Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011 Velardena Operations	Mar. 31, 2013 Velardena Operations	Dec. 31, 2012 Velardena Operations	Jun. 30, 2012 Velardena Operations	Mar. 31, 2013 El Quevar project	Dec. 31, 2012 El Quevar project
Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities
Amortization expense related to the ARC				$ 100,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance	2,259,000			2,080,000	3,577,000		200,000	200,000
ARO arising in the period			3,500,000	203,000
Changes in estimates, and other					(1,656,000)
Accretion expense	42,000	72,000		42,000	159,000
Ending balance	2,498,000			2,325,000	2,080,000		200,000	200,000
Third party estimated closure plan						$ 1,900,000