Operations By Segment And Geographic Area (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operations by segment and geographic area

	Africa
As at and for years ended December 31,	Bogoso/ Prestea			Wassa/ HBB			Other			South America			Corporate			Total
2012
Revenues	$	286,619		$	263,921		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	550,540
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star	2,113			18,441			(2,857		)	(542		)	(26,645		)	(9,490		)
Depreciation	33,506			65,328			24			1			67			98,926
Income tax expense	—			(16,816		)	—			—			—			(16,816		)
Capital expenditures	39,216			49,248			28			—			3			88,495
Long-lived assets	343,027			171,197			741			—			67			515,032
Total assets	435,745			230,096			3,491			150			56,394			725,876
2011
Revenues	$	222,542		$	248,465		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	471,007
Net (loss)/income attributable to Golden Star	(11,959		)	32,781			(1,065		)	(2,299		)	(19,533		)	(2,075		)
Depreciation	29,353			42,240			—			2			103			71,698
Income tax expense	—			(10,984		)	—			—			—			(10,984		)
Capital expenditures	59,410			41,898			1			—			71			101,380
Long-lived assets	339,671			187,015			736			1			131			527,554
Total assets	415,168			256,113			1,616			855			53,926			727,678
2010
Revenues	206,448			226,245			—			—			—			432,693
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star	694			16,880			(3,001		)	6,463			(32,265		)	(11,229		)
Depreciation	36,511			62,160			—			3			101			98,775
Income tax expense	—			(5,477		)	—			—			—			(5,477		)
Capital expenditures	36,035			26,856			2,211			—			89			65,191
Long-lived assets	300,377			185,045			772			3			163			486,360
Total assets	360,555			240,662			5,848			(251		)	146,412			753,226