SEGMENTED INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Segment Reporting
Gold and silver sales	$ 11,637	$ 10,459	$ 22,767	$ 23,957
Production costs applicable to sales	(10,900)	(8,278)	(19,427)	(18,871)
Mine construction costs	(217)		(1,156)
Mine development costs	(155)	(98)	(1,723)	(569)
Exploration costs	(2,637)	(4,889)	(5,317)	(19,489)
Impairment of mineral property interests and property and equipment	120,398	27,729	120,398	27,729
Income (loss) on investment in Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (net of amortization)	(2,438)	(1,551)	4,591	(1,788)
Impairment of investment in MSC		(95,878)		(95,878)
Gain on sale of assets	18	(6,791)	18	(6,791)
Operating loss	(129,374)	(139,654)	(129,936)	(158,021)
Investment in Minera Santa Cruz S.A.	210,425	212,947	210,425	212,947	212,947
Mineral property interests	521,884	642,968	521,884	642,968	642,968
Total assets	796,270	923,066	796,270	923,066	923,066
Argentina Reportable Segment [Member]
Operating Segment Reporting
Exploration costs	(249)	(2,017)	(750)	(13,479)
Impairment of mineral property interests and property and equipment	120,398	27,729	120,398	27,729
Income (loss) on investment in Minera Santa Cruz S.A. (net of amortization)	(2,438)	(1,551)	4,591	(1,788)
Impairment of investment in MSC		(95,878)		(95,878)
Gain on sale of assets		(326)		(326)
Operating loss	(123,817)	(129,703)	(117,559)	(141,615)
Investment in Minera Santa Cruz S.A.	210,425	212,947	210,425	212,947
Mineral property interests	337,805	458,203	337,805	458,203
Total assets	551,324	674,269	551,324	674,269
Mexico Reportable Segment [Member]
Operating Segment Reporting
Gold and silver sales	11,637	10,459	22,767	23,957
Production costs applicable to sales	(10,900)	(8,278)	(19,427)	(18,871)
Mine construction costs	(217)		(1,156)
Mine development costs	(155)	(98)	(1,723)	(569)
Exploration costs	(1,488)	(1,949)	(2,876)	(4,434)
Operating loss	(2,150)	(970)	(5,198)	(3,020)
Mineral property interests	11,341	11,984	11,341	11,984
Total assets	59,649	54,131	59,649	54,131
United States Reportable Segment [Member]
Operating Segment Reporting
Exploration costs	(831)	(870)	(1,517)	(1,450)
Gain on sale of assets		(6,468)		(6,468)
Operating loss	(1,025)	(6,110)	(2,454)	(7,055)
Mineral property interests	172,738	172,781	172,738	172,781
Total assets	176,415	177,248	176,415	177,248
Corporate And Other [Member]
Operating Segment Reporting
Exploration costs	(69)	(53)	(174)	(126)
Gain on sale of assets		3		3
Operating loss	(2,382)	(2,871)	(4,725)	(6,331)
Total assets	$ 8,882	$ 17,418	$ 8,882	$ 17,418

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The aggregate costs related to construction and development services during the reporting period.

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Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period.

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This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

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Exploration expenses (including prospecting) related to the mining industry would be included in operating expenses. Exploration costs include costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of mineral reserves.

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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, including oil and gas property and timber property.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

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Mineral properties, net of adjustments.

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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Other costs incurred and are directly related to construction and development services.

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Aggregate revenue from the sale of minerals and related products, and from rendering services such as exploration, development, mining, processing and providing mining support activities.

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