RECLAMATION PROVISION AND OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
RECLAMATION PROVISION AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Reclamation provision (note 6(a))	$ 101,753	$ 105,443
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	12,108	26,184
Pension benefits	13,734	13,991
Other	140	370
Total	$ 127,735	$ 145,988

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal, through the balance sheet date and due to be paid more than one year (or one operating cycle, if longer) after the balance sheet date.

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This represents the entire liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

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