Note 18. Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Note 18: Subsequent Events At the end of 2011, MSHA began a special impact inspection at the Lucky Friday mine which resulted in an order to remove loose material from the Silver Shaft. In response, Hecla submitted a plan to MSHA and received approval to remove the loose cementitious material. In addition, the plan includes removal of unused utilities, construction of a water ring to prevent ice from forming in the winter, the installation of a metal brattice, repair of shaft steel, and installation of a new power cable, all of which should improve the shaft's functionality and possibly improving the shaft's hoisting capacity. Lucky Friday utilizes two shafts: the Silver Shaft and the #2 shaft. Cessation of production through the Silver Shaft requires that we suspend production because we no longer have a secondary escape-way. As a result, approximately 121 employees were temporarily laid off, approximately 25 of whom have accepted temporary positions at our other locations. We currently anticipate that the Silver Shaft work will be completed in late 2012, with production at the Lucky Friday temporarily suspended until early 2013. The smelter contracts related to treatment of Lucky Friday concentrates have been suspended during the care-and-maintenance period based on force majeure. Once the Silver Shaft work is completed down to the 4900 foot level, we expect to commence work on a haulage way bypassing an area at the 5900 level impacted by a rock burst in December 2011. We anticipate that we will be able to resume construction of the #4 Shaft in early 2013 once the Silver Shaft work is completed. The shutdown did not materially affect our financial statements as of December 31, 2011. In addition to work on the Silver Shaft, other significant surface and underground capital programs are being planned. Final plans are not yet complete, but we expect to spend up to $50 million on all of these projects, including approximately $10 million to remove the loose cementitious material, $20 million for shaft improvements and $20 million on other capital projects. We expect to incur non-capitalized expenses of $17.5 million, based on the assumption that the mine will be on standby for the remainder of 2012 as this work is completed. On February 1, 2012, a purported Hecla stockholder filed a putative class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho against Hecla and certain of our officers, one of whom is also a director. The complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of Hecla common stock from October 26, 2010 through and including January 11, 2012, asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seeks, among other things, damages and costs and expenses. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Hecla, under the authority and control of the individual defendants, made certain false and misleading statements and allegedly omitted certain material information. The complaint alleges that these actions artificially inflated the market price of Hecla common stock during the class period, thus purportedly harming investors. A second suit was filed on February 14, 2012, alleging virtually identical claims. We cannot predict the outcome of such proceedings or an estimate of damages, if any. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to defend against them vigorously.

Note 18. Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Note 18: Subsequent Events

At the end of 2011, MSHA began a special impact inspection at the Lucky Friday mine which resulted in an order to remove loose material from the Silver Shaft. In response, Hecla submitted a plan to MSHA and received approval to remove the loose cementitious material. In addition, the plan includes removal of unused utilities, construction of a water ring to prevent ice from forming in the winter, the installation of a metal brattice, repair of shaft steel, and installation of a new power cable, all of which should improve the shaft's functionality and possibly improving the shaft's hoisting capacity.

Lucky Friday utilizes two shafts: the Silver Shaft and the #2 shaft. Cessation of production through the Silver Shaft requires that we suspend production because we no longer have a secondary escape-way. As a result, approximately 121 employees were temporarily laid off, approximately 25 of whom have accepted temporary positions at our other locations.

We currently anticipate that the Silver Shaft work will be completed in late 2012, with production at the Lucky Friday temporarily suspended until early 2013. The smelter contracts related to treatment of Lucky Friday concentrates have been suspended during the care-and-maintenance period based on force majeure. Once the Silver Shaft work is completed down to the 4900 foot level, we expect to commence work on a haulage way bypassing an area at the 5900 level impacted by a rock burst in December 2011. We anticipate that we will be able to resume construction of the #4 Shaft in early 2013 once the Silver Shaft work is completed.

The shutdown did not materially affect our financial statements as of December 31, 2011. In addition to work on the Silver Shaft, other significant surface and underground capital programs are being planned. Final plans are not yet complete, but we expect to spend up to $50 million on all of these projects, including approximately $10 million to remove the loose cementitious material, $20 million for shaft improvements and $20 million on other capital projects. We expect to incur non-capitalized expenses of $17.5 million, based on the assumption that the mine will be on standby for the remainder of 2012 as this work is completed.

On February 1, 2012, a purported Hecla stockholder filed a putative class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho against Hecla and certain of our officers, one of whom is also a director. The complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of Hecla common stock from October 26, 2010 through and including January 11, 2012, asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seeks, among other things, damages and costs and expenses. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Hecla, under the authority and control of the individual defendants, made certain false and misleading statements and allegedly omitted certain material information. The complaint alleges that these actions artificially inflated the market price of Hecla common stock during the class period, thus purportedly harming investors. A second suit was filed on February 14, 2012, alleging virtually identical claims. We cannot predict the outcome of such proceedings or an estimate of damages, if any. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to defend against them vigorously.