Note 6 - Business Segments (Details) - Identifiable Assets by Reportable Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	$ 2,252,453	$ 2,232,119
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	722,163	744,027
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	347,643	313,793
Casa Berardi [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	796,495	821,058
Other Segments [Member]
Identifiable assets:
Identified Assets	$ 386,152	$ 353,241