13. Business Segments (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Total revenues	$ 2,838,480	$ 3,014,394	$ 5,457,811	$ 6,319,929
Depreciation and amortization	214,375	213,450	430,050	442,100
Income (loss) from operations	31,829	(108,126)	(280,044)	(290,383)
Income tax expense		(12,000)	0	(12,000)
Other income (expense)	(48,784)	(36,544)	(128,215)	(42,893)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(16,955)	(156,670)	(408,258)	(345,276)
United States Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	2,077,300	2,056,644	4,046,026	4,595,977
Depreciation and amortization	18,700	24,900	38,200	40,400
Income (loss) from operations	844,257	974,565	1,173,160	1,858,762
Income tax expense		(12,000)	0	(12,000)
Other income (expense)	(11,965)	(8,454)	(23,044)	(14,430)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	832,292	954,111	1,150,115	1,832,332
Mexico Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	0	0	17,782	0
Depreciation and amortization	145,875	138,950	292,050	295,100
Income (loss) from operations	(1,089,834)	(1,328,242)	(1,841,012)	(2,607,754)
Income tax expense		0	0	0
Other income (expense)	(33,605)	(24,505)	(98,569)	(24,505)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(1,123,439)	(1,352,747)	(1,939,581)	(2,632,259)
Precious Metals [Member]
Total revenues	144,766	141,495	165,577	324,343
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	144,766	141,495	165,577	324,343
Income tax expense		0	0	0
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	144,766	141,495	165,577	324,343
Zeolite [Member]
Total revenues	616,414	816,255	1,228,426	1,399,609
Depreciation and amortization	49,800	49,600	99,800	106,600
Income (loss) from operations	132,640	104,056	222,232	134,266
Income tax expense		0	0	0
Other income (expense)	(3,214)	(3,585)	(6,602)	(3,958)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 129,426	$ 100,471	$ 215,630	$ 130,308