Comstock (LODE) 10-Q 31 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Entity Registrant Name	Comstock Mining Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1120970
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,992,581

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,860,193	$5,973,079
Accounts receivable	68,498	634,643
Inventories	1,001,608	662,929
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	3,196,821	4,280,664
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,048,678	2,808,623
Total current assets	11,175,798	14,359,938
MINERAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES, Net	7,502,780	7,614,780
PROPERTIES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net	23,126,754	20,491,070
RECLAMATION BOND DEPOSIT	2,442,804	2,510,804
RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ASSET	2,182,047	2,803,318
OTHER ASSETS	65,224	84,635
TOTAL ASSETS	46,495,407	47,864,545
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	3,098,007	2,535,932
Accrued expenses	6,447,548	7,360,559
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations - current portion	2,819,291	7,720,764
Derivative liabilities		544,681
Total current liabilities	12,364,846	18,161,936
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	7,405,548	6,010,891
Long-term reclamation liability	4,816,775	4,597,156
Other liabilities	200,000	700,000
Total long-term liabilities	12,422,323	11,308,047
Total liabilities	24,787,169	29,469,983
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.000666 par value, 3,950,000,000 shares authorized, 67,925,430 and 48,466,267 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	45,238	32,279
Additional paid-in capital	195,091,897	175,985,559
Accumulated deficit	-173,428,932	-157,623,315
Total stockholders' equity	21,708,238	18,394,562
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	46,495,407	47,864,545
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	16	16
7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	2	4
7.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Convertible Preferred Stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized	$17	$19

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common stock, par value per share	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	3,950,000,000	3,950,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	67,925,430	48,466,267
Common stock, shares outstanding	67,925,430	48,466,267
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par or stated value per share	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,500,000	1,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	23,499	23,499
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	23,499	23,499
7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par or stated value per share	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	1,610	5,271
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,610	5,271
7.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par or stated value per share	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	600,000	600,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	24,835	28,399
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	24,835	28,399

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE - MINING	$6,607,132		$17,086,569
REVENUE - HOTEL	211,646	182,792	507,883	477,037
Total revenues	6,818,778	182,792	17,594,452	477,037
COST AND EXPENSES
Costs applicable to mining revenue	6,371,224		18,441,139
Hotel operating costs	313,653	232,875	773,577	633,705
Reclamation and exploration	1,839,832	4,384,530	6,265,644	14,629,761
General and administrative	2,348,857	2,494,662	6,587,151	7,412,880
Consultants and professional fees	387,957	876,603	1,372,802	2,320,606
Total cost and expenses	11,261,523	7,988,670	33,440,313	24,996,952
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-4,442,745	-7,805,878	-15,845,861	-24,519,915
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Change in fair value of derivatives	25,080	-884,556	544,681	-399,856
Interest expense	-100,896	-332,286	-792,842	-430,234
Interest and other income	301	28,541	1,870	42,883
Gain on settlement of debt obligations			286,535
Total other income (expense), net	-75,515	-1,188,301	40,244	-787,207
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	-4,518,260	-8,994,179	-15,805,617	-25,307,122
INCOME TAXES
NET LOSS	-4,518,260	-8,994,179	-15,805,617	-25,307,122
DIVIDENDS ON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK	-973,123	-1,092,513	-3,037,165	-3,300,788
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	($5,491,383)	($10,086,692)	($18,842,782)	($28,607,910)
Net loss per common share - basic	($0.09)	($0.24)	($0.33)	($0.74)
Net loss per common share - diluted	($0.09)	($0.24)	($0.33)	($0.74)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	63,981,943	41,562,121	57,742,461	38,622,647
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	63,981,943	41,562,121	57,742,461	38,622,647

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	($15,805,617)	($25,307,122)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	3,316,411	1,306,090
Stock payments and stock-based compensation	2,583,868	6,510,113
Accretion of reclamation liability	219,619	114,124
Loss on sale of properties, plant, and equipment	1,015,496	14,169
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	589,287	344,562
Write down of inventories and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	986,600
Net change in fair value of derivatives	-603,970	399,856
Gain of settlement of debt obligations	-286,535
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-2,156,962
Inventories	-455,602	-1,186,545
Stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	214,166	-2,085,296
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-127,091	-257,702
Other assets	19,411	19,411
Accounts payable	-335,132	1,683,760
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-763,011	678,565
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	-11,589,062	-17,766,015
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities		1,470,348
Proceeds from sale of properties, plant and equipment	571,820
Purchase of properties, plant and equipment	-2,633,726	-12,679,374
Change in reclamation bond deposit	-582,000	548,274
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-2,643,906	-10,660,752
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-4,190,404	-291,759
Proceeds from long-term debt obligations		9,702,500
Long-term debt obligation issuance costs		-100,000
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	18,750,001	15,812,173
Common stock issuance costs	-439,515	-463,456
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	14,120,082	24,659,458
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-112,886	-3,767,309
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	5,973,079	6,955,010
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	5,860,193	3,187,701
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for income taxes
Cash paid for interest	249,153	169,974
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock (par value)	2,273	1,912
Reclamation bond deposit included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,100,000	2,300,000
Additions to reclamation liability and retirement obligation asset		2,405,314
Settlement of debt obligations from gold transfers	2,723,107
Settlement of long-term debt obligations through transfer of properties, plant and equipment	1,028,180
Dividends paid in common stock (par value)	1,444	1,430
Issuance of long-term debt obligations for purchase of mineral rights and properties, plant and equipment	4,303,387	2,801,125
Debt issuance costs deducted from proceeds of long-term debt obligations		125,000
Vested restricted common stock (par value)	216
Properties, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable	1,036,468	200,064
Debt Obligation Payment [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock	75,000	50,000
Acquisition of Mineral Property [Member]
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Issuance of common stock		$444,699

Interim_Financial_Statements

Interim Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interim Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Financial Statements	1. Interim Financial Statements
	The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern.
	The Company has recently transitioned into production in the Lucerne Mine and ramped up to the targeted 20,000 gold-equivalent-ounce annual production rate and exceeded that rate during the second and third quarters of 2013, averaging over 400 gold-equivalent ounces per week for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, and over 500 ounces per week in September. This intermediate target was exceeded and sustained by maximizing existing permitting capacity constraints around our existing heap leach and processing facility. The Company's existing heap leach is currently being expanded based on the recent receipt of all required permits and the Company expects to increase production rates during the fourth quarter of 2013, based on this permitted expansion.
	The Company has recurring net losses from operations, an accumulated deficit of $173.4 million as of September 30, 2013, and is incurring higher, planned capital expenses associated with expanding its heap leach and related production capacity.
	In March 2013, the Company raised $10 million in gross proceeds (approximately $9.7 million, net of issuance costs) through a public offering of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $2.00 per share. In August 2013, the Company raised $8.75 million (approximately $8.6 million, net of issuance costs) through a public offering of 4,146,920 shares of common stock at $2.11 per share.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company shipped approximately 5,214 and 12,429 ounces of gold, respectively, resulting in recognized revenue of approximately $6.6 million and $17.1 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company shipped 59,731 and 119,238 ounces of silver, respectively, resulting in sales of approximately $1.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Silver is accounted for as a by-product credit in costs applicable to mining revenue for financial reporting purposes.
	Liquidity and Management Plans
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company was an exploration company for most of its existence and recently transitioned into production in the Lucerne Mine, and accordingly, has incurred net operating losses and negative cash flows from operations every year since inception. At September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5.9 million. The Company incurred an operating loss of $15.8 million and used cash flows in operations of $11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (including the direct shipment of gold from current assets for the payment of $2.7 million of debt obligations). The Company continues its efforts to increase production, reduce costs and working capital needs, improve efficiencies, and maximize funds available for working capital. The Company's current capital resources include cash and cash equivalents and other working capital resources, cash generated through operations, and existing financing arrangements. The Company has financed its activities principally from the sale of equity securities and from debt financing. While the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining the necessary capital to support its operations, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional equity capital or other financing, if needed.
	Insufficient near-term financing or future production rates and gold prices below management's expectations would adversely affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
	Use of Estimates
	In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenditures during the reported periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Estimates may include those pertaining to valuation of inventories, stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pads, the estimated useful lives and valuation of plant and equipment, mineral rights, deferred tax assets, convertible preferred stock, derivative assets and liabilities, reclamation liabilities, stock-based compensation and payments, and contingent liabilities.
	Gold Forward Derivatives
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company began to manage its exposure to changes in gold prices by entering into gold forward derivative contracts whereby the Company agreed to sell specified amounts of gold at specified prices to its primary customer in the near future. The gold forward derivative contracts outstanding at September 30, 2013 covered a total of 2,400 gold ounces with an average price of $1,352 per ounce and are expected to be settled within three months. The derivative contracts were recorded at a fair value of $59,289 at September 30, 2013 and were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets. As the contracts relate to future gold sales, the $59,289 change in fair value of the derivatives was included within gold revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
	The average market price for gold was $1,328 per ounce during the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared with the Company's recorded average forward derivative contract price of $1,352 per ounce.
	Depreciation and Amortization Presentation
	Upon commencement of production in late 2012, the Company classified depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses related to revenue generating assets into costs applicable to mining revenue. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses that are not associated with revenue generating assets are allocated to reclamation and exploration expenses, general and administrative expenses and hospitality operating costs based on the function of the associated asset. Consequently, certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In prior periods all depreciation and amortization expenses were recorded within a separate depreciation and amortization line item.
	We believe this change in presentation provides increased transparency and improved comparability of our costs applicable to mining revenue and other operating expenses. These reclassifications, consisting of $321,395 and $1,306,090 of depreciation and amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively; had no effect on our reported financial position, consolidated loss from operations, net loss or per share amounts.
	Comprehensive Income
	There were no components of comprehensive loss other than net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	There have been no recently issued accounting pronouncements through the date of this report that we believe will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Inventories_Stockpiles_and_Min

Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad [Abstract]
Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad	2. Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad
	Inventories, stockpiles and mineralized materials on leach pads consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	In-process	$	1,001,608	$	662,929
	Finished goods		-		-
	Total inventories	$	1,001,608	$	662,929
	Stockpiles	$	442,130	$	361,061
	Mineralized material on leach pad		2,754,691		3,919,603
	Total stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	$	3,196,821	$	4,280,664
	Total	$	4,198,429	$	4,943,593
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company wrote down inventories by $116,923, and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad by $869,677 to record the balances to net realizable value (NRV). The NRV represents the estimated future sales price based on short-term and long-term metals prices, less estimated costs to complete production and bring the product to sale. The primary factor that influenced the need to record the write-downs was recent market declines in gold prices. The write downs of the inventory balances are included in costs applicable to mining revenue in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Properties_Plant_and_Equipment

Properties, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Properties, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Properties, Plant and Equipment	3. Properties, Plant and Equipment
	The Company acquired mining vehicles and equipment with a cost of $4.3 million under capital lease obligations during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company made capital expenditures totaling approximately $2.5 million (exclusive of equipment acquired under capital leases), primarily for the design and construction of our planned heap leach expansion and for certain Merrill Crowe and related infrastructure upgrades.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company sold vehicles previously used in mining operations with a gross book value of $3,165,746 for a loss of $1,015,496. The loss is included in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

LongTerm_Reclamation_Liability

Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset [Abstract]
Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset	4.  Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset
	Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate reclamation liability associated with our reclamation plan for our mining projects:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Long-term reclamation liability - beginning of period	$	4,597,156		$	2,007,605
	Additional obligations incurred		-			2,405,314
	Accretion of reclamation liability		219,619			184,237
	Long-term reclamation liability - end of period	$	4,816,775		$	4,597,156
	Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate retirement obligation asset associated with our reclamation plan for our mining projects:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Retirement obligation asset - beginning of period	$	2,803,318		$	825,481
	Additional obligations incurred		-			2,405,314
	Amortization of retirement obligation asset		(621,271	)		(427,477	)
	Retirement obligation asset - end of period	$	2,182,047		$	2,803,318

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	5. Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
	Note Description	2013			2012
	Note Payable (Auramet Facility)	$	-		$	5,422,200
	Note Payable (Caterpillar Equipment)		2,704,355			4,405,906
	Note Payable (Dayton Resource Area)		1,979,034			2,050,966
	Note Payable (Donovan Property)		620,956			647,409
	Note Payable (Gold Hill Hotel)		300,931			313,938
	Note Payable (White House)		293,079			296,798
	Note Payable (Railroad & Gold Property)		223,619			232,421
	Notes Payable - Other		278,568			362,017
	Capital Lease Obligations		3,824,297			-
	Subtotal		10,224,839			13,731,655
	Less current portion		(2,819,291	)		(7,720,764	)
	Long-term portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	7,405,548		$	6,010,891
	Long-Term Debt Obligations
	In July 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Resource Income Fund ("RIF"), with Auramet Trading, LLC ("Auramet") acting as gold agent, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to $5 million outstanding at any one time (the "Auramet Facility"). The Company's obligations under the Auramet Facility were secured by a security interest in all personal property of the Company and certain real estate owned by the Company.
	The Auramet Facility was payable through the delivery of 3,720 ounces of gold payable in 12 semi-monthly deliveries of 310 ounces each that began on February 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed the repayment of the Auramet Facility, including imputed interest of $953,397, by delivery of gold with a total value of $2,723,107 and cash of $2,819,065. Since the Company settled the Auramet Facility during a decline in gold prices, it recognized a gain of $286,535.
	In July 2012, the Company entered into a Master Loan and Security Agreement and other arrangements with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (the "Cat Equipment Facility") pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $5 million secured by certain equipment of the Company. The Cat Equipment Facility bears interest at a rate of 5.85% with a term of 30 months except in the event of a default, including the occurrence of certain liquidity events, in which case the principal balance will bear interest at a rate of the lesser of 18% per annum or the highest applicable rate allowed by law. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 the Company reduced the net outstanding balance due on the Cat Equipment Facility by $2,176,689, of which $1,028,180 resulted from the transfer of mining vehicles.
	In addition to the above, the Company made timely payments on all of its other outstanding obligations within the normal course of business. The Company did not incur any additional long-term debt obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Capital Lease Obligations
	In September 2013, the Company entered into capital lease agreements totaling $4.3 million with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation for the acquisition of mining vehicles and equipment. At September 30, 2013 the long-term and current capital lease obligations were $3.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
	The annual maturities of capital lease commitments, including interest are as follows:
	Annual Period	Amount
	2014	$	876,351
	2015		876,351
	2016		876,352
	2017		876,352
	2018		732,720
	Total		4,238,126
	Less:  Interest		(413,829	)
	Net capital lease obligations	$	3,824,297

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	6. Stockholders' Equity
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 7,783,004 shares of common stock from the conversion of 3,661 and 3,564 shares of Series A-2 and B Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively.
	In March 2013 and August 2013, the Company issued 5,000,000 and 4,146,920 shares of common stock to investors at a price per share of $2.00 and $2.11, respectively. As a result of the offerings, the Company received net cash proceeds of approximately $18.3 million. For additional information related to these offerings please see our Prospectus Supplements, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 13, 2013 and August 26, 2013.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company declared and issued 2,167,398 shares of common stock at par value as dividends on outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock.
	The Company issued 37,141 shares of common stock for total consideration of $75,000 for the payment of long-term debt obligations, and 324,700 shares of restricted stock vested under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company authorized the granting of an additional 605,000 shares of restricted stock to fifteen new employees since the last grant under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan on September 19, 2013. These shares are subject to certain vesting requirements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	7. Fair Value Measurements
	The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs.  A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.  Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The fair value hierarchy is defined into the following three categories:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs corroborated by market data.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and twelve months ended December 31, 2012, there were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, and trade payables and receivables approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of long-term debt and capital lease obligations approximates carrying value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The fair value of assets and liabilities whose carrying value approximates fair value is determined using Level 2 inputs, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents (Level 1).
	Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company's financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
	Derivative liability - contingent dividend - The Company's contingent dividend derivative liability is valued using models with various observed and unobservable market inputs and classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy. These market inputs include volatility, stock price, maturity date, and discount rate. The contingent dividend derivative was nil and $230,900 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and the change in the derivative value between these periods related solely to the change in fair value. The contingent dividend derivative liability expired on August 31, 2013.
	Gold Call Derivative - The Company's gold calls are valued using a Black-Scholes model with various observable inputs and classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy. These market inputs include volatility of gold prices, gold strike prices, maturity dates of the options, exercise prices of the options, and risk free interest rates. The gold call derivative value was not material at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	Gold Forward Derivative - The Company's gold forwards are valued based on observable market changes in the forward prices for gold and classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy. The Company's gold forward derivative contracts were in an asset position and had a fair value of $59,289 at September 30, 2013. At December 31, 2012, the gold forward derivatives were in a liability position and had a fair value of $297,451. The gold forward derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2013 related solely to future gold sales, and those outstanding at December 31, 2012 related solely to an underlying debt obligation.

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Net Loss Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Loss Per Common Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Common Share	8. Net Loss Per Common Share
	Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options, warrants, and convertible securities were exercised or converted into common stock. Diluted loss per share equals basic loss per share as the effect of including dilutive securities in the calculation would be antidilutive.
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted computation of net loss per share:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(4,518,260	)	$	(8,994,179	)	$	(15,805,617	)	$	(25,307,122	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(973,123	)		(1,092,513	)		(3,037,165	)		(3,300,788	)
	Loss available to common shareholders	$	(5,491,383	)	$	(10,086,692	)	$	(18,842,782	)	$	(28,607,910	)
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		63,981,943			41,562,121			57,742,461			38,622,647
	Effect of dilutive securities		-			-			-			-
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		63,981,943			41,562,121			57,742,461			38,622,647
	Net loss per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.74	)
	Diluted	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.74	)
	The following table includes the number of common stock equivalent shares that are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, because the Company has a net loss and the inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive or certain performance conditions have not been achieved.
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Stock options		50,000			450,000
	Convertible preferred stock		53,622,773			60,276,610
	Warrants		733,500			2,333,500
	Restricted stock		4,673,200			5,956,000
			59,079,473			69,016,110

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company has third party minimum lease obligations with certain of its mineral properties and related party leases. Minimum annual third party lease payments payable are $57,600 and related party lease payments payable are $880,500. For most of the mineral properties and leases, the Company is subject to a range of royalty obligations from 0.5% to 6% of net smelter revenues from minerals produced on the properties. Certain factors that will influence the amount of the royalties include ounces extracted and prices of gold.
	Included in the related party leases is an operating agreement with Northern Comstock, LLC; a related party and an entity controlled by a member of the Board of Directors. The terms of this agreement provide that the Company will make a total of $34.5 million in annual payments of $862,500, in the form of either cash or Series A-1 preferred stock. The operating agreement requires these payments, at least annually, through October 2049. At September 30, 2013, $31.9 million remained due and may be prepaid without penalty.
	The Company's mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and are generally becoming more restrictive. The Company conducts its operations so as to protect the public health and environment and believes its operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations, but cannot predict the full amount of such future expenditures.
	From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	11. Segment Reporting
	Our management organizes the Company into two operating segments, mining and hospitality. Our mining segment consists of all activities and expenditures associated with mining. Our hospitality segment consists of hotel rooms, cottages, restaurant, bar and other services provided by Gold Hill Hotel Inc.  We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on operating income (loss). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, and intersegment revenues are not significant. Financial information relating to our reportable operating segments and reconciliation to the consolidated totals is as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue
	Mining	$	6,607,132		$	-		$	17,086,569		$	-
	Hospitality		211,646			182,792			507,883			477,037
	Total revenue		6,818,778			182,792			17,594,452			477,037
	Cost and Expenses
	Mining		(10,947,870	)		(7,755,795	)		(32,666,736	)		(24,363,247	)
	Hospitality		(313,653	)		(232,875	)		(773,577	)		(633,705	)
	Total cost and expenses		(11,261,523	)		(7,988,670	)		(33,440,313	)		(24,996,952	)
	Operating Income (Loss)
	Mining		(4,340,738	)		(7,755,795	)		(15,580,167	)		(24,363,247	)
	Hospitality		(102,007	)		(50,083	)		(265,694	)		(156,668	)
	Total loss from operations		(4,442,745	)		(7,805,878	)		(15,845,861	)		(24,519,915	)
	Other income (loss), net		(75,515	)		(1,188,301	)		40,244			(787,207	)
	Net loss	$	(4,518,260	)	$	(8,994,179	)	$	(15,805,617	)	$	(25,307,122	)
	Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
	Mining	$	1,156,022		$	288,977		$	3,217,465		$	1,215,612
	Hospitality		34,110			32,418			98,946			90,478
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization	$	1,190,132		$	321,395		$	3,316,411		$	1,306,090
	Capital Expenditures
	Mining	$	6,541,845		$	2,098,117		$	7,803,871		$	15,014,131
	Hospitality		30,447			200,000			30,447			301,000
	Total capital expenditures	$	6,572,292		$	2,298,117		$	7,834,318		$	15,315,131
		As of September 30,			As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets
	Mining	$	45,312,125		$	46,606,912
	Hospitality		1,183,282			1,257,633
		$	46,495,407		$	47,864,545

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	12. Subsequent Events
	From October 1, 2013 through October 25, 2013, preferred shareholders converted 91 shares of convertible preferred stock into 55,151common shares.
	In October 2013, the Company issued 862.5 shares of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, to Northern Comstock LLC ("Northern Comstock"), a related party of the Company, in prepayment of an annual mineral rights lease pursuant to the Northern Comstock LLC operating agreement.
	On October 11, 2013 the Company signed a purchase agreement for various parcels of property near mining operations. The purchase price is $200,000 consisting of a cash down payment of $40,000 and $160,000 to be paid with common stock.
	In October 2013, the Company received notice of receipt of its expanded Water Pollution Control Permit that increases the amount of mineralized material the Company may process from a previous limit of 1,000,000 tons per annum up to 4,000,000 tons per annum enabling the planned production rate to increase consistent with the Company's planned production of 40,000 gold equivalent ounces in calendar year 2014.

Inventories_Stockpiles_and_Min1

Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	Inventories, stockpiles and mineralized materials on leach pads consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	In-process	$	1,001,608	$	662,929
	Finished goods		-		-
	Total inventories	$	1,001,608	$	662,929
	Stockpiles	$	442,130	$	361,061
	Mineralized material on leach pad		2,754,691		3,919,603
	Total stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	$	3,196,821	$	4,280,664
	Total	$	4,198,429	$	4,943,593

LongTerm_Reclamation_Liability1

Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Noncurrent Liabilities	Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate reclamation liability associated with our reclamation plan for our mining projects:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Long-term reclamation liability - beginning of period	$	4,597,156		$	2,007,605
	Additional obligations incurred		-			2,405,314
	Accretion of reclamation liability		219,619			184,237
	Long-term reclamation liability - end of period	$	4,816,775		$	4,597,156
Schedule of Asset Retirement Obligations	Following is a reconciliation of the aggregate retirement obligation asset associated with our reclamation plan for our mining projects:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Retirement obligation asset - beginning of period	$	2,803,318		$	825,481
	Additional obligations incurred		-			2,405,314
	Amortization of retirement obligation asset		(621,271	)		(427,477	)
	Retirement obligation asset - end of period	$	2,182,047		$	2,803,318

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas1

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
	Note Description	2013			2012
	Note Payable (Auramet Facility)	$	-		$	5,422,200
	Note Payable (Caterpillar Equipment)		2,704,355			4,405,906
	Note Payable (Dayton Resource Area)		1,979,034			2,050,966
	Note Payable (Donovan Property)		620,956			647,409
	Note Payable (Gold Hill Hotel)		300,931			313,938
	Note Payable (White House)		293,079			296,798
	Note Payable (Railroad & Gold Property)		223,619			232,421
	Notes Payable - Other		278,568			362,017
	Capital Lease Obligations		3,824,297			-
	Subtotal		10,224,839			13,731,655
	Less current portion		(2,819,291	)		(7,720,764	)
	Long-term portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	7,405,548		$	6,010,891
Schedule of Annual Maturities of Capital Lease Commitments	The annual maturities of capital lease commitments, including interest are as follows:
	Annual Period	Amount
	2014	$	876,351
	2015		876,351
	2016		876,352
	2017		876,352
	2018		732,720
	Total		4,238,126
	Less:  Interest		(413,829	)
	Net capital lease obligations	$	3,824,297

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Net Loss Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Loss Per Common Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator used in Basic and Diluted Computation of New Loss Per Share	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted computation of net loss per share:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(4,518,260	)	$	(8,994,179	)	$	(15,805,617	)	$	(25,307,122	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(973,123	)		(1,092,513	)		(3,037,165	)		(3,300,788	)
	Loss available to common shareholders	$	(5,491,383	)	$	(10,086,692	)	$	(18,842,782	)	$	(28,607,910	)
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		63,981,943			41,562,121			57,742,461			38,622,647
	Effect of dilutive securities		-			-			-			-
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		63,981,943			41,562,121			57,742,461			38,622,647
	Net loss per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.74	)
	Diluted	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.74	)
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table includes the number of common stock equivalent shares that are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, because the Company has a net loss and the inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive or certain performance conditions have not been achieved.
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Stock options		50,000			450,000
	Convertible preferred stock		53,622,773			60,276,610
	Warrants		733,500			2,333,500
	Restricted stock		4,673,200			5,956,000
			59,079,473			69,016,110

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Information Relating to Reportable Operating Segments and Reconciliation to Condensed Consolidated Totals	Financial information relating to our reportable operating segments and reconciliation to the consolidated totals is as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue
	Mining	$	6,607,132		$	-		$	17,086,569		$	-
	Hospitality		211,646			182,792			507,883			477,037
	Total revenue		6,818,778			182,792			17,594,452			477,037
	Cost and Expenses
	Mining		(10,947,870	)		(7,755,795	)		(32,666,736	)		(24,363,247	)
	Hospitality		(313,653	)		(232,875	)		(773,577	)		(633,705	)
	Total cost and expenses		(11,261,523	)		(7,988,670	)		(33,440,313	)		(24,996,952	)
	Operating Income (Loss)
	Mining		(4,340,738	)		(7,755,795	)		(15,580,167	)		(24,363,247	)
	Hospitality		(102,007	)		(50,083	)		(265,694	)		(156,668	)
	Total loss from operations		(4,442,745	)		(7,805,878	)		(15,845,861	)		(24,519,915	)
	Other income (loss), net		(75,515	)		(1,188,301	)		40,244			(787,207	)
	Net loss	$	(4,518,260	)	$	(8,994,179	)	$	(15,805,617	)	$	(25,307,122	)
	Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
	Mining	$	1,156,022		$	288,977		$	3,217,465		$	1,215,612
	Hospitality		34,110			32,418			98,946			90,478
	Total depreciation, depletion and amortization	$	1,190,132		$	321,395		$	3,316,411		$	1,306,090
	Capital Expenditures
	Mining	$	6,541,845		$	2,098,117		$	7,803,871		$	15,014,131
	Hospitality		30,447			200,000			30,447			301,000
	Total capital expenditures	$	6,572,292		$	2,298,117		$	7,834,318		$	15,315,131
		As of September 30,			As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets
	Mining	$	45,312,125		$	46,606,912
	Hospitality		1,183,282			1,257,633
		$	46,495,407		$	47,864,545

