More silver at Hecla's most important mine

Hecla Mining Company April 17 reported that its Greens Creek Mine in Southeast Alaska produced 2.23 million ounces of silver during the first quarter of 2019, a 17 percent increase over the first three months of 2018. The Southeast Alaska operation also churned out 14,328 oz of gold during the quarter ending March 31, which is up 9 percent compared to a year ago.

The Idaho-based miner said higher ore grades and increased recoveries, partially offset by lower mill throughput, are the reasons for the higher precious metals production at Greens Creek during this year's first quarter.

The mill processed an average of 2,298 tons of ore per day during the first three months of this year.

Greens Creek also produces appreciable amounts of byproduct zinc and lead. The exact amounts of these base metals produced at the mine near Juneau will be published in Hecla's third quarter financial report, expected next month.

Combined, Hecla's five operating mines – Greens Creek, Lucky Friday (Idaho), Casa Berardi (Quebec), San Sebastian (Mexico) and newly acquired Nevada Operations – produced 2.92 million oz of silver, 60,021 oz gold, 27.89 million pounds of zinc and 11.57 million lb of lead during the first quarter.

"Silver production was higher in the quarter due to the standout performance from our most important mine, Greens Creek, with higher gold and silver grades and recoveries than the first quarter of 2018," said Hecla Mining President and CEO Phillips Baker, Jr.

"Quarterly gold production was higher than last year, but we expect significant production increases from Casa and the Nevada assets in the second half of the year," he added.

–SHANE LASLEY