ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS, CONTRACTUAL THIRD-PARTY RECLAMATION RECEIVABLES, AND RECLAMATION DEPOSITS - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Holding Gains and Losses and Fair Value of Held-to-Maturity Securities (Detail) (Reclamation Deposits [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclamation Deposits [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$ 13,750
Gross unrealized holding gains	1,082
Gross unrealized holding losses	(2)
Fair value	$ 14,830

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS, CONTRACTUAL THIRD-PARTY RECLAMATION RECEIVABLES, AND RECLAMATION DEPOSITS - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Holding Gains and Losses and Fair Value of Held-to-Maturity Securities (Detail) (Reclamation Deposits [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2013

Reclamation Deposits [Member]

Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]

Amortized cost

$ 13,750

Gross unrealized holding gains

1,082

Gross unrealized holding losses

(2)

Fair value

$ 14,830

- Definition

This item represents the aggregate fair value of investments in debt securities as of the balance sheet date and which are categorized as held-to-maturity.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

This item represents investments in debt securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity and that have scheduled maturities more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer, and that are pledged to one or more secured parties who have the right to buy, sell, or re-pledge the collateral.

+ 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 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 4

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 440

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394942&loc=d3e25218-109307

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 19

-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 115

-Paragraph 17

-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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph b

-Article 4

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 18

-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 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 6

-Article 9

+ Details

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the excess of fair value over carrying value (amortized cost) of a debt security categorized as held-to-maturity, exclusive of dividend or interest income recognized but not yet received and exclusive of any write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment. Such item represents the gross unrecognized holding gain.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the excess of carrying value (amortized cost) over fair value of a debt security categorized as held-to-maturity, exclusive of dividend or interest income recognized but not yet received and exclusive of any write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment. Such item represents the gross unrecognized holding loss.

+ References+ Details