10-Q 1 hl_10q-093012.htm FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

Commission file number |  | 1-8491

HECLA MINING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

| Delaware |  | 77-0664171 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of |  | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) |  | Identification No.) |
| 6500 Mineral Drive, Suite 200 |  |  |
| Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |  | 83815-9408 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code) |
208-769-4100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes XX . No .
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes XX . No___.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

| Large Accelerated Filer XX. |  | Accelerated Filer .
| Non-Accelerated Filer . |  | Smaller reporting company .

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes . No XX.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class |  | Shares Outstanding November 2, 2012
Common stock, par value $0.25 per share |  | 285,500,148

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2012
INDEX*
2

|  | Page
PART I - Financial Information |
| Item 1 – Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 | 4
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income -Three Months Ended and Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2012 and 2011 | 5
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 | 6
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 7
| Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition and Results of Operations | 20
| Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 38
| Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 39
PART II - Other Information |
| Item 1 – Legal Proceedings | 40
| Item 1A – Risk Factors | 40
| Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures | 40
| Item 6 – Exhibits | 40
| Signatures | 40
| Exhibits | 42

*Items 2, 3 and 5 of Part II are omitted as they are not applicable.
3

Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except shares)

|  | September 30, 2012 |  | December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets: |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 232,194 |  |  | $ | 266,463 |
Accounts receivable: |  |  |  |
Trade |  | 21,991 |  |  | 10,996 |
Other, net |  | 7,827 |  |  | 9,313 |
Inventories: |  |  |  |
Concentrates, doré, and stockpiled ore |  | 11,730 |  |  | 13,692 |
Materials and supplies |  | 13,440 |  |  | 12,503 |
Current deferred income taxes |  | 31,537 |  |  | 27,810 |
Other current assets |  | 12,230 |  |  | 21,967 |
Total current assets |  | 330,949 |  |  | 362,744 |
Non-current investments |  | 9,023 |  |  | 3,923 |
Non-current restricted cash and investments |  | 866 |  |  | 866 |
Properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests, net |  | 973,586 |  |  | 923,212 |
Non-current deferred income taxes |  | 86,324 |  |  | 88,028 |
Other non-current assets and deferred charges |  | 2,855 |  |  | 17,317 |
Total assets |  | $ | 1,403,603 |  |  | $ | 1,396,090 |
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities: |  |  |  |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  | $ | 39,652 |  |  | $ | 37,831 |
Accrued payroll and related benefits |  | 10,124 |  |  | 12,878 |
Accrued taxes |  | 9,743 |  |  | 10,354 |
Current portion of capital leases |  | 4,654 |  |  | 4,005 |
Current portion of accrued reclamation and closure costs |  | 34,146 |  |  | 42,248 |
Total current liabilities |  | 98,319 |  |  | 107,316 |
Capital leases |  | 10,163 |  |  | 6,265 |
Accrued reclamation and closure costs |  | 113,928 |  |  | 111,563 |
Other noncurrent liabilities |  | 33,905 |  |  | 30,833 |
Total liabilities |  | 256,315 |  |  | 255,977 |
Commitments and contingencies |  |  |  |
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized: |  |  |  |
Series B preferred stock, $0.25 par value, 157,816 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference — $7,891 |  | 39 |  |  | 39 |
Common stock, $0.25 par value, authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2012 — 285,486,857 shares and 2011 — 285,289,924 shares |  | 71,496 |  |  | 71,420 |
Capital surplus |  | 1,217,461 |  |  | 1,215,229 |
Accumulated deficit |  | (117,471 | ) |  | (120,557 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | (21,219 | ) |  | (23,498 | )
Less treasury stock, at cost; 2012 — 497,988 shares and 2011 — 392,645 shares |  | (3,018 | ) |  | (2,520 | )
Total shareholders’ equity |  | 1,147,288 |  |  | 1,140,113 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |  | $ | 1,403,603 |  |  | $ | 1,396,090 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
4

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except for per-share amounts)

|  | Three Months Ended |  |  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |  |  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |
Sales of products |  | $ | 81,871 |  |  | $ | 120,543 |  |  | $ | 240,043 |  |  | $ | 374,767 |
Cost of sales and other direct production costs |  | 32,961 |  |  | 41,639 |  |  | 99,423 |  |  | 125,033 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  | 11,601 |  |  | 11,099 |  |  | 31,141 |  |  | 34,565 |
|  | 44,562 |  |  | 52,738 |  |  | 130,564 |  |  | 159,598 |
Gross profit |  | 37,309 |  |  | 67,805 |  |  | 109,479 |  |  | 215,169 |
Other operating expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General and administrative |  | 5,695 |  |  | 5,559 |  |  | 15,723 |  |  | 14,808 |
Exploration |  | 11,722 |  |  | 9,872 |  |  | 24,479 |  |  | 19,012 |
Pre-development |  | 5,409 |  |  | 1,752 |  |  | 12,246 |  |  | 1,752 |
Other operating expense |  | 736 |  |  | 1,612 |  |  | 3,285 |  |  | 5,699 |
Provision (credit) for closed operations and environmental matters |  | (1,093 | ) |  | 5,521 |  |  | 3,320 |  |  | 7,883 |
Lucky Friday suspension-related costs |  | 6,114 |  |  | — |  |  | 18,745 |  |  | — |
|  | 28,583 |  |  | 24,316 |  |  | 77,798 |  |  | 49,154 |
Income from operations |  | 8,726 |  |  | 43,489 |  |  | 31,681 |  |  | 166,015 |
Other income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts |  | (9,053 | ) |  | 40,382 |  |  | (8,113 | ) |  | 38,907 |
Interest and other income (loss) |  | 47 |  |  | (214 | ) |  | 228 |  |  | 520 |
Interest expense |  | (591 | ) |  | (411 | ) |  | (1,563 | ) |  | (2,384 | )
|  | (9,597 | ) |  | 39,757 |  |  | (9,448 | ) |  | 37,043 |
Income (loss) before income taxes |  | (871 | ) |  | 83,246 |  |  | 22,233 |  |  | 203,058 |
Income tax provision |  | (14 | ) |  | (27,325 | ) |  | (8,022 | ) |  | (70,463 | )
Net income (loss) |  | (885 | ) |  | 55,921 |  |  | 14,211 |  |  | 132,595 |
Preferred stock dividends |  | (138 | ) |  | (138 | ) |  | (414 | ) |  | (414 | )
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders |  | $ | (1,023 | ) |  | $ | 55,783 |  |  | $ | 13,797 |  |  | $ | 132,181 |
Comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) |  | $ | (885 | ) |  | $ | 55,921 |  |  | $ | 14,211 |  |  | $ | 132,595 |
Reclassification of net gain on sale of marketable securities included in net income |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (611 | )
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments |  | 3,085 |  |  | (798 | ) |  | 2,280 |  |  | (913 | )
Comprehensive income |  | $ | 2,200 |  |  | $ | 55,123 |  |  | $ | 16,491 |  |  | $ | 131,071 |
Basic income (loss) per common share after preferred dividends |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.05 |  |  | $ | 0.47 |
Diluted income (loss) per common share after preferred dividends |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.19 |  |  | $ | 0.05 |  |  | $ | 0.45 |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic |  | 285,492 |  |  | 279,541 |  |  | 285,400 |  |  | 279,067 |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted |  | 285,492 |  |  | 295,000 |  |  | 296,739 |  |  | 295,739 |
Cash dividends declared per common share |  | $ | 0.0025 |  |  | $ | 0.0000 |  |  | $ | 0.0375 |  |  | $ | 0.0000 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

|  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |
Operating activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 14,211 |  |  | $ | 132,595 |
Non-cash elements included in net income: |  |  |  |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  | 36,042 |  |  | 34,769 |
Gain on sale of investments |  | — |  |  | (611 | )
Loss on disposition of properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests |  | 359 |  |  | — |
Provision for reclamation and closure costs |  | 3,937 |  |  | 832 |
Stock compensation |  | 2,296 |  |  | 1,497 |
Deferred income taxes |  | (2,023 | ) |  | 60,790 |
Amortization of loan origination fees |  | 324 |  |  | 498 |
(Gain) loss on derivative contracts |  | 24,748 |  |  | (56,512 | )
Other non-cash charges, net |  | 901 |  |  | 932 |
Change in assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable |  | (9,508 | ) |  | 7,745 |
Inventories |  | 1,025 |  |  | (6,608 | )
Other current and non-current assets |  | (417 | ) |  | 373 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  | 4,561 |  |  | 17,233 |
Accrued payroll and related benefits |  | (2,754 | ) |  | 581 |
Accrued taxes |  | (611 | ) |  | (6,276 | )
Accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities |  | (6,603 | ) |  | 100 |
Cash provided by operating activities |  | 66,488 |  |  | 187,938 |
Investing activities: |  |  |  |
Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests |  | (81,318 | ) |  | (64,381 | )
Proceeds from sale of investments |  | — |  |  | 1,366 |
Proceeds from disposition of properties, plants and equipment |  | 744 |  |  | 113 |
Purchases of investments |  | (3,261 | ) |  | (3,200 | )
Changes in restricted cash and investment balances |  | — |  |  | 9,388 |
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (83,835 | ) |  | (56,714 | )
Financing activities: |  |  |  |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants |  | — |  |  | 5,108 |
Acquisition of treasury shares |  | (497 | ) |  | (469 | )
Dividends paid to common shareholders |  | (10,700 | ) |  | — |
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders |  | (414 | ) |  | (3,684 | )
Repayments of capital leases |  | (4,561 | ) |  | (2,042 | )
Loan origination fees |  | (750 | ) |  | — |
Net cash used in financing activities |  | (16,922 | ) |  | (1,087 | )
Change in cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |  | (34,269 | ) |  | 130,137 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |  | 266,463 |  |  | 283,606 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |  | $ | 232,194 |  |  | $ | 413,743 |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: |  |  |  |
Addition of capital lease obligations |  | $ | 9,108 |  |  | $ | 3,353 |
Accounts payable change relating to capital additions |  | $ | (2,905 | ) |  | $ | 6,721 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
6

Note 1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items, necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hecla Mining Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (“we” or “our” or “us”). These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes as set forth in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as it may be amended from time to time.
The results of operations for the periods presented may not be indicative of those which may be expected for a full year. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate for the information not to be misleading.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ materially from those estimates.
Note 2. Investments and Restricted Cash
Investments
At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the fair value of our non-current investments was $9.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Our non-current investments consist of marketable equity securities, which are carried at fair value as they are classified as “available-for-sale.” The cost basis of our non-current investments was approximately $6.8 million and $3.5 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The increase in the basis of non-current investments is related to an acquisition of $3.3 million of equity securities in August 2012.
At September 30, 2012, total unrealized gain positions of $2.9 million, net of unrealized losses of $0.6 million, for our non-current investments were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Restricted Cash and Investments
Various laws, permits, and covenants require that financial assurances be in place for certain environmental and reclamation obligations and other potential liabilities. These restricted investments are used primarily for reclamation funding or for funding surety bonds, and were $0.9 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Restricted investments primarily represent investments in money market funds and certificates of deposit.
7

Note 3. Income Taxes
Major components of our income tax provision (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Current: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal |  | $ | 5,102 |  |  | $ | 3,854 |  |  | $ | 8,630 |  |  | $ | 7,965 |
State |  |  | 425 |  |  |  | 886 |  |  |  | 978 |  |  |  | 1,364 |
Foreign |  |  | 114 |  |  |  | 115 |  |  |  | 344 |  |  |  | 344 |
Total current income tax provision |  |  | 5,641 |  |  |  | 4,855 |  |  |  | 9,952 |  |  |  | 9,673 |
Deferred: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal and state deferred income tax provision (benefit) |  |  | (5,627 | ) |  |  | 22,470 |  |  |  | (1,930 | ) |  |  | 60,790 |
Total income tax provision |  | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | 27,325 |  |  | $ | 8,022 |  |  | $ | 70,463 |

Our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets depends on future taxable income generated from operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were no circumstances that caused us to change our assessment of the ability to generate future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets. After a deferred benefit of $1.9 million during the first nine months of 2012, the net deferred tax asset at September 30, 2012 was $117.8 million. The deferred benefit realized through September 30, 2012 is primarily the result of temporary differences related to exploration expenses and unrealized losses on derivative contracts. It is possible that the valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset will change in the future as a result of the analysis of our long-range forecasts, with a resulting tax provision or benefit.
The current income tax provisions for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 vary from the amounts that would have resulted from applying the statutory income tax rate to pre-tax income primarily due to the effects of percentage depletion for all periods presented and the change in valuation allowance related to foreign operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Note 4. Commitments, Contingencies and Obligations
Rio Grande Silver Guaranty
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Grande Silver Inc. (“Rio”), is party to a joint venture with Emerald Mining & Leasing, LLC (“EML”) and certain other parties with respect to a land package in the Creede Mining District of Colorado that is adjacent to other land held by Rio. Rio holds a 70% interest in the joint venture. In connection with the joint venture, we are required to guarantee certain environmental remediation-related obligations of EML to a third party up to a maximum liability to us of $2.5 million. As of September 30, 2012, we have not been required to make any payments pursuant to the guaranty. We may be required to make payments in the future, limited to the $2.5 million maximum liability, should EML fail to meet its obligations to the third party. However, to the extent that any payments are made by us under the guaranty, EML, in addition to other parties named in the amended agreement, have jointly and severally agreed to reimburse and indemnify us for any such payments. We have not recorded a liability relating to the guaranty as of September 30, 2012.
Lucky Friday Water Permit Exceedances
In late 2008 and during 2009, Hecla Limited experienced a number of alleged water permit exceedances for water discharges at its Lucky Friday unit. The 2008 alleged violations resulted in Hecla Limited entering into a Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) and a Compliance Order with the EPA in April 2009, which included an extended compliance timeline. In connection with the CAFO, Hecla Limited agreed to pay an administrative penalty to the EPA of $177,500 to settle any liability for such alleged exceedances. The 2009 alleged violations were the subject of a December 2010 letter from the EPA informing Hecla Limited that the EPA is prepared to seek civil penalties for these alleged violations, as well as for alleged unpermitted discharges of waste water in 2010 at the Lucky Friday unit. In the same letter, the EPA invited Hecla Limited to discuss these matters with them prior to filing a complaint. In April 2011, Hecla Limited received an additional request for information from the EPA on the alleged unpermitted discharges in 2010. Hecla Limited disputes the EPA's assertions, but has begun negotiations with the EPA in an attempt to resolve the matter, which includes additional water quality monitoring to better understand the quality and source of the alleged unpermitted discharge. In October 2012, the Lucky Friday had a weekly water sample which, when tested, exceeded a single permit limit. Subsequent weekly samples all have been below permit limits. We do not believe that the outcome of these water permit issues will have a material adverse effect on our results from operations or financial position.
8

