EXHIBIT 5.1

                                January 10, 2003

Hecla Mining Company
6500 Mineral Drive
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815-8788

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I have represented Hecla Mining Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on
Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), for the purpose of registering under the Act (i) up to
2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.25 per share (the "Common Stock")
of the Company owned by certain stockholders of the Company currently issued and
outstanding (the "Stockholder Shares") and (ii) up to 23,000,000 shares of
Common Stock to be issued by the Company (the "Company Shares," and together
with the Stockholder Shares, the "Shares").

         In connection with this opinion, I have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such documents,
corporate and other records, certificates, and other papers, including the
Registration Statement and pertinent resolutions of the board of directors of
the Company, as I deemed necessary to examine for the purpose of this opinion.

         Based upon such examination, it is my opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and are non-assessable.

         My opinion expressed above is limited to the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, the applicable provisions of the Delaware constitution,
and the reported judicial decisions interpreting such laws, and I do not express
any opinion concerning any other laws. This opinion is given as of the date
hereof, and I assume no obligation to advise you of changes that may hereafter
be brought to my attention. I consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit
that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7
of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                     Very truly yours,



                                                     /s/ Michael B. White