EX-96.3 17 ex_338337.htm EXHIBIT 96.3 ex_338337.htm

Exhibit 96.3

 

cover01.jpg Technical Report Summary
on the Casa Berardi Mine,
Northwestern Québec, Canada
S-K 1300 Report

 

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Technical Report Summary on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada

 

SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021

 

Prepared by

SLR International Corporation

22118 20th Ave SE, Suite G202

Bothell, WA 98021 USA

for

 

Hecla Mining Company

6500 N. Mineral Drive, Suite 200

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

USA 83815

 

 

Effective Date – December 31, 2021

Signature Date - February 21, 2022

 

 

 

FINAL
 

 

Distribution:         1 copy – Hecla Mining Company

                      1 copy – SLR International Corporation

 

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CONTENTS

 

 
     

1.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1-1

1.1

Summary

1-1

1.2

Economic Analysis

1-6

1.3

Technical Summary

1-11

     

2.0

INTRODUCTION

2-1

2.1

Site Visit

2-1

2.2

Sources of Information

2-2

2.3

List of Abbreviations

2-4

     

3.0

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

3-1

3.1

Location

3-1

3.2

Land Tenure

3-1

3.3

Encumbrances

3-5

3.4

Royalties

3-5

3.5

Other Significant Factors and Risks

3-5

     

4.0

ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

4-1

4.1

Accessibility

4-1

4.2

Climate

4-1

4.3

Local Resources

4-1

4.4

Infrastructure

4-1

4.5

Physiography

4-5

     

5.0

HISTORY

5-1

5.1

Exploration and Development History

5-1

5.2

Production

5-4

     

6.0

GEOLOGICAL SETTING, MINERALIZATION, AND DEPOSIT

6-1

6.1

Regional Geology

6-1

6.2

Property Geology

6-2

6.3

Mineralization

6-5

6.4

Veins

6-6

6.5

Stockworks

6-6

6.6

Banded Iron Formation

6-7

6.7

Deposit Types

6-19

     

7.0

EXPLORATION

7-1

7.1

Hecla Exploration 2016 to 2021

7-1

7.2

Drilling

7-4

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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7.3

Casa Berardi Regional Drilling

7-7

7.4

Hecla Drilling Protocols

7-9

7.5

Hydrogeology Data

7-10

7.6

Geotechnical Data

7-11

     

8.0

SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES, AND SECURITY

8-1

8.1

Sampling Method and Approach

8-1

8.2

Sample Preparation and Analysis

8-2

8.3

Hecla QA/QC Program

8-4

8.4

Mine Laboratory QA/QC Program

8-19

8.5

Conclusions

8-20

     

9.0

DATA VERIFICATION

9-1

9.1

Drill Hole Database Verification

9-1

9.2

Comments on Data Verification

9-2

     

10.0

MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

10-1

10.1

Introduction

10-1

10.2

Metallurgical Testing

10-2

10.3

Operation Data

10-6

10.4

Recovery Models

10-7

10.5

Expected Recoveries

10-9

10.6

Deleterious Elements

10-9

10.7

Conclusions and Recommendations

10-9

     

11.0

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

11-1

11.1

Summary

11-1

11.2

Database

11-10

11.3

Density Determination

11-11

11.4

Geological Interpretation

11-13

11.5

Cut-Off Grade for Reporting Mineral Resources

11-15

11.6

Block Modeling and Mineral Resource Estimation

11-17

11.7

Underground Extraction Data and Compositing

11-22

11.8

Underground Block Models

11-22

11.9

Underground Mineral Resource Methodologies

11-22

11.10

Open Pit Extraction Data and Compositing

11-22

11.11

Open Pit Block Models

11-23

11.12

Open Pit Mineral Resource Methodologies

11-23

11.13

Principal Pit

11-23

11.14

Cavity Monitoring Surveys of Mined-Out Stopes in GEMS Database

11-23

11.15

Mineral Resource Classification

11-23

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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11.16

Mineral Resource Validation

11-25

11.17

Risk Factors That May Affect the Mineral Resource Estimate

11-26

     

12.0

MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES

12-1

12.1

Underground Mineral Reserves

12-3

12.2

Open Pit Mineral Reserves

12-4

12.3

Cut-Off Grade

12-5

12.4

Dilution and Extraction

12-6

12.5

Estimation Methodology – Open Pit Projects

12-8

12.6

Comparison to Previous Estimates

12-10

12.7

Reconciliation

12-11

     

13.0

MINING METHODS

13-1

13.1

Mining Operations – Underground

13-1

13.2

Ground Stability

13-5

13.3

Underground Development

13-7

13.4

Backfill

13-8

13.5

Mine Equipment

13-9

13.6

Mine Infrastructure

13-10

13.7

Open Pit Mining Operations

13-17

13.8

Long Term Plan

13-36

13.9

Life of Mine Plan

13-36

     

14.0

PROCESSING AND RECOVERY METHODS

14-1

14.1

Introduction

14-1

14.2

Process Description

14-1

14.3

Energy, Water, and Process Materials Requirements

14-5

14.4

Personnel

14-6

     

15.0

INFRASTRUCTURE

15-1

15.1

Roads and Logistics

15-1

15.2

Mine Layout

15-1

     

16.0

MARKET STUDIES

16-1

16.1

Markets

16-1

16.2

Contracts

16-2

     

17.0

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS, OR AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

17-1

17.1

Environmental Considerations

17-1

17.2

Water Management and Effluent Treatment

17-1

17.3

Regulatory Change and Environmental Permits

17-3

17.4

Mine Reclamation and Closure

17-13

17.5

Community and Social Aspects

17-13

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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17.6

Comments on Environmental Studies, Permitting, and Community Impact

17-14

     

18.0

CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

18-1

18.1

Capital Costs

18-1

18.2

Operating Costs

18-2

     

19.0

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

19-1

19.1

Economic Criteria

19-1

19.2

Cash Flow Analysis

19-3

19.3

Sensitivity Analysis

19-6

     

20.0

ADJACENT PROPERTIES

20-1

     

21.0

OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION

21-1

     

22.0

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

22-1

     

23.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

23-1

     

24.0

REFERENCES

24-1

     

25.0

RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT

25-1

     

26.0

DATE AND SIGNATURE PAGE

26-1

     

27.0

APPENDIX 1: CLAIM TABLE

27-1

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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TABLES

 

Table 1‑1:

Life of Mine Indicative Economic Results

1-9

Table 1‑:

LOM Capital Cost Summary

1-16

Table 1‑:

LOM Operating Cost Summary

1-17

Table 5‑1:

Historical Diamond Drilling

5-1

Table 5‑2:

Historical Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves 1987 to 1997

5-1

Table 5‑3:

Historical Mine Production

5-2

Table 5‑4:

Casa Berardi Production 1988 to 2021

5-4

Table 7‑1:

Exploration, Definition, and Infill Drilling Programs from 2006 to 2021

7-4

Table 7‑2:

Hydrogeological Drill Holes in 2021

7-10

Table 7‑3:

Geotechnical Drill Holes in 2021

7-11

Table 8‑1:

Pulp Duplicate Summary from 2009 to 2021

8-5

Table 8‑2:

External Check Assays from 2009 to 2021

8-7

Table 8‑3:

Reject External Check Assays

8-10

Table 8‑4:

CRM Results

8-11

Table 8‑5:

Casa Berardi Laboratory Program CRMs

8-19

Table 10‑1:

Chemical Assays of Composite Samples

10-2

Table 10‑2:

Comminution Test Results on Composites

10-4

Table 10‑3:

GRG Test Results on Composite Sample

10-5

Table 10‑4:

Summary of Leaching Test Results

10-5

Table 10‑5:

Casa Berardi Annual Production

10-6

Table 10‑6:

Detailed Yearly Mill Production

10-7

Table 10‑7:

Expected Recovery LOM for Open Pit

10-9

Table 11‑1:

Mineral Resource Estimate by Zone – December 31, 2021

11-1

Table 11‑2:

Mineral Resource Estimate Summary – December 31, 2021

11-5

Table 11‑3:

Comparison of December 31, 2021 versus December 31, 2020 Mineral Resources

11-7

Table 11‑4:

Database Structure

11-10

Table 11‑5:

Density Determinations by Zone

11-12

Table 11‑6:

Underground Mineral Resource Cut-Off Grades by Zone

11-16

Table 11‑7:

Open Pit Mineral Resource Cut-Off Grades by Pit

11-17

Table 11‑8:

Capping Levels

11-17

Table 12‑1:

Summary of Mineral Reserves – December 31, 2021

12-1

Table 12‑2:

Mineral Reserves by Zone – December 31, 2021

12-2

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 12‑3:

Underground and Open Pit Reserve Cut-Off Grades

12-6

Table 12‑4:

Dilution and Extractions Estimates – Underground

12-7

Table 12‑5:

Dilution and Extractions Estimates – Open Pit

12-8

Table 12‑6:

Change in Mineral Reserves 2020 to 2021

12-10

Table 12‑7:

Mine-Mill Reconciliation – 2006 to 2021

12-12

Table 12‑8:

Mine-Mill Reconciliation – 2006 to 2021

12-13

Table 12‑9:

Mine-Mill Reconciliation – 2021

12-14

Table 12‑10:

Mine-Mill Reconciliation – 2021

12-15

Table 13‑1:

Tonnage per Stope

13-4

Table 13‑2:

Typical Stope Delays and Activity Duration

13-5

Table 13‑3:

2011 to 2021 Development Performance

13-8

Table 13‑4:

Underground Mine Equipment List

13-9

Table 13‑5:

Mine Personnel List

13-16

Table 13‑6:

Mine Equipment List Open Pit

13-19

Table 13‑7:

Project Owner Equipment Fleet

13-20

Table 13‑8:

Geotechnical, Geomechanical, Hydrological and Hydrogeological Studies (Underground Mines)

13-23

Table 13‑9:

Geotechnical, Geomechanical, Hydrological and Hydrogeological Studies (Open Pit Mines)

13-24

Table 13‑10:

Dumping Sequencing

13-30

Table 13‑11:

LOM Production Forecast

13-38

Table 13‑12:

LOM Development Schedule

13-39

Table 14‑1:

Major Equipment List

14-4

Table 14‑2:

Reagent Consumption 2021

14-6

Table 16‑1:

Hecla Historical Average Realized Metal Prices

16-1

Table 17‑1:

Existing Environmental Permits

17-4

Table 17‑2:

Total Contributions from 2018 to 2021

17-14

Table 18‑1:

LOM Capital Costs

18-1

Table 18‑2:

2020 and 2021 Actual and Budgeted Operating Costs

18-2

Table 18‑3:

LOM Operating Costs

18-3

Table 18‑4:

LOM Unit Operating Costs

18-3

Table 19‑1:

Annual Cash Flow Model

19-4

Table 19‑2:

Sensitivity Analysis Summary

19-7

Table 21‑1:

LTP versus LOM Plan

21-2

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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FIGURES

 

Figure 1‑1:

Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

1-2

Figure 3‑1:

Location Map

3-1

Figure 3‑2:

Property Location Map

3-2

Figure 3‑3:

Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

3-3

Figure 3‑4:

Property Claim Map

3-4

Figure 4‑1:

Casa Berardi Surface Infrastructure (Current and Preliminary)

4-2

Figure 4‑2:

East Mine Surface Infrastructure

4-3

Figure 4‑3:

West Mine Surface Infrastructure

4-4

Figure 6‑1:

Regional Geology of Northwestern Québec, Canada

6-1

Figure 6‑2:

Casa Berardi Property Geology

6-2

Figure 6‑3:

Stratigraphic Sequence

6-3

Figure 6‑4:

Property Surface Geology

6-4

Figure 6‑5:

Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

6-7

Figure 6‑6:

Section 11,385E, West Mine including the 113 Zone and Casa Berardi Fault

6-9

Figure 6‑7:

Section 10,800E, West Mine Geology and Mining Infrastructure

6-10

Figure 6‑8:

Plan View of the 1,010 m Level, Principal Area, Showing the 113, 118, and 123 Zones

6-12

Figure 6‑9:

Section 12,330E, Principal Area Geology 118, 123, and 124 Zones

6-13

Figure 6‑10:

Plan View of the 290 m Level, Principal Area including the 124 Zone Lenses

6-15

Figure 6‑11:

East Mine Composite Longitudinal Section

6-17

Figure 6‑12:

Section 15, 840E, East Mine Geology and Infrastructure – 160 Zone

6-18

Figure 7‑1:

Diamond and Overburden Drilling

7-2

Figure 8‑1:

Mine Laboratory Pulp Duplicate Assays in 2021

8-6

Figure 8‑2:

Mine Laboratory External Check Assays at ALS in 2021

8-8

Figure 8‑3:

Mine Laboratory External Check Assays at ALS in 2021- 0 g/t to 50 g/t Au Subset

8-9

Figure 8‑4:

Standard Results from 2006 to 2021

8-18

Figure 8‑5:

Mine and Swastika Blanks – 2021

8-19

Figure 10‑1:

Mineralogical Analyses on Composites

10-3

Figure 11‑1:

Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

11-6

Figure 12‑1:

Tonnage Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

12-16

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Figure 12‑2:

Grade Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

12-17

Figure 12‑3:

Contained Gold Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

12-17

Figure 13‑1:

Transverse Mining Method

13-3

Figure 13‑2:

West Mine Surface Infrastructure

13-10

Figure 13‑3:

East Mine Surface Infrastructure

13-11

Figure 13‑4:

West Mine - Ventilation Schematic Circuit

13-12

Figure 13‑5:

East Mine - Ventilation Schematic Circuit

13-13

Figure 13‑6:

Casa Berardi Main Station 120 kV Flowsheet

13-15

Figure 13‑7:

Open Pit and Waste Rock Locations

13-29

Figure 13‑8:

Isometric View of the EMCP Pit and XMCP Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

13-32

Figure 13‑9:

Plan View of the 160 Pit Project

13-33

Figure 13‑10:

Isometric View of the 134 Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

13-34

Figure 13‑11:

Isometric View of the WMCP Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

13-35

Figure 13‑12:

Isometric View of the Principal Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

13-36

Figure 14‑1:

Mill Flowsheet

14-1

Figure 15‑1:

Surface Infrastructure (Current and Preliminary)

15-1

Figure 15‑2:

Surface Plan Tailings and Waste Rock Facilities

15-2

Figure 17‑1:

Water Management

17-2

Figure 19‑:

After-tax NPV at 5% Sensitivity Analysis

19-8

 

 

APPENDIX TABLES AND FIGURES

 

Table 27‑1: Claim Table 27-1

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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1.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1

Summary

 

SLR International Corporation (SLR) was retained by Hecla Mining Company (Hecla) to prepare an independent Technical Report Summary (TRS) on the Casa Berardi Mine (Casa Berardi or the Property), located in Québec, Canada. The purpose of this TRS is to support the disclosure of the Casa Berardi Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates as of December 31, 2021. This TRS conforms to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Modernized Property Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants as described in Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K, Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary. SLR visited the Property on August 24 to 25, 2021.

 

Hecla was established in 1891 and has its headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA. In June 2013, Hecla acquired Aurizon Mines Ltd. (Aurizon) and renamed the company Hecla Québec Inc. (Hecla Québec). Hecla has an administrative/exploration office in Val‑d’Or, Québec and an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hecla holds a 100% interest in Casa Berardi through its wholly owned subsidiary Hecla Québec. The Casa Berardi complex has a 33 year history of surface and underground mining operations.

 

The Property is located in the northwestern Québec, approximately 95 km north of the town of La Sarre, in the James Bay Municipality.  The Property extends east-west for more than 37 km and reaches 3.5 km in width.  The Property is bounded in the west by the Québec/Ontario border and covers parts of Casa Berardi, Dieppe, Raymond, D’Estrées, and Puiseaux townships.  The Casa Berardi gold deposits are located along a five kilometre east-west mineralized corridor associated with the Casa Berardi Fault.  They comprise the West Mine, including the Principal area, and the East Mine.

 

The Casa Berardi gold deposits can be classified as an Archean sedimentary hosted lode gold deposit. The gold mineralization is superimposed on a continuous graphitic mudrock unit corresponding to the Casa Berardi Fault plane. Gold occurs mainly south of the Casa Berardi Fault, and occasionally on both sides of the fault.

 

The Casa Berardi operation includes several open pits and two underground mines (Figure 1‑1). The Mine has produced approximately 2.84 million ounces (Moz) Au (recovered) since commencing production in 1988, including approximately 2.15 Moz Au (recovered) since production recommenced in November 2006.

 

The Casa Berardi processing facilities consists of a 3,836 tonnes per day (tpd) mill, with the ability to process 4,100 tpd, and a carbon-in-leach (CIL) process to recover gold from the ore.

 

Production for Casa Berardi over the current life of mine (LOM), 2022 to 2035, will be comprised of 2.4 million tonnes (Mt) from the underground operations from 2022 until 2027 and 16.5 Mt from the open pit operations from 2022 until 2035. Production will be split evenly over the initial four year period, when production from the underground operations reduces and subsequently from 2027 the open pits will provide the full production tonnage at a rate of approximately 4,000 tpd or 1.4 Mt per annum (Mtpa). Gold production over the LOM is forecasted to total 1.49 Moz Au (average of 106,000 oz Au per annum) while recovered silver is forecasted to total 357,000 oz Ag (average of 25,500 oz Ag per annum).

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Figure 11: Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

 

1.1.1

Conclusions

 

SLR offers the following conclusions and observations by area:

 

1.1.1.1

Geology and Mineral Resources

 

 

Mineral Resources have been classified in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Resources in S-K 1300. Total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, as of December 31, 2021, are estimated to be 7.04 Mt at 4.66 g/t Au containing 1,05 Moz Au. Inferred Mineral Resources total 9.18 Mt at 2.68 g/t Au for 0.79 Moz Au. The underground portion of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources represent 98% of the total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources.

 

 

The Casa Berardi Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and the underground Inferred Mineral Resources have been prepared to industry best practices and conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300. The SLR Qualified Person (QP) notes that the open pit Inferred Mineral Resources situated at the 134 and 160 pits are not constrained by a resource pit shell and that the elevation datums used to limit the open pit resources at depth are optimistic and should be replaced with resource shells in the future. Notwithstanding, the SLR QP is of the opinion that this is not a significant issue because this material represents approximately 9% of the total reserve and resource ounces at Casa Berardi, it is all classified as Inferred, and none of it is included in the Long Term Plan (LTP).

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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The Mineral Resources for Casa Berardi conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300. Resource classification polygons were manually created for reach lens based on drill hole composites with average distances of up to 25 m for Measured and Indicated blocks. Measured blocks have the added requirement of having underground development nearby. Inferred blocks are located outside the 25 m average distance polygons and are based on average distances up to generally a maximum of 35 m and rarely up to 50 m.

 

 

The open pit block models are diluted to whole block models using scripts in Gemcom. For the open pit diluted block models, only the blocks with more than 25% of mineralized material were classified, the remaining blocks with less than 25% of mineralized material are not classified and excluded from the resource estimate.

 

 

From 1974 to 2021, surface and underground diamond drilling, totalling over 3.5 million metres, has been completed at Casa Berardi.

 

 

Over the past few decades, the Casa Berardi geology team has developed an advanced understanding of the complex geology, lithology, structural, and alteration controls present at Casa Berardi.

 

 

The mineralization style and setting are well understood and support the declaration of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The Casa Berardi sample preparation, analyses, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols, and security procedures are acceptable, meet industry standard practice, and are adequate for Mineral Resource estimation.

 

 

o

Sample collection and handling of core is undertaken in accordance with industry standard practices, with procedures implemented to limit potential sample losses and sampling biases.

 

 

o

Sample preparation for samples that support Mineral Resource estimation has followed a similar procedure since 1998. These preparation procedures are consistent with industry standard methods for gold deposits.

 

 

o

Core from exploration and infill diamond drilling programs are analyzed by independent and accredited laboratories using industry standard methods for gold and silver analyses. Current run of mine sample analyses are performed by the mine laboratory.

 

 

o

While limited information is available regarding the QA/QC procedures for the pre-1998 drill programs, sufficient reanalysis programs and vast amounts of more recent data support the use of pre-1998 data.

 

 

The QA/QC program results indicate that the sample preparation and analytical procedures at the mine laboratory and Swastika Laboratories Ltd. (Swastika) are well aligned to generate reliable and accurate results.

 

 

o

Blank sample results imply minimal cross sample contamination.

 

 

o

Certified reference material (CRM) results demonstrate that assay values are sufficiently accurate to be used in Mineral Resource estimation and no significant biases are evident at the mine and Swastika laboratories.

 

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o

Sequential insertion of duplicate samples has resulted in a relatively low proportion of duplicate results for mineralized samples.

 

 

o

External pulp and reject check assays suggest that the ALS Geochemistry (ALS) gold assays may be biased high relative to the Swastika and Mine laboratory results.

 

 

Sample security is regarded as very good. Samples are always attended or locked in the on site logging or sampling facilities. Chain of custody procedures consist of completing sample submittal forms that are sent to the laboratory with sample shipments and shipment tracking to ensure that all samples are received by the laboratory.

 

 

The data verification programs undertaken on the data collected from the Project comply with industry standards and adequately support the geological interpretations, validate the analytical and database quality, and support the use of the data in Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and in mine planning

 

 

The SLR QP is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that would materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate.

 

 

The Property is very large and covers a very favourable geological environment for gold mineralization including a 37 km strike length along the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that excellent exploration potential remains on the Property, both along strike and at depth in the immediate mine area and on the rest of the Property.

 

 

Geophysics and drilling are the key exploration tools needed to make new discoveries under the thick layer of overburden that covers most of the Property.

 

1.1.1.2

Mining and Mineral Reserves

 

 

Mineral Reserves have been classified in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Reserves in S-K 1300. Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2021 total 18.82 Mt grading 2.95 g/t Au containing 1.78 Moz Au.

 

 

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources were converted to Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, respectively. Inferred Mineral Resources were not converted to Mineral Reserves, however, are typically included in the Casa Berardi LTP and therefore are removed from the LOM cash flows to ensure economic confirmation of the Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The mining methods at Casa Berardi are well established with many years of operating experience, providing the necessary expertise to, safely and economically, extract the Mineral Reserves.

 

 

While both transverse and longitudinal longhole stoping methods are employed effectively challenging ground conditions require the use of various types of backfill to provide the necessary support.

 

 

Underground mining will come predominantly from the West Mine with a minor amount from the East Mine. Mining from various open pits on surface represent the bulk of the Mineral Reserves to be mined, accounting for approximately 77% of the Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The current LOM period is estimated to be fourteen years ending in 2035. Underground Mineral Reserves totalling 2.4 Mt will be mined during the first six years while open pit Mineral Reserves totalling 16.5 Mt will be mined over the entire LOM period.

 

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1.1.1.3

Mineral Processing

 

 

Metallurgical and production models have been developed from extensive baseline sampling and are further adjusted annually to account for process and metallurgical improvements and changes.

 

 

The test work performed on open pit material was used to estimate gold recovery, while operating data was used for underground material. Recent test work has been performed by an external laboratory on future open pit material (West Mine Crown Pillar (WMCP) and Principal). WMCP test results were used to inform the long term mine plan. An update on data pertaining to the Principal Pit will be made once the test results are available.

 

 

Test work programs, both internal and external, continue to be performed to support current operations and potential improvements.

 

 

The current process facilities are appropriate for the mineralization types provided from the mine. The flowsheet, equipment, and infrastructure are expected to support the current LOM plan.

 

1.1.1.4

Infrastructure

 

 

Hecla plans to build a new maintenance garage to handle the 150 t trucks.

 

 

Hecla plans to build a new pre-crusher.

 

1.1.1.5

Environment

 

 

Hecla has sufficiently assessed the environmental impact of the operation, and subsequent closure and remediation requirements such that Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves can be declared, and the mine plan deemed appropriate and achievable. Closure provisions are appropriately considered and monitoring programs are in place.

 

 

Hecla has developed a community relations plan to identify and ensure an understanding of the needs of the surrounding communities and to determine appropriate programs for addressing those needs. Hecla appropriately monitors socio-economic trends, community perceptions, and mining impacts.

 

 

Permits held by Hecla for the Property are sufficient to ensure that mining activities are conducted within the regulatory framework required by regulations.

 

 

There are currently no known environmental, permitting, or social/community risks that could impact the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves.

 

1.1.2

Recommendations

 

It is normal that there are not many recommendations for mature operations like Casa Berardi. SLR offers the following recommendations by area.

 

1.1.2.1

Geology and Mineral Resources

 

 

1.

Continue drilling to expand the near mine open pit and underground Mineral Resources.

 

 

2.

Convert open pit and underground Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated, especially material in the LTP.

 

 

3.

Continue to drill below the 134 and 160 pits.

 

 

4.

Create resource open pit shells for 134 and 160.

 

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5.

Increase regional exploration activities to make new discoveries on the very large Property.

 

 

6.

Consider changing QA/QC protocols related to pulp duplicate selection and sending rejects for external check assays.

 

 

7.

Investigate the potential high gold assay bias at the secondary umpire laboratory.

 

 

8.

Implement procedures that will help reduce CRM mislabelling or “swaps”.

 

1.1.2.2

Mining and Mineral Reserves

 

 

1.

Investigate the potential use of contractors, improved equipment performance, revised schedules and other incentives to complete the planned development.

 

 

o

While mining operations at Casa Berardi are being carried out in an appropriate fashion annual mine development to access future mining areas has fallen short of planned advance rates. Additional efforts will be required to meet production targets.

 

 

2.

Continue conducting definition diamond drilling throughout the remainder of the underground mining operation until 2027.

 

 

o

Based on positive ongoing results consider increasing the drilling program.

 

 

3.

Continue to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves to extend the underground operation past 2027 and extend open pit mining where possible.

 

 

4.

Investigate adding marginal underground Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources to the Mineral Reserves.

 

1.1.2.3

Mineral Processing

 

 

1.

Continue to conduct additional metallurgical testing to better understand the processing of mineralization from the Principal and WMCP pits. This will aid in projecting metallurgical recoveries for these pits and will indicate any variability in gold recovery and grindability of the material. SLR notes that testing was undertaken at an external laboratory in 2021 and some results were not available at the time of preparation of this TRS.

 

1.2

Economic Analysis

 

The economic analysis contained in this TRS is based on the Casa Berardi Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves material only, economic assumptions, and capital and operating costs provided by Hecla’s technical team in its LOM plan model and reviewed by SLR. All costs in this section are expressed in US dollars. Unless otherwise stated, all costs in this section of the TRS are expressed without allowance for escalation or currency fluctuation. All costs received from Hecla’s site technical team in its Casa Berardi LOM 2022 Reserves only model were quoted in Canadian dollars and were converted to US dollars at an exchange rate of US$1 = C$1.275.

 

A summary of the key project criteria is provided in the subsequent subsections.

 

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1.2.1

Economic Criteria

 

1.2.1.1

Physicals

 

  Mine life: 14 year LOM (between years 2022 and 2035)
           
  Open Pit operations
           
    Open pit mine life: 14 years (between years 2022 and 2035)
           
    Total ore tonnes mined: 16.45 Mt at 2.61 g/t Au
           
    Waste tonnes: 245.64 Mt
           
    Maximum mining rate: 72,000 tpd (ore + waste) in year 2028
           
  Underground operations  
           
    Underground mine life: 6 years (between years 2022 and 2027)
           
    Total ore tonnes mined: 2.37 Mt at 5.27 g/t Au
           
    Maximum mining rate: 1,300 tpd
           
  Processing of Mineral Reserves:  
           
    Total Ore Feed to Plant: 18.83 Mt
           
      Gold grade: 2.95 g/t Au
           
      Silver grade: 0.71 g/t Ag
           
      Silver/Gold ratio: Ag = 23.99% of Au
           
    Maximum milling rate: 4,500 tpd
           
    Contained Metal  
           
      Gold: 1.78 Moz Au
           
      Silver: 0.428 Moz Ag
           
    Average LOM Plant Recovery 83.5%
           
    Recovered Metal  
           
      Gold: 1.49 Moz Au
           
      Silver: 0.358 Moz Ag

 

1.2.1.2

Revenue

 

  SLR conducted a preliminary economic analysis using flat Mineral Reserve pricing of US$1,600/oz Au and US$21/oz Ag and confirmed the mine was economic at those prices.
     
  For the purposes of this economic analysis described in this section, revenue is estimated over the LOM with a flat long term price of US$1,650/oz Au and US$21/oz Ag, respectively. SLR considers this price to be aligned with latest industry consensus long term forecast prices.Transportation, insurance and refining charges are estimated at US$4.31/oz Au over the LOM. Payable metals in the Casa Berardi LOM 2022 plan are estimated at 99.9% for gold and 99% for silver. These rates are based on actual figures for refining losses.

 

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LOM net revenue is US$2,456 million (after Refining Charges).

 

1.2.1.3

Capital Costs

 

 

Total sustaining capital costs total US$347.2 million

 

 

Capital costs in years 2024 and 2025, are higher than the LOM average to prepare infrastructure needed to achieve full production in the open pits.

 

 

Salvage value of US$20.9 million.

 

 

Closure costs of US$22.9 million are included in the analysis at the end of the LOM.

 

1.2.1.4

Operating Costs

 

 

Open Pit mining:                                                           US$15.50/t ore mined 

 

 

Underground mining:                                                    US$53.43/t ore mined 

 

 

Processing (includes paste fill plant):                            US$20.05/t ore milled

 

 

Site Services - Mechanical & Electrical:                       US$16.42/t ore milled

 

 

Hedging Operating Costs Savings:                                - US$0.26/t ore milled

 

 

G&A                                                                              US$12.53/t ore milled

 

 

Total unit operating costs                                              US$69.03/t ore milled

 

 

LOM total operating costs                                             US$1,300 million.

 

 

Excludes financing and corporate overhead costs

 

1.2.1.5

Taxation and Royalties

 

 

Royalties: The current production zones as well as any in the 2022 LOM are not subject to a net smelter return (NSR) or royalty to a third party / previous landowner.

 

 

Income tax is payable to the Federal Government of Canada, pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada). The applicable Federal income tax rate is 15% of taxable income.

 

 

Income tax is payable to the Province of Québec at a tax rate of 11.5% of taxable income.

 

 

No income taxes are payable until 2029 as Hecla uses its current tax pools and net operating loss carry forwards. Beginning in 2029 the effective tax rate used is 26.5% (combined federal and provincial)

 

 

Québec Mining Tax base rate is 16%

 

1.2.2

Cash Flow Analysis

 

SLR has reviewed the Hecla’s Casa Berardi LOM 2022 Reserves only model and has prepared its own unlevered after-tax LOM cash flow model based on the information contained in this TRS to confirm the physical and economic parameters of the Casa Berardi Mine.

 

The Casa Berardi economics have been evaluated using the discounted cash flow method by considering annual processed tonnages and grade of ore. The associated process recovery, metal prices, operating costs, refining and transportation charges, and sustaining capital expenditures were also considered.

 

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The indicative economic analysis results, presented in Table 1-1 in US dollars with no allowance for inflation, show a pre-tax and after-tax NPV, using a 5% discount rate, of $514 million and $396 million, respectively. The SLR QP is of the opinion that a 5% discount/hurdle rate for after-tax cash flow discounting of long lived precious/base metal operations in a politically stable region is reasonable and appropriate and commonly used. For this cash flow analysis, the internal rate of return (IRR) and payback are not applicable as there is no negative initial cash flow (no initial investment to be recovered) since Casa Berardi has been in operation for a number of years.

 

Table 11:         Life of Mine Indicative Economic Results

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Units

Total LOM

Production

LOM

years

14

OP Production

000 t

16,451

Au Grade

g/t

2.61

Waste

000 t

245,640

UG Production

000 t

2,375

Au Grade

g/t

5.27

Mill Feed

000 t

18,826

Au Grade

g/t

2.95

Ag Grade

g/t

0.71

Ag/Au Conversion Ratio

%

23.999

Total Contained Production

Contained Au

000 oz

1,784

Contained Ag

000 oz

428

Average Recovery

%

83.5

Total Recovered Production

Recovered Au

000 oz

1,490

Recovered Ag

000 oz

358

Metal Prices

Gold Price

US$/oz

1,650

Silver Price

US$/oz

21.00

Cash Flow

Gross Revenue

US$ million

2,464

Treatment & Refining

US$ million

(6)

Operating Costs

Mining OP Costs

US$ million

(255)

Mining UG Costs

US$ million

(127)

 

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  Units Total LOM

Processing Costs (includes paste fill plant)

US$ million

(377)

Site Services - Mechanical & Electrical

US$ million

(309)

Operating Costs Savings due to Hedging

US$ million

5

G&A

US$ million

(236)

Operating Cash Flow

US$ million

1,158

Sustaining Capital Costs

US$ million

(347)

Salvage Value

US$ million

21

Reclamation & Closure

US$ million

(23)

Pre-Tax Net Cash Flow

US$ million

809

Québec Mining Tax

US$ million

(116)

Federal & Provincial Income Taxes

US$ million

(72)

After-Tax Cashflow

US$ million

621

Project Economics

Pre-tax NPV at 5%

US$ million

514

After-Tax NPV at 5%

US$ million

396

Operating Metrics

Maximum Daily OP Mining Rate

t/d mined

87,000

Maximum Daily UG Mining Rate

t/d mined

1,300

Maximum Daily Processing Rate

t/d milled

4,500

OP Mining Cost

US$ / t ore mined

15.50

UG Mining Cost

US$ / t ore mined

53.43

Processing Cost

US$ / t ore

20.05

Site Services (Mech. & Elec.) Costs

US$ / t ore

16.42

Operating Costs Savings due to Hedging

US$ / t ore

(0.26)

Administration Cost

US$ / t ore

 12.53

Total Cost

US$ / t ore

69.03

 

 

1.2.3

Sensitivity Analysis

 

Project risks can be identified in both economic and non-economic terms. Key economic risks were examined by running cash flow sensitivities on after-tax NPV at a 5% discount rate. The Mine is most sensitive to changes in metal prices and US$/C$ exchange rate, then to head grade and metallurgical recoveries, followed by operating costs and capital costs.

 

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1.3

Technical Summary

 

1.3.1

Property Description

 

The Property is located in the Province of Québec, approximately 95 km north of the town of La Sarre, in the James Bay Municipality. Mine is located at longitude 79°16’46.4” and latitude 49°33’56.7”.

 

1.3.2

Land Tenure

 

The Property consists of 391 contiguous designated claims, covering a total area of 19,151.08 ha, and three mining leases, BM 768, BM 833, and BM 1054 covering areas of 397.09 ha, 84.35 ha, and 92.56 ha, respectively. The Property area totals 19,725.08 ha. Other legal titles include non-exclusive leases BNE 25938, tailings lease 70218, and two waste rock facility (WRF) leases 192410 and 819410. Legal titles are under the name of Hecla Québec.

 

The Casa Berardi claims are in good standing.

 

1.3.3

History

 

Prior to 1974, the Casa Berardi area was explored for base metal deposits. In 1974, the first 13 claims were staked by Inco Gold Ltd. (Inco Gold). The discovery hole was drilled in 1981, and 590 additional claims were staked.

 

In 1982, Inco Gold (60%) and Golden Knight Resources Inc. (Golden Knight) (40%) formed a joint venture (JV) to operate the Mine , with the East Mine commencing production in 1988 and the West Mine in 1990. In 1991, TVX Gold Inc. (TVX) acquired Inco Gold’s 60% interest in the Property. In 1994, TVX and Golden Knight purchased the remaining interest in the Domex claim block, a part of the Principal (Main) Zone between the West Mine and East Mine, from Teck Corporation. In January 1997, TVX announced the closure of the East Mine due to ground control issues. Two months later, the West Mine was closed. The total combined production for the period from 1988 to 1997 was 3.5 Mt at an average grade of 7.1 g/t Au. The total gold recovered during the operating years was 688,400 oz Au, with an average mill gold recovery rate of 87%.

 

In September 1998, Aurizon signed an agreement and completed the acquisition of all Casa Berardi assets and mining rights. Aurizon completed exploration diamond drilling programs, feasibility studies, underground development, shaft sinking, and construction.

 

In early November 2006, Aurizon completed construction and development at the West Mine area and commenced underground mining and milling operations. From November 2006 to May 31, 2013, Aurizon production totalled approximately 4.31 Mt at an average grade of 7.7 g/t Au for a total of 0.98 Moz Au recovered.

 

In June 2013, Hecla acquired Aurizon and the company was renamed Hecla Québec, a 100% subsidiary of Hecla. From 2012 to the end of 2016, the Casa Berardi Regional exploration was still under a JV between Lake Shore Gold Inc. (Lake Shore) and Hecla. In February 2016, Tahoe Resources Inc. (Tahoe) purchased Lake Shore, and at the end of 2016, Hecla bought Tahoe’s 50% interest in the Property in exchange for C$5 million (US$ 4 million) and 1% NSR on 227 claims. From June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2021, production from Casa Berardi totalled approximately 9.0 Mt at an average grade of 4.88 g/t Au for a total of 1.17 Moz Au recovered.

 

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Since 1988, a total of 16.8 Mt at an average grade of 5.98 g/t Au have been milled at Casa Berardi for a total recovered gold of 2.8 Moz Au and an average gold recovery of 88.1%

 

1.3.4

Geological Setting, Mineralization, and Deposit

 

The Property is located in the northern part of the Abitibi Subprovince, a subdivision of the Superior Province, the Archean core of the Canadian Shield. The Casa Berardi area is included in the Harricana-Turgeon Belt, which is part of the North Volcanic Zone.

 

The regional geology is characterized by a mixed assemblage of mafic volcanic rocks, flysch-type sedimentary iron formations, and graphitic mudrocks that are limited by a large granodioritic to granitic batholith. Structurally, the Property is enclosed in the Casa Berardi Tectonic Zone, a 15 km wide corridor that can be traced over 200 km. A network of predominantly east-west ductile high strain or shear zones mainly follow the lithological contacts.

 

The Casa Berardi Fault is defined by a stratigraphic contact between a graphite rich sediment sequence at the base of the Taïbi Domain, a northern continuous intermediary fragmental volcanic unit, and a southern polymictic conglomerate unit. On the north side of the Casa Berardi Fault, a thick sequence of very homogeneous wacke belonging to the Taïbi Group is affected by amphibolite grade metamorphism. One kilometre further north is the easterly elongated Recher Batholith, which is part of the northwestern boundary of the Abitibi greenstone belt.

 

The Casa Berardi Fault strikes east-west and dips 80° to the south. Inside the fault or deformation zone, ductile deformation intensity is heterogeneous. Kinematic indicators observed inside the main foliation, combined with the foliation dip pattern, indicate a possible south verging thrust movement.

 

Gold mineralization is largely located in quartz veining, either in the form of plurimetric veins, small scale veins, or veinlet networks. Veins are heterogeneous and contain a variable percentage of foliated enclaves exhibiting a laminated appearance. Veins are of different colour, texture, and structure. Gold grades are generally correlated with increasing complexity. Different quartz phases have been recognized in mineralized veins to exhibit the following sequence:

 

 

Phase 1: grey quartz, with abundant sulphides and fluid inclusions, comprising more than 50% of mineralized veins.

 

 

Phase 2: mosaic micro-crystalline quartz occurring in higher grade portions of veins.

 

 

Phase 3: non-mineralized coarsely crystallized white quartz which cuts the two others.

 

The gold bearing vein filling is rarely massive, but often brecciated, micro-brecciated, or laminated. The fracture planes are rich in graphite and muscovite. Veins contain only minor sulphides (1% to 3%), predominately including arsenopyrite, pyrite, and traces of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, tetrahedrite, galena, and gold. Arsenopyrite is the main gold bearing sulphide present in all veins of the Casa Berardi deposit.

 

In general, gold occurs as free particles up to a few tens of micrometres in size and as grains attached to or locked in sulphides, including pyrite and arsenopyrite in various proportions depending on the mineralized area.

 

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The Casa Berardi gold deposit can be classified as an Archean age, sedimentary-hosted lode gold deposit. Gold predominantly occurs south of the Casa Berardi Fault, and is sometimes observed on both sides of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

1.3.5

Exploration

 

From 1974 to 2021, surface and underground diamond drilling, totalling over 3.5 million metres, has been completed at Casa Berardi. Most of this drilling has successfully expanded resources along a five kilometre segment of the Casa Berardi Fault in the immediate mine area. Some regional exploration work including geophysical surveys and diamond drilling has been carried out on the Property, which is very large and covers a very favourable geological environment for gold mineralization including a 37 km strike length along the Casa Berardi Fault. The SLR QP is of the opinion that excellent exploration potential remains on the Property, both along strike and at depth in the immediate mine area and on the rest of the Property. Geophysics and drilling are the key exploration tools needed to make new discoveries under the thick layer of overburden that covers most of the Property.

 

1.3.6

Mineral Resource Estimates

 

Total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, as of December 31, 2021, are estimated to be 7.04 Mt at 4.66 g/t Au containing 1.05 Moz Au. Inferred Mineral Resources total 9.18 Mt at 2.68 g/t Au for 0.79 Moz Au. The underground portion of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources represent 98% of the total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources.

 

The Casa Berardi Mineral Resources conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300. Resource classification polygons were manually created for reach lens based on drill hole composites with average distances of up to 25 m for Measured and Indicated blocks. Measured blocks have the added requirement of having underground development nearby. Inferred blocks are located outside the 25 m average distance polygons and are based on average distances up to generally a maximum of 35 m and rarely up to 50 m.

 

The Casa Berardi Mineral Resource estimate as of December 31, 2021, is presented in Table 1‑2.

 

Table 12:            Mineral Resource Estimate Summary December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Resource Category

Tonnes

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Underground

Measured

2,060,934

5.30

351,430

Indicated

4,514,629

4.72

684,875

Measured + Indicated

6,575,563

4.90

1,036,306

Inferred

2,031,443

6.24

407,724

Open Pit

Measured

87,427

1.33

3,730

Indicated

380,600

1.17

14,294

Measured + Indicated

468,028

1.20

18,024

Inferred

7,154,538

1.66

382,744

Total

Measured + Indicated

7,043,591

4.66

1,054,329

Inferred

9,185,981

2.68

790,468

 

Notes:

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Resources is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Mineral Resources were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR

 

3.

Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

4.

Mineral Resources are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

5.

Underground Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 3.11 g/t Au to 4.00 g/t Au.

 

6.

Open pit Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 0.95 g/t Au to 1.33 g/t Au.

 

7.

Underground and open pit Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,700 /oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

8.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

9.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that with consideration of the recommendations summarized in in this section, any issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work.

 

1.3.7

Mineral Reserve Estimates

 

Mineral Reserves have been classified in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Reserves in S-K 1300.  Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2021 are summarized in Table 1‑3.

 

Measured Mineral Resources were converted to Proven Mineral Reserves, and Indicated Mineral Resources were converted to Probable Mineral Reserves. Inferred Mineral Resources were not converted to Mineral Reserves, however, are typically included in the Casa Berardi LTP and therefore are removed from the LOM cash flows to ensure economic confirmation of the Mineral Reserves.

 

Table 13:            Summary of Mineral Reserves December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Reserve Category

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Metallurgical Recovery
(%)

Underground

Proven

836,930

5.33

143,294

-

Probable

1,537,865

5.24

259,279

-

Proven + Probable

2,374,795

5.27

402,574

85.6

Open Pit

Proven

4,321,010

3.26

452,992

-

Probable

12,129,701

2.38

928,409

-

Proven + Probable

16,450,711

2.61

1,381,401

82.9

Total

Proven + Probable

18,825,506

2.95

1,783,975

83.5

 

Notes:

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Reserves is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR.

 

3.

Mineral Reserves are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

4.

Underground Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.27 g/t Au for 100, 113,119 and 124 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.57 g/t Au for the 115, 118, 121, 123 and 128 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.83 g/t Au for the 146 and 148 zones, and a cut-off grade of 3.54 g/t for the 159 and 160 zones.

 

5.

Open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 1.01 g/t Au for the 160 pits. A cut-off grade of 1.37 g/t Au for the WMCP. A cut-off grade of 1.31 g/t Au for the Principal Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.30 g/t Au for the 134 Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.39 g/t Au for the EMCP and XMCP.

 

6.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,600/oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

7.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

8.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

Production for Casa Berardi over the current life of mine (LOM), 2022 to 2035, will be comprised of 2.4 million tonnes (Mt) from the underground operations from 2022 until 2027 and 16.5 Mt from the open pit operations from 2022 until 2035. Production will be split evenly over the initial four year period, when production from the underground operations reduces and subsequently from 2027 the open pits will provide the full production tonnage at a rate of approximately 4,000 tpd or 1.4 Mtpa. Gold production over the LOM is forecasted to total 1.49 Moz Au (average of 106,000 oz Au per annum) while recovered silver is forecasted to total 358,000 oz Ag (average of 25,600 oz Ag per annum).

 

The SLR QP is not aware of any risk factors associated with, or changes to, any aspects of the modifying factors such as mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

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1.3.8

Mining Methods

 

The mine design and planning processes reflect the previous mining experience at the West and East mines. Currently the bulk of the production comes from the West Mine which can be accessed by a shaft or a ramp down to the 1,080 m level while the East Mine connects to the West Mine on the 280 m level and does not have an operating hoist in place, however, the East Mine does have a ramp and can be accessed independently from West Mine. The East Mine represents less than 24% of the underground tonnage and presents challenging mining conditions with small stopes following the Casa Berardi fault.

 

A combination of longitudinal and transverse blasthole stoping is typically used at the Casa Berardi, depending on mineral zone geometry (width and attitude) and development requirements. While timely delivery of backfill plays a crucial role in controlling dilution and maintaining the short stoping cycle, since 2006 this mining approach has been implemented safely and reliably. The zones vary in thickness, ranging from over 50 m to less than three metres (e.g., minimum mining width). In general, the zones are subvertical (e.g., 55° to 85°).

 

Over the years, Hecla’s Casa Berardi mine operators have acquired essential experience in addressing and successfully overcoming the mining challenges presented.

 

1.3.9

Processing and Recovery Methods

 

The Casa Berardi processing facility consists of a 3,836 tpd mill, with the ability to process 4,100 tpd, and a CIL process to recover gold from the ore. The key unit operations to produce gold include:

 

 

Crushing

 

 

Grinding

 

 

Gravity Circuit

 

 

CIL Circuit

 

 

Carbon Circuit

 

 

Elution Circuit

 

 

Electrowinning Circuit

 

 

Smelting

 

Residual pulp from the CIL mixing tank is pumped to the cyanide destruction tank to which sulphur dioxide and compressed air is added to destroy residual cyanide with agitation. After cyanide destruction, the treated pulp is then pumped to the paste backfill plant or the tailings pond. Ferric sulphate is also added to this material in order to reduce arsenic content in the solution. Approximately 5% of the Casa Berardi Mine tailings are used in the mine backfill cycle. Tailings that are not used for mine backfill are disposed of at the tailings storage facility (TSF).

 

1.3.10

Infrastructure

 

Existing surface and underground infrastructure at the East Mine includes the following:

 

 

A nominal 3,836 tpd mill, with the ability to process 4,100 tpd.

 

 

TSF with four tailings cells, a polishing pond, a sedimentation pond for settling iron arsenate precipitates, and a process water pond.

 

 

Two story administrative building with offices, warehouse, dry, laboratory, two heavy equipment maintenance garage, millwright shop, and electrical shop.

 

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Two core shacks.

 

 

Water pumping station.

 

 

Hoistroom, a headframe, and a 380 m deep shaft (with no hoist).

 

 

Mine access decline and a series of ramp-connected levels.

 

 

Three petrol tanks with pump gas and fuel.

 

 

One mineral stockpile.

 

 

One waste and till-clay pile.

 

Existing surface and underground infrastructure at the West Mine include the following:

 

 

Backfill plant, including a compressor room and a ventilation raise intake.

 

 

Settling ponds.

 

 

Pumping station.

 

 

A 380 m2 garage.

 

 

Two dry houses with offices.

 

 

Emergency building for mine rescue and infirmary.

 

 

Warehouse.

 

 

Core storage area.

 

 

Gatehouse.

 

 

Mine access decline providing access to the West Mine and Principal area.

 

 

Hoistroom, headframe, and mine shaft to the 1,080 m level.

 

 

A 125 tonnes per hour (tph) paste backfill plant and a cement plant with tailings feed line from the mill and distribution holes to the underground.

 

 

Mine ventilation fans and mine air heater with ventilation raise to the mine workings.

 

 

One WRF and one ore rock pile.

 

There is no additional surface infrastructure related to the Principal Mine. A five kilometre track drift joins the East and West mines and provides access to the Principal Mine at the 280 m level.

 

The power supply of the site is provided by a 55 km, 120 kV power line, from the town of Normétal.

 

1.3.11

Market Studies

 

Hecla currently has a refining agreement with Asahi Refining Canada (Asahi) whereby the refined gold and silver is refined and credited to Hecla’s account at Asahi. The doré bars produced at Casa Berardi are refined at Asahi’s facilities in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

 

Gold and silver bullion is sold through commercial banks or metal traders via a sale contract at spot prices. Settlement of funds from bullion sales occurs two business days after the contract date.

 

The terms and conditions of the refining and bullion sales contracts are typical and consistent with standard industry practice and would be similar to contracts for the supply of gold elsewhere in North America.

 

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1.3.12

Environmental Studies, Permitting and Plans, Negotiations, or Agreements with Local Individuals or Groups

 

Hecla has sufficiently assessed the environmental impact of the operation, and subsequent closure and remediation requirements such that Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves can be declared, and the mine plan deemed appropriate and achievable. Closure provisions are appropriately considered and monitoring programs are in place.

 

Hecla has developed a community relations plan to identify and ensure an understanding of the needs of the surrounding communities and to determine appropriate programs for addressing those needs. Hecla appropriately monitors socio-economic trends, community perceptions, and mining impacts.

 

Permits held by Hecla for the Property are sufficient to ensure that mining activities are conducted within the regulatory framework required by regulations.

 

There are currently no known environmental, permitting, or social/community risks that could impact the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves.

 

1.3.13

Capital and Operating Cost Estimates

 

The estimated capital costs for Casa Berardi are presented in Table 1‑4. The majority of the sustaining capital is to be spent over the initial six year period with the remainder over the following eight years of the mine life.

 

Table 1‑4:         LOM Capital Cost Summary

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Area

2022-2037
(US$000)

2022-2027
(US$000)

2028-2037
(US$000)

Hedging Gain

(182)

(182)

-

Underground Infrastructure and Development

50,917

50,917

-

Open Pit

41,894

15,872

26,021

Process Plant

37,563

28,495

9,069

Administration

5,888

5,712

176

Site Services (Mechanical & Electrical)

199,430

108,193

91,237

Definition Drilling

11,730

11,730

-

Total Capital

347,239

220,735

126,504

 

Capital development will include approximately 23.3 km of ramps and drifts up to 2027. The capital costs under Mechanical will include approximately 37% for mine equipment, 42% for stripping, and the remainder to construct roads and waste pads as well as dewatering and miscellaneous items. Definition diamond drilling will be continued throughout the underground mine life.

 

The capital costs are based on updates from equipment suppliers and verified with engineering companies providing services to Casa Berardi. The capital costs accuracy would be considered equivalent or better than AACE Class 1 with an expected accuracy range of -3% to -10% on the low side and +3% to +15% on the high side.

 

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Mine development costs are based upon operating experience, current development contracts, and the LOM development schedule. Open pit costs include mobilization of the open pit contractor and capitalized stripping costs. In year 2035 there is a salvage value of approximately US$20.9 million for mine and other equipment that can be sold.

 

The estimated operating costs over the LOM (2022 to 2035) are presented in Table 1‑5.

 

Table 1‑5:         LOM Operating Cost Summary

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Item

Total LOM
(US$000)

Total LOM
(US$/t milled)

Tonnes Milled (000 t)

18,826

18,826

Hedging Gain

(4,871)

(0.26)

Mining

381,955

20.29

Processing

377,483

20.05

Admin. Casa Berardi

235,892

12.53

Site Services (Mechanical & Electrical)

309,050

16.41

Total

1,299,509

69.03

 

While the operating costs have been higher than budget over the last two years the LOM operating costs have been adequately estimated. This is reflected by higher costs during the underground operations and lower costs during open pit mining, as expected.

 

Hecla-forecasted operating costs estimates are derived from annual budgets and historical actuals over the long life of the current operation. According to the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) International, these estimates would be classified as Class 1 with an accuracy range of - 3% to -10% to +3% to +15%.

 

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2.0

INTRODUCTION

 

SLR International Corporation (SLR) was retained by Hecla Mining Company (Hecla) to prepare an independent Technical Report Summary (TRS) on the Casa Berardi Mine (Casa Berardi or the Property), located in Québec, Canada. The purpose of this TRS is to support the disclosure of the Casa Berardi Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates as of December 31, 2021. This TRS conforms to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Modernized Property Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants as described in Subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K, Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations (S-K 1300) and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary.

 

Hecla was established in 1891 and has its headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA. In June 2013, Hecla acquired Aurizon Mines Ltd. (Aurizon) and renamed the company Hecla Québec Inc. (Hecla Québec). Hecla has an administrative/exploration office in Val‑d’Or, Québec and an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hecla owns 100% interest in Casa Berardi through its wholly owned subsidiary Hecla Québec. The Casa Berardi complex has a 33 year history of surface and underground mining operations.

 

The Property is located in the northwestern Québec, approximately 95 km north of the town of La Sarre, in the James Bay Municipality. The Property extends east-west for more than 37 km and reaches 3.5 km in width. The Property is bounded in the west by the Québec/Ontario border and covers parts of Casa Berardi, Dieppe, Raymond, D’Estrées, and Puiseaux townships. The Casa Berardi gold deposits are located along a five kilometre east-west mineralized corridor associated with the Casa Berardi Fault. They comprise the West Mine, including the Principal area, and the East Mine.

 

The Casa Berardi gold deposits can be classified as an Archean sedimentary hosted lode gold deposit. The gold mineralization is superimposed on a continuous graphitic mudrock unit corresponding to the Casa Berardi Fault plane. Gold occurs mainly south of the Casa Berardi Fault, and occasionally on both sides of the fault.

 

The Casa Berardi operation includes several open pits and two underground mines. The Mine has produced approximately 2.84 million ounces (Moz) Au (recovered) since commencing production in 1988, including approximately 2.15 Moz Au (recovered) since production recommenced in November 2006.

 

The Casa Berardi processing facilities consist of a 3,836 tonnes per day (tpd) mill, with the ability to process 4,100 tpd, and a carbon-in-leach (CIL) process to recover gold from the ore.

 

Production for Casa Berardi over the current life of mine (LOM), 2022 to 2035, will be comprised of 2.4 million tonnes (Mt) from the underground operations from 2022 until 2027 and 16.5 Mt from the open pit operations from 2022 until 2035. Production will be split evenly over the initial four year period, when production from the underground operations reduces and subsequently from 2027 the open pits will provide the full production tonnage at a rate of approximately 4,000 tpd or 1.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Gold production over the LOM is forecasted to total 1.49 Moz Au (average of 106,000 oz Au per annum) while recovered silver is forecasted to total 358,000 oz Ag (average of 25,600 oz Ag per annum).

 

2.1

Site Visit

 

SLR qualified persons (QPs) visited Casa Berardi on August 24 and 25, 2021. SLR QPs visited the East Mine Crown Pilar (EMCP) western extension (XMCP) Pit, the East Mine underground, the mill, tailings storage facilities (TSF), core logging facilities, and surface infrastructure. Bedrock stripping at the 160 Pit was nearing completion while SLR QPs were at site. SLR QPs held meetings with site personnel and followed up with a number of teleconference meetings after the site visit.

 

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The SLR geology QPs viewed the Casa Berardi Fault, which is well exposed and transects the XMCP pit, and the freshly washed and well-mineralized working face on the 630 m level at the East Mine where the face was marked up and sampled by a very experienced geological technician. An underground diamond drill in the process of drilling a deep hole (CBE-0243) was also visited. The drill bay was safe and clean and the two drillers were well organized. Approximately 100% core recovery was evident in the core boxes at 312 m.

 

The SLR geology QPs found the core logging facilities to be clean and well organized with good lighting. Overhead hoses provide a convenient source of water to wet the core. An area with a high definition camera on a tall tripod is designated for taking core photographs. The pre-packaged blanks and CRMs are well-organized. The diamond core saw has continuous water flow and is located in a separate, sound insulated, room. The core logging area is separate from the core reception and sample dispatch area, which is large enough for trucks to enter and has a long core layout table and a number of core racks for temporary core storage. A core reference library is available for new geologists to help ensure logging consistency.

 

The SLR mining QP found the open pit mining operations were well organized with the mining contractor carrying out drilling and mucking operations in a safe and efficient manner. Mining equipment utilized was consistent with current equipment types and appeared to be very well maintained. The contractor has maintenance facilities that appeared to be very functional and well organized. Control drilling of the pit walls was successful in controlling overbreak and muck fragmentation was reasonable given some difficult ground conditions.

 

The underground mining operations were equally well organized with adequate ground control measures in place, well executed production drilling and blasting in the production areas and development areas. Oversize was observed due to the very difficult conditions created by the Casa Berardi Fault and handling of oversize appeared to be well done as was remote control mucking of the drawpoints. Backfill placed appeared to be of good quality to provide the required ground support to permit safe mining. The diamond drill station observed was well secured and all safety devices appeared to be in place. Good housekeeping and cleanliness of the working areas was observed.

 

The SLR metallurgical and environmental QPs visited the mill operations, however, some equipment was down for repair and maintenance and access to some plant areas were limited. In general, all equipment in the key unit operations appeared to be in use or were being reliably maintained to achieve the target production. The TSF, waste and ore stockpiles, and water management monitoring systems were also visited. Roscoe Postle Associates Inc (RPA), now a part of SLR is very familiar with Casa Berardi with work dating back to the listing report for Aurizon in 1997 and NI 43-101 Technical Reports in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 for Aurizon and 2014 for Hecla. SLR also audited the year-end Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates in 2007 and 2008.

 

2.2

Sources of Information

 

During the preparation of this TRS, discussions were held with Hecla personnel:

 

 

Mr. Keith Blair, Chief Geologist, Hecla

 

 

Mr. Patrice Simard, Geology Superintendent, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Real Parent, Principal Geologist, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Alain Quenneville, Engineer in Geology, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Azougrou Bozon Koto, Principal Engineer, Hecla Québec

 

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Mr. Chris McLean, VP & CFO, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Denis Baribeau, Controller, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Guy Pouliot, Senior Technician, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Jean Collard, Engineering Superintendent, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Nicolas Lemieux, Open Pit Operations Superintendent, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Patrick Gibouleau, Mechanical Maintenance Planning Coordinator, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Emmanuel Ferragne-Theoret, Open Pit Senior Planning Engineer, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. David Tremblay, Engineer-in-Training, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Sylvain Morissette, General Plant Process Superintendent, Hecla Québec

 

 

Mr. Thiago Tolentino Silva, Senior Metallurgist, Hecla Québec

 

 

Ms. Lucienne Anctil, Environmental Coordinator, Hecla Québec

 

The documentation reviewed, and other sources of information, are listed at the end of this TRS in Section 24.0 References.

 

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2.3

List of Abbreviations

 

Units of measurement used in this TRS conform to the metric system. All currency in this TRS is United States dollars (US$) unless otherwise noted. Canadian dollars (C$) have been converted to US$ dollars at an exchange rate of US$1 = C$1.275 unless otherwise noted.

 

μ

micron

kVA

kilovolt-amperes

μg

microgram

kW

kilowatt

a

annum

kWh

kilowatt-hour

A

ampere

L

litre

bbl

barrels

lb

pound

Btu

British thermal units

L/s

litres per second

°C

degree Celsius

m

metre

C$

Canadian dollars

M

mega (million); molar

cal

calorie

m2

square metre

cfm

cubic feet per minute

m3

cubic metre

cm

centimetre

MASL

metres above sea level

cm2

square centimetre

m3/h

cubic metres per hour

d

day

mi

mile

dia

diameter

min

minute

dmt

dry metric tonne

μm

micrometre

dwt

dead-weight ton

mm

millimetre

°F

degree Fahrenheit

mph

miles per hour

ft

foot

MVA

megavolt-amperes

ft2

square foot

MW

megawatt

ft3

cubic foot

MWh

megawatt-hour

ft/s

foot per second

oz

Troy ounce (31.1035g)

g

gram

oz/st, opt

ounce per short ton

G

giga (billion)

ppb

part per billion

Gal

Imperial gallon

ppm

part per million

g/L

gram per litre

psia

pound per square inch absolute

Gpm

Imperial gallons per minute

psig

pound per square inch gauge

g/t

gram per tonne

RL

relative elevation

gr/ft3

grain per cubic foot

s

second

gr/m3

grain per cubic metre

st

short ton

ha

hectare

stpa

short ton per year

hp

horsepower

stpd

short ton per day

hr

hour

t

metric tonne

Hz

hertz

tpa

metric tonne per year

in.

inch

tpd

metric tonne per day

in2

square inch

US$

United States dollar

J

joule

Usg

United States gallon

k

kilo (thousand)

Usgpm

US gallon per minute

kcal

kilocalorie

V

volt

kg

kilogram

W

watt

km

kilometre

wmt

wet metric tonne

km2

square kilometre

wt%

weight percent

km/h

kilometre per hour

yd3

cubic yard

kPa

kilopascal

yr

year

 

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3.0

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

 

3.1

Location

 

The Property is located in the Province of Québec, approximately 95 km north of the town of La Sarre, in the James Bay Municipality (Figure 3‑1). The Mine is located at longitude 79° 16’ 46.4” and latitude 49°33’56.7”. The Property is bounded in the west by the Québec/Ontario border and covers parts of Casa Berardi, Dieppe, Raymond, D’Estrées, and Puiseaux townships.

 

The Property extends east-west for more than 37 km and reaches 3.5 km in width. The immediate mine area comprises three mining leases covering an area of 574.00 ha (Figure 3‑2). The gold deposits are located along a five kilometre, east-west trending mineralized corridor and are included within the East and West mine areas (Figure 3‑3).

 

3.2

Land Tenure

 

The Property consists of 391 contiguous designated claims, covering a total area of 19,151.08 ha, and three mining leases, BM 768, BM 833, and BM 1054 covering areas of 397.09 ha, 84.35 ha, and 92.56 ha, respectively. The Property area totals 19,725.08 ha (Figure 3‑4 and Table 27-1 in Appendix 1). Other legal titles include non-exclusive leases BNE 25938, tailings lease 70218, and two waste rock facility (WRF) leases 192410 and 819410. Legal titles are under the name of Hecla Québec.

 

ex_338337img003.jpg

 

Figure 31: Location Map

 

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Figure 32: Property Location Map

 

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According to the Québec Mining Act, renewal of claims takes place every two years, with costs dependent on area. Mining leases are renewed annually. The Casa Berardi claims and mining leases will be renewed for amounts of C$25,608 (US$20,085) and C$29,896 (US$23,448), respectively, in accordance with the 2022 rates set by the government. The Casa Berardi claims are in good standing. The renewal costs are adjusted to the annual inflation rate.

 

The Québec Mining Act stipulates that a titleholder is required to conduct statutory work during the validity period of the claim. Each claim or lease shows excess spending amounts for required works. These amounts are put to the credit of the claims and are expected to cover several years in most cases. The Property has excess work credits of approximately C$17,291,526 (US$13,561,981).

 

The school taxes to the James Bay School Board and the Lac‑Abitibi School Board have been paid for 2021.

 

The municipal taxes to the James Bay, Villebois, Dupuy, and La Sarre municipalities have been paid for 2021.

 

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Figure 33: Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

 

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Figure 34:  Property Claim Map

 

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3.3

Encumbrances

 

Hecla has all required permits to conduct the mining operations on the Property. There are no significant encumbrances to the Property nor any violations or fines.

 

3.4

Royalties

 

The Casa Berardi landholdings within the three mining leases are not subject to any royalty and Hecla, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hecla Québec, holds a 100% interest in Casa Berardi. Most of the Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves and the processing plant are located inside the mining leases as indicated on Figure 3‑3. The Casa Berardi property outside the mining leases is completely owned by Hecla Québec. The property is subject to a 3.0% net smelter return (NSR) to Newmont Canada on 52 claims (Figure 3-4 and Table 27-1 in Appendix 1).

 

3.5

Other Significant Factors and Risks

 

 

The appropriate environmental permits have been granted for the current operation.

 

 

Hecla does not have permits for facilities labeled as “Preliminary”. The locations, size, and timing of facilities labeled as “Preliminary” have not been finalized and are subject to future long term mine plans.

 

 

As of the effective date of this TRS, environmental liabilities are limited to those that would be expected to be associated with an operating gold mine where production occurs from underground and open pit sources, including roads, site infrastructure, and WRFs.

 

 

Hecla is not aware of any significant environmental, social, or permitting issues that would prevent continued exploitation of the Casa Berardi deposits.

 

 

Hecla is not aware of any other significant factors and risks that may affect access, title, or the right or ability to perform the proposed work program on the Property.

 

 

Information provided by Hecla land tenure experts supports that the mining tenure held is valid and is sufficient to support the declaration of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.

 

 

Hecla holds sufficient surface rights in the Project area to support the mining operations, including access and power line easements.

 

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4.0

ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

 

4.1

Accessibility

 

The Property is located 95 km north of the town of La Sarre, in the James Bay Municipality in the Abitibi region of northwestern Québec. The nearest commercial airport is located at Rouyn-Noranda which is approximately 175 km south of the Property. La Sarre can be reached from Rouyn-Noranda via provincial roads 101 and 111. The 38 km all season gravel road to Casa Berardi diverges from the paved road linking La Sarre and the Selbaie Mine through the village of Villebois. The exit is approximately 21 km north of Villebois. On the Property, a gravel road connects the East and West mines, and a number of exploration roads provide access to the rest of the Property from east and west.

 

4.2

Climate

 

The mean annual temperature for the Property area is -0.5°C, with an average high in July of 17°C, and average low in January of ‑18°C.

 

The data used in this section is from Hecla (2014) and is based on a weather station near the Property that includes La Sarre, Brouillan, and Matagami. The average annual precipitation in the Property area is 906 mm. Rain precipitation is highest in July and August, averaging 105 mm. While snow precipitation is registered from October to April, it is most abundant in February and March when the monthly average reaches 107 mm (expressed in millimeters of water). Exploration and mine operation take place year-round.

 

4.3

Local Resources

 

The Abitibi region has a long history of mining activity, and mining suppliers and contractors are locally available. Both experienced and general labour is readily available from the La Sarre area, a municipality of approximately 7,282 inhabitants (2016 census). Hecla Québec has had success in hiring experienced staff and personnel with good mining expertise. The Mine enjoys the support of local communities.

 

4.4

Infrastructure

 

The surface infrastructure at Casa Berardi, which includes both West Mine and East Mine, is presented in Figure 4‑1.

 

ex_338337img007.gif

 

Figure 41: Casa Berardi Surface Infrastructure (Current and Preliminary)

 

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Existing surface and underground infrastructure at the East Mine include the following (Figure 4‑2):

 

 

A nominal 2,200 tpd mill, with the ability to process at rates over 4,125 tpd.

 

 

TSF with four tailings cells, a polishing pond, a sedimentation pond for settling iron arsenate precipitates, and a process water pond.

 

 

Two story administrative building with offices, warehouse, dry, laboratory, two heavy equipment maintenance garage, millwright shop, and electrical shop.

 

 

Two core shacks.

 

 

Water pumping station.

 

 

Hoistroom, a headframe, and a 380 m deep shaft (with no hoist).

 

 

Mine access decline and a series of ramp-connected levels.

 

 

Three petrol tanks with pump gas and fuel.

 

 

One mineralized rock stockpile.

 

 

One waste and till-clay pile.

 

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Figure 42: East Mine Surface Infrastructure

 

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Existing surface and underground infrastructure at the West Mine include the following (Figure 4‑3):

 

 

Backfill plant, including a compressor room and a ventilation raise intake.

 

 

Settling ponds.

 

 

Pumping station.

 

 

A 380 m2 garage.

 

 

Two dry houses with offices.

 

 

Emergency building for mine rescue and infirmary.

 

 

Warehouse.

 

 

Core storage area.

 

 

Gatehouse.

 

 

Mine access decline providing access to the West Mine and Principal area.

 

 

Hoistroom, headframe, and mine shaft to the 1,080 m level.

 

 

A 125 tph paste backfill plant and a cement plant with tailings feed line from the mill and distribution holes to the underground.

 

 

Mine ventilation fans and mine air heater with ventilation raise to the mine workings.

 

 

One WRF and one ore rock pile.

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Figure 43: West Mine Surface Infrastructure

 

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There is no additional surface infrastructure related to the Principal Mine. A five kilometre track drift joins the East and West Mines and provides access to the Principal Mine at the 280 m level.

 

The power supply of the site is provided by a 55 km, 120 kV power line, from the town of Normétal.

 

There is sufficient suitable land available within the mineral tenure held by Hecla for tailings disposal, mine waste disposal, and installations such as the process plant and related mine infrastructure.

 

A review of the existing power and water sources, personnel availability, and transport options indicate that there are reasonable expectations that sufficient labor and infrastructure will continue to be available to support declaration of Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves, and the proposed LOM plan.

 

 

4.5

Physiography

 

The topography is generally gentle and is mostly predominately characterized by swamps and thick overburden coverage (up to 60 m locally). Elevation varies between 270 MASL and 360 MASL. According to the map of ecological regions of Québec, the area falls within the boreal zone and the spruce and moss domain. The forested zones are predominately characterized mainly by jack pine and spruce and have generally been logged. The Mine area is characterized by swamps and is therefore classified as a bare to semi-bare wetland. The Turgeon River crosses the Property in its western part, while Raymond Lake is located to the east of the Property.

 

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5.0

HISTORY

 

5.1

Exploration and Development History

 

5.1.1

1974 to 1998

 

Prior to 1974, the Casa Berardi area was explored for base metal deposits. In 1974, the first 13 claims were staked by Inco Gold Ltd. (Inco Gold). The discovery hole was drilled in 1981, and 590 additional claims were staked. In 1983, a joint venture (JV) agreement was reached between Inco Gold (60%) and Golden Knight Resources Inc. (Golden Knight) (40%). The subsequent years were marked by exploration drilling and, eventually, project engineering and construction. Under the Inco Gold-Golden Knight JV commercial production from the East and West mines began in 1988 and 1990, respectively.

 

In 1991, TVX Gold (TVX) acquired Inco Gold’s 60% interest in the Property. In 1994, TVX and Golden Knight purchased the remaining interest in the Domex claim block, a part of the Principal (Main) Zone between the West and the East Mine, from Teck Corporation.

 

By 1997, 3,769 holes had been drilled on the Property for a total of 463,492 m. Approximately 92% of these holes were located in the area between the West and East mines. Table 5‑1 summarizes the historic drilling programs.

 

Table 51:         Historical Diamond Drilling

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Project

Location

Number of Drill Holes

Metres
(m)

Casa Berardi – Exploration

West Block & East Block

3,759

660,441

Casa Berardi – Mine

Mining Lease 768

10,087

1,377,969

 

Mining Lease 833

544

126,501

Total

 

14,390

2,164,911

 

The first mineral reserve estimate for Casa Berardi was published in 1987. Table 5‑2 presents the evolution of the historic mineral reserves at Casa Berardi from 1987 to 1997.

 

Table 52:         Historical Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves 1987 to 1997

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

Mineral Resources

 

Mineral Reserves

 

Year

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(Moz Au)

Tonnes
(Mt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(Moz Au)

1987

-

-

-

11.106

6.8

2.421

1988

-

-

-

12.412

7.4

2.909

1989

-

-

-

9.652

7.3

2.251

1990

-

-

-

8.934

7.1

2.028

1991

-

-

-

6.234

6.3

1.265

1992

-

-

-

6.216

6.4

1.275

1993

-

-

-

4.767

6.2

0.946

1994

-

-

-

4.526

6.1

0.881

1995

-

-

-

3.253

5.9

0.620

1996

-

-

-

6.199

5.5

1.105

1997

3.189

5.8

0.591

-

-

-

 

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The historic mineral resources listed in Table 5‑2 pre-date NI 43‑101, are relevant as an indication of mineralization on the property however should not be relied upon. They are being shown for historical reference only. A QP has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve and Hecla is not treating the historical estimates as current Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves.

 

Production began at the East Mine in September 1988 and at the West Mine in April 1990. The total combined production for the period from 1988 to 1997 was 3.5 Mt at an average grade of 7.1 g/t Au totalling 688,400 oz Au recovered, with an average mill gold recovery rate of 87%. Although average statistics are not readily available for daily production, it appears that for the period from 1988 to 1997, the average production rate of the mill was less than 1,800 tpd. Historical annual production is presented in Table 5‑3.

 

Table 53:         Historical Mine Production

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Tonnes Milled
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Mill Recovery
(%)

Gold Recovered
(oz Au)

1988

124,057

5.9

88.0

19,025

1989

337,130

5.5

86.4

51,096

1990

361,935

8.9

87.4

88,999

1991

487,769

8.7

86.9

119,015

1992

315,938

9.3

87.1

80,319

1993

306,597

10.0

89.3

86,964

1994

550,638

6.5

86.8

97,518

1995

469,542

4.7

85.7

61,179

1996

498,405

5.4

87.2

76,039

1997

51,356

5.8

87.2

8,270

Total

3,503,367

7.1

87.0

688,424

 

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In January 1997, TVX announced the closure of the East Mine due to ground control issues. Two months later, the West Mine was also closed.

 

5.1.2

Aurizon (1997 to 2013)

 

Casa Berardi was offered for sale in the fall of 1996, and in January 1997, Aurizon expressed interest in a letter to TVX. In September 1998, Aurizon signed an agreement and completed the acquisition of all Casa Berardi assets and mining rights.

 

Following the acquisition of Casa Berardi, Aurizon completed an exploration diamond drilling program consisting of more than 76,000 m (50,000 m from surface and 26,000 m from underground). The primary objective of the campaign was to increase the gold mineral inventory of the Property by drilling prospective sectors below the 400 m level in the West Mine area. The program resulted in the discovery of the 113 Zone and other smaller mineralized bodies.

 

Using the results of this drilling program as a basis for Mineral Resource estimation, Aurizon issued an internal study in March 2000, which provided positive indications of the economic potential of the West Mine area below the 400 m level.

 

Following two years of limited exploration drilling activities due to depressed gold prices, Aurizon re-embarked on a surface exploration program that led to the discovery of additional zones east of the 113 Zone.

 

To increase the confidence level of the Mineral Resources and prove the potential of a mining operation, an underground exploration program was planned and initiated in April 2003 to test the continuity of the 113 Zone mineralization. In 2003, the West Mine ramp was also extended 1,074 m from the 450 m level to the 550 m level, to provide access to the 113 Zone for metallurgical test work and to provide drill bases for infill definition drilling. Approximately 44 m of the exploration drift were completed by the year-end, allowing for the completion of 1,400 m of definition drilling. A further 21,000 m of surface exploration drilling was completed in the 118 through 120 zones during 2003.

 

In 2004, C$27.6 million (US$ 21.6 million) were invested into Casa Berardi for the construction of the surface foundations and shaft collar, a shaft pilot raise from the 550 m level to surface, 878 m of exploration drifts, 53,100 m of exploration and definition drilling, 102 m of ventilation raising, and 1,590 m of ramping down to the 550 m level. Met-Chem Canada Inc. (Met-Chem) was commissioned to prepare a feasibility study. Aurizon proceeded with the implementation and construction of the West Mine infrastructure.

 

In 2005, C$43.8 million (US$ 34.4 million) were invested in Casa Berardi for:

 

 

Completion of two feasibility studies (the Feasibility Study by Met-Chem in January 2005, based upon Mineral Reserves above the 700 m level, and the Updated Feasibility Study in October 2005, incorporating Mineral Reserves to the 900 m level).

 

 

Construction of a new headframe, hoistroom, and ore and waste bins.

 

 

Shaft sinking 290 m from surface.

 

 

113 Zone ramp extension 1,200 m down to the 680 m level.

 

 

Access to the Lower Inter Zone down to the 570 m level with the completion of 429 m of ramping and drifting.

 

 

685 m of drifting and 367 m of ventilation raising.

 

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Initiation of mill rehabilitation with the refurbishing of the crushing circuits, conveyors, and assay laboratory.

 

 

33,500 m of definition drilling from 137 holes, 19,000 m of surface exploration drilling from 32 holes, and detailed engineering for the shaft and surface infrastructure.

 

In 2006, an additional C$75.5 million (US$59.2 million) was invested to fund construction and development. In early November 2006, Aurizon completed construction and development at the West Mine area and commenced underground mining and milling operations.

 

In 2007, C$16.9 million (US$13.3 million) were invested to fund pre-production up to May 1, 2007, the date of achieving commercial production. From 2008 to 2013, a total of C$297 million (US$232.9 million) was invested in fund development, infrastructure improvements, new equipment, and exploration expenses.

 

5.1.3

Hecla (2014 to Present)

 

From 2014 to 2021, C$471.7 (US$370.0 million) was invested by Hecla in fund development, infrastructure improvements, new equipment, and exploration expenses. In 2016 Hecla began production from the first open pit at Casa Berardi with the East Mine Crown Pillar (EMCP) Pit. Hecla also invested in underground development ore and waste passes to feed the automated haulage truck system in the lower West Mine in the 118 and 123 zones. Infrastructure improvements around the tailings and water treatments facilities were also completed. The years 2017 and 2018 were the highest and third highest diamond drilling campaigns since the 2006 in exploration definition and infill drilling program.

 

5.2

Production

 

Since 1988, a total of 16.8 Mt at an average grade of 5.98 g/t Au have been milled at Casa Berardi for a total recovered gold of 2.8 Moz Au and an average gold recovery of 88.1% (Table 5‑4).

 

Table 54:         Casa Berardi Production 1988 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Company

Year

Tonnes

Milled
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Gold

Recovered
(oz Au)

Gold Mill
Recovery
(%)

Inco Gold – TVX

1988 – 1997

3,503,367

7.10

791,292

688,424

87.0

             

Aurizon

Nov 2006

68,481

8.58

18,891

17,731

93.9

 

2007

545,259

9.78

171,416

159,469

93.0

 

2008

654,398

8.16

171,628

158,830

92.5

 

2009

688,677

7.77

172,013

159,261

92.6

 

2010

722,746

6.76

157,134

141,116

89.8

 

2011

698,123

8.00

179,462

163,845

91.3

 

2012

693,859

6.77

151,059

136,848

90.6

 

May 2013

238,931

6.17

47,394

43,447

91.7

 

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Company

Year

Tonnes

Milled
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Gold

Recovered
(oz Au)

Gold Mill
Recovery
(%)

Hecla

June 2013

351,636

6.16

69,652

62,532

89.8

 

2014

750,778

5.90

142,443

128,241

90.0

 

2015

765,763

5.96

146,733

127,893

87.2

 

2016

904,998

5.72

166,499

145,973

87.7

 

2017

1,175,930

4.77

180,373

156,652

86.8

 

2018

1,248,039

4.66

186,844

162,742

87.1

 

2019

1,250,172

4.10

164,938

134,408

81.5

 

2020

1,165,050

4.00

149,934

121,492

81.0

 

2021

1,386,417

3.56

158,685

134,511

84.8

Total 2006 – 2021

13,309,257

5.69

2,435,098

2,154,991

88.5

Total 1988  2021

16,812,624

5.98

3,226,390

2,843,415

88.1

 

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6.0

GEOLOGICAL SETTING, MINERALIZATION, AND DEPOSIT

 

6.1

Regional Geology

 

The Property is located in the northern part of the Abitibi Subprovince, a subdivision of the Superior Province, the Archean core of the Canadian Shield. The Casa Berardi area belongs to the Harricana‑Turgeon Belt, which is a part of the North Volcanic Zone (Figure 6‑1).

 

The regional geology is characterized by a mixed assemblage of mafic volcanic rocks, flysch‑type sedimentary iron formations, and graphitic mudrocks that are limited by a large granodioritic to granitic batholith.

 

Structurally, the Property is enclosed in the Casa Berardi Tectonic Zone, a 15 km wide corridor that can be traced over 200 km. A network of east-west striking ductile, high strain deformation zones mainly follow the lithological contacts.

 

Many significant deposits and past producers of different types are present in the region. Base metals have been produced from the Joutel (Selbaie Mine, Estrades Mine) and Matagami camps. Further east, along the Casa Berardi structural trend, is the former Agnico Eagle Mines Limited’s (Agnico Eagle) Telbel Mine. Other deposits have also been outlined on the Douay, Vezza, and Desjardins properties.

 

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Figure 61: Regional Geology of Northwestern Québec, Canada

 

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6.2

Property Geology

 

6.2.1

Stratigraphic Divisions

 

The Property’s geological environment is centered on the Taïbi volcano-sedimentary domain, which is bounded to the north by the Recher Batholith and to the south by various volcanic domains of tholeiitic to transitional affinity (Figure 6‑2). The Dieppe Domain covers half of the southwestern portion of the Property, and the Turgeon Domain lies immediately south of the eastern half of the Property. Intermediate volcanic rocks of the Joutel-Raymond Group are located within the Turgeon Domain. Dieppe volcanism is defined by a thick (up to 100 m) massive flow or volcanic conduit with sub-ophitic textures, which indicate a deep volcanic environment with high rates of magma generation. Discontinuous volcanic units characterized by breccias flows, tuffs, and cherty horizons, lying in contact with graphitic sediments and conglomerate in the gold deposit area and the eastern volcanic domain that covers the eastern half of the Property, can both be correlated with the Harricana Group.

 

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Figure 62: Casa Berardi Property Geology

 

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The stratigraphic sequence starts with basal mafic volcanism (2,730 Ma to 2,720 Ma). Pyrite rich graphitic mudrock and the associated chert appear to be synchronous with the volcanism as evidenced by fragmentary hyaloclastic units of different compositions. The main sedimentary event corresponds to a flysch-type sequence deposition. U/Pb dating of the iron formation and conglomerate indicates ages between 2,695 Ma and 2,692 Ma for this event (Figure 6‑3).

 

ex_338337img012.gif

 

Figure 63:  Stratigraphic Sequence

 

Well-defined flysch-type sedimentary units, like magnetite rich wacke and conglomerate, can be traced over tens of kilometres without significant facies variations. Volcanic units extend for five kilometers to 15 km inside the sediments and form lens shape structures. Smaller lenses are a few hundred metres wide and are included in the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone.

 

Basaltic to andesitic flows, with thickness generally less than 50 m, exhibit normal progression facies from coarse crystalline to massive, amygdaloidal, and vesicular in lapilli tuffs and tuffs. Flow contacts are identified by graphitic mudrock horizons. Gabbroic sills, which are related to the Dieppe Domain, are visible near the flow contacts. The Turgeon volcanism is considered a distal, near surface, more evolved volcanic environment. Graphitic rocks (in the form of pyritic graphitic mudrock), black chert, wacke, and conglomerate form a 500 m wide structural corridor that coincides with the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

6.2.2

Structures

 

The mafic volcanic units along the Taïbi Domain represent in plan view a lenticular shape corresponding to structural doming. Polarity inversions are recognized in sediments on both sides of their contacts with these units. Tight isoclinal folding forms an asymmetric dome and basin pattern which is well preserved around volcanic units in the iron formations. The main north-south compression event, which is responsible for an 8:1 elongation ratio, is indicated by a strong penetrative east-west foliation.

 

Two fabrics are observed:

 

 

A constant main penetrative east-west foliation, dipping 60° south.

 

 

A crenulation cleavage with an undefined oblique orientation related to northeast or northwest fold components. A higher strain rate along main sediment-volcanic contacts has resulted in a small scale complex dome and basin folding and strong stretching mineral lineation with steep opposite plunges.

 

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The Casa Berardi Fault is defined by a stratigraphic contact between a graphite rich sediment sequence at the base of the Taïbi Domain, a northern continuous highly deformed and brecciated mafic fragmentary volcanic unit, and a southern highly deformed polymictic conglomerate unit (Figure 6‑4). On the north side of the Casa Berardi Fault, a thick sequence of very homogeneous wacke belonging to the Taïbi Group is affected by amphibolite grade metamorphism. One kilometre north is the easterly elongated Recher Batholith, which is part of the northwestern boundary of the Abitibi greenstone belt.

 

The Casa Berardi Fault strikes east-west and dips 80° to the south. The Casa Berardi Deformation Zone corresponds to a braided network of laminated high strain zones following drag folded contacts of less deformed competent rocks such as mafic volcanic and polymictic conglomerate. The thickness of the affected rock package is used to define a 100 m to 500 m wide corridor that hosts all the mineralized zones explored and developed at Casa Berardi.

 

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Figure 64: Property Surface Geology

 

The main brittle deformation and fault zones that have been developed correspond to the Casa Berardi Fault, bounding the strongly metamorphosed Taïbi flyschic sediments with interlayered, tuffaceous intermediate units to the north and a package of strongly deformed graphitic sediments, conglomerate, and mafic volcanic flows to the south.

 

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Inside the Casa Berardi Fault zone, ductile deformation intensity is heterogeneous. Foliation is uniform in larger competent rock units, such as mafic volcanics and conglomerates. Kinematic indicators observed inside the main foliation, combined with the foliation dip pattern, indicate a south verging thrust movement.

 

6.2.3

Alteration and Metamorphism

 

The regional metamorphism, which is of lower greenschist facies, is locally influenced by a series of syntectonic batholiths with associated thermal aureoles. The Recher thermal aureole limit follows the northern boundary of the Property, approximately two kilometres from the batholith and the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

Inside the contact metamorphism halo, the sediments are affected by a quartz-plagioclase-biotite assemblage. In the case of iron rich sediments, the sediments are affected by a chlorite-chloritoid assemblage. Garnet is locally visible. Mafic volcanics are affected by a plagioclase-tremolite assemblage. Chloritoid, plagioclase, and garnet are porphyroblastic, with chlorite-biotite pressure shadows indicating the synchronicity of crystallization and regional foliation.

 

6.3

Mineralization

 

6.3.1

Deposition Model

 

Some essential conditions were initially present in the Casa Berardi area during the formation of the Harricana‑Turgeon volcano-sedimentary belt, preparing the area for a later gold deposition event.

 

The Casa Berardi Fault represents an old discontinuity at the top of a mafic volcanic rock in a basement where hydrothermal activity has led to the formation of chert and graphitic mudrock containing large, massive pyrite lenses. The 30 million to 40 million year old unconformity between the mafic volcanics and the flysch-type sequence is exposed in many places along the Casa Berardi Fault. Iron formations and iron rich sediments are present near the base of the sequence and appear on both sides of the Casa Berardi Fault. The presence of sulphur and iron in the environment is a factor which is highly favorable for gold mobilization.

 

The tectonic mechanism generated many structural features at different scales, creating a favourable context for the formation of gold deposits. The regional north-south main compression events resulted in tight kilometre scale isoclinal folding and in bringing the geological units into a vertical position. The Casa Berardi Fault was generated during this stage by a movement at the contact of a graphitic unit. The proximity of large volcanic units, such as the Dieppe and the Joutel-Raymond domains, has formed competent cores inside antiforms. Those competent cores forced oblique movement and generated a polyphase elongated dome and basin folding pattern. This first tectonic stage corresponds regionally to a 50% shortening and occured under ductile conditions at a depth of six kilometres to 10 km.

 

High constraint zones, associated with pervasive carbonization, are generally developed where graphitic mudrock horizons are localized at major rock contacts. This combination of factors acted as a ground preparation for the positioning of vein networks and long veins. The orientation of the veins and internal structures are generally concordant with the ambient fabric. The veins are localized within the foliation and contain two types of enclaves: foliated host rocks and graphitic planes exhibiting a stylolithic pattern. Vein contacts are usually sharp, and the lack of fabric development indicates a late emplacement.

 

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6.3.2

Styles of Mineralization

 

6.4

Veins

 

Gold mineralization is largely located in quartz veining, either in the form of plurimetric veins, small scale veins, or veinlet networks. Veins are heterogeneous and contain a variable percentage of foliated enclaves exhibiting a laminated appearance. Veins are of different colour, texture, and structure. Gold grades are generally correlated with increasing complexity. Different quartz phases have been recognized in mineralized veins to exhibit the following sequence:

 

 

Phase 1: grey quartz, with abundant sulphides and fluid inclusions, comprising more than 50% of mineralized veins.

 

 

Phase 2: mosaic micro-crystalline quartz occurring in higher grade portions of veins.

 

 

Phase 3: non-mineralized coarsely crystallized white quartz which cuts the two others.

 

The gold bearing vein filling is rarely massive, but often brecciated, micro-brecciated, or laminated. The fracture planes are rich in graphite and muscovite. Veins contain only minor sulphides (1% to 3%), predominately including arsenopyrite, pyrite, and traces of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, tetrahedrite, galena, and gold. Arsenopyrite is the main gold bearing sulphide present in all veins of the Casa Berardi deposit.

 

The granulometric distribution of gold is similar for all locations. According to petrographic compilations, 50% of the gold particles have an average diameter less than 30 μm, and approximately 3% are greater than 100 μm. The gold distribution inside the mineral assemblage varies slightly according to the location of the mineralized zones. In the 113 Zone of the West Mine area, the vein mineralization, which is spatially close to the Casa Berardi Fault, is mostly free gold in contact with arsenopyrite grains (< 10 μm to 0.5 mm). Arsenopyrite is associated with sphalerite and tetrahedrite in clusters, joints, and in micro-brecciated areas.

 

In the South West Zone, parts of the Principal area, and some areas of the East Mine mineralization, the gold distribution is variable and depends on the amount of sulphides in quartz veins and host rocks. Fifty percent of gold grains that have been observed are inclusions in pyrite and arsenopyrite crystals.

 

Alteration halos with gold values of above 100 ppb Au and anomalous values of arsenic and antimony surround most of the mineralized zones along the Casa Berardi Fault. Those halos can be observed up to five kilometres away, on both sides of the Casa Berardi deposit.

 

6.5

Stockworks

 

Stockworks are the second style of gold mineralization in the Casa Berardi deposit and represent nearly the same volume as the large quartz veins. While the stockworks are generally non-economic, they are mined with quartz veins when deemed economic. Across the deposit, hanging wall stockworks are present in contact with important mineralized quartz veins. From 10% to 20% of the rock volume is composed of centimetre to decimetre thick quartz veins with gold values ranging from 1 g/t Au to 10 g/t Au. Veins of all textures and composition are concordant with host rocks. Foliated and finely bedded rocks are cut by concordant veins. Less deformed basalts or heavily carbonated iron rich rocks are cut by fracture-controlled vein sets.

 

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At the deposit scale, the Principal area of the West and East mine areas exhibit stockworks surrounding quartz cores. The stockworks are not limited to the main Casa Berardi Fault and can affect the total width of the deformation zone as metre to decametre wide mineralization subzones.

 

In the Principal area of the West Mine, the stockwork extends laterally for 400 m at a 50° western plunge. In the East Mine, the mineralized system extends laterally for 400 m, reaching a depth of 800 m down dip (Figure 6‑5). The system crosses the Casa Berardi Fault at a low angle over 100 m of strike length. Mineralization continues to the west on the south side of the Casa Berardi Fault and to the east on the north side of the fault.

 

6.6

 Banded Iron Formation

 

The third type of mineralization is the Banded Iron Formation (BIF) hosted mineralization.

 

This type of mineralization is found in the 124-8, 124-1, and 116 zones of the Principal area, at the western extension of the East Mine pit in the 148-09 Zone, and at the extension of the East Mine area in the 160 Zone.  These zones are restricted to the highly sheared, brecciated, and altered ferruginous sediments occurring north of the Casa Berardi Fault. Mineralization occurs within metric to sub-metric quartz veins and stockworks with up to 10% chert-magnetite beds, and exhibits high sulphide content which consists of pyrite, arsenopyrite, traces of pyrrhotite, and little or no visible gold.  These sulphides have replaced the oxide rich layers which surround the quartz veins and the veinlet stockworks.  Strong carbonate and chlorite alteration halos surround the quartz rich areas.

 

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Figure 6‑5: Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

 

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The mineralized zones in the vicinity of the underground infrastructure of the West Mine are all located between sections 10,350E and 11,250E, which correspond to the western limit of the Lower Inter Zone and the eastern limit of the 111 Zone, respectively (Figure 6‑6). Mineralization occurs at the Casa Berardi Fault (in the 109, 111, 113, NW, NE zones), between the Casa Berardi Fault and the South Fault (in the 104, Inter, Lower Inter and 115 zones), and at the South Fault (in the South West zone).

 

Mineralization at the West Mine is represented by two main types:

 

 

Low sulphide quartz veins: networks of centimetric to plurimetric quartz veins located south of the Casa Berardi Fault in highly deformed volcanic and sedimentary rocks that are predominantly basalt, wacke, conglomerate, chert, and mudrock.

 

 

Sulphide rich stockworks: these represent the same volume as large quartz veins but have lower grades and are largely unexploited. Hanging wall stockworks are present in contact with important mineralized quartz veins across the Casa Berardi deposit.

 

The modeled mineralization for pit resource evaluation at the West Mine Crown Pillar (WMCP) are designated the 105 to 114 zones and occur west of the West Shaft and from the surface to the 450 m level. They include stacked quartz veins occurring at the Casa Berardi Fault above the 330 m level in the North West, North East, 111 and 113 zones. Between the Casa Berardi Fault and the conglomerate to the south, the South West (107), South East, and Inter (108) zones contain mineralized quartz veins with graphitic and sericitic schists with sulphides inside the South Fault corridor. The orientation of mineralization is mainly east-west with a south dip of 50° to 60°. Visible gold is associated with the veins. There is a low content of sulphides, primarily pyrite with traces of arsenopyrite. The mineralization plunges west at 15° and is open to the west along the South Fault. Further east, mineralization has a plunge of 20° east and is open to the south from the 100 m level to the 450 m level.

 

The South West (107-02 and 107‑03 lenses) area occurs as metre to multi-metre quartz veins stacked along the South Fault and folded near the surface. The strike of the lenses exhibit variable orientations from east‑southeast and dipping to the south at 50° to 60°. The Inter Zone (108‑01, 02 and 04 lenses) occurs between the Casa Berardi Fault and the South Fault. The mineralized structure is located at the contact between the graphitic sediments and a mafic volcanoclastic unit. The orientation of the mineralized structures is generally east-southeast striking with a shallow dip to the south of 5° to 45°. The zones typically extend 150 m along strike and 75 m along dip. The upper portion of the Inter Zone is connected to the North East Zone and its lower portion connects with the South West Zone. The type of quartz vein and mineralization is quite similar to the veins observed in the Lower Inter Zone.

 

6.6.1

Mineralization along the Casa Berardi Fault

 

Mineralized zones such as the North East, North West, and 109 occur at the Casa Berardi Fault in the form of metric to plurimetric quartz veins. Veins occur over one thousand feet along strike and from 250 m to 550 m elevation and have a direction which varies from northeast to nearly east-west with a sub-vertical dip. The 109 Zone has a sub-horizontal dip at its western limit and a steeper dip to the east where it connects to the 113 Zone.

 

The 113 Zone is a mineralized corridor with a width ranging from 20 m to 70 m. The strike length ranges from 150 m at the 250 m level to over 400 m at the 550 m level. This mineralization strikes east-southeast and dips to the south at 75°. From the 450 m level to 800 m level, the strike varies from east-west to east-southeast, with a sub-vertical dip (Figure 6-6). From the 810 m level to the 1,000 level, mineralization occurs as metric quartz veins with visible gold and traces of fine disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite. The zones strike north-northeast and dip to the southeast at 70°. The zones have a steep plunge to the east and the 113 Zone is open along the plunge and at depth.

 

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Figure 66: Section 11,385E, West Mine including the 113 Zone and Casa Berardi Fault

 

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6.6.2

Mineralization Between the Casa Berardi and South Faults

 

The Lower Inter, Inter, and 115 zones are relatively flat dipping and plunge at approximately 15° to the west on the flat portions. The zones become steeper and are disrupted by minor thrust faults near the Casa Berardi Fault and near the South and Lower Inter Faults.

 

The Lower Inter Zone (the 100 Zone) is located between the 375 m level and 600 m level, and from sections 10,525E to 10,360E. The Lower Inter Zone dips at 25° to 45° south and plunges to the west at 15°. The zone is controlled by the Casa Berardi and the Lower Inter faults and lies on top of the folded wacke-basalt contact (Figure 6‑7). The thickness of the quartz vein varies from four metres to 50 m, with the maximum thickness observed just beneath the contact of the two faults. The thin sections are observed down-dip, along the Lower Inter Fault, and extend for approximately 200 m. Stacking of quartz veins is observed in a deformation zone that is located at the lithological contact between the footwall mafic volcanic rock and the hanging wall graphitic mudrock.

 

The Inter Zone is located from sections 10,600E to 10,950E, and from the 150 m level to the 310 m level. The mineralized structure is located at the contact between the graphitic sediments and a mafic volcanoclastic unit. The mineralized structure strikes southeast with a shallow dip to the south (5° to 45°) and extends 150 m laterally and 75 m along dip. Its upper portion is connected to the North East Zone where the quartz vein and mineralization are similar to the Lower Inter Zone.

 

The 104 Zone corresponds to the Lower Inter Zone that is steeply plunging to the west. The 104 Zone strikes east-northeast, dips to the southeast at 70°, and it is composed of quartz veins with visible gold and low sulphide content.

 

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Figure 67:  Section 10,800E, West Mine Geology and Mining Infrastructure

 

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6.6.3

Mineralization at the South Fault

 

In plan view, the South West (107) and South East zones can be interpreted as a dome that is cut by the South Fault and by the subsidiary Auxiliary Fault. The mineralized system extends 200 m laterally and 300 m along dip, extending from surface to the 300 m level.

 

The main quartz vein structures are developed at the contact between a conglomerate and a graphitic mudrock and are associated with a large stockwork of disseminated sulphides. The internal vein structure shows variable orientations and is, in many places, brecciated. The economic mineralization extends down dip and is represented by a system of parallel veins which dip at 60° southwest.

 

6.6.4

Mineralization at the 118 Zone

 

The 118 Zone occurs from section 11,600E to 12,400E, between the 400 m and 1,200 m levels (Figures 6-8 and 6-9).  The mineralization occurs within a 20 m to 70 m wide mineralized corridor south of the Casa Berardi Fault. The 118-10, 20, 21, 22, 27, 64, 81, 82, and 118-83 zones are stacked metric to sub-metric quartz veins with by sericite-carbonate envelope with high sulphide content, mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite with local visible gold. The zones contain up to 20% of metre to sub-metre quartz veins and veinlets sub-parallel to the schistosity.  The zones strike east-southeast and dip to the southwest at 60° to 80° . The high grade zones show a steep plunge to the southwest at 70°.  The 118-06 Zone is similar to the 118-27 lens, with the same orientation and dip. The structure is also well mineralized within the conglomerate unit and represents a strongly mineralized quartz stockwork with fine to coarse grained arsenopyrite and pyrite with visible gold.  The upper part of the zone from the 330 to 610 level is folded and stacked. The general strike is east-southeast and dips to the southwest at 60° to 80° and follows the west plunge of the conglomerate. At the 330 level, the mineralization connects with the 124-81 and 82 zones. The 118-14, 15, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 zones are metre to multi-metre quartz veins sitting on top of the conglomerate unit and along its plunge. The quartz veins are locally faulted with a minor thrust fault and plunge to the west at approximately 15° to 20°. The 118-05, 11, 12, 13, 31, and 34 zones are metre to multi-metre stacked quartz veins and quartz stockwork along the Casa Berardi Fault with an east-west strike and south dip at 60° to 80° . Mineralization consists of fine to medium grained disseminated arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, and visible gold associated with quartz veins. The 118‑16 and 17 zones are characterized by sericite-carbonate schist with high sulfide content, mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite, with local visible gold.  They contain up to 20% metre to sub-metre quartz veins oriented east-southeast and dipping southwest at 70°. The mineralization follows the plunge of the 113 Zone along the conglomerate. Thickness of the veins ranges from three to five metres with east-southeast strike and dip southwest at 70° . Mineralization remains open at depth and along the plunge of the conglomerate.

 

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Figure 68: Plan View of the 1,010 m Level, Principal Area, Showing the 113, 118, and 123 Zones

 

6.6.5

Mineralization at the 123 and 128 Zones

 

The 123 Zone occurs in the South Domain of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone and consists of stacked quartz veins and stockwork, varying in width from approximately five metres to up to 30 m, within a sequence of highly deformed and altered volcanic rocks and chert, at the sheared contact of volcanics and sediments, and close to the faulted southern contact of the conglomerate that hosts the 118 Zone (Figure 6‑8 and Figure 6‑9). Mineralization in quartz veins occurs as disseminations and stringers of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite, with fine visible gold and minor disseminations of sphalerite. The veins near the chert bands strike east-northeast while dipping to the south at 60° to 70 ° and plunging to the east at 80°. The veins near the volcanic and sediments strike west-northwest with subvertical to 70° south dips. Mineralization occurs at the surface in lenses 123-21, 23, and 24 and the mineralization is open at surface and at depth to the west.

 

The 128 Zone is located on section 12,800 E at the 400 m level and is located at the same stratigraphic level as the 123 Zone within fragmental volcanic rocks. The 128 Zone is composed of quartz veins with visible gold. The mineralization has an east-west strike and a vertical to sub vertical dip to the south. The 128 Zone is open at depth and along strike.

 

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Figure 69:  Section 12,330E, Principal Area Geology 118, 123, and 124 Zones

 

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6.6.6

Mineralization at the Principal Mine Area

 

Mineralization within the Principal Zone occurs near the surface to the north and south of the Casa Berardi Fault and extends to depth to the 118 Zone along the Casa Berardi Fault and to the 123 Zone in the South Domain of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone (Figure 6‑10). The zones are located between section 11,900 E and section 13,000 E.

 

South of the Casa Berardi Fault, Zone 124-3 occurs as stacked, metre-wide, quartz veins near the Casa Berardi Fault, and is the up-dip extension of the 118 Zone occurring on top of the conglomerate. The overall orientation is east-southeast with dips to the southwest at 50° to 80° with a plunge to the southeast of 50°. Mineralization consists of arsenopyrite, pyrite, and visible gold with quartz veins. Zones 124-11 and 124-22 occur along secondary structures south of the Casa Berardi Fault and connect at depth with Zone 123-05. The zones occur in a corridor of metre-wide quartz veins and veinlets with visible gold, fine disseminations of arsenopyrite, and traces of sphalerite. These zones are oriented east-southeast and dip to the southwest at 60°.

 

Zones north of the Casa Berardi Fault (124-6, 124-8, 124-12, 124-13, 124-14, 124-16, 124-17) appear within highly sheared, brecciated, and altered ferruginous sediments between or near chert bands with minor magnetite. Gold mineralization occurs within metre to sub-metre quartz veins and stockworks containing fine grained to massive pyrite and arsenopyrite, traces of pyrrhotite, and very minor visible gold. Alteration is primarily chloritization and carbonatization (calcite and ankerite), with sericitization along the quartz veins. The strike varies from east-west (124-6) to east-northeast (124-8, 124-12, 124-13, 124-14, 124-16, 124-17) with dips to the south at 70° to near-vertical, and the zones plunge to the east at 50°. Mineralization remains open to depth and to the east of the 124-16 Zone.

