] |
Customer Supplemental Payments [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
22.3 
22.3 
Carrying Value [Member] |
ArcelorMittal USA - Receivable [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
24.8 
26.5 
Carrying Value [Member] |
Other Credit Receivable [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
10.8 
10.0 
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
60.6 1
61.5 1
Long-term debt:
 
 
Customer borrowings
4.6 
5.1 
Long-term debt noncurrent fair value
3,862.1 
3,825.6 
Fair Value [Member] |
Customer Supplemental Payments [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
21.2 
20.8 
Fair Value [Member] |
ArcelorMittal USA - Receivable [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
28.6 
30.7 
Fair Value [Member] |
Other Credit Receivable [Member]
 
 
Long-term receivables:
 
 
Receivables
10.8 
10.0 
Term Loan - $1.25 Billion [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Term loan
1,250.0 
1,250.0 
Term Loan - $1.25 Billion [Member] |
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Term loan
872.2 
897.2 
Term Loan - $1.25 Billion [Member] |
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Term loan
872.2 
897.2 
Senior Notes - $700 Million [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
700.0 
700.0 
Senior Notes - $700 Million [Member] |
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
699.3 
699.3 
Senior Notes - $700 Million [Member] |
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
738.7 
726.4 
Senior Notes - $1.3 Billion [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
1,300.0 
1,300.0 
Senior Notes - $1.3 Billion [Member] |
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
1,289.2 
1,289.2 
Senior Notes - $1.3 Billion [Member] |
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
1,439.1 
1,399.4 
Senior Notes - $400 Million [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
400.0 
400.0 
Senior Notes - $400 Million [Member] |
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
398.1 
398.0 
Senior Notes - $400 Million [Member] |
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
453.6 
448.8 
Senior Notes - $325 Million [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
325.0 
325.0 
Senior Notes - $325 Million [Member] |
Carrying Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
325.0 
325.0 
Senior Notes - $325 Million [Member] |
Fair Value [Member]
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
Senior notes
$ 353.9 
$ 348.7 
Debt And Credit Facilities (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details)
0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 26, 2012
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2012
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$325 Million Private Placement Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$325 Million Private Placement Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$1.25 Billion Term Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$1.25 Billion Term Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$700 Million 4.875% 2021 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$1.3 Billion Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$1.3 Billion Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$500 Million 4.80% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$800 Million 6.25% 2040 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$400 Million 5.90% 2020 Senior Notes [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Series 2008A - Tranche A [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Series 2008A - Tranche A [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Series 2008A - Tranche B [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Series 2008A - Tranche B [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
$1.75 Billion Credit Facility [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
$1.75 Billion Credit Facility [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Revolving Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Revolving Loan [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Short-Term Facilities [Member]
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Short-Term Facilities [Member]
AUD ($)
Mar. 31, 2012
Letter Of Credit [Member]
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable 
Variable 
Fixed 
Fixed 
 
 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
 
 
Variable 
Variable 
 
 
 
Average Annual Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.37% 
1.40% 
4.88% 
4.88% 
 
 
4.80% 
4.80% 
6.25% 
6.25% 
5.90% 
5.90% 
6.31% 
6.31% 
6.59% 
6.59% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Final Maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 
2016 
2021 
2021 
 
 
2020 
2020 
2040 
2040 
2020 
2020 
2013 
2013 
2015 
2015 
 
 
2016 
2016 
 
 
 
Total Face Amount
$ 1,750,000,000 
 
$ 5,434,500,000 
$ 5,447,000,000 
$ 325,000,000 
$ 325,000,000 
$ 959,500,000 1
$ 972,000,000 1
$ 700,000,000 
$ 700,000,000 
$ 1,300,000,000 
$ 1,300,000,000 
$ 500,000,000 
$ 500,000,000 
$ 800,000,000 
$ 800,000,000 
$ 400,000,000 
$ 400,000,000 
$ 270,000,000 
$ 270,000,000 
$ 55,000,000 
$ 55,000,000 
$ 1,750,000,000 
$ 1,750,000,000 
$ 1,750,000,000 
$ 1,750,000,000 
 
 
 
Total Long-term Debt
 
 
3,583,800,000 
3,608,700,000 
 
 
872,200,000 1
897,200,000 1
699,300,000 2
699,300,000 2
 
 
499,100,000 3
499,100,000 3
790,100,000 4
790,100,000 4
398,100,000 5
398,000,000 5
270,000,000 
270,000,000 
55,000,000 
55,000,000 
 
