Full Quarter Production At Lucky Friday Produces Record Throughput
COEUR D'ALENE, ID - “Hecla Mining Company produced 4.5 million silver ounces during the quarter, an increase of 6% over the prior quarter, reflecting a full quarter of production at Lucky Friday with record throughput, improved throughput at Keno Hill and another solid performance by Greens Creek," said Cassie Boggs, Interim President and CEO. "At Keno Hill we continue to focus on improving the safety culture and environmental performance, positioning the mine for long term success and while our actions are starting to show positive results, more work is required at this operation. We are also in contact with and continue to monitor the positions of First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, on whose Traditional Territory Keno Hill is partly located. With Keno Hill's expected silver production to exceed 2.7 million ounces this year, Hecla is on track to produce about 17 million ounces in 2024, a nearly 20% growth rate from 2023, making Hecla the fastest growing established silver producer with production growth in the best geographical regions."
At Greens Creek 2.2 million ounces of silver and 14,137 ounces of gold were produced in the second quarter. Silver production declined primarily due to grades reverting to plan resulting in a decrease of 6% compared to the first quarter, as well as slightly lower throughput. Lucky Friday produced 1.3 million ounces of silver in the quarter, an increase of 23% over the first quarter, reflecting a full quarter of production compared to the first quarter when production resumed in January. Mill throughput was a quarterly record at 1,181 tpd, as the mine continues to see the benefit of investment in infrastructure and the UCB mining method. The Company collected $17.8 million in insurance proceeds during the quarter with total proceeds to date at $35.2 million of the $50 million policy sub-limit. At Casa Berardi 23,187 ounces of gold were produced in the second quarter, an increase of 5% compared to the first quarter. Increased production during the quarter resulted from improved grades and recoveries, partly offset by lower throughput. The mill operated at an average of 4,033 tpd during the quarter. Keno Hill produced 900,440 ounces of silver, an increase of 39% compared with the 646,312 ounces produced in the first quarter. The increased production was due to higher and more consistent mill throughput that averaged 406 tpd, a 47% improvement over the first quarter. Silver grade was strong for the quarter averaging 25.1 ounces per ton.