Hecla Mining Strengthens Precious Metals Portfolio with Record Zinc Paste Output

Hecla Mining Company (HL) unveiled impressive operational results for 2025, with its diversified metal production showcasing robust performance across key commodities including zinc paste. The announcement highlights the company’s ability to expand its production footprint while maintaining operational excellence, reinforcing investor confidence in its long-term strategic positioning.

Silver Milestone and Zinc Paste Expansion Drive Production Growth

The company achieved a landmark 17 million ounces of silver production in 2025, representing a 5%+ increase from the prior year and landing at the upper tier of initial guidance. Beyond traditional precious metals, Hecla’s zinc paste production line demonstrated significant momentum, contributing to the company’s strengthened commodity portfolio. Gold output surpassed expectations at 150,509 ounces compared to 141,923 ounces in 2024, while lead production totaled 56,130 tons. The zinc paste output of 68,558 tons underscores the company’s growing competitive advantage in secondary metal production, a segment gaining traction among industrial buyers seeking high-purity byproducts.

Diversified Production Engine Powers Market Position

This balanced portfolio—spanning precious metals through zinc paste—provides Hecla with multiple revenue streams and risk mitigation strategies. The company’s capacity to simultaneously scale silver (a perennial industrial demand driver) alongside specialty products like zinc paste positions it distinctly against single-commodity competitors. For 2026, management guided toward silver production in the 15.1-16.5 million ounce range, with gold targeting 134-146 thousand ounces, signaling confidence despite near-term market volatility.

Investment Acceleration and Future Outlook

A pivotal strategic shift emerged through the company’s commitment to nearly double exploration and pre-development spending to $55 million annually—a company record. Rob Krcmarov, President and CEO, emphasized: “We’re accelerating investments in our future with disciplined capital allocation to maintain robust free cash flow generation.” This dual-track approach—aggressive exploration coupled with zinc paste production expansion—charts a path toward long-term value creation. Market sentiment reflected the positive trajectory, with HL shares climbing over 6% in pre-market activity following the Friday close of $31.81, up 1.66%.