Page 4 - HMCSocialResponsibility

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DEDICATION OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT IS MY PLEASURE THIS YEAR TO PRESENT THE FIRST OVERVIEW ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN HECLA’S 120-YEAR HISTORY. It’s time we communicated some of the excellent work we’ve accomplished in the past – and how we intend to continue it long into the future.
We are committed to being a responsible company in many ways: by prioritizing the health and safety of our employees; by minimizing our impact on the environment through the development of innovative technologies and approaches to mining; by positively impacting our communities as a key contributor in the development and enhancement of local economies; by supporting local charities through the Hecla Charitable Foundation; and by behaving responsibly toward our key stakeholders.
Our approach to all this is simple. We keep social responsibility in mind in everything we do. At the operations level, we have
teams dedicated to the three cornerstones of social responsibility: HEALTH AND SAFETY, ECONOMIC IMPACT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, and ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. In addition, Hecla’s board of directors, through the Health, Safety, Environmental, and Technical Committee, monitors performance, reviews policies, and tracks emerging
trends in health and safety and environmental practices – including legislation and proposed regulations a ecting Hecla. e mining industry has o en been criticized for not being a sustainable business, but Hecla has been one of the most sustaining businesses – an engine
for economic and social activity – in the communities where we have been operating for over a century.
e HEALTH AND SAFETY of our employees and contractors is of utmost importance, which is why we’re always looking for ways to enhance the health of each employee and mitigate potential safety threats in the workplace. Tragically, in April 2011, Hecla’s Lucky Friday operation experienced its rst fatality in 25 years and 8.5 million working man-hours. For nine days and nights, our skilled miners, operators, and engineers devoted nearly superhuman e orts toward the ultimately unsuccessful rescue of Larry Marek. He will be greatly missed. We are cooperating fully with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to investigate the cause of the incident and what actions need to be taken as a result.
Hecla plays an important role in the communities where we live and work, both as an ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTOR and through COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. We provide
2010 LOCAL, STATE, AND
FEDERAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
$75 million combined direct payroll
$200 million paid to vendors, suppliers, and contractors $16 million in federal and state income tax
656 direct jobs supported
1,600 indirect jobs supported
Phillips S. Baker, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Of cer
Hecla Mining Company 2