Alexco Resource's proposed acquisition by Hecla Mining recommended by ISS

Alexco Resource (AXU) announced that independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services, or ISS, has recommended Alexco shareholders vote "for" the proposed acquisition of Alexco by 1080980 B.C., a subsidiary of Hecla Mining (HL) at the upcoming special meeting of securityholders to be held on August 30. At the Meeting, securityholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass a special resolution to approve an arrangement, in accordance with the terms of an arrangement agreement entered into by the company and Hecla on July 4, as assigned and amended pursuant to which 108 will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Alexco that it does not already own. Under the terms of the arrangement, shareholders will receive 0.116 common shares in the capital of Hecla for each Alexco Share held. In their report ISS stated: "The transaction makes strategic sense as shareholders will benefit from jurisdictional and project risk diversification, enhanced financing capacity and access to capital, and the benefits conferred by a consolidation of assets with Hecla."