Related Party [Axis] Management Resources Initiatives Inc. [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Logistica Note [Member] Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Installment Loan [Member] Award Type [Axis] Restricted Stock [Member] Working Capital Loan [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Title of Individual [Axis] Officer [Member] Contract Miners [Member] Nonmonetary Transaction Type [Axis] Stock Paid For Legal Fees [Member] Insurance Financing Agreement [Member] Range [Axis] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Unsecured Promissory Notes [Member] MRI [Member] Mr. Antol [Member] Plan Name [Axis] 2015 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event [Member] Document and Entity Information: Entity Registrant Name Entity Trading Symbol Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Filer Category Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Public Float Amendment Description Assets [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Advances to vendor Prepaid expense and other current assets Inventory Total Current Assets Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $146,883 and $128,748, respectively Exploration property Restricted cash Deposits Total Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable Notes payable, net of unamortized discounts of $507 and $1,769, respectively Note payable, related party Accrued compensation - related parties Accrued liabilities Total Current Liabilities STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 51 and 51 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Common stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 383,974,231 and 366,254,777 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Total Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation Notes payable current, unamortized discounts Preferred Stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, par or stated value Common Stock, par or stated value Common Stock, shares authorized Common Stock, shares issued Common Stock, shares outstanding Revenues [Abstract] REVENUES COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REVENUES Gross Loss OPERATING EXPENSES: Mine and exploration costs Professional fees Administrative consulting fees Legal and accounting fees Other general and administrative Total Operating Expenses LOSS FROM OPERATIONS OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest income Gain on derivative instruments Loss on debt extinguishment Interest expense - related party Interest expense Total Other Income (Expense) LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES NET LOSS Basic and Diluted Per Share Data: Net Loss Per Share - basic and diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: Basic and diluted CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Warrant and option expense Stock-based compensation Amortization of debt discounts Depreciation Loss on debt extinguishment Gain on derivative instruments Net change in operating assets and liabilities: Prepaid expenses and other current assets Inventory Accounts payable Accrued compensation - related parties Accrued liabilities Net Cash Used in Operating Activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of furniture and equipment Advance to vendor for pilot plant equipment purchases Restricted cash Net Cash Used in Investing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sale of common stock Proceeds from notes payable Payments on notes payable Increase in finance contracts Payments on finance contracts Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest Cash paid for income taxes SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Common stock issued for third party payables Common stock issued for related party payables Common stock issued on settlement of debt and accrued interest Common stock issued for inventory Common stock issued for prepayment of services and costs incurred Common stock issued for accrued mining cost Common stock issued for fixed assets Common stock issued to vendor for pilot plant equipment purchases Debt discount from derivative liabilities Reclassification of warrants from equity to derivative liabilities Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Related Party Transactions [Abstract] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Inventory, Net [Abstract] INVENTORY ACCRUED LIABILITIES [Abstract] ACCURED LIABILITIES Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT LIABILITIES Debt [Abstract] NOTES PAYABLE Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Subsequent Events [Abstract] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS ACCOUNTING POLICIES (POLICIES): Business, Operations and Organization Principals of Consolidation Reclassification Basis of Presentation and Going Concern Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy Management Estimates and Assumptions Cash and Cash Equivalents Advances to Vendor Inventory Property and Equipment Restricted Cash Exploration Property Costs Derivative Financial Instruments Stock-Based Compensation Revenue Recognition Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Inventory (TABLES): Schedule of Inventory Accrued liabilities (TABLE): Schedule of Accrued Liabilities Schedule of Derivative Instrument Liabilities Loan Installments Schedule of Loan Installments The Components of the Notes Payable Fair Value Hierarchy of Assets and Liabilities Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of its option awards(TABLE): Schedule of Significant Assumptions For Black-Scholes Model Summary of Options Activity Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan Delaware owned by the Company (in Percent) Prior to Jan. 19, 2011, percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan, Ltd. owned by El Capitan Delaware (in Percent) Percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan