Hecla Reports Quarterly Net Income of $22.5 Million and Record Cash Flow of $32.3 Million

For the Period Ended September 30, 2009

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) today reported net income applicable to common shareholders of $22.5 million, or 9 cents per diluted common share, on revenue of $95.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with a loss of $7.2 million on revenue of $68.5 million for the corresponding quarter in 2008. Third quarter silver production was 2.7 million ounces at a cash cost of $0.85 per ounce of silver produced after by-product credits. For the first nine months of 2009, Hecla produced 8.6 million ounces of silver at a cash cost of $3.00 per ounce of silver produced after by-product credits.

Cash flow from operating activities increased 62% to $32.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $20.0 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $19.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding dividends to holders of its preferred shares, Hecla reported net income of $25.9 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Hecla Mining Company President and Chief Executive Officer Phillips S. Baker, Jr., said, “We had one of the best quarters in our hundred-year history generating strong cash flow that increased our current cash balance by $27 million to $85 million. The main driver is the record revenue from acquiring the remainder of the Greens Creek mine which doubled Hecla''s silver production and almost tripled zinc production and increased lead production. In the U.S., Hecla is now the largest silver producer and the second and third largest producer of zinc and lead, respectively. Combined, the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines provide Hecla with appreciable scale of production and, with higher metals prices, have increased cash flow to these record levels.”

THIRD QUARTER 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

--Records for revenue, gross profit, income from operations, cash flow from operating activities, lead and zinc production; second highest net income in Hecla''s history

--Silver production of 2.7 million ounces, an 8.5% increase compared to the prior year period

--Cash costs of $0.85 per ounce of silver after by-product credits compared with cash costs of $4.46 per ounce in the third quarter of 2008 and cash costs of $3.38 per ounce in the second quarter of 2009

--Reduced full year guidance for cash costs by 25% to $2.25 per ounce of silver

--Record tonnage throughput at the Lucky Friday mine

--Strong financial liquidity with a cash balance of almost $85 million which has allowed Hecla to fully repay all outstanding debt in the fourth quarter of 2009

--Increased availability of hydropower is expected to reduce Greens Creek costs by approximately $2 million annually compared to costs incurred for power in the first three quarters of 2009

METALS PRICES

The average market price for silver in the third quarter of 2009 was $14.70 per ounce, or 2.2% lower than the same period a year ago. The average price for gold increased 10.3% to $960 per ounce in the quarter compared with the average of $870 per ounce in the third quarter of 2008. Hecla realized $16.33 per ounce for silver and $999 per ounce for gold in the third quarter as a result of positive provisional price adjustments.

The average prices for zinc and lead in the third quarter of 2009 were unchanged at $0.80 and $0.87 per pound, respectively, compared to the same period in 2008. Third quarter average prices for lead and zinc improved 28% and 19%, respectively, compared with the second quarter of 2009. Due to positive provisional price adjustments, Hecla realized $1.02 per pound for lead and $0.95 per pound for zinc.

OPERATIONS

This quarter Hecla produced 2.7 million ounces of silver compared to 2.5 million ounces of silver in the third quarter of 2008. Higher production volumes at both mines, as well as higher silver grades at the Lucky Friday mine, were the primary reasons for increased silver production in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago.

Hecla''s average silver cash cost per ounce remains among the lowest in the industry, with the third quarter cash cost averaging $0.85 per ounce of silver after by-product metal credits. This compares with cash costs of $4.46 per ounce of silver after by-product credits in the third quarter of 2008 and $3.38 per ounce of silver in the second quarter of 2009.

By-product metal production totaled 16,815 ounces of gold, 20,616 tons of zinc and 11,200 tons of lead in the third quarter of 2009. On average, by-product metal production increased 5.7% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2009 and 12.2% compared to the third quarter of 2008. Hecla''s third quarter production of lead and zinc was the highest quantity ever produced by the company in a quarterly period.

Greens Creek - The Greens Creek mine in Alaska produced 1.8 million ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2009 at an average cash cost per ounce of negative ($0.48) after by-product credits, compared to silver production of 1.8 million ounces at an average cash cost per ounce of $3.79 for the comparable prior year period and $2.14 per ounce in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease in cash costs in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2008 results from higher realized prices for by-product credits, higher throughput, increased availability of hydroelectric power, lower diesel use and lower unit prices for some process consumables.

