Hecla Mining Co., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, hired Strong as service...

Hecla Mining Co., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, hired Strong as service provider for its $16 million 401(k) plan, replacing Merrill Lynch/Howard Johnson. Strong has superior technology and educational tools, said Rob Buckham, director of human resources. Eric Hendrickson, a Merrill Lynch spokesman, called the change ‘‘a mutual separation.’’