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North of 60 Mining News - November 4, 2024
Hecla Mining Company appoints Rob Krcmarov as its new president and CEO.
Rob Krcmarov
Marking a new era for the oldest and largest primary silver-producing company in the United States, Hecla Mining Company has appointed Rob Krcmarov to be its new president and CEO beginning on Nov. 7.
Rob Krcmarov
"Rob is a highly respected figure in the mining industry with a proven track record across various international markets," said Hecla Mining Chair Catherine Boggs. "His experience in managing complex operations and his commitment to safe, sustainable mining practices make him the ideal fit for Hecla's next chapter."
Boggs took the helm as interim president and CEO upon the resignation of Phillips Baker Jr. in May. Over his 23-year tenure as Hecla's top executive, Baker guided and grew the company during a period when industrial demand for silver was shifted from photography to digital electronics, much like the cameras themselves.
During Baker's tenure, Hecla acquired full ownership of Greens Creek in Alaska, the largest silver-producing mine in the U.S., and the Keno Hill mine in the Yukon, expected to be the largest primary silver-producing mine in Canada once it is running at commercial capacity.
These northern operations – along with the Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho, where Hecla got its start nearly 134 years ago – are on pace to produce around 17 million oz of silver this year, and the company anticipates hitting 10 million oz in 2025.
A seasoned geologist and mining executive with over three decades of experience in the industry, Krcmarov is seen by Hecla as the ideal candidate to lead the company into a new era at a time when solar and other clean energy technologies are driving increased demand for silver.
"The board conducted a rigorous selection process to ensure that our new CEO has the right experience, vision, and leadership to guide Hecla forward, and that is Rob," said Boggs.
Prior to joining Hecla, Krcmarov served for 13 years on the executive leadership team at Barrick Gold Corp., including his most recent role as executive vice president of exploration and growth.
Bringing on a geologist who was in charge of growing one of the world's largest gold mining companies as its top executive is a strong indicator that Hecla's board is looking to expand upon its position as the largest primary silver producer in North America.
"We look forward to his input on all of our operations, including our large inventory of exploration and pre-development projects," said Boggs.
While leading Hecla's growth strategy into an era when the world is demanding more silver for the energy transition, Krcmarov is embracing the values and traditions that have kept the company in business for 134 years.
"I look forward to building upon Hecla's legacy of operational excellence, culture of innovation, and continuous improvement and furthering our commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and stakeholder engagement," he said.
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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