Value added tax receivable (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Value added tax receivable, net
Expected period within which current amount of VAT will be recovered	1 year

Represents the expected period within which current amount of value added tax will be recovered through ongoing applications for refunds.

No definition available.

Name:	aumn_ExpectedPeriodWithinWhichCurrentAmountOfValueAddedTaxWillBeRecovered
Namespace Prefix:	aumn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration