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 each of our sites, we endeavor to reduce freshwater and energy consumption, reduce our carbon footprint, maintain local water quality backed by rigorous testing and monitoring, utilize methods and technologies that help protect all aspects of the environment, 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.

Over Three Years

19%

increased revenue

per gallon freshwater withdrawn

112%

increased revenue

per tonne GHG emission

66%

increased revenue

per kWh used

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.

The EMS program is benchmarked against ISO-14001 and complements Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program.

“[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