Hecla Limited strives to maintain its water discharges at the Lucky Friday unit in full compliance with the permit, but cannot provide assurances that it will be able to fully comply with the permit limits in the future.
ASARCO, LLC Contribution Claims
In 2011 and 2012, ASARCO, LLC, filed three lawsuits against us and other mining companies seeking contribution and cost recovery relating to payments ASARCO alleges it has made under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA") in connection with various mine sites throughout the Northwest United States, including (i) the Barker-Hughesville Site in Cascade and Judith Basin Counties, Montana, (ii) the Black Pine Mine Site in Granite County Montana, and (iii) the Van Stone Mine Site in Stevens County, Washington. At these three sites, ASARCO alleges it has spent $9 million, $17.7 million, and $3.5 million, respectively, under CERCLA in payments to various governments. ASARCO alleges that Hecla or its predecessors operated at each of these sites and is therefore liable to ASARCO for contribution of part of the payments made by ASARCO under CERCLA. We have begun investigating the basis for ASARCO's claims and believe Hecla Limited had very limited involvement at these sites long ago. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these claims, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our results from operations or financial position. We have made an immaterial accrual for potential liability on these three matters.
Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, McKinley County, New Mexico
In May 2011, the EPA made a formal request to Hecla Mining Company for information regarding the Johnny M Mine Area near San Mateo, McKinley County, New Mexico, and asserted that Hecla Mining Company may be responsible under CERCLA for environmental remediation and past costs the EPA has incurred at the site. Mining at the Johnny M was conducted for a limited period of time by Ranchers Exploration and Development Corporation, a predecessor of our subsidiary, Hecla Limited. In February 2012, a subsidiary of Hecla Limited acquired a parcel of land that is adjacent to the Johnny M site and which was occupied by one or more individuals and livestock. The EPA has alleged that this property may contain hazardous substances released from the Johnny M site. The land was purchased for $1.875 million, and as part of that transaction we also received a release from liability from the landowners. In August 2012, Hecla Limited and the EPA entered into a Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order on Consent for Removal Action (“Consent Decree”), pursuant to which Hecla Limited agreed to pay (i) $1.1 million to the EPA for its past response costs at the site and (ii) any future response costs at the site, in exchange for a covenant not to sue by the EPA. The payment for past response costs will be paid in two equal installments in October and December of 2012. The Consent Decree also describes additional work at the site to be conducted by Hecla Limited. Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2012 include an accrual balance by Hecla Limited of $1.4 million for estimated past costs and investigation and planning costs. We cannot with any degree of certainty estimate the amount of any additional liability Hecla Limited may face at the site due to several reasons, including (but not limited to): neither the EPA nor Hecla Limited have completed investigations of the site, the amount and type of remediation required have not yet been determined, and the existence of other potentially responsible parties has not yet been determined.
Carpenter Snow Creek Site, Cascade County, Montana
In July 2010, the EPA made a formal request to Hecla Mining Company for information regarding the Carpenter Snow Creek Superfund Site located in Cascade County, Montana. The Carpenter Snow Creek Site is located in a historic mining district, and in the early 1980s Hecla Limited leased 6 mining claims and performed limited exploration activities at the site. Hecla Limited terminated the mining lease in 1988.
In June 2011, the EPA informed Hecla Limited that it believes Hecla Limited, among several other viable companies, may be liable for cleanup of the site or for costs incurred by the EPA in cleaning up the site. The EPA stated in the June 2011 letter that it has incurred approximately $4.5 million in response costs and estimated that total remediation costs may exceed $100 million. Because Hecla Limited had very limited activity at the site, we do not believe that the outcome of the claim will
have a material adverse effect on our results from operations or financial position. We have not recorded a liability relating to the site as of September 30, 2012.
States of South Dakota and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to CoCa Mines, Inc.
In 1991, Hecla Limited acquired all of the outstanding common stock of CoCa Mines, Inc. (“CoCa”). Coca owned the Gilt Edge Mine and the Nelson Tunnel property in addition to certain other assets.
9

Gilt Edge Mine Superfund Site
In August 2008, the EPA made a formal request to CoCa for information regarding the Gilt Edge Mine Site located in Lawrence County, South Dakota, and asserted that CoCa may be liable for environmental cleanup at the site. The Gilt Edge Mine Site was explored and/or mined beginning in the 1890s. In the early 1980s, CoCa was involved in a joint venture that conducted a limited program of exploration work at the site. This joint venture terminated in 1984, and by 1985 CoCa had divested itself of any interest in the property.
In July 2010 the United States informed CoCa that it intends to pursue CoCa and several other potentially responsible parties on a joint and several basis for liability for past and future response costs at Gilt Edge under CERCLA. Currently, the United States alleges that CoCa is liable based on participation in the joint venture, and that CoCa has succeeded to the liabilities of its predecessor at the site, Congdon & Carey, which may have held certain property interests at the site.
As of January 2010, the EPA had allegedly incurred approximately $91 million in response costs to implement remedial measures at the Gilt Edge site, and estimated future response costs of $72 million. Hecla Limited did not acquire CoCa until 1991, well after CoCa discontinued its involvement with the Gilt Edge site. In addition, CoCa is and always has been a separate corporate entity from Hecla Limited.
In August 2010, CoCa initiated negotiations with the United States in order to reach a settlement of its liabilities at the site that takes into account CoCa's limited financial resources. In late September 2010, in connection with these negotiations, CoCa received a request from the Department of Justice for additional information regarding its finances. CoCa provided written responses and additional information in January 2011. In April 2011, CoCa, and its parent Hecla Limited, received additional information requests related to Gilt Edge, and both entities responded to the EPA in July 2011. We believe that Hecla Limited is not liable for any cleanup at the site, and if CoCa might be liable, it has limited assets with which to satisfy any such liability. Settlement negotiations with the EPA are ongoing, but there can be no assurance such negotiations will be successful.
Nelson Tunnel/Commodore Waste Rock Pile Superfund Site
In August 2009, the EPA made a formal request to CoCa for information regarding the Nelson Tunnel/Commodore Waste Rock Pile Superfund Site in Creede, Colorado. A timely response was provided and the EPA later arranged to copy additional documents. CoCa was involved in exploration and mining activities in Creede during the 1970s and the 1980s. No formal claim for response costs under CERCLA has been made against CoCa for this site. Hecla Limited did not acquire CoCa until 1991, well after CoCa discontinued its historical activities in the vicinity of the site. In addition, CoCa is and always has been a separate corporate entity from Hecla Limited. Therefore, we believe that Hecla Limited is not liable for any cleanup, and if CoCa might be liable, it has limited assets with which to satisfy any such liability.
Other Commitments and Obligations
Our contractual commitments as of September 30, 2012 included approximately $11.1 million for commitments relating to capital items at Lucky Friday and Greens Creek, and $0.2 million for non-capital items at Greens Creek. In addition, our commitments relating to open purchase orders at September 30, 2012 included approximately $10.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for various capital items at the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, and approximately $0.6 million for various non-capital costs. We also have total commitments of approximately $15.5 million relating to scheduled payments on capital leases, including interest, primarily for equipment at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units (see Note 9 for more information).
After making a payment of $25 million in October 2012, we remain obligated to pay $70.5 million to the plaintiffs over the next approximately two years pursuant to a Consent Decree entered on September 8, 2011, which has been previously disclosed, which settled Hecla Limited's Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental liability. The remaining payments under the terms of such Consent Decree require third party surety for which Hecla Limited pays an annual maintenance fee. The first annual maintenance fee of $0.6 million was paid in October 2011.
We had letters of credit for approximately $0.6 million outstanding as of September 30, 2012 for reclamation and workers' compensation insurance bonding.
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Other Contingencies
On February 1, 2012, a purported Hecla stockholder filed a putative class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho against Hecla and certain of our officers, one of whom is also a director. The complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of Hecla common stock from October 26, 2010 through and including January 11, 2012, asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seeks, among other things, damages and costs and expenses. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Hecla, under the authority and control of the individual defendants, made certain false and misleading statements and allegedly omitted certain material information related to operational issues at the Lucky Friday mine. The complaint alleges that these actions artificially inflated the market price of Hecla common stock during the class period, thus purportedly harming investors who purchased shares during that time. A second suit was filed on February 14, 2012, alleging virtually identical claims. These complaints have been consolidated into a single case, a lead plaintiff and lead counsel has been appointed by the Court (Bricklayers of Western Pennsylvania Pension Plan, et al. v. Hecla Mining Company et al., Case No. 12-0042 (D. Idaho)), and a consolidated amended complaint was filed on October 16, 2012. We cannot predict the outcome of this lawsuit or estimate damages if plaintiffs were to prevail. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to defend them vigorously.
Related to the above described class action lawsuit, Hecla is named as a nominal defendant in two pending shareholder derivative lawsuits which name as defendants certain Hecla executives and members of Hecla's Board of Directors. The cases are: In Re Hecla Mining Company Derivative Shareholder Litigation, Case No. 2:12-cv-00097 (D. Idaho) and In Re Hecla Mining Inc. [sic] Shareholder Derivative Litigation, Case No. 12-1506 (Kootenai Cnty. Dist. Ct.). In general terms, these lawsuits allege breaches of fiduciary duties by the individual defendants and seek damages, purportedly on behalf of Hecla. The federal court case is currently stayed. A third derivative case, South, et al. v. Baker, et al., Case No. 7294-VCL (Del. Ch. Ct.), was dismissed with prejudice by the Delaware Court of Chancery on September 25, 2012. In addition, the Board of Directors has received two letters on behalf of purported shareholders demanding that Hecla commence litigation against certain executives and directors on substantially similar grounds. Hecla's board has concluded the actions requested by both demands would be contrary to the Company's best interest given the pendency of other, related litigation against the Company.
In March 2012, Hecla Limited received notice of a complaint filed against it by the United Steel Workers, Local 5114, with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for compensation for bargaining unit workers at the Lucky Friday mine idled as a result of the previously-announced, temporary shutdown of the mine. The complaint alleges the bargaining unit workers are entitled to compensation under Section 111 of Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 from November 16, 2011 - the date an order was issued by the Mine Safety Health Administration (“MSHA”) to Hecla Limited - until such time as the order is terminated. We submitted our response to the administrative law judge within the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission and are awaiting further proceedings. We believe the claim is without merit, and that all wages due under Section 111, which was an immaterial amount, have already been paid. We may face a liability as a result of the union's claim in the range of $0 to $10 million; however, we have not recorded a liability relating to the claim as of September 30, 2012.
We are subject to other legal proceedings and claims which arise from time to time. These can include, but are not limited to, legal proceedings and/or claims pertaining to environmental or safety matters. For example, in April 2011, a fatal accident occurred at the Lucky Friday Mine which was investigated by MSHA. In November 2011, an accident occurred as part of the construction of #4 Shaft which resulted in the fatality of one contractor employee. In an unrelated incident, in December 2011, a rock burst occurred in a primary access way at the Lucky Friday and injured seven employees, none fatally. At the end of 2011, MSHA began a special impact investigation at the Lucky Friday mine which resulted in an order to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft, the primary access way from the surface at the Lucky Friday mine. As a result of MSHA's investigations related to these events, Hecla Limited has been issued monetary penalties (none of which are material, individually or in the aggregate), and may face additional enforcement actions, including additional monetary penalties from MSHA or other governmental agencies. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these other matters, we believe they will not have a material adverse effect on our results from operations or financial position.
Note 5. Earnings Per Common Share
We are authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.25 par value per share, of which 285,486,857 shares were issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012.
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The following table reconciles weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (thousands, except per-share amounts):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Numerator |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) |  | $ | (885 | ) |  | $ | 55,921 |  |  | $ | 14,211 |  |  | $ | 132,595 |
Preferred stock dividends |  |  | (138 | ) |  |  | (138 | ) |  |  | (414 | ) |  |  | (414 | )
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share |  | $ | (1,023 | ) |  | $ | 55,783 |  |  | $ | 13,797 |  |  | $ | 132,181 |
Denominator |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic weighted average common shares |  |  | 285,492 |  |  |  | 279,541 |  |  |  | 285,400 |  |  |  | 279,067 |
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,459 |  |  |  | 11,339 |  |  |  | 16,672 |
Diluted weighted average common shares |  |  | 285,492 |  |  |  | 295,000 |  |  |  | 296,739 |  |  |  | 295,739 |
Basic earnings per common share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income applicable to common shares |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.05 |  |  | $ | 0.47 |
Diluted earnings per common share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income applicable to common shares |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.19 |  |  | $ | 0.05 |  |  | $ | 0.45 |

