Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUE
Gold revenues	$ 550,540	$ 471,007	$ 432,693
COST OF SALES [Abstract]
Mining operating expenses	368,404	323,547	284,944
Royalties	27,561	21,295	13,059
Mining related depreciation and amortization	98,837	71,466	100,649
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	2,816	3,845	2,803
Total cost of sales	497,618	420,153	401,455
Mine operating margin	52,922	50,854	31,238
Exploration expense	3,505	5,137	5,398
General and administrative expense	23,674	25,378	17,065
Derivative mark-to-market (gain) loss	162	19,276	850
Loss / (gain) on fair value of convertible debentures	27,985	(26,154)	3,208
Property holding costs	9,862	8,674	5,299
Foreign exchange loss	2,446	2,749	872
Interest expense	10,163	8,891	9,207
Interest and other income	(467)	(229)	(362)
Gain on sale of assets	(31,577)	(1,350)	(1,171)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	568	0	0
Income/(loss) before income tax	6,601	8,482	(9,128)
Income tax expense	(16,816)	(10,984)	(5,477)
Net loss	(10,215)	(2,502)	(14,605)
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	725	427	3,376
Net loss attributable to Golden Star shareholders	$ (9,490)	$ (2,075)	$ (11,229)
Net (loss)/income per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders
Basic (US$ per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)
Diluted (US$ per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)
Weighted average shares outstanding (millions) (shares)	258.9	258.6	258.0
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted (millions) (shares)	258.9	258.6	258.0