Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas requiring significant management estimates and assumptions include: recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation and amortization; estimates of future cash flows for long-lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; assessment of valuation allowance for value added tax receivables; and employee benefit liabilities.