MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS AND ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS AND ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Summary of mineral property interests

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
Name of Property/Complex	Segment	2013		2012		2013		2012
Telken Tenements	Argentina	$	—	$	—	$	13,792	$	—
Este Tenements	Argentina	—		—		2,784		—
Piramides Tenements	Argentina	—		—		5,079		—
Tobias Tenements	Argentina	—		—		6,074		—
West Battle Mountain Complex	Nevada	6,287		—		6,287		—
Other United States Properties	Nevada	—		2,902		—		2,902
Property, plant and equipment	Argentina	—		—		—		179
Total impairment		$	6,287	$	2,902	$	34,016	$	3,081

Schedule of changes in asset retirement obligations

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

	Nine Months Ended			Year Ended
	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Asset retirement obligation liability - opening balance	$	6,359		$	6,253
Settlements	(56		)	(47		)
Accretion of liability	342			447
Adjustment reflecting updated estimates	(29		)	(294		)
Asset retirement obligation liability - ending balance	$	6,616		$	6,359