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Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013 | Aug. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Apr. 30, 2009
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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 |  |  |
Estimated Response Costs |  |  |  |  | 4,500,000 |  |  |  |
Estimated Future Response Cost |  |  |  |  | 100,000,000 |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value |  | 5,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt |  |  | 500,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  | 6.875% | 6.875% |  |  |  | 6.875% |  |
Contractual Obligations |  | 11,500,000 |  |  |  |  | 11,500,000 |  |
Commitments For Capital Lease Payments |  | 20,800,000 |  |  |  |  | 20,800,000 |  |
Environmental Expense and Liabilities | 55,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 1,701,000 | 3,937,000 |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount |  | 1,300,000 |  |  |  |  | 1,300,000 |  |
Casa Berardi [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Open Purchase Orders |  | 13,600,000 |  |  |  |  | 13,600,000 |  |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,800,000 |  |
Greens Creek [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Open Purchase Orders |  | 5,400,000 |  |  |  |  | 5,400,000 |  |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |
Lucky Friday [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Open Purchase Orders |  | 1,200,000 |  |  |  |  | 1,200,000 |  |
Noncapital Costs |  |  |  |  |  |  | 700,000 |  |
Non-Capital Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual Obligations |  | 5,600,000 |  |  |  |  | 5,600,000 |  |
Costs Incurred By The EPA [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Incurred Response Costs |  |  | 200,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Note 4 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details) [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss |  |  |  |  |  | $ 10,000,000 |  |  |

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