 

The mineralized lenses in the 134 Zone are located between sections 13,100E and 13,500E and between the surface and level 300. Mineralization consists of arsenopyrite, pyrite, and visible gold with metre to multi-metre quartz veins and ankerite, sericite schist occurring within a sequence of highly deformed and altered volcanic rocks and sediments at the Casa Berardi Fault and north of the Casa Berardi Fault along secondary graphitic faults. The overall orientation is east-northeast with dips to the southeast at 75° and a plunge to the southeast of 60°.

 

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Figure 610: Plan View of the 290 m Level, Principal Area including the 124 Zone Lenses

 

6.6.7

Mineralization at the East Mine Area

 

The mineralized zones in the East Mine area are located between sections 14,000 E and 15,800 E and from surface to the 900 m level (Figure 6‑11). The East Mine has underground and open pit Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves that include the 146, 148, 152 and 157 zones.

 

The EMCP Pit includes the 148 Zone at the Casa Berardi Fault, from 14,725E to 15,400E, and the mineralized zones of the XMCP which extend from 14,400 E to 14,725 E and appear up to 100 m south of the Casa Berardi Fault. EMCP is composed of massive quartz veins with fine disseminations of pyrite and pyrrhotite with visible gold while XMCP mineralization is composed of 5% to 10% quartz veins and centimetric veinlets in stockwork with predominantly fine pyrite veinlets and disseminations, within highly sheared, sericitized, and ankeritized wacke and iron formation. These zones have an east-northeast direction and dip to the south at 75°.

 

The underground Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves are predominately located between sections 14,725 E and 15,200 E. The zones included are the 148 and 152 zones. Between surface and the 200 m level, the mineralized envelopes are composed of quartz veins and quartz stockwork several metres thick and mineralized with fine disseminated pyrite, arsenopyrite and visible gold. Mineralization appears mainly at the Casa Berardi Fault and the strike of the lenses varies from east-southeast to west-northwest with a steep dip to the north, exhibiting an anastomosing pattern. Between the 200 m and 550 m levels, the mineralization is restricted to a continuous 10 m wide vertical quartz vein which is parallel to the Casa Berardi Fault. Between the 550 m level and 1,050 m level, the remaining Mineral Resources are in the south dipping area which is represented by a succession of mudrock layers inside the volcanic rock sequence. The quartz veins are metre to multi-metre thick and strike east-northeast with south dips varying from 60° to 85°. Mineralization is still open at depth and along strike.

 

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The 152 Zone lies to the north of the Casa Berardi Fault, with a vertical extent of 200 m, from section 15,050E to section 15,250E, and from the 100 m level to 300 m level, and is laterally continuous over 100 m (Figure 6‑11 and Figure 6‑12). Stacked quartz veins are concentrated at the sheared mafic volcanic-wacke contact. The dip and thickness of the mineralization are highly variable.

 

West of section 14,725E, the mineralization appears mainly to the south of the Casa Berardi Fault and at depth below the XMCP Pit. The mineralization occurs predominately near the sheared ferruginous sediments and it is still open at depth.

 

The 160 and 159 (Cherty) Zones are located between sections 15,400 E and 16,300 E and are 200 m and 30 m north of the Casa Berardi Fault, respectively. Lenses that are parts of the zones have an average lateral extent of 200 m and a vertical extent of 100 m, down to the 350 m level (Figure 6‑12). The zones have been defined by drilling on 15 m spaced sections.

 

Mineralization in the 160 Zone occurs at or near the sheared contact of pyroclastic rocks and fine grained sediments, mainly wacke, graphitic mudrock, and metric to multi-metric thick ferruginous sediments and along secondary graphitic fault. The main orientation of the lenses is generally east-northeast with dips to the south at 65° to 75°. Mineralization is composed of metric to sub-metric quartz veins and stockworks containing fine pyrite and arsenopyrite, traces of pyrrhotite, and visible gold. Alteration is predominately chloritization and carbonatization (calcite and ankerite), with sericitization along the quartz veins. The 160 Zone mineralization exhibits a shallow plunge to the west-southwest at 40°.

 

Mineralization of the Cherty (159) Zone occurs north of the Casa Berardi Fault and east of the 152 Zone. Mineralization is composed of stacked metric to sub-metric quartz veins and veinlets occurring near a band of chert north of the Casa Berardi Fault and near the contact between the volcanic rocks and the sediments north of the Casa Berardi Fault. General orientation of the quartz veins is east-northeast with dips to the south at 70° to 75°. Mineralization remains open at depth and to the east.

 

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Figure 611: East Mine Composite Longitudinal Section

 

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Figure 612: Section 15, 840E, East Mine Geology and Infrastructure 160 Zone

 

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6.7

Deposit Types

 

The Casa Berardi deposit can be classified as an Archean age, sedimentary hosted lode gold deposit. Gold deposits of the Archean Abitibi greenstone belt predominantly consist of epigenetic disseminated and vein hosted deposits, and syngenetic gold rich massive sulphides (Robert et al., 2005; Monecke et al., 2017). Both types of mineralization could potentially occur within the same deposit in areas where deformation and metamorphism overprint volcanic successions. Deformation and metamorphism can significantly modify the mineralogy and geometry of previously formed mineralization. Nevertheless, superposition of hydrothermal events, metamorphism, and deformation, represent important processes for gold concentration and the formation of world class gold deposits in greenstone belts and sedimentary rocks in general (e.g., Dubé et al. 2007; Large et al., 2007).

 

The Casa Berardi gold mining camp in the northern Abitibi greenstone belt contains different styles of mineralization within the same deposit including gold rich massive sulphides, auriferous pyritic and carbonaceous phyllite and chert, and pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold-quartz veins. It is therefore considered an ideal setting to study the effects of superimposed hydrothermal systems and to contribute to a better understanding of Casa Berardi and prospective areas along the extensive Casa Berardi Deformation Zone.

 

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7.0

EXPLORATION

 

From 1974 to 2021, surface and underground diamond drilling, totalling over 3.5 million metres, has been completed at Casa Berardi. Most of this drilling has successfully expanded resources along a five kilometre segment of the Casa Berardi Fault in the immediate mine area. Some regional exploration work including geophysical surveys and diamond drilling has been carried out on the Property, which is very large and covers a very favourable geological environment for gold mineralization including a 37 km strike length along the Casa Berardi Fault. The SLR QP is of the opinion that excellent exploration potential remains on the Property, both along strike and at depth in the immediate mine area and on the rest of the Property. Geophysics and drilling are the key exploration tools needed to make new discoveries under the thick layer of overburden that covers most of the Property.

 

The SLR QP notes that the exploration and drilling programs comply with industry standards and they have been carried out by experienced geoscientists. SLR’s QP is of the opinion that the exploration data are of high quality and are acceptable to support Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation.

 

The drilling on the property is shown in Figure 7‑1.

 

7.1

Hecla Exploration 2016 to 2021

 

Since Hecla’s acquisition of Casa Berardi in June 2013 exploration activities have largely consisted of drilling data compilation and integration. During autumn 2017, a helicopter-borne versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) and horizontal magnetic gradiometer geophysical survey, totalling 1,587 line-km, was flown over the entire Property.

 

7.1.1

2016

 

From 2012 to the end of 2016, Casa Berardi was still under a JV between Lake Shore and Hecla, however, no exploration work was carried out in the field. In February 2016, Tahoe purchased Lake Shore, and at the end of 2016, Hecla purchased Tahoe’s 50% interest in the Property.

 

In 2016, Hecla resumed data compilation and integration to generate drill targets and staked three new claims to add to the Property.

 

7.1.2

2017

 

In 2017, Hecla staked 36 new claims to bringing the total number of claims to 266. In winter 2017, Hecla conducted, a 19 hole (6,620 m) drilling program in the West Block between the West Shaft and the former Agnico Eagle claim block. Hecla’s geologists also re-logged and sampled 47 Lakeshore drill holes totalling 20,910 m from Lac Germain and the West Block for lithogeochemistry. During autumn 2017, a helicopter-borne VTEM and horizontal magnetic gradiometer geophysical survey, totalling 1,587 line-km, was flown over the entire Property.

 

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Figure 71: Diamond and Overburden Drilling

 

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The 2017 exploration program was successful in defining new mineralization to the west of the Casa Berardi Mining Lease. Drilling on the West Block succeeded in discovering new gold mineralization. In hole CBS‑17‑783, the best assay result was 1.57 g/t Au over 3.5 m and mineralization is related to the 30% pyrite and trace arsenopyrite in a sericitized and silicified wacke. In hole CBS‑17‑788, two intervals of quartz veins stockwork with up to 10% pyrite and trace arsenopyrite yielded 4.49 g/t Au over one metre and 4.76 g/t Au over 1.7 m at borehole depths of 135 m and 235 m, respectively. Drilling and relogging succeeded in improving the geological model and furthering Hecla’s understanding of the West Block and Lac Germain, by confirming exploration potential and delineating exploration targets for 2018.

 

7.1.3

2018

 

In 2018, Hecla purchased four claims from an individual prospector, bringing the total number of claims to 270. During the winter of 2018, Hecla drilled 13 follow-up drill holes (4,610 m) on near surface targets on the West Block and 27 holes (6,656 m) on the Lac Germain prospect. A bridge was built over Theo River to improve access to the Lac Germain area. Relogging of 46 holes from previous drilling on the East and West Blocks was also completed.

 

On the West Block, the most significant mineralization was in hole CBS‑18‑959 that intersected 73.1 m of chloritized felsic quartz porphyry volcanic rock with up to 30% pyrite as semi‑massive to massive beds and stringer (from 182.1 m to 253.4 m). Assays returned 1.23 g/t Au over 19.1 m including a massive sulphide section that yielded 3.76 g/t Au over 1.8 m.

 

On the Lac Germain prospect, drilling succeeded in intersecting high grade and wide gold bearing mineralized zones. Mineralization was interpreted as six gold bearing subparallel lenses, LG 1 to LG 6, forming a 100 m wide corridor in a sequence of wacke and BIFs. These lenses strike at approximately 070° and dip between 65° to 75° to the south. In the LG 1 Zone, hole CBS‑18‑955 returned 11.31 g/t Au over 3.6 m including 25.30 g/t Au over 1.2 m. In the LG 2 Zone, hole CBS‑18‑940 returned 5.5 g/t Au gold over four metres and hole CBS‑18‑942 returned an exceptional value of 461.0 g/t Au over 0.6 m. In the LG 3 Zone, holes CBS‑18‑935 and CBS‑18‑947 returned 5.61 g/t Au over 3.3 m and 4.08 g/t Au over 2.6 m, respectively. In the LG 4 Zone wide intersections of 5.22 g/t Au over 6.5 m in CBS‑18‑955, 3.66 g/t Au over 8.4 m in CBS‑18‑960, and 5.97 g/t Au over 4.5 m in CBS‑18‑968, were reported. Gold bearing mineralization was interpreted to be related to quartz and quartz carbonate veinlets and veins up to 1.5 m thick. The veins contained minor amounts of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite and gold grades correlated with the amount of arsenopyrite. Visible gold was related to traces of sphalerite and galena.

 

7.1.4

2019 and 2020

 

No drilling was completed for regional exploration in 2019 and 2020.

 

7.1.5

2021

 

In 2021, relogging of eight drill holes totalling 3,055 m on the Dieppe East Block confirmed that the geology of the Dieppe East Block is similar to the geology intersected in drill holes from 2017 and 2018 consisting of graphitic mudstone with nodular pyrite, felsic and mafic volcanic rocks, and major graphitic faults (Casa Berardi Deformation Zone). In addition, eight drill holes totalling 3,675 m were re-logged on the Dieppe 1 mineral occurrence. Historical drilling returned values of 26.90 g/t Au over 1.5 m and 2.76 g/t Au over 8.02 m.

 

This drill hole re-logging confirmed that gold mineralization is related to quartz veins in a brecciated chert horizon at the contact within mafic volcanic rocks. Importantly, the area around the Dieppe 1 mineral occurrence is characterized by a strong volcanic massive sulphide mineralizing system. The thickness of the sulphide system is up to 150 m and has strong potential for gold bearing volcanic massive sulphide deposits.

 

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In 2021, Hecla drilled 5,879 m in 12 drill holes on the West Block area and returned anomalous values that extended previously identified mineralization at depth within both quartz veining and massive sulphides, although these intercepts were low grade. Drill hole CBS-21-023 intercepted massive sulphides over 15 m in thickness and return anomalous gold values over 20 m down hole. Further west, drill hole CBS-21-017 confirmed mineralization at depth and extended the mineral zone over hundreds of meters down plunge intercepting 6.90 g/t over 3.6 m. The geology and mineralization have strong similarities to the 123 and 124 mining zones within the Central Block at Casa Berardi.

 

7.2

Drilling

 

Table 7‑1 summarizes exploration and definition diamond drilling programs carried out from 2006 to 2021. The extensive surface and underground drilling programs have been developed to investigate the West Mine and East Mine areas.

 

Table 71:         Exploration, Definition, and Infill Drilling Programs from 2006 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Company

Year

Surface
Exploration
(m)

Underground
Exploration
(m)

Infill Definition
(m)

Total
(m)

Aurizon

2006

28,304

19,779

24,578

72,661

 

2007

10,445

-

20,434

30,879

 

2008

1,014

7,043

21,928

29,985

 

2009

19,303

16,477

38,787

74,567

 

2010

27,974

37,834

32,881

98,689

 

2011

35,979

5,552

63,317

104,848

 

2012

29,928

13,052

57,894

100,874

 

2013

12,906

3,916

16,149

32,971

Hecla

2013

7,650

3,152

24,648

35,450

 

2014

20,556

7,068

40,797

68,421

 

2015

22,058

6,158

63,016

91,232

 

2016

21,185

4,827

56,950

82,962

 

2017

32,877

17,326

73,418

123,621

 

2018

28,447

15,942

60,023

104,412

 

2019

18,528

17,014

48,781

84,323

 

2020

3,650

11,723

43,598

58,971

 

2021

16,320

10,485

43,457

70,262

Total

 

337,124

197,348

730,656

1,265,128

 

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The main exploration and definition drilling programs are summarized in the following subsections.

 

7.2.1

2006

 

Definition drilling was active in the 113 and the Lower Inter zones. Exploration drilling was carried out to follow up on Inferred Mineral Resources in the 118 to120 zones that were identified by wide spaced drilling from surface. The extension of mineralization contained in the EMCP was also tested. Exploration of the 122 Deep Zone continued where underground exploration intersected high grade mineralization along the Casa Berardi Fault, 1,000 m below surface and 800 m from the existing infrastructure.

 

7.2.2

2007

 

Definition drilling continued in the 113 Zone. The first phase of definition drilling in the Lower Inter Zone was completed. Underground exploration drilling was focused on the 118 to 120 zones.

 

Surface exploration drilling targeted the 123 Zone, the most significant discovery of mineralization to date outside the Casa Berardi Fault. The 123 Zone is located 350 m south and 900 m east of the existing West Mine infrastructure.

 

7.2.3

2008

 

Surface exploration was conducted at the East Mine to convert Inferred Mineral Resources into Indicated Mineral Resources. Definition and infill drilling programs were conducted in the 113 and Principal area zones.

 

7.2.4

2009

 

Surface exploration drilling was mainly concentrated in the Principal area to increase Mineral Resources and to evaluate open pit and underground potential. Underground exploration was carried out in the 118 and 123 zones from the 810 m level exploration drift. Definition and infill drilling were primarily carried out in the 113, 118, 123, and Lower Inter zones.

 

7.2.5

2010

 

Surface exploration drilling was predominately concentrated in the Principal area of the West Mine to convert Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves. Underground exploration was carried out in the 118 and 123 zones from the 810 m level exploration drift. Definition and infill drilling were primarily carried out in the Lower Inter, 109, 113, 115, 118, 123, and 124 zones.

 

7.2.6

2011

 

The surface exploration program tested the down-plunge of the Lower Inter Zone, the northeast extension of the 118, 123 and 124 zones, the deep down-plunge of the 123 Zone, the potential at depth of the East Mine, and the open pit potential of the 160 Zone. Underground exploration drilling was carried out to verify continuity and extensions of the Principal Mine, primarily in the 118 Zone. Definition and infill drilling were conducted in the 109, 118, 119, 123, and 146 zones.

 

7.2.7

2012

 

The surface exploration program was carried out to test the western extension of the 160 Zone, the eastern extension of the Principal area in the West Mine, and the potential at depth of the Lower Inter, 123 zones, and the East Mine. Underground exploration drilling was conducted to verify continuity and extensions of the Lower Inter, Principal Mine, 118, 140, and 160 zones. 2013

 

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The surface exploration program tested the extensions of the 123 and 134 zones. Underground exploration drilling was primarily carried out in the 140 and 159 zones, while definition and infill drilling were mainly carried out in the 113, 115, 118, 119, 123 zones.

 

7.2.8

2014

 

The underground exploration targeted the West Mine with the down plunge extension of the 113 Zone, in the 118, 123 and 124 zones in the Principal area, and a small campaign was conducted on the east extension of the Principal area for the 140 Zone. Surface exploration targeted the Principal area east extension with the 134 and 140 zones. Definition and infill drilling were completely entirely from underground to drill the extension of known Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources near the West Mine in the 113, 118, 123, and 124 zones.

 

7.2.9

2015

 

Exploration drilling targeted the 118, 123, 124 and Lower Inter zones in the West Mine from underground and surface. Drilling continued to target the East Mine potential for the 144 and 157 zones and to test the down plunge of the 148 and 160 zones. Infill and definition drilling were conducted mostly in the Principal area on the 118, 123 and 124 zones.

 

7.2.10

2016

 

The surface exploration drilling program continued to target the West Mine with the 109 and 113 zones below the current infrastructure. From underground the extension of the Lower Principal targeted to the 117 Zone. Infill and definition drilling were primarily carried out in the Principal area including the 118, 123, and 124 zones.

 

7.2.11

2017

 

The 2017 program was the largest drilling campaign since 2006. Exploration drilling has targeted the 123 and 124 zones from underground and surface. A surface exploration campaign was completed on the 134 Zone to test the open pit potential east of the Principal area. The potential for open pit resources near the West Mine was tested by drilling the North West and South West zones in the crown pillar. Infill and definition drilling from surface targeted the EMCP Pit, 134 Zone, and 160 Zone preliminary pit. Underground infill and definition drilling were completed at the Principal area to extend the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for the 118, 123, and 124 zones.

 

7.2.12

2018

 

Exploration covered the West Mine and the East Mine to evaluate both surface and underground targets. Surface exploration targeted the down plunge of the 134 Zone under the preliminary pit. Surface drilling also targeted the east extension for underground potential of the 124 Zone. Exploration drilling from surface tested the west extension of the 146 and 148 zones for underground potential. A combination of definition and exploration drilling targeted the WMCP to better define the pit potential. Underground exploration continued in the Lower Principal area from the 990 m level to test the down plunge mineralization of the 118 and 123 zones. Infill and definition drilling from surface were primarily designed to define an open pit in the EMCP Pit, 134 Pit, 160 Pit, and WMCP Pit areas. Underground infill and definition drilling were carried out in the Principal area to evaluate the 118, 123, and 124 zones. In 2018 underground definition drilling commenced in the East Mine from the 300 m level under the 160 Zone preliminary pit to test the down plunge mineralization for underground mining potential.

 

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7.2.13

2019

 

Surface exploration drilling targeted the eastern portion of the Principal Mine within the 128 Zone specifically the high grade plunge of known lenses and aimed to further define the 160 Zone lenses within the Pit Shell. Furthermore, surface drilling targeted the continuation of those lenses under the pit shell. In the North Domain, the surface campaign aimed to investigate the eastern potential of the 160 Zone in the East Mine, and the extension of the 157 Zone to the south of Casa Berardi Fault.

 

Underground drilling pursued five targets: i) the eastern extensions of the 128 Zone from the 290 m level, ii) the western extension of the 118 Zone from the 990 m level exploration drift, iii) the 113 Zone from the 1,010 m level, iv) the 152 Zone from the 455 m level ramp in the East Mine and v) the 148 Zone below current infrastructures from the 485 m level in the East Mine.

 

7.2.14

2020

 

Surface exploration drilling was active to help determine the near surface eastern extent of the 160 Pit (159-05 lens) thus assisting the pit engineers determine where to move the creek.

 

Underground exploration drilling actively pursued the 123 Zone below current infrastructures from the 1,070 m level, the 128 Zone from the 490 m level in the Principal Mine area, and the 148 Zone below current infrastructures from the 485 m level in the East Mine.

 

7.2.15

2021

 

Surface exploration drilling targeted the different lenses located outside of the WMCP Pit shell, the down trend of the 105 Zone in the West Mine, the east and west extension of the 128 Zone, the downward plunge of the 139 lens and the extension of the 159 and 160 lenses within the 160 Pit shell.

 

Underground exploration drilling aimed to investigate many zones of the Casa Berardi Mine from west to east, targeting: the upper portion of the 113 Zone from the 990 m level, ii) the downward plunge of the lower 123 Zone from the 1,070 m level, iii) the upward plunge of the 123-01 lens, and iv) the downward extension of the 148-01 lens.

 

7.3

Casa Berardi Regional Drilling

 

7.3.1

Lake Shore Drilling 2007 to 2012

 

In September 2007, Aurizon and Lake Shore Gold Inc. (Lake Shore) signed an option agreement by which Lake Shore could acquire a 50% interest in Casa Berardi. Lake Shore earned its 50% interest at the end of 2012.

 

7.3.1.1

2008

 

In winter 2008, an initial drilling program comprising 12 holes, totalling 4,470 m, was carried out. Ten holes were drilled approximately 7.5 km east of the East Mine and Mill Complex, in an area now known as the Lac Germain prospect. Two holes, CE‑08‑06 and CE‑08‑09, were drilled near Inco Gold’s hole 84716‑0, two kilometres to the west of this area. In addition, 79 reverse circulation (RC) holes were completed over the East Block.

 

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The winter 2008 diamond drilling program succeeded in the discovery of the “G Zone” at the Lac Germain prospect. The best intersection in hole CE‑08‑03 yielded 13.03 g/t Au over 6.45 m within a broader interval of 8.58 g/t Au over 10.4 m. This mineralization was located approximately 90 m below a historical value of 11.11 g/t Au over 2.24 m in Inco Gold’s hole 84724‑0. The G Zone was then subdivided into three sub-zones referred to as the G‑S Zone, G‑Mid Zone, and G‑N Zone. Gold mineralization was associated with quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins within sedimentary rocks, north of a mafic volcanic package. Higher grade mineralization displayed stronger wall rock alteration and a higher sulphide content, with some quartz and sulphide stringers at a shallow angle to the core axis.

 

The 79 hole RC drill program was designed to test new areas and to follow up on areas of interest identified via the compilation of previous data. A total of 173 bedrock samples were collected during the RC program and assayed for gold. The source of two gold dispersal trains, east of the Theo River, was interpreted near the northern contact between mafic volcanics and sediments. The first dispersal train was located south of Lake Shore’s drill holes CE‑08‑06 and CE‑08‑09. The second gold dispersal train occured approximately 4.1 km east of Lac Germain and 5.1 km east of the Lac Germain prospect.

 

7.3.1.2

2009

 

In 2009, Lake Shore drilled 16 holes totalling 6,896 m on the Property. Ten of the 16 holes, totalling 3,656 m, were drilled on the Lac Germain prospect while the remaining six, totalling 3,240 m, were drilled on the West Block between the West Mine and the former Agnico Eagle claim block. The drilling on the Lac Germain prospect extended the G Zone. Hole CE‑09‑12, to the east, returned 2.33 g/t Au over 7.3 m, and hole CE‑09‑18, to the west, returned 3.04 g/t Au over 6.3 m. Drilling on the West Block led to the discovery of a new gold zone in hole CW‑09‑23 that returned 3.44 g/t Au over 3.9 m in a broader 23.2 m gold anomalous interval. Mineralization consisted of ribboned, quartz-ankerite veins with 5% to 70% pyrite and pyrrhotite and minor arsenopyrite, within a large package of chert-sulphide iron formation in strongly deformed and altered graphitic wacke.

 

7.3.1.3

2010

 

In 2010, Lake Shore drilled 11 holes totalling 4,111 m. Eight holes of the 11 holes, totalling 2,814 m, were drilled on the Lac Germain prospect, while the remaining three targeted aeromagnetic anomalies similar to the one at the Lac Germain prospect. New drilling results on the G Zone included 11.54 g/t Au over 3.9 m in CE‑10‑30 and 4.75 g/t Au over one metre in hole CE‑10‑32, both located in the west-central portion of the G Zone. On the eastern end of the G Zone, holes CE‑10‑29 and CE‑10‑31 returned several anomalous and high grade gold intervals, notably 40.2 g/t Au over 0.4 m and 8.4 g/t Au over 1.4 m in hole CE‑10‑29, and 14.7 g/t Au over 0.5 m in hole CE‑10‑31.

 

Hole CE‑10‑35, which tested a magnetic anomaly to the east of Lac Germain approximately five kilometres east of the Lac Germain prospect, did not intersect gold mineralization. Holes CE‑10‑36 and CE‑10‑37 were drilled to test magnetic anomalies at the west end of the East Block. Only one interval in hole CE‑10‑36 yielded 1.63 g/t Au over one metre. Hole CE‑10‑37 intersected a narrow quartz vein with one speck of visible gold that yielded no value, and another quartz vein which returned 2.57 g/t Au over 0.8 m.

 

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7.3.1.4

2012

 

During the summer of 2012, Lake Shore drilled hole CW‑12‑38 to test the down-dip extension of the gold mineralization intersected in hole CW-09‑23. Hole CW-12-38 intersected some gold bearing mineralization and the best intervals were 3.24 g/t Au over 1.5 m and 1.38 g/t Au over 12.4 m including 2.53 g/t Au over 3.1 m.

 

7.4

Hecla Drilling Protocols

 

Casa Berardi exploration drilling can have a wide range of purposes along the extensive property length and is classified into three categories. Surface and underground exploration drilling, which is planned inside the mining leases along the strike of known gold occurrences to build future Inferred Mineral Resources. Regional exploration outside the mining leases which targets favourable geoscientific features along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone. Additionally, conversion holes classified as definition and infill drilling occur mainly at the Mine site (surface and underground) within the mine areas and are designed to convert and increase the Indicated Mineral Resources for future mining potential. Condemnation drills holes have also been completed to condemn sectors from exploration and locate the infrastructure of the Casa Berardi complex.

 

Drill holes are planned (azimuth, dip, length) by Hecla geologists on vertical cross-sections and on vertical longitudinal sections. Drill lines are marked underground (front site and back site) by the mine surveyors. Prior to drilling, a technician verifies the drill rig alignment on hole set up. On surface, drill collars are spotted on the field lines with the use of surveying equipment. Typically, two front sites, identified with wood pickets, are used to align the drill rig. Down hole deviations (azimuth and dip) are measured with Reflex instruments approximately every 50 m along the hole. Complementary with the Reflex survey, a North Seeking Gyro is used when drilling is completed near magnetic rock. This type of survey is not impacted by magnetism and can provide accuracy in defining the down hole drill trace. Once a hole is completed, collars are surveyed by Hecla mine surveyors and geology technicians. All drill holes on site are cemented on the total length as far as possible.

 

Surface diamond drilling is focused during winter to take advantage of the frozen ground (January to April) and minimize the environmental impacts of the drilling. The drill rigs are moved on ice roads using heavy equipment and snowmobiles and are set up on winter drill pads. Surface drilling is reduced during the summer season to minimize the footprint of gravel roads that are built to access the drilling pads. Underground drilling from the West Mine and East Mine are conducted from drill bays, haulage drifts, or other accessible drilling platforms. The underground drills are moved with heavy underground equipment and access to the drill is via service truck or tractor.

 

Typically, NQ diameter drill core is used for exploration, infill, and definition drill holes. In some surface and underground holes, due to difficulties in drilling, usually ground condition problems, the drill core diameter is reduced from NQ to BQ.

 

Once retrieved from the core barrel, the core is placed in sequential order in core boxes labelled with the hole number. Each run, usually three metres, is identified by a wood block on which the depth of the hole is marked. Missing (not recovered) core is identified by a wood stick indicating the length of the missing section. At the end of each shift, core boxes are transported by the drillers’ foreman to the core shack on site. A Hecla technician then sorts and opens the core box to evaluate the core quality and measure the accumulated core length. Each core box is photographed and linked with the log database. An aluminum tag etched with the hole number, box, and the contained ‘’from-to’’ is fixed to each core box. After this quality control the Hecla geologist enters a detailed log description of the holes into the Gems logger database.

 

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7.4.1

Comments on Drilling

 

The SLR QP notes that the quantity and quality of the logging, geotechnical, collar, and down hole survey data collected in the exploration and infill drill programs are sufficient to support Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and makes the following comments:

 

 

Core logging performed by Hecla staff meets industry standards for exploration on gold deposits.

 

 

Core logging performed prior to Hecla acquiring 100% ownership met industry standards at the time of logging.

 

 

Collar surveys for Hecla core holes have been performed using industry standard instrumentation.

 

 

Collar surveys for drill holes prior to 2013 were performed using methods that were industry standard for the time.

 

 

Down hole surveys have been performed using industry standard instrumentation.

 

 

Drilling practices, logging, collar surveys, and down hole surveys have been periodically reviewed by independent auditors and confirmed to comply with industry practice.

 

 

Recovery data from core drill programs are acceptable.

 

 

Geotechnical logging of drill core meets industry standards for planned open pit and underground operations.

 

 

No significant factors were identified with the data collection from the drill programs that could affect Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimation.

 

7.5

Hydrogeology Data

 

In 2021, seven hydrogeological drill holes were completed in the 105, 124, and 160 zones (Table 7‑2). Packer tests to measure hydraulic conductivity and vibrating wire piezometers were installed to measure underground water pressure. The hydraulic conductivities in all three areas ranged from moderate to very low (SRK, 2021a).

 

Table 72:         Hydrogeological Drill Holes in 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Drill Hole Name

Zone

Core Size

Length
(m)

BH-WMCP-05-21

105

NQ

177

BH-WMCP-07-21

105

HQ

177

BH-PR-03-21

124

HQ

201

P3-R3

160

HQ

226

P1

160

HQ

120

P2-BH

160

HQ

174

CBF-105-066

105

NQ

177

 

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7.6

Geotechnical Data

 

In 2021, eight geotechnical drill holes were drilled to assess the 148 Zone (Table 7‑3). The rock quality designation (RQD) indicates a mean RQD of approximately 79.5% which is acceptable considering the drill holes passed through the Casa Berardi Fault. The objective of the 2021 drilling was to verify if there was a void at the Casa Berardi Fault and to ensure that the planned stopes were still safe to mine.

 

Table 73:         Geotechnical Drill Holes in 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

Drill Hole No.

Zone

RQD
(%)

Core Diameter

Length
(m)

 

CBE-0335-001

148

78.83

NQ

71

 

CBE-0335-002

148

78.83

NQ

60

 

CBE-0335-003

148

82.7

NQ

69

Underground

CBE-0335-004

148

80.5

NQ

81

 

CBE-0335-005

148

76.0

NQ

84

 

CBE-0335-006

148

75.92

NQ

81

 

CBE-0315-010

148

81.6

NQ

63

 

CBE-0315-011

148

81.6

NQ

50.2

 

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8.0

SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES, AND SECURITY

 

8.1

Sampling Method and Approach

 

8.1.1

Drill Core Handling Procedures

 

Drill core from Hecla exploration and definition and infill programs is handled and sampled by contractor technicians with the supervision of Hecla staff. Core is logged by Hecla geologists at the mine core shack. Access to the core shack is restricted to geology personnel by the use of magnetic cards that open the core shack door. The samples are prepared and stored in the core shack until sufficient samples have been accumulated, at which time they are sent to the laboratory for analysis.

 

Upon receipt of the core boxes from the contractor, core boxes are placed on tables and opened. Core is washed and verified for length accuracy prior to logging. RQD measurements and core recovery measurements are carried out in all surface and underground holes prior to logging. In general, RQD measurements are carried out over three metre lengths, with shorter lengths used in areas of bad ground. This allows better hole to hole interpretations of areas of good and poor RQD values. For a certain period between 2008 and 2010, RQD measurements were carried out over much longer lengths with some measurements over 20 m. Such measurements over long lengths are not very useful for rock mechanics purposes to identify zones of bad ground conditions and this practice was discontinued. The entire core from underground drilling is photographed and systematic photography of core from surface drilling commenced in 2008.

 

The core recovery is generally very good, nearly 100%, with the exception of short intervals within fault zones or highly deformed mudrock. Such intervals are generally marked during drilling and later checked by Hecla geology personnel for depth accuracy and missing sections.

 

Geological and structural data are described by geologists and entered into a digital logging package. Drill hole logs summarize hole parameters, core descriptions, and sampling intervals. Core logging is carried out in French. Drill core is stored on the mine site, mostly in core racks.

 

8.1.2

Core Sampling

 

Sample selection for assaying is determined visually by Hecla’s geologists based on rock type, alteration, quartz veining, and mineralization. Sample positions are identified, and commercially printed bar-coded sample tags are placed under the core in the core boxes at the end of each sample. The beginning and end of each sample is also marked on the core with individual sample lengths varying from 0.4 m to 1.5 m and most of the samples are one metre in length. The geologist marks a reference line along the core length for the technician, before sending it to the core saw.

 

In the case of exploration and definition holes, the selected samples are sawn into two halves by the core shack technician using an electrical core saw equipped with a diamond impregnated blade. One half is placed in a plastic bag with the corresponding tag number. The other half core is returned to core boxes, with the corresponding tag placed at the beginning of the sampled core. Sample tags are stapled to core boxes. The core saw and metallic pans are cleaned between samples. In the case of infill drill holes, the core is not sawn, and the entire sample is sent for assaying. Bags are folded and sealed to prevent spillage during transportation to the laboratories. Each batch of three to four samples is placed in a plastic container for transportation to the mine laboratory or in a burlap bag for transportation to an external laboratory.

 

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The samples are then transported by pick-up truck to the sample receiving facilities of the mine laboratory in the case of infill and definition drilling.

 

Lithogeochemical data is collected with exploration drilling for rock discrimination. The sampling consists of selecting a representative 40 cm core sample systematically every 30 m to 50 m or when a lithological change occurs, until a representative compilation of that unit is collected.

 

8.1.3

Sampling of Underground Development Headings

 

At the mine, chip samples are taken to determine the gold value over a given interval of rock in order to align development and exploration activities, estimate the value of mineralized lenses, and to reconcile mining with the mill. Along the walls of draw-points, chip samples are taken perpendicular to the stratigraphic and structural trend of the mineralized body. Prior to chip sampling, the intervals to be sampled are geologically mapped in order to delineate changes in lithology, mineralization, alteration, and structure.

 

Chip samples are localized by hip-chain from surveyed anchor points in the mine. The intervals are typically one metre in length, though they may range from a minimum of fifty centimetres to a maximum of 1.5 m to respect geological constraints. The beginning and end of the interval are marked at chest‑height using yellow spray paint and are then plotted on the geological map.

 

Plastic sample bags used to collect the chip samples are prepared with a sample tag and placed at each interval. The bags are sealed for transport to prevent contamination. The sample tag is a scannable, water-resistant tag that is taken from a booklet containing the sample number, the date and location of the sample, the sampler’s name, and other notes and sketches.

 

8.2

Sample Preparation and Analysis

 

On site exploration drilling samples are sent to external, independent laboratories. Exploration drilling samples are sent for preparation and analysis to Swastika Laboratories Ltd. (Swastika) in the town of Swastika, Ontario. Check assay samples are sent to ALS Geochemistry (ALS) laboratories in Val d’Or, Québec.

 

Over time, core samples from exploration drilling have been assayed at a number of different laboratories:

 

 

2004, 2005 and part of 2006: SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec.

 

 

2006: Mine laboratory, SGS, Techni-Lab S G B Abitibi Inc. (Techni-Lab) in Ste Germaine, Québec, and Swastika.

 

 

2007: Mine laboratory and Techni-Lab.

 

 

2008: Mine laboratory and Laboratory Expert Inc. (Lab-Expert) laboratory in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec.

 

 

2009 to 2021: Mine laboratory and Swastika.

 

All samples for lithogeochemical analysis are sent to ALS. ALS and Swastika have been accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. for meeting the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for various gold assay protocols.

 

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8.2.1

Mine Laboratory

 

A laboratory at the mine is used to assay most of the samples generated at the mine including underground production headings, infill, and definition drilling. Preparation and gold analysis is completed on site by Hecla staff. The mine laboratory is not ISO certified.

 

Upon arrival at the mine laboratory, samples are sorted by number and checked according to the sample shipment list. All samples are dried in the oven for a few hours. When dried, samples are crushed in a jaw crusher and transported by a conveyor belt onto a rotary splitter. All samples are entirely crushed to 80% passing (P80) 6.3 mm. Jaws are cleaned with compressed air and flushed with barren core. Whole core samples weigh approximately 10 kg. Approximately 200 g to 250 g of material is split from crushed materials and pulverized to a 95% minus 150 mesh or 85% minus 200 mesh sample pulp. Approximately 600 g of the remaining crushed sample (coarse reject) is returned into the original plastic bag in order to minimize manipulation and storage, the remaining coarse reject is sent to the mill.

 

The pulp is laid down on a piece of rubber and mixed for homogenization. A 15 g sub-sample is then collected and weighed for assay. Each 15 g sample is analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). All results, reported in grams per tonne, are sent electronically to Hecla. No final paper copies of assay results are generated by the mine laboratory.

 

8.2.2

Swastika

 

Exploration drilling samples from underground and surface are sent to the external, independent Swastika laboratory.

 

Sample submissions are divided into work orders that contain the identifier, batch number, sample numbers, date, weight, elements, and analyses required. Each batch is made up of 63 samples, which comprise 52 Hecla samples and 11 laboratory quality control samples. Each batch starts with a blank and a standard, which is followed by 19 Hecla samples. Duplicates are taken every 10 samples and are placed at the end of the batch. A bar coding system is used and sample receipt reconciliation notices are transmitted by email.

 

Samples are dried in two ovens at 80°C and then are entirely crushed to P80 1.7 mm with a jaw crusher and split with a rotary splitter. Jaws are cleaned with compressed air and flushed with barren limestone. Approximately one kilogram of crushed sample is entirely pulverized to 90% minus 107 μm. All pulverized materials are poured onto a rubber mat and then into Kraft bags for weighing. Pulverizer bowls and rings are cleaned with compressed air and flushed with barren silica sand. A 30 g aliquot of pulverized material is collected and weighed for assay. Each 30 g sample is analyzed with an AAS finish and a second fire assay is completed with a gravimetric finish for samples with gold results above 10 g/t Au.

 

All of the remaining pulverized material (pulp) is sent back to Casa Berardi for storage and quality control. Approximately 5% of crushed sample material (reject) is sent back to the mine site for quality control and the remaining reject material is discard by Swastika.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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8.3

Hecla QA/QC Program

 

8.3.1

Database

 

The quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) database contains certificate numbers, dates, sample numbers, original assays, duplicate assays, standard assays, standard types, and laboratories used for assaying.

 

8.3.2

QA/QC Protocols

 

Hecla’s QA/QC protocols include the insertion of standards (4%), blanks (5%), and sending pulps (5%) and rejects (5%) to an external laboratory.

 

A certified reference material (CRM or commercial standard) is inserted systematically at every 25th sample. Several standards, from different suppliers and with different qualities, are used.

 

Blanks are inserted at approximately every 20th sample by the geologist while logging core. Local blanks consist of exploration core from barren material that has been previously assayed. A new type of commercial blank has been introduced in 2021.

 

Approximately 4% of the pulps are duplicated at the mine laboratory and at Swastika.

 

Since early 2009, approximately 5% of the original pulp (Pulp #1) from the mine laboratory or the Swastika laboratory has been sent to ALS for external check assaying. Prior to 2009, approximately 10% of the original pulps were sent for re-assay. Samples with grades greater than 1.0 g/t Au are selected for check analysis. The sample numbers for the reanalysis are the same as for the original assays. Since October 2018, the intervals selected for reanalysis are focused on the mineralized zones of development drilling.

 

8.3.3

Pulp Duplicates

 

Between 2009 and 2021, 36,940 duplicate samples were inserted within the regular sample sequence. The relative differences range from 0% to 20% with an average relative difference of 2%, which the SLR QP notes is quite good for gold mineralization.

 

In 2021, 2,163 duplicate samples were inserted within the regular sample sequence. Only 209, or 10% of the original samples, returned gold grades equal or greater than 0.1 g/t Au.

 

The SLR QP recommends that Hecla adjust its duplicate selection protocol to ensure that most of the duplicates are from mineralized intervals and consider decreasing the duplicate insertion rate.

 

8.3.4

Mine Laboratory  Development Drilling Pulp Duplicates

 

The pulp duplicate assays from development drilling programs are discussed in this subsection as they have a higher proportion of mineralized samples compared to the exploration drilling programs.

 

Table 8‑1 presents the number of duplicate assays carried out over the period from 2009 to 2021, the mean grade of original assays, and the mean grade of duplicate assays. The difference between the mean grade of original assays and the mean grade of duplicate assays is acceptable at less than 2%. The correlation between original assays and duplicate assays is very good for the mine and Swastika laboratories. An example of the mine laboratory pulp duplicates in 2021 is provided in Figure 8‑1.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 81:         Pulp Duplicate Summary from 2009 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Original
Laboratory

Number of
Duplicates

Mean Grade of
Original Assays
(g/t Au)

Mean Grade of
Duplicates
Assays
(g/t Au)

Difference
(%)

2009

Mine

309

6.29

6.26

(0.5)

 

Swastika

958

5.88

5.79

(1.5)

 

ALS

32

6.21

6.17

(0.6)

2010

Mine

965

5.22

5.14

(1.5)

 

Swastika

631

2.09

2.11

1

2011

Mine

1,162

5.26

5.29

0.6

 

Swastika

1,114

2.48

2.46

(0.8)

2012

Mine

1,707

7.47

7.5

0.4

 

Swastika

847

0.561

0.563

0.4

2013

Mine

1,588

6.64

6.6

(0.6)

 

Swastika

578

0.341

0.349

2.3

2014

Mine

1,382

6.37

6.38

0.2

 

Swastika

1,244

0.994

0.993

(0.1)

2015

Mine

2,045

11.25

11.34

0.8

 

Swastika

1,816

0.68

0.69

1.5

2016

Mine

1,827

8.18

8.05

(1.6)

 

Swastika

462

0.45

0.45

0

2017

Mine

1,994

5.15

5.14

(0.2)

 

Swastika

2,731

1.024

1.228

20

2018

Mine

1,744

4.83

4.75

(1.7)

 

Swastika

3,023

0.208

0.208

0

2019

Mine

1,425

5.45

5.48

0.55

 

Swastika

2,305

0.305

0.299

(1.97)

2020

Mine

823

2.56

2.56

0.05

 

Swastika

1250

0.683

0.621

(9.07)

2021

Mine

525

3.05

3.10

1.63

 

Swastika

1,638

0.297

0.299

0.67

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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ex_338337img023.gif

 

Figure 81: Mine Laboratory Pulp Duplicate Assays in 2021

 

8.3.5

Pulp External Check Assays

 

Since early 2010, approximately 5% of original pulps (Pulp #1) are sent for re-assay at ALS. Samples with grades above 1.0 g/t Au are generally selected. Sample numbers for re-assays are the same as for original assays. All the laboratories used fire assay with an AAS or gravimetric finish.

 

A comparison between original assays and check assays of the 2009 to 2018 programs is provided in Table 8‑2. The table presents the number of assays from original laboratories and the mean grades of original and check assays.

 

A comparison of original assays from the mine laboratory with the check assays at ALS demonstrates that the ALS mean grades are generally slightly higher for the period from 2009 to 2018 with higher variances for 2019 to 2021 suggesting that the mine laboratory gold assays may be biased low and slightly conservative relative to ALS. Figure 8‑2 presents a scatter plot of the mine laboratory versus ALS check assays on pulps for 2021 and Figure 8‑3 presents the results for the 0 g/t Au to 50 g/t Au subset of the pulp external check data for 2021. Overall, the results correlate well with a relatively small number of samples with large differences that are likely related to coarse gold and the nugget effect.

 

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Table 82:         External Check Assays from 2009 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Laboratories

Number of
Assays

Mean Grade
Original
(g/t Au)

Mean Grade
Check
(g/t Au)

Difference
(%)

2009

Mine vs. ALS

534

11.98

12.32

2.8

 

Swastika vs. ALS

187

5.3

5.23

-1.4

2010

Mine vs. ALS

744

9.77

9.97

2.1

 

Swastika vs. ALS

87

4.89

5.05

3.2

2011

Mine vs. ALS

918

7.05

7.18

1.8

 

Swastika vs. ALS

87

4.89

5.05

3.2

2012

Mine vs. ALS

1,234

6.31

6.57

4.0

 

Swastika vs. ALS

61

2.89

2.76

-4.7

2013

Mine vs. ALS

1,170

6.54

6.6

0.9

 

Swastika vs. ALS

50

3.34

3.72

11.4

2014

Mine vs. ALS

1,179

7.63

7.65

0.2

 

Swastika vs. ALS

169

2.73

2.86

4.7

2015

Mine vs. ALS

1,471

8.49

8.54

0.6

 

Swastika vs. ALS

180

3.49

3.49

0.1

2016

Mine vs. ALS

1,427

7.23

7.33

1.4

 

Swastika vs. ALS

68

1.73

1.85

6.9

2017

Mine vs. ALS

1,023

5.31

5.37

1.1

 

Swastika vs. ALS

85

1.74

2.02

16.1

2018

Mine vs. ALS

788

5.7

5.8

1.8

 

Swastika vs. ALS

653

2.93

3.18

8.5

2019

Mine vs. ALS

943

4.568

4.61

0.9

 

Swastika vs. ALS

343

1.73

1.86

7.5

2020

Mine vs. ALS

517

3.79

3.56

6.7

 

Swastika vs. ALS

349

3.7

3.76

1.6

2021

Mine vs. ALS

671

7.05

7.18

1.8

 

Swastika vs. ALS

40

7.81

7.30

(6.5)

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
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ex_338337img024.gif

 

Figure 82: Mine Laboratory External Check Assays at ALS in 2021

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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ex_338337img025.gif

 

Figure 83: Mine Laboratory External Check Assays at ALS in 2021- 0 g/t to 50 g/t Au Subset

 

The Swastika versus ALS annual mean gold grades demonstrate a wider range of differences that may be due to smaller annual populations that are skewed by small numbers of outliers that should be removed. Nevertheless, Swastika has lower mean grades than ALS for 10 of the 13 years summarized in Table 8‑2 and the mine laboratory has lower mean grades than ALS for all 13 years. This suggests that the ALS gold assays may be biased high relative to the mine and Swastika laboratories. The SLR QP is of the opinion that this warrants further investigation, including reviewing the CRM results sent to ALS.

