FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

10-K 1 hecla090906_10k.htm FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K


x	Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

Commission file No. 1-8491

HECLA MINING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		77–0664171
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200 Coeur d’Alene, Idaho		83815-9408
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

208-769-4100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share		New York Stock Exchange
Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share		New York Stock Exchange
6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share		New York Stock Exchange

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


	Large Accelerated Filer x	Accelerated Filer o
	Non-Accelerated Filer o	Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting Common Stock held by nonaffiliates was $1,175,960,634 as of June 30, 2008. There were 127,540,301 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2008, and 217,181,821 shares as of February 27, 2009.

Documents incorporated by reference herein:

To the extent herein specifically referenced in Part III, the information contained in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the registrant, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of the registrant’s 2008 fiscal year is incorporated herein by reference. See Part III.

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Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements		1
PART I		1
Item 1. Business		1
Introduction		1
Products and Segments		3
Employees		3
Available Information		3
Item 1A. Risk Factors		4
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments		16
Item 2. Property Descriptions		17
OPERATING PROPERTIES		17
The Greens Creek Unit		17
The Lucky Friday Unit		19
EXPLORATION PROPERTIES		21
The San Sebastian Unit		21
Item 3. Legal Proceedings		23
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		23
PART II		23
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		23
Item 6. Selected Financial Data		26
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		27
Overview		27
Results of Operations		28
The Greens Creek Segment		30
The Lucky Friday Segment		31
The San Sebastian Segment		32
The La Camorra Segment		32
Corporate Matters		33
Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP)		34
Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources		35
Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments		38
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements		38
Critical Accounting Estimates		39
New Accounting Pronouncements		40
Forward-Looking Statements		41
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		41
Short-term Investments		41
Commodity-Price Risk Management		41
Interest-Rate Risk Management		41
Provisional Sales		42
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		42
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures		44
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures		44
Disclosure Controls and Procedures		44
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting		44
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		45
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting		46
Item 9B. Other Information		46
PART III		46
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant		46
Item 11. Executive Compensation		48
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management		48
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		48
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services		48
PART IV		49
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K		49
Signatures		50
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-1
Index to Exhibits		F-47

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Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report (including information incorporated by reference) are “forward-looking statements” and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our forward-looking statements include our current expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.

These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A. — Business — Risk Factors. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Projections included in this Form 10-K have been prepared based on assumptions, which we believe to be reasonable, but not in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or any guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Actual results will vary, perhaps materially, and we undertake no obligation to update the projections at any future date. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on such projections. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Hecla Mining Company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I

Item 1. Business

For the sole purpose of implementing a holding company structure, on November 8, 2006, an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization was filed. Under that Plan of Reorganization, Hecla Mining Company, a new Delaware corporation organized on August 7, 2006, and formerly named Hecla Holdings Inc., became the successor issuer to Hecla Limited, formerly named Hecla Mining Company. In addition, Hecla Limited became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company.

For information regarding the organization of our business segments and our significant customers, see Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Information set forth in Items 1A, 1B and 2 are incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

Introduction

Hecla Mining Company has provided precious and base metals to the U.S. economy and worldwide since its incorporation in 1891 (in this report, “we” or “our” or “us” refers to Hecla Mining Company and/or our affiliates and subsidiaries). We discover, acquire, develop, produce, and market silver, gold, lead and zinc. In doing so, we intend to manage our business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner.

We produce lead, zinc and bulk concentrates, which we sell to custom smelters, and unrefined silver and gold bullion bars (doré), which may be sold as doré or further refined before sale to precious metals traders. We are organized and managed into three segments that encompass our operating units and significant exploration interests:


	•	The Greens Creek unit;

	•	The Lucky Friday unit; and

	•	The San Sebastian unit and various exploration activities in Mexico.

Prior to the second quarter of 2008, we also reported a fourth segment, the La Camorra unit, representing our operations and various exploration activities in Venezuela. On July 8, 2008, we completed the sale of our wholly owned subsidiaries holding our business and operations in Venezuela. Our Venezuelan activities are reported as discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented (see Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information). As a result, we have determined that it is no longer appropriate to present a separate segment representing our operations in Venezuela, and have restated the corresponding information for all periods presented.

On April 16, 2008, we completed the acquisition of all of the ownership interest of the two indirect Rio Tinto, PLC subsidiaries holding a 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek mine. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hecla Alaska LLC,

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previously owned an undivided 29.7% joint venture interest in the assets of Greens Creek. The acquisition gives our various subsidiaries control of 100% of the Greens Creek mine. More information on the acquisition can be found in Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The map below shows the locations of our operating units and our exploration projects, as well as our corporate offices located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Vancouver, British Columbia.

(MAP)

Our current business strategy is to focus our financial and human resources in the following areas:


	•	Managing our operations in a manner that will facilitate repayment of our credit facilities (see Note 7 and Note 21 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our credit facilities);

	•	Fully integrating our April 2008 acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of the Greens Creek Joint Venture in Alaska, of which we previously held 29.7%, which increases our expected 2009 silver production to between 10 and 11 million ounces and gives our various subsidiaries sole ownership of the world’s fifth largest silver mine;

	•	Expanding our proven and probable reserves and production capacity at our operating properties;

	•	Maintaining and investing in exploration projects in the vicinities of the following four mining districts we believe to be under-explored and under-invested: North Idaho’s Silver Valley in the historic Coeur d’Alene Mining District; the prolific silver producing district near Durango, Mexico; at our Greens Creek unit on Alaska’s Admiralty Island, located offshore of Juneau; and the Creede district of Southwestern Colorado;

	•	Continuing to seek opportunities to acquire and invest in mining properties and companies; and

	•	Seeking opportunities for growth both internally and through acquisitions. See the Results of Operations and Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources sections below.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we reported a net loss of $66.6 million compared to net income of $53.2 million and $69.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and net losses for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 of $25.4 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Our financial results over the past five years have been impacted by:


	•	Exploration and pre-production development expenditures, which totaled $23.7 million, $20.8 million, $28.4 million, $26.2 million and $20.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, including exploration expenditures at our now-divested Venezuelan operations of $1.2 million, $3.9 million, $5.6 million, $8.3 million, and $5.9 million, respectively, for those periods. These amounts also include expenditures for the now-divested Hollister Development Block, as its development progressed until the sale of our interest in the project in April 2007, of $2.2 million, $14.4 million, $9.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004. In addition, exploration for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 included $2.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for expenditures at the Noche Buena gold exploration property in Mexico, which was sold in April 2006;

	•	Provision for closed operations and environmental matters of $4.3 million, $49.2 million, $3.5 million, $1.3 million and $11.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004. We recorded an increase of $44.7 million in 2007 to our estimated liabilities for environmental remediation in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Basin and the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. Accrual increases of $8.5 million were also recorded in 2004 for estimated future expenditures in the Coeur d’Alene Basin and the Grouse Creek mine;

	•	Fluctuations in average prices of the metals we produce, as average prices for silver, gold and lead increased over the four-year period ended December 31, 2007, while average zinc prices increased over the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, with a slight decline during 2007. Average prices for silver and gold continued to increase during the first half of 2008, but declined during the second half of 2008, while average lead and zinc prices decreased during 2008;

	•	Spikes in prices for diesel fuel and other consumables, which have impacted production costs at our operations;

	•	Our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of the Greens Creek mine for $758.5 million in April 2008, a portion of which was funded by a $140 million term loan and $220 million bridge loan;

	•	The current global financial crisis, which has impacted metals prices, production costs, and our access to capital markets;

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	•	Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2005 of $17.4 million, $15.0 million and $7.4 million, respectively, and income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2004 of $4.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively; and

	•	Decreased production, and the eventual suspension of mining operations at the San Sebastian unit in Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2005.

A comprehensive discussion of our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, individual operating unit performance, general corporate expenses and other significant items can be found in Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

Our results of operations are significantly affected by the prices of silver, gold, lead and zinc, which fluctuate and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Over the past five years, we have seen the prices of silver and gold generally rise, which has helped to offset the factors having a negative impact on our net income discussed above. Zinc and lead prices generally increased during the four-year period ended December 31, 2007. However, average zinc and lead prices decreased during 2008.

Products and Segments

Our segments are differentiated by geographic region and principal products produced. We produce zinc, lead and bulk concentrates at our Greens Creek unit and lead and zinc concentrates at our Lucky Friday unit, which we sell to custom smelters on contract, and unrefined silver and gold bullion bars (doré) at Greens Creek, which are sold directly to customers or further refined before sale to precious metals traders. Our segments as of December 31, 2008 included:


	•	The Greens Creek unit, a 100%-owned joint venture arrangement, through our subsidiaries Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company and Hecla Juneau Mining Company. We acquired 70.3% of our ownership of Greens Creek in April 2008 from indirect subsidiaries of Rio Tinto, PLC. Greens Creek is located on Admiralty Island, near Juneau, Alaska, and has been in production since 1989, with a temporary shutdown from April 1993 through July 1996. During 2008, Greens Creek contributed $130.8 million, or 67.9%, to our consolidated sales;

	•	The Lucky Friday unit located in northern Idaho. Lucky Friday is, through our subsidiaries Hecla Limited and Silver Hunter Mining Company, 100%-owned and has been a producing mine for us since 1958. During 2008, Lucky Friday contributed $61.9 million, or 32.1%, to our consolidated sales; and

	•	The San Sebastian unit, located in the State of Durango, Mexico, has been 100% owned by us through our wholly owned subsidiary, Minera Hecla, S.A. de C.V., since 1999. During 2005, San Sebastian reached the end of its known mine life.

The table below summarizes our production for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, which reflects our previous 29.7% ownership of Greens Creek until April 16, 2008, and our 100% ownership thereafter.


	Year
	2008		2007		2006
Silver (ounces)		8,709,517		5,642,558		5,509,746
Gold (ounces)		76,810		107,708		179,276
Lead (tons)		35,023		24,549		22,899
Zinc (tons)		61,441		26,621		24,207

The gold production amounts above include 22,160, 87,490 and 160,563 ounces, respectively, for years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 produced at our discontinued Venezuelan operations sold in July 2008.

Employees

As of December 31, 2008, we employed 742 people, and believe relations with our employees are generally good.

Many of the employees at our Lucky Friday unit are represented by a union. The collective barginning agreement with workers at our Lucky Friday unit expires on April 30, 2009. We anticipate that we will reach a satisfactory contract with the union, although there can be no assurance that this can be done or that it can be done without disruptions to production. During the past five years, labor strikes and work slow-downs adversely affected our production in Mexico and at our now-divested Venezuelan operations. Similar labor problems could affect our financial results or condition in the future.

Available Information

We are a Delaware corporation, with our principal executive offices located at 6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815-9408. Our telephone number is (208) 769-4100. Our web site address is www.hecla-

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mining.com. We file our annual, quarterly and current reports and amendments to these reports with the SEC, copies of which are available on our website or from the SEC free of charge (www.sec.gov or 800-SEC-0330 or the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549). Charters of our audit, compensation, corporate governance, and directors’ nominating committees, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees, are also available on our website. We will provide copies of these materials to shareholders upon request using the above-listed contact information, directed to the attention of Investor Relations.

We have included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) certifications regarding our public disclosure required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this report. Additionally, we filed with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) the CEO’s certification regarding our compliance with the NYSE’s Corporate Governance Listing Standards (“Listing Standards”) pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the Listing Standards, which certification was dated June 3, 2008, and indicated that the CEO was not aware of any violations of the Listing Standards.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following risks and uncertainties, together with the other information set forth in this Form 10-K, should be carefully considered by those who invest in our securities. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results and could decrease the value of our common and/or preferred stock.

FINANCIAL RISKS

We have limited cash resources and may be dependent on accessing additional financing to meet our expected cash needs.

We have cash requirements both for ongoing operating expenses, capital expenditures, working capital, and general corporate purposes and for required interest and principal payments on our credit facilities. See Financial Risks— The inability to meet the payment obligations of our credit facilities when due could adversely affect our financial results or condition. While we believe that we will be able to obtain the additional sources of financing that will allow us to meet our cash requirements, there can be no assurance we will be successful in such effort. We have retained a chief restructuring officer to assist us with assessing our operations and financial condition. On February 3, 2009, we reached an agreement to amend the terms of our credit facilities to defer all term facility payments due in 2009, totaling $66.7 million, to 2010 and 2011. In addition, on February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2008. See Note 21- Subsequent Events of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the credit facilities amendment and offering. The credit facilities also require us to make mandatory prepayments of our term loan with 75% of our semi-annual excess cash flow and with proceeds we receive from asset sales and the issuance of additional equity and debt, with limited exceptions. This requirement could affect our liquidity. A shortage of liquidity could have a material adverse affect on us.

The global financial crisis may have an impact on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict.

The continued credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system has had and may continue to have an impact on our business and financial position. The financial crisis may limit our ability to raise capital through credit and equity markets, both of which we have utilized recently to finance the acquisition of the 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek mine and meet the related debt obligations. As discussed further below, the prices of the metals that we produce are affected by a number of factors, and it is unknown how these factors will be impacted by a continuation of the financial crisis.

We have had losses that may continue in the future.

We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $66.6 million, and net income for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, of $53.2 million and $69.1 million, respectively. A comparison of operating results over the past three years can be found in Results of Operations in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Many of the factors affecting our operating results are beyond our control, including the volatility of metals prices; smelter terms; diesel fuel prices; interest rates; global or regional political or economic policies; inflation; developments and crises; governmental regulations; continuity of orebodies; and speculation and sales by central banks and other holders and producers of gold and silver in response to these factors. We cannot foresee whether our operations will continue to generate

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sufficient revenue in order for us to generate net cash from operating activities. There can be no assurance that we will not experience net losses in the future.

Commodity hedging activities could expose us to losses.

We periodically enter into hedging activities, such as forward sales contracts and commodity put and call option contracts, to manage the prices received on the metals we produce and in an attempt to insulate our operating results from declines in prices for those metals. However, hedging may prevent us from realizing possible revenues in the event that the market price of a metal exceeds the price stated in a forward sale or call option contract. In addition, we may experience losses if a counterparty fails to purchase under a contract when the contract price exceeds the spot price of a commodity. At December 31, 2008, we had no commodity hedging contracts.

Our profitability could be affected by the prices of other commodities.

Our business activities are highly dependent on the costs of commodities such as fuel, steel and cement. The recent prices for such commodities have been volatile and may increase our costs of production and development. A material increase in costs at any of our operating properties could have a significant effect on our profitability. For additional discussion, see Results of Operations in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Our accounting and other estimates may be imprecise.

Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosure of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reporting periods. The more significant areas requiring the use of management assumptions and estimates relate to:


	•	mineral reserves that are the basis for future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations;

	•	future metals prices;

	•	environmental, reclamation and closure obligations;

	•	asset impairments, including long-lived assets and investments;

	•	reserves for contingencies and litigation; and

	•	deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

Actual results may differ materially from these estimates using different assumptions or conditions. For additional information, see Critical Accounting Estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the risk factors: “Our development of new orebodies and other capital costs may cost more and provide less return than we estimated,” “Our ore reserve estimates may be imprecise” and “Our environmental remediation obligations may exceed the provisions we have made.”

A substantial or extended decline in metals prices would have a material adverse effect on us.

The majority of our revenue is derived from the sale of silver, gold, lead and zinc and, as a result, our earnings are directly related to the prices of these metals. Silver, gold, lead and zinc prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, including:


	•	speculative activities;

	•	relative exchange rates of the U.S. dollar;

	•	global and regional demand and production;

	•	recession or reduced economic activity; and

	•	other political and economic conditions.

These factors are largely beyond our control and are difficult to predict. If the market prices for these metals fall below our production or development costs for a sustained period of time, we will experience losses and may have to discontinue exploration, development or operations, or incur asset write-downs at one or more of our properties.

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If the market prices for the metals we produce decline or we fail to control our production or development costs for a sustained period of time, our ability to service our debt obligations may be adversely affected.

The following table sets forth the average daily closing prices of the following metals for the year ended December 31, 1995, 2001 and each year thereafter through 2008.


	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		1995
Silver ⁽¹⁾ (per oz.)	$	15.02	$	13.39	$	11.57	$	7.31	$	6.66	$	4.88	$	4.60	$	4.37	$	5.20
Gold ⁽²⁾ (per oz.)	$	871.71	$	696.66	$	604.34	$	444.45	$	409.21	$	363.51	$	309.97	$	272.00	$	384.16
Lead ⁽³⁾ (per lb.)	$	0.95	$	1.17	$	0.58	$	0.44	$	0.40	$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.22	$	0.29
Zinc ⁽⁴⁾ (per lb.)	$	0.85	$	1.47	$	1.49	$	0.63	$	0.48	$	0.38	$	0.35	$	0.40	$	0.47



(1)	London Fix
(2)	London Final
(3)	London Metals Exchange — Cash
(4)	London Metals Exchange — Special High Grade — Cash

On February 27, 2009, the closing prices for silver, gold, lead and zinc were $13.21 per ounce, $952.00 per ounce, $0.48 per pound and $0.51 per pound, respectively.

An extended decline in metals prices may cause us to record write-downs, which could negatively impact our results of operations.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS 144”) establishes accounting standards for impairment of the value of long-lived assets such as mining properties. SFAS 144 requires a company to review the recoverability of the cost of its assets by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment, measured by comparing an asset’s carrying value to its fair value, must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds these cash flows and other variables, and recognizing impairment write-downs could negatively impact our results of operations. Metal price estimates are a key component used in the analysis of the carrying values of our assets. We evaluated the December 31, 2008 carrying values of long-lived assets at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday segments by comparing them to the average estimated undiscounted cash flows resulting from models using various metals price scenarios. Because the average estimated undiscounted cash flows exceeded the asset carrying values, we did not record impairments as of December 31, 2008. However, if the prices of silver, gold, zinc and lead decline or we fail to control production costs or realize the mineable ore reserves or exploration potential at our mining properties, we may be required to recognize asset write-downs. For example, one model used in our evaluation was based on forward pricing and involved prices for the next seven years ranging from $8.80 to $9.23 per ounce for silver, $776 to $874 per ounce for gold, $0.46 to $0.47 per pound for lead and $0.54 to $0.61 per pound for zinc. This model resulted in estimated undiscounted cash flows that are less than the December 31, 2008 carrying values of long-lived assets at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday. If actual prices for each metal were to fall within these respective ranges for a sustained period of time in the future, we may be required to record write-downs to the carrying value of our long-term assets. We also utilized cash flow models based on the metals prices used in our reserve calculations, consensus metals prices, and historical three-year trailing prices in our review of asset carrying values. These models indicated undiscounted cash flows that exceeded our carry values at December 31, 2008.

The terms of our credit facilities restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes in our business or to take certain actions and that, in turn, could impair our ability to meet our obligations.

Our credit facilities contain various restrictive covenants that limit management’s discretion in operating our business. In particular, these covenants limit our ability to, among other things:


	•	incur additional debt;

	•	make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or purchase or redeem or retire capital stock;

	•	sell assets, including capital stock of our restricted subsidiaries;

	•	restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries;

	•	create liens;

	•	enter into transactions with affiliates; and

	•	merge or consolidate with another company.

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Our credit facilities also require us to satisfy certain financial tests. Our ability to maintain or meet such financial tests may be affected by events beyond our control, including changes in general economic and business conditions, and we cannot provide assurance that we will maintain or meet such tests or that the lenders under our credit facilities will waive any failure to meet such tests.

These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, to pursue our business strategies, and otherwise to conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to comply with them. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under our credit facilities. If there were an event of default under our credit facilities, the affected creditors could cause all amounts borrowed under these instruments to be due and payable immediately. Additionally, if we fail to repay indebtedness under the credit facilities when it becomes due, the lenders under the credit facilities could proceed against the assets which we have pledged to them as security.

Our ability to recognize the benefits of deferred tax assets is dependent on future cash flows and taxable income

We recognize the expected future tax benefit from deferred tax assets when the tax benefit is considered to be more likely than not of being realized. Otherwise, a valuation allowance is applied against deferred tax assets. Assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets requires management to make significant estimates related to expectations of future taxable income. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecasted cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction. Metal price estimates are a key component used in the determination of our ability to realize the expected future benefit of our deferred tax assets. To the extent that future taxable income differs significantly from estimates as a result of a decline in metals prices or other factors, our ability to realize the deferred tax assets could be impacted. Additionally, future issuances of common stock or common stock equivalents could limit our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Future changes in tax law or changes in ownership structure could limit our ability to obtain future tax benefits. As of December 31, 2008, our current and non-current deferred tax asset balances were $2.5 million and $36.1 million, respectively. See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our deferred tax assets.

The inability to meet the payment obligations of our credit facilities when due could adversely affect our financial results or condition.

The total outstanding balance of the debt facility at December 31, 2008 was $161.7 million, comprised of $121.7 million for the term facility and $40.0 million related to the bridge facility. On October 16, 2008, the remaining balance of $40 million was extended to February 16, 2009, subject to the requirement that a revised operating plan be submitted to the bank syndicate by November 14, 2008, which revised operating plan was timely submitted. On December 10, 2008, the bank syndicate notified us that the revised operating plan was satisfactory, thereby confirming that the remaining outstanding balance on the bridge loan was due on February 16, 2009. On December 10, 2008, we received a written amendment to the credit facilities from the bank syndicate waiving (for up to $20 million of net proceeds received by us by December 31, 2008) from the requirement that the proceeds of our December 11, 2008 offering of Common Stock Series 1 Warrants and Series 2 Warrants be used for paying down the bridge loan or term loan.

On December 31, 2008, we announced we had entered into the Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment moved the $18.3 million quarterly principal payment due on our term facility on December 31, 2008 to February 13, 2009 and also provided us covenant relief for the period ended December 31, 2008, or, in certain instances, February 13, 2009. In exchange for this principal payment deferral and financial covenant relief, we agreed in the Third Amendment to (i) increase the interest rate on our term facility to 6% over LIBOR or 5% over the base rate, (ii) additional reporting requirements, (iii) grant additional security interests on the assets of our domestic subsidiaries with limited exceptions, (iv) have all our domestic subsidiaries guarantee the term facility and bridge facility with limited exceptions, (v) additional limitations on our covenants until February 13, 2009, (vi) keep unencumbered cash on hand in an amount not less than $10 million, (vii) retain a chief restructuring officer and (viii) move the maturity date of the bridge facility from February 16, 2009 to February 13, 2009.

On February 3, 2009, we announced we had entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”). The Fourth Amendment deferred all of our scheduled principal payments on our term facility in 2009 so that our next scheduled principal payments are $15 million on March 31, 2010 and on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter until the maturity date of March 31, 2011 on which the then remaining principal amount is due and payable. In exchange for this principal payment deferral, we agreed in the Fourth Amendment to (i) pay off our bridge facility with funds from an equity or subordinated debt offering of at least $50 million on or before February 12, 2009,

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(ii) pay an additional fee to our lenders upon effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment, and on each subsequent July 1^st and January 1^st, by issuing to the lenders an aggregate amount of a new Series of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock equal to 3.75% of the aggregate principal amount of the term facility outstanding on such date until the term facility if paid off in full, (iii) revise our financial covenants, including, without limitation, the addition of a liquidity covenant, and extend certain additional limitations on our covenants until the March 31, 2011 maturity date of the term facility, and (iv) make additional mandatory prepayments of our remaining term facility with 75% of our semi-annual excess cash flow and with proceeds we receive from asset sales and the issuance of additional equity and debt, with limited exceptions. The Fourth Amendment became effective upon us meeting certain conditions, including the receipt of net proceeds from an equity offering by February 12, 2009 of at least $50 million and payment of our bridge facility. On February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2009 (see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).

As a result of the Fourth Amendment, we will have significant payments due in 2010 and 2011. We may defer some capital investment activities until we secure additional capital, if necessary, to maintain liquidity. We also may pursue additional equity issuances or financing. There can be no assurances that such financing will be available to us. Failure to meet the payment obligations of our credit facilities could cause us to be in default. If there were an event of default under our credit facilities, the affected creditors could cause all amounts borrowed under these instruments to be due and payable immediately. Additionally, if we fail to repay indebtedness under the credit facilities when it becomes due, the lenders under the credit facilities could proceed against the assets which we have pledged to them as security.

Failure to comply with debt covenants could adversely affect our financial results or condition.

Our acquisition of the companies owning 70.3% of the Greens Creek mine (see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion) was partially funded by a $380 million debt facility, which included a $140 million three-year term facility and a $240 million bridge facility scheduled to mature in October 2008. We utilized $220 million from the bridge facility at the time of closing the Greens Creek transaction, and the remaining $20 million available balance in September 2008. The total outstanding balance on the credit facilities at December 31, 2008 was $161.7 million, including $40.0 million related to the bridge facility. See “The inability to meet the payment obligations of our credit facilities when due could adversely affect our financial results or condition” above for more information on the status of our credit facilities.

The credit facilities include various covenants and other limitations related to our indebtedness and investments that require us to maintain certain measures of financial performance. Failure to comply with such provisions could adversely affect our results or financial condition and may limit our ability to obtain financing. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the debt facility.

Deferral of dividends on our preferred stock may have adverse consequences.

In December 2008, we announced that we were deferring dividends scheduled for January 1, 2009 on our Series B Preferred Stock and 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Failure to pay such dividends will affect our eligibility to file Registration Statements on Form S-3 and our status as a “well-known seasoned issuer” in 2009, which may increase the expense and time associated with both the filing and effectiveness of future Registration Statements and the consummation of future financings. In the event we continue to defer dividends for six dividend periods, our holders of preferred stock will be able to elect two directors.

Returns for Investments in Pension Plans Are Uncertain

We maintain pension plans for employees, which provide for specified payments after retirement for certain employees. The ability of the pension plans to provide the specified benefits depends on our funding of the plans and returns on investments made by the plans. Returns, if any, on investments are subject to fluctuations based on investment choices and market conditions. A sustained period of low returns or losses on investments could require us to fund the pension plans to a greater extent than anticipated.

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OPERATION, DEVELOPMENT, EXPLORATION AND ACQUISITION RISKS

Our foreign operations are subject to additional inherent risks.

We recently sold our mining operations and assets in Venezuela, but still currently conduct exploration projects in Mexico. Although our exploration activities in Mexico have been curtailed recently to preserve cash, we continue to own assets and real estate and mineral interests in Mexico. We anticipate that we will continue to conduct significant operations in Mexico and possibly other international locations in the future. Because we conduct operations internationally, we are subject to political and economic risks such as:


	•	the effects of local political, labor and economic developments and unrest;

	•	significant or abrupt changes in the applicable regulatory or legal climate;

	•	exchange controls and export restrictions;

	•	expropriation or nationalization of assets with inadequate compensation;

	•	currency fluctuations and repatriation restrictions;

	•	invalidation of governmental orders, permits or agreements;

	•	renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts;

	•	recurring tax audits and delays in processing tax credits tax credits or refunds;

	•	corruption, demands for improper payments, expropriation, and uncertain legal enforcement and physical security;

	•	disadvantages of competing against companies from countries that are not subject to U.S. laws and regulations;

	•	fuel or other commodity shortages;

	•	illegal mining;

	•	laws or policies of foreign countries and the United States affecting trade, investment and taxation;

	•	civil disturbances, war and terrorist actions; and

	•	seizures of assets.

Consequently, our exploration, development and production activities outside of the United States may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, any of which could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

We may be subject to a number of unanticipated risks related to inadequate infrastructure.

Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend, to one degree or another, on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important determinants, which affect capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect our mining operations.

Our development of new orebodies and other capital costs may cost more and provide less return than we estimated.

Capitalized development projects may cost more and provide less return than we estimate. If we are unable to realize a return on these investments, we may incur a related asset write-down that could adversely affect our financial results or condition.

Our ability to sustain or increase our current level of production of metals partly depends on our ability to develop new orebodies and/or expand existing mining operations. Before we can begin a development project, we must first determine whether it is economically feasible to do so. This determination is based on estimates of several factors, including:


	•	ore reserves;

	•	expected recovery rates of metals from the ore;

	•	future metals prices;

	•	facility and equipment costs;

	•	availability of affordable sources of power and adequacy of water supply;

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	•	exploration and drilling success;

	•	capital and operating costs of a development project;

	•	environmental considerations and permitting;

	•	adequate access to the site, including competing land uses (such as agriculture);

	•	applicable tax rates;

	•	assumptions used in determining the value of our pension plan assets and liabilities;

	•	foreign currency fluctuation and inflation rates; and

	•	availability of financing.

These estimates are based on geological and other interpretive data, which may be imprecise. As a result, actual operating and capital costs and returns from a development project may differ substantially from our estimates as a result of which it may not be economically feasible to continue with a development project.

Our ore reserve estimates may be imprecise.

Our ore reserve figures and costs are primarily estimates and are not guarantees that we will recover the indicated quantities of these metals. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on estimates of reserves. Reserves are estimates made by our professional technical personnel, and no assurance can be given that the estimated amount of metal or the indicated level of recovery of these metals will be realized. Reserve estimation is an interpretive process based upon available data and various assumptions. Our reserve estimates, particularly those for properties that have not yet started producing, may change based on actual production experience. Further, reserves are valued based on estimates of costs and metals prices, which may not be consistent among our operating and non-operating properties. The economic value of ore reserves may be adversely affected by:


	•	declines in the market price of the various metals we mine;

	•	increased production or capital costs;

	•	reduction in the grade or tonnage of the deposit;

	•	increase in the dilution of the ore; and

	•	reduced recovery rates.

Short-term operating factors relating to our ore reserves, such as the need to sequentially develop orebodies and the processing of new or different ore grades, may adversely affect our cash flow. We may use forward sales contracts and other hedging techniques to partially offset the effects of a drop in the market prices of the metals we mine. However, if the prices of metals that we produce decline substantially below the levels used to calculate reserves for an extended period, we could experience:


	•	delays in new project development;

	•	net losses;

	•	reduced cash flow;

	•	reductions in reserves; and

	•	write-downs of asset values.

Efforts to expand the finite lives of our mines may not be successful, which could hinder our growth and decrease the value of our stock.

One of the risks we face is that our mines have a relatively small amount of proven and probable reserves, primarily because we have low volume, underground operations. Thus, we must continually replace depleted ore reserves. Our ability to expand or replace ore reserves primarily depends on the success of our exploration programs. Mineral exploration, particularly for silver and gold, is highly speculative and expensive. It involves many risks and is often non-productive. Even if we believe we have found a valuable mineral deposit, it may be several years before production from that deposit is possible. During that time, it may become no longer feasible to produce those minerals for economic, regulatory, political or other reasons. As a result of high costs and other uncertainties, we may not be able to expand or replace our existing ore reserves as they are depleted, which would adversely affect our business and financial position in the future.

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Our joint development and operating arrangements may not be successful.

We have entered into, and may in the future enter into joint venture arrangements in order to share the risks and costs of developing and operating properties. In a typical joint venture arrangement, the partners own a proportionate share of the assets, are entitled to indemnification from each other and are only responsible for any future liabilities in proportion to their interest in the joint venture. If a party fails to perform its obligations under a joint venture agreement, we could incur liabilities and losses in excess of our pro-rata share of the joint venture. We make investments in exploration and development projects that may have to be written off in the event we do not proceed to a commercially viable mining operation.

On February 21, 2008, we announced that our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Grande Silver Inc., acquired the right to earn into a 70% joint venture interest in an approximately 25-square-mile consolidated land package in the Creede Mining District of Colorado. For more information on the terms of the agreement, see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our ability to market our metals production may be affected by disruptions or closures of custom smelters and/or refining facilities.

We sell substantially all of our metallic concentrates to custom smelters, with our doré bars sent to refiners for further processing before being sold to metal traders. If our ability to sell concentrates to our contracted smelters becomes unavailable to us, it is possible our operations could be adversely affected. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the distribution of our sales and our significant customers.

Efforts to reduce costs may not be successful or may have adverse consequences.

In order to improve our cash position, we have taken a number of actions to reduce costs, including staff reductions and delaying or canceling exploration, development, and capital projects. These cost reduction efforts may not significantly reduce costs, particularly in the short term, and may adversely affect our current and future operations, production, reserves, regulatory posture, operating infrastructure, and financial results.

We face inherent risks in acquisitions of other mining companies or properties that may adversely impact our growth strategy.

Mines have limited lives, which is an inherent risk in acquiring mining properties. We are actively seeking to expand our mineral reserves by acquiring other mining companies or properties. Although we are pursuing opportunities that we feel are in the best interest of our investors, these pursuits are costly and often unproductive. Inherent risks in acquisitions we may undertake in the future could adversely affect our current business and financial condition and our growth.

There is a limited supply of desirable mineral lands available in the United States and foreign countries where we would consider conducting exploration and/or production activities, and any acquisition we may undertake is subject to inherent risks. In addition to the risk associated with limited mine lives, we may not realize the value of the companies or properties that are acquired due to a possible decline in metals prices, failure to obtain permits, labor problems, changes in regulatory environment, an inability to obtain financing and other factors previously described. Acquisitions of other mining companies or properties may also expose us to new geographic, political, operating, and geological risks. In addition, we face strong competition for companies and properties from other mining companies, some of which have greater financial resources than we do, and we may be unable to acquire attractive companies and mining properties on terms that we consider acceptable.

Our business depends on good relations with our employees.

We are dependent upon the ability and experience of our executive officers, managers, employees and other personnel, including those residing outside of the U.S., and there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain all of such employees. We compete with other companies both within and outside the mining industry in connection with the recruiting and retention of qualified employees knowledgeable of the mining business. Due to the relatively small size of our management team, the loss of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees could have an adverse effect on our business and future operations. Our labor contract with our employees at our Lucky Friday unit expires on April 30, 2009. Although we intend to negotiate a new agreement on a timely basis, there can be no assurance that we will do so or that the terms of any new agreement will be favorable to us.

Mining accidents or other adverse events at an operation could decrease our anticipated production.

Production may be reduced below our historical or estimated levels as a result of mining accidents; unfavorable ground conditions; work stoppages or slow-downs; lower than expected ore grades; the metallurgical characteristics of the ore are less economical than anticipated; or our equipment or facilities fail to operate properly or as expected.

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Our operations may be adversely affected by risks and hazards associated with the mining industry that may not be fully covered by insurance.

Our business is subject to a number of risks and hazards including:


	•	environmental hazards;

	•	political and country risks;

	•	civil unrest or terrorism;

	•	industrial accidents;

	•	labor disputes or strikes;

	•	unusual or unexpected geologic formations;

	•	cave-ins;

	•	explosive rock failures; and

	•	unanticipated hydrologic conditions, including flooding and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions.

	Such risks could result in:

	•	personal injury or fatalities;

	•	damage to or destruction of mineral properties or producing facilities;

	•	environmental damage;

	•	delays in exploration, development or mining;

	•	monetary losses; and

	•	legal liability.

We maintain insurance to protect against losses that may result from some of these risks at levels consistent with our historical experience, industry practice and circumstances surrounding each identified risk. Insurance against environmental risks is generally either unavailable or, we believe, too expensive for us, and we therefore do not maintain environmental insurance. Occurrence of events for which we are not insured may have an adverse effect on our business.

LEGAL, MARKET AND REGULATORY RISKS

We are currently involved in ongoing legal disputes that may materially adversely affect us.

There are several ongoing legal disputes in which we are involved. If any of these disputes results in a substantial monetary judgment against us, is settled on unfavorable terms or otherwise impacts our operations, our financial results or condition could be materially adversely affected. For example, we may ultimately incur environmental remediation costs substantially in excess of the amounts we have accrued and the plaintiffs in environmental proceedings may be awarded substantial damages, which costs and damages we may not be able to recover from our insurers. For a description of the lawsuits in which we are involved, see Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are required to obtain governmental and lessor approvals and permits in order to conduct mining operations.

In the ordinary course of business, mining companies are required to seek governmental and lessor approvals and permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex, time-consuming and costly process. The duration and success of our efforts to obtain permits are contingent upon many variables not within our control. Obtaining environmental permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted and the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the permitting authority. There can be no assurance that all necessary approvals and permits will be obtained and, if obtained, that the costs involved will not exceed those that we previously estimated. It is possible that the costs and delays associated with the compliance with such standards and regulations could become such that we would not proceed with the development or operation.

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We face substantial governmental regulation and environmental risk.

Our business is subject to extensive U.S. and foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations governing development, production, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, use of toxic substances, environmental regulations, mine safety and other matters. See risk titled “Our environmental remediation obligations may exceed the provisions we have made.” We have been and are currently involved in lawsuits or disputes in which we have been accused of causing environmental damage, violating environmental laws, or violating environmental permits, and we may be subject to similar lawsuits or disputes in the future. New legislation and regulations may be adopted or permit lmits reduced at any time that result in additional operating expense, capital expenditures or restrictions and delays in the mining, production or development of our properties.

From time to time, the U.S. Congress considers proposed amendments to the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended, which governs mining claims and related activities on federal lands. The extent of any future changes is not known and the potential impact on us as a result of U.S. Congressional action is difficult to predict. Although a majority of our existing U.S. mining operations occur on private or patented property, changes to the General Mining Law, if adopted, could adversely affect our ability to economically develop mineral reserves on federal lands.

Our environmental remediation obligations may exceed the provisions we have made.

We are subject to significant environmental obligations, particularly in northern Idaho. At December 31, 2008, we had accrued $121.3 million as a provision for environmental remediation, $85.1 million of which relates to our various liabilities in Idaho, and there is a significant risk that the costs of remediation could materially exceed this provision. For an overview of our potential environmental liabilities, see Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The titles to some of our properties may be defective or challenged.

Unpatented mining claims constitute a significant portion of our undeveloped property holdings, the validity of which could be uncertain and may be contested. Although we have conducted title reviews of our property holdings, title review does not necessarily preclude third parties from challenging our title. In accordance with mining industry practice, we do not generally obtain title opinions until we decide to develop a property. Therefore, while we have attempted to acquire satisfactory title to our undeveloped properties, some titles may be defective.

The price of our stock has a history of volatility and could decline in the future.

Our common and preferred stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The market price for our stock has been volatile, often based on:


	•	fluctuating proven and probable reserves;

	•	factors unrelated to our financial performance or future prospects, such as global economic developments and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries;

	•	changes in metals prices, particularly silver and gold;

	•	our results of operations and financial condition as reflected in our public news releases or periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

	•	political and regulatory risk;

	•	the success of our exploration programs;

	•	ability to meet production estimates;

	•	environmental and legal risk;

	•	the extent of analytical coverage concerning our business; and

	•	the trading volume and general market interest in our securities.

The market price of our stock at any given point in time may not accurately reflect our long-term value, and may prevent shareholders from realizing a profit on their investment.

Our Series B Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $50 per share or $8.0 million.

If we were liquidated, holders of our preferred stock would be entitled to receive approximately $8.0 million (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends) from any liquidation proceeds before holders of our Common Stock would be entitled to receive any proceeds. Our Series B Preferred Stock ranks on parity with our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and our new 12% Convertible Preferred Stock.

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Our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $100 per share or $204.5 million.

If we were liquidated, holders of our preferred stock would be entitled to receive approximately $204.5 million (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends) from any liquidation proceeds before holders of our Common Stock would be entitled to receive any proceeds. Our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ranks on parity with our Series B Preferred Stock and our new 12% Convertible Preferred Stock.

Our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $100 per share or $4.3 million.

If we were liquidated, holders of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive approximately $4.3 million (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends) from any liquidation proceeds before holders of Common Stock would be entitled to receive any proceeds. Additional shares of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock may be issued in accordance with the provisions of our credit facilities. Our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock ranks on parity with our Series B Preferred Stock and our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock.

We may not be able to pay preferred stock dividends in the future.

Since July 2005, we have continued to pay regular quarterly dividends on our Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock through the third quarter of 2008. The annual dividend payable on the Series B preferred stock is currently $0.6 million. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2004, we had not declared preferred dividends on Series B preferred stock since the second quarter of 2000. In December 2007, we issued 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with an annual dividend of $13.1 million, each of which quarterly dividend payments have been made through the third quarter of 2008. Series B and Mandatory Convertible preferred stock dividends due on January 1, 2009 for the fourth quarter of 2008 were deferred. Failure to pay such dividends for six dividend periods will enable our holders of preferred stock to elect two directors. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future.

Additional issuances of equity securities by us would dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders and could reduce our earnings per share.

We may issue equity in the future in connection with acquisitions, strategic transactions or for other purposes. Any such acquisition could be material to us and could significantly increase the size and scope of our business, including our market capitalization. We may also be required to issue Common Stock upon the conversion of our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and may pay dividends on our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in shares of our Common Stock. To the extent we issue any additional equity securities, the ownership of our existing stockholders would be diluted and our earnings per share could be reduced.

On February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2009 (see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).

The issuance of additional shares of our preferred stock or common stock in the future could adversely affect holders of Common Stock.

The market price of our Common Stock is likely to be influenced by our preferred stock. For example, the market price of our Common Stock could become more volatile and could be depressed by:


	•	investors’ anticipation of the potential resale in the market of a substantial number of additional shares of our Common Stock received upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or as dividends thereon; and

	•	our failure to pay dividends on our currently outstanding Series B Preferred Stock or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, which would prevent us from paying dividends to holders of our Common Stock.

In addition, our board of directors is authorized to issue additional classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of our stockholders. This includes the power to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights and preferences over Common Stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the business and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has preference over our Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation,

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dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of our Common Stock, the rights of holders of the Common Stock or the market price of the Common Stock could be adversely affected.

On February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, our term loan was also reduced by approximately $8 million in February 2009 (see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).

If a large number of shares of our Common Stock is sold in the public market, the sales could reduce the trading price of our Common Stock and impede our ability to raise future capital.

We cannot predict what effect, if any, future issuances by us of our Common Stock or other equity will have on the market price of our Common Stock. In addition, shares of our Common Stock that we issue in connection with an acquisition may not be subject to resale restrictions. We may issue substantial additional shares of Common Stock or other securities in connection with material acquisition transactions. The market price of our Common Stock could decline if certain large holders of our Common Stock, or recipients of our Common Stock in connection with an acquisition, sell all or a significant portion of their shares of Common Stock or are perceived by the market as intending to sell these shares other than in an orderly manner. In addition, these sales could also impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional Common Stock in the capital markets.

On February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units comprised for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2009 (see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).

Common Stock issued pursuant to subsequent offerings or eligible for future issuance or sale may cause the Common Stock price to decline, which may negatively impact your investment.

We may issue substantial additional shares of Common Stock or other securities in connection with acquisition transactions or for other purposes, to the extent permitted by our credit facilities. Any such acquisition could be material to us and could significantly increase the size and scope of our business. Issuances or sales of substantial amounts of additional Common Stock or the perception that such issuances or sales could occur, may cause prevailing market prices for our Common Stock to decline and could result in dilution to our stockholders. See Legal, Market and Regulatory Risks — Additional issuances of equity securities by us would dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders and could reduce our earnings per share and If a large number of shares of our Common Stock is sold in the public market, the sales could reduce the trading price of our Common Stock and impede our ability to raise future capital.

The provisions in our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and Delaware law could delay or deter tender offers or takeover attempts that may offer a premium for our Common Stock.

The provisions in our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if that transaction would be beneficial to stockholders. These impediments include:


	•	the classification of our board of directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, which makes it more difficult to quickly replace board members;

	•	the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock with rights as it deems appropriate without stockholder approval;

	•	a provision that special meetings of our board of directors may be called only by our chief executive officer or a majority of our board of directors;

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	•	a provision that special meetings of stockholders may only be called pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of our entire board of directors;

	•	a prohibition against action by written consent of our stockholders;

	•	a provision that our board members may only be removed for cause and by an affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock;

	•	a provision that our stockholders comply with advance-notice provisions to bring director nominations or other matters before meetings of our stockholders;

	•	a prohibition against certain business combinations with an acquirer of 15% or more of our Common Stock for three years after such acquisition unless the stock acquisition or the business combination is approved by our board prior to the acquisition of the 15% interest, or after such acquisition our board and the holders of two-thirds of the other Common Stock approve the business combination; and

	•	a prohibition against our entering into certain business combinations with interested stockholders without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock.

The existence of these provisions may deprive stockholders of an opportunity to sell our stock at a premium over prevailing prices. The potential inability of our stockholders to obtain a control premium could adversely affect the market price for our Common Stock.

If we cannot meet the New York Stock Exchange continued listing requirements, the NYSE may delist our Common Stock.

Our Common Stock is currently listed on the NYSE. In the future, we may not be able to meet the continued listing requirements of the NYSE, which require, among other things, that the average closing price of our common stock be above $1.00 over 30 consecutive trading days. Our closing stock price on February 27, 2008 was $1.52.

If we are unable to satisfy the NYSE criteria for continued listing, our Common Stock would be subject to delisting. A delisting of our Common Stock could negatively impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our Common Stock; reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our Common Stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing; decreasing the amount of news and analyst coverage for the Company; and limiting our ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. In addition, delisting from the NYSE might negatively impact our reputation and, as a consequence, our business.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2. Property Descriptions

OPERATING PROPERTIES

The Greens Creek Unit

On April 16, 2008, we completed the acquisition of all of the equity of two Rio Tinto subsidiaries holding a 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek mine for approximately $750 million. The acquisition gives our various subsidiaries control of 100% of the Greens Creek mine, as our wholly-owned subsidiary, Hecla Alaska LLC, owned an undivided 29.7% joint venture interest in the assets of Greens Creek prior to our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% interest.

The Greens Creek orebody contains silver, zinc, gold and lead, and lies adjacent to the Admiralty Island National Monument, an environmentally sensitive area. The Greens Creek property includes 17 patented lode claims and one patented mill site claim, in addition to property leased from the U.S. Forest Service. Greens Creek also has title to mineral rights on 7,500 acres of federal land adjacent to the properties. The entire project is accessed by boat and served by 13 miles of road and consists of the mine, an ore concentrating mill, a tailings impoundment area, a ship-loading facility, camp facilities and a ferry dock. The map below illustrates the location and access to Greens Creek:

(MAP)

The Greens Creek deposit is a polymetallic, stratiform, massive sulfide deposit. The host rock consists of predominantly marine sedimentary, and mafic to ultramafic volcanic and plutonic rocks, which have been subjected to multiple periods of deformation. These deformational episodes have imposed intense tectonic fabrics on the rocks. Mineralization occurs discontinuously along the contact between a structural hanging wall of quartz mica carbonate phyllites and a structural footwall of graphitic and calcareous argillite. Major sulfide minerals are pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and tetrahedrite/tennanite.

Pursuant to a 1996 land exchange agreement, the joint venture transferred private property equal to a value of $1.0 million to the U.S. Forest Service and received exploration and mining rights to approximately 7,500 acres of land with mining potential surrounding the existing mine. Production from new ore discoveries on the exchanged lands will be subject to federal royalties included in the land exchange agreement. The royalty is only due on production from reserves that are not part of Greens Creek’s extralateral rights. Thus far, there has been no discovery triggering payment of the royalty. The royalty is 3% if the average value of the ore during a year is greater than $120 per ton of ore, and 0.75% if the value is $120 per ton or less. The benchmark of $120 per ton is adjusted annually according to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Implicit Price Deflator until the year 2016, and at December 31, 2008, was at approximately $157 per ton when applying the latest GDP Implicit Price Deflator observation.

Greens Creek is an underground mine which produces approximately 2,100 tons of ore per day. The primary mining methods are cut and fill and longhole stoping. The ore is processed on site at a mill, which produces lead, zinc and bulk concentrates, as well as doré containing silver and gold. In 2008, ore was processed at an average rate of approximately 2,008 tons per day. During 2008, mill recovery totaled approximately 73% silver, 87% zinc, 78% lead and 64% gold. The doré is sold to a precious metal refiner and on the open market and the three concentrate products are sold to a number of major smelters worldwide. Concentrates are shipped from a marine terminal located on Admiralty Island about nine miles from the mine site.

The Greens Creek unit has historically been powered completely by diesel generators located on site. However, an agreement was reached during 2005 to purchase excess hydroelectric power from the local power company. Installation of the necessary infrastructure was completed in 2006, and use of hydroelectric power commenced during the third quarter of 2006. Low lake levels and increased demand in the Juneau area have combined to decrease power available to Greens Creek, and it is unlikely that Greens Creek will obtain significant utility power until 2010.

The employees at Greens Creek are employees of our Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, our wholly-owned subsidiary, and are not represented by a bargaining agent. There were 336 employees at the Greens Creek unit at December 31, 2008. All equipment, infrastructure and facilities, including camp and concentrate storage facilities, are in good condition.

As of December 31, 2008, we have recorded a $30.0 million asset retirement obligation for reclamation and closure costs. In August 2008, we obtained the release of our trust fund balance of $30.4 million previously held for future reclamation at Greens Creek, replacing it with a $30 million bond secured by the restricted cash balance of $7.6 million. The net book value of the Greens Creek unit property and its associated plant, equipment and mineral interests was approximately $738.4 million as of December 31, 2008.

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For 2007 and 2006, prior to our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% interest in Greens Creek, Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Company’s geology and engineering staff computed the estimated ore reserves, and provided the weighted average metals prices used in the reserve estimates, for the Greens Creek unit, with our technical support. We reviewed the geologic interpretation and reserve methodology, but the reserve compilations for those periods were not independently confirmed by us in their entirety. Information with respect to production, average costs per ounce of silver produced and proven and probable ore reserves is set forth in the following table, and represents our 100% ownership of Greens Creek after April 16, 2008, and our previous 29.7% ownership prior to that date.


	Years Ended December 31,
Production ⁽⁶⁾	2008		2007			2006
Ore milled (tons)		598,931		217,691			217,676
Silver (ounces)		5,829,253		2,570,701			2,636,083
Gold (ounces)		54,650		20,218			18,713
Zinc (tons)		52,055		18,612			17,670
Lead (tons)		16,630		6,252			6,242

Average Cost per Ounce of Silver Produced ⁽¹⁾
Total cash costs	$	3.29	$	(5.27	)	$	(3.47	)
Total production costs	$	8.52	$	(1.93	)	$	(0.30	)

Probable Ore Reserves ^{(2,3,4,5,6,7)}
Total tons		8,064,700		2,513,700			2,282,574
Silver (ounces per ton)		13.7		13.7			14.4
Gold (ounces per ton)		0.11		0.11			0.11
Zinc (percent)		10.5		10.2			10.4
Lead (percent)		3.8		3.8			4.0
Contained silver (ounces)		110,583,200		34,497,800			32,913,002
Contained gold (ounces)		870,100		270,000			257,101
Contained zinc (tons)		850,700		255,900			237,187
Contained lead (tons)		308,700		95,300			90,919




(1)	Includes by-product credits from gold, lead and zinc production. Cash costs per ounce of silver represent measurements that are not in accordance with GAAP that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of our mining operations. We believe cash costs per ounce of silver provide an indicator of profitability and efficiency at each location and on a consolidated basis, as well as providing a meaningful basis to compare our results to those of other mining companies and other mining operating properties. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found in Item 7. — MD&A, under Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Costs of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).

(2)	Estimates of proven and probable ore reserves for the Greens Creek unit as of December 2008, 2007 and 2006 are derived from successive generations of reserve and feasibility analyses for different areas of the mine each using a separate assessment of metals prices. The weighted average prices used for 2007 and 2006 reserve estimates were determined by the Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Company, then an indirect subsidiary of Rio Tinto, plc, and differ from the prices used by us, for example, in making such calculations for our Lucky Friday unit for those years. The average prices used for the Greens Creek unit were:


	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
Silver (per ounce)	$	12.25	$	8.00	$	6.00
Gold (per ounce)	$	650	$	529	$	446
Lead (per pound)	$	0.80	$	0.27	$	0.27
Zinc (per pound)	$	0.80	$	0.58	$	0.47


(3)	Ore reserves represent in-place material, diluted and adjusted for expected mining recovery. Mill recoveries of ore reserve grades differ by ore zones and are expected to average 74% for silver, 68% for gold, 77% for zinc and 73% for lead.

(4)	The changes in reserves in 2008 versus 2007 and 2006 are due to the our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of Greens Creek, as discussed above, along with the addition of new drill data and increases in forecasted precious metals prices, partially offset by depletion due to production. The changes in reserves in 2007 versus 2006 are due to the addition of new drill data and increases in forecasted precious metals prices, which have resulted in the addition of new reserves based on updated estimates for certain orebodies, partially offset by depletion due to production.

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(5)	We only report probable reserves at the Greens Creek unit, which are based on average drill spacing of 50 to 100 feet. Proven reserves typically require that mining samples are partly the basis of the ore grade estimates used, while probable reserve grade estimates can be based entirely on drilling results. Cutoff grade assumptions vary by orebody and are developed based on reserve prices, anticipated mill recoveries and smelter payables and cash operating costs. Cutoff grades range from $97 per ton net smelter return to $107 per ton net smelter return.

(6)	Reflects our 29.7% ownership interest until April 16, 2008, and our 100% ownership thereafter.

(7)	An independent review by AMEC E&C, Inc. was completed in 2008 for the 2007 reserve models for the 5250N and Northwest West zones.

The Lucky Friday Unit

Since 1958, we have owned and operated the Lucky Friday unit, a deep underground silver, lead and zinc mine located in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in northern Idaho. Lucky Friday is one-quarter mile east of Mullan, Idaho, and is adjacent to U.S. Interstate 90. Below is a map illustrating the location and access to the Lucky Friday unit:

(MAP)

There have been two ore-bearing structures mined at the Lucky Friday unit. The first, mined through 2001, was the Lucky Friday vein, a fissure vein typical of many in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. The orebody is located in the Revett Formation, which is known to provide excellent host rocks for a number of orebodies in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. The Lucky Friday vein strikes northeasterly and dips steeply to the south with an average width of six to seven feet. Its principal ore minerals are galena and tetrahedrite with minor amounts of sphalerite and chalcopyrite. The ore occurs as a single continuous orebody in and along the Lucky Friday vein. The major part of the orebody has extended from the 1,200-foot level to and below the 6,020-foot level.

The second ore-bearing structure, known as the Lucky Friday Expansion Area, has been mined since 1997 pursuant to an operating agreement with Independence Lead Mines Company (“Independence’). During 1991, we discovered several mineralized structures containing some high-grade silver ores in an area known as the Gold Hunter property, approximately 5,000 feet northwest of the then existing Lucky Friday workings. This discovery led to the development of the Gold Hunter property on the 4900 level. On November 6, 2008, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Independence, including the mining claims pertaining to their agreement with us that includes all future interest or royalty obligation to Independence (see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion). Prior to the acquisition, we controlled the Gold Hunter property under a long-term operating agreement with Independence that was to expire in February 2018 and was renewable thereafter, that entitled us, as operator, to an 81.48% interest in the net profits from operations from the Gold Hunter property. Under that agreement, we would have been obligated to pay a net profits interest of 18.52% to Independence after we have recouped our costs to explore and develop the property.

