Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (10,659)	$ (25,383)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation	1,548	4,480
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	193	198
Foreign currency gain on loss contingency		(106)
Impairment of long lived assets	0	13,181
Asset write off	24	27
Write off of loss contingency, net	(212)	(1,969)
Gain on sale of assets, net	(1,791)	(719)
Amortization of deferred loan costs	57	54
Warrant liability fair market adjustment	1,688	(1,344)
Derivative liability fair market adjustment	778	(553)
Accretion of loan discount	372
Loss on debt extinguishment	1,653
Stock compensation	593	453
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable	166	(546)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	(152)	384
Decrease in inventories	85	861
Decrease in value added tax recoverable, net	346	916
Increase in accrued interest payable net of amounts capitalized	85	81
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue	(500)	500
Decrease in reclamation liability	(11)	(37)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(450)	(402)
Decrease in deferred leasehold payments	(18)	(11)
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (6,205)	$ (9,935)