Segment Information (Financial Information Relates to the Company's Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues	$ 222,605	$ 134,861	$ 392,666	$ 268,332
Depreciation and amortization	15,660	16,628	31,723	35,129
Interest income	951	532	1,733	933
Interest expense	1,637	1,636	3,272	3,269
Income (loss) before income taxes	48,435	14,829	88,711	28,421
Capital expenditures	23,110	13,860	46,295	24,587
Total assets	1,038,937	767,923	1,038,937	767,923	909,470
Mine Production [Member]
Revenues	139,733	92,570	261,713	187,769
Depreciation and amortization	15,395	16,589	31,196	35,046
Interest income
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes	59,451	20,992	105,399	40,088
Capital expenditures	21,492	12,163	36,747	21,568
Total assets	402,990	396,028	402,990	396,028
PGM Recycling [Member]
Revenues	82,872	42,291	130,953	75,941
Depreciation and amortization	265	39	527	83
Interest income	544	371	919	659
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,449	3,367	6,339	6,266
Capital expenditures	39	1,684	64	2,942
Total assets	89,855	53,216	89,855	53,216
Canadian Properties [Member]
Revenues
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes	(766)		(1,040)
Capital expenditures	1,510		9,350
Total assets	192,859		192,859
All Other [Member]
Revenues				4,622
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income	407	161	814	274
Interest expense	1,637	1,636	3,272	3,269
Income (loss) before income taxes	(13,699)	(9,530)	(21,987)	(17,933)
Capital expenditures	69	13	134	77
Total assets	$ 353,233	$ 318,679	$ 353,233	$ 318,679