 
   6
 
 
 
 
Amount outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,500,000 
23,500,000 
25,500,000 
24,700,000 
95,000,000 
Credit facility, amount
 
1,750,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40,000,000 
 
Credit facility remaining capacity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,726,500,000 
1,726,500,000 
15,900,000 
15,300,000 
 
Unamortized discount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
700,000 
700,000 
 
 
 
900,000 
9,900,000 
9,900,000 
1,900,000 
2,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of term loan
 
 
87,200,000 
74,800,000 
 
 
87,200,000 
74,800,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imputed interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.89% 
 
 
 
4.83% 
 
6.38% 
 
5.98% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of term loan paid down
 
 
 
 
 
 
290,500,000 
278,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit
425,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities in 2012
 
 
62,300,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities in 2013
 
 
369,700,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities in 2014
 
 
124,600,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities in 2015
 
 
428,800,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities in 2016
 
 
299,100,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt maturities after 2016
 
 
$ 2,400,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Lease Obligations [Abstract]
 
 
Operating lease expense
$ 6.3 
$ 5.8 
Lease Obligations (Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
 
2012, Capital Leases (April 1 - December 31)
$ 61.3 
2013, Capital Leases
72.1 
2014, Capital Leases
66.8 
2015, Capital Leases
55.5 
2016, Capital Leases
40.7 
2017 and thereafter, Capital Leases
132.5 
Total minimum lease payments, Capital Leases
428.9 
Amounts representing interest, Capital Leases
107.4 
Present value of net minimum lease payments, Capital Leases
321.5 1
2012, Operating Leases (April 1 - December 31)
18.2 
2013, Operating Leases
24.0 
2014, Operating Leases
19.7 
2015, Operating Leases
12.8 
2016, Operating Leases
8.7 
2017 and thereafter, Operating Leases
29.8 
Total minimum lease payments, Operating Leases
113.2 
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
 
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
 
Present value of net minimum lease payments, Capital Leases
56.3 
Other Liabilities [Member]
 
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
 
Present value of net minimum lease payments, Capital Leases
$ 265.2 
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
LTV Steel Mining Company [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
North American Coal [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Sonoma [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total environmental and mine closure obligations
$ 240.7 
$ 235.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mine closure obligations, number of mines
 
 
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations (Summary Of Mine Closure Obligations) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Environmental
$ 15.5 
$ 15.5 
Total mine closure
225.2 
220.2 
Total environmental and mine closure obligations
240.7 
235.7 
Less current portion
13.7 
13.7 
Long term environmental and mine closure obligations
227.0 
222.0 
Previously Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
LTV Steel Mining Company [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
16.7 
16.5 
Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
U.S. Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
76.1 
74.3 
Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
Eastern Canadian Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
69.8 
68.0 
Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
North American Coal [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
36.9 
36.3 
Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
Asia Pacific Iron Ore [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
16.7 
16.3 
Owned or Operating Facilities [Member] |
Other Regions [Member]
 
 
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
 
 
Total mine closure
$ 9.0 
$ 8.8 
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations (Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Environmental And Mine Closure Obligations [Abstract]
 
 
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of period
$ 203.7 1
$ 168.3 1
Accretion expense
4.5 
16.1 1
Exchange rate changes
0.3 
0.1 1
Revision in estimated cash flows
 
5.9 1
Payments
 
(0.7)1
Acquired through business combinations
 
14.0 1
Asset retirement obligation at end of period
$ 208.5 
$ 203.7 1
Pensions And Other Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
 
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
 
 
Service cost
$ 8.0 
$ 5.8 
Interest cost
12.0 
13.6 
Expected return on plan assets
(14.8)
(15.5)
Prior service costs
1.0 
1.2 
Net actuarial loss
7.4 
5.2 
Net periodic benefit cost
13.6 
10.3 
Quarterly pension contributions
14.4 
23.8 
Other Benefits [Member]
 
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
 
 
Service cost
3.6 
2.4 
Interest cost
5.2 
5.9 
Expected return on plan assets
(4.3)
(4.3)
Prior service costs
0.7 
0.6 
Net actuarial loss
2.9 
2.9 
Net periodic benefit cost
8.1 
7.5 
Quarterly OPEB contributions
$ 21.9 
$ 21.9 
Stock Compensation Plans (Narrative) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
ICE Plan [Member]
 
