Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Kinross February 2012 call option		$ 33		$ 33
Ely investment warrants	(23)	(229)	(74)	(156)
International Lithium Corp warrants	1	3	(2)	3
Kinross collar				(2)
Total derivatives	$ (22)	$ (193)	$ (76)	$ (122)

Net gain (loss) from the increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)(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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration