Air: Climate, Emissions & Energy Use

Climate Change

Hecla’s responsible mining practices have made it an industry leader in lowering our carbon footprint, as demonstrated by our industry-highest ratio of silverequivalent ounces produced per metric tonne of GHG emissions (see table at right). In 2024, we achieved a 38% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions and a 10.5% reduction in energy consumption company-wide compared to our 2019 baseline.

To demonstrate Hecla’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, we have set specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increasing our use of renewable energy, developing methods to sequester carbon, and improving our climate change disclosure

Climate Performance Highlights

  • Company-wide, in 2024 we achieved a 38% reduction in Scopes 1 & 2 GHG emissions and a 10.5% reduction in energy consumption company-wide compared to 2019 levels. 
  • Overall, we produced 335 silver equivalent ounces per ton of GHG.
  • 60.89 energy use intensity (silver-equivalent ounces/mWh).

Strategy and Risk Management:

Alongside Hecla’s work to minimize operational emissions and provide essential materials for the low-carbon transition, we are also focused on building our company’s resilience by adapting to and mitigating risks. Climate related projections are a part of the risk management and planning process for each Hecla mining operation.

Learn more about our enterprise risk management process and site-specific efforts in our 2024 Sustainability Report.

Energy Use & Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Hecla is working to reduce energy intensity use and GHG emissions. View our energy site data tables.

Production Relative to GHG Emissions

2019

2021

2022
2023
2024

Ag ounces

12,605,234

12,887,240

14,182,987
14,342,863
16,169,930

Ag-Equivalent ounces

47,200,000

37,573,889

42,307,434
36,468,610
37,555,068

Au-Equivalent ounces**

674,286

525,531

510,988
439,071
444,297

GHG Scope 1 (metric tonnes, CO2 e)

102,675

52,932

66,023
66,697
83,768

GHG Scope 2 (metric tonnes CO2 e)

32,626

23,618

25,026
19,504
28,227

GHG Scope 1 & 2 (metric tonnes CO2 e)

135,301

76,550

91,049
86,201
111,995

Total Energy kWh

689,062,509

497,954,623

561,444,804
523,469,349
616,716,767

kWh Electricity

308,565,571

290,013,758

298,634,059
298,798,400
310,068,242

Metric Tonnes GHG/Ag ounce

0.010

0.006

0.006
0.006
0.007
Metric Tonnes GHG/Ag-Equivalent ouunces
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.003

Ag ounces/Metric Tonnes GHG 

93

168

156
166
144

Ag-Equivalent ounces/Metric Tonnes  GHG

349

491

465
423
335

Au-Equivalent ounces/Metric Tonnes GHG

5.0

6.9

5.6
5.1
3.9

* 2019 is included as our baseline year
** Gold-equivalent ounces have been calculated using the long-term average ratio for each year: 70 silver-ounces per gold-ounce in 2019; silver ounces per gold-ounce in 2022; 83 silver-ounces per gold ounce in 2023; and 84 silver-ounces per gold-ounce in 2024.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol

To determine Hecla’s Scope 1  and Scope 2 Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Emissions (CO2e), a third party consultant utilizes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reporting standards, protocols, methodologies, and other related guidance.

The GHG guidance is based on The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol) developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

A photo of a miner using a tablet.

Emissions-Based Maintenance Program

Hecla’s emissions and energy consumption reductions were accomplished through operating efficiencies that lower the use of electricity, diesel fuel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane. Among our efficiency tools is an Emissions-Based Maintenance (EBM) program that uses emissions data to determine whether equipment is running most efficiently or requires maintenance. This program has been fully implemented at Greens Creek and is being introduced at other sites as well.

Alternative Energy Sources

One of Hecla’s largest sources of electricity is renewable hydropower, and we use as much hydroelectricity as our power suppliers can provide. Currently, at our sites in production:

  • Casa Berardi uses approximately 100% renewable hydropower to supply line power;
  • At Greens Creek, Hecla has an agreement with the local utility to purchase surplus power from the grid when it is available. This surplus power is 100% renewable hydropower, and in 2024, 84% of our electricity was purchased from the grid. This has allowed us to avoid using over 70 million gallons of diesel fuel since 2009 due to the availability of surplus hydropower, while reducing electricity rates for Juneau residents;
  • The energy provider at our Lucky Friday location uses a mix of both hydropower and natural gas, with 60% of electricity sourced being renewable; and
  • 82% of Keno Hill’s power comes from renewable sources such as hydropower.
A water dam for hydro power