Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per common share [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Golden Star shareholders	$ (30,207)	$ (10,196)	$ (18,610)	$ (9,316)
Weighted average number of shares (shares)	258.9	258.6	258.8	258.6
Dilutive securities:
Options	0	0	0	0
Deferred stock units	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Convertible debentures	0	0	0	0
Weighted average number of diluted shares	258.9	258.6	258.8	258.6
Net loss per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders:
Basic	$ (0.12)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.04)
Diluted	$ (0.12)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.04)
Options
Net loss per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted weighted average common shares			12.5	7.8
Deferred Share Units
Net loss per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted weighted average common shares			0.4	0
Convertible debentures
Net loss per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted weighted average common shares			39.3	25.0