Climate Change Data

Hecla Mining Company

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2020

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:85,970 tCO2e/year (Scope 1 & 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:55,418 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:20,164 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:76% (of grid electricity)
Total Energy Consumption:500,244,722 MWh/year
Water Consumption:850,813,590 gallons/year (withdrawn)
Waste Generated:3,208 tons/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Business Model & Innovation
  • Community Relations
  • Security, Human Rights & Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Human Capital
  • Water Management
  • Climate Change, Energy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Waste & Hazardous Materials Management
  • Ecological Impacts

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 36% from 2019.
  • Completed reclamation of the 300-acre Troy Tailings Storage Facility.
  • Recycled 48% of water used or diverted in operations.
  • 76% of Hecla’s electrical power from the grid was hydropower.

Social Achievements

  • Zero employee or contractor fatalities in 2020.
  • Reduced All-Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) by 24%, the lowest in company history.
  • Provided over $150,000 worth of “Hecla Bucks” vouchers to support local businesses.
  • Signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Council of the Abitibiwinni First Nation.

Governance Achievements

  • Appointed Ms. Alice Wong as a director with risk management and ESG expertise.
  • Approved and published a human rights policy statement.
  • Achieved Level A rating for TSM’s Tailings Management Protocol at Casa Berardi Mine.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net carbon neutral by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve 5% freshwater use reduction (3-year target)
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce AIFR by 5%
  • Reduce energy consumption by 5% (3-year target)
  • Reduce site-wide discharges by 35% at Lucky Friday (3-year target)

Environmental Challenges

  • COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and community support.
  • Potential climate change impacts on water availability and extreme weather events.
  • Transition risks associated with decarbonization of energy sources.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Implemented robust safety and health protocols to ensure worker and community safety.
  • Provided food, PPE, supplies, and financial assistance to communities.
  • Incorporated climate change considerations into risk management and strategic planning.
  • Developed alternative sourcing strategies (implied).

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct (published in 2021)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Increased mine contact water
  • Increased rainfall and drought conditions
Transition Risks
  • Energy supply curtailment
  • Increased energy costs
Opportunities
  • Increased demand for metals in renewable energy technologies

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB Metals and Mining Standards, TCFD (partially)

Certifications: CORESafety

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Not disclosed

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:76,550 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:51,389 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:23,618 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:69% (hydropower)
Total Energy Consumption:497,954,623 kWh/year
Water Consumption:2,937,208,122 gallons/year
Waste Generated:11,060 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:0.006 tCO2e/Ag ounce (Scope 1 & 2)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Water Management
  • Tailings and Waste Management
  • Biodiversity and Land Management
  • Worker Safety and Health
  • Community Engagement
  • Indigenous Relations
  • Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
  • Ethics and Anti-Corruption

Environmental Achievements

  • Achieved a company-wide 43% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions since 2019.
  • Achieved net-zero carbon emissions in 2021 through carbon credit purchases.
  • Recycled 39% of discharged water company-wide.
  • Utilized 100% renewable hydropower at Casa Berardi and 96% at Greens Creek.

Social Achievements

  • All-Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) declined by 76% since 2012 and was 40% below the U.S. average in 2021.
  • 48,981 hours of safety and health training provided in 2021.
  • Casa Berardi received an award for lowest reportable injury frequency.
  • More than $464,000 donated through the Hecla Charitable Foundation in 2021.
  • Increased hiring of Abitibiwinni First Nations workers at Casa Berardi.

Governance Achievements

  • Implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct in 2021.
  • No reports of ethics violations to the ConfidenceLine helpline in 2021.
  • Board diversity increased to 25% women in 2021.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Maintain a net zero (Scope 1 and 2) carbon footprint.
Medium-term Goals:
  • 30% reduction of combined GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) from 2019 baseline by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce three-year freshwater intensity usage by 5% from 2018 baseline.

