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Note 11. Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Summary Of Forward Sales Contracts (USD $) | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2011
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on provisional sales |
2011 settlements | 8,100
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 7,350
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2012 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 26,650
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2013 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 4,700
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on provisional sales |
2011 settlements | $ 1.02
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | 0.96
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2012 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | 1.11
Zinc [Member] | Settlements2013 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | 1.16
Lead [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on provisional sales |
2011 settlements | 4,500
Lead [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 6,175
Lead [Member] | Settlements2012 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 18,000
Lead [Member] | Settlements2013 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Metric tonnes under contract - forecasted sales | 8,300
Lead [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on provisional sales |
2011 settlements | 1.17
Lead [Member] | Settlements2011 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | 1.01
Lead [Member] | Settlements2012 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | 1.11
Lead [Member] | Settlements2013 [Member] |
Contracts on forecasted sales |
Average price per pound - forecasted sales | $ 1.16

X
- Definition Average settlement price in forward contracts on forecasted sales + Details
Name: | hl_ContractsOnForcastedSales
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | hl_ContractsOnForecastedSalesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Average settlement price in forward contracts on provisional sales + Details
Name: | hl_ContractsOnProvisionalSales
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | hl_ContractsOnProvisionalSalesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Metric tonnes included in open forward contracts on forecasted sales + Details
Name: | hl_MetricTonnesUnderContractForecastedSales
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Metric tonnes included in open forward contracts on provisional sales + Details
Name: | hl_MetricTonnesUnderContractProvisionalSales
Namespace Prefix: | hl
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant