2.2.0.25falsefalse11101 - Disclosure - Regulations and Compliancetruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $Duration_1_1_2011_To_3_31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000931948duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0swc_RegulationsAndComplianceAbstractswcfalsenadurationRegulations and Compliance [Abstract]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringRegulations and Compliance [Abstract]falsefalseRegulations and Compliance3false0us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<div> <div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <div style="margin-top: 18pt; font-size: 10pt;" align="center"><b>NOTE 11<br />REGULATIONS AND COMPLIANCE</b> </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 10pt;" align="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At March&nbsp;31, 2011, the Company believes all underground operations are in compliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)&nbsp;limits on diesel particulate matter (DPM)&nbsp;exposure for underground miners through the use of blended bio-diesel fuels, post exhaust treatments, power train advances and high secondary ventilation standards. No assurance can be given that any lack of compliance will not impact the Company in the future. </div> <div style="margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 10pt;" align="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nitrogen concentrates in groundwater have been elevated above background levels at both the Stillwater Mine and the East Boulder Mine as a result of operational activities and discharges currently authorized under permit. Noncompliance with standards has occurred in some instances and is being addressed by the Company through action plans approved by the appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies. Additionally, an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)&nbsp;has been approved in response to exceedances at the East Boulder Mine which modifies enforcement limits and provides for Agency approval of remedial actions under the compliance plan. In view of its efforts to comply and progress to date in implementing remedial and advanced treatment technologies, the Company does not believe that failure to be in strict compliance will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, cash flows or its ability to operate permitted facilities. </div></div> </div>NOTE 11REGULATIONS AND COMPLIANCE &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At March&nbsp;31, 2011, the Company believes all underground operations are in compliancefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringIncludes disclosure of commitments and contingencies. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure including data and tables.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12 falsefalseRegulations and Compliance12Regulations and ComplianceUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue