Value Added Tax Receivable, Net (Details) - Mexico	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
VAT receivables offset against VAT payable	$ 19,000
Reversed valuation allowance	$ 100,000

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of value added taxes receivable that have been offset against value added taxes payable.

No definition available.

Name:	aumn_ValueAddedTaxReceivableOffsetAgainstPayables
Namespace Prefix:	aumn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant