Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Notes Tables

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2019			2018
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	44,695		$	41,839
Lucky Friday		10,473			10,698
Casa Berardi		4,510			5,843
San Sebastian		7,399			7,765
Nevada Operations		24,754			23,272
Non-operating properties:
Troy mine		6,069			8,971
Johnny M		6,065			5,813
Republic		1,500			1,500
All other sites		2,909			2,688
Total		108,374			108,389
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(4,581	)		(3,410	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	103,793		$	104,979

Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity [Table Text Block]

Balance at January 1, 2017	$	85,580
Accruals for estimated costs		16
Accretion expense		4,870
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		(578	)
Payment of reclamation obligations		(3,843	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		86,045
Accruals for estimated costs		250
Accretion expense		5,309
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		1,280
Liability addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit		19,571
Payment of reclamation obligations		(4,066	)
Balance at December 31, 2018		108,389
Accruals for estimated costs		472
Accretion expense		7,122
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		(4,522	)
Payment of reclamation obligations		(3,087	)
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	108,374

Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block]

	2019			2018
Balance January 1	$	89,417		$	63,384
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		(4,522	)		1,280
Addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit		—			19,571
Accretion expense		7,122			5,295
Payment of reclamation obligations		(186	)		(113	)
Balance at December 31	$	91,831		$	89,417