Hecla Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Second highest revenues, silver reserves and production; Expecting silver production growth

For The Period Ended: December 31, 2023

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) ("Hecla" or the "Company") today announced fourth quarter 2023 financial and operating results.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Silver reserves of 238 million ounces, silver production of 14.3 million ounces, and total sales of $720.2 million, all are the second highest in Company history.

• Lucky Friday restarted production on January 9^th, with first insurance proceeds received in February.

• Hecla received a U.S. patent for the Underhand Closed Bench ("UCB") mining method.
  
• Greens Creek achieved record throughput and generated $157.3 million in cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $121.6 million.²

• Casa Berardi began the transition to surface only mining with results exceeding expectations.
• Keno Hill began silver production in the second half of the year, focusing on improving safety and environmental performance while completing major infrastructure projects.

• Completed Technical Report Summary for Keno Hill and Casa Berardi demonstrating the value of the assets.

• All-Injury Frequency Rate ("AIFR") of 1.45, lower than the national average, Greens Creek and Lucky Friday recorded their lowest AIFR of 0.29 and 0.66, respectively.

"Hecla reported the second largest silver reserves, largest gold resource, and second highest silver production and revenues in our history despite the Lucky Friday losing five months of production due to a fire," said Phillips S. Baker Jr, President and CEO. "Greens Creek delivered another year of strong and consistent performance as we increased throughput. Casa Berardi exceeded our expectations for tons and cost per ton from operating our own surface fleet, and this strong performance is reflected in the updated technical report. At Keno Hill, we slowed the ramp-up of the mine due to the safety and environmental performance; however, with the silver grade over twice the grade of our other mines, it still contributed significantly to our silver production and, as the technical report shows, it will contribute even more in the future."

Baker continued, "Because of the suspension of production at Lucky Friday due to the fire and continued investment in ramp-up at Keno Hill, we have drawn on our revolving credit facility which we expect to pay down in 2024 with all four mines in operation and anticipated receipt of approximately $50 million of insurance proceeds. With Lucky Friday back in production and Keno Hill's continued ramp-up, we expect silver production to increase by 15-20% this year, and 30% by 2026, making Hecla one of the world’s fastest growing silver companies."

Baker concluded, "2023 was also a significant year in the energy transition as 75% of the world’s new renewable electric power generation capacity was solar, requiring 500,000 ounces per gigawatt of new installed capacity, which equates to as much as 190 million ounces of silver in solar demand. China alone installed as much solar as the entire world did in 2022, and significant new solar facilities are now planned for the United States. As the demand for silver in solar continues to rise, Hecla, the largest silver producer in the U.S., and soon Canada, is well positioned to leverage higher expected silver prices driven by increasing demand."

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

In the following table and throughout this release, "total cost of sales" is comprised of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization; "prior year" refers to 2022, and "prior quarter" refers to the third quarter of 2023. In section ‘Operations Overview’, free cash flow for operations excludes hedging adjustments.²

Sales in 2023 increased to $720.2 million as higher realized prices for silver and gold offset lower gold and lead sales volumes. Gold production declined due to Casa Berardi reducing underground production as it transitions to a surface only operation by mid-2024. Lead production declined due to the temporary suspension of production at the Lucky Friday.

Gross profit in 2023 was $112.9 million, a decrease of 3% over the prior year. The decrease is attributable to (i) lower gross profit at Casa Berardi due to lower sales volumes and accelerated depreciation, depletion, and amortization based on the shorter underground mine life, and (ii) only seven months of production at Lucky Friday partially offset by higher gross profit realized at Greens Creek.

Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the year was $84.8 million, an increase over the prior year primarily related to:

• Ramp-up and suspension costs increased by $52.1 million, reflecting the impact of the Lucky Friday suspension, and the ramp-up of production at Keno Hill.

• A foreign exchange loss of $3.8 million, compared to a gain of $7.2 million in the prior year, reflecting the impact of the U.S. dollar appreciation on Canadian dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities.

• An income tax provision of $1.2 million, compared to a benefit of $7.6 million due to an increase in the valuation allowance for losses incurred by Keno Hill during the year.

