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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.8.1




                               December 13, 1995

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Harry F. Cougher
Sunshine Mining & Refining Company
P.O. Box 1080
Kellogg, ID 83837

Dear Harry:

         This letter will set forth our agreement that the Executive Employment
Agreement dated January 1, 1994 (the "Employment Agreement") by and between
Sunshine Mining & Refining Company (the "Company") and you as an executive of
the Company (the "Executive") is hereby amended as set forth below:

         Section 2 of the Employment Agreement is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

         Term:  Subject to the provisions of section 6 hereof, the employment
         of Executive shall commence as of the date first written above and
         shall end on December 31, 1999.

         Except as amended by this letter, the Employment Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect as originally written.

         If these provisons are acceptable to you, please indicate your
acceptance and agreement by executing two copies of this letter as provided
below and returning one of such copies to Rebecca Saunders, Secretary of the
Company.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       /s/ JOHN S. SIMKO
                                       John S. Simko

JSS:rs

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

/s/ HARRY F. COUGHER                        
Harry F. Cougher