UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

[X]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172023

OR

Commission file number

1-8491TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number: 1-8491

HECLA MINING COMPANY

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)Charter)

Delaware

77-0664171

Delaware

77-0664171

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

6500 Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

83815-9408

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

83815-9408

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (208) 769-4100

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

208-769-4100Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)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:registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes No __

Yes XX .    No .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).YesNo __

Yes XX .    No___.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging“emerging growth company"company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):Act.

Large Accelerated Filer   XX.accelerated filer

Accelerated Filer .filer

Non-Accelerated Filer . (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Non-accelerated filer

Smaller Reporting Company.reporting company

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. .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes .    No XX.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Shares Outstanding November 3, 20172, 2023

Common stock, par value

$0.25 par value per share

399,018,708618,232,871


Table of Contents


Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 20172023

INDEX*

Page

PART I - Financial InformationI.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

Item 1.

Item 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - Three Months Ended and Nine Months Ended September 30,, 2017 2023 and 20162022

4

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172023 and 20162022

5

4

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity – Three Months Ended and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)(unaudited)

6

8

Item 2.

Item 2. Management'sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

30

20

Overview

20

Consolidated Results of Operations

21

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

35

Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources

46

Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

48

Critical Accounting Estimates

48

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

48

Guarantor Subsidiaries

49

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

59

52

Item 4.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

62

53

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

53

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

53

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

53

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

53

Item 5.

Other Information

53

Item 6.

Exhibits

54

PART II - Other InformationSignatures

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings55

62

Item 1A – Risk Factors

62

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

62

Item 6 – Exhibits

62

Signatures

63

Exhibits

64

*Items 2 3 and 53 of Part II are omitted as they are not applicable.

2

Table of Contents

2


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsStatements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)

(InDollars and shares in thousands, except shares)for per-share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

Sales

 

$

181,906

 

 

$

146,339

 

 

$

559,537

 

 

$

524,080

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

112,212

 

 

 

104,900

 

 

 

345,516

 

 

 

326,579

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

36,217

 

 

 

32,992

 

 

 

107,937

 

 

 

106,362

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

148,429

 

 

 

137,892

 

 

 

453,453

 

 

 

432,941

 

Gross profit

 

 

33,477

 

 

 

8,447

 

 

 

106,084

 

 

 

91,139

 

Other operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,596

 

 

 

11,003

 

 

 

30,449

 

 

 

28,989

 

Exploration and pre-development

 

 

13,686

 

 

 

15,128

 

 

 

25,546

 

 

 

39,136

 

Ramp-up and suspension costs

 

 

21,025

 

 

 

5,092

 

 

 

48,684

 

 

 

16,539

 

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters

 

 

2,256

 

 

 

1,781

 

 

 

6,411

 

 

 

4,154

 

Other operating (income) expense, net

 

 

1,555

 

 

 

902

 

 

 

(2,729

)

 

 

5,310

 

Total other operating expenses

 

 

46,118

 

 

 

33,906

 

 

 

108,361

 

 

 

94,128

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(12,641

)

 

 

(25,459

)

 

 

(2,277

)

 

 

(2,989

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(10,710

)

 

 

(10,874

)

 

 

(31,186

)

 

 

(31,785

)

Fair value adjustments, net

 

 

(6,397

)

 

 

(4,240

)

 

 

(5,774

)

 

 

(14,703

)

Net foreign exchange gain

 

 

4,176

 

 

 

5,667

 

 

 

434

 

 

 

8,111

 

Other income

 

 

1,657

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

4,425

 

 

 

4,828

 

Total other expense

 

 

(11,274

)

 

 

(7,594

)

 

 

(32,101

)

 

 

(33,549

)

Loss before income and mining taxes

 

 

(23,915

)

 

 

(33,053

)

 

 

(34,378

)

 

 

(36,538

)

Income and mining tax benefit (expense)

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

9,527

 

 

 

(6,904

)

 

 

3,642

 

Net loss

 

 

(22,415

)

 

 

(23,526

)

 

 

(41,282

)

 

 

(32,896

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(414

)

 

 

(414

)

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(22,553

)

 

$

(23,664

)

 

$

(41,696

)

 

$

(33,310

)

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,415

)

 

$

(23,526

)

 

$

(41,282

)

 

$

(32,896

)

Change in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions

 

 

(11,384

)

 

 

(12,692

)

 

 

364

 

 

 

19,491

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(33,799

)

 

$

(36,218

)

 

$

(40,918

)

 

$

(13,405

)

Basic loss per common share after preferred dividends

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Diluted loss per common share after preferred dividends

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

607,896

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

604,028

 

 

 

544,000

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

607,896

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

604,028

 

 

 

544,000

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.00625

 

 

$

0.00625

 

 

$

0.0125

 

 

$

0.0125

 

  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

 

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $172,923  $169,777 

Investments

  32,973   29,117 

Accounts receivable:

        

Trade

  6,982   20,082 

Taxes

  10,382   187 

Other, net

  9,031   9,780 

Inventories:

        

Concentrates, doré, and stockpiled ore

  38,064   25,944 

Materials and supplies

  24,663   24,079 

Other current assets

  16,317   12,125 

Total current assets

  311,335   291,091 

Non-current investments

  7,098   5,002 

Non-current restricted cash and investments

  1,076   2,200 

Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net

  2,025,607   2,032,685 

Non-current deferred income taxes

  44,683   35,815 

Other non-current assets and deferred charges

  6,384   4,884 

Total assets

 $2,396,183  $2,371,677 

LIABILITIES

 

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 $46,847  $60,064 

Accrued payroll and related benefits

  29,085   36,515 

Accrued taxes

  5,081   9,061 

Current portion of capital leases

  5,852   5,653 

Current portion of debt

     470 

Current portion of accrued reclamation and closure costs

  6,514   5,653 

Accrued interest

  14,450   5,745 

Other current liabilities

  7,968   3,064 

Total current liabilities

  115,797   126,225 

Capital leases

  7,436   5,838 

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

  80,758   79,927 

Long-term debt

  501,917   500,979 

Non-current deferred tax liability

  122,723   122,855 

Non-current pension liability

  43,451   44,491 

Other noncurrent liabilities

  11,160   11,518 

Total liabilities

  883,242   891,833 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11)

        

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized:

        

Series B preferred stock, $0.25 par value, 157,816 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference — $7,891

  39   39 

Common stock, $0.25 par value, authorized 750,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2017 — 399,018,708 shares and 2016 — 395,286,875 shares

  100,886   99,806 

Capital surplus

  1,617,669   1,597,212 

Accumulated deficit

  (166,602

)

  (167,437

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (20,884

)

  (34,602

)

Less treasury stock, at cost; 2017 — 4,529,450 and 2016 — 3,941,210 shares issued and held in treasury

  (18,167

)

  (15,174

)

Total shareholders’ equity

  1,512,941   1,479,844 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $2,396,183  $2,371,677 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

3


Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive IncomeCash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except for per-share amounts)In thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(41,282

)

 

$

(32,896

)

Non-cash elements included in net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

111,705

 

 

 

106,743

 

Inventory adjustments

 

 

16,332

 

 

 

2,159

 

Fair value adjustments, net

 

 

5,774

 

 

 

3,486

 

Provision for reclamation and closure costs

 

 

7,805

 

 

 

4,789

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

5,122

 

 

 

4,298

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

795

 

 

 

(17,828

)

Foreign exchange gain

 

 

(434

)

 

 

(8,353

)

Other non-cash items, net

 

 

1,624

 

 

 

2,454

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

25,020

 

 

 

34,788

 

Inventories

 

 

(24,339

)

 

 

(19,472

)

Other current and non-current assets

 

 

(15,045

)

 

 

(3,420

)

Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities

 

 

(2,389

)

 

 

(21,708

)

Accrued payroll and related benefits

 

 

(11,244

)

 

 

1,679

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

(1,008

)

 

 

(2,652

)

Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities

 

 

(3,821

)

 

 

(297

)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

74,615

 

 

 

53,770

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

 

 

(161,265

)

 

 

(93,237

)

Change in restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

2,011

 

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

 

 

 

9,375

 

Proceeds from disposition of properties, plants and equipment

 

 

160

 

 

 

748

 

Purchases of investments

 

 

(1,753

)

 

 

(30,540

)

Acquisitions, net

 

 

 

 

 

8,952

 

Pre-acquisition advance to Alexco

 

 

 

 

 

(25,000

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(162,858

)

 

 

(127,691

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock, net

 

 

25,888

 

 

 

4,542

 

Acquisition of treasury stock

 

 

(2,036

)

 

 

(3,677

)

Borrowing of debt

 

 

119,000

 

 

 

25,000

 

Repayment of debt

 

 

(39,000

)

 

 

 

Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders

 

 

(11,755

)

 

 

(10,549

)

Credit facility fees paid

 

 

 

 

 

(517

)

Repayments of finance leases

 

 

(7,990

)

 

 

(5,222

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

84,107

 

 

 

9,577

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

 

77

 

 

 

(804

)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(4,059

)

 

 

(65,148

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

105,907

 

 

 

211,063

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

101,848

 

 

$

145,915

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

37,514

 

 

$

37,179

 

Cash paid for income and mining taxes, net

 

$

7,385

 

 

$

13,061

 

Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addition of finance lease obligations and right-of-use assets

 

$

16,092

 

 

$

9,692

 

Common stock issued to ATAC Resources Ltd. shareholders

 

$

18,789

 

 

$

 

Common stock issued to Alexco Resource Corp. shareholders

 

$

 

 

$

68,733

 

Common stock issued to settle acquired silver stream

 

$

 

 

$

135,000

 

Common stock issued to pension plans

 

$

 

 

$

5,570

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

2017

  

September 30,

2016

  

September 30,

2017

  

September 30,

2016

 

Sales of products

 $140,839  $179,393  $417,662  $481,712 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

  68,358   90,529   224,537   249,162 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  28,844   30,179   83,365   84,592 

Total cost of sales

  97,202   120,708   307,902   333,754 

Gross profit

  43,637   58,685   109,760   147,958 

Other operating expenses:

                

General and administrative

  9,529   11,155   29,044   31,728 

Exploration

  7,255   3,859   17,622   10,171 

Pre-development

  1,757   550   4,061   1,475 

Research and development

  1,130      2,125    

Other operating expense

  134   962   1,615   2,535 

Gain on disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

  (4,830

)

  (8

)

  (4,924

)

  (319

)

Provision for closed operations and reclamation

  2,940   2,162   5,044   4,779 

Lucky Friday suspension-related costs

  4,780      14,385    

Acquisition costs

     1,765      2,167 

Total other operating expense

  22,695   20,445   68,972   52,536 

Income from operations

  20,942   38,240   40,788   95,422 

Other income (expense):

                

(Loss) gain on derivative contracts

  (11,226

)

  7   (16,548

)

   

Loss on disposition of investments

        (167

)

   

Unrealized (loss) gain on investments

  (124

)

  49   (73

)

  488 

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

  (4,764

)

  2,375   (10,909

)

  (7,713

)

Interest and other income

  541   145   1,185   346 

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

  (9,358

)

  (5,574

)

  (28,423

)

  (16,655

)

Total other expense

  (24,931

)

  (2,998

)

  (54,935

)

  (23,534

)

(Loss) income before income taxes

  (3,989

)

  35,242   (14,147

)

  71,888 

Income tax benefit (provision)

  5,401   (9,453

)

  18,377   (22,603

)

Net income

  1,412   25,789   4,230   49,285 

Preferred stock dividends

  (138

)

  (138

)

  (414

)

  (414

)

Income applicable to common shareholders

 $1,274  $25,651  $3,816  $48,871 

Comprehensive income:

                

Net income

 $1,412  $25,789  $4,230  $49,285 

Reclassification of loss on disposition or impairment of marketable securities included in net income

        167   1,000 

Unrealized loss and amortization of prior service on pension plans

  (16

)

         

Change in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions

  6,760   (1,602

)

  12,068   (1,556

)

Unrealized holding gains on investments

  892   987   1,483   2,245 

Comprehensive income

 $9,048  $25,174  $17,948  $50,974 

Basic income per common share after preferred dividends

 $0.00  $0.07  $0.01  $0.13 

Diluted income per common share after preferred dividends

 $0.00  $0.07  $0.01  $0.13 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic

  398,848   387,578   396,809   383,458 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted

  401,258   389,918   400,176   386,318 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 $0.0025  $0.0025  $0.0075  $0.0075 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

4

Table of Contents

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsBalance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)thousands, except shares)

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

100,685

 

 

$

104,743

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

 

16,685

 

 

 

45,146

 

Other, net

 

 

15,286

 

 

 

10,695

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrates, doré, stockpiled ore, and metals in transit and in-process

 

 

33,993

 

 

 

37,303

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

63,355

 

 

 

53,369

 

Other current assets

 

 

18,410

 

 

 

16,471

 

Total current assets

 

 

248,414

 

 

 

267,727

 

Investments

 

 

16,594

 

 

 

24,018

 

Restricted cash

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

1,164

 

Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net

 

 

2,648,309

 

 

 

2,569,790

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

9,163

 

 

 

11,064

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

3,349

 

 

 

21,105

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

34,164

 

 

 

32,304

 

Total assets

 

$

2,961,156

 

 

$

2,927,172

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

87,148

 

 

$

84,747

 

Accrued payroll and related benefits

 

 

22,671

 

 

 

37,579

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

3,064

 

 

 

4,030

 

Finance leases

 

 

11,293

 

 

 

9,483

 

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

 

 

10,352

 

 

 

8,591

 

Accrued interest

 

 

5,191

 

 

 

14,454

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

5,652

 

 

 

19,582

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

145,371

 

 

 

178,466

 

Accrued reclamation and closure costs

 

 

109,613

 

 

 

108,408

 

Long-term debt including finance leases

 

 

604,953

 

 

 

517,742

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

109,293

 

 

 

125,846

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

14,156

 

 

 

17,743

 

Total liabilities

 

 

983,386

 

 

 

948,205

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4, 7, 8, and 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series B preferred stock, $0.25 par value, 157,776 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference — $7,889

 

 

39

 

 

 

39

 

Common stock, $0.25 par value, authorized 750,000,000 shares; issued September 30, 2023 — 617,767,667 shares and December 31, 2022 — 607,619,495 shares

 

 

154,355

 

 

 

151,819

 

Capital surplus

 

 

2,311,266

 

 

 

2,260,290

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(456,968

)

 

 

(403,931

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

 

 

2,812

 

 

 

2,448

 

Less treasury stock, at cost; September 30, 2023 — 8,535,161 and December 31, 2022 — 8,132,553 shares issued and held in treasury

 

 

(33,734

)

 

 

(31,698

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,977,770

 

 

 

1,978,967

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,961,156

 

 

$

2,927,172

 

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30, 2017

  

September 30, 2016

 

Operating activities:

        

Net income

 $4,230  $49,285 

Non-cash elements included in net income:

        

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  87,634   83,900 

Loss on disposition of investments

  167    

Unrealized loss (gain) on investments

  73   (488

)

Gain on disposition of properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests

  (4,924

)

  (319

)

Provision for reclamation and closure costs

  3,379   3,685 

Stock compensation

  4,943   4,814 

Acquisition costs

     1,048 

Deferred income taxes

  (24,280

)

  10,330 

Amortization of loan origination fees

  1,415   1,397 

Loss on derivative contracts

  16,718   337 

Foreign exchange loss

  11,171   7,555 

Other non-cash items, net

  (1

)

  5 

Change in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:

        

Accounts receivable

  4,903   5,776 

Inventories

  (9,611

)

  (44

)

Other current and non-current assets

  (2,685

)

  (539

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  (7,759

)

  2,042 

Accrued payroll and related benefits

  (913

)

  8,621 

Accrued taxes

  (4,469

)

  (2,894

)

Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities

  (5,876

)

  (1,397

)

Cash provided by operating activities

  74,115   173,114 

Investing activities:

        

Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

  (70,390

)

  (120,236

)

Acquisitions of other companies, net of cash acquired

     (3,931

)

Proceeds from disposition of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests

  151   348 

Insurance proceeds received for damaged property

  5,628    

Purchases of investments

  (36,916

)

  (32,847

)

Maturities of investments

  31,169   7,240 

Changes in restricted cash and investment balances

  1,124   (3,900

)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (69,234

)

  (153,326

)

Financing activities:

        

Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of offering costs

  9,610   8,121 

Acquisition of treasury shares

  (2,993

)

  (4,363

)

Dividends paid to common shareholders

  (2,978

)

  (2,882

)

Dividends paid to preferred shareholders

  (414

)

  (414

)

Credit availability and debt issuance fees

  (476

)

  (107

)

Repayments of debt

  (470

)

  (1,807

)

Repayments of capital leases

  (5,065

)

  (6,328

)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (2,786

)

  (7,780

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

  1,051   627 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  3,146   12,635 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  169,777   155,209 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $172,923  $167,844 

Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:

        

Addition of capital lease obligations

 $6,439  $2,297 

Common stock issued for the acquisition of other companies

 $  $48,109 

Payment of accrued compensation in restricted stock units

 $4,240  $5,511 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

(Dollars are in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Capital Surplus

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss), net

 

 

Treasury
Stock

 

 

Total

 

Balances, July 1, 2023

 

$

39

 

 

$

153,334

 

 

$

2,289,607

 

 

$

(430,606

)

 

$

14,196

 

 

$

(33,734

)

 

$

1,992,836

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,415

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,415

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,758

 

Common stock ($0.00625 per share) and Series B Preferred Stock ($0.875 per share) dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,947

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,947

)

Common stock issued for 401(k) match (283,541 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

1,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,457

 

Common stock issued to ATAC Resources Ltd. shareholders (3,676,904 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

919

 

 

 

17,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,789

 

Common stock issued to directors (125,063 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Other comprehensive (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,384

)

 

 

 

 

 

(11,384

)

Balances, September 30, 2023

 

$

39

 

 

$

154,355

 

 

$

2,311,266

 

 

$

(456,968

)

 

$

2,812

 

 

$

(33,734

)

 

$

1,977,770

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

 

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Capital Surplus

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss), net

 

 

Treasury
Stock

 

 

Total

 

Balances, July 1, 2022

 

$

39

 

 

$

137,241

 

 

$

2,043,621

 

 

$

(370,048

)

 

$

3,727

 

 

$

(31,698

)

 

$

1,782,882

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,526

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,526

)

Common stock issued to Alexco Resource Corp. shareholders (17,992,875 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

4,498

 

 

 

64,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,733

 

Common stock issued to settle the acquired silver stream (34,800,990 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

8,700

 

 

 

126,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135,000

 

Common stock issued for 401(k) match (422,860 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

1,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,578

 

Common stock issued under ATM program, net (1,176,861 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

4,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,542

 

Common stock ($0.00625 per share) and Series B Preferred Stock ($0.875 per share) dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,522

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,522

)

Restricted stock units granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,773

 

Other comprehensive (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,692

)

 

 

 

 

 

(12,692

)

Balances, September 30, 2022

 

$

39

 

 

$

150,839

 

 

$

2,241,649

 

 

$

(397,096

)

 

$

(8,965

)

 

$

(31,698

)

 

$

1,954,768

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Capital Surplus

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss), net

 

 

Treasury
Stock

 

 

Total

 

Balances, January 1, 2023

 

$

39

 

 

$

151,819

 

 

$

2,260,290

 

 

$

(403,931

)

 

$

2,448

 

 

$

(31,698

)

 

$

1,978,967

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41,282

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41,282

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,446

 

Incentive compensation units distributed (1,435,193 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

359

 

 

 

(359

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,036

)

 

 

(2,036

)

Common stock ($0.0125 per share) and Series B Preferred Stock ($1.75 per share) dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,755

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,755

)

Common stock issued under ATM program, net (4,253,334 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

24,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,888

 

Common stock issued for 401(k) match (657,678 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

3,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,713

 

Common stock issued to ATAC Resources Ltd. shareholders (3,676,904 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

919

 

 

 

17,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,789

 

Common stock issued to directors (125,063 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

364

 

 

 

 

 

 

364

 

Balances, September 30, 2023

 

$

39

 

 

$

154,355

 

 

$

2,311,266

 

 

$

(456,968

)

 

$

2,812

 

 

$

(33,734

)

 

$

1,977,770

 

6


 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

 

 

Series B
Preferred
Stock

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Capital Surplus

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss), net

 

 

Treasury
Stock

 

 

Total

 

Balances, January 1, 2022

 

$

39

 

 

$

136,391

 

 

$

2,034,485

 

 

$

(353,651

)

 

$

(28,456

)

 

$

(28,021

)

 

$

1,760,787

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,896

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,896

)

Restricted stock units granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,881

 

Restricted stock units and performance stock units distributed (1,789,042 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

(447

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,677

)

 

 

(3,677

)

Common stock issued for 401(k) match (657,678 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

3,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,469

 

Common stock issued to directors (98,310 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

417

 

Common stock issued to pension plans (1,190,000 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

5,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,570

 

Common stock issued to Alexco Resource Corp. shareholders (17,992,875 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

4,498

 

 

 

64,235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,733

 

Common stock issued to settle the acquired silver stream (34,800,990)

 

 

 

 

 

8,700

 

 

 

126,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135,000

 

Common stock issued under ATM program, net (1,176,861 shares)

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

4,248

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,542

 

Common stock ($0.0125 per share) and Series B Preferred Stock ($2.625 per share) dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,549

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,549

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,491

 

Balances, September 30, 2022

 

$

39

 

 

$

150,839

 

 

$

2,241,649

 

 

$

(397,096

)

 

$

(8,965

)

 

$

(31,698

)

 

$

1,954,768

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

7


5

Table of Contents

Note 1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

In the opinion of management, theThe accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items and items which are nonrecurring, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hecla Mining Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (except as(collectively, “Hecla,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” except where the context otherwise requires “we” or “our” or “us”otherwise) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all information and disclosures required annually by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statementsTherefore, this information should be read in conjunction with our auditedHecla Mining Company’s consolidated financial statements and related footnotes as set forthnotes contained in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as it may be amended2022 (“2022 Form 10-K”). The consolidated December 31, 2022 balance sheet data was derived from time to time.

our audited consolidated financial statements. The resultsinformation furnished herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of operationsmanagement, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented may not be indicative of those which may be expected for a full year.  The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principlesreported. All such adjustments are, in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate for the information not to be misleading.

Certain condensed consolidated financial statement amounts for the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the net income, comprehensive income, or accumulated deficit as previously reported.

The preparationopinion of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management, to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities.  Accordingly, ultimatea normal recurring nature. Operating results could differ materially from those estimates.     

On September 13, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Mines Management, Inc. ("Mines Management"), giving us ownership of the Montanore project in Northwest Montana. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect our ownership of the assets previously held by Mines Management as of the September 13, 2016 acquisition date.

Note 2.    Investments

Investments

Our current investments, which are classified as "available for sale" and consist of bonds having maturities of greater than 90 days and less than 365 days, had a fair value and cost basis of $33.0 million and $29.1 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. During the first nine months of 2017, we had purchases of such investments of $35.3 million and maturities of $31.2 million. Our current investments at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands):

  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 
  

Amortized

cost

  

Unrealized

loss

  

Fair

value

  

Amortized

cost

  

Unrealized

loss

  

Fair

value

 

Corporate bonds

 $32,987  $(14

)

 $32,973  $22,100  $(46

)

 $22,054 

Municipal bonds

           3,727   (1

)

  3,726 

Agency bonds

            3,339   (2

)

  3,337 

Total

 $32,987  $(14

)

 $32,973  $29,166  $(49

)

 $29,117 

6

Table of Contents

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of our non-current investments was $7.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively.  Our non-current investments consist of marketable equity securities which are carried at fair value, and are primarily classified as “available-for-sale.” The cost basis of our non-current investments was approximately $5.7 million and $4.0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, we acquired marketable equity securities having a cost basis of $1.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively. During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized an impairment charge against current earnings of $1.0 million, as we determined the impairment to be other-than-temporary.

Note 3.   Income Taxes

Major components of our income tax (benefit) provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023.

On July 7, 2023, we completed the acquisition of ATAC Resources Ltd. ("ATAC"), a Canadian publicly traded company, for total consideration of approximately $19.4 million through the issuance of 3,676,904 shares of Hecla common stock to ATAC shareholders based on the share exchange ratio of 0.0166 Hecla share for each ATAC common share, and 2016 are$0.6 million of acquisition costs. The acquisition was deemed to be an asset acquisition under GAAP as follows (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Current:

                

Domestic

 $  $4,123  $(12,797

)

 $4,122 

Foreign

  (3,959

)

  5,773   17,491   8,416 

Total current income tax (benefit) provision

  (3,959

)

  9,896   4,694   12,538 
                 

Deferred:

                

Domestic

  1,980   (5,723

)

  (13,958

)

  3,642 

Foreign

  (3,422

)

  5,280   (9,113

)

  6,423 

Total deferred income tax (benefit) provision

  (1,442

)

  (443

)

  (23,071

)

  10,065 

Total income tax (benefit) provision

 $(5,401

)

 $9,453  $(18,377

)

 $22,603 

substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired was concentrated in a single asset group being mineral interests. The total consideration was assigned to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with $18.1 million assigned to mineral interests. As part of September 30, 2017,the acquisition, we havealso acquired 5,502,956 units consisting of (i) shares of Cascadia Minerals Ltd. (“Cascadia”) representing a net deferred tax asset19.9% stake, and (ii) full warrants with a five-year term for a CAD$2 million cash investment in Cascadia. Cascadia will be managed by the former management of ATAC, who will explore specific properties in the U.S.Yukon and British Columbia. We have the right to appoint two directors to Cascadia’s board.

Note 2. Business Segments and Sales of $44.7 millionProducts

We discover, acquire and a net deferred tax liabilitydevelop mines and other mineral interests and produce and market (i) concentrates containing silver, gold, lead and zinc, (ii) carbon material containing silver and gold, and (iii) doré containing silver and gold. We are currently organized and managed in five segments: Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations.

General corporate activities not associated with operating mines and their various exploration activities, as well as idle properties and environmental remediation services in the Yukon, Canada, are presented as “other.” The nature of $122.7 million, for a consolidated worldwide net deferred tax liability of $78.0 million. Our abilitythe items that reconcile income (loss) from operations to utilize our deferred tax assets depends on future taxableloss before income generated from operations. In the first quarter of 2017, we received consent from the Internal Revenue Service to permit us to take a different income tax position relating to the timing of deductions for the #4 Shaft development costs at Lucky Friday. This tax accounting method change substantially revised the timing of deductions for these costs for regular tax and Alternative Minimum Tax ("AMT") relativemining taxes are not related to our projected life of mine and projected taxable income. These timing changes caused us to revisereportable segments.

The following tables present information about our assessment of the ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets, resulting in a valuation allowance release of approximately $15 million. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the balances of the valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets were $72 million and $100 million, respectively, primarily for net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered recoverable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced.

The current income tax provisionsreportable segments sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016 vary2022 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Total sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

$

96,459

 

 

$

60,875

 

 

$

290,961

 

 

$

239,688

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

21,409

 

 

 

28,460

 

 

 

113,167

 

 

 

102,380

 

Keno Hill

 

 

16,001

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,582

 

 

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

46,912

 

 

 

56,939

 

 

 

134,856

 

 

 

181,679

 

Nevada Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

960

 

 

 

268

 

Other

 

 

1,125

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

2,011

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

$

181,906

 

 

$

146,339

 

 

$

559,537

 

 

$

524,080

 

Income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

$

31,169

 

 

$

1,378

 

 

$

92,824

 

 

$

63,768

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

(4,935

)

 

 

4,269

 

 

 

20,161

 

 

 

18,568

 

Keno Hill

 

 

(7,462

)

 

 

(2,324

)

 

 

(24,145

)

 

 

(2,324

)

Casa Berardi

 

 

(12,433

)

 

 

(5,226

)

 

 

(35,492

)

 

 

(8,497

)

Nevada Operations

 

 

(6,061

)

 

 

(8,917

)

 

 

(16,981

)

 

 

(30,879

)

Other

 

 

(12,919

)

 

 

(14,639

)

 

 

(38,644

)

 

 

(43,625

)

 

 

$

(12,641

)

 

$

(25,459

)

 

$

(2,277

)

 

$

(2,989

)

8


The following table presents total assets by reportable segment as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

$

568,881

 

 

$

582,687

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

564,746

 

 

 

571,510

 

Keno Hill

 

 

354,149

 

 

 

276,096

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

694,030

 

 

 

681,631

 

Nevada Operations

 

 

461,706

 

 

 

466,722

 

Other

 

 

317,644

 

 

 

348,526

 

 

 

$

2,961,156

 

 

$

2,927,172

 

Our sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are comprised of metal sales and revenue from our environmental remediation services in the Yukon.

Total sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Silver

 

$

74,425

 

 

$

45,924

 

 

$

235,447

 

 

$

182,306

 

Gold

 

 

70,206

 

 

 

69,289

 

 

 

208,216

 

 

 

228,475

 

Lead

 

 

15,719

 

 

 

16,033

 

 

 

62,778

 

 

 

56,912

 

Zinc

 

 

33,066

 

 

 

28,051

 

 

 

91,912

 

 

 

94,865

 

Less: Smelter and refining charges

 

 

(12,550

)

 

 

(13,023

)

 

 

(40,743

)

 

 

(38,543

)

Total metal sales

 

 

180,866

 

 

 

146,274

 

 

 

557,610

 

 

 

524,015

 

Environmental remediation services

 

 

1,040

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

65

 

Total sales

 

$

181,906

 

 

$

146,339

 

 

$

559,537

 

 

$

524,080

 

Sales of metals for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included net gains of $4.0 million and $13.1 million, respectively, on financially-settled forward option contracts for silver, gold, lead and zinc. Sales of metals for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 included net gains of $1.6 million and $8.1 million, respectively, on such contracts. See Note 8 for more information.

Note 3. Income and Mining Taxes

Major components of our income and mining tax benefit (expense) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

(1,182

)

 

$

253

 

 

$

(2,980

)

 

$

(2,296

)

Foreign

 

 

(1,029

)

 

 

(1,085

)

 

 

(3,050

)

 

 

(4,172

)

Total current income and mining tax expense

 

 

(2,211

)

 

 

(832

)

 

 

(6,030

)

 

 

(6,468

)

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

 

(3,696

)

 

 

8,156

 

 

 

(17,619

)

 

 

915

 

Foreign

 

 

7,407

 

 

 

2,203

 

 

 

16,745

 

 

 

9,195

 

Total deferred income and mining tax benefit (expense)

 

 

3,711

 

 

 

10,359

 

 

 

(874

)

 

 

10,110

 

Total income and mining tax benefit (expense)

 

$

1,500

 

 

$

9,527

 

 

$

(6,904

)

 

$

3,642

 

The income and mining tax benefit (expense) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 varies from the amounts that would have resulted from applying the statutory income tax raterates to pre-tax income due primarily to the impact of the change in accounting method treatment of the #4 Shaft development costs described above, the impact of taxation in foreign jurisdictions, non-recognition of net operating losses and foreign exchange gains and losses in certain jurisdictions.