The above items were partly offset by:

• A decrease in exploration and pre-development expense of $13.5 million due to lower spend at Casa Berardi, Mexico, and Nevada sites, partially offset by higher spend at Greens Creek and Keno Hill.

• Fair value adjustments, net, changed from a loss to a gain, increasing by $7.6 million, reflecting unrealized gains on our marketable securities portfolio and de-designated hedging contracts.

• Other operating income of $1.4 million, compared to other operating expense of $6.3 million, reflecting the receipt of $5.9 million from an insurance settlement (unrelated to Lucky Friday).

Consolidated silver total cost of sales in 2023 was $379.6 million and increased by 9% from the prior year, primarily due to the temporary suspension of production at Lucky Friday during the year offset by higher labor and maintenance costs at Greens Creek. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $3.23 and $11.76, respectively, and increased over the prior year primarily due to lower by-product credits (primarily lower lead and zinc production and lower realized prices for zinc) and lower silver production.^3,4

Consolidated gold total cost of sales decreased by 10% to $227.7 million primarily due to lower production costs at Casa Berardi as the underground East Mine ceased production given the strategic change announced in August to transition to a surface only operation with underground operations expected to be completed in mid-2024. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,652 and $2,048, respectively and increased over the prior year as lower gold production offset lower production costs and sustaining capital investment.^3,4

Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $212.6 million, in line with the prior year. The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA increased to 2.6 due to higher net debt attributable to draws on the credit facility and the use of cash reflecting the Company's investment in Keno Hill's development, and the temporary suspension of operations at the Lucky Friday.¹ Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter were $106.4 million and included $128 million drawn on the revolving credit facility.

Cash provided by operating activities was $75.5 million and decreased by $14.4 million from the prior year primarily due to higher ramp-up and suspension costs and unfavorable working capital changes.

Capital expenditures, net of finance leases, were $223.9 million in 2023, compared to $149.4 million in 2022. The increase was due to (i) higher capital investment at Casa Berardi, primarily for tailings construction activities and mobile equipment purchases for the open pit operations, (ii) mine development and infrastructure projects at Keno Hill, (iii) restart plans to establish an alternative secondary escapeway as a result of the fire and completion of the service hoist and the coarse ore bunker at Lucky Friday and (iv) other sustaining capital projects at Greens Creek.

Free cash flow for the year was negative $148.4 million, compared to negative $59.5 million in the prior year, with the decrease primarily due to higher capital expenditures.²

Forward Sales Contracts for Base Metals and Foreign Currency

The Company uses financially settled forward sales contracts to manage exposures to zinc and lead price changes in forecasted concentrate shipments. On December 31, 2023, the Company had contracts covering approximately 50% of the forecasted payable lead production from 2024 - 2025 at an average price of $0.98 per pound.

The Company also manages Canadian dollar ("CAD") exposure through forward contracts. At December 31, 2023, the Company had hedged approximately 60% of forecasted Casa Berardi and Keno Hill CAD denominated direct production costs through 2026 at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.32. The Company has also hedged approximately 26% of Casa Berardi and Keno Hill CAD denominated total capital expenditures through 2026 at 1.35.

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

Greens Creek Mine - Alaska

Greens Creek produced 9.7 million ounces of silver in 2023, in line with the prior year. Gold production increased 26% to 60,896 ounces due to higher throughput and grades. Lead production was consistent with the prior year while zinc production declined 2% due to lower grades. The mine achieved record throughput, which has increased 25% since the Company became the operator in 2008.

