13. Business Segments (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Total revenues	$ 2,432,929	$ 2,619,330
Depreciation and amortization	277,562	215,675
Income (loss) from operations	(399,769)	(311,873)
Other income (expense)	(74,671)	(79,430)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(474,440)	(391,303)
United States Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	1,681,812	1,968,725
Depreciation and amortization	13,209	19,500
Income (loss) from operations	198,039	328,900
Other income (expense)	(778)	(11,078)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	197,261	317,822
Mexico Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	0	17,782
Depreciation and amortization	149,004	146,175
Income (loss) from operations	(742,781)	(751,176)
Other income (expense)	(71,120)	(64,965)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(813,901)	(816,141)
Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	1,681,812	1,986,507
Depreciation and amortization	162,213	165,675
Income (loss) from operations	(544,742)	(422,276)
Other income (expense)	(71,898)	(76,043)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(616,640)	(498,319)
Precious Metals [Member]
Total revenues	60,410	20,811
Depreciation and amortization	67,529	0
Income (loss) from operations	(7,119)	20,811
Other income (expense)	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(7,119)	20,811
Zeolite [Member]
Total revenues	690,707	612,012
Depreciation and amortization	47,820	50,000
Income (loss) from operations	152,092	89,592
Other income (expense)	(2,773)	(3,387)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 149,319	$ 86,205