Hecla's Libby Exploration Project Selected for FAST-41 Critical Minerals Dashboard by the Trump Administration

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is pleased to announce that its Libby Exploration Project in Montana was included in the Trump Administration’s March 18, 2025, announcement of advancing critical mineral projects under Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.

As a result, the Project has been placed on the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s FAST-41 permitting dashboard, which will ensure the environmental review and authorizations schedule for the project is publicly available and allows all stakeholders to benefit from increased transparency.

“We're pleased that the Libby Exploration Project has been recognized in the White House's critical minerals initiative and added to the FAST-41 dashboard. This priority status acknowledges the strategic importance of developing domestic silver and copper resources and should help streamline the remaining permitting process as we move toward a final Record of Decision. Hecla also extends its thanks to Montana’s congressional delegation for their leadership in showing strong support for the Project and encouraging domestic mineral production and investment in Montana,” said Rob Krcmarov, President and CEO. “Having a fully permitted project would add significant optionality to our portfolio, and this milestone positions us well for the future. While we continue to evaluate the project economics and address technical challenges, this designation enhances the project's long-term potential. As always, our capital allocation decisions will remain disciplined and focused on delivering shareholder value while we advance our understanding of this significant resource.”

The Trump Administration’s announcement may be found here:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/trump-administration-advances-first-wave-of-critical-mineral-production-projects/

The Project link on the FAST-41 dashboard is here:

https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/fast-41-transparency-projects/libby-exploration-project

Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project is a large silver and copper deposit located 50 miles from the Company’s Lucky Friday mine. A Plan of Operations is currently under an Environmental Assessment review by the U.S. Forest Service, and upon successful completion of that process, and if subsequent data collection and analysis activities suggest development of a mine is feasible, then a new Plan of Operations for the construction and development of a mine at the Libby Exploration site would be submitted for approval.

ABOUT HECLA

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) is the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws, including Canadian securities laws. Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “projects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “targets”, “anticipates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include the possibility of submitting a new Plan of Operations for the Libby Exploration Project and subsequently constructing a mine. For a detailed discussion of risks and other factors impacting these forward-looking statements, see the Company's 2024 Form 10-K filed on February 13, 2025. The Company undertakes no obligation and has no intention of updating forward-looking statements other than as may be required by law.