Hecla Will Reopen Mine Near Juneau

Rising metals prices have prompted Hecla Mining Co. and a partner to begin plans to reopen a silver and gold mine on an Alaskan island.

The Greens Creek Mine near Juneau has been on standby since 1993 when low metals prices forced it to shut down. The mine is expected to reopen by January 1997, officials said Wednesday.

The unusual underground mine is entered from the surface of an uninhabited island designated as a national monument. Workers commute by boat on and off the island each day.

The mine is a joint venture between Coeur d’Alene-based Hecla, with a 30 percent share, and Kennecott Minerals Co. of Salt Lake City, which owns the rest.

The companies plan to spend $87 million during the next two years to bring the mine back into production.

Recent discoveries of more high-grade ore could be enough to keep the mine operating for 18 years, the company said.