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EX-99.1 2 ex_778097.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 HECLA MINING CO/DE/ - News Release, dated February 13, 2025.*

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Hecla Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

 

Record revenues, Second highest silver reserves, Second highest silver production,
Deleveraging continues

 

 

COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO - February 13, 2025 - Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) ("Hecla", "we", "our" or the "Company") today announced fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial and operating results.

 

2024 HIGHLIGHTS


    
Financial Achievements:

Generated record sales of $929.9 million.

Reported net income applicable to common stockholders of $35.3 million, or $0.06 per share.

Generated record Adjusted EBITDA of $337.9 million, continued deleveraging and reduced net debt, improved net leverage ratio* to 1.6x from 2.7x a year ago.1

Cash flow from operating activities was $218.3 million, an increase of $142.8 million over 2023 with strong free cash flow generation at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.

 

Greens Creek generated $186.5 million in cash flow from operations and $146.7 million in free cash flow.2

 

Lucky Friday generated $131.4 million in cash flow from operations and $81.8 million in free cash flow (including $50 million in insurance receipts).2

 

Operational Excellence:

Reported silver reserves of 240 million ounces, second highest in the Company's 134-year history.

Produced 16.2 million ounces of silver, second highest in the Company's history.

Produced 142 thousand ounces of gold, exceeding consolidated guidance.

Achieved consolidated silver production and cost guidance.

Set multiple records at Lucky Friday -

 

o

Highest tons of ore mined and milled in the mine's 80-year history.

 

o

Highest zinc production of 13,513 tons.

 

o

Production of 4.9 million ounces of silver, highest since 2000.

Keno Hill produced 2.8 million ounces of silver while increasing silver reserves by 17% to 64.3 million ounces.

All-Injury Frequency Rate outperformed national average of mining companies by 6%.

 

*Net leverage ratio is calculated as current debt, long-term debt and finance leases less cash divided by trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA.

 

 

 

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2025


 

Continue to strengthen the balance sheet with a focus on highest risk-adjusted return projects and free cash flow generation.

Advance Keno Hill's permitting and investment in critical infrastructure to chart the path for sustained profitability.

Optimize operating portfolio through strategic review of Casa Berardi.

Evaluate extensive exploration portfolio for opportunities to generate shareholder value.

Drive operational excellence through implementation of standardized enterprise systems and advanced analytics to optimize mine planning and cost management, driving sustained profitability and efficient capital allocation.

 

"In balancing our proud heritage with our refocused forward-looking vision, we are implementing a strategic shift that emphasizes sustainable profitable growth and operational excellence while continuing to focus on industry leading safety standards," said Rob Krcmarov, President and CEO. "Our renewed focus on optimizing cash flow generation and return on capital investment will drive shareholder value, supported by four key pillars: stakeholder relationship management, capital discipline, technical innovation, and environmental stewardship. As part of this commitment to disciplined capital allocation, we have streamlined our dividend policy to eliminate the silver-linked component, enabling us to pursue significant growth opportunities, particularly at Keno Hill."

 

Krcmarov continued, "As we advance into 2025, our key priorities include driving operational excellence through standardized systems and processes, improving our safety performance, evaluating strategic alternatives for Casa Berardi, and advancing Keno Hill's permitting and infrastructure to achieve sustained profitability. We are optimizing our exploration portfolio to maximize returns, focusing on projects that offer the highest risk-adjusted returns and potential for strong free cash flow generation while upholding our commitment to responsible mining practices. With silver markets facing their fifth consecutive deficit year, driven by record industrial demand and growing safe-haven investment, Hecla's position as the largest silver producer in the U.S. and Canada positions us well to capitalize on these favorable fundamentals."

 

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW


  

In the following table and throughout this release, "total cost of sales" is comprised of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization; "prior year" refers to 2023, and "prior quarter" refers to the third quarter of 2024.

 

In Thousands unless stated otherwise

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

Financial Highlights

                                                       

Sales

  $ 249,655     $ 245,085     $ 245,657     $ 189,528     $ 160,690     $ 929,925     $ 720,227  

Total cost of sales

  $ 181,321     $ 185,799     $ 194,227     $ 170,368     $ 153,825     $ 731,715     $ 607,278  

Gross profit

  $ 68,334     $ 59,286     $ 51,430     $ 19,160     $ 6,865     $ 198,210     $ 112,949  

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

  $ 11,786     $ 1,623     $ 27,732     $ (5,891 )   $ (43,073 )   $ 35,250     $ (84,769 )

Basic income (loss) per common share (in dollars)

  $ 0.02     $ 0.00     $ 0.04     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.06     $ (0.14 )

Adjusted EBITDA1

  $ 86,558     $ 88,859     $ 90,895     $ 71,597     $ 32,907     $ 337,909     $ 208,799  

Total Debt

                                          $ 550,713     $ 662,815  

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA1

                                            1.6       2.7  

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 67,470     $ 55,009     $ 78,718     $ 17,080     $ 884     $ 218,277     $ 75,499  

Capital Investment

  $ (60,784 )   $ (55,699 )   $ (50,420 )   $ (47,589 )   $ (62,622 )   $ (214,492 )   $ (223,887 )

Free Cash Flow2

  $ 6,686     $ (690 )   $ 28,298     $ (30,509 )   $ (61,738 )   $ 3,785     $ (148,388 )

Production Summary

                                                       

Silver ounces produced

    3,874,344       3,645,004       4,458,484       4,192,098       2,935,631       16,169,930       14,342,863  

Silver payable ounces sold

    3,488,207       3,729,782       3,785,285       3,481,884       2,847,591       14,485,158       12,955,006  

Gold ounces produced

    35,727       32,280       37,324       36,592       37,168       141,923       151,259  

Gold payable ounces sold

    33,563       31,414       35,276       32,189       33,230       132,442       141,602  

Cash Costs and AISC, each after by-product credits

 

Silver cash costs per ounce 3

  $ (0.27 )   $ 4.46     $ 2.08     $ 4.78     $ 4.94     $ 2.72     $ 3.23  

Silver AISC per ounce 4

  $ 11.51     $ 15.29     $ 12.54     $ 13.10     $ 17.48     $ 13.06     $ 11.76  

Gold cash costs per ounce 3

  $ 1,936     $ 1,754     $ 1,701     $ 1,669     $ 1,702     $ 1,762     $ 1,652  

Gold AISC per ounce 4

  $ 2,203     $ 2,059     $ 1,825     $ 1,899     $ 1,969     $ 1,990     $ 2,048  

Realized Prices

                                                       

Silver, $/ounce

  $ 30.19     $ 29.43     $ 29.77     $ 24.77     $ 23.47     $ 28.58     $ 23.33  

Gold, $/ounce

  $ 2,656     $ 2,522     $ 2,338     $ 2,094     $ 1,998     $ 2,403     $ 1,939  

Lead, $/pound

  $ 0.94     $ 0.93     $ 1.06     $ 0.97     $ 1.09     $ 0.97     $ 1.03  

Zinc, $/pound

  $ 1.53     $ 1.36     $ 1.51     $ 1.10     $ 1.39     $ 1.37     $ 1.35  

 

Sales increased to $929.9 million for the year through higher realized prices (silver, gold, and zinc) and higher sales volumes (silver, lead, and zinc), which were partially offset by lower gold sales volumes. Silver, lead, and zinc sales volumes increased primarily due to the resumption of operations at Lucky Friday on January 9, 2024, following the suspension of operations in August 2023 due to a fire in the underground secondary egress.

 

Gross profit for the year was $198.2 million, an increase of 75% over 2023. The increase is attributable to (i) Greens Creek gross profit increasing by $28.8 million due to higher realized prices for all metals except lead, which was partially offset by lower sales volumes of all metals except zinc, (ii) Lucky Friday gross profit increased by $26.6 million due to higher realized prices and volumes reflecting an almost full year of operation versus seven months in 2023, and (iii) at Casa Berardi, the gross loss decreased by $29.7 million reflecting the benefit of higher realized gold prices which offset lower gold sales volumes.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Net income applicable to common stockholders was $35.3 million compared to a prior year loss of $84.8 million. The improvement over the prior year was primarily related to:

Collection of $50 million of Lucky Friday insurance proceeds included in other operating income.

Ramp-up and suspension costs decreased by $32.9 million, reflecting the impact of Lucky Friday returning to full production in 2024.

A foreign exchange gain of $7.6 million versus a loss of $3.8 million, reflecting the impact of the U.S. dollar appreciation compared to the Canadian dollar.

 

Partly offset by:

A non-cash write-down of $14.6 million, $13.9 million of which was related to the remote vein mine ("RVM"). The RVM was determined to be unnecessary due to the success of the Underhand Closed Bench mining method at Lucky Friday and the vendor decided to terminate the program and exit that line of business.

An increase in income and mining tax provision of $29.2 million, reflecting higher taxable income realized by our US tax group while unable to recognize losses in Canada.

 

Consolidated silver total cost of sales in 2024 was $487.6 million, an increase of 28% from the prior year, primarily due to the resumption of production at Lucky Friday in January, higher labor and maintenance costs at Greens Creek, and additional costs allocated to cost of sales at Keno Hill due to higher revenues as a result of increased production.

 

Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $2.72 and $13.06, respectively, and within guidance. Cash costs decreased primarily due to lower treatment charges, higher by-product credits (due to increased production and realized prices) and higher silver production. AISC was higher due to higher sustaining capital at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, and higher corporate general and administrative expenses.3,4

 

Gold total cost of sales for Casa Berardi was consistent with the prior year as production costs remained stable year over year.

 

Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,762 and $1,990 respectively, an increase over the prior year as lower production costs and sustaining capital spend was partially offset by lower gold production.3,4

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $337.9 million, a 62% increase over the prior year. The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA (net leverage ratio) improved to 1.6 times from 2.7 times due to strong EBITDA generation in 2024 and reduction in net debt.1 Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024 were $26.9 million and included $23 million drawn on the revolving credit facility.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $218.3 million, an increase of $142.8 million from the prior year primarily due to higher net income partially offset by unfavorable working capital changes, including an increase of accounts receivable (Lucky Friday resumed production and Keno Hill ramped up operations), increase in inventories, and timing of accounts payable payments.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Capital investment, net of finance leases, was $214.5 million in 2024, compared to $223.9 million in the prior year. The decrease was due to (i) lower capital investment at Lucky Friday due to the prior year requiring additional capital to establish an alternative secondary escapeway as a result of the fire, (ii) decreased capital investment at Casa Berardi as the mine transitions to a surface only operation in mid-2025. These decreases were partially offset by (i) higher capital investment at Keno Hill for critical infrastructure projects including the dry stack tailings facility ("DSTF"), mobile equipment purchases, and mine development and (ii) other sustaining capital projects at Greens Creek.

 

Free cash flow for the year was $3.8 million, compared to negative $148.4 million in the prior year, with the increase primarily due to higher cash flow from operations.2

 

Hedging Update: Forward Sales Contracts for Base Metals and Foreign Currency

 

The Company uses financially settled forward sales contracts to manage exposures to zinc and lead price changes in forecasted concentrate shipments. On December 31, 2024, the Company had contracts covering approximately 23% and 34% of the forecasted payable zinc and lead production for 2025 - 2026 at an average price of $1.39 and $1.01 per pound, respectively.

 

The Company also manages Canadian dollar ("CAD") exposure through forward contracts. At December 31, 2024, the Company had hedged approximately 47% of forecasted Casa Berardi and Keno Hill CAD denominated direct production costs through 2026 at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.34. The Company has also hedged approximately 23% of Casa Berardi and Keno Hill CAD denominated total capital expenditures through 2026 at 1.38.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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OPERATIONS OVERVIEW


        

Greens Creek Mine - Alaska

 

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

GREENS CREEK

                                                       

Operating Highlights

                                                       

Tons of ore processed

    224,521       212,863       225,746       232,188       220,186       895,318       914,796  

Total production cost per ton

  $ 211.64     $ 222.39     $ 218.09     $ 212.92     $ 223.98     $ 216.15     $ 204.20  

Ore grade milled - Silver (oz./ton)

    10.72       11.22       12.60       13.30       12.89       11.99       13.31  

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton)

    0.09       0.08       0.09       0.09       0.09       0.09       0.09  

Ore grade milled - Lead (%)

    2.61       2.44       2.50       2.60       2.75       2.52       2.60  

Ore grade milled - Zinc (%)

    6.59       6.60       6.20       6.30       6.45       6.41       6.35  

Ore grade milled - Copper (%)

    0.25       0.31       0.27       0.28       0.27       0.27       0.26  

Silver produced (oz.)

    1,901,418       1,857,314       2,243,551       2,478,594       2,260,027       8,480,877       9,731,752  

Gold produced (oz.)

    14,804       11,746       14,137       14,588       14,651       55,275       60,896  

Lead produced (tons)

    4,808       4,165       4,513       4,834       4,910       18,320       19,578  

Zinc produced (tons)

    13,241       12,585       12,400       13,062       12,535       51,288       51,496  

Copper produced (tons)

    427       490       462       495       449       1,874       1,823  

Financial Highlights

                                                       

Sales

  $ 112,037     $ 116,568     $ 95,659     $ 97,310     $ 93,543     $ 421,574     $ 384,504  

Total cost of sales

  $ (67,887 )   $ (73,597 )   $ (56,786 )   $ (69,857 )   $ (70,231 )   $ (268,127 )   $ (259,895 )

Gross profit

  $ 44,150     $ 42,971     $ 38,873     $ 27,453     $ 23,312     $ 153,447     $ 124,609  

Cash flow from operations

  $ 60,442     $ 54,076     $ 43,276     $ 28,706     $ 34,576     $ 186,500     $ 157,325  

Exploration

  $ 1,129     $ 4,325     $ 2,011     $ 551     $ 1,324     $ 8,016     $ 7,815  

Capital additions

  $ (15,798 )   $ (11,466 )   $ (11,704 )   $ (8,827 )   $ (15,996 )   $ (47,795 )   $ (43,542 )

Free cash flow 2

  $ 45,773     $ 46,935     $ 33,583     $ 20,430     $ 19,904     $ 146,721     $ 121,598  

Cash Costs and AISC, each after by-product credits

 

Cash costs per ounce, after by-product credits 3

  $ (5.86 )   $ 0.93     $ 0.19     $ 3.45     $ 4.94     $ (0.05 )   $ 2.53  

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

  $ 2.62     $ 7.04     $ 5.40     $ 7.16     $ 12.00     $ 5.65     $ 7.14  

 

Operational Review

Greens Creek produced 8.5 million ounces of silver and 55,275 ounces of gold in 2024. Zinc production was consistent with the prior year while lead production declined 6% due to lower grades.

