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		247,434			247,434
Shares issued upon the exercise of options	116	93,843			93,959
Shares issued upon the exercise of options (Shares)	116,300				116,300
Contribution from non-controlling interest				383,040	383,040
Net loss for the year			(4,948,437)	(312,853)	(5,261,290)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 77,203	$ 144,218,103	$ (103,511,137)	$ 182,403	$ 40,966,572
Ending Balance (Shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	77,203,074