COEUR d'ALENE - Hecla Mining Co. reported Thursday the largest silver reserves and resources in the company's history.

The company collected 148 million ounces of sliver reserves and 281 million ounces of resources by Dec. 31, 2011, it said in a press release.

Reserves are proven products, while resources are identified as potential reserves that could likely be excavated.

Reserves and resources increased by 4 percent and 13 percent, respectively, over 2010, according to the release.

"For the sixth consecutive year, Hecla has increased its reserves and resources, setting a new record for both categories in 2011," Phil Baker, Hecla president and chief executive officer, stated in the release.

The results were produced over all the company's sites. The company has two operating mines and exploration properties in four silver mining districts in the U.S. and Mexico, including the Silver Valley.

Increased production at the Silver Valley's Lucky Friday mine contributed to the boosts.

"Exploration activities in 2011 have yielded strong results with a further extension of mine life at the Lucky Friday mine," Baker said in the release.

Lucky Friday closed in January after the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration ordered that Hecla must remove built-up material, including sand and concrete, from the walls of the mine's main shaft before re-opening.

Baker said after the closure that silver production was ended at Lucky Friday for this year, but the report for Lucky Friday mine's 2011 reserves were the highest in its 70-year history.

Overall, Lucky Friday experienced more than a 16 percent increase in the contained metal (silver, lead, zinc) in its proven and probable reserve, with the addition of high-grade tons.

Definition drilling there added approximately 7 million ounces of silver to reserves in 2011, the report stated.

The company also said gold resources increased by 33 percent to 597,600 ounces, and lead and zinc resources increased 21 percent and 26 percent respectively.