CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	121 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss) for the period	$ 51,546	$ (20,020)	$ (5,952)	$ (24,654)
Adjustments to reconcile income/(loss) for the period to net cash used in operations:
Depreciation and amortization	420	288	262	1,340
Stock-based compensation	2,020	508	888	7,060
Gain on disposal of marketable securities	(459)	(281)	(6,829)	(7,802)
(Gain)/loss on extinguishment of convertible notes	0	1,633	(415)	1,218
Accrued interest and accretion of interest	120	273	263	4,096
(Gain)/loss on disposal of mineral property	(78,072)	0	131	(79,933)
Common stock issued for interest	0	603	0	1,841
Unrealized gain on long-term investments	(37,347)	0	0	(37,347)
Write down of marketable securities	158	0	123	1,007
Deferred tax expense	35,522	0	0	35,522
Other non-cash items	0	5	417	1,304
Change in working capital account items:
Other current assets	(93)	(575)	84	(1,439)
Accrued interest payable	(504)	(25)	(7)	(8,090)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other	1,699	498	136	915
Net cash used in operating activities	(24,990)	(17,093)	(10,899)	(104,962)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities	(329)	(332)	(83)	(1,688)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	592	313	9,055	11,049
Acquisition of long-term investments	(3,632)	0	0	(3,632)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	0	250	(250)	0
Additions to mineral property	(704)	(2,240)	(1,940)	(7,647)
Additions to plant and equipment	(971)	(355)	(476)	(20,443)
Proceeds from additional option agreement	1,000	0	0	1,000
Proceeds on disposal of mineral property	0	0	188	188
Proceeds on disposal of plant and equipment	0	0	0	52
Cash transferred to Allied Nevada Gold Corp., net of receivable	0	0	0	(24,517)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(4,044)	(2,364)	6,494	(45,638)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from equity financings	28,984	33,067	20,369	137,070
Repayment of convertible notes	(23,000)	(2,233)	(866)	(26,108)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	309	0	0	39,329
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	883	53	44	3,974
Issuance of convertible notes	0	0	0	28,345
Cash paid in lieu of capital stock issuances	(107)	0	0	(107)
Transaction costs	0	0	0	(1,841)
Net cash provided by financing activities	7,069	30,887	19,547	180,662
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,965)	11,430	15,142	30,062
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations	0	0	0	(12,863)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(21,965)	11,430	15,142	17,199
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	39,838	28,408	13,266	674
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 17,873	$ 39,838	$ 28,408	$ 17,873

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).