CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
REVENUES
Revenue - mining	$ 1,106,196	$ 4,301,169	$ 4,544,951	$ 15,670,371
Revenue - real estate	28,599	43,904	101,641	200,411
Total revenues	1,134,795	4,345,073	4,646,592	15,870,782
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	829,558	3,450,311	3,507,795	10,388,054
Real estate operating costs	31,367	42,549	176,120	303,843
Exploration and mine development	589,351	1,505,492	4,027,859	2,639,346
Mine claims and costs	358,886	327,352	929,196	1,041,580
Environmental and reclamation	296,493	533,240	1,026,427	1,545,184
Land and road development	56,424	818,474	77,328	1,680,720
General and administrative	640,162	1,637,313	2,667,298	5,095,306
Total cost and expenses	2,802,241	8,314,731	12,412,023	22,694,033
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(1,667,446)	(3,969,658)	(7,765,431)	(6,823,251)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense	(165,212)	(337,700)	(603,307)	(891,824)
Other income (expense), net	(360,543)	0	(730,642)	3,187,385
Total other income (expense), net	(525,755)	(337,700)	(1,333,949)	2,295,561
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(2,193,201)	(4,307,358)	(9,099,380)	(4,527,690)
INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(2,193,201)	(4,307,358)	(9,099,380)	(4,527,690)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	0	(3,644,888)	0	(5,452,445)
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (2,193,201)	$ (7,952,246)	$ (9,099,380)	$ (9,980,135)
Net income (loss) per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.11)
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.11)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	182,134,873	112,133,768	174,173,436	94,036,959
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	182,134,873	112,133,768	174,173,436	94,036,959