Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 04, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Entity Registrant Name	Golden Minerals Co
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		148,712,652
Entity Central Index Key	0001011509
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false