Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
REVENUE
Gold revenues	$ 125,880	$ 103,651	$ 352,193	$ 327,222
Cost of sales (Note 15)	106,385	97,952	316,661	291,444
Mine operating margin	19,495	5,699	35,532	35,778
Exploration expense	1,824	1,625	3,972	4,174
General and administrative expense	5,996	3,859	20,350	12,973
Derivative mark-to-market (gain)/loss (Note 5)	13,245	(19,280)	(4,368)	4,473
Property holding costs	1,778	1,557	6,141	3,855
Foreign exchange loss	666	313	1,385	884
Interest expense	2,193	2,395	6,663	6,879
Interest and other income	(61)	(48)	(163)	(343)
(Gain)/loss on sale of investments	(338)	3	(336)	(1,650)
Net income/(loss) before income tax	(5,808)	15,275	1,888	4,533
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(3,621)	43	(11,727)	(2,737)
Net income/(loss)	(9,429)	15,318	(9,839)	1,796
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	767	(626)	(523)	721
Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star shareholders	(10,196)	15,944	(9,316)	1,075
Net income/(loss) per share attributable to Golden Star shareholders
Basic (Note 17)	$ (0.039)	$ 0.062	$ (0.036)	$ 0.004
Diluted (Note 17)	$ (0.039)	$ 0.061	$ (0.036)	$ 0.004
Weighted average shares outstanding (millions)	0	258	0	258
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted (millions)	0	0	0	0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
Net income/(loss)	(9,429)	15,318	(9,839)	1,796
Unrealized gains on investments (Note 7)	59	311	(280)	651
Comprehensive income/(loss)	(9,488)	15,007	(9,559)	1,145
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star shareholders	(10,255)	(311)	(9,036)	424
Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	767	(626)	(523)	721
Comprehensive loss	(9,488)	15,007	(9,559)	1,145
Deficit, beginning of period	(273,156)	(277,675)	(274,036)	(262,806)
Deficit, end of period	$ (283,352)	$ (261,731)	$ (283,352)	$ (261,731)