2.2.0.25falsefalse1070 - Disclosure - Goodwilltruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001415020duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0tc_GoodwillDisclosureAbstracttcfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseGoodwill3false0us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> 7. Goodwill         On October 26, 2006, TCM acquired Thompson Creek Metals Company USA ("Thompson Creek USA"), a private company that owned, among other assets, the TC Mine, the Endako Mine, and the Langeloth Facility. This acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method, whereby the purchase consideration was allocated to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the effective date of the purchase. As the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired, TCM recorded goodwill related to this transaction. In January 2008, TCM made a final payment of $100 million for this acquisition.         The goodwill balance of $47.0 million as of December 31, 2010 is unchanged from the balance as of December 31, 2009. TCM evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. TCM recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $68.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.</td></tr></table> 7. Goodwill         On October 26, 2006, TCM acquired Thompson Creek Metals Company USA ("Thompson Creek USA"), afalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringThe carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill during the period in total and for each reportable segment. At least annually, an Entity must evaluate its goodwill for impairment.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph c Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 47 falsefalseGoodwill12GoodwillUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue