Exhibit (a)(8)
                                                                         2002-17
NEWS RELEASE

[Hecla Logo]



                   HECLA ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF EXCHANGE OFFER
                      FOR PREFERRED STOCK TO JULY 25, 2002

                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                  July 23, 2002

     COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO - Hecla Mining Company (HL & HLPrB:  NYSE) today
announced that it will extend the tender period of its previously announced
offer to holders of its Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock to
exchange each of their preferred shares for 7 shares of Hecla common stock. The
tender period is being extended to allow additional time for holders of Series B
Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock to tender their shares.

     As a result of the extension, holders of Series B Cumulative Convertible
Preferred stock will have until 5:00 p.m. New York City time on Thursday,
July 25, 2002, to validly tender their preferred shares to Hecla, for which
Hecla will exchange 7 shares of Hecla common stock for each share of preferred
stock tendered. The exchange offer was initially scheduled to expire at 12:00
Midnight New York City time on July 22, 2002.

     According to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Exchange Agent
for the tender offer, as of July 22, 2002, approximately 1.6 million shares of
Hecla's Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock have been validly
tendered and not withdrawn, representing approximately 70% of the total number
of preferred shares outstanding. Previously tendered shares may be withdrawn
until accepted at termination of the offer.

     This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor the solicitation of
an offer to sell any securities of Hecla. Investors are urged to read the
relevant tender offer documents that have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Hecla because they contain important information
concerning the offer. You are able to obtain a free copy of the documents filed
by Hecla with the Commission at the Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

     Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, mines and
processes silver and gold in the United States, Venezuela and Mexico. A 111-
year-old company, Hecla has long been well known in the mining world and
financial markets as a primary silver producer.

  Contact:  Vicki J. Veltkamp, vice president - investor and public relations,
                                  208/769-4144
     Hecla's Home Page can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.hecla-
                                   mining.com