Hecla Files Shelf Registration Statement.

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) announced today that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This registration statement, upon being declared effective by the SEC, will allow the Company to sell from time to time up to $275 million, in aggregate, of its common stock, debt securities, preferred stock and/or warrants. These securities may be offered from time to time, separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in the prospectus contained in the registration statement, and in one or more supplements to the prospectus. E[acute accent]Hecla has filed the shelf registration at this time because it has just recently become eligible to do so. Hecla was not previously eligible to file a shelf registration due to the existence of dividends in arrears to holders of the Company's Preferred B stock, which have now been paid. The Company will determine the use of proceeds of any offering of securities at the time of any such offering, but the Company currently expects to use any proceeds for general corporate purposes, the financing of the Company's expansion activities, including the expansion and development of the Company's existing operations, possible acquisitions of mining properties or other mining companies, working capital to support the Company's growth, retirement of existing outstanding preferred stock or the repayment of indebtedness. Pending the application of the net proceeds, the Company may invest all or a portion of the proceeds in treasury bills, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments or other securities. Other than as previously disclosed or as may be disclosed in future filings and/or supplements, the Company currently has no material agreements, commitments or understandings that would result in use of proceeds under this prospectus. E[acute accent]The registration statement relating to the securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. The securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy the securities be accepted prior to the time the shelf registration statement becomes effective. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. E[acute accent]Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, mines and processes silver and gold in the United States, Venezuela and Mexico. A 114-year-old company, Hecla has long been well known in the mining world and financial markets as a quality silver and gold producer. Hecla's common and preferred shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols HL and HL-PrB.

E[acute accent]Statements made which are not historical facts, such as anticipated payments, litigation outcome, production, sales of assets, exploration results and plans, costs, prices or sales performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, expected or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, metals price volatility, volatility of metals production and costs, exploration risks and results, political risks, project development risks, labor issues and ability to raise financing. Refer to the company's Form 10-Q and 10-K reports for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The company undertakes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements.

E[acute accent]Hecla's Home Page can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.hecla-mining.com