Hecla Mining Reports First Quarter 2022 Results, Silver Production of 3.3 Million Ounces

COEUR D'ALENE - Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) (Hecla or the Company) today announced first quarter 2022 financial and operating results.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Operational

Silver production of 3.3 million ounces, a 3% increase over fourth quarter 2021.

The Company's silver mines reported total cost of sales of $78.9 million and cash cost and AISC per silver ounce (each after by-product credits) of $1.09 and $7.64 respectively.1,2

Financial

Sales of $186.5 million, a slight increase over fourth quarter 2021.

Cash provided by operating activities of $37.9 million and $16.4 million of quarterly free cash flow after semi-annual interest payment of $18.5 million on outstanding long-term debt.3

Income applicable to common shareholders of $4.0 million, or $0.01 per share (basic).

Returned 21% of free cash flow to our common and preferred shareholders through dividends.

Credit ratings upgraded to B1 and B+ by Moody's and S&P, respectively.

'All of our mines generated positive free cash flow despite inflationary cost pressures, slow supply chains, and some COVID-19 related labor challenges,' said Phillips S. Baker Jr., President and CEO. 'Hecla, the largest silver producer in the U.S., is also the country's third largest zinc miner, and by-products contributed to the silver mines' strong performance and help offset inflationary pressure. Over the last eight quarters, we have generated $434 million in cash flow from operations and this quarter marked our eighth consecutive quarter of free cash flow, with $232 million generated over that period. This strong, consistent performance has strengthened our balance sheet and led to credit rating upgrades.'

Baker continued, 'With strong grades and our innovative mining method at the Lucky Friday, we expect the mine's quarterly silver production for the rest of the year to exceed one million ounces contributing to our increasing silver production profile. Growing U.S. silver production is particularly rewarding as demand for silver to generate green energy is growing and the need for domestically sourced metals is being understood because of the pandemic and the Ukrainian war.'

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

'Total cost of sales' as used in this release is comprised of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization.

Income applicable to common shareholders for the first quarter was $4.0 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to $11.7 million, or $0.02 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2021 ('the prior quarter'), and was impacted by the following factors:

Gross profit decreased by $7.8 million due primarily to higher mining costs at Casa Berardi resulting from inflationary pressures and increased used of contractors.

An income tax provision of $5.6 million for U.S. and foreign jurisdiction income and mining taxes impacted by non-recognition of net operating losses in Nevada compared to a benefit of $25.6 million in the prior quarter primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance on the Hecla U.S. group deferred tax assets.

A net foreign exchange loss of $2.0 million versus a net gain of $0.4 million in the prior quarter primarily due to strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

Higher general and administrative expense by $1.7 million due to higher incentive compensation accruals.

These decreases were partially offset by: Net gains from fair value adjustments of $6.0 million versus net losses of $25.1 million in the prior quarter primarily due to unrealized losses on base metal derivatives contracts incurred prior to their designation as hedges for accounting purposes effective November 1, 2021.

Provision for closed operations and environmental matters decreased by $1.4 million reflecting an accrual for increased costs at the legacy Troy mine in the prior quarter.

Cash provided by operating activities of $37.9 million decreased $15.4 million compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to negative working capital changes of $17.8 million mostly due to interest payments on the outstanding long-term debt.

Capital expenditures totaled $21.5 million, $7.3 million less than the prior quarter due to lower spending at Greens Creek and Casa Berardi, which spent $3.1 and $7.8 million respectively this quarter while Lucky Friday spent $9.7 million.

The impact of inflationary pressures, supply chain challenges, and manpower constraints due to various factors, including COVID-19, impacted each operation differently. Overall, the Company's silver assets operated as planned with Greens Creek outperforming due to higher grades while Lucky Friday saw some production impact due to delays in equipment delivery. Although all operations were impacted by inflation, AISC for consolidated silver assets declined over the prior quarter as higher by-product credits and higher silver production more than offset the inflationary cost pressures. Casa Berardi saw the largest impact because it mines the greatest volume of material (approximately 8 times that of Greens Creek annually) and processes the largest volume of ore (approximately 1.8 times that of Greens Creek), therefore increases in the cost of fuel, steel, reagents, and other consumables have a greater impact on the mine. Casa Berardi was also constrained by the lack of available manpower due to competition for skilled workers in the Abitibi. The Company is monitoring and attempting to proactively mitigate the impact that inflation, supply chain delays, and lack of available manpower has on production and per ounce costs, and if current by-product credits continue, believes that it can successfully navigate these challenges.

Forward Sales Contracts for Base Metals and Foreign Currency

The Company uses financially settled forward sales contracts to manage exposures to changes in prices of zinc and lead. At March 31, 2022, the Company had contracts covering approximately 60% of the forecasted payable zinc production (through 2024) at an average price of $1.30 per pound, and 50% of the forecasted payable lead production (through 2024) at an average price of $0.99 per pound.

The Company manages Canadian dollar (CAD) exposure through forward contracts. At March 31, 2022, the Company had hedged approximately 35% of forecasted CAD direct production costs through 2025 at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.30. The Company has also hedged approximately 27% of capital costs for 2022 at 1.29.

Exploration highlights

Drilling from Casa Berardi's ten drills continues to expand and upgrade resources while the first regional exploration sonic drilling identified alteration and geochemical vectors to guide exploration to mineralization undercover.

Greens Creek drilling continued with 3 drills to upgrade and expand resources in four of the nine zones.

Drilling at San Sebastian's La Roca target identified large new quartz carbonate vein systems up to 51.7 feet in true width.

At Casa Berardi, seven underground and three surface core drills focused on resource conversion and exploration drilling to upgrade and expand resources in the West, Principal, and East mine areas. Drilling in the West Mine targeted the eastern edge of the 113 Zone to define continuity and expand mineralization to the east and targeted the 118 Zone to define and expand mineralization in the 14 and 15 lenses up and down plunge and to the east. Highlights from this drilling include intercepts grading 0.55 oz/ton gold over 23.0 feet and 0.43 oz/ton gold over 12.1 feet, expanding and upgrading high-grade mineralization in the 113 Zone.

Drilling in the Principal Mine targeted the lower part of the 123 Zone and the extensions to the 124 and 134 zones. In the 123 Zone, drilling confirmed the eastern plunge of mineralization hosted within a chert and massive sulfide horizon crosscut by quartz veins where additional drilling is planned. Surface drilling targeting the area between the 124 and 134 zones focused on expanding and connecting mineralization between these two zones which could have a positive impact on future mining in the proposed Principal and 134 open pits. Highlights from this drilling include 0.05 oz/ton gold over 86.6 feet and 0.08 oz/ton gold over 31.4 feet.

Drilling in the East Mine targeted upgrading and expanding mineralization in the 146 and 148 zones. Results from the 146 Zone drilling indicate the original 146-09 lens is expanding into multiple stacked mineralized lenses characterized by pyrite and pyrrhotite bands within the sedimentary rocks located 300 feet south of the Casa Berardi Fault. Highlight assay results from the 146 Zone drilling contain 0.18 oz/ton gold over 11.5 feet which includes 0.70 oz/ton silver over 3.0 feet.

Sonic drilling at Casa Berardi began in January with one drill focused on testing three areas in the East, Central, and West blocks of our property package. The focus of this drilling is to test historical gold till overburden anomalies and core into the bedrock for gold and lithogeochemical analysis in addition to mapping alteration. Results to date indicate that sonic drilling is a very useful tool to identify vectors to mineralization under cover.

At Greens Creek, three underground core drills focused on resource conversion in the Southwest Bench, West, East, and 200 South ore zones and exploration in the East and Gallagher Fault Block zones. All assay results from the last of the 2021 drilling programs in the 9A and 200 South ore zones have been received confirming and expanding mineralization in both zones. Highlights from the 9A drilling include intercepts containing 18.3 oz/ton silver, 0.05 oz/ton gold, 2.8% zinc, and 1.6% lead over 20.7 feet and 7.4 oz/ton silver, 0.02 oz/ton gold, 6.8% zinc, and 3.0% lead over 41.5 feet. Drilling in the 200 South Zone targeted expanding and upgrading resources in the southern portions of the zone and highlights include intercepts containing 40.4 oz/ton silver, 0.43 oz/ton gold, 12.4% zinc and 4.7% lead over 5.7 feet and 25.1 oz/ton silver, 0.42 oz/ton gold, 4.2% zinc, and 2.0% lead over 10.5 feet.

