Hecla Provides Update on Settlement Negotiations for the Coeur d′Alene Basin Environmental Litigation

Hecla Mining Company ('Hecla?)(NYSE:HL)
provides an update on the previously announced settlement negotiations
with the United States, the Coeur d′Alene Indian Tribe, and the State of
Idaho (the 'Plaintiffs?) regarding the Coeur d′Alene Basin environmental
litigation and related claims.

On February 24, we announced that the parties reached an understanding
on proposed financial terms to be included into a comprehensive
settlement of the Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation and
related claims. The Court issued an order giving the parties until April
15, 2011, to inform the Court of the status of settlement negotiations.

Since that date, the parties have made significant progress in
negotiating the final terms of settlement to be reflected in a Consent
Decree incorporating both the previously announced financial terms and
the non-monetary terms of settlement, but have not yet finalized the
Consent Decree. On each of April 15 and April 18, an update regarding
settlement efforts was provided to the Court by the parties and the
mediator. As part of the update, the Court was told that the parties
need additional time to finalize the Consent Decree and for the
management of each of the Plaintiffs to approve the complete terms of
settlement. In response, Hecla anticipates that the Court will issue an
order requiring bi-weekly status conferences with the Court, starting
the first week of May, to keep the Court informed of the progress
towards lodging of the Consent Decree. Hecla is hopeful that the
settlement will be completed and effective no later than during the
third quarter.

If the terms of settlement are completed and approved by the parties,
the Consent Decree will be lodged with the Court, followed by a public
comment period anticipated to last 30  days, after which time the United
States will evaluate and respond to any public comments received and
then presumably seek Court approval and entry of the Consent Decree. If
the Court enters the Consent Decree, Hecla will have settled its
historic environmental liability in the Basin and the remaining
obligations in the Box and would make the following payments:

• 
  $102 million of cash, $55.5 million of cash or Hecla stock, and
  approximately $9.5  million in proceeds from series 3 warrants received
  by Hecla to date and referred to below, all payable 30 days after
  entry of the Consent Decree
  
• 
  $25 million of cash 30 days after the first anniversary of entry of
  the Consent Decree
  
• 
  $15 million of cash 30 days after the second anniversary of entry of
  the Consent Decree
  
• 
  Approximately $56.4 million by August 2014, as quarterly payments of
  the proceeds from the exercise of any outstanding Series 1 and Series
  3 warrants (which have an exercise price of between $2.45 and $2.50
  per share) during the quarter, with the remaining balance, if any, due
  in August 2014.
  

Although Hecla is optimistic the Consent Decree will be entered, there
can be no assurance that the parties will be successful in negotiating
and agreeing on the final terms of the Consent Decree or that the
Consent Decree will be entered by the Court and thereby become final and
binding. Hecla will continue to provide updates on the status of the
Consent Decree.

ABOUT HECLA

Established in 1891, Hecla Mining Company is the largest and lowest cash
cost silver producer in the U.S. The company has two operating mines and
exploration properties in four world-class silver mining districts in
the U.S. and Mexico.

Cautionary Statements

Statements made which are not historical facts, such as anticipated
payments, litigation outcome (including settlement negotiations),
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)

hmc-info@hecla-mining.com

www.hecla-mining.com