Schedule of Mineral Properties and Development Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Mineral properties and development costs	$ 30,586	$ 30,586
Alaska, USA [Member]
Acquisition costs	0	39
Mineral properties and development costs	30,586	30,586	30,547
Ambler Property [Member] \| Alaska, USA [Member]
Acquisition costs	0	39
Mineral properties and development costs	26,586	26,586	26,547
Bornite Property [Member] \| Alaska, USA [Member]
Acquisition costs	0	0
Mineral properties and development costs	$ 4,000	$ 4,000	$ 4,000

The capitalized costs incurred during the period (excluded from amortization) to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire an unproved property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers' fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-10.(c)(7)(ii))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015464&loc=d3e511914-122862

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 10

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph 3(ii)(A)

-Article 4

Name:	us-gaap_AcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration