Our ability to market our metals production may be affected by disruptions or closures of custom smelters and/or refining facilities. We face inherent risks in acquisitions of other mining companies or properties that may adversely impact our growth strategy. Our business depends on finding skilled miners and maintaining good relations with our employees. Competition from other mining companies may harm our business. We may be subject to a number of unanticipated risks related to inadequate infrastructure.  Our foreign activities are subject to additional inherent risks. [ HL:10-K ] 9 Consequently, our exploration, development and production activities outside of the United States may be substantially affected by factors beyond  our control, any of which could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. We currently conduct exploration and pre-development projects in Mexico and continue to own assets, including real estate and mineral interests  there. We anticipate that we will continue to conduct operations in Mexico and possibly other international locations in the future. Because we conduct  operations internationally, we are subject to political and economic risks such as: Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water  supply are important determinants, which affect capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, other interference  in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure, or government intervention, could adversely affect our mining operations.  We compete with other mining companies to attract and retain key executives, skilled labor, contractors and other employees. We compete with  other mining companies for the services of skilled personnel and contractors and their specialized equipment, components and supplies, such as drill  rigs, necessary for exploration and development. We also compete with other mining companies for rights to mine properties. We may be unable to  continue to obtain the services of skilled personnel and contractors or specialized equipment or supplies, or to acquire additional rights to mine  properties. In March 2012, Hecla Limited received notice of a complaint filed against it by the United Steel Workers, Local 5114, with the Federal Mine Safety  Health Review Commission for compensation for bargaining unit workers at the Lucky Friday mine who were idled as a result of the previously- announced, temporary suspension of production at the mine (see the  Other Contingencies  section of  Note 7  of  Notes to Consolidated Financial  Statements  for more information). We are dependent upon the ability and experience of our executive officers, managers, employees and other personnel, and there can be no  assurance that we will be able to retain such employees. We compete with other companies both in and outside the mining industry in recruiting and  retaining qualified employees knowledgeable of the mining business. From time to time, we have encountered, and may in the future encounter,  difficulty recruiting skilled mining personnel at acceptable wage and benefit levels in a competitive labor market, and may be required to utilize  contractors, which can be more costly. Temporary or extended lay-offs due to mine closures may exacerbate such issues and result in vacancies or the  need to hire less skilled or efficient employees. The loss of these persons or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees could  have an adverse effect on our business and future operations. The Lucky Friday mine is our only operation subject to a collective bargaining  agreement, which expires on April 30, 2016. There is a limited supply of desirable mineral properties available in the United States and foreign countries where we would consider conducting  exploration and/or production activities, and any acquisition we may undertake is subject to inherent risks. In addition to the risk associated with  limited mine lives, we may not realize the value of the companies or properties that are acquired due to a possible decline in metals prices, failure to  obtain permits, labor problems, changes in regulatory environment, failure to achieve anticipated synergies, an inability to obtain financing, and other  factors previously described. Acquisitions of other mining companies or properties may also expose us to new geographic, political, operating, and  geological risks. In addition, we face strong competition for companies and properties from other mining companies, some of which have greater  financial resources than we do, and we may be unable to acquire attractive companies and mining properties on terms that we consider acceptable. We are actively seeking to expand our mineral reserves by acquiring other mining companies or properties. Although we are pursuing opportunities  that we feel are in the best interest of our shareholders, these pursuits are costly and often unproductive. Inherent risks in acquisitions we may  undertake in the future could adversely affect our current business and financial condition and our growth. We sell substantially all of our metallic concentrates to custom smelters. Our doré bars are sent to refiners for further processing before being sold  to metal traders. If our ability to sell concentrates to our contracted smelters becomes unavailable to us, our operations could be adversely affected.  See  Note 11  of  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  for more information on the distribution of our sales and our significant customers. y the effects of local political, labor and economic developments and unrest; y significant or abrupt changes in the applicable regulatory or legal climate; y exchange controls and export restrictions; y expropriation or nationalization of assets with inadequate compensation; y currency fluctuations and repatriation restrictions; y invalidation an unavailability of governmental orders, permits or agreements; y property ownership disputes; y renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts; y criminal activity, corruption, demands for improper payments, expropriation, and uncertain legal enforcement and physical security; y disadvantages of competing against companies from countries that are not subject to U.S. laws and regulations; y fuel or other commodity shortages; y illegal mining; y laws or policies of foreign countries and the United States affecting trade, investment and taxation; y civil disturbances, war and terrorist actions; and y seizures of assets.