<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>285</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>314</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>80</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/OrganizationAndDescriptionOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - STOCK AWARD PAYABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/StockAwardPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK AWARD PAYABLE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/NotesAndLeasesPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConvertibleDebtPikNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/OptionsAndWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - PER SHARE DATA</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PerShareData</Role>
      <ShortName>PER SHARE DATA</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061200 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061300 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/RelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061400 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061500 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061600 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ScheduleIivaluationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070200 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080200 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080300 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080600 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080700 - Disclosure - NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/NotesAndLeasesPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081000 - Disclosure - OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/OptionsAndWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081100 - Disclosure - PER SHARE DATA (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PerShareDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PER SHARE DATA (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081200 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081300 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/RelatedPartiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081500 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090200 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090300 - Disclosure - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - STOCK AWARD PAYABLE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/StockAwardPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK AWARD PAYABLE (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090600 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAndFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/NotesAndLeasesPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES AND LEASES PAYABLE (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ConvertibleDebtPikNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONVERTIBLE DEBT (PIK NOTES) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091000 - Disclosure - OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/OptionsAndWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OPTIONS AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - PER SHARE DATA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/PerShareDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PER SHARE DATA (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091200 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091300 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/RelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091400 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091500 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091600 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://appliedminerals.com/role/ScheduleIivaluationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element amnl_StatedInterestRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 4 5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Nov. 20, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 020000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 050000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>amnl-20131231.xml</File>
    <File>amnl-20131231.xsd</File>
    <File>amnl-20131231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>amnl-20131231_def.xml</File>
    <File>amnl-20131231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>amnl-20131231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
