1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	Rare Element Resources Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Rare Element,” the “Company,” “our,” “we” or “us”) operates in the mining industry and is focused on advancing its Bear Lodge REE Project. The Company recently announced extensive cost cutting measures intended to position us to be able to move the Project forward expeditiously when market conditions improve, while allowing us in the interim to pursue potential strategic alternatives like off-take agreements, joint ventures or mergers. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred losses since inception and further losses are anticipated in the development of its business, raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company obtaining the necessary financing to meet its obligations and pay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next 12 months with existing cash on hand, asset sales and potential issuance of common stock. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise the necessary financing or complete a strategic transaction on acceptable terms or at all.

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Rare Element Resources Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Rare Element,” the “Company,” “our,” “we” or “us”) operates in the mining industry and is focused on advancing its Bear Lodge REE Project. The Company recently announced extensive cost cutting measures intended to position us to be able to move the Project forward expeditiously when market conditions improve, while allowing us in the interim to pursue potential strategic alternatives like off-take agreements, joint ventures or mergers.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred losses since inception and further losses are anticipated in the development of its business, raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company obtaining the necessary financing to meet its obligations and pay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management intends to finance operating costs over the next 12 months with existing cash on hand, asset sales and potential issuance of common stock. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise the necessary financing or complete a strategic transaction on acceptable terms or at all.