 

Silver and gold production in the fourth quarter increased by 2% and 26% respectively, over the prior quarter, delivering 1.9 million ounces of silver and 14,804 ounces of gold. Fourth quarter silver production was lower than planned as equipment availability affected backfill cycles, resulting in a delay in the mining sequence of higher-grade stopes. Silver grades are expected to increase through the first quarter of 2025 as backfill cycles improve.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Fourth Quarter Financial Review

Sales in the fourth quarter were $112.0 million, a decrease of 4% over the prior quarter, as higher realized prices for all metals were offset by lower sales volumes.

 

Total cost of sales was $67.9 million, a decrease of 8% over the prior quarter, primarily due to lower sales volumes, while total production costs remained stable quarter-over-quarter. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were negative $5.86 and $2.62 and decreased over the prior quarter due to lower treatment charges, higher silver production, and higher by-product credits (higher prices and production).3,4

 

Cash flow from operations was $60.4 million, an increase of 12% over the prior quarter due to higher gross margin and favorable working capital changes. Capital investment was $15.8 million during the quarter, an increase of $4.3 million over the prior quarter, primarily due to mobile equipment purchases.

 

Free cash flow for the quarter of $45.8 million was consistent with the prior quarter as higher capital investment offset the increase in cash flow from operation.

 

2024 Financial Review

Sales in 2024 were $421.6 million, an increase of 10% compared to the prior year as higher realized prices for all metals except lead, and higher zinc volumes were partially offset by lower sales volumes of other metals.

 

Total cost of sales increased 3% to $268.1 million due to higher labor and contractor costs and higher equipment maintenance costs. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce (each after by-product credits) were negative $0.05 and $5.65, respectively, lower than the prior year due to higher by-product credits (higher by-product prices offset lower gold and lead production) and lower treatment charges, which offset lower silver production, higher costs and capital investment.3,4

 

Cash flow from operations for the year was $186.5 million and increased 19% over the prior year due to higher revenues. Capital investment was $47.8 million during the year, an increase of 10% over the prior year, primarily due to increased mine development and mobile equipment purchases.

 

Free cash flow generation for the year was $146.7 million and increased 21% over the prior year as higher sales were partially offset by higher costs and capital spend.2

 

Please refer to guidance section of the release for production, cost, and capital guidance for 2025.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Lucky Friday Mine - Idaho

 

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

LUCKY FRIDAY

                                                       

Operating Highlights

                                                       

Tons of ore processed

    108,585       104,281       107,441       86,234       5,164       406,541       231,129  

Total production cost per ton

  $ 250.71     $ 260.99     $ 233.99     $ 233.10     $ 201.42     $ 245.19     $ 218.45  

Ore grade milled - Silver (oz./ton)

    13.0       12.1       12.9       12.9       12.7       12.7       14.0  

Ore grade milled - Lead (%)

    8.5       7.9       8.1       8.2       8.0       8.2       8.9  

Ore grade milled - Zinc (%)

    4.2       3.9       3.6       3.9       3.5       3.9       4.1  

Silver produced (oz.)

    1,336,910       1,184,819       1,308,155       1,061,065       61,575       4,890,949       3,086,119  

Lead produced (tons)

    8,685       7,662       8,229       6,689       372       31,265       19,543  

Zinc produced (tons)

    3,814       3,528       3,320       2,851       134       13,513       7,944  

Financial Highlights

                                                       

Sales

  $ 57,671     $ 51,072     $ 59,071     $ 35,340     $ 3,117     $ 203,154     $ 116,284  

Total cost of sales

  $ (40,157 )   $ (39,286 )   $ (37,523 )   $ (27,519 )   $ (3,117 )   $ (144,485 )   $ (84,185 )

Gross profit

  $ 17,514     $ 11,786     $ 21,548     $ 7,821     $     $ 58,669     $ 32,099  

Cash flow from operations

  $ 25,329     $ 34,374     $ 44,546     $ 27,112     $ (7,982 )   $ 131,361     $ 57,558  

Capital additions

  $ (12,608 )   $ (11,178 )   $ (10,818 )   $ (14,988 )   $ (18,819 )     (49,592 )   $ (65,337 )

Free cash flow 2

  $ 12,721     $ 23,196     $ 33,728     $ 12,124     $ (26,801 )   $ 81,769     $ (7,779 )

Cash Costs and AISC, each after by-product credits

                                                       

Cash costs per ounce, after by-product credits 3

  $ 7.68     $ 9.98     $ 5.32     $ 8.85       N/A     $ 7.80     $ 5.51  

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

  $ 17.12     $ 19.40     $ 12.74     $ 17.36       N/A     $ 16.50     $ 12.21  

 

Operational Review

In 2024, Lucky Friday delivered solid operational performance, producing 4.9 million ounces of silver, an increase of 58% over the prior year (2023 production was negatively impacted by the suspension of operations for five months due to the fire). In 2024, the mine set multiple production records, including record tons mined (ore and waste), record throughput, record zinc production and the highest silver and lead production since 2000.

 

Fourth quarter silver production was 1.3 million ounces, an increase of 13% over the prior quarter due to higher silver grades and mill throughput.

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Review

Sales in the fourth quarter were $57.7 million, an increase of 13% over the prior quarter due to higher realized prices for all metals and higher sales volumes.

 

Cost of sales were $40.2 million, in line with the prior quarter. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $7.68 and $17.12, respectively, and decreased over the prior quarter primarily due to higher by-product credits (higher prices and production) and higher silver production.3,4

 

Cash flow from operations was $25.3 million, a decrease of 26% over the prior quarter which was favorably impacted by insurance receipts of $14.8 million. Capital investment increased to $12.6 million, a 13% increase over the prior quarter due to increased development and other sustaining capital investments. Free cash flow for the quarter was $12.7 million and decreased over the prior quarter due to favorable impact of insurance receipts in the prior quarter.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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2024 Financial Review

Sales in 2024 were $203.2 million, an increase of 75% over the prior year, attributable to higher silver and base metal production (reflecting almost twelve full months of production versus seven months in the prior year) and higher realized prices. Gross profit in 2024 was $58.7 million, an increase of 83% over 2023, due to the abovementioned reasons.

 

Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $7.80 and $16.50, respectively, an increase over the prior year mainly due to higher costs reflecting a full year of production.3,4

 

Cash flow from operations for the year was $131.4 million, an increase of 128% over the prior year, reflecting the receipt of insurance proceeds throughout the year. Capital investment, net of leases, for the year was $49.6 million; major capital projects executed were mine development, equipment purchases, and pre-production drilling. Free cash flow for the year was $81.8 million and includes $50 million of insurance receipts.2

 

Please refer to guidance section of the release for production, cost, and capital guidance for 2025.

 

Keno Hill - Yukon Territory

 

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

KENO HILL

                                                       

Operating Highlights

                                                       

Tons of ore processed

    23,123       24,027       36,977       25,165       19,651       109,292       56,331  

Ore grade milled - Silver (oz./ton)

    29.6       25.7       25.1       26.3       31.7       26.2       27.7  

Ore grade milled - Lead (%)

    3.9       3.0       2.4       2.4       2.6       2.8       2.3  

Ore grade milled - Zinc (%)

    1.3       2.4       1.4       1.3       1.6       1.6       2.5  

Silver produced (oz.)

    629,828       597,293       900,440       646,312       608,301       2,773,873       1,502,577  

Lead produced (tons)

    839       670       845       576       481       2,930       1,225  

Zinc produced (tons)

    246       492       471       298       396       1,507       1,339  

Financial Highlights

                                                       

Sales

  $ 15,356     $ 19,809     $ 28,950       10,847       17,936     $ 74,962     $ 35,518  

Total cost of sales

  $ (15,356 )   $ (19,809 )   $ (28,950 )     (10,847 )     (17,936 )   $ (74,962 )   $ (35,518 )

Gross profit

  $     $     $     $           $     $  

Cash flow from operations

  $ (1,752 )   $ (6,811 )   $ (465 )   $ (8,720 )     (1,188 )   $ (17,748 )   $ (24,243 )

Exploration

  $ 2,605     $ 2,664     $ 2,019     $ 498       1,548     $ 7,786     $ 4,677  

Capital additions

  $ (15,584 )   $ (14,406 )   $ (14,533 )   $ (10,346 )     (12,549 )   $ (54,869 )   $ (44,672 )

Free cash flow 2

  $ (14,731 )   $ (18,553 )   $ (12,979 )   $ (18,568 )     (12,189 )   $ (64,831 )   $ (64,238 )

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Operational Review

Keno Hill produced 2.8 million ounces of silver, an increase of 85% over prior year and within guidance of 2.7-3.0 million ounces. Mill throughput for the year averaged 299 tons per day (“tpd”), below the permitted capacity of 440 tpd.

 

Fourth quarter silver production was nearly 630,000 ounces, an increase of 5% over the prior quarter, attributable to higher silver grades. Mill throughput averaged 251 tpd in the fourth quarter and was impacted by the suspension of milling operations for 25 days due to delays relating to the DSTF (including permitting), and an additional 10 days due to the power curtailments by Yukon Energy Corporation ("YEC"), the utility that supplies power to the mine. The Company estimates the power curtailments lowered production by approximately 130,000 ounces in the fourth quarter.

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Review

Sales in the fourth quarter were $15.4 million, and decreased 22% over the prior quarter due to lower volumes sold. Total expenditures on production costs (excluding depreciation) were $21.4 million.

 

Cash flow from operations was negative $1.8 million and improved over the prior quarter due to favorable working capital changes. Capital investments during the quarter were $15.6 million and included mine development and construction of the DSTF. Free cash flow was negative $14.7 million, an improvement of $3.8 million over the prior quarter due to the improvement in cash flow from operations.

 

2024 Financial Review

Sales in 2024 were $75.0 million, an increase of 111% over the prior year, due to higher volumes sold and higher realized prices. Total expenditures on production costs (excluding depreciation) were $91.8 million.

 

Cash flow from operations was negative $17.7 million, and improved over the prior year due to higher sales. Capital investment increased 23% due to higher mine development, equipment, and investment in critical infrastructure projects like the DSTF. Free cash flow for the year was negative $64.8 million, in line with the prior year.

 

Outlook

Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine heap leach pad incident in June 2024, although unrelated to Hecla and Keno Hill, caused the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun ("FNNND") to express strong positions on mining activities within their Traditional Territory, where Keno Hill is located, including a call to halt all mining. This has slowed the Company’s permitting efforts as the Yukon Government is required to consult with the FNNND on permitting matters. Progress continues to be made on permitting, but significant challenges remain. Further, power curtailment by YEC at Keno Hill has continued into 2025, resulting in 8 days of operational stoppage as of this release. Disruptions are expected to continue through the first half of 2025, due to cold temperatures and YEC’s insufficient generating capacity relating to an out-of-service hydro-electric turbine that is not expected to be repaired until summer 2025. However, the Yukon Premier has committed resources to review and resolve the power deficit at Keno Hill in the coming months. Considering electrical reliability challenges, along with ongoing discussions with the Yukon Government and the FNNND regarding the Eagle Mine incident, we project 2025 silver production to remain comparable to 2024 levels, with growth expected to resume in 2026.

 

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Despite these issues at Keno Hill, the Company has charted a path to achieve sustainable profitable production through a phased approach to throughput optimization. The immediate focus is on achieving consistent performance at the current permitted capacity of 440 tpd while investing in infrastructure and advancing critical permitting for future expansion to approximately 600 tpd. Increased throughput is critical for generating returns at this remote operation due to its high fixed costs. The expansion pathway, supported by the mine's robust resource base and recent increase in silver reserves to over 64 million ounces, is expected to meet the Company’s investment threshold criteria at current silver prices. While permitting timelines in Yukon have been impacted by broader regional developments, the Company is engaged with stakeholders and regulatory authorities to advance permits. The goal of a disciplined approach that focuses on operational and environmental excellence is to unlock Keno Hill's significant value potential.