Potential dilutive common shares include outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, stock units, warrants, and convertible preferred stock for periods in which we have reported net income. For periods in which we report net losses, potential dilutive common shares are excluded, as their conversion and exercise would not reduce earnings per share. Diluted income per share for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, and the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 exclude the potential effects of outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock, as their conversion and exercise would have no effect on the calculation of dilutive shares.
Options to purchase 570,005 shares of our common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, options to purchase 552,388 shares of our common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. In each case, the exercise price of the options not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share exceeded the average price of our stock during those periods and therefore would not affect the calculation of earnings per share.
Note 6. Business Segments
We are currently organized and managed by two reporting segments: the Greens Creek unit and the Lucky Friday unit.
General corporate activities not associated with operating units and their various exploration activities, as well as discontinued operations and idle properties, are presented as “other.” Interest expense, interest income and income taxes are considered general corporate items, and are not allocated to our segments.
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The following tables present information about reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Net sales to unaffiliated customers: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Greens Creek |  | $ | 81,871 |  |  | $ | 77,031 |  |  | $ | 239,794 |  |  | $ | 260,650 |
Lucky Friday |  |  | — |  |  |  | 43,512 |  |  |  | 249 |  |  |  | 114,117 |
|  | $ | 81,871 |  |  | $ | 120,543 |  |  | $ | 240,043 |  |  | $ | 374,767 |
Income from operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Greens Creek |  | $ | 34,834 |  |  | $ | 37,098 |  |  | $ | 105,529 |  |  | $ | 140,661 |
Lucky Friday |  |  | (6,147 | ) |  |  | 27,662 |  |  |  | (18,588 | ) |  |  | 68,170 |
Other |  |  | (19,961 | ) |  |  | (21,271 | ) |  |  | (55,260 | ) |  |  | (42,816 | )
|  | $ | 8,726 |  |  | $ | 43,489 |  |  | $ | 31,681 |  |  | $ | 166,015 |

The reductions in sales and income (loss) from operations at the Lucky Friday segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011 are due to the temporary suspension of production at the Lucky Friday mine during the 2012 period. At the end of 2011, MSHA began a special impact inspection at the Lucky Friday mine which resulted in an order to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft. In response, we submitted a plan to MSHA and received approval to remove the material, and this work commenced in the first quarter of 2012. In addition, the plan includes removal of unused utilities, construction of a water ring to prevent ice from forming in the winter, the installation of a metal brattice, repair of shaft steel, and installation of a new power cable, all of which should improve the shaft's functionality and possibly improve the shaft's hoisting capacity. We currently anticipate that the Silver Shaft work will be completed in late 2012, and that production at the Lucky Friday will recommence in early 2013. The smelter contracts related to treatment of Lucky Friday concentrates have been suspended during the care-and-maintenance period based on force majeure. Once the Silver Shaft work was completed down to the 4900 foot level, we commenced work on a haulage way bypassing an area at the 5900 level impacted by a rock burst in December 2011. In addition to work on the Silver Shaft, other significant surface and underground capital programs are being planned, including restart of the #4 Shaft sinking sometime in early 2013 and surface infrastructure and mill upgrades. However, the timing of completion of the Silver Shaft work, resumption of production, and work on the #4 Shaft project at the Lucky Friday mine may ultimately vary from our current estimates. We expect to spend up to $62 million on all of these projects, including approximately $29 million to remove the loose cementitious material and for shaft improvements and $33 million on other capital projects. We expect to incur non-capitalized expenses of $25 million, based on the assumption that the mine will be on standby for the remainder of 2012 as this work is completed. As of the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, we have incurred $6.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively, in non-capitalized expenses, including $1.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, in depreciation, depletion, and amortization, which is reported in Lucky Friday suspension-related costs on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited).
The following table presents identifiable assets by reportable segment as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | December 31, 2011 |
Identifiable assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Greens Creek |  | $ | 743,318 |  |  | $ | 729,289 |
Lucky Friday |  |  | 240,351 |  |  |  | 213,285 |
Other |  |  | 419,934 |  |  |  | 453,516 |
|  | $ | 1,403,603 |  |  | $ | 1,396,090 |

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Note 7. Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans which together cover substantially all U.S. employees. Net periodic pension cost for the plans consisted of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Benefits |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Service cost |  | $ | 993 |  |  | $ | 969 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 14 |
Interest cost |  |  | 1,017 |  |  |  | 1,028 |  |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 19 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (1,145 | ) |  |  | (1,370 | ) |  |  | (22 | ) |  |  | (22 | )
Amortization of prior service cost |  |  | 101 |  |  |  | 101 |  |  |  | 48 |  |  |  | 55 |
Amortization of net (gain) loss |  |  | 706 |  |  |  | 220 |  |  |  | (22 | ) |  |  | (32 | )
Net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | 1,672 |  |  | $ | 948 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | 34 |

|  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | Pension Benefits |  |  | Other Benefits |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Service cost |  | $ | 2,980 |  |  | $ | 2,908 |  |  | $ | 51 |  |  | $ | 41 |
Interest cost |  |  | 3,051 |  |  |  | 3,085 |  |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | 58 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (3,435 | ) |  |  | (4,111 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service cost |  |  | 301 |  |  |  | 302 |  |  |  | 33 |  |  |  | 33 |
Amortization of net (gain) loss |  |  | 2,119 |  |  |  | 660 |  |  |  | (22 | ) |  |  | (32 | )
Net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | 5,016 |  |  | $ | 2,844 |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | 100 |

The increased service costs in 2012 versus 2011 were driven primarily by higher staffing and compensation levels.
As of September 30, 2012, the Company has made contributions to the pension plans of approximately $1.1 million and intends to contribute an additional $0.9 million in the fourth quarter 2012 for total contributions in 2012 of $2.0 million.
Note 8. Shareholders’ Equity
Share-based Compensation Plans
We periodically grant stock options, restricted stock unit awards, and/or shares of common stock to our employees and directors. We measure the fair value of compensation cost for stock options issued pursuant to our equity compensation plans using the Black-Scholes options pricing model. Stock option grants generally vest immediately. However, grants to individual executives upon hiring or retention vest over a defined service period, with cost amortized over that period. We measure compensation cost for restricted stock units and stock grants at the closing price of our stock at the time of grant. Restricted stock unit grants vest over time with compensation cost amortized over that period.
On June 25, 2012, the Board of Directors granted 440,735 restricted stock units to employees, with one third of those vesting in June 2013, one third vesting in June 2014, and one third vesting in June 2015. The Board of Directors granted an additional 262,934 restricted stock units on June 25, 2012 that vest in June 2013. The $1.9 million in expense related to the unit awards vesting in 2013 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the next twelve months, while the $0.7 million in expense related to awards vesting in each of 2014 and 2015 will be recognized over the next twenty-four and thirty-six month periods, respectively.
In the second quarter of 2012, a total of 77,976 common shares were issued to nonemployee directors. We issued a total of 42,636 common shares to nonemployee directors in the second quarter of 2011.
Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock unit grants to employees and shares issued to nonemployee directors recorded in the first nine months of 2012 totaled $2.3 million, compared to $1.5 million in the same period last year.
Under the terms of our equity compensation plans, we have permitted our employees' withholding tax obligations for shares which have vested, to be satisfied by net share settlement. As a result, in the first nine months of 2012, we repurchased 45,341 shares for $0.2 million, or approximately $4.47 per share.
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Common Stock Dividends
In September 2011 and February 2012, our Board of Directors adopted a common stock dividend policy that has two components: 1) a dividend that links the amount of dividends on our common stock to our average quarterly realized silver price in the preceding quarter, and 2) a minimum annual dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, payable quarterly when declared. For illustrative purposes only, the table below summarizes potential per share dividend amounts at different quarterly average realized price levels according to the first component of the policy:

Quarterly average realized silver price per ounce |  | Quarterly dividend per share |  | Annualized dividend per share
$30 |  | $0.01 |  | $0.04
$35 |  | $0.02 |  | $0.08
$40 |  | $0.03 |  | $0.12
$45 |  | $0.04 |  | $0.16
$50 |  | $0.05 |  | $0.20
$55 |  | $0.06 |  | $0.24
$60 |  | $0.07 |  | $0.28

The following table summarizes the common stock dividends declared by our Board of Directors under the policy described above:

Declaration date |  | (A) Silver-price- linked component per share |  | (B) Minimum annual component per share |  | (A+B) Total dividend per share |  | Total dividend amount (in millions) |  | Month of payment
February 17, 2012 |  | $0.01 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0125 |  | $3.6 |  | March 2012
May 8, 2012 |  | $0.02 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0225 |  | $6.4 |  | June 2012
August 7, 2012 |  | $— |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.7 |  | September 2012
November 2, 2012 |  | $0.02 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0225 |  | $6.4 |  | anticipated in December 2012

Because the average realized silver price for the second quarter of 2012 was $27.05 per ounce, below the minimum threshold of $30 according to the policy, no silver-price-linked component was declared or paid. In the third quarter of 2012, the average realized silver price was $35.00 per ounce. The declaration and payment of common stock dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On May 8, 2012, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on prevailing market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by us at any time. As of September 30, 2012, 60,000 shares have been purchased at an average price of $4.89 per share, leaving 19.94 million shares that may yet be purchased under the program. The closing price of our common stock at November 2, 2012, was $6.49 per share.
Conversion of 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock to Common Stock
On January 1, 2011, all 2,012,500 outstanding shares of our 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock were automatically converted to shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of 9.3773 shares of Common Stock for each share of 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. We issued approximately 18.9 million shares of common stock in connection with the mandatory conversion. The final $3.3 million quarterly dividend on the 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 was paid in cash in January 2011.
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Warrants
The following table summarizes certain information about our stock purchase warrants at September 30, 2012:

Warrants Outstanding |  | Warrants |  | Exercise Price |  | Expiration Date
Series 1 warrants |  | 5,200,519 |  | $ | 2.42 |  | June 2014
Series 1 warrants |  | 460,976 |  | 2.53 |  | June 2014
Series 3 warrants |  | 16,671,128 |  | 2.47 |  | August 2014
Total warrants outstanding |  | 22,332,623 |  |  |  |

No warrants were exercised during the first nine months of 2012. Under the terms of the Consent Decree settling the Coeur d’Alene Basin litigation, the proceeds from the exercise of our outstanding warrants will be paid to the Plaintiffs within 30 days after the end of the quarter when exercised. As such, proceeds from Series 1 and Series 3 warrant exercises totaling approximately $0.7 million and $9.8 million were paid to the Plaintiffs in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Note 9. Credit Facilities and Capital Leases
Credit Facilities
We have a $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which is collateralized by the shares of common stock held in our material subsidiaries and by our joint venture interests in the Greens Creek mine, all of our rights and interests in the joint venture agreement, and all of our rights and interests in the assets of the joint venture. This credit facility originated with a $60 million senior secured revolving credit agreement entered into in October 2009 that has been amended several times to its current form. Amounts borrowed under the credit agreement are available for general corporate purposes. The interest rate on outstanding loans under the agreement is between 3.00% and 3.75% above the LIBOR or an alternative base rate plus an applicable margin of between 2.00% and 2.75%. We are required to pay a standby fee of between 0.825% and 1.05% per annum on undrawn amounts under the revolving credit agreement. The credit facility is effective until August 1, 2015. We incurred $0.3 million in interest expense in the first nine months of 2012 for the amortization of loan origination fees and $0.7 million in interest expense for commitment fees relating to the credit agreement.
The credit agreement includes various covenants and other limitations related to our various financial ratios and indebtedness and investments, as well as other information and reporting requirements, including the following limitations:

| • | Leverage ratio (calculated as total debt divided by EBITDA) of not more than 3.0:1.

| • | Interest coverage ratio (calculated as EBITDA divided by interest expense) of not less than 3.0:1.

| • | Current ratio (calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities) of not less than 1.10:1.

| • | Tangible net worth of greater than $500 million.

