Note 6 - Business Segments (Details) - Identifiable Assets by Reportable Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 2,269,012	$ 1,378,290
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	752,153	741,666
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	221,091	226,196
Casa Berardi [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	864,839
Other Segments [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 430,929	$ 410,428