 

8.3.6

Reject External Check Assays

 

Approximately 5% of original coarse rejects are sent for re-assay at ALS. Sample numbers for re-assays are the same as for original assays. Samples with a grade above 1.0 g/t Au are generally selected. A second pulp is prepared at the secondary laboratory from original rejects. The ALS annual means are generally higher than the mine and Swastika annual means (Table 8‑3), which suggests that ALS gold assays may be biased high relative to the mine and Swastika laboratories. The SLR QP is of the opinion that this warrants further investigation including reviewing the CRM results sent to ALS.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 83:         Reject External Check Assays

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Laboratories

Number of
Assays

Mean Grade
Original
(g/t Au)

Mean Grade
Check
(g/t Au)

Difference
(%)

2009

Mine vs. ALS

473

6.39

6.35

(0.7)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

232

4.79

4.84

1

2010

Mine vs. ALS

708

5.24

5.23

(0.3)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

76

2.5

2.78

11.3

2011

Mine vs. ALS

788

5.02

5.26

4.5

 

Swastika vs. ALS

72

2.18

2.51

13.2

2012

Mine vs. ALS

1,135

4.95

5.14

3.7

 

Swastika vs. ALS

82

2.46

2.5

1.6

2013

Mine vs. ALS

1,103

6.05

6.17

2

 

Swastika vs. ALS

45

3.78

4.07

7.7

2014

Mine vs. ALS

1,178

7.49

7.37

(1.6)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

163

2.29

2.43

6

2015

Mine vs. ALS

1,473

7.48

7.65

2.3

 

Swastika vs. ALS

204

3.82

3.65

(4.5)

2016

Mine vs. ALS

1,347

6.54

6.73

3

 

Swastika vs. ALS

293

2.33

2.49

7

2017

Mine vs. ALS

1,055

4.93

5.01

1.6

 

Swastika vs. ALS

45

1.92

1.67

(13)

2018

Mine vs. ALS

801

6.04

5.79

(4.0)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

430

3.35

3.31

(1.2)

2019

Mine vs. ALS

1,033

6.48

6.35

(2.0)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

513

1.08

1.18

9.3

2020

Mine vs. ALS

378

6.89

6.47

(6.1)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

339

2.82

2.98

5.7

2021

Mine vs. ALS

601

6.83

6.79

(0.6)

 

Swastika vs. ALS

281

4.33

4.6

6.2

 

8.3.7

Certified Reference Materials

 

Table 8‑4 summarizes the number of CRMs sent to various laboratories from 2005 to 2021. The differences between the measured value and the true or expected value of the CRMs. Most of the differences are within plus or minus a few percent, which is an acceptable range. Larger differences are generally related to small populations. Overall, the CRMs represent approximately 5.6% of the 2005 to 2021 sample database. No significant biases are evident at the mine and Swastika in the CRM results for 2005 to 2021.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
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Table 84:         CRM Results

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

6Pa

1.65 ±0.04

SGS

2004

6

1.37

-17.1

6Pb

1.422 ±0.026

SGS

2004

72

1.39

-2.2

     

2005

43

1.53

7.8

7Pa

3.00 ±0.06

SGS

2004

95

2.95

-1.5

     

2005

32

2.97

-0.9

10Pb

7.15 ±0.11

Mine

2008

74

6.97

-2.5

     

2009

217

7.08

-1

     

2010

367

7.08

-1

     

2011

55

7.06

-1.3

   

Swastika

2009

117

7.21

0.8

     

2010

173

7.13

-0.3

     

2011

25

7.13

-0.3

15H

1.019 ±0.007

Mine

2011

226

0.99

-2.9

     

2012

459

1.01

-1

     

2013

104

1.02

0.1

   

Swastika

2011

51

1

-2

     

2012

115

1.01

-1

     

2013

18

1

-1.9

15Pa

1.02 ±0.02

Lab-Expert

2008

16

1.22

19.5

   

Mine

2007

61

1.05

3.2

     

2008

130

1.01

-1.2

     

2009

181

1.01

-0.7

     

2010

275

1

-2

     

2011

95

1.01

-0.9

   

Swastika

2009

86

1.01

-1.2

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

     

2010

163

0.99

-2.9

     

2011

24

1.01

-0.9

15Pb

1.06 ±0.02

Mine

2007

4

0.95

-10.4

     

2010

81

1.05

-0.9

   

Swastika

2010

48

1.07

1.9

18C

3.52 ±0.05

Mine

2011

269

3.44

-2.3

     

2012

619

3.48

-1.1

     

2013

502

3.48

-1.1

   

Mine

2014

249

3.48

1.21

   

Swastika

2011

74

3.51

-0.1

     

2012

142

3.46

-1.7

     

2013

87

3.51

-0.3

     

2014

79

3.48

1.21

18Pa

3.36 ±0.05

Mine

2006

116

3.33

-0.8

     

2007

33

3.33

-0.8

   

SGS

2004

62

3.27

-2.7

     

2005

61

3.11

-7.5

     

2006

39

3.12

-7.2

18Pb

3.63 ±0.3

Swastika

2006

27

3.63

7.9

   

Techni-Lab

2006

78

3.3

-1.8

   

Lab-Expert

2008

3

3.79

4.5

   

Mine

2007

99

3.56

-2

     

2008

28

3.45

-4.8

50P

0.727 ±0.021

SGS

2004

110

0.73

0.5

     

2005

72

0.77

6.5

     

2006

49

0.79

8.4

   

Swastika

2006

7

0.72

-0.6

   

Techni-Lab

2006

49

0.77

6.5

51P

0.430 ±0.013

Mine

2006

138

0.48

10.6

     

2007

89

0.45

3.9

   

Techni-Lab

2006

16

0.52

21.8

52P

0.183 ±0.07

Mine

2007

1

0.44

140.4

   

SGS

2005

   

 

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

     

2006

3

0.22

18.4

   

Swastika

2006

1

0.21

12.9

   

Techni-Lab

2006

3

0.2

9.3

61D

4.76 ±0.07

Mine

2008

67

4.64

-2.4

   

Swastika

2009

180

4.74

-0.4

     

2010

394

4.73

-0.6

     

2011

207

4.67

-1.9

61Pa

4.46 ±0.08

SGS

2004

12

3.72

-16.6

     

2005

23

4.25

-4.8

62C

8.79 ±0.10

Mine

2011

407

8.63

-1.8

     

2012

482

8.72

-0.8

     

2013

63

8.78

-0.1

     

2015

216

8.73

0.68

     

2017

1

3.02

191.06

   

Swastika

2011

125

8.93

1.6

     

2012

128

8.79

0.1

     

2015

39

8.67

1.35

     

2016

66

8.68

1.32

62D

10.50 ±0.33

Mine

2013

341

10.56

0.6

     

2014

379

10.54

-0.41

     

2015

297

10.55

-0.52

   

Swastika

2013

86

10.91

3.9

     

2014

151

10.83

-3.01

     

2015

225

10.83

-3.08

62E

9.13 ±0.41

Swastika

2017

204

9.04

0.96

     

2018

344

9.25

-1.27

     

2019

35

8.95

-1.9

62Pa

9.64 ±0.14

Lab-expert

2008

1

9.38

-2.7

   

Mine

2006

113

9.25

-4

     

2007

106

9.41

-2.4

     

2008

12

9.42

-2.3

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

   

SGS

2004

31

9.31

-3.5

     

2005

71

9.45

-2

     

2006

44

9.26

-3.9

   

Swastika

2006

23

9.46

-16.5

   

Techni-Lab

2006

93

9.14

-5.2

62Pb

11.33 ±0.17

Mine

2007

10

9.46

-16.5

   

SGS

2004

86

10.47

-7.6

     

2005

     

62F

9.71±0.239

Mine

2019

3

9.53

-1.85

     

2020

15

9.87

1.65

     

2021

32

9.87

1.65

   

Swastika

2019

302

9.62

-0.93

     

2020

144

9.65

-0.62

     

2021

56

9.59

-1.24

204

1.043 ±0.039

Mine

2013

401

1.05

0.7

     

2014

361

1.05

-0.26

     

2015

535

1.04

0.54

     

2016

482

1.05

-0.19

     

2017

85

1.15

-9.09

     

2018

129

1.04

0.16

   

Swastika

2013

77

1.02

-2.2

     

2014

140

1.02

2.1

     

2015

270

1.02

2.13

     

2016

69

1.03

1.63

     

2017

55

1

4.45

     

2018

43

1.04

-0.07

207

3.472 ±0.13

Mine

2014

121

3.49

-0.58

     

2015

460

3.5

-0.73

     

2017

2

1.6

117

     

2018

1

1.61

116.65

   

Swastika

2014

48

3.49

-0.63

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

     

2015

266

3.48

-0.13

     

2016

65

3.46

0.33

     

2017

196

3.43

1.22

     

2018

2

3.47

0.06

208

9.248 ±0.0438

Mine

2016

465

9.4

-1.59

     

2017

282

9.33

-0.84

     

2018

171

9.33

-0.88

     

2019

140

9.4

1.64

   

Swastika

2017

30

8.95

3.28

     

2018

38

9.24

0.04

     

2019

4

9.59

3.7

209

1.580 ±0.044

Mine

2016

14

1.58

-0.05

     

2018

439

1.59

-0.83

     

2019

375

1.57

-0.63

     

2020

116

1.55

-1.9

   

Mine

2021

17

1.55

-1.9

   

Swastika

2017

185

1.62

-2.49

     

2018

132

1.57

0.37

     

2019

6

1.585

0.31

     

2020

18

1.57

-0.63

     

2021

2

1.545

-2.21

214

3.030 ±0.082

Mine

2016

67

3.04

-0.43

     

2017

521

3.01

0.53

     

2018

537

3.03

0.14

     

2019

315

3.03

0.14

     

2020

16

2.975

-1.82

   

Swastika

2017

168

2.93

3.44

     

2018

176

2.99

1.36

     

2019

5

2.97

-1.98

215

3.54 ±0.097

Mine

2016

414

3.54

0.13

     

2017

1

2.95

-20

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

     

2018

4

3.51

1

     

2019

2

3.625

2.4

   

Swastika

2018

352

3.5

1.11

     

2019

271

3.52

-0.56

221

1.06 ±0.04

Swastika

2017

152

1.11

-4.81

     

2018

356

1.07

-1.25

     

2019

327

1.06

-0.19

     

2020

135

1.06

-0.19

     

2021

59

1.09

2.83

   

Mine

2018

1

1.16

-8.62

     

2019

1

1.07

0.75

     

2020

13

1.07

0.75

221

1.06 ±0.04

Mine

2021

26

1.06

-0.19

228

8.73 ±0.28

Mine

2017

334

8.89

-1.8

     

2018

340

8.81

-0.93

     

2019

198

8.78

0.57

     

2020

107

8.75

0.23

     

2021

31

8.74

0.11

   

Swastika

2017

157

8.4

3.98

     

2018

128

8.69

0.48

     

2019

3

8.76

0.34

     

2020

15

8.75

0.23

     

2021

18

8.85

1.37

235

1.59 ±0.04

Mine

2021

23

1.55

-2.52

   

Swastika

2021

29

1.56

-1.89

238

3.03±0.08

Mine

2019

32

3.03

-0.11

     

2020

97

3.02

-0.33

     

2021

27

2.99

-1.32

   

Swastika

2020

15

2.978

-1.72

     

2021

22

3.08

1.65

239

3.55±0.09

Swastika

2019

74

3.54

-0.28

 

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Standard #

Nominal
Value ±95%
Confidence
Limit

Laboratory

Year

Number of
Assays

Average

Difference
(%)

     

2020

138

3.55

0.16

     

2021

53

3.45

-2.82

   

Mine

2020

14

3.49

-1.69

     

2021

28

3.51

-1.13

SG99

1.04±0.006

Labomine

2020

15

1.03

-0.96

     

2021

30

1.03

-1.15

   

Swastika

2020

70

1.05

0.96

     

2021

56

1.07

2.65

SH82

1.33±0.007

Mine

2020

36

1.31

-1.5

     

2021

25

1.43

7.52

   

Swastika

2020

8

1.3

-2.25

     

2021

19

1.3

-2.25

SK109

4.10±0.03

Mine

2020

15

4

-2.44

     

2021

29

3.94

-3.9

   

Swastika

2020

54

3.98

-2.93

     

2021

53

4.06

-0.98

SN106

8.46±0.05

Mine

2020

35

8.54

0.95

     

2021

35

8.45

-0.12

   

Swastika

2020

9

8.64

2.13

     

2021

23

8.7

2.84

 

The standard results generally range within ±2% of the certified value, which is considered to be an acceptable range. In general, the mean grade of standard assays is within ±two standard deviations (±2SD) of the certified means, which is acceptable for commercial laboratories for gold analyses.

 

Standards assayed from 2006 to 2021 were plotted against time to visualize the distribution relative to the nominal values. Figure 8‑4 presents the results of the standards used from 2006 to 2021. In general, standard assays are well distributed relative to the nominal values and to ±2SD nominal values. Notwithstanding, the SLR QP recommends implementing procedures that will help reduce CRM mislabelling or swaps.

 

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Figure 84: Standard Results from 2006 to 2021

 

8.3.8

Blanks

 

Out of the 892 local blank and commercial blank samples assayed during the 2021 drilling campaigns , 561 returned values below the detection limit and 324 returned values slightly higher than detection but within acceptable limits. A total of seven samples failed or 0.78% with relatively low background values (Figure 8‑5). The local blanks are from core that has been assayed and returned below the detection limit gold grades. A commercial blank is also used.

 

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Figure 85: Mine and Swastika Blanks 2021

 

8.4

Mine Laboratory QA/QC Program

 

All assays, reported in grams per tonne, are sent electronically to Hecla.

 

The Mine laboratory has its own QA/QC program including the analysis of one blank sample, one CRM (standard), and one duplicate in every 24 samples. Results of the mine laboratory QA/QC program are provided to the Casa Berardi geology department, which compiles them into graphs. In 2021, the mine laboratory used a total of six standards (Table 8‑5).

 

Table 85:         Casa Berardi Laboratory Program CRMs

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Type

Nominal Value
(g/t Au)

Mean Grade
(g/t Au)

Difference
(%)

Number of Assays

SL76

5.96

5.915

0.76

519

SH82

1.333

1.317

1.18

740

OxK160

3.674

3.656

0.48

663

OxN155

7.762

7.748

(0.18)

559

Sp73

18.17

18.13

0.22

335

OxE150

0.658

0.659

(0.16)

173

 

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8.5

Conclusions

 

In the SLR QP’s opinion, the sample preparation, analyses, QA/QC protocols, and security are acceptable, meet industry standard practice, and are adequate for Mineral Resource estimation. The SLR QP makes the following conclusions:

 

 

Sample collection and handling of core is undertaken in accordance with industry standard practices, with procedures implemented to limit potential sample losses and sampling biases.

 

 

Sample preparation for samples that support Mineral Resource estimation has followed a similar procedure since 1998. These preparation procedures are consistent with industry standard methods for gold deposits.

 

 

Core from exploration and infill diamond drilling programs are analyzed by independent and accredited laboratories using industry standard methods for gold and silver analyses. Current run of mine sample analyses are performed by the mine laboratory.

 

 

While limited information is available regarding the QA/QC procedures for the pre-1998 drill programs, sufficient reanalysis programs and vast amounts of more recent data support the use of pre-1998 data.

 

 

The QA/QC program results indicate that the sample preparation and analytical procedures at the mine and Swastika laboratories are working well aligned to generate reliable and accurate results.

 

 

o

Blank sample results imply minimal cross sample contamination.

 

 

o

CRM results demonstrate that assay values are sufficiently accurate to be used in Mineral Resource estimation and no significant biases are evident at the mine and Swastika laboratories.

 

 

o

Sequential insertion of duplicate samples has resulted in a relatively low proportion of duplicate results for mineralized samples. For instance, only 10% of the original pulp duplicate samples in 2021 had gold grades equal to or greater than 0.1 g/t Au.

 

 

o

External pulp and reject check assays suggest that the ALS gold assays may be biased high relative to the Swastika and the mine laboratories.

 

 

Sample security is regarded as very good. Samples are always attended or locked in the on site logging or sampling facilities. Chain of custody procedures consist of completing sample submittal forms that are sent to the laboratory with sample shipments and shipment tracking to ensure that all samples are received by the laboratory.

 

The SLR QP makes the following recommendations:

 

 

Investigate the potential high gold assay bias at ALS by reviewing CRM results sent to ALS.

 

 

Send only pulps for external check assays in the future.

 

 

Implement procedures that will help reduce CRM mislabelling or “swaps”.

 

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9.0

DATA VERIFICATION

 

The SLR QPs visited the Property from August 24 and 25, 2021. SLR visited the XMCP Pit, East Mine underground, the mill, TSFs, core logging facilities, and surface infrastructure. Bedrock stripping at the 160 Pit was nearing completion while the SLR QPs were on site. The SLR QPs held meetings with site personnel and followed up with a number of teleconference meetings after the site visit.

 

The SLR geology QPs viewed the Casa Berardi Fault, which is well exposed and transects the XMCP Pit, and the freshly washed and well-mineralized working face on the 630 m level at the East Mine where the face was marked up and sampled by a very experienced geological technician. An underground diamond drill in the process of drilling a deep hole (CBE-0243) was also visited. The drill bay was safe and clean and the two drillers were well organized. Approximately 100% core recovery was evident in the core boxes at 312 m.

 

The SLR geology QPs found the core logging facilities to be clean and well organized with good lighting. Overhead hoses provide a convenient source of water to wet the core. An area with a high definition camera on a tall tripod is designated for taking core photographs. The pre-packaged blanks and CRMs are well-organized. The diamond core saw has continuous water flow and is located in a separate, sound insulated, room. The core logging area is separate from the core reception and sample dispatch area, which is large enough for trucks to enter and has a long core layout table and a number of core racks for temporary core storage. A core reference library is available for new geologists to help ensure logging consistency.

 

Drill core descriptions are entered directly into laptop computers using GemLogger Version 5.23, a Microsoft (MS) Access data collection interface developed by Geovia. Drill hole data is stored in separate tables, with drill hole collar data entered in the “HEADER” table and down hole deviation tests entered in the “SURVEY” table. This software performs a first pass validation by flagging data entry errors such as overlapping from-to intervals and non-unique sample numbers. Pick-lists are employed where possible to maintain a consistent nomenclature in geology and mineral zones interpretation.

 

Roscoe Postle Associates Inc (RPA), now a part of SLR is very familiar with Casa Berardi with work dating back to the listing report for Aurizon in 1997 and NI 43-101 Technical Reports in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 for Aurizon and 2014 for Hecla. SLR also audited the year-end Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates in 2007 and 2008.

 

9.1

Drill Hole Database Verification

 

Geovia GEMS version 6.8 is the software used to perform Mineral Resources estimations, manage drill hole data, and generate 3D wireframe models. Drill hole data is stored on a SQL server, of which regular back-ups are performed as well as an annual backup to a separate MS Access database.

 

Validation of the lithological logs is completed when the geology is interpreted in section and plan. The logs are further validated by comparison against historical drill data and geochemical samples. The lithogeochemical analyses are used to complement both the initial drill core descriptions and gold analyses. This data is compiled and used to be able to better understand and interpret the lithological units and their associated alteration as an exploration tool to target potential mineralization.

 

Assay sample results are imported to the SQL database after being validated with the LabLogger software, a purpose-built sample management interface developed by Geovia. When a QA/QC sample fails validation, the importation is halted, and the user notified. The software also notifies the user of non-unique sample numbers. Once imported, Hecla geologists reconcile the assay results with their logs and adjust if necessary.

 

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Single shot down hole deviation tests are manually transcribed using the GemLogger interface. When available, multi shot results are imported using the Reflex process software. An adjustment for magnetic declination of -12.5° is applied to all azimuth measurements. Gyroscopic down hole surveys are used where local magnetic interference has produced questionable survey results.

 

When possible, surface drill collar locations, as well azimuth and inclination data, are surveyed. Survey data is manually entered and compared with the planned parameters. The geologist who planned the hole marks it as completed after having integrated and validated new data. Any changes to a hole marked as completed are saved in the “MODIF” table. The data is visually reviewed during modeling. A similar procedure is employed for underground drilling, in which case the azimuth is surveyed before the drilling begins, and the drill collar location is derived mathematically.

 

Hecla geology personnel also visually confirm in 3D that the drill hole locations, downhole deviations, and assay and lithology data appear reasonable and correct.

 

The SLR QP ran a number of database validation queries and compared gold grades in the database with assay certificates and identified no errors.

 

9.2

Comments on Data Verification

 

The process of data verification for Casa Berardi has been performed by external consulting firms, as well as by Hecla personnel. Since 2014, all data verification has been completed by Hecla staff as the data is collected and imported into the GemLogger database. Regular checks on the GemLogger database and workspaces are carried out and no serious deficiencies have been identified.

 

The SLR QP considers that a reasonable level of verification is completed on a regular basis, and that no material issues exist with the drill hole database. External reviews of the database have been undertaken in support of acquisitions, support of feasibility level studies, and in support of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates, producing independent assessments of the database quality. No significant issues with the database, sampling protocols, analytical flowsheets, check analysis program, or data storage were noted. Drill data is verified prior to Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation using various automated and manual checks.

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that the data verification programs undertaken on the data collected from the Casa Berardi Mine complies with industry standards and adequately support the geological interpretations, validate the analytical and database quality, and support the use of the data in Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and in mine planning.

 

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10.0

MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

 

10.1

Introduction

 

The Casa Berardi processing plant originally commenced production in September 1988 and production was suspended in September 1997. During this initial production period, the plant processed 3.5 Mt of ore with an average grade of 7.1 g/t Au and average mill gold recovery of 87%. A total of 688,400 oz Au were recovered.

 

Production restarted in early November 2006, and commercial production was achieved as of May 1, 2007. Since 2006, a total of 13.3 Mt at an average grade of 5.69 g/t Au have been milled at Casa Berardi for a gold output of 2.15 Moz Au.

 

The mill received ore from the EMCP and XMCP pits from August 2016 and subsequent years. Ongoing processing plant operations demonstrate the levels of gold recovery to be expected from the underground ores. LOM projected mill recoveries range from 81.3% to 91.5% for the underground Mineral Reserves and from 85% to 90.2% for the open pit Mineral Reserves. Ore from the 160 Pit is expected to be milled in Q4 2022.

 

Historical metallurgical test work programs and results were previously reported (Hecla, 2019). Test work programs, both internal and external, continue to be performed to support current operations and potential improvements, including:

 

 

Blue Coast Research Ltd. (Blue Coast) (Parksville, B.C.), Project No. PJ5296 (Blue Coast, 2020) – A metallurgical test work program was conducted on material from a mineralized zone in the 160 Pit area, with the objective of evaluating the potential for 160 Pit material to become a valuable ore source for mining in the near future. The test work included chemical and mineralogical characterization, comminution, gravity, and cyanidation. A total of 11 composites and blends were evaluated during this test work program.

 

 

Blue Coast (Parksville, B.C.) – metallurgical investigations were undertaken on the WMCP and Principal Pit material in 2021. The SLR QP notes that some of the results were not available at the time of preparation of this TRS.

 

Since the mine has been operating steadily since 2006, the metallurgical recoveries are based primarily on historical operating data.

 

The SLR QP reviewed the following data provided by Casa Berardi:

 

 

Recent metallurgical test work programs

 

 

Historical mill production and recovery data

 

 

Production reports

 

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10.2

Metallurgical Testing

 

Historical metallurgical test work programs and results were previously reported (Hecla, 2019).

 

In 2020, a test work program was completed by Blue Coast on mineralization from the 160 Pit. The objective of this test program was to evaluate the potential for 160 Pit material to become a valuable ore source for mining in the near future. For this assessment, chemical and mineralogical characterization, comminution, gravity, and cyanidation tests were completed on 11 different composite samples (Table 10‑1).

 

Table 101:         Chemical Assays of Composite Samples

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Composite

Au (g/t)

As (%)

Fe (%)

Stot (%)

S2- (%)

Ctot (%)

Corg (%)

160-01LG

1.36

0.38

5.23

1.46

1.40

2.22

0.26

160-01MG

3.57

0.43

6.63

1.95

1.93

2.11

0.15

160-03LG

0.84

0.22

6.47

0.49

0.47

1.86

0.01

160-03MG

1.21

0.21

5.41

0.46

0.44

1.34

0.02

160-03HG

8.63

2.50

8.27

2.91

2.69

1.70

0.01

160-04LG

0.80

0.21

5.40

1.11

1.02

2.10

0.03

160-04MG

3.27

0.50

5.54

1.58

1.58

1.68

0.02

160-04HG

17.17

1.18

6.34

2.57

2.37

1.95

0.02

160-08MG

2.53

0.38

6.66

1.17

1.09

1.17

0.01

160-10LG Blend

0.97

0.10

5.34

0.60

0.53

1.43

0.01

160-01/03/04LG Blend

1.22

0.23

5.43

1.08

1.04

1.92

0.07

 

Mineralogical characterization indicates that the 160 Pit material consists of pyrite and arsenopyrite, with the majority of the non-sulphide gangue being comprised of quartz, muscovite, and calcite/ankerite, as shown in Figure 10‑1.

 

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Figure 101: Mineralogical Analyses on Composites

 

The comminution test results on composites are summarized in Table 10‑2. Semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill comminution (SMC) tests demonstrated that the three comminution composites had Axb values ranging from 56.1 to 59.0, which suggests that the material is in the moderately soft category. SAG Power Index (SPI) test results ranged from 48.5 minutes to 73.3 minutes, correlating to an ore hardness of moderately soft to moderately hard. The Bond Abrasion Index (Ai) test results ranged from 0.12 to 0.29, indicating that the abrasiveness of the material is light to medium. Finally, the Bond Ball Mill Work Index (BWI) test results demonstrated that the 160 Pit material is considered to have medium hardness.

 

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Table 102:         Comminution Test Results on Composites

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

SMC Test

BWI

Bond Abrasion Index

SPI

Composite

A

b

Axb

ta

DWI

(kWh/t)

Ai

POA1

SPI
(min)

POH2

CC1

64.1

0.92

59.0

0.54

4.77

9.6

0.12

24.8

48.5

28.6

CC2

63.7

0.88

56.1

0.51

5.13

13.4

0.29

56.6

93.8

65.2

CC3

62.4

0.94

58.7

0.54

4.82

11.9

0.19

39.2

73.3

50.9

Average

63.4

0.91

57.9

0.53

4.91

11.6

0.20

40.2

71.8

48.2

Maximum

62.4

0.88

56.1

0.51

4.77

13.4

0.29

56.6

93.8

65.2

Minimum

64.1

0.94

59.0

0.54

5.13

9.6

0.12

24.8

48.5

28.6

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Percentile of Abrasivity

 

2.

Percentile of Hardness

 

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Table 10‑3 demonstrates that gravity tests indicated that the average gravity recoverable gold (GRG) is 64.6% for the 160 Pit ore.

 

Table 103:         GRG Test Results on Composite Sample

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Product

Mass

Assay

Distribution

 

(g)

(%)

(g/t Au) (%)

Stage 1 Concentrate

88.4

0.45

206.9

23.7

Stage 2 Concentrate

86.0

0.44

194.6

21.6

Stage 3 Concentrate

119.2

0.61

125.0

19.3

Total Concentrate

293.6

1.51

170.1

64.6

Total Tailings

19,178.4

98.5

1.43

35.4

Calculated Head

19,471.9

100.0

3.97

100.00

 

A total of 48 cyanidation tests were performed on 11 different composite samples at different P80 sizes (53 µm, 75 µm, and 106 µm) and % solids (45% and 50%). These test results are presented in Table 10‑4.

 

Table 104:         Summary of Leaching Test Results

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Data Ranges

Gold Recovery
(%)

Final Residue Grade
(g/t Au)

Average of all 106 µm

88.6

0.54

Average of all 75 µm

91.6

0.30

Average of all 53 µm

93.2

0.20

     

Average of all 45% solids

91.3

0.32

Average of all 50% solids

91.0

0.39

     

Average of all 45% solids and 106 µm

88.9

0.51

Average of all 45% solids and 75 µm

91.9

0.26

Average of all 45% solids and 53 µm

93.1

0.18

     

Average of all 50% solids and 106 µm

88.3

0.57

Average of all 50% solids and 75 µm

91.2

0.36

Average of all 50% solids and 53 µm

93.4

0.23

 

The test results indicated that high recoveries can be achieved (> 90%) for a P80 of 75 μm. Simultaneously, a finer grind (53 µm) indicates a potential increase in recovery for this type of ore.

 

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10.2.1

Principal and WMCP Pits

 

In 2021, test work was conducted by Blue Coast on a number of samples taken from the Principal and WMCP pits, however, the final results have not yet been reported.

 

10.3

Operation Data

 

Annual production from 2006 to 2021 is presented in Table 10‑5.

 

Table 105:         Casa Berardi Annual Production

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Recovery
(%)

Metal Recovered
(oz Au)

2006

68,481

8.58

93.9

17,731

2007

545,259

9.78

93.0

159,469

2008

654,398

8.16

92.5

158,830

2009

688,677

7.77

92.6

159,261

2010

722,746

6.76

89.8

141,116

2011

698,123

8.00

91.3

163,845

2012

693,859

6.77

90.6

136,848

2013

590,567

6.16

90.5

105,978

2014

750,778

5.90

90.0

128,241

2015

765,763

5.96

87.2

127,893

2016

904,998

5.72

87.7

145,973

2017

1,175,930

4.77

86.8

156,652

2018

1,248,039

4.66

87.1

162,742

2019

1,250,172

4.10

81.5

134,408

2020

1,165,050

4.00

81.0

121,492

2021

1,386,417

3.56

84.8

134,511

Total

13,309,252

5.69

88.5

2,154,992

 

10.3.1

Yearly Review

 

Historic key operation parameters are presented in Table 10‑6. The throughput has increased regularly since 2015 following improvements in the process.

 

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Table 106:         Detailed Yearly Mill Production

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Date

Dry Tonnes
Milled
(t)

Dry Tonnes
/Operating
Hour
(tph)

% Passing
200 mesh

Head
Grade
(g/t Au)

Ounces
Produced
(oz Au)

Gravimetric
Recovery
(%)

Total Mill
Recovery
(%)

Cyanide Consumption
(kg/t)

Mill
Availability
(%)

2015

765,763

95.6

86

5.96

127,893

35.3

87.2

0.82

95.2

2016

904,998

112.3

84

5.72

145,973

37.3

87.7

0.77

92.8

2017

1,175,930

153.4

75

4.77

156,652

37.1

86.8

0.67

88.9

2018

1,248,039

161.0

75

4.66

162,742

36.5

87.1

0.57

89.1

2019

1,250,172

161.5

72

4.10

134,408

26.4

81.5

0.54

88.6

2020

1,165,050

167.6

71

4.00

121,492

34.3

81.0

0.48

86.1

2021

1,386,417

177.7

74

3.56

134,511

36.7

84.8

0.54

89.7

 

10.4

Recovery Models

 

10.4.1

Underground (Zones 115/118/121/123/148)

 

The historical recovery model provides a good indication of the expected performance in the mill. With the measurement of arsenic content, it is possible to have a more accurate estimation of gold recovery. Two recovery models were obtained and are defined by the following equations:

 

 

Low As

 

ex_338337img029.gif

 

 

 

High As

 

ex_338337img030.gif

 

 

The decision to fit the appropriate model to each zone is approved and verified by a Hecla geologist. The data used to compute the model is derived from the actual mill performance. As such uncertainty regarding mill feed variability is reduced because the data covers many months of operation. Therefore, the results from previous metallurgical testing are not used to predict the recovery for the underground ore.

 

10.4.2

Open Pit

 

For the open pit gold recovery used in the LOM, the data is based on available metallurgical test work results reported by Blue Coast in 2020 and 2021.

 

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10.4.2.1

EMCP/XMCP Pit

 

The metallurgical test work was completed using representative samples with different grind sizes, head grades, and with dilution to simulate a real situation in the pit. The SLR QP is confident that the information below provides a good estimation of the expected recovery in the LOM plan.

 

ex_338337img031.gif

 

 

10.4.2.2

134/Principal Pit

 

The same equation for recovery as presented for the EMCP/XCMP Pit material is used for the 134/Principal Pit material, as no results from the work conducted by Blue Coast 2021 were available at the time of writing. The SLR QP is confident that the information below will provide a good estimation of the expected recovery in the LOM plan.

 

ex_338337img032.gif

 

 

10.4.2.3

160 Pit

 

The metallurgical test work was completed at Blue Coast in 2020 using representative samples with different grind sizes, head grades, and with dilution to simulate near a real situation in the pit. The SLR QP considers that the information below provides a good estimate of the expected recovery in the LOM plan and the confidence is appropriate for the precision required.

 

ex_338337img033.gif

 

 

10.4.2.4

WMCP Pit

 

The metallurgical test work was completed using representative samples with different grind sizes, head grades, and with dilution to simulate a real situation in the WMCP Pit. The SLR QP considers that the equation below provides a good estimate on the expected recovery in the LOM plan and the confidence is appropriate for the precision required.

ex_338337img034.gif

 

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10.5

Expected Recoveries

 

The expected recoveries from the different open pits are summarized in Table 10‑7.

 

Table 107:         Expected Recovery LOM for Open Pit

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Expected Recovery
(%)

LOM Grade
(g/t Au)

EMCP – XMCP

75.70

1.90

134 Pit

82.70

3.06

160 Pit

89.70

1.83

WMCP Pit

80.50

3.15

Principal Pit

81.80

2.81

 

10.6

Deleterious Elements

 

There are two deleterious elements that could potentially affect the process:

 

 

Arsenic: Ferric sulphate is added to precipitate arsenic in the tailings pond.

 

 

Carbon: The carbon in the ore could cause preg-robbing and affect the gold recovery.

 

10.7

Conclusions and Recommendations

 

The test work performed on open pit material was used to estimate the gold recovery, while operating data was used for the underground material.

 

The SLR QP recommends that the following metallurgical test work continue:

 

 

Additional metallurgical testing to better understand the processing of mineralization from the Principal and WMCP pits. This will aid in projecting metallurgical recoveries for these pits and will indicate any variability in gold recovery and grindability of the material. SLR notes that testing was undertaken at an external laboratory in 2021 and some results were not available at the time of preparation of this TRS.

 

Test work programs, both internal and external, continue to be performed to support current operations and potential improvements.

 

The SLR QP has reviewed the information provided by Hecla, as summarized in Section 10, and has performed a review of the reconciliation data available to verify the information used in the LOM plan. Based on these checks, in the opinion of the SLR QP, the metallurgical test work, reconciliation, and production data support LOM planning:

 

 

Industry standard and appropriate metallurgical testing procedures consistent for the deposit’s mineralogy have been consistently used by Hecla staff for optimizing and improving mill process capabilities and performance.

 

 

Numerous external and internal studies have been conducted to the date of this TRS, which have been used to develop and optimize the existing flowsheet.

 

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The samples used in the test work are considered representative of mill feed types across the Casa Berardi deposit.

 

 

LOM projections are based on production results and informed by metallurgical test data that is updated in the model forecasts annually.

 

 

Mill metallurgical results and forecasts are consistent with the deposit mineralogy and the process circuit used.

 

 

Metallurgical and production models were developed from metallurgical sampling and testing. The methodologies, process, and data used in making recovery projections are unbiased and provide reliable projections.

 

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11.0

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

 

11.1

Summary

 

Mineral Resource estimates for the Casa Berardi Mine as of December 31, 2021, are presented in Table 11‑1 and Table 11‑2. Total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, are estimated to be 7.04 Mt at 4.66 g/t Au containing 1.05 Moz Au. Inferred Mineral Resources total 9.18 Mt at 2.68 g/t Au for 0.79 Moz Au. The underground portion of the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources represent 98% of the total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources.

 

Mineral Resources are classified based on the density of drill hole data and the continuity of the auriferous zones. This classification complies with the resource definitions used by the SEC in S-K 1300 (SEC, 2018).

 

The classification of Casa Berardi Mineral Resources is guided by the quality of drill hole data, the continuity of the auriferous zones, the drill hole spacing (which ranges from 15 m to 50 m), the ranges of variograms (which are between 10 m and 60 m), and production experience. The Casa Berardi Mineral classification also considers the distance of drill hole composites to the block center which is an attribute generated in the Gems software at the time of grade interpolation (Mean Distance of Samples to Block Center or MeanDist).

 

For each lens, a polygon was created around blocks that were estimated based on drill hole composites with an average mean distance of 25 m. The Mineral Resources were classified as follows:

 

 

Measured Mineral Resources: blocks inside the 25 m mean distance polygon with underground development nearby that confirmed the continuity of mineralization.

 

 

Indicated Mineral Resources: blocks inside the 25 m mean distance polygon.

 

 

Inferred Mineral Resources: blocks outside the 25 m mean distance polygon, generally up to a maximum of 35 m mean distance, and rarely up to 50 m mean distance.

 

The location of the Mineral Resource zones is presented in Figure 11‑1.

 

Table 111:         Mineral Resource Estimate by Zone December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Classification and Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Measured Mineral Resources

Underground

100 Lower Inter

105,885

5.35

18,196

101 North West

41,556

6.41

8,564

107

286,130

4.03

37,090

109

14,899

5.25

2,514

113

428,701

6.11

84,213

115

16,592

7.31

3,899

117

5,908

4.30

816

 

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Classification and Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

118

336,660

4.89

52,928

123

322,479

4.66

48,276

124

229,356

4.50

33,171

148

261,408

7.17

60,268

152

11,361

4.09

1,494

Total Underground

2,060,934

5.30

351,430

Open Pit

WMCP

83,375

1.34

3,592

Principal

1,041

1.28

43

EMCP

43

1.37

2

160

2,968

0.98

93

Total Open Pit

87,427

1.33

3,730

 

     

Total Measured Resources

2,148,361

5.14

355,160

       

Indicated Mineral Resources

Underground

100 Lower Inter

77,006

5.02

12,436

107

150,982

3.93

19,086

109

81,928

7.68

20,227

113

516,550

4.51

74,840

115

28,719

5.57

5,148

118

1,341,480

4.64

200,333

119

95,366

4.86

14,899

121

19,538

4.16

2,614

123

690,802

4.46

98,977

124

697,697

4.65

104,259

128

100,561

4.49

14,502

148

194,039

5.59

34,865

152

101,875

4.75

15,552

159

91,583

5.61

16,526

160

326,503

4.82

50,612

Total Underground

4,514,629

4.72

684,875

 

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Classification and Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Open Pit

WMCP

41,105

1.34

1,770

Principal

174,190

1.28

7,177

134

1,014

1.29

42

EMCP

10,515

1.36

459

160

153,776

0.98

4,845

Total Open Pit

380,600

1.17

14,294

 

 

 

 

Total Indicated Mineral Resources

4,895,230

4.44

699,169

       

Total Measured and Indicated

7,043,591

4.66

1,054,329

       

Inferred Mineral Resources

Underground

100 Lower Inter

5,240

13.78

2,322

104

147,040

4.74

22,397

113

90,727

5.13

14,978

116

215,995

13.18

91,505

118

273,712

4.92

43,297

119

108,000

4.15

14,417

121

571

4.25

78

123

234,942

5.72

43,183

124

182,547

5.39

31,617

129

39,385

6.69

8,467

139

120,677

6.24

24,206

146

69,522

6.44

14,404

148

140,687

6.47

29,251

152

27,300

7.04

6,179

157

9,131

5.49

1,613

159

247,702

5.09

40,571

160

118,267

5.06

19,239

Total Underground

2,031,443

6.24

407,724

Open Pit

 

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Classification and Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

WMCP

53,289

2.10

3,591

Principal

482,334

3.03

47,028

134 (in reserve pit shell)

2,684

2.91

251

134 (below reserve pit shell)

938,077

1.86

56,232

160 (in reserve pit design)

197,060

2.05

12,993

160 (below reserve pit design)

5,481,094

1.49

262,649

Total Open Pit

7,154,538

1.66

382,744

Total Inferred Mineral Resources

9,185,981

2.68

790,468

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Resources is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Mineral Resources were estimated by Hecla staff and reviewed and accepted by SLR.

 

3.

Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

4.

Mineral Resources are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

5.

Underground Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 3.11 g/t Au to 4.00 g/t Au.

 

6.

The 160 underground Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources are reported at a 4.00 g/t Au cut-off grade.

 

7.

Open pit Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 0.95 g/t Au to 1.33 g/t Au.

 

8.

The 134 open pit Inferred Mineral Resources are reported between the reserve pit shell and 4,680 MASL at a 1.25 g/t Au cut-off grade.

 

9.

The 160 open pit Inferred Mineral Resources are reported between the reserve pit design and 4,600 MASL at a 0.95 g/t Au cut-off grade.

 

10.

Underground and open pit Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,700 /oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

11.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

12.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

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Table 112:         Mineral Resource Estimate Summary December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Resource Category

Tonnes

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Underground

Measured

2,060,934

5.30

351,430

Indicated

4,514,629

4.72

684,875

Measured and Indicated

6,575,563

4.90

1,036,306

Inferred

2,031,443

6.24

407,724

Open Pit

Measured

87,427

1.33

3,730

Indicated

380,600

1.17

14,294

Measured and Indicated

468,028

1.20

18,024

Inferred

7,154,538

1.66

382,744

Total

Measured and Indicated

7,043,591

4.66

1,054,329

Inferred

9,185,981

2.68

790,468

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Resources is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Mineral Resources were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR

 

3.

Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

4.

Mineral Resources are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

5.

Underground Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 3.11 g/t Au to 4.00 g/t Au.

 

6.

Open pit Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 0.95 g/t Au to 1.33 g/t Au.

 

7.

Underground and open pit Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,700 /oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

8.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

9.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

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ex_338337img035.jpg

 

Figure 111: Mine Plan View Infrastructure with Composite Longitudinal Section

 

Casa Berardi Mineral Resources were estimated using block model grade interpolation techniques, effectuated by the mine staff.

 

Table 11‑3 compares the December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 Mineral Resource estimates. Gains and losses are a result of:

 

 

Geological reinterpretation of mineralized zones after drilling programs.

 

 

Conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into Indicated or Indicated into Measured Mineral Resources.

 

 

Conversion of Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves.

 

 

Mining depletion.

 

 

Subtraction of low grade Mineral Resources (below cut-off grade).

 

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Table 113:         Comparison of December 31, 2021 versus December 31, 2020 Mineral Resources

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Gain (Loss)

Classification and

Mine Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Ounces
(oz Au)

Measured
Underground

100 Lower Inter

105,885

5.35

18,196

98,915

5.35

17,018

6,970

1,178

101 North West

41,556

6.41

8,564

41,556

6.41

8,564

-

-

107

286,130

4.03

37,090

291,750

4.01

37,642

(5,620)

(552)

109

14,899

5.25

2,514

14,339

6.14

2,829

560

(315)

111

-

-

-

13,025

4.21

1,764

(13,025)

(1,764)

113

428,701

6.11

84,213

356,785

6.31

72,360

71,916

11,853

115

16,592

7.31

3,899

13,684

5.35

2,352

2,908

1,547

117

5,908

4.3

816

5,908

4.30

816

-

-

118

336,660

4.89

52,928

267,752

4.65

40,049

68,908

12,879

121

-

-

-

6,498

4.85

1,013

(6,498)

(1,013)

123

322,479

4.66

48,276

399,206

4.45

57,052

(76,727)

(8,776)

124

229,356

4.50

33,171

236,082

4.60

34,937

(6,726)

(1,766)

148

261,408

7.17

60,268

261,953

6.22

52,347

(543)

7,921

152

11,361

4.09

1,494

16,887

3.92

2,127

(5,526)

(633)

Total Underground

2,060,934

5.30

351,430

2,024,339

5.08

330,869

36,595

20,561

Open Pit

WMCP

83,375

1.34

3,592

710,357

2.92

66,598

(626,982)

(63,006)

Principal

1,041

1.28

43

37,019

3.49

4,151

(35,978)

(4,108)

EMCP

43

1.37

2

-

-

-

43

2

160

2,968

0.98

93

-

-

-

2,968

93

Total Open Pit

87,427

1.33

3,730

747,376

2.94

70,749

(659,949)

(67,019)

                 

Total Measured

2,148,361

5.14

355,160

2,771,715

4.51

401,618

(623,354)

(46,458)

Indicated
Underground

100 Lower Inter

77,006

5.02

12,436

76,663

5.09

12,556

343

(120)

 

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December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Gain (Loss)

Classification and

Mine Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Ounces
(oz Au)

107

150,982

3.93

19,086

165,436

3.85

20,493

(14,454)

(1,407)

109

81,928

7.68

20,227

63,530

7.85

16,042

18,398

4,185

111

-

-

-

128,785

4.96

20,541

(128,785)

(20,541)

113

516,550

4.51

74,840

441,288

4.99

70,792

75,262

4,048

115

28,719

5.57

5,148

36,614

5.60

6,596

(7,895)

(1,448)

118

1,341,480

4.64

200,333

1,457,174

4.51

211,422

(115,694)

11,089

119

95,366

4.86

14,899

189,121

4.98

30,273

(93,755)

(15,374)

121

19,538

4.16

2,614

7,860

4.57

1,155

11,678

1,459

123

690,802

4.46

98,977

722,314

4.66

108,333

(31,512)

(9,356)

124

697,697

4.65

104,259

815,520

4.69

123,070

(117,823)

(18,811)

128

100,561

4.49

14,502

107,017

4.41

15,173

(6,456)

(671)

148

194,039

5.59

34,865

267,870

5.34

45,979

(73,831)

(11,114)

152

101,875

4.75

15,552

117,656

4.57

17,289

(15,781)

(1,737)

159

91,583

5.61

16,526

41,800

5.10

6,851

49,783

9,675

160

326,503

4.82

50,612

282,106

4.79

43,431

44,397

7,181

Total Underground

4,514,629

4.72

684,875

4,920,753

4.74

749,996

(406,124)

(65,121)

Open Pit

WMCP

41,105

1.34

1,770

191,050

2.08

12,763

(149,945)

(10,993)

Principal

174,190

1.28

7,177

1,029,073

2.14

70,755

(881,883)

(63,578)

134

1,014

1.29

42

14,176

2.29

1,044

(13,162)

(1,002)

EMCP

10,515

1.36

459

-

-

-

10,515

459

160

153,776

0.98

4,845

236,610

1.62

12,310

(82,834)

(7,465)

Total Open Pit

380,600

1.17

14,294

1,470,909

2.05

96,872

(1,090,309)

(82,578)

Total Indicated

4,895,230

4.44

699,169

6,391,662

4.12

846,868

(1,496,432)

(147,699)

                 

Total Measured and Indicated

7,043,591

4.66

1,054,329

9,163,378

4.24

1,248,486

(2,119,787)

(194,157)

Inferred
Underground

100 Lower Inter

5,240

13.78

2,322

4,800

14.77

2,279

440

43

104

147,040

4.74

22,397

115,135

6.62

24,505

31,905

(2,108)

113

90,727

5.13

14,978

138,938

5.42

24,218

(48,211)

(9,240)

 

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December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Gain (Loss)

Classification and

Mine Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Tonnes
(t)

Ounces
(oz Au)

116

215,995

13.18

91,505

223,105

12.86

92,218

(7,110)

(713)

118

273,712

4.92

43,297

404,580

4.85

63,097

(130,868)

(19,800)

119

108,000

4.15

14,417

164,123

5.60

29,545

(56,123)

(15,128)

121

571

4.25

78

17,066

3.50

1,923

(16,495)

(1,845)

123

234,942

5.72

43,183

308,710

5.36

53,213

(73,768)

(10,030)

124

182,547

5.39

31,617

214,737

5.33

36,821

(32,190

(5,204)

129

39,385

6.69

8,467

39,385

6.69

8,467

-

-

139

120,677

6.24

24,206

120,677

6.24

24,206

-

-

146

69,522

6.44

14,404

81,876

5.98

15,734

(12,354)

(1,330)

148

140,687

6.47

29,251

157,970

6.16

31,292

(17,283)

(2,041)

152

27,300

7.04

6,179

28,570

6.88

6,319

(1,270)

(140)

157

9,131

5.49

1,613

9,131

5.49

1,613

-

-

159

247,702

5.09

40,571

50,631

4.72

7,685

207,131

32,886

160

118,267

5.06

19,239

140,722

4.79

21,663

(22,455)

(2,424)

Total Underground

2,031,443

6.24

407,724

2,220,156

6.23

444,798

(188,713)

(37,074)

Open Pit

WMCP

53,289

2.10

3,591

154,618

2.37

11,774

(101,329)

(8,183)

Principal

482,334

3.03

47,028

509,620

2.98

48,747

(27,286)

(1,719)

134 (in reserve pit shell)

2,684

2.91

251

2,684

2.91

251

-

-

134 (below reserve pit shell)

938,077

1.86

56,232

830,176

1.96

52,193

107,901

4,039

160 (in reserve pit design)

197,060

2.05

12,993

331,523

2.66

28,341

(134,463)

(15,348)

160 (below reserve pit design)

5,481,094

1.49

262,649

6,543,678

1.74

366,540

(1,062,584)

(103,891)

Total Open Pit

7,154,538

1.66

382,744

8,372,299

1.89

507,846

(1,217,761)

(125,102)

Total Inferred Mineral Resources

9,185,981

2.68

790,468

10,592,455

2.80

952,644

(1,406,474)

(162,176)

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Resources is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Underground and open pit Mineral Resources were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR.

 

3.

Underground Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 3.11 g/t Au to 4.00 g/t Au.

 

4.

Open pit Mineral Resources are estimated at cut-off grades ranging from 0.86 g/t Au to 1.33 g/t Au.

 

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5.

Underground and open pit Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,700 /oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

6.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

7.

Mineral Resources are exclusive of Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

8.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

9.

Mineral Resources are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that with consideration of the recommendations summarized in in this section, any issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work.

 

11.2

Database

 

The current Mineral Resource estimate is based on data available as of October 31, 2021. Gemcom 6.8 was used for the preparation of Mineral Resources. The Mineral Resource solids, dilution envelopes and block models were built by using the diamond drill hole and chip sample workspaces, “Drill Holes” and “RAINURE”, respectively. Both have the same structure, as detailed in Table 11‑4. The database was created by merging files from various sources (Hecla Québec /Aurizon, Inco Gold, and TVX).

 

Table 114:         Database Structure

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Table

Description

Main Fields

Header

Main table

Hole Name, Easting, Northing, Elevation, Azimuth, Dip, Length, Hole Type, Date Started, Date Finished, Logged By

Survey

Deviation tests

Distance, Azimuth, Dip, MAG Azimuth, Type of survey, Mag, Mag dip, gravity

RQD

RQD survey

From, To, Length, RQD%

Litho_0

Geology main table

From, To, Rock_type, Tittle, Rockcode, Description, Level, Veins, Colour, Deformation, Alteration, Mineralization

Litho_1

Geology sub-table

From, To, Rock_type, Tittle, Rockcode, Description, Level, Veins, Colour, Deformation, Alteration, Mineralization

Litho_2

Geology sub-table

From, To, Rock_type, Tittle, Rockcode, Description, Level, Veins, Colour, Deformation, Alteration, Mineralization

Assays

Gold assay results and density

From, To, Sample No, Certificate no, Certificate date, OR_TRA (gold assays), lab duplicates from pulp and rejects, Density, Rock_Code, Block_Code, Solid Name, AU_COUPE (gold capped)

Qc_assay

Quality checks for assays

DISTANCE, Sample No, Certificate no, Certificate date, OR_TRA (gold assays), lab duplicates from pulp and rejects, primary and secondary labs, Density, standard used

XRF

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) assays

From, To, Sample no, Certificate date, As, Fe, S…

Inters_Grp

Underground intersects for block models

From, To, LOCATION (X,Y,Z), LENGTH, AU,ROCK_CODE,COMP_ID, SOLID_NAME, BLOCK_CODE, LONG_AU, DENSITE,LONG_DENS,AU_NS, LONG_AU_NS,AS,LONG_AS, AU_COUPE, DATE

Inters_Pit

Open Pit intersects for block models

From, To, LOCATION (X,Y,Z), LENGTH, AU,ROCK_CODE,COMP_ID, SOLID_NAME, BLOCK_CODE, LONG_AU, DENSITE,LONG_DENS,AU_NS, LONG_AU_NS,AS,LONG_AS, AU_COUPE, DATE

 

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11.3

Density Determination

 

11.3.1

Methodology of Density Determinations on Drill Core

 

From 1991 to 1997, TVX used a density of 2.77 t/m3 for Mineral Reserve estimation, with the same density factor used for the TVX mill operation. Since 1999, several density testing programs have been carried out. Density determinations were conducted on sections of whole core prior to crushing for assaying using the water immersion method. As rocks at Casa Berardi are non‑porous, no wax coating was applied to core samples. Tests were effectuated at different laboratories and determined the densities for mineralized and non-mineralized rock in various lithologies and most of the mineralized lenses. The density database contains approximately 7,914 records, including a total of 3,151 that were taken within the mineralized lenses.

 

Table 11‑5 presents a summary of the density determinations by zone.

 

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Table 115:         Density Determinations by Zone

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Open Pit Zone

Number

Mean
(t/m3)

Minimum
(t/m3)

Maximum
(t/m3)

105

46

2.68

2.57

2.84

123

29

2.78

2.57

3.10

124

472

2.83

2.35

3.73

134

39

2.66

2.19

3.47

146

46

2.68

2.55

2.80

148

200

2.68

2.13

2.99

152

47

2.77

2.55

2.93

159

19

2.77

2.66

2.97

160

333

2.69

2.38

3.03

Total

1,231

2.74

2.13

3.73

Underground Zone

Number

Mean
(t/m3)

Minimum
(t/m3)

Maximum
(t/m3)

107

15

2.69

2.58

2.84

109

106

2.72

2.55

3.04

111

17

2.65

2.57

2.8

113

449

2.73

2.37

3.78

115

115

2.67

2.16

2.99

118

429

2.38

2.51

4.15

119

82

3.01

2.59

4.6

121

93

2.86

2.52

4.31

123

226

2.89

2.46

4.17

124

241

2.86

2.35

3.45

148

4

2.61

2.56

2.64

152

5

2.83

2.78

2.87

160

88

2.70

2.45

3.03

100 Lower Inter

50

2.67

2.51

2.92

Total

1,920

2.79

2.16

4.6

         

Total Open Pit and Underground

3,151

2.77

2.13

4.6

 

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11.4

Geological Interpretation

 

Hecla carried out the geological interpretation and correlation of lenses on 1:250 scale vertical sections spaced 15 m, 20 m, 25 m, or 50 m, apart and on plan views spaced 10 m and 20 m apart. Drill hole spacing ranges from 10 m to 50 m. In general, the drill hole spacing is sufficiently dense to confidently interpret and correlate the mineralized systems from section to section. Drill holes and chip sample data, along with underground mapping were used to build the solids. Once modeled, the lenses are projected onto various levels to verify their continuity and to check the interpretations. Adjustments on sections and plans are made, as necessary, in order to have a consistent interpretation.

 

11.4.1

Minimum Width and Cut-off Grade Used for Interpretation

 

The Mine staff created mineralized envelopes based on a general 4.0 g/t Au cut‑off grade for the underground Mineral Resources and 1.0 g/t Au cut‑off for the open pit Mineral Resource evaluation, using, in both cases, a minimum true width of three metres. Some lower grade areas were incorporated to preserve continuity, however, most of the assay results from drill holes and chips samples are higher than the cut-off grades. In addition to often being stratigraphically constrained, sharp contacts between economic and non-economic grades are noted. The open pit Mineral Resource envelopes are usually wider and can contain several underground envelopes. The open pit Mineral Resource envelopes are usually modeled from surface to a depth of 350 m (4,650 MASL) while the underground Mineral Resources are modeled from surface with no lower limit. To avoid duplication of tonnage and grade, the pit shell is used to discriminate the open pit from the underground envelopes.

