New CEO takes reins, record silver segment revenues, deleveraging continues

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) ("Hecla” or the “Company") today announced third quarter 2024 financial and operating results.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Operational

• Produced 3.6 million silver ounces and 32,280 ounces of gold.
• Keno Hill produced 0.6 million ounces of silver, with 2.1 million ounces produced in the first nine months of the year, at an average mill throughput of 314 tons per day (”tpd”).
• Sold 98,792 pounds of payable copper at Greens Creek.
• 2024 guidance for silver production decreased and cost guidance increased, gold production and cost guidance affirmed.

Financial

• Revenues of $245.1 million, second highest in Company history, 45% from silver and 32% from gold.
• Net income applicable to common stockholders of $1.6 million or $0.00 per share; adjusted net income applicable to common stockholders of $19.7 million or $0.03 per share.¹
• Reduced total debt by $50.6 million; achieved the second highest quarterly Adjusted EBITDA, improving the net leverage ratio* to 1.8.⁵
• Cash provided by operating activities of $55.0 million; strong free cash flow generation at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.²
  • Greens Creek generated $54.1 million in cash flow from operations and $46.9 million in free cash flow.²
  • Lucky Friday generated $34.4 million in cash flow from operations and $23.2 million in free cash flow (including $14.8 million in insurance receipts).²
• Collected the remaining $14.8 million of Lucky Friday's underground insurance claim of $50 million.
• Consolidated silver total cost of sales of $132.7 million; cash cost and all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") per silver ounce (each after by-product credits) of $4.46 and $15.29, respectively.^3,4
• Declared silver-linked quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share, reflecting a quarterly realized silver price between $25 and $30 per ounce, for a total cash dividend of $0.01375 per common share.

* Net Leverage ratio is calculated as current debt, long-term debt and finance leases less cash to 12 month trailing adjusted EBITDA.

Exploration

• At Keno Hill, over 9,800 feet of definition drilling was completed. Drilling continues to intersect high-grade silver mineralization over significant widths and highlights the potential for high-grade silver mineralization in the district. Highlights include:
  • Bermingham Footwall Vein: 63.8 oz/ton silver, 6.7% lead, and 6.4% zinc over 10.2 feet
    • Includes: 99.6 oz/ton silver, 10.7% lead, and 9.8% zinc over 6.4 feet
• Flame & Moth Vein 1: 71.6 oz/ton silver, 11.6% lead, and 11.2% zinc over 14.8 feet
• At Greens Creek, over 27,000 feet of drilling was completed, focused on resource conversion and extension of mineralization. Highlights include:
  • 200 South Zone: 74.0 oz/ton silver, 0.03 oz/ton gold, 4.7% zinc, and 2.2% lead over 33.8 feet
  • Southwest Bench: 51.4 oz/ton silver, 0.52 oz/ton gold, 9.3% zinc, and 4.9% lead over 19.0 feet

"Hecla produced 3.6 million ounces of silver in the third quarter, bringing year-to-date production to 12.3 million ounces. Lucky Friday had a strong quarter as the mill achieved the second-highest throughput in its 80-year history after a record last quarter," said Cassie Boggs, Interim President and CEO. "While Greens Creek’s silver production was lower than anticipated due to five days of unplanned mill maintenance in the third quarter, our team was able to complete the maintenance quickly and complete a portion of our fourth quarter scheduled maintenance simultaneously. Strong performance from our silver operations has generated free cash flow of $170 million year-to-date, which along with opportunistic use of our ATM program, has allowed us to substantially repay outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility, reducing total debt by $50.6 million.”

Boggs continued, “At Keno Hill, we have already mined more than 2.5 million ounces and produced 2.1 million ounces of silver this year, putting us on track to meet our production guidance for this year. We are prioritizing building the foundation for this operation's future to operate in Yukon successfully, which includes improving safety and environmental practices and, importantly, valuing the perspectives of the Yukon Government and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, both of whom have important roles in permitting our improvements to infrastructure as well as our future operations.”

New President and CEO

Ms. Boggs continued, “What we are most excited about is welcoming our new President and CEO, Rob Krcmarov, a proven leader in the mining industry. His vision and expertise will be invaluable as we continue our journey toward growth, innovation and continuous improvement."

