Hecla Mining Company (HL)

I'll let the CEO make his pitch for me, from their recent earnings report, Feb 21, 08.

Hecla Mining Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips S. Baker, Jr., said, “The
resurgence in metals prices, operational excellence at our silver mines, a 25% improvement in safety,
and exploration success all contributed to another remarkable year for Hecla in 2007. And, we’re off to a
great start in 2008 by announcing the largest acquisition in our company’s history. Last week, we reached
agreement with Rio Tinto to acquire the companies that own the remaining 70.27% of the Greens Creek
silver mine in Alaska. After the anticipated close of that transaction in the second quarter, we will control
100% of the fifth largest silver mine in the world, and Hecla’s annual production will nearly double to
approximately 11 million ounces of silver.” The transaction price is $750 million, and the acquisition is
accretive to Hecla on most major metrics, including production, cash costs per ounce, cash flow, and
increases in silver, gold, zinc and lead reserves and resources.