 

11.4.2

West Mine Underground

 

West Mine underground Mineral Resources were modeled between sections 11,350E and 11,600E.  Zones mined with remaining Mineral Resources are the Lower Inter, Inter, South West (SW), 109, 113, and 115 zones.  The 111 Zone was integrated in the 113 Zone.

 

11.4.2.1

Lower Inter Zone

 

Mineralization at the Lower Inter (100) Zone occurs between sections 10,350E and 10,825E and between 4,400 MASL and 4,600 MASL and is constrained to south of the Casa Berardi Fault.  The Lower Inter Zone is characterized by two envelopes, a high grade core based on a 4.0 g/t Au cut-off grade which is sub-divided into several domains for grade interpolation due to changes in dip and strike and an outer low grade envelope based on a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off grade.

 

The 104 Zone (two lenses) occurs from 10,200E to 10,400E and from elevation 4,050 MASL to 4,450 MASL, in the plunge of the Lower Inter Zone, and is open up dip and downdip.

 

11.4.2.2

109, 111, 113, and 115 Zones

 

Mineralization at the 109, 111, 113, and 115 zones occurs between sections 10,825E and 11,600E and from surface to 3,800 MASL and is constrained to south of the Casa Berardi Fault. Six mineralized lenses were interpreted for the 109 Zone, nine for the 113 Zone (including the 111 Zone), and eight lenses for the 115 Zone.

 

11.4.2.3

SW Zone

 

In the SW Zone, mineralization occurs between sections 10,600E and 10,900E and between 4,600 MASL to 4,900 MASL and is associated with the South Fault as well as a secondary graphitic fault south of the Casa Berardi Fault. Five lenses were modeled in the 107 and 108 zones.

 

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11.4.3

West Mine Crown Pillar

 

Mineralization at the WMCP occurs between sections 10,340E and 11,450E and between 4,650 MASL to the 5,000 MASL. Six lenses were modeled which include parts of the upper levels of the 111, 113, SW, and Inter zones as well as where the northwest and northeast zones meet the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

The lenses 105_01, 105_06, and 114_01 regroup most of the mineralized zones at the Casa Berardi Fault, 105_04 contains all of the ‘Inter’ zones within the secondary graphitic faults and 105_02 captures all of the mineralization associated with the South Fault.

 

11.4.4

Principal Mine Underground

 

The Principal Mine consists of the 116, 117, 118, 119, 123, and 124 zones.

 

11.4.4.1

116 Zone

 

The 116 Zone occurs between section 11,630E and 11,730E from 3,510 MASL to 3,670 MASL, and consists of a single lens north of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.4.2

117 Zone

 

The 117 Zone occurs between section 11,680E and 11,770E from 4,470 MASL to 4,530 MASL and consists of a single lens associated with the South Fault.

 

11.4.4.3

118 Zone

 

The 118 Zone occurs between section 11,565E and 12,465E and from 3,730 MASL to 4,650 MASL, and consists of 31 lenses associated with the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.4.4

119 Zone

 

The 119 Zone occurs between section 11,700E and 12,100E and from 4,390 MASL to 4,810 MASL. The 119 Zone consists of seven lenses associated with a secondary graphitic fault splay south of, and rejoining, the 123 Zone.

 

11.4.4.5

123 Zone

 

The 123 Zone (including the 121 and 128 zones) occurs between section 12,000E and 12,800E and from 3,750 MASL to 4,850 MASL. The123 Zone contains 17 lenses located south of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.4.6

124 Zone

 

The 124 Zone occurs between 11,940E and 12,930E and from the bedrock surface to 4,400 MASL. The 124 Zone contains 29 lenses north and south of the Casa Berardi Fault, associated with a secondary graphitic fault.

 

11.4.5

Principal Pit

 

Mineralization in the Principal Pit area occurs between sections 11,950E and 13,000E and 4,650 MASL to the bedrock surface. Thirty‑one lenses were modeled in the Principal Pit area and include almost all of the 122 and 124 zones that were remodeled at a 1.0 g/t Au cut‑off grade.

 

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11.4.6

134 Pit

 

Mineralization in the 134 Pit occurs between sections 13,100E and 13,440E and from 4,710 MASL to the bedrock surface. Seven lenses were modeled to the east of the Principal Pit associated with the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.7

East Mine Underground

 

East Mine underground mineralization occurs from section 13,100E to 13,440E between 4,710 MASL to the bedrock surface. Thirty-three lenses were modeled with the 146, 148 and 152 zones (30 lenses) occurring along the Casa Berardi Fault and the 157 Zone (three lenses) occurring south of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.8

EMCP Pit

 

Mineralization in the EMCP Pit occurs from section 14,400E to 15,440E from 4,710 MASL to the surface bedrock. Twenty-three lenses were modeled to assess the EMCP. This assessment locally included zones from the underground Mineral Resource.

 

11.4.9

160 Open Pit

 

Mineralization at the 160 Pit occurs from section 15,480E to 16,320E and from 4,650 MASL to the bedrock surface. Ten lenses were modeled in the 160 Pit area, including the 159 and 160 zones. The 159 Zone is associated with the Casa Berardi Fault, while the 160 Zone is located north of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.4.10

160 Underground

 

Mineralization of the 159 and 160 zones occurs from section 15,400E to 16,300E and from 4,500 MASL to the bedrock surface. Eleven lenses were modelled north of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

11.5

Cut-Off Grade for Reporting Mineral Resources

 

11.5.1

Underground Mineral Resources

 

Metal prices used for Mineral Resources are based on consensus, long term forecasts from banks, financial institutions, and other sources.

 

The cut-off grade used by Hecla for underground Mineral Resources are based on the following parameters and presented in Table 11‑6:

 

 

Gold PriceUS$1,700/oz Au

 

 

Exchange RateUS$1.000 = C$1.275

 

 

Mill RecoverySpecific by Zone

 

 

Operating CostC$181.25/t or C$198.48/t (US$142.16/t or 155.67 US$/t)

 

 

The cut-off grade is therefore calculated by the following equations:

 

 

o

Gold price: US$1,700/oz Au x C$1.275/US$1.00 = C$2,167.5/oz Au

 

 

o

Revenue per unit gold: C $2,167.5/oz Au ÷ 31.1035 g/oz Au = C$69.69/g x Mill recovery

 

 

o

Cut-off grade = Operating costs / Revenue per unit gold

 

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Table 116:         Underground Mineral Resource Cut-Off Grades by Zone

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Mill Recovery
(%)

Cut-Off Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold Price
(US$/oz Au)

Operating Cost
(C$)

Operating Cost
(US$)

100

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

104

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

107

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

108

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

109

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

111

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

113

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

115

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

117

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

118

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

119

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

121

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

123

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

124

83.73%

3.11

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

128

76.48%

3.40

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

129

78.02%

3.33

1,700

181.25 $

142.16

139

78.02%

3.65

1,700

198.48 $

155.67

148

78.02%

3.65

1,700

198.48 $

155.67

159

84.77%

4.00

1,700

198.48 $

155.67

160

84.77%

4.00

1,700

198.48 $

155.67

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Underground cut-off grades for 159 and 160 rounded up to 4.0 g/t Au.

 

Cut-Off Grade for Reporting Open Pit Mineral Resources

 

Cut-off grades ranging from 0.95 g/t Au to 1.33 g/t Au were used to estimate open pit Mineral Resources constrained by an open pit resource shell. Open pit Mineral Resources were estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,700/oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275 (Table 11‑7).

 

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Table 117:         Open Pit Mineral Resource Cut-Off Grades by Pit

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Pit

Mill

Recovery
(%)

Cut-Off

Grade Mill

Recovery

(%)

Cut-Off

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold Price
(US$/oz Au)

Operating

Cost
(C$)

Operating

Cost
(US$)

160

89.7

84.3

0.95

1,700

47.97 $

37.62

WMCP

80.5

60.7

1.31

1,700

47.65 $

37.37

Principal

81.8

62.4

1.25

1,700

47.59 $

37.33

134

82.7

62.2

1.25

1,700

47.22 $

37.04

EMCP/XMCP

75.7

62.9

1.33

1,700

48.84 $

38.31

 

11.6

Block Modeling and Mineral Resource Estimation

 

Grade capping was carried out to minimize the impact of very high grade assays on the Mineral Resource estimate. Each zone was treated separately and assigned different high grade capping values. Statistical distributions of assays within the mineralized envelopes were tabulated and plotted in the form of histograms. The capping levels were determined by Hecla from histograms and statistics.

 

Capping levels were applied to raw assays prior to compositing. Table 11‑8 presents the open pit (PIT) and underground (UG) capping levels used in the various estimates.

 

Table 118:         Capping Levels

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Location

Lens Numbers

Core Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

Chip Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

104 UG 03, 04 No capping No capping

107

UG

02, 03

18.5

42

Inter

UG

01, 02, 04

18

18

105

PIT

01

46

46

105

PIT

02

51

51

105

PIT

03

11

11

105

PIT

04

19

19

105

PIT

06

No capping

No capping

114

PIT

01

16

16

Lower Inter

UG

01

120

120

109

UG

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06

45

45

 

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Zone

Location

Lens Numbers

Core Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

Chip Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

113

UG

Main, 05, 07

175

100

113

UG

04

35

35

113

UG

06

50

50

113

UG

12

14

14

113

UG

41, 42, 43, 44

17

17

113

UG

61

No capping

No capping

115

UG

01

100

100

115

UG

02, 03, 04, 05, 06

50

50

116

UG

01

No capping

No capping

117

UG

Main

35

35

118

UG

82,83

14

14

118

UG

09, 34

15

15

118

UG

05

19

19

118

UG

11, 12, 13, 41, 42

24

24

118

UG

47

25

25

118

UG

62, 63, 64

34

34

118

UG

07

40

40

118

UG

10

43

36

118

UG

06

45

45

118

UG

20, 21, 22, 27

50

40

118

UG

31

51

50

118

UG

43, 44, 45

65

65

118

UG

14,15,16,17,18,81

No capping

No capping

119

UG

01

20

20

119

UG

02

No capping

No capping

119

UG

03, 04

14

No capping

119

UG

05

11

11

119

UG

06

13

13

119

UG

07

12

12

121

UG

01, 02

30

30

123

UG

09

12

12

123

UG

10, 14

14

14

123

UG

15, 16

16

16

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Zone

Location

Lens Numbers

Core Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

Chip Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

123

UG

19

22

22

123

UG

12

32

27

123

UG

05

39

40

123

UG

04

42

42

123

UG

03

64

40

123

UG

01

68

68

123

UG

02

70

68

123

UG

17,18

No Capping

No Capping

123

PIT

23

06

06

123

PIT

21

08

08

123

PIT

09

13

13

123

PIT

05

39

39

123

PIT

17, 18, 22, 24,25

No Capping

No Capping

124

UG

52, 61

15

15

124

UG

30

20

20

124

UG

17

30

20

124

UG

86

30

30

124

UG

40, 41, 42 ,43

35

35

124

UG

81, 82, 87

45

45

124

UG

83

45

48

124

UG

84

45

16

124

UG

85

45

20

124

UG

12

64

64

124

UG

13

64

17

124

UG

22

66

66

124

UG

15, 16

75

75

124

UG

11, 18, 19, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37

No Capping

No Capping

124

PIT

32

6

6

124

PIT

31, 36

7

7

124

PIT

33, 37 51, 52

9

9

124

PIT

14, 20 35, 38

10

10

124

PIT

11

11

11

 

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Zone

Location

Lens Numbers

Core Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

Chip Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

124

PIT

87

12

12

124

PIT

86

17

17

124

PIT

15

18

18

124

PIT

30

20

20

124

PIT

41, 43

33

33

124

PIT

81

46

46

124

PIT

13

66

66

124

PIT

22

67

67

124

PIT

62

No Capping

No Capping

128

UG

01

18

18

129

UG

01

No capping

No capping

134

PIT

02

9

9

134

PIT

01

16

16

134

PIT

05

17

17

134

PIT

4

19

19

134

PIT

08, 09, 10

No Capping

No Capping

139

UG

01

No capping

No capping

146

UG

08

8

8

146

UG

09

14

14

146

UG

01, 03, 05, 06, 07, 10

No Capping

No Capping

146

PIT

01

No Capping

No Capping

146

PIT

03, 04

8

8

148

UG

19, 20

8

8

148

UG

21, 22

9

9

148

UG

24

11

11

148

UG

10

13

13

148

UG

09

14

14

148

UG

05, 25

18

18

148 UG 01 54 -

148

UG

08

20

20

148

UG

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07

50

50

148

UG

18

No Capping

No Capping

 

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Zone

Location

Lens Numbers

Core Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

Chip Capping Levels
(g/t Au)

148

PIT

14, 16

3

3

148

PIT

11

5

5

148

PIT

07, 08

12

12

148

PIT

09

14

14

148

PIT

03

20

20

148

PIT

01, 04

36

36

148

PIT

02, 06, 12, 13

50

50

148

PIT

17

No Capping

No Capping

152

UG

05

8

8

152

UG

01

20

13

152

UG

02, 03

20

20

152

UG

09

No Capping

No Capping

152 UG 06 10 10

152

PIT

08

3.7

3.7

152

PIT

02

5.3

5.3

152

PIT

01, 03, 06

10

10

152

PIT

07

50

50

157

UG

01, 02, 03

12

12

159

UG

03

12

12

159

UG

01

15

15

159

UG

04

No capping

No capping

159

PIT

03, 06

8

8

159

PIT

04, 05

12

12

159

PIT

01

15

15

159

PIT

02

18

18

160

UG

05, 09

12

12

160

UG

01, 03

17

17

160

UG

04

22

22

160

PIT

06

7

7

160

PIT

03

16

16

160

PIT

01

23

23

160

PIT

07

27

27

160

PIT

04

28

28

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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11.6.1

Mineral Resource Estimation Methodology

 

The resource block models are built using the 3D open pit and underground mineralization wireframes, the main graphitic Casa Berardi Fault, the overburden, and the mining voids (development and as-built stopes using designs and cavity monitoring surveys (CMS)). Block models used for underground Mineral Resources are undiluted and the block models for pit evaluation are diluted. The procedure used to generate the capping levels and the composites for the open pit and underground block models are the same.

 

11.7

Underground Extraction Data and Compositing

 

After validation of the solids from the database, extraction of the intersects is performed to determine the capping and to composite the sample grade. Capping of the grade is performed in the ASSAYS table in the field AU_COUPE. The gold value for the total vein intersect is calculated to be archived in the INTERS_GRP table in a later process, with the rock code, solid name, and block code. At the definition and stope drilling stage, information can be duplicated, and part of the previous drilling is excluded in the on-going Mineral Resource process. The duplicated diamond drill holes are archived in a key index to permit the exclusion of the outdated data during the Mineral Resource process.

 

11.8

Underground Block Models

 

All underground block models have the same block dimensions: 2.5 m for column size, 1.25 m for row size and five metres for level size.

 

11.9

Underground Mineral Resource Methodologies

 

Initially, all interpreted mineral zone solids are loaded to verify that they are contained within the block model limits. Blocks within the model are tagged with the block code from each solid, the percent of each block within the solid evaluated, and the density associated with the block code of the solid. Evaluation of the grade is completed by the interpolation of the gold composites stored as points in the GEMS point area databases. The block model attributes, MeanDist and number of points used for the estimate ‘NB_COMPS’ are automatically assigned to the blocks during the interpolation runs and used for resource classification. The interpolation method used for gold grade estimation is inverse distance squared (ID2) with oriented ellipsoids and spheres. A total of 206 ellipsoids and spheres were used to interpolate the underground Mineral Resources.

 

11.10

Open Pit Extraction Data and Compositing

 

After validation of the solids and surfaces used for the open pit model areas, extraction of drill hole intersects is performed for the Mineral Resource and dilution envelopes to determine capping values and to composite the sample grades. The solids and surfaces used to code the model include the 1.0 g/t Au cut‑off envelopes for Mineral Resources, the 10 m dilution shells surrounding the mineral lenses, the Casa Berardi Fault, the topographic surface, and till, clay, and bedrock surfaces.

 

Only drill holes are used for grade estimation in the open pit block models to avoid over estimation with the underground chip samples. Precedence is given to the Mineral Resource envelopes. The rock codes, solid names, and block codes are extracted into the assay table. Grade capping is performed in the assay table and used for sample compositing. Duplicated diamond drill holes are archived in a key index to permit the exclusion of the outdated data during the Mineral Resource estimation process.

 

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11.11

Open Pit Block Models

 

Diluted open pit block models are used for Mineral Resource estimation, except for the Principal Pit. The WMCP, 134, EMCP and 160 pits have block dimensions of 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 2.5 m, while the Principal Pit block model uses a block size of 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 5.0 m. The diluted block models have three folders: one for the diluted mineralized material (Rock), one for the mining excavation including the previous underground mining voids (Excavation), and one for the overburden materials (Overburden).

 

11.12

Open Pit Mineral Resource Methodologies

 

Initially, all the solids and surfaces used to code the open pit model are loaded to verify that they are all contained within the block model limits. For the estimation of the open pit Mineral Resources, a vertical limit for block modeling was established to limit the assessment of an open pit shell to depth. For the WMCP and 134 pits, the lower limit is 4,677 MASL, for the EMCP Pit, the lower limit is 4,702 MASL, and for the 160 Pit, the lower limit is 4,552 MASL. Blocks within the block model are tagged with the block code from solids, the percent of blocks within the solid evaluated, and the density associated with the block code of the solid. Evaluation of the grade is completed by the interpolation of the gold content from the point area composite files, mainly the field ‘AU_COUPE ‘, the results being saved in the field ‘AuCut’ of the block models. Evaluation of the fields MeanDist and NB_COMPS is also written to the blocks to assist with resource classification. The interpolation method used for grade estimation is ID2 with oriented ellipsoids and spheres. A total of 64 ellipsoids and spheres were used to interpolate the open pit Mineral Resources. XRF was included in the block models to assess the arsenic content of the different lenses where data was available.

 

11.13

Principal Pit

 

The block model for the Principal Pit was built by the mine staff and is updated with the latest information from drilling. A total of 38 mineralized zones were modelled in the Principal area of the West Mine by the mine staff. The mineralized system extends towards the overburden-rock interface and the mineralized zones are close enough to each other to allow for open pit mining. The block size is five metres east-west (X) by five metres north-south (Y) by 7.5 m vertical (Z).

 

11.14

Cavity Monitoring Surveys of Mined-Out Stopes in GEMS Database

 

Volumes of mined-out stopes are evaluated from a CMS system by the engineering department. The determination of dilution rates and mining extraction factors on a stope by stope basis is based on the CMS. This work is carried out by the Casa Berardi geology department using Promine software. In order to determine tonnes and grades of underbreak, overbreak, and dilution material in one system, all CMS data is imported into GEMS, adjusted where needed to create valid solids, and used to update the mined-out stope percentages to the block models and for engineering and reconciliation studies.

 

11.15

Mineral Resource Classification

 

Definitions for Mineral Resource categories used in this TRS are those defined by the SEC in S-K 1300 and excerpted below. Mineral Resources are classified into Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories.

 

Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A Mineral Resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, considering relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. It is not merely an inventory of all mineralization drilled or sampled.

 

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Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a Measured Mineral Resource is sufficient to allow a QP to apply modifying factors, as defined in this section, in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because a Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than the level of confidence of either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource, a Measured Mineral Resource may be converted to a Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

 

Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an Indicated Mineral Resource is sufficient to allow a QP to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because an Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than the level of confidence of a Measured Mineral Resource, an Indicated Mineral Resource may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

 

Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an Inferred Mineral Resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Because an Inferred Mineral Resource has the lowest level of geological confidence of all Mineral Resources, which prevents the application of the modifying factors in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability, an Inferred Mineral Resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project and may not be converted to a Mineral Reserve.

 

The classification of each lens in the open pit and underground block models are based on the density and quality of drill hole data, the continuity of the auriferous zones, and production experience. The classification of Casa Berardi Mineral Resources is guided by the drill hole spacing, which ranges from 15 m to 50 m and by the ranges of variograms, which are between 10 m and 60 m. It also considers the distance of drill hole composites to block centers which is an attribute generated in the GEMS software at the time of grade interpolation (MeanDist).

 

Generally, for each lens, a polygon was manually created around blocks that were estimated based on drill hole composites with an average MeanDist of 25 m. The Mineral Resources were classified as follows:

 

 

1.

Measured Mineral Resources: blocks inside the 25 m MeanDist polygon with nearby underground development that confirmed the continuity of mineralization.

 

 

2.

Indicated Mineral Resources: blocks inside the 25 m MeanDist polygon.

 

 

3.

Inferred Mineral Resources: blocks outside the 25 m MeanDist polygon, up to generally a maximum of 35 m MeanDist, and rarely up to 50 m MeanDist.

 

The open pit block models are diluted to whole block models using scripts in Gemcom. For the open pit diluted block models, only blocks with more than 25% of mineralized material were classified, the remaining blocks with less than 25% of mineralized material were not classified and excluded from the resource estimate.

 

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The SLR QP has considered the following factors that may affect the uncertainty associated with each class of Mineral Resources:

 

 

1.

Reliability of sampling data:

 

 

a.

Drilling, sampling, sample preparation, and assay procedures follow industry standards and best practices.

 

 

b.

Data verification and validation work confirm drill hole and chip sample databases are reliable.

 

 

c.

No significant biases observed in QA/QC analysis results.

 

 

d.

Sufficient density tests are available to estimate accurate mineralization and waste bulk density values.

 

 

2.

Confidence in the interpretation and modelling of geological and estimation domains:

 

 

a.

Individual mineralization lenses are interpreted manually in cross-sections and cleaned-up in plan views by a highly experienced team of geologists.

 

 

b.

Good agreement between the drill holes, underground sampling, and mineralization wireframe shapes, which are snapped to the sample data.

 

 

c.

The mineralization wireframe shapes are well defined by sample data in areas classified as Measured and Indicated.

 

 

d.

Some surface drill holes are excluded if significant spatial discrepancies with underground drill holes and/or underground sampling occur.

 

 

3.

Confidence in block grade estimates:

 

 

a.

Measured and Indicated block grades correlate well with composite data, statistically and spatially, locally and globally, as well as with production reconciliation.

 

 

4.

Production experience:

 

 

a.

Extensive deposit specific experience has been gained over decades of production.

 

 

b.

Good production reconciliation performance validates the quality of sample data and block model grade and density estimates in Measured and Indicated areas.

 

11.16

Mineral Resource Validation

 

Hecla personnel conduct on-screen visual inspection of block models with diamond drill hole assays and composites on plans and vertical sections after interpolation and classification of the block models. All interpolation reports are saved to validate the interpolation and to verify the blocks not interpolated. To avoid duplication when estimating Mineral Resources, only underground Mineral Resources outside of an open pit design are considered underground Mineral Resources and only open pit Mineral Resources within the open pit design are considered open pit Mineral Resources. The blocks from the underground block models are evaluated to assess the percentage of each block within the open pit design. Where no underground Mineral Resources were evaluated below the open pit, the Mineral Resource below the pit are reported as open pit Mineral Resources.

 

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11.17

Risk Factors That May Affect the Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that the Casa Berardi Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and the underground Inferred Mineral Resources have been prepared to industry best practices and conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300. The SLR QP notes that the open pit Inferred Mineral Resources situated at the 134 and 160 pits are not constrained by a resource pit shell and that the elevation datums used to limit the open pit resources at depth are optimistic and should be replaced with resource shells in the future. Notwithstanding, the SLR QP is of the opinion that this is not a significant issue because this material represents approximately 9% of the total reserve and resource ounces at Casa Berardi, it is all classified as Inferred, and none of it is included in the LTP.

 

The SLR QP is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant technical and economic factors that would materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate.

 

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12.0

MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES

 

Underground Mineral Reserves were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed by SLR. Estimates were prepared for the Lower Inter and 113 zones of the West Mine, and the 118, 119, 123, and 124 zones of the Principal Mine, the East Mine, and several other smaller zones. A longhole stoping mining method without pillars, using a primary-secondary stoping sequence, is assumed for all of the estimates. All stopes are backfilled after mining using paste fill, cemented rock fill (CRF), or unconsolidated waste rock.

 

Open Pit Mineral Reserves were estimated by Hecla and reviewed by SLR, for the WMCP, Principal, 134, EMCP, XMCP, and 160 pits.

 

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources were converted to Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, respectively. Inferred Mineral Resources were not converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2021 are summarized in Table 12‑1.

 

Table 121:         Summary of Mineral Reserves December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Reserve Category

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(oz Au)

Metallurgical

Recovery
(%)

Underground

Proven

836,930

5.33

143,294

-

Probable

1,537,865

5.24

259,279

-

Proven + Probable

2,374,795

5.27

402,574

85.6

Open Pit

Proven

4,321,010

3.26

452,992

-

Probable

12,129,701

2.38

928,409

-

Proven + Probable

16,450,711

2.61

1,381,401

82.9

Total

Proven + Probable

18,825,506

2.95

1,783,975

83.5

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Reserves is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR.

 

3.

Mineral Reserves are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

4.

Underground Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.27 g/t Au for 100, 113,119 and 124 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.57 g/t Au for the 115, 118, 121, 123 and 128 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.83 g/t Au for the 146 and 148 zones, and a cut-off grade of 3.54 g/t for the 159 and 160 zones.

 

5.

Open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 1.01 g/t Au for the 160 pits. A cut-off grade of 1.37 g/t Au for the WMCP. A cut-off grade of 1.31 g/t Au for the Principal Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.30 g/t Au for the 134 Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.39 g/t Au for the EMCP and XMCP.

 

6.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,600/oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

7.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

8.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves by zone are presented in Table 12‑2.

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 122:         Mineral Reserves by Zone December 31, 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Underground  Proven

Lower Inter

7,065

8.49

1,928

113

94,045

4.45

13,460

118

133,400

4.47

19,185

123

265,587

4.96

42,333

124

77,723

4.26

10,657

East Mine UG

259,110

6.69

55,731

Total Underground – Proven

836,930

5.33

143,294

Underground  Probable

Lower Inter

3,709

6.50

776

113

164,510

5.95

31,468

118

522,765

4.52

76,000

119

125,585

4.15

16,773

123

331,532

4.99

53,222

124

89,646

4.37

12,586

East Mine UG

300,119

7.09

68,454

Total Underground – Probable

1,537,865

5.24

259,279

Total Underground
Proven + Probable

2,374,795

5.27

402,574

Open Pit  Proven

WMCP

4,034,194

3.31

429,078

EMCP

4,969

2.78

444

Principal

142,400

3.25

14,888

160

139,447

1.91

8,582

Total Open Pit – Proven

4,321,010

3.26

452,992

Open Pit  Probable

WMCP

1,296,377

2.65

110,415

Extension

183,642

1.87

11,051

Principal

5,640,245

2.80

507,803

134

114,644

3.06

11,265

160

4,894,793

1.83

287,875

 

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Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained Metal
(oz Au)

Total Open Pit – Probable

12,129,701

2.38

928,409

Total Open Pit
Proven + Probable

16,450,711

2.61

1,381,401

Grand Total

Proven

5,157,940

3.60

596,287

Probable

13,667,566

2.70

1,187,688

Proven + Probable

18,825,506

2.95

1,783,975

 

Notes:

 

 

1.

Classification of Mineral Reserves is in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system.

 

2.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves were estimated by Hecla Québec and reviewed and accepted by SLR.

 

3.

Mineral Reserves are 100% attributable to Hecla.

 

4.

Underground Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.27 g/t Au for 100, 113,119 and 124 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.57 g/t Au for the 115, 118, 121, 123 and 128 zones. A cut-off grade of 3.83 g/t Au for the 146 and 148 zones, and a cut-off grade of 3.54 g/t for the 159 and 160 zones.

 

5.

Open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated at a cut-off grade of 1.01 g/t Au for the 160 pits. A cut-off grade of 1.37 g/t Au for the WMCP. A cut-off grade of 1.31 g/t Au for the Principal Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.30 g/t Au for the 134 Pit. A cut-off grade of 1.39 g/t Au for the EMCP and XMCP.

 

6.

Underground and open pit Mineral Reserves are estimated using an average long term gold price of US$1,600/oz Au and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275.

 

7.

A minimum mining width of three metres was used.

 

8.

Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.

 

The SLR QP is not aware of any risk factors associated with, or changes to, any aspects of the modifying factors such as mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

12.1

Underground Mineral Reserves

 

Underground Mineral Reserves have increased since the December 31, 2020 Mineral Reserve estimate. The open pit Mineral Reserves increased substantially with the addition of the WMCP Pit and the Principal Pit.

 

Mineral Reserve estimates are based on the Mineral Resource 3D block models. Stope shapes are created based on individual zone and lens geometries. Stope designs, based on 15 m spaced sections extrapolated along strike, are built to allow a preliminary economic assessment of the areas to be mined. The Mineral Resources within the stope shapes are exported to MS Excel and dilution and extraction factors are applied. Mining engineers then assess the economic prospects for each stope. Based on engineering considerations, lower grade blocks may be included in stope designs if their development is proposed in conjunction with other blocks. While the low grade block alone would not support the required development, it is considered economic if it can be developed with other blocks. Similarly, the evaluation of the extraction method or ground conditions may result in lower grade blocks being included in the Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

Underground zones containing Mineral Reserves are described below.

 

The 118 Zone consists of several lenses and mining is in progress in the 27 and 31 lenses using transverse and longitudinal stoping. Current production is situated between the 830 m and 1,050 m levels. From the 790 m level, the 118 Zone’s internal ramp system and mining levels are accessible. The 118_06 and 118_10 lenses are being developed and mined by longitudinal stoping. Paste fill is available in the 118 Zone.

 

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The 123 Zone lies approximately 250 m to the south of the 118 Zone. The 123 Zone is accessed via an internal ramp system and mining levels from the 790 m level. The 123 Zone consists of several sub-parallel lenses. Paste fill is also available in the 123 Zone below the 470 m level. An internal ramp which connects the upper and lower levels of the 123 Zone.

 

The 124 Zone is in the upper portion of the West Mine, and consists of several sub-parallel lenses, which are currently mined from the underground, below the 150 m level. The upper portion of the 124 Zone, extending from surface to the 185 m level, is planned for open pit mining. Paste fill is not available in the Principal Pit area of the West Mine. Stopes are backfilled with CRF and uncemented rock fill in this area.

 

The 113 Zone is located to the west of the West Shaft. Currently, there is no active mining in the 113 Zone. Drilling is underway to define the 113 Zone at depth (i.e., below the 950 m level). Ground conditions are poor. Paste fill is available in the 113 Zone below the 570 m level.

 

For the 113, Lower Inter, 118, 119, 121, 123, and 124 zones, the mineralized envelopes were divided into 20 m high and 15 m long stopes. Hanging wall and footwall stope limits were defined by the mineralized envelope. Tonnage and grade were calculated for each stope, including ore development within the stope outline. Dilution and extraction factors were applied on a stope by stope basis based on a review of stope conditions and planned mining.

 

After rehabilitation of the access, the East Mine underground mining will begin with the recovery of stopes between the 570 m and 500 m levels. The East Mine underground Mineral Reserves are based on the recovery of the stopes and pillars remaining in the upper 570 m level, as well as stopes below the 570 m level, which is a new mining horizon. Currently mining is in progress from the 500 m to 650 m levels and the ramp to access the lower levels is being excavated.

 

The mining method used is the longitudinal method. In the future, Hecla proposes using the transverse method in the lower levels of the East Mine to increase mining flexibility in this area. The use of state of the art mine planning and geology software packages allows direct access to the Mineral Resource block models, which makes mine design review and revision processes more efficient.

 

12.2

Open Pit Mineral Reserves

 

Since 2013, the number of Casa Berardi open pit projects has grown from two to six, with the addition of the XMCP, 134, 160, and WMCP pits. In addition to these new open pit Mineral Reserves, the Mineral Reserves for the Principal Pit have more than doubled since the original 2011 Mineral Reserve statement.

 

12.2.1

EMCP/XMCP Pit

 

The EMCP Pit has been fully mined, and only the XMCP Pit remains in operation. Currently, the bottom of the XMCP Pit is 4,922.5 MASL. Once completed, the final elevation will reach approximately 4,892.5 MASL by approximately Q2 2024. The XMCP Pit has been placed on hold until July 2023 to maximize the 160 Pit. Production is planned to commence again at a rate of 926 tpd.

 

12.2.2

134 Pit

 

The 134 Pit is located to the southeast of the Principal Pit. The 134 Pit will not intersect any underground workings and is independent of the Principal Pit. A dewatering program will be required to control water inflow from runoff and from the rock mass. Overburden removal for the 134 Pit is planned for 2034 and mining will begin in 2035. The overburden and waste rock will be used to backfill the Principal Pit.

 

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12.2.3

160 Pit

 

The 160 Pit is located northeast of the mill. The 159 and 160 lens (both included in the 160 Pit) are currently the most easterly identified lens on the Property. The 160 Pit is divided in four phases. Currently, Phase 2 is being mined and overburden removal is expected to continue until Q4 2024. The final phase of the 160 Pit will reach 4,777.5 MASL and be completely mined in 2028. The average planned tonnage is 2,450 tpd. The 160 Pit will not intersect any underground workings.

 

12.2.4

WMCP Pit

 

The WMCP Pit is the most westerly pit in the Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves. Prior to commencing this project, surface infrastructure (e.g., a cement plant and access roads) will have to be redesigned and/or relocated and environmental considerations will have to be addressed. The WMCP Pit will intersect multiple underground excavations. The development of the WMCP Pit is planned to coincide with the end of underground mining in the West Mine area. If the start date is advanced, underground infrastructure will have to be relocated to mitigate geotechnical risks. Overburden removal is planned to commence in 2028 and will take three years. The WMCP Pit Mineral Reserve will be mined between 2031 and 2035, at a rate of 4,384 tpd. According to the most recent pit shell, the bottom of the WMCP will reach 4,715 MASL.

 

12.2.5

Principal Pit

 

Overburden removal in the Principal Pit area is planned to begin in 2025 whereas ore mining is planned to begin in 2028 at an average rate of 4,384 tpd until 2031. Environmental and engineering challenges regarding pumping are being addressed and is still in progress. The Principal Pit will intercept underground workings (in the lower part of the pit). According to the most recent pit shell, the bottom of the Principal Pit will reach 4,780 MASL.

 

12.3

Cut-Off Grade

 

The cut-off grade used for reporting Mineral Reserves is based on the following parameters:

 

 

Gold price: US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Exchange rate of C$1.275/US$1.00.

 

 

Metallurgical recovery by zone as presented in Table 12‑3.

 

 

The underground and open pit cut-off grades are presented in Table 12‑3.

 

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Table 123:         Underground and Open Pit Reserve Cut-Off Grades

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Area

Metallurgical Recovery
(%)

Cut-Off Grade Mill

Recovery
(%)

Cut-Off Grade
(g/t Au)

Underground Zones

113 Inf

84.4

 

3.27

118

77.5

 

3.57

123

77.5

 

3.57

100 (Lower Inter)

84.4

 

3.27

121

77.5

 

3.57

124

84.4

 

3.27

160

85.4

 

3.54

148 (East UG)

79.0

 

3.83

128

77.5

 

3.57

119

84.4

 

3.27

Open Pits

Principal

81.8

63.6

1.15

EMCP/XMCP

75.7

64.2

1.17

134

82.7

63.5

1.14

160

89.7

84.9

0.86

WMCP

80.5

61.9

1.18

 

When the grade of the Mineral Reserves is close to the cut-off grade, a more detailed review is completed considering the anticipated costs and revenues.

 

Individual stopes were evaluated using the cut-off grade for the applicable zone, after dilution and extraction factors had been applied.

 

Hecla reviewed supply and demand projections for gold, as well as consensus long term (ten year) metal price forecasts. SLR verified that Hecla’s selected gold price for estimating Mineral Reserves is consistent with independent forecasts from banks and other lenders.

 

 

12.4

Dilution and Extraction

 

12.4.1

Underground Mining

 

For underground mining, internal dilution is defined as material below the cut-off grade included within a mining block. Internal dilution represents areas included within the Mineral Resource envelopes for continuity and areas outside of the Mineral Resource envelope required to optimize the mining geometry. Internal dilution is intended to be mined with the ore and is included in the Mineral Reserve estimate of a stope.

 

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External dilution is defined as unplanned and uneconomic material coming from the periphery of a mining block. It includes material from the hanging wall or footwall and from exposure of backfill in adjacent stopes. The estimation of underground external dilution is based on the 12 years of underground operating experience at the mine and is expressed as a percentage, calculated as:

 

Dilution % = (waste tonnes / ore tonnes) x 100.

 

The average total dilution from internal and external sources for the underground Mineral Reserves is 35% (Table 12‑4).

 

Extraction is the proportion of the diluted Mineral Reserve which is expected to be extracted by mining. The extraction by zone is presented in Table 12‑4.

 

Average extraction is estimated to be 94.5%. Timely placement of backfill and other measures to control stope deterioration are key to achieving high extraction rates in this pillarless mining scenario.

 

Dilution has been estimated on a stope by stope basis considering the planned mining and conditions in the given areas. The dilution estimates reflect the expected conditions in the mature mining areas. For new zones, the estimates are based on historical data from similar mining conditions. The East Mine dilution estimate is based on historical mining in the East Mine from 2020 to 2021.

 

A review of drill hole and block model grades immediately outside stope outlines indicates that mineral boundaries are generally gradational, ranging from 0.5 g/t Au to 1.0 g/t Au at stope boundaries, instead of being sharply cut. A grade of 0.5 g/t Au has been applied to hanging wall/footwall dilution in all zones.

 

For the East Mine, extraction factors of 92.5% are applied for longhole stopes.

 

Table 124:         Dilution and Extractions Estimates Underground

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Dilution
(%)

Extraction
(%)

 

Longitudinal

Transverse

Longitudinal

Transverse

113

30.7

49.6

100

75.6

Lower Inter

30.7

49.6

100

75.6

148

40

40

94.4

92.9

118

27.3

32.9

94.4

92.9

119

27.3

32.9

94.4

92.9

123

28

15.1

94.4

92.9

124

40.3

18.7

94.4

92.9

 

12.4.2

Open Pit Mining

 

For open pit mining, internal dilution is defined as material below the cut-off grade within the Mineral Resource envelope. Internal dilution can also be partially estimated by comparing the envelope geometry to bench geometry, as benches are square vertical blocks and the mineral zones dip at angles of between 45° and 70°.

 

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External dilution in open pit mining is defined as material below the cut-off grade that is mixed with ore during the blasting process or picked up by the excavators at the contact between the mineralized package and the waste matrix.

 

The EMCP/XMCP Pit has been operating since January of 2016. The dilution estimates for the XMCP Pit are based upon this recent mining experience. For subsequent pits, dilution estimates will reflect the historical values and experience from the EMCP Pit.

 

Extraction by zone is presented in Table 12‑5.

 

For open pit mining, an extraction factor between 93% and 95% is used. These factors are supported by reconciliation numbers.

 

Table 125:         Dilution and Extractions Estimates Open Pit

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Pit

Dilution
(%)

Extraction
(%)

WMCP

22

94

XMCP

27

95

Principal

20

95

134

20

93

160

27

93

 

12.5

Estimation Methodology  Open Pit Projects

 

For each of the open pit projects described in the following subsections, optimized pit shells based on the block models prepared by Hecla Québec’s geology department were used. Surpac scripts were used to code materials and surfaces within the block model (i.e., overburden material types and bedrock contact). The pit shells were generated using Whittle. Implicit average diluted cut‑off grades ranging from 0.86 g/t Au to 1.18 g/t Au were used. Slope angles and other design criteria are discussed in Section 13 (Mining Methods) of this TRS. The open pit cut-off grade mill recoveries below are solely used to calculate the cut-off. They represent the estimated metallurgical recoveries in the vicinity of the open pit gold cut-off grades and are significantly lower than the metallurgical recoveries related to the average mill fee gold grades.

 

12.5.1

EMCP Pit

 

The EMCP Pit is completely mined and as such has no mineral value, however, it has emerged as a backfilling solution. Early studies and feasibility plans revealed an economic value in backfilling the EMCP with waste rock and overburden from the 160 and XMCP pits. Operational, geotechnical, and permitting issues are being addressed in order to move forward with the backfilling plan.

 

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12.5.2

Principal Pit

 

In 2021, the Principal Pit Mineral Reserves were recalculated using updated economic parameters, based on a block model developed by Hecla Québec (geology) department. A pit optimization was run by Hecla.

 

Mineral Reserves were estimated for this pit shell based on an implicit average diluted cut-off grade of 1.15 g/t Au, and the following inputs:

 

 

Operating costs of C$47.59/t ore (US$37.33/t).

 

 

Cut-off grade mill recovery of 63.6%.

 

 

Gold price of US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Dilution of 20%.

 

12.5.3

 XMCP Pit

 

In Q4 2021 Hecla estimated what remains of the XMCP Pit Mineral Reserves, using updated economic parameters and an updated block model developed by the Hecla Québec mine geology department.

 

Mineral Reserves were estimated for this pit design based on an implicit diluted cut-off grade of 1.17 g/t Au, and the following inputs:

 

 

Operating costs of C$48.84/t ore (US$37.33/t).

 

 

Cut-off grade mill recovery of 64.2%.

 

 

Gold price of US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Dilution of 27%.

 

12.5.4

134 Pit

 

In Q4 2021, Hecla updated the 134 Pit Mineral Reserves, using updated economic parameters, and an updated block model developed by the Hecla Québec mine geology department. A pit shell optimization was also run by Hecla.

 

Mineral Reserves were estimated for this pit shell based on an implicit diluted cut-off grade of 1.14 g/t Au, and the following inputs:

 

 

Operating costs of C$47.22/t ore (US$37.04/t).

 

 

Cut-off grade mill recovery of 63.5%.

 

 

Gold price of US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Dilution of 20%.

 

12.5.5

160 Pit

 

In Q4 2021, Hecla estimated the 160 Pit Mineral Reserves, using updated economic parameters and an updated block model developed by the Hecla Québec mine geology department. A new pit design has been created around this optimized pit shell.

 

Mineral Reserves were estimated for this pit design based on an implicit diluted cut-off grade of 0.86 g/t Au, and the following inputs:

 

 

Operating costs of C$47.97/t ore (US$37.62/t).

 

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Cut-off grade mill recovery of 84.9%.

 

 

Gold price of US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Dilution of 27%.

 

12.5.6

WMCP Pit

 

In Q4 2021, Hecla estimated the WMCP Pit Mineral Reserves, using updated economic parameters and an updated block model developed by the Hecla Québec mine geology department. A pit shell optimization was also run by Hecla.

 

Mineral Reserves were estimated for the WMCP Pit shell based on an implicit diluted cut-off grade of 1.18 g/t Au, and the following inputs:

 

 

Operating costs of C$47.65/t ore (US$37.37/t).

 

 

Cut-off grade mill recovery of 61.9%.

 

 

Gold price of US$1,600/oz Au.

 

 

Dilution of 22%.

 

12.6

Comparison to Previous Estimates

 

The December 31, 2021 Mineral Reserve estimate represents an overall increase of 3,611,459 t and 242,022 oz Au as compared to the December 31, 2020 Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

A summary of gains and losses is presented in Table 12‑6.

 

From 2020 to 2021, Mineral Reserves underground decreased due to mining in the Lower Inter, 118, and 124 zones. Underground Mineral Reserves were expanded in the 113, 119 and 123 zones. Over the same period, Mineral Reserves increased in all of the open pits, except the XMCP Pit.

 

Table 126:         Change in Mineral Reserves 2020 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Change

Zone

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonne
(000 t)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Proven

Lower Inter

7

8.5

1.9

14

6.9

3.1

(7)

(1.2)

107(SW)

     

19

4.4

2.6

(19)

(2.6)

113

94

4.5

13.5

8

5.0

1.3

86

12.2

118

133

4.5

19.2

192

4.7

29.0

(59)

(9.8)

119

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

121

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

123

266

5.0

42.3

375

4.9

58.9

(109)

(16.6)

124

78

4.3

10.7

75

4.5

10.8

3

(0.1)

 

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December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Change

Zone

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonne
(000 t)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

East Mine U/G (148)

259

6.7

55.7

258

6.3

52.1

1

3.6

WMCP Pit

4,034

3.3

429.1

3,721

3.2

379.9

313

49.2

EMCP + Ext. Pit

5

2.8

0.4

92

2.6

7.7

(85)

(7.3)

Principal Pit

142

3.3

14.9

213

3.2

21.9

(71)

(7.6)

134 Pit

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

160 Pit

139

1.9

8.6

-

-

-

139

8.6

Total Proven
Mineral Reserves

5,158

3.6

596.3

4,967

3.6

567.4

191

28.9

Probable

Lower Inter

4

6.5

0.8

4

5.0

0.7

0

0.1

107(SW)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

113

165

6.0

31.5

-

-

-

165

31.5

118

523

4.5

76.0

609

4.8

93.5

(86)

(17.5)

119

126

4.2

16.8

-

-

-

126

16.8

121

-

-

-

19

4.4

2.7

(19)

(2.7)

123

332

5.0

53.2

215

4.7

32.5

117

20.7

124

90

4.4

12.6

170

4.4

23.9

(80)

(11.3)

East Mine U/G (148)

300

7.1

68.5

360

6.6

75.9

(60)

(7.4)

WMCP Pit

1,296

2.7

110.4

1,027

2.6

84.1

269

26.3

EMCP + Ext. Pit

184

1.9

11.1

388

1.9

24.2

(204)

(13.1)

Principal Pit

5,640

2.8

507.8

5,041

2.9

468.4

599

39.4

134 Pit

115

3.1

11.3

86

3.4

9.4

29

1.9

160 Pit

4,895

1.8

287.9

2,314

2.1

157.5

2,581

130.4

Total Probable
Mineral Reserves

12,130

2.4

928.4

10,247

3.0

974.6

1,883

(46.2)

Proven and Probable

Total Proven and Probable
Mineral Reserves

18,826

3.0

1,784.0

15,214

3.2

1,542.0

3,612

242.0

 

12.7

Reconciliation

 

Tonnage and grade reconciliations between Mineral Reserves, mine plans, and mill production are carried out by Hecla on an individual stope by stope basis and reported on a monthly and annual basis. The annual results for 2006 to 2021, and the comparisons between the mill production and Mineral Reserves and mill production and planned mining are presented in Table 12‑7 and Table 12‑8. The same information on a monthly basis for 2021 is shown in Table 12‑9 and Table 12‑10.

 

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Tonnes, gold grades, and gold ounces for the block model estimates and the final design plans are compared to mill production.

 

On an annual basis, the reconciliation between the mill production, Mineral Reserves, and mine plans with respect to tonnage, grade, and contained gold is very consistent, with 78 of the 132 data points within ±5%.

 

Table 127:         Mine-Mill Reconciliation 2006 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

Mineral Reserves

Planned Reserves

Mill

Year

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

2021 PIT

643.3

1.8

36.7

753.2

1.9

46.9

748.5

1.9

46.7

2021 U/G

639.0

5.0

102.0

618.5

5.3

104.7

637.9

5.5

111.8

2020 PIT

560.3

2.1

37.3

563.4

2.2

39.9

578.3

2.1

38.5

2020 U/G

655.1

5.6

116.8

588.4

5.7

107.8

586.8

5.9

111.5

2019 PIT

540.0

1.9

35.6

540.6

2.0

36.7

558.1

1.9

36.3

2019 U/G

661.6

5.7

122.1

652.9

5.8

121.0

692.1

5.8

128.6

2018 PIT

475.4

2.2

31.1

498.8

2.0

29.5

547.7

2.0

32.1

2018 U/G

738.6

6.7

158.1

689.9

6.4

142.8

700.3

6.9

154.8

2017 PIT

342.9

2.8

29.9

440.8

2.8

38.7

445.2

2.9

41.0

2017 U/G

649.8

6.4

133.1

702.8

6.0

134.4

730.7

5.9

139.4

2016 PIT

83.5

2.5

5.3

121.8

2.6

8.9

121.7

2.3

7.4

2016 U/G

686.9

6.0

132.3

728.6

6.1

141.9

783.3

6.3

159.1

2015 U/G

701.6

6.0

136.1

736.7

5.9

139.1

765.8

6.0

146.7

2014 U/G

653.9

6.6

138.6

725.2

5.9

138.2

750.8

5.9

142.4

2013 U/G

571.2

6.3

115.0

583.0

5.8

108.7

590.6

6.2

117.0

2012 U/G

632.2

7.8

157.5

685.5

6.7

148.2

693.9

6.8

151.1

2011 U/G

735.1

8.0

188.2

726.9

7.5

175.3

698.1

8.0

179.5

2010 U/G

683.4

6.8

150.0

670.4

6.7

144.2

722.7

6.8

157.1

2009 U/G

719.6

7.5

173.7

684.6

7.1

155.4

688.7

7.8

172.0

2008 U/G

662.1

8.5

181.7

706.7

8.1

183.0

654.4

8.2

171.6

2007 U/G

548.1

10.4

183.4

579.5

10.2

190.2

545.3

9.8

171.4

2006 U/G

64.0

9.2

18.9

66.6

8.9

19.0

68.5

8.6

18.9

Total

12,647.8

5.9

2,383.7

13,064.9

5.6

2,354.3

13,309.3

5.7

2,434.9

 

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Table 128:         Mine-Mill Reconciliation 2006 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Mill versus Planned Reserve
(%)

Mill versus Mineral Reserve
(%)

 

Tonnes

Grade

Ounces

Tonnes

Grade

Ounces

2021 PIT

116%

110%

128%

99%

100%

100%

2021 U/G

100%

110%

110%

103%

104%

107%

2020 PIT

104%

100%

104%

103%

93%

96%

2020 U/G

90%

107%

95%

100%

104%

103%

2019 PIT

104%

99%

102%

103%

96%

99%

2019 U/G

105%

101%

105%

106%

100%

106%

2018 PIT

115%

90%

103%

109%

98%

107%

2018 U/G

95%

103%

98%

102%

107%

108%

2017 PIT

128%

104%

133%

101%

104%

105%

2017 U/G

112%

93%

105%

104%

100%

104%

2016 PIT

140%

90%

127%

100%

87%

87%

2016 U/G

114%

105%

120%

108%

104%

112%

2015 U/G

109%

99%

108%

104%

102%

106%

2014 U/G

115%

90%

103%

104%

100%

103%

2013 U/G

103%

98%

102%

101%

106%

108%

2012 U/G

110%

87%

96%

101%

101%

102%

2011 U/G

95%

100%

95%

96%

107%

102%

2010 U/G

106%

99%

105%

108%

101%

109%

2009 U/G

96%

103%

99%

101%

110%

111%

2008 U/G

99%

96%

94%

93%

101%

94%

2007 U/G

99%

94%

93%

94%

96%

90%

2006 U/G

107%

94%

100%

103%

96%

99%

Total

105%

97%

102%

102%

102%

103%

 

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Table 129:         Mine-Mill Reconciliation 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

Mineral Reserves

Planned Reserves

Mill

Month

Tonnes

(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes

(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes

(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Jan Pit

34.2

2.9

3.2

55.0

2.5

4.4

62.6

2.6

5.1

Jan U/G

50.0

4.6

7.3

53.6

4.9

8.5

54.1

4.9

8.5

Feb Pit

25.3

1.6

1.3

56.3

2.0

3.6

61.1

2.0

3.9

Feb U/G

57.2

4.8

8.9

55.0

5.1

9.0

63.0

5.9

12.0

Mar Pit

32.9

2.1

2.3

51.2

2.1

3.4

44.4

2.1

3.0

Mar U/G

63.2

5.4

11.0

59.2

5.7

10.9

63.4

6.3

   12.9

Apr Pit

40.3

2.4

3.1

66.4

2.0

4.3

59.7

2.0

3.9

Apr U/G

63.9

4.9

10.1

60.1

5.4

10.4

64.9

5.4

    11.2

May Pit

40.0

1.7

2.1

60.2

2.0

3.9

60.4

2.2

4.3

May U/G

48.4

4.6

7.1

41.0

4.8

6.4

42.3

5.0

6.4

June Pit

95.9

1.4

4.3

60.9

1.5

3.0

64.1

1.5

3.1

June U/G

43.9

3.9

5.5

40.5

4.5

5.9

44.4

4.8

6.8

July Pit

43.3

1.5

2.1

76.9

1.2

3.0

71.4

1.2

2.8

July U/G

44.8

5.2

7.5

44.3

4.9

7.0

51.1

4.6

7.5

Aug Pit

77.9

1.4

3.6

61.9

1.4

2.8

62.7

1.3

2.7

Aug U/G

58.1

5.0

9.4

50.4

5.9

9.6

51.1

6.0

9.8

Sept Pit

70.8

1.4

3.1

74.2

1.3

3.2

74.1

1.3

3.1

Sept U/G

49.2

4.9

7.7

54.9

5.2

9.1

53.0

5.2

8.8

Oct Pit

68.8

1.8

4.0

62.9

2.1

4.2

62.0

2.1

4.1

Oct U/G

49.1

5.3

8.4

51.4

5.8

9.5

50.3

6.6

10.7

Nov Pit

55.7

2.1

3.7

69.4

2.9

6.4

67.5

2.8

6.0

Nov U/G

51.4

4.8

7.9

48.0

5.3

8.1

43.2

4.8

6.7

Dec Pit

58.3

2.1

4.0

57.8

2.4

4.7

58.5

2.5

4.8

Dec U/G

59.9

5.9

11.4

60.1

5.3

10.3

57.0

5.4

9.9

Total

1,282.3

3.4

138.7

1,371.7

3.4

151.6

1,386.4

3.6

158.6

 

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Table 1210:         Mine-Mill Reconciliation 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

 

Mill vs. Planned Reserve

Mill vs. Mineral Reserve

Month

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Tonnes
(000 t)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Contained
Metal
(000 oz Au)

Jan Pit

183%

88%

161%

114%

103%

117%

Jan U/G

108%

108%

116%

101%

100%

101%

Feb Pit

242%

124%

299%

108%

100%

108%

Feb U/G

110%

123%

136%

114%

117%

133%

Mar Pit

135%

100%

135%

187%

103%

89%

Mar U/G

100%

117%

118%

107%

110%

118%

Apr Pit

148%

184%

125%

90%

101%

91%

Apr U/G

102%

110%

111%

108%

101%

108%

May Pit

151%

133%

200%

100%

109%

109%

May U/G

87%

110%

96%

103%

104%

107%

June Pit

67%

108%

72%

105%

98%

103%

June U/G

102%

124%

135%

110%

106%

116%

July Pit

165%

82%

135%

93%

100%

93%

July U/G

114%

88%

101%

115%

93%

107%

Aug Pit

80%

93%

75%

101%

93%

94%

Aug U/G

88%

119%

105%

101%

101%

102%

Sept Pit

105%

95%

99%

100%

97%

97%

Sept U/G

108%

106%

114%

97%

100%

96%

Oct Pit

90%

114%

103%

98%

100%

98%

Oct U/G

102%

125%

128%

98%

115%

112%

Nov Pit

121%

132%

160%

97%

96%

94%

Nov U/G

84%

101%

85%

90%

92%

82%

Dec Pit

100%

123%

123%

101%

101%

102%

Dec U/G

95%

91%

87%

95%

101%

96%

Total

108%

106%

114%

101%

104%

105%

 

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The annual and monthly reconciliation charts for tonnage, grade, and contained ounces are provided in Figure 12‑1 to Figure 12‑3, respectively. The monthly variance between the mill production, Mineral Reserves, and mine plan has a larger range than the annual average, as demonstrated in Table 12‑10 and in Figure 12‑1 to Figure 12‑3.

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that there is good reconciliation between the Mineral Reserves, mine planning, and the actual production. The annual and monthly reconciliation reports allow the reconciliation over time on a stope by stope basis and/or on a zone by zone basis to be examined. Based upon the reconciliation results, Hecla is of the opinion that the Mineral Reserve estimation and mine planning are reliable.

ex_338337img036.gif

 

 

Figure 121: Tonnage Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

 

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Figure 122:         Grade Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

ex_338337img038.gif

 

Figure 123: Contained Gold Reconciliation 2006 to 2021 Annual and 2021 by Month

 

In the opinion of the SLR QP, Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves have been estimated using industry best practices, and in accordance with the S-K 1300 classification system. The SLR QP is not aware of any risk factors associated with, or changes to, any aspects of the modifying factors such as mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimate.

 

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13.0

MINING METHODS

 

13.1

Mining Operations  Underground

 

Inco Gold operated the East Mine from 1988 to 1991. From 1991 to 1997, TVX operated the East and West underground mines. In 2006, Aurizon, now known as Hecla Québec, restarted underground operations at the West Mine, and in late 2017 Hecla began the rehabilitation of the East Mine.

 

Initially, both mines were developed as trackless operations, with all material transported to surface via ramps. In 1995, a track drift and the East Shaft were completed to connect the East and West Mines.

 

In 2006, the 5.5 m diameter West Shaft was sunk to the 795 m level, and ramp and level development were completed to access mining zones. In 2013, the West Shaft was deepened to the 1,080 m level.

 

As of December 2021, the majority of future underground mining will come from the 118, 123, 124 and 148 zones, which will account for 39%, 16%, 15%, and 14% of underground production, respectively. These four zones also represent the bulk of the underground Mineral Reserves.

 

13.1.1

Mine Design

 

The mine design and planning processes reflect the past mining experience at the West and East Mines. The following design criteria are used by Hecla Québec:

 

 

2021 cut-off grade varies by zone from 3.27 g/t Au to 3.83 g/t Au.

 

 

Production rate: target approximately 1,900 tpd of ore.

 

 

Production and development crews work two ten-hour shifts, seven days per week, 365 days per year. The crew rotation is seven days on, seven days off.

 

 

The mill operates two 12-hour shifts, seven days per week, 365 days per year.

 

 

Crews work 7 days in and 7 days off on rotation.

 

 

Ramp and shaft access to the mining areas.

 

 

Ramp dimensions: 4.5 m wide x 4.5 m high.

 

 

Sublevel spacing: 20 m.

 

 

Standard stope dimensions: 20 m high, 15 m strike-length, up to 20 m thick.

 

 

Minimum mining width of three meters.

 

 

Haulage drift dimensions: 4.5 m wide x 4.5 m high.

 

 

2.7 m diameter ore and waste passes.

 

 

2.4m and 3.3 m diameter ventilation raises.

 

13.1.2

West Mine and Principal Area

 

The current Mineral Reserves at Casa Berardi comprise seven zones in the West Mine including the Principal area. These zones are spread out over a distance of 200 m perpendicular to strike, 1,500 m to 2,000 m along strike and from surface to 1,090 m below surface. The 118, 123, 124, and 148 zones comprise the majority of the Mineral Reserve tonnage.

 

The zones vary in thickness, ranging from over 50 m to less than three metres (e.g., minimum mining width). In general, the zones are subvertical (e.g., 55° to 85°).

 

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A combination of longitudinal and transverse blasthole stoping is used at Casa Berardi, depending on mineral zone geometry (width and attitude) and development requirements. While timely delivery of backfill plays a crucial role in controlling dilution and maintaining the short stoping cycle, since 2006 this mining approach since 2006 has been implemented safely and reliably.

 

13.1.3

Transverse Method

 

The transverse mining method is used in areas with wide mineralization, 10 m wide or more, and good access from nearby development such as haulage drift and multiple draw points. In wide areas, greater than 20 m, stopes are subdivided into smaller panels and mined in sequence from the hanging wall to the footwall.

 

Stopes are nominally 15 m long by 20 m high, floor to floor, oriented in a transverse manner to the strike of the ore, and are mined using an alternating primary and secondary sequence (Figure 13‑1). Overcut and undercut draw points provide access to the top and bottom of the stope. Secondary support in the form of Super Swellex and 0-gauge mine straps is installed in the back and sidewalls of the overcut. Support patterns vary based on sequence and adjacent mining (e.g., primary versus secondary stopes). Ring drilling is carried out using a production 75 mm top hammer longhole drill. A Machines Roger V-30 boring head is used to drill 30 in. bore holes as slot raises in the stopes. The long hole drill pattern is designed to contour the stope geometry by using smooth blasting techniques to control wall sloughing and dilution.

 

After blasting, broken ore is removed from the stope through the undercut drift using a remote controlled load-haul-dump (LHD) unit and loaded into a truck or trammed to an ore pass. When mining is completed, the stope is backfilled with paste fill or CRF for primary stopes and unconsolidated waste rock for secondary stopes. Stope sequencing varies depending on zone.

 

The transverse method allows a variety of mining activities to occur in a series of closely grouped primary and secondary stopes simultaneously. The stopes are in different stages of the cycle, from production drilling, blasting, and mucking through to the final backfill placement.

 

Full utilization of the transverse method requires at least three to four production sublevels to be fully developed and operational to avoid production bottlenecks. To allow for the CRF and paste backfill to adequately cure, the primary stopes are mined at least two lifts ahead of the secondary stopes.

 

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Figure 131: Transverse Mining Method

 

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13.1.4

Longitudinal Method

 

The blasthole longitudinal mining method is used in areas with narrow mineralization or minimal development infrastructure, such as sill development. Oriented along strike, longitudinal stoping is mined in retreat back towards the access point. Once a stope is mined, it is backfilled with paste fill or a combination of CRF and unconsolidated waste. For stopes mined using the AVOCA method, unconsolidated waste or rock fill is used as backfill.

 

Waste development requirements for the longitudinal method are lower than those for the transverse method, as accesses are within the ore on each level, and serve as overcuts and end‑muck draw points for subsequent stopes. When compared to the transverse method productivity per level, as measured by sequence and access flexibility, is much lower since only one (i.e., abutment access) or two (i.e., central access) stopes can be mined simultaneous.

 

13.1.5

Stope Size

 

In general, stope dimensions reflect standard development practices such as draw points on 15 m centres and 20 m sublevel spacing. When necessary, stope dimensions at Casa Berardi have been reduced in response to local ground conditions, as has been implemented in the 113 Zone, to mitigate sequencing/operational issues and to avoid exposing unconsolidated rock fill.

 

The average stope size for the various zones is presented in Table 13‑1. With an average stope size of 4,039 t, a large number of workplaces, approximately 12 stopes per month, are required to sustain the 2,000 tpd production rate. Mine planning for these stopes must consider the full stoping cycle, including providing time for backfill curing. The underground mining operations rely on production from multiple levels and stopes in several zones at any given time.

 

Table 131:         Tonnage per Stope

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Zone

Tonnes
(t)

Number of Stope Blocks

Tonnes per Stope
(t/stope)

Lower Inter

10,800

3

3,600

113

258,600

72

3,592

118

656,200

148

4,434

119

125,600

30

4,187

123

597,100

152

3,928

124

167,400

41

4,083

East Mine UG

442,400

113

3,915

Total

2,258,000

559

4,039

 

The typical stoping cycle for Casa Berardi is summarized in Table 13‑2.

 

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Table 132:         Typical Stope Delays and Activity Duration

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Description

Delay/Duration

Stope Preparation

8 to 10 days

Stope Drilling

2 x 300 m (drill) / 3 to 5 days

Stope Blasting & Mucking

3 to 5 days

Stope Filling

7 to 10 days

Stope Curing

14 days (minimum)

 

13.1.6

East Mine Mining Method

 

The East Mine is accessed by a decline from surface to the 650 m level. At the 300 m level, a track drift connects the East and West mines. The East Shaft is used for a portion of underground services, the hoist has been removed and access via the manway is not currently possible.

 

In 1997, a partial failure of the Dynatec Plug at the 275 m level occurred and resulted in a chimney failure of the Casa Berardi Fault to surface. Following the failure, a ruling from the Commission de la Santé et de la Sécurité au Travail (CSST) suspended underground mining activities at the East Mine. In 2017, based on a technical report and mining plan presented to the CSST, mining activities restarted. Activities included the rehabilitation of the ramp from surface to the 550 m level, development of two exploration drifts at the 300 m and 485 m levels, diamond drilling of the 148 and 160 zones, ramp development below the 550 m level, and stope preparation between the 500 m and 550 m levels.

 

In 1992, chimney failures along the Casa Berardi Fault resulted in the creation of two craters on surface. Underground, in the 148 Zone mining beneath these craters was isolated by a series of hydrostatic barricades installed between the 90 m and 300 m levels. Historically, the containment of overburden and surface water from the area surrounding the craters was the primary challenge preventing resumption of underground production from the East Mine.

 

Mining of the overlying EMCP Pit has eliminated the risk of overburden inflow and of the accumulation of surface water in the craters. The SLR QP notes, however, that the overburden stripping and exposure of sand and rock filled stopes has significantly decreased the delay required for the transmission of surface water (e.g., intense rainfall events and spring thaw) to the underground East Mine. Surface and ground water infiltrating into the East Mine drains primarily via the unconsolidated sand and rock fill of the mined stopes. Since 2017, measures have been implemented to control the drainage and pump the water to maintain a dewatered condition. There are a total of 23 barricades in the East Mine and six in the West Mine. Water valves and pressure gauges are installed on the hydrostatic barricades and monthly inspections are carried out to check for water ingress.

 

13.2

Ground Stability

 

A history of ground instability and incidents related to mining in proximity to the Casa Berardi Fault at the East and West mines has highlighted the importance of addressing rock mechanics issues for mining at Casa Berardi. Further details regarding specific incidents are described in previous technical reports (Table 13‑8).

 

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13.2.1

Ground Conditions

 

Ground instability is primarily related to the Casa Berardi Fault system. Lithologies south of the Casa Berardi Fault are composed of relatively weak sediments with a frequent occurrence of schistose and graphitic rocks exhibiting weak contacts. Generally, the rock types vary from massive to fractured and heavily deformed in areas where the mineralization occurs along or near the main structural discontinuities.

 

13.2.2

Ground Testing and Analysis

 

RQD estimation is systematically carried out on all core from diamond drilling and development faces in mineralized material are mapped by the Casa Berardi geology department. The design and approval process for all development headings and stopes includes the analysis of these data on a individual basis.

 

In situ stress measurements, measured at level 360 and level 430 and carried out in 1999 by Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, fall within the lower range of the regional trends measured in other hard rock mines of the Abitibi district. Given the relatively weak nature of the rock units at Casa Berardi (i.e., uniaxial compressive strengths of less than 100 MPa) there is little evidence of high stress related failures. At depth and in specific zones, such as the 118-06 Zone, however, there is evidence of convergence or squeezing ground deformation. In general, ground stability issues are related to poor ground conditions near faults and gravity-driven wedge failures.

 

13.2.3

Operating Practices

 

Hecla has responded to concerns pertaining to safety and stability of mine openings with the following actions:

 

 

Minimizing the open stope time, with mucking followed immediately by backfilling. Prioritizing critical stopes for rapid mucking out to minimize exposure of the Casa Berardi Fault. The cement slurry and paste fill plants operate year-round to supply CRF to the mine.

 

 

Limiting development in the Casa Berardi Fault, particularly the graphite and graphic sediments, by developing perpendicular rather than parallel to the fault.

 

 

Using pre-support, such as spilling, and support, such as, fibre-reinforced shotcrete arches with mine straps, Super Swellex, and Super Split Set, with shortened development specifically adapted to fault conditions.

 

 

Installing recessed cable bolts for hanging wall support, if required, due to ground conditions or development stope geometry.

 

 

Implementing proactive bolting of walls and intersections using long Super Swellex bolts or cable bolts with mesh straps where required by poor ground conditions or large spans.

 

 

Controlling of development length (transverse stoping) and heading size (longitudinal stoping) to minimize the creation of overhangs relative to mineral zone geometry in stope top cuts and undercuts.

 

 

Modifying production drilling for narrow (less than five metre widths) using 2.5 in. diameter drill holes with a 1.5 m x 1.5 m drill pattern.

 

 

Changing the drift back profile to an arch configuration to improve the stability of the back.

 

 

Using standard stope dimensions (average of 15 m strike length, 20 m high, and up to 20 m thick) and based on past experience and industry best practices.

 

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Applying of tight fill. The stope sequence is from the bottom towards the top of each mining horizon / zone, leaving no voids.

 

 

Locating permanent infrastructure in more stable ground, such as in massive volcanic rocks located to north of the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

The Casa Berardi ground support measures to maintain drift stability are in accordance with commonly accepted practices. The selected typical stope size and sublevel spacing are conservative, reflect historical best practices, and help maintain stability and minimize dilution. Secondary support is evaluated on a stope by stope basis to mitigate unravelling and exposing faults and weaker lithologies or dilution problems. Different types of instruments are installed to monitor the stability of the excavations. These include five metres, 10 m, and 15 m extensometers (MBPX), SMART cables to monitor the amplitude and depth of rock movement and Sloughmeters, which detect the crack locations following rock displacement.

 

13.3

Underground Development

 

Development openings have been sized to meet safety and regulation standards, accommodate selected mining equipment, and meet the ventilation network requirements.

 

 

Ramp dimensions: 4.5 m wide x 4.5 m high.

 

 

Haulage drift dimensions: 4.5 m wide x 4.5 m high.

 

13.3.1

Ground Support

 

Ground control measures are applied systematically to ensure safe workplaces, limit dilution and overbreak, and stabilize weak rock masses, particularly in the vicinity of the main fault zones.

 

The following ground control measures are applied:

 

 

Cable bolting or connectable Super Swellex bolts are used in intersections and large spans to provide long term ground stability.

 

 

Intersections are limited to three way intersections and the creation of four way intersections is avoided.

 

 

Development parallel to major structures or faults (i.e., silling out along the fault) is minimized by developing perpendicular to major structure wherever possible.

 

 

Test holes are used to confirm the position and width of the Casa Berardi Fault. Based on these test holes zones requiring the installation of spiling and shortened development round support with fibre-reinforced shotcrete are identified. This support is applied an additional two metres before and beyond the Casa Berardi Fault.

 

 

Test holes, shotcrete, spiling and other specialized ground support requirements are integrated in the weekly mine planning to ensure that potentially unstable conditions are supported in a rapid and timely manner.

 

Casa Berardi mine personnel identify potentially unstable joints and abnormal conditions as they are exposed. These situations are evaluated on an individual basis and where required the ground support is modified to stabilize the potential instability. Information regarding ground conditions is communicated daily through the ground control logbook.

 

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13.3.2

Development Performance

 

Mine development performance has fallen short of the plan in recent years. In the 2018 LTP, the failure to meet development targets was identified as a significant issue. While development has remained at 2018 levels for the past two years it has been sufficient to sustain underground production levels. The SLR QP is of the opinion that while this could impact the final years of the underground operations by prolonging undergrounding mining past the current planned end date of 2027, this should not have a material impact.

 

The 2011 to 2021 Mine development performance is presented in Table 13‑3.

 

Table 133:         2011 to 2021 Development Performance

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Plan
(m)

Actual
(m)

2011

11,881

8,330

2012

11,727

8,681

2013

12,542

11,182

2014

14,374

11,417

2015

13,292

11,764

2016

12,959

11,812

2017

11,382

11,556

2018

10,070

8,851

2019

9,374

8,836

2020

10,240

8,454

2021

11,647

8,692

 

13.4

Backfill

 

Backfill is required to maximize mineral extraction and maintain stope stability. Three types of backfill are used at Casa Berardi: i) unconsolidated waste (rock fill), ii) CRF, and iii) paste fill. Rock fill is used in secondary stopes and for AVOCA longitudinal mining. CRF and paste fill are used primarily in stopes for initial mining horizons which will be eventually redeveloped through the paste fill.

 

Development waste material is used for rock fill and CRF. Transport of the rock fill to the stopes is by LHDs or trucks. In addition to the stability provided by the rock fill, the use of waste material allows for optimization of the hoisted waste tonnage and equipment utilization by coordinating backfilling in proximity to development areas.

 

CRF is available throughout the West Mine, including areas above the 470 m level where paste fill is not available. A surface plant produces the cement slurry in batches, which is transferred underground via a series of boreholes and lateral piping to either a portable cement mixer or directly to the mix pit location.

 

There is no paste fill in the East Zone, backfilling of the East Mine stopes is therefore only completed with CRF or rock fill.

 

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The CRF is mixed and placed using special mobile equipment. This equipment prepares the cement pulp necessary for the designed CRF mixture.

 

A continuous, gravity-driven paste fill plant was constructed in 2013. The paste fill network can supply paste to the 113 (lower), 118, and 123 zones, below the 470 m level.

 

The advantages of paste fill include:

 

 

Reducing the use of mobile equipment for fill transportation.

 

 

Allowing better development performance through backfill.

 

 

Providing better flexibility in the mining sequence.

 

 

Allowing recovery and subsequent filling of caved stopes.

 

13.5

Mine Equipment

 

There is an extensive underground fleet of production, development, and support equipment and fixed plant equipment used at Casa Berardi.

 

The major equipment is summarized in Table 13‑4.

 

Table 134:         Underground Mine Equipment List

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Unit

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

MT426 haul truck

1

1

1

1

1

-

Sandvik TH540

2

2

2

2

2

2

AD30 Caterpillar haul truck

12

12

12

12

12

8

LHD R1600

13

13

13

13

11

9

Sandvik 6vg3

1

1

1

1

1

1

LHD R1300 3.5 yd3

2

2

2

2

2

2

LHD EJC 210

1

1

1

1

1

1

Jumbo 2 boom

5

5

5

5

5

2

Jumbo single boom

2

2

2

2

2

1

Long hole drills

5

5

5

5

5

3

Cement/service/utility

21

21

21

20

18

13

Lift deck units

11

11

11

10

10

3

Tractors and land cruisers

44

47

47

45

40

26

Locomotives

0

0

0

0

0

0

Grader

2

2

2

2

2

2

 

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13.6

Mine Infrastructure

 

Mine infrastructure is located in two main areas, the West and East mines. The production and ventilation shafts, shops, WRFs and ore stockpiles, cement plant, paste fill plant, and ramp portal are located at the West Mine. The mill and administration building, crusher, East Shaft (not currently in use), warehouse, and shops are located at the East Mine. Figure 13‑2 and Figure 13‑3 illustrate each location.

 

13.6.1

West Mine Shaft

 

Prior to restarting operations in 2006, the shaft at the West Mine was developed. The West Shaft is positioned outside the faults and beyond the zone of stress influence due to mining. The West Shaft design was deepened to the 1,080 m level in 2013 and has been operational since 2015.

 

The West Shaft is a circular 5.5 m diameter shaft with a 42 m deep concrete shaft collar anchored in bedrock. Shaft stations are located at the 280 m, 550 m, 690 m, 795 m, 880 m, 1,010 m, and 1,030 levels. There are three skip loading stations at the 720 m, 835 m, and 1,055 m levels, a loading pocket at the 880 m level and a spill pocket at 1,080 m level.

 

The West Shaft is concrete-lined and equipped with a steel structure that divides the shaft into four compartments. Two compartments are allocated for the 12 t skips, each with a cage at the top. The third compartment intended for a service cage for personnel and material is not currently in use. The fourth compartment consists of a manway and a service area for pipes and electrical cables. The headframe is of conventional steel construction, 57 m high, incorporating a skip dump arrangement with ore and waste storage bins. The ore bin capacity is 1,200 t and the waste bin capacity is 370 t.

 

ex_338337img040.gif

 

Figure 132: West Mine Surface Infrastructure

 

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Figure 133: East Mine Surface Infrastructure

 

 

13.6.2

Ore and Waste Pass Systems

 

The ore and waste pass systems were sized and located according to the production requirements of the 113 and Lower Inter zones. Ore and waste passes are 2.4 m in diameter. The Lower Inter Zone ore and waste pass system terminates on the 570 m level, where ore and waste are transferred by truck to the 113 Zone ore and waste handling system. The ore and waste pass systems in the 113 Zone terminate at a chute on the 690 m level, where material is transferred by truck to a rock breaker grizzly. Grizzly discharge passes through a surge bin into the 720 m level loading pocket of the West Shaft and is hoisted to surface. A rock breaker grizzly for ore and waste is in operation on the 795 m level and feeds a loading pocket on the 835 m level. For the 124 Zone, all the material is brought to the surface by trucks. Ore and waste are transported to their respective dumps by LHD. Oversize material is handled by a rock breaker or moved to a suitable location for secondary blasting.

 

For the 118 and 123 zones, ore and waste passes terminate on the 985 m level automated drift. The ore pass connection in the 123 Zone (550 m to 985 m levels) was completed in 2019. Two automated trucks transport material from the automated chutes to automated rock breaker on 985 m level which is controlled from surface. The ore and waste pass systems on the 985 m level terminate at the 1,055 m level loading pocket. From the 1,055 m level loading pocket, ore and waste are skipped to surface.

 

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13.6.3

Ventilation

 

The ventilation network design was based on physical mine configurations and accounts for the production rate, installed horsepower on diesel equipment, number of personnel, and simultaneous activities underground. The East Mine is ventilated from the West Mine via the track drift that connects the mines on the 280 m level.

 

The main ventilation raises for mine air distribution system are 3.35 m in diameter, excavated by a raise climber (Alimak) from the lower levels of each zone and connected with main airways. Raise ventilation access drifts (up to 10 m long) are excavated on each level/sublevel during raise development and connected to the main haulage drifts when accessed later. A ventilation schematic circuit is presented in Figure 13‑4 and Figure 13‑5.

ex_338337img042.gif

 

Figure 134: West Mine - Ventilation Schematic Circuit

 

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Figure 135: East Mine - Ventilation Schematic Circuit

 

The Mine requires 220 m3/s of air (465,000 cfm) at full production capacity. The ventilation network installations at the mine consist of:

 

 

The fresh air intake system, which is comprised of two fans in parallel installed at the West Mine portal. These fans deliver 600,000 cfm of fresh air through the West Mine principal ramp with an air lock system. The operating static pressure is 6.5 in of water.

 

 

The West Mine exhaust air points are the shaft, an old backfill raise, and the East Mine.

 

 

Part of the air exhausted from the West Mine is reused for the ventilation of the East Mine activities and exhausted by the East Mine ramp.

 

 

Numerous installed airflow regulators, booster fans, and ventilation raises.

 

 

Due to broken fans the second fresh air intake system was downgraded, however, it remains an option to increase flexibility and the capacity of ventilation if needed. The second fresh air system had the potential of four 150 hp fans, and could provide 260,000 cfm airflow at an operating static pressure of 8.5 in of water.

 

 

Study are in progress to improve the ventilation of the East Mine with a supply of fresh air.

 

13.6.4

Maintenance Facilities

 

The main fixed equipment, both on surface or underground, such as the hoist, compressors, ventilators, GEHO pumps, and cement plant, are covered by an integrated preventive maintenance program. Daily maintenance and parts replacement is completed on site. Major equipment overhauls are conducted off site in specialized maintenance shops.

 

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The maintenance of mobile equipment, used on surface and underground, is conducted in a building located near the mill at the East Mine. This building includes a maintenance shop, warehouse, offices, a change room, and a communications system. The existing surface shop is well equipped (compressed air, lifting equipment, cranes, and welding facilities) and large enough to accommodate equipment employed at the site.

 

The warehouse is located nearby and facilitates the delivery of parts and materials for maintenance and repairs. Spare tires are stored on a nearby pad. The change room and sanitation facilities are located on the second floor of the building.

 

To improve the maintenance time and displacement of equipment, Hecla Québec installed an underground garage on the 550 Level, in 2010.

 

Another underground garage was completed in 2014 on the 810 Level, close to the 118 and 123 zones.

 

In 2022, another underground garage in the East Mine will be built to facilitate maintenance.

 

In 2024, a surface garage is planned to be built for the open pit equipment.

 

13.6.5

Power

 

Electrical power is supplied to site by Hydro-Québec through a 120 kV line from the town of Normetal (55 km to the southwest). Two main transformers are installed in the main substation, located at the East Mine site. The East Mine site is supplied by a 120 kV/4.16 kV – 16 MVA transformer (T1) and the West Mine site is supplied by a 120 kV/25 kV – 20 MVA transformer (T2) as presented on the electrical single-line diagram (Figure 13‑6).

 

The East Mine site distribution network supplies the mill, East Mine, EMCP Pit and the East Mine facilities and garage.

 

The West Mine site employs a 25kV line network supplies the West Mine portal main ventilation fan, the headframe, hoist, shaft collar, and compressor buildings, West Mine facilities, and a 5 kV transformer to supply 1,000 kVA to underground substations in the mining areas. A 25 kV underground station supplies 1,000 kVA to substations in the 118 and 123 zones.

 

Underground power distribution is via cables installed in the West shaft or in the ramp. Power supply in Québec is very reliable. Hecla provides backup power for the West Mine headframe (135 kW), the surface garage (350 kW), the mill (525 kW), and the West Mine backfill plant (200 kW).

 

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ex_338337img044.gif

 

Figure 136: Casa Berardi Main Station 120 kV Flowsheet

 

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13.6.6

Personnel

 

The Casa Berardi workforce consists of company personnel and contractors. The Hecla personnel and contractor lists for mining operations at Casa Berardi are presented in Table 13‑5.

 

The number of Hecla employees required for the Casa Berardi mining operation is not expected to change significantly in the foreseeable future. The number of contractors varies month to month depending on labour requirements at the mine.

 

Underground production and lateral development is carried out by Hecla personnel, while contractors conduct vertical raise development. Open pit mining, currently operated by a contractor is planned to be converted to Owner operator status in 2024. Some contractor personnel are utilized in the processing plant. Operators and technical staff work a schedule consisting of seven days of dayshift, seven days of nightshift, and seven days off. General staff work on a four day on, three day off shift cycle.

 

Table 135:         Mine Personnel List

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

West Mine UG

253

248

248

248

166

89

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

East Mine UG

72

72

72

72

32

14

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mechanical

130

130

153

175

178

138

80

82

83

82

83

84

77

28

Electrical

48

48

48

48

45

32

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Plant

96

99

99

99

97

97

95

92

91

91

91

88

87

41

Open Pits

15

154

150

131

131

131

139

151

156

139

139

139

131

82

Admin. Casa

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

0

Purchasing

12

12

12

12

12

12

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

4

IT- Computing

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

H.R.

7

7

7

7

7

6

5

4

3

3

3

3

3

1

Health & Safety

15

15

15

15

14

10

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

3

Engineering

32

32

32

32

31

25

18

16

16

16

16

16

13

6

Environment

6

6

5

5

5

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

Geology-Expl.

32

32

32

31

18

10

9

9

9

7

6

5

5

4

Admin. Val d'Or

15

15

15

15

15

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

6

Total

877

875

893

894

755

583

387

394

398

377

377

374

355

183

 

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13.7

Open Pit Mining Operations

 

Open pit operations at Casa Berardi began in January 2016, in the EMCP Pit. In addition to the EMCP Pit, this TRS considers the planned Principal, 160 Zone, 134 Zone, XCMP, and WMCP pits. These open pits involve both the recovery of crown pillars above underground mining (i.e., EMCP, WMCP, and Principal pits) and mining of zones that have not been exploited underground (i.e., 134, 160, and XCMP pits).

 

13.7.1

Mining Method

 

The current mining method used in the XCMP and 160 Zone pits is described in the following paragraphs. This method will be used for the mining of subsequent open pits. Mining method and design considerations that are specific to the other planned pits are discussed later. Material is mined using conventional open pit mining methods, based on a truck/shovel operation. The rock is drilled, blasted, and loaded by hydraulic shovels into trucks, which deliver the material to a stockpile located near the primary crusher. Distances from the top of the ramp to the ore stockpile range from 300 m (160 Zone) to 5000 m (WMCP).

 

Waste materials generated by mining include overburden (i.e. peat, clay, till and sand), waste rock (i.e. clean and low-grade mineralized) and backfill from stopes intercepted during mining (i.e. unconsolidated sand and rock fill). The overburden material is removed and hauled to the Mixed WRF, while peat is stored separately for restoration-revegetation. Higher quality clay has been used for tailings dams, isolation levees and reclamation projects (e.g. cover of tailings in preparation for revegetation). Clean waste rock is used for surface infrastructure work such as roads, levees, tailings dams and foundations for civil engineering constructions. A portion of the clean waste rock is crushed and screened to provide aggregates for roadway construction and maintenance, and for use as abrasives in icy weather conditions. Low-grade material (below cut-off grade) is stockpiled in a different location than the ore. Stope backfill is hauled to the Mixed WRF.

 

13.7.2

Open Pit Design

 

Pit designs employ 7.5 m high mining benches, with a catch berm positioned every two benches (i.e., 15 m). This allows greater flexibility in regards to blast tonnage and control on pre-shear blasting and excavation of final pit walls. The option of using 10 m high mining benches is being studied to achieve even greater results on production and stability. The 160 Zone pit is planned in phases, with additional overburden stripping and pushbacks.

 

13.7.3

Slope Parameters  Overburden

 

Overburden slope parameters are based on recommendations from previous geotechnical and mining studies (Golder, 2009) and (BBA, 2011). A new study regarding slope parameters has begun in 2021 specifically for the 160 Zone; these parameters will be used in the final phase of the pit. The overburden slope parameters vary as function of material type:

 

 

Slopes in clay: 4H:1V (14.1°) – 3H:1V (18.4°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

In 2018, Hecla re-evaluated the 4H:1V slope angle in the clay material based on in situ observations and data from previous geotechnical characterizations using Rocscience’s Slide 7.0 software (Hecla, 2018). Based on this analysis, the use of 4H:1V slopes in clay were demonstrated to be conservative and 3H:1V slopes were proved to be stable. As a result, the east and south overburden slopes of the EMCP Pit were excavated according to Golder Associates Inc.’s (Golder) (2009) recommendation of 4H:1V in clay. The north and west slopes, however, were excavated using a 3H:1V slope in clay. Inclinometers and prisms installed in the overburden confirm the stability of 3H:1V slope in the clay material. A part of the slopes in the EMCP Pit are covered with one metre of waste rock to prevent erosion.

 

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Experience gained from the excavation of overburden in the EMCP Pit has demonstrated that information related to the bedrock-overburden contact was limited to drill hole locations. Although, the surface topography is relatively flat, the bedrock contact varies significantly across the site and particularly above the Casa Berardi Fault. At this location the bedrock forms a valley which varies from approximately 40 m below surface at the west end of the mine site to 50 m below surface at the east end. On either side of the Casa Berardi Fault, the bedrock elevation is higher, rising to 20 m below surface on the south side. The variation in the expected contact position (i.e., overburden thickness and topographic bench elevation) has required the Casa Berardi engineering personnel to modify the design in order to compensate for higher or lower pit wall positions.

 

The overburden slope parameters, for the XMCP Pit are identical to those used in the EMCP Pit, including the 3H:1V (18.4°) slope in clay, expect that the clay slopes were not covered with any waste rock but the till has been covered. For the 134, 160, WMCP, and Principal projects, the designs are based on a 3H:1V (14.1°) to 3.5H:1V (15.9°) slope in the clay and sand, and a 2H:1V (26.6°) in the till.

 

13.7.4

Slope Parameters - Rock

 

The slope parameters for the final pit wall in the rock are:

 

 

An Inter Ramp Angle (IRA) of 52.5°.

 

 

A Bench Face Angle (BFA) of 75°, over a 15 m height or two 7.5 m high benches.

 

 

A 7.5 m wide catch berm every 15 m in elevation.

 

The rock slope parameters, used in the EMCP Pit, are identical to those of the other pits.

 

13.7.5

Ramp Design

 

Ramps for the EMCP and XMCP pits were designed with a nominal 10% centerline gradient. Switchbacks were designed with a centerline gradient of 8% to prevent the inside curvature gradient from becoming excessive. Ramp widths assume the use of rigid-body haul trucks with a width of 5.6 m, although articulated trucks are planned to be used for overburden and may be used in other areas as needed. A 22.0 m width was used for ramps with two-way traffic. This provides for a running width of three times the truck operating width and includes a 1.1 m high safety berm. In the lower portions of the pit designs, where the stripping ratio is minimal, ramps were narrowed to 17.0 m for one‑lane traffic use.

 

Same parameters apply for the 160 Zone, Principal, WMCP, except for the width. The ramps have 26.5m width because they are designed for 150t rigid-body with a operating width of 7.0 m and includes a 1.45 m high safety berm.

 

The 134 Zone pit is also designed with these parameters, but with a one-lane ramp with a width of 17.0 m.

 

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13.7.6

Underground Workings

 

The EMCP Pit has intercepted underground openings in the pit floor. These openings include unfilled drifts and raises, as well as backfilled stopes. Stope backfill is unconsolidated sand and rock fill. These excavations are largely isolated from the accessible areas of the underground East Mine by a series of hydrostatic barricades. The same types of openings will be encountered in the Principal and WMCP pits.

 

Procedures are in place for the definition of safety perimeters for specific mining activities, such as drilling, loading, and excavating, and for the movement of vehicles and personnel in proximity to these excavations or their remaining crown pillars. The use of C-ALS surveys and production drilling data (e.g., breakthrough locations) are used confirm the survey data and 3D models of the underground excavation. To date, no issues have been encountered related to the underground excavations. An incremental ore mining cost has been planned to cover the cost of excavating the backfill.

 

The XMCP, 134 and 160 pit projects will not intersect any underground excavations. These open pits are considered to have no impact on simultaneous underground operations and do not require any special precautions to be taken.

 

The WMCP Pit project will intercept underground infrastructure such as drifts, ramp, raises, and backfilled stopes. The West Mine underground decline will be intercepted. The SLR QP notes that special precautions will have to be taken as the openings might create rock mechanics issues. There will also be underground openings daylighting near the bottom of the WMCP Pit (infrastructures and stopes), which will create a need to manage geotechnical perimeters. The SLR QP notes, however, that Hecla personnel are already mitigating these types of challenges in the EMCP Pit. Underground operations will be completed prior to open pit operations disrupting underground infrastructures.

 

The Principal Pit project will intersect underground excavations in the bottom of the pit.

 

13.7.7

Open Pit Mining Equipment

 

Mining equipment is currently operated and maintained by a contractor until 2024. The current equipment fleet is summarized in Table 13‑6. The projected Owner equipment fleet is summarized in Table 13‑7.

 

Table 136:         Mine Equipment List Open Pit

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Unit

Number

Cat 740 Articulated Trucks

10

Cat 773 Rigid-body Trucks

10

Komatsu 1250 Excavator

1

Komatsu 800 Excavator

2

Cat 365 Excavator

1

Cat 349 Excavator (Rock Breaker)

2

Cat 336 Excavator

2

Cat D8 Bulldozer

1

Cat D6 Bulldozer

1

 

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Unit

Number

Cat 14H Grader

1

DX 800 Drill

3

DX 1500 Drill

1

Cat 980 Loader

1

Cat 966 Loader

1

Manitou Telescopic Handler

1

Water Truck

1

Fuel Truck

1

Blasting Cube Truck

1

Light Tower

5

 

Table 137:         Project Owner Equipment Flee

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Unit

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

Excavator CAT 6020

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

-

Excavator CAT 6015

2

2

2

2

3

3

2

1

1

2

-

-

Truck CAT 785

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

8

15

16

10

-

Truck CAT 775

4

11

9

9

9

11

12

6

-

3

-

2

Truck CAT 745

3

5

7

11

11

10

7

1

-

-

-

-

Drill DX800

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

6

6

6

3

3

Loader CAT980

-

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Bull CAT D8

3

3

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

3

2

1

Bull CAT D6

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Grader CAT 16M

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Water Truck CAT 775

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Loader CAT 914

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Manitou 2350

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Pickup F250

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

School Bus

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Fuel/Lube CAT 775

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Service Truck F550

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Tower Lights

5

8

8

8

8

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

Flagro Trailer (Heater)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Lifting Platform JLG600SJ

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Manitou 2150

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Main Lift CAT 2C5000

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Lifting Platform JLG1930es

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

 

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Unit

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

Tools Trailer Truck

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Lunch Room Trailer

-

-

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Washroom Trailer

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Scaling Excavator CAT349 Long Boom

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Casting Excavator CAT349

-

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Cleaning Excavator CAT349

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Loader CAT 980

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Excavator CAT 336

-

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

 

13.7.8

Geotechnical/Hydrogeological Considerations

 

Of the planned pit projects, the Principal Pit requires the analysis of additional considerations. The Principal Pit is located in the vicinity of an esker surrounded by wetlands. Hecla retained the services of Golder (2010) to perform a geotechnical investigation to provide a slope stability analysis of the overburden in the Principal Pit sector.

 

The general soil stratigraphy encountered in the boreholes varies from east to west, grading from an esker, composed predominately of granular material, to a stratified cohesive deposit over glacial till. The esker has been identified over more than 75 km, with a north-south orientation. The geotechnical study (Golder, 2010) confirmed the occurrence of the esker within the vicinity of the preliminary Principal Pit, where the thickness may reach more than 50 m. Golder (2010) did not, however, allow for the identification of the esker limits, nor the variations of the lithologies and hydraulic properties within the esker.

 

The presence of the esker in the vicinity of the preliminary Principal Pit may result in large inflows and potential groundwater contamination of the esker during project operations. The primary source of potential contamination being the leaching of metals into groundwater, primarily arsenic, from the waste rock pile.

 

During 2021, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (SRK), carried out a program of numerical groundwater modelling of the Principal Pit for passive inflow predictions and made recommendations to manage expected inflow rates during mining. One of the key recommendations proposed was to commence pumping approximately 18 months prior to the start of mining to reduce the ongoing pumping rate during the mining operations. Stripping of the Principal Pit is schedule to commence in 2024. The final eight years of mine production will come from the Principal Pit followed by the WMCP Pit and it will be essential to maintain efficient dewatering during this period.

 

The fieldwork program to address these groundwater control options includes:

 

 

Seismic-refraction survey.

 

 

Monitoring well installation and pumping tests.

 

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Hydrogeology characterization.

 

 

Conceptual and numerical hydrological model.

 

 

Estimate passive inflow rates into the Principal Pit.

 

 

Dewatering requirements

 

Planning for mining of the remaining open pits is ongoing.

 

The list of studies carried out for the Casa Berardi underground mines to address geotechnical, geomechanical, hydrological, and hydrogeological conditions are indicated in Table 13‑8. Similar studies carried out for the surface open pit mines are summarized in Table 13‑9.

 

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Table 138:         Geotechnical, Geomechanical, Hydrological and Hydrogeological Studies (Underground Mines)

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Study

Year

By

Type

Objective

 

Results Summary

 

Report Reference Name

West Mine

1

1999

CANMET

Geomechanics

In situ stress measurements

 

Stress measurements were taken at two locations in the West Mine, providing the regional stress tensor.

 

 

Canmet (1999)

2

2017

Hydro-Resources

Hydrogeology

Crown Pillar

 

Determined hydrological properties in the WMCP situated above the underground principal zone, and identified prominent water bearing faults.

 

 

Hydro-Resources Inc. (2017)

3

2019

Hecla

Geomechanics

Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP)

 

 

Establishes common procedures developed for identifying, evaluating, communication and monitoring geotechnical risks (developed by Hecla).

 

 

Hecla Québec (2019)

4

2019

Hecla

Geomechanics

Backfill

 

Demonstrated the backfilling requirements for plug and mass strengths.

 

 

Alcott et al. (2019)

East Mine

1

2015

Hecla

Geomechanics

Reopening East Mine Operations

 

 

Demonstrated the impact of mining the lower East Mine on the surface.

 

 

Hecla Québec (2015)

2

2019

Hecla

Geomechanics

GCMP

 

Establishes common procedures developed for identifying, evaluating, communication and monitoring geotechnical risks (developed by Hecla).

 

 

Hecla Québec (2019)

 

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Table 139:         Geotechnical, Geomechanical, Hydrological and Hydrogeological Studies (Open Pit Mines)

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Study

Year

By

Type

Objective

 

Results Summary

 

Report Reference Name

EMCP Pit

1

2020

Itasca

Geomechanics

Slope Angle In Rock

 

Determined the optimal slope angles in rock, based on oriented core drilling/logging and additional rock laboratory tests.

 

 

Itasca (2020)

2

2017

Hydro-Resources

Hydrogeology

Water Table

 

Established the water state in/near the EMCP, demonstrating the draining capability of the East Mine (under draining the clay overburdens).

 

 

Hydro-Resources Inc. (2017)

3

2018

Hecla

Soil

Slope Angles in Overburden

 

Confirmed slope angles in overburden based on operational observations, recalibrated to numerical modeling response.

 

 

Hecla Québec (2018)

4

2019

Hecla

Geotechnical

GCMP

 

Establishes common procedures developed for identifying, evaluating, communication and monitoring geotechnical risks (developed by Hecla).

 

 

Hecla Québec (2019)

160 Pit

1

2013

Golder

Geomechanics

Slope Angle in Rock

 

Determined the preliminary slope angles in rock, based on oriented core drilling/logging and numerical modeling.

 

 

Golder (2013)

2

2019

Hecla

Geotechnical

GCMP

 

Establishes common procedures developed for identifying, evaluating, communication, and monitoring geotechnical risks (developed by Hecla).

 

 

Hecla Québec (2019)

3

2021

ConeTec

Soil

Determining Soil Strength Properties

 

Factual report establishing soil strength properties thru seismic piezocone penetration testing (SCPTU).

 

 

ConeTec (2021)

4

2020

Itasca

Soil

Slope Angles in Overburden

 

Numerical analysis of slope angle in clay, for saturated overburden conditions.

 

 

Itasca (2020)

 

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Study

Year

By

Type

Objective

 

Results Summary

 

Report Reference Name

5

2020

Hydro-Resources

Hydrogeology

Water Table

 

Preliminary assessment of the water table near the 160 Pit, with a crude assessment of well locations to depressurize the till overburden layer.

 

 

Hydro-Resources Inc. (2020)

6

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Gap Analysis for Hydrology and Hydrogeology

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

 

SRK (2021a)

7

2021

SRK

Soil

Gap Analysis for Geotechnical Soil and Stratigraphy

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

 

SRK (2021e)

8

2021

SRK

Rock

Gap Analysis for Geomechanical Rock Stability

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

 

SRK (2021g)

9

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology in Rock

 

Determined the permeability of the rockmass.

 

 

SRK (2021f)

Principal Pit

1

2011

Golder

Soil

Slope Angles in Overburden

 

Initial numerical analysis of slope angle in clay, for saturated overburden conditions.

 

 

 

Golder (2011)

2

2020

Geophysiqhe Sigma

Soil

Overburden Thickness and Stratigraphy

 

Established, thru geophysics, overburden thickness/stratigraphy in the Principal zone.

 

 

 

Geophysiqhe Sigma (2020)

3

2021

ConeTec

Soil

Determining Soil Strength Properties

 

Factual report establishing soil strength properties thru SCPTU.

 

 

 

ConeTec (2021)

4

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Evaluate the

Passive Ground Water Inflow into the Principal Pit

 

Established the esker's hydrological characteristic (drawdown and zone of influence) thru long term pump tests and evaluated the preliminary pumpability performance. Related the observation to numerical modeling to forecast passive inflows of groundwater into the Principal Pit, per extraction phase.

 

 

SRK (2021a)

 

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Study

Year

By

Type

Objective

Results Summary

Report Reference Name

5

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Gap Analysis for Hydrology and Hydrogeology

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

SRK (2021b)

6

2021

SRK

Soil

Gap Analysis for Geotechnical Soil and Stratigraphy

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

SRK (2021e)

7

2021

SRK

Rock

Gap Analysis for Geomechanical Rock Stability

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

SRK (2021g)

 

8

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology in Rock

Determined the permeability of the rockmass.

 

SRK (2021d)

WMCP Pit

 

1

2020

ConeTec

Soil

Determining Soil Strength Properties

Factual report establishing soil strength properties thru SCPTU.

 

 

 

ConeTec (2021)

2

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Gap Analysis for Hydrology and Hydrogeology

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

 

SRK (2021a)

3

2021

SRK

Soil

Gap Analysis for Geotechnical Soil and Stratigraphy

 

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

SRK (2021h)

 

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Study

Year

By

Type

Objective

Results Summary

Report Reference Name

4

2021

SRK

Rock

Gap Analysis for Geomechanical Rock Stability

Performed a gap analysis, reviewing all relevant past studies, to establish future requirements to meet permitting and/or feasibility level designs.

 

SRK (2021g)

 

5

2021

SRK

Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology in Rock

Determined the permeability of the rockmass.

 

SRK (2021d)

 

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13.7.9

Material Management

 

Over the LOM, open pit operations will generate over 262 Mt of material. This material will be comprised of overburden, ore, low grade material, clean waste and back fill, will be extracted from up to three different open pits at any one time at different stages of development. Some pits will be in the stripping phase, while others will be extracting ore and rock waste. Mature pit projects will see clean waste rock production diminish as the strip ratios decrease towards the bottom of the pits.

 

Owing to the complexity associated with handling different types of material with different properties, a robust production plan needs to be supported with a robust waste management program. Casa Berardi’s LTP has been built to manage the infrastructure material quantities. Shortage in any type of material could have negative effects on the mine plan if critical infrastructure cannot be put into place in a timely manner. Correcting these shortages, will also result in increased costs which would be difficult to control. Accordingly, the construction of WRF infrastructure has been scheduled to start when building materials are available, as opposed when a need for storage arises. At this time, different scenarios are being studied regarding the waste rock disposal. Multiple sequences and westward WRFs (WRF #F ) are being investigated. Some scenarios explore the possibility of backfilling either the Principal or WMCP pits to reduce environmental impacts and costs related to waste management.

 

13.7.10

Waste Rock Characterization

 

Maxxam Analytical Laboratory performed the following tests on waste rock samples:

 

 

Acid generation potential.

 

 

Metal content (partial digestion).

 

 

Leaching according to EPA-1311 test method (acetic acid).

 

 

Leaching according to EPA-1312 test method (nitric and sulphuric acid – acid rain).

 

 

Leaching according to CTEU-9 test method (water).

 

Based on these analyses, the waste rock has been identified as non-acid generating but has been classified as leachable according to the Québec Directive 019 criteria. The SLR QP notes, however, that the contents measured are below the criteria for the classification as a high-level risk mining waste.

 

The waste rock has been classified in two distinct categories, clean and low grade mineralized. Clean waste rock can be used for construction, however, low grade mineralized material cannot. Low grade mineralized material is defined as the 10 m envelope of material surrounding mineralization. This material must be buried with either clay or clean waste rock, at the Mixed WRF, to prevent it from being in contact with the air.

 

13.7.11

Waste Rock Facility Locations and Construction

 

The following criteria have been used for the selection of potential waste rock and overburden storage sites:

 

 

Avoid material storage over the esker area.

 

 

Avoid material storage over wetlands (loading capacity).

 

 

Avoid material storage in streams and surface water bodies.

 

 

Limit transport distance within the mining pit.

 

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The Mixed WRFs #1, #2, and #3 have been designed as an engineered waste disposal complex capable of containing low cohesive materiel such as clay materials. The Mixed WRF uses a crown shape infrastructure, that acts as recipient for the clays. Low grade mineralized waste rock and till are used to build containment cells within the crown. Each cell is accessed by a series of temporary roadways and dumping fronts, constructed using waste rock. These temporary infrastructures are ultimately buried in clay or covered by clean waste rock, as the WRF is finally caped, in the last step before full reclamation. The construction of the Mixed WRF is strictly controlled to allow for uniform deposition of waste materials in one metre lifts over its entire footprint.

