Asset Retirement Obligation and Reclamation Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, plant and equipment, net		$ 9,453,000		$ 11,125,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance		2,546,000
Accretion expense		143,000	$ 148,000
Ending balance		2,388,000		2,546,000
Velardena properties
ARO arising in the period	$ 3,500,000
Amortization expense related to the ARC		20,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
Beginning balance		2,480,000	2,582,000	2,582,000
Changes in estimates, and other		(293,000)	(300,000)
Accretion expense		144,000	148,000
Ending balance		2,331,000	$ 2,430,000	2,480,000
ARO arising in the period (acquired at merger)	3,500,000
Velardena properties | Asset retirement cost
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,900,000
El Quevar Project
ARO arising in the period		100,000		100,000
Summary of activity in the Velardena Operations ARO
ARO arising in the period (acquired at merger)		$ 100,000		$ 100,000