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Other Investments (Narrative) (Details) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		129 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 Midas Gold Corp [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Midas Gold Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Midas Gold Corp [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 06, 2011 Midas Gold Corp [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Midas Gold Corp [Member] Private Placement [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 Midas Gold Corp [Member] Private Placement [Member] CAD
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares issued in transaction								30,402,615				6,129,800	6,129,800
Number of shares acquired (in shares)												1,400,000	1,400,000
Aggregate purchase price												$ 3,632	3,500
Expiration period of restrictions on the sale of shares										1 year
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	77,329,861		77,329,861		77,329,861	71,503,883			114,466,936		31,802,615
Percentage of basic shares of subsidiary held									27.80%
Fair value of shares received								78,872		106,666
Deferred income tax benefit/(expense)	(9,925)	(9,957)	6,276	(33,546)	(29,246)			29,675
Valuation allowance							6,086
Unrealized loss on Midas Gold Shares	29,132	27,762	(13,184)	27,762	24,163					13,184
Income tax benefit										$ 5,124
Effective income tax rate			38.87%
US Federal statutory income tax rate			35.00%
State effective income tax rate			3.87%

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