Note 4 - Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Assets:
Cash	$ 13,968,046	$ 5,196,914
Accounts Receivable	1,573,996	914,741
U. S. agency securities	43,735,095	45,289,747
Certificates of deposit	15,917,476	9,948,000
Total	59,652,571	55,237,747
U. S. agency securities	5,199,278	5,199,077
Financial liabilities:
Accounts payable	(10,117,174)	(8,955,884)
Note payable		(500,000)
Note payable - Ramaco Carbon LLC		(10,629,275)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Assets:
Cash	13,968,046	5,196,914
Accounts Receivable	1,573,996	914,741
U. S. agency securities	43,802,259	45,245,318
Certificates of deposit	15,939,782	9,948,000
Total	59,742,041	55,193,318
U. S. agency securities	5,191,073	5,190,640
Financial liabilities:
Accounts payable	(10,117,174)	(8,955,884)
Note payable		(500,000)
Note payable - Ramaco Carbon LLC		$ (10,629,275)