XML 68 R44.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Mineral Properties (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 132 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Oct. 31, 2013 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Feb. 29, 2012 Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Jan. 31, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] | Jul. 31, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Los Cardones, Mexico [Member] | Jan. 31, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Los Cardones, Mexico [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of interest sold | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sale price of gold project |  |  |  |  |  | $ 13,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of gold project |  |  |  |  | 7,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds to be received from sale of joint venture interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,250 | 6,000 |  |
Payment due date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Jul. 31, 2014 |  | Jul. 31, 2014 |
Increase to sale price of gold project |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 250
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% |  |  |  |
Adjusted percentage interest to be earned under agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 62.50% |  |  |  |
Gain on disposal of mineral property, net |  | 2,934 | 77,803 | 79,766 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other long-term liabilities |  | 635 |  | 635 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Write-down of mineral property |  | 250 |  | 250 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Write-down of mineral property (Note 6) |  | $ (250) |  | $ (250) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount recognized as an operating expense or loss during the period to reduce the carrying amount of a project that has been impaired but not abandoned. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2420-110228 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOngoingProject
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the deconsolidation of a previously consolidated subsidiary or sale of an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 39 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The gains (losses) included in results of operations resulting from the sale or disposal of mineral property, net of transaction costs, which do not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_GainLossOnDispositionOfMineralPropertyNetOfCosts
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Increase to sale price of gold project. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_IncreaseToSalePriceOfGoldProject
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Payment due date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_PaymentDueDate
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Non-refundable payment in exchange for the right to earn a specified interest percentage. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_PaymentForInterestInProjectUnderEarnInAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Adjusted percentage of interest to be earned by a third party investor under an agreement for a certain project. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_PercentageInterestToBeEarnedByThirdPartyInvestorUnderAgreementAdjusted
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of interest to be earned by a third party investor under an agreement for a certain project, before adjustment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_PercentageInterestToBeEarnedByThirdPartyInvestorUnderAgreementBeforeAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of interest sold. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_PercentageOfInterestSold
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Proceeds to be received from sale of joint venture interest. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_ProceedsToBeReceivedFromSaleOfJointVentureInterest
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sale price of gold project. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vgz_SalePriceOfGoldProject
Namespace Prefix: | vgz_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration