Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 28	$ 297,250	$ 287	$ (256,190)	$ (258)	$ 41,117
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	27,790,324
Net loss				(27,012)		(27,012)
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs	$ 18	5,899				5,917
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs, shares	17,695,448
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite	$ 12	6,471				6,483
Common stock, warrants and options issued for acquisition of Alabama Graphite, shares	11,625,210
Common stock issued for consulting services		95				95
Common stock issued for consulting services, shares	172,727
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests		114				114
Common stock issued for purchase of lithium mineral interests, shares	200,000
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes		308				308
Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes, shares	20,931
Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards		(5)				(5)
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities			(777)			(777)
Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available for sale securities			484			484
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 58	$ 310,132	$ (6)	$ (283,202)	$ (258)	$ 26,724
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018	57,504,640