Hecla Mining (HL) 10-K 10 Feb 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 06, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000719413
Entity Registrant Name	HECLA MINING CO/DE/
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-8491
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	77-0664171
Entity Address, Address Line One	6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Coeur d’Alene
Entity Address, State or Province	ID
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	83815-9408
City Area Code	208
Local Phone Number	769-4100
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 868,456,633
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		495,540,493
Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol	HL-PB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock 1 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol	HL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,452	$ 27,389
Accounts receivable:
Trade	11,952	4,184
Taxes	20,048	14,191
Other, net	6,421	7,443
Inventories:
Concentrates, doré, stockpiled ore, and metals in transit and in-process	30,364	53,172
Materials and supplies	35,849	34,361
Prepaid taxes	107	12,231
Other current assets	11,931	11,179
Total current assets	179,124	164,150
Non-current investments	6,207	6,583
Non-current restricted cash and investments	1,025	1,025
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	2,423,698	2,520,004
Operating lease right-of-use assets	16,381	0
Deferred income taxes	3,537	1,987
Other non-current assets	7,336	10,195
Total assets	2,637,308	2,703,944
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	57,716	77,861
Accrued payroll and related benefits	26,916	30,034
Accrued taxes	4,776	7,727
Current portion of finance leases	5,429	5,264
Current portion of operating leases	5,580	0
Current portion of accrued reclamation and closure costs	4,581	3,410
Accrued interest	5,804	5,961
Other current liabilities	6,172	5,937
Total current liabilities	116,974	136,194
Non-current finance leases	7,214	7,871
Non-current operating leases	10,818	0
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	103,793	104,979
Long-term debt	504,729	532,799
Deferred tax liability	138,282	173,537
Non-current pension liability	56,219	47,711
Other non-current liabilities	6,856	9,890
Total liabilities	944,885	1,012,981
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10)
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized: Series B preferred stock, $0.25 par value, 157,816 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference — $7,891	39	39
Common stock, $0.25 par value, authorized 750,000,000 shares; issued 2019 — 529,182,994 shares and 2018 — 487,830,728 shares	132,292	121,956
Capital surplus	1,973,700	1,880,481
Accumulated deficit	(353,331)	(248,308)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(37,310)	(42,469)
Less treasury stock, at cost; 2019 — 6,287,271 and 2018 — 5,226,791 shares issued and held in treasury	(22,967)	(20,736)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,692,423	1,690,963
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,637,308	$ 2,703,944

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Series B preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Series B preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	157,816	157,816
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	157,816	157,816
Series B preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 7,891	$ 7,891
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	750,000,000	750,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	529,182,994	487,830,728
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	6,287,271	5,226,791

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales of products	$ 673,266	$ 567,137	$ 577,775
Cost of sales and other direct production costs	450,349	353,994	304,727
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	199,518	134,044	120,599
Total cost of sales	649,867	488,038	425,326
Gross profit	23,399	79,099	152,449
Other operating expenses:
General and administrative	35,832	36,542	35,611
Exploration	15,919	35,695	23,510
Pre-development	3,150	4,887	5,448
Research and development	535	5,441	3,276
Provision for closed operations and environmental matters	4,690	6,119	6,701
Other operating expense	3,043	1,596	2,513
Loss (gain) on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests	4,643	(2,793)	(6,042)
Suspension-related costs	12,051	20,693	21,301
Acquisition costs	645	10,045	25
Total other operating expense	80,508	118,225	92,343
(Loss) income from operations	(57,109)	(39,126)	60,106
Other income (expense):
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	(3,971)	40,253	(21,250)
Gain (loss) on disposition of investments	923	(34)	(166)
Unrealized loss on investments	(2,389)	(2,816)	(247)
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	(8,236)	10,310	(9,680)
Other net (expense) income	(4,429)	(907)	1,692
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	(48,447)	(40,944)	(38,012)
Total other (expense) income:	(66,549)	5,862	(67,663)
Loss before income taxes	(123,658)	(33,264)	(7,557)
Income tax benefit (provision)	24,101	6,701	(20,963)
Net loss	(99,557)	(26,563)	(28,520)
Preferred stock dividends	(552)	(552)	(552)
Loss applicable to common stockholders	(100,109)	(27,115)	(29,072)
Comprehensive loss:
Net income (loss)	(99,557)	(26,563)	(28,520)
Unrealized loss and amortization of prior service on pension plans	(3,277)	(1,550)	(1,326)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions	8,436	(13,814)	10,290
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on investments	0	(2,443)	2,098
Reclassification of disposition or impairment of investments included in net loss	0	0	167
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,159	(17,807)	11,229
Comprehensive loss	$ (94,398)	$ (44,370)	$ (17,291)
Basic loss per common share after preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)
Diluted loss per common share after preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	490,449	433,419	397,394
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted (in shares)	490,449	433,419	397,394

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (99,557)	$ (26,563)	$ (28,520)
Non-cash elements included in net loss:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	204,475	140,905	126,467
Loss on disposition of investments	(923)	34	166
Unrealized loss on investments	2,386	2,816	251
Adjustment of inventory to market value	1,399	8,191	0
Fee on prepayment of debt with shares of common stock	2,855	0	0
Loss (gain) on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests	4,643	(2,793)	(6,042)
Provision for reclamation and closure costs	6,914	6,090	4,508
Deferred income taxes	(33,387)	(9,699)	19,392
Stock compensation	5,668	6,278	6,323
Amortization of loan origination fees	2,637	2,077	1,864
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts	5,613	(15,366)	20,741
Foreign exchange loss (gain)	8,025	(7,104)	10,208
Other non-cash items	45	(66)	52
Change in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Accounts receivable	(10,939)	9,843	(2,414)
Inventories	16,146	(27,512)	(3,744)
Other current and non-current assets	15,618	(1,726)	(11,595)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(24,355)	17,795	(16,434)
Accrued payroll and related benefits	9,226	(2,425)	2,092
Accrued taxes	(3,155)	645	(2,234)
Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities	7,532	(7,199)	(5,203)
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,866	94,221	115,878
Investing activities:
Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests	(121,421)	(136,933)	(98,038)
Proceeds from sale of investments	1,760	0	0
Proceeds from disposition of properties, plants and equipment	183	2,411	374
Insurance proceeds received for damaged property	0	4,377	7,745
Purchases of investments	(389)	(31,971)	(56,613)
Maturities of investments	0	64,895	49,969
Purchase of other companies, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	0	(139,326)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(119,867)	(236,547)	(96,563)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	49,019	6,744	9,610
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(4,914)	(4,393)	(3,976)
Dividend paid to preferred stockholders	(552)	(552)	(552)
Debt issuance and credit facility fees paid	(976)	(2,638)	(476)
Acquisition of treasury shares from employee equity awards	(2,231)	(2,694)	(2,868)
Borrowings on debt	279,500	102,024	0
Repayments of debt	(279,500)	(106,036)	(470)
Repayments of finance leases	(7,157)	(7,339)	(6,516)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	33,189	(14,884)	(5,248)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	875	(1,515)	1,095
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	35,063	(158,725)	15,162
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	28,414	187,139	171,977
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	63,477	28,414	187,139
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Common stock and warrants issued for acquisition of other companies	(325)	252,544	0
Addition of finance lease obligations	6,506	7,008	6,439
Recognition of operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets	22,365	0	0
Common stock contributed to pension plans	3,600	7,595	0
Common stock issued for 401(k) match	3,862	3,705	3,549
Payment of accrued compensation in restricted stock units	8,274	4,863	4,240
Common stock issued for prepayment of debt	33,457	0	0
Marketable equity securities received for sale of mineral interest	2,257	0	0
Cash received (paid) during year for:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	(42,972)	(38,400)	(35,624)
Income tax (payments) receipts	$ (3,385)	$ 115	$ (23,128)

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 39	$ 99,806	$ 1,597,212	$ (185,041)	$ (34,602)	$ (15,174)	$ 1,462,240
Net income (loss)				(28,520)			(28,520)
Stock issued to directors		47	735				782
Common stock issued for cash, net of offering costs		457	9,154				9,611
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared				(552)			(552)
Stock issued for 401(k) match		170	3,379				3,549
Restricted stock units granted			5,550				5,550
Restricted stock unit distributions		313	(321)			(2,199)	(2,207)
Common stock dividends declared				(3,976)			(3,976)
Common stock issued for employee incentive compensation		133	4,107			(669)	3,571
Other comprehensive income (loss)					11,229		11,229
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	39	100,926	1,619,816	(218,089)	(23,373)	(18,042)	1,461,277
Net income (loss)				(26,563)			(26,563)
Stock issued to directors		40	553				593
Common stock issued for cash, net of offering costs		641	6,105				6,746
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared				(552)			(552)
Stock issued for 401(k) match		267	3,438				3,705
Restricted stock units granted			5,649				5,649
Restricted stock unit distributions		270	(270)			(1,386)	(1,386)
Common stock dividends declared				(4,393)			(4,393)
Common stock issued for employee incentive compensation		309	4,554			(1,308)	3,555
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(17,807)		(17,807)
Change in accounting for marketable equity securities				1,289	(1,289)
Common stock issued to pension plans		684	6,911				7,595
Common stock issued for purchase of another company		18,819	233,725				252,544
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	39	121,956	1,880,481	(248,308)	(42,469)	(20,736)	1,690,963
Net income (loss)				(99,557)			(99,557)
Stock issued to directors		63	392				455
Common stock issued for cash, net of offering costs		5,353	43,666				49,019
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared				(552)			(552)
Stock issued for 401(k) match		470	3,392				3,862
Restricted stock units granted			5,213				5,213
Restricted stock unit distributions		291	(291)			(636)	(636)
Common stock dividends declared				(4,914)			(4,914)
Common stock issued for employee incentive compensation		899	7,375			(1,595)	6,679
Other comprehensive income (loss)					5,159		5,159
Common stock issued to pension plans		596	3,004				3,600
Common stock issued for prepayment of debt (10,655,000 shares)		2,664	30,793				33,457
Adjustment to fair value of warrants issued for purchase of another company			(325)				(325)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 39	$ 132,292	$ 1,973,700	$ (353,331)	$ (37,310)	$ (22,967)	$ 1,692,423

Consolidated Statements of Ch_2

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common Stock [Member]
Stock issued to directors, shares (in shares)	253,000	162,000	187,000
Common stock issued for cash, shares (in shares)	21,410,000	2,565,000	1,829,000
Stock issued for 401(k) match, shares (in shares)	1,882,000	1,068,000	678,000
Restricted stock unit distributions, shares (in shares)	1,164,000	1,079,000	1,251,000
Common stock dividends declared, per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock issued for employee incentive compensation, shares (in shares)	3,597,000	1,237,000	533,000
Common stock issued to pension plans, shares (in shares)	2,384,000	2,736,000
Common stock issued for purchase of another company, shares (in shares)		75,276,000
Common stock issued for prepayment of debt (in shares)	10,655,000

Note 1 - Summary of Significant

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1: A. Principles of Consolidation — B. Assumptions and Use of Estimates — may C. Cash and Cash Equivalents — three D. Investments — Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recognized on a specific identification basis. Unrealized gains and losses are included in a separate line item on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. E. Inventories — Stockpiled ore inventory represents ore that has been mined, hauled to the surface, and is available for further processing. Stockpiles are measured by estimating the number of tons added and removed from the stockpile, the amount of contained metal ounces or pounds (based on assay data) and the estimated metallurgical recovery rates (based on the expected processing method). Costs are allocated to a stockpile based on relative values of material stockpiled and processed using current mining costs incurred up to the point of stockpiling the ore, including applicable overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations, and removed at each stockpile’s average cost per recoverable unit. Finished goods inventory includes doré and concentrates at our operations, doré in transit to refiners or at refiners waiting to be processed, and bullion in our accounts at refineries. F. Restricted Cash — December 31, 2019 2018. G. Properties, Plants and Equipment The costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access the ore body at an open-pit mine prior to the production stage are referred to as "pre-stripping costs." Pre-stripping costs are capitalized during the development stage. Where multiple open pits exist at an operation utilizing common facilities, pre-stripping costs are capitalized at each pit. The production stage of a mine commences when salable materials, beyond a de minimis amount, are produced. Stripping costs incurred during the production stage are treated as variable production costs included as a component of inventory, to be recognized in cost of sales and other direct production costs in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory. Costs for exploration, pre-development, secondary development at operating mines, including drilling costs related to those activities (discussed further below), and maintenance and repairs on capitalized properties, plants and equipment are charged to operations as incurred. Exploration costs include those relating to activities carried out (a) in search of previously unidentified mineral deposits, (b) at undeveloped concessions, or (c) at operating mines already containing proven and probable reserves, where a determination remains pending as to whether new target deposits outside of the existing reserve areas can be economically developed. Pre-development activities involve costs incurred in the exploration stage that may not Drilling, development and related costs are either classified as exploration, pre-development or secondary development, as defined above, and charged to operations as incurred, or capitalized, based on the following criteria: • whether the costs are incurred to further define mineralization at and adjacent to existing reserve areas or intended to assist with mine planning within a reserve area; • whether the drilling or development costs relate to an ore body that has been determined to be commercially mineable, and a decision has been made to put the ore body into commercial production; and • whether, at the time the cost is incurred: (a) the expenditure embodies a probable future benefit that involves a capacity, singly or in combination with other assets, to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflows, (b) we can obtain the benefit and control others’ access to it, and (c) the transaction or event giving rise to our right to or control of the benefit has already occurred. If all of these criteria are met, drilling, development and related costs are capitalized. Drilling and development costs not not • completion of a favorable economic study and mine plan for the ore body targeted; • authorization of development of the ore body by management and/or the board of directors; and • there is a justifiable expectation, based on applicable laws and regulations, that issuance of permits or resolution of legal issues and/or contractual requirements necessary for us to have the right to or control of the future benefit from the targeted ore body have been met. Drilling and related costs of approximately $14.4 million, $11.6 million, and $9.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related allowances for depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in current period net income (loss). Idle facilities placed on standby are carried at the lower of net carrying value or estimated fair value. The net carrying values of idle facilities on standby are written down to salvage value upon reaching the end of the economic life. Therefore, with the exception of depreciation recorded on mobile equipment used in ongoing exploration and reclamation efforts at such properties, we do not not Included in properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests on our consolidated financial statements are mineral interests, which are tangible assets that include acquired undeveloped mineral interests and royalty interests. Undeveloped mineral interests include: (i) mineralized material and other resources which are measured, indicated or inferred with insufficient drill spacing or quality to qualify as proven and probable reserves; and (ii) inferred material not We capitalize portions of interest costs incurred on our debt as a part of the cost of constructing or acquiring certain qualifying assets. The amount of interest capitalized represents the portion of interest cost incurred during the construction or acquisition periods that theoretically could have been avoided if expenditures for the qualifying assets had not third H. Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization — not may Undeveloped mineral interests and value beyond proven and probable reserves are not I. Impairment of Long-lived Assets — may not Although management has made what it believes to be a reasonable estimate of factors based on current conditions and information, assumptions underlying future cash flows, which includes the estimated value of mineral interests, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Estimates of undiscounted future cash flows are dependent upon, among other factors, estimates of: (i) metals to be recovered from proven and probable ore reserves and, to some extent, identified mineralization and other resources beyond proven and probable reserves, (ii) future production and capital costs, (iii) estimated metals prices (considering current and historical prices, forward pricing curves and related factors) over the estimated remaining mine life and (iv) market values of mineral interests. It is possible that changes could occur in the near term that could adversely affect our estimate of future cash flows to be generated from our operating properties. If estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of a property, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the property. J. Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Reserve estimates will change as existing reserves are depleted through production, and as market prices of metals, production or capital costs, smelter terms, the grade or tonnage of the deposit, dilution of the ore or recovery rates change. A significant drop in metals prices or other factors may may may may If our realized price for the metals we produce were to decline substantially below the levels set for calculation of reserves for an extended period, there could be material delays in the development of new projects, net losses, reduced cash flow, restatements or reductions in reserves and asset write-downs in the applicable accounting periods. Reserves should not No K. Pension Plans and Other Post-retirement Benefits — • recognize the funded or underfunded status of our defined benefit plans in our consolidated financial statements; and • recognize as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) the actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that arise during the period but are not See Note 8 L. Income and Production Taxes — We evaluate uncertain tax positions in a two not not 50% We classify mine license taxes incurred in the states of Alaska and Idaho as other direct production costs reported in our gross profits. Net proceeds taxes incurred in Nevada, mining duties in Mexico, and resource taxes incurred in Quebec, Canada are classified as income taxes. For additional information, see Note 5 M. Reclamation and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations) — At our non-operating properties, we accrue costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that such costs will be incurred and they are reasonably estimable. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations have historically been recognized no not Future closure, reclamation and environmental-related expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances, due to the early stage nature of investigations, uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental contamination, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities, and changes in reclamation or remediation technology. We periodically review accrued liabilities for such reclamation and remediation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that our liabilities have potentially changed. Changes in estimates at our non-operating properties are reflected in current period net income (loss). It is possible the ultimate cost of reclamation and remediation could change in the future, and that changes to these estimates could have a material effect on future operating results as new information becomes known. N. Revenue Recognition and Trade Accounts Receivable — P. Risk Management Contracts Refining, selling and shipping costs related to sales of doré, metals from doré, and carbon are recorded to cost of sales as incurred. Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges by the customers for treatment, refining, smelting losses, and other charges negotiated by us with the customers. Charges are estimated by us upon shipment of concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not See Note 11 O. Foreign Currency — P. Risk Management Contracts We recognized a total net foreign exchange loss of $8.2 million, a net gain of $10.3 million and a net loss of $9.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, P. Risk Management Contracts — not no December 31, 2019, not December 31, 2019, See Note 10 December 31, 2019. Q. Stock Based Compensation — no For additional information on our restricted stock unit compensation, see Note 9. R. Legal Costs – S. Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share — Potential dilutive shares of common stock include outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, performance-based share awards, stock units, warrants and convertible preferred stock for periods in which we have reported net income. For periods in which we report net losses, potential dilutive shares of common stock are excluded, as their conversion and exercise would be anti-dilutive. See Note 13 T. Comprehensive Income (Loss) — U. Fair Value Measurements — 1. the fair value measurement; 2. the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 2 3 3. the amount of the total gains or losses for the period included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date and a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported in the statement of operations; and 4. in annual periods only, the valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques, if any, during the period. See Notes 8 12 V. Research and development — December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 W. New Accounting Pronouncements — Accounting Standards Updates Adopted In February 2016, No. 2016 02 842 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, No. 2016 02, not twelve not not Note 6 In August 2017, No. 2017 12 815 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, not In February 2018, No. 2018 02 220 December 2017. December 15, 2018. not January 1, 2019 not In June 2018, No. 2018 07 718 718 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, not Accounting Standards Updates to Become Effective in Future Periods In June 2016, No. 2016 13 326 December 15, 2019, not In August 2018, No. 2018 13 820 December 15, 2019, In August 2018, No. 2018 14 715 20 two December 15, 2020, In December 2019, No. 2019 12 740 December 15, 2020,

Note 2 - Investments

Note 2 - Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Investment [Text Block]	Note 2. At December 31, 2019 2018, December 31, 2019 2018, 2019, 2018. 2019, 2019 2018,

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, Eq

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests, and Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 3: Properties, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests Our major components of properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests are (in thousands): December 31, 2019 2018 Mining properties, including asset retirement obligations $ 762,355 $ 533,631 Development costs 503,111 444,229 Plants and equipment 1,056,512 988,285 Land 32,909 32,953 Mineral interests 1,018,380 1,269,956 Construction in progress 360,827 365,807 3,734,094 3,634,861 Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,310,396 1,114,857 Net carrying value $ 2,423,698 $ 2,520,004 During 2019, Mineral interests include amounts for value beyond proven and probable reserves ("VBPP") related to mines and exploration or pre-development interests acquired by us which are not December 31, 2019, Properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests includes the portion of interest costs incurred on our debt capitalized as a part of the cost of constructing certain qualifying assets. For the year ended December 31, 2017, no December 31, 2019 2018. 2017 #4 January 2017. Finance and Capital Leases We periodically enter into lease agreements, primarily for equipment at our operating units, which we have determined to be finance leases under accounting guidance that became effective on January 1, 2019, December 31, 2019 2018, Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests Note 6

Note 4 - Environmental and Recl

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Environmental and Reclamation Activities [Text Block]	Note 4: The liabilities accrued for our reclamation and closure costs at December 31, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Operating properties: Greens Creek $ 44,695 $ 41,839 Lucky Friday 10,473 10,698 Casa Berardi 4,510 5,843 San Sebastian 7,399 7,765 Nevada Operations 24,754 23,272 Non-operating properties: Troy mine 6,069 8,971 Johnny M 6,065 5,813 Republic 1,500 1,500 All other sites 2,909 2,688 Total 108,374 108,389 Reclamation and closure costs, current (4,581 ) (3,410 ) Reclamation and closure costs, long-term $ 103,793 $ 104,979 The activity in our accrued reclamation and closure cost liability for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 Balance at January 1, 2017 $ 85,580 Accruals for estimated costs 16 Accretion expense 4,870 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans (578 ) Payment of reclamation obligations (3,843 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 86,045 Accruals for estimated costs 250 Accretion expense 5,309 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans 1,280 Liability addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit 19,571 Payment of reclamation obligations (4,066 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 108,389 Accruals for estimated costs 472 Accretion expense 7,122 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans (4,522 ) Payment of reclamation obligations (3,087 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 108,374 Asset Retirement Obligations Below is a reconciliation as of December 31, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Balance January 1 $ 89,417 $ 63,384 Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans (4,522 ) 1,280 Addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit — 19,571 Accretion expense 7,122 5,295 Payment of reclamation obligations (186 ) (113 ) Balance at December 31 $ 91,831 $ 89,417 In the fourth 2019, In the fourth 2019, In the fourth 2019, In the fourth 2019, The AROs related to the changes described above were discounted using a credit adjusted, risk-free interest rate of between 7.0% and 7.5% and inflation rates ranging from 2% to 4%.

