CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (8,203,913)	$ (9,099,380)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	3,263,948	4,643,513
Stock payments and stock-based compensation	0	18,900
Accretion of reclamation liability	48,250	139,334
Gain on sale of properties, plant, and equipment	(137,229)	(357,037)
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	317,559	182,471
Payment of interest expense and sales tax with common stock	0	299,379
Loss on payment of debt obligation with common stock	0	150,166
Net loss on early retirement of long-term debt	126,997	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	0	1,677
Inventories	0	361,978
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads	0	981,937
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,551)	(271,687)
Accounts payable	(483,112)	(48,301)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	10,614	(238,144)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(5,058,437)	(3,235,194)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of properties, plant and equipment	911,597	3,277,011
Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	(126,639)	(150,325)
Decrease in reclamation bond deposit	0	20,260
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	784,958	3,146,946
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(8,639,335)	(5,648,610)
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations (net of issuance costs)	9,379,446	925,000
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	5,861,203	4,180,944
Common stock issuance costs	(216,116)	(585,703)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	6,385,198	(1,128,369)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	2,111,719	(1,216,617)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	184,359	1,663,170
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	2,296,078	446,553
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	776,846	321,405
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Payment for purchase of property, plant and equipment with prepaid deposits	1,158,785	0
Issuance of debt to purchase of property, plant and equipment	247,494	3,200,000
Settlement of long-term debt obligations with prepaid deposits	231,000	0
Issuance of common stock for settlement of long-term debt obligations	124,920	4,140,029
Property transferred in satisfaction of accounts payable	0	1,100,000
Issuance of common stock to purchase properties, plant and equipment	274,400	0
Issuance of common stock for mineral lease	$ 482,500	$ 0