Mr. Krcmarov added, "Hecla has a remarkable legacy of operational excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to responsible mining and sustainable practices. I am thrilled to be a part of this team and I look forward to contributing to the Company's continued growth and success."

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

In the following table and throughout this release, "total cost of sales" is comprised of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, and comparisons are made to the "prior quarter" which refers to the second quarter of 2024.

Sales in the third quarter of $245.1 million were consistent with the prior quarter as lower sales volumes of silver, gold and lead, and lower realized prices for silver, zinc, lead were offset by higher sales volumes for zinc and higher realized prices for gold. The lower sales volumes stemmed from a combination of lower production and volumes sold at Lucky Friday and Casa Berardi (due to lower grades and lower mill throughput) and lower sales volumes at Keno Hill due to lower mill throughput attributable to delays in design and construction of the dry stack tailings facility ("DSTF"), including permitting delays following the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold mine. Sales of silver and zinc concentrate inventory built up at Greens Creek in the prior quarter partially offset lower sales volumes from other operations.

Gross profit increased by 15% to $59.3 million, primarily attributable to the lower cost of sales at Keno Hill and Casa Berardi partially offset by higher cost of sales at Greens Creek due to higher volumes of metals sold.

Net income applicable to common stockholders for the quarter was $1.6 million, a $26.1 million reduction from the prior quarter, primarily because of:

• A non-cash write down of $14.5 million, $13.9 million related to the remote vein miner. The machine was determined to be obsolete due to the success of the Underhand Closed Bench mining method at Lucky Friday and the decision by the vendor to terminate the program and exit that line of business.
• Ramp-up and suspension costs increased by $8.1 million to $13.7 million, reflecting the lower mill throughput at Keno Hill due to delays of the DSTF described above.
• Foreign exchange loss of $3.2 million, compared to a gain of $2.7 million in the prior quarter, due to the appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.
• Exploration and pre-development increased by $3.9 million, due to increased activity over the summer months.
• Income and mining tax provision increased by $2.4 million to $11.5 million reflecting higher taxable income of our US operations compared to consolidated book income.

The above items were partly offset by:

• General and administrative costs decreased by $4.3 million primarily due to costs related to the departure of the former CEO in the prior quarter.
• Interest expense decreased by $1.6 million reflecting a decrease in the Company's borrowing on its revolving credit facility.

Consolidated silver total cost of sales in the third quarter increased by 8% to $132.7 million, reflecting a product inventory draw down at Greens Creek. Consolidated cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $4.46 and $15.29 respectively and only include costs of Greens Creek and Lucky Friday for the full quarter (commercial production has not been declared at Keno Hill). The increase in cash costs was primarily due to lower silver production and by-product credits (lower production for all metals except zinc and lower realized prices for all metals except gold).^3,4

Consolidated gold total cost of sales were $46.3 million, reflecting a decrease in sales at Casa Berardi. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, increased to $1,754 and $2,059, respectively, as lower production costs were offset by lower gold production, with AISC also impacted by higher planned capital investment in tailings construction.^3,4

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $88.9 million, in line with the prior quarter (which was a record).⁵ The net leverage ratio improved to 1.8 times from 2.3 times in the prior quarter due to a reduction in total debt of $50.6 million as the Company decreased borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were $22.3 million and included $13.0 million drawn on the revolving credit facility. Borrowing on the revolving credit facility decreased by $49.0 million in the quarter as the Company utilized insurance proceeds and equity issuances under the At-The-Market ("ATM") program to reduce the drawn amount. At current price levels and expected production, the Company anticipates continuing to reduce borrowings on the revolving credit facility.

Cash provided by operating activities was $55.0 million and decreased by $23.7 million from the prior quarter due to a decrease in net income adjusted for non-cash items of $13.4 million and unfavorable working capital changes of $10.3 million.

Capital investment of $55.7 million increased by $5.3 million from the prior quarter. Capital investments at the operations were as follows (i) $11.5 million at Greens Creek related to development, mill projects including replacement of tails and concentrate filter presses, definition drilling, and equipment purchases, (ii) $18.6 million at Casa Berardi, primarily related to tailings construction activities, (iii) $11.2 million at Lucky Friday primarily related to equipment purchases, pre-production drilling, and development and (iv) $14.4 million at Keno Hill, primarily related to DSTF work, equipment purchases, and capital development.

Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $0.7 million, compared to $28.3 million in the prior quarter.² The decrease in free cash flow is primarily attributable to lower cash flow from operations and increased capital investment.

Forward Sales Contracts for Base Metals and Foreign Currency

The Company uses financially settled forward sales contracts to manage exposure to zinc and lead price changes in forecasted concentrate shipments. On September 30, 2024, the Company had contracts covering approximately 10% and 32% of the forecasted payable zinc and lead production, respectively, through 2026, at an average zinc price of $1.37 per pound and a lead price of $1.00 per pound.

The Company also manages Canadian dollar ("CAD") exposure through forward contracts. On September 30, 2024, the Company had hedged approximately 39% of forecasted Casa Berardi and Keno Hill CAD-denominated direct production costs through 2026 at an average CAD/USD rate of 1.33. The Company has also hedged approximately 15% of Casa Berardi and Keno Hill's projected CAD-denominated total capital expenditures through 2026 at 1.35.

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

Greens Creek Mine - Alaska

Greens Creek produced 1.9 million ounces of silver, a decrease over the prior quarter, primarily due to lower grades and reduced mill throughput attributable to five days of unplanned maintenance on the Semi-Autogenous Grinding ("SAG") mill variable frequency drive (unplanned maintenance extended to two days in October). By-product metal production was lower for gold and lead due to lower mill throughput and lower grades, while zinc production was flat as higher grades offset the lower milled throughput. The mine added copper to its by-product metals as the silver concentrate now includes copper as a payable metal (copper has been produced at the mine for multiple years but previously was not a payable metal in concentrates).

Sales in the quarter were $116.6 million, a 22% increase due to higher quantities of payable metals sold (all metals) as silver and zinc concentrate inventory built up from the prior quarter was sold in the third quarter. Higher quantities of metals sold offset the lower realized prices for all metals except gold. Total cost of sales was $73.6 million, an increase of 30%, reflecting higher payable metals sold. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $0.93 and $7.04, respectively, and increased over the prior quarter as lower production costs were offset by lower silver production and lower by-product credits (lower production volumes and lower realized prices for all metals except gold).^3,4

Cash flow from operations was $54.1 million, a 25% increase, primarily due to higher gross profit. Capital investments were consistent with the prior quarter. Free cash flow for the quarter was $46.9 million, an increase of 40%, attributable to higher cash flow from operations.²

Lucky Friday Mine - Idaho

Lucky Friday produced 1.2 million ounces of silver, 9% lower than the prior quarter, due to 6% lower milled grades and 3% lower throughput. Mill throughput averaged 1,133 tpd, the second highest in the mine's history after a record in the prior quarter.

Sales in the third quarter were $51.1 million, 14% lower due to lower volumes of metals sold and lower realized prices. Total cost of sales increased to $39.3 million, primarily due to higher production costs attributable to higher underground mobile equipment maintenance costs and higher contractor costs. Key mill projects, including installation of new cyclones, were completed during the quarter, contributing to lower mill throughput. Cash costs and AISC per silver ounce, each after by-product credits, were $9.98 and $19.40 respectively and were higher due to higher production costs and lower by-product credits (lower production and realized prices), and lower silver production.^3,4

Cash flow from operations was $34.4 million and decreased over the prior quarter due to lower gross margins realized and lower insurance proceeds of $14.8 million (prior quarter included $17.8 million in insurance proceeds). With $14.8 million in insurance proceeds received during the quarter, the Company has completed the claim after reaching the underground insurance sublimit of $50 million.

Capital investment for the quarter was $11.2 million, consistent with the prior quarter. Free cash flow for the quarter was $23.2 million, lower compared to the prior quarter primarily due to lower gross margins.²

Keno Hill - Yukon Territory

*Revised for 2Q-2024, 1Q-2024 and 4Q-2023'

Keno Hill produced 597,293 ounces of silver at an average grade of 25.7 ounces per ton. Mined throughput averaged 343 tpd, milled tonnage averaged 261 tpd during the quarter, and 314 tpd during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Lower mill throughput during the quarter was attributable to the delays in receiving an authorization for construction and a permit modification for the DSTF as the Yukon Government ("YG") and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun ("FNNND") initially focused on the Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine heap leach pad failure that occurred in June and not on permitting matters (Keno Hill does not utilize heap leach processing). Mill operations resumed on October 26, after receiving the authorization and modification and completing related design and construction work on the DSTF. The mine has produced 2.1 million ounces of silver for the nine months ended September 2024 and had an ore stockpile inventory of approximately 0.46 million silver ounces as of October 26, when the mill resumed processing.