Note 5 - Income Taxes

Note 5 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 5: Major components of our income tax benefit (provision) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Current: Domestic $ (701 ) $ (454 ) $ 22,171 Foreign (7,289 ) (4,382 ) (22,526 ) Total current income tax benefit (provision) (7,990 ) (4,836 ) (355 ) Deferred: Domestic 15,243 7,147 (30,766 ) Foreign 16,848 4,390 10,158 Total deferred income tax benefit (provision) 32,091 11,537 (20,608 ) Total income tax benefit (provision) $ 24,101 $ 6,701 $ (20,963 ) Domestic and foreign components of (loss) income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (49,874 ) $ (44,513 ) $ (7,920 ) Foreign (73,784 ) 11,249 363 Total $ (123,658 ) $ (33,264 ) $ (7,557 ) The annual tax benefit (provision) is different from the amount that would be provided by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to our pretax (loss) income. The reasons for the difference are (in thousands): 2019 2018 2017 Computed “statutory” benefit (provision) $ 25,968 21 % $ 6,986 21 % $ 2,645 35 % Percentage depletion 3,030 2 3,158 10 5,174 68 Change in valuation allowance 686 1 (2,304 ) (7 ) 24,464 324 Federal rate change — — — — (37,546 ) (497 ) State taxes, net of federal taxes 2,648 2 (849 ) (3 ) 1,112 15 Foreign currency remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities (8,629 ) (7 ) 6,747 20 (12,812 ) (169 ) Rate differential on foreign earnings 2,705 2 (3,970 ) (12 ) (1,438 ) (19 ) Compensation (1,056 ) (1 ) (970 ) (3 ) (661 ) (9 ) Foreign withholding taxes — — 278 1 (278 ) (4 ) Expiration of U.S. foreign tax credits — — — — (2,300 ) (30 ) Other (1,251 ) (1 ) (2,375 ) (7 ) 677 9 Total benefit (provision) $ 24,101 19 % $ 6,701 20 % $ (20,963 ) (277 )% At December 31, 2019 2018, December 31, 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Accrued reclamation costs $ 28,306 $ 29,064 Deferred exploration 13,762 16,500 Foreign net operating losses 12,013 13,231 Domestic net operating losses 175,024 152,320 Pension and benefit obligation 13,866 12,345 Foreign exchange loss 21,719 24,849 Foreign tax credit carryforward 4,149 4,149 Miscellaneous 32,926 26,290 Total deferred tax assets 301,765 278,748 Valuation allowance (86,634 ) (94,981 ) Total deferred tax assets 215,131 183,767 Deferred tax liabilities: Miscellaneous (904 ) (5,234 ) Properties, plants and equipment (348,972 ) (350,083 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (349,876 ) (355,317 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (134,745 ) $ (171,550 ) As discussed in Note 15 July 2018. not 2019 2018, 382. not We evaluated the positive and negative evidence available to determine the amount of valuation allowance required on our deferred tax assets. At December 31, 2019 2018, December 2017 ( December 31, 2017 not not December 31, 2019. 2017, not December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, 2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ (94,981 ) $ (78,684 ) $ (99,602 ) Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets acquired with the Klondex acquisition 5,905 (11,470 ) — Increase related to non-utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and non-recognition of deferred tax assets due to uncertainty of recovery 2,442 (5,700 ) (14,964 ) Decrease related to utilization and expiration of deferred tax assets, other — 873 35,882 Balance at end of year $ (86,634 ) $ (94,981 ) $ (78,684 ) As of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2017 2020. 2018 2032 2039. may 382. December 31, 2019, no 382. not We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no 2000, 2013. not We had no December 31, 2019 2018. not not 12 On December 22, 2017, December 31, 2017. December 31, 2017 35% 21% December 31, 2017, 35% 21% not one 2018 not

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility and Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 6: Senior Notes On April 12, 2013, May 1, 2021 144A 1933, 2014, one April 12, 2013, The Senior Notes are recorded net of a 2% initial purchaser discount totaling $10 million at the time of the April 2013 December 31, 2019. May 1 November 1 November 1, 2013. 2019, 2018 2017, 2017 #4 January 2017. 2017 June 2017 not December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019 The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). The Senior Notes and the guarantees are, respectively, Hecla's and the Guarantors' general senior unsecured obligations and are subordinated to all of Hecla's and the Guarantors' existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that secured debt. In addition, the Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all of the liabilities of Hecla's subsidiaries that are not The Senior Notes became redeemable in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time after May 1, 2016, May 1, 2019, Upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of Senior Notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion of such holder's Senior Notes pursuant to a change of control offer (as defined in the Indenture), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of the Senior Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Ressources Québec Notes On March 5, 2018, CAD$40 USD$30.8 2018 May 1, 2021 ( CAD$0.2 May 1 November 1 May 1, 2018. December 2019, CAD$43.8 USD$33.5 2019 2018, 2019 Credit Facility In July 2018, $250 February 7, 2023, not November 1, 2020, November 1, 2020. July 2019, $250 $250 September 30, 2020 two 4.00 third 2019. February 7, 2020, six $250 six not 4.25:1.00 March 31, 2020 June 30, 2020 4.00:1.00 September 30, 2020. December 31, 2019, 6.00:1, 4.25:1 first 2020. The credit facility is collateralized by the assets of or shares of common stock held in our material subsidiaries, including those owning the Casa Berardi mine and our Nevada operations, and by our joint venture interests holding 100% December 31, 2019: Interest rates: Spread over the London Interbank Offer Rate 2.25 - 4.00% Spread over alternative base rate 1.25 - 3.00% Standby fee per annum on undrawn amounts 0.5625 - 1.00% Covenant financial ratios: Senior leverage ratio (debt secured by liens/EBITDA) (1) not more than 2.50:1 Leverage ratio (total debt less unencumbered cash/EBITDA) (2) not more than 6.00:1 Interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest expense) not less than 3.00:1 ( 1 EBITDA is calculated as defined in the credit agreement. ( 2 The leverage ratio will change to not 4.25:1 January 1, 2020 4.00:1 July 1, 2020. We are also able to obtain letters of credit under the facility, and for any such letters we are required to pay a participation fee of between 2.25% and 4.00% of the amount of the letters of credit based on our total leverage ratio, as well as a fronting fee to each issuing bank of 0.20% annually on the average daily dollar amount of any outstanding letters of credit. There were $33.6 million in letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2019. We believe we were in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement, and did not December 31, 2019; $33.6 Finance and Capital Leases We have entered into various lease agreements, primarily for equipment at our operating units, which we have determined to be finance leases under accounting guidance that became effective on January 1, 2019, December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018, 2019, 2018 2017 December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019 At December 31, 2019, Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2020 $ 5,866 2021 4,654 2022 2,307 2023 622 Total 13,449 Less: imputed interest (806 ) Net finance lease obligation $ 12,643 Operating Leases We have entered into various lease agreements, primarily for equipment, buildings and other facilities, and land at our operating units and corporate offices, which we have determined to be operating leases. Some of the operating leases allow for extension of the lease beyond the current term at our option. We have considered the likelihood and estimated duration of the extension options in determining the lease term for measurement of the liability and right-of-use asset. For our operating leases as of December 31, 2019, 6.4%. December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019. 2019, December 31, 2019. December 31, 2019 At December 31, 2019, Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2020 $ 5,861 2021 3,907 2022 2,874 2023 2,536 2024 716 More than 5 years 2,918 Total 18,812 Effect of discounting (2,414 ) Operating lease liability $ 16,398

Note 7 - Commitments, Contingen

Note 7 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7: General We follow GAAP guidance in determining our accruals and disclosures with respect to loss contingencies, and evaluate such accruals and contingencies for each reporting period. Accordingly, estimated losses from loss contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability could be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. If a loss contingency is not Lucky Friday Water Permit Matters In December 2013, 308 no. 3 December 2015. may Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, McKinley County and San Mateo Creek Basin, New Mexico In May 2011, may August 2012, not December 2014 three 1 no 2 3 October 2019, 30 fourth 2014, October 2019 2020. $5.9 The Johnny M Mine is in an area known as the San Mateo Creek Basin (“SMCB”), which is an approximately 321 not not may $5.9 In July 2018, may Carpenter Snow Creek and Barker-Hughesville Sites in Montana In July 2010, 1980s 6 1988. In June 2011, may may In February 2017, April 2017. June December 1983, In August 2018, may not Claim for Indemnification Against CoCa Mines, Inc. In 1991, 2014 2019, 1989 may 2016, may October 30, 2019, Litigation Related to Klondex Acquisition Following the announcement of our proposed acquisition of Klondex, Klondex and members of the Klondex board of directors were named as defendants in several putative stockholder class actions brought by purported stockholders of Klondex challenging the proposed merger. The lawsuits were all filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. On December 18, 2018, three No. 3:18 00284 June 15, 2018). The plaintiffs generally claim that Klondex issued a proxy statement that included misstatements or omissions, in violation of sections 14 20 1934, Although it is not On September 11, 2018, not July 2018 On May 24, 2019, one March 19, 2018 May 8, 2019, 10 20 1934 10b 5 second June 19, 2019, Related to the above described class action lawsuits, Hecla has been named as a nominal defendant in a shareholder derivative lawsuit which names as defendants members of Hecla’s board of directors and certain officers. The case was filed on July 12, 2019 10 14 1934 10b 5 Debt As discussed in Note 6 April 12, 2013, 2014, one 2014. May 1 November 1 November 1, 2013. Other Commitments Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019 December 31, 2019 Note 6 December 31, 2019, Other Contingencies We also have certain other contingencies resulting from litigation, claims, EPA investigations, and other commitments and are subject to a variety of environmental and safety laws and regulations incident to the ordinary course of business. We currently have no may may no not

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 8: Pensions and Other Post-retirement Plans We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the two December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 144,638 $ 147,023 Service cost 4,401 5,009 Interest cost 6,482 5,508 Amendments — Change due to mortality change (2,130 ) 2,713 Change due to discount rate change 25,806 (13,716 ) Actuarial loss (395 ) 3,487 Benefits paid (5,893 ) (5,386 ) Benefit obligation at end of year 172,909 144,638 Change in fair value of plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 96,329 99,922 Actual (loss) return on plan assets 21,536 (8,772 ) Employer contributions 4,095 10,565 Benefits paid (5,893 ) (5,386 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 116,067 96,329 Underfunded status at end of year $ (56,842 ) $ (48,309 ) The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Current liabilities: Accrued benefit liability $ (622 ) $ (597 ) Non- current pension liability: Accrued benefit liability (56,219 ) (47,711 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss 49,525 46,248 Net amount recognized $ (7,316 ) $ (2,060 ) The benefit obligation and prepaid benefit costs were calculated by applying the following weighted average assumptions: Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Discount rate: net periodic pension cost 4.59 % 3.83 % Discount rate: projected benefit obligation 3.32 % 4.59 % Expected rate of return on plan assets 6.37 % 6.62 % Rate of compensation increase: net periodic pension cost 2.00 % 2.00 % Rate of compensation increase: projected benefit obligation 2.00 % 2.00 % The above assumptions were calculated based on information as of December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018, 6.45%. Net periodic pension cost for the plans consisted of the following in 2019, 2018, 2017 Pension Benefits 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 4,401 $ 5,009 $ 4,786 Interest cost 6,482 5,508 5,356 Expected return on plan assets (5,982 ) (6,536 ) (5,849 ) Amortization of prior service benefit 61 61 (337 ) Amortization of net gain from earlier periods 4,389 3,726 4,132 Net periodic pension cost $ 9,351 $ 7,768 $ 8,088 For 2019 2018, 2017, The allocations of investments at December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018, Hecla Lucky Friday 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cash 6 % 1 % 6 % 1 % Large cap U.S. equities 14 % 15 % 14 % 15 % Small cap U.S. equities 7 % 6 % 7 % 6 % Non-U.S. equities 22 % 23 % 22 % 23 % Fixed income 19 % 24 % 19 % 24 % Real estate 14 % 15 % 15 % 17 % Absolute return hedge funds 5 % 6 % 5 % 6 % Company stock 13 % 10 % 12 % 8 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % "Company stock" asset category in the table above includes our common stock in the amounts of $14.7 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018. Each plan's statement of investment policy delineates the responsibilities of the board, the retirement/pension committee, the investment manager(s), and investment adviser/consultant, and provides guidelines on investment management. Investment objectives are established for each of the asset categories included in the pension plans with comparisons of performance against appropriate benchmarks. Each plan's policy calls for investments to be supervised by qualified investment managers. The investment managers are monitored on an ongoing basis by our outside consultant, with formal reporting to us and the consultant performed each quarter. The policy sets forth the following allocation of assets: Target Maximum Large cap U.S. equities 17 % 20 % Small cap U.S. equities 8 % 10 % Non-U.S. equities 25 % 30 % Fixed income 23 % 28 % Real estate 15 % 18 % Absolute return 5 % 7 % Company stock/Real return 7 % 13 % Each plan's statement of investment policy and objectives aspires to achieve the assumed long term rate of return on plan assets established by the plan’s actuary plus one Accounting guidance has established a hierarchy of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The three Level 1: Level 2: Level 3: The fair values by asset category in each plan, along with their hierarchy levels, are as follows as of December 31, 2019 Hecla Lucky Friday Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Investments measured at fair value Interest-bearing cash $ 5,709 $ — $ — $ 5,709 $ 1,441 $ — $ — $ 1,441 Common stock 11,835 — — 11,835 2,827 — — 2,827 Mutual funds 46,317 — — 46,317 10,999 — — 10,999 Total investments in the fair value hierarchy 63,861 — — 63,861 15,267 — — 15,267 Investments measured at net asset value Real estate funds 12,659 3,445 Hedge funds 4,336 1,161 Common collective funds 12,255 3,083 Total investments measured at net asset value 29,250 7,689 Total fair value $ 63,861 $ — $ — $ 93,111 $ 15,267 $ — $ — $ 22,956 The fair values by asset category in each plan, along with their hierarchy levels, were as follows as of December 31, 2018 Hecla Lucky Friday Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Investments measured at fair value Interest-bearing cash $ 389 $ — $ — $ 389 $ 111 $ — $ — $ 111 Common stock 7,874 — — 7,874 1,428 — — 1,428 Mutual funds 43,960 — — 43,960 10,431 — — 10,431 Total investments in the fair value hierarchy 52,223 — — 52,223 11,970 — — 11,970 Investments measured at net asset value Real estate funds 11,926 3,231 Hedge funds 4,283 1,149 Common collective funds 9,221 2,326 Total investments measured at net asset value — — — 25,430 — — — 6,706 Total fair value $ 52,223 $ — $ — $ 77,653 $ 11,970 $ — $ — $ 18,676 Generally, investments are valued based on information provided by fund managers to each plan's trustee as reviewed by management and its investment advisers. Mutual funds and equities are valued based on available exchange data. Commingled equity funds consist of publicly-traded investments. Fair value for real estate funds, hedge funds and common collective equity funds is measured using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient ("NAV"), and has not no no December 31, 2019, Investment strategy Redemption terms Real estate funds Invest in real estate properties among the four Allowed quarterly with notice of between 45 60 Hedge funds Invest in a variety of asset classes which aim to diversify sources of returns Allowed quarterly with notice of 90 Common collective funds Invest in U.S. large cap or small/medium cap public equities in actively traded managed equity portfolios Allowed daily or with notice of 30 The following are estimates of future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, related to our pension plans (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, Pension Plans 2020 $ 7,383 2021 7,620 2022 8,126 2023 8,385 2024 8,624 Years 2025-2029 46,076 In May 2019, 2020. 2020. The following table indicates whether our pension plans had accumulated benefit obligations ("ABO") in excess of plan assets, or plan assets exceeded ABO (amounts are in thousands). December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ABO Exceeds Plan Assets Plan Assets Exceed ABO ABO Exceeds Plan Assets Plan Assets Exceed ABO Projected benefit obligation $ 172,908 $ — $ 144,637 $ — Accumulated benefit obligation 168,239 — 140,350 — Fair value of plan assets 116,067 — 96,329 — For the pension plans, the following amounts are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net" on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, not Pension Benefits Unamortized net (gain)/loss $ 47,983 Unamortized prior service cost 1,542 The amounts in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net" expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2020 Pension Benefits Amortization of net loss $ 4,652 Amortization of prior service benefit 117 We do not 2020. Non-U.S. employees are not Capital Accumulation Plans Our Capital Accumulation Plan ("Hecla 401 may 2019, 2018, 2017. 401 2019. We also maintain a 401 six may not 2019, 2018, 2017, 2018 2019 January 2020 ( Note 11

