PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

The following is a summary of property, plant, and equipment – at cost, less accumulated depreciation:

	2012		2011
Land (a)	$	945,180	$	500,000
Land improvements		164,758		164,758
Buildings (b)		631,299		455,906
Mining equipment (c)		1,519,635		975,164
Milling equipment		336,146		336,146
Laboratory equipment		65,934		67,728
Office equipment		52,014		34,642
Vehicles		140,002		100,801
		3,854,968		2,635,145
Less: Accumulated Depreciation		1,005,825		729,969
		2,849,143		1,905,176
Construction in progress (d)		1,156,537		--
Total	$	4,005,680	$	1,905,176

(a) Includes the Atlas Mine near Mullan, Idaho with a carrying value of $445,180 reclassified in 2012 from an asset held for sale. ( Note 3).

(b) Increase mainly represents investment in a dry house for the mine site

(c) Increase mainly represents investment in new drill and other mining equipment as the Company is in more advanced stages of commercialization.

(d) Represents investments in a new plant facility and related equipment at the mine site. Completion expected during the first half of 2013.