Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY *Common Stock Issued, Net of Issuance Costs* Confidentially Marketed Public Offering On January 19, 2017, the Company completed a registered public offering for net proceeds of $8.9 million. The Company sold 1,399,140 shares of common stock at a price of $2.01 per share and 3,426,731 pre-funded warrants at a price of $2.00 per warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01. All of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised. Registered Direct Offering On February 16, 2017, the Company completed a registered direct offering for net proceeds of $4.5 million with Aspire Capital whereby Aspire Capital purchased 2,100,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.58 and 748,101 pre-funded common stock purchase warrants at a price of $1.57. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a term of three years. All of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised. Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into the ATM Offering with Cantor acting as sales agent. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may from time to time sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering amount up to $30.0 million in “at-the-market” offerings, which shares are registered under a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on March 9, 2017. The Company pays Cantor a commission equal to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any shares pursuant to the ATM Offering. As of March 1, 2018, the Company had sold 812,723 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $1.2 million under the ATM Offering. As a result, the Company had approximately $28.8 million remaining available for future sales under the ATM Offering. The Company’s previous ATM Offering with BTIG LLC (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) was fully utilized as of December 31, 2016. Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Aspire Capital On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into the CSPA with Aspire Capital to place up to $22.0 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock on an ongoing basis when required by the Company over a term of 30 months. The Company will control the timing and amount of sales to Aspire Capital, and at a price based on market prices at that time. As consideration for Aspire Capital entering into the purchase agreement, the Company issued 880,000 shares of its common stock to Aspire Capital. The shares of common stock subject to the CSPA were registered pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The parties terminated the April 8, 2016 CSPA with Aspire Capital upon entering into the September 25, 2017 CSPA. On September 27, 2017, pursuant to the CSPA and after satisfaction of certain commencement conditions, Aspire Capital made an initial purchase of 1,428,571 shares of common stock for which the Company received proceeds of $2.0 million. Additionally, on December 14, 2017, Aspire purchased 150,000 shares of common stock for which the Company received proceeds of $0.2 million. There were no other sales of common stock pursuant to the CSPA and as of March 01, 2018, $19.8 million of the aggregate $22.0 million remained available for future sales under the CSPA. Common Stock Issued for Investor Relations Fees On February 28, 2017, the Company issued 150,000 shares with a fair market value of $0.3 million or $2.00 per share as partial consideration for investor relations services that will be provided to the Company over the ensuing 12 months. Reverse Stock Split Immediately following the close of trading on March 7, 2016, the Company effected a one-for-twelve reverse stock split of its common stock. With the reverse stock split, every twelve shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock. The reverse stock split reduced the number of shares outstanding from approximately 61.8 million shares to approximately 5.2 million shares. In addition, effective upon the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock was reduced from 200 million to 100 million. The reverse stock split did not have any effect on the par value of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares that would have resulted were settled in cash. All share data herein has been retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split. Registered Direct Offerings On February 3, 2016, WWR and Aspire Capital entered into a stock purchase agreement whereby WWR sold 296,666 shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering for gross and net proceeds of $0.8 million. There were no underwriting discounts or placement agent fees. On April 4, 2016, WWR and Aspire Capital completed a registered direct offering whereby WWR sold 375,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $2.17 per share and 200,000 pre-funded common stock purchase warrants at a price of $2.16 per warrant, which was paid at closing. Gross proceeds from the offering were $1.2 million, including $0.4 million from the sale of the pre-funded warrants. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a term of three years. On June 3, 2016, Aspire Capital exercised all outstanding common stock purchase warrants and the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock to Aspire Capital as a result. Option Agreement On February 3, 2016, the Company issued 75,000 shares of common stock, with a fair value on the date of issuance of $0.3 million, to Aspire Capital as consideration for Aspire Capital entering into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) by which Aspire Capital granted the Company the right at any time or times prior to April 30, 2017 to require Aspire Capital to enter into up to two common stock purchase agreements, each having a term of up to 24 months and collectively requiring Aspire Capital to purchase up to $10 million in the aggregate of our common stock at such times and in such amounts as elected by the Company under the terms of the option agreement. The parties terminated the Option Agreement upon entering into the CSPA. *Common Stock Issued for Extinguishment of Debt* As discussed in Note 7, above, on December 5, 2016 the Company issued 2,487,562 shares of its common stock to Esousa in exchange for the retirement of $2.5 million in principal of the Company’s RCF Loan. The exchange was accounted for as an inducement and resulted in the Company recording a $5.8 million increase to additional paid in capital. This $5.8 million increase represents the $2.5 million principal amount that was extinguished and the $3.3 million loss recorded upon the extinguishment of the debt. *Common Stock Issued for RCF Loan Interest and Fees* As discussed in Note 6 above, unless RCF elects to receive cash, RCF receives common shares of the Company for the payment of interest owing on the RCF Loan. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 38,086 shares of common stock for the payment of $0.2 million in accrued interest and fees. On December 5, 2016, the Company issued 44,914 shares to Esousa for the payment of interest owing on the $2.5 million in principal amount of the RCF Loan that Esousa purchased from RCF. The fair value of the shares issued was $61,981 which has been included in interest expense. *Common Stock Issued for Purchase of Lithium Properties* As discussed in Note 5, above, the Company entered into the Mesa SPA on September 21, 2016 to acquire certain placer mining claims comprising the Sal Rica project. Under the terms of the Mesa SPA, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $0.1 million to Mesa upon closing which occurred on October 19, 2016. *Common Stock Issued for fees related to the Anatolia Transaction* On January 8, 2016, the Company issued 117,097 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $6.00 in satisfaction of $0.7 million in required termination payments related to the Anatolia Transaction. On June 30, 2016, the Company issued 47,229 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $1.60 in satisfaction of $0.1 million in fees related to the Anatolia Transaction. On August 1, 2016, the Company issued 50,665 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $1.42 in satisfaction of $0.1 million in required termination payments related to the Anatolia Transaction.

