Significant Customers (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Valcambi [Member] | Palmarejo San Bartolome [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	$ 385,500	$ 174,100	$ 96,000
Auramet [Member] | Palmarejo [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	50,800	79,000	71,500
Penoles [Member] | Martha [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	13,300	53,900	45,000
China Gold [Member] | Kensington [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	180,900	23,600
International Commodities [Member] | Palmarejo San Bartolome Rochester [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	112,600	36,700	6,100
Mitsui [Member] | Palmarejo San Bartolome Rochester [Member]
Customers total revenue
Customers total revenue	$ 105,100	$ 45,900	$ 35,800