CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,099,380)	$ (4,527,690)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	4,643,513	5,789,517
Stock payments and stock-based compensation	18,900	152,431
Accretion of reclamation liability	139,334	192,880
(Gain)/Loss on sale of properties, plant, and equipment	(357,037)	77,579
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	182,471	464,391
Payment of interest expense and sales tax with common stock	299,379	0
Loss on payment of debt obligation with common stock	150,166	0
Net change in fair values of derivatives	0	(5,451)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,677	322,406
Inventories	361,978	119,242
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads	981,937	1,037,984
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(271,687)	(654,724)
Other assets	0	19,411
Accounts payable	(48,301)	(650,075)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(238,144)	(1,909,098)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(3,235,194)	428,803
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of properties, plant and equipment	3,277,011	117,065
Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	(150,325)	(4,861,914)
Decrease/(increase) in reclamation bond deposit	20,260	(100,000)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	3,146,946	(4,844,849)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(5,648,610)	(7,828,660)
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations	925,000	9,419,392
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	4,180,944	0
Common stock issuance costs	(585,703)	0
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(1,128,369)	1,590,732
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(1,216,617)	(2,825,314)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	1,663,170	5,308,804
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	446,553	2,483,490
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	321,405	995,292
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to reclamation liability and retirement obligation asset	0	659,295
Issuance of common stock for properties, plant and equipment	0	966,819
Issuance of common stock for settlement of long-term debt obligations	4,140,029	0
Dividends paid in common stock (par value)	0	7,887
Issuance of long-term debt obligations for purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	3,200,000	2,046,745
Vested restricted common stock (par value)	36	40
Properties, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable	0	24,268
Property transferred in satisfaction of accounts payable	$ 1,100,000	$ 0