Ireland (IRLD) 10-K 11 Apr 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Trading Symbol	irld
Entity Registrant Name	IRELAND INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,166,338
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		272,057,380
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 39,593,704
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash	$ 56,359	$ 103,343
Other receivables	2,279	4,177
Prepaid expenses	93,488	299,623
Total current assets	152,126	407,143
Property and equipment, net	749,753	1,077,516
Mineral properties	8,239,934	15,882,179
Reclamation bonds	1,115,153	1,121,184
Deposits	10,262	10,262
Total non-current assets	10,115,102	18,091,141
Total assets	10,267,228	18,498,284
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	772,720	149,622
Accounts payable - related party	761,442	145,168
Accrued payroll and related taxes	170,673	60,010
Convertible notes, net of discount	139,967	0
Due to related party	1,060,290	23,290
Total current liabilities	2,905,092	378,090
Long-term liabilities
Asset retirement obligation	672,338	672,338
Total long-term liabilities	672,338	672,338
Total liabilities	3,577,430	1,050,428
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 181,472,875 and 158,697,875 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding	181,471	158,696
Additional paid-in capital	67,960,874	66,406,028
Accumulated deficit	(61,452,547)	(49,116,868)
Total stockholders' equity	6,689,798	17,447,856
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 10,267,228	$ 18,498,284

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	181,472,875	158,697,875
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	181,472,875	158,697,875

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue	$ 0	$ 0
Operating expenses
Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses - related party	616,274	438,917
General and administrative	2,751,442	1,803,989
Depreciation	327,763	540,458
Abandonment of mineral rights	7,642,245	0
Total operating expenses	12,339,295	4,418,871
Loss from operations	(12,339,295)	(4,418,871)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	6,287	15,601
Rental income - related party	21,084	70,272
Change in derivative liability	0	3,866,450
Interest expense	(23,755)	(1,633)
Total other income (expense)	3,616	3,950,690
Loss before income taxes	(12,335,679)	(468,181)
Income tax expense	0	(2,950)
Net loss	$ (12,335,679)	$ (471,131)
Loss per common share - basic and diluted	$ (0.07)	$ 0
Weighted average common shares outstanding -
basic and diluted	177,905,204	155,488,560
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Net loss	$ (12,335,679)	$ (471,131)
Other comprehensive loss
Unrealized loss on investments, net of deferred tax	0	(5,478)
Total comprehensive loss	(12,335,679)	(476,609)
Related Party [Member]
Operating expenses
Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses - related party	616,274	438,917
General [Member]
Operating expenses
Mineral exploration and evaluation expenses - related party	$ 1,001,571	$ 1,635,507

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (12,335,679)	$ (471,131)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	327,763	540,458
Stock-based compensation	1,122,328	500,194
Investor relations expense	435,668	0
Abandonment of mineral rights	7,642,245	0
Amortization of debt discount	9,967	0
Change in derivative liability	0	(3,866,450)
Deferred income taxes	0	2,950
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables	1,898	2,203
Prepaid expenses	206,135	(39,139)
Reclamation bonds and other deposits	6,031	(139)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,350,035	(332,276)
Net cash used in operating activities	(1,233,609)	(3,663,330)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment	0	(298,469)
Net cash used by investing activities	0	(298,469)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from equity issuances	0	3,810,000
Advances due to related party	1,037,000	0
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes	150,000	0
Financing issuance costs	(375)	(4,353)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,186,625	3,805,647
NET CHANGE IN CASH	(46,984)	(156,152)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	103,343	259,495
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	56,359	103,343
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Interest paid	6,267	1,633
Income taxes paid	0	0
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Detachable warrants issued with convertible notes	20,000	0
Investor warrants issued with non-customary anti-dilution provisions	$ 0	$ 3,518,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 150,771	$ 65,626,112	$ 5,478	$ (48,645,737)	$ 17,136,624
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	150,772,875
Stock-based compensation		500,194			500,194
Issuance of warrants for cash, net		3,795,647			3,795,647
Derivative liability		(3,518,000)			(3,518,000)
Investor relations expense					0
Exercise of special warrants	$ 7,725	(7,725)
Exercise of special warrants (Shares)	7,725,000
Issuance of shares for cash, net	$ 200	9,800			10,000
Issuance of shares for cash, net (Shares)	200,000
Unrealized loss on investments, net of $2,950 deferred tax			$ (5,478)		(5,478)
Net loss				(471,131)	(471,131)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 158,696	66,406,028		(49,116,868)	17,447,856
Ending Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	158,697,875
Stock-based compensation		1,122,328			1,122,328
Investor relations expense		435,668			435,668
Exercise of special warrants	$ 22,775	(23,150)			(375)
Exercise of special warrants (Shares)	22,775,000
Issuance of warrants for convertible notes		20,000			20,000
Net loss				(12,335,679)	(12,335,679)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 181,471	$ 67,960,874		$ (61,452,547)	$ 6,689,798
Ending Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	181,472,875

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTOR

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES [Text Block]	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES Description of business History Basis of presentation Going concern If the Company continues to incur operating losses and does not raise sufficient additional capital, material adverse events may occur including, but not limited to, 1) a reduction in the nature and scope of the Company’s operations and 2) the Company’s inability to fully implement its current business plan. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully improve its liquidity position. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might be required resulting from the adverse outcome relating to this uncertainty. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative net losses of $61,452,547 from operations and had not commenced its commercial mining and mineral processing operations; rather it is still in the exploration stage. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company incurred a net loss of $12,335,679, had negative cash flows from operating activities of $1,233,609 and will incur additional future losses due to planned continued exploration expenses. In addition, the Company had a working capital deficit totaling $2,752,966 at December 31, 2016. To address liquidity constraints, the Company temporarily reduced the exercise price of 88,450,160 warrants and 8,967,197 stock options to $0.08 per share for a period ending February 17, 2017. As a result, subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company raised $3,076,474 and issued 38,455,921 shares of common stock. Additionally, on March 29, 2017, the Company completed a private placement offering of 49,369,123 shares of common stock at a price of $0.08 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,949,530. Management believes that these funds will allow the Company to continue its operations for the next twelve months. Additionally, the Company will continue to reduce expenses and defer payment of certain obligations where available. The Company is focused on continuing to reduce costs and obtaining additional funding. There is no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by selling additional shares of capital stock, securities convertible into shares of capital stock or the issuance of convertible debt, the ownership interest of the Company’s existing common stock holders will be diluted. Principles of consolidation Use of estimates Mineral properties Mineral exploration and development costs Property and equipment Impairment of long-lived assets The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration, development or producing stage that have a value beyond proven and probable reserves will be monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the mineral property and results of exploration, future asset utilization, business climate, mineral prices and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, including evaluating its reserves beyond proven and probable amounts. The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable either by impairment or by abandonment of the property. The impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value. While the Company incurred losses from operations, these losses have not been in excess of planned expenditures on the specific mineral properties in order to ultimately realize their value. Asset retirement obligation Future reclamation expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early stage nature of the exploration project, the uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental disturbance, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities and changes in reclamation technology. Per share amounts Stock-based compensation The fair value of performance-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of the Binomial Lattice option pricing model. The total value of the award is recognized over the requisite service period only if management has determined that achievement of the performance condition is probable. The requisite service period is based on management’s estimate of when the performance condition will be met. Changes in the requisite service period or the estimated probability of achievement can materially affect the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the financial statements. The fair value of market-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of an option pricing model which uses a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and a Trinomial Lattice function. The requisite service period for market-based awards is derived from the model. Achievement of the market condition earlier than estimated can materially affect the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the financial statements. Short-term inducements are treated as a modification of an existing award in the period the holder accepts the offer. Income taxes For acquired properties that do not constitute a business, a deferred income tax liability is recorded on GAAP basis over income tax basis using statutory federal and state rates. The resulting estimated future income tax liability associated with the temporary difference between the acquisition consideration and the tax basis is reflected as an increase in the total purchase price which is then applied to the underlying acquired assets in the absence of there being a goodwill component associated with the acquisition transactions. Recent accounting standards In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which clarifies diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, with early application permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, ASU No. 2016-09 was issued related to stock based compensation. The guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective beginning June 1, 2017, with early application permitted. Adoption of the new guidance is being evaluated. In February 2016, ASU No. 2016-02 was issued related to leases. The new guidance modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from most leases on the balance sheet. This update is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Adoption of the new guidance is being evaluated. In August 2014, ASU 2014-15 was issued related to going concern presentation. The new standard requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, disclose that fact. Management is also required to evaluate and disclose whether its plans alleviate that doubt. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the standard in the fourth quarter of 2016.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT [Text Block]	2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accumulated Net book Accumulated Net book Cost depreciation value Cost depreciation value Furniture and fixtures $ 61,405 $ (53,072 ) $ 8,333 $ 61,405 $ (40,984 ) $ 20,421 Computers and equipment 57,785 (46,548 ) 11,237 57,785 (36,493 ) 21,292 Land 30,000 - 30,000 30,000 - 30,000 Site improvements 2,925,731 (2,783,133 ) 142,598 2,925,731 (2,756,351 ) 169,380 Site equipment 2,179,803 (1,788,885 ) 390,918 2,179,803 (1,560,046 ) 619,757 Vehicles 23,595 (23,595 ) - 23,595 (23,595 ) - Building 500,000 (333,333 ) 166,667 500,000 (283,334 ) 216,666 $ 5,778,319 $ (5,028,566 ) $ 749,753 $ 5,778,319 $ (4,700,803 ) $ 1,077,516 Depreciation expense was $327,763 and $540,458 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

MINERAL PROPERTIES

MINERAL PROPERTIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
MINERAL PROPERTIES [Text Block]	3. MINERAL PROPERTIES Mineral properties consisted of the following: December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Columbus Project $ 8,216,758 $ 15,811,948 DDB claims 23,176 70,231 Ending balance $ 8,239,934 $ 15,882,179 Columbus Project DDB claims Abandonment of mineral rights Reclamation Bonds Asset Retirement Obligation

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY [Text Block]	4. DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY At December 31, 2015, the Company had 22,775,000 Special Warrants outstanding. The Special Warrants were convertible through February 28, 2016, at no additional cost to the holder, on a 1:1 basis into units consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable for one additional share of common stock at $0.40, expiring February 28, 2020. On February 28, 2016, all of the outstanding Special Warrants were automatically converted into units. The Special Warrants had anti-dilution provisions, including the provision for the holders to participate in subsequent equity financings at no additional cost by converting the Special Warrants into shares or units offered in a subsequent equity financing for a total subscription price equal to the total subscription price paid for the Special Warrants. The Company determined that the anti-dilution provision shielded the Special Warrant holders from the dilutive effects of subsequent equity financings and therefore the economic characteristics and risks of the Special Warrants were not clearly and closely related to the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the Special Warrants were treated as a derivative liability carried at fair value. The change in the fair value of the derivative liability was $3,866,450 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The fair value was estimated using the Binomial Lattice pricing-model, with the following assumptions used for the year ended December 31, 2015: Dividend yield - Expected volatility 69.50% - 104.00% Risk-free interest rate 0.08% - 0.28% Expected life (years) - The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility levels on the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on US Treasury zero-coupon issues over equivalent lives of the warrants. The expected life is impacted by all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of the Company’s model. Significant increases or decreases in inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

CONVERTIBLE NOTES

CONVERTIBLE NOTES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
CONVERTIBLE NOTES [Text Block]	5. CONVERTIBLE NOTES During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into convertible note agreements in the amount $150,000. The notes accrue interest at 10% and mature $100,000 in June 2017 and $50,000 in July 2017. The notes may be converted into units at a conversion price of $0.20 with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable at $0.30 per share for a period of 5 years. Alternatively, if the Company completes a subsequent equity financing, the lender may convert the notes into common stock or common stock equivalents that the lender would have been entitled to had the lender participated in the subsequent equity financing at an aggregate subscription price equal to 125% of the full amount of the outstanding principal and any accrued but unpaid interest thereon at the date the conversion right is exercised (Alternative Conversion Option). The Alternative Conversion Option is an embedded conversion feature which is required to be bifurcated and accounted for under derivative accounting; however, the amount was determined to be immaterial. As additional consideration, the Company issued 600,000 detachable warrants. The warrants are exercisable at $0.20 per share expiring 400,000 in June 2021 and 200,000 in July 2021. The note proceeds were allocated between the two elements based on their relative fair values. The fair value of the warrants, in the amount of $20,000 was recorded as a debt discount and is being amortized to interest expense over the terms of the notes. The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair of the warrants: Dividend yield - Expected volatility 126.58% Risk-free interest rate 1.01 – 1.10% Expected life (years) - The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility levels on the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on US Treasury zero-coupon issues over equivalent lives of the warrants. The expected life is impacted by all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of the Company’s model. Significant increases or decreases in inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The carrying value of the convertible notes, net of discount was comprised of the following at December 31, 2016: Convertible notes at face value $ 150,000 Unamortized discount (10,033 ) Convertible notes, net of discount $ 139,967 Interest expense related to the convertible notes included the following for the year ended December 31, 2016: Interest rate at 10% $ 7,521 Amortization of debt discount 9,967 Total interest expense on convertible notes $ 17,488 Subsequent to year end, all of the convertible notes and accrued interest were converted into shares at a price of $0.064 per share.

