Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $11,938 and $0 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Less: Accumulated Depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Additional paid-in capital Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Depreciation Fair value of warrants and options issued to consultants and directors Issuance of Stock and Warrants for Services or Claims Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization of Financing Costs Assets held for sale BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract] Amortization of convertible debt discount Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium) Buildings Current portion of leases payable Capital Lease Obligations, Current Long-term portion of leases payable Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Interest Interest Paid Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable (Increase) Decrease in: Increase (Decrease) in: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract] Loss on revaluation of stock awards Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common stock, $0.001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 89,119,405 and 69,704,393 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively Net Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent COST OF SALES Cost of Goods Sold Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Current Liabilities NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Deferred financing cost DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] SETTLEMENT OF DEBT [Abstract] Office furniture and equipment (Gain) loss on disposition of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets (Gain) loss from disposition of land and equipment Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Net proceeds (expenses) from legal settlement Gain on settlement of debt Gain on settlement of debts General and administrative Gross Profit Gross Profit STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract] Net income (loss) from discontinued operations INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Interest expense Interest Expense TOTAL LIABILITIES Liabilities Liabilities from discontinued operations TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Liabilities and Equity Non-controlling interest Net cash used by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net cash used by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from operating activities: Net Loss Attributable to Applied Minerals, Inc. Net Loss Net increase (decrease) in cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Total Other Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Total Other Assets Assets, Noncurrent Other Assets Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Total Long-Term Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-Term Liabilities NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE [Abstract] Current portion of notes payable Long-term portion of notes payable Notes Payable, Noncurrent Net Operating Loss Operating Income (Loss) Change in Market Value of Investments Net change in un-realized gain on available for sale securities Sale of clay samples Other income (expense) Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Proceeds from PIK notes payable Proceeds from notes payable Proceeds from Notes Payable Proceeds from sale of assets Total Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Provision for doubtful accounts Refund of insurance premium RELATED PARTIES Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Payments on leases payable Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Payments on notes payable Repayments of Notes Payable REVENUES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract] Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) [Abstract] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Cash Paid For: Income Taxes Income Taxes Paid Total Current Assets Assets, Current Current Assets Gain (loss) on revaluation of stock awards Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Adjustments Common Stock [Member] Property and Equipment TOTAL ASSETS Assets Accounts receivable, allowance Interest income STOCK AWARD PAYABLE Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Equipment financed on lease Capital Lease Obligations Incurred FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Purchases of equipment and vehicles Payments to Acquire Machinery and Equipment Net cash provided by discontinued operations Net cash used by discontinued operations Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Convertible debt (PIK Notes) OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSES: Total Operating Expenses Operating Expenses Earnings Per Share Information (Basic and Diluted): EARNING (LOSS) PER SHARE [Abstract] Loss from exploration stage, before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Total Applied Minerals, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Provision (benefit) for income taxes Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, noncumulative, nonvoting, nonconvertible, none issued or outstanding Amortization of convertible debt discount Warrant derivative Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Issuance of PIK Notes in payment of interest Land improvements Shares issued for cash Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock for conversion of debt including accrued interest Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Shares issued for cash (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock for conversion of debt including accrued interest (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Purchases of land improvements Payments for Capital Improvements Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Loss on impairment of assets EARNING (LOSS) PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net loss from exploration stage after discontinued operations Net Loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to non-controlling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Loss from Exploration Stage Before Discontinued Operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations: ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Nature of Operations [Text Block] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] RELATED PARTIES [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract] Other non-cash expense (income) Net loss per share before discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Discontinued operations (in dollars per share) Net Loss Per Share (in dollars per share) Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity [Text Block] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Mining Supplies Inventory Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of products used directly or indirectly in mining exploration, development or production, which may or may not become part of the final product. Mining supplies inventory Deposits And Prepaids Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. And, aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of money paid in advance for goods or services that bring economic benefit within one year. Deposits and prepaid expenses Land And Tunnels Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use, specifically described as land and tunnels. Land and tunnels Mining Equipment