CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 56,882	$ 68,331
Deposits, prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,170	136
Total Current Assets	58,052	68,467
Mining properties, land and water rights - Note 4	190,851	170,967
Deposits on project property, plant and equipment	70,281	69,691
Restricted cash held at EMLLC	36,000	36,000
Restricted cash held for electricity transmission	12,015	12,013
Restricted cash held for reclamation bonds	6,991	6,991
Non-mining property and equipment, net	746	605
Capitalized debt issuance and loan commitment costs	18,087	17,794
Other assets	2,994	2,994
TOTAL ASSETS	396,017	385,522
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,326	10,133
Accrued advance royalties	500	500
Accrued payments to Agricultural Sustainability Trust and Hanlong	4,000	4,000
Current portion of long term debt	11,014	10,906
Total Current Liabilities	31,840	25,539
Provision for post closure reclamation and remediation costs	1,751	627
Deferred gain	1,000	1,100
Accrued advance royalties	5,200	4,700
Accrued payments to Agricultural Sustainability Trust	2,000	2,000
Long term debt, net of current portion	741	661
Other accrued liabilities	875	875
Total Liabilities	43,407	35,502
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Note 11
CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	206,336	201,880
EQUITY
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 91,545,084 and 91,333,092 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	92	91
Additional paid-in capital	272,035	270,902
Accumulated deficit before exploration stage	(213)	(213)
Accumulated deficit during exploration and development stage	(125,640)	(122,640)
Total Equity	146,274	148,140
TOTAL LIABILITIES, CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND EQUITY	$ 396,017	$ 385,522