Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 1,794,306	$ 2,006,729	$ 5,313,206	$ 5,950,293
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,616,784	1,822,520	4,805,127	5,410,770
Selling, general and administrative expenses	122,780	118,050	364,605	368,462
Gain on sale of cost method investment	0	0	(26,088)	0
Interest expense	18,043	19,605	51,557	51,945
Total costs and expenses	1,757,607	1,960,175	5,195,201	5,831,177
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes	36,699	46,554	118,005	119,116
Income taxes (benefit)	17,737	7,488	44,969	(72,824)
Earnings from continuing operations	18,962	39,066	73,036	191,940
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before taxes	1	2,429	343	(22,780)
Income taxes (benefit)	0	812	120	(8,112)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1	1,617	223	(14,668)
Net earnings	18,963	40,683	73,259	177,272
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	1	1	3
Net earnings attributable to CMC	$ 18,964	$ 40,682	$ 73,258	$ 177,269
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.16	$ 0.34	$ 0.63	$ 1.65
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.12)
Net earnings	$ 0.16	$ 0.35	$ 0.63	$ 1.53
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.16	$ 0.34	$ 0.62	$ 1.64
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.12)
Net earnings	$ 0.16	$ 0.35	$ 0.62	$ 1.52
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.12	$ 0.36	$ 0.36
Average basic shares outstanding	116,845,542	115,946,691	116,589,382	115,726,793
Average diluted shares outstanding	117,703,590	116,934,840	117,456,756	116,742,593