hecla_8k-101011.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
____________________
 
FORM 8-K
 
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 10, 2011

HECLA MINING COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
1-8491
77-0664171
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815-9408
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
(208) 769-4100
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
N/A
(Former name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12(b))
¨      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 



Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On October 10, 2011, together with Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, our wholly owned subsidiaries, we entered into a Limited Waiver and Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) with The Bank of Nova Scotia and ING Capital LLC (the “Lenders”).  The Fifth Amendment amends certain provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2009.

Among the other changes to our credit agreement, the Fifth Amendment increases the amount available under our undrawn secured revolving credit facility to $100 million from $60 million.  The amendment is effective immediately and represents a new three-year term on the facility.

A copy of the Limited Waiver and Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Fifth Amendment has been included to provide you with information regarding its terms.  It is not intended to provide any other factual information about us.  Such information can be found elsewhere in other public filings we have made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov.

Item 2.02.  Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information disclosed under Item 1.01 and in Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits

 
Exhibit Number
  
Description
       
 
10.1
 
 
  
Limited Waiver and Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 10, 2011, by and among Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as Borrowers, and Hecla Mining Company, as Parent, and The Bank of Nova Scotia and ING Capital LLC, as Lenders. *
       
  10.2   Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2009, by and among Hecla Mining Company as the Parent, Hecla Alaska LLC, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, and Hecla Juneau Mining Company, as the Borrowers, various Lenders, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders.  Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 15, 2009, (File No. 1-8491), and incorporated herein by reference.
       
  99.1   News Release, dated October 11, 2011. *
 
*  Filed herewith

 
 
 

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated:             October 11, 2011    
     
  Hecla Mining Company  
       
 
By:
/s/ David C. Sienko  
    David C. Sienko
Vice President & General Counsel