Production milestone at Republic gold mine

Several weeks ago, Hecla marked a production milestone at its Republic Unit gold mine by celebrating the hoisting of two million oz of gold up the 50-year-old Knob Hill No 2 shaft.

Addressing guests at the ceremony, Ralph Noyes, vice-president metal mining, noted there were only six other shafts in the United States that have accomplished that feat. “We estimate it took the Knob Hill No 2 shaft three million trips to host that much gold,” he said.

Knob Hill is connected to the new Golden Promise mine via a mile long haulage tunnel; the former 2,072-ft long inclined shaft is used for hoisting ore and waste from the Knob Hill and Golden Promise deposits. The latter operation has a 1,300-ft deep service shaft which is used to lower people and supplies.

With a milling rate of 250 tons per day and 95% recoveries for gold and 88% for silver, the Republic Unit is an exceedingly low cost producer. Cash costs were $94 per oz in 1988 and the mine has been the leading contributor to corporate revenue for the past four years.

Last year, gold production totaled 80,301 oz and mill throughput was 79,210 tons, representing a recovered grade of 1.01 oz, among the highest in North America. Gold production in 1988 was near capacity and any increase would involve expanding hoisting and milling facilities, said Arthur Brown, president and chief executive officer.

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