Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Environmental And Reclamation Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2015			2014
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	41,338		$	39,237
Lucky Friday		5,212			1,069
Casa Berardi		5,494			6,233
San Sebastian		1,189			—
Non-operating properties:
Troy mine		17,295			—
South Dakota and Colorado Superfund Sites		16,300			1,200
Johnny M		5,830			5,830
Republic		774			1,389
All other sites		2,106			2,292
Total		95,538			57,250
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(20,989	)		(1,631	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	74,549		$	55,619

Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity [Table Text Block]

Balance at January 1, 2013	$	113,215
Accruals for estimated costs		2,250
Liability addition due to acquisition of the Casa Berardi unit		7,998
Payment of reclamation obligations		(18,272	)
Balance at December 31, 2013		105,191
Accruals for estimated costs		9,952
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		675
Payment of reclamation obligations		(58,568	)
Balance at December 31, 2014		57,250
Accruals for estimated costs		17,018
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		4,112
Addition due to development and production at our San Sebastian unit		1,189
Liability addition due to acquisition of Revett		17,513
Payment of reclamation obligations		(1,544	)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	95,538

Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block]

	2015			2014
Balance January 1	$	46,539		$	43,244
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		4,112			675
Addition due to development and production at our San Sebastian unit		1,189			—
Accretion expense		1,904			3,089
Payment of reclamation obligations		(511	)		(469	)
Balance at December 31	$	53,233		$	46,539