Hecla Mining Co.'s Board of Directors elected to declare a quarterly dividend of $0.0025 per share of common stock, payable on or about June 5, 2013, to shareholders of record on May 28, 2013. The Board of Directors has also elected to declare the regular quarterly dividend of $0.875 per share on the outstanding Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. This represents a total amount to be paid of approximately $138,000. The cash dividend is payable July 1, 2013, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2013. The company reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported sales of products of $76,450,000 against $91,153,000 a year ago. Loss from operations was $2,213,000 against income from operations of $25,436,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $18,509,000 against $19,887,000 a year ago. Income applicable to common shareholders was $10,956,000 or $0.04 per basic and diluted share against $12,434,000 or $0.04 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities was $11,360,000 against $41,426,000 a year ago. Additions to properties, plants, equipment and mineral interests was $25,753,000 against $24,652,000 a year ago. Earnings after adjustments applicable to common shareholders were $3,365,000 or $0.01 per basic and diluted share against $16,933,000 or $0.06 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $33,272,000 against $46,711,000 a year ago. The company reported production results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported silver production of 1,901,016 ounces against 1,328,704 ounces a year ago. Gold production was 13,689 ounces against 12,652 ounces a year ago. Lead production was 5,541 tons against 4,854 tons a year ago. Zinc production was 14,272 tons against 15,943 tons a year ago. Full year 2013 exploration and pre-development expenses on Hecla assets are expected to be about $9.0 million lower than estimates earlier in the year, or $42 million, excluding Aurizon exploration programs. Capital expenditures at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday are expected to be $145 million for the year, a reduction of $7.0 million from estimates earlier in the year. Exploration expenditures for 2013 are now expected to be approximately $21.0 million, a $6.0 million reduction from estimates earlier in the year.

Hecla Mining Co. (NYSE:HL) is looking for acquisition opportunities. Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Hecla, said, “Hecla's balance sheet remains very strong, which should allow for our continued growth through additional acquisitions as well as our organic growth projects as we advance towards our targeted goal of 15 million ounces of silver production by 2017.”

Hecla Mining Co., Q1 2013 Earnings Call, May 10, 2013