Milled tonnage averaged 2,228 tons per day or 9% higher than the same period a year earlier. Mine development, production and back-fill activities continue to be well-synchronized, providing better flexibility to manage the mine at higher rates of production compared to historical rates of production. Unit operating costs for mining and milling decreased $19.86 per ton, or 24%, compared with the third quarter of 2008. Additional mine rehabilitation increased mine and mill costs by $3.20 to $63.76 per ton or 5% more than comparable second quarter 2009 costs of $60.56 per ton. During the period, the mine also produced 16,815 ounces of gold, 17,835 tons of zinc and 5,585 tons of lead.

Alaska Electric Power and Light announced the completion of the Lake Dorothy project adding additional hydroelectric power capacity in the Juneau area. The project was completed ahead of schedule and while Greens Creek is an interruptible customer, it is expected that the utility will provide continuous service to the Greens Creek mine for the foreseeable future resulting in stable, low cost energy.

During the third quarter of 2009, $8.7 million was capitalized for tailings pond expansion, underground development and for sustaining activities at Greens Creek.

Lucky Friday - The Lucky Friday mine in northern Idaho produced 930,258 ounces of silver during the third quarter of 2009, a 26% increase compared with silver production of 739,870 ounces in the third quarter of 2008. Average cash costs in the third quarter of 2009 were $3.42 per ounce of silver after by-product credits; average cash costs per ounce of silver in the third quarter of 2008 were $6.06 per ounce. Silver production in the second quarter of 2009 was 868,339 ounces at a cash cost of $6.41 per ounce of silver after by-product credits. The decrease in cash costs are due to a combination of higher realized prices for by-product credits, higher silver production and lower site costs.

Increased silver production in the quarter is the result of grade control programs designed to minimize dilution which also tempers the use of backfill and reduces related costs. As a result of the optimization work, silver grades in the third quarter improved 15.4% compared with the prior year period. Daily mine production averaged 959 tons per day or 8% higher than the third quarter of 2008 and was 4% higher than the second quarter daily average of 925 tons per day. The tonnage processed at the Lucky Friday mine in the period was a record high for a quarterly period. Unit operating costs for mining and milling decreased $2.14 per ton, or 3%, in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. Operating costs decreased $5.88 per ton, or 8%, in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the second quarter 2009 costs of $77.37 per ton. The Lucky Friday mine produced 5,615 tons of lead and 2,781 tons of zinc in the third quarter of 2009 with lead 19% higher and zinc 16% higher compared with the same period during 2008. Production of lead and zinc was, on average, up 7.8% compared with the second quarter of 2009.

Capitalized mine costs in the third quarter of 2009 were $5.2 million. On-going work at the water treatment plant and at the new #4 tailings facility were the main capital items in the third quarter. Detailed engineering and long lead time procurement to access deeper Lucky Friday material is underway. A final estimate of capital costs and the development schedule will be released in the second quarter of 2010.

EXPLORATION

During the third quarter of 2009, $2.7 million was spent on exploration. Drill programs were underway on Hecla''s four main land packages located in Alaska, Idaho, Colorado and Mexico. Baker said, “Our work in these districts began late in the quarter and is now in full swing. With the 40% increase in our exploration budget, we''re drilling targets at every property. With an expanded and accelerated exploration program, I''m confident we are on the right track to discovery.”

Greens Creek - Four surface exploration holes were completed on the NE contact and analytical results from these holes are pending. The holes intersected multiple and stacked horizons that are interpreted to represent the favorable mine contact near the Greens Creek mine infrastructure. More recently, a second drill was added to the program to test the NE contact from underground set-ups. In addition, underground drills were testing the downdip potential of the Southwest Lower Contact and the potential for new resources in the Northwest-West South zone.

Lucky Friday -Baker said, “Drilling continues to confirm increased grade and widths as we go deeper at the Lucky Friday. This should result in higher production, reduced costs and even better economics than what this mine has generated over its 67-year history. We''re identifying quality tons deeper and see the potential for resource additions in three directions of the deposit; while to the west, we will drill for an offset of the 30 vein across the post mineralized Silver fault.” During the quarter, approximately 7,000 feet of drilling continued to define the 30 Vein to the east of the current resource below 6200 level with widths and grade increasing as the drilling tests areas below 6400 level. Additional drilling in the central portion of the deposit intersected good grades over mineable widths on the 30 and 90 veins. Selected results include: 6.4 feet of 19.7 ounces per ton silver, 11.9% lead and 9.5% zinc at 6250 level and 11.8 feet grading 17.3 ounces per ton silver, 10% lead and 3.6% zinc at 6400 level. Deeper testing also along the eastern portion of the lower limit of the 2008 resource boundary continued to intersect multiple veins including intercepts such as 11.5 feet of 37.9 ounces per ton silver plus 21.8% lead and 8.9% zinc at 7650 level and 5 feet of 59.1 ounces per ton silver, 19% lead and 0.4% zinc and another step-out hole at a similar depth.

