Commitment and Contigencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	15 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 oz Agreements	Dec. 31, 2012 oz	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 21, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012 Rochester [Member] Employees	Dec. 31, 2012 Rochester [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Rochester [Member]	Jul. 07, 1995 Echo Bay [Member] oz	Dec. 31, 2012 Kensington [Member]	Jul. 07, 1995 Kensington [Member]	Jul. 07, 1995 Coeur Alaska Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Operations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Care and Maintenance [Member]
Commitment and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Employment for mining and crushing operation					200
Restructuring Charges, Termination of Plan												$ 1,800,000	$ 2,000,000
Acquisition of ownership interest								50.00%		100.00%
Volume related to net smelter return royalty of future gold production								1,000,000
Purchase price and construction and development expenses											32,500,000
Minimum royalty range for gold price per ounce									1.00%
Gold price per ounce for minimum royalty range									400
Maximum royalty range for gold price per ounce					5.00%				2.50%
Gold price per ounce for maximum royalty range					23.60				475
Royalty expenses					3,500,000	200,000	2,200,000
Additional Commitment and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of labor agreements in South America	1
Percentage of labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements	10.00%	10.00%
Accrued obligations postemployment benefits	$ 7,600,000	$ 7,600,000	$ 7,400,000
Royalty to be capped in terms of ounces of production	1,000,000
Purchased royalty				50.00%
Royalty agreement minimum obligation for the period	400,000	400,000
Royalty Agreement Minimum Obligation for Per Month	4,167	4,167
Royalty Agreement Period	8 years	8 years	8 years	8 years