Community & Indigenous Relations

Operating long-lived mines has allowed us to develop deep and mutually beneficial partnerships with the communities where we operate. These communities are not simply stakeholders; they are essential partners in our success. Through the continued growth of our responsible mining operations, we play a critical role in the economic vitality and social development of our local communities.

Hecla is committed to maintaining open, transparent, and respectful dialogue with all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, who are among our most important partners. We have worked diligently to establish regular communications for ongoing engagement and to identify opportunities to develop and sustain long-term relationships.

Local Communities

Hecla is the largest private-sector employer and taxpayer in Juneau, Alaska, near our Greens Creek mine. We are also one of the largest employers and taxpayers at our other locations in Shoshone County, Idaho and Nevada.

In 2024, we had an economic impact of more than $1 billion to our communities. This includes more than $109 million from payment of taxes, concession fees, and permits, more than $1 million in non-government royalties, and over $1 million in sponsorships, scholarships, gifts, and donations.
The funds support schools, hospitals, roads, and other essential infrastructure, along with vital economic development like job creation and skills training.
More than one indirect job is created by each direct Hecla job. This leads to more than 3,000 workers in the local communities.

Hecla mining workers at the job site taking a group photo

Hecla’s partnership with their local communities.

Engaging with Community Stakeholders

We engage with stakeholders at all our sites during the mining life cycle to be a constructive partner in the communities where we operate and deepen our understanding of local concerns and issues. We communicate about our operations through a variety of methods including community meetings, local print, social media, and flyers, providing all materials in the local language and translating when necessary. We also work with local stakeholders to identify opportunities for the Hecla Charitable Foundation to provide support for community initiatives.

Exploration

Development, Design & Permitting

Construction

Operations

Reclamation & Closure

Exploration

Designate a person within Hecla to be the point person on community relationships
Conduct analysis of community social-economic landscape to identify population and community dynamics
Identify and communicate with key stakeholders
Spearhead initiatives to include local and Indigenous Peoples in community engagement and workforce development activities (e.g., agreement with Gitanyow Band in British Columbia)

Development, Design & Permitting

Hold public and community meetings about project permitting, including project scoping and public comment period
Establish community advisory groups
Conduct social-economic impact assessments
Collaborate with local stakeholders
Refine giving strategy for Hecla Charitable Foundation
Negotiate development/operations agreements as appropriate with community and Indigenous Peoples

Construction

Continue stakeholder collaboration
Establish community-facing communications tools such as Facebook page for mine site
Recruit employees from local geographic region whenever possible through local advertising and job fairs
Implement training programs and partnerships with local community and government agencies

Operations

Communicate and work with all local stakeholders
Hold community information meetings which include reporting on environmental, social, and economic performance

Reclamation & Closure

Hold community informational meetings about closure plan
Partner as appropriate with Indigenous Peoples for closure work (e.g., native plant nursery with Kootenai-Salish Confederated Tribes in Montana and drill pad reclamation in Nevada with the Western Shoshone Band)
Implement closure plan and monitor impacts

Hecla’s Elsa Reclamation and Development Corporation Receives 2025 Robert E. Leckie Award

Elsa Reclamation and Development Corporation (ERDC), a subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company, has been awarded the 2025 Robert E. Leckie Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship by the Government of Yukon. The award recognizes ERDC’s outstanding remediation work at the Keno Hill Silver District and the team’s commitment to community engagement and environmental responsibility.

The award is presented annually by the Yukon Government to recognize excellence in environmental stewardship within the territory’s mining sector. ERDC was independently nominated by an industry group for its comprehensive approach to remediation, community engagement, and support for local and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun business participation. This marks the second consecutive year that Hecla operations in the Yukon have received industry recognition for environmental and community excellence.

Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee

At our Greens Creek mine, we established the Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee (CAG), a collaborative effort with our local stakeholders to ensure that input from the community is considered in the environmental and social aspects of the mine’s planning and operations. In 2024, the group included a representative of the Angoon community and the Tribal Liaison from the Alaska Broadband Office, the Juneau City Mayor, Executive Director of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Chancellor and Dean of Career Education of the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), Energy educator of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, Executive Director of the Juneau Economic Development Council, and a U.S. Forest Service Partnership Liaison.

Youth Programs

In Alaska, the Hecla Charitable Foundation partnered with the Angoon Youth Conservation Corps for the ninth year in a row. This program provides job opportunities in environmental stewardship for Native youth in the Admiralty Island National Monument, the Kootznoowoo Wilderness, and the village of Angoon.

Photo: Josh Orem, AYCC Youth Leader

Cultural Resource Training

Our commitment to mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples is reflected in Hecla’s policy on a respectful workplace. We provide training in sensitivity to Indigenous issues in our new- hire training. In 2024, Hecla engaged a First Nation-owned and operated consulting firm to provide training to the Keno Hill leadership team on Yukon First Nation history and culture. Employees and contractors who work at the Hollister mine are required to receive additional cultural resource training.

Comprehensive Cooperation & Benefits Agreement

At our Keno Hill operation, we have a Comprehensive Cooperation and Benefits Agreement with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) government. In 2024, we held a planning session for the first five-year review of the Agreement since Hecla acquired the Keno Hill property and launched a technical working group with the FNNND to engage in our mining operations. In 2024, Hecla received an award from the Yukon Chamber of Mines for our “collaborative and solution-oriented approach” to meaningful engagement with the FNNND and the NNDDC.

Learn more about our commitment to our local communities:

Community Investment Education Apply for Hecla Charitable Foundation Grant