Hecla Reminds U.S. Silver Shareholders to Take Action before 5:00 P.M. ET Today to Stop the Proposed Transaction with RX Gold & Silver
Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) (“Hecla”) today reminded common shareholders of U.S. Silver Corporation (TSX:USA) (“U.S. Silver”) that, in order to take advantage of Hecla’s offers to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of U.S. Silver for CDN$1.80 per common share in cash and to acquire each outstanding common share purchase warrant for CDN
.205 (its “in the money” amount based on such price per common share) (together, the “Hecla Offer”), they must act TODAY before 5:00 p.m. ET to stop U.S. Silver’s proposed transaction with RX Gold & Silver (the “RX Proposal”).
The Hecla Offer is conditional upon the RX Proposal not proceeding or such transaction otherwise terminating; U.S. Silver shareholders need to REVOKE proxies voted for the RX Proposal (if your shares have been previously voted for it) and vote AGAINST it immediately, before the August 2, 2012 proxy submission deadline.
“We are encouraged by the support we have received so far from U.S. Silver shareholders,” said Hecla’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips S. Baker, Jr. “That being said, it is important that as many U.S. Silver shareholders as possible take action before today’s deadline to stop the RX proposal and put themselves in a position to take advantage of Hecla’s superior offer. Every vote counts.”
Instructions for Beneficial U.S. Silver Shareholders
If you are a beneficial U.S. Silver Shareholder, call your investment advisor, stockbroker, bank, trust company, other nominee or intermediary through which you hold your U.S. Silver shares immediately and instruct them to vote AGAINST the proposed RX transaction. Brokers and other intermediaries each have their own voting instructions, which need to be carefully followed to ensure that your instructions are counted. It is also important to note that your broker or other intermediary may have a deadline that falls before August 2, 2012. Therefore, it is imperative that you act immediately.
Instructions for Registered U.S. Silver Shareholders
If you are voting your Shares by proxy, U.S. Silver’s Transfer Agent, Valiant Trust Company, must receive your signed proxy by mail at 310-606 4 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 9Z9, or by facsimile at 1-855-375-6916, not later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on August 2, 2012.
How to Change your Vote
A Registered Shareholder may revoke a previously voted form of proxy at any time before it has been exercised by completing a form of proxy that is dated later than the form of proxy being revoked and mailing it to Valiant Trust Company so that it is received before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on August 2, 2012. Hecla’s BLUE proxy is available at www.hecla-mining.com.
U.S. Silver shareholders with questions about the Hecla Offer can also contact Hecla’s information agent, MacKenzie Partners Inc., toll-free within the U.S. and Canada at 1(800) 322-2885 or Call Collect: (212) 929-5500, by fax: (212) 929-0308 or email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com.