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY [Text Block]	6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY During the year ended December 31, 2016, stockholders’ equity activity consisted of the following: December warrant modifications and inducements Additionally, the Company had 35,133,333 warrants outstanding expiring on various dates through July 2021. Such warrants were issued in private placement transactions completed between 2014 and 2016 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.53 per share. Effective December 27, 2016, the Company temporarily reduced the exercise price of each warrant to $0.08 per share for a period expiring January 31, 2017 after which, the warrants are exercisable at their original terms. Subsequent to year end, the temporary reduction period was extended to February 17, 2017. Short-term inducements are treated as a modification of an existing award in the period the holder accepts the offer and therefore, the expense will be recognized if and when the holder accepts the offer. November warrant modification The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair values of the warrant extensions: Dividend yield - Expected volatility 65.91 – 117.37% Risk-free interest rate 0.38 – 0.50% Expected life (years) 0.00 – 0.10 Issuance of warrants Special Warrants During the year ended December 31, 2015, stockholders’ equity activity consisted of the following: 2015 Special Warrant offering The 2015 Special Warrants may be converted during their term, at no additional cost to the holder, on a 1:1 basis into units (each a “Unit”) consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable for one additional share of common stock at $0.40, expiring February 28, 2020. Alternatively, the 2015 Special Warrants provide the holder the right to exchange their 2015 Special Warrants for equal participation in a subsequent equity financing. All 2015 Special Warrants outstanding at February 28, 2016 automatically convert into Units. The 2015 Special Warrants extend for a term ending on the earlier of February 28, 2016 or the date that is one month after the Company completes a Qualified Financing, defined as any financing or number of financings for total gross proceeds of $7,000,000 or more. Total fees related to issuance of the 2015 Special Warrants amounted to $4,353. The remaining 8,075,000 outstanding 2014 Special Warrants were exchanged for 2015 Special Warrants. Exercise of Special Warrants Exercise of stock options Warrant amendments On December 18, 2015, the Company extended 34,669,926 warrants issued in connection with the 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and certain 2012 private placements offerings and 4,800,000 warrants issued to consultants in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The expiration dates of all of the warrants were extended to December 31, 2016. The Company calculated the fair values of the warrant modifications using the Binomial Lattice model with the following assumptions and outputs: Risk-free interest rate 0.67% Expected volatility 160.95% Expected life (years) 1.00 Fair value $ - At December 31, 2016, the Company’s outstanding warrants issued in financing transactions consisted of the following: Shares Underlying Outstanding Warrants Exercise Price Expiration Date 8,896,901 $ 0.08 January 2017** 22,572,827 0.08 January 2017** 12,097,099 0.08 January 2017** 6,125,000 0.40 * March 2019 1,333,333 0.45 * March 2019 27,075,000 0.40 * February 2020 400,000 0.20 * June 2021 200,000 0.20 * July 2021 78,700,160 * The exercise prices have been temporarily reduced to $0.08 through January 31, 2017. Subsequent to year end the inducement period was extended to February 17, 2017. ** Subsequent to year end the expiration date was extended to February 17, 2017.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Text Block]	7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stock-based compensation includes grants of stock options and purchase warrants to eligible directors, employees and consultants as determined by the Board of Directors. Stock option plans Stock warrants Valuation of awards 1. Service-based; 2. Performance-based; and 3. Market-based. The Company used the following assumptions to estimate the fair values of the options granted for the years ended: December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Dividend yield - - Expected volatility 65.91 – 164.23% 71.55 - 165.70% Risk-free interest rate 0.38 – 2.07% 0.02 – 1.32% Expected life (years) 0.00 – 4.00 0.10 – 4.25 Inputs used in these models are determined as follows: 1. The expected life represents the weighted-average period the awards are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the option pricing models. The expected life is impacted by all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of the Company’s models. 2. The requisite service period for market-based stock option awards is a derived output of the hybrid Monte Carlo-Trinomial Lattice model. 3. Volatility is based on the average historical volatility levels of a representative peer group or the Company’s common stock depending on the life of the options. 4. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero- coupon issues over the equivalent contractual lives of the options. During the year ended December 31, 2016, stock based compensation activity was as follows: a) On December 27, 2016, the Company granted stock options under the Plan to the Company’s directors, executive officers and certain employees for an aggregate of 8,070,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.08 per option. The options vest 50% each on June 30, 2017, 25% on September 30, 2017 and 25% on December 31, 2017. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest. b) On December 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 1,367,197 stock options by extending their expiration dates and reducing their exercise price to $0.08 per share. The options were granted on various dates between 2009 and 2011 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.61 per share. The expiration dates of all of the options were extended to January 31, 2017. Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 7,600,000 stock options by temporarily reducing their exercise price to $0.08 per share for a period ending January 31, 2017. The options were granted on various dates between 2010 and 2015 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.56 per share. After January 31, 2017, the options are exercisable under their previous terms. The Company’s Board of Directors also unilaterally determined to amend 4,800,000 warrants by extending their expiration dates and reducing their exercise price to $0.08 per share. The warrants were granted to consultants on various dates between 2009 and 2011 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.74 per share. The expiration dates of all of the warrants were extended to January 31, 2017. Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 4,950,000 warrants by temporarily reducing their exercise price to $0.08 per share for a period ending January 31, 2017. The warrants were granted to consultants on February 26, 2016 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.40 per share. After January 31, 2017, the options are exercisable under their previous terms. Subsequent to year, the Board of Directors unilaterally determined to further extend the expiration dates and reduced exercise price period to February 17, 2017. c) On December 27, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 2,375,000 stock options by extending their expiration dates. The options were granted at various dates between 2007 and 2015 and had a weighted average exercise price of $0.36 per share. The expiration dates of all of the options were extended to May 31, 2017. d) On March 25, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 3,067,197 stock options by extending their expiration dates. The options were granted at various dates between 2009 and 2014 and have a weighted average exercise price of $0.49 per share. The expiration dates of all of the options were extended to December 31, 2016. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of the options remain the same. e) On February 26, 2016, the Company granted 4,950,000 warrants to consultants exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share for a period expiring on February 28, 2020. The warrants were issued in consideration for services provided. 4,500,000 of the warrants were granted to NMC who is a related party as discussed in Note 11. During the year ended December 31, 2015, stock based compensation activity was as follows: a) On December 18, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 650,531 stock options by extending their expiration dates. The options were granted at various dates between March 8, 2010 and July 22, 2010 and have a weighted average exercise price of $0.64 per share. The expiration dates of all of the options were extended to December 31, 2016. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of the extended options remain the same. b) On April 1, 2015, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 400,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per option. The options vest upon completion of defined events and milestones. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control. c) On April 1, 2015, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 400,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per option. The options vest upon the Company’s stock price achieving defined targets. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest, but in no event later than the tenth anniversary of the agreement. Each of the options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control. d) On April 1, 2015, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to the Company’s independent directors and certain executive officers under the Plan for an aggregate of 2,700,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per option. The options vest 25% each on April 1, 2015, September 30, 2015, September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015. The options expire on the fifth anniversary of the date that they vest. The options will automatically vest and become exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control. e) On February 25, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors unilaterally determined to amend 650,531 stock options by extending their expiration dates. The options were granted at various dates between March 8, 2010 and July 22, 2010 and have a weighted average exercise price of $0.64 per share. The expiration dates of all of the options were extended to December 31, 2015. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of the extended options remain the same. The total expense related to the granting, vesting and modification of all stock-based compensation awards was $1,122,328 and $500,194 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such expenses are included in general and administrative expense and mineral exploration and evaluation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company received $10,000 from the exercise of stock options; the related tax benefit amounted to $13,300 and the intrinsic value was $38,000. For the year ended December 31, 2016, no stock options were exercised. The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation activity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015: Weighted Weighted Average Average Remaining Grant Weighted Contractual Aggregate Number of Date Fair Average Life Intrinsic Shares Value Exercise Price (Years) Value Outstanding, December 31, 2014 17,054,697 0.32 0.58 3.17 Options/warrants granted 3,500,000 0.15 0.40 5.69 Options/warrants expired (512,500 ) 0.19 0.49 - Options/warrants exercised (200,000 ) 0.38 0.05 - Outstanding, December 31, 2015 19,842,197 $ 0.30 $ 0.56 2.90 Options/warrants granted 13,020,000 0.10 0.20 4.72 Options/warrants expired (1,300,000 ) 0.31 0.65 - Options/warrants exercised - - - - Outstanding, December 31, 2016 31,562,197 $ 0.20 $ 0.41 2.92 $ 375,300 Exercisable, December 31, 2016 20,212,197 $ 0.28 $ 0.50 1.46 $ 133,200 Aggregate intrinsic value represents the value of the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the year ended in excess of the weighted-average exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding or exercisable. Of the options/warrants outstanding at year end, 18,717,197 were granted a temporary reduction in their exercise price to $0.08 for a period ending January 31, 2017 and subsequently extended to February 17, 2017. The temporary reduction is not reflected in the table above. The following table summarizes the changes of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards subject to vesting during the year ended December 31, 2016: Weighted Average Number of Grant Date Shares Fair Value Unvested, December 31, 2015 4,230,000 $ 0.27 Granted 8,070,000 0.06 Expired (950,000 ) 0.29 Vested - - Unvested, December 31, 2016 11,350,000 $ 0.12 As of December 31, 2016, there was $498,266 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation awards. The weighted average period over which this cost will be recognized was 0.78 years as of December 31, 2016. Of the unvested options outstanding at year end, 3,280,000 were granted a temporary reduction in their exercise price to $0.08 for a period ending January 31, 2017 and subsequently extended to February 17, 2017. Additionally, all vesting conditions were temporarily removed for the same periods. The temporary modifications are not reflected in the table above.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Text Block]	8. INCOME TAXES The Company is a Nevada corporation and is subject to federal income taxes. Nevada does not impose a corporate income tax. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows at: December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss carryforward $ 14,505,776 $ 13,303,487 Option compensation 2,291,101 2,040,115 Property, plant & equipment 920,749 917,392 Exploration costs 330,885 391,506 Asset retirement obligation 235,381 235,318 Gross deferred income tax assets 18,283,829 16,887,818 Less: valuation allowance (15,419,721 ) (11,399,261 ) Net deferred income tax assets 2,864,108 5,488,557 Deferred income tax liabilities: Acquisition related liabilities (2,864,108 ) (5,488,557 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ - $ - A valuation allowance was established for net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing these deferred tax assets based on conditions existing at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The realizability of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date. The majority of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities are depletable. Such depletion will begin with the processing of mineralized material once production has commenced. Therefore, the deferred tax liabilities will reverse in similar time periods as the deferred tax assets. The Company assesses both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that such reversal will occur to realize the deferred tax assets prior to their expiration. The acquisition related liabilities are a result of the estimated future federal income tax liability associated with the temporary difference between the acquisition consideration and the tax basis. The deferred tax liabilities were reflected as an increase to the total purchase price which has been applied to the underlying mineral and Columbus project assets in the absence of there being a goodwill component associated with the acquisition transactions. A reconciliation of the tax provision at U.S. federal tax rates to the actual tax provision recorded in the financial statements consisted of the following components for the years ended: December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Income tax benefit based on statutory tax rate $ (4,317,488 ) $ (163,863 ) Reconciling items: Non-deductible items 297,028 (1,329,760 ) Change in valuation allowance 4,020,460 1,496,573 Income tax expense $ - $ 2,950 The Company had cumulative net operating losses of approximately $41,445,072 as of December 31, 2016 for federal income tax purposes. Cumulative net operating losses from December 31, 2006 and previous years are effectively nil due to the annual limitation imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as a result of the ownership percentage change limitations. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2027 and 2036. The Company and its subsidiary file income tax returns in the United States. These tax returns are subject to examination by taxation authorities provided the years remain open under the relevant statutes of limitations, which may result in the payment of income taxes and/or a decrease in the net operating losses available for carryforwards. The Company has losses from inception to date, and thus all years remain open for examination. While the Company believes that its tax filings do not include uncertain tax positions, the results of potential examinations or the effect of changes in tax law cannot be ascertained at this time. The Company currently has no tax years under examination.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Text Block]	9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Lease obligations Rental expense for office space was $61,497 and $59,417 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Columbus Project Stand-by letter of credit Consultant bonus Registration Rights Agreement