The principal mining method at the Lucky Friday unit is ramp access, cut and fill. This method utilizes rubber-tired equipment to access the veins through ramps developed outside of the orebody. Once a cut is taken along the strike of the vein, it is backfilled with cemented tailings and the next cut is accessed, either above or below, from the ramp system.

The ore produced from Lucky Friday is processed in a conventional flotation mill, which produces both a silver-lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. In 2008, ore was processed at an average rate of approximately 875 tons per day. During 2008, mill recovery totaled approximately 93% silver, 93% lead and 83% zinc. All silver-lead and zinc concentrate production during 2008 was shipped to Teck Cominco Limited’s smelter in Trail, British Columbia, Canada.

Information with respect to the Lucky Friday unit’s production, average cost per ounce of silver produced and proven and probable ore reserves for the past three years is set forth in the table below.

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	Years Ended December 31,
Production	2008		2007			2006
Ore milled (tons)		317,777		323,659			276,393
Silver (ounces)		2,880,264		3,071,857			2,873,663
Lead (tons)		18,393		18,297			16,657
Zinc (tons)		9,386		8,009			6,537

Average Cost per Ounce of Silver Produced⁽¹⁾
Total cash costs	$	6.06	$	(0.75	)	$	3.65
Total production costs	$	7.87	$	0.52		$	4.90

Proven Ore Reserves^(2,3,4)
Total tons		1,270,000		760,700			628,976
Silver (ounces per ton)		12.4		12.3			13.1
Lead (percent)		7.8		7.2			8.2
Zinc (percent)		2.5		2.5			2.8
Contained silver (ounces)		15,800,800		9,324,800			8,245,675
Contained lead (tons)		98,700		54,500			51,322
Contained zinc (tons)		31,600		18,900			17,548

Probable Ore Reserves^(2,3,4)
Total tons		523,400		680,000			732,920
Silver (ounces per ton)		11.6		11.9			13.5
Lead (percent)		6.5		7.5			8.2
Zinc (percent)		2.7		2.5			2.9
Contained silver (ounces)		6,046,800		8,065,200			9,890,120
Contained lead (tons)		33,900		50,900			60,284
Contained zinc (tons)		14,300		16,700			21,606

Total Proven and Probable Ore Reserves^(2,3,4)
Total tons		1,793,400		1,440,700			1,361,896
Silver (ounces per ton)		12.2		12.1			13.3
Lead (percent)		7.4		7.3			8.2
Zinc (percent)		2.6		2.5			2.9
Contained silver (ounces)		21,847,500		17,390,000			18,135,795
Contained lead (tons)		132,600		105,400			111,606
Contained zinc (tons)		45,900		35,600			39,154



(1)	Includes by-product credits from lead and zinc production. Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent measurements that are not in accordance with GAAP that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of our mining operations. We believe cash costs per ounce of silver provide an indicator of profitability and efficiency at each location and on a consolidated basis, as well as providing a meaningful basis to compare our results to those of other mining companies and other mining operating properties. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found in Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Costs of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).

(2)	Proven and probable ore reserves are calculated and reviewed in-house and are subject to periodic audit by others, although audits are not performed on an annual basis. Cutoff grade assumptions vary by ore body and are developed based on reserve prices, anticipated mill recoveries and smelter payables and cash operating costs. Due to multiple ore metals, and complex combinations of ore types, metal ratios and metallurgical performances at the Lucky Friday, the cutoff grade is expressed in terms of net smelter return (“NSR”), rather than metal grade. The cutoff grade at the Lucky Friday ranges from $66 per ton NSR to $85 per ton NSR. Our estimates of proven and probable reserves are based on the following metals prices:

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	December 31,
	2008		2007		2006
Silver (per ounce)	$	12.25	$	10.00	$	8.00
Lead (per pound)	$	0.80	$	0.60	$	0.42
Zinc (per pound)	$	0.80	$	1.00	$	0.67


(3)	Reserves are in-place materials that incorporate estimates of the amount of waste that must be mined along with the ore and expected mining recovery. Mill recoveries are expected to be 95% for silver, 94% for lead and 87% for zinc. Zinc recovery has improved from historical levels due to mill upgrades completed during 2007, 2006 and 2005.

(4)	The changes in reserves in 2008 versus 2007, and in 2007 versus 2006, are due to addition of data from new drill holes and development work together with increases in forecast metals prices, which has resulted in the addition of new reserves based on updated estimates, partially offset by depletion due to production.

During 2008, we initiated engineering, procurement and development activities relating to construction of an internal shaft at the Lucky Friday mine, which, upon completion, would provide access from the 6200 level down to the 8000 level in the mine. This new infrastructure would allow us to mine mineralized material below our current workings on the 5900 level, and also provide a deeper exploration platform. Activities for this project thus far have included: engineering, purchase of some equipment including hoists and service trucks, and pre-development construction from existing workings to the shaft collar, hoist room and other smaller facilities on the 4900 level. However, the project has been placed on hold due to decreases in metals prices during the second half of 2008; allowing time for additional internal study and review of deep access alternatives at the Lucky Friday. As a result, the timing and extent of future work on the internal shaft project is uncertain at this time.

Ultimate reclamation activities are anticipated to include stabilization of tailings ponds and waste rock areas. No final reclamation activities were performed in 2008, and at December 31, 2008, an asset retirement obligation of approximately $0.9 million had been recorded for reclamation and closure costs. The net book value of the Lucky Friday unit property and its associated plant, equipment and mineral interests was approximately $95.8 million as of December 31, 2008. The construction of the facilities at Lucky Friday ranges from the 1950s to 2008, and all are in good physical condition. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, we made capital improvements to our processing plant to improve concentrate grades and metal recoveries. Additions included a three-stage crushing system, increased flotation capacity and two new flash cells, new column cells and tailings thickeners, and an on-stream analyzer. The plant is maintained by our employees with assistance from outside contractors as required.

At December 31, 2008, there were 269 employees at the Lucky Friday unit. The United Steelworkers of America is the bargaining agent for the Lucky Friday’s 211 hourly employees. The current labor agreement expires on April 30, 2009. Avista Corporation supplies electrical power to the Lucky Friday unit.

EXPLORATION PROPERTIES

The San Sebastian Unit

The San Sebastian mine is located approximately 56 miles northeast of the city of Durango, Mexico, on concessions acquired in 1999. Access to San Sebastian is via Mexico Highway 40, approximately 7 miles east of Guadalupe Victoria, and then approximately 14 miles of paved rural road through the towns of Ignacio Allende and Emiliano Zapata. The processing plant, located near Velardeña, Durango, Mexico, was acquired in April 2001. The map below illustrates the location and access to the San Sebastian unit:

(MAP)

Our concession holdings cover approximately 308 square miles, including the Francine vein, the Don Sergio vein and multiple outlying active exploration areas. Production from the Francine vein was from a high-grade silver vein with significant gold credits. Production from the Don Sergio vein was from a high-grade gold vein with some silver credits. Mineral concession titles are obtained and held under the laws of Mexico, and are valid for 50 years with the possibility of extending another 50 years. There are work assessment and tax requirements that are variable and increase with the time that the concession is held.

Several intermediate sulfidation epithermal veins occur within the Saladillo Valley and include the Francine, Profesor, Middle and North vein systems. These veins are proximal to each other and are hosted within a series of shales with interbedded fine-grained sandstones interpreted to belong to the Cretaceous Caracol Formation. The Don Sergio, Jessica, Andrea and Antonella veins located in the Cerro Pedernalillo area, about 4 miles from Francine, are end member low sulfidation epithermal veins hosted by the same formation with the addition of dioritic intrusive rocks.

Underground development along the Francine vein started in May 2001, and reached full production during the second quarter of 2002. Mining of economic ore on the upper Francine vein was completed during the first quarter of 2005. The mine has been placed on care and maintenance as exploration continues on the property, including the Hugh Zone, which is

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located 2300 feet below historic mining. Mining of economic ore on the Don Sergio vein was completed in the fourth quarter of 2005 and reclamation of this portion of the mine site was completed during 2006. San Sebastian’s life-of-mine production over four years was 11.2 million ounces of silver and 155,937 ounces of gold.

The Francine vein strikes northwest and dips southwest, and is located on the southwestern limb of a doubly plunging anticline. The vein ranges in true thickness from more than 13 feet to less than 1.5 feet, and consists of several episodes of banded quartz, silica-healed breccias and minor amounts of calcite. The vein is oxidized to a depth of approximately 328 vertical feet and the wall rocks contain an alteration halo of less than 7 feet next to the vein. Mineralization within the oxidized portion of the vein contains limonite, hematite, silver halides and various copper carbonates. Higher-grade gold and silver mineralization is associated with disseminated hematite and limonite after pyrite and chalcopyrite, copper carbonates including malachite and azurite and hydrous copper silicates including chrysocolla. Native gold occurs associated with hematite and limonite. Mineralization in the sulfide portion of the Francine vein contains pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, native silver, argentite and trace amounts of aguilarite. Hugh Zone mineralization contains chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, argentite, acanthite, tetrahedrite, polybasite, stephanite, freibergite, and pyrargyrite.

Access to both underground workings has been through ramps from the surface connecting one or more levels. Ore has been mined by the cut-and-fill stoping method and extracted from the stopes using rubber-tired equipment and hauled to the surface in trucks. Run of mine ore has been hauled in trucks by contractors to our processing facility near Velardeña, which is approximately 68 miles from the San Sebastian mine and 72 miles from the Don Sergio mine. The mill, which was constructed in 1994 and is capable of processing approximately 550 tons per day, is a conventional leach, counter-current decantation and Merrill Crowe precipitation circuit. The ore has been crushed in a two-stage crushing plant consisting of a primary jaw, a secondary cone crusher and a double-deck vibrating screen. The grinding circuit includes a primary ball mill and cyclone classifiers. The ground ore was thickened, followed by agitated leaching and four stages of counter-current decantation to wash solubilized silver and gold from the pulp. The solution bearing silver and gold was clarified, deaerated and zinc dust added to precipitate silver and gold that is recovered in plate and frame filters. The precious metal precipitate was smelted and refined into doré, and was then shipped to a third-party refiner. Processing of economic ore was completed during the fourth quarter of 2005, and the mill was placed on care and maintenance at that time.

During 2008, exploration activities were focused in the La Roca target area, district scaled soil geochemistry, and district scaled target identification through detailed mapping and sampling. Through this work, several new drillable targets have been identified in the district. Continued district scaled target identification through detailed mapping and sampling is planned during 2009.

Additional exploration at the San Sebastian unit during 2008 included activity at the Rio Grande exploration project, which is located approximately 51 miles north of Fresnillo in Zacatecas State, on concessions acquired under an option to purchase agreement in 2007. Access to the property is via Mexico Highway 49, approximately 1 mile south of the city of Rio Grande followed by approximately 6 miles of dirt road west to the center of the property.

Our Rio Grande concession holdings cover approximately 5 square miles and several low- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal vein systems including the La Soledad, Arcangeles, El Leon, Sacramento, Concepcion, and San Martin vein systems in addition to multiple outlying active exploration areas. These veins are proximal to each other and are hosted within a series of shales with interbedded fine-grained sandstones interpreted to belong to the Cretaceous Caracol Formation. The Rio Grande vein systems strike north to northwest and dips to the west and southwest. The veins range in true thickness from more than 46-feet to less than 1.5 feet, and consist of several episodes of banded quartz, silica-healed breccias and minor amounts of calcite. These veins are partially oxidized to a depth of approximately 196 vertical feet and the wall rocks contain an alteration halo of less than 33 feet next to the vein. Mineralization within these veins consists of limonite, hematite, marcasite, pyrite, argentite, and pyrargyrite and trace amounts of chalcopyrite.

During 2008, the initial drilling of the La Soledad, Arcangeles, El Leon, Sacramento, Concepcion, San Martin, and Aguila Mexicana veins was completed. In 2009, we will continue district scaled target identification through detailed mapping and sampling, but are also considering optioning or dropping the Rio Grande project.

At December 31, 2008, the net book value of the San Sebastian unit property and its associated plant and equipment was $3.2 million, including approximately $3 million for the mill. Site infrastructure includes a water supply system, maintenance shop, warehouse, laboratory, tailings impoundment and various offices. Equipment and facilities are in good condition and have been placed on care and maintenance pending a resumption of operations. We are currently involved in litigation concerning our ownership of the Velardeña mill. We are negotiating with the plaintiff who has offered to purchase the mill from us. See the Mexico Litigation section of Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

As of December 31, 2008, $1.2 million has been accrued for reclamation and closure costs, and there were 25 hourly and 32 salaried employees performing exploration, care and maintenance, reclamation and security functions. In January 2009, we reduced our workforce in Mexico by 18 hourly and 17 salary employees as a part of an effort to conserve cash.

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Due to the curtailment of mining activity, the collective bargaining agreement with the National Mine and Mill Workers Union for hourly mill employees was terminated during the fourth quarter of 2005. Electric power is purchased from Comisión Federal de Electricidad (a Mexico federal electric company).

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of our legal proceedings, see Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information set forth in Part III, Item 10 is incorporated by reference into this Part I, Item 4.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


(a)	(i)	Shares of our common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

	(ii)	Our common stock quarterly high and low sale prices for the past two years were as follows:


	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2008 – High	$	12.79	$	13.14	$	10.00	$	4.93
– Low	$	8.05	$	7.40	$	4.00	$	0.99
2007 – High	$	9.21	$	9.89	$	9.80	$	12.57
– Low	$	6.36	$	7.47	$	6.58	$	8.18


(b)	As of February 27, 2009, there were 7,898 shareholders of record of the common stock.

