CDE Coeur Mining Inc

OEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE:CDENYSE:TSX:NYSE:CDM) said today that is has signed an exploration agreement with Mirasol Resources Ltd., under which Coeur has obtained exclusive rights for up to four years to conduct exploration and evaluation work on two highly prospective silver and gold properties near Coeur's existing Martha mine operations in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. "These two properties are located in an area that's well known for having some of the highest-grade silver deposits in the world as well as world-class gold deposits," said Dennis E. Wheeler, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Coeur. "We are particularly excited by this agreement because it dramatically and cost-effectively expands our exploration horizon in Santa Cruz and, in so doing, perfectly complements the drilling we are already doing on our own properties adjacent to the Martha mine." In the event that Coeur determines that the properties warrant commercial production, the company has the option to enter into a joint venture with Mirasol in which Coeur would act as manager and have an interest of at least 51%, with further options to increase its managing joint venture interest. The properties covered by the agreement are known as Sascha and Joaquin, both of which feature multiple vein systems in the same volcanic rocks that host Coeur's Martha deposit and other major precious metal deposits in the province. Samples collected to-date by Mirasol and Coeur, from surface exposures and trenches, have identified high grades of both silver and gold. The Sascha property covers approximately 16 square kilometers and contains a 4.5 kilometer trend of classic, low-sulphidation quartz veins, which host bonanza silver and gold grades. Best surface samples include grades of 467 grams per tonne of silver and 160.0 grams per tonne of gold from surface outcrop. The Joaquin property covers approximately 18 square kilometers and includes four discrete silver and gold targets that contain vein-hosted mineralization. Mineralized trends have shown values of up to 4,748 grams per tonne of silver and 46.9 grams per tonne of gold from surface outcrop and up to 848.6 grams per tonne silver and 1.4 grams per tonne gold from saw channel samples over 3.4 meters in width. Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world's leading primary silver producers and a growing gold producer. The company has mining interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, and Nevada. Cautionary Statement Company press releases may contain numerous forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada relating to the company's silver and gold mining business. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside the company's control. Operating, exploration and financial data, and other statements in this document are based on information the company believes reasonable, but involve significant uncertainties as to future gold and silver prices, costs, ore grades, estimation of gold and silver reserves, mining and processing conditions, construction schedules, currency exchange rates, and the completion and/or updating of mining feasibility studies, changes that could result from the company's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), regulatory and permitting matters, risks inherent in the ownership and operation of, or investment in, mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in the company's filings from time to time with the SEC and the Ontario Securities Commission, including, without limitation, the company's reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Donald J. Birak, Coeur's Senior Vice President of Exploration, is the qualified person responsible for the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this document. Mr. Birak has reviewed the available data and procedures and believes the collection of exploration data reported in this document was conducted in a professional and competent manner. The potential quantity and grade of the silver and gold and the Sascha and Joaquin properties are conceptual in nature. Insufficient exploration has been carried out to define a mineral resource at either property, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the delineation of mineral resources. Contact: Scott Lamb 208-665-0777 DATASOURCE: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation CONTACT: Scott Lamb of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation, +1-208-665-0777 Web site: http://www.coeur.com/

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