XML 34 R61.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Equity (Details 2) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Jun. 01, 2013
Dec. 13, 2013
Dec. 31, 2010
Additional information          
Compensation expense $ 926,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 1,555,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense      
Equity Plan          
Additional information          
Share limit on grants to any one individual in one calendar year   150,000aumn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardShareLimitOnGrantsPerIndividualPerCalendarYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Equity Plan | Officers          
Additional information          
Percentage of annual salary reduction     10.00%aumn_PercentageOfAnnualSalaryReduction
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
   
Period for which annual salary reduction will be effective     1 year    
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock          
Number of Shares          
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) 915,971us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
823,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Granted during year (in shares) 140,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
637,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Restrictions lifted during the year (in shares) (455,133)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
(200,029)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Forfeited during the period (in shares)   (344,500)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Outstanding at end of year (in shares) 600,838us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
915,971us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share          
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share) $ 2.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 5.67us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Granted during the year (in dollars per share) $ 0.52us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 0.76us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Restrictions lifted during the year (in dollars per share) $ 3.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 6.54us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Forfeited during the year (in dollars per share)   $ 4.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 1.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 2.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Additional information          
Compensation expense 500,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
1,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Additional compensation expense expected to be recognized 200,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
       
Period for recognition of additional compensation expense 35 months        
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock | Officers and Employees          
Number of Shares          
Restrictions lifted during the year (in shares) (444,633)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersAndEmployeesMember
(187,629)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersAndEmployeesMember
     
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock | Terminated Employees          
Number of Shares          
Restrictions lifted during the year (in shares) (10,500)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_TerminatedEmployeesMember
       
Additional information          
Number of Employees Terminated 2aumn_NumberOfEmployeesTerminated
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_TerminatedEmployeesMember
       
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock | Officers          
Number of Shares          
Granted during year (in shares)     149,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
   
Additional information          
Unvested shares forfeited due to resignation of employees   199,500aumn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriodDueToResignationOfEmployees
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
     
Number of employees resigned   2aumn_NumberOfEmployeesResigned
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
     
Unvested awards surrendered (in shares)       145,000aumn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsUnvestedSurrenderedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
 
Vested awards surrendered (in shares)       27,500aumn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedSurrenderedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
 
Vesting, from date of grant     1 year    
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock | Retired Employee          
Number of Shares          
Restrictions lifted during the year (in shares)   (12,400)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_RetiredEmployeeMember
     
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock | New Employee          
Number of Shares          
Granted during year (in shares)   2,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_NewEmployeeMember
     
Equity Plan | Employee Stock Option          
Number of Shares          
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 110,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
118,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Forfeited or expired during period (in shares) (15,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
(8,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Outstanding at end of year (in shares) 95,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
110,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Exercisable at end of period (in shares) 95,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
110,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Granted and vested (in shares) 95,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
110,810us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share          
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share) $ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Forfeited or expired during year (in dollars per shares) $ 8.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 8.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Granted and vested (in dollars per share) $ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
$ 8.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
     
Assumptions noted by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating fair value of each option award          
Expected volatility (as a percent)         73.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
Weighted average volatility (as a percent)         73.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
Expected term         5 years
Risk-free rate (as a percent)         1.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Officers          
Number of Shares          
Granted during year (in shares)   485,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
     
Additional information          
Percentage of awards which will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date   33.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_OfficersMember
     
Equity Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | New Employee          
Additional information          
Percentage of awards which will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date   33.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_EquityIncentivePlan2009Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= aumn_NewEmployeeMember
     
Deferred Compensation Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)          
Number of Shares          
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) 585,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
143,995us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Granted during year (in shares) 350,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
441,290us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Outstanding at end of year (in shares) 935,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
585,285us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share          
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share) $ 2.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
$ 7.21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Granted during the year (in dollars per share) $ 0.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
$ 1.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share) $ 2.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
$ 2.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Additional information          
Compensation expense 400,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
600,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
     
Additional compensation expense expected to be recognized $ 100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
       
Period for recognition of additional compensation expense 6 months        
Number of unrestricted common shares that the Director is entitled to receive for each vested RSU, upon termination from board service 1aumn_NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockEntitledToDirectorUponTerminationFromBoardOfDirectors
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= aumn_NonEmployeeDirectorsDeferredCompensationAndEquityAwardPlanMember
       
KELTIP | KELTIP Units | Officer          
Number of Shares          
Granted during year (in shares)   172,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
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