 

In addition to the existing Mixed WRFs #1,#2, and #3, located to the southeast of the EMCP Pit, preliminary Mixed WRF facilities are planned, in the vicinity of the preliminary WMCP and Principal pits. Final locations, capacity, and configurations have not been finalized and will depend on future long term mine plans.

 

Figure 13‑7 presents a general plan of the Casa Berardi site and indicates the location of the actual WRF complex (i.e., Mixed WRFs #1, #2, and #3) and the preliminary WRF sites (i.e., Mixed WRF #F). Whenever possible, waste will be used to backfill the open pits that have been exhausted. The plan is to fill the EMCP Pit starting in 2022 and the Principal Pit by 2032. Approximately 53 Mt of material extracted from the WMCP Pit will be used to backfill the Principal Pit. Backfilling of the open pits will depend on the timing of their completion and on the haulage distances between the WRF site and the active pit. Table 13‑10 describes the dumping sequence as a function of material type for each open pit projects.

 

ex_338337img045.gif

 

Figure 137: Open Pit and Waste Rock Locations

 

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Table 1310:         Dumping Sequencing

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Area

Material

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

EMCP-EXP

Overburden

                           
 

Rock Waste

 

MH3/EMCP fill

EMCP fill

                     

F134

Overburden

                           
 

Rock Waste

                           

F160

Overburden

MH3/EMCP fill

MH3/EMCP fill

EMCP fill

                     
 

Rock Waste

MH3/EMCP fill

MH3/EMCP fill

EMCP fill

MHF/EMCP fill

MHF/EMCP fill

MHF

MHF

             

WMCP

Overburden

           

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

       
 

Rock Waste

           

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

PRIN fill

PRIN fill

PRIN fill

PRIN fill

PRINCIPAL

Overburden

     

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

             
 

Rock Waste

       

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

MHF

       

 

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The design criteria for the WRFs are to:

 

 

Maximize capacity based on the bearing capacity of the ground, to reduce the environmental impact of the WRF footprints to the site.

 

 

Whenever possible, backfill completed open pits. It must be noted that hauling distances have a major impact on the economic viability of the open pit projects. Some open pits will be left unfilled, owing to uneconomical hauling distances.

 

 

Optimize pit scheduling to allow waste materials generated by mining to be used for the dump site infrastructure (e.g., access roads).

 

 

When backfilling open pits that intersect underground excavations, where possible use only free-draining materials. If overburden is used for backfill, ensure a free-draining area (drain) from the top to the bottom of the pit.

 

13.7.12

Overview of Pit Projects

 

13.7.12.1

XMCP Pit

 

The XMCP Pit project design is based on:

 

 

Slopes in clay: 3H:1V (18.4°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

 

Slopes in rock: IRA of 52.5°.

 

 

No underground excavations will be intercepted.

 

 

Geotechnical considerations: Casa Berardi Fault will intersect the final North Wall.

 

 

Mining to be carried out in two phases.

 

 

The EMCP ramp will be used to reduce travelling length and enable greater depth in the XMCP Pit.

 

An isometric view of the ultimate EMCP (right) and XMCP (left) pits is presented in Figure 13‑8.

 

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ex_338337img046.gif

 

Figure 138: Isometric View of the EMCP Pit and XMCP Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

 

The remainder of the XMCP Pit will be mined from 2023 to 2024, this represents approximately 188,611 t.

 

13.7.12.2

160 Pit

 

The 160 Pit project design is based on:

 

 

Slopes in clay: 3H:1V (18.4°) to 3.5H:1V (15.9°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

 

Slopes in rock: Inter Ramp Angle (IRA) of 52.5°.

 

 

No underground excavations will be intercepted.

 

 

Mining to be carried out in a four phases (Mining 3rd phase as of Q1 2022).

 

An isometric view of the ultimate 160 Pit is presented in Figure 13‑9.

 

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ex_338337img047.gif

 

Figure 139: Plan View of the 160 Pit Project

 

The 160 Pit is planned for mining over the period from 2022 to 2028 and includes a total estimated 5.03 Mt of ore during which the underground mine will be producing at an average rate of 719,000 tpa ore.

 

13.7.12.3

134 Pit

 

The 134 Pit project design is based on:

 

 

Slopes in clay: 3H:1V (18.4°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

 

Slopes in rock: IRA of 52.5°.

 

 

No underground excavations will be intercepted.

 

 

Mining to be carried out in a single phase.

 

An isometric view of the ultimate 134 Pit is presented in Figure 13‑10.

 

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ex_338337img048.gif

 

Figure 1310: Isometric View of the 134 Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

 

The 134 Pit is planned to be mined from 2034 to 2035, and contained approximately 115,000 t of ore.

 

13.7.12.4

WMCP Pit

 

The WMCP Pit project design is based on:

 

 

Slopes in clay: 3H:1V (18.4°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

 

Slopes in rock: IRA of 52.5°.

 

 

Underground excavations, including the main ramp, will be intercepted in the east and north walls.

 

 

Geotechnical considerations: Casa Berardi and Auxiliary Faults will intersect the final west and north-east wall.

 

 

Stripping of this pit is to occur following the completion of underground mining (2028).

 

The isometric view of the optimized WMCP Pit is presented in Figure 13‑11.

 

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ex_338337img049.gif

 

Figure 1311: Isometric View of the WMCP Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

 

The WMCP Pit is planned to be mined in the final LOM years. Overburden stripping will commence in 2028 whereas ore mining will occur from 2032 until 2035 for a total of 5.33 Mt ore. The design has not yet been updated with the new pit shell.

 

13.7.12.5

Principal Pit

 

The Principal Pit project design is based on:

 

 

Slopes in clay and sand: 3H:1V (18.4°).

 

 

Slopes in till: 2H:1V (26.6°).

 

 

Slopes in rock: IRA of 52.5°.

 

 

Underground excavations will be intercepted in the pit bottom.

 

 

Geotechnical considerations: excavation in proximity to an esker; inflow and contamination controls.

 

The isometric view of the optimized Principal Pit is presented in Figure 13‑12.

 

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ex_338337img050.gif

 

Figure 1312: Isometric View of the Principal Pit Project (Ultimate Pit Shell)

 

The Principal Pit is planned to be mined over the period from 2028 to 2031 for a total of 5.78 Mt. During this period the Principal Pit will be the only producing area of the mine operation. The design has not yet been updated with the new pit shell.

 

13.8

Long Term Plan

 

Hecla’s planning practice includes the development of an LTP. The LTP is based upon the Mineral Reserves plus a portion of the Mineral Resources. It is an internal Hecla document and is used a guide for management’s long term production planning and expectations. The LTP includes operating cost requirements for the additional tonnes mined (i.e., Mineral Resources), as well as capital provisions for development, mine infrastructure and equipment for exploitation of the Mineral Reserve, and for conversion of the Mineral Resources that were included within the LTP. If mine production does not extend beyond the known Mineral Reserves, these costs would be less than the amount included in the LTP. The LTP is updated every year with the new information available.

 

13.9

Life of Mine Plan

 

The LOM plan for Casa Berardi is the LTP with the Inferred Mineral Resources removed to ensure that only Mineral Reserves have been included for the economic analysis. The LOM plan includes 2.4 Mt grading 5.27 g/t Au from underground and 16.5 Mt grading 2.61 g/t Au from open pits, that will result in total recovered gold of 1.49 Moz Au over the LOM.

 

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Underground production is forecasted to average approximately 1,100 tpd for the six year period from 2022 to 2027 while the open pits will average approximately 3,250 tpd over a fourteen year period from 2022 to 2035 under the present operating plan (Table 13‑11). A production increase for the open pit is planned in 2028 which will level out at 1.6 Mtpa in 2029 until the end of the mine life. Production will be provided from the open pits only starting in 2028 until 2035.

 

The processing plant will average a throughput of 3,700 tpd over the LOM period based on 360 days per year.

 

Silver production is estimated as 24% of the gold production based upon operating records and the silver revenue is included in the LOM plan financial analysis.

 

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Table 1311:         LOM Production Forecast

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Description

Units

Total

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

Days

Day

4,860

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

UG Production

000 t

2,375

469

469

423

419

355

240

-

-

--

-

-

-

-

-

OP Production

000 t

16,451

607

579

706

860

945

1,081

1,518

1,562

1,562

1,563

1,627

1,627

1,627

585

OP Waste & OB

000 t

245,641

6,197

9,443

14,488

17,639

19,055

18,918

20,981

24,687

24,687

24,687

24,623

24,623

13,383

2,223

Processing

000 t

18,826

1,076

1,048

1,129

1,280

1,300

1,321

1,518

1,562

1,562

1,563

1,627

1,627

1,627

585

Grade UG

g/t Au

5.27

5.60

5.59

5.03

5.01

5.15

5.07

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grade OP

g/t Au

2.61

1.64

1.54

2.20

1.75

1.91

1.79

2.78

3.23

2.80

2.24

3.40

3.02

3.10

2.80

Grade UG + OP

g/t Au

2.95

3.36

3.35

3.26

2.82

2.80

2.39

2.78

3.23

2.80

2.24

3.40

3.02

3.10

2.80

Gold Contained

000 oz Au

1,784

116

113

118

116

117

102

136

162

140

113

178

158

162

53

Mill Recovery

%

84%

87%

87%

87%

87%

87%

88%

84%

83%

82%

79%

81%

80%

80%

80%

Gold Production

000 oz Au

1,490

101

98

103

101

102

89

114

135

115

88

145

126

130

42

 

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The LOM underground development schedule is shown in Table 13‑12.

 

Table 1312:         LOM Development Schedule

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine#

 

Description

Units

Total

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Days

 

2,190

365

365

365

365

365

365

Operating Development Ore

Principal Zone

m

6,247

1,072

795

1,271

1,487

1,198

424

Satellite Zones

m

327

-

-

110

129

44

44

Sub-Total

m

6,574

1,072

795

1,381

1,617

1,241

467

Operating Development Waste

Principal Zone

m

8,533

2,132

1,525

1,476

1,667

1,431

301

Satellite Zones

m

-

-

158

148

61

61

-

Sub-Total

m

8,961

2,132

1,683

1,624

1,728

1,492

301

Capital Development(No Ramp)

Principal Zone

m

9,597

1,948

1,724

1,822

1,960

1,725

418

Satellite Zones

m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sub-Total

m

9,597

1,948

1,724

1,822

1,960

1,725

418

Ramp Development

Principal Zone

m

6,165

1,201

1,852

1,458

1,179

474

-

Satellite Zones

m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sub-Total

m

6,165

1,201

1,852

1,458

1,179

474

-

Capex Horiz. Dev. Total

m

23,382

4,671

5,305

4,866

4,657

3,262

621

Exploration Dev.

m

2,123

690

607

586

101

140

-

Total Horiz. Dev.

m

31,297

6,354

5,897

6,294

6,572

4,932

1,248

Total Horiz. Dev.+ Expl.

m

33,420

7,043

6,504

6,880

6,672

5,072

1,248

Horiz. Dev. Total

mpd

14

17

16

17

18

14

3

Horiz. + Expl. Dev.

mpd

15

19

18

19

18

14

3

 

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14.0

PROCESSING AND RECOVERY METHODS

 

14.1

Introduction

 

Gold extraction from the mill feed will be performed in the current operating mill. Historical operation and performance data for the mill is summarized in Section 10 of this TRS. This information in combination with metallurgical test results is used to predict mill recovery performances. These performances are based on the current plant as of December 31, 2021. A description of the overall process plant is presented in the following subsections.

 

14.2

Process Description

 

The Casa Berardi processing facility consists of a 3,836 tpd mill, with the ability to process 4,100 tpd, and a CIL process to recover gold from the ore. This process has been chosen because some mill feed contains graphitic carbon that has a preg-robbing effect. To lower the effect of preg-robbing, gold leaching is completed in the presence of activated carbon, as is the case for a CIL circuit. Figure 14‑1 below presents the flowsheet of the mill and gold operation.

 

ex_338337img051.gif

 

Figure 141: Mill Flowsheet

 

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14.2.1

Crushing

 

Ore is hauled by truck from the West Mine headframe complex to the crusher dump pocket, which is equipped with a static grizzly and a pneumatic hammer to break any oversize material. Ore passing the grizzly is screened again on the scalping screen. Oversize ore is fed to a jaw crusher and its discharge rejoins the scalping screen undersize. Ore coming from the open pit is pre-crushed by a mobile crusher. Casa Berardi plans to build it’s own pre-crusher in 2022. The crushed ore is stored in the ore storage bin.

 

14.2.2

Grinding

 

Ore is conveyed from the storage bin to the SAG mill. The SAG mill feed conveyor is equipped with a scale to monitor and control the ore supply to the SAG mill. Dry quick lime is added from a bin onto the SAG mill feed conveyor for downstream pulp pH control, and mill water is added to the mill feed to pulp the ore. The SAG mill operates in closed circuit with the SAG screen, discharging into the SAG screen pump box and pumping onto the SAG screen. SAG screen oversize material is returned to the SAG mill for further reduction and screen undersize flows to the primary cyclone pump box. The mill feed is sampled on the SAG screen undersize stream.

 

The ball mill operates in closed circuit with the primary and secondary cyclones. The ball mill discharges in the primary cyclones pump box, and the primary cyclone pump box pulp is pumped to the primary cyclone for a first size separation. The totality of the primary cyclone underflow feeds the gravity circuit. The primary cyclone overflow discharges into the secondary cyclone pump box with the gravity concentrator tailings. The secondary cyclones pump box pulp is pumped to the secondary cyclones for the final size separation. The secondary cyclones overflow reports to the trash screen to remove debris and the underflow is directed back to the ball mill. Trash screen oversize is sent to the tailings pump and the undersize feeds the production thickener.

 

14.2.3

Gravity Circuit

 

The gravity circuit feed, which is fed from the primary cyclone underflow, is split to feed two parallel gravity circuits. Each circuit consists of a vibrating screen and a gravity concentrator. The screen oversize from each circuit reports back to the ball mill and the screen undersize feeds a gravity concentrator. The concentrator’s tailings are pumped to the secondary cyclones pump box. The gravity concentrate flows to an intensive leach reactor (ILR) for leaching. To promote gold leaching and control the pH, oxygen peroxide, cyanide, and caustic soda are added to the ILR unit from their respective tanks using dosing pumps. The high grade pregnant gold solution from the ILR unit is pumped to the electrowinning buffer tank and the tailings report to the secondary cyclones pump box.

 

14.2.4

CIL Circuit

 

The production thickener is fed the milled ore pulp from the trash screen. Mill water from the thickener overflows in the mill water tank, and process water from the tailings pond is added to the mill water tank depending on the demand. The thickener underflow is pumped to the first CIL tank. CIL feed is sampled on the production thickener underflow stream. A CIL circuit is used to recover gold instead of a carbon-in-pulp circuit to hinder preg‑robbing due to graphite in the ore and to maximize gold recovery by placing the gold in solution in contact with activated carbon immediately. The circuit comprises seven CIL tanks in series. The pulp overflows from the #1 CIL tank to the #7 CIL tank.

 

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To promote gold leaching, a cyanide solution is added to the #1 CIL tank and compressed air is added to each CIL tank. Gold is leached from the ore and adsorbed onto activated carbon. Carbon is added in the #7 CIL tank and is pumped periodically in counter-current fashion from the #7 CIL tank to the #1 CIL tank. Screens at the discharge of each CIL tank prevent carbon from overflowing from tank to tank with the pulp. The #7 CIL tank overflows onto a safety screen to recover any fugitive carbon. The safety screen undersize is sampled and reports to the mixing tank. Fine quicklime and copper sulphate are added to the mixing tank to prepare for cyanide destruction. Residual pulp from the CIL mixing tank is pumped to the cyanide destruction tank to which sulphur dioxide and compressed air is added to destroy residual cyanide with agitation. After cyanide destruction, the treated pulp is pumped to the paste backfill plant or the tailings pond. Ferric sulphate is also added to this material in order to reduce arsenic content in the solution.

 

14.2.5

Carbon Circuit

 

The carbon, elution, and electrowinning circuits operate in batches unlike the CIL continuous process. Loaded carbon is pumped periodically from the #1 CIL tank onto a washing screen. Loaded carbon from the washing screen falls into the loaded carbon tank while the pulp and residual cyanide solution return to the #1 CIL tank or #2 CIL tank. When carbon collection is completed, loaded carbon is transferred to the acid washing tank. Hydrochloric acid is added in the acid washing tank and carbon is soaked for two hours to remove inorganic contaminants. When the acid wash is completed, the loaded carbon is rinsed with process water to return to a neutral pH before being transferred to the elution vessel. After elution, eluted carbon is screened and sent either to the calibrated carbon tank or the regenerating kiln. Calibration screen undersize is sent to the carbon fines thickener where flocculant is added. Carbon fines are recovered at the underflow, filtered using a filter press, and bagged. At the regenerating kiln, the carbon is heated to burn organic contaminants. The kiln discharges in a quench tank and carbon is pumped back onto the calibration screen. Calibrated carbon is pumped back into the #7 CIL tank from the calibrated carbon tank. Fresh activated carbon is also added to the CIL circuit using the calibration screen after being processed via an attrition tank. Carbon moves in the circuit using a water eductor system.

 

14.2.6

Elution and Electrowinning Circuits

 

The elution circuit uses the Zadra process, where by caustic soda and cyanide are added to process water in the barren solution tank to prepare for elution. The barren solution is pumped through a heat exchanger and a water heater before arriving at the bottom of the elution vessel. Under the correct pressure and temperature conditions in the elution vessel, gold desorbs from the loaded carbon and dissolves in the elution solution. The pregnant solution flows from the top of the elution vessel through the heat exchanger and cooling battery toward the electrowinning cells. The heat exchanger recovers heat from the pregnant solution to warm up the barren solution. The cooling battery completes the pregnant solution cooling to a safe temperature and pressure for electrowinning using process water at an ambient temperature.

 

Two electrowinning cells recover dissolved gold from the pregnant solution by deposition on its cathodes plates to form a gold sludge. Barren elution solution is pumped from the electrowinning cells to the barren solution tank. During an elution cycle, elution solution flows continuously through the circuit. A third electrowinning cell, in loop with the ILR buffer tank, is dedicated to the ILR gold solution. When an elution cycle is over, gold sludge is recovered from the electrowinning cells, filtered, and dried before being smelted in the induction furnace and poured into gold doré at the gold room.

 

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14.2.7

Major Equipment List

 

Table 14‑1 presents a list of major equipment and the characteristics of each equipment.

 

Table 141:         Major Equipment List

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Equipment

Characteristics

Crushing

Grizzly Screen

Static, 5 m x 4.2 m with 500 mm x 500 mm opening

Rock Breaker

Hydraulic hammer

Scalping Screen

Vibrating, 1.5 m x 2 m with 89 mm opening and 11.2 kW motor

Jaw Crusher

762 mm x 1400 mm opening with 150 hp motor

Ore Storage Bin

14 m diameter, 19 m high with 3,000 t capacity

Grinding

SAG Mill

5.5 m diameter x 2.7 m EGL with 1,130 kW motor

SAG Screen

Vibrating, 1.8 m x 2.9 m with 5 mm x 16 mm opening and 2 x 3.7 kW motors

Ball Mill

4.0 m diameter x 5.3 m length with 1,325 kW motor

Primary cyclone

660 mm diameter Tega/Krebs, one operating, one standby unit

Secondary cyclones

250 mm diameter Tega, five operating, three standby units

Trash Screen

Vibrating, 1.2 m x 2.4 m with 20 mesh opening and 3.7 kW motor

Gravity Circuit

Gravity screens

Vibrating, 1.2 m x 3.66 m with 1.5 mm x 8.8 mm opening and 2 x 3 kW motors

Gravity Concentrators

Two 762 mm diameter Knelson concentrators

Intensive Leach Reactor

2.27 m larger X 4.4 m length Gekko Leach unit with tanks

Gravity Electrowinning cell

3.26 m³ cells with eight cathodes

CIL

Production Thickener

34 m diameter with high rate type feedwell

CIL Tanks

Seven 700 m³ capacity tanks

CIL Agitators

One 3.45 m diameter double impeller with 37 kW motor for each tank

CIL Screens

Two Westech 4 m² and three Westech 3.8 m² screens

 

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Equipment

Characteristics

Safety Screen

Vibrating, 1.2 m X 2.4 m with 20 mesh opening and 3.7 kW motor

Tailings Mixing Tank

One 27m³ capacity tank with 30 kW agitator

Cyanide Destruction Tank

One 322 m³ capacity tank with 149 kW agitator

Carbon Circuit

Loaded Carbon Washing Screen

Vibrating, 1.2 m X 2.4 m with 20 mesh opening and 3.7 kW motor

Loaded Carbon Tank

One 5.5 t of carbon capacity

Acid Washing Tank

One 5.5 t of carbon capacity

Carbon Calibration Screen

Vibrating, 1.2 m X 2.4 m with 16 mesh opening and 3.7 kW motor

Carbon Calibrated Carbon Tank

One 15.8 m3 capacity tank

Regenerating Kiln

0 76 m diameter, 7 3 m length with 350 kW of heating capacity

Carbon Fines Thickener

One 5 m diameter with high rate type feedwell

Carbon Fines Filter Press

One 23.5 m of filtration with 20 chambers

Elution

Elution Vessel

One 1.68 m diameter tank 5.5 t carbon capacity

Water Heater

870 kW capacity water heater

Barren Solution Tank

One 153 m³ capacity tank

Electrowinning Cells

Two 4.53 m3 cells with 12 cathodes each

Refinery

Filter Press

One 24.8 m2 of filtration with 21 chambers

Induction Furnace

One 750 lbs capacity with 125 kW

 

14.3

Energy, Water, and Process Materials Requirements

 

Power requirements for the processing facilities are not anticipated to change significantly in the foreseeable future from the current power requirements (approximately 7 MW).

 

Make-up water is supplied from the process water pond. Water consumption is not expected to change significantly from the recent historical annual water usage (2.3 million m3) and no supply concerns have been noted.

 

Key reagents used in the process include quick lime, cyanide, caustic soda, ferric sulphate, fine quick lime, copper sulphate, hydrochloric acid, and sulphur dioxide. Reagent consumption is presented in Table 14‑2.

 

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Table 142:         Reagent Consumption 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Reagent

kg/t

Hydrochloric acid

0.068

Caustic soda

0.248

Copper sulfate

0.223

Iron sulfate

1.651

Sulfide dioxide

0.947

Lead nitrate

0.200

Carbon

0.031

Sodium cyanide

0.582

Fine Limestone

0.593

Coarse Limestone

0.956

Hydrogen peroxide

0.042

Flocculent

0.004

 

14.4

Personnel

 

The total processing plant personnel number is 96 (29 salaried employees and 67 hourly employees).

 

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15.0

INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Casa Berardi is in operation and has developed infrastructure to support the operations. There are well maintained gravel and paved roads that access the site and there is a network of roads on the site to service the mine areas and various facilities. The Mine has developed water sources for the operation and power is supplied from the grid. The current surface and underground infrastructure at Casa Berardi, including both the West and East mines, is presented and discussed in Section 5.

 

15.1

Roads and Logistics

 

The 38 km all season gravel road to Casa Berardi branches off from the paved road linking La Sarre and the Selbaie Mine approximately 21 km north of the village of Villebois, passing through the village.

 

On the Property, a gravel road links the East and West mines, and several exploration roads provide access to the rest of the Property to the east and west. A production road and a staff road are in use as discussed in Section 5. The staff road is proposed to be relocated to the south side of the future WMCP Pit in 2023 (as presented in Figure 15‑1).

 

15.2

Mine Layout

 

The current and preliminary major infrastructure areas are presented in Figure 15‑1.

 

ex_338337img052.gif

 

Figure 151: Surface Infrastructure (Current and Preliminary)

 

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15.2.1

Tailings Management and Facilities

 

The site includes an existing TSF with four tailings cells, a polishing pond, a sedimentation pond for settling iron arsenate precipitates, and a process water pond (Figure 15‑2).

ex_338337img053.gif

 

Figure 152: Surface Plan Tailings and Waste Rock Facilities

 

Approximately 5% of the mine tailings are used in the mine backfill cycle. Tailings that are not used for mine backfill are placed on the surface at the TSF. Permits are in place for mine water management and operation of the TSF. The monitoring system associated with the TSF includes surface and groundwater monitoring, water level monitoring, geochemical and geotechnical monitoring, and inspections. An operation, maintenance, and surveillance (OMS) manual has been developed for the TSF.

 

Tailings deposition is currently ongoing in Cell #7. Cells #1, #2, and #3 are no longer used for deposition, being at their design capacity and currently in the process of progressive reclamation.

 

In 2010, Cell #4 was built through the construction of a dike. Dike enhancements were required as part of the previous LOM plans and the first enhancement of Cell #4 was made in 2012. Since that time, many enhancements and raises were completed for Cell #4, with the last lift completed in 2020. At the moment, a stability analysis is in progress to establish the final capacity of Cell #4. Since June 2021, the tailings produced have been stored in Cell #7.

 

To accommodate LOM tailings and water management, a new Cell #7 was constructed in 2019. To accommodate the current LOM, a raise of Cell #7 was completed in 2021. Another raise for the Cell #7 is planned in 2022.

 

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After the revision of the tailing’s deposition and fill plan for the cells in the existing TSF (including Cell #7) by Wood Canada Limited (Wood) in 2019 based on the LOM, it has been concluded that an additional cell may be required in 2028 for tailings management. Filling the 160 Pit at the end of the operation is currently being studied. Given the permitting history at Casa Berardi and the high standards of practice followed by Hecla, the company believes that obtaining necessary permits for expanding the required TSFs will not present any issues.

 

15.2.2

Waste Rock Management and Stockpiles

 

Waste rock is stored on surface, and its ongoing characterization since 2008 has indicated that it is not acid generating. The Mine has a certificate of authorization for the storage of waste rock on surface. Based upon the large demand for rock fill at the site, a large portion of underground waste rock is disposed of underground for use as backfill material for mining operations, with limited amounts brought to surface and used for construction of drilling accesses in swampy terrains or in construction projects such as dams and roads.

 

Although, waste rock produced from open pit operations is, and will continue to be, stored on surface, waste rock and overburden (till, clay, and organics) from EMCP Pit are stored on surface at two locations, in Mixed Stockpiles #1 and #2 stockpiles (Figure 15‑1 and Figure 15‑2). These will not likely have sufficient capacity to store the volume of waste rock produced by all of the open pits in the current LOM. Mixed Stockpile #3 has been built to accommodate additional waste material (Figure 15‑2). Potential waste rock and overburden stockpile locations are indicated in Figure 15‑1 and Figure 15‑2 for possible future mining of the WMCP and/or Principal pits. Additional locations may be required for the current LOM. One other possible mixed stockpile #F is presented in Figure 15‑1.

 

Given the mine permitting history at Casa Berardi and the high standards of practice followed by Hecla, the company believes that obtaining permits to expand waste rock as may be required for the LOM will not present any material issues. Hecla is considering the use of open pits for waste rock management to reduce surface storage requirements, should potential future open pits require additional waste rock storage.

 

15.2.3

Other Wastes

 

All other wastes (hazardous materials) produced at the site are disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements and legislation. No addition or modification will be necessary for future operations.

 

15.2.4

Water Supply

 

Water management (mine, surface, and tailings) and effluent treatment are presented in Section 17.

 

Fresh water supply is from groundwater production wells and groundwater collected in a series of underground seep collection areas.

 

15.2.5

Water Use

 

Groundwater is utilized for underground operations at the East and West mines, in the paste backfill plant, and the cement plant. It is also used as potable water at the plant site facilities.

 

The primary source of water for plant operations is the reclaim water from the process water pond (recycled water). Fresh water has limited use at the plant.

 

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15.2.6

Power and Electrical

 

Electrical power is supplied to the site by a 55 km, 120 kV power line from the town of Normétal. The electrical line will be relocated south of the future WMCP Pit in 2023.

 

15.2.7

Fuel

 

Three fuel tanks are located near the EMCP Pit as discussed in Section 5. They will be moved closer to the eventual WMCP and Principal pits in 2023 to optimize operational functionality and cost.

 

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16.0

MARKET STUDIES

 

Casa Berardi is in operation and has been operating steadily since 2006 producing gold and silver in doré bars.

 

16.1

Markets

 

16.1.1

Overview

 

Gold supply is approximately 165 million ounces, with mine production contributing 75% of gold supply and recycling accounting for the remaining 25%. In terms of gold demand, jewelry fabrication accounts for approximately 55% of total demand while Investment in physical bars, coins and Exchange Traded Funds is at 25% of overall demand. Gold’s use in technology applications was around 11 million ounces, or 8% of total demand in 2021, according to the World Gold Council. Accommodative fiscal and monetary policies globally due to COVID-19 lent support to investment demand for gold in 2020 as gold prices reached record levels in 2020.

 

Silver demand is primarily composed of Industrial demand, which accounts for 50% of total silver demand of 1 billion ounces. Investment demand (physical and exchange traded products) and jewelry and silverware account for 25% share each respectively. Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals and this property positions silver as a unique metal for multitude of uses in electronic circuitry in automotive and electronics. Silver’s use in photovoltaic cells has also seen a rapid expansion in the past five years and is expected to be one of the key growth areas in green energy.

 

16.1.2

Commodity Price Projections

 

Metal prices used in the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves is determined by Hecla’s corporate office in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA. Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves are estimated using a price of US$1,600/oz Au, while gold Mineral Resources are estimated using a price of US$1,700/oz Au. The difference in prices is the result of a longer historical period used as the basis for the Mineral Resource estimation.

 

Table 16-1 shows the realized metal prices Hecla has received for sales of its products.

 

Table 161:         Hecla Historical Average Realized Metal Prices

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Metal Prices

2019

2020

2021

3 Year Avg.

Silver ($/oz)

16.65

21.15

25.24

21.01

Gold ($/oz)

1.413

1,757

1,796

1,655

 

The economic analysis performed in the LOM plan assumes a constant gold price of US$1,650/oz Au and US$21.00/oz Ag based upon analysis of consensus metal price forecasts by financial institutions. Based on macroeconomic trends, the SLR QP is of the opinion that Hecla’s realized metal pricing will remain at least at the current three -year trailing average or above for the next five years.

 

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16.2

Contracts

 

16.2.1

Refining

 

Hecla currently has a refining agreement with Asahi Refining Canada (Asahi) whereby the refined gold and silver is refined and credited to Hecla’s account at Asahi. The doré bars produced at Casa Berardi are refined at Asahi’s facilities in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

 

Gold and silver bullion is sold through commercial banks or metal traders via a sale contract at spot prices. Settlement of funds from bullion sales occurs two business days after the contract date.

 

The terms and conditions of the refining and bullion sales contracts are typical and consistent with standard industry practice and would be similar to contracts for the supply of gold elsewhere in North America.

 

16.2.2

Other Contracts

 

Casa Berardi is in operation and has been operating steadily since 2006. There are numerous contracts in place for items including the operation of the 160 Pit, service contracts related to the operation, underground mine development contracts, and contracts for supplies. These are usual contracts for an operating mine.

 

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17.0

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING, AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS, OR AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

 

17.1

Environmental Considerations

 

Casa Berardi is an operating mine and was previously the subject of environmental baseline studies and reviews prior to the start of operations. Additional studies for the 160 Pit include a hydrogeology study in 2019, a bird and amphibian study in 2017, and a fish habitat water quality and sediment study in 2017. The primary mine waste products produced by the Casa Berardi Mine are tailings and waste rock. Tailings and waste rock disposal are discussed in Section 18 of this TRS.

 

Hecla is committed to operating in compliance with all regulations and standards of good practice for environmental, health, and safety. To uphold this commitment Hecla has developed and approved corporate policies for environmental and health and safety practices and has prepared a detailed management plan to facilitate the continuous improvement of its environment and health and safety performance. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is currently in place and audited annually.

 

Hecla participates in the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative of the Mining Association of Canada and Québec Mining Association. In 2016, the Québec Mining Association evaluated the sustainable mining development initiative at the Property. An action plan has been put in place for the six protocols of the initiative, including tailings management, Aboriginal and community outreach, biodiversity conservation management, energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management, health and safety, and crisis management planning. Since 2016, Hecla has continued to work on the implementation and improvement of management systems. SLR understands that an external audit is planned for the end of 2023, with the objective of improving performance while ensuring that primary mining risks are managed responsibly at the mine facilities.

 

The mine design meets current standards and the implementation of the proposed environmental and health and safety practices ensures that the Casa Berardi Mine is prepared to meet future challenges. The preliminary design is flexible and allows for modifications to improve performance when and where necessary.

 

In addition to the EMCP Pit, the current LOM plan includes additional preliminary pits.

 

17.2

Water Management and Effluent Treatment

 

17.2.1

Water Management

 

Casa Berardi has a positive water balance and discharges surplus water as effluent into Kaakakosig Creek. Site water is managed and handled in the TSF and then released to the environment via the PWP.

 

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Figure 17 presents a simplified illustration of the mine site water management system.

 

ex_338337img054.gif

 

Figure 171: Water Management

 

17.2.2

Mine Water Management

 

Mine water from the east and west underground mine dewatering systems is pumped to the surface and treated with ferric sulphate to precipitate arsenic prior to being discharged into the TSF cells.

 

The EMCP Pit currently drains to the east underground mine where it is pumped to the surface.

 

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The mixed stockpile contact water is collected and pumped to the TSF.

 

Where practical, the non-contact water is diverted from the site by ditches.

 

17.2.3

TSF Water Management

 

Tailings slurry may contain elevated levels of cyanide, cyanide metal complexes, cyanide degradation products (cyanate (CNO), thiocyanate (CNS), and ammonia (NH3)), and arsenic. The primary concern with discharge is elevated levels of these constituents, which could exceed effluent standards and/or cause effluent toxicity.

 

Casa Berardi uses the SO2/air process for cyanide destruction in the slurry discharge prior to release to the TSF. Ferric sulphate is added in the slurry at the exit of the SO2/air process, effectively eliminating soluble arsenic, cyanide, and cyanide metal complexes from the discharge. While the SO2/air process does, produce elevated levels of CNO, this compound is not likely to be present in toxic amounts, because as the compound naturally degrades in the tailings pond, ammonia is formed. Storage of the water in the tailing ponds, polishing pond, and PWP assists in nitrification of the water to reduce ammonia levels.

 

Hecla is permitted to discharge treated water year-round with no volume limitations. Actual treated water discharge is typically limited to the spring and late fall due to freezing conditions in winter and the demand for process water in summer. Approximately two to three million cubic metres of process pond water that is not recycled at the mill is discharged annually into Kaakakosig Creek.

 

The final Mine effluent meets Canada Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) and the limits outlined in Québec Directive 019 for mining industry discharge. A monitoring program is in place for surface and underground water. Regular monthly monitoring of acute toxicity during periods of discharge of final effluent is carried out as required by applicable regulations.

 

17.2.4

Environmental Effects of Treated Effluent

 

As required by MDMER, Environment Effect Monitoring (EEM) studies are conducted on a regular basis. Monitoring studies began in 2007 and are still in progress. Studies are conducted every three years until the end of mine life.

 

17.3

Regulatory Change and Environmental Permits

 

17.3.1

Regulatory Change

 

As of August 2018, the Québec territory north of the 49th Parallel is no longer subject to the regulation regarding compensation for adverse effects on wetlands and bodies of water under the Environmental Quality Act (R.S.Q., c. Q-2) (the EQA).

 

 

17.3.2

Environmental Permits

 

All necessary regulatory permits required for the operation of the Casa Berardi Mine since its construction, that have been transferred or issued to Hecla, are listed in Table 17‑1.

 

A depollution attestation was issued by the MELCC in November 2011, which is updated and renewed every five years.

 

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Table 171:         Existing Environmental Permits

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

20-HQUE-00110 - 2021-020

Fisheries Act authorization

Fisheries Act/Sections 34.4(2)b) and 35(2)b)

Divert a section of Kaackakosig creek (1400 m) to operate 160open pit

Hecla Québec

2021-07-26

160 Pit

7470-10-01-00006-00

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA / Section 22

Construction of access and pads for drilling in humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2010-01-14

West Mine

7470-10-01-00006-03

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA / Section 22

Construction of access and pads for drilling in humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-02-24

West Mine

7470-10-01-00006-04

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA / Section 22

Construction of access and pads for drilling in humid area

Hecla Québec

2013-06-28

West Mine

7610-10-01-70016-00

Clay borrow pit

EQA / Section 22

Clay borrow pit exploitation

Les Mines Casa Berardi

1995-09-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-09

Storage for dangerous waste

EQA / Section 22

Storage for dangerous waste transferred to TVX gold and Golden Knight Resources on June 19 1992

TVX Gold and Golden Knight Resources

1992-06-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-21

Diversion of Kaackakosig creek

EQA / Section 22

Diversion of Kaackakosig creek Casa Berardi East, transferred to Aurizon mines on September 14 1998, transferred to Hecla on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-21

Diversion of Kaackakosig creek

EQA / Section 22

Diversion of Kaackakosig creek Casa Berardi East

Inco Gold

1990-02-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-22

Storage for dangerous waste

EQA / Section 22

Storage for dangerous waste

Les Mines Casa Berardi

1991-01-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 30

Cell#7 increasing dyke (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2021-08-20

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 30

Adding a tank and a compressor at the cyanide destruction

Hecla Québec

2019-09-11

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 30

Increase tonnage at the mill (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2019-04-04

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Increase tonnage at the mill (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2017-08-25

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Increase tonnage at the mill (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2016-10-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Increase tonnage at the mill (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2016-08-03

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Tailing pond filing plan cell# 1, 2 and 3

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2007-12-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Increase process water pond dyke

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2006-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 122.2

Increase tonnage at the mill (Modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2001-09-10

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 24

Ore extraction and processing ore transferred to Aurizon mines ltd

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 22

Ore extraction and processing ore (Modification)

TVX Gold and Golden Knight Resources

1998-02-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-23

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA / Section 22

Ore extraction and processing ore

TVX Gold and Golden Knight Resources

1992-12-23

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-24

Clay borrow pit

EQA / Section 24

Clay borrow pit exploitation (transferred)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-24

Clay borrow pit

EQA / Section 22

Clay borrow pit exploitation

TVX Gold

1995-08-07

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-25

Quarry

EQA / Section 22

Quarry exploitation

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2013-05-10

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-25

Quarry

EQA / Section 24

Quarry exploitation (transferred)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-25

Quarry

EQA / Section 22

Quarry exploitation (transferred)

TVX Gold

1995-08-07

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-26

Clay borrow pit

EQA/Section 24

Clay borrow pit exploitation (transferred)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70016-26

Clay borrow pit

EQA/Section 22

Clay borrow pit exploitation

TVX Gold

1995-09-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-28

Operation of a concrete plant

EQA/Section 122.2

Operation of a concrete plant (transferred)

Hecla Québec

2014-02-05

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-30

Pipe installation in Koababikawi creek

EQA/Section 32

Installation of 2 pipes in Koababikawi creek for fire station and industrial water modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2004-11-10

Mine Est

7610-10-01-70016-31

Installation of a fire station

EQA/Section 32

Installation of a fire station in «Lac Sans Nom» (modified)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2005-09-22

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-31

Installation of a fire station

EQA/Section 32

Installation of a fire station in «Lac Sans Nom» modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2005-07-04

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-32

Installation of a humid dust collector and a dust collector

EQA/Section 48

Installation of a humid dust collector and a dust collector modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2008-04-07

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-33

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 22

Installation of a oil and water separator in mechanical shop at East mine (modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2009-12-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-33

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 22

Installation of a oil and water separator in mechanical shop at East mine modified on 05-02-2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2008-06-26

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-36

Treatment for domestic waste water

EQA/Section 32

Treatment for domestic waste water Bionest est modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2009-11-03

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-37

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA/Section 22

Tailing pond cell#4 construction (modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-11-21

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-37

Ore extraction and processing ore

EQA/Section 22

Tailing pond cell#4 construction modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2010-07-29

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-38

Underground water collection

Règlement sur le captage des eaux souterraines/Section 31.75

Underground water collection at East mine

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-04-02

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70016-39

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 122.2

Treatment of oily water transferred to Hecla

Hecla Québec

2014-02-05

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-39

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 22

Treatment of oily water modification

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2013-06-07

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-39

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 22

Treatment of oily water

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-08-26

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-39

Bekosplit

EQA/Section 22

Operation of a Bekosplit unit

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-06-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-40

Bekosplit

EQA/Section 32

Installation of a Bekosplit unit

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-06-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-41

Tailing pond

EQA/Section 122.2

Raise north dyke of cell#4 and water process pond pumping station redevelopment (modification)

Hecla Québec

2015-10-21

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-41

Tailing pond

EQA/Section 122.2

Raise internal dyke in southern part of cell#4 (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2015-08-12

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-41

Tailing pond

EQA/Section 22

Raise and extension of cell# 4 dyke modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-05-09

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-42

Dewatering and backfill a pond

EQA/Section 22

Dewatering and backfill a man-made pond

Hecla Québec

2014-01-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-43

Increase water collection

EQA/Section 31.75

Increase underground water collection a East mine

Hecla Québec

2014-11-28

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-44

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of access road in a humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2013-03-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-45

Construction access and pads for drilling in humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction access and pads for drilling in humid area

Hecla Québec

2013-12-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-46

Construction of 8 pads for drilling in humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of 8 pads for drilling in humid area

Hecla Québec

2014-12-15

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-47

Dewatering EMCP

Règlement sur le captage des eaux souterraines/Section 31.75 and 31.95

Dewatering EMCP and installation of the pumping station

Hecla Québec

2016-01-12

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70016-48

Raise of the water process pond dyke

EQA/Section 30

Raise of the water process pond dyke (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2020-09-04

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-48

Raise of the water process pond dyke

EQA/Section 22

Raise of the water process pond dyke

Hecla Québec

2016-06-23

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-49

Crushing and screening of waste rock

EQA/Section 22

Crushing and screening of waste rock

Hecla Québec

2016-02-25

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-50

Use of leachable waste rock for construction in stockpile #1 and in tailing pond

EQA/Section 22

Use of leachable waste rock for construction in stockpile #1 and in tailing pond

Hecla Québec

2017-01-13

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-51

Raise of internal dyke cell#4

EQA/Section 30

Raise internal dyke in cell#4 third step (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2020-03-27

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-51

Raise of internal dyke cell#4

EQA/Section 30

Construction of filter dams in cell#1 (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2020-03-11

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-51

Raise of internal dyke cell#4

EQA/Section 30

Raise internal dyke in cell#4 works 2018-2019 (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2018-12-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-51

Raise of internal dyke cell#4

EQA/Section 22

Raise internal dyke in cell#4

Hecla Québec

2017-04-05

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-53

Closure of cell#2

EQA/Section 22

Construction of a clay cover on cell#2

Hecla Québec

2017-12-19

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-54

Expansion of tailing pond cell#7

EQA/Section 22

Construction of cell#7

Hecla Québec

2019-02-27

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-55

Extension of EMCP

EQA/Section 22

XMCP open pit

Hecla Québec

2019-05-15

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-56

Ore crushing

EQA/Section 30

Ore crushing on Casa Berardi site (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2020-07-14

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-56

Ore crushing

EQA/Section 30

Ore crushing on Casa Berardi site (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2019-10-16

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-56

Ore crushing

EQA/Section 22

Ore crushing on Casa Berardi site

Hecla Québec

2019-06-25

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70016-57

Dewatering open pit 160

EQA/Section 30

Installation of 12 dewatering wells at the perimeter of 160 pit (Modified)

Hecla Québec

2021-02-24

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-61

Open pit 160

EQA/Section 22

Construction of 160 open pit in Humid area

Hecla Québec

2020-09-16

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-57

Dewatering of open pit 134

EQA/Section 22

Dewatering 134

Hecla Québec

2020-05-27

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70016-58

Construction and operation of open pit 134 in humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction and operation of open pit 134 and stockpile #3 in humid area

Hecla Québec

2020-05-27

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-00

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation

EQA/Section 22

Casa Berardi mine west mine exploitation transferred to Hecla Québec on February 5 2014

Hecla Québec

1992-07-02

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-07

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel (permit of operation)

 

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-11-11

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-07

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel (permit of operation)

 

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel (modified)

Hecla Québec

2015-01-12

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-07

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel (permit of operation)

 

Attestation d'assainissement en milieu industriel (modified)

Hecla Québec

2020-01-09

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-21

Treatment for domestic waste water at Golden Pond West

EQA/Section 32

Treatment for domestic waste water at Golden Pond West

TVX Gold and Golden Knight Resources

1987-07-26

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-22

Treatment for domestic waste water (projet C)

EQA/Section 32

Treatment for domestic waste water (projet C)

TVX Gold and Golden Knight Resources

1987-09-10

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-25

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation

EQA/Section 122.2

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation (Modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2001-02-21

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-25

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation

EQA/Section 122.2

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation (Modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2000-10-27

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70017-25

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation

EQA/Section 24

Casa Berardi west mine exploitation (transferred)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

1998-09-14

Mine Ouest

7610-10-01-70017-26

Installation of a power line of 25 kV

EQA/Section 22

Installation of a power line 25kV in a humid area modified on February 5 2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2006-01-26

Mine Ouest

7610-10-01-70017-27

Treatment for domestic waste water

EQA/Section 122.2 and 122.3

Treatment for domestic waste (Modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2008-05-29

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-27

Treatment for domestic waste water

EQA/Section 32

Treatment for domestic waste

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2006-08-15

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-28

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 122.2

Oil and water separator (transferred to Hecla Québec)

Hecla Québec

2014-02-05

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-28

Oil and water separator

EQA/Section 22

Oil and water separator west mine

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2007-10-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-29

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of access road in a humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2007-07-20

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-30

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of access road in a humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2008-04-09

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-31

Oil and water separator West mine

EQA/Section 22

Operation of an oil and water separator West mine Garage Gabriel Aubé

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2009-01-13

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-32

Oil and water separator West mine

EQA/Section 32

Installation of an oil and water separator West mine Garage Gabriel Aubé

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2009-01-13

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-33

Construction of access road in a humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of access road in a humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2009-07-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-34

Expansion of the ore stock pile at west mine

EQA/Section 122.2

Expansion of the ore stockpile at west mine (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2016-12-20

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-34

Ore stockpile at west mine

EQA/Section 22

Ore stockpile at west mine

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2010-06-30

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70017-35

Construction of access road and pad for drilling in a humid area

EQA/Section 22

Construction of access road and pad for drilling in a humid area

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2010-12-17

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-36

Operation of a Bekosplit unit

EQA/Section 122.2

Operation of a Bekosplit unit (Modification)

Hecla Québec

2013-11-21

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-38

Treatment for domestic waste water

EQA/Section 32

Treatment for domestic waste water (Bionest west mine)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2011-09-21

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-39

Underground water collection at west mine

Règlement sur le captage des eaux souterraines/Section 31

Underground water collection at west mine

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-04-02

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-40

Operation of a paste backfill plant

EQA/Section 122.2

Construction and operation of a paste backfill plant (Modification)

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2013-03-07

Mine Ouest

7610-10-01-70017-40

Operation of a paste backfill plant

EQA/Section 22

Construction and operation of a paste backfill plant transferred on 05-02-2014

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-10-29

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-41

Operation of cement plant

EQA/Section 122.2

Operation of a cement plant transferred to Hecla Québec

Hecla Québec

2014-02-05

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-41

Operation of cement plant

EQA/Section 22

Operation of a cement plant

Aurizon Mines Ltd

2012-09-26

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-43

Open pit 160 (construction and operation)

EQA/Section 30

Open pit 160 (construction and operation)

Hecla Québec

2020-09-15

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-43

Open pit 134

EQA/Section 30

Open pit 134 (construction and operation) and stockpile #3

Hecla Québec

2020-05-27

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-43

Open pit EMCP

EQA/Section 30

Ore stockpile #2

Hecla Québec

2019-09-13

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-43

Open pit EMCP

EQA/Section 22

Open pit EMCP (construction and operation)

Hecla Québec

2015-10-29

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-44

Underground water collection at west mine

EQA/Section 31.75

Increasing the capacity of the water collection

Hecla Québec

2014-12-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-70017-45

Drinking water distribution

EQA/Section 32

Drinking water distribution

Hecla Québec

2014-12-18

Casa Berardi Site

 

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Permit #

Permit Title

Pursuant

Description

Issued To

Issuance
(YYYY-MM-DD)

Zone

7610-10-01-70017-46

Underground water collection at west mine

EQA/Section 31.75

Installation of a new well and water collection at west mine

Hecla Québec

2014-12-18

Casa Berardi Site

7610-10-01-86019-00

Operation of cement plant

EQA/Section 22

Operation of a cement plant transferred to Aurizon Mines Ltd on September 14, 1998 (761010-01-70016-28)

TVX Gold

1995-11-06

Casa Berardi Site

7610-70049-00

Exploitation and operation of Casa Berardi west

EQA/Section 22

Exploitation and operation of Casa Berardi west

Inco Gold

1990-06-29

Casa Berardi Site

 

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17.4

Mine Reclamation and Closure

 

The last restauration and closure plan was submitted on October 2019 and accepted on September 2020. This restoration plan cover the global restoration of the mine site, including the restoration of the XMCP, 134 and 160 Pit. It also includes the restoration of the Mixed Stockpiles #3, so the last authorized infrastructure on the Casa Berardi property. The next review of the restoration and closure plan is planned to be submitted in November 2024. SLR understands Hecla will be submitting a review of the Casa Berardi restoration and closure plan before the end of 2024.

 

The Casa Berardi reclamation and closure plan includes:

 

 

Decommissioning of the surface infrastructure.

 

 

Dismantling of all surface structures, with sales/recycling of assets and disposal of wastes.

 

 

Grading and revegetation of all disturbed areas.

 

 

Capping/sealing of all mine access points in accordance with regulatory standards.

 

 

Grading of the tailing dikes followed by direct vegetation of the tailings dams.

 

 

Description of the financial guarantee, the amount of which corresponds to the anticipated costs of the restoration work.

 

 

The closure period, which will include five years of monitoring activities.

 

Since August 2013, mining regulations require that financial guarantees cover all the restoration costs including dismantling of the headframes and buildings and sealing of all openings. The amount of this guarantee, which is in the form of a surety bond, corresponds to the total estimated costs for the restoration of the entire actual mine site. The guarantee must be provided in three instalments within two years of the date of reclamation plan approval.

 

The estimated costs for reclamation and closure costs for Casa Berardi are C$29,107,940 (US$22,829,757). The current amount of the bond is $25,758,032 (US$20,202,378), requiring a final instalment of $3,349,908 (US$2,627,379) due September 21, 2022.

 

This cost estimate covers the existing operations and current infrastructures but does not include future open pits rehabilitation/closure costs.

 

17.5

Community and Social Aspects

 

The Abitibi region is a well established and mature mining region, with the mining industry being a key component of the regional economic development. The region has a wealth of trained miners, and redevelopment of the mine is viewed by most residents as a positive activity providing employment and tax revenue for the region. For instance, Hecla contributed over C$450,000 (US$350,000) in donations and sponsorships in 2021 to various organizations in the region (Table 17‑2).

 

Hecla has developed community engagement and integrated social responsibility policies and has a good relationship with stakeholders. Since January 2019, Hecla has established a liaison committee composed of stakeholders from a variety of areas, including municipal, Aboriginal, economic, environmental, and educational communities.

 

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Table 172:Total Contributions from 2018 to 2021

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Year

Total Contributed
(C$)

Total Contributed
(US$)

2021

463,892

363,837

2020

449,899

352,862

2019

518,131

406,377

2018

598,102

469,100

 

There are no significant First Nations issues related to the Casa Berardi operation or regional exploration activities. The Casa Berardi property is situated on the territory of the Abitibiwinni First Nation, more precisely the community of Pikogan. In November 2018, Hecla and the Council of the Abitibiwinni First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding Hecla’s exploration and mining activities in the Casa Berardi area. Pursuant to the MOU, the parties have started and concluded a negotiation process for a collaboration on December the 9th 2020. The agreement impact various topics, such as employment, training, and business opportunities for members of the Abitibiwinni First Nation.

 

17.6

Comments on Environmental Studies, Permitting, and Community Impact

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that the environmental, permitting, and social aspects of the Property are being appropriately managed and planned to support the current LOM plan to 2035.

 

In the opinion of the SLR QP:

 

 

Hecla has sufficiently addressed the environmental impact of the operation, and subsequent closure and remediation requirements such that Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves can be declared, and the mine plan be deemed appropriate and achievable. Closure provisions are appropriately considered and monitoring programs are in place.

 

 

Hecla has developed a communities’ relations plan to identify and ensure an understanding of the needs of the surrounding communities and to determine appropriate programs for addressing those needs. Hecla appropriately monitors socio-economic trends, community perceptions, and mining impacts.

 

 

Permits held by Hecla for the Property are sufficient to ensure that mining activities are conducted within the regulatory framework required by regulations.

 

 

There are currently no known environmental, permitting, or social/community risks that could impact the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves.

 

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18.0

CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

 

18.1

Capital Costs

 

Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are presented in United States dollars based on a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.275, and all other measurements are metric values.

 

Casa Berardi uses the LOM plan as the planning guide for the Casa Berardi operation. The LOM capital costs total US$347.2 million and include mine development (contractor and Owner), mine infrastructure, open pit costs, equipment costs, plant expansion, and tailings management (Table 18‑1). The SLR QP is of the opinion that the estimated capital costs for Casa Berardi are reasonable.

 

Table 181:         LOM Capital Costs

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Area

Total

2022-27

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035-37

Mine Capital US$(000)

Underground

Infrastructure and

Development

50,917

50,917

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Open Pit

41,894

15,872

2,918

7,743

8,496

5,859

0

0

1,005

-

Process Plant

37,563

28,495

6,563

1,191

390

402

413

37

37

37

Administration Casa

5,888

5,712

-

-

-

176

-

-

-

-

Hedging Gain

(182)

(182)

               

Site Services

(Mechanical & Electrical)

199,430

108,193

14,862

33,573

24,033

24,172

13,183

0

2,312

-20,897

Definition Drilling

11,730

11,730

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mine Capital Total

347,239

220,735

24,344

42,506

32,919

30,608

13,595

37

3,355

(20,860)

 

Capital development will include approximately 23.3 km of ramps and drifts up to 2027. The capital costs under Mechanical will include approximately 37% for mine equipment, 42% for stripping, and the remainder to construct roads and waste pads as well as dewatering and miscellaneous items. Definition diamond drilling will be continued throughout the underground mine life.

 

The capital costs are based on updates from equipment suppliers and verified with engineering companies providing services to Casa Berardi. The capital costs accuracy would be considered equivalent or better than AACE Class 1 with an expected accuracy range of -3% to -10% on the low side and +3% to +15% on the high side.

 

Mine development costs are based upon operating experience, current development contracts, and the LOM development schedule. Open pit costs include mobilization of the open pit contractor and capitalized stripping costs. In year 2035 there is a salvage value of approximately US$20.9 million for mine and other equipment that can be sold.

 

Working capital costs, composed of accounts receivable, accounts payable, and product and supplies inventories, are included in the Casa Berardi Mine cash flow and net to zero over the LOM.  Accounts receivable balances fluctuate based upon period-end sale amounts and the average duration of time between shipments and receipt of payment. Accounts payable vary over time based upon the average portion of a period’s expenditures that are typically unpaid at the end of the period.  Inventory values fluctuate based upon the estimated quantities of product produced and the average duration of time between production and sale of products. Depending on the assumptions in the LOM, the working capital variation at the end of the mine life can be positive or negative.  In the case of the Casa Berardi Mine, Hecla expects the end-of-life sums received from sales of inventories to be greater than the other working capital items, such that an estimated $9.6 million cash inflow is expected, which will result in working capital to draw down to zero.

 

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18.2

Operating Costs

 

The operating costs for the Casa Berardi Mine for 2020 and 2021 are presented in Table 18‑2. Production in 2020 was lower than budgeted while in 2021 it was higher than budget. The SLR QP notes that the 2020 operating costs were negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SLR QP is of the opinion that the actual operating costs support the LOM operating costs.

 

Table 182:         2020 and 2021 Operating Cost Data

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Item

Operating Cost
UUS$/t milled)_

 

2020

2021

Tonnes Processed

1,165,050

1,386,416

Gold Produced (oz.)

121,492

134,511

UG Mine (West)

26.73

25.99

UG Mine (East)

3.50

4.71

Site Services (Mech & Elect.)

21.14

21.98

G&A Casa Berardi and Val-dOr

   

Administration

10.59

11.26

Environment

2.23

1.68

Geology

1.67

1.4

Engineering

1.77

1.77

Underground Services

 

Health and Safety

3.38

1.75

Sub-Total

71.00

70.58

Open Pit - EMCP

16.83

7.69

Open Pit - 160

-

4.88

Mill

25.96

27.44

Backfill Paste Plant

0.91

0.95

Total Operating Costs

114.67

111.53

 

18.2.1

LOM Operating Costs

 

The LOM operating costs and unit operating costs are presented in Table 18‑3 and Table 18‑4, respectively. The mining cost decreases substantially after 2027 when only open pit mining will be conducted for the balance of the LOM period ending in 2035. The LOM operating costs compare well with the recent and current operating costs. While the summary column indicates the average for 2022 to 2027, the LOM cash flow presents the annual costs in detail.

 

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Table 183:         LOM Operating Costs

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Item

Units

Total

Total
(2022-2027)

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

Tonnes Milled

000 t

18,826

7,154

1,518

1,562

1,562

1,563

1,627

1,627

1,627

585

Hedging Gain

US$000

(4,871)

(4,871)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mining

US$000

381,955

275,355

12,309

7,772

9,861

12,745

20,520

20,537

14,626

8,232

Processing

US$000

377,483

145,723

30,146

31,022

31,022

31,037

32,306

32,306

32,306

11,613

Administration

US$000

 235,892

 89,642

 19,024

 19,576

 19,576

 19,586

 20,386

 20,386

 20,386

 7,328

Site Services

US$000

309,050

125,933

23,819

24,511

24,511

24,523

25,526

25,526

25,526

8,416

Total

US$000

1,299,509

631,782

85,298

82,881

84,970

87,890

98,739

98,756

92,845

36,349

 

Table 184:         LOM Unit Operating Costs

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Item

Units

Total

Annual Avg.
(2022-2027)

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

2034

2035

Hedging Gain

US$/t

(0.26)

(0.68)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mining

US$/t

20.29

38.49

8.11

4.97

6.31

8.15

12.61

12.62

8.99

14.07

Processing

US$/t

20.05

20.37

19.86

19.86

19.86

19.86

19.86

19.86

19.86

19.86

Administration

US$/t

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

12.53

Site Services

US$/t

16.41

17.61

15.69

15.69

15.69

15.69

15.69

15.69

15.69

15.69

Total

US$/t

69.03

88.31

56.18

53.05

54.39

56.23

60.69

60.70

57.07

62.15

 

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19.0

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

 

The economic analysis contained in this TRS is based on the Casa Berardi Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves material only, economic assumptions, and capital and operating costs provided by Hecla’s technical team in its LOM plan model and reviewed by SLR.  All costs in this section are expressed in US dollars and all measurements are in metric values.  Unless otherwise stated, all costs in this section of the TRS are expressed without allowance for escalation or currency fluctuation.  All costs received from Hecla’s site technical team in its Casa Berardi LOM 2022 Reserves only model were quoted in Canadian dollars and were converted to US dollars at an exchange rate of US$1 = C$1.275.

 

A summary of the key project criteria is provided in the subsequent subsections.

 

19.1

Economic Criteria

 

19.1.1

Physicals

 

Mine life: 14 year LOM (between years 2022 and 2035)  
     
Open Pit operations   
     
  o Open pit mine life:  14 years (between years 2022 and 2035)
       
  o Total ore tonnes mined:  16.45 Mt at 2.61 g/t Au 
       
  o Waste tonnes: 245.64 Mt
       
  o Maximum mining rate:  72,000 tpd (ore + waste) in year 2029
       
Underground operations  
       
  o Underground mine life:  6 years (between years 2022 and 2027)
       
  o Total ore tonnes mined:  2.37 Mt at 5.27 g/t Au
       
  o Maximum mining rate:  1,300 tpd
       
Processing of Mineral Reserves:  
       
  o Total Ore Feed to Plant: 18.83 Mt 
       
    Gold grade:  2.95 g/t Au 
         
    Silver grade: 0.71 g/t Ag
         
    Silver/Gold ratio:  Ag = 23.99% of Au
       
  o Maximum milling rate: 4,500 tpd
       
  o Contained Metal   
         
    Gold: 1.78 Moz Au
         
    Silver: 0.428 Moz Ag
       
  o Average LOM Plant Recovery 83.50%
       
  o Recovered Metal  
         
    Gold: 1.49 Moz Au
         
    Silver: 0.358 Moz Ag

 

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19.1.2

Revenue

 

 

SLR conduct a preliminary economic analysis using flat Mineral Reserve pricing of US$1,600/oz Au and US$21/oz Ag and confirmed the mine was economic at those prices.

 

 

For the purposes of this economic analysis described in this section, revenue is estimated over the LOM with a flat long term price of US$1,650/oz Au and US$21/oz Ag, respectively. SLR considers this price to be aligned with latest industry consensus long term forecast prices. Transportation, insurance and refining charges are estimates at US$4.31/oz Au over the LOM. Payable metals in the Casa Berardi LOM 2022 plan are estimated at 99.9% for gold and 99.0% for silver. These rates are based on actual figures for refining losses.

 

 

LOM net revenue is US$2,456 million (after Refining Charges).

 

19.1.3

Capital Costs

 

 

Total sustaining capital costs total US$347.2 million

 

 

Capital costs in years 2024 and 2025, are higher than the LOM average to prepare infrastructure needed to achieve full production in the open pits.

 

 

Salvage value of $22.8 million credit in last year of operation.

 

 

Closure costs of US$22.9 million are included in the analysis at the end of the LOM.

 

19.1.4

Operating Costs

 

 

Open Pit mining:                                                      US$15.50/t ore mined 

 

 

Underground mining:                                              US$53.43/t ore mined 

 

 

Processing (includes paste fill plant):                      US$20.05/t ore milled

 

 

Site Services - Mechanical & Electrical:                 US$16.42/t ore milled

 

 

Hedging Operating Costs Savings:                          (US$0.26/t ore milled)

 

 

G&A                                                                         US$12.53/t ore milled

 

 

Total unit operating costs                                         US$69.03/t ore milled

 

 

LOM total operating costs                                       US$1,300 million

 

 

Excludes financing and corporate overhead costs

 

19.1.5

Taxation and Royalties

 

 

Royalties: The current production zones as well as any in the 2022 LOM are not subject to an NSR or royalty to a third party / previous landowner.

 

 

Income tax is payable to the Federal Government of Canada, pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada). The applicable Federal income tax rate is 15% of taxable income.

 

 

Income tax is payable to the Province of Québec at a tax rate of 11.5% of taxable income.

 

 

No income taxes are payable until 2029 as Hecla uses their current tax pools and net operating loss carry forwards. Beginning in 2029 the effective tax rate used is 26.5% (combined federal and provincial)

 

 

Québec Mining Tax base rate is 16%

 

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19.2

Cash Flow Analysis

 

SLR has reviewed the Hecla’s “Casa Berardi LOM 2022 Reserves only model” and has prepared its own unlevered after-tax LOM cash flow model based on the information contained in this TRS to confirm the physical and economic parameters of the Casa Berardi Mine.

 

The Casa Berardi economics have been evaluated using the discounted cash flow method by considering annual processed tonnages and grade of ore. The associated process recovery, metal prices, operating costs, refining and transportation charges, and sustaining capital expenditures were also considered.

 

The full annual cash flow model is presented in Table 19‑1 in US dollars with no allowance for inflation, show a pre-tax and after-tax NPV, using a 5% discount rate, of $514 million and $396 million, respectively. The SLR QP is of the opinion that a 5% discount/hurdle rate for after-tax cash flow discounting of long lived precious/base metal operations in a politically stable region is reasonable and appropriate and commonly used. For this cash flow analysis, the internal rate of return (IRR) and payback are not applicable as there is no negative initial cash flow (no initial investment to be recovered) since Casa Berardi has been in operation for a number of years.

 

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Table 191:         Annual Cash Flow Model

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

ex963chart04.jpg

 

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SLR’s economic analysis confirmed that the Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves are economically viable at the assumed metal price forecast. The undiscounted pre-tax cash flow is US$809 million, and the undiscounted after-tax cash flow is US$621 million. The pre-tax NPV at an 5% base discount rate is US$514 million and the after-tax NPV at an 5% base discount is US$396 million.

 

19.3

Sensitivity Analysis

 

Project risks can be identified in both economic and non-economic terms. Key economic risks were examined by running cash flow sensitivities on after-tax NPV at a 5% discount rate. The following parameters were examined:

 

 

Gold head grade

 

 

Gold metallurgical recovery

 

 

Gold metal price

 

 

US$/C$ Exchange Rate

 

 

Operating costs

 

 

Capital costs (Sustaining, salvage, and closure)

 

For the case that includes mine equipment capital leases, after-tax sensitivities have been calculated for -20% to +20% variations for gold grade, and gold price, -10% to +10% variations for gold recovery, and -10% to +15% for operating costs and capital costs to determine the most sensitive parameter of the Casa Berardi Mine. The sensitivities are presented in Table 19-2.

 

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Table 192:         Sensitivity Analysis Summary

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Variance From Base Case

Head Grade
(g/t Au)

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-20%

2.36

129

-10%

2.65

277

0%

2.95

396

10%

3.24

509

20%

3.54

614

Variance From Base Case

Recovery
(% Au)

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-10%

75.1

277

-5%

79.3

338

0%

83.5

396

5%

87.7

454

10%

91.8

509

Variance From Base Case

Metal Prices
(US$/oz Au)

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-20%

1,320

128

-10%

1,485

276

0%

1,650

396

10%

1,815

509

20%

1,980

615

Variance From Base Case

Exchange Rate
US$/C$

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-20%

1.02

128

-10%

1.15

276

0%

1.28

396

10%

1.40

509

20%

1.53

615

Variance From Base Case

Operating Costs
(US$/t)

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-10%

62.13

491

-5%

65.58

444

0%

69.03

396

7.5%

74.21

326

15%

79.38

255

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
19-7

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Variance From Base Case

Capital Costs
(US$ 000)

NPV at 5%
(US$ M)

-10%

314

424

-5%

332

410

0%

349

396

7.5%

375

376

15%

402

355

 

A comparison of results for the various sensitivity cases using after-tax NPV at a 5% discount rate are presented in Figure 19‑1.

ex_338337img057.gif

 

 

Figure 19‑1:         After-tax NPV at 5% Sensitivity Analysis

 

The Mine is most sensitive to changes in metal prices and US$/C$ exchange rate, then to head grade and metallurgical recoveries, followed by operating costs and capital costs.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
19-8

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20.0

ADJACENT PROPERTIES

 

Hecla controls a 37 km strike length of favorable geology for gold mineralization along the Casa Berardi Fault. There are no significant gold deposits located immediately adjacent to the Property’s boundaries.

 

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21.0

OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION

 

Cautionary Note: This Section 21 of the Casa Berardi TRS contains information that is different than the Economic Analysis provided in Section 19 of the Casa Berardi TRS. Section 19 was prepared in accordance with specific SEC rules which require that only Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (LOM plan) be used and disallow the inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources in demonstrating the economic viability in support of a disclosure of a mineral reserve. See Item 1302(e)(6) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

The supplemental information in this Section 21 is not designed to replace the Economic Analysis disclosed in Section 19, but rather to provide additional, supplemental disclosure. This Section 21 supplements the disclosure contained in Section 19s Economic Analysis by inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources as described below. You are cautioned not to rely on the economic analysis in this Section 21 instead of Section 19, as this supplemental information includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. You should not assume that all or any part of Inferred Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. Further, Inferred Mineral Resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically, and are considered too speculative geologically to have modifying factors applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Inferred Mineral Resources may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. The percentage of the mineral resources used in the LTP cash flow analysis that was classified as Inferred Mineral Resources is approximately 7.5%. The LTP also includes approximately 3.5% of marginal Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources that might be eligible for inclusion with the Mineral Reserves in the future.

 

Supplemental Information: The Company develops LTPs to support the strategic direction of its mines. The LTPs are updated annually by the technical teams using the most current geologic information, mine designs, processing parameters, cost and price inputs, regulatory considerations, and financial analyses. The plans include some Inferred resources when those resources, in the judgement of the technical team and based on historical performance, have a reasonable probability of contributing positively to the economic performance of the mines. As such, the valuation of the mines as determined by the Company in its Long-Range Planning exceeds the valuation determined when only Reserves are analyzed. Experience has shown that the LTPs include in the order of 5% to 10% Inferred Mineral Resources.

 

An after-tax Cash Flow Projection has been generated from the LTP production schedule and capital and operating cost estimates, and is summarized in Table 21-1 along with the corresponding LOM plan (Mineral Reserves only presented in Section 19) metrics and the variances between the two plans.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 211:         LTP versus LOM Plan

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Casa Berardi LTP

2022-2024

2025-2029

2030-2035

Total LTP

Operations

Tonnes of Ore

Milled (000 t)

4,300

8,000

8,600

20,900

Gold oz produced

(000 oz)

400

675

650

1,725

Silver oz produced

(000 oz)

100

150

150

400

Financial (in millions)

Revenue

700

1,100

1,100

2,900

Cost of Goods Sold

600

800

800

2,200

Gross Profit

100

300

300

700

Less: Income Tax

20

50

80

150

Net Income

80

250

220

550

Cash Flow (in millions)

Net Income

80

250

220

550

Depreciation,

Depletion, and

Amortization (DDA)

100

300

300

700

Working Capital and

other non-cash

changes

(10)

50

60

100

Cash Flow from

Operations

170

600

580

1,350

Less: Capital

Expenditures

100

200

100

400

Net Cash Flow

70

400

480

950

NPV (0%)

     

950

NPV (5%)

     

600

 

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Casa Berardi LOM

Cashflow

2022-2024

2025-2029

2030-2035

Total Reserve

Tonnes of Ore

Milled (000 t)

3,300

7,000

8,600

18,900

Gold oz produced

(000 oz)

300

540

650

1,490

Silver oz produced

(000 oz)

70

130

160

360

Net Income US$ M

(6)

87

151

232

Cash Flow from

Operations US$M

139

381

450

970

Net Cash Flow

US$M

37

196

368

600

NPV (0%) US$ M

     

600

NPV (5%) US$ M

     

400

Variances

Tonnes Variance (000 t)

1,000

1,000

-

2,000

Gold oz produced

Variance (000 oz)

100

135

-

235

Silver oz produced

Variance (000 oz)

30

20

(10)

40

Tonnes % Variance

30%

14%

0%

11%

Gold Produced %

Variance

33%

25%

0%

16%

Silver Produced %

Variance

43%

15%

-6%

11%

Net Income %

Variance

-1456%

189%

45%

137%

Cash Flow from

Operations %

Variance

22%

58%

29%

39%

Net Cash Flow %

Variance

91%

104%

31%

58%

NPV (0%) Variance

     

58%

NPV (5%) Variance

     

50%

 

In the first six years, the increases in the LTP cash flows are essentially driven by the volume of gold extracted, which is inclusive of Mineral Resources.  In the post-underground years, the main driver causing a significant difference between the variance in gold production (16%) and net income, operating cash flow, and net cash flow (137%, 39%, 53% respectively) is primarily driven by the significantly better margin on the open pit material in the LTP.  This variance stems from the fact that the costs to extract the ounces in both plans are virtually the same because the same amount of rock must be handled whether Hecla includes resources or not. Essentially, in the LOM plan, the Mineral Resources are still extracted but are expensed as waste. 

 

For non-cash costs and taxes, there are no significant differences in assumptions as globally the DDA expense variance is less than 5%, however, the timing of unit of production DDA is such that the depletion expense is more front-loaded in the LOM plan (by approximately $50 million).  This variance is due to the lower depreciation base resulting from less underground Mineral Reserves being mined. Hence, the denominator being smaller but with a similar asset base, the depletion is “accelerated” in the first three years of the LOM plan.

 

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22.0

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

 

SLR offers the following conclusions and observations by area:

 

22.1

Geology and Mineral Resources

 

 

Mineral Resources have been classified in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Resources in S-K 1300.  Total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, as of December 31, 2021, are estimated to be 7.04 Mt at 4.66 g/t Au containing 1,05 Moz Au.  Inferred Mineral Resources total 9.18 Mt at 2.68 g/t Au for 0.79 Moz Au. The underground portion of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources represent 98% of the total Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources.

 

 

The Casa Berardi Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and the underground Inferred Mineral Resources have been prepared to industry best practices and conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300. The SLR QP notes that the open pit Inferred Mineral Resources situated at the 134 and 160 pits are not constrained by a resource pit shell and that the elevation datums used to limit the open pit resources at depth are optimistic and should be replaced with resource shells in the future.  Notwithstanding, the SLR QP is of the opinion that this is not a significant issue because this material represents approximately 9% of the total reserve and resource ounces at Casa Berardi, it is all classified as Inferred, and none of it is included in the LTP.

 

 

The Mineral Resources for Casa Berardi conform to the resource categories defined by the SEC in S-K 1300.  Resource classification polygons were manually created for reach lens based on drill hole composites with average distances of up to 25 m for Measured and Indicated blocks.  Measured blocks have the added requirement of having underground development nearby.  Inferred blocks are located outside the 25 m average distance polygons and are based on average distances up to generally a maximum of 35 m and rarely up to 50 m.

 

 

The open pit block models are diluted to whole block models using scripts in Gemcom.  For the open pit diluted block models, only the blocks with more than 25% of mineralized material were classified, the remaining blocks with less than 25% of mineralized material are not classified and excluded from the resource estimate.  

 

 

From 1974 to 2021, surface and underground diamond drilling, totalling over 3.5 million metres, has been completed at Casa Berardi.

 

 

Over the past few decades, the Casa Berardi geology team has developed an advanced understanding of the complex geology, lithology, structural, and alteration controls present at Casa Berardi.

 

 

The mineralization style and setting are well understood and support the declaration of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The Casa Berardi sample preparation, analyses, QA/QC protocols, and security procedures are acceptable, meet industry standard practice, and are adequate for Mineral Resource estimation.  

 

 

o

Sample collection and handling of core is undertaken in accordance with industry standard practices, with procedures implemented to limit potential sample losses and sampling biases.

 

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o

Sample preparation for samples that support Mineral Resource estimation has followed a similar procedure since 1998.  These preparation procedures are consistent with industry standard methods for gold deposits.

 

 

o

Core from exploration and infill diamond drilling programs are analyzed by independent and accredited laboratories using industry standard methods for gold and silver analyses.  Current run of mine sample analyses are performed by the mine laboratory.

 

 

o

While limited information is available regarding the QA/QC procedures for the pre-1998 drill programs, sufficient reanalysis programs and vast amounts of more recent data support the use of pre-1998 data.

 

 

The QA/QC program results indicate that the sample preparation and analytical procedures at the mine laboratory and Swastika are well aligned to generate reliable and accurate results.

 

 

o

Blank sample results imply minimal cross sample contamination.

 

 

o

Certified reference material (CRM) results demonstrate that assay values are sufficiently accurate to be used in Mineral Resource estimation and no significant biases are evident at the mine and Swastika laboratories.

 

 

o

Sequential insertion of duplicate samples has resulted in a relatively low proportion of duplicate results for mineralized samples.  

 

 

o

External pulp and reject check assays suggest that the ALS gold assays may be biased high relative to the Swastika and Mine laboratory results.

 

 

Sample security is regarded as very good.  Samples are always attended or locked in the on site logging or sampling facilities.  Chain of custody procedures consist of completing sample submittal forms that are sent to the laboratory with sample shipments and shipment tracking to ensure that all samples are received by the laboratory.

 

 

The data verification programs undertaken on the data collected from the Project comply with industry standards and adequately support the geological interpretations, validate the analytical and database quality, and support the use of the data in Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation and in mine planning

 

 

The SLR QP is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that would materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate.

 

 

The Property is very large and covers a very favourable geological environment for gold mineralization including a 37 km strike length along the Casa Berardi Fault.  

 

 

The SLR QP is of the opinion that excellent exploration potential remains on the Property, both along strike and at depth in the immediate mine area and on the rest of the Property.

 

 

Geophysics and drilling are the key exploration tools needed to make new discoveries under the thick layer of overburden that covers most of the Property.

 

22.2

Mining and Mineral Reserves

 

 

Mineral Reserves have been classified in accordance with the definitions for Mineral Reserves in S-K 1300.  Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2021 total 18.82 Mt grading 2.95 g/t Au containing 1.78 Moz Au.

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
22-2

 

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Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources were converted to Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, respectively. Inferred Mineral Resources were not converted to Mineral Reserves, however, are typically included in the Casa Berardi LTP and therefore are removed from the LOM cash flows to ensure economic confirmation of the Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The mining methods at Casa Berardi are well established with many years of operating experience, providing the necessary expertise to, safely and economically, extract the Mineral Reserves.

 

 

While both transverse and longitudinal longhole stoping methods are employed effectively challenging ground conditions require the use of various types of backfill to provide the necessary support.

 

 

Underground mining will come predominantly from the West Mine with a minor amount from the East Mine. Mining from various open pits on surface represent the bulk of the Mineral Reserves to be mined, accounting for approximately 77% of the Casa Berardi Mineral Reserves.

 

 

The current LOM period is estimated to be fourteen years ending in 2035. Underground Mineral Reserves totalling 2.4 Mt will be mined during the first six years while open pit Mineral Reserves totalling 16.5 Mt will be mined over the entire LOM period.

 

22.3

Mineral Processing

 

 

Metallurgical and production models have been developed from extensive baseline sampling and are further adjusted annually to account for process and metallurgical improvements and changes.

 

 

The test work performed on open pit material was used to estimate gold recovery, while operating data was used for underground material.  Recent test work has been performed by an external laboratory on future open pit material (WMCP and Principal).  WMCP test results were used to inform the long term mine plan.  An update on data pertaining to the Principal Pit will be made once the test results are available.

 

 

Test work programs, both internal and external, continue to be performed to support current operations and potential improvements.

 

 

The current process facilities are appropriate for the mineralization types provided from the mine.  The flowsheet, equipment, and infrastructure are expected to support the current LOM plan.

 

22.4

Infrastructure

 

 

Hecla plans to build a new maintenance garage to handle the 150 t trucks.

 

 

Hecla plans to build a new pre-crusher.

 

22.5

Environment

 

 

Hecla has sufficiently assessed the environmental impact of the operation, and subsequent closure and remediation requirements such that Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves can be declared, and the mine plan deemed appropriate and achievable.  Closure provisions are appropriately considered and monitoring programs are in place.

 

 

Hecla has developed a community relations plan to identify and ensure an understanding of the needs of the surrounding communities and to determine appropriate programs for addressing those needs.  Hecla appropriately monitors socio-economic trends, community perceptions, and mining impacts.

 

 

Permits held by Hecla for the Property are sufficient to ensure that mining activities are conducted within the regulatory framework required by regulations.  

 

 

There are currently no known environmental, permitting, or social/community risks that could impact the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves.

 

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23.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

It is normal that there are not many recommendations for mature operations like Casa Berardi.  SLR offers the following recommendations by area.

 

23.1

Geology and Mineral Resources

 

 

1.

Continue drilling to expand the near mine open pit and underground Mineral Resources.

 

 

2.

Convert open pit and underground Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated, especially material in the LTP.

 

 

3.

Continue to drill below the 134 and 160 pits.

 

 

4.

Create resource open pit shells for 134 and 160.

 

 

5.

Increase regional exploration activities to make new discoveries on the very large Property.

 

 

6.

Consider changing QA/QC protocols related to pulp duplicate selection and sending rejects for external check assays.

 

 

7.

Investigate the potential high gold assay bias at the secondary umpire laboratory.

 

 

8.

Implement procedures that will help reduce CRM mislabelling or “swaps”.

 

23.2

Mining and Mineral Reserves

 

 

1.

Investigate the potential use of contractors, improved equipment performance, revised schedules and other incentives to complete the planned development.

 

 

o

While mining operations at Casa Berardi are being carried out in an appropriate fashion annual mine development to access future mining areas has fallen short of planned advance rates. Additional efforts will be required to meet production targets.

 

 

1.

Continue conducting definition diamond drilling throughout the remainder of the underground mining operation until 2027.

 

 

o

Based on positive ongoing results consider increasing the drilling program.

 

 

2.

Continue to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves to extend the underground operation past 2027 and extend open pit mining where possible.

 

 

3.

Investigate adding marginal underground Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources to the Mineral Reserves.

 

23.3

Mineral Processing

 

 

1.

Continue to conduct additional metallurgical testing to better understand the processing of mineralization from the Principal and WMCP pits.  This will aid in projecting metallurgical recoveries for these pits and will indicate any variability in gold recovery and grindability of the material.  SLR notes that testing was undertaken at an external laboratory in 2021 and some results were not available at the time of preparation of this TRS.

 

 

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24.0

REFERENCES

 

AACE International, 2012, Cost Estimate Classification System – As applied in the Mining and Mineral Processing Industries, AACE International Recommended Practice No. 47R-11, 17 p.

 

Alcott, J. and Belem, T., 2019, Pastefill Optimization at Hecla Quebec’s Casa Berardi Mine, (June 2019).

 

Amec Foster Wheeler plc, 2013, Project TX 13 1287 03, Open Pit Overburden Slope Design Report East Half of Open Pit East Mine Casa Berardi Mine Abitibi Region, Québec, Dorval, Québec, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (November 2013).

 

Assima, Gnouyaro P., 2017, Récupérations fosse 160,134 et EMCP, Reference T2211, prepared by COREM for Hecla Québec Inc. (December 2017).

 

Baril, Serge, 2017, Essais de sédimentation de solides à l’épaississeur de l’usine, prepared by SNF Canada Ltd. for Hecla Québec Inc. (April 2017).

 

BBA Inc., 2009, Updated Mining Pre-Feasibility Study East Mine Crown Pillar Project, La Sarre, Québec prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (February 2009)

 

BBA Inc., 2011, Technical Report on the Pre-Feasibility Study on the Principal Zone Open Pit Project La Sarre, Québec, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (February 2011)

 

BBA Inc., 2017a, Conceptual Design Mixed Waste Facility (MWF) – East Pit, La Sarre, Québec, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (April 2017).

 

BBA Inc., 2017b, East Mine Crown Pillar Life-of-Mine Planning Update, La Sarre, Québec, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (March 2017).

 

Blue Coast Research Ltd., 2020, Casa Berardi 160 Pit Metallurgical Testwork Program, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (August 18, 2020).

 

Canmet, 1999, In Situ Ground Stress Determination at the Casa Berardi Mine, Report MMSL 90-011 (CR), prepared for Aurizon Ltd., (March 1999).

 

ConeTec, 2021, Presentation of Site Investigation Results, Casa Berardi Mine Pit 160, EMCP, Principal Pit, WMCP, WRD (April 29, 2021).

 

FLSmidth & Co. A/S, 2014, Ore Variability Tests Performed on Seven Composite Samples from the Casa Berardi Mine, Project P14058AA, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (December 2014).

 

Geophysique Sigma Inc., 2020, Leve Electrique Complementaire 2020, Project C19734 (September 2020).

 

Golder Associates Inc., 2009, Revised Technical Update on Geotechnical Design Considerations and Recommendations for the Casa Berardi East Mine Dumps and Open Pit Slopes (Final), prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (October 2009)

 

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Golder Associates Inc., 2011, Slope Stability Analysis at Casa Berardi – Mine Principale, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (January 2011)

 

Golder Associates Inc., 2013, Geomechanics and Rock Slope Stability Analyses for Zone 160 Feasibility Study, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (August 2013)

 

Hecla Québec Inc., 2014, Plan de Restauration et de Fermeture (January 2014)

 

Hecla Québec Inc., 2015, Study for Re-Opening of the Casa Berardi, East Mine, Québec (January 2015).

 

Hecla Québec Inc., 2018, Design Pente EMCP Secteur du mur Nord, Evaluation de design de pente 3 :1 dans l’argile et positionnement de chemin de haulage en sommet de talus, La Sarre, Québec, (March 2018).

 

Hecla Québec Inc., 2019, Programme de Controle de Terrain Fosses et Haldes, Internal Report by Benjamin Gareau-Blais (October 2019).

 

Hecla Québec Inc., 2019, Technical Report for the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada (April 1, 2019).

 

Hydro-Resources Inc., 2017, Etude hydrogelogique Fosse EMCP, DossierPR16-102 (May 2017).

 

Hydro-Resources Inc., 2020, Fosse 160 - Mise a Jour, Letter Report by Michael Verreault Dated October 9, 2020.

 

Hydro-Ressources Inc, 2018, Etude Hydrogéologique – Zone 160 Hecla rapport technique – dossier PR17-101, Lévis, Québec, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (October 2018).

 

Itasca Consulting Group Inc., 2020, Slope Stability and Hydrogeology Assessment for Zone 160 Open Pit at Casa Berardi, Reference No 2-4577-03:20R14, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (June 2020).

 

Lacasse, Simon, 2017, Test program to evaluate cyanide destruction options for the treatment of effluents from Casa Berardi Mine in Québec, prepared by Cyanco for Hecla Québec Inc. (August 2017).

 

Lelièvre, Jean, 2006, Essais métallurgiques sur le minerai Casa Berardi, Reference PU-2006-10-262, prepared by Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM) for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (November 2006).

 

Lelièvre, Jean, 2009, Essais métallurgiques sur les veines principales 24_01, 25_08_02 et 25_04 du gisement Casa Berardi, Reference PU-2008-09-410, prepared by Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM) for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (January 2009).

 

Linnen, Robert, 2016, Summary of Recent Raman Work, prepared by the University of Western Ontario for Hecla Québec Inc. (June 2016).

 

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Mine Development Associates (MDA), 2018a, Casa Berardi 160 and 134 Zones Open Pit Mining Study, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (February 2018).

 

Mine Development Associates (MDA), 2018b, East Mine Crown Pillar Expansion Open Pit Mining Study, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (August 2018).

 

Mine Development Associates (MDA), 2018c, Principal Deposit Open Pit Mining Study, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (September 2018 and amended February 2019).

 

Mine Development Associates (MDA), 2019, West Mine Crown Pillar Open Pit Mining Study, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (January 2019 and amended February 2019).

 

Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA) Inc. and BBA Inc., 2011, Technical Report on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (March 28, 2011).

 

Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA) Inc., 2005, Technical Report on the Casa Berardi Project, Québec, Canada, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (October 2005).

 

Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA) Inc., 2014, Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (March 31, 2014).

 

Roscoe Postle Associates (RPA) Inc., BBA Inc., and InnovExplo, 2013, Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates for the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (March 31, 2013).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2007a, Casa Berardi – Lower Inter Zone Mineral Resource Update, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (July 2007).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2007b, December 2006 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Audit, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (May 2007).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2007c, Mise à Jour des Ressources de la Mine Est (Sous-Terre) – Rapport Préliminaire, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (December 2007).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2008a, December 2007 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Audit, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (April 2008).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2008b, Mise à Jour des Ressources de la Mine Principale – Juillet 2008, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (July 2008).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2008c, Whittle Analysis of the Principal Zone, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (September 2008).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2009, Technical Report on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd., (February 9, 2009).

 

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Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2010a, December 2009 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Audit, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (February 2010).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2010b, Principal Mine Resource Update. Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd (October 2010).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2010c, Principal Project Preliminary Whittle Runs, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd (August 2010).

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2010d, Technical Report on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (.

 

Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc., 2011, 160 Zone (Casa Berardi) Preliminary Open Pit Optimization, Internal report prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd (February 2011).

 

SGS Canada Inc., 2017, The Characterization of Samples from the Casa Berardi Mine, Project 16152-001, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (August 2017).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021a, Casa Berardi Supplemental Site Wide Hydrogeology Field Investigation Program, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (October 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021b, Phase 1: Conceptual Model and Gap Analysis Memo – Hydrogeology, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (March 5, 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021c, Principal Pit Groundwater Modelling for Passive Inflow Predictions, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (November 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021d, Casa Berardi – Bedrock Hydrogeology Field Investigation Program, Prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (October 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021e, Phase 1: Conceptual Model and Gap Analysis Memo – Soil Geotechnical, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (March 5, 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021f, Casa Berardi Bedrock Hydrogeology Field Investigation Program (October 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021g, Phase 1: Conceptual Model and Gap Analysis Memo – Geomechanical and Structural Geology (March 5, 2021).

 

SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., 2021h, Phase 1: Conceptual Model and Gap Analysis Memo – Soil Geotechnical (March 5, 2021).

 

Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), 2011, Caractérisation métallurgique et environnementale de 11 échantillons de minerais de la mine Casa Berardi, Reference PU‑2011-01-581 prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (August 2011).

 

Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), 2012, Caractérisation métallurgique et environnementale de 18 zones de minerais de la mine Casa Berardi, Reference PU‑2011‑06-636, prepared for Aurizon Mines Ltd. (March 2012).

 

Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), 2013a, Caractérisation de l’or réfractaire dans 13 rejets de Casa Berardi, Reference PU-2012-10-753, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (September 2013)

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), 2013b, Caractérisation métallurgique de 13 Échantillons Provenant des Zones 118 et 123, Rapport final PU‑ 2012-07-0731, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (January 2013).

 

Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), 2015, Analyse minéralogique semi-quantitative par diffraction des rayons X, Reference PU-2015-07-1000, prepared for Hecla Québec Inc. (August 2015).

 

US Securities and Exchange Commission, 2018: Regulation S-K, Subpart 229.1300, Item 1300 Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations and Item 601 (b)(96) Technical Report Summary.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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25.0

RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT

 

This TRS has been prepared by SLR for Hecla. The information, conclusions, opinions, and estimates contained herein are based on:

 

 

Information available to SLR at the time of preparation of this TRS,

 

 

Assumptions, conditions, and qualifications as set forth in this TRS, and

 

 

Data, reports, and other information supplied by Hecla and other third party sources.

 

SLR has not researched property title or mineral rights for Casa Berardi as we consider it reasonable to rely on Hecla’s legal counsel who is responsible for maintaining this information.

 

SLR has relied on Hecla for guidance on applicable taxes, royalties, and other government levies or interests, applicable to revenue or income from the Property in the Executive Summary and Section 19. As the Property has been in operation for over 30 years, Hecla has considerable experience in this area.

 

The SLR QPs have taken all appropriate steps, in their professional opinion, to ensure that the above information from Hecla is sound.

 

Except for the purposes legislated under provincial securities laws, any use of this TRS by any third party is at that party’s sole risk.

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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26.0

DATE AND SIGNATURE PAGE

 

This report titled “Technical Report Summary on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Québec, Canada” with an effective date of December 31, 2021 was prepared and signed by:

 

  Signed SLR International Corporation
   
   
Dated at Bothell, WA SLR International Corporation
February 21, 2022  

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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27.0

APPENDIX 1

 

27.1

Claim Table

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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Table 271:         Claim Table

 

Hecla Mining Company Casa Berardi Mine

 

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

BM

768

 -

20220428

397.09

19880429

$20,963.35

$0.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

BM

833

 -

20221217

84.35

19951218

$4,259.68

$0.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

BM

1054

 -

20221005

92.56

20201006

$4,673.27

$0.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097901

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$246,734.72

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097902

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$165,603.11

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097903

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$6,319.94

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097904

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,519.94

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097905

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,613.46

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097906

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,519.94

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097930

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$102,729.87

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097931

 -

20220729

37.02

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,914.09

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-2

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097932

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,519.94

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097957

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.42

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097958

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097959

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,008.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097960

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097961

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097962

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097963

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097964

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097965

 -

20220729

43.25

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,490.71

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097966

 -

20220729

23.90

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$632,965.95

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097967

 -

20220729

41.75

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,514.09

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-3

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097968

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,514.09

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097991

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097992

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097993

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097994

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097995

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097996

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,502.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097997

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097998

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097999

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098000

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098001

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098002

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,508.25

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098041

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$26,197.41

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098074

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098085

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$439.31

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098086

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,929.32

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098087

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098088

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098089

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$350.90

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098090

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$257.38

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098091

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098092

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098093

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098094

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$7,110.36

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098095

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,992.29

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098109

 -

20220509

42.75

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$338,834.84

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098110

 -

20220509

40.23

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,895.73

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098111

 -

20220509

40.48

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$42,215.90

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098112

 -

20220509

40.74

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$617,564.86

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098113

 -

20220509

42.26

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$5,605.66

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098114

 -

20220509

43.76

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$529.18

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098115

 -

20220509

51.18

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$239,975.98

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098124

 -

20220509

29.58

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$523,848.24

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098125

 -

20220509

4.98

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098126

 -

20220509

20.03

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$4,075.29

 

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Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
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header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098127

 -

20220509

16.16

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$1,801.54

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098128

 -

20220509

13.40

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$127,827.42

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098129

 -

20220509

12.86

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$39,892.15

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098130

 -

20220509

12.32

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098131

 -

20220509

0.16

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098132

 -

20220509

9.35

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098133

 -

20220509

5.78

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$58,451.47

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098134

 -

20220729

2.32

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098135

 -

20220509

11.42

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$60,185.51

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098136

 -

20220729

14.22

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$167,591.79

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098141

 -

20220509

6.06

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098142

 -

20220509

48.61

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,282.24

Casa Berardi Mine

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098149

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-7

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097832

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,429.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097833

 -

20220509

55.90

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,890.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097834

 -

20220509

55.90

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,715.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097835

 -

20220509

55.90

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,715.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097836

 -

20220509

55.90

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,521.09

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097837

 -

20220509

55.90

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,715.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097840

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,520.35

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097841

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,209.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097842

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,284.20

 

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Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-8

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097843

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,709.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097844

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,209.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097845

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,657.33

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097846

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,134.38

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097847

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$7,807.12

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097848

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,709.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097849

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,709.20

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097851

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,003.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097852

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,703.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097853

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097854

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097855

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,703.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097856

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$9,800.55

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097857

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,703.23

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-9

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097858

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,760.18

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097859

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097860

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097861

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097862

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097863

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$46,131.60

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097864

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$25,078.52

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097865

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$62,653.79

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097866

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$8,203.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097867

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,997.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097868

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097869

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-10

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097870

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097871

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097872

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097873

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097874

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097875

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097876

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097877

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097878

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$76,611.83

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097879

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,197.27

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097880

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097881

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-11

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097882

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097883

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097884

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097885

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$46,927.36

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097886

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,991.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097895

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$11,785.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097896

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$132,761.45

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097897

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$618,164.67

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097898

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$795,318.87

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097899

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,171,947.26

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097900

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,486,933.54

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097907

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-12

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097908

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097909

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,191.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097910

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$19,353.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097911

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$31,443.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097912

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$34,509.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097913

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$37,461.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097914

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$27,594.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097915

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$29,748.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097916

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$27,315.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097917

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$22,638.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097918

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$30,115.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097919

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$30,740.31

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-13

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097920

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$32,216.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097921

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$36,125.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097922

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$35,301.31

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097925

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097926

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$47,160.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097927

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$28,575.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097928

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$65,710.79

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097929

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$56,338.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097933

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$16,685.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097934

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097935

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097936

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$28,185.34

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-14

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097937

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$28,012.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097938

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$27,061.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097939

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$19,187.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097940

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097941

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097942

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097943

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097944

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097945

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097946

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,185.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097947

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$25,486.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097948

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$26,577.34

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-15

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097949

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$24,082.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097950

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$17,336.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097951

 -

20220509

55.85

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$18,605.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097952

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097953

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097954

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097955

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097956

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097969

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$127,487.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097970

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$120,317.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097971

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097972

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-16

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097973

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$30,142.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097974

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$83,651.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097975

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$29,930.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097976

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$26,565.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097977

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097978

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097979

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097980

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097981

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097982

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097983

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097984

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-17

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097985

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097986

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097987

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097988

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1097989

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,179.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098003

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098004

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098005

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098006

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098007

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098008

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$154,575.24

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098009

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-18

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098010

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098011

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,184,423.18

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098012

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,216,269.23

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098013

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098014

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098015

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098016

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098017

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$135,827.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098018

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098019

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098020

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$23,193.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098021

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$24,199.35

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-19

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098022

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$23,379.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098023

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098024

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098025

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098026

 -

20220509

55.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,173.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098027

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098028

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098029

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098030

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098031

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098032

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098033

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-20

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098034

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098035

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098036

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098037

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098038

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098039

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098040

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098042

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098043

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098044

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098045

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,167.46

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098061

 -

20220509

29.17

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$347.53

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-21

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098062

 -

20220509

25.83

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$307.74

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098063

 -

20220509

25.11

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$299.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098064

 -

20220509

25.33

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$301.78

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098065

 -

20220509

25.36

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$302.14

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098066

 -

20220509

55.77

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$14,137.63

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098067

 -

20220509

55.88

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.76

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098068

 -

20220509

25.81

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$307.50

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098069

 -

20220509

27.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$331.45

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098070

 -

20220509

28.54

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$340.03

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098071

 -

20220509

38.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$4,052.08

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098072

 -

20220509

55.87

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$3,757.90

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098076

 -

20220509

4.89

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$58.26

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-22

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098077

 -

20220509

14.30

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$878.87

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098078

 -

20220509

16.88

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$2,417.65

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098079

 -

20220509

36.16

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,441.73

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098080

 -

20220509

38.65

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$3,926.83

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098081

 -

20220509

36.52

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,656.44

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098082

 -

20220509

36.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,835.37

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098083

 -

20220509

50.28

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$10,863.25

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098084

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$6,919.99

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098096

 -

20220509

55.86

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.52

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098104

 -

20220509

25.51

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$303.93

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098105

 -

20220509

13.04

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$70,240.52

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098106

 -

20220509

5.21

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$62.07

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-23

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098107

 -

20220509

6.93

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$82.56

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098108

 -

20220509

40.38

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$4,958.64

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098118

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$130.44

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098119

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,888.96

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098120

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$5,218.82

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098121

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$5,592.91

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098122

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$12,034.22

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098123

 -

20220509

55.84

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$13,150.64

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098137

 -

20220509

34.60

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,475.22

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098138

 -

20220509

9.95

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$118.55

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098143

 -

20220509

52.13

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$10,666.63

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098144

 -

20220509

43.22

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$6,652.49

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-24

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098145

 -

20220509

36.24

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,489.44

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098146

 -

20220509

7.95

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098147

 -

20220509

9.91

20020911

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098150

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098151

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098152

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098153

 -

20220509

55.82

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,442.65

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098157

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.88

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098158

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$665.88

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098159

 -

20220509

55.89

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,297.35

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098160

 -

20220509

36.25

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$5,827.12

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1098161

 -

20220509

30.31

20020911

$68.75

$2,500.00

$361.12

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-25

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133304

3%

20240111

26.71

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$1,687.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133305

3%

20240111

30.05

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$3,867.50

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133306

3%

20240111

30.76

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$4,331.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133307

3%

20240111

30.55

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$4,193.91

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133308

3%

20240111

30.52

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$3,239.61

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133309

3%

20240111

0.10

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133310

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$51,425.74

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133311

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,723.53

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133312

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$86,865.34

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133313

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$17,074.89

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133314

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$47,406.41

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133315

3%

20240111

30.06

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$3,874.03

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-26

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133316

3%

20240111

28.05

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,561.84

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133317

3%

20240111

27.33

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$2,091.80

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133318

3%

20240111

17.00

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$4,798.08

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133319

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,717.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133320

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$49,623.47

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133321

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$44,620.43

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133322

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,717.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133323

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,717.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133324

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$54,254.45

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133325

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$40,729.17

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133326

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$66,578.22

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133327

3%

20240111

50.96

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$17,518.14

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-27

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133328

3%

20240111

41.56

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$47,931.54

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133329

3%

20240111

38.98

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$17,618.74

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133330

3%

20240111

19.70

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$24,627.26

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133331

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133332

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133333

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133334

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133335

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133336

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133337

3%

20240111

55.85

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,710.48

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133338

3%

20240111

30.34

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$4,056.82

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133339

3%

20240111

2.07

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-28

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133340

3%

20240111

19.63

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$6,515.03

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133341

3%

20240111

25.56

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$215,928.07

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133342

3%

20240111

7.94

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133343

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,723.53

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133344

3%

20240111

55.87

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$364,051.81

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133345

3%

20240111

7.93

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133346

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,717.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133347

3%

20240111

55.86

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$20,717.01

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133348

3%

20240202

17.21

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$118,933.76

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133349

3%

20240202

19.34

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$28,391.61

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133350

3%

20240202

19.04

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$27,853.47

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133351

3%

20240202

5.58

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$3,709.27

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-29

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133352

3%

20240202

42.81

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$141,785.02

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133353

3%

20240202

50.64

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$246,914.38

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133354

3%

20240202

48.92

20050902

$68.75

$2,500.00

$143,711.71

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1133355

3%

20240202

15.49

20050902

$35.25

$1,000.00

$21,485.58

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1134230

-

20220509

7.97

20051104

$35.25

$1,000.00

$94.96

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

1134231

-

20220509

5.78

20051104

$35.25

$1,000.00

$68.86

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2438781

-

20230329

55.82

20160330

$68.75

$1,200.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2443561

-

20230426

7.99

20160427

$35.25

$500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2449153

-

20230614

55.89

20160615

$68.75

$1,200.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491530

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491531

-

20220503

55.81

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.93

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491532

-

20220503

55.80

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.81

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-30

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491533

-

20220503

55.80

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.81

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491534

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491535

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491536

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491537

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491538

-

20220503

55.84

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.28

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491539

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491540

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491541

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491542

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491543

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491544

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-31

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491545

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491546

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491547

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491548

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491549

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491550

-

20220503

55.83

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.16

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491551

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491552

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491553

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491554

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491555

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491556

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-32

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491557

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.05

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491558

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491559

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491560

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491561

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491562

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491563

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491564

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491565

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491566

-

20220503

55.82

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$665.06

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491567

-

20220503

55.81

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.94

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491568

-

20220503

55.81

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.94

 

footer01.jpg
Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-33

header01.jpg

Project

Titleholder

Type of Title

Title No

NSR

Expiry Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Area
(ha)

Registration Date
(YYYYMMDD)

Required Fees
(C$)

Required
Work
(C$)

Excess Work
(C$)

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

2491569

-

20220503

55.81

20170504

$68.75

$1,200.00

$664.94

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48842

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48843

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48844

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48845

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48846

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48847

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48848

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48849

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48850

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Casa Berardi Regional

Hecla Québec Inc.

CDC

48851

-

20231215

55.89

20041216

$68.75

$2,500.00

$0.00

Totals

 

394

     

 19,725.08

 

$55,504.55

$865,400.00

$17,291,526.46

 

footer01.jpg
 

 

Hecla Mining Company | Casa Berardi Mine, SLR Project No: 101.00632.00021
Technical Report Summary - February 21, 2022
27-34

end01.jpg