Hecla Reports 11.1 Million Ounces Of Silver and 186,994 Ounces of Gold; Increases of 24% and 56%

COEUR D'ALENE, ID - Hecla Mining Company reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2014, with strong performance from all three mines and the Company exceeding annual gold and silver production guidance.

Highlights: Silver production of 11.1 million ounces, a 24% increase over 2013 production. Gold production of 186,994 ounces, a 56% increase over 2013 production.  Silver equivalent production of 34.5 million ounces for 2014, a 50% increase over 2013 and 142% increase over 2012 levels.  Lead and zinc production is 33% and 11% higher than 2013 production.  Capital spending of approximately $132 million (excluding capitalized interest), $18 million less than guidance, and Cash and cash equivalents of approximately $209 million at year end, only $3 million less than 2013 year end.

Hecla’s silver equivalent production is the most in Hecla’s history and higher than our guidance as all three mines are running well, said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Hecla’s President and CEO. The fourth quarter performance of Greens Creek and Casa Berardi exceeded our normal production expectations as a result of higher grades and in addition, increased recoveries at Casa Berardi over the third quarter. Cash balances are essentially unchanged from the end of last year, despite the lower price environment and the completion of Hecla’s second largest annual capital program that was designed to increase production, extend mine life and reduce operating risk. These results are testament to the strength of Hecla’s assets and the capability of our operating teams.

Greens Creek, in Alaska had fourth quarter production of 2.5 million ounces of silver and 15,289 ounces of gold exceeded the fourth quarter 2013 production of 1.8 million ounces of silver and 14,722 ounces of gold by 34% and 4% respectively. Annual production of 7.8 million ounces of silver exceeded the prior year’s production by almost 400,000 ounces. The mill operated at an average of 2,236 tons per day (tpd) in 2014.

In Idaho, Lucky Friday’s fourth quarter silver production of 745,766 ounces was 16% higher than the fourth quarter 2013 production of 642,224 ounces. Annual production of 3.2 million ounces of silver was more than double the prior year. The mill operated at an average of 847 tpd in 2014.

Casa Berardi in Canada reported fourth quarter gold production of 39,382 ounces was 22% higher than the fourth quarter 2013 production of 32,386 ounces, and represented the highest quarterly production since Hecla purchased the mine on June 1, 2013. Annual gold production was 128,241 ounces. The mill operated at an average of 2,267 tpd in 2014.