Performance shares granted
312,540 
Restricted shares granted
114,070 
Number of shares granted under the plan
426,610 
Lower Limit [Member] |
2010 to 2012 Performance Period [Member]
 
Minimum payout ratio
0.00% 
Lower Limit [Member] |
2011 To 2013 And The 2012 to 2014 Performance Periods [Member]
 
Minimum payout ratio
0.00% 
Upper Limit [Member] |
2010 to 2012 Performance Period [Member]
 
Maximum payout ratio
150.00% 
Upper Limit [Member] |
2011 To 2013 And The 2012 to 2014 Performance Periods [Member]
 
Maximum payout ratio
200.00% 
Stock Compensation Plans (Schedule Of Share-Based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions) (Details)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Stock Compensation Plans [Abstract]
 
Share-based compensation grant date for performance shares
March 12, 2012 
Grant Date Market Price
$ 63.62 
Average Expected Term (Years)
2.80 
Expected Volatility
56.00% 
Risk-Free Interest Rate
0.45% 
Dividend Yield
3.93% 
Fair Value
$ 77.78 
Fair Value (Percent of Grant Date Market Price)
122.26% 
Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Lower Limit [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Upper Limit [Member]
Jul. 1, 2012
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Iron Ore And Coal Mining Profits [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
United States [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Canada [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Australia [Member]
Income tax provision
$ (210.8)
$ 142.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective income tax rate
(112.40%)
25.30% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective income tax rate before discrete items
23.20% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. statutory tax rate
35.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increased valuation allowance against deferred tax assets
51.8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected tax rate
 
 
 
 
22.50% 
 
 
 
Unrecognized tax benefits
78.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
 
 
27.2 
29.5 
 
 
 
 
Additional accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits
0.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of MRRT, increase in effective tax rate each year over the life of mines
 
 
3.00% 
4.00% 
 
 
 
 
Tax years that remain subject to examination
 
 
 
 
 
2009 and forward 
2005 and forward 
2007 and forward 
Cost to settle audit
23.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net deferred tax assets
314.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase to the balance of deferred tax assets resulting from settlements with MRRT
334.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation allowance
$ 19.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Stock (Details)
0 Months Ended
Jun. 1, 2012
Apr. 29, 2012
Mar. 13, 2012
Mar. 1, 2012
Feb. 15, 2012
Dec. 1, 2011
Nov. 18, 2011
Sep. 1, 2011
Aug. 15, 2011
Jul. 12, 2011
Jun. 1, 2011
Apr. 29, 2011
Mar. 1, 2011
Feb. 15, 2011
Capital Stock [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend payable, per share
 
 
$ 0.625 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 0.28 
$ 0.14 
 
$ 0.14 
 
Common share dividends date paid
Jun. 01, 2012 
 
 
Mar. 01, 2012 
 
Dec. 01, 2011 
 
Sep. 01, 2011 
 
 
Jun. 01, 2011 
 
Mar. 01, 2011 
 
Common share dividends date of record
 
Apr. 29, 2012 
 
 
Feb. 15, 2012 
 
Nov. 18, 2011 
 
Aug. 15, 2011 
 
 
Apr. 29, 2011 
 
Feb. 15, 2011 
Percentage increase in dividends payable
 
 
123.00% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.00% 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity (Schedule Of Stockholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Beginning Balance, December 31
$ 7,039.7 
$ 3,838.7 
Net income
391.4 
423.4 
Net Income Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders
375.8 
423.4 
Net income including operations
 
423.3 
Other comprehensive income
23.2 
24.6 
Total comprehensive income
414.6 
447.9 
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interest
 
(0.1)
Stock and other incentive plans
(2.8)
(1.3)
Common stock dividends
(39.7)
(19.0)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest
 
7.5 
Undistributed gains to noncontrolling interest
7.8 
0.2 
Capital contribution by noncontrolling interest to subsidiary
22.3 
 
Acquisition of controlling interest
(8.0)
 
Ending Balance, March 31
7,433.9 
4,273.9 
Non- Controlling Interest [Member]
 
 
Beginning Balance, December 31
1,254.7 
(7.2)
Net income
15.6 
 
Net income including operations
 
(0.1)
Other comprehensive income
1.5 
0.5 
Total comprehensive income
17.1 
0.4 
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest
 