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9: Common Stock We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.25 par value per share, of which 529,182,994 shares of common stock were issued and 6,287,271 shares issued and held in treasury, for a net of 522,895,723 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, each share of common stock is entitled to: (i) one no may Dividends In September 2011 February 2012, two 1 2 first Quarterly average realized silver price per ounce Quarterly dividend per share Annual dividend per share $30 $0.01 $0.04 $35 $0.02 $0.08 $40 $0.03 $0.12 $45 $0.04 $0.16 $50 $0.05 $0.20 $55 $0.06 $0.24 $60 $0.07 $0.28 The following table summarizes the quarterly common stock dividends declared by our board of directors for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 2019: (A) (B) (A+B) Declaration date Silver-price- linked component per share Minimum annual component per share Total dividend per share Total dividend amount (in millions) Month of payment February 21, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 March 2017 May 4, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 June 2017 August 3, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 September 2017 November 7, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 December 2017 February 14, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 March 2018 May 9, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 June 2018 August 8, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 September 2018 November 6, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 December 2018 February 20, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 March 2019 May 7, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 June 2019 August 5, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 September 2019 November 6, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.3 December 2019 Because the average realized silver prices for all periods in 2017, 2018 2019 no 2011, no 1990. At-The-Market Equity Distribution Agreement Pursuant to an equity distribution agreement dated February 23, 2016, 1933, 3. fourth 2019, 2019 Common Stock Repurchase Program On May 8, 2012, may December 31, 2019, may February 6, 2020, 2019. Preferred Stock Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.25 per share. The preferred stock is issuable in series with such voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and other rights and such qualifications, limitations and restrictions as may may December 31, 2019, Ranking The Series B preferred stock ranks senior to our common stock and any shares of Series A junior participating preferred stock ( none While any shares of Series B preferred stock are outstanding, we may not 2/3% Dividends Series B preferred stockholders are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of our assets legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of $3.50 per share of Series B preferred stock. Dividends on the Series B preferred stock are payable quarterly in arrears on October 1, January 1, April 1 July 1 not not All quarterly dividends on our Series B preferred stock for 2017, 2018 2019 Redemption The Series B preferred stock is redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at $50 per share, plus all dividends undeclared and unpaid on the Series B preferred stock up to the date fixed for redemption. Liquidation Preference The Series B preferred stockholders are entitled to receive, in the event that we are liquidated, dissolved or wound up, whether voluntary or involuntary, $50 per share of Series B preferred stock plus an amount per share equal to all dividends undeclared and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution to such holders (the “Liquidation Preference”), and no no December 31, 2019 2018, Voting Rights Except in certain circumstances and as otherwise from time to time required by applicable law, the Series B preferred stockholders have no not Conversion Each share of Series B preferred stock is convertible, in whole or in part at the option of the holders thereof, into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $15.55 per share of common stock (equivalent to a conversion rate of 3.2154 shares of common stock for each share of Series B preferred stock). The right to convert shares of Series B preferred stock called for redemption will terminate at the close of business on the day preceding a redemption date (unless we default in payment of the redemption price). Stock Award Plans We use stock-based compensation plans to aid us in attracting, retaining and motivating our employees, as well as to provide incentives more directly linked to increases in stockholder value. These plans provide for the grant of options to purchase shares of our common stock, the issuance of restricted stock units, performance-based shares and other equity-based awards. Stock-based compensation expense amounts recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 twelve Stock Incentive Plan During the second 2010, 2010 20,000,000 second 2019, 2010 2010 December 31, 2019, 2010 Directors’ Stock Plan In 2017, may 25% may first 1 2 3 4 5 two 2019, 2018, 2017, 2019, 2018 2017, December 31, 2019, Restricted Stock Units Unvested restricted stock units granted by the board of directors to employees are summarized as follows: Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Unvested, January 1, 2019 2,689,468 $ 4.14 Granted (unvested) 3,312,481 $ 1.85 Canceled (803,683 ) $ 2.62 Distributed (vested) (1,201,098 ) $ 4.00 Unvested, December 31, 2019 3,997,168 $ 2.46 The 3,997,168 unvested units at December 31, 2019 1,703,869 in June 2020 1,404,693 in June 2021 888,606 in June 2022 Unvested units will be forfeited by participants upon termination of employment in advance of vesting, with the exception of termination due to retirement if certain criteria are met. Since the earliest grant date of unvested units (which was 2017 2019, December 31, 2019 June 2022. Performance-Based Shares We periodically grant performance-based share awards to certain executive employees. The value of the awards is based on the ranking of the market performance of our common stock relative to the performance of the common stock of a group of peer companies over a three 2018 2019, December 31, 2019 December 31, 2021. In connection with the vesting of restricted stock units, performance-based shares and other stock grants, employees have in the past, at their election and when permitted by us, chosen to satisfy their tax withholding obligations through net share settlement, pursuant to which we withhold the number of shares necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations and pay the obligations in cash. Pursuant to such net settlements, in 2019 2018, Warrants As discussed in Note 15 December 31, 2019. April 2032. February 2029.

Note 10 - Derivative Instrument

Note 10 - Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10: Foreign Currency Our wholly-owned subsidiaries owning the Casa Berardi and San Sebastian mines are USD-functional entities which routinely incur expenses denominated in CAD and MXN, respectively, and such expenses expose us to exchange rate fluctuations between the USD and CAD and MXN. In April 2016, October 2016, December 31, 2019, CAD$279.0 US$214.7 MXN$7.1 USD$0.3 2020 2023 2020 five As of December 31, 2019, • a current asset of $0.6 million, which is included in other current assets; • a non-current asset of $0.6 million, which is included in other non-current assets; • a current liability of $0.4 million, which is included in other current liabilities; and • a non-current liability of $1.0 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities. Net unrealized losses of approximately $0.3 million related to the effective portion of the hedges were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2019. December 31, 2019 twelve December 31, 2019. December 31, 2019. Metals Prices We may five We are currently using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our Greens Creek concentrate shipments between the time of shipment and final settlement. In addition, we are using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead (but not December 31, 2019 2018: December 31, 2019 Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce/pound Silver Gold Zinc Lead Silver Gold Zinc Lead (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) Contracts on provisional sales 2020 settlements 2,556 10 21,550 5,159 $ 17.20 $ 1,481 $ 1.04 $ 0.88 Contracts on forecasted sales 2020 settlements — — 441 11,740 N/A N/A $ 1.13 $ 0.98 December 31, 2018 Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce/pound Silver Gold Zinc Lead Silver Gold Zinc Lead (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) Contracts on provisional sales 2019 settlements 842 4 18,450 2,700 $ 14.69 $ 1,260 $ 1.15 $ 0.89 In June 2019, not December 31, 2019: December 31, 2019 Ounces under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce Silver Gold Silver Gold (ounces) (ounces) (ounces) (ounces) Contracts on forecasted sales 2020 settlements 5,700 130 $ 15.73 $ 1,435 These forward and put option contracts are not As of December 31, 2019, We recognized a $1.3 million net loss during 2019 We recognized a $4.0 million net loss during 2019 2019 third 2019 2018, not Credit-risk-related Contingent Features Certain of our derivative contracts contain cross default provisions which provide that a default under our revolving credit agreement would cause a default under the derivative contract. As of December 31, 2019, not December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019,

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sa

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 11: We discover, acquire and develop mines and other mineral interests and produce and market concentrates, carbon material and doré containing silver, gold, lead and zinc. We are currently organized and managed in five segments, which represent our operating units: the Greens Creek unit, the Lucky Friday unit, the Casa Berardi unit, the San Sebastian unit, and the Nevada Operations unit. The Nevada Operations unit was added as a result of our acquisition of Klondex in July 2018 ( Note 15 General corporate activities not not The tables below present information about our reportable segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Net sales to unaffiliated customers: Greens Creek $ 299,722 $ 265,650 $ 278,297 Lucky Friday 16,621 9,750 21,555 Casa Berardi 192,944 210,339 192,165 San Sebastian 56,210 50,224 85,758 Nevada Operations 107,769 31,174 — Total sales to unaffiliated customers $ 673,266 $ 567,137 $ 577,775 Income (loss) from operations: Greens Creek $ 84,868 $ 70,293 $ 70,132 Lucky Friday (12,520 ) (20,199 ) (16,037 ) Casa Berardi (33,499 ) 881 (534 ) San Sebastian 569 (14 ) 53,591 Nevada Operations (49,224 ) (26,715 ) — Other (47,303 ) (63,372 ) (47,046 ) Total (loss) income from operations $ (57,109 ) $ (39,126 ) $ 60,106 Capital additions (including non-cash additions): Greens Creek $ 35,829 $ 43,631 $ 35,255 Lucky Friday 7,861 14,236 6,268 Casa Berardi 33,906 39,816 51,327 San Sebastian 3,906 8,492 9,994 Nevada Operations 42,154 35,721 — Other 73 4,555 2,908 Total capital additions $ 123,729 $ 146,451 $ 105,752 Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Greens Creek $ 47,587 $ 46,511 $ 56,328 Lucky Friday 1,175 1,012 2,447 Casa Berardi 73,960 71,302 59,131 San Sebastian 9,772 4,602 2,693 Nevada Operations 67,024 10,617 — Total depreciation, depletion and amortization $ 199,518 $ 134,044 $ 120,599 Other significant non-cash items: Greens Creek $ 2,868 $ 3,325 $ 2,685 Lucky Friday 996 618 2,011 Casa Berardi 5,203 696 33 San Sebastian 492 419 468 Nevada Operations 2,911 8,758 — Other (6,595 ) (23,358 ) 52,266 Total other significant non-cash items $ 5,875 $ (9,542 ) $ 57,463 Identifiable assets: Greens Creek $ 639,047 $ 637,386 $ 671,960 Lucky Friday 440,615 437,499 432,400 Casa Berardi 703,511 754,248 784,706 San Sebastian 48,294 44,152 62,198 Nevada Operations 528,466 581,194 — Other 277,375 249,465 393,894 Total identifiable assets $ 2,637,308 $ 2,703,944 $ 2,345,158 The following are our long-lived assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2019 2018 2019 2018 United States $ 1,748,406 $ 1,797,441 Canada 660,859 707,473 Mexico 14,433 15,090 Total long-lived assets $ 2,423,698 $ 2,520,004 Our products consist of metal concentrates and carbon material, which we sell to custom smelters, metal traders and third may For sales of metals from refined doré, which we currently have at our Casa Berardi, San Sebastian and Nevada Operations units, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price is known, and revenue is recognized at the time of transfer of control of the agreed-upon metal quantities to the customer by the refiner. For sales of unrefined doré, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price is known, and revenue is recognized at the time of transfer of title and control of the doré containing the agreed-upon metal quantities to the customer. Refining, selling and shipping costs related to sales of doré and metals from doré are recorded to cost of sales as incurred. For carbon sales, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price is known, and revenue is recognized generally at the time of transfer of title and control of the carbon containing the agreed-upon metal quantities to the customer. For concentrate sales, which we currently have at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, the performance obligation is met, the transaction price can be reasonably estimated, and revenue is recognized generally at the time of shipment. Concentrates sold at our Lucky Friday unit typically leave the mine and are received by the customer within the same day. However, there is a period of time between shipment of concentrates from our Greens Creek unit and their physical receipt by the customer, and judgment is required in determining when control has been transferred to the customer for those shipments. We have determined the performance obligation is met and title is transferred to the customer upon shipment of concentrate parcels from Greens Creek because, at that time, 1 2 3 4 5 Judgment is also required in identifying the performance obligations for our concentrate sales. Most of our concentrate sales involve “frame contracts” with smelters that can cover multiple years and specify certain terms under which individual parcels of concentrates are sold. However, some terms are not The consideration we receive for our concentrate sales fluctuates due to changes in metals prices between the time of shipment and final settlement with the customer. However, we are able to reasonably estimate the transaction price for the concentrate sales at the time of shipment using forward prices for the month of settlement, and previously recorded sales and accounts receivable are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement with the customer. Also, it is unlikely a significant reversal of revenue for any one December 31, 2019, Note 10 Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges for treatment, refining, smelting losses, and other charges negotiated by us with the customers, which represent components of the transaction price. Charges are estimated by us upon shipment of concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not may Sales of metal concentrates and metal products are made principally to custom smelters, third Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Greens Creek 44.5 % 46.7 % 48.1 % Lucky Friday 2.5 % 1.8 % 3.8 % Casa Berardi 28.7 % 37.1 % 33.3 % San Sebastian 8.3 % 8.9 % 14.8 % Nevada Operations 16.0 % 5.5 % — % 100 % 100 % 100 % Sales of products by metal for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Silver $ 192,235 $ 144,609 $ 194,813 Gold 388,602 313,076 277,421 Lead 35,777 33,829 37,995 Zinc 89,656 99,800 104,023 Less: Smelter and refining charges (33,004 ) (24,177 ) (36,477 ) Sales of products $ 673,266 $ 567,137 $ 577,775 The following is sales information by geographic area based on the location of smelters and metal traders (for concentrate shipments) and the location of parent companies (for doré sales to metal traders) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 United States $ 53,612 $ 48,437 $ 16,806 Canada 379,095 322,402 358,663 Japan 48,841 42,885 58,475 Netherlands 38,420 — — Korea 154,581 145,263 80,183 China — 66 69,631 Total, excluding gains/losses on forward contracts $ 674,549 $ 559,053 $ 583,758 Sales by significant product type for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Doré and metals from doré $ 340,912 $ 306,328 $ 292,930 Carbon 37,645 5,239 2,246 Lead concentrate 200,456 148,880 179,143 Zinc concentrate 74,160 80,938 88,688 Bulk concentrate 21,376 17,668 20,751 Total, excluding gains/losses on forward contracts $ 674,549 $ 559,053 $ 583,758 Sales of products for 2019, 2018 2017, Note 10 Sales from continuing operations to significant metals customers as a percentage of total sales were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017: Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Teck Metals Ltd. 8.2 % 8.4 % 11.3 % Korea Zinc 17.4 % 17.8 % 16.4 % Scotia 24.0 % 15.3 % 24.9 % CIBC 23.1 % 29.7 % 22.8 % Our trade accounts receivable balance related to contracts with customers was $12.0 million at December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018, no We have determined our contracts do not We do not not not December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018. The sales and income (loss) from operations amounts reported above include results from our Lucky Friday segment. The Lucky Friday mine is our only operation where some of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and the previous agreement expired on April 30, 2016. March 13, 2017. January 7, 2020, July 2017, 2019, 2018 2017, not 2020.

Note 12 - Fair Value Measuremen

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 12: Accounting guidance has established a hierarchy for inputs used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. The three Level 1: Level 2: Level 3: The table below sets forth our assets and liabilities (in thousands) that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that we have determined applies to each asset and liability category. See Note 8 Balance at December 31, 2019 Balance at December 31, 2018 Input Hierarchy Level Assets: Cash and cash equivalents: Money market funds and other bank deposits $ 62,452 $ 27,389 Level 1 Available for sale securities: Equity securities – mining industry 6,207 6,583 Level 1 Trade accounts receivable: Receivables from provisional concentrate sales 11,952 4,184 Level 2 Derivative contracts: Metal forward and put option contracts — 209 Level 2 Foreign exchange contracts 1,184 23 Level 2 Restricted cash balances: Certificates of deposit and other deposits 1,025 1,025 Level 1 Total assets $ 82,820 $ 39,413 Liabilities Derivative contracts: Metal forward and put option contracts $ 5,777 $ 373 Level 2 Foreign exchange contracts 1,437 8,595 Level 2 Total liabilities $ 7,214 $ 8,968 Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value, and a small portion consists of municipal bonds having maturities of less than 90 Current and non-current restricted cash balances consist primarily of certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, and other deposits and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Our non-current available for sale securities consist of marketable equity securities of companies in the mining industry which are valued using quoted market prices for each security. Trade accounts receivable include amounts due to us for shipments of concentrates, doré, metals sold from doré, and carbon material sold to customers. Revenues and the corresponding accounts receivable for sales of metals products are recorded when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer (generally at the time of ship loading, or at the time of customer arrival for trucked products). Sales of concentrates are recorded using estimated forward prices for the anticipated month of settlement applied to our estimate of payable metal quantities contained in each shipment. Sales are recorded net of estimated treatment and refining charges, which are also impacted by changes in metals prices and quantities of contained metals. We estimate the prices at which sales of our concentrates will be settled due to the time elapsed between shipment and final settlement with the customer. Receivables for previously recorded concentrate sales are adjusted to reflect estimated forward metals prices at the end of each period until final settlement by the customer. We obtain the forward metals prices used each period from a pricing service. Changes in metals prices between shipment and final settlement result in changes to revenues previously recorded upon shipment. The embedded derivative contained in our concentrate sales is adjusted to fair market value through earnings each period prior to final settlement. We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage exposure to changes in the exchange rate between the USD and CAD and MXN, and the impact on CAD- and MXN-denominated operating costs incurred at our Casa Berardi and San Sebastian units (see Note 10 We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments that have not Note 10 not Our Senior Notes, which were recorded at their carrying value of $504.7 million, net of unamortized initial purchaser discount at December 31, 2019, December 31, 2019. 1 Note 6

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Share

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Note 13: We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.25 par value per share. At December 31, 2019, We calculate basic loss per share using, as the denominator, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share uses, as its denominator, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the effect of potential dilutive common shares during the period using the treasury stock method for options, warrants, and restricted stock units, and if-converted method for convertible preferred shares. Potential dilutive common shares include outstanding restricted stock unit awards, stock units, warrants and convertible preferred stock for periods in which we have reported net income. For periods in which we reported net losses, potential dilutive common shares are excluded, as their conversion and exercise would not not A total of 157,816 shares of preferred stock were outstanding at December 31, 2019, 2018 2017. The following table represents net loss per common share – basic and diluted (in thousands, except loss per share): Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator Net income (loss) $ (99,557 ) $ (26,563 ) $ (28,520 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) (552 ) (552 ) Net income (loss) applicable to common shares $ (100,109 ) $ (27,115 ) $ (29,072 ) Denominator Basic weighted average common shares 490,449 433,419 397,394 Dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants — — — Diluted weighted average common shares 490,449 433,419 397,394 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.07 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.07 ) There were no December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, December 31, 2017. December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, no

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Com

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	Note 14: The following table lists the beginning balance, yearly activity and ending balance of each component of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net" (in thousands): Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Securities Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions Adjustments For Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net Balance January 1, 2017 $ 1,454 $ (5,260 ) $ (30,796 ) $ (34,602 ) 2017 change 2,265 10,290 (1,326 ) 11,229 Balance December 31, 2017 3,719 5,030 (32,122 ) (23,373 ) Change in accounting (1,289 ) — — (1,289 ) 2018 change (2,443 ) (13,814 ) (1,550 ) (17,807 ) Balance December 31, 2018 (13 ) (8,784 ) (33,672 ) (42,469 ) 2019 change — 8,436 (3,277 ) 5,159 Balance December 31, 2019 $ (13 ) $ (348 ) $ (36,949 ) $ (37,310 ) The $1.3 million change in accounting in unrealized gains (losses) on securities for 2018 January 1, 2018 No. 2016 01. 2017 Income Tax Effect of: Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Securities Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions Adjustments For Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net Balance January 1, 2017 $ 627 $ — $ 10,120 $ 10,747 2017 change 1,164 — — 1,164 Balance December 31, 2017 1,791 — 10,120 11,911 2018 change (1,791 ) — 2,455 664 Balance December 31, 2018 — — 12,575 12,575 2019 change — — — — Balance December 31, 2019 $ — $ — $ 12,575 $ 12,575 See Note 2 Note 8 Note 10

