Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	2
Revenue	$ 5,830	$ 6,383
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,872	7,927
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,568	1,846
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	6,670	9,218
Pre-Tax loss	8,738	11,902
Total Assets	337,660	399,953	348,102
Capital Expenditures	881	2,815
Velardena Mine
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	1
Revenue	5,830	6,383
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,872	7,927
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,337	1,478
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,162	1,790
Pre-Tax loss	6,714	4,262
Total Assets	294,296	359,717
Capital Expenditures	881	2,814
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	231	368
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	4,508	7,428
Pre-Tax loss	2,024	7,640
Total Assets	43,364	40,236
Capital Expenditures		$ 1