Form S-1
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2009

Registration No. 333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

HECLA MINING COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

            Delaware                               1400                               77-0664171            
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815-9408

(208) 769-4100

 

 

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of

Registrant’s principal executive offices)

Michael B. White

General Counsel

Hecla Mining Company

6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815-9408

(208) 769-4100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

with copies to:

Donald J. Bingle, Esq.

David C. Sienko, Esq.

K&L Gates LLP

70 West Madison Street, Suite 3100

Chicago, Illinois 60602

(312) 372-1121


Table of Contents

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class

of Securities to be Registered

  

Amount
to be

Registered

   

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

per Share

   

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

   

Amount of

Registration

Fee

 

Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share

   64,476         $ 1.74         $ 112,188        $ 6.26 (1) 

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, unused filing fees of $6,098.83 have already been paid with respect to unsold securities that were previously registered pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-126362) filed by the registrant on July 1, 2005, and have been carried forward to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Of those fees, $6.26 offsets the registration fee due for this offering, and $6,092.57 remains available for future registration fees. No additional registration fee has been paid with respect to this offering.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. We may not sell these securities pursuant to this prospectus until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

64,476 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

HECLA MINING COMPANY

We have prepared this prospectus to register for resale 64,476 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders named herein upon conversion of shares of convertible preferred stock previously issued by us.

We have prepared a separate prospectus dated April 23, 2009 that relates to the conversion of other shares of the same series of convertible preferred stock into shares of our common stock.

The selling stockholders named herein, or their pledges, donees, transferees, or other successors in interest (the “Selling Stockholders”) may offer the shares from time to time through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at previously negotiated prices.

You should read this prospectus carefully before you invest in our securities. You should read this prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you make your investment decision.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HL.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October 14, 2009 was $4.91 per share.

Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares (including by exercise of warrants or conversion of our preferred stock), you should read the discussion of material risks in “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.

The complete mailing address and telephone number of our principal executive offices is:

Hecla Mining Company

6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815-9408

(208) 769-4100

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is October 15, 2009.


Table of Contents

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any distribution of securities pursuant to this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Risk Factors

   1

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   1

Use of Proceeds

   2

Selling Stockholders

   3

Plan of Distribution

   5

Description of Common Stock

   7

Legal Matters

   8

Experts

   8

Where You Can Find More Information

   8

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

   9

 

i


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

You should consider the “Risk Factors” included under Item 1A. to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The market or trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks. In addition, please read “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus, where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Please note that additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and operations.

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements included in this prospectus and the other public filings incorporated by reference herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are statements of expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance. Words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by us to have a reasonable basis including, without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in records and other data available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference, some important factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements include:

 

   

metals prices and price volatility;

 

   

volatility of metals production and costs;

 

   

exploration risks and results;

 

   

variance in ore grades;

 

   

our ability to obtain financing for working capital, construction costs and the repayment of any future maturing debt;

 

   

capital market conditions, including interest rate fluctuations and capital availability;

 

   

project development risks;

 

   

general economic, political, financial market, and infrastructure conditions;

 

   

compliance with the terms and conditions of existing or future financings;

 

   

mining risks and hazards;

 

   

risks inherent in foreign exploration activities and operations;

 

   

remediation, reclamation, and environmental costs;

 

   

the results or settlements of pending litigation;

 

   

cash flow;

 

   

currency fluctuations and currency exchange regulations;

 

   

reserve estimates;

 

   

changes in, and compliance with, environmental laws and policies;

 

   

financial or regulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing bodies;

 

   

political risks;

 

1


Table of Contents
   

new federal, state and local laws that could have adverse effects on operating results;

 

   

legal and regulatory proceedings and issues;

 

   

the impact of any acquisitions or dispositions of operations, assets, entities, or mining properties; and

 

   

employee workforce factors, including strikes, work stoppages and the loss of key executives.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

USE OF PROCEEDS

To the extent convertible preferred stock is converted into common stock, we will receive no proceeds, although our obligations to pay any dividends or liquidation preference on such converted shares of preferred stock will cease upon conversion. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the Selling Stockholders of the common stock offered by this prospectus.

