Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended			151 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (15,689,989)	$ (15,239,402)	$ (9,401,126)	$ (101,423,699)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	215,740	200,266	175,877	793,425
Accretion expense	2,518	0	0	2,518
Equity loss on investment	0	0	0	74,617
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0	0	(979,709)
Gain on sale of investment securities	0	0	0	(79,129)
Loss on settlement of debt	0	0	0	132,000
Non-cash mineral property option payment	0	0	0	(37,500)
Shares issued to acquire mineral properties	0	0	0	19,105,000
Warrants issued for mineral property costs	0	1,258,000	0	1,258,000
Stock-based compensation	6,299,188	3,746,165	922,265	26,664,526
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and deposits	(65,012)	(908,009)	(92,628)	(1,700,627)
Other current assets	2,185	(8,302)	(13,440)	(29,801)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	447,987	60,471	234,154	1,288,954
Due to related parties	22,154	(5,734)	4,921	542,099
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities	(8,765,229)	(10,896,545)	(8,169,977)	(54,389,326)
Investing Activities
Reclamation surety deposits	(23,386)	(1,700,938)	(379)	(2,043,107)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net cash paid	0	0	0	(48)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	0	8,766,943	11,665,092	20,548,664
Investment in property and equipment	(7,918,524)	(162,415)	(74,284)	(8,900,922)
Purchase of investment securities	0	0	0	(20,432,035)
Disposition of subsidiary	0	0	0	905,092
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(7,941,910)	6,903,590	11,590,429	(9,922,356)
Financing Activities
Repayment of loan payable	0	(18,079)	(34,067)	(98,414)
Advances from related party	0	0	0	10,700
Contributions from non-controlling interest	574,686	692,852	686,908	2,973,216
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	14,364,471	20,506,915	17,166,125	100,578,063
Share issuance costs	(24,643)	(1,177,395)	(1,634,628)	(4,507,138)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	14,914,514	20,004,293	16,184,338	98,956,427
Increase In Cash	(1,792,625)	16,011,338	19,604,790	34,644,745
Cash - Beginning of Period	36,437,370	20,426,032	821,242	0
Cash - End of Period	34,644,745	36,437,370	20,426,032	34,644,745
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Sale of 60% of subsidiary for interest in mineral property	0	0	0	774,216
Investment securities received as a mineral property option payment	0	0	0	37,500
Purchase of equipment with loan payable	0	0	0	98,414
Stock options issued for construction in progress	105,119	0	0	105,119
Common stock issued to settle debt	0	0	0	744,080
Warrants issued for mineral property costs	0	1,258,000	0	1,258,000
Common stock issued for mineral property costs	0	0	0	19,105,000
Supplemental Disclosures
Interest paid	424	404	2,941	12,608
Income taxes paid	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0