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We’re Hecla
© 2025 Hecla Mining Company. All rights reserved
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
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.
As part of our enterprise risk management processes, we incorporate climate-related risks and opportunities into our risk management and strategic planning processes aligned with the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) framework. We periodically conduct structured high-level risk assessments (HLRAs). Our expanded approach includes a Climate-Related Physical Risk Assessment, which was conducted most recently in 2022 to identify and monitor potential exposure to material climate-related risks. We continue to conduct topic-specific HLRAs for each site as needed. We aim to conduct internal HLRAs each site annually, and to engage an external reviewer every three years. From these assessments, we develop site-specific action plans that are assigned to the site management team, which is responsible for managing the key risks identified. Read more about our 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).
Lucky Friday Emissions Reduction
Hecla’s Lucky Friday mine has implemented several initiatives to lower GHG emissions through reduced use of diesel fuel. The development of the innovative Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) method for underground mining has improved the efficiency of our processes to operate in deep, high-stress, narrow-vein mining. Since the introduction of the UCB method our ratio of mining production per gallon of diesel used has improved. In addition, we have predominately used biodiesel for our underground equipment, and most of our underground drilling fleet minimizes diesel usage by running solely on electric power while drilling.
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.
Investor Kit
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