Note 2 - Cash, Investments, and Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013 Typhoon Exploration Inc. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Equity Shares [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity Shares [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Non-Current Investments Held Having Net Gain Position [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Non-Current Investments Held Having Net Loss Position [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Aurizon Mines Ltd [Member]
Note 2 - Cash, Investments, and Restricted Cash (Details) [Line Items]
Cash, FDIC Insured Amount	$ 250,000
Cash, CDIC Insured Amount	100,000
Long-term Investments	7,019,000	9,614,000
Tax Basis of Investments, Cost for Income Tax Purposes	10,000,000	8,100,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments						3,000,000	1,200,000
Payments to Acquire Investments	6,001,000	5,823,000			500,000					300,000
Cost Method Investments	1,500,000
Proceeds from Sale of Long-term Investments	1,700,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	(2,552,000)	2,059,000	835,000	1,462,000				3,100,000	56,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					29.40%
Equity Method Investments					800,000
Investment Owned, at Fair Value					1,100,000
Restricted Investments	$ 5,200,000	$ 900,000