Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) customer
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments | item	2
Revenue	$ 6,400	$ 8,071
Costs Applicable to Sales	2,046	10,065
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,548	4,480
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	10,105	10,265
Pre-tax (income) loss	10,659	25,383
Total Assets	14,008	17,001
Capital Expenditures	50	44
Asset write off	$ 24	27
Velardena properties
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Revenue	$ 6,400	8,071
Costs Applicable to Sales	2,046	10,065
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,116	3,826
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,507	1,347
Pre-tax (income) loss	(2,167)	17,346
Total Assets	7,821	8,988
Capital Expenditures	35	$ 28
Number of customers | customer		3
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	432	$ 654
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	7,598	8,918
Pre-tax (income) loss	12,826	8,037
Total Assets	6,187	8,013
Capital Expenditures	$ 15	$ 16