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Asset Retirement Obligation (Changes In Asset Retirement Obligation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 7,331	$ 6,747	$ 6,209
Accretion expense	634	584	538
Ending Balance	7,965	7,331	6,747
Stillwater Mine [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,794	6,253	5,755
Accretion expense	587	541	498
Ending Balance	7,381	6,794	6,253
East Boulder Mine [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	537	494	454
Accretion expense	47	43	40
Ending Balance	$ 584	$ 537	$ 494

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

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- Definition

Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.

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