Amount of the future hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

Name:	aem_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItemNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aem
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the premiums received on unmatured derivative contracts as of the balance sheet date. Premiums received on the sale of covered call options are recorded as a liability in the fair value of derivative financial instrument component of the balance sheet until they mature or the position is closed.

+ Details

Name:	aem_DerivativeInstrumentPremiumReceived
Namespace Prefix:	aem
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents options which are expiring each month and are expressed in non-monetary units.

+ Details

Name:	aem_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountExpiringMonthly
Namespace Prefix:	aem
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the hedged item related to the derivative, which will expire each month.

+ Details

Name:	aem_DerivativeNotionalAmountExpiringMonthly
Namespace Prefix:	aem
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of derivative expressed in nonmonetary units. For example, the number of barrels specified in a fuel oil forward purchase contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount recognized in earnings related to the change in fair value during the period of derivative or nonderivative instruments designated as fair value hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cap rate on a price risk derivative such as a cap or collar. A payment or receipt is triggered if the market rate exceeds the cap rate on the contract.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The contractual rate at which a foreign currency can be purchased or sold under the terms of a foreign currency derivative contract.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeForwardExchangeRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the derivative or group of derivatives included in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of gain recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges, on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, and on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The strike price on the price risk option contract such as a put option or a call option.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended				4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Designated as hedges Foreign exchange forward contract USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Designated as hedges Foreign exchange forward contract CAD	Sep. 30, 2011 Not designated as hedges Foreign exchange forward contract USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Not designated as hedges Foreign exchange forward contract USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Not designated as hedges Foreign exchange forward contract CAD	Sep. 30, 2011 Call Options Written USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 Call Options Written USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Call Options Written Zinc MT usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2010 Call Options Written Zinc MT usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2011 Put options purchased Zinc MT usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2010 Put options purchased Zinc MT usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2011 Foreign exchange forward contract USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Zinc USD ($) usdperMT	Jun. 30, 2011 Zinc USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 Zinc USD ($) usdperMT	Jul. 31, 2010 Zinc USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Zinc USD ($) usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2010 Zinc USD ($) usdperMT	Sep. 30, 2011 Silver USD ($)
Derivative
Zinc options (in metric tonnes)												20,000	15,000	20,000	15,000
Strike price for option (in dollars per metric tonne)												2,500	2,500	2,200	2,200
Options expiring each month, beginning from February 28 (2011) or March 31 (2010) (in metric tonnes)												2,000	1,500	2,000	1,500
Limit for participation, zinc prices set by zero-cost collar strategy (per metric tonne)																	2,500		2,500		2,500	2,500
Gain (Loss) on derivative financial instruments	$ (1,678,000)	$ (1,330,000)	$ 654,000	$ 3,826,000			$ (400,000)	$ 400,000									$ 800,000	$ 100,000	$ 800,000	$ 1,300,000
Unrealized mark-to-market gain																43,000,000					3,000,000	400,000
Exchange rate under foreign exchange forward contract (in CAD per US dollar)						0.99			0.99
Amount of expenditures hedged					60,000,000		60,000,000	60,000,000
Amount of future expenditures hedged					240,000,000
Amount of expenditures hedged, expiring each month					20,000,000		20,000,000	20,000,000
Call option premiums generated										1,300,000	1,300,000
Gain (loss) recognized in consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income					$ (16,000,000)			$ (4,300,000)															$ (3,400,000)