Long lived, depreciable assets used in the process of surveying, preparing land for the extraction of natural resources, and extracting natural resources, specifically described as mining equipment. Mining equipment Milling Equipment Long lived, depreciable assets used to process natural resources, specifically described as milling equipment. Milling equipment Laboratory Equipment Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets, specifically described as laboratory equipment. Laboratory equipment Vehicles Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets, specifically categorized as vehicles. Stock Award Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for non-cash compensation arrangements payable. Represents value, as adjusted to change in market for common stock award. Stock awards payable Accumulated Deficit Prior To Exploration Stage The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's earnings or deficit resulting from operations prior to the exploration stage. Accumulated deficit prior to the exploration stage Accumulated Deficit During Exploration Stage The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's earnings or deficit resulting from operations during the exploration stage. Accumulated deficit during the exploration stage Exploration Expenses Exploration expenses (including prospecting) related to mining entities and would be included in operating expenses of that entity. Exploration costs Equipment Impairment Charges The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of tangible assets from their carrying value to their fair value. Loss on impairment of equipment Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares) The average number of basic and diluted shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted EPS. Net loss Net loss. Amortization of discount - PIK Notes The component of interest expense representing the noncash expenses charged against earnings in the period to amortize debt discount and premium associated with PIK notes. Gain On Stock Award Forfeiture Gain (loss) recognized on the forfeiture of a stock award as part of a settlement of a lawsuit. Gain on stock award forfeiture Stock Issued For Payment Of Consulting Services The fair value of restricted stock or stock options granted to consultants as payment for services rendered or acknowledged claims. Stock issued for director and consulting services Increase Decrease In Mining Supplies Inventory The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the carrying amount of mining supplies inventory. Mining supplies inventory Increase Decrease In Deposits And Prepaid Expense The net change during the reporting period in moneys given as security or collateral for items acquired or borrowed on a temporary basis, and the net change during the reporting period in the amount of outstanding money paid in advance for goods or services that bring economic benefits for future periods. Deposits and prepaid expenses Proceeds From Insurance Settlement Financing Activities The cash inflow from the amounts received by the insured under the terms of an insurance contract settlement and is classified as a financing cash flow. Proceeds from insurance settlement Payments for the forfeiture of stock Payments for the forfeiture of stock Payments for forfeiture of stock Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Pik Plus Interest To Common Stock The fair value of common stock issued as payment of convertible debt and associated accrued interest in noncash investing and financing activities. Conversion of debt and accrued interest to common stock Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement (in shares) Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement (in shares) Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement (in shares) Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement Shares canceled from forfeiture agreed upon in legal settlement Change in non-controlling interest Change in non-controlling interest Change in non-controlling interest Stock Issued During Period Value Directors Fees Stock Issued During Period Value Directors Fees Shares issued for directors fees and other services Stock Issued During Period Shares Directors Fees Stock Issued During Period Shares Directors Fees Shares issued for directors fees and other services (in shares) Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Fair Value Of Stock Options And Warrants Issued To Directors And Consultants Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Fair Value Of Stock Options And Warrants Issued To Directors And Consultants Fair value of stock options and warrants issued to directors and consultants Options And Warrants To Purchase Common Stock [Text Block] The entire disclosure for warrants or options issued and outstanding. OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK [Abstract] Long Term Pik Debt [Text Block] The entire disclosure for long-term debt described as PIK/Convertible Debt. CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES) CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES) [Abstract] STOCK AWARD PAYABLE [Abstract] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract] ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS [Abstract] Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement (in shares) Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement (in shares) Shares issued to related parties relating to forbearance agreement (in shares) Shares issued for cashless option and warrant exercise Number of stocks issued during the period as a result of cashless option and warrant exercise. Shares issued for cashless option and warrant exercise (in shares) Shares issued during the period, value, cashless option and warrant exercise Aggregate value of stock issued during the period as a result of cashless option and warrant exercise. Shares issued for cashless option and warrant exercise Impairment of consolidation, Equity Equity impact of the charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of consolidation from their carrying value to their fair value. Impairment of consolidation Proceeds from warrant derivative The cash inflow associated with the amount received from warrant derivative. Net proceeds from sale of common stock with attached warrant Equipment financed with note payable The cash inflow, used to finance equipment, from borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation. SETTLEMENT OF DEBT [Text Block] The entire disclosure of settlement of debt. SETTLEMENT OF DEBT Gain on revaluation of stock warrants The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other obligations not otherwise defined in the taxonomy where the payments will be made in future periods. Gain on revaluation of stock warrants Gain (loss) on revaluation of warrants Total of the adjustments in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability. Gain (Loss) on stock award forfeiture Gain (loss) recognized on the forfeiture of a stock award as part of a settlement of a lawsuit Gain on stock award forfeiture Prepaid insurance financed The cash inflow, used to finance insurance, from borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation. Accumulated Deficit During Exploration Stage [Member] Accumulated Deficit During Exploration Stage Accumulated Deficit Prior to Exploration Stage [Member] Accumulated Deficit Prior to Exploration Stage