Note 8. Employee Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	8.00%
Long-term Investments	$ 3,923,000	$ 1,194,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution	246,000	229,000	147,000
Hecla Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	1,100,000
Hecla Common Stock [Member]
Long-term Investments	2,600,000	5,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	4.00%	7.00%
Unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	300,000
Capital Accumulation Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,000,000