Note 5 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Notes Tables

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	2020			2019
Operating properties:
Greens Creek	$	42,716		$	44,695
Lucky Friday		12,818			10,473
Casa Berardi		11,730			4,510
San Sebastian		6,882			7,399
Nevada Operations		26,062			24,754
Non-operating properties:
Troy mine		5,340			6,069
Johnny M		6,065			6,065
Republic		1,500			1,500
All other sites		2,935			2,909
Total		116,048			108,374
Reclamation and closure costs, current		(5,582	)		(4,581	)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	$	110,466		$	103,793

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

Balance at January 1, 2018	$	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
Accretion expense		5,912
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans		2,543
Payment of reclamation obligations		(781	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	116,048

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

	2020			2019
Balance January 1	$	91,831		$	89,417
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans		2,543			(4,522	)
Accretion expense		5,912			7,122
Payment of reclamation obligations		(78	)		(186	)
Balance at December 31	$	100,208		$	91,831