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Hecla Mining (HL) Reports 3.3M Ounces of Silver and 63K Ounces of Gold Production in Q3

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October 12, 2017 6:37 AM EDT

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today announced preliminary silver and gold production results1 for the third quarter of 2017.

THIRD QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS (Preliminary Results)

  • Silver production of 3.3 million ounces and gold production of 63,046 ounces, the second highest level since 2003.
  • Silver equivalent production of 11.1 million ounces, the highest equivalent production quarter this year.2
  • Lead production of 5,368 tons; zinc production of 14,498 tons.
  • Record gold production and monthly throughput (September) at Casa Berardi since its acquisition.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $205 million at September 30, 2017, an increase of about $3 million over the second quarter of 2017.

“Operational performance was exceptional in the third quarter with record throughputs at Greens Creek and in September at Casa Berardi. San Sebastian continues to operate at the upper end of our expectations with the highest quarterly silver production of the year so far. The mines’ performance has led to substantial increases in production of all four metals over the second quarter and puts us well on our way to achieving their production guidance and improving per-ounce cost performance,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Hecla’s President and CEO. “With operating performance and substantially higher zinc and lead prices, our cash position is $7 million greater than at the end of the year.”

Greens Creek

At the Greens Creek mine, 2.3 million ounces of silver and 12,563 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, compared to 2.4 million ounces and 11,988 ounces, respectively, in the third quarter of 2016. The mill operated at an average of 2,391 tons per day (tpd) in the third quarter, a life of mine record.

(1) See cautionary statement regarding preliminary statements at the end of this release.
(2) Silver equivalent calculation based on average actual prices for each metal in the quarter as follows: $16.83 for Ag, $1,278 for Au, $1.06 for Pb, and $1.34 for Zn. Guidance calculation based on the following prices: $17.25 for Ag, $1,225 for Au, $1.05 for Pb, and $1.30 for Zn.

Lucky Friday

At the Lucky Friday mine, 88,298 ounces of silver were produced in the third quarter, compared to 887,365 ounces in the third quarter of 2016, with the decrease due to the ongoing strike by unionized employees. Limited production and capital improvements are being performed by supervisory staff and are expected to continue during any remaining strike period.

Casa Berardi

At the Casa Berardi mine, 44,141 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, a record since the mine was acquired in 2013, including 8,950 ounces from the East Mine Crown Pillar (EMCP) pit, compared to total mine production of 31,949 ounces in the third quarter of 2016. The mill operated at an average of 3,545 tpd in the third quarter compared to 2,805 tpd in the third quarter 2016, and set a monthly throughput record of 3,913 tpd in September.

San Sebastian

At the San Sebastian mine, 880,885 ounces of silver and 6,342 ounces of gold were produced in the third quarter, compared to 975,610 ounces of silver and 8,189 ounces of gold produced in the third quarter 2016. The mill operated at an average of 397 tpd in the third quarter.

PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
PRODUCTION

Increase/(Decrease)

Increase/(Decrease)

Silver 3,323,157 oz. 4,316,664 oz. (23)% 9,500,074 oz. 13,200,766 oz. (28)%
Gold 63,046 oz. 52,126 oz. 21% 171,721 oz. 170,780 oz. 1%
Lead1 5,368 tons 10,411 tons (48)% 18,426 tons 31,840 tons (42)%
Zinc 14,498 tons 14,824 tons (2)% 43,002 tons 50,321 tons (15)%
Greens Creek 2,344,315 silver oz. 2,445,328 silver oz. (4)% 6,205,677 silver oz. 7,020,688 silver oz. (12)%
Greens Creek 12,563 gold oz. 11,988 gold oz. 5% 39,290 gold oz. 39,497 gold oz. (1)%
Lucky Friday1 88,298 silver oz. 887,365 silver oz. (90)% 769,079 silver oz. 2,721,991 silver oz. (72)%
Casa Berardi2 44,141 gold oz. 31,949 gold oz. 38% 113,209 gold oz. 104,282 gold oz. 9%
San Sebastian 880,885 silver oz. 975,610 silver oz. (10)% 2,498,638 silver oz. 3,434,052 silver oz. (27)%
San Sebastian 6,342 gold oz. 8,189 gold oz. (23)% 19,222 gold oz. 27,000 gold oz. (29)%
(1) Union workers at Lucky Friday have been on strike since March 13, 2017. Limited production being carried out by supervisory staff.
(2) Casa Berardi also produced 9,659 ounces of silver in the third quarter 2017 and 8,361 ounces of silver for third quarter 2016.

Hecla expects to report third quarter 2017 financial results on November 7, 2017.


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