Note 4. Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2011			2010
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	36,123		$	35,267
Lucky Friday		1,520			1,130
Non-operating properties:
San Sebastian		218			218
Grouse Creek		13,262			13,651
Coeur d’Alene Basin		95,081			262,153
Republic		3,538			3,800
All other sites		4,069			2,578
Total		153,811			318,797
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(42,248	)		(175,484	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	111,563		$	143,313

Accrued Reclamation And Closure Cost Liability Activity Table Text Block

Balance at January 1, 2009	$	121,347
Accruals for estimated costs		5,980
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		3,347
Receipt of settlement payment for shared reclamation costs incurred		3,150
Payment of reclamation obligations		(2,623	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		131,201
Accruals for estimated costs		196,067
Payment of reclamation obligations		(8,471	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		318,797
Accruals for estimated costs		7,869
Payment of reclamation obligations		(172,855	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	153,811

Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block]

	2011			2010
Balance January 1	$	36,397		$	36,364
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		387			—
Accretion expense		1,119			627
Payment of reclamation obligations		(260	)		(594	)
Balance at December 31	$	37,643		$	36,397