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Communities

Operating long-lived mines has allowed us to develop deep and mutually beneficial partnerships between our company and the communities in which we operate. Through the continued growth of our responsible mining operations, we play a critical role in the economic health and social development of our local communities.

Local Communities

Hecla is the largest private-sector employer and taxpayer in Juneau, Alaska, near our Greens Creek mine and in Wallace/Mullan, Idaho, near our Lucky Friday mine. We are also one of the largest employers and taxpayers at our other locations in Nevada, Quebec, and Durango, Mexico.
  • Our work makes a direct economic impact of more than $700 million in wages, benefits, payment of taxes and license fees, purchase of goods and services, and local donations and contributions in communities whose combined total population is less than 100,000 people.
  • The funds that go to local governments and community organizations support schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure, along with vital economic development like job creation and skills training.
  • More than one indirect job is created by each direct Hecla job. This leads to more than 3,000 workers in the local communities.

Hecla’s partnership with their local communities.

Engaging with Community Stakeholders

Hecla engages with stakeholders during every stage of the mining life cycle to become a community partner and deepen our understanding of local concerns and issues. We communicate information through a variety of methods including community meetings, local and social media, and flyers. We disclose the results of environmental, economic, and social impact assessments and partner with local stakeholders to mitigate any environmental and social impacts. We also work with local stakeholders to identify opportunities for the Hecla Charitable Foundation to provide support for community initiatives.
Exploration
Development, Design & Permitting
Construction
Operations
Reclamation & Closure
Exploration
  • Designate a person within Hecla to be the point person on community relationships
  • Conduct analysis of community social economic landscape to identify population and community dynamics
  • Identify and communicate with key stakeholders
  • Spearhead initiatives to include local and Indigenous Nations in community engagement and workforce development activities (e.g., Agreement with Gitanyow Band in British Columbia)
Development, Design & Permitting
  • Hold public and community meetings about project permitting, including project scoping and public comment period
  • Establish community advisory groups
  • Conduct social-economic impact assessments
  • Collaborate with local stakeholders
  • Refine giving strategy for Hecla Charitable Foundation
  • Negotiate development/operations agreements as appropriate with community and Indigenous Nations
Construction
  • Continue stakeholder collaboration
  • Establish community-facing communications tools such as Facebook page for mine site
  • Recruit employees from local geographic region whenever possible through local advertising and job fairs
  • Implement training programs and partnerships with local community and government agencies
Operations
  • Communicate and work with all local stakeholders
  • Hold community information meetings which include reporting on environmental, social, and economic performance
  • Implement operation agreements as appropriate with community and Indigenous Nations (e.g., Collaboration Agreement with Pikokan First Nations in Quebec)
Reclamation & Closure
  • Hold community informational meetings about closure plan
  • Partner as appropriate with Indigenous Nations for closure work (e.g., native plant nursery with Kootenai-Salish Confederated Tribes in Montana and drill pad reclamation in Nevada with the Western Shoshone Band)
  • Implement closure plan and monitor impacts

2021 Hecla Sustainability Report

Visit our 2020 Sustainability Report to learn more about the protocols and committees we use to communicate with stakeholders about our operations and ESG performance.
Download Report

Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee

At our Greens Creek mine, we established the Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee (CAG), a collaborative effort with our local stakeholders to ensure that input from the community is considered in the environmental and social aspects of the mine’s planning and operations. The group is comprised of seven or more members from stakeholder constituencies including the Alaska Native community, municipal government, private sector, educational and academic institutions, local environmental community, and humanitarian/charitable organizations.

Casa Berardi Mine Liaison Committee

The Casa Berardi Mine Liaison Committee was created to facilitate communication with our local stakeholders and partners. The Committee seeks their input and participation in operational activities. The Committee is comprised of nine members from stakeholder groups including residents of Abitibi-Ouest and Nord-du-Quebec, municipal officials, the First Nations/Aboriginal Community (Pikogan), social and environmental organizations, and representatives of educational and training organizations. At Casa Berardi, we participate in the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, a globally recognized sustainability program that helps provide local stakeholders with essential information about how mining companies are managing key environmental and social areas.

Learn more about our commitment to our local communities:

Community Investment Education Indigenous Relations Apply for Hecla Charitable Foundation Grant