Sales during the quarter were $19.8 million and declined over the prior quarter due to lower production and volumes sold. Total expenditures on production costs (excluding depreciation) were $25.0 million and include $10.0 million classified as ramp-up costs on the consolidated statement of operations. Capital investments during the quarter were $14.4 million. Due to the delays in permits, construction of the cemented tails batch plant, a critical infrastructure project, is now expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025. The project is expected to facilitate the change in mining method at the Bermingham deposit to underhand mining, which should improve safety and productivity. Conversion to underhand mining is expected in the first half of 2026.

Following the Eagle Mine heap leach pad incident, the FNNND expressed strong positions on mining activities within their Traditional Territory, where Keno Hill is located, including a call to halt mining production. The Company values the perspectives of the YG and FNNND and is committed to sustainable and responsible mining that governments and local communities support. Further, in 2025, the Company's environmental remediation services group (which performs environmental remediation work in Yukon on behalf of the Canadian government) is also expected to increase construction activities, adding incremental demand on Keno Hill's infrastructure and resources. As a result of these stakeholder matters, the Company expects 2025 production to remain similar to 2024 and we expect to use this opportunity to advance permitting, invest in improving safety, environmental practices, and infrastructure, and prioritize stakeholder engagement. In 2026, after implementing these priorities, the Company expects production to increase beyond 2024 levels.

Casa Berardi - Quebec

Casa Berardi produced 20,534 ounces of gold in the quarter, 11% less than the prior quarter due to lower underground grades. The mill operated at an average of 4,017 tpd during the quarter.

Sales were $50.3 million, a decrease of 14% over the prior quarter due to lower gold production and sales volumes were partially offset by higher realized gold price. Total cost of sales were $46.3 million, a decrease of 31% attributable to lower sales volumes and lower production costs. Cash costs and AISC per gold ounce, each after by-product credits, increased to $1,754 and $2,059, respectively, as lower gold production was partially offset by lower production costs, with AISC also impacted by higher planned capital investment on construction of tailings.^3,4

Cash flow from operations was $15.3 million, lower than the prior quarter primarily due to less gold ounces sold. Capital investments for the quarter totaled $18.6 million ($6.1 million in sustaining and $12.5 million in growth). Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $3.3 million, a decrease over the prior quarter attributable to lower cash flow from operations and higher planned capital investments.²

Casa Berardi is transitioning from a combined underground and surface operation to a surface only operation, which will require significant permitting and development activities. As a part of this transition, along with mining the 160 open pit, only the higher margin stopes of the west underground mine will be mined until they are exhausted, which is expected to occur in mid-2025. Casa Berardi is expected to produce gold from the 160 pit until 2027, and is expected to have a production gap commencing in 2027 and continuing until 2032 or later. During this time, the focus is expected to be on investing in infrastructure and equipment, permitting and de-watering and stripping two expected new open pits, Principal and West Mine Crown Pillar. Upon conclusion of the hiatus and related permitting and construction, the Company expects the mine to generate significant free cash flow at current gold prices. Given the expected hiatus in future production, the uncertainty surrounding permitting and timing of construction of the new open pits, and the Company’s newly hired President and CEO, the Company is evaluating the mine's fit into its overall strategy and is evaluating other potential strategic alternatives.

EXPLORATION AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT

Exploration and pre-development expenses totaled $10.6 million for the quarter. Exploration activities during the quarter primarily focused on underground definition and exploration drilling at Greens Creek and Keno Hill.

Keno Hill

Underground drilling during the third quarter continued to intersect high-grade silver mineralization over significant widths and highlights the potential for high-grade silver mineralization in the district. Underground definition drilling continued to be focused on extending mineralization and resource conversion in the high-grade Bermingham Bear Zone veins (Bear, Footwall, and Main Vein zones) and in the Flame & Moth veins. During the quarter, two underground drills completed over 9,800 feet of definition drilling.

