Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	$ 105,191	$ 113,215
Reclamation and closure costs, current	(58,425)	(19,845)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	46,766	93,370
Operating Properties [Member] | Greens Creek [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	34,530	32,856
Operating Properties [Member] | Lucky Friday [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	919	1,469
Operating Properties [Member] | Casa Berardi [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	7,795
Non Operating Properties [Member] | San Sebastian [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	200	200
Non Operating Properties [Member] | Grouse Creek [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	1,000	2,484
Non Operating Properties [Member] | Coeurd Alene Basin [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	55,499	70,786
Non Operating Properties [Member] | Republic [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	3,023	3,538
Non Operating Properties [Member] | All Other Sites [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs [Line Items]
Operating and Non Operating Properties	$ 2,225	$ 1,882