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Note 8. Employee Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets | 8.00% |  |
Long-term Investments | $ 3,923,000 | $ 1,194,000 |
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Employer Contribution | 246,000 | 229,000 | 147,000
Hecla Pension Plan [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year | 1,100,000 |  |
Hecla Common Stock [Member] |  |  |
Long-term Investments | 2,600,000 | 5,200,000 |
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations | 4.00% | 7.00% |
Unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year | 300,000 |  |
Capital Accumulation Plans [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer | $ 2,200,000 | $ 2,100,000 | $ 2,000,000

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- Definition The amount of payment into the fund established for purposes of making future disbursements to the individual in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 87 -Paragraph 264 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph j -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013 -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 + Details
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- Definition The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph g -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate percentage of the fair value of investments (categorized by debt securities, equity securities, real estate and other plan assets) to the fair value of total plan assets held as of the measurement date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph d(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e2446-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The total amount of investments that are intended to be held for an extended period of time (longer than one operating cycle). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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