CONCENTRATIONS

CONCENTRATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
CONCENTRATIONS [Text Block]	10. CONCENTRATIONS Concentration of activity

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Text Block]	11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS DOSA NMC The following table provides details of transactions between the Company and NMC for the years ended: December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Reimbursement of expenses $ 196,274 $ 18,917 Consulting services provided 420,000 420,000 Mineral and exploration expense – related party $ 616,274 $ 438,917 At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company owed DOSA $761,442 and $145,168, respectively, for NMC fees and reimbursements. During the year ended December 31, 2016, NMC advanced the Company $1,037,000 for working capital purposes. The advances have no formal repayment terms. On February 26, 2016, the Company granted 4,500,000 warrants to NMC exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share for a period expiring on February 28, 2020. The warrants were issued in consideration for services provided. Pursuant to an option assignment agreement related to the Columbus Project, the Company granted a 5% net smelter return royalty to NMC as further discussed in Note 3. Searchlight Minerals Corp. (“SMC”) Cactus Mining Former officers

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Text Block]	12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Convertible notes Warrant modifications and inducements Additionally, the Company had 35,133,333 warrants outstanding expiring on various dates through July 2021. Effective December 27, 2016, the Company temporarily reduced the exercise price of each warrant to $0.08 per share for a period expiring January 31, 2017 after which, the warrants are exercisable at their original terms. The above warrants were issued in private placement and other financing transactions. Subsequent to year end, the inducement period was extended to February 17, 2017. Stock-based compensation modifications and inducements Additionally, the Company had 7,600,000 stock options outstanding expiring on various dates through December 2020. Effective December 27, 2016, the Company temporarily reduced the exercise price of each warrant to $0.08 per share for a period expiring January 31, 2017 after which, the options are exercisable at their original terms. Subsequent to year end, the inducement period was extended to February 17, 2017. Accounts payable settlement Accrued director fees settlement Private Placement

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Description of business [Policy Text Block]	Description of business
History [Policy Text Block]	History
Basis of presentation [Policy Text Block]	Basis of presentation
Going concern [Policy Text Block]	Going concern If the Company continues to incur operating losses and does not raise sufficient additional capital, material adverse events may occur including, but not limited to, 1) a reduction in the nature and scope of the Company’s operations and 2) the Company’s inability to fully implement its current business plan. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully improve its liquidity position. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might be required resulting from the adverse outcome relating to this uncertainty. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative net losses of $61,452,547 from operations and had not commenced its commercial mining and mineral processing operations; rather it is still in the exploration stage. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company incurred a net loss of $12,335,679, had negative cash flows from operating activities of $1,233,609 and will incur additional future losses due to planned continued exploration expenses. In addition, the Company had a working capital deficit totaling $2,752,966 at December 31, 2016. To address liquidity constraints, the Company temporarily reduced the exercise price of 88,450,160 warrants and 8,967,197 stock options to $0.08 per share for a period ending February 17, 2017. As a result, subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company raised $3,076,474 and issued 38,455,921 shares of common stock. Additionally, on March 29, 2017, the Company completed a private placement offering of 49,369,123 shares of common stock at a price of $0.08 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,949,530. Management believes that these funds will allow the Company to continue its operations for the next twelve months. Additionally, the Company will continue to reduce expenses and defer payment of certain obligations where available. The Company is focused on continuing to reduce costs and obtaining additional funding. There is no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by selling additional shares of capital stock, securities convertible into shares of capital stock or the issuance of convertible debt, the ownership interest of the Company’s existing common stock holders will be diluted.
Principles of consolidation [Policy Text Block]	Principles of consolidation
Use of estimates [Policy Text Block]	Use of estimates
Mineral properties [Policy Text Block]	Mineral properties
Mineral exploration and development costs [Policy Text Block]	Mineral exploration and development costs
Property and equipment [Policy Text Block]	Property and equipment
Impairment of long-lived assets [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of long-lived assets The tests for long-lived assets in the exploration, development or producing stage that have a value beyond proven and probable reserves will be monitored for impairment based on factors such as current market value of the mineral property and results of exploration, future asset utilization, business climate, mineral prices and future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, including evaluating its reserves beyond proven and probable amounts. The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss in the period when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable either by impairment or by abandonment of the property. The impairment loss is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its fair value. While the Company incurred losses from operations, these losses have not been in excess of planned expenditures on the specific mineral properties in order to ultimately realize their value.
Asset retirement obligation [Policy Text Block]	Asset retirement obligation Future reclamation expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early stage nature of the exploration project, the uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental disturbance, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities and changes in reclamation technology.
Per share amounts [Policy Text Block]	Per share amounts
Stock-based compensation [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based compensation The fair value of performance-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of the Binomial Lattice option pricing model. The total value of the award is recognized over the requisite service period only if management has determined that achievement of the performance condition is probable. The requisite service period is based on management’s estimate of when the performance condition will be met. Changes in the requisite service period or the estimated probability of achievement can materially affect the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the financial statements. The fair value of market-based stock option grants is determined on their grant date through use of an option pricing model which uses a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and a Trinomial Lattice function. The requisite service period for market-based awards is derived from the model. Achievement of the market condition earlier than estimated can materially affect the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the financial statements. Short-term inducements are treated as a modification of an existing award in the period the holder accepts the offer.
Income taxes [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes For acquired properties that do not constitute a business, a deferred income tax liability is recorded on GAAP basis over income tax basis using statutory federal and state rates. The resulting estimated future income tax liability associated with the temporary difference between the acquisition consideration and the tax basis is reflected as an increase in the total purchase price which is then applied to the underlying acquired assets in the absence of there being a goodwill component associated with the acquisition transactions.
Recent accounting standards [Policy Text Block]	Recent accounting standards In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which clarifies diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, with early application permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, ASU No. 2016-09 was issued related to stock based compensation. The guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective beginning June 1, 2017, with early application permitted. Adoption of the new guidance is being evaluated. In February 2016, ASU No. 2016-02 was issued related to leases. The new guidance modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from most leases on the balance sheet. This update is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Adoption of the new guidance is being evaluated. In August 2014, ASU 2014-15 was issued related to going concern presentation. The new standard requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, disclose that fact. Management is also required to evaluate and disclose whether its plans alleviate that doubt. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the standard in the fourth quarter of 2016.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Accumulated Net book Accumulated Net book Cost depreciation value Cost depreciation value Furniture and fixtures $ 61,405 $ (53,072 ) $ 8,333 $ 61,405 $ (40,984 ) $ 20,421 Computers and equipment 57,785 (46,548 ) 11,237 57,785 (36,493 ) 21,292 Land 30,000 - 30,000 30,000 - 30,000 Site improvements 2,925,731 (2,783,133 ) 142,598 2,925,731 (2,756,351 ) 169,380 Site equipment 2,179,803 (1,788,885 ) 390,918 2,179,803 (1,560,046 ) 619,757 Vehicles 23,595 (23,595 ) - 23,595 (23,595 ) - Building 500,000 (333,333 ) 166,667 500,000 (283,334 ) 216,666 $ 5,778,319 $ (5,028,566 ) $ 749,753 $ 5,778,319 $ (4,700,803 ) $ 1,077,516

MINERAL PROPERTIES (Tables)

