Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012
Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities
Amortization expense related to the ARC	$ 200,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance	3,781,000
Accretion expense	(118,000)
Ending balance	2,226,000
Velardena Operations
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance	3,577,000
ARO arising in the period (acquired at merger)		3,506,000
Changes in estimates, and other	(1,656,000)
Accretion expense	118,000	71,000
Ending balance	2,039,000	3,577,000
Third party estimated closure plan			1,900,000
El Quevar project
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Ending balance	$ 200,000	$ 200,000