Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Environmental Property Sale, Disposal or Abandonment Costs [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2012			2011
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	32,856		$	36,123
Lucky Friday		1,469			1,520
Non-operating properties:
San Sebastian		200			218
Grouse Creek		2,484			13,262
Coeur d’Alene Basin		70,786			95,081
Republic		3,538			3,538
All other sites		1,882			4,069
Total		113,215			153,811
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(19,845	)		(42,248	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	93,370		$	111,563

Accrued Reclamation And Closure Cost Liability Activity Table Text Block

Balance at January 1, 2010	$	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
Accruals for estimated costs		4,325
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		(3,738	)
Payment of reclamation obligations		(41,183	)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	113,215

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

	2012			2011
Balance January 1	$	37,643		$	36,397
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		(3,720	)		387
Accretion expense		1,128			1,119
Payment of reclamation obligations		(726	)		(260	)
Balance at December 31	$	34,325		$	37,643