CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss for the period	$ (23,612,393)	$ (21,637,130)	$ (100,029,813)	$ (45,249,523)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock option compensation	2,723,577	99,532	590,180	2,823,109
Depreciation	68,222	132,653	213,902	200,875
Gain on extinguishment of debt	(1,304)	0	(554,507)	(1,304)
Loss (gain) on sale of equipment	(1,460,727)	(419,413)	3,423,544	(1,880,140)
Gain on sale of subsidiaries	0	(474,577)	0	(474,577)
Loss on expropriation of assets	0	0	85,833,897	0
Write-down of machinery and equipment	1,881,959	2,518,796	0	4,400,755
Amortization of premium on marketable debt securities	0	175,020	109,715	175,020
Accretion of convertible notes	1,081,074	1,012,682	185,010	2,093,756
Other	0	0	23,398	0
Net gain on disposition of marketable securities	(772,698)	(241,621)	(2,274,848)	(1,014,319)
Shares issued for compensation and KSOP	1,560,159	470,415	854,614	2,030,574
Changes in non-cash working capital:
Net decrease (increase) in deposits and advances	189,712	91,812	45,148	281,524
Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	442,976	(2,156,853)	(3,515,102)	(1,713,877)
Net cash used in operating activities	(17,899,443)	(20,428,684)	(15,094,862)	(38,328,127)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from disposition of marketable securities	1,666,751	11,158,787	4,053,179	12,825,538
Purchase of marketable securities	(698,574)	(1,028,144)	(12,095,811)	(1,726,718)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(50,478)	(9,496,692)	(17,771,441)	(9,547,170)
Proceeds from sales of equipment	16,457,541	8,914,615	7,297,598	25,372,156
Decrease in restricted cash	0	9,489,777	8,019,895	9,489,777
Capitalized interest paid on convertible notes	0	0	(4,542,802)	0
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries	0	(1,429,655)	0	(1,429,655)
Other	0	0	(44,944)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	17,375,240	17,608,688	(15,084,326)	34,983,928
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from the issuance of common shares	15,778	43,661	7,088	59,439
Extinguishment of convertible notes	(683)	0	(415,254)	(683)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	15,095	43,661	(408,166)	58,756
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(509,108)	(2,776,335)	(30,587,354)	(3,285,443)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	58,186,478	60,962,813	91,550,167	60,962,813
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$ 57,677,370	$ 58,186,478	$ 60,962,813	$ 57,677,370