We were in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement as of September 30, 2012. We have not drawn funds on the current revolving credit facility as of the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Capital Leases
We have entered into various lease agreements since 2009 for equipment at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, which we have determined to be capital leases. We have a total liability of $14.8 million at September 30, 2012, relating to our capital lease obligations and estimated potential purchase option payments, with $4.6 million of the liability classified as current and $10.2 million classified as non-current. At December 31, 2011, the total liability balance associated with capital leases was $10.3 million, with $4.0 million of the liability classified as current and $6.3 million classified as non-current. The total obligation for future minimum lease payments was $15.5 million at September 30, 2012, with $0.8 million attributed to interest.
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At September 30, 2012, the annual maturities of capital lease commitments, including interest, are (in thousands):

Twelve-month period ending September 30, |  |  |
2013 |  | $ | 4,436 |
2014 |  |  | 4,918 |
2015 |  |  | 4,091 |
2016 |  |  | 2,079 |
2017 |  |  | 5 |
Total |  |  | 15,529 |
Less: imputed interest |  |  | (830 | )
Net capital lease obligation |  | $ | 14,699 |

Note 10. Developments in Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, which, among other things, amended Subtopic 220 with respect to the presentation of other comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. Under the update, a Securities and Exchange Commission filer may present other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The filer is also required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update apply to both annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with the exception of the amendment regarding presentation of reclassification adjustments, which has been deferred to a later date. Adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements (audited and unaudited condensed).
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, which amends Subtopic 820 to clarify the application of existing common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 provides clarification for the following:
1. the application of the highest and best use of valuation premise concepts;
2. measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in shareholders’ equity; and
3. disclosures about fair value measurements.
The amendments in this update became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements (audited and unaudited condensed).
In December of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which enhances disclosure requirements regarding an entity's financial instruments and derivative instruments that are offset or subject to a master netting arrangement. This information about offsetting and related netting arrangements will enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on the entity's financial position, including the effect of rights of setoff. The amendments are required for annual reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. We are evaluating the impact of this guidance, but do not anticipate it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements (audited and unaudited condensed).
Note 11. Derivative Instruments
At times, we use commodity forward sales commitments and commodity swap contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuation in the prices of base metals which we produce. Contract positions are designed to ensure that we will receive a defined minimum price for certain quantities of our production, thereby partially offsetting our exposure to fluctuations in the market. These instruments do, however, expose us to other risks, including the amount by which the contract price exceeds the spot price of a commodity, and nonperformance by the counterparties to these agreements.
We use financially-settled forward contracts to sell lead and zinc at fixed prices for settlement at approximately the same time that our unsettled concentrate sales contracts will settle. The settlement of each concentrate contract is based on the average spot price of the metal during the month of settlement, which may differ from the prices used to record the sale when the sale takes place. The objective of the contracts is to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments between the time of sale and final settlement. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are marked-to-market through earnings each period. At September 30, 2012, we recorded a current liability of $1.8 million for the fair value of open contracts under this program, which includes approximately $1.9 million for contracts that were in a fair value liability position and $0.1 million for contracts in a fair value asset position. The current liability related to these contracts is netted against the current asset related to the fair value of open contracts under the program for forecasted shipments discussed below and included in other current assets. We recognized $1.8 million and $1.9 million net losses on the contracts during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, which are included in sales of products. The net losses recognized on the contracts offset price adjustments on our provisional concentrate sales related to changes to lead and zinc prices between the time of sale and final settlement.
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In addition, we use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure of changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments. These contracts also do not qualify for hedge accounting and are marked-to-market through earnings each period. At September 30, 2012, we recorded a current asset of $9.4 million, which is included in other current assets, a non-current asset of $0.5 million, which is included in other non-current assets, and a non-current liability of $0.2 million, which is included in other non-current liabilities, for the fair value of the contracts. The current and non-current asset balances, respectively, are net of approximately $0.5 million and $0.1 million for contracts that were in a fair value liability position at September 30, 2012. We recognized a $9.1 million net loss on the contracts for the third quarter of 2012, which includes $4.3 million in gains realized on settled contracts and $13.4 million in unrealized losses for mark-to-market adjustments on unsettled contracts. For the first nine months of 2012, we recognized an $8.1 million net loss on the contracts, which includes $14.5 million in gains realized on settled contracts and $22.6 million in unrealized losses for mark-to-market adjustments on unsettled contracts. The net losses on these contracts are included as a separate line item under other income (expense), as they relate to forecasted future shipments, as opposed to sales that have already taken place but are subject to final pricing. The losses recognized during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 are the result of increasing lead and zinc prices during the end of September 2012. This program is designed to mitigate the impact of potential future declines in lead and zinc prices from the price levels established in the contracts (see average price information below).
As further discussed in Note 6, production at the Lucky Friday mine is temporarily suspended due to the requirement to remove material from the Silver Shaft. As a result, during the first quarter of 2012, we liquidated forward contracts related to previously forecasted Lucky Friday base metal sales for total net proceeds of $3.1 million.
The following tables summarize the quantities of base metals committed under forward sales contracts at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

September 30, 2012 |  | Metric tonnes under contract |  |  | Average price per pound |
|  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |  |  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |
Contracts on provisional sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | 8,525 |  |  |  | 3,400 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |  |  | $ | 0.96 |
2013 settlements |  |  | 2,200 |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 0.97 |  |  |  | N/A |
Contracts on forecasted sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | — |  |  |  | 600 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  | $ | 1.12 |
2013 settlements |  |  | 10,250 |  |  |  | 16,850 |  |  | $ | 1.06 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |

December 31, 2011 |  | Metric tonnes under contract |  |  | Average price per pound |
|  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |  |  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |
Contracts on provisional sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | 9,600 |  |  |  | 2,600 |  |  | $ | 0.86 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |
Contracts on forecasted sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | 20,500 |  |  |  | 15,900 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |
2013 settlements |  |  | 8,275 |  |  |  | 11,150 |  |  | $ | 1.14 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |

Our concentrate sales are based on a provisional sales price containing an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of the concentrates at the forward price at the time of the sale. The embedded derivative, which does not qualify for hedge accounting, is adjusted to market through earnings each period prior to final settlement.
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Note 12. Fair Value Measurement
The table below sets forth our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level that we have determined applies to each asset and liability category (in thousands).

Description |  | Balance at September 30, 2012 |  |  | Balance at December 31, 2011 |  | Input Hierarchy Level
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds and other bank deposits |  | $ | 232,194 |  |  | $ | 266,463 |  | Level 1
Available for sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities – mining industry |  |  | 9,023 |  |  |  | 3,923 |  | Level 1
Trade accounts receivable: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Receivables from provisional concentrate sales |  |  | 21,991 |  |  |  | 10,996 |  | Level 2
Restricted cash balances: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Certificates of deposit and other bank deposits |  |  | 866 |  |  |  | 866 |  | Level 1
Derivative contracts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Base metal forward contracts |  |  | 8,167 |  |  |  | 32,750 |  | Level 2
Total assets |  | $ | 272,241 |  |  | $ | 314,998 |  |

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Current and non-current restricted cash balances consist primarily of certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury securities and are valued at cost, adjusted for interest income earned, which approximates fair value.
Our non-current investments consist of marketable equity securities which are valued using quoted market prices for each security.
Trade accounts receivable include amounts due to us for shipments of concentrates and doré sold to smelters and refiners. Revenues and the corresponding accounts receivable for sales of metals products are recorded when title and risk of loss transfer to the customer (generally at the time of loading on truck or ship). Sales of concentrates are recorded using estimated forward prices for the anticipated month of settlement applied to our estimate of payable metal quantities contained in each shipment. Sales are recorded net of estimated treatment and refining charges, which are also impacted by changes in metals prices and quantities of contained metals. We estimate the forward prices at which sales of our concentrates will be settled due to the time elapsed between shipment and final settlement with the smelter. Receivables for previously recorded concentrate sales are adjusted to reflect estimated forward metals prices at the end of each period until final settlement by the smelter. We obtain the forward metals prices used each period from a pricing service. Changes in metal prices between shipment and final settlement result in changes to revenues previously recorded upon shipment. The embedded derivative contained in our concentrate sales is adjusted to fair market value through earnings each period prior to final settlement.
We use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure of changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments that have not reached final settlement. We also use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure of changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments (see Note 11 for more information). These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, and are marked-to-market through earnings each period. The fair value of each contract represents the present value of the difference between the forward metal price for the contract settlement period as of the measurement date and the contract settlement metal price.
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Note 13. Asset Retirement Obligations
Below is a reconciliation as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands) of the asset retirement obligations ("ARO") relating to our operating properties. These ARO balances are included in our total accrued reclamation and closure costs of $148.1 million and $153.8 million, respectively. Our accrued reclamation and closure cost balances include AROs and estimated liabilities for settlement obligations and contingencies for environmental matters and reclamation costs at idle properties. Our ARO balances represent the present value of estimated future costs of reclamation and closure activities at our operating properties. The estimated reclamation and closure costs were discounted using credit adjusted, risk-free interest rates ranging from 4% to 7% from the time we incurred the obligation to the time we expect to pay the retirement obligation.

|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Balance, January 1 |  | $ | 37,643 |  |  | $ | 36,397 |
Changes in obligations due to changes in reclamation plans |  |  | — |  |  |  | 387 |
Accretion expense |  |  | 842 |  |  |  | 1,119 |
Payment of reclamation obligations |  |  | (266 | ) |  |  | (260 | )
Balance, end of period |  | $ | 38,219 |  |  | $ | 37,643 |

The ARO for our Greens Creek mine of $36.9 million as of September 30, 2012 reflects a plan for reclamation and closure of the mine at the end of its life having estimated undiscounted costs of approximately $53.4 million. In April 2012, the United States Forest Service issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement in connection with our proposal to increase tailings capacity at the Greens Creek mine. As part of that process and our regular (every 5 years) renewal of our Waste Management Permit with the State of Alaska, it is likely that we will be required to update our reclamation and closure plan. Preliminary updating work initiated in July 2012 has indicated that closure costs may be significantly higher than previously estimated. The expected increase in closure costs results from the possible inclusion of long term water treatment on an increased scale than was included as part of our prior permit renewals. This increase in scale is the result of new interpretations of model data by the State that were not included in our prior permit renewals. Development of the revised closure plan has not been completed, and we currently do not have sufficient information to make a reasonable estimate of the change in the fair value of the ARO. However, we anticipate that an increase in the ARO for Greens Creek will be required by the fourth quarter of 2012 upon completion of the revised closure plan in connection with the permit renewal. In addition, we expect to further increase our ARO and revise our closure plan for tailings capacity expansion in 2013. Increases to the ARO liability would be recorded with corresponding increases to the ARO asset balance, which is included in properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests, net on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As a result, we do not anticipate the increase in the ARO for Greens Creek to have a material impact on our annual results of operations. However, as part of the revised closure plan, we may be required to increase our current $30 million reclamation bond for Greens Creek. Although we do not know the amount of such increase, it likely will be a material amount, and there can be no assurance that this bonding capacity will be available to us at that time.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q, including in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk, are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our forward-looking statements include our current expectations and projections about future results, performance, results of litigation, prospects and opportunities, including reserves and other mineralization. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “feel,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, our forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Part I, Item 1A – Business – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and under Part II – Other Information, Item 1A. Risk Factors in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Hecla Mining Company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Overview
Hecla Mining Company and its subsidiaries have provided precious and base metals to the U.S. economy and worldwide since 1891. We discover, acquire, develop, and produce silver, gold, lead and zinc. In doing so, we intend to manage our business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner.
We produce lead, zinc and bulk concentrates, which we market to custom smelters, and unrefined gold and silver bullion bars (doré), which may be sold or further refined before sale to precious metals traders. We are organized and managed in two segments that encompass our operating units: the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units. The map below shows the locations of our operating units and our exploration projects, as well as our corporate offices located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Our current business strategy is to focus our financial and human resources in the following areas:

| • | operating our properties safely, in an environmentally responsible manner, and cost-effectively;

| • | recommencing operations and construction during the first quarter of 2013 at our Lucky Friday unit in light of the temporary interruption to most operations at the mine in December 2011 (see the Lucky Friday Segment section below for more information);

| • | expanding our reserves and production capacity at our operating properties;

| • | maintaining and investing in exploration and pre-development projects in the vicinities of four mining districts we believe to be under-explored and under-invested: North Idaho's Silver Valley in the historic Coeur d'Alene Mining District; our Greens Creek unit on Alaska's Admiralty Island located near Juneau; the silver-producing district near Durango, Mexico; and the Creede district of Southwestern Colorado; and

| • | continuing to seek opportunities to acquire and invest in mining properties and companies. Examples are our acquisition of the Monte Cristo property in Nevada and investment in common shares of the Dolly Varden Silver Corporation in the third quarter of 2012.

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A number of key factors may impact the execution of our strategy, including regulatory issues, rehabilitation of the Lucky Friday mine, and metals prices. Metals prices are very volatile. As discussed in the Critical Accounting Estimates section below, metals prices are influenced by a number of factors beyond our control. Average market prices of silver, lead, and zinc in the first nine months of 2012 were lower than their levels from the comparable period last year, while average prices for gold were higher, as illustrated by the table in Results of Operations below. We believe current global economic and industrial trends could result in continued demand growth for the metals we produce. However, prices have been volatile over the last five years and there can be no assurance that current prices will continue.
As discussed in the Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources section below, we believe our cash, cash equivalents, investments, projected cash from operations, and availability of financing, if needed, will be adequate to meet our obligations during the next twelve months, including obligations relating to growth opportunities. One such opportunity is the scheduled recommencement of construction of an internal shaft at the Lucky Friday mine (“#4 Shaft”), which, we believe, should significantly increase production and extend the life of the mine. The #4 Shaft project involves significant additional capital costs during the periods leading up to its expected completion date in early 2016. As discussed in the Lucky Friday Segment section below, the requirement to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft temporarily suspended work on the #4 Shaft project.
Although we strive to manage our activities in an environmentally responsible manner, another challenge that we face is the risk associated with environmental matters and ongoing reclamation activities. As described in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in this Form 10-Q, it is possible that our estimate of these liabilities (and our ability to estimate liabilities in general) may change in the future, affecting our strategic plans. In 2011, we finalized the terms of settlement with the plaintiffs in the Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation, which reduced the uncertainty regarding our liability and liquidity needs relating to what we believed to be our most significant environmental matter. However, we are involved in other environmental (and non-environmental) legal matters, and there can be no assurance that the estimate of our liabilities, liquidity needs, or strategic plans will not be significantly impacted as a result of these matters or new matters that may arise.
We strive to achieve excellent mine safety and health performance. We seek to implement this goal by: training employees in safe work practices; openly communicating with employees; establishing, following and improving safety standards; investigating accidents, incidents and losses to avoid recurrence; involving employees in the establishment of safety standards; and participating in the National Mining Association's CORESafety program. We attempt to implement reasonable best practices with respect to mine safety and emergency preparedness. In spite of these efforts, two fatal accidents, one involving a company employee, and one involving a contractor's employee, and another incident involving injury to seven employees, occurred at our Lucky Friday mine during 2011. As previously disclosed, at the end of 2011, following a rock burst which occurred in the 5900 level of the mine, MSHA began a special impact inspection at the Lucky Friday mine. This MSHA inspection resulted in an order to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft, the primary access way from surface at the Lucky Friday mine. Underground access is limited until the Silver Shaft work is completed, and, as a result, we anticipate that production will be suspended at the Lucky Friday mine until early 2013. However, the timing of completion of the Silver Shaft work and resumption of production at the Lucky Friday mine may ultimately vary from our current estimates. See the Lucky Friday Segment section below for more information. We continue to evaluate our safety practices and work with MSHA to address issues outlined in the investigations of the 2011 incidents.
Results of Operations
For the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, we recorded a loss applicable to common shareholders of $1.0 million ($0.00 per basic common share) and income applicable to common shareholders of $13.8 million ($0.05 per basic common share), compared to income applicable to common shareholders of $55.8 million ($0.20 per basic common share) and $132.2 million ($0.47 per basic common share) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively. The following factors led to the results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011:

| • | Decreased gross profit at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, combined, of $2.6 million and $27.9 million, respectively, for the third quarter of 2012, and by $37.1 million and $68.6 million, respectively, for the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011. See The Greens Creek Segment and The Lucky Friday Segment sections below.