Interim_Financial_Statements_D

Interim Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	ozt			ozt		ozt
Interim Financial Statements [Abstract]
Accumulated deficit	($173,428,932)			($173,428,932)		($173,428,932)		($157,623,315)
Gross proceeds from sale of common stock		8,750,000	10,000,000			18,750,001	15,812,173
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		8,600,000	9,700,000			18,300,000
Shares issued		4,146,920	5,000,000
Common stock issued price, per share		$2.11	$2
Cash and cash equivalents	5,860,193			5,860,193	3,187,701	5,860,193	3,187,701	5,973,079	6,955,010
Net loss				-4,518,260	-8,994,179	-15,805,617	-25,307,122
Net cash used in operating activities						-11,589,062	-17,766,015
Settlement of debt obligations from gold transfers						2,723,107
Depreciation and amortization expenses previously recorded					321,395		1,306,090
Product Information [Line Items]
Annual production target						20,000
Average weekly production	500			400		413
Ounces of gold sold during the period				5,214		12,429
Gold revenue				6,607,132		17,086,569
Ounces of silver sold during the period				59,731		119,238
Silver sales				1,300,000		2,700,000
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives						603,970	-399,856
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gold covered by derivative				2,400
Fair value of derivative	59,289			59,289		59,289
Change in fair value of derivatives				$59,289
Average market price for gold				1,328
Average forward derivative contract price	1,352			1,352		1,352

Inventories_Stockpiles_and_Min2

Inventories, Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
In-process	$1,001,608		$662,929
Finished goods
Total inventories	1,001,608		662,929
Stockpiles	442,130		361,061
Mineralized material on leach pad	2,754,691		3,919,603
Total stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	3,196,821		4,280,664
Total	4,198,429		4,943,593
Write down of inventories and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	986,600
Inventories, Excluding Stockpiles and Mineralized Material [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Write down of inventories and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	116,923
Stockpiles and Mineralized Material on Leach Pad [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Write down of inventories and stockpiles and mineralized material on leach pad	$869,677

Properties_Plant_and_Equipment1

Properties, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
			Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Mining vehicles and equipment, acquisition cost			$4,300,000
Capital expenditures for design and construction	2,500,000
Book value of asset sold	3,165,746
Loss on sale of properties, plant and equipment, net	($1,015,496)	($14,169)

LongTerm_Reclamation_Liability2

Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset (Reconciliation of Aggregate Retirement Liability) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset [Abstract]
Long-term reclamation liability - beginning of period	$4,597,156	$2,007,605
Additional obligations incurred		2,405,314
Accretion of reclamation liability	219,619	184,237
Long-term reclamation liability - end of period	$4,816,775	$4,597,156

LongTerm_Reclamation_Liability3

Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset (Reconciliation of Aggregate Retirement Asset) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-Term Reclamation Liability and Retirement Obligation Asset [Abstract]
Retirement obligation asset - beginning of period	$2,803,318	$825,481	$825,481
Additional obligations incurred		2,405,314	2,405,314
Amortization of retirement obligation asset	-621,271		-427,477
Retirement obligation asset - end of period	$2,182,047		$2,803,318

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas2

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	$10,224,839	$13,731,655
Less current portion	-2,819,291	-7,720,764
Long-term portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	7,405,548	6,010,891
Note Payable (Auramet Facility) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal		5,422,200
Note Payable (Caterpillar Equipment Facility) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	2,704,355	4,405,906
Note Payable (Dayton Property "Golden Goose") [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	1,979,034	2,050,966
Note Payable (Donovan Property) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	620,956	647,409
Note Payable (Gold Hill Hotel) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	300,931	313,938
Note Payable (White House) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	293,079	296,798
Note Payable (Railroad and Gold Property) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	223,619	232,421
Notes Payable - Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	278,568	362,017
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	$3,824,297

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas3

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Long-Term Debt Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Imputed interest expense			$589,287	$344,562
Settlement of debt obligations from gold transfers			2,723,107
Gain on settlement of debt obligations			286,535
Settlement of long-term debt obligations through transfer of properties, plant and equipment			1,028,180
Note Payable (Caterpillar Equipment Facility) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of debt			30 months
Note payable, interest rate	5.85%		5.85%
Debt instrument, maximum borrowing capacity amount	5,000,000		5,000,000
Credit facility, amount reduced			2,176,689
Note Payable (Caterpillar Equipment Facility) [Member] | Default Interest Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Note payable, interest rate	18.00%		18.00%
Note Payable (Auramet Facility) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Imputed interest expense			953,397
Settlement of debt obligations from gold transfers			2,723,107
Repayment of debt obligations			2,819,065
Gain on settlement of debt obligations			286,535
Debt instrument, maximum borrowing capacity amount	$5,000,000		$5,000,000
Number of ounces of gold			3,720
Note Payable (Auramet Facility) [Member] | Monthly Scenario [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of ounces of gold			310