Drilling in the Bermingham Mine Footwall vein has intersected significant silver mineralization over significant width in a portion of the Footwall vein where mineralization was modeled to be low-grade. Results from this drilling will increase the modeled grade in the western portion of the vein over 200 feet of strike length and 100 feet of dip length, and mineralization is open down dip for expansion. Drilling in the Flame and Moth Mine Vein 1 has also intersected significant silver mineralization over significant widths in a portion of Vein 1 where mineralization had previously not been modeled. These results will increase the modeled grade in the central portion of the vein over 230 feet of strike length and 100 feet of dip length. This mineralization remains open to the west for expansion.

Three surface drills were also active on the property testing multiple targets including the Bermingham Deep, Bermingham Townsite, Elsa17-Dixie, Silver Spoon, and Inca target areas that have potential for additional large high-grade silver deposits. Over 23,700 feet of surface exploration drilling in 10 drillholes were completed during the quarter. Wide spaced surface drilling in the Bermingham Deep target has demonstrated the presence of high-grade mineralization in the vicinity of an emergent highly prospective vein intersection target with additional drilling planned to confirm this vein intersection is controlling metal distribution and to expand drilling along plunge. In the Bermingham Townsite target, surface drilling has defined a zone of narrow high-grade mineralization located within 100 meters of the currently planned development and is open at depth along plunge for expansion.

Assay highlights include (reported widths are estimates of true width):

• Footwall Vein: 63.8 oz/ton silver, 6.7% lead, and 6.4% zinc over 10.2 feet
  • Includes: 99.6 oz/ton silver, 10.7% lead, and 9.8% zinc over 6.4 feet
• Footwall Vein: 15.6 oz/ton silver, 3.0% lead, and 0.3% zinc over 27.7 feet
  • Includes: 52.1 oz/ton silver, 11.1% lead, and 0.4% zinc over 5.5 feet
• Flame & Moth Vein 1: 71.6 oz/ton silver, 11.6% lead, and 11.2% zinc over 14.8 feet
• Flame & Moth Vein 1: 50.3 oz/ton silver, 2.1% lead, and 10.7% zinc over 16.1 feet
  • Includes: 55.4 oz/ton silver, 2.1% lead, and 11.3% zinc over 13.9 feet

Greens Creek

At Greens Creek, three underground drills completed over 27,000 feet of drilling focused on resource conversion and exploration to extend mineralization of known resources. Drilling was focused in the 9a, 200 South, 5250, West, Gallagher, and Upper Plate areas. In addition, two helicopter supported surface exploration drills completed over 8,000 feet of drilling expanding Upper Plate Zone mineralization 250 feet to the west of current resources and drill testing the Mammoth, Gallagher West, East Ore Offset, and Lower Zinc Creek targets.

Assay highlights include (reported widths are estimates of true width):

• Upper Plate: 22.2 oz/ton silver, 0.02 oz/ton gold, 1.4% zinc, and 0.7% lead over 11.6 feet
• 200 South Zone: 74.0 oz/ton silver, 0.03 oz/ton gold, 4.7% zinc, and 2.2% lead over 33.8 feet
• Southwest Bench: 51.4 oz/ton silver, 0.52 oz/ton gold, 9.3% zinc, and 4.9% lead over 19.0 feet
• West Zone: 30.0 oz/ton silver, 0.45 oz/ton gold, 20.0% zinc, and 7.5% lead over 11.3 feet

Detailed complete drill assay highlights can be found in Table A at the end of the release.

DIVIDENDS

Common Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01375 per share of common stock, consisting of $0.00375 per share for the minimum dividend component and $0.01 per share for the silver-linked component. The common stock dividend is payable on or about December 4, 2024, to stockholders of record on November 21, 2024. The quarter realized silver price was $29.43, satisfying the criterion for the Company’s common stock silver-linked dividend policy component for silver price threshold of $25 per ounce.

Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.875 per share of preferred stock, payable on or about January 3, 2025, to stockholders of record on December 16, 2024.

2024 GUIDANCE ⁶

The Company is revising it's 2024 silver production and cost guidance and affirming its capital guidance. As the Company's new CEO, Mr. Rob Krcmarov, begins his role, and in light of the Company's ongoing review of operations at Keno Hill and Casa Berardi, the Company is not providing any guidance beyond 2024, and expects to provide 2025 guidance along with its 2024 year-end release in February 2025.

2024 Production Outlook

The Company is lowering silver production guidance for Lucky Friday and Greens Creek (attributable to the unplanned mill maintenance). Production guidance for Casa Berardi and Keno Hill is affirmed.