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| • | $6.1 million in suspension-related costs at our Lucky Friday unit, including $1.5 million in depreciation, depletion, and amortization for the third quarter of 2012, and $18.7 million in suspension-related costs, including $4.6 million in depreciation, depletion, and amortization for the first nine months of 2012. See The Lucky Friday Segment section for more information on the temporary suspension of production.

| • | Losses of $9.1 million and $8.1 million, respectively, on base metal derivative contracts for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, compared to gains of $40.4 million and $38.9 million for the corresponding 2011 periods. The losses in 2012 resulted from rising base metals prices, while prices fell in such periods of 2011. These gains and losses are related to financially-settled forward contracts on forecasted zinc and lead production as part of a risk management program. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Commodity-Price Risk Management for more information on our derivatives contracts.

| • | Exploration and pre-development expense increased to $17.1 million in the third quarter of 2012 from $11.6 million in the same period in 2011 and to $36.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 from $20.8 million in the same period in 2011, as we continue extensive exploration work at our Greens Creek unit in Alaska, on our land package near Durango, Mexico, at our San Juan Silver project in the Creede district of Colorado, and in North Idaho's Silver Valley near our Lucky Friday unit. Exploration expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 also included $0.6 million related to our bid to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of U.S. Silver Corporation, which we withdrew in August 2012. "Pre-development expense" is defined as costs incurred in the exploration stage that may ultimately benefit production, such as underground ramp development, which are expensed due to the lack of proven and probable reserves. We have advanced pre-development projects during the first nine months of 2012 at the Equity and Bulldog mines in the Creede district and at the Star mine in the Coeur d'Alene district which has given us access to historic workings and underground drill platforms at those sites.

| • | Decreased average silver, zinc and lead prices for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011. Average gold prices were lower for the three-month period and higher for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, compared to the same periods in 2011. These price variances are illustrated in the table below.

The following table illustrates average market and realized prices for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 and 2011:

|  |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Silver – | London PM Fix ($/ounce) |  | $ | 29.91 |  |  | $ | 38.79 |  |  | $ | 30.65 |  |  | $ | 36.21 |
| Realized price per ounce |  | $ | 35.00 |  |  | $ | 37.02 |  |  | $ | 33.27 |  |  | $ | 36.45 |
Gold – | London PM Fix ($/ounce) |  | $ | 1,655 |  |  | $ | 1,700 |  |  | $ | 1,652 |  |  | $ | 1,530 |
| Realized price per ounce |  | $ | 1,754 |  |  | $ | 1,799 |  |  | $ | 1,700 |  |  | $ | 1,578 |
Lead – | LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound) |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |  |  | $ | 0.91 |  |  | $ | 1.15 |
| Realized price per pound |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 1.01 |  |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 1.11 |
Zinc – | LME Final Cash Buyer ($/pound) |  | $ | 0.86 |  |  | $ | 1.01 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |  |  | $ | 1.04 |
| Realized price per pound |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 1.04 |  |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 1.05 |

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Concentrate sales are generally recorded as revenues at the time of shipment at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement, which differ from average spot market prices. Due to the time elapsed between shipment of concentrates and final settlement with the smelters, we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metal prices each period through final settlement. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, we recorded net positive adjustments to provisional settlements of $7.6 million and $11.4 million, respectively, compared to net negative price adjustments to provisional settlements of $9.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The price adjustments for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 included positive adjustments of $4.9 million and $7.5 million, respectively, related to silver and positive adjustments of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to gold. The price adjustments for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 included negative adjustments of $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, related to silver and positive adjustments of $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to gold. The price adjustments related to zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments were largely offset by gains and losses on forward contracts for those metals (see Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information). The gains and losses on these contracts are included in revenues and impact the realized prices for lead and zinc. We recognized overall net losses of $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, on the contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, and net gains on contracts of $6.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. Realized prices are calculated by dividing gross revenues for each metal by the payable quantities of each metal included in concentrate and doré shipped during the period. The differences between our realized metal prices and average market prices are due primarily to the aforementioned price adjustments resulting from the difference between metal prices upon transfer of title of concentrates to the buyer and metal prices at the time of final settlement and gains and losses on forward contracts (for lead and zinc), which are included in our revenues.
The factors above were partially offset by the following items impacting the results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011:

| • | Lower income tax provisions, which were $14,000 and $8.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, compared to the $27.3 million and $70.5 million income tax provisions recognized in the comparable 2011 periods. The lower current-year provisions are the result of decreased pre-tax income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. See Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

| • | Provision (credit) for closed operations and environmental matters decreased by $6.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods of 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, we recognized a $4.7 million increase in the accrual for reclamation work at the Grouse Creek site. In the third quarter of 2012, we recognized a $3.0 million insurance settlement receivable for claims related to the Coeur d'Alene Basin and other various sites. We anticipate the insurance settlement to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2012. We increased the accrual for estimated reclamation costs at the Johnny M site in New Mexico by $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 (See Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).

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The Greens Creek Segment
The following is a comparison of the operating results and key production statistics of our Greens Creek segment (dollars are in thousands, except for per ton and per ounce amounts):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Sales |  | $ | 81,871 |  |  | $ | 77,031 |  |  | $ | 239,794 |  |  | $ | 260,650 |
Cost of sales and other direct production costs |  |  | (32,961 | ) |  |  | (27,497 | ) |  |  | (99,423 | ) |  |  | (84,336 | )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  |  | (11,601 | ) |  |  | (9,592 | ) |  |  | (31,141 | ) |  |  | (29,981 | )
Gross profit |  | $ | 37,309 |  |  | $ | 39,942 |  |  | $ | 109,230 |  |  | $ | 146,333 |
Tons of ore milled |  |  | 210,802 |  |  |  | 200,961 |  |  |  | 573,750 |  |  |  | 580,211 |
Production: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver (ounces) |  |  | 1,619,110 |  |  |  | 1,350,609 |  |  |  | 4,312,907 |  |  |  | 4,507,727 |
Gold (ounces) |  |  | 14,024 |  |  |  | 14,217 |  |  |  | 39,933 |  |  |  | 43,073 |
Zinc (tons) |  |  | 16,649 |  |  |  | 17,318 |  |  |  | 48,665 |  |  |  | 49,913 |
Lead (tons) |  |  | 5,499 |  |  |  | 5,799 |  |  |  | 15,226 |  |  |  | 16,007 |
Payable metal quantities sold: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver (ounces) |  |  | 1,331,139 |  |  |  | 1,051,744 |  |  |  | 3,892,090 |  |  |  | 3,870,694 |
Gold (ounces) |  |  | 10,193 |  |  |  | 10,558 |  |  |  | 32,305 |  |  |  | 33,892 |
Zinc (tons) |  |  | 12,343 |  |  |  | 10,312 |  |  |  | 38,312 |  |  |  | 33,473 |
Lead (tons) |  |  | 3,990 |  |  |  | 4,000 |  |  |  | 11,788 |  |  |  | 12,023 |
Ore grades: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver ounces per ton |  |  | 10.56 |  |  |  | 9.64 |  |  |  | 10.37 |  |  |  | 10.85 |
Gold ounces per ton |  |  | 0.11 |  |  |  | 0.12 |  |  |  | 0.12 |  |  |  | 0.12 |
Zinc percent |  |  | 9.12 |  |  |  | 9.99 |  |  |  | 9.74 |  |  |  | 9.90 |
Lead percent |  |  | 3.40 |  |  |  | 3.74 |  |  |  | 3.49 |  |  |  | 3.58 |
Mining cost per ton |  | $ | 61.33 |  |  | $ | 49.86 |  |  | $ | 62.08 |  |  | $ | 48.80 |
Milling cost per ton |  | $ | 27.04 |  |  | $ | 33.58 |  |  | $ | 29.01 |  |  | $ | 31.11 |
Total cash cost per silver ounce (1) |  | $ | 3.52 |  |  | $ | (2.98 |  |  | $ | 2.34 |  |  | $ | (2.04 | )

| (1) | A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Costs of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).

The $2.6 million and $37.1 million decreases in gross profit during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, compared to the same 2011 periods were primarily the result of lower average prices for silver, zinc and lead. Average gold prices were also lower in the third quarter of 2012, but were higher for the first nine months of 2012, compared to the same periods in 2011. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2012 was also impacted by lower silver, zinc, and lead ore grades; however, silver grades were higher in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011. In addition, results for the first nine months of 2012 were impacted by lower gold recoveries in the first half of 2012 due to higher iron grade, resulting in increased iron rejection. Because gold tends to associate with pyrite, increased iron (pyrite) rejection tends to decrease gold recovery. Greens Creek also experienced lower zinc and lead recoveries during the third quarter of 2012 due to lower ore grades. Gross profit at Greens Creek was also impacted by positive price adjustments to revenues of $7.6 million and $11.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, compared to negative price adjustments of $8.5 million and $7.4 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively. Price adjustments to revenues result from changes in metals prices between transfer of title of concentrates to buyers and final settlements during the period. The impact of the positive price adjustments for the first nine months of 2012 was partially offset by a net loss of $1.9 million on forward contracts related to concentrates shipped during 2012 compared to a gain of $5.9 million in the same period in 2011 (see Note 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).
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Mining cost per ton increased 23% and milling cost per ton decreased by 19% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The higher mining costs were due primarily to increased use of contract miners at Greens Creek, which is more expensive than internal labor. Milling costs are down due to higher availability of hydroelectric power, which costs less than diesel-generated power. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, mining cost per ton increased by 27% and milling cost per ton decreased by 7% over the same periods in 2011 as a result of the same factors impacting costs for the third quarter of 2012, along with lower mine production in the first quarter of 2012, resulting in reduced mill throughput during that period. The higher mining cost per ton for the first nine months of 2012 was also attributable to increased maintenance costs during the first quarter of 2012.
The chart below illustrates the factors contributing to the variances in total cash costs per silver ounce for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 versus the same periods in 2011:
Mining and milling costs per ounce decreased in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 due to greater availability of hydroelectric power, decreased maintenance costs, and the effect of higher silver production on cost per ounce, in spite of the impact that increased use of contract miners had on mining costs for the period. Mining and milling costs per ounce increased over the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 due to increased use of contract miners, higher maintenance costs in the first half of 2012, and the effect of lower silver production on cost per ounce.
Other cash costs per ounce for the third quarter of 2012 were lower than those for the same period in 2011 due to the effect of higher silver production on cost per ounce and lower mine license tax, partially offset by higher labor costs. Other cash costs for the first nine months of 2012 exceeded those in the prior year due to higher labor and maintenance costs, partially offset by lower mine license tax.
Treatment costs were lower for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 than in 2011 as a result of lower concentrate production and lower lead, and zinc prices. Treatment costs include a price participation component that fluctuates with changes in base metal prices.
By-product credits were lower in the third quarter due to lower zinc, lead, and gold prices, lower lead and gold production due to lower grades for those metals, and the effect of higher silver production on cost per ounce. During the nine-month period, by-product credits were lower to due to lower zinc and lead prices, and lower lead and gold production due to lower grades.
The difference between what we report as “production” and “payable metal quantities sold” is due essentially to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually payable by our smelter customers according to the terms of the smelter contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules. The increases in payable quantities sold for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011 is due to the timing of concentrate shipments and reduced production during the 2012 periods.
26

While revenue from zinc, lead and gold by-products is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product of the Greens Creek unit is appropriate because:

| • | silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

| • | we have historically presented Greens Creek as a producer primarily of silver, based on the original analysis that justified putting the project into production, and believe that consistency in disclosure is important to our investors regardless of the relationships of metals prices and production from year to year;

| • | metallurgical treatment maximizes silver recovery;

| • | the Greens Creek deposit is a massive sulfide deposit containing an unusually high proportion of silver; and

| • | in most of its working areas, Greens Creek utilizes selective mining methods in which silver is the metal targeted for highest recovery.

