Hecla’s Greens Creek Mine Recognized for Leadership, Ethics and Organization

July 28, 2021

Hecla Mining Company’s Greens Creek Mine was named the Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year award by the Alaska Chamber. The award pays tribute to businesses that exemplify leadership, ethics, and organization.

“Hecla Greens Creek exemplifies special involvement in Alaska’s communities through an excellent business reputation, long-term commitment to the community, emphasis on safety and environmental responsibility, and their effective efforts to protect their workers and the community during the pandemic,” wrote Deantha Skibinski, executive director of the Alaska Miners Association, which nominated Greens Creek.

“Over the last 30 years, Greens Creek has become the United States largest silver producer, producing almost a third of America’s silver while being a major contributor to Juneau and southeast Alaska,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Hecla’s President and CEO. “Despite the pandemic, Greens Creek has been able to maintain full production and employment while providing additional support to the communities through special charitable programs. It is a great honor to be recognized by the Alaska Chamber for our team’s extraordinary efforts. We look forward to contributing to the region’s economic and community stability for many years to come.”

The Greens Creek Mine in southeast Alaska is one of the largest and lowest-cost primary silver mines in the world. Last year, Greens Creek produced 10.5 million oz of silver at a cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver oz of $5.49 (a non GAAP measure), and 48,491 oz of gold. Production in 2021 is expected to be 9.5 – 10.2 million silver oz.

Local community leaders underlined Hecla’s long-term contributions to the community in the award nomination:

“Greens Creek’s purchase of surplus hydropower has benefitted Juneau residents in the form of reduced rates to the tune of over $70 million since 2009. The purchase of renewable energy from AEL&P reduces the carbon emissions that the mine would otherwise produce while helping to pay for hydroelectric infrastructure that will benefit Juneau residents for generations to come.” said Constance Hulbert, president and general manager, Alaska Electric Light & Power.

“Since 2011 Greens Creek has provided scholarship funding to more than 350 Alaska residents to help gain the skills necessary to be successful in the mining industry. With over $500,000 going directly to student aid, Hecla Greens Creek is UAS’ largest sponsor of students.” chancellor Karen Carey, University of Alaska Southeast, said.

The Greens Creek orebody contains silver, zinc, gold and lead, and lies within the Admiralty Island National Monument, an environmentally sensitive area. The Greens Creek property includes 17 patented lode claims and one patented mill site claim, in addition to property leased from the U.S. Forest Service. Greens Creek also has title to mineral rights on approximately 7,500 acres of federal land adjacent to the properties. Total property package encompasses 23-square miles.

“As a ‘corporate citizen’ Hecla has consistently ensured that they participate in and contribute to local organizations through a very generous program of direct donations and through their Foundation. This past year, many businesses and organizations were being crushed by the complete shutdown of the economy. However, Hecla continued to contribute to the organizations they had supported in years past to help them through their own challenging time. They could have said ‘no’ … others did,” said Craig Dahl, executive director, Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce.

The Alaska Chamber has been the leading voice of Alaska's business community since its founding in 1953.

 

 

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