Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011 Velardena Operations	Sep. 30, 2013 Velardena Operations	Dec. 31, 2012 Velardena Operations	Jun. 30, 2012 Velardena Operations	Sep. 30, 2013 El Quevar project	Dec. 31, 2012 El Quevar project
Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities
Amortization expense related to the ARC				$ 200,000
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
Changes in estimates, and other				203,000	(1,656,000)
Accretion expense	135,000	(118,000)		135,000	159,000
Ending balance	2,571,000			2,418,000	2,080,000		200,000	200,000
Third party estimated closure plan						$ 1,900,000
Risk-free rate (as a percent)	7.30%