GOLD: Hecla expands resources at Casa Berardi

QUEBEC – Hecla Mining Co. of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho says underground exploration drilling continues to expand the resources at its Casa Berardi gold mine 95 km north of La Sarre. Several drills have been hard at work in the 118, 121 and 123 zones to refine stope designs. [caption id="attachment_1003723155" align="alignright" width="300"] Hecla is testing a 40-tonne autonomous Sandvik truck at the Casa Berardi mine in Quebec. (Image: Hecla Mining)[/caption] Work is also being done to confirm potential extensions at depth and to the east and west of current resources. Drilling on the west extension of the current EMCP pit has identified a potential extension over 230 metres to the west of the current outline. Surface drilling below the 160 zone under the proposed pit outline cut steep, west plunging, high grade veins within a broad mineralized zone. Drilling to the south of the proposed crown pillar in the Principal pit also confirmed the continuity. Another mineralized zone has also been discovered west of the West shaft. The Casa Berardi mine has produced about 1.9 million oz. of gold since it began operating in 1988. At the end of December measured and indicated resources stood at 12.0 million tonnes grading 3.43 g/t gold for 1.34 million oz. and inferred resources were approximately 6.3 million tonnes at the same grade for 717,000 oz. More information about Casa Berardi and Hecla’s other projects is available at www.Hecla-Mining.com.