Inventories, net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2011

Inventories, net [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

Inventories consisted of the following as of August 31 (in thousands):

	2011		2010
Processed and unprocessed scrap metal	$	241,093	$	189,618
Semi-finished goods (billets)	9,237		5,593
Finished goods	54,395		43,352
Supplies	30,395		29,540
Inventories, net	$	335,120	$	268,103