CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,187,701 $ 6,955,010
Available-for-sale securities 740,939 2,211,287
Inventories 1,186,545   
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads 2,085,296   
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 853,370 1,842,479
Total current assets 8,053,851 11,008,776
MINERAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES, Net 7,689,780 4,869,683
PROPERTIES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net 20,779,865 9,383,723
RECLAMATION BOND DEPOSIT 2,473,474 721,748
RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ASSET 3,010,409 825,481
OTHER ASSETS 145,330 164,741
TOTAL ASSETS 42,152,709 26,974,152
CURRENT LIABILITIES:    
Accounts payable 2,830,055 1,755,381
Accrued expenses 7,129,975 4,151,410
Long-term debt obligations - current portion 7,431,601 138,245
Derivative liabilities 1,387,618   
Total current liabilities 18,779,249 6,045,036
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:    
Long-term debt obligations 6,651,335 1,298,836
Derivative liability - contingent dividend payment    1,025,000
Long-term reclamation liability 4,527,043 2,007,605
Total long-term liabilities 11,178,378 4,331,441
Total liabilities 29,957,627 10,376,477
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES      
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:    
Common stock, $.000666 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 43,282,870 and 28,990,630 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively 28,826 19,308
Additional paid-in capital 164,334,382 143,439,370
Accumulated deficit (152,168,164) (126,861,042)
Total stockholders' equity 12,195,082 16,597,675
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 42,152,709 26,974,152
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | 7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:    
Convertible Preferred Stock 15 15
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | 7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:    
Convertible Preferred Stock 4 4
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | 7.5% Series B convertible preferred stock [Member]
   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:    
Convertible Preferred Stock $ 19 $ 20