(Kitco News) - Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) announced yesterday that the company produced 14.2 million ounces of silver in 2022, which is an increase of 10% over 2021 and Hecla's second highest annual production, driven by a 24% increase at Lucky Friday and a 5% increase at Greens Creek.
The company said that, as expected, its 2022 gold production decreased 13% to 175,807 ounces as Nevada production ended. Hecla also produced 48,250 tons of lead (2021: 43,011 tons) and 63,463 tons of zinc (2021: 63,617 tons).
Importantly, the company noted that development at the Keno Hill mine remains on schedule and the mine is expected to commence production in the third quarter of 2023 with a phased ramp up projected to reach 440 tpd by the end of the year.
Hecla said that 2023 silver production from Keno Hill is forecast to be more than 2.5 million ounces and is expected to come from the Bermingham and Flame & Moth deposits.
"Hecla is the fastest growing silver producer with a 40% increase in production since 2018. This sustainable growth is due to the continued strong performance of Greens Creek and dramatically higher production from Lucky Friday," stated Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and CEO. "Greens Creek had record throughput in the fourth quarter and Lucky Friday's production was driven by higher grades and the innovative Underhand Closed Bench mining method."
Baker continued, "In 2023, with Keno Hill expected to produce more than 2.5 million ounces of silver, Hecla could achieve as much as 17 million ounces of silver production, which reaches our production goal a year earlier than planned and would make Hecla the largest silver producer not only in the United States but also in Canada. With silver's growing use in the solar industry and the focus on clean and green energy, this is an exciting time to be the leading silver producer in the world's best jurisdictions."
Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.
|
| Karora announces record annual gold production of 133,836 ounces |