 

2


Table of Contents

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

We have prepared this prospectus to facilitate the sale by the Selling Stockholders, from time to time, of up to 64,476 shares of our common stock, which they may acquire upon conversion of shares of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock we sold to the Selling Stockholders in a private placement described below.

We prepared a separate prospectus dated April 23, 2009 that relates to, among other securities, 2,565,022 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the principal and any accrued and unpaid dividends through June 30, 2009 on shares of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock previously issued to the Selling Stockholders. This prospectus covers additional shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of accrued and unpaid dividends on the 12% Convertible Preferred Stock from July 1, 2009 through October 15, 2009.

On October 14, 2009, each of the Selling Stockholders notified us of their intent to convert all of their 12% Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock effective as of October 14, 2009.

All of the common stock offered by this prospectus may be offered by the Selling Stockholders for their own accounts. We will not receive any proceeds from any such sale of these shares.

February 2009 Private Placement of Preferred Stock

In September 2005, we entered into a revolving credit agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia (“Scotia”), an affiliate of Calder & Co., one of the Selling Stockholders. On or about April 16, 2008, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with Scotia (the “Credit Agreement”), and Scotia subsequently syndicated a portion of the loan to other banks, including (i) BNP Paribas, an affiliate of Paribas North America, Inc., (ii) ING Capital, LLC, one of the Selling Stockholders, and (iii) WestLB AG. The Credit Agreement has been amended six (6) times subsequent to April 16, 2008 and it and each of the amendments is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

On February 3, 2009, we announced we had entered into the Fourth Amendment to our Credit Agreement. The Fourth Amendment modified our term loan facility, which had been used by us to partially fund our acquisition of the companies owning 70.3% of the Greens Creek Mine, by deferring all of our regularly scheduled principal payments in 2009 so that our next regularly scheduled principal payments are $15 million on March 31, 2010 and on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter until the maturity date of March 31, 2011, on which the then remaining principal amount is due and payable. In exchange for this principal payment deferral, we agreed in the Fourth Amendment to, among other things, pay an additional fee to our lenders upon effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment, and on each subsequent July 1st and January 1st (until the term facility is paid off in full), by issuing to the lenders an aggregate amount of a new series of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock equal to 3.75% of the aggregate principal amount of the term facility outstanding on such respective dates. The Fourth Amendment became effective on February 10, 2009, and on that day we issued an aggregate of 42,621 shares of our Series 12% Convertible Preferred Stock (liquidation value $100 per share) to the lenders under the Credit Agreement.

On June 30, 2009, we announced we had made a prepayment of $18.2 million on our term facility and entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement. The Fifth Amendment (i) reduced the number of lenders in our lending syndicate to two institutions (each of which is a Selling Stockholder), (ii) waived, through September 15, 2009, the 3.75% semiannual fee payable to the remaining lenders in the form of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock, (iii) revised certain loan covenant limitations on our capital expenditures and exploration spending to allow for aggregate investments of up to $75 million through January 15, 2010, (iv) reduced the mandatory prepayment for excess cash flow to 35% of excess cash flow per year and (v) eliminated the requirement that we retain a chief restructuring officer.

On July 15, 2009, BNP Paribas converted all of its 9,133 outstanding shares of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock into 552,207 shares of our common stock. On July 17, 2009, WestLB converted all of its 4,567 outstanding shares of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock into 276,119 shares of our common stock. As a result of the conversion of their 12% Convertible Preferred Stock and no longer being parties to our Credit Agreement, neither BNP Paribas nor WestLB are Selling Stockholders under this prospectus as no accrued but unpaid dividends are owed them which would result in issuance of shares of common stock upon future conversion.

