Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Number of reporting segments	3
Number of iron making initiatives	2
Steel Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales	60.00%	59.00%
Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales	35.00%	37.00%
Steel Fabrication Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales	4.00%	3.00%