Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 15, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Other Accrued Liabilities				$ 264,400
Payments for Legal Settlements	$ 15,000	$ 25,000	$ 168,000
Payment of Proceeds from Warrants Exercised								$ 41,300	$ 14,100
Insurance Policy						$ 16,800
Environmental Exit Costs, Assets Previously Disposed, Liability for Remediation				9,900
Accrued Reclamation and Closure Costs				95,538	$ 57,250					$ 105,191	$ 113,215
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate				4,112	$ 675
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred				$ 1,189
Lucky Friday [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Risk-free Interest Rate				14.50%
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Before Discounting				$ 7,300
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate				$ 4,100
Inflation Rate				2.25%
San Sebastian Unit [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred Before Discounting				$ 1,500
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred				$ 1,200
Revett Mining Company Inc [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Reclamation Liability						17,500	$ 17,513
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Reclamation Insurance Asset						$ 16,800	$ 16,800
Revett Mining Company Inc [Member] | Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage						100.00%
Minimum [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Risk-free Interest Rate					6.00%
Maximum [Member]
Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Risk-free Interest Rate					14.50%