Sales in the fourth quarter were $93.5 million, a decrease of 3% over the prior quarter, as higher realized gold prices and higher silver and lead sales volumes were offset by lower gold and zinc sales volumes and lower realized silver prices. Total cost of sales was $70.2 million, an increase of 16% over the prior quarter primarily due to higher production costs attributable to higher labor costs, increased fuel usage following three significant weather events that resulted in twelve days of lost production during the fourth quarter, and higher maintenance costs. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $4.94 and $12.00 and increased over the prior quarter primarily due to lower base metal by-product credits (primarily zinc due to lower production), higher production costs and lower silver production. Increased AISC per silver ounce after by-product credits was attributable to higher sustaining capital investment of $15.2 million ($11.3 million in the prior quarter) due to the timing of equipment purchases and surface projects.^3,4 Cash flow from operations was $34.6 million, in line with the prior quarter. Capital investment was $16.0 million during the quarter, an increase of $3.9 million over the prior quarter due to the timing of equipment purchases and planned construction projects. Free cash flow for the quarter was $19.9 million, a decrease over the prior quarter due to higher capital investment.

Sales in 2023 were $384.5 million, an increase of 15% compared to the prior year as higher realized precious metals prices and higher gold volumes were partially offset by lower silver and zinc sales volumes. Total cost of sales increased 12% to $259.9 million due to higher labor costs, higher consumable volumes to support record throughput in 2023, and related higher mill and equipment maintenance costs. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce (each after by-product credits) were $2.53 and $7.14, respectively, higher than the prior year due to the abovementioned reasons.^3,4 The increase in AISC was also impacted by higher planned sustaining capital investments during the year. Cash flow from operations for the year was $157.3 million and increased 4% over the prior year. Free cash flow generation for the year was $121.6 million and increased 2% over the prior year as higher sales were partially offset by higher costs and capital investment. ²

Lucky Friday Mine - Idaho

Lucky Friday produced 3.1 million ounces of silver for the year, a decrease of 30% over the prior year due to the suspension of production beginning in August through the end of the year due to a fire in the secondary escapeway (#2 shaft).

The mine restarted production on January 9, 2024 and is expected to ramp-up to full production in the first quarter of 2024. The work executed to resume production was completed on schedule and within cost expectations (approximately $12 million). This work involved developing a new secondary egress consisting of a ramp of 1,600 feet and a 290-foot vertical escapeway. The Company has property and business interruption insurance, with an applicable underground sublimit coverage of $50 million, which is expected to cover a majority of the expenses and business interruption (net of the deductibles). The first insurance payment has been received and the Company expects to receive remaining insurance payments through the year.

Sales in 2023 were $116.3 million, a decrease of 21% over the prior year due to lower production and sales volumes. Gross profit in 2023 was $32.1 million, an increase of 3% over 2022, due to higher realized silver and lead prices and higher production prior to the suspension of production. Cash flow from operations for the year was $57.6 million, an increase of 52% over the prior year due to favorable working capital changes, which included a $31 million reduction in accounts receivable. Capital investment, net of leases, for the year was $65.3 million, compared to $50.9 million in the prior year with the increase attributable to production restart work to reestablish the secondary egress, construction of the coarse ore bunker, which allows a stockpile of ore to be stored on surface, and the service hoist project. Free cash flow was negative $7.8 million due to increased capital investment for the year that offset higher cash flow from operations.²

Casa Berardi - Quebec

Casa Berardi produced 90,363 ounces of gold in 2023, a decrease of 29% over the prior year due to wildfire-related closures in June and lower underground tonnage mined, reflecting the decision to halt underground mining in the East Mine as part of the strategic change announced in August to transition to a surface operation by mid-2024. Open pit tons moved during the year set a record as the first phase of the in-house equipment fleet was commissioned.

Sales in the fourth quarter were $42.8 million, a 9% decrease over the prior quarter due to lower gold sales volumes. Total cost of sales was $58.9 million, an increase of 4% over the prior quarter, attributable to higher production costs and an increase in non-cash depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense due to amortizing the underground mine assets over a shorter useful life as the mine transitions to a surface only operation. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,702 and $1,969, respectively, and increased over the prior quarter due to higher production costs attributable to higher ore and waste tons mined and milled during the quarter and lower gold production.^3,4 Cash flow from operations was $3.1 million and decreased over the prior quarter due to lower sales and higher costs. Capital investment for the quarter was $15.9 million, with $5.8 million and $10.1 million in sustaining and non-sustaining capital investment, respectively. Non-sustaining capital was primarily related to construction costs for tailings facilities. Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $12.2 million and decreased over the prior quarter due to lower cash flow from operations.²

Sales for 2023 were $177.7 million and decreased 24% over the prior year due to lower gold production partially offset by higher gold prices. Full-year total cost of sales was $221.3 million and decreased 11% year over year due to lower production costs attributable to lower underground production. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, were $1,652 and $2,048, respectively.^3,4 The year over year increase in cash costs and AISC per gold ounce was primarily attributable to lower gold production in 2023. Cash flow from operations for the year was $2.2 million. Capital investment increased to $70.1 million primarily due to purchases of new surface fleet equipment as the mine transitions from an underground to an open pit operation and the construction of tailings storage facilities.

The Company expects to file a revised Technical Report Summary for Casa Berardi with its Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 15, 2024. The Technical Report Summary projects (1) a 14-year open pit mine life, (2) life of mine gold production of 1.27 million ounces at an average grade of 0.08 opt (2.75 grams per tonne), and (3) capital of $498 million. The mine's after-tax NPV (5%) is estimated at $347 million at a gold price assumption of $1,950/oz.

Keno Hill - Yukon Territory

Keno Hill continued ramping up production and produced 1.5 million ounces of silver in 2023. Tonnage mined was constrained during the year by delays in infrastructure construction which impacted development rates and resulted in a slower ramp-up. Capital investment in 2023 totaled $44.7 million and comprised key infrastructure projects, including the shotcrete plant, cemented rock fill plant, and upgrades to mill infrastructure, including the secondary crushing circuit. The Company has executed a safety action plan, which will be executed over the year and will focus on training, supervision, mining practices, and implementation of safety processes.

The Company expects to file its initial Technical Report Summary for Keno Hill with its Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 15, 2024. The Technical Report Summary projects an 11-year reserve mine life and life of mine silver production of 53 million ounces at an average grade of 26.6 ounces per ton. 5-year average silver production is expected to be 4.4 million ounces as throughput is expected to increase to 600 tpd in 2028. The mine's after-tax NPV (5%) is estimated at $305 million at a silver price assumption of $22/oz.

Keno Hill is expected to produce 2.7-3.0 million ounces of silver in 2024 as the mine ramps up production. Expenditures on production costs, excluding depreciation, are expected to be $15-$17 million per quarter. The Company will provide guidance for cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, once the mine reaches commercial production which is expected during the year.

Keno Hill's silver reserves at year-end 2023 were 55 million ounces and have increased by 45% over the reserves identified at the time of acquisition in September 2022. In addition, measured and indicated resources increased by 5%, and inferred resources increased by 25% over the prior year.

EXPLORATION AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT

Exploration and pre-development expenses totaled $7.0 million for the fourth quarter and $32.5 million for the entire year. During the fourth quarter, exploration activities focused on targets at Keno Hill, Greens Creek, and Casa Berardi.

For the year ended 2023, the Company reported silver reserves of 238 million ounces, the second highest in the Company's history and 1% lower than 2022. A breakdown of the Company's reserves and resources is located in Table A at the end of this news release.

For further details on the Company's 2023 exploration and pre-development program and 2024 planned expenditures as well as reserves and resources at year-end 2023, please refer to the news release entitled "Hecla Reports Exploration Results and Reserves" released on February 13, 2024.

DIVIDENDS

Common Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.00625 per share of common stock, consisting of $0.00375 per share for the minimum dividend component and $0.0025 per share for the silver-linked component. The common stock dividend is payable on or about March 25, 2024, to stockholders of record on March 12, 2024. The fourth quarter realized silver price was $23.47, satisfying the criterion for the Company’s common stock silver-linked dividend policy component.

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.875 per share of preferred stock, payable on or about April 1, 2024, to stockholders of record on March 15, 2024.

2024 GUIDANCE ⁶

The Company is providing a three-year production outlook and 2024 estimates of costs, capital and exploration, and pre-development expenses.

