13. Business Segments (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Total revenues	$ 2,369,714	$ 2,846,699	$ 7,827,525	$ 9,166,628
Depreciation and amortization	207,175	210,275	637,225	652,375
Income (loss) from operations	(227,162)	(347,984)	(507,206)	(638,367)
Income tax expense		(411,490)		(423,490)
Other income (expense)	(35,403)	(37,583)	(163,617)	(80,476)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(262,565)	(797,057)	(670,823)	(1,412,333)
United States Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	1,796,775	2,025,755	5,842,801	6,621,732
Depreciation and amortization	14,200	20,000	42,900	60,400
Income (loss) from operations	435,497	723,628	1,618,156	2,582,390
Income tax expense		0		0
Other income (expense)	(11,611)	(9,406)	(34,654)	(23,837)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	423,886	714,222	1,583,502	2,558,553
Mexico Antimony [Member]
Total revenues	0	3,557	17,782	3,557
Depreciation and amortization	127,675	136,875	397,325	431,975
Income (loss) from operations	(861,683)	(1,421,013)	(2,680,293)	(4,028,767)
Income tax expense		(411,490)		(423,490)
Other income (expense)	(20,772)	(24,617)	(119,341)	(49,122)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(882,455)	(1,857,120)	(2,799,634)	(4,501,379)
Precious Metals [Member]
Total revenues	78,245	240,238	243,822	564,581
Depreciation and amortization	15,100	0	47,000
Income (loss) from operations	63,145	240,238	196,821	564,581
Income tax expense		0		0
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS)	63,145	240,238	196,821	564,581
Zeolite [Member]
Total revenues	494,694	577,149	1,723,120	1,976,758
Depreciation and amortization	50,200	53,400	150,000	160,000
Income (loss) from operations	135,879	109,163	358,110	243,429
Income tax expense		0		0
Other income (expense)	(3,020)	(3,560)	(9,622)	(7,517)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 132,859	$ 105,604	$ 348,488	$ 235,912