Hecla Reports 10.4 Million Ounces Of Silver And 262,103 Ounces Of Gold Production

COEUR D'ALENE, ID - Hecla Mining Company President and CEO Phillip S. Baker, Jr. said, “The economic engine and two largest mines of the Company, Greens Creek and Casa Berardi, continue to perform strongly and generate significant cash flow. Their performance is a direct result of our investments which have enabled record-setting throughput. San Sebastian’s lower production is as planned, and the mining of the sulfide bulk sample has begun. We continue to focus on increasing the development rate in Nevada rather than production, with the goal of setting Fire Creek up for more consistent and higher production in the future.”

Greens Creek mine in Alaska produced 8.0 million ounces of silver and 51,493 ounces of gold. For the fourth quarter, 2.2 million ounces of silver and 13,097 ounces of gold were produced. Lower silver production, when compared to 2017, was due to the expected lower grades but the silver production was still on the high end of the Company’s estimates. The mill operated at an average of 2,316 tons per day (tpd) in 2018, a record for the mine.

The Casa Berardi mine in Quebec produced 162,743 ounces of gold, including 32,096 ounces from the East Mine Crown Pillar pit. For the fourth quarter, 35,864 ounces of gold were produced including 4,848 ounces from the East Mine Crown Pillar pit. The mine produced as expected, with an increase of 6,090 ounces compared to 2017. The mill operated at a record of 3,791 tpd in 2018 compared to 3,551 tpd in 2017 and about 1,800 tpd more than at acquisition.

At the San Sebastian mine in Mexico 2.0 million ounces of silver and 14,979 ounces of gold were produced. For the fourth quarter, 443,302 ounces of silver and 2,928 ounces of gold were produced. The mill operated at an average of 429 tpd in 2018.

The newly-acquired Nevada operations, 32,888 ounces of gold and 172,301 ounces of silver were produced since the acquisition on July 20 as the Company focused on reorganizing the assets and increasing the rate of development, rather than focusing on production. For the fourth quarter, 19,099 ounces of gold and 88,156 ounces of silver were produced. During that period, ore was processed at an average of 710 tpd.

Lucky Friday mine in Idaho produced 169,040 ounces and 13,026 ounces of silver for the year and the fourth quarter, respectively. Production in each timeframe is lower as compared to 2017 due to the ongoing strike by unionized employees. Limited production and capital improvements, performed by salaried staff, and limited shipments of concentrate occurred in the fourth quarter.

Highlights: Silver production of 10.4 million ounces, and a company-record gold production of 262,103 ounces. Silver equivalent production of 43.6 million ounces and gold equivalent production of 540,174 ounces. Lead production of 20,091 tons; zinc production of 56,023 tons. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $27 million at December 31, 2018, and the revolving line of credit was undrawn.

The company’s address is 6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815-9408, (208) 769-4100, Fax: (208) 769-7612, www.hecla-mining.com.