"Hecla must shut down Lucky Friday for entire year, stock down 20%", 11 January 2011

Hecla Mining Company announced on Wednesday that US mine safety officials have ordered the Silver Shaft at the Lucky Friday mine in Mullan, Idaho closed for removal of built-up material in the shaft. The silver-lead-zinc mine in northern Idaho is one of the deepest underground mines in the US.

The order comes after an investigation following a December 14 rock burst when seven miners were pulled from the mine with minor injuries. Hecla said in a statement compliance with the order is expected to take through year-end and that as a consequence the company’s 2012 silver production is now estimated to be approximately 7 million ounces...

Two miners died in separate incidents at the same mine this year. In November two contractors were buried in rubble after trying to dislodge a jammed rock bin. One was hospitalized and released while the other was killed. A roof collapse more than a mile underground killed a 53-year-old employee in April. The mine received four citations following the first accident and is facing nearly $1 million in penalties.

“The Lucky Friday mine is a world-class mine that we see producing silver for decades to come. Hecla and the Lucky Friday mine have faced challenges in the past and we will once again overcome them.”

“While we are disappointed with this order and are considering what action we might take, work has already begun to resume production as quickly as possible,” Phil Baker, Hecla’s president and CEO said on Wednesday.