MINERAL PROPERTY EXPENDITURES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Total expense for the period	$ 824	$ 969	$ 1,458	$ 1,751
Temrezli Project, Turkey [Member]
Total expense for the period		17	1	96
Total Turkey Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period		17	1	96
Kingsville Dome Project, Texas [Member]
Total expense for the period	145	172	389	423
Rosita Project, Texas [Member]
Total expense for the period	100	158	217	355
Vasquez Project, Texas [Member]
Total expense for the period	126	97	312	331
Other Projects, Texas [Member]
Total expense for the period	9	6	9	1
Total Texas Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period	362	421	909	1,110
Cebolleta Project, New Mexico [Member]
Total expense for the period	440	389	440	389
Juan Tafoya Project, New Mexico [Member]
Total expense for the period	3	3	9	9
Total New Mexico Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period	443	392	449	398
Columbus Basin Project, Nevada [Member]
Total expense for the period	1	120	1	122
Railroad Valley Project, Nevada [Member]
Total expense for the period		12		16
Total Nevada Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period	1	132	1	138
Sal Rica Project, Utah [Member]
Total expense for the period	1	2	1
Total Utah Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period	1	2	1
Coosa Project, Alabama [Member]
Total expense for the period	11	9	91	9
Bama project, Alabama
Total expense for the period	6		6
Total Alabama Projects [Member]
Total expense for the period	$ 17	$ 9	$ 97	$ 9