For the Company's status as an indefinite AMT taxpayer.

We have historically calculated the provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate ("AETR") for the full fiscal year to “ordinary” pretax income or loss (excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items) for the reporting period. We have determined that since small changes in estimated annual “ordinary” pre-tax income would result in significant changes in the estimated AETR, the AETR method would not provide a reliable estimate for the fiscal three-three and nine-month periodsnine months ended September 30, 2017. Therefore,2023, we have used a discretethe annual effective tax rate method to calculate taxesthe tax provision. Valuation allowances on Nevada, Mexico and certain Canadian net operating losses were treated as discrete adjustments to the tax calculation including losses incurred by the acquired Alexco Resource Corp. entities ("Alexco"), which were acquired on September 7, 2022, and losses incurred by ATAC, which was acquired on July 7, 2023.

9


Note 4.Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor three defined benefit pension plans, two of which cover substantially all U.S. employees. Net periodic pension (benefit) cost for the fiscal three-plans consisted of the following for the three and nine-month periodsnine months ended September 30, 2017.2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Service cost

 

$

949

 

 

$

1,566

 

 

$

2,847

 

 

$

4,697

 

Interest cost

 

 

1,993

 

 

 

1,369

 

 

 

5,979

 

 

 

4,107

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(3,107

)

 

 

(3,363

)

 

 

(9,321

)

 

 

(10,089

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

125

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

384

 

Amortization of net loss

 

 

(47

)

 

 

512

 

 

 

(141

)

 

 

1,537

 

Net periodic pension (benefit) cost

 

$

(87

)

 

$

212

 

 

$

(261

)

 

$

636

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the service cost component of net periodic pension cost is included in the same line items of our condensed consolidated financial statements as other employee compensation costs. The net benefit related to all other components of net periodic pension cost of $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $1.4 million and $4.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, is included in other income on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

7

Table of Contents

Note 5. Loss Per Common Share

Note 4.    Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations

General

We follow GAAP guidance in determining our accruals and disclosures with respect tocalculate basic loss contingencies, and evaluate such accruals and contingencies for each reporting period. Accordingly, estimated losses from loss contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available prior to issuanceper common share on the basis of the financial statements indicates that itweighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share is probable that a liability couldcalculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus the effect of potential dilutive common shares during the period using the treasury stock and if-converted methods.

Potential dilutive shares of common stock include outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, deferred restricted stock units, warrants and convertible preferred stock for periods in which we have reported net income. For periods in which we report net losses, potential dilutive shares of common stock are excluded, as their conversion and exercise would be incurredanti-dilutive.

The following table represents net loss per common share – basic and diluted (in thousands, except income (loss) per share):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,415

)

 

$

(23,526

)

 

$

(41,282

)

 

$

(32,896

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(414

)

 

 

(414

)

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(22,553

)

 

$

(23,664

)

 

$

(41,696

)

 

$

(33,310

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares

 

 

607,896

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

604,028

 

 

 

544,000

 

Dilutive restricted stock units, warrants and deferred shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

 

 

607,896

 

 

 

554,531

 

 

 

604,028

 

 

 

544,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.06

)

Diluted loss per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.06

)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, all outstanding unvested restricted stock units, deferred restricted stock units, warrants and convertible preferred stock were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share, as our reported net loss would cause their conversion and exercise to have an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation of diluted loss per share.

Note 6. Stockholders’ Equity

At-The-Market Equity Distribution Agreement

Pursuant to an equity distribution agreement dated February 18, 2021, we may offer and sell up to 60 million shares of our common stock from time to time to or through sales agents. Sales of the shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers transactions or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the amountagents as principals. Whether or not we engage in sales from time to time may depend on a variety of the lossfactors, including our share price, our cash resources, customary black-out restrictions, and whether we have any material inside information. The agreement can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated withterminated by us at any time. Any sales of shares under the contingencyequity

10


distribution agreement are expensedregistered under the Securities Act of 1933, as incurred. If a loss contingency is not probable or reasonably estimable, disclosure of the loss contingency is made in the financial statements when it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss could be incurred.

Rio Grande Silver Guaranty

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Grande Silver Inc. (“Rio”), is partyamended, pursuant to a joint venture with Emerald Mining & Leasing, LLC (“EML”shelf registration statement on Form S-3. Under the agreement, we have sold 8,113,553 shares for proceeds of $43.2 million, net of commissions and fees of $0.7million. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we did not sell any shares under the agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold 4,253,334 shares under the agreement for proceeds of $25.9 million, net of commissions and fees of $0.4 million.

Stock-based Compensation Plans

The Company has stock incentive plans for executives, directors and eligible employees, comprised of performance shares and restricted stock. Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock unit and performance-based grants (collectively "incentive compensation") to employees and certain other parties with respectshares issued to non-employee directors totaled $2.4 million and $5.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $1.8 million and $4.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. At September 30, 2023, there was $9.0 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost which is expected to be recognized over a land package inweighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.5 years.

The following table summarizes the Creede Mining District of Colorado that is adjacent to other land held by Rio. Rio holds a 70% interest ingrants awarded during the joint venture. nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Grant date

 

Award type

 

Number granted

 

Grant date fair value per share

June 21, 2023

 

Restricted stock

 

1,230,223

 

$5.05

June 21, 2023

 

Performance based

 

314,778

 

$3.54

August 7, 2023

 

Restricted stock

 

51,357

 

$5.16

August 7, 2023

 

Performance based

 

21,318

 

$3.54

In connection with the vesting of incentive compensation, employees have in the past, at their election and when permitted by us, chosen to satisfy their minimum tax withholding obligations through net share settlement, pursuant to which the Company withholds the number of shares necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations and pays the obligations in cash. As a result, in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we withheld 404,514 shares valued at approximately $2.0million, or approximately $5.03 per share.

Common Stock Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends our Board of Directors have declared and we have paid during 2023 pursuant to our dividend policy:

Quarter

 

Prior Quarter Realized Silver Price

 

Silver-linked component

 

Minimum component

 

Total dividend per share

First

 

22.03

 

$0.0025

 

$0.00375

 

$0.00625

Second

 

22.62

 

$0.0025

 

$0.00375

 

$0.00625

Third

 

23.67

 

$0.0025

 

$0.00375

 

$0.00625

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net

The following table lists the beginning balance, quarterly activity and ending balances, net of income and mining tax, of each component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net” (in thousands):

 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions

 

 

Adjustments
For Pension Plans

 

 

Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss), Net

 

Balance January 1, 2023

 

$

9,162

 

 

$

(6,714

)

 

 

2,448

 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

8,665

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,665

 

Gains and deferred gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(2,149

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,149

)

Balance March 31, 2023

 

$

15,678

 

 

$

(6,714

)

 

$

8,964

 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

7,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,445

 

Gains and deferred gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(2,213

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,213

)

Balance June 30, 2023

 

$

20,910

 

 

$

(6,714

)

 

$

14,196

 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

(5,265

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,265

)

Gains and deferred gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(6,119

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6,119

)

Balance September 30, 2023

 

$

9,526

 

 

$

(6,714

)

 

$

2,812

 

11


 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts designated as hedge transactions

 

 

Adjustments
For Pension Plans

 

 

Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss), Net

 

Balance January 1, 2022

 

$

(4,675

)

 

$

(23,781

)

 

 

(28,456

)

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

(31,798

)

 

 

 

 

 

(31,798

)

Gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(1,367

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,367

)

Balance March 31, 2022

 

 

(37,840

)

 

 

(23,781

)

 

 

(61,621

)

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

61,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,939

 

Gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

3,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,409

 

Balance June 30, 2022

 

$

27,508

 

 

$

(23,781

)

 

$

3,727

 

Changes in fair value of derivative contracts

 

 

(16,701

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16,701

)

Gains transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

4,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,009

 

Balance September 30, 2022

 

$

14,816

 

 

$

(23,781

)

 

$

(8,965

)

Note 7. Debt, Credit Agreement and Leases

Our debt as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of our 7.25% Senior Notes due February 15, 2028 (“Senior Notes”), our Series 2020-A Senior Notes due July 9, 2025 (the “IQ Notes”) and any drawn amounts on our $150 million Credit Agreement, which is described separately below. The following tables summarize our long-term debt balances, excluding interest and borrowings under the Credit Agreement, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Senior Notes

 

 

IQ Notes

 

 

Total

 

Principal

 

$

475,000

 

 

$

35,677

 

 

$

510,677

 

Unamortized discount/premium and issuance costs

 

 

(3,958

)

 

 

284

 

 

 

(3,674

)

Long-term debt balance

 

$

471,042

 

 

$

35,961

 

 

$

507,003

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Senior Notes

 

 

IQ Notes

 

 

Total

 

Principal

 

$

475,000

 

 

$

35,614

 

 

$

510,614

 

Unamortized discount/premium and issuance costs

 

 

(4,640

)

 

 

392

 

 

 

(4,248

)

Long-term debt balance

 

$

470,360

 

 

$

36,006

 

 

$

506,366

 

The following table summarizes the scheduled annual future payments, including interest, for our Senior Notes, IQ Notes, and finance and operating leases as of September 30, 2023 (in thousands). Operating leases are included in other current and non-current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The amounts for the IQ Notes are stated in U.S. dollars (“USD”) based on the USD/Canadian dollar (“CAD”) exchange rate as of September 30, 2023.

Twelve-month period ending September 30,

 

Senior Notes

 

 

IQ Notes

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

Operating Leases

 

2024

 

$

34,438

 

 

$

2,324

 

 

$

9,313

 

 

$

1,802

 

2025

 

 

34,438

 

 

 

37,468

 

 

 

8,888

 

 

 

1,277

 

2026

 

 

34,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,415

 

 

 

1,273

 

2027

 

 

34,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,389

 

 

 

1,199

 

2028

 

 

487,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,156

 

 

 

1,081

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,807

 

 

 

 

625,664

 

 

 

39,792

 

 

 

32,161

 

 

 

12,439

 

Less: effect of discounting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,918

)

 

 

(3,069

)

Total

 

$

625,664

 

 

$

39,792

 

 

$

29,243

 

 

$

9,370

 

Credit Agreement

On July 21, 2022, we entered into a revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement") with various financial institutions (the “Lenders”), Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A. as letters of credit issuers, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders and as swingline lender, to replace our prior credit agreement. The Credit Agreement is a $150 million senior secured revolving facility, with an option to be increased in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75 million. Any revolving loans under the Credit Agreement have a maturity date of July 21, 2026. Proceeds of the revolving loans under the Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the outstanding loans under the Credit Agreement is based on the Company’s net

12


leverage ratio and is calculated at (i) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 2% to 3.5% or (ii) Bank of America’s Base Rate plus 1% to 2.5% with Base Rate being the highest of (i) the Bank of America prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds rate plus .50% or (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%. For each amount drawn, we elect whether we draw on a one, three or six month basis or annual basis for SOFR. If we elect to draw for greater than six months, we pay interest quarterly on the outstanding amount.

We are also required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.45% to 0.78750%, depending on our net leverage ratio. Letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement bear a fee between 2.00% and 3.50% based on our net leverage ratio, as well as a fronting fee to each issuing bank at an agreed upon rate per annum on the average daily dollar amount of our letter of credit exposure.

Hecla Mining Company and certain of our subsidiaries are the borrowers under the Credit Agreement, while certain of our other subsidiaries are guarantors of the borrowers’ obligations under the Credit Agreement. As further security, the Credit Agreement is collateralized by a mortgage on the Greens Creek mine, the equity interests of subsidiaries that own the Greens Creek mine or are part of the Greens Creek Joint Venture and our subsidiary Hecla Admiralty Company (the “Greens Creek Group”), and by all of the Green Creek Group’s rights and interests in the Greens Creek Joint Venture Agreement, and in all assets of the joint venture and of any member of the Greens Creek Group.

At September 30, 2023, we had net draws of $80.0 million outstanding at an interest rate of 8.0%, and $6.7 million of outstanding letters of credit. Letters of credit that are required to guarantee certain environmental remediation-related obligationsoutstanding reduce availability under the Credit Agreement.

We believe we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement as of EML to a third partySeptember 30, 2023.

Note 8. Derivative Instruments

General

Our current risk management policy provides that up to a maximum liability to us75% of $2.5 million. Asfive years of September 30, 2017, we have not been required to make any payments pursuant to the guaranty. Weour foreign currency, lead and zinc metals price and silver and gold price exposure may be requiredcovered under a derivatives program with certain other limitations. Our program also utilizes derivatives to make paymentsmanage price risk exposure created from when revenue is recognized from a shipment of concentrate until final settlement.

These instruments expose us to (i) credit risk in the future, limited toform of non-performance by counterparties for contracts in which the $2.5 million maximum liability, should EML fail to meet its obligations tocontract price exceeds the third party. However,spot price of the hedged commodity or foreign currency and (ii) price risk to the extent that any paymentsthe spot price or currency exchange rate exceeds the contract price for quantities of our production and/or forecasted costs covered under contract positions.

Foreign Currency

Our wholly-owned subsidiaries owning the Casa Berardi operation and Keno Hill operation are made byUSD-functional entities which routinely incur expenses denominated in CAD. Such expenses expose us underto exchange rate fluctuations between the guaranty, EML, in addition to other parties, has jointlyUSD and severally agreed to reimburse and indemnify us for any such payments.CAD. We have nota program to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the USD exchange rate for these subsidiaries' future operating and capital costs denominated in CAD. The program related to forecasted cash operating costs at Casa Berardi and Keno Hill utilizes forward contracts to buy CAD, some of which are designated as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2023, we have a total of 642forward contracts outstanding to buy a total of CAD $510.8 million having a notional amount of USD$383.6 million for Casa Berardi, Keno Hill, and some corporate Canadian expenses. The CAD contracts that are related to forecasted cash operating costs at Casa Berardi and Keno Hill from 2023-2026 have a total notional value of CAD$406.3 million and have CAD-to-USD exchange rates ranging between 1.27550and 1.37250 The CAD contracts that are related to forecasted capital expenditures at Casa Berardi from 2023-2026 have a total notional value of CAD$52.6 million at an average CAD-to-USD exchange rate of 1.357. The CAD contracts that are related to forecasted capital expenditures at Keno Hill from 2023-2026 have a total notional value of CAD$27.1 million at an average CAD-to-USD exchange rate of 1.3533.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we recorded a liability relatingthe following balances for the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts (in millions):

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

Balance sheet line item:

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Other current assets

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

1.1

 

Other non-current assets

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

0.4

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

4.0

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

3.6

 

Net unrealized losses of $4.9 million related to the guarantyeffective portion of the foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September 30, 2017.2023. Unrealized gains and losses will be

13


Lucky Friday Water Permit Matterstransferred from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to current earnings as the underlying operating expenses are recognized. We estimate $2.9 million in net unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September 30, 2023 will be reclassified to current earnings in the next twelve months. Net realized losses of $0.6 million and $2.5 million on contracts related to underlying expenses which have been recognized were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in cost of sales and other direct production costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Net losses of $3.2 million and net gains of $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to contracts not designated as hedges and no net unrealized gains or losses related to ineffectiveness of the hedges are included in fair value adjustments, net on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

InMetals Prices

We are currently using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the past,exposure to:

changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments between the Lucky Friday unit experienced multiple regulatory issues relatingtime of shipment and final settlement; and
changes in prices of zinc and lead (but not silver and gold) contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments.

The following tables summarize the quantities of metals committed under forward metals contracts at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

September 30, 2023

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

 

 

Average price per ounce/pound

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

Zinc

 

 

Lead

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

Zinc

 

 

Lead

 

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(pounds)

 

 

(pounds)

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(ounces)

 

(pounds)

 

 

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 settlements

 

 

931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,188

 

 

$

23.30

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

$

1.00

 

Contracts on forecasted sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

441

 

 

 

7,992

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

$

1.51

 

 

$

0.99

 

2024 settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74,902

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

$

0.97

 

2025 settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,754

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

$

0.97

 

December 31, 2022

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

 

 

Average price per ounce/pound

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

Zinc

 

 

Lead

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

Zinc

 

 

Lead

 

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(pounds)

 

 

(pounds)

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(ounces)

 

 

(pounds)

 

 

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 settlements

 

 

3,124

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

18,629

 

 

 

11,960

 

 

$

21.55

 

 

$

1,795

 

 

$

1.38

 

 

$

0.98

 

Contracts on forecasted sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023 settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,533

 

 

 

75,618

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

1.34

 

 

$

1.00

 

2024 settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,856

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

0.99

 

We recorded the following balances for the fair value of the forward metals contracts as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in millions):

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Balance sheet line item:

 

Contracts in an asset position

 

 

Contracts in a liability position

 

 

Net asset (liability)

 

 

Contracts in an asset position

 

 

Contracts in a liability position

 

 

Net asset (liability)

 

Other current assets

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

1.2

 

Other non-current assets

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.1

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(12.1

)

 

$

(12.1

)

Other non-current liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2.5

)

 

$

(2.5

)

Net realized and unrealized gains of $15.1 million related to its water discharge permitsthe effective portion of the forward metals contracts designated as hedges were included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September 30, 2023. Unrealized gains and water management more generally. Alllosses will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to current earnings as the underlying forecasted sales are recognized. We estimate $11.7million in net realized and unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September 30, 2023 would be reclassified to current earnings in the next twelve months. The realized gains arose due to cash settlement of zinc contracts prior to maturity in 2022 and during the second quarter of 2023 for net proceeds of $17.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively. We recognized a net gain of $4.0 million, including a $6.7 million gain transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and a net gain of $1.6 million, during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We recognized a net gain of $13.1 million, including a $13.0 million gain transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and a net gain of $8.1 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These gains and losses were recognized on the contracts utilized to manage exposure to prices of metals in our concentrate shipments, which are included in sales. The net losses

14


and gains recognized on the contracts offset gains and losses related to price adjustments on our provisional concentrate sales due to changes to silver, gold, lead and zinc prices between the time of sale and final settlement.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

Certain of our derivative contracts contain cross default provisions which provide that a default under our Credit Agreement would cause a default under the derivative contract. As of September 30, 2023, we have not posted any collateral related to these contracts. The fair value of derivatives in a net liability position related to these agreements was $7.1 million as of September 30, 2023, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk. If we were in breach of any of these issuesprovisions at September 30, 2023, we could have been resolved except for one: in December 2013,required to settle our obligations under the EPA issued to Hecla Limited a request for information under Section 308agreements at their termination value of $7.1 million.

Note 9. Fair Value Measurement

Fair value adjustments, net is comprised of the Clean Water Act directing Hecla Limitedfollowing (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts

 

$

(2,160

)

 

$

873

 

 

$

1,848

 

 

$

(20

)

Unrealized loss on equity securities investments

 

 

(4,237

)

 

 

(5,110

)

 

 

(7,622

)

 

 

(14,749

)

Gain on disposition or exchange of investments

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

66

 

Total fair value adjustments, net

 

$

(6,397

)

 

$

(4,240

)

 

$

(5,774

)

 

$

(14,703

)

Accounting guidance has established a hierarchy for inputs used to undertakemeasure assets and liabilities at fair value on a comprehensive groundwater investigationrecurring basis. The three levels included in the hierarchy are:

Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: significant other observable inputs; and

Level 3: significant unobservable inputs.

The table below sets forth our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that we have determined applies to each asset and liability category (in thousands).

Description

 

Balance at
September 30,
2023

 

 

Balance at
December 31,
2022

 

 

Input
Hierarchy Level

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds and other bank deposits

 

$

100,685

 

 

$

104,743

 

 

Level 1

Current and non-current investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities - mining industry

 

 

16,594

 

 

 

24,018

 

 

Level 1

Trade accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from provisional concentrate sales

 

 

16,685

 

 

 

45,146

 

 

Level 2

Restricted cash balances:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit and other deposits

 

 

1,163

 

 

 

1,164

 

 

Level 1

Derivative contracts - current and non-current derivatives assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

1,343

 

 

 

1,518

 

 

Level 2

Metal forward contracts

 

 

1,241

 

 

 

1,309

 

 

Level 2

Total assets

 

$

137,711

 

 

$

177,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative contracts - current derivatives liabilities and other non-current
liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

5,549

 

 

$

7,548

 

 

Level 2

Metal forward contracts

 

 

1,128

 

 

 

14,643

 

 

Level 2

Total liabilities

 

$

6,677

 

 

$

22,191

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of Lucky Friday’s tailings pond no. 3money market funds and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

15


Current and non-current restricted cash balances consist primarily of certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, and other deposits and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Our non-current investments consist of marketable equity securities of companies in the mining industry which are valued using quoted market prices for each security.

Trade accounts receivable from provisional concentrate sales are subject to evaluate whether the pond is causing the discharge of pollutants via seepage to groundwater that is discharging to surface water. We completed the investigation mandated by the EPAfinal pricing and submitted a draft report to the agency in December 2015. We are waitingvalued using quoted prices based on forward curves for the EPA’s responseparticular metals.

We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage exposure to changes in the exchange rate between USD and we cannot predict whatCAD, and the impact on CAD-denominated operating and capital costs incurred at our Casa Berardi operation and the Keno Hill operation (see Note 8 for more information). The fair value of each contract represents the present value of the investigation will be.difference between the forward exchange rate for the contract settlement period as of the measurement date and the contract settlement exchange rate.

Hecla Limited strivesWe use financially-settled forward contracts to maintain its water dischargesmanage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments that have not reached final settlement. We also use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our forecasted future sales (see Note 8 for more information). The fair value of each forward contract represents the present value of the difference between the forward metal price for the contract settlement period as of the measurement date and the contract settlement metal price.

At September 30, 2023, our Senior Notes and IQ Notes were recorded at their carrying value of $471.0million and $36.0million, respectively, net of unamortized initial purchaser discount/premium and issuance costs. The estimated fair values of our Senior Notes and IQ Notes were $460.2 million and $34.2million, respectively, at September 30, 2023. Quoted market prices, which we consider to be Level 1 inputs, are utilized to estimate fair values of the Lucky Friday unit in full compliance with its permitsSenior Notes. Unobservable inputs which we consider to be Level 3, including an assumed current annual yield of 8.06%, are utilized to estimate the fair value of the IQ Notes. See Note 7 for more information.

Note 10. Commitments, Contingencies and applicable laws, however, we cannot provide assurance that in the future it will be able to fully comply with the permit limits and other regulatory requirements regarding water management.Obligations

8

Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, McKinley County New Mexico

In May 2011, the EPA made a formal request to Hecla Mining Company for information regarding the Johnny M Mine Area nearand San Mateo McKinley County,Creek Basin, New Mexico and asserted that Hecla Mining Company may be responsible under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") for environmental remediation and past costs the EPA has incurred at the site. Mining at the Johnny M was conducted for a limited period of time by a predecessor of our subsidiary, Hecla Limited.

In August 2012, Hecla Limited and the EPAU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) entered into a Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order on Consent for Removal Action (“Consent Order”), pursuant to which regarding the Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, McKinley County, New Mexico. Mining at the Johnny M Mine was conducted for a limited period of time by a predecessor of Hecla Limited, and the EPA had previously asserted that Hecla Limited may be responsible under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) for environmental remediation and past costs incurred by the EPA at the site. Under the Consent Order, Hecla Limited agreed to pay (i) $1.1$1.1 million to the EPA for its past response costs at the site and (ii) any future response costs at the site under the Consent Order, in exchange for a covenant not to sue by the EPA. In December 2014, Hecla Limited paid the $1.1 millionsubmitted to the EPA for its past response costs and in December 2014, submitted to EPA the Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (“EE/CA”) for the site. The EE/CA evaluates three alternativesite which recommended on-site disposal of mine-related material. In January 2021, the parties began negotiating a new consent order to design and implement the on-site disposal response actions: 1) no action 2) off-site disposal, and 3) on-site disposal. The rangerecommended in estimated costs of these alternatives is $0 to $221 million. In the EE/CA, Hecla Limited recommended that EPA approve on-site disposal, which is currently estimated to cost $5.6 million, on the basis that it is the most appropriate response action under CERCLA. In June 2015, the EPA approved the EE/CA, with a few minor conditions. The EPA still needs to publish the EE/CA for public notice and comment, and the agency will not make a final decision on the appropriate response action until the public comment process is complete. It is anticipated that Hecla Limited will implement the response action selected by the EPA pursuant to an amendment to the Consent Order or a new order.CA. Based on the foregoing, we believe it is probable that Hecla Limited will incur a liability for remediation at the site. InCERCLA removal action and we have accrued $10.1 million, primarily representing estimated current costs to design and implement the fourth quarter of 2014, we accrued $5.6 million,remedy, which continuesare subject to be our best estimate of that liabilitychange as of the date of this report. There can be no assurancefieldwork is performed. It is possible that Hecla Limited’sLimited’s liability will not be more than $5.6$10.1 million, or that its ultimateand any increase in liability will notcould have a material adverse effect on Hecla Limited’s or our results of operations or financial position.

In September 2016, Hecla Limited was served with a lawsuit filed byThe Johnny M Mine is in an individual in state courtarea known as the San Mateo Creek Basin (“SMCB”), which is an approximately 321 square mile area in New Mexico alleging personal injury claimsthat contains numerous legacy uranium mines and mills. In addition to Johnny M, Hecla Limited’s predecessor was involved at other mining sites within the SMCB. The EPA appears to have deferred consideration of several millions of dollars arisinglisting the SMCB site on CERCLA’s National Priorities List (“Superfund”) by removing the site from alleged exposureits emphasis list, and is working with various potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at the site in order to contaminants as a result of allegedly living on land adjacentstudy and potentially address perceived groundwater issues within the SMCB. The EE/CA discussed above relates primarily to contaminated rock and soil at the Johnny M Minesite, not groundwater and not elsewhere within the SMCB site. It is possible that Hecla Limited’s liability at the Johnny M Site, and for any other mine site within the SMCB at which Hecla Limited’s predecessor may have operated, will be greater than our current accrual of $10.1 million due to the increased scope of required remediation.

In July 2018, the EPA informed Hecla Limited that it and several other PRPs may be liable for cleanup of the SMCB site or for costs incurred by the EPA in cleaning up the site. The case was subsequently removedEPA stated it has incurred approximately $9.6 million in response costs to federal court in New Mexico, anddate. On May 2, 2022, Hecla Limited filedreceived a motion to dismiss. We do not yet have enough information to conclude ifletter from a PRP notifying Hecla Limited hasthat three PRPs will seek cost recovery and

16


contribution from Hecla Limited under CERCLA for certain investigatory work performed by the PRPs at the SMCB site. Hecla Limited cannot with reasonable certainty estimate the amount or range of liability, if any, liability orrelating to estimate any loss that it may incur.this matter because of, among other reasons, the lack of information concerning the site, including the relative contributions of contamination by the various PRPs.

Carpenter Snow Creek and Barker-Hughesville Sites in Montana

In July 2010, the EPA made a formal request to Hecla Mining Company for information regarding the Carpenter Snow Creek Superfund site located in Cascade County, Montana. The Carpenter Snow Creek site is located in a historichistorical mining district, and in the early 1980s Hecla Limited leased 6 mining claims and performed limited exploration activities at the site. Hecla Limited terminated the mining lease in 1988.

In June 2011, the EPA informed Hecla Limited that it believes Hecla Limited, amongand several other viable companies,PRPs, may be liable for cleanup of the site or for costs incurred by the EPA in cleaning up the site. The EPA stated in the June 2011 letter that it has incurred approximately $4.5$4.5 million in response costs and estimated that total remediation costs may exceed $100$100 million. Hecla Limited cannot with reasonable certainty estimate the amount or range of liability, if any, relating to this matter because of, among other reasons, the lack of information concerning the site.site, including the relative contributions of contamination by various other PRPs.

In February 2017, the EPA made a formal request to Hecla Mining Company for information regarding the Barker-Hughesville Mining District Superfund site located in Judith Basin and Cascade Counties, Montana. Hecla Limited submitted a response in April 2017. The Barker-Hughesville site is located in a historic mining district, and between approximately June and December 1983, Hecla Limited was party to an agreement with another mining company under which limited exploration activities occurred at or near the site. Neither

In August 2018, the EPA nor any other party has made any claims againstinformed Hecla Limited (or Hecla Mining Company), however,that it is possible that such a claim willand several other PRPs may be madeliable for cleanup of the site or for costs incurred by the EPA in cleaning up the future. Unless and until such a claim is made,site. The EPA did not include an amount of its alleged response costs to date. Hecla Limited cannot with reasonable certainty estimate the amount or range of liability, if any, relating to this matter.matter because of, among other reasons, the lack of information concerning past or anticipated future costs at the site and the relative contributions of contamination by various other PRPs.

Senior NotesLucky Friday Environmental Issues

On AprilJuly 12, 2013,2022, our Lucky Friday mine received a NOV from the EPA alleging violations of the Clean Water Act between 2018 and 2021 relating primarily to concentration levels of zinc and lead in the mine’s permitted water discharges. Currently, the EPA has not initiated any formal enforcement proceeding against our Lucky Friday subsidiary. In civil judicial cases, the EPA can seek statutory penalties up to $59,973 per day per violation and, in administrative actions, the EPA can seek administrative penalties up to $23,989 per day per violation with a maximum administrative penalty of $299,989 for all alleged violations. The EPA typically pursues administrative penalties. At this time, we completed an offering of $500 million aggregate principalcannot reasonably assess the amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2021.penalties the EPA may seek, or predict the terms of any potential settlement with the EPA.

Litigation Related to Klondex Acquisition

On May 24, 2019, a purported Hecla stockholder filed a putative class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Hecla and certain of our executive officers, one of whom is also a director. The net proceedscomplaint, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of Hecla common stock from the offeringMarch 19, 2018 through and including May 8, 2019, asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Senior NotesSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seeks, among other things, damages and costs and expenses. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Hecla, under the authority and control of the individual defendants, made certain material false and misleading statements and omitted certain material information regarding Hecla’s Nevada Operations. The complaint alleges that these misstatements and omissions artificially inflated the market price of Hecla common stock during the class period, thus purportedly harming investors. The Court granted our Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit, without prejudice, in February 2023, and the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in March 2023 which repeats the same claims. We have filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint. We cannot predict the outcome of this lawsuit or estimate damages if plaintiffs were used to partially fundprevail. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to defend them vigorously.

Related to this class action lawsuit, Hecla has been named as a nominal defendant in a shareholder derivative lawsuit which also names as defendants certain current and past (i) members of Hecla’s board of directors and (ii) officers of Hecla. The case was filed on May 4, 2022 in the acquisitionDelaware Chancery Court. In general terms, the suit alleges breaches of Aurizon Mines Ltd. ("Aurizon")fiduciary duties by the individual defendants, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment, and seeks damages, purportedly on behalf of Hecla.

17


Debt

See Note 7for general corporate purposes, including expensesinformation on the commitments related to the Aurizon acquisition. Through the acquisitionour debt arrangements as of Aurizon, we acquired our Casa Berardi mine and other interests in Quebec, Canada. In 2014, we completed additional issuances of our Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $6.5 million, which were contributed to one of our pension plans to satisfy the funding requirement for 2014. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013. See Note 9 for more information.September 30, 2023.

9

Other Commitments

Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 20172023 included approximately $0.5 million for various costs. In addition, our open purchase orders at September 30, 2017 includedand commitments of approximately $0.3$15.0 million, $1.9$9.7million, $10.3 million, $3.5 million and $20.9$1.8 million for various capital and non-capital items at theGreens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, Casa Berardi and Greens Creek units,Nevada Operations, respectively. We also have total commitments of approximately $14.1$32.2 million relating to scheduled payments on capitalfinance leases, including interest, primarily for equipment at our Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, and Casa Berardi, and Keno Hill units, and total commitments of approximately $12.4 million relating to payments on operating leases (see Note 97 for more information). As part of our ongoing business and operations, we are required to provide surety bonds, bank letters of credit, and restricted deposits for various purposes, including financial support for environmental reclamation obligations and workers compensation programs. As of September 30, 2017,2023, we had surety bonds totaling $117.4$193.4 million and letters of credit totaling $6.7 million in place as financial support for future reclamation and closure costs, self-insurance, and employee benefit plans. The obligations associated with these instruments are generally related to performance requirements that we address through ongoing operations. As the requirements are met, the beneficiary of the associated instruments cancels or returns the instrument to the issuing entity. Certain of these instruments are associated with operating sites with long-lived assets and will remain outstanding until closure of the sites. We believe we are in compliance with all applicable bonding requirements and will be able to satisfy future bonding requirements as they arise.

Other Contingencies

We also have certain other contingencies resulting from litigation, claims, EPA investigations, and other commitments and are subject to a variety of environmental and safety laws and regulations incident to the ordinary course of business. We currently expecthave no basis to conclude that the resolutionany or all of such contingencies will not materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, in the future, there may be changes to these contingencies, or additional contingencies may occur, any of which might result in an accrual or a change in current accruals recorded by us, and there can be no assurance that their ultimate disposition will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 11. Developments in Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Updates Adopted

In March 2020, ASU No. 2020-04 was issued which provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden on accounting for contract modifications caused by reference rate reform. In January 2021, ASU No. 2021-01 was issued which broadened the scope of ASU No. 2020-04 to include certain derivative instruments. In December 2022, ASU No. 2022-06 was issued which deferred the sunset date of ASU No. 2020-04. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. The guidance may be adopted over time as reference rate reform activities occur and should be applied on a prospective basis. Certain of our derivative instruments previously referenced London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") based rates and have been amended to eliminate the LIBOR-based rate references prior to July 1, 2023. There have been no significant impacts to our financial results, financial position or cash flows from the transition from LIBOR to alternative reference interest rates.

Note 5.    Earnings Per Common Share12. Subsequent Events

We are authorized to issue 750,000,000On November 1, 2023, we participated in an equity offering of Dolly Varden Silver Corporation acquiring 15,384,616 shares of common stock $0.25 par value per share. At September 30, 2017, there were 403,548,158 shares of our common stock issued and 4,529,450 shares issued and held in treasury, for a net of 399,018,708 shares outstanding. Basic and diluted income per common share, after preferred dividends, was $0.00 and $0.01 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Basic and diluted income per common share, after preferred dividends, was $0.07 and $0.13 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively.CAD$10 million (USD$7.3 million).

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Diluted income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 excludes the potential effects of outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock, as their conversion would have no effect on the calculation of dilutive shares.

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, 3,591,697 restricted stock units that were unvested or which vested in the current period and 1,509,159 deferred shares were included in the calculation of diluted income per share. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, 4,309,440 restricted stock units that were unvested or which vested in the current period and 635,602 deferred shares were included in the calculation of diluted income per share. There were no options or warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.

Note 6.    Business Segments

We are currently organized and managed in four reporting segments: the Greens Creek unit, the Lucky Friday unit, the Casa Berardi unit and the San Sebastian unit.

10

General corporate activities not associated with operating units and their various exploration activities, as well as discontinued operations and idle properties, are presented as “other.”  Interest expense, interest income and income taxes are considered general corporate items, and are not allocated to our segments.

The following tables present information about reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers:

                

Greens Creek

 $61,061  $85,804  $191,250  $199,260 

Lucky Friday (1)

  199   26,140   20,022   70,152 

Casa Berardi

  53,990   41,131   139,524   126,614 

San Sebastian

  25,589   26,318   66,866   85,686 
  $140,839  $179,393  $417,662  $481,712 

Income (loss) from operations:

                

Greens Creek

 $16,575  $26,498  $46,107  $49,407 

Lucky Friday

  (4,642

)

  6,652   (8,974

)

  13,442 

Casa Berardi

  2,882   3,691   (1,071

)

  16,246 

San Sebastian

  17,017   18,415   42,363   58,911 

Other

  (10,890

)

  (17,016

)

  (37,637

)

  (42,584

)

  $20,942  $38,240  $40,788  $95,422 

(1) The $0.2 million in sales reported for Lucky Friday for the third quarter of 2017 represents gains on base metal derivatives contracts.

The following table presents identifiable assets by reportable segment as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 

Identifiable assets:

        

Greens Creek

 $666,463  $681,303 

Lucky Friday

  432,752   442,829 

Casa Berardi

  814,053   806,044 

San Sebastian

  55,395   33,608 

Other

  427,520   407,893 
  $2,396,183  $2,371,677 

The sales and income (loss) from operations amounts reported above include results from our Lucky Friday segment. The Lucky Friday mine is our only operation where some of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and the most recent agreement expired on April 30, 2016. On February 19, 2017, the unionized employees voted against our contract offer. On March 13, 2017, the unionized employees went on strike and have been on strike since that time. Production at Lucky Friday was suspended from the start of the strike until July 2017, when limited production resumed. For the first nine months of 2017, suspension costs not related to production of $11.1 million, along with $3.3 million in non-cash depreciation expense, are reported in a separate line item on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. We cannot predict how long the strike will last or whether an agreement will be reached. As a result of the strike or other related events, operations at Lucky Friday could continue to be disrupted, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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Note 7.Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Net periodic pension cost for the plans consisted of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Service cost

 $1,196  $1,077 

Interest cost

  1,339   1,307 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1,462

)

  (1,325

)

Amortization of prior service cost

  (84

)

  (84

)

Amortization of net loss

  1,033   1,093 

Net periodic pension cost

 $2,022  $2,068 

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Service cost

 $3,588  $3,231 

Interest cost

  4,017   3,921 

Expected return on plan assets

  (4,386

)

  (3,975

)

Amortization of prior service cost

  (252

)

  (252

)

Amortization of net loss

  3,099   3,279 

Net periodic pension cost

 $6,066  $6,204 

We made cash contributions to our defined benefit plans of $1.2 million in April 2017 and $5.7 million in July 2017. We expect to contribute approximately $0.4 million to our unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan during 2017.

Note 8.    Shareholders’ Equity

Stock-based Compensation Plans

We periodically grant restricted stock unit awards, performance-based share awards and shares of common stock to our employees and directors as part of their compensation. We measure compensation cost for restricted stock units and stock grants at the closing price of our stock at the time of grant. We measure compensation cost for performance-based grants using a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate their value at grant date. Restricted stock unit and performance-based share grants vest after a specified period with compensation cost amortized over that period. Although we have no current plans to issue stock options, we may do so in the future.

In March 2017, the Board of Directors granted 641,406 shares of common stock to employees for payment of annual and long-term incentive compensation for the period ended December 31, 2016. The shares were distributed in March 2017, and $4.2 million in expense related to the stock awards was recognized in the periods prior to March 31, 2017.

In June 2017, the Board of Directors granted the following restricted stock unit awards to employees:

775,379 restricted stock units, with one third of those vesting in June 2018, one third vesting in June 2019, and one third vesting in June 2020;

93,691 restricted stock units, with one half of those vesting in June 2018 and one-half vesting in June 2019; and

15,336 restricted stock units that vest in June 2018.

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The $1.9 million in expense related to the unit awards discussed above vesting in 2018 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the twelve months following the date of the award. The $1.8 million in expense related to the unit awards discussed above vesting in 2019 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the twenty-four months following the date of the award. The $1.5 million in expense related to the unit awards discussed above vesting in 2020 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the thirty-six-month period following the date of the award.Forward-Looking Statements

In June 2017, the Board of Directors granted performance-based share awards to certain executive employees. The value of the awards will be based on the ranking of the market performance of our common stock relative to the performance of the common stock of a group of peer companies over the three-year measurement period ending December 31, 2019. The number of shares to be issued will be based on the value of the awards divided by the share price at grant date. The $0.6 million in expense related to the performance-based awards will be recognized on a straight-line base over the thirty months following the date of the award.

Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock unit and performance-based grants to employees and shares issued to nonemployee directors recorded in the first nine months of 2017 totaled $4.9 million, compared to $4.8 million in the same period last year.

In connection with the vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants, employees have in the past, at their election and when permitted by us, chosen to satisfy their minimum tax withholding obligations through net share settlement, pursuant to which the Company withholds the number of shares necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations.  As a result, in the first nine months of 2017 we withheld 588,240 shares valued at approximately $3.0 million, or approximately $5.09 per share. In the first nine months of 2016 we withheld 1,010,509 shares valued at approximately $3.5 million, or approximately $3.44 per share.

Common Stock Dividends

In September 2011 and February 2012, our Board of Directors adopted a common stock dividend policy that has two components: (1) a dividend that links the amount of dividends on our common stock to our average quarterly realized silver price in the preceding quarter, and (2) a minimum annual dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, in each case, payable quarterly, when and if declared. For illustrative purposes only, the table below summarizes potential per share dividend amounts at different quarterly average realized price levels according to the first component of the policy:

Quarterly average realized silver price

per ounce

  

Quarterly dividend per

share

  

Annualized dividend

per share

 
$30  $0.01  $0.04 
$35  $0.02  $0.08 
$40  $0.03  $0.12 
$45  $0.04  $0.16 
$50  $0.05  $0.20 

On November 7, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a common stock dividend, pursuant to the minimum annual dividend component of the policy described above, of $0.0025 per share, for a total dividend of $1.0 million payable in December 2017. Because the average realized silver price for the third quarter of 2017 was $17.01 per ounce, below the minimum threshold of $30 according to the policy, no silver-price-linked component was declared or paid. The declaration and payment of common stock dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.

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At-The-Market Equity Distribution Agreement

Pursuant to an equity distribution agreement dated February 23, 2016, we may issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time through ordinary broker transactions having an aggregate offering price of up to $75 million, with the net proceeds available for general corporate purposes. The terms of sales transactions under the agreement, including trading day(s), number of shares sold in the aggregate, number of shares sold per trading day, and the floor selling price per share, are proposed by us to the sales agent. Whether or not we engage in sales from time to time may depend on a variety of factors, including share price, our cash resources, customary black-out restrictions, and whether we have any material inside information. The agreement can be terminated by us at any time. The shares issued under the equity distribution agreement are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 23, 2016. As of September 30, 2017, we had sold 4,608,847 shares under the agreement for total proceeds of approximately $17.7 million, net of commissions and fees of approximately $362 thousand. Of those amounts, 1,828,760 shares were sold in the first nine months of 2017 for total proceeds of approximately $9.6 million, net of commissions and fees of approximately $196 thousand.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

On May 8, 2012, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program.  Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on prevailing market conditions and other factors.  The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by us at any time. Whether or not we engage in repurchases from time to time may depend on a variety of factors, including not only price and cash resources, but customary black-out restrictions, whether we have any material inside information, limitations on share repurchases or cash usage that may be imposed by our credit agreement or in connection with issuances of securities, alternative uses for cash, applicable law, and other investment opportunities from time to time. As of September 30, 2017, 934,100 shares have been purchased at an average price of $3.99 per share, leaving 19.1 million shares that may yet be purchased under the program. No shares were purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The closing price of our common stock at November 3, 2017, was $4.45 per share.

Note 9.    Senior Notes, Credit Facility and Capital Leases

Senior Notes

On April 12, 2013, we completed an offering of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due May 1, 2021 in a private placement conducted pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in 2014, an additional $6.5 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes were issued to one of our pension plans. The Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for substantially identical Senior Notes registered with the SEC. The Senior Notes are governed by the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2013, as amended (the "Indenture"), among Hecla Mining Company ("Hecla") and certain of our subsidiaries and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The net proceeds from the initial offering of the Senior Notes ($490 million) were used to partially fund the acquisition of Aurizon and for general corporate purposes, including expenses related to the Aurizon acquisition.

The Senior Notes are recorded net of a 2% initial purchaser discount totaling $10 million at the time of the April 2013 issuance and having an unamortized balance of $4.6 million as of September 30, 2017. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year from the date of original issuance or from the most recent payment date on which interest has been paid or provided for.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, interest expense related to the Senior Notes, including amortization of the initial purchaser discount and fees related to the issuances of the Senior Notes, was $26.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively. The interest expense related to the Senior Notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was net of $0.9 million and $12.0 million, respectively, in capitalized interest, primarily related to the #4 Shaft project at our Lucky Friday unit which was completed in January 2017. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also includes $0.9 million in costs related to our proposed private offering of new Senior Notes in June 2017 and concurrent tender offer to purchase our existing Senior Notes, which were not completed.

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The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our subsidiaries (the "Guarantors").   The Senior Notes and the guarantees are, respectively, Hecla's and the Guarantors' general senior unsecured obligations and are subordinated to all of Hecla's and the Guarantors' existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that secured debt.  In addition, the Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all of the liabilities of Hecla's subsidiaries that are not guaranteeing the Senior Notes, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

The Senior Notes became redeemable in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time after May 1, 2016, on the redemption dates and at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of Senior Notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or a portion of such holder's Senior Notes pursuant to a change of control offer (as defined in the Indenture), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of the Senior Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

Credit Facility

In May 2016, we entered into a $100 million senior secured revolving credit facility with a three-year term, which was amended in July 2017 to extend the term until July 14, 2020. The credit facility is collateralized by the shares of common stock held in our material domestic subsidiaries and by our joint venture interests in the Greens Creek mine, all of our rights and interests in the joint venture agreement, and all of our rights and interests in the assets of the joint venture.  Below is information on the interest rates, standby fee, and financial covenant terms under our credit facility:

Interest rates:

      

Spread over the London Interbank Offer Rate

  2.25-3.25% 

Spread over alternative base rate

  1.25-2.25% 

Standby fee per annum on undrawn amounts

   0.50%  

Covenant financial ratios:

      

Senior leverage ratio (debt secured by liens/EBITDA)

  not more than 2.50:1 

Leverage ratio (total debt less unencumbered cash/EBITDA)

  not more than 4.00:1 

Interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest expense)

  not more than 3.00:1 

We are also able to obtain letters of credit under the facility, and for any such letters we are required to pay a participation fee of between 2.25% and 3.25% based on our total leverage ratio, as well as a fronting fee to each issuing bank of 0.20% annually on the average daily dollar amount of any outstanding letters of credit.

We believe we were in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement and no amounts were outstanding as of September 30, 2017.  With the exception of $2.6 million in letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2017, we have not drawn funds on the current revolving credit facility as of the filing date of this report.

Capital Leases

We have entered into various lease agreements, primarily for equipment at our Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, and Casa Berardi units, which we have determined to be capital leases.  At September 30, 2017, the total liability balance associated with capital leases, including certain purchase option amounts, was $13.3 million, with $5.9 million of the liability classified as current and the remaining $7.4 million classified as non-current. At December 31, 2016, the total liability balance associated with capital leases was $11.5 million, with $5.7 million of the liability classified as current and $5.8 million classified as non-current. The total obligation for future minimum lease payments was $14.1 million at September 30, 2017, with $0.8 million attributed to interest.

15

At September 30, 2017, the annual maturities of capital lease commitments, including interest, are (in thousands):

Twelve-month period

ending September 30,

    

2018

 $6,293 

2019

  4,179 

2020

  2,369 

2021

  1,260 

Total

  14,101 

Less: imputed interest

  (813

)

Net capital lease obligation

 $13,288 

Note 10.    Developments in Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09 Revenue Recognition, replacing guidance currently codified in Subtopic 605-10 Revenue Recognition-Overall with various SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins providing interpretive guidance. The new ASU establishes a new five step principles-based framework in an effort to significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU No. 2015-14 defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 until annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

We have performed an assessment of the impact of implementation of ASU No. 2014-09, and do not believe it will change the timing of revenue recognition or amounts of revenue recognized compared to how we recognize revenue under our current policies. Our revenues involve a relatively limited number of types of contracts and customers. In addition, our revenue contracts do not involve multiple types of performance obligations. Revenues from doré are recognized, and the transaction price is known, at the time the metals sold are delivered to the customer. Concentrate revenues are generally recognized at the time of shipment. Concentrates sold at our Lucky Friday unit typically leave the mine and are received by the customer within the same day. There is a period of time between shipment of concentrates from our Greens Creek unit and their physical receipt by the customer. However, based on our assessment, we believe control of the concentrate parcels is generally obtained by the customer at the time of shipment.

Our concentrate sales involve variable consideration, as they are subject to changes in metals prices between the time of shipment and their final settlement. However, we are able to reasonably estimate the transaction price for the concentrate sales at the time of shipment using forward prices for the month of settlement, and we then adjust the values each period until final settlement. Also, it is unlikely a significant reversal of revenue for any one concentrate parcel will occur.

ASU No. 2014-09 will require additional disclosures, where applicable, on (i) contracts with customers, (ii) significant judgments and changes in judgments in determining the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and the transaction price, and (iii) assets recognized for costs to obtain or fulfill contracts. We are in the process of assessing the impact of these additional requirements on our disclosure.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update provides for inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2017, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

16

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17 Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740). The update is designed to reduce complexity of reporting deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and non-current amounts in a balance sheet. ASU No. 2015-17 requires the presentation of deferred income taxes, changes to deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the statement of financial position. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We have elected to implement ASU No. 2015-17 retrospectively, and our deferred tax asset and liability balances are classified as non-current. Deferred tax assets of $12.3 million and deferred tax liabilities of $1.3 million previously classified as current as of December 31, 2016 are now classified as non-current on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance requires entities to measure equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value, with any changes in fair value included in current earnings, and updates certain disclosure requirements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption will be accounted for using the modified-retrospective approach, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to our balance sheet as of January 1, 2018. At September 30, 2017, we had net unrealized gains related to equity investments of $3.2 million included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The update modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The update simplifies the accounting for stock-based compensation, including income tax consequences and balance sheet and cash flow statement classification of awards. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2017, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update provides guidance on classification for cash receipts and payments related to eight specific issues. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The update requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will apply the applicable provisions of the update to any acquisitions occurring after the effective date.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07 Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Period Postretirement Benefit Cost. The update provides specific requirements for classification and disclosure regarding the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost related to pension plans. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

17

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The objective of the update is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements, and simplify the application of existing hedge accounting guidance. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of implementing this update on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 11.    Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency

Our wholly-owned subsidiaries owning the Casa Berardi and San Sebastian mines are U.S. dollar ("USD")-functional entities which routinely incur expenses denominated in Canadian dollars ("CAD") and Mexican pesos ("MXN"), and such expenses expose us to exchange rate fluctuations between the USD and CAD and MXN. In April 2016, we initiated a program to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the USD and CAD and the impact on our future operating costs denominated in CAD. In October 2016, we also initiated a program to manage our exposure to the impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the USD and MXN on our future operating costs denominated in MXN. The programs utilize forward contracts to buy CAD and MXN, and each contract is designated as a cash flow hedge. As of September 30, 2017, we have 94 forward contracts outstanding to buy CAD$200.1 million having a notational amount of US$154.0 million, and 6 forward contracts outstanding to buy MXN$43.3 million having a notional amount of USD$2.2 million. The CAD contracts are related to forecasted cash operating costs at Casa Berardi to be incurred from 2017 through 2020 and have USD-to-CAD exchange rates ranging between 1.2787 and 1.3380. The MXN contracts are related to forecasted cash operating costs at San Sebastian for 2017 and have MXN-to-USD exchange rates ranging between 19.5910 and 21.0000. Our risk management policy provides for up to 75% of our planned cost exposure for five years into the future to be hedged under such programs, and for potential additional programs to manage other foreign currency-related exposure areas.

As of September 30, 2017, we recorded the following balances for the fair value of the contracts:

a current asset of $2.8 million, which is included in other current assets; and

a non-current asset of $3.7 million, which is included in other non-current assets.

Net unrealized gains of approximately $6.8 million related to the effective portion of the hedges were included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017. Unrealized gains and losses will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to current earnings as the underlying operating expenses are recognized. We estimate approximately $2.9 million in net unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017 would be reclassified to current earnings in the next twelve months. Net realized gains of approximately $0.4 million on contracts related to underlying expenses which have been recognized were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in cost of sales and other direct production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net unrealized gains of approximately $2 thousand related to ineffectiveness of the hedges were included in current earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Metals Prices

At times, we use commodity forward sales commitments, commodity swap contracts and commodity put and call option contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the prices of certain metals we produce. Contract positions are designed to ensure that we will receive a defined minimum price for certain quantities of our production, thereby partially offsetting our exposure to fluctuations in the market. These instruments do, however, expose us to (i) credit risk in the form of possible non-performance by counterparties for contracts in which the contract price exceeds the spot price of a commodity and (ii) price risk to the extent that the spot price exceeds the contract price for quantities of our production covered under contract positions.

18

We are currently using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments between the time of shipment and final settlement. In addition, we currently use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead (but not silver and gold) contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments. These contracts are not designated as hedges and are marked-to-market through earnings each period.  As of September 30, 2017, we recorded the following balances for the fair value of the contracts:

a current asset of $0.4 million, which is net of $0.1 million for contracts in a liability position and included in other current assets;

a current liability of $7.9 million, which is net of $0.2 million for contracts in an asset position and included in other current liabilities; and

a non-current liability of $4.0 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities.

We recognized a $3.9 million net loss during the first nine months of 2017 on the contracts utilized to manage exposure to prices of metals in our concentrate shipments, which is included in sales of products.  The net loss recognized on the contracts offsets gains related to price adjustments on our provisional concentrate sales due to changes to silver, gold, lead and zinc prices between the time of sale and final settlement.

We recognized a $16.5 million net loss during the first nine months of 2017 on the contracts utilized to manage exposure to prices for forecasted future concentrate shipments. The net loss on these contracts is included as a separate line item under other income (expense), as they relate to forecasted future shipments, as opposed to sales that have already taken place but are subject to final pricing as discussed in the preceding paragraph.  The net loss for the first nine months of 2017 is the result of higher zinc and lead prices. This program, when utilized, is designed to mitigate the impact of potential future declines in lead and zinc prices from the price levels established in the contracts (see average price information below). When those prices increase compared to the contract prices, we recognize losses.

The following tables summarize the quantities of metals committed under forward sales contracts at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

September 30, 2017

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

  

Average price per ounce/pound

 
  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

 
  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

                                

2017 settlements

  1,399   5   19,070   2,535  $17.18  $1,298  $1.33  $1.07 

2018 settlements

        2,370      N/A   N/A  $1.38   N/A 

Contracts on forecasted sales

                                

2017 settlements

        441   2,866   N/A   N/A  $1.23  $1.05 

2018 settlements

        39,463   17,968   N/A   N/A  $1.27  $1.05 

2019 settlements

        14,330   8,267   N/A   N/A  $1.30  $1.07 

2020 settlements

        3,307   2,205   N/A   N/A  $1.27  $1.07 

19

December 31, 2016

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

  

Average price per ounce/pound

 
  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

 
  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

                                

2017 settlements

  1,295   4   19,070   7,441  $16.29  $1,172  $1.18  $0.97 
                                 

Contracts on forecasted sales

                                

2017 settlements

        35,384   17,637   N/A   N/A  $1.19  $1.03 

2018 settlements

        13,779   5,732   N/A   N/A  $1.21  $1.05 

Our concentrate sales are based on a provisional sales price containing an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of the concentrates at the forward price at the time of the sale. The embedded derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is adjusted to market through earnings each period prior to final settlement.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

Certain of our derivative contracts contain cross default provisions which provide that a default under our revolving credit agreement would cause a default under the derivative contracts. As of September 30, 2017, we have not posted any collateral related to these agreements. The fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $14.4 million as of September 30, 2017. If we were in breach of any derivative contracts at September 30, 2017, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $14.4 million.

20

Note 12.    Fair Value Measurement

The table below sets forth our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that we have determined applies to each asset and liability category (in thousands).

Description

 

Balance at

September 30, 2017

  

Balance at

December 31, 2016

 

Input

Hierarchy Level

Assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents:

         

Money market funds and other bank deposits

 $172,923  $169,777 

Level 1

Available for sale securities:

         

Debt securities - municipal and corporate bonds

  32,973   29,117 

Level 2

Equity securities – mining industry

  7,098   5,002 

Level 1

Trade accounts receivable:

         

Receivables from provisional concentrate sales

  6,982   20,082 

Level 2

Restricted cash balances:

         

Certificates of deposit and other bank deposits

  1,076   2,200 

Level 1

Derivative contracts:

         

Foreign exchange contracts

  6,533   27 

Level 2

Metal forward contracts

  394   5,403 

Level 2

Total assets

 $227,979  $231,608  
          

Liabilities:

         

Derivative contracts:

         

Foreign exchange contracts

 $  $5,288 

Level 2

Metal forward contracts

  11,902   192 

Level 2

Total liabilities

 $11,902  $5,480  

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value, and a small portion consists of municipal bonds having maturities of less than 90 days, which are recorded at fair value.

Current available-for-sale securities consist of municipal and corporate bonds having maturities of more than 90 days, which are recorded at fair value.

Current and non-current restricted cash balances consist primarily of certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, and other deposits and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Our non-current available for sale securities consist of marketable equity securities of companies in the mining industry which are valued using quoted market prices for each security.

Trade accounts receivable include amounts due to us for shipments of concentrates, doré and precipitate sold to customers.  Revenues and the corresponding accounts receivable for sales of metals products are recorded when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer (generally at the time of loading on truck or ship).  Sales of concentrates are recorded using estimated forward prices for the anticipated month of settlement applied to our estimate of payable metal quantities contained in each shipment.  Sales are recorded net of estimated treatment and refining charges, which are also impacted by changes in metals prices and quantities of contained metals.  We estimate the prices at which sales of our concentrates will be settled due to the time elapsed between shipment and final settlement with the customer.  Receivables for previously recorded concentrate sales are adjusted to reflect estimated forward metals prices at the end of each period until final settlement by the customer.  We obtain the forward metals prices used each period from a pricing service.  Changes in metal prices between shipment and final settlement result in changes to revenues previously recorded upon shipment.  The embedded derivative contained in our concentrate sales is adjusted to fair market value through earnings each period prior to final settlement.

21

We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage exposure to changes in the exchange rate between the USD and CAD and MXN, and the impact on CAD- and MXN-denominated operating costs incurred at our Casa Berardi and San Sebastian units (see Note 11 for more information). These contracts qualify for hedge accounting, with unrealized gains and losses related to the effective portion of the contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, and unrealized gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of the contracts included in earnings each period. The fair value of each contract represents the present value of the difference between the forward exchange rate for the contract settlement period as of the measurement date and the contract settlement exchange rate.

We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments that have not reached final settlement.  We also use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments (see Note 11 for more information).  These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, and are marked-to-market through earnings each period.  The fair value of each contract represents the present value of the difference between the forward metal price for the contract settlement period as of the measurement date and the contract settlement metal price.

Our Senior Notes issued in April 2013, which were recorded at their carrying value of $501.9 million, net of unamortized initial purchaser discount at September 30, 2017 of $4.6 million, had a fair value of $524.6 million at September 30, 2017. Quoted market prices, which we consider to be Level 1 inputs, are utilized to estimate fair values of the Senior Notes. See Note 9 for more information.

Note 13.    Guarantor Subsidiaries

Presented below are Hecla’s unaudited interim condensed consolidating financial statements as required by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, resulting from the guarantees by certain of Hecla's subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") of the Senior Notes (see Note 9 for more information). The Guarantors consist of the following of Hecla's 100%-owned subsidiaries: Hecla Limited; Silver Hunter Mining Company; Rio Grande Silver, Inc.; Hecla MC Subsidiary, LLC; Hecla Silver Valley, Inc.; Burke Trading, Inc.; Hecla Montana, Inc.; Revett Silver Company; RC Resources, Inc.; Troy Mine Inc.; Revett Exploration, Inc.; Revett Holdings, Inc.; Mines Management, Inc.; Newhi Corp.; Montanore Minerals Corp.; Hecla Alaska LLC; Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company; Hecla Admiralty Company; and Hecla Juneau Mining Company. We completed the initial offering of the Senior Notes on April 12, 2013, and a related exchange offer for virtually identical notes registered with the SEC on January 3, 2014.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidating financial statements below have been prepared from our financial information on the same basis of accounting as the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements set forth elsewhere in this report. Investments in the subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Accordingly, the entries necessary to consolidate Hecla, the Guarantors, and our non-guarantor subsidiaries are reflected in the intercompany eliminations column. In the course of preparing consolidated financial statements, we eliminate the effects of various transactions conducted between Hecla and its subsidiaries and among the subsidiaries. While valid at an individual subsidiary level, such activities are eliminated in consolidation because, when taken as a whole, they do not represent business activity with third-party customers, vendors, and other parties. Examples of such eliminations include the following:

Investments in subsidiaries. The acquisition of a company results in an investment in debt or equity capital on the records of the parent company and a contribution to debt or equity capital on the records of the subsidiary. Such investments and capital contributions are eliminated in consolidation.

Capital contributions. Certain of Hecla's subsidiaries do not generate cash flow, either at all or sufficient to meet their capital needs, and their cash requirements are routinely met with inter-company advances from their parent companies. On at least an annual basis, when not otherwise intended as debt, the boards of directors of such parent companies declare contributions of capital to their subsidiary companies, which increase the parents' investment and the subsidiaries' additional paid-in capital. In consolidation, investments in subsidiaries and related additional paid-in capital are eliminated.

22

Debt. Inter-company debt agreements have been established between certain of Hecla's subsidiaries and their parents. The related debt liability and receivable balances, accrued interest expense (if any) and income activity (if any), and payments of principal and accrued interest amounts (if any) by the subsidiary companies to their parents are eliminated in consolidation.

Dividends. Certain of Hecla's subsidiaries which generate cash flow routinely provide cash to their parent companies through inter-company transfers. On at least an annual basis, the boards of directors of such subsidiary companies declare dividends to their parent companies, which reduces the subsidiaries' retained earnings and increases the parents' dividend income. In consolidation, such activity is eliminated.

