Nature of Operations (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Shutdown and care and maintenance costs		$ 1,889	$ 1,589
Number of exploration properties | property		12
Hecla
Sale price (in dollars per shares) | $ / shares	$ 0.55
Volume weighted average stock price period	30 days
Velardena properties
Interest acquired (as a percent)		100.00%
Shutdown and care and maintenance costs		$ 1,900	$ 1,600
Quarterly holding costs expected with suspended operations		400
Oxide Plant
Expected lease proceeds	$ 1,000	300
Renewal term	2 years
Proceeds from lease		$ 4,900
Gross proceeds from common stock sale	$ 1,000
Common stock issued (in shares) | shares	1.8
Sale price (in dollars per shares) | $ / shares	$ 0.55
Volume weighted average stock price period	30 days