1

[HECLA LOGO]                                                           Exhibit A

                        NEWS RELEASE

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                January 26, 1995
COURT RULES GROUSE CREEK MINE
CAN CONTINUE OPERATIONS

         COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Hecla Mining Company (HL & HL-B:NYSE) and
Great Lakes Minerals Inc. (GKE:TSE) of Toronto were informed yesterday that
their new Grouse Creek gold and silver mine in central Idaho can continue
operations while the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) completes its
required consultations on salmon habitat in the Challis National Forest.

         Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge David Ezra of Hawaii ordered a
halt to certain mining, timber, grazing, and road building projects in six
national forests in Idaho to protect salmon habitat.  The order was in response
to a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups who claimed the U.S. Forest
Service, in preparing its forest management plans, failed to properly consult
with NMFS regarding endangered salmon.  It was never implemented in the case of
Grouse Creek.

         Yesterday, the judge ruled that operations like the Grouse Creek mine,
which had previously been determined as "not likely to adversely affect" salmon
habitat, can continue to operate while consultations on the forest management
plans are completed.  Additionally, Hecla and Great Lakes have learned that
NMFS has committed to work expeditiously to complete consultations on the
forest plans in the very near future.

         Arthur Brown, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hecla
Mining Company said, "Before we even began construction at Grouse Creek, the
project underwent years of environmental study and extensive environmental
review by federal, state and local regulatory agencies.  We solicited input
from the public and the environmental groups.  From the beginning design
stages, we placed a high emphasis on protecting, and even enhancing, nearby
salmon habitat."

         John McBride, chairman and chief executive officer of Great Lakes
Minerals, noted that, "Both the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S.
Forest Service have concurred with biological assessments prepared in
conjunction with the Grouse Creek mine, that the project would result in
reduced river sedimentation and improved salmon habitat."  Hecla is the operator
and owns 80 percent of Grouse Creek.  Great Lakes owns 20 percent and has an
option to buy an additional 10 percent.

                                      ###
CONTACT:
April R. Boughton, director of public relations
208/769-4144



[HECLA LETTERHEAD]