FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Item	Sep. 30, 2013 Item	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Litigation settlement agreement with respect to the Los Azules Copper Project TNR	Sep. 30, 2013 Recurring Total	Dec. 31, 2012 Recurring Total	Sep. 30, 2013 Recurring Level 1	Dec. 31, 2012 Recurring Level 1	Sep. 30, 2013 Recurring Level 2	Dec. 31, 2012 Recurring Level 2	Sep. 30, 2013 Nonrecurring Level 3 MSC Discounted cash flow Weighted Average	Sep. 30, 2013 Nonrecurring Level 3 MSC Discounted cash flow Weighted Average Argentina	Sep. 30, 2013 Nonrecurring Level 3 MSC Discounted cash flow Weighted Average United States
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 31,062	$ 70,921	$ 31,062	$ 70,921
IVA taxes receivable	10,129	10,129	9,150		10,129	9,150			10,129	9,150
Assets					41,191	80,071	31,062	70,921	10,129	9,150
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					10,041	21,235	38		10,003	21,235
Litigation settlement liabilities						3,830		3,830
Liabilities					$ 10,041	$ 25,065	$ 38	$ 3,830	$ 10,003	$ 21,235
Shares of common stock required to be issued as part of settlement				1,000,000
Number of shares of common stock required to be issued as a part of settlement		15,800
Number of vendors to which shares of common stock are required to be issued as a part of settlement	1	1
Discount Rate (as a percent)											10.00%
Long Term Gold Price (in dollars per ounce)											1,300
Long Term Silver Price (in dollars per ounce)											22.75
Inflation index (as a percent)												10.00%	1.70%