Note 8. Employee Benefit Plans (Detail) - Allocations Of Investments And Measurement Dates By Asset Category	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Hecla [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	1.00%	3.00%
Hecla [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	35.00%	34.00%
Hecla [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	43.00%	39.00%
Hecla [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	13.00%	10.00%
Hecla [Member] | Precious Metals And Other [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	8.00%	14.00%
Hecla [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	100.00%	100.00%
Lucky Friday [Member] | Interest-bearing Deposits [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	1.00%	3.00%
Lucky Friday [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	35.00%	34.00%
Lucky Friday [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	44.00%	39.00%
Lucky Friday [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	12.00%	10.00%
Lucky Friday [Member] | Precious Metals And Other [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	8.00%	14.00%
Lucky Friday [Member]
Allocation Of Investment	100.00%	100.00%