CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUE - MINING	$ 5,978,983	$ 6,811,516	$ 11,585,047	$ 10,479,438
REVENUE - HOSPITALITY	236,932	174,393	394,329	296,237
Total revenues	6,215,915	6,985,909	11,979,376	10,775,675
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	5,466,762	8,233,818	10,229,663	12,069,915
Hospitality operating costs	304,846	253,583	591,145	459,923
Mine development, reclamation and exploration	2,068,740	2,336,948	3,994,695	4,425,812
General and administrative	1,476,336	1,826,513	3,668,307	5,223,138
Total cost and expenses	9,316,684	12,650,862	18,483,810	22,178,788
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(3,100,769)	(5,664,953)	(6,504,434)	(11,403,113)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	18,373	81,787	(216,834)	519,601
Interest expense	(307,204)	(228,511)	(493,534)	(691,947)
Interest and other income	1,014	287,353	1,236	288,103
Total other income (expense), net	(287,817)	140,629	(709,132)	115,757
NET LOSS	(3,388,586)	(5,524,324)	(7,213,566)	(11,287,356)
INCOME TAXES
NET LOSS	(3,388,586)	(5,524,324)	(7,213,566)	(11,287,356)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	(957,307)	(1,029,735)	(1,915,025)	(2,064,042)
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (4,345,893)	$ (6,554,059)	$ (9,128,591)	$ (13,351,398)
Net loss per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.24)
Net loss per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.24)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	76,592,200	57,443,706	74,192,028	54,571,012
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	76,592,200	57,443,706	74,192,028	54,571,012