We periodically review our revenues to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because we consider zinc, lead and gold to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs within our cost per ounce calculations.
The Asset Retirement Obligation ("ARO") for our Greens Creek mine of $36.9 million as of September 30, 2012 reflects a plan for reclamation and closure of the mine at the end of its life having estimated undiscounted costs of approximately $53.4 million. In April 2012, the United States Forest Service issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement in connection with our proposal to increase tailings capacity at the Greens Creek mine. As part of that process and our regular (every 5 years) renewal of our Waste Management Permit with the State of Alaska, it is likely that we will be required to update our reclamation and closure plan. Preliminary updating work begun in July 2012 has indicated that closure costs may be significantly higher than previously estimated. The expected increase in closure costs results from the possible inclusion of long term water treatment on an increased scale than was included as part of our prior permit renewals. This increase in scale is the result of new interpretations of model data by the State that were not included in our prior permit renewals. Development of the revised closure plan has not been completed, and we currently do not have sufficient information to make a reasonable estimate of the change in the fair value of the ARO. However, we anticipate that an increase in the ARO for Greens Creek will be required by the fourth quarter of 2012 upon completion of the revised closure plan in connection with the permit renewal. In addition, we expect to further increase our ARO and revise our closure plan for tailings capacity expansion in 2013. Increases to the ARO liability would be recorded with corresponding increases to the ARO asset balance, which is included in properties, plants, equipment, and mineral interests, net on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As a result, we do not anticipate the increase in the ARO for Greens Creek to have a material impact on our annual results of operations. However, as part of the revised closure plan, we may be required to increase our current $30 million reclamation bond for Greens Creek. Although we do not know the amount of such increase, it likely will be a material amount, and there can be no assurance that this bonding capacity will be available to us at that time.
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The Lucky Friday Segment
The following is a comparison of the operating results and key production statistics of our Lucky Friday segment (dollars are in thousands, except for per ton and per ounce amounts):

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Sales |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 43,512 |  |  | $ | 249 |  |  | $ | 114,117 |
Cost of sales and other direct production costs |  |  | — |  |  |  | (14,142 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (40,696 | )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  |  | — |  |  |  | (1,507 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (4,583 | )
Gross profit |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 27,863 |  |  | $ | 249 |  |  | $ | 68,838 |
Tons of ore milled |  |  | — |  |  |  | 84,531 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 249,034 |
Production: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver (ounces) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 936,652 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,484,725 |
Lead (tons) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,427 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 14,949 |
Zinc (tons) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,999 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6,058 |
Payable metal quantities sold: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver (ounces) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 902,376 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,325,575 |
Lead (tons) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,218 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 13,981 |
Zinc (tons) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,493 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,514 |
Ore grades: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Silver ounces per ton |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11.74 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 10.68 |
Lead percent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6.84 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6.46 |
Zinc percent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2.74 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2.81 |
Mining cost per ton |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 58.54 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 59.39 |
Milling cost per ton |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 16.26 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 16.20 |
Total cash cost per silver ounce (1) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5.94 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5.82 |

| (1) | A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, the most comparable GAAP measure, can be found below in Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Costs of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP).

The $27.9 million and $68.6 million decreases in gross profit for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011 resulted from the suspension of production at the Lucky Friday mine during 2012. At the end of 2011, MSHA began a special impact inspection at the Lucky Friday mine which resulted in an order to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft. The Silver Shaft is an approximately one-mile deep, 18-foot diameter, concrete-lined shaft from surface. It is the primary access to the Lucky Friday mine's underground workings. In response to the MSHA order, we submitted a plan to MSHA and received approval to remove the loose cementitious material, and that work commenced in the first quarter of 2012. The plan also includes removal of unused utilities, construction of a water ring to prevent ice from forming in the winter, the installation of a metal brattice, repair of shaft steel, and installation of a new power cable, all of which should improve the shaft's functionality and possibly improve the shaft's hoisting capacity. The Silver Shaft rehabilitation work is progressing according to plan. All surface work required for the project has been completed, and shaft restoration work has reached the 5700 foot level as of early November. We currently anticipate that the work on the 6,100 foot Silver Shaft will be completed in late 2012, with production at the Lucky Friday estimated to recommence in early 2013. During the suspension of production, the smelter contracts related to treatment of Lucky Friday concentrates have been suspended based on force majeure. Once the Silver Shaft rehabilitation work was completed down to the 4900 level, we commenced construction of a haulage way bypass around an area impacted by a rock burst in December 2011. Completion of work on the Silver Shaft to the 4900 level has also enabled planning and other preliminary work to resume on the #4 Shaft project (discussed below). We believe that we will be able to resume sinking of #4 Shaft in early 2013, once the Silver Shaft work is completed. However, the timing of completion of the Silver Shaft work and resumption of production and the sinking of #4 Shaft at the Lucky Friday mine may ultimately vary from our current estimates. Care and maintenance costs incurred at the Lucky Friday during the suspension of production totaled $18.7 million, including $4.6 million in depreciation, depletion, and amortization, for the first nine months of 2012. These costs are included in a separate line item under Other operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited).
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The $0.2 million in sales recognized in the first nine months of 2012 represents provisional price adjustments on prior-period concentrate shipments that were subject to changes in metals prices during the first quarter of 2012 until their final settlement.
Similar to the Greens Creek segment, the difference between what we report as “production” and “payable metal quantities sold” is due essentially to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the concentrates we produce versus the portion of those metals actually payable by our smelter customers according to the terms of the smelter contracts.
While revenue from lead and zinc is significant, we believe that identification of silver as the primary product of the Lucky Friday unit is appropriate because:

| • | silver has historically accounted for a higher proportion of revenue than any other metal and is expected to do so in the future;

| • | the Lucky Friday unit is situated in a mining district long associated with silver production; and

| • | the Lucky Friday unit generally utilizes selective mining methods to target silver production.

We periodically review our revenues to ensure that reporting of primary products and by-products is appropriate. Because we consider lead and zinc to be by-products of our silver production, the values of these metals offset operating costs within our cost per ounce calculations.
The #4 Shaft project, an internal shaft at the Lucky Friday mine, will, upon its completion, provide deeper access in order to expand the mine's operational life. We commenced engineering and construction activities on #4 Shaft in late 2008, and our Board of Directors gave its final approval of the project in August 2011. Construction of the #4 Shaft as currently designed is expected to cost approximately $200 million, including approximately $90 million already spent as of September 30, 2012, with completion expected in early 2016. As discussed above, the #4 Shaft sinking activities have been temporarily suspended until cleanup work in the Silver Shaft is completed. Once construction of #4 Shaft resumes, we believe that our current capital resources will allow us to complete the project. However, there are a number of factors that could affect completion of the project, including: (i) a significant decline in metals prices, (ii) a reduction in available cash or credit, whether arising from decreased cash flow or other uses of available cash, or (iii) a significant increase in operating or capital costs.
Many of the employees at our Lucky Friday unit are represented by a union. The collective bargaining agreement with the union expires on April 30, 2016. As a result of the requirement to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft, which limited underground access and temporarily suspended production at the Lucky Friday, Hecla Limited laid off 121 employees in January 2012, with approximately 25 of those employees accepting temporary positions at other Hecla operations. Recall of some of the laid off employees to the Lucky Friday was initiated July 2012, with 81 employees returning thus far. We anticipate that employment at the Lucky Friday will return to its level prior to the suspension of production as the Silver Shaft work is completed. In March 2012, Hecla Limited received notice of a complaint filed against it by the United Steel Workers, Local 5114, with the Federal Mine Safety Health Review Commission for compensation for bargaining unit workers at the Lucky Friday mine idled as a result of the previously-announced, temporary shutdown of the mine (see the Other Contingencies section of Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).
Corporate Matters
Other significant variances affecting our net income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 were as follows:

| • | Higher general and administrative expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 by $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which was primarily the result of an increase in workforce costs.

| • | Exploration expense increased by $1.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011 due to continued extensive exploration work at our San Juan Silver project in southwestern Colorado, our Greens Creek unit in Alaska, and on our San Sebastian project in Mexico. Exploration expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 also included $0.6 million related to our bid to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of U.S. Silver Corporation, which we withdrew in August 2012.

| • | Pre-development expense increased $3.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods in 2011 as a result of advancing our pre-development projects at the historic Equity and Bulldog mines in Creede, Colorado, the Star mine in Idaho's Silver Valley, and at our San Sebastian project in Mexico.

29

| • | Provision (credit) for closed operations and environmental matters decreased by $6.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same 2011 periods. In the third quarter of 2011, we recognized a $4.7 million increase in the accrual for reclamation work at the Grouse Creek site. In addition, in the third quarter of 2012, we recognized a $3.0 million insurance settlement receivable for claims related to the Coeur d'Alene Basin and other various sites. We anticipate the insurance settlement to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2012. We increased the accrual for estimated reclamation costs at the Johnny M site in New Mexico by $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 (See Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).

| • | Interest expense decreased in the first nine months of 2012 by $0.8 million, compared to the same period in 2011 as a result of the pre-lodging interest that was recorded in the 2011 period related to the Coeur d'Alene Basin litigation settlement. The Consent Decree was lodged in June 2011 and became effective September 8, 2011.

| • | Mark-to-market losses on base metals forward sales contracts for forecasted sales totaled $9.1 million and $8.1 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, compared to gains of $40.4 million and $38.9 million, in the same periods of 2011, as a result of decreased base metal prices. These gains and losses are reported as a separate line item under Other income (expense) on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited).

| • | Income tax provisions totaled $14,000 and $8.0 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively, compared to $27.3 million and $70.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. The lower current-year provisions are the result of decreased pre-tax income in the first nine months of 2012. See Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information.

Employee Benefit Plans
Our two defined benefit pension plans, while affording a significant benefit to our employees, also represent a significant liability. The liability recorded for the funded status of our plans was $26.2 million and $22.8 million, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. We expect to contribute a total of $2.0 million towards this liability during 2012, including $1.1 million in contributions made as of September 30, 2012. While the economic variables which will determine future cash requirements are uncertain, we expect contributions to increase in future years. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Income Taxes
Our net deferred tax asset at September 30, 2012 totaled $117.9 million, or 8% of total assets, an increase of $1.9 million from the $115.8 million net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2011. The largest component of the deferred tax asset derives from the tax effect of past net operating losses carried forward to be applied against current income to determine cash income tax liability. The next largest component is deferred reclamation, of which the majority will be realized in the next two years, assuming adequate taxable income. Each reporting period we assess our deferred tax assets with operating performance and long-range forecasts to provide reasonable assurance that they will be realized through deferred tax liabilities and future earnings. At September 30, 2012, with the exception of $0.3 million relating to net operating loss carry forwards for states where we currently have no activity and $2.5 million for foreign tax credits, we retained no valuation allowance on U.S. deferred tax assets. A $22.8 million valuation allowance remains on losses in foreign jurisdictions. We currently expect the effective tax rate for 2012 to be approximately 40%, with the increase from approximately 35% in 2011 attributable to the loss of percentage depletion related to the Lucky Friday mine as a result of the temporary suspension of production at the mine. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the tax provision represents a 36% effective tax rate as a result of a discrete benefit from amended state returns filed in the first quarter of 2012.
Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs (non-GAAP) to Cost of Sales and Other Direct Production Costs and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (GAAP)
The tables below present reconciliations between the non-GAAP measure of total cash costs to the GAAP measure of cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our operations at the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except costs per ounce).
30

Total cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties, and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit (silver). Total cash costs provide management and investors an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the realized price received for production sold. Management also uses this measurement for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. “Total cash cost per ounce” is a measure developed by mining companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard, however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of this non-GAAP measure is similar to that reported by other mining companies.
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization, is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs. The sum of the cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our operating units in the tables below is presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (in thousands).

|  | Total, All Properties |
|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Total cash costs (1) |  | $ | 5,701 |  |  | $ | 1,533 |  |  | $ | 10,087 |  |  | $ | 5,257 |
Divided by ounces produced |  |  | 1,619 |  |  |  | 2,288 |  |  |  | 4,313 |  |  |  | 6,993 |
Total cash cost per ounce produced |  | $ | 3.52 |  |  | $ | 0.67 |  |  | $ | 2.34 |  |  | $ | 0.75 |
Reconciliation to GAAP: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total cash costs |  | $ | 5,701 |  |  | $ | 1,533 |  |  | $ | 10,087 |  |  | $ | 5,257 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  |  | 11,601 |  |  |  | 11,099 |  |  |  | 31,141 |  |  |  | 34,565 |
Treatment costs |  |  | (18,351 | ) |  |  | (26,078 | ) |  |  | (52,210 | ) |  |  | (76,261 | )
By-product credits |  |  | 47,778 |  |  |  | 69,400 |  |  |  | 139,483 |  |  |  | 200,842 |
Change in product inventory |  |  | (1,944 | ) |  |  | (3,010 | ) |  |  | 1,962 |  |  |  | (5,641 | )
Reclamation and other costs |  |  | (223 | ) |  |  | (206 | ) |  |  | 101 |  |  |  | 836 |
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) |  | $ | 44,562 |  |  | $ | 52,738 |  |  | $ | 130,564 |  |  | $ | 159,598 |

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|  | Greens Creek Unit |
|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Total cash costs (1) |  | $ | 5,701 |  |  | $ | (4,029 | ) |  | $ | 10,087 |  |  | $ | (9,216 | )
Divided by ounces produced |  |  | 1,619 |  |  |  | 1,351 |  |  |  | 4,313 |  |  |  | 4,508 |
Total cash cost per ounce produced |  | $ | 3.52 |  |  | $ | (2.98 | ) |  | $ | 2.34 |  |  | $ | (2.04 | )
Reconciliation to GAAP: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total cash costs |  | $ | 5,701 |  |  | $ | (4,029 | ) |  | $ | 10,087 |  |  | $ | (9,216 | )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  |  | 11,601 |  |  |  | 9,592 |  |  |  | 31,141 |  |  |  | 29,981 |
Treatment costs |  |  | (18,351 | ) |  |  | (20,187 | ) |  |  | (52,210 | ) |  |  | (59,522 | )
By-product credits |  |  | 47,778 |  |  |  | 55,522 |  |  |  | 139,483 |  |  |  | 159,586 |
Change in product inventory |  |  | (1,944 | ) |  |  | (3,346 | ) |  |  | 1,962 |  |  |  | (5,686 | )
Reclamation and other costs |  |  | (223 | ) |  |  | (463 | ) |  |  | 101 |  |  |  | (826 | )
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) |  | $ | 44,562 |  |  | $ | 37,089 |  |  | $ | 130,564 |  |  | $ | 114,317 |

|  | Lucky Friday Unit (2) |
|  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Total cash costs (1) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,562 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,473 |
Divided by silver ounces produced |  |  | — |  |  |  | 937 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,485 |
Total cash cost per ounce produced |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5.94 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5.82 |
Reconciliation to GAAP: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total cash costs |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,562 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,473 |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,507 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,584 |
Treatment costs |  |  | — |  |  |  | (5,891 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (16,739 | )
By-product credits |  |  | — |  |  |  | 13,878 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 41,256 |
Change in product inventory |  |  | — |  |  |  | 336 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 45 |
Reclamation and other costs |  |  | — |  |  |  | 257 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,662 |
Cost of sales and other direct production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 15,649 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 45,281 |

| (1) | Includes all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit.

| (2) | Production has been temporarily suspended at the Lucky Friday unit as work is performed to rehabilitate the Silver Shaft, the primary access from surface to the underground workings at the Lucky Friday mine. See the Lucky Friday Segment section above for further discussion of the Silver Shaft work and temporary suspension of operations. Care and maintenance costs incurred at the Lucky Friday during the suspension of production are included in a separate line item under Other operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited), and have been excluded from the calculation of total cash costs for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2012.

