CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (8,262,325)	$ (15,805,617)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	5,058,532	3,316,411
Stock payments and stock-based compensation	1,705,160	2,583,868
Accretion of reclamation liability	257,915	219,619
Loss on sale of properties, plant, and equipment	45,499	1,015,496
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	474,297	589,287
Write down of inventories and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	0	986,600
Net change in fair values of derivatives	635,355	(603,970)
Gain on settlement of debt obligations	0	(286,535)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	436	(2,156,962)
Inventories	(196,766)	(455,602)
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads	(183,350)	214,166
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(116,132)	(127,091)
Other assets	19,411	19,411
Accounts payable	(441,281)	(335,132)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(1,591,031)	(763,011)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(2,594,280)	(11,589,062)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of properties, plant and equipment	150,415	571,820
Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	(1,856,628)	(2,633,726)
Increase in reclamation bond deposit	(750,000)	(582,000)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(2,456,213)	(2,643,906)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(3,684,252)	(4,190,404)
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations	4,626,289	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	10,993,283	18,750,001
Common stock issuance costs	(32,019)	(439,515)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	11,903,301	14,120,082
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	6,852,808	(112,886)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	2,409,446	5,973,079
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	9,262,254	5,860,193
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	567,824	249,153
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock (par value)	1	2,273
Reclamation bond deposit included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	150,000	1,100,000
Settlement of long-term debt obligations from gold transfers	0	2,723,107
Settlement of long-term debt obligations through transfer of properties, plant and equipment	0	1,028,180
Dividends paid in common stock (par value)	1,502	1,444
Issuance of long-term debt obligations for purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	3,006,094	4,303,387
Vested restricted common stock (par value)	1,183	216
Properties, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable	135,020	1,036,468
Debt Obligation Payment [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock for settlement of long-term debt obligations	0	75,000
Acquisition of Mineral Property [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock for settlement of long-term debt obligations	814,956	0
Payment of Loan Fees [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock for settlement of long-term debt obligations	$ 274,119	$ 0