 

Please refer to guidance section of the release for detailed production, cost, and capital guidance for 2025.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Casa Berardi - Quebec

 

Dollars are in thousands except cost per ton

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

CASA BERARDI

                                                       

Operating Highlights

                                                       

Tons of ore processed - underground

    113,068       101,308       118,485       123,123       104,002       455,984       420,915  

Tons of ore processed - surface pit

    292,148       268,291       248,494       258,503       251,009       1,067,436       1,025,573  

Tons of ore processed - total

    405,216       369,599       366,979       381,626       355,011       1,523,420       1,446,488  

Surface tons mined - ore and waste

    6,708,708       5,603,101       4,064,091       3,639,297       4,639,770       20,015,197       12,812,350  

Total production cost per ton

  $ 100.34     $ 97.82     $ 107.84     $ 96.53     $ 108.20     $ 100.58     $ 104.75  

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - underground

    0.12       0.11       0.14       0.14       0.12       0.13       0.11  

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - surface pit

    0.04       0.05       0.04       0.04       0.06       0.04       0.04  

Ore grade milled - Gold (oz./ton) - combined

    0.06       0.06       0.07       0.07       0.07       0.07       0.07  

Gold produced (oz.) - underground

    11,034       9,913       13,719       13,707       11,206       48,373       45,636  

Gold produced (oz.) - surface pit

    9,889       10,621       9,468       8,297       11,311       38,275       44,727  

Gold produced (oz.) - total

    20,923       20,534       23,187       22,004       22,517       86,648       90,363  

Silver produced (oz.) - total

    6,188       5,578       6,338       6,127       5,730       24,231       22,415  

Financial Highlights

                                                       

Sales

  $ 59,164     $ 50,308     $ 58,623     $ 41,584     $ 42,822     $ 209,679     $ 177,678  

Total cost of sales

  $ (51,734 )   $ (46,280 )   $ (67,340 )   $ (58,260 )   $ (58,945 )   $ (223,614 )   $ (221,341 )

Gross profit (loss)

  $ 7,430     $ 4,028     $ (8,717 )   $ (16,676 )   $ (16,123 )   $ (13,935 )   $ (43,663 )

Cash flow from operations

  $ 12,356     $ 15,305     $ 17,816     $ 3,186     $ 3,136     $ 48,663     $ 2,181  

Exploration

  $     $     $ 315     $ 685     $ 635     $ 1,000     $ 4,278  

Capital additions

  $ (16,406 )   $ (18,606 )   $ (12,376 )   $ (13,316 )   $ (15,929 )   $ (60,704 )   $ (70,056 )

Free cash flow 2

  $ (4,050 )   $ (3,301 )   $ 5,755     $ (9,445 )   $ (12,158 )   $ (11,041 )   $ (63,597 )

Cash Costs and AISC, each after by-product credits

                                                       

Cash costs per ounce, after by-product credits 3

  $ 1,936     $ 1,754     $ 1,701     $ 1,669     $ 1,702     $ 1,762     $ 1,652  

AISC per ounce, after by-product credits 4

  $ 2,203     $ 2,059     $ 1,825     $ 1,899     $ 1,969     $ 1,990     $ 2,048  

 

Operational Review

Casa Berardi produced 86,648 ounces of gold in 2024, a decrease of 4% over the prior year, due to lower surface grades, which offset higher throughput from open pit operations. Mined tons (ore and waste) in the 160 open pit increased 56% over the prior year, while costs, both operating and capital were consistent with the prior year. The mine is expected to transition to a surface only operation by mid-2025, when the stripping ratio for the 160 pit is expected to decline, and mill throughput is expected to be sourced completely from the pit.

 

Fourth quarter production was 20,923 ounces of gold, an increase of 2% over the prior quarter, due to higher throughput.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
12

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Review

Sales in the fourth quarter were $59.2 million, an increase of 18% over the prior quarter, primarily due to higher gold prices.

 

Total cost of sales was $51.7 million, an increase of 12% over the prior quarter, due to higher sales volumes, and higher contractor costs. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,936 and $2,203, respectively, and increased over the prior quarter due to higher production costs attributable to higher ore and waste tons mined and milled during the quarter, and include losses of $38.7 per ounce on foreign exchange hedges.3,4

 

Cash flow from operations was $12.4 million, a 19% decrease over the prior quarter due to unfavorable working capital changes (timing of accounts payable payments). Capital investment for the quarter was $16.4 million, net of capital leases of $5.0 million ($5.4 million and $11.0 million in sustaining and non-sustaining capital investment, respectively). Non-sustaining capital was primarily related to construction costs of tailings facilities. Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $4.1 million and decreased over the prior quarter due to lower cash flow from operations.2

 

2024 Financial Review

Sales for 2024 were $209.7 million, an increase of 18% over the prior year due to higher realized prices partially offset by lower gold production and related total production costs.

 

Full-year total cost of sales was $223.6 million, in line with the prior year. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,762 and $1,990, respectively.3,4 The year-over-year increase in cash costs per gold ounce was primarily attributable to lower gold production.

 

Cash flow from operations for the year was $48.7 million, a significant increase over the prior year, due to a $29.7 million reduction in gross loss. Capital investment of $60.7 million (net of capital leases of $5.0 million) was primarily related to construction of the Cell 7 tailings facility. Free cash flow was negative $11.1 million, an improvement of $52.5 million over the prior year, attributable to the increase in cash flow from operations.

 

Outlook

Casa Berardi is transitioning from a combined underground and surface operation to a surface only operation. By mid-2025, the Company expects to be mining only the 160 open pit, as the higher margin stopes of the west underground mine should be exhausted. With the expected decline in 160 pit's strip ratio, the mine's economics are expected to improve with free cash flow generation commencing in the second half of 2025.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Casa Berardi is expected to produce gold from the 160 pit until 2027. At current gold prices, the 160 pit is expected to generate strong free cash flow from the second half of 2025 (when the pit's strip ratio is expected to decline) until 2027. Upon completion of mining at the 160 pit, and milling the remaining stockpiles, Casa Berardi is expected to have a production gap commencing in 2027 and continuing until 2032 or later. During this time, the focus is expected to be on investing in permitting, infrastructure and equipment, as well as de-watering and stripping two expected new open pits, the Principal and West Mine Crown Pillar pits. Upon conclusion of the hiatus and related permitting and construction, the Company expects the mine to generate significant free cash flow at current gold prices. Given the expected hiatus in future production and the uncertainty surrounding permitting and timing of construction of the new open pits, the Company continues to consider strategic alternatives for Casa Berardi.

 

Please refer to guidance section of the release for production, cost, and capital guidance for 2025.

 

EXPLORATION AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT


 

Exploration and pre-development expenses totaled $5.7 million for the fourth quarter and $27.3 million for the entire year. During the fourth quarter, exploration activities focused on targets at Keno Hill and Greens Creek.

 

For the year ended 2024, the Company reported silver reserves of 239.8 million ounces, the second highest in the Company's history and only 1 million ounces lower than the record reserves in 2022. The 2024 exploration program and resulting reinterpretations were particularly successful at expanding Keno Hill's silver reserves, which increased by 17%, and nearly replacing silver production at Greens Creek. A breakdown of the Company's reserves and resources is located in Table A at the end of this news release.

 

Selected drill intercepts for the two operations are shown below. For further details on the Company's 2024 exploration and pre-development program and 2025 planned expenditures as well as reserves and resources at year-end 2024, please refer to the news release entitled "Hecla Reports Exploration Results and Reserves" released on February 12, 2025.

 

Keno Hill

Bermingham Vein Zone

Footwall Vein: 36.6 ounce per ton ("opt") silver, 3.0% lead, and 0.9% zinc over 11.2 feet

 

Includes: 48.4 opt silver, 3.7% lead, and 1.0% zinc over 8.1 feet

Main Vein: 42.8 oz/ton silver, 9.3% lead, and 9.7% zinc over 6.8 feet

 

Greens Creek

West Zone

34.6 opt silver, 0.44 oz/ton gold, 2.8% lead and 5.9% zinc over 12.1 feet

40.1 opt silver, 0.36 oz/ton gold, 4.3% lead and 8.2% zinc over 8.0 feet

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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DIVIDENDS


       

Revision to Dividend Policy

The Company has revised its common stock dividend policy, maintaining the base cash dividend of $0.015 per share ($0.00375 per share quarterly) while eliminating the silver-linked component. The revised dividend policy supports the Company's capital allocation priorities of (i) investing in high-return organic growth opportunities, with a focus on development of Keno Hill, (ii) strengthening the balance sheet and enhancing financial flexibility, and (iii) delivering disciplined shareholder returns.

 

Pursuant to the revised dividend policy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.00375 per share of common stock payable on or about March 24, 2025, to stockholders of record on March 10, 2025.

 

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.875 per share of Series B preferred stock, payable on or about April 1, 2025, to stockholders of record on March 14, 2025.

 

2025 GUIDANCE 6


 

In the tables below the Company provides production, cost, and capital guidance on a consolidated basis and by mine, as well as projected consolidated exploration and pre-development expenditures.

 

2025 Production Outlook

 

Consolidated silver production is expected to be 15.5-17.0 million ounces, in line with 2024 silver production.

 

Greens Creek's silver production is expected to be 8.1-8.8 million ounces, consistent with 2024 production. Base metal production for the mine is also expected to be in line with 2024, while gold production is expected to decline due to lower grades.

 

Lucky Friday's silver production is expected to be 4.7-5.1 million ounces, consistent with 2024 production.

 

Keno Hill silver production is expected to be 2.7-3.1 million ounces, consistent with 2024 production, as the Company continues to focus on permitting matters and execution of critical infrastructure projects. Keno Hill's infrastructure (primarily camp facilities) is expected to face higher demand than in 2024 from the Company's environmental remediation services subsidiary, ERDC, which performs environmental remediation work in Yukon on behalf of the Canadian government.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Consolidated gold production is expected to decrease to 120-130 thousand ounces, primarily due to less production at Casa Berardi as the mine transitions to a surface only operation during the year.

 

 

Silver Production

(Moz)

Gold Production

(Koz)

Silver Equivalent

(Moz)

Gold Equivalent

(Koz)

Greens Creek *

8.1 - 8.8

44.0 - 48.0

18.0 - 19.5

200.0 - 210.0

Lucky Friday *

4.7 - 5.1

N/A

8.0 - 8.5

90.0 - 95.0

Casa Berardi

N/A

76.0 - 82.0

6.5 - 7.5

76.0 - 82.0

Keno Hill *

2.7 - 3.1

N/A

3.0 - 3.5

30.0 - 40.0

2025 Total

15.5 - 17.0

120.0 - 130.0

35.5 - 39.0

396.0 - 427.0

* Equivalent ounces include Lead and Zinc production

 

2025 Cost Guidance

 

At Greens Creek, guidance for cash costs per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is higher compared to 2024 due to expected increases in labor and power costs, the latter resulting from expected maintenance at the hydropower utility that supplies power to the mine (requiring the mine to generate using more expensive diesel power), as well as lower price assumptions for by-products (resulting in lower by-product credits). The increase in guidance for AISC per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is attributable to planned higher capital investment.

 

At Lucky Friday, guidance for cash costs per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is lower for 2025 compared to 2024 as 2024 was impacted by higher than expected costs incurred as the mine ramped-up to full production in the first quarter of the year. The increase in guidance for AISC per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is attributable to planned higher capital spend.

 

At Keno Hill, expenditures on production costs, excluding depreciation, are expected to be $15-$17 million per quarter. Guidance for cash costs and AISC per silver ounce (after by-product credits) will be provided when the mine reaches commercial production.

 

At Casa Berardi, guidance for cash costs and AISC per gold ounce (after by-product credits) is lower than 2024 as costs and capital are expected to decrease with the mine's transition to an open-pit only operation in mid-2025.

 

 

 

Total costs of Sales

(million)

 

Cash costs, after by-

product credits, per

silver/gold ounce3

AISC, after by-product

credits, per produced

silver/gold ounce4

Greens Creek

   

289.0

 

$2.00 - $2.50

$8.75 - $9.50

Lucky Friday

   

135.0

 

$4.25 - $4.75

$16.50 - $18.00

Total Silver

   

424.0

 

$3.00 - $3.25

$15.75 - $17.00

Casa Berardi

   

165.5

 

$1,500 - $1,650

$1,750 - $1,950

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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2025 Capital and Exploration Guidance

 

Consolidated capital investment is expected to be $222-$242 million and is expected to increase over 2024 due to increased investment at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.

 

Greens Creek's planned increase in capital investment is primarily attributable to engineering and construction related to the expansion of its DSTF, which is expected to increase tailings capacity to 2040.

 

Lucky Friday's planned increase in capital investment is due to increased development and a surface cooling project, which is critical to increase the designed cooling capacity at the mine over its reserve mine-life of seventeen years.

 

Expected capital spend at Keno Hill comprises mine development and mine infrastructure projects, including a paste backfill plant, DSTF, and water treatment plant.

 

Casa Berardi's expected growth capital investment includes tailings construction costs.

 

Exploration and pre-development expenditures are expected to be $28 million, with the focus at Greens Creek and Keno Hill, with some planned spend at Nevada and Lucky Friday.

 

(millions)

 

Total

Sustaining

Growth

2025 Total Capital expenditures

 

$222 - $242

$125 - $133

$97 - $109

Greens Creek

 

$58 - $63

$48 - $51

$10 - $12

Lucky Friday

 

$63 - $68

$58 - $61

$5 - $7

Casa Berardi

 

$58 - $63

$19 - $21

$39 - $42

Keno Hill

 

$43 - $48

N/A

$43 - $48

2025 Exploration & Pre-Development

 

$28

   

 

 

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST


 

A conference call and webcast will be held on Friday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. We recommend that you dial in at least 10 minutes before the call commencement. You may join the conference call by dialing toll-free 1-800-715-9871 or for international dialing 1-646-370-1963. The Conference ID is 4812168 and must be provided when dialing in. Hecla's live and archived webcast can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/766866042 or www.hecla.com under Investors.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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VIRTUAL INVESTOR EVENT


    

Hecla will be holding a Virtual Investor Event on Friday, February 14, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

Hecla invites shareholders, investors, and other interested parties to schedule a personal, 30-minute virtual meeting (video or telephone) with a member of senior management to discuss Financial, Exploration, Operations, ESG or general matters. Click on the link below to schedule a call (or copy and paste the link into your web browser). You can select a topic once you have entered the meeting calendar. If you are unable to book a time, either due to high demand or for other reasons, please reach out to Anvita M. Patil, Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer at hmc-info@hecla.com or 208-769-4100.

 

One-on-One meeting URL: https://calendly.com/2024-feb-vie

 

ABOUT HECLA

 

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

 

NOTES

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures cited in this release and listed below are reconciled to their most comparable GAAP measure at the end of this release.

