CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Revenue - mining	$ 4,944,627	$ 18,245,633	$ 24,736,929
Revenue - real estate	125,590	247,217	846,432
Total revenues	5,070,217	18,492,850	25,583,361
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	4,505,811	10,652,372	19,126,632
Real estate operating costs	182,423	342,634	1,260,972
Exploration and mine development	4,561,905	6,958,636	2,658,473
Mine claims and costs	1,125,989	1,299,823	2,393,722
Environmental and reclamation	1,309,901	2,054,447	2,464,314
Land and road development	79,461	2,857,720	0
General and administrative	3,518,071	6,752,731	6,371,954
Total cost and expenses	15,283,561	30,918,363	34,276,067
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(10,213,344)	(12,425,513)	(8,692,706)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	0	0	(963,169)
Interest expense	(753,670)	(1,216,887)	(997,112)
Other income (expense)	(1,997,690)	3,187,973	1,014,214
Total other income (expense), net	(2,751,360)	1,971,086	(946,067)
NET LOSS	(12,964,704)	(10,454,427)	(9,638,773)
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	0	(5,452,445)	(3,672,785)
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (12,964,704)	$ (15,906,872)	$ (13,311,558)
Net loss per common share - basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)
Net loss per common share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	176,624,733	110,072,486	78,586,266
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	176,624,733	110,072,486	78,586,266