Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (10,316,294)	$ (21,205,410)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,111,844	1,709,473
Accretion expense on accrued reclamation costs	375,302	9,086
Amortization of debt issuance costs	345,969	290,163
Issuance of deferred stock units for services rendered	105,000	117,500
Issuance of stock options for services rendered	185,202	134,422
Loss on write-off of mineral lease purchase option	10,980	0
Issuance of common stock for services rendered	0	67,590
Unrealized loss on de-designation of cash flow hedges	0	13,712,395
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	97,021	338,990
Inventories, stockpiles and ore on leach pads	4,365,857	580,303
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(13,452)	(74,756)
Accounts payable	467,629	4,075,155
Deferred revenue	(45,948)	(119,696)
Accrued interest	2,340,860	1,576,907
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	413,059	(345,993)
Copper derivatives settlement payable	9,275,951	6,988,436
Derivative contracts, at fair value	(8,623,030)	(5,034,468)
Deposits	(22,986)	(123,093)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	72,964	2,697,004
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(753,910)	(1,103,021)
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	(753,910)	(1,103,021)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Debt issuance costs	0	(191,333)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(304,429)	(1,704,572)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable-related party	0	100,000
Principal payments on capital lease	(16,590)	(16,843)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	40,650
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	(321,019)	(1,772,098)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,001,965)	(178,115)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	1,120,023	1,298,138
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	118,058	1,120,023
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest	559,407	1,071,634
Income taxes	$ 0	$ 0