On September 11, 2009, we entered into an agreement with each of the remaining lenders (Scotia and ING Capital) which waived, through October 15, 2009, the 3.75% semiannual fee payable to them (or, in the case of Scotia, its affiliate, Calder & Co.) in the form of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock.

On October 14, 2009, together with Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, our wholly owned subsidiaries, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia and ING Capital LLC (the “Lenders”). The New Credit Agreement is a $60 million senior secured revolving facility with a three year term and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 6%. The revolving credit facility under the New Credit Agreement is available to us for general corporate purposes.

The New Credit Agreement amends the terms of our prior credit agreement that provided to us a term loan facility, which we repaid in full by paying $38.3 million on October 14, 2009.

Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company are the borrowers under the New Credit Agreement, while we and certain of our other subsidiaries are guarantors of the borrowers. As further security, we have pledged the equity interests of each borrower and our other subsidiaries that are serving as guarantors. Additionally, we have granted a security interest in favor of the Lenders covering all of the assets that comprise the Greens Creek joint venture held by borrowers and Hecla Admiralty Company, another subsidiary.

The terms of our 12% Convertible Preferred Stock are set forth in our Certificate of Designations of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock filed with the State of Delaware, and a copy of which is included under Item 15 as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” below for directions on obtaining that document. Among the terms of the 12% Convertible Preferred Stock, we are required to use our reasonable best efforts to file a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and to maintain its effectiveness for a period of time, with respect to the resale of the shares of common stock into which the 12% Convertible Preferred Stock may convert at the holder’s option, and this prospectus is part of the registration statement filed in satisfaction of our obligations.

In addition to the Credit Agreement, as amended, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., an affiliate of Scotia, acted as an underwriter for our September 2008 public offering of common stock at $5.00 per share that yielded net proceeds to us of approximately $163 million (which number includes the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option). The underwriters, including Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., received an underwriting discount of $0.225 per share.

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. also acted as an underwriter for our December 2007 public offering of 6.5% mandatory convertible preferred stock at $100.00 per share that yielded net proceeds to us of approximately $194.7 million (which number includes the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option). The underwriters, including Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., received an underwriting discount of $3.00 per share.

 

3


Table of Contents

Security Holdings of Selling Stockholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to our common stock known to us to be beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholders as of October 14, 2009, and being offered under this prospectus. To our knowledge, except as otherwise disclosed herein, each of the Selling Stockholders has sole voting and investment power over the common stock listed in the table below. Except as otherwise disclosed herein (including the documents incorporated herein by reference), no Selling Stockholder, to our knowledge, has had a material relationship with us during the three years immediately preceding this offering, other than as an owner of our common stock or other securities. We are not able to estimate the amount of shares that will be held by each Selling Stockholder after the completion of this offering because each Selling Stockholder may offer all or some of its shares, and, except as indicated in the following table, there currently are no agreements, arrangements, or understandings with respect to the sale of any of the shares. The following table assumes that all of the shares being registered pursuant to this prospectus will be sold.

 

Name

   Total Number of
Shares Before Sale†
   Shares Offered Hereby    Shares Remaining
After Sale
   Percent

Calder & Co.

   1,232,374    43,556    1,188,818    #

ING Capital, LLC

   568,797    20,920    547,877    #

 

# Less than 1%

 

4


Table of Contents

This prospectus also covers any additional shares of common stock that become issuable in connection with the shares being registered by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of our outstanding shares of common stock.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Conversion of Preferred Stock

Each share of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock will be convertible based upon its liquidation value plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, in whole or in part at the option of the holder thereof, at any time after the issuance, into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $1.74 per share of common stock (equivalent to a conversion rate of 57.47 shares of common stock for each share of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock before calculating the shares issuable upon conversion of any accrued and unpaid dividends).

