Mining Properties (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Apr. 19, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gain on sale of assets				$ 2,812	$ 107	$ 4,486	$ 63
Write-downs				$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,446	$ 0
Cerro Bayo Mine [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return paid (as a percent)			2.00%
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount			$ 5,700
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets			$ 4,000
Disposition of Assets, Consideration Transferred, Shares Received			2.5
Gain on sale of assets			$ 1,900
Endeavor [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Mineral Interests, Percent						100.00%
Write-downs						$ 2,500
McEwen Mining Inc, El Gallo, Magistral Mine [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount								$ 6,300
Write-downs						$ 1,900
Disposition of Assets, Contingent Consideration, Asset								$ 1,000
La Cigarra [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return paid (as a percent)		2.50%
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount		$ 3,600
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets		$ 500
Disposition of Assets, Consideration Transferred, Shares Received		9.6
Gain on sale of assets		$ 0
Martha [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount	$ 3,000
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets	1,500
Disposition of Assets, Receivable, Asset	1,500
Gain on sale of assets	$ 5,300