Consolidated 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, 2012	$ 77,208	$ 145,421,983	$ (137,291,216)	$ 122,368	$ 8,330,343
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	77,207,574
Stock-based compensation		1,304,729			1,304,729
Fair value of warrants issued with note financing		525,461			525,461
Warrant issuance costs		(18,866)			(18,866)
Shares issued upon the exercise of options	37	25,338			25,375
Shares issued upon the exercise of options (Shares)	37,500				37,500
Shares issued pursuant to private placement	8,550	9,994,950			10,003,500
Shares issued pursuant to private placement (Shares)	8,550,000
Share issuance costs		(1,139,035)			(1,139,035)
Contribution from non-controlling interest				241,500	241,500
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period			(18,326,203)	(186,611)	(18,512,814)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 85,795	$ 156,114,560	$ (155,617,419)	$ 177,257	$ 760,193
Ending Balance (Shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	85,795,074