false 0000719413 0000719413 2024-07-10 2024-07-10 0000719413 hl:CommonStockParValue025PerShareCustomMember 2024-07-10 2024-07-10 0000719413 hl:SeriesBCumulativeConvertiblePreferredStockParValue025PerShareCustomMember 2024-07-10 2024-07-10
 
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): July 10, 2024
 
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 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On July 10, 2024, Hecla Mining Company (the “Company”) issued a news release (“Release”) announcing certain preliminary production results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and other updates.  All measures of the Company's second quarter 2024 production results contained in the Release are preliminary and reflect the Company’s expected results as of the date of the Release. Actual reported second quarter 2024 results are subject to management's final review as well as review by the Company's independent registered accounting firm and may vary significantly from current expectations because of a number of factors, including, without limitation, additional or revised information and changes in accounting standards or policies or in how those standards are applied. A copy of the Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.  
 
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
     
99.1
 
     
104
 
 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).
     
    * Furnished 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:   July 11, 2024
 
3
 

Exhibit 99.1

logo.jpg

NEWS RELEASE

 

HECLA ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER PRODUCTION

10% increase in silver production over year-to-date 2023

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2024

 

COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO -- Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today announced its preliminary production results for the second quarter of 2024.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

Year to Date ("YTD") 2024 compared to YTD 2023

10% increase in silver production

Keno Hill produced 1.5 million ounces of silver, with milled throughput of 341 tons per day ("tpd") YTD and 406 tpd in the second quarter

Record quarterly throughput at Lucky Friday of 1,181 tpd

4% increase in Casa Berardi's gold production

 

“Hecla produced 4.5 million silver ounces during the quarter, an increase of 6% over the prior quarter, reflecting a full quarter of production at Lucky Friday with record throughput, improved throughput at Keno Hill and another solid performance by Greens Creek," said Cassie Boggs, Interim President and CEO. "At Keno Hill we continue to focus on improving the safety culture and environmental performance, positioning the mine for long term success and while our actions are starting to show positive results, more work is required at this operation. We are also in contact with and continue to monitor the positions of First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, on whose Traditional Territory Keno Hill is partly located."

 

Boggs continued, “With Keno Hill's expected silver production to exceed 2.7 million ounces this year, Hecla is on track to produce about 17 million ounces in 2024, a nearly 20% growth rate from 2023, making Hecla the fastest growing established silver producer with production growth in the best geographical regions."

 

OPERATIONS         

 

Greens Creek

Greens Creek produced 2.2 million ounces of silver and 14,137 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a decrease of 9% and 3%, respectively, compared to the first quarter, while processing 2,481 tpd. Silver production declined primarily due to grades reverting to plan resulting in a decrease of 6% compared to the first quarter, as well as slightly lower throughput.

 

Lucky Friday

Lucky Friday produced 1.3 million ounces of silver in the quarter, an increase of 23% over the first quarter, reflecting a full quarter of production compared to the first quarter when production resumed on January 9. Mill throughput was a quarterly record at 1,181 tpd, as the mine continues to see the benefit of investment in infrastructure and the UCB mining method. The Company collected $17.8 million in insurance proceeds during the quarter with total proceeds to date at $35.2 million of the $50 million policy sub-limit.

 

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

1

 

Casa Berardi

Casa Berardi produced 23,187 ounces of gold in the second quarter, an increase of 5% compared to the first quarter. Increased production during the quarter resulted from improved grades and recoveries, partly offset by lower throughput. The mill operated at an average of 4,033 tpd during the quarter.

 

Keno Hill

Keno Hill produced 900,440 ounces of silver, an increase of 39% compared with the 646,312 ounces produced in the first quarter. The increased production was due to higher and more consistent mill throughput that averaged 406 tpd, a 47% improvement over the first quarter. Silver grade was strong for the quarter averaging 25.1 ounces per ton.

 

While the Company’s focus on improving safety and environmental processes has delivered increased operational consistency, additional investment in infrastructure and continued focus on safety, environmental, permitting and mining practices, as well as relations with First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun remain key to delivering long term value at this operation.

 

PRODUCTION SUMMARY

 

   

Three Months Ended

           

Six Months Ended

         
   

June 30,

   

March 31,

           

June 30,

   

June 30,

         
   

2024

   

2024

           

2024

   

2023

         

Production

                 

Increase/
(Decrease)

                   

Increase/
(Decrease)

 

Silver (oz)

    4,458,484       4,192,098       6 %     8,650,582       7,873,529       10 %

Gold (oz)

    37,324       36,592       2 %     73,916       74,822       (1 )%

Lead (tons)

    13,586       12,100       12 %     25,686       26,307       (2 )%

Zinc (tons)

    16,191       16,211       (0 )%     32,402       32,734       (1 )%

Greens Creek - Silver (oz)

    2,243,551       2,478,594       (9 )%     4,722,145       5,128,533       (8 )%

Greens Creek - Gold (oz)

    14,137       14,588       (3 )%     28,725       31,235       (8 )%

Lucky Friday - Silver (oz)

    1,308,155       1,061,065       23 %     2,369,220       2,549,130       (7 )%

Keno Hill - Silver (oz)

    900,440       646,312       39 %     1,546,752       184,264       739 %

Casa Berardi - Gold (oz)

    23,187       22,004       5 %     45,191       43,587       4 %

 

(1)

See cautionary statement regarding preliminary statements at the end of this release.

 

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 Statements Regarding Estimates and Forward-Looking Statements

 

All measures of the Company's second quarter 2024 operating results contained in this release are preliminary and reflect the Company’s expected results as of the date of this release. Actual reported second quarter 2024 results are subject to management's final review as well as review by the Company's independent registered accounting firm and may vary significantly from current expectations because of a number of factors, including, without limitation, additional or revised information and changes in accounting standards or policies or in how those standards are applied.

 

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

2

 

 

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, that Keno Hill’s 2024 production is expected to exceed 2.7 million ounces. 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 2023 Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2024 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.

 

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.com

Website: www.hecla.com

 

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

3
v3.24.2
Document And Entity Information
Jul. 10, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]  
Entity, Registrant Name HECLA MINING COMPANY
Document, Type 8-K
Document, Period End Date Jul. 10, 2024
Entity, Incorporation, State or 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
Amendment Flag false
Entity, Central Index Key 0000719413
CommonStockParValue025PerShare Custom [Member]  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol HL
Security Exchange Name NYSE
SeriesBCumulativeConvertiblePreferredStockParValue025PerShare Custom [Member]  
Document Information [Line Items]  
Title of 12(b) Security Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share
Trading Symbol HL-PB
Security Exchange Name NYSE

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