Consolidated silver production is expected to increase to 16.5-17.5 million ounces in 2024 and increase by 30% (compared to 2023) to 18.0-20.0 million ounces by 2026. Greens Creek's silver production is expected to decrease in 2024 due to expected lower silver mined grades attributable to mine sequencing, which is also expected to result in lower gold and higher zinc production. Lucky Friday's silver production guidance is 5.0-5.3 million ounces, with the ramp up to full production expected to be complete in the first quarter. Silver production from Keno Hill is forecasted to be 2.7-3.0 million ounces as the mine ramps up production during the year.

Consolidated gold production is expected to decrease to 121-133 thousand ounces, primarily due to Casa Berardi as the mine transitions to a surface only operation during the year.

2024 and Three Year Production Outlook

2024 Cost Guidance

At Greens Creek, guidance for cash costs per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is higher compared to 2023 due to expected lower silver production year over year. The increase in guidance for AISC for the mine per silver ounce (after by-product credits) is attributable to planned higher capital investment. At Lucky Friday, cost guidance reflects a full year of production. At Keno Hill, expenditures on production costs, excluding depreciation, are expected to be $15-$17 million per quarter. The Company will provide guidance for cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, once the mine reaches commercial production, which is expected to occur during the year.

At Casa Berardi, guidance for cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, reflects the closure of underground operations in mid-2024 and transition to an open-pit only operation.

2024 Capital and Exploration Guidance

Consolidated capital investment is expected to trend lower in 2024 at all operations except Greens Creek. Greens Creek's increased capital investment is primarily attributable to increased capital development and mobile equipment purchases. Expected capital investment at Keno Hill comprises mine development, mobile equipment, and mine infrastructure projects, including a paste backfill plant. Capital investment at Lucky Friday is expected to decrease as a result of the completion of critical projects (coarse ore bunker to increase stockpile capacity, service hoist to increase mine throughput, and establishment of an alternative secondary escapeway for production restart) in 2023. Casa Berardi's growth capital investment includes capitalization of certain tailings construction costs.

Guidance for 2024 exploration is $25 million with Greens Creek and Keno Hill expected to account for 35% and 25% of the expected spend, respectively.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

A conference call and webcast will be held on Thursday, February 15, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. We recommend that you dial in at least 10 minutes before the call commencement. You may join the conference call by dialing toll-free 1-888-330-2391 or for international dialing 1-240-789-2702. The Conference ID is 4812168 and must be provided when dialing in. Hecla's live and archived webcast can be accessed at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/758455261 or www.hecla.com under Investors.

VIRTUAL INVESTOR EVENT

Hecla will be holding a Virtual Investor Event on Thursday, February 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Hecla invites shareholders, investors, and other interested parties to schedule a personal, 30-minute virtual meeting (video or telephone) with a member of senior management to discuss Financial, Exploration, Operations, ESG or general matters. Click on the link below to schedule a call (or copy and paste the link into your web browser). You can select a topic once you have entered the meeting calendar. If you are unable to book a time, either due to high demand or for other reasons, please reach out to Anvita M. Patil, Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer at [email protected] or 208-769-4100.

One-on-One meeting URL: https://calendly.com/2024-feb-vie

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

NOTES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meaning prescribed by United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures cited in this release and listed below are reconciled to their most comparable GAAP measure at the end of this release.

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income, or cash provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by GAAP, and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to debt and net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP measurements, can be found at the end of the release. It is an important measure for management to measure relative indebtedness and the ability to service the debt relative to its peers. It is calculated as total debt outstanding less total cash on hand divided by adjusted EBITDA.

⁽²⁾ Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Cash provided by operating activities for the Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, and Casa Berardi operating segments excludes exploration and pre-development expense, as it is a discretionary expenditure and not a component of the mines’ operating performance. Capital expenditures refers to Additions to properties, plants and equipment from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, net of finance leases.

