Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Environmental Property Sale, Disposal or Abandonment Costs [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2013			2012
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	34,530		$	32,856
Lucky Friday		919			1,469
Casa Berardi		7,795			—
Non-operating properties:
San Sebastian		200			200
Grouse Creek		1,000			2,484
Coeur d’Alene Basin		55,499			70,786
Republic		3,023			3,538
All other sites		2,225			1,882
Total		105,191			113,215
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(58,425	)		(19,845	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	46,766		$	93,370

Accrued Reclamation And Closure Cost Liability Activity [Table Text Block]

Balance at January 1, 2011	$	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
Accruals for estimated costs		2,250
Liability addition due to acquisition of the Casa Berardi unit		7,998
Payment of reclamation obligations		(18,272	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	105,191

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

	2013			2012
Balance January 1	$	34,325		$	37,643
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		—			(3,720	)
Addition due to acquisition of the Casa Berardi unit		7,998			—
Accretion expense		1,958			1,128
Payment of reclamation obligations		(1,037	)		(726	)
Balance at December 31	$	43,244		$	34,325