Hecla Ramping up Lucky Friday to Full Production

COEUR D'ALENE, ID - Hecla Mining Company reported that the union workers have voted not to ratify the Tentative Agreement reached by the USW and Hecla negotiating committees. The Company is committed to bringing the mine back to full production and is increasing the hiring of employees and contractors. “For much of 2019 we have employed a number of hourly workers who, combined with our salaried workforce, have operated the Lucky Friday on a limited basis,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and CEO. “We will now accelerate hiring and utilizing contractors with the goal of reaching full production by year-end 2020. While we would have preferred ratification of the agreement reached by the two negotiating committees, after three years of negotiating we believe the best interests of the company and community is the Lucky Friday in full operation. The mine has operated for 75 years, and we believe its best days with projected higher grades and more cash flow, are in front of it.”

“I want to acknowledge the existing salaried and hourly staff at the Lucky Friday, who kept the mine operating during the strike and in doing so have helped minimize the financial impact. But most importantly, they have operated in a very safe manner, and were recognized for their efforts by receiving the highest mine safety award in the United States, the Sentinels of Safety from the National Mining Association, earlier this fall,” Baker continued.