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Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquid assets include (in millions):

|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | December 31, 2011 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 232.2 |  |  | $ | 266.5 |
Marketable equity securities - non-current |  |  | 9.0 |  |  |  | 3.9 |
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments |  | $ | 241.2 |  |  | $ | 270.4 |

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $34.3 million in the first nine months of 2012, as discussed below, while the value of non-current marketable equity securities increased by $5.1 million. The increase in value of our marketable securities is due to the acquisition of investments for $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, which had a fair value of approximately $6.0 million at September 30, 2012, partially offset by net unrealized losses on other securities held.
In 2011, we settled Hecla Limited's Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation and related claims pursuant to a Consent Decree entered by the Court on September 8, 2011. A payment of $25 million and related interest was made in early October 2012 pursuant to the terms of the Consent Decree. Hecla Limited remains obligated under the Consent Decree to make the following payments:

| • | $15 million of cash by October 8, 2013; and

| • | Approximately $55.5 million by August 2014, in the form of quarterly payments of the proceeds from the exercise of any outstanding Series 1 and Series 3 warrants (which have an exercise price of between $2.42 and $2.53 per share) during the quarter, with the remaining balance, if any, due in August 2014, regardless of whether any of the remaining warrants are exercised.

The payments require third party surety for which Hecla Limited pays an annual maintenance fee which will decrease as payments are made according to the foregoing schedule. Annual maintenance fees of $0.6 million and $0.4 million were paid in October 2011 and 2012, respectively. The $15 million payment accrues interest from the entry of the Consent Decree until payment at the Superfund rate (ranging from 0.69% to 0.78%).
As a result of our current cash balance, the performance of our operations, current metals prices, and full availability of our $150 million revolving credit agreement, we believe our cash, cash equivalents, investments, projected cash from operations, and availability of financing if needed will be adequate to meet our obligations during the next 12 months, including the required settlement payments previously discussed, anticipated capital costs related to rehabilitation of the Silver Shaft and care-and-maintenance costs incurred at Lucky Friday as that work is completed, capital outlays for the #4 Shaft project, potential repurchases of our common stock, and payment of potential common stock dividends, if declared by our Board of Directors. We currently estimate that a total of approximately $137 million will be spent on capital expenditures for equipment, infrastructure, and development at our Lucky Friday and Greens Creek units in 2012, including capital costs for anticipated work on the Lucky Friday Silver Shaft, as discussed further below. We also estimate that exploration and pre-development expenditures will total approximately $54 million in 2012; however, these expenditures may change based upon the success of programs that are currently ongoing.
The #4 Shaft project, which is discussed further in the Lucky Friday Segment section above, is expected to involve capital expenditures of approximately $200 million, including approximately $90 million that has been spent on the project as of September 30, 2012. Our ability to finance this project will depend on our operational performance, metals prices, our ability to estimate capital costs, sources of liquidity available to us, and other factors. #4 Shaft sinking activities have been temporarily suspended until work on the Silver Shaft is completed. Once #4 Shaft sinking resumes, we believe that our available cash, revolving credit agreement, cash from operations, and access to equity and financial markets will allow us to proceed with the #4 Shaft despite the required payments under the Consent Decree which settled the Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation and other obligations. We may also mitigate market risk from time to time with selective base metal derivative contract programs. However, a sustained downturn in metals prices or significant increases in operational or capital costs, other uses of cash, or other factors beyond our control could compel us to defer development below 7800 feet.
As discussed further in the Lucky Friday Segment section above, work to rehabilitate the Silver Shaft commenced in the first quarter of 2012 and has continued since that time. In addition to work on the Silver Shaft, other significant surface and underground capital programs have been planned for and undertaken in 2012. We expect to spend up to $62 million on all of these projects, including approximately $29 million to remove loose cementitious material from the Silver Shaft and other shaft improvements and $33 million on other capital projects. We expect to incur non-capitalized expenses of approximately $25 million for the care and maintenance of the mine, based on the assumption that the mine will be on standby for the remainder of 2012 as this work is completed. We believe that our available cash and other financial resources will allow us to complete the Silver Shaft work and sustain temporary care-and-maintenance of the Lucky Friday mine until production resumes, which we currently anticipate will be in early 2013.
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Pursuant to our common stock dividend policy described in Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), our Board of Directors have declared the following dividends:

Declaration date |  | (A) Silver-price- linked component per share |  | (B) Minimum annual component per share |  | (A+B) Total dividend per share |  | Total dividend amount (in millions) |  | Month of payment
February 17, 2012 |  | $0.01 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0125 |  | $3.6 |  | March 2012
May 8, 2012 |  | $0.02 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0225 |  | $6.4 |  | June 2012
August 7, 2012 |  | $— |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.7 |  | September 2012
November 2, 2012 |  | $0.02 |  | $0.0025 |  | $0.0225 |  | $6.4 |  | anticipated in December 2012

Because the average realized silver price for the second quarter of 2012 was $27.05 per ounce, below the minimum threshold of $30 according to the policy, no silver-price-linked component was declared or paid. In the third quarter of 2012, the average realized silver price was $35.00 per ounce. The declaration and payment of common stock dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors.
On May 8, 2012, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase up to 20 million shares of our outstanding common stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on prevailing market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by us at any time. As of September 30, 2012, 60,000 shares have been repurchased under the program during July 2012, at an average price of $4.89 per share, leaving 19.94 million shares that may yet be purchased under the program. The closing price of our common stock at November 2, 2012, was $6.49 per share.
As discussed in The Greens Creek Segment section above, during the fourth quarter of 2012 and first half of 2013, we anticipate that we will complete development of a revised plan for reclamation and closure of the Greens Creek mine at the end of its life. Although revision of the plan has not been completed, we believe that it will result in a significant increase in estimated closure costs, which will require us to provide increased bond coverage. The estimated closure plan as of September 30, 2012 of $53.4 million is covered by an unsecured bond requiring no restriction of cash balances. However, it is currently unknown whether, and to what extent, bonding for the revised plan will be secured by cash.

|  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |
Cash provided by operating activities (in millions) |  | $ | 66.5 |  |  | $ | 187.9 |

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2012 decreased by $121.5 million compared to the same period in 2011 primarily due to lower income, as adjusted for non-cash items. As discussed above, the lower income is primarily attributable to the suspension of production at the Lucky Friday mine during the 2012 period while rehabilitation work on the Silver Shaft is being performed. Working capital and other operating asset and liability changes resulted in a net cash flow decrease of $14.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 compared to a net increase in cash flows of $13.1 million in the 2011 period. The $27.5 million variance in working capital changes is mainly attributed to higher accounts receivable due to the timing of concentrate shipments at Greens Creek, reductions in accounts payable, accrued payroll and related benefits, and other accrued liabilities balances due primarily to the decreased activity at the Lucky Friday mine resulting from the temporary suspension of production at the mine, and lower accrued reclamation and closure costs and other non-current liabilities attributed mainly to increased reclamation costs incurred in the 2012 period. These variances were partially offset by a reduction in inventory balances due to the timing of shipments at Greens Creek and the temporary suspension of production at Lucky Friday and lower income tax payments resulting from decreased pre-tax income in 2012.

|  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |
Cash used in investing activities (in millions) |  | $ | (83.8 | ) |  | $ | (56.7 | )

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During the first nine months of 2012 we invested $81.3 million in capital expenditures, not including $9.1 million in non-cash capital lease additions, an increase of $16.9 million compared to the same period in 2011, due to an increase in capital spending at the Greens Creek unit, partially offset by reduced capital spending at the Lucky Friday unit primarily resulting from the temporary suspension of #4 Shaft project construction (discussed further above). In addition, we acquired the Monte Cristo property in Nevada for approximately $4.5 million in July 2012. Our restricted cash and investments decreased during the first nine months of 2011 by $9.4 million due to reduced reclamation bond collateral requirements, with no comparable change in our restricted balances in the first nine months of 2012. During the third quarter of 2012, we purchased marketable securities having a cost basis of $3.3 million. During the first quarter of 2011, we purchased marketable securities having a cost basis of $3.2 million, and sold investments having a cost of $0.8 million for proceeds of $1.4 million .

|  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 30, 2012 |  |  | September 30, 2011 |
Cash used in financing activities (in millions) |  | $ | (16.9 | ) |  | $ | (1.1 | )

Warrants to purchase approximately 1.9 million shares of our common stock were exercised in the first nine months of 2011, resulting in proceeds to us of approximately $4.6 million, with additional proceeds of $0.5 million from the exercise of options during the first nine months of 2011. No warrants or options were exercised during the first nine months of 2012. The remaining outstanding warrants at September 30, 2012 to purchase approximately 22.3 million shares of our common stock have exercise prices ranging from $2.42 to $2.53 per share and expire in 2014. Any future proceeds from the exercise of outstanding warrants will be paid to the Plaintiffs under the terms of the Consent Decree which settled the Basin litigation. See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information on our outstanding warrants.
During the first nine months of 2012, we paid cash dividends on our common stock totaling $10.7 million, pursuant to common stock dividend policy discussed above, and cash dividends of $0.4 million on our Series B Preferred Stock. We paid cash dividends totaling $3.3 million on our 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and $0.4 million on our Series B Preferred Stock in the first nine months of 2011. On January 1, 2011, all of the outstanding shares of our 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock were converted to shares of our common stock, and we paid the final quarterly dividend on that series of preferred stock in January 2011. We made repayments on our capital leases of $4.6 million and $2.0 million in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
The table below presents our fixed, non-cancelable contractual obligations and commitments primarily related to our litigation settlement, outstanding purchase orders, certain capital expenditures, our credit facility and lease arrangements as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands):

|  | Payments Due By Period |
|  | Less than 1 year |  |  | 1-3 years |  |  | 4-5 years |  |  | More than 5 years |  |  | Total |
Purchase obligation (1) |  | $ | 12,751 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 12,751 |
Commitment fees (2) |  |  | 1,238 |  |  |  | 2,270 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,508 |
Contractual obligations (3) |  |  | 11,352 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,352 |
Capital lease commitments (4) |  |  | 4,436 |  |  |  | 9,009 |  |  |  | 2,084 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,529 |
Operating lease commitments (5) |  |  | 2,235 |  |  |  | 2,877 |  |  |  | 1,198 |  |  |  | 253 |  |  |  | 6,563 |
Coeur d'Alene Basin litigation settlement (6) |  |  | 25,000 |  |  |  | 70,499 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 95,499 |
Surety maintenance fees (6) |  |  | 397 |  |  |  | 257 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 654 |
Supplemental executive retirement plan (7) |  |  | 332 |  |  |  | 678 |  |  |  | 723 |  |  |  | 2,294 |  |  |  | 4,027 |
Total contractual cash obligations |  | $ | 57,741 |  |  | $ | 85,590 |  |  | $ | 4,005 |  |  | $ | 2,547 |  |  | $ | 149,883 |

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| (1) | Consists of open purchase orders of approximately $11.2 million at the Greens Creek unit and $1.6 million at the Lucky Friday unit. Included in these amounts are approximately $10.7 million and $1.4 million related to various capital projects at the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, respectively.

| (2) | In October 2009, we entered into a $60 million revolving credit agreement, which was amended several times to increase it to $150 million. We are required to pay a standby fee, dependent on our leverage ratio, of between 0.825% and 1.05% per annum on undrawn amounts under the revolving credit agreement. There was no amount drawn under the revolving credit agreement as of September 30, 2012, and the amounts above assume no amounts will be drawn during the agreement’s term. For more information on our credit facility, see Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

| (3) | As of September 30, 2012, we were committed to approximately $1.0 million and $10.2 million for various capital projects at the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units, respectively, and $0.2 million for various non-capital items at Greens Creek.

| (4) | Includes scheduled capital lease payments of $13.4 million and $2.1 million (including interest), respectively, for equipment at our Greens Creek and Lucky Friday units. These leases have fixed payment terms and contain bargain purchase options at the end of the lease periods (see Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information).

