PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	$ 3,854,968		$ 2,635,145
Less: Accumulated Depreciation	1,005,825		729,969
Property and equipment, before construction in progress	2,849,143		1,905,176
Construction in Progress	1,156,537	[1]	0	[1]
Property and Equipment, Net	4,005,680		1,905,176
Assets held for sale	0		445,180
Land [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	945,180	[2]	500,000	[2]
Land Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	164,758		164,758
Buildings [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	631,299	[3]	455,906	[3]
Mining Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	1,519,635	[4]	975,164	[4]
Milling Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	336,146		336,146
Laboratory Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	65,934		67,728
Office Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	52,014		34,642
Vehicles [Member]
Property and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	$ 140,002		$ 100,801

[1] Represents investments in a new plant facility and related equipment at the mine site. Completion expected during the first half of 2013.

[2] 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).

[3] Increase mainly represents investment in a dry house for the mine site

[4] Increase mainly represents investment in new drill and other mining equipment as the Company is in more advanced stages of commercialization.