Write-downs Write-Downs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 19, 2016
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	$ 4,446	$ 313,337	$ 1,472,721
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use, Net of Tax	3,900	276,500	1,021,800
Coeur Capital [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs		22,100
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use, Net of Tax		16,300
San Bartolome [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs		66,700
Palmarejo [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs		224,500	784,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use, Net of Tax		193,500	504,500
La Preciosa [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs			372,500
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use, Net of Tax			244,900
McEwen Mining Inc, El Gallo, Magistral Mine [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount				$ 6,300
Disposition of Assets, Contingent Consideration, Asset				$ 1,000
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	4,446	244,611	1,229,844
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | Palmarejo [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	205,803	668,803
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | San Bartolome [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	16,690	32,328
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | Kensington [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	0	67,671
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | La Preciosa [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	0	371,411
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | Joaquin Project - Argentina [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	0	83,429
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | Coeur Capital [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	4,446	22,118	6,202
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	68,726	242,877
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] | Palmarejo [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	18,704	115,235
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] | San Bartolome [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	50,022	86,426
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] | Kensington [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	0	0	40,161
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] | La Preciosa [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Write-downs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,055