CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES
Revenue - Mining	$ 24,736,929	$ 24,103,013	$ 4,504,457
Revenue - Hospitality	846,432	723,574	634,159
Total revenues	25,583,361	24,826,587	5,138,616
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	19,126,632	26,495,665	3,554,727
Hospitality operating costs	1,260,972	1,117,225	928,897
Exploration and mine development	2,658,473	3,012,790	11,901,250
Mine claims and costs	3,750,866	3,735,267	3,280,059
Environmental and reclamation	1,107,170	1,756,935	3,123,994
General and administrative	6,371,954	9,641,507	12,669,323
Total cost and expenses	34,276,067	45,759,389	35,458,250
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(8,692,706)	(20,932,802)	(30,319,634)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	(963,169)	454,681	438,519
Interest expense	(997,112)	(1,157,535)	(929,837)
Interest and other income	1,014,214	2,101	48,679
Gain on settlement of debt obligations	0	286,535	0
Total other expense, net	(946,067)	(414,218)	(442,639)
NET LOSS	(9,638,773)	(21,347,020)	(30,762,273)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	(3,672,785)	(4,016,705)	(4,370,247)
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (13,311,558)	$ (25,363,725)	$ (35,132,520)
Net loss per common share - basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.87)
Net loss per common share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.87)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	78,586,266	60,580,742	40,497,098
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	78,586,266	60,580,742	40,497,098