Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 item	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			2
Revenue	$ 4,467	$ 4,938	$ 10,297	$ 11,321
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,145	6,603	17,017	14,530
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,529	1,997	5,097	3,843
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	4,217	6,960	10,887	16,178
Pre-Tax loss	262,822	8,829	271,560	20,731
Total Assets	76,896	389,167	76,896	389,167	348,102
Capital Expenditures	786	2,289	1,667	5,104
Velardena Mine
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			1
Revenue	4,467	4,968	10,297	11,321
Costs Applicable to Sales	8,145	6,603	17,017	14,530
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,222	1,637	4,559	3,115
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	1,103	2,142	3,265	5,524
Pre-Tax loss	259,160	5,657	265,874	9,919
Total Assets	42,724	357,962	42,724	357,962
Capital Expenditures	757	2,289	1,638	5,103
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	307	360	538	728
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	3,114	4,818	7,622	10,654
Pre-Tax loss	3,662	3,172	5,686	10,812
Total Assets	34,172	31,205	34,172	31,205
Capital Expenditures	$ 29		$ 29	$ 1