Hecla Mining Co’s President and CEO, Phillips S. Baker, Jr, was presented with the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal Award from the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) at the SME 2017 Annual Conference & Expo in Denver, Colorado, last week. This award recognizes Baker’s “exceptional leadership by positioning Hecla Mining Company with the highest silver reserves in its 125-year history and his significant contribution to the mining industry.”

Clayr Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of the Lucky Friday mine in northern Idaho, was selected as the 2016 recipient of the M&E Division Miner of the Year Award from SME. The award recognizes Alexander for his “success at pioneering tunnel boring and his successful career in leadership in underground mining.” The award recognizes significant contributions of a mine site leader who is able to manage production, people, community, safety, and be a good steward of the environment.

“I am honoured to be recognized by SME with this award,” said Baker. He added: “Congratulations to Clayr on receiving his prestigious Miner of the Year award. We believe innovation is the key to future success in the mining industry and these awards recognize our continuing efforts.”

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mininga is a leading low-cost North American silver producer with operating mines in Alaska, Idaho and Mexico, and is a growing gold producer with an operating mine in Quebec. It also has exploration and pre-development properties in seven worldclass silver and gold mining districts in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and an exploration office and investments in early-stage silver exploration projects in Canada.