Note 7 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 06, 2014	Dec. 11, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2009	Jan. 06, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Casa Berardi [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Greens Creek [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Lucky Friday [Member]	Jan. 06, 2014 Prior Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Non-Capital Costs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Joint Venture [Member] Rio Grande Silver Inc And Emerald Mining And Leasing LLC [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 Costs Incurred By The EPA [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage																			70.00%
Maximum Environmental Remediation Obligation						$ 2,500,000
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss										1,000,000	200,000,000	177,500									0	10,000,000
Payment Of Response Costs			1,100,000		1,100,000
Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent						300,000
Estimated Response Costs				4,500,000
Estimated Future Response Cost				100,000,000
Incurred Response Costs																				200,000,000
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value		5,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt													500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						6.875%			6.875%								6.875%
Contractual Obligations						9,700,000												10,200,000
Open Purchase Orders														6,300,000	1,500,000	1,400,000
Noncapital Costs														2,500,000	300,000	500,000
Commitments For Capital Lease Payments						23,800,000
Environmental Expense and Liabilities	55,500,000					1,788,000	1,106,000	7,004,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount						$ 1,300,000