 

5


Table of Contents

Resales

The Selling Stockholders, which as used herein include donees, pledgees, transferees, or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from another Selling Stockholder as a gift, pledge, or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market, or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

The Selling Stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

   

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

   

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

short sales effected after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

 

   

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; or

 

   

a combination of any such methods of sale.

The Selling Stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of Selling Stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee, or other successors in interest as Selling Stockholders under this prospectus. The Selling Stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

In connection with any sale of our common stock or interests therein, the Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The aggregate proceeds to the Selling Stockholders from any sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the Selling Stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any such sale.

 

6


Table of Contents

The Selling Stockholders and other recipients of common stock issued by us hereunder upon conversion of preferred stock also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, or otherwise permitted by applicable law.

The Selling Stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If the Selling Stockholder uses this prospectus for any sale of the shares of common stock, it will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the Selling Stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

We have advised the Selling Stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the Selling Stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the Selling Stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The Selling Stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to indemnify certain Selling Stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.

We will pay all fees and expenses in connection with the registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, excluding any underwriting discounts and selling commissions and including without limitation registration and filing fees, printing expenses, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, and fees and expenses of other advisors retained by us in connection herewith.

We have agreed with the Selling Stockholders to keep the registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, effective until the earlier of such time as all such shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the 12% Convertible Preferred Stock are freely tradable by the holders thereof without registration or two years from the date in which all holders of the 12% Convertible Preferred Stock will have exercised their conversion rights with respect to all of their shares and have been issued common stock in connection therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the applicable provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and our Bylaws, as amended, copies of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to previous SEC filings. Please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” below for directions on obtaining these documents.

We are authorized to issue 400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.25 per share, of which 236,590,050 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of October 14, 2009.

 

7


Table of Contents

Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, each share of common stock is entitled to:

 

   

one vote on all matters presented to the stockholders, with no cumulative voting rights;

 

   

receive such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor (we have no present intention of paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and are currently restricted from paying such dividends); and

 

   

in the event of our liquidation or dissolution, share ratably in any distribution of our assets.

Holders of shares of common stock do not have preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for unissued or treasury shares or securities convertible into such shares, and no redemption or sinking fund provisions are applicable. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

All of our currently outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HL”.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares to be offered hereby is being passed upon for us by K&L Gates LLP, Chicago, Illinois.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO Seidman, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act a registration statement on Form S-1. This prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. We strongly encourage you to read carefully the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement.

Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual contract, agreement or other document. If we have filed any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved.

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy the registration statement and any other document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549.

You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We file information electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available from the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. You may read and copy our SEC filings and other information at the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

8


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We incorporate information into this prospectus by reference, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except to the extent superseded by information contained herein. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that have been previously filed with the SEC:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which we filed with the SEC on March 2, 2009;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, which we filed with the SEC on April 28, 2009 and July 29, 2009, respectively.

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which we filed with the SEC on January 2, January 13, February 4, February 9, February 12, March 11, June 3, June 8, July 2, 2009, and October 15, 2009; and

 

   

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 10, 2009.

We do not incorporate by reference documents or information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.

We will provide a copy of the documents we incorporate by reference, at no cost, to any person who receives this prospectus. To request a copy of any or all of these documents, you should write or telephone us at: Investor Relations, Hecla Mining Company, 6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815, (208) 769-4100. In addition, each document incorporated by reference is readily accessible on our Web site at www.hecla-mining.com.

 

9


Table of Contents

Part II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses of the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which are being borne by us.

 

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ 5,000

Accountant’s fees and expenses

   $ 20,000

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 10,000

Miscellaneous

   $ 5,000

Total

   $ 40,000

 

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

We are organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) which empowers Delaware corporations to indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such director or officer acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided further that such director or officer has no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

The DGCL also empowers Delaware corporations to provide similar indemnity to any director or officer, or former director or officer, for expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of actions or suits by or in the right of the corporation if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interests of the corporation, except in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

The DGCL further provides that (i) to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person, in connection therewith; and (ii) indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for, by, or granted pursuant to, the DGCL shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled.