Ltd. acquired by the Company pursuant to the G&M merger (in Percent) Pursuant to merger, each share of G&M common and preferred stock outstanding was exchanged for approximately the number of shares of common stock of the Company (Per Share) Aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock issued to former G&M stockholders Stock-based administrative compensation Exploration property acquisition costs Restricted cash consists of two certificates of deposits in favor of New Mexico Minerals and Mining Division Recognized stock-based administrative compensation aggregating Stock-based compensation paid to non -employee consultants aggregating Net loss Working capital deficit for the period Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Aggregate monthly payments under the informal arrangements with officers for support services Stock issued for officer's compensation Stock issued for officer's compensation, shares Fair value of stock issued Gain on debt conversion Consulting fees Interest rate on note Maturity date Shares issued in debt conversion Components of inventory Mineralized material stockpile Concentrate Iron ore Total Accrued liabilities details Mining costs Accounting and legal Interest Accrued liabilities total Payments for purchase of mining equipment Amount of note payable Outstanding balance of note at end of period Accrued interest Future issuance of restricted shares under the new agreement Elimination of accrued liability to Logistica for prior services rendered Counterparty Name [Axis] Warrants issued in connection with notes Exercise price of warrants Fair value of warrants Note was reduced by an additional and related accrued interest payments Amount of debt conversion Shares issued as incentive Discount on note Amortization expense Installment loan amount Interest rate on installment loan Aggregate value of the note and accrued interest retired Fair value of stock issued for the retired note obligation Shares returned to treasury Payment of gross revenues as a percent Insurance premiums Monthly payments CURRENT NOTES PAYABLE Notes payable Principal Amount Unamortized Discount Net Notes payable - related party Principal Amount Unamortized Discount Net Notes payable, including the note payable to related party Principal Amount Unamortized Discount Net Assets Exploration property Liabilities None Consulting fees 2015 Stock Incentive Plan Shares reserved for issuance (in Shares) Number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2015 Plan (in shares) Number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2015 Plan (in Shares) Number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2015 Plan was increased pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the 2015 Plan (in Shares) Number of additional shares filed with the SEC under registration statement (in Shares) Number of shares of Preferred Stock issued during the period Common Stock Issuances Restricted stock issued, shares Common stock issued for accrued compensation payable, shares Common stock issued for accrued compensation payable Loss on debt extinguishment Common stock issued for services, shares Common stock issued to miners, shares Common stock issued to miners Common stock issued for services Common stock issued for inventory Common stock issued for lab equipment Common stock issued for prepayment for services Common stock issued for purchase agreement, shares Common stock issued for purchase agreement Exercise price range, minimum Exercise price range, maximum Remaining weighted average life Aggregate intrinsic value Shares available for grant Options outstanding Remaining weighted average life of warrants Aggregate intrinsic value of warrants outstanding Stockholders Equity Stock Option Activity Details Stock Options Shares Outstanding Granted Canceled Expired Exercised Outstanding Exercisable Weighted Average Price Outstanding Granted Canceled Expired Exercised Outstanding Exercisable Stock Warrants Shares Outstanding Granted Canceled Expired Exercised Outstanding Exercisable Weighted Average Price Outstanding Granted Canceled Expired Exercised Outstanding Exercisable Aggregate cash proceeds from sale of common stock to River North under 2016 Purchase Agreement Shares of common stock issued to River North under 2016 Purchase Agreement Shares of common stock authorized for issuance as necessary to contract miner to meet current obligations Warrants authorized Term of warrant Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for Mining costs. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Aggregate value of the note and accrued interest retired for the issuance of restricted shares of the Company's common stock Business, Operations and Organization Aggregate payments for Management Resource Initiatives [Abstract] Common stock issued for inventory Common stock issued for third party payables Common stock issued on settlement of debt and accrued interest Debt discount from derivative liabilities Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Notes payable total Unamortized discount amount Number of additional shares filed with the SEC under registration statement (in Shares) Number of shares of Preferred Stock issued during the period Payment of gross revenues which the Company may receive from its mining activities towards the principle and accrued interest (In percent) Reclassification of warrants from equity to derivative liabilities Restricted cash consists of two certificates of deposits in favor of New Mexico Minerals and Mining Division The fair value of the stock issued for the retired note obligation The amount of the reporting entity's working capital deficit for the period. Amount of related party debt discount to be amortized within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer. Management Resources Initiatives, Inc. [Member] Logistica [Member]. Logistica Note [Member] Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement [Member] Lender [Member] Third Party [Member] Installment Loan [Member] Insurance Financing Agreement [Member] Working Capital Loan [Member] Two Notes With Investors [Member] Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the portions of long-term notes payable, before unamortized discount, due within one year or the operating cycle if longer. The amount for notes payable (written promise to pay), due to related parties, before unamortized discount. