Operating long-lived mines has allowed us to develop deep and mutually beneficial partnerships between our company and the communities in which we operate. Through the continued growth of our responsible mining operations, we play a critical role in the economic health and social development of our local communities.
Hecla is the largest private-sector employer and taxpayer in Juneau, Alaska, near our Greens Creek mine and the second largest private employer in Shoshone County, Idaho, which is home to our 80-year old Lucky Friday mine. We are also one of the largest employers and taxpayers at our other locations in Nevada, Quebec, and Durango, Mexico.
We engage with stakeholders at all our sites during the mining life cycle to be a constructive partner in the communities where we operate and deepen our understanding of local concerns and issues. We communicate about our operations through a variety of methods including community meetings, local and social media, and flyers, providing all materials in the local language and translating when necessary. Our open communication policy allows neighbors to voice concerns, which we promptly follow up on. We disclose the results of environmental, economic, and social impact assessments and partner with local stakeholders to foster open communication on environmental and social impacts. We also work with local stakeholders to identify opportunities for the Hecla Charitable Foundation to provide support for community initiatives.
At our Greens Creek mine, we established the Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee (CAG), a collaborative effort with our local stakeholders to ensure that input from the community is considered in the environmental and social aspects of the mine’s planning and operations. In 2022, the group included an Angoon community member, the President-CEO of United Way of Southeast Alaska, the Mayor of Juneau, an energy educator, the former head of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce, and the Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS).
The Casa Berardi Mine Liaison Committee was created to facilitate communication with our local stakeholders and partners. The Committee seeks their input and participation in operational activities. In 2022, the Committee included representatives of the Abitibiwinni First Nation, the local business chamber of Abitibi-Ouest, the James Bay Regional Administration, a watershed organization, a regional university, and two citizens.
At Casa Berardi, we participate in the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, a globally recognized sustainability program that requires participants to demonstrate a commitment to identifying and engaging with communities of interest and facilitating meaningful dialogue regarding key environmental and social considerations related to mining.
