CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (6,455,500)	$ (7,187,568)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	444,812	590,364
Loss on sale of property and equipment	0	3,235
Accretion expense on accrued reclamation costs	338,744	301,026
Amortization of debt issuance costs	54,604	251,505
Issuance of stock options for services rendered	23,209	62,597
Issuance of deferred stock units for services rendered	0	78,750
Amortization of debt discount related to warrants issued - related party	13,246	0
Gain on sale of aggregate	(18,535)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(12,549)	135,611
Inventories, stockpiles and ore on leach pads	1,394,770	2,310,731
Prepaid expenses and other assets	137,693	8,385
Accounts payable	394,087	297,823
Accrued expenses	539,741	404,926
Accrued interest	2,955,887	2,650,718
Derivative contracts at fair value	0	(54,896)
Deferred revenue	(57,070)	(23,415)
Other liabilities	0	(8,500)
Net Cash Used By Operating Activities	(246,861)	(178,708)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	0	(14,123)
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Investing Activities	0	(14,123)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	(7,500)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt - related parties	234,998	87,500
Principal payments on capital lease	0	(770)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	234,998	79,230
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(11,863)	(113,601)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	11,863	118,058
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	0	4,457
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest	0	151,893
Income taxes	0	0
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Common stock issued in exchange for deferred stock units	7,907	3,110
Change in property and equipment financed by accounts payable	(250)	(88,975)
Change in depreciation expense allocated to inventory	(29,106)	(84,991)
Change in depreciation expense allocated to stockpiles and ore on leach pads	(119,763)	(133,625)
Purchase of equipment with aggregate rock stockpiles not yet delivered	50,000	0
Principal payment on debt made with aggregate rock stockpiles	18,535	0
Interest payment on debt made with aggregate rock stockpiles	$ 7,572	$ 0