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Note 6. Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012
Number of Reportable Segments |  | 2
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan |  | $ 62,000,000
Noncapital Costs |  | 25,000,000
Other Nonrecurring Expense | 6,114,000 | 18,745,000
Lucky Friday [Member] | Depreciation Depletion and Amortization [Member] |  |
Other Nonrecurring Expense | 6,100,000 | 4,600,000
Lucky Friday [Member] |  |
Other Nonrecurring Expense | 18,700,000 | 1,500,000
Cost to Remove Loose Cementitious Material [Member] |  |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan |  | 29,000,000
Cost for Shaft Improvements [Member] |  |
Estimated Cost on Projects Based on MSHA Plan |  | $ 33,000,000

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- Definition Expenses charged against earnings in the period of an event that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6365513&loc=d3e15122-107781 + Details
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