Hecla Reports Lodging of Coeur  d′Alene Basin Environmental Settlement with the Court

Hecla Mining Company ('Hecla?)(NYSE:HL)
is pleased to report that the Consent Decree, which includes final
settlement terms, was lodged today with the U.S. District Court in
Idaho. The Consent Decree among Hecla, the United States, the
Coeur  d′Alene Indian Tribe, and the State of Idaho, settles the
environmental litigation and related claims pertaining to historic
releases of mining wastes in the Coeur d′Alene Basin. The Consent Decree
has the same monetary terms that were previously disclosed.

'We are encouraged by the lodging of the Consent Decree and continued
cooperation by all related parties to resolve this longstanding
litigation,? said Hecla′s President and Chief Executive Officer,
Phillips S. Baker, Jr. 'We expect the settlement to be finalized and
effective in the third quarter 2011.?

Following publication in the Federal Register, the Consent Decree is
subject to a 30-day public comment period as well as final Court
approval.

For more information on the terms of settlement contained in the Consent
Decree, please see our 2011 SEC filings at www.sec.gov.

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

M?nie Hennessey, 604-694-7729

Vice
President ? Investor Relations

Direct Main: 800-HECLA91
(800-432-5291)

hmc-info@hecla-mining.com

www.hecla-mining.com