At Nevada operations, drilling with three drill rigs at Midas has been focused on drill testing the prospectivity of the Racer structure within the East Graben Corridor along 1.7 miles of strike length at a drill hole spacing of approximately 1,000 feet and initial drill testing of the Vapor Trail structure.

At Hollister, exploration drilling continued in January and February from the second drill station of the Hatter Graben decline completing exploration drill hole HUC-112. In February, development drifting at the Hatter Graben exploration area encountered high water inflows which eventually halted development. As a result of this inflow, exploration drilling was suspended while water management options are being evaluated. Two exploration drill holes have been completed targeting multiple zones of narrow banded quartz veins and veinlets south of the existing resource. Recent assay results from these initial two drill holes show multiple narrow vein zones with intercepts including 0.10 oz/ton gold and 17.6 oz/ton silver over 0.6 feet estimated true thickness and 0.10 oz/ton gold and 3.1 oz/ton silver over 1.5 feet estimated true thickness.

Exploration at San Sebastian continues to advance drill testing multiple targets within the district in addition to expanding our SVRC (short vertical reverse circulation) drilling in areas under cover. Near the San Sebastian Mine Area, core drilling targeted the deeper portions of the past producing veins for silver dominant polymetallic mineralization. Recent assay results from this area include 4.9 oz/ton silver, 2.0% copper, 2.5% lead, 5.3% zinc over 1.6 feet from the West Francine Vein. Drilling at La Roca, interpreted to be an area where an entire epithermal vein system is preserved, discovered several large vein zones up to 51.7 feet true thickness, with anomalous silver with samples grading up to 10.5 oz/ton silver. These early drilling results are helping to define the orientations of the targeted vein structures and drilling now is focused on testing the favorable depth of mineralization, which is believed to be deeper than the current levels tested.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla is the largest silver producer in the United States. In addition to operating mines in Alaska and Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company owns a number of exploration and pre-development properties in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

Cautionary Statements to Investors on Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. When a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition and often contain words such as 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'will,' 'could,' 'would,' 'estimate,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'believe,' 'project,' 'target,' 'indicative,' 'preliminary,' 'potential' and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, without limitation: (i) the Lucky Friday mine may exceed 1 million ounces of quarterly silver production for the remainder of 2022; (ii) as demand for silver is expected to grow in the transition to a green economy, so will Hecla's role in a clean energy future and (iii) the Company believes it will meet previously disclosed guidance on future production, sales, total cost of sales, cash costs, after by-product credits, AISC, after by-product credits and cash flows as well as estimated spending on capital, exploration and pre-development. The material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information include that the Company's plans for development and production will proceed as expected and will not require revision as a result of risks or uncertainties, whether known, unknown or unanticipated, to which the Company's operations are subject.

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

In addition, material risks that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) gold, silver and other metals price volatility; (ii) operating risks; (iii) currency fluctuations; (iv) increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans; (v) community relations; (vi) conflict resolution and outcome of projects or oppositions; (vii) litigation, political, regulatory, labor and environmental risks; (viii) exploration risks and results, including that mineral resources are not mineral reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration; (ix) the failure of counterparties to perform their obligations under hedging instruments; (x) we take a material impairment charge on our Nevada operations; (xi) we are unable to remain in compliance with all terms of the credit agreement in order to maintain continued access to the revolver, and (xii) we are unable to refinance the maturing senior notes. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any 'forward-looking statement,' including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued 'forward-looking statement' constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement.

Cautionary Statements to Investors on Reserves and Resources

This news release uses the terms 'resource.' Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. You should not assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Further, inferred mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically, and an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a mineral reserve. On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules ('S-K 1300') that is more closely aligned with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards, including National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ('NI 43-101') which we comply with because we also are a 'reporting issuer' under Canadian securities laws. While S-K 1300 is more closely aligned with NI 43-101 than the prior SEC mining disclosure rules, there are some differences. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, as well as S-K 1300.

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