CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (30,638)	$ (28,701)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Unrealized net (gain) loss on forward contracts	(762)	3,196
Gain on bargain purchase	(5,253)	0
Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation	(16,428)	0
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs — net	3,380	4,025
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment	10,286	(19,818)
Depreciation	49,082	46,925
Sebree power contract amortization	(14,461)	0
Debt discount amortization	586	791
Pension and other postretirement benefits	(2,674)	673
Stock-based compensation	961	412
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	3,272	0
Undistributed earnings of joint ventures	(2,118)	(2,116)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable — net	(1,063)	3,320
Due from affiliates	12,915	317
Inventories	(22,848)	31,810
Prepaid and other current assets	(4,892)	(8,254)
Accounts payable, trade	26,547	(8,823)
Due to affiliates	32,002	761
Accrued and other current liabilities	2,209	8,743
Other — net	2,355	(12,176)
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,458	21,085
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(31,994)	(10,399)
Nordural expansion — Helguvik	(2,855)	(5,474)
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements	(8,519)	(14,185)
Purchase of Sebree smelter	(48,058)	0
Investments in and advances to joint ventures	0	(275)
Dividends and payments received on advances from joint ventures	0	3,166
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	515	89
Restricted and other cash deposits	(3,015)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(93,926)	(27,078)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt	(249,604)	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt	246,330	0
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	16,725	18,076
Repayments under revolving credit facility	0	(18,076)
Debt issuance costs	(3,994)	0
Debt retirement costs	(1,208)	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	(4,033)
Issuance of common stock — net	44	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,293	(4,033)
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(43,175)	(10,026)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	183,976	183,401
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ 140,801	$ 173,375