Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 segment	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			2
Revenue	$ 7,063		$ 18,384
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,573	965	23,103	965
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,774	717	6,617	1,580
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	4,893	11,995	21,071	42,163
Pre-Tax loss	65,930	12,912	86,661	47,330
Total Assets	359,727	443,835	359,727	443,835	413,015
Capital Expenditures	2,201	1,379	7,305	6,230
Velardena Mine
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			1
Revenue	7,063		18,384
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,573	965	23,103	965
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,516	218	5,631	218
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	767	135	6,291	135
Pre-Tax loss	61,167	3,910	71,086	3,910
Total Assets	299,070	375,559	299,070	375,559
Capital Expenditures	2,115		7,218
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	258	499	986	1,362
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	4,126	11,860	14,780	42,028
Pre-Tax loss	4,763	9,002	15,575	43,420
Total Assets	60,657	68,276	60,657	68,276
Capital Expenditures	$ 86	$ 1,379	$ 87	$ 6,230