Note 6. Business Segments (Detail) - Identifiable Assets By Reportable Segment (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 1,515,720	$ 1,382,493
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	729,415	740,573
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	214,945	170,928
Other Segment [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 571,360	$ 470,992