CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 35,103	$ 40,709
Deposits, prepaid expenses and other current assets	109	105
Total Current Assets	35,212	40,814
Mining properties, land and water rights - Note 4	147,188	143,732
Deposits on project property, plant and equipment	67,104	66,474
Restricted cash held for electricity transmission	12,005	12,005
Restricted cash held for reclamation bonds	1,133	1,133
Non-mining property and equipment, net	767	819
Capitalized debt issuance costs	5,202	3,136
Other assets	2,994	2,994
TOTAL ASSETS	271,605	271,107
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,652	4,568
Accrued advance royalties	8,950	8,950
Accrued payments to Agricultural Sustainability Trust	2,000	2,000
Current portion of long term debt	10,640	10,596
Total Current Liabilities	26,242	26,114
Provision for post closure reclamation and remediation costs	583	587
Deferred gain	1,150	1,150
Accrued payments to Agricultural Sustainability Trust and Hanlong	4,000	2,000
Long term debt, net of current portion	113	131
Total Liabilities	32,088	29,982
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Note 10
CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	98,073	98,073
EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 91,220,944 and 90,818,248 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	92	91
Additional paid-in capital	257,442	255,894
Accumulated deficit before exploration stage	(213)	(213)
Accumulated deficit during exploration and development stage	(115,877)	(112,720)
Total Equity	141,444	143,052
TOTAL LIABILITIES, CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND EQUITY	$ 271,605	$ 271,107