Note 6 - Business Segments - Identifiable Assets by Reporting Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total assets	$ 2,406,461	$ 2,371,677
Greens Creek [Member]
Total assets	681,266	681,303
Lucky Friday [Member]
Total assets	439,991	442,829
Casa Berardi [Member]
Total assets	804,886	806,044
San Sebastian [Member]
Total assets	47,561	33,608
Other Segments [Member]
Total assets	$ 432,757	$ 407,893