Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2	$ 233,547		$ (202,154)	$ (258)	$ 31,137
Balance shares at Dec. 31, 2014	2,099,375
Net loss				(15,143)		(15,143)
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs	$ 1	6,391				6,392
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs, shares	559,428
Common stock issued for acquisition of Anatolia Energy	$ 2	14,561				14,563
Common stock issued for acquisition of Anatolia Energy, shares	1,709,724
Common stock issued for acquisition related fees		743				743
Common stock issued for acquisition related fees, shares	79,841
Common stock issued for loan interest		722				722
Common stock issued for loan interest, shares	52,861
Options issued for business combinations		1,308				1,308
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes		950				950
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes, shares	20,957
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(126)				(126)
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities			(67)			(67)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 5	258,096	(67)	(217,297)	(258)	40,479
Balance shares at Dec. 31, 2015	4,522,186
Net loss				(19,605)		(19,605)
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs	$ 9	13,940				13,949
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs, shares	8,930,061
Common stock issued for loan interest		304				304
Common stock issued for loan interest, shares	83,000
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes		195				195
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for the payment of taxes, shares	14,594
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(2)				(2)
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities			67			67
Common stock issued for extinguishment of convertible debt	$ 3	5,820				5,823
Common stock issued for extinguishment of convertible debt, shares	2,487,562
Common stock issued for settlement of accounts payable		850				850
Common stock issued for settlement of accounts payable, shares	214,991
Common stock issued for commitment fees		856				856
Common stock issued for commitment fees, shares	315,000
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium properties		132				132
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium properties, shares	100,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 17	$ 280,191		$ (236,902)	$ (258)	$ 43,048
Balance shares at Dec. 31, 2016	16,667,394