Inventories, net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2011

Inventories, net [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

Inventories, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

	November 30, 2011		August 31, 2011
Processed and unprocessed scrap metal	$	308,124	$	241,093
Semi-finished steel products (billets)	10,168		9,237
Finished goods	58,314		54,395
Supplies	33,513		30,395
Inventories, net	$	410,119	$	335,120