Loans To And Investments In Associated Companies (Golden Queen Mining Company) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	$ 16,189	$ 72,221	$ 65,870
Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Prior ownership percentage			100.00%
Percentage of ownership owned	35.00%			35.00%
Golden Queen Mining Co, Ltd [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%
Gauss LLC [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash invested in Limited Liability Company				$ 83,000
Gauss LLC [Member] | Golden Queen Mining Company, LLC [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership owned	50.00%			50.00%
Total investment in associated company	$ 117,500			$ 117,500
Clay Family [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	$ 34,500