Note 6 - Information about Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Greens Creek [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$ 53,882	$ 67,355
Income (loss) from operations	8,078	14,693
Identifiable assets	698,102		$ 698,265
Lucky Friday [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	21,252	19,891
Income (loss) from operations	2,743	3,546
Identifiable assets	420,306		393,338
Casa Berardi [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	32,198	31,846
Income (loss) from operations	1,934	$ (765)
Identifiable assets	782,962		779,423
San Sebastian [Member]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	23,685
Income (loss) from operations	14,912
Identifiable assets	25,882		22,238
Other Segments [Member]
Income (loss) from operations	(12,094)	$ (12,552)
Identifiable assets	311,921		328,661
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	131,017	119,092
Income (loss) from operations	15,573	$ 4,922
Identifiable assets	$ 2,239,173		$ 2,221,925