CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
REVENUES
Revenue - mining	$ 0	$ 1,106,196	$ 0	$ 4,544,951
Revenue - real estate	26,960	28,599	73,624	101,641
Total revenues	26,960	1,134,795	73,624	4,646,592
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	846,443	829,558	2,663,188	3,507,795
Real estate operating costs	19,396	31,367	59,342	176,120
Exploration and mine development	240,020	589,351	782,124	4,027,859
Mine claims and costs	235,535	358,886	744,528	929,196
Environmental and reclamation	152,075	296,493	669,390	1,026,427
General and administrative	571,931	696,586	2,189,828	2,744,626
Total cost and expenses	2,065,400	2,802,241	7,108,400	12,412,023
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(2,038,440)	(1,667,446)	(7,034,776)	(7,765,431)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense	(442,610)	(165,212)	(1,297,546)	(603,307)
Other income (expense), net	(15,961)	(360,543)	128,409	(730,642)
Total other expense, net	(458,571)	(525,755)	(1,169,137)	(1,333,949)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(2,497,011)	(2,193,201)	(8,203,913)	(9,099,380)
INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
NET LOSS	$ (2,497,011)	$ (2,193,201)	$ (8,203,913)	$ (9,099,380)
Net loss per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.05)
Net loss per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.05)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	217,990,163	182,134,873	193,902,517	174,173,436
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted (in shares)	217,990,163	182,134,873	196,902,517	174,173,436