Hecla Announces First Quarter Production
Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) reported a notable 10% increase in silver production to approximately 4.04 million ounces in Q1 2023, compared to Q4 2022. This performance is attributed to a 14% increase at its Greens Creek mine and a 3% increase at its Lucky Friday mine. However, gold production fell 9% to about 39,571 ounces, primarily due to lower underground processing and grades at the Casa Berardi mine. Hecla anticipates producing over 2.5 million ounces of silver this year, with plans to ramp up production to 20 million ounces by 2025. Development at Keno Hill is progressing with a targeted mill startup in Q3 2023.
- 10% increase in silver production to 4.04 million ounces.
- Greens Creek silver production increased 14% to 2.8 million ounces.
- Lucky Friday silver production rose 3% to 1.3 million ounces.
- Lead production increased 6%.
- Development at Keno Hill increased by 30% from Q4.
- 9% decrease in gold production to 39,571 ounces.
- Casa Berardi gold production fell 20% due to a decline in underground tons processed.
HIGHLIGHTS (1st Quarter 2023 compared to 4th Quarter 2022)
-
10% increase in silver production and as anticipated9% decrease in gold production. -
Greens Creek silver production increased14% . -
Lucky Friday silver production increased3% . -
Lead production increased
6% , zinc production unchanged. -
Development at Keno Hill
30% more than the fourth quarter.
“Hecla's silver mines delivered another strong operational quarter with new milestones achieved at both
Baker continued, “This quarter’s production growth is an important step toward producing approximately 17 million ounces of silver this year and increasing production to 20 million ounces by 2025, allowing Hecla to continue to be the world’s fastest growing established silver producer."
OPERATIONS
The Lucky Friday mine produced 1.3 million ounces of silver in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 1.2 million ounces produced in the fourth quarter (a
The Casa Berardi mine produced 24,686 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2023, an anticipated decline of
At the Keno Hill mine, development remains on pace for a third quarter mill start. Planned development before starting production is
PRODUCTION SUMMARY
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
2023 |
2022 |
|
||||
Production |
|
|
Increase/(Decrease) |
||||
Silver (oz) |
4,041,878 |
3,663,433 |
10 |
% |
|||
Gold (oz) |
39,571 |
43,699 |
(9 |
)% |
|||
Lead (tons) |
13,236 |
12,456 |
6 |
% |
|||
Zinc (tons) |
15,795 |
15,892 |
(1 |
)% |
|||
|
2,772,860 |
2,433,274 |
14 |
% |
|||
|
14,885 |
12,990 |
15 |
% |
|||
|
1,262,464 |
1,224,199 |
3 |
% |
|||
|
24,686 |
30,709 |
(20 |
)% |
(1) |
See cautionary statement regarding preliminary statements at the end of this release. |
|
(2) |
Silver and gold equivalent calculation based on the respective average annual metal prices as follows: |
ABOUT HECLA
Founded in 1891,
Cautionary Statements Regarding Estimates and Forward-Looking Statements
All measures of the Company's first quarter 2023 operating results contained in this release are preliminary and reflect the Company’s expected results as of the date of this release. Actual reported first quarter 2023 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.
Statements made or information provided in this news release that are not historical facts are "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, and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. When a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “indicative,” “preliminary,” “potential” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, without limitation: (i)
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 2022 Form 10-K filed on
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230413005227/en/
For further information, please contact:
Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer
Communications Coordinator
800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)
Investor Relations
Email: hmc-info@hecla-mining.com
Website: www.hecla.com
Source:
FAQ
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