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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 12, 2001
Hecla Mining Company
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-8491 82-0126240
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification Number)
6500 Mineral Drive, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815-8788
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (208)769-4100
None
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(Former name or former address, if change since last report)
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ITEM 4. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
(a) (i) On October 12, 2001 the Registrant ended its audit relationship
and dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Registrant's
independent accountants (the "Former Accountants"). The decision to
change was prompted when the Former Accountants announced the closure
of their Spokane, Washington, office and the Registrant was notified
that the staff and partners responsible for the Registrant's
relationship were transferring to the Spokane, Washington, office of
BDO Seidman LLP.
(ii) The reports of the Former Accountants on the financial
statements for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and
1999 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were
not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles.
(iii) The decision to dismiss the Former Accountants and engage BDO
as the principal independent accountants for the Registrant was
approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Registrant.
(iv) During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 and the
interim period through October 12, 2001, there have been no
disagreements with the Former Accountants on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of the Former Accountants, would have caused them to
make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements
for such years.
(v) During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 and
through the interim period through October 12, 2001, there were no
"reportable events" as defined by Item 304 (a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K.
(vi) The Registrant has requested that the Former Accountants furnish
it with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above
statements. A copy of such letter, dated October 18, 2001, is filed
as Exhibit 16.01 to this Form 8-K.
(b) (i) The Registrant has engaged BDO Seidman LLP ("BDO") as its new
principal independent accountants on October 12, 2001.
(ii) Neither the Registrant nor anyone on its behalf has consulted
BDO during the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years, or any
subsequent interim period, prior to its engagement of BDO.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits.
16.01 Letter dated October 18, 2001, from the Registrant's former
principal independent accountants.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Hecla Mining Company
Date: October 19, 2001 By: /s/ Michael B. White
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Michael B. White
Vice President - General Counsel
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
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Exhibit 16.01 Letter dated October 18, 2001, from the Registrant's
former principal independent accountants.