Rehabilitation work on the Silver Shaft began in the first quarter of this year and is now completed to around the 5, 700-foot level, which is around 400 feet from the shaft bottom, the company said.

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Inside, in a space not much bigger than a three-car garage, was a single shaft-painting machine, a work station where clubs were cut to size and grips attached, and racks containing 40, 000 to 50, 000 shafts and 5, 000 clubheads.

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The company then can undertake a detailed inspection of the Silver Shaft to confirm the scope of necessary work.

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Hecla has also begun preparatory work for sinking of No. 4 Shaft, which is planned to access extensions to reserves, resources and additional exploration targets.

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