All in the timing

Hecla bought out Rio Tinto's stake in their joint silver mine which generates a tremendous amount of silver in a stable area of the globe: Alaska. In the meantime, Rio Tinto dallied around with aluminum and amounting an enormous amount of debt. Yes, Hecla issued more shares to finance the company, but as gold and silver keep going higher, it would appear that the bankers missed out on this bonanaza. And yes their interest in South America has been reduced, but it was sold in cash so they did receive money for its mines. Hecla should, but lets see, outperform gold and silver as they go for their old highs.