Note 15 - Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

Consideration:
Cash payments	$	496,211
Hecla stock issued (56,997,790 shares at $3.83 per share)		218,302
Total consideration	$	714,513
Fair value of net assets acquired:
Assets:
Cash	$	177,587
Accounts receivable		14,307
Inventory - bullion and stockpiled ore		8,090
Inventory - supplies		5,704
Other current assets		7,036
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net		715,391
Non-current restricted cash and investments		4,471
Other non-current assets		795
Total assets		933,381
Liabilities:
Accounts payable		22,227
Accrued payroll and related benefits		7,613
Accrued taxes		509
Non-current deferred tax liability		177,016
Non-current reclamation		11,113
Other non-current liabilities		390
Total liabilities		218,868
Net assets	$	714,513

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012
Sales of products	$	458,755		$	544,770
Net income (loss)		(9,539	)		28,194
Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders		(10,091	)		27,642
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share		(0.03	)		0.08