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THIS COMPANY WAS BORN IN ONE OF THE TOP MINING DISTRICTS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD — A DISTRICT THAT’S SO FAR PRODUCED MORE THAN 1.2 BILLION OUNCES OF SILVER. TODAY, WE’RE THE LARGEST PRIMARY SILVER PRODUCER IN
THE UNITED STATES AND THE COUNTRY’S THIRD LARGEST ZINC AND LEAD PRODUCER.
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Hecla’s value today is measured in large part by the company’s ownership of district-sized, high-quality land packages in safe and stable jurisdictions: Greens Creek, Casa Berardi, Lucky Friday, and San Sebastian. They’re our legacy; the result of 125 years of hard work and persistence.
Our value is also measured by a diversified revenue stream. One of Hecla’s competitive advantages is that we produce large amounts of four metals: silver, gold, lead, and zinc. Because precious and base metals prices typically don’t move together – when one is high, the other is frequently low – it can provide a natural revenue hedge.
Today, Hecla is a company transformed, building on a track record of mining excellence and focused on the safe and sustainable practices that will enable us to grow and evolve even more in the present century than we have in the previous two. Consider our 2015 performance: record silver production and silver equivalent production (11.6 million and 37.5 million ounces, respectively), and the tenth consecutive year of record proven and probable silver reserves.
For me, it’s particularly meaningful that Hecla is celebrating its 125th year in the wake of some of the most transformational events in the company’s history: settling the Coeur d’Alene Basin environmental litigation, acquiring Greens Creek and Casa Berardi, and developing the deeper potential of the Lucky Friday. And, most recently, the acquisition of Rock Creek, the largest undeveloped silver and copper deposit in the United States. Ours is a history of great assets, great people, and continual improvement and innovation – a history that gives me a great deal of confidence in our future. It’s a story of triumphs and stumbles, yes; but it’s also a story of persistence, creativity, skill, resilience, and courage.
PHILLIPS S. BAKER, JR.
president and chief executive officer
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