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Note 6. Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2011
Number of Reportable Segments | 2 |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan | $ 50,000,000 |
Noncapital Costs | 17,500,000 |
Other Nonrecurring Expense | 6,166,000 |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization | 11,269,000 | 12,327,000
Lucky Friday [Member] |  |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization | 1,500,000 |
Cost to Remove Loose Cementitious Material [Member] |  |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan | 10,000,000 |
Cost for Shaft Improvements [Member] |  |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan | 20,000,000 |
Cost on Other Capital Projects [Member] |  |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan | $ 20,000,000 |

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- Definition The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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