CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cost of uranium sales:
Operating expenses	$ 2,564,827	$ 648,278	$ 394,763
Accretion/amortization of restoration reserve	85,181	121,183	155,943
Depreciation	396,246	599,504	756,377
Writedown of uranium properties	1,737,359	1,460,170	961,278
Exploration and land maintenance expenses	492,858	17,918	1,646
Total cost of uranium sales	5,276,471	2,847,053	2,270,007
Loss from operations before corporate expenses	(5,276,471)	(2,847,053)	(2,270,007)
Corporate expenses:
General and administrative (includes stock compensation expense of $427,000, $884,000 and $1,032,000 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	10,399,084	8,400,955	6,911,672
Provision for legal settlement			1,375,000
Depreciation	160,747	127,741	143,361
Total corporate expenses	10,559,831	8,528,696	8,430,033
Loss from operations	(15,836,302)	(11,375,749)	(10,700,040)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(50,880)	(18,968)	(25,362)
Interest and other income, net	262,809	195,320	370,835
Total other income, net	211,929	176,352	345,473
Net loss	$ (15,624,373)	$ (11,199,397)	$ (10,354,567)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.28)	$ (1.20)	$ (1.43)
Average weighted shares outstanding (in shares)	12,237,349	9,348,053	7,231,346