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas4

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Capital Lease Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease agreements entered into	$4,300,000
Long-term capital lease obligations	3,100,000
Current capital lease obligations	700,000
Annual maturities of capital lease commitments, including interest:
2014	876,351
2015	876,351
2016	876,352
2017	876,352
2018	732,720
Total	4,238,126
Less: Interest	-413,829
Net capital lease obligations	$3,824,297

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued			67,925,430	48,466,267
Common stock, shares outstanding			67,925,430	48,466,267
Shares issued	4,146,920	5,000,000
Common stock issued price, per share	$2.11	$2
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	$8,600,000	$9,700,000	$18,300,000
Restricted stock awards vested in period			324,700
Additional shares authorized for grant under the Equity Plan			605,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued upon conversion of convertible preferred stock			7,783,004
Common Stock declared and issued			2,167,398
Debt conversion, shares issued			37,141
Debt conversion, amount			$7,500
7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued			23,499	23,499
Preferred stock, shares outstanding			23,499	23,499
7.5% Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued			1,610	5,271
Preferred stock, shares outstanding			1,610	5,271
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares			3,661
7.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued			24,835	28,399
Preferred stock, shares outstanding			24,835	28,399
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares			3,564

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Assets:
Derivative asset	$59,289
Liabilities:
Derivative liability		297,451
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Contingent Dividend Payment [Member]
Liabilities:
Derivative liability	$0	$230,900

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Reco

Net Loss Per Common Share (Reconciliation of Net Loss Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Net loss	($4,518,260)	($8,994,179)	($15,805,617)	($25,307,122)
Preferred stock dividends	-973,123	-1,092,513	-3,037,165	-3,300,788
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	($5,491,383)	($10,086,692)	($18,842,782)	($28,607,910)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	63,981,943	41,562,121	57,742,461	38,622,647
Effect of dilutive securities
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	63,981,943	41,562,121	57,742,461	38,622,647
Net loss per common share:
Basic	($0.09)	($0.24)	($0.33)	($0.74)
Diluted	($0.09)	($0.24)	($0.33)	($0.74)

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Sche

Net Loss Per Common Share (Schedule of Excluded Common Stock Equivalent Shares) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	59,079,473	69,016,110
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	50,000	450,000
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	53,622,773	60,276,610
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	733,500	2,333,500
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	4,673,200	5,956,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Third Party [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Minimum annual lease payments	$57,600
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Annual lease payment	862,500
Amount of commitment	34,500,000
Minimum annual lease payments	880,500
Operating lease, future minimum payments	$31,900,000
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of royalty obligations	0.50%
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of royalty obligations	6.00%

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments			2
Revenue	$6,818,778	$182,792	$17,594,452	$477,037
Cost and Expenses	-11,261,523	-7,988,670	-33,440,313	-24,996,952
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-4,442,745	-7,805,878	-15,845,861	-24,519,915
Other income (loss), net	-75,515	-1,188,301	40,244	-787,207
NET LOSS	-4,518,260	-8,994,179	-15,805,617	-25,307,122
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,190,132	321,395	3,316,411	1,306,090
Capital Expenditures	6,572,292	2,298,117	2,298,117	15,315,131
Assets	46,495,407		46,495,407		47,864,545
Mining [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	6,607,132		17,086,569
Cost and Expenses	-10,947,870	-7,755,795	-32,666,736	-24,363,247
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-4,340,738	-7,755,795	-15,580,167	-24,363,247
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,156,022	288,977	3,217,465	1,215,612
Capital Expenditures	6,541,845	2,098,117	7,803,871	15,014,131
Assets	45,312,125		45,312,125		46,606,912
Hospitality [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	211,646	182,792	507,883	477,037
Cost and Expenses	-313,653	-232,875	-773,577	-633,705
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-102,007	-50,083	-265,694	-156,668
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	34,110	32,418	98,946	90,478
Capital Expenditures	30,447	200,000	30,447	301,000
Assets	$1,183,282		$1,183,282		$1,257,633

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
	ozt		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
	T				ozt	7.5% Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
					T
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, shares				91
Common stock shares issued as a result of conversion of Preferred stock				55,151
Shares issued in transaction						862.5
Purchase price of property			$200,000
Acquisition of property	2,633,726	12,679,374	40,000
Stock issued for acquisition of property			$160,000
Maximum mineralized material allowed to be processed	1,000,000				4,000,000
Annual production target	20,000				40,000