13. Business Segments (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Total revenues	$ 2,619,330	$ 3,322,203
Depreciation and amortization	215,675	261,150
Income (loss) from operations	(311,873)	(182,297)
Other income (expense)	(79,430)	(6,343)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(391,303)	(188,640)
United States Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	1,968,725	2,504,564
Depreciation and amortization	19,500	15,500
Income (loss) from operations	328,900	884,197
Other income (expense)	(11,078)	(5,975)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	317,822	878,222
Mexico Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	17,782	16,668
Depreciation and amortization	146,175	188,650
Income (loss) from operations	(751,176)	(1,279,512)
Other income (expense)	(64,965)	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(816,141)	(1,279,512)
Precious Metals [Member]
Total revenues	20,811	217,617
Depreciation and amortization	0
Income (loss) from operations	20,811	182,848
Other income (expense)	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	20,811	182,848
Zeolite [Member]
Total revenues	612,012	583,354
Depreciation and amortization	50,000	57,000
Income (loss) from operations	89,592	30,170
Other income (expense)	(3,387)	(368)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 86,205	$ 29,802