Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 item	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	2
Revenue	$ 2,337
Costs Applicable to Sales	3,012
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,359	846
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,822	4,838
Pre-Tax loss	(3,431)	(5,658)
Total Assets	36,435	49,650	41,258
Capital Expenditures		7
Velardena Properties
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	1
Revenue	2,337
Costs Applicable to Sales	3,012
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,183	625
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	119	1,260
Pre-Tax loss	(872)	1,996
Total Assets	25,958	28,468
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	176	221
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,703	3,578
Pre-Tax loss	(2,559)	3,662
Total Assets	10,477	21,182
Capital Expenditures		$ 7