 

(1) Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders as defined by GAAP. They exclude certain impacts which are of a nature which we believe are not reflective of our underlying performance. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per common share provides investors with the ability to better evaluate our underlying operating performance.

 

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(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Cash provided by operating activities for the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, and Casa Berardi operating segments excludes exploration and pre-development expense, as it is a discretionary expenditure and not a component of the mines’ operating performance. Capital expenditures refers to Additions to properties, plants and equipment from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, net of finance leases.

 

(3) Cash costs, after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of total cost of sales, can be found at the end of the release. It is an important operating statistic that management utilizes to measure each mine's operating performance. It also allows the benchmarking of performance of each mine versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver mining company, management also uses the statistic on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines to compare performance with that of other silver mining companies. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

 

(4) All-in sustaining cost (AISC), after by-product credits, is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to total cost of sales, the closest GAAP measurement, can be found in the end of the release. AISC, after by-product credits, includes total cost of sales and other direct production costs, expenses for reclamation at the mine sites and all site sustaining capital costs. AISC, after by-product credits, is calculated net of depreciation, depletion, and amortization and by-product credits. Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation.

 

(5) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net loss, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net loss, or cash provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by GAAP, and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to debt and net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP measurements, can be found at the end of the release. It is an important measure for management to measure relative indebtedness and the ability to service the debt relative to its peers. It is calculated as total debt outstanding less total cash on hand divided by adjusted EBITDA.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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(6) Expectations for 2025 include silver, gold, lead, and zinc production from Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, and Casa Berardi converted using gold $2,550/oz, silver $28/oz, zinc $1.25/lb, and lead $0.85/lb. Numbers are rounded.

Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as total cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Management believes that AISC is a non-GAAP measure that provides additional information to management, investors and analysts to help (i) in the understanding of the economics of our operations and performance compared to other producers and (ii) in the transparency by better defining the total costs associated with production. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements, Including 2025 Outlook

 

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “targets”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: (i) Silver grades at Greens Creek are expected to increase through the first quarter of 2025 as backfill cycles improve; (ii) production is expected to increase at Keno Hill in 2026; (iii) Yukon Energy Corporation's out-of-service hydro-electric turbine is expected to be repaired by summer 2025; (iv) Keno Hill's expected increase in throughput to 600 tons per day and production growth to sustainable profitable production is expected to meet the Company's investment threshold criteria at current silver prices; (v) Casa Berardi is expected to 1) continue underground production through mid-2025, 2) produce gold from the 160 pit until 2027, and 3) have a production gap commencing in 2027 to 2032 or later. During this time, the focus is expected to be on investing in infrastructure and equipment, permitting and de-watering and stripping two expected new open pits, Principal and West Mine Crown Pillar. Upon conclusion of the hiatus and related permitting and construction, the Company expects the mine to generate significant free cash flow, particularly at current gold prices; (vi) projected total cost of sales, as well as cash costs and AISC per ounce (in each case after by-product credits) for Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, and Casa Berardi individually and for silver overall for 2025; (vii) Lucky Friday's reserve mine-life is expected to be eighteen years; (viii) Company-wide and mine-specific estimated spending on capital, exploration and predevelopment for 2025; and (ix) Company-wide and mine-specific estimated silver, gold, silver-equivalent and gold-equivalent ounces of production for 2025. The material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information include that the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated, to which the Company’s operations are subject. Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Such assumptions, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions; (ii) permitting, development, operations and expansion of the Company’s projects being consistent with current expectations and mine plans; (iii) political/regulatory developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; (iv) the exchange rate for the USD/CAD being approximately consistent with current levels; (v) certain price assumptions for gold, silver, lead and zinc; (vi) prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (vii) the accuracy of our current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; (viii) there being no significant changes to the availability of employees, vendors and equipment; (ix) the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated; (x) counterparties performing their obligations under hedging instruments and put option contracts; (xi) sufficient workforce is available and trained to perform assigned tasks; (xii) weather patterns and rain/snowfall within normal seasonal ranges so as not to impact operations; (xiii) relations with interested parties, including First Nations and Native Americans, remain productive; (xiv) maintaining availability of water rights; (xv) factors do not arise that reduce available cash balances; and (xvi) there being no material increases in our current requirements to post or maintain reclamation and performance bonds or collateral related thereto. In addition, material risks that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: (i) gold, silver and other metals price volatility; (ii) operating risks; (iii) currency fluctuations; (iv) increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans; (v) community relations; and (vi) litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company's 2024 Form 10-K filed on February 13, 2025, for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements other than as may be required by law.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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Cautionary Statements to Investors on Reserves and Resources

This news release uses the terms “mineral resources”, “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources.” Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. You should not assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Further, inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically, and an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a mineral reserve. We report reserves and resources under the SEC’s mining disclosure rules (“S-K 1300”) and Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) because we are a “reporting issuer” under Canadian securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with S-K 1300 as well as NI 43-101.

 

Qualified Person (QP)

Kurt D. Allen, MSc., CPG, VP -Exploration of Hecla Mining Company and Keith Blair, MSc., CPG, Chief Geologist of Hecla Limited, who serve as a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information concerning Hecla’s mineral projects in this news release. Technical Report Summaries for the Company’s Greens Creek,  Lucky Friday, Casa Berardi and Keno Hill properties are filed as exhibits 96.1 - 96.4, respectively, to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and are available at www.sec.gov. Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of analytical or testing procedures for (i) the Greens Creek Mine are contained in its Technical Report Summary and in its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report for the Greens Creek Mine” effective date December 31, 2018, (ii) the Lucky Friday Mine are contained in its Technical Report Summary and in its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report for the Lucky Friday Mine Shoshone County, Idaho, USA” effective date April 2, 2014, (iii) Casa Berardi are contained in its Technical Report Summary and in its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Quebec, Canada” effective date December 31, 2023, (iv) Keno Hill is contained in its Technical Report Summary titled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Keno Hill Mine, Yukon, Canada” and in its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report on the Keno Hill Mine, Yukon, Canada” effective date December 31, 2023, and (v) the San Sebastian Mine, Mexico, are contained in a NI 43-101 technical report prepared for Hecla titled “Technical Report for the San Sebastian Ag-Au Property, Durango, Mexico” effective date September 8, 2015. Also included in each Technical Report Summary and  technical report listed above is a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant factors. Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of sample, analytical or testing procedures are contained in NI 43-101 technical reports prepared for Klondex Mines Ltd. for (i) the Fire Creek Mine (technical report dated March 31, 2018), (ii) the Hollister Mine (technical report dated May 31, 2017, amended August 9, 2017), and (iii) the Midas Mine (technical report dated August 31, 2014, amended April 2, 2015). Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of sample, analytical or testing procedures are contained in a NI 43-101 technical reports prepared for ATAC Resources Ltd. for (i) the Osiris Project (technical report dated July 28, 2022) and (ii) the Tiger Project (technical report dated February 27, 2020). Copies of these technical reports are available under the SEDAR profiles of Klondex Mines Unlimited Liability Company and ATAC Resources Ltd., respectively, at www.sedar.com (the Fire Creek technical report is also available under Hecla’s profile on SEDAR). Mr. Allen and Mr. Blair reviewed and verified information regarding drill sampling, data verification of all digitally collected data, drill surveys and specific gravity determinations relating to all the mines. The review encompassed quality assurance programs and quality control measures including analytical or testing practice, chain-of-custody procedures, sample storage procedures and included independent sample collection and analysis. This review found the information and procedures meet industry standards and are adequate for Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and mine planning purposes.

 

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For further information, please contact:

 

Anvita M. Patil

Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

Cheryl Turner

Communications Coordinator

 

Investor Relations

Email: hmc-info@hecla.com

Website: http://www.hecla.com

 

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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HECLA MINING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Twelve Months Ended

 
   

December

31, 2024

   

September

30, 2024

   

December

31, 2024

   

December

31, 2023

 

Sales

  $ 249,655     $ 245,085     $ 929,925     $ 720,227  

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

    141,465       144,855       548,245       458,504  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    39,856       40,944       183,470       148,774  

Total cost of sales

    181,321       185,799       731,715       607,278  

Gross profit

    68,334       59,286       198,210       112,949  
                                 

Other operating expenses:

                               

General and administrative

    9,048       10,401       45,405       42,722  

Exploration and pre-development

    5,744       10,553       27,321       32,512  

Ramp-up and suspension costs

    9,567       13,679       43,307       76,252  

Write down of property, plant and equipment

    110       14,464       14,574        

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters

    3,162       1,542       6,843       7,575  

Other operating income

    2,566       (13,828 )     (45,516 )     (1,438 )
      30,197       36,811       91,934       157,623  

Income (loss) from operations

    38,137       22,475       106,276       (44,674 )

Other expense:

                               

Interest expense

    (13,784 )     (10,901 )     (49,834 )     (43,319 )

Fair value adjustments, net

    (9,008 )     3,654       (2,204 )     2,925  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

    4,143       (3,246 )     7,552       (3,810 )

Other income

    505       1,229       4,426       5,883  
      (18,144 )     (9,264 )     (40,060 )     (38,321 )

Income (loss) before income and mining taxes

    19,993       13,211       66,216       (82,995 )

Income and mining tax provision

    (8,069 )     (11,450 )     (30,414 )     (1,222 )

Net income (loss)

    11,924       1,761       35,802       (84,217 )

Preferred stock dividends

    (138 )     (138 )     (552 )     (552 )

Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

  $ 11,786     $ 1,623     $ 35,250     $ (84,769 )

Basic income (loss) per common share after preferred dividends

  $ 0.02     $ 0.00     $ 0.06     $ (0.14 )

Diluted income (loss) per common share after preferred dividends

  $ 0.02     $ 0.00     $ 0.06     $ (0.14 )

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding basic

    628,025       621,921       620,848       605,668  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding diluted

    631,442       625,739       622,535       605,668  

 

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HECLA MINING COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands - unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Twelve Months Ended

 
   

December

31, 2024

   

September

30, 2024

   

December

31, 2024

   

December

31, 2023

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                               

Net income (loss)

  $ 11,924     $ 1,761     $ 35,802     $ (84,217 )

Non-cash elements included in net income (loss):

                               

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    41,206       44,118       190,471       163,672  

Inventory adjustments

    1,633       178       11,707       20,819  

Fair value adjustments, net

    9,008       (3,654 )     2,204       (2,925 )

Provision for reclamation and closure costs

    3,942       1,822       9,370       9,658  

Stock-based compensation

    2,258       2,255       8,659       6,598  

Deferred income taxes

    5,427       8,573       19,688       (6,115 )

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

    (4,143 )     3,246       (7,552 )     3,810  

Write down of property, plant and equipment

    110       14,464       14,574        

Other non-cash items, net

    1,561       341       1,706       3,094  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                               

Accounts receivable

    7,040       (7,085 )     (17,159 )     25,133  

Inventories

    (5,460 )     3,498       (32,835 )     (24,035 )

Other current and non-current assets

    (12,870 )     (7,989 )     (12,517 )     (32,456 )

Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities

    4,165       (4,690 )     (2,826 )     598  

Accrued payroll and related benefits

    147       2,772       6,739       (4,982 )

Accrued taxes

    1,748       2,085       2,817       (571 )

Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities

    (226 )     (6,686 )     (12,571 )     (2,582 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    67,470       55,009       218,277       75,499  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                               

Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

    (60,784 )     (55,699 )     (214,492 )     (223,887 )

Proceeds from disposition of assets

    221       199       1,694       1,329  

Purchases of investments

                (73 )     (8,962 )

Acquisition, net

                      228  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (60,563 )     (55,500 )     (212,871 )     (231,292 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                               

Proceeds from issuance of stock, net of related costs

          57,265       58,368       56,684  

Acquisition of treasury shares

                (1,197 )     (2,036 )

Borrowings of debt

    129,000       83,000       279,000       239,000  

Repayments of debt

    (119,000 )     (132,000 )     (384,000 )     (111,000 )

Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders

    (8,640 )     (8,697 )     (25,331 )     (15,713 )

Repayments of finance leases and other

    (2,823 )     (2,336 )     (10,664 )     (10,605 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (1,463 )     (2,768 )     (83,824 )     156,330  

Effect of exchange rates on cash

    (856 )     960       (1,076 )     1,095  

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents

    4,588       (2,299 )     (79,494 )     1,632  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    23,457       25,756       107,539       105,907  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 28,045     $ 23,457     $ 28,045     $ 107,539  

 

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HECLA MINING COMPANY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars and shares in thousands - unaudited)

 

   

December 31,

2024

   

December 31,

2023

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 26,868     $ 106,374  

Accounts receivable

    49,053       33,116  

Inventories

    104,936       93,647  

Other current assets

    33,295       27,125  

Total current assets

    214,152       260,262  

Investments

    33,897       33,724  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

    1,177       1,165  

Properties, plants, equipment and mine development, net

    2,694,119       2,666,250  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    7,544       8,349  

Other non-current assets

    30,171       41,354  

Total assets

    2,981,060     $ 3,011,104  
                 

LIABILITIES

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable and other current accrued liabilities

  $ 127,988     $ 123,643  

Current debt

    33,617        

Finance leases

    8,169       9,752  

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

    13,748       9,660  

Accrued interest

    14,316       14,405  

Total current liabilities

    197,838       157,460  

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

    111,162       110,797  

Long-term debt including finance leases

    508,927       653,063  

Deferred tax liability

    110,266       104,835  

Other non-current liabilities

    13,353       16,845  

Total liabilities

    941,546       1,043,000  
                 

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

               

Preferred stock

    39       39  

Common stock

    160,052       156,076  

Capital surplus

    2,418,149       2,343,747  

Accumulated deficit

    (493,529 )     (503,861 )

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net

    (10,266 )     5,837  

Treasury stock

    (34,931 )     (33,734 )

Total stockholders equity

    2,039,514       1,968,104  

Total liabilities and stockholders equity

  $ 2,981,060     $ 3,011,104  

Common shares outstanding

    640,548       624,647  

 

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Non-GAAP Measures

(Unaudited)

 

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales to Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits and Cash Costs, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

 

The tables below present reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of total cost of sales to the non-GAAP measures of (i) Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, (ii) Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, (iii) AISC, Before By-product Credits and (iv) AISC, After By-product Credits for our operations and for the Company for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and for estimated amounts for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025.

 

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce are measures developed by precious metals companies (including the Silver Institute and the World Gold Council) in an effort to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that these non-GAAP measures as we report them are the same as those reported by other mining companies.

 

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize to measure each mine's operating performance. We use AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce as a measure of our mines' net cash flow after costs for reclamation and sustaining capital. This is similar to the Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce non-GAAP measure we report, but also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce also allow us to benchmark the performance of each of our mines versus those of our competitors. As a silver and gold mining company, we also use these statistics on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines to compare our performance with that of other silver mining companies. Similarly, these statistics are useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as they provide a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics.

 

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC, Before By-product Credits for each mine also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs. AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties also includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital costs. By-product credits include revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. As depicted in the tables below, by-product credits comprise an essential element of our silver unit cost structure, distinguishing our silver operations due to the polymetallic nature of their orebodies.

 

In addition to the uses described above, Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce provide management and investors an indication of operating cash flow, after consideration of the average price, received from production. We also use these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective.

 

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The Casa Berardi information below reports Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the production of gold, their primary product, and by-product revenues earned from silver, which is a by-product at Casa Berardi. Only costs and ounces produced relating to units with the same primary product are combined to represent Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce. Thus, the gold produced at our Casa Berardi unit is not included as a by-product credit when calculating Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the total of Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, our combined silver properties. Similarly, the silver produced at our other two units is not included as a by-product credit when calculating the gold metrics for Casa Berardi. We have not disclosed cost per ounce statistics for the Keno Hill operation as it is in the production ramp-up phase and has not met our definition of commercial production. Determination of when those criteria have been met requires the use of judgment, and our definition of commercial production may differ from that of other mining companies.

 

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In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023

 
   

Greens Creek

   

Lucky Friday

   

Keno Hill (6)

   

Corporate (2)

   

Total Silver

   

Greens Creek

   

Lucky Friday

   

Keno Hill (6)

   

Corporate (2)

   

Total Silver

   

Greens
Creek

   

Lucky
Friday

   

Keno Hill (6)

   

Corporate (2)

   

Total Silver

   

Greens
Creek

   

Lucky
Friday

   

Keno Hill (6)

   

Corporate (2)

   

Total Silver

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 67,887     $ 40,157     $ 15,356     $     $ 123,400     $ 73,597     $ 39,286     $ 19,809     $     $ 132,692     $ 268,127     $ 144,485     $ 74,962     $     $ 487,574     $ 259,895     $ 84,185     $ 35,518     $     $ 379,598  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (13,743 )     (11,749 )     (3,587 )           (29,079 )     (13,948 )     (10,681 )     (4,218 )           (28,847 )     (53,450 )     (41,049 )     (16,136 )           (110,635 )     (53,995 )     (24,325       (4,277 )           (82,597 )

Treatment costs

    4,511       4,837                   9,348       5,962       3,650       -             9,612       26,266       14,456                   40,722       40,987       10,981       1,070             53,038  

Change in product inventory

    (2,833 )     1,488                   (1,345 )     (8,125 )     106                   (8,019 )     (5,858 )     2,090                   (3,768 )     (4,266 )     (5,164                   (9,430 )

Reclamation and other costs

    (1,119 )     (2,152 )                 (3,271 )     (1,825 )     (241 )                 (2,066 )     (4,481 )     (2,806 )                 (7,287 )     (748 )     (826                   (1,574 )

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

                                                                      (3,634 )                 (3,634 )           (851                   (851 )

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

                (11,769 )           (11,769 )                 (15,591 )           (15,591 )                 (58,826 )           (58,826 )                 (32,311 )           (32,311 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    54,703       32,581                   87,284       55,661       32,120                   87,781       230,604       113,542                   344,146       241,873       64,000                   305,873  

Reclamation and other costs

    785       183                   968       786       303                   1,089       3,141       891                   4,032       2,889       671                   3,560  

Sustaining capital

    15,329       12,434             389       28,152       10,558       10,862             42       21,462       45,214       44,864             1,532       91,610       41,935       39,019             928       81,882  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

                                                                      (5,396 )                 (5,396 )           (19,702                   (19,702 )

General and administrative

                      9,048       9,048                         10,401       10,401                         45,405       45,405                         42,722       42,722  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    70,817       45,198             9,437       125,452       67,005       43,285             10,443       120,733       278,959       153,901             46,937       479,797       286,697       83,988             43,650       414,335  

By-product credits:

                                                                                                                                                               

Zinc

    (24,883 )     (7,707 )                 (32,590 )     (22,126 )     (7,046 )                 (29,172 )     (89,088 )     (26,244 )                 (115,332 )     (83,454 )     (14,507                   (97,961 )

Gold

    (34,363 )                       (34,363 )     (25,430 )                       (25,430 )     (115,189 )                       (115,189 )     (104,507 )                       (104,507 )

Lead

    (6,605 )     (14,610 )                 (21,215 )     (5,970 )     (13,245 )                 (19,215 )     (26,374 )     (55,042 )                 (81,416 )     (29,284 )     (34,620                   (63,904 )

Copper

                                  (409 )                       (409 )     (409 )                       (409 )                              

Exclusion of Lucky Friday byproduct credits (8)

                                                                      3,943                   3,943             1,566                   1,566  

Total By-product credits

    (65,851 )     (22,317 )                 (88,168 )     (53,935 )     (20,291 )                 (74,226 )     (231,060 )     (77,343 )                 (308,403 )     (217,245 )     (47,561                   (264,806 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ (11,148 )   $ 10,264     $     $     $ (884 )   $ 1,726     $ 11,829     $     $     $ 13,555     $ (456 )   $ 36,199     $     $     $ 35,743     $ 24,628     $ 16,439     $     $     $ 41,067  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 4,966     $ 22,881     $     $ 9,437     $ 37,284     $ 13,070     $ 22,994     $     $ 10,443     $ 46,507     $ 47,899     $ 76,558     $     $ 46,937     $ 171,394     $ 69,452     $ 36,427     $     $ 43,650     $ 149,529  

Ounces produced

    1,902       1,337                       3,239       1,857       1,185                       3,042       8,481       4,891                       13,372       9,732       3,086                       12,818  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

                                            0                                   (253 )                     (253 )           (103                       (103 )

Divided by ounces produced

    1,902       1,337                       3,239       1,857       1,185                       3,042       8,481       4,638                       13,119       9,732       2,983                       12,715  

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 28.76     $ 24.37                     $ 26.95     $ 29.97     $ 27.11                     $ 28.86     $ 27.19     $ 24.48                     $ 26.23     $ 24.85     $ 21.45                     $ 24.06  

By-product credits per ounce

    (34.62 )     (16.69 )                     (27.22 )     (29.04 )     (17.13 )                     (24.40 )     (27.24 )     (16.68 )                     (23.51 )     (22.32 )     (15.94                       (20.83 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ (5.86 )   $ 7.68                     $ (0.27 )   $ 0.93     $ 9.98                     $ 4.46     $ (0.05 )   $ 7.80                     $ 2.72     $ 2.53     $ 5.51                     $ 3.23  

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 37.24     $ 33.81                     $ 38.73     $ 36.08     $ 36.53                     $ 39.69     $ 32.89     $ 33.18                     $ 36.57     $ 29.46     $ 28.15                     $ 32.59  

By-product credits per ounce

    (34.62 )     (16.69 )                     (27.22 )     (29.04 )     (17.13 )                     (24.40 )     (27.24 )     (16.68 )                     (23.51 )     (22.32 )     (15.94                       (20.83 )

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 2.62     $ 17.12                     $ 11.51     $ 7.04     $ 19.40                     $ 15.29     $ 5.65     $ 16.50                     $ 13.06     $ 7.14     $ 12.21                     $ 11.76  

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
28

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023

 
   

Casa

Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Casa

Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Casa

Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Casa

Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 51,734     $ 6,187     $ 57,921     $ 46,280     $ 6,827     $ 53,107     $ 223,614     $ 20,527     $ 244,141     $ 221,341     $ 6,339     $ 227,680  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (10,777 )           (10,777 )     (12,097 )           (12,097 )     (72,835 )           (72,835 )     (66,037 )     (140 )     (66,177 )

Treatment costs

    41             41       36             36       153             153       1,109             1,109  

Change in product inventory

    (96 )           (96 )     2,176             2,176       3,269             3,269       (2,913 )           (2,913 )

Reclamation and other costs

    (201 )           (201 )     (207 )           (207 )     (823 )           (823 )     (871 )           (871 )

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

                            (6,827 )     (6,827 )                       (2,851 )           (2,851 )

Exclusion of Nevada and Other costs

          (6,187 )     (6,187 )                               (20,527 )     (20,527 )           (6,199 )     (6,199 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    40,701             40,701       36,188             36,188       153,378             153,378       149,778             149,778  

Reclamation and other costs

    201             201       207             207       823             823       871             871  

Sustaining capital

    5,381             5,381       6,054             6,054       18,963             18,963       34,971             34,971  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    46,283             46,283       42,449             42,449       173,164             173,164       185,620             185,620  

By-product credits:

                                                                                               

Silver

    (194 )           (194 )     (163 )           (163 )     (683 )           (683 )     (522 )           (522 )

Total By-product credits

    (194 )           (194 )     (163 )           (163 )     (683 )           (683 )     (522 )           (522 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ 40,507     $     $ 40,507     $ 36,025     $     $ 36,025     $ 152,695     $     $ 152,695     $ 149,256     $     $ 149,256  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 46,089     $     $ 46,089     $ 42,286     $     $ 42,286     $ 172,481     $     $ 172,481     $ 185,098     $     $ 185,098  

Divided by gold ounces produced

    21             21       21             21       87             87       90             90  

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,945     $     $ 1,945     $ 1,762     $     $ 1,762     $ 1,770     $     $ 1,770     $ 1,658     $     $ 1,658  

By-product credits per ounce

    (9 )           (9 )     (8 )           (8 )     (8 )           (8 )     (6 )           (6 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,936     $     $ 1,936     $ 1,754     $     $ 1,754     $ 1,762     $     $ 1,762     $ 1,652     $     $ 1,652  

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 2,212     $     $ 2,212     $ 2,067     $     $ 2,067     $ 1,998     $     $ 1,998     $ 2,054     $     $ 2,054  

By-product credits per ounce

    (9 )           (9 )     (8 )           (8 )     (8 )           (8 )     (6 )           (6 )

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 2,203     $     $ 2,203     $ 2,059     $     $ 2,059     $ 1,990     $     $ 1,990     $ 2,048     $     $ 2,048  

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
29

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 (5)

 
   

Total

Silver

   

Total

Gold and

Other

   

Total

   

Total

Silver

   

Total

Gold and

Other

   

Total

   

Total

Silver

   

Total

Gold and

Other

   

Total

   

Total Silver

   

Total

Gold and

Other

   

Total

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 123,400     $ 57,921     $ 181,321     $ 132,692     $ 53,107     $ 185,799     $ 487,574     $ 244,141     $ 731,715     $ 379,598     $ 227,680     $ 607,278  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (29,079 )     (10,777 )     (39,856 )     (28,847 )     (12,097 )     (40,944 )     (110,635 )     (72,835 )     (183,470 )   $ (82,597 )     (66,177 )     (148,774 )

Treatment costs

    9,348       41       9,389       9,612       36       9,648       40,722       153       40,875     $ 53,038       1,109       54,147  

Change in product inventory

    (1,345 )     (96 )     (1,441 )     (8,019 )     2,176       (5,843 )     (3,768 )     3,269       (499 )   $ (9,430 )     (2,913 )     (12,343 )

Reclamation and other costs

    (3,271 )     (201 )     (3,472 )     (2,066 )     (207 )     (2,273 )     (7,287 )     (823 )     (8,110 )   $ (1,574 )     (871 )     (2,445 )

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

                            (6,827 )     (6,827 )     (3,634 )           (3,634 )     (851 )           (851 )

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

    (11,769 )           (11,769 )     (15,591 )           (15,591 )     (58,826 )           (58,826 )     (32,311 )           (32,311 )

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

                                                                (2,851 )     (2,851 )

Exclusion of Nevada and Other costs

          (6,187 )     (6,187 )                             (20,527 )     (20,527 )           (6,199 )     (6,199 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    87,284       40,701       127,985       87,781       36,188       123,969       344,146       153,378       497,524       305,873       149,778       455,651  

Reclamation and other costs

    968       201       1,169       1,089       207       1,296       4,032       823       4,855       3,560       871       4,431  

Sustaining capital

    28,152       5,381       33,533       21,462       6,054       27,516       91,610       18,963       110,573       81,882       34,971       116,853  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

                                        (5,396 )           (5,396 )     (19,702 )           (19,702 )

General and administrative

    9,048             9,048       10,401             10,401       45,405             45,405       42,722             42,722  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    125,452       46,283       171,735       120,733       42,449       163,182       479,797       173,164       652,961       414,335       185,620       599,955  

By-product credits:

                                                                                               

Zinc

    (32,590 )           (32,590 )     (29,172 )           (29,172 )     (115,332 )           (115,332 )     (97,961 )           (97,961 )

Gold

    (34,363 )           (34,363 )     (25,430 )           (25,430 )     (115,189 )           (115,189 )     (104,507 )           (104,507 )

Lead

    (21,215 )           (21,215 )     (19,215 )           (19,215 )     (81,416 )           (81,416 )     (63,904 )           (63,904 )

Silver

          (194 )     (194 )           (163 )     (163 )           (683 )     (683 )           (522 )     (522 )

Copper

                      (409 )           (409 )     (409 )           (409 )                  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)

                                        3,943             3,943       1,566             1,566  

Total By-product credits

    (88,168 )     (194 )     (88,362 )     (74,226 )     (163 )     (74,389 )     (308,403 )     (683 )     (309,086 )     (264,806 )     (522 )     (265,328 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ (884 )   $ 40,507     $ 39,623     $ 13,555     $ 36,025     $ 49,580     $ 35,743     $ 152,695     $ 188,438     $ 41,067     $ 149,256     $ 190,323  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 37,284     $ 46,089     $ 83,373     $ 46,507     $ 42,286     $ 88,793     $ 171,394     $ 172,481     $ 343,875     $ 149,529     $ 185,098     $ 334,627  

Ounces produced

    3,239       21               3,042       21               13,372       87               12,818       90          

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

                                            (253 )                   (103 )              

Divided by ounces produced

    3,239       21               3,042       21               13,119       87               12,715       90          

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 26.95     $ 1,945             $ 28.86     $ 1,762             $ 26.23     $ 1,770             $ 24.06     $ 1,658          

By-product credits per ounce

    (27.22 )     (9 )             (24.40 )     (8 )             (23.51 )     (8 )             (20.83 )     (6 )        

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ (0.27 )   $ 1,936             $ 4.46     $ 1,754             $ 2.72     $ 1,762             $ 3.23     $ 1,652          

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 38.73     $ 2,212             $ 39.69     $ 2,067             $ 36.57     $ 1,998             $ 32.59     $ 2,054          

By-product credits per ounce

    (27.22 )     (9 )             (24.40 )     (8 )             (23.51 )     (8 )             (20.83 )     (6 )        

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 11.51       2,203             $ 15.29       2,059             $ 13.06       1,990             $ 11.76       2,048          

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
30

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 (5)

 
   

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday

   

Keno

Hill

   

Corporate

(2)

   

Total

Silver

   

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday

   

Keno

Hill (4)

   

Corporate

(2)

   

Total

Silver

   

Greens

Creek

   

Lucky

Friday

   

Keno Hill

(4)

   

Corporate

(2)

   

Total

Silver

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 56,786     $ 37,523     $ 28,950     $     $ 123,259     $ 69,857     $ 27,519     $ 10,847     $     $ 108,223     $ 70,231     $ 3,117     $ 17,936     $     $ 91,284  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (11,316 )     (10,708 )     (4,729 )           (26,753 )     (14,443 )     (7,911 )     (3,602 )           (25,956 )     (15,438 )     (584 )     (2,068 )           (18,090 )

Treatment costs

    6,069       2,746                   8,815       9,724       3,223                   12,947       9,873       149       (76 )           9,946  

Change in product inventory

    7,296       (115 )                 7,181       (2,196 )     611                   (1,585 )     (1,787 )     (1,851 )                 (3,638 )

Reclamation and other costs

    (882 )     (311 )                 (1,193 )     (655 )     (102 )                 (757 )     (534 )                       (534 )

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (5)

                                        (3,634 )                 (3,634 )           (831 )                 (831 )

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (4)

                (24,221 )           (24,221 )                 (7,245 )           (7,245 )                 (15,792 )           (15,792 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    57,953       29,135                   87,088       62,287       19,706                   81,993       62,345                         62,345  

Reclamation and other costs

    785       183                   968       785       222                   1,007       723                         723  

Sustaining capital

    10,911       9,517             1,035       21,463       8,416       12,051             66       20,533       15,249       14,768             97       30,114  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (5)

                                        (5,396 )                 (5,396 )           (14,768 )                   (14,768 )

General and administrative

                      14,740       14,740                         11,216       11,216                         12,273       12,273  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    69,649       38,835             15,775       124,259       71,488       26,583             11,282       109,353       78,317                   12,370       90,687  

By-product credits:

                                                                                                                       

Zinc

    (21,873 )     (6,706 )                 (28,579 )     (20,206 )     (4,785 )                 (24,991 )     (18,499 )     (223 )                 (18,722 )

Gold

    (28,844 )                       (28,844 )     (26,551 )                       (26,551 )     (25,418 )                       (25,418 )

Lead

    (6,818 )     (15,466 )                 (22,284 )     (6,980 )     (11,720 )                 (18,700 )     (7,282 )     (667 )                 (7,949 )

Copper

                                                                                         

Exclusion of Lucky Friday byproduct credits (5)

                                        3,943                   3,943             890                       890  

Total By-product credits

    (57,535 )     (22,172 )                 (79,707 )     (53,737 )     (12,562 )                 (66,299 )     (51,199 )                       (51,199 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ 418     $ 6,963     $     $     $ 7,381     $ 8,550     $ 7,144     $     $     $ 15,694     $ 11,146     $     $     $     $ 11,146  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 12,114     $ 16,663     $     $ 15,775     $ 44,552     $ 17,751     $ 14,021     $     $ 11,282     $ 43,054     $ 27,118     $     $     $ 12,370     $ 39,488  

Ounces produced

    2,244       1,308                       3,552       2,479       1,061                       3,540       2,260       62                       2,322  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (5)

                                            (253 )                     (253 )           (62 )                     (62 )

Divided by ounces produced

    2,244       1,308                       3,552       2,479       808                       3,287       2,260                             2,260  

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 25.83     $ 22.27                     $ 24.52     $ 25.13     $ 24.41                     $ 24.95     $ 27.59       N/A                     $ 27.59  

By-product credits per ounce

    (25.64 )     (16.95 )                     (22.44 )     (21.68 )     (15.56 )                     (20.17 )     (22.65 )     N/A                       (22.65 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 0.19     $ 5.32                     $ 2.08     $ 3.45     $ 8.85                     $ 4.78     $ 4.94       N/A                     $ 4.94  

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 31.04     $ 29.69                     $ 34.98     $ 28.84     $ 32.92                     $ 33.27     $ 34.65       N/A                     $ 40.13  

By-product credits per ounce

    (25.64 )     (16.95 )                     (22.44 )     (21.68 )     (15.56 )                     (20.17 )     (22.65 )     N/A                       (22.65 )

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 5.40     $ 12.74                     $ 12.54     $ 7.16     $ 17.36                     $ 13.10     $ 12.00       N/A                     $ 17.48  

 

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In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 (5)

 
   

Casa

Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Casa Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Casa Berardi

   

Other (4)

   

Total Gold

and Other

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 67,340     $ 3,628     $ 70,968     $ 58,260     $ 3,885     $ 62,145     $ 58,945     $ 3,596     $ 62,541  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (27,010 )           (27,010 )     (22,951 )           (22,951 )     (22,749 )     2       (22,747 )

Treatment costs

    52             52       24             24       37             37  

Change in product inventory

    (550 )           (550 )     1,739             1,739       2,432             2,432  

Reclamation and other costs

    (206 )           (206 )     (209 )           (209 )     (216 )           (216 )

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs

                                                     

Exclusion of Nevada and Other costs

          (3,628 )     (3,628 )           (3,885 )     (3,885 )           (3,598 )     (3,598 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    39,626             39,626       36,863             36,863       38,449               38,449  

Reclamation and other costs

    206               206       209             209       216             216  

Sustaining capital

    2,667             2,667       4,861             4,861       5,796             5,796  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    42,499             42,499       41,933             41,933       44,461               44,461  

By-product credits:

                                                                       

Silver

    (183 )           (183 )     (143 )           (143 )     (132 )           (132 )

Total By-product credits

    (183 )           (183 )     (143 )           (143 )     (132 )           (132 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ 39,443     $     $ 39,443     $ 36,720     $     $ 36,720     $ 38,317             $ 38,317  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 42,316     $     $ 42,316     $ 41,790     $     $ 41,790     $ 44,329             $ 44,329  

Divided by gold ounces produced

    23             23       22             22       23             23  

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,709     $     $ 1,709     $ 1,675     $     $ 1,675     $ 1,708     $     $ 1,708  

By-product credits per ounce

    (8 )           (8 )     (6 )           (6 )     (6 )           (6 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,701     $     $ 1,701     $ 1,669     $     $ 1,669     $ 1,702     $     $ 1,702  

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,833     $     $ 1,833     $ 1,905     $     $ 1,905     $ 1,975     $     $ 1,975  

By-product credits per ounce

    (8 )           (8 )     (6 )           (6 )     (6 )           (6 )

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

  $ 1,825     $     $ 1,825     $ 1,899     $     $ 1,899     $ 1,969     $     $ 1,969  

 

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In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (5)

   

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 (5)

 
   

Total Silver

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Total

   

Total Silver

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Total

   

Total Silver

   

Total Gold

and Other

   

Total

 

Total cost of sales

  $ 123,259     $ 70,968     $ 194,227     $ 108,223     $ 62,145     $ 170,368     $ 91,284     $ 62,541     $ 153,825  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (26,753 )     (27,010 )     (53,763 )   $ (25,956 )     (22,951 )     (48,907 )     (18,090 )     (22,747 )     (40,837 )

Treatment costs

    8,815       52       8,867     $ 12,947       24       12,971       9,946       37       9,983  

Change in product inventory

    7,181       (550 )     6,631     $ (1,585 )     1,739       154       (3,638 )     2,432       (1,206 )

Reclamation and other costs

    (1,193 )     (206 )     (1,399 )   $ (757 )     (209 )     (966 )     (534 )     (216 )     (750 )

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs

    (24,221 )           (24,221 )     (7,245 )             (7,245 )     (15,792 )           (15,792 )

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs

                      (3,634 )           (3,634 )     (831 )           (831 )

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs

                                                     

Exclusion of Nevada and Other costs

          (3,628 )     (3,628 )           (3,885 )     (3,885 )           (3,598 )     (3,598 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    87,088       39,626       126,714       81,993       36,863       118,856       62,345       38,449       100,794  

Reclamation and other costs

    968       206       1,174       1,007       209       1,216       723       216       939  

Sustaining capital

    21,463       2,667       24,130       20,533       4,861       25,394       30,114       5,796       35,910  

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (5)

                      (5,396 )             (5,396 )     (14,768 )           (14,768 )

General and administrative

    14,740             14,740       11,216               11,216       12,273             12,273  

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    124,259       42,499       166,758       109,353       41,933       151,286       90,687       44,461       135,148  

By-product credits:

                                                                       

Zincq

    (28,579 )           (28,579 )     (24,991 )           (24,991 )     (18,722 )           (18,722 )

Gold

    (28,844 )           (28,844 )     (26,551 )           (26,551 )     (25,418 )           (25,418 )

Lead

    (22,284 )           (22,284 )     (18,700 )           (18,700 )     (7,949 )           (7,949 )

Copper

                                                     

Silver

          (183 )     (183 )           (143 )     (143 )           (132 )     (132 )

Exclusion of Lucky Friday byproduct credits (5)

                      3,943             3,943       890             890  

Total By-product credits

    (79,707 )     (183 )     (79,890 )     (66,299 )     (143 )     (66,442 )     (51,199 )     (132 )     (51,331 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ 7,381     $ 39,443     $ 46,824     $ 15,694     $ 36,720     $ 52,414     $ 11,146     $ 38,317     $ 49,463  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 44,552     $ 42,316     $ 86,868     $ 43,054     $ 41,790     $ 84,844     $ 39,488     $ 44,329     $ 83,817  

Divided by ounces produced

    3,552       23               3,287       22               2,260       23          

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 24.52     $ 1,709             $ 24.95       1,675             $ 27.59     $ 1,708          

By-product credits per ounce

    (22.44 )     (8 )             (20.17 )     (6 )             (22.65 )     (6 )        

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 2.08     $ 1,701             $ 4.78     $ 1,669             $ 4.94     $ 1,702          

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 34.98     $ 1,833             $ 33.27     $ 1,905             $ 40.13     $ 1,975          

By-product credits per ounce

    (22.44 )     (8 )             (20.17 )     (6 )             (22.65 )     (6 )        

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

  $ 12.54     $ 1,825             $ 13.10     $ 1,899             $ 17.48     $ 1,969          

 

 

(1)

Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs and royalties, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs.

 

(2)

AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital.

 

(3)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company completed the necessary studies to conclude usage of the F-160 pit as a tailings storage facility after mining is complete. As a result, a portion of the mining costs have been excluded from Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits.

 

(4)

Other includes $20.5 million of sales and total cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $5.3 million of sales and total cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023, related to the environmental services business acquired as part of the Alexco acquisition.

 

(5)

Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation to eliminate exploration costs from the calculation of AISC, Before By-product Credits as exploration is an activity directed at the Corporate level to find new mineral reserve and resource deposits, and therefore we believe it is inappropriate to include exploration costs in the calculation of AISC, Before By-product Credits for a specific mining operation.