The DGCL permits a Delaware corporation to purchase and maintain on behalf of any director or officer, insurance against liabilities incurred in such capacities. The DGCL also permits a corporation to pay expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of an action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay such amount if it is determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.

The DGCL further permits a corporation, in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto, to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for violations of the director’s fiduciary duty except: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

II-1


Table of Contents

Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, eliminates the personal liability of directors to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by Delaware law. Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and by-laws, as amended, provide that we will indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

In addition, we have entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each of our officers and directors, which states that if the officer or director that is a party to the agreement was, is, or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to, or witness or other participant in, any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding or any inquiry or investigation, whether conducted by us or any other party, by reason of (or arising in part out of) any event or occurrence related to the fact that the officer or director is or was our director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, or other enterprise or by reason of anything done or not done by the officer or director that is a party to the agreement in any such capacity, we shall indemnify such officer or director to the fullest extent permitted by law and New York Stock Exchange requirements against any and all attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses, and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in any claim described above, and judgments, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement of any claim described above, provided that a member or members of our board of directors has not concluded upon review of the claim that the director or officer party to the agreement would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. Prior to our change in control, as defined in the agreement, the director or officer who is a party to the agreement will not be entitled to indemnification in connection with any claim described above by such officer or director against us or any of our other directors or officers except under certain circumstances. In the event of a change in control, as defined in the agreement, other than a change in control which has been approved by a majority of our board of directors who were directors immediately prior to such change in control, then with respect to all matters thereafter rising concerning the rights of the director or officer party to the agreement to indemnity payments, we are required to seek legal advice only from special, independent counsel selected by such officer or director and approved by us.

The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation, as amended and our bylaws, as amended.

 

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

The table below sets forth our sales of unregistered securities over the last three years. The offer, issuance and delivery of the below listed shares of common stock did not require registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act because the transactions were exempted transactions under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. This determination was based upon and assuming the accuracy of representations and warranties we obtained from certain recipients of our common stock, as well as by our general familiarity with the recipients and knowledge of their status as an accredited investor under Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

Date Issued

  

Title of Each Class of Security

  

Amount Issued

  

Nature of Transaction

January 17, 2008

   Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    550,000    Our donation to the Hecla Charitable Foundation

January 24, 2008

   Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    118,333    As part of acquisition of properties in the Silver Valley of Northern Idaho

 

II-2


Table of Contents
February 21, 2008    Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    927,716    As part of acquisition of a joint venture interest in the San Juan Silver Joint Venture, which holds an approximately 25-square-mile consolidated land package in the Creede Mining District of Colorado.

April 16, 2008

   Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    4,365,000    To partially fund our acquisition of the remaining 70.3% interest in the Greens Creek Joint Venture

October 24, 2008

   Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    633,360    As the result of an amendment to a joint venture buy-in agreement with respect to the San Juan Silver Joint Venture

December 11, 2008

   Series 1 Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    460,976    As part of the placement fee paid to Rodman & Renshaw, LLC in connection with the December 2008 registered direct offering of Common Stock and Series 1 and Series 2 Warrants

February 10, 2009

   12% Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.25 per share    42,621    As payment of fee for principal payment deferral under the Fourth Amendment

June 4, 2009

   Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    17,391,302    As part of a private placement offering to partially pay our term loan facility.

June 4, 2009

   Series 4 Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share    12,173,913    As part of a private placement offering to partially pay our term loan facility.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

See Exhibit Index on page II-7 of this registration statement.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a further post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(ii) If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

II-4


Table of Contents

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Hecla Mining Company has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Coeur d’Alene, State of Idaho, on October 15, 2009.

 

HECLA MINING COMPANY
By:   /s/ Phillips S. Baker, Jr.
 

Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Date:

  October 15, 2009

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael B. White and James A. Sabala, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and any related registration statements to be filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 15th day of October, 2009.

 

/s/ Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

Phillips S. Baker, Jr.

