Protecting the Environment

Hecla’s responsibilities expand beyond producing essential metals, and we recognize the importance of creating a positive impact on the environments of the communities where we live and work. We are committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations through continuous improvement of our processes.

Tracking Progress Fosters Accountability

At the center of Hecla’s approach to mining is a commitment to protecting the environment, both globally and at the local level of our operations. All of our sites implement programs to reduce freshwater and energy consumption, minimize our carbon footprint, maintain local water quality backed by rigorous testing and monitoring in line with applicable regulations, and restore the land once mining is complete.

We also set reduction targets for freshwater and energy use, and we implement and continually improve efficiencies into facilities, projects, and operations.

Small Footprint

Our operating mines directly affect less than 3,900 acres, which is about equal in size to just two typical family farms in Montana, and less than 0.004% of the land area of the states and provinces where we operate.

Since Our 2019 Baseline

24%

Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions Intensity per US$ M Sales

35%

Total Energy Intensity per US$ M Sales

12%

Water Withdrawal Intensity per US$ M Sales

Environmental
Management System

We utilize our Environmental Management System (EMS) to provide consistency in our environmental programs company-wide and promote a culture of environmental awareness, innovation, and accountability across all our operations. Our EMS is a 13-element program that enables continuous improvement around issues such as obligation registers, management of change, air quality, water and waste management, energy management, training, and reporting.

In 2022, site workers company-wide completed more than 3,568 hours of environmental training, focusing on job-specific environmental awareness, hazardous material management, spill response, and reporting.

The EMS program, which is benchmarked against ISO-14001 and complements Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program, is reviewed annually through internal audits and third-party reviews.

“[Hecla’s] first-class approach serves today—and will continue to serve in the future—as a classic example of how modern mine reclamation can and should be done.”

Lincoln County (MT) Board of County Commissioners