Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments | segment			2
Revenue	$ 1,771	$ 1,729	$ 5,107	$ 4,768
Costs Applicable to Sales	619	549	1,704	1,478
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	138	346	456	1,317
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	2,232	2,215	6,181	7,903
Pre-tax (gain) loss	318	798	1,851	11,000
Total Assets	14,902	15,017	14,902	15,017	$ 14,008
Capital Expenditures	5	15	$ 5	36
Velardena properties
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments | segment			1
Revenue	1,771	1,729	$ 5,107	4,768
Costs Applicable to Sales	619	549	1,704	1,478
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	53	249	179	982
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	623	509	1,361	2,100
Pre-tax (gain) loss	(2,016)	(1,563)	(3,667)	(1,319)
Total Assets	6,573	8,370	6,573	8,370
Capital Expenditures	3	15	3	35
Corporate, Exploration & Other
Segment Information
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	85	97	277	335
Exploration, El Quevar, Velardena and Administrative Expense	1,609	1,706	4,820	5,803
Pre-tax (gain) loss	2,334	2,361	5,518	12,319
Total Assets	8,329	$ 6,647	8,329	6,647
Capital Expenditures	$ 2		$ 2	$ 1