Hecla Provides Update on Fall of Ground at the Lucky Friday Operation
Hecla Mining Company ('Hecla?)(NYSE:HL)
provides an update on the localized fall of ground in a stope which
occurred at its Lucky Friday mine in Northern Idaho on April 15, 2011.
An employee is unaccounted for.
'Our current focus is 100% directed to rescuing the miner and ensuring
the safety of the rescue team,' said Phil Baker, President and Chief
Executive Officer. 'Larry Marek is an experienced miner and has been
with Hecla for 12 years. We deeply sympathize with the family, employees
and overall situation and are doing all that is possible to progress
with rescue operations in a safe and expedited manner. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the family and loved ones.'
The Lucky Friday mine has ceased mining to focus on rescue operations.
Hecla does not know how long the rescue efforts will continue or if it
will impact the 2011 production guidance.
Hecla is working extraordinarily hard to reach the employee and will
continue making every effort as long as it takes, using safe methods in
the process to ensure the safety of our rescue teams. Rescue teams are
working 24 hours a day in two twelve-hour shifts.
Communications are being coordinated with all relevant authorities,
including local, state, regional and federal officials and emergency
service organizations. MSHA is on site.
Hecla will provide up-to-date information on the rescue efforts in the Lucky
Friday Mine Update section on the homepage of the website at www.hecla-mining.com.
Cautionary Statements
Statements made which are not historical facts, such as anticipated
payments, litigation outcome, production, sales of assets, exploration
results and plans, costs, and prices or sales performance are
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected, anticipated, expected or implied. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, metals price volatility,
volatility of metals production and costs, environmental and litigation
risks, operating risks, project development risks, political risks,
labor issues, ability to raise financing and exploration risks and
results. Refer to the company's Form 10-K and 10-Q reports 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 Mining Company
Vice President ? Investor Relations
M?nie
Hennessey, 604-694-7729
Direct Main: 800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)
Email:
hmc-info@hecla-mining.com
Website:
www.hecla-mining.com