CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,438,121	$ 5,973,079
Accounts receivable	252,460	634,643
Inventories	629,763	662,929
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	3,717,107	4,280,664
Prepaid expenses	1,410,092	2,808,623
Total current assets	8,447,543	14,359,938
MINERAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES, Net	7,554,780	7,614,780
PROPERTIES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net	17,485,501	20,491,070
RECLAMATION BOND DEPOSIT	2,510,804	2,510,804
RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ASSET	2,389,138	2,803,318
OTHER ASSETS	71,694	84,635
TOTAL ASSETS	38,459,460	47,864,545
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	3,008,555	2,535,932
Accrued expenses	7,195,764	7,360,559
Long-term debt obligations - current portion	1,974,750	7,720,764
Derivative liabilities	25,080	544,681
Total current liabilities	12,204,149	18,161,936
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt obligations	4,377,158	6,010,891
Long-term reclamation liability	4,743,569	4,597,156
Other liabilities	200,000	700,000
Total long-term liabilities	9,320,727	11,308,047
Total liabilities	21,524,876	29,469,983
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.000666 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 57,988,100 and 48,466,267 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	38,620	32,279
Additional paid-in capital	185,806,599	175,985,559
Accumulated deficit	(168,910,671)	(157,623,315)
Total stockholders' equity	16,934,584	18,394,562
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	38,459,460	47,864,545
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	16	16
7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	2	4
7.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	$ 18	$ 19