MINERAL PROPERTIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Mineral Properties [Table Text Block]	December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Columbus Project $ 8,216,758 $ 15,811,948 DDB claims 23,176 70,231 Ending balance $ 8,239,934 $ 15,882,179

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY (T

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assumptions of Derivative Liability [Table Text Block]	Dividend yield - Expected volatility 69.50% - 104.00% Risk-free interest rate 0.08% - 0.28% Expected life (years) -

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Tables)

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assumptions of Warrants [Table Text Block]	Dividend yield - Expected volatility 126.58% Risk-free interest rate 1.01 – 1.10% Expected life (years) -
Convertible Debt [Table Text Block]	Convertible notes at face value $ 150,000 Unamortized discount (10,033 ) Convertible notes, net of discount $ 139,967
Interest Expense Related to the Convertible Notes [Table Text Block]	Interest rate at 10% $ 7,521 Amortization of debt discount 9,967 Total interest expense on convertible notes $ 17,488

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Tables)

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Warrants, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Dividend yield - Expected volatility 65.91 – 117.37% Risk-free interest rate 0.38 – 0.50% Expected life (years) 0.00 – 0.10	Risk-free interest rate 0.67% Expected volatility 160.95% Expected life (years) 1.00 Fair value $ -
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block]	Shares Underlying Outstanding Warrants Exercise Price Expiration Date 8,896,901 $ 0.08 January 2017** 22,572,827 0.08 January 2017** 12,097,099 0.08 January 2017** 6,125,000 0.40 * March 2019 1,333,333 0.45 * March 2019 27,075,000 0.40 * February 2020 400,000 0.20 * June 2021 200,000 0.20 * July 2021 78,700,160

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Dividend yield - - Expected volatility 65.91 – 164.23% 71.55 - 165.70% Risk-free interest rate 0.38 – 2.07% 0.02 – 1.32% Expected life (years) 0.00 – 4.00 0.10 – 4.25
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Weighted Weighted Average Average Remaining Grant Weighted Contractual Aggregate Number of Date Fair Average Life Intrinsic Shares Value Exercise Price (Years) Value Outstanding, December 31, 2014 17,054,697 0.32 0.58 3.17 Options/warrants granted 3,500,000 0.15 0.40 5.69 Options/warrants expired (512,500 ) 0.19 0.49 - Options/warrants exercised (200,000 ) 0.38 0.05 - Outstanding, December 31, 2015 19,842,197 $ 0.30 $ 0.56 2.90 Options/warrants granted 13,020,000 0.10 0.20 4.72 Options/warrants expired (1,300,000 ) 0.31 0.65 - Options/warrants exercised - - - - Outstanding, December 31, 2016 31,562,197 $ 0.20 $ 0.41 2.92 $ 375,300 Exercisable, December 31, 2016 20,212,197 $ 0.28 $ 0.50 1.46 $ 133,200
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	Weighted Average Number of Grant Date Shares Fair Value Unvested, December 31, 2015 4,230,000 $ 0.27 Granted 8,070,000 0.06 Expired (950,000 ) 0.29 Vested - - Unvested, December 31, 2016 11,350,000 $ 0.12

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss carryforward $ 14,505,776 $ 13,303,487 Option compensation 2,291,101 2,040,115 Property, plant & equipment 920,749 917,392 Exploration costs 330,885 391,506 Asset retirement obligation 235,381 235,318 Gross deferred income tax assets 18,283,829 16,887,818 Less: valuation allowance (15,419,721 ) (11,399,261 ) Net deferred income tax assets 2,864,108 5,488,557 Deferred income tax liabilities: Acquisition related liabilities (2,864,108 ) (5,488,557 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ - $ -
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Income tax benefit based on statutory tax rate $ (4,317,488 ) $ (163,863 ) Reconciling items: Non-deductible items 297,028 (1,329,760 ) Change in valuation allowance 4,020,460 1,496,573 Income tax expense $ - $ 2,950

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tab

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Transactions Between the Company and NMC [Table Text Block]	December 31, December 31, 2016 2015 Reimbursement of expenses $ 196,274 $ 18,917 Consulting services provided 420,000 420,000 Mineral and exploration expense – related party $ 616,274 $ 438,917

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HIST28

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, HISTORY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cumulative Net Losses		$ 61,452,547	$ 49,116,868
Net Income (Loss)		12,335,679	471,131
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities		1,233,609	$ 3,663,330
Working Capital Deficit		$ 2,752,966
Exercise Price Reduction, Number of Warrants		88,450,160
Exercise Price Reduction, Number of Stock Options		8,967,197
Reduced Exercise Price		$ 0.08
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	$ 3,949,530	$ 3,076,474
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	49,369,123	38,455,921
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	$ 0.08
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		110,262,357	97,942,357
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		20 years
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Narrati

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Depreciation	$ 327,763	$ 540,458

MINERAL PROPERTIES (Narrative)

MINERAL PROPERTIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2008	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2016	Feb. 20, 2008	Feb. 19, 2008
Asset Retirement Obligation		$ 235,381	$ 235,318
Other Asset Impairment Charges		7,642,245	0
Columbus Project [Member]
Mineral Property, Interest Held					100.00%	15.00%
Net Smelter Return Royalty Percentage	5.00%
Elected not to renew acquired mining claims				47.00%
Reclamation bonds [Member]
Restricted Investments		$ 1,115,153	1,121,184
Asset Retirement Obligation [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation			$ 672,338
Adjusted risk free rate of assets retirement obligation		4.25%
Adjusted inflation rate of assets retirement obligation		3.78%
DDB Claims [Member]
Elected not to renew acquired mining claims				67.00%

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY (N

DERIVATIVE WARRANT LIABILITY (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares
Warrants and Rights Outstanding	$ 22,775,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 0.40
Change in Derivative Liabilities	$ 3,866,450

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Narrative) (

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 150,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			10.00%
Convertible Debt, Current				$ 50,000	$ 100,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price			$ 0.20
Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 0.30
Class of Warrant or Right, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			5 years
Equity Financing Percentage			125.00%
Issuance of Detachable Warrants.			600,000
Detachable Warrants, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 0.20
Class of Warrant or Right, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	200,000	400,000
Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants			$ 20,000
Conversion of Debt, Conversion Price			$ 0.064

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Narrative)

