Note 6. Business Segments (Detail) - Identifiable Assets By Reportable Segment (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 1,460,389	$ 1,382,493
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	753,190	740,573
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	195,773	170,928
Other Segment [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 511,426	$ 470,992