CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 783,759	$ 1,203,048
Interest receivable	826	4,459
Prepaid expenses and deposits	328,728	335,201
Total current assets	1,113,313	1,542,708
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Buildings and leasehold improvements	836,454	836,454
Equipment	1,922,038	1,922,038
Office equipment	344,657	344,657
Total property and equipment, gross	3,103,149	3,103,149
Less accumulated depreciation	2,673,628	2,627,864
Total property and equipment, net	429,521	475,285
OTHER ASSETS:
Available-for-sale securities	5,911	975
Reclamation deposits	1,184,966	1,184,966
Total other assets	1,190,877	1,185,941
Total assets	2,733,711	3,203,934
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	619,061	389,973
Payroll and payroll taxes payable	40,745	13,756
Dividends payable	1,299	52,890
Term loan payable	1,355,000
Total current liabilities	2,016,105	456,619
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Asset retirement obligation	541,161	528,250
Total liabilities	2,557,266	984,869
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred shares — no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; Series B 6% convertible preferred shares — $1,000 stated value, 3,093 and 3,526 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		3,526,000
Common shares — $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,893,704 and 29,814,040 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	35,857	29,814
Additional paid-in capital	91,728,505	87,949,096
Accumulated deficit	(91,582,663)	(89,275,655)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(5,254)	(10,190)
Total stockholders' equity	176,445	2,219,065
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,733,711	$ 3,203,934