Note 2 - Business Segments and Sales of Products - Information About Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	$ 245,085	$ 181,906	$ 680,270	$ 559,537
Income from operations	22,475	(12,641)	68,139	(2,277)
Interest expense	(10,901)	(10,710)	(36,050)	(31,186)
Fair value adjustments, net	3,654	(6,397)	6,804	(5,774)
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	(3,246)	4,176	3,409	434
Other income	1,229	1,657	3,921	4,425
Income (loss) before income and mining taxes	13,211	(23,915)	46,223	(34,378)
Identifiable assets	2,955,711		2,955,711		$ 3,011,104
Greens Creek [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	116,568	96,459	309,537	290,961
Income from operations	37,916	31,169	100,321	92,824
Identifiable assets	566,552		566,552		569,369
Lucky Friday [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	51,072	21,409	145,483	113,167
Income from operations	12,552	(4,935)	74,817	20,161
Identifiable assets	563,833		563,833		578,110
Keno Hill [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	19,809	16,001	59,606	17,582
Income from operations	(12,674)	(7,462)	(25,467)	(24,145)
Identifiable assets	401,587		401,587		362,986
Casa Berardi [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	50,308	46,912	150,515	134,856
Income from operations	3,403	(12,433)	(24,309)	(35,492)
Identifiable assets	666,259		666,259		683,035
Other Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total sales	7,328	1,125	15,129	2,971
Income from operations	(18,722)	$ (18,980)	(57,223)	$ (55,625)
Identifiable assets	$ 757,480		$ 757,480		$ 817,604