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock Issued, Net of Issuance Costs

Confidentially Marketed Public Offering

On January 19, 2017, the Company completed a registered public offering for net proceeds of $8.9 million. The Company sold 1,399,140 shares of common stock at a price of $2.01 per share and 3,426,731 pre-funded warrants at a price of $2.00 per warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01. All of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised.

Registered Direct Offering

On February 16, 2017, the Company completed a registered direct offering for net proceeds of $4.5 million with Aspire Capital whereby Aspire Capital purchased 2,100,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.58 and 748,101 pre-funded common stock purchase warrants at a price of $1.57. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a term of three years. All of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised.

Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement

On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into the ATM Offering with Cantor acting as sales agent. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may from time to time sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering amount up to $30.0 million in “at-the-market” offerings, which shares are registered under a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on March 9, 2017. The Company pays Cantor a commission equal to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any shares pursuant to the ATM Offering. As of March 1, 2018, the Company had sold 812,723 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $1.2 million under the ATM Offering. As a result, the Company had approximately $28.8 million remaining available for future sales under the ATM Offering. The Company’s previous ATM Offering with BTIG LLC (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) was fully utilized as of December 31, 2016.

Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Aspire Capital

On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into the CSPA with Aspire Capital to place up to $22.0 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock on an ongoing basis when required by the Company over a term of 30 months. The Company will control the timing and amount of sales to Aspire Capital, and at a price based on market prices at that time. As consideration for Aspire Capital entering into the purchase agreement, the Company issued 880,000 shares of its common stock to Aspire Capital. The shares of common stock subject to the CSPA were registered pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The parties terminated the April 8, 2016 CSPA with Aspire Capital upon entering into the September 25, 2017 CSPA.

On September 27, 2017, pursuant to the CSPA and after satisfaction of certain commencement conditions, Aspire Capital made an initial purchase of 1,428,571 shares of common stock for which the Company received proceeds of $2.0 million. Additionally, on December 14, 2017, Aspire purchased 150,000 shares of common stock for which the Company received proceeds of $0.2 million. There were no other sales of common stock pursuant to the CSPA and as of March 01, 2018, $19.8 million of the aggregate $22.0 million remained available for future sales under the CSPA.

