Hecla bangs community drums

The Venezuelan subsidiary of Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla (NYSE: HL) has finished repairs to the local school in the rural community of Venorca, in the El Callao district of Bolivar state, giving 75 children access to primary education, the company said in a statement. Hecla is also providing a community advice service in the nearby Peru-Chile area. The subsidiary, Minera Hecla Venezolana, is starting up gold mining operations in the area known as Block B in El Callao. It also owns the La Camorra gold mine in the same region. The company has invested some US$50mn in Venezuela in the last four years, creating 500 direct jobs in the region. The figure is seen topping US$80mn in the next two years. Hecla is currently Venezuela's largest gold producer, with output of some 180,000oz last year.