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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D. C. 20549
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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): April 2, 1997
Hecla Mining Company
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-8491 82-0126240
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
6500 Mineral Drive
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814-8788
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(208) 769-4100
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(Registrant's Telephone Number)
Page 1 of 2 Pages
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Item 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On April 2, 1997 the Registrant issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated April 2, 1997.
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/ Nathaniel K. Adams
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Name: Nathaniel K. Adams
Title: Corporate Counsel and
Assistant Secretary
Dated: April 4, 1997
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[HECLA LOGO] 97-03
Exhibit 99
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 1997
HECLA WINS STAR PHOENIX LAWSUIT
COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO -- Hecla Mining Company (HL & HL-PrB:NYSE) today
announced that the Idaho State Supreme Court ruled in Hecla's favor in the Star
Phoenix Mining Company lawsuit. The Court today reversed the judgment against
Hecla made in 1994 in Idaho district court.
Star Phoenix had challenged Hecla's right to terminate Star Phoenix's lease
of the Star-Morning mine in North Idaho in 1990. The Supreme Court held that
Hecla acted properly, according to the terms of the lease agreement with Star
Phoenix. Hecla is satisfied with the Supreme Court's decision to dismiss the
district court verdict. Arthur Brown, Hecla's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, said, "This has been a difficult issue for everyone, including many of
our North Idaho neighbors. However, the State Supreme Court came to the right
conclusion."
The ruling will release $10 million in cash being held in escrow pending
completion of the case. The Court also awarded Hecla costs and attorney's fees.
Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is one of the
United States' best-known silver producers. The company also produces gold and
is a major supplier of ball clay, kaolin and other industrial minerals. Hecla's
operations are principally in the U.S. and Mexico.
-HL-
Contact: Vicki Veltkamp, Manager - Corporate Communications, 208-769-4144
Hecla's Home Page can be accessed on the Internet at:
http://www.hecla-mining.com
A free fax of Hecla news releases can be obtained from BusinessWire
NewsOnDemand at 800-344-7826
