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Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details) - Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity [Abstract] |  |  |
Balance | $ 105,191 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal | $ 113,215 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal | $ 153,811 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal
Accruals for estimated costs | 9,952 hl_AccrualsForEstimatedCosts | 2,250 hl_AccrualsForEstimatedCosts | 4,325 hl_AccrualsForEstimatedCosts
Liability addition due to acquisition of the Casa Berardi unit |  | 7,998 hl_LiabilityAdditionDueToAcquisition |
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans | 675 hl_RevisionOfEstimatedCashFlowsDueToChangesInReclamationPlans |  | (3,738)hl_RevisionOfEstimatedCashFlowsDueToChangesInReclamationPlans
Payment of reclamation obligations | (58,568)hl_PaymentOfReclamationObligations | (18,272)hl_PaymentOfReclamationObligations | (41,183)hl_PaymentOfReclamationObligations
Balance | $ 57,250 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal | $ 105,191 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal | $ 113,215 hl_AccruedReclamationAndClosureCostsTotal

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- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hl_AccrualsForEstimatedCosts
Namespace Prefix: | hl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | hl_
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Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The total accrued reclamation and closure costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | hl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | hl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | hl_
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition No authoritative reference available. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | hl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration