Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		$ 9,300
Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	211	1,406
Accrued liabilities and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(2,121)	(2,488)
Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		(7,274)
Current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(22,590)	(41,146)
Non-current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(39,406)	(103,952)
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	9	376
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member] | Accrued liabilities and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(1,355)	(300)
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member] | Current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member] | Non-current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member] | Accrued liabilities and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member] | Current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(22,590)	(41,146)
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member] | Non-current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(39,406)	(103,952)
Put and call options, net [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Fair Value, Asian Put Options	160
Put and call options, net [Member] | Accrued liabilities and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		(2,025)
Put and call options, net [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		(7,274)
Put and call options, net [Member] | Current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Put and call options, net [Member] | Non-current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Concentrate sales contracts [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	42	1,030
Concentrate sales contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities and other [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	(766)	(163)
Concentrate sales contracts [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Concentrate sales contracts [Member] | Current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net
Concentrate sales contracts [Member] | Non-current portion of royalty obligation [Member]
Fair value of the derivative instruments
Derivative, Fair Value, Net