Litigation and Other Events (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Year Claim mi oz LegalMatter	Oct. 14, 2009 m
Litigation and Other Events (Textual) [Abstract]
Approximate area for release of hazardous substance at the Van Stone mine location related to northeast of Colville, Washington in miles	21
Claims made for cleanup costs against Company or Callahan	0
Litigation and Other Events (Additional) (Textual)
Maximum height for temporary restriction on mining		4,400
Callahan Mining [Member]
Litigation and Other Events (Additional) (Textual)
Number of years after disposition of interest in property and before acquisition of subsidiary	40 years