Represents the percentage of reduction in cost on renegotiations and extensions of operating leases.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the percentage reduction in office space on renegotiations and extensions of operating leases.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aumn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation due in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of operating lease expense. Excludes sublease income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888419&loc=SL77918638-209977

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationByPropertyOrProjectAxis=aumn_VelardenaPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=srt_OfficeBuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=aumn_MexicanOfficeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=aumn_ArgentinaOfficeMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Contingencies
Loss contingency		$ 0	$ 0
Velardena Properties
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		23,000
2022		23,000
2023		23,000
2024		23,000
2025		23,000
Lease payments		52,000	110,000
Surface right agreement with local ejido
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		69,000
Lease payments		131,000	58,000
El Quevar Project
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		15,000
2022		15,000
2023		15,000
2024		15,000
2025		15,000
Thereafter		15,000
Lease payments		22,000	36,000
Velardeña ajido and surface rights
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		46,000
2022		46,000
2023		46,000
2024		46,000
2025		46,000
Rodeo mining concessions
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		34,000
2022		34,000
2023		34,000
2024		34,000
2025		34,000
Rodeo Ajido and Surface Rights
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		96,000
2022		96,000
2023		96,000
2024		96,000
2025		96,000
Rodeo Project
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		130,000
Office space
Leases and Purchase Commitments
2021		166,000
2022		158,000
2023		151,000
2024		110,000
2025		9,000
Lease payments		99,000	183,000
Reduction in space (as a percent)	45.00%
Reduction in cost (as a percent)	45.00%
Mexican office
Leases and Purchase Commitments
Lease payments		53,000	50,000
Argentina office
Leases and Purchase Commitments
Lease payments		$ 9,000	$ 8,000