STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit Prior to Exploration Stage [Member]	Accumulated Deficit During Exploration Stage [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 89,120	$ 47,765,350	$ (20,009,496)	$ (19,016,551)	$ 8,828,423
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	89,119,405				89,119,405
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Reclassification from warrant derivative liability due to change in valuation methodology	0	780,000	0	0	780,000
Shares issued for directors fees and other services	79	114,480	0	0	114,559
Shares issued for directors' fees and other services	79,747
Shares issued for cashless option and warrant exercise	107	(107)	0	0	0
Shares issued for cashless option and warrant exercise (in shares)	106,735
Shares issued for cash	1,250	1,623,750	0	0	1,625,000
Shares issued for cash (in shares)	1,250,000				1,250,000
Stock-based compensation expense for consultants and directors	0	1,753,752	0	0	1,753,752
Net Loss	0	0	0	(5,888,170)	(5,888,170)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 90,556	$ 52,037,225	$ (20,009,496)	$ (24,904,721)	$ 7,213,564
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	90,555,887				90,555,887