HECLA MINING CO/DE/ false 0000719413 0000719413 2023-09-18 2023-09-18 0000719413 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2023-09-18 2023-09-18 0000719413 hl:SeriesBCumulativePreferredStockMember 2023-09-18 2023-09-18

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 18, 2023

 

 

HECLA MINING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-8491   77-0664171
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815-9408

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(208) 769-4100

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share   HL   New York Stock Exchange
Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share   HL-PB   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 8.01.

Other

On September 18, 2023, Hecla Mining Company (the “Company”) issued a news release regarding an update at its Lucky Friday operation. The news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

The Company will be participating in the Gold Forum Americas 2023 event in Colorado Springs, CO beginning September 18, 2023 and will be presenting certain information, including the slides attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

99.1    News Release dated September 18, 2023.*
99.2    Slides.*
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).

 

  *

Filed herewith

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

HECLA MINING COMPANY
By      /s/ David C. Sienko                                          
             David C. Sienko
             Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: September 18, 2023

 

3

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    NEWS RELEASE   

HECLA ANNOUNCES LUCKY FRIDAY UPDATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 18, 2023

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO — Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) announced an update regarding the Lucky Friday mine on the previously reported fire in the mine’s secondary egress, the #2 shaft.

The fire has been extinguished, normal ventilation has been established, and the workforce has been recalled. The Company is bringing the mine back into production by developing a new secondary egress to bypass the damaged portion of the shaft. The new egress will extend an existing ramp 1,600 feet and install a 290-foot-long manway raise.

It is anticipated this work will suspend production for the remainder of 2023. The mine has produced 3 million ounces of silver as of the end of July 2023. Currently, the Company does not expect a material change to 2024 consolidated silver production guidance. The Company has property insurance with an underground sub-limit of $50 million and believes this policy will cover most of the property damage and business interruption, less the deductible.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States. 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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Including 2023 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) the Company plans to bring the mine back into production by developing a new secondary egress to bypass the damaged portion of the shaft; (ii) the new egress is expected to extend an existing ramp 1,600 feet and install a 290-foot-long manway raise; (iii) Currently, the Company does not expect a material change to 2024 consolidated silver production guidance, and (iv) the Company believes it has insurance coverage up to $50 million and expects to recover most of the property damage and business interruption resulting from the incident.

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

 

   Hecla Mining Company ● 1-800-432-5291 ● hmc-info@hecla.com    1


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, including with respect to the transition of Casa Berardi from an underground/open pit operation to an open pit only operation; (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 Company plans for 2023 and beyond due to COVID-19 or any other public health issue, including, but not limited to with respect to 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; (vi) conflict resolution and outcome of projects or oppositions; (vii) litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks, including with respect to obtaining or renewing permits; (viii) exploration risks and results, including that mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; (ix) the failure of counterparties to perform their obligations under hedging instruments; (x) we take a material impairment charge on any of our assets; and (xi) inflation causes our costs to rise more than we currently expect. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company’s (i) 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 17, 2023. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly, revisions to any “forward-looking statement,” including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued “forward-looking statement” constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on “forward-looking statements” is at investors’ own risk.

For further information, please contact:

Anvita M. Patil, Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer

Cheryl Turner, Communications Coordinator

800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)

Investor Relations

Email: hmc-info@hecla-mining.com

Website: www.hecla.com

 

   Hecla Mining Company ● 1-800-432-5291 ● hmc-info@hecla.com    2

E HECLA MINING COMPANY NYSE: HL Exhibit 99.2 GUIDANCE – STRONG SILVER PRODUCTION GROWTH GOLD FORUM AMERICAS September 2023 Silver Production (Moz) Gold Production (Koz) Silver Equivalent (Moz) Gold Equivalent (Koz) Previous Current Previous Current Previous Current Consolidated 2023 Total 14.5 - 15.5** 160 - 170 140 - 160 40.0 – 43.0 36.5 – 39.0 505 - 535 440 - 470 Production Outlook 2024 Total 17.5 - 18.5 145 - 161 105 - 125 42.5 - 44.5 38.5 - 41.5 510 - 540 465 - 505 2025 Total 18.5 - 20.0 142 - 161.5 100 - 115 41.0 - 44.0 38.0 - 41.0 495 - 535 460 - 495 Cash cost, after by-product credits, per AISC, after by-product credits, per Costs of Sales (million) 3 4 silver/gold ounce produced silver/gold ounce Previous Current Previous Current Previous Current 2023 Consolidated Total Silver 413 416 $2.50 - $3.00 $3.00 - $4.00 $10.25 - $11.50 $10.25 - $11.50 Cost Outlook* Total Gold 220 215 $1,450 - $1,550 $1,750 - $1,950 $1,975 - $2,050 $2,000 - $2,250 (millions) Previous Current Previous - Sustaining Current - Sustaining Previous - Growth Current - Growth Capital expenditures $190 - $200 $225 - $235 $130 - $137 $114 - $119 $60 - $63 $111 - $116 2023 Capital and Exploration & Pre-development expenditures $32.5 $32.5 Exploration Outlook Keno Hill Ramp Up Costs $9 $13 Exhibit 99.2 * Production and cost outlook by mine available in the appendix ** 2023 reflects Lucky Friday’s operations suspended from August – December 2023. Lucky Friday has produced 3Moz from January – July 2023. 56


HECLA MINING COMPANY NYSE: HL GUIDANCE – PRODUCTION AND COSTS BY OPERATION GOLD FORUM AMERICAS September 2023 6 6 Silver Production (Moz) Gold Production (Koz) Silver Equivalent (Moz) Gold Equivalent (Koz) Previous Current Previous Current Previous Current Previous Current 2023 Greens Creek * 9.0 - 9.5 9.0 - 9.5 50 - 55 55 - 65 21.0 - 22.0 21.5 - 22.5 255 - 265 255 - 270 2023 Production 2023 Lucky Friday * 4.5 – 5.0 3.0 N/A N/A 8.5 - 9.0 5.5 105 - 110 65 Outlook 2023 Casa Berardi N/A N/A 110 - 115 85 - 95 9.0 - 9.5 7.0 - 8.0 110 - 115 85 – 95 2023 Keno Hill * 2.5 - 3.0 2.5 - 3.0 N/A N/A 2.5 - 3.0 2.5 - 3.0 35 - 40 35 - 40 2023 Total 16.0 – 17.5 14.5 – 15.5 160 - 170 140 - 160 41.0 - 44.5 36.5 – 39.0 505 - 535 440 - 470 Cash cost, after by-product credits, per AISC, after by-product credits, per Cost of Sales (million) 3 3 silver/gold ounce produced silver/gold ounce Previous Current Previous Current Previous Current 2023 Consolidated Greens Creek 245 245 $0.00 - $0.25 $0.00 - $0.50 $6.00 - $6.75 $5.25 - $5.75 Cost Outlook Keno Hill 40 40 $11.00 - $13.50 $11.00 - $13.50 $12.25 - $14.75 $12.25 - $14.75 Total Silver 413 416 $2.50 - $3.00 $3.00 - $4.00 $10.25 - $11.50 $10.25 - $11.50 Casa Berardi 220 215 $1,450 - $1,550 $1,750 - $1,950 $1,975 - $2,050 $2,000 - $2,250 (millions) Previous Current Current - Sustaining Current - Growth Capital expenditures $190 - $200 $225 - $235 $114 - $119 $111 - $116 Greens Creek $49 - $52 $47 - $50 $43 - $45 $4 - $5 Lucky Friday $48 - $51 $59 - $62 $34 - $36 $25 - $26 2023E Capital and Casa Berardi $51 - $53 $72 - $74 $36 - $37 $36 - $37 Exploration Outlook Keno Hill $42 - $44 $47 - $49 $0.50 - $1 $46.50 - $48 Exploration & Pre-development expenditures $32.50 $32.50 Keno Hill Ramp Up Costs $9 $13 Exhibit 99.2 * Equivalent ounces include lead and zinc production 57

v3.23.3
Document and Entity Information
Sep. 18, 2023
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Entity Registrant Name HECLA MINING CO/DE/
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0000719413
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Sep. 18, 2023
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 1-8491
Entity Tax Identification Number 77-0664171
Entity Address, Address Line One 6500 North Mineral Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town Coeur d’Alene
Entity Address, State or Province ID
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 83815-9408
City Area Code (208)
Local Phone Number 769-4100
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Common Stock [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol HL
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]  
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]  
Security 12b Title Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol HL-PB
Security Exchange Name NYSE

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