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended					2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		55 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jan. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Feb. 28, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2021	Dec. 18, 2015
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 150,000
Issuance of Detachable Warrants.							600,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price							$ 0.20
Investor relations expense							$ 435,668	$ 0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised								$ 10,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period							0	(200,000)
December warrant modifications and inducements [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Expirations in Period							43,566,827		35,133,333
Reduced exercise price for Warrants, Average exercise price prior to reduction							$ 0.80		$ 0.53
Reduced exercise price for Warrants			$ 0.08
Investor relations expense							$ 435,668
November warrant modification [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Expirations in Period				8,896,901
Reduced exercise price for Warrants, Average exercise price prior to reduction				$ 0.95
Issuance of warrants [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 150,000
Issuance of Detachable Warrants.							600,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price							$ 0.20
Class of Warrant or Right, Expirations in Period	200,000	400,000
Special Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercises in Period						1,750,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Automatically Converted into Units					21,025,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Grants in Period, Exercise Price						$ 0.40
2015 Special Warrant Offering [Member]
Sale of Special Warrants								19,000,000
Special Warrant Price								0.20
Proceeds for Sale of Special Warrants								$ 3,800,000
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price								$ 0.40
Qualified Financing Defined Proceeds								$ 7,000,000
Total fees related to issuance of Special Warrants								$ 4,353
Special Warrants 2014 Exchanged for Special Warrants 2015								8,075,000
Exercise of Special Warrants [Member]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price								$ 0.40
Exercise of Special Warrants [Member] | 2014 Special Warrants [Member]
Special Warrants Exercised								3,425,000
Exercise of Special Warrants [Member] | 2015 Special Warrants [Member]
Special Warrants Exercised								1,250,000
Exercise of Stock Options [Member]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised								$ 10,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period								200,000
Warrant Amendment [Member]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price							$ 0.08
Warrant Amendment [Member] | Private Placement [Member]
Amended warrants										34,669,926
Warrant Amendment [Member] | Consultant [Member]
Class of warrants or rights, issued										4,800,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narra

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 25, 2016	Feb. 26, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 04, 2017	Feb. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 27, 2007
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price							$ 0.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number					31,562,197			19,842,197				31,562,197	19,842,197			17,054,697
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures							4,950,000					13,020,000	3,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number					20,212,197							20,212,197
Share-based Compensation												$ 1,122,328	$ 500,194
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)												0	2,950
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised													10,000
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)													13,300
Total Intrinsic Value Of The Options Exercised													$ 38,000
Options and Warrants outstanding, number with reduced exercise price														18,717,197
Options and warrants outstanding, reduced exercise price														$ 0.08
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized					$ 498,266							$ 498,266
Share Based Compensation Arrangement Weighted Average Period Cost Recognized												9 months 11 days
Unvested options outstanding, number with reduced exercise price														3,280,000
Unvested options outstanding, reduced exercise price														$ 0.08
NMC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures							4,500,000
Stock option plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized																	6,000,000
Increase equal to total number of outstanding shares											15.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Issued, Number					25,486,916							25,486,916
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price					$ 0.08							$ 0.37
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number					21,712,197							21,712,197
Number of Options with reduced exercise price				8,967,197
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures					8,070,000
Options Vested Rate	25.00%	25.00%	50.00%
1,367,197 stock options amended by extending their expiration dates [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price					$ 0.08
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures					1,367,197
Amended stock options, exercise price prior to reduction					$ 0.61
7,600,000 stock options amended [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price												$ 0.08
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures												7,600,000
Amended stock options, exercise price prior to reduction												$ 0.56
4,800,000 stock options amended by extending their expiration dates [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price												$ 0.08
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures												4,800,000
Amended stock options, exercise price prior to reduction												$ 0.74
4,950,000 stock options amended [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price												$ 0.08
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures												4,950,000
Amended stock options, exercise price prior to reduction												$ 0.40
2,375,000 stock options amended by extending their expiration dates [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price					$ 0.36
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures					2,375,000
3,067,197 stock options amended by extending their expiration dates [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price						$ 0.49
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures						3,067,197
650,531 stock options amended by extending their expiration dates [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price								$ 0.64		$ 0.64
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures								650,531
Extended expiration date stock options															650,531
Company granted non-qualified stock options for 400,000 shares at an exercise price of 0.40 per option 1 [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price									$ 0.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures									400,000
Company granted non-qualified stock options for 400,000 shares at an exercise price of 0.40 per option 2 [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price									$ 0.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures									400,000
Company granted non-qualified stock options for 2,700,000 shares at an exercise price of 0.40 per option [Member]
Stock option granted, weighted average exercise price									$ 0.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures									2,700,000
Options Vested Rate									25.00%

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Detai

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	108 Months Ended	120 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Federal net operating loss carryforward	$ 0	$ 41,445,072

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012
Lease obligations [Member]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense			$ 61,497	$ 59,417
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals		$ 31,488
Payments For Rent Increase			4.00%
Payment For Operating Expenses			$ 748
Columbus Project [Member]
Net Smelter Return Royalty Percentage	5.00%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Stand By Letter Of Credit Value			100,000
Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value			$ 100,000
Required to pay of the total value of the letter of credit			2.00%
Consultant Bonus [Member]
Contingent Consultant Bonus Cash Value						$ 400,000
Contingent Consultant Bonus Number of Warrants						3,000,000
Contingent Consultant Bonus Exercise Price Of Warrants						$ 0.90
Registration Payment Arrangement, Arrangement [Domain] [Member]
Registration Payment Arrangement Cash Penalties of Subscription Proceeds					1.00%
Registration Payment Arrangement Penalty			$ 5,757
Registration Payment Arrangement, Arrangement [Domain] [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Registration Payment Arrangement Cash Penalties of Subscription Proceeds					6.00%
Registration Payment Arrangement, Maximum potential penalty					$ 346,979

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Nar

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Rental Income, Nonoperating		$ 21,084	$ 70,272
Due to Related Parties, Current		1,060,290	23,290
Other Receivables, Net, Current		2,279	4,177
DOSA Consulting, LLC [Member]
Due to Related Parties, Current		$ 761,442	145,168
NMC [Member]
Net smelter return royalty to NMC		5.00%
Majority Stockholder Ownership Percentage		23.70%
Advances from Related Parties		$ 1,037,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	4,500,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Grants in Period, Exercise Price	$ 0.40
Due to Related Parties, Current		1,037,000
Former officers [Member]
Due to Related Parties, Current		23,290	23,290
Searchlight Minerals Corp [Member]
Rental Income, Nonoperating		$ 21,084	20,272
Due from Related Parties, Current			1,734
Cactus Mining [Member]
Rental Income, Nonoperating			$ 50,000

