Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			2
Revenue	$ 500	$ 7,063	$ 10,797	$ 18,384
Costs Applicable to Sales	517	8,573	17,534	23,103
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,083	2,774	6,180	6,617
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	7,221	4,893	18,108	21,071
Pre-Tax loss	6,315	65,930	277,875	86,661
Total Assets	67,081	359,727	67,081	359,727	348,102
Capital Expenditures	103	5,201	1,471	7,305
Velardena Mine
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments			1
Revenue	500	7,063	10,797	18,384
Costs Applicable to Sales	517	8,573	17,534	23,103
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	866	2,516	5,425	5,631
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	4,635	767	7,900	6,291
Pre-Tax loss	3,232	61,167	269,106	71,086
Total Assets	36,607	299,070	36,607	299,070
Capital Expenditures	102	5,115	1,441	7,218
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	217	258	755	986
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,586	4,126	10,208	14,780
Pre-Tax loss	3,083	4,763	8,769	15,575
Total Assets	30,474	60,657	30,474	60,657
Capital Expenditures	$ 1	$ 86	$ 30	$ 87