Statement of Stockholders Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During the Exploration Stage [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 39,874,598	$ 70,821	$ 123,138,957	$ (83,443,134)	$ 107,954
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		70,821,433
Fair value of stock options granted	5,055,236		5,055,236
Shares issued upon the exercise of options	1,814,609	1,876	1,812,733
Shares issued upon the exercise of options (Shares)		1,875,720
Shares issued upon the exercise of warrants	12,124,264	4,042	12,120,222
Shares issued upon the exercise of warrants (Shares)		4,041,421
Share issuance costs (AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalStockIssuedIssuanceCosts)	(24,643)		(24,643)
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period	(9,673,287)			(9,445,770)	(227,517)
Change in non-controlling interest	221,878				221,878
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 49,392,655	$ 76,739	$ 142,102,505	$ (92,888,904)	$ 102,315
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2011		76,738,574