New York, Jan 26, 2026, 12:52 EST — Regular session
- Hecla shares jumped roughly 5.6% following the company’s deal to sell Casa Berardi for up to $593 million
- Company released preliminary output figures for 2025 and provided guidance on production, costs, and spending for 2026
- Silver surged to a new high, sparking renewed interest in miners with greater silver holdings
Hecla Mining’s shares jumped roughly 5.6% to $33.59 by midday Monday following news it will sell its Casa Berardi operation for as much as $593 million. The stock earlier hit $34.24 during the session. 1
Timing is key. Silver surged to a record high, climbing roughly 6% on the day. This spike drew investors back into mining stocks, favoring firms that offer metal exposure without heavy debt burdens. 2
Hecla aims to tighten its focus. The company said selling Casa Berardi will let it “concentrate capital allocation and operational focus” on its silver assets. The cash from the deal is slated for debt paydown and boosting balance-sheet flexibility. 1
Hecla outlined the deal terms, expecting $160 million in cash at closing, plus about 65.7 million Orezone common shares valued at around $112 million. Additionally, $80 million in deferred cash will be paid in two installments. The package could reach up to $241 million more, linked to royalties, permits, and a gold price trigger above $4,200 per ounce. 1
“The sale of Hecla Quebec marks a key step in Hecla’s ongoing transformation,” CEO Rob Krcmarov stated in the release. The company anticipates closing the deal in the first quarter of 2026, pending certain conditions. 1
In a separate filing, the company announced it will hold an Investor Day in New York on Monday. The webcast started at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, with management set to provide updates on operations and other key company details. 3
Hecla released its preliminary metals production figures for 2025 along with guidance for 2026. Silver output reached 17.0 million ounces, surpassing 2024’s numbers and hitting the upper limit of its forecast. Gold production came in at 150,509 ounces. 4
Hecla projects consolidated silver output between 15.1 million and 16.5 million ounces for 2026, with gold production expected to hit 134,000 to 146,000 ounces. The company also plans to ramp up exploration and pre-development spending to a record $55 million. 4
The company projected capital expenditures for 2026 between $255 million and $279 million. Its cost outlook featured all-in sustaining costs (AISC)—which factor in sustaining capital alongside cash costs—ranging from $15.00 to $16.25 per silver ounce, net of by-product credits from other metals. 4
Hecla’s investor day slide deck projected $310 million in free cash flow for 2025, with a gross leverage ratio dropping to 0.4x by the end of that year, down sharply from 1.6x at the close of the previous year.
Silver miners saw a broad rally. Early trading showed Pan American Silver and First Majestic among the top gainers as silver surged to a fresh record. 5
Hecla’s outlook isn’t without hurdles. Their guidance factors in lower milled grades at Greens Creek and Casa Berardi. Plus, parts of the Casa Berardi plan hinge on permits, production levels, and commodity prices — notably that high gold-price trigger. Silver’s sharp recent surge also leaves it vulnerable to a pullback. 4
Investors are eyeing Hecla’s Investor Day scheduled for later Monday, along with updates on the timing and terms of the Casa Berardi sale, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. 3
