CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Collection of VAT taxes receivable	$ 9,523	$ 4,062

Represents information pertaining to collection of value added taxes receivable.

No definition available.

Name:	mux_CollectionOfValueAddedTaxesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	mux_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration