Geovic Mining (GMC) 10-Q 12 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 08, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'GMC	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GEOVIC MINING CORP.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001398005	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	106,719,602

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$99	$181
Restricted cash	194	324
Prepaid expenses	99	67
Assets held for sale [note 5]	283	'
Other	62	15
Total current assets	737	587
Property, plant and equipment, net [note 5]	596	1,178
Deposits	20	28
Total assets	1,353	1,793
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued liabilities and other payables [note 6]	3,097	1,067
Accrued payroll and related [note 6]	1,497	744
Short-term debt [note 7]	1,439	664
Accrued litigation [note 17]	250	250
Related party payable [note 16 (b)]	360	328
Total current liabilities	6,643	3,053
Other liabilities	471	471
Total liabilities	7,114	3,524
Commitments and contingencies [note 17]	'	'
EQUITY	'	'
Common stock, par value of $0.0001, 200 million shares authorized and 106.7 million and 106.7 million shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively	11	11
Additional paid-in capital	110,581	110,581
Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage	-124,496	-120,794
Total controlling stockholders' equity (deficit)	-13,904	-10,202
Noncontrolling interest [note 12]	8,143	8,471
Total equity (deficit)	-5,761	-1,731
Total liabilities and equity	$1,353	$1,793

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	106,719,602	106,719,602
Common stock, shares outstanding	106,719,602	106,719,602

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		235 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
EXPENSES (INCOME)	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration costs [note 4]	$275	$529	$720	$1,209	$97,011
General and administrative	1,109	1,190	2,208	2,481	52,244
Stock-based compensation [note 8]	'	'	'	4	18,701
Change in fair value of warrants	'	'	'	'	-675
Interest and bank charges	646	3	1,027	7	1,568
Depreciation	84	194	201	398	5,385
Property, plant and equipment impairment	'	'	'	'	309
Mineral property impairment	'	'	'	'	3,244
Total Expenses	2,114	1,916	4,156	4,099	177,787
Other Income	'	-34	'	-82	-1,894
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of asset	-126	-28	-126	-27	233
Interest income	'	'	'	'	-4,861
Net loss before income taxes	-1,988	-1,854	-4,030	-3,990	-171,265
Income tax benefit [note 13]	'	'	0	0	-65
Consolidated net loss	-1,988	-1,854	-4,030	-3,990	-171,200
Less: Net loss attributed to the noncontrolling interest	-112	-208	-328	-450	-32,710
Net loss attributed to Company stockholders	($1,876)	($1,646)	($3,702)	($3,540)	($138,490)
Net loss per share attributed to Company common stockholders	($0.02)	($0.02)	($0.03)	($0.03)	'
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted	106,719,602	106,639,602	106,719,602	106,639,602	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2012	$5,998	$11	$110,577	($113,563)	$8,973
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	106,639,602	'	'	'
Vesting of restricted stock [note 8]	'	80,000	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation, Amount [note 8]	4	'	4	'	'
Stock-based compensation, Shares [note 8]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest contribution	478	'	'	'	478
Net loss	-8,211	'	'	-7,231	-980
Ending Balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2013	-1,731	11	110,581	-120,794	8,471
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	106,719,602	106,719,602	'	'	'
Net loss	-4,030	'	'	-3,702	-328
Ending Balance, Amount at Jun. 30, 2014	($5,761)	$11	$110,581	($124,496)	$8,143
Ending Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2014	106,719,602	106,719,602	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		235 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated net loss	($1,988)	($1,854)	($4,030)	($3,990)	($171,200)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	84	194	201	398	5,385
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	4	18,701
Change in fair value of warrants	'	'	'	'	-675
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of assets	-126	-28	-126	-27	233
Property, plant and equipment impairment [note 5]	'	'	'	'	309
Write-off of mineral leases	'	'	'	'	3,244
Changes in non-cash operating working capital:	'	'	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	42	92	130	82	-194
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	-5	9	-32	196	-99
Decrease (increase) in other assets	-43	10	-47	10	-62
Decrease (increase) in deposits	8	-1	8	-28	-20
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities and other payables	1,039	-9	2,030	-165	3,097
Increase in accrued payroll and related	365	'	753	'	1,497
Increase in accrued litigation	'	'	'	'	250
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	'	'	'	'	471
Increase (decrease) in related party payable	'	-29	32	-29	360
Cash used in operating activities	-624	-1,616	-1,081	-3,549	-138,703
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	-9	-7,191
Proceeds on sale of assets	224	31	224	31	384
Acquisition of mineral leases	'	'	'	'	-3,244
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	224	31	224	22	-10,051
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in short-term debt	450	'	775	'	1,439
Noncontrolling interest contribution	'	157	'	318	40,853
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and preferred stock	'	'	'	'	95,589
Cash paid to rescind exercise of stock options	'	'	'	'	-15
Proceeds from issuance of stock warrants	'	'	'	'	16,168
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	'	'	0	0	2,564
Stock issue costs	'	'	'	'	-7,745
Cash provided by financing activities	450	157	775	318	148,853
Net increase (decrease) in cash	50	-1,428	-82	-3,209	99
Cash, beginning of period	49	2,478	181	4,259	'
Cash, end of period	$99	$1,050	$99	$1,050	$99

NATURE_OF_BUSINESS_AND_CONTINU

NATURE OF BUSINESS AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
NATURE OF BUSINESS AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS	'
	1. NATURE OF BUSINESS AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS
	Geovic Mining Corp. (the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Company owns 100% of the shares of Geovic, Ltd. (“Geovic”), a company that has been in the exploratory stage since its inception on November 16, 1994. The Company is an exploration stage company that is identifying mineral properties through its subsidiaries. As an exploration stage entity we would require further technical analysis and financing in order to bring our properties into development.
	As at June 30, 2014 our common stock was traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol GMC.TO. The Company’s shares were delisted from the TSX at the close of business on July 25, 2014 and commenced trading on the NEX, a separate trading board of the TSX Venture Exchange at the open of business on July 28, 2014 under the symbol “GMC.H”. Our common stock is also traded on the over-the-counter bulletin board (“OTC-BB”) under the symbol: “GVCM”.
	Geovic is engaged in the business of exploring for cobalt, nickel and related minerals through its majority-owned (60.5%) subsidiary, Geovic Cameroon, PLC (“GeoCam”), a financially dependent public limited company duly organized and incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Cameroon.
	The Company is also engaged in the worldwide exploration of energy and mineral resources directly or indirectly through its ownership of Geovic Energy Corp. and Geovic Mineral Sands Corp., formed in 2007 and 2009, respectively, under the laws of the State of Colorado, and Geovic France SAS, formed in December 2008 under the laws of France, and Geovic Nouvelle-Calédonie SAS, formed in March 2009 under the laws of New Caledonia, and Geovic PNG Limited, formed in May 2012 under the laws of Papua New Guinea.
	As an exploration stage company, we have a history of losses, deficits and negative operating cash flows and will continue to incur losses in the future. We continue to evaluate our cash position and cash utilization. Our ability to access additional financing will be critical to our financial condition as we attempt to obtain proceeds from the sale, joint venture, farm-out, or similar-type transaction involving one or more of our exploration prospects, the most significant of which is our 60.5% ownership stake in the Nkamouna Project in Cameroon. Based on the estimated capital and start-up costs of the Nkamouna Project, we presently do not have sufficient capital resources available to meet anticipated equity requirements. Our ability to raise additional capital for this purpose would depend on a number of factors, many of which would result in significant dilution of our current stockholders. Consequently, we have been proactively pursuing a strategic investment which, if successful, would result in our selling some or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project to a third party.
	On July 23, 2013 the Company announced that it had agreed to the terms and conditions of a Definitive Agreement (“DA”) with Jiangxi Rare Metals Tungsten Holdings Group Company Ltd (“JXTC”) of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. JXTC is a state owned large-scale industrial enterprise with significant mining and industrial operations in cobalt, copper, tungsten, and other rare metals. The terms and conditions of the DA were agreed amongst JXTC, Societe Nationale d’Investissement du Cameroun (“SNI”), the National Investment Corporation of Cameroon that owns or represents 39.5% of GeoCam, the Company, Geovic Ltd. and GeoCam.
	The transaction contemplated by the DA establishes JXTC’s intent to acquire 60.5% of the existing shares of GeoCam pursuant to the execution of a share purchase agreement between JXTC and the Company, which is expected to be subject to a variety of conditions and approvals, many of which are outside the control of the Company. There is no assurance that this agreement will be finalized or that the transaction contemplated therein will be completed. This proposed transaction would result in the complete disposition of the Company’s interest in GeoCam and the Nkamouna Project. In addition to acquiring 60.5% interest in GeoCam, JXTC would also secure 100% of the mixed cobalt-nickel sulphide product to be produced by the Nkamouna Project.
	The DA expired on March 31, 2014 and as at that date the parties had not entered into a share purchase agreement. The parties to the DA are working on an extension of the agreement to a future date. There can be no assurance that an extension of the DA will be agreed to among the parties to the DA, that a share purchase agreement will ultimately be entered into or that the transactions contemplated therein will be completed.
	We have been closely monitoring our fixed and variable costs and have restricted such costs to those expenses that are necessary to complete activities related to securing a strategic investment for the Nkamouna Project, to identify opportunities to generate cash from our existing exploration properties and to obtain additional sources of working capital in support of such activities. Management and the Board of Directors have implemented a number of cash conservation strategies for the Company and GeoCam. We have deferred payment of certain expenses and salaries in agreement with the counterparties as disclosed in Note 6. The Company has delayed payment of liabilities and has accrued, but been unable to fully pay GeoCam payroll and related benefits of approximately $0.2 million for the months of April to July 2014. As of the date of filing these liabilities remain outstanding. Due to the delayed payment of these liabilities the Company may be charged penalties in Cameroon, the amount of which cannot be currently estimated.
	In May 2014 the Company received notification that GeoCam employees were threatening to strike as of May 15, 2014 unless all compensation arrears were been paid in their entirety and health insurance reinstated. As of the date of this filing no formal strike has taken place. The Company has also been unable to fully pay Geovic Mining Corp. payroll and related benefits of approximately $0.15 for the months of June and July 2014. Further, effective August 1, 2014 the Company laid off three non-executive employees. These employees have not been paid July 2014 payroll, related benefits and unused vacation pay.
	As we are seeking to realize value for the Cameroonian assets, we have shifted the Company’s focus to a prospect generation and strategic investment business model. Since our position in GeoCam would likely be significantly diminished or completely eliminated through strategic investment, the future direction for the Company will be to identify new exploration prospects, minimally develop and prioritize existing and new prospects, and sell or joint venture further exploration and development of those prospects to others. The Company intends to take prospects to a level where they can be timely monetized through strategic investments by others who have the resources to complete advanced exploration, permitting and development.
	Our consolidated unrestricted cash balance at June 30, 2014 was approximately $99. We are endeavoring to arrange financing which would allow us to continue work on our mineral projects and pay our transaction and other expenses. If we are unable to arrange adequate financing, we may seek to further reduce our operations while we continue efforts to monetize our investment in GeoCam, or we may cease operations which could include a bankruptcy filing. Unless we arrange additional financing, we expect to nearly exhaust our cash during August 2014.
	During 2014 and 2013 the Company entered into note purchase agreements (each a “Note Purchase Agreement” and collectively the “Note Purchase Agreements”) with a number of parties, identified below, (each a “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreements, the Company agreed to issue promissory notes (each a “Note” and collectively the “Notes”) to the Purchasers in the aggregate principal amount of $1,355 as at June 30, 2014 (December 31, 2013—$605) in consideration of the payment by each Purchaser of a purchase price equal to the principal amount of such Purchaser’s respective Note.
	Each Note matures one year from the date of issuance at which time the outstanding principal amount of each Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon is due and payable by the Company. Interest accrues on the outstanding principal balance of each Note at the rate of 200% per annum on the Notes issued in 2013 and January 2014 and 300% per annum on the Notes issued from February to June 2014.
	In June 2014 the Company issued an additional note in the principal amount of $25 under similar terms as noted above except at an interest rate of 150% and due in six months at December 31, 2014.
	The Company may prepay each Note, in whole or in part and without penalty, at any time upon 30 calendar days’ prior written notice. The Company is required to prepay each Note, in whole and without penalty, within five business days following the consummation of any acquisition by JXTC or by any other entity of the Company’s 60.5% interest in GeoCam or the consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company. The Notes contain events of default and other terms and conditions.
	The following table summarizes the principal amounts of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and identifies the parties to which the Notes have been issued:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Richard G. Buckovic	$	130	$	100
	Norman C. Rose		30		30
	M N Rose Shelter Credit Trust		40		40
	Paul D. Rose		60		60
	Dragon’s Fire Investments LLC		275		225
	Thorne Bush Investments LLC		625		150
	Airlie Road Investors LLC		75		—
	David/Bette McKibben		50		—
	John/Jean Anderson		20		—
	Bill Shaffer		25		—
	Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust		25		—
	Fintech Limited		25		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
	The following table summarizes the maturity dates of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	September 30, 2014	$	120	$	120
	October 31, 2014		110		110
	November 30, 2014		125		125
	December 31, 2014		275		250
	January 31, 2015		125		—
	February 28, 2015		150		—
	March 31, 2015		50		—
	April 30, 2015		145		—
	May 31, 2015		230		—
	June 30, 2015		50		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
	Our near-term expenses could be greater than projected and we may be unable to generate additional proceeds through the sale of part or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project to a strategic partner or future business transactions on our exploration prospects. We may not be successful in completing such a sale on a timely basis, or in entering into sale or joint venture transactions involving our other exploration prospects on acceptable terms. Further, possible transactions to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity may not be available and would be dilutive to our stockholders. If we are unable to obtain additional capital, we will need to seek to further curtail our operations, to the extent possible, in order to preserve working capital, which could materially harm our business and our ability to achieve cash flow in the future, and we may need to cease operations, which could include a bankruptcy filing. Unless we arrange additional financing, we expect to nearly exhaust our cash during August 2014.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_GOIN

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND GOING CONCERN	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND GOING CONCERN	'
	2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND GOING CONCERN
	The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and accordingly do not include all disclosures required for annual financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements follow the same significant accounting policies and methods of application as the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements as included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Annual Financial Statements”). The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Financial Statements.
	In June 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( “FASB”) issued update 2014-10 related to Topic 915 Development Stage Companies which eliminated the requirements to (1) present inception-to-date information in the statements of income, cash flows, and shareholder equity, (2) label the financial statements as those of a development stage entity, (3) disclose a description of the development stage activities in which the entity is engaged, and (4) disclose in the first year in which the entity is no longer a development stage entity that in prior years it had been in the development stage. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods therein.
	These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company has limited cash resources and has not established an ongoing source of revenue sufficient to cover operating costs and has incurred losses since inception, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations, we are pursuing a strategic investment which would result in our selling some or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project to a third party which, if successful, could assist us in covering our operating costs through at least December 31, 2014. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon a sale of some or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project, entering into sale or joint venture transactions involving our other exploration prospects on acceptable terms, and/or obtaining the necessary financing through the issuance of equity to meet our current obligations arising from normal business operations when they come due.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition have been included. Operating results for this interim period are not necessarily indicative of the result that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2014.

LOSS_PER_SHARE

LOSS PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
LOSS PER SHARE	'
	3. LOSS PER SHARE
	Loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributed to the Company’s stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Stock options will be dilutive when the Company has income from continuing operations and when the average market price of the common shares during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options and warrants. Due to the net loss attributed to the Company for all periods presented, the stock options have been anti-dilutive and, therefore, not included in the loss per share calculations. All outstanding warrants expired in the second quarter of 2012 and are no longer considered for potential dilution in 2014 or 2013.

EXPLORATION_COSTS

EXPLORATION COSTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
EXPLORATION COSTS	'
	4. EXPLORATION COSTS
	Exploration costs relate to the search for mineral deposits with economic potential. Exploration costs are expensed as incurred. GeoCam gained exclusive rights for the exploitation of the cobalt and nickel deposits with the granting of a Mining Convention by the government of Cameroon on August 1, 2002. The Mining Convention grants GeoCam the exclusive rights to mine, process, and export cobalt, nickel and related substances from lands subject to a Mining Permit, which was granted by decree on April 11, 2003. The Mining Convention, which has a primary term of 25 years, sets forth all legal and fiscal provisions governing the mining operation. It is renewable under certain conditions in 10-year increments for the life of the resource. In addition to exploration through GeoCam, our other projects provide opportunities for future growth through grassroots exploration. The following is a summary of the exploration costs incurred by the Company:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended					Unaudited Period
												from November 16, 1994
												(inception) to
												June 30, 2014
		June 30,			June 30,		June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Cameroon Africa:
	Property evaluation	$	104		$	125	$	223		$	247	$	54,558
	Office costs		219			293		518			653		33,267
			323			418		741			900		87,825
	Other Projects:
	Colorado/Wyoming		—			—		—			—		2,070
	Arizona		232			22		232			129		2,149
	New Mexico		(299	)		1		(299	)		1		431
	New Caledonia		15			76		29			149		3,662
	Papua New Guinea		4			12		16			30		416
	Other		—			—		1			—		458
			(48	)		111		(21	)		309		9,186
	Total Exploration Costs	$	275		$	529	$	720		$	1,209	$	97,011

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_N

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	'
	5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Cameroon, Africa:
	Machinery and equipment	$	1,602		$	2,990
	Vehicles		811			811
	Buildings		280			280
	Furniture and equipment		459			459
			3,152			4,540
	Less accumulated depreciation		(2,712	)		(3,562	)
			440			978
	United States and Other:
	Machinery and equipment	$	207		$	235
	Vehicles		53			53
	Furniture and equipment		414			432
			674			720
	Less accumulated depreciation		(518	)		(520	)
			156			200
		$	596		$	1,178
	During the quarter ended March 31, 2014 the Company put in place a plan to dispose, by sale, at auction/bid, of certain machinery and equipment in Cameroon due to the adverse changes in the business circumstances of the Company and current usage levels of the machinery and equipment. The specific assets are all machinery and equipment and were reclassified as Assets Held for Sale on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at the net book value of $359. We ceased depreciation on the assets upon reclassification. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014 the Company sold $76 (net book value) of this equipment for proceeds of $190. During the quarter the Company also sold $22 (net book value) of other assets for proceeds of $34.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013 the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.3 million on assets with a fair value of $0.6 million. While the Company continually evaluates the recovery of its assets, the Company determined that an impairment was appropriate in 2013 due to the adverse changes in the financial and business circumstances of the Company. The impairment was based on a review of the individual assets considering future cash flows and management’s best estimate of recoverable amounts. The majority of the impairment related to assets in Cameroon of $279 due to the uncertainty of the timing of cash flows from a strategic transaction. The remainder related to corporate assets in the United States.
	The fair value was based on a consideration of future cash flows and management judgment using Level 3 inputs under ASC 820. Because of possible future adverse changes in the financial and business circumstances of the Company, it is reasonably possible that the estimate of fair value may change in the near term resulting in the need to further adjust our determination of fair value.
	There was no rental income in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2014. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, GeoCam rented idle equipment to a third party and recorded $34 and $82 as other income in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a result of this transaction.

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES_AND_OTHER_

ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES/ACCRUED PAYROLL AND RELATED	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES/ACCRUED PAYROLL AND RELATED	'
	6. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES/ACCRUED PAYROLL AND RELATED
	The Company has entered into agreements with certain consultants to defer a portion of their fees pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction. As at June 30, 2014 the deferred fees were $181 (December 31, 2013—$105). The deferred fees are included in Accrued liabilities and other payables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, however such amounts will not be paid or impact the cash position until one month after the closing of a strategic partner transaction involving the Company’s interest in the Cameroon project.
	The Company has also deferred Directors’ fees pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction and/or a significant financing. As at June 30, 2014 the deferred fees were $131 (December 31, 2013—$72). The deferred fees are included in Accrued liabilities and other payables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, however such amounts will not be paid or impact the cash position until the earlier of: a) receipt of proceeds from JXTC from the sale of our interest in the Cameroon project or, b) receipt of proceeds from a significant financing in an amount expected to be sufficient to cover the Company’s cash requirement for at least six months.
	The Company has also entered into agreements with certain employees to defer a portion of their salaries pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction or other events. The deferred salaries and related employee benefits were equal to $514 as at June 30, 2014 (December 31, 2013—$263). The agreements further provide for an additional incentive of 100%—200% of the deferral and related employee benefits and as at June 30, 2014 the deferral incentives and related employee benefits were $983 (December 31, 2013—$481). The total of deferred salaries and deferral incentives and related employee benefits of $1,497 (December 31, 2013—$744) is included in Accrued payroll and related on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, however such amounts will not be paid or impact the cash position until the earlier of: a) receipt of proceeds from JXTC or from any other entity from the sale of our interest in the Cameroon project, b) consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company, c) receipt of proceeds from a significant financing in an amount expected to be sufficient to cover the Company’s cash requirement for at least six months, or d) March 14, 2014 (related to the deferrals from August 2013 to January 2014) or March 14, 2015 (related to the deferrals from February 2013 forward).
	As of March 14, 2014 none of the foregoing events had occurred and the Company was not in a financial position to pay the salary deferrals and incentives. Accordingly in March 2014 the Company sought forbearance agreements, which would extend the March 14, 2014 deadline to a future date, from the employees who had deferred a portion of their salaries and the employees agreed to consider entering into such agreements. These agreements have not yet been finalized.

SHORTTERM_DEBT

SHORT-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
SHORT-TERM DEBT	'
	7. SHORT-TERM DEBT
	During 2014 and 2013 the Company entered into note purchase agreements with a number of parties as identified below. Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreements, the Company agreed to issue promissory notes to the Purchasers in the aggregate principal amount of $1,355 as at June 30, 2014 (December 31, 2013—$605) in consideration of the payment by each Purchaser of a purchase price equal to the principal amount of such Purchaser’s respective Note.
	Each Note matures one year from the date of issuance at which time the outstanding principal amount of each Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon is due and payable by the Company. Interest accrues on the outstanding principal balance of each Note at the rate of 200% per annum on the Notes issued in 2013 and January 2014 and 300% per annum on the Notes issued from February to June 2014.
	In June 2014 the Company issued an additional note in the principal amount of $25 under similar terms as noted above except at an interest rate of 150% and due in six months at December 31, 2014.
	The Company may prepay each Note, in whole or in part and without penalty, at any time upon 30 calendar days’ prior written notice. The Company is required to prepay each Note, in whole and without penalty, within five business days following the consummation of any acquisition by JXTC or by any other entity of the Company’s 60.5% interest in GeoCam or the consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company. The Notes contain events of default and other terms and conditions.
	The following table summarizes the principal amounts of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and identifies the parties to which the Notes have been issued:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Richard G. Buckovic	$	130	$	100
	Norman C. Rose		30		30
	M N Rose Shelter Credit Trust		40		40
	Paul D. Rose		60		60
	Dragon’s Fire Investments LLC		275		225
	Thorne Bush Investments LLC		625		150
	Airlie Road Investors LLC		75		—
	David/Bette McKibben		50		—
	John/Jean Anderson		20		—
	Bill Shaffer		25		—
	Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust		25		—
	Fintech Limited		25		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
	The following table summarizes the maturity dates of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	September 30, 2014	$	120	$	120
	October 31, 2014		110		110
	November 30, 2014		125		125
	December 31, 2014		275		250
	January 31, 2015		125		—
	February 28, 2015		150		—
	March 31, 2015		50		—
	April 30, 2015		145		—
	May 31, 2015		230		—
	June 30, 2015		50		—
	Total Short-Term Debt	$	1,380	$	605
	On October 10, 2013 the Company and The Joe Scott Group (“JS Group”) entered into a promissory note whereby the JS Group provided the Company with $59 to establish a certificate of deposit for financial assurance in favor of the State of New Mexico related to surface disturbance on the WMJV properties. The certificate of deposit was established on November 4, 2013 (see Note 14).

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	'
	8. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
	Stock options
	The Company adopted a stock option plan which was amended in June 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the “Company Option Plan”), under which 18,700,000 Company shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the Company Option Plan. The Company Option Plan is intended to provide a means whereby the Company and its subsidiaries can attract, motivate and retain key employees, consultants, and service providers who can contribute materially to the Company’s growth and success, and to facilitate the acquisition of shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company Option Plan provides for incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and nonqualified stock options that do not meet the requirements for incentive stock options. The Company Option Plan requires the option exercise price per share purchasable under the option to be equal to the greater of the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange the day before or date of grant for all nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options. The Company has historically issued new shares when share-based awards are exercised. The following table and related information summarizes the Company’s stock options and the stock option activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014:
			Options Outstanding							Weighted		Aggregate
										Average		Intrinsic
										Remaining		Value
										Contractual		(000’s)
			Options Available		Number			Weighted		Term (Years)
			for Grant		Outstanding			Average
								Exercise Price
								per Share*
	Available and outstanding at December 31, 2013			8,618,801		10,081,199		$	0.91
	Granted			—		—			—
	Exercised			—		—			—
	Forfeited			620,000		(620,000	)		0.72
	Expired			—		—			—
	Available and outstanding at June 30, 2014			9,238,801		9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014					9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	Vested or expected to vest at June 30, 2014					9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	*	Some of the options are granted with Canadian dollar exercise prices, and the weighted average prices reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent prices.
	The following stock option grants were issued by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 respectively:
		•		The Company did not grant any options under the Company Option Plan during 2014 and 2013. During the three months ended June 30, 2014 the Company recorded compensation expense of $0 relating to vesting of previous grants (2013—$3). There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock based compensation granted under the Company Option Plan as of June 30, 2014.
		•		The weighted-average fair value per share of options granted under the Company’s Options Plan during 2014 and 2013 was zero as no options were granted. No options were exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2014 resulting in the total intrinsic value of share options exercised of $0 (2013—$0). The total cash received from the exercise of stock options was $0 (2013—$0).
	No stock options were granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 resulting in no fair value estimates.
	The Company estimates expected forfeitures at the grant date and compensation expense is recorded only for those awards expected to vest. The estimate of expected forfeitures is reevaluated at the balance sheet date.
	Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, particularly as to the expected price volatility of the market value of the underlying stock. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore it is management’s view that the existing models do not necessarily provide a single reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s equity instruments.
	Stock awards
	The Company adopted the 2010 Company Stock Award Plan (the “Stock Award Plan”) that was approved in June 2010. The Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Common Stock subject to the Stock Award Plan shall be authorized and unissued stock. Stock Awards may be granted to Employees, Directors, Officers and Consultants. Stock Awards may be granted as Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units.
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we did not grant any Restricted Stock Awards. During 2011, we granted 210,000 Restricted Stock Awards to certain members of the executive management team and the Board of Directors. The Restricted Stock Awards vest 40% on the grant date (January 21, 2011), 30% on the 1st anniversary of the grant date, and 30% on the 2nd anniversary of the grant date. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense of $0 (2013—$1) related to the Restricted Stock Awards.
	Also during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we did not grant any Restricted Stock Units. During 2011, we granted 180,000 Restricted Stock Units to certain members of the Board of Directors. The Restricted Stock Units vested on the first anniversary of the grant date. The shares are issued to the recipient on the earlier of their termination date or on the third anniversary of the grant date. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 no shares were issued. During the year ended December 31, 2013, 80,000 shares were issued to two members of the Board of Directors who did not stand for re-election. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized no compensation expense as they were fully expensed during 2012 related to the Restricted Stock Units.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Common stock
	The Company is authorized to issue 200 million shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.0001. There were 106,719,602 shares issued as of June 30, 2014.
	Preferred stock
	The Company is authorized to issue 50 million shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001. There are no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding as of June 30, 2014.

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	'
	10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
	The Company currently does not hold derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity prices. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. All derivative financial instruments are recognized on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings if they are not eligible for hedge accounting or other comprehensive income if they qualify for cash flow hedge accounting.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
		•	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
		•	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and trade payables represented fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

NONCONTROLLING_INTEREST

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	'
	12. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
	On January 24, 2013 GeoCam shareholders approved a capital increase equivalent to approximately $1.2 million, with the capital to be funded with multiple cash calls. Geovic’s 60.5% share of the capital increase was approximately $0.7 million
	On February 14, 2013 the first cash call totaling approximately $0.4 million, of which Geovic paid approximately $0.2 million, was completed.
	On April 17, 2013 the second cash call totaling approximately $0.4 million, of which Geovic paid approximately $0.24 million, was completed.
	On July 31, 2013 the third cash call totaling approximately $0.4 million, of which Geovic paid approximately $0.24 million, was completed. There are no remaining authorized calls to be made.
	The noncontrolling interest balance of approximately $8,143 at June 30, 2014 (December 31, 2013—$8,471) represents the balance from the capital increases contributed by the noncontrolling interest as described above. The difference between the amounts contributed and the balance at June 30, 2014 represents the noncontrolling interest share of the actual expenditures from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2014.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	13. INCOME TAXES
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, Cameroon, France, New Caledonia and Colorado. The Company has open tax years for the U.S. federal return from 2000 forward with respect to its net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, where the IRS may not raise tax for these years, but can reduce NOLs. Otherwise, with few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state, or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2009. The Company has incurred losses since inception. Due to the full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset, management would expect that any adjustment resulting from the audit would not result in an adjustment to the Company’s financial statements. In addition, the Company’s ability to deduct NOL carryforwards may be subject to a limitation if the Company were to undergo an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
	There was no benefit from income taxes in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and during the same period in 2013. The effective tax rate was 0% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and for the same period in 2013. Our effective rates differ from the statutory federal rate of 35% for certain items, such as state and local taxes, non-deductible expenses, change in valuation allowance offsetting foreign and domestic operating losses and foreign taxes at rates other than 35%.
	The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recognized no potential interest or penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits.
	The Company had no unrecognized tax benefit as of June 30, 2014 or change in unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective rate. The Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the remainder of the year.

JOINT_VENTURE

JOINT VENTURE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
JOINT VENTURE	'
	14. JOINT VENTURE
	During 2013 the Company entered into the Wind Mountain Joint Venture (“WMJV”) with the JS Group for exploring, defining, developing and marketing of mining claims the Company owns in New Mexico which commenced work during the third quarter of 2013. The funding would be provided by the JS Group in three phases and the Company agreed to convey and transfer all right, title and interest of 60% of the mining claims to the JS Group in such phases dependent upon continuation of the project and funding.
	The agreement is considered a collaborative arrangement between the Company and JS Group. The Company’s accounting policy for collaborative arrangements is to report any costs incurred with third parties in the statement of operations and to evaluate the income statement classification of transactions with JS Group based on the nature of the collaborative arrangement’s business operations and the contractual terms of the arrangement. The Company has previously expensed all costs related to the New Mexico claims and in accordance with ASC 932, Extractive Industries, have recorded no gain upon conveying the original 60% of the claims. The transfer of the mining claims to WMJV is considered equal in value to the funding in each phase and no amounts appear in the financial statements. The funding by the JS Group, project to date is $72.
	In April 2014 the Company and the JS Group entered into a letter of agreement amending the original agreement, whereby the JS Group have the option to acquire an additional 30% of the WMJV mining claims for a total consideration of $0.3 million upon the completion of the first phase of activities and funding related to WMJV. Further, upon payment of the $0.3 million consideration, Geovic is to convey and assign 90% of the interest in the mining claims to JS Group. Upon the JS Group electing to acquire the additional 30% from the Company, Geovic shall have an option to reacquire 15% of the interest for $150 upon written notice to the JS Group prior to the receipt of the assay results of the first core sample during the second phase of the project. In April 2014 upon completion of the first phase of activities and funding, the JS Group elected to exercise such option to acquire an additional 30% for $0.3 million for a total interest of 90%. Upon receipt of the $0.3 million consideration, the Company assigned 90% of the mining claims to the JS Group. The proceeds of $0.3 million were recorded to exploration costs where the original expenditures on the properties were expensed.
	On October 10, 2013 the Company and the JS Group entered into a promissory note whereby the JS Group provided the Company with $59 to establish a certificate of deposit for financial assurance in favor of the State of New Mexico related to surface disturbance on the WMJV properties. The certificate of deposit was established on November 4, 2013.

POSSIBLE_GEOCAM_TRANSACTION

POSSIBLE GEOCAM TRANSACTION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
POSSIBLE GEOCAM TRANSACTION	'
	15. POSSIBLE GEOCAM TRANSACTION
	As disclosed in Note 1, on July 23, 2013 the Company announced that it had agreed to the terms and conditions of a Definitive Agreement (“DA”) with JXTC. JXTC is a state owned large-scale industrial enterprise with significant mining and industrial operations in cobalt, copper, tungsten, and other rare metals. The terms and conditions of the DA were agreed amongst JXTC, SNI (which owns or represents 39.5% of Geovic Cameroon), the Company, Geovic Ltd. and GeoCam.
	The transaction contemplated by the DA establishes JXTC’s intent to acquire 60.5% of the existing shares of GeoCam pursuant to the execution of a share purchase agreement between JXTC and the Company which is expected to be subject to a variety of conditions and approvals, many of which are outside the control of the Company. There is no assurance that this agreement will be finalized or that the transaction contemplated therein will be completed. This proposed transaction would result in the complete disposition of the Company’s interest in GeoCam and the Nkamouna Project. In addition to acquiring 60.5% interest in GeoCam, JXTC would also secure 100% of the mixed cobalt-nickel sulphide product to be produced by the Nkamouna Project through a long-term arm’s length Off-Take Agreement with GeoCam. As of the date of issuance, the share purchase agreement has not been finalized, and there is no certainty the transaction contemplated therein will be completed.
	The DA expired on March 31, 2014 and as at that date the parties had not entered into a share purchase agreement. The parties to the DA are working on an extension of the agreement to a future date. There can be no assurance that an extension of the DA will be agreed to among the parties to the DA, that a share purchase agreement will ultimately be entered into or that the transactions contemplated therein will be completed.
	In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment because the proposed share purchase agreement described in Note 1 is not yet finalized and approved by the stockholders of the Company, the assets and liabilities of GeoCam continue to be classified as held and used as of June 30, 2014.

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	'
	16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	[a]	During 2013 and 2014 the Company entered into agreements with certain employees to defer a portion of their salaries pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction or other events. The agreements further provided for an additional incentive. The deferred salaries and incentive amounts, not including related employee benefits, for Executive Offices and/or Directors as at June 30, 2014 are Michael T. Mason $513 (December 31, 2013—$225), Greg C. Hill $359 (December 31, 2013—$184) and William A. Buckovic $461 (December 31, 2013—$205). See further disclosure in Note 6.
	[b]	During 2013 and 2014 the Company entered into Note Purchase Agreements with Paul D. Rose, a Director of the Company ($60), Dragon’s Fire Investments LLC, an entity owned by Paul D. Rose ($275), Norman C. Rose, the father of Paul D. Rose ($30), Thorne Bush Investments LLC, owned by Norman C. Rose ($625) and John and Jean Anderson, the brother-in-law and sister of William A. Buckovic. Further, Richard G. Buckovic ($130) is the uncle of William A. Buckovic, Executive Vice President and Director and the M.N. Rose Shelter Credit Trust ($40) is a trust organized by Norman C. Rose, the father of Paul D. Rose. See further disclosure in Note 7.
	[c]	GeoCam entered into a professional and management services contract with SNI, the holder of 20% and representative of other holders of an additional 19.5% of the outstanding shares of GeoCam that was effective for fiscal year 2011. The services were for government relations and administrative matters related to project development. No agreements have been entered into subsequent to 2011.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	[a]	In November 2009, five management level consultants or employees of GeoCam filed litigation in Cameroon, claiming approximately $2.2 million as compensation and damages as a result of termination of their services by GeoCam in connection with a reduction in workforce in February and March 2009. In April 2010 the litigation was dismissed. In July 2010 the litigation was brought by four of the claimants before one other jurisdiction and by the fifth claimant in a separate jurisdiction. On June 3, 2011, the High Court of Abong-Mbang, the court before which four of the matters were pending entered judgments in favor of the four claimants totaling CFA 780,339,500 (approximately $1.6 million at June 30, 2014). On November 14, 2011, the High Court of Mfoundi, Yaoundé, the court before which the fifth matter was pending entered a judgment in favor of the claimant totaling CFA 118,804,219 (approximately $0.2 million at June 30, 2014). GeoCam appealed all five matters to the next highest appellate court in Cameroon, the Court of Appeal of the East Region at Bertoua as to the four claimants and the Court of Appeal of the Center Region at Yaoundé as to the fifth matter. In June 2014 the appeal in the fifth matter was heard and the earlier court judgment for CFA 118,804,219 (approximately $0.2 million at June 30, 2014) was overturned. However, the claimant may file an appeal or civil claim to another court.
	The Court of Appeal, before which the fifth matter was pending, authorized CFA 51,851,813 (approximately $0.1 million at June 30, 2014) of GeoCam funds to be attached for the benefit of the claimant in the second quarter of 2012 and placed in a restricted account at GeoCam’s bank pending resolution of the case. GeoCam has sought to have this restriction lifted. The matter was adjourned to September 25, 2014 however GeoCam has requested the restriction be immediately lifted based on the fact that the judgment for the entire claim has been overturned.
	The Court of Appeal before which the other four appeals were pending set aside the judgment of the lower court discussed above and awarded the four claimants an amount totaling CFA 125,062,887 (approximately $0.3 million at June 30, 2014) in the fourth quarter of 2012. GeoCam has filed appeals in all four matters which stayed enforcement of the judgments pending resolution of the appeals. This Court of Appeal also authorized CFA 108,949,204 (approximately $0.2 million at June 30, 2014) in GeoCam funds to be attached for the benefit of the claimants and placed in a restricted account at GeoCam’s bank pending final resolution of the appeals. In December 2013 attached funds related to one claim in the amount of CFA 46,353,259 (approximately $0.1 million) were released to GeoCam. In January 2014 attached funds related to two more of the remaining claims in the amount of CFA 42,380,887 (approximately $0.09 million) were released to GeoCam. In May 2014 attached funds related to the remaining one claimant of CFA 20,215,058 (approximately $0.04 million) were released to GeoCam.
	The restricted funds related to the one claimant that remained at June 30, 2014 totaling approximately $0.1 million are included as restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets. The Company believes all contractual and other obligations to the five individual claimants were satisfied; however, given the judgments, we believe it could be deemed probable that the outcome would be unfavorable to GeoCam and, therefore, GeoCam accrued approximately $0.3 million for the matters in our consolidated financial statements at the time the Court of Appeal reached its decision. It is possible that an additional amount up to approximately $0.2 million could be awarded to the claimants in these matters.
	[b]	On October 22, 2013, the Company entered into a severance and release agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) with Timothy D. Arnold, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. The Severance Agreement provides that October 24, 2013 was Mr. Arnold’s last day of employment with the Company (the “Separation Date”).
	Under the Severance Agreement the Company is obligated to pay Mr. Arnold a lump sum severance payment equal to $0.5 million, less applicable deductions and withholdings (the “Severance Amount”). The Company must pay the Severance Amount to Mr. Arnold on the first business day following six months after the Separation Date (the “Payment Date”), unless payment on that date would jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, in which case the Severance Amount is payable on the first date after the Payment Date where making such payment would not jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. As of June 30, 2014 the Company had not paid the Severance Amount due to the jeopardy of the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern that would have resulted from such payment. Effective upon the actual payment of the Severance Amount, Mr. Arnold has agreed to release, subject to limited exceptions, the Company and its affiliates from any and all claims Mr. Arnold may have through the effective date of the Severance Agreement.
	The Severance Agreement replaces and supersedes the Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Mr. Arnold, dated as of February 1, 2011.
	[c]	The Company has engaged a consultant to provide consulting services in connection with the Nkamouna Project. The Company paid the consultant $11 in fees during the six months ended June 30, 2014 (2013—$20). The consultant has agreed to defer a portion of their fees pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction equal to $85 as at June 30, 2014. The deferred fees are accrued and will be paid per the disclosure in Note 6. Further, the Company has agreed to pay a contingent fee of approximately $0.2 million upon completion of a successful transaction.
	[d]	In December 2009 the Company engaged a financial advisor in connection with the financing of the Nkamouna Project. The Company agreed to pay a fixed retainer fee of $50 per month and a $0.8 million success fee upon completion. The terms of the agreement were based on the assumption that the completion would occur by December 2010. A replacement agreement with GeoCam was entered into August 2010 with substantially the same terms except the new agreement extended the date of the expected completion of financing. During the first quarter of 2012, the $50 per month retainer obligation was mutually suspended. In May 2014 the financial advisor provided written notice to GeoCam of their intention to terminate the agreement.
	[e]	In January 2011, the Company engaged a financial advisor to advise it with respect to the Company’s obligations in connection with financing of the Nkamouna Project and to assist in developing arrangements with strategic investors. The Company agreed to pay a fixed retainer fee of $50 per month plus reimbursement of expenditures, and a minimum success fee of $1.0 million based on a sliding scale depending on the size of any financing transaction. During the first quarter of 2012, the $50 per month retainer obligation was mutually suspended at least until a financing transaction is underway.
	[f]	The Company engaged a provider of legal and consulting services in connection with the Nkamouna Project. The Company agreed to pay a fixed quarterly fee and reimbursement of travel expenditures; the payment for any additional services will be contingent upon completion of a successful transaction. The contingent success fee as of June 30, 2014 is €349 (equivalent to approximately $0.48 million) (2013— €349 (equivalent to approximately $0.48 million)).