Common Stock Issued for Investor Relations Fees

On February 28, 2017, the Company issued 150,000 shares with a fair market value of $0.3 million or $2.00 per share as partial consideration for investor relations services that will be provided to the Company over the ensuing 12 months.

Reverse Stock Split

Immediately following the close of trading on March 7, 2016, the Company effected a one-for-twelve reverse stock split of its common stock. With the reverse stock split, every twelve shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock. The reverse stock split reduced the number of shares outstanding from approximately 61.8 million shares to approximately 5.2 million shares. In addition, effective upon the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock was reduced from 200 million to 100 million. The reverse stock split did not have any effect on the par value of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares that would have resulted were settled in cash. All share data herein has been retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split.

Registered Direct Offerings

On February 3, 2016, WWR and Aspire Capital entered into a stock purchase agreement whereby WWR sold 296,666 shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering for gross and net proceeds of $0.8 million. There were no underwriting discounts or placement agent fees.

On April 4, 2016, WWR and Aspire Capital completed a registered direct offering whereby WWR sold 375,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $2.17 per share and 200,000 pre-funded common stock purchase warrants at a price of $2.16 per warrant, which was paid at closing. Gross proceeds from the offering were $1.2 million, including $0.4 million from the sale of the pre-funded warrants. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a term of three years. On June 3, 2016, Aspire Capital exercised all outstanding common stock purchase warrants and the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock to Aspire Capital as a result.

Option Agreement

On February 3, 2016, the Company issued 75,000 shares of common stock, with a fair value on the date of issuance of $0.3 million, to Aspire Capital as consideration for Aspire Capital entering into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) by which Aspire Capital granted the Company the right at any time or times prior to April 30, 2017 to require Aspire Capital to enter into up to two common stock purchase agreements, each having a term of up to 24 months and collectively requiring Aspire Capital to purchase up to $10 million in the aggregate of our common stock at such times and in such amounts as elected by the Company under the terms of the option agreement. The parties terminated the Option Agreement upon entering into the CSPA.

Common Stock Issued for Extinguishment of Debt

As discussed in Note 7, above, on December 5, 2016 the Company issued 2,487,562 shares of its common stock to Esousa in exchange for the retirement of $2.5 million in principal of the Company’s RCF Loan. The exchange was accounted for as an inducement and resulted in the Company recording a $5.8 million increase to additional paid in capital. This $5.8 million increase represents the $2.5 million principal amount that was extinguished and the $3.3 million loss recorded upon the extinguishment of the debt.

Common Stock Issued for RCF Loan Interest and Fees

As discussed in Note 6 above, unless RCF elects to receive cash, RCF receives common shares of the Company for the payment of interest owing on the RCF Loan. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 38,086 shares of common stock for the payment of $0.2 million in accrued interest and fees.

On December 5, 2016, the Company issued 44,914 shares to Esousa for the payment of interest owing on the $2.5 million in principal amount of the RCF Loan that Esousa purchased from RCF. The fair value of the shares issued was $61,981 which has been included in interest expense.

Common Stock Issued for Purchase of Lithium Properties

As discussed in Note 5, above, the Company entered into the Mesa SPA on September 21, 2016 to acquire certain placer mining claims comprising the Sal Rica project. Under the terms of the Mesa SPA, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $0.1 million to Mesa upon closing which occurred on October 19, 2016.

Common Stock Issued for fees related to the Anatolia Transaction

On January 8, 2016, the Company issued 117,097 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $6.00 in satisfaction of $0.7 million in required termination payments related to the Anatolia Transaction.

On June 30, 2016, the Company issued 47,229 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $1.60 in satisfaction of $0.1 million in fees related to the Anatolia Transaction.

On August 1, 2016, the Company issued 50,665 shares of common stock with a fair market value per share of $1.42 in satisfaction of $0.1 million in required termination payments related to the Anatolia Transaction.