Deferred taxes. Our ability to realize deferred tax assets and liabilities is considered on a consolidated basis for subsidiaries within the United States, with all subsidiaries' estimated future taxable income contributing to the ability to realize all such assets and liabilities. However, when Hecla's subsidiaries are viewed independently, we use the separate return method to assess the realizability of each subsidiary's deferred tax assets and whether a valuation allowance is required against such deferred tax assets. In some instances, a parent company or subsidiary may possess deferred tax assets whose realization depends on the future taxable incomes of other subsidiaries on a consolidated-return basis, but would not be considered realizable if such parent or subsidiary filed on a separate stand-alone basis. In such a situation, a valuation allowance is assessed on that subsidiary's deferred tax assets, with the resulting adjustment reported in the eliminations column of the guarantor and parent's financial statements, as is the case in the unaudited interim financial statements set forth below. The separate return method can result in significant eliminations of deferred tax assets and liabilities and related income tax provisions and benefits. Non-current deferred tax asset balances are included in other non-current assets on the consolidating balance sheets and make up a large portion of that item, particularly for the guarantor balances.

Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not presented because the guarantees by the Guarantors are joint and several and full and unconditional, except for certain customary release provisions, including: (1) the sale or disposal of all or substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor; (2) the sale or other disposition of the capital stock of the Guarantor; (3) the Guarantor is designated as an unrestricted entity in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture; (4) Hecla ceases to be a borrower as defined in the indenture; and (5) upon legal or covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the indenture.

Effective December 31, 2015, Hecla Limited (our wholly owned subsidiary) sold 100% of its ownership of Hecla Alaska LLC (its wholly owned subsidiary) to Hecla Mining Company for consideration totaling approximately $240.8 million.  The consideration consisted of satisfaction of inter-company debt between Hecla Limited and Hecla Mining Company and an obligation by Hecla Mining Company, under certain circumstances, to fund a limited amount of the capital requirements of Hecla Limited for up to five years.  Hecla Alaska LLC owns a 29.7331% interest in the joint venture which owns the Greens Creek mine. The presentation of unaudited interim condensed consolidating financial statements below reflects the effective date for accounting purposes of January 1, 2016.

23

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

  

As of September 30, 2017

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Assets

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $101,061  $18,124  $53,738  $  $172,923 

Other current assets

  47,514   51,190   40,283   (575

)

  138,412 

Properties, plants, and equipment - net

  1,964   1,248,762   774,881      2,025,607 

Intercompany receivable (payable)

  461,542   (222,677

)

  (351,019

)

  112,154    

Investments in subsidiaries

  1,491,449         (1,491,449

)

   

Other non-current assets

  6,321   199,794   6,906   (153,780

)

  59,241 

Total assets

 $2,109,851  $1,295,193  $524,789  $(1,533,650

)

 $2,396,183 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

                    

Current liabilities

 $46,720  $56,189  $38,183  $(25,295

)

 $115,797 

Long-term debt

  501,917   3,115   4,321      509,353 

Non-current portion of accrued reclamation

     61,964   18,794      80,758 

Non-current deferred tax liability

     13,349   126,280   (16,906

)

  122,723 

Other non-current liabilities

  48,273   5,363   975      54,611 

Shareholders' equity

  1,512,941   1,155,213   336,236   (1,491,449

)

  1,512,941 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $2,109,851  $1,295,193  $524,789  $(1,533,650

)

 $2,396,183 

24

  

As of December 31, 2016

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Assets

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $113,275  $24,388  $32,114  $  $169,777 

Other current assets

  33,950   52,400   35,537   (573

)

  121,314 

Properties, plants, and equipment - net

  2,103   1,258,890   771,692      2,032,685 

Intercompany receivable (payable)

  404,121   (222,072

)

  (307,018

)

  124,969    

Investments in subsidiaries

  1,496,787         (1,496,787

)

   

Other non-current assets

  4,186   199,957   5,337   (161,579

)

  47,901 

Total assets

 $2,054,422  $1,313,563  $537,662  $(1,533,970

)

 $2,371,677 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

                    

Current liabilities

 $22,401  $86,730  $40,093  $(22,999

)

 $126,225 

Long-term debt

  500,979   3,065   2,773      506,817 

Non-current portion of accrued reclamation

     63,025   16,902      79,927 

Non-current deferred tax liability

     14,212   122,855   (14,212

)

  122,855 

Other non-current liabilities

  51,198   5,108   (325

)

  28   56,009 

Stockholders' equity

  1,479,844   1,141,423   355,364   (1,496,787

)

  1,479,844 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $2,054,422  $1,313,563  $537,662  $(1,533,970

)

 $2,371,677 

25

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Revenues

 $(626

)

 $61,887  $79,578  $  $140,839 

Cost of sales

  687   (29,320

)

  (39,725

)

     (68,358

)

Depreciation, depletion, amortization

     (12,607

)

  (16,237

)

     (28,844

)

General and administrative

  (4,217

)

  (4,464

)

  (848

)

     (9,529

)

Exploration and pre-development

  (129

)

  (4,339

)

  (4,544

)

     (9,012

)

Research and development

     (1,130

)

        (1,130

)

Loss on derivative contracts

  (11,226

)

           (11,226

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

  12,153      (16,917

)

     (4,764

)

Lucky Friday suspension-related costs

     (4,780

)

        (4,780

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

  (6,271

)

        6,271    

Other (expense) income

  11,041   1,202   (4,676

)

  (14,752

)

  (7,185

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  1,412   6,449   (3,369

)

  (8,481

)

  (3,989

)

(Provision) benefit from income taxes

     (1,338

)

  (8,013

)

  14,752   5,401 

Net income (loss)

  1,412   5,111   (11,382

)

  6,271   1,412 

Preferred stock dividends

  (138

)

           (138

)

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

  1,274   5,111   (11,382

)

  6,271   1,274 

Net income (loss)

  1,412   5,111   (11,382

)

  6,271   1,412 

Changes in comprehensive income (loss)

  7,636      1,022   (1,022

)

  7,636 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $9,048  $5,111  $(10,360

)

 $5,249  $9,048 

26

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Revenues

 $(3,912

)

 $215,184  $206,390  $  $417,662 

Cost of sales

  353   (112,908

)

  (111,982

)

     (224,537

)

Depreciation, depletion, amortization

     (41,875

)

  (41,490

)

     (83,365

)

General and administrative

  (16,407

)

  (10,877

)

  (1,760

)

     (29,044

)

Exploration and pre-development

  (439

)

  (8,736

)

  (12,508

)

     (21,683

)

Research and development

     (2,125

)

        (2,125

)

Loss on derivative contracts

  (16,548

)

           (16,548

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

  22,286   (43

)

  (33,152

)

     (10,909

)

Lucky Friday suspension-related costs

     (14,385

)

        (14,385

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

  (5,925

)

        5,925    

Other (expense) income

  24,822   (1,207

)

  (14,146

)

  (38,682

)

  (29,213

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  4,230   23,028   (8,648

)

  (32,757

)

  (14,147

)

(Provision) benefit from income taxes

     (9,239

)

  (11,066

)

  38,682   18,377 

Net income (loss)

  4,230   13,789   (19,714

)

  5,925   4,230 

Preferred stock dividends

  (414

)

           (414

)

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

  3,816   13,789   (19,714

)

  5,925   3,816 

Net income (loss)

  4,230   13,789   (19,714

)

  5,925   4,230 

Changes in comprehensive income (loss)

  13,718      1,780   (1,780

)

  13,718 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $17,948  $13,789  $(17,934

)

 $4,145  $17,948 

27

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Revenues

 $(4,072

)

 $116,016  $67,449  $  $179,393 

Cost of sales

     (58,844

)

  (31,685

)

     (90,529

)

Depreciation, depletion, amortization

     (19,036

)

  (11,143

)

     (30,179

)

General and administrative

  (5,355

)

  (5,469

)

  (331

)

     (11,155

)

Exploration and pre-development

  (33

)

  (1,343

)

  (3,033

)

     (4,409

)

Gain on derivative contracts

  7            7 

Acquisition costs

  (1,766

)

  1         (1,765

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

  52,606         (52,606

)

   

Other expense

  (15,597

)

  1,187   1,211   7,078   (6,121

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  25,790   32,512   22,468   (45,528

)

  35,242 

(Provision) benefit from income taxes

     (8,994

)

  6,621   (7,080

)

  (9,453

)

Net income (loss)

  25,790   23,518   29,089   (52,608

)

  25,789 

Preferred stock dividends

  (138

)

           (138

)

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

  25,652   23,518   29,089   (52,608

)

  25,651 

Net income (loss)

  25,790   23,518   29,089   (52,608

)

  25,789 

Changes in comprehensive income (loss)

  (615

)

     985   (985

)

  (615

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $25,175  $23,518  $30,074  $(53,593

)

 $25,174 

28

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Revenues

 $(15,866

)

 $285,277  $212,301  $  $481,712 

Cost of sales

     (154,160

)

  (95,002

)

     (249,162

)

Depreciation, depletion, amortization

     (49,521

)

  (35,071

)

     (84,592

)

General and administrative

  (17,069

)

  (13,671

)

  (988

)

     (31,728

)

Exploration and pre-development

  (191

)

  (3,990

)

  (7,465

)

     (11,646

)

Acquisition costs

  (2,160

)

  (7

)

        (2,167

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

  68,727         (68,727

)

   

Other (expense) income

  15,844   8,147   (43,039

)

  (11,481

)

  (30,529

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  49,285   72,075   30,736   (80,208

)

  71,888 

(Provision) benefit from income taxes

     (22,213

)

  (11,871

)

  11,481   (22,603

)

Net income (loss)

  49,285   49,862   18,865   (68,727

)

  49,285 

Preferred stock dividends

  (414

)

           (414

)

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

  48,871   49,862   18,865   (68,727

)

  48,871 

Net income (loss)

  49,285   49,862   18,865   (68,727

)

  49,285 

Changes in comprehensive income (loss)

  1,689   8   3,238   (3,246

)

  1,689 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $50,974  $49,870  $22,103  $(71,973

)

 $50,974 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
                     

Cash flows from operating activities

 $35,764  $41,071  $21,435  $(24,155

)

 $74,115 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                    

Additions to properties, plants, and equipment

     (28,220

)

  (42,170

)

     (70,390

)

Other investing activities, net

  176   6,903   (584

)

  (5,339

)

  1,156 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                    

Dividends paid to shareholders

  (3,392

)

           (3,392

)

Proceeds from (payments on) debt

     (4,518

)

  (1,017

)

     (5,535

)

Other financing activity, net

  (44,762

)

  (21,500

)

  42,909   29,494   6,141 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

        1,051      1,051 

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

  (12,214

)

  (6,264

)

  21,624      3,146 

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

  113,275   24,388   32,114      169,777 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

 $101,061  $18,124  $53,738  $  $172,923 

29

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Parent

  

Guarantors

  

Non-Guarantors

  

Eliminations

  

Consolidated

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 $14,525  $51,599  $61,710  $45,280  $173,114 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                    

Additions to properties, plants, and equipment

  (348

)

  (71,265

)

  (48,623

)

     (120,236

)

Acquisitions of other companies, net of cash acquired

  (3,931

)

            (3,931

)

Other investing activities, net

  (24,696

)

  (816

)

  (3,647

)

     (29,159

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

                    

Dividends paid to shareholders

  (3,296

)

           (3,296

)

Proceeds from (payments on) debt

     (7,477

)

  (658

)

     (8,135

)

Other financing activity, net

  33,335   24,522   (8,926

)

  (45,280

)

  3,651 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

        627      627 

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

  15,589   (3,437

)

  483      12,635 

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

  94,167   42,692   18,350      155,209 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

 $109,756  $39,255  $18,833  $  $167,844 

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q, including in Management’sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative DisclosureDisclosures About Market Risk, are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our forward-looking statements include our current expectations and projections about future results, performance, results of litigation, prospects and opportunities, including reserves and other mineralization. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “feel,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.

These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Part I, Item 1A. – Business – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on2022 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.10-K. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Hecla Mining Company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview19


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), “Hecla,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Hecla Mining Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our subsidiaries have provided preciousconsolidated financial statements, the related MD&A and base metals to the U.S. and worldwide since 1891. We discover, acquire, develop, produce and market silver, gold, lead and zinc.

30

We produce lead, zinc and bulk concentrates, which we sell to custom smelters and brokers, and unrefined precipitate and bullion bars (doré) containing gold and silver, which are further refined before sale to precious metals traders.  We are organized into four segments that encompass our operating and development units:  Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Casa Berardi, and San Sebastian. The map below shows the locationsdiscussion of our Business and Properties in our 2022 Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The results of operations reported and summarized below are not necessarily indicative of future operating units,results (refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” above for further discussion). References to “Notes” are Notes included in our exploration and pre-development projects, and our corporate offices located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Our current business strategy is to focus our financial and human resources in the following areas:

operating our properties safely, in an environmentally responsible manner, and cost-effectively;

continuing to optimize and improve operations at each of our units;

expanding our proven and probable reserves and production capacity at our operating properties;

conducting our business with financial stewardship to preserve our financial position in varying metals price environments;

advancing permitting of the Rock Creek and Montanore projects. We acquired Rock Creek as part of the acquisition of Revett Mining Company, Inc. ("Revett") in June 2015, and we acquired Montanore through the acquisition of Mines Management, Inc. ("Mines Management") in September 2016;

maintaining and investing in exploration and pre-development projects in the vicinities of six mining districts and projects we believe to be under-explored and under-invested: North Idaho's Silver Valley in the historic Coeur d'Alene Mining District; our Greens Creek unit on Alaska's Admiralty Island located near Juneau; the silver-producing district near Durango, Mexico; the Abitibi region of northwestern Quebec, Canada; the Rock Creek and Montanore projects in northwestern Montana; and the Creede district of Southwestern Colorado; and

continuing to seek opportunities to acquire or invest in mining properties and companies.

31

A number of key factors may impact the execution of our strategy, including regulatory issues and metals prices. Metals prices can be very volatile. As discussed in the Critical Accounting Estimates section below, metals prices are influenced by a number of factors beyond our control. Average market prices of silver and gold were slightly lower, with prices for lead and zinc higher, in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period last year, as illustrated by the table in Results of Operations below. While we believe current global economic and industrial trends could result in continued demand for the metals we produce, prices have been volatile and there can be no assurance that current prices will continue.

The total principal amount of our Senior Notes due May 1, 2021 is $506.5 million and they bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year. The net proceeds from the Senior Notes were primarily used for the acquisition of Aurizon in June 2013 (see Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)). As discussedThroughout MD&A, all references to losses or income per share are on a diluted basis.

Overview

Established in 1891, we are the oldest operating precious metals mining company in the Financial LiquidityUnited States. We are the largest silver producer in the United States, producing over 45% of the U.S. silver production at our Greens Creek and Capital Resources section below,Lucky Friday operations. We produce gold at our Casa Berardi and Greens Creek operations. In addition, we are developing the Keno Hill mine in the Yukon Territory, Canada which we acquired on September 7, 2022. We began ramp-up of the Keno Hill mill during the second quarter of 2023. Based upon the jurisdictions in which we operate, we believe we have lower political and economic risk compared to other mining companies whose mines are located in other parts of the world. Our exploration interests are located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our operating and strategic framework is based on expanding our production and locating and developing new resource potential in a safe and responsible manner.

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

Operational:

Produced 3.5 million ounces of silver and 39,269 ounces of gold. See Consolidated Results of Operations below for information on total cost of sales, as well as cash costs and all in sustaining costs ("AISC"), each after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Keno Hill produced 0.7 million ounces of silver as ramp-up of production continued during the quarter.
Advanced the underground development at Keno Hill mine by 2,339 feet.
Closed the ATAC Resources Ltd. acquisition for total consideration of $19.4 million, of which $18.8 million was in Hecla common stock, adding an over 700 square miles land package comprised of the Rackla and Connaught properties in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

Financial:

Generated sales of $181.9 million.
Invested in our operations by making capital expenditures of approximately $55.4 million, including $12.1 million at Greens Creek, $15.5 million at Lucky Friday, $16.2 million at Casa Berardi and $11.5 million at Keno Hill.
Returned $3.9 million to our stockholders through dividend payments.
Spent $13.7 million on exploration and pre-development activities.

Year to date 2023 Highlights

Operational:

Produced 11.4 million ounces of silver and 114,091 ounces of gold. See Consolidated Results of Operations below for information on total cost of sales and cash costs and AISC, each after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Greens Creek increased silver production by 2% compared to the same period in 2023.
Keno Hill has produced 0.9 million ounces of silver as it continues to ramp-up production.
Advanced the underground development at Keno Hill mine by 4,541 feet.

Financial:

Generated sales of $559.5 million.
Invested in our operations by making capital expenditures of approximately $161.3 million, including $27.5 million at Greens Creek, $46.5 million at Lucky Friday, $54.1 million at Casa Berardi and $32.1 million at Keno Hill.
Returned $11.8 million to our stockholders through dividend payments.
Spent $25.5 million on exploration and pre-development activities.

20


External Factors that we will be ableImpact our Results

Our financial results vary as a result of fluctuations in market prices primarily for silver and gold and, to meet the obligations associateda lesser extent, zinc and lead. World market prices for these commodities have fluctuated historically and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Beginning in 2020, with the Senior Notes; however, a number of factors could impact our ability to meet the debt obligations and fund our other projects. In June 2017, we announced a private offering under Rule 144A of $500 million in Senior Notes due 2025 and a concurrent tender offer to purchase our existing Senior Notes. Both the private offeringonset of the notesCOVID-19 pandemic, and continuing in 2023 because of a series of macro-economic factors, there has been significant volatility in the tender offer were abandonedfinancial and commodities markets, including the precious metals market. We believe the outlook for precious metals fundamentals in June 2017, as available termsthe medium- and conditions were not sufficiently attractivelong-term are favorable. Refer to us to complete the proposed transactions. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of capital markets“Markets” and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancingsee Item 1A. “Risk Factors” contained in Part I of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to restructure or refinance our debt in the future on terms and conditions favorable to us.

On June 15, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Revett, giving us 100% ownership of the Rock Creek project, a significant undeveloped silver and copper deposit in northwestern Montana. In addition, on September 13, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Mines Management, giving us 100% ownership of the Montanore project, another significant undeveloped silver and copper deposit located approximately 10 miles from our Rock Creek project. Development of Rock Creek and Montanore has been challenged by conservation groups at various times, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the permits required to develop these projects. See Legal challenges could prevent the Rock Creek or Montanore projects from ever being developed in Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162022 ("2022 Form 10-K"), for more information. In May 2017,further discussion. Because we cannot control the Montana Federal District Court issued Opinionsprice of our products, the key measures that management focuses on in operating our business are production volumes, payable sales volumes, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce (non-GAAP) and Orders in three lawsuits challenging previously granted environmental approvalsAll-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce (“AISC”) (non-GAAP), operating cash flows, capital expenditures, free cash flow and adjusted EBITDA. The average realized prices for all metals sold by us continued to exhibit significant volatility period over period. We have also experienced significant cost inflation across our operations, principally associated with higher energy prices, increased costs for other consumables such as reagents, explosives and steel, and higher labor and contractor costs.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Total sales for the Montanore project. The Orders overturned the approvalsthree and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Silver

 

$

74,425

 

 

$

45,924

 

 

$

235,447

 

 

$

182,306

 

Gold

 

 

70,206

 

 

 

69,289

 

 

 

208,216

 

 

 

228,475

 

Lead

 

 

15,719

 

 

 

16,033

 

 

 

62,778

 

 

 

56,912

 

Zinc

 

 

33,066

 

 

 

28,051

 

 

 

91,912

 

 

 

94,865

 

Less: Smelter and refining charges

 

 

(12,550

)

 

 

(13,023

)

 

 

(40,743

)

 

 

(38,543

)

Total metal sales

 

 

180,866

 

 

 

146,274

 

 

 

557,610

 

 

 

524,015

 

Environmental remediation services

 

 

1,040

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

65

 

Total sales

 

$

181,906

 

 

$

146,339

 

 

$

559,537

 

 

$

524,080

 

Total metal sales for the project granted by the United States Forest Servicethree and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the United States Fishapproximate variances attributed to differences in metals prices, sales volumes and Wildlife Service, and remanded the Record of Decision ("ROD") and associated planning documents for further review by the agencies consistent with its Opinions. In June 2017, the Court vacated the agencies' approvalssmelter terms, were as follows:

(in thousands)

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

Base metals

 

 

Less: smelter and refining charges

 

 

Total sales of products

 

Three months ended September 30, 2022

 

$

45,924

 

 

$

69,289

 

 

$

44,084

 

 

$

(13,023

)

 

$

146,274

 

Variances - 2023 versus 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price

 

 

13,104

 

 

 

7,336

 

 

 

8,591

 

 

 

760

 

 

 

29,791

 

Volume

 

 

15,397

 

 

 

(6,419

)

 

 

(3,890

)

 

 

(418

)

 

 

4,670

 

Smelter terms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

131

 

Three months ended September 30, 2023

 

$

74,425

 

 

$

70,206

 

 

$

48,785

 

 

$

(12,550

)

 

$

180,866

 

(in thousands)

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

Base metals

 

 

Less: smelter and refining charges

 

 

Total sales of products

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022

 

$

182,306

 

 

$

228,475

 

 

$

151,777

 

 

$

(38,543

)

 

$

524,015

 

Variances - 2023 versus 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price

 

 

18,808

 

 

 

11,256

 

 

 

(6,057

)

 

 

1,489

 

 

 

25,496

 

Volume

 

 

34,333

 

 

 

(31,515

)

 

 

8,970

 

 

 

(3,964

)

 

 

7,824

 

Smelter terms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

275

 

 

 

275

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023

 

$

235,447

 

 

$

208,216

 

 

$

154,690

 

 

$

(40,743

)

 

$

557,610

 

21


The fluctuations in sales for the project. As a result, additional workthree and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022 were primarily due to the following two reasons:

Higher average realized prices for silver, gold and lead partially offset by lower average realized prices for zinc during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022.The table below summarizes spot prices and our realized prices for the commodities we sell:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Silver –

 

 London PM Fix ($/ounce)

 

$

23.57

 

 

$

19.22

 

 

$

23.44

 

 

$

21.94

 

 

 

 Realized price per ounce

 

$

23.71

 

 

$

18.30

 

 

$

23.28

 

 

$

21.25

 

Gold –

 

 London PM Fix ($/ounce)

 

$

1,929

 

 

$

1,728

 

 

$

1,932

 

 

$

1,825

 

 

 

 Realized price per ounce

 

$

1,908

 

 

$

1,713

 

 

$

1,921

 

 

$

1,817

 

Lead –

 

 LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)

 

$

0.99

 

 

$

0.90

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

$

0.98

 

 

 

 Realized price per pound

 

$

1.07

 

 

$

0.95

 

 

$

1.02

 

 

$

0.98

 

Zinc –

 

 LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)

 

$

1.10

 

 

$

1.48

 

 

$

1.22

 

 

$

1.65

 

 

 

 Realized price per pound

 

$

1.52

 

 

$

1.23

 

 

$

1.34

 

 

$

1.47

 

Average realized prices typically differ from average market prices primarily because concentrate sales are generally recorded as revenues at the time of shipment at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement, which differ from average market prices. Due to the time elapsed between shipment of concentrates and final settlement with the customers, we must be performed byestimate the agencies to address the deficiencies in the ROD and associated planning documents identified by the Court, and new approvals must be granted, before the project may proceed beyond certain preliminary actions.

As further discussed in the Lucky Friday Segment section below, the union employeesprices at Lucky Friday have been on strike since March 13, 2017. Production at Lucky Friday was suspended from the startwhich sales of the strike until July 2017, with limited production by salary employees commencing at that time. We cannot predict how long the strike will last or whether an agreementour metals will be reached. settled. Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices each period through final settlement.We expectrecorded net positive price adjustments to incur cash expendituresprovisional settlements of approximately $1.0$8.1 million to $1.5and $12.3 million per month to advance engineering and infrastructure for the restartthree and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and net negative price adjustments of full production, in addition to costs$6.6 million and $21.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. The price adjustments related to limited interim production. As a result of the strike or other related events, operations at Lucky Friday could continue to be disrupted, which could adversely affectsilver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our financial condition and results of operations.

During the third quarter of 2015, we made a development decision to mine near surface, high grade portions of silver and gold deposits at our San Sebastian project in Mexico. Ore production commenced in the fourth quarter of 2015 and has continued since that time.  In addition, work began in the first quarter of 2017 to develop and rehabilitate underground access which is expected to allow us to mine deeper portions of the deposits at San Sebastian. See the San Sebastian Segment section below for more information. We have generated positive cash flows at San Sebastian since the start of production there, and we currently believe that will continue until early or mid-2020.  However, our ability to generate positive cash flows at San Sebastian may be impactedconcentrate shipments were partially offset by changes in costs, precious metals prices, or other factors, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to develop and operate San Sebastian as currently anticipated.

32

We strive to operate our properties safely, in an environmentally responsible manner and as cost-effectively as possible. We seek to achieve safe and environmentally sound practices through extensive employee training in safe work practices; establishing, following and improving safety standards with the active participation of employees; investigating accidents, incidentsgains and losses to avoid recurrence; and participation in the National Mining Association’s CORESafety program. We attempt to implement reasonable best practiceson forward contracts for mine safety and emergency preparedness. Additionally, we work with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) to address issues outlined in inspections and investigations, and continually evaluate our safety practices.

Another challenge for us is the risk associated with environmental litigation and ongoing reclamation activities. As described in Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factorsthose metals. See Note 8 of our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), it is possible that our estimatefor more information. The gains and losses on these contracts are included in revenues and impact the realized prices for silver, gold, lead and zinc. Realized prices are calculated by dividing gross revenues for each metal (which include the price adjustments and gains and losses on the forward contracts discussed above) by the payable quantities of these liabilities (and our ability to estimate liabilitieseach metal included in general) may change inconcentrate, doré and carbon material shipped during the future, affecting our strategic plans.  We are involved in various environmental legal matters andperiod.

Higher quantities of silver sold during the estimate of our environmental liabilities and liquidity needs, as wells as our strategic plans, may be significantly impacted as a result of these matters or new matters that may arise. We strive to ensure that our activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and attempt to resolve environmental litigation on as favorable terms as possible.

Results of Operations

Sales of products by metal for the three- and nine-month periodsthree months ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016 were as follows:

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Silver

 $43,228  $83,668  $140,662  $211,825 

Gold

  73,603   67,534   203,279   203,455 

Lead

  6,373   17,141   28,093   46,194 

Zinc

  24,327   27,469   74,692   67,840 

Less: Smelter and refining charges

  (6,692

)

  (16,419

)

  (29,064

)

  (47,602

)

Sales of products

 $140,839  $179,393  $417,662  $481,712 

The $38.6 millionhigher quantities of silver, lead, and $64.1 million decreases in saleszinc, partially offset by lower quantities of products ingold sold during the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively,ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods of 2016 arein 2022. This was primarily due to:to lower gold production and related sales at Casa Berardi, partially offset by higher gold sales at Greens Creek. See The Greens Creek Segment,The Lucky Friday Segment, The Keno Hill Segment, Casa Berardi Segment and The Nevada Operations Segment sections below for more information on metal production and sales volumes at each of our operating segments. Total metals production and sales volumes for each period are shown in the following table:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Silver -

 

 Ounces produced

 

 

3,533,704

 

 

 

3,549,392

 

 

 

11,407,232

 

 

 

10,525,917

 

 

 

 Payable ounces sold

 

 

3,142,227

 

 

 

2,479,724

 

 

 

10,107,415

 

 

 

8,554,894

 

Gold -

 

 Ounces produced

 

 

39,269

 

 

 

44,747

 

 

 

114,091

 

 

 

132,173

 

 

 

 Payable ounces sold

 

 

36,792

 

 

 

40,443

 

 

 

108,372

 

 

 

125,721

 

Lead -

 

 Tons produced

 

 

8,024

 

 

 

11,600

 

 

 

34,583

 

 

 

35,794

 

 

 

 Payable tons sold

 

 

7,440

 

 

 

8,049

 

 

 

30,848

 

 

 

28,788

 

Zinc -

 

 Tons produced

 

 

14,636

 

 

 

15,859

 

 

 

47,715

 

 

 

47,571

 

 

 

 Payable tons sold

 

 

10,993

 

 

 

11,523

 

 

 

34,326

 

 

 

32,328

 

Lower quantities of silver, zinc and lead sold, due to lower production of those metals and the timing of concentrate shipments at Greens Creek, partially offset by higher gold volumes. See the The Greens Creek Segment,The Lucky Friday Segment, The Casa Berardi Segment, and The San Sebastian Segment sections below for more information on metal production and sales volumes at each of our operating segments. Total metals production and sales volumes for each period are shown in the following table:

   

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
   

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Silver -

Ounces produced

  3,323,157   4,316,663   9,500,058   13,200,765 
 

Payable ounces sold

  2,540,817   4,284,842   8,098,652   12,222,084 

Gold -

Ounces produced

  63,046   52,126   171,720   170,779 
 

Payable ounces sold

  57,380   50,348   161,921   161,217 

Lead -

Tons produced

  5,370   10,411   18,426   31,840 
 

Payable tons sold

  2,936   9,967   13,612   28,380 

Zinc -

Tons produced

  14,497   14,825   43,000   50,321 
 

Payable tons sold

  8,444   13,596   29,269   37,948 

33

The difference between what we report as "ounces/“ounces/tons produced"produced” and "payable“payable ounces/tons sold"sold” is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for by our customers according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades which impact the amount of metals contained in concentrates produced and sold. The difference in payable quantities sold for the 2017 periods compared to 2016 is due mainly to timing of concentrate shipments, primarily at Greens Creek.

Lower average silver and gold prices, partially offset by higher lead and zinc prices, in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, average silver and gold prices varied slightly, while average lead and zinc prices were higher, compared to the same period of 2016. These price variances are illustrated in the table below.

   

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
   

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Silver

London PM Fix ($/ounce)

 $16.83  $19.62  $17.17  $17.08 
 

Realized price per ounce

 $17.01  $19.53  $17.37  $17.33 

Gold

London PM Fix ($/ounce)

 $1,278  $1,335  $1,251  $1,258 
 

Realized price per ounce

 $1,283  $1,341  $1,255  $1,262 

Lead

LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)

 $1.06  $0.85  $1.02  $0.81 
 

Realized price per pound

 $1.09  $0.86  $1.03  $0.81 

Zinc

LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)

 $1.34  $1.02  $1.26  $0.89 
 

Realized price per pound

 $1.44  $1.01  $1.28  $0.89 

Average realized prices typically differ from average market prices primarily because concentrate sales are generally recorded as revenues at the time of shipment at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement, which differ from average market prices.  Due to the time elapsed between shipment of concentrates and final settlement with the customers, we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled.  Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices each period through final settlement.  For the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, we recorded net positive price adjustments to provisional settlements of $1.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, compared to negative price adjustments to provisional settlements of $1.1 million and positive price adjustments of $0.4 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. The price adjustments related to silver, gold, lead and zinc contained in our concentrate shipments were largely offset by gains and losses on forward contracts for those metals for each period (see Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).  The gains and losses on these contracts are included in revenues and impact the realized prices for silver, gold, lead and zinc.  Realized prices are calculated by dividing gross revenues for each metal (which include the price adjustments and gains and losses on the forward contracts discussed above) by the payable quantities of each metal included in concentrate and doré shipped during the period.22


34

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, we recorded income applicable to common shareholders of $1.3 million ($0.00 per basic common share) and $3.8 million ($0.01 per basic common share), respectively, compared to $25.7 million ($0.07 per basic common share) and $48.9 million ($0.13 per basic common share), respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. The following factors impacted the results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016:

Lower gross profit for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 at our San Sebastian unit by $0.9 million and $13.8 million, respectively; Lucky Friday unit by $6.5 million and $8.0 million, respectively; and Greens Creek unit by $8.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2017 was also lower at our Casa Berardi unit compared to 2016 by $15.2 million; however, it was higher by $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. See The Greens Creek Segment,The Lucky Friday Segment, The Casa Berardi Segment, and The San Sebastian Segment sections below.

Losses on base metal derivatives contracts of $11.2 million and $16.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, with no net activity on base metal derivative contracts for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. See Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

Lucky Friday suspension costs of $4.8 million and $14.4 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. These costs, which include $1.1 million and $3.3 million in non-cash depreciation expense, were incurred during the suspension of full production resulting from the strike, which started in March 2017.

Higher interest expense by $3.8 million and $11.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2016. Interest expense in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 was net of $0.9 million and $12.0 million, respectively, in capitalized interest primarily related to the #4 Shaft project, with the decrease due to completion of the #4 Shaft in January 2017. In addition, interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 included $0.9 million in costs related to our proposed private offering of new Senior Notes in June 2017 and concurrent tender offer to purchase our existing Senior Notes, which were not completed.

Exploration and pre-development expense increased by $4.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. In 2017, we have continued exploration work at our Greens Creek, San Sebastian and Casa Berardi units, and at our other projects in Quebec, Canada. "Pre-development expense" is defined as costs incurred in the exploration stage that may ultimately benefit production, such as underground ramp development, which are expensed due to the lack of proven and probable reserves. Pre-development expense of $1.8 million and $4.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, was related to advancement of our Montanore and Rock Creek projects.

Net foreign exchange losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 of $4.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively, versus a net gain of $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2016 and net loss of $7.7 million in the first nine months of 2016. The variances are primarily related to the impact of changes in the CAD-to-USD exchange rate on the remeasurement of our net monetary liabilities in Quebec. During the first nine months of 2017, the applicable CAD-to-USD exchange rate decreased from 1.3426 to 1.2480, compared to a decrease in the rate from 1.3841 to 1.3116 during the first nine months of 2016.

Research and development expense of $1.1 million and $2.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, related to evaluation and development of technologies that would be new to our operations.

Lower general and administrative expense by $1.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016 primarily due to lower accruals for incentive compensation.

Gain on disposal of properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests of $4.8 million recognized in the third quarter of 2017 primarily related to insurance proceeds received for collapse of the mill building at the Troy mine in February 2017 due to snow.

Income tax benefits of $5.4 million and $18.4 million, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to provisions of $9.5 million of $22.6 million, respectively, in the comparable 2016 periods. The benefit for the first nine months of 2017 includes a benefit from a change in income tax position recognized in the first quarter of 2017 relating to the timing of deduction for #4 Shaft development costs at Lucky Friday. See Corporate Matters below for more information.

35

The Greens Creek Segment

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Sales

 $61,061  $85,804  $191,250  $199,260 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

  (29,320

)

  (42,306

)

  (100,799

)

  (106,238

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (12,607

)

  (16,091

)

  (39,442

)

  (40,746

)

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (41,927

)

  (58,397

)

  (140,241

)

  (146,984

)

Gross profit

 $19,134  $27,407  $51,009  $52,276 

Tons of ore milled

  219,983   202,523   627,900   610,879 

Production:

                

Silver (ounces)

  2,344,315   2,445,328   6,205,659   7,020,688 

Gold (ounces)

  12,563   11,988   39,289   39,497 

Zinc (tons)

  14,325   12,144   40,697   42,330 

Lead (tons)

  4,851   4,803   14,080   15,236 

Payable metal quantities sold:

                

Silver (ounces)

  1,569,092   2,603,165   4,930,946   6,370,660 

Gold (ounces)

  7,862   12,364   30,920   35,883 

Zinc (tons)

  8,445   11,318   27,582   31,370 

Lead (tons)

  2,935   4,710   10,015   12,580 

Ore grades:

                

Silver ounces per ton

  13.65   15.40   12.84   14.61 

Gold ounces per ton

  0.09   0.09   0.10   0.10 

Zinc percent

  7.47   6.86   7.49   7.90 

Lead percent

  2.77   2.92   2.83   3.05 

Mining cost per ton

 $69.46  $69.66  $69.64  $69.20 

Milling cost per ton

 $31.01  $31.55  $32.38  $31.07 

Total Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce (1)

 $(0.15

)

 $4.80  $0.73  $4.68 

All-In Sustaining Costs ("AISC"), After By-Product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 $4.47  $11.02  $5.60  $10.18 

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures toSales, total cost of sales, and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

36

The $8.3 million and $1.3 million decreases in gross profit during the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same 2016 periods were primarily a result of lower metals sales volumes due to the timing of concentrate shipments and lower silver ore grades and recoveries, partially offset by higher mill throughput. As a result of differences in the timing of shipments, there were 13,822 tons of concentrate in inventory, including 5,991 tons of higher-valued lead concentrate, having a value of approximately $26.1 million and cost of $15.2 million at September 30, 2017, compared to 3,617 tons (including 1,355 tons of lead concentrate) having a value of approximately $4.7 million and cost of $3.9 million at September 30, 2016. Results for the third quarter of 2017 were also impacted by lower average realized prices for silver and gold, partially offset by higher prices for zinc and lead, compared to the third quarter of 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, silver and gold prices varied only slightly, while prices for zinc and lead were higher, compared to 2016. Gross profit at Greens Creek was affected by positive price adjustments to revenues of $1.0 million and $0.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to negative price adjustments of $1.0 million and positive price adjustments of $0.3 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. Price adjustments to revenues result from changes in metals prices between transfer of title of concentrates to buyers and final settlements during the period. The price adjustments related to silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in concentrate shipments were net of gains and losses on forward contracts for those metals for each period. The price adjustments and gains and losses on forward contracts discussed above are included in sales.

 Mining costs per ton stayed relatively constant for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. Milling costs per ton decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 mainly due to higher tonnage. Milling costs per ton increased 4% for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to an increase in power costs, partially offset by higher tonnage.

The chart below illustrates the factors contributing to the variances in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 versus the same periods in 2016:

The following table summarizes the components of(loss), Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:Ounce (“Cash Cost”) (non-GAAP) and AISC (non-GAAP) at our operating units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands, except for Cash Cost and AISC):

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Keno Hill

 

 

Total Silver (2)

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Nevada Operations and Other (3)

 

 

Total Gold

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

96,459

 

 

$

21,409

 

 

$

16,001

 

 

$

133,869

 

 

$

46,912

 

 

$

1,125

 

 

$

48,037

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

(60,322

)

 

 

(14,344

)

 

 

(16,001

)

 

 

(90,667

)

 

 

(56,822

)

 

 

(940

)

 

 

(57,762

)

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

36,137

 

 

$

7,065

 

 

$

 

 

$

43,202

 

 

$

(9,910

)

 

$

185

 

 

$

(9,725

)

Cash Cost (1)

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

4.74

 

 

$

 

 

$

3.31

 

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,475

 

AISC (1)

 

$

8.18

 

 

$

10.63

 

 

$

 

 

$

11.39

 

 

$

1,695

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,695

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

60,875

 

 

$

28,460

 

 

$

 

 

$

89,335

 

 

$

56,939

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

57,004

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

(52,502

)

 

 

(24,164

)

 

 

 

 

 

(76,666

)

 

 

(59,532

)

 

 

(1,694

)

 

 

(61,226

)

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

8,373

 

 

$

4,296

 

 

$

 

 

$

12,669

 

 

$

(2,593

)

 

$

(1,629

)

 

$

(4,222

)

Cash Cost (1)

 

$

2.65

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

$

 

 

$

3.43

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,349

 

AISC (1)

 

$

7.07

 

 

$

15.98

 

 

$

 

 

$

12.93

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

Gold

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Keno Hill

 

 

Total Silver (2)

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Nevada Operations and Other (3)

 

 

Total Gold

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

290,961

 

 

$

113,167

 

 

$

17,582

 

 

$

421,710

 

 

$

134,856

 

 

$

2,971

 

 

$

137,827

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

(189,664

)

 

 

(81,068

)

 

 

(17,582

)

 

 

(288,314

)

 

 

(162,396

)

 

 

(2,743

)

 

 

(165,139

)

Gross profit

 

$

101,297

 

 

$

32,099

 

 

$

 

 

$

133,396

 

 

$

(27,540

)

 

$

228

 

 

$

(27,312

)

Cash Cost (1)

 

$

1.81

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

$

 

 

$

2.86

 

 

$

1,635

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,635

 

AISC (1)

 

$

5.67

 

 

$

12.21

 

 

$

 

 

$

10.52

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,075

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

239,688

 

 

$

102,380

 

 

$

 

 

$

342,068

 

 

$

181,679

 

 

$

333

 

 

 

182,012

 

Total cost of sales

 

 

(162,644

)

 

 

(83,779

)

 

 

 

 

 

(246,423

)

 

 

(183,570

)

 

 

(2,948

)

 

 

(186,518

)

Gross profit

 

$

77,044

 

 

$

18,601

 

 

$

 

 

$

95,645

 

 

$

(1,891

)

 

$

(2,615

)

 

$

(4,506

)

Cash Cost (1)

 

$

(0.49

)

 

$

4.77

 

 

$

 

 

$

1.11

 

 

$

1,409

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,409

 

AISC (1)

 

$

4.02

 

 

$

12.86

 

 

$

 

 

$

9.49

 

 

$

1,678

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,678

 

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $20.75  $20.15  $22.94  $20.88 

By-product credits

  (20.90

)

  (15.35

)

  (22.21

)

  (16.20

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $(0.15

)

 $4.80  $0.73  $4.68 

(1)
37

The following table summarizesthese non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the componentsmost comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of AISC, AfterTotal Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits per Silver Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $25.37  $26.37  $27.81  $26.38 

By-product credits

  (20.90

)

  (15.35

)

  (22.21

)

  (16.20

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $4.47  $11.02  $5.60  $10.18 

The decrease inand Cash Cost, After By-product Credits per Silver Ounce(non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

(2)
The calculation of AISC for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital.

(3)
For the third quarterthree and first nine months ended September 30, 2023, Other includes $1.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of 2017 was primarily the resultsales and $0.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of higher by-product credits, partially offset by lower silver production. The decrease in AISC, After By-Product Credits, per Silver Ounce was due to the same factors, along with lower capital spending.

Mining and milling costs increasedcost of sales, from our environmental remediation services in the third quarterYukon. For the three and first nine months ended September 30, 2022, Other includes $0.1 million of 2017 compared to 2016 on a per-ounce basis due primarily to lower silver production resultingsales from reduced silver grades.

Other cash costs per ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were higher compared to 2016 due to the effect of lower silver production.

Treatment costs were lowerour environmental remediation services in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 as a result of improved payment terms from smelters, partially offset by lower silver production. Treatment costs were also impacted by silver price variances, as treatment costs include the value of silver not payable to us through the smelting process. The silver not payable to us is either recovered by the smelters through further processing or ultimately not recovered and included in the smelters' waste material.Yukon Territory.

By-product credits per ounce were higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 due to higher zinc and lead prices.

The difference between what we report as "production" and "payable metal quantities sold" is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for by our customers according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades which impact the amount of metals contained in concentrates produced and sold. The difference in payable quantities sold for 2017 compared to 2016 is due mainly to timing of concentrate shipments.

While revenue from zinc, lead and gold by-products is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product of the Greens Creek, unitLucky Friday and Keno Hill is appropriate because:

silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

we have historically presented the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units as a producer primarily ofprimary silver producers, based on the original analysis that justified putting the project into production, and the same analysis applies to the Keno Hill unit, and further we believe that consistency in disclosure is important to our investors regardless of the relationships of metals prices and production from year to year;

23


metallurgical treatment maximizes silver recovery;

the Greens Creek, deposit is aLucky Friday and Keno Hill deposits are massive sulfide depositdeposits containing an unusually high proportion of silver; and

in most of itstheir working areas, Greens Creek, utilizesLucky Friday and Keno Hill utilize selective mining methods in which silver is the metal targeted for highest recovery.

Likewise,Accordingly, we believe the identification of gold, lead and zinc as by-product credits at Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill is appropriate because of their lower economic value compared to silver and due to the fact that silver is the primary product we intend to produce.produce at those locations. In addition, we dohave not receiveconsistently received sufficient revenue from any single by-product metal to warrant classification of such as a co-product.

38

Table of Contents

We periodically review our revenues to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because for Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill we consider zinc, lead and gold to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce.

The Lucky Friday Segment

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Sales

 $199  $26,140  $20,022  $70,152 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

     (16,538

)

  (12,109

)

  (47,921

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (2,946

)

  (2,433

)

  (8,775

)

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (19,484

)

  (14,542

)

  (56,696

)

Gross profit (loss)

 $199  $6,656  $5,479  $13,456 

Tons of ore milled

  7,302   74,397   64,371   216,247 

Production:

                

Silver (ounces)

  88,298   887,364   769,080   2,721,991 

Lead (tons)

  519   5,608   4,346   16,604 

Zinc (tons)

  172   2,681   2,303   7,991 

Payable metal quantities sold:

                

Silver (ounces)

     829,364   641,004   2,617,130 

Lead (tons)

     5,257   3,596   15,800 

Zinc (tons)

     2,279   1,688   6,578 

Ore grades:

                

Silver ounces per ton

  12.87   12.40   12.45   13.05 

Lead percent

  7.68   7.89   7.12   8.01 

Zinc percent

  3.21   3.85   3.90   3.94 

Mining cost per ton

 $150.89  $99.13  $112.60  $99.27 

Milling cost per ton

 $13.15  $25.99  $22.93  $24.77 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 $11.60  $9.07  $6.58  $9.34 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 $13.37  $20.22  $12.21  $21.35 

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

Gross profit decreased by $6.5 million and $8.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The $0.2 million in sales reported for the third quarter of 2017 represents gains on base metal derivatives contracts. Although there was limited concentrate production during the third quarter of 2017, we have opted to defer shipments until a later period. There were 1,489 tons of concentrate in inventory at September 30, 2017. The variance in gross profit for the first nine months of 2017 was primarily due to reduced metal production resulting from the strike by unionized employees starting in mid-March 2017, discussed further below, and the lack of concentrate shipments during the third quarter. Silver and lead production was also impacted by lower ore grades in the first quarter of 2017. These factors were partially offset by higher average realized silver, lead and zinc prices realized during the first quarter of 2017, prior to the strike.

39

Table of Contents

Mining cost per ton was higher by 13% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 due primarily to lower tonnage as a result of the strike discussed below. Milling cost per ton was lower by 7% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016. Mining and milling cost per ton for the third quarter of 2017 are not indicative of future operating results under full production, as there was reduced mill throughput during the quarter. The mill was idle for most of the third quarter of 2017, and only operated when the limited mine production provided a sufficient ore stockpile. In addition, costs not directly related to mining and processing ore have been classified as suspension costs during the strike period, and excluded from the calculations of mining and milling cost per ton for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017.

The chart below illustrates the factors contributing to the variances in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016:

The following table summarizes the components of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $27.44  $24.26  $23.42  $22.63 

By-product credits

  (15.84

)

  (15.19

)

  (16.84

)

  (13.29

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $11.60  $9.07  $6.58  $9.34 

The following table summarizes the components of AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $29.21  $35.41  $29.05  $34.64 

By-product credits

  (15.84

)

  (15.19

)

  (16.84

)

  (13.29

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $13.37  $20.22  $12.21  $21.35 

40

Table of Contents

The increase in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce in the third quarter was the result of lower silver production due to the strike. The decrease in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was due to higher by-product credits due to higher lead and zinc prices, partially offset by lower silver production. The decrease in AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 was the result of lower capital costs primarily as a result of completion of the #4 Shaft project in January 2017 and higher by-product credits, partially offset by lower silver production. During the strike period, only costs directly related to the limited production are included in the calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce, and suspension-related costs are excluded from those calculations.

Similar to the Greens Creek segment, the difference between what we report as “production” and “payable metal quantities sold” is due to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for by our customers according to the terms of our sales contracts.

While value from lead and zinc is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product of the Lucky Friday unit is appropriate because:

silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

the Lucky Friday unit is situated in a mining district long associated with silver production; and

the Lucky Friday unit generally utilizes selective mining methods to target silver production.

Likewise, we believe the identification of lead and zinc as by-product credits is appropriate because of their lower economic value compared to silver and due to the fact that silver is the primary product we intend to produce. In addition, we do not receive sufficient revenue from any single by-product metal to warrant classification of such as a co-product.

We periodically review our revenues to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate.  Because we consider zinc and lead to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce.

Many of the employees at our Lucky Friday unit are represented by a union, and the most recent collective bargaining agreement with the union expired on April 30, 2016. On February 19, 2017, the unionized employees voted against our contract offer. On March 13, 2017, the unionized employees went on strike, and have been on strike since that time. Production at Lucky Friday was suspended from the start of the strike, until limited production by salary personnel commenced in July 2017. Suspension costs during the strike totaled $3.7 million and $11.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively. These costs are combined with non-cash depreciation expense of $1.1 million and $3.3 million for those periods and reported in a separate line item on our condensed consolidated statement of operations. These suspension costs are excluded from the calculation of gross profit, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce. We cannot predict how long the strike will last or whether an agreement will be reached. As a result of the strike or other related events, operations at Lucky Friday could continue to be disrupted, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

See Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for contingencies related to various events occurring at the Lucky Friday mine in prior periods.

41

Table of Contents

The Casa Berardi Segment

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Sales

 $53,990  $41,131  $139,524  $126,614 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

  (32,999

)

  (25,830

)

  (95,288

)

  (74,076

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (15,596

)

  (10,465

)

  (39,454

)

  (32,563

)

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (48,595

)

  (36,295

)

  (134,742

)

  (106,639

)

Gross profit (loss)

 $5,395  $4,836  $4,782  $19,975 

Tons of ore milled

  326,145   258,100   949,946   693,288 

Production:

                

Gold (ounces)

  44,141   31,949   113,209   104,282 

Silver (ounces)

  9,659   8,361   26,681   24,034 

Payable metal quantities sold:

                

Gold (ounces)

  42,053   30,769   111,046   100,960 

Silver (ounces)

  8,725   9,076   26,952   24,506 

Ore grades:

                

Gold ounces per ton

  0.153   0.141   0.137   0.172 

Silver ounces per ton

  0.03   0.04   0.03   0.04 

Mining cost per ton

 $82.95  $92.17  $81.95  $90.53 

Milling cost per ton

 $16.19  $18.07  $16.28  $18.88 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)

 $750  $915  $858  $750 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)

 $1,091  $1,442  $1,226  $1,243 

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

Gross profit increased by $0.6 million and decreased by $15.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The increase for the third quarter was primarily due to increased gold production due to higher ore throughput and gold grades, partially offset by lower gold prices. The decrease in gross profit for the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to lower ore grades and higher stripping costs in the first half of the year, partially offset by higher ore throughput. The lower grades were due to the addition of production from the East Mine Crown Pillar ("EMCP") pit, which commenced in July 2016, and underground mine sequencing. The increase in ore throughput was also a result of the addition of the EMCP pit. Grades improved in the third quarter of 2017 as higher-grade areas of the underground mine become available for production, and we expect the higher grades to continue in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Mining costs per ton were lower by 10% and 9% and milling unit costs decreased by 10% and 14% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016 due primarily to higher ore production.

42

Table of Contents

The chart below illustrates the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Gold Ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

The following table summarizes the components of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 $754  $920  $862  $754 

By-product credits

  (4

)

  (5

)

  (4

)

  (4

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 $750  $915  $858  $750 

The following table summarizes the components of AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 $1,095  $1,447  $1,230  $1,247 

By-product credits

  (4

)

  (5

)

  (4

)

  (4

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 $1,091  $1,442  $1,226  $1,243 

The decrease in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 was primarily due to higher gold production. AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce was also lower in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016 due to the higher gold production, along with lower capital spending. The increase in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily the result of higher stripping costs in the first half of the year, partially offset by higher gold production. AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce was lower for the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 due to lower capital spending and higher gold production, partially offset by the increased stripping in the first half of the year.

The difference between what we report as "production" and "payable metal quantities sold" is mainly attributable to inventory changes incidental to the timing of sales of refined metals and shipping schedules.

We believe the identification of silver as a by-product credit is appropriate at Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations because of its lower economic value compared to gold and due to the fact that gold is the primary product we intend to produce there. In addition, we do not receive sufficient revenue from silver at the Casa Berardi or Nevada Operations to warrant classification of such as a co-product. Because we consider silver to be a by-product of our gold production at Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations, the value of silver offsets operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce.

43

Table of Contents

The San Sebastian Segment

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Sales

 $25,589  $26,318  $66,866  $85,686 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

  (6,039

)

  (5,855

)

  (16,341

)

  (20,927

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (641

)

  (677

)

  (2,036

)

  (2,508

)

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (6,680

)

  (6,532

)

  (18,377

)

  (23,435

)

Gross profit

 $18,909  $19,786  $48,489  $62,251 

Tons of ore milled

  36,482   40,192   111,623   108,750 

Production:

                

Silver (ounces)

  880,885   975,610   2,498,638   3,434,052 

Gold (ounces)

  6,342   8,189   19,222   27,000 

Payable metal quantities sold:

                

Silver (ounces)

  963,000   843,238   2,499,750   3,209,788 

Gold (ounces)

  7,465   7,215   19,955   24,374 

Ore grades:

                

Silver ounces per ton

  25.48   25.77   23.71   33.70 

Gold ounces per ton

  0.18   0.22   0.18   0.27 

Mining cost per ton

 $35.69  $59.49  $38.70  $83.31 

Milling cost per ton

 $69.42  $66.88  $66.64  $68.52 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 $(3.12

)

 $(4.03

)

 $(3.23

)

 $(3.40

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 $(0.83

)

 $(2.39

)

 $(0.14

)

 $(2.25

)

(1)

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

The $0.9 million decrease in gross profit for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to lower silver and gold production and prices. The reduction in silver and gold production was a result of lower ore throughput and grades. The $13.8 million decrease in gross profit for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to lower silver and gold production as a result of lower ore grades, partially offset by higher ore throughput. The ore processed in the first half of 2016 had considerably higher grades than anticipated over the mine life.

44

Table of Contents

The chart below illustrates the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

The following table summarizes the components of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended
September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $6.07  $7.16  $6.39  $6.49 

By-product credits

  (9.19

)

  (11.19

)

  (9.62

)

  (9.89

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $(3.12

)

 $(4.03

)

 $(3.23

)

 $(3.40

)

The following table summarizes the components of AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $8.36  $8.80  $9.48  $7.64 

By-product credits

  (9.19

)

  (11.19

)

  (9.62

)

  (9.89

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 $(0.83

)

 $(2.39

)

 $(0.14

)

 $(2.25

)

The increase in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016 was primarily the result of lower by-product credits due to lower gold production and prices, partially offset by lower mining costs as a result of reduced mining of waste and the impact of lower silver production on the calculation. The same factors, along with higher exploration and capital spending, resulted in the increases in AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016.

The difference between what we report as "production" and "payable metal quantities sold" is mainly attributable to inventory changes incidental to the timing of sales of refined metals and shipping schedules.

We believe the identification of gold as a by-product credit is appropriate at San Sebastian because of its anticipated lower economic value compared to silver over the life of the mine. In addition, we do not receive sufficient revenue from gold at San Sebastian to warrant classification of such as a co-product. Because we consider gold to be a by-product of our silver production at San Sebastian, the value of gold offsets operating costs within our calculations of Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per SilverGold Ounce. In addition

We reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $22.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $23.7 million in the comparable period in 2022. The following were the significant drivers of changes in net loss applicable to common stockholders compared to 2022:

Consolidated gross profit increased by $25.0 million. See The Greens Creek Segment,The Lucky Friday Segment, The Keno Hill Segment, The Casa Berardi Segment and The Nevada Operations Segment sections below for a discussion on the key drivers by operating unit.
Exploration and pre-development decreased by $1.4 million primarily due to lower expenditures across our exploration portfolio.
Ramp-up and suspension costs increased by $15.9 million primarily due to $12.0 million related to the impactsuspension of the by-product credits from gold, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per silver Ounceoperations at San Sebastian are lower compared to our other operationsLucky Friday due to the orebody being near surfaceunderground fire that occurred in the #2 shaft and having$5.1 million of Keno Hill ramp-up activities following the Alexco acquisition, partially offset by a reduction of suspension costs at Nevada Operations.
Fair value adjustments, net losses increased by $2.2 million primarily due to higher precious metal grades, resultingunrealized losses on undesignated derivative contracts of $3.0 million partially offset by lower unrealized losses on our marketable equity securities portfolio of $0.9 million than in a lower Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce.

45

Table of Contentsthe comparable period in 2022.

In

Net foreign exchange gain decreased by $1.5 million to $4.2 million reflecting the first quarter of 2017, we began construction of a new underground ramp and rehabilitationcontinued strengthening of the historical underground access. Once completed, these underground accesses should allow usUS dollar against the Canadian dollar impact, and related impact on the revaluation of our Canadian monetary assets and liabilities.

We reported a net loss applicable to mine deeper portionscommon stockholders of $41.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $33.3 million in the comparable period in 2022. The following were the significant drivers of changes in net loss applicable to common stockholders compared to 2022:

Consolidated gross profit increased by $14.9 million. See The Greens Creek Segment,The Lucky Friday Segment, The Keno Hill Segment, The Casa Berardi Segment and The Nevada Operations Segment sections below for a discussion on the key drivers by operating unit.
General and administrative costs increased by $1.5 million, reflecting personnel that joined the Company as a result of the deposits at San Sebastian,September 7, 2022 Alexco acquisition, and we anticipate underground ore productioncompensation adjustments effective July 1, 2023.
Exploration and pre-development decreased by $13.6 million primarily due to begin inlower expenditures across our exploration portfolio.
Ramp-up and suspension costs increased by $32.1 million primarily due to $20.4 million of Keno Hill ramp-up activities following the first quarter of 2018. Capital costsAlexco acquisition, $12.0 million related to the suspension of operations at Lucky Friday in August due to the underground development are expectedfire that occurred in the #2 shaft, and $2.2 million related to total approximately $5.0the temporary suspension of operations at Casa Berardi for 21 days in June 2023 following the directives of Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests to close certain forest lands and access roads in responses to the Quebec forest fires, partially offset by a reduction of suspension costs at Nevada Operations.

24


Other operating income of $2.7 million in 2017.

Corporate Matters

Employee Benefit Plans

Our defined benefit pension plans provide2023 compared to other operating expense of $5.3 million in 2022, primarily due to the receipt of $5.9 million in insurance proceeds in May related to a significant benefitcoverage lawsuit.

Fair value adjustments, net loss decreased by $8.9 million to a loss of $5.8 million in 2023 due to a combination of lower unrealized losses on our employees, but also represent a significant liability to us. The liability recorded for the funded statusmarketable equity securities portfolio of our plans was $43.9$7.1 million and $44.9unrealized gains on our undesignated derivative book of $1.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. We made cash contributions to our defined benefit plans of $1.2 million in April 2017 and $5.7 million in July 2017. While the economic variables which will determine future funding requirements are uncertain, we expect contributions to continue to be required in future years under current plan provisions, and we periodically examine the plans for affordability and competitiveness. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 has been computed using a discrete effective tax rate method. We have historically calculated the provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate ("AETR") for the full fiscal year to “ordinary” pretax income or loss (excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items) for the reporting period. However, small changes to estimated annual “ordinary” pre-tax income cause significant volatility to the estimated AETR, due to near break-even levels of pre-tax income and significant permanent differencesthan in the U.S. and Canada. Therefore, we determined that the AETR method would not provide a reliable estimate for the fiscal three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017. As a resultcomparable period in 2022.

Net foreign exchange gain of this change in method, an amount representing a recovery of income tax expense reported in the first and second quarters was recorded in this period.

Each reporting period we assess our deferred tax assets utilizing long-range forecasts to provide reasonable assurance that they will be realized through future earnings.  We continue to have a net deferred tax asset in the U.S. and a net deferred tax liability in Canada.

Our U.S. net deferred tax asset at September 30, 2017 totaled $44.7 million, or 2% of total assets, an increase of $8.9 million from the $35.8 million net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2016. The largest component of the deferred tax asset is net operating loss carryforwards. The next largest component is reclamation costs. We have previously determined that we are an indefinite AMT taxpayer, resulting in additional valuation allowance primarily related to forecasted utilization of regular net operating loss carryforwards and the effect of re-measuring temporary deferred tax assets using a tax rate of 20% which differed from the previous rate of 35%. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we determined that we were eligible to take a different income tax position relating to the timing of deductions for #4 Shaft development costs at Lucky Friday. We filed with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") a request for approval to use this method, which was approved in the first quarter of 2017. The change resulted in additional deductions of approximately $203 million and $110 million for regular tax and AMT, respectively, resulting in a current tax benefit of approximately $10.7 million for the reduction in AMT payable for 2016. In addition, this change in tax position substantially changes the timing of additional deductions for these costs for regular tax and AMT relative to our projected life of mine and projected taxable income. These timing changes caused us to change our assessment of the ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets, resulting in a valuation allowance decrease and deferred tax benefit of approximately $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2017. At September 30, 2017, we retained a valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets of approximately $66 million, primarily for net operating loss carryforwards.

Our net Canadian deferred tax liability at September 30, 2017 was $122.7$0.4 million, a decrease of $0.2$7.7 million in 2023 from the $122.9gain of $8.1 million net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2016. The deferred tax liability is primarily related to the excessin 2022 reflecting slower strengthening of the carrying valueUS dollar against the Canadian dollar, and the related impact on the revaluation of our Canadian monetary assets and liabilities.

25


Greens Creek

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Sales

 

$

96,459

 

 

$

60,875

 

 

$

290,961

 

 

$

239,688

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

(49,307

)

 

 

(42,197

)

 

 

(151,107

)

 

 

(127,290

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(11,015

)

 

 

(10,305

)

 

 

(38,557

)

 

 

(35,354

)

Total cost of sales

 

 

(60,322

)

 

 

(52,502

)

 

 

(189,664

)

 

 

(162,644

)

Gross profit

 

$

36,137

 

 

$

8,373

 

 

$

101,297

 

 

$

77,044

 

Tons of ore milled

 

 

228,978

 

 

 

229,975

 

 

 

694,610

 

 

 

651,220

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

2,343,192

 

 

 

2,468,280

 

 

 

7,471,725

 

 

 

7,308,660

 

Gold (ounces)

 

 

15,010

 

 

 

11,412

 

 

 

46,245

 

 

 

35,227

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

4,740

 

 

 

4,428

 

 

 

14,668

 

 

 

14,495

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

13,224

 

 

 

12,580

 

 

 

38,961

 

 

 

38,470

 

Payable metal quantities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

1,973,606

 

 

 

1,663,909

 

 

 

6,421,060

 

 

 

5,702,301

 

Gold (ounces)

 

 

12,371

 

 

 

7,478

 

 

 

38,025

 

 

 

25,952

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

3,600

 

 

 

2,755

 

 

 

11,506

 

 

 

10,069

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

9,444

 

 

 

9,138

 

 

 

27,648

 

 

 

25,725

 

Ore grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver ounces per ton

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

13.8

 

Gold ounces per ton

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

0.07

 

Lead percent

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

2.7

%

Zinc percent

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

6.7

%

Total production cost per ton

 

$

200.30

 

 

$

185.34

 

 

$

197.94

 

 

$

191.58

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.65

 

 

$

1.81

 

 

$

(0.49

)

AISC, After By-Product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 

$

8.18

 

 

$

7.07

 

 

$

5.67

 

 

$

4.02

 

Capital additions

 

$

12,060

 

 

$

6,988

 

 

$

27,546

 

 

$

24,748

 

(1)
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the mineral resource assets over the tax bases of those assets for Canadian tax reporting.

We had no Mexican deferred tax asset or liability at September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016. We expect to have unremitted earningsmost comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Mexico by the end 2017; however, we anticipate being able to fully offset any U.S. tax impact of repatriating any Mexican earnings with foreign tax credits that are available for use under both regular tax and AMT. Accordingly, we estimate the net U.S. income tax impact of unremitted earnings to be zero. A $5.8 million valuation allowance remains on deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions.

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

The $27.8 million increase in gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to higher sales reflecting a combination or higher realized prices and sales volumes for all metals, partially offset by higher cost of sales and other direct production costs attributable to higher contractor labor maintenance expense, and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization reflecting the higher sales volumes. Capital additions increased by $5.1 million in the same period primarily due to higher mobile equipment purchases and the camp housing project.

The $24.3 million increase in gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to higher sales reflecting higher realized prices for all metals, except zinc, in addition to higher sales volumes of all metals sold, partially offset by higher cost of sales and other direct production costs reflecting more ore mined and processed and cost increases in consumables, labor, maintenance and contractor costs, and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization reflecting the higher sales volumes. Capital additions increased by $2.8 million in the same period primarily due to the camp housing project.

26


The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce:

img155805262_0.jpg 

img155805262_1.jpg 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

25.48

 

 

$

22.69

 

 

$

24.03

 

 

$

22.24

 

By-product credits

 

 

(22.44

)

 

 

(20.04

)

 

 

(22.22

)

 

 

(22.73

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.65

 

 

$

1.81

 

 

$

(0.49

)

27


 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

30.62

 

 

$

27.11

 

 

$

27.89

 

 

$

26.75

 

By-product credits

 

 

(22.44

)

 

 

(20.04

)

 

 

(22.22

)

 

 

(22.73

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

8.18

 

 

$

7.07

 

 

$

5.67

 

 

$

4.02

 

Theincrease in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to higher production costs in 2023.

28


Lucky Friday

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Sales

 

$

21,409

 

 

$

28,460

 

 

$

113,167

 

 

$

102,380

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

(10,038

)

 

 

(16,903

)

 

 

(57,327

)

 

 

(59,624

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(4,306

)

 

 

(7,261

)

 

 

(23,741

)

 

 

(24,155

)

Total cost of sales

 

 

(14,344

)

 

 

(24,164

)

 

 

(81,068

)

 

 

(83,779

)

Gross profit

 

$

7,065

 

 

$

4,296

 

 

$

32,099

 

 

$

18,601

 

Tons of ore milled

 

 

36,619

 

 

 

90,749

 

 

 

225,965

 

 

 

265,971

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

475,414

 

 

 

1,074,230

 

 

 

3,024,544

 

 

 

3,188,565

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

2,957

 

 

 

7,172

 

 

 

19,171

 

 

 

21,299

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

1,159

 

 

 

3,279

 

 

 

7,810

 

 

 

9,101

 

Payable metal quantities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

534,183

 

 

 

801,115

 

 

 

2,974,835

 

 

 

2,822,281

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

3,330

 

 

 

5,295

 

 

 

18,809

 

 

 

18,720

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

981

 

 

 

2,385

 

 

 

6,061

 

 

 

6,602

 

Ore grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver ounces per ton

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

12.7

 

Lead percent

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

8.5

%

 

 

8.9

%

 

 

8.5

%

Zinc percent

 

 

3.5

%

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

3.9

%

Total production cost per ton

 

$

191.81

 

 

$

207.10

 

 

$

223.44

 

 

$

220.41

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 

$

4.74

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

$

4.77

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce (1)

 

$

10.63

 

 

$

15.98

 

 

$

12.21

 

 

$

12.86

 

Capital additions

 

$

15,494

 

 

$

16,125

 

 

$

46,518

 

 

$

37,278

 

(1)
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

During August 2023, the mine was suspended while repairing an unused station in the #2 ventilation shaft, which is also the secondary egress. The operation remained suspended due to a fire at the unused station. By early September, the fire had been extinguished, normal ventilation was reestablished and the workforce recalled. Following evaluation of alternatives, it was determined that in order to safely bring the mine back into production in the most rapid and cost effective way, a new secondary egress needed to be developed to bypass the damaged portion of the #2 shaft. The new egress will extend an existing ramp 1,600 feet, install a 290-foot-long manway raise, and develop a 850 foot ventilation raise. It is anticipated that this work will result in operations being suspended for the remainder of 2023. The Company has property and business interruption insurance coverage with an underground sub-limit of $50.0 million, and has begun discussions with the insurance provider to recover property damage and business interruption insurance proceeds. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in receiving such proceeds.

Gross profit increased by $2.8 million and $13.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2022. For both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023, $12.0million of site specific suspension costs were included within Ramp-up and suspension costs on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. For both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023, the increase in gross profit was attributable to higher realized prices for silver and lead, and the impact of mining and processing more high grade material, particularly for silver.

Capital additions decreased by $0.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting lower development and pre-production drilling following suspension of operations in August 2023. Capital additions increased by $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to expenditures on key projects including the installation of a new service hoist and coarse ore bunker, increased development, and pre-production drilling to achieve a sustained ore production rate for the annual throughput goal of 425,000 tons, prior to suspension of operations in August 2023.

29


The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Silver Ounce:

img155805262_2.jpg 

img155805262_3.jpg 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

20.20

 

 

$

22.87

 

 

$

21.45

 

 

$

23.44

 

By-product credits

 

 

(15.46

)

 

 

(17.64

)

 

 

(15.94

)

 

 

(18.67

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

4.74

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

$

4.77

 

30


 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

26.09

 

 

$

33.62

 

 

$

28.15

 

 

$

31.53

 

By-product credits

 

 

(15.46

)

 

 

(17.64

)

 

 

(15.94

)

 

 

(18.67

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce

 

$

10.63

 

 

$

15.98

 

 

$

12.21

 

 

$

12.86

 

Thedecrease in Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to lower by-product credits in 2023.

Keno Hill

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2023

 

Sales

 

$

16,001

 

 

 

$

17,582

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

(14,053

)

 

 

 

(15,373

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(1,948

)

 

 

 

(2,209

)

Total cost of sales

 

 

(16,001

)

 

 

 

(17,582

)

Gross profit

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

Tons of ore milled

 

 

24,616

 

 

 

 

36,680

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

710,012

 

 

 

 

894,276

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

252

 

 

 

 

943

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

327

 

 

 

 

744

 

Payable metal quantities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

628,571

 

 

 

 

694,198

 

Zinc (tons)

 

 

569

 

 

 

 

617

 

Lead (tons)

 

 

509

 

 

 

 

533

 

Ore grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver ounces per ton

 

 

33.0

 

 

 

 

28.2

 

Zinc percent

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

 

3.1

%

Lead percent

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

 

2.1

%

We acquired our Keno Hill operations as part of the Alexco acquisition on September 7, 2022, and have focused on development activities and began ramp-up of the mill during the second quarter. The average throughput during the third quarter was 268 tons per day, with silver grades milled of 33 ounces per ton. Tonnage mined was constrained by delays in infrastructure construction which has impacted development rates. Key underground infrastructure projects include the shotcrete plant, which is now complete, and the cemented rockfill plant, which is expected to be completed at the end of November. With the delay in major construction projects, camp facilities at the mine were constrained, which was also a factor in the slower ramp-up of the mine. Modifications to the secondary crushing circuit are substantially complete, and commissioning is underway. The changes are expected to increase crusher availability and efficiency.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Keno Hill recorded sales and cost of sales of $16.0 million and $17.6 million, respectively, related to the concentrate produced and sold. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, $5.1million and $20.4 million, respectively, of site specific ramp up costs were included with Ramp-up and suspension costs and $1.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of site specific exploration costs were included within Exploration and pre-development a reported on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Keno Hill recorded capital additions of $11.5 million and $32.1 million, respectively, related to various mine underground development projects, mobile equipment purchases, crushers modification and a camp upgrade.

31


Casa Berardi

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Sales

 

$

46,912

 

 

$

56,939

 

 

$

134,856

 

 

$

181,679

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

(37,842

)

 

 

(44,443

)

 

 

(119,108

)

 

 

(137,176

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(18,980

)

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

(43,288

)

 

 

(46,394

)

Total cost of sales

 

 

(56,822

)

 

 

(59,532

)

 

 

(162,396

)

 

 

(183,570

)

Gross loss

 

$

(9,910

)

 

$

(2,593

)

 

$

(27,540

)

 

$

(1,891

)

Tons of ore milled

 

 

343,619

 

 

 

389,941

 

 

 

1,091,477

 

 

 

1,177,709

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold (ounces)

 

 

24,259

 

 

 

33,335

 

 

 

67,846

 

 

 

96,881

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

5,084

 

 

 

6,882

 

 

 

16,685

 

 

 

22,329

 

Payable metal quantities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold (ounces)

 

 

24,423

 

 

 

32,965

 

 

 

69,804

 

 

 

99,703

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

5,864

 

 

 

14,700

 

 

 

17,209

 

 

 

23,950

 

Ore grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold ounces per ton

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.09

 

Silver ounces per ton

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.02

 

Total production cost per ton

 

$

103.75

 

 

$

114.52

 

 

$

103.63

 

 

$

115.15

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,635

 

 

$

1,409

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce (1)

 

$

1,695

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

1,678

 

Capital additions

 

$

16,225

 

 

$

10,771

 

 

$

54,127

 

 

$

26,672

 

(1)
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to total cost of sales, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales (GAAP) to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP).

As part of the transition of the Casa Berardi mine from a combined underground and open pit operation to an open pit only operation, the lower margin east mine underground operations were closed in July 2023 and only the higher margin stopes of the west underground mine will be mined through mid-2024, at which time most underground activity, except for exploration will cease. This strategic change has resulted in production and sales decreasing significantly compared to the three and nine month periods in 2022. Following suspension of underground mining stopping in mid-2024, Casa Berardi is expected to produce gold only from the 160 open pit, and at lower volumes than historic production levels. We expect production from the 160 open pit to conclude during 2027. We forecast a gap in production from 2028 to 2030 when no ore will be mined. During this hiatus, our focus will be on investing in infrastructure and equipment, and on permitting and stripping two expected new open pits, Principal and West Mine Crown Pillar. From 2028 to 2030, there is not expected to be any cash flow from Casa Berardi to offset its operating and capital expenses, and instead our liquidity and capital resources are expected to come from our other operating units. We expect to resume open pit mining at Casa Berardi in 2030, and anticipate that the mine will generate significant free cash flow at the current gold price.

Gross loss increased by $7.3 million to $9.9 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2023, compared to a gross loss of $2.6 million in the same period in 2022. The increase in gross loss includes $3.3 million in product inventory net realizable value write downs attributable to higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, reflecting the accelerated amortization of the west underground mine, the purchase of mobile equipment fleet in June and early July 2023 and the cessation of capitalization of any underground mine development costs effective July 2023. Processing of lower grade tonnage from both the underground and surface operations, higher costs related to mill maintenance and optimization activities, and higher fuel and other consumables costs, also contributed to the increased gross loss compared to the same period in 2022. Capital additions increased by $5.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily related to the construction of tailings storage facilities.

Gross loss increased by $25.6 million to $27.5 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2023, compared to a gross loss of $1.9 million for the same period in 2022. This increase in gross loss includes $10.8 million in product inventory net realizable value write downs due to a combination of higher direct production costs during the first six months of the year and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense effective July 2023, reflecting the accelerated amortization of the west underground mine. The increase in gross loss was also due to the processing of lower grade ore tonnage from both the underground and surface operations, higher costs related to mill maintenance and optimization activities, higher underground maintenance costs resulting from repairs and replacements of major components for the production fleet, and higher fuel and other consumables costs, compared to the same periods in 2022. Suspension costs amounted to $2.2 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2023. Casa Berardi's operations were suspended for 20 days in June 2023, due to wildfires in Quebec which resulted in the Quebec Ministry of Natural

32


Resources and Forests closing certain forest lands and access roads. No production or sales took place during the suspension period. Total capital additions increased by $27.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to purchases of new surface fleet equipment as the mine transitions from an underground to an open pit operation and the construction of tailings storage facilities.

The charts below illustrate the factors contributing to Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, Per Gold Ounce:

img155805262_4.jpg 

img155805262_5.jpg 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,480

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

$

1,641

 

 

$

1,415

 

By-product credits

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,635

 

 

$

1,409

 

33


 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,700

 

 

$

1,673

 

 

$

2,081

 

 

$

1,684

 

By-product credits

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce

 

$

1,695

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

1,678

 

The increase in Cash Cost After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods for 2022 was primarily due to a combination of higher production costs and lower gold production. The lower production for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 combined with increased sustaining capital also negatively impacted AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce.

Nevada Operations

Dollars are in thousands (except per ounce and per ton amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Sales

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

960

 

 

$

268

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(1,285

)

 

 

(877

)

 

 

(2,418

)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

34

 

 

 

(338

)

 

 

(140

)

 

 

(460

)

Total cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

(1,623

)

 

 

(1,017

)

 

 

(2,878

)

Gross (loss) profit

 

$

 

 

$

(1,623

)

 

$

(57

)

 

$

(2,610

)

Payable metal quantities sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold (ounces)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

544

 

 

 

65

 

Silver (ounces)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

6,363

 

The gross loss of $57 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was attributable to write downs of stockpiled material to net realizable value reflecting a lower gold price received for the processing and sale of refractory ore at a third party facility.

Exploration and pre-development activities continued in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and were focused on target generation through detailed modeling and analysis of geological mapping and sampling. Exploration core drilling also began during the second quarter at our Aurora Project.

See Item 1A. Risk Factors - Issues we have faced at certain segments could require us to write-down the associated long-lived assets. We could face similar issues at our other operations. Such write-downs may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition in our 2022 Form 10-K for a discussion of certain risks relating to our recent and ongoing analysis of the carrying value of the Nevada assets.

34


Corporate Matters

Income Taxes

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, an income and mining tax benefit of $1.5 million and an expense of $6.9 million, respectively, resulted in an effective tax rate of 6.3% and -20.1%, respectively. This compares to an income and mining tax benefit of $9.5 million and $3.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 29.0% and 10.0%, respectively. The comparability of our income and mining tax (expense) benefit and effective tax rate for the reported periods was impacted by multiple factors, primarily: (i) mining taxes; (ii) variations in our income before income taxes; (iii) geographic distribution of that income; (iv) foreign exchange rates including non-recognition of foreign exchange gains and losses; (v) percentage depletion; and (vi) the non-recognition of tax assets. The effective tax rate will fluctuate, sometimes significantly, period to period. The change in the effective tax rate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the comparable periods in 2022 is primarily related to the reported consolidated loss as well as the incurred losses at the consolidated Alexco subsidiaries, which were acquired September 7, 2022, and the Nevada operations, for which no tax benefit is recognized due to uncertainty surrounding our ability to utilize these future tax benefits. Since the three months ended March 31, 2022, we have used the annual effective tax rate method to calculate the quarterly tax provision.

Each reporting period we have assessed our deferred tax balances based on a review of long-range forecasts and quarterly activity. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not the related tax benefits will not be realized. We analyze our deferred tax assets and, if it is determined that we will not realize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will record or increase a valuation allowance. Conversely, if it is determined we will ultimately more likely than not be able to realize all or a portion of the related benefits for which a valuation allowance has been provided, all or a portion of the related valuation allowance will be reduced. There are a number of factors that impact our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are provided on deferred tax assets in Nevada, Mexico, and certain Canadian jurisdictions. For additional information, please see risk factors Our accounting and other estimates may be imprecise and Our ability to recognize the benefits of deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards and other items is dependent on future cash flows and taxable income in Item 1A - Risk Factors in our 2022 Form 10-K.

Reconciliation of Total Cost of Sales to Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and Cash Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP) and All-In Sustaining Cost, Before By-product Credits and All-In Sustaining Cost, After By-product Credits (non-GAAP)

The tables below present reconciliations between the most comparable GAAP measure of total cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization to the non-GAAP measures of (i) Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, (ii) Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, (iii) AISC, Before By-product Credits and (iv) AISC, After By-product Credits for our operations at the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, San Sebastian and Casa Berardi units and for the Company for the three-three and nine-month periodsnine months ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016.2022.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce are measures developed by precious metals companies (including the Silver Institute and/orand the World Gold Council) in an effort to provide a uniform standard for comparison purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that these non-GAAP measures as we report them are the same as those reported by other mining companies.

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce is an important operating statistic that we utilize to measure each mine's operating performance. We have recently started reportinguse AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce which we use as a measure of our mines' net cash flow after costs for exploration, pre-development, reclamation and sustaining capital. This is similar to the Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce non-GAAP measure we report, but also includes on-site exploration, reclamation and sustaining capital costs. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce also allow us to benchmark the performance of each of our mines versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver and gold mining company, we also use these statistics on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday and San Sebastian mines - to compare our performance with that of other primary silver mining companies. With regard tocompanies, and aggregating Casa Berardi we use Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce to compare its performanceNevada Operations for comparison with other gold mines.mining companies. Similarly, these statistics are useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as they provide a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics.

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC, Before By-product Credits for each mine also includes on-site exploration, reclamation and sustaining capital costs. AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties also includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense exploration and sustaining capital projects.costs. By-product credits include revenues earned

35


from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. As depicted in the tables below, by-product credits comprise an essential element of our silver unit cost structure, distinguishing our silver operations due to the polymetallic nature of their orebodies.

In addition to the uses described above, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce provide management and investors an indication of operating cash flow, after consideration of the average price received from production. We also use these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective.

The Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations and combined gold properties information below reports Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Gold Ounce for the production of gold, itstheir primary product, and by-product revenues earned from silver, which is a by-product at Casa Berardi.Berardi and Nevada Operations. Only costs and ounces produced relating to units with the same primary product are combined to represent Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce. Thus, the gold produced at our Casa Berardi unitand Nevada Operations units is not included as a by-product credit when calculating CashCost, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce and AISC, After By-product Credits, per Silver Ounce for the total of Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, and San Sebastian, our combined silver properties. Similarly, the silver produced at our other threetwo units is not included as a by-product credit when calculating the gold metrics for Casa Berardi.Berardi and Nevada Operations.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Keno Hill (6)

 

 

Corporate (2)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

60,322

 

 

$

14,344

 

 

$

16,001

 

 

$

 

 

$

90,667

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(11,015

)

 

 

(4,306

)

 

 

(1,948

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17,269

)

Treatment costs

 

 

10,369

 

 

 

1,368

 

 

 

1,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,770

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

377

 

 

 

(2,450

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,073

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(348

)

 

 

(168

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(516

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15,086

)

 

 

 

 

 

(15,086

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

59,705

 

 

 

8,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,473

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

722

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

823

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

11,330

 

 

 

7,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

18,953

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,596

 

 

 

7,596

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

71,757

 

 

 

11,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,833

 

 

 

90,911

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(20,027

)

 

 

(2,019

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,046

)

Gold

 

 

(25,344

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,344

)

Lead

 

 

(7,201

)

 

 

(5,368

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,569

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Total By-product credits

 

 

(52,572

)

 

 

(6,711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(59,283

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

7,133

 

 

$

2,057

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

9,190

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

19,185

 

 

$

4,610

 

 

$

 

 

$

7,833

 

 

$

31,628

 

Ounces produced

 

 

2,343

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,818

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

2,343

 

 

 

434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,777

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

25.48

 

 

$

20.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

24.66

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.44

)

 

 

(15.46

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21.35

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

4.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3.31

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

30.62

 

 

$

26.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

32.74

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.44

)

 

 

(15.46

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21.35

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

8.18

 

 

$

10.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11.39

 

36


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Nevada Operations and Other (4)

 

 

Total Gold

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

56,822

 

 

$

940

 

 

$

57,762

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(18,980

)

 

 

32

 

 

 

(18,948

)

Treatment costs

 

 

254

 

 

 

 

 

 

254

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(1,977

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,977

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(219

)

 

 

 

 

 

(219

)

Exclusion of Nevada Operations and Other costs

 

 

 

 

 

(972

)

 

 

(972

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

35,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,900

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

5,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,133

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

41,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,252

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(119

)

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(119

)

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

35,781

 

 

$

 

 

$

35,781

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

41,133

 

 

$

 

 

$

41,133

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,480

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,480

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,475

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,700

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,700

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,695

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,695

 

37


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Total Silver

 

 

Total Gold

 

 

Total

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

90,667

 

 

$

57,762

 

 

$

148,429

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(17,269

)

 

 

(18,948

)

 

 

(36,217

)

Treatment costs

 

 

12,770

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

13,024

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(2,073

)

 

 

(1,977

)

 

 

(4,050

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(516

)

 

 

(219

)

 

 

(735

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

 

 

(15,086

)

 

 

 

 

 

(15,086

)

Exclusion of Nevada Operations and Other costs

 

 

 

 

 

(972

)

 

 

(972

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

68,473

 

 

 

35,900

 

 

 

104,373

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

823

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

1,042

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

18,953

 

 

 

5,133

 

 

 

24,086

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

 

 

(4,934

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

General and administrative

 

 

7,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,596

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

90,911

 

 

 

41,252

 

 

 

132,163

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(22,046

)

 

 

 

 

 

(22,046

)

Gold

 

 

(25,344

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,344

)

Lead

 

 

(12,569

)

 

 

 

 

 

(12,569

)

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(119

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)

 

 

676

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Total By-product credits

 

 

(59,283

)

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(59,402

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

9,190

 

 

$

35,781

 

 

$

44,971

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

31,628

 

 

$

41,133

 

 

$

72,761

 

Ounces produced

 

 

2,818

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

2,777

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

24.66

 

 

$

1,480

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(21.35

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

3.31

 

 

$

1,475

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

32.74

 

 

$

1,700

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(21.35

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

11.39

 

 

$

1,695

 

 

 

 

38


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Corporate (2)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

52,502

 

 

$

24,164

 

 

$

 

 

$

76,666

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(10,305

)

 

 

(7,261

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17,566

)

Treatment costs

 

 

9,477

 

 

 

4,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,268

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

4,464

 

 

 

3,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,486

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(118

)

 

 

(152

)

 

 

 

 

 

(270

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

56,020

 

 

 

24,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

80,584

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

705

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

 

 

 

987

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

10,219

 

 

 

11,264

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

21,670

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,003

 

 

 

11,003

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

66,944

 

 

 

36,110

 

 

 

11,190

 

 

 

114,244

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(26,244

)

 

 

(7,155

)

 

 

 

 

 

(33,399

)

Gold

 

 

(17,019

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,019

)

Lead

 

 

(6,212

)

 

 

(11,796

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18,008

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(49,475

)

 

 

(18,951

)

 

 

 

 

 

(68,426

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

6,545

 

 

$

5,613

 

 

$

 

 

$

12,158

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

17,469

 

 

$

17,159

 

 

$

11,190

 

 

$

45,818

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

2,469

 

 

 

1,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,544

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

22.69

 

 

$

22.87

 

 

 

 

 

$

22.74

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(20.04

)

 

 

(17.64

)

 

 

 

 

 

(19.31

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

2.65

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

 

 

 

$

3.43

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

27.11

 

 

$

33.62

 

 

 

 

 

$

32.24

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(20.04

)

 

 

(17.64

)

 

 

 

 

 

(19.31

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

7.07

 

 

$

15.98

 

 

 

 

 

$

12.93

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Total Gold

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

59,532

 

 

$

59,532

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

(15,089

)

Treatment costs

 

 

429

 

 

 

429

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

420

 

 

 

420

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(203

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

45,089

 

 

 

45,089

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

204

 

 

 

204

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

10,457

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

55,750

 

 

 

55,750

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(131

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(131

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

44,958

 

 

$

44,958

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

55,619

 

 

$

55,619

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,353

 

 

$

1,353

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,349

 

 

$

1,349

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,673

 

 

$

1,673

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,669

 

 

$

1,669

 

39


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Total Silver

 

 

Total Gold

 

 

Total

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

76,666

 

 

$

59,532

 

 

$

136,198

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(17,566

)

 

 

(15,089

)

 

 

(32,655

)

Treatment costs

 

 

14,268

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

14,697

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

7,486

 

 

 

420

 

 

 

7,906

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(270

)

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(473

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

80,584

 

 

 

45,089

 

 

 

125,673

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

987

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

1,191

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

21,670

 

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

32,127

 

General and administrative

 

 

11,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,003

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

114,244

 

 

 

55,750

 

 

 

169,994

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(33,399

)

 

 

 

 

 

(33,399

)

Gold

 

 

(17,019

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17,019

)

Lead

 

 

(18,008

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18,008

)

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(131

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(68,426

)

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(68,557

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

12,158

 

 

$

44,958

 

 

$

57,116

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

45,818

 

 

$

55,619

 

 

$

101,437

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

3,544

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

22.74

 

 

$

1,353

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.31

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

3.43

 

 

$

1,349

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

32.24

 

 

$

1,673

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(19.31

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

12.93

 

 

$

1,669

 

 

 

 

40


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Keno Hill (6)

 

 

Corporate (2)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

189,664

 

 

$

81,068

 

 

$

17,582

 

 

$

 

 

$

288,314

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(38,557

)

 

 

(23,741

)

 

 

(2,209

)

 

 

 

 

 

(64,507

)

Treatment costs

 

 

31,114

 

 

 

10,832

 

 

 

1,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,092

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(2,479

)

 

 

(3,313

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,792

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(214

)

 

 

(826

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,040

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16,519

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16,519

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

179,528

 

 

 

64,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

243,528

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

2,166

 

 

 

671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,837

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

26,686

 

 

 

24,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

831

 

 

 

51,768

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,449

 

 

 

30,449

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

208,380

 

 

 

83,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,280

 

 

 

323,648

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(64,955

)

 

 

(14,284

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(79,239

)

Gold

 

 

(79,089

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(79,089

)

Lead

 

 

(22,002

)

 

 

(33,953

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(55,955

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Total By-product credits

 

 

(166,046

)

 

 

(47,561

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(213,607

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

13,482

 

 

$

16,439

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

29,921

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

42,334

 

 

$

36,427

 

 

$

 

 

$

31,280

 

 

$

110,041

 

Ounces produced

 

 

7,472

 

 

 

3,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,497

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

7,472

 

 

 

2,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,456

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

24.03

 

 

$

21.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

23.29

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.22

)

 

 

(15.94

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.43

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1.81

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.86

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

27.89

 

 

$

28.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30.95

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.22

)

 

 

(15.94

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.43

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

5.67

 

 

$

12.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10.52

 

41


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Casa Berardi (7)

 

 

Nevada Operations and Other (4)

 

 

Total Gold

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

162,396

 

 

$

2,743

 

 

$

165,139

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(43,288

)

 

 

(142

)

 

 

(43,430

)

Treatment costs

 

 

1,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,072

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(5,345

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,345

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(655

)

 

 

 

 

 

(655

)

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,851

)

Exclusion of Nevada Operations and Other costs

 

 

 

 

 

(2,601

)

 

 

(2,601

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

111,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,329

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

655

 

 

 

 

 

 

655

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

29,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,175

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

141,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

141,159

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(390

)

 

 

 

 

 

(390

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(390

)

 

 

 

 

 

(390

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

110,939

 

 

$

 

 

$

110,939

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

140,769

 

 

$

 

 

$

140,769

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

68

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,641

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,641

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,635

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,635

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

2,081

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,081

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

2,075

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,075

 

42


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Total Silver

 

 

Total Gold

 

 

Total

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

288,314

 

 

$

165,139

 

 

$

453,453

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(64,507

)

 

 

(43,430

)

 

 

(107,937

)

Treatment costs

 

 

43,092

 

 

 

1,072

 

 

 

44,164

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(5,792

)

 

 

(5,345

)

 

 

(11,137

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(1,040

)

 

 

(655

)

 

 

(1,695

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday cash costs (8)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Exclusion of Keno Hill cash costs (6)

 

 

(16,519

)

 

 

 

 

 

(16,519

)

Exclusion of Casa Berardi cash costs (3)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,851

)

 

 

(2,851

)

Exclusion of Nevada Operations and Other costs

 

 

 

 

 

(2,601

)

 

 

(2,601

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

243,528

 

 

 

111,329

 

 

 

354,857

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

2,837

 

 

 

655

 

 

 

3,492

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

51,768

 

 

 

29,175

 

 

 

80,943

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday sustaining costs (8)

 

 

(4,934

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,934

)

General and administrative

 

 

30,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,449

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

323,648

 

 

 

141,159

 

 

 

464,807

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(79,239

)

 

 

 

 

 

(79,239

)

Gold

 

 

(79,089

)

 

 

 

 

 

(79,089

)

Lead

 

 

(55,955

)

 

 

 

 

 

(55,955

)

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

(390

)

 

 

(390

)

Exclusion of Lucky Friday by-product credits (8)

 

 

676

 

 

 

 

 

 

676

 

Total By-product credits

 

 

(213,607

)

 

 

(390

)

 

 

(213,997

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

29,921

 

 

$

110,939

 

 

$

140,860

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

110,041

 

 

$

140,769

 

 

$

250,810

 

Ounces produced

 

 

10,497

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

 

Exclusion of Lucky Friday ounces produced (8)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

10,456

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

23.29

 

 

$

1,641

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(20.43

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

2.86

 

 

$

1,635

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

30.95

 

 

$

2,081

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(20.43

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

10.52

 

 

$

2,075

 

 

 

 

43


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Greens Creek

 

 

Lucky Friday

 

 

Corporate and other(2)

 

 

Total Silver

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

162,644

 

 

$

83,779

 

 

$

 

 

$

246,423

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(35,354

)

 

 

(24,155

)

 

 

 

 

 

(59,509

)

Treatment costs

 

 

27,369

 

 

 

13,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,640

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

9,899

 

 

 

2,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,519

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(1,988

)

 

 

(769

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,757

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

162,570

 

 

 

74,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

237,316

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

2,115

 

 

 

846

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,961

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

30,843

 

 

 

24,937

 

 

 

334

 

 

 

56,114

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,989

 

 

 

28,989

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

195,528

 

 

 

100,529

 

 

 

29,323

 

 

 

325,380

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(87,723

)

 

 

(21,358

)

 

 

 

 

 

(109,081

)

Gold

 

 

(55,966

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(55,966

)

Lead

 

 

(22,449

)

 

 

(38,175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(60,624

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(166,138

)

 

 

(59,533

)

 

 

 

 

 

(225,671

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

(3,568

)

 

$

15,213

 

 

$

 

 

$

11,645

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

29,390

 

 

$

40,996

 

 

$

29,323

 

 

$

99,709

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

7,309

 

 

 

3,189

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,498

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

22.24

 

 

$

23.44

 

 

 

 

 

$

22.61

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.73

)

 

 

(18.67

)

 

 

 

 

 

(21.50

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

(0.49

)

 

$

4.77

 

 

 

 

 

$

1.11

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

26.75

 

 

$

31.53

 

 

 

 

 

$

30.99

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(22.73

)

 

 

(18.67

)

 

 

 

 

 

(21.50

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

4.02

 

 

$

12.86

 

 

 

 

 

$

9.49

 

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Casa Berardi

 

 

Total Gold

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

183,570

 

 

$

183,570

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(46,394

)

 

 

(46,394

)

Treatment costs

 

 

1,345

 

 

 

1,345

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

(936

)

 

 

(936

)

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(623

)

 

 

(623

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

136,962

 

 

 

136,962

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

623

 

 

 

623

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

25,587

 

 

 

25,587

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

163,172

 

 

 

163,172

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

 

(485

)

 

 

(485

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(485

)

 

 

(485

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

136,477

 

 

$

136,477

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

162,687

 

 

$

162,687

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

97

 

 

 

97

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,415

 

 

$

1,415

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,409

 

 

$

1,409

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,684

 

 

$

1,684

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1,678

 

 

$

1,678

 

44


In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 (5)

 

 

 

Total Silver

 

 

Total Gold

 

 

Total

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

246,423

 

 

$

183,570

 

 

$

429,993

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(59,509

)

 

 

(46,394

)

 

 

(105,903

)

Treatment costs

 

 

40,640

 

 

 

1,345

 

 

 

41,985

 

Change in product inventory

 

 

12,519

 

 

 

(936

)

 

 

11,583

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

(2,757

)

 

 

(623

)

 

 

(3,380

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

237,316

 

 

 

136,962

 

 

 

374,278

 

Reclamation and other costs

 

 

2,961

 

 

 

623

 

 

 

3,584

 

Sustaining capital

 

 

56,114

 

 

 

25,587

 

 

 

81,701

 

General and administrative

 

 

28,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,989

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

 

 

325,380

 

 

 

163,172

 

 

 

488,552

 

By-product credits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

 

 

(109,081

)

 

 

 

 

 

(109,081

)

Gold

 

 

(55,966

)

 

 

 

 

 

(55,966

)

Lead

 

 

(60,624

)

 

 

 

 

 

(60,624

)

Silver

 

 

 

 

 

(485

)

 

 

(485

)

Total By-product credits

 

 

(225,671

)

 

 

(485

)

 

 

(226,156

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 

$

11,645

 

 

$

136,477

 

 

$

148,122

 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 

$

99,709

 

 

$

162,687

 

 

$

262,396

 

Divided by ounces produced

 

 

10,498

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

22.61

 

 

$

1,415

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(21.50

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

1.11

 

 

$

1,409

 

 

 

 

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

30.99

 

 

$

1,684

 

 

 

 

By-product credits per ounce

 

 

(21.50

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 

$

9.49

 

 

$

1,678

 

 

 

 

(1)
48

TableIncludes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of Contentsproducing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs and royalties, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each operation. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes reclamation and sustaining capital costs.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 
  

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  

Corporate(3)

  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Total

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

 $41,927     $6,680      $48,607  $48,595  $97,202 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (12,607

)

     (641

)

      (13,248

)

  (15,596

)

  (28,844

)

Treatment costs

  12,067   440   422       12,929   682   13,611 

Change in product inventory

  7,675   1,960   (627

)

      9,008   (288

)

  8,720 

Reclamation and other costs

  (394

)

  18   (494

)

      (870

)

  (124

)

  (994

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

  48,668   2,418   5,340       56,426   33,269   89,695 

Reclamation and other costs

  666   38   117       821   123   944 

Exploration

  1,944   (2

)

  1,495   477   3,914   1,161   5,075 

Sustaining capital

  8,210   119   402   1,105   9,836   13,775   23,611 

General and administrative

              9,529   9,529       9,529 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

  59,488   2,573   7,354       80,526   48,328   128,854 

By-product credits:

                            

Zinc

  (27,046

)

  (293

)

          (27,339

)

      (27,339

)

Gold

  (13,907

)

      (8,088

)

      (21,995

)

      (21,995

)

Lead

  (8,067

)

  (1,102

)

          (9,169

)

      (9,169

)

Silver

                      (161

)

  (161

)

Total By-product credits

  (49,020

)

  (1,395

)

  (8,088

)

      (58,503

)

  (161

)

  (58,664

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 $(352

)

 $1,023  $(2,748

)

     $(2,077

)

 $33,108  $31,031 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 $10,468  $1,178  $(734

)

     $22,023  $48,167  $70,190 

Divided by ounces produced

  2,344   88   880       3,312   44     

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $20.75  $27.44  $6.07      $17.03  $753.70     

By-product credits per ounce

  (20.90

)

  (15.84

)

  (9.19

)

      (17.66

)

  (3.65

)

    

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $(0.15

)

 $11.60  $(3.12

)

     $(0.63

)

 $750.05     

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $25.37  $29.21  $8.36      $24.31  $1,094.86     

By-product credits per ounce

  (20.90

)

  (15.84

)

  (9.19

)

      (17.66

)

  (3.65

)

    

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $4.47  $13.37  $(0.83

)

     $6.65  $1,091.21     

(2)
49

Table of ContentsAISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense and sustaining capital.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  

Corporate(3)

  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Total

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

 $58,397  $19,484  $6,532      $84,413  $36,295  $120,708 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (16,091

)

  (2,946

)

  (677

)

      (19,714

)

  (10,465

)

  (30,179

)

Treatment costs

  15,114   5,211   348       20,673   218   20,891 

Change in product inventory

  (10,407

)

  (46

)

  930       (9,523

)

  3,460   (6,063

)

Reclamation and other costs

  2,273   (171

)

  (140

)

      1,962   (115

)

  1,847 

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

  49,286   21,532   6,993       77,811   29,393   107,204 

Reclamation and other costs

  682   165   42       889   117   1,006 

Exploration

  349      1,051   421   1,821   655   2,476 

Sustaining capital

  14,162   9,725   506   76   24,469   16,078   40,547 

General and administrative

              11,155   11,155       11,155 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

  64,479   31,422   8,592       116,145   46,243   162,388 

By-product credits:

                            

Zinc

  (17,152

)

  (4,201

)

          (21,353

)

      (21,353

)

Gold

  (13,807

)

      (10,922

)

      (24,729

)

      (24,729

)

Lead

  (6,577

)

  (9,284

)

          (15,861

)

      (15,861

)

Silver

                      (162

)

  (162

)

Total By-product credits

  (37,536

)

  (13,485

)

  (10,922

)

      (61,943

)

  (162

)

  (62,105

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 $11,750  $8,047  $(3,929

)

     $15,868  $29,231  $45,099 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 $26,943  $17,937  $(2,330

)

     $54,202  $46,081  $100,283 

Divided by ounces produced

  2,445   887   976       4,308   32     

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $20.15  $24.26  $7.16      $18.06  $920.00     

By-product credits per ounce

  (15.35

)

  (15.19

)

  (11.19

)

      (14.38

)

  (5.07

)

    

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $4.80  $9.07  $(4.03

)

     $3.68  $914.93     

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $26.37  $35.41  $8.80      $26.96  $1,447.40     

By-product credits per ounce

  (15.35

)

  (15.19

)

  (11.19

)

      (14.38

)

  (5.07

)

    

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $11.02  $20.22  $(2.39

)

     $12.58  $1,442.33     

(3)
50

TableDuring the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company completed the necessary studies to conclude usage of Contentsthe F-160 pit as a tailings storage facility after mining is complete. As a result, a portion of the mining costs have been excluded from Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits and AISC, Before By-product Credits.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 
  

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  

Corporate(3)

  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Total

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

 $140,241  $14,542  $18,377      $173,160  $134,742  $307,902 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (39,442

)

  (2,433

)

  (2,036

)

      (43,911

)

  (39,454

)

  (83,365

)

Treatment costs

  37,621   4,257   906       42,784   1,774   44,558 

Change in product inventory

  5,398   1,811   (192

)

      7,017   881   7,898 

Reclamation and other costs

  (1,474

)

  (163

)

  (1,089

)

      (2,726

)

  (354

)

  (3,080

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

  142,344   18,014   15,966       176,324   97,589   273,913 

Reclamation and other costs

  1,999   217   351       2,567   353   2,920 

Exploration

  3,339   (1

)

  4,984   1,307   9,629   3,029   12,658 

Sustaining capital

  24,895   4,109   2,379   2,275   33,658   38,245   71,903 

General and administrative

              29,044   29,044       29,044 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

  172,577   22,339   23,680       251,222   139,216   390,438 

By-product credits:

                            

Zinc

  (72,472

)

  (4,353

)

          (76,825

)

      (76,825

)

Gold

  (42,675

)

      (24,032

)

      (66,707

)

      (66,707

)

Lead

  (22,696

)

  (8,599

)

          (31,295

)

      (31,295

)

Silver

                      (450

)

  (450

)

Total By-product credits

  (137,843

)

  (12,952

)

  (24,032

)

      (174,827

)

  (450

)

  (175,277

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 $4,501  $5,062  $(8,066

)

     $1,497  $97,139  $98,636 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 $34,734  $9,387  $(352

)

     $76,395  $138,766  $215,161 

Divided by ounces produced

  6,206   769   2,498       9,473   113     

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $22.94  $23.42  $6.39      $18.62  $862.02     

By-product credits per ounce

  (22.21

)

  (16.84

)

  (9.62

)

      (18.46

)

  (3.97

)

    

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $0.73  $6.58  $(3.23

)

     $0.16  $858.05     

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $27.81  $29.05  $9.48      $26.52  $1,229.72     

By-product credits per ounce

  (22.21

)

  (16.84

)

  (9.62

)

      (18.46

)

  (3.97

)

    

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $5.60  $12.21  $(0.14

)

     $8.06  $1,225.75     

(4)
51

TableOther includes $0.9 million and $1.7 million of Contentstotal cost of sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $0.1 million of total cost of sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, related to the environmental services business acquired as part of the Alexco acquisition.

In thousands (except per ounce amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Greens

Creek

  

Lucky

Friday(2)

  

San

Sebastian

  

Corporate(3)

  

Total

Silver

  

Casa

Berardi

(Gold)

  

Total

 

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization

 $146,984  $56,696  $23,435      $227,115  $106,639  $333,754 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

  (40,746

)

  (8,775

)

  (2,508

)

      (52,029

)

  (32,563

)

  (84,592

)

Treatment costs

  46,069   15,323   1,193       62,585   627   63,212 

Change in product inventory

  (6,083

)

  (1,102

)

  1,743       (5,442

)

  4,212   (1,230

)

Reclamation and other costs

  348   (556

)

  (1,583

)

      (1,791

)

  (344

)

  (2,135

)

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits (1)

  146,572   61,586   22,280       230,438   78,571   309,009 

Reclamation and other costs

  2,045   495   126       2,666   345   3,011 

Exploration

  1,368      2,349   1,286   5,003   2,280   7,283 

Sustaining capital

  35,199   32,203   1,494   486   69,382   48,860   118,242 

General and administrative

              31,728   31,728       31,728 

AISC, Before By-product Credits (1)

  185,184   94,284   26,249       339,217   130,056   469,273 

By-product credits:

                            

Zinc

  (52,104

)

  (10,685

)

          (62,789

)

      (62,789

)

Gold

  (42,017

)

      (33,961

)

      (75,978

)

      (75,978

)

Lead

  (19,598

)

  (25,485

)

          (45,083

)

      (45,083

)

Silver

                      (409

)

  (409

)

Total By-product credits

  (113,719

)

  (36,170

)

  (33,961

)

      (183,850

)

  (409

)

  (184,259

)

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits

 $32,853  $25,416  $(11,681

)

     $46,588  $78,162  $124,750 

AISC, After By-product Credits

 $71,465  $58,114  $(7,712

)

     $155,367  $129,647  $285,014 

Divided by ounces produced

  7,021   2,722   3,434       13,177   104     

Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $20.88  $22.63  $6.49      $17.49  $753.45     

By-product credits per ounce

  (16.20

)

  (13.29

)

  (9.89

)

      (13.95

)

  (3.92

)

    

Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $4.68  $9.34  $(3.40

)

     $3.54  $749.53     

AISC, Before By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $26.38  $34.64  $7.64      $25.74  $1,247.15     

By-product credits per ounce

  (16.20

)

  (13.29

)

  (9.89

)

      (13.95

)

  (3.92

)

    

AISC, After By-product Credits, per Ounce

 $10.18  $21.35  $(2.25

)

     $11.79  $1,243.23     

(1)

Includes all direct and indirect operating costs related to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, before by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. AISC, Before By-product Credits also includes on-site exploration, reclamation, and sustaining capital costs.

(2)

The unionized employees at Lucky Friday have been on strike since March 13, 2017, and production at Lucky Friday has been limited since that time. For the first nine months of 2017, costs related to suspension of full production totaling approximately $11.1 million, along with $3.3 million in non-cash depreciation expense for that period, have been excluded from the calculations of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

(3)

AISC, Before By-product Credits for our consolidated silver properties includes corporate costs for general and administrative expense, exploration and sustaining capital.

(5)
52

TablePrior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation to eliminate exploration costs from the calculation of ContentsAISC, Before By-product Credits as exploration is an activity directed at the Corporate level to find new mineral reserve and resource deposits, and therefore we believe it is inappropriate to include exploration costs in the calculation of AISC, Before By-product Credits for a specific mining operation.

(6)
Keno Hill is in the ramp-up phase of production and is excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

(7)
Casa Berardi operations were suspended in June 2023 in response to the directive of the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests as a result of fires in the region. Suspension costs amounted to $nil and $2.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and are excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

(8)
Lucky Friday operations were suspended in August 2023 following the underground fire in the #2 shaft secondary egress. The portion of cash costs, sustaining costs, by-product credits, and silver production incurred since the suspension are excluded from the calculation of total cost of sales, Cash Cost, Before By-product Credits, Cash Cost, After By-product Credits, AISC, Before By-product Credits, and AISC, After By-product Credits.

45


Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquid assets include (in millions):We have a disciplined cash management strategy of maintaining financial flexibility to execute our capital priorities and provide long-term value to our stockholders. Consistent with that strategy, we aim to maintain an acceptable level of net debt and sufficient liquidity to fund debt service costs, operations, capital expenditures, exploration and pre-development projects, while returning cash to stockholders through dividends and potential share repurchases.

  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 

Cash and cash equivalents held in U.S. dollars

 $146.4  $156.1 

Cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency

  26.5   13.7 

Total cash and cash equivalents

  172.9   169.8 

Marketable debt securities - current

  33.0   29.1 

Marketable equity securities - non-current

  7.1   5.0 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments

 $213.0  $203.9 

CashAt September 30, 2023, we had $100.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, increased by $3.1of which $7.1 million in the first nine months of 2017, as discussed below. Cashwas held in foreign currencies representssubsidiaries' local currency that we anticipate utilizing for near-term operating, exploration or capital costs by those foreign subsidiaries. We also have USD cash and cash equivalent balances in Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos,held by our foreign subsidiaries that, if repatriated, may be subject to withholding taxes. We expect that there would be no additional tax burden upon repatriation after considering the cash cost associated with the $12.8 million increase in the first nine months of 2017 resultingwithholding taxes. We believe that our liquidity and capital resources from increases in both currencies held. Current marketable debt securities increased by $3.9 million (discussed below) and non-current marketable equity securities increased by $2.1 million (see Note 2 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).

As discussed in Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), on April 12, 2013, we completed an offering of Senior Notes in the total principal amount of US$500 million, which have a total principal balance of $506.5 million as of September 30, 2017. The Senior Notesour U.S. operations are due May 1, 2021 and bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year from the most recent payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013, and we have made all interest payments payable to date.

In the third quarter of 2015, we made a development decision to mine near surface, high grade portions of the silver and gold deposits at our San Sebastian project in Mexico and commenced ore production at the end of 2015.  As a result, San Sebastian has generated positive cash flows since the start of production there. In January 2017, we initiated work to develop and rehabilitate underground access which, upon completion, is expected to allow us to mine deeper portions of the deposits at San Sebastian. We currently anticipate San Sebastian will continue to generate positive cash flows until early or mid-2020.  However, our costs could change, and our ability to generate cash flow at San Sebastian could be impacted by changes in precious metals prices or other factors, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to develop and operate San Sebastian as anticipated.

As further discussed in the Lucky Friday Segment section above, the union employees at Lucky Friday have been on strike since March 13, 2017. Production at Lucky Friday was suspended from the start of the strike until July 2017, with limited production resuming at that time. We cannot predict how long the strike will last or whether an agreement will be reached. We expect to incur cash expenditures of approximately $1.0 million to $1.5 million per month to advance engineering and infrastructure for the restart of full production, in addition to costs related to limited interim production. As a result of the strike or other related events, operations at Lucky Friday could continue to be disrupted, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

As discussed in Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), in February 2016 we entered into an equity distribution agreement under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time having an aggregate offering price of up to $75 million, with the net proceeds available for general corporate purposes. Whether or not we engage in sales from time to time may depend on a variety of factors, including share price, our cash resources, customary black-out restrictions, and whether we have any material inside information, and the agreement can be terminated by us at any time. As of September 30, 2017, we had sold 4,608,847 shares through the at-the-market program for net proceeds of $17.7 million, including 1,828,760 shares sold in the first nine months of 2017 for total proceeds of approximately $9.6 million. In July 2017, we used $5.7 million of the proceeds from shares sold in the second quarter of 2017adequate to fund contributions to our defined benefit pension plans.U.S. operations and corporate activities.

Pursuant to our common stock dividend policy described inNote 811 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited),in our Board2022 Form 10-K, our board of Directorsdirectors declared and paid dividends on our common stock totaling $3.0of $3.8 million in each of the first and $2.9second quarters, $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $3.4 million in each of the first, nine monthssecond and third quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively. On November 7, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a dividend on common stock totaling $1.0 million payable in December 2017.2022. Our dividend policy has a silver-price-linkedsilver-linked component which ties the amount of declared common stock dividends to our realized silver price for the preceding quarter. Another component of our common stock dividend policy anticipates paying an annual minimum dividend.

For illustrative purposes only, the table below summarizes potential dividend amounts under our dividend policy.

Quarterly Average Realized Silver Price ($ per ounce)

 

 

Quarterly Silver-Linked Dividend ($ per share)

 

Annualized Silver-Linked Dividend ($ per share)

 

Annualized Minimum Dividend ($ per share)

 

Annualized Dividends per Share: Silver-Linked and Minimum ($ per share)

Less than $20

 

 

$—

 

$—

 

$0.015

 

$0.015

$

20

 

 

$0.0025

 

$0.01

 

$0.015

 

$0.025

$

25

 

 

$0.010

 

$0.04

 

$0.015

 

$0.055

$

30

 

 

$0.015

 

$0.06

 

$0.015

 

$0.075

$

35

 

 

$0.025

 

$0.10

 

$0.015

 

$0.115

$

40

 

 

$0.035

 

$0.14

 

$0.015

 

$0.155

$

45

 

 

$0.045

 

$0.18

 

$0.015

 

$0.195

$

50

 

 

$0.055

 

$0.22

 

$0.015

 

$0.235

The declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock is at the sole discretion of our board of directors, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to declare and pay common stock dividends in the future.

On May 8, 2012, we announced thatPursuant to our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program.  Under the program described in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2022 Form 10-K, we are authorized to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on prevailing market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by us at any time. Whether or not we engage in repurchases from time to time may depend on a variety of factors, including not only price and cash resources, but customary black-out restrictions, whether we have any material inside information, limitations on share repurchases or cash usage that may be imposed by our credit agreement or in connection with issuances of securities, alternative uses for cash, applicable law, and other investment opportunities from time to time. As of September 30, 2017,2023 and December 31, 2022, 934,100 shares havehad been purchased in prior periods at an average price of $3.99 per share, leaving 19.1 million shares that may yet be purchased under the program. The closing priceWe have not repurchased any shares since June 2014.

As discussed in Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) pursuant to an equity distribution agreement dated February 18, 2021, we may offer and sell up to 60 million shares of our common stock from time to time to or through sales agents in “at-the-market” offerings. Sales of the shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers transactions or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the agents as principals. Whether or not we engage in sales from time to time may depend on a variety of factors, including share price, our cash resources, customary black-out restrictions, and whether we have any material inside information. The equity distribution agreement can be terminated by us at November 3, 2017, was $4.45 per share.any time. Any sales of shares under that agreement are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we did not sell any shares under the agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold 4,253,334 shares under the agreement for proceeds of $25.9 million, net of commissions and fees of $0.4 million.

As a result of our current cash balances, the performance of our current and expected operations, current metals prices, proceeds from potential at-the-market sales of common stock, and availability under our Credit Agreement, we believe we will be able to meet our obligations and other potential cash requirements during the next 12 months and beyond. Our obligations and other uses of cash may include, but are not limited to: debt service obligations related to the Senior Notes and IQ Notes; principal and interest payments

46


under our Credit Agreement; care-and-maintenance; capital expenditures at our operations; potential acquisitions of other mining companies or properties; regulatory matters; litigation; potential repurchases of our common stock under the program described above; and payment of dividends on common stock, if declared by our board of directors.

We currently estimate a range of approximately $225to $235million will be spent in 2023 on capital expenditures, primarily for equipment, infrastructure, and development at our mines, including $161.3 million already incurred as of September 30, 2023, before any lease financing. We also estimate exploration and pre-development expenditures will total approximately $32.5 million in 2023, including $25.5 million already incurred as of September 30, 2023. Our expenditures for these items and our related plans for 2023 may change based upon our financial position, metals prices, and other considerations. Our ability to fund the activities described above will depend on our operating performance, metals prices, our ability to estimate revenues and costs, sources of liquidity available to us, including the revolving credit facility, and other factors. A sustained downturn in metals prices, significant increase in operational or capital costs or other uses of cash, our inability to access the credit facility or the sources of liquidity discussed above, or other factors beyond our control could impact our plans.

We may defer some capital investment and/or exploration and pre-development activities, engage in asset sales or secure additional capital if necessary to maintain liquidity. We also may pursue additional acquisition opportunities, which could require additional equity issuances or other forms of financing. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available to us.

As a result of our current cash balances, the performance of our currentOur liquid assets include (in millions):

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Cash and cash equivalents held in U.S. dollars

 

$

93.6

 

 

$

86.8

 

Cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

17.9

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

100.7

 

 

 

104.7

 

Marketable equity securities - non-current

 

 

16.6

 

 

 

24.0

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments

 

$

117.3

 

 

$

128.7

 

Cash and expected operations, current metals prices, proceeds from potential at-the-market sales of common stock, and availability of approximately $97 million of our revolving credit facility, we believe our cash, cash equivalents investments, projected cash from operations, and availability of financing, if needed, will be adequate to meet our obligations and other potential cash requirements during the next 12 months. Our obligations and other uses of cash may include, but are not limited to: debt service obligations related to the Senior Notes, capital expenditures at our operations, potential acquisitions of other mining companies or properties, regulatory matters, litigation, potential repurchases of our common stock under the program described above, and payment of dividends on common stock, if declareddecreased by our board of directors.  We estimate capital expenditures will total between $105 and $110$4.0 million in 2017, including $70.4 million already incurred as of September 30, 2017.  We estimate combined exploration and pre-development expenditures will total between $25 million and $30 million in 2017, including $21.7 million already incurred as of September 30, 2017. However, capital, exploration, and pre-development expenditures may change based upon our financial position, metals prices, and other considerations. Our ability to fund the activities described above will depend on our operating performance, metals prices, our costs (and our ability to estimate future costs), sources of liquidity available to us, and other factors. A sustained downturn in metals prices or significant increase in operational or capital costs, other uses of cash, or other factors beyond our control could impact our plans.

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

2017

  

September 30,

2016

 

Cash provided by operating activities (in millions)

 $74.1  $173.1 

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 20172023. Cash held in foreign currencies represents balances in Canadian dollars and Mexican Pesos. The value of non-current marketable equity securities decreased by $99.0$7.4 million.

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

Cash provided by operating activities (in millions)

 

$

74.6

 

 

$

53.8

 

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of $74.6 million represented a $20.8 million increasecompared to the $53.8 million provided in the same period for 2022. $42.6 million of the variance was attributable to a higher income adjusted for non cash items in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflecting higher realized prices for silver, gold and lead, partially offset by higher total cost of sales. The remaining variance was attributable to changes in net working capital resulting from higher vendor payments and changes in fair value of the net hedge book.

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

Cash used in investing activities (in millions)

 

$

(162.9

)

 

$

(127.7

)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we invested $161.3 million in capital expenditures, an increase of $68.0 million compared to the same period in 20162022. The variance was primarily due to lower income, as adjusted for non-cash items, resulting primarily from reduced gross profit$32.1 million invested at our San Sebastian,Keno Hill during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and increased capital spending at Casa Berardi and Lucky Friday units. In addition, working capital and other operating asset and liability changes resulted in a net cash flow decrease of $26.4 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to a net increase of $11.6 million in the first nine months of 2016.  The $38.0 million variance in working capital changes is primarily attributable to (i) estimated income tax payments in Mexico in 2017, (ii) higher product inventory due primarily to the timing of shipments at Greens Creek and the strike at Lucky Friday, (iii) lower accruals for incentive compensation, and (iv) reduced accounts payable at Lucky Friday due to completion of the #4 Shaft and the strike. Those factors were partially offset by lower accounts receivable, also due to the timing of shipments at Greens Creek and the strike at Lucky Friday. In addition, in the third quarter of 2016, we reached a settlement on the insurance policy for reclamation at the Troy mine resulting in cash proceeds to us of $16.0 million, which was partially offset by payment of $6.0 million in August 2016 by one of our subsidiaries for settlement of its liability for response costs at a CERCLA/Superfund site.

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

2017

  

September 30,

2016

 

Cash used in investing activities (in millions)

 $(69.2

)

 $(153.3

)

During the first nine months of 2017, we invested $70.4 million in capital expenditures, not including $6.4 million in non-cash capital lease additions, a decrease of $49.8 million compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due2022, we made a pre-acquisition advance of $25.0 million to lower costs for (i) the #4 Shaft project, which was completed in January 2017, (ii) constructionAlexco and generated proceeds of the tailings facility at Greens Creek, and (iii) development$9.4 million upon disposal of the EMCP pit at Casa Berardi.  In the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, we purchased bonds having maturities of greater than 90 days and less than 365 days with a cost basis of $35.3 million and $31.9 million, respectively, and bonds valued at $31.2 million and $7.2 million matured during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. We purchased marketable equity securities having a cost basis of $1.6 million and $0.9 million during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. an investment.

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

September 30, 2022

 

Cash provided by financing activities (in millions)

 

$

84.1

 

 

$

9.6

 

During the first nine months of 2017, we received $5.6 million in insurance proceeds related collapse of the mill building at the Troy mine in February 2017 due to snow. We recognized a cash outflow for the acquisition of Mines Management, net of cash acquired, of $3.9 million in September 2016. We reduced restricted cash by $1.1 million during the first nine months of 2017 as a result of replacing cash collateral for future reclamation costs with non-cash bonding. During the first nine months of 2016, we incurred an increase in restricted cash of $3.9 million related to the settlement of a CERCLA claim for response costs at a CERCLA/Superfund site by one of our subsidiaries.

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

2017

  

September 30,

2016

 

Cash used in financing activities (in millions)

 $(2.8

)

 $(7.8

)

During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, we received $9.6 million and $8.1 million, respectively, in net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock under the equity distribution agreement discussed above. We made repayments on our capital leases of $5.1 million and $6.3 million in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We also made repayments2023, we had net draws on our revolving credit facility resulting in $80 million outstanding at an interest rate of debt totaling $0.5 million and $1.8 million in8% on September 30, 2023. During the first nine months of 2017ended September 30, 2023 and 2016, respectively. During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016,2022, we paid cash dividends on our common and preferred stock totaling $3.0 $11.8million and $2.9$10.5 million, respectively, and cash dividends of $0.4 million in each period on our Series B Preferred Stock. We acquired treasury shares for $3.0 million and $4.4 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively, resulting primarily from our employees' elections to utilize net share settlement to satisfy their tax withholding obligations related to incentive compensation paid in stock and vesting of restricted stock units. See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso resulted in increases in our cash balance of $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, duringrespectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016.2022, we issued stock under our ATM program described above for net proceeds of $25.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. We made repayments on our finance leases of $8.0 million and $5.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

47


Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

The table below presents our fixed, non-cancelable contractual obligations and commitments primarily related to our Senior Notes, IQ Notes, credit facility, outstanding purchase orders, certain capital expenditures our credit facility and lease arrangements as of September 30, 20172023 (in thousands):

 

 

Payments Due By Period

 

 

 

Less than 1 year

 

 

1-3 years

 

 

4-5 years

 

 

More than
5 years

 

 

Total

 

Purchase obligations (1)

 

$

40,326

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

40,326

 

Credit facility(2)

 

 

80,474

 

 

 

1,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81,776

 

Finance lease commitments (3)

 

 

9,313

 

 

 

15,303

 

 

 

7,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,161

 

Operating lease commitments (4)

 

 

1,802

 

 

 

2,550

 

 

 

2,280

 

 

 

5,807

 

 

 

12,439

 

Senior Notes (5)

 

 

34,438

 

 

 

68,876

 

 

 

522,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

625,664

 

IQ Notes (6)

 

 

2,324

 

 

 

37,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,792

 

Total contractual cash obligations

 

$

168,677

 

 

$

125,499

 

 

$

532,175

 

 

$

5,807

 

 

$

832,158

 

  

Payments Due By Period

 
  

Less than 1

year

  

1-3 years

  

4-5 years

  

More than

5 years

  

Total

 

Purchase obligations (1)

 $23,100  $  $  $  $23,100 

Commitment fees (2)

  500   942         1,442 

Contractual obligations (3)

  471            471 

Capital lease commitments (4)

  6,293   6,548   1,260      14,101 

Operating lease commitments (5)

  2,993   2,337   1,377   159   6,866 

Supplemental executive retirement plan (6)

  444   1,061   1,439   3,730   6,674 

Senior Notes (7)

  34,822   69,644   526,813      631,279 

Total contractual cash obligations

 $68,623  $80,532  $530,889  $3,889  $683,933 

(1)

Consists of open purchase orders of approximately $20.9 million at the Greens Creek unit, $0.3 million at the Lucky Friday unit and $1.9 million as the Casa Berardi unit.

(2)

We have a $100 million revolving credit agreement under which we are required to pay a standby fee of 0.5% per annum on undrawn amounts under the revolving credit agreement. There was no amount due under the revolving credit agreement as of September 30, 2017, and the amounts above assume no amounts will be due during the agreement's term.  For more information on our credit facility, see Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

(3)

As of September 30, 2017, we were committed to approximately $0.5 million for various items at Greens Creek. 

(4)

Includes scheduled capital lease payments of $2.9 million, $3.8 million, and $7.4 million (including interest) for equipment at our Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Casa Berardi units, respectively.  These leases have fixed payment terms and contain bargain purchase options at the end of the lease periods (see Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).

(5)

We enter into operating leases in the normal course of business.  Substantially all lease agreements have fixed payment terms based on the passage of time.  Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease or purchase the leased property.  Our future operating lease obligations would change if we exercised these renewal options and if we entered into additional operating lease arrangements.

(6)

These amounts represent our estimate of the future funding requirements for the supplemental executive retirement plan.  See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

(7)

On April 12, 2013, we completed an offering of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due May 1, 2021. See Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year from the most recent payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013, and we have made all interest payments payable to date. Since the initial offering, we have issued an additional $6.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to fund obligations under our defined benefit pension plans. See Note 7 and Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

(1)
56

TableConsists of Contentsopen purchase orders and commitments of approximately $15.0 million, $9.7million, $10.3 million, $3.5 million and $1.8 million for various capital and non-capital items at Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, Casa Berardi and Nevada Operations, respectively.

(2)
The Credit Agreement provides for a $150 million revolving credit facility. We had net draws of $80 million and $6.7 million in letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2023. The amounts in the table above assume no additional amounts will be drawn in future periods, and include only the standby fee on the current undrawn balance and accrued interest. For more information on our credit facility, see Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

(3)
Includes scheduled finance lease payments of $8.9 million, $6.3 million, $8.4 million, and $8.6 million for equipment at Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Casa Berardi, and Keno Hill, respectively.

(4)
We enter into operating leases in the normal course of business. Substantially all lease agreements have fixed payment terms based on the passage of time. Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease or purchase the leased property. Our future operating lease obligations would change if we exercised these renewal options and if we entered into additional operating lease arrangements.

(5)
On February 19, 2020, we completed an offering of $475 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes due February 15, 2028. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per year, with interest payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

(6)
On July 9, 2020, we entered into a note purchase agreement pursuant to which we issued our IQ Notes for CAD$50 million (approximately USD$36.8 million at the time of the transaction) in aggregate principal amount. The IQ Notes bear interest on amounts outstanding at a rate of 6.515% per year, payable on January 9 and July 9 of each year. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

We record liabilities for costs associated with mine closure, reclamation of land and other environmental matters. At September 30, 2017,2023, our liabilities for these matters totaled $87.3$120.0 million. Future expenditures related to closure, reclamation and environmental expenditures at our sites are difficult to estimate, andalthough we anticipate we will incur expenditures relating to these obligations over the next 30 years. For additional information relating to certain of our environmental obligations, see Note 410 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

Critical Accounting Estimates

There have been no significant changes to the critical accounting estimates disclosed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2022 Form 10-K.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At September 30, 2017,2023, we had no existing off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC regulations, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that would beare material to investors.

48


Critical Accounting EstimatesGuarantor Subsidiaries

Our significant accounting policiesPresented below are described in Part IV, Hecla’s unaudited interim condensed consolidating financial statements as required by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, resulting from the guarantees by certain of Hecla's subsidiaries of the Senior Notes and IQ Notes (see Note 17 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report filed on Form 10-K (Unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2016more information). As described in Note 1 The Guarantors consist of the following of Hecla's 100%-owned subsidiaries: Hecla Limited; Silver Hunter Mining Company; Rio Grande Silver, Inc.; Hecla MC Subsidiary, LLC; Hecla Silver Valley, Inc.; Burke Trading, Inc.; Hecla Montana, Inc.; Revett Silver Company; RC Resources, Inc.; Troy Mine Inc.; Revett Exploration, Inc.; Revett Holdings, Inc.; Mines Management, Inc.; Newhi, Inc.; Montanore Minerals Corp.; Hecla Alaska LLC; Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company; Hecla Admiralty Company; Hecla Juneau Mining Company; Klondex Holdings Inc.; Klondex Gold & Silver Mining Co.; Klondex Midas Holdings Limited; Klondex Aurora Mine Inc.; Klondex Hollister Mine Inc.; Hecla Quebec, Inc.; and Alexco Resource Corp. We completed the offering of the Senior Notes on February 19, 2020 under our shelf registration statement previously filed with the SEC. We issued the IQ Notes in four equal tranches between July and October 2020.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidating financial statements below have been prepared from our financial information on the same basis of accounting as the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements set forth elsewhere in this report. Investments in the subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Accordingly, the entries necessary to consolidate Hecla, the Guarantors, and our non-guarantor subsidiaries are reflected in the intercompany eliminations column. In the course of preparing consolidated financial statements, we eliminate the effects of various transactions conducted between Hecla and its subsidiaries and among the subsidiaries. While valid at an individual subsidiary level, such activities are eliminated in consolidation because, when taken as a whole, they do not represent business activity with third-party customers, vendors, and other parties. Examples of such eliminations include the following:

Investments in subsidiaries. The acquisition of a company results in an investment in debt or equity capital on the records of the parent company and a contribution to debt or equity capital on the records of the subsidiary. Such investments and capital contributions are eliminated in consolidation.
Capital contributions. Certain of Hecla's subsidiaries do not generate cash flow, either at all or that is sufficient to meet their capital needs, and their cash requirements are routinely met with inter-company advances from their parent companies. Generally on an annual report, we are requiredbasis, when not otherwise intended as debt, the boards of directors of such parent companies declare contributions of capital to make estimatestheir subsidiary companies, which increase the parents' investment and assumptions that affect the reported amountssubsidiaries' additional paid-in capital. Occasionally, parent companies may also subscribe for additional common shares of their subsidiaries. In consolidation, investments in subsidiaries and related disclosuresadditional paid-in capital are eliminated.
Debt. At times, inter-company debt agreements have been established between certain of assets, liabilities, revenue,Hecla's subsidiaries and expenses. Our estimatestheir parents. The related debt liability and receivable balances, accrued interest expense (if any) and income activity (if any), and payments of principal and accrued interest amounts (if any) by the subsidiary companies to their parents are based on our experience and our interpretationeliminated in consolidation.
Dividends. Certain of economic, political, regulatory, and other factors that affect our business prospects. Actual results may differ significantly from our estimates.

We believe that our most critical accounting estimates are relatedHecla's subsidiaries which generate cash flow routinely provide cash to future metals prices; obligations for environmental, reclamation, and closure matters; mineral reserves; and accounting for business combinations, as they require us to make assumptions that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimates are made and changes in them are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented below. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed to be critical. However, changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.

Future Metals Prices

Metals prices are key components in estimates that determine the valuation of some of our significant assets and liabilities, including properties, plants and equipment, deferred tax assets, and certain accounts receivable. Metals prices are also an important component in the estimation of reserves.  As shown under Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, metals prices have historically been volatile. Silver demand arises from investment demand, particularly in exchange-traded funds, industrial demand, and consumer demand. Gold demand arises primarily from investment and consumer demand.  Investment demand for silver and gold can be influenced by several factors, including:  the value of the U.S. dollar and other currencies, changing U.S. budget deficits, widening availability of exchange-traded funds, interest rate levels, the health of credit markets, and inflationary expectations.  Uncertainty related to the political environment in the U.S., Britain's exit from the European Union and a global economic recovery, including recent uncertainty in China, could result in continued investment demand for precious metals.  Industrial demand for silver is closely linked to world Gross Domestic Product growth and industrial fabrication levels, as it is difficult to substitute for silver in industrial fabrication.  Consumer demand is driven significantly by demand for jewelry and other retail products. We believe that long-term industrial and economic trends, including urbanization and growth of the middle class in countries such as China and India, will result in continued consumer demand for silver and gold and industrial demand for silver.  However, China has recently experienced a lower rate of economic growth which could continue in the near term. There can be no assurance whether these trends will continue or how they will impact prices of the metals we produce. In the past, we have recorded impairments to our asset carrying value because of low prices, and we can offer no assurance that prices will either remain at their current levels or increase. 

Processes supporting valuation of our assets and liabilities that are most significantly affected by prices include analysis of asset carrying values, depreciation, reserves, and deferred income taxes.parent companies through inter-company transfers. On at least an annual basis, -the boards of directors of such subsidiary companies declare dividends to their parent companies, which reduces the subsidiaries' retained earnings and more frequently if circumstances warrant - we examine our depreciation rates, reserve estimates,increases the parents' dividend income. In consolidation, such activity is eliminated.

Deferred taxes. Our ability to realize deferred tax assets and liabilities is considered for two consolidated tax groups of subsidiaries within the United States: The Nevada U.S. Group and the valuation allowances on our deferredHecla U.S. Group. Within each tax assets. We examinegroup, all subsidiaries' estimated future taxable income contributes to the carrying valuesability of ourtheir tax group to realize all such assets as changes in facts and circumstances warrant.  In our evaluation of carrying values and deferred taxes, we apply several pricing views to our forecasting model, including current prices, analyst price estimates, forward-curve prices, and historical prices (see Mineral Reserves, below, regarding prices used for reserve estimates). Using applicable accounting guidance and our view of metals markets,liabilities. However, when Hecla's subsidiaries are viewed independently, we use the probability-weighted averageseparate return method to assess the realizability of the various methods to determineeach subsidiary's deferred tax assets and whether the values of our assets are fairly stated, and to determine the level ofa valuation allowances, if any, on ourallowance is required against such deferred tax assets. In addition, estimatessome instances, a parent company or subsidiary may possess deferred tax assets whose realization depends on the future taxable incomes of future metals prices are usedother subsidiaries on a consolidated-return basis, but would not be considered realizable if such parent or subsidiary filed on a separate stand-alone basis. In such a situation, a valuation allowance is assessed on that subsidiary's deferred tax assets, with the resulting adjustment reported in the valuationeliminations column of certain assetsthe guarantor and parent's financial statements, as is the case in the determinationunaudited interim financial statements set forth below. The separate return method can result in significant eliminations of deferred tax assets and liabilities and related income tax provisions and benefits. Non-current deferred tax asset balances are included in other non-current assets on the consolidating balance sheets and make up a large portion of that item, particularly for the guarantor balances.

Separate financial statements of the purchase price allocationsGuarantors are not presented because the guarantees by the Guarantors are joint and several and full and unconditional, except for our acquisitions (see Business Combinations below).

Salescertain customary release provisions, including: (1) the sale or disposal of concentrates sold directly to customers are recordedall or substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor; (2) the sale or other disposition of the capital stock of the Guarantor; (3) the Guarantor is designated as revenues when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer (generally at the time of shipment) using estimated forward metals prices for the estimated month of settlement. Due to the time elapsed between shipment of concentrates to the customer and final settlementan unrestricted entity in accordance with the customer, we must estimateapplicable provisions of the prices at which salesindenture; (4) Hecla ceases to be a borrower as defined in the indenture; and (5) upon legal or covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales and trade accounts receivable are adjusted to estimated settlement prices until final settlement by the customer. Changes in metals prices between shipment and final settlement result in changes to revenues and accounts receivable previously recorded upon shipment.  As a result, our trade accounts receivable balances related to concentrate sales are subject to changes in metals prices until final settlement occurs.  For more information, see part N. Revenue Recognitionindenture.

49


Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 

As of December 31, 2022

 

 

Parent

 

 

Guarantors

 

 

Non-Guarantors

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

69,889

 

 

$

20,152

 

 

$

14,702

 

 

$

 

 

$

104,743

 

Other current assets

 

 

4,959

 

 

 

147,103

 

 

 

10,922

 

 

 

 

 

$

162,984

 

Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests - net

 

 

1,913

 

 

 

2,288,199

 

 

 

279,678

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,569,790

 

Intercompany receivable (payable)

 

 

(159,442

)

 

 

(598,248

)

 

 

303,433

 

 

 

454,257

 

 

$

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

2,128,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,128,366

)

 

$

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

355,631

 

 

 

20,870

 

 

 

43,241

 

 

 

(330,087

)

 

$

89,655

 

Total assets

 

$

2,401,316

 

 

$

1,878,076

 

 

$

651,976

 

 

$

(2,004,196

)

 

$

2,927,172

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

(93,660

)

 

$

134,016

 

 

$

13,939

 

 

$

124,171

 

 

$

178,466

 

Long-term debt

 

 

506,364

 

 

 

11,378

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

$

517,742

 

Non-current portion of accrued reclamation

 

 

 

 

 

101,900

 

 

 

6,508

 

 

 

 

 

$

108,408

 

Non-current deferred tax liability

 

 

 

 

 

113,876

 

 

 

11,970

 

 

 

 

 

$

125,846

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

9,645

 

 

 

6,720

 

 

 

1,378

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,743

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

1,978,967

 

 

 

1,510,186

 

 

 

618,181

 

 

 

(2,128,367

)

 

$

1,978,967

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

2,401,316

 

 

$

1,878,076

 

 

$

651,976

 

 

$

(2,004,196

)

 

$

2,927,172

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Parent

 

 

Guarantors

 

 

Non-Guarantors

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

79,524

 

 

$

20,323

 

 

$

838

 

 

$

 

 

$

100,685

 

Other current assets

 

 

9,961

 

 

 

130,264

 

 

 

7,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

147,729

 

Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net

 

 

 

 

 

2,639,949

 

 

 

8,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,648,309

 

Intercompany receivable (payable)

 

 

(182,251

)

 

 

(747,432

)

 

 

601,714

 

 

 

327,969

 

 

 

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

 

2,300,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,300,473

)

 

 

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

410,122

 

 

 

19,983

 

 

 

13,036

 

 

 

(378,708

)

 

 

64,433

 

Total assets

 

$

2,617,829

 

 

$

2,063,087

 

 

$

631,452

 

 

$

(2,351,212

)

 

$

2,961,156

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

47,017

 

 

$

141,532

 

 

$

7,592

 

 

$

(50,770

)

 

$

145,371

 

Long-term debt

 

 

587,003

 

 

 

17,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

604,953

 

Non-current portion of accrued reclamation

 

 

 

 

 

107,589

 

 

 

2,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,613

 

Non-current deferred tax liability

 

 

 

 

 

109,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,293

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

6,039

 

 

 

6,720

 

 

 

1,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,156

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

1,977,770

 

 

 

1,680,003

 

 

 

620,439

 

 

 

(2,300,442

)

 

 

1,977,770

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

2,617,829

 

 

$

2,063,087

 

 

$

631,452

 

 

$

(2,351,212

)

 

$

2,961,156

 

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidating Statements of Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.Operations

We utilize financially-settled forward contracts to manage our exposure to changes in prices for silver, gold, zinc and lead.  See 50


 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

Parent

 

 

Guarantors

 

 

Non-Guarantors

 

 

Eliminations

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Revenues

 

$

13,088

 

 

$

546,449

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

559,537

 

Cost of sales

 

 

(2,535

)

 

 

(342,981

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(345,516

)

Depreciation, depletion, amortization

 

 

 

 

 

(107,937

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(107,937

)

General and administrative

 

 

(12,962

)

 

 

(16,389

)

 

 

(1,098

)

 

 

 

 

 

(30,449

)

Exploration and pre-development

 

 

(323

)

 

 

(22,740

)

 

 

(2,483

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,546

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

 

(34,334

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,334

 

 

 

 

Other (expense) income

 

 

13,330

 

 

 

(78,562

)

 

 

(4,017

)

 

 

(15,218

)

 

 

(84,467

)

Income (loss) before income and mining taxes

 

 

(23,736

)

 

 

(22,160

)

 

 

(7,598

)

 

 

19,116

 

 

 

(34,378

)

(Expense) benefit from income taxes

 

 

(17,544

)

 

 

(4,575

)

 

 

 

 

 

15,215

 

 

 

(6,904

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

(41,280

)

 

 

(26,735

)

 

 

(7,598

)

 

 

34,331

 

 

 

(41,282

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

(414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(414

)

Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(41,694

)

 

$

(26,735

)

 

$

(7,598

)

 

$

34,331

 

 

$

(41,696

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

(41,280

)

 

 

(26,735

)

 

 

(7,598

)

 

 

34,331

 

 

 

(41,282

)

Changes in comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

364

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(40,916

)

 

$

(26,735

)

 

$

(7,598

)

 

$

34,331

 

 

$

(40,918

)

51


Item 7A. –3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Commodity-Price Risk Management below for more information on our contract programs.  These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are therefore marked-to-market through earnings each period.  Changes in silver, gold, zinc and lead prices between the dates that the contracts are entered into and their settlements will result in changes to the fair value asset or liability associated with the contracts, with a corresponding gain or loss recognized in earnings.

Obligations for Environmental, Reclamation and Closure Matters

Accrued reclamation and closure costs can represent a significant and variable liability on our balance sheet. We have estimated our liabilities under appropriate accounting guidance, and on at least an annual basis - and more frequently if warranted - management reviews our liabilities with our Audit Committee. However, the ranges of liability could exceed the liabilities recognized. If substantial damages were awarded, claims were settled, or remediation costs incurred in excess of our accruals, our financial results or condition could be materially adversely affected.

Mineral Reserves

Critical estimates are inherent in the process of determining our reserves. Our reserves are affected largely by our assessment of future metals prices, as well as by engineering and geological estimates of ore grade, accessibility and production cost. Metals prices are estimated at long-term averages, as described in Part I, Item 2. – Properties in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our assessment of reserves occurs at least annually, and periodically utilizes external audits.

Reserves are a key component in the valuation of our properties, plants and equipment. Reserve estimates are used in determining appropriate rates of units-of-production depreciation, with net book value of many assets depreciated over remaining estimated reserves. Reserves are also a key component in forecasts, with which we compare future cash flows to current asset values in an effort to ensure that carrying values are reported appropriately. Our forecasts are also used in determining the level of valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets. Reserves also play a key role in the valuation of certain assets in the determination of the purchase price allocations for acquisitions. Annual reserve estimates are also used to determine conversions of mineral assets beyond the known reserve resulting from business combinations to depreciable reserves, in periods subsequent to the business combinations (see Business Combinations below).  Reserves are a culmination of many estimates and are not guarantees that we will recover the indicated quantities of metals or that we will do so at a profitable level.

Business Combinations

We are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  The valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to long-lived assets (including mineral assets beyond the known reserve). These estimates include future metals prices and mineral reserves, as discussed above.  Management may also be required to make estimates related to the valuation of deferred tax assets or liabilities as part of the purchase price allocation for business combinations. In some cases, we use third-party appraisers to determine the fair values and lives of property and other identifiable assets. In addition, costs related to business combinations are included in earnings as incurred, and our financial results for periods in which business combinations are pursued could be adversely affected as a result.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion about our exposure to market risks and risk management activities includes forward-looking statements that involve riskrisks and uncertainties, andas well as summarizes the financial instruments held by us at September 30, 2017,2023, which are sensitive to changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates and are not held for trading purposes. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the normal course of business, we also face risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable (See Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factors of our annual report filed2022 Form 10-K).

Metals Prices

Changes in the market prices of silver, gold, lead and zinc can significantly affect our profitability and cash flow. Metals prices can and often do fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control (see Item 1A – Risk Factors – A substantial or extended decline in metals prices would have a material adverse effect on us in our 2022 Form 10-K10-K). We utilize financially-settled forward and put option contracts to manage our exposure to changes in prices for the year ended December 31, 2016).silver, gold, zinc and lead.

Provisional Sales

Sales of all metals products sold directly to customers, including by-product metals, are recorded as revenues when titleall performance obligations have been completed and risk of loss transfers to the customer (generallytransaction price can be determined or reasonably estimated. For concentrate sales, revenues are generally recorded at the time of shipment)shipment at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement. Due to the time elapsed between shipment to the customer and the final settlement with the customer we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement by the customer. Changes in metals prices between shipment and final settlement will result in changes to revenues previously recorded upon shipment. Metals prices can and often do fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control (see Part I, Item 1A.1A – Risk Factors –A substantial or extended decline in metals prices would have a material adverse effect on us in our annual report filed on2022 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016)10-K). At September 30, 2017,2023, metals contained in concentratesconcentrate sales and exposed to future price changes totaled approximately 1.50.9 million ounces of silver 5,536 ounces of gold, 9,974 tons of zinc, and 1,4235,075 tons of lead. If the price for each metal were to change by 10%, the change in the total value of the concentrates sold would be approximately $6.4$3.3 million. However, asAs discussed in Commodity-Price Risk Management below,Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), we utilize a program designed and intended to mitigate the risk of negative price adjustments with limited mark-to-market financially-settled forward contracts for our silver, gold, zinc and lead sales.

Commodity-Price Risk Management

At times, we use commodity forward sales commitments, commodity swap contractsSee Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and commodity putItem 7A. Quantitative and call option contracts to manageQualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in our exposure to fluctuation in the prices of certain metals which we produce. Contract positions are designed to ensure that we will receive2022 Form 10-K for a defined minimum price for certain quantitiesdescription of our production, thereby partially offsetting our exposure to fluctuations in the market. Ourcommodity-price risk management policy allows for up to 75% of our planned metals price exposure for five years into the future, with certain other limitations, to be hedged under such programs. These instruments do, however, expose us to (i) credit risk in the form of possible non-performance by counterparties for contracts in which the contract price exceeds the spot price of a commodity and (ii) price risk to the extent that the spot price exceeds the contract price for quantities of our production covered under contract positions.program.

We are currently using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments between the time of shipment and final settlement. In addition, we are using financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead (but not silver and gold) contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are marked-to-market through earnings each period.

As of September 30, 2017, we recorded the following balances for the fair value of the contracts:

a current asset of $0.4 million, which is net of $0.1 million for contracts in a liability position and included in other current assets;

a current liability of $7.9 million, which is net of $0.2 million for contracts in an asset position and included in other current liabilities; and

a non-current liability of $4.0 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities.

We recognized a $3.9 million net loss during the first nine months of 2017 on the contracts utilized to manage exposure to prices of metals in our concentrate shipments, which is included in sales of products.  The net loss recognized on the contracts offsets gains related to price adjustments on our provisional concentrate sales due to changes to silver, gold, lead and zinc prices between the time of sale and final settlement.

We recognized a $16.5 million net loss during the first nine months of 2017 on the contracts utilized to manage exposure to prices for forecasted future concentrate shipments. The net loss on these contracts is included as a separate line item under other income (expense), as they relate to forecasted future shipments, as opposed to sales that have already taken place but are subject to final pricing as discussed in the preceding paragraph.  The net loss for the first nine months of 2017 is the result of higher zinc and lead prices. This program, when utilized, is designed to mitigate the impact of potential future declines in lead and zinc prices from the price levels established in the contracts (see average price information below). When those prices increase compared to the contract prices, we recognize losses.

The following tables summarize the quantities of metals committed under forward sales contracts at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

September 30, 2017

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

  

Average price per ounce/pound

 
  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

 
  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

                                

2017 settlements

  1,399   5   19,070   2,535  $17.18  $1,298  $1.33  $1.07 

2018 settlements

        2,370      N/A   N/A  $1.38   N/A 

Contracts on forecasted sales

                                

2017 settlements

        441   2,866   N/A   N/A  $1.23  $1.05 

2018 settlements

        39,463   17,968   N/A   N/A  $1.27  $1.05 

2019 settlements

        14,330   8,267   N/A   N/A  $1.30  $1.07 

2020 settlements

        3,307   2,205   N/A   N/A  $1.27  $1.07 

December 31, 2016

 

Ounces/pounds under contract (in 000's)

  

Average price per ounce/pound

 
  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

  

Silver

  

Gold

  

Zinc

  

Lead

 
  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

  

(ounces)

  

(ounces)

  

(pounds)

  

(pounds)

 

Contracts on provisional sales

                                

2017 settlements

  1,295   4   19,070   7,441  $16.29  $1,172  $1.18  $0.97 

Contracts on forecasted sales

                                

2017 settlements

        35,384   17,637   N/A   N/A  $1.19  $1.03 

2018 settlements

        13,779   5,732   N/A   N/A  $1.21  $1.05 

Our concentrate sales are based on a provisional sales price containing an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of the concentrates at the forward price at the time of the sale. The embedded derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is marked-to-market through earnings each period prior to final settlement.

Foreign Currency Risk Management

We operate or have mining interests in Canada, and Mexico, which exposes us to risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar ("USD")USD and the Canadian dollar ("CAD") and Mexican peso ("MXN").CAD. We have determined that the functional currency for our Canadian and Mexican operations is the USD. As such, foreign exchange gains and losses associated with the re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities from CAD and MXN to USD are recorded to earnings each period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2023, we recognized a net foreign exchange lossgain of $10.9 million.$4.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of $5.7 million and $8.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rates are influenced by a number of factors beyond our control. A 10% change in the exchange rate between the USD and CAD from the rate at September 30, 20172023 would have resulted in a change of approximately $11.8$11.2 million in our net foreign exchange gain or loss. A 10% change inWe do not hedge the exchange rate between the USDremeasurement of monetary assets and MXN from the rate at September 30, 2017 would have resulted in a changeliabilities. We do hedge some of approximately $0.9 million in our net foreign exchange gain or loss.

In April 2016, we initiated a program to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the USDoperating and CAD and the impact on our future operatingcapital costs denominated in CAD. In October 2016, we also initiatedforeign currency.

See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2022 Form 10-K for a program to manage our exposure to the impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the USD and MXN on our future operating costs denominated in MXN. The programs utilize forward contracts to buy CAD and MXN, and each contract is designated as a cash flow hedge. As of September 30, 2017, we have 94 forward contracts outstanding to buy CAD$200.1 million having a notional amount of US$154.0 million, and 6 forward contracts outstanding to buy MXN$43.3 million having a notional amount of USD$2.2 million. The CAD contracts are related to forecasted cash operating costs at Casa Berardi to be incurred from 2017 through 2020 and have CAD-to-USD exchange rates ranging between 1.2787 and 1.3380. The MXN contracts are related to forecasted cash operating costs at San Sebastian for 2017 and have MXN-to-USD exchange rates ranging between 19.5910 and 21.0000. Our risk management policy allows for up to 75%description of our planned cost exposure for five years into the future to be hedged under such programs, and for potential additional programs to manage other foreign currency-related exposure areas.currency risk management.

As of September 30, 2017, we recorded the following balances for the fair value of the contracts:52


a current asset of $2.8 million, which is included in other current assets; and

a non-current asset of $3.7 million, which is included in other non-current assets.

Net unrealized gains of approximately $6.8 million related to the effective portion of the hedges were included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017. Unrealized gains and losses will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to current earnings as the underlying operating expenses are recognized. We estimate approximately $2.9 million in net unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017 would be reclassified to current earnings in the next twelve months. Net realized gains of approximately $0.4 million on contracts related to underlying expenses which have been recognized were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in cost of sales and other direct production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net unrealized gains of approximately $2 thousand related to ineffectiveness of the hedges were included in current earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as definedrequired by Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us is accumulated and communicated to our management (including our CEO and CFO), were effective as of September 30, 2017,2023, in assuring them in a timely manner that material information required to be disclosed in this report has been properly recorded, processed, summarized and reported. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarterthree months ended September 30, 20172023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Internal control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even a system which is determined to be effective cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues have been detected or prevented. Our systems of internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Part II - Other Information

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries

For information concerning legal proceedings, refer to Note 410 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factors of our annual report filed on2022 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 setsset forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.  Those risk factors continue to be relevant to an understanding of our business, financial condition and operating results.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report.

Item 6.    Exhibits5. Other Information

SeeItem 5(c)During the exhibit index to this Form 10-Q for the list of exhibits.

Items 2, 3 and 5 of Part II are not applicable and are omitted from this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirementsthree months ended September 30, 2023, no director or officer of the Securities Exchange ActCompany adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.Regulation S-K.

HECLA MINING COMPANY

    (Registrant)

Date:

November 7, 2017

By:

/s/ Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Date:

November 7, 2017

By:

/s/ Lindsay A. Hall

Lindsay A. Hall, Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

53


Item 6. Exhibits

Hecla Mining Company and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q – September 30, 20172023

Index to Exhibits

3.1Exhibit

Number

Description

10.1

Restated CertificateForm of Incorporation of the Registrant. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

3.2

Bylaws of the Registrant as amended to date. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2014 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1

Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Included as Annex II to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2(a)

Indenture dated as of April 12, 2013 among Hecla Mining Company, as Issuer, certain subsidiaries of Hecla Mining Company, as Guarantors thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2013 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2(b)

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 14, 2014, among Hecla Mining Company, as Issuer, certain subsidiaries of Hecla Mining Company, as Guarantors thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. Filed as exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR filed on April 14, 2014 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2(c)

Supplemental Indenture,Change in Control Agreement dated August 5, 2015, among Revett Mining Company, Inc., Revett Silver Company, Troy Mine, Inc., RC Resources, Inc., Revett Exploration, Inc.,16, 2023, between Registrant and Revett Holdings, Inc., as Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.  Filed asCarlos Aguiar, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2(d)10.2 to Registrant’sthe Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.. (1)

4.2(d)10.2

Supplemental Indenture,Form of Indemnification Agreement dated October 26, 2016, among Mines Management Inc., Newhi, Inc., Montanore Minerals Corp., as Guaranteeing Subsidiaries,August 16, 2023, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust, N.A., as Trustee. Filed asCarlos Aguiar, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2(e)10.7 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1

Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective May 20, 2016, by and among Hecla Mining Company, Hecla Limited, Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as the Borrowers, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and various Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2016 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2

First Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective July 14, 2017, by and among Hecla Mining Company, Hecla Limited, Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as the Borrowers, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and various Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’sCompany’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 20172006 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.. (1)

31.131.1*

Certification pursuantof Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

31.231.2*

Certification pursuantof Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

32.132.1*

Certification pursuantof Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

32.232.2*

Certification pursuantof Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

9595*

Mine safety information listed in Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Act. *

101.INS

XBRL Instance. **

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. **

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.**Schema Document **

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation.**Calculation Linkbase Document **

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.**Definition Linkbase Document **

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels.**Label Linkbase Document **

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation.**Presentation Linkbase Document **

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) **

___________________

* Filed herewith.herewith

** XBRL information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

65(1) Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Items 2 and 3 of Part II are not applicable and are omitted from this report.

54


SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

HECLA MINING COMPANY

    (Registrant)

Date:

November 7, 2023

By:

/s/ Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Date:

November 7, 2023

By:

/s/ Russell D. Lawlar

Russell D. Lawlar, Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer

55