Hecla Receives Innovation Award

Rhea-AI Summary

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) has received the 2022 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award for its innovative Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) mining method at the Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho. This award, presented by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration, highlights Hecla's commitment to safety and productivity improvements in mining. The UCB method enhances miner safety by controlling seismic energy release, thereby increasing productivity. In 2022, the Lucky Friday Mine achieved record safety and production levels, setting the stage for an optimistic future as the mine continues to improve grades and output.

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• Awarded the 2022 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award for UCB mining method.
• UCB method enhances miner safety and productivity at Lucky Friday Mine.
• Achieved record safety and production levels in 2022.

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Recognizes the Lucky Friday’s New Mining Method

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) announced today that the Company received the 2022 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award for pioneering the Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) mining method at its Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho. The award, given by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME), recognizes operations and organizations that implement cutting-edge technologies and innovative processes to advance the mining industry.

The UCB is an innovative, patent-pending method designed to control the release of seismic energy to improve miner safety and increases productivity in deep narrow vein mining.

“Hecla is honored to receive this prestigious award for our invention of this new mining method,” said Hecla President and CEO Phillips S. Baker, Jr. in a keynote speech to SME members. “For 132 years, Hecla has been known for innovations such as the UCB method because of our long-term mindset, commitment to an ever-learning team, and the relentless drive to improve safety.”

Baker continued, “Using the UCB at the Lucky Friday Mine has dramatically increased both safety and productivity at this 80-year-old mine achieving safety and production records in 2022. With the mine’s increasing grades combined with higher production and improved safety, I am convinced the best decade of the Lucky Friday is ahead of it.”

Learn more about Hecla’s UCB mining method at https://www.hecla.com/operations/lucky-friday-idaho.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230301005256/en/

Anvita Mishra Patil, Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer

Cheryl Turner, Communications Coordinator

Investor Relations

800-HECLA91 (800-432-5291)

Email: hmc-info@hecla-mining.com

Website: www.hecla.com

Source: Hecla Mining Company

FAQ

What award did Hecla Mining receive for its mining methods in 2022?

Hecla Mining received the 2022 Robert E. Murray Innovation Award for its Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) mining method.

How does the Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) mining method improve safety?

The UCB method controls the release of seismic energy, enhancing miner safety.

What are the production achievements of the Lucky Friday Mine in 2022?

The Lucky Friday Mine achieved record safety and production levels in 2022.

Where is Hecla Mining Company headquartered?

Hecla Mining Company is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

What is the stock symbol for Hecla Mining Company?

The stock symbol for Hecla Mining Company is HL.