(c)	No dividends have been declared on our common stock in the last two years. Quarterly dividends were paid on our Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock for the first three quarters of 2008, with $0.1 million for cumulative, undeclared, unpaid dividends at December 31, 2008 for the fourth quarter 2008. Dividends have been paid on our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for the first three quarters of 2008, with cumulative, undeclared, unpaid dividends of $3.4 million at December 31, 2008 for the fourth quarter of 2008. We have no plans for payment of dividends on common stock. We cannot pay dividends on our common stock if we fail to pay, when due, dividends on our Series B or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or our recently issued 12% Convertible Preferred Stock.

(d)	The following table provides information as of December 31, 2008, regarding our compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance:


	Number of Securities To Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights		Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options		Number of Securities Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders:
1995 Stock Incentive Plan		1,397,179		7.80		3,449,697
Stock Plan for Nonemployee Directors		—		N/A		735,454
Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan		100,000		3.65		4,113,350
Total		1,497,179		7.52		8,298,501

See Notes 9 and 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the above plans.


(e)	We did not sell any unregistered securities in 2006 and 2007. During 2008, we issued unregistered common shares as follows:

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	a.	On January 17, 2008, we issued 550,000 unregistered common shares to fund our donation to the Hecla Charitable Foundation.

	b.	On January 24, 2008, we issued 118,333 unregistered common shares in a private placement pursuant to section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and Regulation D to an accredited investor to acquire properties in the Silver Valley of Northern Idaho.

	c.	On February 21, 2008, we issued 927,716 unregistered common shares in a private placement pursuant to section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and Regulation D to an accredited investor to acquire a joint venture interest (see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

	d.	On April 16, 2008, we issued 4,365,000 unregistered common shares in a private placement pursuant to section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and Regulation D to an accredited investor to partially fund our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek Joint Venture (see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

	e.	On October 24, 2008, we issued 633,360 unregistered common shares in a private placement pursuant to section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and Regulation D to an accredited investor as the result of an amendment to a joint venture buy-in agreement (see Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).


(f)	Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Shareholder Return—December 2003 through December 2008⁽¹⁾:

Hecla Mining Company, S&P 500, S&P 500 Gold Index, and Custom Peer Group⁽²⁾



Date	Hecla Mining		S&P 500		S&P 500 Gold Index		Custom Peer Group

December 2003	$	100.00	$	100.00	$	100.00	$	100.00
December 2004	$	70.33	$	110.85	$	91.82	$	95.26
December 2005	$	48.97	$	116.28	$	111.39	$	117.34
December 2006	$	92.40	$	134.61	$	94.97	$	174.13
December 2007	$	112.79	$	141.99	$	103.92	$	204.53
December 2008	$	33.78	$	89.54	$	87.42	$	149.96

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(1)	Total shareholder return assuming $100 invested on December 31, 2003 and reinvestment of dividends on quarterly basis.

(2)	Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., Centerra Gold, Inc., Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp., Golden Star Resources Ltd., IAMGOLD Corporation, Kinross Gold Corporation, Northgate Minerals Corporation, Pan American Silver Corp., Stillwater Mining Company, Yamana Gold Inc.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table (in thousands, except per share amounts, common shares issued, shareholders of record, and employees) sets forth selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2004 through 2008, and is derived from our audited financial statements. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto.


	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Sales of products	$	192,655		$	153,702		$	122,585		$	71,152		$	82,942
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(37,173	)	$	68,157		$	64,788		$	(17,951	)	$	(12,958	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(17,395	)	$	(14,960	)	$	4,334		$	(7,409	)	$	6,824
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(11,995	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Net income (loss)	$	(66,563	)	$	53,197		$	69,122		$	(25,360	)	$	(6,134	)
Preferred stock dividends ^(1,2,3)		(13,633	)		(1,024	)		(552	)		(552	)		(11,602	)
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	$	(80,196	)	$	52,173		$	68,570		$	(25,912	)	$	(17,736	)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share	$	(0.57	)	$	0.43		$	0.57		$	(0.22	)	$	(0.15	)
Total assets	$	988,791		$	650,737		$	346,269		$	272,166		$	279,448
Accrued reclamation & closure costs	$	121,347		$	106,139		$	65,904		$	69,242		$	74,413
Noncurrent portion of debt	$	121,667		$	—		$	—		$	3,000		$	—
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Cash dividends paid per Series B preferred share ⁽²⁾	$	3.50		$	3.50		$	3.50		$	18.38		$	—
Cash dividends paid per Mandatory Convertible Preferred share ⁽³⁾	$	3.48		$			$	—		$	—		$	—
Common shares issued		180,461,371			121,456,837			119,828,707			118,602,135			118,350,861
Mandatory Convertible Preferred shares issued		2,012,500			2,012,500			—			—			—
Shareholders of record		7,936			6,598			6,815			7,568			7,853
Employees		742			871			1,155			1,191			1,417



(1)	During the year ended December 31, 2004, we entered into various agreements to acquire Series B preferred stock in exchange for newly issued shares of common stock as follows:


	Year ended December 31, 2004
Number of shares of Series B preferred stock exchanged for shares of common stock		306,961
Number of shares of common stock issued		2,436,098
Non-cash preferred stock dividend incurred in exchange (millions of dollars) ^(a)	$	10.9


	(a)	The non-cash dividend represents the difference between the value of the common stock issued in the exchange offer and the value of the shares that were issuable under the stated conversion terms of the Series B preferred stock. The non-cash dividend had no impact on our total shareholders’ equity as the offset was an increase in common stock and surplus.

(2)	As of December 31, 2004, we had not declared or paid a total of $2.3 million of Series B preferred stock dividends. As the dividends are cumulative, they are reported in determining the income (loss) applicable to common stockholders, but are excluded in the amount reported as cash dividends paid per Series B preferred share. The $2.3 million in cumulative, undeclared dividends were paid in July 2005. A $0.875 per share dividend was declared on the 157,816 outstanding Series B preferred shares in December 2004, and paid in January 2005, and additional dividends totaling $0.4 million were declared and paid during 2005. A total of $2.9 million in dividends paid during 2005 are included in the amount reported as cash dividends paid per Series B preferred share for 2005, and $0.6 million in dividends declared during 2005 were included in the determination of loss applicable to common stockholders. During 2006 and 2007, $0.6 million in Series B preferred dividends were declared and paid. During 2008, $0.4 million in Series B preferred dividends were declared and paid, while $0.1 million in dividends for the fourth quarter of 2008 were deferred.

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(3)

Cumulative undeclared, unpaid Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividends for the period from issuance to December 31, 2007 totaled $0.5 million, and are reported in determining income applicable to common share holders for the year ended December 31, 2007. The $0.5 million in cumulative undeclared dividends were paid in April 2008. During 2008, $9.8 million in Mandatory Convertible Preferred dividends were declared and paid. $6.5 million of the dividends declared in 2008 were paid in cash, and are included in the amount reported as cash dividends paid per Mandatory Convertible Preferred Share, and $3.3 million of the dividends declared in 2008 were paid in our Common Stock. Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividends for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaling $3.3 million were deferred.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Established in 1891 in northern Idaho’s Silver Valley, Hecla Mining Company has long been well known in the mining world and financial markets as a quality producer of silver and gold. Headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, this international, NYSE-traded company is 118 years old. Our production profile includes:


	•	Silver, gold, lead, and zinc contained in concentrates shipped to various smelters

	•	Silver and gold doré

Our operating properties and exploration interests are located in jurisdictions with relatively low political and economic risk in the United States and Mexico, and are contained in historically successful mining districts. We have three business segments for financial reporting purposes: the Greens Creek operating unit on Admiralty Island in Alaska USA, the Lucky Friday operating unit in Idaho USA, and the San Sebastian exploration unit in Durango, Mexico.

Our operating and strategic framework is based on expanding our production and locating and developing new resource potential. To implement this framework in 2008, we


	•	Acquired the remaining 70.3% interest of the Greens Creek Mine near Juneau, Alaska, so that we now control 100% of the world’s fifth largest silver mine and have almost doubled our annual silver production.

	•	Acquired the right to earn in to a 70% joint venture interest in a land package in one of Colorado’s most prolific silver mining districts.

	•	Acquired substantially all of the assets of Independence Lead Mines, thus consolidating 100% of the future profits of the Lucky Friday mine near Mullan, Idaho.

	•	Sold our subsidiaries engaged in Venezuelan mining operations.

Following the acquisitions in the U.S. and divestiture of our Venezuelan interests, we believe we are positioned as one of the lowest-cost, lowest-risk producers of precious metals.

Subsequent to the acquisitions discussed above we, like many companies, were affected by the global financial crisis. After opening the year at $14.93 per ounce, silver rose as high as $20.92 in the second quarter, but fell at one point as low as $8.88 in the fourth quarter. The same volatility affected our important by-products as well, with lead and zinc at the end of the fourth quarter selling for approximately one-third of their high points in the first quarter. The economic downturn affected not only our earnings, but also our stock price, which fell from its one-day high point of $13.14 in the second quarter to its one-day low of $0.99 in the fourth quarter, rebounding to $2.80 at the end of the year. With a high level of volatility in both our earnings and share price, our ability to raise capital to retire debt was affected.

Nevertheless, of the total $758.5 million purchase price of Greens Creek, we had just $162 million in debt outstanding between our bridge and term loan credit facilities at year-end. We extended, to February 2009, the final $40 million payment of the bridge loan and rescheduled all term loan payments initially scheduled for 2008 and 2009 totaling $121.7 million to 2010 and 2011.

We increased our production of silver to 8.7 million ounces in 2008, up from 5.6 million ounces in 2007. Production of lead and zinc, important by-products at our Lucky Friday and Greens Creek mines, also increased in 2008, with production of lead higher by 43% and zinc by 131% due to our acquisition of the remaining interest in Greens Creek. However, gold production declined in 2008 compared to 2007. While the Greens Creek acquisition increased domestic gold production, this increase was more than offset by the sale of our mining interests in Venezuela, and we no longer operate a primary gold mine as a result of the sale.

Revenues increased by 25% from 2007 to 2008, primarily as a result of the acquisition of the remaining interest in Greens Creek, in spite of lower lead and zinc prices.

We reported a loss of $0.57 in 2008 compared to earnings in 2007 of $0.43 per diluted share. Gross profit from operations declined from $77.8 million in 2007 to $17.9 million in 2008 as a result of lower by-product lead and zinc prices, higher operating costs, and valuation of in-process inventory associated with the Greens Creek Joint Venture acquisition. Our commitment to exploration and pre-development in 2008 was $5.5 million higher than in 2007; however, at the same time,

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we reduced general and administrative expense by $1.3 million. We recorded a gain of $7.7 million on sale of investments versus a gain of $63 million on asset sales in 2007, and while in 2007 we recognized a benefit from a decreased valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, we have recorded a provision in 2008 as a result of declining metals prices. Further affecting earnings per common share, dividends on preferred shares totaled $13.6 million in 2008, up from $1.0 million in 2007 as a result of our December 2007 issuance of 2,012,500 shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

The factors driving metals prices are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. As noted above, prices were highly volatile in 2008. Average prices in 2008 compared to those in 2007 and 2006 are illustrated in the Results of Operations section below.

Key Issues

Our strategy to increase production and expand our proven and probable reserves will be achieved through development and exploration, as well as by future acquisitions. Our strategic plan requires that we overcome several pervasive challenges and risks inherent in conducting mining, development, exploration and metal sales at multiple locations.

One such risk involves metals prices. While the metals mining industry enjoyed continued strength in metals prices from 2006 through mid-2008, we have no control over prices. As noted above, silver, lead and zinc prices in 2008 were highly volatile, and ended the year significantly lower than in the first and second quarters. We must make our strategic plans in the context of significant uncertainty about future revenues, which is a daunting challenge to an industry for which new opportunities can require many years and substantial cost from discovery to production. We approach this challenge by investing exploration and capital in districts with an established history of success, and in managing our operations in a manner that seeks to mitigate the effects of lower prices.

The recent unprecedented volatility in global financial markets poses a significant challenge to our ability to access credit and equity markets and to sell our products at a profit. While we have seen our share price rebound from its lowest levels in 2008 and have been successful in marketing our equity, we have deferred certain loan payments to 2010 and 2011 and the terms of our credit facilities could restrict our current and future operations.

Another challenge is the risk associated with environmental litigation and ongoing reclamation activities. As described in Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, it is possible that our estimate of these liabilities may change in the future, affecting our strategic plans. In accordance with our environmental policy, our operating activities will be conducted in a manner that attempts to minimize risks to public health and safety. We attempt to design and manage our projects in an attempt to reasonably minimize risk and negative effects on the environment. We intend to continue to strive to ensure that our activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Reserve estimation is a major risk inherent in mining. Our reserve estimates, which drive our mining and investment plans and many of our costs, may change based on economic factors and actual production experience. Until ore is actually mined and processed, the volumes and grades of our reserves must be considered as estimates. Our reserves are depleted as we mine. Reserves can also change as a result of changes in economic and operating assumptions.

Results of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2008, we reported a loss applicable to common shareholders of $80.2 million compared to income applicable to common shareholders of $52.2 million in 2007 and $68.6 million in 2006. The following factors led to the reduced results for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006:


	•	Decreased gross profit at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units (see the Greens Creek Segment and Lucky Friday Segment sections below for further discussion of operating results).

	•	A $17.4 million loss from discontinued operations at the La Camorra unit for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to a loss from discontinued operations of $15.0 million in 2007 and income from discontinued operations of $4.3 million in 2006 (see the Discontinued Operations – La Camorra Unit section below).

	•	A loss on the sale of our interests in Venezuela, net of related income tax effect, of $12.0 million in 2008 (see Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).

	•	The sale of our interest in the Hollister Development Block gold exploration project in April 2007, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $63.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2007.