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(principal executive officer)

  

/s/ Ted Crumley

Ted Crumley

Director

/s/ James A. Sabala

James A. Sabala

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

  

/s/ Charles B. Stanley

Charles B. Stanley

Director

/s/ John H. Bowles

John H. Bowles

Director

  

/s/ George R. Nethercutt, Jr.

George R. Nethercutt, Jr.

Director

/s/ David J. Christensen

David J. Christensen

Director

  

/s/ Terry V. Rogers

Terry V. Rogers

Director

/s/ Anthony P. Taylor

Anthony P. Taylor

Director

  

 

II-6


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement.

 

3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant as amended to date. Filed exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and exhibit 4.1(a) to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2   Bylaws of the Registrant as amended to date. Filed as exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2007 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1(a)   Form of Series 1 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1(b)   Form of Series 2 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1(c)   Form of Series 3 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1(d)   Form of Series 4 Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 8, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2(a)   Certificate of Designations of 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as part of exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2(b)   Form of 6.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate. Filed as exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 14, 2007 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2(c)   Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as exhibit 4.1(a) to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2(d)   Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as part of exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2(e)   Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of 12% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant. Filed as part of exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
5.1   Opinion of K&L Gates LLP.**
10.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated September 8, 2008, between Hecla Mining Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith incorporated and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., as representatives of the underwriters identified therein. Filed as

 

II-7


Table of Contents
  exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2   Placement Agency Agreement, dated December 10, 2008, by and between Hecla Mining Company and Rodman & Renshaw, LLC. Filed as exhibit 1.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.3   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2008, by and among Kennecott Minerals Holdings Company, Hecla Admiralty Company, and Hecla Mining Company. Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.4   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2008, by and among Hecla Mining Company, Hecla Merger Company and Independence Lead Mines Company. Filed as exhibit 2.2 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.5   Agreement to Amend the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 12, 2008, by and among Independence Lead Mines Company, Hecla Mining Company and Hecla Merger Company. Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.6   Shareholder Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2008 by and among Hecla Merger Company and each of Bernard C. Lannen, Wayne L. Schoonmaker, Gordon Berkhaug, and Robert Bunde. Filed as exhibit 3 to Independence Lead Mines Company’s Schedule 13D filed by Hecla Mining Company on February 22, 2008 (File No. 005-81828), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2008, by and among Rusoro Mining Ltd., Rusoro MH Acquisition Ltd., and Hecla Limited. Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.8   Letter agreement by and among Hecla Limited, Rusoro MH Acquisition, Ltd., and Rusoro Mining Ltd. dated June 27, 2008. Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9(a)   Amended and Restated Bank Credit Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2008, by and among Hecla Mining Company, various Lenders, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Scotia Capital as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.9(b)   Guaranty, dated as of April 16, 2008, by Hecla Mining Company. Filed as exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9(c)   First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 16, 2008, by and among Hecla Mining Company, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and various Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *

 

II-8


Table of Contents
10.9(d)   Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 9, 2008, by and among Hecla Mining Company, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and various Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.4 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9(e)   Letter Agreement dated December 9, 2008, between Hecla Mining Company and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.5 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9(f)   Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 30, 2008. Filed as exhibit 10.4 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.9(g)   Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 3, 2009. Filed as exhibit 10.5 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on February 3, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *
10.9(h)   Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, effective June 29, 2009. Filed as exhibit 10.6 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on July 2, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.9(i)  

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2009, by and among Hecla Mining Company, as the Parent, Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as the Borrowers, various Lenders, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on October 15, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. *

