Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended			163 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net loss and comprehensive loss	$ (29,347,337)	$ (25,444,056)	$ (15,239,402)	$ (140,525,103)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	241,610	215,740	200,266	1,035,035
Accretion expense	49,899	2,518	0	52,417
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	0	1,258,000	1,258,000
Stock-based compensation	1,448,394	6,404,307	3,746,165	28,218,039
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in asset retirement obligation	682,380	337,046	0	1,019,426
Prepaid expenses and deposits	(141,434)	(65,012)	(908,009)	(1,842,061)
Other current assets	1,340	2,185	(8,302)	(28,461)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(546,315)	1,972,789	60,471	2,267,441
Due to related parties	(56,806)	22,154	(5,734)	485,293
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities	(27,668,269)	(16,552,329)	(10,896,545)	(89,844,695)
Investing Activities
Reclamation surety deposits	(25,292)	(23,386)	(1,700,938)	(2,068,399)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net cash paid	0	0	0	(48)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	0	0	8,766,943	20,548,664
Investment in property and equipment	(414,398)	(131,424)	(162,415)	(1,528,220)
Purchase of investment securities	0	0	0	(20,432,035)
Disposition of subsidiary	0	0	0	905,092
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(439,690)	(154,810)	6,903,590	(2,574,946)
Financing Activities
Repayment of loan payable	0	0	(18,079)	(98,414)
Advances from related party	0	0	0	10,700
Contributions from non-controlling interest	383,040	574,686	692,852	3,356,256
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	96,884	14,364,471	20,506,915	100,674,947
Share issuance costs	0	(24,643)	(1,177,395)	(4,507,138)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	479,924	14,914,514	20,004,293	99,436,351
Increase (Decrease) In Cash	(27,628,035)	(1,792,625)	16,011,338	7,016,710
Cash - Beginning of Period	34,644,745	36,437,370	20,426,032	0
Cash - End of Period	7,016,710	34,644,745	36,437,370	7,016,710
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 mineral property expenditures	113,423	57,175	0	170,598
Common stock issued to settle debt	0	0	0	744,080
Warrants issued for mineral property costs	0	0	1,258,000	1,258,000
Common stock issued for mineral property costs	0	0	0	19,105,000
Supplemental Disclosures
Interest paid	0	424	404	12,608
Income taxes paid	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0