Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,006,833	$ 4,664,596
Prepaid and other current assets	466,970	708,228
Total Current Assets	2,473,803	5,372,824
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Property, plant and equipment	99,891,946	100,058,667
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment	(65,544,841)	(65,318,921)
Net property, plant and equipment	34,347,105	34,739,746
Certificates of deposit, restricted	4,010,850	9,491,865
Total Assets	40,831,758	49,604,435
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	397,479	1,331,888
Accrued liabilities	1,840,951	1,525,726
Note payable		5,000,000
Current portion of asset retirement obligations	502,472	1,160,378
Current portion of capital leases	19,861	112,140
Total Current Liabilities	2,760,763	9,130,132
Asset retirement obligations	3,602,252	3,337,679
Long-term debt	950,000	950,000
Long-term capital leases, less current portion	6,688	17,582
Total Liabilities	7,319,703	13,435,393
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, 200,000,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value; 19,820,258 and 16,150,163 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	19,824	16,154
Paid-in capital	216,620,930	207,338,549
Accumulated deficit	(183,119,281)	(171,176,243)
Less: Treasury stock (3,813 shares), at cost	(9,418)	(9,418)
Total Shareholders' Equity	33,512,055	36,169,042
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	40,831,758	49,604,435
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)