Hecla Mining Co (HL)

[loantech]

New HL presentation. I think things may be on the upswing. Latest financials are also out:
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/63/63202/Hecla_Presentation_BMO_Feb09.pdf

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63202&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1259173&highlight=

Exploration drilling at the Lucky Friday mine focused on the east and central part of the resource down to the 7100 Level. This drilling suggests that the two main 30 and 40 veins are in places coalescing into a thicker, high-grade vein below the 6300 Level. These drill intersections are some of the most impressive in the history of drilling at Lucky Friday and represent an even better orebody than currently being mined.


Alaska – Underground exploration drilling in the Gallagher Zone at Greens Creek successfully extended the mineralization in a southerly plunge over 200 feet. Surface drilling defined extensions of the mine contact rocks northeast of the current mine workings, which can be correlated for over 2,000 feet and is still open in both directions. This target area could be accessed through the mine’s current infrastructure and will be drilled in 2009. Surface drilling during the summer has also confirmed the presence of mine contact rock eight miles north of the mine.

Silver production rose to 8.7 million ounces at a cash cost of $4.20 per ounce in 2008. Cash costs per ounce rose in the second half of the year due to higher costs for fuel and supplies and lower by-product credits from lower lead and zinc prices. Fourth quarter 2008 silver production was 2.5 million ounces of silver at a cash cost of $7.49 per ounce. Hecla forecasts 2009 silver production in the range of 10 million to 11 million ounces, with estimated average total cash costs of about $6 per ounce of silver, at current by-product metals and diesel prices.