Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net Income/(loss)	$ (2,502)	$ (14,605)	$ (8,903)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	71,466	98,775	109,666
Amortization of loan acquisition cost	1,563	1,228	1,201
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets	(1,350)	(1,172)	304
Non-cash employee compensation	3,385	2,975	2,033
Future income tax expense/(benefit)	8,315	3,374	(20,886)
Fair value of derivatives (gain)/loss	(177)	(217)	(1,838)
Fair value (gains)/losses on convertible debt	(26,154)	3,210	34,195
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	3,845	2,802	2,165
Reclamation expenditures	(26,895)	(9,704)	(1,985)
Reconciliation, Total	31,496	86,666	115,952
Changes in non-cash working capital:
Accounts receivable	1,839	(4,022)	(2,702)
Inventories	(9,030)	(14,351)	(5,619)
Deposits	(1,250)	235	(193)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,335	27,607	(10,232)
Other	(1,747)	481	(267)
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,643	96,616	96,939
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures on mining properties	(50,027)	(34,342)	(28,624)
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(51,353)	(30,849)	(12,468)
Cash securing letters of credit (used)/refunded	(68)	2,599	445
Change in accounts payable and deposits on mine equipment and material	1,907	901	(1,016)
Other	1,984	141	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(97,557)	(61,550)	(41,661)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of share capital, net of issuance costs	282	2,248	73,489
Principal payments on debt	(10,397)	(38,049)	(28,856)
Proceeds from debt agreements and equipment financing	9,875	25,674	22,837
Other	(220)	(1,010)	(2,219)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(460)	(11,137)	65,251
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(74,374)	23,929	120,529
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	178,018	154,089	33,560
Cash and cash equivalents end of period	$ 103,644	$ 178,018	$ 154,089