Climate Change Data

Hecla Mining Company

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019, 2020, 2021)

Reporting Period: 2019

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:134,344 tCO2e/year (Scope 1 and 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:101,718 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:32,626 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:55% (estimated from utility providers)
Total Energy Consumption:308,565,000 kWh/year
Water Consumption:2.46 billion gallons/year (total managed and treated)
Waste Generated:Over 1.8M tons of tailings produced/year
Carbon Intensity:351 silver equivalent ounces per ton of CO2 emitted in 2019

ESG Focus Areas

  • Environmental Management System (EMS)
  • Climate Change - Energy Management and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Water Management
  • Tailings Management
  • Responsible Use and Materials
  • Biodiversity Impacts—Mine Closure and Reclamation
  • Safety
  • Innovation
  • Community and Social Investments
  • Social Investments
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Business Ethics and Transparency
  • Human Rights

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced average freshwater use in process by 95% at Lucky Friday Mine.
  • Reduced concentration of lead and zinc in discharged water by over 95% at Lucky Friday Mine.
  • Reduced waste generation by minimizing hazardous waste, improving recycling, and repurposing at Lucky Friday Mine.
  • Completed reclamation on 97% of the 330-acre Troy tailings facility in Montana.
  • Advanced closure of tailings pond 3 at Lucky Friday Mine.
  • 24% of tailings company-wide were put back into mines, reducing surface storage needs.
  • Lucky Friday Mine received the Pollution Prevention Award from the State of Idaho.

Social Achievements

  • Achieved lowest All-Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) in company history (1.61), 33% below the national average.
  • Lucky Friday Mine earned the 2018 Sentinels of Safety Award.
  • More than $180 million dedicated to mine reclamation.
  • Donated nearly $6 million to education, youth activities, community programs, and health services over 10 years.
  • Hecla Charitable Foundation made additional commitment to support communities during COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Increased focus on incorporating ESG factors into long-term business strategy and incentive compensation programs.

Governance Achievements

  • Increased Board diversity and reduced average tenure by appointing three new directors in the last four years.
  • Enhanced disclosure on pay-for-performance and ESG reporting.
  • Increased transparency and communication regarding ESG performance.
  • Complies with the Canadian Extractive Sector Transparency Act.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve Level A under Canada’s TSM program for tailings management and biodiversity conservation at Casa Berardi Mine.
  • Three-year energy intensity reduction target of 5% from 2018 baseline.
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce freshwater intensity by 5% from 2018 baseline by 2021.
  • Reduce site-wide discharges at Lucky Friday by 35% in 3 years.
  • Achieve a further 5% AIFR reduction from 2019 performance.

Environmental Challenges

  • Temporary reduction in hydropower at Greens Creek Mine affected company-wide energy and water use.
  • Acquisition of Nevada assets affected energy and water use.
  • Increased energy intensity (kWh per tons of ore milled) by 12% company-wide due to lack of hydropower and addition of Nevada operations.
  • COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to workforce and community safety.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Implemented specific corporate and site-specific plans for COVID-19 to protect workforce and communities.
  • Developed plans to focus on energy reduction opportunities to meet three-year energy intensity reduction target.
  • Developing a more focused plan to further reduce freshwater use per ton milled.
  • Initiating an aggressive discharge reduction strategic planning effort at Lucky Friday.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Code of Conduct
  • Expectation of high environmental and social responsibility from suppliers.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • 4
  • 6
  • 8
  • 15

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education, clean water, economic growth, and life on land.

Awards & Recognition

  • 2018 Sentinels of Safety Award (Lucky Friday Mine)
  • State of Idaho’s Pollution Prevention Award (Lucky Friday Mine)
  • Innovation prize from CNESST (Hecla Québec)

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 from hydropower
Total Energy Consumption:500,244,722 MWh/year
Water Consumption:850,813,590 gallons/year (withdrawn)
Waste Generated:3,208 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:473 silver-equivalent ounces per ton of GHG emitted

ESG Focus Areas

  • Business Model & Innovation
  • Business Ethics & Transparency
  • Community Relations
  • Security, Human Rights & Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Human Capital
  • Employee Safety & Health
  • Labor Relations
  • Water Management
  • Climate, 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.
  • Achieved three-year goal to reduce energy use by 5%.

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.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net carbon neutral by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve Level A under TSM program for tailings management and biodiversity conservation at all sites
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce AIFR by 5%
  • Reduce energy intensity by 5% over 3 years
  • Reduce site-wide discharges at Lucky Friday by 35% in 3 years

Environmental Challenges

  • COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and community support.
  • Extreme weather events (flooding) at Greens Creek Mine.
  • Potential risks associated with climate change (water management, energy supply).
Mitigation Strategies
  • Implemented robust safety and health protocols to ensure worker and community safety.
  • Provided food, PPE, supplies, and financial assistance to communities.
  • Incorporated lessons learned from extreme weather events into future project designs.
  • Adopted a robust continuous improvement approach to manage climate change risks.

Supply Chain Management

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

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Increased mine contact water
  • Increased design requirements for stormwater
  • Reduced freshwater availability
Transition Risks
  • Potential curtailment of energy supply
  • Increased cost of renewable energy sources
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

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Hecla's operations contribute to these goals through renewable energy use, efficient resource management, and emission reduction efforts.

Reporting Period: 2021

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:Net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2021
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:Not disclosed
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed

ESG Focus Areas

  • Environment
  • Social
  • Governance
  • Safety

Environmental Achievements

  • Purchased carbon credits and had net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2021.
  • Troy tailings reclamation (300 acres).

Social Achievements

  • Greens Creek recognized as Alaska Chamber’s Large Business of the Year in 2021.
  • Typically, largest employer and taxpayer in areas we operate.
  • Community support with multiple programs and Hecla Charitable Foundation.

Governance Achievements

  • Not disclosed

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed

Environmental Challenges

  • Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
  • Not disclosed

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement
  • Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Not disclosed
Transition Risks
  • Not disclosed
Opportunities
  • Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

  • Not disclosed