⁽³⁾ Cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver and gold ounce is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of total cost of sales, can be found at the end of the release. It is an important operating statistic that management utilizes to measure each mine's operating performance. It also allows the benchmarking of performance of each mine versus those of our competitors. As a primary silver mining company, management also uses the statistic on an aggregate basis - aggregating the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines - to compare performance with that of other silver mining companies and aggregating Casa Berardi and the Nevada operations, to compare its performance with other gold mining companies. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

⁽⁴⁾ All-in sustaining cost (AISC), after by-product credits, is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to total cost of sales, the closest GAAP measurement, can be found in the end of the release. AISC, after by-product credits, includes total cost of sales and other direct production costs, expenses for reclamation at the mine sites and all site sustaining capital costs. AISC, after by-product credits, is calculated net of depreciation, depletion, and amortization and by-product credits. Prior year presentation has been adjusted to conform with current year presentation. Management believes this measurement provides an indication of economic performance and efficiency at each location and on a consolidated basis, as well as providing a meaningful basis to compare Company results to those of other mining companies and other operating mining properties.

⁽⁵⁾ Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is a non-GAAP measurement, a reconciliation of which to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found at the end of the release. Adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is a measure used by management to evaluate the Company's operating performance but should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders as defined by GAAP. They exclude certain impacts which are of a nature which we believe are not reflective of our underlying performance. Management believes that adjusted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per common share provides investors with the ability to better evaluate our underlying operating performance.

Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as total cost of goods sold, do not capture all the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain silver and gold production. Management believes that AISC is a non-GAAP measure that provides additional information to management, investors and analysts to help (i) in the understanding of the economics of our operations and performance compared to other producers and (ii) in the transparency by better defining the total costs associated with production. Similarly, the statistic is useful in identifying acquisition and investment opportunities as it provides a common tool for measuring the financial performance of other mines with varying geologic, metallurgical and operating characteristics. In addition, the Company may use it when formulating performance goals and targets under its incentive program.

Other

⁽⁶⁾ Expectations for 2024 include silver, gold, lead and zinc production from Greens Creek, Lucky Friday, Keno Hill, and Casa Berardi converted using Au $1,950/oz, Ag $22.50/oz, Zn $1.20/lb, and Pb 0.95$/lb. Numbers are rounded.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements, Including 2024 Outlook

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “targets”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: (i) the projections contained in the Technical Report Summary for each of Casa Berardi and Keno Hill; (ii) Lucky Friday is expected to ramp-up to full production in the first quarter of 2024; (iii) approximately $50 million in proceeds from the Company's property insurance policy will be collected in 2024; (iv) Keno Hill's production will increase over time; (v) the Company expects to pay down on its revolving credit facility in 2024; (vi) the Company expects all four of its mines to be in operation in 2024; (vii) the Company expects silver production to increase by 15-20% in 2024, and by 30% by 2026; (viii) Casa Berardi will be a full surface operation by mid-2024; (ix) the Company will soon be Canada's largest silver producer; (x) mine-specific and Company-wide 2024 estimates of future production, and 2025 and 2026 estimates of future production Company-wide; (xi)total cost of sales, as well as cash cost and AISC per ounce (in each case after by-product credits) for Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Casa Berardi; and (xii) Company-wide estimated spending on capital, exploration and pre-development for 2024. The material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information include that the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated, to which the Company’s operations are subject.

Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Such assumptions, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions; (ii) permitting, development, operations and expansion of the Company’s projects being consistent with current expectations and mine plans; (iii) political/regulatory developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; (iv) the exchange rate for the USD/CAD being approximately consistent with current levels; (v) certain price assumptions for gold, silver, lead and zinc; (vi) prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (vii) the accuracy of our current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; (viii) there being no significant changes to the availability of employees, vendors and equipment; (ix) the Company’s plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated; (x) counterparties performing their obligations under hedging instruments and put option contracts; (xi) sufficient workforce is available and trained to perform assigned tasks; (xii) weather patterns and rain/snowfall within normal seasonal ranges so as not to impact operations; (xiii) relations with interested parties, including First Nations and Native Americans, remain productive; (xiv) maintaining availability of water rights; (xv) factors do not arise that reduce available cash balances; and (xvi) there being no material increases in our current requirements to post or maintain reclamation and performance bonds or collateral related thereto.

