Note 10 - Developments in Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	Note 10. Developments in Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014 - 09 Revenue Recognition, replacing guidance currently codified in Subtopic 605 - 10 Revenue Recognition-Overall with various SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins providing interpretive guidance. The new ASU establishes a new five step principle-based framework in an effort to significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015 - 14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU No. 2015 - 14 defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014 - 09 until annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We have performed a preliminary assessment of the impact of implementation of ASU No. 2014 - 09, and do not believe it will change the timing of revenue recognition or amounts of revenue recognized compared to how we recognize revenue under our current policies. Our revenues involve a relatively limited number of types of contracts and customers. In addition, our revenue contracts do not involve multiple types of performance obligations. Revenues from doré are recognized, and the transaction price is known, at the time the metals sold are delivered to the customer. Concentrate revenues are generally recognized at the time of shipment. Concentrates sold at our Lucky Friday unit typically leave the mine and are received by the customer within the same day. There is a period of time between shipment of concentrates from our Greens Creek unit and their physical receipt by the customer. However, based on our assessment, we believe control of the concentrate parcels is generally obtained by the customer at the time of shipment. Our concentrate sales involve variable consideration, as they are subject to changes in metals prices between the time of shipment and their final settlement. However, we are able to reasonably estimate the transaction price for the concentrate sales at the time of shipment using forward prices for the month of settlement, and we then adjust the values each period until final settlement. Also, it is unlikely a significant reversal of revenue for any one concentrate parcel will occur. During 2017, we plan to finalize our assessment of the impact of ASU No. 2014 - 09 on our revenue recognition, and assess the additional disclosure requirements under the new guidance. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015 - 11 Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update provides for inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. This update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015 - 17 Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740). The update is designed to reduce complexity of reporting deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and non-current amounts in a statement of financial position. ASU No. 2015 - 17 requires the presentation of deferred income taxes, changes to deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the statement of financial position. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We have elected to implement ASU No. 2015 - 17 retrospectively, and our deferred tax asset and liability balances are classified as non-current. Deferred tax assets of $12.3 million and deferred tax liabilities of $1.3 million previously classified as current as of December 31, 2016 are now classified as non-current on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 01 Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825 - 10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance requires entities to measure equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value, with any changes in fair value included in current earnings, and updates certain disclosure requirements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2017, we had net unrealized gains of $1.1 million related to equity investments included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 02 Leases (Topic 842). The update modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 09 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The update simplifies the accounting for stock-based compensation, including income tax consequences and balance sheet and cash flow statement classification of awards. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. This update has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update provides guidance on classification for cash receipts and payments related to eight specific issues. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 - 18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017 - 01 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will apply the provisions of the update to potential future acquisitions occurring after the effective date. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2107 - 07 Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Period Postretirement Benefit Cost. The update provides specific requirements for classification and disclosure regarding the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost related to pension plans. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

Note

10.

Developments in Accounting Pronouncements

May

2014,

the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No.

2014

Revenue Recognition, replacing guidance currently codified in Subtopic

605

Revenue Recognition-Overall with various SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins providing interpretive guidance. The new ASU establishes a new

five

step principle-based framework in an effort to significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. In

August

2015,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2015

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU No.

2015

defers the effective date of ASU No.

2014

until annual and interim reporting periods beginning after

December

15,

2017.

We have performed a preliminary assessment of the impact of implementation of ASU No.

2014

09,

and do not believe it will change the timing of revenue recognition or amounts of revenue recognized compared to how we recognize revenue under our current policies. Our revenues involve a relatively limited number of types of contracts and customers. In addition, our revenue contracts do not involve multiple types of performance obligations. Revenues from doré are recognized, and the transaction price is known, at the time the metals sold are delivered to the customer. Concentrate revenues are generally recognized at the time of shipment. Concentrates sold at our Lucky Friday unit typically leave the mine and are received by the customer within the same day. There is a period of time between shipment of concentrates from our Greens Creek unit and their physical receipt by the customer. However, based on our assessment, we believe control of the concentrate parcels is generally obtained by the customer at the time of shipment.

Our concentrate sales involve variable consideration, as they are subject to changes in metals prices between the time of shipment and their final settlement. However, we are able to reasonably estimate the transaction price for the concentrate sales at the time of shipment using forward prices for the month of settlement, and we then adjust the values each period until final settlement. Also, it is unlikely a significant reversal of revenue for any

one

concentrate parcel will occur.

During

2017,

we plan to finalize our assessment of the impact of ASU No.

2014

on our revenue recognition, and assess the additional disclosure requirements under the new guidance.

July

2015,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2015

Inventory (Topic

330):

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update provides for inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2016.

This update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

November

2015,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2015

Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic

740).

The update is designed to reduce complexity of reporting deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and non-current amounts in a statement of financial position. ASU No.

2015

requires the presentation of deferred income taxes, changes to deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the statement of financial position. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2016.

We have elected to implement ASU No.

2015

retrospectively, and our deferred tax asset and liability balances are classified as non-current. Deferred tax assets of

$12.3

million and deferred tax liabilities of

$1.3

million previously classified as current as of

December

31,

2016

are now classified as non-current on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

January

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic

825

10):

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance requires entities to measure equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value, with any changes in fair value included in current earnings, and updates certain disclosure requirements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2017.

We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements. At

March

31,

2017,

we had net unrealized gains of

$1.1

million related to equity investments included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

February

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

Leases (Topic

842).

The update modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2018,

with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

March

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic

718):

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The update simplifies the accounting for stock-based compensation, including income tax consequences and balance sheet and cash flow statement classification of awards. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2016.

This update has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

August

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic

230):

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update provides guidance on classification for cash receipts and payments related to

eight

specific issues. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2017,

and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

November

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic

230):

Restricted Cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2017,

and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

January

2017,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2017

Business Combinations (Topic

805):

Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2017,

and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will apply the provisions of the update to potential future acquisitions occurring after the effective date.

March

2017,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2107

Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic

715):

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Period Postretirement Benefit Cost. The update provides specific requirements for classification and disclosure regarding the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost related to pension plans. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2017,

and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.