Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Sep. 08, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Other Accrued Liabilities								$ 264,400,000
Payments for Legal Settlements				15,000,000	25,000,000	168,000,000
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Provision for Expected and Allowed Claims						36,100,000	73,900,000
Surety Bond Maintenance Fees	300,000	400,000	600,000
Accrued Reclamation And Closure Costs Total	105,200,000	113,200,000		105,191,000	113,215,000	153,811,000			318,797,000
Increase Decrease In Accrued Reclamation					(4,400,000)
Remaining Payment Obligation					32,900,000
Surety Bonds				30,000,000
Series One And Three Warrants [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Provision for Expected and Allowed Claims				55,500,000
Undiscounted Costs [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Provision for Expected and Allowed Claims						$ 53,400,000
Minimum [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)				$ 2.40
Risk Free Interest Rate	6.00%
Maximum [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)				$ 2.51
Risk Free Interest Rate	8.00%