Mining Properties (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2016	May 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Apr. 19, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gain on sale of assets					$ 4,498	$ 333	$ 8,983	$ 396
Write-downs					$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,446	$ 0
Cerro Bayo Mine [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return paid (as a percent)				2.00%
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount				$ 5,700
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets				$ 4,000
Disposition of Assets, Consideration Transferred, Shares Received				2.5
Gain on sale of assets				$ 1,900
Endeavor [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Mineral Interests, Percent							100.00%
Write-downs							$ 2,500
McEwen Mining Inc, El Gallo, Magistral Mine [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount									$ 6,300
Write-downs							$ 1,900
Disposition of Assets, Contingent Consideration, Asset									$ 1,000
La Cigarra [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net smelter return paid (as a percent)			2.50%
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount			$ 3,600
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets			$ 500
Disposition of Assets, Consideration Transferred, Shares Received			9.6
Gain on sale of assets			$ 0
Martha [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount		$ 3,000
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets		1,500
Disposition of Assets, Receivable, Asset		1,500
Gain on sale of assets		$ 5,300
Correnso [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount	$ 5,400
Gain on sale of assets	4,700
Disposition of Assets, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$ 700