Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of Level 3 Assets (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Beginning balance	$ 10,326	$ 8,889
Net unrealized gains on assets held at the reporting date	283	1,094
Purchases	333	343
Sales	(1,968)
Ending balance	8,974	10,326
Real Estate [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Beginning balance	2,856	2,458
Net unrealized gains on assets held at the reporting date	71	303
Purchases	90	95
Sales	(628)
Ending balance	2,389	2,856
Common Collective Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Beginning balance	4,462	8,454
Net unrealized gains on assets held at the reporting date	80	8
Purchases
Sales	(2,434)	(4,000)
Ending balance	2,108	4,462
Common Collective Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Beginning balance	1,309	2,306
Net unrealized gains on assets held at the reporting date	20	3
Purchases
Sales	(779)	(1,000)
Ending balance	$ 550	$ 1,309