Hecla Mining Co.’s Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho may be closed, but the underground silver mine is still getting a lot of attention from MSHA.

The mine was shut down in mid-December due to MSHA’s concern that accumulated debris in the main shaft presented a risk to miners.  Since then, maintenance crews have been busy power-washing the shaft and upgrading it in an effort to return the mine to full production by the end of this year or soon thereafter.