Mining Properties (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions, oz in Millions					12 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) oz	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 17, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2016 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Maximum ore reserves payable under contract | oz					20.0
Gain on sale of assets and investments					$ 11,334	$ (352)	$ (530)
Write-downs					$ 4,446	313,337	1,472,721
Cumulative Ounces of Silver Received by the Subsidiary | oz					6.0
Current Ore Reserve payable Ounces Based on Current Metallurgical Recovery and Current Smelter Contract Terms | oz					1.4
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					$ 4,446	$ 313,337	$ 1,472,721
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 | shares				2.5
Gain on sale of assets and investments				$ 1,900
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
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 | shares			9.6
Gain on sale of assets and investments			$ 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 and investments		$ 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 and investments	4,700
Disposition of Assets, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$ 700
Subsequent Event [Member] | Joaquin Project - Argentina [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Cash Proceeds Received for Assets Derecognized, Amount								$ 25,000