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Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Mar. 31, 2010 | Jan. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Apr. 30, 2009
Maximum Environmental Remediation Obligation |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,500,000 |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  |  |  |  |  |  | 177,500
Payment Of Response Costs | 1,100,000 |  |  |  | 1,100,000 |  |
Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent |  |  |  |  | 300,000 | 300,000 |
Estimated Response Costs |  | 4,500,000 | 2,700,000 |  |  |  |
Estimated Future Response Cost |  | 100,000,000 |  | 72,000,000 |  |  |
Incurred Response Costs |  |  | 5,300,000 |  |  |  |
Contractual Obligations |  |  |  |  | 3,400,000 | 3,400,000 |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  | 25,300,000 |
Commitments For Capital Lease Payments |  |  |  |  | 18,400,000 | 18,400,000 |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000 | 1,200,000 |
Greens Creek [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Open Purchase Orders |  |  |  |  | 4,100,000 | 4,100,000 |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000 |
Lucky Friday [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Open Purchase Orders |  |  |  |  | 900,000 | 900,000 |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  | 500,000 |
Non-Capital Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual Obligations |  |  |  |  | 500,000 | 500,000 |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  |  |  |  | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
Costs Incurred By The EPA [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incurred Response Costs |  |  |  | $ 91,000,000 |  |  |

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