Note 15 - Acquisitions

Note 15 - Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 15: Acquisition of Klondex On July 20, 2018, three 110 two US$0.8411 April 2032, February 2029. The following summarizes the allocation of purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition (in thousands): Consideration: Cash payments $ 161,704 Hecla stock issued (75,276,176 shares at $3.22 per share) 242,389 Hecla warrants issued 9,830 Total consideration $ 413,923 Fair value of net assets acquired: Assets: Cash $ 12,874 Accounts receivable 3,453 Inventory - supplies 6,565 Inventory - finished goods, in-process material and stockpiled ore 10,075 Other current assets 2,583 Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests 510,015 Non-current investments 1,596 Non-current restricted cash and investments 9,504 Total assets 556,665 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,799 Accrued payroll and related benefits 8,245 Accrued taxes 421 Lease liability 2,080 Debt 35,086 Asset retirement obligation 19,571 Deferred tax liability 59,540 Total liabilities 142,742 Net assets $ 413,923 The allocation of purchase price above was finalized in the second 2019, 2019 The unaudited pro forma financial information below represents the combined results of our operations as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not (unaudited) Year Ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Sales $ 680,261 $ 785,859 Net (loss) income (19,574 ) (35,203 ) (Loss) income applicable to common shareholders (20,126 ) (35,755 ) Basic and diluted (loss) income per common share (0.04 ) (0.08 ) The pro forma financial information includes adjustments to eliminate amounts related to the Canadian assets previously owned by Klondex, which were transferred to Havilah and not In the second 2019, not June 30, 2019. 2019, third no 2019 not not third 2020. Our estimates of undiscounted future cash flows for our Nevada assets are most sensitive to (i) changes in metal prices and (ii) estimates of metals to be extracted and recovered. If events or changes occur that adversely affect our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows from our Nevada assets, including (i) an increase in expected costs, (ii) a sustained decline in gold prices, or (iii) suspension of production and placement of our Nevada operations on care-and-maintenance due to the inability to resolve the operational issues identified in the preceding paragraph in a timely manner, or other factors, we may no December 31, 2019 Value beyond proven and probable reserves $ 382.2 Mills and tailings facilities 43.8 Development 32.1 Buildings and equipment 28.5 Mineral properties 18.8 Asset retirement obligation asset 3.1 Land 2.9 Total $ 511.4

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiarie

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Text Block]	Note 16: Presented below are Hecla’s condensed consolidating financial statements as required by Rule 3 10 X 1934, Note 6 April 12, 2013, January 3, 2014. The condensed consolidating financial statements below have been prepared from our financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements set forth elsewhere in this report. Investments in the subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Accordingly, the entries necessary to consolidate Hecla, the Guarantors, and our non-guarantor subsidiaries are reflected in the intercompany eliminations column. In the course of preparing consolidated financial statements, we eliminate the effects of various transactions conducted between Hecla and its subsidiaries and among the subsidiaries. While valid at an individual subsidiary level, such activities are eliminated in consolidation because, when taken as a whole, they do not third • Investments in subsidiaries • Capital contributions not not • Debt. • Dividends. • Deferred taxes two may not Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not 1 2 3 4 5 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets As of December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,750 $ 15,357 $ 13,345 $ — $ 62,452 Other current assets 9,725 89,722 17,299 (74 ) 116,672 Properties, plants, and equipment - net 1,913 2,410,458 11,327 — 2,423,698 Intercompany receivable (payable) (28,381 ) (579,830 ) 216,632 391,579 — Investments in subsidiaries 1,636,802 — — (1,636,802 ) — Other non-current assets 289,422 24,325 (121,981 ) (157,280 ) 34,486 Total assets $ 1,943,231 $ 1,960,032 $ 136,622 $ (1,402,577 ) $ 2,637,308 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities $ (309,293 ) $ 155,441 $ 8,334 $ 262,492 $ 116,974 Long-term debt 504,729 17,271 761 — 522,761 Non-current portion of accrued reclamation — 96,389 7,404 — 103,793 Non-current deferred tax liability — 166,549 — (28,267 ) 138,282 Other non-current liabilities 55,372 6,577 1,126 — 63,075 Stockholders' equity 1,692,423 1,517,805 118,997 (1,636,802 ) 1,692,423 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,943,231 $ 1,960,032 $ 136,622 $ (1,402,577 ) $ 2,637,308 As of December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,266 $ 17,233 $ 3,890 $ — $ 27,389 Other current assets 6,388 105,900 24,542 (69 ) 136,761 Properties, plants, and equipment - net 1,913 2,503,467 14,624 — 2,520,004 Intercompany receivable (payable) 171,908 (546,374 ) 152,031 222,435 — Investments in subsidiaries 1,577,869 — — (1,577,869 ) — Other non-current assets 276,641 10,906 (124,845 ) (142,912 ) 19,790 Total assets $ 2,040,985 $ 2,091,132 $ 70,242 $ (1,498,415 ) $ 2,703,944 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities $ (233,824 ) $ 157,640 $ 7,145 $ 205,233 $ 136,194 Long-term debt 532,799 143,858 1 (135,988 ) 540,670 Non-current portion of accrued reclamation — 100,445 4,534 — 104,979 Non-current deferred tax liability — 163,328 — 10,209 173,537 Other non-current liabilities 51,047 5,641 913 — 57,601 Stockholders' equity 1,690,963 1,520,220 57,649 (1,577,869 ) 1,690,963 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,040,985 $ 2,091,132 $ 70,242 $ (1,498,415 ) $ 2,703,944 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Revenues $ (1,282 ) $ 618,241 $ 56,307 $ — $ 673,266 Cost of sales (1,948 ) (407,353 ) (41,048 ) — (450,349 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (189,746 ) (9,772 ) — (199,518 ) General and administrative (16,830 ) (17,350 ) (1,652 ) — (35,832 ) Exploration and pre-development (22 ) (13,191 ) (5,856 ) — (19,069 ) Research and development — (533 ) (2 ) — (535 ) Loss on derivative contracts (3,971 ) — — — (3,971 ) Acquisition costs (271 ) (221 ) (153 ) — (645 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (76,385 ) — — 76,385 — Other (expense) income 1,186 (73,750 ) 2,161 (16,602 ) (87,005 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (99,523 ) (83,903 ) (15 ) 59,783 (123,658 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes (34 ) 7,941 (408 ) 16,602 24,101 Net (loss) income (99,557 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (99,557 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (100,109 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (100,109 ) Net (loss) income (99,557 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (99,557 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income 5,159 — — — 5,159 Comprehensive (loss) income $ (94,398 ) $ (75,962 ) $ (423 ) $ 76,385 $ (94,398 ) F- 49 Table of Contents Year Ended December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Revenues $ 8,084 $ 508,830 $ 50,223 $ — $ 567,137 Cost of sales (446 ) (316,132 ) (37,416 ) — (353,994 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (129,442 ) (4,602 ) — (134,044 ) General and administrative (18,760 ) (15,963 ) (1,819 ) — (36,542 ) Exploration and pre-development (130 ) (30,332 ) (10,120 ) — (40,582 ) Research and development — (4,094 ) (1,347 ) — (5,441 ) Gain on derivative contracts 40,253 — — — 40,253 Acquisition costs (9,445 ) (344 ) (256 ) — (10,045 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (47,226 ) — — 47,226 — Other (expense) income 513 (16,347 ) 3,258 (47,430 ) (60,006 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (27,157 ) (3,824 ) (2,079 ) (204 ) (33,264 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes 595 (37,999 ) (3,325 ) 47,430 6,701 Net (loss) income (26,562 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (26,563 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (27,114 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (27,115 ) Net (loss) income (26,562 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (26,563 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income (17,807 ) 38 — (38 ) (17,807 ) Comprehensive (loss) income $ (44,369 ) $ (41,785 ) $ (5,404 ) $ 47,188 $ (44,370 ) Year Ended December 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Revenues $ (5,983 ) $ 498,000 $ 85,758 $ — $ 577,775 Cost of sales 1,098 (284,344 ) (21,481 ) — (304,727 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (117,906 ) (2,693 ) — (120,599 ) General and administrative (17,693 ) (15,889 ) (2,029 ) — (35,611 ) Exploration and pre-development (459 ) (19,892 ) (8,607 ) — (28,958 ) Research and development — (3,276 ) — — (3,276 ) Loss on derivative contracts (21,250 ) — — — (21,250 ) Acquisition costs (24 ) — (1 ) — (25 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (187,574 ) — — 187,574 — Other (expense) income 203,365 (80,035 ) 8,298 (202,514 ) (70,886 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (28,520 ) (23,342 ) 59,245 (14,940 ) (7,557 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes — (205,569 ) (17,908 ) 202,514 (20,963 ) Net (loss) income (28,520 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (28,520 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (29,072 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (29,072 ) Net (loss) income (28,520 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (28,520 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income 11,229 252 1,303 (1,555 ) 11,229 Comprehensive (loss) income $ (17,291 ) $ (228,659 ) $ 42,640 $ 186,019 $ (17,291 ) Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (162,380 ) $ 158,854 $ 17,183 $ 107,209 $ 120,866 Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (116,386 ) (5,035 ) — (121,421 ) Other investing activities, net (58,933 ) 139 1,415 58,933 1,554 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid to stockholders (5,466 ) — — — (5,466 ) Borrowings under debt arrangements 279,500 — — — 279,500 Repayments of debt (279,500 ) (7,157 ) (286,657 ) Other financing activity 254,263 (38,201 ) (4,108 ) (166,142 ) 45,812 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — 875 — — 875 Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 27,484 (1,876 ) 9,455 — 35,063 Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 6,266 18,258 3,890 — 28,414 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 33,750 $ 16,382 $ 13,345 $ — $ 63,477 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (222 ) $ 91,999 $ 296,081 $ (293,637 ) $ 94,221 Cash flows from investing activities: — Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (130,110 ) (6,823 ) — (136,933 ) Purchase of other companies, net of cash acquired (139,326 ) — — (139,326 ) Other investing activities, net (209,525 ) 6,789 — 242,448 39,712 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid to stockholders (4,945 ) — — — (4,945 ) Borrowings under debt arrangements 102,024 — — — 102,024 Repayments of debt (106,036 ) (7,339 ) — — (113,375 ) Other financing activity 260,418 11,816 (322,011 ) 51,189 1,412 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — (1,515 ) — — (1,515 ) Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (97,612 ) (28,360 ) (32,753 ) — (158,725 ) Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 103,878 46,618 36,643 — 187,139 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 6,266 $ 18,258 $ 3,890 $ — $ 28,414 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (139,900 ) $ (43,279 ) $ 65,260 $ 233,797 $ 115,878 Cash flows from investing activities: — Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (85,534 ) (12,504 ) (98,038 ) Other investing activities 154,723 7,901 218 (161,367 ) 1,475 Cash flows from financing activities: — — — Dividends paid to stockholders (4,528 ) — — (4,528 ) Repayments of debt — (6,986 ) — (6,986 ) Other financing activity (19,692 ) 134,178 (35,790 ) (72,430 ) 6,266 Effect of exchange rates on cash — 1,095 — — 1,095 Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (9,397 ) 7,375 17,184 — 15,162 Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 113,275 39,243 19,459 — 171,977 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 103,878 $ 46,618 $ 36,643 $ — $ 187,139

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	A. Principles of Consolidation —
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	B. Assumptions and Use of Estimates — may
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	C. Cash and Cash Equivalents — three
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	D. Investments — Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recognized on a specific identification basis. Unrealized gains and losses are included in a separate line item on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	E. Inventories — Stockpiled ore inventory represents ore that has been mined, hauled to the surface, and is available for further processing. Stockpiles are measured by estimating the number of tons added and removed from the stockpile, the amount of contained metal ounces or pounds (based on assay data) and the estimated metallurgical recovery rates (based on the expected processing method). Costs are allocated to a stockpile based on relative values of material stockpiled and processed using current mining costs incurred up to the point of stockpiling the ore, including applicable overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization relating to mining operations, and removed at each stockpile’s average cost per recoverable unit. Finished goods inventory includes doré and concentrates at our operations, doré in transit to refiners or at refiners waiting to be processed, and bullion in our accounts at refineries.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	F. Restricted Cash — December 31, 2019 2018.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	G. Properties, Plants and Equipment The costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access the ore body at an open-pit mine prior to the production stage are referred to as "pre-stripping costs." Pre-stripping costs are capitalized during the development stage. Where multiple open pits exist at an operation utilizing common facilities, pre-stripping costs are capitalized at each pit. The production stage of a mine commences when salable materials, beyond a de minimis amount, are produced. Stripping costs incurred during the production stage are treated as variable production costs included as a component of inventory, to be recognized in cost of sales and other direct production costs in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory. Costs for exploration, pre-development, secondary development at operating mines, including drilling costs related to those activities (discussed further below), and maintenance and repairs on capitalized properties, plants and equipment are charged to operations as incurred. Exploration costs include those relating to activities carried out (a) in search of previously unidentified mineral deposits, (b) at undeveloped concessions, or (c) at operating mines already containing proven and probable reserves, where a determination remains pending as to whether new target deposits outside of the existing reserve areas can be economically developed. Pre-development activities involve costs incurred in the exploration stage that may not Drilling, development and related costs are either classified as exploration, pre-development or secondary development, as defined above, and charged to operations as incurred, or capitalized, based on the following criteria: • whether the costs are incurred to further define mineralization at and adjacent to existing reserve areas or intended to assist with mine planning within a reserve area; • whether the drilling or development costs relate to an ore body that has been determined to be commercially mineable, and a decision has been made to put the ore body into commercial production; and • whether, at the time the cost is incurred: (a) the expenditure embodies a probable future benefit that involves a capacity, singly or in combination with other assets, to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflows, (b) we can obtain the benefit and control others’ access to it, and (c) the transaction or event giving rise to our right to or control of the benefit has already occurred. If all of these criteria are met, drilling, development and related costs are capitalized. Drilling and development costs not not • completion of a favorable economic study and mine plan for the ore body targeted; • authorization of development of the ore body by management and/or the board of directors; and • there is a justifiable expectation, based on applicable laws and regulations, that issuance of permits or resolution of legal issues and/or contractual requirements necessary for us to have the right to or control of the future benefit from the targeted ore body have been met. Drilling and related costs of approximately $14.4 million, $11.6 million, and $9.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017, When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related allowances for depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in current period net income (loss). Idle facilities placed on standby are carried at the lower of net carrying value or estimated fair value. The net carrying values of idle facilities on standby are written down to salvage value upon reaching the end of the economic life. Therefore, with the exception of depreciation recorded on mobile equipment used in ongoing exploration and reclamation efforts at such properties, we do not not Included in properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests on our consolidated financial statements are mineral interests, which are tangible assets that include acquired undeveloped mineral interests and royalty interests. Undeveloped mineral interests include: (i) mineralized material and other resources which are measured, indicated or inferred with insufficient drill spacing or quality to qualify as proven and probable reserves; and (ii) inferred material not We capitalize portions of interest costs incurred on our debt as a part of the cost of constructing or acquiring certain qualifying assets. The amount of interest capitalized represents the portion of interest cost incurred during the construction or acquisition periods that theoretically could have been avoided if expenditures for the qualifying assets had not third
Regulatory Depreciation and Amortization, Policy [Policy Text Block]	H. Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization — not may Undeveloped mineral interests and value beyond proven and probable reserves are not
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	I. Impairment of Long-lived Assets — may not Although management has made what it believes to be a reasonable estimate of factors based on current conditions and information, assumptions underlying future cash flows, which includes the estimated value of mineral interests, are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Estimates of undiscounted future cash flows are dependent upon, among other factors, estimates of: (i) metals to be recovered from proven and probable ore reserves and, to some extent, identified mineralization and other resources beyond proven and probable reserves, (ii) future production and capital costs, (iii) estimated metals prices (considering current and historical prices, forward pricing curves and related factors) over the estimated remaining mine life and (iv) market values of mineral interests. It is possible that changes could occur in the near term that could adversely affect our estimate of future cash flows to be generated from our operating properties. If estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of a property, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the property.
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves [Policy Text Block]	J. Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Reserve estimates will change as existing reserves are depleted through production, and as market prices of metals, production or capital costs, smelter terms, the grade or tonnage of the deposit, dilution of the ore or recovery rates change. A significant drop in metals prices or other factors may may may may If our realized price for the metals we produce were to decline substantially below the levels set for calculation of reserves for an extended period, there could be material delays in the development of new projects, net losses, reduced cash flow, restatements or reductions in reserves and asset write-downs in the applicable accounting periods. Reserves should not No
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	K. Pension Plans and Other Post-retirement Benefits — • recognize the funded or underfunded status of our defined benefit plans in our consolidated financial statements; and • recognize as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) the actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that arise during the period but are not See Note 8
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	L. Income and Production Taxes — We evaluate uncertain tax positions in a two not not 50% We classify mine license taxes incurred in the states of Alaska and Idaho as other direct production costs reported in our gross profits. Net proceeds taxes incurred in Nevada, mining duties in Mexico, and resource taxes incurred in Quebec, Canada are classified as income taxes. For additional information, see Note 5
Reclamation and Remediation Cost [Policy Text Block]	M. Reclamation and Remediation Costs (Asset Retirement Obligations) — At our non-operating properties, we accrue costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when it is probable that such costs will be incurred and they are reasonably estimable. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations have historically been recognized no not Future closure, reclamation and environmental-related expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances, due to the early stage nature of investigations, uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental contamination, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities, and changes in reclamation or remediation technology. We periodically review accrued liabilities for such reclamation and remediation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that our liabilities have potentially changed. Changes in estimates at our non-operating properties are reflected in current period net income (loss). It is possible the ultimate cost of reclamation and remediation could change in the future, and that changes to these estimates could have a material effect on future operating results as new information becomes known.
Revenue [Policy Text Block]	N. Revenue Recognition and Trade Accounts Receivable — P. Risk Management Contracts Refining, selling and shipping costs related to sales of doré, metals from doré, and carbon are recorded to cost of sales as incurred. Sales and accounts receivable for concentrate shipments are recorded net of charges by the customers for treatment, refining, smelting losses, and other charges negotiated by us with the customers. Charges are estimated by us upon shipment of concentrates based on contractual terms, and actual charges typically do not See Note 11
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	O. Foreign Currency — P. Risk Management Contracts We recognized a total net foreign exchange loss of $8.2 million, a net gain of $10.3 million and a net loss of $9.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017,
Risk Management Contracts [Policy Text Block]	P. Risk Management Contracts — not no December 31, 2019, not December 31, 2019, See Note 10 December 31, 2019.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Q. Stock Based Compensation — no For additional information on our restricted stock unit compensation, see Note 9.
Legal Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	R. Legal Costs –
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	S. Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share — Potential dilutive shares of common stock include outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, performance-based share awards, stock units, warrants and convertible preferred stock for periods in which we have reported net income. For periods in which we report net losses, potential dilutive shares of common stock are excluded, as their conversion and exercise would be anti-dilutive. See Note 13
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	T. Comprehensive Income (Loss) —
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	U. Fair Value Measurements — 1. the fair value measurement; 2. the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 2 3 3. the amount of the total gains or losses for the period included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date and a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported in the statement of operations; and 4. in annual periods only, the valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques, if any, during the period. See Notes 8 12
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	V. Research and development — December 31, 2019, 2018 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	W. New Accounting Pronouncements — Accounting Standards Updates Adopted In February 2016, No. 2016 02 842 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, No. 2016 02, not twelve not not Note 6 In August 2017, No. 2017 12 815 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, not In February 2018, No. 2018 02 220 December 2017. December 15, 2018. not January 1, 2019 not In June 2018, No. 2018 07 718 718 December 15, 2018, January 1, 2019, not Accounting Standards Updates to Become Effective in Future Periods In June 2016, No. 2016 13 326 December 15, 2019, not In August 2018, No. 2018 13 820 December 15, 2019, In August 2018, No. 2018 14 715 20 two December 15, 2020, In December 2019, No. 2019 12 740 December 15, 2020,

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, _2

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests, and Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2019 2018 Mining properties, including asset retirement obligations $ 762,355 $ 533,631 Development costs 503,111 444,229 Plants and equipment 1,056,512 988,285 Land 32,909 32,953 Mineral interests 1,018,380 1,269,956 Construction in progress 360,827 365,807 3,734,094 3,634,861 Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,310,396 1,114,857 Net carrying value $ 2,423,698 $ 2,520,004

Note 4 - Environmental and Re_2

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Operating properties: Greens Creek $ 44,695 $ 41,839 Lucky Friday 10,473 10,698 Casa Berardi 4,510 5,843 San Sebastian 7,399 7,765 Nevada Operations 24,754 23,272 Non-operating properties: Troy mine 6,069 8,971 Johnny M 6,065 5,813 Republic 1,500 1,500 All other sites 2,909 2,688 Total 108,374 108,389 Reclamation and closure costs, current (4,581 ) (3,410 ) Reclamation and closure costs, long-term $ 103,793 $ 104,979
Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity [Table Text Block]	Balance at January 1, 2017 $ 85,580 Accruals for estimated costs 16 Accretion expense 4,870 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans (578 ) Payment of reclamation obligations (3,843 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 86,045 Accruals for estimated costs 250 Accretion expense 5,309 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans 1,280 Liability addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit 19,571 Payment of reclamation obligations (4,066 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 108,389 Accruals for estimated costs 472 Accretion expense 7,122 Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans (4,522 ) Payment of reclamation obligations (3,087 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 108,374
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Balance January 1 $ 89,417 $ 63,384 Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans (4,522 ) 1,280 Addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit — 19,571 Accretion expense 7,122 5,295 Payment of reclamation obligations (186 ) (113 ) Balance at December 31 $ 91,831 $ 89,417

Note 5 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 5 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 Current: Domestic $ (701 ) $ (454 ) $ 22,171 Foreign (7,289 ) (4,382 ) (22,526 ) Total current income tax benefit (provision) (7,990 ) (4,836 ) (355 ) Deferred: Domestic 15,243 7,147 (30,766 ) Foreign 16,848 4,390 10,158 Total deferred income tax benefit (provision) 32,091 11,537 (20,608 ) Total income tax benefit (provision) $ 24,101 $ 6,701 $ (20,963 )
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (49,874 ) $ (44,513 ) $ (7,920 ) Foreign (73,784 ) 11,249 363 Total $ (123,658 ) $ (33,264 ) $ (7,557 )
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 Computed “statutory” benefit (provision) $ 25,968 21 % $ 6,986 21 % $ 2,645 35 % Percentage depletion 3,030 2 3,158 10 5,174 68 Change in valuation allowance 686 1 (2,304 ) (7 ) 24,464 324 Federal rate change — — — — (37,546 ) (497 ) State taxes, net of federal taxes 2,648 2 (849 ) (3 ) 1,112 15 Foreign currency remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities (8,629 ) (7 ) 6,747 20 (12,812 ) (169 ) Rate differential on foreign earnings 2,705 2 (3,970 ) (12 ) (1,438 ) (19 ) Compensation (1,056 ) (1 ) (970 ) (3 ) (661 ) (9 ) Foreign withholding taxes — — 278 1 (278 ) (4 ) Expiration of U.S. foreign tax credits — — — — (2,300 ) (30 ) Other (1,251 ) (1 ) (2,375 ) (7 ) 677 9 Total benefit (provision) $ 24,101 19 % $ 6,701 20 % $ (20,963 ) (277 )%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Accrued reclamation costs $ 28,306 $ 29,064 Deferred exploration 13,762 16,500 Foreign net operating losses 12,013 13,231 Domestic net operating losses 175,024 152,320 Pension and benefit obligation 13,866 12,345 Foreign exchange loss 21,719 24,849 Foreign tax credit carryforward 4,149 4,149 Miscellaneous 32,926 26,290 Total deferred tax assets 301,765 278,748 Valuation allowance (86,634 ) (94,981 ) Total deferred tax assets 215,131 183,767 Deferred tax liabilities: Miscellaneous (904 ) (5,234 ) Properties, plants and equipment (348,972 ) (350,083 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (349,876 ) (355,317 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (134,745 ) $ (171,550 )
Summary of Positions for which Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ (94,981 ) $ (78,684 ) $ (99,602 ) Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets acquired with the Klondex acquisition 5,905 (11,470 ) — Increase related to non-utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and non-recognition of deferred tax assets due to uncertainty of recovery 2,442 (5,700 ) (14,964 ) Decrease related to utilization and expiration of deferred tax assets, other — 873 35,882 Balance at end of year $ (86,634 ) $ (94,981 ) $ (78,684 )

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilit_2

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility and Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]	Interest rates: Spread over the London Interbank Offer Rate 2.25 - 4.00% Spread over alternative base rate 1.25 - 3.00% Standby fee per annum on undrawn amounts 0.5625 - 1.00% Covenant financial ratios: Senior leverage ratio (debt secured by liens/EBITDA) (1) not more than 2.50:1 Leverage ratio (total debt less unencumbered cash/EBITDA) (2) not more than 6.00:1 Interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest expense) not less than 3.00:1
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2020 $ 5,866 2021 4,654 2022 2,307 2023 622 Total 13,449 Less: imputed interest (806 ) Net finance lease obligation $ 12,643
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	Twelve-month period ending December 31, 2020 $ 5,861 2021 3,907 2022 2,874 2023 2,536 2024 716 More than 5 years 2,918 Total 18,812 Effect of discounting (2,414 ) Operating lease liability $ 16,398

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_2

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 144,638 $ 147,023 Service cost 4,401 5,009 Interest cost 6,482 5,508 Amendments — Change due to mortality change (2,130 ) 2,713 Change due to discount rate change 25,806 (13,716 ) Actuarial loss (395 ) 3,487 Benefits paid (5,893 ) (5,386 ) Benefit obligation at end of year 172,909 144,638 Change in fair value of plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 96,329 99,922 Actual (loss) return on plan assets 21,536 (8,772 ) Employer contributions 4,095 10,565 Benefits paid (5,893 ) (5,386 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 116,067 96,329 Underfunded status at end of year $ (56,842 ) $ (48,309 )
Pension Benefits Recognized Balance Sheet Location [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Current liabilities: Accrued benefit liability $ (622 ) $ (597 ) Non- current pension liability: Accrued benefit liability (56,219 ) (47,711 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss 49,525 46,248 Net amount recognized $ (7,316 ) $ (2,060 )
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits 2019 2018 Discount rate: net periodic pension cost 4.59 % 3.83 % Discount rate: projected benefit obligation 3.32 % 4.59 % Expected rate of return on plan assets 6.37 % 6.62 % Rate of compensation increase: net periodic pension cost 2.00 % 2.00 % Rate of compensation increase: projected benefit obligation 2.00 % 2.00 %
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 4,401 $ 5,009 $ 4,786 Interest cost 6,482 5,508 5,356 Expected return on plan assets (5,982 ) (6,536 ) (5,849 ) Amortization of prior service benefit 61 61 (337 ) Amortization of net gain from earlier periods 4,389 3,726 4,132 Net periodic pension cost $ 9,351 $ 7,768 $ 8,088
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	Hecla Lucky Friday 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cash 6 % 1 % 6 % 1 % Large cap U.S. equities 14 % 15 % 14 % 15 % Small cap U.S. equities 7 % 6 % 7 % 6 % Non-U.S. equities 22 % 23 % 22 % 23 % Fixed income 19 % 24 % 19 % 24 % Real estate 14 % 15 % 15 % 17 % Absolute return hedge funds 5 % 6 % 5 % 6 % Company stock 13 % 10 % 12 % 8 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
Investment Policy Allocation [Table Text Block]	Target Maximum Large cap U.S. equities 17 % 20 % Small cap U.S. equities 8 % 10 % Non-U.S. equities 25 % 30 % Fixed income 23 % 28 % Real estate 15 % 18 % Absolute return 5 % 7 % Company stock/Real return 7 % 13 %
Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Table Text Block]	Hecla Lucky Friday Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Investments measured at fair value Interest-bearing cash $ 5,709 $ — $ — $ 5,709 $ 1,441 $ — $ — $ 1,441 Common stock 11,835 — — 11,835 2,827 — — 2,827 Mutual funds 46,317 — — 46,317 10,999 — — 10,999 Total investments in the fair value hierarchy 63,861 — — 63,861 15,267 — — 15,267 Investments measured at net asset value Real estate funds 12,659 3,445 Hedge funds 4,336 1,161 Common collective funds 12,255 3,083 Total investments measured at net asset value 29,250 7,689 Total fair value $ 63,861 $ — $ — $ 93,111 $ 15,267 $ — $ — $ 22,956 Hecla Lucky Friday Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Investments measured at fair value Interest-bearing cash $ 389 $ — $ — $ 389 $ 111 $ — $ — $ 111 Common stock 7,874 — — 7,874 1,428 — — 1,428 Mutual funds 43,960 — — 43,960 10,431 — — 10,431 Total investments in the fair value hierarchy 52,223 — — 52,223 11,970 — — 11,970 Investments measured at net asset value Real estate funds 11,926 3,231 Hedge funds 4,283 1,149 Common collective funds 9,221 2,326 Total investments measured at net asset value — — — 25,430 — — — 6,706 Total fair value $ 52,223 $ — $ — $ 77,653 $ 11,970 $ — $ — $ 18,676
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	Year Ending December 31, Pension Plans 2020 $ 7,383 2021 7,620 2022 8,126 2023 8,385 2024 8,624 Years 2025-2029 46,076
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 ABO Exceeds Plan Assets Plan Assets Exceed ABO ABO Exceeds Plan Assets Plan Assets Exceed ABO Projected benefit obligation $ 172,908 $ — $ 144,637 $ — Accumulated benefit obligation 168,239 — 140,350 — Fair value of plan assets 116,067 — 96,329 —
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits Unamortized net (gain)/loss $ 47,983 Unamortized prior service cost 1,542
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]	Pension Benefits Amortization of net loss $ 4,652 Amortization of prior service benefit 117

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity (

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Potential Per Share Dividend Amounts Quarterly Price Levels [Table Text Block]	Quarterly average realized silver price per ounce Quarterly dividend per share Annual dividend per share $30 $0.01 $0.04 $35 $0.02 $0.08 $40 $0.03 $0.12 $45 $0.04 $0.16 $50 $0.05 $0.20 $55 $0.06 $0.24 $60 $0.07 $0.28
Schedule of Dividends Payable [Table Text Block]	(A) (B) (A+B) Declaration date Silver-price- linked component per share Minimum annual component per share Total dividend per share Total dividend amount (in millions) Month of payment February 21, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 March 2017 May 4, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 June 2017 August 3, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 September 2017 November 7, 2017 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 December 2017 February 14, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 March 2018 May 9, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.0 June 2018 August 8, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 September 2018 November 6, 2018 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 December 2018 February 20, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 March 2019 May 7, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 June 2019 August 5, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.2 September 2019 November 6, 2019 $— $0.0025 $0.0025 $1.3 December 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]	Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Unvested, January 1, 2019 2,689,468 $ 4.14 Granted (unvested) 3,312,481 $ 1.85 Canceled (803,683 ) $ 2.62 Distributed (vested) (1,201,098 ) $ 4.00 Unvested, December 31, 2019 3,997,168 $ 2.46
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Unvested Shares Expected to Vest [Table Text Block]	1,703,869 in June 2020 1,404,693 in June 2021 888,606 in June 2022

Note 10 - Derivative Instrume_2

Note 10 - Derivative Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2019 Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce/pound Silver Gold Zinc Lead Silver Gold Zinc Lead (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) Contracts on provisional sales 2020 settlements 2,556 10 21,550 5,159 $ 17.20 $ 1,481 $ 1.04 $ 0.88 Contracts on forecasted sales 2020 settlements — — 441 11,740 N/A N/A $ 1.13 $ 0.98 December 31, 2018 Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce/pound Silver Gold Zinc Lead Silver Gold Zinc Lead (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) (ounces) (ounces) (pounds) (pounds) Contracts on provisional sales 2019 settlements 842 4 18,450 2,700 $ 14.69 $ 1,260 $ 1.15 $ 0.89 December 31, 2019 Ounces under contract (in 000's) Average price per ounce Silver Gold Silver Gold (ounces) (ounces) (ounces) (ounces) Contracts on forecasted sales 2020 settlements 5,700 130 $ 15.73 $ 1,435

Note 11 - Business Segments, _2

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 Net sales to unaffiliated customers: Greens Creek $ 299,722 $ 265,650 $ 278,297 Lucky Friday 16,621 9,750 21,555 Casa Berardi 192,944 210,339 192,165 San Sebastian 56,210 50,224 85,758 Nevada Operations 107,769 31,174 — Total sales to unaffiliated customers $ 673,266 $ 567,137 $ 577,775 Income (loss) from operations: Greens Creek $ 84,868 $ 70,293 $ 70,132 Lucky Friday (12,520 ) (20,199 ) (16,037 ) Casa Berardi (33,499 ) 881 (534 ) San Sebastian 569 (14 ) 53,591 Nevada Operations (49,224 ) (26,715 ) — Other (47,303 ) (63,372 ) (47,046 ) Total (loss) income from operations $ (57,109 ) $ (39,126 ) $ 60,106 Capital additions (including non-cash additions): Greens Creek $ 35,829 $ 43,631 $ 35,255 Lucky Friday 7,861 14,236 6,268 Casa Berardi 33,906 39,816 51,327 San Sebastian 3,906 8,492 9,994 Nevada Operations 42,154 35,721 — Other 73 4,555 2,908 Total capital additions $ 123,729 $ 146,451 $ 105,752 Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Greens Creek $ 47,587 $ 46,511 $ 56,328 Lucky Friday 1,175 1,012 2,447 Casa Berardi 73,960 71,302 59,131 San Sebastian 9,772 4,602 2,693 Nevada Operations 67,024 10,617 — Total depreciation, depletion and amortization $ 199,518 $ 134,044 $ 120,599 Other significant non-cash items: Greens Creek $ 2,868 $ 3,325 $ 2,685 Lucky Friday 996 618 2,011 Casa Berardi 5,203 696 33 San Sebastian 492 419 468 Nevada Operations 2,911 8,758 — Other (6,595 ) (23,358 ) 52,266 Total other significant non-cash items $ 5,875 $ (9,542 ) $ 57,463 Identifiable assets: Greens Creek $ 639,047 $ 637,386 $ 671,960 Lucky Friday 440,615 437,499 432,400 Casa Berardi 703,511 754,248 784,706 San Sebastian 48,294 44,152 62,198 Nevada Operations 528,466 581,194 — Other 277,375 249,465 393,894 Total identifiable assets $ 2,637,308 $ 2,703,944 $ 2,345,158
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 United States $ 1,748,406 $ 1,797,441 Canada 660,859 707,473 Mexico 14,433 15,090 Total long-lived assets $ 2,423,698 $ 2,520,004
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Greens Creek 44.5 % 46.7 % 48.1 % Lucky Friday 2.5 % 1.8 % 3.8 % Casa Berardi 28.7 % 37.1 % 33.3 % San Sebastian 8.3 % 8.9 % 14.8 % Nevada Operations 16.0 % 5.5 % — % 100 % 100 % 100 %
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Silver $ 192,235 $ 144,609 $ 194,813 Gold 388,602 313,076 277,421 Lead 35,777 33,829 37,995 Zinc 89,656 99,800 104,023 Less: Smelter and refining charges (33,004 ) (24,177 ) (36,477 ) Sales of products $ 673,266 $ 567,137 $ 577,775 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Doré and metals from doré $ 340,912 $ 306,328 $ 292,930 Carbon 37,645 5,239 2,246 Lead concentrate 200,456 148,880 179,143 Zinc concentrate 74,160 80,938 88,688 Bulk concentrate 21,376 17,668 20,751 Total, excluding gains/losses on forward contracts $ 674,549 $ 559,053 $ 583,758
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2017 United States $ 53,612 $ 48,437 $ 16,806 Canada 379,095 322,402 358,663 Japan 48,841 42,885 58,475 Netherlands 38,420 — — Korea 154,581 145,263 80,183 China — 66 69,631 Total, excluding gains/losses on forward contracts $ 674,549 $ 559,053 $ 583,758
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Teck Metals Ltd. 8.2 % 8.4 % 11.3 % Korea Zinc 17.4 % 17.8 % 16.4 % Scotia 24.0 % 15.3 % 24.9 % CIBC 23.1 % 29.7 % 22.8 %

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurem_2

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	Balance at December 31, 2019 Balance at December 31, 2018 Input Hierarchy Level Assets: Cash and cash equivalents: Money market funds and other bank deposits $ 62,452 $ 27,389 Level 1 Available for sale securities: Equity securities – mining industry 6,207 6,583 Level 1 Trade accounts receivable: Receivables from provisional concentrate sales 11,952 4,184 Level 2 Derivative contracts: Metal forward and put option contracts — 209 Level 2 Foreign exchange contracts 1,184 23 Level 2 Restricted cash balances: Certificates of deposit and other deposits 1,025 1,025 Level 1 Total assets $ 82,820 $ 39,413 Liabilities Derivative contracts: Metal forward and put option contracts $ 5,777 $ 373 Level 2 Foreign exchange contracts 1,437 8,595 Level 2 Total liabilities $ 7,214 $ 8,968

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Sha_2

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator Net income (loss) $ (99,557 ) $ (26,563 ) $ (28,520 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) (552 ) (552 ) Net income (loss) applicable to common shares $ (100,109 ) $ (27,115 ) $ (29,072 ) Denominator Basic weighted average common shares 490,449 433,419 397,394 Dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants — — — Diluted weighted average common shares 490,449 433,419 397,394 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.07 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.20 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.07 )

Note 14 - Accumulated Other C_2

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Securities Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions Adjustments For Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net Balance January 1, 2017 $ 1,454 $ (5,260 ) $ (30,796 ) $ (34,602 ) 2017 change 2,265 10,290 (1,326 ) 11,229 Balance December 31, 2017 3,719 5,030 (32,122 ) (23,373 ) Change in accounting (1,289 ) — — (1,289 ) 2018 change (2,443 ) (13,814 ) (1,550 ) (17,807 ) Balance December 31, 2018 (13 ) (8,784 ) (33,672 ) (42,469 ) 2019 change — 8,436 (3,277 ) 5,159 Balance December 31, 2019 $ (13 ) $ (348 ) $ (36,949 ) $ (37,310 ) Income Tax Effect of: Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Securities Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions Adjustments For Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net Balance January 1, 2017 $ 627 $ — $ 10,120 $ 10,747 2017 change 1,164 — — 1,164 Balance December 31, 2017 1,791 — 10,120 11,911 2018 change (1,791 ) — 2,455 664 Balance December 31, 2018 — — 12,575 12,575 2019 change — — — — Balance December 31, 2019 $ — $ — $ 12,575 $ 12,575

Note 15 - Acquisitions (Tables)

Note 15 - Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	Consideration: Cash payments $ 161,704 Hecla stock issued (75,276,176 shares at $3.22 per share) 242,389 Hecla warrants issued 9,830 Total consideration $ 413,923 Fair value of net assets acquired: Assets: Cash $ 12,874 Accounts receivable 3,453 Inventory - supplies 6,565 Inventory - finished goods, in-process material and stockpiled ore 10,075 Other current assets 2,583 Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests 510,015 Non-current investments 1,596 Non-current restricted cash and investments 9,504 Total assets 556,665 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,799 Accrued payroll and related benefits 8,245 Accrued taxes 421 Lease liability 2,080 Debt 35,086 Asset retirement obligation 19,571 Deferred tax liability 59,540 Total liabilities 142,742 Net assets $ 413,923 Value beyond proven and probable reserves $ 382.2 Mills and tailings facilities 43.8 Development 32.1 Buildings and equipment 28.5 Mineral properties 18.8 Asset retirement obligation asset 3.1 Land 2.9 Total $ 511.4
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	(unaudited) Year Ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Sales $ 680,261 $ 785,859 Net (loss) income (19,574 ) (35,203 ) (Loss) income applicable to common shareholders (20,126 ) (35,755 ) Basic and diluted (loss) income per common share (0.04 ) (0.08 )

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiar_2

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes Tables
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,750 $ 15,357 $ 13,345 $ — $ 62,452 Other current assets 9,725 89,722 17,299 (74 ) 116,672 Properties, plants, and equipment - net 1,913 2,410,458 11,327 — 2,423,698 Intercompany receivable (payable) (28,381 ) (579,830 ) 216,632 391,579 — Investments in subsidiaries 1,636,802 — — (1,636,802 ) — Other non-current assets 289,422 24,325 (121,981 ) (157,280 ) 34,486 Total assets $ 1,943,231 $ 1,960,032 $ 136,622 $ (1,402,577 ) $ 2,637,308 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities $ (309,293 ) $ 155,441 $ 8,334 $ 262,492 $ 116,974 Long-term debt 504,729 17,271 761 — 522,761 Non-current portion of accrued reclamation — 96,389 7,404 — 103,793 Non-current deferred tax liability — 166,549 — (28,267 ) 138,282 Other non-current liabilities 55,372 6,577 1,126 — 63,075 Stockholders' equity 1,692,423 1,517,805 118,997 (1,636,802 ) 1,692,423 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,943,231 $ 1,960,032 $ 136,622 $ (1,402,577 ) $ 2,637,308 As of December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,266 $ 17,233 $ 3,890 $ — $ 27,389 Other current assets 6,388 105,900 24,542 (69 ) 136,761 Properties, plants, and equipment - net 1,913 2,503,467 14,624 — 2,520,004 Intercompany receivable (payable) 171,908 (546,374 ) 152,031 222,435 — Investments in subsidiaries 1,577,869 — — (1,577,869 ) — Other non-current assets 276,641 10,906 (124,845 ) (142,912 ) 19,790 Total assets $ 2,040,985 $ 2,091,132 $ 70,242 $ (1,498,415 ) $ 2,703,944 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities $ (233,824 ) $ 157,640 $ 7,145 $ 205,233 $ 136,194 Long-term debt 532,799 143,858 1 (135,988 ) 540,670 Non-current portion of accrued reclamation — 100,445 4,534 — 104,979 Non-current deferred tax liability — 163,328 — 10,209 173,537 Other non-current liabilities 51,047 5,641 913 — 57,601 Stockholders' equity 1,690,963 1,520,220 57,649 (1,577,869 ) 1,690,963 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,040,985 $ 2,091,132 $ 70,242 $ (1,498,415 ) $ 2,703,944
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Revenues $ (1,282 ) $ 618,241 $ 56,307 $ — $ 673,266 Cost of sales (1,948 ) (407,353 ) (41,048 ) — (450,349 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (189,746 ) (9,772 ) — (199,518 ) General and administrative (16,830 ) (17,350 ) (1,652 ) — (35,832 ) Exploration and pre-development (22 ) (13,191 ) (5,856 ) — (19,069 ) Research and development — (533 ) (2 ) — (535 ) Loss on derivative contracts (3,971 ) — — — (3,971 ) Acquisition costs (271 ) (221 ) (153 ) — (645 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (76,385 ) — — 76,385 — Other (expense) income 1,186 (73,750 ) 2,161 (16,602 ) (87,005 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (99,523 ) (83,903 ) (15 ) 59,783 (123,658 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes (34 ) 7,941 (408 ) 16,602 24,101 Net (loss) income (99,557 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (99,557 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (100,109 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (100,109 ) Net (loss) income (99,557 ) (75,962 ) (423 ) 76,385 (99,557 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income 5,159 — — — 5,159 Comprehensive (loss) income $ (94,398 ) $ (75,962 ) $ (423 ) $ 76,385 $ (94,398 ) Year Ended December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Revenues $ 8,084 $ 508,830 $ 50,223 $ — $ 567,137 Cost of sales (446 ) (316,132 ) (37,416 ) — (353,994 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (129,442 ) (4,602 ) — (134,044 ) General and administrative (18,760 ) (15,963 ) (1,819 ) — (36,542 ) Exploration and pre-development (130 ) (30,332 ) (10,120 ) — (40,582 ) Research and development — (4,094 ) (1,347 ) — (5,441 ) Gain on derivative contracts 40,253 — — — 40,253 Acquisition costs (9,445 ) (344 ) (256 ) — (10,045 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (47,226 ) — — 47,226 — Other (expense) income 513 (16,347 ) 3,258 (47,430 ) (60,006 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (27,157 ) (3,824 ) (2,079 ) (204 ) (33,264 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes 595 (37,999 ) (3,325 ) 47,430 6,701 Net (loss) income (26,562 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (26,563 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (27,114 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (27,115 ) Net (loss) income (26,562 ) (41,823 ) (5,404 ) 47,226 (26,563 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income (17,807 ) 38 — (38 ) (17,807 ) Comprehensive (loss) income $ (44,369 ) $ (41,785 ) $ (5,404 ) $ 47,188 $ (44,370 ) Year Ended December 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Revenues $ (5,983 ) $ 498,000 $ 85,758 $ — $ 577,775 Cost of sales 1,098 (284,344 ) (21,481 ) — (304,727 ) Depreciation, depletion, and amortization — (117,906 ) (2,693 ) — (120,599 ) General and administrative (17,693 ) (15,889 ) (2,029 ) — (35,611 ) Exploration and pre-development (459 ) (19,892 ) (8,607 ) — (28,958 ) Research and development — (3,276 ) — — (3,276 ) Loss on derivative contracts (21,250 ) — — — (21,250 ) Acquisition costs (24 ) — (1 ) — (25 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (187,574 ) — — 187,574 — Other (expense) income 203,365 (80,035 ) 8,298 (202,514 ) (70,886 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (28,520 ) (23,342 ) 59,245 (14,940 ) (7,557 ) (Provision) benefit from income taxes — (205,569 ) (17,908 ) 202,514 (20,963 ) Net (loss) income (28,520 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (28,520 ) Preferred stock dividends (552 ) — — — (552 ) (Loss) income applicable to common stockholders (29,072 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (29,072 ) Net (loss) income (28,520 ) (228,911 ) 41,337 187,574 (28,520 ) Changes in comprehensive (loss) income 11,229 252 1,303 (1,555 ) 11,229 Comprehensive (loss) income $ (17,291 ) $ (228,659 ) $ 42,640 $ 186,019 $ (17,291 )
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2019 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (162,380 ) $ 158,854 $ 17,183 $ 107,209 $ 120,866 Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (116,386 ) (5,035 ) — (121,421 ) Other investing activities, net (58,933 ) 139 1,415 58,933 1,554 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid to stockholders (5,466 ) — — — (5,466 ) Borrowings under debt arrangements 279,500 — — — 279,500 Repayments of debt (279,500 ) (7,157 ) (286,657 ) Other financing activity 254,263 (38,201 ) (4,108 ) (166,142 ) 45,812 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — 875 — — 875 Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 27,484 (1,876 ) 9,455 — 35,063 Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 6,266 18,258 3,890 — 28,414 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 33,750 $ 16,382 $ 13,345 $ — $ 63,477 Year Ended December 31, 2018 Parent Guarantors Non- Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (222 ) $ 91,999 $ 296,081 $ (293,637 ) $ 94,221 Cash flows from investing activities: — Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (130,110 ) (6,823 ) — (136,933 ) Purchase of other companies, net of cash acquired (139,326 ) — — (139,326 ) Other investing activities, net (209,525 ) 6,789 — 242,448 39,712 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid to stockholders (4,945 ) — — — (4,945 ) Borrowings under debt arrangements 102,024 — — — 102,024 Repayments of debt (106,036 ) (7,339 ) — — (113,375 ) Other financing activity 260,418 11,816 (322,011 ) 51,189 1,412 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — (1,515 ) — — (1,515 ) Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (97,612 ) (28,360 ) (32,753 ) — (158,725 ) Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 103,878 46,618 36,643 — 187,139 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 6,266 $ 18,258 $ 3,890 $ — $ 28,414 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Revised Revised (in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities $ (139,900 ) $ (43,279 ) $ 65,260 $ 233,797 $ 115,878 Cash flows from investing activities: — Additions to properties, plants, and equipment — (85,534 ) (12,504 ) (98,038 ) Other investing activities 154,723 7,901 218 (161,367 ) 1,475 Cash flows from financing activities: — — — Dividends paid to stockholders (4,528 ) — — (4,528 ) Repayments of debt — (6,986 ) — (6,986 ) Other financing activity (19,692 ) 134,178 (35,790 ) (72,430 ) 6,266 Effect of exchange rates on cash — 1,095 — — 1,095 Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (9,397 ) 7,375 17,184 — 15,162 Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 113,275 39,243 19,459 — 171,977 Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 103,878 $ 46,618 $ 36,643 $ — $ 187,139

Note 1 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2019
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent, Total	$ 1,025	$ 1,025
Capitalized Drilling Costs	14,400	11,600	$ 9,900
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	(8,236)	10,310	$ (9,680)
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	16,398
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 16,381	$ 0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Operating Lease, Liability, Total				$ 22,400
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset				$ 22,400
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	17 years

Note 2 - Investments (Details T

Note 2 - Investments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Securities, FV-NI	$ 6,200	$ 6,600
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost	9,800	7,700
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Acquired During Period, Cost Basis	2,700	2,400
Marketable Equity Securities Received for Sale of Mineral Interest	2,257	0	$ 0
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	900
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss), Total	$ 2,400	$ 2,800

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, _3

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests, and Lease Commitments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	$ 121,421	$ 136,933	$ 98,038
Accumulated Capitalized Interest Costs	0	0	$ 900
Capital Leased Assets, Gross, Total	64,900	58,400
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	44,300	$ 38,400
Lucky Friday [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	8,900
Greens Creek [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	29,300
Mining Assets, Value Beyond Proven and Probable Reserves (VBPP)	181,400
Casa Berardi [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	36,100
Mining Assets, Value Beyond Proven and Probable Reserves (VBPP)	321,100
San Sebastian [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	5,000
Nevada Operations [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	42,100
Mining Assets, Value Beyond Proven and Probable Reserves (VBPP)	$ 382,200

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, _4

Note 3 - Properties, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests, and Lease Commitments - Major Components of Property, Plants, Equipment and Mineral Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,734,094	$ 3,634,861
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,310,396	1,114,857
Net carrying value	2,423,698	2,520,004
Mining Properties Including Asset Retirement Obligations [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	762,355	533,631
Mine Development [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	503,111	444,229
Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,056,512	988,285
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	32,909	32,953
Mineral Interests [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,018,380	1,269,956
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 360,827	$ 365,807

Note 4 - Environmental and Re_3

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Ending Balance	$ 108,374	$ 108,389	$ 108,374	$ 86,045	$ 85,580
Lucky Friday [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Before Discounting	34,300	$ 31,800
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	1,100
San Sebastian [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Before Discounting	500
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	1,200
Nevada Operations [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Before Discounting	200
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	500
Casa Berardi [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Before Discounting	2,200
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	$ 2,200
Minimum [Member]
Inflation Rate, Asset Retirement Obligation			2.00%
Minimum [Member] | Reclamation and Abandonment Costs [Member] | Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.0575		0.0575
Minimum [Member] | Asset Retirement Obligation [Member] | Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.070		0.070
Maximum [Member]
Inflation Rate, Asset Retirement Obligation			4.00%
Maximum [Member] | Reclamation and Abandonment Costs [Member] | Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.145		0.145
Maximum [Member] | Asset Retirement Obligation [Member] | Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.075		0.075

Note 4 - Environmental and Re_4

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities - Liabilities Accrued for Reclamation and Closure Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclamation and closure costs	$ 108,374	$ 108,389	$ 86,045	$ 85,580
Reclamation and closure costs, current	(4,581)	(3,410)
Reclamation and closure costs, long-term	103,793	104,979
Operating Properties [Member] | Greens Creek [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	44,695	41,839
Operating Properties [Member] | Lucky Friday [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	10,473	10,698
Operating Properties [Member] | Casa Berardi [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	4,510	5,843
Operating Properties [Member] | San Sebastian [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	7,399	7,765
Operating Properties [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	24,754	23,272
Non-Operating Properties [Member] | Troy Mine [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	6,069	8,971
Non-Operating Properties [Member] | Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, New Mexico [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	6,065	5,813
Non-Operating Properties [Member] | Republic [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	1,500	1,500
Non-Operating Properties [Member] | All Other Sites [Member]
Reclamation and closure costs	$ 2,909	$ 2,688

Note 4 - Environmental and Re_5

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities - Accrued Reclamation and Closure Cost Liability Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Balance	$ 108,389	$ 86,045	$ 85,580
Accruals for estimated costs	472	250	16
Accretion expense	7,122	5,309	4,870
Revision of estimated cash flows due to changes in reclamation plans	(4,522)	1,280	(578)
Payment of reclamation obligations	(3,087)	(4,066)	(3,843)
Liability addition due to acquisition		19,571
Balance	$ 108,374	$ 108,389	$ 86,045

Note 4 - Environmental and Re_6

Note 4 - Environmental and Reclamation Activities - Reconciliation of Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Balance January 1	$ 89,417	$ 63,384
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans	(4,522)	1,280
Addition due to acquisition of the Nevada Operations unit	0	19,571
Accretion expense	7,122	5,295
Payment of reclamation obligations	(186)	(113)
Balance at December 31	$ 91,831	$ 89,417

Note 5 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 5 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Total		$ 134,745	$ 171,550
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total		(24,101)	(6,701)	$ 20,963
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total		$ 86,634	94,981	78,684	$ 99,602
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Period		20 years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance		$ 0	$ 0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability				$ 30,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total		81,600
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		704,500
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		49,800
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Canada Revenue Agency [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total		2,900
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Mexican Tax Authority [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total		2,100
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total		412,200
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Total		59,500
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$ (6,300)	$ (15,100)

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Major C

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Major Components of Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Domestic	$ (701)	$ (454)	$ 22,171
Foreign	(7,289)	(4,382)	(22,526)
Total current income tax benefit (provision)	(7,990)	(4,836)	(355)
Domestic	15,243	7,147	(30,766)
Foreign	16,848	4,390	10,158
Total deferred income tax benefit (provision)	32,091	11,537	(20,608)
Total benefit (provision)	$ 24,101	$ 6,701	$ (20,963)

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Compone

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Components of Income (Loss) from Operations Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income (Loss) from continuing operations	$ (123,658)	$ (33,264)	$ (7,557)
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income (Loss) from continuing operations	(49,874)	(44,513)	(7,920)
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income (Loss) from continuing operations	$ (73,784)	$ 11,249	$ 363

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Reconci

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Annual Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Computed “statutory” benefit (provision), Amount	$ 25,968	$ 6,986	$ 2,645
Computed “statutory” benefit (provision), Percentage	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
Percentage depletion, Amount	$ 3,030	$ 3,158	$ 5,174
Percentage depletion, Percentage	2.00%	10.00%	68.00%
Change in valuation allowance, Amount	$ 686	$ (2,304)	$ 24,464
Change in valuation allowance, Percentage	1.00%	(7.00%)	324.00%
Federal rate change, Amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ (37,546)
Federal rate change, Percentage	0.00%	0.00%	(497.00%)
State taxes, net of federal taxes, Amount	$ 2,648	$ (849)	$ 1,112
State taxes, net of federal taxes, Percentage	2.00%	(3.00%)	15.00%
Foreign currency remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities, Amount	$ (8,629)	$ 6,747	$ (12,812)
Foreign currency remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities, Percentage	(7.00%)	20.00%	(169.00%)
Rate differential on foreign earnings, Amount	$ 2,705	$ (3,970)	$ (1,438)
Rate differential on foreign earnings, Percentage	2.00%	(12.00%)	(19.00%)
Compensation, Amount	$ (1,056)	$ (970)	$ (661)
Compensation, Percentage	(1.00%)	(3.00%)	(9.00%)
Foreign withholding taxes, Amount	$ 0	$ 278	$ (278)
Foreign withholding taxes, percentage	0.00%	1.00%	(4.00%)
Expiration of U.S. foreign tax credits, Amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ (2,300)
Expiration of U.S. foreign tax credits, percentage	0.00%	0.00%	(30.00%)
Other, Amount	$ (1,251)	$ (2,375)	$ 677
Other, Percentage	(1.00%)	(7.00%)	9.00%
Total benefit (provision)	$ 24,101	$ 6,701	$ (20,963)
Total benefit (provision)	19.00%	20.00%	(277.00%)

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Compo_2

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Components of the Net Deferred Tax Asset (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accrued reclamation costs	$ 28,306	$ 29,064
Deferred exploration	13,762	16,500
Foreign net operating losses	12,013	13,231
Domestic net operating losses	175,024	152,320
Pension and benefit obligation	13,866	12,345
Foreign exchange loss	21,719	24,849
Foreign tax credit carryforward	4,149	4,149
Miscellaneous	32,926	26,290
Total deferred tax assets	301,765	278,748
Valuation allowance	(86,634)	(94,981)	$ (78,684)	$ (99,602)
Total deferred tax assets	215,131	183,767
Miscellaneous	(904)	(5,234)
Properties, plants and equipment	(348,972)	(350,083)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(349,876)	(355,317)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (134,745)	$ (171,550)

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Changes

Note 5 - Income Taxes - Changes in the Valuation Allowance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Balance at beginning of year	$ (94,981)	$ (78,684)	$ (99,602)
Balance at end of year	(86,634)	(94,981)	(78,684)
Increase Due to Uncertainty of Recovery [Member]
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, increase (decrease)	2,442	(5,700)	(14,964)
Decrease Related to Utilization and Expiration [Member]
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, increase (decrease)	0	873	35,882
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member] | Business Acquisition [Member]
Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, increase (decrease)	$ 5,905	$ (11,470)	$ 0

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilit_3

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility and Leases (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	May 01, 2019	Apr. 12, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019CAD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020	Jul. 01, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Feb. 06, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 05, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 05, 2018CAD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)
Paid-in-Kind Prepayment of Debt Fee					$ 2,855	$ 0	$ 0
Finance Lease, Liability, Total			$ 12,643		12,643	13,100
Finance Lease, Liability, Current			5,429		5,429	5,264
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent			7,214		7,214	7,871
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset			20,600		20,600	20,000
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization					5,900	5,300	7,100
Finance Lease, Interest Expense					700	700	600
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due, Total			13,449		13,449
Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount			$ 806		$ 806
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term			1 year 9 months 18 days		1 year 9 months 18 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent			6.40%		6.40%
Operating Lease, Liability, Total			$ 16,398		$ 16,398
Operating Lease, Liability, Current			5,580		5,580	0
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent			10,818		10,818	0
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset			16,381		16,381	0
Operating Lease, Expense					7,500
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due, Total			$ 18,812		$ 18,812
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term			4 years 3 months 18 days		4 years 3 months 18 days
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Discount Rate			5.00%		5.00%
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Discount Rate			6.50%		6.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity																$ 150,000	$ 250,000			$ 100,000
Leverage Ratio			6		6										4
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			$ 33,600		$ 33,600
Long-term Line of Credit, Total			$ 0		0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Available for Refinance													$ 100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Available for Refinance, Conditions, New Debt Required to Be Issued													400,000
Amount of New Debt Raised After Which Dollar for Dollar Reduction in Line of Credit Will Take Effect													600,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity													$ 250,000
Leverage Ratio									4	4	4.25	4.25		4.25
Letter of Credit [Member]
Letter of Credit Outstanding, Fronting Fee																	0.20%
Letter of Credit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Letter of Credit, Participation Fee, Percent																	2.25%
Letter of Credit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Letter of Credit, Participation Fee, Percent																	4.00%
Conversion of Series 2018A Senior Notes Into Common Stock [Member]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued | shares			10.7	10.7
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount			$ 33,500	$ 43.8
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 500,000
Payment for Pension Benefits								$ 6,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt		$ 490,000
Underwriting Discount on Senior Notes		2.00%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Total		$ 10,000	1,800		1,800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.875%
Interest Expense, Debt, Total					36,300	$ 36,300	35,300
Interest Costs Capitalized							900
Long-term Debt, Total			504,700		504,700
Long-term Debt, Gross			506,500		506,500
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net, Total			1,800		1,800
Interest Payable			$ 5,800		5,800
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%					101.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | Costs Related to Private Offering and Tender Offer [Member]
Interest Expense, Debt, Total							$ 900
Series 2018-A Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount																		$ 30,800	$ 40
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Total																			$ 0.2
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																		4.68%	4.68%
Interest Expense, Debt, Total					4,200	$ 1,400
Debt Instrument, Issuance, Discount Rate																		0.58%	0.58%
Paid-in-Kind Prepayment of Debt Fee					$ 2,900