Drilling from surface is in progress at the Vindicator target approximately one mile east of the Lucky Friday mine. The Vindicator veins are an eastern projection of the currently mined 30 Vein at the Lucky Friday mine complex.

San Juan Silver -Drilling is targeting the projected northern extension of the past producing Bulldog vein system. A second drill was recently brought to the project site to test the more gold-bearing Midwest vein in the eastern portion of the Creede district in southwest Colorado. Hecla can earn a 70% interest in the San Juan Silver joint venture; its partners are Emerald Mining and Leasing, LLC and Golden 8 Mining, LLC.

Mexico - Two drills are testing the Peñascote and El Garrote targets on the large San Sebastian property near Durango. At Peñascote drills will be defining shallow, locally oxidized and potentially bulk tonnage silver mineralization, while deeper silver-gold epithermal veins will be tested at El Garrote.

FINANCIAL

At the end of the third quarter, Hecla had $84.7 million in cash. Debt outstanding under the term facility at September 30, 2009, was $38.3 million. Subsequent to the quarter end, Hecla repaid the entire $38.3 million outstanding under the term facility from cash on hand. In addition, Hecla also announced in mid-October that it has entered into a three-year, $60 million senior-secured revolving credit facility. Baker concluded, “Hecla has come a long way in the past year with two low-cost mines that provide reliable and secure production. None of this could have been accomplished without a strong operations group that has worked tirelessly to optimize and reduce site costs through some very difficult economic times. This has transpired into some of the best financial results that Hecla has ever achieved and I''m proud in the manner that our people have met this challenge head on.”

PRODUCTION OUTLOOK

The company is on track to meet its full year production guidance of 10.5 to 11 million ounces of silver. Third quarter cash costs of $0.85 per ounce of silver and year-to-date cash costs of $3.00 per ounce of silver are also in-line with guidance. Hecla is revising full year guidance on cash costs per ounce downward to $2.25 per ounce of silver.

OTHER

Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d''Alene, Idaho, mines, processes and explores for silver and gold in the United States and Mexico. A 118-year-old company, Hecla has long been well known in the mining world and financial markets as a quality producer of silver and gold. Hecla''s common and preferred shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols HL, HL-PrB and HL-PrC.

Statements made which are not historical facts, such as anticipated payments, litigation outcome, production, sales of assets, exploration results and plans, costs, and prices or sales performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, expected or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, metals price volatility, volatility of metals production and costs, exploration risks and results, political risks, project development risks, labor issues and ability to raise financing. Refer to the company''s Form 10-Q and 10-K reports for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The company undertakes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note to Investors - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this news release, such as "resource," "reserve," and "inferred resource" that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in our filing with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our 10Q''s and Form 10-K. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC''s website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Hecla Mining Company news releases can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.hecla-mining.com.

(1) Total cash costs per ounce of silver and gold represent non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) measurements. A reconciliation of total cash costs to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) can be found in the cash costs per ounce reconciliation section of this news release. For additional information, see note (1) in the cash costs per ounce reconciliation section.

(2) Includes gold, lead and zinc production, which is treated as a by-product credit and included in the calculation of silver costs per ounce.

(1) Reflects Hecla''s 100% share of Green Creek as of April 16, 2008, and its 29.73% ownership prior to that date.

(2) Gold, lead and zinc produced have been treated as by-product credits in calculating silver costs per ounce.

(3) Total cash costs per ounce of silver and gold represent non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) measurements. A reconciliation of total cash costs to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) can be found in the cash costs per ounce reconciliation section of this news release.

(1) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent non-U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) measurements that the Company believes provide management and investors an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the average price for by-products produced. Management also uses this measurement for the comparative monitoring of performance of mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. “Total cash cost per ounce” is a measure developed by gold companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard; however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of this non-GAAP measure is similar to that reported by other mining companies. Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, was the most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs.

Contacts:

Hecla Mining Company
Don Poirier, 208-769-4128
Vice President - Corporate Development