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Mineral Properties (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 132 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2008 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Awak Mas, Indonesia [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Awak Mas, Indonesia [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payment for interest in project under the earn in agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,000 |  |
Percentage interest to be earned by third party investor under agreement, before adjustment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 60.00% | 60.60% |
Adjusted percentage interest to be earned under agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 62.50% |  |
Total percentage interest to be earned by third party investor under agreement, before adjustment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 80.80% |
Additional payment for interest in project under earn-in agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20,000 |  |
Voting rights in subsidiary held solely by reporting entity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 37.50% |  |
Voting rights in subsidiary that are held in trust |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 62.50% |  |
Additional percentage interest to be earned under earn in right agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20.20% |
Cash received under additional option agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,500 |
Payments under option agreements to purchase land | 2,000 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |  |  | 2,000 |  |  |
Gain on disposal of mineral property, net |  | 2,934 | 77,803 |  |  |  | 79,766 |  |  |  | 2,934 |
Payment made to third party for land |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 538 |  |  |  |
Other long-term liabilities |  | 635 | 635 |  |  |  | 635 |  |  | 635 |  |
Restricted cash |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70 | 134
Write-down of mineral property |  | $ 250 |  |  |  |  | $ 250 |  |  | $ 250 | $ 250 |

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