Operations By Segment And Geographic Area (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	$ 132,910	$ 131,020
Mine operating expenses	100,065	94,284
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	1,179	(3,450)
Royalties	6,653	6,565
Mining related depreciation and amortization	20,141	19,043
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	634	703
Total cost of sales	128,672	117,145
Mine operating margin	4,238	13,875
Income tax expense	(7,133)	(12,531)
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	(6,559)	9,113
Capital expenditure	17,659	24,665
Total assets	704,678	752,066	725,876
Bogoso/Prestea
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	57,953	69,595
Mine operating expenses	64,092	55,129
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	58	(551)
Royalties	2,900	3,483
Mining related depreciation and amortization	8,265	8,149
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	378	381
Total cost of sales	75,693	66,591
Mine operating margin	(17,740)	3,004
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	(18,306)	5,472
Capital expenditure	7,707	14,957
Total assets	433,214	422,912
Wassa/HBB
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	74,957	61,425
Mine operating expenses	35,973	39,155
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	1,121	(2,899)
Royalties	3,753	3,082
Mining related depreciation and amortization	11,876	10,894
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	256	322
Total cost of sales	52,979	50,554
Mine operating margin	21,978	10,871
Income tax expense	(7,133)	(12,531)
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	12,535	852
Capital expenditure	9,952	9,708
Total assets	221,683	242,007
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	0	0
Mine operating expenses	0	0
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	0	0
Royalties	0	0
Mining related depreciation and amortization	0	0
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	0	0
Total cost of sales	0	0
Mine operating margin	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	(388)	(1,111)
Capital expenditure	0	0
Total assets	1,831	1,189
South America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	0	0
Mine operating expenses	0	0
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	0	0
Royalties	0	0
Mining related depreciation and amortization	0	0
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	0	0
Total cost of sales	0	0
Mine operating margin	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	(136)	(122)
Capital expenditure	0	0
Total assets	208	855
Corporate [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Gold revenues	0	0
Mine operating expenses	0	0
Operating costs from/(to) metal inventory	0	0
Royalties	0	0
Mining related depreciation and amortization	0	0
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	0	0
Total cost of sales	0	0
Mine operating margin	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Golden Star	(264)	4,022
Capital expenditure	0	0
Total assets	$ 47,742	$ 85,103