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             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                   Washington D. C.  20549

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                          FORM 8-K

           PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported):           May 7, 1999


                    Hecla Mining Company
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   (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                          Delaware
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       (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


          1-8491                             82-0126240
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(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)


6500 Mineral Drive
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho                              83815-8788
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(Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


                       (208) 769-4100
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               (Registrant's Telephone Number)







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Item 7.   FINANCIAL    STATEMENTS,   PRO   FORMA   FINANCIAL
          INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibit 4 - Form  of  Warrant Agreement (including the  form
            of  Warrant) by and between Hecla Mining Company
            and the Warrant Agent
     
Exhibit 99 - Form of Agreement to purchase Common Stock  and
             Warrants  by  and between Hecla Mining  Company
             and Purchasers



                              
                              
                          SIGNATURE

      Pursuant  to  the requirements of Section  12  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



                              By  /s/ Michael B. White
                                ----------------------------
                                Name:   Michael B. White
                                Title:  Vice President -
                                        General Counsel


Dated:  May 7, 1999











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                        EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT NO.              TITLE


4 -           Form  of Warrant Agreement (including the form
              of   Warrant)  by  and  between  Hecla  Mining
              Company and the Warrant Agent
     
99 -          Form of Agreement to purchase Common Stock and
              Warrants  by and between Hecla Mining  Company
              and Purchasers































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