CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,626,874	$ 10,246,073
Interest receivable	4,025	7,815
Prepaid expenses and deposits	220,295	250,892
Certificates of deposit	1,559,361	1,559,361
Total current assets	10,410,555	12,064,141
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Buildings and leasehold improvements	836,454	836,454
Equipment	6,450,089	6,450,089
Office equipment	344,939	344,939
Total property and equipment, gross	7,631,482	7,631,482
Less accumulated depreciation	5,627,587	5,392,684
Total property and equipment, net	2,003,895	2,238,798
OTHER ASSETS:
Available-for-sale securities	13,648	19,633
Reclamation deposits	1,191,182	1,184,966
Total other assets	1,204,830	1,204,599
Total assets	13,619,280	15,507,538
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	423,760	495,326
Payroll and payroll taxes payable	99,157	17,874
Total current liabilities	522,917	513,200
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Asset retirement obligation	462,311	456,823
Total liabilities	985,228	970,023
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares - no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding
Common shares - $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,999,752 shares issued and outstanding	29,000	29,000
Additional paid-in capital	87,055,369	86,805,769
Accumulated deficit	(1,117,306)	(1,117,306)
Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage	(73,335,494)	(71,188,416)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,483	8,468
Total stockholders' equity	12,634,052	14,537,515
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 13,619,280	$ 15,507,538