In addition, material risks that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) gold, silver and other metals price volatility; (ii) operating risks; (iii) currency fluctuations; (iv) increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans; (v) community relations; (vi) conflict resolution and outcome of projects or oppositions; (vii) litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks; (viii) exploration risks and results, including that mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; (ix) the failure of counterparties to perform their obligations under hedging instruments; (x) we take a material impairment charge on any of our assets; and (xi) inflation causes our costs to rise more than we currently expect. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 15, 2024. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly, revisions to any “forward-looking statement,” including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued “forward-looking statement” constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on “forward-looking statements” is at investors’ own risk.

Cautionary Statements to Investors on Reserves and Resources

This news release uses the terms “mineral resources”, “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources.” Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. You should not assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Further, inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically, and an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a mineral reserve. We report reserves and resources under the SEC’s mining disclosure rules (“S-K 1300”) and Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) because we are a “reporting issuer” under Canadian securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with S-K 1300 as well as NI 43-101.

Qualified Person (QP)

Kurt D. Allen, MSc., CPG, VP - Exploration of Hecla Mining Company and Keith Blair, MSc., CPG, Chief Geologist of Hecla Limited, who serve as a Qualified Person under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information concerning Hecla’s mineral projects in this news release. Technical Report Summaries for each of the Company’s Greens Creek and Lucky Friday properties are filed as exhibits 96.1 and 96.2 respectively, to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and are available at www.sec.gov. A Technical Report Summary for each of the Company’s Casa Berardi and Keno Hill properties will be filed as exhibits 96.3 and 96.4, respectively, to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 to be filed on February 15, 2024 and will then be available at www.sec.gov. Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of analytical or testing procedures for (i) the Greens Creek Mine are contained in its Technical Report Summary and in a NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report for the Greens Creek Mine” effective date December 31, 2018, (ii) the Lucky Friday Mine are contained in its Technical Report Summary and in its technical report titled “Technical Report for the Lucky Friday Mine Shoshone County, Idaho, USA” effective date April 2, 2014, (iii) Casa Berardi will be contained in its Technical Report Summary titled “Technical Report Summary on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Quebec, Canada” effective date December 31, 2023 and are contained in its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report on the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimate for Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Quebec, Canada” effective date December 31, 2018, (iv) Keno Hill will be contained in its Technical Report Summary titled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Keno Hill Mine, Yukon, Canada” and are contained its NI 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate of the Keno Hill Silver District” effective date April 1, 2021, and (v) the San Sebastian Mine, Mexico, are contained in a technical report prepared for Hecla titled “Technical Report for the San Sebastian Ag-Au Property, Durango, Mexico” effective date September 8, 2015. Also included or to be included in each technical reports is a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant factors. Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of sample, analytical or testing procedures are contained in technical reports prepared for Klondex Mines Ltd. for (i) the Fire Creek Mine (technical report dated March 31, 2018), (ii) the Hollister Mine (technical report dated May 31, 2017, amended August 9, 2017), and (iii) the Midas Mine (technical report dated August 31, 2014, amended April 2, 2015). Information regarding data verification, surveys and investigations, quality assurance program and quality control measures and a summary of sample, analytical or testing procedures are contained in technical reports prepared for ATAC Resources Ltd. for (i) the Osiris Project (technical report dated July 28, 2022) and (ii) the Tiger Project (technical report dated February 27, 2020). Copies of these technical reports are available under the SEDAR profiles of Klondex Mines Unlimited Liability Company and ATAC Resources Ltd., respectively, at www.sedar.com (the Fire Creek technical report is also available under Hecla’s profile on SEDAR). Mr. Allen and Mr. Blair reviewed and verified information regarding drill sampling, data verification of all digitally collected data, drill surveys and specific gravity determinations relating to all the mines. The review encompassed quality assurance programs and quality control measures including analytical or testing practice, chain-of-custody procedures, sample storage procedures and included independent sample collection and analysis. This review found the information and procedures meet industry standards and are adequate for Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and mine planning purposes.