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Note 10 - Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, MXN in Millions, CAD in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD	Dec. 31, 2016 MXN
Maximum Allocation of Forecasted CAD-demonimated Operating Costs	75.00%			75.00%	75.00%
Forecasted CAD-denominated Operating Costs to be Hedged, Term	5 years
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	$ (5,200)
Gain (Loss) on Components Excluded from Assessment of Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness	(2)
Derivative, Gain on Derivative	14,200	$ 6,200	$ 1,500
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	6,400
Derivative, Fair Value, Obligations Under the Agreements	6,400
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	(3,000)
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	2,500
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current	700
Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Current	$ 2,800
Casa Berardi [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Contracts, Forecasted Cash Operating Costs, Percent	21.00%			21.00%	21.00%
Casa Berardi [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Contracts, Forecasted Cash Operating Costs, Percent	75.00%			75.00%	75.00%
San Sebastian [Member]
Derivative, Forward Contracts, Forecasted Cash Operating Costs, Percent	75.00%			75.00%	75.00%
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	$ 27
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current	2,800
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	$ 2,400
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Casa Berardi [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| United States of America, Dollars
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	1.2787			1.2787	1.2787
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Casa Berardi [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| United States of America, Dollars
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	1.338			1.338	1.338
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| San Sebastian [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| United States of America, Dollars
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	18.9975			18.9975	18.9975
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| San Sebastian [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| United States of America, Dollars
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	21			21	21
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Casa Berardi [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	130			130	130
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 222,900			CAD 290.1
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| San Sebastian [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	24			24	24
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 10,300				MXN 202.5
Unsettled Concentrate Sales Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Loss on Derivative	14,200
Forecasted Future Concentrate Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Gain on Derivative	$ 4,400