Note 11 - Business Segments and Significant Customers (Detail) - Information About Reportable Segments (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
Net Sales From Continuing Operations To Unaffiliated Customers	$ 321,143	$ 477,634	$ 418,813
Income (loss) from operations:
Income (Loss) From Operations	37,866	197,645	(51,555)
Capital additions (including non-cash additions):
Capital Additions (Including Non-Cash Additions)	129,942	137,385	74,739
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization From Continuing Operations	43,522	47,066	60,011
Other significant non-cash items:
Other Significant Non-Cash Items From Continuing Operations	38,051	33,810	80,533
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable Assets	1,378,290	1,396,090	1,382,493
Greens Creek [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
Net Sales From Continuing Operations To Unaffiliated Customers	320,895	342,906	313,318
Income (loss) from operations:
Income (Loss) From Operations	138,245	181,116	138,973
Capital additions (including non-cash additions):
Capital Additions (Including Non-Cash Additions)	62,184	41,657	18,280
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization From Continuing Operations	43,522	41,013	51,671
Other significant non-cash items:
Other Significant Non-Cash Items From Continuing Operations	4,037	2,326	17,829
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable Assets	741,666	729,289	740,573
Lucky Friday [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
Net Sales From Continuing Operations To Unaffiliated Customers	248	134,728	105,495
Income (loss) from operations:
Income (Loss) From Operations	(25,179)	75,608	48,639
Capital additions (including non-cash additions):
Capital Additions (Including Non-Cash Additions)	55,998	60,454	54,370
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization From Continuing Operations		6,053	8,340
Other significant non-cash items:
Other Significant Non-Cash Items From Continuing Operations	92	14	5,053
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable Assets	226,196	213,285	170,928
All Other Segments [Member]
Income (loss) from operations:
Income (Loss) From Operations	(75,200)	(59,079)	(239,167)
Capital additions (including non-cash additions):
Capital Additions (Including Non-Cash Additions)	11,760	35,274	2,089
Other significant non-cash items:
Other Significant Non-Cash Items From Continuing Operations	33,922	31,470	57,651
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable Assets	$ 410,428	$ 453,516	$ 470,992