Environmental Challenges

  • Potential operational risks from climate change (droughts, extreme weather).
  • Managing tailings storage facilities.
  • Maintaining water quality.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Incorporating climate-related risks into risk management and strategic planning (TCFD aligned).
  • Formalized Tailings Stewardship Program benchmarked against industry standards.
  • Comprehensive water management plans at each site with water quality monitoring programs.
  • Zero Discharge Initiative at Lucky Friday aiming for 35% discharge reduction in three years.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct implemented in 2021.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Increased frequency of droughts
  • More extreme weather events
Transition Risks
  • Not disclosed
Opportunities
  • Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, SASB Metals and Mining standards, TCFD

Certifications: CORESafety® (Hecla and Casa Berardi)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)
  • Goal 15 (Life on Land)

The report highlights how Hecla's initiatives contribute to these goals through various environmental, social, and governance programs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

  • Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year award (Greens Creek)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:86,201 tCO2e/year (Scopes 1 & 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:66,697 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:19,504 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:523,469,349 MWh/year
Water Consumption:2,019,639,655 gallons/year (used in mining or process operations)
Waste Generated:2,116 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:0.006 metric tonnes CO2e/Ag ounce (Scopes 1 & 2)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Worker safety and wellbeing
  • Community partnership
  • Biodiversity protection
  • Climate Change
  • Water Management
  • Tailings Management
  • Diversity & Inclusion

Environmental Achievements

  • 36.98% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions from 2019 baseline
  • 24% reduction in energy consumption from 2019 baseline
  • Achieved net-zero carbon emissions for the third year in a row through carbon credit purchases
  • Recycled 58% of waste generated (1,219 metric tonnes)
  • Lucky Friday mine pursuing 35% reduction in site-wide discharge within three years from 2022 baseline through water recycling

Social Achievements

  • Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines achieved their lowest all-injury frequency rates
  • All exploration and reclamation mine properties completed the year with no injuries
  • Increased percentage of women in professional roles by 5% from 2022
  • $855 million direct economic impact to communities, including wages, vendor payments, and taxes, as well as charitable donations

Governance Achievements

  • Created two new leadership roles: Director of Indigenous Affairs and Canadian Community Relations, and Corporate Tailings Manager
  • No material fines as defined by the SEC
  • Ratified a six-year contract agreement with the union representing hourly employees at Lucky Friday mine

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce all-injury frequency rate (AIFR) by 2% from the three-year trailing average
  • Increase diversity at management level and professional staff by 5%

Environmental Challenges

  • Operational interruptions due to wildfires, weather events
  • 59 water-related permit exceedances
  • Climate change impacts (wildfires leading to operational suspension)
Mitigation Strategies
  • Created an internal Water Management Working Group
  • Installed automated tools to improve water treatment processes
  • Provided additional employee training on water quality constraints
  • Conducted research on methods to achieve higher efficiency in treating water
  • Initiated weekly meetings with senior management at relevant sites
  • Developed a water recycling system at Lucky Friday mine (testing in mid-2024)
  • Incorporated climate-related risks and opportunities into risk management and strategic planning (TCFD aligned)

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct, incorporating Hecla's Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • More intense rainfalls, increased mine contact water
  • Wildfires
Transition Risks
  • Not disclosed
Opportunities
  • Increased demand for silver in renewable energy sector

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI 2021 Standards, SASB 2023 Metals and Mining Standard, TCFD, Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)
  • Goal 15 (Life on Land)

Hecla's initiatives contribute to these goals through renewable energy use, job creation, sustainable mining practices, GHG emission reductions, and biodiversity conservation.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

  • Alaska Miners Association Hard Hat Safety Award (Greens Creek)
  • F.J. O’Connell trophy (Casa Berardi)
  • 2023 Mine Safety and Health Technology Metal Sector Innovation Award (NIOSH, for UCB Method)
  • 2023 Aurora Award for excellence in Community Relations (Greens Creek)