Exhibit 99.1
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![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/8-K/0001193125-23-236503/g542851g0918001055678.jpg) | | NEWS RELEASE | | |
HECLA ANNOUNCES LUCKY FRIDAY UPDATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2023
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO — Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) announced an update regarding the Lucky Friday mine on the previously reported fire in the mine’s secondary egress, the #2 shaft.
The fire has been extinguished, normal ventilation has been established, and the workforce has been recalled. The Company is bringing the mine back into production by developing a new secondary egress to bypass the damaged portion of the shaft. The new egress will extend an existing ramp 1,600 feet and install a 290-foot-long manway raise.
It is anticipated this work will suspend production for the remainder of 2023. The mine has produced 3 million ounces of silver as of the end of July 2023. Currently, the Company does not expect a material change to 2024 consolidated silver production guidance. The Company has property insurance with an underground sub-limit of $50 million and believes this policy will cover most of the property damage and business interruption, less the deductible.
ABOUT HECLA
Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Including 2023 Outlook
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “targets”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: (i) the Company plans to bring the mine back into production by developing a new secondary egress to bypass the damaged portion of the shaft; (ii) the new egress is expected to extend an existing ramp 1,600 feet and install a 290-foot-long manway raise; (iii) Currently, the Company does not expect a material change to 2024 consolidated silver production guidance, and (iv) the Company believes it has insurance coverage up to $50 million and expects to recover most of the property damage and business interruption resulting from the incident.
Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Such assumptions, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change
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