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Gold/Mining/Energy : Silver prices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ray Hughes who wrote (1677)	2/8/1999 4:47:00 PM
From: long-gone	Respond to of 8010

Hecla Shaft Repair Successful; Lucky Friday Back to Full Operation Business Wire - February 08, 1999 12:29 COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 1999--Hecla Mining Company (HL & HL-PrB:NYSE) announced today that the Lucky Friday silver mine in northern Idaho is back in full operation after repairing its #2 mine shaft. Mining operations at Lucky Friday were suspended for 14 days while the shaft was repaired. During the temporary shutdown of the mine, the mill continued to process stockpiled ore for the balance of the month of January. The temporary suspension of operations should not materially impact the projected production of about 4.5 million ounces of silver at Lucky Friday during 1999, although first quarter production at the mine is expected to be reduced by approximately 8%. Employees were called back to work on Saturday, February 6, and production shifts began on Sunday, February 7. The #2 shaft is the mine's secondary escapeway and is not used for daily ore production activities, but must be maintained for safety purposes. The shaft was damaged by a groundfall on the 2400 level on January 22. No damage occurred to the operating portion of the mine, but in compliance with safety regulations, the mine did not operate until the secondary escapeway was repaired. Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is one of the United States' best-known silver producers. The company also produces gold and is a major supplier of ball clay, kaolin and other industrial minerals. Hecla's operations are principally in the U.S. and Mexico. CONTACT: Hecla Mining Co., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Vicki Veltkamp, 208/769-4144 hecla-mining.com

To: Ray Hughes who wrote (1677)	2/8/1999 8:03:00 PM
From: ForYourEyesOnly	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8010

Silver Loans: That is my fundamental concern with the loan theory.....where could so much silver come from? My understanding of Mr. Butler's theory is that silver has been loaned out, sold, and consumed over a period of 15 years......15 years ago, silver inventories were definitely much higher than they are today, so I can see how there could have been more silver available......but 1B ounces is a lot of silver! What is your take on the possible level of outstanding loans? The lease rate market seemed to almost break down when Buffet caused the spike last year, but the rates quickly went back down.....is it possible Mr. Buffet leased out some of his silver to avoid charges of destroying the market? If not, how could rates spike up to 70% and back down in such a short period of time? Perhaps no one wanted to loan silver until they had an idea where the price was going? cairns.net.au Best regards, THC

To: Ray Hughes who wrote (1677)	2/9/1999 9:09:00 AM
From: ForYourEyesOnly	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8010

Why WB Loves Silver: forbes.com Enjoy!!! THC

To: Ray Hughes who wrote (1677)	2/11/1999 1:04:00 AM
From: Claude Cormier	Respond to of 8010

<<I suspect that if there were 1B oz. silver available to lend, then the lease rates could not perform as they have>> No doubt about that. At the most, I would say 2-3X the COMEX inventories.