SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington D.C. 20549

                                  _____________

                                    FORM 8-K

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported):                            February 12, 2004


                              Hecla Mining Company
________________________________________________________________________________
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    Delaware
________________________________________________________________________________
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


       1-8491                                  82-0126240
________________________________________________________________________________
(Commission File Number)            (IRS Employer Identification No.)


6500 North Mineral Drive, Suite 200
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho                                          83815-9408
________________________________________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)



                                 (208) 769-4100
________________________________________________________________________________
                         (Registrant's Telephone Number)






Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure and Disclosure of Results of Operations and
         Financial Condition (Item 12)

     The following information is being furnished under Items 9 and 12 of Form
8-K: On February 12, 2004, Hecla Mining Company (the "Company") issued a news
release announcing the Company's Fourth Quarter 2003 and twelve months ended
December 31, 2003 financial results. The News Release is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.



                                    SIGNATURE


     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                            HECLA MINING COMPANY



                                            By: /s/ Michael B. White
                                                ________________________________
                                                Name:  Michael B. White
                                                Title: Corporate Secretary


Dated:  February 12, 2004












                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




Exhibit No.           Title
___________           _____


Exhibit 99 -          Hecla Mining Company News Release dated February 12, 2004