CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (4,527,690)	$ (8,262,325)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	5,789,517	5,058,532
Stock payments and stock-based compensation	152,431	1,705,160
Accretion of reclamation liability	192,880	257,915
(Gain) loss on sale of properties, plant, and equipment	77,579	45,499
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	464,391	474,297
Net change in fair values of derivatives	(5,451)	635,355
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	322,406	436
Inventories	119,242	(196,766)
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads	1,037,984	(183,350)
Prepaid expenses	(654,724)	(116,132)
Other assets	19,411	19,411
Accounts payable	(650,075)	(441,281)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(1,909,098)	(1,591,031)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	428,803	(2,594,280)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of properties, plant and equipment	117,065	150,415
Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	(4,861,914)	(1,856,628)
Increase in reclamation bond deposit	(100,000)	(750,000)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(4,844,849)	(2,456,213)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(7,828,660)	(3,684,252)
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations	9,419,392	4,626,289
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	0	10,993,283
Common stock issuance costs	0	(32,019)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	1,590,732	11,903,301
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(2,825,314)	6,852,808
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	5,308,804	2,409,446
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	2,483,490	9,262,254
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	995,292	567,824
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock (par value)	35,723	1
Reclamation bond deposit included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	0	150,000
Additions to reclamation liability and retirement obligation asset	659,295	0
Issuance of common stock for properties, plant and equipment	966,819	814,956
Dividends paid in common stock (par value)	7,887	1,502
Issuance of long-term debt obligations for purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	2,046,745	3,006,094
Vested restricted common stock (par value)	40	1,183
Properties, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable	$ 24,268	$ 135,020