Stockholders' Equity (Convertible Preferred Stock) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of Convertible Preferred Stock Series				3
Equity-based payment to non-employees				$ 3,271,511	$ 7,914,918	$ 3,284,239
Prepaid mineral leases				1,739,633	2,022,830
Deemed dividend on beneficial conversion				304,724	1,242,927	638,276
Dividend rate, percentage				7.50%
Dividends in arrears, amount				2,000,000
Dividend in arrears, per share				$ 0.03
Percentage of preferred stock outstanding				25.00%
Northern Comstock, LLC
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Prepaid mineral leases				1,706,313	1,987,104
Additional Paid-in Capital
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Deemed dividend on beneficial conversion				304,724	1,242,927	638,276
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, stated value per share				$ 1,000.0
Conversion of convertible preferred stock, shares				1,536
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, per Share				$ 0.651
Shares issued					862.5	862.5
Convertible Preferred Stock Conversion Ratio				500.00%
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock | Northern Comstock, LLC
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued	862.5	862.5	862.5
Equity-based payment to non-employees				$ 2,328,367	$ 2,027,323	$ 2,092,382
7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, stated value per share				$ 1,000.0
Conversion of convertible preferred stock, shares				1,536
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, per Share				$ 0.651
Minimum average common stock price for which Each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				$ 4.50
Number of consecutive trading days for which each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				20 days
Number of trading days for which Each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				30 days
7.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, stated value per share				$ 1,000.0
Conversion of convertible preferred stock, shares				606
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, per Share				$ 1.65
Minimum average common stock price for which Each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				$ 4.50
Number of consecutive trading days for which each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				20 days
Number of trading days for which Each shares of convertible preferred stock automatically converts into shares of common stock				30 days