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Narrative) (

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		48 Months Ended	55 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 29, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2021
Stock options, expirations in period				(1,300,000)	(512,500)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		49,369,123		38,455,921
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount				$ 100,000
Converted debt, conversion price				$ 0.064
Class of Warrant or Right, Expirations in Period			43,566,827				35,133,333
Reduced exercise price for Warrants			$ 0.08
Stock options, expirations in period			6,167,197			7,600,000
Reduced exercise price for stock options			$ 0.08
Accounts payable settled with issuance of shares, value	$ 125,530
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Settlement of accounts payable	1,569,123
Price Per Share	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Accrued director fees settled with issuance of shares, value	$ 40,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Settlement of accrued directors fees	500,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		49,369,123
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement		$ 3,949,530

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cost	$ 5,778,319	$ 5,778,319
Accumulated depreciation	(5,028,566)	(4,700,803)
Net book value	749,753	1,077,516
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Cost	61,405	61,405
Accumulated depreciation	(53,072)	(40,984)
Net book value	8,333	20,421
Computers and equipment [Member]
Cost	57,785	57,785
Accumulated depreciation	(46,548)	(36,493)
Net book value	11,237	21,292
Land [Member]
Cost	30,000	30,000
Accumulated depreciation	0	0
Net book value	30,000	30,000
Site improvements [Member]
Cost	2,925,731	2,925,731
Accumulated depreciation	(2,783,133)	(2,756,351)
Net book value	142,598	169,380
Site equipment [Member]
Cost	2,179,803	2,179,803
Accumulated depreciation	(1,788,885)	(1,560,046)
Net book value	390,918	619,757
Vehicles [Member]
Cost	23,595	23,595
Accumulated depreciation	(23,595)	(23,595)
Net book value	0	0
Building [Member]
Cost	500,000	500,000
Accumulated depreciation	(333,333)	(283,334)
Net book value	$ 166,667	$ 216,666

Schedule of Mineral Properties

Schedule of Mineral Properties (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Ending Balance	$ 8,239,934	$ 15,882,179
Columbus Project [Member]
Ending Balance	8,216,758	15,811,948
DDB Claims [Member]
Ending Balance	$ 23,176	$ 70,231

Fair Value Assumptions of Deriv

Fair Value Assumptions of Derivative Liability (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected life (years)	0 years
Minimum [Member]
Expected volatility	69.50%
Risk-free interest rate	0.08%
Maximum [Member]
Expected volatility	104.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.28%

Fair Value Assumptions of Warra

Fair Value Assumptions of Warrants (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Convertible Notes Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%
Convertible Notes Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate	126.58%
Convertible Notes Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Minimum	1.01%
Convertible Notes Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Maximum	1.10%
Convertible Notes Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term	0 years

Convertible Debt (Details)

Convertible Debt (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 150,000
Unamortized discount	(10,033)
Convertible notes, net of discount	$ 139,967

Interest Expense Related to the

Interest Expense Related to the Convertible Notes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.00%
Interest at Interest rate	$ 7,521
Amortization of debt discount	9,967	$ 0
Total interest expense on convertible notes	$ 17,488

Schedule of Warrants, Valuation

Schedule of Warrants, Valuation Assumptions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Dividend yield	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate		0.67%
Expected volatility		160.95%
Expected life (years)		1 year
Fair value of warrants amended		$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	0.38%
Expected volatility	65.91%
Expected life (years)	0 years
Maximum [Member]
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%
Expected volatility	117.37%
Expected life (years)	1 month 6 days

Schedule of Stockholders' Equit

Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights (Details) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	78,700,160
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights		$ 0.40
Expiration Date January 2017 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	8,896,901
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.08
Expiration Date January 2017 2 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	22,572,827
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.08
Expiration Date January 2017 3 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	12,097,099
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.08
Expiration Date March 2019 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,125,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.40
Expiration Date March 2019 2 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	1,333,333
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.45
Expiration Date February 2020 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	27,075,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.40
Expiration Date June 2021 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	400,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.20
Expiration Date July 2021 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	200,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 0.20

Schedule of Share-based Payment

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum	65.91%	71.55%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum	164.23%	165.70%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum	0.38%	0.02%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum	2.07%	1.32%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	4 years	4 years 3 months
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	0 years	1 month 6 days

Schedule of Share-based Compens

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Beginning of Period	19,842,197	17,054,697
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning of Period	0.20	0.30	0.32	0.20
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning of Period	$ 0.56	$ 0.58
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Beginning of Period	2 years 11 months 1 day	2 years 10 months 24 days	3 years 2 months 1 day
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 375,300			$ 375,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	13,020,000	3,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 0.10	$ 0.15
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.20	$ 0.40
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Options, Granted Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 8 months 19 days	5 years 8 months 8 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	0	(200,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0	0.38
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	0	0.05
Share-based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Options Exercised Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 years	0 years
Stock options, expirations in period	(1,300,000)	(512,500)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0.31	0.19
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.65	$ 0.49
Share-based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Options Expired, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 years	0 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, End of Period	31,562,197	19,842,197	17,054,697
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, End of Period	0.20	0.30	0.32
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, End of Period	$ 0.41	$ 0.56	$ 0.58
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, End of Period	2 years 11 months 1 day	2 years 10 months 24 days	3 years 2 months 1 day
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value, End of Period	$ 375,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number, End of Period	20,212,197
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, End of Period				$ 0.28
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price, End of Period	$ 0.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, End of Period	1 year 5 months 16 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value, End of Period	$ 133,200

Schedule of Nonvested Share Act

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Unvested Options Outstanding Number	4,230,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Unvested Options Outstanding Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0.27
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Net of Forfeitures	8,070,000
Share-based Compensation, Options Subject to Vesting, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0.06
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Unvested Options, Expirations in Period	(950,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Intrinsic Value | $ / shares	$ 0.29
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Vested Options Outstanding Number	0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Vested Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Unvested Options Outstanding Number	11,350,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Unvested Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0.12

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$ 14,505,776	$ 13,303,487
Option compensation	2,291,101	2,040,115
Property, plant and equipment	920,749	917,392
Exploration costs	330,885	391,506
Asset retirement obligation	235,381	235,318
Gross deferred income tax assets	18,283,829	16,887,818
Less: valuation allowance	(15,419,721)	(11,399,261)
Net deferred income tax assets	2,864,108	5,488,557
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Acquisition related liabilities	(2,864,108)	(5,488,557)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Schedule of Components of Incom

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income tax benefit based on statutory tax rate	$ (4,317,488)	$ (163,863)
Non-deductible items	297,028	(1,329,760)
Change in valuation allowance	4,020,460	1,496,573
Income tax expense benefit	$ 0	$ 2,950

Schedule of Transactions Betwee

Schedule of Transactions Between the Company and NMC (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reimbursement of expenses	$ 196,274	$ 18,917
Consulting services provided	420,000	420,000
Mineral and exploration expense related party	$ 616,274	$ 438,917