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Subsequent to June 30, 2014 in July 2014, the Company has entered into further agreements with certain employees to defer a portion of their salaries pending the closing of a strategic partner transaction or other events (see Note 6). The deferred salaries for 2014 to filing date are equal to $292. The agreements further provide for an additional incentive which is $585 for 2014 to filing date. The total 2014 deferred salaries and deferral incentives to filing date are $877. As with the 2013 amounts these will be included in Accrued payroll and related on the consolidated balance sheets, however such amounts will not be paid or impact the cash position until the earlier of: a) receipt of proceeds from JXTC or from any other entity from the sale of our interest in the Cameroon project, b) consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company, c) receipt of proceeds from a significant financing in an amount expected to be sufficient to cover the Company’s cash requirement for at least six months, or d) February 15, 2015. Such agreements relate to the salary deferrals for February 2014 and forward. The January 2014 deferral was subject to the same terms as the 2013 agreements and the forbearance as described in note 6.
	Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the Company was delisted by the TSX on July 25, 2014 and has transitioned to the NEX, a separate board of the TSX Venture Exchange as of July 28, 2014 trading under the symbol “GMC.H”.
	Subsequent to June 30, 2014, effective August 1, 2014 the Company laid off three non-executive employees. These employees have not been paid July 2014 payroll, related benefits and unused vacation pay of approximately $17.
	Subsequent to June 30, 2014, on July 22, 2014, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) and note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), in each case with Tangiers Investment Group, LLC (“Tangiers”).
	Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, Tangiers has committed to purchase up to $3.0 million of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), from time to time upon the Company’s advance written request over the course of a 36 month commitment period (the “Commitment Period”), contingent on the Company filing and obtaining an effective registration of the underlying shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Company timely complying with its reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable SEC regulations. The Company is entitled to request such equity investments from Tangiers from time to time during the Commitment Period in an amount of up to $100,000 per request, and in connection with each request the Company will issue and sell to Tangiers, and Tangiers will purchase from the Company, that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the amount of the advance requested by the Company by a purchase price equal to 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average trading price of the Common Stock during the five consecutive trading days following the date of the Company’s request. The Securities Purchase Agreement includes certain restrictions on the ability of the Company to issue or sell its capital stock or securities granting rights to acquire its capital stock for consideration less than the then current market price of the Company’s Common Stock.
	The Securities Purchase Agreement also requires that the Company issue to Tangiers restricted Common Stock equal to 2.5% of Tangier’s $3.0 million commitment as a commitment fee. The commitment fee Common Stock is issuable by the Company to Tangiers in two 50% tranches, with the first tranche due upon the execution of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the second tranche due 60 days following the execution of the Securities Purchase Agreement. The number of shares of restricted Common Stock issuable in each tranche is calculated by dividing the dollar amount of each tranche by the average volume weighted average trading price of the Common Stock during the five business days preceding the date on which the shares for such tranche are due to be issued.
	Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 or on such other form as is available and to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC prior to the first sale to Tangiers of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
	Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue a 4% convertible promissory note (the “Convertible Note”) to Tangiers, in the original principal amount of $44,000, in consideration of the payment by Tangiers of a purchase price equal to $40,000, with $4,000 retained by Tangiers as original issue discount for due diligence, document preparation and legal expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Note Purchase Agreement. The Company issued the Convertible Note on July 22, 2014.
	The Convertible Note matures on July 22, 2015, at which time the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon is due and payable by the Company. The Convertible Note provides for “guaranteed” interest on the principal balance thereof at the rate of 4%, which interest is deemed earned as of the date of the Convertible Note’s issuance, to the extent such principal amount and interest have been repaid or converted into the Company’s Common Stock. The Convertible Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at the option of Tangiers at a conversion price equal to 50% of the lowest trading price of the Company’s Common Stock during the 20 consecutive trading days prior to the date on which Tangiers elects to convert all or part of the Convertible Note.
	The Convertible Note contains certain events of default, including with respect to defaults in payment obligations, the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings and certain failures relating to the listing, trading and bid price of the Company’s Common Stock, the occurrence of which may result in acceleration of the Company’s obligation to pay the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default, additional interest will accrue at the rate equal to the lower of 20% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law and liquidated damages will accrue at the rate of $1,000 per day. In the event of any acceleration following an event of default, the amount due and owing to Tangiers under the Convertible Note will be increased to 150% of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Note plus all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and liquidated damages, if any.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_AND_GOIN1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND GOING CONCERN (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Going Concern	'
	The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and accordingly do not include all disclosures required for annual financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements follow the same significant accounting policies and methods of application as the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements as included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Annual Financial Statements”). The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Financial Statements.
	In June 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( “FASB”) issued update 2014-10 related to Topic 915 Development Stage Companies which eliminated the requirements to (1) present inception-to-date information in the statements of income, cash flows, and shareholder equity, (2) label the financial statements as those of a development stage entity, (3) disclose a description of the development stage activities in which the entity is engaged, and (4) disclose in the first year in which the entity is no longer a development stage entity that in prior years it had been in the development stage. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods therein.
	These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company has limited cash resources and has not established an ongoing source of revenue sufficient to cover operating costs and has incurred losses since inception, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations, we are pursuing a strategic investment which would result in our selling some or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project to a third party which, if successful, could assist us in covering our operating costs through at least December 31, 2014. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon a sale of some or all of our interest in the Nkamouna Project, entering into sale or joint venture transactions involving our other exploration prospects on acceptable terms, and/or obtaining the necessary financing through the issuance of equity to meet our current obligations arising from normal business operations when they come due.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition have been included. Operating results for this interim period are not necessarily indicative of the result that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2014.
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	'
	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
		•	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
		•	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

NATURE_OF_BUSINESS_AND_CONTINU1

NATURE OF BUSINESS AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of Principal Amounts of Notes Issued and Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes the principal amounts of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and identifies the parties to which the Notes have been issued:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Richard G. Buckovic	$	130	$	100
	Norman C. Rose		30		30
	M N Rose Shelter Credit Trust		40		40
	Paul D. Rose		60		60
	Dragon’s Fire Investments LLC		275		225
	Thorne Bush Investments LLC		625		150
	Airlie Road Investors LLC		75		—
	David/Bette McKibben		50		—
	John/Jean Anderson		20		—
	Bill Shaffer		25		—
	Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust		25		—
	Fintech Limited		25		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes the maturity dates of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	September 30, 2014	$	120	$	120
	October 31, 2014		110		110
	November 30, 2014		125		125
	December 31, 2014		275		250
	January 31, 2015		125		—
	February 28, 2015		150		—
	March 31, 2015		50		—
	April 30, 2015		145		—
	May 31, 2015		230		—
	June 30, 2015		50		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
Short-Term Debt [Member]	'
Summary of Principal Amounts of Notes Issued and Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes the principal amounts of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and identifies the parties to which the Notes have been issued:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Richard G. Buckovic	$	130	$	100
	Norman C. Rose		30		30
	M N Rose Shelter Credit Trust		40		40
	Paul D. Rose		60		60
	Dragon’s Fire Investments LLC		275		225
	Thorne Bush Investments LLC		625		150
	Airlie Road Investors LLC		75		—
	David/Bette McKibben		50		—
	John/Jean Anderson		20		—
	Bill Shaffer		25		—
	Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust		25		—
	Fintech Limited		25		—
	Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$	1,380	$	605
Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes the maturity dates of the Notes issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	September 30, 2014	$	120	$	120
	October 31, 2014		110		110
	November 30, 2014		125		125
	December 31, 2014		275		250
	January 31, 2015		125		—
	February 28, 2015		150		—
	March 31, 2015		50		—
	April 30, 2015		145		—
	May 31, 2015		230		—
	June 30, 2015		50		—
	Total Short-Term Debt	$	1,380	$	605

EXPLORATION_COSTS_Tables

EXPLORATION COSTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
Exploration Cost Related to Mining Operations	'
	The following is a summary of the exploration costs incurred by the Company:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended					Unaudited Period
												from November 16, 1994
												(inception) to
												June 30, 2014
		June 30,			June 30,		June 30,			June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Cameroon Africa:
	Property evaluation	$	104		$	125	$	223		$	247	$	54,558
	Office costs		219			293		518			653		33,267
			323			418		741			900		87,825
	Other Projects:
	Colorado/Wyoming		—			—		—			—		2,070
	Arizona		232			22		232			129		2,149
	New Mexico		(299	)		1		(299	)		1		431
	New Caledonia		15			76		29			149		3,662
	Papua New Guinea		4			12		16			30		416
	Other		—			—		1			—		458
			(48	)		111		(21	)		309		9,186
	Total Exploration Costs	$	275		$	529	$	720		$	1,209	$	97,011

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_N1

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Cameroon, Africa:
	Machinery and equipment	$	1,602		$	2,990
	Vehicles		811			811
	Buildings		280			280
	Furniture and equipment		459			459
			3,152			4,540
	Less accumulated depreciation		(2,712	)		(3,562	)
			440			978
	United States and Other:
	Machinery and equipment	$	207		$	235
	Vehicles		53			53
	Furniture and equipment		414			432
			674			720
	Less accumulated depreciation		(518	)		(520	)
			156			200
		$	596		$	1,178

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Table

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Options and Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table and related information summarizes the Company’s stock options and the stock option activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014:
			Options Outstanding							Weighted		Aggregate
										Average		Intrinsic
										Remaining		Value
										Contractual		(000’s)
			Options Available		Number			Weighted		Term (Years)
			for Grant		Outstanding			Average
								Exercise Price
								per Share*
	Available and outstanding at December 31, 2013			8,618,801		10,081,199		$	0.91
	Granted			—		—			—
	Exercised			—		—			—
	Forfeited			620,000		(620,000	)		0.72
	Expired			—		—			—
	Available and outstanding at June 30, 2014			9,238,801		9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014					9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	Vested or expected to vest at June 30, 2014					9,461,199		$	0.91		3.3	$	—
	*	Some of the options are granted with Canadian dollar exercise prices, and the weighted average prices reflect the U.S. dollar equivalent prices.

