Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Velardena Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Velardena Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Velardena Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 El Quevar Project [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 El Quevar Project [Member]
Asset Retirement and Reclamation Liabilities
Third party estimated closure plan					$ 1,900,000
Estimated ARO and ARC recorded at the time of the acquisition			3,500,000
Amortization expense related to the ARC			100,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance	2,602,000		2,467,000	2,080,000		100,000	100,000
Changes in estimates, and other			(85,000)	203,000
Accretion expense	98,000	78,000	98,000	88,000
Ending balance	$ 2,589,000		$ 2,480,000	$ 2,371,000		$ 100,000	$ 100,000