Schedule of Prior Year's Consolidated Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			163 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012
Mineral property expenditures	$ 8,328,468	$ 5,439,981	$ 6,661,909	$ 64,385,374
Total Operating Expenses	14,916,836	18,703,511	15,291,692	122,344,397
Loss from continuing operations	(14,874,429)	(18,624,346)	(15,239,402)	(120,183,460)
Net Loss and comprehensive loss	(14,874,429)	(18,624,346)	(15,239,402)	(119,232,483)
Net Loss Attributable to the Company	(14,501,541)	(18,053,923)	(14,599,983)	(115,998,596)
Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted		$ (0.24)
As Reported [Member]
Mineral property expenditures		2,505,624
Total Operating Expenses		15,769,154
Loss from continuing operations		(15,689,989)
Net Loss and comprehensive loss		(15,689,989)
Net Loss Attributable to the Company		(15,119,566)
Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted		$ (0.20)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Mineral property expenditures		2,934,357
Total Operating Expenses		2,934,357
Loss from continuing operations		(2,934,357)
Net Loss and comprehensive loss		(2,934,357)
Net Loss Attributable to the Company		$ (2,934,357)
Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted		$ (0.04)