Loans To And Investments In Associated Companies (Golden Queen Mining Company) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		18 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	$ 1,334	$ 19,766
Gauss LLC [Member]
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Cash invested in Limited Liability Company			$ 83,000
Clay Family [Member]
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Contributions from noncontrolling interests			$ 34,500
Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC [Member]
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership owned	35.00%		35.00%
Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC [Member] | Gauss LLC [Member]
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Total investment in associated company	$ 117,500		$ 117,500
Percentage of ownership owned	50.00%		50.00%
Golden Queen Mining Co, Ltd [Member]
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%