I think gwr's absolutely right about the mill and its readiness.

From what I've read and remember, Hecla was one very lucky company to be in the right place at the right time to get there hands on that mill back in 2001. With the legal hassle over parts and pieces of it for quite awhile since they got it, no doubt Hecla has kept it in tip top shape knowing what they were sitting on.

So when gwr says it's ready to go, I believe it's ready to go. I imagine it's as turn-key ready as you can get.