Community & Indigenous Relations

Operating long-lived mines has allowed us to develop deep and mutually beneficial partnerships with the communities where we operate. These communities are not simply stakeholders; they are essential partners in our success. Through the continued growth of our responsible mining operations, we play a critical role in the economic vitality and social development of our local communities.

Hecla is committed to maintaining open, transparent, and respectful dialogue with all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, who are among our most important partners. We have worked diligently to establish regular communications for ongoing engagement and to identify opportunities to develop and sustain long-term relationships.

Local Communities

Hecla is the largest private-sector employer and taxpayer in Juneau, Alaska, near our Greens Creek mine. We are also one of the largest employers and taxpayers at our other locations in Shoshone County, Idaho and Nevada. Whenever possible, we strive to hire locally and to utilize local businesses through our procurement process.

In 2025, we had an economic impact of more than $1 billion to our communities. This includes more than $23 million from payment of taxes, concession fees, and permits, more than $1 million in non-government royalties, and over $1 million in sponsorships, scholarships, gifts, and donations.
The funds support schools, hospitals, roads, and other essential infrastructure, along with vital economic development like job creation and skills training.

Hecla mining workers at the job site taking a group photo

Hecla’s partnership with their local communities.

Engaging with Community Stakeholders

We engage with stakeholders at all our sites during the mining life cycle to be a constructive partner in the communities where we operate and deepen our understanding of local concerns and issues. We communicate about our operations through a variety of methods including community meetings, local print, social media, and flyers, providing all materials in the local language and translating when necessary. 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 Peoples in community engagement and workforce development activities

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 Peoples

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

Reclamation & Closure

Hold community informational meetings about closure plan
Partner as appropriate with Indigenous Peoples 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

Recognition of Dedication

In 2025, our Director of Indigenous Affairs and Canadian Community Relations, Loralee Johnstone, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her dedication to responsible and sustainable mining practices throughout the Yukon.

Indigenous Relations

We supported the restoration of the historically logged forest and watershed at Cube Cove, located in the Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. Hecla donated $65,000 to the National Forest Foundation to support restoring the area from historic logging activities. The restoration is a partnership between Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and the Kootznoowoo Corporation – which is the tribal corporation of Angoon. Hecla’s donation enables the hiring of Angoon community members to help restore Cube Cove.

Greens Creek Community Advisory Committee

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

Youth Programs

In Alaska, the Hecla Charitable Foundation partnered with the Angoon Youth Conservation Corps for the tenth year in a row. This program provides job opportunities in environmental stewardship for Native youth in the Admiralty Island National Monument, the Kootznoowoo Wilderness, and the village of Angoon.

Cultural Resource Training

Our commitment to mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Peoples is reflected in Hecla’s policy on a respectful workplace. We provide training in sensitivity to Indigenous issues in our new- hire training. Employees and contractors who work at the Hollister mine are required to receive additional cultural resource training.

Comprehensive Cooperation & Benefits Agreement

At our Keno Hill operation, we have a Comprehensive Cooperation and Benefits Agreement with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) government. We meet monthly with FNNND representatives in a technical working group, allowing the company and FNNND to identify and resolve any concerns about our activities in the area.

Learn more about our commitment to our local communities:

Community Investment Workforce Development Apply for Hecla Charitable Foundation Grant