10.10   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2008 between Hecla Mining Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.11   Underwriting Agreement, dated February 4, 2009 between Hecla Mining Company and Canaccord Adams Inc. and Canaccord Capital. Filed as exhibit 1.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.12   Exploration, Development and Mining Operating Agreement, dated February 21, 2008, by and among Emerald Mining & Leasing, LLC, Golden 8 Mining, LLC, and Rio Grande Silver, Inc. Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 26, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.13   First Amendment to that certain Exploration, Development and Mine Operating Agreement dated February 21, 2008, between Emerald Mining & Leasing, LLC, Golden 8 Mining, LLC, and Rio Grande Silver, Inc. by and among Emerald Mining & Leasing, LLC, EML, Emerald Ranch Limited Liability Company, Brian F. Egolf, Golden 8 Mining, LLC, and Rio Grande Silver, Inc. Filed as exhibit 2.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 30, 2008 (Filed No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.14   Employment Agreement dated June 1, 2007, between Registrant and Phillips S. Baker, Jr. (Registrant has substantially identical agreements with each of Messrs. Ronald W. Clayton, and Dean W. McDonald, and had substantially identical agreements with each of Messrs. Philip C. Wolf, Lewis E. Walde, Michael H. Callahan, and Ms. Vicki Veltkamp, all of whom are no longer employees of the Registrant). A substantially identical Employment Agreement was entered into between the Registrant and Don Poirier on July 9, 2007, as well as with James A. Sabala on March 26, 2008. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.15   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated November 8, 2006, between Registrant and Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Ronald W. Clayton, Dean McDonald, Ted Crumley, John H. Bowles, David J. Christensen, George R. Nethercutt, Jr., and Anthony P. Taylor. A substantially identical Indemnification Agreement was entered into between the Registrant and Charles B.

 

II-9


Table of Contents
  Stanley and Terry V. Rogers on May 4, 2007, Don Poirier on July 9, 2007, and James A. Sabala on March 26, 2008. Filed as exhibit 10.7 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.16(a)   Hecla Mining Company Executive and Senior Management Long-Term Performance Payment Plan. Filed as part of exhibit 10.16(a) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.16(b)   Hecla Mining Company Performance Pay Compensation Plan incorporated by reference herein to exhibit 10.5(a) to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. (1)
10.16(c)   Hecla Mining Company 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. Filed as exhibit 10.2(b) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.16(d)   Hecla Mining Company Stock Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as amended. Filed as exhibit 10.4(c) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.16(e)   Hecla Mining Company Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended. Filed as exhibit 10.16(e) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.16(f)   Hecla Mining Company form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Under the Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan) entered into between Hecla Mining Company and participants under the Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.17(a)   Hecla Mining Company Retirement Plan for Employees and Supplemental Retirement and Death Benefit Plan. Filed as exhibit 10.17(a) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.17(b)   Supplemental Excess Retirement Master Plan Documents. Filed as exhibit 10.5(b) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A-1 for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.17(c)   Hecla Mining Company Nonqualified Plans Master Trust Agreement. Filed as exhibit 10.5(c) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A-1 for the year ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)
10.18   Restated Mining Venture Agreement among Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Company, Hecla Mining Company and CSX Alaska Mining Inc. dated May 6, 1994. Filed as exhibit 99.A to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.19   Engagement letter between Hecla Mining Company and Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC, dated December 29, 2008. Filed as exhibit 10.19 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference. (1)

 

II-10


Table of Contents
10.20    Asset Purchase Agreement between Minera Hecla S.A. DE C.V., Minera William S.A. DE C.V., and BLM Minera Mexicana S.A. DE C.V., dated March 6, 2009. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.21    Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 2, 2009 between Hecla Mining Company and the purchasers defined on the signature pages thereto. Filed as exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.*
10.22    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 2, 2009 between Hecla Mining Company and the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto. Filed as exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
10.23    Placement Agency Agreement dated as of June 2, 2009 between Hecla Mining Company and Rodman & Renshaw LLC. Filed as exhibit 10.3 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2009 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
21.1    List of subsidiaries of Registrant. Filed as exhibit 21 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
23.1    K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2    Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.**
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).

 

(1) Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

* The agreements incorporated by reference contain a brief list identifying the contents of all omitted schedules, which schedules the Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

** Filed herewith.

 

II-11