Statement of Stockholders Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Deficit Accumulated During the Exploration Stage [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 77,087	$ 143,876,826	$ (98,562,700)	$ 112,216	$ 45,503,429
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	77,086,774
Fair value of stock options granted		164,354			164,354
Shares issued upon the exercise of options	76	63,883			63,959
Shares issued upon the exercise of options (Shares)	76,300				76,300
Contribution from non-controlling interest				226,957	226,957
Net loss for the year			(3,279,527)	(185,772)	(3,465,299)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 77,163	$ 144,105,063	$ (101,842,227)	$ 153,401	$ 42,493,400
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2012	77,163,074