CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net loss $ (25,307,122) $ (9,103,502)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation, amortization and depletion 1,306,090 122,119
Stock, warrants, and stock-based compensation and services 6,510,113 2,592,091
Accretion of reclamation liability 114,124 70,455
Deferred income taxes    (76,081)
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs 344,562   
Net change in fair value of derivatives 399,856 (2,878,092)
Disposal of mineral properties 14,169   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of affects from acquisition:    
Inventories (1,186,545)   
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads (2,085,296)   
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (257,702) (133,248)
Other assets 19,411   
Accounts payable 1,683,760 35,596
Accrued expenses 678,565 (43,763)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (17,766,015) (9,414,425)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities 1,470,348 3,664,889
Purchase of available-for-sale securities    (2,205,000)
Purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment (12,679,374) (3,202,077)
Acquisition of Gold Hill Hotel    (500,000)
Change in reclamation bond deposit 548,274   
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (10,660,752) (2,242,188)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Principal payments on long-term debt obligations (291,759) (769,130)
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations 9,702,500   
Long-term debt obligation issuance costs (100,000)   
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net 15,812,173   
Common stock issuance costs (463,456)   
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 24,659,458 (769,130)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (3,767,309) (12,425,743)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 6,955,010 25,383,309
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD 3,187,701 12,957,566
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:    
Cash paid for income taxes      
Cash paid for interest 169,974 23,747
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:    
Conversion of Series A-2 and Series B convertible preferred stock 1,912 3,575
Dividends paid in common stock (par value) 1,430 783
Issuance of common stock to directors    996,250
Additions to reclamation liability and retirement obligation asset 2,405,314   
Reclamation bond deposit payable included in accrued expenses 2,300,000   
Properties, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable 200,064 752,232
Debt issuance costs deducted from proceeds of long-term debt obligations 125,000   
Acquisition of Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
   
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:    
Issuance of common stock 444,699   
Issuance of long-term debt obligations 2,801,125 44,059
Debt Obligation Payment [Member]
   
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:    
Issuance of common stock 50,000   
Gold Hill Hotel Acquisition [Member]
   
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:    
Issuance of long-term debt obligations    $ 340,000