Operations have halted at Hecla Mining’s Lucky Friday mine in Idaho after a fall-of-ground incident that resulted in a fire.
In an August 21 statement, Hecla confirmed that no personnel were in the mine at the time of the failure in the mine’s #2 shaft, a secondary egress, an unused station under repair.
“While a full inspection has not occurred, the failure appears to be caused by a fire that is contained and under control,” the company said. “Steps are being taken to ensure the fire is extinguished before normal ventilation is re-established.”
Hecla officials added that the incident occurred about 500 feet from the bottom of the active portion of the shaft.
The event is expected to impact production and cost guidance for the mine, though the company did not disclose additional details It did confirm it will update guidance once it completes its plan for production resumption.
Hecla is considered the largest silver producer in the U.S. In 2022, the underground Lucky Friday mine produced 4.4 million ounces of silver, 29,000 tons of lead and 12,000 tons of zinc.
Source: www.hecla.com