Mining Properties (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	$ 648,140	$ 641,305
Accumulated depletion	(327,693)	(315,541)
Operational mining properties, net	320,447	325,764
Mineral interest	1,758,867	1,753,129
Accumulated depletion	(338,840)	(327,392)
Mineral interest, net	1,420,027	1,425,737
Total mining properties	1,740,474	1,751,501
Palmarejo [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	155,262	151,845
Accumulated depletion	(112,989)	(110,143)
Operational mining properties, net	42,273	41,702
Mineral interest	1,146,572	1,146,572
Accumulated depletion	(309,615)	(300,187)
Mineral interest, net	836,957	846,385
Total mining properties	879,230	888,087
San Bartolome [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	70,764	70,761
Accumulated depletion	(23,114)	(22,236)
Operational mining properties, net	47,650	48,525
Mineral interest	26,643	26,643
Accumulated depletion	(9,080)	(8,759)
Mineral interest, net	17,563	17,884
Total mining properties	65,213	66,409
Kensington [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	271,834	268,351
Accumulated depletion	(85,823)	(80,032)
Operational mining properties, net	186,011	188,319
Mineral interest	0	0
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Mineral interest, net	0	0
Total mining properties	186,011	188,319
Rochester [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	150,280	150,348
Accumulated depletion	(105,767)	(103,130)
Operational mining properties, net	44,513	47,218
Mineral interest	0	0
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Mineral interest, net	0	0
Total mining properties	44,513	47,218
Endeavor [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	0	0
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Operational mining properties, net	0	0
Mineral interest	408,352	408,352
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Mineral interest, net	408,352	408,352
Total mining properties	408,352	408,352
Joaquin Project - Argentina [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	0	0
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Operational mining properties, net	0	0
Mineral interest	93,429	93,429
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Mineral interest, net	93,429	93,429
Total mining properties	93,429	93,429
Other Mining Properties [Member]
Mining Properties
Operational mining properties:	0	0
Accumulated depletion	0	0
Operational mining properties, net	0	0
Mineral interest	83,871	78,133
Accumulated depletion	(20,145)	(18,446)
Mineral interest, net	63,726	59,687
Total mining properties	$ 63,726	$ 59,687