Recovered_Sheet1

Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Aug. 01, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 23, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Additional Borrowings Due December 31, 2014 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Geovic Cameroon, PLC [Member]

GeoCam [Member]

Geovic, Ltd. [Member]

JXTC [Member]

JXTC [Member]

Employees

Subsequent Event [Member]

Share Purchase Agreement [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company's ownership in subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.50%

'

100.00%

39.50%

60.50%

Inception date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16-Nov-94

'

'

Percentage of mixed cobalt-nickel sulphide product to be produced

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

Accrued payroll and related

$1,497

'

'

$744

'

'

'

'

'

$1,497

'

$200

'

'

'

Number of non-executive employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents

99

49

'

181

1,050

2,478

4,259

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

$1,355

'

'

$605

'

'

'

$25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on promissory notes

300.00%

'

200.00%

200.00%

'

'

'

150.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory notes maturity term

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note prepayment terms

'The Company may prepay each Note, in whole or in part and without penalty, at any time upon 30 calendar days' prior written notice. The Company is required to prepay each Note, in whole and without penalty, within five business days following the consummation of any acquisition by JXTC or by any other entity of the Company's 60.5% interest in GeoCam or the consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recovered_Sheet2

Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations - Summary of Principal Amounts of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,439	$664
Richard G. Buckovic [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	130	100
Norman C. Rose [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	30	30
M. N. Rose Shelter Credit Trust [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	40	40
Paul D. Rose [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	60	60
Dragon's Fire Investments LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	275	225
Thorne Bush Investments LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	625	150
Airlie Road Investors LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	75	'
David/Bette McKibben [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	50	'
John/Jean Anderson [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	20	'
Bill Shaffer [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Fintech Limited [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Note Purchase Agreement [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,380	$605

Nature_of_Business_and_Continu2

Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations - Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,439	$664
September 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	120	120
October 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	110	110
November 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	125	125
December 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	275	250
January 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	125	'
February 28, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	150	'
March 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	50	'
April 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	145	'
May 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	230	'
June 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	50	'
Note Purchase Agreement [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,380	$605

Nature_of_Business_and_Continu3

Nature of Business and Continuance of Operations - Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
September 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Sep-14	30-Sep-14
October 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Oct-14	31-Oct-14
November 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Nov-14	30-Nov-14
December 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Dec-14	31-Dec-14
January 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Jan-15	'
February 28, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	28-Feb-15	'
March 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Mar-15	'
April 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Apr-15	'
May 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-May-15	'
June 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Jun-15	'

Exploration_Costs_Additional_I

Exploration Costs - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Extractive Industries [Abstract]	'
Mineral right grant date	1-Aug-02
Mineral right by decree grant date	11-Apr-03
Mining convention primary term	'25 years
Mining convention renewable additional term	'10 years

Exploration_Costs_Exploration_

Exploration Costs - Exploration Cost Related to Mining Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		235 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	$275	$529	$720	$1,209	$97,011
Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	-48	111	-21	309	9,186
Cameroon, Africa [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	323	418	741	900	87,825
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Property evaluation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	104	125	223	247	54,558
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Office costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	219	293	518	653	33,267
Colorado/Wyoming [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	'	'	'	'	2,070
Arizona [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	232	22	232	129	2,149
New Mexico [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	-299	1	-299	1	431
New Caledonia [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	15	76	29	149	3,662
Papua New Guinea [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	4	12	16	30	416
Other [Member] | Other Projects [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Exploration cost related to mining operations	'	'	'	'	'
Total Exploration Costs	'	'	$1	'	$458

Recovered_Sheet3

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net - Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$596	$1,178
Cameroon, Africa [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,152	4,540
Less accumulated depreciation	-2,712	-3,562
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	440	978
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,602	2,990
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	811	811
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Buildings [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	280	280
Cameroon, Africa [Member] | Furniture and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	459	459
United States and Other [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	674	720
Less accumulated depreciation	-518	-520
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	156	200
United States and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	207	235
United States and Other [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	53	53
United States and Other [Member] | Furniture and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$414	$432

Recovered_Sheet4

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	235 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
							Other Assets [Member]	Cameroon, Africa [Member]	Cameroon, Africa [Member]	Cameroon, Africa [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Held for Sale	$283,000	'	$283,000	'	'	$283,000	'	'	'	$359,000
Net book value of sale of equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,000	76,000	'	'
Proceeds on sale of assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	190,000	'	'
Proceeds on sale of other assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	34,000	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment impairment	'	'	'	'	300,000	309,000	'	'	279,000	'
Fair value of asset	'	'	'	'	600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Income from rented idle equipment	'	34,000	'	82,000	'	1,894,000	'	'	'	'
Rental income	$0	'	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Recovered_Sheet5

Accrued Liabilities and Other Payables/Accrued Payroll and Related - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued fees and expenses	$3,097	$1,067
Accrued payroll and related	1,497	744
Incentive percentage of deferral and related employee benefits, minimum	100.00%	'
Incentive percentage of deferral and related employee benefits, maximum	200.00%	'
Deferral Incentives [Member]	'	'
Payables And Accruals [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued payroll and related	983	481
Director [Member]	'	'
Payables And Accruals [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued fees and expenses	131	72
Employees [Member]	'	'
Payables And Accruals [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued payroll and related	514	263
Consultants [Member]	'	'
Payables And Accruals [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued fees and expenses	$181	$105

ShortTerm_Debt_Additional_Info

Short-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Oct. 10, 2013
				Notes Issued on 2013 [Member]	Notes Issued on January 2014 [Member]	Notes Issued from February to June 2014 [Member]	Geovic Cameroon, PLC [Member]	Additional Borrowings Due December 31, 2014 [Member]	Wind Mountain Joint Venture [Member]	Wind Mountain Joint Venture [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate principal amount	$1,355	'	$605	'	'	'	'	$25	'	'
Promissory notes maturity term	'1 year	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate on promissory notes	300.00%	200.00%	200.00%	200.00%	200.00%	300.00%	'	150.00%	'	'
Promissory note prepayment terms	'The Company may prepay each Note, in whole or in part and without penalty, at any time upon 30 calendar days' prior written notice. The Company is required to prepay each Note, in whole and without penalty, within five business days following the consummation of any acquisition by JXTC or by any other entity of the Company's 60.5% interest in GeoCam or the consummation of the acquisition of the Company by another company.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest in subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	'	60.50%	'	'	'
Short term borrowings	1,439	'	664	'	'	'	'	'	'	59
Certificate of deposit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$59	'
Certificate of deposit establishment date	4-Nov-13	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

ShortTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Prin

Short-Term Debt - Summary of Principal Amounts of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,439	$664
Richard G. Buckovic [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	130	100
Norman C. Rose [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	30	30
M. N. Rose Shelter Credit Trust [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	40	40
Paul D. Rose [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	60	60
Dragon's Fire Investments LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	275	225
Thorne Bush Investments LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	625	150
Airlie Road Investors LLC [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	75	'
David/Bette McKibben [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	50	'
John/Jean Anderson [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	20	'
Bill Shaffer [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Decker JE Halstead, Revocable Living Trust [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Fintech Limited [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	25	'
Note Purchase Agreement [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt Notes	$1,380	$605

ShortTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Matu

Short-Term Debt - Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	$1,439	$664
September 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	120	120
October 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	110	110
November 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	125	125
December 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	275	250
January 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	125	'
February 28, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	150	'
March 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	50	'
April 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	145	'
May 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	230	'
June 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	50	'
Note Purchase Agreement [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total Short-Term Debt	$1,380	$605

ShortTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Matu1

Short-Term Debt - Summary of Maturity Dates of Notes Issued and Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
September 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Sep-14	30-Sep-14
October 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Oct-14	31-Oct-14
November 30, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Nov-14	30-Nov-14
December 31, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Dec-14	31-Dec-14
January 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Jan-15	'
February 28, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	28-Feb-15	'
March 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-Mar-15	'
April 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Apr-15	'
May 31, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	31-May-15	'
June 30, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	30-Jun-15	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

