Interest and Other Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Interest and Other Income
Interest and Other Income	$ 1.4	$ 0.9

Represents the income recognized due to reduction of contingency liability related to foreign taxes withhold by the government

No definition available.

Name:	aumn_GainOnReductionOfContingentLiability
Namespace Prefix:	aumn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration