The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News – January 18, 2019
This semi-autonomous long-haul loader operating during shift changes has played a key role in record mill throughput at Hecla's Greens Creek Mine during 2017 and 2018.
Hecla Mining Company Jan. 15 reported that its Greens Creek Mine in Southeast Alaska produced 8 million ounces of silver and 51,493 oz of gold in 2018, compared to 8.4 million oz silver and 50,855 million oz of gold in 2017.
The roughly 5 percent drop in silver production at Greens Creek is due to anticipated lower grades.
The mill operated at an average of 2,316 tons per day in 2018. This marks the second straight year of record throughput for the Greens Creek mill. This increased production is largely due to high-tech innovations at the underground operation, including the use of a semi-autonomous long-haul loader operating during shift changes at Greens Creek.
Overall, Hecla's five mines – Greens Creek, San Sebastian (Mexico), Casa Berardi (Quebec), Lucky Friday (Idaho) and newly acquired Nevada Operations – produced 10.4 million oz of silver, 262,103 oz of gold, 56,023 tons of zinc and 20,091 tons of lead during 2018.
"The economic engine and two largest mines of the company, Greens Creek and Casa Berardi, continue to perform strongly and generate significant cash flow," said Hecla Mining President and CEO Phillips S. Baker, Jr. "Their performance is a direct result of our investments which have enabled record-setting throughput."
–SHANE LASLEY
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