CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUE - MINING	$ 6,513,348	$ 6,607,132	$ 18,098,395	$ 17,086,569
REVENUE - HOSPITALITY	274,201	211,646	668,530	507,883
Total revenues	6,787,549	6,818,778	18,766,925	17,594,452
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	4,377,791	6,371,224	14,607,454	18,441,139
Hospitality operating costs	331,613	313,653	922,758	773,577
Mine development, reclamation and exploration	1,999,265	1,839,832	5,993,960	6,265,644
General and administrative	1,509,494	2,736,814	5,177,802	7,959,953
Total cost and expenses	8,218,163	11,261,523	26,701,974	33,440,313
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(1,430,614)	(4,442,745)	(7,935,049)	(15,845,861)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	(366,011)	25,080	(582,845)	544,681
Interest expense	(264,323)	(100,896)	(757,857)	(792,842)
Interest and other income	1,012,190	301	1,013,426	1,870
Gain on settlement of debt obligations			0	286,535
Total other income (expense), net	381,856	(75,515)	(327,276)	40,244
NET LOSS	(1,048,758)	(4,518,260)	(8,262,325)	(15,805,617)
INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
NET LOSS	(1,048,758)	(4,518,260)	(8,262,325)	(15,805,617)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	(931,680)	(973,123)	(2,802,769)	(3,037,165)
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (1,980,438)	$ (5,491,383)	$ (11,065,094)	$ (18,842,782)
Net loss per common share – basic	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.33)
Net loss per common share – diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.33)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	82,912,805	63,981,943	77,065,692	57,742,461
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	82,912,805	63,981,943	77,065,692	57,742,461