Hecla Opens Lucky Friday Mine
Hecla Mining Co. said its Lucky Friday silver mine in north Idaho was reopened last weekend. The mine had been closed for 14 days for repairs to an escape shaft.
According to Hecla, the closure should not affect the projected production of 4.5 million ounces of silver at the mine during 1999. However, first-quarter production is expected to be reduced by about 8 percent.
Lucky Friday was closed after dirt and rocks fell from the sides of an escape shaft on Jan. 22. Hecla said the slide did not damage the operating portion of the mine.