Operations By Segment And Geographic Area (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 133,497	$ 125,880	$ 400,830	$ 352,193
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	(30,207)	(10,196)	(18,610)	(9,316)
Income tax expense	(4,002)	(3,621)	(19,464)	(11,727)
Capital expenditure	19,075	20,811	58,558	58,705
Total assets	749,353	711,792	749,353	711,792	727,678
Bogoso/Prestea
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	65,775	68,693	205,933	162,790
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	(1,750)	2,881	10,412	(12,889)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditure	5,790	9,027	26,495	29,877
Total assets	427,482	371,787	427,482	371,787
Wassa/HBB
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	67,722	57,187	194,897	189,403
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	7,406	8,174	13,911	27,189
Income tax expense	(4,002)	(3,621)	(19,464)	(11,727)
Capital expenditure	13,285	11,638	32,060	28,407
Total assets	221,915	253,685	221,915	253,685
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	(481)	(1,039)	(2,196)	(2,419)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditure	0	146	0	421
Total assets	2,386	2,532	2,386	2,532
South America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	(119)	(92)	(400)	(356)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditure	0	0	0	0
Total assets	168	228	168	228
Corporate [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to Golden Star	(35,263)	(20,120)	(40,337)	(20,841)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditure	0	0	3	0
Total assets	$ 97,402	$ 83,560	$ 97,402	$ 83,560