Note 6 - Business Segments (Details) - Identifiable Assets by Reportable Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	$ 2,250,281	$ 2,232,119
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	746,357	744,027
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	325,927	313,793
Casa Berardi [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	805,166	821,058
Other Segments [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	$ 372,831	$ 353,241