CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 9,262,254	$ 2,409,446
Accounts receivable	14,193	14,629
Inventories	788,727	591,961
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads	730,830	547,480
Prepaid expenses	1,151,097	2,396,747
Total current assets	11,947,101	5,960,263
MINERAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES, Net	7,369,280	7,470,780
PROPERTIES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net	25,817,177	25,275,440
RECLAMATION BOND DEPOSIT	2,642,804	2,742,804
RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ASSET	1,737,742	2,491,956
OTHER ASSETS	39,343	58,753
TOTAL ASSETS	49,553,447	43,999,996
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	1,952,540	3,131,029
Accrued expenses	4,602,304	7,043,335
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations– current portion	6,770,601	2,675,800
Derivative liabilities	885,355	250,000
Total current liabilities	14,210,800	13,100,164
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	5,458,990	5,231,674
Long-term reclamation liability	5,682,325	5,424,410
Total long-term liabilities	11,141,315	10,656,084
Total liabilities	25,352,115	23,756,248
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, $.000666 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 83,295,115 and 70,188,937 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	55,475	46,746
Additional paid-in capital	211,378,485	199,167,304
Accumulated deficit	(187,232,660)	(178,970,335)
Total stockholders’ equity	24,201,332	20,243,748
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	49,553,447	43,999,996
7.5% Series A-1 convertible preferred stock; $.000666 par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized; 24,362 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	16	16
7.5% Series A-2 convertible preferred stock, $.000666 par value, 250,000 shares authorized; 1,610 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	1	1
7.5% Series B convertible preferred stock, $.000666 par value, 600,000 shares authorized; 22,700 and 24,193 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	$ 15	$ 16