Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	NOTE 20 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Dennis E. Wheeler, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and director, notified the Board of Directors of his decision to resign from all positions with the Company on July 11, 2011. Mr. Wheeler will serve as a consultant to the Company for twelve months following his resignation. In return for these services, Mr. Wheeler will be paid a lump sum of $1.0 million, plus reimbursement of office expenses up to an aggregate of $75,000 and will have continued use of a company car. In addition, Mr. Wheeler will receive a separation package comprising (i) a lump sum payment of $2.8 million, (ii) all other rights and benefits in which Mr. Wheeler is or becomes vested pursuant to compensation plans and programs of the Company, including stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance share and performance unit awards, (iii) continued coverage under the Company’s group health insurance plan of Mr. Wheeler and his eligible dependents for three years and (iv) one Company-paid physical for each of Mr. Wheeler and his spouse at an aggregate expense not to exceed $25,000. Pursuant to the transition agreement, Mr. Wheeler has agreed that he will not directly or indirectly compete with the Company or solicit employees or customers of the Company for twelve months following his resignation. On July 14, 2011, the Company paid $2.0 million to purchase 1.9 million shares of Huldra Silver Inc., a near term silver producer in British Columbia at its Treasure Mountain Project. The purchase represents a 14.05% interest in Huldra Silver Inc. On July 19, 2011, the Company paid $4.5 million to purchase 4.5 million shares of Soltoro LTD., which is advancing the El Rayo Silver Project in Jalisco, Mexico. The purchase represents an 8.25% interest in Soltoro LTD. The Company’s Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Manquiri (‘Manquiri’), was notified by the Bolivian revenue service, Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN) in February 2011 that it would be audited. On July 18, 2011, Manquiri discovered through informal communications with SIN that some observations emerged with regard to a tax position taken on its fiscal 2008 and 2009 tax returns. Manquiri obtained legal advice from local counsel and on July 26, 2011, filed amended returns for the two years. In addition, Manquiri paid an additional $3.3 million in tax for the fiscal 2009 period and related interest of $0.4 million. In addition, the Company anticipates SIN to assess penalties of at least 20% of the tax payable, however such penalty has not yet been assessed.

NOTE 20 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Dennis E. Wheeler, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and director, notified the Board of Directors of his decision to resign from all positions with the Company on July 11, 2011. Mr. Wheeler will serve as a consultant to the Company for twelve months following his resignation. In return for these services, Mr. Wheeler will be paid a lump sum of $1.0 million, plus reimbursement of office expenses up to an aggregate of $75,000 and will have continued use of a company car. In addition, Mr. Wheeler will receive a separation package comprising (i) a lump sum payment of $2.8 million, (ii) all other rights and benefits in which Mr. Wheeler is or becomes vested pursuant to compensation plans and programs of the Company, including stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance share and performance unit awards, (iii) continued coverage under the Company’s group health insurance plan of Mr. Wheeler and his eligible dependents for three years and (iv) one Company-paid physical for each of Mr. Wheeler and his spouse at an aggregate expense not to exceed $25,000. Pursuant to the transition agreement, Mr. Wheeler has agreed that he will not directly or indirectly compete with the Company or solicit employees or customers of the Company for twelve months following his resignation.

On July 14, 2011, the Company paid $2.0 million to purchase 1.9 million shares of Huldra Silver Inc., a near term silver producer in British Columbia at its Treasure Mountain Project. The purchase represents a 14.05% interest in Huldra Silver Inc.

On July 19, 2011, the Company paid $4.5 million to purchase 4.5 million shares of Soltoro LTD., which is advancing the El Rayo Silver Project in Jalisco, Mexico. The purchase represents an 8.25% interest in Soltoro LTD.

The Company’s Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Manquiri (‘Manquiri’), was notified by the Bolivian revenue service, Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN) in February 2011 that it would be audited. On July 18, 2011, Manquiri discovered through informal communications with SIN that some observations emerged with regard to a tax position taken on its fiscal 2008 and 2009 tax returns. Manquiri obtained legal advice from local counsel and on July 26, 2011, filed amended returns for the two years. In addition, Manquiri paid an additional $3.3 million in tax for the fiscal 2009 period and related interest of $0.4 million. In addition, the Company anticipates SIN to assess penalties of at least 20% of the tax payable, however such penalty has not yet been assessed.