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Hecla Mining Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 6 lowered, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell on lower metal prices: Sales were $334 million, down 19% from $411 million in the prior quarter. Management attributed the decline mainly to lower realized precious metals prices, timing of sales and lower sales volumes. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 25% on quarter: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $199 million, down 25% from the prior quarter. The comparison with $93 million in the second quarter of 2025 is also given. Source
  • Free cash flow slightly below prior record: Free cash flow from continuing operations was $136 million, against a record $144 million in the prior quarter, a 5% decrease. Operating cash flow was $175 million, down 4%. Source
  • Silver production rose 8%: Consolidated silver production from continuing operations was 4.2 million ounces, up 8% from the prior quarter, driven by Lucky Friday and Keno Hill. Source
  • Costs applicable to sales fell 6%: Consolidated costs applicable to sales were $117 million, improved 6% from the prior quarter, primarily on lower volumes of silver sold. Source
  • Silver output guidance trimmed at top: Consolidated 2026 silver production guidance is now 15.1-16.1 million ounces, with the upper end lowered. Greens Creek and Lucky Friday outlooks improved, offset by a lower Keno Hill range. Source
  • Unit cost guidance lowered on first half: Silver cash cost and AISC guidance lowered, attributed to first-half results ahead of plan. Greens Creek and Lucky Friday cash cost ranges were also lowered. Source
  • Greens Creek pyrite circuit sized: Preliminary work points to 1.0 to 1.2 million ounces of incremental silver and 10,000 to 15,000 ounces of gold annually once ramped up, at a preliminary engineering level. Source

“Our second quarter results reflect the strength of the platform we have built.”

Rob Krcmarov, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Greens Creek silver production Source20268.0-8.3 million ouncesRaised from 7.5-8.1 million ounces
Lucky Friday silver production Source20264.9-5.2 million ouncesRaised from 4.7-5.2 million ounces
Keno Hill silver production Source20262.2-2.6 million ouncesLowered from 2.9-3.2 million ounces
Greens Creek gold production Source202651.0-55.0 kozKept
Total silver cash cost after by-product credits Source2026($4.00)-($3.75) per silver ounceLowered
Total silver AISC after by-product credits Source2026$12.50-$13.50 per silver ounceLowered
Greens Creek costs applicable to sales Source2026$240 million
Greens Creek cash cost after by-product credits Source2026($12.50)-($12.00) per silver ounceLowered from ($9.00)-($8.25) per silver ounce
Greens Creek AISC after by-product credits Source2026($4.25)-($3.75) per silver ounceLowered from $0.00-$0.50 per silver ounce
Lucky Friday costs applicable to sales Source2026$139 million
Lucky Friday cash cost after by-product credits Source2026$9.00-$9.75 per silver ounceLowered from $10.25-$11.00 per silver ounce
Lucky Friday AISC after by-product credits Source2026$24.50-$26.00 per silver ounceRaised from $23.50-$26.00 per silver ounce
Total capital investment (growth and sustaining) Source2026$208-223 millionRaised from $204-223 million
Exploration and pre-development Source2026$55 millionKept
Metal price assumptions for byproduct credits Source2H26gold $4,000/oz, silver $55.00/oz, zinc $1.40/lb, lead $0.85/lb, copper $4.00/lb
Canadian dollar exchange rate assumption Source20261.35 CAD/USDKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Upper end of 2026 consolidated silver production guidance lowered from 16.5 to 16.1 million ounces. Source
  • Guidance raised: Greens Creek 2026 silver production guidance raised from 7.5-8.1 to 8.0-8.3 million ounces. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Keno Hill 2026 silver production guidance lowered from 2.9-3.2 to 2.2-2.6 million ounces. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Consolidated silver cash cost and AISC guidance lowered, attributed to first-half results ahead of plan. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Greens Creek cash cost guidance lowered to ($12.50)-($12.00) and AISC to ($4.25)-($3.75) per silver ounce. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Lucky Friday cash cost guidance lowered to $9.00-$9.75 per silver ounce from $10.25-$11.00. Source
  • Guidance raised: Lower end of Lucky Friday AISC guidance raised to $24.50 from $23.50 per silver ounce. Source
  • Guidance raised: Lower end of total capital investment guidance raised to $208 million from $204 million; top end kept at $223 million. Source
  • Guidance kept: Greens Creek gold production guidance and exploration and pre-development guidance were reiterated, with no change. Source
  • New: Keno Hill to run at a sustained, more modest rate while permitting and infrastructure build-out is prioritized. Source
  • New: Greens Creek pyrite concentrate circuit now sized at 1.0 to 1.2 million ounces of silver annually once ramped up. Source
  • New: Authorization received after quarter end for construction of the Phase 2 West extension of the Keno Hill dry stack tailings facility. Source
  • Ended: Remaining $263 million of 7.25% Senior Notes redeemed; company debt free at quarter end, excluding financial leases. Source

Results and cash generation

  • Revenue fell on lower metal prices: Sales were $334 million, down 19% from $411 million in the prior quarter. Management attributed the decline mainly to lower realized precious metals prices, timing of sales and lower sales volumes. Source
  • Net income from continuing operations declined: Income from continuing operations was $118 million, or $0.18 per share, against $165 million or $0.25 per share in the prior quarter. Management cited lower revenue and higher exploration spend, partly offset by lower tax expense. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 25% on quarter: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $199 million, down 25% from the prior quarter. The comparison with $93 million in the second quarter of 2025 is also given. Source
  • Free cash flow slightly below prior record: Free cash flow from continuing operations was $136 million, against a record $144 million in the prior quarter, a 5% decrease. Operating cash flow was $175 million, down 4%. Source
  • Receivables decline supported operating cash: Accounts receivable fell $63 million on concentrate shipment timing, collections and lower metal prices, which reduced the value of concentrate receivables at June 30, 2026. Source

Mine-by-mine performance

  • Greens Creek posted record site cash flow: Greens Creek produced about 2.1 million ounces of silver and 14 thousand ounces of gold. Its silver cash cost was ($17.11) per ounce after by-product credits. Site free cash flow was $130 million. Source
  • Lucky Friday set record silver output: Lucky Friday produced a quarterly record 1.5 million ounces of silver. Costs applicable to sales were $35 million, with silver cash cost of $3.95 per ounce, and site free cash flow was $88 million. Source
  • Keno Hill output reduced by lower grade: Keno Hill produced 0.6 million ounces of silver after working through a lower-grade zone of the Bermingham deposit. Keno Hill is in pre-commercial production and is excluded from consolidated cost measures. Source
  • Safety rate improved on quarter: Consolidated total recordable incident rate was 1.57, down from 2.07 in the prior quarter. Source

“Lucky Friday delivered record quarterly silver production, underscoring the quality of our silver portfolio.”

Rob Krcmarov, President and Chief Executive Officer

Production, sales and volumes

  • Silver production rose 8%: Consolidated silver production from continuing operations was 4.2 million ounces, up 8% from the prior quarter, driven by Lucky Friday and Keno Hill. Source
  • Lucky Friday grade lifted output: Lucky Friday's record output came from a 31% higher milled grade, which management described as consistent with plan but not expected to be sustained, against 6% lower tons milled. Source
  • Keno Hill milling rates rose: Keno Hill production rose 28% as milling rates increased 38%, partly offset by a 7% lower milled grade. Source
  • Payable silver sales fell 5%: Silver payable ounces sold were 3.4 million, down 5%, mainly from lower sales at Greens Creek and Keno Hill, partly offset by higher Lucky Friday sales. Gold payable ounces sold fell 12% on timing at Greens Creek. Source
  • Greens Creek gold output up 10%: Gold production from Greens Creek was 14 thousand ounces, up 10%, on 4% higher mill throughput and a higher grade milled. Source
  • Greens Creek silver concentrate built up: Silver concentrate shipments at Greens Creek lagged production, building inventory at quarter end that was shipped in early August. Source

Costs, by-product credits and prices

  • Costs applicable to sales fell 6%: Consolidated costs applicable to sales were $117 million, improved 6% from the prior quarter, primarily on lower volumes of silver sold. Source
  • Silver unit costs improved on credits and volume: Silver cash cost was ($8.10) per ounce and AISC $6.07, against ($3.24) and $8.17 in the prior quarter, with Keno Hill excluded. Gains came from higher ounces and by-product credits. Source
  • Sustaining capital raised AISC: AISC was partly offset by $11 million higher sustaining capital, split roughly evenly between Lucky Friday and Greens Creek, and $1 million lower general and administrative expense. Source
  • Realized silver and gold prices fell: Realized silver averaged $63.06 per ounce, down from $82.70. Realized gold averaged $4,256 per ounce, down from $4,899. Realized zinc rose to $1.63 per pound from $1.41. Source

“At the same time, our organic project pipeline continues to advance, demonstrating real potential for meaningful value creation”

Rob Krcmarov, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance changes for 2026

  • Silver output guidance trimmed at top: Consolidated 2026 silver production guidance is now 15.1-16.1 million ounces, with the upper end lowered. Greens Creek and Lucky Friday outlooks improved, offset by a lower Keno Hill range. Source
  • Unit cost guidance lowered on first half: Silver cash cost and AISC guidance lowered, attributed to first-half results ahead of plan. Greens Creek and Lucky Friday cash cost ranges were also lowered. Source
  • Greens Creek production range raised: Greens Creek silver production guidance was raised. Greens Creek gold production guidance was reiterated. Source
  • Keno Hill range lowered on modest rate: Keno Hill silver guidance was reduced as the plan is a more modest sustained rate while permitting and infrastructure work is prioritized. Source
  • Lucky Friday AISC floor raised on capital: Lower end of Lucky Friday AISC guidance raised to reflect higher sustaining capital investment guidance at the mine. Source

Balance sheet, capital and payouts

  • Debt-free after notes redemption: The remaining $263 million of 7.25% Senior Notes was redeemed. Company ends the quarter with no debt excluding finance leases and an undrawn $225 million revolving credit facility, plus a $75 million accordion option. Source
  • Cash balance at quarter end: Cash and cash equivalents were $483 million at June 30, 2026, with no revolver draws and $3.5 million of availability used for letters of credit. Source
  • Capital investment steady on quarter: Capital investment in continuing operations was $39 million, nearly unchanged from the prior quarter. Source
  • Common and preferred dividends declared: Quarterly common dividend of $0.00375 per share declared, and Series B preferred dividend of $0.875 per share declared. Source
  • Share repurchases in second quarter: Acquisition of treasury shares was $3.4 million in the second quarter, against $1.2 million in the first quarter. Source

Growth pipeline and exploration

  • Greens Creek pyrite circuit sized: Preliminary work points to 1.0 to 1.2 million ounces of incremental silver and 10,000 to 15,000 ounces of gold annually once ramped up, at a preliminary engineering level. Source
  • Greens Creek tailings hold large metal stock: The dry-stack tailings facility held an estimated 10.6 million tons, with roughly 51 million ounces of silver and about 600 thousand ounces of gold, at an estimated in-situ gross value of $6.1 billion. Source
  • Midas restart evaluation continues: Management continues to evaluate restarting the permitted Midas mill, a 1,200 tpd facility, with a hub-and-spoke model that could draw ore from regional deposits. Source
  • Nevada exploration budget more than tripled: $16 million of the 2026 exploration budget is allocated to Nevada, more than three times the 2025 investment. New high-grade vein discoveries at Midas were reported. Source
  • Second-quarter exploration spend: The company invested $11.3 million in exploration and corporate development and $0.4 million in pre-development during the second quarter, focused on Keno Hill and Midas discovery drilling. Source

Management view and corporate priorities

  • Corporate initiatives continue in 2026: The company continues to invest in 2026 corporate initiatives aimed at planning discipline and operational efficiency. Source
  • Keno Hill tailings phase authorized: Following quarter end, authorization was received for construction of the Phase 2 West extension of the Keno Hill dry stack tailings facility. Source
  • Bermingham drilling extended toward historic mine: Drilling extended the high-grade Bermingham Deep trend at Keno Hill toward the historic Hector-Calumet Mine, now traceable over 800 feet of strike length. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • Greens Creek tailings Phase 3 testing: Phase 3 testing of the Greens Creek tailings reprocessing project is scheduled for completion in August 2026. The result is expected to help shape next steps. Source
  • Greens Creek pyrite circuit first production: First production from the pyrite concentrate circuit is targeted between the fourth quarter of 2027 and the first half of 2028, with about one year to reach full capacity. Source
  • Capital investment to rise in second half: Capital investment is expected to increase in the third quarter and remain elevated in the fourth quarter as projects advance. Source
  • Regular Nevada exploration updates: The company aims to provide regular exploration updates for Nevada projects throughout 2026, with programs starting at Hollister and Aurora. Source
  • Preferred dividend payment date: Series B preferred dividend of $0.875 per share is payable on or about October 1, 2026, to holders of record on September 15, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Silver production, total ounces Source4,208,827 ounces
Silver production, Greens Creek ounces Source2,051,022 ounces
Silver production, Lucky Friday ounces Source1,532,569 ounces
Silver production, Keno Hill ounces Source625,236 ounces
Gold production, Greens Creek ounces Source14,199 ounces
Silver payable ounces sold Source3,392,314 ounces
Gold payable ounces sold Source10,151 ounces
Milled tons, Greens Creek Source217,433 tons

Risks management discussed

  • External: Sales declined on a declining price environment and timing of sales, and realized prices fell for silver and gold. Source
  • Operational: Lucky Friday's higher milled grade is consistent with plan but is not expected to be sustained. Source
  • Operational: Keno Hill output was reduced by working through a lower-grade zone of the Bermingham deposit. Source
  • Regulatory: Keno Hill is to run at a more modest sustained rate while permitting and infrastructure build-out is prioritized. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: The Q1 release said the project was tracking for completion by mid-2026. The Q2 release says it is 88% complete and on track for completion in September. Source
  • Not stated: The Q1 release expected Keno Hill silver grade to increase in the second quarter. The Q2 table shows Keno Hill milled grade of 19.3 opt against 20.8 opt in the first quarter.
  • Not stated: The Keno Hill operating plan is described as previously disclosed, with permitting and infrastructure build-out prioritized. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.