CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (10,254,344)	$ (10,316,294)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	765,363	1,111,844
Accretion expense on accrued reclamation costs	402,471	375,302
Amortization of debt issuance costs	314,080	345,969
Issuance of stock options for services rendered	72,894	185,202
Issuance of deferred stock units for services rendered	105,000	105,000
Loss on impairment of property and equipment	851,526	0
Loss on sale of property and equipment	3,235	10,980
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	320,587	97,021
Inventories, stockpiles and ore on leach pads	2,886,577	4,365,857
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(12,314)	(13,452)
Accounts payable	248,067	467,629
Accrued interest	3,545,059	2,340,860
Copper derivatives settlement payable	0	9,275,951
Derivative contracts, at fair value	(54,896)	(8,623,030)
Deferred revenue	121,328	(45,948)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	521,139	413,059
Deposits	22,500	(22,986)
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Operating Activities	(141,728)	72,964
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(43,697)	(753,910)
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	(43,697)	(753,910)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	(7,500)	(304,429)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable-related party	87,500	0
Principal payments on capital lease	(770)	(16,590)
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Financing Activities	79,230	(321,019)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(106,195)	(1,001,965)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	118,058	1,120,023
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	11,863	118,058
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest	151,893	559,407
Income taxes	$ 0	$ 0