7.5 
Undistributed gains to noncontrolling interest
7.8 
0.2 
Capital contribution by noncontrolling interest to subsidiary
22.3 
 
Acquisition of controlling interest
(8.0)
 
Ending Balance, March 31
1,293.9 
0.9 
Cliffs Shareholders' Equity [Member]
 
 
Beginning Balance, December 31
5,785.0 
3,845.9 
Net Income Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders
375.8 
 
Net income including operations
 
423.4 
Other comprehensive income
21.7 
24.1 
Total comprehensive income
397.5 
447.5 
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interest
 
(0.1)
Stock and other incentive plans
(2.8)
(1.3)
Common stock dividends
(39.7)
(19.0)
Ending Balance, March 31
$ 6,140.0 
$ 4,273.0 
Empire [Member]
 
 
Percentage Of Ownership Interests
79.00% 
79.00% 
Tilden [Member]
 
 
Percentage Of Ownership Interests
85.00% 
85.00% 
Bloom Lake [Member]
 
 
Percentage Of Ownership Interests
75.00% 
75.00% 
Related Parties (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Related Parties [Abstract]
 
 
Accounts receivable and derivative assets related parties
$ 129.2 
$ 180.4 
Other current liabilities related parties
$ 31.8 
$ 43.0 
Related Parties (Summary Of Other Ownership Interests) (Details)
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Empire [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
79.00% 
79.00% 
Tilden [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
85.00% 
85.00% 
Bloom Lake [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
75.00% 
75.00% 
Cliffs Natural Resources [Member] |
Empire [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
79.00% 
 
Cliffs Natural Resources [Member] |
Tilden [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
85.00% 
 
Cliffs Natural Resources [Member] |
Hibbing [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
23.00% 
 
Cliffs Natural Resources [Member] |
Bloom Lake [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
75.00% 
 
Arcelor Mittal [Member] |
Empire [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
21.00% 
 
Arcelor Mittal [Member] |
Hibbing [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
62.30% 
 
U. S. Steel Canada |
Tilden [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
15.00% 
 
U. S. Steel Canada |
Hibbing [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
14.70% 
 
WISCO [Member] |
Bloom Lake [Member]
 
 
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
Ownership Interest
25.00% 
 
Earnings Per Share (Earnings Per Share Computation) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
 
 
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Cliffs shareholders
$ 375.9 
$ 423.8 
Loss from discontinued operations
(0.1)
(0.4)
Net Income Attributable to Cliffs Shareholders
$ 375.8 
$ 423.4 
Number of Shares:
 
 
Basic
142,226,000 
135,486,000 
Employee stock plans
500,000 
700,000 
Diluted
142,709,000 
136,191,000 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share
$ 2.64 
$ 3.12 
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Basic
$ 2.64 
$ 3.12 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share
$ 2.63 
$ 3.11 
Earnings per common share attributable to Cliffs shareholders - Diluted
$ 2.63 
$ 3.11 
Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Koolyanobbing [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Koolyanobbing [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Koolyanobbing [Member]
Mg
Mar. 31, 2012
Koolyanobbing Rail Upgrade [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Koolyanobbing Rail Upgrade [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Koolynobbing Enhancements And Upgrades [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Bloom Lake [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Lower War Eagle [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Empire [Member]
T
Mar. 31, 2012
Empire And Tilden [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Empire And Tilden [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Empire And Tilden [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Tilden [Member]
T
Mar. 31, 2012
Oak Grove [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Initial [Member]
Bloom Lake [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Current [Member]
Bloom Lake [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital investment required
 
$ 275 
 
 
 
 
$ 1,300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital investment committed
273 
 
 
 
33 
 
601 
62 
 
210 
 
 
 
113 
 
 
Increase in production capacity, metric tons annually
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,000,000 
 
 
 
Gross post-project production capacity, metric tons annually
 
 
11,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
3,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mine production capacity, metric tons per year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,000,000 
16,000,000 
Capital Expenditures related to commitment
225.0 
 
 
17.0 
 
 
235.0 
52.0 
 
160.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital investment, future payments
 
 
 
16 
 
16 
366 
10 
 
 
39 
11 
 
 
 
 
Capital investment commitment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 264 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended
Apr. 26, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
 
 
 
Credit facility, amount
$ 1,750,000,000 
$ 5,434,500,000 
$ 5,447,000,000 
Revolving loan amount
$ 425,000,000