Community Investment

Beyond being an economic driver where we have operations, Hecla improved the social well-being our communities by giving back through charitable donations and volunteer efforts by our employees.

Commitment to Community

The Hecla Code of Conduct expresses the company’s support for contributing to the well-being of local and regional communities, and we encourage all employees to join site-wide and company-wide volunteer activities. At some of our operations, employees may receive paid time off for volunteer work, as agreed with their manager. At Casa Berardi, volunteer hours are matched with a donation to the same organization. Our activities in 2023 had a focus on school age children, health, food security, and improving basic infrastructure in our communities.

Hecla Charitable Foundation

Since 2009, the Hecla Charitable Foundation has contributed $4.8 million toward health, youth, education, and community activities. In 2023, the Foundation:

  • Donated $377,206 to 61 organizations.
  • Was a presenting sponsor of a research luncheon hosted by Diabetes Canada during Diabetes Awareness Month in 2023. We donated $25,000 CAD.
  • Donated $30,000 CAD to the British Columbia Children’s Hospital as part of the Mining Matters Pie Throw Fundraiser.
two women holding a giant check made out to The Glory Hall

Hecla Charitable Foundation Contributions

$4,800,000

COMMUNITY
38%
EDUCATION
24%
HEALTH
21%
YOUTH
17%

The Foundation has contributed $4.8 million to local communities since 2009.

A group photo at the silver valley ride event.
Group of women holding a giant check made out to Cancer Connection

Our employees and management team also regularly volunteer and raise funds for local charities and foundations. For example, in 2023:

  • Hecla donated over $10,000 to local clubs, activities, and charitable organizations near the Lucky Friday mine.
  • In Quebec, we contributed financially and with volunteer time to a refugee center to feed and house families who had evacuated their homes during forest fires.
  • Hecla continued our yearly campaign of employee giving with a company match to support Cancer Connection, a non-profit in Juneau. Employees donated a total of $5,000 and Hecla matched their contribution for a total of $10,000.
  • Hecla donated to the Yukon Hospital Foundation’s annual Christmas Festival of Trees to raise money for the hospital’s mental health department.
  • Nevada employees volunteered for numerous organizations, including working in the Winnemucca Ministerial Association’s soup kitchen and attending the annual fundraising dinner for the Boys and Girls Club (Winnemucca chapter).
  • Near our San Sebastian mine, we supported community organizations with donations to supplement their labor and material donations. We provided a pump system powered by solar panels as well as materials to build and expand cattle troughs to enable Ejido ranchers to bring drinking water to their cattle.

Learn more how we support our local communities in our 2023 Sustainability Report.

Education Programs: Building a Pipeline of Skilled Workers in Our Communities

Providing educational opportunities has always been a priority for Hecla. We partner with organizations on programs that are specifically geared toward training students for a career in mining.