Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net	$ (20,646)	$ (37,648)	$ 63,905	$ (44,722)
Fair value adjustments, net	(17,664)	(35,663)	64,963	(44,212)
Concentrate Sales Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Sales of Metals	718	1,591	(2,037)	2,050
Forward foreign exchange contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Production costs applicable to sales	(99)	394	732	(1,540)
Forward foreign exchange contracts MXN peso [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net	100	621
Gold Lease Facility [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net			(1,422)	3,394
Silver Ounces Receivables [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net	0	280	0	302
Palmarejo gold production royalty [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net	(15,279)	(34,266)	60,216	(45,771)
Put and call options [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value adjustments, net	$ (3,104)	$ (4,283)	$ 7,474	$ (2,647)