Shares of Hecla Mining Company rose Wednesday to $16.80, up 9.16%, extending gains following the company's second-quarter results released Tuesday, which showed the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada achieving a debt-free balance sheet alongside record production at one of its key operations.

The Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based miner reported cash flow from continuing operations up 61% year over year to $175 million, while free cash flow more than doubled from the prior year to $136 million, results the company described as reflecting the strongest balance sheet in its history.

Record Production at Lucky Friday

Hecla's Lucky Friday mine set a new quarterly production record during the period, contributing to consolidated silver output from continuing operations that rose to 4.2 million ounces for the quarter. Greens Creek, the company's flagship low-cost operation located near Juneau, Alaska, continued to deliver strong production, while the company's Keno Hill operation in Canada's Yukon territory posted its fourth consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow, a milestone the company said demonstrated the mine's underlying profitability at current throughput rates and silver prices.

Despite the strong operational performance, Hecla's overall revenue for the quarter came in at $334 million, representing an........

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