Hecla’s strategy for operating mines safely includes applying innovative practices and at times developing these innovations ourselves. We aim for innovation in all of our operations in order to automate mining tasks that free up workers for other tasks, remove them from working in hazardous areas, allowing work to continue when personnel are not permitted in an area. These advances improve safety while increasing the productivity and efficiency of our operations.
One example of innovation at our Lucky Friday operation is the innovative Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) method for underground mining to achieve better control of fault-slip seismic events that often occur in deep, high-stress, narrow-vein mining. Hecla has been operating underground mines in Idaho’s Silver Valley for over 130 years, and the development of the patent-pending UCB method clearly demonstrates that we remain focused on finding new methods and practices to operate our mines more safely and efficiently. Learn more in our 2022 Sustainability Report and by watching our UCB animation video.
By automating certain mining tasks, we allow miners to do more planning and problem solving while the machines do the repetitive work tasks.
Fiber optic cable and “hotspots” bring wireless technology more than a mile below the surface in solid rock, enabling our workers to use tablets underground.
Hecla is an early adopter of Teleremote battery-operated load, haul, and dump (LHD) equipment. This technology is remotely administered and reduces energy use and heat output. It operates with zero emissions, and it significantly lowers noise levels and improves worker safety by moving employees away from the mine-face. It also allows one operator to run up to three machines from the same station.
Autonomous trucks can increase safety, payloads, and decrease energy use.
Fatigue Management: Greens Creek tested the use of cameras to support fatigue management. The cameras are located in surface and underground haulage equipment.
Hecla places particular emphasis on ensuring employees are able to manage and execute emerging technologies that make our workplace safer and more efficient. For example: We have advanced worker progression skill training in partnership with North Idaho College and the Workforce Training Center in Coeur d’Alene to equip the Lucky Friday hourly workforce in expanding their skills sets.