	•	The sale of our investment in Alamos Gold, Inc. in January 2006 for $57.4 million in cash proceeds generating a pre-tax gain of $36.4 million.

	•	The sale of our Noche Buena gold exploration property in Mexico during April 2006 generating a $4.4 million pre-tax gain.

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	•	Interest expense of $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 in connection with debt incurred for the purchase of the remaining 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek joint venture. See Note 7 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our debt facilities.

	•	Valuation allowance adjustments to our deferred tax asset balances resulted in a $3.6 million net income tax provision recognized in 2008 compared to $10.5 million and $11.8 million income tax benefits recognized in 2007 and 2006 resulting from valuation allowance adjustments. We recorded a net increase to our deferred tax assets in 2008 by approximately $16.2 million due the addition of a $23 million net deferred tax asset relating to the purchase of the remaining 70.3% of Greens Creek, partially offset by reductions of $3.2 million due to the sale of our Venezuelan operations and $3.6 million due a decrease in the estimated future utilization of deferred tax assets (see Note 6 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).

	•	Preferred stock dividends of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for 2007 and 2006, due to the issuance of 2,012,500 shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock in December 2007. The net proceeds from the preferred stock issuance were utilized for the purchase of the remaining interest in the Greens Creek joint venture.

	•	Decreased average prices for zinc produced at our operations in 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006, and decreased average prices for lead produced at our operations in 2008 compared to 2007, as illustrated by the following table:


		December 31,
		2008		2007		2006
Silver —	London PM Fix ($/ounce)	$	15.02	$	13.39	$	11.57
	Realized price per ounce	$	14.40	$	13.78	$	12.10
Gold —	London PM Fix ($/ounce)	$	872	$	697	$	604
	Realized price per ounce	$	865	$	731	$	615
Lead —	LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)	$	0.95	$	1.17	$	0.58
	Realized price per pound	$	0.83	$	1.23	$	0.63
Zinc —	LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound)	$	0.85	$	1.47	$	1.49
	Realized price per pound	$	0.71	$	1.24	$	1.73

The differences between realized metal prices and average market prices are due to the difference between metal prices upon transfer of title of concentrates to the buyer and final settlement. For 2008, we reported negative adjustments to provisional settlements of $25.7 million compared to negative adjustments of to provisional settlements of $3.1 million in 2007 and positive adjustments of $6.5 million in 2006.

Other significant variances affecting the comparison of our 2008 operating results to results for 2007 and 2006 were as follows:


	•	An increase of $44.7 million in 2007 in our estimated liabilities for environmental remediation in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Basin and the Bunker Hill Superfund Site. During the second quarter of 2007, we finalized a proposed multi-year clean-up plan for the upper portion of the Coeur d’Alene Basin, together with an estimate of related costs to implement the plan. Based on that work and a reassessment of our other potential liabilities in the Basin, we increased our accrual for remediation in the Basin by $42 million. We also accrued an additional $2.7 million for the remaining Bunker Hill Superfund Site work. For additional discussion, see Bunker Hill Superfund Site and Coeur d’Alene River Basin Environmental Claims in Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

	•	We committed to a donation of our common stock valued at $5.1 million in 2007 for the creation of Hecla Charitable Foundation, an organization that will fund charitable contributions in the communities in which Hecla holds mining interests.

	•	Sale of our 8.2 million shares of Great Basin Gold stock in the second quarter of 2008, resulting in an $8.1 million gain, partially offset by $0.4 million in previously unrealized losses recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 for the impairment of securities held at December 31, 2008.

	•	Differences in the average prices for silver and gold produced at our operations, as illustrated by the table above.

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The Greens Creek Segment

Below is a comparison of the operating results and key production statistics of our Greens Creek segment, which reflects our 29.7% ownership share through April 16, 2008 and our 100% ownership thereafter. See Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the acquisition of the 70.3% interest in Greens Creek. Dollars are presented in thousands, except for per ton and per ounce amounts.


	Years Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Sales	$	130,760		$	72,726		$	69,208
Cost of sales and other direct production costs	$	(100,197	)	$	(27,753	)	$	(24,125	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	$	(30,022	)	$	(8,440	)	$	(8,191	)
Gross Profit	$	541		$	36,533		$	36,892

Tons of ore milled		598,931			217,691			217,676
Silver ounces produced		5,829,253			2,570,701			2,636,083
Gold ounces produced		54,650			20,218			18,713
Zinc tons produced		52,055			18,612			17,670
Lead tons produced		16,630			6,252			6,242
Payable silver ounces sold		5,143,758			2,240,092			2,463,685
Payable gold ounces sold		44,977			15,543			16,502
Payable zinc tons sold		39,433			14,187			12,620
Payable lead tons sold		13,877			4,748			5,297
Silver ounces per ton		13.69			15.45			15.78
Gold ounces per ton		0.14			0.14			0.13
Zinc percent		10.13			9.67			9.36
Lead percent		3.59			3.66			3.66
Total cash cost per silver ounce ⁽¹⁾	$	3.29		$	(5.27	)	$	(3.47	)



(1)	A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found in Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs to Costs (non-GAAP) of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).


	The decrease in gross profit during 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006 was primarily the result of the following factors:

•	Higher cost of sales, as a percentage of sales, which increased to 77% in 2008 compared to 38% in 2007 and 35% in 2006. The higher cost of sales in 2008 is primarily due to increased costs of diesel fuel and other consumables, and an adjustment for the fair value of the finished and in-process product inventory acquired upon purchase of the 70.3% ownership interest. Upon the sale of the acquired inventory, the fair market value was expensed, which increased cost of sales and decreased gross profit margin in 2008.

•	Higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, as a percentage of sales, as a result of the fair market valuation of the acquired 70.3% share of property, plant, equipment and mineral interests at the acquisition date.

•	Lower silver ore grades in 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006.

•	A decline in average zinc and lead prices. Average zinc prices for 2008 were lower than those for 2007 and 2006, while average lead prices have declined from their 2007 levels.

•	Negative price adjustments to revenues of $22.9 million in 2008 as a result of declines in metal prices between transfer of title of concentrates to buyers and final settlements during the year.

The Greens Creek operation is partially powered by diesel generators, and production costs have been significantly affected by increasing fuel prices in 2007 and 2008. Infrastructure has been installed that allows hydroelectric power to be supplied to Greens Creek by Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (“AEL&P”), via a submarine cable from North Douglas Island, near Juneau, to Admiralty Island, where Greens Creek is located. It is anticipated that this project will reduce production costs at Greens Creek. AEL&P had agreed to supply surplus power to Greens Creek; however, supply has been hampered by low reservoir water supplies and high power demand in the Juneau vicinity.

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The $8.56 increase in total cash cost per silver ounce in 2008 compared to 2007 is due to lower zinc and lead prices, lower silver ore grades and increased operating costs. The $1.80 improvement in total cash costs per silver ounce in 2007 compared to 2006 is attributable to increased by-product credits, as 2007 lead and gold prices exceeded prices during the same 2006 period, partially offset by higher production costs. While value from zinc, lead and gold by-products is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product is appropriate because:


	•	silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

	•	we have historically presented Greens Creek as a producer primarily of silver, based on the original analysis that justified putting the project into production, and believe that consistency in disclosure is important to our investors regardless of the relationships of metals prices and production from year to year;

	•	metallurgical treatment maximizes silver recovery;

	•	the Greens Creek deposit is a massive sulfide deposit containing an unusually high proportion of silver; and

	•	in most of its working areas, Greens Creek utilizes selective mining methods in which silver is the metal targeted for highest recovery.

We periodically review our proven and probable reserves to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because we consider zinc, lead and gold to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs.

The Lucky Friday Segment

The following is a comparison of the operating results and key production statistics of our Lucky Friday segment (dollars are in thousands, except per ounce amounts):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Sales	$	61,895		$	80,976		$	52,422
Cost of sales and other direct production costs	$	(39,392	)	$	(35,840	)	$	(26,936	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	$	(5,185	)	$	(3,883	)	$	(3,565	)
Gross profit	$	17,318		$	41,253		$	21,921

Tons of ore milled		317,777			323,659			276,393
Silver ounces produced		2,880,264			3,071,857			2,873,663
Lead tons produced		18,393			18,297			16,657
Zinc tons produced		9,386			8,009			6,537
Payable silver ounces sold		2,697,089			2,869,322			2,583,597
Payable lead tons sold		16,915			17,362			15,172
Payable zinc tons sold		6,299			5,076			4,146
Silver ounces per ton		9.70			10.27			11.34
Lead percent		6.23			6.12			6.57
Zinc percent		3.52			3.16			3.34
Total cash cost per silver ounce ⁽¹⁾	$	6.06		$	(0.75	)	$	3.65



(1)	A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Costs of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).

The $23.9 million decrease in gross profit in 2008 compared to 2007 resulted primarily from lower average lead and zinc prices, higher operating costs, and silver ore grades that decreased by 6%. In addition, negative price adjustments to revenues of $2.8 million impacted results for 2008 due to declines in metals prices between transfer of title of concentrates to buyers and final settlement during the year. The increase in gross profit in 2007 compared to 2006 was due primarily to higher average silver and lead prices and increased production, partially offset by lower ore grades.

The increase in total cash costs per silver ounce in 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006 is attributed to lower silver ore grades, higher mining and milling costs, and declining lead and zinc prices. Mining at longer strike lengths at the Lucky Friday allowed us to take advantage of the high base metals prices experienced in 2007 and the first half of 2008 and the

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mill’s ability to recover more zinc due to recent mill upgrades. This resulted in an economic benefit and allowed us to temporarily mine lower silver grade ore that was below anticipated life-of-mine reserve levels, which also delayed some production of metals included in the reserve to later periods. While value from lead and zinc is significant at the Lucky Friday, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product, with zinc and lead as by-products, is appropriate because:


	•	silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

	•	the Lucky Friday unit is situated in a mining district long associated with silver production; and

	•	the Lucky Friday unit generally utilizes selective mining methods to target silver production.

We periodically review our proven and probable reserves to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because we consider zinc and lead to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs.

The San Sebastian Segment

We reached the end of the known mine life on the Francine and Don Sergio veins at the San Sebastian unit located in Mexico during the fourth quarter of 2005. However, significant exploration efforts have continued during 2006, 2007, and 2008 at the Hugh Zone and other exploration targets located on or near the San Sebastian property, where we now hold 308 square miles of contiguous concessions. Concessions totaling 166 square miles were added to our land package at the San Sebastian segment during the first quarter of 2008. Additional exploration activity at the San Sebastian unit in 2007 and 2008 has included completion of initial drilling on a number of veins at our Rio Grande project, where our concession holdings cover approximately 5 square miles. We incurred $4.6 million in exploration expenses during 2008 at San Sebastian compared to $7.5 million in 2007 and $5.8 million in 2006. The San Sebastian mine and Velardeña mill have been on care-and-maintenance status as we continue exploration efforts. We are currently involved in litigation concerning our ownership of the Velardeña mill. We are negotiating with the plaintiff who has offered to purchase the mill from us. See the Mexico Litigation section of Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Discontinued Operations - The La Camorra Unit

During the second quarter of 2008, we committed to a plan to sell all of the outstanding capital stock of El Callao Gold Mining Company (“El Callao”) and Drake-Bering Holdings B.V. (“Drake-Bering”), our wholly owned subsidiaries holding our business and operations of the La Camorra Unit to Rusoro Mining, Ltd. (“Rusoro”) for $20 million in cash and 3,595,781 shares of Rusoro common stock valued at $4.5 million at the time of the transaction. The transaction closed on July 8, 2008. Pursuant to SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the results of our Venezuelan operations have been reported in discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

The following is a comparison of operating results and key production statistics for our discontinued Venezuelan operations, which included the La Camorra mine, a custom milling business and Mina Isidora (dollars are in thousands, except per ounce amounts):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Sales	$	23,855		$	68,920		$	96,310
Cost of sales and other direct production costs		(21,656	)		(52,212	)		(53,235	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		(4,785	)		(14,557	)		(27,039	)
Gross profit	$	(2,586	)	$	2,151		$	16,036
Tons of ore milled		25,516			142,927			236,460
Gold ounces produced		22,160			87,490			160,563
Gold ounce per ton		0.894			0.629			0.708

Exchange control regulations in Venezuela limited our ability to repatriate cash and receive dividends or other distributions without substantial cost. Our cash balances denominated in Bolívares that were maintained in Venezuela totaled a U.S. dollar equivalent, at official exchange rates, of approximately $30.0 million at December 31, 2007.

Prior to the sale of our Venezuelan operations, exchanging our cash held in local currency into U.S. dollars was done through specific governmental programs, or through the use of negotiable instruments at conversion rates that were higher than the official rate (parallel rate) on which we incurred foreign currency losses. During 2008, prior to the July 8, 2008 sale of our Venezuelan operations, we exchanged the U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $38.7 million at the official

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exchange rate of 2,150 Bolívares to $1.00 for approximately $25.4 million at open market exchange rates and in compliance with applicable regulations, incurring foreign exchange losses for the difference. All of these losses were incurred on repatriations of cash from Venezuela. During 2007, we exchanged the U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $37.0 million, valued at the official exchange rate of 2,150 Bolívares to $1.00, for approximately $19.8 million at open market exchange rates, in compliance with applicable regulations, incurring foreign exchange losses for the difference. Approximately $13.8 million of the conversion losses for 2007 were incurred on the repatriation of cash from Venezuela, while additional losses of approximately $3.4 million in 2007 were related to conversions of Bolívares for the payment of expatriate payroll and other U.S. dollar-denominated goods and services.

Corporate Matters

Other significant variances affecting our 2008 results compared to 2007 results were as follows:


	•	Lower general and administrative expenses in 2008 by approximately $1.3 million, primarily due to a reduction in the value of stock appreciation rights, resulting from lower stock prices, and a decrease in incentive compensation, partially offset by increased staffing.

