Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Matters Below are descriptions of certain legal actions that involve certain properties of TCM. Although the results of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these actions is not likely to have a material adverse effect on TCM's future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2010, the Stellat'en First Nation filed a petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and TCM alleging that Endako Mine and the mill expansion project at Endako Mine represent infringements of the aboriginal title of the petitioners and impacts to their aboriginal rights, and that the government breached its duty to consult with the Stellat'en First Nation in relation to the impacts of Endako Mine and the mill expansion. The petitioners sought a declaration that the Provincial Crown did not fulfill its duty to consult with them in relation to the mill expansion project, a declaration that the mining permits and/or tenures held by TCM are invalid, an order quashing or setting aside the decision to issue a permit amendment to TCM and an injunction prohibiting further construction or alterations relating to the mill expansion project. The matter was heard by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in a hearing that took place in the first quarter of 2011. In August 2011, the Court dismissed the petitioners' claims in full. The Stellat'en First Nation subsequently filed a notice of appeal from that decision to the Court of Appeal of British Columbia seeking to have the decision of the Supreme Court of British Columbia set aside and seeking an order staying the permit amendment and any future permitting until the Province has engaged in further consultation. The government and TCM filed materials in response to the notice of appeal, and the matter was heard by the Court of Appeal in a hearing that took place in November 2012. In September 2013, the Court dismissed the petitioners’ appeal in full. In April 2012, the Stellat'en First Nation filed a new petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mine and Petroleum Resources and TCM making similar allegations to those discussed above in relation to a new permit amendment and new water license granted to TCM in March 2012 for Endako Mine. In April 2012, the parties agreed to put this matter into abeyance. No date for hearing the new petition has been set. Molybdenum Purchases In the normal course of operations, TCM enters into agreements for the purchase of molybdenum. As of September 30, 2013, TCM had commitments to purchase approximately 8.9 million pounds of molybdenum sulfide concentrate throughout the remainder of 2013 to 2016, to be priced at a discount to the market price for molybdenum oxide at the time of purchase. Molybdenum Sales In the normal course of operations, TCM enters into certain molybdenum sales contracts where it sells future production at fixed prices. As of September 30, 2013, TCM had commitments to sell approximately 231,000 pounds of molybdenum oxide for the remainder of 2013 through 2015 at an average price of $13.20 per pound. Copper Concentrate Sales Agreements In 2012, TCM entered into three copper concentrate sales agreements, whereby TCM, among other things, agreed to sell an aggregate of approximately 85% of the copper-gold-silver concentrate produced at Mt. Milligan during 2013 and 2014 and an aggregate of approximately 120,000 dry metric tons (“DMT”) in each of the two calendar years thereafter. Under one of the agreements, TCM has the option to sell to the counterparty, and the counterparty has the obligation to purchase from TCM, additional concentrate up to an amount equal to 40,000 DMT per year during each of 2015 and 2016. Pricing under these concentrate sales agreements will be determined by reference to specified published reference prices during the applicable quotation periods. Payment for the concentrate will be based on the price for the agreed copper, gold and silver content of the shipments delivered, less smelting and refining charges and certain other deductions, if applicable. The copper smelting and refining charges will be negotiated in good faith and agreed by the parties for each contract year based on terms generally acknowledged as industry benchmark terms. The gold and silver refining charges are as specified in the agreements. Capital Purchase Commitments As of September 30, 2013, TCM had open purchase orders, contracts and capital purchase commitments of $9.7 million for engineering and equipment related to the development of Mt. Milligan and open purchase orders, contracts and capital purchase commitments of $20.0 million for the development of the permanent operations residence at Mt. Milligan. Other Commitments and Contingencies In April 2010, TCM entered into a credit support agreement with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("BC Hydro") related to the mill expansion project at Endako Mine. Under this agreement, TCM was required to post financial assurance in an amount equal to BC Hydro's estimated out-of-pocket costs for work on the Endako mill expansion project. The amount of the financial assurance as of June 30, 2013 was approximately C$16.5 million, comprised of a guarantee for C$5.3 million and a surety bond for approximately C$11.2 million. In September 2013, BC Hydro completed its scheduled review of incremental revenues generated from Endako Mine and released TCM from the C$5.3 million guarantee and the approximate C$11.2 million surety bond. As of September 30, 2013, TCM has no further obligation to provide financial assurance to BC Hydro under the credit support agreement. In October 2012, in contemplation of the deferral of Phase 8 stripping activities, TCM entered into arrangements with certain employees of TC Mine designed to retain and reward eligible employees for their contribution to the continued successful operation of TC Mine through the end of Phase 7. Employees who are eligible for participation in these arrangements are to be paid within 60 days of the end of Phase 7, as determined by the Company. During the third quarter of 2013, TCM replaced certain reclamation bond arrangements relating to Endako Mine and Mt. Milligan with letters of credit secured by a guarantee and cash collateral. Under the arrangements, the ACE Group, a surety company, provided a guarantee to Export Development Canada ("EDC"), who provided a guarantee to Royal Bank of Canada ("RBC"), who issued letters of credit to the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines. In exchange for the surety company's guarantee, TCM has provided $7.0 million of cash collateral to the ACE Group and will pay total annual fees of approximately 1.7% of the total reclamation bond guarantee to the ACE Group, EDC, and RBC. Three contractors have asserted claims pertaining to work performed under contracts relating to the construction of Mt. Milligan. The claims primarily relate to alleged productivity losses or alleged delays. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously in connection with such claims.

