"Hecla Mining Company (“Hecla”)(NYSE:HL) is pleased to announce its Board of Directors has elected to declare the quarterly silver-linked dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, based on an average realized silver price of $31.61 in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, the Board of Directors has approved a new common stock dividend policy, which includes a minimum annual dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, payable quarterly. Therefore, the aggregate declared fourth quarter dividend is $0.0125 per share of common stock, for a total amount of approximately $3.6 million."