CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
REVENUES
Revenue - mining	$ 18,245,633	$ 24,736,929	$ 24,103,013
Revenue - real estate	247,217	846,432	723,574
Total revenues	18,492,850	25,583,361	24,826,587
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	10,652,372	19,126,632	26,495,665
Real estate operating costs	342,634	1,260,972	1,117,225
Exploration and mine development	6,958,636	2,658,473	3,012,790
Mine claims and costs	1,299,823	2,393,722	2,596,650
Environmental and reclamation	2,054,447	2,464,314	2,895,552
Land and road development	2,857,720	0	0
General and administrative	6,752,731	6,371,954	9,641,507
Total cost and expenses	30,918,363	34,276,067	45,759,389
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(12,425,513)	(8,692,706)	(20,932,802)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	0	(963,169)	454,681
Interest expense	(1,216,887)	(997,112)	(1,157,535)
Other income	3,187,973	1,014,214	2,101
Gain on settlement of debt obligations	0	0	286,535
Total other income (expense), net	1,971,086	(946,067)	(414,218)
NET LOSS	(10,454,427)	(9,638,773)	(21,347,020)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	(5,452,445)	(3,672,785)	(4,016,705)
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (15,906,872)	$ (13,311,558)	$ (25,363,725)
Net loss per common share - basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.42)
Net loss per common share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.42)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	110,072,486	78,586,266	60,580,742
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	110,072,486	78,586,266	60,580,742