Note 6 - Identifiable Assets by Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Greens Creek [Member]
Identifiable assets	$ 693,948	$ 698,265
Lucky Friday [Member]
Identifiable assets	427,812	393,338
Casa Berardi [Member]
Identifiable assets	792,267	779,423
San Sebastian [Member]
Identifiable assets	24,483	22,238
Other Segments [Member]
Identifiable assets	332,300	328,661
Identifiable assets	$ 2,270,810	$ 2,221,925