Operations By Segment And Geographic Area (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 149,700	$ 133,500	$ 136,300	$ 131,000	$ 118,800	$ 125,900	$ 109,800	$ 116,500	$ 550,540	$ 471,007	$ 432,693
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									(9,490)	(2,075)	(11,229)
Depreciation									98,926	71,698	98,775
Income tax expense									(16,816)	(10,984)	(5,477)
Capital expenditure									88,495	101,380	65,191
Long-lived assets	515,032				527,554				515,032	527,554	486,360
Total assets	725,876				727,678				725,876	727,678	753,226
Bogoso/Prestea
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									286,619	222,542	206,448
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									2,113	(11,959)	694
Depreciation									33,506	29,353	36,511
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Capital expenditure									39,216	59,410	36,035
Long-lived assets	343,027				339,671				343,027	339,671	300,377
Total assets	435,745				415,168				435,745	415,168	360,555
Wassa/HBB
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									263,921	248,465	226,245
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									18,441	32,781	16,880
Depreciation									65,328	42,240	62,160
Income tax expense									(16,816)	(10,984)	(5,477)
Capital expenditure									49,248	41,898	26,856
Long-lived assets	171,197				187,015				171,197	187,015	185,045
Total assets	230,096				256,113				230,096	256,113	240,662
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									(2,857)	(1,065)	(3,001)
Depreciation									24	0	0
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Capital expenditure									28	1	2,211
Long-lived assets	741				736				741	736	772
Total assets	3,491				1,616				3,491	1,616	5,848
South America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									(542)	(2,299)	6,463
Depreciation									1	2	3
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Capital expenditure									0	0	0
Long-lived assets	0				1				0	1	3
Total assets	150				855				150	855	(251)
Corporate [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star									(26,645)	(19,533)	(32,265)
Depreciation									67	103	101
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Capital expenditure									3	71	89
Long-lived assets	67				131				67	131	163
Total assets	$ 56,394				$ 53,926				$ 56,394	$ 53,926	$ 146,412