Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Operating expenses:
Equity loss	$ 12,895	$ 9,968	$ 11,408
General and administrative (note 10)	20,802	20,179	19,922
Studies and evaluation			366
	33,697	30,147	31,696
Loss from operations	(33,697)	(30,147)	(31,696)
Other income (expense) (note 11)	(4,587)	(3,422)	(103)
Loss before income taxes	(38,284)	(33,569)	(31,799)
Income tax expense (note 12)	(732)	(277)	(153)
Net loss	(39,016)	(33,846)	(31,952)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities during period	271	477	(227)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss (note 15)	0		426
Net unrealized gain, net of $43, $69 and $2 tax expense	271	477	199
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,414	(1,652)	(52,729)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	12,685	(1,175)	(52,530)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (26,331)	$ (35,021)	$ (84,482)
Net loss per common share
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.10)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic and diluted (in shares)	321,659	319,774	317,850
Donlin Gold [Member]
Operating expenses:
Equity loss	$ 11,219	$ 8,819	$ 11,016
Galore Creek [Member]
Operating expenses:
Equity loss	$ 1,676	$ 1,149	$ 392