Hecla Mining Company is a provider of precious and base metals to the United States economy and worldwide. The Company acquires, develops, produces, and markets silver, gold, lead and zinc. Hecla Mining Company produces lead, zinc and bulk concentrates, which it sells to custom smelters, and unrefined gold bullion bars (dore), which may be sold as dore or further refined before sale to precious metals traders. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company was organized into three segments, which represent its operating units and exploration interests: The Greens Creek unit; The Lucky Friday unit, and The San Sebastian unit and various exploration activities in Mexico. On July 8, 2008, the Company completed the sale of El Callao Gold Mining Company and Drake-Bering Holdings B.V., its wholly owned subsidiaries, which together owned its business and operations in Venezuela. On November 6, 2008, the Company acquired Independence Lead Mines Company.