<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D. C. 20549
___________
FORM 8-K
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported): January 19, 1995
Hecla Mining Company
__________________________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
__________________________________________________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-8491 82-0126240
__________________________________________________________________
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
6500 Mineral Drive
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814-8788
__________________________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(208) 769-4100
__________________________________________________________________
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
Page 1 of 3 Pages
<PAGE> 2
Item 5. Other Events.
On January 19, 1995, the Registrant issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Proforma Financial Information and Exhibits.
Exhibit A - Press Release dated January 19, 1995.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HECLA MINING COMPANY
By /s/ Michael B. White
------------------------------------
Name: Michael B. White
Title: Vice President - General
Counsel and Secretary
Dated: January 19, 1995
Page 2 of 3 Pages
<PAGE> 1
[HECLA LETTERHEAD]
Exhibit A
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 1995
COURT RULES ON OPERATIONS
IN IDAHO NATIONAL FORESTS
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Hecla Mining Company has learned that the U.S.
Forest Service (USFS) is proceeding to temporarily halt certain timber,
grazing, mining and road building projects in six national forests in Idaho.
The USFS is responding to an order recently issued by a U.S. District Court in
a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups. The groups claimed the USFS failed
to properly consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding
endangered salmon.
Arthur Brown, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hecla
Mining Company, said he expects the court order to have no material effect on
the company's new Grouse Creek Unit near Stanley, Idaho. He said the Grouse
Creek mine has undergone extensive environmental review, and has received all
the necessary permits required by all federal, state and local regulatory
authories. In addition, the USFS and NMFS have determined that the project is
"not likely to adversely affect" endangered salmon.
The court specifically ruled that companies with projects like Grouse
Creek, which have been identified by USFS and NMFS as "not likely to adversely
affect" salmon, can petition the court to continue to operate. Hecla believes
the Grouse Creek mine falls within that exemption and has filed the necessary
documents with the court; the court has not yet ruled on Hecla's motion.
Hecla owns 80 percent and is the operator of Grouse Creek. Great Lakes
Minerals Inc. of Toronto owns the remaining 20 percent.
###
CONTACT:
April R. Boughton, director of public relations
208/769-4144
Page 3 of 3 Pages