<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>26</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>436</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>4</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>102 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/BalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>103 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/BalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive income (loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/IncomeStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive income (loss)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>105 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/CashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>106 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>107 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>108 - Disclosure - Changes affecting consolidated financial statements and Future accounting changes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsScheduleOfNewAccountingPronouncementsAndChangesInAccountingPrinciplesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes affecting consolidated financial statements and Future accounting changes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>109 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>110 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>111 - Disclosure - Available for sale securities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAvailableforsalesecuritiesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Available for sale securities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>112 - Disclosure - Long-term debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtAndCapitalLeasesDisclosuresTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>113 - Disclosure - Share Capital</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Capital</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>114 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>115 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>116 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCashAndCashEquivalentsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>117 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>118 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>119 - Disclosure - Comprehensive income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>122 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>123 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>124 - Disclosure - Available for sale securities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAvailableforsalesecuritiesTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Available for sale securities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>125 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtAndCapitalLeasesDisclosuresTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>126 - Disclosure - Share Capital (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Capital (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>127 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>129 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCashAndCashEquivalentsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>130 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>132 - Disclosure - Comprehensive income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Comprehensive income (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>134 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>135 - Disclosure - Available for sale securities (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAvailableforsalesecuritiesTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Available for sale securities (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>136 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtAndCapitalLeasesDisclosuresTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>137 - Disclosure - Share Capital (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Capital (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>138 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>140 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>141 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>143 - Disclosure - Schedule of Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfInventoryCurrentTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>144 - Disclosure - Schedule of Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfMineralPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>145 - Disclosure - Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesReconciliationTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>146 - Disclosure - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfDebtInstrumentsTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>147 - Disclosure - Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDisclosureOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>148 - Disclosure - Schedule of Stock Purchase Warrants Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfStockholdersEquityNoteWarrantsOrRightsTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Stock Purchase Warrants Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>149 - Disclosure - Schedule of Change in Reclamation Liability (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfChangeInAssetRetirementObligationTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Change in Reclamation Liability (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>150 - Disclosure - Schedule of Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>151 - Disclosure - Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfIncomeTaxExpenseTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>152 - Disclosure - Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.revettminerals.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '136 - Disclosure - Long-term debt (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 102 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 103 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 104 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive income (loss)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 105 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>rvm-20140930.xml</File>
    <File>rvm-20140930.xsd</File>
    <File>rvm-20140930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>rvm-20140930_def.xml</File>
    <File>rvm-20140930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>rvm-20140930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
