Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 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	63.00%	61.00%	62.00%	60.00%
Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales	31.00%	35.00%	33.00%	36.00%
Steel Fabrication Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales	5.00%	3.00%	4.00%	3.00%