EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net income / (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CME Ltd									$ (174,611)	$ (113,522)	$ (60,333)
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax									0	(3,922)	(36,824)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest										213,697	(36,824)
Net income / (loss) attributable to CME Ltd.	$ (72,391)	$ (82,074)	$ 968	$ (21,114)	$ (26,116)	$ 3,416	$ 165,169	$ (42,294)	$ (174,611)	$ 100,175	$ (97,157)
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock									64,385,000	64,029,000	54,344,000
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share									0	0	0
Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents									64,385,000	64,029,000	54,344,000
Net income / (loss) per share:
Basic	$ (1.12)	$ (1.27)	$ 0.02	$ (0.33)	$ (0.41)	$ 0.05	$ 2.59	$ (0.67)	$ (2.71)	$ 1.57	$ (1.79)
Diluted	$ (1.12)	$ (1.27)	$ 0.02	$ (0.33)	$ (0.41)	$ 0.05	$ 2.59	$ (0.67)	$ (2.71)	$ 1.57	$ (1.79)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									3,763,481	1,827,408