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

Below are descriptions of certain legal actions that involve certain properties of TCM. Although the results of legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these actions is not likely to have a material adverse effect on TCM's future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2010, the Stellat'en First Nation filed a petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and TCM alleging that Endako Mine and the mill expansion project at Endako Mine represent infringements of the aboriginal title of the petitioners and impacts to their aboriginal rights, and that the government breached its duty to consult with the Stellat'en First Nation in relation to the impacts of Endako Mine and the mill expansion. The petitioners sought a declaration that the Provincial Crown did not fulfill its duty to consult with them in relation to the mill expansion project, a declaration that the mining permits and/or tenures held by TCM are invalid, an order quashing or setting aside the decision to issue a permit amendment to TCM and an injunction prohibiting further construction or alterations relating to the mill expansion project. The matter was heard by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in a hearing that took place in the first quarter of 2011. In August 2011, the Court dismissed the petitioners' claims in full. The Stellat'en First Nation subsequently filed a notice of appeal from that decision to the Court of Appeal of British Columbia seeking to have the decision of the Supreme Court of British Columbia set aside and seeking an order staying the permit amendment and any future permitting until the Province has engaged in further consultation. The government and TCM filed materials in response to the notice of appeal, and the matter was heard by the Court of Appeal in a hearing that took place in November 2012. In September 2013, the Court dismissed the petitioners’ appeal in full.

In April 2012, the Stellat'en First Nation filed a new petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mine and Petroleum Resources and TCM making similar allegations to those discussed above in relation to a new permit amendment and new water license granted to TCM in March 2012 for Endako Mine. In April 2012, the parties agreed to put this matter into abeyance. No date for hearing the new petition has been set.

Molybdenum Purchases

In the normal course of operations, TCM enters into agreements for the purchase of molybdenum. As of September 30, 2013, TCM had commitments to purchase approximately 8.9 million pounds of molybdenum sulfide concentrate throughout the remainder of 2013 to 2016, to be priced at a discount to the market price for molybdenum oxide at the time of purchase.

Molybdenum Sales

In the normal course of operations, TCM enters into certain molybdenum sales contracts where it sells future production at fixed prices. As of September 30, 2013, TCM had commitments to sell approximately 231,000 pounds of molybdenum oxide for the remainder of 2013 through 2015 at an average price of $13.20 per pound.

Copper Concentrate Sales Agreements

In 2012, TCM entered into three copper concentrate sales agreements, whereby TCM, among other things, agreed to sell an aggregate of approximately 85% of the copper-gold-silver concentrate produced at Mt. Milligan during 2013 and 2014 and an aggregate of approximately 120,000 dry metric tons (“DMT”) in each of the two calendar years thereafter. Under one of the agreements, TCM has the option to sell to the counterparty, and the counterparty has the obligation to purchase from TCM, additional concentrate up to an amount equal to 40,000 DMT per year during each of 2015 and 2016. Pricing under these concentrate sales agreements will be determined by reference to specified published reference prices during the applicable quotation periods. Payment for the concentrate will be based on the price for the agreed copper, gold and silver content of the shipments delivered, less smelting and refining charges and certain other deductions, if applicable. The copper smelting and refining charges will be negotiated in good faith and agreed by the parties for each contract year based on terms generally acknowledged as industry benchmark terms. The gold and silver refining charges are as specified in the agreements.

Capital Purchase Commitments

As of September 30, 2013, TCM had open purchase orders, contracts and capital purchase commitments of $9.7 million for engineering and equipment related to the development of Mt. Milligan and open purchase orders, contracts and capital purchase commitments of $20.0 million for the development of the permanent operations residence at Mt. Milligan.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

In April 2010, TCM entered into a credit support agreement with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("BC Hydro") related to the mill expansion project at Endako Mine. Under this agreement, TCM was required to post financial assurance in an amount equal to BC Hydro's estimated out-of-pocket costs for work on the Endako mill expansion project. The amount of the financial assurance as of June 30, 2013 was approximately C$16.5 million, comprised of a guarantee for C$5.3 million and a surety bond for approximately C$11.2 million. In September 2013, BC Hydro completed its scheduled review of incremental revenues generated from Endako Mine and released TCM from the C$5.3 million guarantee and the approximate C$11.2 million surety bond. As of September 30, 2013, TCM has no further obligation to provide financial assurance to BC Hydro under the credit support agreement.

In October 2012, in contemplation of the deferral of Phase 8 stripping activities, TCM entered into arrangements with certain employees of TC Mine designed to retain and reward eligible employees for their contribution to the continued successful operation of TC Mine through the end of Phase 7. Employees who are eligible for participation in these arrangements are to be paid within 60 days of the end of Phase 7, as determined by the Company.

During the third quarter of 2013, TCM replaced certain reclamation bond arrangements relating to Endako Mine and Mt. Milligan with letters of credit secured by a guarantee and cash collateral. Under the arrangements, the ACE Group, a surety company, provided a guarantee to Export Development Canada ("EDC"), who provided a guarantee to Royal Bank of Canada ("RBC"), who issued letters of credit to the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines. In exchange for the surety company's guarantee, TCM has provided $7.0 million of cash collateral to the ACE Group and will pay total annual fees of approximately 1.7% of the total reclamation bond guarantee to the ACE Group, EDC, and RBC.

Three contractors have asserted claims pertaining to work performed under contracts relating to the construction of Mt. Milligan. The claims primarily relate to alleged productivity losses or alleged delays. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously in connection with such claims.