 

(6)

Keno Hill is in the ramp-up phase of production and is excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

 

(7)

Casa Berardi operations were suspended in June 2023 in response to the directive of the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests as a result of fires in the region. Suspension costs amounted to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and are excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

 

(8)

Lucky Friday operations were suspended in August 2023 following the underground fire in the #2 shaft secondary egress. The portion of cash costs, sustaining costs, by-product credits, and silver production incurred since the suspension are excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

 

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2025 Guidance, Previous and Current Estimates: Reconciliation of Cost of Sales to Non-GAAP Measures

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Estimate for Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025

 
   

Greens Creek

   

Lucky Friday

   

Corporate(2)

   

Total Silver

   

Casa Berardi

   

Total Gold

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

  $ 289,000     $ 135,000     $     $ 424,000     $ 165,500     $ 165,500  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (59,000 )     (36,400 )           (95,400 )     (37,700 )     (37,700 )

Treatment costs

    14,000       10,000             24,000              

Change in product inventory

                                   

Other costs

    1,000       300             1,300       (1,400 )     (1,400 )

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits (1)

    245,000       108,900             353,900       126,400       126,400  

Reclamation and other costs

    3,000       1,000             4,000       1,700       1,700  

Sustaining capital

    54,000       62,000       5,600       121,600       17,500       17,500  

General and administrative

                50,000       50,000              

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

    302,000       171,900       55,600       529,500       145,600       145,600  

By-product credits:

                                               

Zinc

    (96,000 )     (33,000 )           (129,000 )            

Gold

    (106,000 )                 (106,000 )            

Lead

    (23,500 )     (55,000 )           (78,500 )            

Silver

                            (500 )     (500 )

Total By-product credits

    (225,500 )     (88,000 )           (313,500 )     (500 )     (500 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits

  $ 19,500     $ 20,900     $     $ 40,400     $ 125,900     $ 125,900  

AISC, After By-product Credits

  $ 76,500     $ 83,900     $ 55,600     $ 216,000     $ 145,100     $ 145,100  

Divided by silver ounces produced

    8,450       4,900               13,350       79       79  

Cash Costs, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 28.99     $ 22.22             $ 26.51     $ 1,600     $ 1,600  

By-product credits per silver ounce

    (26.69 )     (17.96 )             (23.48 )     (6 )     (6 )

Cash Costs, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 2.30     $ 4.26             $ 3.03     $ 1,594     $ 1,594  

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 35.74     $ 35.08             $ 39.66     $ 1,843     $ 1,843  

By-product credits per silver ounce

    (26.69 )     (17.96 )             (23.48 )     (6 )     (6 )

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

  $ 9.05     $ 17.12             $ 16.18     $ 1,837     $ 1,837  

 

 

(1)

Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs and royalties, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs.

 

 

(2)

AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense, and sustaining capital.

 

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
34

 

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss ) (GAAP) and Debt (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) and Net Debt (non-GAAP)

 

This release refers to the non-GAAP measures of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), which is a measure of our operating performance, and net debt to adjusted EBITDA for the last 12 months (or "LTM adjusted EBITDA"), which is a measure of our ability to service our debt. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) before the following items: interest expense, income and mining taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense, ramp-up and suspension costs, gains and losses on disposition of assets, foreign exchange gains and losses, write down of property, plant and equipment, fair value adjustments, net, interest and other income, provisions for environmental matters, stock-based compensation, provisional price gains and losses, monetization of zinc and lead hedges and inventory adjustments. Net debt is calculated as total debt, which consists of the liability balances for our Senior Notes, capital leases, and other notes payable, less the total of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, adjusted EBITDA and net debt to LTM adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance and ability to meet our debt obligations. The following table reconciles net income (loss) and debt to adjusted EBITDA and net debt:

 

Dollars are in thousands

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY 2024

   

FY 2023

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 11,924     $ 1,761     $ 27,870     $ (5,753 )   $ (42,935 )   $ 35,802     $ (84,217 )

Interest expense

    13,784       10,901       12,505       12,644       12,133       49,834       43,319  

Income and mining tax provision (benefit)

    8,069       11,450       9,080       1,815       (5,682 )     30,414       1,222  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    41,206       44,118       53,921       51,226       51,967       190,471       163,672  

Ramp-up and suspension costs

    7,492       11,295       4,272       10,926       23,814       33,985       72,498  

(Gain) loss on disposition of properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests

    (86 )     (31 )     (1,196 )     69       1,043       (1,244 )     849  

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

    (4,143 )     3,246       (2,673 )     (3,982 )     4,244       (7,552 )     3,810  

Write down of property, plant and equipment

    110       14,464                         14,574        

Fair value adjustments, net

    9,008       (3,654 )     (5,002 )     1,852       (8,699 )     2,204       (2,925 )

Provisional price (gains) losses

    (3,330 )     (5,080 )     (10,937 )     (3,533 )     (5,930 )     (22,880 )     (18,230 )

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters

    3,162       1,542       1,153       986       1,164       6,843       7,575  

Stock-based compensation

    2,258       2,255       2,982       1,164       1,476       8,659       6,598  

Inventory adjustments

    1,633       178       2,225       7,671       4,487       11,707       20,819  

Monetization of zinc and lead hedges

    (4,025 )     (2,356 )     (2,125 )     (1,977 )     (3,753 )     (10,483 )     (4,447 )

Other

    (504 )     (1,230 )     (1,180 )     (1,511 )     (422 )     (4,425 )     (1,744 )

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 86,558     $ 88,859     $ 90,895     $ 71,597     $ 32,907     $ 337,909     $ 208,799  

Total debt

                                          $ 550,713     $ 662,815  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

                                            26,868       106,374  

Net debt

                                          $ 523,845     $ 556,441  

Net debt/LTM adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

                                            1.6       2.7  

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
35

 

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Stockholders (GAAP) to Adjusted Net income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders (non-GAAP)

 

This release refers to a non-GAAP measure of adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders and adjusted net income (loss) per share, which are indicators of our performance. They exclude certain impacts which are of a nature which we believe are not reflective of our underlying performance. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) per common share provides investors with the ability to better evaluate our underlying operating performance.

 

Dollars are in thousands

 

4Q-2024

   

3Q-2024

   

2Q-2024

   

1Q-2024

   

4Q-2023

   

FY-2024

   

FY-2023

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

  $ 11,786     $ 1,623     $ 27,732     $ (5,891 )   $ (43,073 )   $ 35,250     $ (84,769 )

Adjusted for items below:

                                                       

Fair value adjustments, net

    9,008       (3,654 )     (5,002 )     1,852       (8,699 )     2,204       (2,925 )

Provisional pricing (gains) losses

    (3,330 )     (5,080 )     (10,937 )     (3,533 )     (5,930 )     (22,880 )     (18,230 )

Environmental accruals

    1,881                         200       1,881       2,952  

Write down of property, plant and equipment

    110       14,464                         14,574        

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

    (4,143 )     3,246       (2,673 )     (3,982 )     4,244       (7,552 )     3,810  

Ramp-up and suspension costs

    9,567       13,679       5,538       14,523       27,568       43,307       76,252  

(Gain) loss on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

    (86 )     (31 )     (1,196 )     69       1,043       (1,244 )     849  

Inventory adjustments

    1,633       178       2,225       7,671       4,487       11,707       20,819  

Monetization of zinc hedges

    (4,025 )     (2,356 )     (2,125 )     (1,977 )     (3,753 )     (10,483 )     (4,447 )

Other

    664                               664        

Adjusted (loss) income applicable to common stockholders

  $ 23,065     $ 22,069     $ 13,562     $ 8,732     $ (23,913 )   $ 67,428     $ (5,689 )

Weighted average shares - basic

    628,025       621,921       617,106       616,199       610,547       620,848       605,668  

Weighted average shares - diluted

    631,442       625,739       622,206       616,199       610,547       622,535       605,668  

Basic adjusted net (loss) income per common stock (in cents)

    0.04       0.03       0.02       0.01       (0.04 )     0.11       (0.01 )

Diluted adjusted net (loss) income per common stock (in cents)

    0.04       0.03       0.02       0.01       (0.04 )     0.11       (0.01 )

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
36

 

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) to Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)

 

This release refers to a non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, calculated as cash provided by operating activities, less additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests. Management believes that, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, free cash flow is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance. The following table reconciles cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

 

Dollars are in thousands

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

   

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 
   

2024

   

2023

   

2024

   

2023

 

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 67,470     $ 884     $ 218,277     $ 75,499  

Less: Additions to properties, plants equipment and mineral interests

  $ (60,784 )   $ (62,622 )   $ (214,492 )   $ (223,887 )

Free cash flow

  $ 6,686     $ (61,738 )   $ 3,785     $ (148,388 )

 

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities less additions to properties, plants and equipment. Cash provided by operating activities for our silver operations, the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday operating segments, excludes exploration and pre-development expense, as it is a discretionary expenditure and not a component of the mines’ operating performance.

 

Dollars are in thousands

 

Total Silver

Operations

   

Years Ended
December 31,

 
           

2024

   

2023

   

2022

   

2021

 

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 992,487     $ 317,861     $ 214,883     $ 188,434     $ 271,309  

Exploration

  $ 26,342     $ 8,016     $ 7,815     $ 5,920     $ 4,591  

Less: Additions to properties, plants equipment and mineral interests

  $ (347,924 )   $ (97,387 )   $ (108,879 )   $ (87,890 )   $ (53,768 )

Free cash flow

  $ 670,905     $ 228,490     $ 113,819     $ 106,464     $ 222,132  

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
37

 
 

Table A

 

Hecla Mining Company - Reserves and Resources 12/31/2024 (1)

 

Proven Reserves (1)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons (000)

   

(oz/ton)

   

(oz/ton)

   

%

   

%

   

(000 oz)

   

(000 oz)

   

Tons

   

Tons

 

Greens Creek (2,3)

United States

    100.0 %     9       7.6       0.07       2.4       6.5       70       1       220       600  

Lucky Friday (2,4)

United States

    100.0 %     5,285       11.9       -       7.6       3.6       62,825       -       400,400       189,860  

Casa Berardi Underground (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     87       -       0.15       -       -       -       13       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     4,958       -       0.08       -       -       -       415       -       -  

Keno Hill (2,6)

Canada

    100.0 %     13       28.1       -       3.0       1.6       364       -       380       200  

Total

            10,352                                       63,259       429       401,000       190,660  
                                                                                   

Probable Reserves (7)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons (000)

   

(oz/ton)

   

(oz/ton)

   

%

   

%

   

(000 oz)

   

(000 oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (2,3)

United States

    100.0 %     10,438       9.9       0.08       2.3       6.2       103,641       864       240,450       645,410  

Lucky Friday (2,4)

United States

    100.0 %     790       11.4       -       7.6       3.1       9,011       -       60,210       24,620  

Casa Berardi Underground (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     391       -       0.15       -       -       -       59       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     10,457       -       0.08       -       -       -       804       -       -  

Keno Hill (2,6)

Canada

    100.0 %     2,630       24.3       0.01       2.4       2.4       63,914       17       63,440       62,790  

Total

            24,706                                       176,566       1,744       364,100       732,820  
                                                                                   

Proven and Probable Reserves (1,7)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons (000)

   

(oz/ton)

   

(oz/ton)

   

%

   

%

   

(000 oz)

   

(000 oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (2,3)

United States

    100.0 %     10,447       9.9       0.08       2.3       6.2       103,711       865       240,670       646,010  

Lucky Friday (2,4)

United States

    100.0 %     6,075       11.8       -       7.6       3.5       71,836       -       460,610       214,480  

Casa Berardi Underground (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     478       -       0.15       -       -       -       72       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (2,5)

Canada

    100.0 %     15,415       -       0.08       -       -       -       1,219       -       -  

Keno Hill (2,6)

Canada

    100.0 %     2,643       24.3       0.01       2.4       2.4       64,278       17       63,820       62,990  

Total

            35,058                                       239,825       2,173       765,100       923,480  

 

(1)

The term “reserve” means an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project.

 

More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted.

 

The term “proven reserves” means the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource.  See footnotes 8 and 9 below.

(2) 

Mineral reserves are based on $22/oz silver, $1,900/oz gold, $0.90/lb lead, $1.15/lb zinc, unless otherwise stated.  All Mineral Reserves are reported in-situ with estimates of mining dilution and mining loss.

(3)

The reserve NSR cut-off values for Greens Creek is $230/ton for all zones; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2024): 79% for silver, 72% for gold, 81% for lead, and 89% for zinc.

(4)

The reserve NSR cut-off values for Lucky Friday are $225/ton for the 30 Vein and $236/ton for the Intermediate Veins; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2024): 94% for silver, 94% for lead, and 86% for zinc

(5)

The average reserve cut-off grades at Casa Berardi are 0.12 oz/ton gold (4.1 g/tonne) underground and 0.03 oz/ton gold (1.1 g/tonne) for open pit. Metallurgical recovery (actual 2024): 85% for gold; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.35.

(6) 

The reserve NSR cut-off value at Keno Hill is $235.20/ton (CAD$350/tonne), Metallurgical recovery (actual 2024): 97% for silver, 95% for lead, 87% for zinc; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.35

(7) 

The term “probable reserves” means the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource.  See footnotes 9 and 10 below.

