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Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental And Reclamation Activities [Abstract] |  |
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] |  |
|  | 2015 |  |  | 2014 |
Operating properties: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Greens Creek |  | $ | 41,338 |  |  | $ | 39,237 |
Lucky Friday |  |  | 5,212 |  |  |  | 1,069 |
Casa Berardi |  |  | 5,494 |  |  |  | 6,233 |
San Sebastian |  |  | 1,189 |  |  |  | — |
Non-operating properties: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Troy mine |  |  | 17,295 |  |  |  | — |
South Dakota and Colorado Superfund Sites |  |  | 16,300 |  |  |  | 1,200 |
Johnny M |  |  | 5,830 |  |  |  | 5,830 |
Republic |  |  | 774 |  |  |  | 1,389 |
All other sites |  |  | 2,106 |  |  |  | 2,292 |
Total |  |  | 95,538 |  |  |  | 57,250 |
Reclamation and closure costs, current |  |  | (20,989 | ) |  |  | (1,631 | )
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term |  | $ | 74,549 |  |  | $ | 55,619 |
Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity [Table Text Block] |
Balance at January 1, 2013 |  | $ | 113,215 |
Accruals for estimated costs |  |  | 2,250 |
Liability addition due to acquisition of the Casa Berardi unit |  |  | 7,998 |
Payment of reclamation obligations |  |  | (18,272 | )
Balance at December 31, 2013 |  |  | 105,191 |
Accruals for estimated costs |  |  | 9,952 |
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans |  |  | 675 |
Payment of reclamation obligations |  |  | (58,568 | )
Balance at December 31, 2014 |  |  | 57,250 |
Accruals for estimated costs |  |  | 17,018 |
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans |  |  | 4,112 |
Addition due to development and production at our San Sebastian unit |  |  | 1,189 |
Liability addition due to acquisition of Revett |  |  | 17,513 |
Payment of reclamation obligations |  |  | (1,544 | )
Balance at December 31, 2015 |  | $ | 95,538 |
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block] |
|  | 2015 |  |  | 2014 |
Balance January 1 |  | $ | 46,539 |  |  | $ | 43,244 |
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans |  |  | 4,112 |  |  |  | 675 |
Addition due to development and production at our San Sebastian unit |  |  | 1,189 |  |  |  | — |
Accretion expense |  |  | 1,904 |  |  |  | 3,089 |
Payment of reclamation obligations |  |  | (511 | ) |  |  | (469 | )
Balance at December 31 |  | $ | 53,233 |  |  | $ | 46,539 |

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