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilitiy

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilitiy and Leases - Credit Facility (Details) - New Facility [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Minimum [Member]
Standby fee per annum on undrawn amounts	0.5625%
Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Variable rate	2.25%
Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Variable rate	1.25%
Maximum [Member]
Standby fee per annum on undrawn amounts	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Variable rate	4.00%
Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Variable rate	3.00%

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilit_4

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility and Leases - Maturities of Finance Lease (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
2020	$ 5,866
2021	4,654
2022	2,307
2023	622
Total	13,449
Less: imputed interest	(806)
Net finance lease obligation	$ 12,643	$ 13,100

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facilit_5

Note 6 - Debt, Credit Facility and Leases - Maturities of Operating Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
2020	$ 5,861
2021	3,907
2022	2,874
2023	2,536
2024	716
More than 5 years	2,918
Total	18,812
Effect of discounting	(2,414)
Operating lease liability	$ 16,398

Note 7 - Commitments, Conting_2

Note 7 - Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations (Details Textual) - USD ($)

Oct. 30, 2019

Apr. 12, 2013

Oct. 31, 2019

Jul. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2014

Environmental Remediation Expense

$ 4,690,000

$ 6,119,000

$ 6,701,000

Contractual Obligation, Total

100,000

Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due, Total

13,449,000

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due, Total

18,812,000

Performance Obligation Commitments [Member]

Surety Bonds

185,500,000

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

33,600,000

Lucky Friday [Member]

Open Purchase Orders

1,600,000

Casa Berardi [Member]

Open Purchase Orders

300,000

Greens Creek [Member]

Open Purchase Orders

3,600,000

Nevada Operations [Member]

Open Purchase Orders

$ 800,000

Senior Notes [Member]

Proceeds from Issuance of Debt

$ 500,000,000

Debt Instrument, Increase (Decrease), Net, Total

$ 6,500,000

Canadian Assets of Klondex [Member]

Ownership Percentage

13.00%

PRP Lawsuit in Mineral County, Colorado [Member]

Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value

$ 5,000,000

Lawsuit filed in Ontario (Canada) Superior Court of Justice [Member] | Waterton Warrants [Member]

Class of Warrant or Right, Issued During Period, Value

$ 3,700,000

Class of Warrant or Right, Warrants Entitled, Value

8,900,000

Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, New Mexico [Member]

Payment Of Response Costs

$ 1,100,000

$ 1,100,000

Estimated Response Costs

$ 9,600,000

5,900,000

Environmental Remediation Expense

$ 5,900,000

$ 5,600,000

Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, New Mexico [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Estimated Alternative Response Costs

0

Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, New Mexico [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Estimated Alternative Response Costs

$ 221,000,000

Carpenter Snow Creek Superfund Site, Cascade County, Montana [Member]

Estimated Response Costs

$ 4,500,000

Estimated Future Response Cost

$ 100,000,000

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_3

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 10, 2020	May 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets			6.37%	6.62%
Defined Benefit Plan Assumed Long Term Rate Basis Spread			1.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			$ 4,095,000	$ 10,565,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match			55.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay			5.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount			$ 10,000	4,000	$ 114,000
Capital Accumulation 401(K) Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			$ 3,900,000	3,700,000	$ 3,500,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match			100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay			6.00%
Minimum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			2.00%
Minimum [Member] | Capital Accumulation 401(K) Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Capital Accumulation 401(K) Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent			50.00%
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer		$ 3,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year			$ 6,800,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year			600,000
Common Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Investment within Plan Asset Category, Amount			14,700,000	9,300,000
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Except Service cost			$ 5,000,000	$ 2,800,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets	6.45%

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_4

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Change in Benefit Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 144,638	$ 147,023
Service cost	4,401	5,009	$ 4,786
Interest cost	6,482	5,508	5,356
Amendments		0
Change due to mortality change	(2,130)	2,713
Change due to discount rate change	25,806	(13,716)
Actuarial loss	(395)	3,487
Benefits paid	(5,893)	(5,386)
Benefit obligation at end of year	172,909	144,638	147,023
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	96,329	99,922
Actual (loss) return on plan assets	21,536	(8,772)
Employer contributions	4,095	10,565
Benefits paid	(5,893)	(5,386)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	116,067	96,329	$ 99,922
Underfunded status at end of year	$ (56,842)	$ (48,309)

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_5

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current liabilities:
Accrued benefit liability	$ (622)	$ (597)
Non- current pension liability:
Accrued benefit liability	(56,219)	(47,711)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	49,525	46,248
Net amount recognized	$ (7,316)	$ (2,060)

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_6

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Benefit Obligation and Prepaid Benefit Costs Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Discount rate: net periodic pension cost	4.59%	3.83%
Discount rate: projected benefit obligation	3.32%	4.59%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	6.37%	6.62%
Rate of compensation increase: net periodic pension cost	2.00%	2.00%
Rate of compensation increase: projected benefit obligation	2.00%	2.00%

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_7

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Pension Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Service cost	$ 4,401	$ 5,009	$ 4,786
Interest cost	6,482	5,508	5,356
Expected return on plan assets	(5,982)	(6,536)	(5,849)
Amortization of prior service benefit	61	61	(337)
Amortization of net gain from earlier periods	4,389	3,726	4,132
Net periodic pension cost	$ 9,351	$ 7,768	$ 8,088

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_8

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Allocations of Investments and Measurement Dates by Asset Category (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	100.00%	100.00%
Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	100.00%	100.00%
Cash [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	6.00%	1.00%
Cash [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	6.00%	1.00%
Large Cap US Equity [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	14.00%	15.00%
Large Cap US Equity [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	14.00%	15.00%
Small Cap US Equity [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	7.00%	6.00%
Small Cap US Equity [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	7.00%	6.00%
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	22.00%	23.00%
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	22.00%	23.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	19.00%	24.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	19.00%	24.00%
Real Estate [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	14.00%	15.00%
Real Estate [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	15.00%	17.00%
Hedge Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	5.00%	6.00%
Hedge Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	5.00%	6.00%
Common Stock [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	13.00%	10.00%
Common Stock [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Allocation of investments	12.00%	8.00%

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pla_9

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Investment Policy Allocation (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019
Large Cap US Equity [Member]
Investment policy allocation	17.00%
Large Cap US Equity [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	20.00%
Small Cap US Equity [Member]
Investment policy allocation	8.00%
Small Cap US Equity [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	10.00%
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member]
Investment policy allocation	25.00%
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	30.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Investment policy allocation	23.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	28.00%
Real Estate [Member]
Investment policy allocation	15.00%
Real Estate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	18.00%
Absolute Return [Member]
Investment policy allocation	5.00%
Absolute Return [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	7.00%
Real Return [Member]
Investment policy allocation	7.00%
Real Return [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment policy allocation	13.00%

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pl_10

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Fair Value by Asset Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Total fair value	$ 116,067	$ 96,329	$ 99,922
Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	93,111	77,653
Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	22,956	18,676
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	63,861	52,223
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	15,267	11,970
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, 2 and 3 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	63,861	52,223
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, 2 and 3 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	15,267	11,970
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	29,250	25,430
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	7,689	6,706
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	5,709	389
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	1,441	111
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	5,709	389
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	1,441	111
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Interest-bearing Deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	11,835	7,874
Common Stock [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	2,827	1,428
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	11,835	7,874
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	2,827	1,428
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	46,317	43,960
Mutual Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	10,999	10,431
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	46,317	43,960
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	10,999	10,431
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	0	0
Real Estate Investments [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	12,659	11,926
Real Estate Investments [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	3,445	3,231
Hedge Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	4,336	4,283
Hedge Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	1,161	1,149
Common Collective Funds [Member] | Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan [Member]
Total fair value	12,255	9,221
Common Collective Funds [Member] | Lucky Friday Pension Plan [Member]
Total fair value	$ 3,083	$ 2,326

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pl_11

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
2020	$ 7,383
2021	7,620
2022	8,126
2023	8,385
2024	8,624
Years 2025-2029	$ 46,076

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pl_12

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Projected benefit obligation	$ 172,908	$ 144,637
Accumulated benefit obligation	168,239	140,350
Fair value of plan assets	$ 116,067	$ 96,329

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pl_13

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Benefit Plan Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Unamortized net (gain)/loss	$ 47,983
Unamortized prior service cost	$ 1,542

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Pl_14

Note 8 - Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost to be Recognized Over Next Fiscal Year (Details) - Amounts Expected to be Recognized in 2018 [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Amortization of net loss	$ 4,652
Amortization of prior service benefit	$ 117

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity_2

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jul. 20, 2018	Feb. 23, 2016	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 06, 2020	May 08, 2012	Jun. 30, 2010
Common Stock, Shares Authorized			750,000,000	750,000,000	750,000,000		750,000,000	750,000,000	750,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share			$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25		$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total			529,182,994	529,182,994			529,182,994	529,182,994	529,182,994
Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance			6,287,271	6,287,271	5,226,791		6,287,271	6,287,271	6,287,271
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance			522,895,723	522,895,723			522,895,723	522,895,723	522,895,723
Average Realized Silver Price, Minimum Dividend, Threshold			$ 30	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30	$ 30
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		28,583,845	21,410,231
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 73,500,000	$ 49,000,000	$ 49,019,000	$ 6,744,000	$ 9,610,000
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs		$ 1,500,000	$ 1,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized			5,000,000	5,000,000	5,000,000		5,000,000	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share			$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25		$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance			157,816	157,816	157,816		157,816	157,816	157,816
Percent of Shareholders' Consent Needed to Create or Issue Stock Ranking Senior to Series B Preferred Stock			66.00%	66.00%			66.00%	66.00%	66.00%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value			$ 7,891,000	$ 7,891,000	$ 7,891,000		$ 7,891,000	$ 7,891,000	$ 7,891,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount, Total			$ 4,500,000	$ 4,500,000			$ 4,500,000	$ 4,500,000	$ 4,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance			3,997,168	3,997,168	2,689,468		3,997,168	3,997,168	3,997,168
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Measurement Period Used to Value Performance-based Awards				3 years
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding						0
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	75,276,176
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 8.02
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Issued During Period	4,136,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right	1
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition Expiring April 2032 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	2,068,000
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition Expiring February 2029 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	2,068,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$ 1.57
Satisfy Withholding Obligations [Member]
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share				$ 2.10	$ 3.86
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares				1,060,480	697,341
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value				$ 2,200,000	$ 2,700,000
2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized												20,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant			17,319,293	17,319,293			17,319,293	17,319,293	17,319,293
Directors Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense				$ 455,000	$ 593,000	$ 774,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant			2,867,888	2,867,888			2,867,888	2,867,888	2,867,888
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Method of Measuring Cost of Award Participant, Numerator				$ 120,000
Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, before Forfeiture				252,819	161,630	152,439
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense				$ 5,700,000	$ 6,300,000	$ 6,300,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense				3,600,000				$ 4,900,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount			$ 3,800,000	3,800,000			$ 3,800,000	3,800,000	$ 3,800,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense				200,000			400,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount			$ 200,000	$ 200,000			$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount				$ 3.50
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share			$ 50	50			$ 50	$ 50	$ 50
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share			$ 50	$ 50			$ 50	$ 50	$ 50
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value			$ 7,900,000	$ 7,900,000			$ 7,900,000	$ 7,900,000	$ 7,900,000
Preferred Stock, Voting Rights				one
Preferred Stock Conversion Price			$ 15.55	$ 15.55			$ 15.55	$ 15.55	$ 15.55
Preferred Stock Conversion Rate			$ 3.2154	$ 3.2154			$ 3.2154	$ 3.2154	$ 3.2154
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share Price										$ 3.43
Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased											20,000,000
Cumulative Stock Repurchased			934,100	934,100			934,100	934,100	934,100
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share									$ 3.99
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			19,100,000	19,100,000			19,100,000	19,100,000	19,100,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired				0
Minimum [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared				$ 0.01

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity -

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock Dividend Policy (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / shares
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 1 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.04
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 2 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.02
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.08
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 3 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.03
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.12
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 4 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.04
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.16
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 5 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.05
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.20
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 6 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.06
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.24
Quarterly Average Realized Price, Level 7 [Member]
Quarterly dividend per share (in dollars per share)	0.07
Annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity_3

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock Dividends Declared by Our Board of Directors (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / shares
Declared February 21, 2017 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared May 4, 2016 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared August 3, 2016 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared November 7, 2017 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared February 14, 2018 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared May 9,2018 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1
Declared August 8, 2018 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.2
Declared November 6, 2018 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.2
Declared February 20, 2019 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.2
Declared May 7, 2019 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.2
Declared August 5, 2019 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.2
Declared November 6, 2019 [Member]
Minimum annual component per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0025
Total dividend amount (in Dollars) | $	$ 1.3

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity_4

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity - Unvested Restricted Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Unvested (in shares) | shares	2,689,468
Unvested, weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4.14
Granted (unvested) (in shares) | shares	3,312,481
Granted (unvested), weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.85
Canceled (in shares) | shares	(803,683)
Canceled, weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.62
Distributed (vested) (in shares) | shares	(1,201,098)
Distributed (vested), weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 4
Unvested (in shares) | shares	3,997,168
Unvested, weighted average fair value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.46

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity_5

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity - Unvested Units Expected to Vest (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unvested units expected to vest (in shares)	3,997,168	2,689,468
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Unvested units expected to vest (in shares)	1,703,869
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Unvested units expected to vest (in shares)	1,404,693
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Unvested units expected to vest (in shares)	888,606

Note 10 - Derivative Instrume_3

Note 10 - Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) $ in Thousands, $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019MXN ($)
Maximum Allocation of Forecasted CAD-demonimated Operating Costs			75.00%			75.00%	75.00%
Forecasted CAD-denominated Operating Costs to be Hedged, Term			5 years
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Ending Balance			$ 300
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net			1,300
Gain (Loss) on Components Excluded from Assessment of Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness			0
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			(5,613)	$ 15,366	$ (20,741)
Derivative, Gain on Derivative				$ 8,100
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Total			9,300
Derivative, Fair Value, Obligations Under the Agreements			9,300
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months			100
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Current			600
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Assets, Noncurrent, Total			600
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current			400
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent			$ 1,000
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Casa Berardi [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held, Total			128			128	128
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 214,700			$ 279
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Casa Berardi [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate			1.2702			1.2702	1.2702
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Casa Berardi [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate			1.3332			1.3332	1.3332
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | San Sebastian [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held, Total			5			5	5
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 300				$ 7.1
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | San Sebastian [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate			20.5610			20.5610	20.5610
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | San Sebastian [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate			20.8450			20.8450	20.8450
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current			$ 5,800
Derivative Liability, Total			2,100
Forecasted Future Concentrate Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			(1,300)
Derivative, Gain on Derivative	$ 6,700	$ 32,800
Forecasted Future Concentrate Contracts [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			(1,000)
Forecasted Future Concentrate Contracts [Member] | Put Option [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			(300)
Unsettled Concentrate Sales Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			(4,000)
Unsettled Concentrate Sales Contracts [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			4,500
Unsettled Concentrate Sales Contracts [Member] | Deferred Premium on Put Option Contract [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net, Total			$ (8,500)

Note 10 - Derivative Instrume_4

Note 10 - Derivative Instruments - Summary of Forward Sales Contracts (Details) oz in Thousands, lb in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019ozlb$ / oz$ / lb$ / item	Dec. 31, 2018ozlb$ / item
Silver 2020 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz	2,556
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / oz	17.20
Gold 2020 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz	10
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / oz	1,481
Zinc 2020 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb	21,550
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / lb	1.04
Lead 2020 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb	5,159
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / lb	0.88
Silver 2019 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz		842
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item		14.69
Gold 2019 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz		4
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item		1,260
Zinc 2019 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb		18,450
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item		1.15
Lead 2019 Settlements for Provisional Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb		2,700
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item		0.89
Silver 2020 Settlements for Forecasted Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz	5,700
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item	15.73
Gold 2020 Settlements for Forecasted Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | oz	130
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / item	1,435
Zinc 2020 Settlements for Forecasted Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb	441
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / lb	1.13
Lead 2020 Settlements for Forecasted Sales [Member]
Ounces/pounds under contract (Ounce) | lb	11,740
Average price per ounce/pound (in USD per Ounce) | $ / lb	0.98

Note 11 - Business Segments, _3

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)ozT	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Number of Reportable Segments	5
Derivative, Loss on Derivative	$ 1,300		$ 6,000
Derivative, Gain on Derivative		$ 8,100
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	11,952	4,184
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Ending Balance	0	0
Employee Labor Strike Related Costs	12,051	20,693	21,301
Lucky Friday [Member] | Suspension Costs [Member]
Employee Labor Strike Related Costs	7,800	14,600	17,100
Lucky Friday [Member] | Non-cash Depreciation Expense [Member]
Employee Labor Strike Related Costs	$ 4,300	$ 5,000	$ 4,200
Silver Contracts [Member]
Metals Contained in Concentrates | oz	2,500,000
Gold [Member]
Metals Contained in Concentrates | oz	10,020
Zinc [Member]
Metals Contained in Concentrates | T	11,627
Lead [Member]
Metals Contained in Concentrates | T	4,939

Note 11 - Business Segments, _4

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Information About Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net sales	$ 673,266	$ 567,137	$ 577,775
Income (loss) from operations	(57,109)	(39,126)	60,106
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	123,729	146,451	105,752
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	199,518	134,044	120,599
Other significant non-cash items	5,875	(9,542)	57,463
Identifiable assets	2,637,308	2,703,944	2,345,158
Greens Creek [Member]
Net sales	299,722	265,650	278,297
Income (loss) from operations	84,868	70,293	70,132
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	35,829	43,631	35,255
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	47,587	46,511	56,328
Other significant non-cash items	2,868	3,325	2,685
Identifiable assets	639,047	637,386	671,960
Lucky Friday [Member]
Net sales	16,621	9,750	21,555
Income (loss) from operations	(12,520)	(20,199)	(16,037)
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	7,861	14,236	6,268
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,175	1,012	2,447
Other significant non-cash items	996	618	2,011
Identifiable assets	440,615	437,499	432,400
Casa Berardi [Member]
Net sales	192,944	210,339	192,165
Income (loss) from operations	(33,499)	881	(534)
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	33,906	39,816	51,327
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	73,960	71,302	59,131
Other significant non-cash items	5,203	696	33
Identifiable assets	703,511	754,248	784,706
San Sebastian [Member]
Net sales	56,210	50,224	85,758
Income (loss) from operations	569	(14)	53,591
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	3,906	8,492	9,994
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	9,772	4,602	2,693
Other significant non-cash items	492	419	468
Identifiable assets	48,294	44,152	62,198
Nevada Operations [Member]
Net sales	107,769	31,174	0
Income (loss) from operations	(49,224)	(26,715)	0
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	42,154	35,721	0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	67,024	10,617	0
Other significant non-cash items	2,911	8,758	0
Identifiable assets	528,466	581,194	0
Other Segments [Member]
Income (loss) from operations	(47,303)	(63,372)	(47,046)
Capital additions (including non-cash additions)	73	4,555	2,908
Other significant non-cash items	(6,595)	(23,358)	52,266
Identifiable assets	$ 277,375	$ 249,465	$ 393,894

Note 11 - Business Segments, _5

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Long-lived assets	$ 2,423,698	$ 2,520,004
UNITED STATES
Long-lived assets	1,748,406	1,797,441
CANADA
Long-lived assets	660,859	707,473
MEXICO
Long-lived assets	$ 14,433	$ 15,090

Note 11 - Business Segments, _6

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Percentage of Sales by Segments (Details) - Revenue Benchmark [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Percentage of sales	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Greens Creek [Member]
Percentage of sales	44.50%	46.70%	48.10%
Lucky Friday [Member]
Percentage of sales	2.50%	1.80%	3.80%
Casa Berardi [Member]
Percentage of sales	28.70%	37.10%	33.30%
San Sebastian [Member]
Percentage of sales	8.30%	8.90%	14.80%
Nevada Operations [Member]
Percentage of sales	16.00%	5.50%

Note 11 - Business Segments, _7

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Sales of Products (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales of products	$ 673,266	$ 567,137	$ 577,775
Less: Smelter and refining charges	(33,004)	(24,177)	(36,477)
Sales by significant product type	674,549	559,053	583,758
Silver Contracts [Member]
Sales of products	192,235	144,609	194,813
Doré and Metals from Doré [Member]
Sales by significant product type	340,912	306,328	292,930
Gold [Member]
Sales of products	388,602	313,076	277,421
Carbon [Member]
Sales by significant product type	37,645	5,239	2,246
Lead [Member]
Sales of products	35,777	33,829	37,995
Lead Concentrate [Member]
Sales by significant product type	200,456	148,880	179,143
Zinc [Member]
Sales of products	89,656	99,800	104,023
Zinc Concentrate [Member]
Sales by significant product type	74,160	80,938	88,688
Bulk Concentrate [Member]
Sales by significant product type	$ 21,376	$ 17,668	$ 20,751

Note 11 - Business Segments, _8

Note 11 - Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Sales by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales by geographical area	$ 674,549	$ 559,053	$ 583,758
UNITED STATES
Sales by geographical area	53,612	48,437	16,806
CANADA
Sales by geographical area	379,095	322,402	358,663
JAPAN
Sales by geographical area	48,841	42,885	58,475
NETHERLANDS
Sales by geographical area	38,420	0	0
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Sales by geographical area	154,581	145,263	80,183
CHINA
Sales by geographical area	$ 0	$ 66	$ 69,631

Note 11- Business Segments, Sal

Note 11- Business Segments, Sales of Products and Significant Customers - Sales from Continuing Operations to Significant Metals Customers As a Percentage of Total Sales (Details) - Customer Concentration Risk [Member] - Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Teck Metals Ltd [Member]
Significant metal customers	8.20%	8.40%	11.30%
Korea Zinc [Member]
Significant metal customers	17.40%	17.80%	16.40%
Scotia [Member]
Significant metal customers	24.00%	15.30%	24.90%
CIBC [Member]
Significant metal customers	23.10%	29.70%	22.80%

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurem_3

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurement (Details Textual) - Senior Notes [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Notes Payable, Total	$ 504.7
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 506.8

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurem_4

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurement - Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Receivables from provisional concentrate sales	$ 6,421	$ 7,443
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Total assets	82,820	39,413
Metal forward and put option contracts	5,777	373
Total liabilities	7,214	8,968
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Money market funds and other bank deposits	62,452	27,389
Equity securities – mining industry	6,207	6,583
Certificates of deposit and other deposits	1,025	1,025
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Receivables from provisional concentrate sales	11,952	4,184
Metal forward and put option contracts	0	209
Foreign exchange contracts	1,184	23
Foreign exchange contracts	$ 1,437	$ 8,595

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Sha_3

Note 13 - Loss Per Common Share (Details Textual) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	750,000,000	750,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total	529,182,994
Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance	6,287,271	5,226,791
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	522,895,723
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	157,816	157,816
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance	0	0	0
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			0

Note 13 - Income (Loss) Per Com

Note 13 - Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net income (loss)	$ (99,557)	$ (26,563)	$ (28,520)
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	(552)	(552)	(552)
Loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (100,109)	$ (27,115)	$ (29,072)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	490,449	433,419	397,394
Dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants (in shares)	0	0	0
Diluted weighted average common shares (in shares)	490,449	433,419	397,394
Basic loss per common share after preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)
Diluted loss per common share after preferred dividends (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)

Note 14 - Accumulated Other C_3

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 5,159	$ (17,807)	$ 11,229
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, before Tax, Total			200
AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member]
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update	(1,300)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Total	$ 0	$ (2,443)	$ 2,265

Note 14 - Accumulated Other C_4

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Balance	$ 1,690,963	$ 1,461,277	$ 1,462,240
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,159	(17,807)	11,229
Balance	1,692,423	1,690,963	1,461,277
AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member]
Balance	(13)	3,719	1,454
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	(2,443)	2,265
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update	(1,300)
Balance	(13)	(13)	3,719
Balance, tax	0	1,791	627
Change, tax	0	(1,791)	1,164
Balance, tax	0	0	1,791
AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update		(1,289)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance	(8,784)	5,030	(5,260)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,436	(13,814)	10,290
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update		0
Balance	(348)	(8,784)	5,030
Balance, tax	0	0	0
Change, tax	0	0	0
Balance, tax	0	0	0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Transition Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance	(33,672)	(32,122)	(30,796)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,277)	(1,550)	(1,326)
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update		0
Balance	(36,949)	(33,672)	(32,122)
Balance, tax	12,575	10,120	10,120
Change, tax	0	2,455	0
Balance, tax	12,575	12,575	10,120
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance	(42,469)	(23,373)	(34,602)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,159	(17,807)	11,229
Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standard Update		(1,289)
Balance	(37,310)	(42,469)	(23,373)
Balance, tax	12,575	11,911	10,747
Change, tax	0	664	1,164
Balance, tax	$ 12,575	$ 12,575	$ 11,911

Note 15 - Acquisitions (Details

Note 15 - Acquisitions (Details Textual) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 20, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jul. 19, 2018shares	Feb. 23, 2016shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total | shares				529,182,994
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares			28,583,845	21,410,231
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding | shares						0
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Issued During Period | shares	4,136,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right | shares	1
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition Expiring April 2032 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding | shares	2,068,000
Warrants in Connection with Klondex Mines Acquisition Expiring February 2029 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding | shares	2,068,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 1.57
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total | shares	182,048,945	180,499,319
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares		1,549,626
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]
Business Acquisition, Share Price | $ / shares	$ 2.27
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	100.00%
Business Combination, Consideration, Cash Alternative, Price Per Share | $ / shares	$ 2.47
Business Combination, Consideration, Share Alternative, Share Exchange Rate	0.6272
Business Combination Consideration, Combined Alternative, Price Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.8411
Business Combination Consideration, Combined Alternative, Share Exchange Rate	0.4136
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 161,704
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares	75,276,176
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares	75,276,176
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 8.02
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Cash Used to Settle Award	$ 2,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable	242,389
Class of Warrant or Right, Issued During Period, Value	9,800
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total	413,923
Business Combination, Subscrition of New Formed Company, Value	7,000
Business Combination, Settlement of Certain Equity Compensation Value	1,500
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred					$ (300)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Inventory					(200)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Property, Plant, and Equipment					(11,500)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Accrued Payroll and Related Benefits					(2,100)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Liability					(9,800)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities					$ 500
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	510,015			$ 511,400
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 153,200
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares	75,276,176

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Prelim

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 20, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		$ 2,423,698	$ 2,520,004
Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 161,704
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable	242,389
Hecla warrants issued	9,830
Total consideration	413,923
Cash	12,874
Accounts receivable	3,453
Inventory - supplies	6,565
Inventory - finished goods, in-process material and stockpiled ore	10,075
Other current assets	2,583
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests	510,015	511,400
Non-current investments	1,596
Non-current restricted cash and investments	9,504
Total assets	556,665
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	17,799
Accrued payroll and related benefits	8,245
Accrued taxes	421
Lease liability	2,080
Debt	35,086
Asset retirement obligation	19,571
Deferred tax liability	59,540
Total liabilities	142,742
Net assets	$ 413,923
Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		511,400
Beyond Proven and Probable Reserves [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		382,200
Mills and Tailings Facilities [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		43,800
Development [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		32,100
Buildings and Equipment [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		28,500
Mining Properties and Mineral Rights [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		18,800
Asset Retirement Obligation [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		3,100
Land [Member] | Nevada Operations [Member]
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests		$ 2,900

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Prel_2

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (Parentheticals) - Klondex Mines Ltd [Member]	Jul. 20, 2018$ / sharesshares
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares	75,276,176
Stock Issued, per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 3.22

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Pro Fo

Note 15 - Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - Klondex Mines Ltd [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales	$ 680,261	$ 785,859
Net (loss) income	(19,574)	(35,203)
(Loss) income applicable to common shareholders	$ (20,126)	$ (35,755)
Basic and diluted (loss) income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.08)

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiar_3

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions	100.00%

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiar_4

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries - Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,452	$ 27,389
Other current assets	116,672	136,761
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	2,423,698	2,520,004
Intercompany receivable (payable)	0	0
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other non-current assets	34,486	19,790
Total assets	2,637,308	2,703,944	$ 2,345,158
Current liabilities	116,974	136,194
Long-term debt	522,761	540,670
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	103,793	104,979
Non-current deferred tax liability	138,282	173,537
Other non-current liabilities	63,075	57,601
Stockholders' equity	1,692,423	1,690,963	$ 1,461,277	$ 1,462,240
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,637,308	2,703,944
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	33,750	6,266
Other current assets	9,725	6,388
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	1,913	1,913
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(28,381)	171,908
Investments in subsidiaries	1,636,802	1,577,869
Other non-current assets	289,422	276,641
Total assets	1,943,231	2,040,985
Current liabilities	(309,293)	(233,824)
Long-term debt	504,729	532,799
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	0	0
Non-current deferred tax liability	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	55,372	51,047
Stockholders' equity	1,692,423	1,690,963
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,943,231	2,040,985
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	15,357	17,233
Other current assets	89,722	105,900
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	2,410,458	2,503,467
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(579,830)	(546,374)
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other non-current assets	24,325	10,906
Total assets	1,960,032	2,091,132
Current liabilities	155,441	157,640
Long-term debt	17,271	143,858
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	96,389	100,445
Non-current deferred tax liability	166,549	163,328
Other non-current liabilities	6,577	5,641
Stockholders' equity	1,517,805	1,520,220
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,960,032	2,091,132
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	13,345	3,890
Other current assets	17,299	24,542
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	11,327	14,624
Intercompany receivable (payable)	216,632	152,031
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other non-current assets	(121,981)	(124,845)
Total assets	136,622	70,242
Current liabilities	8,334	7,145
Long-term debt	761	1
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	7,404	4,534
Non-current deferred tax liability	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	1,126	913
Stockholders' equity	118,997	57,649
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	136,622	70,242
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Other current assets	(74)	(69)
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net	0	0
Intercompany receivable (payable)	391,579	222,435
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,636,802)	(1,577,869)
Other non-current assets	(157,280)	(142,912)
Total assets	(1,402,577)	(1,498,415)
Current liabilities	262,492	205,233
Long-term debt	0	(135,988)
Accrued reclamation and closure costs	0	0
Non-current deferred tax liability	(28,267)	10,209
Other non-current liabilities	0	0
Stockholders' equity	(1,636,802)	(1,577,869)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (1,402,577)	$ (1,498,415)

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiar_5

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries - Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues	$ 673,266	$ 567,137	$ 577,775
Cost of sales	(450,349)	(353,994)	(304,727)
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	(199,518)	(134,044)	(120,599)
General and administrative	(35,832)	(36,542)	(35,611)
Exploration and pre-development	(19,069)	(40,582)	(28,958)
Research and development	(535)	(5,441)	(3,276)
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	(3,971)	40,253	(21,250)
Acquisition costs	(645)	(10,045)	(25)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	(87,005)	(60,006)	(70,886)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(123,658)	(33,264)	(7,557)
(Provision) benefit from income taxes	24,101	6,701	(20,963)
Net (loss) income	(99,557)	(26,563)	(28,520)
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	(552)	(552)	(552)
(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders	(100,109)	(27,115)	(29,072)
Changes in comprehensive (loss) income	5,159	(17,807)	11,229
Comprehensive (loss) income	(94,398)	(44,370)	(17,291)
Revenues	673,266	567,137	577,775
Other (expense) income	(87,005)	(60,006)	(70,886)
Other (expense) income	(87,005)	(60,006)	(70,886)
Loss applicable to common stockholders	(100,109)	(27,115)	(29,072)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Revenues	(1,282)	8,084	(5,983)
Cost of sales	(1,948)	(446)	1,098
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	0	0	0
General and administrative	(16,830)	(18,760)	(17,693)
Exploration and pre-development	(22)	(130)	(459)
Research and development	0	0	0
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	(3,971)	40,253	(21,250)
Acquisition costs	(271)	(9,445)	(24)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(76,385)	(47,226)	(187,574)
Other (expense) income	1,186	513	203,365
Income (loss) before income taxes	(99,523)	(27,157)	(28,520)
(Provision) benefit from income taxes	(34)	595	0
Net (loss) income	(99,557)	(26,562)	(28,520)
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	(552)	(552)	(552)
(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders	(100,109)	(27,114)	(29,072)
Changes in comprehensive (loss) income	5,159	(17,807)	11,229
Comprehensive (loss) income	(94,398)	(44,369)	(17,291)
Revenues	(1,282)	8,084	(5,983)
Other (expense) income	1,186	513	203,365
Other (expense) income	1,186	513	203,365
Loss applicable to common stockholders	(100,109)	(27,114)	(29,072)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues	618,241	508,830	498,000
Cost of sales	(407,353)	(316,132)	(284,344)
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	(189,746)	(129,442)	(117,906)
General and administrative	(17,350)	(15,963)	(15,889)
Exploration and pre-development	(13,191)	(30,332)	(19,892)
Research and development	(533)	(4,094)	(3,276)
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	0	0	0
Acquisition costs	(221)	(344)	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	(73,750)	(16,347)	(80,035)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(83,903)	(3,824)	(23,342)
(Provision) benefit from income taxes	7,941	(37,999)	(205,569)
Net (loss) income	(75,962)	(41,823)	(228,911)
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	0	0	0
(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders	(75,962)	(41,823)	(228,911)
Changes in comprehensive (loss) income	0	38	252
Comprehensive (loss) income	(75,962)	(41,785)	(228,659)
Revenues	618,241	508,830	498,000
Other (expense) income	(73,750)	(16,347)	(80,035)
Other (expense) income	(73,750)	(16,347)	(80,035)
Loss applicable to common stockholders	(75,962)	(41,823)	(228,911)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues	56,307	50,223	85,758
Cost of sales	(41,048)	(37,416)	(21,481)
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	(9,772)	(4,602)	(2,693)
General and administrative	(1,652)	(1,819)	(2,029)
Exploration and pre-development	(5,856)	(10,120)	(8,607)
Research and development	(2)	(1,347)	0
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	0	0	0
Acquisition costs	(153)	(256)	(1)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	2,161	3,258	8,298
Income (loss) before income taxes	(15)	(2,079)	59,245
(Provision) benefit from income taxes	(408)	(3,325)	(17,908)
Net (loss) income	(423)	(5,404)	41,337
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	0	0	0
(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders	(423)	(5,404)	41,337
Changes in comprehensive (loss) income	0	0	1,303
Comprehensive (loss) income	(423)	(5,404)	42,640
Revenues	56,307	50,223	85,758
Other (expense) income	2,161	3,258	8,298
Other (expense) income	2,161	3,258	8,298
Loss applicable to common stockholders	(423)	(5,404)	41,337
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Revenues	0	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0	0
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	0	0	0
General and administrative	0	0	0
Exploration and pre-development	0	0	0
Research and development	0	0	0
(Loss) gain on derivative contracts	0	0	0
Acquisition costs	0	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	76,385	47,226	187,574
Other (expense) income	(16,602)	(47,430)	(202,514)
Income (loss) before income taxes	59,783	(204)	(14,940)
(Provision) benefit from income taxes	16,602	47,430	202,514
Net (loss) income	76,385	47,226	187,574
Series B Preferred Stock dividends declared	0	0	0
(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders	76,385	47,226	187,574
Changes in comprehensive (loss) income	0	(38)	(1,555)
Comprehensive (loss) income	76,385	47,188	186,019
Revenues	0	0	0
Other (expense) income	(16,602)	(47,430)	(202,514)
Other (expense) income	(16,602)	(47,430)	(202,514)
Loss applicable to common stockholders	$ 76,385	$ 47,226	$ 187,574

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiar_6

Note 16 - Guarantor Subsidiaries - Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities	$ 120,866	$ 94,221	$ 115,878
Additions to properties, plants, and equipment	(121,421)	(136,933)	(98,038)
Other investing activities, net	1,554	39,712	1,475
Dividends paid to stockholders	(5,466)	(4,945)	(4,528)
Borrowings under debt arrangements	279,500	102,024	0
Repayments of debt	(286,657)	(113,375)	(6,986)
Other financing activity	45,812	1,412	6,266
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	875	(1,515)	1,095
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	35,063	(158,725)	15,162
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	28,414	187,139	171,977
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	63,477	28,414	187,139
Purchase of other companies, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	0	(139,326)	0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities	(162,380)	(222)	(139,900)
Additions to properties, plants, and equipment	0
Other investing activities, net	(58,933)	(209,525)	154,723
Dividends paid to stockholders	(5,466)	(4,945)	(4,528)
Borrowings under debt arrangements	279,500	102,024
Repayments of debt	(279,500)	(106,036)
Other financing activity	254,263	260,418	(19,692)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	27,484	(97,612)	(9,397)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	6,266	103,878	113,275
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	33,750	6,266	103,878
Purchase of other companies, net of cash and restricted cash acquired		(139,326)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities	158,854	91,999	(43,279)
Additions to properties, plants, and equipment	(116,386)	(130,110)	(85,534)
Other investing activities, net	139	6,789	7,901
Dividends paid to stockholders	0
Borrowings under debt arrangements	0
Repayments of debt	(7,157)	(7,339)	(6,986)
Other financing activity	(38,201)	11,816	134,178
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	875	(1,515)	1,095
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	(1,876)	(28,360)	7,375
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	18,258	46,618	39,243
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	16,382	18,258	46,618
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities	17,183	296,081	65,260
Additions to properties, plants, and equipment	(5,035)	(6,823)	(12,504)
Other investing activities, net	1,415		218
Dividends paid to stockholders	0
Borrowings under debt arrangements	0
Other financing activity	(4,108)	(322,011)	(35,790)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	9,455	(32,753)	17,184
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,890	36,643	19,459
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	13,345	3,890	36,643
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities	107,209	(293,637)	233,797
Additions to properties, plants, and equipment	0
Other investing activities, net	58,933	242,448	(161,367)
Dividends paid to stockholders	0
Borrowings under debt arrangements	0
Other financing activity	(166,142)	51,189	$ (72,430)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 0	$ 0