 

Totals may not represent the sum of parts due to rounding

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
38

 

 

Mineral Resources - 12/31/2024 (8)

 

Measured Resources (9)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons (000)

   

(oz/

ton)

   

(oz/

ton)

   

%

   

%

   

%

   

(000

oz)

   

(000

oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (12,13)

United States

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Lucky Friday (12,14)

United States

    100.0 %     3,781       8.7       -       5.8       2.6       -       32,795       -       217,490       99,840       -  

Casa Berardi Underground (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,486       -       0.20       -       -       -       -       300       -       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     84       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       3       -       -       -  

Keno Hill (12,16)

Canada

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

San Sebastian - Oxide(17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

San Sebastian - Sulfide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Fire Creek (18,19)

United States

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Hollister (18,20)

United States

    100.0 %     19       4.7       0.57       -       -       -       88       11       -       -       -  

Midas (18,21)

United States

    100.0 %     2       7.1       0.62       -       -       -       15       1       -       -       -  

Heva (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Hosco (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Star (12,23)

United States

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Rackla - Tiger Open Pit (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     881       -       0.09       -       -       -       -       75       -       -       -  

Rackla - Tiger Underground (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     32       -       0.06       -       -       -       -       2       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Open Pit (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Underground (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Total

            6,285                                               32,898       392       217,490       99,840       -  
                                                                                                   

Indicated Resources (10)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons
(000)

   

(oz/

ton)

   

(oz/

ton)

   

%

   

%

   

%

   

(000

oz)

   

(000

oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (12,13)

United States

    100.0 %     7,619       14.1       0.10       3.0       8.0       -       107,226       760       227,360       607,600       -  

Lucky Friday (12,14)

United States

    100.0 %     845       8.7       -       6.6       2.3       -       7,350       -       55,890       19,700       -  

Casa Berardi Underground (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     3,522       -       0.17       -       -       -       -       594       -       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     126       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       4       -       -       -  

Keno Hill (12,16)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,050       13.7       0.01       1.1       2.1       -       14,431       12       11,610       22,460       -  

San Sebastian - Oxide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     1,233       6.6       0.10       -       -       -       8,146       121       -       -       -  

San Sebastian - Sulfide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     1,164       5.3       0.01       2.0       3.1       1.3       6,211       15       23,500       35,900       15,240  

Fire Creek (18,19)

United States

    100.0 %     197       0.8       0.37       -       -       -       162       73       -       -       -  

Hollister (18,20)

United States

    100.0 %     74       1.8       0.56       -       -       -       134       41       -       -       -  

Midas (18,21)

United States

    100.0 %     95       5.4       0.40       -       -       -       514       38       -       -       -  

Heva (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,208       -       0.05       -       -       -       -       62       -       -       -  

Hosco (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     32,152       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       1,097       -       -       -  

Star (12,23)

United States

    100.0 %     834       3.4       -       7.2       8.5       -       2,820       -       60,120       70,450       -  

Rackla - Tiger Open Pit (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     3,116       -       0.10       -       -       -       -       311       -       -       -  

Rackla - Tiger Underground (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     960       -       0.08       -       -       -       -       76       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Open Pit (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     4,843       -       0.12       -       -       -       -       577       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Underground (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     927       -       0.13       -       -       -       -       123       -       -       -  

Total

            59,965                                               146,994       3,904       378,480       756,110       15,240  

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
39

 

 

Measured & Indicated Resources

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons
(000)

   

(oz/ton)

   

(oz/ton)

   

%

   

%

   

%

   

(000 oz)

   

(000 oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (12,13)

United States

    100.0 %     7,619       14.1       0.10       3.0       8.0       -       107,226       760       227,360       607,600       -  

Lucky Friday(12,14)

United States

    100.0 %     4,627       8.7       -       6.2       2.5       -       40,145       -       273,380       119,540       -  

Casa Berardi Underground(12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     5,007       -       0.18       -       -       -       -       895       -       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     210       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       6       -       -       -  

Keno Hill (12,16)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,050       13.7       0.01       1.1       2.1       -       14,431       12       11,610       22,460       -  

San Sebastian - Oxide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     1,233       6.6       0.10       -       -       -       8,146       121       -       -       -  

San Sebastian - Sulfide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     1,164       5.3       0.01       2.0       3.1       1.3       6,211       15       23,500       35,900       15,240  

Fire Creek (18,19)

United States

    100.0 %     197       0.8       0.37       -       -       -       162       73       -       -       -  

Hollister(18,20)

United States

    100.0 %     93       2.4       0.56       -       -       -       223       52       -       -       -  

Midas(18,21)

United States

    100.0 %     97       5.5       0.40       -       -       -       529       39       -       -       -  

Heva (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,208       -       0.05       -       -       -       -       62       -       -       -  

Hosco(22)

Canada

    100.0 %     32,152       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       1,097       -       -       -  

Star(12,23)

United States

    100.0 %     834       3.4       -       7.2       8.5       -       2,820       -       60,120       70,450       -  

Rackla - Tiger Open Pit (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     3,997       -       0.10       -       -       -       -       386       -       -       -  

Rackla - Tiger Underground(29)

Canada

    100.0 %     991       -       0.08       -       -       -       -       78       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Open Pit (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     4,843       -       0.12       -       -       -       -       577       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Underground(30)

Canada

    100.0 %     927       -       0.13       -       -       -       -       123       -       -       -  

Total

            66,249                                               179,893       4,296       595,970       855,950       15,240  
                                                                                                   

Inferred Resources (11)

 
                     

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

   

Silver

   

Gold

   

Lead

   

Zinc

   

Copper

 

Asset

Location

 

Ownership

   

Tons (000)

   

(oz/ton)

   

(oz/ton)

   

%

   

%

   

%

   

(000 oz)

   

(000 oz)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

   

(Tons)

 

Greens Creek (12,13)

United States

    100.0 %     1,878       13.4       0.08       2.9       6.9       -       25,106       151       54,010       130,120       -  

Lucky Friday(12,14)

United States

    100.0 %     3,811       10.3       -       7.7       3.2       -       39,183       -       293,010       121,710       -  

Casa Berardi Underground(12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     2,076       -       0.20       -       -       -       -       408       -       -       -  

Casa Berardi Open Pit (12,15)

Canada

    100.0 %     577       -       0.10       -       -       -       -       57       -       -       -  

Keno Hill (12,16)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,300       14.8       0.005       1.3       2.7       -       19,270       6       16,450       34,940       -  

San Sebastian - Oxide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     2,163       7.1       0.06       -       -       -       15,364       134       -       -       -  

San Sebastian - Sulfide (17)

Mexico

    100.0 %     326       4.3       0.01       1.7       2.6       0.9       1,388       4       5,680       8,420       3,090  

Fire Creek (18,19)

United States

    100.0 %     1,197       0.4       0.42       -       -       -       524       500       -       -       -  

Fire Creek - Open Pit (24)

United States

    100.0 %     74,584       0.1       0.03       -       -       -       5,232       2,178       -       -       -  

Hollister(18,20)

United States

    100.0 %     742       2.7       0.40       -       -       -       2,037       294       -       -       -  

Midas(18,21)

United States

    100.0 %     1,480       5.3       0.44       -       -       -       7,918       657       -       -       -  

Heva (22)

Canada

    100.0 %     1,615       -       0.08       -       -       -       -       136       -       -       -  

Hosco(22)

Canada

    100.0 %     14,460       -       0.03       -       -       -       -       461       -       -       -  

Star(12,23)

United States

    100.0 %     2,044       3.5       -       6.7       6.7       -       7,129       -       137,040       137,570       -  

San Juan Silver (12,25)

United States

    100.0 %     2,351       15.8       0.01       1.4       1.1       -       37,026       27       47,430       38,020       -  

Monte Cristo(26)

United States

    100.0 %     523       0.2       0.24       -       -       -       126       101       -       -       -  

Rock Creek(12,27)

United States

    100.0 %     99,997       1.5       -       -       -       0.7       148,688       -       -       -       658,410  

Libby Exploration(12,28)

United States

    100.0 %     112,185       1.6       -       -       -       0.7       183,346       -       -       -       759,420  

Rackla - Tiger Open Pit (29)

Canada

    100.0 %     30       -       0.05       -       -       -       -       2       -       -       -  

Rackla - Tiger Underground(29)

Canada

    100.0 %     153       -       0.07       -       -       -       -       11       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Open Pit (30)

Canada

    100.0 %     5,919       -       0.09       -       -       -       -       529       -       -       -  

Rackla - Osiris Underground(30)

Canada

    100.0 %     4,398       -       0.12       -       -       -       -       515       -       -       -  

Total

            333,809                                               492,337       6,171       553,620       470,780       1,420,920  

Note: All estimates are in-situ except for the proven reserves at Greens Creek and Keno Hill which are in surface stockpiles.  Stockpile materials make up 26.5 k tons of the total proven reserves at Casa Berardi.
Mineral resources are exclusive of reserves.

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
40

 

 

(8)

The term "mineral resources" means a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction.

 

A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. It is not merely an inventory of all mineralization drilled or sampled.

(9)

The term "measured resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a measured mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.

 

Because a measured mineral resource has a higher level of confidence than the level of confidence of either an indicated mineral resource or an inferred mineral resource, a measured mineral resource may be converted to a proven mineral reserve or to a probable mineral reserve.

(10)

The term "indicated resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an indicated mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because an indicated mineral resource has a lower confidence level than a measured mineral resource, an indicated mineral resource may only be converted to a probable mineral reserve.

(11)

The term "inferred resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an inferred mineral resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Because an inferred mineral resource has the lowest level of geological confidence of all mineral resources, which prevents the application of the modifying factors in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability, an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project and may not be converted to a mineral reserve.

(12)

Mineral resources are based on $2,000/oz gold, $24/oz silver, $1.15/lb lead, $1.35/lb zinc and $4/lb copper, unless otherwise stated.

(13)

The resource NSR cut-off values for Greens Creek is $230/ton for all zones; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2024): 79% for silver, 72% for gold, 81% for lead, and 89% for zinc.

(14)

The resource NSR cut-off value for Lucky Friday is $236/ton; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2024): 94% for silver, 94% for lead, and 86% for zinc

(15)

The average resource cut-off grades at Casa Berardi are 0.11 oz/ton gold (3.7 g/tonne) for underground and 0.03 oz/ton gold (1.05 g/tonne) for open pit; metallurgical recovery (actual 2024): 85% for gold; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.35.

(16)

The resource NSR cut-off value at Keno Hill is $134.40/ton (CAD$200/tonne); using minimum width of 4.9 feet (1.5m); metallurgical recovery (actual 2024): 97% for silver, 95% for lead, 87% for zinc; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.35

(17)

Mineral resources for underground zones at San Sebastian reported at a cut-off grade of $158.8/ton ($175/tonne), open pit resources reported at a cut-off grade of $72.6/ton ($80/tonne);  

 

Metallurgical recoveries based on grade dependent recovery curves: recoveries at the mean resource grade average 89% for silver and 84% for gold for oxide material and 85% for silver, 83% for gold, 81% for lead, 86% for zinc, and 83% for copper for sulfide material.

 

Resources reported at a minimum mining width of 8.2 feet (2.5m) for Middle Vein, North Vein, and East Francine, 6.5ft (1.98m) for El Toro, El Bronco, and El Tigre, and 4.9 feet (1.5 m) for Hugh Zone and Andrea.

(18)

Mineral resources for Fire Creek, Hollister and Midas are reported using a minimum mining width of four feet or the vein true thickness plus two feet, whichever is greater.

(19)

Fire Creek underground mineral resources are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.22 oz/ton.  Metallurgical recoveries: 90% for gold and 70% for silver.

(20)

Hollister mineral resources, including the Hatter Graben are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.21 oz/ton. Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for gold and 66% for silver

(21)

Midas mineral resources are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.20 oz/ton. Metallurgical recoveries: 90% for gold and 70% for silver.  Inferred resources for the Sinter Zone are reported undiluted.  

(22)

Mineral resources at Heva and Hosco are based on a gold cut-off grade of 0.011 oz/ton (0.37 g/tonnes) for open pit and 0.117 oz/ton (4 g/tonne) for underground and metallurgical recoveries of 95% for gold at Heva and 81.5% and 87.7% for gold at Hosco depending on zone.

 

Heva and Hosco resources are diluted 20% and reported using a 7% mining loss.

(23)

Indicated and Inferred resources at the Star property are reported using a minimum mining width of 4.3 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $200/ton; Metallurgical recovery: 93% for silver, 93% for lead, and 87% for zinc.

(24)

Inferred open-pit resources for Fire Creek calculated November 30, 2017, using gold and silver recoveries of 65% and 30% for oxide material and 60% and 25% for mixed oxide-sulfide material.  Indicated Resources reclassified as Inferred in 2019.

 

Open pit resources are calculated at $1,400 gold and $19.83 silver and cut-off grade of 0.01 Au Equivalent oz/ton and is inclusive of 10% mining dilution and 5% ore loss.  Open pit mineral resources exclusive of underground mineral resources.

 

NI43-101 Technical Report for the Fire Creek Project, Lander County, Nevada; Effective Date March 31, 2018; prepared by Practical Mining LLC, Mark Odell, P.E. for Hecla Mining Company, June 28, 2018.

(25)

Inferred resources reported at a minimum mining width of 6.0 feet for Bulldog and an NSR cut-off value of $200/ton and 5.0 feet for Equity and North Amethyst veins at an NSR cut-off value of $175/ton; Metallurgical recoveries based on grade dependent recovery curves;

 

metal recoveries at the mean resource grade average 89% silver, 74% lead, and 81% zinc for the Bulldog and a constant 85% gold and 85% silver for North Amethyst and Equity.

(26)

Inferred resource at Monte Cristo reported at a minimum mining width of 5.0 feet and a 0.10 oz/ton gold cut-off grade. Metallurgical recovery: 90% for gold and 90% silver.

(27)

Inferred resource at Rock Creek reported at a minimum thickness of 15 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $31.50/ton; Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for silver and 92% for copper.

 

Resources adjusted based on mining restrictions as defined by U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest in the June 2003 'Record of Decision, Rock Creek Project'.

(28) 

Inferred resource at Libby reported at a minimum thickness of 15 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $31.50/ton NSR; Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for silver and 92% copper.

 

Resources adjusted based on mining restrictions as defined by U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest, Montana DEQ in December 2015 'Joint Final EIS, Montanore Project' and the February 2016 U.S Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest 'Record of Decision, Montanore Project'.

(29)

Mineral resources at the Rackla-Tiger Project are based on a gold price of $1,650/oz, metallurgical recovery of 95% for gold, and cut-off grades of 0.02 oz/ton gold for the open pit portion of the resources and 0.04 oz/ton gold for the underground portions of the resources; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.3.

(30)

Mineral resources at the Rackla-Osiris Project are based on a gold price of $1,850/oz, metallurgical recovery of 83% for gold, and cut-off grades of 0.03 oz/ton gold for the open pit portion of the resources and 0.06 oz/ton gold for the underground portions of the resources; US$/CAD$ exchange rate: 1:1.3.

 

 

 

Totals may not represent the sum of parts due to rounding

 

HECLA FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS | NEWS RELEASE
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