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Contract Miners [Member] Value of stock issued in lieu of cash for prepayment of services contributed to the entity. Value of the stock issued includes, but is not limited to, services contributed by vendors and founders. Director 2 [Member] The number of shares into which fully or partially vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Weighted Average Price Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of equity instruments other than options. Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to equity instruments other than options that were terminated. Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their equity instruments other than options into shares. Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to equity instruments other than options of the plan that expired. Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares exercisable under the equity instrument plan. Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the equity instrument plan. Remaining weighted average warrant life of warrants outstanding. Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]. Securities Purchase Agreement One [Member]. Securities Purchase Agreement Two [Member]. Stock-based administrative compensation expense. Amount before last-in first-out (LIFO) and valuation reserves of concentrate. Amount before last-in first-out (LIFO) and valuation reserves of iron ore stockpile material. Percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan Delaware owned by the Company (in Percent) Prior to Jan. 19, 2011, percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan, Ltd. owned by El Capitan Delaware (in Percent) Percent of outstanding common stock of El Capitan Ltd. acquired by the Company pursuant to the G&M merger (in Percent) Pursuant to merger, each share of G&M common and preferred stock outstanding was exchanged for approximately the number of shares of common stock of the Company (Per Share) Aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock issued to former G&M stockholders. Recognized stock-based administrative compensation aggregating Stock-based compensation paid to non -employee consultants aggregating MRI [Member] Aggregate monthly payments under the informal arrangements with officers for support services. Future issuance of restricted shares under the new agreement. Elimination of accrued liability to Logistica for prior services rendered. Note was reduced by an additional and related accrued interest payments. Number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the 2015 . Number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2015 Plan (in Shares). Number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2015 Plan was increased pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the 2015 Plan (in Shares). Common stock issued for lab equipment. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Fees charged for legal and accounting services. The expense charged against earnings for the period pertaining to warrant and option expense. Aggregating carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all accrued compensation arrangements payable to related parties within one year (or the operating cycle if longer). Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date. Common stock issued for related party payables. Common stock issued for prepayment of services and costs. Common stock issued for fixed assets. Advances to vendor policy. Common stock issued for accrued mining cost. Monetary value of common stock issued during the period for equipment. Term of warrants or rights outstanding. Value of stock issued in lieu of cash for the purchase agreement. Number of shares of stock issued in lieu of cash for the purchase agreement. Assets, Current Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Deposits Assets, Noncurrent Assets [Default Label] Liabilities, Current Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Liabilities and Equity Revenues Gross Profit Operating Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Interest Expense, Related Party Interest Expense, Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expenses, Other Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable AccruedCompensationRelatedPartiesCurrent Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Payments to Acquire Furniture and Fixtures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Repayments of Notes Payable Payments of Financing Costs Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] AdvancesToVendorPolicy Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block] InventoryConcentrate NotesPayableRelatedPartiesClassifiedCurrentGross Working capital deficit for the period [Default Label] Notes payable total Principal amount Notes payable total Unamortized discount amount Notes payable total Net amount Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Stock Issued During Period, Value, Purchase of Assets Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Expirations Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsExercisableNumber ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageExercisePrice ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsExercisesWeightedAverageExercisePrice ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice