Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (4,273)	$ (3,761)
Reconciliation of net loss to cash used in operations:
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	120	112
Amortization of debt discount	450	449
Amortization of convertible loan establishment fee	25	$ 25
Loss on sale of marketable securities	116
Common stock issued as payment for commitment fees	333
Costs incurred for restoration and reclamation activities	(39)	$ (48)
Depreciation and amortization	82	85
Stock compensation expense	$ 183	454
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment		(18)
Effect of changes in operating working capital items:
(Increase)/decrease in receivables	$ (62)	12
Increase in prepaid and other current assets	(168)	(184)
Increase in payables, accrued liabilities and deferred credits	1,028	175
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(2,205)	$ (2,699)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Proceeds from the sale of investments	247
Increase in restricted cash	$ (6)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment		$ 18
Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities	$ 241	18
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on borrowings		(4)
Issuance of common stock, net	$ 1,193	5,619
Payment of minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(123)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	$ 1,193	5,492
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(771)	2,811
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	865	5,570
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$ 94	$ 8,381
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest
Supplemental Non-Cash Information With Respect to Investing and Financing Activities:
Common stock issued for settlement of accounts payable	$ 703
Common stock issued for payment of convertible loan interest and fees	$ 242	$ 199