Idaho-headquartered producer Hecla in May released its sustainability report for 2020, dubbed “Small Footprint, Large Benefit,” spotlighting its work towards its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, performance and focus areas.
Among the highlights of the report: the achievement of a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over 2019 figures Additionally, the company said, it attained more than its multi-year 5% energy reduction goal, gaining 76% of its line power from hydropower.
Hecla said it reduced its 2020 All-Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) by 24% to 1.22, an 80% reduction since 2012. It additionally approved and published a human rights policy statement codifying the miner’s commitment to respecting human rights.
“Because our operations are low tonnage and mostly underground, they directly affect less than 3,900 acres, less than just one operation at many other mining companies. Yet we continually take steps to reduce our environmental footprint while providing long-term economic and social support to the communities where we operate,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Phillips Baker Jr.
The operator, for the third year, benchmarked its performance against the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Metals and Mining framework.