| (5) | We enter into operating leases in the normal course of business. Substantially all lease agreements have fixed payment terms based on the passage of time. Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease or purchase the leased property. Our future operating lease obligations would change if we exercised these renewal options and if we entered into additional operating lease arrangements.

| (6) | On September 8, 2011, a Consent Decree settling the Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation and related claims was entered by the U.S. District Court in Idaho. As of September 30, 2012, our remaining obligation under the terms of the settlement include (i) $25 million in cash paid by us on October 5, 2012 (which payment was made), (ii) $15 million in cash by October 8, 2013, and (iii) approximately $55.5 million by August 2014, as quarterly payments of the proceeds from the exercise of any outstanding Series 1 and Series 3 warrants during the quarter, with the remaining balance, if any, due in August 2014. These payments are secured by a third party surety for which Hecla Limited pays an annual maintenance fee of 0.556% of the remaining obligation balance.

| (7) | We expect to contribute approximately $2.0 million to our pension plans in 2012, including contributions of $1.1 million made as of September 30, 2012. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for more information

We record liabilities for costs associated with mine closure, reclamation of land and other environmental matters. At September 30, 2012, our liabilities for these matters totaled $148.1 million, including $95.8 for the net present value of Hecla Limited's liability relating to the Coeur d'Alene River Basin in North Idaho. On September 8, 2011 a Consent Decree settling the Coeur d'Alene Basin environmental litigation and related claims was entered by the U.S. District Court in Idaho. See the Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources section above for more information on the financial terms of the settlement. Future expenditures related to closure, reclamation and environmental expenditures at our other sites are difficult to estimate, although we anticipate we will incur expenditures relating to these obligations over the next 30 years. See The Greens Creek Segment above for more information regarding our closure and reclamation obligations. For additional information relating to our environmental obligations, see Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 2012, we had no existing off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. As described in Note 1, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Our estimates are based on our experience and our interpretation of economic, political, regulatory, and other factors that affect our business prospects. Actual results may differ significantly from our estimates.
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We believe that our most critical accounting estimates are related to future metals prices; obligations for environmental, reclamation, and closure matters; mineral reserves; and accounting for business combinations, as they require us to make assumptions that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimates were made and changes in them are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented below. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed to be critical. However, changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.
Future Metals Prices
Metals prices are key components in estimates that determine the valuation of some of our significant assets and liabilities, including properties, plants and equipment, deferred tax assets, and certain accounts receivable. Metals prices are also an important component in the estimation of reserves. As shown under Item 1A. — Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, metals prices have historically been volatile. While average prices for all four metals we produce performed favorably for the five consecutive years prior to 2008, there was a reduction in the average prices for zinc and lead in 2008 compared to 2007, and average prices for silver, zinc and lead were lower in 2009 compared to 2008. Average prices for all four metals rebounded in 2010 and were higher than their levels in both 2009 and 2008, and average prices for all four metals were higher in 2011 compared to 2010. Gold, silver, zinc, and lead prices decreased in the third quarter of 2012 compared the same period in 2011.
Silver demand arises from investment demand, particularly in exchange-traded funds, industrial demand, and consumer demand. Investment demand for silver and gold has been relatively strong over the past three years and is influenced by various factors, including: the value of the U.S. Dollar and other currencies, expanding U.S. budget deficits, widening availability of exchange-traded commodity funds, interest rate levels, the health of credit markets, and inflationary expectations. Uncertainty towards a global economic recovery could result in continued investment demand for precious metals. Industrial demand for silver is closely linked to world Gross Domestic Product growth and industrial fabrication levels, as it is difficult to substitute for silver in industrial fabrication. Consumer demand is driven significantly by demand for jewelry and similar retail products. We believe that global economic conditions are improving, though slowly and unevenly, and that industrial and economic trends, including urbanization and growth of the middle class in countries such as China and India, will result in continued consumer and industrial demand growth for silver. However, there can be no assurance whether these trends will continue or to how they will impact prices of the metals we produce. In the past, we have recorded impairments to our asset carrying value because of low prices, and we can offer no assurance that prices will either remain at their current levels or increase.
Processes supporting valuation of our assets and liabilities that are most significantly affected by prices include analyses of asset carrying values, depreciation, reserves, and deferred income taxes. On at least an annual basis – and more frequently if circumstances warrant – we examine our depreciation rates, reserve estimates, and the valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets. We examine the carrying values of our assets as changes in facts and circumstances warrant. In our analyses of carrying values and deferred taxes, we apply several pricing views to our forecasting model, including current prices, analyst price estimates, forward-curve prices, and historical prices (see Mineral Reserves, below, regarding prices used for reserve estimates). Using applicable accounting guidance and our view of metals markets, we use the average of the various methods to determine whether the values of our assets are fairly stated, and to determine the level of valuation allowances, if any, on our deferred tax assets. In addition, estimates of future metals prices are used in the valuation of certain assets in the determination of the purchase price allocations for our acquisitions (see Business Combinations below).
Sales of all metals products sold directly to smelters are recorded as revenues when title and risk of loss transfer to the smelter (generally at the time of shipment) at estimated forward metals prices for the estimated month of settlement. Due to the time elapsed between the time of shipment to the smelter and final settlement with the smelter, we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales and trade accounts receivable are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement by the smelter. Changes in metals prices between shipment and final settlement result in changes to revenues and accounts receivable previously recorded upon shipment. As a result, our trade accounts receivable balances are subject to changes in metals prices until final settlement occurs. For more information, see part N. Revenue Recognition of Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
We utilize financially-settled forward contracts to manage our exposure to changes in prices for zinc and lead. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Commodity-Price Risk Management below for more information on our contract programs. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are therefore marked-to-market through earnings each period. Changes in zinc and lead prices between the dates that the contracts are entered into and their settlements will result in changes to the fair value asset or liability associated with the contracts, with a corresponding gain or loss recognized in earnings.
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Obligations for Environmental, Reclamation and Closure Matters
The most significant liability on our balance sheet is for accrued reclamation and closure costs. In the past we have conducted considerable remediation work at sites in the United States for which remediation requirements were not yet fully determined, nor had they been agreed to by us and various regulatory agencies with oversight over the properties. We have estimated our liabilities under appropriate accounting guidance, and on at least an annual basis – more frequently if warranted – management reviews our liabilities with our Audit Committee. However, the range of liability proposed by the plaintiffs in environmental proceedings in the past have considerably exceeded the liabilities we had recognized (and may do so in the future). While the recent settlement of the Basin litigation has resolved and fixed our largest and most significant environmental risk, other risks remain unresolved. If substantial damages were awarded, claims were settled, or remediation costs incurred in excess of our accruals, our financial results or condition could be materially adversely affected.
Mineral Reserves
Critical estimates are inherent in the process of determining our reserves. Our reserves are affected largely by our assessment of future metals prices, as well as by engineering and geological estimates of ore grade, accessibility and production cost. Metals prices are estimated at long-term averages, as described in Item 2. — Property Descriptions in our annual report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our assessment of reserves occurs at least annually, and periodically utilizes external audits.
Reserves are a key component in the valuation of our properties, plants and equipment. Reserve estimates are used in determining appropriate rates of units-of-production depreciation, with net book value of many assets depreciated over remaining estimated reserves. Reserves are also a key component in forecasts, with which we compare future cash flows to current asset values to ensure that carrying values are reported appropriately. Reserves also play a key role in the valuation of certain assets in the determination of the purchase price allocations for acquisitions (see Business Combinations below). Reserves are a culmination of many estimates and are not guarantees that we will recover the indicated quantities of metals or that we will do so at a profitable level.
Business Combinations
We are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at acquisition date. The valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to long-lived assets, including estimates of future metals prices and mineral reserves, as discussed above. In some cases, we use third-party appraisers to determine the fair values and lives of property and other identifiable assets.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The following discussion about our risk management activities includes forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties, as well as summarizes the financial instruments held by us at September 30, 2012, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates and commodity prices and are not held for trading purposes. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the normal course of business, we also face risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable (see Item 1A. – Risk Factors in our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011).
Commodity-Price Risk Management
At times, we may use commodity forward sales commitments, commodity swap contracts and commodity put and call option contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuation in the prices of certain metals which we produce. Contract positions are designed to ensure that we will receive a defined minimum price for certain quantities of our production, thereby partially offsetting our exposure to price fluctuations. These instruments do, however, expose us to (i) credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties for contracts in which the contract price exceeds the spot price of a commodity and (ii) price risk to the extent that the spot price exceeds the contract price for quantities of our production contained under contract positions.
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We use financially-settled forward contracts to sell lead and zinc at fixed prices for settlement at approximately the same time that our unsettled concentrate sales contracts will settle. The settlement of each concentrate lot is based on the average spot price of the metal during the month of settlement, which may differ from the prices used to record the sale when the sale takes place. The objective of the contracts is to manage the exposure to changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our concentrate shipments between the time of sale and final settlement. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and are marked-to-market through earnings each period. We recognized a $1.9 million net loss on the contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which is included in sales of products. The net losses recognized on the contracts offset price adjustments on our provisional concentrate sales related to changes to lead and zinc prices between the time of sale and final settlement.
We also use financially-settled forward contracts to manage the exposure of changes in prices of zinc and lead contained in our forecasted future concentrate shipments. These contracts also do not qualify for hedge accounting and are marked-to-market through earnings each period. We recognized a $8.1 million net loss on the contracts, net of $14.5 million in gains realized on settled contracts during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. The net losses on these contracts are included as a separate line item under other income (expense), as they relate to forecasted future shipments, as opposed to sales that have already taken place but are subject to final pricing. The losses recognized during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 are the result of increasing lead and zinc prices during the end of September 2012. This program is designed to mitigate the impact of potential future declines in lead and zinc prices from the price levels established in the contracts (see average price information below).
The following table summarizes the quantities of base metals committed under forward sales contracts at September 30, 2012:

|  | Metric tonnes under contract |  |  | Average price per pound |
|  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |  |  | Zinc |  |  | Lead |
Contracts on provisional sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | 8,525 |  |  |  | 3,400 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |  |  | $ | 0.96 |
2013 settlements |  |  | 2,200 |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 0.97 |  |  |  | N/A |
Contracts on forecasted sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2012 settlements |  |  | — |  |  |  | 600 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  | $ | 1.12 |
2013 settlements |  |  | 10,250 |  |  |  | 16,850 |  |  | $ | 1.06 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |

Provisional Sales
Sales of all metals products sold directly to smelters, including by-product metals, are recorded as revenues when title and risk of loss transfers to the smelter (generally at the time of shipment) at forward prices for the estimated month of settlement. Due to the time elapsed between shipment to the smelter and the final settlement with the smelter we must estimate the prices at which sales of our metals will be settled. Previously recorded sales are adjusted to estimated settlement metals prices until final settlement by the smelter. Changes in metals prices between shipment and final settlement will result in changes to revenues previously recorded upon shipment. Metals prices can and often do fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control (see Item 1A – Risk Factors – A substantial or extended decline in metals prices would have a material adverse effect on us in our annual reported filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for more information). At September 30, 2012, metals contained in concentrates and exposed to future price changes totaled approximately 1.3 million ounces of silver, 7,095 ounces of gold, 12,473 tons of zinc, and 3,980 tons of lead. If the price for each metal were to change by one percent, the change in the total value of the concentrates sold would be approximately $0.9 million. However, as noted in Commodity-Price Risk Management above, in April 2010 we initiated a program designed to mitigate the risk of negative price adjustments with limited mark-to-market financially-settled forward contracts for our zinc and lead sales.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as required by Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us is accumulated and communicated to our management (including our CEO and CFO), were effective as of September 30, 2012, in ensuring them in a timely manner that material information required to be disclosed in this report has been properly recorded, processed, summarized and reported. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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Internal control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even a system which is determined to be effective cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues have been detected or prevented. Our systems of internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Part II - Other Information
Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For information concerning legal proceedings, refer to Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A – Risk Factors of our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 set forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. Those risk factors continue to be relevant to an understanding of our business, financial condition and operating results.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report.
Item 6. Exhibits
See the exhibit index to this Form 10-Q for the list of exhibits.
Items 2, 3 and 5 of Part II are not applicable and are omitted from this report.
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Hecla Mining Company and Subsidiaries
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

|  | HECLA MINING COMPANY
|  | (Registrant)
Date: | November 6, 2012 | By: | /s/ Phillips S. Baker, Jr.
|  |  | Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President,
|  |  | Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: | November 6, 2012 | By: | /s/ James A. Sabala
|  |  | James A. Sabala, Senior Vice President and
|  |  | Chief Financial Officer

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Hecla Mining Company and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q – September 30, 2012
Index to Exhibits

| 3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant as amended to date. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on July 28, 2010 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 3.2 | Bylaws of the Registrant as amended to date. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K on December 6, 2007 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 4.1(a) | Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on July 28, 2010 (File No 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 4.1(b) | Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on July 28, 2010 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 4.2(a) | Form of Series 1 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 4.2(b) | Form of Series 3 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 9, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 10.1 | Seventh Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated August 1, 2012, by and among Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as Borrower, and Hecla Mining Company, as Parent, and The Bank of Nova Scotia and ING Capital LLC, as Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.1(h) to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 7, 2012 (file No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.

| 31.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

| 31.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

| 32.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

| 32.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *

| 95 | Mine safety information listed in Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Act. *

| 101.INS | XBRL Instance. **

| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.**

| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation.**

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| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.**

| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels.**

| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation.**

* Filed herewith.
** XBRL information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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