CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended			60 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (13,063,526)	$ (9,732,399)	$ (7,482,636)	$ (41,812,476)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation	317,570	280,991	248,605	1,133,758
Amortization of deferred financing costs	0	0	146,939	150,000
Amortization of discount - PIK Notes	41,583	0	0	409,117
Issuance of PIK Notes in payment of interest	0	0	342,884	863,870
Stock issued for director and consulting services	316,475	151,059	118,436	668,299
Stock-based compensation expense	4,707,381	2,314,154	2,181,394	9,938,832
Gain on revaluation of warrant derivative	(995,000)	(630,000)	(225,000)	(1,850,000)
Loss on revaluation of PIK Notes	195,000	0	0	195,000
(Gain) loss on revaluation of stock awards for non-employees	(44,000)	27,000	47,000	202,500
Gain on stock award forfeiture	0	0	0	(145,000)
Loss from disposition and impairment of land and equipment	2,482	9,913	3,862	74,753
Gain on settlement of debts	0	0	(101,380)	(101,380)
Other non-cash income	0	0	(28,587)	(28,587)
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	13,168	11,938	25,106
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	125,256	759,185	18,387	1,074,008
Deposits and prepaid expenses	189,656	55,148	(12,801)	335,571
Mining supplies inventory	0	0	3,503	0
Accounts receivable	2,022	(482)	28,873	(30,818)
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations	0	0	(1,152)	603,585
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(8,205,101)	(6,752,263)	(4,699,735)	(28,293,862)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of land and mining property	0	0	0	(72,923)
Purchases of property and equipment	(64,345)	(321,440)	(271,387)	(839,856)
Construction-in-progress	(1,982,013)	(1,051,537)	0	(3,033,550)
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	0	1,000	151,000
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0	0	434,670
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities	(2,046,358)	(1,372,977)	(270,387)	(3,360,659)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable	(479,092)	(304,099)	(518,726)	(1,614,538)
Payments on leases payable	0	(10,094)	(167,956)	(431,088)
Proceeds from insurance settlement	0	0	0	115,000
Proceeds from notes payable	0	0	0	124,129
Proceeds from PIK notes payable	10,500,000	0	0	20,100,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock	5,560,000	1,625,000	14,185,000	21,370,000
Payments for legal settlement	0	0	0	(170,000)
Net cash used by discontinued operations	0	0	0	(56,431)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	15,580,908	1,310,807	13,498,318	39,437,072
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,329,449	(6,814,433)	8,528,196	7,782,551
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,356,103	10,170,536	1,642,340	903,001
Cash And Cash Equivalents At End Of Period	8,685,552	3,356,103	10,170,536	8,685,552
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	23,180	18,206	58,056	127,922
Income Taxes	3,841	0	1,465	5,856
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of debt and accrued interest to common stock	0	0	5,019,895	11,459,738
Property and equipment financed on lease	0	0	0	197,000
Property and equipment financed with note payable	0	468,250	173,838	642,088
Construction-in-progress accounts payable	229,563	105,000	0	404,563
Prepaid insurance financed with note payable	233,187	170,600	141,908	545,695
Land reclassified from assets held for sale to land and mining property	$ 0	$ 445,180	$ 0	$ 445,180