Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

INVESTMENT IN AL MASANE AL KOBRA MINING COMPANY ("AMAK") (Details)

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INVESTMENT IN AL MASANE AL KOBRA MINING COMPANY ("AMAK") (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2016
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
SAR / $
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Jul. 31, 2016
SAR / shares
shares
Jul. 10, 2016
Jul. 09, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]              
Exchange rate | SAR / $   3.75          
Results of Operations [Abstract]              
Operating income   $ 18,707,000 $ 36,041,000 $ 25,482,000      
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Equity in loss of AMAK   (1,479,000) (5,325,000) (1,072,000)      
Shares issued (in shares) | shares 4,000,000            
Gain from equity issuance by AMAK   3,168,000 0 0      
AMAK [Member]              
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]              
Investment in AMAK   $ 49,400,000 47,700,000        
Exchange rate | SAR / $   3.75          
Results of Operations [Abstract]              
Sales   $ 9,921,000 50,744,000 63,300,000      
Gross profit (loss)   (17,211,000) (10,437,000) 3,624,000      
General, administrative and other expenses   9,690,000 8,796,000 10,487,000      
Operating income   (26,901,000) (19,233,000) (6,863,000)      
Gain on settlement with former operator   17,425,000 0 0      
Net loss   (9,476,000) (19,233,000) (6,863,000)      
Depreciation and amortization expense   11,700,000 23,200,000 23,700,000      
Net income before depreciation and amortization   2,196,000 4,016,000 16,845,000      
Financial Position [Abstract]              
Current assets   22,860,000 26,078,000        
Noncurrent assets   251,741,000 255,613,000        
Total assets   274,601,000 281,691,000        
Current liabilities   8,005,000 22,740,000        
Long term liabilities   82,546,000 85,450,000        
Shareholders' equity   184,050,000 173,501,000        
Total liabilities and equity   274,601,000 281,691,000        
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
AMAK Net Loss   (9,476,000) (19,233,000) (6,863,000)      
Zakat tax applicable to Saudi Arabian shareholders only   320,000 303,000 0      
AMAK Net Loss before Saudi Arabian shareholders' portion of Zakat   (9,156,000) (18,930,000) (6,863,000)      
Company's share of loss reported by AMAK (33.44% beginning July 10, 2016 and 35.25% prior to July 10, 2016)   (2,826,000) (6,672,000) (2,419,000)      
Amortization of difference between Company's investment in AMAK and Company's share of net assets of AMAK   1,347,000 1,347,000 1,347,000      
Equity in loss of AMAK   (1,479,000) (5,325,000) (1,072,000)      
Gain upon formation of AMAK   $ 16,200,000          
Shares issued (in shares) | shares 4,000,000            
Percentage investment in AMAK   100.00%       33.44% 35.25%
Gain from equity issuance by AMAK   $ 3,200,000          
Amount receivable for unreimbursed travel expenses   14,000          
Impairment charges on investment in AMAK   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0      
AMAK [Member] | Various Saudi Shareholders [Member]              
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Percentage investment in AMAK   46.73%          
AMAK [Member] | Trecora Resources [Member]              
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Percentage investment in AMAK   33.44%          
AMAK [Member] | Armico [Member]              
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Percentage investment in AMAK   19.51%          
AMAK [Member] | Treasury [Member]              
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Percentage investment in AMAK   0.32%          
Arab Mining Co [Member]              
Equity in Income or Loss of AMAK Reflected on Consolidated Statement Of Operation [Abstract]              
Shares issued (in shares) | shares 3,750,000            
Share price (in dollars per share) | (per share) $ 5.33       SAR 20.00    
Shares reserved for future issuance (in shares) | shares 250,000       250,000