One of the Silver Valley's largest employers, Hecla Mining, said it plans to reopen its Lucky Friday mine in Mullan in the first quarter of 2013, according to a story in the Spokesman-Review. The company expects to extract around 2 million ounces of silver once the mine opens.
The mine has been closed for nearly a year after federal regulators ordered it closed due to a series of accidents including two deaths. The regulators ordered the mine shaft's safety be upgraded.
When back in production, the mine will employ nearly 400 workers.
