MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS AND ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS AND ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Summary of mineral property interests

		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
Name of Property/Complex	Segment	2013		2012		2013		2012
Telken Tenements	Argentina	$	13,792	$	—	$	13,792	$	—
Este Tenements	Argentina	2,784		—		2,784		—
Piramides Tenements	Argentina	5,079		—		5,079		—
Tobias Tenements	Argentina	6,074		—		6,074		—
Property, plant and equipment	Argentina	—		179		—		179
Total impairment		$	27,729	$	179	$	27,729	$	179

Schedule of changes in asset retirement obligations

Changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

	Six Months Ended			Year Ended
	June 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Asset retirement obligation liability - opening balance	$	6,359		$	6,253
Settlements	(45		)	(47		)
Accretion of liability	234			447
Adjustment reflecting updated estimates	—			(294		)
Asset retirement obligation liability - ending balance	$	6,548		$	6,359