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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000931948-09-000001.txt : 20090108
<SEC-HEADER>0000931948-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090108
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090108102904
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000931948-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090108
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090108

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STILLWATER MINING CO /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000931948
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS METAL ORES [1090]
		IRS NUMBER:				810480654
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1321 DISCOVERY DRIVE
		CITY:			BILLINGS
		STATE:			MT
		ZIP:			59102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		406.373.8700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1321 DISCOVERY DRIVE
		CITY:			BILLINGS
		STATE:			MT
		ZIP:			59102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCALLISTER FRANCIS R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001095349
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13053
		FILM NUMBER:		09514635

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ASARCO INC
		STREET 2:		180 MAIDEN LANE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		406-373-8700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
		STREET 2:		1321 DISCOVERY DRIVE
		CITY:			BILLINGS
		STATE:			MT
		ZIP:			59102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000931948</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STILLWATER MINING CO /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>swc</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001095349</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCALLISTER FRANCIS R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>STILLWATER MINING COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1321 DISCOVERY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BILLINGS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>59102</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>738864</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>The shares were gifted/donated by the reporting person to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/  Francis R. McAllister</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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