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Income Tax (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred income tax benefit/(expense)   $ 15,373us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit $ 20,147us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance 54,397us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance 43,955us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance 41,817us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Valuation allowance for future tax assets (54,397)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (43,955)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance (41,817)us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Operating Loss Carryforwards 59,062us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards    
Non-deductible share issuance expense 18,628us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseOther    
Australia [Member]      
Operating Loss Carryforwards 67,064us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= vgz_AustraliaMember
   
Capital Loss Canada [Member]      
Operating Loss Carryforwards $ 36,524us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= vgz_CapitalLossCanadaMember