SANDPOINT — Hecla Mining Co. is embracing the prospect of developing the proposed Rock Creek mine in northwestern Montana and contends it can do so without jeopardizing the environment or wildlife.

Hecla operates the Greens Creek mine in southeast Alaska, which is adjacent to the Admiralty Island National Monument and contains salmon and grizzly bear habitat. Rock Creek lies in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and is home to bull trout and grizzly habitat.

“The issues that have been successfully managed up there for over 25 years is experience and lessons learned we can bring to bear at Rock Creek,” said Luke Russell, vice president for external affairs at Hecla.

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