Supplementary Disclosures of Cash Flow Information (Details) - Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$ 468,276	$ 1,070,664
Non-cash financing and investing activities:
Common shares issued as part of a management agreement	0	155,428
Change in cash flow estimates related to asset retirement obligations charged to mineral property interests	245,030	0
Mobile equipment acquired through issuance of debt	295,126	12,088,470
Property, plant, equipment and mineral interest expenditures included in accounts payable	318,327	4,117,646
Non-cash interest cost capitalized to mineral property interests	838,888	2,509,899
Non-cash amortization of discount and interest expense	1,853,023	2,863,396
Interest payable converted to principal balance on notes payable	$ 2,977,028	$ 0