10. Business Segments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:			$ 5,162,927	$ 4,864,299
Gross profit:	(156,189)	762,980	(295,168)	990,170
MajorCustomers [Member]
Revenues:	2,655,123	3,332,008	9,206,978	9,262,039
Gross profit:	137,626	826,326	547,275	1,348,960
Depreciation and amortization:	131,991	105,363	349,375	297,866
Antimony [Member]
Revenues:	1,974,535	2,649,889	6,678,725	7,337,484
Gross profit:	156,059	732,748	421,037	1,260,228
Depreciation and amortization:	76,914	51,746	192,020	148,612
Precious Metals [Member]
Revenues:	144,082	142,421	525,707	480,003
Zeolite [Member]
Revenues:	536,506	539,698	2,002,546	1,444,552
Gross profit:	(18,433)	93,578	126,238	88,732
Depreciation and amortization:	$ 55,077	$ 53,617	$ 157,355	$ 149,254