235 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Member of Board of Directors [Member]

Former Member of Board of Directors [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Stock Award Plan [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards (RSA's) [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards (RSA's) [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards (RSA's) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Director

Board of Directors and Executive Management [Member]

Member of Board of Directors [Member]

Former Member of Board of Directors [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under Stock Award Plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,700,000

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation expense of relating to vesting of the grants

$0

$3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options granted under Option Plan

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized compensation expense

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value per share of options granted under Option Plan

'

'

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options exercised under Option Plan

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of share options exercised

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total cash received from the exercise of stock options

'

'

0

0

2,564

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grant restricted Stock awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

210,000

0

0

180,000

80,000

Restricted Stock Awards vest upon grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Stock Awards vest on first anniversary of the date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted Stock Awards vest on second anniversary of the date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

$4

$18,701

'

'

'

'

$0

$1

'

$0

$0

'

'

Number of board of directors to whom shares are issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Summa

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Options and Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Options Available for Grant, Beginning Balance	8,618,801	'
Options Available for Grant, Granted	'	'
Options Available for Grant, Exercised	'	'
Options Available for Grant, Forfeited	620,000	'
Options Available for Grant, Expired	'	'
Options Available for Grant, Ending Balance	9,238,801	'
Number Outstanding, Beginning Balance	10,081,199	'
Number Outstanding, Granted	0	0
Number Outstanding, Exercised	0	'
Number Outstanding, Forfeited	-620,000	'
Number Outstanding, Expired	'	'
Number Outstanding, Ending Balance	9,461,199	'
Number Outstanding, Exercisable	9,461,199	'
Number Outstanding, Vested or expected to vest	9,461,199	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Beginning Balance	$0.91	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Granted	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercised	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Forfeited	$0.72	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Expired	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Ending Balance	$0.91	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercisable	$0.91	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Vested or expected to vest	$0.91	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Exercisable	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Vested or expected to vest	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or expected to vest	$0	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares issued	106,719,602	106,719,602
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	'
Preferred stock par value	$0.00	'
Preferred stock issued	0	'
Preferred stock outstanding	0	'

Noncontrolling_Interest_Additi

Noncontrolling Interest - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 17, 2013	Feb. 14, 2013	Jan. 24, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	$8,143,000	$8,471,000	'	'	'	'
GeoCam [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in authorized capital amount	'	'	'	'	'	1,200,000
First cash call totaling	'	'	'	'	400,000	'
Second cash call totaling	'	'	'	400,000	'	'
Third cash call totaling	'	'	400,000	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	8,143,000	8,471,000	'	'	'	'
Geovic, Ltd. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected pay of the capital increase	'	'	'	'	'	60.50%
Expected capital increase payable Amount	'	'	'	'	'	700,000
First cash call totaling	'	'	'	'	200,000	'
Second cash call totaling	'	'	'	240,000	'	'
Third cash call totaling	'	'	$240,000	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		235 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	$0	$0	($65)
Effective tax rate	0.00%	0.00%	'
Statutory federal rate	35.00%	'	'
Interest with respect to unrecognized tax benefits	0	'	'
Penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits	0	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefit	0	'	0
Expected change in unrecognized tax benefit that would impact the effective rate	$0	'	$0
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Open tax year	'2000	'	'

Joint_Venture_Additional_Infor

Joint Venture - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		235 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Oct. 10, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
						Wind Mountain Joint Venture [Member]	Wind Mountain Joint Venture [Member]	JS Group [Member]	JS Group [Member]	JS Group [Member]	JS Group [Member]
									Initial Funding [Member]	Phase Two Funding [Member]	Wind Mountain Joint Venture [Member]
											Phase
Investment In Joint Venture [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Mineral rights, percentage transferred	'	'	'	'	'	60.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Number of funding phases	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3
Mineral rights, percentage conveyed	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30.00%	30.00%	'
Amount of funding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$300	$300	$72
Interest foregone by Geovic on mining claims	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	90.00%	'	'	'
Interest which can be reacquired by Geovic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15.00%	'	'	'
Payment to be made for reacquiring mining interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	150	'	'	'
Exploration cost	275	529	720	1,209	97,011	'	'	300	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on percentage conveyed	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Certificate of deposit	'	'	'	'	'	'	$59	'	'	'	'

Possible_Geocam_Transaction_Ad

Possible Geocam Transaction - Additional Information (Detail) (Geovic Cameroon, PLC [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 23, 2013
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]	'
Noncontrolling owner's interest	39.50%
Percentage of mixed cobalt-nickel sulphide product to be produced	100.00%
Share Purchase Agreement [Member]	'
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]	'
Company's ownership in subsidiary	60.50%

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

GeoCam [Member]

Paul D. Rose [Member]

Paul D. Rose [Member]

Dragon's Fire Investments LLC [Member]

Dragon's Fire Investments LLC [Member]

Norman C. Rose [Member]

Norman C. Rose [Member]

Thorne Bush Investments LLC [Member]

Thorne Bush Investments LLC [Member]

Richard G. Buckovic [Member]

Richard G. Buckovic [Member]

M. N. Rose Shelter Credit Trust [Member]

M. N. Rose Shelter Credit Trust [Member]

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Chief Financial Officer [Member]

Chief Financial Officer [Member]

Executive Vice President [Member]

Executive Vice President [Member]

Related Party Transaction Due From To Related Party [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of deferred salaries and incentive not including related employee benefits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$513

$225

$359

$184

$461

$205

Total Short-Term Debt

$1,439

$664

'

$60

$60

$275

$225

$30

$30

$625

$150

$130

$100

$40

$40

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding shares of holder

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional outstanding shares of other holders

'

'

19.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2009

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2009

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 03, 2011

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2012

Nov. 14, 2011

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAN [Member]

SCB [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Four Claimants [Member]

Four Claimants [Member]

Four Claimants [Member]

Fifth Claimants [Member]

Fifth Claimants [Member]

Fifth Claimants [Member]

Fifth Claimants [Member]

One Claimants [Member]

One Claimants [Member]

One Claimants [Member]

One Claimants [Member]

Two Claimants [Member]

Two Claimants [Member]

claimants

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

XOF

USD ($)

XOF

USD ($)

XOF

XOF

XOF

USD ($)

XOF

Court Denied [Member]

Court Denied [Member]

USD ($)

XOF

USD ($)

XOF

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation and damages as a result of termination

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Litigation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

780,339,500

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Judgment in favor of claimant totaling

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

125,062,887

200,000

'

'

118,804,219

'

'

'

'

'

'

Judgment in favor of claimant overturned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

118,804,219

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted account at bank pending resolution matters

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

108,949,204

100,000

'

51,851,813

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Funds related to claim released

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

46,353,259

40,000

20,215,058

90,000

42,380,887

Restricted cash

194,000

'

'

324,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities accrued for litigation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional contingent liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of claimants in the court

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lump sum sum severance cost

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consultant fees paid

11,000

20,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred consulting fees

85,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Success fee related to consultant

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed retainer fee

'

'

'

'

'

50,000

50,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Success fee

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retainer obligation mutually suspended

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000

50,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent success fee

$480,000

$480,000

€ 349,000,000

'

€ 349,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 01, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Aug. 01, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Deferral Incentives [Member]

Deferral Incentives [Member]

Employees [Member]

Employees [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Employees

Deferral Incentives [Member]

Deferral Incentives [Member]

Deferral Incentives [Member]

Employees [Member]

4% Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

4% Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

Tranche One [Member]

Tranche Two [Member]

4% Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

4% Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

4% Convertible Promissory Note [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued payroll and related

$1,497,000

'

$744,000

$983,000

$481,000

$514,000

$263,000

'

'

'

'

$1,497,000

'

$17,000

$877,000

$585,000

$292,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of non-executive employees laid off

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment to purchase common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

$0.00

'

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'36 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity investments amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of trading price of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of purchase commitment to be issued as commitment fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of commitment fee common stock issued in tranches

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

Period for payment of commitment fee upon execution of agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 days

'

'

'

Promissory note amount

1,355,000

'

605,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44,000

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22-Jul-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of conversion price of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of trading days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of tranches

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Interest rate on promissory notes

300.00%

200.00%

200.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

Debt instrument repurchase, amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000

Debt instrument original discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000

Debt instrument interest rate accrual per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

Liquidated damages per day

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000

'

Percent of outstanding principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

'