Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Capitalized Drilling Costs (in Dollars)		$ 5,000,000	$ 3,600,000	$ 3,600,000
Pension Contributions (in Dollars)	1,000,000		300,000
Percent Of Mine License Tax		98.00%
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax (in Dollars)		100,000	200,000	37,000
Share-based Compensation (in Dollars)		3,101,000	2,073,000	3,446,000
Unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member]
Pension Contributions (in Dollars)		300,000
Hecla Pension Plan [Member]
Pension Contributions (in Dollars)		1,100,000
Silver [Member]
Metals Contained In Concentrates (in Ounces and US Ton)		800,000
Gold [Member]
Metals Contained In Concentrates (in Ounces and US Ton)		3,912
Zinc [Member]
Metals Contained In Concentrates (in Ounces and US Ton)		12,189
Lead [Member]
Metals Contained In Concentrates (in Ounces and US Ton)		3,887
Mine License Taxes [Member]
Taxes, Other (in Dollars)		$ 5,700,000	$ 6,400,000