Hecla reports 24% silver production decline in Q3 due to lower grades at Greens Creek
(Kitco News) - Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL), theUnited States' largest silver producer, announced yesterday that its silverproduction of 2.7 million ounces in Q3 2021 was 24% lower compared to Q3 2020 dueto lower grades at Greens Creek based on mine sequencing, partially offset byLucky Friday production.
The company's gold productionof 42,206 ounces was in line with the same period in the prior year, whereas zincproduction decreased by 14% to 15,545 tons due to Greens Creek's lower grades, whilelead production increased slightly to 9,904 tons with Lucky Friday being infull production.
"Lucky Friday and CasaBerardi both delivered strong operational quarters, with Casa Berardiincreasing gold production by 13% and Lucky Friday increasing silver productionby 31% over last year," said President and CEO Phillips S. Baker, Jr. "GreensCreek had a good quarter but was down compared to an exceptional 2020 thirdquarter. The mine experienced lower grades due to the mine sequence, which wasdriven by manpower challenges that are being addressed through schedule changesand other means."
Founded in 1891, Hecla Miningis the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operatingmines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the company owns a number ofexploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold miningdistricts throughout North America.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
Follow kitconewsnow
vbasov@kitco.comwww.kitco.com