	•	Overall increase in exploration expense in 2008 of $6.5 million as a result of a surface drilling and generative exploration program in North Idaho’s Silver Valley, the initiation of a drilling program in the Creede Mining District in Colorado, the addition of exploration costs relating to our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of Greens Creek, increased underground exploration at our Lucky Friday unit, and continued exploration activity at our San Sebastian unit in Mexico.

	•	Lower pre development expense in 2008 due to our sale of the Hollister Development Block project in Nevada in April 2007.

	•	An increase in other operating expense by $1.5 million as a result of our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% interest in Greens Creek;

	•	A decrease in the provision for closed operations and environmental matters in 2008 of $44.8 million due to increases to reclamation accruals recorded in 2007 discussed further below.

	•	A $3.3 million decrease in interest income in 2008 compared to 2007 due to lower cash balances and interest rates.

	•	Interest expense of $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 in connection with debt incurred for the purchase of the remaining 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek joint venture. See Note 7 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our debt facilities.

	•	An income tax provision of $3.8 million for 2008 compared to an income tax benefit of $8.5 million for 2007. See Note 6 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

	Significant variances relating to 2007 results of operations compared to 2006 results were as follows:

	•	Overall increase in exploration expense in 2007 of $1.2 million, due primarily to increased costs for exploration activity at our San Sebastian unit in Mexico, the addition of our new office in Vancouver, British Columbia, and an exploration program to generate new projects underway in North Idaho’s Silver Valley, partially offset by the sale of the Hollister Development Block project.

	•	Lower pre-development expense in 2007, by $7.1 million, as a result of the Hollister sale.

	•	An increase in the provision for closed operations and environmental matters in 2007 of $45.6 million, which includes the $44.7 million adjustment to increase the accruals relating to the Coeur d’Alene Basin and Bunker Hill Superfund Site. A $1.2 million adjustment to increase the accrual related to the idle Republic mine site, in the State of Washington, also contributed to the higher 2007 expense.

	•	Increased interest income in 2007 by $3.6 million, due to higher invested cash and investment balances.

	•	An income tax benefit of $8.5 million in 2007 compared to an income tax benefit of $9.7 million in 2006. See Note 6 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

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Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP)

The tables below present reconciliations between non-GAAP total cash costs to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) for our operations at the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands, except costs per ounce). Tables in previous periods have presented gold cost per ounce, however as a result of our sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of El Callao and Drake-Bering, our gold operations have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Total cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. Total cash costs provide management and investors an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the realized price received for production sold. Management also uses this measurement for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. “Total cash cost per ounce” is a measure developed by gold companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of this non-GAAP measure is similar to that reported by other mining companies.

Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs. The sum of the cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our silver and gold operating units in the tables below is presented in our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).


	Total, All Properties
	Year ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Total cash costs ⁽¹⁾	$	36,621		$	(15,873	)	$	1,329
Divided by silver ounces produced		8,709			5,643			5,510
Total cash cost per ounce produced	$	4.20		$	(2.81	)	$	0.24
Reconciliation to GAAP:
Total cash costs	$	36,621		$	(15,873	)	$	1,329
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		35,207			12,323			11,757
Treatment & freight costs		(82,786	)		(31,555	)		(37,046	)
By-product credits ⁽¹⁾		164,963			112,079			86,216
Change in product inventory ⁽²⁾		20,254			(1,261	)		1,278
Reclamation, severance and other costs		537			203			190
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)	$	174,796		$	75,916		$	63,724


	Greens Creek Unit
	Year ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Total cash costs ⁽¹⁾	$	19,157		$	(13,560	)	$	(9,157	)
Divided by silver ounces produced		5,829			2,571			2,636
Total cash cost per ounce produced	$	3.29		$	(5.27	)	$	(3.47	)
Reconciliation to GAAP:
Total cash costs	$	19,157		$	(13,560	)	$	(9,157	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		30,022			8,440			8,192
Treatment & freight costs		(61,838	)		(17,295	)		(21,686	)
By-product credits ⁽¹⁾		122,146			59,622			54,081
Change in product inventory		20,245			(1,200	)		718
Reclamation, severance and other costs		487			186			170
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)	$	130,219		$	36,193		$	32,318

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	Lucky Friday Unit
	Year ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006
Total cash costs ⁽¹⁾	$	17,464		$	(2,313	)	$	10,486
Divided by silver ounces produced		2,880			3,072			2,874
Total cash cost per ounce produced	$	6.06		$	(0.75	)	$	3.65
Reconciliation to GAAP:
Total cash costs	$	17,464		$	(2,313	)	$	10,486
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		5,185			3,883			3,565
Treatment & freight costs		(20,948	)		(14,260	)		(15,360	)
By-product credits ⁽¹⁾		42,817			52,457			32,135
Change in product inventory		9			(61	)		(345	)
Reclamation, severance and other costs		50			17			20
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)	$	44,577		$	39,723		$	30,501




(1)	“Total Cash Costs” includes all direct and indirect operating costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mine production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit.

(2)	Includes approximately $905,000 related to San Sebastian cost of sales and other direct production costs during the first quarter of 2006 for prior period doré shipments.

Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquid assets include (in millions):


	December 31, 2008		December 31, 2007		December 31, 2006
Cash and cash equivalents held in U.S. dollars	$	36.2	$	343.1	$	53.9
Cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency		0.3		30.0		22.0
Adjustable rate securities		—		4.0		25.5
Marketable equity securities, current		—		21.8		—
Marketable equity securities, non-current		3.1		8.4		6.2
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	39.6	$	407.3	$	107.6

Cash and cash equivalents held in U.S. dollars decreased by $307 million in 2008, as discussed below. Cash held in foreign currencies decreased in the second quarter as we exchanged Venezuelan Bolívares valued at approximately $38.7 million at the official exchange rate for approximately $25.4 million at the open market exchange rate, incurring a loss on the difference, and now hold nominal balances in Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos.

The decrease in the value of our current marketable equity securities during 2008 resulted from our sale of 8.2 million shares of Great Basin Gold, Inc. stock in the second quarter.

The decrease in our non-current marketable equity securities in 2008 was due to changes in the market values of the securities, partially off-set by the receipt of 3,595,781 shares of common stock of Rusoro Mining Ltd. in the third quarter of 2008 in connection with the sale of our business interests in Venezuela.

As discussed further below, a portion of the Greens Creek acquisition was funded by $220 million provided by a bridge loan which initially matured on October 16, 2008. An additional $20 million was provided by the bridge loan for general corporate purposes. In September and October 2008, we repaid $200 million of the $240 million balance outstanding on the loan, leaving a balance of $40 million, which was extended to February 13, 2009, subject to conditions as discussed in Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. An additional $140 million was funded by a three-year term facility maturing in 2011, of which the first payment of $18.3 million was made on September 30, 2008, and for which another $18.3 million scheduled for payment on December 31, 2008 was moved to February 13, 2009. On February 3, 2009, we reached an agreement to amend the terms of our current credit facilities to defer all term facility principal payments due in 2009, totaling $66.7 million, to 2010 and 2011. In addition, on February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the

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payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2009 (see Note 21 - Subsequent Events of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the credit facilities amendment and offering). We estimate that approximately $33 million of cash flow will be invested in capital expenditures through the end of 2009. We also may pursue additional acquisition opportunities, which would require additional equity issuances or financing. There can be no assurances that such financing will be available to us.


	Year Ended December 31
	2008		2007		2006
Cash provided by operating activities (in millions)	$	14.8	$	65.0	$	61.5

The lower cash provided by operating activities in 2008 compared to the 2007 period resulted primarily from lower cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, which totaled $27.3 million in 2008 compared to $62.9 million in 2007. The $35.6 million decrease was a result of $51.6 million reduction in income from continuing operations adjusted for non-cash items resulting from lower metals prices and higher costs, partly offset by a $15.9 million increase in cash resulting from changes in accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventories, and other assets and liabilities. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2008 was also impacted by increased losses from discontinued operations, including foreign exchange losses totaling $13.3 million incurred on exchange of Venezuelan Bolívares for U.S. dollars as described above. In total, losses on discontinued operations in 2008 exceeded those in 2007 by $14.5 million.

Cash provided by operating activities were higher in 2007 than in 2006 by $3.5 million as a result of $34.0 higher cash generated by continuing operations adjusted for non-cash items and $8.2 million increase in cash from accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventories, and other assets and liabilities, partly offset by $38.7 million lower cash from discontinued operations.


	Year Ended December 31
	2008			2007		2006
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities (in millions)	$	(681.1	)	$	29.3	$	8.2

Cash used in investing activities was higher in 2008 than in 2007 primarily as a result of the acquisition of the remaining interest in the Greens Creek Joint Venture from Rio Tinto, plc for $688.5 million (net of cash acquired), along with Hecla stock valued at approximately $53.4 million. In addition, we invested $68.7 million of cash in property, plant, equipment, and mineral interests in 2008, up from $34.9 million in 2007, and an additional $26.7 million for non-cash acquisition of properties paid for with the Hecla stock. The increased capital investment at our Lucky Friday unit was primarily for sustaining capital that will facilitate extension of our mine plan to deeper levels and a new tailings disposal area. Capital investment at the Greens Creek unit, of which our subsidiaries have owned 100% since April 16, 2008, was for sustaining capital that will modernize communications and the hauling fleet, and additional tailings capacity. Discontinued operations provided $21.9 million more cash in 2008, while other investing activities yielded $10.1 million less cash in 2008 than in 2007.

Cash provided by investing activities in 2007 exceeded cash provided in 2006’s level by $21.2 million as a result of liquidation of short-term investments held at the end of 2006 and lower cash requirements for discontinued operations, offset partly by higher capitalized costs in 2007 and $16.8 million less cash flow from sales of investments and properties.


	Year Ended December 31
	2008		2007		2006
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (in millions)	$	329.6	$	202.9	$	(0.1	)

Significant financing activities in 2008 included the receipt of $380 million related to the amended credit agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of the remaining interest in the Greens Creek Joint Venture as described in Critical Accounting Estimates - Business Combinations, the sale of 34.4 million shares of our common stock for proceeds, net of related fees, of $163.8 million in September, and the sale of 10.2 million shares for net proceeds of $19.6 million in December. In September, we repaid $181.2 million on our debt ($18.3 million on our term loan, as scheduled, and $162.9 million on our bridge loan), and in October we repaid an additional $37.1 million on our bridge loan. The primary use of cash for financing activities beyond loan payments was the payment of dividends on Series B and mandatory convertible

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preferred stock. In 2007, we realized $194.9 million from the sale of mandatory convertible preferred stock. We were required to pay $7.4 million in dividends on preferred shares in 2008 compared to $0.6 million in 2007. In 2007, $8.8 million was received from the sale of shares issued under our stock option plans.

Cash provided by financing activities in 2007 totaled $202.9 million, in contrast to cash used in 2006 of $0.1 million, due primarily to our sale of 2,012,500 shares of mandatory convertible preferred stock in 2007 which yielded $194.9 million. Proceeds from stock option exercises in 2007 were higher than in 2006 by $4.8 million as more options were exercised due to higher stock prices in the current year; and in 2006, we repaid our $3.0 million balance on our revolving loan facility, while in 2007, the facility carried no balance.

Acquisition of the Greens Creek Joint Venture

On April 16, 2008, we completed our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of the Greens Creek Joint Venture from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. We have been a partner in the Joint Venture for approximately 20 years. The 70.3% interest was acquired for $700 million cash ($688.1 million net of cash received) and 4.4 million shares of Hecla common stock, which was valued at $53.4 million. The $700 million in cash paid to Rio Tinto included $220 million in proceeds from a bridge financing which was originally scheduled to mature in October 2008, a $140 million three-year amortizing term loan facility scheduled to mature on March 31, 2011, and $340 million in cash which we held prior to closing. We utilized an additional $20 million available for general corporate purposes from the bridge facility in September 2008. See Cash (used in) provided by financing activities for information on the service of our debt facility obligations and equity issuances in 2008 related to the acquisition of the remaining 70.3% of Greens Creek.

On February 3, 2009, we reached an agreement to amend the terms of our current credit facilities to defer all term facility principal payments due in 2009, totaling $66.7 million, to 2010 and 2011. In addition, on February 4, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell 32 million units comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half Series 3 Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering for proceeds of approximately $65.6 million. On February 6, 2009, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in connection with the original offering, resulting in the issuance and sale of 4.8 million additional units for additional proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. We applied $40 million of the total proceeds to the payment of our outstanding bridge facility balance on February 10, 2009. In accordance with the credit facilities, we also reduced our term loan by approximately $8 million in February 2009. See Note 21 - Subsequent Events of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the credit facilities amendment and offering.

There are a number of factors that may impact our future ability to meet the obligations of our debt facility. If the volumes or the market prices for the metals we produce are inadequate or we fail to control our production, development or corporate costs for a sustained period of time, our ability to service our debt obligations may be adversely affected. Our cash and investment balances and cash flows from operations may not be adequate to meet our obligations, and we may be required to obtain additional cash through asset sales or the potential addition of new debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance that these cash sources will be available to us. See the discussion of Future Metals Prices in the Critical Accounting Estimates and discussion of the various risks associated with our credit facilities in Item 1A. Risk Factors.

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Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

The table below presents our fixed, non-cancelable contractual obligations and commitments primarily related to our outstanding purchase orders, certain capital expenditures, our credit facilities (as modified by amendments), and lease arrangements as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands):


	Payments Due By Period
	Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		After 5 years		Total
Purchase obligations ⁽¹⁾	$	7,318	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7,318
Long-term debt ⁽²⁾		58,677		122,796		—		—		181,473
Contractual obligations ⁽³⁾		6,009		—		—		—		6,009
Operating lease commitments ⁽⁴⁾		2,511		1,706		230		—