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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 8, 2012

HECLA MINING COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(208) 769-4100
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A
(Former name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

          On May 8, 2012, Hecla Mining Company (the “Company”) issued a news release announcing the Company’s first quarter 2012 financial results.  A copy of the news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

          In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 8.01  Other Events

Stock Repurchase Program

          On May 8, 2012, the Company issued a news release announcing its adoption of a stock repurchase program of up to 20 million shares of its outstanding common stock.

Quarterly Dividend

On May 8, 2012, the Company announced it would pay a dividend on its shares of common stock pursuant to its minimum annual dividend policy and its silver-linked common stock dividend policy.  

A copy of the news release announcing the stock repurchase program and the quarterly dividend is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  May 8, 2012

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